UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT
TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported):  June 6, 2012

 

DICK’S SPORTING GOODS, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Delaware

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

 

001-31463

 

16-1241537

(Commission File Number)

 

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

345 Court Street
Coraopolis, Pennsylvania

 

15108

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

(724) 273-3400

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

N/A

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

o             Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o             Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o             Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o             Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 



 

ITEM 5.02. DEPARTURE OF DIRECTORS OR CERTAIN OFFICERS; ELECTION OF DIRECTORS; APPOINTMENT OF CERTAIN OFFICERS; COMPENSATORY ARRANGEMENTS OF CERTAIN OFFICERS

 

(e)           On June 6, 2012, the stockholders of Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc. (the “Company”) approved the Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc. 2012 Stock and Incentive Plan (the “2012 Plan”).  The 2012 Plan had been previously approved by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) on March 14, 2012, subject to stockholder approval.  The Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and other named executive officers are eligible for both equity and non-equity based awards pursuant to the 2012 Plan.  The 2012 Plan was summarized under the caption “ITEM 2 — APPROVAL OF THE COMPANY’S 2012 STOCK AND INCENTIVE PLAN” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on June 6, 2012 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 20, 2012 (the “Proxy Statement”), which summary is incorporated herein by reference.  The 2012 Plan replaces the Dick’s Sporting Goods 2002 Stock and Incentive Plan, and no further awards will be made under the 2002 Plan.  A copy of the 2012 Plan, as amended to reflect certain administrative changes, is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

On June 6, 2012, the Board’s Compensation Committee approved a new form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement and Stock Option Award Agreement in connection with the 2012 Plan.  The form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement sets forth the material terms of an award of shares of restricted stock, including the forfeiture restrictions implemented with respect to the grant of shares of restricted stock and any cash or in-kind dividends declared prior to vesting of the shares, the applicable vesting terms and the treatment of unvested shares of restricted stock upon termination of employment.  The form of Stock Option Award Agreement sets forth the material terms of an award of stock options, including applicable vesting terms, exercise price, manner of exercise and treatment of unvested options upon termination of employment.  The forms of Restricted Stock Award Agreement and Stock Option Award Agreement are filed herewith as Exhibit 10.2 and Exhibit 10.3, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 5.03  AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OR BYLAWS; CHANGE IN FISCAL YEAR

 

(a)           On June 6, 2012, the Board adopted amendments to the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws.  The amendments update the advance notice procedures relating to stockholder proposals.  These updates include requirements for the proponent to disclose the proponent’s beneficial ownership, update information provided with respect to the proposal and attend the stockholder meeting.  The amendments also reflect changes in procedure to allow for use of electronic mediums and certain other administrative changes.  The Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws, as amended, are filed herewith as Exhibit 3.1 and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 5.07  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

 

(a)           The Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders was held on June 6, 2012.

 

(b)           Four proposals were submitted by the Board to a vote of stockholders, and the final results of the voting on each proposal are noted below.  The Company’s stockholders elected each of the Board’s two nominees for Class A Directors, each for terms that expire in 2015, or until their successors are duly elected and qualified as Class A Directors; approved the 2012 Plan; ratified the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2012; and approved, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s

 

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named executive officers as disclosed in the Proxy Statement.

 

Proposal No. 1- Election of Directors

 

Nominee

 

For

 

Withheld/
Abstain

 

Broker Non-Vote

 

William J. Colombo

 

311,388,820

 

3,346,694

 

5,226,914

 

Larry D. Stone

 

311,638,218

 

3,097,296

 

5,226,914

 

 

Proposal No. 2- Approval of the Dick’s Sporting Goods 2012 Stock and Incentive Plan

 

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

 

Broker Non-Vote

 

271,667,381

 

43,046,688

 

21,442

 

5,226,914

 

 

Proposal No. 3- Ratification of the Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

 

Broker Non-Vote

 

317,877,669

 

2,065,686

 

19,068

 

 

 

Proposal No. 4- Non-Binding Advisory Vote on the Compensation of Named Executive Officers

 

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

 

Broker Non-Vote

 

310,228,145

 

3,800,723

 

706,641

 

5,226,914

 

 

ITEM 9.01. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

 

(d)  Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

 

 

 

3.1

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws of Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc., as amended

10.1

 

Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc. 2012 Stock and Incentive Plan

10.2

 

Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement granted under the Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc. 2012 Stock and Incentive Plan

10.3

 

Form of Stock Option Award Agreement granted under the Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc. 2012 Stock and Incentive Plan

 

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SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

DICK’S SPORTING GOODS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: June 11, 2012

By:

/s/ Timothy E. Kullman

 

Name:

Timothy E. Kullman

 

Title:

EVP – Finance, Administration
and Chief Financial Officer

 

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Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

 

 

 

3.1

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws of Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc., as amended

10.1

 

Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc. 2012 Stock and Incentive Plan

10.2

 

Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement granted under the Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc. 2012 Stock and Incentive Plan

10.3

 

Form of Stock Option Award Agreement granted under the Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc. 2012 Stock and Incentive Plan

 

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Exhibit 3.1

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED BY-LAWS

 

OF

 

DICK’S SPORTING GOODS, INC.

 

(a Delaware corporation)

 

(Adopted June 6, 2012)

 

ARTICLE I

 

STOCKHOLDERS

 

SECTION 1. ANNUAL MEETINGS. The annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting shall be held each year at such date, time and place, if any, as the Board of Directors shall determine.

 

SECTION 2. SPECIAL MEETINGS. Except as otherwise required by law, or by the sentence immediately following this sentence, special meetings of the stockholders may be called only at the direction of the Board of Directors by resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Board, by the Chairman of the Board or by the Chief Executive Officer. Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence, meetings, special or otherwise, of holders of any class of capital stock may be called by the holders of a majority of the shares of such class of capital stock with respect to any matter as to which the holders of such class of capital stock are entitled to vote as a separate class. Except as otherwise required by law or the immediately preceding sentence, stockholders of the Corporation shall not have the right to request or call a special meeting of the stockholders. Any such meeting held pursuant to this Section 2 shall be held at such date, time and place, if any, as may be specified by such order, and otherwise in accordance with Section 3 below. Whenever the directors shall fail to fix such place, the meeting shall be held at the principal executive office of the Corporation.

 

SECTION 3. NOTICE OF MEETINGS. Notice of all meetings of the stockholders, stating the place, if any, date and hour of the meeting, the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (if such date is different from the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting) and the means of remote communication, if any, of the meeting, shall be given to each stockholder entitled to receive notice of the meeting not less than 10 nor more than 60 days prior to the meeting. Notice of any special meeting shall state in general terms the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is to be held and the business transacted at any such meeting shall be limited to matters relating to the purpose or purposes set forth in the notice of meeting. Except as otherwise provided herein or permitted by applicable law, notice to

 



 

stockholders shall be in writing and delivered personally or mailed to the stockholders at their address appearing on the books of the Corporation. Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders, notice of meetings may be given to stockholders by means of electronic transmission in accordance with applicable law. Notice of any meeting need not be given to any stockholder who shall, either before or after the meeting, submit a waiver of notice or who shall attend such meeting, except when the stockholder attends for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Any stockholder so waiving notice of such meeting shall be bound by the proceedings of any such meeting in all respects as if due notice thereof had been given.

 

SECTION 4. FIXING DATE FOR DETERMINATION OF STOCKHOLDERS OF RECORD. In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors and which record date: (1) in the case of determination of stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders or adjournment thereof, shall, unless otherwise required by law, not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting; (2) in the case of determination of stockholders entitled to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, shall not be more than 10 days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors; and (3) in the case of any other action, shall not be more than 60 days prior to such other action. If no record date is fixed: (1) the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held; (2) the record date for determining stockholders entitled to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, when no prior action of the Board of Directors is required by law, shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the corporation in accordance with applicable law, or, if prior action by the Board of Directors is required by law, shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution taking such prior action; and (3) the record date for determining stockholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

 

SECTION 5. STOCKHOLDER LISTS. The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation shall prepare and make, at least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose

 

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germane to the meeting, for a period of at least 10 days prior to the meeting, at the Corporation’s principal place of business. The list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place, if any, of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.  If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, then such list should be open for examination by any stockholder during the meeting in accordance with the requirements of Delaware law.

 

The stock ledger shall be the only record used to determine which stockholders are entitled to examine the stock ledger, the stockholder list required to be produced by this Section 5 or the books of the Corporation, or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.

 

SECTION 6. QUORUM. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of stockholders shall consist of the holders of record of the issued and outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Corporation representing a majority of the votes entitled to be cast at the meeting, present in person or by proxy. If there be no such quorum, the holders of capital stock of the Corporation representing a majority of such votes so present or represented may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without further notice, until a quorum shall have been obtained. When a quorum is once present it is not broken by the subsequent withdrawal of any stockholder.

 

SECTION 7. ORGANIZATION. Meetings of stockholders shall be presided over by the Chairman, or if none or in the Chairman’s absence the Vice-Chairman, or if none or in the Vice-Chairman’s absence the Chief Executive Officer, or if none or in the Chief Executive Officer’s absence the President, or, if none of the foregoing is present, by a chairman to be chosen by the stockholders entitled to vote who are present in person or by proxy at the meeting. The Secretary of the Corporation, or in the Secretary’s absence an Assistant Secretary, shall act as secretary of every meeting, but if neither the Secretary nor an Assistant Secretary is present, the presiding officer of the meeting shall appoint any person present to act as secretary of the meeting. Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules and regulations as adopted by the Board of Directors, the chairman of any meeting of the stockholders shall have the right and authority to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chairman, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board of Directors or prescribed by the chairman of the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (a) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (b) the determination of when the polls shall open and close for any given matter to be voted on at the meeting; (c) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (d) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to stockholders of record of the Corporation, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other persons as the chairman of the meeting shall determine; (e) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; and (f) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants.

 

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SECTION 8. VOTING; PROXIES; REQUIRED VOTE.

 

(a) At each meeting of stockholders, every stockholder shall be entitled to vote in person or by proxy appointed by instrument in writing, subscribed by such stockholder or by such stockholder’s duly authorized attorney lawfully constituted in writing (but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period), and, unless the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation provides otherwise, shall have one vote for each share of stock entitled to vote registered in the name of such stockholder on the books of the Corporation on the applicable record date fixed pursuant to these By-laws. At all elections of directors the voting may, but need not be, by written ballot. Each director shall be elected by receiving a plurality of the votes cast. At all meetings of the stockholders at which a quorum is present, all other matters shall be decided by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast, present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the matter, unless the question is one upon which, by provision of applicable law or of the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, a different vote is required in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question.

 

(b) As long as the Class B Common Stock of the Corporation remains outstanding, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of stockholders may, except as otherwise required by law, be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of record of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Corporation having a majority of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted, and the writing or writings are filed with the permanent records of the Corporation. Prompt notice of the taking of corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing.

 

(c) Where a separate vote by a class or classes, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum entitled to vote on that matter, the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast of such class or classes present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the matter shall be the act of such class, unless otherwise provided in the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation.

 

SECTION 9. INSPECTORS. Unless otherwise required by law, the Board of Directors, in advance of any meeting, shall appoint one or more inspectors of election to act at the meeting or any adjournment thereof. If an inspector or inspectors are not so appointed, the person presiding at the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors. In case any person who may be appointed as an inspector fails to appear or act, the vacancy shall be filled by appointment made by the directors in advance of the meeting or at the meeting by the person presiding thereat. Each inspector, if any, before entering upon the discharge of his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector at such meeting with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. The inspectors, if any, shall determine the number of shares of stock outstanding and the voting power of each, the shares of stock represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum, and the validity and effect of proxies, and shall receive votes, ballots or consents, hear and determine all challenges and questions arising in connection with the right to vote, count and tabulate all votes, ballots or consents, determine the result, and do such acts as are proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all stockholders. On

 

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request of the person presiding at the meeting, the inspector or inspectors, if any, shall make a report in writing of any challenge, question or matter determined by such inspector or inspectors and execute a certificate of any fact found by such inspector or inspectors.

 

SECTION 10. NOMINATING AND PROPOSAL PROCEDURES.

 

(a)           Without limiting any other notice requirements imposed by law, the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, any nomination for election to the Board of Directors or other proposal to be presented by any stockholder at a stockholders’ meeting (the “Proponent”) will be properly presented only if written notice of the Proponent’s intent to make such nomination or proposal that complies with the notice procedures set forth in this By-law has been personally delivered to and otherwise in fact received by the Secretary of the Corporation not later than (i) for the annual meeting, at least 150 days prior to the anniversary date of the prior year’s annual meeting, or (ii) for any special meeting, the close of business on the tenth day after notice of such meeting is first given to stockholders.

 

(b)           Such notice by the Proponent to the Corporation shall set forth in reasonable detail information concerning the nominee (in the case of a nomination for election to the Board of Directors) or the substance of the proposal (in the case of any other stockholder proposal), and shall include the following:

 

(i) the name and residence address and business address of the stockholder who intends to present the nomination or other proposal or of any person who participates or is expected to participate in making such nomination or other proposal and of the person or persons, if any, to be nominated and the principal occupation or employment and the name, type of business and address of the business, corporation or other organization in which such employment is carried on of each such stockholder, participant and nominee;

 

(ii) the class or series and number of shares of the Corporation that are, directly or indirectly, owned beneficially and of record by the Proponent; any option, warrant, convertible security, stock appreciation right, or similar right with an exercise or conversion privilege or a settlement payment or mechanism at a price related to any class or series of shares of the Corporation or with a value derived in whole or in part from the value of any class or series of shares of the Corporation, whether or not such instrument or right shall be subject to settlement in the underlying class or series of capital stock of the Corporation or otherwise (a “Derivative Instrument”) directly or indirectly owned beneficially by the Proponent and any other direct or indirect opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Corporation; any proxy, contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship pursuant to which the Proponent has a right to vote any shares of any security of the Corporation; any short interest in any security of the Corporation (for purposes of this By-law a person shall be deemed to have a short interest in a security if such person directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has the opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any decrease in the value of the subject security); any proportionate interest in shares of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments held, directly or indirectly, by a general or limited partnership or member of

 

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limited liability company in which the Proponent is a general partner or member or, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns an interest in a general partner or member; or any performance-related fees (other than an asset-based fee) that the Proponent is entitled to based on any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments, if any, as of the date of such notice, including without limitation any such interests held by members of such Proponent’s immediate family sharing the same household (which information shall be supplemented by the Proponent, if any, not later than 10 days after the record date for the meeting to disclose such ownership as of the record date);

 

(iii) a representation that the Proponent is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to present the nomination or other proposal specified in the notice;

 

(iv) a description of all arrangements or understandings between the Proponent and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nomination or other proposal is to be made by the Proponent;

 

(v) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and, if such business includes a proposal to amend these Bylaws, the text of the proposed amendment);

 

(vi) such other information regarding the proponent, or any affiliate or associate thereof, each proposal and each nominee as would have been required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission had the nomination or other proposal been made by the Board of Directors;

 

(vii) the consent of each nominee, if any, to serve as a director of the Corporation if elected.

 

(viii) a representation as to whether the Proponent, or any affiliate or associate thereof, is or intends to be part of a group that intends to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s outstanding capital stock required to approve or adopt the proposal and/or otherwise to solicit proxies from stockholders in support of such proposal.

 

The Corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as may reasonably be required by the Corporation to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as an independent director of the Corporation or that could be material to a reasonable stockholder’s understanding of the independence, or lack thereof, of such nominee.

 

(c)           Within 15 days following the receipt by the Secretary of a notice of nomination or proposal pursuant hereto, the Secretary shall advise the Proponent in writing of any deficiencies

 

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in the notice and of any additional information the Corporation is requiring to determine the eligibility of the proposed nominee or the substance of the proposal. A Proponent who has been notified of deficiencies in the notice of nomination or proposal and/or of the need for additional information shall cure such deficiencies and/or provide such additional information within 15 days after receipt of the notice of such deficiencies and/or the need for additional information.

 

(d)           A Proponent shall further update and supplement such notice so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section 10 shall be true and correct both as of the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting and as of the date that is 10 business days before the meeting or the rescheduled date of the meeting following any adjournment or postponement thereof, and such updated and supplemented information shall be received by the secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation (i) in the case of information that is required to be updated and supplemented to be true and correct as of the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting, not later than the later of 5 business days after such record date or 5 business days after the public announcement of such record date, and (ii) in the case of information that is required to be updated and supplemented to be true and correct as of 10 business days before the meeting or the rescheduled date of the meeting following any adjournment or postponement thereof, not later than 8 business days before the meeting or the rescheduled date of the meeting following any adjournment or postponement thereof (or if not practicable to provide such updated and supplemented information not later than 8 business days before the rescheduled date of the meeting following any adjournment or postponement, on the first practicable date before the date of such rescheduled meeting).

 

(e)           Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 10, unless otherwise required by law, if the Proponent (or a qualified representative of the Proponent) does not appear at the annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to present a nomination or proposed business, such nomination shall be disregarded and such proposed business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation.  For purposes of this Section 10, to be considered a qualified representative of the Proponent, a person must be authorized by a writing executed by such Proponent or an electronic transmission delivered by such stockholder to act for such stockholder as a proxy at the meeting of stockholders and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting of stockholders.  The presiding officer of a meeting of stockholders may, in his or her sole discretion, determine whether a representative of a Proponent constitutes a “qualified representative” as described herein.

 

(f)            The presiding officer of a meeting of stockholders may, in his or her sole discretion, refuse to acknowledge a nomination or other proposal presented by any person that does not comply with the foregoing procedures and, upon his or her instructions, all votes cast for such nominee or with respect to such proposal may be disregarded.

 

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ARTICLE II

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

SECTION 1. GENERAL POWERS. The business, property and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by, or under the direction of, the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may adopt such rules and procedures, not inconsistent with the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation, these By-laws or applicable law, as it may deem proper for the conduct of its meetings and the management of the Corporation.

 

SECTION 2. QUALIFICATION; NUMBER; TERM; REMUNERATION. (a) Each director shall be at least 18 years of age. A director need not be a stockholder, a citizen of the United States, or a resident of the State of Delaware. The number of directors constituting the entire Board shall be such number as may be fixed from time to time by action of the Board of Directors, but in no event less than or more than the minimum number or maximum number set forth in the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation, and absent action by the Board of Directors the number of directors constituting the entire Board shall be set at 7. The use of the phrase “entire Board” herein refers to the total number of directors that the Corporation would have if there were no vacancies.

 

(b) Directors who are elected at an annual meeting of stockholders, and directors who are elected in the interim to fill vacancies and newly created directorships, shall hold office for the time periods as set forth in the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation.

 

(c) Directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors and may be paid a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors or a stated salary as director. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members of special or standing committees may be allowed like reimbursement of expenses and compensation for attending committee meetings.

 

SECTION 3. QUORUM AND MANNER OF VOTING. Except as otherwise provided by law, a majority of the entire Board shall constitute a quorum. A majority of the directors present, whether or not a quorum is present, may adjourn a meeting from time to time to another time and place without notice. The vote of the majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors.

 

SECTION 4. PLACES OF MEETINGS. Meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at any place within or without the State of Delaware, as may from time to time be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors, or as may be specified in the notice of meeting.

 

SECTION 5. ANNUAL MEETING. In connection with the annual meeting of stockholders, the Board of Directors shall meet for the purpose of the election of officers and the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting. Such meeting may

 

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be held without notice prior to or after the annual meeting of stockholders at the same place at which such stockholders’ meeting is held.

 

SECTION 6. REGULAR MEETINGS. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at such times and places as the Board of Directors shall from time to time by resolution determine. Notice of any regular meeting may be given to each director by mailing the same at least two days before the meeting, or by facsimile, sending via electronic mail to an address previously provided or telephoning the same or by delivering the same personally not later than the day before the day of the meeting; provided, however, that notice is not required to be given for regular meetings of the Board of Directors held at times and places previously fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors. Where appropriate communication facilities are reasonably available, any or all Directors shall have the right to participate in all or any part of a meeting of the Board of Directors, or any Committee thereof, by means of conference telephone or any means of communication by which all persons participating in the meeting are able to hear each other.

 

SECTION 7. SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held whenever called by the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Vice-Chairman or by a majority of the directors then in office.

 

SECTION 8. NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETINGS. A notice of the place, date and time and the purpose or purposes of each special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be given to each director by mailing the same at least two days before the special meeting, or by facsimile, sending via electronic mail to an address previously provided or telephoning the same or by delivering the same personally not later than the day before the day of the meeting.

 

SECTION 9. WAIVER OF NOTICE. Whenever the giving of any notice to directors is required by applicable law, the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, a waiver thereof, given in writing or by electronic transmission by the director entitled to the notice, whether before or after such notice is required, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. In accordance with Delaware law, attendance at the meeting shall also constitute a waiver of notice, except when the director attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business because the meeting was not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special Board of Directors or committee meeting need be specified in any waiver of notice.

 

SECTION 10. ORGANIZATION. At all meetings of the Board of Directors, the Chairman, or if none or in the Chairman’s absence or inability to act the Vice-Chairman, or if none or in the Vice-Chairman’s absence or inability to act a chairman chosen by the directors shall preside. The Secretary of the Corporation shall act as secretary at all meetings of the Board of Directors when present, and, in the Secretary’s absence, the presiding officer may appoint any person to act as secretary.

 

SECTION 11. RESIGNATION. Any director may resign at any time upon written notice to the Corporation and such resignation shall take effect upon receipt thereof by the Secretary of the Corporation or the Corporation’s General Counsel, unless otherwise specified in the resignation.

 

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SECTION 12. VACANCIES. Unless otherwise provided in these By-laws, vacancies on the Board of Directors, whether caused by resignation, death, disqualification, removal, an increase in the authorized number of directors or otherwise, may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, or at a special or annual meeting of the stockholders, by the holders of shares entitled to vote for the election of directors.

 

SECTION 13. ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting if all the directors consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors.

 

ARTICLE III

 

COMMITTEES

 

SECTION 1. APPOINTMENT. From time to time the Board of Directors by a resolution adopted by a majority of the entire Board may appoint any committee or committees for any purpose or purposes, to the extent lawful, which shall have powers as shall be determined and specified by the Board of Directors in the resolution of appointment.

 

SECTION 2. PROCEDURES, QUORUM AND MANNER OF ACTING. Each committee shall fix its own rules of procedure, and shall meet where and as provided by such rules or by resolution of the Board of Directors. Except as otherwise provided by law, the presence of a majority of the then appointed members of a committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by that committee, and in every case where a quorum is present the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the committee present shall be the act of the committee. Each committee shall keep minutes of its proceedings, and actions taken by a committee shall be reported to the Board of Directors.

 

SECTION 3. ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of any committee of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting if all the members of the committee consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the committee.

 

SECTION 4. TERM; TERMINATION. In the event any person shall cease to be a director of the Corporation, such person shall simultaneously therewith cease to be a member of any committee appointed by the Board of Directors.

 

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ARTICLE IV

 

OFFICERS

 

SECTION 1. OFFICERS. The Corporation shall have as officers, a Chairman of the Board, a Chief Executive Officer, a Chief Financial Officer, a Secretary and a Treasurer. The Corporation may also have, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, a President and one or more Vice Presidents, one or more assistant secretaries, one or more assistant treasurers and such other officers as the Board may from time to time deem proper, the determination of which has been delegated by the Board of Directors to the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer, on behalf of the Corporation and in its name. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person except the offices of the Chief Executive Officer and Secretary.

 

SECTION 2. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The officers of the Corporation shall be chosen either by the Board of Directors or by the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer, to whom such responsibility has been delegated by the Board of Directors.

 

SECTION 3. TERM OF OFFICE AND REMUNERATION. Each officer of the Corporation shall hold office until such officer’s successor is elected and qualifies or until such officer’s earlier death, resignation or removal.  The remuneration of all officers of the Corporation may be fixed by the Board of Directors or in such manner as the Board of Directors shall provide.

 

SECTION 4. RESIGNATION; REMOVAL. Any officer may resign at any time upon written notice to the Corporation and such resignation shall take effect upon receipt thereof by the Secretary, unless otherwise specified in the resignation. Any officer may be removed from office, either with or without cause, at any time by the Board of Directors or Chief Executive Officer. Any vacancy in any office arising from any cause may be filled by the Board of Directors or Chief Executive Officer.

 

SECTION 5. CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD. The Chairman of the Board of Directors, if there be one, shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and shall have such other powers and duties as may from time to time be assigned by the Board of Directors.

 

SECTION 6. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER. The Chief Executive Officer shall have general management and supervision of the property, business and affairs of the Corporation and over its other officers; may appoint and remove officers and other agents and employees; and may execute and deliver in the name of the Corporation powers of attorney, contracts, bonds and other obligations and instruments.

 

SECTION 7. PRESIDENT. The President, if any shall be elected, shall, under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer, be responsible for the operations of the Corporation and shall have all the powers, rights, functions and responsibilities normally exercised by a president. The President shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may from time to time be assigned or delegated to the President by the Chief Executive Officer, the Board of Directors or these By-laws.

 

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SECTION 8. VICE-PRESIDENT. A Vice-President may execute and deliver in the name of the Corporation contracts and other obligations and instruments pertaining to the regular course of the duties of said office, and shall have such other authority as from time to time may be assigned by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer.

 

SECTION 9. CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER.

 

(a) The Chief Financial Officer shall keep, or cause to be kept, the books and records of account of the Corporation.

 

(b) The Chief Financial Officer shall deposit all monies and other valuables in the name and to the credit of the Corporation with such depositories as may be designated from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors. He or she shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, shall render to the Chief Executive Officer and the Board, whenever they request it, an account of all of his or her transactions as Chief Financial Officer and of the financial condition of the Corporation, and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed from time to time by the Board of Directors or as the Chief Executive Officer may from time to time delegate.

 

SECTION 10. TREASURER. The Treasurer shall in general have all duties incident to the position of Treasurer and such other duties as may be assigned by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer.

 

SECTION 11. SECRETARY. The Secretary shall in general have all the duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as may be assigned by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer.

 

SECTION 12. ASSISTANT OFFICERS. Any assistant officer shall have such powers and duties of the officer such assistant officer assists as such officer, the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer shall from time to time prescribe.

 

ARTICLE V

 

BOOKS AND RECORDS

 

SECTION 1. LOCATION. The books and records of the Corporation may be kept at such place or places within or outside the State of Delaware as the Board of Directors or the respective officers in charge thereof may from time to time determine. Any records maintained by the Corporation in the regular course of its business, including its stock ledger, books of account and minute books, may be maintained on any information storage device or method; provided that the records so kept can be converted into clearly legible paper form within a reasonable time. The Corporation shall so convert any records so kept upon the request of any person entitled to inspect such records pursuant to applicable law. The record books containing

 

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the names and addresses of all stockholders, the number and class of shares of stock held by each and the dates when they respectively became the owners of record thereof shall be kept by the Secretary as prescribed in these By-laws and by such officer or agent as shall be designated by the Board of Directors.

 

SECTION 2. ADDRESSES OF STOCKHOLDERS. Notices of meetings and all other corporate notices may be delivered personally or mailed to each stockholder at the stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

CERTIFICATES REPRESENTING STOCK

 

SECTION 1. CERTIFICATES; SIGNATURES. The shares of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates, provided that the Board of Directors may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of the Corporation’s stock shall be uncertificated shares that may be evidenced by a book-entry system maintained by the registrar of such stock. Any such resolution shall not apply to shares represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the Corporation. If shares are represented by certificates, such certificates shall be in the form approved by the Board of Directors. Any certificates representing shares of the Corporation’s stock shall be signed by, or in the name of, the Corporation by the Chairman, any Vice-Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or any Vice-President, and by the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary, the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer. Any and all signatures on any such certificate may be facsimiles. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he or she were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue. The name of the holder of record of the shares represented thereby, with the number of such shares and the date of issue, shall be entered on the books of the Corporation.

 

The Board of Directors shall have power and authority to make all such rules and regulations as it may deem expedient concerning the issue, transfer and registration of certificates representing shares of the Corporation.

 

SECTION 2. TRANSFERS OF STOCK. Upon compliance with provisions restricting the transfer or registration of transfer of shares of stock, if any, shares of capital stock shall be transferable on the books of the Corporation only by the person named as the holder thereof on the stock records of the Corporation, by such person’s attorney lawfully constituted in writing, and in the case of shares represented by a certificate upon the surrender of the certificate thereof, which shall be cancelled before a new certificate or uncertificated shares shall be issued. No transfer of stock shall be valid as against the Corporation for any purpose until it shall have been entered in the stock records of the Corporation by an entry showing from and to whom transferred.

 

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SECTION 3. FRACTIONAL SHARES. The Corporation may, but shall not be required to, recognize fractions of a share where necessary to effect authorized transactions, or the Corporation may pay in cash the fair value of fractions of a share as of the time when those entitled to receive such fractions are determined, or it may issue scrip in registered or bearer form over the manual or facsimile signature of an officer of the Corporation or of its agent, exchangeable as therein provided for full shares, but such scrip shall not entitle the holder to any rights of a stockholder except as therein provided.

 

SECTION 4. LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED CERTIFICATES. The Corporation may issue a new certificate of stock in place of any certificate, theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, and the Board of Directors may require the owner of any lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or his or her attorney lawfully constituted in writing, to give the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of any such new certificate.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

DIVIDENDS

 

Subject always to the provisions of law and the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors shall have full power to determine whether any, and, if any, what part of any, funds legally available for the payment of dividends shall be declared as dividends and paid to stockholders; the division of the whole or any part of such funds of the Corporation shall rest wholly within the lawful discretion of the Board of Directors, and it shall not be required at any time, against such discretion, to divide or pay any part of such funds among or to the stockholders as dividends or otherwise; and before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the Corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the Board of Directors from time to time, in its absolute discretion, thinks proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation, or for such other purpose as the Board of Directors shall think conducive to the interest of the Corporation, and the Board of Directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

RATIFICATION

 

Any transaction, questioned in any law suit on the ground of lack of authority, defective or irregular execution, adverse interest of director, officer or stockholder, non-disclosure, miscomputation, or the application of improper principles of practices of accounting, may be ratified before or after judgment, by the Board of Directors or by the stockholders, and if so

 

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ratified shall have the same force and effect as if the questioned transaction had been originally duly authorized. Such ratification shall be binding upon the Corporation and its stockholders and shall constitute a bar to any claim or execution of any judgment in respect of such questioned transaction.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

INDEMNIFICATION

 

SECTION 1. RIGHT TO INDEMNIFICATION. The Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless those persons, and to the extent, set forth in the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation.

 

SECTION 2. NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS. The rights conferred on any person by this Article and the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation shall not be exclusive of any other rights that such person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, these By-laws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

 

SECTION 3. AMENDMENT OR REPEAL. Any repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Article IX or any amendment to the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation shall not adversely affect any right or protection hereunder of any person in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such repeal or modification.

 

ARTICLE X

 

CORPORATE SEAL

 

The corporate seal shall have inscribed thereon the name of the Corporation and the year of its incorporation, and shall be in such form and contain such other words and/or figures as the Board of Directors shall determine. The corporate seal may be used by printing, engraving, lithographing, stamping or otherwise making, placing or affixing, or causing to be printed, engraved, lithographed, stamped or otherwise made, placed or affixed, upon any paper or document, by any process whatsoever, an impression, facsimile or other reproduction of said corporate seal.

 

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ARTICLE XI

 

FISCAL YEAR

 

The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be that which is determined by the Board of Directors, and is subject to change by the Board of Directors.

 

ARTICLE XII

 

WAIVER OF NOTICE

 

Whenever notice is required to be given by these By-laws or by the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation or by law, a written waiver thereof, signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice.

 

ARTICLE XIII

 

BANK ACCOUNTS, DRAFTS, CONTRACTS, ETC.

 

SECTION 1. BANK ACCOUNTS AND DRAFTS. In addition to such bank accounts as may be authorized by the Board of Directors, the primary financial officer or any person designated by said primary financial officer, whether or not an employee of the Corporation, may authorize such bank accounts to be opened or maintained in the name and on behalf of the Corporation as he may deem necessary or appropriate, payments from such bank accounts to be made upon and according to the check of the Corporation in accordance with the written instructions of said primary financial officer, or other person so designated by the Treasurer.

 

SECTION 2. CONTRACTS. The Board of Directors may authorize any person or persons, in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, to enter into or execute and deliver any and all deeds, bonds, mortgages, contracts and other obligations or instruments, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.

 

SECTION 3. PROXIES; POWERS OF ATTORNEY; OTHER INSTRUMENTS. The Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer or any other person designated by either of them shall have the power and authority to execute and deliver proxies, powers of attorney and other instruments on behalf of the Corporation in connection with the rights and powers incident to the ownership of stock by the Corporation. The Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer or any other person authorized by proxy or power of attorney executed and delivered by either of them on behalf of the Corporation may attend and vote at any meeting of stockholders of any company in which the Corporation may hold stock, and may exercise on behalf of the Corporation any and all of the rights and powers incident to the ownership of such stock at any such meeting, or otherwise as specified in the proxy or power of attorney so authorizing any such person. The Board of Directors, from time to time, may confer like powers upon any other person.

 

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SECTION 4. FINANCIAL REPORTS. The Board of Directors may appoint the primary financial officer or other fiscal officer and/or the Secretary or any other officer to cause to be prepared and furnished to stockholders entitled thereto any special financial notice and/or financial statement, as the case may be, that may be required by any provision of law.

 

ARTICLE XIV

 

AMENDMENTS

 

The Board of Directors is expressly authorized to adopt, amend or repeal the By-laws of the Corporation, subject, however, to any limitation thereof contained in these By-laws. By-laws adopted by the Board of Directors may be repealed or changed, and new By-laws made, by the stockholders, and the stockholders may prescribe that any By-law made by them shall not be altered, amended or repealed by the Board of Directors. The stockholders also shall have the power to adopt, amend or repeal the By-laws of the Corporation.

 

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Exhibit 10.1

 

DICK’S SPORTING GOODS, INC.
2012 STOCK AND INCENTIVE PLAN

 

1.             Purposes of this Plan .  The purposes of this Plan are to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility, to provide additional incentive to Eligible Individuals, to further align Eligible Individuals’ interests with those of the stockholders of the Company and to promote the success of the Company’s business.

 

2.             Certain Definitions .  As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:

 

(a)           “Administrator” means the Board, the Committee or any subcommittee or other committee appointed by the Board or Committee to administer this Plan; provided, however, that the Board in its sole discretion may, notwithstanding the appointment of any committee or subcommittee to administer this Plan, exercise any authority under this Plan except with respect to awards intended to comply with Section 162(m), which shall in all cases be awarded and administered by the Committee.

 

(b)           “Award” means any Incentive Bonus Award, Option, other stock-based awards, Performance Share Award, Performance Unit Award, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Unit Award, SAR or Stock Unit Award granted under this Plan.

 

(c)           “Award Agreement” means either (i) a written agreement entered into by the Company and a Participant setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to an Award granted under this Plan, or (ii) a written or electronic statement issued by the Company to a Participant describing the terms and provisions of such Award, including any amendment or modification thereof.

 

(d)           “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

(e)           “Change in Control” means (i) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) other than a Class B Permitted Holder (as such term is defined in the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation) through a tender offer, open market purchases and/or other purchases is or becomes a beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities or (ii) a majority of the Board shall be comprised of persons who (A) were elected in one or more contested elections for the Board and (B) had not been nominated when they were first elected by the then existing Board, (iii) a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another corporation is effected, other than a merger or consolidation (A) that would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity

 



 

outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation or (B) effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) in which no “person” (as herein defined) acquires more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities, or (v) the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company or an agreement for the sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets.  Notwithstanding the foregoing or any provision of this Plan to the contrary, if an Award is subject to Section 162(m) or 409A (and not excepted therefrom) and a Change in Control is a distribution event for purposes of an Award, the foregoing definition of Change in Control shall be interpreted, administered, limited and construed in a manner necessary to ensure that the occurrence of any such event shall result in a Change in Control only if such event qualifies as a change in the ownership or effective control of a corporation, or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of a corporation, as applicable, within the meaning of Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-3(i)(5) or Code Section 162(m), as applicable.

 

(f)            “Common Stock” means the Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company.

 

(g)           “Class B Common Stock” means the Class B Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company.

 

(h)           “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.  For purposes of this Plan, references to sections of the Code shall be deemed to include references to any applicable regulations thereunder and any successor or similar provisions.

 

(i)            “Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board, or any successor committee thereto, and/or such other committee of the Board as is appointed or designated by the Board to administer this Plan (or any part hereof) or is otherwise identified in the Company’s corporate governance documents as being responsible for determining the compensatory arrangements of certain Participants, and, except as the Board may otherwise determine, that consists of two or more non-employee members of the Board, each of whom is a (i) “Non-Employee Director’ within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act, (ii) and “outside director” within the meaning of Section 162(m), and (iii) an “independent director” for the purposes of the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the New York Stock Exchange.

 

(j)            “Company Common Stock” means the Common Stock or the Class B Common Stock of the Company, as the case may be.

 

(k)           “Company” means Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

 

(l)            “Consultant” means any person, including an advisor, who is engaged by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company to render services and is compensated for such services, and any director of the Company whether compensated for such services or not.

 

(m)          “Continuous Status as an Employee” means the absence of any interruption or termination of the employment relationship by the Employee with the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company.  Continuous Status as an Employee shall not be

 

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considered interrupted in the case of: (i) approved medical, disability, or family leave; (ii) military leave; (iii) any other approved leave of absence, provided that such leave is for a period of not more than ninety (90) days, unless reemployment upon the expiration of such leave is guaranteed by contract or statute, or unless provided otherwise pursuant to Company policy adopted from time to time; or (iv) transfers between locations of the Company or between any of the Company, a Parent or Subsidiary of the Company or any successor of the foregoing.

 

(n)           “Eligible Individual” means any Employee, Non-Employee Director or Consultant.

 

(o)           “Employee” means any person, including officers and directors, employed by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company or any prospective employee who shall have received an offer of employment.  The payment of a director’s fee by the Company shall not be sufficient to constitute “employment” by the Company.  An Employee shall not include: (i)  any individual during any period he or she is classified or treated by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company as an independent contractor, (ii) any leased employee or (iii) any employee of an employment, consulting, staffing or temporary agency or any other entity other than the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company, without regard to whether such individual is subsequently determined to have been, or is subsequently retroactively reclassified as, a common-law employee of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company during such period.

 

(p)           “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, or any successor act thereto.

 

(q)           “Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of the applicable class of Company Common Stock determined as follows:

 

(i)            if such class of Company Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system reporting last sale transactions, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sale price for such stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) on the last completed market trading day prior to the applicable time of determination (as determined by the Committee) as reported by such stock exchange or national market system; or

 

(ii)           if such class of Company Common Stock is quoted on any electronic inter-dealer quotation system (but not on a last reported sale basis) or regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, its Fair Market Value shall be the mean between the high and low closing asked prices for the Company Common Stock for the last completed market trading day prior to the applicable time of determination (as determined by the Committee) as reported in any source as the Administrator deems reliable; or

 

(iii)          in the absence of an established market for such class of Company Common Stock, the Fair Market Value thereof shall be determined in good faith by the Administrator.

 

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For purposes of this Plan, the Class B Common Stock shall be deemed to have the same value per share as the Common Stock unless the value of the Class B Common Stock is determinable in accordance with subparagraphs (i) or (ii) above.

 

(r)            “GAAP” means the U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.

 

(s)            “Grant Price” means the price established at the time of grant of a SAR pursuant to Section 8, used to determine whether there is any payment due upon exercise of the SAR.

 

(t)            “Incentive Bonus Award” means the opportunity to earn a future cash payment tied to the level of achievement with respect to one or more Qualifying Performance Criteria for a performance period as established by the Committee.

 

(u)           “Incentive Stock Option” means an Option intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

 

(v)           “Non-Employee Director” means a member of the Board who is not an employee of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company.

 

(w)          “Nonstatutory Stock Option” means an Option not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

 

(x)           “Option” means a right to purchase Shares granted pursuant to this Plan.

 

(y)           “Optioned Stock” means the Shares subject to an Option.

 

(z)           “Optionee” means a Participant who holds an Option.

 

(aa)         “Parent” means a “parent corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

 

(bb)         “Participant” means any person who has an Award under this Plan, including any person (including any estate) to whom an Award has been assigned or transferred in accordance with this Plan.

 

(cc)         “Performance Share Award” means a grant of a right to receive Shares or Stock Units contingent on the achievement of performance or other objectives during a specified period.

 

(dd)         “Performance Unit Award” means a grant of a right to receive a designated dollar value amount of Shares or Stock Units contingent on the achievement of performance or other objectives during a specified period.

 

(ee)         “Plan” means this 2012 Stock and Incentive Plan, as the same may be amended and restated.

 

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(ff)          “ Prior Plans ” means the Company’s Amended and Restated 2002 Stock and Incentive Plan, the Golf Galaxy, Inc. 1996 Stock Option and Incentive Plan and the Golf Galaxy, Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan.

 

(gg)         “Qualifying Performance Criteria ” means any one or more of the following performance criteria, either individually, alternatively or in any combination, applied to either the Company as a whole or to a business unit, division or subsidiary, either individually, alternatively or in any combination, and measured over a period of time including any portion of a year, annually or cumulatively over a period of years, on an absolute basis or relative to a pre-established target, to previous years’ results or to a designated comparison group, on a GAAP or non-GAAP basis, in each case as specified by the Award: (a) cash flow, (b) earnings per share (including earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization or some variation thereof), (c) stock price, (d) return on equity, (e) total stockholder return, (f) revenue, (g) income or net income, (h) operating income or net operating income, (i) operating profit or net operating profit, (j) margin (whether based on profit, operations, sales or other determining criteria), (k) return (as it relates to operating revenue, invested capital, equity, assets or net assets), (l) market share, (m) sales (including comparable sales), (n) inventory-related metrics (including inventory turn, shrink and obsolescence), (o) transaction-related metrics (including average sale per transaction and units per transaction), (p) employee-related metrics (including retention and attrition metrics), (q) productivity, (r) customer-related criteria (including service level, acquisition, loyalty program, conversion and traffic metrics), and (s) successful completion of Company-specific tasks (including project implementations, successful conversions and integrations).  To the extent consistent with Section 162(m), the Administrator shall appropriately adjust any evaluation of performance under a Qualifying Performance Criteria to exclude any of the following events that occurs during a performance period: (i) asset write-downs; (ii) charges associated with store closings; (iii) litigation or claim judgments or settlements; (iv) the effect of changes in tax law, accounting principles or other such laws or provisions affecting reported results; (v) expenses related to reorganization and restructuring programs; and (vi) any extraordinary, non-recurring items as described in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 30 and/or in management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations appearing in the Company’s annual report to stockholders for the applicable year, including but not limited to acquisition or merger and integration costs.

 

(hh)         “Restricted Stock Award” means a grant of Shares subject to a risk of forfeiture or other restrictions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may impose (including, without limitation, any forfeiture provisions and any restriction on the right to vote such Shares, or to receive any dividends with respect to such Shares), which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination, or upon the achievement of one or more goals relating to completion of service by the Participant, or upon achievement of performance or other objectives, which may include one or more Qualifying Performance Criteria, at such time or times, in installments or otherwise, as determined by the Administrator.

 

(ii)           “Restricted Unit Award” means a grant of Stock Unit subject to a risk of forfeiture or other restrictions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may impose (including, without limitation, any forfeiture provisions), which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination, or upon the achievement of one or more goals relating to completion of service by the Participant, or upon achievement of performance or other objectives, which may include one

 

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or more Qualifying Performance Criteria, at such time or times, in installments or otherwise, as determined by the Administrator.

 

(jj)           “SAR” means a stock appreciation right, which is the right to receive an amount equal to the appreciation, if any, in the Fair Market Value of a Share from the date of the grant of the right to the date of its payment, as adjusted in accordance with Section 12 of this Plan, payable in cash, Shares or Stock Units as determined by the Administrator.

 

(kk)         “Section 162(m)” means Section 162(m) of the Code, and the regulations, judicial interpretations and other binding guidance promulgated thereunder.

 

(ll)           “Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code, and the regulations, judicial interpretations and other binding guidance promulgated thereunder.

 

(mm)      “Separation from Service” and “Separate from Service” means the Participant’s death, retirement or other termination of employment or service with the Company or Parent or Subsidiary of the Company (including all persons treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) and 414(c) of the Code) that constitutes a “separation from service” (within the meaning of Section 409A).  For purposes hereof, the determination of controlled group members shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Section 414(b) and 414(c) of the Code; provided that the language “at least 50 percent” shall be used instead of “at least 80 percent” in each place it appears in Section 1563(a)(1),(2) and (3) of the Code and Treas. Reg. § 1.414(c)-2; provided, further, where legitimate business reasons exist (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-1(h)(3)), the language “at least 20 percent” shall be used instead of “at least 80 percent” in each place it appears.

 

(nn)         “Share” means a share of Company Common Stock, as adjusted in accordance with Section 12 of this Plan.

 

(oo)         “Specified Employee” means a key employee (as defined in Section 416(i) of the Code without regard to paragraph (5) thereof) of the Company as determined in accordance with Section 409A and the procedures established by the Company.

 

(pp)         “Stock Unit” means the right to receive a Share at a future point in time.

 

(qq)         “Stock Unit Award” means the grant of a Stock Unit.

 

(rr)           “Subsidiary” means a “subsidiary corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.

 

3.             Shares Subject to this Plan .

 

(a)           Subject to the provisions of Section 12 of this Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be issued under this Plan shall be:

 

(i)            5,000,000, plus

 

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(ii)           Any Shares available under the Prior Plans as of the effective date of this Plan (such Shares numbering 7,889,210 as of such date) and any Shares subject to outstanding awards, that on or after the effective date of this Plan cease for any reason to be subject to such awards (other than by reason of exercise or settlement of the awards to the extent they are exercised for or settled in vested and nonforfeitable Shares).

 

The maximum aggregate number of Options which may be issued under this Plan is 12,889,210.  Any Shares under any Award that are granted through the settlement, assumption or substitution of outstanding awards previously granted, or through obligations to grant future awards, as the result of a merger, consolidation, or acquisition of the employing company with or by the Company shall not be applied to reduce the share limitations of this provision.

 

(b)           The Shares may be: Authorized, but unissued Shares; Issued Shares that have been reacquired by the Company (otherwise known as treasury Shares); Or Shares acquired on the open market specifically for distribution under this Plan, or any combination thereof.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, Awards for Class B Common Stock or Awards for securities convertible or exchangeable into Class B Common Stock may only be issued to a Class B Permitted Holder (as such term is defined in the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as further amended and/or restated).

 

If Shares under any Award are not issued for any reason, including termination of Awards by expiration, forfeiture, cancellation or otherwise, or are settled in cash in lieu of Shares, such Shares shall, unless this Plan shall have been terminated, become available for future grant under this Plan.  In addition, any Shares delivered or deemed delivered, by attestation or otherwise, to the Company in payment of any obligation, including the exercise price of any Option, the purchase price for any Shares, or for any tax obligation shall be added back to the Shares available for issuance under this Plan.

 

The aggregate number of Shares issuable under all Awards (including options and SARs) granted under this Plan during any calendar year to any one Eligible Individual shall not exceed 12,889,210.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan, the foregoing limitations shall be subject to adjustment under Section 12, but only to the extent that such adjustment will not affect the status of any Award intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m).  The foregoing limitations shall not apply to the extent that they are no longer required in order for compensation in connection with grants under this Plan to be treated as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m).

 

4.             Administration of this Plan .

 

(a)           Authority .  Subject to the provisions of this Plan and, in the case of a Committee, the specific duties delegated to or limitations imposed upon such Committee by the Board, the Administrator shall have the full and exclusive authority, in its discretion:

 

(i)            to establish, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to this Plan;

 

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(ii)           to select the Eligible Individuals to whom Awards may from time to time be granted hereunder;

 

(iii)          to determine the amount and type of Awards, including any combination thereof, to be granted to any Eligible Individual;

 

(iv)          to grant Awards to Eligible Individuals and, in connection therewith, to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of this Plan, of any such Award including, but not limited to, the number of Shares or Stock Units that may be issued or amount of cash that may be paid pursuant to the Award, the exercise or purchase price of any Award, the circumstances under which Awards or any Shares or Stock Units relating thereto are issued, retained, become exercisable or vested, are no longer subject to forfeiture or are terminated, forfeited or expire, including changes resulting from a termination of employment, based in each case on such factors as the Administrator shall determine, in its sole discretion;

 

(v)           to determine the Fair Market Value of the Company Common Stock, in accordance with Section 2(q) of this Plan;

 

(vi)          to establish, verify the extent of satisfaction of, adjust, reduce or waive any performance goals or other conditions applicable to the grant, issuance, exercisability, vesting and/or ability to retain any Award;

 

(vii)         to approve forms and terms of Award Agreements for use under this Plan;

 

(viii)        to determine whether and under what circumstances an Award may be settled in cash instead of Shares;

 

(ix)          to determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances Shares and other amounts payable with respect to an Award under this Plan shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the participant (including providing for and determining the amount, if any, of any deemed earnings on any deferred amount during any deferral period);

 

(x)           subject to Sections 12 and 13 hereof, adopt modifications and amendments to this Plan or any Award Agreement, including without limitation, any that are necessary to comply with the laws of the countries and other jurisdictions in which the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company operates;

 

(xi)          to interpret and construe the terms and the intent of this Plan and any Award Agreement or other agreement or document ancillary to or in connection with this Plan or any Award Agreement, any rules and regulations under this Plan and the terms and conditions of any Award granted hereunder, to make exceptions to any such provisions in good faith and for the benefit of the Company, and to consult with attorneys, consultants, accountants, agents, and other individuals, any of whom may be an Employee, and shall be entitled to rely upon the advice, opinions, or valuations of any such individuals; and

 

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(xii)         to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of this Plan.

 

Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the Board shall not have the authority, without stockholder approval, to (a) accept the surrender of any outstanding Option or SAR when the Fair Market Value of a Share is less than the exercise price of such outstanding Option or SAR and grant new Options, SAR or other Award in substitution for such surrendered Option or pay cash in connection with such surrender, (b) reduce the exercise price of any outstanding Option or SAR, or (c) take any other action that would be treated as the repricing of Options or SARs under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange; provided that appropriate adjustments may be made to outstanding Options or SARs pursuant to Section 12 of this Plan.

 

(b)           Effect of Administrator’s Decision .  All decisions, determinations, actions and interpretations of the Administrator shall be final and binding on all Participants, the Company, any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company and all other interested individuals or entities.

 

5.             Delegation.  The Administrator may delegate to one or more of its members or to one or more officers of the Company and/or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company or to one or more agents or advisors such administrative duties or powers as it may deem advisable, and the Administrator or any individuals to whom it has delegated duties or powers as aforesaid may employ one or more individuals to render advice with respect to any responsibility the Administrator or such individuals may have under this Plan.  The Administrator may, by resolution, authorize one or more officers of the Company to do one or both of the following on the same basis as can the Administrator: (a) designate Employees to be recipients of Awards and (b) determine the size of any such Awards; provided, however, (i) the Administrator shall not delegate such responsibilities to any such officer for Awards granted to any Participant who is subject to reporting pursuant to Section 16 of the Exchange Act; (ii) the resolution providing such authorization sets forth the total number of Awards such officer(s) may grant; and (iii) the officer(s) shall report periodically to the Administrator regarding the nature and scope of the Awards granted pursuant to the authority delegated.

 

6.             Term of Plan .  This Plan shall become effective upon receipt of approval of this Plan by the stockholders of the Company in accordance with applicable state law.  This Plan shall continue in effect for a term of ten (10) years unless sooner terminated under Section 13 of this Plan; provided, however, that this Plan shall remain in effect so long as any Award remains outstanding and as long as necessary to issue any Awards pursuant to commitments entered into prior to the expiration of this Plan; provided, further, that no Award intended to qualify as performance-based compensation within the meaning of Section 162(m) shall be payable prior to approval of this Plan’s material terms by the Company’s stockholders.

 

7.             Options .

 

(a)           General Terms.

 

(i)            Award Agreement .  Each Option grant shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement setting forth the number and kind of Shares that may be issued upon exercise

 

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of the Option, the purchase price of each Share, the term of the Option, such additional terms and conditions on the vesting and/or exercisability of an Option as may be determined by the Administrator, any restrictions on the transfer of the Option and forfeiture provisions and such further terms and conditions, in each case not inconsistent with this Plan, as may be determined from time to time by the Administrator.

 

(ii)           Designation .  Each Option shall be designated in the Award Agreement as either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option.  Notwithstanding such designations, to the extent that an Option does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, it shall be treated as a Nonstatutory Stock Option.

 

(iii)          Eligibility .  To the extent then required by the Code, including Section 422 thereof, Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to eligible Employees.

 

(iv)          Term of Option .  The term of each Option shall be the term stated in the Award Agreement evidencing such Option; provided, however, that, to the extent then required by the Code, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the term shall be no more than ten (10) years from the date of grant thereof or such shorter term as may be provided in the Award Agreement and, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to an Optionee who, at the time the Option is granted, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company, the term of the Option shall be five (5) years from the date of grant thereof or such shorter term as may be provided in the Award Agreement evidencing such Option.

 

(v)           Exercise Price .  The per share exercise price for the Shares to be issued pursuant to exercise of an Option shall be such price as is determined by the Administrator, but shall be subject to the following:

 

(A)                                To the extent then required by the Code, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option:

 

(1)                                  granted to an Employee who, at the time of the grant of such Incentive Stock Option, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant, and

 

(2)                                  granted to any other Employee, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.

 

(B)                                In the case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option grant, the per Share exercise price may not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share as of the date of grant.

 

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(vi)          Payment of Exercise Price .  Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator in the Award Agreement, the exercise price of an Option may be paid in one or more of the following: (1) cash or its equivalent, (2) by tendering previously acquired Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value at the time of exercise equal to the exercise price of the Option, (3) delivery of a properly executed exercise notice together with irrevocable instructions to a broker registered under the Exchange Act to promptly deliver to the Company the amount of proceeds required to pay the exercise price, (4) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment, or (5) any other method approved or accepted by the Administrator in its sole discretion.

 

(b)           Exercise of Options .

 

(i)            Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Stockholder .  Any Option granted hereunder shall be exercisable at such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and set forth in the Award Agreement, including performance criteria with respect to the Company and/or the Participant, and as shall be permissible under the terms of this Plan.  An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.  An Option shall be deemed to be exercised when written notice of such exercise has been given to the Company in accordance with the Option Award Agreement by the person entitled to exercise such Option and, if an Option is to be exercised, full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised has been received by the Company.  Until the Shares underlying the Option have been issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder shall exist with respect to the Optioned Stock, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option.  No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the appropriate entry is made on the books of the Company or of a duly authorize transfer agent of the Company, except as provided in Section 12 of this Plan.  Exercise of an Option in any manner shall result in a decrease in the number of Shares that thereafter may be available under the Option by the number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised.

 

(ii)           Termination of Employment .  Each Participant’s Award Agreement shall set forth the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to exercise an Option in the event of termination of a Participant’s Continuous Status as an Employee, status as a Non-Employee Director or consulting relationship with the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company (as the case may be), including termination resulting from voluntary or involuntary termination, permanent and total disability (as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code) or death; provided, however, that as it relates to Incentive Stock Options, a Participant may, but only within ninety (90) days after the date of such termination, exercise such Incentive Stock Option to the extent that such Participant was entitled to exercise it at the date of such termination, notwithstanding any provisions in a Participant’s Award Agreement to the contrary.  In no event will a Participant, as it relates to any Option or SAR, have the right to exercise such Option or SAR later than the expiration date of the term of such Award as set forth in the Award Agreement.  The inclusion of such provisions in an Award Agreement shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Administrator, need not be uniform among all Options issued pursuant to this Section 7, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination.  To the extent that such Participant was not entitled to exercise the Option at the date of such termination, or if

 

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such Participant does not exercise such Option to the extent so entitled within the time specified in the Award Agreement, the Option shall terminate.  In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, in the event of a termination of a Participant’s Continuous Status as an Employee, status as a Non-Employee Director or consulting relationship with the Company (as the case may be), such Participant may, but only within ninety (90) days (or such other period of time as is determined by the Administrator, with such determination, to the extent required by the Code, being made at the time of grant of the Incentive Stock Option (but in no event later than the expiration date of the term of such Incentive Stock Option)), exercise such Incentive Stock Option to the extent that such Participant was entitled to exercise it at the date of such termination.

 

(iii)          Buyout Provisions .  To the extent not inconsistent with Section 22 hereof, the Administrator may at any time offer to buy out for a payment in cash or Shares, an Option  previously granted, based on such terms and conditions as the Administrator shall establish and communicate to the Participant at the time that such offer is made.

 

(c)           Transferability of Options .  Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator and set forth in an Award Agreement, no Option may be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the lifetime of the Participant, only by the Participant.  The terms of the Option shall be binding upon the executors, administrators, heirs, successors and assigns of the Participant.  With respect to those Options, if any, that are permitted to be transferred to another individual, references in this Plan to exercise or payment of the Option exercise price by the Participant shall be deemed to include, as determined by the Administrator, the Participant’s permitted transferee.

 

(d)           Restrictions on Share Transferability .  The Administrator may impose such restrictions on any Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Option granted under this Article 7 as it may deem advisable, including, without limitation, minimum holding period requirements, restrictions under applicable federal securities laws, under the requirements of any stock exchange or market upon which such Shares are then listed and/or traded, or under any blue sky or state securities laws applicable to such Shares.

 

8.             SARs.

 

(a)           Grant of SARs .  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan, SARs may be granted to Eligible Individuals at any time and from time to time as shall be determined by the Administrator.  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan, the Administrator shall have complete discretion in determining the number of SARs granted to each Eligible Individual and, consistent with the provisions of this Plan, in determining the terms and conditions pertaining to such SARs.  The Grant Price for each grant of a SAR shall be determined by the Administrator and shall be specified in the Award Agreement.

 

(b)           SAR Agreement .   Each SAR Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the Grant Price, the term of the SAR, and such other provisions as the Administrator shall determine.

 

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(c)           Term of SAR .  The term of a SAR granted under this Plan shall be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion, and except as determined otherwise by the Administrator and specified in the SAR Award Agreement, no SAR shall be exercisable later than the tenth (10 th ) anniversary date of its grant.

 

(d)           Exercise and Settlement of SARs .   SARs may be exercised upon whatever terms and conditions the Administrator, in its sole discretion, imposes.  Upon the exercise of a SAR, a Participant shall be entitled to receive payment in an amount determined by multiplying:

 

(i)            The excess of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise over the Grant Price; by

 

(ii)           The number of Shares with respect to which the SAR is exercised.

 

The payment upon SAR exercise shall be in cash, Shares or Stock Units, as determined by the Administrator and set forth in the SAR Award Agreement.

 

(e)           Termination of Employment .  Each Participant’s Award Agreement shall set forth the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to exercise a SAR in the event of termination of a Participant’s Continuous Status as an Employee, status as a Non-Employee Director or consulting relationship with the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company (as the case may be), including termination resulting from voluntary or involuntary termination, permanent and total disability (as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code) or death.  Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Administrator, shall be included in the Award Agreement entered into with each Participant, need not be uniform among all SARs issued pursuant to this Section 8, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination.  To the extent that such Participant was not entitled to exercise the SAR at the date of such termination, or if such Participant does not exercise such SAR to the extent so entitled within the time specified in the Award Agreement, the SAR shall terminate.

 

(f)            Transferability of SARs .  Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator and set forth in an Award Agreement, no SAR may be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the lifetime of the Participant, only by the Participant.  The terms of the SAR shall be binding upon the executors, administrators, heirs, successors and assigns of the Participant.  With respect to those SARs, if any, that are permitted to be transferred to another individual, references in this Plan to exercise or settlement of the SAR by the Participant shall be deemed to include, as determined by the Administrator, the Participant’s permitted transferee.

 

(g)           Restrictions on Share Transferability .  The Administrator may impose such restrictions on any Shares acquired pursuant to the settlement of SARs granted under this Article 8 as it may deem advisable, including, without limitation, minimum holding period requirements, restrictions under applicable federal securities laws, under the requirements of any stock exchange or market upon which such Shares are then listed and/or traded, or under any blue sky or state securities laws applicable to such Shares.

 

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9.             Performance Share Awards, Performance Unit Awards, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Unit Awards and Stock Unit Awards.

 

(a)           Awards .  Performance Share Awards, Performance Unit Awards, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Unit Awards, or Stock Unit Awards may be issued by the Administrator to Eligible Individuals, either alone, in addition to, or in tandem with other Awards granted under this Plan and/or cash awards made outside of this Plan.  Such Awards shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement containing any provisions regarding (i) the number of Shares or Stock Units subject to such Award or a formula for determining such, (ii) the purchase price of the Shares or Stock Units, if any, and the means of payment for the Shares or Stock Units, (iii) the performance criteria and/or Qualifying Performance Criteria, if any, and level of achievement versus these criteria that shall determine the number of Shares or Stock Units granted, issued, retainable and/or vested, (iv) such terms and conditions on the grant, issuance, vesting and/or forfeiture of the Shares or Stock Units as may be determined from time to time by the Administrator, (v) restrictions on the transferability of the Shares or Stock Units and (vi) such further terms and conditions in each case not inconsistent with this Plan as may be determined from time to time by the Administrator, in its sole discretion.

 

(b)           Vesting .  The grant, issuance, retention and/or vesting of Shares or Stock Units pursuant to any Performance Share Awards, Performance Unit Awards, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Unit Awards, or Stock Unit Awards of Incentive Stock shall occur at such time and in such installments as determined by the Administrator or under criteria established by the Administrator.  The Administrator shall have the right to make the timing of the grant and/or the issuance, ability to retain and/or vesting of Shares or Stock Units subject to continued employment, passage of time and/or such performance criteria or Qualifying Performance Criteria as deemed appropriate by the Administrator.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the performance criteria for any Award that is intended to satisfy the requirements for “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) shall be a measure based on one or more Qualifying Performance Criteria selected by the Committee, shall be preestablished in writing by the Committee, and achievement thereof certified in writing prior to payment of the Award, as required by Section 162(m).  All such performance goals shall be established in writing no later than ninety (90) days after the beginning of the applicable performance period; provided however, that for a performance period of less than one year, the Committee shall take any such actions prior to the lapse of 25% of the performance period.

 

(c)           Discretionary Adjustments .  Notwithstanding satisfaction of any performance goals, the number of Shares or Stock Units granted, issued, retainable and/or vested under a Performance Share Award, Performance Unit Award, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Unit Award, or Stock Unit Award on account of either financial, operational or similar performance or personal performance evaluations, or some combination of the foregoing, may be reduced by the Committee at any time on the basis of such further considerations as the Committee shall determine.  This negative discretion will be exercised in accordance with Section 162(m).

 

(d)           Voting and Dividend Rights .   Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator and set forth in a Participant’s Award Agreement, to the extent permitted or required by law, as determined by the Administrator, Participants holding Shares of Restricted

 

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Stock granted hereunder shall be granted the right to exercise full voting rights with respect to those Shares prior to vesting.  A Participant shall have no voting rights with respect to any Restricted Stock Units granted hereunder.  Under otherwise determined by the Administrator and set forth in a Participant’s Award Agreement, to the extent permitted or required by law, as determined by the Administrator, dividends declared on any Shares of Restricted Stock shall be held by the Company for the benefit of the Participant until such Shares of Restricted Stock have vested, and distributed to the Participant by the Company upon such vesting.

 

(e)           Termination of Employment.  Each Participant’s Award Agreement shall set forth the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to retain Performance Share Awards, Performance Unit Awards, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Unit Awards, or Stock Unit Awards in the event of termination of a Participant’s Continuous Status as an Employee, status as a Non-Employee Director or consulting relationship with the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company (as the case may be), including termination resulting from voluntary or involuntary termination, permanent and total disability (as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code) or death.  Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Administrator, shall be included in the Award Agreement entered into with each Participant, need not be uniform among all Awards of Performance Share Awards, Performance Unit Awards, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Unit Awards, or Stock Unit Awards issued pursuant to this Plan, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination.

 

10.          Incentive Bonus Awards .  Each Incentive Bonus Award will confer upon the Employee the opportunity to earn a future payment tied to the level of achievement with respect to one or more performance criteria established for a performance period, as established by the Administrator (or in the case of Incentive Bonus Awards subject to Section 162(m), the Committee).

 

(a)           Incentive Bonus Document .  Each Incentive Bonus Award shall be evidenced by a document containing provisions regarding (a) the threshold, target and maximum amount payable to the Employee, (b) the performance criteria and level of achievement versus these criteria that shall determine the amount of such payment, (c) the term of the performance period as to which performance shall be measured for determining the amount of any payment, (d) the timing of any payment earned by virtue of performance, (e) restrictions on the alienation or transfer of the bonus prior to actual payment, (f) forfeiture provisions, and (g) such further terms and conditions, in each case not inconsistent with this Plan as may be determined from time to time by the Administrator.  The maximum amount payable as a bonus may be a multiple of the target amount payable, but the maximum amount payable pursuant to that portion of an Incentive Bonus Award granted under this Plan for any fiscal year to any Employee that is intended to satisfy the requirements for “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) shall not exceed $10,000,000.

 

(b)           Performance Criteria .  The Administrator (or in the case of Incentive Bonus Awards subject to Section 162(m), the Committee) shall establish the performance criteria and level of achievement versus these criteria that shall determine any minimum, target or maximum amounts payable under an Incentive Bonus Award, which criteria may be based on financial, operational or similar performance, personal performance evaluations, or some combination of the foregoing.  The Committee may specify the percentage of the incentive bonus

 

15



 

that is intended to satisfy the requirements for “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m).  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the performance criteria for any portion of an Incentive Bonus Award that is intended by the Committee to satisfy the requirements for “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) shall be a measure based on one or more Qualifying Performance Criteria selected by the Committee and specified at the time the Incentive Bonus Award is granted.  The Committee shall certify the extent to which any Qualifying Performance Criteria has been satisfied, and the amount payable as a result thereof, prior to payment of any incentive bonus that is intended to satisfy the requirements for “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m).

 

(c)           Timing and Form of Payment .  The Administrator shall determine the timing of payment of any incentive bonus.  The Administrator may provide for or, subject to such terms and conditions as the Administrator may specify, may permit an election for the payment of any incentive bonus to be deferred to a specified date or event.  An incentive bonus may be payable in Shares, Stock Units, in cash or other property, including any Award permitted under this Plan.  Any incentive bonus that is paid in cash or other property shall not affect the number of Shares otherwise available for issuance under this Plan.

 

(d)           Discretionary Adjustments .  Notwithstanding satisfaction of any performance goals, the amount paid under an Incentive Bonus Award on account of any of financial, operational or similar performance, personal performance evaluations, or some combination of the foregoing, may be reduced by the Committee on the basis of such further considerations as the Committee shall determine.  This negative discretion will be exercised in accordance with Section 162(m).

 

The Administrator’s right and ability to alter the governing performance criteria and/or Qualifying Performance Criteria with respect to the need to obtain stockholder approval of such changes shall be determined with reference to the law at the time of the alteration.  In addition, in the event that the Administrator determines that it is advisable to grant Awards that shall not qualify as Incentive Bonus Awards, Performance Share Awards or Performance Unit Awards, the Administrator may make such grants without satisfying the requirements of Section 162(m) and base vesting on criteria other than Qualifying Performance Criteria.

 

11.          Stock Withholding to Satisfy Withholding Tax Obligations .  At the discretion of the Administrator, Participants may satisfy withholding obligations as provided in this paragraph.  When a Participant incurs tax liability in connection with an Award, which tax liability is subject to tax withholding under applicable tax laws, and the Participant is obligated to pay the Company an amount required to be withheld under applicable tax laws, the Participant may satisfy the withholding tax obligation by electing to have the Company withhold from the Shares to be issued, if any, that number of Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount required to be withheld.  The Fair Market Value of the Shares to be withheld shall be determined on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is  determined (the “Tax Date”).

 

In the event that the Company elects to make a payment to the Participant in cash upon the exercise of a SAR, the Participant may satisfy the withholding tax obligation by electing to have the Company withhold from such payment the amount required to satisfy such withholding tax obligation.

 

16



 

All elections by a Participant to have Shares or cash withheld for this purpose, as the case may be, shall be made in writing in a form acceptable to the Administrator and shall be subject to the following restrictions:

 

(i)            the election must be made on or prior to the applicable Tax Date;

 

(ii)           once made, the election shall be irrevocable as to the particular Shares of the Option, stock purchase right or SAR, as to which the election is made; and

 

(iii)          all elections shall be subject to the consent or disapproval of the Administrator.

 

In the event the election to have Shares or cash withheld is made by a Participant and the Tax Date is deferred under Section 83 of the Code because no election is filed under Section 83(b) of the Code, the Participant shall receive the full number of Shares or full amount of cash, as the case may be, with respect to which the Award is exercised but such Participant shall be unconditionally obligated to tender back to the Company the proper number of Shares, or the proper amount of cash, as the case may be, on the Tax Date.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing or any provisions of this Plan to the contrary, any broker-assisted cashless exercise shall comply with the requirements for equity classification of Paragraph 35 of FASB Statement No. 123(R) and any withholding satisfied through a net-settlement shall be limited to the minimum statutory withholding requirements.

 

12.          Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization or Change in Control .

 

(a)           Subject to any required action by the stockholders of the Company, the number of Shares or Stock Units covered by each outstanding Award and the number of Shares which have not yet been issued under this Plan, as well as the purchase price, if any, of each such outstanding Award, shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued Shares resulting from any corporate event or transaction (including, but not limited to, a change in the Shares of the Company or the capitalization of the Company), such as a merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, separation, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, split up, spin-off, or other distribution of stock or property of the Company, combination of Shares, exchange of Shares, dividend in kind, special cash dividend, or other like change in capital structure or distribution (other than normal cash dividends) to stockholders of the Company, or any similar corporate event or transaction, or any other increase or decrease in the number of issued Shares effected without receipt of consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been “effected without receipt of consideration.” Such adjustment shall be made by the Board, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive.  Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of shares of Company Common Stock subject to an Option or SAR.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Award subject to Section 162(m) or 409A, no such adjustment shall be authorized to the extent that such adjustment would cause this Plan or Award to fail to comply with Section 162(m) or 409A.

 

17



 

(b)           Except as otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, in the event of a Change in Control, the Board may authorize outstanding Awards to be assumed or an equivalent Award be substituted by such successor corporation or a parent or subsidiary of such successor corporation and may assign any Awards to the successor corporation.  In the event that such successor corporation does not agree to assume the Awards, or to substitute an equivalent Option or Award, then the Board may provide that all outstanding Options or SARs become vested and exercisable, and vesting restrictions on Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Unit Awards, Performance Share Awards, Performance Unit Awards, Stock Unit Awards and any other Awards lapse.  In all cases, the Board may make substitutions, adjustments and/or alternative settlements of outstanding Awards, including cashing out Awards, as it deems appropriate and consistent with the Plan’s purposes.

 

If the Board makes an Option or SAR fully exercisable hereunder prior to a Change in Control, the Board shall notify the Participant that the Option or SAR shall be fully exercisable for a period determined by the Board and set forth in the notice, and the Option or SAR will terminate upon the expiration of such period.

 

For the purposes of this section, the Award shall be considered assumed if, following the merger, the Award confers the right to receive, purchase, or receive the appreciation in Fair Market Value, as the case may be, for each Performance Share Award, Performance Unit Award, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Unit Award or Stock Unit Award, or Share of stock subject to an Option or SAR immediately prior to the merger, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) received in the merger by holders of Company Common Stock for each Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received in the merger was not solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent, the Board may, with the consent of the successor corporation and the participant, provide for the consideration to be received for the Awards (upon exercise, vesting, satisfaction of performance conditions or otherwise) to be solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent equal in Fair Market Value to the per share consideration received by holders of Company Common Stock in the merger or sale of assets.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Award subject to Section 162(m) or 409A, no adjustment or other action shall be authorized to the extent that such adjustment or other action would cause the Plan or Award to fail to comply with Section 162(m) or 409A.

 

13.          Amendment and Termination of this Plan.

 

(a)           Amendment and Termination .  The Board may at any time amend, alter, modify, suspend or discontinue this Plan and any Award Agreement in whole or in part, but no amendment, alteration, suspension or discontinuation shall be made that would impair the rights of any Participant under any grant theretofore made, without his or her consent.  In addition, to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act or with Section 422 of the Code (or any other applicable law or regulation, including the requirements of the New York Stock Exchange or other applicable established stock exchange), the Company

 

18



 

shall obtain stockholder approval of any Plan amendment in such a manner and to such a degree as required.

 

(b)           Adjustment of Awards Upon the Occurrence of Certain Unusual or Nonrecurring Events .   The Committee may make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, Awards in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (it being understood that the events described in Section 12 shall result in mandatory adjustment) affecting the Company or the financial statements of the Company or of changes in applicable laws, regulations, or accounting principles, whenever the Committee determines that such adjustments are appropriate in order to prevent unintended dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under this Plan.  The determination of the Committee as to the foregoing adjustments, if any, shall be conclusive and binding on Participants under this Plan.

 

(c)           Effect of Amendment or Termination .  Any such amendment or termination of this Plan shall not affect Awards already granted and such Awards shall remain in full force and effect as if this Plan had not been amended or terminated, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Participant and the Board, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Participant and the Company.  Notwithstanding the foregoing or any provision of this Plan or an Award to the contrary, the Committee may at any time (without the consent of any Participant) modify or amend any or all of the provisions of this Plan or an Award to the extent necessary to conform the provisions of the of this Plan or an Award with Section 409A, Section 162(m) or any present or future law relating to plans of this or similar nature, the regulations issued thereunder or an exception thereto, regardless of whether such modification or amendment of this Plan or an Award shall adversely affect the rights of a Participant.

 

14.          Forfeiture Events; Clawbacks .  The Administrator may specify in an Award Agreement that the Participant’s rights, payments, and benefits with respect to an Award shall be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture, or recoupment upon the occurrence of certain specified events, in addition to any otherwise applicable vesting or performance conditions of an Award. Such events may include, but shall not be limited to, termination of employment for cause, termination of the Participant’s provision of services to the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company, violation of material Company, Parent or Subsidiary policies, breach of noncompetition, confidentiality, or other restrictive covenants that may apply to the Participant, or other conduct by the Participant that is detrimental to the business or reputation of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company.

 

In addition, to the extent required by applicable law or any applicable securities exchange listing standards, including but not limited to Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Awards and amounts paid or payable pursuant to or with respect to Awards shall be subject to clawback as determined by the Committee, which clawback may include forfeiture, repurchase, reimbursement and/or recoupment of Awards and amounts paid or payable pursuant to or with respect to Awards, in each instance in accordance with the applicable law or listing standard.  All Awards granted under this Plan, any property, including Shares, received in connection with any exercise or vesting of, or lapse of restriction on, any Awards, and any proceeds received from the disposition of any such property, shall be subject to any clawback policy adopted, and amended from time to time, by the Committee.  The Board shall have discretion with respect to any

 

19



 

clawback to determine whether the Company shall effect any such recovery (i) by seeking repayment from the Participant, (ii) by reducing (subject to applicable law and the terms and conditions of the applicable plan, program or arrangement) the amount that would otherwise be payable to the Participant under any compensatory plan, program or arrangement maintained by the Company, a Parent or a Subsidiary of the Company, (iii) by withholding payment of future increases in compensation (including the payment of any discretionary bonus amount) or grants of compensatory awards that would otherwise have been made in accordance with the Company’s otherwise applicable compensation practices, or (iv) by any combination of the foregoing or otherwise.

 

15.          Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares .  Shares shall not be issued pursuant to this Plan unless the issuance and delivery of such Shares shall comply with all relevant provisions of law including, without limitation, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Exchange Act, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and the requirements of the New York Stock Exchange or of any stock exchange upon which the Shares may then be listed.

 

16.          Reservation of Shares .  The Company, during the term of this Plan, will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of this Plan.

 

The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.

 

17.          Information to Participants .  The Company shall make available to each Participant, during the period for which such Participant has one or more Awards outstanding, access to all annual reports and other information that stockholders of the Company are provided access to.

 

18.          No Right to Employment .  Neither this Plan nor any Award Agreement shall confer upon any Participant any right with respect to continuation of employment or consulting relationship with the Company, nor shall it interfere in any way with his or her right or the Company’s right to terminate his or her employment or consulting relationship at any time, with or without cause.

 

19.          Rights as a Stockholder .  Except as otherwise provided herein or in an applicable Award Agreement, a Participant shall have none of the rights of a stockholder with respect to Shares covered by any Award until the Participant becomes the record holder of such Shares.

 

20.          Governing Law .  The validity, constrictions and effect of this Plan, Award Agreements or other agreements entered into pursuant to this Plan or Award Agreements, and of any rules, regulations, determinations or decisions made by the Administrator relating to this Plan, Award Agreement or such agreements, and the rights of any and all persons having or claiming to have any interest therein or thereunder, shall be determined exclusively in accordance with applicable federal laws and the laws of the state of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of laws principles.

 

21.          Section 409A .  Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan or an Award Agreement to the contrary, if any Award or other benefit provided under this Plan is subject to the provisions of

 

20



 

Section 409A, the provisions of this Plan and any applicable Award Agreement shall be administered, interpreted and construed in a manner necessary to comply with Section 409A or an exception thereto (or disregarded to the extent such provision cannot be so administered, interpreted or construed).  The following provisions shall apply, as applicable:

 

(i)            If a Participant is a Specified Employee and a payment subject to Section 409A (and not excepted therefrom) to such Participant is due upon Separation from Service, such payment shall be delayed for a period of six (6) months after the date such Participant Separates from Service (or, if earlier, the death of such Participant).  Any payment that would otherwise have been due or owing during such six-month period will be paid immediately following the end of the six-month period in the month following the month containing the 6-month anniversary of the date of termination unless another compliant date is specified in the applicable agreement.

 

(ii)           For purposes of Section 409A, and to the extent applicable to any Award or benefit under this Plan, it is intended that distribution events qualify as permissible distribution events for purposes of Section 409A and shall be interpreted and construed accordingly.  With respect to payments subject to Section 409A, the Company reserves the right to accelerate and/or defer any payment to the extent permitted and consistent with Section 409A.  Whether a Participant has Separated from Service or employment will be determined based on all of the facts and circumstances and, to the extent applicable to any Award or benefit, in accordance with the guidance issued under Section 409A.  For this purpose, a Participant will be presumed to have experienced a Separation from Service when the level of bona fide services performed permanently decreases to a level less than twenty percent (20%) of the average level of bona fide services performed during the immediately preceding thirty-six (36) month period or such other applicable period as provided by Section 409A.

 

(iii)          The Board, in its discretion, may specify the conditions under which the payment of all or any portion of any Award may be deferred until a later date.  Deferrals shall be for such periods or until the occurrence of such events, and upon such terms and conditions, as the Board shall determine in its discretion, in accordance with the provisions of Section 409A, the regulations and other binding guidance promulgated thereunder; provided, however, that no deferral shall be permitted with respect to Options, Stock Appreciation Rights and other stock rights subject to Section 409A.  An election shall be made by filing an election with the Company (on a form provided by the Company) on or prior to December 31st of the calendar year immediately preceding the beginning of the calendar year (or other applicable service period) to which such election relates (or at such other date as may be specified by the Board to the extent consistent with Section 409A) and shall be irrevocable for such applicable calendar year (or other applicable service period).  To the extent authorized, a Participant who first becomes eligible to participate in this Plan may file an election (“Initial Election”) at any time prior to the 30 day period following the date on which the Participant initially becomes eligible to participate in this Plan (or at such other date as may be specified by the Board to the extent consistent with Section 409A).  Any such Initial Election shall only apply to compensation earned and payable for services rendered after the effective date of the Election.

 

(iv)          The grant of Non-Qualified Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights and other stock rights subject to Section 409A shall be granted under terms and conditions consistent

 

21



 

with Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-1(b)(5) such that any such Award does not constitute a deferral of compensation under Section 409A.  Accordingly, any such Award may be granted to Employees and Eligible Directors of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates in which the Company has a controlling interest.  In determining whether the Company has a controlling interest, the rules of Treas. Reg. § 1.414(c)-2(b)(2)(i) shall apply; provided that the language “at least 50 percent” shall be used instead of “at least 80 percent” in each place it appears; provided, further, where legitimate business reasons exist (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-1(b)(5)(iii)(E)(i)), the language “at least 20 percent” shall be used instead of “at least 80 percent” in each place it appears.  The rules of Treas. Reg. §§ 1.414(c)-3 and 1.414(c)-4 shall apply for purposes of determining ownership interests.

 

(v)           In no event shall any member of the Board, the Administrator or the Company (or its employees, officers or directors) have any liability to any Participant (or any other Person) due to the failure of an Award to satisfy the requirements of Section 409A.

 

22.          Section 162(m).   Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan or any Award Agreement to the contrary, if an Award under this Plan is intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) and the regulations issued thereunder and a provision of this Plan or an Award Agreement would prevent such Award from so qualifying, such provision shall be administered, interpreted and construed to carry out such intention (or disregarded to the extent such provision cannot be so administered, interpreted or construed).  In no event shall any member of the Board, the Committee or the Company (or its employees, officers or directors) have any liability to any Participant (or any other person) due to the failure of an Award to satisfy the requirements of Section 162(m).

 

23.          Employees Based Outside of the United States .  Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan to the contrary, in order to comply with the laws in other countries in which the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company operates or has Eligible Individuals, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall have the power and authority to: (a) determine which Parent and/or Subsidiary of the Company shall be covered by this Plan; (b) determine which Eligible Individuals outside the United States are eligible to participate in this Plan; (c) modify the terms and conditions of any Award granted to Participants outside the United States to comply with applicable foreign laws; (d) establish subplans and modify exercise procedures and other terms and procedures, to the extent such actions may be necessary or advisable. Any subplans and modifications to Plan terms and procedures established under this Section 23 by the Administrator shall be attached to this Plan document as appendices; and (e) take any other action, before or after an Award is made, that it deems advisable to obtain approval or comply with any necessary local government regulatory exemptions or approvals.

 

Notwithstanding the above, the Administrator may not take any actions hereunder, and no Awards shall be granted, that would violate applicable law.

 

24.          Unfunded Plan .  Participants shall have no right, title, or interest whatsoever in or to any investments that the Company and/or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company may make to aid it in meeting its obligations under this Plan.  Nothing contained in this Plan, and no action taken pursuant to its provisions, shall create or be construed to create a trust of any kind, or a fiduciary relationship between the Company and any Participant, beneficiary, legal

 

22



 

representative, or any other individual.  To the extent that any person acquires a right to receive payments under this Plan, such right shall be no greater than the right of an unsecured general creditor of the Company or Parent or Subsidiary of the Company, as the case may be.  All payments to be made hereunder shall be paid from the general funds of the Company, its Parent or its Subsidiary, as the case may be, and no special or separate fund shall be established and no segregation of assets shall be made to assure payment of such amounts except as expressly set forth in this Plan.

 

25.          Nonexclusivity of this Plan .   The adoption of this Plan shall not be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board or Administrator to adopt such other compensation arrangements as it may deem desirable for any Eligible Individual.

 

26.          No Constraint on Corporate Action.   Nothing in this Plan shall be construed to: (i) limit, impair, or otherwise affect the Company’s or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company’s right or power to make adjustments, reclassifications, reorganizations, or changes of its capital or business structure, or to merge or consolidate, or dissolve, liquidate, sell, or transfer all or any part of its business or assets; or (ii) limit the right or power of the Company, a Parent or a Subsidiary of the Company to take any action which such entity deems to be necessary or appropriate.

 

27.          Indemnification.   Subject to requirements of Delaware law, each individual who is or shall have been a member of the Board, or a member of any committee or subcommittee acting as Administrator, or an officer of the Company to whom authority was delegated in accordance with this Plan, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against and from any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which he or she may be a party or in which he or she may be involved by reason of any action taken or failure to act under this Plan so long as he or she acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interest of the Company; provided, however, that no indemnification shall be required with respect to any (i) claim, issue or matter, including, but not limited to, taxes or interest or penalties thereon, as to which such person shall have been adjudged to have been liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of his or her duty to the Company, unless and only to the extent that the court in which such action or proceeding was brought, shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability, but in view of all circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the court shall deem to be proper, or (ii) circumstance where the person to be indemnified is involved in the claim, action, suit or proceeding as the plaintiff or claimant.  The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such individuals may be entitled under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.

 

23


Exhibit 10.2

 

RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT
Granted Under the
DICK’S SPORTING GOODS, INC.

2012 STOCK AND INCENTIVE PLAN

 

Unless otherwise defined herein, each capitalized term used in this Restricted Stock Award Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) shall have the meaning given such term in the Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc. 2012 Stock and Incentive Plan, as amended (the “ Plan ”), an electronic copy of which can be found on Dick’s Sporting Goods’ equity administrator’s website (the “ Benefit Access System ”).

 

Grantee’s Name: <FIRST_NAME><LAST_NAME>

 

The undersigned Grantee has been granted a Restricted Stock Award, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Agreement, as follows:

 

Date of Grant:

 

<GRANT_DATE>

 

 

 

Number of Shares of Common Stock (the “ Shares ”) Granted:

 

<TOTAL_SHARES_GRANTED>

 

 

 

Type of Shares:

 

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

 

 

 

Restrictions:

 

Grantee shall have all of the rights and privileges of a stockholder of the Company with regard to the Shares, except that the following restrictions shall apply:

 

 

 

 

 

(a) The Shares may not be sold, assigned, pledged, exchanged, hypothecated, gifted or otherwise transferred, encumbered or disposed of to the extent then subject to these Restrictions. Grantee represents and warrants to Company that he/she shall not sell, assign, pledge, exchange, hypothecate, gift or otherwise transfer, encumber or dispose of the Shares, or subject the Shares to any adverse right, in violation of applicable securities laws or the provisions of this Agreement. The Company may refuse to register the transfer of the Shares on the stock transfer records of the Company if such transfer constitutes a violation of any applicable securities law or this Agreement, and the Company may give related instructions to its transfer agent, if any, to stop registration of the transfer of the Shares.

 

 

 

 

 

(b) Any cash or in-kind dividends paid or distributed with respect to shares of the Company’s Common Stock (“ Dividends ”) shall not be immediately payable by the Company with respect to the Shares, and any such Dividends shall be paid to Grantee, without interest, only when, and if, the related Shares shall become vested in accordance with this Agreement and the Plan.

 

 

 

 

 

(c) If all or any portion of the Shares are forfeited under this Agreement, Grantee shall take all necessary actions to transfer the forfeited Shares to the Company, including, but not limited to, endorsing in blank or duly endorsing a stock power attached to any certificate representing forfeited Shares transferred, all in form suitable for the transfer of such forfeited Shares to the Company.  Further, any and all Dividends not paid or distributed with respect to such unvested Shares as provided for herein shall also be forfeited to the Company and will not be paid or distributed to Grantee.  Grantee agrees to take any and all actions that may be necessary in connection with the forfeiture of Dividends.

 

 

 

 

 

(d) If all or any portion of the Shares and Dividends are forfeited under this Agreement, all rights of a stockholder with respect to such Shares, including the right to vote and receive future dividends with respect thereto, shall cease immediately on the date of the forfeiture.

 

1



 

 

 

(e) These Restrictions shall be binding upon, and enforceable against, any transferee of the Shares.

 

 

 

Delivery of Shares:

 

On the Grant Date of this Award, the Company shall issue the Shares, in either certificated or book entry form, in Grantee’s name effective as of the Grant Date, provided that the Company shall retain control of such Shares until the Shares have become vested in accordance with this Agreement.

 

 

 

 

 

In the event that any Shares are certificated, then any certificates representing the Shares shall bear such legend or legends as the Company deems appropriate in order to assure compliance with this Agreement, the Plan and applicable securities laws. During the period of time when the Shares are subject to the Restrictions, all certificates representing Shares shall be endorsed with the following legend (in addition to any other legend required by applicable securities laws or any agreement by which the Company is bound):

 

 

 

 

 

THE SALE OR OTHER TRANSFER OF THE SHARES OF STOCK REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE IS SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT UNDER THE COMPANY’S 2012 STOCK AND INCENTIVE PLAN BETWEEN THE REGISTERED OWNER AND THE COMPANY. A COPY OF THE PLAN AND THE RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY.

 

 

 

Vesting Schedule:

 

So long as Grantee maintains his/her status as an Employee, Non-Employee Director or Consultant (as the case may be), the Restrictions shall lapse and the Shares shall be vested, and any Dividends with respect to such Shares shall be paid or distributed, in accordance with the following schedule:

 

 

 

 

 

<VEST_TYPE_PERIOD1>

 

 

 

 

 

Upon the vesting of the Shares without a forfeiture of the applicable Shares, and upon the satisfaction of all other applicable conditions as to such Shares including, but not limited to, the payment by Grantee of all applicable income, employment and withholding taxes, if any, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to Grantee shares of Common Stock, which may be in the form of a certificate(s) equal in number to the applicable Shares, which shall not be subject to the Restrictions set forth above. Any Dividend payment, less applicable taxes, will be included in Grantee’s paycheck as soon as administratively possible upon the vesting of the Shares.

 

 

 

Termination of Employment:  

 

Pursuant to the Administrator’s authority under Section 9(e) of the Plan, upon termination of Grantee’s Continuous Status as an Employee, or status as a Non-Employee Director or Consultant (as the case may be), this Award shall be treated as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

·   If the Termination shall occur by reason of Grantee’s death or total and permanent disability (as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code), 100% of the Award shall immediately vest to the extent not previously vested, and all Dividends not paid or distributed on the unvested Shares shall be paid or distributed in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Plan;

 

 

 

 

 

·   If the Termination shall occur by any reason other than Grantee’s death or total permanent disability, any portion of the Award that has not vested and any Dividends not paid or distributed with respect to such portion of the Award shall, unless otherwise specified by the Committee, be automatically forfeited.

 

 

 

Taxes, Withholding and Section 83(b) Election:  

 

Grantee shall be solely responsible for any taxes payable on the receipt or transfer or vesting of the Shares.  Grantee shall promptly pay to the Company, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Company regarding payment of any federal, state or local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect to the receipt of the Shares (including in

 

2



 

 

 

cases where he or she has made an Election, as discussed below.

 

The Company shall have the authority to require Grantee to remit to the Company, prior to issuance or delivery of any Shares or the removal of any stop order or transfer restrictions on the Shares or any restrictive legends on the certificates representing the Shares, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state and local income, employment and tax withholding requirements associated with this Award.  Additionally, the Company, in its sole discretion, shall have the right to withhold from Grantee Shares with a Fair Market Value equal to the federal, state and local tax withholding requirements associated with this Award.  Any withholding from Shares will be limited to an amount equal to the Company’s minimum statutory withholding requirement.  Dividends are considered ordinary income and will be included on Grantee’s W-2 in the year of vesting.  Additionally, taxes will be calculated and deducted from the total amount of dividend payment income.  To the extent required for compliance with Section 162(m) of the Code, if applicable to Grantee, the Committee shall have such authority and make such determination over the Award as necessary to comply with the terms of the Plan and Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

 

 

 

 

Grantee acknowledges the receipt of tax information relating to the Award, including information on 83(b) elections and the need to consult Grantee’s own tax advisors.

 

 

 

Fractional Shares:

 

The Company shall not be required to issue any fractional shares pursuant to the Award, and the Company may round fractions down.

 

 

 

Notices and Electronic Delivery:

 

The Company may, in its sole discretion, deliver any documents or notices related to this Agreement, the Shares, Grantee’s participation in the Plan, or future awards that may be granted to the Grantee under the Plan, by electronic means.  Grantee hereby consents to receive such documents by electronic delivery and to Grantee’s participation in the Plan through the Benefit Access System.

 

 

 

Entire Agreement; Amendment or Modification; Governing Law:

 

The Plan is incorporated herein by reference. The Plan and this Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements, whether oral or written, of the Company and Grantee with respect to the subject matter hereof.  In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the Plan, the Plan shall control.

 

 

 

 

 

This Agreement may only be amended or terminated by a written agreement entered into by both of the parties hereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee, or its delegee, as the case may be, may, in its sole discretion and without Grantee’s consent, modify or amend any or all of the terms of this Agreement to the extent necessary to conform this Award with, or be excepted from, Section 409A, Section 162(m) or any present or future law relating to plans of this or similar nature, the regulations issued thereunder or an exception thereto regardless of whether such modification or amendment shall adversely affect the rights of Grantee.

 

 

 

 

 

This Agreement is governed by applicable federal laws and the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to its conflict of laws.

 

 

 

No Guarantee of Continued Service:

 

GRANTEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE VESTING OF SHARES PURSUANT TO THE VESTING SCHEDULE SET FORTH HEREIN IS EARNED ONLY BY CONTINUING AS AN EMPLOYEE, NON- EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR OR CONSULTANT, AS APPLICABLE (NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING HIRED OR BEING GRANTED OR ACQUIRING THE SHARES HEREUNDER). GRANTEE FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THIS AGREEMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER AND THE VESTING SCHEDULE SET FORTH HEREIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED PROMISE OF CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT OR ENGAGEMENT FOR THE VESTING PERIOD, FOR ANY PERIOD, OR AT ALL, AND SHALL NOT INTERFERE

 

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IN ANY WAY WITH GRANTEE’S RIGHT OR THE COMPANY’S RIGHT TO TERMINATE GRANTEE’S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COMPANY AT ANY TIME AND FOR ANY REASON.

 

 

 

Incorporation of Plan:

 

Grantee acknowledges receipt of a copy of one of the following: (i) the Company’s annual report for its last fiscal year, (ii) the Company’s Form 10- K for its last fiscal year, or (iii) the last prospectus filed by the Company, and represents that he or she is familiar with the terms and provisions thereof, and hereby accepts this Award subject to all of the terms and provisions thereof. Grantee has reviewed the Plan and this Agreement in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement and fully understands all provisions of this Agreement, the Plan, and the tax effect of the Award. Grantee hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator with respect to any questions arising under the Plan or this Agreement.

 

 

 

Interpretation and Construction:

 

Whenever possible, each provision in this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, then (a) such provision will be deemed amended to accomplish the objectives of the provision as originally written to the fullest extent permitted by law and (b) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect. This Award is intended to be excepted from coverage under Section 409A of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder and shall be interpreted and construed accordingly. If, however, any benefit provided under this Agreement is subject to the provisions of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder, the provisions of this Agreement shall be administered, interpreted and construed in a manner necessary to comply with Section 409A and the regulations promulgated thereunder (or disregarded to the extent such provision cannot be so administered, interpreted, or construed). Notwithstanding the foregoing, Grantee recognizes and acknowledges that Section 409A of the Code may impose upon Grantee certain taxes or interest charges for which Grantee is and shall remain solely responsible.

 

 

 

 

 

No rule of strict construction will be implied against the Company or any other person in the interpretation of any of the terms of this Agreement or any rule or procedure established by the Administrator.

 

 

 

Power of Attorney:

 

Grantee hereby grants to the Company a power of attorney and declares that the Company shall be the attorney-in-fact to act for and on behalf of Grantee, to act in his/her name, place and stead, in connection with any and all transfers of Shares and associated rights hereunder, whether or not vested, to the Company pursuant to this Agreement, including in the event of Grantee’s termination.

 

 

 

Assurances:

 

Grantee agrees, upon demand of the Company, to do all acts and execute, deliver and perform all additional documents, instruments and agreements that may be required by the Company to implement the provisions and purposes of this Agreement.

 

All other terms and conditions applicable to this Award shall be as set forth in the Plan.

 

Electronic acceptance of this Agreement by the Grantee pursuant to the Company’s instructions to the Grantee (including through the Company’s Benefit Access System) shall constitute execution of this Agreement by Company and Grantee.

 

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Exhibit 10.3

 

STOCK OPTION AWARD AGREEMENT
Granted Under the
DICK’S SPORTING GOODS, INC.
2012 STOCK AND INCENTIVE PLAN

 

Unless otherwise defined herein, each capitalized term used in this Stock Option Award Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) shall have the meaning given such term in the Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc. 2012 Stock and Incentive Plan, as amended (the “ Plan ”), an electronic copy of which can be found on Dick’s Sporting Goods’ equity administrator’s website (the “ Benefit Access System ”).

 

Grantee’s Name:

 

<First> <Last>

 

 

 

Grant Type:

 

<Type>

 

 

 

Date of Grant:

 

<Grant Date>

 

 

 

Number of Shares Granted:

 

<Share Number>

 

 

 

Exercise Price Per Share:

 

<Price>

 

 

 

Grant Expiration Date/Term:

 

<Expiration Date>

 

 

 

Vesting Schedule :

 

<Vesting Schedule>

 

1.                                       Grant of Option .  The undersigned grantee (the “ Optionee ”), has been granted an option (the “ Option ”) to purchase the number of shares of Common Stock (the “ Shares ”) set forth above, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference.  In the event of a conflict between the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Agreement, the terms and conditions of the Plan shall prevail.

 

If this Award has been designated above as an Incentive Stock Option (“ ISO ”), then this Option is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option as defined in Section 422 of the Code.  Nevertheless, to the extent that the Option fails to meet the requirements of an ISO under Code Section 422, this Option shall be treated as a Nonstatutory Stock Option.

 

2.                                       Vesting Schedule .  So long as Optionee maintains his/her status as an Employee, Non-Employee Director or Consultant (as the case may be), the Option shall vest in accordance with the Vesting Schedule set forth above.  Pursuant to the Administrator’s authority under Section 9(e) of the Plan, upon termination of Optionee’s Continuous Status as an Employee, Non-Employee Director or Consultant (as the case may be) for any reason, the portion of this Option that is not vested shall expire immediately.  Subject to the provisions of Section 7(b)(ii) of the Plan, the portion of this Option that is vested but has not yet been exercised shall remain exercisable for a period of (i) 90 days in the event of termination of Optionee’s status, (ii) 12 months in event of termination as a result of death or total and permanent disability (as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code); or (iii) 36 months in the event of retirement (defined as having met at least age 55 with 15 or more years of service, as determined by the Administrator);

 



 

provided, however, that in no event may the Shares be exercised later than the Grant Expiration Date set forth above.

 

3.                                       Exercise of Option . This Option shall be exercisable during the Term in accordance with the Vesting Schedule and the applicable provisions of the Plan and this Agreement.  This Option can be exercised using the methods described on the Benefit Access System.

 

4.                                       Method of Exercise .  No Shares shall be issued pursuant to the exercise of this Option unless such issuance and exercise complies with the Code and any other applicable law or regulation, including the requirements of the New York Stock Exchange.  Assuming such compliance, for income tax purposes the Shares shall be considered transferred to the Optionee on the date on which the Option is exercised with respect to such Shares.

 

5.                                       Method of Payment .  Payment of the aggregate Exercise Price shall be by any of the following methods, or a combination thereof, at the election of the Optionee:

 

(a)                      cash or check;

(b)                      tendering previously acquired Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value at the time of exercise equal to the exercise price of the Option,

(c)                       delivery of a properly executed exercise notice together with irrevocable instructions to a broker registered under the Exchange Act to promptly deliver to the Company the amount of proceeds required to pay the exercise price;

(d)                      any combination of the foregoing methods of payment; or

(e)                       any other method approved or accepted by the Administrator in its sole discretion.

 

6.                                       Delivery of Shares .  Upon exercise of an Option in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Plan, the Company shall issue the Shares, in either certificated or book entry form, in Optionee’s name as of date of exercise.

 

7.                                       Withholding .   Notwithstanding any provisions of the Plan or this Agreement to the contrary, whenever shares of Common Stock are to be issued to the Optionee, the Optionee shall also remit to the Company (or, in the case of a “brokerage cashless exercise,” or other exercise the Company shall have the right to withhold) an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state and local withholding requirements prior to delivery of any Exercise Notice for shares.  Any withholding from Shares will be limited to an amount equal to the Company’s minimum statutory withholding requirement. If an Optionee makes a disposition of shares acquired upon the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option within either two years after the Option was granted or one year after its exercise by the Optionee, the Optionee shall promptly notify the Company in accordance with Section 9(d) of this Agreement and the Company shall have the right to require the Optionee to pay the Company an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state and local tax withholding requirements, if any.

 

8.                                       Non-Transferability of Option .  This Option may not be transferred in any manner otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised during the

 

2



 

lifetime of Optionee only by Optionee.  The terms of the Plan and this Agreement shall be binding upon the executors, administrators, heirs, successors and assigns of the Optionee.

 

9.                                       Term of Option .  This Option may be exercised only until the Grant Expiration Date (as set forth above), and may be exercised during such term only in accordance with the Plan and the terms of this Agreement.

 

10.                                Tax Consequences .  Optionee acknowledges the receipt of tax information relating to the Award, including information on the need to consult Optionee’s own tax advisors.

 

11.                                Fractional Shares .  The Company shall not be required to issue any fractional shares pursuant to the Award, and the Company may round fractions down.

 

12.                                Notices and Electronic Delivery .  The Company may, in its sole discretion, deliver any documents or notices related to this Agreement, the Shares, the Optionee’s participation in the Plan, or future awards that may be granted to the Optionee under the Plan, by electronic means.  Optionee hereby consents to receive such documents by electronic delivery and to Optionee’s participation in the Plan through the Benefit Access System or any successor on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company.

 

13.                                No Guarantee of Continued Service .  OPTIONEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE VESTING OF THE OPTION PURSUANT TO THE VESTING SCHEDULE SET FORTH HEREIN IS EARNED ONLY BY CONTINUING AS AN EMPLOYEE, NON- EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR OR CONSULTANT, AS APPLICABLE (NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING HIRED OR BEING GRANTED OR ACQUIRING THE SHARES HEREUNDER). OPTIONEE FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THIS AGREEMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER AND THE VESTING SCHEDULE SET FORTH HEREIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED PROMISE OF CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT OR ENGAGEMENT FOR THE VESTING PERIOD, FOR ANY PERIOD, OR AT ALL, AND SHALL NOT INTERFERE IN ANY WAY WITH OPTIONEE’S RIGHT OR THE COMPANY’S RIGHT TO TERMINATE OPTIONEE’S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COMPANY AT ANY TIME AND FOR ANY REASON.

 

14.                                Incorporation of Plan .  Optionee acknowledges receipt of a copy of one of the following: (i) the Company’s annual report for its last fiscal year, (ii) the Company’s Form 10- K for its last fiscal year, or (iii) the last prospectus filed by the Company, and represents that he or she is familiar with the terms and provisions thereof, and hereby accepts this Award subject to all of the terms and provisions thereof. Optionee has reviewed the Plan and this Agreement in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement and fully understands all provisions of this Agreement, the Plan and the tax effects of the Option and its exercise. Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator with respect to any questions arising under the Plan or this Agreement.

 

15.                                Interpretation and Construction .  Whenever possible, each provision in this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law,

 

3



 

but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, then (a) such provision will be deemed amended to accomplish the objectives of the provision as originally written to the fullest extent permitted by law and (b) all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect. This Award is intended to be excepted from coverage under Section 409A of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder and shall be interpreted and construed accordingly. If, however, any benefit provided under this Agreement is subject to the provisions of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder, the provisions of this Agreement shall be administered, interpreted and construed in a manner necessary to comply with Section 409A and the regulations promulgated thereunder (or disregarded to the extent such provision cannot be so administered, interpreted, or construed). Notwithstanding the foregoing, Optionee recognizes and acknowledges that Section 409A of the Code may impose upon Optionee certain taxes or interest charges for which Optionee is and shall remain solely responsible.  No rule of strict construction will be implied against the Company or any other person in the interpretation of any of the terms of this Agreement or any rule or procedure established by the Administrator.

 

17.                                Assurances .  Optionee agrees, upon demand of the Company, to do all acts and execute, deliver and perform all additional documents, instruments and agreements that may be required by the Company to implement the provisions and purposes of this Agreement.

 

18.                                Entire Agreement, Governing Law .  The Plan is incorporated herein by reference.  The Plan and this Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements, whether oral or written, of the Company and Optionee with respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the Optionee’s interest except by means of a writing signed by the Company and Optionee.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee, or its delegee, as the case may be, may, in its sole discretion and without Optionee’s consent, modify or amend any or all of the terms of this Agreement to the extent necessary to conform this Award with, or be excepted from, Section 409A, Section 162(m) or any present or future law relating to plans of this or similar nature, the regulations issued thereunder or an exception thereto regardless of whether such modification or amendment shall adversely affect the rights of Optionee.  This Agreement is governed by applicable federal laws and the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to its conflict of laws.

 

19.                                No Guarantee of Continued Service .  OPTIONEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE VESTING OF THE OPTION PURSUANT TO THE VESTING SCHEDULE HEREOF IS EARNED ONLY BY CONTINUING AS AN EMPLOYEE, NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR OR CONSULTANT, AS THE CASE MAY BE, AT THE WILL OF THE COMPANY (NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING HIRED, BEING GRANTED THIS OPTION OR ACQUIRING SHARES HEREUNDER).  OPTIONEE FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THIS AGREEMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER AND THE VESTING SCHEDULE SET FORTH HEREIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED PROMISE OF CONTINUED ENGAGEMENT FOR THE VESTING PERIOD, FOR ANY PERIOD, OR AT ALL, AND SHALL NOT INTERFERE IN ANY WAY WITH OPTIONEE’S RIGHT OR THE COMPANY’S RIGHT TO TERMINATE OPTIONEE’S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COMPANY AT ANY TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE.

 

4



 

All other terms and conditions applicable to this Award shall be as set forth in the Plan.

 

Electronic acceptance of this Agreement by the Optionee pursuant to the Company’s instructions to the Optionee (including through the Company’s Benefit Access System) shall constitute execution of this Agreement by Company and Optionee.

 

5