As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 17, 2022
Registration No. 333-266098
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Amendment No. 1
to
FORM
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
ADARA ACQUISITION CORP.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 6770 | 85-2373325 |
(State or other jurisdiction of | (Primary Standard Industrial | (I.R.S. Employer |
Adara Acquisition Corp.
211 East Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28203
(704) 315-5290
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
Adara Acquisition Corp.
211 East Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28203
Attention: Thomas Finke
(704) 315-5290
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
Brad L. Shiffman, Esq. |
| Mitchell S. Nussbaum, Esq. Tahra Wright, Esq. Loeb & Loeb LLP |
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective and after all conditions under the Business Combination Agreement to consummate the proposed merger are satisfied or waived.
If the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered in connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with General Instruction G, check the following box. ☐
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated file ☐ | Accelerated filer ☐ | Non-accelerated filer ☒ | Smaller reporting company ☒ |
Emerging growth company ☒ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐
If applicable, place an X in the box to designate the appropriate rule provision relied upon in conducting this transaction:
Exchange Act Rule 13e-4(i) (Cross-Border Issuer Tender Offer ☐
Exchange Act Rule 14d-1(d) (Cross-Border Third-Party Tender Offer) ☐
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, or until this Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this preliminary proxy statement/prospectus is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary proxy statement/prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. These securities may not be issued until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective.
PRELIMINARY PROXY STATEMENT AND PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED OCTOBER 17, 2022
ADARA ACQUISITION CORP.
211 East Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28203
Dear Adara Acquisition Corp. Stockholders:
Adara Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Adara” or the “Company”), Adara Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Adara (“Merger Sub”), and Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Alliance”), have entered into a Business Combination Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (the “Business Combination Agreement”) pursuant to which Merger Sub will merge with and into Alliance, with Alliance surviving the merger and becoming a wholly-owned direct subsidiary of Adara (collectively with the other transactions described in the Business Combination Agreement, the “Business Combination”). At the closing of the Business Combination, each of the then issued and outstanding shares of Alliance common stock will be cancelled and automatically convert into the right to receive the number of shares of Adara Class A common stock (the “Adara Common Stock”) equal to the exchange ratio (determined in accordance with the Business Combination Agreement and as further described herein). Based on the anticipated exchange ratio of [•], Adara will issue 47,500,000 shares of Adara Common Stock to the stockholders of Alliance. The exchange ratio is equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) 6 by (ii) the number of shares of Alliance Class A common stock outstanding on a fully diluted basis. The 47,500,000 shares of Adara Common Stock have a value equal to $479,750,000 based on a price of $10.10, the per share amount held in Adara’s trust account on [●], 2022, the record date for the special meeting of the stockholders, or approximately $[·] based on the closing sale price of the Adara Common Stock of $[·] on the NYSE American on [·], 2022, the record date for the special meeting of stockholders. In addition, the holders of Alliance common stock immediately prior to such closing will receive 60,000,000 shares of a new Class E common stock which will be placed in escrow until the achievement of certain triggering events. Upon the release of the Class E common Stock from the escrow account, such shares will automatically convert into the same number of shares of Adara Common Stock. In the event a triggering event does not occur during the respective triggering event period, the respective shares of Class E common stock relating to such triggering event shall be forfeited and returned to the Company for cancellation.
Upon completion of the Business Combination, it is anticipated that (i) (a) Alliance’s stockholders will own approximately 77.9% of the total outstanding shares of Class A common stock of the combined company, and (b) the Adara stockholders will own approximately 22.1% of the total outstanding shares of Class A common stock of the combined company, assuming that none of the public stockholders exercise their redemption rights, the Adara sponsor forfeits 875,000 shares (as described more fully in the proxy statement/prospectus) and no shares of Class E common stock of the Company are released from escrow to the Alliance stockholders, or that (ii) (a) Alliance's stockholders will own approximately 93.2% of the total outstanding common stock of the combined company, and (b) Adara’s stockholders will own approximately 6.8% of the outstanding common stock of the combined company, assuming that Adara’s public stockholders exercise their redemption rights as to 10,014,851 shares of Class A common stock, the maximum extent permitted under the Business Combination Agreement, the Adara sponsor forfeits 875,000 shares, and no shares of Adara Class E common stock are released from escrow to the Alliance stockholders. See the section titled “The Business Combination” on page 102 of the attached proxy statement/prospectus for further information on the consideration being paid to the stockholders of Alliance.
Adara’s units, common stock and warrants are currently listed on the NYSE American under the symbols “ADRA,” “ADRA.UN,” and “ADRA.WS,” respectively. Adara has applied to list the shares of common stock and the warrants of Adara on the NYSE American under the symbols “AENT” and “AENT.WS,” respectively, upon the closing of the Business Combination. At the closing of the Business Combination, each Adara unit will be separated into its components, which consists of one share of common stock and one-half of one warrant, and such units will no longer exist. Upon closing, Adara intends to change its name from “Adara Acquisition Corp.” to “Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation.”
Adara is holding a special meeting of its stockholders in order to obtain the stockholder approvals necessary to complete the Business Combination. At the Adara special meeting of stockholders, which will be held on , 2022, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern time, via live webcast at the following address: [•], unless postponed or adjourned to a later date, Adara will ask its stockholders to adopt the Business Combination Agreement thereby approving the Business Combination and approve the other proposals described in this proxy statement/prospectus.
After careful consideration, Adara’s board of directors has unanimously approved the Business Combination Agreement and the other proposals described in this proxy statement/prospectus, and Adara’s board of directors has determined that it is advisable to consummate the Business Combination. The board of directors of Adara recommends that its stockholders vote “FOR” each of the proposals described in this proxy statement/prospectus.
The existence of financial and personal interests of Adara’s sponsor and directors may result in a conflict of interest on the part of one or more of Adara’s directors between what he, she or they may believe is in the best interests of Adara and its stockholders and what he, she or they may believe is best for himself, herself or themselves in determining to recommend that stockholders vote for the proposals. See the section entitled “Proposal No. 1 — The Business Combination Proposal — Interests of Adara Sponsor, Directors and Officers in the Business Combination” in the proxy statement/prospectus for a further discussion.
More information about Adara, Alliance and the Business Combination is contained in this proxy statement/prospectus. Adara and Alliance urges you to read the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus, including the financial statements and annexes and other documents referred to herein, carefully and in their entirety. IN PARTICULAR, YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE MATTERS DISCUSSED UNDER “RISK FACTORS” BEGINNING ON PAGE 43 OF THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS.
On behalf of our board of directors, I thank you for your support and look forward to the successful completion of the Business Combination.
Sincerely,
Thomas Finke
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
, 2022
The accompanying proxy statement/prospectus is dated , 2022 and is first being mailed to the stockholders of Adara on or about that date.
Your vote is very important. Whether or not you plan to attend the special meeting of Adara’s stockholders online, please submit your proxy by completing, signing, dating and mailing the enclosed proxy card in the pre-addressed postage paid envelope or by using the telephone or Internet procedures provided to you by your broker or bank. If your shares are held in an account at a brokerage firm or bank, you must instruct your broker or bank on how to vote your shares or, if you wish to attend the special meeting of Adara’s stockholders and vote online, you must obtain a proxy from your broker or bank.
NEITHER THE U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES REGULATORY AGENCY HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THE BUSINESS COMBINATION DESCRIBED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS OR ANY OF THE SECURITIES TO BE ISSUED IN THE BUSINESS COMBINATION, PASSED UPON THE MERITS OR FAIRNESS OF THE BUSINESS COMBINATION OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE DISCLOSURE IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY CONSTITUTES A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
ADARA ACQUISITION CORP.
211 East Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28203
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON , 2022
To the Stockholders of Adara Acquisition Corp.:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special meeting of stockholders (the “special meeting”) of Adara Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Adara,” “we,” “our” or “us”), will be held on , 2022, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern time, via live webcast at the following address:
You are cordially invited to attend the special meeting for the following purposes:
● | The Business Combination Proposal — To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve and adopt the Business Combination Agreement, dated as of June 22, 2022 (as may be amended from time to time, the “Business Combination Agreement”), by and among Adara, Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Alliance”), and Adara Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub”), and the transactions contemplated thereby, pursuant to which Adara will issue (i) shares of Class A common stock of Adara (“Combined Company Common Stock”) to holders of common stock of Alliance (“Alliance Common Stock”) and (ii) shares of Class E Common stock of Adara (“Combined Company Class E Common Stock”) to the Alliance Stockholders which will be placed in an escrow account to be released to the Alliance stockholders and converted into Combined Company Common Stock upon the occurrence of certain Triggering Events and Merger Sub will merge with and into Alliance, with Alliance surviving the merger and becoming a wholly-owned direct subsidiary of Adara (collectively with the other transactions described in the Business Combination Agreement, the “Business Combination”); |
● | The Charter Proposals — To consider and vote upon amendments to Adara’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation. The proposed amendments detailed below will be voted on separately and are collectively referred to as the “Charter Proposals”: |
● | Changing the Name — Changing Adara’s name to “Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation” (the combined company following the closing of the Business Combination is referred to as the “Combined Company”); |
● | Changes to Authorized Capital Stock — the existing certificate of incorporation of Adara authorizes the issuance of 111,000,000 total shares, consisting of (a) 110,000,000 shares of common stock, of which (i) 100,000,000 shares are Class A common stock, and (ii) 10,000,000 shares are Class B common stock, and (b) 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock. The proposed certificate of incorporation will authorize the issuance of 551,000,000 total shares, consisting of (a) 490,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, (b) 60,000,000 of Class E common stock and (c) 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, and eliminate the Class B common stock and any rights of holders thereof; |
● | Required Vote to Amend the Certificate of Incorporation — require an affirmative vote of holders of at least two-thirds (66-⅔%) of the voting power of the then outstanding shares of voting stock of the Combined Company, voting together as a single class, to amend, alter, repeal or rescind, in whole or in part, certain provisions of the Proposed Certificate of Incorporation; |
● | Required Vote to Amend the Bylaws — require an affirmative vote of holders of at least two-thirds (66-⅔%) of the voting power of the then outstanding shares of voting stock of the Combined Company entitled to vote generally in an election of directors to adopt, amend, alter, repeal or rescind the Combined Company’s bylaws; |
● | Classified Board — divide the Combined Company’s board of directors into three classes with only one class of directors being elected each year and each class (except for those directors appointed prior to the first annual meeting of stockholders) serving a three-year term; |
● | Director Removal — provide for the removal of directors with cause only by stockholders voting at least two-thirds (66-⅔%) of the voting power of all of the then outstanding shares of voting stock of the Combined Company entitled to vote at an election of directors; and |
● | Removal of Blank Check Company Provisions — eliminate various provisions applicable only to blank check companies, including business combination requirements that will no longer be relevant following the closing of the Business Combination (the “Closing”). |
● | The Equity Incentive Plan Proposal — To consider and vote upon the adoption of the Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation 2022 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2022 Plan”) established to be effective after the Closing to assist the Combined Company in retaining the services of eligible employees, directors and consultants, to secure and retain the services of new employees, directors and consultants and to provide incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for the Combined Company’s success; |
● | The NYSE American Proposal — To consider and vote upon a proposal to issue (i) Combined Company Common Stock and Combined Company Class E Common Stock to Alliance’s stockholders as a result of the Merger pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, including the Combined Company Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Combined Company Class E Common Stock; and (ii) issue equity awards under the 2022 Plan if such plan is approved in accordance with Proposal No. 3 (Equity Incentive Plan Proposal); and |
● | The Adjournment Proposal — a proposal to adjourn the special meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, to permit further solicitation and vote of proxies if, based upon the tabulated vote at the time of the special meeting, there are not sufficient votes to approve one or more proposals presented to stockholders for vote. |
In light of the ongoing health concerns relating to the COVID-19 pandemic and to best protect the health and welfare of Adara’s stockholders and personnel, the special meeting will be held completely virtually, conducted only via webcast at the following address: www.[·]. There will be no physical meeting location. Stockholders are nevertheless urged to vote their proxies by completing, signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card in the accompanying pre-addressed postage paid envelope.
Only holders of record of shares of Adara Common Stock and Adara’s Class B common stock (“Adara Class B Common Stock”) at the close of business on [·], 2022 (the “Record Date”) are entitled to notice of the virtual special meeting and to vote at the virtual special meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof. A complete list of Adara’s stockholders of record entitled to vote at the virtual special meeting will be available at the virtual special meeting and for ten days before the virtual special meeting at Adara’s principal executive offices for inspection by stockholders during ordinary business hours for any purpose germane to the virtual special meeting.
Pursuant to Adara’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation, Adara is providing the holders of shares of Adara Class A common stock (the “Adara Common Stock”) originally sold as part of the units issued in our initial public offering (the “IPO” and such holders, the “Public Stockholders”) with the opportunity to redeem, upon the Closing, shares of Adara Common Stock then held by them for cash equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount on deposit (as of two business days prior to the Closing) in the trust account (the “Trust Account”) that holds the proceeds (including interest not previously released to Adara to pay its income taxes or any other taxes payable) from the IPO and a concurrent private placement of warrants to the initial stockholders of Adara listed on Schedule C of the Business Combination Agreement (“Adara Initial Stockholders”). For illustrative purposes, based on the fair value of cash and marketable securities held in the Trust Account as of [·], 2022, the Record Date, of approximately $116.2 million, the estimated per share redemption price would have been approximately $10.10. Public Stockholders may elect to redeem their shares whether or not they are holders as of the record date and whether or not they vote for the Business Combination Proposal. A Public Stockholder, together with any of his, her or its affiliates or any other person with whom he, she or it is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined in Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), will be restricted from seeking redemption rights with respect to more than an aggregate of 15% of the Adara Common Stock. Holders of Adara’s outstanding warrants sold in the IPO and a concurrent private placement, which are exercisable for shares of Adara Common Stock under certain circumstances, do not have redemption rights in connection with the Business Combination. In connection with the IPO, the Initial Stockholders agreed for no additional consideration to waive their redemption rights in connection with the consummation of the Business Combination with respect to their respective Initial Stockholder shares (but not with respect to any shares of Adara Common Stock purchased in the open market), and such Initial Stockholder Shares will be excluded from the pro rata calculation used to determine the per share redemption price. As of the Record Date the Adara Initial Stockholders, including Adara’s sponsor, officers and directors, own approximately 20% of outstanding Adara Common Stock. The Adara Initial Stockholders, including Adara’s sponsor, officers and directors, have agreed to vote any shares of Adara Common Stock owned by them in favor of the Business Combination.
Adara may not consummate the Business Combination unless the Business Combination Proposal, each of the Charter Proposals, the Equity Incentive Plan Proposal and the NYSE American Proposal are approved at the special meeting, each of which is conditioned upon all such proposals having been approved at the special meeting. The approval of the Business Combination Proposal and the NYSE American Proposal requires the affirmative vote (virtually in person or by proxy) of holders as of the Record Date of a majority of the then outstanding shares of Adara Common Stock and Adara Class B Common Stock entitled to vote thereon at the special meeting, voting together as a single class. Approval of each of the Charter Proposals requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Adara Common Stock and Adara Class B Common Stock, voting together as a single class, and the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Adara Class B Common Stock then outstanding, voting separately as a single class. The approval of the Equity Incentive Plan Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal requires that the holders of a majority of the shares of Adara Common Stock and the Adara Class B Common Stock represented in person online or by proxy and voted thereon at the special meeting vote “FOR” each such proposal, voting together as a single class. The Adjournment Proposal is not conditioned on the approval of any other Stockholder Proposal set forth in the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus.
Your attention is directed to the proxy statement/prospectus accompanying this notice (including the financial statements and annexes attached thereto) for a more complete description of the proposed Business Combination and related transactions and each of our proposals. We encourage you to read this proxy statement/prospectus carefully. If you have any questions or need assistance voting your shares, please call our proxy solicitor, Morrow Sodali LLC at (800) 662-5200.
By Order of the Board of Directors, | |
Thomas Finke | |
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer | |
, 2022 |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
i
ABOUT THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS
This document, which forms part of a registration statement on Form S-4 filed with the SEC, by Adara Acquisition Corp. (File No. 333-266098) (the “Registration Statement”), constitutes a prospectus of Adara under Section 5 of the Securities Act, with respect to the shares of Combined Company Common Stock to be issued if the Business Combination described herein is consummated. This document also constitutes a notice of meeting and a proxy statement/prospectus under Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act with respect to the special meeting of Adara’s stockholders at which Adara’s stockholders will be asked to consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the Business Combination by the approval and adoption of the Business Combination Agreement, among other matters.
1
FREQUENTLY USED TERMS
In this document:
“2022 Plan” means the Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation 2022 Equity Incentive Plan.
“Adara” means Adara Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation.
“Adara Class B Common Stock” means Adara’s Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share.
“Adara Common Stock” means Adara’s Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share.
“Adara Initial Stockholders” means the initial stockholders of Adara, consisting of the Sponsor, Adara’s officers and Adara’s directors and ThinkEquity and its designees, listed on Schedule C of the Business Combination Agreement.
“Adara Stockholders” means the holders of Adara Common Stock and/or Adara Class B Common Stock.
“Adara Unit” means one share of Adara Common Stock and one-half of one Adara Warrant.
“Adara Warrant Agreement” means the warrant agreement, dated as of February 8, 2022, by and between Adara and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, governing the Adara Warrants.
“Adara Warrants” means warrants to purchase shares of Adara Common Stock as contemplated under the Adara Warrant Agreement, with each warrant exercisable for one share of Adara Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50.
“Adjournment Proposal” means a proposal to adjourn the special meeting of the stockholders of Adara to a later date or dates, if necessary, to permit further solicitation and vote of proxies if, based upon the tabulated vote at the time of the special meeting, there are not sufficient votes to approve one or more proposals presented to stockholders for vote at such special meeting.
“Alliance” means Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation, a Delaware corporation.
“Alliance Common Stock” means Alliance’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share.
“Alliance Requisite Approval” means the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the shares of Alliance Common Stock.
“Alliance Stockholders” means holders of Alliance Common Stock.
“Broker non-vote” means the failure of an Adara stockholder, who holds his or her shares in “street name” through a broker or other nominee, to give voting instructions to such broker or other nominee.
“Business Combination” means the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement.
“Business Combination Agreement” means the Business Combination Agreement, dated as of June 22, 2022, as may be amended from time to time, by and among Adara, Alliance and Merger Sub.
“Business Combination Proposal” means the proposal to approve the adoption of the Business Combination Agreement and the Business Combination.
“Charter Proposals” means the proposals to consider and vote upon each of the amendments to Adara’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation listed on the enclosed proxy card to amend certain provisions in connection with the Business Combination.
“Closing” means the consummation of the Business Combination.
“Closing Date” means the date on which the Closing occurs.
2
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Combined Company” means Adara, immediately upon consummation of the Business Combination.
“Combined Company Class E Common Stock” means the Class E Common Stock of the Combined Company, immediately upon consummation of the Business Combination.
“Combined Company Common Stock” means the Adara Common Stock, immediately upon consummation of the Business Combination.
“Combined Company Stockholders” means the holders of Adara Common Stock, immediately upon consummation of the Business Combination.
“Contingent Consideration Period” means the period commencing on the Closing and ending on (i) the five-year anniversary of the Closing with respect to a Triggering Event I, (ii) the seven-year anniversary of the Closing with respect to a Triggering Event II and (iii) the ten-year anniversary of the Closing with respect to a Triggering Event III.
“Contingent Consideration Shares” means the 60,000,000 shares of Combined Company Class E Common Stock issuable to the Alliance Stockholders and placed into the Contingent Consideration Escrow Account.
“Contingent Consideration Agreement” means the agreement among Adara and the Alliance Stockholders who receive shares of Combined Company Class E Common Stock.
“Contingent Consideration Escrow Account” means the escrow account to be established pursuant to the Contingent Consideration Agreement to hold the Contingent Consideration Shares.
“Credit Facility” means that certain Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of February 21, 2017, by and among Alliance, Bank of America, N.A. and the other parties thereto, as amended, restated, supplemented, included or otherwise modified in writing from time to time.
“DGCL” means the Delaware General Corporation Law.
“Equity Incentive Plan Proposal” means the proposal to approve the adoption of the Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation 2022 Equity Incentive Plan.
“Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Exchange Ratio” means the following ratio (rounded to four decimal places): the quotient obtained by dividing (a) 47,500,000 by (b) 900, the number of shares of Alliance Common Stock issued and outstanding on a fully-diluted basis.
“Existing Certificate of Incorporation” means the amended and restated Certificate of Incorporation of Adara as in effect prior to the adoption of the Charter Proposals.
“GAAP” means United States generally accepted accounting principles.
“Initial Stockholder Shares” means the 2,875,000 shares of Adara’s Class B common stock, initially purchased by the Sponsor in a private placement in connection with the IPO of which (i) 50,000 shares were transferred to ThinkEquity and its designees and (ii) between 875,000 and 1,375,000 of such shares are subject to forfeiture by the Sponsor upon consummation of the Business Combination, the exact number to be determined by Alliance, which will automatically convert to Combined Company Common Stock upon consummation of a business combination by Adara.
“IPO” means Adara’s initial public offering of units, consummated on February 11, 2021.
“JOBS Act” means the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, as amended.
3
“Merger” means the merging of Merger Sub with and into Alliance, with Alliance surviving the Merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Adara.
“Merger Sub” means Adara Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Adara.
“Merger Sub Common Stock” means Merger Sub’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share.
“NYSE American” means the NYSE American, LLC stock exchange.
“The NYSE American Proposal ” means to consider and vote upon a proposal to (i) issue Combined Company Common Stock to the Alliance Stockholders as a result of the Merger pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, including the Contingent Consideration Shares and the Combined Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Consideration Condition Shares; and (ii) issue equity awards under the 2022 Plan if such plan is approved in accordance with Proposal No. 3 (Equity Incentive Plan Proposal).
“PCAOB” means the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.
“PCAOB Audited Financials” means the audited consolidated balance sheets of Alliance as of June 30, 2021, 2020 and 2019, and the related audited consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, convertible preferred stock and shareholders’ deficit and cash flows of Alliance for the three years ended June 30, 2021,and the related notes to the consolidated financial statements, each audited in accordance with the auditing standards of PCAOB.
“PCAOB Reviewed Financials” means the reviewed unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet of Alliance as of March 31, 2022, and the related unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and cash flows of Alliance for the nine-month periods ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, and the related notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, each reviewed in accordance with the auditing standards of the PCAOB.
“Private Warrants” means the warrants to purchase shares of Adara Common Stock purchased in a private placement in connection with the IPO.
“Promissory Notes” means (i) the $250,000 principal amount non-interest bearing promissory note issued to Blystone & Donaldson, LLC, an affiliate of Thomas Donaldson, a director of Adara, and (ii) the $250,000 principal amount non-interest bearing promissory note issued to Thomas Finke, Adara's Chief Executive Officer and a director of Adara, each dated June 22, 2022, and due and payable on the earlier of the Closing Date and February 11, 2023.
“Proposed Certificate of Incorporation” means the amended and restated certificate of incorporation of Adara, giving effect to the Charter Proposals.
“Proposed Transactions” means the Business Combination and the transactions related thereto.
“Public Shares” means shares of Adara Common Stock issued as a component of the Adara units sold in the IPO.
“Public Stockholders” means the holders of shares of Adara Common Stock.
“Public Warrants” means the warrants included as a component of the Adara units sold in the IPO. Each whole warrant is exercisable for one share of Adara Common Stock, in accordance with its terms.
“Record Date” means [·], 2022, the record date for the special meeting of Adara Stockholders.
“SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Sponsor” means Adara Sponsor LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
4
“Stockholder Proposals” means, individually or collectively as context requires, the Business Combination Proposal, the Charter Proposals, the Equity Incentive Plan Proposal, the NYSE American Proposal and/or the Adjournment Proposal.
“Subsequent Transaction” means any sale, merger, liquidation, exchange offer or similar transaction the Combined Company consummates after the Merger.
“Surviving Corporation” means the entity surviving the Merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Adara.
“ThinkEquity” means ThinkEquity LLC, who acted as financial advisor to Adara’s Board of Directors, and as underwriter of Adara’s initial public offering.
“Triggering Event I” means the first date on which the Combined Company Common Stock closing price over any twenty trading days within a thirty consecutive trading day period during the Contingent Consideration Period is greater than or equal to $20.00 (which shall be equitably adjusted to reflect stock splits, reverse stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations, reclassifications, combination, exchange of shares or other like change or transaction with respect to the Combined Company Common Stock occurring on or after the Closing).
“Triggering Event II” means the first date on which the Combined Company Common Stock closing price over any twenty trading days within a thirty (30) consecutive trading day period during the Contingent Consideration Period is greater than or equal to $30.00 (which shall be equitably adjusted to reflect stock splits, reverse stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations, reclassifications, combination, exchange of shares or other like change or transaction with respect to the Combined Company Common Stock occurring on or after the Closing).
“Triggering Event III” means the first date on which the Combined Company Common Stock closing price over any twenty trading days within a thirty consecutive trading day period during the Contingent Consideration Period is greater than or equal to $50.00 (which shall be equitably adjusted to reflect stock splits, reverse stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations, reclassifications, combination, exchange of shares or other like change or transaction with respect to the Combined Company Common Stock occurring on or after the Closing).
“Triggering Event Period” means the period commencing upon the closing and ending on (i) the five-year anniversary of the Closing with respect to Triggering Event 1; (ii) the seven-year anniversary of the Closing with respect to Triggering Event II; and (iii) the ten-year anniversary of the Closing with respect to Triggering Event III.
“Trust Account” means the trust account that holds a portion of the proceeds of the IPO and the concurrent sale of the Private Warrants.
“Written Consent” means the irrevocable written consent, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Adara, of holders of Alliance Common Stock Requisite Approval (including the Key Company Stockholders (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement)) in favor of the approval and adoption of the Business Combination Agreement and the Merger and all other transactions relating to the Business Combination.
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE BUSINESS COMBINATION
The following questions and answers briefly address some commonly asked questions about the proposals to be presented at the special meeting of stockholders, including with respect to the proposed Business Combination. The following questions and answers may not include all the information that is important to Adara’s stockholders. Stockholders are urged to read carefully this entire proxy statement/prospectus, including the financial statements and annexes attached hereto and the other documents referred to herein.
Q.Why am I receiving this proxy statement/prospectus?
A. | Adara has entered into the Business Combination Agreement with Alliance and Merger Sub pursuant to which Merger Sub will be merged with and into Alliance, with Alliance surviving the Merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Adara. A copy of the Business Combination Agreement is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex A, and Adara encourages its stockholders to read it in its entirety. Adara’s stockholders are being asked to consider and vote upon the Business Combination Proposal to approve and adopt the Business Combination and the Business Combination Agreement, among other Stockholder Proposals. See the section titled “Proposal No. 1 — The Business Combination Proposal.” |
The Adara Common Stock, Adara Warrants and Adara Units are currently listed on the NYSE American under the symbols “ADRA,” “ADRA.WS” and “ADRA.UN,” respectively. Adara has applied to list the shares of common stock and the warrants of the Combined Company on the NYSE American under the symbols “AENT” and “AENT.WS,” respectively, upon the Closing. All outstanding Adara Units will be separated into their component securities immediately prior to the Closing. Accordingly, Adara will no longer have any units following consummation of the Business Combination, and therefore Adara will instruct the NYSE American to remove the listing of the Adara Units immediately following the consummation of the Business Combination. Upon Closing, Adara intends to change its name from “Adara Acquisition Corp.” to “Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation.”
This proxy statement/prospectus and its annexes contain important information about the proposed Business Combination and the proposals to be acted upon at the special meeting. You should read this proxy statement/prospectus and its annexes carefully and in their entirety. This document also constitutes a prospectus of Adara with respect to the Combined Company Common Stock issuable in connection with the Business Combination.
Q.What matters will stockholders consider at the special meeting?
A. | At the Adara special meeting of stockholders, Adara will ask its stockholders to vote in favor of the following Stockholder Proposals: |
1. | The Business Combination Proposal — To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve and adopt the Business Combination Agreement and the resulting Business Combination. |
2. | The Charter Proposals — To consider and vote upon amendments to the Existing Certificate of Incorporation. The proposed amendments detailed below are collectively referred to as the “Charter Proposals”: |
● | Changing the Name — Changing Adara’s name to “Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation;” |
● | Changes to Authorized Capital Stock — the Existing Certificate of Incorporation of Adara authorizes the issuance of 111,000,000 total shares, consisting of (a) 110,000,000 shares of common stock, of which (i) 100,000,000 shares are Class A common stock, and (ii) 10,000,000 shares are Class B common stock, and (b) 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock. The Proposed Certificate of Incorporation will authorize the issuance of 551,000,000 total shares, consisting of (a) 490,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, (b) 60,000,000 of Class E common stock and (c) 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, and eliminate the Class B common stock and any rights of holders thereof; |
● | Required Vote to Amend the Certificate of Incorporation — require an affirmative vote of holders of at least two-thirds (66⅔%) of the voting power of the then outstanding shares of voting stock of the Combined Company, voting together as a single class, to amend, alter, repeal or rescind, in whole or in part, certain provisions of the Proposed Certificate of Incorporation; |
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● | Required Vote to Amend the Bylaws — require an affirmative vote of holders of at least two-thirds (66⅔%) of the voting power of the then outstanding shares of voting stock of the Combined Company entitled to vote generally in an election of directors to adopt, amend, alter, repeal or rescind the Combined Company’s bylaws; |
● | Classified Board — divide the Combined Company’s board of directors into three classes with only one class of directors being elected each year and each class (except for those directors appointed prior to the first annual meeting of shareholders) serving a three-year term; |
● | Director Removal — provide for the removal of directors with cause only by stockholders voting at least two-thirds (66⅔%) of the voting power of all of the then outstanding shares of voting stock of the Combined Company entitled to vote at an election of directors; and |
● | Removal of Blank Check Company Provisions — eliminate various provisions applicable only to blank check companies, including business combination requirements that will no longer be relevant following the Business Combination. |
3. | The Equity Incentive Plan Proposal — To consider and vote upon the adoption of the 2022 Plan established to be effective after the Closing to assist the Combined Company in retaining the services of eligible employees, directors and consultants, to secure and retain the services of new employees, directors and consultants and to provide incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for the Combined Company’s success. |
4. | The NYSE American Proposal — To consider and vote upon a proposal to (i) issue Combined Company Common Stock to the Alliance Stockholders as a result of the Merger pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, including the Combined Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Contingent Consideration Shares; and (ii) issue equity awards under the 2022 Plan if such plan is approved in accordance with Proposal No. 3 (Equity Incentive Plan Proposal). |
5. | The Adjournment Proposal — a proposal to adjourn the special meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, to permit further solicitation and vote of proxies if, based upon the tabulated vote at the time of the special meeting, there are not sufficient votes to approve one or more proposals presented to stockholders for vote. |
The approval of the Business Combination Proposal requires the affirmative vote (virtually in person or by proxy) of the holders of a majority of the then outstanding shares of Adara Common Stock and Adara Class B Common Stock entitled to vote thereon at the special meeting, voting together as a single class. Accordingly, an Adara stockholder’s failure to vote by proxy or to vote online at the virtual special meeting of stockholders, an abstention from voting or a broker non-vote will have the same effect as a vote against this Stockholder Proposal.
Approval of each of the Charter Proposals requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Adara Common Stock and Adara Class B Common Stock, voting together as a single class, and the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Adara Class B Common Stock then outstanding, voting separately as a single class. Accordingly, an Adara stockholder’s failure to vote by proxy or to vote online at the virtual special meeting of stockholders, an abstention from voting or a broker non-vote will have the same effect as a vote against these Stockholder Proposals.
The approval of the Equity Incentive Plan Proposal, NYSE American Proposal and Adjournment Proposal requires the affirmative vote (virtually in person or by proxy) of the holders of a majority of the shares of Adara Common Stock and Adara Class B Common Stock, that are voted at the special meeting of stockholders, voting together as a single class. Accordingly, an Adara stockholder’s failure to vote by proxy or to vote online at the virtual special meeting of stockholders, an abstention from voting, or a broker non-vote will have no effect on the outcome of any vote on these Stockholder Proposals.
As of the Record Date, the Adara Initial Stockholders beneficially owned an aggregate of 2,875,000 shares of Adara Class B Common Stock, constituting all of the outstanding shares of Adara Class B Common Stock and approximately 20.0% of the outstanding shares of Adara Common Stock and Adara Class B Common Stock in the aggregate. Pursuant to the Sponsor Support Agreement, the Adara Initial Stockholders have agreed to vote all of their Initial Stockholder Shares and any Public Shares acquired by them in favor of the Business Combination and each of the Stockholder Proposals.
Adara will hold a special meeting of its stockholders to consider and vote upon these proposals. This proxy statement/prospectus contains important information about the proposed Business Combination and the other matters to be acted upon at the special meeting. Stockholders should read it carefully.
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The vote of stockholders is important. Stockholders are encouraged to vote by submitting their proxy as soon as possible after carefully reviewing this proxy statement/prospectus.
Q.I am an Adara warrant holder. Why am I receiving this proxy statement/prospectus?
A. | Upon consummation of the Business Combination, the Adara Warrants shall, by their terms, entitle the holders in the aggregate to purchase 9,920,000 shares of Combined Company Common Stock in lieu of 9,920,000 shares of Adara Common Stock at a purchase price of $11.50 per share. This proxy statement/prospectus includes important information about Alliance and the business of Alliance following consummation of the Business Combination. Adara and Alliance urge you to read the information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus carefully. |
Q. | Are any of the proposals conditioned on one another? |
A. | Adara may not consummate the Business Combination unless the Business Combination Proposal, each of the Charter Proposals, the Equity Incentive Plan Proposal, and the NYSE American Proposal are approved at the special meeting, each of which is conditioned upon all such proposals having been approved at the special meeting. The Adjournment Proposal is not conditioned on the approval of any other Stockholder Proposal set forth in this proxy statement/prospectus. |
It is important for you to note that in the event that the Business Combination Proposal is not approved, then Adara will not consummate the Business Combination. If Adara does not consummate the Business Combination and fails to complete an initial business combination by February 11, 2023 or obtain the approval of Adara’s stockholders to extend the deadline for Adara to consummate an initial business combination, then Adara will be required to dissolve and liquidate.
Q.What will happen upon the consummation of the Business Combination?
A. | On the Closing Date, Alliance will merge into Merger Sub, whereupon Merger Sub will cease to exist and Alliance will continue as the surviving entity and become a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Adara. The Merger will have the effects specified under Delaware law. At the Closing, all of the then outstanding shares of Alliance Common Stock will be cancelled and automatically converted into up to an aggregate of 47,500,000 shares of Combined Company Common Stock and the 60,000,000 Contingent Consideration Shares which will be issued and placed into the Contingent Consideration Shares Escrow Account and shall be released to the Alliance Shareholders upon the achievement of certain Triggering Events and such release shall automatically convert into up to 60,000,000 shares of Combined Company Common Stock. For more information about Adara Business Combination Agreement and the Business Combination, see the section entitled “The Business Combination.” |
Q. | Why is Adara proposing the Business Combination Proposal? |
A. | Adara was organized for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more businesses. Adara is not limited to a particular industry or geographic region. |
Adara received $119.12 million from its IPO and sale of the Private Warrants, of which $116.15 million was placed into the Trust Account immediately following the IPO. In accordance with the Existing Certificate of Incorporation, holders of Public Shares may redeem such shares for cash equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount on deposit in the Trust Account upon the consummation of the Business Combination. See the question titled “What happens to the funds held in the Trust Account upon consummation of the Business Combination?” for more information.
There are currently 11,500,000 shares of Adara Common Stock and 2,875,000 shares of Adara Class B Common Stock issued and outstanding. In addition, there are currently 9,920,000 Adara Warrants issued and outstanding, consisting of 5,750,000 Public Warrants, 4,120,000 Private Warrants and 50,000 Underwriter Warrants. Each whole Adara Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one share of Adara Stock at a price of $11.50 per share. The Adara Warrants will become exercisable 30 days after the completion of a business combination, and expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, five years after the completion of a business combination or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.
Under the Existing Certificate of Incorporation, all holders of Public Shares have the opportunity to have their Public Shares redeemed upon the consummation of a business combination. The Private Warrants are non-redeemable so long as they are held by their initial purchasers or their permitted transferees.
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Q. | Did Adara’s board of directors obtain a third-party valuation or fairness opinion in determining whether or not to proceed with the Business Combination? |
A. | In connection with its determination to recommend the Business Combination, the Adara board of directors obtained a written opinion from ThinkEquity LLC as to the fairness from a financial point of view to Adara’s Stockholders, as of the date of such opinion, of the aggregate closing consideration to be issued by Adara in the Business Combination, which opinion was based on and subject to the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and limitations and qualifications set forth in such opinion as more fully described above under the caption “Proposal No. 1 — The Business Combination Proposal — Opinion of Financial Advisor to the Adara Board of Directors.” |
Q. | Do I have redemption rights? |
A. | If you are a holder of Public Shares, you may redeem your Public Shares for cash equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount on deposit in the Trust Account, which holds the proceeds of the IPO and a concurrent private placement of warrants to the Sponsor, as of two business days prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to Adara to pay its income taxes or any other taxes payable, upon the consummation of the Business Combination. The per share amount Adara will distribute to holders who properly redeem their shares will not be reduced by the deferred underwriting commissions Adara will pay to the underwriters of its IPO if the Business Combination is consummated. Holders of the outstanding Public Warrants do not have redemption rights with respect to such warrants in connection with the Business Combination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a holder of Adara Common Stock, together with any affiliate of such holder or any other person with whom such holder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), will be restricted from seeking redemption with respect to more than 15% of the Adara Common Stock. Accordingly, no shares of Adara Common Stock in excess of 15% held by a Public Stockholder, together with any affiliate of such holder or any other person with whom such holder is acting in concert or as a “group,” will be redeemed. |
In connection with the IPO, all of the Adara Initial Stockholders agreed for no additional consideration to waive their redemption rights with respect to their Initial Stockholder Shares and any Public Shares that they may have acquired during or after the IPO in connection with the completion of Adara’s business combination. The Initial Stockholder Shares will be excluded from the pro rata calculation used to determine the per share redemption price. For illustrative purposes, based on funds in the Trust Account of approximately $116.2 million on the Record Date, the estimated per share redemption price would have been approximately $10.10 Additionally, Public Shares properly tendered for redemption will only be redeemed if the Business Combination is consummated; otherwise, holders of such shares will only be entitled to a pro rata portion of the Trust Account, including interest (which interest shall be net of taxes payable by Adara), in connection with the liquidation of the Trust Account.
Q.Will my vote affect my ability to exercise redemption rights?
A. | No. You may exercise your redemption rights whether you vote your Public Shares for or against the Business Combination Proposal and other Stockholder Proposals or do not vote your shares. As a result, the Business Combination Proposal can be approved by stockholders who will redeem their Public Shares and no longer remain stockholders, leaving stockholders who choose not to redeem their Public Shares holding shares in a company with a less liquid trading market, fewer stockholders, less cash and the potential inability to meet the listing standards of the NYSE American. |
Q. | How do I exercise my redemption rights? |
A. | In order to exercise your redemption rights, you must, prior to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time on , 2022 (two business days before the special meeting of stockholders), (i) submit a written request to Adara’s transfer agent that Adara redeem your Public Shares for cash, and (ii) deliver your stock to Adara’s transfer agent physically or electronically through The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”). For the address of Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, Adara’s transfer agent, see the question “Who can help answer my questions?” below. Adara requests that any requests for redemption include the identity as to the beneficial owner making such request. Electronic delivery of your shares generally will be faster than delivery of physical stock certificates. |
A physical stock certificate will not be needed if your stock is delivered to Adara’s transfer agent electronically. In order to obtain a physical stock certificate, a stockholder’s broker and/or clearing broker, DTC and Adara’s transfer agent will need to act to facilitate the request. It is Adara’s understanding that stockholders should generally allot at least two weeks to obtain physical certificates from the transfer agent. However, because Adara does not have any control over this process or over the brokers or
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DTC, it may take significantly longer than two weeks to obtain a physical stock certificate. Under Adara’s bylaws, Adara is required to provide at least 10 days’ advance notice of any stockholder meeting, which would be the minimum amount of time a stockholder would have to determine whether to exercise redemption rights. Accordingly, if it takes longer than anticipated for stockholders to deliver their shares, stockholders who wish to redeem may be unable to meet the deadline for exercising their redemption rights and thus may be unable to redeem their shares. In the event that a stockholder fails to comply with the various procedures that must be complied with in order to validly tender or redeem Public Shares, its shares may not be redeemed.
Any demand for redemption, once made, may be withdrawn at any time until the deadline for exercising redemption requests and thereafter, with Adara’s consent, until the vote is taken with respect to the Business Combination. If you delivered your shares for redemption to Adara’s transfer agent and decide within the required timeframe not to exercise your redemption rights, you may request that Adara’s transfer agent return the shares (physically or electronically). You may make such request by contacting Adara’s transfer agent at the phone number or address listed under the question, “Who can help answer my questions?”.
Q.Do I have appraisal rights if I object to the proposed Business Combination?
A. | No. There are no appraisal rights available to holders of shares of Adara Common Stock, Adara Public Warrants or Adara Class B Common Stock in connection with the Business Combination. |
Q. | What happens to the funds held in the Trust Account upon consummation of the Business Combination? |
A. | If the Business Combination is consummated, the funds held in the Trust Account will be released to pay (i) Adara’s stockholders who properly exercise their redemption rights and (ii) expenses incurred by Alliance and Adara in connection with the Business Combination, to the extent not otherwise paid prior to the Closing. The remaining funds available for release from the Trust Account will be used for general corporate purposes of the Combined Company following the Business Combination. |
Q. | Will Adara obtain new financing in connection with the Business Combination? |
A. | Adara has not obtained any equity financing in connection with the Business Combination. As of the Record Date, Alliance has $[·] of outstanding financing and an additional $[·] of availability under the Credit Agreement. |
Q. | What happens if a Public Stockholders holding a substantial number of shares of Adara Common Stock vote in favor of the Business Combination Proposal and exercise their redemption rights? |
A. | Public Stockholders may vote in favor of the Business Combination and still exercise their redemption rights. Accordingly, the Business Combination may be consummated even though the funds available from the Trust Account and the number of Public Stockholders are reduced as a result of redemptions by Public Stockholders. |
In no event will Adara redeem Public Shares in an amount that would cause its net tangible assets (as determined in accordance with Rule 3a51-1(g)(1) of the Exchange Act) to be less than $5,000,001 after giving effect to the exercise of redemption rights and the Business Combination. If enough Public Stockholders exercise their redemption rights such that Adara cannot satisfy the net tangible asset requirement, Adara would not proceed with the redemption of our Public Shares or the Business Combination, and instead may search for an alternate business combination.
As a result of redemptions, the trading market for the Combined Company’s common stock may be less liquid than the market for Adara Common Stock was prior to the Business Combination and the Combined Company may not be able to meet the listing standards of the NYSE American or any other national securities exchange.
Additionally, with fewer funds available from the Trust Account, the capital infusion from the Trust Account into the Combined Company will be reduced and it may not be able to achieve its business plan and may require additional financing sooner than currently anticipated.
Q.What happens if the Business Combination is not consummated?
A. | There are certain circumstances under which the Business Combination Agreement may be terminated. See the section titled “The Business Combination Agreement — Termination” for information regarding the parties’ specific termination rights. |
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If Adara does not complete the business combination with Alliance for whatever reason, Adara would search for another target business with which to complete a business combination. If Adara does not complete a business combination with Alliance or another target business by February 11, 2023, Adara must redeem 100% of the outstanding Public Shares, at a per share price, payable in cash, equal to the amount then held in the Trust Account divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares. The Adara Initial Stockholders have no redemption rights in the event a business combination is not consummated in the required time period, and, accordingly, their Initial Stockholder Shares will be worthless. Additionally, in the event of such a liquidation, as described above, there will be no distribution with respect to outstanding Adara Warrants and, accordingly, the Adara Warrants will expire and be worthless.
Q.What is Alliance?
A. | Alliance is a leading global wholesaler, direct-to-consumer (“DTC”) distributor and e-commerce provider for the entertainment industry. Alliance serves as the gateway between well-known international branded manufacturers of entertainment content, such as Universal Pictures, Universal Music Group, Warner Brothers Home Video, Walt Disney Studios, Sony Music, Sony Pictures, Microsoft, Nintendo, and others, and leading retailer customers in the United States and internationally, including Walmart, Amazon, Best Buy, Barnes & Noble, Wayfair, Costco and Target, among others. Alliance distributes its physical media, entertainment products, hardware and accessories through an established multi-channel strategy. Alliance currently sells its products that they are allowed to export in more than 77 countries around the world. For more information, see the section titled “Information About Alliance.” |
Q. | What factors did Adara’s Board of Directors consider in determining to enter into the Business Combination Agreement? |
A. | In approving the Business Combination, the Adara board of directors considered a number of factors pertaining to the Business Combination as generally supporting its decision to enter into the Business Combination Agreement and the transactions contemplated therein, including, but not limited to, the following: |
● | Alliance’s industry leading market share; |
● | Alliance’s organic growth potential; |
● | Consolidation opportunities in the industry and opportunities for acquisitions of complimentary business for Alliance; |
● | Alliance’s significant growth potential; |
● | Adara’s due diligence of Alliance; |
● | Alliance’s financial condition (see “— Certain Alliance Projected Financial Information”); |
● | Alliance’s strong strategic partners; |
● | Other alternative targets; and |
● | The compelling valuation and other negotiated terms of the Business Combination. |
The Adara board of directors also considered a variety of uncertainties and risk and other potentially negative factors concerning the Business Combination including, but not limited to, the following:
● | Macro-economic uncertainty and the effects it could have on the Combined Company’s operating results; |
● | The risk of redemption by Adara’s stockholders; |
● | The risk that Adara’s stockholders may fail to provide the respective votes necessary to effect the Business Combination; |
● | Closing conditions that are not within Adara’s control; |
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● | The possibility of litigation challenging the Business Combination; |
● | The risks that the potential benefits of the Business Combination may not be achieved; |
● | The fact that Adara’s stockholders will hold a minority position in the Combined Company; |
● | Potential conflicts of interest of Adara’s Directors and Officers (see “— Interests of Adara’s Directors and Officers in the Business Combination”); and |
● | Various other risks associated with the business of Alliance, as described in the section titled “Risk Factors” appearing elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus. |
The Adara board of directors also considered the Business Combination in light of the investment criteria set forth in Adara’s final prospectus for its IPO including, without limitation, that based upon Adara’s analyses and due diligence, Alliance has the potential to be a market leader and has substantial future growth opportunities, all of which the Adara board of directors believes have a strong potential to create meaningful stockholder value following the consummation of the Business Combination.
The above discussion of the material factors considered by the Adara board of directors is not intended to be exhaustive but does set forth the principal factors considered by the Adara board of directors. For more information, see the section titled “The Background of the Business Combination — Adara’s Board of Directors’ Reasons for the Approval of the Business Combination.”
Q. | What factors did Alliance’s Board of Directors consider in determining to enter into the Business Combination Agreement? |
A. | In approving the Business Combination, the Alliance board of directors considered a number of factors pertaining to the Business Combination as generally supporting its decision to enter into the Business Combination Agreement and the transactions contemplated therein, including, but not limited to, increased access to the capital markets, increased liquidity for its stockholders and other equity holders and other benefits of being a public reporting company. The Alliance board of directors also considered a variety of uncertainties and risk and other potentially negative factors concerning the Business Combination, including the costs to the Combined Company that will be incurred as a public reporting company. |
Q. | What equity stake will current Adara’s stockholders and Alliance’s stockholders have in the Combined Company after the Closing? |
A. | The equity stake of the Adara’s Public Stockholders will depend on the number of shares of Adara Common Stock which are redeemed in connection with the Business Combination. Adara’s Public Stockholders may vote in favor of the Business Combination Proposal and still exercise their redemption rights, although they are not required to vote either for or against the Business Combination, or vote at all, or to be holders on the Record Date, in order to exercise such redemption rights. Accordingly, the Business Combination may be consummated even though the funds available from the trust account and the number of Public Stockholders are substantially reduced as a result of redemption by Public Stockholders, subject to the requirements that (i) Adara has a minimum of $15,000,000 of cash on hand after distribution of the Trust Account (for the avoidance of doubt, such cash shall be determined prior to the payment of any transaction fees, costs and expenses paid or required to be paid by Adara and Alliance prior to Closing and repayment of up to $500,000 of loans to certain affiliates of Adara and the payment of such fees, costs, expenses and loans shall be paid or payable out of such cash on hand) and (ii) the Combined Company have at least $5,000,001 of net tangible assets immediately prior to or upon the consummation of the Business Combination. |
A Public Stockholder may exercise its redemption rights, which will not result in the loss of any Warrants that the Public Stockholders may hold. Accordingly, even if the maximum number of shares was redeemed, there would still be 5,750,000 Public Warrants and 4,120,000 Private Warrants and 50,000 Underwriter Warrants outstanding. Further, if the Combined Company Common Stock is trading above the exercise price of $11.50 per warrant, the warrants are considered to be “in the money” and are therefore more likely to be exercised by the holders thereof (when they become exercisable). This in turn increases the risk to non-redeeming stockholders that the warrants will be exercised, which would result in immediate dilution to the non-redeeming stockholders. As of the Record Date, the closing price of the warrants was $[·] per warrant.
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The potential impact of different redemption levels is illustrated below through a comparison of a no redemption, illustrative redemption, contractual maximum redemption and minimum cash condition waiver scenarios (as described below). In the sensitivity table below, the residual equity value owned by non-redeeming stockholders, taking into account the respective redemption amounts, is assumed to remain the deemed value of $10.10 per share. As a result of such redemption amounts and the assumed $10.10 per share value, the implied total equity value of the Combined Company, assuming no dilution from any of the Public Warrants, Private Warrants, Underwriter Warrants or Contingent Consideration Shares (“Additional Dilution Sources”), would be (a) $616,100,000 in the no redemption scenario, (b) $558,025,000 in the illustrative redemption scenario, and (c) $514,950,005, in the contractual maximum redemption scenario. Additionally, the sensitivity table below sets forth the potential additional dilutive impact of each of the Additional Dilution Sources in each redemption scenario. Increasing levels of redemption will increase the dilutive effects of these issuances on non-redeeming stockholders.
Redemption Sensitivity Analysis Table
Contractual | ||||||||||||||||
Illustrative | Maximum | |||||||||||||||
No Redemption | % of | Redemption | % of | Redemption | % of | |||||||||||
Holders |
| Scenario(1) |
| Total |
| Scenario(2) |
| Total |
| Scenario(3) |
| Total |
| |||
Adara Public Stockholders | 11,500,000 | 18.8 | % | 5,750,000 | 10.4 | % | 1,485,149 | 2.9 | % | |||||||
Adara Initial Stockholders(4) | 2,000,000 | 3.3 | % | 2,000,000 | 3.6 | % | 2,000,000 | 3.9 | % | |||||||
Alliance Stockholders(5) | 47,500,000 | 77.9 | % | 47,500,000 | 86.0 | % | 47,500,000 | 93.2 | % | |||||||
Total Shares Outstanding Excluding Contingent Consideration Shares and Adara Warrants | 61,000,000 | 100.0 | % | 55,250,000 | 100.0 | % | 50,985,149 | 100.0 | % | |||||||
Total Equity Value Post- Redemptions | $ | 616,100,000 | $ | 558,025,000 |
| $ | 514,950,005 |
| ||||||||
Assumed Per Share Value | $ | 10.10 | $ | 10.10 |
| $ | 10.10 |
|
Contractual | |||||||||||||
Illustrative | Maximum | ||||||||||||
No Redemption | % of | Redemption | % of | Redemption | % of | ||||||||
Additional Dilution Sources(8) |
| Scenario(1) |
| Total(7) |
| Scenario(7) |
| Total(6) |
| Scenario(3) |
| Total(7) | |
Contingent Consideration Shares(8) | 60,000,000 | 49.6 | % | 60,000,000 | 52.1 | % | 60,000,000 | 54.0 | % | ||||
Adara Warrants | |||||||||||||
Public Warrants(9) | 5,750,000 | 8.6 | % | 5,750,000 | 9.4 | % | 5,750,000 | 10.1 | % | ||||
Private Warrants(10) | 4,120,000 | 6.3 | % | 4,120,000 | 6.9 | % | 4,120,000 | 7.8 | % | ||||
Underwriter Warrants(11) | 50,000 | 0.1 | % | 50,000 | 0.1 | % | 50,000 | 0.1 | % | ||||
Total Additional Dilutive Sources(12) | 69,920,000 | 53.4 | % | 69,920,000 | 55.6 | % | 69,920,000 | 57.8 | % |
(1) | This scenario assumes that no shares of Adara Common Stock are redeemed by the Public Stockholders |
(2) | This scenario assumes that approximately 5,750,000 shares of Adara Common Stock are redeemed by the Public Stockholders. |
(3) | This scenario assumes that 10,014,851 shares of Adara Common Stock are redeemed by the Public Stockholders, which, based on the amount of approximately $16.3 million in the Trust Account as of June 30, 2022, represents the maximum amount of redemptions that would still enable Adara to have sufficient cash to satisfy the minimum cash condition in the Business Combination Agreement. |
(4) | This row assumes that the Sponsor forfeits 875,000 Initial Stockholder Shares. Up to an additional 500,000 Initial Stockholder Shares are subject to forfeiture by the Sponsor at the discretion of Alliance. If such additional shares are forfeited by the Sponsor, the Adara Initial Stockholders would own 1,500,000 shares, or 3.0% of the Total Shares Outstanding Excluding Contingent Condition Shares and Warrants. |
(5) | This row excludes an aggregate of up to 60,000,000 shares of Combined Company Common Stock which would become issuable upon the conversion of the Contingent Consideration Shares upon the occurrence of the Triggering Events. |
(6) | All share numbers and percentages for the Additional Dilution Sources are presented without the potential reduction of any amounts paid by the holders of the given Additional Dilution Sources and therefore may overstate dilution. |
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(7) | The Percentage of Total with respect to each Additional Dilution Source, including the Total Additional Dilutive Sources, includes the full number of shares issued with respect to the applicable Additional Dilution Source (but not the other Applicable Dilution Sources) in both the numerator and denominator. For example, in the no redemption scenario, the Percentage of Total with respect to the Contingent Consideration Shares would be calculated as follows: (a) 60,000,000 shares; divided by (b) (i) 61,000,000 shares (the number of shares outstanding prior to any issuance of any such shares plus (ii) 60,000,000 shares. |
(8) | This row assumes an aggregate of up to 60,000,000 shares of Combined Company Common Stock which would become issuable upon the conversion of the Contingent Consideration Shares upon the occurrence of the Triggering Events. |
(9) | This row assumes exercise of all Public Warrants for cash. |
(10) | This row assumes exercise of all Private Warrants for cash. |
(11) | This row assumes exercise of all Underwriter Warrants for cash. |
(12) | This row assumes the issuance of all shares of Combined Company Common Stock in connection with each of the Additional Dilution Sources, as described in Notes 8 through 11 above. |
Q. | Who will be the executive officers and directors of the Combined Company if the Business Combination is consummated? |
A. | The executive officers of Combined Company will be: |
● | Bruce Ogilvie, Executive Chairman of the Board; |
● | Jeffrey Walker, Chief Executive Officer; |
● | John Kutch, Chief Financial Officer; |
● | Paul Eibler, Chairman of COKeM Subsidiary;and |
● | Ben Mean, President, Distribution Solutions |
A. | Upon the consummation of the Business Combination, the board of directors of the Combined Company (the “Combined Company Board”) will be comprised of seven persons divided into three separate classes, as follows: |
● | the Class I directors will be [·] and [·] and their terms will expire at the first annual meeting to be held after the consummation of the Business Combination; |
● | the Class II directors will be [·], [·], and [·] and their terms will expire at the second annual meeting to be held after the consummation of the Business Combination; and |
● | the Class III directors will be Bruce Ogilvie and Jeffrey Walker and their terms will expire at the third annual meeting to be held after the consummation of the Business Combination. |
Such directors will be appointed, effective as of the consummation of the Business Combination, by the Adara board of directors in accordance with Adara’s organizational documents.
Immediately following the consummation of the Business Combination, we expect that the following will be the officers of the Combined Company: Bruce Ogilvie, Executive Chairman, Jeffrey Walker, Chief Executive Officer, John Kutch, Chief Financial Officer, and [·]. See the section titled “Management After the Business Combination” for information about such officers and the Combined Company’s other executive officers.
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Q.What conditions must be satisfied to complete the Business Combination?
A. | There are a number of closing conditions in the Business Combination Agreement, including that Adara’s stockholders have approved and adopted the Business Combination Agreement. For a summary of the conditions that must be satisfied or waived prior to completion of the Business Combination, see the section titled “The Business Combination Agreement — Conditions to Closing.” |
Q. | What happens if I sell my shares of Adara Common Stock before the special meeting of stockholders? |
A. | The Record Date for the special meeting of stockholders will be earlier than the date that the Business Combination is expected to be completed. If you transfer your shares of Adara Common Stock after the Record Date, but before the special meeting of stockholders, unless the transferee obtains from you a proxy to vote those shares, you will retain your right to vote at the special meeting of stockholders. |
However, you will not become a Combined Company Stockholder following the Closing because only Adara’s stockholders on the date of the Closing will become Combined Company Stockholders.
Q. | May Adara or Adara’s directors, officers or advisors, or their affiliates, purchase shares in connection with the Business Combination? |
A. | In connection with the stockholder vote to approve the proposed Business Combination, the Adara Initial Stockholders and Adara’s board of directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates may privately negotiate transactions to purchase shares prior to the Closing from stockholders who would have otherwise elected to have their shares redeemed in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to the proxy rules for a per share pro rata portion of the Trust Account without the prior written consent of Alliance. None of the Adara Initial Stockholders, directors, officers or advisors, or their respective affiliates, will make any such purchases when they are in possession of any material non-public information not disclosed to the seller of such shares. Such a purchase would include a contractual acknowledgement that such stockholder, although still the record holder of such shares, is no longer the beneficial owner thereof and therefore agrees not to exercise its redemption rights. In the event that the Adara Initial Stockholders, directors, officers or advisors, or their affiliates, purchase shares in privately negotiated transactions from Public Stockholders who have already elected to exercise their redemption rights, such selling stockholders would be required to revoke their prior elections to redeem their shares. Any such privately negotiated purchases may be effected at purchase prices that are in excess of the per share pro rata portion of the Trust Account. The purpose of these purchases would be to increase the amount of cash available to Adara for use in the Business Combination. |
Q. | How many votes do I have at the special meeting of stockholders? |
A. | Adara’s stockholders are entitled to one vote at the special meeting for each share of Adara Common Stock and Adara Class B Common Stock held of record as of the Record Date. As of the close of business on the Record Date, there were 11,500,000 shares of Adara Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, held by [·] holders of record, including holders of record of Adara Units, and 2,875,000 shares of Adara Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, held by Common Stockholders of record. |
Q. | What interests do Adara’s current officers and directors have in the Business Combination? |
A. | Adara’s board of directors and executive officers may have interests in the Business Combination that are different from, in addition to, or in conflict with, yours. These interests include: |
● | the beneficial ownership of Adara’s board of directors and officers and their affiliates of an aggregate of 1,950,000 shares (giving effect to the forfeiture of 875,000 Initial Stockholder Shares by the Sponsor) of Adara Class B Common Stock and 4,120,000 Adara Warrants, which shares and warrants would become worthless if Adara does not complete a business combination within the applicable time period, as our directors and officers have waived any right to redemption with respect to these shares. Such shares and warrants have an aggregate market value of approximately $[·] million based on the closing prices of Adara Common Stock and warrants of $[·] and $[·], respectively on the NYSE American on the Record Date, giving effect to the forfeiture of 875,000 Initial Stockholder Shares by the Sponsor. Based on such market values, Adara’s board of directors and officers will have an unrealized gain of approximately $[·] million on their Adara securities; |
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● | The repayment of up to an aggregate of $500,000 of loans made by certain directors and their affiliates under the Promissory Notes (under which $[ ] principal amount was outstanding as of the Record Date) to the extent such outstanding amounts exceed the amount not required to be returned in the Trust Account, unless a business combination is consummated, which Adara does not anticipate being able to repay if the Business Combination is not consummated; |
● | the fact that the Adara Initial Stockholders, including our officers and directors have agreed not to redeem any of the shares of our common stock held by them in connection with a stockholder vote to approve the Business Combination; |
● | Adara’s board of directors will not receive reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them on Adara’s behalf incident to identifying, investigating and consummating the Business Combination, to the extent such expenses exceed the amount not required to be retained in the Trust Account, unless the Business Combination is consummated; |
● | the anticipated continuation of Thomas Finke and W. Tom Donaldson III as directors of the Combined Company following the Closing; |
● | the fact that the Adara Initial Stockholders who hold Initial Stockholder Shares and Private Warrants may experience a positive rate of return on their investment, even if the Public Stockholders experience a negative rate of return on their investment; |
● | If Adara is unable to complete a business combination within the required time period, an affiliate of the Sponsor will be personally liable under certain circumstances described herein to ensure that the proceeds in the Trust Account are not reduced by the claims of target businesses or claims of vendors or other entities that are owed money by Adara for services rendered or contracted for or products sold to Adara. If Adara consummates a business combination, on the other hand, Adara will be liable for all such claims; and |
● | the continued indemnification of the current directors and officers of Adara following the Business Combination and the continuation of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance following the Business Combination. |
Accordingly, our board of directors and officers and their affiliates will hold securities of Adara (directly or indirectly) with an aggregate value of approximately $[·] million based on the closing prices of Adara Common Stock and warrants of $[·] and $[·], respectively on the NYSE American on the Record Date giving effect to the forfeiture of 875,000 Initial Stockholder Shares by the Sponsor. For these reasons, our board of directors and officers and their affiliates will receive a benefit from the completion of the Business Combination. These interests may incentivize our directors and officers to complete a business combination of a less favorable target company or on terms less favorable to stockholders rather than liquidate and to vote in favor of approval of the Stockholder Proposals.
These interests may influence Adara’s board of directors in making their recommendation that you vote in favor of the approval of the Stockholder Proposals. You should also read the section titled “The Business Combination — Interests of Adara’s Directors and Officers in the Business Combination.”
Q. | What interests do the Adara Initial Stockholders and their affiliates have at risk if the Business Combination is not completed? |
A. | The Adara Initial Stockholders (including our directors and officers) and their affiliates have the following interests in Adara and/or the Business Combination which may become worthless or not received if the Business Combination is not completed: |
● | The Adara Initial Stockholders (including our officers and directors) and their affiliates, beneficially own 2,875,000 shares of Class B Common Stock and 9,920,000 Adara Warrants, which shares and warrants would become worthless if Adara does not complete a business combination within the applicable time period, as the Adara Initial Stockholders (including our directors and officers) and their affiliates have waived any right to redemption with respect to these shares. Such shares and warrants have an aggregate market value of approximately $[·] million based on the closing prices of Adara Common Stock and warrants of $[·] and $[·], respectively on the NYSE American on the Record Date. |
● | ThinkEquity, an Adara Initial Stockholder, will receive a financial advisory fee for serving as Adara’s financial advisor in connection with the Business Combination in an amount equal to 3.5% of the net funds held in the Trust Account after giving effect to redemptions by Adara Public Stockholders, which shall be due and payable in immediately available funds on the |
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Closing Date. If none of the Adara Public Stockholders exercise their redemption rights, the fee payable to ThinkEquity will be approximately $4.1 million. If Adara public stockholders exercise redemption rights as to 5,750,000 shares of Class A common stock (representing 50% of the shares of Class A common stock subject to redemption), the fee payable to ThinkEquity will be approximately $2.5 million. If Adara Public Stockholders exercise their redemption rights as to 10,014,851 shares of Class A common stock (the maximum extent permitted under the Business Combination Agreement) the fee payable to ThinkEquity will be approximately $525,000. In the event the Business Combination is not consummated, ThinkEquity would not receive these fees. These fees are in addition to a $300,000 fee we paid to ThinkEquity as condition to the delivery of a fairness opinion. |
● | Blystone & Donaldson LLC and Thomas Finke, LLC, affiliates of our directors, have loaned to us an aggregate of $[ ] as of the Record Date pursuant to the Promissory Notes and may make additional loans to us in an amount equal to $[ ] under the Promissory Notes to fund our working capital expenses. The Promissory Notes are due and payable on the earlier of the Closing Date and February 11, 2023. If the Business Combination is not consummated, we do not expect to be able to repay the amounts due under the Promissory Notes. |
Accordingly, our Initial Stockholders (including our directors and officers and their affiliates) will hold securities of Adara (directly or indirectly) based on the closing prices of Adara Common Stock and warrants of $[•] and $[•], respectively on the NYSE American on the Record Date, giving effect to the forfeiture of 875,000 Initial Stockholder Shares by the Sponsor with an aggregate value of approximately $[•] million, receive cash fees of approximately $4.4 million if none of the Adara Public Stockholders exercise their redemption rights (approximately $2.5 million if Adara Public Stockholders exercise their redemption rights as to 575,000 shares of Class A common stock (representing 50% of the shares of Class A common stock subject to redemption) or approximately $525,000 if Adara Public Stockholders exercise their redemption rights as to 10,104,851 shares of Class A common stock (the maximum amount permitted under the Business Combination Agreement) and will be repaid all amounts outstanding under the $500,000 aggregate amount Promissory Notes ($[ ] as of the Record Date) on the Closing Date. Additionally, any reimbursable expenses of the Adara Initial Stockholders will be paid from our available cash prior to the consummation of the Business Combination and will not be dependent upon the consummation of the Business Combination.
For these reasons, the Adara Initial Stockholders (including our directors and officers) and their affiliates will receive a financial and business benefit from the completion of the Business Combination. These interests may incentivize the Adara Initial Stockholders (including our directors and officers) to complete a business combination of a less favorable target company or on terms less favorable to stockholders rather than liquidate and to vote in favor of approval of the Stockholder Proposals
These interests may influence Adara’s board of directors in making their recommendation that you vote in favor of the approval of the Stockholder Proposals. You should also read the section titled “The Business Combination — Interests of Adara’s Directors and Officers in the Business Combination.”
Q.What are the U.S. federal income tax consequences of exercising my redemption rights?
A. | The U.S. federal income tax consequences of a redemption depend on a holder’s particular facts and circumstances. See the section titled “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations of the Redemption and the Business Combination.” We urge you to consult your tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of exercising your redemption rights and to rely solely upon their advice. |
Q. | If I hold Adara Warrants, can I exercise redemption rights with respect to my warrants? |
A. | No. Holders of Adara Warrants have no redemption rights with respect to the Adara Warrants. |
Q. | When is the Business Combination expected to be completed? |
A. | It is currently anticipated that the Business Combination will be consummated promptly following the special meeting of stockholders, provided that all other conditions to the consummation of the Business Combination have been satisfied or waived. For a description of the conditions to the completion of the Business Combination, see the section titled “The Business Combination Agreement — Conditions to Closing.” |
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Q. | What do I need to do now? |
A. | You are urged to carefully read and consider the information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus, including the financial statements and annexes attached hereto, and to consider how the Business Combination will affect you as a stockholder. You should then vote as soon as possible in accordance with the instructions provided in this proxy statement/prospectus on the enclosed proxy card or, if you hold your shares through a brokerage firm, bank or other nominee, on the voting instruction form provided by the broker, bank or nominee. |
Q. | How do I vote? |
A. | If you were a holder of record of Adara Common Stock and/or Adara Class B Common Stock on the Record Date, you may vote on the Stockholder Proposals online at the virtual special meeting of stockholders or by completing, signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided. If you hold your shares in “street name,” which means your shares are held of record by a broker, bank or other nominee, you should contact your broker, bank or nominee to ensure that votes related to the shares you beneficially own are properly counted. In this regard, you must provide the record holder of your shares with instructions on how to vote your shares or, if you wish to virtually attend the special meeting of stockholders and vote online, obtain a proxy from your broker, bank or nominee. |
Q. | What will happen if I abstain from voting or fail to vote at the special meeting? |
A. | At the special meeting of stockholders, Adara will count a properly executed proxy marked “ABSTAIN” with respect to a particular proposal as present for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present. For purposes of approval, an abstention or failure to vote will have the same effect as a vote against each of the Business Combination Proposal and the individual Charter Proposals, and will have no effect on any of the other Stockholder Proposals. |
Q. | What will happen if I sign and return my proxy card without indicating how I wish to vote? |
A. | Signed and dated proxies received by Adara without an indication of how the stockholder intends to vote on a proposal will be voted in favor of each of the Stockholder Proposals. |
Q. | Do I need to attend the special meeting of stockholders to vote my shares? |
A. | No. You are invited to virtually attend the special meeting to vote on the proposals described in this proxy statement/prospectus. However, you do not need to attend the special meeting of stockholders to vote your shares. Instead, you may submit your proxy by signing, dating and returning the applicable enclosed proxy card(s) in the pre-addressed postage-paid envelope. Your vote is important. Adara encourages you to vote as soon as possible after carefully reading this proxy statement/prospectus. |
Q. | If I am not going to attend the special meeting of stockholders in person, should I return my proxy card instead? |
A. | Yes. After carefully reading and considering the information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus, please submit your proxy, as applicable, by completing, signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided. |
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Q. | If my shares are held in “street name,” will my broker, bank or nominee automatically vote my shares for me? |
A. | Because none of the proposals to be voted on at the Special Meeting is a routine matter for which brokers may have discretionary authority to vote without instructions from the beneficial owner of the shares, Adara does not expect any broker non-votes at the Special Meeting. As a result, failure to provide instructions to your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee on how to vote will result in your shares not being counted as present in determining the presence of a quorum. No. If your broker holds your shares in its name and you do not give the broker voting instructions, under the applicable stock exchange rules, your broker may not vote your shares on any of the Stockholder Proposals. If you do not give your broker voting instructions and the broker does not vote your shares, this is referred to as a “broker non-vote.” Broker non-votes will be counted for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum at the special meeting of stockholders. Your bank, broker, or other nominee can vote your shares only if you provide instructions on how to vote. You should instruct your broker to vote your shares in accordance with directions you provide. However, in no event will a broker non-vote have the effect of exercising your redemption rights for a pro rata portion of the Trust Account, and therefore no shares as to which a broker non-vote occurs will be redeemed in connection with the proposed Business Combination. |
Q. | May I change my vote after I have mailed my signed proxy card? |
A. | Yes. You may change your vote by sending a later-dated, signed proxy card to Adara’s secretary at the address listed below prior to the vote at the special meeting of stockholders, or attend the virtual special meeting and vote online. You also may revoke your proxy by sending a notice of revocation to Adara’s secretary, provided such revocation is received prior to the vote at the special meeting. If your shares are held in street name by a broker or other nominee, you must contact the broker or nominee to change your vote. |
Q. | What happens if I fail to take any action with respect to the special meeting? |
A. | If you fail to take any action with respect to the special meeting and the Business Combination is approved by stockholders and consummated, you will become a stockholder of the Combined Company and/or your warrants will entitle you to purchase common stock of the Combined Company. As a corollary, failure to vote either for or against the Business Combination proposal means you will not have any redemption rights in connection with the Business Combination to exchange your shares of common stock for a pro rata share of the aggregate amount of funds held in the Trust Account as of two business days prior to the Closing, including any interest thereon but net of any income or other taxes payable. If you fail to take any action with respect to the special meeting and the Business Combination is not approved, you will continue to be a stockholder and/or warrant holder of Adara. |
Q. | What should I do if I receive more than one set of voting materials? |
A. | You may receive more than one set of voting materials, including multiple copies of this proxy statement/prospectus and multiple proxy cards or voting instruction cards. For example, if you hold your shares in more than one brokerage account, you will receive a separate voting instruction card for each brokerage account in which you hold shares. If you are a holder of record and your shares are registered in more than one name, you will receive more than one proxy card. Please complete, sign, date and return each proxy card and voting instruction card that you receive in order to cast your vote with respect to all of your shares. |
Q. | What is the quorum requirement for the special meeting of stockholders? |
A. | A quorum of Adara’s stockholders is necessary to hold a valid meeting. A quorum will be present at the special meeting of stockholders if a majority of the aggregate shares of Adara Common Stock and Adara Class B Common Stock outstanding, and entitled to vote at the meeting is virtually represented in person or by proxy, and, with respect to the separate vote by other Adara Class B Common Stock for other Charter Proposals if a majority of the shares of Adara Class B Common Stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting is virtually represented in person or by proxy. Abstentions will count as present for the purposes of establishing a quorum. |
As of the Record Date for the special meeting, 7,187,501 shares of Adara Common Stock and Adara Class B Common Stock will be required to achieve a quorum.
Your shares will be counted towards the quorum only if you submit a valid proxy (or your broker, bank or other nominee submits one on your behalf) or if you vote online at the virtual special meeting of stockholders. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be
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counted towards the quorum requirement. If there is no quorum, a majority of the shares represented by stockholders virtually present at the special meeting or by proxy may authorize adjournment of the special meeting to another date.
Q. | What happens to the Adara Warrants I hold if I vote my shares of Adara Common Stock against approval of the Business Combination Proposal and validly exercise my redemption rights? |
A. | Properly exercising your redemption rights as an Adara stockholder does not result in either a vote “FOR” or “AGAINST” the Business Combination Proposal. If the Business Combination is not completed, you will continue to hold your Adara Warrants, and if Adara does not otherwise consummate an initial business combination by February 11, 2023 or obtain the approval of Adara’s Stockholders to extend the deadline for Adara to consummate an initial business combination, Adara will be required to dissolve and liquidate, and your Adara Warrants will expire worthless. |
Q. | Who will solicit and pay the cost of soliciting proxies? |
A. | Adara will pay the cost of soliciting proxies for the special meeting of stockholders. Adara has engaged Morrow Sodali LLC to assist in the solicitation of proxies for the special meeting. Adara has agreed to pay Morrow Sodali LLC a fee of $[·]. Adara will reimburse Morrow Sodali LLC for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and will indemnify Morrow Sodali LLC and its affiliates against certain claims, liabilities, losses, damages and expenses. Adara also will reimburse banks, brokers and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries representing beneficial owners of shares of Adara Common Stock for their expenses in forwarding soliciting materials to beneficial owners of Adara Common Stock and in obtaining voting instructions from such beneficial owners. Adara’s directors, officers and employees may also solicit proxies by telephone, by facsimile, by mail, on the Internet or in person. They will not be paid any additional amounts for soliciting proxies. |
Q. | Who can help answer my questions? |
A. | If you have questions about the Stockholder Proposals, or if you need additional copies of this proxy statement/prospectus, the proxy card or the consent card you should contact our proxy solicitor at: |
Morrow Sodali LLC
333 Ludlow Street, 5th Floor, South Tower
Stamford, CT 06902
Telephone: (800) 662-5200
(Banks and brokers can call collect at: (203) 658-9400)
Email: ADRA.info@investor.morrowsodali.com
You may also contact Adara at:
Adara Acquisition Corp.
211 East Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28203
Telephone: (704) 315-5290
Attention: CEO
To obtain timely delivery, Adara’s stockholders and warrant holders must request the materials no later than five business days prior to the special meeting.
You may also obtain additional information about Adara from documents filed with the SEC by following the instructions in the section titled, “Where You Can Find More Information.”
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If you intend to seek redemption of your Public Shares, you will need to send a letter demanding redemption and deliver your stock (either physically or electronically) to Adara’s transfer agent prior to 4:30 p.m., New York time, on the second business day prior to the special meeting of stockholders. If you have questions regarding the certification of your position or delivery of your shares, please contact:
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
One State Street Plaza, 30th Floor
New York, New York 10004
Attention: Mark Zimkind
E-mail: mzimkind@continentalstock.com
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SUMMARY OF THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS
This summary highlights selected information from this proxy statement/prospectus and does not contain all of the information that is important to you. To better understand the Business Combination Proposal and the other Stockholder Proposals to be considered at the special meeting of stockholders, you should read this entire proxy statement/prospectus carefully, including the annexes. See also the section titled, “Where You Can Find More Information.”
Parties to the Business Combination
Adara
Adara is a Delaware corporation and was formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. Adara was formed to purse an initial business combination target in any industry or geographic location (subject to certain limitations described in this prospectus),
Adara Common Stock, Adara Warrants and Adara Units (each Adara Unit comprising one share of Adara Common Stock and one-third of an Adara Warrant) are currently listed and trading on the NYSE American under the ticker symbols “ADRA,” “ADRA.WS” and “ADRA.UN,” respectively. We have applied to continue the listing of the Adara Common Stock and Adara Warrants on the NYSE American under the symbols “AENT” and “AENT.WS,” respectively, upon the Closing. The Adara Units will automatically separate into their component securities (one share of Adara Common Stock and one-third of an Adara Warrant) upon Closing and, as a result, will no longer exist. Upon Closing, Adara intends to change its name from “Adara Acquisition Corp.” to “Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation.”
The mailing address of Adara’s principal executive office is 211 East Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203, and its telephone number is (704) 315-5290.
Merger Sub
Merger Sub is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Adara, formed on September 2, 2021 to consummate the Business Combination. Following the Business Combination, Merger Sub will have merged with and into Alliance with Alliance surviving the Merger. As a result, Alliance will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Adara.
Alliance
Alliance is a leading global wholesaler, direct-to-consumer (“DTC”) distributor and e-commerce provider for the entertainment industry. Alliance serves as the gateway between well-known international branded manufacturers of entertainment content, such as Universal Pictures, Universal Music Group, Warner Brothers Home Video, Walt Disney Studios, Sony Music, Sony Pictures, Microsoft, Nintendo, and others, and leading retailer customers in the United States and internationally, including Walmart, Amazon, Best Buy, Barnes & Noble, Wayfair, Costco and Target, among others. Alliance distributes its physical media, entertainment products, hardware and accessories through an established multi-channel strategy. Alliance currently sells its products that they are allowed to export in more than 77 countries around the world.
Alliance’s mailing address is 1401 NW 136th Ave., Suite 100, Sunrise FL 33323, and its telephone number is (954) 255-4000.
For more information about Alliance, see the sections titled “Information About Alliance” and “Alliance Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
The Business Combination
The Business Combination Agreement
On June 22, 2022, Adara, Merger Sub and Alliance entered into the Business Combination Agreement, pursuant to which Adara and Alliance will consummate the Business Combination. The Business Combination Agreement contains customary representations and warranties, covenants, closing conditions, termination fee provisions and other terms relating to the Merger and the other transactions contemplated thereby.
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The Merger is to become effective by the filing of a certificate of merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the DGCL and mutually agreed by the parties and will be effective immediately upon such filing or upon such later time as may be agreed by the parties and specified in such certificate of merger (such time, “Effective Time”). The parties will hold the Closing immediately prior to such filing of a certificate of merger, on the Closing Date.
The Effective Time shall occur as promptly as practicable but in no event later than three business days after the satisfaction or, if permissible, waiver of the conditions to the completion of the Business Combination set forth in the Business Combination Agreement (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at Closing, provided that the occurrence of the Closing shall remain subject to the satisfaction or, if permissible, waiver at the Closing).
At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of Adara, Merger Sub, Alliance or the holders of any of Alliance’s securities:
● | Each share of Alliance Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be cancelled and automatically converted into the right to receive the number of shares of Combined Company Common Stock equal to the Exchange Ratio; |
● | No certificates or scrip or shares representing fractional shares of Combined Company Common Stock shall be issued upon the exchange of Alliance Common Stock and such fractional share interests will not entitle the owner thereof to vote or to have any rights of a stockholder of Adara or a holder of shares of Combined Company Common Stock. In lieu of any fractional share of Combined Company Common Stock to which each holder of Alliance Common Stock would otherwise be entitled, the fractional share shall be rounded up or down to the nearest whole share of Combined Company Common Stock, with a fraction of 0.5 rounded up. No cash settlements shall be made with respect to fractional shares eliminated by rounding. |
Contingent Consideration Shares
At the Closing, the Company will also issue to the Alliance Stockholders Contingent Consideration Shares which shall be placed into the Contingent Consideration Shares Escrow Account pursuant to the Contingent Consideration Shares Agreement and shall not be released from escrow over a ten-year period unless and until they are earned as a result of the occurrence of the applicable Triggering Event as follows: 20,000,000 Contingent Consideration Shares will be earned upon the occurrence of Triggering Event I prior to the five-year anniversary of the Closing; 20,000,000 Contingent Consideration Shares will be earned upon the occurrence of Triggering Event II prior to the seven-year anniversary of the Closing; and 20,000,000 Contingent Consideration Shares will be earned upon the occurrence of Triggering Event III prior to the ten-year anniversary of the Closing.
Upon the occurrence of a Triggering Event, the Contingent Consideration Shares released from the Contingent Consideration Shares Escrow shall automatically convert into an equal number of shares of Combined Company Common Stock.
In the event that a Triggering Event does not occur during the respective Triggering Event Period, the Contingent Consideration Shares issuable upon the occurrence of the respective Triggering Event shall be forfeited to the Combined Company for cancellation.
Under the Contingent Consideration Escrow Agreement, each Alliance Stockholder owning Contingent Consideration Shares will have all rights with respect to the Contingent Consideration Shares attributable to ownership of such Combined Company Class E Common Stock except (1) the right of possession thereof, (2) the right to sell, assign, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of or encumber such shares or any interest therein, and (3) the right to be paid dividends with respect to such shares (other than non-taxable stock dividends, which shall remain in and become part of the Contingent Consideration Shares). Additionally, the Alliance Stockholders will have the right to vote such Contingent Consideration Shares, provided that during the escrow period they have contractually agreed to vote their shares of Combined Company Class E Common Stock in the same manner and proportion as the Combined Company Common Stock votes.
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Conditions to Closing
Mutual
The obligations of Alliance, Adara and Merger Sub to consummate the Business Combination, including the Merger, are subject to the satisfaction or waiver (where permissible) at or prior to the Closing of the following conditions:
● | The Alliance Requisite Approval in favor of the adoption of the Business Combination Agreement and the Merger and all other transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement, shall have been obtained; |
● | The Stockholder Proposals shall have been approved and adopted by the requisite affirmative vote of Adara’s stockholders in accordance with the proxy statement/prospectus, the DGCL, the Adara organizational documents and the rules and regulations of NYSE; |
● | The Registration Statement shall have become effective under the Securities Act and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall be in effect and no proceedings for that purpose shall be pending before or threatened by the SEC; |
● | No governmental authority shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any law, rule, regulation, judgment, decree, executive order or award which is then in effect and has the effect of making the Business Combination, including the Merger, illegal or otherwise prohibiting consummation of the Business Combination, including the Merger; |
● | All required filings under the HSR Act shall have been completed and any waiting period (and any extension thereof) applicable to the consummation of the Business Combination under the HSR Act shall have expired or been terminated; |
● | All consents, approvals and authorizations set forth in the Business Combination Agreement shall have been obtained from and made with all governmental authorities; and |
● | The listing of shares of Combined Company Common Stock on NYSE American, or another national securities exchange mutually agreed to by the parties, as of the Closing Date. |
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Adara and Merger Sub
The obligations of Adara and Merger Sub to consummate the Business Combination are subject to the satisfaction or waiver (where legally permissible) at or prior to the Closing of the following additional conditions:
● | Certain of the representations and warranties of Alliance contained in the sections titled (a) “Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries,” (b) “Capitalization,” (c) “Authority Relative to the Business Combination Agreement” and (d) “Brokers” in the Business Combination Agreement shall each be true and correct in all material respects as of the date of the Business Combination Agreement and the Effective Time, except to the extent that any such representation or warranty expressly is made as of an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as of such earlier specified date. Certain of the representations and warranties of Alliance contained in the section titled “Absence of Certain Changes or Events” in the Business Combination Agreement shall be true and correct in all respects as of the date of the Business Combination Agreement and the Effective Time. Certain of the representations and warranties in the section titled “Capitalization” in the Business Combination Agreement shall be true and correct in all respects as of the date of the Business Combination Agreement and as of the Effective Time as though made on and as of such date (except to the extent that any such representation or warranty expressly is made as of an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as of such specified date), except where the failure of such representations and warranties to be so true and correct would not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to result in more than de minimis additional cost, expense or liability to Alliance, Adara, Merger Sub or any of their respective affiliates. The other representations and warranties of Alliance contained in the Business Combination Agreement shall be true and correct in all respects (without giving effect to any “materiality,” “Company Material Adverse Effect” or similar qualifiers contained in any such representations and warranties) as of the date of the Business Combination Agreement and as of the Effective Time as though made on and as of such date (except to the extent that any such representation or warranty expressly is made as of an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as of such earlier date), except where the failures of any such representations and warranties to be so true and correct, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect; |
● | Alliance shall have performed or complied in all material respects with all agreements and covenants required by the Business Combination Agreement to be performed or complied with by it on or prior to the Effective Time; |
● | Alliance shall have delivered to Adara a customary officer’s certificate, dated the date of the Closing, certifying as to the satisfaction of certain conditions; |
● | No Company Material Adverse Effect shall have occurred during the Interim Period; |
● | Other than those persons identified as continuing directors in the Business Combination Agreement, all members of the Alliance’s board of directors, as required pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, shall have executed written resignations effective as of the Effective Time; |
● | All parties to the Registration Rights Agreement (other than Adara and the Adara Initial Stockholders party thereto) shall have delivered, or cause to be delivered, to Adara copies of the Registration Rights Agreement duly executed by all such parties; |
● | The stockholders of Alliance shall have delivered, or cause to be delivered, to Adara copies of the Lock-up Agreements duly executed by all such parties; |
● | All parties to the employment agreements (other than Adara) shall have delivered, or caused to be delivered, to Adara copies of the Employment Agreements duly executed by such parties; |
● | On or prior to the Closing, Alliance shall have delivered to Adara in a form reasonably acceptable to Adara, dated as of the Closing Date, a properly executed certification that shares of Alliance are not “U.S. real property interests” within the meaning of Section 897 of the Code, in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.1445-2(c)(3), together with an executed notice to the IRS (which shall be filed by Adara with the IRS following the Closing) in accordance with the provisions of Section 1.897-2(h)(2) of the Treasury Regulations; |
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● | All loans between Alliance and any person who shall serve as a director or officer of the Combined Company shall have been paid off in full; and |
● | Alliance shall have delivered to Adara the PCAOB Audited Financials and PCAOB Reviewed Financials. |
Alliance
The obligations of Alliance to consummate the Business Combination are subject to the satisfaction or waiver (where permissible) at or prior to Closing of the following additional conditions:
● | Certain of the representations and warranties of Adara and Merger Sub contained in the sections titled (a) “Corporate Organization,” (b) “Capitalization,” (c) “Authority Relative to the Business Combination Agreement” and (d) “Brokers” in the Business Combination Agreement shall each be true and correct in all material respects as of the date of the Business Combination Agreement and the Effective Time, except to the extent that any such representation or warranty expressly is made as of an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as of such earlier specified date. Certain of the representations and warranties of Adara and Merger Sub contained in the section titled “Absence of Certain Changes or Events” in the Business Combination Agreement shall be true and correct in all respects as of the date of the Business Combination Agreement and the Effective Time. Certain of the representations and warranties in the section titled “Capitalization” in the Business Combination Agreement shall be true and correct in all respects as of the date of the Business Combination Agreement and as of the Effective Time as though made on and as of such date (except to the extent that any such representation or warranty expressly is made as of an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as of such specified date), except where the failure of such representations and warranties to be so true and correct would not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to result in more than de minimis additional cost, expense or liability to Alliance, Adara, Merger Sub or any of their respective affiliates. The other representations and warranties of Adara and Merger Sub contained in the Business Combination Agreement shall be true and correct in all respects (without giving effect to any “materiality,” “Adara Material Adverse Effect” or similar qualifiers contained in any such representations and warranties) as of the date of the Business Combination Agreement and as of the Effective Time as though made on and as of such date (except to the extent that any such representation or warranty expressly is made as of an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as of such earlier date), except where the failures of any such representations and warranties to be so true and correct, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have an Adara Material Adverse Effect; and |
● | Adara and Merger Sub shall have performed or complied in all material respects with all agreements and covenants required by the Business Combination Agreement to be performed or complied with by it on or prior to the Effective Time; |
● | Adara shall have delivered to Alliance a customary officer’s certificate (signed by the Chief Executive Officer of Adara), dated the date of the Closing, certifying as to the satisfaction of certain conditions; |
● | No Adara Material Adverse Effect shall have occurred during the Interim Period; |
● | Adara shall have delivered or caused to be delivered a copy of the Registration Rights Agreements duly executed by Adara and the Adara Initial Stockholders party thereto; |
● | Adara shall have delivered or caused to be delivered a copy of the Amended and Restated Adara Insider Agreements duly executed by Adara and the Adara Initial Stockholders party thereto; |
● | Adara shall, as of immediately following the Closing have at least $5,000,001 of net tangible assets (as determined in accordance with Rule 3a51-1(g)(1) of the Exchange Act; |
● | Adara shall have made all necessary and appropriate arrangements with the trustee to have all of the funds from the Trust Account disbursed to Adara immediately prior to the Effective Time, and all such funds released from the Trust Account shall be available to Adara in respect of all or a portion of the payment obligations set forth in the Business Combination Agreement and the payment of Adara’s fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Business Combination Agreement and the Business Combination; and |
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● | As of the Closing, after distribution of the Trust Account, deducting all amounts to be paid pursuant to the exercise of redemption rights, Adara shall have cash on hand equal to or in excess of $15,000,000 (for the avoidance of doubt, such cash shall be determined prior to the payment of any transaction fees, costs and expenses paid or required to be paid by Adara prior to Closing and the payment of such fees, costs and expenses shall be paid or payable out of such cash on hand). |
For more information about the Business Combination Agreement, see the section titled “The Business Combination Agreement.”
Regulatory Matters
The Business Combination is subject to the requirements of the HSR Act, which prevents Adara and Alliance from completing the Business Combination until required information and materials are furnished to the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) and the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) and specified waiting period requirements have been satisfied.
For more information, see the section titled “The Business Combination — Regulatory Approvals Required for the Business Combination.”
Termination Rights
The Business Combination Agreement is subject to termination prior to the Effective Time of the Business Combination as follows:
● | by the mutual written consent of Adara and Alliance; |
● | by Adara or Alliance, if (i) the Effective Time will not have occurred prior to the date that is 240 days after the date of the Business Combination Agreement (the “Outside Date”); provided, however, that the Business Combination Agreement may not be terminated pursuant to this provision by or on behalf of any party that is in breach or violation of any representation, warranty, covenant, agreement or obligation contained in the Business Combination Agreement and such breach or violation is the principal cause of the failure of a condition to the Merger on or prior to the Outside Date, and, in the event that any law is enacted after the execution of the Business Combination Agreement extending the applicable waiting period under the HSR Act, the Outside Date will be automatically extended by the length of any such extension; or (ii) any governmental authority in the United States has enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any law, injunction, order, decree or ruling (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) which has become final and non-appealable and has the effect of making consummation of the Business Combination transactions, including the Merger, illegal or otherwise preventing or prohibiting consummation of the Business Combination transactions, including the Merger; or (iii) any of the Stockholder Proposals fail to receive the requisite vote for approval by Adara’s stockholders; |
● | by Alliance if there is an occurrence of a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement on the part of Adara or Merger Sub set forth in the Business Combination Agreement, or if any representation or warranty of Adara or Merger Sub has become untrue, in either case such that the conditions set forth in representations and warranties and the agreements and covenants of Merger Sub and Adara specified in the conditions to the Merger section of the Business Combination Agreement would not be satisfied (“Terminating Adara Breach”); provided that Alliance has not waived such Terminating Adara Breach and Alliance is not then in material breach of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements in the Business Combination Agreement; provided, however, that, if such Terminating Adara Breach is curable by Adara and Merger Sub, Alliance may not terminate the Business Combination Agreement under this section for so long as Adara and Merger Sub continue to exercise their reasonable efforts to cure such breach, unless such breach is not cured within thirty days after notice of such breach is provided by Alliance to Adara; and |
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● | by Adara if (i) Alliance has failed to deliver the approval of holders of the Alliance Requisite Approval in favor of the adoption of the Merger to Adara within ten days of the Registration Statement becoming effective; or (ii) there is an occurrence of a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement on the part of Alliance set forth in the Business Combination Agreement, or if any representation or warranty of Alliance has become untrue, in either case such that the conditions set forth in representations and warranties and the agreements and covenants of Alliance specified in the conditions to the Merger section of the Business Combination Agreement would not be satisfied (“Terminating Alliance Breach”); provided that Adara has not waived such Terminating Alliance Breach and Adara and Merger Sub are not then in material breach of their representations, warranties, covenants or agreements in the Business Combination Agreement; provided further that, if such Terminating Alliance Breach is curable by Alliance, Adara may not terminate the Business Combination Agreement under this provision for so long as Alliance continues to exercise its reasonable efforts to cure such breach, unless such breach is not cured within thirty days after notice of such breach is provided by Adara to Alliance. |
If the Business Combination Agreement is terminated, the agreement will forthwith become void, and there will be no liability under the Business Combination Agreement on the part of any party to the Business Combination Agreement, except as set forth in the Business Combination Agreement or in the case of termination subsequent to a willful material breach of the Business Combination Agreement by a party thereto.
Except as set forth in the Business Combination Agreement, all expenses incurred in connection with the Business Combination Agreement and the Business Combination transactions shall be paid by the party incurring such expenses, whether or not the Business Combination transactions are consummated. The filing, listing, and registration fees contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement shall be paid one half by each of the parties thereto; provided, that each party shall be responsible for the fees and expenses payable by such party to its respective representatives with respect to such matters.
For more information about the Business Combination Agreement, see the section titled “The Business Combination Agreement.”
Amendments to the Charter
Pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, at the Effective Time of the Business Combination, the Existing Certificate of Incorporation of Adara will be amended and restated to:
● | change Adara’s name to “Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation;” |
● | create a new Class E common stock and eliminate the Class B Common Stock classification and provide for a single class of common stock; |
● | change the number of authorized shares to 551,000,000 total shares, consisting of (i) 550,000,000 shares of common stock, consisting of 490,000,000 shares of Class A common stock and 60,000,000 shares of Class E common stock and (ii) 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock; and |
● | make certain other changes to the amended and restated Existing Certificate of Incorporation, including eliminating certain provisions related to special purpose acquisition corporations that will no longer be relevant following the Closing. |
For more information about these amendments to the Certificate of Incorporation, see the section titled “Proposal No. 2 — The Charter Proposals.”
Opinion of Financial Advisor to Adara, ThinkEquity LLC
Adara retained ThinkEquity to act as its financial advisor in connection with the Business Combination. Adara selected ThinkEquity to act as its financial advisor based on ThinkEquity’s qualifications, expertise and reputation, its knowledge of, and involvement in, recent transactions in the industry in which Adara operates and its knowledge of Adara’s business and affairs. On June 21, 2022, ThinkEquity rendered its oral opinion to the board of directors of Adara (which was confirmed in writing by delivery of ThinkEquity’s written opinion dated such date), and based upon and subject to the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and qualifications and limitations on the scope of review undertaken by ThinkEquity, as set forth in ThinkEquity’s written opinion, the aggregate closing consideration to be issued by Adara in connection with the Business Combination pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement was fair, from a financial point of view, to Adara.
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The full text of the written opinion of ThinkEquity delivered to Adara’s board of directors, dated June 21, 2022, is attached as Annex D and incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus in its entirety. The opinion sets forth, among other things, the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and qualifications and limitations on the scope of the review undertaken by ThinkEquity in rendering its opinion. All stockholders of Adara are urged to, and should, read the opinion carefully and in its entirety. ThinkEquity’s opinion was directed to the Adara board of directors and addressed only the fairness from a financial point of view to Adara, as of the date of the opinion, of the aggregate consideration to be paid by Adara pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement. ThinkEquity’s opinion did not address any other aspect or implications of the Business Combination and does not constitute an opinion, advice or recommendation as to how any stockholder of Adara should vote at the stockholders’ meeting to be held in connection with the Business Combination. In addition, ThinkEquity’s opinion did not in any manner address the prices at which the Adara common stock would trade following the consummation of the Business Combination or at any time. The summary of ThinkEquity’s opinion set forth in this proxy solicitation/prospectus statement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of ThinkEquity’s written opinion attached as Annex D hereto.
For a further discussion of ThinkEquity’s opinion, see the section titled “Opinion of Financial Advisor to Adara, ThinkEquity LLC” beginning on page 108 of this proxy statement/prospectus and the full text of the written opinion of ThinkEquity attached as Annex D to this proxy statement/prospectus.
Other Agreements Related to the Business Combination Agreement
Adara Insider Agreements, Lock-Up Agreements and Registration Rights
In connection with the Closing, the Sponsor agreed to forfeit between 875,000 and 1,375,000 Initial Stockholder Shares at the Closing, the exact number to be determined by Alliance. In connection with the Closing, the Adara Initial Stockholders and certain stockholders of Alliance will agree, subject to certain exceptions, not to (i) sell, offer to sell, contract or agree to sell, hypothecate, pledge, grant any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agree to dispose of, directly or indirectly, or establish or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder, with regards to any shares of Combined Company Common Stock held by them immediately after the Effective Time, or issuable upon the exercise of options to purchase shares of Combined Company Common Stock held by them immediately after the Effective Time, or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Combined Company Common Stock held by them immediately after the Effective Time (the “Lock-up Shares”), (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any of the Lock-up Shares, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such securities, in cash or otherwise or (iii) publicly announce any intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (i) or (ii). The Lock-Up Period (as defined in the Lock-Up Agreement and Adara Insider Agreements) shall terminate six months after the Closing.
The Lock-up Shares consist of the 2,000,000 shares of Combined Company Common Stock held by the Adara Initial Stockholders assuming 875,000 Initial Stockholder Shares are forfeited (1,500,000 shares of Combined Company Common Stock, if all 1,375,000 Initial Stockholder Shares subject to forfeiture are forfeited) and 47,500,000 shares of Combined Company Common Stock and 60,000,000 Contingent Consideration Shares (and the shares of Combined Company Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Contingent Consideration Shares) to be issued to the Alliance Stockholders.
In connection with the Closing, that certain registration rights agreement dated February 2, 2021 will be amended and restated and Adara, the Adara Initial Stockholders and certain persons and entities receiving Combined Company Common Stock pursuant to the Business Combination (the “New Holders” and together with the Initial Stockholders, the “Reg Rights Holders”) shall enter into that amended and restated registration rights agreement, a form of which is attached as an exhibit to the Business Combination Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”). Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, Adara will agree that, no later than 30 calendar days after the Closing, Combined Company will file with the SEC (at the Combined Company’s sole cost and expense) a registration statement registering the resale of certain securities held by or issuable to the Reg Rights Holders (the “Resale Registration Statement”), and Combined Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to have the Resale Registration Statement declared effective as soon as practicable after the filing thereof, but no later than the earlier of (i) the 60th calendar day (or 120th calendar day if the SEC notifies the Combined Company that it will “review” the Resale Registration Statement) following the closing of the Business Combination and (ii) the tenth business day after the date the Combined Company is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier) by the SEC that the Resale Registration Statement will not be “reviewed” or will not be subject to further review. In certain circumstances, the Initial Stockholders and the New Holders may each demand up to two registrations, which may be underwritten offerings, and all of the Reg Rights Holders will be entitled to piggyback registration rights.
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For more information about the Lock-Up Agreements and Registration Rights, see the sections titled “Certain Agreements Related to the Business Combination — Lock-Up Agreements” and “Certain Agreements Related to the Business Combination — Registration Rights Agreement.”
Stockholder Support Agreement
On June 22, 2022, Adara, Alliance and certain stockholders of Alliance entered into the Stockholder Support Agreement (the “Stockholder Support Agreement”) pursuant to which such stockholders agreed to vote all of their shares of Alliance Common Stock and Alliance Preferred Stock in favor of the approval and adoption of the Proposed Transactions. Additionally, such stockholders have agreed, among other things, not to (a) transfer any of their shares of Alliance Common Stock (or enter into any arrangement with respect thereto), subject to certain customary exceptions or (b) enter into any voting arrangement that is inconsistent with the Stockholder Support Agreement.
Sponsor Support Agreement
On June 22, 2022, Adara, Alliance and the Founders entered into the Sponsor Support Agreement (the “Sponsor Support Agreement”) pursuant to which the Adara Initial Stockholders agreed to vote all of their shares of Adara Common Stock in favor of the approval and adoption of the Stockholder Proposals. Additionally, such Adara Initial Stockholders have agreed, among other things, not to (a) transfer any of their shares of Adara Common Stock and Adara Class B Common Stock (or enter into any arrangement with respect thereto), subject to certain customary exceptions, (b) enter into any voting arrangement that is inconsistent with the Sponsor Support Agreement or (c) exercise their redemption rights in connection with the Business Combination.
Interests of the Adara Initial Stockholders and Adara Directors and Officers in the Business Combination
In considering the recommendation of Adara’s board of directors to vote in favor of the Business Combination, stockholders should be aware that, aside from their interests as stockholders, our directors and officers have interests in the Business Combination that are different from, in addition to, or in conflict with those of other stockholders generally. Our directors were aware of and considered these interests, among other matters, in evaluating the Business Combination, and in recommending to stockholders that they approve the Business Combination. Stockholders should take these interests into account in deciding whether to approve the Business Combination. These interests include:
● | the beneficial ownership of Adara’s board of directors and officers and their affiliates of an aggregate of 1,950,000 shares of Adara Class B Common Stock and 4,120,000 Adara Warrants, which shares and warrants would become worthless if Adara does not complete a business combination within the applicable time period, as our directors and officers have waived any right to redemption with respect to these shares. Such shares and warrants have an aggregate market value of approximately $[·] million based on the closing prices of Adara Common Stock and warrants of $[·] and $[·], respectively on the NYSE American on the Record Date, giving effect to the forfeiture of 875,000 Initial Stockholder Shares by the Sponsor. Based on such market values, Adara’s board of directors and officers will have an unrealized gain of approximately $[·] million on their Adara securities; |
● | The repayment of up to an aggregate of $500,000 of loans made by certain directors and their affiliates to the extent such outstanding amounts exceed the amount not required to be returned in the Trust Account, unless a business combination is consummated; |
● | Adara’s board of directors will not receive reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them on Adara’s behalf incident to identifying, investigating and consummating a business combination to the extent such expenses exceed the amount not required to be retained in the Trust Account, unless a business combination is consummated; |
● | the anticipated continuation of Thomas Finke and W. Tom Donaldson II, as directors of the Combined Company following the Closing; |
● | the fact that the Adara Initial Stockholders who held Initial Stockholder Shares, Private Warrants and Underwriter Warrants may experience a positive rate of return on their investment, even if the Public Stockholders experience a negative rate of return on their investment; and |
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● | the continued indemnification of the current directors and officers of Adara following the Business Combination and the continuation of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance following the Business Combination. |
These interests may influence Adara’s board of directors in making their recommendation that you vote in favor of the approval of the Business Combination Proposal and the other Stockholder Proposals.
Reasons for the Approval of the Business Combination
After careful consideration, Adara’s board of directors recommends that Adara’s stockholders vote “FOR” each Stockholder Proposal being submitted to a vote of Adara’s stockholders at the Adara special meeting of stockholders.
For a description of Adara’s reasons for the approval of the Business Combination and the recommendation of our board of directors, see the section titled “The Business Combination — Adara’s Board of Directors’ Reasons for the Approval of the Business Combination.”
Redemption Rights
Under the Existing Certificate of Incorporation, holders of Public Shares may elect to have their shares redeemed for cash at the applicable redemption price per share equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (a) the aggregate amount on deposit in the Trust Account as of two business days prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, including interest not previously released to Adara to pay its income taxes or any other taxes payable, by (b) the total number of shares of Public Shares. However, Adara will not redeem any Public Shares to the extent that such redemption would result in Adara having net tangible assets (as determined in accordance with Rule 3a51-1(g)(1) of the Exchange Act) of less than $5.0 million. For illustrative purposes, based on funds in the Trust Account of approximately $[·] million on the Record Date, the estimated per share redemption price would have been approximately $10.10.
If a holder exercises its redemption rights, then such holder will be exchanging its shares of Adara Common Stock for cash and will no longer own shares of Adara Common Stock and will not participate in the future growth of the Combined Company, if any. Such a holder will be entitled to receive cash for its Public Shares only if it properly demands redemption and delivers its shares (either physically or electronically) to Adara’s transfer agent in accordance with the procedures described herein. See the section titled “The Special Meeting of Adara’s Stockholders — Redemption Rights” for the procedures to be followed if you wish to redeem your shares for cash.
Ownership of the Combined Company After the Closing
The ownership of the Combined Company will vary based on the number of Adara Public Stockholders that exercise their redemption rights. In each of the no redemption, illustrative redemption, and contractual maximum redemption scenarios as described below, the residual equity value owned by non-redeeming stockholders, taking into account the respective redemption amounts, is assumed to remain the deemed value of $10.00 per share. As a result of such redemption amounts and the assumed $10.10 per share value, the implied total equity value of the Combined Company, assuming no dilution from any of the Public Warrants, Private Warrants, Underwriter Warrants or (“Additional Dilution Sources”), would be (a) $616,100,000 in the no redemption scenario, (b) $558,025,000 in the illustrative redemption scenario, and (c) $514,950,005, in the contractual maximum redemption scenario. Additionally, the sensitivity table below sets forth the potential additional dilutive impact of each of the Additional Dilution Sources in each redemption scenario. Increasing levels of redemption will increase the dilutive effects of these issuances on non-redeeming Public Stockholders.
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The following table illustrates varying beneficial ownership levels in the Combined Company immediately following the consummation of the Business Combination assuming the levels of redemptions by the public stockholders indicated:
Redemption Sensitivity Analysis Table
Contractual | ||||||||||||||||
Illustrative | Maximum | |||||||||||||||
No Redemption | % of | Redemption | % of | Redemption | % of | |||||||||||
Holders |
| Scenario(1) |
| Total |
| Scenario(2) |
| Total |
| Scenario(3) |
| Total |
| |||
Adara Public Stockholders | 11,500,000 | 18.8 | % | 5,750,000 | 10.4 | % | 1,485,149 | 2.9 | % | |||||||
Adara Initial Stockholders(4) | 2,000,000 | 3.3 | % | 2,000,000 | 3.6 | % | 2,000,000 | 3.9 | % | |||||||
Alliance Stockholders(5) | 47,500,000 | 77.9 | % | 47,500,000 | 86.0 | % | 47,500,000 | 93.2 | % | |||||||
Total Shares Outstanding Excluding Contingent Consideration Shares and Adara Warrants | 61,000,000 | 100.0 | % | 55,250,000 | 100.0 | % | 50,985,149 | 100.0 | % | |||||||
Total Equity Value Post- Redemptions | $ | 616,100,000 | $ | 558,025,000 |
| $ | 514,950,005 |
| ||||||||
Assumed Per Share Value | $ | 10.10 | $ | 10.10 |
| $ | 10.10 |
|
Contractual | |||||||||||||
Illustrative | Maximum | ||||||||||||
No Redemption | % of | Redemption | % of | Redemption | % of | ||||||||
Additional Dilution Sources(8) |
| Scenario(1) |
| Total(7) |
| Scenario(7) |
| Total(6) |
| Scenario(3) |
| Total(7) |
|
Contingent Consideration Shares(8) | 60,000,000 | 49.6 | % | 60,000,000 | 52.1 | % | 60,000,000 | 54.0 | % | ||||
Adara Warrants | |||||||||||||
Public Warrants(9) | 5,750,000 | 8.6 | % | 5,750,000 | 9.4 | % | 5,750,000 | 10.1 | % | ||||
Private Warrants(10) | 4,120,000 | 6.3 | % | 4,120,000 | 6.9 | % | 4,120,000 | 7.8 | % | ||||
Underwriter Warrants(11) | 50,000 | 0.1 | % | 50,000 | 0.1 | % | 50,000 | 0.1 | % | ||||
Total Additional Dilutive Sources(12) | 69,920,000 | 53.4 | % | 69,920,000 | 55.6 | % | 69,920,000 | 57.8 | % |
(1) | This scenario assumes that no shares of Adara Common Stock are redeemed by the Public Stockholders |
(2) | This scenario assumes that approximately 5,750,000 shares of Adara Common Stock are redeemed by the Public Stockholders. |
(3) | This scenario assumes that 10,014,851 shares of Adara Common Stock are redeemed by the Public Stockholders, which, based on the amount of approximately $116.3 million in the Trust Account as of June 30, 2022, represents the maximum amount of redemptions that would still enable Adara to have sufficient cash to satisfy the minimum cash condition in the Business Combination Agreement. |
(4) | This row assumes that the Sponsor forfeits 875,000 Initial Stockholder Shares. Up to an additional 500,000 Initial Stockholder Shares are subject to forfeiture by the Sponsor at the discretion of Alliance. If such additional shares are forfeited by the Sponsor, the Adara Initial Stockholders would own 1,500,000 shares, or 3.0% of the Total Shares Outstanding Excluding Contingent Condition Shares and Warrants. |
(5) | This row excludes an aggregate of up to 60,000,000 shares of Combined Company Common Stock which would become issuable upon the conversion of the Contingent Consideration Shares upon the occurrence of the Triggering Events. |
(6) | All share numbers and percentages for the Additional Dilution Sources are presented without the potential reduction of any amounts paid by the holders of the given Additional Dilution Sources and therefore may overstate dilution. |
(7) | The Percentage of Total with respect to each Additional Dilution Source, including the Total Additional Dilutive Sources, includes the full number of shares issued with respect to the applicable Additional Dilution Source (but not the other Applicable Dilution Sources) in both the numerator and denominator. For example, in the no redemption scenario, the Percentage of Total with respect to the Contingent Consideration Shares would be calculated as follows: (a) 60,000,000 shares; divided by (b) (i) 61,000,000 shares (the number of shares outstanding prior to any issuance of any such shares plus (ii) 60,000,000 shares. |
(8) | This row assumes an aggregate of up to 60,000,000 shares of Combined Company Common Stock which would become issuable upon the conversion of the Contingent Consideration Shares upon the occurrence of the Triggering Events. |
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(9) | This row assumes exercise of all Public Warrants for cash. |
(10) | This row assumes exercise of all Private Warrants for cash. |
(11) | This row assumes exercise of all Underwriter Warrants for cash. |
(12) | This row assumes the issuance of all shares of Combined Company Common Stock in connection with each of the Additional Dilution Sources, as described in Notes 8 through 11 above. |
Summary of Risk Factors
In evaluating the Stockholder Proposals, Adara Stockholders should carefully read this proxy statement/prospectus and especially consider the factors discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors.” Some of the risks related to Alliance’s business and industry, the Business Combination and risks of the Combined Company, are summarized below:
● | If Alliance fails to respond to or capitalize on the rapid technological development in the music, video, gaming, and entertainment industry, including changes in entertainment delivery formats, its business could be harmed. |
● | If Alliance does not successfully optimize and operate its fulfillment network, its business could be harmed. |
● | The markets in which Alliance participates are competitive, and if Alliance does not compete effectively, its operating results could be harmed. |
● | Alliance may not realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions or investments in its acquisitions or joint ventures, or those benefits may be delayed or reduced in their realization. |
● | Alliance’s expansion into new products, services, technologies, and geographic regions subjects it to additional business, legal, financial, and competitive risks. |
● | Alliance’s international operations expose it to a number of risks. |
● | Alliance’s business will suffer if it is not successful in developing and expanding its partner brands across its consumer base. |
● | Consumer interests change rapidly and acceptance of products and entertainment offerings are influenced by outside factors. |
● | An inability to develop, introduce and ship planned products, product lines and new brands in a timely and cost-effective manner may damage Alliance’s business. |
● | If Alliance is unable to navigate through global supply chain challenges, its business may be harmed. |
● | If Alliance is unable to adapt its business to the continued shift to ecommerce, its business may be harmed. |
● | The concentration of Alliance’s retail customer base and continued shift to ecommerce sales means that economic difficulties or changes in the purchasing or promotional policies or patterns of its major customers could have a significant impact on it. |
● | Alliance’s business, including its costs and supply chain, is subject to risks associated with sourcing, manufacturing, warehousing, distribution and logistics, and the loss of any of its key suppliers or service providers could negatively impact its business. |
● | Alliance faces significant inventory risk. |
● | If Alliance’s third-party suppliers’ labels, studios, and publishers do not comply with applicable laws and regulations, its reputation, business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects could be harmed. |
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● | Shipping is a critical part of Alliance’s business and any changes in its shipping arrangements or any interruptions in shipping could adversely affect our operating results. |
● | Alliance is subject to risks related to online payment methods, including third-party payment processing-related risks. |
● | Alliance relies on third-party suppliers, labels, studios, publishers, suppliers, retail and ecommerce partners and other vendors, and they may not continue to produce products or provide services that are consistent with Alliance’s standards or applicable regulatory requirements, which could harm its brand, cause consumer dissatisfaction, and require it to find alternative suppliers of its products or services. |
● | Alliance’s business may be harmed if it is unable to protect its critical intellectual property rights. |
● | Failure to successfully operate Alliance’s information systems and implement new technology effectively could disrupt its business or reduce its sales or profitability. |
● | If Alliance’s electronic data is compromised its business could be significantly harmed. |
● | Alliance’s quarterly and annual operating results may fluctuate due to seasonality in its business. |
● | Changes in foreign currency exchange rates can significantly impact the Combined Company’s reported financial performance. |
● | Alliance’s indebtedness may limit its availability of cash, cause it to divert cash to fund debt service payments or make it more difficult to take certain other actions. |
● | If Alliance were unable to obtain or service its other external financings, or if the restrictions imposed by such financing were too burdensome, its business would be harmed. |
● | Alliance faces additional tax liabilities and collection obligations. Changes in, or differing interpretations of, income tax laws and rules, and changes in its geographic operating results, may impact its effective tax rate. |
● | Alliance is subject to various government regulations, violation of which could subject it to sanctions or otherwise harm its business. In addition, Alliance could be the subject of future product liability suits or merchandise recalls, which could harm its business. |
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● | Alliance’s entertainment business involves risks of liability claims for media content, which could adversely affect its business, results of operations and financial condition. |
● | Alliance is involved in litigation, arbitration or regulatory matters where the outcome is uncertain and which could entail significant expense. |
● | Concentration of ownership among the Combined Company’s executive officers, directors and their affiliates may prevent new investors from influencing significant corporate decisions. |
● | Adara’s executive officers, directors, other Initial Stockholders have agreed to vote in favor of the Business Combination, regardless of how the Public Stockholders vote. |
● | The consummation of the Business Combination is subject to a number of conditions and if those conditions are not satisfied or waived, the Business Combination Agreement may be terminated in accordance with its terms and the Business Combination may not be completed. |
● | Legal proceedings in connection with the Business Combination, the outcomes of which are uncertain, could delay or prevent the completion of the Business Combination. |
● | A significant portion of Adara’s total outstanding shares are restricted from immediate resale but may be sold into the market six months after the Closing. This could cause the market price of Adara Common Stock to drop significantly, even if the Combined Company’s business is doing well. |
● | Adara’s stockholders will have a reduced ownership and voting interests after the Business Combination and will exercise less influence over management. |
● | The adverse impact of inflation and higher interest rates on Alliance. |
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SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF ALLIANCE
The selected historical consolidated statements of operations data of Alliance for the years ended June 30, 2022, 2021 and 2020 and the historical consolidated balance sheet data as of June 30, 2022 and 2021 are derived from Alliance’s audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.
The information below is only a summary and should be read in conjunction with the sections entitled “Alliance Entertainment’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the consolidated financial statements of Alliance, and the notes and schedules related thereto, which are included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.
Consolidated Statement of Operations Data:
| For the |
| For the |
| For the |
| ||||
Total revenue | $ | 1,417,377 | $ | 1,323,567 | $ | 775,596 | ||||
Total operating expenses | $ | 140,285 | $ | 134,775 | $ | 109,850 | ||||
Net Income | $ | 28,619 | $ | 34,178 | $ | 5,361 | ||||
Net Income per share attributable to common stockholders – Basic and diluted | $ | 31.80 | $ | 37.98 | $ | 5.96 |
| As of |
| As of |
| |||
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data: | |||||||
Total assets | $ | 473,039 | $ | 388,963 | |||
Total liabilities | $ | 364,111 | $ | 308,661 | |||
Retained earnings | $ | 71,668 | $ | 43,049 |
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SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF ADARA
The selected historical statement of operations data of Adara for the period from August 5, 2020 (inception) to December 31, 2020 and year ended December 31, 2021 and the historical balance sheet data as of December 31, 2020 are derived from Adara’s audited financial statements included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus. The selected historical condensed consolidated statements of operations data of Adara for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and the condensed consolidated balance sheet data as of June 30, 2022 are derived from Adara’s unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.
Adara’s historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other period. The information below is only a summary and should be read in conjunction with the sections entitled “Adara Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the Adara’s financial statements, and the notes and schedules related thereto, which are included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.
Statement of Operations Data:
For the | |||||||||
period from | |||||||||
For the | August 5, | ||||||||
Six | 2020 | ||||||||
Months | For the | (inception) | |||||||
Ended | Year Ended | through | |||||||
June 30, | December 31, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2022 |
| 2021 |
| 2020 | ||||
Operating formation costs | $ | 1,252,359 | $ | 976,831 | $ | 5,476 | |||
Interest earned on marketable securities held in Trust Account | 157,895 | 10,281 | — | ||||||
Transaction costs incurred in connection with IPO | — | (86,544) | — | ||||||
Change fair value of warrant holders | 3,075,200 | 4,297,300 | — | ||||||
Net income (loss) | 1,980,736 | 3,244,206 | (5,476) | ||||||
Basic and diluted net (income loss) per share, Class A common stock | 0.14 | 0.25 | — | ||||||
Basic and diluted net (income loss) per share, Class B common stock | $ | 0.14 | $ | 0.25 | $ | (0.00) |
As of | As of | As of | |||||||
June 30, | December 31, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2022 |
| 2021 |
| 2020 | ||||
Balance Sheet Data: | |||||||||
Total assets | $ | 116,448,616 | $ | 117,083,857 | $ | 624,406 | |||
Total liabilities | 2,685,068 | 5,301,045 | 604,882 | ||||||
Total redeemable shares of common stock | 116,150,000 | 116,150,000 | — | ||||||
Total shareholders’ (deficit) equity | $ | (2,386,452) | $ | (4,367,188) | $ | 79,524 |
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SUMMARY UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements present the combination of the financial information of Adara and Alliance adjusted to give effect to the Business Combination. Pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, Merger Sub, a new subsidiary of Adara, will merge with and into Alliance, with Alliance as the surviving company in the Business Combination and, after giving effect to the Business Combination, Alliance will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Adara. Notwithstanding the legal form of the Business Combination, the Business Combination is expected to be accounted for as a reverse recapitalization in accordance with GAAP. Under this method of accounting, Adara is treated as the acquired company and Alliance is treated as the accounting acquirer for financial statement reporting purposes
The Summary Pro Forma Information has been derived from, and should be read in conjunction with, the more detailed unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information of the Combined Company appearing elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus and the accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is based upon, and should be read in conjunction with, the historical financial statements and related notes of Adara and Alliance for the applicable periods included in this Form S-4. The Summary Pro Forma Information has been presented for informational purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of what the Combined Company’s financial position or results of operations actually would have been had the Business Combination been completed as of the dates indicated. In addition, the Summary Pro Forma Information does not purport to project the future financial position or operating results of the Combined Company.
Description of the Minimum and Maximum Allowable Redemption Scenarios
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements present two redemption scenarios as follows:
● | Minimum Redemption: This scenario, which we refer to as the “Minimum Redemption Scenario,” assumes that the only shares of Adara Class A common stock redeemed by the Public Stockholders are those that have already been redeemed prior to June 30, 2022, and Adara Sponsors forfeit 875,000 shares of Adara Class A common stock; and |
● | Maximum Redemption: This scenario, which we refer to as the “Maximum Redemption Scenario,” assumes that 10,014,851 shares of Adara Class A common stock are redeemed for an aggregate payment of approximately $101,150,000 (based on the estimated per share redemption price of approximately $10.10 per share) from the Trust Account in order to satisfy the minimum Aggregate Transaction Proceeds of $15.0 million, and Adara Sponsors forfeit an additional 500,000 shares of Adara Class A common stock at the discretion of Alliance management. |
Summary Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Operations Data
Year Ended December 31, 2021 |
| Pro Forma |
| Pro Forma |
| ||
Revenue | $ | 1,441,762 | $ | 1,441,762 | |||
Net loss per share – basic and diluted | $ | 0.68 | $ | 0.88 | |||
Weighted-average Common shares outstanding – basic and diluted | 61,000,000 | 50,485,149 | |||||
Summary Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheet Data as of June 30, 2022 | |||||||
Total assets | $ | 581,522 | $ | 484,437 | |||
Total liabilities | $ | 366,920 | $ | 366,920 | |||
Total stockholders’ equity | $ | 214,602 | $ | 117,517 |
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COMPARATIVE SHARE INFORMATION
The following table sets forth selected historical comparative unit and share information for Adara and Alliance, and unaudited pro forma condensed combined per share information of Adara after giving effect to the Business Combination, assuming two redemption scenarios as follows:
·Assuming No Redemptions : This presentation assumes that no public shareholders exercise their right to have their Public Shares converted into their pro rata share of the Trust Account.
·Assuming Maximum Redemptions : This presentation assumes that approximately 10,014,851 Public Shares are redeemed, resulting in an aggregate payment of approximately $101.150 million out of the Trust Account, which is derived from the number of shares that could be redeemed in connection with the Merger at an assumed redemption price of $10.10 per share based on the Trust Account balance as of June 30, 2022 in order to satisfy the minimum Aggregate Transaction Proceeds of $15.0 million.
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is based upon, and should be read in conjunction with, the historical financial statements and related notes of Adara and Alliance for the applicable periods included in this proxy statement. The pro forma condensed combined financial information has been presented for informational purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of what Adara’s or Alliance’s balance sheet or statement of operations actually would have been had the Merger been completed as of the dates indicated, nor does it purport to project the future financial position or operating results of Adara or Alliance. The actual financial position and results of operations may differ significantly from the pro forma amounts reflected herein due to a variety of factors. The pro forma financial information is presented for illustrative purposes only and does not reflect the costs of any integration activities or cost savings or synergies that may be achieved as a result of the Merger.
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet combines the Alliance audited consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2022 and the Adara unaudited historical balance sheet as of June 30, 2022, giving effect to the Merger as if it had been consummated on June 30, 2022. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and the year ended December 31, 2021 presents the pro forma effect of the Business Combination as if it had been consummated on January 1, 2021.
| Historical | No Redemptions | Maximum |
| |||||||||
For the Year Ending December 31, 2021 |
| Adara |
| Alliance |
| Pro Forma |
| Pro Forma | |||||
Pro Forma Income Per Share | |||||||||||||
Weighted Average Shares of Class A Outstanding – Basic and Diluted | 11,500,000 | — | 61,000,000 | 50,485,149 | |||||||||
Income Per Share Class A – Basic and Diluted | $ | 0.25 | $ | — | $ | 0.68 | $ | 0.88 | |||||
Weighted Average Shares of Class B Outstanding – Basic and Diluted | 2,875,000 | — | — | — | |||||||||
Income Per Share Class B – Basic and Diluted | $ | 0.25 | — | — | — | ||||||||
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding – Basic and Diluted | — | 900 | — | — | |||||||||
Income Per Common Share – Basic and Diluted | — | $ | 49,534.44 |
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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements in this proxy statement/prospectus may constitute “forward-looking statements” for purposes of the federal securities laws. Our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our, our management team’s, Alliance’s and Alliance’s management team’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements in this proxy statement/prospectus may include, for example, statements about:
● | our ability to consummate the Business Combination; |
● | the expected benefits of the Business Combination; |
● | the Combined Company’s financial and business performance following the Business Combination, including financial projections and business metrics; and |
● | expectations regarding Alliance’s strategies and future financial performance, including financial projections and business metrics, its future business plans or objectives, prospective performance and opportunities and competitors, revenues, products and services, pricing, operating expenses, market trends, liquidity, cash flows and uses of cash, capital expenditures, and Alliance’s ability to invest in growth initiatives and pursue acquisition opportunities. |
These forward-looking statements are based on information available as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, and current expectations, forecasts and assumptions, and involve a number of judgments, risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any subsequent date, and we do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.
You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements in deciding how to vote your proxy or instruct how your vote should be cast on the proposals set forth in this proxy statement/prospectus. As a result of a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, our actual results or performance may be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Some factors that could cause actual results to differ include:
● | the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could delay the Business Combination or give rise to the termination of the Business Combination Agreement; |
● | the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Adara following announcement of the proposed Business Combination and transactions contemplated thereby; |
● | the inability to complete the Business Combination due to the failure to obtain approval of the stockholders of Adara or to satisfy other conditions to the Closing in the Business Combination Agreement; |
● | the amount of redemption requests made by Adara Stockholders; |
● | the ability to obtain or maintain the listing of Adara Common Stock on the NYSE American following the Business Combination; |
● | the risk that the proposed Business Combination disrupts current plans and operations of Alliance as a result of the announcement and consummation of the transactions described herein; |
● | risks relating to the uncertainty of the projected financial information with respect to Alliance; |
● | risks relating to the anticipated growth rates and market opportunities of Alliance; |
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● | our ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition and the ability of Alliance to grow and manage growth profitably following the Business Combination; |
● | costs related to the Business Combination; |
● | changes in applicable laws or regulations; |
● | the ability of Alliance to execute its business model, including market acceptance of its systems and related services; |
● | the Combined Company’s ability to raise capital; |
● | Alliance’s reliance on a concentration of suppliers for its products and services; |
● | increases in Alliance’s costs, disruption of supply, or shortage of products and materials; |
● | Alliance’s dependence on a concentration of customers, and failure to add new customers or expand sales to Alliance’s existing customers; |
● | litigation and regulatory enforcement risks, including the diversion of management time and attention and the additional costs and demands on Alliance’s resources; |
● | the possibility that Alliance may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; |
● | Alliance’s success in retaining or recruiting, or changes required in, our officers, key employees or directors following the completion of the Transactions, and our ability to attract and retain key personnel; |
● | geopolitical risk and changes in applicable laws or regulations; |
● | risk that the COVID-19 pandemic, and local, state, and federal responses to addressing the pandemic may have an adverse effect on our business operations, as well as our financial condition and results of operations; |
● | substantial regulations, which are evolving, and unfavorable changes or failure by Alliance to comply with these regulations; |
● | product liability claims, which could harm Alliance’s financial condition and liquidity if Alliance is not able to successfully defend or insure against such claims; |
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● | various environmental and safety laws and regulations that could impose substantial costs upon Alliance and negatively impact Alliance’s ability to operate Alliance’s distribution facilities; |
● | outages and disruptions of Alliance’s services if it fails to maintain adequate security and supporting infrastructure as it scales Alliance’s information technology systems; |
● | availability of additional capital to support business growth; |
● | failure to protect Alliance’s intellectual property; |
● | the inability of Alliance to develop and maintain effective internal controls; |
● | the diversion of management’s attention and consumption of resources as a result of potential acquisitions of other companies; |
● | cyber-attacks and security vulnerabilities; |
● | any changes to U.S. tax laws; and |
● | other risks and uncertainties described in this proxy statement/prospectus, including those under the section titled “Risk Factors.” |
In addition, statements that “Alliance believes” or “Adara believes” and similar statements reflect Alliance’s or Adara’s beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based upon information available to Alliance or Adara, as the case may be, as of the date of this prospectus/proxy statement, and while Alliance or Adara, as the case may be, believes such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and such statements should not be read to indicate that such party has conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely upon these statements.
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RISK FACTORS
The Combined Company will face a market environment that cannot be predicted and that involves significant risks, many of which will be beyond its control. In addition to the other information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus, you should carefully consider the material risks described below before deciding how to vote your shares of stock. In addition, you should read and consider the risks associated with the business of Adara because these risks may also affect the Combined Company. You should also read and consider the other information in this proxy statement/prospectus.
Risks Related to Alliance
Unless the context otherwise requires, any reference in this section of this proxy statement/prospectus to “Alliance,” “we,” “us” or “our” refers to Alliance prior to the Business Combination and the Combined Company and its subsidiaries following the Business Combination.
Risks Related to Alliance’s Business and Industry
If we fail to respond to or capitalize on the rapid technological development in the music, video, gaming, and entertainment industry, including changes in entertainment delivery formats, our business could be harmed.
The music, video, gaming, and entertainment industry continues to experience frequent change driven by technological development, including developments with respect to the formats through which music, films, television programming, games, and other content are delivered to consumers. With rapid technological changes and dramatically expanded digital content offerings, the scale and scope of these changes have accelerated in recent years. For example, consumers are increasingly accessing television, film and other episodic content on streaming and digital content networks, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Disney+ and Apple TV+. Additionally, consumers access music content through Apple Music, Pandora, Amazon Music, Spotify and other providers. Video game services can be accessed through Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation Now, GeForce, Steam, Stadia, xCloud, Shadow, Luna, and Switch Online.
Some entertainment offerings have gone direct to streaming channels and not produced a physical content format. Direct release to streaming channels is likely to continue. Technological as well as other changes caused by the pandemic have caused significant disruption to the retail distribution of music and entertainment offerings and have caused and could in the future cause a negative impact on sales of our products and other forms of monetization of content. We may lose opportunities to capitalize on changing market dynamics, technological innovations or consumer tastes if we do not adapt our content offerings or distribution capabilities in a timely manner. The overall effect that technological development and new digital distribution platforms have on the revenue and profits we derive from our entertainment content, including from merchandise sales derived from such content, and the additional costs associated with changing markets, media platforms and technologies, is unpredictable. If we fail to accurately assess and effectively respond to changes in technology and consumer behavior in the entertainment industry, our business may be harmed.
If we do not successfully optimize and operate our fulfillment network, our business could be harmed.
If we do not adequately predict customer demand or otherwise optimize and operate our fulfillment network successfully, it could result in excess or insufficient fulfillment, or result in increased costs, impairment charges, or both, and harm our business in other ways. As we continue to add fulfillment or add new businesses with different requirements, our fulfillment networks become increasingly complex and operating them becomes more challenging. There can be no assurance that we will be able to operate our networks effectively.
In addition, a failure to optimize inventory in our fulfillment network could result in lost sales from under inventory positions or extra costs of holding excess inventory or write downs on inventory.
Due to tight labor markets, we may be unable to adequately staff our fulfillment network and customer service centers or have to increase wages to attract more employees.
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We rely on a limited number of shipping companies to deliver inventory to us and completed orders to our customers. If we are not able to negotiate acceptable terms with these companies or they experience performance problems or other difficulties, it could negatively impact our operating results and customer experience. In addition, our ability to receive inbound inventory efficiently and ship completed orders to customers also may be negatively affected by inclement weather, fire, flood, power loss, earthquakes, labor disputes, acts of war or terrorism, acts of God, and similar factors.
Under some of our commercial agreements, we maintain the inventory of other companies, thereby increasing the complexity of tracking inventory and operating our fulfillment network. Our failure to properly handle such inventory or the inability of these other companies to accurately forecast product demand would result in unexpected costs and other harm to our business and reputation.
The projections are subject to significant risks, assumptions, estimates and uncertainties. As a result, our projected revenues, market share, expenses and profitability may differ materially from our expectations.
The projections are subject to significant risks, assumptions, estimates and uncertainties. Such projections reflect our current views with respect to future events or our future financial performance, are based on assumptions, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by our projections. We may not actually achieve the plans, expectations or objectives contained in our projections, and the underlying assumptions may prove incorrect. Such deviations may be due to factors outside our control or currently unknown to us. For example, our actual revenues, market share, timing for achieving business milestones, expenses and profitability may differ materially from our expectations. Therefore, in light of the foregoing factors and the uncertainties inherent in the projections, stockholders are cautioned not to place undue, if any, reliance on the projections.
We face competition. If we are unable to compete effectively with existing or new competitors, our revenues, market share and profitability could decline.
Our businesses are rapidly evolving and competitive, and we have many competitors in different industries, including physical, e-commerce, and omni-channel retail, e-commerce services, digital content and electronic devices, web and infrastructure computing services, and transportation and logistics services, and across geographies, including cross-border competition. Some of our current and potential competitors have greater resources, longer histories, more customers, and/or greater brand recognition, They may secure better terms from vendors, adopt more aggressive pricing, and devote more resources to technology, infrastructure, fulfillment, and marketing.
The music, video, gaming and entertainment industry is highly competitive. We compete in the U.S. and internationally with a wide array of large and small distributors, and sellers of vinyl records, CD’s, DVD’s, video games and other entertainment and consumer products. In addition, we compete with companies who are focused on building their brands across multiple product and consumer categories, including through entertainment offerings. Across our business, we face competitors who are constantly monitoring and attempting to anticipate consumer tastes and trends, seeking which will appeal to consumers, and introducing new products that compete with our products for consumer acceptance and purchase.
Competition may intensify, including with the development of new business models and the entry of new and well-funded competitors, and as our competitors enter into business combinations or alliances and established companies in other market segments expand to become competitive with our business. In addition, new and enhanced technologies, including search, digital content, and electronic devices, may increase our competition. The Internet facilitates competitive entry and comparison shopping, and increased competition may reduce our sales and profits.
Disruptions in Alliance's supply chain have increased product expenditures and could result in an adverse impact on results of operations.
For the year ended June 30, 2022, Alliance's top 5 suppliers now represent 40% of all of Alliance's product expenditures as compared to 25% of product expenditures for previous fiscal year.
The occurrence of one or more natural or human induced disasters, including pandemic diseases or viral contagions such as the COVID-19 pandemic; geopolitical events, such as war, civil unrest attacks in a country in which Alliance's suppliers are located; and the imposition of measures that create barriers to or increase the costs associated with international trade could result in disruption of Alliance's logistics or supply chain network. For example, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted and may continue to disrupt the operations of Alliance and its suppliers and customers. Customer demand for certain products has also fluctuated as the
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pandemic has progressed, which has challenged Alliance's ability to anticipate and/or procure product to maintain inventory levels to meet that demand.
These factors have resulted in higher product inventory cost positions in certain products as well as delays in delivering those products to Alliance's distribution centers, branches or customers, and similar results may occur in the future. Even when Alliance is able to find alternate sources for certain products, they may cost more or require Alliance to incur higher transportation costs, which could adversely impact Alliance's profitability and financial condition. Any of these circumstances could impair Alliance's ability to meet customer demand for products and result in lost sales, increased supply chain costs, penalties or damage to Alliance's reputation. Any such increased product costs from suppliers disruption could adversely impact results of operations and financial performance.
Inflation could cause Alliance's product costs and operating and administrative expenses to grow more rapidly than net sales, which could result in lower gross margins and lower net earnings.
Market variables, such as inflation of product costs from suppliers, labor rates and fuel, freight and energy costs, have and may continue to increase potentially causing Alliance to be unable to efficiently manage its product costs and operating and administrative expenses in a way that would enable it to leverage its revenue growth into higher net earnings. In addition, Alliance's inability to pass on such increases in product costs to customers in a timely manner, or at all, could cause Alliance's operating and administrative expenses to grow, which could result in lower gross profit margins and lower net earnings.
Weakness in the economy, market trends and other conditions affecting the profitability and financial stability of Alliance's customers could negatively impact Alliance's sales growth and results of operations.
Economic, political and industry trends affect Alliance's business environments. Alliance serves several industries and markets in which the demand for its products and services is sensitive to the production activity, capital spending and demand for products and services of Alliance's customers. Many of these customers operate in markets that are subject to cyclical fluctuations resulting from market uncertainty, trade and tariff policies, costs of goods sold, currency exchange rates, central bank interest rate fluctuations, economic downturns, recessions, foreign competition, offshoring of production, oil and natural gas prices, geopolitical developments, labor shortages, inflation, natural or human induced disasters, extreme weather, outbreaks of pandemic disease such as the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, deflation, and a variety of other factors beyond Alliance's control. Any of these factors could cause customers to idle or close stores, delay purchases, reduce wholesale purchasing levels, or experience reductions in the demand for their own retail and wholesale products or services.
Any of these events could also reduce the volume of products and services these customers purchase from Alliance or impair the ability of Alliance's customers to make full and timely payments and could cause increased pressure on Alliance's selling prices and terms of sale.
Our expansion places a strain on our management, operational, financial, and other resources.
We are rapidly and significantly expanding operations, including increasing our product and service offerings and scaling our infrastructure to support our retail and services businesses. This expansion increases the complexity of our business and places strain on our management, personnel, operations, systems, technical performance, financial resources, and internal financial control and reporting functions. We may not be able to manage growth effectively, which could damage our reputation, limit our growth, and negatively affect our operating results.
We may not realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions or investments in our acquisitions or joint ventures, or those benefits may be delayed or reduced in their realization.
Acquisitions and investments have been a component of our growth and the development of our business, such as our acquisition of COKeM in September 2020. Acquisitions can broaden and diversify our brand holdings and product offerings and allow us to build additional capabilities and competencies of the company.
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We cannot be certain that the products and offerings of companies we may acquire, or acquire an interest in, will achieve or maintain popularity with consumers in the future or that any such acquired companies or investments will allow us to more effectively market our products, develop our competencies or grow our business. In some cases, we expect that the integration of the companies that we may acquire into our operations will create production, marketing and other operating, revenue or cost synergies which will produce greater revenue growth and profitability and, where applicable, cost savings, operating efficiencies and other advantages. However, we cannot be certain that these synergies, efficiencies and cost savings will be realized. Even if achieved, these benefits may be delayed or reduced in their realization. In other cases, we may acquire or invest in companies that we believe have strong and creative management, in which case we may plan to operate them more autonomously rather than fully integrating them into our operations. We cannot be certain that the key talented individuals at these companies would continue to work for us after the acquisition or that they would develop popular and profitable products, entertainment or services in the future. We cannot guarantee that any acquisition or investment we may make will be successful or beneficial, and acquisitions can consume significant amounts of management attention and other resources, which may negatively impact other aspects of our business.
Our expansion into new products, services, technologies, and geographic regions subjects us to additional business, legal, financial, and competitive risks.
We may have limited or no experience in our newer market segments, and our customers may not adopt our offerings. These offerings may present new and difficult technology challenges, and we may be subject to claims if customers of these offerings experience service disruptions or failures or other quality issues. In addition, profitability, if any, in our newer activities may be lower than in our older activities, and we may not be successful enough in these newer activities to recoup our investments in them. If any of this were to occur, it could damage our reputation, limit our growth, and negatively affect our operating results.
We may experience significant fluctuations in our operating results and growth rate.
We may not be able to accurately forecast our growth rate. We base our expense levels and investment plans on sales estimates. A significant portion of our expenses and investments is fixed, and we may not be able to adjust our spending quickly enough if our sales are less than expected.
Our revenue growth may not be sustainable, and our percentage growth rates may decrease. Our revenue and operating profit growth depends on the continued growth of demand for the products and services offered by us or our customers, and our business is affected by general economic and business conditions worldwide. A softening of demand, whether caused by changes in customer preferences or a weakening of the U.S. or global economies, may result in decreased revenue or growth.
Our sales and operating results will also fluctuate for many other reasons, including due to risks described elsewhere in this section and the following:
● | our ability to retain and increase sales to existing customers, attract new customers, and satisfy our customers’ demands; |
● | our ability to retain and expand our network of customers; |
● | our ability to offer products on favorable terms, manage inventory, and fulfill orders; |
● | the introduction of competitive stores, websites, products, services, price decreases, or improvements; |
● | changes in usage or adoption rates of the Internet, e-commerce, electronic devices, and web services, including outside the U.S.; |
● | timing, effectiveness, and costs of expansion and upgrades of our systems and infrastructure; |
● | the success of our geographic, service, and product line expansions; |
● | the extent to which we finance, and the terms of any such financing for, our current operations and future growth; |
● | the outcomes of legal proceedings and claims, which may include significant monetary damages or injunctive relief and could have a material adverse impact on our operating results; |
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● | variations in the mix of products and services we sell; |
● | variations in our level of merchandise and vendor returns; |
● | the extent to which we offer free shipping, continue to reduce prices worldwide, and provide additional benefits to our customers; |
● | factors affecting our reputation or brand image; |
● | the extent to which we invest in technology and content, fulfillment, and other expense categories; |
● | increases in the prices of fuel and gasoline, as well as increases in the prices of other energy products and commodities like paper and packing supplies; |
● | the extent to which our equity-method investees record significant operating and non-operating items; |
● | the extent to which operators of the networks between our customers and our stores successfully charge fees to grant our customers unimpaired and unconstrained access to our online services; |
● | our ability to collect amounts owed to us when they become due; |
● | the extent to which use of our services is affected by spyware, viruses, phishing and other spam emails, denial of service attacks, data theft, computer intrusions, outages, and similar events; |
● | terrorist attacks and armed hostilities; |
● | supply chain issues either in chip shortages; and |
● | long lead time in the manufacturing vinyl LP’s. |
Our international operations expose us to a number of risks
Our international activities are insignificant to our revenues and profits, and we plan to further expand internationally. In certain international market segments, we have relatively little operating experience and may not benefit from any first-to-market advantages or otherwise succeed. It is costly to establish, develop, and maintain international operations, and promote our brand internationally. Our international operations may not be profitable on a sustained basis.
In addition to risks described elsewhere in this section, our international sales and operations are subject to a number of risks, including:
● | local economic and political conditions; |
● | government regulation and compliance requirements (such as regulation of our product and service offerings and of competition), restrictive governmental actions (such as trade protection measures, including export duties and quotas and custom duties and tariffs), nationalization, and restrictions on foreign ownership; |
● | restrictions on sales or distribution of certain products or services and uncertainty regarding liability for products, services, and content, including uncertainty as a result of less Internet-friendly legal systems, local laws, lack of legal precedent, and varying rules, regulations, and practices regarding the physical and digital distribution of media products and enforcement of intellectual property rights; |
● | business licensing or certification requirements, such as for imports, exports, web services, and electronic devices; |
● | limitations on the repatriation and investment of funds and foreign currency exchange restrictions; |
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● | limited fulfillment and technology infrastructure; |
● | shorter payable and longer receivable cycles and the resultant negative impact on cash flow; |
● | laws and regulations regarding consumer and data protection, privacy, network security, encryption, payments, and restrictions on pricing or discounts; |
● | lower levels of consumer spending and fewer opportunities for growth compared to the U.S.; |
● | lower levels of credit card usage and increased payment risk; |
● | difficulty in staffing, developing, and managing foreign operations as a result of distance, language, and cultural differences; |
● | different employee/employer relationships and the existence of works councils and labor unions; |
● | compliance with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other applicable U.S. and foreign laws prohibiting corrupt payments to government officials and other third parties; |
● | laws and policies of the U.S. and other jurisdictions affecting trade, foreign investment, loans, and taxes; and |
● | geopolitical events, including war and terrorism. |
As international physical, e-commerce, and other services grow, competition will intensify, including through adoption of evolving business models. Local companies may have a substantial competitive advantage because of their greater understanding of, and focus on, the local customer, as well as their more established local brand names. We may not be able to hire, train, retain, and manage required personnel, which may limit our international growth.
Our business will suffer if we are not successful in developing and expanding our partner brands across our consumer base.
Our strategy is to focus and expand, larger global brands with an emphasis on developing and expanding those of our key partner brands, which we view as having the largest global potential, across our customer base. As we concentrate our efforts on a more brands, we believe we can gain additional leverage and enhance the consumer experience. This focus means that our success depends disproportionately on our and our new partners’ ability to successfully develop these new brands across our consumer base and to maintain and extend the reach and relevance of these brands to global consumers in a wide array of markets. This strategy has required us to acquire, build, invest in and develop our competencies in music, movies, gaming, consumer products and entertainment products. Acquiring, developing, investing in and growing these competencies has required significant effort, time and money, with no assurance of success. The success of our brand blueprint strategy also requires significant alignment and integration among our business segments. If we are unable to successfully develop, maintain and expand key partner brands across our brand blueprint, our business performance will suffer.
Consumer interests change rapidly and acceptance of products and entertainment offerings are influenced by outside factors.
The interests of families, individuals, fans and audiences evolve extremely quickly and can change dramatically from year to year and by geography. To be successful, we must correctly anticipate the types of entertainment, products and play patterns which will capture consumers’ interests and imagination, and quickly develop and introduce innovative products and engaging entertainment which can compete successfully for consumers’ limited time, attention and spending. This challenge is more difficult with the ever-increasing utilization of technology, social media and digital media in entertainment offerings, and the increasing breadth of entertainment available to consumers. Evolving consumer tastes and shifting interests, coupled with an ever-changing and expanding pipeline of entertainment and consumer properties and products which compete for consumer interest and acceptance, create an environment in which some products and entertainment offerings can fail to achieve consumer acceptance, and other products and entertainment offerings can be popular during a certain period of time but then be rapidly replaced. As a result, our products and entertainment offerings can have short consumer life cycles.
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Consumer acceptance of our or our partners’ entertainment offerings is also affected by outside factors, such as critical reviews, promotions, the quality and acceptance of films and television programs, music, video games, and content released into the marketplace at or near the same time, the availability of alternative forms of entertainment and leisure time activities, general economic conditions and public tastes generally, all of which could change rapidly and most of which are beyond our control. There can be no assurance that television programs and films, video games, video movies we distribute will obtain favorable reviews or ratings, that films, video games, video movies we distribute will be popular with consumers and perform well in our distribution channels.
If we devote time and resources to distributing and marketing products or entertainment that consumers do not accept or do not find interesting enough to buy in sufficient quantities to be profitable to us, our revenues and profits may decline, and our business performance may be harmed. Similarly, if our product offerings and entertainment fail to correctly anticipate consumer interests, our revenues and earnings will be reduced.
An inability to develop, introduce and ship planned products, product lines and new brands in a timely and cost-effective manner may damage our business.
In acquiring new products, product lines and new brands we have anticipated dates for the associated product and brand introductions. When we state that we will introduce, or anticipate introducing, a particular product, product line or brand at a certain time in the future those expectations are based on completing the associated development, implementation, and marketing work in accordance with our currently anticipated development schedule. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to source and ship new or continuing products in a timely manner and on a cost-effective basis to meet constantly changing consumer demands.
The risk is also exacerbated by the increasing sophistication of many of the products we are distributing, providing greater innovation and product differentiation. Unforeseen delays or difficulties in the development process, significant increases in the planned cost of development, or changes in anticipated consumer demand for our products and new brands may cause the introduction date for products to be later than anticipated, may reduce or eliminate the profitability of such products or, in some situations, may cause a product or new brand introduction to be discontinued.
If we are unable to navigate through global supply chain challenges, our business may be harmed.
In 2021 and continuing into 2022, we have faced global supply chain challenges with the production and delivery of some products being delayed due to logistics, including labor, trucking and container shortages, port congestion and other shipping disruptions. We have experienced increases in material costs and shortages for some of our products, due in part to higher wages being paid due to labor shortages in China and Vietnam, as well as periodic and unpredictable manufacturing shut-downs due to COVID-19. While we have taken actions to lessen the impact of these supply chain challenges, such as through the use of alternative ports and air freight, such actions have resulted in higher costs and there can be no assurance that the actions taken will continue to be effective. We have also increased prices in some cases to help offset increased costs. We can provide no assurance that we will be able to increase prices in the future and we cannot assure that price increases we have already taken will offset the entirety of additional costs we have incurred and may incur in the future to mitigate the supply chain disruption. Further, if we are unable to negotiate favorable carrier agreements, deliver products on time or otherwise satisfy demand for our products, our business may be harmed.
If we are unable to adapt our business to the continued shift to ecommerce, our business may be harmed.
Our ecommerce business is accounting for a higher portion of the ultimate sales of our products to consumers than it has historically. In 2021, ecommerce sales represented 35% of overall sales to our key customers as consumers increasingly purchased our products online as compared to through in-store shopping due to the continued transition to ecommerce accelerated by the shutdown and limited access to retail stores during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ecommerce sales have resulted in retailers holding less inventory, which has caused us to adjust our supply chain. This supply chain is further strained by customers desiring faster delivery at reduced costs. Additionally, if our technology and systems used to support ecommerce order processing are not effective, our ability to deliver products on time on a cost-effective basis may be adversely affected. Failure to continue to adapt our systems and supply chain and successfully fulfill ecommerce sales could harm our business.
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The concentration of our retail customer base and continued shift to ecommerce sales means that economic difficulties or changes in the purchasing or promotional policies or patterns of our major customers could have a significant impact on us.
For the 12 months ended June 30, 2022, there was one customer that generated over 10% of net sales. Our top customer, which accounted for 24% of our total net sales, purchased a mix of products comprised of 41% games, 39% music, and 20% movies. Due to our customer concentration, if our top customer were to experience difficulties in fulfilling their obligations to us, cease doing business with us, significantly reduce the amount of their purchases from us, favor competitors or new entrants, change their purchasing patterns, impose unexpected fees on us, alter the manner in which they promote our products or the resources they devote to promoting and selling our products, or return substantial amounts of our products, our business may be harmed.
Our customers do not make binding long-term commitments to us regarding purchase volumes and make all purchases by delivering purchase orders. Any customer could reduce its overall purchase of our products and reduce the number and variety of our products that it carries, and the shelf space allotted for our products. In addition, increased concentration among our customers could negatively impact our ability to negotiate higher sales prices for our products and could result in lower gross margins than would otherwise be obtained if there were less consolidation among our customers. Furthermore, the failure or lack of success of a significant retail customer could negatively impact our revenues and profitability.
Our business, including our costs and supply chain, is subject to risks associated with sourcing, manufacturing, warehousing, distribution and logistics, and the loss of any of our key suppliers or service providers could negatively impact our business.
All of the products we offer are manufactured by third-party labels, studios, publishers, and suppliers, and as a result we may be subject to price fluctuations or demand disruptions. Our operating results would be negatively impacted by increases in the costs of the products we offer, and we have no guarantees that costs will not rise. In addition, as we expand into new categories and product types, we expect that we may not have strong purchasing power in these new areas, which could lead to higher costs than we have historically seen in our current categories. We may not be able to pass increased costs on to consumers, which could adversely affect our operating results. Moreover, in the event of a significant disruption in the supply of the materials used in the manufacture of the products we offer, we and the vendors that we work with might not be able to locate alternative suppliers of materials of comparable quality at an acceptable price.
In addition, products, and merchandise we receive from manufacturers and suppliers may not be of sufficient quality or free from damage, or such products may be damaged during shipping, while stored in our warehouse fulfillment centers or with third-party ecommerce or retail customers or when returned by consumers. We may incur additional expenses and our reputation could be harmed if consumers and potential consumers believe that our products do not meet their expectations, are not properly labeled or are damaged.
We purchase significant amounts from a limited number of suppliers with limited supply capabilities. There can be no assurance that our current suppliers will be able to accommodate our anticipated growth or continue to supply current quantities at preferential prices. An inability of our existing suppliers to provide products in a timely or cost-effective manner could impair our growth and have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. We generally do not maintain long-term supply contracts with any of our suppliers and any of our suppliers could discontinue selling to us at any time.
The loss of any of our other significant suppliers, or the discontinuance of any preferential pricing or exclusive incentives they currently offer to us could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
We continually seek to expand our base of product suppliers, especially as we identify new markets. We also require our new and existing suppliers to meet our ethical and business partner standards. Suppliers may also have to meet governmental and industry standards and any relevant standards required by our consumers, which may require additional investment and time on behalf of suppliers and us. If any of our key suppliers becomes insolvent, ceases or significantly reduces its operations or experiences financial distress, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic or otherwise, or if any environmental, economic or other outside factors impact their operations. If we are unable to identify or enter into distribution relationships with new suppliers or to replace the loss of any of our existing suppliers, we may experience a competitive disadvantage, our business may be disrupted and our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects could be adversely affected.
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Our principal suppliers currently provide us with certain incentives such as extended payment terms, volume purchasing, trade discounts, cooperative advertising and market development funds. A reduction or discontinuance of these incentives would increase our costs and could reduce our ability to achieve or maintain profitability. Similarly, if one or more of our suppliers were to offer these incentives, including preferential pricing, to our competitors, our competitive advantage would be reduced, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
We face significant inventory risk.
In addition to risks described elsewhere relating to fulfillment network and inventory optimization by us and third parties, we are exposed to significant inventory risks that may adversely affect our operating results as a result of seasonality, new product launches, rapid changes in product cycles and pricing, defective merchandise, changes in consumer demand and consumer spending patterns, changes in consumer tastes with respect to our products, spoilage, and other factors. We endeavor to accurately predict these trends and avoid overstocking or understocking products we manufacture and/or sell. Demand for products, however, can change significantly between the time inventory or components are ordered and the date of sale. In addition, when we begin selling or manufacturing a new product, it may be difficult to establish vendor relationships, determine appropriate product or component selection, and accurately forecast demand. The acquisition of certain types of inventory or components requires significant lead-time and prepayment, and they may not be returnable. We carry a broad selection and significant inventory levels of certain products, and at times we are unable to sell products in sufficient quantities or to meet demand during the relevant selling seasons. Any one of the inventory risk factors set forth above may adversely affect our operating results.
If our third-party suppliers’ labels, studios, and publishers do not comply with applicable laws and regulations, our reputation, business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects could be harmed.
Our reputation and our consumers’ willingness to purchase our products depend in part on our suppliers’ labels, studios, publishers, and other suppliers, and retail partners’ compliance with ethical employment practices, such as with respect to child labor, wages and benefits, forced labor, discrimination, safe and healthy working conditions, and with all legal and regulatory requirements relating to the conduct of their businesses. We do not exercise control over our suppliers, manufacturers, and retail partners and cannot guarantee their compliance with ethical and lawful business practices. If our suppliers, manufacturers, or retail partners fail to comply with applicable laws, regulations, safety codes, employment practices, human rights standards, quality standards, environmental standards, production practices, or other obligations, norms, or ethical standards, our reputation and brand image could be harmed, and we could be exposed to litigation, investigations, enforcement actions, monetary liability, and additional costs that would harm our reputation, business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Shipping is a critical part of our business and any changes in our shipping arrangements or any interruptions in shipping could adversely affect our operating results.
We primarily rely on two major vendors for our shipping requirements. If we are not able to negotiate acceptable pricing and other terms with these two vendors or one of the two experiences performance problems or other difficulties, it could negatively impact our operating results and our consumer or retail partner experience. Shipping vendors may also impose shipping surcharges from time to time. In addition, our ability to receive inbound inventory efficiently and ship products to consumers and retailers may be negatively affected by inclement weather, fire, flood, power loss, earthquakes, labor disputes, acts of war or terrorism, trade embargoes, customs and tax requirements and similar factors. For example, strikes at major international shipping ports have in the past impacted our supply of inventory from our third-party Labels, Studios, Publishers, and Suppliers, and the escalating trade dispute between the United States and China has and may in the future lead to increased tariffs, the revocation of current tariff exclusions for certain of our products, which may restrict the flow of the goods from China to the United States. We are also subject to risks of damage or loss during delivery by our shipping vendors. If our products are not delivered in a timely fashion or are damaged or lost during the delivery process, our consumers could become dissatisfied and cease shopping on our site or retailer or third-party ecommerce sites, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results and prospects.
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We are subject to risks related to online payment methods, including third-party payment processing-related risks.
We currently accept payments using a variety of methods, including checks, ACH, wire transfers, credit card, debit card, PayPal, and gift cards. As we offer new payment options to consumers, we may be subject to additional regulations, compliance requirements, fraud, and other risks. We also rely on third parties to provide payment processing services, and for certain payment methods, we pay interchange and other fees, which may increase over time and raise our operating costs and affect ability to achieve or maintain profitability. We are also subject to payment card association operating rules and certification requirements, including the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, or PCI-DSS, and rules governing electronic funds transfers, which could change or be reinterpreted to make it difficult or impossible for us to comply. If we (or a third-party processing payment card transactions on our behalf) suffer a security breach affecting payment card information, we may have to pay onerous and significant fines, penalties and assessments arising out of the major card brands’ rules and regulations, contractual indemnifications or liability contained in merchant agreements and similar contracts, and we may lose our ability to accept payment cards for payment for our goods and services, which could materially impact our operations and financial performance.
Furthermore, as our business changes, we may be subject to different rules under existing standards, which may require new assessments that involve costs above what we currently pay for compliance. As we offer new payment options to consumers, including by way of integrating emerging mobile and other payment methods, we may be subject to additional regulations, compliance requirements and fraud. If we fail to comply with the rules or requirements of any provider of a payment method we accept, if the volume of fraud in our transactions limits or terminates our rights to use payment methods we currently accept, or if a data breach occurs relating to our payment systems, we may, among other things, be subject to fines or higher transaction fees and may lose, or face restrictions placed upon, our ability to accept credit card payments from consumers or facilitate other types of online payments.
We also occasionally receive orders placed with fraudulent data and we may ultimately be held liable for the unauthorized use of a cardholder’s card number in an illegal activity and be required by card issuers to pay charge-back fees. Charge-backs result not only in our loss of fees earned with respect to the payment, but also leave us liable for the underlying money transfer amount. If our charge-back rate becomes excessive, card associations also may require us to pay fines or refuse to process our transactions. To mitigate credit card fraud, we use Kount to score all credit card orders for risk of fraud. In addition, we may be subject to additional fraud risk if third-party service providers or our employees fraudulently use consumer information for their own gain or facilitate the fraudulent use of such information. Overall, we may have little recourse if we process a criminally fraudulent transaction.
If any of these events were to occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects could be adversely affected.
We rely on third-party suppliers, labels, studios, publishers, suppliers, retail and ecommerce partners and other vendors, and they may not continue to produce products or provide services that are consistent with our standards or applicable regulatory requirements, which could harm our brand, cause consumer dissatisfaction, and require us to find alternative suppliers of our products or services.
We do not own or operate any manufacturing facilities. We use multiple third-party suppliers and labels, studios, publishers, suppliers based primarily in the United States, China and Mexico and other countries to a lesser extent, to manufacture and supply all of the products we offer and sell.
We engage many of our third-party suppliers and labels, studios, publishers, suppliers on a purchase order basis and in most cases are not party to long-term contracts with them. The ability and willingness of these third parties to supply and manufacture the products we offer, and sell may be affected by competing orders placed by other companies and the demands of those companies. If we experience significant increases in demand or need to replace a significant number of existing suppliers or manufacturers, there can be no assurance that additional supply and manufacturing capacity will be available when required on terms that are acceptable to us, or at all, or that any supplier or manufacturer will allocate sufficient capacity to us in order to meet our requirements. Furthermore, our reliance on suppliers and manufacturers outside of the United States, the number of third parties with whom we transact and the number of jurisdictions to which we sell complicates our efforts to comply with customs duties and excise taxes; any failure to comply could adversely affect our business.
In addition, quality control problems, such as the use of materials and delivery of products that do not meet our quality control standards and specifications or comply with applicable laws or regulations, could harm our business. Quality control problems could result in regulatory action, such as restrictions on importation, products of inferior quality or product stock outages or shortages, harming our sales and creating inventory write-downs for unusable products.
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We have also outsourced minute portions of our fulfillment process, as well as certain technology-related functions, to third-party service providers. Specifically, we are dependent on third-party vendors for credit card processing, and we use third-party hosting and networking providers to host our sites. The failure of one or more of these entities to provide the expected services on a timely basis, or at all, or at the prices we expect, or the costs and disruption incurred in changing these outsourced functions to being performed under our management and direct control or that of a third party, could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
We are party to short-term contracts with some of our retail and ecommerce partners, and upon expiration of these existing agreements, we may not be able to renegotiate the terms on a commercially reasonable basis, or at all.
Further, our third-party labels, studios, publishers, suppliers and retail and ecommerce partners may:
● | have economic or business interests or goals that are inconsistent with ours; |
● | take actions contrary to our instructions, requests, policies or objectives; |
● | be unable or unwilling to fulfill their obligations under relevant purchase orders, including obligations to meet our production deadlines, quality standards, pricing guidelines and product specifications, and to comply with applicable regulations, including those regarding the safety and quality of products; |
● | have financial difficulties; |
● | encounter raw material or labor shortages; |
● | encounter increases in raw material or labor costs which may affect our procurement costs; |
● | encounter difficulties with proper payment of custom duties or excise taxes; |
● | disclose our confidential information or intellectual property to competitors or third parties; |
● | engage in activities or employ practices that may harm our reputation; and |
● | work with, be acquired by, or come under control of, our competitors. |
Alliance’s existing and any future indebtedness could adversely affect its ability to operate its business.
On June 30, 2022, the credit line with Bank of America was amended for the current period which ends September 29, 2023 and increased from $175 million to $225 million with a variable annual interest rate equal to the higher of the Prime rate, Federal Funds rate plus .5% or Bank of America SOFR rate plus 2.11% (Libor rate plus 2% is the prior agreement). As of June 30, 2022, the interest rate was 3.61% (SOFR 1.5% plus a spread of 2.11%). As of June 30, 2021, the interest rate was 2.25% (Libor .25% plus a spread of 2%) with borrowing above the contracted Libor at 4.25% (Base Rate 3.25% plus a spread of 1%). The weighted average interest rate on the revolver for fiscal Years ended June 30, 2022, and 2021 was 2.5% and 4.15% respectively.
All assets (with certain capitalized lease exceptions) and interest in assets of the Company are pledged as collateral under the Credit Facility. In addition, the Credit Facility contains certain financial covenants with which the Company is required to comply. Failure to comply with the financial covenants contained in the Credit Facility could result in an event of default. An event of default, if not cured or waived, would permit acceleration of any outstanding indebtedness under the Credit Facility. The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants pertaining to the credit facility as of June 30, 2022.
Availability under the Credit Facility is limited by the Company’s borrowing base calculation, as defined in the Credit Agreement. In addition, there is a commitment fee of 0.25% for unused credit line with fees for year ended June 30, 2022, and 2021 of $100 thousand and $300 thousand, respectively. Availability at June 30, 2022, was $32 million with an outstanding revolver balance of $136 million. Availability on June 30, 2021 was $95 million with an outstanding revolver balance of $54 million.
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Revolver Balance consists of the following at:
($in thousands) |
| June 30, |
| June 30, |
| ||
Bank of America Revolving Credit Agreement | $ | 136,176 | $ | 53,955 | |||
Less: Deferred Finance Costs | (208) | (375) | |||||
Revolving Credit, Net | $ | 135,968 | $ | 53,580 |
Alliance’s outstanding indebtedness, including any additional indebtedness beyond our borrowings from Bank of America, combined with its other financial obligations and contractual commitments could have significant adverse consequences, including:
● | requiring us to dedicate a portion of our cash resources to the payment of interest and principal, reducing money available to fund working capital, capital expenditures, potential acquisitions, international expansion, new product development, new enterprise relationships and other general corporate purposes; |
● | increasing our vulnerability to adverse changes in general economic, industry and market conditions; |
● | subjecting us to restrictive covenants that may reduce our ability to take certain corporate actions or obtain further debt or equity financing; |
● | limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we compete; and |
● | placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt or better debt servicing options. |
Alliance obtained a waiver for non-compliance with one non-financial covenant related to its delivery of the monthly unaudited financial statements and compliance certificates for the periods pertaining to June 30, 2022, July 31, 2022, and August 31, 2022. This non-compliance resulted in events of default under the Revolving Credit Facility. As a result of this non-compliance as of the balance sheet date and periods thereafter, the Company has classified the outstanding balance of the Revolving Credit Facility Net of $135,968 as a current liability as of June 30, 2022. While the Company obtained a waiver over these events of default on October 12, 2022 and believes it will comply with this non-financial covenant going forward, there can be no assurance that future covenant violations will not occur.
We intend to satisfy our current and future debt service obligations with our then existing cash and cash equivalents. However, we may not have sufficient funds, and may be unable to arrange for additional financing, to pay the amounts due under the Credit Facility or any other debt instruments. Failure to make payments or comply with other covenants under our existing credit facility or such other debt instruments could result in an event of default and acceleration of amounts due, which would have a material adverse effect on our business.
Our success is dependent on the efforts and dedication of our officers and other employees.
Our officers and employees are at the heart of all our efforts. It is their skill, innovation and hard work that drive our success. We compete with many other potential employers in recruiting, hiring, and retaining our management team and our many other skilled officers and employees around the world. The increasing prevalence of remote work creates further challenges in retaining employees as some employees desire more flexibility in their employment and the ability to work remotely opens up more employment opportunities. The impact of failing to retain key employees can be high due to loss of key knowledge and relationships, loss of creative talent, lost productivity, hiring and training costs, all of which could result in lower profitability. We cannot guarantee that we will recruit, hire or retain the key personnel we need to succeed.
Our future success will depend on the leadership of our key executives such as Mr. Bruce Ogilvie, our Executive Chairman, and Mr. Jeff Walker, our Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Ogilvie and Mr. Walker are executives of other companies, including GameFly Holdings, Inc. GameFly is a customer of Alliance. Alliance uses GameFly’s Lakewood, California warehouse to ship and fulfill products for Alliance’s customers. A Conflicts of interest may arise with respect to their allocation of business time and such conflicts may not be resolved in the Combined Company’s favor. Our loss of key management or other employees, inability to drive success through our new leaders, or our inability to retain or hire talented people with the skill sets we need for our diverse and changing business, could significantly harm our business.
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If we fail to develop diverse top talent, we may be unable to compete, and our business may be harmed.
To compete successfully, we must continuously develop a diverse group of talented people. We promote a diverse and inclusive work environment. To that end, we have set goals and objectives with respect to hiring and retention of talented, diverse employees, who we believe will foster new ideas and perspectives that will benefit our business. Competition for diverse talent is intense. We cannot guarantee we will achieve our goals or that our actions will result in expected benefits to our business.
Alliance has engaged in transactions with related parties, and such transactions present possible conflicts of interest that could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
Alliance has entered into transactions with related parties, including our two principal stockholders. We have entered into transactions with companies owned by Bruce Ogilvie and Jeffrey Walker, including Gamefly Holdings, LLC. During the years ended June 30, 2022, 2021 and 2020, Alliance has made sales of new release movies, video games, and video game consoles to GameFly Holdings LLC in the amount of $7.1 million, $5.3 million, and $2.5 million, respectively. GameFly, a customer of Alliance, is equally owned by Bruce Ogilvie and Jeff Walker, the two shareholders of Alliance. Alliance believes the amounts payable to GameFly are at fair market value. Although the agreement between Alliance and GameFly can be terminated by either party at any time, given Mr. Ogilvie’s and Mr. Walker’s positions with Alliance as Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, respectively. We may in the future enter into additional transactions with entities in which majority shareholders, executive officers and members of our board of directors and other related parties hold ownership interests. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”
Transactions with such related parties present potential for conflicts of interest, as the interests of the third-party owned related entity and its shareholders may not align with the interests of our stockholders with respect to the negotiation of, and certain other matters. For example, conflicts of interest may arise in connection with decisions regarding the structure and terms of the GameFly contract, contractual remedies, events of default and dealings with customers.
Pursuant to our related party transactions policy that will be in place after the Business Combination, all additional material related party transactions that we enter into require either (i) the unanimous consent of our audit committee or (ii) the approval of a majority of the members of our board of directors. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions — Policies and Procedures for Related Party Transactions”. Nevertheless, we may have achieved more favorable terms if such transactions had not been entered into with related parties and these transactions, individually or in the aggregate, may have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations or may result in government enforcement actions or other litigation.
Our business may be harmed if we are unable to protect our critical intellectual property rights.
Our intellectual property, including our trademarks and tradenames, copyrights, patents, and rights under our license agreements and other agreements that establish our intellectual property rights and maintain the confidentiality of our intellectual property, is of critical value. We rely on a combination of trade secret, copyright, trademark, patent and other proprietary rights laws to protect our rights to valuable intellectual property in the U.S. and around the world. From time to time, third parties have challenged, and may in the future try to challenge, our ownership of our intellectual property in the U.S. and around the world. In addition, our business is subject to the risk of third parties counterfeiting our products or infringing on our intellectual property rights, as well as the risk of unauthorized third parties copying and distributing our entertainment content or leaking portions of planned entertainment content. We may need to resort to litigation to protect our intellectual property rights, which could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources. Similarly, third parties may claim ownership over certain aspects of our products, productions or other intellectual property. Our failure to successfully protect our intellectual property rights could significantly harm our business and competitive position.
Failure to successfully operate our information systems and implement new technology effectively could disrupt our business or reduce our sales or profitability.
We rely extensively on various information technology systems and software applications to manage many aspects of our business, including product development, management of our supply chain, sale and delivery of our products, royalty and financial reporting and various other processes and transactions. We are critically dependent on the integrity, security and consistent operations of these systems and related back-up systems. These systems are subject to damage or interruption from power outages, computer and telecommunications failures, computer viruses, malware and other cybersecurity breaches, catastrophic events such as hurricanes, fires, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, acts of war or terrorism and usage errors by our employees or partners. The efficient operation and successful growth of our business depends on these information systems, including our ability to operate them effectively and to select and implement appropriate upgrades or new technologies and systems and adequate disaster recovery systems successfully. The
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failure of our information systems or third-party hosted technology to perform as designed or our failure to implement and operate them effectively could disrupt our business, require significant capital investments to remediate a problem or subject us to liability.
If our electronic data is compromised our business could be significantly harmed.
We and our business partners maintain significant amounts of data electronically in locations around the United States and in the cloud. This data relates to all aspects of our business, including current and future products and entertainment under development, and also contains certain customer, consumer, supplier, partner and employee data. We maintain systems and processes designed to protect this data, but notwithstanding such protective measures, there is a risk of intrusion, cyber-attacks or tampering that could compromise the integrity and privacy of this data. Cyber-attacks are increasing in their frequency, sophistication and intensity, and are becoming increasingly difficult to detect. They are often carried out by motivated, well-resourced, skilled and persistent actors, including nation states, organized crime groups, “hacktivists” and employees or contractors acting with malicious intent. Cyber-attacks could include the deployment of harmful malware and key loggers, ransomware, a denial-of-service attack, a malicious website, the use of social engineering and other means to affect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of our technology systems and data. Cyber-attacks could also include supply chain attacks, which could cause a delay in the manufacturing of our products. In addition, we provide confidential and proprietary information to our third-party business partners in certain cases where doing so is necessary to conduct our business. While we obtain assurances from those parties that they have systems and processes in place to protect such data, and where applicable, that they will take steps to assure the protections of such data by third parties, those partners may also be subject to data intrusion or otherwise compromise the protection of such data. Any compromise of the confidential data of our customers, consumers, suppliers, partners, employees or ourselves, or failure to prevent or mitigate the loss of or damage to this data through breach of our information technology systems or other means could substantially disrupt our operations, harm our customers, consumers, employees and other business partners, damage our reputation, violate applicable laws and regulations, subject us to potentially significant costs and liabilities and result in a loss of business that could be material.
The global coronavirus outbreak or other similar outbreaks of communicable infections, diseases, or public health pandemics in the markets in which we and our employees, consumers, customers, partners, licensees, suppliers and manufacturers operate, could substantially harm our business.
The global outbreak of the coronavirus which continues to adversely impact global populations, and any other variants or outbreaks of communicable infections, diseases or other adverse public health conditions in markets in which we, our employees, consumers, customers, partners, licensees, licensors, suppliers and manufacturers operate, could have a significant negative impact on our business, revenues and profitability. The occurrence of these types of events can result, and in the case of the coronavirus has resulted in, disruptions and damage to our business, caused by a number of factors:
● | difficulties in shipping and distributing products due to ongoing port capacity, and labor, shipping container and truck transportation shortages, resulting in higher costs for both ocean and air freight and delays in the availability of products, which can result in delayed sales and in some cases result in lost sales. These and other disruptions are expected to continue in 2022; |
● | disruptions in supply of products, due to closures or reductions in operations at third-party manufacturing facilities across several geographies including, but not limited to, China, Vietnam, and the United States; |
● | adverse sales impact due to changes in consumer purchasing behavior and availability of products to consumers, resulting from retail store closures, limited reopening of retail stores and limitations on the capacity of ecommerce channels to supply additional products; |
● | fluctuations in our performance based on the progress of different countries in controlling the coronavirus and the maturity of e-commerce platforms in those markets; |
● | limited production of live-action scripted and unscripted entertainment content due to the hard stop and soft reopening of production studios; |
● | delays or postponements of entertainment productions and releases of entertainment content both internally and by our partners; |
● | increases in entertainment production costs due to measures required to minimize COVID-19 risks; and |
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● | challenges of working remotely. |
We have reopened our offices, providing employees flexibility in their return to the office by working partially in the office and partially remote. We have taken measures to safely bring additional workers back to the office, including a return to fully remote work when variants emerge which increase infection rates significantly in areas where we do business. The transition back from fully remote work to partial remote and partial in person may be difficult for some employees. We are actively soliciting feedback and making modifications to provide our employees with a productive and safe environment, and plan to continue to monitor employee efficiency, satisfaction, and morale as we continue to transition. There can be no assurance that employees will not have some disruption in their work due to the transition. Changes in flexible working arrangements could impact employee retention, employees’ productivity and morale, strain our technology resources and introduce operational risks. Additionally, the risk of cyber-attacks or other privacy or data security incidents may be heightened as a result of our moving increasingly towards a remote working environment, which may be less secure and more susceptible to hacking attacks.
The impact of coronavirus outbreak continues to be fluid and uncertain, and while vaccines are being rolled out, it is still difficult to forecast the final impact it could have on our future operations. If our business experiences prolonged occurrence of adverse public health conditions due to the coronavirus or other similar outbreaks, we believe our business could be substantially harmed.
Adverse economic conditions in the markets in which we and our employees, consumers, customers, suppliers and manufacturers operate could negatively impact our ability to produce and ship our products, and lower our revenues, margins and profitability.
Various economic conditions in the markets we, our employees, consumers, customers, suppliers and manufacturers operate, could have a significant negative impact on our revenues, profitability and business. The occurrence of adverse economic conditions can result in manufacturing and other work stoppages, slowdowns and delays; shortages or delays in production or shipment of products or raw materials; delays or reduced purchases from customers and consumers; and other factors that cause increases in costs or delay in revenues. Inflation, such as what consumers in the U.S. and other economies are experiencing, can cause significant increases in the costs of other products which are required by consumers, such as gasoline, home heating fuels, or groceries, may reduce household spending on the discretionary products and entertainment we offer. Weakened economic conditions, higher interest rates, lowered employment levels or recessions may also significantly reduce consumer purchases of our products and spending on entertainment. Economic conditions may also be negatively impacted by terrorist attacks, wars and other conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine, natural disasters, increases in critical commodity prices or labor costs, or the prospect of such events. Such a weakened economic and business climate, as well as consumer uncertainty created by such a climate, could significantly harm our revenues and profitability.
Our success and profitability not only depend on consumer demand for our products, but also on our ability to produce and sell those products at costs which allow for us to make a profit. Rising fuel and raw material prices, due to inflation or otherwise, for paperboard and other components such as resin used in plastics or electronic components, increased transportation and shipping costs, and increased labor costs in the markets in which our products are manufactured all may increase the costs we incur to produce and transport our products, which in turn may reduce our margins, reduce our profitability and harm our business.
Changes in U.S., global or regional economic conditions could harm our business and financial performance.
Our financial performance is impacted by the level of discretionary consumer spending in the markets in which we operate. Reductions in stimulus payments provided to consumers, high inflation and rising interest rates on credit cards could impact discretionary spending. Recessions, credit crises and other economic downturns, or disruptions in credit and financial markets in the U.S. and in other markets in which we operate can result in lower levels of economic activity, lower employment levels, less consumer disposable income, and lower consumer confidence. Similarly, reductions in the value of key assets held by consumers, such as their homes or stock market investments, can lower consumer confidence and consumer spending power. Any of these factors can reduce the amount which consumers spend on the purchase of our products and entertainment. This in turn can reduce our revenues and harm our financial performance and profitability.
Our quarterly and annual operating results may fluctuate due to seasonality in our business.
Sales of our music, video movies, video games and other entertainment products are seasonal, with an increase of retail sales occurring during the period from September through December for the holiday season. This seasonality for our consumer products business has increased over time, as retailers become more and more efficient in their control of inventory levels through quick response or just in time inventory management techniques, including the use of automated inventory replenishment programs. Further,
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ecommerce continues to grow significantly and accounts for a higher portion of the ultimate sales of our products to consumers. Ecommerce retailers tend to hold less inventory and take inventory closer to the time of sale to consumers than traditional retailers. As a result, customers are timing their orders so that they are being filled by suppliers, such as us, closer to the time of purchase by consumers. While these techniques reduce a retailer’s investment in inventory, they increase pressure on suppliers like us to fill orders promptly and thereby shift a significant portion of inventory risk and carrying costs to the supplier. This can also result in our losing significant revenues and earnings if our supply chain is unable to supply product to our customers when they want it.
The level of inventory carried by retailers may also reduce or delay retail sales resulting in lower revenues for us. If we or our customers determine that one of our products is more popular at retail than was originally anticipated, we may not have sufficient time to procure and ship enough additional products to fully meet consumer demand. Additionally, the logistics of supplying more product within shorter time periods increases the risk that we will fail to achieve tight and compressed shipping schedules, which also may reduce our sales and harm our financial performance. These risks have been exacerbated in 2021 and continuing into 2022 due to the global supply chain challenges we have faced due to logistics, including labor, trucking and container shortages, port congestion and other shipping disruptions.
Our entertainment business is also subject to seasonal variations based on the timing of music, television, film, gaming content releases. Release dates are determined by several factors, including the timing of holiday periods, geographical release dates and competition in the market, and more recently, the timing of release dates has been affected by the pandemic.
This seasonal pattern of our business requires significant use of working capital, mainly to purchase inventory during the months prior to the holiday season, and requires accurate forecasting of demand for products during the holiday season in order to avoid losing potential sales of popular products or producing excess inventory of products that are less popular with consumers. Our failure to accurately predict and respond to consumer demand, resulting in under producing popular items and/or overproducing less popular items, would reduce our total sales and harm our results of operations.
As a result of the seasonal nature of our business, we would be significantly and adversely affected, in a manner disproportionate to the impact on a company with sales spread more evenly throughout the year, by unforeseen events such as a natural disaster, a terrorist attack, economic shock or pandemic that harms the retail environment or consumer buying patterns during our key selling season, or by events such as strikes or port delays or other supply chain challenges that interfere with the shipment of goods, particularly from the Far East, during the critical months leading up to the holiday shopping season.
If we incurred any significant impairment charges, our net earnings would be reduced.
Declines in the profitability of acquired brands or our decision to reduce our focus or exit these brands may impact our ability to recover the carrying value of the related assets and could result in an impairment charge. Similarly, declines in our profitability may impact the fair value of our reporting units, which could result in a write-down of our goodwill and consequently harm our net earnings.
Changes in foreign currency exchange rates can significantly impact our reported financial performance.
Our small global operations mean we transact business in many different jurisdictions with many different currencies. As a result, if the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and a local currency for an international market in which we have significant sales or operations changes, our financial results as reported in U.S. dollars, may be meaningfully impacted even if our business in the local currency is not significantly affected. Similarly, our expenses can be significantly impacted, in U.S. dollar terms, by exchange rates, meaning the profitability of our business in U.S. dollar terms can be negatively impacted by exchange rate movements which we do not control. Depreciation in key currencies may have a significant negative impact on our revenues and earnings as they are reported in U.S. dollars.
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Our indebtedness may limit our availability of cash, cause us to divert cash to fund debt service payments or make it more difficult to take certain other actions.
We operate the business with an asset-based line of credit to fund working capital to support our Accounts Receivables and our Inventory purchases.
● | make it more difficult and/or costly for us to pay or refinance our debts as they become due, particularly during adverse economic and industry conditions, because a decrease in revenues or increase in costs could cause cash flow from operations to be insufficient to make scheduled debt service payments; |
● | require a substantial portion of our available cash to be used for debt service payments, thereby reducing the availability of our cash to fund working capital, capital expenditures, development projects, acquisitions or other strategic opportunities, dividend payments, share repurchases and other general corporate purposes; |
● | make it more difficult for us to raise capital to fund working capital, make capital expenditures, pay dividends, pursue strategic initiatives or for other purposes; |
● | result in higher interest expense, which could be further increased in case of current or future borrowings subject to variable rates of interest; |
● | require that materially adverse terms, conditions, or covenants be placed on us under our debt instruments, which could include, for example, limitations on additional borrowings or limitations on our ability to create liens, pay dividends, repurchase our common stock or make investments, any of which could hinder our access to capital markets or our flexibility in the conduct of our business and make us more vulnerable to economic downturns and adverse competitive industry conditions; and |
● | jeopardize our ability to pay our indebtedness if our business experienced a severe downturn. |
If we were unable to obtain or service our other external financings, or if the restrictions imposed by such financing were too burdensome, our business would be harmed.
Due to the seasonal nature of our business, in order to meet our working capital needs, particularly those in the second and third quarters, we rely on a revolving credit agreement which provides for a $225,000,000 committed revolving asset-based loan credit facility. The credit agreement contains certain restrictive covenants setting forth leverage and coverage requirements, and certain other limitations typical of an investment grade facility. These restrictive covenants may limit our future actions as well as our financial, operating, and strategic flexibility. Additionally, as disclosed in our consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ending June 30, 2022, the Company received a waiver from the lender for non-compliance with certain non-financial covenants as of June 30, 2022, July 31, 2022, and August 31, 2022. Non-compliance with our debt covenants in the future could result in us being unable to utilize borrowings under our revolving credit facility and other bank lines, a circumstance which potentially could occur when operating shortfalls would require supplementary borrowings to enable us to continue to fund our operations.
Not only may our individual financial performance impact our ability to access sources of external financing, but significant disruptions to credit markets in general may also harm our ability to obtain financing. In times of severe economic downturn and/or distress in the credit markets, it is possible that one or more sources of external financing may be unable or unwilling to provide funding to us. In such a situation, it may be that we would be unable to access funding under our existing credit facilities, and it might not be possible to find alternative sources of funding.
We also may choose to finance our capital needs, from time to time, through the issuance of debt securities. Our ability to issue such securities on satisfactory terms, if at all, will depend on the state of our business and financial condition, any ratings issued by major credit rating agencies, market interest rates, and the overall condition of the financial and credit markets at the time of the offering. The condition of the credit markets and prevailing interest rates have fluctuated significantly in the past and are likely to fluctuate in the future. Variations in these factors could make it difficult for us to sell debt securities or require us to offer higher interest rates in order to sell new debt securities. The failure to receive financing on desirable terms, or at all, could damage our ability to support our future operations or capital needs or engage in other business activities.
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If we are unable to generate sufficient available cash flow to service our outstanding debt, we would need to refinance our outstanding debt or face default. We cannot guarantee that we would be able to refinance debt on favorable terms, or at all.
We face additional tax liabilities and collection obligations. Changes in, or differing interpretations of, income tax laws and rules, and changes in our geographic operating results, may impact our effective tax rate.
We are subject to a variety of taxes and tax collection obligations in the U.S. (federal and state) and numerous foreign jurisdictions. We may recognize additional tax expense and be subject to additional tax liabilities, including other liabilities for tax collection obligations due to changes in laws, regulations, administrative practices, principles, and interpretations related to tax, including changes to the global tax framework, competition, and other laws and accounting rules in various jurisdictions. Such changes could come about as a result of economic, political, and other conditions. An increasing number of jurisdictions are considering or have adopted laws or administrative practices that impose new tax measures, including revenue-based taxes, targeting online commerce and the remote selling of goods and services. These include new obligations to collect sales, consumption, value added, or other taxes on online marketplaces and remote sellers, or other requirements that may result in liability for third party obligations. For example, non-U.S. jurisdictions have proposed or enacted taxes on online marketplace service revenues. Proliferation of these or similar unilateral tax measures may continue unless broader international tax reform is implemented. Our results of operations and cash flows could be adversely affected by additional taxes imposed on us prospectively or retroactively or additional taxes or penalties resulting from the failure to comply with any collection obligations or failure to provide information about our customers, suppliers, and other third parties for tax reporting purposes to various government agencies. In some cases, we also may not have sufficient notice to enable us to build systems and adopt processes to properly comply with new reporting or collection obligations by the effective date.
We are subject to income taxes in the United States and in United Kingdom tax jurisdictions. We also conduct business activities between our operating units, [and we are subject to transfer pricing rules in the United Kingdom in which we operate]. There is some degree of uncertainty and subjectivity in complying with transfer pricing rules. Our effective tax rate could be impacted by changes in, or the interpretation of, tax laws, such as those being considered by the current United States administration and other jurisdictions in which we do business, or by changes in the amount of revenue and earnings we derive, or are determined to derive by tax authorities, from jurisdictions with differing tax rates.
In addition, we have been and may be subject to tax examinations by federal, state, and international jurisdictions, and these examinations can result in significant tax findings if the tax authorities interpret the application of laws and rules differently than we do or disagree with the intercompany rates we are applying. We assess the likelihood of outcomes resulting from tax uncertainties. While we believe our estimates are reasonable, the ultimate outcome of these uncertain tax benefits, or results of possible current or future tax examinations, may differ from our estimates and may have a significant adverse impact on our business and operating results.
We are subject to various government regulations, violation of which could subject us to sanctions or otherwise harm our business. In addition, we could be the subject of future product liability suits or merchandise recalls, which could harm our business.
We are subject to significant government regulations, including, in the U.S., under The Consumer Products Safety Act, The Federal Hazardous Substances Act, and The Flammable Fabrics Act, as well as under product safety and consumer protection statutes in our international markets. In addition, certain of our products are subject to regulation by the Food and Drug Administration or similar international authorities. Advertising to children is subject to regulation by the Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Communications Commission, and a host of other agencies globally, and the collection of information from children under the age of 13 is subject to the provisions of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act and other privacy laws around the world. The collection of personally identifiable information from anyone, including adults, is under increasing regulation in many markets, such as the General Data Protection Regulation adopted by the European Union, and data protection laws in the United States and in a number of other counties. While we take all the steps, we believe are necessary to comply with these acts and regulations, we cannot assure you that we will be in compliance and, if we fail to comply with these requirements or other regulations enacted in the future, we could be subject to fines, liabilities or sanctions which could have a significant negative impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We may also be subject to involuntary product recalls or may voluntarily conduct a product recall. While costs associated with product recalls have generally not been material to our business, the costs associated with future product recalls individually or in the aggregate in any given fiscal year could be significant. In addition, any product recall, regardless of direct costs of the recall, may harm the reputation of our products and have a negative impact on our future revenues and results of operations.
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As a multinational corporation, we are subject to a host of governmental regulations throughout the world, including antitrust, employment, customs and tax requirements, anti-boycott regulations, environmental regulations, and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Complying with these regulations imposes costs on us which can reduce our profitability and our failure to successfully comply with any such legal requirements could subject us to monetary liabilities and other sanctions that could further harm our business and financial condition.
We may face increased costs in achieving our sustainability goals, and, any failure to achieve our goals could result in reputational damage.
We view sustainability challenges as opportunities to innovate and continuously improve our product design and operational efficiencies. We also believe the long-term viability and health of our own operations and our supply chain, and the significant potential for environmental improvements, are critical to our business success. We have set key goals and objectives in this area as described in our business section of this prospectus.
We devote significant resources and expenditures to help achieve these goals. It is possible that we will incur significant expense in trying to achieve these goals with no assurance that we will be successful. Additionally, our reputation could be damaged if we fail to achieve our sustainability goals, or if we or others in our industry do not act, or are perceived not to act, responsibly with respect to the production and packaging of our products.
Our entertainment business involves risks of liability claims for media content, which could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
As a distributor of media content, we may face potential liability for defamation, invasion of privacy, negligence, copyright or trademark infringement, and other claims based on the nature and content of the materials distributed. These types of claims have been brought, sometimes successfully, against producers and distributors of media content. Any imposition of liability that is not covered by insurance or is in excess of insurance coverage could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operation and financial condition.
We are involved in litigation, arbitration or regulatory matters where the outcome is uncertain and which could entail significant expense.
As a larger multinational corporation, we are subject to regulatory investigations, risks related to internal controls, litigation and arbitration disputes, including potential liability from personal injury or property damage claims by the users of products that have been or may be developed by us, claims by third parties that our products infringe upon or misuse such third parties’ property or rights, or claims by former employees for employment related matters. Because the outcome of litigation, arbitration and regulatory investigations is inherently difficult to predict, it is possible that the outcome of any of these matters could entail significant cost for us and harm our business. The fact that we operate in a significant number of international markets also increases the risk that we may face legal and regulatory exposures as we attempt to comply with a large number of varying legal and regulatory requirements. Any successful claim against us could significantly harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Alliance has identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting and may identify additional material weaknesses in the future. If we fail to remediate the material weakness or if we otherwise fail to establish and maintain effective control over financial reporting, it may adversely affect our ability to accurately and timely report our financial results, and may adversely affect investor confidence and business operations.
A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
We identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting related to accounting for the classification of the outstanding balance of the Revolving Credit Facility, Net and a related audit adjustment to properly reflect the outstanding balance as a current liability as of June 30, 2022 in the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this registration statement. As further described in Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company was not in compliance with one non-financial covenant related to its delivery of the monthly unaudited financial statements and compliance certificates for the periods pertaining to June 30, 2022, July 31, 2022 and August 31, 2022. This non-compliance resulted in events of default under the Revolving Credit Facility and in current classification of the debt in accordance with the applicable accounting literature.
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Our management has concluded that this material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting is due to the fact that Alliance is a private company with limited resources and did not have the necessary business processes and related internal controls formally designed and implemented to address the accounting and financial reporting requirements related to certain non-routine transactions, such as the accounting implications resulting from covenant violations.
Our management is in the process of developing a remediation plan and is taking steps to remediate the material weakness. The material weakness will be considered remediated when our management designs and implements effective controls that operate for a sufficient period of time and our management has concluded, through testing, that these controls are effective. Our management will continue to monitor the effectiveness of our remediation plan and will make the changes it determines to be appropriate. Although we intend to complete this remediation process as quickly as practicable, we cannot at this time estimate how long it will take, and our initiatives may not prove to be successful in remediating the material weakness.
Furthermore, we cannot assure that the measures we have taken to date, and actions we may take in the future, will be sufficient to remediate the control deficiencies that led to our material weakness in our internal controls over financial reporting or that they will prevent or avoid potential future material weaknesses. Further, additional weaknesses in our disclosure controls and internal controls over financial reporting may be discovered in the future. Any failure to develop or maintain effective controls or any difficulties encountered in their implementation or improvement could limit our ability to prevent or detect a misstatement of our accounts or disclosures that could result in a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements. In such case, we may be unable to maintain compliance with securities law requirements regarding timely filing of periodic reports in addition to the listing requirements of the New York Stock Exchange, investors may lose confidence in our financial reporting and our stock price may decline as a result.
Risks Related to the Combined Company
Unless the context otherwise requires, all references to “we,” “us,” or “our” in this subsection titled “Risks Related to the Combined Company” refer to the Combined Company.
Concentration of ownership among the Combined Company’s executive officers, directors and their affiliates may prevent new investors from influencing significant corporate decisions.
Upon completion of the Business Combination:
● | the initial stockholders of Alliance will beneficially own, directly, or indirectly, excluding the Contingent Consideration Shares, approximately 77.9% of the Combined Company’s outstanding common stock and the executive officers, directors of Alliance and their affiliates as a group will beneficially own approximately 77.9% of the Combined Company’s outstanding common stock, assuming no redemption of the Public Shares; or |
● | the initial stockholders of Alliance will beneficially own, directly, or indirectly, excluding the Contingent Consideration Shares, approximately 93.2% of the Combined Company’s outstanding common stock and the executive officers, directors of Alliance and their affiliates as a group will beneficially own approximately 93.2% of the Combined Company’s outstanding common stock, assuming that 10,014,851 Public Shares (which represents the maximum number of shares which may be redeemed) are redeemed. |
As a result, these stockholders will be able to exercise a significant level of control over all matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors, appointment and removal of officers, any amendment of the Proposed Certificate of Incorporation and approval of mergers and other business combination transactions requiring stockholder approval, including proposed transactions that would result in the Combined Company Stockholders receiving a premium price for their shares and other significant corporate transactions. This control could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control or changes in management and will make the approval of certain transactions difficult or impossible without the support of these stockholders.
There can be no assurance that the Combined Company’s common stock or warrants will be approved for listing on the NYSE American or that the Combined Company will be able to comply with the continued listing standards of the NYSE American.
Adara’s securities are currently listed on NYSE American and it is anticipated that, following the Business Combination, the Combined Company’s securities will continue to be listed on the NYSE American. In connection with the closing of the Business Combination, we intend to list the Combined Company’s additional common stock and warrants on the NYSE American and change
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the Combined Company’s trading symbols to “AENT” and “AENT.WS,” respectively. However, there can be no assurance that the Combined Company’s securities will continue to be listed on the NYSE American in the future. The Combined Company’s continued eligibility for listing may depend on the number of the Public Shares that are redeemed. In order to continue to maintain the listing of the Combined Company’s securities on the NYSE American, the Combined Company must maintain certain financial, distribution, liquidity and stock price levels. If, after the Business Combination, NYSE American delists the Combined Company’s shares from trading on its exchange for failure to meet the listing standards, the Combined Company and its stockholders could face significant negative consequences including:
● | limited availability of market quotations for the Combined Company’s securities; |
● | a determination that the Combined Company’s common stock is a “penny stock” which will require brokers trading in the Combined Company’s common stock to adhere to more stringent rules, possibly resulting in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for shares of the Combined Company’s common stock; |
● | a limited amount of analyst coverage; and |
● | a decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future. |
If the Business Combination’s benefits do not meet the expectations of investors or securities analysts, the market price of Adara’s securities or, following the Closing, the Combined Company’s securities, may decline.
If the perceived benefits of the Business Combination do not meet the expectations of investors or securities analysts, the market price of Adara’s securities prior to the Closing may decline. The market values of the Combined Company’s securities at the time of the Business Combination may vary significantly from their prices on the date the Business Combination Agreement was executed, the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, or the date on which Adara’s stockholders vote on the Business Combination.
In addition, following the Business Combination, fluctuations in the price of the Combined Company’s securities could contribute to the loss of all or part of your investment. Prior to the Business Combination, there has not been a public market for Alliance’s securities. Accordingly, the valuation ascribed to Alliance may not be indicative of the price that will prevail in the trading market following the Business Combination. If an active market for the Combined Company’s securities develops and continues, the trading price of the Combined Company’s securities following the Business Combination could be volatile and subject to wide fluctuations in response to various factors, some of which are beyond the Combined Company’s control. Any of the factors listed below could have a negative impact on your investment in the Combined Company’s securities and the Combined Company’s securities may trade at prices significantly below the price you paid for them. In such circumstances, the trading price of the Combined Company’s securities may not recover and may experience a further decline.
Factors affecting the trading price of the Combined Company’s securities may include:
● | actual or anticipated fluctuations in the Combined Company’s quarterly financial results or the quarterly financial results of companies perceived to be similar to it; |
● | changes in the market’s expectations about the Combined Company’s operating results; |
● | success of competitors; |
● | failure to attract analyst coverage for the Combined Company’s stock or one or more analysts ceases coverage of the Combined Company or fails to publish reports on the Combined Company regularly; |
● | the Combined Company’s operating results failing to meet the expectation of securities analysts or investors in a particular period; |
● | changes in financial estimates and recommendations by securities analysts concerning the Combined Company or the transportation industry in general; |
● | operating and share price performance of other companies that investors deem comparable to the Combined Company; |
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● | the Combined Company’s ability to market new and enhanced products and technologies on a timely basis; |
● | changes in laws and regulations affecting the Combined Company’s business; |
● | the Combined Company’s ability to meet compliance requirements; |
● | commencement of, or involvement in, litigation involving the Combined Company; |
● | changes in the Combined Company’s capital structure, such as future issuances of securities or the incurrence of additional debt; |
● | the volume of the Combined Company’s shares of common stock available for public sale; |
● | any major change in the Combined Company’s board of directors or management; |
● | sales of substantial amounts of the Combined Company’s shares of common stock by the Combined Company’s directors, executive officers or significant stockholders or the perception that such sales could occur; and |
● | general economic and political conditions such as recessions, interest rates, fuel prices, international currency fluctuations and acts of war or terrorism. |
Broad market and industry factors may materially harm the market price of the Combined Company’s securities irrespective of the Combined Company’s operating performance. The stock market in general, and NYSE American in particular, have experienced price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of the particular companies affected. The trading prices and valuations of these stocks, and of the Combined Company’s securities, may not be predictable. A loss of investor confidence in the market for retail stocks or the stocks of other companies which investors perceive to be similar to the Combined Company could depress the Combined Company’s share price regardless of the Combined Company’s business, prospects, financial conditions or results of operations. A decline in the market price of the Combined Company’s securities also could adversely affect the Combined Company’s ability to issue additional securities and the Combined Company’s ability to obtain additional financing in the future.
Adara has accounted for its outstanding warrants as a warrant liability and will be required to determine the value warrant liability quarterly, which could have a material impact on Adara’s financial position and operating results.
On April 12, 2021, the Acting Director of the Division of Corporation Finance and Acting Chief Accountant of the SEC together issued a statement regarding the accounting and reporting considerations for warrants issued by special purpose acquisition companies entitled “Staff Statement on Accounting and Reporting Considerations for Warrants Issued by Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (the “SEC Statement”). Specifically, the SEC Statement focused on certain settlement terms and provisions related to certain tender offers following a business combination, which terms are similar to those contained in the warrant agreement governing our warrants.
As a result, included on our balance sheet as of December 31, 2021, contained elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus are derivative liabilities related to embedded features contained within our warrants. Accounting Standards Codification 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”) provides for the remeasurement of the fair value of such derivatives at each balance sheet date, with a resulting non-cash gain or loss related to the change in the fair value being recognized in earnings in the statements of operations. As a result of the recurring fair value measurement, our financial statements and results of operations may fluctuate quarterly based on factors which are outside of our control. Due to the recurring fair value measurement, we expect that we will recognize non-cash gains or losses on our warrants each reporting period and that the amount of such gains or losses could be material.
Following completion of the business combination, the Combined Company will be required to recognize the changes in the fair value of the Warrants from the prior period, if any, in its operating results for the current period, which could have a material impact on the Combined Company’s financial position and operating results.
We may face litigation and other risks as a result of the material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting and may report additional material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting in the future.
We have previously recorded a portion of our Class A common stock subject to possible redemption in permanent equity. Notwithstanding the presence of maximum redemption thresholds or charter provisions common in SPACs that provide a limitation
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on redemptions that would cause a SPAC’s net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001, in accordance with SEC Staff guidance on redeemable equity instruments, ASC 480-10-S99, “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity”, and EITF Topic D-98, “Classification and Measurement of Redeemable Securities”, redemption provisions not solely within the control of the issuing company requires common stock subject to redemption to be classified outside of permanent equity. Although we did not specify a maximum redemption threshold in our Current Articles, our Current Articles provide that we will not redeem our Public Shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001. Management re-evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2021. Based upon that evaluation, we concluded that the misclassification of the Class A common stock was quantitatively material to individual line items within the balance sheet. This resulted in a restatement of the initial carrying value of the Class A common stock subject to possible redemption, with the offset recorded to additional paid-in capital (to the extent available), accumulated deficit and common stock.
The foregoing represents a material weakness in our internal controls over financial reporting. A “material weakness” is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected and corrected on a timely basis. In light of the material weakness identified and the resulting restatement, although we have processes to identify and appropriately apply applicable accounting requirements, we plan to enhance our processes to identify and appropriately apply applicable accounting requirements to better evaluate and understand the nuances of the complex accounting standards that apply to our financial statements. Our plans at this time include providing enhanced access to accounting literature, research materials and documents and increased communication among our personnel and third-party professionals with whom we consult regarding complex accounting applications. The elements of our remediation plan can only be accomplished over time, and we can offer no assurance that these initiatives will ultimately have the intended effects or that other material weaknesses and control deficiencies will not be discovered in the future.
We cannot assure you that there will not be additional material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting now or in the future. Any failure to maintain internal control over financial reporting could severely inhibit our ability to accurately report our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. If we are unable to conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, or if our independent registered public accounting firm determines that we have a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting, investors may lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, the market price of Combined Company Common Stock could decline, and it could be subject to sanctions or investigations by NYSE American, the SEC or other regulatory authorities. Failure to remedy any material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting, or to implement or maintain other effective control systems required of public companies, could also restrict our future access to the capital markets.
Following the consummation of the Business Combination, the Combined Company will incur significant increased expenses and administrative burdens as a public company, which could negatively impact its business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Following the consummation of the Business Combination, the Combined Company will face increased legal, accounting, administrative and other costs, and expenses as a public company that Alliance does not incur as a private company. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act, including the requirements of Section 404, as well as rules and regulations subsequently implemented by the SEC, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 and the rules and regulations promulgated and to be promulgated thereunder, the PCAOB and the securities exchanges, impose additional reporting and other obligations on public companies. Compliance with public company requirements will increase costs and make certain activities more time-consuming. A number of those requirements will require the Combined Company to carry out activities Alliance has not done previously. For example, the Combined Company will create new board committees and adopt new internal controls and disclosure controls and procedures. In addition, expenses associated with SEC reporting requirements will be incurred. Furthermore, if any issues in complying with those requirements are identified (for example, if the auditors identify a material weakness or significant deficiency in the internal control over financial reporting), the Combined Company could incur additional costs rectifying those issues, and the existence of those issues could adversely affect the Combined Company’s reputation or investor perceptions of it. It may also be more expensive to obtain director and officer liability insurance. Risks associated with the Combined Company’s status as a public company may make it more difficult to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on the Combined Company’s board of directors or as executive officers. The additional reporting and other obligations imposed by these rules and regulations will increase legal and financial compliance costs and the costs of related legal, accounting, and administrative activities. These increased costs will require the Combined Company to divert a significant amount of money that could otherwise be used to expand the business and achieve strategic objectives. Advocacy efforts by stockholders and third parties may also prompt additional changes in governance and reporting requirements, which could further increase costs.
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The Combined Company’s failure to timely and effectively implement controls and procedures required by Section 404(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act that will be applicable to it after the Business Combination is consummated could negatively impact its business.
Alliance is currently not subject to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. However, following the consummation of the Business Combination, the Combined Company will be required to provide management’s attestation on internal controls. The standards required for a public company under Section 404(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act are significantly more stringent than those required of Alliance as a privately held company. Management may not be able to effectively and timely implement controls and procedures that adequately respond to the increased regulatory compliance and reporting requirements that will be applicable after the Business Combination. If the Combined Company is not able to implement the additional requirements of Section 404(a) in a timely manner or with adequate compliance, it may not be able to assess whether its internal controls over financial reporting are effective, which may subject it to adverse regulatory consequences and could harm investor confidence and the market price of its securities.
The Combined Company will continue to qualify as an “emerging growth company” and “smaller reporting company” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and if it takes advantage of certain exemptions from disclosure requirements available to emerging growth companies, it could make the Combined Company’s securities less attractive to investors and may make it more difficult to compare the Combined Company’s performance to the performance of other public companies.
The Combined Company will continue to qualify as an “emerging growth company” as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Securities Act, as modified by the JOBS Act immediately following the Closing. As such, the Combined Company will be eligible for and intends to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies for as long as it continues to be an emerging growth company, including (a) the exemption from the auditor attestation requirements with respect to internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, (b) the exemptions from say-on-pay, say-on-frequency and say-on- golden parachute voting requirements and (c) reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements. The Combined Company will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest of (i) the last day of the fiscal year in which the market value of Combined Company Common Stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of June 30 of that fiscal year, (ii) the last day of the fiscal year in which it has total annual gross revenue of $1.235 billion or more during such fiscal year (as indexed for inflation), (iii) the date on which it has issued more than $1 billion in non- convertible debt in the prior three-year period or (iv) December 31, 2026. In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of the exemption from complying with new or revised accounting standards provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act as long as the Combined Company is an emerging growth company. An emerging growth company can therefore delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies.
Even after the Combined Company no longer qualifies as an emerging growth company, it may still qualify as a “smaller reporting company,” which would allow it to continue to take advantage of many of the same exemptions from disclosure requirements, including not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements, Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements. Moreover, smaller reporting companies may choose to present only the two most recent fiscal years of audited financial statements in their Annual Reports on Form 10-K. The Combined Company does not expect to continue to qualify as an emerging growth company or smaller reporting company following its December 31, 2022 fiscal year end.
Investors may find Combined Company Common Stock less attractive because the Combined Company will rely on these exemptions, which may result in a less active trading market for the Combined Company Common Stock and its price may be more volatile.
Alliance’s management has limited experience in operating a public company.
Alliance’s executive officers have limited experience in the management of a publicly traded company. Alliance’s management team may not successfully or effectively manage its transition to a public company that will be subject to significant regulatory oversight and reporting obligations under federal securities laws. Their limited experience in dealing with the increasingly complex laws pertaining to public companies could be a significant disadvantage in that it is likely that an increasing amount of their time may be devoted to these activities which will result in less time being devoted to the management and growth of the Combined Company. Alliance may not have adequate personnel with the appropriate level of knowledge, experience, and training in the accounting policies, practices or internal controls over financial reporting required of public companies in the United States. The development and implementation of the standards and controls necessary for the Combined Company to achieve the level of accounting standards required of a public company in the United States may require costs greater than expected. It is possible that the Combined Company
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will be required to expand its employee base and hire additional employees to support its operations as a public company which will increase its operating costs in future periods.
If, following the Business Combination, securities or industry analysts do not publish or cease publishing research or reports about the Combined Company, its business, or its market, or if they change their recommendations regarding the Combined Company’s securities adversely, the price and trading volume of the Combined Company’s securities could decline.
The trading market for the Combined Company’s securities will be influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts may publish about the Combined Company, its business, market or competitors. Securities and industry analysts do not currently, and may never, publish research on the Combined Company. If no securities or industry analysts commence coverage of the Combined Company, the Combined Company’s share price and trading volume would likely be negatively impacted. If any of the analysts who may cover the Combined Company change their recommendation regarding the Combined Company’s shares of common stock adversely, or provide more favorable relative recommendations about its competitors, the price of the Combined Company’s shares of common stock would likely decline. If any analyst who may cover the Combined Company were to cease coverage of the Combined Company or fail to regularly publish reports on it, the Combined Company could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause its share price or trading volume to decline.
If the Combined Company’s security holders use their registration rights to sell under the Combined Company’s resale registration statement, it may negatively impact the market price of the Combined Company’s shares of common stock.
In connection with the Closing, Adara’ existing registration rights agreement will be amended and restated to: (i) provide that Adara will file a registration statement within 30 calendar days following the Closing to register for resale (A) the Initial Stockholder Shares, Private Warrants, Underwriter Shares and shares of Combined Company Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Private and Underwriter Warrants (B) the shares of the Combined Company Common Stock to be issued to Alliance’s stockholders in the Business Combination; (ii) provide the Adara Initial Stockholders and Alliance’s stockholders with demand registration rights; (iii) provide Alliance’s stockholders and the Adara Initial Stockholders customary underwritten takedown rights (subject to customary priorities, minimums, frequency, and quantity limits, cutbacks, deferrals and other terms); and (iv) afford each of Alliance’s stockholders and the Adara Initial Stockholders, on a pari passu basis, “piggy back” registration rights with respect to any underwritten offerings by the other stockholders and by the Combined Company.
The sale or possibility of sale of these additional securities trading in the public market may negatively impact the market price of the Combined Company’s securities.
Because we have no current plans to pay cash dividends on the Combined Company’s common stock for the foreseeable future, you may not receive any return on investment unless you sell the Combined Company’s common stock for a price greater than that which you paid for it.
The Combined Company may retain future earnings, if any, for future operations, expansion and debt repayment and has no current plans to pay any cash dividends for the foreseeable future. Any decision to declare and pay dividends as a public company in the future will be made at the discretion of the Combined Company’s board of directors and will depend on, among other things, the Combined Company’s results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors that the Combined Company’s board of directors may deem relevant. In addition, the Combined Company’s ability to pay dividends may be limited by covenants of any existing and future outstanding indebtedness it or its subsidiaries incur. As a result, you may not receive any return on an investment in the Combined Company’s common stock unless you sell your shares of common stock for a price greater than that which you paid for it.
The Combined Company may issue additional shares of common stock or other equity securities without your approval, which would dilute your ownership interests and may depress the market price of the Combined Company’s common stock.
Upon consummation of the Business Combination, the Combined Company will have warrants outstanding to purchase an aggregate of 9,920,000 shares of common stock. Pursuant to the 2022 Plan, following the consummation of the Proposed Transactions, the Combined Company may issue an aggregate of up to 15,516,760 shares of common stock, which amount may be subject to increase from time to time. For additional information about this plan, please read the discussion under the headings “Proposal No. 3 — The Equity Incentive Plan Proposal,” and “Alliance’s Executive Compensation — Employee Benefit Plans.” The Combined Company may also issue additional shares of common stock or other equity securities of equal or senior rank in the future in connection with, among other things, future acquisitions or repayment of outstanding indebtedness, without stockholder approval, in a number of circumstances.
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The issuance of additional shares or other equity securities of equal or senior rank would have the following effects:
● | existing stockholders’ proportionate ownership interest in the Combined Company will decrease; |
● | the amount of cash available per share, including for payment of dividends in the future, may decrease; |
● | the relative voting strength of each previously outstanding common stock may be diminished; and |
● | the market price of the Combined Company’s common stock may decline. |
Anti-takeover provisions in the Proposed Certificate of Incorporation and under Delaware law could make an acquisition of the Combined Company, which may be beneficial to its stockholders, more difficult and may prevent attempts by its stockholders to replace or remove the Combined Company’s then current management.
The Proposed Certificate of Incorporation contains provisions that may delay or prevent an acquisition of the Combined Company or a change in its management. These provisions may make it more difficult for stockholders to replace or remove members of its board of directors. Because the board of directors is responsible for appointing the members of the management team, these provisions could in turn frustrate or prevent any attempt by its stockholders to replace or remove its current management. In addition, these provisions could limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of Combined Company Common Stock. Among other things, these provisions include:
● | the limitation of the liability of, and the indemnification of, its directors and officers; |
● | a prohibition on actions by its stockholders except at an annual or special meeting of stockholders; |
● | a prohibition on actions by its stockholders by written consent; and |
● | the ability of the board of directors to issue preferred stock without stockholder approval, which could be used to institute a “poison pill” that would work to dilute the stock ownership of a potential hostile acquirer, effectively preventing acquisitions that have not been approved by the board of directors. |
Moreover, because the Combined Company is incorporated in Delaware, it is governed by the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL, which prohibits a person who owns 15% or more of its outstanding voting stock from merging or combining with the Combined Company for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person acquired 15% or more of the Combined Company’s outstanding voting stock, unless the merger or combination is approved in a prescribed manner. This could discourage, delay or prevent a third party from acquiring or merging with the Combined Company, whether or not it is desired by, or beneficial to, its stockholders. This could also have the effect of discouraging others from making tender offers for the Combined Company’s common stock, including transactions that may be in its stockholders’ best interests. Finally, these provisions establish advance notice requirements for nominations for election to the board of directors or for proposing matters that can be acted upon at stockholder meetings. These provisions would apply even if the offer may be considered beneficial by some stockholders. For more information, see the section titled “Description of Securities — Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions of Delaware Law and the Existing Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws.”
The Proposed Certificate of Incorporation requires, to the fullest extent permitted by law, that derivative actions brought in our name, actions against our directors, officers, other employees or stockholders for breach of fiduciary duty and certain other actions may be brought only in the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware and, if brought outside of Delaware, the stockholder bringing the suit will, subject to certain exceptions, be deemed to have consented to service of process on such stockholder’s counsel, which may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against our directors, officers, other employees or stockholders.
The Proposed Certificate of Incorporation requires, to the fullest extent permitted by law, that derivative actions brought in the name of the Combined Company, actions against our directors, officers, other employees or stockholders for breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any officer, director or other employee of the Combined Company or the Combined Company’s shareholders, any action asserting a claim against the Combined Company, its directors, officers or other employees arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or the Proposed Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws and certain other actions may be brought only in the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware and, if brought outside of Delaware, the stockholder bringing the suit will be deemed to have
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consented to service of process on such stockholder’s counsel except any action (A) as to which the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware determines that there is an indispensable party not subject to the jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery (and the indispensable party does not consent to the personal jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery within ten days following such determination), (B) which is vested in the exclusive jurisdiction of a court or forum other than the Court of Chancery or (C) for which the Court of Chancery does not have subject matter jurisdiction. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of our capital stock shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the forum provisions in the Proposed Certificate of Incorporation. This choice of forum provision may limit or make more costly a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or any of our directors, officers, other employees or stockholders, which may discourage lawsuits with respect to such claims. Alternatively, if a court were to find the choice of forum provision contained in the Proposed Certificate of incorporation to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, which could harm Adara’s or the Combined Company’s business, operating results and financial condition.
The Proposed Certificate of Incorporation provides that the exclusive forum provision will be applicable to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, subject to certain exceptions. Section 27 of the Exchange Act creates exclusive federal jurisdiction over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. As a result, the exclusive forum provision will not apply to suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. In addition, The Proposed Certificate of Incorporation provides that, unless the Combined Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act, or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Adara notes, however, that there is uncertainty as to whether a court would enforce this provision and that investors cannot waive compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. Section 22 of the Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for state and federal courts over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder.
Risks Related to Adara
Unless the context otherwise requires, all references to “we,” “us,” or “our” in this subsection titled “Risks Related to Adara” refer to Adara.
Adara’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, contains an explanatory paragraph that expresses substantial doubt about Adara’s ability to continue as a “going concern.” As of June 30, 2022, Adara had $9,607 in cash and working capital of $130,440. The date for mandatory liquidation and subsequent dissolution of Adara raises substantial doubt about Adara’s ability to continue as a going concern. Further, Adara has incurred and expects to continue to incur significant costs in pursuit of its finance and acquisition plans. It cannot be assured that Adara’s plans to raise capital or to consummate an initial business combination will be successful. The condensed consolidated financial statements contained in Adara’s Annual Report on Form 10-K do not include any adjustments that might result from Adara’s inability to continue as a going concern.
Adara’s executive officers, directors, other Adara Initial Stockholders have agreed to vote in favor of the Business Combination, regardless of how the Public Stockholders vote.
Unlike many other blank check companies in which the executive officers, directors and other initial stockholders agree to vote their founder shares in accordance with the majority of the votes cast by the Public Stockholders in connection with an initial business combination, Adara’s executive officers, directors, the Sponsor and the other Adara Initial Stockholders have agreed (and their permitted transferees will agree), pursuant to the terms of a letter agreement entered into with Adara, to vote any shares of Adara Common Stock and Adara Class B Common Stock held by them in favor of the Business Combination. Adara’s executive officers, directors, the Sponsor and other Adara Initial Stockholders (and their permitted transferees) own at least approximately 20% of the issued and outstanding shares of Adara Common Stock as of the Record Date. Accordingly, it is more likely that the necessary stockholder approval will be received than would be the case if such persons agreed to vote their Initial Stockholder Shares in accordance with the majority of the votes cast by the Public Stockholders.
The exercise of Adara’s directors’ and officers’ discretion in agreeing to changes or waivers in the terms of the Business Combination may result in a conflict of interest when determining whether such changes to the terms of the Business Combination or waivers of conditions are appropriate and in Adara’s stockholders’ best interest.
In the period leading up to the closing of the Business Combination, events may occur that, pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, would require Adara to agree to amend the Business Combination Agreement, to consent to certain actions taken by
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Alliance or to waive rights that Adara is entitled to under the Business Combination Agreement. Such events could arise because of changes in the course of Alliance’s business, a request by Alliance to undertake actions that would otherwise be prohibited by the terms of the Business Combination Agreement or the occurrence of other events that would have a material adverse effect on Alliance’s business and would entitle Adara to terminate the Business Combination Agreement. In any of such circumstances, it would be at Adara’s discretion, acting through its board of directors, to grant its consent or waive those rights. The existence of the financial and personal interests of the directors described in the preceding risk factors may result in a conflict of interest on the part of one or more of the directors between what he or they may believe is best for Adara and what he or they may believe is best for himself or themselves in determining whether or not to take the requested action. As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, Adara does not believe there will be any material changes or waivers that Adara’s directors and officers would be likely to make after the mailing of this proxy statement/prospectus. Adara will circulate a new or amended proxy statement/prospectus if changes to the terms of the Business Combination that would have a material impact on its stockholders are required prior to the vote on the Business Combination Proposal.
Adara may not be able to complete its initial business combination within the prescribed time frame, in which case it would cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up and we would redeem the Public Shares and liquidate, in which case the Public Stockholders may only receive $10.10 per share, or less than such amount in certain circumstances, and the Adara Warrants will expire worthless.
The Existing Certificate of Incorporation provides that we must complete our initial business combination by February 11, 2023. We may not be able to find a suitable target business and complete our initial business combination within such time period. If we have not completed our initial business combination within such time period, we will: (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the Public Shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish Public Stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining stockholders and our board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) above to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. In such case, the Public Stockholders may only receive $10.10 per share, and the Adara Warrants will expire worthless. In certain circumstances, the Public Stockholders may receive less than $10.10 per share on the redemption of their shares. See “Risk Factors — If third parties bring claims against Adara, the proceeds held in the Trust Account could be reduced and the per-share redemption amount received by Public Stockholders may be less than $10.10 per share.” and other risk factors below.
For illustrative purposes, based on funds in the Trust Account of approximately $[·] million on the Record Date, the estimated per share redemption price would have been approximately $10.10.
The Sponsor, Adara’s directors, officers, and their affiliates may elect to purchase shares or warrants from Public Stockholders, which may influence a vote on a proposed initial business combination and reduce the public “float” of our Class A common stock.
At any time prior to the special meeting of stockholders, during which they are not aware of material non-public information about Adara, the Sponsor, Adara’s directors, officers or their affiliates may Purchase Shares or Public Warrants or a combination thereof in privately negotiated transactions or in the open market either prior to or following the completion of our initial business combination, although they are under no obligation to do so. However, they have no current commitments, plans or intentions to engage in such transactions and have not formulated any terms or conditions for any such transactions. None of the funds in the Trust Account will be used to purchase shares or Public Warrants in such transactions.
Such a purchase may include a contractual acknowledgement that such stockholder, although still the record holder of shares is no longer the beneficial owner thereof and therefore agrees not to exercise its redemption rights. In the event that the Sponsor, Adara’s directors, officers or their affiliates purchase shares in privately negotiated transactions from Public Stockholders who have already elected to exercise their redemption rights, such selling stockholders would be required to revoke their prior elections to redeem their shares. The purpose of such purchases could be to vote such shares in favor of the Business Combination and thereby increase the likelihood of obtaining stockholder approval of the Business Combination, or to satisfy a closing condition in the Business Combination Agreement that requires Adara to have a minimum net worth or certain amount of certain cash at the Closing, where it appears that such requirement would otherwise not be met. The purpose of any such purchases of Public Warrants could be to reduce
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the number of Public Warrants outstanding. Any such purchases of our securities may result in the completion of the Business Combination that may not otherwise have been possible. Any such purchases will be reported pursuant to Section 13 and Section 16 of the Exchange Act to the extent such purchasers are subject to such reporting requirements.
In addition, if such purchases are made, the public “float” of the Common Stock or Public Warrants and the number of beneficial holders of our securities may be reduced, possibly making it difficult to obtain or maintain the quotation, listing or trading of our securities on a national securities exchange.
Adara’s ability to successfully effect the Business Combination and the Combined Company’s ability to successfully operate the business thereafter will be largely dependent upon the efforts of certain key personnel of Alliance. The loss of such key personnel could negatively impact the operations and financial results of the combined business.
Adara’s ability to successfully effect the Business Combination and the Combined Company’s ability to successfully operate the business following the Closing is dependent upon the efforts of certain key personnel of Alliance. Although we expect key personnel to remain with the Combined Company following the Business Combination, there can be no assurance that they will do so. It is possible that Alliance will lose some key personnel, the loss of which could negatively impact the operations of the Combined Company. Furthermore, following the Closing, most of the key personnel of Alliance are unfamiliar with the requirements of operating a company regulated by the SEC, which could cause the Combined Company to have to expend time and resources helping them become familiar with such requirements.
Public Stockholders will not have any rights or interests in funds from the Trust Account, except under certain limited circumstances. To liquidate their investment, therefore Public Stockholders may be forced to sell their securities, potentially at a loss.
Public Stockholders will be entitled to receive funds from the Trust Account only upon the earliest to occur of: (i) our completion of an initial business combination, and then only in connection with those shares of Class A common stock that such stockholder properly elected to redeem, subject to the limitations described herein, (ii) the redemption of any Public Shares properly submitted in connection with a stockholder vote to amend the Existing Certificate of Incorporation (A) to modify the substance or timing of Adara’s obligation to allow redemption in connection with its initial business combination or certain amendments to its charter prior thereto or to redeem 100% of the Public Shares if we do not complete our initial business combination by February 11, 2023 or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity and (iii) the redemption of the Public Shares if we are unable to complete an initial business combination by February 11, 2023, subject to applicable law and as further described herein. In no other circumstances will a Public Stockholder have any right or interest of any kind in the Trust Account. Holders of Adara warrants will not have any right to the proceeds held in the Trust Account with respect to the Adara Warrants. Accordingly, to liquidate their investment, Public Stockholders may be forced to sell their Public Shares or Public Warrants, potentially at a loss.
The securities in which we invest the funds held in the Trust Account could bear a negative rate of interest, which could reduce the value of the assets held in trust such that the per-share redemption amount received by Public Stockholders may be less than $10.10 per share.
The proceeds held in the Trust Account are invested only in U.S. government treasury obligations with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act, which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations. While short-term U.S. government treasury obligations currently yield a positive rate of interest, they have briefly yielded negative interest rates in recent years. Central banks in Europe and Japan pursued interest rates below zero in recent years, and the Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve has not ruled out the possibility that it may in the future adopt similar policies in the United States. In the event that Adara does not to complete our initial business combination or make certain amendments to the Existing Certificate of Incorporation, the Public Stockholders are entitled to receive their pro-rata share of the proceeds held in the Trust Account, plus any interest income, net of taxes paid or payable (less, in the case we are unable to complete our initial business combination, $100,000 of interest). Negative interest rates could reduce the value of the assets held in trust such that the per-share redemption amount received by Public Stockholders may be less than $10.10 per share.
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If third parties bring claims against Adara, the proceeds held in the Trust Account could be reduced and the per-share redemption amount received by Public Stockholders may be less than $10.10 per share.
Adara’s placing of funds in the Trust Account may not protect those funds from third-party claims against us. Although Adara has sought and will continue to seek to have all vendors, service providers, prospective target businesses and other entities with which it does business execute agreements with Adara waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the Trust Account for the benefit of the Public Stockholders, such parties may not execute such agreements, or even if they execute such agreements they may not be prevented from bringing claims against the Trust Account, including, but not limited to, fraudulent inducement, breach of fiduciary responsibility or other similar claims, as well as claims challenging the enforceability of the waiver, in each case in order to gain advantage with respect to a claim against Adara’s assets, including the funds held in the Trust Account. If any third-party refuses to execute an agreement waiving such claims to the monies held in the Trust Account, Adara’s management will perform an analysis of the alternatives available to it and will only enter into an agreement with a third party that has not executed a waiver if Adara’s management believes that such third party’s engagement would be significantly more beneficial to Adara than any alternative. WithumSmith+Brown, PC, our independent registered public accounting firm did not execute an agreement with us waiving such claims to the monies held in the Trust Account. However, underwriters of the IPO (including ThinkEquity) executed a letter agreement with us waiving such claims to the monies held in the Trust Account.
Examples of possible instances where Adara may engage a third party that refuses to execute a waiver include the engagement of a third-party consultant whose particular expertise or skills are believed by management to be significantly superior to those of other consultants that would agree to execute a waiver or in cases where management is unable to find a service provider willing to execute a waiver. In addition, there is no guarantee that such entities will agree to waive any claims they may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with Adara and will not seek recourse against the Trust Account for any reason. Upon redemption of our Public Shares, if Adara is unable to complete its initial business combination within the prescribed timeframe, or upon the exercise of a redemption right in connection with its initial business combination, Adara will be required to provide for payment of claims of creditors that were not waived that may be brought against us within the ten years following redemption. Accordingly, the per-share redemption amount received by Public Stockholders could be less than $10.10 per share initially held in the Trust Account, due to claims of such creditors.
The Sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to Adara if and to the extent any claims by a third party for services rendered or products sold to us, or a prospective target business with which Adara has entered into a written letter of intent, confidentiality or similar agreement or business combination agreement, reduce the amount of funds in the Trust Account to below the lesser of (i) $10.10 per share and (ii) the actual amount per Public Share held in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account, if less than $10.10 per share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, less taxes payable, provided that such liability will not apply to any claims by a third party or prospective target business who executed a waiver of any and all rights to the monies held in the Trust Account (whether or not such waiver is enforceable) nor will it apply to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of the IPO against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. However, Adara has not asked the Sponsor to reserve for such indemnification obligations, nor has Adara independently verified whether the Sponsor has sufficient funds to satisfy its indemnity obligations and believe that the Sponsor’s only assets are securities of Adara. Therefore, Adara cannot assure you that the Sponsor would be able to satisfy those obligations. None of Adara’s officers or directors will indemnify Adara for claims by third parties including, without limitation, claims by vendors and prospective target businesses.
Adara’s directors may decide not to enforce the indemnification obligations of the Sponsor, resulting in a reduction in the amount of funds in the Trust Account available for distribution to the Public Stockholders.
In the event that the proceeds in the Trust Account are reduced below the lesser of (i) $10.10 per share and (ii) the actual amount per share held in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account if less than $10.10 per share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, in each case net of the interest which may be withdrawn to pay taxes, and the Sponsor asserts that it is unable to satisfy its obligations or that it has no indemnification obligations related to a particular claim, Adara’s independent directors would determine whether to take legal action against the Sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations.
While Adara currently expects that its independent directors would take legal action on behalf Adara against the Sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations to Adara, it is possible that Adara’s independent directors in exercising their business judgment and subject to their fiduciary duties may choose not to do so in any particular instance if, for example, the cost of such legal action is deemed by the independent directors to be too high relative to the amount recoverable or if the independent directors determine that a favorable outcome is not likely. If Adara’s independent directors choose not to enforce these indemnification obligations, the amount of funds in the Trust Account available for distribution to the Public Stockholders may be reduced below $10.10 per share.
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If, before distributing the proceeds in the Trust Account to the Public Stockholders, Adara files a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy petition is filed against Adara that is not dismissed, the claims of creditors in such proceeding may have priority over the claims of Adara’s stockholders and the per-share amount that would otherwise be received by Adara’s stockholders in connection with Adara’s liquidation may be reduced.
If, before distributing the proceeds in the Trust Account to the Public Stockholders, Adara files a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy petition is filed against Adara that is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the Trust Account could be subject to applicable bankruptcy law and may be included in Adara’s bankruptcy estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of Adara’s stockholders. To the extent any bankruptcy claims deplete the Trust Account, the per-share amount that would otherwise be received by Adara’s stockholders in connection with Adara’s liquidation may be reduced.
If, after Adara distributes the proceeds in the Trust Account to the Public Stockholders, Adara files a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy petition is filed against Adara that is not dismissed, a bankruptcy court may seek to recover such proceeds, and Adara and its board may be exposed to claims of punitive damages.
If, after Adara distributes the proceeds in the Trust Account to the Public Stockholders, Adara files a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy petition is filed against Adara that is not dismissed, any distributions received by stockholders could be viewed under applicable debtor/creditor and/or bankruptcy laws as either a “preferential transfer” or a “fraudulent conveyance.” As a result, a bankruptcy court could seek to recover all amounts received by Adara’s stockholders. In addition, Adara’s board of directors may be viewed as having breached its fiduciary duty to Adara’s creditors and/or having acted in bad faith, thereby exposing itself and Adara to claims of punitive damages, by paying Public Stockholders from the Trust Account prior to addressing the claims of creditors.
Adara’s stockholders may be held liable for claims by third parties against Adara to the extent of distributions received by them upon redemption of their shares.
Under the DGCL, stockholders may be held liable for claims by third parties against a corporation to the extent of distributions received by them in a dissolution. The pro rata portion of our Trust Account distributed to the Public Stockholders upon the redemption of the Public Shares in the event Adara does not complete its initial business combination by February 11, 2023 may be considered a liquidating distribution under Delaware law. If a corporation complies with certain procedures set forth in Section 280 of the DGCL intended to ensure that it makes reasonable provision for all claims against it, including a 60-day notice period during which any third-party claims can be brought against the corporation, a 90-day period during which the corporation may reject any claims brought, and an additional 150-day waiting period before any liquidating distributions are made to stockholders, any liability of stockholders with respect to a liquidating distribution is limited to the lesser of such stockholder’s pro rata share of the claim or the amount distributed to the stockholder, and any liability of the stockholder would be barred after the third anniversary of the dissolution. However, it is Adara’s intention to redeem the Public Shares as soon as reasonably possible following February 11, 2023 in the event it does not complete its initial business combination and, therefore, Adara does not intend to comply with the foregoing procedures.
Because Adara will not be complying with Section 280, Section 281(b) of the DGCL requires Adara to adopt a plan, based on facts known to Adara at such time that will provide for its payment of all existing and pending claims or claims that may be potentially brought against us within the ten years following its dissolution. However, because Adara is a blank check company, rather than an operating company, and its operations have been limited to searching for prospective target businesses to acquire, the only likely claims to arise would be from its vendors (such as lawyers, investment bankers, etc.) or prospective target businesses. If Adara’s plan of distribution complies with Section 281(b) of the DGCL, any liability of stockholders with respect to a liquidating distribution is limited to the lesser of such stockholder’s pro rata share of the claim or the amount distributed to the stockholder, and any liability of the stockholder would likely be barred after the third anniversary of the dissolution. Adara cannot assure you that it will properly assess all claims that may be potentially brought against it. As such, Adara’s stockholders could potentially be liable for any claims to the extent of distributions received by them (but no more) and any liability of Adara’s stockholders may extend beyond the third anniversary of such date. Furthermore, if the pro rata portion of Trust Account distributed to the Public Stockholders upon the redemption of the Public Shares in the event Adara does not complete its initial business combination by February 11, 2023 is not considered a liquidating distribution under Delaware law and such redemption distribution is deemed to be unlawful (potentially due to the imposition of legal proceedings that a party may bring or due to other circumstances that are currently unknown), then pursuant to Section 174 of the DGCL, the statute of limitations for claims of creditors could then be six years after the unlawful redemption distribution, instead of three years, as in the case of a liquidating distribution.
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You may not have the same benefits as an investor in an underwritten public offering.
Alliance will become a publicly listed company upon the completion of the Business Combination. The Business Combination and the transactions described in this proxy statement/prospectus are not an underwritten initial public offering of Alliance’s securities and differ from an underwritten initial public offering in several significant ways, which include, but are not limited to, the following:
Like other business combinations and spin-offs, in connection with the Business Combination, you will not receive the benefits of the diligence performed by the underwriters in an underwritten public offering. Investors in an underwritten public offering may benefit from the role of the underwriters in such an offering. In an underwritten public offering, an issuer initially sells its securities to the public market via one or more underwriters, who distribute or resell such securities to the public. Underwriters have liability under the U.S. securities laws for material misstatements or omissions in a registration statement pursuant to which an issuer sells securities. Because the underwriters have a “due diligence” defense to any such liability by, among other things, conducting a reasonable investigation, the underwriters and their counsel conduct a due diligence investigation of the issuer. Due diligence in part entails engaging legal, financial and/or other experts to perform an investigation as to the accuracy of an issuer’s disclosure regarding, among other things, its business and financial results. Auditors of the issuer will also customarily deliver a “comfort” letter with respect to the financial information contained in the registration statement. The underwriters also customarily receive opinions and negative assurance letters from the issuer’s counsel and from their own counsel. In making their investment decision, investors have the benefit of such diligence in underwritten public offerings. In contrast, Adara and Alliance have each engaged a financial advisor (rather than underwriters) in connection with the Business Combination. While such financial advisors or their respective affiliates may act as underwriters in underwritten public offerings, the role of a financial advisor differs from that of an underwriter. For example, financial advisors do not act as intermediaries in the sale of securities and therefore do not face the same potential liability under the U.S. securities laws as underwriters. As a result, financial advisors typically do not undertake the same level of, or any, due diligence investigation of the issuer as is typically undertaken by underwriters.
In addition, because there are no underwriters engaged in connection with the Business Combination, prior to the opening of trading on the trading day immediately following the closing, there will be no book building process and no price at which underwriters initially sold shares to the public to help inform efficient and sufficient price discovery with respect to the initial post-closing trades on the NYSE American. Therefore, buy and sell orders submitted prior to and at the opening of initial post-closing trading of the Combined Company Common Stock on the NYSE American will not have the benefit of being informed by a published price range or a price at which the underwriters initially sold shares to the public, as would be the case in an underwritten initial public offering. There will be no underwriters assuming risk in connection with an initial resale of shares of the Combined Company Common Stock or helping to stabilize, maintain or affect the public price of the Combined Company Common Stock following the closing. Moreover, we will not engage in, and have not and will not, directly or indirectly, request the financial advisors to engage in, any special selling efforts or stabilization or price support activities in connection with the Combined Company Common Stock that will be outstanding immediately following the closing. All of these differences from an underwritten public offering of Alliance’s securities could result in a more volatile price for the Combined Company Common Stock.
Further, we will not conduct a traditional “roadshow” with underwriters prior to the opening of initial post-closing trading of the Combined Company Common Stock on the NYSE American. There can be no guarantee that any information made available in this proxy statement/prospectus and/or otherwise disclosed or filed with the SEC will have the same impact on investor education as a traditional “roadshow” conducted in connection with an underwritten initial public offering. As a result, there may not be efficient or sufficient price discovery with respect to the Combined Company Common Stock or sufficient demand among potential investors immediately after the closing, which could result in a more volatile price for the Combined Company Common Stock.
In addition, the Initial Stockholders, as well as their permitted transferees, have interests in the Business Combination that are different from or are in addition to our stockholders and that would not be present in an underwritten public offering of Alliance’s securities. Such interests may have influenced our board of directors in making their recommendation that you vote in favor of the approval of the Business Combination Proposal and the other proposals described in this proxy statement/prospectus.
Such differences from an underwritten public offering may present material risks to unaffiliated investors that would not exist if Alliance became a publicly listed company through an underwritten initial public offering instead of upon completion of the merger.
A new 1% U.S. federal excise tax could be imposed on us in connection with redemptions.
On August 16, 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act was signed into federal law. The IRA provides for, among other things, a new U.S. federal 1% excise tax on certain repurchases (including redemptions) of stock by publicly traded U.S. corporations and certain U.S. subsidiaries of publicly traded non-U.S. corporations. The excise tax is imposed on the repurchasing corporation itself, not its
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stockholders from which shares are repurchased. The amount of the excise tax is generally 1% of the fair market value of the shares repurchased at the time of the repurchase. However, for purposes of calculating the excise tax, repurchasing corporations are permitted to net the fair market value of certain new stock issuances against the fair market value of stock repurchases during the same taxable year. In addition, certain exceptions apply to the excise tax. The U.S. Department of Treasury has been given authority to provide regulations and other guidance to carry out, and prevent the abuse or avoidance of the excise tax. The IRA applies only to repurchases that occur after December 31, 2022.
If the Business Combination is completed on or before December 31, 2022, we would not be subject to the excise tax as a result of shareholders exercising their redemption rights. However, if the Business Combination occurs any after December 31, 2022, any redemption or other repurchase that occurs in connection with the Business Combination may be subject to the excise tax. Whether and to what extent we would be subject to the excise tax would depend on a number of factors, including (i) the fair market value of the redemptions and repurchases in connection with the Business Combination, (ii) the market value of any Adara Common Stock issued in connection with the Business Combination, and (iii) the content of regulations and other guidance from the U.S. Department of the Treasury. In addition, because the excise tax would be payable by us, and not by the redeeming holder, the mechanics of any required payment of the excise tax have not been determined. Further, the application of the excise tax in the event of a liquidation is uncertain. Except for franchise taxes and income taxes, Adara is permitted to use interest earned on the proceeds placed in the trust account to pay taxes, which could include any excise tax due under the IRA on any redemptions or stock buybacks by Adara.
We may not hold an annual meeting of stockholders until after the consummation of our initial business combination, which could delay the opportunity for our stockholders to elect directors.
In accordance with the NYSE American corporate governance requirements, we are not required to hold an annual meeting until December 31, 2022. Under Section 211(b) of the DGCL, we are, however, required to hold an annual meeting of stockholders for the purposes of electing directors in accordance with our bylaws unless such election is made by written consent in lieu of such a meeting. We may not hold an annual meeting of stockholders to elect new directors prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, and thus we may not be in compliance with Section 211(b) of the DGCL, which requires an annual meeting. Therefore, if our stockholders want us to hold an annual meeting prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, they may attempt to force us to hold one by submitting an application to the Delaware Court of Chancery in accordance with Section 211(c) of the DGCL.
Adara’s executive officers and directors have potential conflicts of interest in recommending that stockholders vote in favor of approval of the Business Combination Proposal and approval of the other Stockholder Proposals described in this proxy statement/prospectus.
When considering Adara’s board of directors’ recommendation that our stockholders vote in favor of the approval of the Business Combination Proposal and the other Stockholder Proposals, Adara’s stockholders should be aware that Adara’s directors and executive officers have interests in the Business Combination that may be different from, in addition to, or in conflict with the interests of Adara’s stockholders. These interests include:
● | the beneficial ownership of Adara’s board of directors and officers and their affiliates of an aggregate of up to 1,950,000 shares of Adara Class B Common Stock and 4,120,000 Adara Warrants, which shares and warrants would become worthless if Adara does not complete a business combination within the applicable time period, as our directors and officers have waived any right to redemption with respect to these shares. Such shares and warrants have an aggregate market value of approximately $[•] million based on the closing prices of Adara Common Stock and warrants of $[•] and $[•] respectively on the NYSE American on the Record Date, giving effect to the forfeiture of 875,000 Initial Stockholder Shares by the Sponsor. Based on such market values, Adara’s board of directors and officers will have an unrealized gain of approximately $[•] million on their Adara securities; |
● | The repayment of up to an aggregate of $500,000 of loans made by certain directors and their affiliates pursuant to the Promissory Notes (under which $[ ] principal amount was outstanding as of the Record Date) to the extent such outstanding amounts exceed the amount not required to be returned in the Trust Account, unless a business combination is consummated; |
● | Adara’s board of directors will not receive reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them on Adara’s behalf incident to identifying, investigating and consummating a business combination to the extent such expenses exceed the amount not required to be retained in the Trust Account, unless a business combination is consummated; |
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● | the anticipated continuation of Tom Finke and W. Tom Donaldson III as directors of the Combined Company following the Closing; |
● | the fact that the Adara Initial Stockholders who hold Initial Stockholder Shares may experience a positive rate of return on their investment, even if the Public Stockholders experience a negative rate of return on their investment; and |
● | the continued indemnification of current directors and officers of Adara following the Business Combination and the continuation of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance following the Business Combination. |
Accordingly, the Sponsor, our board of directors and officers and their affiliates will hold securities of Adara with an aggregate value of approximately $[·] million based on the closing prices of Adara Common Stock and warrants of $[·] and $[·], respectively on the NYSE American on the Record Date, giving effect to the forfeiture of 875,000 Initial Stockholder Shares by the Sponsor. For these reasons, our board of directors and officers and their affiliates will receive a benefit from the completion of the Business Combination. These interests may incentivize the Sponsor and our directors and officers to complete a business combination of a less favorable target company or on terms less favorable to stockholders rather than liquidate and to vote in favor of approval of the Stockholder Proposals.
These financial interests may have influenced the decision of Adara’s directors to approve the Business Combination and to continue to pursue such Business Combination. In considering the recommendations of Adara’s board of directors to vote for the Business Combination Proposal and other Stockholder Proposals, its stockholders should consider these interests.
Our officers and directors had pre-existing fiduciary and contractual obligations to their entities which required them to present business combination opportunities to them before presenting them to us.
In general, officers and directors of a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware are required to present business opportunities to a corporation of:
● | the corporation could financially undertake the opportunity; |
● | the opportunity is within the corporation’s line of business; and |
● | it would not be fair to our company and its stockholders for the opportunity not to be brought to the attention of the corporation. |
Subject to pre-existing fiduciary or contractual duties as described under “Information About Adara — Directors and Executive Officers — Pre-existing Fiduciary and Contractual Obligations of Management”, our current and former officers and directors have agreed to present any business opportunities presented to them in their capacity as a director or officer of our company to us. Certain of our officers and directors had and have fiduciary or contractual obligations to other entities pursuant to which such officer or director is or will be required to present a business combination opportunity. Accordingly, if any of our officers or directors became aware of a business combination opportunity which was suitable for an entity to which he or she has then-current fiduciary or contractual obligations, he or she would have honored his or her fiduciary or contractual obligations to present such opportunity to such entity. Our Existing Certificate of Incorporation provides that we renounce our interest in any corporate opportunity offered to any director or officer unless such opportunity is expressly offered to such person solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of our company and such opportunity is one we are legally and contractually permitted to undertake and would otherwise be reasonable for us to pursue, and to the extent the director or officer is permitted to refer that opportunity to us without violating another legal obligation.
Accordingly, if any of our executive officers or directors became aware of a business combination opportunity which is suitable for any of the above entities to which he or she had a current fiduciary or contractual obligation, he or she would have honored his or her fiduciary or contractual obligation to present such business combination opportunity to such entity, and only present it to us if such entity rejected the opportunity. We believe, however, that the fiduciary duties or contractual obligations of our officers or directors did not materially affect our ability to search for and target our initial business combination.
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We may amend the terms of the Adara Warrants in a manner that may be adverse to holders of Public Warrants with the approval by the holders of at least a majority of the then outstanding Public Warrants. As a result, the exercise price of your Adara Warrants could be increased, the exercise period could be shortened and the number of shares of Adara Common Stock purchasable upon exercise of an Adara Warrant could be decreased, all without your approval.
The Adara Warrants were issued in registered form under a warrant agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent, and Adara. The warrant agreement provides that the terms of the Adara Warrants may be amended without the consent of any holder to cure any ambiguity or correct any mistake, including to conform the provisions of the warrant agreement to the description of the terms of the Adara Warrants and the warrant agreement, or defective provision, but requires the approval by the holders of at least a majority of the then outstanding Public Warrants to make any change that adversely affects the interests of the registered holders of Public Warrants (which may include Public Warrants acquired by the Sponsor and Adara’s officers or directors and its affiliates in the open market). Accordingly, Adara may amend the terms of the Public Warrants in a manner adverse to a holder if holders of at least a majority of the then outstanding Public Warrants approve of such amendment. Although Adara’s ability to amend the terms of the Public Warrants with the consent of at least a majority of the then outstanding Public Warrants is unlimited, examples of such amendments could be amendments to, among other things, increase the exercise price of the warrants, convert the warrants into cash or stock, shorten the exercise period or decrease the number of shares of Adara Common Stock purchasable upon exercise of a warrant.
The warrant agreement designates the courts of the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York as the sole and exclusive forum for certain types of actions and proceedings that may be initiated by holders of Adara warrants, which could limit the ability of warrant holders to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with Adara.
The warrant agreement provides that, subject to applicable law, (i) any action, proceeding or claim against us arising out of or relating in any way to the warrant agreement, including under the Securities Act, will be brought and enforced in the courts of the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and (ii) that we irrevocably submit to such jurisdiction, which jurisdiction shall be the exclusive forum for any such action, proceeding or claim. Adara will waive any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction and that such courts represent an inconvenient forum.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, these provisions of the warrant agreement do not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal district courts of the United States of America are the sole and exclusive forum. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any of Adara Warrants shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the forum provisions in the warrant agreement. If any action, the subject matter of which is within the scope the forum provisions of the warrant agreement, is filed in a court other than a court of the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (a “foreign action”) in the name of any holder of Adara Warrants, such holder shall be deemed to have consented to: (x) the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in the State of New York in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce the forum provisions (an “enforcement action”), and (y) having service of process made upon such warrant holder in any such enforcement action by service upon such warrant holder’s counsel in the foreign action as agent for such warrant holder.
This choice-of-forum provision may limit a warrant holder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with our company, which may discourage such lawsuits. Alternatively, if a court were to find this provision of our warrant agreement inapplicable or unenforceable with respect to one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings, Adara may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and result in a diversion of the time and resources of our management and board of directors.
Adara may redeem your unexpired warrants prior to their exercise at a time that is disadvantageous to you, thereby making your warrants worthless.
Adara has the ability to redeem outstanding warrants at any time after they become exercisable and prior to their expiration, at a price of $0.01 per warrant, provided that the last reported sales price of the Adara Common Stock equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading-day period commencing once the warrants become exercisable and ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which Adara gives proper notice of such redemption and provided certain other conditions are met. If and when the warrants become redeemable, Adara may not exercise our redemption right if the issuance of shares of common stock upon exercise of the warrants is not exempt from registration or qualification under applicable state blue sky laws or it is unable to effect such registration or
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qualification. Adara will use its best efforts to register or qualify such shares of common stock under the blue-sky laws of the state of residence in those states in which the warrants were offered by us in the IPO. Redemption of the outstanding warrants could force you (i) to exercise your warrants and pay the exercise price therefor at a time when it may be disadvantageous for you to do so, (ii) to sell your warrants at the then-current market price when you might otherwise wish to hold your warrants or (iii) to accept the nominal redemption price which, at the time the outstanding warrants are called for redemption, is likely to be substantially less than the market value of your warrants. None of the Private Warrants will be redeemable by Adara so long as they are held by the Sponsor or its permitted transferees.
If you exercise your Public Warrants on a “cashless basis,” you will receive fewer shares of Adara common stock from such exercise than if you were to exercise such warrants for cash.
There are circumstances in which the exercise of the Public Warrants may be required or permitted to be made on a cashless basis. First, if a registration statement covering the shares of Adara Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants is not effective by the 60th business day after the closing of Adara’s initial business combination, warrant holders may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement, exercise warrants on a cashless basis in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act or another exemption. Second, if a registration statement covering the Adara Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants is not effective within a specified period following the consummation of Adara’s initial business combination, warrant holders may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during any period when Adara shall have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise warrants on a cashless basis pursuant to the exemption provided by Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act, provided that such exemption is available; if that exemption, or another exemption, is not available, holders will not be able to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis. Third, if Adara calls the Public Warrants for redemption, Adara’s management will have the option to require all holders that wish to exercise warrants to do so on a cashless basis. In the event of an exercise on a cashless basis, a holder would pay the warrant exercise price by surrendering the warrants for that number of shares of Adara Common Stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares of Adara Common Stock underlying the warrants, multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the warrants and the “fair market value” (as defined in the next sentence) by (y) the fair market value. The “fair market value” for this purpose shall mean the average reported last sale price of the Adara Common Stock for the ten trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of exercise is received by the warrant agent or on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of warrants, as applicable. As a result, you would receive fewer shares of Adara Common Stock from such exercise than if you were to exercise such warrants for cash.
We will require Public Stockholders who wish to redeem their shares of Adara Common Stock in connection with the Business Combination to comply with specific requirements for redemption that may make it more difficult for them to exercise their redemption rights prior to the deadline for exercising their rights.
We will require the Public Stockholders seeking to exercise their redemption rights, whether they are record holders or hold their shares in “street name,” to either tender their certificates to our transfer agent up to two business days prior to the vote on the proposal to approve the Business Combination, or to deliver their shares to the transfer agent electronically using DTC’s Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian System (“DWAC System”), at the holder’s option. In order to obtain a physical stock certificate, a stockholder’s broker and/or clearing broker, DTC and our transfer agent will need to act to facilitate this request. It is our understanding that stockholders should generally allot at least two weeks to obtain physical certificates from the transfer agent. However, because we do not have any control over this process or over the brokers or DTC, it may take significantly longer than two weeks to obtain a physical stock certificate. While we have been advised that it takes a short time to deliver shares through the DWAC System, this may not be the case. Under our bylaws, we are required to provide at least 10 days’ advance notice of any stockholder meeting, which would be the minimum amount of time a stockholder would have to determine whether to exercise redemption rights. Accordingly, if it takes longer than we anticipate for stockholders to deliver their shares, stockholders who wish to redeem may be unable to meet the deadline for exercising their redemption rights and thus may be unable to redeem their shares. In the event that a stockholder fails to comply with the various procedures that must be complied with in order to validly tender or redeem Public Shares, its shares may not be redeemed.
Additionally, despite our compliance with the proxy rules, stockholders may not become aware of the opportunity to redeem their shares.
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If we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules, and if you or a “group” of stockholders are deemed to hold in excess of 15% of our Class A common stock, you will lose the ability to redeem all such shares in excess of 15% of our Class A common stock.
If we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, the Existing Certificate of Incorporation provides that a Public Stockholder, together with any affiliate of such stockholder or any other person with whom such stockholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Exchange Act), will be restricted from seeking redemption rights with respect to more than an aggregate of 15% of the Public Shares without our prior consent, which we refer to as the “Excess Shares.” However, we would not be restricting our stockholders’ ability to vote all of their shares (including Excess Shares) for or against our initial business combination. Your inability to redeem the Excess Shares will reduce your influence over our ability to complete our initial business combination and you could suffer a material loss on your investment in us if you sell Excess Shares in open market transactions. Additionally, you will not receive redemption distributions with respect to the Excess Shares if we complete our initial business combination. And as a result, you will continue to hold that number of shares exceeding 15% and, in order to dispose of such shares, would be required to sell your stock in open market transactions, potentially at a loss.
There is uncertainty regarding the federal income tax consequences of the redemption to the holders of Adara Common Stock.
There is some uncertainty regarding the federal income tax consequences to holders of Adara Common Stock who exercise their redemption rights. The uncertainty of tax consequences relates primarily to the individual circumstances of the taxpayer and include (i) whether the redemption results in a distribution, taxable as ordinary income to the extent of Adara’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, or a sale, taxable as capital gain (assuming the redeemed Adara Common Stock is a capital asset in the hands of such taxpayer) to the extent the amount realized in the redemption exceeds such taxpayer’s tax basis in the redeemed Adara Common Stock, and (ii) whether such capital gain is “long-term” or “short-term.” If the redemption results in a distribution, the amount of the distribution in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will constitute a return of capital that will be applied against and reduce (but not below zero) the taxpayer’s adjusted tax basis in Adara Common Stock, and the remaining amount of the distribution, if any, will constitute gain from the sale or exchange of Adara Common Stock. If the redemption results in a sale, a U.S. holder will recognize gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized in the redemption and the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in the redeemed Adara Common Stock. Whether the redemption qualifies for sale treatment, resulting in taxation as capital gain rather than ordinary income, will depend largely on whether the holder owns (or is deemed to own) any shares of Adara Common Stock following the redemption, and if so, the total number of shares of Adara Common Stock held by the holder both before and after the redemption relative to all shares of Adara Common Stock outstanding both before and after the redemption. The redemption generally will be treated as a sale, rather than a distribution, if the redemption (i) is “substantially disproportionate” with respect to the holder, (ii) results in a “complete termination” of the holder’s interest in Adara or (iii) is “not essentially equivalent to a dividend” with respect to the holder. Due to the personal and subjective nature of certain of such tests and the absence of clear guidance from the IRS, there is uncertainty as to whether a holder who elects to exercise its redemption rights will be taxed on any gain from the redemption as ordinary income or capital gain. See the section titled “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations of the Redemption and the Business Combination.”
The Adara Public Stockholders will experience dilution as a consequence of the issuance of Common Stock as consideration in the Business Combination and may experience dilution from several additional sources in connection with and after the Business Combination. Having a minority share position may reduce the influence that the Adara Public Stockholders have on the management of the Combined Company.
The issuance of additional shares of Adara Common Stock in the Business Combination will dilute the equity interests of the Adara Public Stockholders and may adversely affect prevailing market prices for the Public Shares and Warrants. The Adara Public Stockholders who do not redeem their Public Shares may experience dilution from several additional sources:
● | An aggregate of 47,500,000 shares of Adara Common Stock is expected to be issued to Alliance Stockholders as consideration in the Business Combination; |
● | An aggregate of up to 60,000,000 additional shares of Adara Common Stock may be issued upon conversion of the Contingent Consideration Shares issued in the Business Combination upon the occurrence of the Triggering Events; and |
● | An aggregate of 9,920,000 Warrants will be outstanding following the consummation of the Business combination, regardless of the number of Adara Common Stock the Adara Public Stockholders elect to have redeemed. |
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The Combined Company may determine, subject to the receipt of any stockholder or stock exchange approvals that may be required, to issue additional shares of Combined Company Common Stock or other equity securities of equal or senior rank in connection with privately negotiated transactions following the consummation of the Business Combination, including equity awards under the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan.
Depending on the number of Adara Public Stockholders that exercise their redemption rights, the remaining Adara Public Stockholders will be subject to varying levels of dilution. In each of the no redemption, illustrative redemption, and contractual maximum redemption scenarios as described below, the residual equity value owned by non-redeeming stockholders, taking into account the respective redemption amounts, is assumed to remain the deemed value of $10.10 per share. As a result of such redemption amounts and the assumed $10.10 per share value, the implied total equity value of the Combined Company, assuming no dilution from any of the Public Warrants, Private Warrants, Underwriter Warrants or Contingent Consideration Shares (“Additional Dilution Sources”), would be (a) $616,100,000 in the no redemption scenario, (b) $558,025,000 in the illustrative redemption scenario, and (c) $514,950,000 in the contractual maximum redemption scenario.
The following table illustrates varying beneficial ownership levels in the Combined Company immediately following the consummation of the Business Combination assuming the levels of redemptions by the Public Stockholders indicated:
Redemption Sensitivity Analysis Table
Contractual | ||||||||||||||||
Illustrative | Maximum | |||||||||||||||
No Redemption | % of | Redemption | % of | Redemption | % of | |||||||||||
Holders |
| Scenario(1) |
| Total |
| Scenario(2) |
| Total |
| Scenario(3) |
| Total |
| |||
Adara Public Stockholders | 11,500,000 | 18.8 | % | 5,750,000 | 10.4 | % | 1,485,149 | 2.9 | % | |||||||
Adara Initial Stockholders(4) | 2,000,000 | 3.3 | % | 2,000,000 | 3.6 | % | 2,000,000 | 3.9 | % | |||||||
Alliance Stockholders(5) | 47,500,000 | 77.9 | % | 47,500,000 | 86.0 | % | 47,500,000 | 93.2 | % | |||||||
Total Shares Outstanding Excluding Contingent Consideration Shares and Adara Warrants | 61,000,000 | 100.0 | % | 55,250,000 | 100.0 | % | 50,985,149 | 100.0 | % | |||||||
Total Equity Value Post- Redemptions | $ | 616,100,000 | $ | 558,025,000 |
| $ | 514,950,005 |
| ||||||||
Assumed Per Share Value | $ | 10.10 | $ | 10.10 |
| $ | 10.10 |
|
Contractual | |||||||||||||
Illustrative | Maximum | ||||||||||||
No Redemption | % of | Redemption | % of | Redemption | % of | ||||||||
Additional Dilution Sources(8) |
| Scenario(1) |
| Total(7) |
| Scenario(7) |
| Total(6) |
| Scenario(3) |
| Total(7) |
|
Contingent Consideration Shares(8) | 60,000,000 | 49.6 | % | 60,000,000 | 52.1 | % | 60,000,000 | 54.0 | % | ||||
Adara Warrants | |||||||||||||
Public Warrants(9) | 5,750,000 | 8.6 | % | 5,750,000 | 9.4 | % | 5,750,000 | 10.1 | % | ||||
Private Warrants(10) | 4,120,000 | 6.3 | % | 4,120,000 | 6.9 | % | 4,120,000 | 7.8 | % | ||||
Underwriter Warrants(11) | 50,000 | 0.1 | % | 50,000 | 0.1 | % | 50,000 | 0.1 | % | ||||
Total Additional Dilutive Sources(12) | 69,920,000 | 53.4 | % | 69,920,000 | 55.6 | % | 69,920,000 | 57.8 | % |
(1) | This scenario assumes that no shares of Adara Common Stock are redeemed by the Public Stockholders |
(2) | This scenario assumes that approximately 5,750,000 shares of Adara Common Stock are redeemed by the Public Stockholders. |
(3) | This scenario assumes that 10,014,851 shares of Adara Common Stock are redeemed by the Public Stockholders, which, based on the amount of approximately $116.3 million in the Trust Account as of June 30, 2022, represents the maximum amount of redemptions that would still enable Adara to have sufficient cash to satisfy the minimum cash condition in the Business Combination Agreement. |
(4) | This row assumes that the Sponsor forfeits 875,000 Initial Stockholder Shares. Up to an additional 500,000 Initial Stockholder Shares are subject to forfeiture by the Sponsor at the discretion of Alliance. If such additional shares are forfeited by the Sponsor, the Adara Initial Stockholders would own 1,500,000 shares, or 3.0% of the Total Shares Outstanding Excluding Contingent Condition Shares and Warrants. |
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(5) | This row excludes an aggregate of up to 60,000,000 shares of Combined Company Common Stock which would become issuable upon the conversion of the Contingent Consideration Shares upon the occurrence of the Triggering Events. |
(6) | All share numbers and percentages for the Additional Dilution Sources are presented without the potential reduction of any amounts paid by the holders of the given Additional Dilution Sources and therefore may overstate dilution. |
(7) | The Percentage of Total with respect to each Additional Dilution Source, including the Total Additional Dilutive Sources, includes the full number of shares issued with respect to the applicable Additional Dilution Source (but not the other Applicable Dilution Sources) in both the numerator and denominator. For example, in the no redemption scenario, the Percentage of Total with respect to the Contingent Consideration Shares would be calculated as follows: (a) 60,000,000 shares; divided by (b) (i) 61,000,000 shares (the number of shares outstanding prior to any issuance of any such shares plus (ii) 60,000,000 shares. |
(8) | This row assumes an aggregate of up to 60,000,000 shares of Combined Company Common Stock which would become issuable upon the conversion of the Contingent Consideration Shares upon the occurrence of the Triggering Events. |
(9) | This row assumes exercise of all Public Warrants for cash. |
(10) | This row assumes exercise of all Private Warrants for cash. |
(11) | This row assumes exercise of all Underwriter Warrants for cash. |
(12) | This row assumes the issuance of all shares of Combined Company Common Stock in connection with each of the Additional Dilution Sources, as described in Notes 8 through 11 above. |
We may issue additional shares of common stock or preferred shares under the 2022 Plan upon or after consummation of the Business Combination, which would dilute the interest of our stockholders.
The Existing Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the issuance of 100,000,000 shares of Adara Common Stock, 10,000,000 of Adara Class B Common Stock and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock and upon approval of the Authorized Share Charter Agreement, the Combined Company’s authorized capital stock shall consist of 490,000,000 shares of Combined Company Common Stock, 60,000,000 shares of Combined Company Class E Common Stock and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock. We may issue a substantial number of additional shares of common stock or shares of preferred stock under the 2022 Plan upon or after consummation of the Business Combination. For more information about the 2022 Plan, see “Proposal No. 3 — The Equity Incentive Plan Proposal.” However, the Existing Certificate of Incorporation provides that we may not issue any additional shares of capital stock that would entitle the holders thereof to receive funds from the Trust Account or vote as a class with the Public Shares on an initial business combination. Although no such issuance will affect the per share amount available for redemption from the Trust Account, the issuance of additional common stock or preferred shares:
● | may significantly dilute the equity interest of investors from the IPO, who will not have preemption rights in respect of such an issuance; |
● | may subordinate the rights of holders of shares of common stock if one or more classes of preferred stock are created, and such shares of preferred stock are issued, with rights senior to those afforded to Adara Common Stock; |
● | could cause a change in control if a substantial number of shares of common stock are issued, which may affect, among other things, our ability to use our net operating loss carry forwards, if any, and could result in the resignation or removal of our present officers and directors; and |
● | may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our Adara Units, Adara Common Stock and/or Adara Warrants. |
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The Existing Certificate of Incorporation requires, to the fullest extent permitted by law, that derivative actions brought in our name, actions against our directors, officers, other employees or stockholders for breach of fiduciary duty and certain other actions may be brought only in the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware and, if brought outside of Delaware, the stockholder bringing the suit will, subject to certain exceptions, be deemed to have consented to service of process on such stockholder’s counsel, which may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against our directors, officers, other employees or stockholders.
The Existing Certificate of Incorporation requires, to the fullest extent permitted by law, that derivative actions brought in our name, actions against our directors, officers, other employees or stockholders for breach of fiduciary duty and certain other actions may be brought only in the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware and, if brought outside of Delaware, the stockholder bringing the suit will be deemed to have consented to service of process on such stockholder’s counsel except any action (A) as to which the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware determines that there is an indispensable party not subject to the jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery (and the indispensable party does not consent to the personal jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery within ten days following such determination), (B) which is vested in the exclusive jurisdiction of a court or forum other than the Court of Chancery or (C) for which the Court of Chancery does not have subject matter jurisdiction. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of our capital stock shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the forum provisions in the Existing Certificate of Incorporation. This choice of forum provision may limit or make more costly a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or any of our directors, officers, other employees or stockholders, which may discourage lawsuits with respect to such claims. Alternatively, if a court were to find the choice of forum provision contained in the Existing Certificate of incorporation to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, which could harm Adara’s or the Combined Company’s business, operating results and financial condition.
The Existing Certificate of Incorporation provides that the exclusive forum provision will be applicable to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, subject to certain exceptions. Section 27 of the Exchange Act creates exclusive federal jurisdiction over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. As a result, the exclusive forum provision will not apply to suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. In addition, The Existing Certificate of Incorporation provides that, unless Adara consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act, or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Adara notes, however, that there is uncertainty as to whether a court would enforce this provision and that investors cannot waive compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. Section 22 of the Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for state and federal courts over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder.
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The opinion obtained by the Adara board of directors from ThinkEquity does not and will not reflect changes in circumstances after the date of such opinion.
The Adara board of directors received a written opinion dated June 21, 2022 from ThinkEquity, Adara’s financial advisor, that as of such date, and based upon and subject to the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and qualifications and limitations on the scope of review undertaken by ThinkEquity, as set forth in ThinkEquity’s written opinion, the aggregate consideration to be paid by Adara pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement was fair from a financial point of view to Adara. Changes in the operations or prospects of Adara or Alliance, general market and economic conditions and other factors that may be beyond the control of Adara or Alliance, and on which the above described opinion was based, may alter the value of Alliance or the prices of shares of Adara Common Stock or Alliance capital stock by the time the Business Combination is completed. Adara has not obtained, and does not expect to request, an updated opinion from its financial advisor. The above-mentioned opinion does not speak to any date other than the date of the opinion. For a more complete description of the above described opinion, see the section titled “Opinion of Financial Advisor to Adara, ThinkEquity LLC.”
Risks if the Adjournment Proposal is Not Approved
If the Adjournment Proposal is not approved, and an insufficient number of votes have been obtained to authorize the consummation of the Business Combination, Adara’s board of directors will not have the ability to adjourn the special meeting to a later date in order to solicit further votes, and, therefore, the Business Combination will not be approved.
Adara’s board of directors is seeking approval to adjourn the special meeting to a later date or dates if, at the special meeting, Adara is unable to consummate the Business Combination. If the Adjournment Proposal is not approved, Adara’s board of directors will not have the ability to adjourn the special meeting to a later date and, therefore, the Business Combination would not be completed.
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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements present the combination of the financial information of Adara and Alliance adjusted to give effect to the Business Combination. The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X, Pro Forma Financial Information, as amended by the final rule, Release No. 33-10786 “Amendments to Financial Disclosures about Acquired and Disposed Business”, which is herein referred to as Article 11.
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of June 30, 2022, combines the historical balance sheet of Adara and the historical consolidated balance sheet of Alliance on a pro forma basis as if the Business Combination had been consummated on June 30, 2022. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2022, and for the year ended December 31, 2021, combine the historical statements of operations of Adara and Alliance on a pro forma basis as if the Business Combination had been consummated on January 1, 2021, the beginning of the earliest period presented. The historical statement of operations of Alliance in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information includes the operations of COKeM for all periods presented, so no adjustments are necessary related to that acquisition which was effective October 1, 2020.
The following describes the transactions entered into and reflected in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information:
● | Business Combination: pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, Merger Sub, a new subsidiary of Adara, will merge with and into Alliance, with Alliance as the surviving company in the Business Combination and, after giving effect to the Business Combination, Alliance will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Adara. In conjunction with the Business Combination, the following considerations will be made: |
● | each share of Alliance outstanding common stock will be automatically converted into the right to receive the number of shares of Adara Class A Common Stock equal to the Exchange Ratio. |
● | each share of Adara Class B Common stock will convert to one share of Adara Class A Common Stock. |
● | Public Shareholders will have the opportunity to redeem their Adara Class A Common Stock shares, but warrants will still be retained. |
● | holders of Alliance common stock immediately prior to the closing will receive 60,000,000 shares of new Combined Company Class E Common Stock which will be placed into escrow until the achievement of certain triggering events. If the triggering events occur, such shares will convert one for one into Combined Company Class A Common Stock, and if the triggering events do not occur the shares of Combined Company Class E Common Stock will be cancelled. |
● | Financing and Other: subsequent to the most recently available financial statement date, June 30, 2022, Alliance/Adara have not executed any agreements that impacted Alliance/Adara’s capitalization prior to the close of the Business Combination. |
Notwithstanding the legal form of the Business Combination, the Business Combination is expected to be accounted for as a reverse recapitalization in accordance with GAAP. Under this method of accounting, Adara is treated as the acquired company and Alliance is treated as the accounting acquirer for financial statement reporting purposes. Alliance has been determined to be the accounting acquirer based on evaluation of the following facts and circumstances that are expected to be in place following the consummation of the Business Combination:
● | Alliance existing stockholders will have the greater voting interest in Adara, under both the Minimum Redemption and Maximum Redemption Scenarios, immediately following the consummation of the Business Combination; |
● | by virtue of such estimated voting interest upon the consummation of the Business Combination, Alliance’s existing stockholders will have the ability to control decisions regarding the election and removal of directors and officers of Adara following the consummation of the Business Combination; |
● | Alliance’s senior management will be the senior management of Adara; and |
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● | the composition of the Board of Directors of Adara will reflect five members appointed by Alliance, and two members appointed by Adara. |
Other factors were considered but they would not change the preponderance of factors indicating that Alliance was the accounting acquirer.
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been developed from and should be read in conjunction with:
● | the accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements; |
● | the historical audited financial statements of Adara as of and for the year ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes, which are included elsewhere in this registration statement; |
● | the historical unaudited condensed financial statements of Adara as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2022, and the related notes, which are included elsewhere in this registration statement; |
● | the historical audited consolidated financial statements of Alliance as of and for the year ended June 30, 2022, and the related notes, which are included elsewhere in this registration statement; |
● | the historical unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Alliance as of December 31, 2021, and for the six months ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes, which are not included in this registration statement; and |
● | other information relating to Adara and Alliance contained in this registration statement, including the Business Combination Agreement and the description of certain items thereof set forth in the section entitled “The Business Combination Agreement” and the risk factors set forth under the section entitled “Risk Factors” of this registration statement. |
Pursuant to the Adara Certificate of Incorporation, Public Stockholders will be offered the opportunity to redeem, with such redemption to occur upon the consummation of the Business Combination, shares of Adara Class A common stock then held by them for cash equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount on deposit (as of two business days prior to the consummation of the Business Combination) in the Trust Account.
Description of the Minimum and Maximum Allowable Redemption Scenarios
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements present two redemption scenarios as follows:
● | Minimum Redemption: This scenario, which we refer to as the “Minimum Redemption Scenario,” assumes that the only shares of Adara Class A common stock redeemed by the Public Stockholders are those that have already been redeemed prior to June 30, 2022, and Adara Sponsors forfeit 875,000 shares of Adara Common Stock; and |
● | Maximum Redemption: This scenario, which we refer to as the “Maximum Redemption Scenario,” assumes that 10,014,851 shares of Adara Class A common stock are redeemed for an aggregate payment of approximately $101,150,000 (based on the estimated per share redemption price of approximately $10.10 per share) from the Trust Account in order to satisfy the minimum Aggregate Transaction Proceeds of $15.0 million, and Adara Sponsors forfeit an additional 500,000 shares of Adara Common Stock at the discretion of Alliance management. |
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Upon the consummation of the Business Combination, shares outstanding as presented in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements include the following:
(1) | This presentation does not account for 60,000,000 shares that are subject to certain performance vesting terms. |
Assumptions and estimates underlying the unaudited pro forma adjustments set forth in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements are described in the accompanying notes. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements have been presented for illustrative purposes only, and are not necessarily indicative of the operating results and financial position that would have been achieved had the Business Combination occurred on the dates indicated. Further, the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements do not purport to project the future operating results or financial position of the post-merger company following the completion of the Business Combination. The unaudited pro forma adjustments represent management’s estimates based on information available as of the date of these unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements and are subject to change as additional information becomes available and analyses are performed.
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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
AS OF JUNE 30, 2022
(Amounts in thousands, except shares and per share amounts)
| Historical |
|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
US GAAP | Assuming Minimum Redemption | Assuming Maximum Redemption | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Adara |
| Alliance |
| Pro Forma |
| Notes |
| Pro Forma |
| Pro Forma |
| Notes |
| Pro Forma | ||||||||
Assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Current Assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash | $ | 9 | $ | 1,469 | $ | 116,318 | 1c | $ | 109,831 | $ | 15,168 | 1c | $ | 12,746 | |||||||||
(7,965) | 1f | (3,900) | 1f | ||||||||||||||||||||
Accounts Receivables – Net | 98,698 | 98,698 | 98,698 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Inventory | 249,439 | 249,439 | 249,439 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Other Current Assets | 121 | 9,129 | 9,250 | 9,250 | |||||||||||||||||||
Related Party Receivable | 245 | 245 | 245 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total Current Assets | 130 | 358,980 | 108,353 | 467,463 | 11,268 | 370,378 | |||||||||||||||||
Property & Equipment – Net | 3,284 | 3,284 | 3,284 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Operating Lease Right-Of-Use Assets | 8,360 | 8,360 | 8,360 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Intangible Assets | 18,764 | 18,764 | 18,764 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Goodwill | 79,903 | 79,903 | 79,903 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Marketable securities held in Trust Account | 116,318 | — | (116,318) | 1c | — | (101,150) | 1b | — | |||||||||||||||
(15,168) | 1c | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other Assets | 3,748 | 3,748 | 3,748 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total Assets | $ | 116,448 | $ | 473,039 | $ | (7,965) | $ | 581,522 | $ | (105,050) | $ | 484,437 | |||||||||||
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Current Liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Outstanding Checks | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Accounts Payable | $ | 198,187 | $ | 198,187 | $ | 198,187 | |||||||||||||||||
Accrued Expenses | 569 | 11,573 | 12,142 | 12,142 | |||||||||||||||||||
Revolving Credit Facility | 135,968 | 135,968 | 135,968 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Promissory Note | 330 | 330 | 330 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Current Portion of Seller Note | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
Current Portion of Obligations Under Capital Lease | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
Current Portion of Operating Lease Obligations | 4,453 | 4,453 | 4,453 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Income Tax Payable | 418 | 418 | 418 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total Current Liabilities | 899 | 350,599 | 351,498 | 351,498 | |||||||||||||||||||
Long-Term Liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Deferred Tax Liability | 5,271 | 5,271 | 5,271 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Debt-Non-Current | 3,377 | 3,377 | 3,377 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Long-Term Portion of Operating Lease Obligations | 4,864 | 4,864 | 4,864 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Warrant Liabilities | 1,786 | — | 1,786 | 1,786 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total Long-Term Liabilities | 1,786 | 13,512 | — | 15,298 | — | 15,298 | |||||||||||||||||
Total Liabilities | $ | 2,685 | $ | 364,111 | $ | — | $ | 366,796 | $ | — | $ | 366,796 |
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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED INCOME STATEMENT
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2022
(Amounts in thousands, except shares and per share amounts)
Historical | ||||||||||||||||||||||
US GAAP | Assuming Minimum Redemption | Assuming Maximum Redemption | ||||||||||||||||||||
Pro Forma | Pro Forma | |||||||||||||||||||||
Pro Forma | Condensed | Pro Forma | Condensed | |||||||||||||||||||
| Adara |
| Alliance |
| Adjustments |
| Notes |
| Combined |
| Adjustments |
| Notes |
| Combined | |||||||
Net Sales | $ | 585,857 | $ | 585,857 | $ | 585,857 | ||||||||||||||||
Cost of Sales | 517,232 | 517,232 | 517,232 | |||||||||||||||||||
Gross Margin | 68,625 | — | 68,625 | — | 68,625 | |||||||||||||||||
Operating Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Fulfillment Services | 31,053 | 31,053 | 31,053 | |||||||||||||||||||
Technology | 6,444 | 6,444 | 6,444 | |||||||||||||||||||
Sales & Marketing | 14,940 | 14,940 | 14,940 | |||||||||||||||||||
General & Administrative | $ | 1,252 | $ | 7,116 | $ | (60) | 2a | $ | 8,308 | $ | (60) | 2a | $ | 8,308 | ||||||||
Depreciation & Amortization | — | 3,885 | 3,885 | 3,885 | ||||||||||||||||||
Transaction Costs | 31 | 31 | 31 | |||||||||||||||||||
IC DISC | 3,644 | 3,644 | 3,644 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total Operating Expenses | 1,252 | 67,113 | (60) | 68,305 | (60) | 68,305 | ||||||||||||||||
Operating Income (Loss) | (1,252) | 1,512 | 60 | 320 | 60 | 320 |
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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED INCOME STATEMENT
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2022
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
Historical | |||||||||||||||||||||||
US GAAP | Assuming Minimum Redemption | Assuming Maximum Redemption | |||||||||||||||||||||
Pro Forma | Pro Forma | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Pro Forma | Condensed | Pro Forma | Condensed | ||||||||||||||||||||
Adara | Alliance | Adjustments | Notes | Combined | Adjustments | Notes | Combined | ||||||||||||||||
Non Operating Income (Expenses): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||
Interest | (2,320) | (2,320) | (2,320) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Interest earned on marketable securities held in Trust Account | 158 | (158) | 2b | — | (158) | 2b | — | ||||||||||||||||
Change in fair value of warrants liabilities | 3,075 | (1,783) | 2e | 1,292 | (1,783) | 2e | 1,292 | ||||||||||||||||
Total Non-Operating Income (Expenses) | 3,233 | (2,320) | (1,941) | (1,028) | (1,941) | (1,028) | |||||||||||||||||
Income before Income Taxes | 1,981 | (808) | (1,881) | (708) | (1,881) | (708) | |||||||||||||||||
Provision for Income Taxes | (99) | 24 | 2d | (75) | 24 | 2d | (75) | ||||||||||||||||
Net Income (Loss) | $ | 1,981 | $ | (907) | $ | (1,857) | $ | (783) | $ | (1,857) | $ | (783) | |||||||||||
Supplemental Data | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic shares outstanding | 14,375 | 1 | 61,000 | 50,485 | |||||||||||||||||||
Diluted shares outstanding | 14,375 | 1 | 61,000 | 50,485 | |||||||||||||||||||
Basic and Diluted earnings (Loss) per share: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic earnings (Loss) per share | $ | 0.14 | $ | (1,007.78) | $ | (0.01) | $ | (0.02) | |||||||||||||||
Diluted earnings (Loss) per share | $ | 0.14 | $ | (1,007.78) | $ | (0.01) | $ | (0.02) |
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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED INCOME STATEMENT
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021
(Amounts in thousands)
Historical |
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||
US GAAP | Assuming Minimum Redemption | Assuming Maximum Redemption | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
| Pro Forma |
| Pro Forma | ||||||||||||||||||
Pro Forma | Condensed | Pro Forma | Condensed | ||||||||||||||||||||
Adara | Alliance | Adjustments | Notes | Combined | Adjustments | Notes |
| Combined | |||||||||||||||
Net Sales | $ | 1,441,762 | $ | 1,441,762 | $ | 1,441,762 | |||||||||||||||||
Cost of Sales | 1,241,650 | 1,241,650 | 1,241,650 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Gross Margin | 200,112 | 200,112 | 200,112 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Operating Expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Fulfillment Services | 60,682 | 60,682 | 60,682 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Technology | 12,772 | 12,772 | 12,772 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sales & Marketing | 29,845 | 29,845 | 29,845 | ||||||||||||||||||||
General & Administrative | 977 | 16,655 | (105) | 2a | 17,527 | (105) | 2a | 17,527 | |||||||||||||||
Depreciation & Amortization | 9,910 | — | 9,910 | 9,910 | |||||||||||||||||||
Transaction costs | 86 | (282) | 5,565 | 2c | 5,369 | 1,500 | 2c | 1,304 | |||||||||||||||
IC DISC | 8,589 | 8,589 | 8,589 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total Operating Expenses | 1,063 | 138,171 | 5,460 | 144,694 | 1,395 | 140,629 | |||||||||||||||||
Income from Operations | (1,063) | 61,941 | (5,460) | 55,418 | (1,395) | 59,483 |
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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED INCOME STATEMENT
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
Historical | |||||||||||||||||||||||
US GAAP | Assuming Minimum Redemption | Assuming Maximum Redemption | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Adara |
| Alliance |
| Pro Forma |
| Notes |
| Pro Forma |
| Pro Forma |
| Notes |
| Pro Forma | ||||||||
Non Operating Income (Expenses): | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Gain\loss on Disposal of PPE | (47) | (47) | (47) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Interest | (3,237) | (3,237) | (3,237) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Interest earned on marketable securities held in Trust Account | 10 | — | (10) | 2b | — | (10) | 2b | — | |||||||||||||||
Change in fair value of warrants liabilities | 4,297 | — | (2,490) | 2e | 1,807 | (2,490) | 2e | 1,807 | |||||||||||||||
Total Non Operating Income (Expenses) | 4,307 | (3,284) | (2,500) | (1,477) | (2,500) | (1,477) | |||||||||||||||||
Income before Income Taxes | 3,244 | 58,657 | (7,960) | 53,941 | (3,895) | 58,006 | |||||||||||||||||
Provision for Income Taxes | (14,076) | 1,313 | 2d | (12,763) | 337 | 2d | (13,739) | ||||||||||||||||
Net Income | $ | 3,244 | $ | 44,581 | $ | (6,647) | $ | 41,178 | $ | (3,558) | $ | 44,267 | |||||||||||
Supplemental Data | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic shares outstanding | 13,040 | 1 | 61,000 | 50,485 | |||||||||||||||||||
Diluted shares outstanding | 13,040 | 1 | 61,000 | 50,485 | |||||||||||||||||||
Basic and Diluted earnings per share: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic earnings per share | $ | 0.25 | $ | 49,534.44 | $ | 0.68 | $ | 0.88 | |||||||||||||||
Diluted earnings per share | $ | 0.25 | $ | 49,534.44 | $ | 0.68 | $ | 0.88 |
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Pro Forma Notes
1. | Basis of Presentation |
The Business Combination will be accounted for as a reverse recapitalization in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Under this method of accounting, Adara is treated as the “acquired” company for accounting and financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, for accounting purposes, the Business Combination is treated as the equivalent of Alliance issuing stock for the net assets of Adara, accompanied by a recapitalization. The net assets of Adara are stated at historical cost, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded.
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of June 30, 2022, gives pro forma effect to the Business Combination as if it had been consummated on June 30, 2022. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and the year ended December 31, 2021, give pro forma effect to the Business Combination, as if it had occurred on January 1, 2021.
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of June 30, 2022, has been prepared using, and should read in conjunction with, the following:
● | Adara’s unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2022, and the related notes, included elsewhere in this registration statement; and |
● | Alliance’s audited consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2022, and the related notes, included elsewhere in this registration statement. |
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2022 has been prepared using, and should be read in conjunction with, the following:
· | Adara’s unaudited condensed statement of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2022, and the related notes, included elsewhere in this registration statement; |
· | Alliance’s audited consolidated statement of operations for the year ended June 30, 2022, and related notes included elsewhere in this registration statement, adjusted for Alliance’s unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations for the six months ended December 31, 2021, not included in this registration statement, and the related notes. |
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2021, has been prepared using, and should be read in conjunction with, the following:
● | Adara’s audited statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes, included elsewhere in this registration statement; |
● | Alliance’s audited consolidated statement of operations for the year ended June 30, 2021, and the related notes, included elsewhere in this registration statement, adjusted for the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the six months ended December 31, 2021, and 2020, not included in this registration statement. |
Management has made significant estimates and assumptions in its determination of the pro forma adjustments. As the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared based on these preliminary estimates, the final amounts recorded may differ materially from the information presented.
Upon consummation of the Business Combination, management will perform a comprehensive review of the two entities’ accounting policies. As a result of the review, management may identify differences between the accounting policies of the two entities which, when conformed, could have a material impact on the financial statements of the combined company. Based on its initial analysis, management did not identify any differences that would have a material impact on the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information. As a result, the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information does not assume any differences in accounting policies.
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The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information does not give effect to any anticipated synergies, operating efficiencies, tax savings or cost sayings that may be associated with the Business Combination. The pro forma adjustments reflecting the consummation of the Business Combination are based on certain currently available information and certain estimates, assumptions and methodologies that management believes are reasonable under the circumstances. The unaudited condensed pro forma adjustments, which are described in the accompanying notes, may be revised as additional information becomes available and is evaluated. Therefore, it is likely that the actual adjustments will differ from the pro forma adjustments, and it is possible the differences may be material. Management believes that its assumptions and methodologies provide a reasonable basis for presenting all of the significant effects of the Business Combination based on information available to management at the time and that the pro forma adjustments give appropriate effect to those assumptions and are properly applied in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information.
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is not necessarily indicative of what the actual results of operations and financial position would have been had the Business Combination taken place on the dates indicated, nor are they indicative of the future consolidated results of operations or financial position of the post-combination company. They should be read in conjunction with the historical financial statements and notes thereto of Adara and Alliance.
2. | Adjustments to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information |
The unaudited proforma condensed combined financial information has been prepared to illustrate the effect of the Business Combination and has been prepared for informational purposes only. The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared in accordance with Article 11, which requires the presentation of adjustments for the accounting for the transaction and provides management with the option to present the reasonably estimable synergies and other transaction effects that have occurred or are reasonably expected to occur. Adara has elected to only present transaction accounting adjustments and other pro forma adjustments, in the following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information. There were no intercompany transactions between Adara and Alliance that would require adjustment to these pro forma financial statements for any of the periods presented.
Adjustments to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheet
1. | The pro forma adjustments included in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of June 30, 2022, are as follows: |
a. | Reflects the elimination of Adara’s historical accumulated deficit upon consummation of the Business Combination. |
b. | Reflects the Maximum Redemption Scenario where public stockholders holding 10,014,851 shares of the Adara Class A common stock exercised their right to redeem such shares at a redemption price of approximately $10.10 per share in November 2022. Approximately $101,150,000 in cash was removed from the Trust Account to pay such stockholders. The Minimum Redemption Scenario assumes there are no redemptions and the entire $116,150,000 is reclassified to permanent capital. |
c. | Reflects the reclassification of investments held in the Trust Account to cash and cash equivalents that become available following consummation of the Business Combination. |
d. | Reflects the conversion of all outstanding shares of Adara Class B common stock to Adara Class A common stock pursuant to the Business Combination and the forfeiture of 875,000 and 1,375,000 Class B shares under the Minimum Redemption Scenario and the Maximum Redemption Scenario, respectively. |
e. | Reflects the cancelation and conversion of each then-outstanding share of Alliance common stock and Treasury stock into the number of shares of Adara Class A common stock to be received. |
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f. | Reflects the payment of estimated transaction costs of approximately $7,965,000 and $3,900,000 under the Minimum Redemption Scenario and Maximum Redemption Scenario, respectively. Under the Minimum Redemption Scenario, costs will be $5,565,000 for Adara and $2,400,000 for Alliance. Under the Maximum Redemption Scenario, costs will be $1,500,000 for Adara and $2,400,000 for Alliance. Costs include legal, financial advisory and other professional fees related to the Business Combination. In connection with the reverse recapitalization treatment, Alliance’s transaction costs are recorded as reductions to additional paid-in capital. Adara’s expected net transaction costs, including $4,065,000 under the Minimum Redemption Scenario for amounts paid to the underwriter related to retaining Public Shareholder funds in the merged entity, are recorded through the statement of operations and treated as an increase to accumulated deficit that is reclassified to additional paid-in capital upon consummation of the merger. |
g. | Reflects recording the fair value of the 60,000,000 shares of Class E stock that is subject to performance vesting (treated as an equity award). The value was estimated using a Monte Carlo valuation model and was recorded as an increase in APIC and decrease in retained earnings as it is treated like a dividend. Retained earnings was only reduced to -0-, and not for the entire estimated value of approximately $248 million. Management acknowledges that US GAAP does not specifically address the accounting for dividends that exceed retained earnings, and that there is diversity in practice. Therefore, management has elected an accounting policy to not reduce retained earnings below $0, and to reduce APIC by the excess amount. Assumptions used to estimate fair value are as follows: |
| Tranche 1 |
| Tranche 2 |
| Tranche 3 |
| ||||
Common stock value | $ | 9.89 | $ | 9.89 | $ | 9.89 | ||||
Exercise price | $ | 0.00 | $ | 0.00 | $ | 0.00 | ||||
Contractual stock price threshold | $ | 20.00 | $ | 30.00 | $ | 50.00 | ||||
One-touch barrier | $ | 21.95 | $ | 32.92 | $ | 54.86 | ||||
Expiration date | 6/30/2027 | 6/30/2029 | 6/29/2032 | |||||||
Expected item | 5.00 | 7.00 | 10.00 | |||||||
Risk-free rate | 2.99 | % | 3.01 | % | 2.96 | % | ||||
Dividend | 0.00 | % | 0.00 | % | 0.00 | % | ||||
Volatility | 34.8 | % | 34.8 | % | 34.8 | % | ||||
Value of an up-and-in barrier option | $ | 5.01 | $ | 4.03 | $ | 3.37 | ||||
Fair value per share | $ | 5.01 | $ | 4.03 | $ | 3.37 |
Adjustments to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statements of Operations
2. | The pro forma adjustments included in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations for six months ended June 30, 2022, and the year ended December 31, 2021, are as follows: |
a. | Reflects the elimination of Adara’s administrative services fee paid to certain related parties of Adara that will cease upon consummation of the Business Combination and therefore would not have been incurred if the Business Combination was consummated on January 1, 2021. |
b. | Reflects the elimination of interest and dividends on investments held in the Trust Account, which includes interest income and dividends earned related to the investments held in the Trust Account of Adara that would not have been earned if the Business Combination was consummated on January 1, 2021. |
c. | Reflects approximately $5,565,000 and $1,500,000 of non-recurring Adara transaction costs, assuming the Minimum Redemption Scenario and Maximum Redemption Scenario, respectively, related to the Business Combination to be incurred through the close of the transaction. These transaction costs are not reflected in Adara’s historical financial statements and are not adjusted for in the proforma statement of operations and will be expensed as incurred. The $4,065,000 additional costs, to be incurred assuming the Minimum Redemption Scenario, relate to fees that are paid to Adara's underwriter, calculated as 3.5% of the funds in the Trust Account which are not redeemed by Adara Class A Common Stockholders. The final amount will be between $0 and $4,065,000 depending on how many shares are redeemed. |
d. | Reflects the income tax effect related to the pro forma adjustments, at an estimated effective tax rate of 24%, for the year ended December 31, 2021. |
95
e. | Reflects the reversal of the change in fair value of the Public warrants which were reclassified to permanent equity. |
Income per Share
Represents the net income per share calculated using the historical basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding, and the issuance of additional shares in connection with the Business Combination, assuming the shares were outstanding since January 1, 2021. As the Business Combination is being reflected as if it had occurred as of January 1, 2021, the calculation of weighted average shares outstanding for basic and diluted net loss per share assumes the shares to be issued and outstanding upon the consummation of the Business Combination have been outstanding for the entire periods presented.
Basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to the holders of Adara common stock are as follows:
For the year ended | |||||||
| Minimum |
| Maximum | ||||
Pro forma net income attributable to common stockholders | $ | 41,178,000 | $ | 44,267,000 |
| ||
Pro forma weighted average shares calculation, basic and diluted: | |||||||
Adara Class A common stockholders (Public Shareholders) | 11,500,000 | 1,485,149 | |||||
Adara Class B common stockholders (Sponsor) | 2,000,000 | 1,500,000 | |||||
Former Alliance stockholders | 47,500,000 | 47,500,000 | |||||
Pro forma weighted average shares outstanding – basic and diluted(1) | 61,000,000 | 50,485,149 | |||||
Net income per share – basic and diluted(1) | $ | 0.68 | $ | 0.88 |
(1) | Weighted average shares outstanding are the same for basic and diluted earnings per share because all 9,920,000 warrants are considered antidilutive. Also excludes the 60,000,000 contingent shares that are subject to performance conditions after the merger because they are not considered outstanding for the earnings per share calculations. |
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THE SPECIAL MEETING OF ADARA’S STOCKHOLDERS
The Adara Special Meeting
Adara is furnishing this proxy statement/prospectus to you as part of the solicitation of proxies by its board of directors for use at the special meeting stockholders to be held on , 2022, and at any adjournment or postponement thereof. This proxy statement/prospectus is first being furnished to Adara’s stockholders on or about , 2022. This proxy statement/prospectus provides you with information you need to know to be able to vote or instruct your vote to be cast at the special meeting of stockholders.
Date, Time and Place of the Special Meeting
The special meeting of stockholders of Adara will be held at 10:00 a.m., Eastern time, on , 2022, via live webcast at www.[·], or such other date, time and place to which such meeting may be adjourned or postponed, for the purpose of considering and voting upon the proposals.
In light of the ongoing health concerns relating to the COVID-19 pandemic and to best protect the health and welfare of Adara’s stockholders and personnel, the special meeting will be held virtually. Stockholders are nevertheless urged to vote their proxies by completing, signing, dating, and returning the enclosed proxy card in the accompanying pre-addressed postage paid envelope, or to direct their brokers or other agents on how to vote the shares in their accounts, as applicable.
Purpose of the Special Meeting
At the Adara special meeting of stockholders, Adara will ask Adara’s stockholders to vote in favor of the following proposals:
● | The “Business Combination Proposal” — To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve and adopt the Business Combination Agreement and effect the Business Combination. |
● | The “Charter Proposals” — To consider and vote upon amendments to the Existing Certificate of Incorporation. The proposed amendments detailed below are collectively referred to as the “Charter Proposals.” |
● | Changing the Name — Changing Adara’s name to “Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation.” |
● | Changes to Authorized Capital Stock — the Existing Certificate of Incorporation of Adara authorizes the issuance of 111,000,000 total shares, consisting of (a) 110,000,000 shares of common stock, of which (i) 100,000,000 shares are Class A common stock, and (ii) 10,000,000 shares are Class B common stock, and (b) 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock. The Proposed Certificate of Incorporation will authorize the issuance of 551,000,000 total shares, consisting of (a) 490,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, (b) 60,000,000 of Class E common stock and (c) 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, and eliminate the Class B common stock and any rights of holders thereof. |
● | Required Vote to Amend the Certificate of Incorporation — require an affirmative vote of holders of at least two-thirds (66-⅔%) of the voting power of the then outstanding shares of voting stock of the Combined Company, voting together as a single class, to amend, alter, repeal or rescind, in whole or in part, certain provisions of the Proposed Certificate of Incorporation. |
● | Required Vote to Amend the Bylaws — require an affirmative vote of holders of at least two-thirds (66-⅔%) of the voting power of the then outstanding shares of voting stock of the Combined Company entitled to vote generally in an election of directors to adopt, amend, alter, repeal or rescind the Combined Company’s bylaws. |
● | Classified Board — divide the Combined Company’s board of directors into three classes with only one class of directors being elected each year and each class (except for those directors appointed prior to the first annual meeting of shareholders) serving a three-year term. |
● | Director Removal — provide for the removal of directors with cause only by stockholders voting at least two-thirds (66-⅔%) of the voting power of all of the then outstanding shares of voting stock of the Combined Company entitled to vote at an election of directors. |
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● | Removal of Blank Check Company Provisions — eliminate various provisions applicable only to blank check companies, including business combination requirements that will no longer be relevant following the Business Combination. |
● | The “Equity Incentive Plan Proposal” — To consider and vote upon the adoption of the 2022 Plan established to be effective after the Closing to assist the Combined Company in retaining the services of eligible employees, directors and consultants, to secure and retain the services of new employees, directors and consultants and to provide incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for the Combined Company’s success. |
● | The “NYSE American Proposal ”— To consider and vote upon a proposal to issue (i) Combined Company Common Stock and Combined Company Class E Common Stock to Alliance’s stockholders as a result of the Merger pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, including the Combined Company Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Contingent Consideration Shares; and (ii) issue equity awards under the 2022 Plan if such plan is approved in accordance with Proposal No. 3 (Equity Incentive Plan Proposal). |
● | The “Adjournment Proposal” — a proposal to adjourn the special meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, to permit further solicitation and vote of proxies if, based upon the tabulated vote at the time of the special meeting, there are not sufficient votes to approve one or more proposals presented to stockholders for vote. |
Recommendation of Adara’s Board of Directors
Adara’s board of directors believes that each of the proposals to be presented at the special meeting of stockholders is in the best interests of Adara and its stockholders and unanimously recommends that its stockholders vote “FOR” each of the proposals.
When you consider the recommendation of Adara’s board of directors in favor of approval of the Business Combination Proposal and the other Stockholder Proposals, you should keep in mind that Adara’s directors and officers have interests in the Business Combination that are different from, in addition to, or in conflict with your interests as a stockholder. These interests include, among other things:
● | the beneficial ownership of Adara’s board of directors and officers and their affiliates of an aggregate of 1,950,000 shares of Adara Class B Common Stock and 4,120,000 Adara Warrants, which shares and warrants would become worthless if Adara does not complete a business combination within the applicable time period, as our directors and officers have waived any right to redemption with respect to these shares. Such shares and warrants have an aggregate market value of approximately $[·] million based on the closing prices of Adara Common Stock and warrants of $[·] and $[·], respectively on the NYSE American on the Record Date for the special meeting of stockholders, giving effect to the forfeiture of 875,000,000 Initial Stockholder Shares by the Sponsor. Based on such market values, Adara’s board of directors and officers will have an unrealized gain of approximately $[·] million on their Adara securities; |
● | The repayment of up to an aggregate of $500,000 of loans made by certain directors and their affiliates pursuant to the Promissory Notes (under which $[ ] principal amount was outstanding as of the Record Date) to the extent such outstanding amounts exceed the amount not required to be returned in the Trust Account, unless a business combination is consummated, which Adara does not anticipate being able to repay if the Business Combination is not consummated; |
● | Adara’s board of directors will not receive reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them on Adara’s behalf incident to identifying, investigating and consummating a business combination to the extent such expenses exceed the amount not required to be retained in the Trust Account, unless a business combination is consummated; |
● | the anticipated continuation of Thomas Finke and W. Tom Donaldson III, as directors of the Combined Company following the Closing; |
● | the fact that the Adara Initial Stockholders who hold Initial Stockholder Shares and Private Warrants may experience a positive rate of return on their investment, even if the Public Stockholders experience a negative rate of return on their investment; and |
● | the continued indemnification of the current directors and officers of Adara following the Business Combination and the continuation of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance following the Business Combination. |
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Record Date and Voting
You will be entitled to vote or direct votes to be cast at the special meeting of stockholders if you owned shares of Adara Common Stock and/or Adara Class B Common Stock at the close of business on [·], 2022, is the Record Date. You are entitled to one vote for each share of Adara Common Stock or Adara Class B Common Stock that you owned as of the close of business on the Record Date. If your shares are held in “street name” or are in a margin or similar account, you should contact your broker, bank or other nominee to ensure that votes related to the shares you beneficially own are properly counted. On the Record Date, there were 14,375,000 shares of Adara Common Stock outstanding, of which 11,500,000 are shares of Adara Common Stock and 2,875,000 are shares of Adara Class B Common Stock or Initial Stockholder Shares held by the Initial Stockholder.
The Adara Initial Stockholders have agreed to vote all of their Initial Stockholder Shares and any Public Shares acquired by them in favor of the Business Combination Proposal and the other Stockholder Proposals. Adara’s issued and outstanding Adara Warrants do not have voting rights at the special meeting of stockholders.
Voting Your Shares
Each share of Adara Common Stock and Adara Class B Common Stock that you own in your name entitles you to one vote on each of the proposals for the special meeting of stockholders. Your one or more proxy cards show the number of shares of Adara Common Stock and Adara Class B Common Stock that you own.
If you are a holder of record, there are two ways to vote your shares of Adara Common Stock and Adara Class B Common Stock at the special meeting of stockholders:
● | You can vote by completing, signing and returning the enclosed proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided. If you hold your shares in “street name” through a bank, broker or other nominee, you will need to follow the instructions provided to you by your bank, broker or other nominee to ensure that your shares are represented and voted at the applicable special meeting(s). If you vote by proxy card, your “proxy,” whose name is listed on the proxy card, will vote your shares as you instruct on the proxy card. If you sign and return the proxy card but do not give instructions on how to vote your shares, your shares of Adara Common Stock and Adara Class B Common Stock will be voted as recommended by Adara’s board of directors. With respect to proposals for the special meeting of stockholders, that means: “FOR” the Business Combination Proposal, “FOR” each of the Charter Proposals, “FOR” the Equity Incentive Plan Proposal, “FOR” the NYSE American Proposal and “FOR” the Adjournment Proposal. |
● | You can virtually attend the special meeting and vote online. However, if your shares of Adara Common Stock are held in the name of your broker, bank or other nominee, you must get a proxy from the broker, bank or other nominee. That is the only way we can be sure that the broker, bank or nominee has not already voted your shares of Adara Common Stock. |
Who Can Answer Your Questions About Voting Your Shares
If you have any questions about how to vote or direct a vote in respect of your shares of Adara Common Stock or Adara Class B Common Stock, you may contact our proxy solicitor at:
Morrow Sodali LLC
333 Ludlow Street, 5th Floor, South Tower
Stamford, CT 06902
Telephone: (800) 662-5200
(Banks and brokers can call collect at: (203) 658-9400)
Email: ADRA.info@investor.morrowsodali.com
Quorum and Vote Required for the Stockholder Proposals
A quorum of Adara’s stockholders is necessary to hold a valid meeting. A quorum will be present at the special meeting of stockholders if a majority of the Adara Common Stock and Adara Class B Common Stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting is virtually represented in person or by proxy and, with respect to the separate vote by other Adara Class B Common Stock for other Charter Proposals if a majority of the shares of Adara Class B Common Stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting is virtually represented in person or by proxy. Abstentions will count as present for the purposes of establishing a quorum.
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The approval of the Business Combination Proposal requires the affirmative vote (virtually in person or by proxy) of the holders of a majority of the then outstanding shares of Adara Common Stock and Adara Class B Common Stock entitled to vote thereon at the special meeting, voting together as a single class. Accordingly, an Adara stockholder’s failure to vote by proxy or to vote online at the virtual special meeting of stockholders, an abstention from voting or a broker non-vote will have the same effect as a vote against this proposal.
The approval of the Charter Proposals requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Adara Common Stock and Adara Class B Common Stock, voting together as a single class, and the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Adara Class B Common Stock then outstanding, voting separately as a single class. Accordingly, an Adara stockholder’s failure to vote by proxy or to vote online at the virtual special meeting of stockholders, an abstention from voting or a broker non-vote will have the same effect as a vote against these proposals.
The approval of the Equity Incentive Plan Proposal, NYSE American Proposal and Adjournment Proposal requires the affirmative vote (virtually in person or by proxy) of the holders of a majority of the shares of Adara Common Stock and Adara Class B Common Stock that are voted at the special meeting, voting together as a single class. Accordingly, an Adara stockholder’s failure to vote by proxy or to vote online at the virtual special meeting of stockholders, an abstention from voting, or a broker non-vote will have no effect on the outcome of any vote on these proposals.
Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes
Under the rules of various national and regional securities exchanges, your broker, bank or nominee cannot vote your shares with respect to non-discretionary matters unless you provide instructions on how to vote in accordance with the information and procedures provided to you by your broker, bank or nominee. Adara believes the proposals presented to its stockholders will be considered non-discretionary and therefore your broker, bank or nominee cannot vote your shares without your instruction. If you do not provide instructions with your proxy, your bank, broker or other nominee may deliver a proxy card expressly indicating that it is NOT voting your shares; this indication that a bank, broker or nominee is not voting your shares is referred to as a “broker non-vote.”
Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum at the special meeting of Adara’s stockholders. For purposes of approval, an abstention or failure to vote will have the same effect as a vote against each of the Business Combination Proposal and the individual Charter Proposals and will have no effect on any of the other Stockholder Proposals.
Revocability of Proxies
If you have submitted a proxy to vote your shares and wish to change your vote, you may do so by delivering a later-dated, signed proxy card to Adara’s secretary, at 211 East Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203, prior to the date of the special meeting or by voting online at the virtual special meeting. Attendance at the special meeting alone will not change your vote. You also may revoke your proxy by sending a notice of revocation to Adara’s secretary at the above address.
Redemption Rights
Pursuant to the Existing Certificate of Incorporation, any holders of Public Shares may demand that such shares be redeemed in exchange for a pro rata share of the aggregate amount on deposit in the Trust Account, which holds the proceeds of the IPO and a concurrent private placement of warrants to the Adara Initial Stockholders, including any amounts representing interest earned on the Trust Account, less any interest for any income and other taxes payable, calculated as of two business days prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, provided that such stockholders follow the specific procedures for redemption set forth in this proxy statement/prospectus relating to the stockholder vote on the Business Combination. If demand is properly made and the Business Combination is consummated, these shares, immediately prior to the Business Combination, will cease to be outstanding and will represent only the right to receive such pro rata share of the aggregate amount on deposit in the Trust Account. For illustrative purposes, based on funds in the Trust Account of approximately $[·] million on the Record Date, the estimated per Public Share redemption price would have been approximately $10.10.
Redemption rights are not available to holders of Adara Warrants in connection with the Business Combination.
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In order to exercise your redemption rights, you must, prior to 4:30 p.m., Eastern time, on , 2022 (two business days before the special meeting), both:
● | Submit a request in writing that Adara redeem your Public Shares for cash to Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, Adara’s transfer agent, at the following address: |
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
One State Street Plaza, 30th Floor
New York, New York 10004
Attention: Mark Zimkind
E-mail: mzimkind@continentalstock.com
● | Deliver your Public Shares either physically or electronically through DTC to Adara’s transfer agent. Stockholders seeking to exercise their redemption rights and opting to deliver physical certificates should allot sufficient time to obtain physical certificates from the transfer agent. It is Adara’s understanding that stockholders should generally allot at least one week to obtain physical certificates from the transfer agent. However, Adara does not have any control over this process, and it may take longer than one week. |
● | Stockholders who hold their shares in street name will have to coordinate with their bank, broker or other nominee to have the shares certificated or delivered electronically. If you do not submit a written request and deliver your Public Shares as described above, your shares will not be redeemed. |
Any demand for redemption, once made, may be withdrawn at any time until the deadline for exercising redemption requests and thereafter, with Adara’s consent, until the vote is taken with respect to the Business Combination. If you delivered your shares for redemption to Adara’s transfer agent and decide within the required timeframe not to exercise your redemption rights, you may request that Adara’s transfer agent return the shares (physically or electronically). You may make such request by contacting Adara’s transfer agent at the phone number or address listed above.
Each redemption of Public Shares by the Public Stockholders will decrease the amount in the Trust Account. In no event, however, will Adara redeem Public Shares in an amount that would cause its net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 upon completion of the Business Combination.
Prior to exercising redemption rights, stockholders should verify the market price of their Adara Common Stock as they may receive higher proceeds from the sale of their Adara Common Stock in the public market than from exercising their redemption rights if the market price per share is higher than the redemption price. Adara cannot assure you that you will be able to sell your shares of Adara Common Stock in the open market, even if the market price per share is higher than the redemption price stated above, as there may not be sufficient liquidity in Adara Common Stock when you wish to sell your shares.
If you exercise your redemption rights, your shares of Adara Common Stock will cease to be outstanding immediately prior to the Business Combination and will only represent the right to receive a pro rata share of the aggregate amount on deposit in the Trust Account, including any amounts representing interest earned on the Trust Account, less taxes payable. You will no longer own those shares. You will be entitled to receive cash for these shares only if you properly demand redemption.
Appraisal or Dissenters’ Rights
No appraisal or dissenters’ rights are available to holders of shares of Adara Common Stock, Adara Class B Common Stock or Adara Warrants in connection with the Business Combination.
Solicitation of Proxies
Adara will pay the cost of soliciting proxies for the special meeting. Adara has engaged Morrow Sodali LLC to assist in the solicitation of proxies for the special meeting. Adara has agreed to pay Morrow Sodali LLC a fee of $[·]. Adara will reimburse Morrow Sodali LLC for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and will indemnify Morrow Sodali LLC and its affiliates against certain claims, liabilities, losses, damages and expenses. Adara also will reimburse banks, brokers and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries representing beneficial owners of shares of Adara Common Stock for their expenses in forwarding soliciting materials to beneficial owners of Adara Common Stock and in obtaining voting instructions from those owners. Adara’s directors, officers and
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employees may also solicit proxies by telephone, by facsimile, by mail, on the Internet or in person. They will not be paid any additional amounts for soliciting proxies.
Stock Ownership
As of the Record Date, the Adara Initial Stockholders beneficially own all of the Adara Class B Common Stock and an aggregate of approximately 20% of the aggregate outstanding shares of Adara Common Stock and Adara Class B Common Stock. The Adara Initial Stockholders have agreed to vote all of their Initial Stockholder Shares and any Public Shares acquired by them in favor of the Business Combination and each of the Stockholder Proposals.
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PROPOSAL NO. 1 — THE BUSINESS COMBINATION PROPOSAL
THE BUSINESS COMBINATION
Background of the Business Combination
Adara is a blank check company formed as a corporation in Delaware on August 5, 2020 for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities.
On February 11, 2021 , Adara completed its initial public offering. Prior to the consummation of the IPO, neither Adara, nor anyone on its behalf, contacted any prospective target business or had any discussions, formal or otherwise, with respect to a transaction with Adara.
From the date of the IPO through the signing of the mutually exclusive letter of intent with Alliance on November 19, 2021, Adara’s management and board members collectively reviewed self-generated ideas; generated leads through their individual networks; and were contacted directly and indirectly by numerous firms including, but not limited to, investment banks, private equity firms, law firms, business brokers, venture capital firms and personal and professional contacts with respect to more than 100 business combination ideas. Adara’s board members evaluated such opportunities prior to and during initial discussions with Alliance, including businesses addressing various markets at the forefront of DTC branding, consumer products, online software, software logistics, online marketplaces and shipping.
During the nine months occurring between the IPO and executing the letter of intent with Alliance, Adara’s board of directors had regular weekly meetings to discuss potential targets and business combinations from Adara’s potential target spreadsheet.
Adara entered into non-disclosure agreements with approximately 30 potential target businesses, for which Adara received presentations and/or diligence materials. Discussions with all but six of these potential business targets were not pursued or terminated shortly after receiving the materials so Adara’s board of directors determined to remove those opportunities from consideration.
Adara entered into material discussions with the senior executives and/or shareholders of six of those potential acquisition targets in addition to Alliance. The potential valuations discussed for these potential targets ranged from $50 million to over $1.0 billion and these target businesses operated in a variety of industries, consisting of logistics software; e-commerce software; consumer products (frozen foods); consumer products (cellular phones); and shipping (two targets). Adara submitted a non-binding letter of intent to the software e-commerce business which was not executed. Adara executed a non-binding letter of intent with the e-commerce software company which was terminated prior to Adara’s introduction to Alliance due to the parties not being able to agree upon terms for a business combination. Adara continued to evaluate the other potential targets until executing a letter of intent with Alliance, as Adara agreed to a “no shop” provision in the letter of intent with Alliance.
The decision to pursue a business combination with Alliance rather than a transaction with an alternative acquisition target were generally due to Adara’s management and board of directors’ view that Alliance’s innovative DTC business model, along with its strong revenue and profitability, presented the ability of retailers (big box and otherwise) to compete with Amazon; Alliance’s strong and experienced management which was able to successfully acquire and profitably integrate businesses under the Alliance business model using asset based lending; Alliance’s strong network of entertainment and consumer product vendors and partners; Alliance’s significant market opportunity to expand in the DTC distribution industry; and the large total addressable market opportunity for Alliance’s DTC distribution solutions for big box and other retailers as this market accelerates over the coming decades.
In late September 2021, Mr. Sumichrast, Chief Executive Officer and a director of Adara at such time, spoke with Mitchell Nussbaum (a partner at Loeb & Loeb, a law firm which represented both Alliance and ThinkEquity, Adara’s investment banking firm), regarding Alliance which was considering going public through a special purpose acquisition company. They agreed that Adara and Alliance would enter into a non-disclosure agreement before Mr. Nussbaum and Alliance would provide any detailed material information about, including financial statements of, Alliance.
Effective on September 27, 2021, Adara and Alliance entered into a non-disclosure agreement.
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On October 5, 2021, Loeb & Loeb LLP forwarded to ThinkEquity and Adara a preliminary investor presentation that had been prepared by Alliance management. The conversations between Adara and Alliance quickly turned to potential business combination terms, including Alliance’s valuation.
On October 11, 2021, Alliance was one of four potential targets reviewed during the weekly Adara board of directors meeting, and Adara’s board of directors noted that a call should be scheduled with Alliance for the following day.
On October 12, 2021, Mr. Finke, Mr. Sumichrast, Mr. Porter, Mr. Donaldson, John Reilly, John Frankenheimer (counsel to Alliance), and Mr. Nussbaum (counsel to Alliance), Representatives from ThinkEquity, Mr. Ogilvie and Mr. Walker, participated in an initial call during which the Adara management team provided background on its formation and investment strategy: and Mr. Ogilvie and Mr. Walker walked through the investor presentation and provided background on the history of Alliance. Both sides agreed to have further discussions regarding a possible transaction.
On October 19, 2021, Alliance was one of two potential targets discussed at the weekly Adara board of directors meeting.
Also, on October 19, 2021, Mr. Finke met with Mr. Ogilvie and Jeff Franklin (an advisor to Alliance) in Seal Beach, California for lunch for an introductory meeting, at which Mr. Ogilvie provided information about Alliance’s history and business strategy, and Mr. Finke discussed the mechanics of special purpose acquisition companies and how a potential transaction could be structured.
On October 25, 2021, Alliance was the first of three potential targets raised at the weekly Adara board of directors meeting. Mr. Sumichrast and Mr. Finke noted that they would be meeting with Alliance management in New York later in the week.
On October 27, 2021, Mr. Finke forwarded by email a general term sheet and timeline of a potential business combination in preparation for a meeting in New York the following day among Mr. Finke, Mr. Ogilvie and Mr. Walker, among others. The general term sheet included Adara’s initial valuation of Alliance at eight times EBITDA for the trailing twelve months prior to the Closing of the Business Combination Agreement.
On October 28, 2021, Mr. Finke, Mr. Sumichrast, Mr. Walker, Paul Eibeler, a director of Alliance, and Mr. Nussbaum and representatives from ThinkEquity met in New York while Mr. Ogilvie joined by video. In addition to personal introductions, there was further discussion regarding Alliance’s business strategy and how a business combination with Adara could be structured. The parties also exchanged draft letters of intent.
On November 1, 2021, Mr. Finke updated the Adara board of directors on the Alliance potential transaction.
On November 3, 2021, a joint working group consisting of Mr. Ogilvie, Mr. Walker, Mr. Finke, Mr. Sumichrast, Mr. Porter, Mr. Donaldson and Mr. Reilly and management of Adara participated in a video conference call to discuss terms of the draft letter of intent. Immediately prior to that conference call, Mr. Sumichrast sent a business combination timeline to Mr. Ogilvie and Mr. Walker to review and as an agenda for such call.
On November 8, 2021, Mr. Walker forwarded to Adara additional and updated information in connection with the pro forma financial information and transaction sources and uses of funds.
Commencing on November 8, 2021, Adara and Alliance scheduled a weekly video conference to discuss aspects of the potential business combination, which weekly Monday video conference generally continued until the execution of the Business Combination Agreement. Attendees were typically Mr. Finke, Mr. Donaldson, Mr. Sumichrast, Mr. Porter, Mr. Reilly, Mr. Walker and Mr. Ogilvie.
On November 9, 2021, Mr. Finke forwarded to Mr. Ogilvie and Mr. Walker Adara’s revised draft of the letter of intent.
On November 12, 2021, Mr. Ogilvie sent to Adara a revised letter of intent and updated financial information about its Alliance’s robotics capital investment.
On November 18, 2021, the Adara board of directors conducted a conference call and unanimously approved entering into the Alliance letter of intent as submitted and reviewed by Adara’s board of directors.
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On November 19, 2021, the parties executed a non-binding letter of intent, which included a mutual obligation to negotiate exclusively with each other regarding a potential transaction for a period of 60 days, or such earlier date on which Adara notified Alliance that Adara does not wish to pursue the proposed transaction. The non-binding letter of intent also contemplated:
A pre-money valuation of Alliance equal to eight times trailing twelve months EBITDA including captive insurance addback, for the month ended February 28, 2022, less indebtedness for borrowed money (excluding amounts owed to Bank of America up to $75 million and certain equipment leases up to $10 million) plus $15 million for paid in working capital;
Contingent consideration of up to an aggregate of an addition 40 million shares of Adara Common Stock to be earned upon the Adara Common Stock achieving post-closing stock-based price targets of $30, $50 and $100;
Mr. Ogilvie and Mr. Walker entering into lock-up agreements subjecting the shares of Adara Common Stock to be issued in the Business Combination to the same restrictions applicable to the Adara Initial Stockholder Shares;
The composition of the board of directors of the surviving company to consist of seven members, of which (i) five members, consisting of Mr. Ogilvie, Mr. Walker and three other members which meet the NASDAQ independence requirements; and (ii) two directors designated by Adara who meet the Nasdaq independence requirements; and
Adara to seek a PIPE financing of at least $165 million and as a condition to closing, (waivable solely by Alliance) that Adara have cash and cash equivalents at closing, including proceeds from the PIPE and funds remaining in the Trust Account, after giving effect to redemptions by the Public Stockholders, and prior to the payment of Adara’s transaction expenses and other liabilities at least equal to the amount of the PIPE commitments.
On November 29, 2021, Adara retained FTI Consulting, Inc. to coordinate and perform due diligence of Alliance, and representatives of FTI Consulting, Inc. were added to the Alliance data room that was previously set up by Alliance.
On December 8, 2021, Adara forwarded to Alliance a due diligence request list. From December 2021 through March 2022, FTI Consulting, Inc. and Adara conducted and discussed the due diligence of Alliance, including interviewing multiple members of management.
On December 13, 2021, Blank Rome LLP (“Blank Rome”), counsel to Adara, forwarded the initial draft of the Business Combination Agreement to Loeb & Loeb, counsel to Alliance. Between December 2021 and March 2021, representatives of Adara and Alliance held multiple teleconference calls to discuss the terms of the Business Combination and the provisions of the Business Combination Agreement and exchanged drafts of the Business Combination Agreement and other agreements related to the Business Combination. Blank Rome and Loeb & Loeb also exchanged updated drafts of the Business Combination Agreement and related ancillary documents and agreements during this period.
From December 14, 2021, Mr. Sumichrast, Mr. Finke and a representative of ThinkEquity visited Alliance’s Kentucky distribution center for due diligence. On December 15, 2021, Mr. Finke and a representative of ThinkEquity visited Alliance’s Minnesota distribution center for further diligence.
On December 28, 2021, the joint working group from Adara and Alliance participated in a video conference call to discuss the investor presentation. Over the course of January through mid-March 2022, the parties continued to discuss and revise the investor presentation.
During the week of February 21, 2022, members of management of Adara and Alliance began confidential discussions with ThinkEquity about the timeline and the potential PIPE process.
On March 17, 2022, Adara retained ThinkEquity to (i) render an opinion as to whether the consideration to be issued by Adara in the proposed business combination was fair, from a financial point of view, to Adara and (ii) ThinkEquity served as representative of the underwriters of the IPO for Adara. The underwriters of the IPO received aggregate underwriting fees of $1,000,000 and ThinkEquity and its designees (i) were issued warrants to purchase 50,000 shares of Adara Common Stock and (ii) purchased 50,000 shares of Adara Class B Common Stock, which will automatically convert into Adara Common Stock upon the consummation of the Business Combination. In addition, in connection with the IPO, Adara granted to ThinkEquity a right of first refusal to act as, on an equal basis, (i) exclusive financial advisors in connection with any proposed business combination, and (ii) until the later of 24 months after the closing of the IPO and 12 months after the Closing of the Business Combination, exclusive investment bankers, exclusive
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book-runners, exclusive financial advisors, exclusive underwriters and/or exclusive placement agents, at ThinkEquity’s sole and exclusive discretion. ThinkEquity has not previously performed any other services for Adara or Alliance’s officers and directors. However, ThinkEquity served as (i) representative of the underwriters for several public offerings of cbdMD, Inc., for which the underwriters received aggregate underwriting compensation of approximately $5.8 million, warrants to purchase an aggregate of 918,958 shares of cbdMD, Inc.’s common stock and reimbursement of approximately $562,000 of expenses in connection with such offerings and (ii) financial advisor in connection with the delivery of a fairness opinion to cbdMD, Inc., for which ThinkEquity received an advisory fee of $100,000 and reimbursement of approximately $3,000 of expenses. Martin Sumichrast, Adara’s former Chief Executive Officer and director, was Chairman and CEO of cbdMD, Inc. at such time, and Paul Porter, Adara’s Chief Financial Officer, has served as outside counsel to cbdMD, Inc.
On March 17, 2022, Adara also retained ThinkEquity to serve as (i) placement agent in connection with the PIPE and (ii) financial advisor in connection with the Business Combination. The agreement provides that ThinkEquity will receive fees plus expense reimbursements in connection therewith with its placement agreement services and (iii) an advisory fee in connection with the Business Combination in an amount equal to the greater of (i) 3.5% of the net proceeds in the Trust Account remaining after giving effect to redemptions by the Public Stockholders and (ii) $1,000,000.
On March 29, 2022, FTI Consulting provided Adara and Alliance with a detailed due diligence memorandum on Alliance.
On April 25, 2022, members of management of Adara (Mr. Sumichrast and Mr. Finke) and Alliance (Mr. Ogilvie and Mr. Walker) began engaging in confidential discussions with potential investors for a PIPE financing.
From April 25, 2022 to May 16, 2022, representatives of Adara and Alliance participated in confidential investor meetings in connection with a PIPE financing.
On or around June 1, 2022, Adara and Alliance determined not to seek a PIPE financing due to current market conditions.
On June 21, 2022, the Adara board of directors held a meeting via teleconference with all members of the Adara board of directors present to discuss the Business Combination. Also present, at the request of the Board, were representatives of Blank Rome and ThinkEquity. During the meeting, representatives of ThinkEquity provided a presentation to the directors regarding ThinkEquity’s financial analysis with respect to Alliance and the Business Combination. Thereafter, ThinkEquity rendered its oral opinion to the directors (which was confirmed in writing by delivery of ThinkEquity’s written opinion dated June 21, 2022), as to the fairness, from a financial point of view, to Adara of the aggregate closing consideration to be issued by Adara in the Business Combination. On that date, Adara and ThinkEquity entered into an amendment to the engagement letter dated March 17, 2022, pursuant to which the amount of the advisory fee to which ThinkEquity will be entitled in connection with the Business Combination was amended to be equal to 3.5% of the net proceeds in the Trust Account after giving effect to redemptions by Adara Public Stockholders. If none of the Adara Public Stockholders exercise their redemption rights, the fee payable to ThinkEquity will be approximately $4.1 million. If Adara Public Stockholders exercise their redemption rights as to 5,750,000 shares of Class A common stock (representing 50% of the shares of Class A common stock subject to redemption), the fee payable to ThinkEquity would be approximately $2.5 million. If Adara public stockholders exercise their redemption rights as to 10,014,851 shares of Class A common stock (the maximum extent permitted under the Business Combination Agreement) the fee payable to ThinkEquity will be approximately $525,000. This fee is in addition to the $300,000 fee Adara paid to ThinkEquity as a condition to the delivery of the fairness opinion.
On June 22, 2022, the Adara board of directors held a meeting via telephone with all members of the Adara board of directors present to discuss the Business Combination. Also present, at the request of the board, were representatives of the Blank Rome and ThinkEquity. ThinkEquity provided a presentation to the directors a copy of which was provided in advance of the meeting regarding ThinkEquity’s financial analysis with respect to Alliance and the Business Combination. ThinkEquity reaffirmed its written opinion dated June 21, 2022, as to the fairness from a financial point of view, to Adara of the aggregate closing consideration to be issued by Adara in the Business Combination. After considerable review and discussion, the Business Combination Agreement and related documents and agreements were unanimously approved by the Adara board of directors, and the board determined to recommend that the stockholders of Adara approve the Business Combination Agreement and related transactions, including the proposals to be included in the proxy statement.
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The Business Combination Agreement and related documents and agreements were executed on June 22, 2022. The material terms of the Business Combination Agreement did not materially deviate from the letter of intent, except as described below:
● | The consideration payable by Adara to the Alliance security holders was reduced from 68,633,414 shares of Adara Common Stock to 47,500,000 shares of Adara Common Stock as a result of the reduction in the valuation of Alliance; |
● | The Sponsor agreed to forfeit between 875,000 and 1,375,000 Initial Stockholder Shares, the exact number of shares to be determined by Alliance; |
● | The limitation on the amount permitted to be outstanding under the Credit Facility were deleted because the delay in executing the Business Combination Agreement will delay the closing of the Business Combination and Alliance will require additional financing to operate its business in the fourth quarter of 2022; |
● | The target common stock price for the Triggering Events were reduced to $20, $30 and $50, the number of Contingent Consideration Shares for Triggering Event I was increased from 4,000,000 shares to 20,000,000 shares, and the number of Contingent Consideration Shares for Triggering Event II was increased from 16,000,000 shares to 20,000,000 shares; and |
● | The condition to obtain a $165 million PIPE financing was eliminated and the minimum cash requirement was reduced to $15,000,000. |
Prior to the market open on June 23, 2022, Adara and Alliance issued a joint press release announcing the execution of the Business Combination Agreement and Adara filed with the SEC a Current Report on Form 8-K announcing the execution of the Business Combination Agreement.
Adara’s Board of Directors’ Reasons for the Approval of the Business Combination
As described under “— The Background of the Business Combination” above, Adara’s board of directors, in evaluating the Business Combination, consulted with Adara’s management and financial and legal advisors. In reaching its unanimous resolution that (i) the terms and conditions of the Business Combination Agreement, including the transactions contemplated therein, are advisable, fair to, and in the best interests of Adara and its stockholders and (ii) to recommend that the Adara stockholders adopt and approve the Business Combination Agreement and approve the transactions contemplated therein, Adara’s board of directors considered a range of factors, including, but not limited to, the factors discussed below. In light of the number and wide variety of factors considered in connection with its evaluation of the proposed business combination, the Adara board of directors did not consider it practicable to, and did not attempt to, quantify or otherwise assign relative weights to the specific factors that it considered in reaching its determination and supporting its decision. The Adara board of directors viewed its decision as being based on all of the information available and the factors presented to and considered by it. In addition, individual directors may have given different weight to different factors.
This explanation of Adara’s reasons for the combination and all other information presented in this section is forward-looking in nature and, therefore, should be read in light of the factors discussed under the section titled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
In approving the Business Combination, the Adara board of directors considered a number of factors pertaining to the Business Combination as generally supporting its decision to enter into the Business Combination Agreement and the transactions contemplated therein, including, but not limited to, the following:
● | Leading Industry Market Share. Adara’s management and board of directors believes that Alliance’s leading industry market share in fulfillment and eCommerce distribution; |
● | Organic Growth Potential. Through the experience of partnership with vendors and customers, as well as investments in existing technology and infrastructure, Alliance expects to continue to grow revenue and expand margins; |
● | Consideration Opportunities. Alliance’s management has significant merger and acquisition experience to derive further growth through the acquisition of complementary businesses and competitors; |
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● | Due Diligence. Adara’s management and board of directors conducted due diligence examinations of Alliance, including a technical assessment of Alliance’s operations, and held discussions with Alliance’s management and Adara’s financial and legal advisors concerning Adara’s due diligence examination of Alliance; |
● | Financial Condition. The Adara board of directors also considered factors such as Alliance’s outlook, financial plan and capital structure, as well as valuations using projected multiples for Alliance on a Combined Company basis (see “— Certain Alliance Projected Financial Information”); |
● | Strong Strategic Partners. Alliance has established long-term strategic relationships with leading entertainment industry entertainment companies, such as Universal Pictures, Universal Music Group, Warner Brothers Home Video, Walt Disney Studios, Sony Music, Sony Pictures, Microsoft, Nintendo, and others, and leading retailer customers in the United States and internationally, including Walmart, Amazon, Best Buy, Barnes & Noble, Wayfair, Costco and Target, among others; |
● | Other Alternatives. The Adara board of directors believes, after a thorough review of other business combination opportunities reasonably available to Adara, that the Business Combination represents the best potential business combination for Adara and the most attractive opportunity for Adara based upon the process utilized to evaluate and assess other potential combination targets, and Adara’s board of directors’ belief that such process has not presented a better alternative; and |
● | Compelling Valuation Negotiated Transaction. The financial and other terms of the Business Combination Agreement, including a reduction of the valuation of Alliance from eight times trailing twelve months ended March 31, 2022 Adjusted EBIDTA to 6.2 times trailing twelve months ended March 31, 2022 Adjusted EBITDA and which other terms and conditions are reasonable, were the product of arm’s length negotiations between Adara and Alliance. |
The Adara board of directors also considered a variety of uncertainties and risk and other potentially negative factors concerning the Business Combination including, but not limited to, the following:
● | Macro-economic Risks. Macro-economic uncertainty and the effects it could have on the Combined Company’s operating results; |
● | Redemption Risk. The potential that a significant number of Adara’s stockholders elect to redeem their shares prior to the consummation of the Business Combination and pursuant to Adara’s existing certificate of incorporation, which would potentially make the Business Combination more difficult or impossible to complete, and/or reduce the amount of cash available to the Combined Company following the Closing; |
● | Stockholder Vote. The risk that Adara’s stockholders may fail to provide the respective votes necessary to effect the Business Combination; |
● | Closing Conditions. The fact that the completion of the Business Combination is conditioned on the satisfaction of certain closing conditions that are not within Adara’s control, including the minimum cash requirement; |
● | Litigation. The possibility of litigation challenging the Business Combination or that an adverse judgment granting permanent injunctive relief could indefinitely enjoin consummation of the Business Combination; |
● | Benefits May Not Be Achieved. The risks that the potential benefits of the Business Combination may not be fully achieved or may not be achieved within the expected timeframe; |
● | Adara’s Stockholders Receive a Minority Position. The fact that Adara’s stockholders will hold a minority position in the Combined Company; |
● | Potential Conflicts of Interest of Adara’s Directors and Officers. The potential conflicts of interest of the Adara board of directors and officers in the Business Combination (see “— Interests of Adara’s Directors and Officers in the Business Combination”); |
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● | Pre-existing Fiduciary or Contractual Duties of Adara’s Officers and Directors. The fact that Adara’s officers and directors have pre-existing fiduciary or contractual duties to other entities pursuant to which they were required to present business combination opportunities to such other entity prior to presenting them to us (see “Information about Adara — Directors and Executive Officers — Pre-existing Fiduciary and Contractual Obligations of Management”); and |
● | Other Risks Associated with the Business Combination. Various other risks associated with the business of Alliance, as described in the section titled “Risk Factors” appearing elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus. |
The Adara board of directors also considered the Business Combination in light of the investment criteria set forth in Adara’s final prospectus for its IPO including, without limitation, that based upon Adara’s analyses and due diligence, Alliance has the potential to be a market leader and has substantial future growth opportunities, all of which the Adara board of directors believes have a strong potential to create meaningful stockholder value following the consummation of the Business Combination.
The above discussion of the material factors considered by the Adara board of directors is not intended to be exhaustive but does set forth the principal factors considered by the Adara board of directors.
Opinion of Financial Advisor to the Adara Board of Directors
Introduction
Adara retained ThinkEquity to act as its financial advisor in connection with the Business Combination. Adara selected ThinkEquity to act as its financial advisor based on ThinkEquity’s qualifications, expertise and reputation, its knowledge of, and involvement in, recent transactions in the industry in which Adara operates and its knowledge of Adara’s business and affairs. On June 21, 2022, ThinkEquity rendered its oral opinion to the board of directors of Adara (which was confirmed in writing by delivery of ThinkEquity’s written opinion dated such date), and based upon and subject to the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and qualifications and limitations on the scope of review undertaken by ThinkEquity, as set forth in ThinkEquity’s written opinion, the aggregate closing consideration to be issued by Adara in connection with the Business Combination pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement was fair, from a financial point of view, to Adara.
The full text of the written opinion of ThinkEquity delivered to the Adara board of directors, dated June 21, 2022, is attached as Annex D and incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus in its entirety. The opinion sets forth, among other things, the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and qualifications and limitations on the scope of the review undertaken by ThinkEquity in rendering its opinion. All stockholders of Adara are urged to, and should, read the opinion carefully and in its entirety. ThinkEquity’s opinion was directed to the Adara board of directors and addressed only the fairness from a financial point of view to Adara, as of the date of the opinion, of the aggregate consideration to be paid by Adara pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement. ThinkEquity’s opinion did not address any other aspect or implications of the Business Combination and does not constitute an opinion, advice or recommendation as to how any stockholder of Adara should vote at the stockholders’ meeting to be held in connection with the Business Combination. In addition, ThinkEquity’s opinion did not in any manner address the prices at which the Adara common stock would trade following the consummation of the Business Combination or at any time. The summary of ThinkEquity’s opinion set forth in this proxy solicitation/prospectus statement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of ThinkEquity’s written opinion attached as Annex D hereto.
For purposes of rendering its opinion, ThinkEquity, among other things:
● | reviewed the audited financial statements of Alliance as of and for the years ended June 30, 2019, June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2021 and interim financial statements as of and for the periods ended September 30, 2021, December 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022 (which did not include footnotes) (the “Interim Financial Statements”) and projected financial information prepared by Alliance’s management concerning Alliance’s projected financial results for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2022, June 30, 2023 and June 30, 2024 delivered to ThinkEquity on June 11, 2022 (the “Projections”); |
● | reviewed publicly available non-financial information concerning Alliance; |
● | conducted discussions with Adara and Alliance’s senior management concerning Alliance’s historical financial results, business prospects and projected financial information; |
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● | visited Alliance’s major distribution facilities and met with management members (however, ThinkEquity conducted no asset appraisal or audit); |
● | reviewed a draft of the Business Combination Agreement dated June 18, 2022; |
● | conducted such other analyses and examinations and considered such other information and financial, economic and market criteria as we deemed appropriate in arriving at ThinkEquity’s fairness opinion, including discounted cash flow analyses; |
● | analyzed certain financial, stock market and other publicly available information relating to the businesses of other companies whose operations we considered relevant in evaluating those of Alliance; and |
● | conducted such other analyses and examinations and considered such other information and financial, economic and market criteria as we deemed appropriate in arriving at ThinkEquity’s fairness opinion. |
ThinkEquity has assumed and relied upon the accuracy and completeness of information that was made available, supplied or otherwise communicated to ThinkEquity by or on behalf of Adara or Alliance, without assuming any responsibility for the independent verification of such information, and ThinkEquity has further relied upon the assurances of Adara management, without independent verification, that they are not aware of any facts or circumstances that would make such information inaccurate or misleading. ThinkEquity has also assumed that obtaining all regulatory approvals and third-party consents, including the approval by Adara’s stockholders if applicable, required for the consummation of the Business Combination will not have a materially adverse impact on Adara or on the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination. In arriving at the opinion, ThinkEquity did not conduct an independent evaluation or appraisal of the assets or liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of Alliance, nor was ThinkEquity furnished with any such evaluations or appraisals, other than the Interim Financial Statements. The opinion, which is attached as Annex D hereto, is therefore necessarily based upon financial, market, economic and other conditions and circumstances as they exist and have been disclosed, and can be evaluated, as of the date thereof without independent verification. ThinkEquity is not legal, tax, accounting, environmental, or regulatory advisors and, ThinkEquity does not express any views or opinions as to the tax treatment that will be required to be applied to the Business Combination or any legal, tax, accounting, environmental, or regulatory matters relating to Adara, Alliance, the Business Combination, or otherwise. ThinkEquity has relied as to all legal, tax and accounting matters on advice of Adara’s management and its third-party legal, tax and accounting advisors. ThinkEquity understands and has assumed that Adara has obtained or will obtain such advice as it deems necessary or appropriate from qualified legal, tax, accounting, environmental, regulatory, and other professionals.
Summary of Financial Analyses
The following is a summary of the material financial analyses prepared by ThinkEquity and reviewed with the Adara board of directors in connection with the rendering by ThinkEquity of its opinion on June 21, 2022. The summary set forth below does not purport to be a complete description of the financial analyses performed or factors considered by, and underlying the opinion of, ThinkEquity, nor does the order of the financial analyses described represent the relative importance or weight given to those financial analyses by ThinkEquity. ThinkEquity may have deemed various assumptions more or less probable than other assumptions, so the reference ranges resulting from any particular portion of the analyses summarized below should not be taken to be the view of ThinkEquity as to the actual value of Alliance. Some of the summaries of the financial analyses set forth below include information presented in tabular format. In order to fully understand the financial analyses, the tables must be read together with the text of each summary, as the tables alone do not constitute a complete description of the financial analyses performed by ThinkEquity. Considering the data in the tables below without considering all financial analyses or factors or the full narrative description of such analyses or factors, including the methodologies and assumptions underlying such analyses or factors, could create a misleading or incomplete view of the processes underlying ThinkEquity’s financial analyses and its opinion. In performing its analyses, ThinkEquity made numerous assumptions with respect to industry performance, general business and economic conditions and other matters, many of which are beyond the control of the parties to the Business Combination. None of the parties to the Business Combination or any other person assumes responsibility if future results are materially different from those discussed. Any estimates contained in these analyses are not necessarily indicative of actual values or predictive of future results or values, which may be significantly more or less favorable than as set forth below. The assumptions and estimates used in, and the results derived from, the financial analyses are inherently subject to substantial uncertainty. Except as otherwise noted, the following quantitative information, to the extent that it is based on market data, is based on market data as it existed on or before June 21, 2022 and is not necessarily indicative of current market conditions.
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ThinkEquity calculated the value of the consideration to be issued to Alliance shareholders as approximately $480 million, based on the issuance of 47,500,000 shares of common stock of Adara multiplied by the $10.10 per share amount in the Trust Fund (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement). ThinkEquity has been advised that as of the quarter ended March 31, 2022, Alliance had approximately $137 million in indebtedness under its revolving credit facility and equipment financing and approximately $1.5 million in cash, and calculate the enterprise value (“Enterprise Value” or “EV”) pre-Business Combination for Alliance to equal approximately $615 million. Following the Business Combination and assuming the maximum number of shares of Class B Common Stock of Adara to remain outstanding, 2,000,000 shares, the post-Business Combination EV equals approximately $635 million. Any additional Adara shares held by public stockholders that remain outstanding following the Business Combination will be offset by a corresponding amount in the Trust Account (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) to be released to Adara, net of advisory fees, so the number of such shares held by public stockholders that remain outstanding will have a negligible impact on the EV calculation. There are additional and potentially dilutive equity securities that will be outstanding, or could potentially be issued following the Business Combination, including the 9,920,000 Adara Warrants (and the shares of Adara Common Stock underlying such warrants) and up to 60 million Contingent Consideration Shares (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement). Since the Adara Warrants are struck at a premium to $10.10 per share price used in our analysis, and Contingent Consideration Shares (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) are subject to approximately 100%, 200%, and 400% increases in the share price of the Combined Company Common Stock under defined time periods before their issuance, our analysis is focused on the certain number of shares to be issued and outstanding in connection with the Business Combination.
While comparable companies and transactions were utilized in ThinkEquity’s analyses, very few had similar operating or financial characteristics as Alliance. Accordingly, such analyses are not based solely on arithmetic calculations; rather, they involve complex considerations and judgments concerning differences in financial and operating characteristics of the relevant companies, the timing of the relevant transactions and prospective buyer interests, as well as other factors that could affect the public trading markets of companies to which Alliance is being compared. ThinkEquity has also conducted a discounted cash flow (DCF) valuation analysis based on financial projections provided by Alliance. Due to the limited number of comparable public companies and transactions, ThinkEquity views such comparables as a less reliable indication of value than the DCF analysis.
Comparable Public Company Valuation
Since there were no strong analogs identified for Alliance given its business model as a wholesale distributor of physical entertainment media, the publicly traded comparables that were identified were mainly companies with unique business models working within the e-commerce space. For example, this group included ChannelAdvisor Corporation (ECOM), a SaaS provider of software solutions to help brands and retailers improve their e-commerce operations by connecting customers to third-party marketplaces and providing back-end logistics and fulfillment. Unlike Alliance, ChannelAdvisor’s customers are able to integrate, manage and optimize their e-commerce operations streamlined by ChannelAdvisor’s cloud-based technology platform. Another consumer products platform company that offers its customers ways to optimize their product offerings is Aterian, Inc. (ATER), which differs from Alliance mainly by the core focus of its business model which uses data science to help identify these efficiencies. Advantage Solutions (ADV) is positioned in the US e-commerce market and works with leading e-commerce retailers such as Amazon, Walmart.com and Instacart, as well as omni-channel grocery retailers such as Kroger. Grocery and personal care categories comprise the majority of the products ADV represents. ADV has a comprehensive suite of e-commerce services, including HQ sales & merchandising, and e-commerce sampling and is building an end-to-end platform to manage all aspects of clients’ e-commerce value chain across sales, merchandising, and marketing. Funko, Inc. (FNKO) exists in the physical entertainment space like Alliance, however, they are a content creator leveraging their extensive partnerships with established content providers. GameStop Corp. (GME) is also in the physical entertainment space but acts primarily as a specialty retailer of games and entertainment products sold mainly through their brick-and-mortar locations. GME is also notably larger than Alliance based on trailing twelve months’ revenue of $6.1 billion, and available projections for its next two fiscal years are for negative EBITDA and net income. ThinkEquity also considered two distributors, one in the semi-conductor space, Arrow Electronics, Inc. (ARW), and one in the electronics space, TD SYNNEX Corporation (SNX), who are providers of warehousing and logistics services in addition to their distribution capabilities. However, both ARW and SNX are much larger than Alliance on a trailing twelve months’ revenue basis of $35.2 billion and $42.2 billion, respectively.
This group also had a considerably wide range of trailing twelve months’ revenue, from ChannelAdvisor’s $241 million to TD SYNNEX’s $42.2 billion, and a wide range of trailing twelve months’ EBITDA from Aterian’s negative $46 million to Arrow’s $2.0 billion.
There is no publicly traded comparable that is an exact match to Alliance’s business model. Companies with some operational overlaps are listed below.
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Market Multiples Analysis of Comparable Companies
(Amounts listed in USD. Numbers in millions, except per share data)
Enterprise Value as a Multiple of: | ||||||||||||||
Market Value | Enterprise | EBITDA | ||||||||||||
Company |
| Stock Price(1) |
| of Equity |
| Value(2) |
| TTM |
| CY 2022E |
| CY2023E |
| CY2024E |
Aterian, Inc. | 2.59 | 174.7 | 164.6 | NM | NM | NM | 15.3x | |||||||
ChannelAdvisor Corporation | 14.76 | 449.8 | 347.4 | 16.4 | 9.3 | 8.1 | 7.1 | |||||||
Funko, Inc. | 20.66 | 960.2 | 1,267.3 | 9.1 | 6.9 | 6.1 | 6.7 | |||||||
Arrow Electronics, Inc. | 109.30 | 7,217.8 | 10,142.2 | 5.2 | 4.4 | 4.8 | 5.7 | |||||||
TD SYNNEX Corporation | 93.00 | 8,937.7 | 13,501.0 | 11.2 | 7.2 | 6.7 | 6.1 | |||||||
Advantage Solutions Inc. | 4.12 | 1,311.8 | 3,294.6 | 6.6 | 6.8 | 6.6 | 6.7 | |||||||
GameStop Corp. | 140.28 | 10,624.8 | 10,206.8 | NM | NM | NM | NM | |||||||
High |
| 16.4x |
| 9.3x |
| 8.1x |
| 15.3x | ||||||
Average | 9.7 | 6.9 | 6.5 | 7.9 | ||||||||||
Median | 9.1 | 6.9 | 6.6 | 6.7 | ||||||||||
Low | 5.2 | 4.4 | 4.8 | 5.7 |
(1) | Financial data provided by S&P Capital IQ, Google Finance, Company Reports and ThinkEquity estimates as of 06/21/2022 |
(2) | Calculated as Market Value of Equity plus total debt, non-controlling interest and preferred stock, less cash & equivalents. |
Valuation Analysis
The table below summarizes the implied Enterprise Value ranges derived using valuation multiples of the selected comparable companies group (while Alliance’s fiscal year ends on June 30 and the comparable companies’ multiples are based on calendar years, the calendar year periods serve as an adequate approximation of the implied values of Alliance).
| EV/EBITDA |
| EV/EBITDA |
| EV/EBITDA |
| EV/EBITDA | |||||
Enterprise Value (Low) | $ | 397,068,456 | $ | 283,551,459 | $ | 333,314,352 | $ | 394,673,812 | ||||
Enterprise Value (Mean) | $ | 737,631,016 | $ | 443,261,568 | $ | 448,155,912 | $ | 547,662,808 | ||||
Enterprise Value (Median) | $ | 687,233,866 | $ | 439,343,317 | $ | 458,525,128 | $ | 462,291,372 | ||||
Enterprise Value (High) | $ | 1,237,020,958 | $ | 589,704,646 | $ | 556,949,521 | $ | 1,053,252,376 |
The implied Enterprise Value based on trailing twelve months’ EBITDA ranges from a high of $1.2 billion to a low of $397 million. The median implied Enterprise Value for this same multiple and time-period equals $687 million.
For the four periods including the trailing twelve months and calendar years 2022, 2023 and 2024, the implied Enterprise Value based on EBITDA multiples ranges from a high of $1.2 billion to a low of $283 million.
The median EV/EBITDA multiples over the trailing twelve months and calendar years 2022, 2023 and 2024 imply an Enterprise Value range for Alliance from a high of $687 million and a low of $439 million.
Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Valuation
ThinkEquity used Alliance’s projections for the fiscal years 2022 through 2024, and modeled revenue growth rate of 2.0% for fiscal years 2025 and 2026 to calculate the unlevered free cash flow for the forecast period, calculate the terminal Enterprise Value at the end of the forecast period and apply a discount rate based on Alliance’s weighted average cost of capital. Enterprise Value is determined based on the present value of the forecast period cash flows and the present value of the terminal value.
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The DCF valuation model (outlined below) assumes revenue growth at a 2.7% Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) from 2021–2026, a Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) of 10%, and approximate net debt of $135 million. These assumptions yield an approximate Enterprise Value of $610 million and a resulting equity value of approximately $475 million, or $9.99 per share to be issued to Alliance.
The DCF valuation model’s resulting share price relies on the discount rate used for future cash flows generated by the business. ThinkEquity’s resulting share price is based upon a 10% discount rate on future cash flows. A lower discount rate could cause our valuation to increase. ThinkEquity’s view is that a 10% discount rate reflects the risk-reward of the business model.
The unlevered free cash flow calculation starts with earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT). EBIT is adjusted for the following: Marginal tax rate of 24% of net income, Capex of $1 million annually based on historical ratios, and Depreciation & Amortization of $7.5 million annually.
EBIT is further adjusted by changes to working capital to compute unlevered cash flows. An increase in working capital is equivalent to the accumulation of assets and or reduction in liabilities and the use of cash. A decrease in working capital is a reduction in assets and or accumulation of liabilities and a source of cash.
Historical working capital to revenue ratio ranged from 2.3% to 4.6% for fiscal years 2020 through 2022. Alliance projects a working capital to revenue ratio of 2.7% and 3.4% for fiscal years 2023 and 2024, respectively. ThinkEquity has assumed the normalized working capital to revenue ratio to decline over the long term. As such, there are no increases or decreases in working capital in computing unlevered free cash flows from EBIT for fiscal years 2024 through 2026.
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis for Alliance
(USD in ‘000)
Historical Year Ending 6/30 | Projected Year Ending 6/30* | 2021‑2026 |
| ||||||||||||||||
2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | CAGR |
| ||||||||||
Sales |
| 746.5 |
| 775.6 |
| 1,323.6 |
| 1,400.0 |
| 1,424.0 |
| 1,450.0 |
| 1,479.0 |
| 1,508.6 |
| 2.7 | % |
Cost of goods sold |
| 637.9 |
| 656.5 |
| 1,140.9 |
| 1,213.0 |
| 1,227.3 |
| 1,250.0 |
| 1,276.4 |
| 1,301.9 |
|
| |
Gross Profit |
| 108.6 |
| 119.1 |
| 182.7 |
| 187.0 |
| 196.7 |
| 200.0 |
| 202.6 |
| 206.7 |
| 2.5 | % |
Operating Expenses |
| 83.6 |
| 85.9 |
| 114.1 |
| 122.6 |
| 127.1 |
| 131.2 |
| 131.6 |
| 134.3 |
|
| |
EBITDA |
| 25.9 |
| 33.6 |
| 68.5 |
| 64.4 |
| 69.6 |
| 69.1 |
| 72.5 |
| 73.9 |
| 1.5 | % |
EBITDA Margin |
| 3.5 | % | 4.3 | % | 5.2 | % | 4.6 | % | 4.9 | % | 4.8 | % | 4.9 | % | 4.9 | % |
| |
Less: Depreciation |
| (6.2) |
| (7.1) |
| (5.6) |
| (3.2) |
| (4.0) |
| (4.1) |
| (4.0) |
| (4.0) |
|
| |
Less: Amortization |
| (7.9) |
| (8.7) |
| (6.0) |
| (5.2) |
| (3.5) |
| (3.5) |
| (3.5) |
| (3.5) |
|
| |
EBIT |
| 11.8 |
| 17.8 |
| 56.9 |
| 56.0 |
| 62.1 |
| 61.5 |
| 65.0 |
| 66.4 |
| 3.1 | % |
Less: Taxes |
| (1.7) |
| (0.4) |
| (10.9) |
| (10.0) |
| (13.3) |
| (14.0) |
| (14.2) |
| (14.5) |
|
| |
Tax-effected EBIT |
| 10.1 |
| 17.4 |
| 46.0 |
| 46.0 |
| 48.8 |
| 47.5 |
| 50.8 |
| 51.9 |
| 2.5 | % |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| -17.9 | % | -21.4 | % |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Plus: Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
| 15.8 |
| 11.6 |
| 8.4 |
| 7.5 |
| 7.6 |
| 7.5 |
| 7.5 |
|
| |
Less: Capital expenditures |
|
|
| (1.6) |
| (0.7) |
| (0.2) |
| (1.0) |
| (1.0) |
| (1.0) |
| (1.0) |
|
| |
(Increase)/decrease in working capital |
|
|
| (18.0) |
| (35.3) |
| (34.8) |
| (38.0) |
| 0.0 |
| 0.0 |
| 0.0 |
|
| |
Unlevered Free Cash Flow |
|
|
| 13.6 |
| 21.7 |
| 19.2 |
| 17.1 |
| 54.1 |
| 57.3 |
| 58.4 |
| 22.0 | % |
Unlevered Free Cash Flow |
| 19.2 |
| 17.1 |
| 54.1 |
| 57.3 |
| 58.4 |
|
Discount period | 1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | ||||||
WACC | 10.0 | % | 10.0 | % | 10.0 | % | 10.0 | % | 10.0 | % | |
Discount factor | 0.909 | 0.826 | 0.751 | 0.683 | 0.621 | ||||||
Present value of each Unlevered Free Cash Flow | 17.5 | 14.1 | 40.6 | 39.1 | 36.3 |
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Perpetuity Growth Rate Method | |||
Weighted average cost of capital: |
| 10.0 | % |
Net present value of free cash flow | 147.6 | ||
Terminal growth rate | 2.0 | % | |
Terminal value | 744.9 | ||
Present value of the terminal value | 462.5 | ||
Enterprise value | 610.1 | ||
Less: Net debt** | (135.5) | ||
Equity value | 474.6 | ||
Shares: | 47.500 | ||
Equity Value Per Share | 9.99 |
*Company forecasts for FY 2022, 2023 and 2024
**Note: Net debt represents total debt plus noncontrolling interest plus preferred stock , less cash & short term investments.
Source: Thomson Reuters, Google Finance, Alliance’s projections, and ThinkEquity estimates.
M&A Transactions
GTCR LLC Acquires CommerceHub, Inc.
On May 21, 2018, GTCR LLC completed the acquisition of CommerceHub, Inc. (“CommerceHub”) for $22.75/share, for a purchase price of approximately $1.1 billion and an equity value of approximately $1.0 billion. The acquisition value equaled 30.4x Enterprise Value to trailing twelve months’ EBITDA. CommerceHub is a leading provider of cloud-based e-commerce fulfillment and marketing solutions for large retailers, marketplaces, consumer brands and suppliers. CommerceHub’s cloud-based software and service capabilities are tailored for specific customer business rules and processes, to more effectively fulfill consumer orders, generate consumer demand for their products and deliver their products to customers.
CommerceHub represents an analog for Alliance’s valuation because both companies offer retailers and marketplaces a solution to the evermore-demanding consumer expectations of product availability and delivery, by offering a broader selection of merchandise online, by facilitating more rapid fulfillment of orders and enabling them to capture more consumer demand. However, CommerceHub lacks the merits of a strong analog to Alliance mainly due to more than half of its revenue generated from fees charged to retailers and suppliers based on the volume of consumer orders processed using the cloud-based CommerceHub software platform and only approximately one third of its revenue being attributable to subscription fees charged to retailers and suppliers for the use of drop-shipping solutions.
HNA Technology Co., Ltd. Acquires Ingram Micro Inc.
On December 5, 2016, Tianjin Tianhai Investment Co., Ltd. (n/k/a HNA Technology Co., Ltd.) (“HNA Technology”) completed the acquisition of Ingram Micro Inc. (“Ingram Micro”) for approximately $6.6 billion with an equity value of approximately $6.0 billion, valuing the company at 8.5x Enterprise Value to trailing twelve months’ EBITDA. As a result, Ingram Micro transitioned from an NYSE listed company to become an operating subsidiary under HNA Technology. Ingram Micro delivers a full spectrum of global technology and supply chain services to businesses by selling technology products and services to resellers, providing end-to-end mobile device lifecycle capabilities and creating value through portfolio management, credit management, channel development and personalized marketing.
Ingram Micro serves as an analog for Alliance given its “one-stop-shop” capabilities for its customers, the breadth of product and solutions offerings and its extensive global coverage. However, unlike Alliance, Ingram Micro is focused in the technology industry with a customer base of the world’s leading mobility companies and a suite of products that it distributes including computer hardware, mobility hardware, networking equipment, and software.
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Platinum Equity, LLC Acquires Ingram Micro Inc. from HNA Technology
On July 7, 2021, Platinum Equity, LLC (“Platinum”) completed the acquisition of Ingram Micro Inc. from HNA Technology for approximately $6.9 billion with an equity value of approximately $5.9 billion, valuing the company at 5.7x Enterprise Value to trailing twelve months’ EBITDA.
We note that as a public company in 2016, Ingram Micro was acquired at a trailing twelve months’ EV/EBITDA multiple in line with the current median of our comparable public companies group at 8.5x compared to 9.0x.
Stockholders are urged to review the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 43 of this proxy statement/prospectus for a description of risk factors, including the risk factors relating to the Business Combination. Stockholders of Adara should also read the section entitled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” beginning on page 40 of this proxy statement/prospectus for additional information regarding the risks inherent in forward-looking information such as the Projections.
Adara also advised ThinkEquity and ThinkEquity has with Adara’s consent assumed that the Projections constitute Alliance’s financial projections for the periods indicated and were reasonably prepared on a basis reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of management of Alliance with respect to the future financial performance of Alliance, and that such information provides a reasonable basis upon which to analyze and evaluate Alliance and form an opinion. ThinkEquity expresses no view with respect to the Projections or methodologies or the assumptions on which they are based. In that regard, ThinkEquity has assumed, with Adara’s consent, that the revenue, EBITDA and net income targets shall be achieved at the amounts and at the times contemplated. Neither Adara nor Alliance provided ThinkEquity with any projections of future financial performance or operating results to review in connection with our preparation of the fairness opinion, other than the Projections.
The issuance of ThinkEquity’s fairness opinion was reviewed and approved by a fairness opinion committee of ThinkEquity.
Under the terms of its engagement letter, between ThinkEquity and Adara, ThinkEquity was paid a cash fee equal to $300,000. Additionally, Adara has agreed to reimburse ThinkEquity for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in an amount up to $150,000, including, but not limited to, the reasonable fees and disbursements of ThinkEquity’s legal counsel and has agreed to indemnify ThinkEquity against certain liabilities. The terms of the fee arrangement with ThinkEquity, which are customary in transactions of this nature, were negotiated at arm’s length between Adara and ThinkEquity, and the Adara board of directors was aware of the arrangement. Furthermore, Adara agreed to pay ThinkEquity an advisory fee for the advisory services in an amount equal to 3.5% of the net funds from Adara’s Trust Account after investor redemptions, which fee shall be due and payable in immediately available funds on the day of closing of the Business Combination. If none of the Adara Public Stockholders exercise their redemption rights, the fee payable to ThinkEquity will be approximately $4.1 million. If Adara Public Stockholders exercise redemption rights as to 5,750,000 shares of Class A common stock (representing 50% of the shares of Class A common stock subject to redemption), the fee payable to ThinkEquity will be approximately $2.5 million. If Adara Public Stockholders exercise their redemption rights as to 10,014,851 shares of Class A common stock (the maximum extent permitted under the Business Combination Agreement) the fee payable to ThinkEquity will be approximately $525,000.
The underwriters of the Adara IPO received aggregate underwriting fees of $1,000,000 and ThinkEquity and its designees (i) were issued warrants to purchase 50,000 shares of Adara Common Stock and (ii) purchased 50,000 shares of Adara Class B Common Stock, which will automatically convert into Adara Common Stock upon the consummation of the Business Combination. In addition, in connection with the IPO, Adara granted to ThinkEquity a right of first refusal to act as, on an equal basis, (i) exclusive financial advisors in connection with any proposed business combination, and (ii) exclusive investment bankers, exclusive book-runners, exclusive financial advisors, exclusive underwriters and/or exclusive placement agents, at ThinkEquity’s sole and exclusive discretion, for each and every future public and private equity and debt offering, including all equity linked financings, during such period, of Adara or any successor to Adara or any of Adara subsidiaries, on terms agreed to by both Adara and ThinkEquity in good faith. ThinkEquity has not previously performed any other services for Adara or Alliance’s officers and directors. However, ThinkEquity served as (i) representative of the underwriters for several public offerings of cbdMD, Inc., for which the underwriters received aggregate underwriting compensation of approximately $5.8 million, warrants to purchase an aggregate of 918,958 shares of cbdMD, Inc.’s common stock and reimbursement of approximately $562,000 of expenses in connection with such offerings and (ii) financial advisor in connection with the delivery of a fairness opinion to cbdMD, Inc., for which ThinkEquity received an advisory fee of $100,000 and reimbursement of approximately $3,000 of expenses. Martin Sumichrast, our former Chief Executive Officer, was Chairman and CEO of cbdMD, Inc. at such time, and Paul Porter, our Chief Financial Officer, has served as outside counsel to cbdMD, Inc.
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Certain Unaudited Alliance Prospective Financial Information Used for Fairness Opinion Analysis
The Alliance financial projections set forth above at page 110 in the section entitled “Opinion of Financial Advisor to the Adara Board of Directors — Discounted Cash Flow Analysis for Alliance” and were, in part, relied upon by ThinkEquity in connection with the rendering of its fairness opinion discussed above. The projections were also made available to the board of directors of Adara in connection with the presentation of financial analyses by ThinkEquity.
Alliance provided ThinkEquity and the Adara board with its internally prepared forecasts for each of the years in the three-year period ending June 30, 2024, based upon a number of future market and business assumptions. Alliance does not, as a matter of general practice, publicly disclose long-term forecasts or internal projections of its future performance, revenue, financial condition or other results. However, in connection with the proposed Business Combination, management of Alliance prepared the financial projections set forth below to present key elements of the forecasts to ThinkEquity and the Adara board. Alliance’s forecasts were prepared solely for internal use and not with a view toward public disclosure. The projections were not prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, the published guidelines of the SEC regarding projections or the guidelines established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants for preparation and presentation of prospective financial information.
The inclusion of financial projections in this proxy statement/prospectus should not be regarded as an indication that Alliance, its management, board of directors, or its affiliates, advisors or other representatives considered, or now considers, such financial projections necessarily to be predictive of actual future results or to support or fail to support your decision whether to vote for or against the Business Combination Proposal. No person has made or makes any representation or warranty to any Adara stockholder regarding the information included in these financial projections. The financial projections are not fact and should not be relied upon as being indicative of future results, and readers of this proxy statement/prospectus, including investors or stockholders, are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this information. You are cautioned not to rely on the projections in making a decision regarding the Business Combination, as the projections may be materially different than actual results. Alliance will not refer back to the financial projections in its future periodic reports filed under the Exchange Act.
The financial projections reflect numerous estimates, assumptions and uncertainties with respect to general business, economic, regulatory, market and financial conditions and other future events, as well as matters specific to Alliance’s business, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond Alliance’s and Adara’s control. As a result, there can be no assurance that the projected results will be realized or that actual results will not be materially lower than projected. Since the financial projections cover multiple years, such information by its nature becomes less reliable with each successive year. These financial projections are subjective in many respects and thus are susceptible to multiple interpretations and periodic revisions based on actual experience and business developments. As such, the financial projections are forward looking statements that are inherently subject significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond Alliance’s control. The various risks and uncertainties include those set forth in the “Risk Factors,” “Alliance Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” sections of this proxy statement/prospectus, respectively.
A summary of the financial projections is provided in this proxy statement/prospectus because they were made available to ThinkEquity and to the Adara board of directors in connection with their review of the proposed transaction. Alliance also provided to ThinkEquity and Adara projections of net income for the three year period ending June 30, 2024. Alliance’s projected net income is not set forth in this proxy statement/prospectus as Adara’s board of directors did not consider Alliance’s net income forecasts in determining whether to approve the Business Combination. Adara’s board of directors believed that forecasted EBITDA, tax-effected EBITDA and unlevered free cash flow were better indicators of Alliance’s future performance since future net income will be impacted by interest rates and there was (and continue to be) a high degree of uncertainty about the interest rate environment.
EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS, BY INCLUDING IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS A SUMMARY OF THE FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS FOR ALLIANCE, ADARA UNDERTAKES NO OBLIGATIONS AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY RESPONSIBILITY TO UPDATE OR REVISE, OR PUBLICLY DISCLOSE ANY UPDATE OR REVISION TO, THESE FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS TO REFLECT CIRCUMSTANCES OR EVENTS, INCLUDING UNANTICIPATED EVENTS, THAT MAY HAVE OCCURRED OR THAT MAY OCCUR AFTER THE PREPARATION OF THESE FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS, EVEN IN THE EVENT THAT ANY OR ALL OF THE ASSUMPTIONS UNDERLYING THE FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS ARE SHOWN TO BE IN ERROR OR CHANGE.
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The unaudited projections were prepared by, and are the responsibility of, Alliance’s management. Neither BDO USA, LLP, Alliance’s independent registered public accounting firm, nor WithumSmith+Brown, P.C., Adara’s independent registered public accounting firm, has audited, reviewed, examined, compiled or otherwise applied procedures with respect to the accompanying prospective financial information presented herein and, accordingly, expresses no opinion or any other form of assurance on it. The report by BDO USA, LLP included in this proxy statement/prospectus relates to Alliance’s previously issued financial statements. It does not extend to the unaudited financial projections and should not be read as if it does.
The projections set out in the ThinkEquity Opinion assume the consummation of the Business Combination. As described above, Alliance’s ability to achieve these projections will depend upon a number of factors outside of its control. These factors include significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Alliance developed these projections based upon assumptions with respect to future business decisions and conditions that are subject to change, including Alliance’s execution of its strategies and product development, as well as growth in the markets in which it currently operates and proposes to operate. As a result, Alliance’s actual results may materially vary from the projections set out below. See also “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and the risk factors set out in “Risk Factors — Risks Related to the Combined Company — If the Business Combination’s benefits do not meet the expectations of investors or securities analysts, the market price of Adara’s securities or, following the Closing, the Combined Company’s securities, may decline.”
Certain key assumptions used in the projections provided by management of Alliance to ThinkEquity and Adara are summarized in the ThinkEquity Opinion, and took into account the assumptions and definitions discussed on page 109.
Alliance defines EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, as sales, less the sum of cost of goods sold and operating expenses, inclusive of selling, general and administrative expenses. Alliance defines EBIT, a non-GAAP financial measure, as sales, less the sum of cost of goods sold, operating expenses, depreciation and amortization. Alliance defines Tax-effected EBIT, a non-GAAP financial measure, as sales, less the sum of cost of goods sold, operating expenses, depreciation, amortization and taxes. Alliance defines unlevered free cash flow as sales, less the sum of goods sold, operating expenses and capital expenditures plus (or less) the increase (or decrease) in working capital. Due to the forward-looking nature of these projections, reconciling such projections to GAAP measures is not practicable. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information presented in compliance with GAAP, and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.
Projections are not being included in this proxy statement/prospectus to influence the decision of stockholders of Adara of whether to vote in favor of the Business Combination proposal to issue shares of Adara common stock to the Alliance stockholders or in favor of any other proposal contained in this proxy statement/prospectus. In light of the foregoing factors and the uncertainties inherent in the projections, stockholders are cautioned not to place undue, if any, reliance on the projections.
Interests of Adara’s Directors and Officers in the Business Combination
When you consider the recommendation of Adara’s board of directors in favor of approval of the Business Combination Proposal and the other Stockholder Proposals, you should keep in mind that certain of Adara’s directors and officers have interests in the Business Combination that are different from, in addition to, or in conflict with your interests as a stockholder or warrant holder. These interests include, among other things:
● | the beneficial ownership of Adara’s board of directors and officers and their affiliates of an aggregate of 2,870,000 shares of Adara Class B Common Stock and 9,920,000 Adara Warrants, which shares and warrants would become worthless if Adara does not complete a business combination within the applicable time period, as our directors and officers have waived any right to redemption with respect to these shares. Such shares and warrants have an aggregate market value of approximately $[·] million based on the closing prices of Adara Common Stock and warrants of $[·] and $[·], respectively on the NYSE American on [·], 2022, the Record Date, giving effect to the forfeiture of 875,000 Initial Stockholder Shares by the Sponsor. Based on such market values, Adara’s board of directors and officers will have an unrealized gain of approximately $[·] million on their Adara securities; |
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● | The repayment of up to an aggregate of $500,000 of loans made by certain directors and their affiliates pursuant to the Promissory Notes (under which $[ ] principal amount was outstanding as of the Record Date) to the extent such outstanding amounts exceed the amount not required to be returned in the Trust Account, unless a business combination is consummated, which Adara does not anticipate being able to repay if the Business Combination is not consummated; |
● | Adara’s board of directors will not receive reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them on Adara’s behalf incident to identifying, investigating and consummating a business combination to the extent such expenses exceed the amount not required to be retained in the Trust Account, unless a business combination is consummated; |
● | the anticipated continuation of Tom Finke and W. Tom Donaldson III as directors of the Combined Company following the Closing; |
● | the fact that the Adara Initial Stockholders who hold Initial Stockholders Shares who purchased Private Warrants may experience a positive rate of return on their investment, even if the Public Stockholders experience a negative rate of return on their investment; |
● | the continued indemnification of current directors and officers of Adara following the Business Combination and the continuation of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance following the Business Combination; and |
● | the fact that Adara’s officers and directors have pre-existing fiduciary or contractual duties to their entities pursuant to which they were required to present a business opportunity to such other entity prior to presenting that to us. |
Potential Actions to Secure Requisite Stockholder Approvals
In connection with the stockholder vote to approve the Business Combination, Adara’s board of directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates may privately negotiate transactions to purchase shares of Adara Common Stock from stockholders who would have otherwise elected to have their shares redeemed in conjunction with the Business Combination for a per share pro rata portion of the Trust Account. None of the Adara Initial Stockholders or Adara’s board of directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates will make any such purchases when they are in possession of any material non-public information not disclosed to the seller of such shares. Such a purchase of shares may include a contractual acknowledgement that such stockholder, although still the record holder of the shares of Adara Common Stock is no longer the beneficial owner thereof and therefore agrees not to exercise its redemption rights. In the event that the Sponsor or Adara’s board of directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates purchase shares in privately negotiated transactions from Public Stockholders who have already elected to exercise their redemption rights, such selling stockholders would be required to revoke their prior elections to redeem their shares. Any such privately negotiated purchases may be effected at purchase prices that are in excess of the per share pro rata portion of the Trust Account. The purpose of these purchases would be to increase the amount of cash available to Adara for use in the Business Combination.
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Regulatory Approvals Required for the Business Combination
Under the HSR Act and related rules, certain transactions, including the Business Combination, may not be completed until notifications have been given and information is furnished to the Antitrust Division of the DOJ and the FTC and all statutory waiting period requirements have been satisfied. Completion of the Business Combination is subject to the expiration or earlier termination of the applicable waiting period under the HSR Act.
At any time before or after the expiration of the statutory waiting periods under the HSR Act, the Antitrust Division of the DOJ and the FTC may take action under the antitrust laws, including seeking to enjoin the completion of the Business Combination, to rescind the Business Combination or to conditionally permit completion of the Business Combination subject to regulatory conditions or other remedies. In addition, non-U.S. regulatory bodies and U.S. state attorneys general could take action under other applicable regulatory laws as they deem necessary or desirable in the public interest, including, without limitation, seeking to enjoin or otherwise prevent the completion of the Business Combination or permitting completion subject to regulatory conditions. Private parties may also seek to take legal action under regulatory laws under some circumstances. There can be no assurance that a challenge to the Business Combination on antitrust grounds will not be made or, if such a challenge is made, that it would not be successful. Adara and Alliance are not aware of any other regulatory approvals in the United States required for the consummation of the Business Combination.
Accounting Treatment of the Business Combination
The Business Combination will be accounted for as a “reverse recapitalization” in accordance with GAAP. Under this method of accounting Adara will be treated as the “acquired” company for financial reporting purposes. This determination is primarily based on the fact that subsequent to the Business Combination, the stockholders of Alliance are expected to have a majority of the voting power of the Combined Company, Alliance will comprise all of the ongoing operations of the Combined Company, Alliance will comprise a majority of the governing body of the Combined Company, and Alliance’s senior management will comprise all of the senior management of the Combined Company. Accordingly, for accounting purposes, the Business Combination will be treated as the equivalent of Alliance issuing shares for the net assets of Adara, accompanied by a recapitalization. The net assets of Adara will be stated at historical costs. No goodwill or other intangible assets will be recorded. Operations prior to the Business Combination will be those of Alliance.
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THE BUSINESS COMBINATION AGREEMENT
The following is a summary of the material terms of the Business Combination Agreement. A copy of the Business Combination Agreement is attached hereto as Annex A to this proxy statement/prospectus and is incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus. The Business Combination Agreement has been attached to this proxy statement/prospectus to provide you with information regarding its terms. It is not intended to provide any other factual information about Adara, Alliance or Merger Sub. The following description does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Business Combination Agreement. You should refer to the full text of the Business Combination Agreement for details of the Business Combination and the terms and conditions of the Business Combination Agreement.
The Business Combination Agreement contains representations and warranties that Adara and Merger Sub, on the one hand, and Alliance, on the other hand, have made to one another as of specific dates. These representations and warranties have been made for the benefit of the other parties to the Business Combination Agreement and may be intended not as statements of fact but rather as a way of allocating the risk to one of the parties if those statements prove to be incorrect. In addition, the assertions embodied in the representations and warranties are qualified by information in confidential disclosure schedules exchanged by the parties in connection with signing the Business Combination Agreement. While Adara and Alliance do not believe that these disclosure schedules contain information required to be publicly disclosed under the applicable securities laws, other than information that has already been so disclosed, the disclosure schedules do contain information that modifies, qualifies and creates exceptions to the representations and warranties set forth in the attached Business Combination Agreement. Accordingly, you should not rely on the representations and warranties as current characterizations of factual information about Adara or Alliance, because they were made as of specific dates, may be intended merely as a risk allocation mechanism between Adara, Merger Sub and Alliance and are modified by the disclosure schedules. The Disclosure Schedules are not publicly filed and are subject to a contractual standard of materiality different from that generally applicable to stockholders and were used for allocating risk among the parties as described above.
General
On June 22, 2022, Adara, Merger Sub and Alliance entered into the Business Combination Agreement, pursuant to which Adara and Alliance will enter into the Business Combination, including the Merger. The terms of the Business Combination Agreement, which contain customary representations and warranties, covenants, closing conditions, termination provisions and other terms relating to the Merger and the other transactions contemplated thereby, are summarized below.
Conversion of Securities
At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of Adara, Merger Sub, Alliance or the holders of any of Alliance’s securities:
● | Each share of Merger Sub Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into and exchanged for one validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable share of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Surviving Corporation and all such shares shall constitute the only outstanding shares of capital stock of the Surviving Corporation as of immediately following the Effective Time; and |
● | No certificates or scrip or shares representing fractional shares of Combined Company Common Stock shall be issued upon the exchange of Alliance Common Stock and such fractional share interests will not entitle the owner thereof to vote or to have any rights of a stockholder of Adara or a holder of shares of Combined Company Common Stock. In lieu of any fractional share of Combined Company Common Stock to which each holder of Alliance Common Stock would otherwise be entitled, the fractional share shall be rounded up or down to the nearest whole share of Combined Company Common Stock, with a fraction of 0.5 rounded up. No cash settlements shall be made with respect to fractional shares eliminated by rounding. |
Contingent Consideration Shares
At the Closing, the Company will also issue to the Alliance Shareholders the Contingent Consideration Shares which shall be placed into the Contingent Consideration Shares Escrow Account pursuant to the Contingent Consideration Shares Agreement and shall not be released from escrow unless and until they are earned as a result of the occurrence of the applicable Triggering Event as follows: 20,000,000 Contingent Consideration Shares will be earned upon the occurrence of Triggering Event 1; 20,000,000
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Contingent Consideration Shares will be earned upon the occurrence of Triggering Event II; and 20,000,000 Contingent Consideration Shares will be earned upon the occurrence of Triggering Event III.
Upon the occurrence of a Triggering Event, the Contingent Consideration Shares released from the Contingent Condition Shares Escrow shall automatically convert into an equal number of shares of Combined Company Common Stock.
In the event that a Triggering Event does not occur during the respective Triggering Event Period, the Contingent Consideration Shares issuable upon the occurrence of the respective Triggering Event shall be forfeited to the Combined Company for cancellation.
Under the Contingent Consideration Escrow Agreement, each Alliance Stockholder owning Contingent Consideration Shares will have all rights with respect to the Contingent Consideration Shares attributable to ownership of such Combined Company Class E Common Stock except (1) the right of possession thereof, (2) the right to sell, assign, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of or encumber such shares or any interest therein, and (3) the right to be paid dividends with respect to such shares (other than non-taxable stock dividends, which shall remain in and become part of the Contingent Consideration Shares). Additionally, the Alliance Stockholders will have the right to vote such Contingent Consideration Shares, provided that during the escrow period they have contractually agreed to vote their shares of Combined Company Class E Common Stock in the same manner and proportion as the Combined Company Common Stock votes.
Closing; Effective Time
The Merger is to become effective by the filing of a certificate of merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, in such form as is required by, and executed in accordance with, the relevant provisions of the DGCL and mutually agreed by the parties and will be effective as of the Effective Time. The parties will hold the Closing immediately prior to such filing of a certificate of merger, on the Closing Date.
The Effective Time shall occur as promptly as practicable but in no event later than three business days after the satisfaction or, if permissible, waiver of the conditions to the completion of the Business Combination set forth in the Business Combination Agreement (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at Closing, provided that the occurrence of the Closing shall remain subject to the satisfaction or, if permissible, waiver of such conditions at the Closing).
Representations, Warranties and Covenants
The Business Combination Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and covenants of Adara, Merger Sub and Alliance relating to, among other things, their ability to enter into the Business Combination Agreement and their respective outstanding capitalization. These representations and warranties are subject to materiality, knowledge and other similar qualifications in many respects and expire at the Effective Time. These representations and warranties have been made solely for the benefit of the other parties to the Business Combination Agreement.
The Business Combination Agreement contains representations and warranties made by Alliance to Adara and Merger Sub relating to a number of matters, including the following:
● | organization and qualification; subsidiaries; |
● | certificate of incorporation and bylaws; |
● | capitalization; |
● | authority relative to the Business Combination Agreement; |
● | no conflict; required filings and consents; |
● | permits; compliance; |
● | financial statements; |
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● | absence of certain changes or events; |
● | absence of litigation; |
● | employee benefit plans; |
● | labor and employment matters; |
● | real property; title to assets; |
● | intellectual property; |
● | taxes; |
● | environmental matters; |
● | material contracts; |
● | insurance; |
● | board approval, vote required; |
● | customers and suppliers; |
● | certain business practices; |
● | interested party transactions; |
● | Exchange Act; |
● | brokers; and |
● | exclusivity of the representations and warranties made by Alliance. |
The Business Combination Agreement contains representations and warranties made by Adara and Merger Sub to Alliance relating to a number of matters, including the following:
● | corporate organization; |
● | organizational documents; |
● | capitalization; |
● | authority relative to the Business Combination Agreement; |
● | no conflict; required filings and consents; |
● | compliance; |
● | SEC filings; financial statements; Sarbanes-Oxley Act; |
● | absence of certain changes or events; |
● | absence of litigation; |
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● | board approval; vote required; |
● | no prior operations of Merger Sub; |
● | brokers; |
● | Adara Trust Account; |
● | employees; |
● | taxes; and |
● | the listing of Combined Company Common Stock, Adara Warrants and Adara Units. |
Conduct of Business Pending the Merger
Alliance has agreed that, between the date of the Business Combination Agreement and the Effective Time or the earlier termination of the Business Combination Agreement (the “Interim Period”), except as otherwise set forth in or qualified by the Business Combination Agreement and Business Combination documents or as required by applicable law, it will, and cause its subsidiaries to, conduct their business in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice. Alliance has also agreed to and cause its subsidiaries to use their best efforts to preserve substantially intact their current business organization, keep available the services of their current officers, key employees, and consultants, and preserve the existing relations with their customers, suppliers, and any other significant business relations.
In addition to the general covenants above, Alliance has agreed that during the Interim Period, except as otherwise set forth in or qualified by the Business Combination Agreement and Business Combination documents or as required by applicable law, it and its subsidiaries will not, directly or indirectly, without the prior written consent of Adara (which may not be unreasonably conditioned, withheld or delayed):
● | amend or otherwise change the organizational documents of Alliance or its subsidiaries; |
● | issue, sell, pledge, dispose of, grant or encumber, or authorize the issuance, sale, pledge, disposition, grant or encumbrance of, (A) any shares of any class of capital stock of Alliance or its subsidiaries, or any options, warrants, convertible securities or other rights of any kind to acquire any shares of such capital stock, or any other ownership interest (including, without limitation, any phantom interest), of Alliance or its subsidiaries, provided that the consent of Adara shall not be required with respect to the issuance or sale of any class of capital stock of Alliance or its subsidiaries or (B) any material assets of any Alliance or its subsidiaries; |
● | form any subsidiary or acquire any equity interest or other interest in any other entity or enter into a joint venture with any other entity; |
● | declare, set aside, make or pay any dividend or other distribution, payable in cash, stock, property or otherwise, with respect to any of its capital stock; |
● | reclassify, combine, split, subdivide or redeem, or purchase or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any of its capital stock, other than redemptions of equity securities from former employees upon the terms set forth in the underlying agreements governing such equity securities; |
● | (A) acquire (including, without limitation, by merger, consolidation, or acquisition of stock or any assets or any other business combination) any corporation, partnership, other business organization or any division thereof, other than the acquisition of inventory and up to $5,000,000 of fixed assets in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; or (B) incur any indebtedness for borrowed money or issue any debt securities or assume, guarantee or endorse, or otherwise become responsible for, the obligations of any person, or make any loans or advances, or intentionally grant any security interest in any of its assets, other than indebtedness incurred under the Credit Facility; |
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● | (A) grant any increase in the compensation, incentives or benefits payable or to become payable to any current or former director, officer, employee or consultant of Alliance or its subsidiaries (or their respective beneficiaries or dependents) as of the date of the Business Combination Agreement, (B) enter into any new, or amend in any material respect any existing employment or severance or termination agreement with any current or former director, officer, employee or consultant, or (C) accelerate or commit to accelerate the funding, payment, or vesting of any compensation or benefits to any current or former director, officer, employee or consultant (except that Alliance and its subsidiaries may (1) increase base compensation of current directors, officers, employees or consultants as provided for in the Business Combination Agreement or Business Combination documents, (2) provide increases in salary, wages, bonuses or benefits to employees as required under any employment or consulting agreement in effect on the date of the Business Combination Agreement and reflected in the Business Combination Agreement or Business Combination documents, (3) change the title of its employees in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (4) make annual or quarterly bonus or commission payments in the ordinary course of business and in accordance with the bonus or commission plans existing on the date of the Business Combination Agreement and reflected in the Business Combination Agreement or Business Combination documents and (5) pay IC-DISC commissions payable to My WorldWide Marketplace; |
● | other than as required by law or pursuant to the terms of an agreement entered into prior to the date of the Business Combination Agreement and reflected in the Business Combination Agreement or Business Combination documents or that Alliance or its subsidiaries are not prohibited from entering into after the date of the Business Combination Agreement, grant any severance or termination pay to, any director or officer of Alliance or its subsidiaries; |
● | adopt, amend and/or terminate any material plan except as may be required by applicable law, is necessary in order to consummate the Business Combination, or health and welfare plan renewals in the ordinary course of business; |
● | (A) amend any material tax return, (B) change any material method of tax accounting, (C) make, change or rescind any material election relating to taxes, or (D) settle or compromise any material U.S. federal, state, local or non-U.S. tax audit, assessment, tax claim or other controversy relating to taxes |
● | materially amend, or modify or consent to the termination (excluding any expiration in accordance with its terms) of any material contract or amend, waive, modify or consent to the termination (excluding any expiration in accordance with its terms) of Alliance’s material rights thereunder, in each case in a manner that is adverse to Alliance or its subsidiaries, except in the ordinary course of business; |
● | enter into any contract, agreement or arrangement that obligates Alliance or its subsidiaries to develop any intellectual property related to the business of Alliance or its subsidiaries or their products, other than where the results of Alliance or its subsidiaries’ performance would be intellectual property owned by Alliance or its subsidiaries; |
● | intentionally permit any material item of intellectual property owned by Alliance or its subsidiaries to lapse or to be abandoned, invalidated, dedicated to the public, or disclaimed, or otherwise become unenforceable or fail to perform or make any applicable filings, recordings or other similar actions or filings, or fail to pay all required fees and taxes required or advisable to maintain and protect its interest in each and every material item of intellectual property owned by Alliance and its subsidiaries; |
● | fail to satisfy the obligations under any lease or material contract; or |
● | enter into any formal or informal agreement or otherwise make a binding commitment to do any of the foregoing. |
Adara has agreed that, during the Interim Period, except as otherwise set forth in or qualified by the Business Combination Agreement and Business Combination documents or as required by applicable law, it will conduct ordinary course of operations of Adara and Merger Sub in a manner consistent with past practice. In addition, Adara has agreed that, during the Interim Period, except as otherwise set forth in or qualified by the Business Combination Agreement and Business Combination documents or as required by applicable law, it will not, and will cause Merger Sub not to, directly or indirectly, without the prior written consent of Alliance (which may not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed):
● | amend or otherwise change the organizational documents of Adara or Merger Sub, or form any subsidiary of Adara other than Merger Sub; |
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● | declare, set aside, make or pay any dividend or other distribution, payable in cash, stock, property or otherwise, with respect to any of its capital stock, other than redemptions from the Trust Account that are required pursuant to the Adara organizational documents; |
● | reclassify, combine, split, subdivide, redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any of the Adara Common Stock or Adara Warrants except for redemptions from the Trust Account that are required pursuant to the Adara organizational documents; |
● | issue, sell, pledge, dispose of, grant or encumber, or authorize the issuance, sale, pledge, disposition, grant or encumbrance of, any shares of any class of capital stock or other securities of Adara or Merger Sub, or any options, warrants, convertible securities or other rights of any kind to acquire any shares of such capital stock, or any other ownership interest (including, without limitation, any phantom interest), of Adara or Merger Sub, and in connection with a loan from certain of Adara’s officers and directors to finance Adara’s transaction costs in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement; |
● | acquire (including, without limitation, by merger, consolidation, or acquisition of stock or assets or any other business combination) any corporation, partnership or other business organization or enter into any strategic joint ventures, partnerships or alliances with any other person; |
● | incur any indebtedness for borrowed money or guarantee any such indebtedness of another person or persons, issue or sell any debt securities or options, warrants, calls or other rights to acquire any debt securities of Adara, as applicable, enter into any “keep well” or other agreement to maintain any financial statement condition or enter into any arrangement having the economic effect of any of the foregoing, in each case, except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or except a loan from certain of Adara’s officers and directors to finance Adara’s transaction costs in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement; |
● | make any change in any method of financial accounting or financial accounting principles, policies, procedures or practices, except as required by a concurrent amendment in GAAP or applicable law made subsequent to the date hereof, as agreed to by its independent accountants; |
● | (A) amend any material tax return, (B) change any material method of tax accounting, (C) make, change or rescind any material election relating to taxes, or (D) settle or compromise any material U.S. federal, state, local or non-U.S. tax audit, assessment, tax claim or other controversy relating to taxes; |
● | liquidate, dissolve, reorganize or otherwise wind up the business and operations of Adara or Merger Sub; |
● | amend the Trust Agreement or any other agreement related to the Trust Account; or |
● | enter into any formal or informal agreement or otherwise make a binding commitment to do any of the foregoing. |
Additional Agreements
In connection with the Closing, the Sponsor agreed to forfeit between 875,000 and 1,375,000 Initial Stockholder Shares at the Closing, the exact number to be determined by Alliance. Upon the Closing, the Adara Initial Stockholders and certain stockholders of Alliance will agree, subject to certain exceptions, not to (i) sell, offer to sell, contract or agree to sell, hypothecate, pledge, grant any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agree to dispose of, directly or indirectly, or establish or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder, with regards to any shares of Combined Company Common Stock held by them immediately after the Effective Time, or issuable upon the exercise of options to purchase shares of Combined Company Common Stock held by them immediately after the Effective Time, or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Combined Company Common Stock held by them immediately after the Effective Time (the “Lock-up Shares”), (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any of the Lock-up Shares, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such securities, in cash or otherwise or (iii) publicly announce any intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (i) or (ii). The Lock-Up Period (as defined in the Lock-Up Agreement and Adara Insider Agreements) shall terminate six months after the Closing.
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The Lock-up Shares consist of the 2,000,000 shares of Combined Company Common Stock held by the Adara Initial Stockholders assuming 875,000 Initial Stockholder Shares are forfeited (1,500,000 shares of Combined Company Common Stock, Stock if all 1,375,000 Initial Stockholder Shares subject to forfeiture are forfeited) and 47,500,000 shares of Combined Company Common Stock and 60,000,000 Contingent Consideration Shares (and the shares of Combined Company Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Contingent Consideration Shares) to be issued to the Alliance Stockholders.
In connection with the Closing, that certain registration rights agreement dated February 2, 2021 will be amended and restated and Adara, the Adara Initial Stockholders and certain persons and entities receiving Combined Company Common Stock pursuant to the Business Combination (the “New Holders” and together with the Initial Stockholders, the “Reg Rights Holders”) shall enter into that amended and restated registration rights agreement, a form of which is attached as an exhibit to the Business Combination Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”). Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, Adara will agree that, no later than 30 calendar days after the Closing, Combined Company will file with the SEC (at the Combined Company’s sole cost and expense) a registration statement registering the resale of certain securities held by or issuable to the Reg Rights Holders (the “Resale Registration Statement”), and Combined Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to have the Resale Registration Statement declared effective as soon as practicable after the filing thereof, but no later than the earlier of (i) the 60th calendar day (or 120th calendar day if the SEC notifies the Combined Company that it will “review” the Resale Registration Statement) following the closing of the Business Combination and (ii) the tenth business day after the date the Combined Company is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier) by the SEC that the Resale Registration Statement will not be “reviewed” or will not be subject to further review. In certain circumstances, the Initial Stockholders and the New Holders may each demand up to two registrations, which may be underwritten offerings, and all of the Reg Rights Holders will be entitled to piggyback registration rights.
Sponsor Support Agreement
On June 22, 2022, Adara, Alliance and the Founders entered into the Sponsor Support Agreement (the “Sponsor Support Agreement”) pursuant to which the Adara Initial Stockholders agreed to vote all of their shares of Adara Common Stock in favor of the approval and adoption of the Stockholder Proposals. Additionally, such Adara Initial Stockholders have agreed, among other things, not to (a) transfer any of their shares of Adara Common Stock and Adara Class B Common Stock (or enter into any arrangement with respect thereto), subject to certain customary exceptions, (b) enter into any voting arrangement that is inconsistent with the Sponsor Support Agreement or (c) exercise their redemption rights in connection with the Business Combination.
Proxy Statement/Prospectus
As promptly as practicable after the execution of the Business Combination Agreement, Adara, with the assistance of Alliance, as reasonably requested by Adara, agreed to prepare and file with the SEC this proxy statement/prospectus to be sent to the stockholders of Adara relating the special meeting of Adara’s stockholders to be held to consider approval and adoption of the Stockholder Proposals.
Adara’s Stockholders’ Meetings; Merger Sub Stockholder’s Approval; Alliance’s Stockholders’ Written Consent
Adara has agreed to call and hold the special meeting as promptly as practicable following the clearance of this proxy statement/prospectus by the SEC for the purpose of voting solely upon the Stockholder Proposals, and Adara shall use its reasonable best efforts to hold the special meeting of stockholders as soon as practicable following the clearance of this proxy statement/prospectus by the SEC; provided, that Adara may postpone or adjourn the special meeting of stockholders on one or more occasions for up to 30 days in the aggregate upon the good faith determination by Adara’s board of directors that such postponement or adjournment is necessary to solicit additional proxies to obtain approval of the Stockholder Proposals or otherwise take actions consistent with Adara’s obligations pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement. Adara has agreed, through Adara’s board of directors, to recommend to its stockholders that they approve the Stockholder Proposals contained in this proxy statement/prospectus and shall include the recommendation of Adara’s board of directors in this proxy statement/prospectus.
Alliance has agreed to seek the Written Consent and deliver it to Adara within as soon as reasonably practicable and in any event within 48 hours after this registration statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus forms a part. In the event Alliance determines that it cannot obtain the Written Consent, Alliance has agreed to call and hold a meeting of its Stockholders for the purpose of voting solely upon the adoption of the Business Combination Agreement, the Merger and the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement.
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Exclusivity
From the date of the Business Combination Agreement and ending on the earlier of (a) the Closing and (b) the termination of the Business Combination Agreement Alliance shall not take, nor shall it permit any of its affiliates or representatives to take, whether directly or indirectly, any action to solicit, initiate, continue or engage in discussions or negotiations with, or enter into any agreement with, or encourage, respond, provide information to or commence due diligence with respect to, any person (other than Adara, its stockholders and/or any of their affiliates or representatives), concerning, relating to or which is intended or is reasonably likely to give rise to or result in, any offer, inquiry, proposal or indication of interest, written or oral relating to any merger, sale of ownership interests and/or assets (other than asset sales in the ordinary course of business) of Alliance, recapitalization or similar transaction, in each case other than (i) the Business Combination, or (ii) any issue of shares of Alliance Preferred Stock, Alliance Common Stock or any Alliance Interim Period Convertible Notes or other indebtedness convertible into or securities exercisable for any such Alliance Preferred Stock, Alliance Common Stock permitted without the consent of Adara in accordance with the Business Combination Agreement, (an “Alliance Business Combination Proposal”). In addition, Alliance shall, and shall cause its affiliates to, and shall cause their respective representatives to, immediately cease any and all existing discussions or negotiations with any person with respect to any Alliance Business Combination Proposal.
From the date of the Business Combination Agreement and ending on the earlier of (a) the Closing and (b) the termination of the Business Combination Agreement, Adara shall not, nor shall Adara permit any of its controlled affiliates or representatives to, solicit, initiate, continue or engage in discussions or negotiations with, or enter into any agreement with, or encourage, respond, provide information to or commence due diligence with respect to, any person (other than Alliance, its stockholders and/or any of their affiliates or representatives), concerning any merger, purchase of ownership interests or assets of Adara, recapitalization or similar business combination transaction or any other “Business Combination” (as defined in the Adara’s organizational documents), in each case, other than the Business Combination (a “Adara Business Combination Proposal”). In addition, Adara shall, and shall cause its controlled affiliates to, and shall cause their respective representatives to, immediately cease any and all existing discussions or negotiations with any person with respect to any Adara Business Combination Proposal.
Stock Exchange Listing
Adara will use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Combined Company Common Stock to be approved for listing on NYSE American at the Closing. During the Interim Period, Adara shall use its reasonable best efforts to keep the Adara Common Stock and Adara Warrants listed for trading on NYSE American.
Other Covenants and Agreements
The Business Combination Agreement contains other covenants and agreements, including covenants related to:
● | Alliance and Adara providing access to books and records and furnishing relevant information to the other party, subject to certain limitations and confidentiality provisions; |
● | Certain employee benefit matters including the establishment of an equity incentive award plan, to be effective after the Closing; |
● | Director and officer indemnification; |
● | Prompt notification of certain matters; |
● | Public announcement relating the Business Combination; |
● | Agreement relating to the intended tax treatment of the Business Combination; |
● | Cooperation regarding any filings required under the HSR Act; |
● | Adara and Merger Sub name change; and |
● | Adara making disbursements from the Trust Account. |
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Conditions to Closing
Mutual
The obligations of Alliance, Adara and Merger Sub to consummate the Business Combination, including the Merger, are subject to the satisfaction or waiver (where permissible) at or prior to the Closing of the following conditions:
● | The Alliance Requisite Approval in favor of the adoption of the Business Combination Agreement and the Merger and all other transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement, shall have been obtained; |
● | The Stockholder Proposals shall have been approved and adopted by the requisite affirmative vote of Adara’s stockholders in accordance with the proxy statement/prospectus, the DGCL, the Adara organizational documents and the rules and regulations of NYSE American; |
● | The Registration Statement shall have become effective under the Securities Act and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall be in effect and no proceedings for that purpose shall be pending before or threatened by the SEC; |
● | No governmental authority shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any law, rule, regulation, judgment, decree, executive order or award which is then in effect and has the effect of making the Business Combination, including the Merger, illegal or otherwise prohibiting consummation of the Business Combination, including the Merger; |
● | All required filings under the HSR Act shall have been completed and any waiting period (and any extension thereof) applicable to the consummation of the Business Combination under the HSR Act shall have expired or been terminated; and |
● | The listing of shares of Combined Company Common Stock on the NYSE American, or another national securities exchange mutually agreed to by the parties, as of the Closing Date. |
Adara and Merger Sub
The obligations of Adara and Merger Sub to consummate the Business Combination are subject to the satisfaction or waiver (where legally permissible) at or prior to the Closing of the following additional conditions:
● | Certain of the representations and warranties of Alliance contained in the sections titled (a) “Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries,” (b) “Capitalization,” (c) “Authority Relative to the Business Combination Agreement” and (d) “Brokers” in the Business Combination Agreement shall each be true and correct in all material respects as of the date of the Business Combination Agreement and the Effective Time, except to the extent that any such representation or warranty expressly is made as of an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as of such earlier specified date. Certain of the representations and warranties of Alliance contained in the section titled “Absence of Certain Changes or Events” in the Business Combination Agreement shall be true and correct in all respects as of the date of the Business Combination Agreement and the Effective Time. Certain of the representations and warranties in the section titled “Capitalization” in the Business Combination Agreement shall be true and correct in all respects as of the date of the Business Combination Agreement and as of the Effective Time as though made on and as of such date (except to the extent that any such representation or warranty expressly is made as of an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as of such specified date), except where the failure of such representations and warranties to be so true and correct would not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to result in more than de minimis additional cost, expense or liability to Alliance, Adara, Merger Sub or any of their respective affiliates. The other representations and warranties of Alliance contained in the Business Combination Agreement shall be true and correct in all respects (without giving effect to any “materiality,” “Company Material Adverse Effect” or similar qualifiers contained in any such representations and warranties) as of the date of the Business Combination Agreement and as of the Effective Time as though made on and as of such date (except to the extent that any such representation or warranty expressly is made as of an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as of such earlier date), except where the failures of any such representations and warranties to be so true and correct, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect; |
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● | Alliance shall have performed or complied in all material respects with all agreements and covenants required by the Business Combination Agreement to be performed or complied with by it on or prior to the Effective Time; |
● | Alliance shall have delivered to Adara a customary officer’s certificate, dated the date of the Closing, certifying as to the satisfaction of certain conditions; |
● | No Company Material Adverse Effect shall have occurred during the Interim Period; |
● | Other than those persons identified as continuing directors in the Business Combination Agreement, all members of the Alliance’s board of directors, as required pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, shall have executed written resignations effective as of the Effective Time; |
● | All parties to the Registration Rights Agreement (other than Adara and the Adara Initial Stockholders party thereto) shall have delivered, or cause to be delivered, to Adara copies of the Registration Rights Agreement duly executed by all such parties; |
● | The Alliance stockholders shall have delivered, or cause to be delivered, to Adara copies of the Lock-up Agreements duly executed by all such parties; |
● | All parties to the employment agreement (other than Adara) shall have delivered, or cause to be delivered, to Adara, copies of the employment agreements duly executed by such parties; |
● | On or prior to the Closing, Alliance shall have delivered to Adara in a form reasonably acceptable to Adara, dated as of the Closing Date, a properly executed certification that shares of Alliance are not “U.S. real property interests” within the meaning of Section 897 of the Code, in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.1445-2(c)(3), together with an executed notice to the IRS (which shall be filed by Adara with the IRS following the Closing) in accordance with the provisions of Section 1.897-2(h)(2) of the Treasury Regulations; |
● | Each Alliance stockholder shall have delivered to Adara a duly executed Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 (or an appropriate Internal Revenue Service Form W-8, as applicable); and |
● | Alliance shall have delivered to Adara the PCAOB Audited Financials and the PCAOB Reviewed Financials. |
Alliance
The obligations of Alliance to consummate the Business Combination are subject to the satisfaction or waiver (where permissible) at or prior to Closing of the following additional conditions:
● | Certain of the representations and warranties of Adara and Merger Sub contained in the sections titled (a) “Corporate Organization,” (b) “Capitalization,” (c) “Authority Relative to the Business Combination Agreement” and (d) “Brokers” in the Business Combination Agreement shall each be true and correct in all material respects as of the date of the Business Combination Agreement and the Effective Time, except to the extent that any such representation or warranty expressly is made as of an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as of such earlier specified date. Certain of the representations and warranties of Adara and Merger Sub contained in the section titled “Absence of Certain Changes or Events” in the Business Combination Agreement shall be true and correct in all respects as of the date of the Business Combination Agreement and the Effective Time. Certain of the representations and warranties in the section titled “Capitalization” in the Business Combination Agreement shall be true and correct in all respects as of the date of the Business Combination Agreement and as of the Effective Time as though made on and as of such date (except to the extent that any such representation or warranty expressly is made as of an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as of such specified date), except where the failure of such representations and warranties to be so true and correct would not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to result in more than de minimis additional cost, expense or liability to Alliance, Adara, Merger Sub or any of their respective affiliates. The other representations and warranties of Adara and Merger Sub contained in the Business Combination Agreement shall be true and correct in all respects (without giving effect to any “materiality,” “Adara Material Adverse Effect” or similar qualifiers contained in any such representations and warranties) as of the date of the Business Combination Agreement and as of the |
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Effective Time as though made on and as of such date (except to the extent that any such representation or warranty expressly is made as of an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as of such earlier date), except where the failures of any such representations and warranties to be so true and correct, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have an Adara Material Adverse Effect; |
● | Adara and Merger Sub shall have performed or complied in all material respects with all agreements and covenants required by the Business Combination Agreement to be performed or complied with by it on or prior to the Effective Time; |
● | Adara shall have delivered to Alliance a customary officer’s certificate (signed by the President of Adara), dated the date of the Closing, certifying as to the satisfaction of certain conditions; |
● | No Adara Material Adverse Effect shall have occurred during the Interim Period; |
● | Adara shall have delivered or caused to be delivered a copy of the Registration Rights Agreements duly executed by Adara and the Adara Initial Stockholders party thereto; |
● | Adara shall have delivered or caused to be delivered a copy of the Adara Insider Agreement duly executed by Adara and the Adara Initial Stockholders party thereto; and |
● | Adara shall have made all necessary and appropriate arrangements with the trustee to have all of the funds from the Trust Account disbursed to Adara immediately prior to the Effective Time, and all such funds released from the Trust Account shall be available to Adara in respect of all or a portion of the payment obligations set forth in the Business Combination Agreement and the payment of Adara’s fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Business Combination Agreement and the Business Combination; |
● | Adara shall, as of immediately following the Closing, have at least $5,000,001 of net tangible assets as determined in accordance with Rule 3a51(a)(i) of the Exchange Act; and |
● | As of the Closing and after distribution of the Trust Account, deducting all amounts to be paid pursuant to the exercise of redemption rights, Adara shall have cash on hand equal to or in excess of $15,000,000 (for the avoidance of doubt, such cash shall be determined prior to the payment of any transaction fees, costs and expenses paid or required to be paid by Adara prior to Closing and the payment of such fees, costs and expenses shall be paid or payable out of such cash on hand). |
Termination
The Business Combination Agreement may be terminated and the Business Combination may be abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time, notwithstanding any requisite approval and adoption of the Business Combination Agreement and the Business Combination by Adara’s Stockholders, respectively, as follows:
● | By mutual written consent of Adara and Alliance; |
● | By Adara or Alliance, if (i) the Effective Time will not have occurred prior to the Outside Date; provided, however, that the Business Combination Agreement may not be terminated pursuant to this provision by or on behalf of any party that is in breach or violation of any representation, warranty, covenant, agreement or obligation contained in the Business Combination Agreement and such breach or violation is the principal cause of the failure of a condition to the Merger on or prior to the Outside Date, and, in the event that any law is enacted after the execution of the Business Combination Agreement extending the applicable waiting period under the HSR Act, the Outside Date will be automatically extended by the length of any such extension; or (ii) any governmental authority in the United States has enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any law, injunction, order, decree or ruling (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) which has become final and nonappealable and has the effect of making consummation of the Business Combination transactions, including the Merger, illegal or otherwise preventing or prohibiting consummation of the Business Combination transactions, including the Merger; or (iii) any of the Stockholder Proposals fail to receive the requisite vote for approval by Adara’s stockholders; |
● | By Alliance if there is a Terminating Adara Breach; provided that Alliance has not waived such Terminating Adara Breach and Alliance is not then in material breach of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements in the Business |
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Combination Agreement; provided, however, that, if such Terminating Adara Breach is curable by Adara and Merger Sub, Alliance may not terminate the Business Combination Agreement under this section for so long as Adara and Merger Sub continue to exercise their reasonable efforts to cure such breach, unless such breach is not cured within thirty days after notice of such breach is provided by Alliance to Adara; |
● | By Adara if (i) Alliance has failed to deliver the requisite approval of Alliance’s stockholders of the adoption of the Merger to Adara within ten business days of the Registration Statement becoming effective; or (ii) there is a Terminating Alliance Breach; provided that Adara has not waived such Terminating Alliance Breach and Adara and Merger Sub are not then in material breach of their representations, warranties, covenants or agreements in the Business Combination Agreement; provided further that, if such Terminating Alliance Breach is curable by Alliance, Adara may not terminate the Business Combination Agreement under this provision for so long as Alliance continues to exercise its reasonable efforts to cure such breach, unless such breach is not cured within thirty days after notice of such breach is provided by Adara to Alliance. |
Effect of Termination
If the Business Combination Agreement is terminated, the agreement will forthwith become void, and there will be no liability under the Business Combination Agreement on the part of any party to the Business Combination Agreement, except as set forth in the Business Combination Agreement or in the case of termination subsequent to a willful material breach of the Business Combination Agreement by a party thereto.
Except as set forth in the Business Combination Agreement, all expenses incurred in connection with the Business Combination Agreement and the Business Combination transactions shall be paid by the party incurring such expenses, whether or not the Business Combination transactions are consummated. The filing, listing, and registration fees contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement shall be paid one half by each of the parties thereto; provided, that each party shall be responsible for the fees and expenses payable by such party to its respective representatives with respect to such matters.
Vote Required for Approval
Approval of the Business Combination Proposal requires the affirmative vote (virtually in person or by proxy) of holders as of the Record Date of a majority of the then outstanding shares of Adara Common Stock and Adara Class B Common Stock entitled to vote thereon at the special meeting, voting together as a single class. Failure to vote by proxy or to vote online at the virtual special meeting, an abstention from voting or a broker non-vote will have the same effect as a the vote against the Business Combination Proposal.
The adoption of the Business Combination Proposal is conditioned on the approval of each of the Charter Proposals, the Equity Incentive Plan Proposal, and the NYSE American Proposal at the special meeting.
The Closing is conditioned on the approval of the Business Combination Proposal, each of the Charter Proposals, the Equity Incentive Plan Proposal and the NYSE American Proposal at the special meeting.
Recommendation of Adara’s Board of Directors
ADARA’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE BUSINESS COMBINATION PROPOSAL.
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CERTAIN AGREEMENTS RELATED TO THE BUSINESS COMBINATION
This section describes the material provisions of certain additional agreements entered into or to be entered into pursuant to or in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement, which are referred to as the “Related Agreements,” but does not purport to describe all of the terms thereof. The descriptions below are qualified by reference to the actual text of these agreements. You are encouraged to read the Related Agreements in their entirety.
Registration Rights Agreement
In connection with the Closing, the Reg Rights Holders will enter into Registration Rights Agreement. Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, Adara will agree that, within 30 calendar days after the closing of the Business Combination, Adara will file with the SEC (at Adara’s sole cost and expense) the Resale Registration Statement, and Adara shall use commercially reasonable efforts to have the Resale Registration Statement declared effective as soon as practicable after the filing thereof, but no later than the earlier of (i) the 60th calendar day (or 120th calendar day if the SEC notifies the Combined Company that it will “review” the Resale Registration Statement) following the closing of the Business Combination and (ii) the tenth business day after the date the Combined Company is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier) by the SEC that the Resale Registration Statement will not be “reviewed” or will not be subject to further review. In certain circumstances, the New Holders can demand up to three underwritten offerings, and all of the Reg Rights Holders will be entitled to piggyback registration rights.
Adara Insider Agreement and Lock-Up Agreements
In connection with the Closing, the Adara Initial Stockholders and certain stockholders of Alliance will agree, subject to certain exceptions, not to (i) sell, offer to sell, contract or agree to sell, hypothecate, pledge, grant any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agree to dispose of, directly or indirectly, or establish or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder, the Lock-up Shares, (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any of the Lock-up Shares, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such securities, in cash or otherwise or (iii) publicly announce any intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (i) or (ii). The Lock-Up Period shall terminate 180 days after the Closing.
Stockholder Support Agreement
On June 22, 2022, Alliance and certain stockholders of Alliance entered into the Stockholder Support Agreement pursuant to which such stockholders agreed to vote all of their shares of Alliance Common Stock and Alliance Preferred Stock in favor of the approval and adoption of the Proposed Transactions. Additionally, such stockholders have agreed, among other things, not to (a) transfer any of their shares of Alliance Common Stock and Alliance Preferred Stock (or enter into any arrangement with respect thereto), subject to certain customary exceptions or (b) enter into any voting arrangement that is inconsistent with the Stockholder Support Agreement.
Sponsor Support Agreement
On June 22, 2022, Adara, Alliance and the Adara Initial Stockholders entered into the Sponsor Support Agreement pursuant to which the Adara Initial Stockholders agreed to vote all of their shares of Adara Common Stock in favor of the approval and adoption of the Proposed Transactions. Additionally, such Initial Stockholders have agreed, among other things, not to (a) transfer any of their shares of Adara Common Stock or Adara Initial Stockholder Shares (or enter into any arrangement with respect thereto), subject to certain customary exceptions, (b) enter into any voting arrangement that is inconsistent with the Sponsor Support Agreement or (c) exercise their redemption rights in connection with the Merger.
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CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS OF THE REDEMPTION AND
THE BUSINESS COMBINATION
The following is a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences for (i) holders of Adara Common Stock that elect to have their Adara Common Stock redeemed for cash if the Business Combination is completed, and (ii) solely to the extent specifically set forth herein, the exchange of Alliance Common Stock for Adara Common Stock and Contingent Consideration Shares by holders of Alliance Common Stock in the Business Combination. This discussion applies only to shares of Adara Common Stock or Alliance Common Stock held as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment). Further, with respect to the redemption of Adara Common Stock, the discussion is applicable only to holders who purchased Adara Common Stock in the IPO. Holders of Alliance Common Stock should consult their own tax advisors concerning the U.S. federal, state, local, foreign, and other tax consequences of the Business Combination.
This discussion does not address all U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to your particular circumstances. In addition, it does not address consequences relevant to holders subject to special rules, including, without limitation:
● | U.S. expatriates and former citizens or long-term residents of the United States; |
● | persons subject to the alternative minimum tax; |
● | persons holding Adara Common Stock or Alliance Common Stock as part of a hedge, straddle or other risk reduction strategy or as part of a conversion transaction or other integrated transaction; |
● | banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions; |
● | brokers, dealers or traders in securities; |
● | “controlled foreign corporations,” “passive foreign investment companies” and corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax; |
● | partnerships or other entities or arrangements treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes (and investors therein); |
● | persons that acquired Adara Common Stock or Alliance Common Stock through the exercise of an option or otherwise as compensation; |
● | persons that actually or constructively own 5% or more of Adara Common Stock or Alliance Common Stock by vote or value; |
● | traders in securities that use the mark-to-market method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes; |
● | tax-exempt organizations or governmental organizations; |
● | persons subject to special tax accounting rules as a result of any item of gross income being taken into account in an applicable financial statement; |
● | U.S. holders (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar; |
● | mutual funds, regulated investment companies (RICs) or real estate investment trusts (REITs); |
● | tax-qualified retirement plans; and |
● | “qualified foreign pension funds” as defined in Section 897(l)(2) of the Code and entities all of the interests of which are held by qualified foreign pension funds. |
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If you are a partnership (or other pass-through entity) for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the tax treatment of your partners (or other owners) will generally depend on the status of the partners, the activities of the partnership and certain determinations made at the partner level. Accordingly, partnerships (or other pass-through entities) and the partners (or other owners) in such partnerships (or such other pass-through entities) should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences to them relating to the matters discussed below.
For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. holder” is a beneficial owner of shares of Adara Common Stock, Contingent Consideration Shares, or Alliance Common Stock that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
● | an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, |
● | a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, |
● | an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source, or |
● | an entity treated as a trust that (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a U.S. court and the control of one or more “United States persons” (within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) or (2) was in existence on August 20, 1996 and has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury regulations to be treated as a United States person for U.S. federal income tax purposes. |
Also, for purposes of this discussion, a “Non-U.S. holder” is any beneficial owner of Adara Common Stock, Contingent Consideration Shares, or Alliance Common Stock who or that is neither a U.S. holder nor an entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
THIS DISCUSSION IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TAX ADVICE. INVESTORS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE APPLICATION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS TO THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES ARISING UNDER THE U.S. FEDERAL ESTATE OR GIFT TAX LAWS OR UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE, LOCAL OR NON-U.S. TAXING JURISDICTION OR UNDER ANY APPLICABLE INCOME TAX TREATY.
Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations of the Redemption to the Holders of Adara Common Stock
The following does not purport to be a complete analysis of all potential tax effects stemming from the completion of the Business Combination that are associated with certain redemptions of Adara Common Stock. The effects of other U.S. federal tax laws, such as estate and gift tax laws, and any applicable state, local or non-U.S. tax laws are not discussed. This discussion is based on the Code, Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, judicial decisions and published rulings and administrative pronouncements of the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), in each case in effect as of the date hereof. These authorities may change or be subject to differing interpretations. Any such change or differing interpretation may be applied retroactively in a manner that could adversely affect holders to which this section applies and could affect the accuracy of the statements herein. Adara has not sought and will not seek any rulings from the IRS regarding the matters discussed below. There can be no assurance that the IRS or a court will not take a contrary position to that regarding tax consequences discussed below.
Holders of Adara Common Stock who do not exercise their redemption rights will not be selling, exchanging, or otherwise transferring their Adara Common Stock as described in this section.
U.S. Holders
Redemption of Adara Common Stock. In the event that a U.S. holder’s Adara Common Stock is redeemed pursuant to the redemption provisions described in the section titled “The Special Meeting of Adara’s Stockholders — Redemption Rights,” the treatment of the transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes will depend on whether the redemption qualifies as a sale of the Adara Common Stock under Section 302 of the Code. If the redemption qualifies as a sale of the Adara Common Stock, the U.S. holder will be treated as described under “— U.S. Holders — Gain or Loss on Redemption Treated as a Sale of Adara Common Stock” below. If the redemption does not qualify as a sale of the Adara Common Stock, the U.S. holder will be treated as receiving a corporate distribution with the tax consequences described below under “— U.S. Holders — Taxation of Redemption Treated as a Distribution.”
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Whether a redemption qualifies for sale treatment will depend largely on whether the U.S. holder owns any of Adara’s stock following the redemption (including any stock treated as constructively owned by the U.S. holder as a result of owning warrants or by attribution from certain related individuals and entities), and if so, the total number of shares of Adara’s stock held by the U.S. holder both before and after the redemption (including any stock constructively treated as owned by the U.S. holder as a result of owning warrants or by attribution from certain related individuals and entities) relative to all of Adara’s shares outstanding both before and after the redemption. The redemption of Adara Common Stock generally will be treated as a sale of the Adara Common Stock (rather than as a corporate distribution) if the redemption (i) is “substantially disproportionate” with respect to the U.S. holder, (ii) results in a “complete termination” of the U.S. holder’s interest in us or (iii) is “not essentially equivalent to a dividend” with respect to the U.S. holder. These tests are explained more fully below.
In determining whether any of the foregoing tests are satisfied, a U.S. holder takes into account not only stock actually owned by the U.S. holder, but also shares of our stock that are constructively owned by such holder. A U.S. holder may constructively own, in addition to stock owned directly, stock owned by certain related individuals and entities in which the U.S. holder has an interest or that have an interest in such U.S. holder, as well as any stock that the U.S. holder has a right to acquire by exercise of an option, which would generally include Adara Common Stock that could be acquired pursuant to the exercise of the warrants. Moreover, any Adara stock that a U.S. holder directly or constructively acquires pursuant to the Business Combination generally should be included in determining the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the redemption.
In order to meet the substantially disproportionate test, the percentage of Adara’s outstanding voting stock actually and constructively owned by the U.S. holder immediately following the redemption of Adara Common Stock must, among other requirements, be (i) less than 80% of the percentage of Adara’s outstanding voting stock actually and constructively owned by such U.S. holder immediately before the redemption (taking into account both redemptions by other holders of Adara Common Stock and the shares of Adara Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the Business Combination), and (ii) less than 50% of Adara’s total combined voting power. There will be a complete termination of a U.S. holder’s interest in Adara if either (i) all of the shares of our capital stock actually and constructively owned by the U.S. holder are redeemed or (ii) all of the shares of our capital stock actually owned by the U.S. holder are redeemed, the U.S. holder is eligible to waive, and effectively waives in accordance with specific rules, the attribution of stock owned by certain family members and the U.S. holder does not constructively own any other stock. The redemption of Adara Common Stock will not be essentially equivalent to a dividend if a U.S. holder’s redemption results in a “meaningful reduction” of the U.S. holder’s proportionate interest in Adara. Whether the redemption will result in a meaningful reduction in a U.S. holder’s proportionate interest in Adara will depend on the particular facts and circumstances. However, the IRS has indicated in a published ruling that even a small reduction in the proportionate interest of a small minority stockholder in a publicly held corporation who exercises no control over corporate affairs may constitute such a “meaningful reduction.” A U.S. holder should consult with its own tax advisors as to the tax consequences of a redemption.
If none of the foregoing tests is satisfied, then the redemption will be treated as a corporate distribution, and the tax effects will be as described under “— U.S. Holders — Taxation of Redemption Treated as a Distribution” below. After the application of those rules, any remaining tax basis of the U.S. holder in the redeemed Adara Common Stock will be added to the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in its remaining stock, or, if it has none, to the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in its warrants or possibly in other stock constructively owned by it.
Gain or Loss on Redemption Treated as a Sale of Adara Common Stock. If the redemption qualifies as a sale of Adara Common Stock, a U.S. holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized in the redemption and the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in its redeemed Adara Common Stock. The amount realized is the sum of the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received, and a U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in its Adara Common Stock generally will equal the U.S. holder’s acquisition cost less any prior distributions paid to such U.S. holder that were treated as a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Any such capital gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holder’s holding period for the Adara Common Stock so disposed of exceeds one year. Under current law, long-term capital gains of non-corporate taxpayers are taxed at a reduced U.S. federal income tax rate (up to a maximum rate of 20%). It is unclear, however, whether the redemption rights with respect to the Adara Common Stock may suspend the running of the applicable holding period for this purpose. Long-term capital gains recognized by non-corporate U.S. holders will be eligible to be taxed at reduced rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
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Taxation of Redemption Treated as a Distribution. If the redemption does not qualify as a sale of Adara Common Stock, a U.S. holder will generally be treated as receiving a distribution. Such distributions generally will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles.
Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will constitute a return of capital that will be applied against and reduce (but not below zero) the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in Adara Common Stock. Any remaining excess will be treated as gain realized on the sale or other disposition of the Adara Common Stock as described under “— U.S. Holders — Gain or Loss on Redemption Treated as a Sale of Adara Common Stock” above.
Dividends (including constructive dividends paid pursuant to a redemption of Adara Common Stock) Adara pays to a U.S. holder that is a taxable corporation generally will qualify for the dividends received deduction if the requisite holding period is satisfied. With certain exceptions (including, but not limited to, dividends (including constructive dividends paid pursuant to a redemption of Adara Common Stock) treated as investment income for purposes of investment interest deduction limitations), and provided that certain holding period requirements are met, dividends Adara pays to a non-corporate U.S. holder generally will constitute “qualified dividends” that will be subject to tax at the maximum tax rate accorded to long-term capital gains. It is unclear whether the redemption rights with respect to the Adara Common Stock described in this proxy statement/prospectus may prevent a U.S. holder from satisfying the applicable holding period requirements with respect to the dividends received deduction or the preferential tax rate on qualified dividend income, as the case may be.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding. In general, information reporting requirements will generally apply to dividends (including constructive dividends paid pursuant to a redemption of Adara Common Stock) paid to a U.S. holder and to the proceeds of the sale or other disposition of shares of Adara Common Stock, unless the U.S. holder is an exempt recipient. Backup withholding may apply to such payments if the U.S. holder fails to provide a taxpayer identification number, a certification of exempt status or has been notified by the IRS that it is subject to backup withholding (and such notification has not been withdrawn).
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against a U.S. holder’s federal income tax liability provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
Medicare Tax on Net Investment Income
Non-corporate U.S. holders whose income exceeds certain thresholds generally will be subject to 3.8% surtax on their “net investment income” (which generally includes, among other things, dividends on, and capital gain from the sale or other taxable disposition of, the Adara Common Stock). Non-corporate U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the possible effect of such tax on their ownership and disposition of the Adara Common Stock.
Non-U.S. Holders
Redemption of Adara Common Stock. The characterization for U.S. federal income tax purposes of the redemption of a Non-U.S. holder’s Adara Common Stock pursuant to the redemption provisions described in the section titled “The Special Meeting of Adara’s Stockholders — Redemption Rights” generally will be as described below under “— Non-U.S. Holders — Gain on Redemption Treated as a Sale of Adara Common Stock” and “— Non-U.S. Holders — Taxation of Redemption Treated as a Distribution,” as applicable.
Gain on Redemption Treated as a Sale of Adara Common Stock. A Non-U.S. holder will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain realized on a redemption treated as a sale of Adara Common Stock, unless:
● | the gain is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the Non-U.S. holder maintains a permanent establishment in the United States to which such gain is attributable); |
● | the Non-U.S. holder is a nonresident alien individual present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year of the redemption and certain other requirements are met; or |
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● | we are or have been a “United States real property holding corporation” for U.S. federal income tax purposes at any time during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of disposition or the period that the Non-U.S. holder held Adara Common Stock. |
Gain described in the first bullet point above generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the regular graduated rates applicable to U.S. holders. A Non-U.S. holder that is a corporation also may be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on such effectively connected gain, as adjusted for certain items.
Gain described in the second bullet point above will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty), which may be offset by U.S. source capital losses of the Non-U.S. holder (even though the individual is not considered a resident of the United States), provided that the Non-U.S. holder has timely filed U.S. federal income tax returns with respect to such losses.
If the third bullet point above applies to a Non-U.S. holder, gain recognized by such holder on the sale, exchange or other disposition of shares of Adara Common Stock will be subject to tax at generally applicable U.S. federal income tax rates. In addition, a buyer of Adara Common Stock (Adara would be treated as a buyer with respect to a redemption of Adara Common Stock) may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 15% of the amount realized upon such disposition. Adara believes that it is not and has not been at any time since our formation, a United States real property holding corporation and Adara does not expect to be a United States real property holding corporation immediately after the Business Combination is completed.
Taxation of Redemption Treated as a Distribution. If the redemption does not qualify as a sale of Adara Common Stock, a Non-U.S. holder will generally be treated as receiving a distribution. Such distributions generally will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from Adara’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Distributions in excess of Adara’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, will constitute a return of capital that will be applied against and reduce (but not below zero) the Non-U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in Adara Common Stock. Any remaining excess will be treated as gain realized on the sale or other disposition of the Adara Common Stock and will be treated as described under “— Non-U.S. Holders — Gain on Redemption Treated as a Sale of Adara Common Stock” above. In general, with respect to any distributions that constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes and are not effectively connected with the Non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States, we will be required to withhold tax from the gross amount of the dividend at a rate of 30%, unless such Non-U.S. holder is eligible for a reduced rate of withholding tax under an applicable income tax treaty and provides proper certification of its eligibility for such reduced rate (on an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E or other applicable documentation).
If dividends paid to a Non-U.S. holder are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the Non-U.S. holder maintains a permanent establishment in the United States to which such dividends are attributable), the Non-U.S. holder will be exempt from the 30% U.S. federal withholding tax described above if such Non-U.S. holder furnishes to the applicable withholding agent a valid IRS Form W-8ECI, certifying that the dividends are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States.
Any such effectively connected dividends will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the regular graduated rates. A Non-U.S. holder that is a corporation also may be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on such effectively connected dividends, as adjusted for certain items. Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding any applicable tax treaties that may provide for different rules.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding. Payments of dividends (including constructive dividends received pursuant to a redemption of Adara Common Stock) on Adara Common Stock will not be subject to backup withholding, provided that the applicable withholding agent does not have actual knowledge or reason to know the holder is a United States person, and the holder either certifies its non-U.S. status, such as by furnishing a valid IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E or W-8ECI, or otherwise establishes an exemption. However, information returns are required to be filed with the IRS in connection with any payments of dividends on Adara Common Stock paid to the Non-U.S. holder, regardless of whether any tax was actually withheld. In addition, proceeds of the sale or other taxable disposition of Adara Common Stock within the United States or conducted through certain U.S.-related brokers generally will not be subject to backup withholding or information reporting if the applicable withholding agent receives the certification described above and does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that such holder is a United States person, or the holder otherwise establishes an exemption. Proceeds of a disposition of Adara Common Stock conducted through a non-U.S. office of a non-U.S. broker generally will not be subject to backup withholding or information reporting.
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Copies of information returns that are filed with the IRS may also be made available under the provisions of an applicable treaty or agreement to the tax authorities of the country in which the Non-U.S. holder resides or is established.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against a Non-U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
FATCA Withholding Taxes.
Sections 1471 to 1474 of the Code (such sections commonly referred to as “FATCA”) impose withholding of 30% on payments of dividends (including constructive dividends received pursuant to a redemption of stock) on Adara Common Stock to stockholders that fail to meet prescribed information reporting or certification requirements. In general, no such withholding will be required with respect to a U.S. holder or an individual Non-U.S. holder that timely provides the certifications required on a valid IRS Form W-9 or W-8BEN, respectively. Holders potentially subject to withholding include “foreign financial institutions” (which is broadly defined for this purpose and in general includes investment vehicles) and “non-financial foreign entities” unless various U.S. information reporting and due diligence requirements (generally relating to ownership by U.S. persons of interest in or accounts with those entities) have been satisfied, or an exemption applies (typically certified as to by the delivery of a properly completed IRS Form W-8BEN-E). If FATCA withholding is imposed, a beneficial owner that is not a foreign financial institution or a non-financial foreign entity generally will be entitled to a refund of any amounts withheld by filing a U.S. federal income tax return (which may entail significant administrative burden). Foreign financial institutions and non-financial foreign entities located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing FATCA may be subject to different rules. While withholding under FATCA would have also applied to payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of Adara Common Stock on or after January 1, 2019, proposed Treasury regulations eliminate such withholding on payments of gross proceeds entirely. Taxpayers generally may rely on these proposed Treasury regulations until final Treasury regulations are issued. Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the effects of FATCA on a redemption of Adara Common Stock.
HOLDERS CONTEMPLATING EXERCISE OF THEIR REDEMPTION RIGHTS SHOULD CONSULT, AND RELY SOLELY UPON, THEIR TAX ADVISORS TO DETERMINE THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF SUCH A REDEMPTION, INCLUDING THE EFFECT OF ANY U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, NON-U.S. OR OTHER TAX LAWS.
The following discussion with respect to the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Business Combination to holders of Adara securities does not address the effects of other U.S. federal tax laws, such as estate and gift tax laws, and any applicable state, local or non-U.S. tax laws. This discussion is based on the Code, Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, judicial decisions and published rulings and administrative pronouncements of the IRS, in each case in effect as of the date hereof. These authorities may change or be subject to differing interpretations. Any such change or differing interpretation may be applied retroactively in a manner that could adversely affect holders to which this section applies and could affect the accuracy of the statements herein. Neither Adara nor Alliance has sought and neither of them will seek any rulings from the IRS regarding the matters discussed below. There can be no assurance that the IRS or a court will not take a contrary position to that regarding the tax characterization of the Business Combination discussed below.
Characterization of the Business Combination
Each of Adara, Merger Sub, and Alliance intend, that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Business Combination qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. However, many requirements must be satisfied in order for the Business Combination to qualify as a reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Code, some of which are based upon factual determinations. There is a lack of guidance from the IRS as to the applicability of the “reorganization” provisions of the Code to transactions where a blank check company is a party. Accordingly, it is possible that the IRS or other tax authority will assert that the Business Combination is not treated as a reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Code. In addition, the closing of the Business Combination is not conditioned on its so qualifying, nor is it conditioned on our receipt of a tax opinion that it so qualifies.
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In the Business Combination Agreement, each of Adara, Merger Sub, and Alliance agrees to use its respective reasonable best efforts to cause the Business Combination to qualify, and agrees not to take, and not to permit or cause any of its affiliates or subsidiaries to take, any action which to its knowledge could reasonably be expected to prevent or impede the Business Combination from qualifying as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. In the Business Combination Agreement, each of Adara, Merger Sub, and Alliance agrees, except to the extent otherwise required by a “determination” as such term is used in Section 1313 of the Code, to not take any position or action inconsistent with the intended tax treatment (whether in audits, tax returns or otherwise). Consistent with the Business Combination Agreement, Alliance intends to file its tax returns consistent with the Business Combination being treated as a reorganization pursuant to Section 368(a) of the Code. However, no representation is being made herein or in the Business Combination Agreement that the Business Combination is tax-free (whether pursuant to Section 368(a) of the Code or otherwise) to any party.
Pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement and Contingent Consideration Shares Agreement, the Company will issue the Contingent Consideration Shares at the Closing to holders of Alliance Common Stock and place such shares into the Contingent Consideration Shares Escrow. Pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, the parties intend that the Contingent Consideration Shares are to be treated as stock issued to holders of Alliance Common Stock in exchange for Alliance Common Stock in connection with the reorganization under Section 354 of the Code and not treated as “other property” within the meaning of Section 356 of the Code, unless otherwise required by a “determination” within the meaning of Section 1313(a) of the Code. No assurance can be given that the IRS will not assert, or that a court would not sustain, the position that a portion of any Contingent Consideration Shares a holder of Alliance Common Stock receives pursuant to the Business Combination may be imputed interest taxable as ordinary income. If the Contingent Consideration Shares are not treated as issued to holders of Alliance Common Stock at the Closing, a portion of Contingent Consideration Shares released from the Contingent Consideration Shares Escrow upon the occurrence of a Triggering Event six months or more after the Closing will be taxable upon receipt as imputed interest and as ordinary income, even though there will not be any corresponding receipt of cash. A holder’s basis in any such Contingent Consideration Shares treated as imputed interest will equal the fair market value of such shares on the date of receipt, and the holder’s holding period in such Contingent Consideration Shares will begin on the day following the date of receipt. In addition, a Non-U.S. holder of Alliance Common Stock may be subject to U.S. federal income tax (and withholding with respect thereto) for any Contingent Consideration Shares treated as imputed interest. The remainder of this discussion assumes that the Contingent Consideration Shares will not be treated as imputed interest. Holders of Alliance Common Stock should consult, and rely solely upon, their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences to them of receipt of the Contingent Consideration Shares.
Consequences of the Business Combination to Holders of Adara Common Stock
With respect to holders of Adara Common Stock prior to the Business Combination, such holders of Adara Common Stock who do not exercise their redemption rights will retain their Adara Common Stock, will not receive any consideration in the Business Combination and will not receive any additional shares of Adara Common Stock in the Business Combination. As a result, there will be no material U.S. federal income tax consequences to the current holders of Adara Common Stock as a result of the Business Combination, regardless of whether or not the Business Combination qualifies as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.
Consequences of the Business Combination to Holders of Alliance Common Stock
With respect to holders of Alliance Common Stock who exchange their Alliance Common Stock for Adara Common Stock and Contingent Consideration Shares pursuant to the Business Combination, the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Business Combination generally will depend upon whether the Business Combination qualifies as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code. No assurance can be given that the IRS will not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to any of those set forth below. Accordingly, each holder of shares of Alliance Common Stock is urged to consult its tax advisor with respect to the particular tax consequences of the Business Combination to such holder.
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Consequences to Holders of Alliance Common Stock if the Business Combination Qualifies as a Reorganization
If the Business Combination qualifies as a reorganization, holders of Alliance Common Stock generally should not recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes on the exchange of Alliance Common Stock for Adara Common Stock and Contingent Consideration Shares pursuant to the Business Combination. In that case, the aggregate adjusted tax basis of a holder in the Adara Common Stock and Contingent Consideration Shares received in the Business Combination generally should equal the aggregate adjusted tax basis of Alliance Common Stock surrendered in exchange therefor, and the holder’s holding period for the Adara Common Stock and Contingent Consideration Shares received in the exchange by such holder should include the holding period for the Alliance Common Stock surrendered in the exchange that were held by such holder.
Holders who hold different blocks of shares of Alliance Common Stock (generally, purchased or acquired on different dates or at different prices) should consult their tax advisors to determine how the above rules apply to them, and the discussion above does not specifically address all of the consequences to holders who hold different blocks of stock.
Each U.S. holder of Alliance Common Stock who receives shares of Adara Common Stock and Contingent Consideration Shares in the Business Combination is generally required to retain permanent records pertaining to the Business Combination and make such records available to any authorized IRS officers and employees. Such records should specifically include information regarding the amount, basis, and fair market value of all transferred property, and relevant facts regarding any liabilities assumed or extinguished as part of such reorganization. Additionally, certain information reporting requirements may apply to U.S. holders of Alliance Common Stock who owned immediately before completion of the Business Combination at least 1% (by vote or value) of the total outstanding stock of Alliance, or Alliance “securities” (as specially defined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) the aggregate federal income tax basis of which was at least $1 million.
Consequences to Holders of Alliance Common Stock if the Business Combination does not Qualify as a Reorganization
U.S. Holders
If the Business Combination fails to qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, then a U.S. holder of Alliance Common Stock would recognize gain or loss upon the exchange of the holder’s shares of Alliance Common Stock for shares of Adara Common Stock and Contingent Consideration Shares equal to the difference between the fair market value, at the time of the exchange, of the Adara Common Stock and the fair market value, at the time of the exchange, the Contingent Consideration Shares received by such holder in the Business Combination (including any cash or property other than Adara Common Stock and Contingent Consideration Shares received in the Business Combination) and such U.S. holder’s tax basis in the shares of Alliance Common Stock surrendered in the Business Combination. Such gain or loss would be long-term capital gain or loss if the Alliance Common Stock was held for more than one year at the time of the Business Combination. Under current law, long-term capital gains of non-corporate taxpayers are taxed at a reduced U.S. federal income tax rate (up to a maximum rate of 20%). In addition, the aggregate tax basis of the shares of Adara Common Stock and Contingent Consideration Shares received in the Business Combination by a U.S. holder of Alliance Common Stock would equal their fair market value at the time of the closing of the Business Combination, and the U.S. holder’s holding period of such shares of Adara Common Stock and Contingent Consideration Shares would commence the day after the closing of the Business Combination. Under current law, the deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
Non-U.S. Holders
If the Business Combination does not qualify as a reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Code, Non-U.S. holders of Alliance will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax in connection with the Business Combination except to the extent described below.
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If gain recognized upon the exchange of the Non-U.S. holder’s shares of Alliance Common Stock for shares of Adara Common Stock and Contingent Consideration Shares is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the Non-U.S. holder maintains a permanent establishment in the United States to which such gain is attributable), such gain will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the regular graduated rates applicable to U.S. holders. A Non-U.S. holder of Alliance Common Stock that is a corporation also may be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on such effectively connected gain, as adjusted for certain items. In addition, if a Non-U.S. holder of Alliance Common Stock is a nonresident alien individual present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year of the Business Combination and certain other requirements are met, gain recognized by such holder with respect to such holder’s Alliance Common Stock as a result of the Business Combination will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty), which may be offset by U.S. source capital losses of the Non-U.S. holder of Alliance Common Stock (even though the individual is not considered a resident of the United States), provided that the Non-U.S. holder has timely filed U.S. federal income tax returns with respect to such losses. Finally, if Alliance is or has been a “United States real property holding corporation” for U.S. federal income tax purposes at any time during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of the Business Combination or the period that the Non-U.S. holder held Alliance Common Stock, any gain recognized by such holder with respect to such holder’s Alliance Common Stock as a result of the Business Combination would generally be subject to tax at applicable U.S. federal income tax rates and a U.S. federal withholding tax could apply. However, Alliance believes that it is not, and has not been at any time since its formation, a United States real property holding corporation and neither Alliance nor Adara expects to be a United States real property holding corporation immediately after the Business Combination is completed.
HOLDERS OF ALLIANCE COMMON STOCK SHOULD CONSULT, AND RELY SOLELY UPON, THEIR TAX ADVISORS TO DETERMINE THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE BUSINESS COMBINATION, INCLUDING THE EFFECT OF ANY U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, NON-U.S. OR OTHER TAX LAWS.
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PROPOSAL NO. 2 — THE CHARTER PROPOSALS
Overview
Our stockholders are being asked to adopt the Proposed Certificate of Incorporation in the form attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex B, which, in the judgment of the Adara board of directors, is necessary to adequately address the needs of Combined Company.
The following is a summary of the key amendments effected by the Proposed Certificate of Incorporation, but this summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Proposed Certificate of Incorporation, a copy of which is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex B:
● | Changing the Name — Changing Adara’s name to “Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation”; |
● | Changes to Authorized Capital Stock — the Existing Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the issuance of 111,000,000 total shares, consisting of (a) 110,000,000 shares of common stock, of which (i) 100,000,000 shares were Class A common stock, and (ii) 10,000,000 shares were Class B common stock, and (b) 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock. The Proposed Certificate of Incorporation will authorize the issuance of 551,000,000 total shares, consisting of (a) 490,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, (b) 60,000,000 of Class E common stock and (c) 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, and eliminate the Class B common stock and any rights of holders thereof; |
● | Required Vote to Amend the Certificate of Incorporation — require an affirmative vote of holders of at least two-thirds (66-⅔%) of the voting power of the then outstanding shares of voting stock of the Combined Company, voting together as a single class, to amend, alter, repeal or rescind, in whole or in part, certain provisions of the Proposed Certificate of Incorporation; |
● | Required Vote to Amend the Bylaws — require an affirmative vote of holders of at least two-thirds (66-⅔%) of the voting power of the then outstanding shares of voting stock of the Combined Company entitled to vote generally in an election of directors to adopt, amend, alter, repeal or rescind the Combined Company’s bylaws; |
● | Classified Board — divide the Combined Company’s board of directors into three classes with only one class of directors being elected each year and each class (except for those directors appointed prior to the first annual meeting of shareholders) serving a three-year term. |
● | Director Removal — provide for the removal of directors with cause only by stockholders voting at least two-thirds (66-⅔%) of the voting power of all of the then outstanding shares of voting stock of the Combined Company entitled to vote at an election of directors; and |
● | Removal of Blank Check Company Provisions — eliminate various provisions applicable only to blank check companies, including business combination requirements that will no longer be relevant following the Business Combination. |
Reasons for the Amendments
Each of these amendments was negotiated as part of the Business Combination. The Adara board of directors’ reasons for proposing each of these amendments to the Existing Certificate of Incorporation is set forth below.
Name Change
Changing the post-combination corporate name from “Adara Acquisition Corp.” to “Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation” is desirable to reflect the Business Combination and to align the name of the combined entity with the existing operating business of Alliance.
Elimination of Class B Common Stock
The elimination of the rights and privileges of the Adara Class B Common Stock is desirable because all shares of Adara Class B Common Stock will be exchanged for Class A Common Stock upon the closing of the Business Combination.
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Creation of Class E Common Stock
The creation of the Class E common stock is desirable in order to effect the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination.
Changes to Authorized Capital Stock
Our Existing Certificate of Incorporation authorizes 111,000,000 shares, consisting of (a) 110,000,000 shares of common stock, including (i) 100,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, and (ii) 10,000,000 shares of Class B common stock, and (b) 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock. The Proposed Certificate of Incorporation provides that Adara will be authorized to issue 551,000,000 shares, consisting of (i) 490,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, (b) 60,000,000 shares of Class E common stock, and (c) 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock.
This amendment also increases the authorized number of shares because our board of directors believes that it is important for us to have available for issuance a number of authorized shares of common stock and preferred stock sufficient to support our growth and to provide flexibility for future corporate needs (including, if needed, as part of financing for future growth acquisitions). The shares would be issuable as consideration for the merger and the other transactions contemplated by in this proxy statement/prospectus, and for any proper corporate purpose, including future acquisitions, capital raising transactions consisting of equity or convertible debt, stock dividends or issuances under current and any future stock incentive plans.
The Adara board of directors believes that these additional shares will provide us with needed flexibility to issue shares in the future in a timely manner and under circumstances we consider favorable without incurring the risk, delay and potential expense incident to obtaining stockholder approval for a particular issuance.
Required Vote to Amend the Charter
At present, our Existing Certificate of Incorporation may only be amended with the approval of a majority of the Adara board of directors and the holders of a majority of our outstanding shares. This amendment requires an affirmative vote of holders of at least two-thirds (66-⅔%) of the voting power of the then-outstanding shares of voting stock of the Combined Company, voting together as a single class, to amend, alter, repeal or rescind certain provisions of the Proposed Certificate of Incorporation. We believe that supermajority voting requirements are appropriate at this time to protect all stockholders against the potential self-interested actions by one or a few large stockholders. In reaching this conclusion, the Adara board of directors was cognizant of the potential for certain stockholders to hold a substantial beneficial ownership of our common stock following the Business Combination. We further believe that going forward, a supermajority voting requirement encourages the person seeking control of the Combined Company to negotiate with the board of directors to reach terms that are appropriate for all stockholders.
Required Vote to Amend the Bylaws
At present, our Existing Certificate of Incorporation provides that our bylaws may be amended by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the then outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class. This amendment requires an affirmative vote of holders of at least two-thirds (66-⅔%) of the voting power of the then outstanding shares of voting stock of the Combined Company entitled to vote generally in an election of directors to adopt, amend, alter, repeal or rescind the Combined Company’s bylaws. The ability of the majority of the Board to amend the bylaws remains unchanged. We believe that supermajority voting requirements are appropriate at this time to protect all stockholders against the potential self-interested actions by one or a few large stockholders. In reaching this conclusion, the Adara board of directors was cognizant of the potential for certain stockholders to hold a substantial beneficial ownership of our common stock following the Business Combination. We further believe that going forward, a supermajority voting requirement encourages the person seeking control of the Combined Company to negotiate with the board of directors to reach terms that are appropriate for all stockholders.
Classified Board
At present, our Existing Certificate of Incorporation provides that all directors are elected annually. This amendment will provide that the Combined Company’s board be divided into three classes with only one class of directors being elected each year and each class (except for those directors appointed prior to the first annual meeting of stockholders) serving a three-year term.
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Director Removal
At present, our Existing Certificate of Incorporation provides that, directors may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the voting power of the then outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class. This amendment provides for the removal of directors with cause only by stockholders voting at least two-thirds (66-⅔%) of the voting power of all of the then outstanding shares of voting stock of Adara entitled to vote at an election of directors. We believe that supermajority voting requirements are appropriate at this time to protect all stockholders against the potential self-interested actions by one or a few large stockholders. In reaching this conclusion, the Adara board of directors was cognizant of the potential for certain stockholders to hold a substantial beneficial ownership of our common stock following the Business Combination. We further believe that going forward, a supermajority voting requirement encourages the person seeking control of the Combined Company to negotiate with the board of directors to reach terms that are appropriate for all stockholders.
Removal of Blank Check Company Provisions
Our Existing Certificate of Incorporation contains various provisions applicable only to blank check companies. This amendment eliminates certain provisions related to our status as a blank check company, which is desirable because these provisions will serve no purpose following the Business Combination. For example, these proposed amendments remove the requirement to dissolve the Combined Company and allow it to continue as a corporate entity with perpetual existence following consummation of the Business Combination. Perpetual existence is the usual period of existence for corporations, and we believe it is the most appropriate period for the Combined Company following the Business Combination. In connection with the Business Combination, all shares of Class B common stock will automatically be converted into shares of Class A common stock, pursuant to the terms of the Proposed Certificate of Incorporation. Upon the conversion of the Class B common stock to Class A common stock, the Adara board of directors determined that there was no longer a need to continue with two series of common stock and, therefore, this amendment eliminates the Class B common stock. In addition, certain other provisions in our Existing Certificate of Incorporation require that proceeds from the Adara IPO be held in the Trust Account until a business combination or liquidation of merger has occurred. These provisions cease to apply once the Business Combination is consummated.
Vote Required for Approval
Approval of each of the Charter Proposals requires the affirmative vote (virtually in person or by proxy) of holders as of the Record Date of a majority of the then outstanding shares of Adara Common Stock and Adara Class B Common Stock entitled to vote thereon at the special meeting, voting together as a single class, and the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Adara Class B Common Stock then outstanding, voting separately as a single class. Failure to vote by proxy or to vote online at the virtual special meeting, an abstention from voting or a broker non-vote will have the same effect as a the vote against each of the Charter Proposals.
Adoption of each Charter Proposal is conditioned on the approval of the Business Combination Proposal, the Equity Incentive Plan Proposal and the NYSE American Proposal at the special meeting.
The Closing is conditioned on the approval of the Business Combination Proposal, each of the Charter Proposals, the Equity Incentive Plan Proposal and the NYSE American Proposal at the special meeting.
Board Recommendation
ADARA’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF EACH CHARTER PROPOSAL.
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PROPOSAL NO. 3 — THE EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN PROPOSAL
Our board of directors have adopted and approved the 2022 Omnibus Equity and Incentive Plan, or 2022 Plan. The 2022 Plan will become effective upon the Closing of the Business Combination and is a comprehensive incentive compensation plan under which we can grant equity-based and other incentive awards to based officers, employees and directors of, and consultants and advisers to, Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation, and its subsidiaries. The purpose of the 2022 Plan is to help us attract, motivate and retain such persons with awards designed for the U.S. market and thereby enhance shareholder value.
Administration. Upon effectiveness, the 2022 Plan will be administered by the plan administrator, which will be the Combined Company Board or a committee designated by the Combined Company Board (“Plan Committee”).The plan administrator will have the power to determine, among other items, the terms of the awards granted under the 2022 Plan, including the exercise price, the number of shares subject to each award (and the class of shares), and the exercisability and vesting terms of the awards. The plan administrator also will have the power to determine the persons to whom and the time or times at which awards will be made and to make all other determinations and take all other actions advisable for the administration of the 2022 Plan. All decisions made by the administrator pursuant to the provisions of the 2022 Plan will be final, conclusive and binding. To the extent desirable to qualify transactions under the 2022 Plan as exempt under Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act, the transactions contemplated under the 2022 Plan will be structured to satisfy the requirements for exemption under Rule 16b-3. Awards granted to participants who are insiders subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act must be approved by two or more “non-employee directors” of the Board (as defined in the regulations promulgated under Section 16 of the Exchange Act).
Grant of Awards; Shares Available for Awards. The 2022 Plan provides for the grant of awards which are distribution equivalent rights, incentive share options, non-qualified share options, performance shares, performance units, restricted common stock, restricted share units, share appreciation rights (“SARs”), tandem share appreciation rights, unrestricted common stock or any combination of the foregoing, to key management employees and non-employee directors of, and non-employee consultants of, Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation or any of its subsidiaries (each a “participant”) (however, solely Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation employees or employees of Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation subsidiaries are eligible for awards which are incentive share options). We have reserved a total of 600,000 shares of common stock for issuance as or under awards to be made under the 2022 Plan. To the extent that an award lapses, expires, is canceled, is terminated unexercised or ceases to be exercisable for any reason, or the rights of its holder terminate, any common stock subject to such award shall again be available for the grant of a new award. The 2022 Plan shall continue in effect, unless sooner terminated, until the tenth (10th) anniversary of the date on which it is adopted by the Board of Directors (except as to awards outstanding on that date). The Board of Directors in its discretion may terminate the 2022 Plan at any time with respect to any shares for which awards have not theretofore been granted; provided, however, that the 2022 Plan’s termination shall not materially and adversely impair the rights of a holder, without the consent of the holder, with respect to any award previously granted. The number of shares of common stock for which awards which are options or SARs may be granted to a participant under the 2022 Plan during any calendar year is limited to a number of shares equal to three percent (3%) of the total number of shares of common stock of the Combined Company outstanding on the last day of the prior calendar year.
Future new hires, non-employee directors and additional non-employee consultants are eligible to participate in the 2022 Plan as well. The number of awards to be granted to officers, non-employee directors, employees and non-employee consultants cannot be determined at this time as the grant of awards is dependent upon various factors such as hiring requirements and job performance.
Options. The term of each share option shall be as specified in the option agreement; provided, however, that except for share options which are incentive share options (“ISOs”), granted to an employee who owns or is deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules applicable under Code Section 424(d)) more than 10% of the combined voting power of all classes of our common stock or the capital stock of our subsidiaries (a “ten percent shareholder”), no option shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years from the date of its grant (five (5) years for an employee who is a ten percent shareholder).
The price at which a share may be purchased upon exercise of a share option shall be determined by the Plan Committee; provided, however, that such option price (i) shall not be less than the fair market value of a share on the date such share option is granted, and (ii) shall be subject to adjustment as provided in the 2022 Plan. The Plan Committee or the board of directors shall determine the time or times at which or the circumstances under which a share option may be exercised in whole or in part, the time or times at which options shall cease to be or become exercisable following termination of the share option holder’s employment or upon other conditions, the methods by which such exercise price may be paid or deemed to be paid, the form of such payment, and the methods by or forms in which common stock will be delivered or deemed to be delivered to participants who exercise share options.
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Options which are ISOs shall comply in all respects with Section 422 of the Code. In the case of ISOs granted to a ten percent shareholder, the per share exercise price under such ISO (to the extent required by the Code at the time of grant) shall be no less than 110% of the fair market value of a share on the date such ISO is granted. ISOs may only be granted to employees of Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation or one of its subsidiaries. In addition, the aggregate fair market value of the shares subject to an ISO (determined at the time of grant) which are exercisable for the first time by an employee during any calendar year may not exceed $100,000. And Option which specifies that it is not intended to qualify as ISOs or any Option that fails to meet the requirement of an ISO at any point in time will automatically be treated as a nonqualified option (“NQSO”) under the terms of the Plan.
Restricted Share Awards. A restricted share award is a grant or sale of common stock to the participant, subject to such restrictions on transferability, risk of forfeiture and other restrictions, if any, as the Plan Committee or the board of directors may impose, which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times, under such circumstances (including based on achievement of performance goals and/or future service requirements), in such installments or otherwise, as the Plan Committee or the board of directors may determine at the date of grant or purchase or thereafter. Except to the extent restricted under the terms of the 2022 Plan and any agreement relating to the restricted share award, a participant who is granted or has purchased restricted shares shall have all of the rights of a shareholder, including the right to vote the restricted shares and the right to receive dividends thereon (subject to any mandatory reinvestment or other requirement imposed by the Plan Committee or the Board of Directors or in the award agreement). During the restricted period applicable to the restricted shares, subject to certain exceptions, the restricted shares may not be sold, transferred, pledged, hypothecated, or otherwise disposed of by the participant.
Unrestricted Share Awards. An unrestricted share award is the award of common stock which are not subject to transfer restrictions. Pursuant to the terms of the applicable unrestricted share award agreement, a holder may be awarded (or sold) common stock which are not subject to transfer restrictions, in consideration for past services rendered thereby to us or an affiliate or for other valid consideration.
Restricted Share Unit Awards. A restricted share unit award provides for a cash payment to be made to the holder upon the satisfaction of predetermined individual service-related vesting requirements, based on the number of units awarded to the holder. The Plan Committee shall set forth in the applicable restricted share unit award agreement the individual service-based or performance-based vesting requirement which the holder would be required to satisfy before the holder would become entitled to payment and the number of units awarded to the Holder. The vesting restrictions under any restricted share unit award shall constitute a “substantial risk of forfeiture” under Section 409A of the Code. At the time of such award, the Plan Committee may, in its sole discretion, prescribe additional terms and conditions or restrictions. The holder of a restricted share unit shall be entitled to receive a cash payment equal to the fair market value of a share, or one (1) share, as determined in the sole discretion of the Plan Committee and as set forth in the restricted share unit award agreement, for each restricted share unit subject to such restricted share unit award, if and to the extent the applicable vesting requirement is satisfied. Such payment shall be made no later than by the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) calendar month next following the end of the calendar year in which the restricted share unit first becomes vested.
Performance Unit Awards. A performance unit award provides for a cash payment to be made to the holder upon the satisfaction of predetermined individual and/or Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation performance goals or objectives, based on the number of units awarded to the holder. The Plan Committee shall set forth in the applicable performance unit award agreement the performance goals and objectives (and the period of time to which such goals and objectives shall apply) which the holder and/or Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation would be required to satisfy before the holder would become entitled to payment, the number of units awarded to the holder and the dollar value assigned to each such unit. The vesting restrictions under any performance under award shall constitute a “substantial risk of forfeiture” under Section 409A of the Code. At the time of such award, the Plan Committee may, in its sole discretion, prescribe additional terms and conditions or restrictions. The holder of a performance unit shall be entitled to receive a cash payment equal to the dollar value assigned to such unit under the applicable performance unit award agreement if the holder and/or Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation satisfy (or partially satisfy, if applicable under the applicable performance unit award agreement) the performance goals and objectives set forth in such performance unit award agreement. If achieved, such payment shall be made no later than by the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) calendar month next following the end of Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation’s fiscal year to which such performance goals and objectives relate.
Performance Share Awards. A performance share award provides for distribution of common stock to the holder upon the satisfaction of predetermined individual and/or Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation goals or objectives. The Plan Committee shall set forth in the applicable performance share award agreement the performance goals and objectives (and the period of time to which such goals and objectives shall apply) which the holder and/or Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation would be required to satisfy before the holder would become entitled to the receipt of common stock pursuant to such holder’s performance share award and the number of shares of common stock subject to such performance share award. The vesting restrictions under any performance
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under award shall constitute a “substantial risk of forfeiture” under Section 409A of the Code and, if such goals and objectives are achieved, the distribution of such common stock shall be made no later than by the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) calendar month next following the end of our fiscal year to which such goals and objectives relate. At the time of such award, the Plan Committee may, in its sole discretion, prescribe additional terms and conditions or restrictions. The holder of a performance share award shall have no rights as an Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation shareholder until such time, if any, as the holder actually receives common stock pursuant to the performance share award.
Distribution Equivalent Rights. A distribution equivalent right entitles the holder to receive bookkeeping credits, cash payment and/or share distributions equal in amount to the distributions that would be made to the holder had the holder held a specified number of common stock during the period the holder held the distribution equivalent rights. The Plan Committee shall set forth in the applicable distribution equivalent rights award agreement the terms and conditions, if any, including whether the holder is to receive credits currently in cash, is to have such credits reinvested (at fair market value determined as of the date of reinvestment) in additional common stock or is to be entitled to choose among such alternatives. Such receipt shall be subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture” under Section 409A of the Code and, if such award becomes vested, the distribution of such cash or common stock shall be made no later than by the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) calendar month next following the end of the Company’s fiscal year in which the holder’s interest in the award vests. Distribution equivalent rights awards may be settled in cash or in common stock, as set forth in the applicable distribution equivalent rights award agreement. A distribution equivalent rights award may, but need not be, awarded in tandem with another award other than an Option or SAR award, whereby, if so awarded, such distribution equivalent rights award shall terminate or be forfeited by the holder, as applicable, under the same conditions as under such other award. The distribution equivalent rights award agreement for a distribution equivalent rights award may provide for the crediting of interest on a distribution rights award to be settled in cash at a future date (but in no event later than by the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) calendar month next following the end of the Company’s fiscal year in which such interest was credited), at a rate set forth in the applicable distribution equivalent rights award agreement, on the amount of cash payable thereunder.
Share Appreciation Rights. A SAR provides the participant to whom it is granted the right to receive, upon its exercise, the excess of (A) the fair market value of the number of shares of common stock subject to the SAR on the date of exercise, over (B) the product of the number of shares of common stock subject to the SAR multiplied by the base value under the SAR, as determined by the Plan Committee or the board of directors. The base value of a SAR shall not be less than the fair market value of a share on the date of grant. If the Plan Committee grants a share appreciation right which is intended to be a tandem SAR, additional restrictions apply.
Recapitalization or Reorganization. Subject to certain restrictions, the 2022 Plan provides for the adjustment of common stock underlying awards previously granted if, and whenever, prior to the expiration or distribution to the holder of common stock underlying an award theretofore granted, we shall effect a subdivision or consolidation of our common stock or the payment of a share dividend on common stock without receipt of consideration by us. If we recapitalize or otherwise change our capital structure, thereafter upon any exercise or satisfaction, as applicable, of a previously granted award, the holder shall be entitled to receive (or entitled to purchase, if applicable) under such award, in lieu of the number of shares of common stock then covered by such award, the number and class of shares and securities to which the holder would have been entitled pursuant to the terms of the recapitalization if, immediately prior to such recapitalization, the holder had been the holder of record of the number of shares of common stock then covered by such award. The 2022 Plan also provides for the adjustment of shares underlying awards previously granted by the Board of Directors in the event of changes to the outstanding common stock by reason of extraordinary cash dividend, reorganization, mergers, consolidations, combinations, split ups, spin offs, exchanges or other relevant changes in capitalization occurring after the date of the grant of any award, subject to certain restrictions.
Amendment and Termination. The 2022 Plan shall continue in effect, unless sooner terminated pursuant to its terms, until the tenth (10th) anniversary of the date on which it is adopted by the Board of Directors (except as to awards outstanding on that date). The Board of Directors may terminate the 2022 Plan at any time with respect to any shares for which awards have not theretofore been granted; provided, however, that the 2022 Plan’s termination shall not materially and adversely impair the rights of a holder with respect to any award theretofore granted without the consent of the holder. The Board of Directors shall have the right to alter or amend the 2022 Plan or any part hereof from time to time; provided, however, that without the approval by a majority of the votes cast at a meeting of our shareholders at which a quorum representing a majority of our common stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors is present in person or by proxy, no amendment or modification of the 2022 Plan may (i) materially increase the benefits accruing to holders, (ii) except as otherwise expressly provided in the 2022 Plan, materially increase the number of shares of common stock subject to the 2022 Plan or the individual award agreements, (iii) materially modify the requirements for participation, or (iv) amend, modify or suspend certain repricing prohibitions or amendment and termination provisions as specified therein. In addition, no change in any award theretofore granted may be made which would materially and adversely impair the rights of a holder with respect to such award without the consent of the holder (unless such change is required in order to cause the benefits under the
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2022 Plan to qualify as “performance-based” compensation within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code or to exempt the 2022 Plan or any Award from Section 409A of the Code).
As of , 2022, no awards had been granted under the 2022 Plan.
Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the 2022 Plan
The following is a general summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences under current tax law to us and to participants in the 2022 Plan who are individual citizens or residents of the United States for federal income tax purposes, or U.S. Participants, of share options which are ISOs, or share options which are not ISOs, or NQSOs, restricted shares, SARs, dividend equivalent rights, restricted share units, performance shares, performance units and unrestricted share awards. It does not purport to cover all of the special rules that may apply, including special rules relating to limitations on our ability to deduct certain compensation, special rules relating to deferred compensation, golden parachutes, participants subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act or the exercise of a share option with previously-acquired common stock. This summary assumes that U.S. Participants will hold their common stock as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code. In addition, this summary does not address the foreign, state or local income or other tax consequences, or any U.S. federal non-income tax consequences, inherent in the acquisition, ownership, vesting, exercise, termination or disposition of an award under the 2022 Plan, or shares of common stock issued pursuant thereto. Participants are urged to consult with their own tax advisors concerning the tax consequences to them of an award under the 2022 Plan or shares of common stock issued thereto pursuant to the 2022 Plan.
A U.S. Participant generally does not recognize taxable income upon the grant of an NQSO. Upon the exercise of an NQSO, the U.S. Participant generally recognizes ordinary income in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the common stock acquired on the date of exercise over the exercise price thereof, and Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation will generally be entitled to a deduction for such amount at that time. If the U.S. Participant later sells common stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an NQSO, the U.S. Participant recognizes a long-term or short-term capital gain or loss, depending on the period for which the common stock was held thereby. A long-term capital gain is generally subject to more favorable tax treatment than ordinary income or a short-term capital gain. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to certain limitations.
A U.S. Participant generally does not receive taxable income upon the grant of an ISO and, if the U.S. Participant disposes of the common stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an ISO more than two years after the date of grant and more than one year after the transfer of the common stock to the U.S. participant, the U.S. Participant generally recognizes a long-term capital gain or loss, and we will not be entitled to a deduction. However, if the U.S. Participant disposes of such common stock prior to the end of either of the required holding periods, the ISO will convert to a NQSO and the U.S. Participant’s gain will be treated as ordinary income, and Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation will generally be entitled to deduct such amount. For purposes of the U.S. alternative minimum tax, or AMT, which is payable to the extent it exceeds the U.S. Participant’s regular income tax, upon the exercise of an ISO, the excess of the fair market value of the common stock subject to the ISO over the exercise price is a preference items for AMT purposes.
A U.S. Participant generally does not recognize income upon the grant of a SAR. The U.S. Participant recognizes ordinary compensation income upon exercise of the SAR equal to the increase in the value of the underlying shares, and we will generally be entitled to a deduction for such amount.
A U.S. Participant generally does not recognize income on the receipt of a performance share award, performance unit award, restricted share unit award, unrestricted share award or dividend equivalent rights award until a cash payment or a distribution of shares of common stock is received thereby. At such time, the U.S. Participant recognizes ordinary compensation income equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the shares of common stock or cash received over any amount paid for the shares of common stock thereby, and Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation will generally be entitled to deduct such amount at such time.
A U.S. Participant who receives a restricted share award generally recognizes ordinary compensation income equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of such common stock at the time the restriction lapses over any amount paid thereby for the common stock. Alternatively, the U.S. Participant may elect to be taxed on the fair market value of such shares of common stock at the time of this grant. Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation will generally be entitled to a deduction at the same time and in the same amount as the income is required to be included by the U.S. Participant.
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Interests of Adara’s Directors and Officers in the Equity Incentive Plan Proposal
When you consider the recommendation of Adara’s board of directors in favor of approval of the 2022 Plan, you should keep in mind that certain of Adara’s board of directors and officers have interests in the 2022 Plan that are different from, or in addition to, your interests as a stockholder or warrant holder, including, among other things, the potential future issuance of awards to Tom Finke and W. Tom Donaldson III, as directors of the Combined Company. See the section titled “Proposal No. 1 — The Business Combination — Interests of Adara’s Directors and Officers in the Business Combination” for a further discussion.
Vote Required for Approval
Approval of the Equity Incentive Plan Proposal requires the affirmative vote (virtually in person or by proxy) of the holders of a majority of the shares of Adara Common Stock and Adara Class B Common Stock that are voted at the special meeting, voting together as a single class. Failure to vote by proxy or to vote online at the virtual special meeting will have no effect on the outcome of the vote on the Equity Incentive Plan Proposal.
Adoption of the Equity Incentive Plan Proposal is conditioned on the approval of the Business Combination Proposal, each of the Charter Proposals and the NYSE American Proposal at the special meeting.
The Closing is conditioned on the approval of the Business Combination Proposal, each of the Charter Proposals, the Equity Incentive Plan Proposal and the NYSE American Proposal at the special meeting.
Board Recommendation
ADARA’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN PROPOSAL.
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PROPOSAL NO. 4 — THE NYSE AMERICAN PROPOSAL
Overview
In connection with the Business Combination, we intend to effect (subject to customary terms and conditions, including the Closing):
● | the issuance of 47,500,000 shares of Combined Company Common Stock to the holders of Alliance Common Stock and a potential issuance of up to an additional 60,000,000 shares of Combined Company Common Stock which would become issuable upon conversion of the Contingent Consideration Shares upon the occurrence of the Triggering Event; and |
● | the issuance of equity awards under the 2022 Plan if such Plan is approved in accordance with “Proposal No. 3 — The Equity Incentive Plan Proposal.” |
For further information, see the section titled “Proposal No. 1 — The Business Combination Proposal,” as well as the annexes to this proxy statement/prospectus.
Why Adara Needs Stockholder Approval
We are seeking stockholder approval in order to comply with Section 713(a) and (b) of the NYSE American Rules.
Under Section 913(a) of the NYSE American rules, stockholder approval is required prior to the issuance of common stock, or of securities convertible into common stock, in which the sales, issuance or potential issuance is equal to or in excess of 20% of the number of shares of common stock outstanding before the issuance of the common stock or securities convertible into common stock. Adara will issue shares representing 20% or more of the number of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock of Adara prior to the issuance, pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement.
Under Section 713(b) of the NYSE American rules, stockholder approval is required prior to the waiver or potential issuance of additional shares of capital shares will remit in a change of content, including in connection with a revision merger as defined in the NYSE American rules. The issuance of shares of Combined Company Common Stock pursuant to the Business Combination agreement constitutes a change of control.
Stockholder approval of the NYSE American Proposal is also a condition to the Closing under the Business Combination Agreement.
Effect of Proposal on Current Stockholders
If the NYSE American Proposal is adopted, we will issue (i) (a) 47,500,000 shares of Combined Company Common Stock to the holders of Alliance Common Stock and (b) a potential 60,000,000 additional shares of Combined Company Common Stock which would become issuable upon conversion of the Contingent Consideration Shares upon the occurrence of the Triggering Events, and (ii) equity awards under the 2022 Plan if such plans are approved in accordance with Proposal No.3 (Equity Incentive Plan Proposal).
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The issuance of the shares described above will result in significant dilution to Adara stockholders and result in Adara’s stockholders having a smaller percentage interest in the voting power, liquidation value and aggregate book value of Adara.
Vote Required for Approval
Approval of the NYSE American Proposal requires the affirmative vote (virtually in person or by proxy) of the holders of a majority of the shares of Adara Common Stock and Adara Class B Common Stock that are voted at the special meeting, voting together as a single class. Failure to vote by proxy or to vote online at the virtual special meeting will have no effect on the outcome of the vote on the NYSE American Proposal.
Adoption of the NYSE American Proposal is conditioned on the approval of the Business Combination Proposal, each of the Charter Proposals, and the Equity Incentive Plan Proposal at the special meeting.
The Closing is conditioned on the approval of the Business Combination Proposal, each of the Charter Proposals, and the Equity Incentive Plan Proposal and the NYSE American Proposal at the special meeting.
Recommendation of Adara’s Board of Directors
ADARA’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL THE NYSE AMERICAN PROPOSAL.
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PROPOSAL NO. 5 — THE ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL
The Adjournment Proposal
The Adjournment Proposal, if adopted, will allow Adara’s board of directors to adjourn the special meeting of stockholders to a later date or dates to permit further solicitation of proxies. The Adjournment Proposal will only be presented to Adara’s stockholders in the event that, based on the tabulated votes, there are not sufficient votes at the time of the special meeting of stockholders to approve one or more of the proposals presented at the special meeting or Public Stockholders have elected to redeem an amount of Public Shares such that the minimum available cash condition to the obligation to closing of the Business Combination would not be satisfied. In no event will Adara’s board of directors adjourn the special meeting of stockholders or consummate the Business Combination beyond the date by which it may properly do so under the Existing Certificate of Incorporation and Delaware law.
Consequences if the Adjournment Proposal is Not Approved
If the Adjournment Proposal is not approved by Adara’s stockholders, Adara’s board of directors may not be able to adjourn the special meeting of stockholders to a later date in the event that, based on the tabulated votes, there are not sufficient votes at the time of the special meeting of stockholders to approve the Business Combination Proposal or Public Stockholders have elected to redeem an amount of Public Shares such that the minimum available cash condition to the obligation to closing of the Business Combination would not be satisfied.
Vote Required for Approval
Approval of the Adjournment Proposal requires the affirmative vote (virtually in person or by proxy) of the holders of a majority of the shares of Adara Common Stock and Adara Class B Common Stock that are voted at the special meeting, voting together as a single class. Failure to vote by proxy or to vote online at the virtual special meeting will have no effect on the outcome of the vote on the Adjournment Proposal.
Adoption of the Adjournment Proposal is not conditioned upon the adoption of any of the other Stockholder Proposals.
Board Recommendation
ADARA’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL.
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INFORMATION ABOUT ALLIANCE
The following discussion reflects the business of Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation. and its subsidiaries prior to the consummation of the Business Combination. Unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this subsection to “Alliance,” “the Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” refer to the business of Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation. and its subsidiaries prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, which will, by nature of the anticipated deal structure, be the business of Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation (formerly Adara Acquisition Corp.) following consummation of the Business Combination.
Overview
Alliance is a leading global wholesaler, direct-to-consumer (“DTC”) distributor and e-commerce provider for the entertainment industry. Alliance serves as the gateway between well-known international branded manufacturers of entertainment content, such as Universal Pictures, Universal Music Group, Warner Brothers Home Video, Walt Disney Studios, Sony Music, Sony Pictures, Microsoft, Nintendo, and others, and leading retailer customers in the United States and internationally, including Walmart, Amazon, Best Buy, Barnes & Noble, Wayfair, Costco and Target, among others. The Company distributes its physical media, entertainment products, hardware and accessories through an established multi-channel strategy. The Company currently sells its products that it is allowed to export in more than 77 countries around the world.
Alliance provides state-of-the art warehousing and distribution technologies, operating systems and services that seamlessly enable entertainment product transactions to better serve customers directly or through our distribution affiliates. These technology-led platforms with access to the Company’s in stock inventory of over 485,000 SKU products, consisting of vinyl records, video games, compact discs, DVD, Blu-Rays, toys and collectibles, combined with Alliance’s sales and distribution network, create a modern entertainment physical product marketplace that provides the discerning customer with enhanced options on efficient consumer-friendly platforms inventory. Alliance is the retailers’ back office for in store and e-commerce solutions. All electronic data interchange (“EDI”) and logistics are operational and ready for existing retail channels to add new products.
For the year ended June 30, 2021 and year ended June 30, 2022, Alliance’s consolidated revenue was $1.324 billion and $1.417 billion, respectively, consolidated net income was $34.2 million and $28.5 million, respectively, and consolidated Adjusted EBITDA was $68.5 million and $60.0 million, respectively. Adjusted EBITDA is not a recognized measure under GAAP. For a definition of Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to consolidated net income (loss), see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of Alliance - Non-GAAP Financial Measures” contained elsewhere in this proxy statement.
Alliance was founded in 1990 (previously named CD Listening Bar, Inc.). Through a series of acquisitions and organic growth, Alliance has expanded and strengthened its global footprint and product breadth, and greatly increased its service capabilities. Since its inception, Alliance has made nine accretive business acquisitions, including Phantom Sound and Vision, MSI Music, Infinity Resources, Alliance, ANConnect, Mecca Electronics, Distribution Solutions, Mill Creek, and COKeM. Management believes that Alliance’s ability to successfully integrate acquisitions is underpinned by its highly efficient operating systems and experienced leadership team.
Management believes Alliance’s existing Service, Selection, and Technology offering has well-positioned the Company to capitalize on shifts towards e-commerce and Omni-Channel strategies, especially with retailers and manufacturers vastly increased reliance on our DTC fulfillment and distribution partners. For 2021, Alliance had 21.1 million DTC units delivered. Alliance’s goal has always been to provide all the meta-data of content and images, service, selection, and purchasing to Omni-Channel retailers to expand their selection to compete with the leading on-line retailer. With over 1,200 employees worldwide, Alliance has over 4,000 unique customers and over 35,000 “Ship-To” locations.
Alliance believes the three pillars of its business; Service, Selection, and Technology create a powerful competitive advantage that will protect the Company’s market leadership and propel its future growth into the evolving physical entertainment product segments.
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Alliance Business
With more than thirty years of distribution experience, Alliance serves customers of every size, providing a suite of services to resellers and retailers worldwide. We believe that our efficient processing and essential seller tools noticeably reduce the costs associated with administrating multiple vendor relationships and streamline the overall purchasing experience. Alliance believes that it is a single source for all customer entertainment product needs. As a solutions-based operation, Alliance seeks to drives sales for their suppliers with broad product selection and cost-efficient processing.
Alliance’s distribution business is built around three areas, where our marketplace value is created: Service, Selection and Technology.
SERVICE:
Alliance provides efficient, Omni-Channel expansion solutions for retailers, including:
● | E-Commerce and DTC |
Alliance provides leading product and e-commerce distribution and inventory solutions. Alliance provides a full, enterprise-level infrastructure and drop ships orders directly to consumers on behalf of its customers. The entire ordering, confirmation and invoicing process is automated. The functionality allows customers to focus on sales while Alliance performs all stocking, warehousing, and shipping functions. For 2021, Alliance delivered 16.2 million DTC units.
● | Vendor Managed Inventory |
Alliance is a leader in vendor managed inventory (VMI) solutions providing solutions tailored to customers to support their inventory needs. These value-add services provide a highly technical, critical business function for our partners using traiting of locations and min/max system of supply.
SELECTION:
Alliance consolidates and distributes a vast portfolio of entertainment products with over 485,000 SKUs in stock, while its proprietary database powers retailers’ online music and gaming offerings.
Subsidiary Brands — We operate under the following subsidiaries which focus on the following product brand areas:
● | COKeM — Alliance acquired COKeM International Ltd. in September 2020. COKeM is one of the leading and innovative distribution service companies in the video game and accessory industries. COKeM continues to expand its capabilities, providing full-service distribution, fulfillment and 3PL services for a wide array of industries and across many product categories. Alliance acquired Mecca Electronics in 2018 and in 2021 Mecca Electronics was merged into COKeM. |
● | Direct2You — division consists of Alliances owned retail brands using the dba’s of ImportCDs, Deep Discount, Collectors Choice Music, Collectors Choice, Vinyl, Blow It Out of Here, Wow, Pop Market, Collectors Choice Video, and Movies Unlimited. These brands were purchased from Infinity Resources in 2010. |
● | Alliance — was a competitor to CD Listening Bar when CD Listening Bar acquired Alliance in 2013. Alliance primarily serviced B&N and Best Buy, and over 1600 independent retailers. This reverse merger where CD Listening Bar merged into Alliance made Alliance the largest music and video distributor in the world. |
● | Mill Creek Entertainment — is the home entertainment industry’s leading independent studio for Blu-ray, DVD, and digital distribution. With direct sales pipelines to all primary retail and online partners, Mill Creek Entertainment licenses, produces, markets, and distributes a dynamic array of film and television content to over 30,000 retail stores and thousands of websites reaching millions of customers across North America. Mill Creek Entertainment’s expansive library includes Oscar®-winning theatrical feature films, Emmy®-winning classic and contemporary TV series, original documentary productions and pop-culture favorites that enlighten, educate, and entertain. |
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● | NCircle Entertainment — Founded in 2006, NCircle Entertainment is one of the largest independent distributors of quality children and family entertainment content. NCircle is committed to providing quality children's entertainment that builds a solid foundation of early learning skills upon which future educational success can be built. NCircle's award winning brands engage your child in the learning process, using the interdisciplinary STEM approach, teaching reading readiness, science concepts, problem solving tactics, social skills and environmental awareness, while entertaining them with song, dance and laughter. NCircle's library includes many of the most loved and best-selling children's brands including Gigantosarus, The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!, Llama, The Octonauts, Sonic Boom, The Snowman and many more. |
● | Amped Distribution — is a division of Alliance that consists of over 100 small music labels where Amped is the exclusive supplier of physical media to all retailers in the United States. |
● | Distribution Solutions — is the largest aggregator and distributor of independent film labels in North America. Alliance acquired Distribution Solutions in 2018 and today has over 30 small movie studios that are exclusively distributed through Distribution Solutions. |
Product Categories — Alliance’s core media and entertainment product areas are:
● | Gaming Products: For the twelve months ended June 30, 2022, gaming represented 39% of Alliance revenues on a consolidated basis. Leading products distributed are: Nintendo, Microsoft, Arcade1Up, and all third party video game publishers. |
● | Vinyl Records: Vinyl records have experienced a growth of 45% CAGR for each of the last eight years. For the twelve months ended June 30, 2022, vinyl represented 23% of all Company revenues on a consolidated basis. |
● | Digital Video Discs and Blu-Ray: DVD’ sales for the twelve months ended June 30, 2022 have been increasing and represent 19% of Alliance’s consolidated revenue. |
● | Compact Discs: CDs for the twelve months ended June 30, 2022 represent 11% of Alliance’s consolidated revenue. |
● | Retro Arcades: There has been a steady increase in retro arcade gaming machines, comprising 7% of Alliance’s consolidated revenue for the twelve months ended June 30, 2022. |
● | Consumer products and collectibles: Alliance has experienced steady growth in collectible and consumer products, representing 4% of the Company consolidated revenue for the twelve months ended June 30, 2022. |
TECHNOLOGY:
Alliance’s technology platforms combine customer-friendly applications and efficient operating systems with access to the company’s global content inventory across all current market segments. These platforms offer the Alliance marketplace stakeholders feature-rich tools and services for all aspects of consumer engagement, transaction processing and business development.
We continue to invest in enhancements to our automated handling equipment capable of reducing shipping times, streamlining order processing, and improving overall warehouse management. In 2021, Alliance initiated installation of a state-of-the art AutoStore Automated Storage & Retrieval System (ASRS) for its Shepherdsville warehouse. Management believes this system will dramatically improve Alliance’s warehouse operations, allowing the Company to achieve increased levels of speed, reliability, capacity, and precision, resulting in significant cost savings.
The company’s platforms enable stakeholders to search and purchase personalized product selections efficiently. Through a modern and intuitive user interface, customers access to Alliance’s global inventory as well as integrated marketing tools, conversational commerce, Fintech solutions, self-service purchasing and 24/7 support. Current features of Alliance’s customer engaging technology features include seamless connectivity across desk-top, notebook and mobile devices.
Alliance’s newer platforms also incorporate tools and services that increase revenue and profitability when compared to legacy distribution systems. In addition to robust search, selection and purchase transaction tools and service support, the Company’s platforms currently incorporate a Fintech platform with an extensive selection of payment options. Further, Alliance’s technology
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offers a multi-channel marketing platform supporting retailer marketplace participants growth and business development with fully integrated product marketing and CRM tools. Management believes the end result is a more comprehensive, engaging and cost-effective transaction process designed to make all stakeholders more productive and competitive.
Industry Background
The industries in which the Company participates are:
● | Packaged Goods consisting of physical media and entertainment content |
● | Gaming Consoles and Accessories |
● | Toys and Collectibles |
The background components within the physical media and entertainment industry are as follow:
Vinyl Records:
The Company expects vinyl sales to increase over the next five years. Industry wide, vinyl sales surpassed CD sales. Revenue in the industry from vinyl grew to $1.0 billion in 2021 and accounts for 63% of physical entertainment sales dollars. The market is expected to grow by $563.97 million from 2021 to 2025. The expected CAGR is 8.41% during the same period.
Largest market in terms of record sales is the United States followed by the United Kingdom, France, Japan, and Germany.
Alliance believes that the growth in vinyl is being driven by millennial consumers. It’s economically priced, more accessible and has better audio quality, according to some experts.
Gaming Products:
The gaming industry shows strong growth over the next few years from 2021 to 2026. The gaming industry was valued at $173.7 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach $314.4 billion by 2026. The CAGR is 9.64% over the forecast period from 2021 to 2026. Contributing factors include more people staying home than before and emerging technologies in gaming such as cloud, AR, VR and AI.
The global user base for AR and VR gaming is estimated to increase to 216 million users by 2025.
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Consumer Products and Collectibles:
The market for consumer products/collectibles shows steady growth over the next few years. The collectibles market is expected to grow by $1.24 billion during the period of 2021 to 2025. The CAGR is over 4% for the forecast period.
Toys and collectibles (Funko, Mattel, Hasbro, Lego, Playmobil, action figures) capitalize on the social trend of facilitating creative play while reducing screen time.
Compact Discs:
Vinyl continues to surpass CD sales. CD Revenues in the US in 2021 were $584 million. Sales in the United States have dropped from 122.9 million shipments in 2015 to only 31.6 million shipments in 2021. Alliance historically over-indexes the industry compared to CD revenues in the United States due to its Amped division adding more exclusive labels to distribute.
Physical sales only account for approximately 10% of the Company’s total revenue for music. Out of this, CDs account for 37% sales whereas vinyl accounts for 63% of physical sales.
DVD and Blu-Ray:
Disc versions of video game consoles allow those users access to play the disc version of movies. Broadband speeds are not always ideal for high quality streaming even in developed countries. This problem is worse in developing countries. However, factors such as access to digital copies of films, and on-demand streaming services have caused DVD sales to decline.
Shipments are expected to decrease from 46.6 million in 2019 to 16.1 million in 2025. Forecast for unit shipments shows an overall decline of -16.2% CAGR (2019 – 2025).
DVD’s biggest competitor, the online streaming services market is expected to grow by $191.72 billion during 2021 – 2025 with a CAGR of 18%.
Alliance historically over-indexes the industry compared to DVD and BluRay revenues in the United States because of Distribution Solution’s division adding more exclusive studio to distribute.
Market Opportunity
The Company has identified two primary market areas where it currently conducts business and plans to grow its business:
Content Media
● | The global content media market is expected to grow from $289.13 billion in 2021 to $308.97 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9%. The film and music market growth are mainly due to the companies rearranging their operations and recovering from the COVID-19 impact, which had earlier led to restrictive containment measures involving social distancing, remote working, and the closure of commercial activities that resulted in operational challenges. The market is expected to reach $392.34 billion in 2025 at a CAGR of 6%. |
● | Despite the rise of digital distribution models, 64% of console consumers still prefer to buy their games on disc. |
● | The global animation collectibles market is poised to grow by $1.24 billion during 2021 – 2025, progressing at a CAGR of over 4% during the same period. |
Fulfillment
● | The global e-commerce fulfillment services market size was valued at $77.57 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10% from 2021 to 2028 ($168.72 billion). |
● | Consumer electronics is expected to emerge as the fastest-growing segment registering a CAGR of over 12% from 2021 to 2028. |
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● | The market is anticipated to witness substantial growth during the period due to the proliferation of the e-commerce industry, especially in emerging markets leading to an unprecedented rise in the number of online buyers. This trend implies North America will not grow as quickly as other global segments. |
● | It is anticipated that fulfilment in North America will continue to be funneled into established brands (for example, Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy and Target). |
● | The global third-party logistics market was valued at $1,032 billion in 2021 and is forecasted to reach $1,656.7 billion by the year 2027. The market is anticipated to register a CAGR of 8.2% over the same period. |
● | Retailers and manufacturers are increasing their focus on core competencies to sustain the intense competition in their respective markets. Due to this, they are outsourcing their other supporting activities to third party vendors. |
Our Competitive Strengths
Alliance is one of the largest physical media and entertainment product distributors in the world and is a leader in fulfillment and e-commerce distribution solutions. Its existing product and service offering has positioned the Company to capitalize on shifts towards e-commerce and Omni-Channel strategies, especially with retailers and manufacturers vastly increased reliance on their DTC fulfillment and distribution partners.
We believe that our key strengths position us to deliver on our strategy to profitably grow and optimize our core physical media and entertainment product distributors fulfillment and e-commerce distribution solutions while expanding and investing in higher margin advanced technology solutions and high value services.
The Company believes the following strengths are key to its ability to grow and maintain its position as a market leader:
● | Proven Management Experience and Equity Rollover. With over 30 years of operations and experience, Alliance management has extensive knowledge and is rolling over all of their equity in the Business Combination in preparation to lead the Company towards future growth. |
● | Significant barriers to entry and market leadership. Alliance is a leader in fulfillment and e-commerce distribution with over 485,000 SKUs in stock. The company’s market leadership is further protected by a three-pronged moat of services, selection, and technology. The Company’s platforms create efficiencies, which benefit its partners in the physical media and entertainment marketplace. As a result, both suppliers and retailer customers rely on the Company’s platforms to fuel transaction volume. |
● | Organic Growth Opportunities. Through the expansion of partnerships with vendors and customers as well as investment in existing facilities, Alliance expects to continue to grow revenue and expand margins. |
● | Proven track record of building scale through significant acquisitions. Since inception, Alliance has successfully acquired and integrated nine businesses that have greatly expanded our vendors and customers we are supporting. This M&A activity has built scale and added capabilities to the Company’s platforms. Further, Alliance has demonstrated an ability to integrate those companies into its existing platforms to fundamentally improve the acquired businesses. Alliance management believes there remain significant consolidation opportunities to drive future growth through the acquisition of complementary businesses and competitors. |
● | Modern technology distribution platform and interface. The Company’s technology platform increases the efficiency of transactions, provides great mobile accessibility, and incorporates modern marketing and Fintech tools. |
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Strategy for Future Growth
Alliance will continue to capitalize on its services, selection, and scalable distribution network technology, to propel its future growth both organically and through acquisitions. With a public listing, we will have access to additional capital to finance future growth. Our strategy will include:
● | Execute Acquisition Strategy. Alliance has a proven track record of successfully acquiring and integrating competitors and complementary businesses. With additional capital, Alliance will be able to execute on its acquisition strategy more effectively. |
● | Increase Market Share. Expanding its existing product and service offerings and executing its acquisition strategy will drive Alliance’s efforts toward increasing market share. The Company has historically built scale and added capabilities through acquisitions. It has demonstrated an ability to execute accretive and synergistic acquisitions as well as integrate and fundamentally improve the acquired businesses. Alliance expects to continue pursuing strategic opportunities that strengthen its platforms, expand the breadth and depth of its content, and enhance its distribution infrastructure. Alliance will continue to actively monitor and evaluate these and future opportunities in its acquisition pipeline in both the near and mid-term. |
● | Enhance DTC Relationships and Capabilities. Alliance’s DTC services are in greater demand as consumer preferences shift and stress retailers' e-commerce and DTC capabilities. Enhancing DTC relationships will grow existing revenue lines and improving capabilities will generate a more attractive overall service offering. |
● | Expand into New Consumer Products. Leveraging existing relationships, Alliance can expand into new consumer product segments, growing its product offering and providing more to its existing customer base while attracting new customers in the process. |
● | Continue Technological Advancement. Alliance will further invest in automating facilities and upgrading proprietary software. |
Suppliers
Alliance distributes and markets over 600,000 products worldwide from approximately 370 of the industry’s premier physical media entertainment products suppliers. Typically, it maintains approximately over 475,000 SKU’s of unique items in its on-hand inventory.
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, there were 26 suppliers in the top 80% of Alliance’s product purchases by expenditures. The top five suppliers as a group represented 40.0 % of its purchase expenditures. No single supplier comprised more than 14.5% of Alliance’s total purchases for the year ended June 30, 2022.
Alliance has written supply agreements with many of its suppliers and these agreements usually provide for nonexclusive distribution rights and often include territorial restrictions that limit the countries, and in some cases certain channels, in which it may distribute the products. Some of Alliance’s agreements with suppliers may contain limitations of liability with respect to our suppliers’ obligations and warranties. Historically, warranty expense has not been material.
The agreements also are generally short-term, subject to annual renewal, and in some cases contain provisions permitting termination by either party without cause upon relatively short notice. Certain supply agreements either require (at our option) or allow for the repurchase of inventory upon termination of the agreement. In cases in which suppliers are not obligated to accept inventory returns upon termination, some suppliers will nevertheless elect to repurchase the inventory while other suppliers will assist with either liquidation or resale of the inventory.
Customers
Alliance has over 4,000 customers shipping to over 35,000 storefronts and service over 2,000 independent music and video retailers.
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It conducts business with most of the leading retailers of entertainment products and services around the world. Alliance serves a customer base that is divided into categories including retailers, direct marketers, Internet-based resellers, independent dealers, product category specialists and other distributors. Management believes that many of its customers are heavily dependent on Alliance as a partner with the necessary systems, capital, inventory availability, and distribution and facilities in place to provide fulfillment and other services. Alliance tries to reduce our exposure to the impact of business fluctuations by maintaining a balance in the customer categories we serve.
In most cases Alliance conducts business with our customers under our general terms and conditions, without minimum purchase requirements. It also has resale contracts with some of its reseller customers that are terminable at will after a reasonable notice period and have no minimum purchase requirements. Alliance typically ships products on the same day it receives and accepts customers' purchase orders. Unless otherwise requested, substantially all of Alliance’s products are delivered by common freight carriers. Backlog is usually not material to its business because orders are generally filled shortly after acceptance.
Alliance has specific agreements in place with certain suppliers and resellers in which it provides supply chain management services such as order management, technical support, call center services, forward and reverse logistics management, and procurement management services. These agreements generally may be terminated by either party without cause following reasonable notice.
For 2022, Alliance’s top five customers represented 47.48% of its consolidated revenue. No customer represented more than 6.17% of Alliance’s consolidated sales, except that one customer represented 19.0% of our consolidated net sales, of which music, video movies and video games comprise 45.5%, 13.1% and 41.4%, respectively.
None of the Company’s customer contracts exceed a one-year term, with most contracts having auto-renewal clauses.
Our Business is Affected by Seasonality
Alliance experiences some seasonal fluctuation in demand in our business. For instance, Alliance typically sees lower demand, particularly in Europe, in the summer months. The Company also normally sees an increase in demand in the September-to-December period, driven primarily by pre-holiday impacts on stocking levels in the retail channel for its North American business.
How We Manage Our Inventory
Alliance strives to maintain sufficient quantities of product inventories to achieve optimum order fill rates. Alliance’s business, like that of other distributors, is subject to the risk that the value of our inventory will be impacted adversely by suppliers’ price reductions or by technological changes affecting the usefulness or desirability of the products comprising the inventory. It is the policy of many suppliers to offer distributors limited protection from the loss in value of inventory due to technological change or a supplier’s price reductions. When protection is offered, the distributor may be restricted to a designated period of time in which products may be returned for credit or exchanged for other products or during which price protection credits may be claimed. Alliance continually takes various actions, including monitoring inventory levels and controlling the timing of purchases, to maximize its protection under supplier programs and reduce inventory risk. However, no assurance can be given that current protective terms and conditions will continue or that they will adequately protect Alliance against declines in inventory value, or that they will not be revised in such a manner as to adversely impact Alliance’s ability to obtain price protection. Alliance is subject to the risk that inventory values may decline, and supplier agreements may not adequately cover the decline in values. Alliance manages these risks through pricing and continual monitoring of existing inventory levels relative to customer demand, reflecting its forecasts of future demand and market conditions. On an ongoing basis, Alliance reduces inventory values for excess and obsolescence to assist in the liquidation of impacted inventories. Music CD’s and Video Movies are 100% returnable back to Alliance’s suppliers. Products that have exclusive distributions for Amped and Distribution Solutions are not owned by Alliance and are treated as consignment as for ownership and title.
Inventory levels may vary from period to period, due, in part, to differences in actual demand from that forecasted when orders were placed, the addition of new suppliers or new product lines with current suppliers, expansion into new product areas and strategic purchases of inventory. In addition, payment terms with inventory suppliers may vary from time to time and could result in fewer inventories being financed by suppliers and a greater amount of inventory being financed by our own capital. Our payment patterns can be influenced by incentives, such as early pay discounts offered by suppliers.
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Sales and Marketing
Alliance’s product management and marketing groups help create demand for Alliance’s suppliers’ products and services, enable the launch of new products, and facilitate customer contact. Our marketing programs are tailored to meet specific supplier and customer needs. These needs are met through a wide offering of services by our in-house marketing organization, including advertising, market research, online marketing, retail programs, sales promotions, training, and solutions marketing. In addition, Alliance creates and utilizes specialized channel marketing communities to deliver focused resources and business building support to solution providers.
For its DTC division, the Company deploys performance marketing strategies through digital and offline channels to drive additional traffic and transactions from high-intent prospective customers. To increase the efficiency of its performance marketing initiatives, the company utilizes a Customer Relationship Management platform, which provides further opportunities to personalize marketing campaigns and target advertising to specific market segments. Alliance complements its brand and performance marketing with nurture initiatives through email and outbound communications to ensure the company retains high-value customers, increases brand loyalty, and drives recurring transactions.
The Company’s marketing strategy includes brand performance, and viral marketing. Brand marketing, which may also include the company’s presence on social media platforms, increases awareness among potential customers, helping them understand the benefits of using Alliance’s platforms.
In addition to brand, and performance marketing, Alliance engages in traditional public relations and communications activities, such as trade show participation, to strengthen its brand and enable it to be less reliant on performance marketing, reducing the Company’s customer acquisition costs. The Company’s communications team works across press and policy channels to share timely and important news about the Company. They also oversee the execution of a consumer, product, corporate, and policy communications plan that supports Alliance’s brand strategy.
Properties
Alliance is headquartered in Sunrise, Florida, where it leases approximately 23,576 square feet of space pursuant to a lease that expires on December 20, 2022.
The Company leases several distribution center facilities:
● | Shepherdsville, Kentucky — A 672,087 square foot facility (including 30,000 square feet of cold storage) leased for $4.48 per square foot through November 30, 2024. Alliance has the right to extend for two additional terms of five years each at fair market rent. |
● | Shakopee, Minnesota — A 162,753 square foot facility leased for $4.43 per square foot with 2% annual escalations through May 31, 2024. |
● | Shakopee, Minnesota — A 29,668 square foot facility leased for $5.53 per square foot through September 30, 2022. |
The Company also maintains marketing and sales offices in nine cities throughout the United States.
Alliance believes its facilities are adequate and suitable for current business needs and expects to continue to reduce reliance on fixed office space in the future.
Competition
Alliance faces competition from a variety of competitors, including some of our own suppliers that sell directly to certain segments of the market, wholesale distributors, retailers, and internet-based businesses. We are a leading company in the sale and marketing of physical media entertainment products, including vinyl, gaming, DVDs, CD’s and consumer products and toys offerings, and operate in the competitive e-commerce business environment. We compete with several smaller physical media companies in our product categories, as well as with many larger e-commerce companies in the United States and internationally.
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In addition, we compete with entertainment companies that digitally download and stream their products. Competition is based primarily on meeting consumer product preferences and on the quality and play value of our physical media products and experiences. To a lesser extent, competition is also based on product pricing.
Many of the major entertainment and gaming companies are part of large, diversified companies with a variety of other operations. Some of these competitors have substantially greater marketing and financial resources than we do and may be able to compete aggressively on pricing in order to increase entertainment revenues and streaming placement. In addition, the resources of the major entertainment producers may give them an advantage in acquiring other businesses or assets, including media content, that we might also be interested in acquiring. The competition we face may cause us to lose market share, achieve lower prices for our products or pay more for third party content, any of which could harm our business.
The changing trends in consumer preferences with respect to entertainment and barriers to entry as well as the emergence of new technologies and different mediums for viewing content, such as the growing number of streaming platform options, continually creates new opportunities for existing competitors and start-ups to develop products and offerings that compete with our entertainment and e-commerce offerings. In the future, the Company may face increased competition through the emergence of new competitors or business models. Some of Alliance’s competitors may have access to significant financial resources, greater name recognition and well-established client bases in their target customer segments, differentiated business models, technology and other capabilities, or a differentiated geographic coverage, which may make it more difficult for Alliance to attract new customers.
Intellectual Property
Alliance’s intellectual property is an important component of its business. The company relies on a combination of domain names, trademarks, copyright, know-how and trade secrets, as well as contractual provisions and restrictions, to protect its intellectual property. As of June 30, 2022, Alliance has no active patents or patent applications, but intends to pursue patent protection to the extent it believes it would be beneficial and cost effective.
As of June 30, 2022, the Company owned 32 U.S. registered or pending trademarks and registered or pending trademarks in two other jurisdictions. Alliance also owns over 300 domain names including www.deepdiscount.com, www.aent.com, www.cokem.com, www.importcds.com, www.ds.aent.com, and www.ampeddistribution.com.
The company relies on trade secrets and confidential information to develop and maintain its competitive advantage. Alliance seeks to protect its trade secrets and confidential information through a variety of methods, including confidentiality agreements with employees, third parties, and others who may have access to the Company’s proprietary information. Alliance also requires key employees to sign invention assignment agreements with respect to inventions arising from their employment and restrict unauthorized access to the Company’s proprietary technology. In addition, Alliance has developed proprietary, AI-driven software that is protected through a combination of copyright and trade secrets.
Notwithstanding the Company’s efforts to protect its intellectual property, there can be no assurance the measures taken will be effective or that its intellectual property will provide any competitive advantage. Alliance can provide no assurance that any patents will be issued from its pending applications or any future applications or that any issued patents will adequately protect its proprietary technology. The company’s intellectual property rights may be invalidated, circumvented, or challenged. Furthermore, the laws of certain countries do not protect intellectual property and proprietary rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States and, as a result, Alliance may be unable to protect its intellectual property and other proprietary rights in certain jurisdictions. In addition, while the Company has confidence in the measures it takes to protect and preserve its trade secrets, it cannot guarantee these measures will not be circumvented, or that all applicable parties have executed confidentiality or invention assignment agreements. In addition, such agreements can be breached, and may not have adequate remedies should any such breach occur. Accordingly, Alliance’s trade secrets may otherwise become known or be independently discovered by competitors.
Human Capital Resources
As of June 30, 2022, Alliance had approximately 847 employees on its payroll and approximately 365 workers hired through staffing agencies throughout the U.S. and internationally.
None of Alliance’s employees are subject to a collective bargaining agreement and Alliance believes it has a good relationship with its employees.
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Employees & Demographics. With respect to global demographics, approximately 48% of the Company’s payroll employees are female and 52% are male.
Talent & Turnover. With a focus on talent acquisition, the leadership team seeks out the most qualified candidates for open roles and endeavors to keep them at Alliance. Alliance has a robust program for seeking out those candidates, which ranges from sourcing through talent applications, reviewing direct applicants and using internal referrals to fill roles. Additionally, Alliance strives to promote internally when possible. Alliance’s program resulted in a turnover rate of 14.6% for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022.
Compensation Practice & Pay Equality. As Alliance evolves and expands operations, Human Resources, in partnership with the leadership team, will continue to evaluate the existing workforce to ensure that best practices are maintained across the entire team without risk of inequality. Pay structures for hourly employees are reviewed annually and for all other employees, compensation is benchmarked according to the position when a vacancy becomes available. This ensures best practices in a competitive market and, as part of that review, compensation will be realigned where appropriate for existing employees and new hires.
Health, Safety & Welfare. Alliance acted quickly to respond to safety protocols as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic to protect the health and safety of its team members. To support team members, Alliance provided temporary pay increases to certain employees, offered remote work where possible, purchased additional sanitation supplies and increased personal protective materials provided to staff.
Legal Proceedings
Alliance is currently involved in, and may in the future be involved in, legal proceedings, claims, and government investigations in the ordinary course of business. These include proceedings, claims, and investigations relating to, among other things, regulatory matters, commercial matters, intellectual property, competition, tax, employment, pricing, discrimination, consumer rights, personal injury, and property rights.
Depending on the nature of the proceeding, claim, or investigation, the Company may be subject to monetary damage awards, fines, penalties, or injunctive orders. Furthermore, the outcome of these matters could materially adversely affect Alliance’s business, results of operations, and financial condition. The outcomes of legal proceedings, claims, and government investigations are inherently unpredictable and subject to significant judgment to determine the likelihood and amount of loss related to such matters.
While it is not possible to determine the outcomes, the Company believes based on its current knowledge that the resolution of all such pending matters will not, either individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the business, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.
Regulatory Compliance
The company’s overall business approach and strategy includes rigorous attention to regulatory compliance, as its operations are subject to regulations in the following principal areas, across a wide variety of jurisdictions. Alliance’s business is subject to a wide array of laws, regulations, and standards in each domestic and foreign jurisdiction where we operate. Alliance has a buying office in the UK and operates under the name Fulfillment Express. Fulfillment Express sources music from the UK music suppliers that is then transferred (exported from the United Kingdom) to Kentucky where that music product is prepared to sell in the US market. Fulfillment Express makes no sales of any kind, it only is a buying office.
The regulatory environment in each market is often complex, evolving and can be subject to significant change. Some relevant laws and regulations are inconsistent, ambiguous and could be interpreted by regulators and courts in ways that could adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations, and financial condition. Moreover, certain laws and regulations have not historically been applied to an innovative hospitality provider such as Alliance, which often makes their application to its business uncertain. For additional information regarding the laws and regulations that affect the Company’s business, see the section titled “Risk Factors” in this proxy statement/prospectus.
Privacy and Data Protection Regulation
In processing purchase transactions and information about customers, the Company receives and stores a large volume of personally identifiable data. The collection, storage, processing, transfer, use, disclosure and protection of this information are increasingly subject to legislation and regulations in numerous jurisdictions around the world, such as the European Union’s General
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Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) and variations and implementations of that regulation in the member states of the European Union, as well as privacy and data protection laws and regulations in various U.S. states and other jurisdictions, such as the California Consumer Privacy Act (as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act), the Canadian Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (“PIPEDA”), and the UK General Data Protection Regulation and the UK Data Protection Act.
Alliance incorporates a variety of technical and organizational security measures and other procedures and protocols to protect data within the Company’s platforms and business services, including personally identifiable data pertaining to guests and employees, and Alliance is engaged in an ongoing process of evaluating and considering additional steps to maintain compliance with the California Consumer Privacy Act, GDPR, PIPEDA, the UK General Data Protection Regulation, and the UK Data Protection Act.
Employment Laws
The company is also subject to laws governing its relationship with employees, including laws governing wages and hours, benefits, immigration and workplace safety and health.
Other Regulation
Alliance’s business is subject to various other laws and regulations, involving matters such as income tax and other taxes, consumer protection, online messaging, advertising, and marketing, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other laws governing bribery and other corrupt business activities, and regulations aimed at preventing money laundering or prohibiting business activities with specified countries or persons. As the Company expands into additional markets, it will be subject to additional laws and regulations.
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ALLIANCE’S EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this section to “we,” “us,” or “our” refer to Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation and its subsidiaries prior to the consummation of the Business Combination.
Alliance
Throughout this section, unless otherwise noted, “Alliance,” “we,” “us,” “our” and similar terms refer to Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation and its subsidiaries prior to the consummation of the Business Combination.
Alliance Executive Compensation Overview
Historically, our executive compensation program has reflected our growth and development-oriented corporate culture. To date, the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer, Chairman and Chief Financial Officer and our three other most highly compensated executive officers who served in 2021 identified in the Summary Compensation Table below, who we refer to as the named executive officers (“NEOs”), has consisted of a combination of base salary, bonuses, and other executive benefits. Our NEOs are eligible to participate in our retirement and health and welfare benefit plans. For the year 2021 and before the Company has not had any form of equity incentive plan.
As we transition from a private company to a publicly traded company, we will evaluate our compensation values and philosophy and compensation plans and arrangements as circumstances merit. At a minimum, we expect to review executive compensation annually with input from a compensation consultant. As part of this review process, we expect the board of directors and the compensation committee to apply our values and philosophy, while considering the compensation levels needed to ensure our executive compensation program remains competitive with our peers. In connection with our executive compensation program, we will also review whether we are meeting our retention objectives and the potential cost of replacing a key employee.
Our NEOs for 2021 who appear in the Summary Compensation Table are:
● | Jeffrey Walker, our Chief Executive Officer; |
● | Bruce Ogilvie, our Executive Chairman; |
● | John Kutch, our Chief Financial Officer; |
● | Paul Eibeler, the Chairman of our COKeM subsidiary; and |
● | Ben Mean, President, Distribution Solutions. |
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The information contained below represents compensation earned by the Company’s officers for their work related to the Company:
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION SUMMARY
|
|
|
| All Other |
| Total | |||||||||
Name and Position | Year | Salary | Bonus | Compensation(1)(2) | Compensation | ||||||||||
Jeffrey Walker | 2021 | $ | 800,000 | $ | 0 | $ | 77,243 | $ | 877,243 | ||||||
Chief Executive Officer | |||||||||||||||
Bruce Ogilvie | 2021 | $ | 800,000 | $ | 0 | $ | 78,535 | $ | 878,535 | ||||||
Executive Chairman | |||||||||||||||
John Kutch | 2021 | $ | 275,000 | $ | 68,750 | $ | 11,855 | $ | 355,605 | ||||||
Chief Financial Officer | |||||||||||||||
Paul Eibeler | 2021 | $ | 292,000 | $ | 29,200 | $ | 14,572 | $ | 335,772 | ||||||
Board Chairman, COKeM | |||||||||||||||
Ben Means | 2021 | $ | 335,000 | $ | 50,250 | $ | 14,571 | $ | 399,821 | ||||||
President, Distribution Solutions |
(1) | Excludes certain distributions and payments made to Messrs. Ogilvie and Walker who own 100% of Alliance. In the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, IC-DISC commission payments in the amount of $5.34 million were made to My Worldwide Marketplace, Inc., which is an Interest-Charge Domestic International Sales Corporation owned by Messrs. Ogilvie and Walker. Also excluded is $2.2 million of total captive insurance premiums paid in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021 to Protection For You and Airlie Protection , which both insurance companies combined paid back to Alliance loss claims of $1.4 million. Both captive insurance companies of Airlie Protection and Protection For You are owned by Messrs. Ogilvie and Walker. Upon the closing of the Business Combination, the My Worldwide Marketplace, Inc. IC-DISC and both captive insurance companies will no longer receive any payments from Alliance. |
(2) | For the 2021 calendar year, “All Other Compensation” consists of the following: |
Narrative to Summary Compensation Table
2021 Salaries
In 2021, the NEOs received an annual base salary to compensate them for services rendered to our company. The base salary payable to each named executive officer is intended to provide a fixed component of compensation reflecting the executive’s skill set, experience, role and responsibilities. The annual base salaries for Messrs. Walker and Ogilvie for 2021 were $800,000, for Mr. Kutch $275,000, Mr. Eibeler $292,000 and Mr. Means $335,000, respectively, as set forth above in the Summary Compensation Table in the column entitled “Salary”.
2021 Bonuses
The NEOs (excluding Bruce Ogilvie and Jeff Walker) were awarded service-based anniversary bonuses in 2021, based on length of service with Alliance in an amount for meeting business objectives and years of service. The actual anniversary bonuses awarded to each named executive officer in 2021 are set forth above in the Summary Compensation Table in the column entitled “Bonuses.”
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Benefits and Perquisites
In 2021, the NEOs participated in a 401(k) retirement savings plan maintained by Alliance. The Internal Revenue Code allows eligible employees to defer a portion of their compensation, within prescribed limits, on a pre-tax basis through contributions to the 401(k) plan. In 2021, contributions made by participants in the 401(k) plan were matched up to a specified percentage of the employee contributions, and these matching contributions vest based on years of service. We anticipate that, following the Closing, our NEOs will continue to participate in this 401(k) plan on the same terms as other full-time employees.
In 2021, the NEOs participated in health and welfare plans maintained by Alliance, including:
● | medical, dental and vision benefits; |
● | medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts; |
● | short-term and long-term disability insurance; |
● | basic life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance; |
● | supplemental life insurance; and |
● | vacation and paid holidays. |
Other Perquisites and Tax Gross-Ups
We also provide certain other perquisites to our NEOs, including a car allowance, reimbursement for mobile phone expenses, work from home allowance and reimbursement for expenses related to a named executive officer’s travel from his residence to our headquarters. In addition, we make tax gross-up payments to cover the personal income taxes of Messrs. Walker and Ogilvie in connection with the long-term disability coverage.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
The general policy of the Board is that compensation for independent directors should be a fair mix between cash and equity-based compensation. Additionally, the Company reimburses directors for reasonable expenses incurred during the course of their performance. There are no long-term incentive or medical reimbursement plans. The Company does not pay directors who are part of management for Board service in addition to their regular employee compensation. The Board determines the amount of director compensation. The Board may delegate such authority to the compensation committee. The following table provides a summary of compensation paid to directors during the calendar year ended December 31, 2021.
Director Compensation
The following table sets forth the total cash and equity compensation paid to our non-employee directors for service on our board of directors during 12 months ended June 30th 2022:
Fees earned or | Stock-based | ||||||||
paid in cash | awards | Total | |||||||
Name |
| ($) |
| ($)(1) |
| ($) |
| ||
Alan Tuchman (former director, resigned on August 13th, 2022) | $ | 136,000 | $ | 136,000 |
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ALLIANCE MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The objective for the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” is to provide information the Company’s management team believes is necessary to achieve an understanding of its financial condition and the results of business operations with particular emphasis on the Company’s future and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements, and footnotes.
This analysis contains forward-looking statements concerning the Company’s performance expectations and estimates. Other than statements with historical context, commentary should be considered forward-looking and carries with it risks and uncertainties. See “Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors, of this Form S-4 for a discussion of other uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these statements.
Alliance is a leading global wholesaler, direct-to-consumer (“DTC”) distributor and e-commerce provider for the entertainment industry. We serve as the gateway between well-known international branded manufacturers of entertainment content, such as Universal Pictures, Universal Music Group, Warner Brothers Home Video, Walt Disney Studios, Sony Music, Sony Pictures, Microsoft, Nintendo, and others, and leading retailer customers in the United States and internationally, including Walmart, Amazon, Best Buy, Barnes & Noble, Wayfair, Costco and Target, among others. The Company distributes its physical media, entertainment products, hardware, and accessories through an established multi-channel strategy. The Company currently sells its products that they are allowed to export in more than 77 countries around the world.
Alliance provides state-of-the art warehousing and distribution technologies, operating systems and services that seamlessly enable entertainment product transactions to better serve customers directly or through our distribution affiliates. These technology-led platforms with access to the Company’s in stock inventory of over 485,000 SKU products, consisting of vinyl records, video games, compact discs, DVD, Blu-Rays, toys, and collectibles, combined with Alliance’s sales and distribution network, create a modern entertainment physical product marketplace that provides the discerning customer with enhanced options on efficient consumer-friendly platforms inventory. Alliance is the retailers’ back office for in store and e-commerce solutions. All electronic data interchange (“EDI”) and logistics are operational and ready for existing retail channels to add new products.
Acquisition
Alliance has a proven history of successfully acquiring and integrating competitors and complementary businesses. The company will continue to evaluate opportunities to identify targets that meet strategic and economic criteria.
On September 30, 2020, Alliance purchased the stock of COKeM International, a video games distribution company. The merged entity expanded and diversified AEC’s portfolio of products, increased revenues, and enabled scale and fixed cost leverage. Following the transaction, Alliance continues to manage as a single operating segment.
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Impact of Covid-19
Early in calendar year 2020, management quickly responded to the Covid-19 pandemic by implementing policies and procedures to monitor and protect employees with daily temperature checks, protective breathing equipment, and deep facility cleaning. These protocols have continued to keep our employees safe and allowed us to maintain uninterrupted operations. The Company monitors CDC, state, and local guidelines in each jurisdiction to ensure compliance and employee safety. Non-operating personnel continue to have the option to work remotely depending upon applicable local guidelines and employee preference. While there is risk of another Covid variant, and a subsequent increase in positive cases and employee exposure, Covid-19 also presents risk to our supply chain. The management team is actively monitoring internal and external factors and assessing the potential impact on its financial performance, liquidity, operations, and workforce; however, the full extent of the risk is uncertain.
Key Performance Indicators
Management monitors and analyzes key performance indicators to evaluate financial performance, including:
Net Revenue: To derive Net Revenue, the Company reduces total gross sales by customer returns, returns reserve, and allowances including discounts.
Cost of Revenues (excluding depreciation and amortization): Our cost of revenues reflects the total costs incurred to market and distribute products to customers. Changes in cost are impacted primarily by sales volume, product mix, product obsolescence, freight costs, and market development funds (“MDF”).
Operating Expenses: Our Operating Expenses are the direct and indirect costs associated with the distribution and fulfillment of products and services. They include both Distribution and Fulfillment and Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) Expenses. The Distribution and Fulfillment Expenses are the payroll and operating expenses associated with the receipt, warehousing, and distribution of product. The Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) Expenses are payroll and operating costs for Information Technology, Sales & Marketing, and General & Administrative functions. In addition, we include Depreciation and Amortization expenses and Transaction Costs, if applicable.
Balance Sheet Indicators: The Company views cash, product inventory, accounts payable, and working capital as key indicators of its financial position.
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Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2022 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2021
Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income
Year Ended | Year Ended | |||||
($ in thousands, except shares) |
| June 30, 2022 |
| June 30, 2021 | ||
Net Revenues | $ | 1,417,377 | $ | 1,323,567 | ||
Cost of Revenues (excluding depreciation and amortization) | 1,234,995 | 1,140,885 | ||||
Operating Expenses | ||||||
Distribution and Fulfillment Expense | 64,260 | 56,885 | ||||
Selling, General and Administrative Expense | 58,110 | 57,250 | ||||
Depreciation and Amortization | 8,259 | 11,651 | ||||
Transaction Costs | (251) | 3,509 | ||||
IC DISC Commissions | 9,907 | 5,394 | ||||
Loss on Disposal of Property and Equipment | — | 87 | ||||
Total Operating Expenses | 140,285 | 134,775 | ||||
Operating Income | 42,098 | 47,907 | ||||
Other Expenses | ||||||
Interest Expense, Net | 4,056 | 2,938 | ||||
Total Other Expenses | 4,056 | 2,938 | ||||
Income Before Provision for Income Tax Expense | 38,042 | 44,969 | ||||
Income Tax Expense | 9,423 | 10,791 | ||||
Net Income | 28,619 | 34,178 | ||||
Other Comprehensive Income | ||||||
Foreign Currency Translation | 7 | 15 | ||||
Total Comprehensive Income | $ | 28,626 | $ | 34,193 | ||
Net Income per Share – Basic and Diluted | $ | 31.80 | $ | 37.98 | ||
Shares Used in Computing Net Income per Share | 900 | 900 | ||||
Distributions of Paid in Capital per Share | $ | — | $ | 7.57 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
Net Revenue: Year over year, total Net Revenues increased from $1,324 million to $1,417 million ($93 million or 7%) for the year ended June 30, 2022. Our continued upward revenue trajectory is the result of our execution of channel expansion and product diversification. Our capability to serve business-to business (“B2B”) and direct-to-consumer (“DTC”) channels and our investment in the distribution of gaming products and vinyl records provide us the platform to grow organically.
Our investment in the distribution of vinyl records and gaming continues to accelerate revenue growth. Year over year, for the year ended June 30, 2022, gaming products revenue increased 12% to $558 million and vinyl sales 14% to $329 million. Combined, in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, gaming and vinyl revenue totaled $887 million and 63% of our revenue mix compared to $786 million and 59% of total revenue in the prior year. Both price and volume had a positive impact in Gaming, Vinyl and Consumer Products. The average price increase for these categories ranged from 6 to 10% as consumer demand for these home entertainment product categories continue to show strength. Music Compact Disc’s (CD’s) also maintained their pricing strength; however, the decline in volume offset most of the gains resulting in a net 2% growth year over year. We expect this trend for CDs to continue due to the popularity and growth of on-line streaming services. Alternatively, sales revenue for physical movies declined 8% year over year as the increase in volume was not enough to offset the reduction of the average selling price. Physical movie sales showed price erosion because of delayed big “tent-pole” theatrical releases due to Covid 19 which impacted release dates for distribution of new major films during the fiscal year. We expect a significant year over year improvement by the fourth quarter of the calendar year due to new releases.
Cost of Revenues: Total cost of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization, increased from $1,141 million to $1,235 million ($94 million or 8%) year over year primarily due to the product costs to support the increase in sales volume. Gross Margin dollars remained relatively flat year over year; however, the aggregate percentage of gross margin decreased from 13.8% to 12.9% primarily due to reduced supplier marketing development funds (MDF) as a percentage of total sales. Since gaming products are largely non-returnable, the supply chain does not have an established practice and cadence for mark downs like the movie and music
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industries. As such, gaming product typically requires the distributor to bear the risk of slow-moving inventory which may increase the cost of goods sold as a percentage of sales. The change in MDF in future periods is dependent on consumer demand for gaming products and the volume and success of new movie and music releases.
Operating Expenses: Total Operating Expenses increased year over year but declined as a percentage of net revenue from 10.2% to 9.9% as we realize efficiencies from the acquisition of COKeM. Total Distribution and Fulfillment Expense, as a percentage of net revenue, increased from 4.3% to 4.5% in the year ended June 30, 2022 versus the same period prior year. Difficulty in the ability to attract and retain warehouse labor resulted in approximately a 15% increase in the average cost per labor hour during the year ended June 30, 2022 versus the same period prior year, which increased labor costs by approximately $5.6 million. To combat the pressure on the availability and increased costs of warehouse labor, we adopted performance incentives tied to productivity and attendance which increased compensation costs. To address the scarcity of labor resources, we are investing in additional warehouse automation in fiscal year 2023 and will continue to use temporary labor forces to manage changes in demand. We believe that for the foreseeable future, there will continue to be upward pressure on labor costs. As we realize economies of scale and leverage fixed cost, Total Selling, Administrative, and General costs declined as a percentage of net revenue from 4.3% to 4.1%. In addition, year over year consolidated Depreciation and Amortization expense decreased from $11.7 million to $8.3 million (-$3.4 million or -29%) due to fully depreciated assets and declining balance method of intangible asset amortization. Transaction Costs in year ended June 30, 2022 were a favorable $251 thousand because of the early pay discount on the Seller Note related to the COKeM acquisition. For the year ended June 30, 2021, a $3.5 million COKeM acquisition transaction cost was recorded, while the Company did not do an acquisition in FY22. The IC DISC Commissions increased from $5.4 million to $9.9 million due to increased eligible sales and our continuous refinement of the estimation process. The revised estimate resulted in a $1.1 million change in the commission for the year ended June 30, 2021 expense, which was recorded at year end June 30, 2022.
Interest Expense: For the year ended June 30, 2022, Interest Expense increased from $2.9 million to $4.1 million ($1.2 million or 38%) versus the prior year. The primary driver for the increase was a higher average revolver balance and partial offset with a more favorable effective interest rate.
Income Tax (Benefit) Expense: Provision for income taxes, effective tax rate and statutory federal income tax rate for the years ended June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2021 were as follows ($ in thousands)
| June 30, 2022 |
| June 30, 2021 |
| |||||
Provision for Income Taxes | $ | 9,423 | $ | 10,791 | |||||
Effective Tax Rate | 25 | % | 24 | % | |||||
Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate | 21 | % | 21 | % |
The Company’s effective tax rates for the years ended June 30, 2022, and June 30, 2021 were higher than the statutory federal income tax rate primarily due to state income taxes.
Net Income: Net Income for the year ended June 30, 2022, was $28.5 million compared to $34.2 million (-$5.7 million or -17%) in the prior year as detailed in the notes above.
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Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2021 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2020
Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income
| Year Ended |
| Year Ended |
| |||
($ in thousands, except shares) | June 30, 2021 | June 30, 2020 | |||||
Net Revenues | $ | 1,323,567 | $ | 775,596 | |||
Cost of Revenues (excluding depreciation and amortization) | 1,140,885 | 656,485 | |||||
Operating Expenses | |||||||
Distribution and Fulfillment Expense | 56,885 | 35,877 | |||||
Selling, General and Administrative Expense | 57,250 | 50,007 | |||||
Depreciation and Amortization | 11,651 | 15,784 | |||||
Transaction Costs | 3,509 | — | |||||
IC DISC Commissions | 5,394 | 8,182 | |||||
Loss on Disposal of Property and Equipment | 87 | — | |||||
Total Operating Expenses | 134,775 | 109,850 | |||||
Operating Income | 47,907 | 9,261 | |||||
Other Expenses | |||||||
Interest Expense, Net | 2,938 | 3,524 | |||||
Total Other Expenses | 2,938 | 3,524 | |||||
Income Before Provision for Income Tax Expense | 44,969 | 5,737 | |||||
Income Tax Expense | 10,791 | 376 | |||||
Net Income | 34,178 | 5,361 | |||||
Other Comprehensive Income | |||||||
Foreign Currency Translation | 15 | (318) | |||||
Total Comprehensive Income | $ | 34,193 | $ | 5,043 | |||
Net Income per Share – Basic and Diluted | $ | 37.98 | $ | 5.96 | |||
Shares Used in Computing Net Income per Share | 900 | 900 | |||||
Distributions of Paid in Capital per Share | $ | 7.57 | $ | — |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
Net Revenue: Year over year, total Net Revenues increased from $776 million to $1,324 million ($548 million or +71%). Our growth was the result of our execution of channel expansion, product diversification, and the acquisition of COKeM International.
Our unique capability to ship directly to consumers during Covid-related retail closures enabled us to grow our direct-to-consumer (DTC) business as well as our wholesale business lines. Excluding COKeM, DTC increased by 11% and the core wholesale business product lines by 22%. Including the nine months of revenue contribution from the COKeM acquisition, DTC sales increased by 56% and wholesale by 70%.
In FY21, vinyl and gaming revenue totaled $786 million and 59% of our revenue mix compared to prior year of $267 million and 34% of total revenue mix. Our investment in the distribution of vinyl LPs paid off as a shift in consumer demand increased sales by 82% to $288 million. The average selling price of vinyl was down 4% year over year; however, the revenue impact from the 89% increase in volume firmly established our position as the leading distributor of vinyl music. In addition, the acquisition and integration of COKeM International solidified our position in the gaming market and augmented sales with inorganic growth as gaming revenue increased from $109 million to $498 million ($389 million, 358%). The average selling price of gaming products decreased significantly due to the lack of availability of relatively high-priced gaming consoles and mix into the new product lines as a result of the acquisition. While no new material customers were acquired with the acquisition, the diversified product line positioned us to increase customer wallet share and added to our network of premium suppliers.
Our long-established product lines of movies, CD’s, and consumer products showed mixed results. CD sales declined from $165 to $148 million (-$16 million, 10%). The predominate change in revenue was a result of reduced volume due to a change in consumer preference trend during the last three years from CDs to on-line streaming. Physical movie format revenues increased 3% to $288 million, however, average selling prices eroded as, like music, consumer preference shifted to on-line and on-demand platforms.
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Consumer product revenues increased from $18 million to $41 million ($23 million, 132%) as we expanded our mix to include more collectables.
Cost of Revenues: Total cost of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization, increased from $656 million to $1,141 million ($485 million or 74%) year over year primarily because of the physical product purchases to support a 71% increase in sales. And while Gross Margin dollars increased by $64 million or 53% year over year, gross margins decreased from 15.4% to 13.8% primarily due to the revenue mix shift into gaming products which had lower product margins. The acquisition of COKeM increased the revenue for gaming from $109 million to $498 million, or 14% to 38% of total revenue, compared to prior year. As a result, supplier marketing development funds (MDF), as a percentage of net revenue, decreased year over year. Since gaming products are largely non-returnable, the supply chain does not have an established practice and cadence for mark downs like the movie and music industries. As such, gaming product typically requires the distributor to bear the risk of slow turning products resulting in less availability of marketing development funds, which may increase the costs of goods sold as a percentage of revenue. The change in MDF in future periods is dependent on consumer demand for gaming products and the volume and success of new movie and music releases.
Operating Expenses: Total operating expenses increased on an absolute basis due to the acquisition of COKeM but declined as a percentage of net revenue from 14.2% to 10.2% year over year as we realized fixed cost leverage and economies of scale of the combined entities. Distribution and Fulfillment Expenses, as a percentage of net revenues, decreased from 4.6% to 4.3%. While improved, difficulty in attracting and retaining warehouse labor during the COVID 19 pandemic resulted in approximately an 18% increase in the average cost per labor hour which increased labor costs by approximately $4.4 million. With the use of temporary labor forces, we flex our capacity to manage changes in demand especially during the holiday season. SG&A, as a percentage of net revenues, decreased from 6.4% to 4.3% as we realize the benefits of standardized business processes and eliminated duplicative functions. In addition, year-over-year, depreciation and amortization expense decreased from $15.8 million to $11.7 million (-$4.1 million or -26%) due to fully depreciated assets and declining balance method of intangible asset amortization. Transaction costs, from our acquisition of COKeM International, were $3.5 million versus $0 prior year. We do not expect similar costs to reoccur unless another material acquisition is considered.
Interest Expense: In the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, interest expense decreased from $3.5 million to $2.9 million (-$0.6 million or -17%) versus the prior year. The primary driver for the decrease was a lower average revolver balance combined with more favorable effective interest rates.
Income Tax (Benefit) Expense: Provision for income taxes, effective tax rate and statutory federal income tax rate for June 30, 2021 and 2020 were as follows ($ in thousands):
| June 30, 2021 |
| June 30, 2020 |
| |||
Provision for Income Taxes | $ | 10,791 | $ | 376 | |||
Effective Tax Rate | 24 | % | 7 | % | |||
Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate | 21 | % | 21 | % |
The Company’s effective tax rate for June 30, 2021, was higher than the statutory federal income tax rate due primarily to state income taxes. The Company’s effective tax rate for June 30, 2021, was higher compared to June 30, 2020, due primarily to one-time refunds due to net operating loss carrybacks at higher tax rates recognized in the year ended June 30, 2020.
The CARES Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020. Relevant key changes to corporate taxation included revisions to net operating loss (NOL) rules. Under the CARES Act, NOLs arising in tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, and ending before January 1, 2021, may be carried back for five years. The Company applied for Carryback Refund Claims in the U.S. in the second quarter of 2020, reflecting a refund request of $2.5 million related to the decrease in income taxes paid for 2015, 2016 and 2018. Tax refunds of $2.5 million were received in 2021 including interest income of $127,000. Generally, the IRS does not pay interest on carryback claims for refunds within 45 days of filing the refund claim. As the Company’s refunds were received after the 45-day period, additional interest was attached to the tax refund. This interest was recorded as interest income by the Company.
Net Income: Net income for the year ended June 30, 2021, was $34.2 million compared to $5.4 million (an increase of $28.8 million or 537%) in the prior year. As discussed above, these gains were largely realized due to the acquisition of COKeM which allowed us to enhance our revenue structure and realize operational efficiencies and fixed cost leverage.
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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Liquidity: The consolidated financial statements were prepared on the basis of a going concern which expects that the Company will be able to realize assets and satisfy liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business.
Our primary sources of liquidity are existing cash and cash equivalents, cash provided by operating activities, and borrowings under our credit facilities. On September 29, 2020, the credit line with Bank of America was extended three years and increased from $125 million to $175 million. On June 30, 2022, the credit line with Bank of America was amended for the current period which ends September 29, 2023 and increased from $175 million to $225 million.
Year Ended June 30 | |||||||||
(in millions) |
| 2022 |
| 2021 |
| 2020 | |||
Revolver Balance | $ | 136 | $ | 54 | $ | 46 | |||
Availability | 48 | 95 | 40 |
As disclosed in Note 8 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements, the Company obtained a waiver for non-compliance with one non-financial covenant related to its delivery of the monthly unaudited financial statements and compliance certificates for the periods pertaining to June 30, 2022, July 31, 2022, and August 31, 2022. This noncompliance resulted in events of default under the Revolving Credit Facility. As a result of this non-compliance as of the balance sheet date and periods thereafter, the Company has classified the outstanding balance of the Revolving Credit Facility Net of $135,968 as a current liability as of June 30, 2022. The Company expects that it will comply with this non-financial covenant for a period of at least one year from the issuance of these financial statements. The Company expects to reclassify its debt to a non-current liability beginning with its September 30, 2022 consolidated balance sheet and does not believe that payments will be due under the credit facility for at least the following twelve months.
Cash Flow: The following table summarizes our net cash provided by or used on operating activities, investing activities and financing activities for the periods indicated and should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2022, 2021, and 2020.
Year Ended June 30 | |||||||||
(in thousands) |
| 2022 |
| 2021 |
| 2020 | |||
Net Income | $ | 28,619 | $ | 34,178 | $ | 5,362 | |||
Net Cash Provided by (Used In) Operating Activities | (83,554) | 74,716 | 27,390 | ||||||
Investing Activities | (50) | (66,059) | (5,263) | ||||||
Financing Activities | 81,038 | (5,977) | (23,353) |
For the year ended June 30, 2022, on net income of $28.5 million, the Company’s cash used in operating activities was $83.6 million versus $74.7 million provided by operating activities in the year ended June 30, 2021. The predominate difference year over year was a significant increase in inventory and significant decrease in accounts payable this year versus prior year. The most significant impact on cash flow for the year ended June 30, 2022 was the increase in inventory from $141.7 million to $249.4 million or $107.8 million. The higher inventory was primarily the result of our pre-holiday investments in gaming arcades. These pre-paid, direct import manufactured products from China have long lead-times and were delayed in transit due to supply chain issues during Covid-related cargo disruptions across the Pacific. The impact was twofold. First, cargo containers transit times increased from an average of 4 weeks to 12 weeks resulting in missed sales opportunities. And second, shipping container costs increased from approximately $4 thousand to up to $26 thousand per container. Combined, the delays caused us to miss the prime holiday selling season, and increased freight costs resulted in price increases which likely slowed sales, both of which caused an increase in inventories. The Pacific cargo supply chain issues, which impacted all industries, have subsequently been resolved, costs have normalized, and we have adequate inventory to fulfill anticipated holiday sales. In addition, accounts payable decreased by $16.1 million in 2022 versus an increase of $18 million in 2021 because the higher inventory position was primarily prepaid gaming products which did not allow us to use accounts payable to support the purchases. Cash used in investing activities was $50 thousand in 2022 compared to $66,059 thousand in 2021. The difference is primarily related to the acquisition of COKeM in 2021 and no acquisitions in 2022. Net cash used in financing activities was $82.2 million primarily driven by the increase in our revolver to prepay for arcade gaming products and other increased inventory positions.
For the year ended June 30, 2021, on Net Income of $34.2 million, the Company generated net cash from operating activities of $74.7 million. The most significant impact on cash flow during fiscal year 2021 was the increase in Net Income generated from the acquisition of COKeM International on September 30, 2020. In addition, accounts payable increased by $18.7 million as we
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strategically invested in inventory as we integrated the COKeM acquisition and expanded our gaming product portfolio. Cash flows used in investing activities was $65.1 million primarily due to the acquisition of COKeM International. The working capital required to execute the stock purchase was $74.0 million and partial offset by a $8.5 million seller note. Net cash used in financing activities was $6.0 million and despite the acquisition of COKeM, the loan balance only increased by $9.4 million year over year.
In fiscal year 2020, on net income of $5.4 million, the Company generated net cash from operating activities of $27.4 million. The most significant impact on cash flow during fiscal year 2020 was a $28.9 million decrease in our inventory position and an increase in sales partially generated by the acquisition of Mill Creek Entertainment. In addition, accounts payable decreased by $38.8 million as we optimized our inventory positions and managed supply chain issues due to the Company’s conservative approach navigating Covid-19 related uncertainties because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Cash flows used in investing activities was $5.3 million primarily driven by the acquisition of Mill Creek and investment in warehouse equipment. Cash used in financing activities was $23.4 million. Despite the acquisition of Mill Creek, the outstanding loan balance on the revolver decreased by $26.1 million year over year.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
The consolidated financial statements and disclosures have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) which requires that management apply accounting policies, estimates, and assumptions that impact the results of operations and the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements. Management uses estimates and judgments based on historical experience and other variables believed to be reasonable at the time. Actual results may differ from these estimates under a separate set of assumptions or conditions. Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements includes a summary of the significant accounting policies and methods used by the Company in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements. Management believes that of the Company’s significant accounting policies and estimates, the following involve a higher degree of judgment or complexity:
Inventory and Returns Reserve: Product inventory is recorded at the lower of cost or net realizable value.
The valuation of inventory requires significant judgment and estimates, including evaluating the need for any adjustments to net realizable value related to excess or obsolete inventory to ensure that the inventory is reported at the lower of cost or net realizable value. For all product categories, the Company records any adjustments to net realizable value, if appropriate, based on historical sales, current inventory levels, anticipated customer demand, and general market conditions.
Goodwill and Definite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net: The Company tests its goodwill for impairment only upon the occurrence of an event or circumstances that may indicate the fair value of the entity is less than it’s carrying amount. The Company will test goodwill for impairment at the entity level.
When a triggering event occurs, the Company has an option to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not (i.e., 50% likely) that the fair value of the entity is less than it’s carrying amount. If the Company elects to use the qualitative option, it must decide whether it is more than 50% likely that the fair value of the entity is less than its carrying amount. If so, the one-step impairment test is required. However, if management concludes that fair value exceeds the carrying amount, further testing is unnecessary. Goodwill impairment is calculated as the amount by which the carrying amount of the entity including goodwill exceeds its fair value.
Intangible assets are stated at cost, less accumulated amortization. Amortization of customer relationships and lists is recorded using an accelerated method over the useful lives of the related assets, which range from ten to fifteen years. Covenants not to compete, trade name and favorable leases are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets, which range from five to fifteen years.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets: Recoverability of long-lived assets, including property and equipment, goodwill and certain identifiable intangible assets are evaluated whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Factors considered important which could trigger an impairment review include but are not limited to significant underperformance relative to historical or projected future operating results, significant changes in the manner of use of the assets or the strategy for the overall business, significant decrease in the market value of the assets and significant negative industry or economic trends. In the event the carrying amount of the long-lived assets may not be recoverable based upon the existence of one or more of the indicators, the assets are assessed for impairment based on the estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual deposition. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds the sum of the estimated future undiscounted cash flow, an impairment loss is recorded for the
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excess of the asset’s carrying amount over its fair value. There was no impairment during the years ended June 30, 2022, 2021, or 2020.
Business Combinations — Valuation of Acquired Assets and Liabilities Assumed: The Company allocates the purchase price for each business combination, or acquired business, based upon (i) the fair value of the consideration paid and (ii) the fair value of net assets acquired, and liabilities assumed. The determination of the fair value of net assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires estimates and judgements of future cash flow expectations for the acquired business and the allocation of those cash flows to identifiable tangible and intangible assets. Fair values are calculated by applying estimates related to Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) assumptions as well as incorporating expected cash flows into industry standard valuation techniques. Goodwill is the amount by which the purchase price consideration exceeds the fair value of tangible and intangible assets acquired, less assumed liabilities.
Intangible assets, such as customer relations and trade names, when identified, are separately recognized and amortized over their estimated useful lives, if considered definite lived. Acquisition costs are expensed as incurred and are included the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Market risk represents the risk of loss that may impact our financial position due to adverse changes in financial market prices and interest rates. Our market risk exposure is primarily a result of exposure due to potential changes in inflation or interest rates. We do not hold financial instruments for trading purposes.
Concentration of Credit Risk: Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash, cash equivalents, and trade receivables. The Company believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk on cash as the Company’s primary cash is bank deposit accounts with high quality financial institutions and, although at times may exceed federally insured limits, is swept to our outstanding loan balance daily. The Company has not experienced any losses in these accounts. To minimize trade receivable risk, credit evaluation of customers is routinely conducted, and ongoing risk assessments performed. In addition, reserves for potential losses for uncollectible accounts are monitored and results are within management’s expectations.
Interest Rate Risk: Our interest rate risk is primarily related to our outstanding bank revolver. On June 30, 2022, we had our outstanding revolver balance subject to our 2020 Credit Agreement with Bank of America and therefore exposed to market interest rate risk associated with the interest terms under that facility. We do not currently engage in hedging transactions to manage our exposure to interest rate risk.
Interest rates are subject to the influence of economic conditions generally, both domestic and foreign, and also to the monetary and fiscal policies of the United States and its agencies, particularly the Federal Reserve. The nature and timing of any changes in such policies or general economic conditions and the effect they may have on the Company are unpredictable. The Company’s indebtedness may also have other important impacts on the Company, including that the Company will be required to utilize cash flow to service the debt, indebtedness may make the Company more vulnerable to economic downturns, and the Company’s indebtedness subjects the Company to covenants, which may place restrictions on its operations and activities, including its ability to pay dividends and take certain other actions.
As of June 30, 2022, the Company had approximately $136 million revolver balance under the 2020 Credit Agreement with Bank of America. Interest on such borrowings accrued at a weighted average rate of 2.20% for the year ended June 30, 2022. Based on the average outstanding balance for the year ended June 30, 2022, a hypothetical 100 basis point overall increase in the daily interest rates that we pay would increase the Company’s annual interest expense by approximately $1.3 million per year.
Inflation Risk: Inflation typically affects us by increasing our cost of finished products purchased from studios and manufacturers, freight & shipping costs, and payroll. During fiscal year 2021, we began to experience inflationary pressure on freight and labor. More recently, consistent with other retailers and distributors, higher interest rates and energy costs began to have an impact on economic conditions in the United States. Inflation risk may deter consumer spending if economic conditions worsen, and our results of operations could be adversely affected if the high inflation continues for an extended period. We continue to monitor interest rates and believe they will have some impact on operations until they stabilize.
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CERTAIN ALLIANCE RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Alliance
Throughout this section, unless otherwise noted, “Alliance,” “we,” “us,” “our” and similar terms refer to Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation and its subsidiaries prior to the consummation of the Business Combination.
Other than compensation arrangements for Alliance’s directors and executive officers, which are described elsewhere in this prospectus, the following describes transactions since June 30, 2020 and each currently proposed transaction in which:
● | Alliance has been or is to be a participant; |
● | the amounts involved exceeded or will exceed $120,000; and |
● | any of our directors, executive officers or holders of more than 5% of our outstanding capital stock, or any immediate family member of, or person sharing the household with, any of these individuals or entities, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest. |
Captive Insurance Policies
The two principal stockholders of Alliance, Bruce Ogilvie and Jeff Walker, established two insurance companies; Guard Yourself Insurance Company, Ltd. and Super O Insurance Company, Ltd., replaced effective April 1, 2018, with the current new insurance companies, Airlie Protection Ins. Co., Inc. and Protection for You Ins. Co., Inc. These insurance companies additionally insure the general assets, liabilities and claims of Alliance through March 30, 2022, and were not renewed for future periods. The entities are known as captive insurance companies. New policies covered the period of March 31, 2021, to March 30, 2022, and incurred an annual expense of $2.4 million. Premium payments are allowed based on the Loan Agreement dated February 21, 2017. The Company is not a guarantor and does not have exposure in the event of a loss. Total captive policy expense for the years ended June 30, 2022, 2021, and 2020 was $1.6 million, $2.2 million, and $2.7 million, respectively. Total claims filed for the years ended June 30, 2022, 2021, and 2020 was $1.2 million, $1.5 million, and $1.3 million respectively. On June 30, 2022, and 2021, receivables from the captive insurance companies were $0 million (due to non-renewal) and $1.5 million, respectively, which are included in related party receivables on the consolidated balance sheets.
Interest-Charge Domestic International Sales Corporation
Alliance has an affiliate, My Worldwide Market Place, Inc. which is an IC-DISC and was established February 12, 2013. The IC-DISC is owned by the two principal Alliance stockholders, Bruce Ogilvie and Jeff Walker.
The IC-DISC is organized to manage sales to certain qualified customers and receive commissions from Alliance for this activity. The commissions expense ($9.9 million, $5.4 million, and $8.2 million, for the years ended June 30, 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively) was determined under formulas and rules defined in the law and regulations of the US tax code. Under these regulations, the commission is deductible by Alliance and results in a specified profit to the IC-DISC. This net profit is not subject to Federal income tax. The IC-DISC distributes the profit to its stockholders, who are taxed on the income as a dividend.
GameFly Holdings, LLC
During the years ended June 30, 2022, 2021 and 2020, Alliance has made sales of new release movies, video games, and video game consoles to GameFly Holdings LLC in the amount of $7.1 million, $5.3 million, and $2.5 million, respectively. GameFly, a customer of Alliance, is equally owned by Bruce Ogilvie and Jeff Walker, the two shareholders of Alliance. Alliance believes the amounts that GameFly paid for New Release, movies, video games, and video game consoles are at fair market value. GameFly does fulfillment services of fast selling new releases by providing 3PL services at market rates. The agreement between Alliance and GameFly can be terminated by either party at any time. GameFly is free to purchase from any competitor of Alliance.
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MVP Logistics, LLC
During the years ended June 30, 2022, and 2021, Alliance incurred costs with MVP Logistics, LLC, in the amount of $13.0 million, and $3.0 million, respectively, for freight shipping fees, transportation costs, warehouse distribution, and 3PL management services (for Arcades) at the Redlands, California and South Gates, California distribution facilities. MVP Logistics is an independent contractor, which is 33.3% owned by Joe Rehak, the COO of COKeM International Limited, which was acquired by Alliance in September 2020, and the remaining 66.6% by unaffiliated third parties. Alliance believes the amounts payable to MVP Logistics are at fair market value. The MVP 3PL Logistics agreement for Redlands and Southgate, California is for a one-year term ending March 10, 2023, with one-year automatic renewals unless cancelled by either party.
Policies and Procedures for Related Person Transactions
Prior to the completion of this offering, our board of directors will adopt a related person transaction policy setting forth the policies and procedures for the identification, review and approval or ratification of related person transactions. This policy covers, with certain exceptions set forth in Item 404 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act, any transaction, arrangement or relationship, or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships, in which we and a related person were or will be participants and the amount involved exceeds $120,000, including purchases of goods or services by or from the related person or entities in which the related person has a material interest, indebtedness and guarantees of indebtedness. In reviewing and approving any such transactions, our audit committee will consider all relevant facts and circumstances as appropriate, such as the purpose of the transaction, the availability of other sources of comparable products or services, whether the transaction is on terms comparable to those that could be obtained in an arm’s length transaction, management’s recommendation with respect to the proposed related person transaction, and the extent of the related person’s interest in the transaction.
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INFORMATION ABOUT ADARA
As used in this section, unless the context suggests otherwise, “we,” “us,” “our,” or “Adara” refer to Adara Acquisition Corp..
Overview
We are a blank check company formed as a Delaware corporation for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses.
Company History
Adara Acquisition Corp. was incorporated in Delaware on August 5, 2020.
In August 2020, we issued to the Sponsor the 2,875,000 Initial Stockholder Shares for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000, or approximately $0.009 per share, to the Sponsor. In September 2020, the Sponsor sold 50,000 Initial Stockholder Shares to ThinkEquity, the representative of the underwriters for the IPO, for an aggregate purchase price of $5,000.
The registration statement on Form S-1 for the IPO was declared effective on February 8, 2021. On February 11, 2021, we consummated the IPO of 11,500,000 Adara Units at $10.00 per unit including 1,500,000 units issued as a result of the exercise of the underwriters’ overallotment option in full, generating gross proceeds of $115,000,000.
Simultaneously with the closing of the IPO, we consummated the sale of 4,120,000 Private Warrants at a price of $1.00 per Private Warrant in a private placement to the Sponsor, generating gross proceeds of $4,120,000.
Following the closing of the IPO on February 11, 2021, an amount of $116,150,000 ($10.10 per unit) from the net proceeds of the sale of the Adara Units in the IPO and the sale of the Private Warrants was placed in the Trust Account and invested in U.S. government securities, within the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”) , with a maturity of 185 days or less, or in any open-ended investment company that holds itself out as a money market fund meeting certain conditions of Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act, as determined by the Company, until the earlier of: (i) the completion of our initial business combination and (ii) the distribution of the funds in the Trust Account to the Public Stockholders, as described below, except that interest earned on the Trust Account can be released to the Company to pay its tax obligations (“permitted withdrawals”).
Our activities since February 11, 2021, have consisted of the search and evaluation of potential targets in contemplation of a business combination. All activity for the period from August 5, 2020 (inception) through February 8, 2021, relates to the Company’s formation and the IPO, which is described below. The Company will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion of a business combination, at the earliest. The Company will generate non-operating income in the form of interest income from the proceeds derived from the IPO.
Initial Business Combination
The NYSE American rules require that we must complete one or more business combinations having an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the value of the assets held in the Trust Account (excluding the deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on the interest earned on the Trust Account) at the time of our signing a definitive agreement in connection with our initial business combination. We expect to be able to comply with the NYSE American rules and by reason of our arrangements with ThinkEquity, there are no deferred underwriting commissions. Our board of directors will make the determination as to the fair market value of our initial business combination. Additionally, pursuant to the NYSE American rules, any initial business combination must be approved by a majority of our independent directors.
Submission of Our Initial Business Combination to a Stockholder Vote
We are providing the Public Stockholders with redemption rights upon consummation of the Business Combination. Public stockholder electing to exercise their redemption rights will be entitled to receive cash equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account as of two business days prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, including any amounts representing interest earned on the Trust Account, less taxes payable, provided that such stockholders follow the specific procedures for redemption set forth in this proxy statement/prospectus relating to the stockholder vote on the Business
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Combination. The Public Stockholders are not required to vote against the Business Combination in order to exercise their redemption rights. If the Business Combination is not completed, then Public Stockholders electing to exercise their redemption rights will not be entitled to receive such payments.
The Sponsor and our executive officers and directors and ThinkEquity have agreed (1) to vote any shares of common stock owned by them in favor of the Business Combination, including the Initial Stockholder, (2) not to redeem any shares of Adara Common Stock or Initial Stockholder Shares in connection with a stockholder vote to approve the Business Combination, and (3) not sell any shares of Adara Common Stock or Initial Stockholders Shares in any tender in connection with the Business Combination. As a result, we would need only 4,312,501, or approximately 37.5%, of the 11,500,000 Public Shares sold in the IPO to be voted in favor of a transaction in order to proceed with the Business Combination.
If you or a “group” of stockholders of which you are a part are deemed to hold an aggregate of more than 15% of the shares of Adara Common Stock, you (or, if a member of such a group, all of the members of such group in the aggregate) will lose the ability to redeem all such shares in excess of 15% of the Adara Common Stock.
Permitted Purchases of Our Securities
At any time prior to the special meeting of stockholders, during which they are not aware of material non-public information about Adara, the Sponsor, our directors or officers or their affiliates may purchase shares or Public Warrants in privately negotiated transactions or in the open market either prior to or following the completion of our initial business combination. There is no limit on the number of shares the Sponsor our directors or officers or their affiliates may purchase in such transactions, subject to compliance with applicable law and the NYSE American rules. However, they have no current commitments, plans or intentions to engage in such transactions and have not formulated any terms or conditions for any such transactions. If they engage in such transactions, they will not make any such purchases when they are in possession of any material non-public information not disclosed to the seller or if such purchases are prohibited by Regulation M under the Exchange Act. We do not currently anticipate that such purchases, if any, would constitute a tender offer subject to the tender offer rules under the Exchange Act or a going-private transaction subject to the going-private rules under the Exchange Act; however, if the purchasers determine at the time of any such purchases that the purchases are subject to such rules, the purchasers will comply with such rules. Any such purchases will be reported pursuant to Section 13 and Section 16 of the Exchange Act to the extent such purchasers are subject to such reporting requirements. None of the funds held in the Trust Account will be used to purchase shares or Public Warrants in such transactions prior to completion of the Business Combination.
The purpose of any such purchases of shares could be to vote such shares in favor of the Business Combination and thereby increase the likelihood of obtaining stockholder approval of the Business Combination or to satisfy a closing condition in the Business Combination Agreement target that requires us to have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash at the closing of the Business Combination, where it appears that such requirement would otherwise not be met. The purpose of any such purchases of Public Warrants could be to reduce the number of Public Warrants outstanding. Any such purchases of our securities may result in the completion of our initial business combination that may not otherwise have been possible. In addition, if such purchases are made, the public “float” of the Adara Common Stock or Public Warrants may be reduced and the number of beneficial holders of our securities may be reduced, which may make it difficult to maintain or obtain the quotation, listing or trading of our securities on a national securities exchange.
The Sponsor, our officers, directors and their affiliates anticipate that they may identify the stockholders with whom they may pursue privately negotiated purchases by either the stockholders contacting us directly or by our receipt of redemption requests submitted by stockholders following our mailing of this proxy statement/prospectus in connection with the Business Combination. To the extent that the Sponsor, our officers and directors or their affiliates enter into a private purchase, they would identify and contact only potential selling stockholders who have expressed their election to redeem their shares for a pro rata share of the Trust Account or vote against the Business Combination.
We do not currently anticipate that purchases of our Public Shares or Public Warrants by the Sponsor, our directors or any of their affiliates, if any, would constitute a tender offer subject to the tender offer rules under the Exchange Act or a going-private transaction subject to the going-private rules under the Exchange Act; however, if the purchasers determine at the time of any such purchases that the purchases are subject to such rules, the purchasers will comply with such rules. Any such purchases will be reported pursuant to Section 13 and Section 16 of the Exchange Act to the extent such purchasers are subject to such reporting requirements. None of the Sponsor, our officers or directors or any of their affiliates will purchase shares of Adara Common Stock if such purchases would violate Section 9(a)(2) or Rule 10b-5 of the Exchange Act.
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Redemption Rights for Public Stockholders upon Completion of the Business Combination
We will provide the Public Stockholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their shares of Adara Common Stock upon the completion of our initial business combination at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account as of two business days prior to the consummation of the Business Combination including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares, subject to the limitations described herein. The amount in the Trust Account is initially anticipated to be $10.10 per share. The Sponsor, our officers and directors and ThinkEquity have entered into a letter agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to any Initial Stockholder Shares and any Public Shares held by them in connection with the completion of the Business Combination.
The Existing Certificate of Incorporation provides that we may not redeem the Public Shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 either immediately prior to or upon consummation of the Business Combination (so that we are not subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules) or any greater net tangible asset or cash requirement which may be contained in the agreement relating to our initial business combination.
If you or a “group” of stockholders of which you are a part are deemed to hold an aggregate of more than 15% of the shares of Adara Common Stock, you (or, if a member of such a group, all of the members of such group in the aggregate) will lose the ability to redeem all such shares in excess of 15% of the Adara Common Stock.
Redemption of Public Shares and Liquidation if no Initial Business Combination
The Existing Certificate of Incorporation provides that we will have until February 11, 2023 to complete our initial business combination. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination by February 11, 2023, we will: (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the Public Shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish Public Stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining stockholders and our board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) above to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to the Adara warrants, which will expire worthless if we fail to complete our initial business combination by February 11, 2023.
The Sponsor, our officers and directors and ThinkEquity have entered into a letter agreement with us, pursuant to which they have waived their rights to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to any Initial Stockholder Shares held by them if we fail to complete our initial business combination by February 11, 2023. However, if the Sponsor, our officers or directors or ThinkEquity acquire Public Shares, they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to such Public Shares if we fail to complete our initial business combination by February 11, 2023.
The Sponsor and our officers and directors have agreed, pursuant to a written agreement with us, that they will not propose any amendment to the Existing Certificate of Incorporation (i) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to allow redemption in connection with our initial business combination or certain amendments to our charter prior thereto or to redeem 100% of the Public Shares if we do not complete our initial business combination by February 11, 2023 or (ii) with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity, unless we provide the Public Stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their shares of Adara Common Stock upon approval of any such amendment at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares. However, we may not redeem the Public Shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 either immediately prior to or upon consummation of our initial business combination (so that we are not subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules). If this optional redemption right is exercised with respect to an excessive number of Public Shares such that we cannot satisfy the net tangible asset requirement (described above), we would not proceed with the amendment or the related redemption of the Public Shares at such time.
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We expect that all costs and expenses associated with implementing our plan of dissolution, as well as payments to any creditors, will be funded from amounts remaining out of the approximately $724,410 of proceeds held outside the Trust Account as of December 31, 2021, although we cannot assure you that there will be sufficient funds for such purpose.
We will depend on sufficient interest being earned on the proceeds held in the Trust Account to pay any tax obligations we may owe. However, if those funds are not sufficient to cover the costs and expenses associated with implementing our plan of dissolution, to the extent that there is any interest accrued in the Trust Account not required to pay taxes, we may request the trustee to release to us an additional amount of up to $100,000 of such accrued interest to pay those costs and expenses.
If we were to expend all of the funds held outside of the Trust Account, and without taking into account interest, if any, earned on the Trust Account, the per-share redemption amount received by stockholders upon our dissolution would be $10.10. The proceeds held in the Trust Account could, however, become subject to the claims of our creditors which would have higher priority than the claims of the Public Stockholders. We cannot assure you that the actual per-share redemption amount received by stockholders will not be substantially less than $10.10. Under Section 281(b) of the DGCL, our plan of dissolution must provide for all claims against us to be paid in full or make provision for payments to be made in full, as applicable, if there are sufficient assets. These claims must be paid or provided for before we make any distribution of our remaining assets to our stockholders. While we intend to pay such amounts, if any, we cannot assure you that we will have funds sufficient to pay or provide for all creditors’ claims.
Although we have sought and will continue to seek to have all vendors, service providers, prospective target businesses or other entities with which we do business execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the Trust Account for the benefit of the Public Stockholders, there is no guarantee that they will execute such agreements or even if they execute such agreements that they would be prevented from bringing claims against the Trust Account including but not limited to fraudulent inducement, breach of fiduciary responsibility or other similar claims, as well as claims challenging the enforceability of the waiver, in each case in order to gain an advantage with respect to a claim against our assets, including the funds held in the Trust Account. If any third-party refuses to execute an agreement waiving such claims to the monies held in the Trust Account, our management will perform an analysis of the alternatives available to it and will only enter into an agreement with a third party that has not executed a waiver if management believes that such third party’s engagement would be significantly more beneficial to us than any alternative. Examples of possible instances where we may engage a third party that refuses to execute a waiver include the engagement of a third-party consultant whose particular expertise or skills are believed by management to be significantly superior to those of other consultants that would agree to execute a waiver or in cases where management is unable to find a service provider willing to execute a waiver. WithumSmith+Brown, PC, our independent registered public accounting firm did not execute an agreement with us waiving such claims to the monies held in the Trust Account. However, underwriters of the IPO (including ThinkEquity) executed a letter agreement with us waiving such claims to the monies held in the Trust Account.
In addition, there is no guarantee that such entities will agree to waive any claims they may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with us and will not seek recourse against the Trust Account for any reason. The Sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to us if and to the extent any claims by a third party for services rendered or products sold to us, or a prospective target business with which we have entered into a written letter of intent, confidentiality or similar agreement or business combination agreement, reduce the amount of funds in the Trust Account to below the lesser of (i) $10.10 per share and (ii) the actual amount per Public Share held in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account, if less than $10.10 per share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, less taxes payable, provided that such liability will not apply to any claims by a third party or prospective target business who executed a waiver of any and all rights to the monies held in the Trust Account (whether or not such waiver is enforceable) nor will it apply to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of the IPO against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. However, we have not asked the Sponsor to reserve for such indemnification obligations, nor have we independently verified whether the Sponsor has sufficient funds to satisfy its indemnity obligations and believe that the Sponsor’s only assets are securities of our company. Therefore, we cannot assure you that the Sponsor would be able to satisfy those obligations. None of our officers or directors will indemnify us for claims by third parties including, without limitation, claims by vendors and prospective target businesses.
In the event that the proceeds in the Trust Account are reduced below (i) $10.10 per Public Share or (ii) such lesser amount per Public Share held in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account, due to reductions in value of the trust assets, in each case net of the amount of interest which may be withdrawn to pay taxes, and the Sponsor asserts that it is unable to satisfy its indemnification obligations or that it has no indemnification obligations related to a particular claim, our independent directors would determine whether to take legal action against the Sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations. While we currently expect that our independent directors would take legal action on our behalf against the Sponsor to enforce its indemnification
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obligations to us, it is possible that our independent directors in exercising their business judgment may choose not to do so if, for example, the cost of such legal action is deemed by the independent directors to be too high relative to the amount recoverable or if the independent directors determine that a favorable outcome is not likely. We have not asked the Sponsor to reserve for such indemnification obligations and we cannot assure you that the Sponsor would be able to satisfy those obligations. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that due to claims of creditors the actual value of the per-share redemption price will not be less than $10.10 per share.
We will seek to reduce the possibility that the Sponsor will have to indemnify the Trust Account due to claims of creditors by endeavoring to have all vendors, service providers, prospective target businesses or other entities with which we do business execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to monies held in the Trust Account. The Sponsor will also not be liable as to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of the IPO against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. We have access to up to approximately $724,410 of cash held outside the Trust Account as of December 31, 2021 with which to pay any such potential claims (including costs and expenses incurred in connection with our liquidation, currently estimated to be no more than approximately $100,000). In the event that we liquidate and it is subsequently determined that the reserve for claims and liabilities is insufficient, stockholders who received funds from the Trust Account could be liable for claims made by creditors.
Under the DGCL, stockholders may be held liable for claims by third parties against a corporation to the extent of distributions received by them in a dissolution. The pro rata portion of our Trust Account distributed to the Public Stockholders upon the redemption of our Public Shares in the event we do not complete our initial business combination by February 11, 2023 may be considered a liquidating distribution under Delaware law. If the corporation complies with certain procedures set forth in Section 280 of the DGCL intended to ensure that it makes reasonable provision for all claims against it, including a 60-day notice period during which any third-party claims can be brought against the corporation, a 90-day period during which the corporation may reject any claims brought, and an additional 150-day waiting period before any liquidating distributions are made to stockholders, any liability of stockholders with respect to a liquidating distribution is limited to the lesser of such stockholder’s pro rata share of the claim or the amount distributed to the stockholder, and any liability of the stockholder would be barred after the third anniversary of the dissolution.
Furthermore, if the pro rata portion of our Trust Account distributed to the Public Stockholders upon the redemption of the Public Shares in the event we do not complete our initial business combination by February 11, 2023, is not considered a liquidating distribution under Delaware law and such redemption distribution is deemed to be unlawful (potentially due to the imposition of legal proceedings that a party may bring or due to other circumstances that are currently unknown), then pursuant to Section 174 of the DGCL, the statute of limitations for claims of creditors could then be six years after the unlawful redemption distribution, instead of three years, as in the case of a liquidating distribution. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination by February 11, 2023, we will: (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the Public Shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish Public Stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining stockholders and our board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) above to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. Accordingly, it is our intention to redeem the Public Shares as soon as reasonably possible following February 11, 2023 and, therefore, we do not intend to comply with those procedures. As such, our stockholders could potentially be liable for any claims to the extent of distributions received by them (but no more) and any liability of our stockholders may extend well beyond the third anniversary of such date.
Because we will not be complying with Section 280, Section 281(b) of the DGCL requires us to adopt a plan, based on facts known to us at such time that will provide for our payment of all existing and pending claims or claims that may be potentially brought against us within the subsequent ten years. However, because we are a blank check company, rather than an operating company, and our operations will be limited to searching for prospective target businesses to acquire, the only likely claims to arise would be from our vendors (such as lawyers, investment bankers, etc.) or prospective target businesses. As described above, pursuant to the obligation contained in our underwriting agreement, we have sought and will continue to seek to have all vendors, service providers, prospective target businesses or other entities with which we do business execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the Trust Account. As a result of this obligation, the claims that could be made against us are significantly limited and the likelihood that any claim that would result in any liability extending to the Trust
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Account is remote. Further, the Sponsor may be liable only to the extent necessary to ensure that the amounts in the Trust Account are not reduced below (i) $10.10 per share or (ii) such lesser amount per Public Share held in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account, due to reductions in value of the trust assets, in each case net of the amount of interest withdrawn to pay taxes and will not be liable as to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of the IPO against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. In the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third party, the Sponsor will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third-party claims.
If we file a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the Trust Account could be subject to applicable bankruptcy law, and may be included in our bankruptcy estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of our stockholders. To the extent any bankruptcy claims deplete the Trust Account, we cannot assure you we will be able to return $10.10 per share to our Public Stockholders. Additionally, if we file a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy petition is filed against us that is not dismissed, any distributions received by stockholders could be viewed under applicable debtor/creditor and/or bankruptcy laws as either a “preferential transfer” or a “fraudulent conveyance.” As a result, a bankruptcy court could seek to recover some or all amounts received by our stockholders. Furthermore, our board of directors may be viewed as having breached its fiduciary duty to our creditors and/or may have acted in bad faith, thereby exposing itself and our company to claims of punitive damages, by paying Public Stockholders from the Trust Account prior to addressing the claims of creditors. We cannot assure you that claims will not be brought against us for these reasons.
Our Public Stockholders will be entitled to receive funds from the Trust Account only upon the earlier to occur of: (i) the completion of our initial business combination, (ii) the redemption of any Public Shares properly tendered in connection with a stockholder vote to amend any provisions of the Existing Certificate of Incorporation (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to allow redemption in connection with our initial business combination or certain amendments to our charter prior thereto or to redeem 100% of the Public Shares if we do not complete our initial business combination by February 11, 2023 or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity, and (iii) the redemption of all of our Public Shares if we are unable to complete our initial business combination by February 11, 2023, subject to applicable law. In no other circumstances will a stockholder have any right or interest of any kind to or in the Trust Account. In the event we seek stockholder approval in connection with our initial business combination, a stockholder’s voting in connection with the initial business combination alone will not result in a stockholder’s redeeming its shares to us for an applicable pro rata share of the Trust Account. Such stockholder must have also exercised its redemption rights as described above. These provisions of The Existing Certificate of Incorporation, like all provisions of the Existing Certificate of Incorporation, may be amended with a stockholder vote.
Employees
We currently have two officers. These individuals are not obligated to devote any specific number of hours to our matters but they intend to devote as much of their time as they deem necessary, in the exercise of their respective business judgement, to our affairs until we have completed our initial business combination. The amount of time they will devote in any time period will vary based on whether a target business has been selected for our initial business combination and the stage of the initial business combination process we are in. We do not intend to have any full-time employees prior to the completion of our initial business combination. We do not have an employment agreement with any member of our management team.
Facilities
We currently maintain our principal executive offices at 211 East Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203. We consider our current office space adequate for our current operations.
Periodic Reporting and Financial Information
The Adara Units, Adara Common Stock and Adara Warrants are registered under the Exchange Act and we have reporting obligations, including the requirement that we file annual, quarterly and current reports with the SEC. In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, our annual reports contain financial statements audited and reported on by our independent registered public accountants.
We will be required to evaluate our internal control procedures for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022 as required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Only in the event we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer or an accelerated filer, and no longer qualify as an emerging growth company, will we be required to have our internal control procedures audited. A target company may not be in compliance with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act regarding adequacy of their internal controls. The development of the
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internal controls of any such entity to achieve compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may increase the time and costs necessary to complete any such business combination. We have filed a Registration Statement on Form 8-A with the SEC to voluntarily register our securities under Section 12 of the Exchange Act. As a result, we are subject to the rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act. We have no current intention of filing a Form 15 to suspend our reporting or other obligations under the Exchange Act prior or subsequent to the consummation of our initial business combination.
We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the JOBS Act. As such, we are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “ emerging growth companies” including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. If some investors find our securities less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our securities and the prices of our securities may be more volatile.
In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an “emerging growth company” can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an “emerging growth company” can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We intend to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period.
We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (1) the last day of the fiscal year (a) of 2026, (b) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.235 billion, or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our shares of Class A common stock that are held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the prior June 30th, and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt during the prior three-year period. References herein to “emerging growth company” will have the meaning associated with it in the JOBS Act.
Additionally, we are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K. Smaller reporting companies may take advantage of certain reduced disclosure obligations, including, among other things, providing only two years of audited financial statements. We will remain a smaller reporting company until the last day of the fiscal year in which (1) the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates equals or exceeds $250 million as of the end of that year’s second fiscal quarter, or (2) our annual revenues equals or exceeds $100 million during such completed fiscal year and the market value of our common stock held by nonaffiliates equals or exceeds $700 million as of the end of that year’s second fiscal quarter.
We expect that the Combined Company will no longer qualify as an emerging growth company and will be deemed to be a large accelerated filer following the Combined Company’s June 30, 2023 fiscal year end.
Directors and Executive Officers
Our directors and executive officers as of the Record Date are listed below:
Name |
| Age |
| Position |
Thomas Finke | 57 | Chairman and Chief Executive Officer | ||
Paul G. Porter | 57 | Chief Financial Officer | ||
W. Tom Donaldson III | 44 | Director | ||
Frank Quintero | 50 | Director | ||
Dylan Glenn | 52 | Director | ||
Beatriz Acevedo-Greiff | 53 | Director |
Thomas Finke has been our Chairman since August 2020 and our Chief Executive Officer since June 1, 2022. Mr. Finke has served as a director of Invesco Ltd. (NYSE: IVZ), a global investment management firm, since December 1, 2020. From September 2016 to November 2020, Mr. Finke was the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Barings LLC, a global financial services firm and a subsidiary of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (“MassMutual Life”). From December 2008 until September 2016, he was the Chairman and CEO of Babson Capital Management LLC (“Babson Capital”), also a subsidiary of MassMutual Life. In 2016, Mr. Finke led the merger of Babson Capital, Barings Asset Management Limited, and two other MassMutual Life subsidiaries to create Barings LLC. From December 2008 to May 2011, Mr. Finke also served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer for the MassMutual Life. He was appointed President of Babson Capital in August 2007. Prior to joining Babson Capital, Mr. Finke was a Managing Director and Co-Founder of First Union Institutional Management LLC
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(“IDM”), an asset manager and subsidiary of First Union Corporation, from September 1998 until June 2002. He was appointed President of IDM in March of 2001. Mr. Finke served on the boards of Barings Business Development Corp. (NYSE: BBDC), a business development company that primarily makes debt investments in middle market companies, since August 2018; Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (NYSE: BGH), a closed end fund that primarily invests in US and European high yield bonds, since October 2012; and Barings Capital Funds Trust since May 2013 until his retirement from Barings LLC in 2020. Mr. Finke received a Master of Business Administration from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce. Mr. Finke is a member of the Fuqua School of Business Board of Visitors, the Executive Board of Charlotte Center City Partners, and the Investment Committee of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte. We believe he is well-qualified to serve as the Chairman due to his extensive operational and investment experience.
Paul G. Porter, who has been our Chief Financial Officer since August 2020, has also been a sole practitioner attorney focusing on mergers and acquisitions, finance and business laws since January 2017. From April 2015 to January 2017, he served as the Managing Director of Stone Street Partners, LLC, a private equity firm based in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he was in charge of business acquisitions and other related legal matters. Prior to that, Mr. Porter served as a Corporate and Transactional Partner intermittently since the 1990s at McGuireWoods LLP, a national law firm. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame Law School with a Juris Doctor degree in 1989. He graduated from the University of Arkansas with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting in 1986 and passed the Certified Public Accountant examination in the late 1980s.
W. Tom Donaldson III has served as a member of our board of directors since February 2021. Mr. Donaldson has been the Founder and Managing Partner of Blystone & Donaldson since October 2018, a Charlotte, NC-based investment firm that focuses on middle-market companies. From January 2016 to December 2018, Mr. Donaldson served as an executive at Investors Management Corporation where he focused on investment decisions, managing risk and developing relationships with companies of interest. From around September 2013 to December 2015, he served as a Partner of Morehead Capital Management, LLC before it was merged into Investors Management Corporation in January 2016. From around June 2003 to August 2013, he practiced law as an associate and then a Partner at McGuireWoods LLP where he represented private funds and their portfolio companies in corporate governance, structuring and financing transactions and operating businesses in a wide variety of industries. Mr. Donaldson received his Master of Business Administration degree and Juris Doctor degree from Villanova University. He earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science from North Carolina State University. We believe Mr. Donaldson is qualified to serve on our board of directors based on his breath and depth of experience in varied investment, financing and legal roles.
Frank Quintero has served as a member of our board of directors since February 2021. Mr. Quintero has been the Principal of the Yucaipa Companies, LLC since July 2003, a Los Angeles, CA-based investment firm, where he is actively involved in deal origination, negotiating transactions, real estate development, public company proxy activism, investor relations and corporate communications. Mr. Quintero has served as a member of the Advisory Board of BioSig Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: BSGM), a medical technology company focused on advanced signal processing solutions for Atrial Fibrillation (A-fib) operations, since April 2019. He has also served on the board of directors of Independent Sports & Entertainment, a U.S.-based sports agency, since January 2016. Mr. Quintero served as a member on the State of California Personnel Board in 2004. From February 1999 to June 2003, Mr. Quintero served as a Special Assistant to former Governor Gray Davis of the State of California, where he liaised with labor and businesses groups. Mr. Quintero served as a member of the board of directors of KPFK 90.7 FM, a California-based radio station, during 1997. Mr. Quintero received his Bachelor of Art degree in Political Science from the University of California at Los Angeles. We believe Mr. Quintero is qualified to serve as our director based upon his demonstrated expertise in investment origination, negotiating transactions, investor relations and corporate communications.
Dylan Glenn has served as a member of our board of directors since February 2021. Mr. Glenn has been the Chief Executive Officer of KBBO Americas, L.P., the U.S.-based investment vehicle for the KBBO Group, a diversified investment company headquartered in the United Arab Emirates since December 2018. Since March 2020, Mr. Glenn has served as a Director of Intellicheck, Inc. (Nasdaq: IDN), a provider of authentication services for companies primarily in the area of financial services. From January 2005 to December 2018, Mr. Glenn served as a Senior Managing Director of Guggenheim Partners, a global investment and advisory financial services firm that engages in investment banking, asset management, capital markets services, and insurance services. From January 2003 to January 2004, Mr. Glenn served as Deputy Chief of Staff to former Governor Sonny Perdue of Georgia, responsible for all external affairs. From January 2001 to January 2003, Mr. Glenn also served in the White House in Washington, D.C. as Special Assistant for President George W. Bush for Economic Policy. He was a member of the National Economic Council team from January 2001 to January 2003, advising former President Bush on various economic issues. He was one of the founders, as well as Chairman from 1990 to present, of The Earth Conservation Corps, a White House initiative under President George H. W. Bush that provides opportunity to at-risk youth through serious environmental conservation work. Since 2015, Mr. Glenn also serves as member of the Board of Directors for the American Action Network, a Washington-based “action tank”
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promoting pro-growth, limited government and strong national security and a Trustee of the Episcopal High School at Alexandria, Virginia and Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina. Mr. Glenn received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Davidson College in North Carolina. We believe Mr. Glenn is qualified to serve as our director based upon his extensive experience in investment banking, asset management and government relationships.
Beatriz Acevedo-Greiff has served as a member of our board of directors since February 2021. She has served as the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Suma Wealth, a Los Angeles based Fin-tech company with the mission to help close the wealth gap for the Latino community since May 2020. She has also served as a Partner and board member of 9th Wonder Agency, an international marketing agency group since January 2019. Ms. Acevedo-Greiff has served as the Founding Partner of LA COLLAB since January 2020 along with Co-founder Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, a non-profit organization with the goal to double Latino representation in Hollywood by 2030. She has also served as the President and Executive Director of the Acevedo Foundation, a family foundation with the mission to advance Latinos in the areas of entrepreneurship, education and economic mobility both in the United States and Mexico, since August 2018. Ms. Acevedo-Greiff served as the Co-Chair and President of MITU, Inc., a Los Angeles based company with a focus on Latino digital media entertainment from April 2012 to July 2018. She served as the Founder and President of HIP Entertainment Group, an Emmy Award Winning full-service entertainment company, from June 1995 to January 2016. Ms. Acevedo-Greiff has served on the boards of multiple organizations, including the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Committee since March 2019; Homeboy Industries, a non-profit organization with a mission to train and support the formerly gang-involved and previously incarcerated people since March 2019; Latino Community Foundation, the largest giving circle philanthropic organization in California since January 2020; and PocketWatch, a digital media studio since July 2020. Ms. Acevedo-Greiff also serves on many advisory boards, including Anneberg Foundation’s Pledge LA, Delta Airlines, Los Angles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Tech Council & MEXLA, Latino Donor Collaborative and Encantos Media. She received a Bachillerato in Communications from the Universidad Iberoamericana 1988, a Marketing Communications degree from the University of California San Diego in 1990, a Stanford Graduate Business School Scaling Professional Certificate in 2019 and a Fin-tech Professional Certificate from Harvard Graduate Business School in 2020. We believe Ms. Acevedo-Greiff is qualified to serve as our director based on her extensive business and management experience as well as her leadership positions in various companies and organizations.
Martin Sumichrast served as our Chief Executive Officer and as a director from our inception until June 1, 2022. Mr. Sumichrast’s resignation followed the SEC filing of a civil complaint in the Western District of North Carolina, alleging Sumichrast defrauded Sone Street Partners, LLC, a private fund that he managed prior to joining Adara. In the SEC’s complaint, the SEC alleges Mr. Sumichrast violated the antifraud provisions of Section 17(a)(1) and (3) of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5(a) and (c) thereunder, and Sections 206(1), 206(2), 206(3), and 206(4) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, and Rule 206(4)-8 thereunder. The SEC seeks injunctive relief, disgorgement with prejudgment interest, civil penalties, an officer-and-director bar, and a penny stock bar. Mr. Sumichrast and cbdMD, Inc. a publicly traded company of which Mr. Sumichrast is the CEO and a director, agreed to sell their interests in the Sponsor to certain of our officers and directors. On June 11, 2022, Mr. Martin A. Sumichrast entered into a Separation Agreement (the “Separation Agreement”) with cbdMD, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“cbdMD”) whereby he resigned as cbdMD’s Chief Executive Officer, as a member of the Board of Directors, as an employee, and from all other capacities with cbdMD, effective June 11, 2022.
Pre-existing Fiduciary and Contractual Obligations of Management
In general, officers and directors of a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware are required to present business opportunities to a corporation if:
● | the corporation could financially undertake the opportunity; |
● | the opportunity is within the corporation’s line of business; and |
● | it would not be fair to our company and its stockholders for the opportunity not to be brought to the attention of the corporation. |
Subject to pre-existing fiduciary or contractual duties as described below, our officers and directors have agreed to present any business opportunities presented to them in their capacity as a director or officer of our company to us. Certain of our officers and directors have fiduciary or contractual obligations to other entities pursuant to which such officer or director is or will be required to present a business combination opportunity. Accordingly, if any of our officers or directors became aware of a business combination opportunity which was suitable for an entity to which he or she has then-current fiduciary or contractual obligations, he or she would have honored his or her fiduciary or contractual obligations to present such opportunity to such entity. The Existing Certificate of
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Incorporation provides that we renounce our interest in any corporate opportunity offered to any director or officer unless such opportunity is expressly offered to such person solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of our company and such opportunity is one we are legally and contractually permitted to undertake and would otherwise be reasonable for us to pursue, and to the extent the director or officer is permitted to refer that opportunity to us without violating another legal obligation.
Accordingly, as a result of multiple business affiliations, our officers and directors may have similar legal obligations relating to presenting business opportunities meeting the above-listed criteria to multiple entities.
Below is a table summarizing the entities to which our current and former executive officers and directors currently have fiduciary duties or contractual obligations:
Individual |
| Entity |
| Entity’s Business |
| Affiliation |
Thomas Finke | Invesco Ltd. | Investment management | Director | |||
W. Tom Donaldson III | Blystone & Donaldson, LLC Legion Brewing Holdings LLC | Private investment Alcohol beverage manufacturer | Managing Partner Director | |||
Group G Holdings LLC | Electric lawn mowers | Director | ||||
Frank Quintero | Yucaipa Companies, LLC BioSig Technologies Inc Independent Sport & Entertainment | Private investment Medical technology Sports agency | Principal Advisory Board Member Director | |||
Dylan Glen | KBBO Americas, L.P. Intellicheck, Inc. | Private investment Authentication services in the financial industry | Chief Executive Officer Director | |||
Guggenheim Partners American Action Network Episcopal High School Davidson College | Private investment Issue advocacy Private school Private college | Senior Managing Director Director Trustee Trustee | ||||
Beatriz Acevedo-Greiff | Suma Wealth 9th Wonder Agency Acevedo Foundation PocketWatch Silicon Valley Bank Beneficial State Bank Delta Air Lines | Fin-tech Marketing agency Latino advocacy Digital media Banking Banking Airline | Founding Partner Partner and Board Member Founding Partner Director Board advisor Director Board Advisor | |||
Martin A. Sumichrast | cbdMD, Inc. Washington Capital, LLC SFT1, LLC Stone Street Capital, LLC Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund, Inc | Production and sales of consumer CBD products Private investment Private investment Private investment Private investment | Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer Managing Director Managing Director Managing Member Trustee and Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committees | |||
Barings Capital Funds Trust, Inc | Private investment | Trustee and Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committees |
Accordingly, if any of the above executive offers or directors become or aware of a business combination opportunity which is suitable for any of the above entities to which he or she had a current fiduciary or contractual obligation, he or she would have honored his or her fiduciary or contractual obligations to present such business combination opportunity to such entity, and only presented it to us if such entity rejected the opportunity. We believe, however, that the fiduciary duties or contractual obligations of our officers or directors did not materially affect our ability to search for and our initial business combination target.
Number, Term of Office and Election of Executive Officers and Directors
Our board of directors consists of five directors. The term of office of our directors will expire at our first annual meeting of stockholders.
Our officers are appointed by the board of directors and serve at the discretion of the board of directors, rather than for specific terms of office. Our board of directors is authorized to appoint persons to the offices set forth in our bylaws as it deems appropriate. Our bylaws provide that our officers may consist of a Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President, Vice Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Secretaries and such other offices as may be determined by the board of directors.
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Executive Officer and Director Compensation
We paid Paul Porter, our Chief Financial Officer, $50,000 for acquisition related services provided by him in 2021. Except for the foregoing payment to Mr. Porter, none of our officers has received any cash compensation for services rendered to us. Commencing in February 2021, we have paid the Sponsor a total of $10,000 per month for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support. Upon completion of our initial business combination or our liquidation, we will cease paying these monthly fees. Other than as set forth elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus, no compensation of any kind, including any finder’s fee, reimbursement, consulting fee or monies in respect of any payment of a loan, will be paid by us to the Sponsor, our officers or directors or any affiliate of the Sponsor, our officers or directors, prior to, or in connection with any services rendered in order to effectuate, the consummation of our initial business combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is). However, these individuals will be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with activities on our behalf such as identifying potential target businesses and performing due diligence on suitable business combinations. Our audit committee will review on a quarterly basis all payments that were made to the Sponsor, our officers or directors or our or their affiliates. Any such payments prior to an initial business combination will be made using funds held outside the Trust Account. Other than quarterly audit committee review of such payments, we do not expect to have any additional controls in place governing our reimbursement payments to our directors and executive officers for their out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with identifying and consummating an initial business combination.
After the completion of our initial business combination, directors or members of our management team who remain with us may be paid consulting or management fees from the combined company. All of these fees will be fully disclosed to stockholders, to the extent then known, in the tender offer materials or proxy solicitation materials furnished to our stockholders in connection with a proposed initial business combination. We have not established any limit on the amount of such fees that may be paid by the combined company to our directors or members of management. It is unlikely the amount of such compensation will be known at the time of the proposed initial business combination, because the directors of the post-combination business will be responsible for determining officer and director compensation. Any compensation to be paid to our officers will be determined, or recommended to the board of directors for determination, either by a compensation committee constituted solely by independent directors or by a majority of the independent directors on our board of directors. We are not party to any agreements with our officers and directors that provide for benefits upon termination of employment.
Director Independence
The NYSE American listing standards require that a majority of our board of directors be independent. An “independent director” is defined generally as a person other than an officer or employee of the company or its subsidiaries or any other individual having a relationship which in the opinion of the company’s board of directors, would interfere with the director’s exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. Our board of directors has determined that Messrs. Finke, Donaldson, Quintero and Glenn and Ms. Acevedo-Greiff are “independent directors” as defined in the NYSE American listing standards and applicable SEC rules. Our independent directors will have regularly scheduled meetings at which only independent directors are present.
Committees of the Board of Directors
Our board of directors has two standing committees: an audit committee and a compensation committee. Subject to phase-in rules and a limited exception, the NYSE American rules and Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act require that the audit committee of a listed company be comprised solely of independent directors, and the NYSE American rules require that the compensation committee of a listed company be comprised solely of independent directors.
Audit Committee
Messrs. Donaldson, Glenn and Quintero and Ms. Acevedo-Greiff serve as members of our audit committee, and Mr. Donaldson chairs the audit committee. Under the NYSE American listing standards and applicable SEC rules, we are required to have at least three members of the audit committee, all of whom must be independent. Each member of the audit committee meets the independent director standard under the NYSE American listing standards and under Rule 10-A-3(b)(1) of the Exchange Act.
Each member of the audit committee is financially literate and our board of directors has determined that Mr. Donaldson qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in applicable SEC rules.
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We have adopted an audit committee charter, which details the principal functions of the audit committee, including:
● | the appointment, compensation, retention, replacement, and oversight of the work of the independent registered public accounting firm engaged by us; |
● | pre-approving all audit and permitted non-audit services to be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm engaged by us, and establishing pre-approval policies and procedures; |
● | setting clear hiring policies for employees or former employees of the independent registered public accounting firm, including but not limited to, as required by applicable laws and regulations; |
● | setting clear policies for audit partner rotation in compliance with applicable laws and regulations; |
● | obtaining and reviewing a report, at least annually, from the independent registered public accounting firm describing (i) the independent registered public accounting firm’s internal quality-control procedures, (ii) any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review, or peer review, of the audit firm, or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities within the preceding five years respecting one or more independent audits carried out by the firm and any steps taken to deal with such issues and (iii) all relationships between the independent registered public accounting firm and us to assess the independent registered public accounting firm’s independence; |
● | reviewing and approving any related party transaction required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC prior to us entering into such transaction; and |
● | reviewing with management, the independent registered public accounting firm, and our legal advisors, as appropriate, any legal, regulatory or compliance matters, including any correspondence with regulators or government agencies and any employee complaints or published reports that raise material issues regarding our financial statements or accounting policies and any significant changes in accounting standards or rules promulgated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the SEC or other regulatory authorities. |
Compensation Committee
The members of our compensation committee include Messrs. Donaldson, Finke and Quintero. Mr. Quintero chairs our compensation committee. Under the NYSE American listing standards and applicable SEC rules, we are required to have at least two members of the compensation committee, all of whom must be independent.
We have adopted a compensation committee charter, which detail the principal functions of the compensation committee, including:
● | reviewing and approving on an annual basis the corporate goals and objectives relevant to our Chief Executive Office’s compensation, if any is paid by us, evaluating our Chief Executive Officer’s performance in light of such goals and objectives and determining and approving the remuneration (if any) of our Chief Executive Officer based on such evaluation; |
● | reviewing and approving on an annual basis the compensation, if any is paid by us, of all of our other officers; |
● | reviewing on an annual basis our executive compensation policies and plans; |
● | implementing and administering our incentive compensation equity-based remuneration plans; |
● | assisting management in complying with our proxy statement and annual report disclosure requirements; |
● | approving all special perquisites, special cash payments and other special compensation and benefit arrangements for our officers and employees; |
● | if required, producing a report on executive compensation to be included in our annual proxy statement; and |
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● | reviewing, evaluating and recommending changes, if appropriate, to the remuneration for directors. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, as indicated above, other than the payment to the Sponsor of $10,000 per month, for up until February 11, 2023, for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support and reimbursement of expenses and the payment of $50,000 to our Chief Financial Officer for acquisition related services to be provided by him during 2021, no compensation of any kind, including finders, consulting or other similar fees, will be paid to any of our existing stockholders, officers, directors or any of their respective affiliates, prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate the consummation of an initial business combination. Accordingly, it is likely that prior to the consummation of an initial business combination, the compensation committee will only be responsible for the review and recommendation of any compensation arrangements to be entered into in connection with such initial business combination.
The charter also provides that the compensation committee may, in its sole discretion, retain or obtain the advice of a compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser and will be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of any such adviser. However, before engaging or receiving advice from a compensation consultant, external legal counsel or any other adviser, the compensation committee will consider the independence of each such adviser, including the factors required by the NYSE American and the SEC.
Nominating Committee
We do not have a standing nominating committee though we intend to form a corporate governance and nominating committee as and when required to do so by law or the NYSE American rules. In accordance with Section 804 of the NYSE American rules, a majority of the independent directors may recommend a director nominee for selection by the board of directors. The board of directors believes that the independent directors can satisfactorily carry out the responsibility of properly selecting or approving director nominees without the formation of a standing nominating committee. The directors who will participate in the consideration and recommendation of director nominees are Messrs. Finke, Donaldson, Quintero and Glenn and Ms. Acevedo-Greiff. In accordance with the rules of the NYSE American, all such directors must be independent. As there is no standing nominating committee, we do not have a nominating committee charter in place.
The board of directors will also consider director candidates recommended for nomination by our stockholders during such times as they are seeking proposed nominees to stand for election at the next annual meeting of stockholders (or, if applicable, a special meeting of stockholders). Our stockholders that wish to nominate a director for election to our board of directors should follow the procedures set forth in our bylaws.
We have not formally established any specific, minimum qualifications that must be met or skills that are necessary for directors to possess. In general, in identifying and evaluating nominees for director, the board of directors considers educational background, diversity of professional experience, knowledge of our business, integrity, professional reputation, independence, wisdom, and the ability to represent the best interests of our stockholders.
After the Closing of the Business Combination, the Combined Company intends to formally adopt a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter. The initial members of our nominating and corporate governance will be , Thomas Finke, and . . Mr. will serve as chair of the nominating and corporate governance committee. Under the NYSE listing standards, all the directors on the nominating and corporate governance committee must be independent.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter, which will detail the purpose and responsibilities of the nominating and corporate governance committee, will include:
● | identifying, screening and reviewing individuals qualified to serve as directors, consistent with criteria approved by the board, and recommending to the board of directors candidates for nomination for election at the annual general meeting or to fill vacancies on the board of directors; |
● | developing and recommending to the board of directors and overseeing implementation of our corporate governance guidelines; |
● | coordinating and overseeing the annual self-evaluation of the board of directors, its committees, individual directors and management in the governance of the company; and |
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● | reviewing on a regular basis our overall corporate governance and recommending improvements as and when necessary. |
The charter will also provide that the nominating and corporate governance committee may, in its sole discretion, retain or obtain the advice of, and terminate, any search firm to be used to identify director candidates, and will be directly responsible for approving the search firm’s fees and other retention terms.
We have not formally established any specific, minimum qualifications that must be met or skills that are necessary for directors to possess. In general, in identifying and evaluating nominees for director, the board of directors will consider educational background, diversity of professional experience, knowledge of our business, integrity, professional reputation, independence, wisdom, and the ability to represent the best interests of our shareholders. Prior to Closing our initial business combination, holders of our Public Shares will not have the right to recommend director candidates for nomination to our board of directors.
Code of Ethics
We have adopted a Code of Ethics applicable to our directors, officers and employees. We have filed a copy of our Code of Ethics and our audit and compensation committee charters as exhibits to the registration statement in connection with our IPO. You will be able to review these documents by accessing our public filings at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, a copy of the Code of Ethics will be provided without charge upon request from us. We intend to disclose any amendments to or waivers of certain provisions of our Code of Ethics in a Current Report on Form 8-K.
Limitation on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors
The Existing Certificate of Incorporation provides that our officers and directors will be indemnified by us to the fullest extent authorized by Delaware law, as it now exists or may in the future be amended. In addition, the Existing Certificate of Incorporation provides that our directors will not be personally liable for monetary damages to us or our stockholders for breaches of their fiduciary duty as directors, unless they violated their duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders, acted in bad faith, knowingly or intentionally violated the law, authorized unlawful payments of dividends, unlawful stock purchases or unlawful redemptions, or derived an improper personal benefit from their actions as directors.
We entered into agreements with our officers and directors to provide contractual indemnification in addition to the indemnification provided for in the Existing Certificate of Incorporation. Our bylaws also permit us to secure insurance on behalf of any officer, director or employee for any liability arising out of his or her actions, regardless of whether Delaware law would permit such indemnification. We purchased a policy of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance that insures our officers and directors against the cost of defense, settlement or payment of a judgment in some circumstances and insures us against our obligations to indemnify our officers and directors.
These provisions may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against our directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions also may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against officers and directors, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our stockholders. Furthermore, a stockholder’s investment may be adversely affected to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against officers and directors pursuant to these indemnification provisions.
We believe that these provisions, the directors’ and officers’ liability insurance and the indemnity agreements are necessary to attract and retain talented and experienced officers and directors.
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Audit Fees
The firm of WithumSmith+Brown, PC, or Withum, acts as our independent registered public accounting firm. The following is a summary of fees paid to Withum for services rendered.
Audit Fees. For the year ended December 31, 2021, fees for our independent registered public accounting firm were $103,515, for the services Withum performed in connection with our IPO and the audit of our December 31, 2021 financial statements included in this proxy statement/prospectus.
Audit-Related Fees. For the year ended December 31, 2021 and for the period from August 5, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, our independent registered public accounting firm did not render assurance and related services related to the performance of the audit or review of financial statements.
Tax Fees. For the year ended December 31, 2021, fees for our independent registered public accounting firm for the preparation of our 2020 Corporation tax return was $7,725.
All Other Fees. For the year ended December 31, 2021 and for the period from August 5, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, there were no fees billed for products and services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm other than those set forth above.
Legal Proceedings
There is no material litigation, arbitration or governmental proceeding currently pending against us or any members of our management team.
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ADARA MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The statements in the discussion and analysis regarding industry outlook, our expectations regarding the performance of our business and the forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the risks and uncertainties described in “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” Our actual results may differ materially from those contained in or implied by any forward-looking statements. You should read the following discussion together with the sections titled “Risk Factors,” “Information About Adara” and the audited consolidated financial statements, including the related notes, appearing elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus. All references to years, unless otherwise noted, refer to our fiscal years, which ends on December 31. As used in this section, unless the context suggests otherwise, “we,” “us,” “our,” or “Adara” refer to Adara Acquisition Corp.
Overview
We are a blank check company formed under the laws of the State of Delaware on August 5, 2020 for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. We intend to effectuate our business combination using cash from the proceeds of the IPO and the sale of the Private Warrants, our capital stock, debt or a combination of cash, stock, and debt.
We expect to continue to incur significant costs in the pursuit of our acquisition plans. We cannot assure you that our plans to complete a business combination will be successful.
Proposed Business Combination
Business Combination Agreement
On June 22, 2022, Adara, Merger Sub and Alliance entered into the Business Combination Agreement, pursuant to which Adara and Alliance will consummate the Business Combination. The Business Combination Agreement contains customary representations and warranties, covenants, closing conditions, termination fee provisions and other terms relating to the Merger and the other transactions contemplated thereby.
The Merger is to become effective by the filing of a certificate of merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the DGCL and mutually agreed by the parties and will be effective immediately upon such filing or upon such later time as may be agreed by the parties and specified in such certificate of merger (such time, “Effective Time”). The parties will hold the Closing immediately prior to such filing of a certificate of merger, on the Closing Date.
The Effective Time shall occur as promptly as practicable but in no event later than three business days after the satisfaction or, if permissible, waiver of the conditions to the completion of the Business Combination set forth in the Business Combination Agreement (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at Closing, provided that the occurrence of the Closing shall remain subject to the satisfaction or, if permissible, waiver at the Closing).
At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of Adara, Merger Sub, Alliance or the holders of any of Alliance’s securities:
● | Each share of Alliance Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be cancelled and automatically converted into the right to receive the number of shares of Combined Company Common Stock equal to the Exchange Ratio; |
● | No certificates or scrip or shares representing fractional shares of Combined Company Common Stock shall be issued upon the exchange of Alliance Common Stock and such fractional share interests will not entitle the owner thereof to vote or to have any rights of a stockholder of Adara or a holder of shares of Combined Company Common Stock. In lieu of any fractional share of Combined Company Common Stock to which each holder of Alliance Common Stock would otherwise be entitled, the fractional share shall be rounded up or down to the nearest whole share of Combined Company Common Stock, with a fraction of 0.5 rounded up. No cash settlements shall be made with respect to fractional shares eliminated by rounding. |
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Contingent Consideration Shares
At the Closing, the Company will also issue to the Alliance Stockholders Contingent Consideration Shares which shall be placed into the Contingent Consideration Shares Escrow Account pursuant to the Contingent Consideration Shares Agreement and shall not be released from escrow over a ten-year period unless and until they are earned as a result of the occurrence of the applicable Triggering Event as follows: 20,000,000 Contingent Consideration Shares will be earned upon the occurrence of Triggering Event I prior to the five-year anniversary of the Closing; 20,000,000 Contingent Consideration Shares will be earned upon the occurrence of Triggering Event II prior to the seven-year anniversary of the Closing; and 20,000,000 Contingent Consideration Shares will be earned upon the occurrence of Triggering Event III prior to the ten-year anniversary of the Closing.
The Closing is subject to certain conditions, including but not limited to the approval of our stockholders and Alliance’s stockholders of the Business Combination Agreement. The Business Combination Agreement may also be terminated by either party under certain circumstances.
The Closing will occur as promptly as practicable, but in no event later than three business days following the satisfaction or waiver of the closing conditions contained in the Business Combination Agreement.
Adara Insider Agreement and Lock-up Agreements
In connection with the Closing, the Sponsor has agreed to forfeit elective 875,000 and 1,375,000 Initial Stockholder Shares, the exact number to be determined by Alliance. In connection with the Closing, the Adara Initial Stockholders and certain stockholders of Alliance will agree, subject to certain exceptions, not to (i) sell, offer to sell, contract or agree to sell, hypothecate, pledge, grant any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agree to dispose of, directly or indirectly, or establish or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder, with regards to any shares of Combined Company Common Stock held by them immediately after the Effective Time, or issuable upon the exercise of options to purchase shares of Combined Company Common Stock held by them immediately after the Effective Time, or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Combined Company Common Stock held by them immediately after the Effective Time (the “Lock-up Shares”), (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any of the Lock-up Shares, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such securities, in cash or otherwise or (iii) publicly announce any intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (i) or (ii). The Lock-Up Period (as defined in the Lock-Up Agreement and Adara Insider Agreements) shall terminate six months after the Closing.
The Lock-up Shares consist of the 2,000,000 shares of Combined Company Common Stock held by the Adara Initial Stockholders assuming 875,000 Initial Stockholder Shares are forfeited (1,500,000 shares of Combined Company Common Stock, if all 1,375,000 Initial Stockholder Shares subject to forfeiture are forfeited) and 47,500,000 shares of Combined Company Common Stock and 60,000,000 Contingent Consideration Shares (and the shares of Combined Company Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Contingent Consideration Shares) to be issued to the Alliance Stockholders.
Registration Rights Agreement
In connection with the Closing, that certain registration rights agreement dated February 2, 2021 will be amended and restated and Adara, the Adara Initial Stockholders and certain persons and entities receiving Combined Company Common Stock pursuant to the Business Combination (the “New Holders” and together with the Initial Stockholders, the “Reg Rights Holders”) shall enter into that amended and restated registration rights agreement, a form of which is attached as an exhibit to the Business Combination Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”). Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, Adara will agree that, no later than 30 calendar days after the Closing, Combined Company will file with the SEC (at the Combined Company’s sole cost and expense) a registration statement registering the resale of certain securities held by or issuable to the Reg Rights Holders (the “Resale Registration Statement”), and Combined Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to have the Resale Registration Statement declared effective as soon as practicable after the filing thereof, but no later than the earlier of (i) the 60th calendar day (or 120th calendar day if the SEC notifies the Combined Company that it will “review” the Resale Registration Statement) following the closing of the Business Combination and (ii) the tenth business day after the date the Combined Company is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier) by the SEC that the Resale Registration Statement will not be “reviewed” or will not be subject to further review. In certain circumstances, the Initial Stockholders and the New Holders may each demand up to two registrations, which may be underwritten offerings, and all of the Reg Rights Holders will be entitled to piggyback registration rights.
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Sponsor Support Agreement
On June 22, 2022, Adara, Alliance and the Founders entered into the Sponsor Support Agreement (the “Sponsor Support Agreement”), pursuant to which the Adara Initial Stockholders agreed to vote all of their shares of Adara Common Stock in favor of the approval and adoption of the Stockholder Proposals. Additionally, such Adara Initial Stockholders have agreed, among other things, not to (a) transfer any of their shares of Adara Common Stock and Adara Class B Common Stock (or enter into any arrangement with respect thereto), subject to certain customary exceptions, (b) enter into any voting arrangement that is inconsistent with the Sponsor Support Agreement or (c) exercise their redemption rights in connection with the Business Combination.
Stockholder Support Agreement
On June 22, 2022, Alliance and certain stockholders of Alliance entered into the Stockholder Support Agreement pursuant to which such stockholders agreed to vote all of their shares of Alliance Common Stock and Alliance Preferred Stock in favor of the approval and adoption of the Proposed Transactions. Additionally, such stockholders have agreed, among other things, not to (a) transfer any of their shares of Alliance Common Stock and Alliance Preferred Stock (or enter into any arrangement with respect thereto), subject to certain customary exceptions or (b) enter into any voting arrangement that is inconsistent with the Stockholder Support Agreement.
Results of Operations
We have neither engaged in any operations nor generated any revenues to date. Our only activities from August 5, 2020 (inception) through June 30, 2022 were organizational activities, those necessary to prepare for the IPO, described below, and identifying a target company for an initial business combination. We do not expect to generate any operating revenues until after the completion of our business combination. We generate non-operating income in the form of interest income on marketable securities held in the Trust Account. We incur expenses as a result of being a public company (for legal, financial reporting, accounting and auditing compliance), as well as for due diligence expenses.
For the year ended December 31, 2021, we had a net income of $3,244,206, which consists of operating costs of $976,831 and transaction cost incurred in connection with IPO of $86,544, offset by interest income on marketable securities held in the Trust Accounts of $10,281 and change in fair value of warrant liabilities of $4,297,300.
For the period from August 5, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, we had a net loss of $5,476, which consists of operating costs.
For the three months ended June 30, 2022, we had a net income of $858,549, which consists of the change in fair value of warrant liabilities of $1,388,800 and interest earned on marketable securities held in Trust Account of $147,540, offset by operating and formation costs of $677,791.
For the six months ended June 30, 2022, we had net income of $1,980,736, which consists of changes in fair value of the warrant liabilities of $3,075,200 and interest earned on marketable securities held in Trust Account of $157,895, offset by operating and formation costs of $1,252,359.
For the three months ended June 30, 2021, we had a net loss of $1,805,971, which consists of operating and formation costs of $247,167, changes in fair value of the warrant liabilities of $1,561,700, offset by interest income on investments of $2,896.
For the six months ended June 30, 2021, we had a net income of $2,047,910, which consists of changes in fair value of the warrant liabilities of $2,545,200 and interest income on investments of $4,424, offset by operating and formation costs of $415,170 and transaction costs associated with the IPO of $86,544.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
On February 11, 2021, the Company consummated the IPO of 11,500,000 Adara Units, which includes the full exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option in the amount of 1,500,000 Adara Units, at $10.00 per Adara Unit, generating gross proceeds of $115,000,000. Simultaneously with the closing of the IPO, the Company consummated the sale of 4,120,000 Private Warrants, at a price of $1.00 per Private Warrant in a private placement to the Sponsor, generating gross proceeds of $4,120,000.
For the year ended December 31, 2021, cash used in operating activities was $340,634. Net income of $3,244,206 was impacted by interest earned on marketable securities held in the Trust Accounts of $10,281, change in fair value of warrant liabilities of $4,297,300 and transaction cost incurred in connection with IPO of $86,544. Changes in operating assets and liabilities, which provided $636,197 of cash from operating activities.
For the period from August 5, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, cash used in operating activities was $400,594. Net loss of $5,476 was impacted by changes in operating assets and liabilities, which used $395,118 of cash from operating activities.
For the six months ended June 30, 2022, cash used in operating activities was $1,044,803. Net income of $1,980,736 was affected by the change in fair value of the warrant liabilities of $3,075,200 and interest earned on marketable securities of $157,895. Changes in operating assets and liabilities provided $207,556 of cash for operating activities.
For the six months ended June 30, 2021, cash used in operating activities was $128,358. Net income of $2,047,910 was affected by the change in fair value of the warrant liabilities of $2,545,200, transaction costs associated with the IPO of $86,544 and interest income on marketable securities of $4,424. Changes in operating assets and liabilities provided $286,812 of cash for operating activities.
As of June 30, 2022, we had marketable securities held in the Trust Account of $116,318,176 (including $168,176 of interest income) consisting of U.S. Treasury Bills with a maturity of 185 days or less. Interest income on the balance in the Trust Account may be used by us to pay taxes. Through June 30, 2022, we have not withdrawn any interest earned from the Trust Account.
We intend to use substantially all of the funds held in the Trust Account, including any amounts representing interest earned on the Trust Account (less income taxes payable), to complete our initial business combination. To the extent that our capital stock or debt is used, in whole or in part, as consideration to complete our business combination, the remaining proceeds held in the Trust Account will be used as working capital to finance the operations of the target business or businesses, make other acquisitions and pursue our growth strategies.
As of June 30, 2022, we had cash of $9,607 held outside of the Trust Account. We intend to use the funds held outside the Trust Account primarily to identify and evaluate target businesses, perform business due diligence on prospective target businesses, travel to and from the offices, plants or similar locations of prospective target businesses or their representatives or owners, review corporate documents and material agreements of prospective target businesses, and structure, negotiate and complete a business combination.
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In order to fund working capital deficiencies or finance transaction costs in connection with a business combination, the Sponsor, or certain of our officers and directors or their affiliates may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required. On June 22, 2022, each of Blystone & Donaldson, LLC, an affiliate of W. Tom Donaldson III, a director of Adara, and Thomas Finke, Chief Executive Officer and a director of Adara, agreed to loan us up to $250,000 to fund operating expenses, including expenses related to the Business Combination, pursuant to the Promissory Notes. The Promissory Notes are due and payable upon the earlier of the closing of the Business Combination and February 11, 2023 and are non-interest bearing. On the Record Date, our outstanding obligation under the promissory notes was $[•]. If we complete an initial business combination, we would repay such loaned amounts plus any additional amounts loaned to us under the Promissory notes after the Record Date (up to an additional $[ ]). In the event that a business combination does not close, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the Trust Account to repay such loaned amounts but no proceeds from our Trust Account would be used for such repayment. Up to $1,500,000 of such working capital loans may be convertible into warrants of the post-business combination entity at a price of $1.00 per warrant.
We do not believe we will need to raise additional funds in order to meet the expenditures required for operating our business. However, if our estimate of the costs of identifying a target business, undertaking in-depth due diligence and negotiating an initial business combination are less than the actual amount necessary to do so, we may have insufficient funds available to operate our business prior to our initial business combination. Moreover, we may need to obtain additional financing either to complete our initial business combination or because we become obligated to redeem a significant number of our Public Shares upon consummation of our initial business combination, in which case we may issue additional securities or incur debt in connection with such initial business combination.
Going Concern
We have until February 11, 2023 to consummate an initial business combination. It is uncertain that we will be able to consummate a Business Combination by this time. If an initial business combination is not consummated by this date, there will be a mandatory liquidation and subsequent dissolution. Management has determined that the mandatory liquidation, should an Initial business combination not occur, and potential subsequent dissolution raises substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. No adjustments have been made to the carrying amounts of assets or liabilities should we be required to liquidate after February 11, 2023.
Off-Balance Sheet Financing Arrangements
We have no obligations, assets or liabilities, which would be considered off-balance sheet arrangements as of June 30, 2022. We do not participate in transactions that create relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, often referred to as variable interest entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements. We have not entered into any off-balance sheet financing arrangements, established any special purpose entities, guaranteed any debt or commitments of other entities, or purchased any non-financial assets.
Contractual Obligations
We do not have any long-term debt, capital lease obligations, operating lease obligations or long-term liabilities, other than an agreement to pay the Sponsor a monthly fee of $10,000 for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support. We began incurring these fees on February 8, 2021 and will continue to incur these fees monthly until the earlier of the completion of our initial business combination and our liquidation.
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Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and income and expenses during the periods reported. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. We have identified the following critical accounting policies:
Warrant Liabilities
We account for the Warrants in accordance with the guidance contained in ASC 815-40-15-7D and 7F under which the Warrants do not meet the criteria for equity treatment and must be recorded as liabilities. Accordingly, we classify the Warrants as liabilities at their fair value and adjust the Warrants to fair value at each reporting period. This liability is subject to re-measurement at each balance sheet date until exercised, and any change in fair value is recognized in our statement of operations. The Private Warrants and the Public Warrants for periods where no observable traded price was available are valued using a binomial lattice model, specifically a binomial lattice model. For periods subsequent to the detachment of the Public Warrants from the Units, the Public Warrant quoted market price was used as the fair value as of each relevant date.
Class A Common Stock Subject to Possible Redemption
We account for our Class A common stock subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.” Shares of Class A common stock subject to mandatory redemption is classified as a liability instrument and is measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable common stock (including common stock that feature redemption rights that is either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within our control) is classified as temporary equity. At all other times, common stock is classified as stockholders’ equity. Adara Common Stock features certain redemption rights that are considered to be outside of our control and subject to occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly, shares of Adara Common Stock subject to possible redemption are presented as temporary equity, outside of the stockholders’ equity section of our balance sheets.
Net Loss per Common Share
Net income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. We apply the two-class method in calculating income (loss) per common share, evenly allocating the net income (loss) to each class of stock. The deemed dividend associated with the redeemable shares of Adara Common Stock is included in income (loss) per common share in the IPO quarter and year to date calculation in which the IPO occurred.
Recent Accounting Standards
Management does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards, including the standard referenced in the next paragraph, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on our financial statements.
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CERTAIN ADARA RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
As used in this section, unless the context suggests otherwise, “we,” “us,” “our,” or “Adara” refer to Adara Acquisition Corp.
In August 2020, we issued an aggregate of 2,875,000 Initial Stockholder Shares to the Sponsor for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000 in cash, or approximately $0.009 per share. The Initial Stockholder Shares (including the Adara Common Stock issuable upon exercise thereof) may not, subject to certain limited exceptions, be transferred, assigned or sold by the holder. In connection with the Business Combination our Sponsor agreed to forfeit between 875,000 and 1,375,000 of these shares, the exact number to be determined by Alliance. See “— Adara Insider Agreements and Lock-up Agreements.”
In February 2021, simultaneously with the consummation of the IPO, the Sponsor purchased an aggregate of 4,120,000 Private Warrants at a price of $1.00 per warrant, for an aggregate purchase price of $4,120,000. There are no redemption rights or liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to the Initial Stockholder Shares or Private Warrants, which will expire worthless if we do not consummate a business combination by February 11, 2023.
Commencing February 8, 2021, we have paid the Sponsor, a total of $10,000 per month for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support. Upon completion of our initial business combination or our liquidation, we will cease paying these monthly fees.
Adara Insider Agreements and Lock-Up Agreements
In connection with the Closing, the Sponsor has agreed to forfeit between 875,000 and 1,375,000 Initial Stockholder Shares, the exact number to be determined by Alliance. Upon the Closing, the Adara Initial Stockholders and certain stockholders of Alliance will also agree, subject to certain exceptions, not to (i) sell, offer to sell, contract or agree to sell, hypothecate, pledge, grant any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agree to dispose of, directly or indirectly, or establish or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder, the Lock-up Shares, (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any of the Lock-up Shares, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such securities, in cash or otherwise or (iii) publicly announce any intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (i) or (ii). The Lock-Up Period shall terminate 180 days after the Closing.
Registration Rights Agreement
The holders of the Initial Stockholder Shares, Private Warrants, and warrants that may be issued upon conversion of working capital loans (and in each case holders of their underlying securities, as applicable) have registration rights to require us to register a sale of any of our securities held by them pursuant to a registration rights agreement that was signed on February 8, 2021. This agreement provided that these holders are entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form registration demands, that we register such securities for sale under the Securities Act. In addition, these holders were granted “piggy-back” registration rights to include their securities in other registration statements filed by us.
In connection with the Closing, the Reg Rights Holders will enter into Registration Rights Agreement which amends and restates the existing registration rights agreement. Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, Adara will agree that, no later than 30 calendar days after the Closing Adara will file with the SEC (at Adara’s sole cost and expense) the Resale Registration Statement, and Adara shall use commercially reasonable efforts to have the Resale Registration Statement declared effective as soon as practicable after the filing thereof, but no later than the earlier of (i) the 60th calendar day (or 120th calendar day if the SEC notifies the Combined Company that it will “review” the Resale Registration Statement) following the closing of the Business Combination and (ii) the tenth business day after the date the Combined Company is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier) by the SEC that the Resale Registration Statement will not be “reviewed” or will not be subject to further review. In certain circumstances, the Adara Initial Stockholders and the New Holders may each demand up to two registrations, which may be underwritten offerings, and all of the Reg Rights Holders will be entitled to piggyback registration rights.
Private Warrants
Simultaneously with the IPO, the Sponsor purchased an aggregate of 4,120,000 Private Warrants at a price of $1.00 per Private Warrant ($4,120,000 in the aggregate) in a private placement. Each Private Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of Adara Common Stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment. Proceeds from the Private Warrants were added to the proceeds
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from the IPO held in the Trust Account. If we do not complete an initial business combination by February 11, 2023, the proceeds from the sale of the Private Warrants will expire worthless. The Private Warrants will be non-redeemable and exercisable on a cashless basis so long as they are held by the Sponsor or its permitted transferees.
Promissory Note and Potential Affiliate Loans
Prior to the closing of the IPO, the Sponsor loaned us an aggregate of $600,000, which was used to fund a portion of the expenses of the IPO. These loans were non-interest bearing, unsecured and were due at the earlier of March 31, 2021 or the closing of the IPO. The loan was repaid upon the closing of the IPO out of the offering proceeds. The value of the Sponsor’s interest in this transaction corresponded to the principal amount outstanding under such loan.
In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination, the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor or certain of our officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds on a non-interest bearing basis as may be required. If we complete an initial business combination, we would repay such loaned amounts. In the event that the initial business combination does not close, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the Trust Account to repay such loaned amounts but no proceeds from our Trust Account would be used for such repayment. Up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be convertible into warrants, at a price of $1.00 per warrant at the option of the lender, upon consummation of our initial business combination. The warrants would be identical to the Private Warrants. On June 22, 2022, each of Blystone & Donaldson, LLC, an affiliate of W. Tom Donaldson III, a director of Adara, and Thomas Finke, Chief Executive Officer and a director of Adara, agreed to loan us up to $250,000 to fund operating expenses, including expenses related to the Business Combination pursuant to the Promissory Notes. The Promissory Notes are deemed payable upon the earlier of the closing of the Business Combination and February 11, 2023 and are non-interest bearing. On the Record Date, the outstanding obligations under the promissory notes were $[•]. We do not expect to seek loans from parties other than the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor as we do not believe third parties will be willing to loan such funds and provide a waiver against any and all rights to seek access to funds in our Trust Account.
Sponsor Support Agreement
On June 22, 2022, Adara, Alliance and the Adara Initial Stockholders entered into the Sponsor Support Agreement pursuant to which the Initial Stockholder agreed to vote all of their Initial Stockholder Shares and shares of Adara Common Stock in favor of the approval and adoption of the Proposed Transactions. Additionally, such Adara Initial Stockholders have agreed, among other things, not to (a) transfer any of their shares of Founder Shares or Adara Common Stock (or enter into any arrangement with respect thereto), subject to certain customary exceptions, (b) enter into any voting arrangement that is inconsistent with the Sponsor Support Agreement or (c) exercise their redemption rights in connection with the Merger.
Other Arrangements
Other than the foregoing and payment of $50,000 to Paul Porter, our Chief Financial Officer, for acquisition related services provided by him in 2021, no compensation of any kind, including any finder’s fee, reimbursement, consulting fee or monies in respect of any payment of a loan, have been or will be paid by us to the Sponsor, our officers or directors or any affiliate of the Sponsor or our officers or directors prior to, or in connection with any services rendered in order to effectuate, the consummation of an initial business combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is). However, these individuals will be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with activities on our behalf such as identifying potential target businesses and performing due diligence on suitable business combinations. Our audit committee reviews on a quarterly basis all payments that were made to the Sponsor, our officers or directors or our or their affiliates and determines which expenses and the amount of expenses that will be reimbursed. There is no cap or ceiling on the reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses incurred by such persons in connection with activities on our behalf.
After our initial business combination, members of our management team who remain with us may be paid consulting, management or other fees from the combined company with any and all amounts being fully disclosed to our stockholders, to the extent then known, in the tender offer or proxy solicitation materials, as applicable, furnished to our stockholders. It is unlikely the amount of such compensation will be known at the time of distribution of such tender offer materials or at the time of a stockholder meeting held to consider our initial business combination, as applicable, as it will be up to the directors of the post-combination business to determine executive and director compensation.
We entered into agreements with our officers and directors to provide contractual indemnification in addition to the indemnification provided for in the Existing Certificate of Incorporation. Our bylaws also permit us to secure insurance on behalf of
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any officer, director or employee for any liability arising out of his or her actions, regardless of whether Delaware law would permit such indemnification. We purchased a policy of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance that insures our officers and directors against the cost of defense, settlement or payment of a judgment in some circumstances and insures us against our obligations to indemnify our officers and directors.
Related Party Policy
We have not yet adopted a formal policy for the review, approval or ratification of related party transactions. Accordingly, the transactions discussed above were not reviewed, approved or ratified in accordance with any such policy.
We have adopted a code of ethics requiring us to avoid, wherever possible, all conflicts of interests, except under guidelines or resolutions approved by our board of directors (or the appropriate committee of our board) or as disclosed in our public filings with the SEC. Under our code of ethics, conflict of interest situations includes any financial transaction, arrangement or relationship (including any indebtedness or guarantee of indebtedness) involving the Company. A form of the code of ethics that we have adopted is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement on Form S-1/A filed on January 14, 2021.
In addition, our audit committee, pursuant to a written charter that we have adopted, is responsible for reviewing and approving related party transactions to the extent that we enter into such transactions. An affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the audit committee present at a meeting at which a quorum is present is required in order to approve a related party transaction. A majority of the members of the entire audit committee constitutes a quorum. Without a meeting, the unanimous written consent of all of the members of the audit committee is required to approve a related party transaction. A form of the audit committee charter that has been is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement on Form S-1/A filed on January 14, 2021. We also require each of our directors and executive officers to complete a directors’ and officers’ questionnaire that elicits information about related party transactions.
These procedures are intended to determine whether any such related party transaction impairs the independence of a director or presents a conflict of interest on the part of a director, employee or officer.
To further minimize conflicts of interest, we have agreed not to consummate an initial business combination with an entity that is affiliated with any of the Sponsor or our officers or directors unless we, or a committee of independent directors, have obtained an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions that our initial business combination is fair to our company from a financial point of view. Furthermore, no finder’s fees, reimbursements, consulting fee, monies in respect of any payment of a loan or other compensation will be paid by us to the Sponsor, officers, directors or any affiliate of the Sponsor or our officers or directors prior to, for services rendered to us prior to, or in connection with any services rendered in order to effectuate, the consummation of our initial business combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is). However, the following payments will be made to the Sponsor, our officers, directors or our or their affiliates, none of which will be made from the funds held in the Trust Account prior to the completion of our initial business combination:
● | Payment of $50,000 to Paul Porter, our Chief Financial Officer, for acquisition related services provided by him in 2021; |
● | Payment to the Sponsor of $10,000 per month, for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support; |
● | Reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses related to identifying, investigating and completing an initial business combination; and |
● | Repayment of non-interest bearing loans which may be made by the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor or certain of our officers and directors to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination, the terms of which (other than as described above) have not been determined nor have any written agreements been executed with respect thereto. Up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be convertible into warrants, at a price of $1.00 per warrant at the option of the lender, upon consummation of our initial business combination. The warrants would be identical to the Private Warrants. |
Our audit committee will review on a quarterly basis all payments that were made to the Sponsor, our officers or directors or our or their affiliates.
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MANAGEMENT AFTER THE BUSINESS COMBINATION
The following sets forth certain information, as of June , 2022, concerning the persons who are expected to serve as directors and executive officers of Alliance following the consummation of the Business Combination and assuming the election of the nominees at the meeting as set forth in “Director Election Proposal.”
Name |
| Age |
| Position |
Bruce Ogilvie | 64 | Executive Chairman of the Board and AEC Director | ||
Jeffrey Walker | 54 | Chief Executive Officer and AEC Director | ||
John Kutch | 56 | Chief Financial Officer and retiring Director | ||
Paul Eibeler | 66 | Chairman of COKeM subsidiary and Director | ||
Thomas Finke | 57 | Independent Director Nominee | ||
W. Tom Donaldson III | 45 | Independent Director Nominee | ||
Terilea J. Wielenga | 63 | Independent Director Nominee |
Executive Officers
The following are Alliance’s named executive officers.
Bruce Ogilvie. Bruce Ogilvie has been Alliance’s Executive Chairman since 2013 and 50% shareholder since 2003. He is a director on Alliance’s Board and will be a director of the Combined Company. Prior to assuming his current role, in 1996 Bruce was selected by a bank group to turn around the 600-store chain, Wherehouse Records. Under Bruce’s leadership Wherehouse emerged from bankruptcy within nine months and was sold to Cerberus Capital. Following his success with Wherehouse Records, Bruce bought a one-third interest in Super D in 2001 and assumed the role as CEO, joining with founders Jeff Walker and David Hurwitz. Bruce became the Chairman in 2013 after the merger of Super D and Alliance. Mr. Ogilvie has spent his entire career in the entertainment distribution industry starting with the founding of Abbey Road Distributors in 1980. Over the next 14 years, Bruce led Abbey Road’s growth to over $94 million in sales and successfully sold the business in 1994. In 1995, Bruce was awarded E&Y’s Distribution Entrepreneur of the Year Award for his work with Abbey Road.
Jeffrey Walker. Jeffrey Walker has been Alliance’s Chief Executive Officer since 2013 and 50% shareholder since 2003. He is a director on Alliance’s Board and will be a director of the Combined Company. In 1990, Jeff co-founded the CD Listening Bar, Inc., a retail music store. A few years later, Jeff started wholesaling CDs from the back of the store, beginning the journey to create Super D, a music wholesaler founded in 1995. In 2001, Jeff and co-founder David Hurwitz sold a third of Super D to Bruce Ogilvie. Over the next decade, Bruce and Jeff continued to grow Super D’s presence in the music wholesaling space, with the acquisition of Alliance in 2013. Upon the closing of the Alliance acquisition, Jeff became the CEO of the combined company. In 2015, Jeff was awarded E&Y’s Distribution Entrepreneur of the Year award in Orange County. Mr. Walker received a bachelor’s degree in economics from University of California — Irvine.
John Kutch. John Kutch is currently a director on Alliance’s Board and will transition from being a director to an observer and report to the audit committee of the Combined Company. He has been Alliance’s Chief Financial Officer since February 2018. From October 2014 to March 2017, John was Vice President of Finance — US Operations for Metalsa, a metals supplier to the automotive manufacturing industry. For the ten years prior, he was employed by Amazon as a Senior Manager — Senior Regional Controller. John received a bachelor’s degree from Washington State University majoring in Management Information Systems, and a Master of Business Administration from Carnegie Mellon University — Tepper School of Business.
Paul Eibeler. Paul Eibeler is the chairman of COKeM International Ltd., which became a wholly owned subsidiary of Alliance in September 2020. Since 2008, Mr. Eibeler has led COKeM’s efforts to establish itself as the leading full-service, value-added distributor of video games and accessories. In In July 2000 Mr. Eibeler joined Take-Two Interactive as president and director. From 2005 to 2007, he was the chief executive officer of Take Two Interactive, a video game holding company based in New York, NY. At Take-Two Interactive, Paul oversaw its growth from $250 million to over $1.5 billion, with titles such as Grand Theft Auto, Midnight Club, Bioshock, NBA 2K, MLB 2K, Max Payne, Carnival Games and Civilization. Paul received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Loyola University Maryland, Paul completed a 4 year on the Loyola Board, where he served as a member of the Board of Trustees.
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Directors
The following are persons that are nominated to join and form the independent board members of Alliance.
Thomas M. Finke. Thomas Finke has served as Chairman of Adara Acquisition Corp.’s Board of Directors since August 2020; and as the Company’s CEO since June 2022. Mr. Finke has served as a director of Invesco Ltd. (NYSE: IVZ), a global investment management firm, since December 1, 2020.
From September 2016 to November 2020, Mr. Finke was the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Barings LLC, a global financial services firm and a subsidiary of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (“MassMutual Life”). From December 2008 until September 2016, he was the Chairman and CEO of Babson Capital Management LLC (“Babson Capital”), also a subsidiary of MassMutual Life. In 2016, Mr. Finke led the merger of Babson Capital, Barings Asset Management Limited, and two other MassMutual Life subsidiaries to create Barings LLC. From December 2008 to May 2011, Mr. Finke also served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer for the MassMutual Life. He was appointed President of Babson Capital in August 2007. Prior to joining Babson Capital, Mr. Finke was a Managing Director and Co-Founder of First Union Institutional Management LLC (“IDM”), an asset manager and subsidiary of First Union Corporation, from September 1998 until June 2002. He was appointed President of IDM in March of 2001. Mr. Finke served on the boards of Barings Business Development Corp. (NYSE: BBDC), a business development company that primarily makes debt investments in middle market companies, since August 2018; Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (NYSE: BGH), a closed end fund that primarily invests in US and European high yield bonds, since October 2012; and Barings Capital Funds Trust since May 2013, until his retirement from Barings LLC in 2020.
Mr. Finke received a Master of Business Administration degree from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce. Mr. Finke is a Trustee of Davidson College, member of the Fuqua School of Business Board of Visitors, Chairman of the Board of Charlotte Center City Partners, and a member of the Investment Committee of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte.
We believe Mr. Finke is qualified to serve as a member of Alliance’s board of directors based on his experience as chief executive officer, his role on several public and private boards of directors as well as his experience in investing in finance companies.
Terilea J. Wielenga. Teri Wielenga will be a director of the Combined Company. Teri is a senior global finance executive, board director, and advisor with more than 30 years of experience at complex, highly regulated Fortune 500 companies and a Big Four accounting firm. Since June 2017, she has led global tax policy and strategy for Gilead Sciences (Nasdaq: GILD), a multinational biopharmaceutical company with $25 billion in annual revenue. She currently serves as board director, secretary, treasurer for The Gilead Foundation, and also currently serves as audit committee chair for the Arc Research Institute. Between 2001 and 2015 Teri managed rapid global growth as the Senior Vice President of Tax for Allergan (NYSE: AGN), a multinational biopharmaceutical and medical aesthetics company with $7 billion in annual revenue, prior to the $70 billion acquisition of Allergan by Actavis in 2015. She also previously served as board director, chief financial officer of the Allergan Foundation and served as a board director for multiple Allergan subsidiaries in Ireland, Japan, and Bermuda.
In addition to her work as a senior finance executive with public companies, Teri has advised a variety of pharmaceutical start-ups, pre-IPO ventures, and privately held companies.
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Teri is recognized as a global tax specialist and has taught advanced accounting and business taxation for MBA programs at Chapman University and Loyola Marymount University. She is a Certified Public Accountant. She earned her M.S. in Taxation from Golden Gate University in San Francisco and her B.A. in Business Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
We believe Ms. Wielenga is qualified to serve as a member of Alliance’s board of directors based on her experience as a senior global finance executive and, her governance experience with public, private, and non-profit boards of directors.
W. Tom Donaldson III. Tom Donaldson has served as a director of Adara Acquisition Corp.’s Board of Directors since August 2020 and as the chair of its audit committee.
Mr. Donaldson has been the Founder and Managing Partner of Blystone & Donaldson since October 2018, a Charlotte, NC-based investment firm that focuses on middle-market companies. From January 2016 to December 2018, Mr. Donaldson served as an executive at Investors Management Corporation where he focused on investment decisions, managing risk and developing relationships with companies of interest. From around September 2013 to December 2015, he served as a Partner of Morehead Capital Management, LLC before it was merged into Investors Management Corporation in January 2016. From around June 2003 to August 2013, he practiced law as an associate and then a Partner at McGuireWoods LLP where he represented private funds and their portfolio companies in corporate governance, structuring and financing transactions and operating businesses in a wide variety of industries. Mr. Donaldson received his Master of Business Administration degree and Juris Doctor degree from Villanova University. He earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science from North Carolina State University. We believe Mr. Donaldson is qualified to serve on our board of directors based on his breath and depth of experience in varied investment, financing and legal roles.
We believe Mr. Donaldson is qualified to serve as a member of Alliance’s board of directors based on his experience as managing investment firms, his role on public and private boards of directors as well as his experience in investing in operating companies.
Employment Agreements for Named Executive Officers
Overview; Salaries and Bonuses
Upon the consummation of the Business Combination, two of Alliance’s Named Executive Officers, Bruce Ogilvie, Alliance’s Chairman, and Jeffrey Walker, Alliance’s Chief Executive Officer, will enter into employment agreements for initial three (3) year terms, which will automatically renew thereafter for successive one-year terms. Following the Business Combination, the two Named Executive Officers will be entitled to base salary and a target bonus of a certain percentage of his base salary as follows:
Target Bonus | |||||
Name |
| Base Salary ($) |
| Percentage (%) | |
Bruce Ogilvie | 800,000 | 100 | |||
Jeffrey Walker | 800,000 | 100 |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards
In addition to the salaries and bonus targets set forth above, each of the two Named Executive Officers will also be eligible to participate in and receive awards under the Equity Incentive Plan. For a discussion of the Equity Incentive Plan, please see “Proposal No. 3 — The Equity Incentive Plan Proposal”. The amount, form and terms and conditions of any such awards under the Equity Incentive Plan will be determined by the board of directors or compensation committee following the consummation of the Business Combination.
Benefits
Each of the two Named Executive Officers shall also have the right to receive or participate in all employee benefit programs and perquisites generally established by the Company from time to time for employees similarly situated to the Named Executive Officer, subject to the general eligibility requirements and other terms of such programs and perquisites, and subject to the Company’s right to amend, terminate or take other similar action with respect to any such programs and perquisites. Each shall also receive $2,000 per month for an automobile lease and be entitled to first class air travel where available.
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Termination; Severance Benefits
Pursuant to their employment agreements, in the event of a termination of such Named Executive Officer’s employment for any reason, the executive would generally be entitled to receive earned but unpaid salary, accrued but unpaid annual bonus, any owed accrued expenses, as well as amounts payable under any benefit plans, programs or arrangements that such Named Executive Officer participates in or benefits therefrom. In the event that a Named Executive Officer’s employment is terminated due to his death, in addition to the foregoing, he would be entitled to a pro-rated portion of his annual bonus, as determined by the Board.
In the event that a Named Executive Officer’s employment is terminated either without “cause” (as defined in the applicable employment agreement) or by the Named Executive Officer for “good reason” (as defined in the applicable employment agreement), subject to his execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims and continued compliance with his restrictive covenant obligations, as described below, such Named Executive Officer would be entitled to payment of an amount (i) equal to the executive’s base salary immediately prior to the termination date (or, if for “good reason” was attributable to the Company’s failure to pay the minimum amount of Base Salary provided herein, such minimum amount) for the period of time from the day after the Termination Date through the last day of the employment term or for a period of twelve (12) months, whichever is greater (the “Severance Period”); (ii) in addition to payment of any unpaid bonuses from a prior fiscal year, a pro-rata portion of the bonus based on the amount of days executive worked for the fiscal year in which the termination occurs, and (iii) payment for such Named Executive Officer’s insurance premiums incurred for participation in COBRA coverage pursuant group health plan through the earliest to occur of (A) the last day of the Severance Period, (B) the date the executive ceases to be eligible for COBRA or (C) such time as Executive is eligible for group health insurance benefits from another employer.
Provision of the severance benefits is conditioned on (i) the Named Executive Officer’s continued compliance in all material respects with executive’s continuing obligations to the Company, including, without limitation, the terms of the employment agreement that survive termination of executive’s employment with the Company, and (ii) the Named Executive Officer’s signing (without revoking if such right is provided under applicable law) a separation agreement and general release in a form of that provided to Executive by the Company on or about the termination date. The Named Executive Officer must so execute the separation agreement within 60 days following the termination date.
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DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
The following summary of the material terms of Adara’s securities prior to and following the Business Combination is not intended to be a complete summary of the rights and preferences of such securities. We urge you to read the Proposed Certificate of Incorporation in its entirety for a complete description of the rights and preferences of Adara’s securities following the Business Combination. The Proposed Certificate of Incorporation is described in “Proposal No. 2 — The Charter Proposals” and the full text of the proposed certificate, which includes the proposed amendments described in Proposal No. 2 and eliminates the provisions of the Existing Certificate of Incorporation that terminate pursuant to their terms upon the closing of the Business Combination is attached as Annex B to this proxy statement/prospectus.
Authorized and Outstanding Stock
The Proposed Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the issuance of 100,000,000 shares of Adara Common Stock, 10,000,000 shares of Adara Class B Common Stock, and 1,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock, $0.0001 par value. The outstanding shares of Adara Common Stock and Adara Class B Common Stock are, and the shares of Combined Company Common Stock issued in the Business Combination will be, duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. As of the Record Date for the special meeting, there were 14,375,000 shares of Adara Common Stock held by [•] stockholders of record, 2,875,000 shares of Adara Class B Common Stock and no shares of preferred stock of Adara outstanding, including holders of record of Adara Units.
Description Of Combined Company Securities Following the Business Combination
The following summary of certain provisions of Combined Company securities does not purport to be complete and is subject to the Proposed Certificate of Incorporation and the provisions of applicable law. A copy of the Proposed Certificate of Incorporation is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex B. Unless the context otherwise requires, any reference in this section of this proxy statement/prospectus to “Combined Company” refers to new Combined Company and its consolidated subsidiaries after giving effect to the Business Combination.
Authorized Capitalization
General
The total amount of Combined Company’s authorized share capital will consist of 551,000,000 shares, consisting of (i) 490,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, (ii) 60,000,000 shares of Class E common stock and (iii) 1,000,000 shares of Combined Company Preferred Stock. We expect to have approximately 61 million shares of Combined Company Common Stock outstanding immediately after the consummation of the Business Combination in the event that no shares of Adara Common Stock are redeemed in connection with the Business Combination, or 50,985,149 shares of Combined Company Common Stock outstanding immediately after the consummation of the Business Combination in the event that the contractual maximum number of shares of Adara Common Stock are redeemed in connection with the Business Combination.
The following summary describes all material provisions of Combined Company’s capital stock. You should read the Proposed Certificate of Incorporation, a copy of which is attached as to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex B.
Combined Company Common Stock; Class E Common Stock
Voting rights. Each holder of Combined Company Common Stock and Combined Company Class E Common Stock will be entitled to one (1) vote for each share of Combined Company Common Stock held of record by such holder on all matters voted upon by Combined Company stockholders, provided, however, that, except as otherwise required in the Proposed Certificate of Incorporation or by applicable law, the holders of Combined Company Common Stock will not be entitled to vote on any amendment to the Proposed Certificate of Incorporation that alters or changes the powers, preferences, rights or other terms of one or more outstanding series of Combined Company Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to the Proposed Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation relating to any series of Combined Company Preferred Stock) or pursuant to the DGCL.
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Class E Common Stock—Escrow Agreement Limitations
Under the Contingent Consideration Escrow Agreement, each Alliance Stockholder owning Combined Company Class E Common Stock Contingent Consideration Shares will have all rights with respect to the Contingent Consideration Shares attributable to ownership of such Combined Company Class E Common Stock, except (1) the right of possession thereof, (2) the right to sell, assign, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of or encumber such shares or any interest therein, and (3) the right to be paid dividends with respect to such shares (other than non-taxable stock dividends, which shall remain in and become part of the Contingent Consideration Shares). Additionally, the Alliance Stockholders will have the right to vote such shares of Combined Company Class E Common Stock, provided that during the escrow period they have contractually agreed to vote their shares of Combined Company Class E Common Stock in the same manner and proportion as the Combined Company Common Stock votes.
Dividend rights. Subject to the rights of the holders of Combined Company Preferred Stock and any other provisions of the Proposed Certificate of Incorporation, as it may be amended from time to time, holders of Combined Company Common Stock will be entitled to receive such dividends and other distributions in cash, stock or property of Combined Company when, as and if declared thereon by the Combined Company Board, in its discretion, from time to time out of assets or funds of Combined Company legally available therefor. See “— Preferred Stock,” below for more information regarding the dividend rights of the holders of Combined Company Preferred Stock.
Rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up. Subject to the rights of holders of Combined Company Preferred Stock, in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of its affairs, whether voluntary or involuntary, after payment or provision for payment of Combined Company’s debts and any other payments required by law and amounts payable upon shares of Combined Company Preferred Stock ranking senior to the shares of Combined Company Common Stock upon such dissolution, liquidation or winding up, if any, Combined Company’s remaining net assets will be distributed to the holders of Combined Company Common Stock and the holders of any other class or series of capital stock ranking equally with the Combined Company Common Stock upon such dissolution, liquidation or winding up, equally on a per share basis.
Transfer Rights. Subject to applicable law and the transfer restrictions set forth in the bylaws to be in effect upon consummation of the Business Combination, shares of Combined Company Common Stock and the rights and obligations associated therewith shall be fully transferable to any transferee.
Other rights. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the Combined Company Common Stock. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of the Combined Company Common Stock will be subject to those of the holders of the Combined Company Preferred Stock that Combined Company may issue in the future.
Preferred Stock
The Combined Company Board has the authority to issue shares of preferred stock from time to time on terms it may determine, to divide shares of preferred stock into one or more series and to fix the designations, preferences, privileges, and restrictions of preferred stock, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, liquidation preference, sinking fund terms and the number of shares constituting any series or the designation of any series to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL. The issuance of Combined Company Preferred Stock could have the effect of decreasing the trading price of Combined Company Common Stock, restricting dividends on the capital stock of Combined Company, diluting the voting power of the Combined Company Common Stock, impairing the liquidation rights of the capital stock of Combined Company, or delaying or preventing a change in control of Combined Company.
Election of Directors and Vacancies
Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, the number of Directors of the Combined Company Board shall be fixed solely and exclusively by resolution duly adopted from time to time by the Combined Company Board, but shall initially consist of seven Directors, who shall be divided into three classes, designated Class I, II and III, respectively. The Combined Company Board is authorized to assign members of the Combined Company Board already in office to such classes at the time the classification becomes effective.
Under the Proposed Bylaws, at all meetings of Stockholders called for the election of Directors, a plurality of the votes properly cast will be sufficient to elect such Directors to the Combined Company Board.
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Except as the DGCL may otherwise require and subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of any series of Combined Company Preferred Stock, in the interim between annual meetings of Stockholders or special meetings of Stockholders called for the election of Directors and/or the removal of one or more Directors and the filling of any vacancy in that connection, newly created directorships and any vacancies on the Combined Company Board, including unfilled vacancies resulting from the removal of Directors, may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining Directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining Director. All Directors will hold office until the expiration of their respective terms of office and until their successors will have been elected and qualified. A Director elected or appointed to fill a vacancy resulting from the death, resignation or removal of a Director or a newly created Directorship will serve for the remainder of the full term of the class of Directors in which the new Directorship was created or the vacancy occurred and until his or her successor will have been elected and qualified.
Subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of any series of Combined Company Preferred Stock, any Director may be removed from office only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least at least two-thirds (66⅔%) of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of voting stock (as defined below) of Combined Company then entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors, voting together as a single class. In case the Combined Company Board or any one or more Directors should be so removed, new Directors may be elected at the same time for the unexpired portion of the full term of the Director or Directors so removed only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Directors then in office, even though less than a quorum of the Combined Company Board, or by a sole remaining Director, and not by the Stockholders, unless the Combined Company Board determines by resolution that any such vacancies or newly created Directorships shall be filled by Stockholders.
In addition to the powers and authorities hereinbefore or by statute expressly conferred upon them, the Directors are hereby empowered to exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by Combined Company, subject, nevertheless, to the provisions of the DGCL, the Proposed Certificate of Incorporation and to any Proposed Bylaws adopted and in effect from time to time; provided, however, that no bylaw so adopted will invalidate any prior act of the Directors which would have been valid if such bylaw had not been adopted.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, any Director elected pursuant to the right, if any, of the holders of Combined Company Preferred Stock to elect additional Directors under specified circumstances will serve for such term or terms and pursuant to such other provisions as specified in the relevant Certificate of Designations related to the Combined Company Preferred Stock.
Quorum; Voting
The holders of a majority of the voting power of the capital stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, will constitute a quorum at all meetings of the Stockholders for the transaction of business except as otherwise required by law or provided by the Proposed Certificate of Incorporation. If, however, such quorum will not be present or represented at any meeting of the Stockholders, the Chairperson or holders of a majority of the voting power present in person or represented by proxy, will have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum will be present or represented. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum will be present or represented, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally noticed. If the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days, a notice of the adjourned meeting will be given to each Stockholder entitled to vote at such adjourned meeting. If after the adjournment a new record date for determination of Stockholders entitled to vote is fixed for the adjourned meeting, the Combined Company Board shall fix as the record date for determining Stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of Stockholders entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting, and shall give notice of the adjourned meeting to each Stockholder of record as of the record date so fixed for notice of such adjourned meeting. The Stockholders present at a duly called or convened meeting, at which a quorum is present, may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough Stockholders to leave less than a quorum.
Except as otherwise provided by statute or by applicable stock exchange rules, or by the Proposed Certificate of Incorporation or the Proposed Bylaws, in all matters other than the election of Directors, the affirmative vote of the majority of the voting power of the shares present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote generally on the subject matter will be the act of the Stockholders. Except as otherwise provided by statute, the Proposed Certificate of Incorporation or the Proposed Bylaws, Directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote generally on the election of Directors. Where a separate vote by a class or classes or series is required, except where otherwise provided by the statute or by the Proposed Certificate of Incorporation or the Proposed Bylaws, a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of such class or classes or series, present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy duly authorized, will constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to that vote on that matter. Except where otherwise provided by statute or by the Proposed Certificate of
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Incorporation or the Proposed Bylaws, the affirmative vote of the majority (plurality, in the case of the election of directors) of the voting power of the outstanding shares of such class or classes or series present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy at the meeting will be the act of such class or classes or series.
Delaware Anti-Takeover Statute
Section 203 of the DGCL provides that if a person acquires 15% or more of the voting stock of a Delaware corporation, such person becomes an “interested stockholder” and may not engage in certain “business combinations” with the corporation for a period of three years from the time such person acquired 15% or more of the corporation’s voting stock, unless:
Under the Proposed Certificate of Incorporation, Combined Company opted out of Section 203 of the DGCL and therefore is not subject to Section 203.
Authorized but Unissued Capital Stock
Delaware law does not require stockholder approval for any issuance of authorized shares. However, the listing requirements of the NYSE American, which would apply if and so long as the Combined Company Common Stock (or units or warrants) remains listed on the NYSE American, require Stockholder approval of certain issuances equal to or exceeding 20% of the then outstanding voting power or then outstanding number of shares of Combined Company Common Stock. Additional shares that may be issued in the future may be used for a variety of corporate purposes, including future public offerings, to raise additional capital or to facilitate acquisitions.
One of the effects of the existence of unissued and unreserved common stock may be to enable the Combined Company Board to issue shares to persons friendly to current management, which issuance could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of Combined Company by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise and thereby protect the continuity of management and possibly deprive Stockholders of opportunities to sell their shares of Combined Company Common Stock at prices higher than prevailing market prices.
Special Meeting, Action by Written Consent and Advance Notice Requirements for Stockholder Proposals
Unless otherwise required by law, and subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of any series of Combined Company Preferred Stock, special meetings of the Stockholders of Combined Company, for any purpose or purposes, may be called only (i) by a majority of the Combined Company Board or (ii) at any time when no annual meeting thirteen months after Combined Company’s last annual meeting, a special meeting in lieu thereof may be held, and such special meeting shall have, for the purposes of the Proposed Bylaws or otherwise, all the force and effect of an annual meeting. Unless otherwise required by law, written notice of a special meeting of stockholders, stating the time, place and purpose or purposes thereof, shall be given to each Stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting, not less than ten or more than 60 days before the date fixed for the meeting. Business transacted at any special meeting of Stockholders will be limited to the purposes stated in the notice.
The Proposed Bylaws also provide that unless otherwise restricted by the Proposed Certificate of Incorporation or the Proposed Bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Combined Company Board or of any Committee thereof may be taken without a meeting, if all Members of the Combined Company Board or of such Committee, as the case may be, 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 Combined Company Board or Committee.
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In addition, the Proposed Bylaws require advance notice procedures for Stockholder proposals to be brought before an annual meeting of the Stockholders, including the nomination of Directors. Stockholders at an annual meeting may only consider the proposals specified in the notice of meeting or brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Combined Company Board, or by a Stockholder of record on the record date for the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has delivered a timely written notice in proper form to Combined Company’s Secretary, of the Stockholder’s intention to bring such business before the meeting.
These provisions could have the effect of delaying until the next Stockholder meeting any Stockholder actions, even if they are favored by the holders of a majority of Combined Company outstanding voting securities.
Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
The DGCL provides generally that the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding stock entitled to vote on amendments to a corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation or bylaws is required to approve such amendment, unless a corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation or bylaws, as the case may be, requires a greater percentage. The Proposed Certificate of Incorporation provides:
● | Required Vote to Amend the Certificate of Incorporation — The Proposed Certificate of Incorporation requires an affirmative vote of holders of at least two-thirds (66⅔%) of the voting power of the then outstanding shares of voting stock of the Combined Company, voting together as a single class, to amend, alter, repeal or rescind, in whole or in part, certain provisions of the Proposed Certificate of Incorporation; |
● | Required Vote to Amend the Bylaws — the Proposed Certificate of Incorporation requires an affirmative vote of holders of at least two-thirds (66⅔%) of the voting power of the then outstanding shares of voting stock of the Combined Company entitled to vote generally in an election of directors to adopt, amend, alter, repeal or rescind the Combined Company’s bylaws; |
The Proposed Bylaws may also be amended or repealed (A) by the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Combined Company Board then in office, without the assent or vote of any Stockholder (subject to any bylaw requiring the affirmative vote of a larger percentage of the members of the Combined Company Board).
Limitations on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors
The Proposed Certificate of Incorporation limits the liability of the Directors of Combined Company to the fullest extent permitted by law, and both the Proposed Certificate of Incorporation and the Proposed Bylaws provide that we will indemnify them to the fullest extent permitted by such law. Combined Company expects to enter into agreements to indemnify its Directors, Executive Officers and other employees as determined by the Combined Company Board. Under the terms of such indemnification agreements, Combined Company will be required to indemnify each of its Directors and Officers, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. Combined Company will indemnify its Officers and Directors against all reasonable fees, expenses, charges and other costs of any type or nature whatsoever, including any and all expenses and obligations paid or incurred in connection with investigating, defending, being a witness in, participating in (including on appeal), or preparing to defend, be a witness or participate in any completed, actual, pending or threatened action, suit, claim or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, or establishing or enforcing a right to indemnification under the indemnification agreement. The indemnification agreements will also require Combined Company, if so requested, to advance within a specified number of days of such request, all reasonable fees, expenses, charges and other costs that any of Combined Company’s Directors incur, provided that such Director will return any such advance if it is ultimately determined that such Director is not entitled to indemnification by Combined Company. Any claims for indemnification by Combined Company’s Directors and Officers may reduce Combined Company’s available funds to satisfy successful third-party claims against it and may reduce the amount of money available to it.
Exclusive Forum of Certain Actions
The Proposed Certificate of Incorporation requires, to the fullest extent permitted by law, unless Combined Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, that derivative actions brought in the name of Combined Company, actions against current or former Directors, Officers, employees, agents or Stockholders for breach of fiduciary duty, actions arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or the Proposed Certificate of Incorporation or the Proposed Bylaws, actions to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of the Proposed Certificate of Incorporation or the Proposed Bylaws, actions asserting a claim against Combined Company or any current or former Director, Officer, employee, agent or Stockholder arising pursuant to any provision of
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the DGCL or the Proposed Certificate of Incorporation or the Proposed Bylaws or as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Delaware Court of Chancery, and actions asserting a claim against Combined Company or any current or former Director, Officer, employee, agent or Stockholder governed by the internal affairs doctrine of the law of the State of Delaware may be brought only in the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware (or, if such court lacks subject matter jurisdiction, another state or federal court located within the State of Delaware); provided, however, that the foregoing shall not apply to any suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or any other claim for which the federal courts of the United States of America have exclusive jurisdiction. Unless Combined Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complain asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act. Although we believe this provision benefits Combined Company by providing increased consistency in the application of Delaware law in the types of lawsuits to which it applies, the provision may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against Combined Company’s directors and officers.
Conflicts of Interest
Delaware law permits corporations to adopt provisions renouncing any interest or expectancy in certain opportunities that are presented to the corporation or its Officers, Directors or Stockholders. The Proposed Certificate of Incorporation, to the fullest extent permitted by law, renounces any interest or expectancy that Combined Company has in, or right to be offered an opportunity to participate in, specified business opportunities that are from time to time presented to Combined Company’s Directors or their respective affiliates, other than those Directors or affiliates who are Combined Company’s employees or if such corporate opportunity was offered to any non-employee Director (including any non-employee Director who serves as an Officer of Combined Company) expressly solely in his or her capacity as a Director or Officer of Combined Company. The Proposed Certificate of Incorporation provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, none of the non-employee directors or their respective affiliates will have any duty to refrain from (i) engaging in a corporate opportunity in the same or similar business activities or lines of business in which Combined Company or any of its affiliates has historically engaged, now engages or proposes to engage or (ii) otherwise competing with Combined Company or its affiliates. In addition, to the fullest extent permitted by law, in the event that any non-employee director or his or her affiliates acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or other business opportunity which may be a corporate opportunity for itself, herself or himself and for Combined Company or its affiliates, such person will have no duty to communicate or offer such transaction or business opportunity to Combined Company or any of its affiliates and they may take any such opportunity for themselves or offer it to another person or entity. To the fullest extent permitted by law, no business opportunity will be deemed to be a potential corporate opportunity for Combined Company unless Combined Company is financially or legally able or contractually permitted to undertake such opportunity, the opportunity, by its nature, would be in the line of Combined Company’s business or is of some practical advantage to Combined Company, and Combined Company has some interest or reasonable expectancy in such opportunity.
Adara Common Stock Prior to the Business Combination
We are providing stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their shares upon the consummation of the Business Combination at a per share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest but net of taxes payable, divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares, subject to the limitations described herein. In connection with the IPO and for no additional consideration, all of the Initial Stockholders, including the Adara Initial Stockholders, agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to all of the Initial Stockholder Shares held by them at the closing of the IPO and the Adara Initial Stockholders, have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to any Public Shares that they may have acquired during or after our IPO in connection with the completion of our Business Combination.
We will consummate the Business Combination only if a majority of the outstanding shares of Adara Common Stock voted at the special meeting are voted in favor of the Business Combination Proposal. However, the participation of Adara’s officers, directors, advisors or their affiliates in privately-negotiated transactions (as described in this proxy statement/prospectus), if any, could result in the approval of the Business Combination even if a majority of the remaining stockholders vote, or indicate their intention to vote, against the Business Combination.
The Adara Initial Stockholders have agreed to vote the Initial Stockholder Shares and any Public Shares purchased during or after the IPO in favor of the Business Combination. Public stockholders may elect to redeem their Public Shares whether they vote for or against the Business Combination.
Common stockholders of record are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters to be voted on by stockholders. Holders of the Adara Common Stock and holders of the Adara Class B Common Stock will vote together as a single class on all matters
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submitted to a vote of our stockholders, except as required by law. Unless specified in the Existing Certificate of Incorporation or bylaws, or as required by applicable provisions of the DGCL or applicable stock exchange rules, the affirmative vote of a majority of our shares of common stock that are voted is required to approve any such matter voted on by our stockholders. There is no cumulative voting with respect to the election of directors, with the result that the holders of more than 50% of the shares voted for the election of directors can elect all of the directors. Our stockholders are entitled to receive ratable dividends when, as and if declared by the board of directors out of funds legally available therefor.
Because the existing Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the issuance of up to 100,000,000 shares of Adara Common Stock, if we were to enter into an initial business combination, we may (depending on the terms of such an initial business combination) be required to increase the number of shares of Adara Common stock which we are authorized to issue at the same time as our stockholders vote on the initial business combination to the extent we seek stockholder approval in connection with our initial business combination.
In accordance with the NYSE American corporate governance requirements, we are not required to hold an annual meeting until no later than one year after our first fiscal year end following our listing on the NYSE American. Under Section 211(b) of the DGCL, we are, however, required to hold an annual meeting of stockholders for the purposes of electing directors in accordance with our bylaws, unless such election is made by written consent in lieu of such a meeting. We may not hold an annual meeting of stockholders to elect new directors prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, and thus we may not be in compliance with Section 211(b) of the DGCL, which requires an annual meeting. Therefore, if our stockholders want us to hold an annual meeting prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, they may attempt to force us to hold one by submitting an application to the Delaware Court of Chancery in accordance with Section 211 I of the DGCL.
Pursuant to the Existing Certificate of Incorporation, if we are unable to complete our initial business combination by February 11, 2023, we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but no more than ten business days thereafter subject to lawfully available funds therefor, redeem the Public Shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish Public Stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining stockholders and our board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) above to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. The Sponsor, our officers and directors and ThinkEquity have entered into a letter agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed to waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to any Initial Stockholder shares held by them if we fail to complete our initial business combination by February 11, 2023. However, if the Adara Initial Stockholders hold or acquire Public Shares, they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to such Public Shares if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time period.
In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company after an initial business combination, our stockholders are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining available for distribution to them after payment of liabilities and after provision is made for each class of stock, if any, having preference over the common stock. Our stockholders have no preemptive or other subscription rights. There are no sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock, except that we will provide our stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their Public Shares for cash equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, upon the completion of our initial business combination, subject to the limitations described herein.
Initial Stockholder Shares
The Initial Stockholder Shares are identical to the shares of Adara Common Stock, and holders of Initial Stockholder Shares have the same stockholder rights as Public Stockholders, except that (i) the Initial Stockholder Shares are subject to certain transfer restrictions, as described in more detail below, (ii) the Sponsor, our officers and directors and ThinkEquity have entered into a letter agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed (A) to waive their redemption rights with respect to any Initial Stockholder Shares and any Public Shares held by them in connection with the completion of our initial business combination, (B) to waive their redemption rights with respect to their Initial Stockholder Shares and any Public Shares in connection with a stockholder vote to approve an amendment to the Existing Certificate of Incorporation (x) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to allow redemption in connection with our initial business combination or certain amendments to our charter prior thereto or to redeem 100% of the Public Shares if we do not complete our initial business combination by February 11, 2023 or (y) with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity and (C) to waive their rights to liquidating
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distributions from the Trust Account with respect to any Initial Stockholder Shares held by them if we fail to complete our initial business combination by February 11, 2023, although they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to any Public Shares they hold if we fail to complete our initial business combination within such time period, (iii) the Initial Stockholder Shares are shares of Adara Class B Common Stock that will automatically convert into shares of Adara Common Stock at the time of our initial business combination, on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment as described herein, and (iv) are entitled to registration rights. If we submit our initial business combination to our Public Stockholders for a vote, the Sponsor, our officers and directors and ThinkEquity have agreed pursuant to the letter agreement to vote any Initial Stockholder Shares and any Public Shares held by them in favor of our initial business combination.
The shares of Adara Class B Common Stock will automatically convert into shares of Adara Common stock at the time of our initial business combination on a one-for-one basis (subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like), and subject to further adjustment as provided herein. In the case that additional shares of Adara Common stock, or equity-linked securities, are issued or deemed issued in excess of the number of shares issued in the IPO and related to the closing of the initial business combination, the ratio at which shares of Adara Class B Common Stock shall convert into shares of Adara Common stock will be adjusted (unless the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Adara Class B Common stock agree to waive such adjustment with respect to any such issuance or deemed issuance) so that the number of shares of Adara Common Stock issuable upon conversion of all shares of Adara Class B Common Stock will equal, in the aggregate, on an as-converted basis, 20% of the sum of the total number of all shares of common stock outstanding upon completion of the IPO plus all shares of Adara Common Stock and equity-linked securities issued or deemed issued in connection with the initial business combination (excluding any shares or equity-linked securities issued, or to be issued, to any seller in the initial business combination, any private placement-equivalent units and their underlying securities issued to the Sponsor or its affiliates upon conversion of loans made to us). We cannot determine at this time whether a majority of the holders of the Adara Class B Common Stock at the time of any future issuance would agree to waive such adjustment to the conversion ratio. They may waive such adjustment due to (but not limited to) the following: (i) closing conditions which are part of the agreement for our initial business combination; (ii) negotiation with holders of Adara Common Stock on structuring an initial business combination; or (iii) negotiation with parties providing financing which would trigger the anti-dilution provisions of the Adara Class B Common Stock. If such adjustment is not waived, the issuance would not reduce the percentage ownership of holders of our Adara Class B Common Stock, but would reduce the percentage ownership of holders of our Adara Common Stock. If such adjustment is waived, the issuance would reduce the percentage ownership of holders of both classes of our common stock. The term “equity-linked securities” refers to any debt or equity securities that are convertible, exercisable or exchangeable for shares of Adara Common Stock issues in a financing transaction in connection with our initial business combination, including but not limited to, a private placement of equity or debt securities could be “deemed issued” for purposes of the conversion rate adjustment if such shares are issuable upon the conversion or exercise of convertible securities, warrants or similar securities.
With certain limited exceptions, the Initial Stockholder Shares are not transferable, assignable or salable (except to our officers and directors and other persons or entities affiliated with the Sponsor, each of whom will be subject to the same transfer restrictions) until the earlier of (A) one year after the completion of our initial business combination or (B) subsequent to our initial business combination, (x) if the last sale price of our Adara Common Stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after our initial business combination, or (y) the date on which we complete a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction that results in all of our stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of common stock for cash, securities or other property. Upon consummation of the Business Combination, the transfer restriction period shall be reduced to the Lock-Up Period.
Preferred Stock
The Existing Certificate of Incorporation provides that shares of preferred stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. Our board of directors is authorized to fix the voting rights, if any, designations, powers, preferences, the relative, participating, optional or other special rights and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, applicable to the shares of each series. Our board of directors is able to, without stockholder approval, issue preferred stock with voting and other rights that could adversely affect the voting power and other rights of the holders of the common stock and could have anti-takeover effects. The ability of our board of directors to issue preferred stock without stockholder approval could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of us or the removal of existing management. We have no preferred stock outstanding at the date hereof. Although we do not currently intend to issue any shares of preferred stock, we cannot assure you that we will not do so in the future.
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Adara Warrants
Public Warrants
Each whole warrant entitles the registered holder to purchase one share of our Adara Common Stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as discussed below, at any time commencing on the later of February 11, 2022 or 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination. Pursuant to the warrant agreement, a warrant holder may exercise its warrants only for a whole number of shares of Adara Common Stock. This means that only a whole warrant may be exercised at any given time by a warrant holder. No fractional warrants will be issued upon separation of the units and only whole warrants trade. Accordingly, unless you hold a multiple of two units, you will not be able to receive or trade a whole warrant.
The warrants will expire five years after the completion of our initial business combination, at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.
We will not be obligated to deliver any shares of Adara Common Stock pursuant to the exercise of a warrant and will have no obligation to settle such warrant exercise unless a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to the shares of Adara Common Stock underlying the warrants is then effective and a prospectus relating thereto is current, subject to our satisfying our obligations described below with respect to registration. No warrant will be exercisable and we will not be obligated to issue shares of Adara Common Stock upon exercise of a warrant unless Adara Common Stock issuable upon such warrant exercise has been registered, qualified or deemed to be exempt under the securities laws of the state of residence of the registered holder of the warrants. In the event that the conditions in the two immediately preceding sentences are not satisfied with respect to a warrant, the holder of such warrant will not be entitled to exercise such warrant and such warrant may have no value and expire worthless. In no event will we be required to net cash settle any warrant.
The shares of Adara Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants are not registered at this time. However, we have agreed that as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 15 business days after the closing of our initial business combination, we will use our best efforts to file with the SEC a registration statement covering the shares of Adara Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants, to cause such registration statement to become effective and to maintain a current prospectus relating to those shares of Adara Common Stock until the warrants expire or are redeemed, as specified in the warrant agreement. If a registration statement covering the shares of Adara Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants is not effective by the 60th business day after the closing of our initial business combination, warrant holders may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during any period when we will have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise warrants on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act or another exemption. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a registration statement covering the Adara Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants is not effective within a specified period following the consummation of our initial business combination, warrant holders may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during any period when we shall have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise warrants on a cashless basis pursuant to the exemption provided by Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act, provided that such exemption is available. If that exemption, or another exemption, is not available, holders will not be able to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis.
Once the warrants become exercisable, we may call the warrants for redemption:
● | in whole and not in part; |
● | at a price of $0.01 per warrant; |
● | upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption given after the warrants become exercisable (the “30-day redemption period”) to each warrant holder; and |
● | if, and only if, the reported last sale price of the Adara Common Stock equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period commencing once the warrants become exercisable and ending three business days before we send the notice of redemption to the warrant holders. |
If and when the warrants become redeemable by us, we may not exercise our redemption right if the issuance of shares of common stock upon exercise of the warrants is not exempt from registration or qualification under applicable state blue sky laws or
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we are unable to effect such registration or qualification. We will use our best efforts to register or qualify such shares of common stock under the blue-sky laws of the state of residence in those states in which the warrants were offered by us in the IPO.
We have established the last of the redemption criterion discussed above to prevent a redemption call unless there is at the time of the call a significant premium to the warrant exercise e price. If the foregoing conditions are satisfied and we issue a notice of redemption of the warrants, each warrant holder will be entitled to exercise its warrant prior to the scheduled redemption date. However, the price of the Adara Common Stock may fall below the $18.00 redemption trigger price (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) as well as the $11.50 warrant exercise price after the redemption notice is issued.
If we call the warrants for redemption as described above, our management will have the option to require any holder that wishes to exercise its warrant to do so on a “cashless basis.” In determining whether to require all holders to exercise their warrants on a “cashless basis,” our management will consider, among other factors, our cash position, the number of warrants that are outstanding and the dilutive effect on our stockholders of issuing the maximum number of shares of Adara Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of our warrants. If our management takes advantage of this option, all holders of warrants would pay the exercise price by surrendering their warrants for that number of shares of Adara Common Stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares of Adara Common Stock underlying the warrants, multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the warrants and the “fair market value” (defined below) by (y) the fair market value. The “fair market value” for this purpose shall mean the average reported last sale price of the Adara Common Stock for the ten trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of warrants. If our management takes advantage of this option, the notice of redemption will contain the information necessary to calculate the number of shares of Adara Common Stock to be received upon exercise of the warrants, including the “fair market value” in such case. Requiring a cashless exercise in this manner will reduce the number of shares to be issued and thereby lessen the dilutive effect of a warrant redemption. If we call our warrants for redemption and our management does not take advantage of this option, the Sponsor and its permitted transferees would still be entitled to exercise their Private Warrants for cash or on a cashless basis using the same formula described above that other warrant holders would have been required to use had all warrant holders been required to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis, as described in more detail below.
A holder of a warrant may notify us in writing in the event it elects to be subject to a requirement that such holder will not have the right to exercise such warrant, to the extent that after giving effect to such exercise, such person (together with such person’s affiliates), to the warrant agent’s actual knowledge, would beneficially own in excess of 4.9% or 9.8% (or such other amount as a holder may specify) of the shares of Adara Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such exercise.
If the number of outstanding shares of Adara Common Stock is increased by a stock dividend payable in shares of Adara Common Stock, or by a split-up of shares of Adara Common Stock or other similar event, then, on the effective date of such stock dividend, split-up or similar event, the number of shares of Adara Common Stock issuable on exercise of each whole warrant will be increased in proportion to such increase in the outstanding shares of Adara Common Stock. A rights offering to holders of Adara Common Stock entitling holders to purchase shares of Adara Common Stock at a price less than the fair market value will be deemed a stock dividend of a number of shares of Adara Common Stock equal to the product of (i) the number of shares of Adara Common Stock actually sold in such rights offering (or issuable under any other equity securities sold in such rights offering that are convertible into or exercisable for Adara Common Stock) and (ii) one (1) minus the quotient of (x) the price per share of Adara Common Stock paid in such rights offering divided by (y) the fair market value. For these purposes (i) if the rights offering is for securities convertible into or exercisable for Adara Common Stock, in determining the price payable for Adara Common Stock, there will be taken into account any consideration received for such rights, as well as any additional amount payable upon exercise or conversion and (ii) fair market value means the volume weighted average price of Adara Common Stock as reported during the ten trading day period ending on the trading day prior to the first date on which the shares of Adara Common Stock trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, without the right to receive such rights.
In addition, if we, at any time while the warrants are outstanding and unexpired, pay a dividend or make a distribution in cash, securities or other assets to the holders of Adara Common Stock on account of such shares of Adara Common Stock (or other shares of our capital stock into which the warrants are convertible), other than (a) as described above, (b) certain ordinary cash dividends, (c) to satisfy the redemption rights of the holders of Adara Common Stock in connection with a proposed initial business combination, (d) to satisfy the redemption rights of the holders of Adara Common Stock in connection with a stockholder vote to amend the Existing Certificate of Incorporation (i) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to allow redemption in connection with our initial business combination or certain amendments to our charter prior thereto or to redeem 100% of the Adara Common Stock if we do not complete our initial business combination by February 11, 2023 or (ii) with respect to any other provision relating to
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stockholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity, or (e) in connection with the redemption of our Public Shares upon our failure to complete our initial business combination, then the warrant exercise price will be decreased, effective immediately after the effective date of such event, by the amount of cash and/or the fair market value of any securities or other assets paid on each share of Adara Common Stock in respect of such event.
If the number of outstanding shares of the Adara Common Stock is decreased by a consolidation, combination, reverse stock split or reclassification of shares of Adara Common Stock or other similar event, then, on the effective date of such consolidation, combination, reverse stock split, reclassification or similar event, the number of shares of Adara Common Stock issuable on exercise of each warrant will be decreased in proportion to such decrease in outstanding shares of Adara Common Stock.
Whenever the number of shares of Adara Common Stock purchasable upon the exercise of the warrants is adjusted, as described above, the warrant exercise price will be adjusted by multiplying the warrant exercise price immediately prior to such adjustment by a fraction (x) the numerator of which will be the number of shares of Adara Common Stock purchasable upon the exercise of the warrants immediately prior to such adjustment, and (y) the denominator of which will be the number of shares of Adara Common Stock so purchasable immediately thereafter.
In case of any reclassification or reorganization of the outstanding shares of Adara Common Stock (other than those described above or that solely affects the par value of such shares of Adara Common Stock), or in the case of any merger or consolidation of us with or into another corporation (other than a consolidation or merger in which we are the continuing corporation and that does not result in any reclassification or reorganization of our outstanding shares of Adara Common Stock), or in the case of any sale or conveyance to another corporation or entity of the assets or other property of us as an entirety or substantially as an entirety in connection with which we are dissolved, the holders of the warrants will thereafter have the right to purchase and receive, upon the basis and upon the terms and conditions specified in the warrants and in lieu of the shares of the Adara Common Stock immediately theretofore purchasable and receivable upon the exercise of the rights represented thereby, the kind and amount of shares of stock or other securities or property (including cash) receivable upon such reclassification, reorganization, merger or consolidation, or upon a dissolution following any such sale or transfer, that the holder of the warrants would have received if such holder had exercised their warrants immediately prior to such event. However, if less than 70% of the consideration receivable by the holders of Adara Common Stock in such a transaction is payable in the form of Adara Common Stock in the successor entity that is listed for trading on a national securities exchange or is quoted in an established over-the-counter market, or is to be so listed for trading or quoted immediately following such event, and if the registered holder of the warrant properly exercises the warrant within thirty days following public disclosure of such transaction, the warrant exercise price will be reduced as specified in the warrant agreement based on the Black-Scholes value (as defined in the warrant agreement) of the warrant. The purpose of such exercise price reduction is to provide additional value to holders of the warrants when an extraordinary transaction occurs during the exercise period of the warrants pursuant to which the holders of the warrants otherwise do not receive the full potential value of the warrants in order to determine and realize the option value component of the warrant. This formula is to compensate the warrant holder for the loss of the option value portion of the warrant due to the requirement that the warrant holder exercise the warrant within 30 days of the event. The Black-Scholes model is an accepted pricing model for estimating fair market value where no quoted market price for an instrument is available.
The warrants were issued in registered form under a warrant agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent, and us. The warrant agreement provides that the terms of the warrants may be amended without the consent of any holder to cure any ambiguity or correct any mistake, including to conform the provisions of the warrant agreement to the description of the terms of the warrants and the warrant agreement set forth in the prospectus relating to the IPO, or defective provision, but requires the approval by the holders of at least a majority of the then outstanding Public Warrants to make any change that adversely affects the interests of the registered holders of Public Warrants.
In addition, if (x) we issue additional shares of Adara Common Stock or equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of our initial business combination at a Newly Issued Price of less than $9.20 per share of Adara Common Stock (with such issue price or effective issue price to be determined in good faith by our board of directors and, in the case of any such issuance to the Adara Initial Stockholders its affiliates, without taking into account any Initial Stockholder shares held by the Adara Initial Stockholders or such affiliates, as applicable, prior to such issuance), (y) the aggregate gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than 60% of the total equity proceeds, and interest thereon, available for the funding of our initial business combination on the date of the consummation of our initial business combination (net of redemptions), and (z) the Market Value is below $9.20 per share, then the exercise price of the warrants will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 115% of the greater of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price, and the $18.00 per share redemption trigger price described above will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 180% of the greater of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price.
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The warrants may be exercised upon surrender of the warrant certificate on or prior to the expiration date at the offices of the warrant agent, with the exercise form on the reverse side of the warrant certificate completed and executed as indicated, accompanied by full payment of the exercise price (or on a cashless basis, if applicable), by certified or official bank check payable to us, for the number of warrants being exercised. The warrant holders do not have the rights or privileges of holders of Adara Common Stock and any voting rights until they exercise their warrants and receive shares of Adara Common Stock. After the issuance of shares of Adara Common Stock upon exercise of the warrants, each holder will be entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters to be voted on by stockholders.
No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of the warrants. If, upon exercise of the warrants, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share, we will, upon exercise, round down to the nearest whole number of shares of Adara Common Stock to be issued to the warrant holder.
We have agreed that, subject to applicable law, any action, proceeding or claim against us arising out of or relating in any way to the warrant agreement will be brought and enforced in the courts of the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and we irrevocably submit to such jurisdiction, which jurisdiction will be the exclusive forum for any such action, proceeding or claim. See “Risk Factors — Our warrant agreement designates the courts of the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York as the sole and exclusive forum for certain types of actions and proceedings that may be initiated by holders of our warrants, which could limit the ability of warrant holders to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with our company.” This provision applies to claims under the Securities Act but does not apply to claims under the Exchange Act or any claim for which the federal district courts of the United States of America are the sole and exclusive forum.
Private Warrants
Except as described below, the Private Warrants have terms and provisions that are identical to the Public Warrants, including as to exercise price, exercisability and exercise period. The Private Warrants (including the Adara Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Private Warrants) will not be transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination (except, among other limited exceptions to our officers and directors and other persons or entities affiliated with the Sponsor). They will also be exercisable on a cashless basis and will not be redeemable by us so long as they are held by the Sponsor or its permitted transferees. The Sponsor or its permitted transferees, have the option to exercise the Private Warrants on a cashless basis. If the Private Warrants are held by holders other than the Sponsor or its permitted transferees, the Private Warrants will be redeemable by us and exercisable by the holders on the same basis as the Public Warrants.
If holders of the Private Warrants elect to exercise them on a cashless basis, they would pay the exercise price by surrendering their warrants for that number of shares of Adara Common Stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares of Adara Common Stock underlying the warrants, multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the warrants and the “fair market value” (defined below) by (y) the fair market value. The “fair market value” for this purpose shall mean the average reported last sale price of the Adara Common Stock for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of warrant exercise is sent to the warrant agent. The reason that we have agreed that these warrants will be exercisable on a cashless basis so long as they are held by the Sponsor or its permitted transferees is because it is not known at this time whether they will be affiliated with us following an initial business combination. If they remain affiliated with us, their ability to sell our securities in the open market will be significantly limited. We expect to have policies in place that prohibit insiders from selling our securities except during specific periods of time. Even during such periods of time when insiders will be permitted to sell our securities, an insider cannot trade in our securities if he or she is in possession of material non-public information. Accordingly, unlike Public Stockholders who could sell the shares of Adara Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants freely in the open market, the insiders could be significantly restricted from doing so. As a result, we believe that allowing the holders to exercise such warrants on a cashless basis is appropriate.
In order to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination, the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor or certain of our officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required. Up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be convertible into warrants, at a price of $1.00 per warrant at the option of the lender, upon consummation of our initial business combination. The warrants would be identical to the Private Warrants. However, as the warrants would not be issued until consummation of our initial business combination, any such warrants would not be able to be voted on an amendment to the warrant agreement in connection with such business combination.
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The Sponsor has agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of the Private Warrants (including the Adara Common Stock issuable upon exercise of any of these warrants) until the date that is 30 days after the date we complete our initial business combination, except that, among other limited exceptions made to our officers and directors and other persons or entities affiliated with the Sponsor.
Underwriter Warrants
We issued to ThinkEquity (and/or its designees) 50,000 warrants (exercisable at $11.50 per share or an aggregate exercise price of $575,000) upon the closing of the IPO. The Underwriter Warrants may be exercised for cash or on a cashless basis, at the holder’s option, at any time during the period commencing on the later of February 8. 2022 and the closing of our initial business combination and terminating on the fifth anniversary of such effectiveness date. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, ThinkEquity has agreed that neither it nor its designees will be permitted to exercise the Underwriter Warrants after February 8, 2026. The Underwriter Warrants and such shares purchased pursuant to the warrants have been deemed compensation by FINRA. The Underwriter Warrants grant to holders certain registration rights with respect to the registration under the Securities Act of the shares of Adara Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Underwriter Warrants. The exercise price and number of shares of Adara Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants may be adjusted in certain circumstances including in the event of a share dividend, or our recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation. However, the warrants will not be adjusted for issuances of shares of Adara Common Stock at a price below its exercise price. We will have no obligation to net cash settle the exercise of the Underwriter warrants. The holder of the Underwriter Warrants will not be entitled to exercise the Underwriter Warrants for cash unless a registration statement covering the securities underlying the Underwriter Warrants is effective or an exemption from registration is available.
Dividends
We have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock to date and do not intend to pay cash dividends prior to the completion of an initial business combination. The payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon our revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial conditions subsequent to completion of an initial business combination. The payment of any cash dividends subsequent to an initial business combination will be within the discretion of our board of directors at such time. Further, if we incur any indebtedness, our ability to declare dividends may be limited by restrictive covenants we may agree to in connection therewith.
Our Transfer Agent and Warrant Agent
The transfer agent for our common stock and warrant agent for our warrants is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company. We have agreed to indemnify Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company in its roles as transfer agent and warrant agent, its agents and each of its stockholders, directors, officers and employees against all claims and losses that may arise out of acts performed or omitted for its activities in that capacity, except for any liability due to any gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of the indemnified person or entity.
The Existing Certificate of Incorporation
The Existing Certificate of Incorporation contains certain requirements and restrictions that will apply to us until the completion of our initial business combination. These provisions cannot be amended without the approval of the holders of 65% of our common stock. The Adara Initial Stockholders, who collectively beneficially own approximately 20.0% of our common stock, will participate in any vote to amend the existing Certificate of Incorporation and will have the discretion to vote in any manner they choose. Specifically, the Existing Certificate of Incorporation provides, among other things, that:
● | If we are unable to complete our initial business combination within by February 11, 2023, we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter subject to lawfully available funds therefor, redeem 100% of the Public Shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish Public Stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining stockholders and our board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) above to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law; |
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● | Prior to our initial business combination, we may not issue additional shares of capital stock that would entitle the holders thereof to (i) receive funds from the Trust Account or (ii) vote on any initial business combination; |
● | Although we do not intend to enter into an initial business combination with a target business that is affiliated with the Sponsor, our directors or our officers, we are not prohibited from doing so. In the event we enter into such a transaction, we, or a committee of independent directors, will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions that such an initial business combination is fair to our company from a financial point of view; |
● | If a stockholder vote on our initial business combination is not required by law and we do not decide to hold a stockholder vote for business or other legal reasons, we will offer to redeem our Public Shares pursuant to Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E of the Exchange Act, and will file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to completing our initial business combination which contain substantially the same financial and other information about our initial business combination and the redemption rights as is required under Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act; whether or not we maintain our registration under the Exchange Act or our listing on the NYSE American, we will provide our Public Stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their Public Shares by one of the two methods listed above; |
● | So long as we obtain and maintain a listing for our securities on the NYSE American, the NYSE American rules require that we must complete one or more business combinations having an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the value of the assets held in the Trust Account (excluding taxes payable on the interest earned on the Trust Account) at the time of our signing a definitive agreement in connection with our initial business combination; |
● | If our stockholders approve an amendment to the Existing Certificate of Incorporation (i) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to allow redemption in connection with our initial business combination or certain amendments to our charter prior thereto or to redeem 100% of our Public Shares if we do not complete our initial business combination by February 11, 2023 or (ii) with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-business combination activity, we will provide our Public Stockholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their shares of Adara Common Stock upon such approval at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes, divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares; and |
● | We will not effectuate our initial business combination with another blank check company or a similar company with nominal operations. |
In addition, the Existing Certificate of Incorporation will provide that under no circumstances will we redeem our Public Shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 either immediately prior to or upon consummation of our initial business combination.
Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions of Delaware Law and the Existing Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL regulating corporate takeovers. This statute prevents certain Delaware corporations, under certain circumstances, from engaging in a “business combination” with:
● | a stockholder who owns 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock (otherwise known as an “interested stockholder”); |
● | an affiliate of an interested stockholder; or |
● | an associate of an interested stockholder, for three years following the date that the stockholder became an interested stockholder |
A “business combination” includes a merger or sale of more than 10% of our assets. However, the above provisions of Section 203 do not apply if:
● | our board of directors approves the transaction that made the stockholder an “interested stockholder,” prior to the date of the transaction; |
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● | after the completion of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, that stockholder owned at least 85% of our voting stock outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, other than statutorily excluded shares of common stock; or |
● | on or subsequent to the date of the transaction, on or subsequent to the date of the transaction, the initial business combination is approved by our board of directors and authorized at a meeting of our stockholders, and not by written consent, by an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding |
Our authorized but unissued common stock and preferred stock are available for future issuances without stockholder approval and could be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including future offerings to raise additional capital, acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued and unreserved common stock and preferred stock could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.
Exclusive forum for certain lawsuits
The Existing Certificate of Incorporation requires, to the fullest extent permitted by law, that derivative actions brought in our name, actions against directors, officers and employees for breach of fiduciary duty and certain other actions may be brought only in the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware, except any action (A) as to which the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware determines that there is an indispensable party not subject to the jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery (and the indispensable party does not consent to the personal jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery within ten days following such determination), (B) which is vested in the exclusive jurisdiction of a court or forum other than the Court of Chancery or (C) for which the Court of Chancery does not have subject matter jurisdiction. If an action is brought outside of Delaware, the stockholder bringing the suit will be deemed to have consented to service of process on such stockholder’s counsel. Although we believe this provision benefits us by providing increased consistency in the application of law in the types of lawsuits to which it applies, a court may determine that this provision is unenforceable, and to the extent it is enforceable, the provision may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against our directors and officers.
The Existing Certificate of Incorporation provides that the exclusive forum provision will be applicable to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, subject to certain exceptions. Section 27 of the Exchange Act creates exclusive federal jurisdiction over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. As a result, the exclusive forum provision will not apply to suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. In addition, the Existing Certificate of Incorporation provides that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the venue for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act, or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. We note, however, that there is uncertainty as to whether a court would enforce this provision and that investors cannot waive compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. Section 22 of the Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for state and federal courts over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder.
Special meeting of stockholders
Our bylaws provide that special meetings of our stockholders may be called only by a majority vote of our board of directors, by our Chief Executive Officers or by our Chairman.
Advance notice requirements for stockholder proposals and director nominations
Our bylaws provide that stockholders seeking to bring business before our annual meeting of stockholders, or to nominate candidates for election as directors at our annual meeting of stockholders, must provide timely notice of their intent in writing. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice will need to be received by the company secretary at our principal executive offices not later than the close of business on the 90th day nor earlier than the opening of business on the 120th day prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders. Pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act, proposals seeking inclusion in our annual proxy statement must comply with the notice periods contained therein. Our bylaws also specify certain requirements as to the form and content of a stockholders’ meeting. These provisions may preclude our stockholders from bringing matters before our annual meeting of stockholders or from making nominations for directors at our annual meeting of stockholders.
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Action by written consent
Any action required or permitted to be taken by our common stockholders must be effected by a duly called annual or special meeting of such stockholders and may not be effected by written consent of the stockholders other than with respect to the Adara Class B Common Stock.
Board of Directors
The Existing Certificate of Incorporation provides that the authorized number of directors may be changed only by resolution of the board of directors. Subject to the terms of any preferred stock, any or all of the directors may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the voting power of the then outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class. Any vacancy on our board of directors, including a vacancy resulting from an enlargement of our board of directors, may be filled only by vote of a majority of our directors then in office.
Adara Class B Common Stock Consent Right
For so long as any shares of Adara Class B Common Stock remain outstanding, we may not, without the prior vote or written consent of the holders of a majority of the shares of Adara Class B Common Stock then outstanding, voting separately as a single class, amend, alter or repeal any provision our certificate of incorporation, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, if such amendment, alteration or repeal would alter or change the powers, preferences or relative, participating, optional or other or special rights of the Adara Class B Common Stock. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the holders of Adara Class B Common Stock may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of the outstanding Adara Class B Common Stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares of Adara Class B Common Stock were present and voted.
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SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
Upon completion of the Business Combination, Adara will have:
● | 61,000,000 shares of Combined Company Common Stock issued and outstanding, assuming that no Public Stockholders exercise their redemption rights and 875,000 Initial Stockholder Shares are forfeited by the Sponsor; |
● | 50,985,149 shares of Combined Company Common Stock issued and outstanding, assuming that the contractual maximum number of Public Shares are redeemed. |
All of the shares of Combined Company Common Stock issued in connection with the Business Combination will be freely transferable by persons other than by Adara’s “affiliates” without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act. Sales of substantial amounts of the Combined Company Common Stock in the public market could adversely affect prevailing market prices of the Combined Company Common Stock. The foregoing assumes that no Contingent Consideration Shares are not converted into shares of Combined Company Common Stock.
Adara Insider Agreements, Lock-up Agreements and Registration Rights
In connection with the Closing, the Adara Initial Stockholders and certain stockholders of Alliance will agree, subject to certain exceptions, not to (i) sell, offer to sell, contract or agree to sell, hypothecate, pledge, grant any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agree to dispose of, directly or indirectly, or establish or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder, the Lock-up Shares, (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Lock-up Shares, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such securities, in cash or otherwise or (iii) publicly announce any intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (i) or (ii). The Lock-Up Period shall terminate 180 days after the Closing.
In connection with the Closing, that certain registration rights agreement dated February 8, 2021 will be amended and restated and Adara, and the Reg Rights Holders shall enter into the Registration Rights Agreement. Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, Adara will agree that, within 30 calendar days after the Closing, Adara will file with the SEC (at Adara’s sole cost and expense) the Resale Registration Statement, and Adara shall use commercially reasonable efforts to have the Resale Registration Statement declared effective as soon as practicable after the filing thereof, but no later than the earlier of (i) the 60th calendar day (or 120th calendar day if the SEC notifies the Combined Company that it will “review” the Resale Registration Statement) following the closing of the Business Combination and (ii) the tenth business day after the date the Combined Company is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier) by the SEC that the Resale Registration Statement will not be “reviewed” or will not be subject to further review. In certain circumstances, the New Holders can demand up to two underwritten offerings, and all of the Reg Rights Holders will be entitled to piggyback registration rights.
For more information about the Lock-Up Agreement and Registration Rights, see the section titled “Certain Agreements Related to the Business Combination — Lock-Up Agreements” and “Certain Agreements Related to the Business Combination — Registration Rights Agreement.”
Rule 144
A person who has beneficially owned restricted shares of Adara Common Stock or restricted Adara Warrants for at least six months would be entitled, subject to any applicable lock-up agreement, to sell their securities provided that (i) such person is not deemed to have been one of our affiliates at the time of, or at any time during the three months preceding, a sale and (ii) we are subject to the Exchange Act periodic reporting requirements for at least three months before the sale and have filed all required reports under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the 12 months (or such shorter period as we were required to file reports) preceding the sale. Persons who have beneficially owned restricted shares of Adara Common Stock or restricted Adara Warrants for at least six months but who are our affiliates at the time of, or any time during the three months preceding, a sale, would be subject to
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additional restrictions, by which such person would be entitled to sell within any three-month period a number of securities that does not exceed the greater of either of the following:
● | 1% of the then outstanding equity shares of the same class which, immediately after the Business Combination, will equal approximately 610,000 shares of Combined Company Common Stock and 99,200 Adara Warrants, assuming that no Public Shares are redeemed and the forfeiture of 875,000 Initial Stockholder Shares by the Sponsor; or |
● | the average weekly trading volume of Combined Company Common Stock of the same class or Adara Warrants, as applicable, during the four calendar weeks preceding the date on which notice of the sale is filed with the SEC. |
Sales by affiliates of Adara under Rule 144 are also subject to certain requirements relating to manner of sale, notice and the availability of current public information about Adara.
Restrictions on the Use of Rule 144 by Shell Companies or Former Shell Companies
Rule 144 is not available for the resale of securities initially issued by shell companies (other than business combination related shell companies) or issuers that have been at any time previously a shell company. However, Rule 144 also includes an important exception to this prohibition if the following conditions are met:
● | the issuer of the securities that was formerly a shell company has ceased to be a shell company; |
● | the issuer of the securities is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; |
● | the issuer of the securities has filed all Exchange Act reports and material required to be filed, as applicable, during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the issuer was required to file such reports and materials), other than Form 8-K reports; and |
● | at least one year has elapsed from the time that the issuer filed current Form 10 type information with the SEC, which is expected to be filed promptly after completion of the Business Combination, reflecting its status as an entity that is not a shell company. |
As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, there are 11,500,000 shares of Adara Common Stock, and 2,875,000 shares of Adara Class B Common Stock outstanding. Of these shares, the 11,500,000 shares sold in the IPO are freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, except for any shares purchased by one of our affiliates within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act. All of the remaining 2,875,000 shares owned collectively by the Adara Initial Stockholders are restricted securities under Rule 144, in that they were issued in private transactions not involving a public offering.
As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, there are a total of 9,920,000 Adara Warrants outstanding. Each warrant is exercisable for one share of Adara Common Stock, in accordance with the terms of the warrant agreement governing the Adara Warrants. 5,750,000 of these Adara Warrants are Public Warrants and are freely tradable, except for any warrants purchased by one of our affiliates within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act. In addition, we will be obligated to maintain an effective registration statement under the Securities Act covering the 5,750,000 shares of Adara Common Stock that may be issued upon the exercise of the public Adara Warrants.
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth information regarding (i) the actual beneficial ownership of Adara Common Stock as of the Record Date (the “Ownership Date”), which is prior to the consummation of the Business Combination (pre-Business Combination) and (ii) expected beneficial ownership of Combined Company Common Stock immediately following the Closing (post-Business Combination), assuming that no Public Shares are redeemed, and alternatively that the maximum number of Public Shares (10,000,000 shares) are redeemed, by:
● | each person who is, or is expected to be, the beneficial owner of more than 5% of issued and outstanding shares of Adara Common Stock or of Combined Company Common Stock; |
● | each of our current executive officers and directors; |
● | each person who will become an executive officer or director of the Combined Company post-Business Combination; and |
● | all executive officers and directors of Adara as a group pre-Business Combination and all executive officers and directors of the Combined Company post-Business Combination. |
Beneficial ownership is determined according to the rules of the SEC, which generally provide that a person has beneficial ownership of a security if he, she or it possesses sole or shared voting or investment power over that security, including options and warrants that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days. In computing the number of shares of common stock beneficially owned by a person or entity and the percentage ownership of that person or entity, we deemed to be outstanding all shares of common stock subject to options, warrants and restricted stock units held by that person or entity that are currently exercisable, or exercisable or would vest based on time-based vesting conditions within 60 days of the Ownership Date, assuming that the liquidity-event vesting conditions had been satisfied as of such date. We did not deem these shares outstanding, however, for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person or entity
Unless otherwise indicated and subject to applicable community property laws and other similar laws, we believe that all persons named in the table below have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of voting common stock beneficially owned by them.
The beneficial ownership of shares of Adara Common Stock Pre-Business Combination is based on 14,375,000 shares of Adara Common stock (consisting of 11,500,000 shares of Adara Common Stock and 2,875,000 Initial Stockholder Shares) issued and outstanding as of the Ownership Date.
The expected beneficial ownership of shares of the Combined Company Common Stock Post-Business Combination:
● | no exercise of the 5,750,000 Public Warrants, the 4,120,000 Private Placement Warrants and the 50,000 Underwriter Warrants that will remain outstanding post-Business Combination and that may be exercised at a later date; and |
● | that 47,500,000 shares of Combined Company Common Stock and 60,000,000 Contingent Consideration Shares are issued to Alliance’s stockholders. |
The expected beneficial ownership of shares of Combined Company Common Stock Post-Business Combination Assuming No Redemption in the table below has been determined based upon the following assumptions: (i) no Public Stockholders exercise their redemption rights; (ii) the forfeiture of 875,000 Initial Stockholder Shares by the Sponsor upon the consummation of the Business Combination, (iii) that there are 61,000,000 shares of Combined Company Common Stock outstanding; and (iv) that none of the relevant beneficial owners purchase shares of Adara Common Stock in the open market.
The expected beneficial ownership of shares of Combined Company Common Stock post-Business Combination Assuming Maximum Redemption in the table below has been determined based upon the following assumptions: (i) that 10,014,851 Public Shares are redeemed; (ii) the forfeiture of 875,000 of Initial Stockholder Shares by the Sponsor upon the consummation of the
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Business Combination; (iii) that there are 50,985,149 shares of Combined Company Common Stock outstanding, and (iv) that none of the relevant beneficial owners purchase shares of Adara Common Stock in the open market.
After the Business Combination |
| ||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||
| Before the Business |
|
|
| Assuming Maximum |
| |||||||
Combination | Assuming No Redemption | Redemption |
| ||||||||||
Number of | Number of Shares of | Number of Shares of |
| ||||||||||
Shares of Adara | Combined Company | Combined Company |
| ||||||||||
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1) |
| Common Stock |
| % |
| Common Stock |
| % |
| Common Stock |
| % |
|
Directors and Executive Officers of Adara prior to the Business Combination: |
| ||||||||||||
Thomas Finke(4) |
| 2,825,000 |
| 19.7 | % | 6,070,000 | (5) | 9.3 | % | 6,070,000 | (5) | 11.0 | %(4) |
Paul G. Porter(3) |
| — |
| * | — |
| * |
| — |
| * | ||
W. Tom Donaldson(4) |
| — |
| * | — |
| * | — |
| * | |||
Frank Quintero(4) |
| — |
| * | — |
| * | — |
| * | |||
Dylan Glenn(4) |
| — |
| * | — |
| * | — |
| * | |||
Beatriz Acevedo-Greiff(4) |
| — |
| * | — |
| * | — |
| * | |||
All Directors and Executive Officers of Adara as a Group prior to the Business Combination (6 Individuals) |
| 2,825,000 |
| 19.7 | % | 6,070,000 | (5) | 9.3 | % | 6,070,000 | (5) | 11.0 | % |
Five Percent Holders of Adara prior to the Business Combination: |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||
Adara Sponsor LLC(2)(6) |
| 2,825,000 |
| 19.7 | % | 6,070,000 | (5) | 9.3 | % | 6,070,000 | (5) | 11.0 | % |
Hudson Bay Capital Management LP(7) | 750,000 | 5.2 | % | 750,000 | 1.2 | % | 750,000 | 1.5 | % | ||||
Karpus Management, Inc.(8) | 897,571 | 6.2 | % | 897,571 | 1.5 | % | 897,571 | 1.8 | % | ||||
MMCAP International Inc. SPC(9) | 650,000 | 4.5 | % | 650,000 | 1.1 | % | 650,000 | 1.3 | % | ||||
CVI Investments, Inc.(10) | 500,000 | 3.5 | % | 500,000 | * | 500,000 | * | ||||||
Directors and Executive Officers of the Combined Company After Consummation of the Business Combination |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||
Bruce Ogilvie(11)(12)(13) |
| — | * | 23,750,000 |
| 38.9 | % | 23,750,000 |
| 46.6 | % | ||
Jeffrey Walker(11)(13) |
| — | * | 23,750,000 |
| 38.9 | % | 23,750,000 |
| 46.6 | % | ||
John Kutch | — | * | — | * | — | * | |||||||
Paul Eibeler | — | * | — | * | — | * | |||||||
Terilea J. Wielenga | — | * | — | * | — | * | |||||||
Thomas Finke |
| 2,875,000 | (5) | 19.7 | % | 6,070,000 | (5) | 9.3 | % | 6,070,000 | (5) | 11.0 | % |
W. Tom Donaldson |
| — | * |
| — |
| * |
| — |
| * | ||
All Directors and Executive Officers of the Combined Company as a Group (8 individuals) |
| 2,875,000 | (5) | 19.7 | % | 53,570,000 | (5) | 82.3 | % | 53,570,000 | (5) | 97.1 | % |
* | Less than one percent. |
(1) | Unless otherwise indicated, the business address of each of the directors and executive officers of Adara is c/o Adara Acquisition Corp., 211 East Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203. Unless otherwise indicated, the business address of each of the directors and executive officers of the Combined Company is 211 East Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203. |
(2) | Interests shown consist solely of Initial Stockholder Shares, classified as shares of Class B common stock. Initial Stockholder Shares are convertible into shares of Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment, as described in the section of this prospectus entitled “Description of Securities.” |
(3) | Includes Initial Stockholder Shares held by Adara Sponsor LLC and directly by Mr. Finke |
(4) | Excludes Initial Stockholder Shares held by Adara Sponsor LLC. This individual is a member of Adara Sponsor LLC. |
(5) | Includes 4,170,000 shares issuable upon exercise of Private Warrants held by Adara Sponsor LLC, which become exercisable commencing 30 days after the Closing. |
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(6) | Hudson Bay Capital Management LP (“Hudson”) serves as the investment manager to HB Strategies LLC, in whose name the securities reported herein are held. As such, Hudson may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of all shares held by HB Strategies LLC. Sander Gerber serves as the managing member of Hudson Bay Capital GP LLC, which is the general partner of Hudson. Mr. Gerber disclaims beneficial ownership of such securities. The business address of Hudson and Mr. Gerber is 28 Havemeyer Place, 2nd Floor, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830. |
(7) | Karpus Management, Inc., d/b/a Karpus Investment Management (“Karpus”) is a registered investment adviser under Section 203 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Karpus is controlled by City of London Investment Group plc (“CLIG”), which is listed on the London Stock Exchange. According to the Schedule 13G filed by Karpus on February 14, 2022, in accordance with SEC Release No. 34-39538 (January 12, 1998), effective informational barriers have been established between Karpus and CLIG such that voting and investment power over the subject securities is exercised by Karpus independently of CLIG, and, accordingly, attribution of beneficial ownership is not required between Karpus and CLIG. The shares are owned directly by accounts managed by Karpus. The business address of Karpus is 183 Sully’s Trail, Pittsford, New York 14534. |
(8) | The Amendment No. 1 to Schedule 13G filed by such person on February 4, 2022 names each of MMCAP International Inc. SPC and MM Asset Management Inc. as beneficial owners of such shares. The business address of MMCAP International Inc. SPC is c/o Mourant Governance Services (Cayman) Limited 94 Solaris Avenue, Camana Bay, P.O. Box 1348, Grand Cayman, KY1-1108, Cayman Islands. The business address of MM Asset Management Inc. is 161 Bay Street, TD Canada Trust Tower Ste 2240, Toronto, ON M5J 2S1 Canada. |
(9) | Heights Capital Management, Inc., which serves as the investment manager to CVI Investments, Inc., may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of all shares owned by CVI Investments, Inc. Each of such persons disclaims any beneficial ownership of such shares, except for their pecuniary interest therein. The address of the principal business office of CVI Investments, Inc. is P.O. Box 309GT, Ugland House, South Church Street, George Town, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands. The address of the principal business office of Heights Capital Management, Inc. is 101 California Street, Suite 3250, San Francisco, California 94111. |
(10) | Adara Sponsor LLC is the record holder of the securities reported herein. Each of Adara’s officers and directors is, directly or indirectly, a member of Adara Sponsor LLC. Members of the Sponsor also include the officers and directors of Adara and Blystone & Donaldson, an investment firm of which W. Tom Donaldson III, Adara’s director, is the founder and managing partner. Mr. Finke is the managing member of the Sponsor and exercises voting or dispositive control over any of the securities held by the Sponsor. The business address of the Sponsor is 211 East Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203. |
(11) | Unless otherwise indicated, the business address of each of the directors and executive officers of Alliance is c/o Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation, 1401 NW 136th Avenue, Suite 100, Sunrise, FL 33323. |
(12) | 15,195,974 of such shares are beneficially owned by the Bruce Ogilvie, Jr. Trust dated January 20, 1994 and 8,554,026 of such shares are beneficially owned by the Ogilvie Legacy Trust dated September 14th, 2021. Mr. Ogilvie disclaims individual ownership of such shares except to his individual pecuniary interest in such trusts. |
(13) | Excludes Contingent Consideration Shares. |
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PRICE RANGE OF SECURITIES AND DIVIDENDS
Price Range of Adara Securities
The following table shows, for the periods indicated, the high and low sales prices per share of the Adara Units, Adara Common Stock and Adara Warrants as reported by the NYSE American. Prior to February 8, 2021, there was no established public trading market for Adara’s securities. There is no established trading market for the Adara Class B Common Stock.
| Units |
| Common Stock |
| Warrants | |||||||||||||
Quarter Ended |
| High |
| Low |
| High |
| Low |
| High |
| Low | ||||||
2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
March 31 | $ | 10.09 | $ | 9.82 | $ | 9.90 | $ | 9.75 | $ | 0.50 | $ | 0.23 | ||||||
June 30 | $ | 10.09 | $ | 9.85 | $ | 9.94 | $ | 9.80 | $ | 0.37 | $ | 0.05 | ||||||
September 30 | $ | 10.13 | $ | 9.94 | $ | 9.97 | $ | 9.88 | $ | 0.35 | $ | 0.12 | ||||||
2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
March 31(1) | $ | 10.45 | $ | 9.72 | $ | 10.80 | $ | 9.59 | $ | 0.62 | $ | 0.50 | ||||||
June 30 | $ | 10.15 | $ | 9.88 | $ | 10.00 | $ | 9.61 | $ | 1.00 | $ | 0.43 | ||||||
September 30 | $ | 10.11 | $ | 9.64 | $ | 9.80 | $ | 9.61 | $ | 0.75 | $ | 0.46 | ||||||
December 31 | $ | 10.13 | $ | 9.96 | $ | 9.88 | $ | 9.72 | $ | 0.61 | $ | 0.47 |
(1) | Reflects the high and low trade prices of Adara Units beginning as of February 9, 2021, the first day that the Adara Units began trading on the NYSE American, and of Adara Common Stock and Adara Warrants on March 24, 2021, the first day that the Adara Common Stock and Adara Warrants began trading on the NYSE American. |
Alliance Securities
Historical market price information regarding Alliance is not provided because there is no public market for Alliance’s securities. See the section titled “Alliance Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
Dividends
Adara has not paid any cash dividends on the Adara Common Stock or Adara Class B Common Stock to date and does not intend to pay cash dividends prior to the completion of the Business Combination.
228
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Submission of Future Stockholder Proposals
Adara’s board of directors is aware of no other matter that may be brought before the special meeting. Under Delaware law, only business that is specified in the notice of special meeting to stockholders may be transacted at the special meeting.
Adara does not expect to hold a 2022 annual meeting of stockholders because it will not be a separate public company if the Business Combination is completed. Alternatively, if Adara does not consummate an initial business combination by February 11, 2023 or obtain the approval of Adara’s stockholders to extend the deadline for Adara to consummate an initial business combination, Adara is required to begin the dissolution process provided for in the Existing Certificate of Incorporation. Adara will liquidate as soon as practicable following such dissolution and will conduct no annual meetings thereafter.
Legal Matters
The validity of the shares of Adara Common Stock to be issued in connection with the Business Combination will be passed upon by Blank Rome LLP.
Experts
The consolidated financial statements of Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation as of June 30, 2022 and 2021 and for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2022 included in this Prospectus and in the Registration Statement have been so included in reliance on the report of BDO USA, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, appearing elsewhere herein and in the Registration Statement, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
The financial statements of Adara Acquisition Corp. as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 and for the year ended December 31, 2021 and for the period from August 5, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, appearing in this proxy statement/prospectus have been audited by WithumSmith+Brown, PC, independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report thereon and included in this proxy statement/prospectus, in reliance upon such report and upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
Delivery of Documents to Stockholders
Pursuant to the rules of the SEC, Adara and servicers that it employs to deliver communications to its stockholders are permitted to deliver to two or more stockholders sharing the same address a single copy of the proxy statement/prospectus. Upon written or oral request, Adara will deliver a separate copy of the proxy statement/prospectus to any stockholder at a shared address to which a single copy of the proxy statement/prospectus was delivered and who wishes to receive separate copies in the future. Stockholders receiving multiple copies of the proxy statement/prospectus may likewise request delivery of single copies of the proxy statement/prospectus in the future. Stockholders may notify Adara of their requests by calling or writing Adara at its principal executive offices at (704) 315-5290 and 211 East Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203.
229
HOUSEHOLDING INFORMATION
Unless Adara has received contrary instructions, Adara may send a single copy of this proxy statement/prospectus to any household at which two or more stockholders reside if we believe the stockholders are members of the same family. This process, known as “householding,” reduces the volume of duplicate information received at any one household and helps to reduce our expenses. However, if stockholders prefer to receive multiple sets of Adara’s disclosure documents at the same address this year, the stockholders should follow the instructions described below. Similarly, if an address is shared with another stockholder and together both of the stockholders would like to receive only a single set of Adara’s disclosure documents, the stockholders should follow these instructions:
· | If the shares are registered in the name of the stockholder, the stockholder should contact Adara at its offices at Adara Acquisition Corp., 211 East Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203 by telephone at (704) 315-5290, to inform Adara of his or her request; or |
· | If a bank, broker or other nominee holds the shares, the stockholder should contact the bank, broker or other nominee directly. |
230
TRANSFER AGENT; WARRANT AGENT AND REGISTRAR
The registrar and transfer agent for the shares of common stock of Adara the warrant agent for Adara Warrants is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company. Adara has agreed to indemnify Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company in its roles as transfer agent and warrant agent against all liabilities, including judgments, costs and reasonable counsel fees that may arise out of acts performed or omitted for its activities in that capacity, except for any liability due to any gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of the indemnified person or entity.
231
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
Adara files reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC as required by the Exchange Act. You can read Adara’s SEC filings, including this proxy statement/prospectus, over the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
If you would like additional copies of this proxy statement/prospectus or if you have questions about the Business Combination or the proposals to be presented at the special meeting, you should contact us by telephone or in writing:
Adara Acquisition Corp.
211 East Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28203
Telephone: (704) 315-5290
Attention: Secretary
You may also obtain these documents by requesting them in writing or by telephone from our proxy solicitor at:
Morrow Sodali LLC
333 Ludlow Street, 5th Floor, South Tower
Stamford, CT 06902
Telephone: (800) 662-5200
(Banks and brokers can call collect at: (203) 658-9400)
Email: ADRA.info@investor.morrowsodali.com
If you are a stockholder of Adara and would like to request documents, please do so by , 2022 to receive them before the Adara special meeting of stockholders. If you request any documents from us, we will mail them to you by first class mail, or another equally prompt means.
All information contained or incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/prospectus relating to Adara has been supplied by Adara, and all such information relating to Alliance has been supplied by Alliance. Information provided by either Adara or Alliance does not constitute any representation, estimate or projection of any other party.
Neither Adara or Alliance has authorized anyone to give any information or make any representation about the Business Combination or their companies that is different from, or in addition to, that contained in this proxy statement/prospectus or in any of the materials that have been incorporated in this proxy statement/prospectus. Therefore, if anyone does give you information of this sort, you should not rely on it. If you are in a jurisdiction where offers to exchange or sell, or solicitations of offers to exchange or purchase, the securities offered by this proxy statement/prospectus or the solicitation of proxies is unlawful, or if you are a person to whom it is unlawful to direct these types of activities, then the offer presented in this proxy statement/prospectus does not extend to you. The information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus speaks only as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus unless the information specifically indicates that another date applies.
232
TRADEMARK NOTICE
“Alliance,” the Alliance logo and other trademarks, service marks, and trade names of Alliance are registered and unregistered marks of Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation.
233
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Page | |
ALLIANCE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | |
F-2 | |
F-4 | |
F-5 | |
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended June 30, 2022, 2021 and 2020 | F-6 |
F-7 | |
F-8 | |
ADARA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | |
Condensed Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2022 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2021 . | F-25 |
Condensed Statements of Operations for Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 (Unaudited) | F-26 |
F-27 | |
F-28 | |
F-29 | |
F-45 | |
F-46 | |
F-47 | |
F-48 | |
F-49 | |
Notes to Audited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements | F-50 |
F-1
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Board of Directors
Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation
Sunrise, Florida
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation (the “Company”) as of June 30, 2022 and 2021, the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2022, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at June 30, 2022 and 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2022, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB and in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of a critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Revenue Recognition – Principal Versus Agent Assessment
As described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company is typically the principal in the sale and distribution of products. Sales are recognized on a gross basis, since the Company is the primary obligor for fulfilling the promise to its customers on these arrangements, has inventory risk, and has latitude in establishing prices. The Company recognizes revenue from these sales at the point in time that control is transferred to the customer, which is typically when the product is shipped from the Company’s distribution center to the Company's customers, which primarily consist of retailers.
F-2
We identified the determination of the Company as the principal in its distribution contracts as a critical audit matter. There was significant judgment applied by management when evaluating certain terms on their distribution contracts in order to determine whether the Company is acting as a principal or agent. Auditing these arrangements required a high degree of auditor judgement and significant audit effort to evaluate management’s analysis and the appropriateness of gross versus net presentation.
The primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included:
● | Evaluating management’s significant accounting policies related to the Company’s distribution contracts for consistency with accounting standards, as it relates to principal versus agent determination. |
● | Testing a sample of distribution contracts to evaluate the terms and the Company’s assessment of principal versus agent consideration, which included determining whether the Company is the primary obligor in the arrangement, has inventory risk and latitude in establishing pricing. |
● | Evaluating management’s related presentation and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. |
/s/ BDO USA, LLP
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2021.
Miami, Florida
October 17, 2022
F-3
ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT HOLDING CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income
| Year Ended |
| Year Ended |
| Year Ended | ||||
($ in thousands, except shares) | June 30, 2022 | June 30, 2021 | June 30, 2020 | ||||||
Net Revenues | $ | 1,417,377 | $ | 1,323,567 | $ | 775,596 | |||
Cost of Revenues (excluding depreciation and amortization) | 1,234,995 | 1,140,885 | 656,485 | ||||||
Operating Expenses | |||||||||
Distribution and Fulfillment Expense | 64,260 | 56,885 | 35,877 | ||||||
Selling, General and Administrative Expense | 58,110 | 57,249 | 50,007 | ||||||
Depreciation and Amortization | 8,259 | 11,651 | 15,784 | ||||||
Transaction Costs | (251) | 3,509 | — | ||||||
IC DISC Commissions | 9,907 | 5,394 | 8,182 | ||||||
Loss on Disposal of Property and Equipment | — | 87 | — | ||||||
Total Operating Expenses | 140,285 | 134,775 | 109,850 | ||||||
Operating Income | 42,098 | 47,907 | 9,261 | ||||||
Other Expenses | |||||||||
Interest Expense, Net | 4,056 | 2,938 | 3,524 | ||||||
Total Other Expenses | 4,056 | 2,938 | 3,524 | ||||||
Income Before Provision for Income Tax Expense | 38,042 | 44,969 | 5,737 | ||||||
Income Tax Expense | 9,423 | 10,791 | 376 | ||||||
Net Income | 28,619 | 34,178 | 5,361 | ||||||
Other Comprehensive Income | |||||||||
Foreign Currency Translation | 7 | 15 | (318) | ||||||
Total Comprehensive Income | $ | 28,626 | 34,193 | 5,043 | |||||
Net Income per Share – Basic and Diluted | $ | 31.80 | $ | 37.98 | $ | 5.96 | |||
Shares Used in Computing Net Income per Share | 900 | 900 | 900 | ||||||
Distributions of Paid In Capital per Share | $ | — | $ | 7.57 | $ | — |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
F-4
ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT HOLDING CORPORATION
Balance Sheets
($ in thousands) |
| June 30, 2022 |
| June 30, 2021 | ||
Assets | ||||||
Current Assets | ||||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents | $ | 1,469 | $ | 4,028 | ||
Trade Receivables, Net | 98,699 | 111,332 | ||||
Related Party Receivable | 245 | 1,476 | ||||
Inventory, Net | 249,439 | 141,661 | ||||
Other Current Assets | 9,128 | 7,287 | ||||
Total Current Assets | 358,980 | 265,784 | ||||
Property and Equipment, Net | 3,284 | 6,330 | ||||
Operating Lease Right-Of-Use Assets | 8,360 | 12,658 | ||||
Goodwill | 79,903 | 79,903 | ||||
Intangibles, Net | 18,764 | 23,927 | ||||
Other Long-Term Assets | 3,748 | 361 | ||||
Total Assets | $ | 473,039 | $ | 388,963 | ||
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | ||||||
Current Liabilities | ||||||
Accounts Payable | $ | 198,187 | $ | 214,332 | ||
Accrued Expenses | 11,573 | 13,555 | ||||
Current Portion of Financing Lease Obligations | — | 811 | ||||
Current Portion of Operating Lease Obligations | 4,453 | 4,622 | ||||
Seller Note, Current | — | 3,000 | ||||
Income Taxes Payable | 418 | 2,286 | ||||
Revolving Credit Facility, Net | 135,968 | — | ||||
Total Current Liabilities | 350,599 | 238,606 | ||||
Revolving Credit Facility, Net | — | 53,580 | ||||
Debt, Non-Current | 3,377 | |||||
Seller Note, Non-Current | — | 750 | ||||
Operating Lease Obligations | 4,864 | 9,277 | ||||
Deferred Tax Liability | 5,271 | 6,448 | ||||
Total Liabilities | 364,111 | 308,661 | ||||
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 11) | ||||||
Stockholders’ Equity | ||||||
Common Stock: No Par Value, Authorized 1,000 shares | ||||||
Issued 957 Shares, Outstanding 900 Shares as of June 30, 2022, and 2021 | ||||||
Paid In Capital | 40,000 | 40,000 | ||||
Treasury Stock, 57 Shares Carried at Cost | (2,674) | (2,674) | ||||
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | (66) | (73) | ||||
Retained Earnings | 71,668 | 43,049 | ||||
Total Stockholders’ Equity | 108,928 | 80,302 | ||||
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | $ | 473,039 | $ | 388,963 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
F-5
ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT HOLDING CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Year Ended | Year Ended | Year Ended | |||||||
($ in thousands) |
| June 30, 2022 |
| June 30, 2021 |
| June 30, 2020 | |||
Cash Flows from Operating Activities: | |||||||||
Net Income | $ | 28,619 | $ | 34,178 | $ | 5,361 | |||
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to | |||||||||
Cash provided by (Used In) Operating Activities: | |||||||||
Depreciation of Property and Equipment | 3,096 | 5,623 | 7,124 | ||||||
Amortization of Intangible Assets | 5,163 | 5,772 | 8,660 | ||||||
Amortization of Deferred Financing Costs (Included in Interest) | 165 | 334 | 358 | ||||||
Bad Debt Expense | 496 | 225 | 155 | ||||||
Deferred Income Taxes | (1,177) | 1,543 | 1,286 | ||||||
Loss on Disposal of Fixed Assets | — | 87 | — | ||||||
Changes in Assets and Liabilities, Net of Acquisitions | |||||||||
Trade Receivables | 12,138 | 8,053 | 13,684 | ||||||
Related Party Receivable | 1,231 | 157 | (1,633) | ||||||
Inventory | (107,778) | (8,617) | 35,821 | ||||||
Income Taxes Payable\Receivable | (1,867) | 4,453 | (1,187) | ||||||
Operating Lease Right-Of-Use Assets | 4,299 | (817) | 3,137 | ||||||
Operating Lease Obligations | (4,583) | 664 | (3,284) | ||||||
Other Assets | (5,230) | 1,980 | 3,228 | ||||||
Accounts Payable | (16,146) | 18,686 | (38,761) | ||||||
Accrued Expenses | (1,980) | 2,395 | (6,560) | ||||||
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities | (83,554) | 74,718 | 27,391 | ||||||
Cash Flows from Investing Activities: | |||||||||
Capital Expenditures | (50) | (650) | (2,702) | ||||||
Cash Paid for Business Acquisitions, Net of Cash Acquired | — | (65,409) | (2,561) | ||||||
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities | (50) | (66,059) | (5,263) | ||||||
Cash Flows from Financing Activities: | |||||||||
Payments on Seller Notes | (3,750) | (4,750) | — | ||||||
Payments on Revolving Credit Facility | (1,346,442) | (1,310,333) | (724,783) | ||||||
Borrowings on Revolving Credit Facility | 1,428,664 | 1,318,518 | 698,670 | ||||||
Payments on Financing Leases | (811) | (2,101) | (2,478) | ||||||
Proceeds from Debt | 3,377 | — | 1,378 | ||||||
Capital Dividends | — | (6,811) | — | ||||||
Capital Contribution | — | — | 3,860 | ||||||
Deferred Financing Costs | — | (500) | — | ||||||
Net Cash Provided by (Used In) Financing Activities | 81,038 | (5,977) | (23,353) | ||||||
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents | (2,566) | 2,682 | (1,225) | ||||||
Net Effect of Currency Translation on Cash and Cash Equivalents | 7 | 15 | (318) | ||||||
Cash, Beginning of the Period | 4,028 | 1,331 | 2,874 | ||||||
Cash, End of the Period | $ | 1,469 | $ | 4,028 | $ | 1,331 | |||
Supplemental disclosure for Cash Flow Information | |||||||||
Cash Paid for Interest | $ | 2,878 | $ | 2,079 | $ | 3,272 | |||
Cash Paid for Income Taxes | $ | 9,345 | $ | 6,540 | $ | 362 | |||
Supplemental Disclosure for Non-Cash Investing Activities | |||||||||
Property and Equipment Acquired Under Capital Leases | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,378 | |||
Issuance of Seller’s Note Related to Acquisition | $ | — | $ | 8,500 | $ | — | |||
PPP Loan Forgiveness | $ | — | $ | 1,740 | $ | — |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
F-6
ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT HOLDING CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
Common | Accumulated | ||||||||||||||||
Stock | Cost of | Other | |||||||||||||||
Shares | Paid In | Treasury | Comprehensive | Retained | |||||||||||||
($ in thousands) |
| Issued |
| Capital |
| Stock |
| Income (Loss) |
| Earnings |
| Total | |||||
Balances at June 30, 2019 | 900 | $ | 42,951 | $ | (2,675) | $ | 230 | $ | 3,510 | $ | 44,016 | ||||||
Other Comprehensive Income | |||||||||||||||||
Currency Translation Adjustment | — | — | — | (318) | — | (318) | |||||||||||
Capital Contribution | — | 3,860 | — | — | — | 3,860 | |||||||||||
Net Income | — | — | — | — | 5,361 | 5,361 | |||||||||||
Balances at June 30, 2020 | 900 | $ | 46,811 | $ | (2,675) | $ | (88) | $ | 8,871 | $ | 52,919 | ||||||
Other Comprehensive Income | |||||||||||||||||
Currency Translation Adjustment | — | — | — | 15 | — | 15 | |||||||||||
Distributions of Paid In Capital | — | (6,811) | — | — | — | (6,811) | |||||||||||
Purchase of Treasury Stock | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | |||||||||||
Net Income | — | — | — | — | 34,178 | 34,178 | |||||||||||
Balances at June 30, 2021 | 900 | $ | 40,000 | $ | (2,674) | $ | (73) | $ | 43,049 | $ | 80,302 | ||||||
Currency Translation Adjustment | — | — | — | 7 | — | 7 | |||||||||||
Net Income | — | — | — | — | 28,619 | 28,619 | |||||||||||
Balances at June 30, 2022 | 900 | $ | 40,000 | $ | (2,674) | $ | (66) | $ | 71,668 | $ | 108,928 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
F-7
Organization and Principal Business Activity
Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation was formed on August 9, 2010. The Company provides full-service distribution of pre-recorded music, video movies, video games and related accessories, and merchandising to retailers and other independent customers primarily in the United States. It provides product and commerce solutions to “brick-and-mortar”, e-commerce retailers, and consumer direct websites, while maintaining trading relationships with manufacturers of pre-recorded music, video movies, video games and related accessories. The Company also provides third party logistics (3PL) products and services to customers.
On September 30, 2020, Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation added COKeM International LTD to its portfolio. Consolidated financial statements are presented for Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation and business operations are conducted through seven subsidiaries. The Company’s corporate offices are headquartered in Sunrise, FL, with primary warehouse facilities located in Shepherdsville, KY and Shakopee, MN.
On June 22, 2022, the Company entered into a Business Combination Agreement (the Adara Agreement), by and among the Company, and Adara Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation. Pursuant to the Adara Agreement, which is subject to shareholder approval and other closing conditions, the Company will be the surviving corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Adara.
Note 1: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
A summary of the significant accounting policies consistently applied in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements:
Basis of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Revenue Recognition
The Company enters into contracts with its customers for the purchase of products in the ordinary course of business. A contract with commercial substance exists once the Company receives and accepts a purchase order under a sales contract. Revenue from the sale and distribution of pre-recorded music, video, games, accessories, and other related products are recognized when the performance obligations under the terms of a contract with its customer are satisfied, which occurs with the transfer of control of the product. For the majority of the Company’s products, control is transferred, and revenue is recognized when the product is shipped from the Company’s distribution center to the Company’s customers, which primarily consist of retailers. For most of the Company’s distribution contracts, the Company is considered to be the principal to these transactions and the revenue is recognized on a gross basis, since the Company is the primary obligor for fulfilling the promise to its customers on these arrangements, has inventory risk, and has latitude in establishing prices. Additionally, the Company ships some of its products to retailers on a consignment basis. The Company retains ownership of its products stored at these retailers. As the Company’s products are sold by the retailer, ownership is transferred from the Company to the retailer. At that time, the Company invoices the retailer and recognizes revenue for these consignment transactions. If a contract contains more than one performance obligation, the transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation based on relative standalone selling price. Shipping and handling activities are treated as a fulfillment activity rather than a promised service, and therefore, are not considered a performance obligation. Sales, use, value-added, and other excise taxes the Company collects concurrent with revenue producing activities are excluded from revenue. Incidental items that are immaterial in the context of the contract are recognized as expense when incurred.
The Company applies ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, (ASC 606) utilizing the following allowable exemptions or practical expedients:
● | Portfolio approach practical expedient relative to the estimation of variable consideration. |
F-8
Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
● | Shipping and handling practical expedient to account for shipping and handling activities that occur after control of the related good transfers as fulfillment activities. |
● | Costs of obtaining a contract practical expedient to recognize the incremental costs of obtaining a contract as an expense when incurred if the amortization period of the asset is one year or less. |
● | Sales taxes practical expedient to exclude sales taxes and other similar taxes from the transaction price. |
● | Significant financing component practical expedient |
Revenue is recognized at the transaction price which the Company expects to be entitled to receive. When determining the transaction price, the Company estimates variable consideration by applying the portfolio approach practical expedient under ASC 606. The primary sources of variable consideration for the Company are rebate programs, incentive programs and product returns. The rebate and incentives are recorded as a reduction to revenue at the time of the initial sale or when offered. The Company estimates variable consideration related to products sold under its rebate and incentive programs using the expected value method, which is based on sales terms with customers, historical experience, inventory levels, volume purchases, and known changes in relevant trends in the future. There are no material instances where variable consideration is constrained and not recorded at the initial time of sale.
Substantially all of the Company’s sales are domestic and are made to customers under agreements permitting certain limited rights of return based upon the prior months’ sales and vendor return rights. Except for video games and vinyl sales, which are not returnable, generally it is the Company’s policy not to accept product returns that cannot be returned to the Company’s vendors. Revenue from product sales is recognized net of estimated returns. Sales in the pre-recorded music and video movies industry generally give certain customers the right to return products. In addition, the Company’s suppliers generally permit the Company to return products that are in the supplier’s current product listing, except for video games and vinyl.
Based on historical returns, review of current catalog list and the change of mass merchant’s floor space and store locations carrying the Company’s products, management provides for estimated net returns at the time of sale and other specific reserves when appropriate. This is typically done using a twelve-month average return rate by product.
The Company has determined that the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows are most significantly affected by the overall economic health of the consumer product industry in the United States.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents include all investments with original maturities of three months or less when purchased. The Company maintains its cash in bank deposit accounts which, at times, may exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.
Trade Receivables, Net
The Company grants credit to customers on credit terms in the ordinary course of business. Credit is extended based on an evaluation of a customer’s financial condition and collateral is generally not required. Trade receivables are carried at original invoice amount less estimates made for allowances for uncollectible accounts based on a periodic review of all outstanding amounts. Management determines these allowances by regularly evaluating individual customer receivables and considering a customer’s financial condition and credit history. Trade receivables are written off against the allowance when they are deemed uncollectible. Recoveries of trade receivables previously written off are recorded as a credit to the allowance for uncollectible accounts when received.
Inventory and Inventory Reserves
Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, using the weighted average cost method. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation.
F-9
Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Excess or obsolete inventory reserves are established when inventory is estimated to not be sellable or returnable to suppliers based on product demand and product life cycle.
Property and Equipment, Net
Property and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation and amortization are calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the asset. Costs of major additions and improvements are capitalized while repair and maintenance costs are charged to expense as incurred. When items are disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are eliminated from the accounts, and any gain or loss is reflected in the consolidated statements of operations.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation is provided in amounts sufficient to allocate the cost of depreciable assets to operations over their estimated useful lives using the straight-line method. The estimated useful lives are as follows:
Asset Class |
| Useful Life |
Leasehold Improvements | 5 – 10 years | |
Machinery and Equipment | 3 – 7 years | |
Furniture and Fixtures | 5 – 7 years | |
Capitalized Software | 1 – 3 years | |
Equipment Under Capital Leases | 5 years | |
Computer Equipment | 2 – 5 years |
Leasehold improvements and equipment under capitalized leases are amortized over the shorter of the useful life of the asset or the life of the lease. Depreciation and amortization expense was approximately $3.1 million, $5.6 million, and $7.1 million for the years ended June 30, 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively.
Goodwill and Definite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net
Goodwill is assessed using either a qualitative assessment or quantitative approach to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying amount. The qualitative assessment evaluates factors including macroeconomic conditions, industry-specific and company-specific considerations, legal and regulatory environments, and historical performance. If the Company determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than it carrying value, a quantitative assessment is performed. Otherwise, no further assessment is required. The quantitative approach compares the estimated fair value of the reporting units to it carrying amount, including goodwill. Impairment is indicated if the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying amount of the reporting unit, and an impairment charge is recognized for the differential.
The Company completes its annual goodwill impairment test as of June 30 each year. For the years ended June 30, 2022, 2021 and 2020, the Company did not record any impairment.
Intangible assets are stated at cost, less accumulated amortization. Amortization of customer relationships and lists is recorded using an accelerated method over the useful lives of the related assets, which range from 10 to 15 years. Covenants not to compete, trade name and favorable leases are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets, which range from five to fifteen years.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Recoverability of long-lived assets, including property and equipment and certain identifiable intangible assets are evaluated whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Factors considered important which could trigger an impairment review include but are not limited to significant underperformance relative to historical or projected future operating results, significant changes in the manner of use of the assets or the strategy for the overall business, significant decrease in the market value of the assets and significant negative industry or economic trends. In the event the carrying
F-10
Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
amount of the long-lived assets may not be recoverable based upon the existence of one or more of the indicators, the assets are assessed for impairment based on the estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual deposition. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds the sum of the estimated future undiscounted cash flow, an impairment loss is recorded for the excess of the asset’s carrying amount over its fair value. There was no impairment during the years ended June 30, 2022, 2021 and 2020.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Significant estimates inherent in the preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements include management’s estimates of doubtful accounts, sales returns, rebates, defective products, and inventory recoverability. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates compared to historical experience and trends, which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company complies with ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosure requirements about fair value measurements. Under ASC 820, there are three categories for the classification and measurement of assets and liabilities carried at fair value:
Level 1: Valuation based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Since valuations are based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market, valuation of these products does not entail a significant degree of judgment. Examples include publicly traded equity securities and publicly traded mutual funds that are actively traded on a major exchange or over-the-counter market.
Level 2: Valuation based on quoted market prices of investments that are not actively traded or for which certain significant inputs are not observable, either directly or indirectly. Examples include municipal bonds, where fair value is estimated using recently executed transactions, bid asked prices and pricing models that factor in, where applicable, interest rates, bond spreads and volatility.
Level 3: Valuation based on inputs that are unobservable and reflect management’s best estimate of what market participants would use as fair value. Examples include limited partnerships and private equity investments.
Cash, trade accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities estimated fair values approximate carrying amounts as of June 30, 2022 and 2021, based on the short-term nature and maturity of these instruments.
The estimated fair value of debt and the credit facility is based on Level 2 inputs, which consist of interest rates that are currently available to the Company for issuance of debt with similar terms and remaining maturities. As of June 30, 2022, 2021 and 2020 the estimated fair value of the Company’s short and long-term debt approximates it carrying value due to market interest rates charged on such debt or their short-term maturities.
The estimated fair value of the tangible and intangible assets acquired, and the liabilities assumed in connection with the acquisition of COKeM were measured using Level 2 and Level 3 inputs.
Advertising Costs
Advertising costs, which consist primarily of mailers, catalogs, online marketing and other promotions, are expensed in the period in which the advertisement or promotion occurs. Additionally, the Company maintains cooperative advertising agreements with
F-11
Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
certain vendors to include their logos and product descriptions prominently in the catalogs and calendars. The fee revenues charged to the vendors for the cooperative advertising arrangements are recorded as a reduction of advertising expense and any excess fees are recorded as a reduction of cost of goods sold. Advertising costs, net, for the years ended June 30, 2022, 2021, and 2020, were $6.5 million, $6.1 million, and $6.5 million, respectively.
Deferred Financing Costs
Deferred financing costs relating to the Company’s revolving credit facility are deferred and amortized ratably over the life of the debt using the straight-line method. Deferred financing costs are included as an addition to interest expense on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income and are included in Revolving Credit Facility, Net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Shipping and Handling
The Company accounts for shipping and handling activities as fulfillment activities. As such, the Company does not evaluate shipping and handling as promised services to its customers. Shipping and handling costs are included in cost of revenues in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.
Foreign Currency Translation and Transactions
The financial position and results of operations of the Company’s foreign subsidiary is measured using the local currency as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities of this subsidiary are translated into United States dollars at the exchange rate in effect at each period end. Income statement accounts are translated at the average rate of exchange prevailing during the period. Foreign currency translation income totaled $7 and $15 thousand for the years ended June 30, 2022, and 2021 respectively. Foreign currency translation loss totaled $318 thousand for the year ended June 30, 2020.
The Company does not typically hedge its foreign exchange rate position. Realized gains or losses from foreign currency transactions are included in operations as incurred.
Business Combinations — Valuation of Acquired Assets and Liabilities Assumed
The Company allocates the purchase price for each business combination, or acquired business, based upon (i) the fair value of the consideration paid and (ii) the fair value of net assets acquired, and liabilities assumed. The determination of the fair value of net assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires estimates and judgements of future cash flow expectations for the acquired business and the allocation of those cash flows to identifiable tangible and intangible assets. Fair values are calculated by applying estimates related to Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) assumptions as well as incorporating expected cash flows into industry standard valuation techniques. Goodwill is the amount by which the purchase price consideration exceeds the fair value of tangible and intangible assets acquired, less assumed liabilities.
Intangible assets, such as customer relations and trade names, when identified, are separately recognized and amortized over their estimated useful lives, if considered definite lived. Acquisition costs are expensed as incurred and are included the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.
Leases
The Company is a lessee in multiple noncancelable operating and financing leases. If the contract provides the Company the right to substantially all the economic benefits and the right to direct the use of the identified asset, it is generally considered to be or contain a lease. ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of the future lease payments over the expected lease term. The ROU asset is also adjusted for any lease prepayments made, lease incentives received, and initial direct costs incurred.
F-12
Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The lease liability is initially and subsequently recognized based on the present value of its future lease payments. Variable payments are included in the future lease payments when those variable payments depend on an index or a rate. Increases (decreases) to variable lease payments due to subsequent changes in an index or rate are recorded as variable lease expense (income) in the future period in which they are incurred.
The discount rate used is the implicit rate in the lease contract, if it is readily determinable, or the Company’s incremental borrowing rate. The Company uses the incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date for all leases. The Company’s incremental borrowing rate for a lease is the rate of interest it would have to pay on a collateralized basis to borrow an amount equal to the lease payments under similar terms and in a similar economic environment.
The ROU asset for operating leases is subsequently measured throughout the lease term at the amount of the remeasured lease liability (i.e., present value of the remaining lease payments), plus unamortized initial direct costs, plus (minus) any prepaid (accrued) lease payments, less the unamortized balance of lease incentives received, and any impairment recognized. Operating leases with fluctuating lease payments: For operating leases with lease payments that fluctuate over the lease term, the total lease costs are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The ROU asset for finance leases is amortized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
For all underlying classes of assets, the Company has elected to not recognize ROU assets and lease liabilities for short-term leases that have a lease term of 12 months or less at lease commencement and do not include an option to purchase the underlying asset that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise. Leases containing termination clauses in which either party may terminate the lease without cause and the notice period is less than 12 months are generally deemed short-term leases with lease costs included in short-term lease expense. The Company recognizes short-term lease cost on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Variable Interest Entity
The Company evaluates its ownership, contractual, and other interests in entities to determine if it has any variable interest in a variable interest entity (VIE). These evaluations are complex, involve judgment, and the use of estimates and assumptions based on available historical information, among other factors. If the Company determines that an entity in which it holds a contractual, or ownership, interest is a VIE and that the Company is the primary beneficiary, the Company consolidates such entity in its consolidated financial statements. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is the party that meets both of the following criteria: (i) has the power to make decisions that most significantly affect the economic performance of the VIE; and (ii) has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that in either case could potentially be significant to the VIE. Management performs ongoing reassessments of whether changes in the facts and circumstances regarding the Company’s involvement with a VIE will cause the consolidation conclusion to change.
Changes in consolidation status are applied prospectively. The Company evaluated its transactions with a related party (included in Note 12) and concluded that the arrangements do not result in variable interests and do not require consolidation of any of the related party entities.
Segments
Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise where discrete financial information is available and evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker or decision-making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Company’s chief operating decision makers manage the business, allocate resources, and assess performance on a consolidated basis. Accordingly, the Company has one operating and reportable segment.
Accounting Pronouncements
Recently issued and adopted accounting pronouncements
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes which was issued to simplify the accounting for income taxes by eliminating certain exceptions related to the approach
F-13
Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
for intra-period tax allocation, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period, and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences. This ASU also clarifies and simplifies other aspects of the accounting for income taxes. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and early adoption is permitted. The company adopted the new standard on July 1, 2021. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the company’s consolidated financials statements.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financials Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 848): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financials Instruments to amend the current accounting guidance which requires an incurred loss model for recognizing credit losses. Under the new guidance, the Company now measures all expected losses based on a forward-looking expected loss model which reflects probable losses based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The Company adopted the new standard on July 1, 2020. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the company’s consolidated financial statements.
Recently issued but not yet adopted accounting pronouncements
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting.” The new guidance provides temporary optional guidance to ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform. The new guidance provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. These transactions include contract modifications, hedging relationships, and the sale or transfer of debt securities classified as held-to-maturity. Entities may apply the provisions of the new standard as of the beginning of the reporting period when the election is made. The provisions of this update are only available until December 31, 2022, when the reference rate replacement activity is expected to be completed. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that adopting this guidance may have on its consolidated financial statements.
In October 2021, The FASB issued ASU No. 2021-08, Accounting for contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from contracts with customers (Topic 805) (“ASU 2021-08”). ASU 2021-08 requires an acquirer in a business combination to recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities (deferred revenue) from acquired contracts using the revenue recognition guidance in Topic 606. At the acquisition date, the acquirer applies the revenue model as if it had originated the acquired contracts. ASU 2021-08 is effective for annual periods beginning December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Adoption of SU 2021-08 should be applied prospectively. Early adoption is also permitted, including adoption in an interim period. If early adopted, the amendments are applied retrospectively to all business combinations for which the acquisition date occurred during the fiscal year of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2021-08 on its consolidated financial statements.
Note 2: Trade Receivables, Net
Trade Receivables, Net consists of the following at:
($ in thousands) | June 30, 2022 | June 30, 2021 | ||||
Trade receivables |
| $ | 101,064 |
| $ | 115,618 |
Less: | ||||||
Allowances for Doubtful Accounts | (558) | (1,145) | ||||
Sales returns reserve, net | (1,898) | (2,975) | ||||
Customer Rebate and Discount Reserve | 90 | (166) | ||||
Total Allowances | (2,366) | (4,286) | ||||
Trade Receivables, Net | $ | 98,699 | $ | 111,332 |
F-14
Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Concentration of Credit Risk
Concentration of Credit Risk consists of the following at:
Revenue
Year Ended | |||||||
($ in thousands) |
| June 30, 2022 |
| June 30, 2021 |
| June 30, 2020 | |
Customer #1 | 23.6 | % | 23.7 | % | 19.6 | % |
Receivables Balance
($ in thousands) |
| June 30, 2022 |
| June 30, 2021 | |
Customer #1 | 21.4 | % | 12.2 | % | |
Customer #2 | 14.2 | % | * |
*Less than 10%
Note 3: Inventory, Net
Inventory, Net (all finished goods) consists of the following at:
($ in thousands) |
| June 30, 2022 |
| June 30, 2021 | ||
Inventory | $ | 255,236 | $ | 145,740 | ||
Less: Reserves | (5,797) | (4,079) | ||||
Inventory, Net | $ | 249,439 | $ | 141,661 |
Note 4: Other Current and Long-Term Assets
Other Current and Long-Term Assets consists of the following at:
($ in thousands) |
| June 30, 2022 |
| June 30, 2021 |
| ||
Other Assets – Current |
|
| |||||
Prepaid Intellectual Property | $ | 2,443 | $ | 3,411 | |||
Prepaid Insurance | 431 | 2,011 | |||||
Prepaid Acquisitions | 2,243 | — | |||||
Prepaid Freight | 216 | | |||||
Prepaid Manufacturing Components | 79 | 167 | |||||
Prepaid Maintenance | 885 | 165 | |||||
Prepaid Shipping Supplies | 2,832 | 1,533 | |||||
Total Other Assets – Current | $ | 9,129 | $ | 7,287 | |||
Other Assets – Long Term | |||||||
Deposits | $ | 3,748 | $ | 361 | |||
Total Other Assets – Long Term | $ | 3,748 | $ | 361 |
F-15
Note 5: Property and Equipment, Net
Property and Equipment, Net consists of the following at:
($ in thousands) |
| June 30, 2022 |
| June 30, 2021 |
| ||
Property and Equipment |
|
| |||||
Leasehold Improvements | $ | 1,680 | $ | 1,597 | |||
Machinery and Equipment | 19,440 | 19,236 | |||||
Furniture and Fixtures | 3,530 | 2,622 | |||||
Capitalized Software | 11,451 | 11,422 | |||||
Equipment Under Capital Leases | 12,917 | 12,917 | |||||
Computer Equipment | 2,662 | 2,665 | |||||
Construction in Progress | 154 | 104 | |||||
51,834 | 50,563 | ||||||
Less: Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization | (48,550) | (44,233) | |||||
Total Property and Equipment, Net | $ | 3,284 | $ | 6,330 |
Depreciation and Amortization Expense for the years ended 2022, 2021 and 2020 was $3.1 million, $5.6 million, and $7.1 million respectively.
Note 6: Intangible Assets, Net
Intangible Assets, Net consists of the following at:
|
| Amortization |
|
| Amortization |
| ||||||||
Life | Year Ended | June 30, | Year Ended | June 30, | ||||||||||
($ in thousands) | (in yrs.) | June 30, 2021 | 2021 | June 30, 2022 | 2022 | |||||||||
Identifiable Intangible Assets: |
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Customer Relationships | 15 | $ | (4,331) | $ | 14,633 | $ | (3,690) | $ | 10,943 | |||||
Trade Name – Alliance | 10 | (382) | 634 | (254) | 380 | |||||||||
Covenant Not to Compete | 7 | (1) | 4 | (1) | 3 | |||||||||
Mecca Customer Relationships | 15 | (575) | 3,932 | (575) | 3,357 | |||||||||
Customer List | 10–15 | (739) | 4,724 | (643) | 4,081 | |||||||||
Total Identifiable Intangible Assets: | $ | (6,028) | $ | 23,927 | $ | (5,163) | $ | 18,764 |
F-16
Accumulated amortization as of June 30, 2022 and 2021 amounted to $90.9 million and $85.8 million, respectively. During the years ended June 30, 2022, 2021, and 2020, the Company recorded amortization expense of $5.2 million, $6.0 million, and $8.6 million, respectively.
Expected amortization over the next five years and thereafter, at June 30, 2022, is as follows:
| Intangible | ||
($ in thousands) | Assets | ||
Year Ended June 30 | |||
2023 | $ | 4,056 | |
2024 | 3,470 | ||
2025 | 2,898 | ||
2026 | 2,586 | ||
2027 | 2,536 | ||
Thereafter | 3,218 | ||
Total Expected Amortization | $ | 18,764 |
Note 7: Accrued Expenses
Accrued Expenses consists of the following at:
($ in thousands) |
| June 30, 2022 |
| June 30, 2021 |
| ||
Marketing Funds Accruals | $ | 2,738 | $ | 1,294 | |||
Payroll and Payroll Tax Accruals | 3,904 | 6,833 | |||||
Accruals for Other Expenses | 4,931 | 5,428 | |||||
Total Accrued Expenses | $ | 11,573 | $ | 13,555 |
Note 8: Lines of Credit and Long-Term Obligation
Line of Credit
On June 30, 2022, the credit line with Bank of America was amended for the current period which ends September 29, 2023 and increased from $175 million to $225 million with a variable annual interest rate equal to the higher of the Prime rate, Federal Funds rate plus .5% or Bank of America SOFR rate plus 2.11% (Libor rate plus 2% is the prior agreement). As of June 30, 2022, the interest rate was 3.61% (SOFR 1.5% plus a spread of 2.11%). As of June 30, 2021, the interest rate was 2.25% (Libor .25% plus a spread of 2%) with borrowing above the contracted Libor at 4.25% (Base Rate 3.25% plus a spread of 1%). The weighted average interest rate on the revolver for fiscal years ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 was 2.5% and 4.15% respectively.
All assets (with certain capitalized lease exceptions) and interest in assets of the Company are pledged as collateral under the Credit Facility. In addition, the Credit Facility contains certain financial covenants with which the Company is required to comply. Failure to comply with the financial covenants contained in the Credit Facility could result in an event of default. An event of default, if not cured or waived, would permit acceleration of any outstanding indebtedness under the Credit Facility. As of June 30, 2022, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants pertaining to the credit facility. The Company obtained a waiver for non- compliance with one non-financial covenant related to its delivery of the monthly unaudited financial statements and compliance certificates for the periods pertaining to June 30, 2022, July 31, 2022, and August 31, 2022. This non-compliance resulted in events of default under the Revolving Credit Facility. As a result of this non-compliance as of the June 30, 2022 balance sheet date and periods thereafter, the Company has classified the outstanding balance of the Revolving Credit Facility Net of $135,968 as a current liability as of June 30, 2022. The Company expects that it will comply with this non-financial covenant for a period of at least one year from the issuance of these financial statements.
F-17
Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Availability under the Credit Facility is limited by the Company’s borrowing base calculation, as defined in the Credit Agreement. In addition, there is a commitment fee of 0.25% for unused credit line with fees for year ended June 30, 2022, and 2021 of $100 thousand and $300 thousand, respectively. Availability at June 30, 2022, was $48 million with an outstanding revolver balance of $136 million. Availability on June 30, 2021 was $95 million with an outstanding revolver balance of $54 million.
Revolver Balance consists of the following at:
($ in thousands) |
| June 30, 2022 |
| June 30, 2021 |
| ||
Bank of America Revolving Credit Agreement | $ | 136,176 | $ | 53,955 | |||
Less: Deferred Finance Costs | (208) | (375) | |||||
Revolving Credit, Net | $ | 135,968 | $ | 53,580 |
Seller Notes
As part of the acquisition described in Note 15, the Company issued an $8.5 million subordinated note payable effective September 2020 that matures in September 2022. Interest is incurred at an annual rate of 6%. After a $2.5 million early payment, there was $3.75 million outstanding in current and long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2021. As of June 30, 2022, the Seller Note balance was paid in full.
Note 9: Employee Benefits
Company Health Plans
The Company sponsors the Alliance Health & Benefits Plan (AHBP) consisting of the following plans: self-insured medical (PPO and HDHP), dental (PPO and HMO), vision, life Insurance, short & long-term disability. The medical insurance is self-insured to a maximum company exposure of $200K per individual occurrence, at which time a stop loss policy covers the balance of covered claims. The Company contributes various percentages to different levels of premium coverage. As of June 30, 2022, the Company fully accrued for estimated run out exposure on a mature claim basis, as provided and calculated by our plan administrator.
The Dental insurance HMO is self-insured to a maximum per individual procedure based on a published schedule which measures exposure. The PPO policy is fully insured. The Company contributes various percentages to different levels of premium coverage. As of June 30, 2022, the Company was fully accrued for estimated run out exposure on a mature claim basis, as provided and calculated by the plan administrator. The vision plan, life insurance plan, and short & long-term disability plans are fully insured, sponsored by the company and premiums are paid by the employer and employee based on various Board approved schedules. During the years ended June 30, 2022, and 2021, the accrued estimated run out exposure totaled approximately $218 thousand and $436 thousand, respectively, for the medical and dental insurance plans. Accrued estimated runout exposure is included in accrued expenses on the consolidated balance sheets.
401(k) Plan
The Company has the Alliance Entertainment 401(k) Plan (401(k) Plan) covering all eligible employees of the Company. All employees over the age of 18 are eligible to participate in the Plan at the beginning of the month following date of hire. The Plan has automatic deferral at the beginning of the month following date of hire. Employees are automatically enrolled in the Plan with a 3% contribution; however, they have the option to increase/decrease their deferrals or opt out of the Plan at any time. The Company currently offers a match contribution of $.50 of every dollar up to 4% of contribution percentage. The Company conducts a retirement plan review on an annual basis. During the years ended June 30, 2022, 2021, and 2020 the Company contributed approximately $695 thousand, $502 thousand, and $539 thousand to this retirement plan, respectively which is recorded in Selling, General and Administrative Expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.
F-18
Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 10: Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes under an asset and liability approach that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company’s consolidated financial statements or tax returns as well as tax credits carry forward. In estimating future tax consequences, the Company generally considers all expected future events other than enactments of changes in the tax laws or rates. Valuation allowances are established as necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount more likely than not to be realized.
The Company’s policy on income statement classification of interest and penalties related to income tax obligations is to include such items as part of total interest expense and other expense, respectively. As of June 30, 2022, and 2021, the Company did not have any material uncertain tax positions and thus has not recognized any interest or penalties in these consolidated financial statements.
Domestic income (loss) before income taxes and details of the income tax expense (benefit) are as follows:
The items accounting for the difference between income taxes computed at the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate and the income tax expense (benefit) at the effective tax rate for each of the years are as follows:
In year ended June 30, 2020 the company recorded an Income Tax benefit of $2.5 million related to NOL Carrybacks under the provision in the CARES Act.
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the amount of assets and liabilities for accounting purposes and the amounts used for tax purposes.
F-19
The components of deferred taxes consist of the following (amounts in thousands):
Year Ended June 30 | ||||||
(In thousands) |
| 2022 |
| 2021 | ||
Deferred Tax Assets: | ||||||
Other Deferred (ICDISC) | $ | 583 | $ | 245 | ||
Net Operating Losses | 30 | 30 | ||||
Bad Debt | 39 | 83 | ||||
Total Deferred Tax Assets | 652 | 358 | ||||
Deferred Tax Liabilities: |
| |||||
Inventory | (324) | (875) | ||||
Accruals Not Currently Deductible | (792) | (98) | ||||
Prepaids | (1,004) | (1,224) | ||||
Property and Equipment | (1,399) | (1,924) | ||||
Goodwill/Intangibles | (2,404) | (2,685) | ||||
Total Deferred Tax Liabilities | (5,923) | (6,806) | ||||
Net Deferred Tax Liability | $ | (5,271) | $ | (6,448) |
As of June 30, 2022, 2021 and 2020, the Company had recorded no unrecognized tax benefits and, therefore, no accrued interest or penalties for unrecognized tax positions as of fiscal year ended June 30, 2022. In addition, the Company is under examination by Internal Revenue Service and Florida tax authorities. These proceedings may lead to adjustments or proposed adjustments to their taxes or provisions for uncertain tax provisions. The Company believes that it would prevail under such examination and, accordingly, has not recorded a provision for uncertain tax positions.
The Company evaluates deferred tax assets each period for recoverability. The Company records a valuation allowance for assets that do not meet the threshold of “more likely than not” to be realized in the future. To make that determination, the Company evaluates the likelihood of realization based on the weight of all positive and negative evidence available. As of June 30, 2022, and 2021, the Company has not recorded a valuation allowance.
The Company will reevaluate this determination quarterly and record a tax expense if and when future evidence requires a valuation allowance.
The Company’s tax years after fiscal year 2018 remain open for federal purposes and fiscal year 2016 for certain state taxes.
In addition, due to the Florida tax examination, tax years 2008 through 2016 also remain open.
Note 11: Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments
The Company enters into various agreements with suppliers for the products it distributes. The Company had no long-term purchase commitments or arrangements with its suppliers as of June 30, 2022 or 2021.
Litigation, Claims and Assessments
We are exposed to claims, litigation and/or cyber-attacks of varying degrees arising in the ordinary course of business and use various methods to resolve these matters. When a loss is probable, we record an accrual based on the reasonably estimable loss or range of loss. When no point of loss is more likely than another, we record the lowest amount in the estimated range of loss and, if material, disclose the estimated range of loss. We do not record liabilities for reasonably possible loss contingencies but do disclose a range of reasonably possible losses if they are material and we are able to estimate such a range. If we cannot provide a range of reasonably possible losses, we explain the factors that prevent us from determining such a range. Historically, adjustments to our estimates have not been material. We believe the recorded reserves in our consolidated financial statements are adequate in light of the probable and
F-20
Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
estimable liabilities. We do not believe that any of these identified claims or litigation will be material to our results of operations, cash flows, or financial condition.
Note 12: Related Party Transactions
Captive Insurance Policies
In addition to insurance policies as required by the Company’s loan agreement, which insure certain assets, liabilities and general operations of the Company, the Stockholders of the Company established two insurance companies; Guard Yourself Insurance Company, Ltd. and Super O Insurance Company, Ltd., replaced effective April 1, 2018, with the current new insurance companies, Airlie Protection Ins. Co., Inc. and Protection for You Ins. Co., Inc. These insurance companies additionally insure the general assets, liabilities and claims of the Company through March 30, 2022, and were not renewed for future periods. The entities are known as captive insurance companies. New policies cover the period of March 31, 2021, to March 30, 2022, and will incur an annual expense of $2.4 million. Premium payments are allowed based on the Loan Agreement dated February 21, 2017. The Company is not a guarantor and does not have exposure in the event of a loss. Total captive policy expense for years ending June 30, 2022, 2021, and 2020 was $1.6 million, $2.2 million, and $2.7 million, respectively. Total claims filed for the years ended June 30, 2022, 2021, and 2020 were $1.4 million, $1.4 million, and $0.9 million respectively. On June 30, 2022, and 2021, receivables from the captive insurance companies were $0.25 million and $1.5 million, respectively, which are included in related party receivables on the consolidated balance sheets.
Interest-Charge Domestic International Sales Corporation
The Company has an affiliate, My Worldwide Market Place, Inc. which is an IC-DISC and was established February 12, 2013. The IC-DISC is owned by the Company Stockholders.
The IC-DISC is organized to manage sales to certain qualified customers and receive commissions from the Company for this activity. The commissions expense ($9.9 million, $5.4 million, and $8.2 million for the years ended June 30, 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively) was determined under formulas and rules defined in the law and regulations of the US tax code. Under these regulations, the commission is deductible by the Company and results in a specified profit to the IC-DISC. This net profit is not subject to Federal income tax. The IC-DISC distributes the profit to its Stockholders, who are taxed on the income as a dividend.
During the years ended June 30, 2022, 2021 and 2020, the Company had sales to a related party company owned by the Company’s shareholders of $7.1 million, $5.3 million, and $2.5 million, respectively. Also, during the years ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company had costs incurred with another related party company in the amount of $13.0 million, and $3.0 million, respectively.
Note 13: Leases
The Company leases office and warehouse, computer equipment and vehicles. Certain operating leases may contain one or more options to renew. The renewal terms can extend the lease term from one to 13 years. The exercise of lease renewal options is at the Company’s sole discretion. Renewal option periods are included in the measurement of the Right of Use (ROU) asset and lease liability when the exercise is reasonably certain to occur.
The depreciable lives of assets and leasehold improvements are limited by the expected lease term, unless there is a transfer of title or purchase option reasonably certain of exercise.
The Company’s lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. Payments due under the lease contracts include fixed payments plus, may include variable payments. The Company’s office space leases require it to make variable payments for the Company’s proportionate share of the building’s property taxes, insurance, and common area maintenance. These variable lease payments are not included in lease payments used to determine the lease liability and are recognized as variable costs when incurred. Fixed payments may contain predetermined fixed rent escalations.
F-21
Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Operating leases are included in the following asset and liability accounts on the Company’s Balance Sheet: Operating Lease Right-of-Use Assets, Current Portion of Operating Lease Obligations, and Noncurrent Operating Lease Obligations. ROU assets and liabilities arising from finance leases are included in the following asset and liability accounts on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet: Property & Equipment — Net, Current Portion of Finance Lease Obligation, and Noncurrent Finance Lease Obligations.
Components of lease expense were as follows for the years ended June 30, 2022, 2021 and 2020:
| Year Ended June 30, | ||||||
2022 |
| 2021 |
| 2020 | |||
Weighted-Average Remaining Lease Term – Operating Leases | 2.33 | 1.63 | 2.13 | ||||
Weighted-Average Remaining Lease Term – Financing Leases | 2.06 | 3.12 | 4.09 | ||||
Weighted-Average Discount Rate – Operating Leases | 4.10 | 3.35 | 3.26 | ||||
Weighted-Average Discount Rate – Financing Leases | 3.70 | 4.46 | 4.45 |
Maturities of lease liabilities are as follows as of June 30, 2022:
| Operating | ||
($ in thousands) | Leases | ||
2023 | 4,403 | ||
2024 | 4,019 | ||
2025 | 1,402 | ||
2026 | 99 | ||
Total Lease Payments | 9,923 | ||
Less Imputed Interest | (606) | ||
Total | $ | 9,317 |
Note 14: Earnings per Share (EPS)
Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS considers the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue shares, such as stock options, warrants, and unvested restricted stock units, were exercised and converted into common shares. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average shares outstanding during the period, increased by
F-22
Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
the number of additional shares that would have been outstanding if the potential shares had been issued and were dilutive. The Company does not have any potentially dilutive securities outstanding on June 30, 2022, 2021 or 2020.
Note 15: Business Acquisition
On September 30, 2020, Alliance Entertainment (AEC) purchased 100% of the stock of COKeM International (COKeM), a video games distribution company. The merged entity expanded and diversified AEC’s portfolio of products and enabled scale and fixed cost leverage. The aggregate purchase price for the acquisition was $80.4 million. The results of operations of the acquired entity are included in the FY2021 Consolidated Financial Statements from October 1, 2020, through June 30, 2021. The Company recognized $0.35 million of acquisition-related costs that were expensed in the current period. These costs are included in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income within Transaction Costs.
COKeM’s revenue and earnings included in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations for the periods October 1, 2020, through June 30, 2021, are as follows:
($ in thousands) |
| Nine Months Ended | |
June 30, 2021 | |||
Revenue | $ | 405,714 | |
Net Income | 19,567 |
The Acquisition date fair value of the consideration transferred totaled $80.4 million, which consisted of the following:
Cash at Close |
| $ | 71,859 |
Note to Seller | 8,500 | ||
$ | 80,359 |
($ in thousands) |
| ||
Cash Acquired | $ | 6,450 | |
Trade Receivables | 48,729 | ||
Inventory | 70,267 | ||
Other Assets | 1,779 | ||
Accounts Payable | (48,770) | ||
Accrued Expenses | (734) | ||
Property and Equipment | 2,638 | ||
Total Purchase Price | $ | 80,359 |
In connection with the above stock purchase, the Company amended its credit line with Bank of America. The terms increase the borrowing limits to $175 million and the agreement was extended to September 2023.
F-23
Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The following table presents the unaudited supplemental pro forma financial information as if the acquisition had closed as of July 1, 2019.
| Year Ended |
| |||||
($ in thousands) |
| June 30, 2021 |
| June 30, 2020 | |||
Revenue | $ | 1,414,039 | $ | 1,195,005 | |||
Net Income | 42,542 | 3,402 |
Note 16: Subsequent Events
On July 1, 2022 the company completed the acquisition of a toys and collectibles distribution company for an aggregated purchase price of approximately $9.2 million. Due to the limited amount of time since this acquisition, the initial purchase accounting for it is incomplete.
Subsequent events have been evaluated through October 17, 2022, the date these financial statements were available to be issued.
F-24
ADARA ACQUISITION CORP.
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed financial statements.
F-25
ADARA ACQUISITION CORP.
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | |||||||||||
June 30, | June 30, | |||||||||||
| 2022 |
| 2021 |
| 2022 |
| 2021 | |||||
Operating and formation costs |
| $ | 677,791 | $ | 247,167 | $ | 1,252,359 | $ | 415,170 | |||
Loss from operations | (677,791) | (247,167) | (1,252,359) | (415,170) | ||||||||
|
|
| ||||||||||
Other income (expense): |
|
| ||||||||||
Interest earned on marketable securities held in Trust Account | 147,540 | 2,896 | 157,895 | 4,424 | ||||||||
Transaction costs incurred in connection with IPO | — | — | — | (86,544) | ||||||||
Change in fair value of warrants liabilities | 1,388,800 | (1,561,700) | 3,075,200 | 2,545,200 | ||||||||
Other income (expense), net | 1,536,340 | (1,558,804) | 3,233,095 | 2,463,080 | ||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 858,549 | $ | (1,805,971) | $ | 1,980,736 | $ | 2,047,910 | ||||
|
|
|
| |||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding, Class A common stock | 11,500,000 | 11,500,000 |
| 11,500,000 |
| 8,831,492 | ||||||
|
|
| ||||||||||
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share, Class A common stock | 0.06 | (0.13) | 0.14 | 0.18 | ||||||||
|
|
| ||||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding, Class B common stock | 2,875,000 | 2,875,000 |
| 2,875,000 | 2,787,983 | |||||||
|
| |||||||||||
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share, Class B common stock | 0.06 | (0.13) | 0.14 | 0.18 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed financial statements.
F-26
ADARA ACQUISITION CORP.
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
(UNAUDITED)
THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2022
Additional | Total | |||||||||||||
Class B Common Stock | Paid-in | Accumulated | Stockholders’ | |||||||||||
| Shares |
| Amount |
| Capital |
| Deficit |
| Deficit | |||||
Balance - January 1, 2022 | 2,875,000 | $ | 288 | $ | — | $ | (4,367,476) | $ | (4,367,188) | |||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||
Net income |
| — | — |
| — |
| 1,122,187 |
| 1,122,187 | |||||
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Balance - March 31, 2022 |
| 2,875,000 | $ | 288 | $ | — | $ | (3,245,289) | $ | (3,245,001) | ||||
| ||||||||||||||
Net income | — | — | — | 858,549 | 858,549 | |||||||||
Balance – June 30, 2022 | 2,875,000 | $ | 288 | $ | — | $ | (2,386,740) | $ | (2,386,452) |
THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2021
Class B | Additional | Total | ||||||||||||
Common Stock | Paid-in | Accumulated | Stockholders’ | |||||||||||
| Shares |
| Amount |
| Capital |
| Deficit |
| Equity (Deficit) | |||||
Balance - January 1, 2021 | 2,875,000 | $ | 288 | $ | 24,712 | $ | (5,476) | $ | 19,524 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||
Accretion for Class A common stock to redemption amount | — | — | (313,212) | (7,606,206) | (7,919,418) | |||||||||
Cash paid in excess of fair value of private warrants | — | — | 288,400 | — | 288,400 | |||||||||
Issuance of Representative Warrants | — | — | 100 | — | 100 | |||||||||
Net income |
| — | — |
| — |
| 3,853,881 |
| 3,853,881 | |||||
Balance – March 31, 2021 | 2,875,000 | $ | 288 | $ | — | $ | (3,757,801) | $ | (3,757,513) | |||||
Net loss | — | — | — | (1,805,971) | (1,805,971) | |||||||||
Balance – June 30, 2021 |
| 2,875,000 | $ | 288 | $ | — | $ | (5,563,772) | $ | (5,563,484) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed financial statements.
F-27
ADARA ACQUISITION CORP.
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
Six Months Ended | Six Months Ended | |||||
June 30, | June 30, | |||||
| 2022 |
| 2021 | |||
Cash Flows from Operating Activities: |
| |||||
Net income | $ | 1,980,736 | $ | 2,047,910 | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities: |
|
|
| |||
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities | (3,075,200) | (2,545,200) | ||||
Transaction costs incurred in connection with IPO | — | 86,544 | ||||
Interest earned on marketable securities held in Trust Account | (157,895) | (4,424) | ||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
|
| ||||
Prepaid expenses | 78,333 | 104,014 | ||||
Accrued expenses | 129,223 | 182,798 | ||||
Net cash used in operating activities |
| (1,044,803) |
| (128,358) | ||
Cash Flows from Investing Activities: | ||||||
Investment of cash in Trust Account | — | (116,150,000) | ||||
Net cash used in investing activities | — | (116,150,000) | ||||
|
|
|
| |||
Cash Flows from Financing Activities: |
|
| ||||
Proceeds from sale of Units, net of underwriting discounts paid | — | 114,000,000 | ||||
Proceeds from sale of Private Placements Warrants | — | 4,120,000 | ||||
Proceeds from sale of Unit Purchase Option |
| — |
| 100 | ||
Proceeds from promissory note | 330,000 | — | ||||
Repayment of promissory note – related party |
| — |
| (600,000) | ||
Payment of offering costs |
| — |
| (402,352) | ||
Net cash provided by financing activities |
| 330,000 |
| 117,117,748 | ||
|
|
|
| |||
Net Change in Cash |
| (714,803) |
| 839,390 | ||
Cash – Beginning of period |
| 724,410 |
| 102,296 | ||
Cash – End of period | $ | 9,607 | $ | 941,686 | ||
|
|
|
| |||
Non-Cash investing and financing activities: |
|
|
| |||
Offering costs included in accrued offering costs | $ | — | $ | 5,000 | ||
Accretion for Class A common stock to redemption amount | $ | — | $ | 7,606,206 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed financial statements.
F-28
ADARA ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2022
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS
Adara Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) was incorporated in Delaware on August 5, 2020. The Company was formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses (the “Business Combination”). The Company is not limited to a particular industry or sector for purposes of consummating a Business Combination. The Company is an early stage and emerging growth company and, as such, the Company is subject to all the risks associated with early stage and emerging growth companies.
As of June 30, 2022, the Company had not commenced any operations. All activity for the period from August 5, 2020 (inception) through June 30, 2022 relates to the Company’s formation and the initial public offering (“Initial Public Offering”), which is described below, identifying a target company for a Business Combination. The Company will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion of its initial Business Combination, at the earliest. The Company generates non-operating income in the form of interest income from the marketable securities held in the Trust Account (as defined below). On June 22, 2022, the Company, Adara Merger Sub Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”), and Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation (“Alliance”) entered into a Business Combination Agreement (“BCA”) related to a proposed Business Combination
The registration statement for the Company’s Initial Public Offering was declared effective on February 8, 2021. On February 11, 2021, the Company consummated the Initial Public Offering of 11,500,000 units (the “Units” and, with respect to the Class A common stock included in the Units sold, the “Public Shares”), which includes the full exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option in the amount of 1,500,000 Units, at $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $115,000,000 which is described in Note 3.
Simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Company consummated the sale of 4,120,000 warrants (the “Private Placement Warrants”) at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant in a private placement to Adara Sponsor LLC (the “Sponsor”), generating gross proceeds of $4,120,000, which is described in Note 4.
Transaction costs amounted to $1,529,462, consisting of $1,000,000 in cash underwriting fees, net of reimbursement and $529,462 of other offering costs.
Following the closing of the Initial Public Offering on February 11, 2021, an amount of $116,150,000 ($10.10 per Unit) from the net proceeds of the sale of the Units in the Initial Public Offering and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants was placed in a trust account (the “Trust Account”), located in the United States and will be invested only in U.S. government securities, within the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act, with a maturity of 185 days or less or in any open-ended investment company that holds itself out as a money market fund selected by the Company meeting certain conditions of Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act, as determined by the Company, until the earlier of: (i) the completion of a Business Combination and (ii) the distribution of the funds held in the Trust Account, as described below.
The Company’s management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering and the sale of Placement Warrants, although substantially all of the net proceeds are intended to be applied generally toward consummating a Business Combination. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to complete a Business Combination successfully. The Company must complete one or more initial Business Combinations with one or more operating businesses or assets with a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the net assets held in the Trust Account (excluding taxes payable on the interest earned on the Trust Account) at the time of the Company’s signing a definitive agreement in connection with its initial Business Combination. The Company will only complete a Business Combination if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target business sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”). There is no assurance that the Company will be able to complete a Business Combination successfully.
F-29
ADARA ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2022
(UNAUDITED)
The Company will provide the holders of the outstanding Public Shares (the “Public Stockholders”) with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their Public Shares upon the completion of a Business Combination either (i) in connection with a stockholder meeting called to approve the Business Combination or (ii) by means of a tender offer. The decision as to whether the Company will seek stockholder approval of a Business Combination or conduct a tender offer will be made by the Company. The Public Stockholders will be entitled to redeem their Public Shares for a pro rata portion of the amount then in the Trust Account (initially anticipated to be $10.10 per Public Share, plus any pro rata interest then in the Trust Account, net of taxes payable). There will be no redemption rights upon the completion of a Business Combination with respect to the Company’s warrants.
The Company will only proceed with a Business Combination if the Company has net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 following any related redemptions and, if the Company seeks stockholder approval, a majority of the shares voted are voted in favor of the Business Combination. If a stockholder vote is not required by applicable law or stock exchange listing requirements and the Company does not decide to hold a stockholder vote for business or other reasons, the Company will, pursuant to its Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), conduct the redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to completing a Business Combination. If, however, stockholder approval of the transaction is required by applicable law or stock exchange listing requirements, or the Company decides to obtain stockholder approval for business or other reasons, the Company will offer to redeem shares in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to the proxy rules and not pursuant to the tender offer rules. If the Company seeks stockholder approval in connection with a Business Combination, the Sponsor has agreed to vote its Founder Shares (as defined in Note 5) and any Public Shares purchased during or after the Initial Public Offering in favor of approving a Business Combination. Additionally, each Public Stockholder may elect to redeem their Public Shares without voting, and if they do vote, irrespective of whether they vote for or against the proposed transaction.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company seeks stockholder approval of a Business Combination and it does not conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules, the Certificate of Incorporation provides that a Public Stockholder, together with any affiliate of such stockholder or any other person with whom such stockholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), will be restricted from redeeming its shares with respect to more than an aggregate of 15% of the Public Shares, without the prior consent of the Company.
The Sponsor has agreed (a) to waive its redemption rights with respect to the Founder Shares and Public Shares held by it in connection with the completion of a Business Combination, (b) to waive its liquidation rights with respect to the Founder Shares if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination by February 11, 2023 and (c) not to propose an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation (i) to modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to allow redemptions in connection with a Business Combination or to redeem 100% of its Public Shares if the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period (as defined below) or (ii) with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-business combination activity, unless the Company provides the Public Stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their Public Shares in conjunction with any such amendment. However, if the Sponsor acquires Public Shares in or after the Initial Public Offering, such Public Shares will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period.
The Company will have until February 11, 2023 to complete a Business Combination (the “Combination Period”). If the Company has not completed a Business Combination within the Combination Period, the Company will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than business days thereafter, redeem the Public Shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to pay taxes (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish Public Stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the Company’s remaining stockholders and the Company’s board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to the Company’s obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to the Company’s warrants, which will expire worthless if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period.
F-30
ADARA ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2022
(UNAUDITED)
In order to protect the amounts held in the Trust Account, the Sponsor has agreed to be liable to the Company if and to the extent any claims by a third party for services rendered or products sold to the Company, or a prospective target business with which the Company has discussed entering into a transaction agreement, reduce the amount of funds in the Trust Account to below the lesser of (i) $10.10 per Public Share and (ii) the actual amount per Public Share held in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account, if less than $10.10 per public Share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, less taxes payable, provided that such liability will not apply to any claims by a third party or prospective target business who executed a waiver of any and all rights to monies held in the Trust Account nor will it apply to any claims under the Company’s indemnity of the underwriters of the Initial Public Offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Moreover, in the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third party, the Sponsor will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third-party claims. The Company will seek to reduce the possibility that the Sponsor will have to indemnify the Trust Account due to claims of creditors by endeavoring to have all vendors, service providers (except for the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm), prospective target businesses and other entities with which the Company does business, execute agreements with the Company waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to monies held in the Trust Account.
Liquidity Capital Resources and Going Concern
As of June 30, 2022, the Company had cash of $9,607 not held in the Trust Account and available for working capital purposes and working capital deficit of $789,028. If the estimate of the costs of identifying a target business, undertaking in-depth due diligence and negotiating a Business Combination are less than the actual amount necessary to do so, the Company may have insufficient funds available to operate its business prior to a Business Combination. Moreover, the Company may need to obtain additional financing or draw on the Working Capital Loans (as defined below) either to complete a Business Combination or because it becomes obligated to redeem a significant number of the Public Shares upon consummation of a Business Combination, in which case the Company may issue additional securities or incur debt in connection with such Business Combination. Subject to compliance with applicable securities laws, the Company would only complete such financing simultaneously with the completion of our Business Combination. If the Company is unable to complete the Business Combination because it does not have sufficient funds available, the Company will be forced to cease operations and liquidate the Trust Account. In addition, following the Business combination, if cash on hand is insufficient, the Company may need to obtain additional financing in order to meet its obligations.
In connection with the Company’s assessment of going concern considerations in accordance with FASB’s Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-15, “Disclosures of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern,” management has determined that if the Company is unable to raise additional funds to alleviate liquidity needs as well as complete a Business Combination by February 11, 2023, then the Company will cease all operations except for the purpose of liquidating. The liquidity condition and date for mandatory liquidation and subsequent dissolution raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. No adjustments have been made to the carrying amounts of assets or liabilities should the Company be required to liquidate after February 11, 2023.
F-31
ADARA ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2022
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 8 of Regulation S-X of the SEC. Certain information or footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC for interim financial reporting. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes necessary for a complete presentation of financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of a normal recurring nature, which are necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, operating results and cash flows for the periods presented.
The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC on March 28, 2022. The interim results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2022 or for any future periods.
Emerging Growth Company
The Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), and it may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.
Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such election to opt out is irrevocable. The Company has elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, the Company, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of the Company’s financial statement with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the condensed financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Making estimates requires management to exercise significant judgment. It is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect of a condition, situation or set of circumstances that existed at the date of the financial statements, which management considered in formulating its estimate, could change in the near term due to one or more future confirming events. Accordingly, the actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.
F-32
ADARA ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2022
(UNAUDITED)
Offering Costs
Offering costs consist of legal, accounting, underwriting fees and other costs incurred through the condensed balance sheet date that are directly related to the Initial Public Offering. Offering costs associated with the Class A common stock issued were initially charged to temporary equity and then accreted to common stock subject to redemption upon the completion of the Initial Public Offering. Offering costs amounting to $1,442,918 were charged to temporary equity upon the completion of the Initial Public Offering, and $86,544 of the offering costs were related to the warrant liabilities and charged to the condensed statements of operations.
Class A Common Stock Subject to Possible Redemption
The Company accounts for its Class A common stock subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity”. Shares of Class A common stock subject to mandatory redemption is classified as a liability instrument and is measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable common stock (including common stock that features redemption rights that is either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within the Company’s control) is classified as temporary equity. At all other times, common stock is classified as stockholder’s equity. The Company’s Class A common stock features certain redemption rights that are considered to be outside of the Company’s control and subject to occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly, at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, Class A common stock subject to possible redemption is presented as temporary equity, outside of the stockholder’s deficit section of the Company’s condensed balance sheets.
The Company recognizes changes in redemption value immediately as they occur and adjusts the carrying value of redeemable common stock to equal the redemption value at the end of each reporting period.
At June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Class A common stock reflected in the condensed balance sheets are reconciled in the following table:
F-33
ADARA ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2022
(UNAUDITED)
Warrant Liabilities
The Company accounts for the Warrants in accordance with the guidance contained in ASC 815-40-15 under which the Warrants do not meet the criteria for equity treatment and must be recorded as liabilities. Accordingly, the Company classifies the Warrants as liabilities at their fair value and adjust the Warrants to fair value at each reporting period. This liability is subject to re-measurement at each balance sheet date until exercised, and any change in fair value is recognized in our statements of operations. The Private Warrants, Public Warrants, and the Representative Warrants for periods where no observable traded price was available are valued using a lattice model, specifically a binomial lattice. For periods subsequent to the detachment of the Public Warrants from the Units, the Public Warrant quoted market price was used as the fair value as of each relevant date.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes under ASC 740, “Income Taxes.” ASC 740, Income Taxes, requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for both the expected impact of differences between the unaudited condensed financial statements and tax basis of assets and liabilities and for the expected future tax benefit to be derived from tax loss and tax credit carry forwards. ASC 740 additionally requires a valuation allowance to be established when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of deferred tax assets will not be realized. As of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company’s deferred tax asset had a full valuation allowance recorded against it. ASC 740-270-25-2 requires that an annual effective tax rate be determined and such annual effective rate applied to year to date income in interim periods under ASC 740-270-30-5. The Company’s effective tax rate was 0.00% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021. The effective tax rate differs from the statutory tax rate of 21% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, due to changes in fair value in warrant liability and the valuation allowance on the deferred tax assets.
ASC 740 also clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement process for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. ASC 740 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim period, disclosure and transition.
The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. There were no unrecognized tax benefits and no amounts accrued for interest and penalties as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021. The Company is currently not aware of any issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals or material deviation from its position.
The Company has identified the United States as its only “major” tax jurisdiction. The Company is subject to income taxation by major taxing authorities since inception. These examinations may include questioning the timing and amount of deductions, the nexus of income among various tax jurisdictions and compliance with federal and state tax laws. The Company’s management does not expect that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will materially change over the next twelve months.
F-34
ADARA ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2022
(UNAUDITED)
Net Income (Loss) per Common Share
The Company complies with accounting and disclosure requirements of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share”. Income and losses are shared pro rata between the two classes of shares. Net income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common stock outstanding for the period. Accretion associated with the redeemable shares of Class A common stock is excluded from earnings per share as the redemption value approximates fair value.
The calculation of diluted income (loss) per common share does not consider the effect of the warrants issued in connection with the (i) Initial Public Offering, and (ii) the private placement since the exercise of the warrants is contingent upon the occurrence of future events. The warrants are exercisable to purchase 9,870,000 shares of Class A common stock in the aggregate. As of June 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company did not have any other dilutive securities or other contracts that could, potentially, be exercised or converted into common stock and then share in the earnings of the Company. As a result, diluted net income (loss) per share of common stock is the same as basic net income (loss) per common share for the periods presented.
The following table reflects the calculation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share (in dollars, except per share amounts):
Basic Dilutive | Dilutive | |||||||||||||||||
| Six Months Ended | Six Months Ended |
| Six Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
June 30, 2022 | June 30, 2021 | June 30, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
| Class A |
| Class B |
| Class A |
| Class B |
| Class A |
| Class B | |||||||
Numerator: |
|
| ||||||||||||||||
Allocation of net income, as adjusted | 1,584,589 | 396,147 | $ | 1,556,533 | $ | 491,377 | $ | 1,556,533 | $ | 491,377 | ||||||||
Denominator: |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||||
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding | 11,500,000 | 2,875,000 | 8,831,492 | 2,787,983 | 8,831,492 | 2,875,000 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||||
Basic and diluted net income per common shares | 0.14 | 0.14 | $ | 0.18 | $ | 0.18 | $ | 0.18 | $ | 0.18 |
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash accounts in a financial institution, which, at times may exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation coverage limit of $250,000. The Company has not experienced losses on these accounts and management believes the Company is not exposed to significant risks on such account.
F-35
ADARA ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2022
(UNAUDITED)
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments under ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurement,” approximates the carrying amounts represented in the accompanying condensed balance sheets, primarily due to their short-term nature, except for the warrant liabilities (see Note 9).
Recent Accounting Standards
Management does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting pronouncements, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’s condensed financial statements.
Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company evaluates its financial instruments to determine if such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives in accordance with ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging”. For derivative financial instruments that are accounted for as liabilities, the derivative instrument is initially recorded at its fair value on the grant date and is then re-valued at each reporting date, with changes in the fair value reported in the statements of operations.
The classification of derivative instruments, including whether such instruments should be recorded as liabilities or as equity, is evaluated at the end of each reporting period. Derivative liabilities are classified in the balance sheet as current or non-current based on whether or not net-cash settlement or conversion of the instrument could be required within 12 months of the balance sheet date.
NOTE 3. INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING
Pursuant to the Initial Public Offering, the Company sold 11,500,000 Units, inclusive of 1,500,000 Units sold to the underwriters on February 11, 2021 upon the underwriters’ election to fully exercise their over-allotment option, at a price of $10.00 per Unit. Each Unit consists of one share of Class A common stock and -half of redeemable warrant (“Public Warrant”). Each whole Public Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of Class A common stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment (see Note 8).
NOTE 4. PRIVATE PLACEMENT
Simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Sponsor purchased an aggregate of 4,120,000 Placement Warrants at a price of $1.00 per Placement Warrant ($4,120,000) from the Company in a private placement. Each Placement Warrant will be exercisable to purchase one share of Class A common stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment (see Note 8). The proceeds from the sale of the Placement Warrants were added to the net proceeds from the Initial Public Offering held in the Trust Account. If the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period, the proceeds from the sale of the Placement Warrants held in the Trust Account will be used to fund the redemption of the Public Shares (subject to the requirements of applicable law) and the Placement Warrants will expire worthless.
NOTE 5. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Founder Shares
In August 2020, the Sponsor purchased 2,875,000 shares (the “Founder Shares”) of the Company’s Class B common stock for an aggregate price of $25,000. The Founder Shares included an aggregate of up to 375,000 shares subject to forfeiture to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment was not exercised in full or in part, so that the number of Founder Shares will equal, on an as-converted basis, approximately 20% of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock after the Initial Public Offering. As a result of the underwriters’ election to fully exercise their over-allotment option, no Founder Shares are currently subject to forfeiture.
F-36
ADARA ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2022
(UNAUDITED)
The Sponsor has agreed, subject to limited exceptions, not to transfer, assign or sell any of the Founder Shares until the earlier to occur of: (A) one year after the completion of a Business Combination and (B) subsequent to a Business Combination, (x) if the last sale price of the Class A common stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after a Business Combination, or (y) the date on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange or other similar transaction that results in all of the Public Stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of common stock for cash, securities or other property.
Promissory Note — Related Party
On August 5, 2020, the Sponsor issued an unsecured promissory note to the Company, which was amended and restated on November 18, 2020 (the “Promissory Note”), pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $600,000. The Promissory Note was non-interest bearing and payable on the earlier of (i) March 31, 2021 or (ii) the consummation of the Initial Public Offering. As of December 31, 2021, there was no amounts outstanding under the Promissory Note. No future borrowings are permitted.
On June 22, 2022, Blystone & Donaldson, LLC issued an unsecured promissory note to the Company, pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $250,000. The Promissory Note was non-interest bearing and payable on the earlier of (i) closing of the Merger as described in the BCA or (ii) February 11, 2023. As June 30, 2022, $165,000 was outstanding under the Promissory Note.
On June 22, 2022, Thomas Finke, LLC issued an unsecured promissory note to the Company, pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $250,000. The Promissory Note was non-interest bearing and payable on the earlier of (i) closing of the Merger as described in the Business Combination Agreement (“BCA”) dated as of June 22, 2022 by and among Thomas Finke, the Company, and Adara Merger Sub Inc. and Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation as defined therein or (ii) February 11, 2023. As June 30, 2022, $165,000 was outstanding under the Promissory Note.
Related Party Loans
In order to finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor, or certain of the Company’s officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan the Company funds as may be required (“Working Capital Loans”). If the Company completes a Business Combination, the Company would repay the Working Capital Loans out of the proceeds of the Trust Account released to the Company. Otherwise, the Working Capital Loans would be repaid only out of funds held outside the Trust Account. In the event that a Business Combination does not close, the Company may use a portion of proceeds held outside the Trust Account to repay the Working Capital Loans, but no proceeds held in the Trust Account would be used to repay the Working Capital Loans. Except for the foregoing, the terms of such Working Capital Loans, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans. The Working Capital Loans would either be repaid upon consummation of a Business Combination, without interest, or, at the lender’s discretion, up to $1,500,000 of such Working Capital Loans may be convertible into warrants of the post-Business Combination entity at a price of $1.00 per warrant. The warrants would be identical to the Placement Warrants. As of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, there were no amounts outstanding under the Working Capital Loans.
Administrative Services Agreement
The Company entered into an agreement, commencing on February 11, 2021, through the earlier of the Company’s consummation of a Business Combination and its liquidation, to pay Adara Sponsor LLC, a total of $10,000 per month for office space and administrative support services. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, the Company incurred $30,000 and $60,000 in fees for these services, of which is included in amounts due to related party in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company incurred $30,000 and $50,000 in fees for these services, respectively. As of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, $10,000 and no amount was due, respectively.
F-37
ADARA ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2022
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE 6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Risks and Uncertainties
Management continues to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and has concluded that while it is reasonably possible that the virus could have a negative effect on the Company’s financial position, results of its operations and/or search for a target company, the specific impact is not readily determinable as of the date of these condensed financial statements. The condensed financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
In February 2022, the Russian Federation and Belarus commenced a military action with the country of Ukraine. As a result of this action, various nations, including the United States, have instituted economic sanctions against the Russian Federation and Belarus. Further, the impact of this action and related sanctions on the world economy are not determinable as of the date of these condensed financial statements. The specific impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows is also not determinable as of the date of these condensed financial statements.
Registration Rights
Pursuant to a registration rights agreement entered into on February 8, 2021, the holders of the Founder Shares, Placement Warrants and warrants that may be issued upon conversion of Working Capital Loans (and any Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Placement Warrants and warrants that may be issued upon conversion of Working Capital Loans and upon conversion of the Founder Shares) are entitled to registration rights pursuant to a registration rights agreement requiring the Company to register such securities for resale (in the case of the Founder Shares, only after conversion to the Company’s Class A common stock). The holders of the majority of these securities are entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form demands, that the Company register such securities. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to the completion of a Business Combination and rights to require the Company to register for resale such securities pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act. The registration rights agreement does not contain liquidated damages or other cash settlement provisions resulting from delays in registering our securities. The Company will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
Business Combination Agreement
On June 22, 2022, the Company, Merger Sub and Alliance entered into the Business Combination Agreement, pursuant to which the Company and Alliance will consummate the Business Combination. The Business Combination Agreement contains customary representations and warranties, covenants, closing conditions, termination fee provisions and other terms relating to the Merger and the other transactions contemplated thereby.
Pursuant to the BCA, Merger Sub will merge with and into Alliance, with Alliance being the surviving entity (the “Merger”). The Merger is to become effective by the filing of a certificate of merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law and mutually agreed by the parties and will be effective immediately upon such filing or upon such later time as may be agreed by the parties and specified in such certificate of merger (such time, “Effective Time”). The parties will hold the closing immediately prior to such filing of a certificate of merger, on the closing date.
The Effective Time shall occur as promptly as practicable but in no event later than three business days after the satisfaction or, if permissible, waiver of the conditions to the completion of the Business Combination set forth in the BCA (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at closing, provided that the occurrence of the closing shall remain subject to the satisfaction or, if permissible, waiver at the closing).
F-38
ADARA ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2022
(UNAUDITED)
At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of Adara, Merger Sub, Alliance or the holders of any of Alliance’s securities:
● | Each share of Alliance common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be cancelled and automatically converted into the right to receive the number of shares of the Company surviving the Business Combination (the “Combined Company Common Stock”) equal to the Exchange Ratio; |
● | No certificates or scrip or shares representing fractional shares of Combined Company Common Stock shall be issued upon the exchange of Alliance common stock and such fractional share interests will not entitle the owner thereof to vote or to have any rights of a stockholder of Adara or a holder of shares of Combined Company Common Stock. In lieu of any fractional share of Combined Company Common Stock to which each holder of Alliance common stock would otherwise be entitled, the fractional share shall be rounded up or down to the nearest whole share of Combined Company Common Stock, with a fraction of 0.5 rounded up. No cash settlements shall be made with respect to fractional shares eliminated by rounding. |
At the closing, the Company will also issue to the Alliance stockholders shares of a to be formed Class E Common Stock (the “Contingent Consideration Shares”) which shall be placed into an escrow account pursuant to the Contingent Consideration Shares Agreement and shall not be released from escrow over a ten-year period unless and until they are earned as a result of the occurrence of the applicable triggering event as follows: 20,000,000 Contingent Consideration Shares will be earned upon the occurrence of triggering event I prior to the five-year anniversary of the closing; 20,000,000 Contingent Consideration Shares will be earned upon the occurrence of triggering event II prior to the seven-year anniversary of the closing; and 20,000,000 Contingent Consideration Shares will be earned upon the occurrence of triggering event III prior to the ten-year anniversary of the closing.
Upon the occurrence of a triggering event, the Contingent Consideration Shares released from the escrow shall automatically convert into an equal number of shares of Combined Company Common Stock
NOTE 7. STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
Preferred Stock — The Company is authorized to issue 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share with such designations, voting and other rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by the Company’s board of directors. At June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, there were no shares of preferred stock issued and .
Class A Common Stock — The Company is authorized to issue 100,000,000 shares of Class A common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. Holders of Class A common stock are entitled to one vote for each share. At June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, there were 11,500,000 shares of Class A common stock issued and outstanding subject to possible redemption which are presented as temporary equity.
Class B Common Stock — The Company is authorized to issue 10,000,000 shares of Class B common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. Holders of Class B common stock are entitled to one vote for each share. At June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, there were 2,875,000 shares of Class B common stock issued and outstanding.
Holders of Class A common stock and holders of Class B common stock will vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of the Company’s stockholders except as otherwise required by law.
The shares of Class B common stock will automatically convert into Class A common stock at the time of a Business Combination on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment. In the case that additional shares of Class A common stock, or equity-linked securities, are issued or deemed issued in excess of the amounts offered in this prospectus and related to the closing of a Business Combination, the ratio at which shares of Class B common stock shall convert into shares of Class A common stock will be adjusted (unless the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B common stock agree to waive such adjustment with respect to any such issuance or deemed issuance) so that the number of shares of Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of all shares of Class B common stock will equal, in the aggregate, on an as-converted basis, 20% of the sum of the total number of all shares of common stock outstanding upon completion of the Initial Public Offering plus all shares of Class A common stock and
F-39
ADARA ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2022
(UNAUDITED)
equity-linked securities issued or deemed issued in connection with a Business Combination (excluding any shares or equity-linked securities issued, or to be issued, to any seller in a Business Combination, any private placement-equivalent warrants and their underlying securities issued to the Sponsor or its affiliates upon conversion of loans made to the Company). The Company cannot determine at this time whether a majority of the holders of its Class B common stock at the time of any future issuance would agree to waive such adjustment to the conversion ratio.
NOTE 8. WARRANT LIABILITIES
Warrants — At June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, there were 5,750,000 Public Warrants, 4,070,000 Private Placement Warrants and 50,000 Representatives Warrants. The Public Warrants may only be exercised for a whole number of shares. No fractional warrants will be issued upon separation of the Units and only whole warrants will trade. The Public Warrants will become exercisable on the later of (a) 30 days after the completion of a Business Combination and (b) 12 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering. The Public Warrants will expire five years after the completion of a Business Combination or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.
The Company will not be obligated to deliver any shares of Class A common stock pursuant to the exercise of a warrant and will have no obligation to settle such warrant exercise unless a registration statement under the Securities Act covering the issuance of the shares of Class A common stock underlying the warrants is then effective and a prospectus relating thereto is current, subject to the Company satisfying its obligations with respect to registration. No warrant will be exercisable and the Company will not be obligated to issue shares of Class A common stock upon exercise of a warrant unless Class A common stock issuable upon such warrant exercise has been registered, qualified or deemed to be exempt under the securities laws of the state of residence of the registered holder of the warrants.
The Company has agreed that as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 15 business days after the closing of a Business Combination, it will use its best efforts to file with the SEC a registration statement covering the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants, to cause such registration statement to become effective and to maintain a current prospectus relating to those shares of Class A common stock until the warrants expire or are redeemed, as specified in the warrant agreement. If a registration statement covering the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants is not effective by the 60th business day after the closing of a Business Combination, warrant holders may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during any period when the Company will have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise warrants on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act or another exemption. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a registration statement covering the Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants is not effective within a specified period following the consummation of a Business Combination, warrant holders may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during any period when the Company shall have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise warrants on a cashless basis pursuant to the exemption provided by Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act, provided that such exemption is available. If that exemption, or another exemption, is not available, holders will not be able to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis.
Once the warrants become exercisable, the Company may redeem for cash the outstanding Public Warrants:
● | in whole and not in part; |
● | at a price of $0.01 per Public Warrant; |
● | upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption given after the warrants become exercisable to each warrant holder; and |
● | if, and only if, the reported last sale price of the Class A common stock equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period commencing once the warrants become exercisable and ending three business days before the Company sends the notice of redemption to the warrant holders. |
F-40
ADARA ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2022
(UNAUDITED)
If and when the warrants become redeemable by the Company, the Company may exercise its redemption right even if it is unable to register or qualify the underlying securities for sale under all applicable state securities laws.
If the Company calls the Public Warrants for redemption, management will have the option to require all holders that wish to exercise the Public Warrants to do so on a “cashless basis,” as described in the warrant agreement. The exercise price and number of shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants may be adjusted in certain circumstances including in the event of a stock dividend, or recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation. However, except as described below, the warrants will not be adjusted for issuances of Class A common stock at a price below its exercise price. Additionally, in no event will the Company be required to net cash settle the warrants. If the Company is unable to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period and the Company liquidates the funds held in the Trust Account, holders of warrants will not receive any of such funds with respect to their warrants, nor will they receive any distribution from the Company’s assets held outside of the Trust Account with the respect to such warrants. Accordingly, the warrants may expire worthless.
In addition, if (x) the Company issues additional shares of Class A common stock or equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of its initial Business Combination at an issue price or effective issue price of less than $9.20 per share of Class A common stock (with such issue price or effective issue price to be determined in good faith by the Company’s board of directors and, in the case of any such issuance to the Sponsor or its affiliates, without taking into account any Founder Shares held by the Sponsor or such affiliates, as applicable, prior to such issuance) (the “Newly Issued Price”), (y) the aggregate gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than 60% of the total equity proceeds, and interest thereon, available for the funding of the Company’s initial Business Combination on the date of the consummation of such initial Business Combination (net of redemptions), and (z) the volume weighted average trading price of the Company’s common stock during the 20 trading day period starting on the trading day prior to the day on which the Company consummates its initial Business Combination (such price, the “Market Value”) is below $9.20 per share, the exercise price of the warrants will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 115% of the greater of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price and the $18.00 per share redemption trigger price described above will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 180% of the greater of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price.
The Placement Warrants were identical to the Public Warrants underlying the Units sold in the Initial Public Offering, except that the Placement Warrants and the Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Placement Warrants will not be transferable, assignable or saleable until 30 days after the completion of a Business Combination, subject to certain limited exceptions. Additionally, the Placement Warrants will be exercisable on a cashless basis and be non-redeemable, except as described above, so long as they are held by the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees. If the Placement Warrants are held by someone other than the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees, the Placement Warrants will be redeemable by the Company and exercisable by such holders on the same basis as the Public Warrants.
Representative Warrants
The Company issued 50,000 warrants (the “Representative Warrants”), for minimal consideration, to ThinkEquity (“ThinkEquity”), a division of Fordham Financial Management, Inc. (and/or its designees), in a private placement simultaneously with the closing of Initial Public Offering. The Company accounted for the Representative Warrants as an expense of the Initial Public Offering, with a corresponding credit to temporary equity. The Representative Warrants are identical to the Public Warrants except that each Representative Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one share of Class A common stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment, and so long as the Representative Warrants are held by ThinkEquity (and/or its designees) or its permitted transferees, (i) will not be redeemable by the Company, (ii) may not (including the Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of these warrants), subject to certain limited exceptions, be transferred, assigned or sold by the holders until 30 days after the completion of a Business Combination, (iii) may be exercised by the holders on a cashless basis, (iv) will be entitled to registration rights and (v) for so long as they are held by ThinkEquity (and/or its designees), will not be exercisable more than five years from the effective date of the Initial Public Offering in accordance with FINRA Rule 5110(f)(2)(G)(i). The Representative Warrants and the underlying Class A common stock have been deemed compensation by FINRA and are therefore subject to a lock-up for a period of 180 days immediately following the date of the effectiveness of Initial Public Offering pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110(g)(1).
F-41
ADARA ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2022
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE 9. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities reflects management’s estimate of amounts that the Company would have received in connection with the sale of the assets or paid in connection with the transfer of the liabilities in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In connection with measuring the fair value of its assets and liabilities, the Company seeks to maximize the use of observable inputs (market data obtained from independent sources) and to minimize the use of unobservable inputs (internal assumptions about how market participants would price assets and liabilities). The following fair value hierarchy is used to classify assets and liabilities based on the observable inputs and unobservable inputs used in order to value the assets and liabilities:
Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;
Level 2: Quoted prices in markets that are not active or financial instruments for which significant inputs to models are observable (including but not limited to quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, foreign exchange rates, volatility and credit risk), either directly or indirectly;
Level 3: Prices or valuations that require significant unobservable inputs (including the Management’s assumptions in determining fair value measurement).
At June 30, 2022, marketable securities held in the Trust Account were comprised of $116,318,176 in money market funds which are invested primarily in U.S. Treasury Securities.
At December 31, 2021, marketable securities held in the Trust Account were comprised of $116,160,281 in money market funds which are invested primarily in U.S. Treasury Securities.
The following table presents information about the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation inputs the Company utilized to determine such fair value.
The Warrants were accounted for as liabilities in accordance with ASC 815-40 and are presented within warrant liabilities on our accompanying June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 condensed balance sheets. The warrant liabilities are measured at fair value at inception and on a recurring basis, with changes in fair value presented within change in fair value of warrant liabilities in the condensed statements of operations.
F-42
ADARA ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2022
(UNAUDITED)
The Company utilizes a lattice model, specifically a binomial lattice model, to value the representative warrants at each reporting period, with changes in fair value recognized in the statements of operations. The estimated fair value of the representative warrant liabilities are determined using Level 3 inputs. Inherent in a binomial options pricing model are assumptions related to expected share-price volatility, expected life, risk-free interest rate and dividend yield. The Company estimates the volatility of its shares of common stock based on historical volatility that matches the expected remaining life of the warrants. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury zero-coupon yield curve on the grant date for a maturity similar to the expected remaining life of the warrants. The expected life of the warrants is assumed to be equivalent to their remaining contractual term. The dividend rate is based on the historical rate, which the Company anticipates to remain at zero.
The Public Warrants were initially valued using a lattice model, specifically a binomial lattice model. As of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Public Warrants were valued using the instrument’s publicly listed trading price as of the balance sheet date, which is considered to be a Level 1 measurement due to the use of an observable market quote in an active market. As of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the fair value of the Private Warrants was the equivalent to that of the Public Warrants as they had substantially the same terms; however, they are not actively traded, as such are listed as a Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy table above.
The key inputs into the binomial lattice model for the Warrants were as follows:
The following table presents the changes in the fair value of Level 3 warrant liabilities:
| Representative |
| Warrant Liabilities | |||
Fair value as of January 1, 2022 | $ | 49,000 | $ | 49,000 | ||
Change in valuation inputs or other assumptions | (17,000) | (17,000) | ||||
Fair value as of March 31, 2022 | $ | 32,000 | $ | 32,000 | ||
Change in valuation inputs or other assumptions | (14,000) | (14,000) | ||||
Fair value as of June 30, 2022 | $ | 18,000 | $ | 18,000 |
Transfers to/from Levels 1, 2 and 3 are recognized at the end of the reporting period in which a change in valuation technique or methodology occurs. The estimated fair value of the Public Warrants transferred from a Level 3 measurement to a Level 1 during the three and six months period ended June 30, 2021 was $2,932,500. The estimated fair value of the Public Warrants transferred from a
F-43
ADARA ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2022
(UNAUDITED)
Level 3 measurement to a Level 2 measurement during the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 was $2,054,700. There were no transfers from Level 3 to Level 1 or Level 2 during the three and six months period ended June 30, 2022.
NOTE 10. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Company evaluated subsequent events and transactions that occurred after the condensed balance sheet date up to the date that the condensed financial statements were issued. Based upon this review, the Company did not identify any subsequent events that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the condensed financial statements.
F-44
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of
Adara Acquisition Corp.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Adara Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”), as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the related statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity (deficit) and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2021 and for the period from August 05, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2021 and for the period from August 05, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Going Concern
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, if the Company is unable to raise additional funds to alleviate liquidity needs as well as complete a Business Combination by the close of business on February 11, 2023, then the Company will cease all operations except for the purpose of liquidating. This date for mandatory liquidation and subsequent dissolution raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ WithumSmith+Brown, PC
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2020.
New York, New York
March 28, 2022
PCAOB ID Number 100
F-45
ADARA ACQUISITION CORP.
BALANCE SHEETS
| December 31, | |||||
| 2021 |
| 2020 | |||
ASSETS | ||||||
Current assets | ||||||
Cash | $ | 724,410 | $ | 102,296 | ||
Prepaid expenses |
| 199,166 |
| 400,000 | ||
Total Current Assets | 923,576 | 502,296 | ||||
Deferred offering costs | — | 122,110 | ||||
Marketable securities held in Trust Account | 116,160,281 | — | ||||
TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 117,083,857 | $ | 624,406 | ||
LIABILITIES, CLASS A COMMON STOCK SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE REDEMPTION, AND STOCKHOLDERS’ (DEFICIT) EQUITY |
|
|
| |||
Current liabilities | ||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ | 440,245 | $ | 4,882 | ||
Promissory note – related party | — | 600,000 | ||||
Total Current Liabilities |
| 440,245 |
| 604,882 | ||
Warrant Liabilities |
| 4,860,800 |
| — | ||
TOTAL LIABILITIES |
| 5,301,045 |
| 604,882 | ||
Commitments and Contingencies |
|
|
|
| ||
Class A common stock subject to possible redemption, $0.0001 par value; 11,500,000 and 0 shares at $10.10 per share redemption value at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively | 116,150,000 | — | ||||
Stockholders’ (Deficit) Equity |
|
|
| |||
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding |
|
| ||||
Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized | — | — | ||||
Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; 2,875,000 shares and at and 2020 |
| 288 |
| 288 | ||
Additional paid-in capital |
| — |
| 24,712 | ||
Accumulated deficit |
| (4,367,476) |
| (5,476) | ||
Total Stockholders’ (Deficit) Equity |
| (4,367,188) |
| 19,524 | ||
TOTAL LIABILITIES, CLASS A COMMON STOCK SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE REDEMPTION, AND STOCKHOLDERS’ (DEFICIT) EQUITY | $ | 117,083,857 | $ | 624,406 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
F-46
ADARA ACQUISITION CORP.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the | ||||||
Period from | ||||||
August 5, | ||||||
2020 | ||||||
(Inception) | ||||||
Year Ended | Through | |||||
December 31, | December 31, | |||||
| 2021 |
| 2020 | |||
Operating and formation costs |
| $ | 976,831 |
| $ | 5,476 |
Loss from operations | (976,831) | (5,476) | ||||
Other income (expenses): |
|
| ||||
Interest earned on marketable securities held in Trust Account | 10,281 | — | ||||
Transaction costs incurred in connection with IPO | (86,544) | — | ||||
Change in fair value of warrants liabilities | 4,297,300 | — | ||||
Other income, net | 4,221,037 | — | ||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 3,244,206 | $ | (5,476) | ||
Weighted average shares outstanding of Class A common stock |
| 10,208,219 | — | |||
Basic and Diluted income per share, Class A common stock | 0.25 | — | ||||
Weighted average shares outstanding of Class B common stock | 2,831,849 |
| 2,500,000 | |||
Basic net income (loss) per share, Class B common stock | $ | 0.25 | $ | (0.00) | ||
Weighted average shares outstanding of Class B common stock | 2,875,000 | — | ||||
Diluted net income per share, Class B common stock | $ | 0.25 | $ | — |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
F-47
ADARA ACQUISITION CORP.
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Additional | Total | |||||||||||||
Class B Common Stock | Paid-in | Accumulated | Stockholders’ | |||||||||||
| Shares |
| Amount |
| Capital |
| Deficit |
| Equity (Deficit) | |||||
Balance – August 5, 2020 (inception) | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | |||||
Issuance of Class B common stock to Sponsor | 2,875,000 | 288 | 24,712 | — | 25,000 | |||||||||
Net loss | — | — | — | (5,476) | (5,476) | |||||||||
Balance – December 31, 2020 | 2,875,000 | $ | 288 | $ | 24,712 | $ | (5,476) | $ | 19,524 | |||||
Accretion for Class A common stock to redemption amount | — | — | (313,212) | (7,606,206) | (7,919,418) | |||||||||
Cash paid in excess of fair value of private warrants | — | — | 288,400 | — | 288,400 | |||||||||
Issuance of Representative Warrants | — | — | 100 | — | 100 | |||||||||
Net income |
| — | — |
| — |
| 3,244,206 |
| 3,244,206 | |||||
Balance – December 31, 2021 |
| 2,875,000 | $ | 288 | $ | — | $ | (4,367,476) | $ | (4,367,188) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
F-48
ADARA ACQUISITION CORP.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Period from | ||||||
August 5, 2020 | ||||||
Year Ended | (Inception) Through | |||||
December 31, | December 31, | |||||
| 2021 |
| 2020 | |||
Cash Flows from Operating Activities: | ||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 3,244,206 | $ | (5,476) | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities: |
|
|
| |||
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities | (4,297,300) | — | ||||
Transaction costs incurred in connection with IPO | 86,544 | — | ||||
Interest earned on marketable securities held in Trust Account | (10,281) | — | ||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
|
| ||||
Prepaid expenses | 200,834 | (400,000) | ||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | 435,363 | 4,882 | ||||
Net cash used in operating activities |
| (340,634) |
| (400,594) | ||
Cash Flows from Investing Activities: | ||||||
Investment of cash in Trust Account | (116,150,000) | — | ||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (116,150,000) | — | ||||
Cash Flows from Financing Activities: |
|
| ||||
Proceeds from issuance of Class B common stock to Sponsor | — | 25,000 | ||||
Proceeds from sale of Units, net of underwriting discounts paid | 114,000,000 | — | ||||
Proceeds from sale of Private Placements Warrants | 4,120,000 | — | ||||
Proceeds from sale of Unit Purchase Option |
| 100 |
| — | ||
Proceeds from promissory note – related party | — | 600,000 | ||||
Repayment of promissory note – related party |
| (600,000) |
| — | ||
Payment of offering costs |
| (407,352) |
| (122,110) | ||
Net cash provided by financing activities |
| 117,112,748 |
| 502,890 | ||
Net Change in Cash |
| 622,114 |
| 102,296 | ||
Cash – Beginning of period |
| 102,296 |
| — | ||
Cash – End of period | $ | 724,410 | $ | 102,296 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
F-49
NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS
Adara Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) was incorporated in Delaware on August 5, 2020. The Company was formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses (the “Business Combination”). The Company is not limited to a particular industry or sector for purposes of consummating a Business Combination. The Company is an early stage and emerging growth company and, as such, the Company is subject to all the risks associated with early stage and emerging growth companies.
As of December 31, 2021, the Company had not commenced any operations. All activity for the period from August 5, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2021 relates to the Company’s formation and the initial public offering (“Initial Public Offering”), which is described below, identifying a target company for a Business Combination. The Company will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion of its initial Business Combination, at the earliest. The Company generates non-operating income in the form of interest income from the marketable securities held in the Trust Account (as defined below). The Company has selected December 31 as its fiscal year end.
The registration statement for the Company’s Initial Public Offering was declared effective on February 8, 2021. On February 11, 2021, the Company consummated the Initial Public Offering of 11,500,000 units (the “Units” and, with respect to the Class A common stock included in the Units sold, the “Public Shares”), which includes the full exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option in the amount of 1,500,000 Units, at $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $115,000,000 which is described in Note 3.
Simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Company consummated the sale of 4,120,000 warrants (the “Private Placement Warrants”) at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant in a private placement to Adara Sponsor LLC (the “Sponsor”), generating gross proceeds of $4,120,000, which is described in Note 4.
Transaction costs amounted to $1,529,462, consisting of $1,000,000 in cash underwriting fees, net of reimbursement and $529,462 of other offering costs.
Following the closing of the Initial Public Offering on February 11, 2021, an amount of $116,150,000 ($10.10 per Unit) from the net proceeds of the sale of the Units in the Initial Public Offering and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants was placed in a trust account (the “Trust Account”), located in the United States and will be invested only in U.S. government securities, within the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act, with a maturity of 185 days or less or in any open-ended investment company that holds itself out as a money market fund selected by the Company meeting certain conditions of Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act, as determined by the Company, until the earlier of: (i) the completion of a Business Combination and (ii) the distribution of the funds held in the Trust Account, as described below.
The Company’s management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering and the sale of Placement Warrants, although substantially all of the net proceeds are intended to be applied generally toward consummating a Business Combination. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to complete a Business Combination successfully. The Company must complete one or more initial Business Combinations with one or more operating businesses or assets with a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the net assets held in the Trust Account (excluding taxes payable on the interest earned on the Trust Account) at the time of the Company’s signing a definitive agreement in connection with its initial Business Combination. The Company will only complete a Business Combination if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target business sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”). There is no assurance that the Company will be able to complete a Business Combination successfully.
The Company will provide the holders of the outstanding Public Shares (the “Public Stockholders”) with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their Public Shares upon the completion of a Business Combination either (i) in connection with a stockholder meeting called to approve the Business Combination or (ii) by means of a tender offer. The decision as to whether the Company will seek stockholder approval of a Business Combination or conduct a tender offer will be made by the Company. The Public Stockholders will be entitled to redeem their Public Shares for a pro rata portion of the amount then in the Trust Account
F-50
(initially anticipated to be $10.10 per Public Share, plus any pro rata interest then in the Trust Account, net of taxes payable). There will be no redemption rights upon the completion of a Business Combination with respect to the Company’s warrants.
The Company will only proceed with a Business Combination if the Company has net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 following any related redemptions and, if the Company seeks stockholder approval, a majority of the shares voted are voted in favor of the Business Combination. If a stockholder vote is not required by applicable law or stock exchange listing requirements and the Company does not decide to hold a stockholder vote for business or other reasons, the Company will, pursuant to its Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), conduct the redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to completing a Business Combination. If, however, stockholder approval of the transaction is required by applicable law or stock exchange listing requirements, or the Company decides to obtain stockholder approval for business or other reasons, the Company will offer to redeem shares in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to the proxy rules and not pursuant to the tender offer rules. If the Company seeks stockholder approval in connection with a Business Combination, the Sponsor has agreed to vote its Founder Shares (as defined in Note 5) and any Public Shares purchased during or after the Initial Public Offering in favor of approving a Business Combination. Additionally, each Public Stockholder may elect to redeem their Public Shares without voting, and if they do vote, irrespective of whether they vote for or against the proposed transaction.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company seeks stockholder approval of a Business Combination and it does not conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules, the Certificate of Incorporation provides that a Public Stockholder, together with any affiliate of such stockholder or any other person with whom such stockholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), will be restricted from redeeming its shares with respect to more than an aggregate of 15% of the Public Shares, without the prior consent of the Company.
The Sponsor has agreed (a) to waive its redemption rights with respect to the Founder Shares and Public Shares held by it in connection with the completion of a Business Combination, (b) to waive its liquidation rights with respect to the Founder Shares if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination by February 11, 2023 and (c) not to propose an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation (i) to modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to allow redemptions in connection with a Business Combination or to redeem 100% of its Public Shares if the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period (as defined below) or (ii) with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-business combination activity, unless the Company provides the Public Stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their Public Shares in conjunction with any such amendment. However, if the Sponsor acquires Public Shares in or after the Initial Public Offering, such Public Shares will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period.
The Company will have until February 11, 2023 to complete a Business Combination (the “Combination Period”). If the Company has not completed a Business Combination within the Combination Period, the Company will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than
business days thereafter, redeem the Public Shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to pay taxes (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish Public Stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the Company’s remaining stockholders and the Company’s board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to the Company’s obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to the Company’s warrants, which will expire worthless if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period.In order to protect the amounts held in the Trust Account, the Sponsor has agreed to be liable to the Company if and to the extent any claims by a third party for services rendered or products sold to the Company, or a prospective target business with which the Company has discussed entering into a transaction agreement, reduce the amount of funds in the Trust Account to below the lesser of (i) $10.10 per Public Share and (ii) the actual amount per Public Share held in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account, if less than $10.10 per public Share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, less taxes payable, provided that such liability will not apply to any claims by a third party or prospective target business who executed a waiver of any and all rights to
F-51
monies held in the Trust Account nor will it apply to any claims under the Company’s indemnity of the underwriters of the Initial Public Offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Moreover, in the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third party, the Sponsor will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third-party claims. The Company will seek to reduce the possibility that the Sponsor will have to indemnify the Trust Account due to claims of creditors by endeavoring to have all vendors, service providers (except for the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm), prospective target businesses and other entities with which the Company does business, execute agreements with the Company waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to monies held in the Trust Account.
Liquidity Capital Resources and Going Concern
As of December 31, 2021, the Company had cash of $724,410 not held in the Trust Account and available for working capital purposes. The Company does not believe it will need to raise additional funds in order to meet the expenditures required for operating its business. However, if the estimate of the costs of identifying a target business, undertaking in-depth due diligence, and negotiating a Business Combination are less than the actual amount necessary to do so, the Company may have insufficient funds available to operate its business prior to a Business Combination. Moreover, the Company may need to obtain additional financing or draw on the Working Capital Loans (as defined below) either to complete a Business Combination or because it becomes obligated to redeem a significant number of the Public Shares upon consummation of a Business Combination, in which case the Company may issue additional securities or incur debt in connection with such Business Combination. Subject to compliance with applicable securities laws, the Company would only complete such financing simultaneously with the completion of our Business Combination. If the Company is unable to complete the Business Combination because it does not have sufficient funds available, the Company will be forced to cease operations and liquidate the Trust Account. In addition, following its Business Combination, if cash on hand is insufficient, the Company may need to obtain additional financing in order to meet its obligations.
In connection with the Company’s assessment of going concern considerations in accordance with FASB’s Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-15, “Disclosures of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern,” management has determined that if the Company is unable to raise additional funds to alleviate liquidity needs as well as complete a Business Combination by February 11, 2023, then the Company will cease all operations except for the purpose of liquidating. The liquidity condition and date for mandatory liquidation and subsequent dissolution raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. No adjustments have been made to the carrying amounts of assets or liabilities should the Company be required to liquidate after February 11, 2023.
NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying financial statements are presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC.
If the Company is unable to raise additional capital, it may be required to take additional measures to conserve liquidity, which could include, but not necessarily be limited to, suspending the pursuit of a Business Combination. The Company cannot provide any assurance that new financing will be available to it on commercially acceptable terms, if at all.
Emerging Growth Company
The Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), and it may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.
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Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such election to opt out is irrevocable. The Company has elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, the Company, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of the Company’s financial statement with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods.
Making estimates requires management to exercise significant judgment. It is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect of a condition, situation or set of circumstances that existed at the date of the financial statements, which management considered in formulating its estimate, could change in the near term due to one or more future confirming events. Accordingly, the actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.
Offering Costs
Offering costs consist of legal, accounting, underwriting fees and other costs incurred through the balance sheet date that are directly related to the Initial Public Offering. Offering costs associated with the Class A common stock issued were initially charged to temporary equity and then accreted to common stock subject to redemption upon the completion of the Initial Public Offering. Offering costs amounting to $1,442,918 were charged to stockholders’ equity upon the completion of the Initial Public Offering, and $86,544 of the offering costs were related to the warrant liabilities and charged to the statements of operations.
Class A Common Stock Subject to Possible Redemption
The Company accounts for its Class A common stock subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity”. Shares of Class A common stock subject to mandatory redemption is classified as a liability instrument and is measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable common stock (including common stock that features redemption rights that is either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within the Company’s control) is classified as temporary equity. At all other times, common stock is classified as stockholder’s equity. The Company’s Class A common stock features certain redemption rights that are considered to be outside of the Company’s control and subject to occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly, at December 31, 2021 and 2020, Class A common stock subject to possible redemption is presented as temporary equity, outside of the stockholder’s equity section of the Company’s balance sheet.
The Company recognizes changes in redemption value immediately as they occur and adjusts the carrying value of redeemable common stock to equal the redemption value at the end of each reporting period.
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At December 31, 2021, the Class A common stock reflected in the balance sheets is reconciled in the following table:
Gross proceeds |
| $ | 115,000,000 |
Less: |
|
| |
Proceeds allocated to Public Warrants | $ | (5,290,000) | |
Class A common stock issuance at cost | $ | (1,479,418) | |
Plus: |
|
| |
Accretion of carrying value to redemption value | $ | 7,919,418 | |
Class A common stock subject to possible redemption | $ | 116,150,000 |
Warrant Liabilities
The Company accounts for the Warrants in accordance with the guidance contained in ASC 815-40-15-7D and 7F under which the Warrants do not meet the criteria for equity treatment and must be recorded as liabilities. Accordingly, the Company classifies the Warrants as liabilities at their fair value and adjust the Warrants to fair value at each reporting period. This liability is subject to re-measurement at each balance sheet date until exercised, and any change in fair value is recognized in our statement of operations. The Private Warrants, Public Warrants, and the Representative Warrants for periods where no observable traded price was available are valued using a lattice model, specifically a binomial lattice. For periods subsequent to the detachment of the Public Warrants from the Units, the Public Warrant quoted market price was used as the fair value as of each relevant date.
Income Taxes
The Company follows the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes under ASC 740, “Income Taxes.” Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that included the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
ASC 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. There were no unrecognized tax benefits and no amounts accrued for interest and penalties as of December 31, 2021 and 2020.
The Company is currently not aware of any issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals or material deviation from its position. The Company is subject to income tax examinations by major taxing authorities since inception.
Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share
The Company complies with accounting and disclosure requirements of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share”. Net income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common stock outstanding for the period. Accretion associated with the redeemable shares of Class A common stock is excluded from earnings per share as the redemption value approximates fair value.
The calculation of diluted income per share does not consider the effect of the warrants issued in connection with the (i) Initial Public Offering, and (ii) the private placement since the exercise of the warrants is contingent upon the occurrence of future events. The warrants are exercisable to purchase 9,870,000 shares of Class A common stock in the aggregate. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company did not have any dilutive securities or other contracts that could, potentially, be exercised or converted into common stock and then share in the earnings of the Company. As a result, diluted net income per share of common stock is the same as basic net income per common share for the periods presented.
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The following table reflects the calculation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share (in dollars, except per share amounts):
For the Period from August 5, | ||||||||||||
| Year Ended |
| 2020 (Inception) Through | |||||||||
December 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||
| Class A |
| Class B |
| Class A |
| Class B | |||||
Basic net income (loss) per common share | ||||||||||||
Numerator: |
|
| ||||||||||
Allocation of net income (loss), as adjusted | $ | 2,539,677 | $ | 704,529 | $ | — | $ | (5,476) | ||||
Denominator: |
|
|
|
| ||||||||
Basic weighted average shares outstanding | 10,208,219 | 2,831,849 | — | 2,500,000 | ||||||||
Basic net income (loss) per common share | 0.25 | 0.25 |
| — | (0.00) |
|
| For the Period from August 5, | ||||||||||
2020 (Inception) Through | ||||||||||||
Year Ended December 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||
| Class A |
| Class B |
| Class A |
| Class B | |||||
Diluted net income per common share |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Numerator: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Allocation of net income, as adjusted | $ | 2,531,301 | $ | 712,905 | $ | — | $ | — | ||||
Denominator: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding |
| 10,208,219 |
| 2,875,000 |
| — |
| — | ||||
Diluted net income per common share | $ | 0.25 | $ | 0.25 | $ | — | $ | — |
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash accounts in a financial institution, which, at times may exceed the Federal Depository Insurance Corporation coverage limit of $250,000. The Company has not experienced losses on these accounts and management believes the Company is not exposed to significant risks on such account.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments under ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurement,” approximates the carrying amounts represented in the accompanying balance sheets, primarily due to their short-term nature.
Recent Accounting Standards
In August 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-06, Debt — Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging — Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40) (“ASU 2020-06”) to simplify accounting for certain financial instruments. ASU 2020-06 eliminates the current models that require separation of beneficial conversion and cash conversion features from convertible instruments and simplifies the derivative scope exception guidance pertaining to equity classification of contracts in an entity’s own equity. The new standard also introduces additional disclosures for convertible debt and freestanding instruments that are indexed to and settled in an entity’s own equity. ASU 2020-06 amends the diluted earnings per share guidance, including the requirement to use the if-converted method for all convertible instruments. ASU 2020-06 is effective January 1, 2022 and should be applied on a full or modified retros
Management does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.
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Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company evaluates its financial instruments to determine if such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives in accordance with ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging”. For derivative financial instruments that are accounted for as liabilities, the derivative instrument is initially recorded at its fair value on the grant date and is then re-valued at each reporting date, with changes in the fair value reported in the statements of operations.
The classification of derivative instruments, including whether such instruments should be recorded as liabilities or as equity, is evaluated at the end of each reporting period. Derivative liabilities are classified in the balance sheet as current or non-current based on whether or not net-cash settlement or conversion of the instrument could be required within 12 months of the balance sheet date.
NOTE 3. INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING
Pursuant to the Initial Public Offering, the Company sold 11,500,000 Units, inclusive of 1,500,000 Units sold to the underwriters on February 11, 2021 upon the underwriters’ election to fully exercise their over-allotment option, at a price of $10.00 per Unit. Each Unit consists of one share of Class A common stock and
-half of one redeemable warrant (“Public Warrant”). Each whole Public Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of Class A common stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment (see Note 10).NOTE 4. PRIVATE PLACEMENT
Simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Sponsor purchased an aggregate of 4,120,000 Placement Warrants at a price of $1.00 per Placement Warrant ($4,120,000) from the Company in a private placement. Each Placement Warrant will be exercisable to purchase one share of Class A common stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment (see Note 10). The proceeds from the sale of the Placement Warrants were added to the net proceeds from the Initial Public Offering held in the Trust Account. If the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period, the proceeds from the sale of the Placement Warrants held in the Trust Account will be used to fund the redemption of the Public Shares (subject to the requirements of applicable law) and the Placement Warrants will expire worthless.
NOTE 5. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Founder Shares
In August 2020, the Sponsor purchased 2,875,000 shares (the “Founder Shares”) of the Company’s Class B common stock for an aggregate price of $25,000. The Founder Shares included an aggregate of up to 375,000 shares subject to forfeiture to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment was not exercised in full or in part, so that the number of Founder Shares will equal, on an as-converted basis, approximately 20% of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock after the Initial Public Offering. As a result of the underwriters’ election to fully exercise their over-allotment option, no Founder Shares are currently subject to forfeiture.
The Sponsor has agreed, subject to limited exceptions, not to transfer, assign or sell any of the Founder Shares until the earlier to occur of: (A) one year after the completion of a Business Combination and (B) subsequent to a Business Combination, (x) if the last sale price of the Class A common stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after a Business Combination, or (y) the date on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange or other similar transaction that results in all of the Public Stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of common stock for cash, securities or other property.
Promissory Note — Related Party
On August 5, 2020, the Sponsor issued an unsecured promissory note to the Company, which was amended and restated on November 18, 2020 (the “Promissory Note”), pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of
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$600,000. The Promissory Note was non-interest bearing and payable on the earlier of (i) March 31, 2021 or (ii) the consummation of the Initial Public Offering. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, there were no amounts outstanding under the Promissory Note.
Related Party Loans
In order to finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor, or certain of the Company’s officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan the Company funds as may be required (“Working Capital Loans”). If the Company completes a Business Combination, the Company would repay the Working Capital Loans out of the proceeds of the Trust Account released to the Company. Otherwise, the Working Capital Loans would be repaid only out of funds held outside the Trust Account. In the event that a Business Combination does not close, the Company may use a portion of proceeds held outside the Trust Account to repay the Working Capital Loans, but no proceeds held in the Trust Account would be used to repay the Working Capital Loans. Except for the foregoing, the terms of such Working Capital Loans, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans. The Working Capital Loans would either be repaid upon consummation of a Business Combination, without interest, or, at the lender’s discretion, up to $1,500,000 of such Working Capital Loans may be convertible into warrants of the post-Business Combination entity at a price of $1.00 per warrant. The warrants would be identical to the Placement Warrants. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, there were no amounts outstanding under the Working Capital Loans. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, there were no amounts outstanding under the Working Capital Loans.
Administrative Support Agreement
The Company entered into an agreement, commencing on February 11, 2021, through the earlier of the Company’s consummation of a Business Combination and its liquidation, to pay Adara Sponsor LLC, a total of $10,000 per month for office space and administrative support services. For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company incurred and paid $105,000 in fees for these services.
NOTE 6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Risks and Uncertainties
Management continues to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and has concluded that while it is reasonably possible that the virus could have a negative effect on the Company’s financial position, results of its operations and/or search for a target company, the specific impact is not readily determinable as of the date of these financial statements. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Registration Rights
Pursuant to a registration rights agreement entered into on February 8, 2021, the holders of the Founder Shares, Placement Warrants and warrants that may be issued upon conversion of Working Capital Loans (and any Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Placement Warrants and warrants that may be issued upon conversion of Working Capital Loans and upon conversion of the Founder Shares) are entitled to registration rights pursuant to a registration rights agreement requiring the Company to register such securities for resale (in the case of the Founder Shares, only after conversion to the Company’s Class A common stock). The holders of the majority of these securities are entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form demands, that the Company register such securities. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to the completion of a Business Combination and rights to require the Company to register for resale such securities pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act. The registration rights agreement does not contain liquidated damages or other cash settlement provisions resulting from delays in registering our securities. The Company will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
NOTE 7. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Preferred Stock — The Company is authorized to issue 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share with such designations, voting and other rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by the Company’s board of directors. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, there were no shares of preferred stock issued or outstanding.
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Class A Common Stock — The Company is authorized to issue 100,000,000 shares of Class A common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. Holders of Class A common stock are entitled to one vote for each share. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, there were 11,500,000 and no shares, respectively of Class A common stock and subject to possible redemption which are presented as temporary equity.
Class B Common Stock — The Company is authorized to issue 10,000,000 shares of Class B common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. Holders of Class B common stock are entitled to one vote for each share. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, there were 2,875,000 shares of Class B common stock issued and outstanding.
Holders of Class A common stock and holders of Class B common stock will vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of the Company’s stockholders except as otherwise required by law.
The shares of Class B common stock will automatically convert into Class A common stock at the time of a Business Combination on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment. In the case that additional shares of Class A common stock, or equity-linked securities, are issued or deemed issued in excess of the amounts offered in this prospectus and related to the closing of a Business Combination, the ratio at which shares of Class B common stock shall convert into shares of Class A common stock will be adjusted (unless the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B common stock agree to waive such adjustment with respect to any such issuance or deemed issuance) so that the number of shares of Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of all shares of Class B common stock will equal, in the aggregate, on an as-converted basis, 20% of the sum of the total number of all shares of common stock outstanding upon completion of the Initial Public Offering plus all shares of Class A common stock and equity-linked securities issued or deemed issued in connection with a Business Combination (excluding any shares or equity-linked securities issued, or to be issued, to any seller in a Business Combination, any private placement-equivalent warrants and their underlying securities issued to the Sponsor or its affiliates upon conversion of loans made to the Company). The Company cannot determine at this time whether a majority of the holders of its Class B common stock at the time of any future issuance would agree to waive such adjustment to the conversion ratio.
NOTE 8. WARRANT LIABILITIES
Warrants —Public Warrants may only be exercised for a whole number of shares. No fractional warrants will be issued upon separation of the Units and only whole warrants will trade. The Public Warrants will become exercisable on the later of (a) 30 days after the completion of a Business Combination and (b) 12 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering. The Public Warrants will expire five years after the completion of a Business Combination or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.
The Company will not be obligated to deliver any shares of Class A common stock pursuant to the exercise of a warrant and will have no obligation to settle such warrant exercise unless a registration statement under the Securities Act covering the issuance of the shares of Class A common stock underlying the warrants is then effective and a prospectus relating thereto is current, subject to the Company satisfying its obligations with respect to registration. No warrant will be exercisable and the Company will not be obligated to issue shares of Class A common stock upon exercise of a warrant unless Class A common stock issuable upon such warrant exercise has been registered, qualified or deemed to be exempt under the securities laws of the state of residence of the registered holder of the warrants.
The Company has agreed that as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 15 business days after the closing of a Business Combination, it will use its best efforts to file with the SEC a registration statement covering the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants, to cause such registration statement to become effective and to maintain a current prospectus relating to those shares of Class A common stock until the warrants expire or are redeemed, as specified in the warrant agreement. If a registration statement covering the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants is not effective by the 60th business day after the closing of a Business Combination, warrant holders may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during any period when the Company will have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise warrants on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act or another exemption. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a registration statement covering the Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants is not effective within a specified period following the consummation of a Business Combination, warrant holders may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during any period when the Company shall have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise warrants on a cashless basis pursuant to the exemption provided by Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act, provided that such
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exemption is available. If that exemption, or another exemption, is not available, holders will not be able to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis.
Once the warrants become exercisable, the Company may redeem for cash the outstanding Public Warrants:
● | in whole and not in part; |
● | at a price of $0.01 per Public Warrant; |
● | upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption given after the warrants become exercisable to each warrant holder; and |
● | if, and only if, the reported last sale price of the Class A common stock equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period commencing once the warrants become exercisable and ending three business days before the Company sends the notice of redemption to the warrant holders. |
If and when the warrants become redeemable by the Company, the Company may exercise its redemption right even if it is unable to register or qualify the underlying securities for sale under all applicable state securities laws.
If the Company calls the Public Warrants for redemption, management will have the option to require all holders that wish to exercise the Public Warrants to do so on a “cashless basis,” as described in the warrant agreement. The exercise price and number of shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants may be adjusted in certain circumstances including in the event of a stock dividend, or recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation. However, except as described below, the warrants will not be adjusted for issuances of Class A common stock at a price below its exercise price. Additionally, in no event will the Company be required to net cash settle the warrants. If the Company is unable to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period and the Company liquidates the funds held in the Trust Account, holders of warrants will not receive any of such funds with respect to their warrants, nor will they receive any distribution from the Company’s assets held outside of the Trust Account with the respect to such warrants. Accordingly, the warrants may expire worthless.
In addition, if (x) the Company issues additional shares of Class A common stock or equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of its initial Business Combination at an issue price or effective issue price of less than $9.20 per share of Class A common stock (with such issue price or effective issue price to be determined in good faith by the Company’s board of directors and, in the case of any such issuance to the Sponsor or its affiliates, without taking into account any Founder Shares held by the Sponsor or such affiliates, as applicable, prior to such issuance) (the “Newly Issued Price”), (y) the aggregate gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than 60% of the total equity proceeds, and interest thereon, available for the funding of the Company’s initial Business Combination on the date of the consummation of such initial Business Combination (net of redemptions), and (z) the volume weighted average trading price of the Company’s common stock during the 20 trading day period starting on the trading day prior to the day on which the Company consummates its initial Business Combination (such price, the “Market Value”) is below $9.20 per share, the exercise price of the warrants will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 115% of the greater of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price and the $18.00 per share redemption trigger price described above will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 180% of the greater of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price.
The Placement Warrants were identical to the Public Warrants underlying the Units sold in the Initial Public Offering, except that the Placement Warrants and the Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Placement Warrants will not be transferable, assignable or saleable until 30 days after the completion of a Business Combination, subject to certain limited exceptions. Additionally, the Placement Warrants will be exercisable on a cashless basis and be non-redeemable, except as described above, so long as they are held by the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees. If the Placement Warrants are held by someone other than the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees, the Placement Warrants will be redeemable by the Company and exercisable by such holders on the same basis as the Public Warrants.
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Representative Warrants
The Company issued 50,000 warrants (the “Representative Warrants”), for minimal consideration, to ThinkEquity (“ThinkEquity”), a division of Fordham Financial Management, Inc. (and/or its designees), in a private placement simultaneously with the closing of Initial Public Offering. The Company accounted for the Representative Warrants as an expense of the Initial Public Offering, with a corresponding credit to stockholders’ equity. The Representative Warrants are identical to the Public Warrants except that each Representative Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one share of Class A common stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment, and so long as the Representative Warrants are held by ThinkEquity (and/or its designees) or its permitted transferees, (i) will not be redeemable by the Company, (ii) may not (including the Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of these warrants), subject to certain limited exceptions, be transferred, assigned or sold by the holders until 30 days after the completion of a Business Combination, (iii) may be exercised by the holders on a cashless basis, (iv) will be entitled to registration rights and (v) for so long as they are held by ThinkEquity (and/or its designees), will not be exercisable more than five years from the effective date of the Initial Public Offering in accordance with FINRA Rule 5110(f)(2)(G)(i). The Representative Warrants and the underlying Class A common stock have been deemed compensation by FINRA and are therefore subject to a lock-up for a period of 180 days immediately following the date of the effectiveness of Initial Public Offering pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110(g)(1).
NOTE 9. INCOME TAXES
The Company’s net deferred tax assets are as follows:
| December 31, |
| December 31, | |||
| 2021 |
| 2020 | |||
Deferred tax assets |
|
|
|
| ||
Net operating loss carryforward | $ | 39,841 | $ | — | ||
Startup/Organization Expenses | $ | 181,309 | $ | — | ||
Total deferred tax assets |
| 221,150 |
| — | ||
Valuation allowance |
| (221,150) |
| — | ||
Deferred tax assets, net of allowance | $ | — | $ | — |
The income tax provision for the year ended December 31, 2021 and for the period from August 5, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020 consists of the following:
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company did not have any U.S. federal and state net operating loss carryovers available to offset future taxable income.
In assessing the realization of the deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion of all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which temporary differences representing net future deductible amounts become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. After consideration of all of the information available, management believes that significant
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uncertainty exists with respect to future realization of the deferred tax assets and has therefore established a full valuation allowance. For the period from August 5, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, there were no change in the valuation allowance. For the year ended December 31, 2021, the change in the valuation allowance was $221,150.
A reconciliation of the federal income tax rate to the Company’s effective tax rate is as follows:
The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction in various state and local jurisdictions and is subject to examination by the various taxing authorities.
NOTE 10. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities reflects management’s estimate of amounts that the Company would have received in connection with the sale of the assets or paid in connection with the transfer of the liabilities in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In connection with measuring the fair value of its assets and liabilities, the Company seeks to maximize the use of observable inputs (market data obtained from independent sources) and to minimize the use of unobservable inputs (internal assumptions about how market participants would price assets and liabilities). The following fair value hierarchy is used to classify assets and liabilities based on the observable inputs and unobservable inputs used in order to value the assets and liabilities:
Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;
Level 2: Quoted prices in markets that are not active or financial instruments for which significant inputs to models are observable (including but not limited to quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, foreign exchange rates, volatility and credit risk), either directly or indirectly;
Level 3: Prices or valuations that require significant unobservable inputs (including the Management’s assumptions in determining fair value measurement).
At December 31, 2021, marketable securities held in the Trust Account were comprised of $116,160,281 in money market funds which are invested primarily in U.S. Treasury Securities.
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The following table presents information about the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2021 and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation inputs the Company utilized to determine such fair value.
December 31, | |||||
Description |
| Level |
| 2021 | |
Assets: | |||||
Marketable securities held in Trust Account – U.S. Treasury Securities Money Market Fund | 1 | $ | 116,160,281 | ||
Liabilities: |
| ||||
Warrant Liabilities – Public Warrants | 1 | 2,817,500 | |||
Warrant Liabilities – Private Placement Warrants | 2 | 1,994,300 | |||
Warrant Liabilities – Representative Warrants | 3 | 49,000 |
The Warrants were accounted for as liabilities in accordance with ASC 815-40 and are presented within warrant liabilities on our accompanying December 31, 2021 balance sheets. The warrant liabilities are measured at fair value at inception and on a recurring basis, with changes in fair value presented within change in fair value of warrant liabilities in the statements of operations.
The Company utilizes a lattice model, specifically a binomial lattice model, to value the representative warrants at each reporting period, with changes in fair value recognized in the statement of operations. The estimated fair value of the representative warrant liabilities are determined using Level 3 inputs. Inherent in a binomial options pricing model are assumptions related to expected share-price volatility, expected life, risk-free interest rate and dividend yield. The Company estimates the volatility of its shares of common stock based on historical volatility that matches the expected remaining life of the warrants. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury zero-coupon yield curve on the grant date for a maturity similar to the expected remaining life of the warrants. The expected life of the warrants is assumed to be equivalent to their remaining contractual term. The dividend rate is based on the historical rate, which the Company anticipates to remain at zero.
The Warrants were accounted for as liabilities in accordance with ASC 815-40 and are presented within warrant liabilities on our accompanying December 31, 2021 balance sheet. The warrant liabilities are measured at fair value at inception and on a recurring basis, with changes in fair value presented within change in fair value of warrant liabilities in the statements of operations.
The Public Warrants were initially valued using a lattice model, specifically a binomial lattice model. As of December 31, 2021, the Public Warrants were valued using the instrument’s publicly listed trading price as of the balance sheet date, which is considered to be a Level 1 measurement due to the use of an observable market quote in an active market. As of December 31, 2021, the fair value of the Private Warrants was the equivalent to that of the Public Warrants as they had substantially the same terms; however, they are not actively traded, as such are listed as a Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy table above.
The key inputs into the binomial lattice model for the Warrants were as follows:
February 11, 2021 |
| |||||||||||||||
(Initial Measurement) | December 31, 2021 |
| ||||||||||||||
| Public |
| Private |
| Representative |
| Representative |
| Private |
| ||||||
Input | Warrants | Warrants | Warrants | Warrants | Warrants |
| ||||||||||
Market price of public stock | $ | 9.54 | $ | 9.54 | $ | 9.54 | $ | 9.79 | $ | 9.79 | ||||||
Risk-free rate |
| 0.52 | % |
| 0.52 | % | 0.36 | % |
| 1.18 | % |
| 1.18 | % | ||
Dividend Yield |
| 0.00 | % |
| 0.00 | % | 0.00 | % |
| 0.00 | % |
| 0.00 | % | ||
Exercise price | $ | 11.50 | $ | 11.50 | $ | 11.50 | $ | 11.50 | $ | 11.50 | ||||||
Effective expiration date |
| 6/26/26 |
| 6/26/26 | 5/11/25 |
| 6/23/26 |
| 6/23/26 | |||||||
One-touch hurdle | $ | 18.15 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — |
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The following table presents the changes in the fair value of Level 3 warrant liabilities:
| Private Placement |
| Public |
| Representative |
| Warrant Liabilities | |||||
Fair value as of January 1, 2021 |
| $ | — |
| $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | ||
Initial measurement on February 11th, 2021 | 3,785,100 | 5,290,000 | 36,500 | 9,111,600 | ||||||||
Change in valuation inputs or other assumptions | (1,587,300) | (1,437,500) | 12,500 | (3,012,300) | ||||||||
Transfer to Level 1 | — | (3,852,500) | — | (3,852,500) | ||||||||
Transfer to Level 2 | (2,197,800) | — | — | (2,197,800) | ||||||||
Fair value as of December 31, 2021 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 49,000 | $ | 49,000 |
Transfers to/from Levels 1, 2 and 3 are recognized at the end of the reporting period in which a change in valuation technique or methodology occurs. The estimated fair value of the Public Warrants transferred from a Level 3 measurement to a Level 1 during the year ended December 31, 2021 was $3,852,500. The estimated fair value of the Public Warrants transferred from a Level 3 measurement to a Level 2 measurement during the years ended December 31, 2021 was $2,197,800.
NOTE 11. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
In February 2022, the Russian Federation and Belarus commenced a military action with the country of Ukraine. As a result of this action, various nations, including the United States, have instituted economic sanctions against the Russian Federation and Belarus. Further, the impact of this action and related sanctions on the world economy are not determinable as of the date of these financial statements. The specific impact on the Company's financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows is also not determinable as of the date of these financial statements.
The Company evaluated subsequent events and transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date up to the date that the financial statements were issued. Based upon this review, the Company did not identify any other subsequent events that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements.
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ANNEX A
Execution Version
BUSINESS COMBINATION AGREEMENT
by and among
ADARA ACQUISITION CORP.,
ADARA MERGER SUB, INC.,
and
ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT HOLDING CORPORATION
Dated as of June 22, 2022
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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A-iii
BUSINESS COMBINATION AGREEMENT
BUSINESS COMBINATION AGREEMENT, dated as of June 22, 2022 (this “Agreement”), by and among Adara Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Adara”), Adara Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub”), and Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”).
WHEREAS, Merger Sub is a wholly owned direct subsidiary of Adara;
WHEREAS, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement and in accordance with the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), Adara and the Company will enter into a business combination transaction pursuant to which Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company (the “Merger”), with the Company surviving the Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Adara;
WHEREAS, each of the parties intends that, for U.S. federal income Tax purposes, (i) the Merger shall qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code and (ii) this Agreement shall constitute a “plan of reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code and Treasury Regulations Sections 1.368-2(g) and 1.368-3;
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Company Board”) has unanimously (a) determined that the Merger is fair to, and in the best interests of, the Company and its stockholders and has approved and adopted this Agreement and declared its advisability and approved the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and (b) has recommended the approval and adoption of this Agreement and the Merger by the stockholders of the Company;
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Adara (the “Adara Board”) has (a) received an opinion from ThinkEquity LLC concluding that the transaction is fair to the stockholders of Adara from a financial point of view, (b) unanimously approved and adopted this Agreement and declared its advisability and approved the payment of the Per Share Closing Merger Consideration to stockholders of the Company pursuant to this Agreement and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and (c) has recommended the approval and adoption of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement by the stockholders of Adara;
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Merger Sub (the “Merger Sub Board”) has (a) determined that the Merger is fair to, and in the best interests of, Merger Sub and its sole stockholder and has approved and adopted this Agreement and declared its advisability and approved the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and (b) recommended the approval and adoption of this Agreement and the Merger by the sole stockholder of Merger Sub;
WHEREAS, Adara, the Company, and the Key Company Stockholders (as defined herein), concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, are entering into the Stockholder Support Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (the “Stockholder Support Agreement”), providing that, among other things, the Key Company Stockholders will vote their shares of Company Common Stock in favor of this Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
WHEREAS, Adara, the Company, and the Adara Initial Stockholders (as defined herein), concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, are entering into the Sponsor Stockholder Support Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (the “Sponsor Stockholder Support Agreement”), providing that, among other things, the Adara Initial Stockholders will vote their shares of Adara Common Stock in favor of this Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
WHEREAS, in connection with the Closing, Adara, the Key Company Stockholders and the Adara Initial Stockholders shall enter into an Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A;
WHEREAS, in connection with the Closing, the Key Company Stockholders shall each enter into Lock-Up Agreements with Adara (each, a “Lock-Up Agreement”) substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B;
WHEREAS, in connection with the Closing, the Adara Initial Stockholders shall enter into separate Amended and Restated Adara Insider Agreements (each, an “Amended and Restated Adara Insider Agreement”) substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C;
WHEREAS, upon consummation of the Merger, the Company shall amend and restate its certificate of incorporation to name the Company, “AENT Corporation”, as set forth in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D, and Adara shall amend and restate its certificate of incorporation to name Adara, “Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation” as set forth in the form attached hereto as Exhibit F; and
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I.
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.01 Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:
“Adara Certificate of Incorporation” means the Amended and Restated Adara Certificate of Incorporation dated February 8, 2021.
“Adara Closing Price” means, with respect to a Trading Day, the closing price for such Trading Day of one share of Adara Class A Common Stock on the Trading Market as reported by Bloomberg Financial L.P.
“Adara Common Stock” means Adara’s Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Adara Class A Common Stock”), Class B Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Adara Class B Common Stock”) and Class E Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Adara Class E Common Stock”).
“Adara Initial Stockholders” means the stockholders of Adara listed on Schedule C hereto.
“Adara Material Adverse Effect” means any Effect that, individually or in the aggregate with all other events, circumstances, changes and effects, (a) is or is reasonably expected to be materially adverse to the business, financial condition or results of operations of Adara; or (b) would prevent, materially delay or materially impede the performance by Adara or Merger Sub of their respective obligations under this Agreement or the consummation of the Merger or any of the other Transactions; provided, however, that none of the following shall be deemed to constitute, alone or in combination, or be taken into account in the determination of whether, there has been or will be a Adara Material Adverse Effect: (i) any change or proposed change in or change in the interpretation of any Law or GAAP; (ii) events or conditions generally affecting the industries or geographic areas in which Adara operates; (iii) any change in general economic conditions, including changes in the credit, debt, securities, financial or capital markets (including changes in interest or exchange rates, prices of any security or market index or commodity or any disruption of such markets); (iv) any geopolitical conditions, outbreak of hostilities, acts of war, sabotage, cyberterrorism, terrorism, military actions, earthquakes, volcanic activity, hurricanes, tsunamis, tornadoes, floods, mudslides, wild fires or other natural disasters, weather conditions, epidemics, pandemics and other force majeure events (including any escalation or general worsening thereof); (v) any actions taken or not taken by Adara as required by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, (vi) any Effect attributable to the announcement or execution, pendency, negotiation or consummation of the Merger or any of the other Transaction (provided that this clause (vi) shall not apply to any representation or warranty to the extent the purpose of such representation or warrant is to address the consequences resulting from this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby), or (vii) any actions taken, or failures to take action, or such other changed or events, in each case, which the Company has requested or to which it has consented or which actions are contemplated by this Agreement, except in the cases of clauses (i) through (iv), to the extent that Adara is materially disproportionately affected thereby as compared with other participants in the industry in which Adara operates.
“Adara Organizational Documents” means the Adara Certificate of Incorporation, Adara bylaws, and Trust Agreement of Adara, in each case as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.
“Adara Units” means one share of Adara Class A Common Stock and one-half of one Adara Warrant.
“Adara Warrant Agreement” means that certain warrant agreement dated February 8, 2021 by and between Adara and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company.
“Adara Warrants” means whole warrants to purchase shares of Adara Common Stock as contemplated under the Adara Warrant Agreement, with each whole warrant exercisable for one share of Adara Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50.
A-2
“affiliate” of a specified person means a person who, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified person.
“Amended and Restated Adara Insider Agreements” means the amended and restated insider agreements between Adara and each of the Adara Initial Stockholders substantially in the form attached as Exhibit C.
“Ancillary Agreements” means the Stockholder Support Agreement, the Sponsor Stockholder Support Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement, the Lock-Up Agreements, the Amended and Restated Adara Insider Agreements, the Employment Agreements, the Contingent Consideration Escrow Agreement and all other agreements, certificates and instruments executed and delivered by Adara, Merger Sub or the Company in connection with the Transactions and specifically contemplated by this Agreement.
“Beneficial Owner” means, with respect to a security, a Person who directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares:
“Business Data” means all business information and data, including Personal Information (whether of employees, contractors, consultants, customers, consumers, or other persons and whether in electronic or any other form or medium) that is accessed, collected, used, stored, shared, distributed, transferred, disclosed, destroyed, disposed of or otherwise processed by any of the Business Systems or otherwise in the course of the conduct of the business of the Company.
“Business Day” means any day on which the principal offices of the SEC in Washington, D.C. are open to accept filings, or, in the case of determining a date when any payment is due, any day on which banks are not required or authorized to close in New York, NY; provided that banks shall not be deemed to be authorized or obligated to be closed due to a “shelter in place,” “non-essential employee” or similar closure of physical branch locations at the direction of any Governmental Authority if such banks’ electronic funds transfer systems (including for wire transfers) are open for use by customers on such day.
“Business Systems” means all Software, computer hardware (whether general or special purpose), electronic data processing, information, record keeping, communications, telecommunications, networks, interfaces, platforms, servers, peripherals, and computer systems, including any outsourced systems and processes, that are owned or used in the conduct of the business of the Company or any Company Subsidiary.
“Company Certificate of Incorporation” means the certificate of incorporation of the Company dated August 9, 2010, as such may have been amended, supplemented or modified from time to time.
“Company Common Stock” means the Company’s Common Stock, with a par value of $0.0001 per share.
“Company Group” means the Company and the Company Subsidiaries.
“Company Group Member” means the Company and each subsidiary of the Company.
“Company IP” means, collectively, all Company-Owned IP and Company-Licensed IP.
“Company-Licensed IP” means all Intellectual Property rights owned or purported to be owned by a third party and licensed to any Company Group Member or to which any Company Group Member otherwise has a right to use.
“Company Material Adverse Effect” means any event, circumstance, change or effect (collectively “Effect”) that, individually or in the aggregate with all other events, circumstances, changes and effects, (a) is or would reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to the business, condition (financial or otherwise), assets, liabilities or operations of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole or (b) would prevent, materially delay or materially impede the performance by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement or the consummation of the Merger or any of the other Transactions; provided, however, that none of the following shall be deemed to constitute, alone or in combination, or be taken into account in the determination of whether, there has been or will be a Company Material Adverse Effect: (i) any change or proposed change in or change in the interpretation of any
A-3
Law or GAAP; (ii) events or conditions generally affecting the industries or geographic areas in which the Company and the Company Subsidiaries operate; (iii) any change in general economic conditions, including changes in the credit, debt, securities, financial or capital markets (including changes in interest or exchange rates, prices of any security or market index or commodity or any disruption of such markets); (iv) any geopolitical conditions, outbreak of hostilities, acts of war, sabotage, cyberterrorism, terrorism, military actions, earthquakes, volcanic activity, hurricanes, tsunamis, tornadoes, floods, mudslides, wild fires or other natural disasters, weather conditions, epidemics, pandemics and other force majeure events (including any escalation or general worsening thereof); (v) any actions taken or not taken by any Company Group Member as required by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, (vi) any Effect attributable to the announcement or execution, pendency, negotiation or consummation of the Merger or any of the other Transactions (including the impact thereof on relationships with customers, suppliers, employees or Governmental Authorities) (provided that this clause (vi) shall not apply to any representations or warranty to the extent the purpose of such representation or warranty is to address the consequences resulting from this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby), (vii) any failure to meet any projections, forecasts, guidance, estimates, milestones, budgets or financial or operating predictions of revenue, earnings, cash flow or cash position, provided that this clause (vii) shall not prevent a determination that any Effect underlying such failure has resulted in a Company Material Adverse Effect, or (viii) any actions taken, or failures to take action, or such other changes or events, in each case, which Adara has requested or to which it has consented or which actions are contemplated by this Agreement, except in the cases of clauses (i) through (iii), to the extent that the Company and the Company Subsidiaries are as a whole materially disproportionately affected thereby as compared with other participants in the industries in which the Company and the Company Subsidiaries operate.
“Company Outstanding Shares” means the total number of shares of Company Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, expressed on a fully-diluted and as-converted to Company Common Stock basis.
“Company Organizational Documents” means the Company Certificate of Incorporation, and the bylaws of the Company, in each case as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.
“Company-Owned IP” means all Intellectual Property rights owned by any Company Group Member.
“Company Stockholders” means the holders of Company Common Stock.
“Company Subsidiary Organizational Documents” means with respect to each Company Subsidiary, its certificate of formation and limited liability company agreement, in each case as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.
“Confidential Information” means any information, knowledge or data concerning the businesses and affairs of the Company Group or any vendors or customers of the Group that is not already generally available to the public.
“Continental” means Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, Adara’s escrow and transfer agent.
“Contingent Consideration Eligible Company Equityholder” means all holders of Company Common Stock as of immediately prior to the Effective Time.
“Contingent Consideration Pro Rata Share” means the pro rata portion allocated to each Contingent Consideration Eligible Company Equityholder and as set forth on Section 3.03 to the Company Disclosure Schedule.
“control” (including the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”) means the possession, directly or indirectly, or as trustee or executor, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, as trustee or executor, by contract or otherwise.
“Credit Facility” means that certain Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of February 21, 2017, by and among the Company, Bank of America, N.A., and the other parties thereto, as amended, restated, supplemented, extended, or otherwise modified in writing from time to time.
“Employee Benefit Plan” means any plan that is an “employee benefit plan” as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA, any nonqualified deferred compensation plan subject to Section 409A of the Code, bonus, stock option, stock purchase, restricted stock, other equity-based compensation arrangement, performance award, incentive, deferred compensation, retiree medical or life insurance, death or disability benefit, supplemental retirement, severance, retention, change in control, employment, consulting, fringe benefit, sick pay and vacation plans or arrangements or other material employee benefit plans, programs or arrangements, whether written or unwritten and whether or not subject to ERISA.
A-4
“Employment Agreements” means the Employment Agreements between the Company and each of Bruce Ogilvie and Jeff Walker in a form reasonably acceptable to Adara.
“Environment” means any ambient air, surface water, drinking water, groundwater, land surface (whether below or above water), subsurface strata, sediment, plant or animal life, and natural resources.
“Environmental Claim” means any claim, judicial or administrative proceeding, investigation or notice by any Person, including any Governmental Authority, alleging potential liability (including potential liability for investigatory costs, cleanup or remediation costs, governmental or third party response costs, natural resource damages, property damage, personal injuries, or fines or penalties) based on or resulting from (a) the presence or Release of, or exposure to, any Hazardous Materials at any location, whether or not owned or operated by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, as applicable, or (b) any Environmental Law, including the alleged or actual violation thereof.
“Environmental Laws” means any law, statute, ordinance, regulation, order or rule relating to: (a) the Environment, including pollution, contamination, cleanup, preservation, protection and reclamation of the Environment, (b) the protection of human health with respect to, or the exposure of employees or third parties to, any Hazardous Materials, (c) any Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Materials, including investigation, assessment, testing, monitoring, containment, removal, remediation and cleanup of any such Release or threatened Release, (d) the management of any Hazardous Materials, including the use, labeling, processing, disposal, storage, treatment, transport, or recycling of any Hazardous Materials, or (e) the presence of Hazardous Materials in any building, physical structure, product or fixture.
“Environmental Permits” means all Permits required under Environmental Laws for the conduct of the business and activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries, as currently conducted.
“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Exchange Ratio” means the following ratio (rounded to four decimal places): the quotient obtained by dividing (a) the Per Share Amount by (b) $10.00.
“Hazardous Materials” means all materials, chemicals, wastes, compounds and substances in any form defined, regulated or characterized as a pollutant, contaminant or toxic or hazardous substance or waste (or terms of similar meaning) under Laws protecting the Environment and human health, including petroleum, crude oil and any fraction thereof.
“HSR Act” means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Intellectual Property” means: (a) patents, patent applications and patent disclosures, together with all reissues, continuations, continuations-in-part, divisionals, revisions, extensions or reexaminations thereof; (b) trademarks and service marks, trade dress, logos, trade names, corporate names, brands, slogans, and other source identifiers together with all translations, adaptations, derivations, combinations and other variants of the foregoing, and all applications, registrations, and renewals in connection therewith, together with all of the goodwill associated with the foregoing; (c) copyrights, and other works of authorship (whether or not copyrightable), and moral rights, and registrations and applications for registration, renewals and extensions thereof; (d) trade secrets and know-how (including ideas, formulas, compositions, inventions (whether or not patentable or reduced to practice)), customer and supplier lists, improvements, protocols, processes, methods and techniques, research and development information, industry analyses, algorithms, architectures, layouts, drawings, specifications, designs, plans, methodologies, proposals, industrial models, technical data, financial and accounting and all other data, databases, database rights, including rights to use any Personal Information, pricing and cost information, business and marketing plans and proposals, and customer and supplier lists (including lists of prospects) and related information; (e) Internet domain names and social media accounts; (f) rights of privacy and publicity and all other intellectual property or proprietary rights of any kind or description; (g) copies and tangible embodiments of any of the foregoing, in whatever form or medium; and (h) all legal rights arising from items (a) through (f), including the right to prosecute, enforce and perfect such interests and rights to sue, oppose, cancel, interfere, enjoin and collect damages based upon such interests, including such rights based on past infringement, if any, in connection with any of the foregoing.
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“Key Company Stockholders” means the persons and entities listed on Schedule B.
“knowledge” or “to the knowledge” of a person shall mean in the case of the Company, the actual knowledge of the persons listed on Schedule A after reasonable inquiry, and in the case of Adara, the actual knowledge of Tom Donaldson, Paul Porter, and Thomas Fink, in each case after reasonable inquiry.
“Leased Real Property” means the real property leased by any Company Group Member as tenant, together with, to the extent leased by any Company Group Member, all buildings and other structures, facilities or improvements located thereon and all easements, licenses, rights and appurtenances of any Company Group Member relating to the foregoing.
“Lien” means any lien, security interest, mortgage, pledge, adverse claim or other encumbrance of any kind that secures the payment or performance of an obligation (other than those created under applicable securities laws).
“Merger Sub Organizational Documents” means the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of Merger Sub, as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.
“Open Source Software” means any Software that is licensed pursuant to: (a) any license that is a license now or in the future approved by the open source initiative and listed at http://www.opensource.org/licenses, which licenses include all versions of the GNU General Public License (GPL), the GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL), the GNU Affero GPL, the MIT license, the Eclipse Public License, the Common Public License, the CDDL, the Mozilla Public License (MPL), the Artistic License, the Netscape Public License, the Sun Community Source License (SCSL), and the Sun Industry Standards License (SISL); (b) any license to Software that is considered “free” or “open source software” by the open source foundation or the free software foundation; or (c) any Reciprocal License, in each case whether or not source code is available or included in such license.
“PCAOB” means the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and any division or subdivision thereof.
“Permitted Liens” means: (a) such imperfections of title, easements, encumbrances, Liens or restrictions that do not materially impair the current use of the Company’s or any Company Subsidiary’s assets that are subject thereto; (b) materialmen’s, mechanics’, carriers’, workmen’s, warehousemen’s, repairmen’s, landlord’s and other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business, or deposits to obtain the release of such Liens; (c) Liens for Taxes not yet due and delinquent, or if delinquent, being contested in good faith and for which appropriate reserves have been made in accordance with GAAP; (d) zoning, entitlement, conservation restriction and other land use and environmental regulations promulgated by Governmental Authorities, (e) revocable, non-exclusive licenses (or sublicenses) of Company-Owned IP granted in the ordinary course of business; (f) non-monetary Liens, encumbrances and restrictions on real property (including easements, covenants, rights of way and similar restrictions of record) that do not materially interfere with the uses of such real property as presently conducted by the Company and its Subsidiaries, (g) Liens identified in the Annual Financial Statements and (h) Liens on leases, subleases, easements, licenses, rights of use, rights to access and rights of way arising from the provisions of such agreements or benefiting or created by any superior estate, right or interest.
“Per Share Amount” means the quotient obtained by dividing (a) $475,000.000y by (b) the Company Outstanding Shares.
“person” means an individual, corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, syndicate, person (including, without limitation, a “person” as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), trust, association or entity or government, political subdivision, agency or instrumentality of a government.
“Personal Information” means (a) information related to an identified or identifiable individual (e.g., name, address telephone number, email address, financial account number, government-issued identifier), (b) any other data used or intended to be used or which allows one to identify, contact, or precisely locate an individual, including any internet protocol address or other persistent identifier, and (c) any other, similar information or data regulated by Privacy Laws.
“Privacy Laws” means any and all applicable Laws, legal requirements, and self-regulatory guidelines (including of any applicable foreign jurisdiction) relating to the receipt, collection, compilation, use, storage, processing, sharing, safeguarding, security (technical, physical and administrative), disposal, destruction, disclosure or transfer (including cross-border) of any Personal Information, including, to the extent applicable to the Company: the privacy and data security practices required by the Federal Trade Commission acting under the authority of the Federal Trade Commission Act, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), 201 C.M.R 17.00, the New York Stop Hacks and Improve Electronic Data Security (SHIELD) Act, the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS), the CAN-SPAM Act, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), the EU General Data Protection
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Regulation, Regulation 2016/679/EU (GDPR), and any and all applicable Laws relating to breach notification, online privacy or marketing in connection with any Personal Information, and any Laws relating to the use of biometric identifiers.
“Reciprocal License” means a license of an item of Software that requires or that conditions any rights granted in such license upon: (i) the disclosure, distribution or licensing of any other Software (other than such item of Software as provided by a third party in its unmodified form); (ii) a requirement that any disclosure, distribution or licensing of any other Software (other than such item of Software in its unmodified form) be at no charge; (iii) a requirement that any other licensee of the Software be permitted to access the source code of, modify, make derivative works of, or reverse-engineer any such other Software; (iv) a requirement that such other Software be redistributable by other licensees; or (v) the grant of any patent rights (other than patent rights in such item of Software), including non-assertion or patent license obligations (other than patent obligations relating to the use of such item of Software).
“Redemption Rights” means the redemption rights provided for in Section 9.2 of the Adara Certificate of Incorporation.
“Registered Intellectual Property” means all Intellectual Property that is the subject of registration (or an application for registration), including domain names.
“Software” means all computer software (in object code or source code format), data and databases, developer materials, including but not limited to pseudo-code, programmer comments, user manuals, platform specifications, compilation environments and related documentation and materials, including any embedded or linked third party software, libraries or databases.
“subsidiary” or “subsidiaries” of the Company, the Surviving Corporation, Adara or any other person means an affiliate controlled by such person, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries.
“Tax” or “Taxes” means (i) any and all taxes (including any duties, levies or other similar governmental assessments in the nature of taxes), including, but not limited to, income (net or gross), estimated, business, occupation, corporate, capital, profits, gross receipts, transfer, stamp, registration, employment, recording. payroll, unemployment, minimum, alternative minimum, withholding, occupancy, license, severance, capital, production, ad valorem, excise, windfall profits, customs duties, real property, personal property, intangible. sales, use, turnover, goods and services, value added and franchise taxes, in each case imposed by any Governmental Authority, whether disputed or not, together with all interest, penalties, and additions to tax imposed with respect thereto, and (ii) a liability for amounts of the type described in clause (i) as a result Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-6, as a result of being a transferee or successor, or as a result of a contract or otherwise.
“Tax Return” means any return, declaration, report, claim for refund, or information return or statement relating to Taxes, including any schedule or attachment thereto and any amendment thereof, in each case supplied or required to be supplied to a Tax authority.
“Technology” means any and all Software, information, designs, formulae, algorithms, procedures, methods, techniques, ideas, know-how, research and development, technical data, programs, subroutines, tools, materials, specifications, processes, inventions (whether patentable or unpatentable and whether or not reduced to practice), apparatus, creations, improvements, works of authorship and other similar materials, and all recordings, graphs, drawings, reports, analyses, and other writings, and other tangible embodiments of the foregoing, in any form whether or not specifically listed herein, and all technology used in, incorporated in, embodied in, displayed by, related to, or used in connection with any of the foregoing.
“Trading Day” means any day on which the Adara Class A Common Stock is actually traded on the Trading Market.
“Trading Market” means the New York Stock Exchange or such other stock market on which the Adara Class A Common Stock is trading at the time of determination.
“Transaction Documents” means this Agreement, including all Schedules and Exhibits hereto, the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Ancillary Agreements, and all other agreements, certificates and instruments executed and delivered by Adara, Merger Sub or the Company in connection with the Transaction and specifically contemplated by this Agreement.
“Transactions” means the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Transaction Documents.
“Treasury Regulations” means the United States Treasury regulations issued pursuant to the Code.
“Triggering Event” means each of Triggering Event I, Triggering Event II, Triggering Event III.
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“Triggering Event I” means the first date on which the Adara Class A Common Stock over any twenty (20) day Trading Period during a thirty (30) Trading Days during the Contingent Consideration Period trades with a VWAP greater than or equal to $20.00 (which shall be equitably adjusted to reflect stock splits, reverse stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations, reclassifications, combination, exchange of shares or other like change or transaction with respect to the Adara Class A Common Stock occurring on or after the Closing).
“Triggering Event II” means the first date on which the Adara Class A Common Stock over any twenty (20) day Trading Period during a thirty (30) Trading Days during the Contingent Consideration Period trades with a VWAP greater than or equal to $30.00 (which shall be equitably adjusted to reflect stock splits, reverse stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations, reclassifications, combination, exchange of shares or other like change or transaction with respect to the Adara Class A Common Stock occurring on or after the Closing).
“Triggering Event III” means the first date on which the Adara Class A Common Stock over any twenty (20) day Trading Period during a thirty (30) Trading Days during the Contingent Consideration Period trades with a VWAP greater than or equal to $50.00 (which shall be equitably adjusted to reflect stock splits, reverse stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations, reclassifications, combination, exchange of shares or other like change or transaction with respect to the Adara Class A Common Stock occurring on or after the Closing).
“Virtual Data Room” means the virtual Firmex data room established by the Company, access to which was given to Adara in connection with its due diligence investigation of the Company relating to the transactions contemplated hereby.
“VWAP” means, for any security as of any date(s), the dollar volume-weighted average price for such security on the principal securities exchange or securities market on which such security is then traded during the period beginning at 9:30:01 a.m., New York time, and ending at 4:00:00 p.m., New York time, as reported by Bloomberg through its “HP” function (set to weighted average) or, if the foregoing does not apply, the dollar volume-weighted average price of such security in the over-the-counter market on the electronic bulletin board for such security during the period beginning at 9:30:01 a.m., New York time, and ending at 4:00:00 p.m., New York time, as reported by Bloomberg, or, if no dollar volume-weighted average price is reported for such security by Bloomberg for such hours, the average of the highest closing bid price and the lowest closing ask price of any of the market makers for such security as reported by OTC Markets Group Inc.
SECTION 1.02 Further Definitions. The following terms have the meaning set forth in the Sections set forth below:
Defined Term | Location of Definition | |
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2021 Balance Sheet | Section 4.07 | |
Action | Section 4.09 | |
Adara | Preamble | |
Adara Board | Recitals | |
Adara Preferred Stock | Section 5.03(a) | |
Adara Proposals | Section 7.01(a) | |
Adara SEC Reports | Section 5.07(a) | |
Adara Stockholders’ Meeting | Section 7.01(a) | |
Agreement | Preamble | |
Alternative Transaction | Section 7.05 | |
Amended and Restated Adara Insider Agreement | Recitals | |
Annual Financial Statements | Section 4.07(a) | |
Antitrust Laws | Section 7.13(a) | |
Audited Financial Statements | Section 7.17 | |
Blue Sky Laws | Section 4.05(b) | |
Certificate of Merger | Section 2.02(a) | |
Certificates | Section 3.02(b) | |
Change of Control | Section 3.03(f) | |
Claims | Section 6.03 | |
Closing | Section 2.02(b) | |
Closing Date | Section 2.02(b) | |
Code | Section 3.02(h) | |
Company | Preamble |
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Defined Term | Location of Definition | |
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Trustee | Section 5.13 | |
Written Consent | Section 7.03 |
SECTION 1.03 Construction.
ARTICLE II.
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
SECTION 2.01 The Merger. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in Article VIII, and in accordance with the DGCL, at the Effective Time, Merger Sub shall be merged with and into the Company. As a result of the Merger, the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub shall cease and the Company shall continue as the surviving corporation of the Merger (the “Surviving Corporation”).
SECTION 2.02 Effective Time; Closing.
SECTION 2.03 Effect of the Merger. At the Effective Time, the effect of the Merger shall be as provided herein and in the applicable provisions of the DGCL. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and subject thereto, at the Effective Time, all the property, rights, privileges, immunities, powers, franchises, licenses and authority of the Company and Merger Sub shall vest in the Surviving Corporation, and all debts, liabilities, obligations, restrictions, disabilities and duties of each of the Company and Merger Sub shall become the debts, liabilities, obligations, restrictions, disabilities and duties of the Surviving Corporation.
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SECTION 2.04 Certificate of Incorporation; Bylaws.
SECTION 2.05 Directors and Officers.
SECTION 2.06 U.S. Tax Treatment.
For U.S. federal income tax purposes (and for purposes of any applicable state or local income Tax Law that follows the US. federal income tax treatment of the Merger), each of the parties intends that (a) the Merger will constitute a transaction that qualifies as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code to which each of Adara and the Company is a party under Section 368(b) of the Code, and (b) the Contingent Consideration Shares (i) are eligible for nonrecognition treatment under Section 354 of the Code in connection with the reorganization described in clause (a) (and will not be treated as “other property” within the meaning of Section 356 of the Code) and (ii) shall be treated as received by the applicable Contingent Consideration Eligible Company Equityholder on the Closing Date for Tax purposes (and no interest shall be imputed on any such Contingent Consideration Shares released to such Contingent Consideration Eligible Company Equityholder), (such treatment in clauses (a) and (b), the “Intended Tax-Free Treatment”). The parties to this Agreement hereby (i) adopt this Agreement insofar as it relates to the Merger as a “plan of reorganization” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.368-2(g), (ii) agree to file and retain such information as shall be required under Treasury Regulation Section 1.368-3, and (iii) agree to file all Tax and other informational returns on a basis consistent with the Intended Tax-Free Treatment, except as otherwise required under applicable Tax Law.
ARTICLE III.
CONVERSION OF SECURITIES; EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES
SECTION 3.01 Conversion of Securities.
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SECTION 3.02 Exchange of Certificates.
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SECTION 3.03 Contingent Consideration.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Contingent Consideration Eligible Company Equityholders shall be entitled to receive Contingent Consideration Shares upon the occurrence of each Triggering Event during the applicable Contingent Consideration Period; provided, however, that in no event shall the Contingent Consideration Eligible Company Equityholders be entitled to receive Contingent Consideration Share after the tenth year anniversary of the Closing; provided, further, that each Triggering Event shall only occur once, if at all, and in no event shall the Contingent Consideration Eligible Company Equityholders be entitled to receive an aggregate of more than 60,000,000 Contingent Consideration Shares; provided, further, that Triggering Event I, Triggering Event II and Triggering Event III may be achieved at the same time or over the same overlapping Trading Days.
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SECTION 3.04 Stock Transfer Books. At the Effective Time, the stock transfer books of the Company shall be closed and there shall be no further registration of transfers of Company Common Stock thereafter on the records of the Company. From and after the Effective Time, the holders of Certificates representing Company Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall cease to have any rights with respect to such Company Common Stock, except the right to receive the Per Share Merger Consideration in accordance with this Agreement and by Law. On or after the Effective Time, any Certificates presented to the Exchange Agent, the Surviving Corporation or Adara for any reason shall be canceled and exchanged for the Per Share Closing Merger Consideration in accordance with the provisions of Article III.
SECTION 3.05 Appraisal Rights.
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ARTICLE IV.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
Except as set forth in the Company’s disclosure schedule delivered by the Company in connection with this Agreement (the “Company Disclosure Schedule”) (it being agreed that for purposes of the representations and warranties set forth in this Article IV, disclosure of any item in any section or subsection of the Company Disclosure Letter shall be deemed disclosure with respect to any other section or subsection to which the relevance of such item is reasonably apparent on the face of such disclosure), (provided that any matter required to be disclosed for purposes of Section 4.01, Section 4.02, Section 4.03(a) or Section 4.04 shall only be disclosed by specific disclosure in the corresponding section of the Company Disclosure Schedules), the Company hereby represents and warrants to Adara and Merger Sub as follows:
SECTION 4.01 Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries.
SECTION 4.02 Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws. The Company has prior to the date of this Agreement made available to Adara in the Virtual Data Room complete and correct copies of the Company Organizational Documents and the Company Subsidiary Organizational Documents (collectively, the “Company Group Organizational Documents”). The Company Group Organizational Documents and are in full force and effect. No Company Group Member is in material violation of any of the provisions of its respective Company Group Organizational Documents.
SECTION 4.03 Capitalization.
(a)The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 1,000 shares of Company Common Stock. As of the date hereof, (i) 900 shares of Company Common Stock are issued and outstanding and (ii) 57 shares of Company Common Stock are held in the treasury of the Company.
(b)Other than as set forth on Section 4.03(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, there are no options, warrants, preemptive rights, calls, convertible securities, conversion rights or other rights, agreements, arrangements or commitments of any character relating to the issued or unissued capital stock of any Company Group Member or obligating any Company Group Member to issue or sell any shares of capital stock of, or other equity or voting interests in, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of capital stock, or other equity or other voting interests in, any Company Group Member. Any Company Group Member is not a party to, or otherwise bound by, and the Company Group Member has not granted, any equity appreciation rights, participations, phantom equity, restricted shares, restricted share units, performance shares, contingent value rights or similar securities or rights that are derivative of, or provide economic benefits based, directly or indirectly, on the value or price of, any capital stock of, or other securities or ownership interests in, any Company Group Member. There are no voting trusts, voting agreements, proxies, shareholder agreements or other agreements to which any Company Group Member is a party, or to the Company’s knowledge, among any holder of Company Common Stock or any other equity interests or other
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securities of any Company Group Member to which any Company Group Member is not a party, with respect to the voting or transfer of the Company Common Stock or any of the equity interests or other securities of any Company Group Member. Except for the Company Subsidiaries, the Company does not own any equity interests in any person.
(c)There are no outstanding contractual obligations of any Company Group Member to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of any Company Group Member or to provide funds to or make any investment (in the form of a loan, capital contribution or otherwise) in any person other than a Company Subsidiary.
(d)All outstanding shares of the Company and all outstanding shares of capital stock or other equity securities (as applicable) of each Company Subsidiary (i) have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and (ii) were offered, sold, issued and granted in compliance with (A) all applicable securities laws and other applicable laws and (B) all preemptive rights and other requirements set forth in applicable contracts to which any Company Group Member is a party and the applicable Company Group organizational documents.
(e)The stockholders of the Company set forth on Section 4.03(e) of the Company Disclosure Schedule collectively own directly and beneficially and of record, all of the equity of the Company (which are represented by the issued and outstanding shares of Company Common Stock). Except for the shares of Company Common Stock held by the stockholders of the Company, no shares or other equity or voting interest of the Company, or options, warrants or other rights to acquire any such shares or other equity or voting interest, of the Company is authorized or issued and outstanding. Section 4.03(e) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth, the following information with respect to each stockholder of the Company: (i) the name of the stockholder; and (ii) the number and class of capital stock held by such stockholder.
(f)All outstanding shares of Company Common Stock and all outstanding shares of capital stock or other equity securities (as applicable) of each Company Subsidiary have been issued and granted in compliance with (A) applicable securities laws and other applicable laws and (B) any preemptive rights and other similar requirements set forth in applicable contracts to which the applicable Company Group Member is a party and the applicable Company Group Organizational Documents. There are no securities or instruments issued by or to which a Company Group Member is a party containing anti-dilution or similar provisions that will be triggered by the consummation of the Transactions that have not been or will be waived on or prior to the Closing Date.
(g)Each outstanding share of capital stock of each Company Subsidiary is duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, were offered, sold and issued in compliance in all material respects with applicable securities Laws, were not issued in material breach or violation of the applicable Company Group Member Organizational Documents, and each such share is owned 100% by the Company or another Company Subsidiary free and clear of all Liens, options, rights of first refusal and limitations on the Company’s or any Company Subsidiary’s voting rights, other than transfer restrictions under applicable securities Laws and their applicable Company Group Member Organizational Documents.
SECTION 4.04 Authority Relative to this Agreement. The Company has all necessary corporate power and authority and have taken all corporate action necessary in order to execute and deliver this Agreement and each Transaction Document to which it is a party, to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder and, subject to receiving the Company Stockholder Approval, to consummate the Transactions. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and each Transaction Document to which it is a party by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the Transactions have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action, and no other corporate proceedings on the part of the Company are necessary to authorize this Agreement or to consummate the Transactions (other than, with respect to the Merger, the Company Stockholder Approval, which the Written Consent shall satisfy, and the filing and recordation of appropriate merger documents as required by the DGCL). This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by Adara and Merger Sub, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, by general equitable principles (the “Remedies Exceptions”). The Company Board has determined that the Merger is fair to, and in the best interests of, the Company and the Company Stockholders, approved this Agreement and the Transactions, and directed that this Agreement be submitted to the Company Stockholders for their adoption.
SECTION 4.05 No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents.
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SECTION 4.06 Permits; Compliance. Each of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries is in possession of all material franchises, grants, authorizations, licenses, permits, easements, variances, exceptions, consents, certificates, approvals and orders of any Governmental Authority necessary for each of the Company or the Company Subsidiaries to own, lease and operate its properties or to carry on its business as it is now being conducted (the “Company Permits”), except where the failure to have such Company Permits would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. No suspension or cancellation of any of the Company Permits is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing. No Company Group Member is in conflict with, or in default, breach or violation of, (a) any Law applicable such Company Group Member or by which any property or asset of such Company Group Member is bound or affected, or (b) any Material Contract or Company Permit, except, in each case, for any such conflicts, defaults, breaches or violations that would not have or would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 4.07 Financial Statements.
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SECTION 4.08 Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Since February 28, 2021 and prior to the date of this Agreement, except as otherwise reflected in the Annual Financial Statements or Interim Financial Statements, or as expressly contemplated by this Agreement, (a) the Company and the Company Subsidiaries have conducted their respective businesses in all material respects in the ordinary course and in a manner consistent with past practice, other than due to any actions taken due to a “shelter in place,” “non-essential employee” or similar direction of any Governmental Authority, (b) no Company Group Member has sold, assigned, transferred, permitted to lapse, abandoned, or otherwise disposed of any right, title, or interest in or to any of its material assets (including Company-Owned IP) other than revocable non-exclusive licenses (or sublicenses) of Company-Owned IP granted in the ordinary course of business, (c) there has not been a Company Material Adverse Effect, and (d) no Company Group Member has taken any action that, if taken after the date of this Agreement, would constitute a material breach of any of the covenants set forth in Section 6.01.
SECTION 4.09 Absence of Litigation. There is no material litigation, suit, claim, action, proceeding or investigation by or before any Governmental Authority (an “Action”) including but not limited to any action brought by any third party, that is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against any Company Group Member, or any property or asset of the Company Group Member, before any Governmental Authority except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, be material to the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. Except as set forth on Section 4.09 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, no Company Group Member nor any material property or asset of any Company Group Member is, subject to any continuing order of, consent decree, settlement agreement or other similar written agreement with, or, to the knowledge of the Company, continuing investigation by, any Governmental Authority, or any order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, determination or award of any Governmental Authority except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, be material to the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
SECTION 4.10 Employee Benefit Plans.
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SECTION 4.11 Labor and Employment Matters.
SECTION 4.12 Real Property; Title to Assets.
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SECTION 4.13 Intellectual Property; Data Privacy and Security.
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SECTION 4.14 Taxes.
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SECTION 4.15 Environmental Matters.
SECTION 4.16 Material Contracts.
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SECTION 4.17 Insurance.
(a)The Company has made available to Adara in the Virtual Data Room a list of each material insurance policy under which any Company Group Member is an insured, a named insured or otherwise the principal beneficiary of coverage as of the date of this Agreement (i) the names of the insurer, the principal insured and each named insured, (ii) the policy number, (iii) the period, scope and amount of coverage and (iv) the premium most recently charged. With respect to each such insurance policy, except as would not be expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect: (i) the policy is legal, valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with its terms (subject to the Remedies Exceptions) and is in full force and effect; (ii) no Company Group Member is in material breach or default (including any such breach or default with respect to the payment of premiums or the giving of notice), and no event has occurred which, with notice or the lapse of time, would constitute such a breach or default, or permit termination or modification, under the policy; and (iii) to the knowledge of the Company, no insurer on the policy has been declared insolvent or placed in receivership, conservatorship or liquidation.
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SECTION 4.18 Board Approval; Vote Required. The Company Board, by resolutions duly adopted by requisite vote of those voting at a meeting duly called and held and not subsequently rescinded or modified in any way, or by unanimous written consent, has duly (a) determined that this Agreement and the Merger are fair to and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, (b) approved this Agreement and the Merger and declared their advisability, and (c) recommended that the stockholders of the Company approve and adopt this Agreement and approve the Merger and directed that this Agreement and the Transactions (including the Merger) be submitted for consideration by the Company’s stockholders. The affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the shares of Company Common Stock outstanding, voting together as a single class (the “Company Stockholder Approval”) is the only vote of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Company necessary to adopt this Agreement and approve the Transactions.
SECTION 4.19 Customers and Suppliers.
SECTION 4.20 Certain Business Practices. No Company Group Member or, to the Company’s knowledge, any directors or officers, agents or employees of any Company Group Member, has: (a) used any funds for unlawful contributions, gifts, entertainment or other unlawful expenses related to political activity; or (b) made any unlawful payment to foreign or domestic government officials or employees or to foreign or domestic political parties or campaigns or violated any applicable Law relating to anti-bribery, anticorruption or anti-money laundering, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.
SECTION 4.21 Interested Party Transactions. Except as set forth on Section 4.21 of the Company Disclosure Schedule and except for employment relationships and the payment of compensation, benefits and expense reimbursements and advances in the ordinary course of business, no director, officer or other affiliate of any Company Group Member, to the Company’s knowledge, has directly or indirectly: (a) an economic interest in any Major Customer or Major Vendor, (b) a beneficial interest in any contract or agreement disclosed in Section 4.16(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule or (c) any contractual or other arrangement with any Company Group Member, other than customary indemnity arrangements; provided, however, that ownership of no more than five percent (5%) of the outstanding voting stock of a publicly traded corporation shall not be deemed an “economic interest” for purposes of this Section 4.21. No Company Group Member has any outstanding personal loan to or for any director or executive officer (or equivalent thereof) of any Company Group Member. There are no contracts or arrangements between any Company Group Member and any immediate family member of any director, officer or other affiliate of any Company Group Member.
SECTION 4.22 Exchange Act. No Company Group Member is currently (nor has it previously been) subject to the requirements of Section 12 of the Exchange Act.
SECTION 4.23 Information Provided for Proxy Statement. None of the information regarding the Company or any of its affiliates supplied or to be supplied by the Company or any of its affiliates expressly for inclusion or incorporation by reference, if applicable, in the Proxy Statement or Registration Statement (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or any other statement, filing, notice, or application (other than pursuant to the HSR Act) made by or on behalf of Adara, the Company or any of their affiliates in connection with the Transactions, including filings under Rule 425 under the Securities Act, additional soliciting materials, press releases or other communications with shareholders of Adara will, at the date of filing and/or mailing, as the case may be, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading (subject to the qualifications and limitations set forth in the materials provided by the Company.
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SECTION 4.24 Brokers. No broker, finder or investment banker is entitled to any brokerage, finder’s or other fee or commission in connection with the Transactions based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of the Company.
SECTION 4.25 Exclusivity of Representations and Warranties. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Article IV (as modified by the Company Disclosure Schedule), the Company hereby expressly disclaims and negates, any other express or implied representation or warranty whatsoever (whether at Law or in equity) with respect to the Company Group, its affiliates, and any matter relating to any of them, including their affairs, the condition, value or quality of the assets, liabilities, financial condition or results of operations, or with respect to the accuracy or completeness of any other information made available to Adara, its affiliates or any of their respective Representatives by, or on behalf of, any Company Group Member, and any such representations or warranties are expressly disclaimed. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, except as expressly set forth in this Agreement (as modified by the Company Disclosure Schedule) or in any certificate delivered by the Company pursuant to this Agreement, neither Company nor any other person on behalf of Company has made or makes, any representation or warranty, whether express or implied, with respect to any projections, forecasts, estimates or budgets made available to Adara, its affiliates or any of their respective Representatives of future revenues, future results of operations (or any component thereof), future cash flows or future financial condition (or any component thereof) of the Company Group (including the reasonableness of the assumptions underlying any of the foregoing), whether or not included in any management presentation or in any other information made available to Adara, its affiliates or any of their respective Representatives or any other person, and any such representations or warranties are expressly disclaimed.
ARTICLE V.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ADARA AND MERGER SUB
Except as set forth in the Adara SEC Reports filed with or furnished to the SEC prior to the date of this Agreement (to the extent the qualifying nature of such disclosure is readily apparent from the content of such Adara SEC Reports, but excluding (i) disclosures set forth or referenced therein to the extent they are of a predictive or cautionary nature or related to forward-looking statements or do not otherwise constitute statements of fact, including disclosures referred to in “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” and (ii) any exhibits or other documents appended thereto) (it being acknowledged that nothing disclosed in such a Adara SEC Report will be deemed to modify or qualify the representations and warranties set forth in Section 5.01 (Corporate Organization), Section 5.02 (Organizational Documents), Section 5.03 (Capitalization), Section 5.04 (Authority Relative to This Agreement) Section 5.05 (No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents), Section 5.13 (Adara Trust Fund), and Section 5.15 (Taxes)), Adara and Merger Sub each hereby represent and warrant to the Company as follows:
SECTION 5.01 Corporate Organization.
SECTION 5.02 Organizational Documents. Each of Adara and Merger Sub has heretofore furnished to the Company complete and correct copies of the Adara Organizational Documents and the Merger Sub Organizational Documents. The Adara Organizational Documents and the Merger Sub Organizational Documents are in full force and effect. Neither Adara nor Merger Sub is in violation of any of the provisions of the Adara Organizational Documents and the Merger Sub Organizational Documents.
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SECTION 5.03 Capitalization.
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SECTION 5.04 Authority Relative to This Agreement. Each of Adara, and Merger Sub have all necessary power and authority and have taken all corporate action necessary in order to execute and deliver this Agreement and each Transaction Document to which it is a party, to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder and to consummate the Transactions. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and each Transaction Document to which it is a party by each of Adara and Merger Sub and the consummation by each of Adara and Merger Sub of the Transactions, have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action, and no other corporate proceedings on the part of Adara or Merger Sub are necessary to authorize this Agreement and each Transaction Document to which it is a party or to consummate the Transactions (other than (a) with respect to the Merger, the approval and adoption of this Agreement by the holders of a majority of the then-outstanding shares of Adara Common Stock and by the holders of a majority of the then outstanding shares of Merger Sub Common Stock, and the filing and recordation of appropriate merger documents as required by the DGCL, and (b) with respect to the issuance of Adara Common Stock and the amendment and restatement of the Adara Certificate of Incorporation pursuant to this Agreement, the approval of a majority of the then-outstanding shares of Adara Common Stock). This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by Adara and Merger Sub and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the Company, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of Adara or Merger Sub, enforceable against Adara or Merger Sub in accordance with its terms subject to the Remedies Exceptions.
SECTION 5.05 No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents.
SECTION 5.06 Compliance. Neither Adara nor Merger Sub is or has been in conflict with, or in default, breach or violation of, (a) any Law applicable to Adara or Merger Sub or by which any property or asset of Adara or Merger Sub is bound or affected, or (b) any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement, lease, license, permit, franchise or other instrument or obligation to which Adara or Merger Sub is a party or by which Adara or Merger Sub or any property or asset of Adara or Merger Sub is bound, except, in each case, for any such conflicts, defaults, breaches or violations that would not have or reasonably be expected to have a Adara Material Adverse Effect. Each of Adara and Merger Sub is in possession of all material franchises, grants, authorizations, licenses, permits, easements, variances, exceptions, consents, certificates, approvals and orders of any Governmental Authority necessary for Adara or Merger Sub to own, lease and operate its properties or to carry on its business as it is now being conducted.
SECTION 5.07 SEC Filings; Financial Statements; Sarbanes-Oxley.
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SECTION 5.08 Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Since February 8, 2021 and prior to the date of this Agreement, except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement, (a) Adara has conducted its business in all material respects in the ordinary course and in a manner consistent with past practice, other than due to any actions taken due to a “shelter in place,” “non-essential employee” or similar direction of any Governmental Authority, (b) Adara has not sold, assigned, transferred, permitted to lapse, abandoned, or otherwise disposed of any right, title, or interest in or to any of its material assets, (c) there has not been a Adara Material Adverse Effect, and (d) Adara has not taken any action that, if taken after the date of this Agreement, would constitute a material breach of any of the covenants set forth in Section 6.02.
SECTION 5.09 Absence of Litigation. There is no Action pending or, to the knowledge of Adara, threatened against Adara, or any property or asset of Adara, before any Governmental Authority. Neither Adara nor any material property or asset of Adara is subject to any continuing order of, consent decree, settlement agreement or other similar written agreement with, or, to the knowledge of Adara, continuing investigation by, any Governmental Authority.
SECTION 5.10 Board Approval; Vote Required.
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SECTION 5.11 No Prior Operations of Merger Sub. Merger Sub was formed solely for the purpose of engaging in the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and has not engaged in any business activities or conducted any operations or incurred any obligation or liability, other than as contemplated by this Agreement.
SECTION 5.12 Brokers. Other than ThinkEquity LLC, no broker, finder or investment banker is entitled to any brokerage, finder’s or other fee or commission in connection with the Transactions based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of Adara or Merger Sub.
SECTION 5.13 Adara Trust Fund. As of the date of this Agreement, Adara has no less than $116,150,000 in the trust fund established by Adara for the benefit of its public stockholders (the “Trust Fund”) maintained in a trust account at J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. (the “Trust Account”). The monies of such Trust Account are invested in United States Government securities or money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and held in trust by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (the “Trustee”) pursuant to the Investment Management Trust Agreement, dated as of February 8, 2021, between Adara and the Trustee (the “Trust Agreement”). The Trust Agreement has not been amended or modified and is valid and in full force and effect and is enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to the Remedies Exceptions. Adara has complied in all material respects with the terms of the Trust Agreement and is not in breach thereof or default thereunder and there does not exist under the Trust Agreement any event which, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time, would constitute such a breach or default by Adara or the Trustee. There are no separate contracts, agreements, side letters or other understandings (whether written or unwritten, express or implied): (i) between Adara and the Trustee that would cause the description of the Trust Agreement in the Adara SEC Reports to be inaccurate in any material respect; or (ii) to the knowledge of Adara, that would entitle any person (other than stockholders of Adara who shall have elected to redeem their shares of Adara Class A Common Stock pursuant to the Adara Organizational Documents) to any portion of the proceeds in the Trust Account. Prior to the Closing, none of the funds held in the Trust Account may be released except: (A) to pay income and franchise taxes from any interest income earned in the Trust Account; and (B) upon the exercise of Redemption Rights in accordance with the provisions of the Adara Organizational Documents. As of the date hereof, there are no Actions pending or, to the knowledge of Adara, threatened in writing with respect to the Trust Account. Upon consummation of the Merger and notice thereof to the Trustee pursuant to the Trust Agreement, Adara shall cause the Trustee to, and the Trustee shall thereupon be obligated to, release to Adara as promptly as practicable, the Trust Funds in accordance with the Trust Agreement at which point the Trust Account shall terminate; provided, however that the liabilities and obligations of Adara due and owing or incurred at or prior to the Effective Time shall be paid as and when due, including all amounts payable (a) to stockholders of Adara who shall have exercised their Redemption Rights, (b) with respect to filings, applications and/or other actions taken pursuant to this Agreement required under Law, (c) to the Trustee for fees and costs incurred in accordance with the Trust Agreement; and (d) to third parties (e.g., professionals, printers, etc.) who have rendered services to Adara in connection with its efforts to effect the Merger. As of the date hereof, assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company herein and the compliance by the Company with its respective obligations hereunder, Adara has no reason to believe that any of the conditions to the use of funds in the Trust Account will not be satisfied or funds available in the Trust Account will not be available to Adara at the Effective Time.
SECTION 5.14 Employees. Other than any officers as described in the Adara SEC Reports, Adara and Merger Sub have never employed any employees or retained any contractors, other than consultants and advisors in the ordinary course of business. Other than reimbursement of any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Adara’s officers and directors in connection with activities on Adara’s behalf in an aggregate amount not in excess of the amount of cash held by Adara outside of the Trust Account, Adara has no unsatisfied material liability with respect to any employee, officer or director. Adara and Merger Sub have never and do not currently maintain, sponsor, contribute to or have any direct or material liability under any Employee Benefit Plan.
SECTION 5.15 Taxes.
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SECTION 5.16 Listing. The issued and outstanding Adara Units are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and are listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange American (“NYSE”) under the symbol “ADRA.U”. The issued and outstanding shares of Adara Class A Common Stock are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and are listed for trading on the NYSE under the symbol “ADRA”. The issued and outstanding Adara Warrants (excluding 4,120,000 Adara Warrants issued in private placements) are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and are listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “ADRA.WS”. As of the date of this Agreement, there is no Action pending or, to the knowledge of Adara, threatened in writing against Adara by the NYSE or the SEC with respect to any intention by such entity to deregister the Adara Units, the shares of Adara Common Stock, or Adara Warrants or terminate the listing of Adara on the NYSE. None of Adara or any of its affiliates has taken any action in an attempt to terminate the registration of the shares of Adara Common Stock, or the Adara Warrants under the Exchange Act.
SECTION 5.17 Adara’s and Merger Sub’s Investigation and Reliance. Each of Adara and Merger Sub is a sophisticated purchaser and has made its own independent investigation, review and analysis regarding the Company, the Company Subsidiaries, and the Transactions, which investigation, review and analysis were conducted by Adara and Merger Sub together with expert advisors, including legal counsel, that they have engaged for such purpose. Adara, Merger Sub and their Representatives have been provided with full and complete access to the Representatives, properties, offices, plants and other facilities, books and records of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries and other information that they have requested in connection with their investigation of the Company, the Company Subsidiaries, and the Transactions. Neither Adara nor Merger Sub is relying on any statement, representation or warranty, oral or written, express or implied, made by any Company Group Member or any of its Representatives, except as expressly set forth in Article IV (as modified by the Company Disclosure Schedule) or in any certificate delivered by any Company Group Member pursuant to this Agreement. Except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement, no Company Group Member, nor any of its respective stockholders, affiliates or Representatives shall have any liability to Adara, Merger Sub or any of their respective stockholders, affiliates or Representatives resulting from the use of any information, documents or materials made available to Adara or Merger Sub or any of their Representatives, whether orally or in writing, in any confidential information memoranda, “data rooms,” management presentations, due diligence discussions or in any other form in expectation of the Transactions. Adara and Merger Sub acknowledge that no Company Group Member, nor any of their stockholders, affiliates or Representatives is making, directly or indirectly, any representation or warranty with respect to any estimates, projections or forecasts involving any Company Group Member.
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ARTICLE VI.
CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING THE MERGER
SECTION 6.01 Conduct of Business by the Company Pending the Merger.
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Nothing herein shall require any Company Group Member to obtain consent from Adara to do any of the foregoing if obtaining such consent might reasonably be expected to violate applicable Law, and nothing contained in this Section 6.01 shall give to Adara, directly or indirectly, the right to control or direct the operations of any Company Group Member prior to the Closing Date. Prior to the Closing Date, each of Adara and the Company shall exercise, consistent with the terms and conditions hereof, complete control and supervision of its respective operations, as required by Law.
SECTION 6.02 Conduct of Business by Adara and Merger Sub Pending the Merger. Except as expressly contemplated by any other provision of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, except as set forth on Section 6.02 of the of the disclosure schedule delivered by the Adara in connection with this Agreement and as required by applicable Law (including as may be requested or compelled by any Governmental Authority), Adara agrees that from the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the termination of this Agreement and the Effective Time, unless the Company shall otherwise consent in writing (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), the businesses of Adara and Merger Sub shall be conducted in the ordinary course of business and in a manner consistent with past practice. By way of amplification and not limitation, except as expressly contemplated by any other provision of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement or as set forth on Section 6.02 of the Company Disclosure Schedule or and as required by applicable Law (including as may be requested or compelled by any Governmental Authority), neither
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Adara nor Merger Sub shall, between the date of this Agreement and the Effective Time or the earlier termination of this Agreement, directly or indirectly, do any of the following without the prior written consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned:
Nothing herein shall require Adara to obtain consent from the Company to do any of the foregoing if obtaining such consent might reasonably be expected to violate applicable Law, and nothing contained in this Section 6.02 shall give to the Company, directly or indirectly, the right to control or direct the operations of Adara prior to the Closing Date. Prior to the Closing Date, each of Adara and the Company shall exercise, consistent with the terms and conditions hereof, complete control and supervision of its respective operations, as required by Law.
SECTION 6.03 Claims Against Trust Account. The Company acknowledges and agrees that, Adara has established the Trust Account for the benefit of Adara’s public stockholders and that disbursements from the Trust Account are available only in the limited circumstances set forth in the Adara SEC Reports, Adara Organizational Documents, and the Trust Agreement and the Company does not now have, and shall not at any time prior to the Effective Time have, any claim to, or make any claim against, the Trust Fund, regardless of whether such claim arises as a result of, in connection with or relating in any way to, the business
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relationship between the Company on the one hand, and Adara on the other hand, this Agreement, or any other agreement or any other matter, and regardless of whether such claim arises based on contract, tort, equity or any other theory of legal liability (any and all such claims are collectively referred to in this Section 6.03 as the “Claims”). Notwithstanding any other provision contained in this Agreement, the Company hereby irrevocably waives any Claim it may have, now or in the future and will not seek recourse against the Trust Fund for any reason whatsoever in respect thereof; provided, however, that the foregoing waiver will not limit or prohibit the Company from pursuing a claim against Adara, Merger Sub or any other person (a) for legal relief against monies or other assets of Adara or Merger Sub held outside of the Trust Account or for specific performance or other equitable relief in connection with the Transactions or (b) for damages for breach of this Agreement against Adara (or any successor entity) or Merger Sub in the event this Agreement is terminated for any reason and Adara consummates a business combination transaction with another party. In the event that the Company commences any action or proceeding against or involving the Trust Fund in violation of the foregoing, Adara shall be entitled to recover from the Company the associated reasonable legal fees and costs in connection with any such action, in the event Adara prevails in such action or proceeding.
ARTICLE VII.
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
SECTION 7.01 Proxy Statement.
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SECTION 7.02 Adara Stockholders’ Meeting; Merger Sub Stockholder’s Approval.
SECTION 7.03 Company Stockholders’ Written Consent. Upon the terms set forth in this Agreement, the Company shall (a) seek the irrevocable written consent of holders of the Company Stockholder Approval (including the Key Company Stockholders) in favor of the approval and adoption of this Agreement and the Merger and all other transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the “Written Consent”) as soon as reasonably practicable after the Registration Statement becomes effective, and in any event within forty-eight (48) hours after the Registration Statement becomes effective and deliver a copy of the Written Consent to Adara and (b) in the event the Company determines it is not able to obtain the Written Consent, the Company shall call and hold a meeting of holders of Company Common Stock for the purpose of obtaining the Company Stockholder Approval (the “Company Stockholder Meeting”) as soon as reasonably practicable after the Registration Statement becomes effective, and in any event within ten (10) days after the Registration Statement becomes effective. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the Company Stockholder Approval at the Company Stockholder Meeting, including by soliciting from its stockholders proxies as promptly as possible in favor of this Agreement and the Merger, and shall exercise reasonable best efforts to take all other action necessary or advisable to secure the Company Stockholder Approval.
SECTION 7.04 Access to Information; Confidentiality.
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SECTION 7.05 Exclusivity.
SECTION 7.06 Employee Benefits Matters.
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SECTION 7.07 Adoption of Equity Plan. Prior to the Effective Time, Adara will adopt an equity incentive plan that is reasonably acceptable to the Company (the “Parent Equity Incentive Plan”). The Parent Equity Incentive Plan shall have approximately 500,000 shares of Parent Common Stock available for issuance immediately after the Closing.
SECTION 7.08 Directors’ and Officers’ Indemnification.
SECTION 7.09 Notification of Certain Matters. The Company shall give prompt notice to Adara, and Adara shall give prompt notice to the Company, of any event which a party becomes aware of between the date of this Agreement and the Closing (or the earlier termination of this Agreement in accordance with Article IX), the occurrence, or non-occurrence of which causes or would reasonably be expected to cause any of the conditions set forth in Article VIII to fail.
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SECTION 7.10 Further Action; Reasonable Best Efforts.
SECTION 7.11 Public Announcements. The initial press release relating to this Agreement shall be a joint press release the text of which has been agreed to by each of Adara and the Company. Thereafter, between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date (or the earlier termination of this Agreement in accordance with Article IX) unless otherwise prohibited by applicable Law or the requirements of the NYSE, each of Adara and the Company shall each use its reasonable best efforts to consult with each other before issuing any press release or otherwise making any public statements (including through social media platforms) with respect to this Agreement, the Merger or any of the other Transactions, and shall not issue any such press release or make any such public statement (including through social media platforms) without the prior written consent of the other party. Furthermore, nothing contained in this Section 7.11 shall prevent Adara or the Company and/or its respective affiliates from furnishing customary or other reasonable information concerning the Transactions to their investors and prospective investors that is substantively consistent with public statements previously consented to by the other party in accordance with this Section 7.11. Neither party shall provide statements or give interviews of any description without the prior consent of the other party.
SECTION 7.12 Stock Exchange Listing. Adara will use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Per Share Closing Merger Consideration issued in connection with the Transactions to be approved for listing on the NYSE at Closing. During the period from the date hereof until the Closing, Adara shall use its reasonable best efforts to keep the Adara Class A Common Stock and Adara Warrants listed for trading on the NYSE.
SECTION 7.13 Antitrust.
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SECTION 7.14 Trust Account. As of the Effective Time, the obligations of Adara to dissolve or liquidate within a specified time period as contained in Adara’s Certificate of Incorporation will be terminated and Adara shall have no obligation whatsoever to dissolve and liquidate the assets of Adara by reason of the consummation of the Merger or otherwise, and no stockholder of Adara shall be entitled to receive any amount from the Trust Account. At least 48 hours prior to the Effective Time, Adara shall provide notice to the Trustee in accordance with the Trust Agreement and shall deliver any other documents, opinions or notices required to be delivered to the Trustee pursuant to the Trust Agreement and cause the Trustee prior to the Effective Time to, and the Trustee shall thereupon be obligated to, transfer all funds held in the Trust Account to Adara (to be held as available cash on the balance sheet of Adara, and to be used for working capital and other general corporate purposes of the business following the Closing) and thereafter shall cause the Trust Account and the Trust Agreement to terminate.
SECTION 7.15 Tax Matters.
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SECTION 7.16 Directors. Adara shall take all necessary action so that immediately after the Effective Time, the Adara Board is comprised of the individuals designated on Exhibit G (the “Post Closing Board”).
SECTION 7.17 Audited Financial Statements. The Company has delivered to Adara (a) true and complete copies of the audited balance sheet of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries as of June 30, 2019, June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2021, and the related audited statements of operations and cash flows of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries for such years, each audited in accordance with the auditing standards of the PCAOB for public companies as required by the SEC in connection with the filing of a registration statement on Form S-4 (collectively, the “Audited Financial Statements”) and (b) true and complete copies of the reviewed balance sheet of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries for the nine (9) month period as of March 31, 2022, and the related statements of operations and cash flows of the Company and the Company subsidiaries for such period, each reviewed in accordance with the auditing standards of the PCAOB for public companies as required by the SEC in connection with the filing of a registration statement on Form S-4 (collectively, the “Reviewed Financial Statements”).
ARTICLE VIII.
CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER
SECTION 8.01 Conditions to the Obligations of Each Party. The obligations of the Company, Adara and Merger Sub to consummate the Transactions, including the Merger, are subject to the satisfaction or waiver (where permissible) at or prior to the Closing of the following conditions:
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SECTION 8.02 Conditions to the Obligations of Adara and Merger Sub. The obligations of Adara and Merger Sub to consummate the Transactions, including the Merger, are subject to the satisfaction or waiver (where permissible) at or prior to the Closing of the following additional conditions:
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SECTION 8.03 Conditions to the Obligations of the Company. The obligations of the Company to consummate the Transactions, including the Merger, are subject to the satisfaction or waiver (where permissible) at or prior to Closing of the following additional conditions:
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ARTICLE IX.
TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
SECTION 9.01 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated and the Merger and the other Transactions may be abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time, notwithstanding any requisite approval and adoption of this Agreement and the Transactions by the stockholders of the Company or Adara, as follows:
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SECTION 9.02 Effect of Termination. In the event of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.01, this Agreement shall forthwith become void, and there shall be no liability under this Agreement on the part of any party hereto, except as set forth in this Section 9.02, Article X, and any corresponding definitions set forth in Article I, or in the case of termination subsequent to a willful material breach of this Agreement by a party hereto.
SECTION 9.03 Expenses. Except as set forth in this Section 9.03 or elsewhere in this Agreement, all expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the Transactions shall be paid by the party incurring such expenses, whether or not the Merger or any other Transaction is consummated. For avoidance of doubt, all filing, registration and listing fees and expenses shall be paid one half by each of the parties hereto.
SECTION 9.04 Amendment. This Agreement may be amended in writing by the parties hereto at any time prior to the Effective Time. This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in writing signed by each of the parties hereto.
SECTION 9.05 Waiver. At any time prior to the Effective Time, (i) Adara may (a) extend the time for the performance of any obligation or other act of the Company, (b) waive any inaccuracy in the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein or in any document delivered by the Company pursuant hereto and (c) waive compliance with any agreement of the Company or any condition to its own obligations contained herein and (ii) the Company may (a) extend the time for the performance of any obligation or other act of Adara or Merger Sub, (b) waive any inaccuracy in the representations and warranties of Adara or Merger Sub contained herein or in any document delivered by Adara and/or Merger pursuant hereto and (c) waive compliance with any agreement of Adara or Merger Sub or any condition to its own obligations contained herein. Any such extension or waiver shall be valid if set forth in an instrument in writing signed by the party or parties to be bound thereby.
ARTICLE X.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 10.01 Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given (and shall be deemed to have been duly given upon receipt) by delivery in person, by email or by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the respective parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section 10.01):
if to Adara or Merger Sub:
Adara Acquisition Corp.
211 East Boulevard
Charlotte, NC 28203
Attention: Thomas Finke, Chief Executive Officer
Email: tmfinke@gmail.com
with a copy to:
Blank Rome LLP
1271 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10019
Attention: Brad L. Shiffman and Kathleen A. Cunningham
Email: brad.shiffman@blankrome.com; kathleen.cunningham@blankrome.com
if to the Company:
Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation
1401 NW 136th Ave, Suite 100
Sunrise, FL 33323
Attention: Bruce Ogilvie
Email: bruceo@sdcd.com
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with a copy to:
Loeb & Loeb
345 Park Avenue, 19th Floor
New York, NY 10154
Attention: Mitchell S. Nussbaum, Esq.
E-mail: mnussbaum@loeb.com
SECTION 10.02 Nonsurvival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants. None of the representations, warranties, covenants, obligations or other agreements in this Agreement or in any certificate, statement or instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement, including any rights arising out of any breach of such representations, warranties, covenants, obligations, agreements and other provisions, shall survive the Closing and all such representations, warranties, covenants, obligations or other agreements shall terminate and expire upon the occurrence of the Closing (and there shall be no liability after the Closing in respect thereof), except for (a) those covenants and agreements contained herein that by their terms expressly apply in whole or in part after the Closing and then only with respect to any breaches occurring after the Closing and (b) this Article X and any corresponding definitions set forth in Article I.
SECTION 10.03 Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law, or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the Transactions is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the Transactions be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.
SECTION 10.04 Entire Agreement; Assignment. This Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements constitute the entire agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede, except as set forth in Section 7.04(b), all prior agreements and undertakings, both written and oral, among the parties, or any of them, with respect to the subject matter hereof, except for the Confidentiality Agreement. This Agreement shall not be assigned (whether pursuant to a merger, by operation of law or otherwise) by any party without the prior express written consent of the other parties hereto.
SECTION 10.05 Parties in Interest. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure solely to the benefit of each party hereto, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other person any right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement, other than Section 7.08 (which is intended to be for the benefit of the persons covered thereby and may be enforced by such persons).
SECTION 10.06 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware applicable to contracts executed in and to be performed in that State. All legal actions and proceedings arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be heard and determined exclusively in any Delaware Chancery Court; provided, that if jurisdiction is not then available in the Delaware Chancery Court, then any such legal Action may be brought in any federal court located in the State of Delaware or any other Delaware state court. The parties hereto hereby (a) irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts for themselves and with respect to their respective properties for the purpose of any Action arising out of or relating to this Agreement brought by any party hereto, and (b) agree not to commence any Action relating thereto except in the courts described above in Delaware, other than Actions in any court of competent jurisdiction to enforce any judgment, decree or award rendered by any such court in Delaware as described herein. Each of the parties further agrees that notice as provided herein shall constitute sufficient service of process and the parties further waive any argument that such service is insufficient. Each of the parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, and agrees not to assert, by way of motion or as a defense, counterclaim or otherwise, in any Action arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, (a) any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the courts in Delaware as described herein for any reason, (b) that it or its property is exempt or immune from jurisdiction of any such court or from any legal process commenced in such courts (whether through service of notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution of judgment, execution of judgment or otherwise) and (c) that (i) the Action in any such court is brought in an inconvenient forum, (ii) the venue of such Action is improper or (iii) this Agreement, or the subject matter hereof, may not be enforced in or by such courts.
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SECTION 10.07 Waiver of Jury Trial. Each of the parties hereto hereby waives to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law any right it may have to a trial by jury with respect to any litigation directly or indirectly arising out of, under or in connection with this Agreement or the Transactions. Each of the parties hereto (a) certifies that no representative, agent or attorney of any other party has represented, expressly or otherwise, that such other party would not, in the event of litigation, seek to enforce that foregoing waiver and (b) acknowledges that it and the other hereto have been induced to enter into this Agreement and the Transactions, as applicable, by, among other things, the mutual waivers and certifications in this Section 10.07.
SECTION 10.08 Headings. The descriptive headings contained in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
SECTION 10.09 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed and delivered (including by facsimile or portable document format (pdf) transmission) in one or more counterparts, and by the different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
SECTION 10.10 Specific Performance.
SECTION 10.11 No Recourse. All claims, obligations, liabilities, or causes of action (whether in contract or in tort, in law or in equity, or granted by statute) that may be based upon, in respect of, arise under, out or by reason of, be connected with, or relate in any manner to this Agreement, or the negotiation, execution, or performance of this Agreement (including any representation or warranty made in, in connection with, or as an inducement to, this Agreement), may be made only against (and such representations and warranties are those solely of) the persons that are expressly identified as parties in the preamble to this Agreement (the “Contracting Parties”) except as set forth in this Section 10.11. No person who is not a Contracting Party, including any current, former or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner, manager, stockholder, affiliate, agent, attorney, Representative or assignee of, and any financial advisor or lender to, any Contracting Party, or any current, former or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner, manager, stockholder, affiliate, agent, attorney, Representative or assignee of, and any financial advisor or lender to, any of the foregoing (collectively, the “Nonparty Affiliates”), shall have any liability (whether in contract or in tort, in law or in equity, or granted by statute) for any claims, causes of action, obligations, or liabilities arising under, out of, in connection with, or related in any manner to this Agreement or based on, in respect of, or by reason of this Agreement or its negotiation, execution, performance, or breach, except with respect to willful misconduct or common law fraud (excluding gross negligence, equitable fraud or constructive fraud) against the person who committed such willful misconduct or common law fraud (excluding gross negligence, equitable fraud or constructive fraud), and, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable Law, each Contracting Party hereby waives and releases all such liabilities, claims, causes of action, and obligations against any such Nonparty Affiliates.
[Signature Page Follows.]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Adara, Merger Sub, and the Company have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized.
| ADARA ACQUISITION CORP. | |
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| By: | /s/ Paul Porter |
| Name: | Paul G. Porter |
| Title: | Chief Financial Officer |
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| ADARA MERGER SUB, INC. | |
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| By: | /s/ Paul Porter |
| Name: | Paul G. Porter |
| Title: | Chief Financial Officer |
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| ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT HOLDING CORPORATION | |
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| By: | /s/ Bruce Ogilvie |
| Name: | Bruce Ogilvie |
| Title: | Chairman |
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| By: | /s/ Jeff Walker |
| Name: | Jeff Walker |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
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Exhibit A
AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of [ ], 2022 (the “Effective Date”) by and among Adara Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and the parties listed on Schedule A hereto (each, a “Holder” and collectively, the “Holders”). Any capitalized term used but not defined herein will have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Business Combination Agreement (as defined below).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Company, Adara Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Alliance”) are party to that certain Business Combination Agreement dated as of June 22, 2022 (the “Business Combination Agreement”), pursuant to which, on the Effective Date, Merger Sub will merge (the “Merger”) with and into Alliance, with Alliance surviving the Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company;
WHEREAS, the Company and certain of the Holders designated as Original Holders on Schedule A hereto (the “Original Holders”) are parties to that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of February 8, 2021 (the “Prior Agreement”);
WHEREAS, certain of the Holders currently hold an aggregate of 2,875,000 shares of the Company’s Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, which upon consummation of the Merger will be converted to an equal number of shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”);
WHEREAS, certain of the Holders designated as New Holders on Schedule A hereto (the “New Holders”) are receiving shares of Common Stock (the “Business Combination Shares”) on or about the date hereof, pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the parties to the Prior Agreement desire to terminate the Prior Agreement and to provide for certain rights and obligations included herein and to include the recipients of the Business Combination Shares identified herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the parties agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1 Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms and variations thereof have the meanings set forth below:
“Agreement” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.
“Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
“Business Combination” shall mean any merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more businesses, involving the Company.
“Business Combination Shares” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
“Business Day” means any day other than a Sunday or a day on which the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is closed.
“Commission” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Common Stock” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
“Company” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.
“Demand Registration” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.1.
“Demand Requesting Holder” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.1.
“Demanding Holders” shall mean the Demanding New Holders and/or Demanding Original Holders, as the case may be.
“Effectiveness Deadline” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.3.1.
“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as it may be amended from time to time.
“Form S-1” means a Registration Statement on Form S-1.
“Form S-3” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.1.
“Holders” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.
“Lock Up Agreement” shall mean that certain Lock Up Agreement, by and among the Company, the stockholders of the Company identified therein and certain stockholders of Alliance, dated as of [•], 2022.
“Maximum Number of Securities” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.4.
“Misstatement” shall mean, in the case of a Registration Statement, an untrue statement of a material fact or an omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein, or, in the case of a Prospectus, an untrue statement of material fact or an omission to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
“New Holders” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
“New Registration Statement” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.3.4.
“Original Holders” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
“Piggyback Registration” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.3.1.
“Prior Agreement” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
“Private Warrants” means Warrants of the Company purchased by certain of the Original Holders at the time of the Company’s initial public offering.
“Prospectus” shall mean the prospectus included in any Registration Statement, as supplemented by any and all prospectus supplements and as amended by any and all post-effective amendments and including all material incorporated by reference in such prospectus.
“Registrable Security” shall mean (a) any outstanding share of Common Stock or any other equity security (including the shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of any other equity security) of the Company held by an Original Holder as of the date of this Agreement, (b) any of the Business Combination Shares held by the New Holders as of the date of this Agreement, (c) any of the Private Warrants and any shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise thereof, and (d) any other equity security of the Company issued or issuable with respect to any such share of Common Stock by way of a stock dividend or stock split or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or reorganization; provided, however, that, as to any particular Registrable Security, such security shall cease to be a Registrable Security when: (A) a Registration Statement with respect to the offer or sale of such securities shall have become effective under the Securities Act; (B) such security shall have been otherwise transferred by a Holder, a new certificate or book-entry for such security not bearing a legend restricting further transfer shall have been delivered by the Company and subsequent public distribution of such security shall not require registration under the Securities Act; (C) such security shall have ceased to be outstanding; (D) such security may be sold without registration pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission) (but with no volume or other restrictions, limitations or conditions) or (E) such security has been sold to, or through, a broker, dealer or underwriter in a public distribution or other public securities transaction.
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“Registration” shall mean a registration effected by preparing and filing a registration statement or similar document in compliance with the requirements of the Securities Act, and the applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and such registration statement becoming effective.
“Registration Expenses” shall mean the out-of-pocket expenses of a Registration, including, without limitation, the following:
(A) all registration and filing fees (including fees with respect to filings required to be made with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.) and any securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed;
(B) fees and expenses of compliance with securities or blue sky laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with blue sky qualifications of Registrable Securities);
(C) printing, messenger, telephone and delivery expenses;
(D) reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, including the cost of rendering any opinion or negative assurance letter;
(E) reasonable fees and disbursements of all independent registered public accountants of the Company incurred specifically in connection with such Registration, including the cost of rendering any comfort letter; and
(F) reasonable fees and expenses of one (1) legal counsel for all holders of registrable securities to be registered for offer and sale in the applicable Registration, selected by (i) holders of the majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating a Demand Registration, (ii) holders of the majority-in-interest of Original Holders of all Registrable Securities included in a Company-initiated Piggyback Registration, or (iii) holders of the majority-in-interest of New Holders of all Registrable Securities included in a Company-initiated Piggyback Registration, and (iv) [•] on behalf of the Original Holders in the case of a Resale Shelf Registration Statement.
“Registration Statement” shall mean any registration statement (including a registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act) that covers the Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, including the Prospectus included in such registration statement, amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to such registration statement, and all exhibits to and all material incorporated by reference in such registration statement.
“Resale Shelf Registration Statement” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.3.1.
“Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.
“SEC Guidance” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.3.4.
“Suspension Event” shall have the meaning given in Section 3.4.
“Underwriter” shall mean a securities dealer who purchases any Registrable Securities as principal in an Underwritten Offering and not as part of such dealer’s market-making activities.
“Underwritten Registration” or “Underwritten Offering” shall mean a Registration in which securities of the Company are sold to an Underwriter in a firm commitment underwriting for distribution to the public.
ARTICLE II
REGISTRATION
Section 2.1Demand Registration.
2.1.1Request for Registration. Subject to the provisions of Subsection 2.1.4 and Section 2.4 hereof, at any time and from time to time on or after the date that is 90 days prior to the final expiration (the “Expiration Date”) of the lock-up provisions set forth in the Lock-up Agreement between the Company and the Original Holders and certain New Holders being entered into as of the Effective Date, (i) New Holders holding at least 20% of the then-outstanding number of Registrable Securities held by all New Holders (such New Holders, the “Demanding New Holders”) or (ii) Original Holders holding at least a majority in interest
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of the then-outstanding number of Registrable Securities held by all Original Holders (such Original Holders, the “Demanding Original Holders”), may make a written demand for Registration of all or part of their Registrable Securities on Form S-3 (“Form S-3”) (or, if Form S-3 is not available to be used by the Company at such time, on Form S-1 or another appropriate form permitting Registration of such Registrable Securities for resale by such Demanding Holders), which written demand shall describe the amount, not to be less than $10 million, and type of securities to be included in such Registration and the intended method(s) of distribution thereof (such written demand a “Demand Registration”). The Company shall, within ten (10) days of the Company’s receipt of the Demand Registration, notify, in writing, all other Holders of Registrable Securities of such demand, and each Holder of Registrable Securities who thereafter wishes to include all or a portion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration (each such Holder that includes all or a portion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such Registration, a “Demand Requesting Holder”) shall so notify the Company, in writing, within five (5) days after the receipt by the Holder of the notice from the Company. Upon receipt by the Company of any such written notification from a Demand Requesting Holder(s) to the Company, such Demand Requesting Holder(s) shall be entitled to have their Registrable Securities included in a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration and the Company shall file the form, as soon thereafter as practicable, but not more than forty five (45) days immediately after the Company’s receipt of the Demand Registration, and in no case prior to the Expiration Date, for the Registration of all Registrable Securities requested by the Demanding Holders and Demand Requesting Holders pursuant to such Demand Registration. Under no circumstances shall the Company be obligated to effect more than an aggregate of (i) two (2) Registrations pursuant to a Demand Registration on behalf of the Demanding Original Holders and (ii) two (2) Registrations pursuant to a Demand Registration on behalf of the Demanding New Holders under this subsection 2.1.1.
2.1.2Effective Registration. Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection 2.1.1 above or any other part of this Agreement, a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration shall not count as a Registration unless and until (i) the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration has been declared effective by the Commission and (ii) the Company has complied with all of its obligations under this Agreement with respect thereto; provided, further, that if, after such Registration Statement has been declared effective, an offering of Registrable Securities in a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration is subsequently interfered with by any stop order or injunction of the Commission, federal or state court or any other governmental agency the Registration Statement with respect to such Registration shall be deemed not to have been declared effective, unless and until, (y) such stop order or injunction is removed, rescinded or otherwise terminated, and (z) a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating such Demand Registration thereafter affirmatively elect to continue with such Registration and accordingly notify the Company in writing, but in no event later than five (5) days, of such election; provided, further, that the Company shall not be obligated or required to file another Registration Statement until the Registration Statement that has been previously filed with respect to a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration becomes effective or is subsequently terminated.
2.1.3Underwritten Offering. Subject to the provisions of Subsection 2.1.4 and Section 2.4 hereof, if a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders so advise the Company as part of their Demand Registration that the offering of the Registrable Securities pursuant to such Demand Registration shall be in the form of an Underwritten Offering, then the right of such Demanding Holder or Demand Requesting Holder (if any) to include its Registrable Securities in such Registration shall be conditioned upon such Holder’s participation in such Underwritten Offering and the inclusion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such Underwritten Offering to the extent provided herein. All such Holders proposing to distribute their Registrable Securities through an Underwritten Offering under this subsection 2.1.3 shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the Underwriter(s) selected for such Underwritten Offering by the Company with approval from the majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating the Demand Registration.
2.1.4Reduction of Underwritten Offering. If the managing Underwriter or Underwriters in an Underwritten Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration, in good faith, advises the Company, the Demanding Holders and the Demand Requesting Holders (if any) in writing that the dollar amount or number of Registrable Securities that the Demanding Holders and the Demand Requesting Holders (if any) desire to sell, taken together with all other Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell and the Common Stock, if any, as to which a Registration has been requested pursuant to separate written contractual piggy-back registration rights held by any other stockholders who desire to sell, exceeds the maximum dollar amount or maximum number of equity securities that can be sold in the Underwritten Offering without adversely affecting the proposed offering price, the timing, the distribution method, or the probability of success of such offering (such maximum dollar amount or maximum number of such securities, as applicable, the “Maximum Number of Securities”), then the Company shall include in such Underwritten Offering, as follows: (i) first, the Registrable Securities of the Demanding Holders and the Demand Requesting Holders (if any) (pro rata based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each Demanding Holder and Demand Requesting Holder (if any) has requested be included in such Underwritten Registration and the aggregate number of Registrable Securities that the Demanding Holders and Demand Requesting Holders have requested be included in such Underwritten
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Registration) that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (ii) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (i), Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (iii) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), Common Stock or other equity securities of other persons or entities that the Company is obligated to register in a Registration pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with such persons and that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities.
2.1.5Demand Registration Withdrawal. A majority-in-interest of the Demanding New Holders, in the case of a Registration under subsection 2.1.1 initiated by the New Holders, or a majority-in-interest of the Demand Requesting Holders (if any), pursuant to a Registration under subsection 2.2.1, shall have the right to withdraw from a Registration pursuant to such Demand Registration for any or no reason whatsoever upon written notification to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) of their intention to withdraw from such Registration prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to the Registration of their Registrable Securities pursuant to such Demand Registration. If a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating a Demand Registration or a majority-in-interest of the Demand Requesting Holders (if any), withdraws from a proposed offering pursuant to this Section 2.1.5, then such registration shall not count as a Demand Registration provided for in Section 2.1. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred in connection with a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration prior to its withdrawal under this subsection 2.1.5.
Section 2.2Piggyback Registration.
2.2.1Piggyback Rights. If, at any time on or after the date hereof, the Company proposes to file a Registration Statement under the Securities Act with respect to an offering of equity securities, or securities or other obligations exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible into equity securities, for its own account or for the account of stockholders of the Company (or by the Company and by the stockholders of the Company including, without limitation, pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof), other than a Registration Statement (i) filed in connection with any employee stock option or other benefit plan, (ii) for an exchange offer or offering of securities solely to the Company’s existing stockholders, (iii) for an offering of debt that is convertible into equity securities of the Company, (iv) for a dividend reinvestment plan, (v) on Form S-4 filed in connection with the Business Combination or (vi) filed pursuant to Section 2.3 hereof, then the Company shall give written notice of such proposed filing to all of the Holders of Registrable Securities then outstanding as soon as practicable but not less than ten (10) days before the anticipated filing date of such Registration Statement, which notice shall (A) describe the amount and type of securities to be included in such offering, the intended method(s) of distribution, and the name of the proposed managing Underwriter or Underwriters, if any, in such offering, and (B) offer to all of the Holders of Registrable Securities the opportunity to register the sale of such number of Registrable Securities as such Holders may request in writing within five (5) days after receipt of such written notice (such Registration a “Piggyback Registration”). The Company shall, in good faith, cause such Registrable Securities to be included in such Piggyback Registration and shall use its best efforts to cause the managing Underwriter or Underwriters of a proposed Underwritten Offering to permit the Registrable Securities requested by the Holders pursuant to this Subsection 2.2.1 to be included in a Piggyback Registration on the same terms and conditions as any similar securities of the Company included in such Registration and to permit the sale or other disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution thereof. All such Holders proposing to distribute their Registrable Securities through an Underwritten Offering under this Subsection 2.2.1 shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the Underwriter(s) selected for such Underwritten Offering by the Company.
2.2.2Reduction of Piggyback Registration. If the managing Underwriter or Underwriters in an Underwritten Registration that is to be a Piggyback Registration, in good faith, advises the Company and the Holders of Registrable Securities participating in the Piggyback Registration in writing that the dollar amount or number of shares of Common Stock that the Company desires to sell, taken together with (i) the shares of Common Stock, if any, as to which Registration has been demanded pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with persons or entities other than the Holders of Registrable Securities hereunder, (ii) the Registrable Securities as to which registration has been requested pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof, and (iii) the shares of Common Stock, if any, as to which Registration has been requested pursuant to separate written contractual piggy-back registration rights of other stockholders of the Company, exceeds the Maximum Number of Securities, then:
(i)If the Registration is undertaken for the Company’s account, the Company shall include in any such Registration (A) first, Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (B) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (A), the Registrable Securities of Holders exercising their rights to register their Registrable Securities pursuant to Subsection 2.2.1 hereof, pro rata, based on the respective number of Registrable Securities
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that each Holder has so requested, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (C) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), Common Stock, if any, as to which Registration has been requested pursuant to written contractual piggy-back registration rights of other stockholders of the Company, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and
(ii)If the Registration is pursuant to a request by persons or entities other than the Holders of Registrable Securities, then the Company shall include in any such Registration (A) first, Common Stock or other equity securities, if any, of such requesting persons or entities, other than the Holders of Registrable Securities, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (B) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (A), the Registrable Securities of Holders exercising their rights to register their Registrable Securities pursuant to subsection 2.2.1, pro rata based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each Holder has requested be included in such Underwritten Registration and the aggregate number of Registrable Securities that the Holders have requested to be included in such Underwritten Registration, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (C) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (D) fourth, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A), (B) and (C), Common Stock or other equity securities for the account of other persons or entities that the Company is obligated to register pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with such persons or entities, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities.
2.2.3Piggyback Registration Withdrawal. Any Holder of Registrable Securities shall have the right to withdraw from a Piggyback Registration for any or no reason whatsoever upon written notification to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) of his, her or its intention to withdraw from such Piggyback Registration prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to such Piggyback Registration. The Company (whether on its own good faith determination or as the result of a request for withdrawal by persons pursuant to separate written contractual obligations) may withdraw a Registration Statement filed with the Commission in connection with a Piggyback Registration at any time prior to the effectiveness of such Registration Statement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred in connection with the Piggyback Registration prior to its withdrawal under this subsection 2.2.3.
2.2.4Unlimited Piggyback Registration Rights. For purposes of clarity, any Registration effected pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof shall not be counted as a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration effected under Section 2.1 hereof.
Section 2.3Resale Shelf Registration Rights
2.3.1Registration Statement Covering Resale of Registrable Securities. The Company shall prepare and file or cause to be prepared and filed with the Commission, no later than thirty (30) calendar days following the closing of the Business Combination, a Registration Statement for an offering to be made on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 of the Securities Act or any successor thereto registering the resale from time to time by Holders of all of the Registrable Securities held by Holders (the “Resale Shelf Registration Statement”). The Resale Shelf Registration Statement shall be on Form S-1. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Resale Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective as soon as practicable after filing, but no later than the earlier of (i) the 60th calendar day (or 120th calendar day if the Commission notifies the Company that it will “review” the Registration Statement) following the closing of the Business Combination and (ii) the tenth Business Day after the date the Company is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier) by the Commission that the Resale Shelf Registration Statement will not be “reviewed” or will not be subject to further review (such earlier date, the “Effectiveness Deadline”). Once effective, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Resale Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective and to be supplemented and amended to the extent necessary to ensure that such Registration Statement is available or, if not available, to ensure that another Registration Statement is available, under the Securities Act at all times until all Registrable Securities and other securities covered by such Registration Statement have been disposed of in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution set forth in such Registration Statement or have ceased to be Registrable Securities. The Registration Statement filed with the Commission pursuant to this subsection 2.3.1 shall contain a prospectus in such form as to permit any Holder to sell such Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act (or any successor or similar provision adopted by the Commission then in effect) at any time beginning on the effective date for such Registration Statement (subject to the restrictions provided in the Lock-up Agreement between the Company and the relevant Holders being entered into as of the date hereof), and shall provide that such Registrable Securities may be sold pursuant to any method or combination of methods legally available to, and requested by, the Holders. Promptly following the date upon
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which the Company becomes eligible to use a Registration Statement on Form S-3, the Company shall file a post-effective amendment on Form S-3 to the Resale Shelf Registration Statement (an “S-3 Conversion”).
2.3.2Notification and Distribution of Materials. The Company shall notify the Holders in writing of the effectiveness of the Resale Shelf Registration Statement as soon as practicable, and in any event within one (1) Business Day after the Resale Shelf Registration Statement becomes effective, and shall furnish to them, without charge, such number of copies of the Resale Shelf Registration Statement (including any amendments, supplements and exhibits), the Prospectus contained therein (including each preliminary prospectus and all related amendments and supplements) and any documents incorporated by reference in the Resale Shelf Registration Statement or such other documents as the Holders may reasonably request in order to facilitate the sale of the Registrable Securities in the manner described in the Resale Shelf Registration Statement.
2.3.3Amendments and Supplements. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.3.1 above, the Company shall promptly prepare and file with the Commission from time to time such amendments and supplements to the Resale Shelf Registration Statement and Prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep the Resale Shelf Registration Statement effective and to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all the Registrable Securities. If any Resale Shelf Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2.3.1 is filed on Form S-3 and thereafter the Company becomes ineligible to use Form S-3 for secondary sales, the Company shall promptly notify the Holders of such ineligibility and use its best efforts to file a shelf registration on an appropriate form as promptly as practicable to replace the shelf registration statement on Form S-3 and have the such replacement Resale Shelf Registration Statement declared effective as promptly as practicable and to cause such replacement Resale Shelf Registration Statement to remain effective, and to be supplemented and amended to the extent necessary to ensure that such Resale Shelf Registration Statement is available or, if not available, that another Resale Shelf Registration Statement is available, for the resale of all the Registrable Securities held by the Holders until all such Registrable Securities have ceased to be Registrable Securities; provided, however, that at any time the Company once again becomes eligible to use Form S-3, the Company shall cause such replacement Resale Shelf Registration Statement to be amended, or shall file a new replacement Resale Shelf Registration Statement, such that the Resale Shelf Registration Statement is once again on Form S-3.
2.3.4Notwithstanding the registration obligations set forth in this Section 2.3, in the event the Commission informs the Company that all of the Registrable Securities cannot, as a result of the application of Rule 415, be registered for resale as a secondary offering on a single registration statement, the Company agrees to promptly (i) inform each of the holders thereof and use its reasonable best efforts to file amendments to the Resale Shelf Registration Statement as required by the Commission and/or (ii) withdraw the Resale Shelf Registration Statement and file a new registration statement (a “New Registration Statement”), on Form S-3, or if Form S-3 is not then available to the Company for such registration statement, on such other form available to register for resale the Registrable Securities as a secondary offering; provided, however, that prior to filing such amendment or New Registration Statement, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to advocate with the Commission for the registration of all of the Registrable Securities in accordance with any publicly-available written or oral guidance, comments, requirements or requests of the Commission staff (the “SEC Guidance”), including without limitation, the Manual of Publicly Available Telephone Interpretations D.29. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if any SEC Guidance sets forth a limitation of the number of Registrable Securities permitted to be registered on a particular Registration Statement as a secondary offering (and notwithstanding that the Company used diligent efforts to advocate with the Commission for the registration of all or a greater number of Registrable Securities), unless otherwise directed in writing by a Holder as to its Registrable Securities, the number of Registrable Securities to be registered on such Registration Statement will be reduced in order to include first, the number of shares of Common Stock included in the Resale Shelf Registration Statement that are held by PIPE Investors (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement), and second, the Registrable Securities under this Agreement, on a pro rata basis based on the total number of Registrable Securities held by the Holders, subject to a determination by the Commission that certain Holders must be reduced first based on the number of Registrable Securities held by such Holders. In the event the Company amends the Resale Shelf Registration Statement or files a New Registration Statement, as the case may be, under clauses (i) or (ii) above, the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to file with the Commission, as promptly as allowed by Commission or SEC Guidance provided to the Company or to registrants of securities in general, one or more registration statements on Form S-3 or such other form available to register for resale those Registrable Securities that were not registered for resale on the Resale Shelf Registration Statement, as amended, or the New Registration Statement.
2.3.5 Registrations effected pursuant to this Section 2.3 shall not be counted as Demand Registrations effected pursuant to Section 2.2.
Section 2.4Restrictions on Registration Rights. If (A) during the period starting with the date sixty (60) days prior to the Company’s good faith estimate of the date of the filing of, and ending on a date one hundred and twenty (120) days after the effective
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date of, a Company initiated Registration and provided that the Company continues to actively employ, in good faith, all reasonable efforts to cause the applicable Registration Statement to become effective; (B) the Holders have requested an Underwritten Registration and the Company and the Holders are unable to obtain the commitment of underwriters to firmly underwrite the offer; or (C) in the good faith judgment of the Board such Registration would be materially detrimental to the Company and the Board concludes as a result that it is essential to defer the filing of such Registration Statement at such time, then in each case the Company shall furnish to such Holders a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board stating that in the good faith judgment of the Board it would be materially detrimental to the Company for such Registration Statement to be filed in the near future and that it is therefore essential to defer the filing of such Registration Statement. In such event, the Company shall have the right to defer a filing pursuant to Section 2.1 for the shortest period of time determined in good faith by the Company to be necessary for such purpose, but in any event no longer than a period of more than thirty (30) days.
ARTICLE III
COMPANY PROCEDURES
Section 3.1General Procedures. If at any time on or after the Effective Time the Company is required to effect the Registration of Registrable Securities, the Company shall use its best efforts to effect such Registration to permit the sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended plan of distribution thereof, and pursuant thereto the Company shall, as expeditiously as possible:
3.1.1prepare and file with the Commission as soon as practicable a Registration Statement with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been sold;
3.1.2prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and post-effective amendments to the Registration Statement, and such supplements to the Prospectus, as may be reasonably requested by the Holders or any Underwriter of Registrable Securities or as may be required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used by the Company or by the Securities Act or rules and regulations thereunder to keep the Registration Statement effective until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement are sold in accordance with the intended plan of distribution set forth in such Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus;
3.1.3prior to filing a Registration Statement or Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, furnish without charge to the Underwriters, if any, and the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration, and such Holders’ legal counsel, copies of such Registration Statement as proposed to be filed, each amendment and supplement to such Registration Statement (in each case including all exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein), the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including each preliminary Prospectus), and such other documents as the Underwriters and the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration or the legal counsel for any such Holders may request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Holders;
3.1.4prior to any public offering of Registrable Securities, use its reasonable best efforts to (i) register or qualify the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement under such securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement (in light of their intended plan of distribution) may request and (ii) take such action necessary to cause such Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the business and operations of the Company and do any and all other acts and things that may be necessary or advisable to enable the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify or take any action to which it would be subject to general service of process or taxation in any such jurisdiction where it is not then otherwise so subject;
3.1.5cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on each securities exchange or automated quotation system on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed;
3.1.6provide a transfer agent or warrant agent, as applicable, and registrar for all such Registrable Securities no later than the effective date of such Registration Statement;
3.1.7advise each seller of such Registrable Securities, promptly after it shall receive notice or obtain knowledge thereof, of the issuance of any stop order by the Commission suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement or the initiation
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or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose and promptly use its reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or to obtain its withdrawal if such stop order should be issued;
3.1.8advise each Holder of Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement, promptly after the Company receives notice thereof, of the time when such registration statement has been declared effective or a supplement to any Prospectus forming a part of such registration statement has been filed;
3.1.9at least five (5) days prior to the filing of any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement or Prospectus, furnish a copy thereof to each seller of such Registrable Securities or its counsel;
3.1.10notify the Holders at any time when a Prospectus relating to such Registration Statement is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the happening of any event as a result of which the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes a Misstatement, and then to correct such Misstatement as set forth in Section 3.4 hereof;
3.1.11permit a representative of the Holders, the Underwriters, if any, and any attorney or accountant retained by such Holders or Underwriter to participate, at each such person’s own expense, in the preparation of the Registration Statement, and cause the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such representative, Underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with the Registration; provided, however, that such representatives or Underwriters enter into a confidentiality agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company, prior to the release or disclosure of any such information;
3.1.12obtain a “cold comfort” letter from the Company’s independent registered public accountants in the event of an Underwritten Registration, in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by “cold comfort” letters as the managing Underwriter may reasonably request, and reasonably satisfactory to such managing Underwriter;
3.1.13on the date the Registrable Securities are delivered for sale pursuant to an Underwritten Registration, obtain an opinion and negative assurance letter, each dated such date, of counsel representing the Company for the purposes of such Underwritten Registration, addressed to the Underwriters covering such legal matters with respect to the Underwritten Registration in respect of which such opinion is being given as the managing Underwriter may reasonably request and as are customarily included in such opinions and negative assurance letters, and reasonably satisfactory to such managing Underwriter;
3.1.14in the event of any Underwritten Offering, enter into and perform its obligations under an underwriting agreement, in usual and customary form, with the managing Underwriter of such offering;
3.1.15make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least twelve (12) months beginning with the first day of the Company’s first full calendar quarter after the effective date of the Registration Statement which satisfies the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission);
3.1.16if the Registration involves the Registration of Registrable Securities involving gross proceeds in excess of $50,000,000, use its reasonable efforts to make available senior executives of the Company to participate in customary “road show” presentations that may be reasonably requested by the Underwriter in any Underwritten Offering; and
3.1.17otherwise, in good faith, cooperate reasonably with, and take such customary actions as may reasonably be requested by the Holders, in connection with such Registration.
Section 3.2Registration Expenses. The Registration Expenses of all Registrations shall be borne by the Company. It is acknowledged by the Holders that the Holders shall bear all incremental selling expenses relating to the sale of Registrable Securities, such as Underwriters’ commissions and discounts, brokerage fees, Underwriter marketing costs and, other than as set forth in the definition of “Registration Expenses,” all reasonable fees and expenses of one legal counsel representing the Holders not to exceed $50,000 per Registration.
Section 3.3Requirements for Participation in Underwritten Offerings. No person may participate in any Underwritten Offering for equity securities of the Company pursuant to a Registration initiated by the Company hereunder unless such person (i) agrees to sell such person’s securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Company and (ii) completes and executes all customary questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, lock-up agreements, underwriting agreements and other customary documents as may be reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.
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Section 3.4Suspension of Sales. Upon receipt of written notice from the Company that a Registration Statement or Prospectus contains a Misstatement, each of the Holders shall forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities until he, she or it has received copies of a supplemented or amended Prospectus correcting the Misstatement (it being understood that the Company hereby covenants to prepare and file such supplement or amendment as soon as practicable after the time of such notice), or until he, she or it is advised in writing by the Company that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall be entitled to delay or postpone the filing or effectiveness of a Registration Statement, and from time to time to require the Holders not to sell under a Registration Statement or to suspend the effectiveness thereof, if the negotiation or consummation of a transaction by the Company or its subsidiaries is pending or an event has occurred, which negotiation, consummation or event the Board reasonably believes would require additional disclosure by the Company in the Registration Statement of material information that the Company has a bona fide business purpose for keeping confidential and the non-disclosure of which in the Registration Statement would be expected, in the reasonable determination of the Board to cause the Registration Statement to fail to comply with applicable disclosure requirements (each such circumstance, a “Suspension Event”); provided, however, that the Company may not delay or suspend a Registration Statement for the shortest period of time, but in no event more than sixty (60) days, determined in good faith by the Company to be necessary for such purpose. Upon receipt of any written notice from the Company of the happening of any Suspension Event during the period that a Registration Statement is effective or if as a result of a Suspension Event a Registration Statement or related prospectus contains any Misstatement, the Holders agree that (i) they will immediately discontinue offers and sales of the Shares under such Registration Statement (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, sales conducted pursuant to Rule 144) until the Holders receive copies of a supplemental or amended prospectus (which the Company agrees to promptly prepare) that corrects the Misstatements referred to above and receives notice that any post-effective amendment has become effective or unless otherwise notified by the Company that it may resume such offers and sales, and (ii) they will maintain the confidentiality of any information included in such written notice delivered by the Company unless otherwise required by law or subpoena. If so directed by the Company, the Holders will deliver to the Company or, in each Holder’s sole discretion destroy, all copies of the prospectus covering the Shares in such Holder’s possession; provided, however, that this obligation to deliver or destroy all copies of the prospectus covering the Shares shall not apply (i) to the extent the Holder is required to retain a copy of such prospectus (a) in order to comply with applicable legal, regulatory, self-regulatory or professional requirements or (b) in accordance with a bona fide pre-existing document retention policy or (ii) to copies stored electronically on archival servers as a result of automatic data back-up.
Section 3.5Reporting Obligations. As long as any Holder shall own Registrable Securities, the Company, at all times while it shall be a reporting company under the Exchange Act, covenants to file timely (or obtain extensions in respect thereof and file within the applicable grace period) all reports required to be filed by the Company after the date hereof pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and to promptly furnish the Holders with true and complete copies of all such filings. The Company further covenants that it shall take such further action as any Holder may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell shares of Common Stock held by such Holder without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission), including providing any legal opinions. Upon the request of any Holder, the Company shall deliver to such Holder a written certification of a duly authorized officer as to whether it has complied with such requirements.
Section 3.6Limitations on Registration Rights. From and after the date of this Agreement, other than the registration rights granted in subscription agreements with the PIPE Investors (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement), the Company shall not, without the prior written consent of holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities then outstanding, enter into any agreement with any holder or prospective holder of any securities of the Company that would provide to such holder registration rights on a basis more favorable than the registration rights granted to the Holders herein.
ARTICLE IV
INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION
Section 4.1Indemnification
4.1.1The Company agrees to indemnify, to the extent permitted by law, each Holder of Registrable Securities, its officers and directors and agents and each person who controls such Holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) caused by any actual or alleged Misstatement, except insofar as the same are caused by or contained in any information furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder expressly for use therein.
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4.1.2In connection with any Registration Statement in which a Holder of Registrable Securities is participating, such Holder shall furnish to the Company in writing such information and affidavits as the Company reasonably requests for use in connection with any such Registration Statement or Prospectus and, to the extent permitted by law, shall indemnify the Company, its directors and officers and agents and each person who controls the Company (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees) resulting from any actual or alleged Misstatement, but only to the extent that such actual or alleged Misstatement is made in reliance on and in conformity with any information or affidavit so furnished in writing by or on behalf of such Holder expressly for use therein; provided, however, that the obligation to indemnify shall be several, not joint and several, among such Holders of Registrable Securities, and the liability of each such Holder of Registrable Securities shall be in proportion to and limited to the net proceeds received by such Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement.
4.1.3Any person entitled to indemnification herein shall (i) give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification (provided that the failure to give prompt notice shall not impair any person’s right to indemnification hereunder to the extent such failure has not materially prejudiced the indemnifying party) and (ii) unless in such indemnified party’s reasonable judgment a conflict of interest between such indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist with respect to such claim, permit such indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. If such defense is assumed, the indemnifying party shall not be subject to any liability for any settlement made by the indemnified party without its consent (but such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld). An indemnifying party who is not entitled to, or elects not to, assume the defense of a claim shall not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel for all parties indemnified by such indemnifying party with respect to such claim, unless in the reasonable judgment of any indemnified party a conflict of interest may exist between such indemnified party and any other of such indemnified parties with respect to such claim. No indemnifying party shall, without the consent of the indemnified party, not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed, consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which cannot be settled in all respects by the payment of money (and such money is so paid by the indemnifying party pursuant to the terms of such settlement) or which settlement does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such indemnified party of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation.
4.1.4The indemnification provided for under this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the indemnified party or any officer, director or controlling person of such indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of securities. The Company and each Holder of Registrable Securities participating in an offering also agrees to make such provisions as are reasonably requested by any indemnified party for contribution to such party in the event the Company’s or such Holder’s indemnification is unavailable for any reason.
4.1.5If the indemnification provided under Section 4.1 hereof from the indemnifying party is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless to an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to herein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying the indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by the indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any actual or alleged Misstatement, was made by, or relates to information supplied by, such indemnifying party or indemnified party, and the indemnifying party’s and indemnified party’s relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action; provided, however, that the liability of any Holder under this subsection 4.1.5 shall be limited to the amount of the net proceeds received by such Holder in such offering giving rise to such liability. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses or other liabilities referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in subsections 4.1.1, 4.1.2 and 4.1.3 above, any legal or other fees, charges or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or proceeding. The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this subsection 4.1.5 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation, which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in this subsection 4.1.5. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution pursuant to this subsection 4.1.5 from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
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ARTICLE V
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 5.1Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including Schedule A hereto) constitutes the entire understanding and agreement between the parties as to the matters covered herein and supersedes and replaces any prior understanding, agreement or statement of intent, in each case, written or oral, of any and every nature with respect thereto.
Section 5.2Notices. Any notice or other communication required or permitted to be delivered to any party under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed properly delivered, given and received (a) upon receipt when delivered by hand, (b) upon transmission, if sent by facsimile or electronic transmission (in each case with receipt verified by confirmation from the recipient of such notice or communication), or (c) one (1) Business Day after being sent by courier or express delivery service, specifying next day delivery, with proof of receipt. The addresses, email addresses and facsimile numbers for such notices and communications are those set forth on the signature pages hereof, or such other address, email address or facsimile numbers as may be designated in writing hereafter, in the same manner, by any such person.
Section 5.3Assignment; No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement and the rights, duties and obligations of the Company hereunder may not be assigned or delegated by the Company in whole or in part. This Agreement and the rights, duties and obligations of the Holders of Registrable Securities hereunder may be freely assigned or delegated by such Holder of Registrable Securities in conjunction with and to the extent of any transfer of Registrable Securities by any such Holder. This Agreement and the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of each of the parties and the permitted assigns of the applicable holder of Registrable Securities or of any assignee of the applicable holder of Registrable Securities. This Agreement is not intended to confer any rights or benefits on any persons that are not party hereto other than as expressly set forth in Article 4 and this Section 5.3. No assignment by any party hereto of such party’s rights, duties and obligations hereunder shall be binding upon or obligate the Company unless and until the Company shall have received (i) written notice of such assignment and (ii) the written agreement of the assignee, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Company, to be bound by the terms and provisions of this Agreement (which may be accomplished by an addendum or certificate of joinder to this Agreement). Any transfer, assignment or delegation made other than as provided in this Section 5.3 shall be null and void.
Section 5.4Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties (including by electronic signature covered by the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, the Electronic Signatures and Records Act or other applicable law, e.g., www.docusign.com) and delivered to the other parties, it being understood that all parties need not sign the same counterpart and such counterparts may be delivered by the parties hereto via facsimile or electronic transmission.
Section 5.5Amendment; Waiver. This Agreement may be amended or modified, and any provision hereof may be waived, in whole or in part, at any time pursuant to an agreement in writing executed by (i) the Company, (ii) holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities held by the Original Holders at such time, and (iii) holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities held by the New Holders at such time; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, any amendment hereto or waiver hereof that materially and adversely affects one Holder, solely in his, her or its capacity as a holder of the shares of capital stock of the Company, in a manner that is materially different from the other Holders (in such capacity) shall require the consent of the Holder so affected.
Section 5.6Severability. In the event that any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement will continue in full force and effect and the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances will be interpreted so as reasonably to effect the intent of the parties hereto.
Section 5.7Governing Law; Venue. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware applicable to contracts executed in and to be performed in that State. All legal actions and proceedings arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be heard and determined exclusively in any Delaware Chancery Court; provided, that if jurisdiction is not then available in the Delaware Chancery Court, then any such legal action may be brought in any federal court located in the State of Delaware or any other Delaware state court. The parties hereto hereby (a) irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts for themselves and with respect to their respective properties for the purpose of any action arising out of or relating to this Agreement brought by any party hereto, and (b) agree not to commence any action relating thereto except in the courts described above in Delaware, other than actions in any court of competent jurisdiction to enforce any judgment, decree or award rendered by any such court in Delaware as described herein. Each of the parties further agrees that notice as provided herein shall constitute sufficient service of process and the parties further waive any argument that such service is insufficient. Each of the
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parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, and agrees not to assert, by way of motion or as a defense, counterclaim or otherwise, in any action arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, (a) any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the courts in Delaware as described herein for any reason, (b) that it or its property is exempt or immune from jurisdiction of any such court or from any legal process commenced in such courts (whether through service of notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution of judgment, execution of judgment or otherwise) and (c) that (i) the action in any such court is brought in an inconvenient forum, (ii) the venue of such action is improper or (iii) this Agreement, or the subject matter hereof, may not be enforced in or by such courts.
Section 5.8Specific Performance. Each party acknowledges and agrees that the other parties hereto would be irreparably harmed and would not have any adequate remedy at law in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed by such first party in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached by such first party. Accordingly, each party agrees that the other parties hereto shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement, this being in addition to any other remedy to which such parties are entitled at law or in equity.
Section 5.9Term. This Agreement shall terminate upon the earlier of (i) the seventh (7th) anniversary of the date of this Agreement and (ii) with respect to any Holder, the date as of which such Holder ceases to hold any Registrable Securities. The provisions of Article 4 shall survive any termination.
[Signature Pages Follow]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
| COMPANY: | |
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| ADARA ACQUISITION CORP. | |
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| By: |
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| Name: | |
| Title: |
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
HOLDER: | ||
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By: |
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Name: | ||
Title: |
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]
SCHEDULE A
ORIGINAL HOLDERS:
1. | Adara Sponsor LLC |
2. | ThinkEquity LLC |
3. | Fordham Financial Management, Inc. |
4. | Ramnarain Jaigobind |
5. | Eric Lord |
6. | Priyanka Mahajan |
7. | Craig Skop |
8. | Kevin Mangan |
9. | Nelson Baquet |
10. | Chirag Choudhary |
11. | Jeffrey Singer |
12. | Maria Robles |
NEW HOLDERS:
1. | Jeff Walker |
2. | Bruce Ogilvie, Jr. Trust dated January 20, 1994 |
3. | Ogilvie Legacy Trust dated September 14th, 2021 |
Exhibit B
, 2022
Adara Acquisition Corp.
211 East Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28203
Re: Lock-Up Agreement
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This letter (this “Letter Agreement”) is being delivered to you in accordance with the Business Combination Agreement, dated as of [ ], 2022, entered into by and among Adara Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), Adara Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub”) and Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Alliance”) (the “BCA”), pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will be merged with and into Alliance on the date hereof (the “Merger”), with Alliance surviving the Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.
In order to induce the Company to proceed with the Merger and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the undersigned (the “Securityholder”) hereby agrees with the Company as follows:
(i)in the case of an entity, Transfers (A) to another entity that is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) of the undersigned, or to any investment fund or other entity controlling, controlled by, managing or managed by or under common control with the undersigned or affiliates of the undersigned or who shares a common investment advisor with the undersigned or (B) as part of a distribution or transfer to direct or indirect members, general partners, limited partners or shareholders of the undersigned, or each of their employees or officers;
(ii)in the case of an individual, Transfers by bona fide gift to members of the individual’s immediate family (as defined below) or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a member of one of the individual’s immediate family, an affiliate of such person or to a charitable organization;
(iii)in the case of an individual, Transfers by virtue of laws of descent and distribution upon death of the individual;
(iv)in the case of an individual, Transfers by operation of law or pursuant to a court order, such as a qualified domestic relations order, divorce decree or separation agreement;
(v)in the case of an individual, Transfers to a partnership, limited liability company or other entity of which the undersigned and/or the immediate family (as defined below) of the undersigned are the legal and beneficial owner of all of the outstanding equity securities or similar interests;
(vi)in the case of an entity that is a trust, Transfers to a beneficiary of the trust or to the estate of a beneficiary of such trust;
(vii)in the case of an entity, Transfers by virtue of the laws of the state of the entity’s organization and the entity’s organizational documents upon dissolution of the entity;
(viii) Transfers of any shares of Common Stock or other securities acquired as part of the Private Placements with PIPE Investors (each as defined in the BCA) or issued in exchange for, or on conversion or exercise of, any securities issued as part of the Private Placements with PIPE Investors;
(ix)Transfers of shares of Common Stock or other securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock acquired in open market transactions after the effective time of the Merger;
(x)(A) the exercise of stock options or warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock or the vesting of stock awards of Common Stock, (B) any related transfer of shares of Common Stock to the Company in connection therewith (1) deemed to occur upon the “cashless” or “net” exercise of such options or warrants or (2) for the purpose of paying the exercise price of such options or warrants or for paying taxes due as a result of the exercise of such options or warrants, the vesting of such options, warrants or stock awards, or as a result of the vesting of such shares of Common Stock or (C) Transfers of any shares of Common Stock received upon any such exercise, vesting or transfer;
(xi)Transfers to the Company pursuant to any contractual arrangement in effect at the effective time of the Merger that provides for the repurchase by the Company or forfeiture of Common Stock or other securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock in connection with the termination of the Securityholder’s service to the Company;
(xii)the entry, by the Securityholder, at any time after the effective time of the Merger, of any trading plan providing for the sale of shares of Common Stock by the Securityholder, which trading plan meets the requirements of Rule 10b5-1(c) under the Exchange Act (as may be amended from time to time), provided, however, that such plan does not provide for, or permit, the sale of any shares of Common Stock during the Lock-Up Period and no public announcement or filing is voluntarily made or required regarding such plan during the Lock-Up Period;
(xiii) transactions in the event of completion of a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of the Company’s securityholders having the right to exchange their shares of Common Stock for cash, securities or other property;
(xiv) transactions to satisfy any U.S. federal, state, or local income tax obligations of the Securityholder (or its direct or indirect owners) arising from a change in the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or the U.S. Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Regulations”) after the date on which the BCA was executed by the parties, and such change prevents the Merger from qualifying as a “reorganization” pursuant to Section 368 of the Code (and the Merger does not qualify for similar tax-free treatment pursuant to any successor or other provision of the Code or Regulations taking into account such changes), in each case solely and to the extent necessary to cover any tax liability as a direct result of the transaction; and
(xv)the creation of any charge, lien, mortgage, pledge or other security interest or posting as collateral of any Common Stock of the Company in connection with a bona fide loan transaction provided that the Lock-Up Shares transferred in connection with enforcement of such loan transaction remain subject to the terms of this letter and any lender transferee agrees in writing to be bound by the restrictions set forth herein.
; provided, however, that (A) in the case of clauses (i) through (vii) and clause (xiii), these permitted transferees must enter into a written agreement, in substantially the form of this Letter Agreement (it being understood that any references to “immediate family” in the agreement executed by such transferee shall expressly refer only to the immediate family of the Securityholder and not to the immediate family of the transferee), agreeing to be bound by these Transfer restrictions. For purposes of this Letter Agreement, “immediate family” shall mean a spouse, domestic partner, child (including by adoption), father, mother, brother or sister of the undersigned, and lineal descendant (including by adoption) of the undersigned or of any of the foregoing persons; and “affiliate” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to the Securityholders which were securityholders of the Company
prior to the closing date of the Merger, the Lock-up Shares shall only include those shares of Common Stock that were purchased or acquired by the Securityholder as part of the initial 2,825,000 founders shares of the Company.
This Letter Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to conflicts of law principles that would result in the application of the substantive laws of another jurisdiction. The parties hereto (i) all agree that any action, proceeding, claim or dispute arising out of, or relating in any way to, this Letter Agreement shall be brought and enforced in the Delaware Chancery Court, and irrevocably submit to such jurisdiction and venue, which jurisdiction and venue shall be exclusive and (ii) waive any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction and venue or that such courts represent an inconvenient forum.
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Exhibit C
[●], 2022
Adara Acquisition Corp.
211 East Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28203
Re: Initial Public Offering
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This amended and restated letter agreement (this “Letter Agreement”) is being made and entered into as of the date first written above by and among Adara Sponsor LLC (the “Sponsor”), the undersigned (other than the Sponsor) (each, an “Insider” and collectively, the “Insiders”) and ThinkEquity, a division of Fordham Financial Management Inc., as representative (the “Representative”) of the several underwriters (each, an “Underwriter” and collectively, the “Underwriters”) of the initial public offering (the “Public Offering”) of Adara Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”). Certain capitalized terms used herein are defined in paragraph 6 hereof.
WHEREAS, the Sponsor, the Insiders and the Representative entered into that certain letter agreement, dated as of February 8, 2021 (the “Original Letter Agreement”), in connection with the Public Offering.
WHEREAS, in connection with the consummation of the Company’s initial Business Combination with Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation. (“Alliance”), the parties to the Original Letter Agreement desire to amend and restate the Original Letter Agreement in its entirety.
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, each of the Sponsor and the Insiders hereby agrees with the Company as follows:
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in paragraph 1(a), Transfers of the Founder Shares and shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon the conversion of the Founder Shares that are held by the Sponsor, any Insider or any of their permitted transferees (that have complied with this paragraph 1(b)), are permitted (a) to the Company’s officers or directors, any affiliate or family member of any of the Company’s officers or directors or any affiliate of the Sponsor or to any member(s) of the Sponsor or any of their affiliates; (b) in the case of an individual, by gift to a member of such individual’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a member of such individual’s immediate family, an affiliate of such individual or to a charitable organization; (c) in the case of an individual, by virtue of laws of descent and distribution upon death of such individual; (d) in the case of an individual, pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order; (e) by private sales or transfers made in connection with the consummation of an initial Business Combination at prices no greater than the price at which the shares were originally purchased; (f) in the event of the Company’s liquidation prior to the completion of an initial Business Combination; or (g) by virtue of the laws of the State of Delaware or the Sponsor’s limited liability company agreement upon dissolution of the Sponsor; provided, however, that in the case of clauses (a) through (e) or (g), these permitted transferees must enter into a written agreement with the Company agreeing to be bound by the transfer restrictions herein.
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[Signature Page Follows]
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Sincerely, | ||
ADARA SPONSOR LLC | ||
By: | ||
Name: Thomas Finke | ||
Title: Managing Member |
By: | ||
Name: Thomas Finke |
By: | ||
Name: Paul G. Porter |
By: | ||
Name: W. Tom Donaldson, III |
By: | ||
Name: Frank Quintero |
| By: | |
| Name: Dylan Glenn | |
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| By: | |
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| Name: Beatriz Acevedo-Greiff |
Acknowledged and Agreed: | |||
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ADARA ACQUISITION CORP. | |||
By: | |||
Name: | Thomas Finke | ||
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
ThinkEquity, a division of Fordham Financial Management, Inc. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
Fordham Financial Management, Inc. | ||
By: | ||
Name: William Baquet | ||
Title: President |
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By: | ||
| Name: Ramnarain Jaigobind | |
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By: | ||
| Name: Eric Lord | |
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By: | ||
| Name: Priyanka Mahajan | |
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By: | ||
Name: Craig Skop |
By: | ||
Name: Kevin Mangan | ||
By: | ||
Name: Nelson Baquet | ||
By: | ||
Name: Chirag Choudhary | ||
By: | ||
Name: Jeffrey Singer | ||
By: |
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| Name: Maria Robles |
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Exhibit D
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT HOLDING CORPORATION
Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation, a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), does hereby certify that:
1.The name of the corporation is Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation and the Corporation was originally incorporated pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware on August 9, 2010 under the name Project Panther Holding Corporation (the “Original Certificate of Incorporation”).
2.The Original Certificate of Incorporation was amended and restated pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware on April 28, 2011 (the “Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation”).
3.This Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation”), which both restates and amends the provisions of the Amended and Restated Certificate, was duly adopted in accordance with Sections 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended from time to time.
4.This Second Amended and Restated Certificate shall become effective on the date of filing with the Secretary of State of Delaware.
5.THE UNDERSIGNED, in order to amend and restate the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation under and pursuant to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, hereby amends and restates the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation as follows:
FIRST: The name of the corporation is AENT Corporation (the “Corporation”).
SECOND: The registered office of the Corporation is to be located at The Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington, in the County of New Castle, Delaware 19801. The name of its Registered Agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.
THIRD: The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of Delaware.
FOURTH: The total number of shares which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is one thousand (1,000) shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share.
FIFTH: The number of directors of the Corporation shall be determined in the manner set forth in the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Corporation (the “By-Laws”). The election of directors need not be by written ballot unless the By-Laws, so provide.
SIXTH: The Board of Directors of the Corporation is authorized and empowered from time to time in its discretion to make, alter, amend or repeal By-Laws of the Corporation, except as such power may be restricted or limited by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
SEVENTH: The Corporation shall to the fullest extent permitted by Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as the same may be amended and supplemented, indemnify any and all directors and officers when it shall have the power to indemnify under said Section from and against any and all of the expenses, liabilities or other matters referred to in or covered by said Section, and the indemnification provided for herein shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any person may be entitled under any By-Law, resolution of stockholders, resolution of directors, agreement or otherwise, as permitted by said Section, as to actions of such person in any capacity in which he or she served at the request of the Corporation
EIGHTH: Anything to the contrary in this Certificate of Incorporation notwithstanding, no director shall be liable personally to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, provided however, that nothing in this paragraph shall eliminate or limit the liability of a director (i) for any breach of such directors duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, or (iv) for any transaction from which such director derived an improper personal benefit. The modification or repeal of this Article Tenth shall not affect the restriction hereunder of a directors personal liability for any act or omission occurring prior to such modification or repeal.
NINTH: No stockholder or former stockholder, in such capacity (“plaintiff’), shall commence any derivative action or other action against the Corporation or any of its directors, officers, employees, accountants, attorneys, financial advisors, placement agents, or underwriters, in which wrongdoing is alleged for which the Corporation could be liable or with respect to which the Corporation might have an indemnification obligation (“stockholder action”), unless plaintiff and its counsel have entered a written agreement with the Corporation that: (a) plaintiff will not pay or agree to pay, and plaintiff’s counsel will not seek, any fee in respect of such stockholder action, whether plaintiff prevails in such stockholder action, in settlement thereof, or otherwise, except a fee determined solely upon actual and reasonable time expended, at reasonable hourly rates set forth in the agreement, subject to customary periodic rate increases, of which plaintiff’s counsel shall advise the Corporation in advance, but in any case not exceeding rates prevailing for ordinary commercial litigation; (b) neither plaintiff nor plaintiff’s counsel shall pay or agree to pay any consultant, expert, or witness in connection with such stockholder action any compensation or reimbursement, other than on a flat-fee or hourly basis, at customary rates agreed in advance of the engagement of such consultant, expert, or witness; and (c) plaintiff’s counsel shall provide the Corporation, at least monthly, a report of the time expended each day by each of its professionals in connection with the stockholder action during the period reported upon, describing the activities in reasonable detail and the dollar amount chargeable in connection therewith, summaries of time and charges with respect to each professional for such period and since inception, and expenses, including consultant, expert, and witness compensation and expenses, accrued or incurred during such period and since inception, provided that no confidential communication or attorney work product must be disclosed. Neither the Corporation nor any person acting on the Corporation’s behalf shall make or agree, conditionally or otherwise, to make any payment in respect of plaintiff’s counsel fees or expenses, including consultant, expert, and witness compensation and expenses, in connection with such stockholder action, except insofar as this Article and the agreement required hereby have been complied with.
TENTH: To the fullest extent permitted by Section 122(17) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the doctrine of corporate opportunity, or any other analogous doctrine, shall not apply with respect to the Corporation or any of its officers or directors, or any of their respective affiliates, in circumstances where the application of any such doctrine to a corporate opportunity would conflict with any fiduciary duties or contractual obligations they may have as of the date of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate or in the future. In addition to the foregoing, the doctrine of corporate opportunity shall not apply to any other corporate opportunity with respect to any of the directors or officers of the Corporation unless such corporate opportunity is expressly offered to such person in writing solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Corporation and such opportunity is one the Corporation is legally and contractually permitted to undertake and would otherwise be reasonable for the Corporation to pursue.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, AENT Corporation has caused this Second Amended and Restated Certificate to be duly executed and acknowledged in its name and on its behalf by an authorized officer as of the date first set forth above.
AENT CORPORATION | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
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ARTICLE I — CORPORATE OFFICES
1.1REGISTERED OFFICE
The registered office of AENT Corporation (the “Corporation”) shall be fixed in the Corporation’s certificate of incorporation, as the same may be amended from time to time (the “certificate of incorporation”).
1.2OTHER OFFICES
The Corporation may at any time establish other offices.
ARTICLE II — MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
2.1PLACE OF MEETINGS
Meetings of stockholders shall be held at a place, if any, within or outside the State of Delaware, determined by the board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”). The Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that a meeting of stockholders shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication as authorized by Section 211(a)(2) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”). In the absence of any such designation or determination, stockholders’ meetings shall be held at the Corporation’s principal executive office.
2.2ANNUAL MEETING
The Board of Directors shall designate the date and time of the annual meeting of stockholders. At the annual meeting, directors shall be elected and any other proper business, brought in accordance with Section 2.4 of these bylaws, may be transacted. The Board of Directors may cancel, postpone or reschedule any previously scheduled annual meeting at any time, before or after the notice for such meeting has been sent to the stockholders.
2.3SPECIAL MEETING
(a) A special meeting of the stockholders may be called at any time only by (i) the Board of Directors, (ii) the chairperson of the Board of Directors, (iii) the chief executive officer or (iv) the president, but a special meeting may not be called by any other person or persons and any power of stockholders to call a special meeting of stockholders is specifically denied. The Board of Directors may cancel, postpone or reschedule any previously scheduled special meeting at any time, before or after the notice for such meeting has been sent to the stockholders.
(b) The notice of a special meeting shall include the purpose for which the meeting is called. Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, the chairperson of the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer or the president. Nothing contained in this Section 2.3(b) shall be construed as limiting, fixing or affecting the time when a meeting of stockholders called by action of the Board of Directors may be held.
2.4ADVANCE NOTICE PROCEDURES
(a)Annual Meetings of Stockholders.
(i)Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors or the proposal of other business to be transacted by the stockholders at an annual meeting of stockholders may be made only (A) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto); (B) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors; (C) as may be provided in the certificate of designation for any class or series of preferred stock; or (D) by any stockholder of the Corporation who (1) is a stockholder of record at the time of giving of the notice contemplated by Section 2.4(a)(ii); (2) is a stockholder of record on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of the annual meeting; (3) is a stockholder of record on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the annual meeting; (4) is a stockholder of record at the time of the annual meeting; and (5) complies with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.4(a).
(ii)For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting of stockholders by a stockholder pursuant to clause (D) of Section 2.4(a)(i), the stockholder must have given timely notice in writing to the secretary and any such proposed business (other than a nomination) must constitute a proper matter for stockholder action. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be received by the secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation no earlier than 8:00 a.m., local time, on the 150th day and no later than 5:00 p.m., local time, on the 120th day prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement (as defined in this Section 2.4(a)(ii)) for the preceding year’s annual meeting of stockholders (which anniversary date shall, for purposes of the Corporation’s first annual meeting after its shares of stock are first publicly traded, be deemed to be April 15, 2023). However, if no annual meeting of stockholders was held in the preceding year, or if the date of the applicable annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, then to be timely such notice must be received by the secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation no earlier than 8:00 a.m., local time, on the 120th day prior to the day of the annual meeting and no later than the later of (A) 5:00 p.m., local time, on the 90th day before the meeting or (B) 5:00 p.m., local time, on the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the annual meeting was first made by the Corporation. In no event will the adjournment, rescheduling or postponement of any annual meeting, or any announcement thereof, commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. The number of nominees a stockholder may nominate for election at the annual meeting (or in the case of a stockholder giving the notice on behalf of a beneficial owner, the number of nominees a stockholder may nominate for election at the annual meeting on behalf of such beneficial owner) shall not exceed the number of directors to be elected at such annual meeting. Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of this Section 2.4(a)(ii) to the contrary, if the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors at the annual meeting is increased after the time period for which nominations would otherwise be due under this Section 2.4(a)(ii) and there is no public announcement naming the nominees for the additional directorships at least 10 days before the last day that a stockholder may deliver a notice of nomination pursuant to the foregoing provisions, then a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 2.4(a)(ii) will also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it is received by the secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation no later than 5:00 p.m., local time, on the 10th day following the day on which such public announcement is first made. “Public announcement” means disclosure in a press release reported by a national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (as amended and inclusive of rules and regulations thereunder, the “1934 Act”). “The date of the proxy statement” means “the date of the company’s proxy statement released to shareholders” as used in Rule 14a-8(e) promulgated under the 1934 Act, as interpreted by the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.
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(i)To be eligible to be a nominee by any stockholder for election as a director of the Corporation, the proposed nominee must provide to the secretary, in accordance with the applicable time periods prescribed for delivery of notice under Section 2.4(a)(ii) or Section 2.4(b), as applicable:
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2.5NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS
Whenever stockholders are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, a notice of the meeting shall be given which shall state the place, if any, date and hour of the meeting, the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, if such date is different from the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. Except as otherwise provided in the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, the notice of any meeting of stockholders shall be given not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting.
2.6QUORUM
The holders of a majority of the voting power of the capital stock of the Corporation issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at all meetings of the stockholders. Where a separate vote by a class or series or classes or series is required, the holders of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of such class or series or classes or series, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to that vote on that matter, except as otherwise provided by law, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws.
If, however, such quorum is not present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, then either (a) the chairperson of the meeting, or (b) the stockholders so present (by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the capital stock of the Corporation which are present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereon) shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting in accordance with Section 2.7, until a quorum is present or represented.
2.7ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE
When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time, place, if any, thereof, and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting, the Corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. If after the adjournment a new record date for stockholders entitled to vote is fixed for the adjourned meeting, the Board of Directors shall fix a new record date for notice of such adjourned meeting in accordance with Section 213(a) of the DGCL and Section 2.11 of these bylaws, and shall give notice of the adjourned meeting to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such adjourned meeting as of the record date fixed for notice of such adjourned meeting.
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2.8 ORGANIZATION; CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
The chairperson of any meeting of stockholders shall be designated by the Board of Directors; in the absence of such designation, the chairperson of the Board of Directors, if any, or the chief executive officer (in the absence of the chairperson of the Board of Directors) or the president (in the absence of the chairperson of the Board of Directors and the chief executive officer), or in their absence any other executive officer of the Corporation, shall serve as chairperson of the stockholder meeting. The date and time of the opening and the closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at a meeting shall be announced at the meeting by the chairperson of the meeting. The Board of Directors may adopt by resolution such rules and regulations for the conduct of the meeting of stockholders as it shall deem appropriate. Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules and regulations as adopted by the Board of Directors, the chairperson of the meeting of stockholders shall have the right and authority to convene and (for any or no reason) to recess and/or adjourn the meeting, to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chairperson, 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 chairperson of the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (i) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (ii) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (iii) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other persons as the chairperson of the meeting shall determine; (iv) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; and (v) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants. The chairperson at any meeting of stockholders, in addition to making any other determinations that may be appropriate to the conduct of the meeting, shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a matter or business was not properly brought before the meeting and if such chairperson should so determine, such chairperson shall so declare to the meeting and any such matter or business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted or considered. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board of Directors or the chairperson of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.
2.9 VOTING
The stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.11 of these bylaws, subject to Section 217 (relating to voting rights of fiduciaries, pledgors and joint owners of stock) and Section 218 (relating to voting trusts and other voting agreements) of the DGCL.
Except as may be otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, each stockholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of capital stock held by such stockholder as of the applicable record date.
Unless a different or minimum vote is required by applicable law, the certificate of incorporation, these bylaws, the rules or regulations of the stock exchange on which the Corporation’s securities are listed, or any law or regulation applicable to the Corporation or its securities, in which case such different or minimum vote shall be the applicable vote on the matter, in all matters other than the election of directors, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter shall be the act of the stockholders. Except as otherwise required by law, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast. Where a separate vote by a class or series or classes or series is required, in all matters other than the election of directors, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of such class or series or classes or series present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter shall be the act of such class or series or classes or series, unless a different or minimum vote is required by applicable law, the certificate of incorporation, these bylaws, the rules or regulations of the stock exchange on which the Corporation’s securities are listed, or any law or regulation applicable to the Corporation or its securities, in which case such different or minimum vote shall be the applicable vote on the matter.
2.10STOCKHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING
Subject to the rights of holders of preferred stock of the Corporation, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation and may not be effected by any consent by such stockholders.
2.11RECORD DATES
In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, 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 shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date
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of such meeting. If the Board of Directors so fixes a date, such date shall also be the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the Board of Directors determines, at the time it fixes such record date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the date for making such determination.
If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of and 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.
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 determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting, and in such case shall also fix as the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote in accordance with the provisions of Section 213 of the DGCL and this Section 2.11 at the adjourned meeting.
In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders 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, and which record date shall be not more than 60 days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.
2.12PROXIES
Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders, or to take corporate action by consent without a meeting, may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy in accordance with the procedure established for the meeting, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. The authorization of a person to act as a proxy may be documented, signed and delivered in accordance with Section 116 of the DGCL; provided that such authorization shall set forth, or be delivered with information enabling the Corporation to determine, the identity of the stockholder granting such authorization. The revocability of a proxy that states on its face that it is irrevocable shall be governed by the provisions of Section 212 of the DGCL.
2.13LIST OF STOCKHOLDERS ENTITLED TO VOTE
The Corporation shall prepare, at least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting; provided, however, if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than 10 days before the meeting date, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the tenth day before the meeting date, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. The Corporation shall not be required to include electronic mail addresses or other electronic contact information on such list. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder for any purpose germane to the meeting for a period of at least 10 days prior to the meeting: (a) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (b) during ordinary business hours, at the Corporation’s principal place of business. In the event that the Corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the Corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the Corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a place, then a list of stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be examined by any stockholder who is present. If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, then such list shall also be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting.
2.14INSPECTORS OF ELECTION
Before any meeting of stockholders, the Corporation shall appoint an inspector or inspectors of election to act at the meeting or its adjournment. The Corporation may designate one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act.
Such inspectors shall:
(a)ascertain the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each;
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(b)determine the shares represented at the meeting and the validity of proxies and ballots;
(c)count all votes and ballots;
(d)determine and retain for a reasonable period a record of the disposition of any challenges made to any determination by the inspectors; and
(e)certify their determination of the number of shares represented at the meeting, and their count of all votes and ballots.
Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath to execute faithfully the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. If there are multiple inspectors of election, the decision, act or certificate of a majority is effective in all respects as the decision, act or certificate of all. Any report or certificate made by the inspectors of election is prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.
ARTICLE III — DIRECTORS
3.1POWERS
The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors, except as may be otherwise provided in the DGCL or the certificate of incorporation.
3.2NUMBER OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors shall consist of one or more members, each of whom shall be a natural person. The size of the Board of Directors will be fixed in the manner set forth in the certificate of incorporation. No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of removing any director before that director’s term of office expires.
3.3ELECTION, QUALIFICATION AND TERM OF OFFICE OF DIRECTORS
Except as provided in Section 3.4 of these bylaws, each director, including a director elected to fill a vacancy or a newly created directorship, shall hold office until the expiration of the term for which elected and until such director’s successor is elected and qualified or until such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal. Directors need not be stockholders unless so required by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws. The certificate of incorporation or these bylaws may prescribe other qualifications for directors.
The terms of directors shall be as set forth in the certificate of incorporation.
3.4RESIGNATION AND VACANCIES
Any director may resign at any time upon notice given in writing or by electronic transmission to the chairperson of the Board of Directors, chief executive officer, president or secretary of the Corporation. A resignation is effective when the resignation is delivered unless the resignation specifies a later effective date or an effective date determined upon the happening of an event or events. Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, when one or more directors resign from the Board of Directors, effective at a future date, a majority of the directors then in office, including those who have so resigned, shall have power to fill such vacancy or vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when such resignation or resignations shall become effective.
Any vacancies or newly created directorship on the Board of Directors shall be filled in accordance with the certificate of incorporation.
3.5PLACE OF MEETINGS; MEETINGS BY TELEPHONE
The Board of Directors may hold meetings, both regular and special, either within or outside the State of Delaware.
Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, members of the Board of Directors may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all
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persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.
3.6REGULAR MEETINGS
Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice at such time and at such place as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors.
3.7SPECIAL MEETINGS; NOTICE
Special meetings of the Board of Directors for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the chairperson of the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer, the president, the secretary or a majority of the directors then in office; provided that the person(s) authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors may authorize another person or persons to send notice of such meeting.
Notice of the time and place of special meetings shall be:
(a)delivered personally by hand, by courier or by telephone;
(b)sent by United States first-class mail, postage prepaid;
(c)sent by facsimile;
(d)sent by electronic mail; or
(e)otherwise given by electronic transmission (as defined in Section 232 of the DGCL),
directed to each director at that director’s address, telephone number, facsimile number, electronic mail address or other contact for notice by electronic transmission, as the case may be, as shown on the Corporation’s records.
If the notice is (i) delivered personally by hand, by courier or by telephone, (ii) sent by facsimile, (iii) sent by electronic mail or (iv) otherwise given by electronic transmission, it shall be delivered, sent or otherwise directed to each director, as applicable, at least 24 hours before the time of the holding of the meeting. If the notice is sent by United States mail, it shall be deposited in the United States mail at least four days before the time of the holding of the meeting. Any oral notice may be communicated to the director. The notice need not specify the place of the meeting (if the meeting is to be held at the Corporation’s principal executive office) nor the purpose of the meeting, unless required by statute.
3.8QUORUM; VOTING
Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, at all meetings of the Board of Directors, a majority of the total number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If a quorum is not present at any meeting of the Board of Directors, then the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by statute, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws.
3.9BOARD ACTION BY CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING
Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, (a) any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board of Directors or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission; and (b) a consent may be documented, signed and delivered in any manner permitted by Section 116 of the DGCL. Any person (whether or not then a director) may provide, whether through instruction to an agent or otherwise, that a consent to action will be effective at a future time (including a time determined upon the happening of an event), no later than 60 days after such instruction is given or such provision is made and such consent shall be deemed to have been given for purposes of this Section 3.9 at such effective time so long as such person is then a director and did not revoke the consent prior to such time. Any such consent shall be revocable prior to its becoming effective. After
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an action is taken, the consent or consents relating thereto shall be filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors, or the committee or subcommittee thereof, in the same paper or electronic form as the minutes are maintained.
3.10FEES AND COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, the Board of Directors shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors.
3.11REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS
Any director or the entire Board of Directors may be removed from office by stockholders of the Corporation in the manner specified in the certificate of incorporation and applicable law. No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of removing any director prior to the expiration of such director’s term of office.
3.12BOARD MINUTES
The Board of Directors shall keep (or direct the secretary or assistant secretary of the Corporation or another person to keep) regular minutes of its meetings.
ARTICLE IV — COMMITTEES
4.1COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors may designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors or in these bylaws, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers that may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority to (a) approve or adopt, or recommend to the stockholders, any action or matter (other than the election or removal of directors) expressly required by the DGCL to be submitted to stockholders for approval, or (b) adopt, amend or repeal any bylaw of the Corporation.
4.2SUBCOMMITTEES
Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, these bylaws or the resolutions of the Board of Directors designating the committee, a committee may create one or more subcommittees, each subcommittee to consist of one or more members of the committee, and delegate to a subcommittee any or all of the powers and authority of the committee.
4.3 COMMITTEE MINUTES
Each committee and subcommittee shall keep (or direct the secretary or assistant secretary of the Corporation or another person to keep) regular minutes of its meetings.
4.4MEETINGS AND ACTION OF COMMITTEES
Meetings and actions of committees and subcommittees shall be governed by, and held and taken in accordance with, the provisions of:
(a)Section 3.5 (Place of meetings; Meetings by telephone);
(b)Section 3.6 (Regular meetings);
(c)Section 3.7 (Special meetings; Notice);
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(d)Section 3.8 (Quorum; Voting);
(e)Section 3.9 (Board action by consent without a meeting); and
(f)Section 7.4 (Waiver of notice),
with such changes in the context of those bylaws as are necessary to substitute the committee or subcommittee and its members for the Board of Directors and its members; provided, however, (i) the time and place of regular meetings of committees or subcommittees may be determined either by resolution of the Board of Directors or by resolution of the committee or subcommittee; (ii) special meetings of committees or subcommittees may also be called by resolution of the Board of Directors or the committee or the subcommittee; and (iii) notice of special meetings of committees and subcommittees shall also be given to all alternate members who shall have the right to attend all meetings of the committee or subcommittee. The Board of Directors, or in the absence of any such action by the Board of Directors, the applicable committee or subcommittee, may adopt rules for the government of any committee or subcommittee not inconsistent with the provisions of these bylaws.
ARTICLE V — OFFICERS
5.1OFFICERS
The officers of the Corporation shall include a president, a treasurer and a secretary. The Corporation may also have, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, a chairperson of the Board of Directors, a vice chairperson of the Board of Directors, a chief executive officer, a chief financial officer or treasurer, one or more vice presidents, one or more assistant vice presidents, one or more assistant treasurers, one or more assistant secretaries and any such other officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of these bylaws. Any number of offices may be held by the same person.
5.2APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS
The Board of Directors shall appoint the officers of the Corporation, except such officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.3 of these bylaws, subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment.
5.3SUBORDINATE OFFICERS
The Board of Directors may appoint, or empower the chief executive officer or, in the absence of a chief executive officer, the president, to appoint, such other officers as the business of the Corporation may require. Each of such officers shall hold office for such period, have such authority, and perform such duties as are provided in these bylaws or as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.
5.4REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS
Subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment, any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by the Board of Directors or, for the avoidance of doubt, any duly authorized committee or subcommittee thereof or by any officer who has been conferred such power of removal.
Any officer may resign at any time by giving notice, in writing or by electronic transmission, to the Corporation. Any resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of that notice or at any later time specified in that notice. Unless otherwise specified in the notice of resignation, the acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Any resignation is without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the Corporation under any contract to which the officer is a party.
5.5VACANCIES IN OFFICES
Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation shall be filled by the Board of Directors or as provided in Section 5.3.
5.6REPRESENTATION OF SECURITIES OF OTHER ENTITIES
The chairperson of the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer, the president, any vice president, the treasurer, the secretary or assistant secretary of the Corporation or any other person authorized by the Board of Directors or the chief executive officer, the president or a vice president, is authorized to vote, represent and exercise on behalf of the Corporation all rights incident to any and all
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shares or other securities of any other entity or entities, and all rights incident to any management authority conferred on the Corporation in accordance with the governing documents of any entity or entities, standing in the name of the Corporation, including the right to act by written consent. The authority granted herein may be exercised either by such person directly or by any other person authorized to do so by proxy or power of attorney duly executed by such person having the authority.
5.7AUTHORITY AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS
All officers of the Corporation shall respectively have such authority and perform such duties in the management of the business of the Corporation as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors and, to the extent not so provided, as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the control of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VI — STOCK
6.1STOCK CERTIFICATES; PARTLY PAID SHARES
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 its stock shall be uncertificated shares. Any such resolution shall not apply to shares represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the Corporation. Unless otherwise provided by resolution of the Board of Directors, every holder of stock represented by certificates shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by, or in the name of, the Corporation by any two officers of the Corporation representing the number of shares registered in certificate form. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate has 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 such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue. The Corporation shall not have power to issue a certificate in bearer form.
The Corporation may issue the whole or any part of its shares as partly paid and subject to call for the remainder of the consideration to be paid therefor. Upon the face or back of each stock certificate issued to represent any such partly-paid shares, or upon the books and records of the Corporation in the case of uncertificated partly-paid shares, the total amount of the consideration to be paid therefor and the amount paid thereon shall be stated. Upon the declaration of any dividend on fully-paid shares, the Corporation shall declare a dividend upon partly-paid shares of the same class, but only upon the basis of the percentage of the consideration actually paid thereon.
6.2SPECIAL DESIGNATION ON CERTIFICATES
If the Corporation is authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, then the powers, the designations, the preferences and the relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights shall be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back of the certificate that the Corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided in Section 202 of the DGCL, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, there may be set forth on the face or back of the certificate that the Corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock, a statement that the Corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights. Within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of uncertificated stock, the registered owner thereof shall be given a notice, in writing or by electronic transmission, containing the information required to be set forth or stated on certificates pursuant to this Section 6.2 or Sections 156, 202(a), 218(a) or 364 of the DGCL or with respect to this Section 6.2 a statement that the Corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights. Except as otherwise expressly provided by law, the rights and obligations of the holders of uncertificated stock and the rights and obligations of the holders of certificates representing stock of the same class and series shall be identical.
6.3LOST CERTIFICATES
Except as provided in this Section 6.3, no new certificates for shares shall be issued to replace a previously issued certificate unless the latter is surrendered to the Corporation and cancelled at the same time. The Corporation may issue a new certificate of stock or uncertificated shares in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, and the Corporation may require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or such owner’s legal representative, to give the
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Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify it 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 such new certificate or uncertificated shares.
6.4DIVIDENDS
The Board of Directors, subject to any restrictions contained in the certificate of incorporation or applicable law, may declare and pay dividends upon the shares of the Corporation’s capital stock. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the Corporation’s capital stock, subject to the provisions of the certificate of incorporation. The Board of Directors may set apart out of any of the funds of the Corporation available for dividends a reserve or reserves for any proper purpose and may abolish any such reserve.
6.5TRANSFER OF STOCK
Transfers of record of shares of stock of the Corporation shall be made only upon its books by the holders thereof, in person or by an attorney duly authorized, and, if such stock is certificated, upon the surrender of a certificate or certificates for a like number of shares, properly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignation or authority to transfer.
6.6STOCK TRANSFER AGREEMENTS
The Corporation shall have power to enter into and perform any agreement with any number of stockholders of any one or more classes of stock of the Corporation to restrict the transfer of shares of stock of the Corporation of any one or more classes owned by such stockholders in any manner not prohibited by the DGCL.
6.7CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER
Without the prior written consent of the Corporation as approved by a majority of the independent directors of the Corporation, and without limiting the rights of any party to the Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Corporation and the stockholders party thereto (the “A&R Registration Rights Agreement”), neither any Restricted Transfer nor any public announcement of any intention to effect any Restricted Transfer of any Lock-Up Shares Beneficially Owned or otherwise held by any Non-Electing Seller (or any Permitted Transferee thereof) may be made during the Lock-Up Period applicable to such Lock-Up Shares.
No Transfer of any shares of the Corporation’s stock may be made, except in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws.
To the extent shares of the Corporation’s stock are uncertificated, the Corporation shall give notice of the restrictions set forth in this Section 6.7 in accordance with the DGCL.
During the Lock-Up Period applicable to any Non-Electing Seller (or any Permitted Transferee thereof), any purported Transfer of Lock-Up Shares by such Non-Electing Seller (or such Permitted Transferee) other than in accordance with these Bylaws shall be null and void, and the Corporation shall refuse to recognize any such Transfer for any purpose.
Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in this Section 6.7, if (A) at least 120 days have elapsed since the Closing Date (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) and (B) the Lock-Up Period is scheduled to end during a Blackout Period or within five Trading Days prior to a Blackout Period, the Lock-Up Period shall end 10 Trading Days prior to the commencement of the Blackout Period (the “Blackout-Related Release”); provided that the Corporation shall announce the date of the expected Blackout-Related Release through a major news service, or on a Form 8-K, at least two Trading Days in advance of the Blackout-Related Release; and provided further that the Blackout-Related Release shall not occur unless the Corporation shall have publicly released its earnings results for the quarterly period during which the Closing (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) occurred. For the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall the Lock-Up Period end earlier than 120 days after the Closing Date pursuant to the Blackout-Related Release.
The foregoing notwithstanding, to the extent any Non-Electing Seller (or any Permitted Transferee thereof that Beneficially Owns any Lock-Up Shares as a result of a Permitted Transfer) is granted a release or waiver from the restrictions contained in this Section 6.7 prior to the expiration of the Lock-Up Period or any party under the Sponsor Holders Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Corporation and the parties thereto (the “Sponsor Holders Agreement”) or the A&R Registration Rights Agreement is granted a release or waiver from its restrictions on transfer of the Corporation’s securities under such agreement, then all Non-
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Electing Sellers (and any Permitted Transferee thereof that Beneficially Owns any Lock-Up Shares as a result of a Permitted Transfer) shall be automatically granted a release or waiver from the restrictions contained in this Section 6.7 to the same extent, on substantially the same terms as and on a pro rata basis with, such Non-Electing Seller (or any Permitted Transferee thereof that Beneficially Owns any Lock-Up Shares as a result of a Permitted Transfer) or Person under the Sponsor Holders Agreement or A&R Registration Rights, as applicable, to which such release or waiver is granted.
As used in this Section 6.7, the below terms shall have the following meanings ascribed to them:
(a)“Affiliate” means (i) with respect to any specified Person that is not a natural person, (A) any other Person which directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified Person, and (B) any corporation, trust, limited liability company, general or limited partnership or other entity advised or managed by, or under common control or management with, such Person (for the purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise) and (ii) with respect to any natural person, any Member of the Immediate Family of such natural person, or any Person that is, directly or indirectly, controlled by such specified natural person; provided that the Corporation and each of its subsidiaries shall be deemed not to be Affiliates of any Person.
(b)“Beneficially Own” has the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act.
(c)“Blackout Period” means a broadly applicable and regularly scheduled period during which trading in the Corporation’s securities would not be permitted under the Corporation’s insider trading policy.
(d)“Lock-Up Period” means the period ending one hundred and eighty (180) days following the Closing Date.
(e)“Lock-Up Shares” means shares of the Corporation’s stock held by a Non-Electing Seller or a Permitted Transferee thereof, issued (i) as consideration pursuant to that certain Business Combination Agreement (as it may be amended from time to time, the “Business Combination Agreement”), dated as of [•], 2022, by and among the Corporation, Adara Acquisition Corp. (“Adara”) and Adara Merger Sub, Inc. (“Merger Sub” and together with Adara, the “Prior Companies”) or (ii) to directors, officers and employees of the Corporation or its subsidiaries upon the settlement or exercise of stock options or other equity awards outstanding as of immediately following the Closing (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) in respect of awards of the Prior Companies outstanding immediately prior to the Closing. For the avoidance of doubt, shares of the Corporation’s stock, which prior to the Domestication (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) were Class A ordinary shares, shares of the Corporation’s stock sold to the PIPE Investors (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement), shares of the Corporation’s stock issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Notes (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement), shares acquired pursuant to open market purchases after the Closing, as well as any and all other shares of the Corporation’s stock held by any Person other than a Non-Electing Seller or a Permitted Transferee thereof, are not Lock-Up Shares and such shares are not subject to any Lock-Up Period under these Bylaws.
(f)“Member of the Immediate Family” means, with respect to any Person who is an individual, (i) each parent, spouse (but not including a former spouse or a spouse from whom such Person is legally separated) or child (including those adopted) of such individual and (ii) each trustee, solely in his or her capacity as trustee, for a trust naming only one or more of the Persons listed in sub-clause (i) as beneficiaries.
(g)“Non-Electing Seller” means any Person that (i) is a holder of Lock-Up Shares and (ii) did not execute a counterpart to the A&R Registration Rights Agreement agreeing to be party thereto.
(h)“Permitted Transfer” means any Transfer (i) made to an Affiliate; (ii) pursuant to a bona fide gift or charitable contribution; (iii) by will or intestate succession upon the death of the stockholder; (iv) pursuant to a court order, qualified domestic relations order, divorce settlement, divorce decree, separation agreement or settlement agreement related to the distribution of assets in connection with the dissolution of marriage or civil union; (v) in the case of a trust, to a trustor or beneficiary of the trust or to the estate of a beneficiary of such trust; (vi) pro rata (or in accordance with the applicable organizational documents of the Person making a Transfer) to the direct or indirect partners, members or stockholders of a Person or any related investment funds or vehicles controlled or managed by such Persons or their respective Affiliates; (vii) to a nominee or custodian of a Person to whom a Transfer would be permitted under clauses (i) through (vi) above; (viii) in connection with any legal, regulatory or other order; (ix) to satisfy tax withholding obligations in connection with the exercise of
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options to purchase shares of the Corporation’s stock or the vesting of Corporation stock-based awards; (x) to the Corporation in connection with the repurchase of any Person’s shares of the Corporation’s stock in connection with the termination of the stockholder’s employment with the Corporation pursuant to contractual agreements with the Corporation; (xi) made in connection with the establishment of a trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 promulgated under the Exchange Act; provided, however, that such plan does not provide for the Transfer of Lock-Up Shares during the Lock-Up Period; (xii) in payment on a “net exercise” or “cashless” basis of the exercise or purchase price with respect to the exercise of options to purchase shares of the Corporation’s stock; (xiii) in the event of the Corporation’s completion of a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of its stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of stock for cash, securities or other property.
(i)“Permitted Transferee” means, prior to the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, any Person to whom a Non-Electing Seller is permitted to Transfer shares of stock prior to the expiration of the Lock-Up Period pursuant to the definition of Permitted Transfer.
(j)“Person” means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization and a governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.
(k)“Restricted Transfer” means any Transfer other than a Permitted Transfer.
(l)“Trading Day” means a day on which the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq Stock Market are open for the buying and selling of securities.
(m)“Transfer” means, when used as a noun, any voluntary or involuntary transfer, sale, pledge or hypothecation or other disposition by the transferor (whether by operation of law or otherwise) and, when used as a verb, the transferor voluntarily or involuntarily, transfers, sells, pledges or hypothecates or otherwise disposes of (whether by operation of law or otherwise), including, in each case, (i) the establishment or increase of a put equivalent position or liquidation with respect to, or decrease of a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (as may be amended, the “Exchange Act”) with respect to, any security or (ii) entry into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another Person, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any security, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such securities, in cash or otherwise. A Transfer shall be deemed to include any indirect voluntary or involuntary transfer, sale, pledge or hypothecation or other disposition that is effectuated for the purpose of circumventing the restrictions on Transfer set forth in Section 6.7 of these Bylaws. The terms “Transferee,” “Transferor,” “Transferred,” and other forms of the word “Transfer” shall have the correlative meanings.
6.8REGISTERED STOCKHOLDERS
The Corporation:
(a)shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends and notices and to vote as such owner; and
(b)shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of another person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of Delaware.
ARTICLE VII — MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE AND WAIVER
7.1NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS
Notice of any meeting of stockholders shall be given in the manner set forth in the DGCL and these bylaws.
7.2NOTICE TO STOCKHOLDERS SHARING AN ADDRESS
Except as otherwise prohibited under the DGCL, without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders, any notice to stockholders given by the Corporation under the provisions of the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws shall be effective if given by a single written notice to stockholders who share an address if consented to by the stockholders at that address to whom such notice is given. Any such consent shall be revocable by the stockholder by written notice to the Corporation. Any stockholder who fails to object in writing to the Corporation, within 60 days of having been given written notice
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by the Corporation of its intention to send the single notice, shall be deemed to have consented to receiving such single written notice. This Section 7.2 shall not apply to Sections 164, 296, 311, 312 or 324 of the DGCL.
7.3NOTICE TO PERSON WITH WHOM COMMUNICATION IS UNLAWFUL
Whenever notice is required to be given, under the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, to any person with whom communication is unlawful, the giving of such notice to such person shall not be required and there shall be no duty to apply to any governmental authority or agency for a license or permit to give such notice to such person. Any action or meeting which shall be taken or held without notice to any such person with whom communication is unlawful shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly given. In the event that the action taken by the Corporation is such as to require the filing of a certificate under the DGCL, the certificate shall state, if such is the fact and if notice is required, that notice was given to all persons entitled to receive notice except such persons with whom communication is unlawful.
7.4WAIVER OF NOTICE
Whenever notice is required to be given under any provision of the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, a written waiver, signed by the person entitled to notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time of the event for which notice is to be given, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting 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. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the stockholders need be specified in any written waiver of notice or any waiver by electronic transmission unless so required by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws.
ARTICLE VIII — INDEMNIFICATION
8.1INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS IN THIRD PARTY PROCEEDINGS
Subject to the other provisions of this Article VIII, the Corporation shall indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as now or hereinafter in effect, any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “Proceeding”) (other than an action by or in the right of the Corporation) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was a director or officer of the Corporation serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such Proceeding if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such person’s conduct was unlawful. The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that such person’s conduct was unlawful.
8.2INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS IN ACTIONS BY OR IN THE RIGHT OF THE CORPORATION
Subject to the other provisions of this Article VIII, the Corporation shall indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as now or hereinafter in effect, any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed Proceeding by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was a director or officer of the Corporation serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of such Proceeding if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation; except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
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8.3SUCCESSFUL DEFENSE
To the extent that a present or former director or officer (for purposes of this Section 8.3 only, as such term is defined in Section 145(c)(1) of the DGCL) of the Corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any Proceeding described in Section 8.1 or Section 8.2, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith. The Corporation may indemnify any other person who is not a present or former director or officer (as such term is defined in Section 145(c)(1) of the DGCL) of the Corporation against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person to the extent he or she has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any Proceeding described in Section 8.1 or Section 8.2, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein.
8.4INDEMNIFICATION OF OTHERS
Subject to the other provisions of this Article VIII, the Corporation shall have power to indemnify its employees and agents, or any other persons, to the extent not prohibited by the DGCL or other applicable law. The Board of Directors shall have the power to delegate to any person or persons identified in subsections (1) through (4) of Section 145(d) of the DGCL the determination of whether employees or agents shall be indemnified.
8.5ADVANCED PAYMENT OF EXPENSES
Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by an officer or director of the Corporation in defending any Proceeding shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such Proceeding upon receipt of a written request therefor (together with documentation reasonably evidencing such expenses) and an undertaking by or on behalf of the person to repay such amounts if it shall ultimately be determined that the person is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article VIII or the DGCL. Such expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by current or former directors and officers or other current or former employees and agents of the Corporation or by persons currently or formerly serving at the request of the Corporation as directors, officers, employees or agents of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the Corporation deems appropriate. The right to advancement of expenses shall not apply to any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) for which indemnity is excluded pursuant to these bylaws, but shall apply to any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) referenced in Section 8.6(b) or 8.6(c) prior to a determination that the person is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation.
8.6LIMITATION ON INDEMNIFICATION
Subject to the requirements in Section 8.3 and the DGCL, the Corporation shall not be obligated to indemnify any person pursuant to this Article VIII in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding):
(a)for which payment has actually been received by or on behalf of such person under any statute, insurance policy, contract, agreement or other indemnity or advancement provision, vote or otherwise, except with respect to any excess beyond the amount actually received under any statute, insurance policy, contract, agreement, other indemnity or advancement provision, vote or otherwise;
(b)for an accounting or disgorgement of profits pursuant to Section 16(b) of the 1934 Act, or similar provisions of federal, state or local statutory law or common law, if such person is held liable therefor (including pursuant to any settlement arrangements);
(c)for any reimbursement of the Corporation by such person of any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation or of any profits realized by such person from the sale of securities of the Corporation, as required in each case under the 1934 Act (including any such reimbursements that arise from an accounting restatement of the Corporation pursuant to Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), or the payment to the Corporation of profits arising from the purchase and sale by such person of securities in violation of Section 306 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act), if such person is held liable therefor (including pursuant to any settlement arrangements);
(d)initiated by such person, including any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by such person against the Corporation or its directors, officers, employees, agents or other indemnitees, unless (i) the Board of Directors authorized the Proceeding (or the relevant part of the Proceeding) prior to its initiation, (ii) the Corporation provides the indemnification, in its
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sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Corporation under applicable law, (iii) otherwise required to be made under Section 8.7 or (iv) otherwise required by applicable law; or
(e)if prohibited by applicable law.
8.7DETERMINATION; CLAIM
If a claim for indemnification or advancement of expenses under this Article VIII is not paid in full within 30 days after receipt by the Corporation of the written request therefor, the claimant shall be entitled to an adjudication by a court of competent jurisdiction of his or her entitlement to such indemnification or advancement of expenses. The Corporation shall indemnify such person against any and all expenses that are actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with any action brought in accordance with this Section 8.7 for indemnification or advancement of expenses from the Corporation under this Article VIII, to the extent such person is successful in such action, and to the extent not prohibited by law. In any such suit, the Corporation shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, have the burden of proving that the claimant is not entitled to the requested indemnification or advancement of expenses.
8.8NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS
The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article VIII shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under the certificate of incorporation or any statute, bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. The Corporation is specifically authorized to enter into individual contracts with any or all of its directors, officers, employees or agents respecting indemnification and advancement of expenses, to the fullest extent not prohibited by the DGCL or other applicable law.
8.9INSURANCE
The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the provisions of the DGCL.
8.10SURVIVAL
The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred by this Article VIII shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.
8.11EFFECT OF REPEAL OR MODIFICATION
A right to indemnification or to advancement of expenses arising under a provision of the certificate of incorporation or a bylaw shall not be eliminated or impaired by an amendment to or repeal or elimination of the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws after the occurrence of the act or omission that is the subject of the civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding for which indemnification or advancement of expenses is sought, unless the provision in effect at the time of such act or omission explicitly authorizes such elimination or impairment after such action or omission has occurred.
8.12CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this Article VIII, references to the “Company” shall include, in addition to the resulting company, any constituent company (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent company, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Article VIII with respect to the resulting or surviving company as such person would have with respect to such constituent company if its separate existence had continued. For purposes of this Article VIII, references to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed
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on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the Corporation” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation” as referred to in this Article VIII.
ARTICLE IX — GENERAL MATTERS
9.1EXECUTION OF CORPORATE CONTRACTS AND INSTRUMENTS
Except as otherwise provided by law, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, the Board of Directors may authorize any officer or officers, or agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute any document or instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation; such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.
9.2FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors and may be changed by the Board of Directors.
9.3SEAL
The Corporation may adopt a corporate seal, which shall be adopted and which may be altered by the Board of Directors. The Corporation may use the corporate seal by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced.
9.4CONSTRUCTION; DEFINITIONS
Unless the context requires otherwise, the general provisions, rules of construction, and definitions in the DGCL shall govern the construction of these bylaws. Without limiting the generality of this provision, the singular number includes the plural, the plural number includes the singular, and the term “person” includes a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, and a natural person. Any reference in these bylaws to a section of the DGCL shall be deemed to refer to such section as amended from time to time and any successor provisions thereto.
ARTICLE X — AMENDMENTS
These bylaws may be adopted, amended or repealed by the stockholders entitled to vote; provided, however, that the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the total voting power of outstanding voting securities, voting together as a single class, shall be required for the stockholders of the Corporation to alter, amend or repeal, or adopt any bylaw inconsistent with, the following provisions of these bylaws: Article II, Section 3.1, Section 3.2, Section 3.4, Section 3.11, Article VIII or this Article X (including, without limitation, any such Article or Section as renumbered as a result of any amendment, alteration, change, repeal, or adoption of any other bylaw). The Board of Directors shall also have the power to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws.
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Exhibit F
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
ADARA ACQUISITION CORP.
Adara Acquisition Corp. (the “Corporation”), a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), does hereby certify as follows:
1. The name of the Corporation is Adara Acquisition Corp. The Corporation was incorporated under the name Adara Acquisition Corp. by the filing of its original Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on August 5, 2020 (the “Original Certificate”).
2. An Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, which amended and restated the Original Certificate in its entirety, was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on February 8, 2021 (as amended from time to time, the “Existing Certificate”).
3. This Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Second Amended and Restated Certificate”), which amends and restates the Existing Certificate in its entirety, has been approved by the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) in accordance with Sections 242 and 245 of the DGCL and has been adopted by the stockholders of the Corporation at a meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation in accordance with the provisions of Section 211 of the DGCL.
4. The text of the Existing Certificate is hereby amended and restated by this Second Amended and Restated Certificate to read in its entirety as set forth in EXHIBIT A attached hereto.
5. This Second Amended and Restated Certificate shall become effective on the date of filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Adara Acquisition Corp. has caused this Second Amended and Restated Certificate to be signed by a duly authorized officer of the Corporation, on , 2022.
ADARA ACQUISITION CORP. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
[Signature Page to Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation]
Exhibit A
ARTICLE I
NAME
The name of the corporation is Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation (the “Corporation”).
ARTICLE II
REGISTERED OFFICE AND AGENT
The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is c/o Corporation Service Company, 251 Little Falls Drive in the city of Wilmington, County of New Castle, 19808, and the name of its registered agent at such address is Corporation Service Company.
ARTICLE III
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) as it now exists or may hereafter be amended and supplemented.
ARTICLE IV
CAPITALIZATION
Section 4.1 Authorized Capital Stock. The total number of shares of all classes of capital stock, each with a par value of $0.0001 per share, which the Corporation is authorized to issue is 551,000,000 shares, consisting of (a) 550,000,000 shares of common stock (the “Common Stock”), including (i) 490,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock (the “Class A Common Stock”), and (ii) 60,000,000 shares of Class E Common Stock (the “Class E Common Stock”), and (b) 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock (the “Preferred Stock”).
Section 4.2 Preferred Stock. Subject to Article V of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate, the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) is hereby expressly authorized to provide out of the unissued shares of the Preferred Stock for one or more series of Preferred Stock and to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series and to fix the voting rights, if any, designations, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional, special and other rights, if any, of each such series and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, as shall be stated in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board providing for the issuance of such series and included in a certificate of designation (a “Preferred Stock Designation”) filed pursuant to the DGCL, and the Board is hereby expressly vested with the authority to the full extent provided by law, now or hereafter, to adopt any such resolution or resolutions.
Section 4.3 Common Stock.
(a) Voting.
(i) Except as otherwise required by law or this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the holders of the Common Stock shall exclusively possess all voting power with respect to the Corporation.
(ii) Except as otherwise required by law or this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each such share on each matter properly submitted to the stockholders of the Corporation on which the holders of the Common Stock are entitled to vote.
(iii) Except as otherwise required by law or this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, holders of the Class A Common Stock and holders of the Class E Common Stock, voting together as a single class, shall have the exclusive right to vote for the election of directors and on all other matters properly submitted to a vote of the stockholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise required by law or this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), holders of shares of any series of Common Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any amendment to any Preferred Stock Designation) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock or other series of Common Stock if the holders of such affected series of Preferred Stock or Common Stock, as applicable, are entitled exclusively, either separately or together with
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the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation) or the DGCL.
(b) Class E Common Stock.
(i) Shares of Class E Common Stock shall be convertible into shares of Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis (the “Initial Conversion Ratio”) automatically on achievement of certain triggering events (“Triggering Event”) established by the directors.
(ii) The foregoing conversion ratio shall also be adjusted to account for any subdivision (by stock split, subdivision, exchange, stock dividend, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) or combination (by reverse stock split, exchange, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) or similar reclassification or recapitalization of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock into a greater or lesser number of shares occurring after the original filing of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate without a proportionate and corresponding subdivision, combination or similar reclassification or recapitalization of the outstanding shares of Class E Common Stock.
Each share of Class E Common Stock shall convert into its pro rata number of shares of Class A Common Stock pursuant to this Section 4.3(b). The pro rata share for each holder of Class E Common Stock will be determined as follows: Each share of Class E Common Stock shall convert into such number of shares of Class A Common Stock as is equal to the product of one (1) multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the total number of shares of Class A Common Stock into which all of the issued and outstanding shares of Class E Common Stock shall be converted pursuant to this Section 4.3(b) and the denominator of which shall be the total number of issued and outstanding shares of Class E Common Stock at the time of conversion.
(iii) Voting. Except as otherwise required by law or this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), for so long as any shares of Class E Common Stock shall remain outstanding, the Corporation shall not, without the prior vote or written consent of the holders of a majority of the shares of Class E Common Stock then outstanding, voting separately as a single class, amend, alter or repeal any provision of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, if such amendment, alteration or repeal would alter or change the powers, preferences or relative, participating, optional or other or special rights of the Class E Common Stock. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the holders of Class E Common Stock may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of the outstanding Class E Common Stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares of Class E Common Stock were present and voted and shall be delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which minutes of proceedings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to the Corporation’s registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. Prompt written notice of the taking of corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent of the holders of Class E Common Stock shall, to the extent required by law, be given to those holders of Class E Common Stock who have not consented in writing and who, if the action had been taken at a meeting, would have been entitled to notice of the meeting if the record date for notice of such meeting had been the date that written consents signed by a sufficient number of holders of Class E Common Stock to take the action were delivered to the Corporation.
(c) Dividends. Subject to applicable law, the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock and the provisions of Article IV hereof, the holders of shares of Class A Common Stock shall be entitled to receive such dividends and other distributions (payable in cash, property or capital stock of the Corporation) when, as and if declared thereon by the Board from time to time out of any assets or funds of the Corporation legally available therefor and shall share equally on a per share basis in such dividends and distributions.
(d) Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up of the Corporation. Subject to applicable law, the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock and the provisions of Article IV hereof, in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all the remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders, ratably in proportion to the number of shares of Class A Common Stock (on an as converted basis with respect to the Class E Common Stock) held by them.
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Section 4.4 Rights and Options. The Corporation has the authority to create and issue rights, warrants and options entitling the holders thereof to acquire from the Corporation any shares of its capital stock of any class or classes, with such rights, warrants and options to be evidenced by or in instrument(s) approved by the Board. The Board is empowered to set the exercise price, duration, times for exercise and other terms and conditions of such rights, warrants or options; provided, however, that the consideration to be received for any shares of capital stock issuable upon exercise thereof may not be less than the par value thereof.
ARTICLE V
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 5.1 Board Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by, or under the direction of, the Board. In addition to the powers and authority expressly conferred upon the Board by statute, this Amended and Restated Certificate or the By-Laws of the Corporation (“By-Laws”), the Board is hereby empowered to exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by the Corporation, subject, nevertheless, to the provisions of the DGCL, this Amended and Restated Certificate, and any By-Laws adopted by the stockholders of the Corporation; provided, however, that no By-Laws hereafter adopted by the stockholders of the Corporation shall invalidate any prior act of the Board that would have been valid if such By-Laws had not been adopted.
Section 5.2 Number, Election and Term.
For the management of the business and for the conduct of the affairs of the Corporation it is further provided that:
(a) Subject to the special rights of the holders of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock to elect directors, if any, the initial directors of the Corporation shall be classified with respect to the time for which they severally hold office into three classes, designated as Class I, Class II and Class III. The initial Class I directors shall serve for a term expiring at the first annual meeting of the stockholders following the date of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate; the initial Class II directors shall serve for a term expiring at the second annual meeting of the stockholders following the date of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate; and the initial Class III directors shall serve for a term expiring at the third annual meeting following the date of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate. At each annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation beginning with the first annual meeting of the stockholders following the date of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate, subject to the special rights of the holders of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock to elect directors, if any, the successors of the class of directors whose term expires at that meeting shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of the stockholders held in the third year following the year of their election. Each director shall hold office until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation, disqualification or removal. No decrease in the number of directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director. The Board of Directors is authorized to assign members of the Board of Directors already in office to Class I, Class II and Class III.
(b) The number of directors which shall constitute the whole Board of Directors shall be fixed exclusively by one or more resolutions adopted from time to time by the Board of Directors.
(c) The directors of the Corporation need not be elected by written ballot unless the Bylaws so provide.
Section 5.3 Removal
Subject to the special rights of the holders of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock to elect directors, the Board of Directors or any individual director may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds (66 and 2/3%) of the voting power of all of the then outstanding shares of voting stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at an election of directors.
Section 5.4 Newly Created Directorships and Vacancies.
Subject to the special rights of the holders of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock to elect directors, except as otherwise provided by law, any vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, disqualification, retirement, removal or other causes and any newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors shall be filled exclusively by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office, even though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director (other than any directors elected by the separate vote of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock), and shall not be filled by the stockholders. Any director appointed in accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office until the expiration of
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the term to which such director shall have been appointed or until his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, or removal.
Section 5.5 Preferred Stock — Directors
Whenever the holders of any one or more series of Preferred Stock issued by the Corporation shall have the right, voting separately as a series or separately as a class with one or more such other series, to elect directors at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, the election, term of office, removal and other features of such directorships shall be governed by the terms of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Certificate of Designation). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article V, the number of directors that may be elected by the holders of any such series of Preferred Stock shall be in addition to the number fixed pursuant to paragraph B of this Article V, and the total number of directors constituting the whole Board of Directors shall be automatically adjusted accordingly. Except as otherwise provided in the Certificate of Designation(s) in respect of one or more series of Preferred Stock, whenever the holders of any series of Preferred Stock having such right to elect additional directors are divested of such right pursuant to the provisions of such Certificate of Designation(s), the terms of office of all such additional directors elected by the holders of such series of Preferred Stock, or elected to fill any vacancies resulting from the death, resignation, disqualification or removal of such additional directors, shall forthwith terminate (in which case each such director thereupon shall cease to be qualified as, and shall cease to be, a director) and the total authorized number of directors of the Corporation shall automatically be reduced accordingly.
ARTICLE VI
BYLAWS
In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to adopt, amend or repeal the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Corporation (as amended and/or restated from time to time). In addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of stock of the Corporation required by applicable law or by this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Certificate of Designation in respect of one or more series of Preferred Stock) or the Bylaws, the adoption, amendment or repeal of the Bylaws by the stockholders of the Corporation shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds (66 and 2/3%) of the voting power of all of the then outstanding shares of voting stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in an election of directors. No By-Laws hereafter adopted by the stockholders shall invalidate any prior act of the Board that would have been valid if such By-Laws had not been adopted.
ARTICLE VII
STOCKHOLDERS
(a) Any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be effected at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, and shall not be taken by written consent in lieu of a meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any action required or permitted to be taken by the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, voting separately as a series or separately as a class with one or more other such series, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, to the extent expressly so provided by the applicable Certificate of Designation relating to such series of Preferred Stock, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding shares of the relevant series of Preferred Stock having not less than the minimum number 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 shall be delivered to the Corporation in accordance with the applicable provisions of the DGCL.
(b) Subject to the special rights of the holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock, special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation may be called, for any purpose or purposes, at any time only by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President, and shall not be called by any other person or persons.
(c) Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors and of other business proposed to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be given in the manner provided in the Bylaws.
ARTICLE VIII
LIMITED LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION
Section 8.1 Limitation of Director Liability. A director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or
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limitation thereof is not permitted under the DGCL as the same exists or may hereafter be amended unless they violated their duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, acted in bad faith, knowingly or intentionally violated the law, authorized unlawful payments of dividends, unlawful stock purchases or unlawful redemptions, or derived improper personal benefit from their actions as directors. Any amendment, modification or repeal of the foregoing sentence shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation hereunder in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such amendment, modification or repeal.
Section 8.2 Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses.
(a) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, the Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless each person who is or was made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “proceeding”) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, other enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (an “indemnitee”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent, or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred by such indemnitee in connection with such proceeding. The Corporation shall to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law pay the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an indemnitee in defending or otherwise participating in any proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided, however, that, to the extent required by applicable law, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking, by or on behalf of the indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified under this Section 8.2 or otherwise. The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred by this Section 8.2 shall be contract rights and such rights shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 8.2(a), except for proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses, the Corporation shall indemnify and advance expenses to an indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board.
(b) The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred on any indemnitee by this Section 8.2 shall not be exclusive of any other rights that any indemnitee may have or hereafter acquire under law, this Second Amended and Restated Certificate, the By-Laws, an agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.
(c) Any repeal or amendment of this Section 8.2 by the stockholders of the Corporation or by changes in law, or the adoption of any other provision of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate inconsistent with this Section 8.2, shall, unless otherwise required by law, be prospective only (except to the extent such amendment or change in law permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights on a retroactive basis than permitted prior thereto), and shall not in any way diminish or adversely affect any right or protection existing at the time of such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision in respect of any proceeding (regardless of when such proceeding is first threatened, commenced or completed) arising out of, or related to, any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision.
(d) This Section 8.2 shall not limit the right of the Corporation, to the extent and in the manner authorized or permitted by law, to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other than indemnitees.
ARTICLE IX
CORPORATE OPPORTUNITY
(a) To the fullest extent permitted by Section 122(17) of the DGCL, the doctrine of corporate opportunity, or any other analogous doctrine, shall not apply with respect to the Corporation or any of its officers or directors, or any of their respective affiliates, in circumstances where the application of any such doctrine to a corporate opportunity would conflict with any fiduciary duties or contractual obligations they may have as of the date of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate or in the future. In addition to the foregoing, the doctrine of corporate opportunity shall not apply to any other corporate opportunity with respect to any of the directors or officers of the Corporation unless such corporate opportunity is expressly offered to such person in writing solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Corporation and such opportunity is one the Corporation is legally and contractually permitted to undertake and would otherwise be reasonable for the Corporation to pursue.
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(b) Neither the alteration, amendment, addition to or repeal of this Article IX, nor the adoption of any provision of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Certificate of Designation) inconsistent with this Article IX, shall eliminate or reduce the effect of this Article IX in respect of any business opportunity first identified or any other matter occurring, or any cause of action, suit or claim that, but for this Article IX, would accrue or arise, prior to such alteration, amendment, addition, repeal or adoption. This Article IX shall not limit any protections or defenses available to, or indemnification or advancement rights of, any director or officer of the Corporation under this Second Amended and Restated Certificate, the Bylaws or applicable law.
ARTICLE X
AMENDMENTS
(a) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Second Amended and Restated Certificate to the contrary, in addition to any vote required by applicable law, the following provisions in this Second Amended and Restated Certificate may be amended, altered, repealed or rescinded, in whole or in part, or any provision inconsistent therewith or herewith may be adopted, only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds (66 and 2/3%) of the total voting power of all the then outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class: Part (b) of Article IV, Article V, Article VI,, Article VII, Article VIII, Article IX and this Article X.
(b) If any provision or provisions of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any circumstance for any reason whatsoever: (i) the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, in any way be affected or impaired thereby and (ii) to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the provisions of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including, without limitation, each such portion of any paragraph of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to permit the Corporation to protect its directors, officers, employees and agents from personal liability in respect of their good faith service to or for the benefit of the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by law.
ARTICLE XI
DGCL SECTION 203
The Corporation hereby expressly elects not be governed by Section 203 of the DGCL.
ARTICLE XII
EXCLUSIVE FORUM FOR CERTAIN LAWSUITS; CONSENT TO JURISDICTION
Section 12.1 Forum. Subject to the last sentence in this Section 12.1, and unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, to the fullest extent permitted by the applicable law, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for any stockholder (including a beneficial owner) to bring (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation, its directors, officers or employees arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or this Second Amended and Restated Certificate or the By-Laws, or (iv) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation, its directors, officers or employees governed by the internal affairs doctrine and, if brought outside of Delaware, the stockholder bringing the suit will be deemed to have consented to service of process on such stockholder’s counsel except any action (A) as to which the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware determines that there is an indispensable party not subject to the jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery (and the indispensable party does not consent to the personal jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery within ten days following such determination), (B) which is vested in the exclusive jurisdiction of a court or forum other than the Court of Chancery, or (C) for which the Court of Chancery does not have subject matter jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the provisions of this Section 12.1 will not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction and (ii) unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
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Section 12.2 Consent to Jurisdiction. If any action the subject matter of which is within the scope of Section 12.1 immediately above is filed in a court other than a court located within the State of Delaware (a “Foreign Action”) in the name of any stockholder, such stockholder shall be deemed to have consented to (i) the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located within the State of Delaware in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce Section 12.1 immediately above (an “FSC Enforcement Action”) and (ii) having service of process made upon such stockholder in any such FSC Enforcement Action by service upon such stockholder’s counsel in the Foreign Action as agent for such stockholder.
Section 12.3 Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Article XII shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any person or entity or circumstance for any reason whatsoever, then, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Article XII (including, without limitation, each portion of any sentence of this Article XII containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) and the application of such provision to other persons or entities and circumstances shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Article XII.
Section 12.3 Deemed Notice. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in any security of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to this Article XII.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Adara Acquisition Corp. has caused this Second Amended and Restated Certificate to be duly executed and acknowledged in its name and on its behalf by an authorized officer as of the date first set forth above.
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EXHIBIT G
Directors and Officers of the Surviving Corporation and Adara
Directors
1. | Jeff Walker |
2. | Bruce Ogilvie |
3. | Tom Finke |
4. | Tom Donaldson |
5. | Alan Tuchman |
6. | Paul Eibeler |
7. | Terri Wielenga-Bossenmeyer |
Officers
1.Jeff Walker — Chief Executive Officer
2.Bruce Ogilvie — Chairman
3.John Kutch — Chief Financial Officer
SCHEDULE B
Key Company Stockholders
1.Jeff Walker
2.Bruce Ogilvie, Jr. Trust dated January 20, 1994
3.Ogilvie Legacy Trust dated September 14th, 2021
ANNEX B
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
ADARA ACQUISITION CORP.
Adara Acquisition Corp. (the “Corporation”), a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), does hereby certify as follows:
1. The name of the Corporation is Adara Acquisition Corp. The Corporation was incorporated under the name Adara Acquisition Corp. by the filing of its original Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on August 5, 2020 (the “Original Certificate”).
2. An Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, which amended and restated the Original Certificate in its entirety, was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on February 8, 2021 (as amended from time to time, the “Existing Certificate”).
3. This Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Second Amended and Restated Certificate”), which amends and restates the Existing Certificate in its entirety, has been approved by the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) in accordance with Sections 242 and 245 of the DGCL and has been adopted by the stockholders of the Corporation at a meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation in accordance with the provisions of Section 211 of the DGCL.
4. The text of the Existing Certificate is hereby amended and restated by this Second Amended and Restated Certificate to read in its entirety as set forth in EXHIBIT A attached hereto.
5. This Second Amended and Restated Certificate shall become effective on the date of filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Adara Acquisition Corp. has caused this Second Amended and Restated Certificate to be signed by a duly authorized officer of the Corporation, on , 2022.
ADARA ACQUISITION CORP. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
[Signature Page to Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation]
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Exhibit A
ARTICLE I
NAME
The name of the corporation is Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation (the “Corporation”).
ARTICLE II
REGISTERED OFFICE AND AGENT
The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is c/o Corporation Service Company, 251 Little Falls Drive in the city of Wilmington, County of New Castle, 19808, and the name of its registered agent at such address is Corporation Service Company.
ARTICLE III
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) as it now exists or may hereafter be amended and supplemented.
ARTICLE IV
CAPITALIZATION
Section 4.1 Authorized Capital Stock. The total number of shares of all classes of capital stock, each with a par value of $0.0001 per share, which the Corporation is authorized to issue is 551,000,000 shares, consisting of (a) 550,000,000 shares of common stock (the “Common Stock”), including (i) 490,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock (the “Class A Common Stock”), and (ii) 60,000,000 shares of Class E Common Stock (the “Class E Common Stock”), and (b) 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock (the “Preferred Stock”).
Section 4.2 Preferred Stock. Subject to Article V of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate, the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) is hereby expressly authorized to provide out of the unissued shares of the Preferred Stock for one or more series of Preferred Stock and to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series and to fix the voting rights, if any, designations, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional, special and other rights, if any, of each such series and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, as shall be stated in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board providing for the issuance of such series and included in a certificate of designation (a “Preferred Stock Designation”) filed pursuant to the DGCL, and the Board is hereby expressly vested with the authority to the full extent provided by law, now or hereafter, to adopt any such resolution or resolutions.
Section 4.3 Common Stock.
(a) Voting.
(i) Except as otherwise required by law or this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the holders of the Common Stock shall exclusively possess all voting power with respect to the Corporation.
(ii) Except as otherwise required by law or this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each such share on each matter properly submitted to the stockholders of the Corporation on which the holders of the Common Stock are entitled to vote.
(iii) Except as otherwise required by law or this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, holders of the Class A Common Stock and holders of the Class E Common Stock, voting together as a single class, shall have the exclusive right to vote for the election of directors and on all other matters properly submitted to a vote of the stockholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise required by law or this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), holders of shares of any series of Common Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any amendment to any Preferred Stock Designation) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock or other series of
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Common Stock if the holders of such affected series of Preferred Stock or Common Stock, as applicable, are entitled exclusively, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation) or the DGCL.
(b) Class E Common Stock.
(i) Shares of Class E Common Stock shall be convertible into shares of Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis (the “Initial Conversion Ratio”) automatically on achievement of certain triggering events (“Triggering Event”) established by the directors.
(ii) The foregoing conversion ratio shall also be adjusted to account for any subdivision (by stock split, subdivision, exchange, stock dividend, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) or combination (by reverse stock split, exchange, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) or similar reclassification or recapitalization of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock into a greater or lesser number of shares occurring after the original filing of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate without a proportionate and corresponding subdivision, combination or similar reclassification or recapitalization of the outstanding shares of Class E Common Stock.
Each share of Class E Common Stock shall convert into its pro rata number of shares of Class A Common Stock pursuant to this Section 4.3(b). The pro rata share for each holder of Class E Common Stock will be determined as follows: Each share of Class E Common Stock shall convert into such number of shares of Class A Common Stock as is equal to the product of one (1) multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the total number of shares of Class A Common Stock into which all of the issued and outstanding shares of Class E Common Stock shall be converted pursuant to this Section 4.3(b) and the denominator of which shall be the total number of issued and outstanding shares of Class E Common Stock at the time of conversion.
(iii) Voting. Except as otherwise required by law or this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), for so long as any shares of Class E Common Stock shall remain outstanding, the Corporation shall not, without the prior vote or written consent of the holders of a majority of the shares of Class E Common Stock then outstanding, voting separately as a single class, amend, alter or repeal any provision of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, if such amendment, alteration or repeal would alter or change the powers, preferences or relative, participating, optional or other or special rights of the Class E Common Stock. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the holders of Class E Common Stock may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of the outstanding Class E Common Stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares of Class E Common Stock were present and voted and shall be delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which minutes of proceedings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to the Corporation’s registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. Prompt written notice of the taking of corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent of the holders of Class E Common Stock shall, to the extent required by law, be given to those holders of Class E Common Stock who have not consented in writing and who, if the action had been taken at a meeting, would have been entitled to notice of the meeting if the record date for notice of such meeting had been the date that written consents signed by a sufficient number of holders of Class E Common Stock to take the action were delivered to the Corporation.
(c) Dividends. Subject to applicable law, the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock and the provisions of Article IV hereof, the holders of shares of Class A Common Stock shall be entitled to receive such dividends and other distributions (payable in cash, property or capital stock of the Corporation) when, as and if declared thereon by the Board from time to time out of any assets or funds of the Corporation legally available therefor and shall share equally on a per share basis in such dividends and distributions.
(d) Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up of the Corporation. Subject to applicable law, the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock and the provisions of Article IV hereof, in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all the remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders, ratably in proportion to
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the number of shares of Class A Common Stock (on an as converted basis with respect to the Class E Common Stock) held by them.
Section 4.4 Rights and Options. The Corporation has the authority to create and issue rights, warrants and options entitling the holders thereof to acquire from the Corporation any shares of its capital stock of any class or classes, with such rights, warrants and options to be evidenced by or in instrument(s) approved by the Board. The Board is empowered to set the exercise price, duration, times for exercise and other terms and conditions of such rights, warrants or options; provided, however, that the consideration to be received for any shares of capital stock issuable upon exercise thereof may not be less than the par value thereof.
ARTICLE V
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 5.1 Board Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by, or under the direction of, the Board. In addition to the powers and authority expressly conferred upon the Board by statute, this Amended and Restated Certificate or the By-Laws of the Corporation (“By-Laws”), the Board is hereby empowered to exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by the Corporation, subject, nevertheless, to the provisions of the DGCL, this Amended and Restated Certificate, and any By-Laws adopted by the stockholders of the Corporation; provided, however, that no By-Laws hereafter adopted by the stockholders of the Corporation shall invalidate any prior act of the Board that would have been valid if such By-Laws had not been adopted.
Section 5.2 Number, Election and Term.
For the management of the business and for the conduct of the affairs of the Corporation it is further provided that:
(a) Subject to the special rights of the holders of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock to elect directors, if any, the initial directors of the Corporation shall be classified with respect to the time for which they severally hold office into three classes, designated as Class I, Class II and Class III. The initial Class I directors shall serve for a term expiring at the first annual meeting of the stockholders following the date of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate; the initial Class II directors shall serve for a term expiring at the second annual meeting of the stockholders following the date of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate; and the initial Class III directors shall serve for a term expiring at the third annual meeting following the date of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate. At each annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation beginning with the first annual meeting of the stockholders following the date of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate, subject to the special rights of the holders of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock to elect directors, if any, the successors of the class of directors whose term expires at that meeting shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of the stockholders held in the third year following the year of their election. Each director shall hold office until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation, disqualification or removal. No decrease in the number of directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director. The Board of Directors is authorized to assign members of the Board of Directors already in office to Class I, Class II and Class III.
(b) The number of directors which shall constitute the whole Board of Directors shall be fixed exclusively by one or more resolutions adopted from time to time by the Board of Directors.
(c) The directors of the Corporation need not be elected by written ballot unless the Bylaws so provide.
Section 5.3 Removal
Subject to the special rights of the holders of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock to elect directors, the Board of Directors or any individual director may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds (66 and 2/3%) of the voting power of all of the then outstanding shares of voting stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at an election of directors.
Section 5.4 Newly Created Directorships and Vacancies.
Subject to the special rights of the holders of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock to elect directors, except as otherwise provided by law, any vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, disqualification, retirement, removal or other causes and any newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors shall be filled exclusively by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office, even though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining
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director (other than any directors elected by the separate vote of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock), and shall not be filled by the stockholders. Any director appointed in accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office until the expiration of the term to which such director shall have been appointed or until his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, or removal.
Section 5.5 Preferred Stock — Directors
Whenever the holders of any one or more series of Preferred Stock issued by the Corporation shall have the right, voting separately as a series or separately as a class with one or more such other series, to elect directors at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, the election, term of office, removal and other features of such directorships shall be governed by the terms of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Certificate of Designation). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article V, the number of directors that may be elected by the holders of any such series of Preferred Stock shall be in addition to the number fixed pursuant to paragraph B of this Article V, and the total number of directors constituting the whole Board of Directors shall be automatically adjusted accordingly. Except as otherwise provided in the Certificate of Designation(s) in respect of one or more series of Preferred Stock, whenever the holders of any series of Preferred Stock having such right to elect additional directors are divested of such right pursuant to the provisions of such Certificate of Designation(s), the terms of office of all such additional directors elected by the holders of such series of Preferred Stock, or elected to fill any vacancies resulting from the death, resignation, disqualification or removal of such additional directors, shall forthwith terminate (in which case each such director thereupon shall cease to be qualified as, and shall cease to be, a director) and the total authorized number of directors of the Corporation shall automatically be reduced accordingly.
ARTICLE VI
BYLAWS
In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to adopt, amend or repeal the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Corporation (as amended and/or restated from time to time). In addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of stock of the Corporation required by applicable law or by this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Certificate of Designation in respect of one or more series of Preferred Stock) or the Bylaws, the adoption, amendment or repeal of the Bylaws by the stockholders of the Corporation shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds (66 and 2/3%) of the voting power of all of the then outstanding shares of voting stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in an election of directors. No By-Laws hereafter adopted by the stockholders shall invalidate any prior act of the Board that would have been valid if such By-Laws had not been adopted.
ARTICLE VII
STOCKHOLDERS
(a) Any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be effected at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, and shall not be taken by written consent in lieu of a meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any action required or permitted to be taken by the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, voting separately as a series or separately as a class with one or more other such series, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, to the extent expressly so provided by the applicable Certificate of Designation relating to such series of Preferred Stock, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding shares of the relevant series of Preferred Stock having not less than the minimum number 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 shall be delivered to the Corporation in accordance with the applicable provisions of the DGCL.
(b) Subject to the special rights of the holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock, special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation may be called, for any purpose or purposes, at any time only by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President, and shall not be called by any other person or persons.
(c) Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors and of other business proposed to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be given in the manner provided in the Bylaws.
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ARTICLE VIII
LIMITED LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION
Section 8.1 Limitation of Director Liability. A director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the DGCL as the same exists or may hereafter be amended unless they violated their duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, acted in bad faith, knowingly or intentionally violated the law, authorized unlawful payments of dividends, unlawful stock purchases or unlawful redemptions, or derived improper personal benefit from their actions as directors. Any amendment, modification or repeal of the foregoing sentence shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation hereunder in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such amendment, modification or repeal.
Section 8.2 Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses.
(a) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, the Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless each person who is or was made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “proceeding”) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, other enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (an “indemnitee”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent, or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred by such indemnitee in connection with such proceeding. The Corporation shall to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law pay the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an indemnitee in defending or otherwise participating in any proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided, however, that, to the extent required by applicable law, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking, by or on behalf of the indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified under this Section 8.2 or otherwise. The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred by this Section 8.2 shall be contract rights and such rights shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 8.2(a), except for proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses, the Corporation shall indemnify and advance expenses to an indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board.
(b) The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred on any indemnitee by this Section 8.2 shall not be exclusive of any other rights that any indemnitee may have or hereafter acquire under law, this Second Amended and Restated Certificate, the By-Laws, an agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.
(c) Any repeal or amendment of this Section 8.2 by the stockholders of the Corporation or by changes in law, or the adoption of any other provision of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate inconsistent with this Section 8.2, shall, unless otherwise required by law, be prospective only (except to the extent such amendment or change in law permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights on a retroactive basis than permitted prior thereto), and shall not in any way diminish or adversely affect any right or protection existing at the time of such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision in respect of any proceeding (regardless of when such proceeding is first threatened, commenced or completed) arising out of, or related to, any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision.
(d) This Section 8.2 shall not limit the right of the Corporation, to the extent and in the manner authorized or permitted by law, to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other than indemnitees.
ARTICLE IX
CORPORATE OPPORTUNITY
(a) To the fullest extent permitted by Section 122(17) of the DGCL, the doctrine of corporate opportunity, or any other analogous doctrine, shall not apply with respect to the Corporation or any of its officers or directors, or any of their respective affiliates, in
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circumstances where the application of any such doctrine to a corporate opportunity would conflict with any fiduciary duties or contractual obligations they may have as of the date of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate or in the future. In addition to the foregoing, the doctrine of corporate opportunity shall not apply to any other corporate opportunity with respect to any of the directors or officers of the Corporation unless such corporate opportunity is expressly offered to such person in writing solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Corporation and such opportunity is one the Corporation is legally and contractually permitted to undertake and would otherwise be reasonable for the Corporation to pursue.
(b) Neither the alteration, amendment, addition to or repeal of this Article IX, nor the adoption of any provision of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Certificate of Designation) inconsistent with this Article IX, shall eliminate or reduce the effect of this Article IX in respect of any business opportunity first identified or any other matter occurring, or any cause of action, suit or claim that, but for this Article IX, would accrue or arise, prior to such alteration, amendment, addition, repeal or adoption. This Article IX shall not limit any protections or defenses available to, or indemnification or advancement rights of, any director or officer of the Corporation under this Second Amended and Restated Certificate, the Bylaws or applicable law.
ARTICLE X
AMENDMENTS
(a) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Second Amended and Restated Certificate to the contrary, in addition to any vote required by applicable law, the following provisions in this Second Amended and Restated Certificate may be amended, altered, repealed or rescinded, in whole or in part, or any provision inconsistent therewith or herewith may be adopted, only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds (66 and 2/3%) of the total voting power of all the then outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class: Part (b) of Article IV, Article V, Article VI,, Article VII, Article VIII, Article IX and this Article X.
(b) If any provision or provisions of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any circumstance for any reason whatsoever: (i) the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, in any way be affected or impaired thereby and (ii) to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the provisions of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including, without limitation, each such portion of any paragraph of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to permit the Corporation to protect its directors, officers, employees and agents from personal liability in respect of their good faith service to or for the benefit of the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by law.
ARTICLE XI
DGCL SECTION 203
The Corporation hereby expressly elects not be governed by Section 203 of the DGCL.
ARTICLE XII
EXCLUSIVE FORUM FOR CERTAIN LAWSUITS; CONSENT TO JURISDICTION
Section 12.1 Forum. Subject to the last sentence in this Section 12.1, and unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, to the fullest extent permitted by the applicable law, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for any stockholder (including a beneficial owner) to bring (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation, its directors, officers or employees arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or this Second Amended and Restated Certificate or the By-Laws, or (iv) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation, its directors, officers or employees governed by the internal affairs doctrine and, if brought outside of Delaware, the stockholder bringing the suit will be deemed to have consented to service of process on such stockholder’s counsel except any action (A) as to which the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware determines that there is an indispensable party not subject to the jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery (and the indispensable party does not consent to the personal jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery within ten days following such determination), (B) which is vested in the exclusive jurisdiction of a court or forum other than the Court of Chancery, or (C) for which the Court of Chancery does not have subject matter jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the provisions of this Section 12.1 will not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which
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the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction and (ii) unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Section 12.2 Consent to Jurisdiction. If any action the subject matter of which is within the scope of Section 12.1 immediately above is filed in a court other than a court located within the State of Delaware (a “Foreign Action”) in the name of any stockholder, such stockholder shall be deemed to have consented to (i) the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located within the State of Delaware in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce Section 12.1 immediately above (an “FSC Enforcement Action”) and (ii) having service of process made upon such stockholder in any such FSC Enforcement Action by service upon such stockholder’s counsel in the Foreign Action as agent for such stockholder.
Section 12.3 Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Article XII shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any person or entity or circumstance for any reason whatsoever, then, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Article XII (including, without limitation, each portion of any sentence of this Article XII containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) and the application of such provision to other persons or entities and circumstances shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Article XII.
Section 12.3 Deemed Notice. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in any security of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to this Article XII.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Adara Acquisition Corp. has caused this Second Amended and Restated Certificate to be duly executed and acknowledged in its name and on its behalf by an authorized officer as of the date first set forth above.
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ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT HOLDING CORPORATION
2022 OMNIBUS EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
ARTICLE I
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation 2022 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is to benefit Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and its stockholders, by assisting the Company and its subsidiaries to attract, retain and provide incentives to key management employees, directors, and consultants of the Company and its Affiliates, and to align the interests of such service providers with those of the Company’s stockholders. Accordingly, the Plan provides for the granting of Non-qualified Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Unit Awards, Stock Appreciation Rights, Performance Stock Awards, Performance Unit Awards, Unrestricted Stock Awards, Distribution Equivalent Rights or any combination of the foregoing.
ARTICLE II
DEFINITIONS
The following definitions shall be applicable throughout the Plan unless the context otherwise requires:
2.1“Affiliate” shall mean any corporation which, with respect to the Company, is a “subsidiary corporation” within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code or other entity in which the Company has a controlling interest in such entity or another entity which is part of a chain of entities in which the Company or each entity has a controlling interest in another entity in the unbroken chain of entities ending with the applicable entity.
2.2“Award” shall mean, individually or collectively, any Option, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit Award, Performance Stock Award, Performance Unit Award, Stock Appreciation Right, Distribution Equivalent Right or Unrestricted Stock Award.
2.3“Award Agreement” shall mean a written agreement between the Company and the Holder with respect to an Award, setting forth the terms and conditions of the Award, as amended.
2.4“Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.5“Base Value” shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 14.2.
2.6“Cause” shall mean (i) if the Holder is a party to an employment or service agreement with the Company or an Affiliate which agreement defines “Cause” (or a similar term), “Cause” shall have the same meaning as provided for in such agreement, or (ii) for a Holder who is not a party to such an agreement, “Cause” shall mean termination by the Company or an Affiliate of the employment (or other service relationship) of the Holder by reason of the Holder’s (A) intentional failure to perform reasonably assigned duties, (B) dishonesty or willful misconduct in the performance of the Holder’s duties, (C) involvement in a transaction which is materially adverse to the Company or an Affiliate, (D) breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit, (E) willful violation of any law, rule, regulation or court order (other than misdemeanor traffic violations and misdemeanors not involving misuse or misappropriation of money or property), (F) commission of an act of fraud or intentional misappropriation or conversion of any asset or opportunity of the Company or an Affiliate, or (G) material breach of any provision of the Plan or the Holder’s Award Agreement or any other written agreement between the Holder and the Company or an Affiliate, in each case as determined in good faith by the Board, the determination of which shall be final, conclusive and binding on all parties.
2.7“Change of Control” shall mean: (i) for a Holder who is a party to an employment or consulting agreement with the Company or an Affiliate which agreement defines “Change of Control” (or a similar term), “Change of Control” shall have the same meaning as provided for in such agreement, or (ii) for a Holder who is not a party to such an agreement, “Change of Control” shall mean the satisfaction of any one or more of the following conditions (and the “Change of Control” shall be deemed to have occurred as of the first day that any one or more of the following conditions shall have been satisfied):
2.8“Code” shall mean the United States of America Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Reference in the Plan to any section of the Code shall be deemed to include any amendments or successor provisions to any section and any regulation under such section.
2.9 “Committee” shall mean a committee comprised of two (2) or more members of the Board who are selected by the Board as provided in Section 4.1.
2.10“Company” shall have the meaning given to such term in the introductory paragraph, including any successor thereto.
2.11“Consultant” shall mean any non-Employee (individual or entity) advisor to the Company or an Affiliate who or which has contracted directly with the Company or an Affiliate to render bona fide consulting or advisory services thereto.
2.12“Director” shall mean a member of the Board or a member of the board of directors of an Affiliate, in either case, who is not an Employee.
2.13“Distribution Equivalent Right” shall mean an Award granted under Article XIII of the Plan which entitles the Holder to receive bookkeeping credits, cash payments and/or Share distributions equal in amount to the distributions that would have been made to the Holder had the Holder held a specified number of Shares during the period the Holder held the Distribution Equivalent Right.
2.14“Distribution Equivalent Right Award Agreement” shall mean a written agreement between the Company and a Holder with respect to a Distribution Equivalent Right Award.
2.15 “Effective Date” shall mean [ ], 2022.
2.16“Employee” shall mean any employee, including any officer, of the Company or an Affiliate.
2.17“Exchange Act” shall mean the United States of America Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
2.18“Fair Market Value” shall mean, as of any specified date, the closing sales price of the Shares for such date (or, in the event that the Shares are not traded on such date, on the immediately preceding trading date) on the NYSE American Stock Market (“NYSE”), as reported by NYSE, or such other domestic or foreign national securities exchange on which the Shares may be listed. If the Shares are not listed on NYSE American or on a national securities exchange, but are quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board or by the National Quotation Bureau, the Fair Market Value of the Shares shall be the mean of the highest bid and lowest asked prices per Share
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for such date. If the Shares are not quoted or listed as set forth above, Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Board in good faith by any fair and reasonable means (which means may be set forth with greater specificity in the applicable Award Agreement). The Fair Market Value of property other than Shares shall be determined by the Board in good faith by any fair and reasonable means consistent with the requirements of applicable law.
2.19“Family Member” of an individual shall mean any child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, spouse, former spouse, sibling, niece, nephew, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law or sister-in-law, including adoptive relationships, any person sharing the Holder’s household (other than a tenant or employee of the Holder), a trust in which such persons have more than fifty percent (50%) of the beneficial interest, a foundation in which such persons (or the Holder) control the management of assets, and any other entity in which such persons (or the Holder) own more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting interests.
2.20“Holder” shall mean an Employee, Director or Consultant who has been granted an Award or any such individual’s beneficiary, estate or representative, who has acquired such Award in accordance with the terms of the Plan, as applicable.
2.21“Incentive Stock Option” shall mean an Option which is intended by the Committee to constitute an “incentive stock option” and conforms to the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code.
2.22“Incumbent Director” shall mean, with respect to any period of time specified under the Plan for purposes of determining whether or not a Change of Control has occurred, the individuals who were members of the Board at the beginning of such period.
2.23“Non-qualified Stock Option” shall mean an Option which is not an Incentive Stock Option or which is designated as an Incentive Stock Option but does not meet the applicable requirements of Section 422 of the Code.
2.24“Option” shall mean an Award granted under Article VII of the Plan of an option to purchase Shares and shall include both Incentive Stock Options and Non-qualified Stock Options.
2.25“Option Agreement” shall mean a written agreement between the Company and a Holder with respect to an Option.
2.26“Performance Criteria” shall mean the criteria selected by the Committee for purposes of establishing the Performance Goal(s) for a Holder for a Performance Period.
2.27“Performance Goals” shall mean, for a Performance Period, the written goal or goals established by the Committee for the Performance Period based upon the Performance Criteria, which may be related to the performance of the Holder, the Company or an Affiliate.
2.28“Performance Period” shall mean one or more periods of time, which may be of varying and overlapping durations, selected by the Committee, over which the attainment of the Performance Goals shall be measured for purposes of determining a Holder’s right to, and the payment of, a Performance Stock Award or a Performance Unit Award.
2.29“Performance Stock Award” or “Performance Stock” shall mean an Award granted under Article XII of the Plan under which, upon the satisfaction of predetermined Performance Goals, Shares are paid to the Holder.
2.30“Performance Stock Agreement” shall mean a written agreement between the Company and a Holder with respect to a Performance Stock Award.
2.31“Performance Unit” shall mean a Unit awarded to a Holder pursuant to a Performance Unit Award.
2.32“Performance Unit Award” shall mean an Award granted under Article XI of the Plan under which, upon the satisfaction of predetermined Performance Goals, a cash payment shall be made to the Holder, based on the number of Units awarded to the Holder.
2.33“Performance Unit Agreement” shall mean a written agreement between the Company and a Holder with respect to a Performance Unit Award.
2.34“Plan” shall mean this Adara Acquisition Corp. 2022 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time, together with each of the Award Agreements utilized hereunder.
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2.35“Restricted Stock Award” and “Restricted Stock” shall mean an Award granted under Article VIII of the Plan of Shares, the transferability of which by the Holder is subject to Restrictions.
2.36“Restricted Stock Agreement” shall mean a written agreement between the Company and a Holder with respect to a Restricted Stock Award.
2.37“Restricted Stock Unit Award” and “RSUs” shall refer to an Award granted under Article X of the Plan under which, upon the satisfaction of predetermined individual service-related vesting requirements, a cash payment shall be made to the Holder, based on the number of Units awarded to the Holder.
2.38“Restricted Stock Unit Agreement” shall mean a written agreement between the Company and a Holder with respect to a Restricted Stock Award.
2.39“Restriction Period” shall mean the period of time for which Shares subject to a Restricted Stock Award shall be subject to Restrictions, as set forth in the applicable Restricted Stock Agreement.
2.40“Restrictions” shall mean the forfeiture, transfer and/or other restrictions applicable to Shares awarded to an Employee, Director or Consultant under the Plan pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award and set forth in a Restricted Stock Agreement.
2.41“Rule 16b-3” shall mean Rule 16b-3 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Exchange Act, as such may be amended from time to time, and any successor rule, regulation or statute fulfilling the same or a substantially similar function.
2.42“Shares” or “Stock” shall mean the Class A Common Stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share.
2.43“Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” shall mean an Award granted under Article XIV of the Plan of a right, granted alone or in connection with a related Option, to receive a payment equal to the increase in value of a specified number of Shares between the date of Award and the date of exercise.
2.44“Stock Appreciation Right Agreement” shall mean a written agreement between the Company and a Holder with respect to a Stock Appreciation Right.
2.45“Tandem Stock Appreciation Right” shall mean a Stock Appreciation Right granted in connection with a related Option, the exercise of some or all of which results in termination of the entitlement to purchase some or all of the Shares under the related Option, all as set forth in Article XIV.
2.46“Ten Percent Stockholder” shall mean an Employee who, at the time an Option is granted to him or her, owns shares possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of shares of the Company or of any parent corporation or subsidiary corporation thereof (both as defined in Section 424 of the Code), within the meaning of Section 422(b)(6) of the Code.
2.47“Termination of Service” shall mean a termination of a Holder’s employment with, or status as a Director or Consultant of, the Company or an Affiliate, as applicable, for any reason, including, without limitation, Total and Permanent Disability or death, except as provided in Section 6.4. In the event Termination of Service shall constitute a payment event with respect to any Award subject to Code Section 409A, Termination of Service shall only be deemed to occur upon a “separation from service” as such term is defined under Code Section 409A and applicable authorities.
2.48“Total and Permanent Disability” of an individual shall mean the inability of such individual to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.
2.49“Unit” shall mean a bookkeeping unit, which represents such monetary amount as shall be designated by the Committee in each Performance Unit Agreement, or represents one Share for purposes of each Restricted Stock Unit Award.
2.50“Unrestricted Stock Award” shall mean an Award granted under Article IX of the Plan of Shares which are not subject to Restrictions.
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2.51“Unrestricted Stock Agreement” shall mean a written agreement between the Company and a Holder with respect to an Unrestricted Stock Award.
ARTICLE III
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN
The Plan shall be effective as of the Effective Date, provided that the Plan is approved by the stockholders of the Company within twelve (12) months of such date.
ARTICLE IV
ADMINISTRATION
4.1Composition of Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee, which shall be appointed by the Board. If necessary, in the Board’s discretion, to comply with Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act or relevant securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation service, the Committee shall consist solely of two (2) or more Directors who are each (i) “non-employee directors” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 and (ii) “independent” for purposes of any applicable listing requirements;. If a member of the Committee shall be eligible to receive an Award under the Plan, such Committee member shall have no authority hereunder with respect to his or her own Award.
4.2Powers. Subject to the other provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have the sole authority, in its discretion, to make all determinations under the Plan, including but not limited to (i) determining which Employees, Directors or Consultants shall receive an Award, (ii) the time or times when an Award shall be made (the date of grant of an Award shall be the date on which the Award is awarded by the Committee), (iii) what type of Award shall be granted, (iv) the term of an Award, (v) the date or dates on which an Award vests, (vi) the form of any payment to be made pursuant to an Award, (vii) the terms and conditions of an Award (including the forfeiture of the Award, and/or any financial gain, if the Holder of the Award violates any applicable restrictive covenant thereof), (viii) the Restrictions under a Restricted Stock Award, (ix) the number of Shares which may be issued under an Award, (x) Performance Goals applicable to any Award and certification of the achievement of such goals, and (xi) the waiver of any Restrictions or Performance Goals, subject in all cases to compliance with applicable laws. In making such determinations the Committee may take into account the nature of the services rendered by the respective Employees, Directors and Consultants, their present and potential contribution to the Company’s (or the Affiliate’s) success and such other factors as the Committee in its discretion may deem relevant.
4.3Additional Powers. The Committee shall have such additional powers as are delegated to it under the other provisions of the Plan. Subject to the express provisions of the Plan, the Committee is authorized to construe the Plan and the respective Award Agreements executed hereunder, to prescribe such rules and regulations relating to the Plan as it may deem advisable to carry out the intent of the Plan, to determine the terms, restrictions and provisions of each Award and to make all other determinations necessary or advisable for administering the Plan. The Committee may correct any defect or supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in any Award Agreement in the manner and to the extent the Committee shall deem necessary, appropriate or expedient to carry it into effect. The determinations of the Committee on the matters referred to in this Article IV shall be conclusive and binding on the Company and all Holders.
4.4Committee Action. Subject to compliance with all applicable laws, action by the Committee shall require the consent of a majority of the members of the Committee, expressed either orally at a meeting of the Committee or in writing in the absence of a meeting. No member of the Committee shall have any liability for any good faith action, inaction or determination in connection with the Plan.
ARTICLE V
SHARES SUBJECT TO PLAN AND LIMITATIONS THEREON
5.1Authorized Shares and Award Limits. The Committee may from time to time grant Awards to one or more Employees, Directors and/or Consultants determined by it to be eligible for participation in the Plan in accordance with the provisions of Article VI. Subject to Article XV, the aggregate number of Shares that may be issued under the Plan shall not exceed five hundred thousand (500,000) Shares. Shares shall be deemed to have been issued under the Plan solely to the extent actually issued and delivered pursuant to an Award. To the extent that an Award lapses, expires, is canceled, is terminated unexercised or ceases to be exercisable for any reason, or the rights of its Holder terminate, any Shares subject to such Award shall again be available for the grant of a new Award. Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, the maximum number of Shares that may be subject to Awards of Options under Article VII and/or Stock Appreciation Rights under Article XIV, in either or both cases granted to any one
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person during any calendar year, shall be fifty thousand (50,000) Shares (subject to adjustment in the same manner as provided in Article XV with respect to Shares subject to Awards then outstanding).
5.2Types of Shares. The Shares to be issued pursuant to the grant or exercise of an Award may consist of authorized but unissued Shares, Shares purchased on the open market or Shares previously issued and outstanding and reacquired by the Company.
ARTICLE VI
ELIGIBILITY AND TERMINATION OF SERVICE
6.1Eligibility. Awards made under the Plan may be granted solely to individuals or entities who, at the time of grant, are Employees, Directors or Consultants. An Award may be granted on more than one occasion to the same Employee, Director or Consultant, and, subject to the limitations set forth in the Plan, such Award may include, a Non-qualified Stock Option, a Restricted Stock Award, a Restricted Stock Unit Award, an Unrestricted Stock Award, a Distribution Equivalent Right Award, a Performance Stock Award, a Performance Unit Award, a Stock Appreciation Right, a Tandem Stock Appreciation Right, or any combination thereof, and solely for Employees, an Incentive Stock Option.
6.2Termination of Service. Except to the extent inconsistent with the terms of the applicable Award Agreement and/or the provisions of Section 6.3 or 6.4, the following terms and conditions shall apply with respect to a Holder’s Termination of Service with the Company or an Affiliate, as applicable:
(a) | The Holder’s rights, if any, to exercise any then exercisable Options and/or Stock Appreciation Rights shall terminate: |
(i) | If such termination is for a reason other than the Holder’s Total and Permanent Disability or death, ninety (90) days after the date of such Termination of Service; |
(ii) | If such termination is on account of the Holder’s Total and Permanent Disability, one (1) year after the date of such Termination of Service; or |
(iii) | If such termination is on account of the Holder’s death, one (1) year after the date of the Holder’s death. |
Upon such applicable date the Holder (and such Holder’s estate, designated beneficiary or other legal representative) shall forfeit any rights or interests in or with respect to any such Options and Stock Appreciation Rights. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may provide for a different time period in the Award Agreement, or may extend the time period, following a Termination of Service, during which the Holder has the right to exercise any vested Non-qualified Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right, which time period may not extend beyond the expiration date of the Award term.
(b) | In the event of a Holder’s Termination of Service for any reason prior to the actual or deemed satisfaction and/or lapse of the Restrictions, vesting requirements, terms and conditions applicable to a Restricted Stock Award and/or Restricted Stock Unit Award, such Restricted Stock and/or RSUs shall immediately be canceled, and the Holder (and such Holder’s estate, designated beneficiary or other legal representative) shall forfeit any rights or interests in and with respect to any such Restricted Stock and/or RSUs. Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may determine, prior to or within thirty (30) days after the date of such Termination of Service that all or a portion of any such Holder’s Restricted Stock and/or RSUs shall not be so canceled and forfeited. |
6.3Special Termination Rule. Except to the extent inconsistent with the terms of the applicable Award Agreement, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Article VI, if a Holder’s employment with, or status as a Director of, the Company or an Affiliate shall terminate, and if, within ninety (90) days of such termination, such Holder shall become a Consultant, such Holder’s rights with respect to any Award or portion thereof granted thereto prior to the date of such termination may be preserved, if and to the extent determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, as if such Holder had been a Consultant for the entire period during which such Award or portion thereof had been outstanding. Should the Committee effect such determination with respect to such Holder, for all purposes of the Plan, such Holder shall not be treated as if his or her employment or Director status had terminated until such time as his or her Consultant status shall terminate, in which case his or her Award, as it may have been reduced in connection with the Holder’s becoming a Consultant, shall be treated pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.2, provided, however, that any such Award which is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option shall, upon the Holder’s no longer being an Employee, automatically convert to a Non-qualified Stock Option. Should a Holder’s status as a Consultant terminate, and if, within ninety
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(90) days of such termination, such Holder shall become an Employee or a Director, such Holder’s rights with respect to any Award or portion thereof granted thereto prior to the date of such termination may be preserved, if and to the extent determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, as if such Holder had been an Employee or a Director, as applicable, for the entire period during which such Award or portion thereof had been outstanding, and, should the Committee effect such determination with respect to such Holder, for all purposes of the Plan, such Holder shall not be treated as if his or her Consultant status had terminated until such time as his or her employment with the Company or an Affiliate, or his or her Director status, as applicable, shall terminate, in which case his or her Award shall be treated pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.2.
6.4Termination of Service for Cause. Notwithstanding anything in this Article VI or elsewhere in the Plan to the contrary, and unless a Holder’s Award Agreement specifically provides otherwise, in the event of a Holder’s Termination of Service for Cause, all of such Holder’s then outstanding Awards shall expire immediately and be forfeited in their entirety upon such Termination of Service.
ARTICLE VII
OPTIONS
7.1Option Period. The term of each Option shall be as specified in the Option Agreement; provided, however, that except as set forth in Section 7.3, no Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years from the date of its grant.
7.2Limitations on Exercise of Option. An Option shall be exercisable in whole or in such installments and at such times as specified in the Option Agreement.
7.3Special Limitations on Incentive Stock Options. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time the respective Incentive Stock Option is granted) of Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by an individual during any calendar year under all plans of the Company and any parent corporation or subsidiary corporation thereof (both as defined in Section 424 of the Code) which provide for the grant of Incentive Stock Options exceeds One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) (or such other individual limit as may be in effect under the Code on the date of grant), the portion of such Incentive Stock Options that exceeds such threshold shall be treated as Non-qualified Stock Options. The Committee shall determine, in accordance with applicable provisions of the Code, Treasury Regulations and other administrative pronouncements, which of a Holder’s Options, which were intended by the Committee to be Incentive Stock Options when granted to the Holder, will not constitute Incentive Stock Options because of such limitation, and shall notify the Holder of such determination as soon as practicable after such determination. No Incentive Stock Option shall be granted to an Employee if, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, such Employee is a Ten Percent Stockholder, unless (i) at the time such Incentive Stock Option is granted the Option price is at least one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the Incentive Stock Option, and (ii) such Incentive Stock Option by its terms is not exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years from the date of grant. No Incentive Stock Option shall be granted more than ten (10) years from the earlier of the Effective Date or date on which the Plan is approved by the Company’s stockholders. The designation by the Committee of an Option as an Incentive Stock Option shall not guarantee the Holder that the Option will satisfy the applicable requirements for “incentive stock option” status under Section 422 of the Code.
7.4Option Agreement. Each Option shall be evidenced by an Option Agreement in such form and containing such provisions not inconsistent with the other provisions of the Plan as the Committee from time to time shall approve, including, but not limited to, provisions intended to qualify an Option as an Incentive Stock Option. An Option Agreement may provide for the payment of the Option price, in whole or in part, by the delivery of a number of Shares (plus cash if necessary) that have been owned by the Holder for at least six (6) months and having a Fair Market Value equal to such Option price, or such other forms or methods as the Committee may determine from time to time, in each case, subject to such rules and regulations as may be adopted by the Committee. Each Option Agreement shall, solely to the extent inconsistent with the provisions of Sections 6.2, 6.3, and 6.4, as applicable, specify the effect of Termination of Service on the exercisability of the Option. Moreover, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a Non-qualified Stock Option Agreement may provide for a “cashless exercise” of the Option, in whole or in part, by (a) establishing procedures whereby the Holder, by a properly-executed written notice, directs (i) an immediate market sale or margin loan as to all or a part of Shares to which he is entitled to receive upon exercise of the Option, pursuant to an extension of credit by the Company to the Holder of the Option price, (ii) the delivery of the Shares from the Company directly to a brokerage firm and (iii) the delivery of the Option price from sale or margin loan proceeds from the brokerage firm directly to the Company, or (b) reducing the number of Shares to be issued upon exercise of the Option by the number of such Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the Option price (or portion thereof to be so paid) as of the date of the Option’s exercise. An Option Agreement may also include provisions relating to: (i) subject to the provisions hereof, accelerated vesting of Options, including but not limited to, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, (ii) tax matters (including provisions covering any applicable Employee wage withholding requirements and requiring additional “gross-up” payments to Holders to meet any excise taxes or other additional income tax liability
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imposed as a result of a payment made upon a Change of Control resulting from the operation of the Plan or of such Option Agreement) and (iii) any other matters not inconsistent with the terms and provisions of the Plan that the Committee shall in its sole discretion determine. The terms and conditions of the respective Option Agreements need not be identical.
7.5Option Price and Payment. The price at which an Share may be purchased upon exercise of an Option shall be determined by the Committee; provided, however, that such Option price (i) shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of an Share on the date such Option is granted (or 110% of Fair Market Value for an Incentive Stock Option held by Ten Percent Stockholder, as provided in Section 7.3), and (ii) shall be subject to adjustment as provided in Article XV. The Option or portion thereof may be exercised by delivery of an irrevocable notice of exercise to the Company. The Option price for the Option or portion thereof shall be paid in full in the manner prescribed by the Committee as set forth in the Plan and the applicable Option Agreement, which manner, with the consent of the Committee, may include the withholding of Shares otherwise issuable in connection with the exercise of the Option. Separate share certificates shall be issued by the Company for those Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option and for those Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of a Non-qualified Stock Option.
7.6Stockholder Rights and Privileges. The Holder of an Option shall be entitled to all the privileges and rights of a stockholder of the Company solely with respect to such Shares as have been purchased under the Option and for which share certificates have been registered in the Holder’s name.
7.7Options and Rights in Substitution for Stock or Options Granted by Other Corporations. Options may be granted under the Plan from time to time in substitution for stock options held by individuals employed by entities who become Employees, Directors or Consultants as a result of a merger or consolidation of the employing entity with the Company or any Affiliate, or the acquisition by the Company or an Affiliate of the assets of the employing entity, or the acquisition by the Company or an Affiliate of stock or shares of the employing entity with the result that such employing entity becomes an Affiliate.
7.8Prohibition Against Re-Pricing. Except to the extent (i) approved in advance by holders of a majority of the shares of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, or (ii) as a result of any Change of Control or any adjustment as provided in Article XV, the Committee shall not have the power or authority to reduce, whether through amendment or otherwise, the exercise price under any outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right, or to grant any new Award or make any payment of cash in substitution for or upon the cancellation of Options and/or Stock Appreciation Rights previously granted.
ARTICLE VIII
RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS
8.1Award. A Restricted Stock Award shall constitute an Award of Shares to the Holder as of the date of the Award which are subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture” as defined under Section 83 of the Code during the specified Restriction Period. At the time a Restricted Stock Award is made, the Committee shall establish the Restriction Period applicable to such Award. Each Restricted Stock Award may have a different Restriction Period, in the discretion of the Committee. The Restriction Period applicable to a particular Restricted Stock Award shall not be changed except as permitted by Section 8.2.
8.2Terms and Conditions. At the time any Award is made under this Article VIII, the Company and the Holder shall enter into a Restricted Stock Agreement setting forth each of the matters contemplated thereby and such other matters as the Committee may determine to be appropriate. The Company shall cause the Shares to be issued in the name of Holder, either by book-entry registration or issuance of one or more stock certificates evidencing the Shares, which Shares or certificates shall be held by the Company or the stock transfer agent or brokerage service selected by the Company to provide services for the Plan. The Shares shall be restricted from transfer and shall be subject to an appropriate stop-transfer order, and if any certificate is issued, such certificate shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the restrictions applicable to the Shares. After any Shares vest, the Company shall deliver the vested Shares, in book-entry or certificated form in the Company’s sole discretion, registered in the name of Holder or his or her legal representatives, beneficiaries or heirs, as the case may be, less any Shares withheld to pay withholding taxes. If provided for under the Restricted Stock Agreement, the Holder shall have the right to vote Shares subject thereto and to enjoy all other stockholder rights, including the entitlement to receive dividends on the Shares during the Restriction Period. At the time of such Award, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, prescribe additional terms and conditions or restrictions relating to Restricted Stock Awards, including, but not limited to, rules pertaining to the effect of Termination of Service prior to expiration of the Restriction Period. Such additional terms, conditions or restrictions shall, to the extent inconsistent with the provisions of Sections 6.2, 6.3 and 6.4, as applicable, be set forth in a Restricted Stock Agreement made in conjunction with the Award. Such Restricted Stock Agreement may also include provisions relating to: (i) subject to the provisions hereof, accelerated vesting of Awards, including but not limited to accelerated vesting upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, (ii) tax matters (including provisions covering any applicable Employee wage withholding requirements and requiring additional “gross-up” payments to Holders to meet any excise taxes or other additional income tax liability imposed as a result of a payment made in connection with a Change of Control resulting from the operation of the Plan or of such Restricted Stock Agreement) and (iii) any other matters not inconsistent with the terms and provisions
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of the Plan that the Committee shall in its sole discretion determine. The terms and conditions of the respective Restricted Stock Agreements need not be identical. All Shares delivered to a Holder as part of a Restricted Stock Award shall be delivered and reported by the Company or the Affiliate, as applicable, to the Holder at the time of vesting.
8.3Payment for Restricted Stock. The Committee shall determine the amount and form of any payment from a Holder for Shares received pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award, if any, provided that in the absence of such a determination, a Holder shall not be required to make any payment for Shares received pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award, except to the extent otherwise required by law.
ARTICLE IX
UNRESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS
9.1Award. Shares may be awarded (or sold) to Employees, Directors or Consultants under the Plan which are not subject to Restrictions of any kind, in consideration for past services rendered thereby to the Company or an Affiliate or for other valid consideration.
9.2Terms and Conditions. At the time any Award is made under this Article IX, the Company and the Holder shall enter into an Unrestricted Stock Agreement setting forth each of the matters contemplated hereby and such other matters as the Committee may determine to be appropriate.
9.3Payment for Unrestricted Stock. The Committee shall determine the amount and form of any payment from a Holder for Shares received pursuant to an Unrestricted Stock Award, if any, provided that in the absence of such a determination, a Holder shall not be required to make any payment for Shares received pursuant to an Unrestricted Stock Award, except to the extent otherwise required by law.
ARTICLE X
RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARDS
10.1Award. A Restricted Stock Unit Award shall constitute a promise to grant Shares (or cash equal to the Fair Market Value of Shares) to the Holder at the end of a specified Restriction Period. At the time a Restricted Stock Unit Award is made, the Committee shall establish the Restriction Period applicable to such Award. Each Restricted Stock Unit Award may have a different Restriction Period, in the discretion of the Committee. A Restricted Stock Unit shall not constitute an equity interest in the Company and shall not entitle the Holder to voting rights, dividends or any other rights associated with ownership of Shares prior to the time the Holder shall receive a distribution of Shares pursuant to Section 10.3.
10.2Terms and Conditions. At the time any Award is made under this Article X, the Company and the Holder shall enter into a Restricted Stock Unit Agreement setting forth each of the matters contemplated thereby and such other matters as the Committee may determine to be appropriate. The Restricted Stock Unit Agreement shall set forth the individual service-based vesting requirement which the Holder would be required to satisfy before the Holder would become entitled to distribution pursuant to Section 10.3 and the number of Units awarded to the Holder. Such conditions shall be sufficient to constitute a “substantial risk of forfeiture” as such term is defined under Section 409A of the Code. At the time of such Award, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, prescribe additional terms and conditions or restrictions relating to Restricted Stock Unit Awards in the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, including, but not limited to, rules pertaining to the effect of Termination of Service prior to expiration of the applicable vesting period. The terms and conditions of the respective Restricted Stock Unit Agreements need not be identical.
10.3Distributions of Shares. The Holder of a Restricted Stock Unit shall be entitled to receive a cash payment equal to the Fair Market Value of an Share, or one Share, as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee and as set forth in the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, for each Restricted Stock Unit subject to such Restricted Stock Unit Award, if the Holder satisfies the applicable vesting requirement. Such distribution shall be made no later than by the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) calendar month next following the end of the calendar year in which the Restricted Stock Unit first becomes vested (i.e., no longer subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture”).
ARTICLE XI
PERFORMANCE UNIT AWARDS
11.1Award. A Performance Unit Award shall constitute an Award under which, upon the satisfaction of predetermined individual and/or Company (and/or Affiliate) Performance Goals based on selected Performance Criteria, a cash payment shall be made to the Holder, based on the number of Units awarded to the Holder. At the time a Performance Unit Award is made, the
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Committee shall establish the Performance Period and applicable Performance Goals. Each Performance Unit Award may have different Performance Goals, in the discretion of the Committee. A Performance Unit Award shall not constitute an equity interest in the Company and shall not entitle the Holder to voting rights, dividends or any other rights associated with ownership of Shares.
11.2Terms and Conditions. At the time any Award is made under this Article XI, the Company and the Holder shall enter into a Performance Unit Agreement setting forth each of the matters contemplated thereby and such other matters as the Committee may determine to be appropriate. The Committee shall set forth in the applicable Performance Unit Agreement the Performance Period, Performance Criteria and Performance Goals which the Holder and/or the Company would be required to satisfy before the Holder would become entitled to payment pursuant to Section 11.3, the number of Units awarded to the Holder and the dollar value or formula assigned to each such Unit. Such payment shall be subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture” under Section 409A of the Code. At the time of such Award, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, prescribe additional terms and conditions or restrictions relating to Performance Unit Awards, including, but not limited to, rules pertaining to the effect of Termination of Service prior to expiration of the applicable performance period. The terms and conditions of the respective Performance Unit Agreements need not be identical.
11.3Payments. The Holder of a Performance Unit shall be entitled to receive a cash payment equal to the dollar value assigned to such Unit under the applicable Performance Unit Agreement if the Holder and/or the Company satisfy (or partially satisfy, if applicable under the applicable Performance Unit Agreement) the Performance Goals set forth in such Performance Unit Agreement. All payments shall be made no later than by the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) calendar month next following the end of the Company’s fiscal year to which such performance goals and objectives relate.
ARTICLE XII
PERFORMANCE STOCK AWARDS
12.1Award. A Performance Stock Award shall constitute a promise to grant Shares (or cash equal to the Fair Market Value of Shares) to the Holder at the end of a specified Performance Period subject to achievement of specified Performance Goals. At the time a Performance Stock Award is made, the Committee shall establish the Performance Period and applicable Performance Goals based on selected Performance Criteria. Each Performance Stock Award may have different Performance Goals, in the discretion of the Committee. A Performance Stock Award shall not constitute an equity interest in the Company and shall not entitle the Holder to voting rights, dividends or any other rights associated with ownership of Shares unless and until the Holder shall receive a distribution of Shares pursuant to Section 11.3.
12.2Terms and Conditions. At the time any Award is made under this Article XII, the Company and the Holder shall enter into a Performance Stock Agreement setting forth each of the matters contemplated thereby and such other matters as the Committee may determine to be appropriate. The Committee shall set forth in the applicable Performance Stock Agreement the Performance Period, selected Performance Criteria and Performance Goals which the Holder and/or the Company would be required to satisfy before the Holder would become entitled to the receipt of Shares pursuant to such Holder’s Performance Stock Award and the number of Shares subject to such Performance Stock Award. Such distribution shall be subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture” under Section 409A of the Code. If such Performance Goals are achieved, the distribution of Shares (or the payment of cash, as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee), shall be made no later than by the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) calendar month next following the end of the Company’s fiscal year to which such goals and objectives relate. At the time of such Award, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, prescribe additional terms and conditions or restrictions relating to Performance Stock Awards, including, but not limited to, rules pertaining to the effect of the Holder’s Termination of Service prior to the expiration of the applicable performance period. The terms and conditions of the respective Performance Stock Agreements need not be identical.
12.3Distributions of Shares. The Holder of a Performance Stock Award shall be entitled to receive a cash payment equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share, or one Share, as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, for each Performance Stock Award subject to such Performance Stock Agreement, if the Holder satisfies the applicable vesting requirement. Such distribution shall be made no later than by the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) calendar month next following the end of the Company’s fiscal year to which such performance goals and objectives relate.
ARTICLE XIII
DISTRIBUTION EQUIVALENT RIGHTS
13.1Award. A Distribution Equivalent Right shall entitle the Holder to receive bookkeeping credits, cash payments and/or Share distributions equal in amount to the distributions that would have been made to the Holder had the Holder held a specified number of Shares during the specified period of the Award.
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13.2Terms and Conditions. At the time any Award is made under this Article XIII, the Company and the Holder shall enter into a Distribution Equivalent Rights Award Agreement setting forth each of the matters contemplated thereby and such other matters as the Committee may determine to be appropriate. The Committee shall set forth in the applicable Distribution Equivalent Rights Award Agreement the terms and conditions, if any, including whether the Holder is to receive credits currently in cash, is to have such credits reinvested (at Fair Market Value determined as of the date of reinvestment) in additional Shares or is to be entitled to choose among such alternatives. Such receipt shall be subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture” under Section 409A of the Code and, if such Award becomes vested, the distribution of such cash or Shares shall be made no later than by the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) calendar month next following the end of the Company’s fiscal year in which the Holder’s interest in the Award vests. Distribution Equivalent Rights Awards may be settled in cash or in Shares, as set forth in the applicable Distribution Equivalent Rights Award Agreement. A Distribution Equivalent Rights Award may, but need not be, awarded in tandem with another Award (other than an Option or a SAR), whereby, if so awarded, such Distribution Equivalent Rights Award shall expire, terminate or be forfeited by the Holder, as applicable, under the same conditions as under such other Award.
13.3Interest Equivalents. The Distribution Equivalent Rights Award Agreement for a Distribution Equivalent Rights Award may provide for the crediting of interest on a Distribution Rights Award to be settled in cash at a future date (but in no event later than by the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) calendar month next following the end of the Company’s fiscal year in which such interest is credited and vested), at a rate set forth in the applicable Distribution Equivalent Rights Award Agreement, on the amount of cash payable thereunder.
ARTICLE XIV
STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
14.1Award. A Stock Appreciation Right shall constitute a right, granted alone or in connection with a related Option, to receive a payment equal to the increase in value of a specified number of Shares between the date of Award and the date of exercise.
14.2Terms and Conditions. At the time any Award is made under this Article XIV, the Company and the Holder shall enter into a Stock Appreciation Right Agreement setting forth each of the matters contemplated thereby and such other matters as the Committee may determine to be appropriate. The Committee shall set forth in the applicable Stock Appreciation Right Agreement the terms and conditions of the Stock Appreciation Right, including (i) the base value (the “Base Value”) for the Stock Appreciation Right, which shall be not less than the Fair Market Value of an Share on the date of grant of the Stock Appreciation Right, (ii) the number of Shares subject to the Stock Appreciation Right, (iii) the period during which the Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised; provided, however, that no Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years from the date of its grant, and (iv) any other special rules and/or requirements which the Committee imposes upon the Stock Appreciation Right. Upon the exercise of some or all of the portion of a Stock Appreciation Right, the Holder shall receive a payment from the Company, in cash or in the form of Shares having an equivalent Fair Market Value or in a combination of both, as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, equal to the product of:
14.3Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights. If the Committee grants a Stock Appreciation Right which is intended to be a Tandem Stock Appreciation Right, the Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall be granted at the same time as the related Option, and the following special rules shall apply:
(a) | The Base Value shall be equal to or greater than the per Share exercise price under the related Option; |
(b) | The Tandem Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised for all or part of the Shares which are subject to the related Option, but solely upon the surrender by the Holder of the Holder’s right to exercise the equivalent portion of the related Option (and when a Share is purchased under the related Option, an equivalent portion of the related Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall be canceled); |
(c) | The Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall expire no later than the date of the expiration of the related Option; |
(d) | The value of the payment with respect to the Tandem Stock Appreciation Right may be no more than one hundred percent (100%) of the difference between the per Share exercise price under the related Option and the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the related Option at the time the Tandem Stock Appreciation Right is exercised, multiplied by the number of the Shares with respect to which the Tandem Stock Appreciation Right is exercised; and |
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(e) | The Tandem Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised solely when the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the related Option exceeds the per Share exercise price under the related Option. |
ARTICLE XV
RECAPITALIZATION OR REORGANIZATION
15.1Adjustments to Shares. The shares with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan are Shares as presently constituted; provided, however, that if, and whenever, prior to the expiration or distribution to the Holder of Shares underlying an Award theretofore granted, the Company shall effect a subdivision or consolidation of the Shares or the payment of an Share dividend on Shares without receipt of consideration by the Company, the number of Shares with respect to which such Award may thereafter be exercised or satisfied, as applicable, (i) in the event of an increase in the number of outstanding Shares, shall be proportionately increased, and the purchase price per Share shall be proportionately reduced, and (ii) in the event of a reduction in the number of outstanding Shares, shall be proportionately reduced, and the purchase price per Share shall be proportionately increased. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Article XV, any adjustment made with respect to an Award (x) which is an Incentive Stock Option, shall comply with the requirements of Section 424(a) of the Code, and in no event shall any adjustment be made which would render any Incentive Stock Option granted under the Plan to be other than an “incentive stock option” for purposes of Section 422 of the Code, and (y) which is a Non-qualified Stock Option, shall comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, and in no event shall any adjustment be made which would render any Non-qualified Stock Option granted under the Plan to become subject to Section 409A of the Code.
15.2Recapitalization. If the Company recapitalizes or otherwise changes its capital structure, thereafter upon any exercise or satisfaction, as applicable, of a previously granted Award, the Holder shall be entitled to receive (or entitled to purchase, if applicable) under such Award, in lieu of the number of Shares then covered by such Award, the number and class of shares and securities to which the Holder would have been entitled pursuant to the terms of the recapitalization if, immediately prior to such recapitalization, the Holder had been the holder of record of the number of Shares then covered by such Award.
15.3Other Events. In the event of changes to the outstanding Shares by reason of an extraordinary cash dividend, reorganization, merger, consolidation, combination, split-up, spin-off, exchange or other relevant change in capitalization occurring after the date of the grant of any Award and not otherwise provided for under this Article XV, any outstanding Awards and any Award Agreements evidencing such Awards shall be adjusted by the Board in its discretion in such manner as the Board shall deem equitable or appropriate taking into consideration the applicable accounting and tax consequences, as to the number and price of Shares or other consideration subject to such Awards. In the event of any adjustment pursuant to Sections 15.1, 15.2 or this Section 15.3, the aggregate number of Shares available under the Plan pursuant to Section 5.1 may be appropriately adjusted by the Board, the determination of which shall be conclusive. In addition, the Committee may make provision for a cash payment to a Holder or a person who has an outstanding Award. In addition, the Committee may make provision for a cash payment to a Holder or a person who has an outstanding Award.
15.4Change of Control. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, at the time an Award is made or at any time prior to, coincident with or after the time of a Change of Control, cause any Award either (i) to be canceled in consideration of a payment in cash or other consideration in amount per share equal to the excess, if any, of the price or implied price per Share in the Change of Control over the per Share exercise, base or purchase price of such Award, which may be paid immediately or over the vesting schedule of the Award; (ii) to be assumed, or new rights substituted therefore, by the surviving corporation or a parent or subsidiary of such surviving corporation following such Change of Control; (iii) accelerate any time periods, or waive any other conditions, relating to the vesting, exercise, payment or distribution of an Award so that any Award to a Holder whose employment has been terminated as a result of a Change of Control may be vested, exercised, paid or distributed in full on or before a date fixed by the Committee; (iv) to be purchased from a Holder whose employment has been terminated as a result of a Change of Control, upon the Holder’s request, for an amount of cash equal to the amount that could have been obtained upon the exercise, payment or distribution of such rights had such Award been currently exercisable or payable; or (v) terminate any then outstanding Award or make any other adjustment to the Awards then outstanding as the Committee deems necessary or appropriate to reflect such transaction or change. The number of Shares subject to any Award shall be rounded to the nearest whole number.
15.5Powers Not Affected. The existence of the Plan and the Awards granted hereunder shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Board or of the stockholders of the Company to make or authorize any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change of the Company’s capital structure or business, any merger or consolidation of the Company, any issue of debt or equity securities ahead of or affecting Shares or the rights thereof, the dissolution or liquidation of the Company or any sale, lease, exchange or other disposition of all or any part of its assets or business or any other corporate act or proceeding.
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15.6No Adjustment for Certain Awards. Except as hereinabove expressly provided, the issuance by the Company of shares of any class or securities convertible into shares of any class, for cash, property, labor or services, upon direct sale, upon the exercise of rights or warrants to subscribe therefor or upon conversion of shares or obligations of the Company convertible into such shares or other securities, and in any case whether or not for fair value, shall not affect previously granted Awards, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to the number of Shares subject to Awards theretofore granted or the purchase price per Share, if applicable.
ARTICLE XVI
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF PLAN
The Plan shall continue in effect, unless sooner terminated pursuant to this Article XVI, until the tenth (10th) anniversary of the date on which it is adopted by the Board (except as to Awards outstanding on that date). The Board in its discretion may terminate the Plan at any time with respect to any shares for which Awards have not theretofore been granted; provided, however, that the Plan’s termination shall not materially and adversely impair the rights of a Holder with respect to any Award theretofore granted without the consent of the Holder. The Board shall have the right to alter or amend the Plan or any part hereof from time to time; provided, however, that without the approval by a majority of the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders at which a quorum representing a majority of the shares of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors is present in person or by proxy, no amendment or modification of the Plan may (i) materially increase the benefits accruing to Holders, (ii) except as otherwise expressly provided in Article XV, materially increase the number of Shares subject to the Plan or the individual Award Agreements specified in Article V, (iii) materially modify the requirements for participation in the Plan, or (iv) amend, modify or suspend Section 7.7 (re-pricing prohibitions) or this Article XVI. In addition, no change in any Award theretofore granted may be made which would materially and adversely impair the rights of a Holder with respect to such Award without the consent of the Holder (unless such change is required in order to exempt the Plan or any Award from Section 409A of the Code).
ARTICLE XVII
MISCELLANEOUS
17.1No Right to Award. Neither the adoption of the Plan by the Company nor any action of the Board or the Committee shall be deemed to give an Employee, Director or Consultant any right to an Award except as may be evidenced by an Award Agreement duly executed on behalf of the Company, and then solely to the extent and on the terms and conditions expressly set forth therein.
17.2No Rights Conferred. Nothing contained in the Plan shall (i) confer upon any Employee any right with respect to continuation of employment with the Company or any Affiliate, (ii) interfere in any way with any right of the Company or any Affiliate to terminate the employment of an Employee at any time, (iii) confer upon any Director any right with respect to continuation of such Director’s membership on the Board, (iv) interfere in any way with any right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate a Director’s membership on the Board at any time, (v) confer upon any Consultant any right with respect to continuation of his or her consulting engagement with the Company or any Affiliate, or (vi) interfere in any way with any right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate a Consultant’s consulting engagement with the Company or an Affiliate at any time.
17.3Other Laws; No Fractional Shares; Withholding. The Company shall not be obligated by virtue of any provision of the Plan to recognize the exercise of any Award or to otherwise sell or issue Shares in violation of any laws, rules or regulations, and any postponement of the exercise or settlement of any Award under this provision shall not extend the term of such Award. Neither the Company nor its directors or officers shall have any obligation or liability to a Holder with respect to any Award (or Shares issuable thereunder) (i) that shall lapse because of such postponement, or (ii) for any failure to comply with the requirements of any applicable law, rules or regulations, including but not limited to any failure to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of this Code. No fractional Shares shall be delivered, nor shall any cash in lieu of fractional Shares be paid. The Company shall have the right to deduct in cash (whether under this Plan or otherwise) in connection with all Awards any taxes required by law to be withheld and to require any payments required to enable it to satisfy its withholding obligations. In the case of any Award satisfied in the form of Shares, no Shares shall be issued unless and until arrangements satisfactory to the Company shall have been made to satisfy any tax withholding obligations applicable with respect to such Award. Subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee may impose, the Company shall have the right to retain, or the Committee may, subject to such terms and conditions as it may establish from time to time, permit Holders to elect to tender, Shares (including Shares issuable in respect of an Award) to satisfy, in whole or in part, the amount required to be withheld.
17.4No Restriction on Corporate Action. Nothing contained in the Plan shall be construed to prevent the Company or any Affiliate from taking any corporate action which is deemed by the Company or such Affiliate to be appropriate or in its best interest, whether or not such action would have an adverse effect on the Plan or any Award made under the Plan. No Employee,
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Director, Consultant, beneficiary or other person shall have any claim against the Company or any Affiliate as a result of any such action.
17.5Restrictions on Transfer. No Award under the Plan or any Award Agreement and no rights or interests herein or therein, shall or may be assigned, transferred, sold, exchanged, encumbered, pledged or otherwise hypothecated or disposed of by a Holder except (i) by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, or (ii) where permitted under applicable tax rules, by gift to any Family Member of the Holder, subject to compliance with applicable laws. An Award may be exercisable during the lifetime of the Holder only by such Holder or by the Holder’s guardian or legal representative unless it has been transferred by gift to a Family Member of the Holder, in which case it shall be exercisable solely by such transferee. Notwithstanding any such transfer, the Holder shall continue to be subject to the withholding requirements provided for under Section 17.3 hereof.
17.6Beneficiary Designations. Each Holder may, from time to time, name a beneficiary or beneficiaries (who may be contingent or successive beneficiaries) for purposes of receiving any amount which is payable in connection with an Award under the Plan upon or subsequent to the Holder’s death. Each such beneficiary designation shall serve to revoke all prior beneficiary designations, be in a form prescribed by the Company and be effective solely when filed by the Holder in writing with the Company during the Holder’s lifetime. In the absence of any such written beneficiary designation, for purposes of the Plan, a Holder’s beneficiary shall be the Holder’s estate.
17.7Rule 16b-3. It is intended that the Plan and any Award made to a person subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act shall meet all of the requirements of Rule 16b-3. If any provision of the Plan or of any such Award would disqualify the Plan or such Award under, or would otherwise not comply with the requirements of, Rule 16b-3, such provision or Award shall be construed or deemed to have been amended as necessary to conform to the requirements of Rule 16b-3.
17.8Clawback Policy. Notwithstanding any contained herein or in any incentive “performance based” Awards under the Plan shall be subject to reduction, forfeiture or repayment by reason of a correction or restatement of the Company’s financial information if and to the extent such reduction or repayment is required by any applicable law.
17.9Section 409A. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Committee shall have no authority to issue an Award under the Plan with terms and/or conditions which would cause such Award to constitute non-qualified “deferred compensation” under Section 409A of the Code unless such Award shall be structured to be exempt from or comply with all requirements of Code Section 409A. The Plan and all Award Agreements are intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code (or to be exempt therefrom) and shall be so interpreted and construed and no amount shall be paid or distributed from the Plan unless and until such payment complies with all requirements of Code Section 409A. It is the intent of the Company that the provisions of this Agreement and all other plans and programs sponsored by the Company be interpreted to comply in all respects with Code Section 409A, however, the Company shall have no liability to the Holder, or any successor or beneficiary thereof, in the event taxes, penalties or excise taxes may ultimately be determined to be applicable to any payment or benefit received by the Holder or any successor or beneficiary thereof.
17.10Indemnification. Each person who is or shall have been a member of the Committee or of the Board 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 thereby in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which such person may be made a party or may be involved by reason of any action taken or failure to act under the Plan and against and from any and all amounts paid thereby in settlement thereof, with the Company’s approval, or paid thereby in satisfaction of any judgment in any such action, suit, or proceeding against such person; provided, however, that such person shall give the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he or she undertakes to handle and defend it on his or her own behalf. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive and shall be independent of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons may be entitled under the Company’s Articles of Incorporation or By-laws, by contract, as a matter of law, or otherwise.
17.11Other Benefit Plans. No Award, payment or amount received hereunder shall be taken into account in computing an Employee’s salary or compensation for the purposes of determining any benefits under any pension, retirement, life insurance or other benefit plan of the Company or any Affiliate, unless such other plan specifically provides for the inclusion of such Award, payment or amount received. Nothing in the Plan shall be construed to limit the right of the Company to establish other plans or to pay compensation to its employees, in cash or property, in a manner which is not expressly authorized under the Plan.
17.12Limits of Liability. Any liability of the Company with respect to an Award shall be based solely upon the contractual obligations created under the Plan and the Award Agreement. None of the Company, any member of the Board nor any
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member of the Committee shall have any liability to any party for any action taken or not taken, in good faith, in connection with or under the Plan.
17.13Governing Law. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Plan shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to principles of conflicts of law.
17.14Severability of Provisions. If any provision of the Plan is held invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of the Plan, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if such invalid or unenforceable provision had not been included in the Plan.
17.15No Funding. The Plan shall be unfunded. The Company shall not be required to establish any special or separate fund or to make any other segregation of funds or assets to ensure the payment of any Award. Prior to receipt of Shares or a cash distribution pursuant to the terms of an Award, such Award shall represent an unfunded unsecured contractual obligation of the Company and the Holder shall have no greater claim to the Shares underlying such Award or any other assets of the Company or Affiliate than any other unsecured general creditor.
17.16Headings. Headings used throughout the Plan are for convenience only and shall not be given legal significance.
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ANNEX D
June 21, 2022
STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
Board of Directors of
Adara Acquisition Corp.
8845 Red Oak Boulevard
Charlotte, NC 28217
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We understand that Adara Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“SPAC”) intends to enter into a Business Combination Agreement (the “Business Combination Agreement”), by and among SPAC, a wholly owned subsidiary of SPAC (“Merger Sub”) and Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation, a Delaware company (“Alliance” or the “Company”), pursuant to which Merger Sub will merge with and into Alliance (the “Merger”), with Alliance surviving the Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of SPAC (the “Transaction”). Upon consummation of the Transaction, SPAC will have completed its initial business combination and the operating business of Alliance will become the operating business of SPAC. Capitalized terms used herein, but not defined herein, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Business Combination Agreement.
As part of our investment banking business, we are continually engaged in the valuation of businesses and their securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions, negotiated underwritings, secondary distribution of listed securities, private placements, and valuations for corporate and other purposes.
We have been advised that, pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, in consideration for the Transaction, SPAC will (i) issue 47,500,000 shares of its common stock to Alliance’s stockholders, (ii) upon three certain Triggering Events whereby the Adara Closing Price over any twenty (20) day Trading Period during a thirty (30) Trading Days during the Contingent Consideration Period trades with a VWAP greater than or equal to $20.00, $30.00 and $50.00, respectively, issue an amount of Contingent Consideration Shares equal to 20,000,000, 20,000,000 and 20,000,000, respectively, and (iii) adopt an equity incentive plan that is reasonably acceptable to Alliance. Additionally, pursuant to the Amended and Restated Adara Insider Agreement, an aggregate of between 875,000 and 1,375,000 shares of Class B Common Stock of SPAC, the exact number of which shall be determined by Alliance Entertainment, Inc., shall be irrevocably and automatically forfeited and surrendered to SPAC for cancellation.
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You have requested that we render an opinion (this “Opinion”), as investment bankers, as to the fairness of the total consideration paid by SPAC in connection with the Transaction (the “Total Consideration”) from a financial point of view. This Opinion therefore addresses only the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the consideration paid by SPAC in the Transaction, and we do not express any views on any other terms, aspects, or implications of the Transaction or the Business Combination Agreement, including, without limitation, (i) any term or aspect of the Transaction that is not susceptible to financial analyses, (ii) the redemption obligations of SPAC under its organizational documents (the “Redemption”), (iii) the fairness of the Transaction, or all or any portion of the Total Consideration, to any other security holders of SPAC, the Company or any other person or any creditors or other constituencies of SPAC, the Company or any other person, (iv) the appropriate capital structure of SPAC, the Company or whether SPAC should be issuing debt or equity securities or a combination of both in the Transaction, (v) any capital raising or financing transaction contemplated by SPAC or the Company, nor (vi) the fairness of the amount or nature, or any other aspect, of any compensation or consideration payable to or received by any officers, directors, or employees of any parties to the Transaction or any class of such persons, relative to the Total Consideration in the Transaction pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, or otherwise or of any other agreements or other arrangements entered into in connection with, or contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement. We are not expressing any opinion as to what the value of shares of SPAC’s Class A Common Stock actually will be when issued to the holders of the Company’s securities pursuant to the Transaction or the prices at which shares of SPAC’s Common Stock may trade, be purchased or sold at any time, and we make no representation or warranty regarding the adequacy of this Opinion or the analyses underlying this Opinion for the purpose of SPAC’s compliance with the terms of its Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the rules of its jurisdiction of incorporation or any securities exchange or any other general or particular purpose.
We were not requested to, nor did we, seek alternative candidates for a transaction with SPAC. This Opinion does not address the relative merits of the Transaction as compared to any alternative transaction or business strategy that might exist for SPAC, including the liquidation of the Trust Fund or any Redemption, or the merits of the underlying decision by the Board of Directors or the Company to engage in or consummate the Transaction. The structuring of the Transaction and the financial and other terms of the Transaction were determined pursuant to negotiations between the parties to the Business Combination Agreement without our participation and were not determined by or pursuant to any recommendation from us.
In the course of our review to render this Opinion, we have, among other things:
● | reviewed the audited financial statements of the Company as of and for the years ended June 30, 2019, June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2021 and interim financial statements as of and for the periods ended September 30, 2021, December 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022 (which did not include footnotes) (the “Interim Financial Statements”) and projected financial information prepared by the Company’s management concerning the Company’s projected financial results for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2022, June 30, 2023 and June 30, 2024 delivered to us on June 11, 2022 (the “Projections”); |
● | reviewed publicly available non-financial information concerning the Company; |
● | conducted discussions with SPAC and the Company’s senior management concerning the Company’s historical financial results, business prospects and projected financial information; |
● | visited the Company’s major distribution facilities and met with management members (however, we conducted no asset appraisal or audit); |
● | reviewed a draft of the Business Combination Agreement dated June 18, 2022; |
● | conducted such other analyses and examinations and considered such other information and financial, economic and market criteria as we deemed appropriate in arriving at this Opinion, including discounted cash flow analyses; |
● | analyzed certain financial, stock market and other publicly available information relating to the businesses of other companies whose operations we considered relevant in evaluating those of the Company; and |
● | conducted such other analyses and examinations and considered such other information and financial, economic and market criteria as we deemed appropriate in arriving at this Opinion. |
In conducing our review and in rendering this Opinion, we have assumed and relied upon the accuracy and completeness of information that was made available, supplied or otherwise communicated to us by or on behalf of SPAC or the Company, without
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assuming any responsibility for the independent verification of such information, and we have further relied upon the assurances of SPAC management, without independent verification, that they are not aware of any facts or circumstances that would make such information inaccurate or misleading. We have also assumed that obtaining all regulatory approvals and third party consents, including the approval by SPAC’s stockholders if applicable, required for the consummation of the Transaction will not have a materially adverse impact on SPAC or on the anticipated benefits of the Transaction. In arriving at this Opinion, we did not conduct an independent evaluation or appraisal of the assets or liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of the Company, nor were we furnished with any such evaluations or appraisals, other than the Interim Financial Statements. This Opinion set forth herein is therefore necessarily based upon financial, market, economic and other conditions and circumstances as they exist and have been disclosed, and can be evaluated, as of the date hereof without independent verification. We are not legal, tax, accounting, environmental, or regulatory advisors and, we do not express any views or opinions as to the tax treatment that will be required to be applied to the Transaction or any legal, tax, accounting, environmental, or regulatory matters relating to SPAC, the Company, the Transaction, or otherwise. We have relied as to all legal, tax and accounting matters on advice of SPAC’s management and its third-party legal, tax and accounting advisors. We understand and have assumed that SPAC has obtained or will obtain such advice as it deems necessary or appropriate from qualified legal, tax, accounting, environmental, regulatory, and other professionals.
You have also advised us and we have with your consent assumed that the Projections constitute the Company’s financial projections for the periods indicated and were reasonably prepared on a basis reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of management of the Company with respect to the future financial performance of the Company, and that such information provides a reasonable basis upon which to analyze and evaluate the Company and form an opinion. We express no view with respect to the Projections or methodologies or the assumptions on which they are based. In that regard, we have assumed, with your consent, that the revenue, EBITDA and net income targets shall be achieved at the amounts and at the times contemplated. Neither you nor the Company provided us with any projections of future financial performance or operating results to review in connection with our preparation of this Opinion, other than the Projections. We have not evaluated the solvency or creditworthiness of SPAC, the Company or any other party to the Transaction, the fair value of SPAC, the Company or any of their respective assets or liabilities, or whether SPAC, the Company or any other party to the Transaction is paying or receiving reasonably equivalent value in the Transaction under any applicable foreign, state, or federal laws relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, or similar matters, nor have we evaluated, in any way, the ability of SPAC, the Company or any other party to the Transaction to pay their obligations when they come due. We have not physically inspected SPAC’s or the Company’s properties or facilities and have not made or obtained any evaluations or appraisals of SPAC’s or the Company’s assets or liabilities, (including any contingent, derivative, or off-balance-sheet assets and liabilities). We have not attempted to confirm whether SPAC or the Company have good title to their respective assets. We have assumed that all material assets and liabilities (contingent on otherwise) of SPAC and the Company are as set forth in the financial statements and information provided to us or that were publicly available. Our role in reviewing any information was limited solely to performing such reviews as we deemed necessary to support our own advice and analysis and was not on behalf of the Board of Directors, SPAC, or any other party.
We have assumed, with your consent, that the Transaction will be consummated in a manner that complies in all respects with applicable foreign, federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations and that, in the course of obtaining any regulatory or third party consents, approvals, or agreements in connection with the Transaction, no delay, limitation, restriction, or condition will be imposed that would have an adverse effect on SPAC, its stockholders, the Company, the Transaction or the expected benefits of the Transaction. We also have assumed, with your consent, that the final executed forms of the Business Combination Agreement and all ancillary agreements will not differ in any material respect from the drafts we have reviewed and that the Transaction will be consummated on the terms set forth in the Business Combination Agreement (as reviewed by us) without waiver, modification, or amendment of any term, condition, or agreement thereof that is material to our analyses or this Opinion. Without limitation to the foregoing, with your consent, we have further assumed that any adjustments to the equity securities issued in accordance with the Business Combination Agreement or otherwise would not be material to our analysis or this Opinion. We have also assumed that the representations and warranties of the parties to the Business Combination Agreement contained therein are true and correct and that each such party will perform all of the covenants and agreements to be performed by it under the Business Combination Agreement. We offer no opinion as to the contractual terms of the Business Combination Agreement or the likelihood that the conditions to the consummation of the Transaction set forth in the Business Combination Agreement will be satisfied.
SPAC has agreed to indemnify us for certain liabilities that may arise out of the rendering of this Opinion. We have been engaged by SPAC to render this Opinion and will receive a fee in connection therewith upon delivery of this Opinion, which is not contingent upon the consummation of the Transaction. No part of our fee is conditioned upon the conclusion expressed in this Opinion. Our affiliates, employees, officers and partners may at any time own securities (long or short) of SPAC. We have in the past provided investment banking services to SPAC, including (i) as underwriter of SPAC’s initial public offering (“IPO”), for which services we have received compensation and acquired equity securities of SPAC, including purchasing 50,000 shares of Class B common stock for an aggregate consideration of $5,000, IPO underwriting discounts and commissions, expense reimbursement, warrants to purchase
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50,000 shares of SPAC’s Class A common stock (“Underwriter Warrants”), and a right of first refusal on future transactions, and (ii) as advisor to SPAC in connection with its initial business combination, for which we will receive a cash fee. As of the date of this Opinion, we and our designees continue to hold the Class B common shares and Underwriter Warrants, which could become worthless if the Transaction or another business combination were not consummated. We agreed to waive our (i) rights to liquidating distributions from the Trust Fund with respect to the shares of Class A Common Stock underlying the Underwriter Warrants if SPAC fails to complete its initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of the IPO and (ii) redemption rights with respect to the shares of Class A Common Stock underlying the Underwriter Warrants in connection with the completion of SPAC’s initial business combination, including the Transaction. Subject to certain conditions, SPAC granted us, for a period beginning on the closing of the IPO and ending on the later of 24 months after the closing of the IPO and 12 months after the consummation of SPAC’s business combination (including the Transaction), a right of first refusal to act as (i) exclusive financial advisor in connection with all proposed business combinations for a fee of 3.5% of the net proceeds from SPAC’s Trust Fund after redemptions, and (ii) sole investment banker, sole book- runner and/or sole placement agent, at our sole discretion, for each and every future public and private equity and debt offering, including all equity linked financings, during such period for SPAC or any successor to SPAC or any of SPAC’s subsidiaries, on terms agreed to by both us and SPAC in good faith. We have in the past provided, and may in the future continue to provide, investment banking services to certain current and former SPAC officers and directors in their roles as officers and directors of cbdMD, Inc., a member of SPAC’s sponsor, and certain of our affiliates, employees, officers own securities of cbdMD, Inc.
Our analysis and this Opinion are necessarily based upon market, economic, and other conditions as they exist on, and could be evaluated as of, the date hereof. Accordingly, although subsequent developments may arise that would otherwise affect this Opinion, we disclaim any undertaking or obligation to advise any person of any change in any fact or matter affecting our opinion that may come or be brought to our attention after the date of this Opinion. No limitations were imposed upon us by SPAC with respect to the investigations made or procedures followed by us in rendering this Opinion.
This Opinion is provided for the use and benefit of the Board of Directors of SPAC and is rendered to the Board of Directors in connection with its evaluation of the Transaction. This Opinion is solely for the information of the Board of Directors and is not intended and does not constitute a recommendation as to any action the Board of Directors of SPAC should take in connection with the Transaction or to any stockholder of SPAC as to how a stockholder should vote with respect to the Transaction or any other matter, including as to whether a stockholder should exercise its redemption rights to receive its pro rata portion of the Trust Fund and participate in the redemptions if, in fact, a stockholder vote is deemed necessary by SPAC. This Opinion is not to be reprinted, reproduced or disseminated without our prior written consent, and is not to be quoted or referred to, in whole or in part, in connection with the Transaction or any other matter; provided that we understand and agree that if this Opinion is required pursuant to any applicable statute or regulation to be included in any materials to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or mailed to the stockholders of SPAC in connection with the Transaction, this Opinion may be reproduced in such materials only in its entirety, and any description of or reference to us or any summary of this Opinion in such materials must be in a form acceptable to and consented to in advance in writing by us, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, including the various assumptions, limitations, and qualifications set forth herein, and after approval from our fairness committee, which is composed of qualified personnel who are not on the relevant deal team, it is our opinion that, as of the date first written above, the Total Consideration to be paid by SPAC in connection with the Transaction is fair from a financial point of view to SPAC.
Respectfully submitted, | ||
ThinkEquity LLC | ||
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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 20. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Section 145(a) of the DGCL provides, in general, that a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party to or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation), because he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.
Section 145(b) of the DGCL provides, in general, that a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor because the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification shall be made with respect to any claim, issue or matter as to which he or she shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or other adjudicating court determines that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all of the circumstances of the case, he or she is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses that the Court of Chancery or other adjudicating court shall deem proper.
Section 145(g) of the DGCL provides, in general, that a corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify the person against such liability under Section 145 of the DGCL.
In connection with the Business Combination, Adara will enter into indemnification agreements with each of its directors and executive officers. These agreements will provide that Adara will indemnify each of its directors and such officers to the fullest extent permitted by law and its charter and its bylaws.
Adara will also maintain a general liability insurance policy, which will cover certain liabilities of directors and officers of Adara arising out of claims based on acts or omissions in their capacities as directors or officers.
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Item 21. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
|
| Incorporated by Reference | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Exhibit |
| Description of Document |
| Schedule/ |
| File |
| Exhibits |
| Filing |
2.1† | Form 8-K | 001-40014 | 2.1 | June 23, 2022 | ||||||
3.1 | Form S-1/A | 333-250157 | 3.1 | January 14, 2021 | ||||||
3.2 | Form 8-K | 001-40014 | 3.1 | February 11, 2021 | ||||||
3.3 | Form S-1 | 333-250157 | 3.3 | November 18, 2020 | ||||||
3.4 | Form 8-K | 001-40014 | 2.1 | June 23, 2022 | ||||||
4.1 | Form S-1/A | 333-250157 | 4.1 | January 14, 2021 | ||||||
4.2 | Form S-1/A | 333-250157 | 4.2 | January 14, 2021 | ||||||
4.3 | Form S-1/A | 333-250157 | 4.3 | January 14, 2021 | ||||||
4.4 | Form 8-K | 001-40014 | 4.1 | February 11, 2021 | ||||||
4.5* | ||||||||||
4.6* | ||||||||||
5.1* | Opinion of Blank Rome LLP regarding the validity of the securities. | |||||||||
8.1* | ||||||||||
10.1 | Amended and Restated Promissory Note, dated November 18, 2020, issued to Adara Sponsor LLC. | Form S-1 | 333-250157 | 10.2 | November 18, 2020 | |||||
10.2 | Form S-1 | 333-250157 | 10.5 | November 18, 2020 | ||||||
10.3 | Form S-1/A | 333-250157 | 10.7 | January 14, 2021 | ||||||
10.4 | Form 8-K | 001-40014 | 10.1 | February 11, 2021 | ||||||
10.5 | Form 8-K | 001-40014 | 10.2 | February 11, 2021 | ||||||
10.6 | Form 8-K | 001-40014 | 10.3 | February 11, 2021 | ||||||
10.7 | Form 8-K | 001-40014 | 10.4 | February 11, 2021 | ||||||
10.8 | Form 8-K | 001-40014 | 10.5 | February 11, 2021 | ||||||
10.9 | Form 8-K | 001-40014 | 2.1 | June 23, 2022 |
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|
| Incorporated by Reference | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Exhibit |
| Description of Document |
| Schedule/ |
| File |
| Exhibits |
| Filing |
10.10 | Form S-4 | 333-266098 | 10.10 | July 12, 2022 | ||||||
10.11* | ||||||||||
10.12* | ||||||||||
10.13* | ||||||||||
10.14* | ||||||||||
10.15* | ||||||||||
10.16* | ||||||||||
10.17* | ||||||||||
10.18* | ||||||||||
10.19* | ||||||||||
10.20* |
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|
| Incorporated by Reference | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Exhibit |
| Description of Document |
| Schedule/ |
| File |
| Exhibits |
| Filing |
10.21* | ||||||||||
10.22* | ||||||||||
10.23* | ||||||||||
10.24* | ||||||||||
10.25* | ||||||||||
10.26* | ||||||||||
10.27* | ||||||||||
10.28* | ||||||||||
23.1* | Consent of WithumSmith+Brown, PC, independent registered public accounting firm of Adara. | |||||||||
23.2* | Consent of BDO USA, LLP, independent registered public accounting firm of Alliance. | |||||||||
23.3+ | Consent of Blank Rome LLP. | |||||||||
24.1 | Power of Attorney (included on the signature page to this Registration Statement on Form S-4). | |||||||||
99.1 | Form S-4 | 333-266098 | 99.1 | July 12, 2022 | ||||||
99.2 | Form S-4 | 333-266098 | 99.2 | July 12, 2022 | ||||||
99.3 | Form S-4 | 333-266098 | 99.3 | July 12, 2022 | ||||||
99.4 | Consent of Terilea Wielenga to be named as a director nominee. | Form S-4 | 333-266098 | 99.4 | July 12, 2022 | |||||
99.5+ | Preliminary Proxy Card. | |||||||||
99.6* | Form S-4 | 333-266098 | 99.7 | July 12, 2022 | ||||||
101.INS* | XBRL Instance Document. | |||||||||
101.CAL* | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. | |||||||||
101.SCH* | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. | |||||||||
101.DEF* | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. | |||||||||
101.LAB* | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document. | |||||||||
101.PRE* | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. | |||||||||
104* | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101). | |||||||||
107 | Form S-4 | 333-266098 | 107 | July 12, 2022 |
II-4
+ To be filed by amendment.
* Filed herewith.
† All schedules have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. A copy of any omitted schedule and/or exhibit will be furnished to the SEC upon request.
II-5
Item 22. Undertakings
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
II-6
II-7
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Charlotte, State of North Carolina, on October 17, 2022.
ADARA ACQUISITION CORP. | |||
By: | /s/ Thomas Finke | ||
Name: Thomas Finke | |||
Title: Chief Executive Officer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature |
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| Date |
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/s/ Thomas Finke | Chairman of the Board of Director and | October 17, 2022 | ||||
Thomas Finke | Chief Executive Officer | |||||
(Principal Executive Officer) | ||||||
/s/ Paul G. Porter | Chief Financial Officer | |||||
Paul G. Porter | (Principal Financial Officer and Principal | October 17, 2022 | ||||
Accounting Officer) | ||||||
* | ||||||
W. Tom Donaldson III | Director | October 17, 2022 | ||||
* | ||||||
Frank Quintero | Director | October 17, 2022 | ||||
* | ||||||
Dylan Glenn | Director | October 17, 2022 | ||||
* | ||||||
Beatriz Acevedo-Greiff | Director | October 17, 2022 | ||||
*By: | /s/ Paul G. Porter | |||||
Paul G. Porter, Attorney-in-fact |
II-8
Exhibit 4.5
NUMBER |
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| C- |
| SHARES |
| SEE REVERSE FOR CERTAIN DEFINITIONS |
| CUSIP [_________] |
ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT HOLDING CORPORATION
INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
CLASS A COMMON STOCK
This Certifies that
is the owner of
FULLY PAID AND NON-ASSESSABLE SHARES OF THE PAR VALUE OF $0.0001 EACH OF THE CLASS A COMMON STOCK OF
ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT HOLDING CORPORATION
(THE “COMPANY”)
transferable on the books of the Company in person or by duly authorized attorney upon surrender of this certificate properly endorsed.
This certificate is not valid unless countersigned by the Transfer Agent and registered by the Registrar.
Witness the seal of the Company and the facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers.
Chief Executive Officer | [Corporate Seal] Delaware | Chief Financial Officer |
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ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT HOLDING CORPORATION
The Company will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof of the Company and the qualifications, limitations, or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights. This certificate and the shares represented thereby are issued and shall be held subject to all the provisions of the Company’s second amended and restated certificate of incorporation and all amendments thereto and resolutions of the Board of Directors providing for the issue of securities (copies of which may be obtained from the secretary of the Company), to all of which the holder of this certificate by acceptance hereof assents. The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:
TEN COM | — | as tenants in common | — |
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TEN ENT | — | as tenants by the entireties |
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JT TEN | — | as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common |
| under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act | |||
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Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.
For value received, hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto
(PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER(S) OF ASSIGNEE(S))
(PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES), INCLUDING ZIP CODE, OF ASSIGNEE(S))
shares of the capital stock represented by the within Certificate, and hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints
Attorney to transfer the said stock on the books of the within named Company with full power of substitution in the premises.
Dated: |
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NOTICE: THE SIGNATURE(S) TO THIS ASSIGNMENT MUST CORRESPOND WITH THE NAME AS WRITTEN UPON THE FACE OF THE CERTIFICATE IN EVERY PARTICULAR, WITHOUT ALTERATION OR ENLARGEMENT OR ANY CHANGE WHATEVER.
Signature(s) Guaranteed: |
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THE SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM, PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15 (OR ANY SUCCESSOR RULE).
2
Exhibit 4.6
[Form of Warrant Certificate]
Number
Warrants
THIS WARRANT SHALL BE VOID IF NOT EXERCISED PRIOR TO
THE EXPIRATION OF THE EXERCISE PERIOD PROVIDED FOR
IN THE WARRANT AGREEMENT DESCRIBED BELOW
ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT HOLDING CORPORATION
Incorporated Under the Laws of the State of Delaware
CUSIP [__________]
Warrant Certificate
This Warrant Certificate certifies that , or registered assigns, is the registered holder of warrant(s) evidenced hereby (the “Warrants” and each, a “Warrant”) to purchase shares of Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (“Common Stock”), of Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”). Each whole Warrant entitles the holder, upon exercise during the period set forth in the Warrant Agreement referred to below, to receive from the Company that number of fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock as set forth below, at the exercise price (the “Exercise Price”) as determined pursuant to the Warrant Agreement, payable in lawful money (or through “cashless exercise” as provided for in the Warrant Agreement) of the United States of America upon surrender of this Warrant Certificate and payment of the Exercise Price at the office or agency of the Warrant Agent referred to below, subject to the conditions set forth herein and in the Warrant Agreement. Defined terms used in this Warrant Certificate but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Warrant Agreement.
Each whole Warrant is initially exercisable for one fully paid and non-assessable share of Common Stock. No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of any Warrant. If, upon the exercise of Warrants, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share of Common Stock, the Company will, upon exercise, round down to the nearest whole number the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued to the Warrant holder. The number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events set forth in the Warrant Agreement.
The initial Exercise Price per share of Common Stock for any Warrant is equal to $11.50 per share. The Exercise Price is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events set forth in the Warrant Agreement.
Subject to the conditions set forth in the Warrant Agreement, the Warrants may be exercised only during the Exercise Period and to the extent not exercised by the end of such Exercise Period, such Warrants shall become void.
The Warrants may be redeemed, subject to certain conditions, as set forth in the Warrant Agreement.
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Warrant Certificate set forth on the reverse hereof and such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.
This Warrant Certificate shall not be valid unless countersigned by the Warrant Agent, as such term is used in the Warrant Agreement.
This Warrant Certificate shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof.
| ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT HOLDING CORPORATION | |
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| CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, as Warrant Agent | |
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[Form of Warrant Certificate]
2
[Reverse]
The Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate are part of a duly authorized issue of Warrants entitling the holder on exercise to receive shares of Common Stock and are issued or to be issued pursuant to a Warrant Agreement dated as of , 2021, as amended on , 2022 (the “Warrant Agreement”), duly executed and delivered by the Company to Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, a New York corporation, as warrant agent (the “Warrant Agent”), which Warrant Agreement is hereby incorporated by reference in and made a part of this instrument and is hereby referred to for a description of the rights, limitation of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Warrant Agent, the Company and the holders (the words “holders” or “holder” meaning the Registered Holders or Registered Holder, respectively) of the Warrants. A copy of the Warrant Agreement may be obtained by the holder hereof upon written request to the Company. Defined terms used in this Warrant Certificate but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Warrant Agreement.
Warrants may be exercised at any time during the Exercise Period set forth in the Warrant Agreement. The holder of Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate may exercise them by surrendering this Warrant Certificate, with the form of election to purchase set forth hereon properly completed and executed, together with payment of the Exercise Price as specified in the Warrant Agreement (or through “cashless exercise” as provided for in the Warrant Agreement) at the principal corporate trust office of the Warrant Agent. In the event that upon any exercise of Warrants evidenced hereby the number of Warrants exercised shall be less than the total number of Warrants evidenced hereby, there shall be issued to the holder hereof or his, her or its assignee, a new Warrant Certificate evidencing the number of Warrants not exercised.
Notwithstanding anything else in this Warrant Certificate or the Warrant Agreement, no Warrant may be exercised unless at the time of exercise (i) a registration statement covering the shares of Common Stock to be issued upon exercise is effective under the Securities Act and (ii) a prospectus thereunder relating to the shares of Common Stock is current, except through “cashless exercise” as provided for in the Warrant Agreement.
The Warrant Agreement provides that upon the occurrence of certain events the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants set forth on the face hereof may, subject to certain conditions, be adjusted. If, upon exercise of a Warrant, the holder thereof would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share of Common Stock, the Company shall, upon exercise, round down to the nearest whole number of shares of Common Stock to be issued to the holder of the Warrant.
Warrant Certificates, when surrendered at the principal corporate trust office of the Warrant Agent by the Registered Holder thereof in person or by legal representative or attorney duly authorized in writing, may be exchanged, in the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Warrant Agreement, but without payment of any service charge, for another Warrant Certificate or Warrant Certificates of like tenor evidencing in the aggregate a like number of Warrants.
Upon due presentation for registration of transfer of this Warrant Certificate at the office of the Warrant Agent a new Warrant Certificate or Warrant Certificates of like tenor and evidencing in the aggregate a like number of Warrants shall be issued to the transferee(s) in exchange for this Warrant Certificate, subject to the limitations provided in the Warrant Agreement, without charge except for any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection therewith.
The Company and the Warrant Agent may deem and treat the Registered Holder(s) hereof as the absolute owner(s) of this Warrant Certificate (notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing hereon made by anyone), for the purpose of any exercise hereof, of any distribution to the holder(s) hereof, and for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Warrant Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. Neither the Warrants nor this Warrant Certificate entitles any holder hereof to any rights of a stockholder of the Company.
3
Election to Purchase
(To Be Executed Upon Exercise of Warrant)
The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise the right, represented by this Warrant Certificate, to receive shares of Common Stock and herewith tenders payment for such shares of Common Stock to the order of Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation (the “Company”) in the amount of $ in accordance with the terms hereof. The undersigned requests that a certificate for such shares of Common Stock be registered in the name of , whose address is and that such shares of Common Stock be delivered to whose address is . If said number of shares of Common Stock is less than all of the shares of Common Stock purchasable hereunder, the undersigned requests that a new Warrant Certificate representing the remaining balance of such shares of Common Stock be registered in the name of , whose address is and that such Warrant Certificate be delivered to , whose address is .
In the event that the Warrant has been called for redemption by the Company pursuant to Section 6 of the Warrant Agreement and the Company has required cashless exercise pursuant to Section 6.3 of the Warrant Agreement, the number of shares of Common Stock that this Warrant is exercisable for shall be determined in accordance with subsection 3.3.1(b) and Section 6.3 of the Warrant Agreement.
In the event that the Warrant is a Private Placement Warrant, Working Capital Warrant or Post-IPO Warrant that is to be exercised on a “cashless” basis pursuant to subsection 3.3.1(c) of the Warrant Agreement, the number of shares of Common Stock that this Warrant is exercisable for shall be determined in accordance with subsection 3.3.1(c) of the Warrant Agreement.
In the event that the Warrant is to be exercised on a “cashless” basis pursuant to Section 7.4 of the Warrant Agreement, the number of shares of Common Stock that this Warrant is exercisable for shall be determined in accordance with Section 7.4 of the Warrant Agreement.
In the event that the Warrant may be exercised, to the extent allowed by the Warrant Agreement, through cashless exercise (i) the number of shares of Common Stock that this Warrant is exercisable for would be determined in accordance with the relevant section of the Warrant Agreement which allows for such cashless exercise and (ii) the holder hereof shall complete the following: The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise the right, represented by this Warrant Certificate, through the cashless exercise provisions of the Warrant Agreement, to receive shares of Common Stock. If said number of shares of Common Stock is less than all of the shares of Common Stock purchasable hereunder (after giving effect to the cashless exercise), the undersigned requests that a new Warrant Certificate representing the remaining balance of such shares of Common Stock be registered in the name of , whose address is and that such Warrant Certificate be delivered to , whose address is .
[Signature Page Follows]
Date: __________________
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THE SIGNATURE(S) SHOULD BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM, PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15 UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED (OR ANY SUCCESSOR RULE)).
5
Exhibit 5.1
| |
1271 Avenue of the Americas |New York, NY 10020 | |
blankrome.com | |
| October 17, 2022 | |
| | |
Adara Acquisition Corp. | | |
211 East Blvd. | | |
Charlotte, North Carolina 28203 | |
Re: Adara Acquisition Corp.
Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No. 333-266098)
Dear Sir/Madam:
We refer to the Registration Statement (the “Registration Statement”) filed by Adara Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), in connection with the sale of up to (i) 47,500,000 shares (the “Firm Shares”) of the Company’s common stock $0.0001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”) to be issued by the Company pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement (the “Business Combination Agreement”) dated June 22, 2022 between the Company, Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and Adara Merger Sub, Inc. a Delaware corporation, and (ii) 60,000,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of up to 60,000,000 shares of Class E common stock (“Class E Common Shares”) issuable upon the consummation of the transactions described in the Business Combination Agreement (the “Class E Conversion Shares”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Registration Statement.
In our capacity as counsel to the Company, we have examined the original or certified copies of (i) the Business Combination Agreement, (ii) the Existing Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, (iii) the amendments (the “Charter Amendments”) to the Existing Certificate of Incorporation that comprise the Charter Proposals and (iv) such records of the Company and such agreements, certificates of public officials, certificates of officers or representatives of the Company and others, and such other documents as we deem relevant and necessary as a basis for the opinions hereinafter expressed. In such examination we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures on original documents and the conformity to original documents of all copies submitted to us as conformed or photostat copies. As to various questions of fact material to such opinions, we have relied upon statements or certificates of officials and representatives of the Company and others.
In connection with the opinions expressed below, we have assumed that, at and prior to the time of the issuance and delivery of any securities by the Company pursuant to the
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Registration Statement, (i) the Registration Statement has been declared effective and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued and no proceedings with respect thereto have been commenced or threatened, (ii) the stockholders of the Company will have approved the Business Combination Agreement and the other proposals set forth in the Proxy Statement and Prospectus included in the Registration Statement (the “Proxy Statement and Prospectus”), which are to be presented and voted upon at the special meeting as set forth in the Proxy Statement and Prospectus, (iii) the Charter Amendments will have been effected by the filing of the Proposed Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in the form of Annex B to the Proxy Statement and Prospectus, and (iv) the Business Combination and other transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement and Registration Statement will be consummated in accordance with the terms of the documents pertaining hereto, without any waiver or breach of any material terms or provisions thereof, and that such transactions will be effective under applicable law.
Based on the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications stated herein, we are of the opinion that (i) the Firm Shares, when issued in the manner and on the terms described in the Registration Statement and the Business Combination Agreement, and (ii) the Class E Conversion Shares, when issued upon conversion of the Class E Common Shares on the terms described therein, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
We are opining solely on all applicable statutory provisions of Delaware corporate law, including the rules and regulations underlying those provisions, all applicable provisions of the Delaware Constitution and all applicable judicial and regulatory determinations. This opinion is limited to the laws of the State of Delaware as in effect on the date hereof and we express no opinion with respect to the laws of any other jurisdiction. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an Exhibit to the Registration Statement. We also hereby consent to the use of our name as your counsel under “Additional Information – Legal Matters” in the Proxy Statement and Prospectus. In giving this consent, we do not thereby concede that we come within the categories of persons whose consent is required by the Act or the General Rules and Regulations promulgated thereunder.
| Very truly yours, |
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| /s/ Blank Rome LLP |
| BLANK ROME LLP |
Exhibit 8.1
October 17, 2022
Adara Acquisition Corp.
211 East Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28203
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to Adara Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Adara”), in connection with the Business Combination Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (the “Business Combination Agreement”), by and among Adara, Adara Merger Sub, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Adara incorporated in the State of Delaware (“Merger Sub”), and Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Alliance”), pursuant to which Merger Sub will merge with and into Alliance, with Alliance surviving the merger and becoming a wholly-owned direct subsidiary of Adara (collectively with the other transactions described in the Business Combination Agreement, the “Business Combination”) and the filing of a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-266098) (as amended through the date hereof, the “Registration Statement”).
In rendering our opinion, we have examined and, with your consent, are expressly relying upon (without any independent investigation or review thereof) the truth and accuracy of the factual statements, representations and warranties contained in (i) the Business Combination Agreement (including any exhibits and schedules thereto), (ii) the Registration Statement (including the proxy statement/prospectus included therein), and (iii) originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such corporate records, agreements, documents, and other instruments. In such examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as duplicates or certified or conformed copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such latter documents. We have not, however, undertaken any independent investigation of any factual matter set forth in any of the foregoing.
We have assumed that (i) the Business Combination will be effected in accordance with the Business Combination Agreement and none of the material terms and conditions of the Business Combination Agreement have been or will be waived or modified, (ii) the statements set forth in the Business Combination Agreement are true, correct and complete and will remain accurate and complete at all times up to and including the effective time of the Registration Statement, (iii) any representations made in the Business Combination Agreement “to the knowledge of,” or based on the belief or that are similarly qualified, are accurate and complete and will remain accurate and complete at all times up to and including the effective time, in each case without such qualification, and (iv) there are no understandings between any of the parties that would alter, or are inconsistent with, the terms or representations set forth in the Business Combination Agreement. We also have assumed that the parties have complied with and, if applicable, will continue to comply with, the covenants contained in the Business Combination Agreement.
Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the limitations, qualifications, assumptions and caveats set forth herein and in the Registration Statement, it is our opinion that the discussion contained in the Registration Statement under the caption “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations of the Redemption and the Business Combination – Characterization of the Business Combination,” insofar as such discussion summarizes U.S. federal income tax law or legal conclusions with respect thereto, is accurate in all material respects as of the date hereof.
The opinion set forth in this letter is based on current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the Treasury Regulations thereunder, and interpretations of the foregoing as expressed in court decisions, applicable legislative history, and the administrative rulings and practices of the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), all as of the date hereof and all of which are subject to change (possibly with retroactive effect). Changes in applicable law could adversely affect our opinion. We express no opinion other than as to the federal income tax laws of the United States of America and do not express any opinion, either implicitly or otherwise, on any issue not expressly addressed above. Our opinion is not binding upon the IRS or the courts, and there is no assurance that the IRS or a court will not take a contrary position.
We are furnishing this opinion in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement, and this opinion is not to be used, relied upon, circulated, quoted, or otherwise referred to for any other purposes without our express written consent. No assurance can be given that future legislative, judicial, or administrative changes, on either a prospective or retroactive basis, or future factual developments, would not adversely affect the accuracy of the conclusion stated herein. This opinion is expressed as of the date hereof, and we are under no obligation to supplement or revise our opinion to reflect any legal developments, changes in the federal income tax laws or the application or interpretation thereof, any factual matters arising subsequent to the date hereof or the impact of any information, fact, document, certificate, record, representation, statement, covenant, or assumption relied upon herein that becomes incorrect or untrue. In the event that any one or more of the matters referred to herein or in the Registration Statement are untrue, inaccurate, or incomplete, our opinions shall be void and of no force or effect, but only to the extent that such untruth, inaccuracy, or incompletion affects the accuracy of the opinions provided herein. We hereby consent to the use of our name in the Registration Statement and to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.
Very truly yours,
Blank Rome LLP
Exhibit 10.11
INDEMNITY AGREEMENT
This Indemnity Agreement (“Agreement”) is made as of , 20 by and between Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and , a member of the Board of Directors of the Company (“Indemnitee”). This Agreement supersedes and replaces any and all previous Agreements between the Company and Indemnitee covering indemnification and advancement of expenses.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) believes that highly competent persons have become more reluctant to serve publicly-held corporations as directors, officers, or in other capacities unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance or adequate indemnification and advancement of expenses against inordinate risks of claims and actions against them arising out of their service to and activities on behalf of the corporation;
WHEREAS, the Board has determined that, in order to attract and retain qualified individuals, the Company will attempt to maintain on an ongoing basis, at its sole expense, liability insurance to protect persons serving the Company and its subsidiaries from certain liabilities. Although the furnishing of such insurance has been a customary and widespread practice among United States-based corporations and other business enterprises, the Company believes that, given current market conditions and trends, such insurance may be available to it in the future only at higher premiums and with more exclusions. At the same time, directors, officers, and other persons in service to corporations or business enterprises are being increasingly subjected to expensive and time-consuming litigation relating to, among other things, matters that traditionally would have been brought only against the Company or business enterprise itself. The Company’s Amended Bylaws (the “Bylaws”) and Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (“Certificate of Incorporation”) of the Company require indemnification of the officers and directors of the Company. Indemnitee may also be entitled to indemnification pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”). The Bylaws, Certificate of Incorporation, and the DGCL expressly provide that the indemnification provisions set forth therein are not exclusive, and thereby contemplate that contracts may be entered into between the Company and members of the board of directors, officers and other persons with respect to indemnification and advancement of expenses;
WHEREAS, the uncertainties relating to such insurance, to indemnification, and to advancement of expenses may increase the difficulty of attracting and retaining such persons;
WHEREAS, the Board has determined that the increased difficulty in attracting and retaining such persons is detrimental to the best interests of the Company and its stockholders and that the Company should act to assure such persons that there will be increased certainty of such protection in the future;
WHEREAS, it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Company contractually to obligate itself to indemnify, and to advance expenses on behalf of, such persons to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law so that they will serve or continue to serve the Company free from undue concern that they will not be so indemnified;
WHEREAS, this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Bylaws, Certificate of Incorporation and any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto, as well as any rights of Indemnitee under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy, and is not a substitute therefor, and does not diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder; and
WHEREAS, Indemnitee does not regard the protection available under the Bylaws, Certificate of Incorporation, and insurance as adequate in the present circumstances, and may not be willing to serve or continue to serve as an officer or director without adequate additional protection, and the Company desires Indemnitee to serve or continue to serve in such capacity. Indemnitee is willing to serve, continue to serve and to take on additional service for or on behalf of the Company on the condition that Indemnitee be so indemnified and advanced expenses.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein, the Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:
Section 1. Services to the Company. Indemnitee agrees to serve as a director of the Company. Indemnitee may at any time and for any reason resign from such position (subject to any other contractual obligation or any obligation imposed by operation of law). This Agreement does not create any obligation on the Company to continue Indemnitee in such position and is not an employment contract between the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or any Enterprise) and Indemnitee.
Section 2. Definitions. As used in this Agreement:
(a) “Agent” means any person who is authorized by the Company or an Enterprise to act for or represent the interests of the Company or an Enterprise, respectively.
(b) A “Change in Control” occurs upon the earliest to occur after the date of this Agreement of any of the following events:
i. Acquisition of Stock by Third Party. Any Person (as defined below) is or becomes the Beneficial Owner (as defined below), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifteen percent (15%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities unless the change in relative beneficial ownership of the Company’s securities by any Person results solely from a reduction in the aggregate number of outstanding shares of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors;
ii. Change in Board of Directors. During any period of two (2) consecutive years (not including any period prior to the execution of this Agreement), individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board, and any new director (other than a director designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in Sections 2(b)(i), 2(b)(iii) or 2(b)(iv)) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board;
iii. Corporate Transactions. The effective date of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other entity, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation 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 surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation and with the power to elect at least a majority of the board of directors or other governing body of such surviving entity;
iv. Liquidation. The approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets; and
v. Other Events. There occurs any other event of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or a response to any similar item on any similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Exchange Act (as defined below), whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement.
vi. For purposes of this Section 2(b), the following terms have the following meanings:
1 | “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time. |
2 | “Person” has the meaning as set forth in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act; provided, however, that Person excludes (i) the Company, (ii) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company, and (iii) any entity owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company. |
3 | “Beneficial Owner” has the meaning given to such term in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act; provided, however, that Beneficial Owner excludes any Person otherwise becoming a Beneficial Owner by reason of the stockholders of the Company approving a merger of the Company with another entity. |
(c) “Corporate Status” describes the status of a person who is or was acting as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary, or Agent of the Company or an Enterprise.
(d) “Disinterested Director” means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.
(e) “Enterprise” means any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other entity for which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, or Agent.
(f) “Expenses” includes all reasonable attorneys’ fees, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees and other costs of experts and other professionals, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, any federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed on Indemnitee as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement, ERISA excise taxes and penalties, and all other disbursements, obligations, or expenses of the types customarily incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in, or otherwise participating in, a Proceeding. Expenses also include (i) Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding, including without limitation the premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent, and (ii) for purposes of Section 14(d) only, Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the interpretation, enforcement or defense of Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement, by litigation or otherwise. The parties agree that for the purposes of any advancement of Expenses for which Indemnitee has made written demand to the Company in accordance with this Agreement, all Expenses included in such demand that are certified by affidavit of Indemnitee’s counsel as being reasonable in the good faith judgment of such counsel will be presumed conclusively to be reasonable. Expenses, however, do not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against Indemnitee.
(g) “Independent Counsel” means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning the Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” does not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees and expenses of the Independent Counsel.
(h) The term “Proceeding” includes any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, claim, counterclaim, cross claim, arbitration, mediation, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil, criminal, administrative, legislative, regulatory, or investigative (formal or informal) nature, including any appeal therefrom, in which Indemnitee was, is or will be involved as a party, potential party, non-party witness or otherwise by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status or by reason of any action taken by Indemnitee (or a failure to take action by Indemnitee) or of any action (or failure to act) on Indemnitee’s part while acting pursuant to Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any liability or Expense is incurred for which indemnification, reimbursement, or advancement of Expenses can be provided under this Agreement. A Proceeding also includes a situation the Indemnitee believes in good faith may lead to or culminate in the institution of a Proceeding.
Section 3. Indemnity in Third-Party Proceedings. The Company will indemnify Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3 if Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant in any Proceeding, other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor. Pursuant to this Section 3, the Company will indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against all Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and, in the case of a criminal Proceeding had no reasonable cause to believe that Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.
Section 4. Indemnity in Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company. The Company will indemnify Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4 if Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant in any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor. Pursuant to this Section 4, the Company will indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company. The Company will not indemnify Indemnitee for Expenses under this Section 4 related to any claim, issue or matter in a Proceeding for which Indemnitee has been finally adjudged by a court to be liable to the Company, unless, and only to the extent that, the Court of Chancery of the state of Delaware (the “Delaware Court”) or any court in which the Proceeding was brought determines upon application by Indemnitee that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification.
Section 5. Indemnification for Expenses of a Party Who is Wholly or Partly Successful. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company will indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding to the extent that Indemnitee is successful, on the merits or otherwise. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company will indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with or related to each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter to the fullest extent permitted by law. For purposes of this Section 5 and without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, will be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.
Section 6. Indemnification for Expenses of a Witness. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company will indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is not a party but to which Indemnitee is a witness, deponent, interviewee, or otherwise asked to participate or provide information.
Section 7. Partial Indemnification. If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for some or a portion of Expenses, but not, however, for the total amount thereof, the Company will indemnify Indemnitee for the portion thereof to which Indemnitee is entitled.
Section 8. Additional Indemnification. Notwithstanding any limitation in Sections 3, 4, or 5, the Company will indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law (including but not limited to, the DGCL and any amendments to or replacements of the DGCL adopted after the date of this Agreement that expand the Company’s ability to indemnify its officers and directors) if Indemnitee is a party to or threatened to be made a party to any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor).
Section 9. Exclusions. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement, the Company is not obligated under this Agreement to make any indemnification payment to Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding:
(a) for which payment has actually been made to or on behalf of Indemnitee under any insurance policy or other indemnity provision, except to the extent provided in Section 16(b) and except with respect to any excess beyond the amount paid under any insurance policy or other indemnity provision; or
(b) for (i) an accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act (as defined in Section 2(b) hereof) or similar provisions of state statutory law or common law, (ii) any reimbursement of the Company by the Indemnitee of any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation or of any profits realized by the Indemnitee from the sale of securities of the Company, as required in each case under the Exchange Act (including any such reimbursements that arise from an accounting restatement of the Company pursuant to Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), or the payment to the Company of profits arising from the purchase and sale by Indemnitee of securities in violation of Section 306 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act) or (iii) any reimbursement of the Company by Indemnitee of any compensation pursuant to any compensation recoupment or clawback policy adopted by the Board or the compensation committee of the Board, including but not limited to any such policy adopted to comply with stock exchange listing requirements implementing Section 10D of the Exchange Act; or
(c) initiated by Indemnitee, including any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee against the Company or its directors, officers, employees or other indemnitees, unless (i) the Proceeding or part of any Proceeding is to enforce Indemnitee’s rights to indemnification or advancement, of Expenses, including a Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated pursuant to Section 14 of this Agreement, (ii) the Board authorized the Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) prior to its initiation or (iii) the Company provides the indemnification, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Company under applicable law.
Section 10. Advances of Expenses.
(a) The Company will advance, to the extent not prohibited by law, the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) not initiated by Indemnitee or any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee if (i) the Proceeding or part of any Proceeding is to enforce Indemnitee’s rights to obtain indemnification or advancement of Expenses from the Company or Enterprise, including a proceeding initiated pursuant to Section 14 or (ii) the Board authorized the Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) prior to its initiation. The Company will advance the Expenses within thirty (30) days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting such advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of any Proceeding.
(b) Advances will be unsecured and interest free. Indemnitee hereby undertakes to repay any amounts so advanced (without interest) to the extent that it is ultimately determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company, thus Indemnitee qualifies for advances upon the execution of this Agreement and delivery to the Company. No other form of undertaking is required other than the execution of this Agreement. The Company will make advances without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay the Expenses and without regard to Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to indemnification under the other provisions of this Agreement.
Section 11. Procedure for Notification of Claim for Indemnification or Advancement.
(a) Indemnitee will notify the Company in writing of any Proceeding with respect to which Indemnitee intends to seek indemnification or advancement of Expenses hereunder as soon as reasonably practicable following the receipt by Indemnitee of written notice thereof. Indemnitee will include in the written notification to the Company a description of the nature of the Proceeding and the facts underlying the Proceeding and provide such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification following the final disposition of such Proceeding. Indemnitee’s failure to notify the Company will not relieve the Company from any obligation it may have to Indemnitee under this Agreement, and any delay in so notifying the Company will not constitute a waiver by Indemnitee of any rights under this Agreement. The Secretary of the Company will, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification or advancement, advise the Board in writing that Indemnitee has requested indemnification or advancement.
(b) The Company will be entitled to participate in the Proceeding at its own expense.
Section 12. Procedure Upon Application for Indemnification.
(a) Unless a Change of Control has occurred, the determination of Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification will be made:
i. by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board;
ii. by a committee of Disinterested Directors designated by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board;
iii. if there are no such Disinterested Directors or, if such Disinterested Directors so direct, by written opinion provided by Independent Counsel selected by the Board; or
iv. if so directed by the Board, by the stockholders of the Company.
(b) If a Change in Control has occurred, the determination of Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification will be made by written opinion provided by Independent Counsel selected by Indemnitee (unless Indemnitee requests such selection be made by the Board)
(c) The party selecting Independent Counsel pursuant to subsection (a)(iii) or (b) of this Section 12 will provide written notice of the selection to the other party. The notified party may, within ten (10) days after receiving written notice of the selection of Independent Counsel, deliver to the selecting party a written objection to such selection; provided, however, that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement, and the objection will set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected will act as Independent Counsel. If such written objection is so made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel so selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or the Delaware Court has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within thirty (30) days after the later of submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 11(a) hereof and the final disposition of the Proceeding, Independent Counsel has not been selected or, if selected, any objection to has not been resolved, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition the Delaware Court for resolution of any objection made by the Company or Indemnitee to the other’s selection or Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by such court or by such other person as such court designates. Upon the due commencement of any judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to Section 14(a) of this Agreement, Independent Counsel will be discharged and relieved of any further responsibility in such capacity (subject to the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing).
(d) Indemnitee will cooperate with the person, persons or entity making the determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. The Company will advance and pay any Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making the indemnification determination irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification and the Company hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom. The Company promptly will advise Indemnitee in writing of the determination that Indemnitee is or is not entitled to indemnification, including a description of any reason or basis for which indemnification has been denied and providing a copy of any written opinion provided to the Board by Independent Counsel.
(e) If it is determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company will make payment to Indemnitee within thirty (30) days after such determination.
Section 13. Presumptions and Effect of Certain Proceedings.
(a) In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person or persons or entity making such determination will, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, presume Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with Section 11(a) of this Agreement, and the Company will, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption. Neither the failure of the Company (including by its directors or Independent Counsel) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of any action pursuant to this Agreement that indemnification is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, nor an actual determination by the Company (including by its directors or Independent Counsel) that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, will be a defense to the action or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct.
(b) If the determination of the Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification has not been made pursuant to Section 12 within sixty (60) days after the later of (i) receipt by the Company of Indemnitee’s request for indemnification pursuant to Section 11(a) and (ii) the final disposition of the Proceeding for which Indemnitee requested Indemnification (the “Determination Period”), the requisite determination of entitlement to indemnification will, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, be deemed to have been made and Indemnitee will be entitled to such indemnification, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law. The Determination Period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional thirty (30) days, if the person, persons or entity making the determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification in good faith requires such additional time for the obtaining or evaluating of documentation and/or information relating thereto; and provided, further, the Determination Period will not apply (i) if the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by the stockholders pursuant to Section 12(a)(iv) of this Agreement and if (A) within fifteen (15) days after receipt by the Company of the request for such determination the Board has resolved to submit such determination to the stockholders for their consideration at an annual meeting thereof to be held within seventy-five (75) days after such receipt and such determination is made thereat, or (B) a special meeting of stockholders is called within fifteen (15) days after such receipt for the purpose of making such determination, such meeting is held for such purpose within sixty (60) days after having been so called and such determination is made thereat, or (ii) if the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel.
(c) The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, will not (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement) of itself adversely affect the right of Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.
(d) For purposes of any determination of good faith, Indemnitee will be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee acted based on the records or books of account of the Company, its subsidiaries, or an Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the directors or officers of the Company, its subsidiaries, or an Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Company, its subsidiaries, or an Enterprise or on information or records given or reports made to the Company or an Enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser, financial advisor or other expert selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Company, its subsidiaries, or an Enterprise. Further, Indemnitee will be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Company,” as referred to in this Agreement if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan. The provisions of this Section 13(d) is not exclusive and do not limit in any way the other circumstances in which the Indemnitee may be deemed to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in this Agreement.
(e) The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any director, officer, trustee, partner, managing member, fiduciary, agent or employee of the Enterprise may not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining Indemnitee’s right to indemnification under this Agreement.
Section 14. Remedies of Indemnitee.
(a) Indemnitee may commence litigation against the Company in the Delaware Court to obtain indemnification or advancement of Expenses provided by this Agreement in the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) the Company does not advance Expenses pursuant to Section 10 of this Agreement, (iii) the determination of entitlement to indemnification is not made pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement within the Determination Period, (iv) the Company does not indemnify Indemnitee pursuant to Section 5 or 6 or the second to last sentence of Section 12(d) of this Agreement within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, (v) the Company does not indemnify Indemnitee pursuant to Section 3, 4, 7, or 8 of this Agreement within thirty (30) days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, or (vi) in the event that the Company or any other person takes or threatens to take any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or institutes any litigation or other action or Proceeding designed to deny, or to recover from, the Indemnitee the benefits provided or intended to be provided to the Indemnitee hereunder. Indemnitee must commence such Proceeding seeking an adjudication or an award in arbitration within one hundred and eighty (180) days following the date on which Indemnitee first has the right to commence such Proceeding pursuant to this Section 14(a); provided, however, that the foregoing clause does not apply in respect of a Proceeding brought by Indemnitee to enforce Indemnitee’s rights under Section 5 of this Agreement. The Company will not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration.
(b) If a determination is made pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 will be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial, or arbitration, on the merits and Indemnitee may not be prejudiced by reason of that adverse determination. In any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 the Company will have the burden of proving Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification or advancement of Expenses, as the case may be, and will not introduce evidence of the determination made pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement.
(c) If a determination is made pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company will be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law.
(d) The Company is, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and will stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement.
(e) It is the intent of the Company that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Indemnitee not be required to incur legal fees or other Expenses associated with the interpretation, enforcement or defense of Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement by litigation or otherwise because the cost and expense thereof would substantially detract from the benefits intended to be extended to the Indemnitee hereunder. The Company, to the fullest extent permitted by law, will (within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor) advance to Indemnitee such Expenses which are incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any action concerning this Agreement, Indemnitee’s right to indemnification or advancement of Expenses from the Company, or concerning any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company, and will indemnify Indemnitee against any and all such Expenses unless the court determines that Indemnitee’s claims in such action were made in bad faith or were frivolous or are prohibited by law.
Section 15. Non-exclusivity; Survival of Rights; Insurance; Subrogation.
(a) The indemnification and advancement of Expenses provided by this Agreement are not exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws, any agreement, a vote of stockholders or a resolution of directors, or otherwise. The indemnification and advancement of Expenses provided by this Agreement may not be limited or restricted by any amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement in any way with respect to any action taken or omitted by Indemnitee in Indemnitee’s Corporate Status occurring prior to any amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement. To the extent that a change in Delaware law, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification or advancement of Expenses than would be afforded currently under the Bylaws, Certificate of Incorporation, or this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such change. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy is cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, will not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.
(b) The Company hereby acknowledges that Indemnitee may have certain rights to indemnification, advancement of Expenses and/or insurance provided by one or more other Persons with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated. The relationship between the Company and such other Persons, other than an Enterprise, with respect to the Indemnitee’s rights to indemnification, advancement of Expenses, and insurance is described by this subsection, subject to the provisions of subsection (d) of this Section 16 with respect to a Proceeding concerning Indemnitee’s Corporate Status with an Enterprise.
i. The Company hereby acknowledges and agrees:
1) the Company’s obligations to Indemnitee are primary and any obligation of any other Persons, other than an Enterprise, are secondary (i.e., the Company is the indemnitor of first resort) with respect to any request for indemnification or advancement of Expenses made pursuant to this Agreement concerning any Proceeding;
2) the Company is primarily liable for all indemnification and indemnification or advancement of Expenses obligations for any Proceeding, whether created by law, the Bylaws, the Certificate of Incorporation, contract (including this Agreement) or otherwise;
3) any obligation of any other Persons with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated to indemnify Indemnitee and/or advance Expenses to Indemnitee in respect of any proceeding are secondary to the obligations of the Company’s obligations;
4) the Company will indemnify Indemnitee and advance Expenses to Indemnitee hereunder to the fullest extent provided herein without regard to any rights Indemnitee may have against any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated or insurer of any such Person; and
ii. the Company irrevocably waives, relinquishes and releases (A) any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated from any claim of contribution, subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration or indemnification, or any other recovery of any kind in respect of amounts paid by the Company to Indemnitee pursuant to this Agreement and (B) any right to participate in any claim or remedy of Indemnitee against any Person, whether or not such claim, remedy or right arises in equity or under contract, statute or common law, including, without limitation, the right to take or receive from any Person, directly or indirectly, in cash or other property or by set-off or in any other manner, payment or security on account of such claim, remedy or right.
iii. In the event any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated or their insurers advances or extinguishes any liability or loss for Indemnitee, the payor has a right of subrogation against the Company or its insurers for all amounts so paid which would otherwise be payable by the Company or its insurers under this Agreement. In no event will payment by any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated or their insurers affect the obligations of the Company hereunder or shift primary liability for the Company’s obligation to indemnify or advance of Expenses to any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated.
iv. Any indemnification or advancement of Expenses provided by any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated is specifically in excess over the Company’s obligation to indemnify and advance Expenses or any valid and collectible insurance (including but not limited to any malpractice insurance or professional errors and omissions insurance) provided by the Company.
(c) To the extent that the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for directors, officers, employees, or agents of the Company, the Company will obtain a policy or policies covering Indemnitee to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any such director, officer, employee or agent under such policy or policies, including coverage in the event the Company does not or cannot, for any reason, indemnify or advance Expenses to Indemnitee as required by this Agreement. If, at the time of the receipt of a notice of a claim pursuant to this Agreement, the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company will give prompt notice of such claim or of the commencement of a Proceeding, as the case may be, to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company will thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of the Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies. Indemnitee agrees to assist the Company efforts to cause the insurers to pay such amounts and will comply with the terms of such policies, including selection of approved panel counsel, if required.
(d) The Company’s obligation to indemnify or advance Expenses hereunder to Indemnitee for any Proceeding concerning Indemnitee’s Corporate Status with an Enterprise will be reduced by any amount Indemnitee has actually received as indemnification or advancement of Expenses from such Enterprise. The Company and Indemnitee intend that any such Enterprise (and its insurers) be the indemnitor of first resort with respect to indemnification and advancement of Expenses for any Proceeding related to or arising from Indemnitee’s Corporate Status with such Enterprise. The Company’s obligation to indemnify and advance Expenses to Indemnitee is secondary to the obligations the Enterprise or its insurers owe to Indemnitee. Indemnitee agrees to take all reasonably necessary and desirable action to obtain from an Enterprise indemnification and advancement of Expenses for any Proceeding related to or arising from Indemnitee’s Corporate Status with such Enterprise.
(e) In the event of any payment made by the Company under this Agreement, the Company will be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee from any Enterprise or its insurance carrier. Indemnitee will execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.
Section 16. Duration of Agreement. This Agreement continues until and terminates upon the later of: (a) ten (10) years after the date that Indemnitee ceases to have a Corporate Status or (b) one (1) year after the final termination of any Proceeding then pending in respect of which Indemnitee is granted rights of indemnification or advancement of Expenses hereunder and of any Proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 14 of this Agreement relating thereto. The indemnification and advancement of Expenses rights provided by or granted pursuant to this Agreement are binding upon and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company), continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or of any other Enterprise, and inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and Indemnitee’s spouse, assigns, heirs, devisees, executors and administrators and other legal representatives.
Section 17. Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including without limitation, each portion of any Section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law; (b) such provision or provisions will be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (c) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) will be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.
Section 18. Interpretation. Any ambiguity in the terms of this Agreement will be resolved in favor of Indemnitee and in a manner to provide the maximum indemnification and advancement of Expenses permitted by law. The Company and Indemnitee intend that this Agreement provide to the fullest extent permitted by law for indemnification and advancement in excess of that expressly provided, without limitation, by the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws, vote of the Company stockholders or disinterested directors, or applicable law.
Section 19. Enforcement.
(a) The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumed the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce Indemnitee to serve as a director or officer of the Company, and the Company acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in serving or continuing to serve as a director or officer of the Company.
(b) This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral, written and implied, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof; provided, however, that this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws, any directors’ and officers’ insurance maintained by the Company and applicable law, and is not a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder.
Section 20. Modification and Waiver. No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement is binding unless executed in writing by the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement will be deemed or constitutes a waiver of any other provisions of this Agreement nor will any waiver constitute a continuing waiver.
Section 21. Notice by Indemnitee. Indemnitee agrees promptly to notify the Company in writing upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any Proceeding or matter which may be subject to indemnification or advancement of Expenses covered hereunder. The failure of Indemnitee to so notify the Company does not relieve the Company of any obligation which it may have to the Indemnitee under this Agreement or otherwise.
Section 22. Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement will be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given if (a) delivered by hand to the other party, (b) sent by reputable overnight courier to the other party or (c) sent by facsimile transmission or electronic mail, with receipt of oral confirmation that such communication has been received:
(a) If to Indemnitee, at the address indicated on the signature page of this Agreement, or such other address as Indemnitee provides to the Company.
(b) If to the Company to:
Name: Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation
Address: 1401 NW 136th Ave, Sunrise, FL 33323
Attention: Jeffrey Walker, CEO
Email:
or to any other address as may have been furnished to Indemnitee by the Company.
Section 23. Contribution. To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, if the indemnification provided for in this Agreement is unavailable to Indemnitee for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, will contribute to the amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for judgments, fines, penalties, excise taxes, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses, in connection with any claim relating to an indemnifiable event under this Agreement, in such proportion as is deemed fair and reasonable in light of all of the circumstances of such Proceeding in order to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Company and Indemnitee as a result of the event(s) and/or transaction(s) giving cause to such Proceeding; and/or (ii) the relative fault of the Company (and its directors, officers, employees and agents) and Indemnitee in connection with such event(s) and/or transaction(s).
Section 24. Applicable Law and Consent to Jurisdiction. This Agreement and the legal relations among the parties are governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of laws rules. The Company and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (i) agree that any action, claim, or proceeding between the parties arising out of or in connection with this Agreement may be brought only in the Delaware Court and not in any other state or federal court in the United States of America or any court in any other country, (ii) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court for purposes of any action, claim, or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, (iii) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action, claim, or proceeding in the Delaware Court, and (iv) waive, and agree not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action, claim, or proceeding brought in the Delaware Court has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum.
Section 25. Identical Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which will for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together constitutes one and the same Agreement. Only one such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought needs to be produced to evidence the existence of this Agreement.
Section 26. Headings. The headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute part of this Agreement or affect the construction thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be signed as of the day and year first above written.
ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT HOLDING CORPORATION |
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Name: | Jeffrey Walker |
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Office: | Chief Executive Officer |
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Exhibit 10.12
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT
Dated as of February 21, 2017
ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT HOLDING CORPORATION,
PROJECT PANTHER ACQUISITION CORPORATION,
AEC DIRECT, LLC,
ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT, LLC, and
DIRECTTOU, LLC,
as Borrowers
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as Agent
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| | Page |
| | |
SECTION 1. | DEFINITIONS; RULES OF CONSTRUCTION | 1 |
| | |
1.1 | Definitions | 1 |
1.2 | Accounting Terms | 30 |
1.3 | Uniform Commercial Code | 31 |
1.4 | Certain Matters of Construction | 31 |
1.5 | Currency Equivalents | 31 |
| | |
SECTION 2. | CREDIT FACILITIES | 32 |
| | |
2.1 | Revolver Commitment | 32 |
2.2 | [Reserved] | 33 |
2.3 | Letter of Credit Facility | 33 |
| | |
SECTION 3. | INTEREST, FEES AND CHARGES | 36 |
| | |
3.1 | Interest | 36 |
3.2 | Fees | 37 |
3.3 | Computation of Interest, Fees, Yield Protection | 37 |
3.4 | Reimbursement Obligations | 38 |
3.5 | Illegality | 38 |
3.6 | Inability to Determine Rates | 38 |
3.7 | Increased Costs; Capital Adequacy | 39 |
3.8 | Mitigation | 40 |
3.9 | Funding Losses | 40 |
3.10 | Maximum Interest | 40 |
| | |
SECTION 4. | LOAN ADMINISTRATION | 40 |
| | |
4.1 | Manner of Borrowing and Funding Revolver Loans | 40 |
4.2 | Defaulting Lender | 42 |
4.3 | Number and Amount of LIBOR Loans; Determination of Rate | 42 |
4.4 | Borrower Agent | 42 |
4.5 | One Obligation | 43 |
4.6 | Effect of Termination | 43 |
| | |
SECTION 5. | PAYMENTS | 43 |
| | |
5.1 | General Payment Provisions | 43 |
5.2 | Repayment of Revolver Loans | 43 |
5.3 | [Reserved] | 43 |
5.4 | Payment of Other Obligations | 43 |
5.5 | Marshaling; Payments Set Aside | 44 |
5.6 | Application and Allocation of Payments | 44 |
5.7 | Dominion Accounts | 45 |
5.8 | Account Stated | 45 |
5.9 | Taxes | 45 |
5.10 | Lender Tax Information | 47 |
5.11 | Nature and Extent of Each Borrower’s Liability | 48 |
| | |
SECTION 6. | CONDITIONS PRECEDENT | 50 |
| | |
6.1 | Conditions Precedent to Initial Loans | 50 |
6.2 | Conditions Precedent to All Credit Extensions | 52 |
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
| | Page |
| | |
SECTION 7. | COLLATERAL | 52 |
| | |
7.1 | Grant of Security Interest | 52 |
7.2 | Lien on Deposit Accounts; Cash Collateral | 53 |
7.3 | [Reserved] | 53 |
7.4 | Other Collateral | 53 |
7.5 | Limitations | 53 |
7.6 | Further Assurances | 54 |
7.7 | Foreign Subsidiary Stock | 54 |
| | |
SECTION 8. | COLLATERAL ADMINISTRATION | 54 |
| | |
8.1 | Borrowing Base Reports | 54 |
8.2 | Accounts | 54 |
8.3 | Inventory | 55 |
8.4 | Equipment | 55 |
8.5 | Deposit Accounts | 56 |
8.6 | General Provisions | 57 |
8.7 | Power of Attorney | 58 |
| | |
SECTION 9. | REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES | 58 |
| | |
9.1 | General Representations and Warranties | 58 |
9.2 | Complete Disclosure | 62 |
| | |
SECTION 10. | COVENANTS AND CONTINUING AGREEMENTS | 63 |
| | |
10.1 | Affirmative Covenants | 63 |
10.2 | Negative Covenants | 65 |
10.3 | Financial Covenants | 72 |
| | |
SECTION 11. | EVENTS OF DEFAULT; REMEDIES ON DEFAULT | 73 |
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11.1 | Events of Default | 73 |
11.2 | Remedies upon Default | 74 |
11.3 | License | 75 |
11.4 | Setoff | 75 |
11.5 | Remedies Cumulative; No Waiver | 75 |
| | |
SECTION 12. | AGENT | 75 |
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12.1 | Appointment, Authority and Duties of Agent | 75 |
12.2 | Agreements Regarding Collateral and Borrower Materials | 76 |
12.3 | Reliance By Agent | 77 |
12.4 | Action Upon Default | 77 |
12.5 | Ratable Sharing | 77 |
12.6 | Indemnification | 78 |
12.7 | Limitation on Responsibilities of Agent | 78 |
12.8 | Successor Agent and Co-Agents | 78 |
12.9 | Due Diligence and Non-Reliance | 79 |
12.10 | Remittance of Payments and Collections | 79 |
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
| | Page |
| | |
12.11 | Individual Capacities | 79 |
12.12 | Titles | 80 |
12.13 | Bank Product Providers | 80 |
12.14 | Appointment of Agent as Security Trustee | 80 |
12.15 | No Third Party Beneficiaries | 83 |
| | |
SECTION 13. | BENEFIT OF AGREEMENT; ASSIGNMENTS | 83 |
| | |
13.1 | Successors and Assigns | 83 |
13.2 | Participations | 83 |
13.3 | Assignments | 84 |
13.4 | Replacement of Certain Lenders | 84 |
| | |
SECTION 14. | MISCELLANEOUS | 85 |
| | |
14.1 | Consents, Amendments and Waivers | 85 |
14.2 | Indemnity | 86 |
14.3 | Notices and Communications | 86 |
14.4 | Performance of Borrowers’ Obligations | 87 |
14.5 | Credit Inquiries | 87 |
14.6 | Severability | 87 |
14.7 | Cumulative Effect; Conflict of Terms | 87 |
14.8 | Counterparts; Execution | 87 |
14.9 | Entire Agreement | 88 |
14.10 | Relationship with Lenders | 88 |
14.11 | No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility | 88 |
14.12 | Confidentiality | 88 |
14.13 | [Reserved] | 89 |
14.14 | GOVERNING LAW | 89 |
14.15 | Consent to Forum; Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions | 89 |
14.16 | Waivers by Borrowers | 90 |
14.17 | Patriot Act Notice | 90 |
14.18 | NO ORAL AGREEMENT | 90 |
iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
LIST OF EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES
Exhibit A | Form of Assignment and Acceptance |
Exhibit B | Form of Assignment Notice |
| |
Schedule 1.1 | Commitments of Lenders |
Schedule 8.5.1 | Deposit Accounts |
Schedule 8.6.1 | Business Locations |
Schedule 9.1.4 | Names and Capital Structure |
Schedule 9.1.11 | Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights and Licenses |
Schedule 9.1.14 | Environmental Matters |
Schedule 9.1.15 | Restrictive Agreements |
Schedule 9.1.16 | Litigation and Commercial Tort Claims |
Schedule 9.1.18 | Pension Plans |
Schedule 9.1.20 | Labor Contracts |
Schedule 10.1.2 | Additional Financial and Collateral Reporting |
Schedule 10.1.7 | Categories of Insurance |
Schedule 10.2.2 | Existing Liens |
Schedule 10.2.17 | Existing Affiliate Transactions |
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LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT
THIS LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT is dated as of February 21, 2017, among ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT HOLDING CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (“Alliance Holding”), PROJECT PANTHER ACQUISITION CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (“Panther”), AEC DIRECT, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“AEC”), ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Alliance”), DIRECTTOU, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Directtou”, and together with Alliance Holding, Panther, AEC, and Alliance, collectively, “Borrowers”), the financial institutions party to this Agreement from time to time as Lenders, and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., a national banking association (“Bank of America”), as agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, “Agent”).
R E C I T A L S:
Borrowers have requested that Lenders provide a credit facility to Borrowers to finance their mutual and collective business enterprise. Lenders are willing to provide the credit facility on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, for valuable consideration hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
SECTION 1.DEFINITIONS; RULES OF CONSTRUCTION
1.1Definitions. As used herein, the following terms have the meanings set forth below:
Accounts Formula Amount: the sum of (a) 85% of the Value of Eligible Domestic Accounts, plus (b) the lesser of (i) $15,000,000 and (ii) 80% of the Value of Eligible Foreign Accounts; provided, however, that during the months of: (A) April through September of each year, such percentages shall be reduced by 1.0% for each percentage point (or portion thereof) that the Dilution Percent exceeds 5%, and (B) January, February, March, October, November and December of each year, such percentages shall be reduced by 1.0% for each percentage point (or portion thereof) that either the Dilution Percent or Historical Dilution exceeds 5%, whichever is greater; provided, further, that the amount of the Accounts Formula Amount attributable to clause (b) hereof shall not exceed 40% of the total amount of the Accounts Formula Amount.
Accounts Payable Reserve: the aggregate amount of Borrowers’ accounts payable that are unpaid after the later of (a) 60 days after the original due date, or (b) the date to which the original due date is extended by written permission (including by e-mail) from the supplier, but in no event more than 90 days after the original due date.
Acquisition: a transaction or series of transactions resulting in (a) acquisition of a business, division or substantially all assets of a Person; (b) record or beneficial ownership of 50% or more of the Equity Interests of a Person; or (c) merger, consolidation or combination of a Borrower or Subsidiary with another Person.
Activation Instruction: as defined in Section 8.5.2.
AEC: as defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
Affiliate: with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified. “Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “Controlling” and “Controlled” have correlative meanings.
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Agent Indemnitees: Agent and its officers, directors, employees, Affiliates, agents and attorneys.
Agent Professionals: attorneys, accountants, appraisers, auditors, business valuation experts, environmental engineers or consultants, turnaround consultants, and other professionals and experts retained by Agent.
Agreement Currency: as defined in Section 1.5.2.
Alliance: as defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
Alliance Holding: as defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
Allocable Amount: as defined in Section 5.11.3.
Anderson Media Acquisition Agreement: that certain Agreement of Sale and Purchase, dated May 18, 2016, by and among Panther, ANconnect, LLC, a Texas limited liability company, and Anderson Media Corporation, a Delaware corporation.
Anti-Terrorism Law: any law relating to terrorism or money laundering, including the Patriot Act.
Applicable Law: all laws, rules, regulations and governmental guidelines applicable to the Person or matter in question, including statutory law, common law and equitable principles, as well as provisions of constitutions, treaties, statutes, rules, regulations, orders and decrees of Governmental Authorities.
Applicable Margin: the margin set forth below, as determined by the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the last calendar month that is the end of a Fiscal Quarter, as measured for the twelve month period then ended:
Level |
| Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio |
| Base Rate Revolver |
| LIBOR Revolver Loans |
|
I | | < 1.5x | | 1.50 | % | 2.50 | % |
II | | >1.5x and < 1.75 | | 1.25 | % | 2.25 | % |
III | | >1.75x and < 2.0 | | 1.00 | % | 2.00 | % |
IV | | >2.0x | | 0.75 | % | 1.75 | % |
Until April 30, 2017, margins shall be determined as if Level III were applicable. Thereafter, margins shall be subject to increase or decrease by Agent on the first day of the calendar month following receipt by Agent of the Compliance Certificate delivered in respect of the most recent calendar month that is the end of a Fiscal Quarter. If Agent is unable to determine the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for a calendar month that is the end of a Fiscal Quarter due to Borrowers’ failure to deliver the Compliance Certificate or any financial report when required hereunder, then, at the option of Agent or Required Lenders, margins shall be determined as if Level I were applicable until the first day of the calendar month following its receipt.
Appointee: as defined in Section 12.14.
Approved Fund: any Person (other than a natural Person) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans in its ordinary course of activities.
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Asset Disposition: a sale, lease, license, consignment, transfer or other disposition of Property of an Obligor, including any disposition in connection with a sale-leaseback transaction or synthetic lease.
Assignment: an assignment agreement between a Lender and Eligible Assignee, in the form of Exhibit A or otherwise satisfactory to Agent.
Availability: the Borrowing Base minus Revolver Usage.
Availability Reserve: the sum (without duplication) of (a) the Inventory Reserve; (b) the Rent and Charges Reserve; (c) the Bank Product Reserve; (d) the aggregate amount of liabilities secured by Liens upon Collateral that are senior to Agent’s Liens (but imposition of any such reserve shall not waive an Event of Default arising therefrom); (e) the Accounts Payable Reserve; and (f) such additional reserves, in such amounts and with respect to such matters, as Agent in its Permitted Discretion may elect to impose from time to time.
Average Daily Availability: means, for any measurement period, the average daily Availability during such period.
Bail-In Action: the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable EEA Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an EEA Financial Institution.
Bail-In Legislation: with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.
Bank of America: as defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
Bank of America Indemnitees: Bank of America and its officers, directors, employees, Affiliates, agents and attorneys.
Bank Product: any of the following products or services extended to a Borrower or Affiliate of a Borrower by a Lender or any of its Affiliates: (a) Cash Management Services; (b) products under Hedging Agreements; (c) commercial credit card and merchant card services; and (d) other banking products or services, other than Letters of Credit.
Bank Product Reserve: the aggregate amount of reserves established by Agent from time to time in its Permitted Discretion with respect to Secured Bank Product Obligations.
Bankruptcy Code: Title 11 of the United States Code.
Base Rate: for any day, a per annum rate equal to the greater of (a) the Prime Rate for such day; (b) the Federal Funds Rate for such day, plus 0.50%; or (c) LIBOR for a 30 day interest period as of such day, plus 1.0%.
Base Rate Loan: any Loan that bears interest based on the Base Rate.
Base Rate Revolver Loan: a Revolver Loan that bears interest based on the Base Rate.
Board of Governors: the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
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Borrowed Money: with respect to any Obligor, without duplication, its (a) Debt that (i) arises from the lending of money by any Person to such Obligor, (ii) is evidenced by notes, drafts, bonds, debentures, credit documents or similar instruments, (iii) accrues interest or is a type upon which interest charges are customarily paid (excluding trade payables owing in the Ordinary Course of Business), or (iv) was issued or assumed as full or partial payment for Property; (b) Capital Leases; (c) letter of credit reimbursement obligations; and (d) guaranties of any of the foregoing owing by another Person.
Borrower Agent: as defined in Section 4.4.
Borrower Materials: Borrowing Base Reports, Compliance Certificates and other information, reports, financial statements and other materials delivered by Borrowers hereunder, as well as other Reports and information provided by Agent to Lenders.
Borrowing: a group of Loans that are made or converted together on the same day and have the same interest option and, if applicable, Interest Period.
Borrowing Base: on any date of determination, an amount equal to the lesser of (a) the aggregate Revolver Commitments; or (b) the sum of the Accounts Formula Amount, plus the Inventory Formula Amount, minus the Availability Reserve.
Borrowing Base Report: a report of the Borrowing Base, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent.
Business Day: any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks are authorized to close under the laws of, or are in fact closed in, North Carolina and California, and if such day relates to a LIBOR Loan, any such day on which dealings in Dollar deposits are conducted in the London interbank market.
Capital Expenditures: all liabilities incurred or expenditures made by a Borrower or Subsidiary for the acquisition of fixed assets, or any improvements, replacements, substitutions or additions thereto with a useful life of more than one year.
Capital Lease: any lease required to be capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP.
Cash Collateral: cash delivered to Agent to Cash Collateralize any Obligations, and all interest, dividends, earnings and other proceeds relating thereto.
Cash Collateralize: the delivery of cash to Agent, as security for the payment of Obligations, in an amount equal to (a) with respect to LC Obligations, 105% of the aggregate LC Obligations, and (b) with respect to any inchoate, contingent or other Obligations (including Secured Bank Product Obligations), Agent’s good faith estimate of the amount due or to become due, including fees, expenses and indemnification hereunder. “Cash Collateralization” has a correlative meaning.
Cash Equivalents: (a) marketable obligations issued or unconditionally guaranteed by, and backed by the full faith and credit of, the U.S. government, maturing within 12 months of the date of acquisition; (b) certificates of deposit, time deposits and bankers’ acceptances maturing within 12 months of the date of acquisition, and overnight bank deposits, in each case which are issued by Bank of America or a commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state or district thereof, rated A-1 (or better) by S&P or P-1 (or better) by Moody’s at the time of acquisition, and (unless issued by a Lender) not subject to offset rights; (c) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than 30 days for underlying investments of the types described in clauses (a) and (b) entered into with any bank described in clause (b); (d) commercial paper issued by Bank of America or rated A-1 (or better) by S&P or P-1 (or better) by Moody’s, and maturing within nine months of the date of acquisition; and (e) shares of any money market fund that has substantially all of its assets invested continuously in the types of investments referred to above, has net assets of at least $500,000,000 and has the highest rating obtainable from either Moody’s or S&P.
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Cash Management Services: services relating to operating, collections, payroll, trust, or other depository or disbursement accounts, including Automated Clearing House (ACH), international Automated Clearing House (IACH), e-payable, electronic funds transfer, wire transfer, controlled disbursement, overdraft, depository, information reporting, scanner and stop payment services.
Cayman Account Charge: means, (a) prior to the date the Permitted Cayman Japanese Yen Account, the Permitted Cayman Canadian Dollars Account, and the Permitted Cayman Euros Account are maintained with Bank of America or its Affiliates, the Cayman Islands law governed account charge, dated on or around the Closing Date, between Directtou and Agent with respect to the Deposit Accounts maintained with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. bearing account number 7775019669, 7775019677 and 7775027787, and (b) on and after the date the Permitted Cayman Japanese Yen Account, the Permitted Cayman Canadian Dollars Account, and the Permitted Cayman Euros Account are maintained with Bank of America or its Affiliates, the Cayman Islands governed account charge, dated on or around the date such Deposit Accounts are first maintained with Bank of America or its Affiliates, between Directtou and Agent with respect to such Deposit Accounts.
Cayman Security Document: as defined in Section 12.14.
CERCLA: the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq.).
Change in Law: the occurrence, after the date hereof, of (a) the adoption, taking effect or phasing in of any law, rule, regulation or treaty; (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation or application thereof; or (c) the making, issuance or application of any request, guideline, requirement or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority; provided, however, that “Change in Law” shall include, regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued, all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements or directives (i) under or relating to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, or (ii) promulgated pursuant to Basel III by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any similar authority) or any other Governmental Authority.
Change of Control: (a) Alliance Holding ceases to own and control, beneficially and of record, directly or indirectly, all Equity Interests in all Borrowers; (b) Walker and Ogilvie, collectively, cease to own and control, beneficially and of record, more than 51% of the Equity Interests of Alliance Holding; or (c) the sale or transfer of all or substantially all assets of a Borrower, except to another Borrower.
Charged Property: as defined in Section 12.14.
Claims: all claims, liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, judgments, proceedings, interest, costs and expenses of any kind (including remedial response costs, reasonable attorneys’ fees and Extraordinary Expenses) at any time (including after Full Payment of the Obligations or replacement of Agent or any Lender) incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any Obligor or other Person, in any way relating to (a) any Loans, Letters of Credit, Loan Documents, Borrower Materials, or the use thereof or transactions relating thereto, (b) any action taken or omitted in connection with any Loan Documents, (c) the existence or perfection of any Liens, or realization upon any Collateral, (d) exercise of any rights or remedies under any Loan Documents or Applicable Law, or (e) failure by any Obligor to perform or observe any terms of any Loan Document, in each case including all costs and expenses relating to any investigation, litigation, arbitration or other proceeding (including an Insolvency Proceeding or appellate proceedings), whether or not the applicable Indemnitee is a party thereto.
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Closing Date: as defined in Section 6.1.
Code: the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Collateral: all Property described in Section 7.1, all Property described in any Security Documents as security for any Obligations, and all other Property that now or hereafter secures (or is intended to secure) any Obligations.
Commitment: for any Lender, the aggregate amount of such Lender’s Revolver Commitment. “Commitments” means the aggregate amount of all Revolver Commitments.
Commitment Termination Date: the earliest to occur of (a) the Revolver Termination Date; (b) the date on which Borrowers terminate the Revolver Commitments pursuant to Section 2.1.4; or (c) the date on which the Revolver Commitments are terminated pursuant to Section 11.2.
Commodity Exchange Act: the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.).
Compliance Certificate: a certificate, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, by which Borrowers certify compliance with Section 10.3.
Connection Income Taxes: Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), or are franchise or branch profits Taxes.
Contingent Obligation: any obligation of a Person arising from a guaranty, indemnity or other assurance of payment or performance of any Debt, lease, dividend or other obligation (“primary obligations”) of another obligor (“primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including any obligation of such Person under any (a) guaranty, endorsement, co-making or sale with recourse of an obligation of a primary obligor; (b) obligation to make take-or-pay or similar payments regardless of nonperformance by any other party to an agreement; and (c) arrangement (i) to purchase any primary obligation or security therefor, (ii) to supply funds for the purchase or payment of any primary obligation, (iii) to maintain or assure working capital, equity capital, net worth or solvency of the primary obligor, (iv) to purchase Property or services for the purpose of assuring the ability of the primary obligor to perform a primary obligation, or (v) otherwise to assure or hold harmless the holder of any primary obligation against loss in respect thereof. The amount of any Contingent Obligation shall be deemed to be the stated or determinable amount of the primary obligation (or, if less, the maximum amount for which such Person may be liable under the instrument evidencing the Contingent Obligation) or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability with respect thereto.
Controlled Account: as defined in Section 8.5.1.
CWA: the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. §§ 1251 et seq.).
Debt: as applied to any Person, without duplication, (a) all items that would be included as liabilities on a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP, including Capital Leases, but excluding trade payables incurred and being paid in the Ordinary Course of Business; (b) all Contingent Obligations; (c) all reimbursement obligations in connection with letters of credit issued for the account of such Person; and (d) in the case of a Borrower, the Obligations. The Debt of a Person shall include any recourse Debt of any partnership in which such Person is a general partner or joint venturer.
Default: an event or condition that, with the lapse of time or giving of notice, would constitute an Event of Default.
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Default Rate: for any Obligation (including, to the extent permitted by law, interest not paid when due), 2% plus the interest rate otherwise applicable thereto.
Defaulting Lender: any Lender that (a) has failed to comply with its funding obligations hereunder, and such failure is not cured within two Business Days; (b) has notified Agent or any Borrower that such Lender does not intend to comply with its funding obligations hereunder or under any other credit facility, or has made a public statement to that effect; (c) has failed, within three Business Days following request by Agent or any Borrower, to confirm in a manner satisfactory to Agent and Borrowers that such Lender will comply with its funding obligations hereunder; or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, become the subject of an Insolvency Proceeding (including reorganization, liquidation, or appointment of a receiver, custodian, administrator or similar Person by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other regulatory authority) or Bail-In Action; provided, however, that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of a Governmental Authority’s ownership of an equity interest in such Lender or parent company unless the ownership provides immunity for such Lender from jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets, or permits such Lender or Governmental Authority to repudiate or otherwise to reject such Lender’s agreements.
Delegate: as defined in Section 12.14.
Deposit Account Control Agreement: control agreement satisfactory to Agent executed by an institution maintaining a Deposit Account for an Obligor, to perfect Agent’s Lien on such account.
Designated Jurisdiction: a country or territory that is the subject of a Sanction.
Dilution Percent: the percent, determined on a trailing twelve months basis, as reflected in the most recent field examination, or more recent information as received by Agent, equal to (a) bad debt write-downs or write-offs, discounts, returns, promotions, credits, credit memos and other dilutive items with respect to Accounts which are recorded to reduce Accounts consistent with the current and historical practices of Borrowers or by a field examination conducted by Agent or Agent’s employees or representatives, in each case, as determined by Agent in its Permitted Discretion, divided by (b) gross sales.
Directtou: as defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
Distribution: any declaration or payment of a distribution, interest or dividend on any Equity Interest (other than payment-in-kind); distribution, advance or repayment of Debt to a holder of Equity Interests; or purchase, redemption, or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interest.
Dollars: lawful money of the United States.
Dominion Account: a special account established by Borrowers at Bank of America or another bank acceptable to Agent, over which Agent has exclusive control for withdrawal purposes.
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EBITDA: with respect to Alliance Holding and its Subsidiaries for any period, (a) the Net Income of Alliance Holding and its Subsidiaries for such period, plus (b) without duplication, the sum of the following amounts of Alliance Holding and its Subsidiaries for such period and to the extent deducted in determining Net Income of Alliance Holding and its Subsidiaries for such period (i) Interest Expense, (ii) income tax expense, (iii) depreciation expense, (iv) amortization expense, (v) any extraordinary or any non-recurring non-cash losses, including any extraordinary or any non-recurring non-cash losses from Permitted Asset Dispositions, (vi) non-recurring non-cash or other non-cash charges (except to the extent representing a reserve or accrual for cash expenses in another period), including goodwill, asset and other impairment charges, losses on early extinguishment of debt, and write-downs of deferred financing costs, (vii) IC-DISC payments permitted and paid in February 2016 and March 2016 in an aggregate amount not to exceed $8,095,674, (viii) Permitted IC-DISC Payments, and (ix) to the extent paid within 180 days of the Closing Date, professional fees, costs and expenses incurred in respect of and, to the extent not capitalized, non-recurring costs and expenses associated with, the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Anderson Media Acquisition Agreement) in an aggregate amount not to exceed $4,000,000, minus (c) without duplication, the sum of the following amounts of Alliance Holding and its Subsidiaries for such period and to the extent included in determining Net Income of Alliance Holding and its Subsidiaries for such period: (i) non-recurring non-cash items increasing such Net Income for such period, (ii) any extraordinary or any non-recurring gains, including any extraordinary, non-recurring gains from Permitted Asset Dispositions, and (iii) gains from the receipt of proceeds under insurance policies net of any associated losses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, EBITDA shall exclude non-cash effects of any purchase accounting adjustments. For the purposes of calculating EBITDA for any period (each, a “Reference Period”), if at any time during such Reference Period (and after the Closing Date), Alliance Holding or any of its Subsidiaries shall have made a Permitted Acquisition, EBITDA for such Reference Period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto (including pro forma adjustments arising out of events which are directly attributable to such Permitted Acquisition, are factually supportable, and are expected to have a continuing impact, in each case to be mutually and reasonably agreed upon by Borrower Agent and Agent) as if any such Permitted Acquisition or adjustment occurred on the first day of such Reference Period.
EEA Financial Institution: (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in an EEA Member Country that is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority; (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country that is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) above; or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country that is a subsidiary of an institution described in the foregoing clauses and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.
EEA Member Country: any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
EEA Resolution Authority: any public administrative authority or any Person entrusted with public administrative authority of an EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.
Eligible Account: an Eligible Domestic Account or an Eligible Foreign Account.
Eligible Amazon Inventory: means Inventory held by Amazon (pursuant to the Fulfillment by Amazon program) in the continental United States from time to time (i) with an aggregate value (calculated at the lower of cost or market on a basis consistent with Borrowers’ historical accounting practices) which does not exceed $2,000,000 and (ii) which is not in-transit.
Eligible Assignee: (a) a Lender, Affiliate of a Lender or Approved Fund; (b) an assignee approved by Borrower Agent (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, and shall be deemed given if no objection is made within 5 Business Days after notice of the proposed assignment) and Agent; or (c) during an Event of Default, any Person acceptable to Agent in its discretion.
Eligible Domestic Account: an Account (other than an Eligible Foreign Account) owing to a Borrower that arises in the Ordinary Course of Business from the sale of goods or rendition of services, is payable in Dollars and is deemed by Agent, in its Permitted Discretion, to be an Eligible Domestic Account. Without limiting the foregoing, no Account shall be an Eligible Domestic Account if:
(a)it is unpaid for more than 60 days after the original due date, or more than 90 days after the original invoice date; provided, however, that Accounts of Borrowers that (i) have selling terms of more than 60 days but less than 91 days, (ii) are not aged more than 120 days from the original invoice date, (iii) are for an invoice generated during the period from September 30 through and including December 2, and (iv) are not more than 30 days past due shall not be rendered ineligible under this clause (a) so long as the aggregate amount of such Accounts does not exceed $5,000,000;
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(b)50% or more of the Accounts owing by the Account Debtor are not Eligible Domestic Accounts under the foregoing clause;
(c)when aggregated with other Accounts owing by the Account Debtor, it exceeds 10% (or 30% for each of (i) Barnes and Noble, (ii) Amazon, (iii) Target Corporation, (iv) Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club, taken together, and (v) Best Buy (such percentage being subject to reduction by Agent in its Permitted Discretion from time to time if the creditworthiness of such Account Debtor deteriorates)) of the aggregate Eligible Domestic Accounts (or such higher percentage as Agent may establish for the Account Debtor from time to time);
(d)it does not conform in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to the portion of any representation and warranty that is already qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof) with a covenant or representation herein;
(e)it is owing by a creditor or supplier, or is otherwise subject to a potential offset, counterclaim, dispute, deduction, discount, recoupment, reserve, defense, chargeback, credit or allowance (but ineligibility shall be limited to the amount thereof);
(f)an Insolvency Proceeding has been commenced by or against the Account Debtor; or the Account Debtor has failed, has suspended or ceased doing business, is liquidating, dissolving or winding up its affairs, is not Solvent, or is subject to any Sanction or on any specially designated nationals list maintained by OFAC; or the Borrower is not able to bring suit or enforce remedies against the Account Debtor through judicial process;
(g)the Account Debtor is organized or has its principal offices or assets outside the United States or Canada;
(h)it is owing by a Governmental Authority (other than a public library), unless the Account Debtor is the United States or any department, agency or instrumentality thereof and the Account has been assigned to Agent in compliance with the federal Assignment of Claims Act;
(i) it is not subject to a duly perfected, first priority Lien in favor of Agent, or is subject to any other Lien other than a Permitted Lien;
(j) the goods giving rise to it have not been delivered to the Account Debtor, the services giving rise to it have not been accepted by the Account Debtor, or it otherwise does not represent a final sale;
(k)it is evidenced by Chattel Paper or an Instrument of any kind, or has been reduced to judgment;
(1)its payment has been extended or the Account Debtor has made a partial payment;
(m)it arises from a sale to an Affiliate, from a sale on a cash-on-delivery, bill-and-hold, sale or return, sale on approval, consignment, or other repurchase or return basis, or from a direct sale for personal, family or household purposes;
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(n)it represents a progress billing or retainage, or relates to services for which a performance, surety or completion bond or similar assurance has been issued;
(o)it includes a billing for interest, fees or late charges, but ineligibility shall be limited to the extent thereof. In calculating delinquent portions of Accounts under clauses (a) and (b), credit balances more than 90 days old will be excluded;
(p)the Account Debtor has been billed by the applicable Borrower from an office or location of the applicable Borrower that is not located in the United States, or the collection of the Account is to occur via an office or location of the applicable Borrower that is not located in the United States, or the payment of such Account will not be to a Controlled Account in the United States; or
(q)it constitutes a receivable due to any Borrower from a credit card issuer or credit card processor; provided, that any such Accounts which generate an aggregate amount of up to $5,000,000 of Availability under the Borrowing Base shall not be excluded solely pursuant to this clause (q), so long as the credit card issuer or credit card processor has not failed to pay such Accounts within 5 days of the original sale date (it being acknowledged and agreed that such Accounts shall be calculated net of any unpaid and/or accrued credit card issuer or credit card processor fee or expense balances).
Eligible Foreign Account: an Account (other than an Eligible Domestic Account) owing to a Borrower that arises in the Ordinary Course of Business from the sale of goods or rendition of services, is payable in Dollars (provided, however, that Accounts of Borrowers that are payable and will be paid in Euros, Sterling, Japanese Yen or Canadian Dollars shall not be rendered ineligible merely because they are not payable in Dollars to the extent that (i) the aggregate amount of all such Accounts owing at any one time does not exceed $2,000,000 and (ii) such currency is commonly used in the jurisdiction of such Account Debtor’s office or location) and is deemed by Agent, in its Permitted Discretion, to be an Eligible Foreign Account. Without limiting the foregoing, no Account shall be an Eligible Foreign Account if:
(a)it is unpaid for more than 60 days after the original due date, or more than 90 days after the original invoice date; provided, however, that Accounts of Borrowers that (i) have selling terms of more than 60 days but less than 91 days, (ii) are not aged more than 120 days from the original invoice date, (iii) are for an invoice generated during the period from September 30 through and including December 2, and (iv) are not more than 30 days past due shall not be rendered ineligible under this clause (a) so long as the aggregate amount of such Accounts does not exceed $3,000,000;
(b)50% or more of the Accounts owing by the Account Debtor are not Eligible Foreign Accounts under the foregoing clause;
(c)when aggregated with other Accounts owing by the Account Debtor, it exceeds either (i) 10% of the aggregate Dollar equivalent of all Eligible Foreign Accounts (or such higher percentage as Agent may establish for the Account Debtor from time to time), or (ii) $2,000,000 (but ineligibility under this clause (ii) shall be limited to the amount of such excess);
(d)it does not conform in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to the portion of any representation and warranty that is already qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof) with a covenant or representation herein;
(e)it is owing by a creditor or supplier, or is otherwise subject to a potential offset, counterclaim, dispute, deduction, discount, recoupment, reserve, defense, chargeback, credit or allowance (but ineligibility shall be limited to the amount thereof);
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(f)an Insolvency Proceeding has been commenced by or against the Account Debtor; or the Account Debtor has failed, has suspended or ceased doing business, is liquidating, dissolving or winding up its affairs, is not Solvent, or is subject to any Sanction or on any specially designated nationals list maintained by OFAC; or the Borrower is not able to bring suit or enforce remedies against the Account Debtor through judicial process;
(g)the Account Debtor is organized or has its principal offices or assets in a foreign country other than Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Puerto Rico, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom or any other foreign country approved by Agent in its sole discretion;
(h)it is owing by a Governmental Authority (other than a public library);
(i)it is not subject to a duly perfected, first priority Lien in favor of Agent, or is subject to any other Lien other than a Permitted Lien;
(j)the goods giving rise to it have not been delivered to the Account Debtor, the services giving rise to it have not been accepted by the Account Debtor, or it otherwise does not represent a final sale;
(k)it is evidenced by Chattel Paper or an Instrument of any kind, or has been reduced to judgment;
(1)its payment has been extended or the Account Debtor has made a partial payment;
(m)it arises from a sale to an Affiliate, from a sale on a cash-on-delivery, bill-and-hold, sale or return, sale on approval, consignment, or other repurchase or return basis, or from a sale for personal, family or household purposes;
(n)it represents a progress billing or retainage, or relates to services for which a performance, surety or completion bond or similar assurance has been issued;
(o)it includes a billing for interest, fees or late charges, but ineligibility shall be limited to the extent thereof. In calculating delinquent portions of Accounts under clauses (a) and (b), credit balances more than 90 days old will be excluded; or
(p)the Account Debtor has been billed by the applicable Borrower from an office or location of the applicable Borrower that is not located in the United States, or the collection of the Account is to occur via an office or location of the applicable Borrower that is not located in the United States, the United Kingdom or the Cayman Islands, or the payment of such Account will not be to a Controlled Account.
Eligible Inventory: Inventory owned by a Borrower that Agent, in its Permitted Discretion, deems to be Eligible Inventory. Without limiting the foregoing, no Inventory shall be Eligible Inventory unless it:
(a)is finished goods, and not packaging or shipping materials, labels, samples, or display items;
(b)is not held on consignment, nor subject to any deposit or down payment;
(c)is in new and saleable condition and is not damaged, defective, shopworn or otherwise unfit for sale;
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(d)is not slow-moving, perishable, obsolete or unmerchantable;
(e)meets in all material respects all standards imposed by any Governmental Authority, has not been acquired from a Person subject to any Sanction or on any specially designated nationals list maintained by OFAC, and does not constitute hazardous materials under any Environmental Law;
(f)conforms in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to the portion of any representation and warranty that is already qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof) with the covenants and representations herein;
(g)is subject to Agent’s duly perfected, first priority Lien, and no other Lien other than a Permitted Lien;
(h)is within the continental United States, is not in transit except between locations of Borrowers, and is not consigned to any Person (except for Eligible Amazon Inventory);
(i)is not subject to any warehouse receipt or negotiable Document;
(j)is not subject to any License or other arrangement that restricts such Borrower’s or Agent’s right to dispose of such Inventory, unless Agent has received an appropriate Lien Waiver; and
(k)other than Eligible Amazon Inventory, such Inventory is not located on leased premises or in the possession of a warehouseman, processor, repairman, mechanic, shipper, freight forwarder or other Person, unless the lessor or such Person has delivered a Lien Waiver or an appropriate Rent and Charges Reserve has been established.
Enforcement Action: any action to enforce any Obligations (other than Secured Bank Product Obligations) or Loan Documents or to exercise any rights or remedies relating to any Collateral, whether by judicial action, self-help, notification of Account Debtors, setoff or recoupment, credit bid, deed in lieu of foreclosure, action in an Insolvency Proceeding or otherwise.
English Security Document: as defined in Section 12.14.
Environmental Laws: Applicable Laws (including programs, permits and guidance promulgated by regulators) relating to public health (other than occupational safety and health regulated by OSHA) or the protection or pollution of the environment, including CERCLA, RCRA and CWA.
Environmental Notice: a notice (whether written or oral) from any Governmental Authority or other Person of any possible noncompliance with, investigation of a possible violation of, litigation relating to, or potential fine or liability under any Environmental Law, or with respect to any Environmental Release, environmental pollution or hazardous materials, including any complaint, summons, citation, order, claim, demand or request for correction, remediation or otherwise.
Environmental Release: a release as defined in CERCLA or under any other Environmental Law.
Equity Interest: the interest of any (a) shareholder in a corporation; (b) partner in a partnership (whether general, limited, limited liability or joint venture); (c) member in a limited liability company; or (d) other Person having any other form of equity security or ownership interest.
ERISA: the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
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ERISA Affiliate: any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) under common control with an Obligor within the meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code (and Sections 414(m) and (o) of the Code for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412 of the Code).
ERISA Event: (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension Plan; (b) withdrawal of an Obligor or ERISA Affiliate from a Pension Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which it was a substantial employer (as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA) or a cessation of operations that is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (c) complete or partial withdrawal of an Obligor or ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan or notification that a Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization; (d) filing of a notice of intent to terminate, treatment of a Pension Plan amendment as a termination under Section 4041 or 4041A of ERISA, or institution of proceedings by the PBGC to terminate a Pension Plan; (e) determination that a Pension Plan is considered an at-risk plan or a plan in critical or endangered status under the Code or ERISA; (f) an event or condition that constitutes grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for termination of, or appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan; (g) imposition of any liability on an Obligor or ERISA Affiliate under Title IV of ERISA, other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA; or (h) failure by an Obligor or ERISA Affiliate to meet all applicable requirements under the Pension Funding Rules in respect of a Pension Plan, whether or not waived, or to make a required contribution to a Multiemployer Plan.
EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule: the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association, as in effect from time to time.
Event of Default: as defined in Section 11.
Excess Availability: as of any date of determination, the amount equal to Availability, minus the aggregate amount, if any, of the Accounts Payable Reserve and all book overdrafts of Alliance Holding and its Subsidiaries in excess of historical practices with respect thereto, in each case as determined by Agent in its Permitted Discretion.
Excluded Swap Obligation: with respect to an Obligor, each Swap Obligation as to which, and only to the extent that, such Obligor’s guaranty of or grant of a Lien as security for such Swap Obligation is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act because the Obligor does not constitute an “eligible contract participant” as defined in the act (determined after giving effect to any keepwell, support or other agreement for the benefit of such Obligor and all guarantees of Swap Obligations by other Obligors) when such guaranty or grant of Lien becomes effective with respect to the Swap Obligation. If a Hedging Agreement governs more than one Swap Obligation, only the Swap Obligation(s) or portions thereof described in the foregoing sentence shall be Excluded Swap Obligation(s) for the applicable Obligor.
Excluded Taxes: (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by a Recipient’s net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes and branch profits Taxes (i) as a result of such Recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or applicable Lending Office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax, or (ii) constituting Other Connection Taxes; (b) U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of a Lender with respect to its interest in a Loan or Commitment pursuant to a law in effect when the Lender acquires such interest (except pursuant to an assignment request by Borrower Agent under Section 13.4) or changes its Lending Office, unless the Taxes were payable to its assignor immediately prior to such assignment or to the Lender immediately prior to its change in Lending Office; (c) Taxes attributable to a Recipient’s failure to comply with Section 5.10; and (d) U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed pursuant to FATCA. In no event shall “Excluded Taxes” include any withholding Tax imposed on amounts paid by or on behalf of a foreign Obligor to a Recipient that has complied with Section 5.10.2.
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Extraordinary Expenses: all costs, expenses or advances that Agent may incur during a Default or Event of Default, or during the pendency of an Insolvency Proceeding of an Obligor, including those relating to (a) any audit, inspection, repossession, storage, repair, appraisal, insurance, manufacture, preparation or advertising for sale, sale, collection, or other preservation of or realization upon any Collateral; (b) any action, arbitration or other proceeding (whether instituted by or against Agent, any Lender, any Obligor, any representative of creditors of an Obligor or any other Person) in any way relating to any Collateral (including the validity, perfection, priority or avoidability of Agent’s Liens with respect to any Collateral), Loan Documents, Letters of Credit or Obligations, including any lender liability or other Claims; (c) the exercise of any rights or remedies of Agent in, or the monitoring of, any Insolvency Proceeding; (d) settlement or satisfaction of taxes, charges or Liens with respect to any Collateral; (e) any Enforcement Action; and (f) negotiation and documentation of any modification, waiver, workout, restructuring or forbearance with respect to any Loan Documents or Obligations. Such costs, expenses and advances include transfer fees, Other Taxes, storage fees, insurance costs, permit fees, utility reservation and standby fees, legal fees, appraisal fees, brokers’ and auctioneers’ fees and commissions, accountants’ fees, environmental study fees, wages and salaries paid to employees of any Obligor or independent contractors in liquidating any Collateral, and travel expenses.
FATCA: Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code (including any amended or successor version if substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), and any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code.
Federal Funds Rate: (a) the weighted average of interest rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System on the applicable day (or the preceding Business Day, if the applicable day is not a Business Day), as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the next Business Day; or (b) if no such rate is published on the next Business Day, the average rate (rounded up to the nearest 1/8 of 1%) charged to Bank of America on the applicable day on such transactions, as determined by Agent; provided, that in no event shall such rate be less than zero.
Fiscal Quarter: each period of three months, commencing on the first day of a Fiscal Year.
Fiscal Year: the fiscal year of Borrowers and Subsidiaries for accounting and tax purposes, ending on June 30 of each year.
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio: with respect to Alliance Holding and its Subsidiaries as of any date of measurement, the ratio of (a) EBITDA for the twelve month period ending on such date, minus Capital Expenditures that are not financed with amortizing Debt made (to the extent not already incurred in a prior period) or incurred during such twelve month period, to (b) Fixed Charges for such twelve month period.
Fixed Charges: with respect to any fiscal period and with respect to Alliance Holding and its Subsidiaries determined in accordance with GAAP, the sum, without duplication, of (a) Interest Expense accrued (other than interest paid-in-kind, amortization of financing fees and other non-cash Interest Expense) during such period, (b) scheduled principal payments in respect of Indebtedness that are required to be paid, and are actually paid, in cash during such period, (c) all federal, state, and local income taxes accrued during such period, (d) all Distributions paid in cash by Alliance Holding during such period, (e) without duplication of any payments included under clause (b) above, any principal payments made on account of (i) the Wheeler Note 6, (ii) the Investor Note 5, (iii) the Walker/Ogilvie Notes 1/2, and (iv) the IC-DISC Notes, (f) IC-DISC payments paid in February 2016 and March 2016 in an aggregate amount equal to $3,003,496, and (g) the difference between (i) Permitted IC-DISC Payments paid in cash during such period, less (ii) the aggregate amount of Debt incurred pursuant to clauses (f) and (g) of the definition of “Permitted IC-DISC Payments” during such period.
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FLSA: the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.
Foreign Lender: any Lender that is not a U.S. Person.
Foreign Plan: any employee benefit plan or arrangement (a) maintained or contributed to by any Obligor or Subsidiary that is not subject to the laws of the United States; or (b) mandated by a government other than the United States for employees of any Obligor or Subsidiary.
Foreign Security Documents: as defined in Section 12.14.
Foreign Subsidiary: a Subsidiary that is a “controlled foreign corporation” under Section 957 of the Code, such that a guaranty by such Subsidiary of the Obligations or a Lien on the assets of such Subsidiary to secure the Obligations would result in material tax liability to Borrowers.
Fronting Exposure: a Defaulting Lender’s interest in LC Obligations, Swingline Loans and Protective Advances, except to the extent Cash Collateralized by the Defaulting Lender or allocated to other Lenders hereunder.
Full Payment: with respect to any Obligations, (a) the full and indefeasible cash payment thereof, including any interest, fees and other charges accruing during an Insolvency Proceeding (whether or not allowed in the proceeding); and (b) if such Obligations are LC Obligations or inchoate or contingent in nature, Cash Collateralization thereof (or delivery of a standby letter of credit acceptable to Agent in its discretion, in the amount of required Cash Collateral). No Loans shall be deemed to have been paid in full unless all Commitments related to such Loans are terminated.
GAAP: generally accepted accounting principles in effect in the United States from time to time.
Governmental Approvals: all authorizations, consents, approvals, licenses and exemptions of, registrations and filings with, and required reports to, all Governmental Authorities.
Governmental Authority: any federal, state, local, foreign or other agency, authority, body, commission, court, instrumentality, political subdivision, central bank, or other entity or officer exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions for any governmental, judicial, investigative, regulatory or self-regulatory authority (including the Financial Conduct Authority, the Prudential Regulation Authority and any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or European Central Bank).
Guarantor Payment: as defined in Section 5.11.3.
Guarantors: each Person that guarantees payment or performance of Obligations.
Guaranty: each guaranty agreement executed by a Guarantor in favor of Agent.
Guard Yourself: Guard Yourself Insurance Company, a Company Limited by Shares organized under The Companies Act, 1996 of the Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis.
Hedging Agreement: a “swap agreement” as defined in Bankruptcy Code Section 101(53B)(A).
Historical Dilution: means, as of any date of determination during the month of:
(a)October, a percentage that is the result of dividing the Dollar equivalent amount of (i) bad debt write-downs or write-offs, discounts, returns, promotions, credits, credit memos and other dilutive items with respect to Borrowers’ Accounts during the period of November and December of the prior calendar year and January of the current calendar year, by (ii) Borrowers’ gross sales during the period of August, September and October of the prior calendar year;
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(b)November, a percentage that is the result of dividing the Dollar equivalent amount of (i) bad debt write-downs or write-offs, discounts, returns, promotions, credits, credit memos and other dilutive items with respect to Borrowers’ Accounts during the period of December of the prior calendar year and January and February of the current calendar year, by (ii) Borrowers’ gross sales during the period of September, October and November of the prior calendar year;
(c)December, a percentage that is the result of dividing the Dollar equivalent amount of (i) bad debt write-downs or write-offs, discounts, returns, promotions, credits, credit memos and other dilutive items with respect to Borrowers’ Accounts during the period of January, February and March of the current calendar year, by (ii) Borrowers’ gross sales during the period of October, November and December of the prior calendar year;
(d)January, a percentage that is the result of dividing the Dollar equivalent amount of (i) bad debt write-downs or write-offs, discounts, returns, promotions, credits, credit memos and other dilutive items with respect to Borrowers’ Accounts during the period of February, March and April of the prior calendar year, by (ii) Borrowers’ gross sales during the period of November and December of the calendar year before the prior calendar year and January of the prior calendar year;
(e)February, a percentage that is the result of dividing the Dollar equivalent amount of (i) bad debt write-downs or write-offs, discounts, returns, promotions, credits, credit memos and other dilutive items with respect to Borrowers’ Accounts during the period of March, April and May of the prior calendar year, by (ii) Borrowers’ gross sales during the period of December of the calendar year before the prior calendar year and January and February of the prior calendar year; and
(f)March, a percentage that is the result of dividing the Dollar equivalent amount of (i) bad debt write-downs or write-offs, discounts, returns, promotions, credits, credit memos and other dilutive items with respect to Borrowers’ Accounts during the period of April, May and June of the prior calendar year, by (ii) Borrowers’ gross sales during the period of January, February and March of the prior calendar year.
IC-DISC Future Notes: any other notes issued after the Closing Date in connection with the making of the Permitted IC-DISC Payments so long as the terms of such notes are substantially similar to the terms of the IC-DISC Notes 3/4, including maturity of not less than 5 years after the date of issuance, only payment in kind of interest (no cash interest payments), and subordinated in payment pursuant to the terms of the IC-DISC Subordination Agreement.
IC-DISC Notes: means, collectively, the IC-DISC Notes 3/4, the IC-DISC Notes 7/8, and the IC-DISC Notes 9/10.
IC-DISC Notes 3/4: that certain (a) Second Amended and Restated Subordinated PIK Note, dated as of February 1, 2017, made by Alliance and payable to the order of Ogilvie in the original principal amount of $3,358,000, and (b) Second Amended and Restated Subordinated PIK Note, dated as of February 1, 2017, made by Alliance and payable to the order of Walker in the original principal amount of $3,358,000.
IC-DISC Notes 7/8: that certain (a) Amended and Restated Subordinated PIK Note, dated as of February 1, 2017, made by Alliance and payable to the order of Ogilvie in the original principal amount of $3,851,000, and (b) Amended and Restated Subordinated PIK Note, dated as of February 1, 2017, made by Alliance and payable to the order of Walker, in the original principal amount of $3,851,000.
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IC-DISC Notes 9/10: that certain (a) Amended and Restated Subordinated PIK Note, dated as of February 1, 2017, made by Alliance and payable to the order of Ogilvie in the original principal amount of $2,815,000, (b) Amended and Restated Subordinated PIK Note, dated as of February 1, 2017, made by Alliance and payable to the order of Walker in the original principal amount of $2,815,000, and (c) IC-DISC Future Notes.
IC-DISC Subordination Agreements: each of (a) that certain Subordination Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, between Ogilvie and Agent, and (b) that certain Subordination Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, between Walker and Agent in each case, in respect of the IC-DISC Notes.
Indemnified Taxes: (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or relating to any payment of an Obligation; and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in clause (a), Other Taxes.
Indemnitees: Agent Indemnitees, Lender Indemnitees, Issuing Bank Indemnitees and Bank of America Indemnitees.
Insolvency Proceeding: any case or proceeding commenced by or against a Person under any state, federal or foreign law for, or any agreement of such Person to, (a) the entry of an order for relief under the Bankruptcy Code, or any other insolvency, debtor relief or debt adjustment law; (b) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, liquidator, administrator, conservator or other custodian for such Person or any part of its Property; or (c) an assignment or trust mortgage for the benefit of creditors.
Intellectual Property: all intellectual and similar Property of a Person, including inventions, designs, patents, copyrights, trademarks, service marks, trade names, trade secrets, confidential or proprietary information, customer lists, know-how, software and databases; all embodiments or fixations thereof and all related documentation, applications, registrations and franchises; all licenses or other rights to use any of the foregoing; and all books and records relating to the foregoing.
Intellectual Property Claim: any claim or assertion (whether in writing, by suit or otherwise) that a Borrower’s or Subsidiary’s ownership, use, marketing, sale or distribution of any Inventory, Equipment, Intellectual Property or other Property violates another Person’s Intellectual Property.
Interest Expense: for any period, the aggregate of the interest expense of Alliance Holding and its Subsidiaries for such period, determined in accordance with GAAP.
Interest Period: as defined in Section 3.1.3.
Inventory: as defined in the UCC, including all goods intended for sale, lease, display or demonstration; all work in process; all processed and unprocessed goods in possession of a Borrower to be returned to Borrowers’ vendors; and all raw materials, and other materials and supplies of any kind that are or could be used in connection with the manufacture, printing, packing, shipping, advertising, sale, lease or furnishing of such goods, or otherwise used or consumed in a Borrower’s business (but excluding Equipment).
Inventory Formula Amount: the lesser of:
(a)$100,000,000, during each Seasonal Period, or $75,000,000, at all other times; and
(b)the sum of:
(i) the lesser of (A) 65% of the Value of Eligible Inventory (other than Inventory to be returned to Borrowers’ vendors or Inventory returned from Borrowers’ customers which is not reflected on the most recent Inventory perpetual report of Borrowers), and (B) 85% of the NOLV Percentage of the Value of Eligible Inventory (other than Inventory to be returned to Borrowers’ vendors or Inventory returned from Borrowers’ customers which is not reflected on the most recent Inventory perpetual report of Borrowers); plus
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(ii) the lowest of (A) 65% of the Value of Eligible Inventory consisting of Inventory to be returned to Borrowers’ vendors (other than Inventory returned from Borrowers’ customers which is not reflected on the most recent Inventory perpetual report of Borrowers), (B) 85% of the NOLV Percentage of the Value of Eligible Inventory consisting of Inventory to be returned to Borrowers’ vendors (other than Inventory returned from Borrowers’ customers which is not reflected on the most recent Inventory perpetual report of Borrowers), and (C) $6,500,000; plus
(iii) the lowest of (A) 65% of the Value of Eligible Inventory consisting of Inventory returned from Borrowers’ customers which is not reflected on the most recent Inventory perpetual report of Borrowers, (B) 85% of the NOLV Percentage of the Value of Eligible Inventory consisting of Inventory returned from Borrowers’ customers which is not reflected on the most recent Inventory perpetual report of Borrowers, and (C) $3,000,000.
Inventory Reserve: reserves established by Agent to reflect factors that may negatively impact the Value of Inventory, including change in salability, obsolescence, seasonality, theft, shrinkage, imbalance, change in composition or mix, markdowns and vendor chargebacks.
Investor Note 5: that certain Amended and Restated Investor Note, dated as of December 9, 2014, issued by Alliance to the Bruce Ogilvie, Jr. Trust, dated January 20, 1994.
Investment: an Acquisition, an acquisition of record or beneficial ownership of any Equity Interests of a Person, or an advance or capital contribution to or other investment in a Person.
IP Assignment: a collateral assignment or security agreement pursuant to which an Obligor grants a Lien on its Intellectual Property to Agent, as security for its Obligations.
IRS: the United States Internal Revenue Service.
Issuing Bank: Bank of America (including any Lending Office of Bank of America), or any replacement issuer appointed pursuant to Section 2.3.4.
Issuing Bank Indemnitees: Issuing Bank and its officers, directors, employees, Affiliates, agents and attorneys.
Judgment Currency: as defined in Section 1.5.2.
LC Application: an application by Borrower Agent to Issuing Bank for issuance of a Letter of Credit, in form and substance satisfactory to Issuing Bank and Agent.
LC Conditions: upon giving effect to issuance of a Letter of Credit, (a) the conditions in Section 6 are satisfied; (b) total LC Obligations do not exceed the Letter of Credit Subline and Revolver Usage does not exceed the Borrowing Base; (c) the Letter of Credit and payments thereunder are denominated in Dollars or other currency satisfactory to Agent and Issuing Bank; and (d) the purpose and form of the Letter of Credit are satisfactory to Agent and Issuing Bank in their discretion.
LC Documents: all documents, instruments and agreements (including LC Requests and LC Applications) delivered by Borrowers or any other Person to Issuing Bank or Agent in connection with any Letter of Credit.
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LC Obligations: the sum of (a) all amounts owing by Borrowers for drawings under Letters of Credit; and (b) the Stated Amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit.
LC Request: a request for issuance of a Letter of Credit, to be provided by Borrower Agent to Issuing Bank, in form satisfactory to Agent and Issuing Bank.
Lender Indemnitees: Lenders and Secured Bank Product Providers, and their officers, directors, employees, Affiliates, agents and attorneys.
Lenders: lenders party to this Agreement (including Agent in its capacity as provider of Swingline Loans) and any Person who hereafter becomes a “Lender” pursuant to an Assignment, including any Lending Office of the foregoing.
Lending Office: the office (including any domestic or foreign Affiliate or branch) designated as such by a Lender or Issuing Bank by notice to Agent and Borrower Agent.
Letter of Credit: any standby or documentary letter of credit, foreign guaranty, documentary bankers acceptance, indemnity, reimbursement agreement or similar instrument issued by Issuing Bank for the account or benefit of a Borrower or Affiliate of a Borrower.
Letter of Credit Subline: $2,000,000.
LIBOR: the per annum rate of interest (rounded up to the nearest 1/8th of 1%) determined by Agent at or about 11:00 a.m. (London time) two Business Days prior to an interest period, for a term equivalent to such period, equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate, or comparable or successor rate approved by Agent, as published on the applicable Reuters screen page (or other commercially available source designated by Agent from time to time); provided, that any comparable or successor rate shall be applied by Agent, if administratively feasible, in a manner consistent with market practice; provided further, that in no event shall LIBOR be less than zero.
LIBOR Loan: each set of LIBOR Revolver Loans having a common length and commencement of Interest Period.
LIBOR Revolver Loan: a Revolver Loan that bears interest based on LIBOR.
License: any license or agreement under which an Obligor is authorized to use Intellectual Property in connection with any manufacture, marketing, distribution or disposition of Collateral, any use of Property or any other conduct of its business.
Licensor: any Person from whom an Obligor obtains the right to use any Intellectual Property.
Lien: a Person’s interest in Property securing an obligation owed to, or a claim by, such Person, including any lien, security interest, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, trust, reservation, encroachment, easement, right-of-way, covenant, condition, restriction, lease, or other title exception or encumbrance.
Lien Waiver: an agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, by which (a) for any material Collateral located on leased premises, the lessor waives or subordinates any Lien it may have on the Collateral, and agrees to permit Agent to enter upon the premises and remove the Collateral or to use the premises to store or dispose of the Collateral; (b) for any Collateral held by a warehouseman, processor, shipper, customs broker or freight forwarder, such Person waives or subordinates any Lien it may have on the Collateral, agrees to hold any Documents in its possession relating to the Collateral as agent for Agent, and agrees to deliver the Collateral to Agent upon request; (c) for any Collateral held by a repairman, mechanic or bailee, such Person acknowledges Agent’s Lien, waives or subordinates any Lien it may have on the Collateral, and agrees to deliver the Collateral to Agent upon request; and (d) for any Collateral subject to a Licensor’s Intellectual Property rights, the Licensor grants to Agent the right, vis-à-vis such Licensor, to enforce Agent’s Liens with respect to the Collateral, including the right to dispose of it with the benefit of the Intellectual Property, whether or not a default exists under any applicable License.
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Loan: a Revolver Loan.
Loan Documents: this Agreement, Other Agreements and Security Documents.
Loan Year: each 12 month period commencing on the Closing Date or an anniversary thereof
Margin Stock: as defined in Regulation U of the Board of Governors.
Material Adverse Effect: the effect of any event or circumstance that, taken alone or in conjunction with other events or circumstances, (a) has or could be reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, operations, Properties or condition (financial or otherwise) of any Obligor, on the value of any material Collateral, on the enforceability of any Loan Documents, or on the validity or priority of Agent’s Liens on any Collateral; (b) impairs the ability of an Obligor to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents in any material way, including repayment of any Obligations; or (c) otherwise impairs the ability of Agent or any Lender to enforce or collect any Obligations or to realize upon any Collateral.
Material Contract: any agreement or arrangement to which a Borrower or Subsidiary is party (other than the Loan Documents) (a) that is deemed to be a material contract under any securities law applicable to such Person, including the Securities Act of 1933; (b) for which breach, termination, nonperformance or failure to renew could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; or (c) that relates to Subordinated Debt, or to Debt in an aggregate amount of $1,000,000 or more.
Moody’s: Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or any successor acceptable to Agent.
Mortgage: a mortgage or deed of trust in which an Obligor grants a Lien on its Real Estate to Agent, as security for its Obligations.
Multiemployer Plan: any employee benefit plan of the type described in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which an Obligor or ERISA Affiliate makes or is obligated to make contributions, or during the preceding five plan years, has made or been obligated to make contributions.
Multiple Employer Plan: a Plan that has two or more contributing sponsors, including an Obligor or ERISA Affiliate, at least two of whom are not under common control, as described in Section 4064 of ERISA.
My Worldwide: My Worldwide Marketplace, Inc., a Nevada corporation.
Net Income: with respect to any Person for any period, the net income (loss) of such Person and its Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP, but excluding from the determination of Net Income (without duplication) any tax refunds, net operating losses or other net tax benefits.
Net Proceeds: with respect to an Asset Disposition, proceeds (including, when received, any deferred or escrowed payments) received by a Borrower or Subsidiary in cash from such disposition, net of (a) reasonable and customary costs and expenses actually incurred in connection therewith, including legal fees and sales commissions; (b) amounts applied to repayment of Debt secured by a Permitted Lien senior to Agent’s Liens on Collateral sold; (c) transfer or similar taxes; and (d) reserves for indemnities, until such reserves are no longer needed.
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NOLV Percentage: the net orderly liquidation value of Inventory, expressed as a percentage, expected to be realized at an orderly, negotiated sale held within a reasonable period of time, net of all liquidation expenses, as determined from the most recent appraisal of Borrowers’ Inventory performed by an appraiser and on terms satisfactory to Agent.
Notice of Borrowing: a request by Borrower Agent for a Borrowing of Revolver Loans, in form satisfactory to Agent.
Notice of Conversion/Continuation: a request by Borrower Agent for conversion or continuation of a Loan as a LIBOR Loan, in form satisfactory to Agent.
Obligations: all (a) principal of and premium, if any, on the Loans, (b) LC Obligations and other obligations of Obligors with respect to Letters of Credit, (c) interest, expenses, fees, indemnification obligations, Extraordinary Expenses and other amounts payable by Obligors under Loan Documents, (d) Secured Bank Product Obligations, and (e) other Debts, obligations and liabilities of any kind owing by Obligors pursuant to the Loan Documents, whether now existing or hereafter arising, whether evidenced by a note or other writing, whether allowed in any Insolvency Proceeding, whether arising from an extension of credit, issuance of a letter of credit, acceptance, loan, guaranty, indemnification or otherwise, and whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, primary or secondary, or joint or several; provided, that Obligations of an Obligor shall not include its Excluded Swap Obligations.
Obligor: each Borrower, Guarantor or other Person that is liable for payment of any Obligations or that has granted a Lien on its assets in favor of Agent to secure any Obligations.
OFAC: Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department.
Ogilvie: Bruce Ogilvie, Jr., an individual.
Ordinary Course of Business: the ordinary course of business of any Borrower or Subsidiary, undertaken in good faith and consistent with Applicable Law and past practices.
Organic Documents: with respect to any Person, its charter, certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws, articles of organization, limited liability agreement, operating agreement, members agreement, shareholders agreement, partnership agreement, certificate of partnership, certificate of formation, voting trust agreement, or similar agreement or instrument governing the formation or operation of such Person.
OSHA: the Occupational Safety and Hazard Act of 1970.
Other Agreement: each LC Document, fee letter, Lien Waiver, intercreditor agreement (including the Wheeler Note Intercreditor Agreement and the Vendor Intercreditor Agreements), subordination agreement (including the Walker/Ogilvie Subordination Agreements and the IC-DISC Subordination Agreements), Mortgage and related real estate documentation, Borrowing Base Report, Compliance Certificate, Borrower Materials, or other note, document, instrument or agreement (other than this Agreement or a Security Document) now or hereafter delivered by an Obligor or other Person to Agent or a Lender in connection with any transactions relating hereto.
Other Connection Taxes: Taxes imposed on a Recipient due to a present or former connection between it and the taxing jurisdiction (other than connections arising from the Recipient having executed, delivered, become party to, performed obligations or received payments under, received or perfected a Lien or engaged in any other transaction pursuant to, enforced, or sold or assigned an interest in, any Loan or Loan Document).
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Other Taxes: all present or future stamp, court, documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a Lien under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, except Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment made pursuant to Section 13.4(c)).
Overadvance: as defined in Section 2.1.5.
Panther: as defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
Participant: as defined in Section 13.2.
Patriot Act: the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, Pub. L. No. 107-56, 115 Stat. 272 (2001).
Payment Item: each check, draft or other item of payment payable to a Borrower, including those constituting proceeds of any Collateral.
PBGC: the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
Pension Funding Rules: Code and ERISA rules regarding minimum required contributions (including installment payments) to Pension Plans set forth in, for plan years ending prior to the Pension Protection Act of 2006 effective date, Section 412 of the Code and Section 302 of ERISA, both as in effect prior to such act, and thereafter, Sections 412, 430, 431, 432 and 436 of the Code and Sections 302, 303, 304 and 305 of ERISA.
Pension Plan: any employee pension benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA), other than a Multiemployer Plan, that is subject to Title IV of ERISA and is sponsored or maintained by any Obligor or ERISA Affiliate or to which the Obligor or ERISA Affiliate contributes or has an obligation to contribute, or in the case of a multiple employer or other plan described in Section 4064(a) of ERISA, has made contributions at any time during the preceding five plan years.
Permitted Acquisition: any Acquisition as long as
(a)no Default or Event of Default exists or is caused thereby;
(b)the Acquisition is consensual;
(c)the assets (other than a de minimis of assets in relation to the assets being acquired), business or Person being acquired is useful or engaged in the business of Borrowers and Subsidiaries, is located or organized within the United States, either (i) had positive EBITDA for the 12 month period most recently ended, or (ii) would have a positive adjusted EBITDA for such period after taking into account the elimination of duplicative costs and other efficiencies that could reasonably be expected to result from the Acquisition;
(d)no Debt or Liens are assumed or incurred, except as permitted by Sections 10.2.1(f), 10.2.1(h) and 10.2.2(j);
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(e)the total consideration (including deferred payment obligations and Debt assumed or incurred) is less than $2,000,000 and, when aggregated with the total consideration for all other Acquisitions made after the Closing Date, is less than $5,000,000;
(f)Borrowers shall have (i) Average Daily Availability for the 90 day period immediately prior to the consummation of the proposed Acquisition in an amount equal to or greater than $15,000,000, and (ii) Availability immediately after giving effect to the consummation of the proposed Acquisition in an amount equal to or greater than $15,000,000;
(g)Borrowers have provided Agent with written confirmation that, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the proposed Acquisition, determined as if such Acquisition had occurred on the first day of the twelve calendar month period most recently ended for which financial statements are available, Alliance Holding and its Subsidiaries would have been in compliance with the financial covenants in Section 10.3 of this Agreement as of the last day of the calendar month most recently ended for which financial statements are available, which such written confirmation shall be reasonably satisfactory to Agent;
(h)Borrowers deliver to Agent, at least 10 Business Days prior to the proposed Acquisition, copies of all material agreements relating thereto and a certificate, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, stating that the Acquisition is a “Permitted Acquisition” and demonstrating compliance with the foregoing requirements; and
(i) Borrowers have provided Agent with their due diligence package relative to the proposed Acquisition, together with such additional information, in both cases, as reasonably requested by Agent.
Permitted Asset Disposition: as long as no Default or Event of Default exists and all Net Proceeds are remitted to Agent, an Asset Disposition that is (a) a sale of Inventory in the Ordinary Course of Business; (b) a disposition of Equipment that, in the aggregate during any 12 month period, has a fair market or book value (whichever is more) of $1,000,000 or less; (c) a disposition of Inventory that is obsolete, unmerchantable or otherwise unsalable in the Ordinary Course of Business and is not Eligible Inventory; (d) termination of a lease of real or personal Property that is not necessary for the Ordinary Course of Business, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and does not result from an Obligor’s default; or (e) approved in writing by Agent and Required Lenders.
Permitted Cayman Canadian Dollars Account: the Deposit Account maintained with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. bearing account number 7775019669, so long as (a) such Deposit Account does not contain any currency other than Canadian Dollars, (b) at the end of each calendar week, any amounts in excess of Cdn$400,000 (minus any pending Automated Clearing House (ACH) or international Automated Clearing House (IACH) transfer amounts, as disclosed by the Borrowers in a report, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, to Agent prior to the end of such calendar week) in such Deposit Account are converted to Dollars and swept to the main Dominion Account at Bank of America, and (c) such Deposit Account is subject to a Deposit Account Control Agreement and the Cayman Account Charge, each in form and substance satisfactory to Agent; provided, however, that within 180 calendar days from the Closing Date, such Deposit Account and the funds on deposit therein shall be maintained with Bank of America or its Affiliates.
Permitted Cayman Euros Account: the Deposit Account maintained with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. bearing account number 7775027787, so long as (a) such Deposit Account does not contain any currency other than Euros, (b) at the end of each calendar week, any amounts in excess of €300,000 (minus any pending Automated Clearing House (ACH) or international Automated Clearing House (IACH) transfer amounts, as disclosed by the Borrowers in a report, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, to Agent prior to the end of such calendar week) in the aggregate in such Deposit Account and in the Permitted UK Euros Account, are converted to Dollars and swept to the main Dominion Account at Bank of America, and (c) such Deposit Account is subject to a Deposit Account Control Agreement and the Cayman Account Charge, each in form and substance satisfactory to Agent; provided, however, that within 180 calendar days from the Closing Date, such Deposit Account and the funds on deposit therein shall be maintained with Bank of America or its Affiliates.
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Permitted Cayman Japanese Yen Account: the Deposit Account maintained with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. bearing account number 7775019677, so long as (a) such Deposit Account does not contain any currency other than Japanese Yen, (b) at the end of each calendar week, any amounts in excess of ¥20,000,000 (minus any pending Automated Clearing House (ACH) or international Automated Clearing House (IACH) transfer amounts, as disclosed by the Borrowers in a report, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, to Agent prior to the end of such calendar week) in such Deposit Account are converted to Dollars and swept to the main Dominion Account at Bank of America, and (c) such Deposit Account is subject to a Deposit Account Control Agreement and the Cayman Account Charge, each in form and substance satisfactory to Agent; provided, however, that within 180 calendar days from the Closing Date, such Deposit Account and the funds on deposit therein shall be maintained with Bank of America or its Affiliates.
Permitted Contingent Obligations: Contingent Obligations (a) arising from endorsements of Payment Items for collection or deposit in the Ordinary Course of Business; (b) arising from Hedging Agreements permitted hereunder; (c) existing on the Closing Date, and any extension or renewal thereof that does not increase the amount of such Contingent Obligation when extended or renewed; (d) incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business with respect to bid, surety, appeal, statutory, customs or performance bonds, or other similar obligations; (e) arising from customary indemnification obligations in favor of purchasers in connection with dispositions of Equipment permitted hereunder; (f) arising under the Loan Documents; or (g) in an aggregate amount of $1,000,000 or less at any time.
Permitted Discretion: a determination made in the exercise, in good faith, of reasonable business judgment (from the perspective of a secured, asset-based lender).
Permitted Foreign Deposit Accounts: collectively, the Permitted Cayman Canadian Dollars Account, the Permitted Cayman Japanese Yen Account, the Permitted Cayman Euros Account, the Permitted UK Sterling Accounts and the Permitted UK Euros Account.
Permitted IC-DISC Payments: for any calendar year, two IC-DISC payments to My Worldwide, calculated in accordance with existing practices, so long as: (a) not less than three (3) Business Days prior to the date of the first such payment, a Senior Officer of Borrower Agent shall certify to Agent the amount of each IC-DISC payment to be made in such calendar year and the amount of Debt to be incurred after making each such IC-DISC payment under clauses (f) and (g) below, in each case supported by reasonably detailed calculations, and such amounts to be approved in writing by Agent prior to the making of the first such payment, (b) immediately before and immediately after giving effect to each such payment, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (c) both such payments are made on or before March 31 of such calendar year, (d) the first such payment is in an aggregate amount equal to the approved amount, (e) the second such payment is in an aggregate amount equal to the approved amount, (f) promptly, but in any event within 1 Business Day of the making of the first such payment, Alliance is in receipt of cash proceeds of Debt in an aggregate principal amount of not less than the approved amount, (g) promptly, but in any event within 1 Business Day of the making of the second such payment, Alliance is in receipt of cash proceeds of Debt in an aggregate principal amount of not less than the approved amount, (h) after the making of both such payments and the incurrence of Debt required under clauses (f) and (g) above, Alliance is in receipt of total cash proceeds of Debt required under clauses (f) and (g) above in an aggregate principal amount of not less than the approved amount, (i) promptly, but in any event within 1 Business Day of the receipt by Alliance of the cash proceeds of Debt required under clause (g) above, Alliance will deliver to Agent the applicable IC-DISC Future Notes issued in connection with the Debt incurred by Alliance under clauses (f) and (g) above, (j) any applicable taxes due on account of any such payment or the resulting dividends to the shareholders of My Worldwide are paid when due, and (k) Borrowers’ Excess Availability is equal to or greater than $15,000,000 (A) immediately before and immediately after giving effect to each such payment and (B) calculated on an average daily basis for the 30-day period ending immediately prior to the making of each such payment.
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Permitted Lien: as defined in Section 10.2.2.
Permitted Purchase Money Debt: Purchase Money Debt of Borrowers and Subsidiaries that is unsecured or secured only by a Purchase Money Lien, as long as the aggregate amount does not exceed $10,000,000 at any time.
Permitted UK Euros Account: the Deposit Account maintained with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., London Branch bearing account number GB44PNBP16567188001382, so long as (a) such Deposit Account does not contain any currency other than Euros, (b) at the end of each calendar week, any amounts in excess of €300,000 (minus any pending Automated Clearing House (ACH) or international Automated Clearing House (IACH) transfer amounts, as disclosed by the Borrowers in a report, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, to Agent prior to the end of such calendar week) in the aggregate in such Deposit Account and the Permitted Cayman Euros Account, are converted to Dollars and swept to the main Dominion Account at Bank of America, and (c) such Deposit Account is subject to a Deposit Account Control Agreement and UK Account Charge in form and substance satisfactory to Agent; provided, however, that within 180 calendar days from the Closing Date, such Deposit Account and the funds on deposit therein shall be maintained with Bank of America or its Affiliates.
Permitted UK Sterling Accounts: the Deposit Accounts maintained with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., London Branch bearing account numbers GB71PNBP16567188001381 and GB80PNBP16567188002674, so long as (a) such Deposit Accounts do not contain any currency other than Sterling, (b) at the end of each calendar week, any amounts in excess of £300,000 (minus any pending Automated Clearing House (ACH) or international Automated Clearing House (IACH) transfer amounts, as disclosed by the Borrowers in a report, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, to Agent prior to the end of such calendar week) in the aggregate in all such Deposit Accounts are converted to Dollars and swept to the main Dominion Account at Bank of America, (c) each such Deposit Account is subject to a Deposit Account Control Agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, and (d) the Deposit Accounts bearing account numbers GB71PNBP16567188001381 and GB80PNBP 16567188002674 are subject to the UK Account Charge, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent; provided, however, that within 180 calendar days from the Closing Date, such Deposit Accounts and the funds on deposit therein shall be maintained with Bank of America or its Affiliates.
Person: any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, association, trust, unincorporated organization, Governmental Authority or other entity.
Plan: an employee benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA) maintained for employees of an Obligor or ERISA Affiliate, or to which an Obligor or ERISA Affiliate is required to contribute on behalf of its employees.
Platform: as defined in Section 14.3.3.
Prime Rate: the rate of interest announced by Bank of America from time to time as its prime rate. Such rate is set by Bank of America on the basis of various factors, including its costs and desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above or below such rate. Any change in such rate publicly announced by Bank of America shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the announcement.
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Pro Rata: with respect to any Lender, a percentage (rounded to the ninth decimal place) determined (a) by dividing the amount of such Lender’s Revolver Commitment by the aggregate outstanding Revolver Commitments; or (b) following termination of the Revolver Commitments, by dividing the amount of such Lender’s Loans and LC Obligations by the aggregate outstanding Loans and LC Obligations or, if all Loans and LC Obligations have been paid in full and/or Cash Collateralized, by dividing such Lender’s and its Affiliates’ remaining Obligations by the aggregate remaining Obligations.
Properly Contested: with respect to any obligation of an Obligor, (a) the obligation is subject to a bona fide dispute regarding amount or the Obligor’s liability to pay; (b) the obligation is being properly contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently pursued; (c) appropriate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP; (d) non-payment could not have a Material Adverse Effect, nor result in forfeiture or sale of any assets of the Obligor; (e) no Lien is imposed on assets of the Obligor, unless bonded and stayed to the satisfaction of Agent; and (f) if the obligation results from entry of a judgment or other order, such judgment or order is stayed pending appeal or other judicial review.
Property: any interest in any kind of property or asset, whether real, personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible.
Protective Advances: as defined in Section 2.1.6.
Purchase Money Debt: (a) Debt (other than the Obligations) for payment of any of the purchase price of fixed assets; (b) Debt (other than the Obligations) incurred within 30 days before or after the acquisition or completion of construction of any fixed assets, for the purpose of financing any of the purchase price thereof; and (c) any renewals, extensions or refinancings (but not increases) thereof.
Purchase Money Lien: a Lien that secures Purchase Money Debt, encumbering only the fixed assets acquired with such Debt and constituting a Capital Lease or a purchase money security interest under the UCC.
Qualified ECP: an Obligor with total assets exceeding $10,000,000, or that constitutes an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act and can cause another Person to qualify as an “eligible contract participant” under Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of such act.
RCRA: the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 6991-6991i).
Real Estate: all right, title and interest (whether as owner, lessor or lessee) in any real Property or any buildings, structures, parking areas or other improvements thereon.
Recipient: Agent, Issuing Bank, any Lender or any other recipient of a payment to be made by an Obligor under a Loan Document or on account of an Obligation.
Refinancing Conditions: (a) the Refinancing Debt is in an aggregate principal amount that does not exceed the principal amount of the Debt being extended, renewed or refinanced; (b) it has a final maturity no sooner than, a weighted average life no less than, and an interest rate no greater than, the Debt being extended, renewed or refinanced; (c) it is subordinated to the Obligations at least to the same extent as the Debt being extended, renewed or refinanced; (d) the representations, covenants and defaults applicable to it are no less favorable to Borrowers than those applicable to the Debt being extended, renewed or refinanced; (e) no additional Lien is granted to secure it; (f) no additional Person is obligated on such Debt; and (g) upon giving effect to it, no Default or Event of Default exists.
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Refinancing Debt: Borrowed Money that is the result of an extension, renewal or refinancing of Debt permitted under Section 10.2.1(d) or (f).
Reimbursement Date: as defined in Section 2.3.2.
Rent and Charges Reserve: the aggregate of (a) all past due rent and other amounts owing by an Obligor to any landlord, warehouseman, processor, repairman, mechanic, shipper, freight forwarder, broker or other Person who possesses any Collateral or could assert a Lien on any Collateral; and (b) a reserve at least equal to three months rent and other charges that could be payable to any such Person, unless it has executed a Lien Waiver.
Report: as defined in Section 12.2.3.
Reportable Event: any event set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA, other than an event for which the 30 day notice period has been waived.
Required Lenders: at any time that there are two or more unaffiliated Secured Parties, two or more unaffiliated Secured Parties holding more than 50% of (a) the aggregate outstanding Revolver Commitments; or (b) after termination of the Revolver Commitments, the aggregate outstanding Loans and LC Obligations or, upon Full Payment of all Loans and LC Obligations, the aggregate remaining Obligations; provided, however, that Commitments, Loans and other Obligations held by a Defaulting Lender and its Affiliates shall be disregarded in making such calculation, but any related Fronting Exposure shall be deemed held as a Loan or LC Obligation by the Lender that funded the applicable Loan or issued the applicable Letter of Credit.
Rescission: as defined in Section 8.5.2.
Restricted Investment: any Investment by a Borrower or Subsidiary, other than (a) Investments in Subsidiaries to the extent existing on the Closing Date; (b) Cash Equivalents that are subject to Agent’s Lien and control, pursuant to documentation in form and substance satisfactory to Agent; (c) loans and advances permitted under Section 10.2.7; and (d) Permitted Acquisitions.
Restrictive Agreement: an agreement (other than a Loan Document) that conditions or restricts the right of any Borrower, Subsidiary or other Obligor to incur or repay Borrowed Money, to grant Liens on any assets, to declare or make Distributions, to modify, extend or renew any agreement evidencing Borrowed Money, or to repay any intercompany Debt.
Revolver Commitment: for any Lender and as of any date of measurement, its obligation to make Revolver Loans and to participate in LC Obligations up to the maximum principal amount as of such date shown on Schedule 1.1, as hereafter modified pursuant to Section 2.1.7 or an Assignment to which it is a party. “Revolver Commitments” means the aggregate amount of such commitments of all Lenders.
Revolver Loan: any loan made pursuant to Section 2.1 or as a Swingline Loan.
Revolver Termination Date: February 21, 2021.
Revolver Usage: (a) the aggregate amount of outstanding Revolver Loans; plus (b) the aggregate Stated Amount of outstanding Letters of Credit, except to the extent Cash Collateralized by Borrowers.
Rights: as defined in Section 12.14.
S&P: Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, a subsidiary of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., or any successor acceptable to Agent.
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Sanction: any sanction administered or enforced by the U.S. Government (including OFAC), United Nations Security Council, European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury or other sanctions authority.
Seasonal Period: means the period commencing on October 15 of each calendar year and continuing through and including January 15 of the following calendar year.
Secured Bank Product Obligations: Debt, obligations and other liabilities with respect to Bank Products owing by a Borrower or Affiliate of a Borrower to a Secured Bank Product Provider; provided, that Secured Bank Product Obligations of an Obligor shall not include its Excluded Swap Obligations.
Secured Bank Product Provider: (a) Bank of America or any of its Affiliates; and (b) any other Lender or Affiliate of a Lender that is providing a Bank Product, provided such provider delivers written notice to Agent and to Borrowers, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, within 10 days following the later of the Closing Date or creation of the Bank Product, (i) describing the Bank Product and setting forth the maximum amount to be secured by the Collateral and the methodology to be used in calculating such amount, and (ii) agreeing to be bound by Section 12.13.
Secured Parties: Agent, Issuing Bank, Lenders and Secured Bank Product Providers.
Security Documents: the Guaranties, Mortgages, IP Assignments, Deposit Account Control Agreements, the Cayman Account Charge, the UK Account Charge, the Stock Pledge Agreements, and all other documents, instruments and agreements now or hereafter securing (or given with the intent to secure) any Obligations.
Senior Officer: the chairman of the board, president, chief executive officer or chief financial officer of a Borrower or, if the context requires, an Obligor.
Settlement Report: a report summarizing Revolver Loans and participations in LC Obligations outstanding as of a given settlement date, allocated to Lenders on a Pro Rata basis in accordance with their Revolver Commitments.
Solvent: as to any Person, such Person (a) owns Property whose fair salable value is greater than the amount required to pay all of its debts (including contingent, subordinated, unmatured and unliquidated liabilities); (b) owns Property whose present fair salable value (as defined below) is greater than the probable total liabilities (including contingent, subordinated, unmatured and unliquidated liabilities) of such Person as they become absolute and matured; (c) is able to pay all of its debts as they mature; (d) has capital that is not unreasonably small for its business and is sufficient to carry on its business and transactions and all business and transactions in which it is about to engage; (e) is not “insolvent” within the meaning of Section 101(32) of the Bankruptcy Code; and (f) has not incurred (by way of assumption or otherwise) any obligations or liabilities (contingent or otherwise) under any Loan Documents, or made any conveyance in connection therewith, with actual intent to hinder, delay or defraud either present or future creditors of such Person or any of its Affiliates. “Fair salable value” means the amount that could be obtained for assets within a reasonable time, either through collection or through sale under ordinary selling conditions by a capable and diligent seller to an interested buyer who is willing (but under no compulsion) to purchase.
Specified Obligor: an Obligor that is not then an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act (determined prior to giving effect to Section 5.11).
Spot Rate: the exchange rate, as determined by Agent, that is applicable to conversion of one currency into another currency, which is (a) the exchange rate reported by Bloomberg (or other commercially available source designated by Agent) as of the end of the preceding business day in the financial market for the first currency; or (b) if such report is unavailable for any reason, the spot rate for the purchase of the first currency with the second currency as in effect during the preceding business day in Agent’s principal foreign exchange trading office for the first currency.
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Stated Amount: the outstanding amount of a Letter of Credit, including any automatic increase or tolerance (whether or not then in effect) provided by the Letter of Credit or related LC Documents.
Stock Pledge Agreement: a stock pledge agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, the form and substance of which is reasonably satisfactory to Agent, executed and delivered by each of Walker and Ogilvie to Agent.
Subordinated Debt: the Debt incurred under the Walker/Ogilvie Notes 1/2, the Wheeler Note 6, and the IC-DISC Notes.
Subsidiary: any entity at least 50% of whose voting securities or Equity Interests is owned by a Borrower or combination of Borrowers (including indirect ownership through other entities in which a Borrower directly or indirectly owns 50% of the voting securities or Equity Interests).
Super O: Super O Insurance Company, Ltd., a Company Limited by Shares organized under The Companies Act, 1996 of the Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis.
Swap Obligations: with respect to an Obligor, its obligations under a Hedging Agreement that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of Section la(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act.
Swingline Loan: any Borrowing of Base Rate Revolver Loans funded with Agent’s funds, until such Borrowing is settled among Lenders or repaid by Borrowers.
Taxes: all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.
Transferee: any actual or potential Eligible Assignee, Participant or other Person acquiring an interest in any Obligations.
Triggering Event: means, as of any date of determination, that (a) a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing as of such date, or (b) Excess Availability is less than an amount equal to 10% of the Revolver Commitments for five consecutive Business Days.
UCC: the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York or, when the laws of any other jurisdiction govern the perfection or enforcement of any Lien, the Uniform Commercial Code of such jurisdiction.
UK Account Charge: means the English law governed account charge dated on or around the Closing Date, between Alliance and Directtou (as chargors) and Agent with respect to the Permitted UK Euros Account and the Permitted UK Sterling Account.
Unfunded Pension Liability: the excess of a Pension Plan’s benefit liabilities under Section 4001(a)(16) of ERISA, over the current value of that Pension Plan’s assets, determined in accordance with the assumptions used for funding the Pension Plan pursuant to the Code, ERISA or the Pension Protection Act of 2006 for the applicable plan year.
Unused Line Fee Rate: a per annum rate equal to 0.25%.
Upstream Payment: a Distribution by a Subsidiary of a Borrower to such Borrower.
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U.S. Person: “United States Person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.
U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate: as defined in Section 5.10.2(b)(iii).
Value: (a) for Inventory, its value determined on the basis of the lower of cost or market, calculated on a first-in, first out basis, and excluding any portion of cost attributable to intercompany profit among Borrowers and their Affiliates; and (b) for an Account, its face amount, net of any returns, rebates, discounts (calculated on the shortest terms), credits, allowances or Taxes (including sales, excise or other taxes) that have been or could be claimed by the Account Debtor or any other Person.
Vendor Intercreditor Agreements: each of (a) that certain Intercreditor and Subordination Agreement (letter) dated February 21, 2017 between Warner Home Entertainment Inc. and Agent, (b) that certain Intercreditor and Subordination Agreement (letter) dated February 21, 2017 between Warner/Elektra/Atlantic Corp. and the Agent, (c) that certain Intercreditor and Subordination Agreement (letter) dated February 21, 2017 between Universal Studios Home Entertainment, LLC and Agent, (d) that certain Intercreditor and Subordination Agreement (letter) dated February 21, 2017 between Universal Music Group Distribution, Corp. and Agent, (e) that certain Intercreditor and Subordination Agreement (letter) dated February 21, 2017 between Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment and Agent, and (f) that certain Intercreditor and Subordination Agreement (letter) dated February 21, 2017 between SONY Music Entertainment and its subsidiaries, on the one hand, and Agent, on the other, as the same may be amended or supplemented.
Walker: Jeffrey C. Walker, an individual.
Walker/Ogilvie Notes 1/2: each of (a) that certain Fourth Amended and Restated Promissory Note dated as of February 1, 2017 made by Alliance and payable to the order of Ogilvie in the original principal amount of $600,000, and (b) that certain Fourth Amended and Restated Promissory Note dated as of February 1, 2017 made by Alliance and payable to the order of Walker, in the original principal amount of $600,000.
Walker/Ogilvie Subordination Agreements: each of (a) that certain Subordination Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, between Ogilvie and Agent, and (b) that certain Subordination Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, between Walker and Agent, in each case in respect of the Walker/Ogilvie Notes 1/2.
Wheeler Note 6: that certain Amended and Restated Wheeler, Inc. Investor Note, dated as of December 9, 2014, issued by Alliance to Wheeler, Inc., a Nevada corporation, and the Bruce Ogilvie, Jr. Trust, dated January 20, 1994.
Wheeler Note Intercreditor Agreement: that certain Intercreditor Agreement, of even date herewith, by and among Agent, Wheeler, Inc., a Nevada corporation, and Bruce Ogilvie, Jr., as trustee for the Bruce Ogilvie, Jr. Trust dated January 20, 1994.
Write-Down and Conversion Powers: the write-down and conversion powers of the applicable EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.
1.2Accounting Terms. Under the Loan Documents (except as otherwise specified therein), all accounting terms shall be interpreted, all accounting determinations shall be made, and all financial statements shall be prepared, in accordance with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with the most recent audited financial statements of Borrowers delivered to Agent before the Closing Date and using the same inventory valuation method as used in such financial statements, except for any change required or permitted by GAAP if Borrowers’ certified public accountants concur in such change, the change is disclosed to Agent, and all relevant provisions of the Loan Documents are amended in a manner satisfactory to Required Lenders to take into account the effects of the change.
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1.3Uniform Commercial Code. As used herein, the following terms are defined in accordance with the UCC in effect in the State of New York from time to time: “Account,” “Account Debtor,” “Chattel Paper,” “Commercial Tort Claim,” “Deposit Account,” “Document,” “Equipment,” “General Intangibles,” “Goods,” “Instrument,” “Investment Property,” “Letter-of-Credit Right” and “Supporting Obligation.”
1.4Certain Matters of Construction. The terms “herein,” “hereof,” “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular section, paragraph or subdivision. Any pronoun used shall be deemed to cover all genders. In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, “from” means “from and including,” and “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding.” The terms “including” and “include” shall mean “including, without limitation” and, for purposes of each Loan Document, the parties agree that the rule of ejusdem generis shall not be applicable to limit any provision. Section titles appear as a matter of convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation of any Loan Document. All references to (a) laws include all related regulations, interpretations, supplements, amendments and successor provisions; (b) any document, instrument or agreement include any amendments, waivers and other modifications, extensions or renewals (to the extent permitted by the Loan Documents); (c) any section mean, unless the context otherwise requires, a section of this Agreement; (d) any exhibits or schedules mean, unless the context otherwise requires, exhibits and schedules attached hereto, which are hereby incorporated by reference; (e) any Person include successors and assigns; (f) time of day mean time of day at Agent’s notice address under Section 14.3.1; or (g) discretion of Agent, Issuing Bank or any Lender mean the sole and absolute discretion of such Person exercised at any time. All determinations (including calculations of Borrowing Base and financial covenants) made from time to time under the Loan Documents shall be made in light of the circumstances existing at such time. Borrowing Base calculations shall be consistent with historical methods of valuation and calculation, and otherwise satisfactory to Agent (and not necessarily calculated in accordance with GAAP). Borrowers shall have the burden of establishing any alleged negligence, misconduct or lack of good faith by Agent, Issuing Bank or any Lender under any Loan Documents. No provision of any Loan Documents shall be construed against any party by reason of such party having, or being deemed to have, drafted the provision. Reference to a Borrower’s “knowledge” or similar concept means actual knowledge of a Senior Officer, or knowledge that a Senior Officer would have obtained if he or she had engaged in good faith and diligent performance of his or her duties, including reasonably specific inquiries of employees or agents and a good faith attempt to ascertain the matter.
1.5Currency Equivalents.
1.5.1Calculations. All references in the Loan Documents to Loans, Letters of Credit, Obligations, Borrowing Base components and other amounts shall be denominated in Dollars, unless expressly provided otherwise. The Dollar equivalent of any amounts denominated or reported under a Loan Document in a currency other than Dollars shall be determined by Agent on a daily basis, based on the current Spot Rate. Borrowers shall report Value and other Borrowing Base components to Agent in the currency invoiced by Borrowers (for Accounts) or shown in Borrowers’ financial records (for all other assets), and unless expressly provided otherwise, shall deliver financial statements and calculate financial covenants in Dollars. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if an Obligation is funded or expressly denominated in a currency other than Dollars, Borrowers shall repay such Obligation in such other currency.
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1.5.2Judgments. If, in connection with obtaining judgment in any court, it is necessary to convert a sum from the currency provided under a Loan Document (“Agreement Currency”) into another currency, the Spot Rate shall be used as the rate of exchange. Notwithstanding any judgment in a currency (“Judgment Currency”) other than the Agreement Currency, a Borrower shall discharge its obligation in respect of any sum due under a Loan Document only if, on the Business Day following receipt by Agent of payment in the Judgment Currency, Agent can use the amount paid to purchase the sum originally due in the Agreement Currency. If the purchased amount is less than the sum originally due, such Borrower agrees, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify Agent and Lenders against such loss. If the purchased amount is greater than the sum originally due, Agent shall return the excess amount to such Borrower (or to the Person legally entitled thereto).
SECTION 2.CREDIT FACILITIES
2.1Revolver Commitment.
2.1.1Revolver Loans. Each Lender agrees, severally on a Pro Rata basis up to its Revolver Commitment, on the terms set forth herein, to make Revolver Loans to Borrowers from time to time through the Commitment Termination Date. The Revolver Loans may be repaid and reborrowed as provided herein. In no event shall Lenders have any obligation to honor a request for a Revolver Loan if Revolver Usage at such time plus the requested Loan would exceed the Borrowing Base.
2.1.2Notes. Loans and interest accruing thereon shall be evidenced by the records of Agent and the applicable Lender. At the request of a Lender, Borrowers shall deliver promissory note(s) to such Lender, evidencing its Loans.
2.1.3Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of Revolver Loans shall be used by Borrowers solely (a) to satisfy existing Debt; (b) to pay fees and transaction expenses associated with the closing of this credit facility; (c) to pay Obligations in accordance with this Agreement; and (d) for lawful corporate purposes of Borrowers, including working capital. Borrowers shall not, directly or indirectly, use any Letter of Credit or Loan proceeds, nor use, lend, contribute or otherwise make available any Letter of Credit or Loan proceeds to any Subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person, (i) to fund any activities of or business with any Person, or in any Designated Jurisdiction, that, at the time of issuance of the Letter of Credit or funding of the Loan, is the subject of any Sanction; (ii) in any manner that would result in a violation of a Sanction by any Person (including any Secured Party or other individual or entity participating in any transaction); or (iii) for any purpose that would breach the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, UK Bribery Act 2010 or similar law in any jurisdiction.
2.1.4Voluntary Reduction or Termination of Revolver Commitments.
(a)The Revolver Commitments shall terminate on the Revolver Termination Date, unless sooner terminated in accordance with this Agreement. Upon at least 30 days’ prior written notice to Agent at any time after the first Loan Year, Borrowers may, at their option, terminate the Revolver Commitments and this credit facility. Any notice of termination given by Borrowers shall be irrevocable. On the termination date, Borrowers shall make Full Payment of all Obligations.
(b)Borrowers may permanently reduce the Revolver Commitments, on a ratable basis for all Lenders, upon at least 30 days’ prior written notice to Agent, which notice shall specify the amount of the reduction and shall be irrevocable once given. Each reduction shall be in a minimum amount of $5,000,000, or an increment of $1,000,000 in excess thereof.
2.1.5Overadvances. If Revolver Usage exceeds the Borrowing Base (“Overadvance”) at any time, the excess shall be payable by Borrowers on demand by Agent and shall constitute an Obligation secured by the Collateral, entitled to all benefits of the Loan Documents. Agent may require Lenders to fund Base Rate Revolver Loans that cause or constitute an Overadvance and to forbear from requiring Borrowers to cure an Overadvance, as long as the sum of the total Overadvance plus the aggregate amount of Protective Advances, if any, does not exceed 10% of the aggregate Revolver Commitments at any time, and the Overadvance does not continue for more than 30 consecutive days without the consent of Required Lenders. In no event shall Loans be required that would cause Revolver Usage to exceed the aggregate Revolver Commitments. No funding or sufferance of an Overadvance shall constitute a waiver by Agent or Lenders of the Event of Default caused thereby. No Obligor shall be a beneficiary of this Section nor authorized to enforce any of its terms.
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2.1.6Protective Advances. Agent shall be authorized, in its discretion, at any time that any conditions in Section 6 are not satisfied, to make Base Rate Revolver Loans (“Protective Advances”) (a) as long as the sum of the aggregate amount of Protective Advances and the total Overadvance, if any, does not exceed 10% of the aggregate Revolver Commitments at any time, if Agent deems such Loans necessary or desirable to preserve or protect Collateral, or to enhance the collectability or repayment of Obligations, as long as such Loans do not cause Revolver Usage to exceed the aggregate Revolver Commitments; or (b) to pay any other amounts chargeable to Obligors under any Loan Documents, including interest, costs, fees and expenses. Lenders shall participate on a Pro Rata basis in Protective Advances outstanding from time to time. Required Lenders may at any time revoke Agent’s authority to make further Protective Advances under clause (a) by written notice to Agent. Absent such revocation, Agent’s determination that funding of a Protective Advance is appropriate shall be conclusive.
2.1.7Increase in Revolver Commitments. Borrowers may request a one-time increase in Revolver Commitments from time to time upon notice to Agent, as long as (a) the requested increase is in a minimum amount of $5,000,000 and is offered on the same terms as existing Revolver Commitments except for a closing fee and an increase in the Applicable Margin, to the extent either is acceptable to Borrowers, and (b) the total increase under this Section does not exceed $10,000,000. Agent shall promptly notify Lenders of the requested increase and, within 10 Business Days thereafter, each Lender shall notify Agent if and to what extent such Lender commits to increase its Revolver Commitment. Any Lender not responding within such period shall be deemed to have declined an increase. If Lenders fail to commit to the full requested increase, Eligible Assignees may issue additional Revolver Commitments and become Lenders hereunder. Agent may allocate, in its discretion, the increased Revolver Commitments among committing Lenders and, if necessary, Eligible Assignees. Provided the conditions set forth in Section 6.2 are satisfied, total Revolver Commitments shall be increased by the requested amount (or such lesser amount committed by Lenders and Eligible Assignees) on a date agreed upon by Agent and Borrower Agent, but no later than 10 days after receipt of such commitments by Lenders and Eligible Assignees. Agent, Borrowers, and new and existing Lenders shall execute and deliver such documents and agreements as Agent deems appropriate to evidence the increase in and allocations of Revolver Commitments and the increase in the Applicable Margin, if any. On the effective date of an increase under this Section 2.1.7, (i) Schedule 1.1 will automatically be revised to provide that the maximum Revolver Commitments (as increased) will be effective during the Seasonal Period each year and will automatically reduce to $120,000,000 at all other times, and (ii) the Revolver Usage and other exposures under the Revolver Commitments shall be reallocated among Lenders, and settled by Agent as necessary, in accordance with Lenders’ adjusted shares of such commitments.
2.2[Reserved].
2.3Letter of Credit Facility.
2.3.1Issuance of Letters of Credit. Issuing Bank shall issue Letters of Credit from time to time until the Commitment Termination Date, on the terms set forth herein, including the following:
(a)Each Borrower acknowledges that Issuing Bank’s issuance of any Letter of Credit is conditioned upon Issuing Bank’s receipt of a LC Application with respect to the requested Letter of Credit, as well as such other instruments and agreements as Issuing Bank may customarily require for issuance of a letter of credit of similar type and amount. Issuing Bank shall have no obligation to issue any Letter of Credit unless (i) Issuing Bank receives a LC Request and LC Application at least three Business Days prior to the requested date of issuance; (ii) each LC Condition is satisfied; and (iii) if a Defaulting Lender exists, such Lender or Borrowers have entered into arrangements satisfactory to Agent and Issuing Bank to eliminate any Fronting Exposure associated with such Lender. If, in sufficient time to act, Issuing Bank receives written notice from Agent or Required Lenders that a LC Condition has not been satisfied, Issuing Bank shall not issue the requested Letter of Credit. Prior to receipt of any such notice, Issuing Bank shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any failure of LC Conditions.
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(b)Letters of Credit may be requested by a Borrower to support obligations incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business, or as otherwise approved by Agent. Increase, renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit shall be treated as issuance of a new Letter of Credit, except that Issuing Bank may require a new LC Application in its discretion.
(c)Borrowers assume all risks of the acts, omissions or misuses of any Letter of Credit by the beneficiary. In connection with any Letter of Credit, none of Agent, Issuing Bank or any Lender shall be responsible for the existence, character, quality, quantity, condition, packing, value or delivery of any goods purported to be represented by any Documents; any differences or variation in the character, quality, quantity, condition, packing, value or delivery of any goods from that expressed in any Documents; the form, validity, sufficiency, accuracy, genuineness or legal effect of any Documents or of any endorsements thereon; the time, place, manner or order in which shipment of goods is made; partial or incomplete shipment of, or failure to ship, any goods referred to in a Letter of Credit or Documents; any deviation from instructions, delay, default or fraud by any shipper or other Person in connection with any goods, shipment or delivery; any breach of contract between a shipper or vendor and a Borrower; errors, omissions, interruptions or delays in transmission or delivery of any messages, by mail, cable, telegraph, telex, telecopy, e-mail, telephone or otherwise; errors in interpretation of technical terms; the misapplication by a beneficiary of any Letter of Credit or the proceeds thereof; or any consequences arising from causes beyond the control of Issuing Bank, Agent or any Lender, including any act or omission of a Governmental Authority. Borrowers shall take all action to avoid and mitigate any damages relating to any Letter of Credit or claimed against Issuing Bank, Agent or any Lender, including through enforcement of any available rights against a beneficiary. Issuing Bank shall be fully subrogated to the rights and remedies of any beneficiary whose claims against Borrowers are discharged with proceeds of a Letter of Credit. The rights and remedies of Issuing Bank under the Loan Documents shall be cumulative.
(d)In connection with its administration of and enforcement of rights or remedies under any Letters of Credit or LC Documents, Issuing Bank shall be entitled to act, and shall be fully protected in acting, upon any certification, documentation or communication in whatever form believed by Issuing Bank, in good faith, to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by a proper Person. Issuing Bank may use legal counsel, accountants and other experts to advise it concerning its obligations, rights and remedies, and shall be entitled to act upon, and shall be fully protected in any action taken in good faith reliance upon, any advice given by such experts. Issuing Bank may employ agents and attorneys-in-fact in connection with any matter relating to Letters of Credit or LC Documents, and shall not be liable for the negligence or misconduct of agents and attorneys-in-fact selected with reasonable care.
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2.3.2Reimbursement; Participations.
(a)If Issuing Bank honors any request for payment under a Letter of Credit, Borrowers shall pay to Issuing Bank, on the same day (“Reimbursement Date”), the amount paid by Issuing Bank under such Letter of Credit, together with interest at the interest rate for Base Rate Revolver Loans from the Reimbursement Date until payment by Borrowers. The obligation of Borrowers to reimburse Issuing Bank for any payment made under a Letter of Credit shall be absolute, unconditional, irrevocable, and joint and several, and shall be paid without regard to any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit or the existence of any claim, setoff, defense or other right that Borrowers may have at any time against the beneficiary. Whether or not Borrower Agent submits a Notice of Borrowing, Borrowers shall be deemed to have requested a Borrowing of Base Rate Revolver Loans in an amount necessary to pay all amounts due Issuing Bank on any Reimbursement Date and each Lender shall fund its Pro Rata share of such Borrowing whether or not the Commitments have terminated, an Overadvance exists or is created thereby, or the conditions in Section 6 are satisfied.
(b)Each Lender hereby irrevocably and unconditionally purchases from Issuing Bank, without recourse or warranty, an undivided Pro Rata participation in all LC Obligations outstanding from time to time. Issuing Bank is issuing Letters of Credit in reliance upon this participation. If Borrowers do not make a payment to Issuing Bank when due hereunder, Agent shall promptly notify Lenders and each Lender shall within one Business Day after such notice pay to Agent, for the benefit of Issuing Bank, the Lender’s Pro Rata share of such payment. Upon request by a Lender, Issuing Bank shall provide copies of Letters of Credit and LC Documents in its possession at such time.
(c)The obligation of each Lender to make payments to Agent for the account of Issuing Bank in connection with Issuing Bank’s payment under a Letter of Credit shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, not subject to any counterclaim, setoff, qualification or exception whatsoever, and shall be made in accordance with this Agreement under all circumstances, irrespective of any lack of validity or unenforceability of any Loan Documents; any draft, certificate or other document presented under a Letter of Credit having been determined to be forged, fraudulent, noncompliant, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect; any waiver by Issuing Bank of a requirement that exists for its protection (and not a Borrower’s protection) or that does not materially prejudice a Borrower; any honor of an electronic demand for payment even if a draft is required; any payment of an item presented after a Letter of Credit’s expiration date if authorized by the UCC or applicable customs or practices; or any setoff or defense that an Obligor may have with respect to any Obligations. Issuing Bank does not assume any responsibility for any failure or delay in performance or any breach by any Borrower or other Person of any obligations under any LC Documents. Issuing Bank does not make to Lenders any express or implied warranty, representation or guaranty with respect to any Letter of Credit, Collateral, LC Document or Obligor. Issuing Bank shall not be responsible to any Lender for any recitals, statements, information, representations or warranties contained in, or for the execution, validity, genuineness, effectiveness or enforceability of any LC Documents; the validity, genuineness, enforceability, collectability, value or sufficiency of any Collateral or the perfection of any Lien therein; or the assets, liabilities, financial condition, results of operations, business, creditworthiness or legal status of any Obligor.
(d)No Issuing Bank Indemnitee shall be liable to any Lender or other Person for any action taken or omitted to be taken in connection with any Letter of Credit or LC Document except as a result of its gross negligence or willful misconduct. Issuing Bank may refrain from taking any action with respect to a Letter of Credit until it receives written instructions (and in its discretion, appropriate assurances) from the Lenders.
2.3.3Cash Collateral. Subject to Section 2.1.5, if at any time (a) an Event of Default exists, (b) the Commitment Termination Date occurs, or (c) the Revolver Termination Date is scheduled to occur within 20 Business Days, then Borrowers shall, at Issuing Bank’s or Agent’s request, Cash Collateralize all outstanding Letters of Credit. Borrowers shall, at Issuing Bank’s or Agent’s request at any time, Cash Collateralize the Fronting Exposure of any Defaulting Lender. If Borrowers fail to provide any Cash Collateral as required hereunder, Lenders may (and shall upon direction of Agent) advance, as Revolver Loans, the amount of Cash Collateral required (whether or not the Commitments have terminated, an Overadvance exists or the conditions in Section 6 are satisfied).
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2.3.4Resignation of Issuing Bank. Issuing Bank may resign at any time upon notice to Agent and Borrowers, and any resignation of Agent hereunder shall automatically constitute its concurrent resignation as Issuing Bank. From the effective date of such resignation, Issuing Bank shall have no obligation to issue, amend, renew, extend or otherwise modify any Letter of Credit, but shall otherwise continue to have all rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank hereunder relating to any Letter of Credit issued by it prior to such date. Agent shall promptly appoint a replacement Issuing Bank, which, as long as no Default or Event of Default exists, shall be reasonably acceptable to Borrowers.
SECTION 3.INTEREST, FEES AND CHARGES
3.1Interest.
3.1.1Rates and Payment of Interest.
(a)The Obligations shall bear interest (i) if a Base Rate Loan, at the Base Rate in effect from time to time, plus the Applicable Margin; (ii) if a LIBOR Loan, at LIBOR for the applicable Interest Period, plus the Applicable Margin; and (iii) if any other Obligation (including, to the extent permitted by law, interest not paid when due), at the Base Rate in effect from time to time, plus the Applicable Margin for Base Rate Revolver Loans.
(b)During an Insolvency Proceeding with respect to any Borrower, or during any other Event of Default if Agent or Required Lenders in their discretion so elect, Obligations shall bear interest at the Default Rate (whether before or after any judgment), payable on demand.
(c)Interest shall accrue from the date a Loan is advanced or Obligation is incurred or payable, until paid in full by Borrowers, and shall in no event be less than zero at any time. Interest accrued on the Loans shall be due and payable in arrears, (i) on the first day of each month; (ii) on any date of prepayment, with respect to the principal amount being prepaid; and (iii) on the Commitment Termination Date. Interest accrued on any other Obligations shall be due and payable as provided in the Loan Documents or, if no payment date is specified, on demand.
3.1.2Application of LIBOR to Outstanding Loans.
(a)Borrowers may on any Business Day elect to convert any portion of the Base Rate Loans to, or to continue any LIBOR Loan at the end of its Interest Period as, a LIBOR Loan. During any Default or Event of Default, Agent may (and shall at the direction of Required Lenders) declare that no Loan may be made, converted or continued as a LIBOR Loan.
(b)To convert or continue Loans as LIBOR Loans, Borrower Agent shall give Agent a Notice of Conversion/Continuation, no later than 11:00 a.m. at least two Business Days before the requested conversion or continuation date. Promptly after receiving any such notice, Agent shall notify each Lender thereof. Each Notice of Conversion/Continuation shall be irrevocable, and shall specify the amount of Loans to be converted or continued, the conversion or continuation date (which shall be a Business Day), and the duration of the Interest Period (which shall be deemed to be 30 days if not specified). If, upon the expiration of any Interest Period for any LIBOR Loan, Borrowers shall have failed to deliver a Notice of Conversion/Continuation, they shall be deemed to have elected to convert such Loan into a Base Rate Loan. Agent does not warrant or accept responsibility for, nor shall it have any liability with respect to, administration, submission or any other matter related to any rate described in the definition of LIBOR.
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3.1.3Interest Periods. In connection with the making, conversion or continuation of any LIBOR Loans, Borrowers shall select an interest period (“Interest Period”) to apply, which interest period shall be 7, 30, 60, or 90 days (if available from all Lenders); provided, however, that:
(a)with respect to an Interest Period of 30, 60, or 90 days, the Interest Period shall begin on the date the Loan is made or continued as, or converted into, a LIBOR Loan, and shall expire on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at its end;
(b)with respect to an Interest Period of 30, 60, or 90 days, if any Interest Period begins on a day for which there is no corresponding day in the calendar month at its end or if such corresponding day falls after the last Business Day of such month, then the Interest Period shall expire on the last Business Day of such month; and if any Interest Period, including an interest period of 7 days, would otherwise expire on a day that is not a Business Day, the period shall expire on the next Business Day; and
(c)no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Revolver Termination Date.
3.1.4Interest Rate Not Ascertainable. If, due to any circumstance affecting the London interbank market, Agent determines that adequate and fair means do not exist for ascertaining LIBOR on any applicable date or that any Interest Period is not available on the basis provided herein, then Agent shall immediately notify Borrowers of such determination. Until Agent notifies Borrowers that such circumstance no longer exists, the obligation of Lenders to make affected LIBOR Loans shall be suspended and no further Loans may be converted into or continued as such LIBOR Loans.
3.2Fees.
3.2.1Unused Line Fee. Borrowers shall pay to Agent, for the Pro Rata benefit of Lenders, a fee equal to the Unused Line Fee Rate times the amount by which the Revolver Commitments exceed the average daily Revolver Usage during any month. Such fee shall be payable in arrears, on the first day of each month and on the Commitment Termination Date.
3.2.2LC Facility Fees. Borrowers shall pay (a) to Agent, for the Pro Rata benefit of Lenders, a fee equal to the Applicable Margin in effect for LIBOR Revolver Loans times the average daily Stated Amount of Letters of Credit, which fee shall be payable monthly in arrears, on the first day of each month; (b) to Agent, for its own account, a fronting fee equal to 0.25% per annum on the Stated Amount of each Letter of Credit, which fee shall be payable monthly in arrears, on the first day of each month; and (c) to Issuing Bank, for its own account, all customary charges associated with the issuance, amending, negotiating, payment, processing, transfer and administration of Letters of Credit, which charges shall be paid as and when incurred. During an Event of Default, the fee payable under clause (a) shall be increased by 2% per annum.
3.2.3[Reserved].
3.2.4Fee Letters. Borrowers shall pay all fees set forth in any fee letter executed in connection with this Agreement.
3.3Computation of Interest, Fees, Yield Protection. All interest, as well as fees and other charges calculated on a per annum basis, shall be computed for the actual days elapsed, based on a year of 360 days. Each determination by Agent of any interest, fees or interest rate hereunder shall be final, conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error. All fees shall be fully earned when due and shall not be subject to rebate, refund or proration. All fees payable under Section 3.2 are compensation for services and are not, and shall not be deemed to be, interest or any other charge for the use, forbearance or detention of money. A certificate as to amounts payable by Borrowers under Section 3.4, 3.6, 3.7, 3.9 or 5.9, submitted to Borrower Agent by Agent or the affected Lender shall be final, conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error, and Borrowers shall pay such amounts to the appropriate party within 10 days following receipt of the certificate.
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3.4Reimbursement Obligations. Borrowers shall pay all Extraordinary Expenses promptly upon request. Borrowers shall also reimburse Agent for all legal, accounting, appraisal, consulting, and other fees and expenses incurred by it in connection with (a) negotiation and preparation of any Loan Documents, including any modification thereof; (b) administration of and actions relating to any Collateral, Loan Documents and transactions contemplated thereby, including any actions taken to perfect or maintain priority of Agent’s Liens on any Collateral, to maintain any insurance required hereunder or to verify Collateral; and (c) subject to the limits of Section 10.1.1(b), any examination or appraisal with respect to any Obligor or Collateral by Agent’s personnel or a third party. All legal, accounting and consulting fees shall be charged to Borrowers by Agent’s professionals at their full hourly rates, regardless of any alternative fee arrangements that Agent, any Lender or any of their Affiliates may have with such professionals that otherwise might apply to this or any other transaction. Borrowers acknowledge that counsel may provide Agent with a benefit (such as a discount, credit or accommodation for other matters) based on counsel’s overall relationship with Agent, including fees paid hereunder. If, for any reason (including inaccurate reporting in any Borrower Materials), it is determined that a higher Applicable Margin should have applied to a period than was actually applied, then the proper margin shall be applied retroactively and Borrowers shall immediately pay to Agent, for the ratable benefit of Lenders, an amount equal to the difference between the amount of interest and fees that would have accrued using the proper margin and the amount actually paid. All amounts payable by Borrowers under this Section shall be due on demand.
3.5Illegality. If any Lender determines that any Applicable Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender to perform any of its obligations hereunder, to make, maintain, fund or charge applicable interest or fees with respect to any Loan or Letter of Credit, or to determine or charge interest based on LIBOR, or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of such Lender to purchase or sell, or to take deposits of, Dollars in the London interbank market, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to Agent, any obligation of such Lender to perform such obligations, to make, maintain or fund the Loan or participate in the Letter of Credit (or to charge interest or fees with respect thereto), or to continue or convert Loans as LIBOR Loans, shall be suspended until such Lender notifies Agent that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon delivery of such notice, Borrowers shall prepay the applicable Loan, Cash Collateralize the applicable LC Obligations or, if applicable, convert LIBOR Loan(s) of such Lender to Base Rate Loan(s), either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain the LIBOR Loan to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain the LIBOR Loan. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, Borrowers shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted.
3.6Inability to Determine Rates. Agent will promptly notify Borrower Agent and Lenders if, in connection with any Loan or request for a Loan, (a) Agent determines that (i) Dollar deposits are not being offered to banks in the London interbank Eurodollar market for the applicable Loan amount or Interest Period, or (ii) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for determining LIBOR for the Interest Period; or (b) Agent or Required Lenders determine for any reason that LIBOR for the Interest Period does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to Lenders of funding the Loan. Thereafter, Lenders’ obligations to make or maintain affected LIBOR Loans and utilization of the LIBOR component (if affected) in determining Base Rate shall be suspended until Agent (upon instruction by Required Lenders) withdraws the notice. Upon receipt of such notice, Borrower Agent may revoke any pending request for a LIBOR Loan or, failing that, will be deemed to have requested a Base Rate Loan.
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3.7Increased Costs; Capital Adequacy.
3.7.1Increased Costs Generally. If any Change in Law shall:
(a)impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, liquidity, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Lender (except any reserve requirement reflected in calculating LIBOR) or Issuing Bank;
(b)subject any Recipient to Taxes (other than (i) Indemnified Taxes, (ii) Taxes described in clauses (b) through (d) of the definition of Excluded Taxes, and (iii) Connection Income Taxes) with respect to any Loan, Letter of Credit, Commitment or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto; or
(c)impose on any Lender, Issuing Bank or interbank market any other condition, cost or expense affecting any Loan, Letter of Credit, participation in LC Obligations, Commitment or Loan Document;
and the result thereof shall be to increase the cost to a Lender of making or maintaining any Loan or Commitment, or converting to or continuing any interest option for a Loan, or to increase the cost to a Lender or Issuing Bank of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit (or of maintaining its obligation to participate in or to issue any Letter of Credit), or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by a Lender or Issuing Bank hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, upon request of such Lender or Issuing Bank, Borrowers will pay to it such additional amount(s) as will compensate it for the additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.
3.7.2Capital Requirements. If a Lender or Issuing Bank determines that a Change in Law affecting such Lender or Issuing Bank or its holding company, if any, regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s, Issuing Bank’s or holding company’s capital as a consequence of this Agreement, or such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s Commitments, Loans, Letters of Credit or participations in LC Obligations or Loans, to a level below that which such Lender, Issuing Bank or holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration its policies with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time Borrowers will pay to such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amounts as will compensate it or its holding company for the reduction suffered.
3.7.3LIBOR Loan Reserves. If any Lender is required to maintain reserves with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or including Eurocurrency funds or deposits, Borrowers shall pay additional interest to such Lender on each LIBOR Loan equal to the costs of such reserves allocated to the Loan by the Lender (as determined by it in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive). The additional interest shall be due and payable on each interest payment date for the Loan; provided, however, that if the Lender notifies Borrowers (with a copy to Agent) of the additional interest less than 10 days prior to the interest payment date, then such interest shall be payable 10 days after Borrowers’ receipt of the notice.
3.7.4Compensation. Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or Issuing Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of its right to demand such compensation, but Borrowers shall not be required to compensate a Lender or Issuing Bank for any increased costs or reductions suffered more than six months (plus any period of retroactivity of the Change in Law giving rise to the demand) prior to the date that the Lender or Issuing Bank notifies Borrower Agent of the applicable Change in Law and of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s intention to claim compensation therefor.
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3.8Mitigation. If any Lender gives a notice under Section 3.5 or requests compensation under Section 3.7, or if Borrowers are required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts with respect to a Lender under Section 5.9, then at the request of Borrower Agent, such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different Lending Office or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or Affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (a) would eliminate the need for such notice or reduce amounts payable or to be withheld in the future, as applicable; and (b) would not subject the Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to it or unlawful. Borrowers shall pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.
3.9Funding Losses. If for any reason (a) any Borrowing, conversion or continuation of a LIBOR Loan does not occur on the date specified therefor in a Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation (whether or not withdrawn), (b) any repayment or conversion of a LIBOR Loan occurs on a day other than the end of its Interest Period, (c) Borrowers fail to repay a LIBOR Loan when required hereunder, or (d) a Lender (other than a Defaulting Lender) is required to assign a LIBOR Loan prior to the end of its Interest Period pursuant to Section 13.4, then Borrowers shall pay to Agent its customary administrative charge and to each Lender all losses, expenses and fees arising from redeployment of funds or termination of match funding. For purposes of calculating amounts payable under this Section, a Lender shall be deemed to have funded a LIBOR Loan by a matching deposit or other borrowing in the London interbank market for a comparable amount and period, whether or not the Loan was in fact so funded.
3.10Maximum Interest. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Loan Document, the interest paid or agreed to be paid under the Loan Documents shall not exceed the maximum rate of non-usurious interest permitted by Applicable Law (“maximum rate”). If Agent or any Lender shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the maximum rate, the excess interest shall be applied to the principal of the Obligations or, if it exceeds such unpaid principal, refunded to Borrowers. In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged or received by Agent or a Lender exceeds the maximum rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee or premium rather than interest; (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof; and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations hereunder.
SECTION 4.LOAN ADMINISTRATION
4.1Manner of Borrowing and Funding Revolver Loans.
4.1.1Notice of Borrowing.
(a)To request Revolver Loans, Borrower Agent shall give Agent a Notice of Borrowing by 11:00 a.m. (i) on the requested funding date, in the case of Base Rate Loans, and (ii) at least two Business Days prior to the requested funding date, in the case of LIBOR Loans. Notices received by Agent after such time shall be deemed received on the next Business Day. Each Notice of Borrowing shall be irrevocable and shall specify (A) the Borrowing amount, (B) the requested funding date (which must be a Business Day), (C) whether the Borrowing is to be made as a Base Rate Loan or LIBOR Loan, and (D) in the case of a LIBOR Loan, the applicable Interest Period (which shall be deemed to be 30 days if not specified).
(b)Unless payment is otherwise made by Borrowers, the becoming due of any Obligation (whether principal, interest, fees or other charges, including Extraordinary Expenses, LC Obligations, Cash Collateral and Secured Bank Product Obligations) shall be deemed to be a request for a Base Rate Revolver Loan on the due date in the amount due and the Loan proceeds shall be disbursed as direct payment of such Obligation. In addition, Agent may, at its option, charge such amount against any operating, investment or other account of a Borrower maintained with Agent or any of its Affiliates.
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(c)If a Borrower maintains a disbursement account with Agent or any of its Affiliates, then presentation for payment in the account of a Payment Item when there are insufficient funds to cover it shall be deemed to be a request for a Base Rate Revolver Loan on the presentation date, in the amount of the Payment Item. Proceeds of the Loan may be disbursed directly to the account.
4.1.2Fundings by Lenders. Except for Swingline Loans, Agent shall endeavor to notify Lenders of each Notice of Borrowing (or deemed request for a Borrowing) by 12:00 noon on the proposed funding date for a Base Rate Loan or by 2:00 p.m. two Business Days before a proposed funding of a LIBOR Loan. Each Lender shall fund its Pro Rata share of a Borrowing in immediately available funds not later than 3:00 p.m. on the requested funding date, unless Agent’s notice is received after the times provided above, in which case Lender shall fund by 11:00 a.m. on the next Business Day. Subject to its receipt of such amounts from Lenders, Agent shall disburse the Borrowing proceeds in a manner directed by Borrower Agent and acceptable to Agent. Unless Agent receives (in sufficient time to act) written notice from a Lender that it will not fund its share of a Borrowing, Agent may assume that such Lender has deposited or promptly will deposit its share with Agent, and Agent may disburse a corresponding amount to Borrowers. If a Lender’s share of a Borrowing or of a settlement under Section 4.1.3(b) is not received by Agent, then Borrowers agree to repay to Agent on demand the amount of such share, together with interest thereon from the date disbursed until repaid, at the rate applicable to the Borrowing. A Lender or Issuing Bank may fulfill its obligations under Loan Documents through one or more Lending Offices, and this shall not affect any obligation of Obligors under the Loan Documents or with respect to any Obligations.
4.1.3Swingline Loans; Settlement.
(a)To fulfill any request for a Base Rate Revolver Loan hereunder, Agent may in its discretion advance Swingline Loans to Borrowers, up to an aggregate outstanding amount of 10% of the aggregate Revolver Commitments. Swingline Loans shall constitute Revolver Loans for all purposes, except that payments thereon shall be made to Agent for its own account until Lenders have funded their participations therein as provided below.
(b)Settlement of Loans, including Swingline Loans, among Lenders and Agent shall take place on a date determined from time to time by Agent (but at least weekly, unless the settlement amount is de minimis), on a Pro Rata basis in accordance with the Settlement Report delivered by Agent to Lenders. Between settlement dates, Agent may in its discretion apply payments on Revolver Loans to Swingline Loans, regardless of any designation by Borrowers or anything herein to the contrary. Each Lender hereby purchases, without recourse or warranty, an undivided Pro Rata participation in all Swingline Loans outstanding from time to time until settled. If a Swingline Loan cannot be settled among Lenders, whether due to an Obligor’s Insolvency Proceeding or for any other reason, each Lender shall pay the amount of its participation in the Loan to Agent, in immediately available funds, within one Business Day after Agent’s request therefor. Lenders’ obligations to make settlements and to fund participations are absolute, irrevocable and unconditional, without offset, counterclaim or other defense, and whether or not the Commitments have terminated, an Overadvance exists or the conditions in Section 6 are satisfied.
4.1.4Notices. If Borrowers request, convert or continue Loans, select interest rates or transfer funds based on telephonic or electronic instructions to Agent, Borrowers shall confirm each such request by prompt delivery to Agent of a Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation, as applicable. Neither Agent nor any Lender shall have any liability for any loss suffered by a Borrower as a result of Agent or any Lender acting upon its understanding of telephonic or electronic instructions from a person believed in good faith to be authorized to give such instructions on a Borrower’s behalf.
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4.2Defaulting Lender. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary:
4.2.1Reallocation of Pro Rata Share; Amendments. For purposes of determining Lenders’ obligations or rights to fund, participate in or receive collections with respect to Loans and Letters of Credit (including existing Swingline Loans, Protective Advances and LC Obligations), Agent may in its discretion reallocate Pro Rata shares by excluding a Defaulting Lender’s Commitments and Loans from the calculation of shares. A Defaulting Lender shall have no right to vote on any amendment, waiver or other modification of a Loan Document, except as provided in Section 14.1.1(c).
4.2.2Payments; Fees. Agent may, in its discretion, receive and retain any amounts payable to a Defaulting Lender under the Loan Documents, and a Defaulting Lender shall be deemed to have assigned to Agent such amounts until all Obligations owing to Agent, non-Defaulting Lenders and other Secured Parties have been paid in full. Agent may use such amounts to cover the Defaulting Lender’s defaulted obligations, to Cash Collateralize such Lender’s Fronting Exposure, to readvance the amounts to Borrowers or to repay Obligations. A Lender shall not be entitled to receive any fees accruing hereunder while it is a Defaulting Lender and its unfunded Commitment shall be disregarded for purposes of calculating the unused line fee under Section 3.2.1. If any LC Obligations owing to a Defaulted Lender are reallocated to other Lenders, fees attributable to such LC Obligations under Section 3.2.2 shall be paid to such Lenders. Agent shall be paid all fees attributable to LC Obligations that are not reallocated.
4.2.3Status; Cure. Agent may determine in its discretion that a Lender constitutes a Defaulting Lender and the effective date of such status shall be conclusive and binding on all parties, absent manifest error. Borrowers, Agent and Issuing Bank may agree in writing that a Lender has ceased to be a Defaulting Lender, whereupon Pro Rata shares shall be reallocated without exclusion of the reinstated Lender’s Commitments and Loans, and the Revolver Usage and other exposures under the Revolver Commitments shall be reallocated among Lenders and settled by Agent (with appropriate payments by the reinstated Lender, including its payment of breakage costs for reallocated LIBOR Loans) in accordance with the readjusted Pro Rata shares. Unless expressly agreed by Borrowers, Agent and Issuing Bank, or as expressly provided herein with respect to Bail-In Actions and related matters, no reallocation of Commitments and Loans to non-Defaulting Lenders or reinstatement of a Defaulting Lender shall constitute a waiver or release of claims against such Lender. The failure of any Lender to fund a Loan, to make a payment in respect of LC Obligations or otherwise to perform obligations hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations under any Loan Document. No Lender shall be responsible for default by another Lender.
4.3Number and Amount of LIBOR Loans; Determination of Rate. Each Borrowing of LIBOR Loans when made shall be in a minimum amount of $1,000,000, plus an increment of $100,000 in excess thereof. No more than 10 Borrowings of LIBOR Loans may be outstanding at any time, and all LIBOR Loans having the same length and beginning date of their Interest Periods shall be aggregated together and considered one Borrowing for this purpose. Upon determining LIBOR for any Interest Period requested by Borrowers, Agent shall promptly notify Borrowers thereof by telephone or electronically and, if requested by Borrowers, shall confirm any telephonic notice in writing.
4.4Borrower Agent. Each Borrower hereby designates Alliance (“Borrower Agent”) as its representative and agent for all purposes under the Loan Documents, including requests for and receipt of Loans and Letters of Credit, designation of interest rates, delivery or receipt of communications, delivery of Borrower Materials, payment of Obligations, requests for waivers, amendments or other accommodations, actions under the Loan Documents (including in respect of compliance with covenants), and all other dealings with Agent, Issuing Bank or any Lender. Borrower Agent hereby accepts such appointment. Agent and Lenders shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall be fully protected in relying upon, any notice or communication (including any notice of borrowing) delivered by Borrower Agent on behalf of any Borrower. Agent and Lenders may give any notice or communication with a Borrower hereunder to Borrower Agent on behalf of such Borrower. Each of Agent, Issuing Bank and Lenders shall have the right, in its discretion, to deal exclusively with Borrower Agent for all purposes under the Loan Documents. Each Borrower agrees that any notice, election, communication, delivery, representation, agreement, action, omission or undertaking by Borrower Agent shall be binding upon and enforceable against such Borrower.
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4.5One Obligation. The Loans, LC Obligations and other Obligations constitute one general obligation of Borrowers and are secured by Agent’s Lien on all Collateral; provided, however, that Agent and each Lender shall be deemed to be a creditor of, and the holder of a separate claim against, each Borrower to the extent of any Obligations jointly or severally owed by such Borrower.
4.6Effect of Termination. On the effective date of the termination of all Commitments, the Obligations shall be immediately due and payable, and each Secured Bank Product Provider may terminate its Bank Products. Until Full Payment of the Obligations, all undertakings of Borrowers contained in the Loan Documents shall continue, and Agent shall retain its Liens in the Collateral and all of its rights and remedies under the Loan Documents. Agent shall not be required to terminate its Liens unless it receives Cash Collateral or a written agreement, in each case satisfactory to it, protecting Agent and Lenders from dishonor or return of any Payment Item previously applied to the Obligations. Sections 2.3, 3.4, 3.6, 3.7, 3.9, 5.5, 5.9, 5.10, 12, 14.2, this Section, and each indemnity or waiver given by an Obligor or Lender in any Loan Document, shall survive Full Payment of the Obligations.
SECTION 5.PAYMENTS
5.1General Payment Provisions. All payments of Obligations shall be made in Dollars, without offset, counterclaim or defense of any kind, free and clear of (and without deduction for) any Taxes, and in immediately available funds, not later than 12:00 noon on the due date. Any payment after such time shall be deemed made on the next Business Day. Any payment of a LIBOR Loan prior to the end of its Interest Period shall be accompanied by all amounts due under Section 3.9. Borrowers agree that Agent shall have the continuing, exclusive right to apply and reapply payments and proceeds of Collateral against the Obligations, in such manner as Agent deems advisable, but whenever possible, any prepayment of Loans shall be applied first to Base Rate Loans and then to LIBOR Loans.
5.2Repayment of Revolver Loans. Revolver Loans shall be due and payable in full on the Revolver Termination Date, unless payment is sooner required hereunder. Revolver Loans may be prepaid from time to time, without penalty or premium. Subject to Section 2.1.5, if an Overadvance exists at any time, Borrowers shall, on the sooner of Agent’s demand or the first Business Day after any Borrower has knowledge thereof, repay Revolver Loans in an amount sufficient to reduce Revolver Usage to the Borrowing Base. If any Asset Disposition includes the disposition of Accounts or Inventory, Borrowers shall apply Net Proceeds to repay Revolver Loans equal to the greater of (a) the net book value of such Accounts and Inventory, or (b) the reduction in Borrowing Base resulting from the disposition.
5.3[Reserved].
5.4Payment of Other Obligations. Obligations other than Loans, including LC Obligations and Extraordinary Expenses, shall be paid by Borrowers as provided in the Loan Documents or, if no payment date is specified, on demand.
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5.5Marshaling; Payments Set Aside. None of Agent or Lenders shall be under any obligation to marshal any assets in favor of any Obligor or against any Obligations. If any payment by or on behalf of Borrowers is made to Agent, Issuing Bank or any Lender, or if Agent, Issuing Bank or any Lender exercises a right of setoff, and any of such payment or setoff is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by Agent, Issuing Bank or a Lender in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other Person, then the Obligation originally intended to be satisfied, and all Liens, rights and remedies relating thereto, shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment or setoff had not occurred.
5.6Application and Allocation of Payments.
5.6.1Application. Payments made by Borrowers hereunder shall be applied (a) first, as specifically required hereby; (b) second, to Obligations then due and owing; (c) third, to other Obligations specified by Borrowers; and (d) fourth, as determined by Agent in its discretion.
5.6.2Post-Default Allocation. Notwithstanding anything in any Loan Document to the contrary, during an Event of Default under Section 11.1(j), or during any other Event of Default at the discretion of Agent or Required Lenders, monies to be applied to the Obligations, whether arising from payments by Obligors, realization on Collateral, setoff or otherwise, shall be allocated as follows:
(a)first, to all fees, indemnification, costs and expenses, including Extraordinary Expenses, owing to Agent;
(b)second, to all other amounts owing to Agent, including Swingline Loans, Protective Advances, and Loans and participations that a Defaulting Lender has failed to settle or fund;
(c)third, to all amounts owing to Issuing Bank;
(d)fourth, to all Obligations (other than Secured Bank Product Obligations) constituting fees, indemnification, costs or expenses owing to Lenders;
(e) fifth, to all Obligations (other than Secured Bank Product Obligations) constituting interest;
(f) sixth, to Cash Collateralize all LC Obligations;
(g)seventh, to all Loans, and to Secured Bank Product Obligations arising under Hedge Agreements (including Cash Collateralization thereof) up to the amount of Reserves existing therefor;
(h)eighth, to all other Secured Bank Product Obligations; and
(i) last, to all remaining Obligations.
Amounts shall be applied to payment of each category of Obligations only after Full Payment of amounts payable from time to time under all preceding categories. If amounts are insufficient to satisfy a category, they shall be paid ratably among outstanding Obligations in the category. Monies and proceeds obtained from an Obligor shall not be applied to its Excluded Swap Obligations, but appropriate adjustments shall be made with respect to amounts obtained from other Obligors to preserve the allocations in each category. Agent shall have no obligation to calculate the amount of any Secured Bank Product Obligation and may request a reasonably detailed calculation thereof from a Secured Bank Product Provider. If the provider fails to deliver the calculation within five days following request, Agent may assume the amount is zero. The allocations set forth in this Section are solely to determine the rights and priorities among Secured Parties, and may be changed by agreement of the affected Secured Parties, without the consent of any Obligor. This Section is not for the benefit of or enforceable by any Obligor, and each Borrower irrevocably waives the right to direct the application of any payments or Collateral proceeds subject to this Section.
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5.6.3Erroneous Application. Agent shall not be liable for any application of amounts made by it in good faith and, if any such application is subsequently determined to have been made in error, the sole recourse of any Lender or other Person to which such amount should have been paid shall be to recover the amount from the Person that actually received it (and, if such amount was received by a Secured Party, the Secured Party agrees to return it).
5.7Dominion Accounts. The ledger balance in the main Dominion Account as of the end of a Business Day shall be applied to the Obligations at the beginning of the next Business Day. Any resulting credit balance shall not accrue interest in favor of Borrowers and shall be made available to Borrowers as long as no Default or Event of Default exists.
5.8Account Stated. Agent shall maintain, in accordance with its customary practices, loan account(s) evidencing the Debt of Borrowers hereunder. Any failure of Agent to record anything in a loan account, or any error in doing so, shall not limit or otherwise affect the obligation of Borrowers to pay any amount owing hereunder. Entries made in a loan account shall constitute presumptive evidence of the information contained therein. If any information contained in a loan account is provided to or inspected by any Person, the information shall be conclusive and binding on such Person for all purposes absent manifest error, except to the extent such Person notifies Agent in writing within 30 days after receipt or inspection that specific information is subject to dispute.
5.9Taxes.
5.9.1Payments Free of Taxes; Obligation to Withhold; Tax Payment.
(a)All payments of Obligations by Obligors shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by Applicable Law. If Applicable Law (as determined by Agent in its discretion) requires the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by Agent or an Obligor, then Agent or such Obligor shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding based on information and documentation provided pursuant to Section 5.10.
(b)If Agent or any Obligor is required by the Code to withhold or deduct Taxes, including backup withholding and withholding taxes, from any payment, then (i) Agent shall pay the full amount that it determines is to be withheld or deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority pursuant to the Code, and (ii) to the extent the withholding or deduction is made on account of Indemnified Taxes, the sum payable by the applicable Obligor shall be increased as necessary so that the Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such withholding or deduction been made.
(c)If Agent or any Obligor is required by any Applicable Law other than the Code to withhold or deduct Taxes from any payment, then (i) Agent or such Obligor, to the extent required by Applicable Law, shall timely pay the full amount to be withheld or deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority, and (ii) to the extent the withholding or deduction is made on account of Indemnified Taxes, the sum payable by the applicable Obligor shall be increased as necessary so that the Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such withholding or deduction been made.
5.9.2Payment of Other Taxes. Without limiting the foregoing, Borrowers shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with Applicable Law, or at Agent’s option, timely reimburse Agent for payment of, any Other Taxes.
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5.9.3Tax Indemnification.
(a)Each Borrower shall indemnify and hold harmless, on a joint and several basis, each Recipient against any Indemnified Taxes (including those imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) payable or paid by a Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient, and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. Each Borrower shall indemnify and hold harmless Agent against any amount that a Lender or Issuing Bank fails for any reason to pay indefeasibly to Agent as required pursuant to this Section. Each Borrower shall make payment within 10 days after demand for any amount or liability payable under this Section. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to Borrowers by a Lender or Issuing Bank (with a copy to Agent), or by Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of any Recipient, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(b)Each Lender and Issuing Bank shall indemnify and hold harmless, on a several basis, (i) Agent against any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender or Issuing Bank (but only to the extent Borrowers have not already paid or reimbursed Agent therefor and without limiting Borrowers’ obligation to do so), (ii) Agent and Obligors, as applicable, against any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to maintain a Participant register as required hereunder, and (iii) Agent and Obligors, as applicable, against any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender or Issuing Bank, in each case, that are payable or paid by Agent or an Obligor in connection with any Obligations, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. Each Lender and Issuing Bank shall make payment within 10 days after demand for any amount or liability payable under this Section. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender or Issuing Bank by Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
5.9.4Evidence of Payments. As soon as practicable after payment by an Obligor of any Taxes pursuant to this Section, Borrower Agent shall deliver to Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by the appropriate Governmental Authority evidencing the payment, a copy of any return required by Applicable Law to report the payment or other evidence of payment reasonably satisfactory to Agent.
5.9.5Treatment of Certain Refunds. Unless required by Applicable Law, at no time shall Agent have any obligation to file for or otherwise pursue on behalf of a Lender or Issuing Bank, nor have any obligation to pay to any Lender or Issuing Bank, any refund of Taxes withheld or deducted from funds paid for the account of a Lender or Issuing Bank. If a Recipient determines in its discretion that it has received a refund of Taxes that were indemnified by Borrowers or with respect to which a Borrower paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section, it shall pay the amount of such refund to Borrowers (but only to the extent of indemnity payments or additional amounts actually paid by Borrowers with respect to the Taxes giving rise to the refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) incurred by such Recipient and without interest (other than interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund). Borrowers shall, upon request by the Recipient, repay to the Recipient such amount paid over to Borrowers (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) if the Recipient is required to repay such refund to the Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no Recipient shall be required to pay any amount to Borrowers if such payment would place it in a less favorable net after-Tax position than it would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. In no event shall Agent or any Recipient be required to make its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes that it deems confidential) available to any Obligor or other Person.
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5.9.6Survival. Each party’s obligations under Sections 5.9 and 5.10 shall survive the resignation or replacement of Agent or any assignment of rights by or replacement of a Lender or Issuing Bank, the termination of the Commitments, and the repayment, satisfaction, discharge or Full Payment of any Obligations.
5.10Lender Tax Information.
5.10.1Status of Lenders. Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments of Obligations shall deliver to Borrowers and Agent properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by Borrowers or Agent as will permit such payments to be made without or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by Borrowers or Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by Applicable Law or reasonably requested by Borrowers or Agent to enable them to determine whether such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, such documentation (other than documentation described in Sections 5.10.2(a), (b) and (d)) shall not be required if a Lender reasonably believes delivery of the documentation would subject it to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice its legal or commercial position.
5.10.2Documentation. Without limiting the foregoing, if any Borrower is a U.S. Person,
(a)Any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to Borrowers and Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender hereunder (and from time to time thereafter upon reasonable request of Borrowers or Agent), executed copies of IRS Form W-9, certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding Tax;
(b)Any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to Borrowers and Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender hereunder (and from time to time thereafter upon reasonable request of Borrowers or Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:
(i)in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party, (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, executed copies of IRS Form W-8BENE establishing an exemption from or reduction of U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty, and (y) with respect to other payments under the Loan Documents, IRS Form W-8BENE establishing an exemption from or reduction of U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;
(ii)executed copies of IRS Form W-8ECI;
(iii)in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate in form satisfactory to Agent to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of a Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (“U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate”), and (y) executed copies of IRS Form W-8BENE; or
(iv)to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, executed copies of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BENE, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate in form satisfactory to Agent, IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more of its direct or indirect partners is claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate on behalf of each such partner;
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(c)any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to Borrowers and Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender hereunder (and from time to time thereafter upon reasonable request), executed copies of any other form prescribed by Applicable Law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by Applicable Law to permit Borrowers or Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and
(d)if payment of an Obligation to a Lender would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code), such Lender shall deliver to Borrowers and Agent, at the time(s) prescribed by law and otherwise upon reasonable request, such documentation prescribed by Applicable Law (including Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation as may be appropriate for Borrowers or Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with its obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (d), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date hereof.
5.10.3Redelivery of Documentation. If any form or certification previously delivered by a Lender pursuant to this Section expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, such Lender shall promptly update the form or certification or notify Borrowers and Agent in writing of its inability to do so.
5.11Nature and Extent of Each Borrower’s Liability.
5.11.1Joint and Several Liability. Each Borrower agrees that it is jointly and severally liable for, and absolutely and unconditionally guarantees to Agent and Lenders the prompt payment and performance of, all Obligations, except its Excluded Swap Obligations. Each Borrower agrees that its guaranty obligations hereunder constitute a continuing guaranty of payment and not of collection, that such obligations shall not be discharged until Full Payment of the Obligations, and that such obligations are absolute and unconditional, irrespective of (a) the genuineness, validity, regularity, enforceability, subordination or any future modification of, or change in, any Obligations or Loan Document, or any other document, instrument or agreement to which any Obligor is or may become a party or be bound; (b) the absence of any action to enforce this Agreement (including this Section) or any other Loan Document, or any waiver, consent or indulgence of any kind by Agent or any Lender with respect thereto; (c) the existence, value or condition of, or failure to perfect a Lien or to preserve rights against, any security or guaranty for any Obligations or any action, or the absence of any action, by Agent or any Lender in respect thereof (including the release of any security or guaranty); (d) the insolvency of any Obligor; (e) any election by Agent or any Lender in an Insolvency Proceeding for the application of Section 1111(b)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code; (f) any borrowing or grant of a Lien by any other Borrower, as debtor-in-possession under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code or otherwise; (g) the disallowance of any claims of Agent or any Lender against any Obligor for the repayment of any Obligations under Section 502 of the Bankruptcy Code or otherwise; or (h) any other action or circumstances that might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a surety or guarantor, except Full Payment of the Obligations.
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5.11.2Waivers.
(a)Each Borrower expressly waives all rights that it may have now or in the future under any statute, at common law, in equity or otherwise, to compel Agent or Lenders to marshal assets or to proceed against any Obligor, other Person or security for the payment or performance of any Obligations before, or as a condition to, proceeding against such Borrower. Each Borrower waives all defenses available to a surety, guarantor or accommodation co-obligor other than Full Payment of Obligations and waives, to the maximum extent permitted by law, any right to revoke any guaranty of Obligations as long as it is a Borrower. It is agreed among each Borrower, Agent and Lenders that the provisions of this Section 5.11 are of the essence of the transaction contemplated by the Loan Documents and that, but for such provisions, Agent and Lenders would decline to make Loans and issue Letters of Credit. Each Borrower acknowledges that its guaranty pursuant to this Section is necessary to the conduct and promotion of its business, and can be expected to benefit such business.
(b)Agent and Lenders may, in their discretion, pursue such rights and remedies as they deem appropriate, including realization upon Collateral or any Real Estate by judicial foreclosure or nonjudicial sale or enforcement, without affecting any rights and remedies under this Section 5.11. If, in taking any action in connection with the exercise of any rights or remedies, Agent or any Lender shall forfeit any other rights or remedies, including the right to enter a deficiency judgment against any Borrower or other Person, whether because of any Applicable Laws pertaining to “election of remedies” or otherwise, each Borrower consents to such action and waives any claim based upon it, even if the action may result in loss of any rights of subrogation that any Borrower might otherwise have had. Any election of remedies that results in denial or impairment of the right of Agent or any Lender to seek a deficiency judgment against any Borrower shall not impair any other Borrower’s obligation to pay the full amount of the Obligations. Each Borrower waives all rights and defenses arising out of an election of remedies, such as nonjudicial foreclosure with respect to any security for Obligations, even though that election of remedies destroys such Borrower’s rights of subrogation against any other Person. Agent may bid Obligations, in whole or part, at any foreclosure, trustee or other sale, including any private sale, and the amount of such bid need not be paid by Agent but shall be credited against the Obligations. The amount of the successful bid at any such sale, whether Agent or any other Person is the successful bidder, shall be conclusively deemed to be the fair market value of the Collateral, and the difference between such bid amount and the remaining balance of the Obligations shall be conclusively deemed to be the amount of the Obligations guaranteed under this Section 5.11, notwithstanding that any present or future law or court decision may have the effect of reducing the amount of any deficiency claim to which Agent or any Lender might otherwise be entitled but for such bidding at any such sale.
5.11.3Extent of Liability; Contribution.
(a)Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, each Borrower’s liability under this Section 5.11 shall not exceed the greater of (i) all amounts for which such Borrower is primarily liable, as described in clause (c) below, and (ii) such Borrower’s Allocable Amount.
(b)If any Borrower makes a payment under this Section 5.11 of any Obligations (other than amounts for which such Borrower is primarily liable) (a “Guarantor Payment”) that, taking into account all other Guarantor Payments previously or concurrently made by any other Borrower, exceeds the amount that such Borrower would otherwise have paid if each Borrower had paid the aggregate Obligations satisfied by such Guarantor Payments in the same proportion that such Borrower’s Allocable Amount bore to the total Allocable Amounts of all Borrowers, then such Borrower shall be entitled to receive contribution and indemnification payments from, and to be reimbursed by, each other Borrower for the amount of such excess, ratably based on their respective Allocable Amounts in effect immediately prior to such Guarantor Payment. The “Allocable Amount” for any Borrower shall be the maximum amount that could then be recovered from such Borrower under this Section 5.11 without rendering such payment voidable under Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code or under any applicable state fraudulent transfer or conveyance act, or similar statute or common law.
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(c)Section 5.11.3(a) shall not limit the liability of any Borrower to pay or guarantee Loans made directly or indirectly to it (including Loans advanced hereunder to any other Person and then re-loaned or otherwise transferred to, or for the benefit of, such Borrower), LC Obligations relating to Letters of Credit issued to support its business, Secured Bank Product Obligations incurred to support its business, and all accrued interest, fees, expenses and other related Obligations with respect thereto, for which such Borrower shall be primarily liable for all purposes hereunder. Agent and Lenders shall have the right, at any time in their discretion, to condition Loans and Letters of Credit upon a separate calculation of borrowing availability for each Borrower and to restrict the disbursement and use of Loans and Letters of Credit to a Borrower based on that calculation.
(d)Each Obligor that is a Qualified ECP when its guaranty of or grant of Lien as security for a Swap Obligation becomes effective hereby jointly and severally, absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes to provide funds or other support to each Specified Obligor with respect to such Swap Obligation as may be needed by such Specified Obligor from time to time to honor all of its obligations under the Loan Documents in respect of such Swap Obligation (but, in each case, only up to the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred without rendering such Qualified ECP’s obligations and undertakings under this Section 5.11 voidable under any applicable fraudulent transfer or conveyance act). The obligations and undertakings of each Qualified ECP under this Section shall remain in full force and effect until Full Payment of all Obligations. Each Obligor intends this Section to constitute, and this Section shall be deemed to constitute, a guarantee of the obligations of, and a “keepwell, support or other agreement” for the benefit of, each Obligor for all purposes of the Commodity Exchange Act.
5.11.4Joint Enterprise. Each Borrower has requested that Agent and Lenders make this credit facility available to Borrowers on a combined basis, in order to finance Borrowers’ business most efficiently and economically. Borrowers’ business is a mutual and collective enterprise, and the successful operation of each Borrower is dependent upon the successful performance of the integrated group. Borrowers believe that consolidation of their credit facility will enhance the borrowing power of each Borrower and ease administration of the facility, all to their mutual advantage. Borrowers acknowledge that Agent’s and Lenders’ willingness to extend credit and to administer the Collateral on a combined basis hereunder is done solely as an accommodation to Borrowers and at Borrowers’ request.
5.11.5Subordination. Each Borrower hereby subordinates any claims, including any rights at law or in equity to payment, subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, contribution, indemnification or set off, that it may have at any time against any other Obligor, howsoever arising, to the Full Payment of its Obligations.
SECTION 6.CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
6.1Conditions Precedent to Initial Loans. In addition to the conditions set forth in Section 6.2, Lenders shall not be required to fund any requested Loan, issue any Letter of Credit, or otherwise extend credit to Borrowers hereunder, until the date (“Closing Date”) that each of the following conditions has been satisfied:
(a)Each Loan Document shall have been duly executed and delivered to Agent by each of the signatories thereto, and each Obligor shall be in compliance with all terms thereof.
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(b)Agent shall have received acknowledgments of all filings or recordations necessary to perfect its Liens in the Collateral, as well as UCC and Lien searches and other evidence satisfactory to Agent that such Liens are the only Liens upon the Collateral, except Permitted Liens.
(c)[Reserved].
(d)Agent shall have received certified copies of each note, instrument, or other document to which any of the Borrowers is a party evidencing or securing any of the Subordinated Debt as in effect on the Closing Date.
(e)Agent shall have received duly executed agreements establishing each Dominion Account, in form and substance, and with financial institutions, satisfactory to Agent.
(f)Agent shall have received certificates, in form and substance satisfactory to it, from a knowledgeable Senior Officer of each Borrower certifying that, after giving effect to the initial Loans and transactions hereunder, (i) such Borrower is Solvent; (ii) no Default or Event of Default exists; (iii) the representations and warranties set forth in Section 9 are true and correct; and (iv) such Borrower has complied with all agreements and conditions to be satisfied by it under the Loan Documents.
(g)Agent shall have received a certificate of a duly authorized officer of each Obligor, certifying (i) that attached copies of such Obligor’s Organic Documents are true and complete, and in full force and effect, without amendment except as shown; (ii) that an attached copy of resolutions authorizing execution and delivery of the Loan Documents is true and complete, and that such resolutions are in full force and effect, were duly adopted, have not been amended, modified or revoked, and constitute all resolutions adopted with respect to this credit facility; and (iii) to the title, name and signature of each Person authorized to sign the Loan Documents. Agent may conclusively rely on this certificate until it is otherwise notified by the applicable Obligor in writing.
(h)Agent shall have received a written opinion of Sills Cummis & Gross P.C., in form and substance satisfactory to Agent.
(i)Agent shall have received copies of the charter documents of each Obligor, certified by the Secretary of State or other appropriate official of such Obligor’s jurisdiction of organization. Agent shall have received good standing certificates for each Obligor, issued by the Secretary of State or other appropriate official of such Obligor’s jurisdiction of organization and each jurisdiction where such Obligor’s conduct of business or ownership of Property necessitates qualification.
(j)Agent shall have received copies of policies or certificates of insurance for the insurance policies carried by Borrowers, all in compliance with the Loan Documents.
(k)Agent shall have completed its business, financial and legal due diligence of Obligors, including a roll-forward of its previous field examination, with results satisfactory to Agent. No material adverse change in the financial condition of any Obligor or in the quality, quantity or value of any Collateral shall have occurred since November 30, 2016.
(1)Borrowers shall have paid all fees and expenses to be paid to Agent and Lenders on the Closing Date.
(m)Agent shall have received a Borrowing Base Report as of December 31, 2016. Upon giving effect to the initial funding of Loans and issuance of Letters of Credit, and the payment by Borrowers of all fees and expenses incurred in connection herewith as well as any payables stretched beyond their customary payment practices, Availability shall be at least $25,000,000.
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6.2Conditions Precedent to All Credit Extensions. Agent, Issuing Bank and Lenders shall in no event be required to make any credit extension hereunder (including funding any Loan, arranging any Letter of Credit, or granting any other accommodation to or for the benefit of any Borrower), if the following conditions are not satisfied on such date and upon giving effect thereto:
(a)No Default or Event of Default exists;
(b)The representations and warranties of each Obligor in the Loan Documents are true and correct (except for representations and warranties that relate solely to an earlier date);
(c)All conditions precedent in any Loan Document are satisfied;
(d)No event has occurred or circumstance exists that has or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and
(e)With respect to a Letter of Credit issuance, all LC Conditions are satisfied.
Each request (or deemed request) by a Borrower for any credit extension shall constitute a representation by Borrowers that the foregoing conditions are satisfied on the date of such request and on the date of the credit extension. As an additional condition to a credit extension, Agent may request any other information, certification, document, instrument or agreement as it deems appropriate.
SECTION 7.COLLATERAL
7.1Grant of Security Interest. To secure the prompt payment and performance of its Obligations, each Borrower hereby grants to Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, a continuing security interest in and Lien upon all personal Property of such Borrower, including all of the following Property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and wherever located:
(a)all Accounts;
(b)all Chattel Paper, including electronic chattel paper;
(c)all Commercial Tort Claims, including those shown on Schedule 9.1.16;
(d)all Deposit Accounts (including the Permitted Cayman Canadian Dollars Account, the Permitted Cayman Euros Account, the Permitted Cayman Japanese Yen Account, the Permitted UK Euros Account, and the Permitted UK Sterling Account);
(e)all Documents;
(f)all General Intangibles, including Intellectual Property;
(g)all Goods, including Inventory, Equipment and fixtures;
(h)all Instruments;
(i)all Investment Property;
(j)all Letter-of-Credit Rights;
(k)all Supporting Obligations;
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(l)all monies, whether or not in the possession or under the control of Agent, a Lender, or a bailee or Affiliate of Agent or a Lender, including any Cash Collateral;
(m)all accessions to, substitutions for, and all replacements, products, and cash and non-cash proceeds of the foregoing, including proceeds of and unearned premiums with respect to insurance policies, and claims against any Person for loss, damage or destruction of any Collateral; and
(n)all books and records (including customer lists, files, correspondence, tapes, computer programs, print-outs and computer records) pertaining to the foregoing.
7.2Lien on Deposit Accounts; Cash Collateral.
7.2.1Deposit Accounts. To further secure the prompt payment and performance of its Obligations, each Borrower hereby grants to Agent a continuing security interest in and Lien upon all amounts credited to any Deposit Account of such Borrower, including sums in any blocked, sweep or collection account. Each Borrower hereby authorizes and directs each bank or other depository to deliver to Agent, upon request, all balances in any Deposit Account maintained for such Borrower, without inquiry into the authority or right of Agent to make such request.
7.2.2Cash Collateral. Cash Collateral may be invested, at Agent’s discretion (with the consent of Borrowers, provided no Event of Default exists), but Agent shall have no duty to do so, regardless of any agreement or course of dealing with any Borrower, and shall have no responsibility for any investment or loss. As security for its Obligations, each Borrower hereby grants to Agent a security interest in and Lien upon all Cash Collateral delivered hereunder from time to time, whether held in a segregated cash collateral account or otherwise. Agent may apply Cash Collateral to payment of such Obligations as they become due, in such order as Agent may elect. All Cash Collateral and related Deposit Accounts shall be under the sole dominion and control of Agent, and no Borrower or other Person shall have any right to any Cash Collateral until Full Payment of the Obligations.
7.3[Reserved].
7.4Other Collateral.
7.4.1Commercial Tort Claims. Borrowers shall promptly notify Agent in writing if any Borrower has a Commercial Tort Claim (other than, as long as no Default or Event of Default exists, a Commercial Tort Claim for less than $100,000), shall promptly amend Schedule 9.1.16 to include such claim, and shall take such actions as Agent deems appropriate to subject such claim to a duly perfected, first priority Lien in favor of Agent.
7.4.2Certain After-Acquired Collateral. Borrowers shall promptly notify Agent in writing if, after the Closing Date, any Borrower obtains any interest in any Collateral consisting of Deposit Accounts, Chattel Paper, Documents, Instruments, Intellectual Property, Investment Property or Letter-of-Credit Rights and, upon Agent’s request, shall promptly take such actions as Agent deems appropriate to effect Agent’s duly perfected, first priority Lien upon such Collateral, including obtaining any appropriate possession, control agreement or Lien Waiver. If any Collateral is in the possession of a third party, at Agent’s request, Borrowers shall obtain an acknowledgment that such third party holds the Collateral for the benefit of Agent.
7.5Limitations. The Lien on Collateral granted hereunder is given as security only and shall not subject Agent or any Lender to, or in any way modify, any obligation or liability of Borrowers relating to any Collateral. In no event shall the grant of any Lien under any Loan Document secure an Excluded Swap Obligation of the granting Obligor.
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7.6Further Assurances. All Liens granted to Agent under the Loan Documents are for the benefit of Secured Parties. Promptly upon request, Borrowers shall deliver such instruments and agreements, and shall take such actions, as Agent deems appropriate under Applicable Law to evidence or perfect its Lien on any Collateral, or otherwise to give effect to the intent of this Agreement. Each Borrower authorizes Agent to file any financing statement that describes the Collateral as “all assets” or “all personal property” of such Borrower, or words to similar effect, and ratifies any action taken by Agent before the Closing Date to effect or perfect its Lien on any Collateral.
7.7Foreign Subsidiary Stock. Notwithstanding Section 7.1, the Collateral shall include only 65% of the voting stock of any Foreign Subsidiary.
SECTION 8.COLLATERAL ADMINISTRATION
8.1Borrowing Base Reports. By the second Business Day of each calendar week, Borrowers shall deliver to Agent (and Agent shall promptly deliver same to Lenders) a Borrowing Base Report as of the close of business of the previous calendar week, and at such other times as Agent may reasonably request. All information (including calculation of Availability) in a Borrowing Base Report shall be certified by Borrowers. Agent may from time to time adjust such report (a) to reflect Agent’s reasonable estimate of declines in value of Collateral, due to collections received in the Dominion Account or otherwise; (b) to adjust advance rates to reflect changes in dilution, quality, mix and other factors affecting Collateral; and (c) to the extent any information or calculation does not comply with this Agreement.
8.2Accounts.
8.2.1Records and Schedules of Accounts. Each Borrower shall keep accurate and complete records of its Accounts, including all payments and collections thereon, and shall submit to Agent sales, collection, reconciliation and other reports in form satisfactory to Agent, on such periodic basis as Agent may request. Each Borrower shall also provide to Agent, on or before the 20th day of each month, a detailed aged trial balance of all Accounts as of the end of the preceding month, specifying each Account’s Account Debtor name and address, amount, invoice date and due date, showing any discount, allowance, credit, authorized return or dispute, and including such proof of delivery, copies of invoices and invoice registers, copies of related documents, repayment histories, status reports and other information as Agent may reasonably request. If Accounts in an aggregate face amount of $100,000 or more cease to be Eligible Accounts, Borrowers shall notify Agent of such occurrence promptly (and in any event within one Business Day) after any Borrower has knowledge thereof.
8.2.2Taxes. If an Account of any Borrower includes a charge for any Taxes, Agent is authorized, in its discretion, to pay the amount thereof to the proper taxing authority for the account of such Borrower and to charge Borrowers therefor; provided, however, that neither Agent nor Lenders shall be liable for any Taxes that may be due from Borrowers or with respect to any Collateral.
8.2.3Account Verification. Whether or not a Default or Event of Default exists, Agent shall have the right at any time, in the name of Agent, any designee of Agent or any Borrower, to verify the validity, amount or any other matter relating to any Accounts of Borrowers by mail, telephone or otherwise. Borrowers shall cooperate fully with Agent in an effort to facilitate and promptly conclude any such verification process.
8.2.4Maintenance of Dominion Accounts. Borrowers shall maintain Dominion Accounts linked with scanner technology or other arrangements acceptable to Agent. Borrowers shall obtain an agreement (in form and substance satisfactory to Agent) from each Dominion Account bank, establishing Agent’s control over and Lien in each Dominion Account, and waiving offset rights of such bank, except for customary administrative charges. Subject to Section 8.5.2, if a Dominion Account is not maintained with Bank of America, Agent may require immediate transfer of all funds in such account to a Dominion Account maintained with Bank of America. Agent and Lenders assume no responsibility to Borrowers for any Dominion Account, including any claim of accord and satisfaction or release with respect to any Payment Items accepted by any bank.
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8.2.5Proceeds of Collateral. Borrowers shall request in writing and otherwise take all necessary steps to ensure that all payments on Accounts or otherwise relating to Collateral are made directly to a Dominion Account via scanner technology. If any Borrower or Subsidiary receives cash or Payment Items with respect to any Collateral, it shall hold same in trust for Agent and promptly (not later than the next Business Day) deposit same into a Dominion Account.
8.3Inventory.
8.3.1Records and Reports of Inventory. Each Borrower shall keep accurate and complete records of its Inventory, including costs and daily withdrawals and additions, and shall submit to Agent inventory and reconciliation reports in form satisfactory to Agent, on such periodic basis as Agent may request. Each Borrower shall conduct periodic cycle counts consistent with historical practices, and shall provide to Agent a report based on each such count promptly upon completion thereof, together with such supporting information as Agent may request. Agent may participate in and observe each cycle count.
8.3.2Returns of Inventory. No Borrower shall return any Inventory to a supplier, vendor or other Person, whether for cash, credit or otherwise, unless (a) such return is in the Ordinary Course of Business; (b) no Default, Event of Default or Overadvance exists or would result therefrom; and (c) any payment received by a Borrower for a return is promptly remitted to Agent for application to the Obligations.
8.3.3Acquisition, Sale and Maintenance. Each Borrower shall take all steps to assure that all Inventory is produced in accordance with Applicable Law, including the FLSA. No Borrower shall sell any Inventory on consignment or approval or any other basis under which the customer may return or require a Borrower to repurchase such Inventory; provided, however, that Alliance Holding and its Subsidiaries may consign their Inventory so long as the Value of all such consigned Inventory does not exceed $6,000,000 in the aggregate at any one time. Borrowers shall use, store and maintain all Inventory with reasonable care and caution, in accordance with applicable standards of any insurance and in conformity with all Applicable Law, and shall make current rent payments (within applicable grace periods provided for in leases) at all locations where any Collateral is located.
8.4Equipment.
8.4.1Records and Schedules of Equipment. Each Borrower shall keep accurate and complete records of its Equipment, including kind, quality, quantity, cost, acquisitions and dispositions thereof, and shall submit to Agent, on such periodic basis as Agent may request, a current schedule thereof, in form satisfactory to Agent. Promptly upon request, Borrowers shall deliver to Agent evidence of their ownership or interests in any Equipment.
8.4.2Dispositions of Equipment. No Borrower shall sell, lease or otherwise dispose of any Equipment, without the prior written consent of Agent, other than (a) a Permitted Asset Disposition; and (b) replacement of Equipment that is worn, damaged or obsolete with Equipment of like function and value, if the replacement Equipment is acquired substantially contemporaneously with such disposition and is free of Liens.
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8.4.3Condition of Equipment. The Equipment is in good operating condition and repair, and all necessary replacements and repairs have been made so that the value and operating efficiency of the Equipment is preserved at all times, reasonable wear and tear excepted. Each Borrower shall ensure that the Equipment is mechanically and structurally sound, and capable of performing the functions for which it was designed, in accordance with manufacturer specifications. No Borrower shall permit any Equipment to become affixed to real Property unless any landlord or mortgagee delivers a Lien Waiver.
8.5Deposit Accounts.
8.5.1Maintenance of Deposit Accounts. Schedule 8.5.1 shows all Deposit Accounts maintained by Borrowers, including Dominion Accounts. Each Borrower shall take all actions necessary to establish Agent’s first priority Lien on each Deposit Account (except accounts exclusively used for payroll, payroll taxes or employee benefits, other disbursement accounts acceptable to Agent, or an account containing not more than $10,000 at any time) (each such Deposit Account, a “Controlled Account”). Borrowers shall be the sole account holders of each Deposit Account and shall not allow any Person (other than Agent and the depository bank) to have control over their Deposit Accounts or any Property deposited therein. Borrowers shall promptly notify Agent of any opening or closing of a Deposit Account and, with the consent of Agent, will amend Schedule 8.5.1 to reflect same.
8.5.2Sweeps of Controlled Accounts.
(a)with respect to the Controlled Accounts other than the Permitted Foreign Deposit Accounts, the applicable depository bank will forward, by daily sweep, all amounts in such applicable Controlled Account to the main Dominion Account at Bank of America; and
(b)with respect to the Permitted Foreign Deposit Accounts, upon the instruction of Agent (an “Activation Instruction”), the applicable depository bank will forward by daily sweep all amounts in such applicable Permitted Foreign Deposit Account to the main Dominion Account at Bank of America. Agent agrees not to issue an Activation Instruction with respect to such Permitted Foreign Deposit Accounts unless a Triggering Event has occurred and is continuing at the time such Activation Instruction is issued. Agent agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to rescind an Activation Instruction (the “Rescission”) if: (i) the Triggering Event upon which such Activation Instruction was issued has been waived in writing in accordance with this Agreement, and (ii) no additional Triggering Event has occurred and is continuing prior to the date of the Rescission or is reasonably expected to occur on or immediately after the date of the Rescission. Borrowers shall, (A) with respect to the Permitted Cayman Canadian Dollars Account, cause the applicable depository bank to convert to Dollars and sweep to the main Dominion Account at Bank of America at the end of each calendar week, any amounts in excess of Cdn$400,000 (minus any pending Automated Clearing House (ACH) or international Automated Clearing House (IACH) transfer amounts, as disclosed by the Borrowers in a report, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, to Agent prior to the end of such calendar week) in such Deposit Account, (B) with respect to the Permitted Cayman Japanese Yen Account, cause the applicable depository bank to convert to Dollars and sweep to the main Dominion Account at Bank of America at the end of each calendar week, any amounts in excess of ¥20,000,000 (minus any pending Automated Clearing House (ACH) or international Automated Clearing House (IACH) transfer amounts, as disclosed by the Borrowers in a report, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, to Agent prior to the end of such calendar week) in such Deposit Account, (C) with respect to the Permitted UK Euros Account, cause the depository bank to convert to Dollars and sweep to the main Dominion Account at Bank of America at the end of each calendar week, any amounts in excess of €300,000 (minus any pending Automated Clearing House (ACH) or international Automated Clearing House (IACH) transfer amounts, as disclosed by the Borrowers in a report, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, to Agent prior to the end of such calendar week) in the aggregate in such Deposit Account and the Permitted Cayman Euros Account, (D) with respect to the Permitted Cayman Euros Account, cause the depository bank to convert to Dollars and sweep to the main Dominion Account at Bank of America at the end of each calendar week, any amounts in excess of €300,000 (minus any pending Automated Clearing House (ACH) or international Automated Clearing House (IACH) transfer amounts, as disclosed by the Borrowers in a report, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, to Agent prior to the end of such calendar week) in the aggregate in such Deposit Account and the Permitted UK Euros Account, and (E) with respect to the Permitted UK Sterling Accounts, cause the depository bank to convert to Dollars and sweep to the main Dominion Account at Bank of America at the end of each calendar week, any amounts in excess of £300,000 (minus any pending Automated Clearing House (ACH) or international Automated Clearing House (IACH) transfer amounts, as disclosed by the Borrowers in a report, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, to Agent prior to the end of such calendar week) in the aggregate in all such Deposit Accounts.
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8.6General Provisions.
8.6.1Location of Collateral. All tangible items of Collateral, other than Inventory in transit, shall at all times be kept by Borrowers at the business locations set forth in Schedule 8.6.1, except that Borrowers may (a) make sales or other dispositions of Collateral in accordance with Section 10.2.6; and (b) move Collateral to another location in the United States, upon 30 Business Days prior written notice to Agent.
8.6.2Insurance of Collateral; Condemnation Proceeds.
(a)Each Borrower shall maintain insurance with respect to the Collateral, covering casualty, hazard, theft, malicious mischief, flood and other risks, in amounts, with endorsements and with insurers (with a Best rating of at least A+, unless otherwise approved by Agent in its discretion) satisfactory to Agent. All proceeds under each policy shall be payable to Agent. From time to time upon request, Borrowers shall deliver to Agent the originals or certified copies of its insurance policies and updated flood plain searches. Unless Agent shall agree otherwise, each policy shall include satisfactory endorsements (i) showing Agent as loss payee; (ii) requiring 30 days’ prior written notice to Agent in the event of cancellation of the policy for any reason whatsoever; and (iii) specifying that the interest of Agent shall not be impaired or invalidated by any act or neglect of any Borrower or the owner of the Property, nor by the occupation of the premises for purposes more hazardous than are permitted by the policy. If any Borrower fails to provide and pay for any insurance, Agent may, at its option, but shall not be required to, procure the insurance and charge Borrowers therefor. Each Borrower agrees to deliver to Agent, promptly as rendered, copies of all reports made to insurance companies. While no Event of Default exists, Borrowers may settle, adjust or compromise any insurance claim, as long as the proceeds are delivered to Agent. If an Event of Default exists, only Agent shall be authorized to settle, adjust and compromise such claims.
(b)Any proceeds of insurance (other than proceeds from workers’ compensation or D&O insurance) and any awards arising from condemnation of any Collateral shall be paid to Agent. Any such proceeds or awards that relate to Inventory shall be applied to payment of the Revolver Loans, and then to other Obligations.
8.6.3Protection of Collateral. All expenses of protecting, storing, warehousing, insuring, handling, maintaining and shipping any Collateral, all Taxes payable with respect to any Collateral (including any sale thereof), and all other payments required to be made by Agent to any Person to realize upon any Collateral, shall be borne and paid by Borrowers. Agent shall not be liable or responsible in any way for the safekeeping of any Collateral, for any loss or damage thereto (except for reasonable care in its custody while Collateral is in Agent’s actual possession), for any diminution in the value thereof, or for any act or default of any warehouseman, carrier, forwarding agency or other Person whatsoever, but the same shall be at Borrowers’ sole risk.
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8.6.4Defense of Title. Each Borrower shall defend its title to Collateral and Agent’s Liens therein against all Persons, claims and demands, except Permitted Liens.
8.7Power of Attorney. Each Borrower hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints Agent (and all Persons designated by Agent) as such Borrower’s true and lawful attorney (and agent-in-fact) for the purposes provided in this Section. Agent, or Agent’s designee, may, without notice and in either its or a Borrower’s name, but at the cost and expense of Borrowers:
(a)Endorse a Borrower’s name on any Payment Item or other proceeds of Collateral (including proceeds of insurance) that come into Agent’s possession or control; and
(b)During an Event of Default, (i) notify any Account Debtors of the assignment of their Accounts, demand and enforce payment of Accounts by legal proceedings or otherwise, and generally exercise any rights and remedies with respect to Accounts; (ii) settle, adjust, modify, compromise, discharge or release any Accounts or other Collateral, or any legal proceedings brought to collect Accounts or Collateral; (iii) sell or assign any Accounts and other Collateral upon such terms, for such amounts and at such times as Agent deems advisable; (iv) collect, liquidate and receive balances in Deposit Accounts or investment accounts, and take control, in any manner, of proceeds of Collateral; (v) prepare, file and sign a Borrower’s name to a proof of claim or other document in a bankruptcy of an Account Debtor, or to any notice, assignment or satisfaction of Lien or similar document; (vi) receive, open and dispose of mail addressed to a Borrower, and notify postal authorities to deliver any such mail to an address designated by Agent; (vii) endorse any Chattel Paper, Document, Instrument, bill of lading, or other document or agreement relating to any Accounts, Inventory or other Collateral; (viii) use a Borrower’s stationery and sign its name to verifications of Accounts and notices to Account Debtors; (ix) use information contained in any data processing, electronic or information systems relating to Collateral; (x) make and adjust claims under insurance policies; (xi) take any action as may be necessary or appropriate to obtain payment under any letter of credit, banker’s acceptance or other instrument for which a Borrower is a beneficiary; and (xii) take all other actions as Agent deems appropriate to fulfill any Borrower’s obligations under the Loan Documents.
SECTION 9.REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
9.1General Representations and Warranties. To induce Agent and Lenders to enter into this Agreement and to make available the Commitments, Loans and Letters of Credit, each Borrower represents and warrants that:
9.1.1Organization and Qualification. Each Borrower and Subsidiary is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization. Each Borrower and Subsidiary is duly qualified, authorized to do business and in good standing as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction where failure to be so qualified could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Obligor is an EEA Financial Institution.
9.1.2Power and Authority. Each Obligor is duly authorized to execute, deliver and perform its Loan Documents. The execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents have been duly authorized by all necessary action, and do not (a) require any consent or approval of any holders of Equity Interests of any Obligor, except those already obtained; (b) contravene the Organic Documents of any Obligor; (c) violate or cause a default under any Applicable Law or Material Contract; or (d) result in or require imposition of a Lien (other than Permitted Liens) on any Obligor’s Property.
9.1.3Enforceability. Each Loan Document is a legal, valid and binding obligation of each Obligor party thereto, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally.
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9.1.4Capital Structure. Schedule 9.1.4 shows, for each Borrower and Subsidiary, its name, jurisdiction of organization, authorized and issued Equity Interests, holders of its Equity Interests, and agreements binding on such holders with respect to such Equity Interests. Except as disclosed on Schedule 9.1.4, in the five years preceding the Closing Date, no Borrower or Subsidiary has acquired any substantial assets from any other Person nor been the surviving entity in a merger or combination. Each Borrower has good title to its Equity Interests in its Subsidiaries, subject only to Agent’s Lien, and all such Equity Interests are duly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. There are no outstanding purchase options, warrants, subscription rights, agreements to issue or sell, convertible interests, phantom rights or powers of attorney relating to Equity Interests of any Borrower or Subsidiary.
9.1.5Title to Properties; Priority of Liens. Each Borrower and Subsidiary has good and marketable title to (or valid leasehold interests in) all of its Real Estate, and good title to all of its personal Property, including all Property reflected in any financial statements delivered to Agent or Lenders, in each case free of Liens except Permitted Liens. Each Borrower and Subsidiary has paid and discharged all lawful claims that, if unpaid, could become a Lien on its Properties, other than Permitted Liens. All Liens of Agent in the Collateral are duly perfected, first priority Liens, subject only to Permitted Liens that are expressly allowed to have priority over Agent’s Liens.
9.1.6Accounts. Agent may rely, in determining which Accounts are Eligible Accounts, on all statements and representations made by Borrowers with respect thereto. Borrowers warrant, with respect to each Account shown as an Eligible Account in a Borrowing Base Report, that:
(a)it is genuine and in all respects what it purports to be;
(b)it arises out of a completed, bona fide sale and delivery of goods in the Ordinary Course of Business, and substantially in accordance with any purchase order, contract or other document relating thereto;
(c)it is for a sum certain, maturing as stated in the applicable invoice, a copy of which has been furnished or is available to Agent on request;
(d)it is not subject to any offset, Lien (other than Agent’s Lien), deduction, defense, dispute, counterclaim or other adverse condition except as arising in the Ordinary Course of Business and disclosed to Agent; and it is absolutely owing by the Account Debtor, without contingency of any kind;
(e)no purchase order, agreement, document or Applicable Law restricts assignment of the Account to Agent (regardless of whether, under the UCC, the restriction is ineffective), and the applicable Borrower is the sole payee or remittance party shown on the invoice;
(f)no extension, compromise, settlement, modification, credit, deduction or return has been authorized or is in process with respect to the Account, except discounts or allowances granted in the Ordinary Course of Business for prompt payment that are reflected on the face of the invoice related thereto and in the reports submitted to Agent hereunder; and
(g)to the best of Borrowers’ knowledge, (i) there are no facts or circumstances that are reasonably likely to impair the enforceability or collectability of such Account; (ii) the Account Debtor had the capacity to contract when the Account arose, continues to meet the applicable Borrower’s customary credit standards, is Solvent, is not contemplating or subject to an Insolvency Proceeding, and has not failed, or suspended or ceased doing business; and (iii) there are no proceedings or actions threatened or pending against any Account Debtor that could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Account Debtor’s financial condition.
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9.1.7Financial Statements. The consolidated and consolidating balance sheets, and related statements of income, cash flow and shareholders’ equity, of Borrowers and Subsidiaries that have been and are hereafter delivered to Agent and Lenders, are prepared in accordance with GAAP, and fairly present the financial positions and results of operations of Borrowers and Subsidiaries at the dates and for the periods indicated. All projections delivered from time to time to Agent and Lenders have been prepared in good faith, based on reasonable assumptions in light of the circumstances at such time. Since June 30, 2016, there has been no change in the condition, financial or otherwise, of any Borrower or Subsidiary that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No financial statement delivered to Agent or Lenders at any time contains any untrue statement of a material fact, nor fails to disclose any material fact necessary to make such statement not materially misleading. Each Borrower and Subsidiary is Solvent.
9.1.8Surety Obligations. No Borrower or Subsidiary is obligated as surety or indemnitor under any bond or other contract that assures payment or performance of any obligation of any Person, except as permitted hereunder.
9.1.9Taxes. Each Borrower and Subsidiary has filed all federal, state and local tax returns and other reports that it is required by law to file, and has paid, or made provision for the payment of, all Taxes upon it, its income and its Properties that are due and payable, except to the extent being Properly Contested. The provision for Taxes on the books of each Borrower and Subsidiary is adequate for all years not closed by applicable statutes, and for its current Fiscal Year.
9.1.10Brokers. There are no brokerage commissions, finder’s fees or investment banking fees payable in connection with any transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents.
9.1.11Intellectual Property. Each Borrower and Subsidiary owns or has the lawful right to use all Intellectual Property necessary for the conduct of its business, without conflict with any rights of others. There is no pending or, to any Borrower’s knowledge, threatened Intellectual Property Claim with respect to any Borrower, any Subsidiary or any of their Property (including any Intellectual Property). Except as disclosed on Schedule 9.1.11, no Borrower or Subsidiary pays or owes any royalty or other compensation to any Person with respect to any Intellectual Property. All Intellectual Property owned, used or licensed by, or otherwise subject to any interests of, any Borrower or Subsidiary, and which has not been abandoned or had its use discontinued by all Borrowers and Subsidiaries, is shown on Schedule 9.1.11.
9.1.12Governmental Approvals. Each Borrower and Subsidiary has, is in compliance with, and is in good standing with respect to, all Governmental Approvals necessary to conduct its business and to own, lease and operate its Properties. All necessary import, export or other licenses, permits or certificates for the import or handling of any goods or other Collateral have been procured and are in effect, and Borrowers and Subsidiaries have complied with all foreign and domestic laws with respect to the shipment and importation of any goods or Collateral, except where noncompliance could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
9.1.13Compliance with Laws. Each Borrower and Subsidiary has duly complied, and its Properties and business operations are in compliance, in all material respects with all Applicable Law, except where noncompliance could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There have been no citations, notices or orders of material noncompliance issued to any Borrower or Subsidiary under any Applicable Law. No Inventory has been produced in violation of the FLSA.
9.1.14Compliance with Environmental Laws. Except as disclosed on Schedule 9.1.14, no Borrower’s or Subsidiary’s past or present operations, Real Estate or other Properties are subject to any federal, state or local investigation to determine whether any remedial action is needed to address any environmental pollution, hazardous material or environmental clean-up. No Borrower or Subsidiary has received any Environmental Notice. No Borrower or Subsidiary has any contingent liability with respect to any Environmental Release, environmental pollution or hazardous material on any Real Estate now or previously owned, leased or operated by it.
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9.1.15Burdensome Contracts. No Borrower or Subsidiary is a party or subject to any contract, agreement or charter restriction that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Borrower or Subsidiary is party or subject to any Restrictive Agreement, except as shown on Schedule 9.1.15. No such Restrictive Agreement prohibits the execution, delivery or performance of any Loan Document by an Obligor.
9.1.16Litigation. Except as shown on Schedule 9.1.16, there are no proceedings or investigations pending or, to any Borrower’s knowledge, threatened against any Borrower or Subsidiary, or any of their businesses, operations, Properties, prospects or conditions, that (a) relate to any Loan Documents or transactions contemplated thereby; or (b) could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect if determined adversely to any Borrower or Subsidiary. Except as shown on such Schedule, no Obligor has a Commercial Tort Claim (other than, as long as no Default or Event of Default exists, a Commercial Tort Claim for less than $100,000). No Borrower or Subsidiary is in default with respect to any order, injunction or judgment of any Governmental Authority.
9.1.17No Defaults. No event or circumstance has occurred or exists that constitutes a Default or Event of Default. No Borrower or Subsidiary is in default, and no event or circumstance has occurred or exists that with the passage of time or giving of notice would constitute a default, under any Material Contract or in the payment of any Borrowed Money. There is no basis upon which any party (other than a Borrower or Subsidiary) could terminate a Material Contract prior to its scheduled termination date.
9.1.18ERISA. Except as disclosed on Schedule 9.1.18:
(a)Each Plan is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code, and other federal and state laws. Each Plan that is intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter from the IRS or an application for such a letter is currently being processed by the IRS with respect thereto and, to the knowledge of Borrowers, nothing has occurred which would prevent, or cause the loss of, such qualification. Each Obligor and ERISA Affiliate has met all applicable material requirements under the Code, ERISA and the Pension Protection Act of 2006, and no application for a waiver of the minimum funding standards or an extension of any amortization period has been made with respect to any Plan.
(b)There are no pending or, to the knowledge of Borrowers, threatened claims, actions or lawsuits, or action by any Governmental Authority, with respect to any Plan that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There has been no prohibited transaction or violation of the fiduciary responsibility rules with respect to any Plan that has resulted in or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(c)(i) No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (ii) as of the most recent valuation date for any Pension Plan, the funding target attainment percentage (as defined in Section 430(d)(2) of the Code) is at least 60%; and no Obligor or ERISA Affiliate knows of any reason that such percentage could reasonably be expected to drop below 60%; (iii) no Obligor or ERISA Affiliate has incurred any liability to the PBGC except for the payment of premiums, and no premium payments are due and unpaid; (iv) no Obligor or ERISA Affiliate has engaged in a transaction that could be subject to Section 4069 or 4212(c) of ERISA; and (v) no Pension Plan has been terminated by its plan administrator or the PBGC, and no fact or circumstance exists that could reasonably be expected to cause the PBGC to institute proceedings to terminate a Pension Plan.
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(d)With respect to any Foreign Plan, (i) all employer and employee contributions required by law or by the terms of the Foreign Plan have been made, or, if applicable, accrued, in accordance with normal accounting practices; (ii) the fair market value of the assets of each funded Foreign Plan, the liability of each insurer for any Foreign Plan funded through insurance, or the book reserve established for any Foreign Plan, together with any accrued contributions, is sufficient to procure or provide for the accrued benefit obligations with respect to all current and former participants in such Foreign Plan according to the actuarial assumptions and valuations most recently used to account for such obligations in accordance with applicable generally accepted accounting principles; and (iii) it has been registered as required and has been maintained in good standing with applicable regulatory authorities.
9.1.19Trade Relations. There exists no actual or threatened termination, limitation or modification of any business relationship between any Borrower or Subsidiary and any customer or supplier, or any group of customers or suppliers, who individually or in the aggregate are material to the business of such Borrower or Subsidiary. There exists no condition or circumstance that could reasonably be expected to impair the ability of any Borrower or Subsidiary to conduct its business at any time hereafter in substantially the same manner as conducted on the Closing Date.
9.1.20Labor Relations. Except as described on Schedule 9.1.20, no Borrower or Subsidiary is party to or bound by any collective bargaining agreement, management agreement or consulting agreement. There are no material grievances, disputes or controversies with any union or other organization of any Borrower’s or Subsidiary’s employees, or, to any Borrower’s knowledge, any asserted or threatened strikes, work stoppages or demands for collective bargaining.
9.1.21Payable Practices. No Borrower or Subsidiary has made any material change in its historical accounts payable practices from those in effect on the Closing Date.
9.1.22Not a Regulated Entity. No Obligor is (a) an “investment company” or a “person directly or indirectly controlled by or acting on behalf of an investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940; or (b) subject to regulation under the Federal Power Act, the Interstate Commerce Act, any public utilities code or any other Applicable Law regarding its authority to incur Debt.
9.1.23Margin Stock. No Borrower or Subsidiary is engaged, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock. No Loan proceeds or Letters of Credit will be used by Borrowers to purchase or carry, or to reduce or refinance any Debt incurred to purchase or carry, any Margin Stock or for any related purpose governed by Regulations T, U or X of the Board of Governors.
9.1.24OFAC. No Borrower, Subsidiary, or any director, officer, employee, agent, affiliate or representative thereof, is or is owned or controlled by any individual or entity that is currently the subject or target of any Sanction or is located, organized or resident in a Designated Jurisdiction.
9.1.25Anti-Corruption Laws. Each Borrower and Subsidiary has conducted its business in accordance with applicable anti-corruption laws and has instituted and maintained policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws.
9.2Complete Disclosure. No Loan Document contains any untrue statement of a material fact, nor fails to disclose any material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein not materially misleading. There is no fact or circumstance that any Obligor has failed to disclose to Agent in writing that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
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SECTION 10.COVENANTS AND CONTINUING AGREEMENTS
10.1Affirmative Covenants. As long as any Commitments or Obligations are outstanding, each Borrower shall, and shall cause each Subsidiary to:
10.1.1Inspections; Appraisals.
(a)Permit Agent from time to time, subject (unless a Default or Event of Default exists) to reasonable notice and normal business hours, to visit and inspect the Properties of any Borrower or Subsidiary, inspect, audit and make extracts from any Borrower’s or Subsidiary’s books and records, and discuss with its officers, employees, agents, advisors and independent accountants such Borrower’s or Subsidiary’s business, financial condition, assets, prospects and results of operations. Lenders may participate in any such visit or inspection, at their own expense. Secured Parties shall have no duty to any Obligor to make any inspection, nor to share any results of any inspection, appraisal or report with any Obligor. Borrowers acknowledge that all inspections, appraisals and reports are prepared by Agent and Lenders for their purposes, and Borrowers shall not be entitled to rely upon them.
(b)Reimburse Agent for all its charges, costs and expenses in connection with (i) examinations of Obligors’ books and records or any other financial or Collateral matters as it deems appropriate, up to 2 times per Loan Year; and (ii) appraisals of Inventory, up to 3 times per Loan Year; provided, however, that if an examination or appraisal is initiated during a Default or Event of Default, all charges, costs and expenses relating thereto shall be reimbursed by Borrowers without regard to such limits. Borrowers shall pay Agent’s then standard charges for examination activities, including charges for its internal examination and appraisal groups, as well as the charges of any third party used for such purposes. No Borrowing Base calculation shall include Collateral acquired in a Permitted Acquisition or otherwise outside the Ordinary Course of Business until completion of applicable field examinations and appraisals (which shall not be included in the limits provided above) satisfactory to Agent.
10.1.2Financial and Other Information. Keep adequate records and books of account with respect to its business activities, in which proper entries are made in accordance with GAAP reflecting all financial transactions; and furnish to Agent and Lenders:
(a)as soon as available, and in any event within 120 days after the close of each Fiscal Year, balance sheets as of the end of such Fiscal Year and the related statements of income, cash flow and shareholders’ equity for such Fiscal Year, on consolidated and consolidating bases for Borrowers and Subsidiaries, which consolidated statements shall be audited and certified (without qualification) by a firm of independent certified public accountants of recognized standing selected by Borrowers and acceptable to Agent, and shall set forth in comparative form corresponding figures for the preceding Fiscal Year and other information acceptable to Agent;
(b)as soon as available, and in any event within 30 days after the end of each month (but within 45 days after the last month in a Fiscal Year), unaudited balance sheets as of the end of such month and the related statements of income and cash flow for such month and for the portion of the Fiscal Year then elapsed, on consolidated and consolidating bases for Borrowers and Subsidiaries, setting forth in comparative form corresponding figures for the preceding Fiscal Year and certified by the chief financial officer of Borrower Agent as prepared in accordance with GAAP and fairly presenting the financial position and results of operations for such month and period, subject to normal year-end adjustments and the absence of footnotes;
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(c)concurrently with delivery of financial statements under clauses (a) and (b) above, or more frequently if requested by Agent while a Default or Event of Default exists, a Compliance Certificate executed by the chief financial officer of Borrower Agent;
(d)concurrently with delivery of financial statements under clause (a) above, copies of all management letters and other material reports submitted to Borrowers by their accountants in connection with such financial statements;
(e)not later than 30 days after the end of each Fiscal Year, projections of Borrowers’ consolidated balance sheets, results of operations, cash flow and Availability for such Fiscal Year, month by month, and for the next three Fiscal Years, year by year;
(f)at Agent’s request, a listing of each Borrower’s trade payables, specifying the trade creditor and balance due, and a detailed trade payable aging, all in form satisfactory to Agent;
(g)promptly after the sending or filing thereof, copies of any proxy statements, financial statements or reports that any Borrower has made generally available to its shareholders; copies of any regular, periodic and special reports or registration statements or prospectuses that any Borrower files with the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other Governmental Authority, or any securities exchange; and copies of any press releases or other statements made available by a Borrower to the public concerning material changes to or developments in the business of such Borrower;
(h)promptly after the sending or filing thereof, copies of any annual report to be filed in connection with each Plan or Foreign Plan;
(i)such other reports and information (financial or otherwise) as Agent may request from time to time in connection with any Collateral or any Borrower’s, Subsidiary’s or other Obligor’s financial condition or business;
(j)as soon as available, and in any event within 120 days after the close of each Fiscal Year, financial statements for each Guarantor, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent; and
(k)each of the financial statements, reports, and other items set forth on Schedule 10.1.2 no later than the times specified therein, in each case in form and substance satisfactory to Agent.
10.1.3Notices. Notify Agent and Lenders in writing, promptly after a Borrower’s obtaining knowledge thereof, of any of the following that affects an Obligor: (a) the threat or commencement of any proceeding or investigation, whether or not covered by insurance, if an adverse determination could have a Material Adverse Effect; (b) any pending or threatened labor dispute, strike or walkout, or the expiration of any material labor contract; (c) any default under or termination of a Material Contract; (d) the existence of any Default or Event of Default; (e) any judgment in an amount exceeding $500,000; (f) the assertion of any Intellectual Property Claim, if an adverse resolution could have a Material Adverse Effect; (g) any violation or asserted violation of any Applicable Law (including ERISA, OSHA, FLSA, or any Environmental Laws), if an adverse resolution could have a Material Adverse Effect; (h) any Environmental Release by an Obligor or on any Property owned, leased or occupied by an Obligor; or receipt of any Environmental Notice; (i) the occurrence of any ERISA Event that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (j) the discharge of or any withdrawal or resignation by Borrowers’ independent accountants; or (k) any opening of a new office or place of business, at least 30 days prior to such opening.
10.1.4Landlord and Storage Agreements. Upon request, provide Agent with copies of all existing agreements, and promptly after execution thereof provide Agent with copies of all future agreements, between an Obligor and any landlord, warehouseman, processor, shipper, bailee or other Person that owns any premises at which any Collateral may be kept or that otherwise may possess or handle any Collateral.
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10.1.5Compliance with Laws. Comply with all Applicable Laws, including ERISA, Environmental Laws, FLSA, OSHA, Anti-Terrorism Laws, and laws regarding collection and payment of Taxes, and maintain all Governmental Approvals necessary to the ownership of its Properties or conduct of its business, unless failure to comply (other than failure to comply with Anti-Terrorism Laws) or maintain could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if any Environmental Release occurs at or on any Properties of any Borrower or Subsidiary, it shall act promptly and diligently to investigate and report to Agent and all appropriate Governmental Authorities the extent of, and to make appropriate remedial action to eliminate, such Environmental Release, whether or not directed to do so by any Governmental Authority.
10.1.6Taxes. Pay and discharge all Taxes prior to the date on which they become delinquent or penalties attach, unless such Taxes are being Properly Contested.
10.1.7Insurance. In addition to the insurance required hereunder with respect to Collateral, maintain insurance with insurers (with a Best rating of at least A+, unless otherwise approved by Agent in its discretion) satisfactory to Agent, (a) with respect to the Properties and business of Borrowers and Subsidiaries of such type (including product liability, workers’ compensation, larceny, embezzlement, or other criminal misappropriation insurance), in such amounts, and with such coverages and deductibles as are customary for companies similarly situated; and (b) business interruption insurance in an amount not less than $10,000,000, with deductibles and subject to an endorsement or assignment satisfactory to Agent. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 10.1.7 to the contrary, Super O and Guard Yourself may provide the categories of insurance set forth on Schedule 10.1.7.
10.1.8Licenses. Keep each material License affecting any Collateral (including the manufacture, distribution or disposition of Inventory) or any other material Property of Borrowers and Subsidiaries in full force and effect; promptly notify Agent of any proposed modification to any such License, or entry into any new material License, in each case at least 30 days prior to its effective date; pay all royalties and other amounts when due under any License; and notify Agent of any default or breach asserted by any Person to have occurred under any material License.
10.1.9Future Subsidiaries. Promptly notify Agent upon any Person becoming a Subsidiary and, if such Person is not a Foreign Subsidiary, cause it to guaranty the Obligations in a manner satisfactory to Agent, and to execute and deliver such documents, instruments and agreements and to take such other actions as Agent shall require to evidence and perfect a Lien in favor of Agent on all assets of such Person, including delivery of such legal opinions, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, as it shall deem appropriate.
10.1.10[Reserved].
10.1.11Anti-Corruption Laws. Conduct its business in compliance with applicable anti-corruption laws and maintain policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws.
10.2Negative Covenants. As long as any Commitments or Obligations are outstanding, each Borrower shall not, and shall cause each Subsidiary not to:
10.2.1Permitted Debt. Create, incur, guarantee or suffer to exist any Debt, except:
(a)the Obligations;
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(b)[Reserved];
(c)Permitted Purchase Money Debt;
(d)Borrowed Money (other than the Obligations, Subordinated Debt and Permitted Purchase Money Debt), but only to the extent outstanding on the Closing Date and not satisfied with proceeds of the initial Loans;
(e)Debt with respect to Bank Products incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business;
(f)Debt that is in existence when a Person becomes a Subsidiary or that is secured by an asset when acquired by a Borrower or Subsidiary in a Permitted Acquisition, as long as such Debt was not incurred in contemplation of such Person becoming a Subsidiary or such acquisition, and does not exceed $5,000,000 in the aggregate at any time;
(g)Permitted Contingent Obligations;
(h)Debt owing to sellers of assets or Equity Interests to Alliance Holding or any of its Subsidiaries that is incurred by Alliance Holding or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the consummation of one or more Permitted Acquisitions so long as (i) it is not secured by a Lien, (ii) the aggregate principal amount of all such Debt does not exceed $10,000,000 at any one time outstanding, (ii) is subordinated to the Obligations on terms and conditions reasonably acceptable to Agent, and (iii) is otherwise on terms and conditions (including all economic terms and the absence of covenants) reasonably acceptable to Agent;
(i)Subject to the terms of the Wheeler Note Intercreditor Agreement, Debt of the Obligors under the Wheeler Note 6 in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed (i) $3,292,000, plus (ii) any interest paid-in-kind and added to the principal in accordance with the terms of the Wheeler Note 6, minus (iii) the amount of any principal payments made on account of such Debt;
(j)Subject to the terms of the Walker/Ogilvie Subordination Agreements, unsecured Debt of Alliance under the Walker/Ogilvie Notes 1/2 in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed (i) $1,200,000, plus (ii) any interest accrued and unpaid thereon and any interest paid-in-kind and added to the principal amount, each in accordance with the terms of the Walker/Ogilvie Notes 1/2, minus (iii) the amount of any principal payments made on account of such Debt;
(k)Subject to the terms of the IC-DISC Subordination Agreements, unsecured Debt of Alliance under the IC-DISC Notes in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed (i) $20,048,000, plus (ii) the aggregate amount of Debt required to be incurred after the Closing Date under any IC-DISC Future Notes pursuant to clauses (f) and (g) of the definition of “Permitted IC-DISC Payments”, plus (iii) any interest accrued and unpaid thereon and any interest paid-in-kind and added to the principal amount, each in accordance with the terms of the IC-DISC Notes, minus (iv) the amount of any principal payments made on account of such Debt;
(l)Refinancing Debt as long as each Refinancing Condition is satisfied;
(m)[Reserved]; and
(n)Debt that is not included in any of the preceding clauses of this Section, so long as (i) it is not secured by a Lien and (ii) the aggregate principal amount of all such Debt does not exceed $2,500,000 at any one time outstanding.
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10.2.2Permitted Liens. Create or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its Property, except the following (collectively, “Permitted Liens”):
(a)Liens in favor of Agent;
(b)Purchase Money Liens securing Permitted Purchase Money Debt;
(c)Liens for Taxes not yet due or being Properly Contested;
(d)statutory Liens (other than Liens for Taxes or imposed under ERISA) arising in the Ordinary Course of Business, but only if (i) payment of the obligations secured thereby is not yet due or is being Properly Contested, and (ii) such Liens do not materially impair the value or use of the Property or materially impair operation of the business of any Borrower or Subsidiary;
(e)Liens incurred or deposits made in the Ordinary Course of Business to secure the performance of government tenders, bids, contracts, statutory obligations and other similar obligations, as long as such Liens are at all times junior to Agent’s Liens and are required or provided by law;
(f)Liens arising in the Ordinary Course of Business that are subject to Lien Waivers;
(g)Liens arising by virtue of a judgment or judicial order against any Borrower or Subsidiary, or any Property of a Borrower or Subsidiary, as long as such Liens are (i) in existence for less than 20 consecutive days or being Properly Contested, and (ii) at all times junior to Agent’s Liens;
(h)easements, rights-of-way, restrictions, covenants or other agreements of record, and other similar charges or encumbrances on Real Estate, that do not secure any monetary obligation and do not interfere with the Ordinary Course of Business;
(i)normal and customary rights of setoff upon deposits in favor of depository institutions, and Liens of a collecting bank on Payment Items in the course of collection;
(j)Liens on assets (other than Accounts and Inventory) acquired in a Permitted Acquisition, securing Debt permitted by Section 10.2.1(f);
(k)existing Liens shown on Schedule 10.2.2;
(1)Liens securing obligations owing to vendors in the Ordinary Course of Business, so long as such Liens are subject to a Vendor Intercreditor Agreement satisfactory to Agent;
(m)so long as such Liens are subject to the terms of the Wheeler Note Intercreditor Agreement, Liens securing the Debt evidenced by the Wheeler Note 6;
(n)Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for sale of goods entered into by Alliance Holding or any of its Subsidiaries in the Ordinary Course of Business so long as any Inventory or Accounts of any Borrower subject to such Liens are reported by Borrowers as ineligible on the most recent Borrowing Base Report;
(o)Liens that are contractual rights of setoff relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers of Alliance Holding or any of its Subsidiaries in the Ordinary Course of Business, so long as any Inventory or Accounts of any Borrower subject to such Liens are reported by Borrowers as ineligible on the most recent Borrowing Base Report;
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(p)Liens consisting of an agreement to sell or otherwise transfer or dispose of any property in a Permitted Asset Disposition, solely to the extent such Permitted Asset Disposition would have been permitted on the date of the creation of such Lien;
(q)leases and subleases of Real Estate granted in the Ordinary Course of Business which do not interfere in any material respect with the conduct of business of Alliance Holding and its Subsidiaries; and
(r)other Liens as to which the aggregate principal amount of the obligations secured thereby does not exceed $500,000.
10.2.3PayPal Accounts. Fail to sweep at least weekly all monies held in each of Borrowers’ PayPal accounts to one or more Controlled Accounts that are subject to Deposit Account Control Agreements; provided, that so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Borrowers may exclude from each such sweep up to $150,000 in the aggregate for all such PayPal accounts.
10.2.4Distributions; Upstream Payments. Declare or make any Distributions, except Upstream Payments; or create or suffer to exist any encumbrance or restriction on the ability of a Subsidiary to make any Upstream Payment, except for restrictions under the Loan Documents, under Applicable Law or in effect on the Closing Date as shown on Schedule 9.1.15.
10.2.5Restricted Investments. Make any Restricted Investment.
10.2.6Disposition of Assets. Make any Asset Disposition, except a Permitted Asset Disposition, a disposition of Equipment under Section 8.4.2, or a transfer of Property by a Subsidiary or Obligor to a Borrower.
10.2.7Loans. Make any loans or other advances of money to any Person, except (a) advances to an officer or employee for salary, travel expenses, commissions and similar items in the Ordinary Course of Business; (b) prepaid expenses and extensions of trade credit made in the Ordinary Course of Business; (c) deposits with financial institutions permitted hereunder; and (d) as long as no Default or Event of Default exists, intercompany loans by a Borrower to another Borrower.
10.2.8Restrictions on Payment of Certain Debt. Make any payments (whether voluntary or mandatory, or a prepayment, redemption, retirement, defeasance or acquisition) with respect to any:
(a) Subordinated Debt, except that:
(i)subject to the terms of the Wheeler Note Intercreditor Agreement, Borrowers may make:
(A)(1) any regularly scheduled interest payment due and payable on a non-accelerated basis in accordance with the terms of the Wheeler Note 6 as in effect on the Closing Date (but no such payments which were not made at the time due under the terms of the Wheeler Note 6 as a result of the existence of a Default or Event of Default at such time), so long as both before and immediately after giving effect to any such payment, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, and (2) any “catch-up” payments of interest that were not paid when originally due because the Borrower obligated thereunder was not permitted to make such original payments as a result of not meeting the relevant Availability threshold;
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(B)(1) principal payments in the amount of $1,000,000, on the Closing Date and $2,292,000, on December 31, 2017 (or the next Business Day after such date if the same falls on a day that is not a Business Day), in each case in accordance with the terms of the Wheeler Note 6 as in effect on the Closing Date, and (2) on or after June 30, 2019, any principal payments made on June 30 and December 31 (or the next Business Day after such date if the same falls on a day that is not a Business Day) of each calendar year, so long as, in the case of each payment under this clause (B): (x) both before and immediately after giving effect to any such payment, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; (y) Borrowers’ Excess Availability is equal to or greater than $20,000,000 (I) immediately following the making of any such payment, and (II) calculated on an average daily basis for the 30-day period ending immediately prior to the making of any such payment; and (z) Borrowers have, on a pro forma basis immediately after giving effect to any such payment, a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (recomputed for the most recent month for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 10.1.2(b)) of not less than 1.25 to 1.0;
(C)any payment of paid-in-kind interest with respect to the Debt under the Wheeler Note 6 as in effect on the Closing Date and the accrual or capitalization of interest, fees or other amounts thereunder, whether pursuant to the terms of the Wheeler Note 6 or in lieu of cash payments that otherwise were prohibited under the terms of this Agreement or the Wheeler Note Intercreditor Agreement; and
(D)the payment of any fees, costs, expenses and indemnities required to be paid by Borrowers in accordance with the terms of the Wheeler Note 6 as in effect on the Closing Date, so long as: (1) both before and immediately after giving effect to any such payment, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; (2) the aggregate amount of all such payments does not exceed $20,000 (or such greater amount as agreed to by Agent in its sole discretion).
(ii)subject to the terms of the Walker/Ogilvie Subordination Agreements, Borrowers may make:
(A)(1) any regularly scheduled interest payment due and payable on a non-accelerated basis in accordance with the terms of the Walker/Ogilvie Notes 1/2 as in effect on the Closing Date (but no such payments which were not made at the time due under the terms of the Walker/Ogilvie Notes 1/2 as a result of the existence of a Default or Event of Default at such time), (2) any “catch-up” payments of interest that were not paid when originally due because the Borrower obligated thereunder was not permitted to make such original payments as a result of not meeting the relevant Availability threshold, and (3) on or after June 30, 2018, any principal payments made on June 30 and December 31 (or the next Business Day after such date if the same falls on a day that is not a Business Day) of each calendar year, so long as, in the case of each payment under this clause (A): (w) prior to making any such payment, the obligations evidenced by the Wheeler Note 6 shall have been satisfied, discharged and paid in full and the Wheeler Note 6 shall have been terminated and of no further force and effect; (x) both before and immediately after giving effect to any such payment, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; (y) Borrowers’ Excess Availability is equal to or greater than $20,000,000 (I) both immediately before and immediately following the making of any such payment, (II) calculated on an average daily basis for the 30-day period ending immediately prior to the making of any such payment, and (III) at all times during each of the months of the February, March, April, May and June of the calendar year of any such payment; and (z) Borrowers have, on a pro forma basis immediately after giving effect to any such payment, a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (recomputed for the most recent month for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 10.1.2(b)) of not less than 1.25 to 1.0; and
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(B)any payment of paid-in-kind interest with respect to the Debt under the Walker/Ogilvie Notes 1/2 as in effect on the Closing Date and the accrual or capitalization of interest, fees or other amounts thereunder, whether pursuant to the terms of the Walker/Ogilvie Notes 1/2 or in lieu of cash payments that otherwise were prohibited under the terms of this Agreement or the Walker/Ogilvie Subordination Agreements.
(iii)subject to the terms of the IC-DISC Subordination Agreements, Borrowers may make:
(A)in respect of the IC-DISC Notes 3/4, on or after June 30, 2019, any principal payments made on June 30 and December 31 (or the next Business Day after such date if the same falls on a day that is not a Business Day) of each calendar year, so long as, in the case of each such payment: (1) prior to making any such payment, the obligations evidenced by the Wheeler Note 6 shall have been satisfied, discharged and paid in full and the Wheeler Note 6 shall have been terminated and of no further force and effect; (2) prior to making any such payment, the obligations evidenced by the Walker/Ogilvie Notes 1/2 shall have been satisfied, discharged and paid in full and both Walker/Ogilvie Notes 1/2 shall have been terminated and of no further force and effect; (3) both before and immediately after giving effect to any such payment, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; (4) Borrowers’ Excess Availability is equal to or greater than $20,000,000 (x) both immediately before and immediately following the making of any such payment, (y) calculated on an average daily basis for the 30-day period ending immediately prior to the making of any such payment, and (z) at all times during each of the months of the February, March, April, May and June of the calendar year of any such payment; and (5) Borrowers have, on a pro forma basis immediately after giving effect to any such payment, a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (recomputed for the most recent month for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 10.1.2(b)) of not less than 1.25 to 1.0;
(B)in respect of the IC-DISC Notes 7/8, on or after June 30, 2020, any principal payments made on June 30 and December 31 (or the next Business Day after such date if the same falls on a day that is not a Business Day) of each calendar year, so long as, in the case of each such payment: (1) prior to making any such payment, the obligations evidenced by the Wheeler Note 6 shall have been satisfied, discharged and paid in full and the Wheeler Note 6 shall have been terminated and of no further force and effect; (2) prior to making any such payment, the obligations evidenced by the Walker/Ogilvie Notes 1/2 shall have been satisfied, discharged and paid in full and both Walker/Ogilvie Notes 1/2 shall have been terminated and of no further force and effect; (3) prior to making any such payment, the obligations evidenced by the IC-DISC Notes 3/4 shall have been satisfied, discharged and paid in full and both IC-DISC Notes 3/4 shall have been terminated and of no further force and effect; (4) both before and immediately after giving effect to any such payment, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; (5) Borrowers’ Excess Availability is equal to or greater than $20,000,000 (x) both immediately before and immediately following the making of any such payment, (y) calculated on an average daily basis for the 30-day period ending immediately prior to the making of any such payment, and (z) at all times during each of the months of the February, March, April, May and June of the calendar year of any such payment; and (6) Borrowers have, on a pro forma basis immediately after giving effect to any such payment, a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (recomputed for the most recent month for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 10.1.2(b)) of not less than 1.25 to 1.0;
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(C)any payment of paid-in-kind interest with respect to the Debt under the IC-DISC Notes and the accrual or capitalization of interest, fees or other amounts thereunder, whether pursuant to the terms of the IC-DISC Notes or in lieu of cash payments that otherwise were prohibited under the terms of this Agreement or the IC-DISC Subordination Agreements.
Not less than 5 Business Days prior to the date of any payment permitted under this clause (a), a Senior Officer of Borrower Agent shall certify to Agent that all conditions to such payment have been satisfied under this Agreement and the Walker/Ogilvie Subordination Agreements, Wheeler Note Intercreditor Agreement, or IC-DISC Subordination Agreements, as applicable.
(b) Borrowed Money (other than the Obligations and the Subordinated Debt) prior to its due date under the agreements evidencing such Debt as in effect on the Closing Date (or as amended thereafter with the consent of Agent).
10.2.9Fundamental Changes. Change its name or conduct business under any fictitious name; change its tax, charter or other organizational identification number; change its form or state of organization; liquidate, wind up its affairs or dissolve itself; or merge, combine or consolidate with any Person, whether in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, except for (a) mergers or consolidations of a wholly-owned Subsidiary with another wholly-owned Subsidiary or into a Borrower; or (b) Permitted Acquisitions.
10.2.10Subsidiaries. Form or acquire any Subsidiary after the Closing Date, except in accordance with Sections 10.1.9, 10.2.5 and 10.2.9; or permit any existing Subsidiary to issue any additional Equity Interests except directors’ qualifying shares.
10.2.11Organic Documents. Amend, modify or otherwise change any of its Organic Documents, except in connection with a transaction permitted under Section 10.2.9.
10.2.12Tax Consolidation. File or consent to the filing of any consolidated income tax return with any Person other than Borrowers and Subsidiaries.
10.2.13Accounting Changes. Make any material change in accounting treatment or reporting practices, except as required by GAAP and in accordance with Section 1.2; or change its Fiscal Year.
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10.2.14Restrictive Agreements. Become a party to any Restrictive Agreement, except a Restrictive Agreement (a) in effect on the Closing Date; (b) relating to secured Debt permitted hereunder, as long as the restrictions apply only to collateral for such Debt; or (c) constituting customary restrictions on assignment in leases and other contracts.
10.2.15Hedging Agreements. Enter into any Hedging Agreement, except to hedge risks arising in the Ordinary Course of Business and not for speculative purposes.
10.2.16Conduct of Business. Engage in any business, other than its business as conducted on the Closing Date and any activities incidental thereto.
10.2.17Affiliate Transactions. Enter into or be party to any transaction with an Affiliate, except:
(a)transactions expressly permitted by the Loan Documents;
(b)payment of reasonable compensation to officers and employees for services actually rendered, and payment of customary directors’ fees and indemnities;
(c)transactions solely among Borrowers;
(d)transactions with Affiliates consummated prior to the Closing Date, as shown on Schedule 10.2.17;
(e)transactions with Affiliates in the Ordinary Course of Business, so long as such transactions (i) are disclosed to Agent prior to the consummation thereof, if they involve one or more payments by Borrowers in excess of $1,000,000 for any single transaction or series of related transactions, and (ii) are no less favorable than would be obtained in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with a non-Affiliate;
(f)maintenance by Borrowers of the insurance coverage with Super O and Guard Yourself as permitted under Section 10.1.7, so long as: (i) the aggregate amount of any payments made by Borrowers on account of such insurance does not exceed (A) $2,200,000 in any calendar year to either Super O or to Guard Yourself, or (B) $4,400,000 in any calendar year in the aggregate; (ii) both immediately before and immediately after giving effect to any payment made by Borrowers on account of such insurance, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and
(g)payment of Permitted IC-DISC Payments.
10.2.18Plans. Become party to any Multiemployer Plan or Foreign Plan, other than any in existence on the Closing Date.
10.2.19Amendments to Subordinated Debt. Amend, supplement or otherwise modify any document, instrument or agreement relating to any Subordinated Debt, except as permitted under the terms of the Wheeler Note Intercreditor Agreement, Walker/Ogilvie Subordination Agreements, IC-DISC Subordination Agreements, or the Vendor Intercreditor Agreements, as applicable.
10.3Financial Covenants. As long as any Commitments or Obligations are outstanding, Borrowers shall:
10.3.1Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. Maintain a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, measured at the end of each calendar month, commencing with the month ending January 31, 2017, of at least 1.1 to 1.0.
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SECTION 11.EVENTS OF DEFAULT; REMEDIES ON DEFAULT
11.1Events of Default. Each of the following shall be an “Event of Default” if it occurs for any reason whatsoever, whether voluntary or involuntary, by operation of law or otherwise:
(a)Any Borrower fails to pay its Obligations when due (whether at stated maturity, on demand, upon acceleration or otherwise);
(b)Any representation, warranty or other written statement of an Obligor made in connection with any Loan Documents or transactions contemplated thereby is incorrect or misleading in any material respect when given;
(c)A Borrower breaches or fails to perform any covenant contained in Section 7.2, 7.4, 7.6, 8.1, 8.2.4, 8.2.5, 8.6.2, 10.1.1, 10.1.2, 10.2 or 10.3;
(d)An Obligor breaches or fails to perform any other covenant contained in any Loan Documents, and such breach or failure is not cured within 30 days after a Senior Officer of such Obligor has knowledge thereof or receives notice thereof from Agent, whichever is sooner; provided, however, that such notice and opportunity to cure shall not apply if the breach or failure to perform is not capable of being cured within such period or is a willful breach by an Obligor;
(e)A Guarantor repudiates, revokes or attempts to revoke its Guaranty; an Obligor or third party denies or contests the validity or enforceability of any Loan Documents or Obligations, or the perfection or priority of any Lien granted to Agent; or any Loan Document ceases to be in full force or effect for any reason (other than a waiver or release by Agent and Lenders);
(f)Any breach or default (subject to any grace or cure period) of an Obligor occurs under (i) any Hedging Agreement; or (ii) any instrument or agreement to which it is a party or by which it or any of its Properties is bound, relating to any Debt (other than the Obligations) in excess of $3,000,000, if the maturity of or any payment with respect to such Debt may be accelerated or demanded due to such breach;
(g)Any judgment or order for the payment of money is entered against an Obligor in an amount that exceeds, individually or cumulatively with all unsatisfied judgments or orders against all Obligors, $3,000,000 (net of insurance coverage therefor that has not been denied by the insurer), unless a stay of enforcement or a bond of such judgment or order is in effect;
(h)A loss, theft, damage or destruction occurs with respect to any Collateral if the amount not covered by insurance exceeds $3,000,000;
(i)An Obligor is enjoined, restrained or in any way prevented by any Governmental Authority from conducting any material part of its business; an Obligor suffers the loss, revocation or termination of any material license, permit, lease or agreement necessary to its business; there is a cessation of any material part of an Obligor’s business for a material period of time; any material Collateral or Property of an Obligor is taken or impaired through condemnation; an Obligor agrees to or commences any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of its affairs; or an Obligor is not Solvent;
(j)An Insolvency Proceeding is commenced by an Obligor; an Obligor makes an offer of settlement, extension or composition to its unsecured creditors generally; a trustee is appointed to take possession of any substantial Property of or to operate any of the business of an Obligor; or an Insolvency Proceeding is commenced against an Obligor and: the Obligor consents to institution of the proceeding, the petition commencing the proceeding is not timely contested by the Obligor, the petition is not dismissed within 60 days after filing, or an order for relief is entered in the proceeding;
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(k)An ERISA Event occurs with respect to a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in liability of an Obligor to a Pension Plan, Multiemployer Plan or PBGC that would have a Material Adverse Effect, or that constitutes grounds for appointment of a trustee for or termination by the PBGC of any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; an Obligor or ERISA Affiliate fails to pay when due any installment payment with respect to its withdrawal liability under Section 4201 of ERISA under a Multiemployer Plan; or any event similar to the foregoing occurs or exists with respect to a Foreign Plan;
(1)An Obligor or any of its Senior Officers is criminally indicted or convicted for (i) a felony committed in the conduct of the Obligor’s business, or (ii) violating any state or federal law (including the Controlled Substances Act, Money Laundering Control Act of 1986 and Illegal Exportation of War Materials Act) that could lead to forfeiture of any material Property or any Collateral; or
(m)A Change of Control occurs.
11.2Remedies upon Default. If an Event of Default described in Section 11.1(j) occurs with respect to any Borrower, then to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, all Obligations (other than Secured Bank Product Obligations) shall become automatically due and payable and all Commitments shall terminate, without any action by Agent or notice of any kind. In addition, or if any other Event of Default exists, Agent may in its discretion (and shall upon written direction of Required Lenders) do any one or more of the following from time to time:
(a)declare any Obligations (other than Secured Bank Product Obligations) immediately due and payable, whereupon they shall be due and payable without diligence, presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by Borrowers to the fullest extent permitted by law;
(b)terminate, reduce or condition any Commitment or adjust the Borrowing Base;
(c)require Obligors to Cash Collateralize their LC Obligations, Secured Bank Product Obligations and other Obligations that are contingent or not yet due and payable, and if Obligors fail to deposit such Cash Collateral, Agent may (and shall upon the direction of Required Lenders) advance the required Cash Collateral as Revolver Loans (whether or not an Overadvance exists or is created thereby, or the conditions in Section 6 are satisfied); and
(d)exercise any other rights or remedies afforded under any agreement, by law, at equity or otherwise, including the rights and remedies of a secured party under the UCC. Such rights and remedies include the rights to (i) take possession of any Collateral; (ii) require Borrowers to assemble Collateral, at Borrowers’ expense, and make it available to Agent at a place designated by Agent; (iii) enter any premises where Collateral is located and store Collateral on such premises until sold (and if the premises are owned or leased by a Borrower, Borrowers agree not to charge for such storage); and (iv) sell or otherwise dispose of any Collateral in its then condition, or after any further manufacturing or processing thereof, at public or private sale, with such notice as may be required by Applicable Law, in lots or in bulk, at such locations, all as Agent, in its discretion, deems advisable. Each Borrower agrees that 10 days’ notice of any proposed sale or other disposition of Collateral by Agent shall be reasonable, and that any sale conducted on the internet or to a licensor of Intellectual Property shall be commercially reasonable. Agent may conduct sales on any Obligor’s premises, without charge, and any sale may be adjourned from time to time in accordance with Applicable Law. Agent shall have the right to sell, lease or otherwise dispose of any Collateral for cash, credit or any combination thereof, and Agent may purchase any Collateral at public or, if permitted by law, private sale and, in lieu of actual payment of the purchase price, may credit bid and set off the amount of such price against the Obligations.
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11.3License. Agent is hereby granted an irrevocable, non-exclusive license or other right to use, license or sub-license (without payment of royalty or other compensation to any Person) any or all Intellectual Property of Borrowers, computer hardware and software, trade secrets, brochures, customer lists, promotional and advertising materials, labels, packaging materials and other Property, in advertising for sale, marketing, selling, collecting, completing manufacture of, or otherwise exercising any rights or remedies with respect to, any Collateral. Each Borrower’s rights and interests under Intellectual Property shall inure to Agent’s benefit.
11.4Setoff. At any time during an Event of Default, Agent, Issuing Bank, Lenders, and any of their Affiliates are authorized, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by Agent, Issuing Bank, such Lender or such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of an Obligor against its Obligations, whether or not Agent, Issuing Bank, such Lender or such Affiliate shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such Obligations may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch or office of Agent, Issuing Bank, such Lender or such Affiliate different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness. The rights of Agent, Issuing Bank, each Lender and each such Affiliate under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Person may have.
11.5Remedies Cumulative; No Waiver.
11.5.1Cumulative Rights. All agreements, warranties, guaranties, indemnities and other undertakings of Obligors under the Loan Documents are cumulative and not in derogation of each other. The rights and remedies of Agent and Lenders under the Loan Documents are cumulative, may be exercised at any time and from time to time, concurrently or in any order, and are not exclusive of any other rights or remedies available by agreement, by law, at equity or otherwise. All such rights and remedies shall continue in full force and effect until Full Payment of all Obligations.
11.5.2Waivers. No waiver or course of dealing shall be established by (a) the failure or delay of Agent or any Lender to require strict performance by any Obligor under any Loan Document, or to exercise any rights or remedies with respect to Collateral or otherwise; (b) the making of any Loan or issuance of any Letter of Credit during a Default, Event of Default or other failure to satisfy any conditions precedent; or (c) acceptance by Agent or any Lender of any payment or performance by an Obligor under any Loan Documents in a manner other than that specified therein. Any failure to satisfy a financial covenant on a measurement date shall not be cured or remedied by satisfaction of such covenant on a subsequent date.
SECTION 12.AGENT
12.1Appointment, Authority and Duties of Agent.
12.1.1Appointment and Authority. Each Secured Party appoints and designates Bank of America as Agent under all Loan Documents. Agent may, and each Secured Party authorizes Agent to, enter into all Loan Documents to which Agent is intended to be a party and accept all Security Documents. Any action taken by Agent in accordance with the provisions of the Loan Documents, and the exercise by Agent of any rights or remedies set forth therein, together with all other powers reasonably incidental thereto, shall be authorized by and binding upon all Secured Parties. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Agent shall have the sole and exclusive authority to (a) act as the disbursing and collecting agent for Lenders with respect to all payments and collections arising in connection with the Loan Documents; (b) execute and deliver as Agent each Loan Document, including any intercreditor or subordination agreement, and accept delivery of each Loan Document; (c) act as collateral agent for Secured Parties for purposes of perfecting and administering Liens under the Loan Documents, and for all other purposes stated therein; (d) manage, supervise or otherwise deal with Collateral; and (e) take any Enforcement Action or otherwise exercise any rights or remedies with respect to any Collateral or under any Loan Documents, Applicable Law or otherwise. Agent alone shall be authorized to determine eligibility and applicable advance rates under the Borrowing Base, whether to impose or release any reserve, or whether any conditions to funding or issuance of a Letter of Credit have been satisfied, which determinations and judgments, if exercised in good faith, shall exonerate Agent from liability to any Secured Party or other Person for any error in judgment.
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12.1.2Duties. The title of “Agent” is used solely as a matter of market custom and the duties of Agent are administrative in nature only. Agent has no duties except those expressly set forth in the Loan Documents, and in no event does Agent have any agency, fiduciary or implied duty to or relationship with any Secured Party or other Person by reason of any Loan Document or related transaction. The conferral upon Agent of any right shall not imply a duty to exercise such right, unless instructed to do so by Lenders in accordance with this Agreement.
12.1.3Agent Professionals. Agent may perform its duties through agents and employees. Agent may consult with and employ Agent Professionals, and shall be entitled to act upon, and shall be fully protected in any action taken in good faith reliance upon, any advice given by an Agent Professional. Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agents, employees or Agent Professionals selected by it with reasonable care.
12.1.4Instructions of Required Lenders. The rights and remedies conferred upon Agent under the Loan Documents may be exercised without the necessity of joining any other party, unless required by Applicable Law. In determining compliance with a condition for any action hereunder, including satisfaction of any condition in Section 6, Agent may presume that the condition is satisfactory to a Secured Party unless Agent has received notice to the contrary from such Secured Party before Agent takes the action. Agent may request instructions from Required Lenders or other Secured Parties with respect to any act (including the failure to act) in connection with any Loan Documents or Collateral, and may seek assurances to its satisfaction from Secured Parties of their indemnification obligations against Claims that could be incurred by Agent. Agent may refrain from any act until it has received such instructions or assurances, and shall not incur liability to any Person by reason of so refraining. Instructions of Required Lenders shall be binding upon all Secured Parties, and no Secured Party shall have any right of action whatsoever against Agent as a result of Agent acting or refraining from acting pursuant to instructions of Required Lenders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, instructions by and consent of specific parties shall be required to the extent provided in Section 14.1.1. In no event shall Agent be required to take any action that it determines in its discretion is contrary to Applicable Law or any Loan Documents or could subject any Agent Indemnitee to liability.
12.2Agreements Regarding Collateral and Borrower Materials.
12.2.1Lien Releases; Care of Collateral. Secured Parties authorize Agent to release any Lien on any Collateral (a) upon Full Payment of the Obligations; (b) that is the subject of a disposition or Lien that Borrowers certify in writing is a Permitted Asset Disposition or a Permitted Lien entitled to priority over Agent’s Liens (and Agent may rely conclusively on such certificate without further inquiry); (c) that does not constitute a material part of the Collateral; or (d) subject to Section 14.1, with the consent of Required Lenders. Secured Parties authorize Agent to subordinate its Liens to any Purchase Money Lien or other Lien entitled to priority hereunder. Agent has no obligation to assure that any Collateral exists or is owned by an Obligor, or is cared for, protected or insured, nor to assure that Agent’s Liens have been properly created, perfected or enforced, or are entitled to any particular priority, nor to exercise any duty of care with respect to any Collateral.
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12.2.2Possession of Collateral. Agent and Secured Parties appoint each Secured Party as agent (for the benefit of Secured Parties) for the purpose of perfecting Liens in Collateral held or controlled by it, to the extent such Liens are perfected by possession or control. If a Secured Party obtains possession or control of any Collateral, it shall notify Agent thereof and, promptly upon Agent’s request, deliver such Collateral to Agent or otherwise deal with it in accordance with Agent’s instructions.
12.2.3Reports. Agent shall promptly provide to Lenders, when complete, any field examination, audit or appraisal report prepared for Agent with respect to any Obligor or Collateral (“Report”). Reports and other Borrower Materials may be made available to Lenders by providing access to them on the Platform, but Agent shall not be responsible for system failures or access issues that may occur from time to time. Each Lender agrees (a) that Reports are not intended to be comprehensive audits or examinations, and that Agent or any other Person performing an audit or examination will inspect only limited information and will rely significantly upon Borrowers’ books, records and representations; (b) that Agent makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any Borrower Materials and shall not be liable for any information contained in or omitted from any Borrower Materials, including any Report; and (c) to keep all Borrower Materials confidential and strictly for such Lender’s internal use, not to distribute any Report or other Borrower Materials (or the contents thereof) to any Person (except to such Lender’s Participants, attorneys and accountants), and to use all Borrower Materials solely for administration of the Obligations. Each Lender shall indemnify and hold harmless Agent and any other Person preparing a Report from any action such Lender may take as a result of or any conclusion it may draw from any Borrower Materials, as well as from any Claims arising as a direct or indirect result of Agent furnishing same to such Lender, via the Platform or otherwise.
12.3Reliance By Agent. Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any certification, notice or other communication (including those by telephone, telex, telegram, telecopy, e-mail or other electronic means) believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person. Agent shall have a reasonable and practicable amount of time to act upon any instruction, notice or other communication under any Loan Document, and shall not be liable for any delay in acting.
12.4Action Upon Default. Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default, or of any failure to satisfy any conditions in Section 6, unless it has received written notice from a Borrower or Required Lenders specifying the occurrence and nature thereof. If a Lender acquires knowledge of a Default, Event of Default or failure of such conditions, it shall promptly notify Agent and the other Lenders thereof in writing. Each Secured Party agrees that, except as otherwise provided in any Loan Documents or with the written consent of Agent and Required Lenders, it will not take any Enforcement Action, accelerate Obligations (other than Secured Bank Product Obligations) or assert any rights relating to any Collateral.
12.5Ratable Sharing. If any Lender obtains any payment or reduction of any Obligation, whether through set-off or otherwise, in excess of its ratable share of such Obligation, such Lender shall forthwith purchase from Secured Parties participations in the affected Obligation as are necessary to share the excess payment or reduction on a Pro Rata basis or in accordance with Section 5.6.2, as applicable. If any of such payment or reduction is thereafter recovered from the purchasing Lender, the purchase shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, but without interest. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Defaulting Lender obtains a payment or reduction of any Obligation, it shall immediately turn over the full amount thereof to Agent for application under Section 4.2.2 and it shall provide a written statement to Agent describing the Obligation affected by such payment or reduction. No Lender shall set off against a Dominion Account without Agent’s prior consent.
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12.6Indemnification. EACH SECURED PARTY SHALL INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS AGENT INDEMNITEES AND ISSUING BANK INDEMNITEES, TO THE EXTENT NOT REIMBURSED BY OBLIGORS, ON A PRO RATA BASIS, AGAINST ALL CLAIMS THAT MAY BE INCURRED BY OR ASSERTED AGAINST ANY SUCH INDEMNITEE, PROVIDED THAT ANY CLAIM AGAINST AN AGENT INDEMNITEE RELATES TO OR ARISES FROM ITS ACTING AS OR FOR AGENT (IN THE CAPACITY OF AGENT). In Agent’s discretion, it may reserve for any Claims made against an Agent Indemnitee or Issuing Bank Indemnitee, and may satisfy any judgment, order or settlement relating thereto, from proceeds of Collateral prior to making any distribution of Collateral proceeds to Secured Parties. If Agent is sued by any receiver, trustee or other Person for any alleged preference or fraudulent transfer, then any monies paid by Agent in settlement or satisfaction of such proceeding, together with all interest, costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred in the defense of same, shall be promptly reimbursed to Agent by each Secured Party to the extent of its Pro Rata share.
12.7Limitation on Responsibilities of Agent. Agent shall not be liable to any Secured Party for any action taken or omitted to be taken under the Loan Documents, except for losses directly and solely caused by Agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. Agent does not assume any responsibility for any failure or delay in performance or any breach by any Obligor, Lender or other Secured Party of any obligations under the Loan Documents. Agent does not make any express or implied representation, warranty or guarantee to Secured Parties with respect to any Obligations, Collateral, Liens, Loan Documents or Obligor. No Agent Indemnitee shall be responsible to Secured Parties for any recitals, statements, information, representations or warranties contained in any Loan Documents or Borrower Materials; the execution, validity, genuineness, effectiveness or enforceability of any Loan Documents; the genuineness, enforceability, collectability, value, sufficiency, location or existence of any Collateral, or the validity, extent, perfection or priority of any Lien therein; the validity, enforceability or collectability of any Obligations; or the assets, liabilities, financial condition, results of operations, business, creditworthiness or legal status of any Obligor or Account Debtor. No Agent Indemnitee shall have any obligation to any Secured Party to ascertain or inquire into the existence of any Default or Event of Default, the observance by any Obligor of any terms of the Loan Documents, or the satisfaction of any conditions precedent contained in any Loan Documents.
12.8Successor Agent and Co-Agents.
12.8.1Resignation; Successor Agent. Agent may resign at any time by giving at least 30 days’ written notice thereof to Lenders and Borrowers. Required Lenders may appoint a successor that is (a) a Lender or Affiliate of a Lender; or (b) a financial institution reasonably acceptable to Required Lenders and (provided no Default or Event of Default exists) Borrowers. If no successor is appointed by the effective date of Agent’s resignation, then on such date, Agent may appoint a successor acceptable to it in its discretion (which shall be a Lender unless no Lender accepts the role) or, in the absence of such appointment, Required Lenders shall automatically assume all rights and duties of Agent. The successor Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the powers and duties of the retiring Agent without further act. The retiring Agent shall be discharged from its duties hereunder on the effective date of its resignation, but shall continue to have all rights and protections available to Agent under the Loan Documents with respect to actions, omissions, circumstances or Claims relating to or arising while it was acting or transferring responsibilities as Agent or holding any Collateral on behalf of Secured Parties, including the indemnification set forth in Sections 12.6 and 14.2, and all rights and protections under this Section 12. Any successor to Bank of America by merger or acquisition of stock or this loan shall continue to be Agent hereunder without further act on the part of any Secured Party or Obligor.
12.8.2Co-Collateral Agent. If appropriate under Applicable Law, Agent may appoint a Person to serve as a co-collateral agent or separate collateral agent under any Loan Document. Each right, remedy and protection intended to be available to Agent under the Loan Documents shall also be vested in such agent. Secured Parties shall execute and deliver any instrument or agreement that Agent may request to effect such appointment. If any such agent shall die, dissolve, become incapable of acting, resign or be removed, then all the rights and remedies of the agent, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, shall vest in and be exercised by Agent until appointment of a new agent.
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12.9Due Diligence and Non-Reliance. Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that it has, independently and without reliance upon Agent or any other Lenders, and based upon such documents, information and analyses as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis of each Obligor and its own decision to enter into this Agreement and to fund Loans and participate in LC Obligations hereunder. Each Secured Party has made such inquiries as it feels necessary concerning the Loan Documents, Collateral and Obligors. Each Secured Party acknowledges and agrees that the other Secured Parties have made no representations or warranties concerning any Obligor, any Collateral or the legality, validity, sufficiency or enforceability of any Loan Documents or Obligations. Each Secured Party will, independently and without reliance upon any other Secured Party, and based upon such financial statements, documents and information as it deems appropriate at the time, continue to make and rely upon its own credit decisions in making Loans and participating in LC Obligations, and in taking or refraining from any action under any Loan Documents. Except for notices, reports and other information expressly requested by a Lender, Agent shall have no duty or responsibility to provide any Secured Party with any notices, reports or certificates furnished to Agent by any Obligor or any credit or other information concerning the affairs, financial condition, business or Properties of any Obligor (or any of its Affiliates) which may come into possession of Agent or its Affiliates.
12.10Remittance of Payments and Collections.
12.10.1 Remittances Generally. Payments by any Secured Party to Agent shall be made by the time and date provided herein, in immediately available funds. If no time for payment is specified or if payment is due on demand and request for payment is made by Agent by 1:00 p.m. on a Business Day, then payment shall be made by the Secured Party by 3:00 p.m. on such day, and if request is made after 1:00 p.m., then payment shall be made by 11:00 a.m. on the next Business Day. Payment by Agent to any Secured Party shall be made by wire transfer, in the type of funds received by Agent. Any such payment shall be subject to Agent’s right of offset for any amounts due from such payee under the Loan Documents.
12.10.2 Failure to Pay. If any Secured Party fails to deliver when due any amount payable by it to Agent hereunder, such amount shall bear interest, from the due date until paid in full, at the greater of the Federal Funds Rate or the rate determined by Agent as customary for interbank compensation for two Business Days and thereafter at the Default Rate for Base Rate Revolver Loans. In no event shall Borrowers be entitled to credit for any interest paid by a Secured Party to Agent, nor shall a Defaulting Lender be entitled to interest on amounts held by Agent pursuant to Section 4.2.
12.10.3 Recovery of Payments. If Agent pays an amount to a Secured Party in the expectation that a related payment will be received by Agent from an Obligor and such related payment is not received, then Agent may recover such amount from the Secured Party. If Agent determines that an amount received by it must be returned or paid to an Obligor or other Person pursuant to Applicable Law or otherwise, then Agent shall not be required to distribute such amount to any Secured Party. If Agent is required to return any amounts applied by it to Obligations held by a Secured Party, such Secured Party shall pay to Agent, on demand, its share of the amounts required to be returned.
12.11Individual Capacities. As a Lender, Bank of America shall have the same rights and remedies under the Loan Documents as any other Lender, and the terms “Lenders,” “Required Lenders” or any similar term shall include Bank of America in its capacity as a Lender. Agent, Lenders and their Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, provide Bank Products to, act as financial or other advisor to, and generally engage in any kind of business with, Obligors and their Affiliates, as if they were not Agent or Lenders hereunder, without any duty to account therefor to any Secured Party. In their individual capacities, Agent, Lenders and their Affiliates may receive information regarding Obligors, their Affiliates and their Account Debtors (including information subject to confidentiality obligations), and shall have no obligation to provide such information to any Secured Party.
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12.12Titles. Each Lender, other than Bank of America, that is designated in connection with this credit facility as an “Arranger,” “Bookrunner” or “Agent” of any kind shall have no right or duty under any Loan Documents other than those applicable to all Lenders, and shall in no event have any fiduciary duty to any Secured Party.
12.13Bank Product Providers. Each Secured Bank Product Provider, by delivery of a notice to Agent of a Bank Product, agrees to be bound by the Loan Documents, including Sections 5.6, 14.3.3 and 12. Each Secured Bank Product Provider shall indemnify and hold harmless Agent Indemnitees, to the extent not reimbursed by Obligors, against all Claims that may be incurred by or asserted against any Agent Indemnitee in connection with such provider’s Secured Bank Product Obligations.
12.14Appointment of Agent as Security Trustee. For the purposes of any Liens created under a Security Document governed by (i) English law (an “English Security Document”); and (ii) Cayman Islands law (a “Cayman Security Document” and together with the English Security Documents the “Foreign Security Documents”) the following additional provisions shall apply, in addition to the provisions set out in this Section 12 or otherwise hereunder.
(a)In this Section 12.14, the following expressions have the following meanings:
(i)“Appointee” means any receiver, administrator or other insolvency officer appointed in respect of any Obligor or its assets.
(ii)“Charged Property” means the assets of the Obligors subject to a security interest under a Foreign Security Document.
(iii)“Delegate” means any delegate, agent, attorney or co-trustee appointed by the Agent (in its capacity as security trustee).
(b)The Secured Parties appoint the Agent to hold the security interests constituted by the Foreign Security Documents on trust for the Secured Parties on the terms of the Loan Documents and the Agent accepts that appointment.
(c)The Agent, its subsidiaries and associated companies may each retain for its own account and benefit any fee, remuneration and profits paid to it in connection with (i) its activities under the Loan Documents; and (ii) its engagement in any kind of banking or other business with any Obligor.
(d)Nothing in this Agreement constitutes the Agent as a trustee or fiduciary of, nor shall the Agent have any duty or responsibility to, any Obligor.
(e)The Agent shall have no duties or obligations to any other Person except for those which are expressly specified in the Loan Documents or mandatorily required by Applicable Law.
(f)The Agent may appoint one or more Delegates on such terms (which may include the power to sub-delegate) and subject to such conditions as it thinks fit, to exercise and perform all or any of the duties, rights, powers and discretions vested in it by the Foreign Security Documents and shall not be obliged to supervise any Delegate or be responsible to any person for any loss incurred by reason of any act, omission, misconduct or default on the part of any Delegate.
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(g)The Agent may (whether for the purpose of complying with any law or regulation of any overseas jurisdiction, or for any other reason) appoint (and subsequently remove) any person to act jointly with the Agent either as a separate trustee or as a co-trustee on such terms and subject to such conditions as the Agent thinks fit and with such of the duties, rights, powers and discretions vested in the Agent by the Foreign Security Documents as may be conferred by the instrument of appointment of that person.
(h)The Agent shall notify the Lenders of the appointment of each Appointee (other than a Delegate).
(i)The Agent may pay reasonable remuneration to any Delegate or Appointee, together with any costs and expenses (including legal fees) reasonably incurred by the Delegate or Appointee in connection with its appointment. All such remuneration, costs and expenses shall be treated, for the purposes of this Agreement, as paid or incurred by the Agent.
(j)Each Delegate and each Appointee shall have every benefit, right, power and discretion and the benefit of every exculpation (together “Rights”) of the Agent (in its capacity as security trustee) under the Foreign Security Documents, and each reference to the Agent (where the context requires that such reference is to the Agent in its capacity as security trustee) in the provisions of the Foreign Security Documents which confer Rights shall be deemed to include a reference to each Delegate and each Appointee.
(k)Each Secured Party confirms its approval of the Foreign Security Documents and authorizes and instructs the Agent: (i) to execute and deliver the Foreign Security Documents; (ii) to exercise the rights, powers and discretions given to the Agent (in its capacity as security trustee) under or in connection with the Foreign Security Documents together with any other incidental rights, powers and discretions; and (iii) to give any authorizations and confirmations to be given by the Agent (in its capacity as security trustee) on behalf of the Secured Parties under the Foreign Security Documents.
(1)The Agent may accept without inquiry the title (if any) which any person may have to the Charged Property.
(m)Each other Secured Party confirms that it does not wish to be registered as a joint proprietor of any security interest constituted by a Foreign Security Document and accordingly authorizes: (i) the Agent to hold such security interest in its sole name (or in the name of any Delegate) as trustee for the Secured Parties; and (ii) the Land Registry (or other relevant registry) to register the Agent (or any Delegate or Appointee) as a sole proprietor of such security interest.
(n)Except to the extent that a Foreign Security Document otherwise requires, any moneys which the Agent receives under or pursuant to a Foreign Security Document may be: (i) invested in any investments which the Agent selects and which are authorized by Applicable Law; or (ii) placed on deposit at any bank or institution (including the Agent) on terms that the Agent thinks fit, in each case in the name or under the control of the Agent, and the Agent shall hold those moneys, together with any accrued income (net of any applicable Taxes) to the order of the Lenders, and shall pay them to the Lenders on demand.
(o)On a disposal of any of the Charged Property which is permitted under the Loan Documents, the Agent shall (at the cost of the Obligors) execute any release of the Foreign Security Documents or other claim over that Charged Property and issue any certificates of non-crystallisation of floating charges that may be required or take any other action that the Agent considers desirable.
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(p)The Agent shall not be liable for:
(i)any defect in or failure of the title (if any) which any person may have to any assets over which security is intended to be created by a Foreign Security Document;
(ii)any loss resulting from the investment or deposit at any bank of moneys which it invests or deposits in a manner permitted by a Foreign Security Document;
(iii)the exercise of, or the failure to exercise, any right, power or discretion given to it by or in connection with any Loan Document or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with, any Loan Document; or
(iv)any shortfall which arises on enforcing a Foreign Security Document.
(q)The Agent shall not be obligated to:
(i)obtain any authorization or environmental permit in respect of any of the Charged Property or a Foreign Security Document;
(ii)hold in its own possession a Foreign Security Document, title deed or other document relating to the Charged Property or a Foreign Security Document;
(iii)perfect, protect, register, make any filing or give any notice (where applicable) in respect of a Foreign Security Document (or the order of ranking of a Foreign Security Document), unless that failure arises directly from its own gross negligence or willful misconduct; or
(iv)require any further assurances in relation to a Foreign Security Document.
(r)In respect of any Foreign Security Document, the Agent shall not be obligated to: (i) insure, or require any other person to insure, the Charged Property; or (ii) make any enquiry or conduct any investigation into the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of any insurance existing over such Charged Property.
(s)In respect of any Foreign Security Documents, the Agent shall not have any obligation or duty to any person for any loss suffered as a result of: (i) the lack or inadequacy of any insurance; or (ii) the failure of the Agent to notify the insurers of any material fact relating to the risk assumed by them, or of any other information of any kind, unless Required Lenders have requested it to do so in writing and the Agent has failed to do so within fourteen (14) days after receipt of that request.
(t)Every appointment of a successor Agent under a Foreign Security Document shall be by deed.
(u)Section 1 of the Trustee Act 2000 shall not apply to the duty of the Agent in relation to the trusts constituted by this Agreement.
(v)In the case of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and those of the Trustee Act 1925 or the Trustee Act 2000, the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail to the extent allowed by law, and shall constitute a restriction or exclusion for the purposes of the Trustee Act 2000.
(w)The perpetuity period under the rule against perpetuities if applicable to this Agreement and any Foreign Security Document shall be 80 years from the date of this Agreement.
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12.15No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Section 12 is an agreement solely among Secured Parties and Agent, and shall survive Full Payment of the Obligations. This Section 12 does not confer any rights or benefits upon Borrowers or any other Person. As between Borrowers and Agent, any action that Agent may take under any Loan Documents or with respect to any Obligations shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized and directed by Secured Parties.
SECTION 13.BENEFIT OF AGREEMENT; ASSIGNMENTS
13.1Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Borrowers, Agent, Lenders, Secured Parties, and their respective successors and assigns, except that (a) no Borrower shall have the right to assign its rights or delegate its obligations under any Loan Documents; and (b) any assignment by a Lender must be made in compliance with Section 13.3. Agent may treat the Person which made any Loan as the owner thereof for all purposes until such Person makes an assignment in accordance with Section 13.3. Any authorization or consent of a Lender shall be conclusive and binding on any subsequent transferee or assignee of such Lender.
13.2Participations.
13.2.1Permitted Participants; Effect. Subject to Section 13.3.3, any Lender may sell to a financial institution (“Participant”) a participating interest in the rights and obligations of such Lender under any Loan Documents. Despite any sale by a Lender of participating interests to a Participant, such Lender’s obligations under the Loan Documents shall remain unchanged, it shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for performance of such obligations, it shall remain the holder of its Loans and Commitments for all purposes, all amounts payable by Borrowers shall be determined as if it had not sold such participating interests, and Borrowers and Agent shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with the Loan Documents. Each Lender shall be solely responsible for notifying its Participants of any matters under the Loan Documents, and Agent and the other Lenders shall not have any obligation or liability to any such Participant. A Participant that would be a Foreign Lender if it were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 5.9 unless Borrowers agree otherwise in writing.
13.2.2Voting Rights. Each Lender shall retain the sole right to approve, without the consent of any Participant, any amendment, waiver or other modification of a Loan Document other than that which forgives principal, interest or fees, reduces the stated interest rate or fees payable with respect to any Loan or Commitment in which such Participant has an interest, postpones the Commitment Termination Date or any date fixed for any regularly scheduled payment of principal, interest or fees on such Loan or Commitment, or releases any Borrower, Guarantor or substantially all Collateral.
13.2.3Participant Register. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting as a non-fiduciary agent of Borrowers (solely for tax purposes), maintain a register in which it enters the Participant’s name, address and interest in Commitments, Loans (and stated interest) and LC Obligations. Entries in the register shall be conclusive, absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person recorded in the register as the owner of the participation for all purposes, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. No Lender shall have an obligation to disclose any information in such register except to the extent necessary to establish that a Participant’s interest is in registered form under the Code.
13.2.4Benefit of Setoff. Each Participant shall have a right of set-off in respect of its participating interest to the same extent as if such interest were owing directly to a Lender, and each Lender shall also retain the right of set-off with respect to any participating interests sold by it. By exercising any right of set-off, a Participant agrees to share with Lenders all amounts received through its set-off, in accordance with Section 12.5 as if such Participant were a Lender.
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13.3Assignments.
13.3.1Permitted Assignments. A Lender may assign to an Eligible Assignee any of its rights and obligations under the Loan Documents, as long as (a) each assignment is of a constant, and not a varying, percentage of the transferor Lender’s rights and obligations under the Loan Documents and, in the case of a partial assignment, is in a minimum principal amount of $5,000,000 (unless otherwise agreed by Agent in its discretion) and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess of that amount; (b) except in the case of an assignment in whole of a Lender’s rights and obligations, the aggregate amount of the Commitments retained by the transferor Lender is at least $10,000,000 (unless otherwise agreed by Agent in its discretion); and (c) the parties to each such assignment shall execute and deliver an Assignment to Agent for acceptance and recording. Nothing herein shall limit the right of a Lender to pledge or assign any rights under the Loan Documents to secure obligations of such Lender, including a pledge or assignment to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided, however, that no such pledge or assignment shall release the Lender from its obligations hereunder nor substitute the pledge or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.
13.3.2Effect; Effective Date. Upon delivery to Agent of an assignment notice in the form of Exhibit B and a processing fee of $3,500 (unless otherwise agreed by Agent in its discretion), the assignment shall become effective as specified in the notice, if it complies with this Section 13.3. From such effective date, the Eligible Assignee shall for all purposes be a Lender under the Loan Documents, and shall have all rights and obligations of a Lender thereunder. Upon consummation of an assignment, the transferor Lender, Agent and Borrowers shall make appropriate arrangements for issuance of replacement and/or new notes, if applicable. The transferee Lender shall comply with Section 5.10 and deliver, upon request, an administrative questionnaire satisfactory to Agent.
13.3.3Certain Assignees. No assignment or participation may be made to a Borrower, Affiliate of a Borrower, Defaulting Lender or natural person. Agent shall have no obligation to determine whether any assignment is permitted under the Loan Documents. Any assignment by a Defaulting Lender must be accompanied by satisfaction of its outstanding obligations under the Loan Documents in a manner satisfactory to Agent, including payment by the Defaulting Lender or Eligible Assignee of an amount sufficient upon distribution (through direct payment, purchases of participations or other methods acceptable to Agent in its discretion) to satisfy all funding and payment liabilities of the Defaulting Lender. If any assignment by a Defaulting Lender (by operation of law or otherwise) does not comply with the foregoing, the assignee shall be deemed a Defaulting Lender for all purposes until compliance occurs.
13.3.4Register. Agent, acting as a non-fiduciary agent of Borrowers (solely for tax purposes), shall maintain (a) a copy (or electronic equivalent) of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to it, and (b) a register for recordation of the names, addresses and Commitments of, and the Loans, interest and LC Obligations owing to, each Lender. Entries in the register shall be conclusive, absent manifest error, and Borrowers, Agent and Lenders shall treat each Person recorded in such register as a Lender for all purposes under the Loan Documents, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. Agent may choose to show only one Borrower as the borrower in the register, without any effect on the liability of any Obligor with respect to the Obligations. The register shall be available for inspection by Borrowers or any Lender, from time to time upon reasonable notice.
13.4Replacement of Certain Lenders. If a Lender (a) within the last 120 days failed to give its consent to any amendment, waiver or action for which consent of all Lenders was required and Required Lenders consented, (b) is a Defaulting Lender, or (c) within the last 120 days gave a notice under Section 3.5 or requested payment or compensation under Section 3.7 or 5.9 (and has not designated a different Lending Office pursuant to Section 3.8), then Agent or Borrower Agent may, upon 10 days’ notice to such Lender, require it to assign its rights and obligations under the Loan Documents to Eligible Assignee(s), pursuant to appropriate Assignment(s), within 20 days after the notice. Agent is irrevocably appointed as attorney-in-fact to execute any such Assignment if the Lender fails to execute it. Such Lender shall be entitled to receive, in cash, concurrently with such assignment, all amounts owed to it under the Loan Documents through the date of assignment.
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SECTION 14.MISCELLANEOUS
14.1Consents, Amendments and Waivers.
14.1.1Amendment. No modification of any Loan Document, including any extension or amendment of a Loan Document or any waiver of a Default or Event of Default, shall be effective without the prior written agreement of Agent (with the consent of Required Lenders) and each Obligor party to such Loan Document; provided, however, that
(a)without the prior written consent of Agent, no modification shall alter any provision in a Loan Document that relates to any rights, duties or discretion of Agent;
(b)without the prior written consent of Issuing Bank, no modification shall alter Section 2.3 or any other provision in a Loan Document that relates to Letters of Credit or any rights, duties or discretion of Issuing Bank;
(c)without the prior written consent of each affected Lender, including a Defaulting Lender, no modification shall (i) increase the Commitment of such Lender; (ii) reduce the amount of, or waive or delay payment of, any principal, interest or fees payable to such Lender (except as provided in Section 4.2); (iii) extend the Revolver Termination Date applicable to such Lender’s Obligations; or (iv) amend this clause (c);
(d)without the prior written consent of all Lenders (except any Defaulting Lender), no modification shall (i) alter Section 5.6.2, 7.1 (except to add Collateral) or 14.1.1; (ii) amend the definition of Borrowing Base, Accounts Formula Amount or Inventory Formula Amount (or any defined term used in such definitions) if the effect of such amendment is to increase borrowing availability, Pro Rata or Required Lenders; (iii) [reserved]; (iv) release all or substantially all Collateral; (v) except in connection with a merger, disposition or similar transaction expressly permitted hereby, release any Obligor from liability for any Obligations; or (vi) modify the repayment terms of the Wheeler Note Intercreditor Agreement, Walker/Ogilvie Subordination Agreements, and IC-DISC Subordination Agreements; and
(e)without the prior written consent of a Secured Bank Product Provider, no modification shall affect its relative payment priority under Section 5.6.2.
14.1.2Limitations. The agreement of Borrowers shall not be required for any modification of a Loan Document that deals solely with the rights and duties of Lenders, Agent and/or Issuing Bank as among themselves. Only the consent of the parties to any agreement relating to fees or a Bank Product shall be required for modification of such agreement, and no Bank Product provider (in such capacity) shall have any right to consent to modification of any Loan Document other than its Bank Product agreement. Any waiver or consent granted by Agent or Lenders hereunder shall be effective only if in writing and only for the matter specified.
14.1.3Payment for Consents. No Borrower will, directly or indirectly, pay any remuneration or other thing of value, whether by way of additional interest, fee or otherwise, to any Lender (in its capacity as a Lender hereunder) as consideration for agreement by such Lender with any modification of any Loan Documents, unless such remuneration or value is concurrently paid, on the same terms, on a Pro Rata basis to all Lenders providing their consent.
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14.2Indemnity. EACH BORROWER SHALL INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS THE INDEMNITEES AGAINST ANY CLAIMS THAT MAY BE INCURRED BY OR ASSERTED AGAINST ANY INDEMNITEE, INCLUDING CLAIMS ASSERTED BY ANY OBLIGOR OR OTHER PERSON OR ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF AN INDEMNITEE. In no event shall any party to a Loan Document have any obligation thereunder to indemnify or hold harmless an Indemnitee with respect to a Claim that is determined in a final, non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to result from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee.
14.3Notices and Communications.
14.3.1Notice Address. Subject to Section 14.3.2, all notices and other communications by or to a party hereto shall be in writing and shall be given to any Borrower, at Borrower Agent’s address shown on the signature pages hereof, and to any other Person at its address shown on the signature pages hereof (or, in the case of a Person who becomes a Lender after the Closing Date, at the address shown on its Assignment), or at such other address as a party may hereafter specify by notice in accordance with this Section 14.3. Each communication shall be effective only (a) except for notice to any Borrower, if given by facsimile transmission, when transmitted to the applicable facsimile number, if confirmation of receipt is received; (b) if given by mail, three Business Days after deposit in the U.S. mail, with first-class postage pre-paid, addressed to the applicable address; (c) if given by personal delivery, when duly delivered to the notice address with receipt acknowledged; or (d) if given by e-mail, when transmitted to the applicable e-mail address, if any, set forth on the signature pages hereof, if no delivery failure message is received by the sender. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no notice to Agent pursuant to Section 2.1.4, 2.3, 3.1.2, or 4.1.1 shall be effective until actually received by the individual to whose attention at Agent such notice is required to be sent. Any written communication that is not sent in conformity with the foregoing provisions shall nevertheless be effective on the date actually received by the noticed party. Any notice received by Borrower Agent shall be deemed received by all Borrowers.
14.3.2Communications. Electronic and telephonic communications (including e-mail, messaging, voice mail and websites) may be used only in a manner acceptable to Agent. Secured Parties make no assurance as to the privacy or security of electronic or telephonic communications. Voice mail shall not be effective notice under the Loan Documents.
14.3.3Platform. Borrower Materials shall be delivered pursuant to procedures approved by Agent, including electronic delivery (if possible) upon request by Agent to an electronic system maintained by Agent (“Platform”). Borrowers shall notify Agent of each posting of Borrower Materials on the Platform and the materials shall be deemed received by Agent only upon its receipt of such notice. Borrower Materials and other information relating to this credit facility may be made available to Secured Parties on the Platform. The Platform is provided “as is” and “as available.” Agent does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of any information on the Platform nor the adequacy or functioning of the Platform, and expressly disclaims liability for any errors or omissions in the Borrower Materials or any issues involving the Platform. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS, OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY AGENT WITH RESPECT TO BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE PLATFORM. No Agent Indemnitee shall have any liability to Borrowers, Secured Parties or any other Person for losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses of any kind (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) relating to use by any Person of the Platform, including any unintended recipient, nor for delivery of Borrower Materials and other information via the Platform, internet, e-mail, or any other electronic platform or messaging system.
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14.3.4Public Information. Obligors and Secured Parties acknowledge that “public” information may not be segregated from material non-public information on the Platform. Secured Parties acknowledge that Borrower Materials may include Obligors’ material non-public information, and should not be made available to personnel who do not wish to receive such information or may be engaged in investment or other market-related activities with respect to an Obligor’s securities.
14.3.5Non-Conforming Communications. Agent and Lenders may rely upon any communications purportedly given by or on behalf of any Borrower even if they were not made in a manner specified herein, were incomplete or were not confirmed, or if the terms thereof, as understood by the recipient, varied from a later confirmation. Each Borrower shall indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnitee from any liabilities, losses, costs and expenses arising from any electronic or telephonic communication purportedly given by or on behalf of a Borrower.
14.4Performance of Borrowers’ Obligations. Agent may, in its discretion at any time and from time to time, at Borrowers’ expense, pay any amount or do any act required of a Borrower under any Loan Documents or otherwise lawfully requested by Agent to (a) enforce any Loan Documents or collect any Obligations; (b) protect, insure, maintain or realize upon any Collateral; or (c) defend or maintain the validity or priority of Agent’s Liens in any Collateral, including any payment of a judgment, insurance premium, warehouse charge, finishing or processing charge, or landlord claim, or any discharge of a Lien. All payments, costs and expenses (including Extraordinary Expenses) of Agent under this Section shall be reimbursed to Agent by Borrowers, on demand, with interest from the date incurred until paid in full, at the Default Rate applicable to Base Rate Revolver Loans. Any payment made or action taken by Agent under this Section shall be without prejudice to any right to assert an Event of Default or to exercise any other rights or remedies under the Loan Documents.
14.5Credit Inquiries. Agent and Lenders may (but shall have no obligation) to respond to usual and customary credit inquiries from third parties concerning any Obligor or Subsidiary.
14.6Severability. Wherever possible, each provision of the Loan Documents shall be interpreted in such manner as to be valid under Applicable Law. If any provision is found to be invalid under Applicable Law, it shall be ineffective only to the extent of such invalidity and the remaining provisions of the Loan Documents shall remain in full force and effect.
14.7Cumulative Effect; Conflict of Terms. The provisions of the Loan Documents are cumulative. The parties acknowledge that the Loan Documents may use several limitations or measurements to regulate similar matters, and they agree that these are cumulative and that each must be performed as provided. Except as otherwise provided in another Loan Document (by specific reference to the applicable provision of this Agreement), if any provision contained herein is in direct conflict with any provision in another Loan Document, the provision herein shall govern and control.
14.8Counterparts; Execution. Any Loan Document may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement shall become effective when Agent has received counterparts bearing the signatures of all parties hereto. Agent may (but shall have no obligation to) accept any signature, contract formation or record-keeping through electronic means, which shall have the same legal validity and enforceability as manual or paper-based methods, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any similar state law based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act. Upon request by Agent, any electronic signature or delivery shall be promptly followed by a manually executed or paper document.
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14.9Entire Agreement. Time is of the essence with respect to all Loan Documents and Obligations. The Loan Documents constitute the entire agreement, and supersede all prior understandings and agreements, among the parties relating to the subject matter thereof.
14.10Relationship with Lenders. The obligations of each Lender hereunder are several, and no Lender shall be responsible for the obligations or Commitments of any other Lender. Amounts payable hereunder to each Lender shall be a separate and independent debt. It shall not be necessary for Agent or any other Lender to be joined as an additional party in any proceeding for such purposes. Nothing in this Agreement and no action of Agent, Lenders or any other Secured Party pursuant to the Loan Documents or otherwise shall be deemed to constitute Agent and any Secured Party to be a partnership, joint venture or similar arrangement, nor to constitute control of any Obligor.
14.11No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility. In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated by any Loan Document, Borrowers acknowledge and agree that (a)(i) this credit facility and any arranging or other services by Agent, any Lender, any of their Affiliates or any arranger are arm’s-length commercial transactions between Borrowers and their Affiliates, on one hand, and Agent, any Lender, any of their Affiliates or any arranger, on the other hand; (ii) Borrowers have consulted their own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent they have deemed appropriate; and (iii) Borrowers are capable of evaluating, and understand and accept, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents; (b) each of Agent, Lenders, their Affiliates and any arranger is and has been acting solely as a principal and, except as expressly agreed in writing by the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary for Borrowers, their Affiliates or any other Person, and has no obligation with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents except as expressly set forth therein; and (c) Agent, Lenders, their Affiliates and any arranger may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of Borrowers and their Affiliates, and have no obligation to disclose any of such interests to Borrowers or their Affiliates. To the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, each Borrower hereby waives and releases any claims that it may have against Agent, Lenders, their Affiliates and any arranger with respect to any breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any transaction contemplated by a Loan Document.
14.12Confidentiality. Each of Agent, Lenders and Issuing Bank shall maintain the confidentiality of all Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its Affiliates, and to its and their partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors and representatives (provided they are informed of the confidential nature of the Information and instructed to keep it confidential); (b) to the extent requested by any governmental, regulatory or self-regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over it or its Affiliates; (c) to the extent required by Applicable Law or by any subpoena or other legal process; (d) to any other party hereto; (e) in connection with any action or proceeding relating to any Loan Documents or Obligations; (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as this Section, to any Transferee or any actual or prospective party (or its advisors) to any Bank Product or to any swap, derivative or other transaction under which payments are to be made by reference to an Obligor or Obligor’s obligations; (g) to the extent such Information (i) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (ii) is available to Agent, any Lender, Issuing Bank or any of their Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than Borrowers; (h) on a confidential basis to a provider of a Platform; or (i) with the consent of Borrower Agent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Agent and Lenders may publish or disseminate general information concerning this credit facility for league table, tombstone and advertising purposes, and may use Borrowers’ logos, trademarks or product photographs in advertising materials. As used herein, “Information” means information received from an Obligor or Subsidiary relating to it or its business that is identified as confidential when delivered. A Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information pursuant to this Section shall be deemed to have complied if it exercises a degree of care similar to that accorded its own confidential information. Each of Agent, Lenders and Issuing Bank acknowledges that (i) Information may include material non-public information; (ii) it has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of such information; and (iii) it will handle the material non-public information in accordance with Applicable Law.
88
14.13[Reserved].
14.14GOVERNING LAW. UNLESS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN ANY LOAN DOCUMENT, THIS AGREEMENT, THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS AND ALL CLAIMS SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES EXCEPT FEDERAL LAWS RELATING TO NATIONAL BANKS.
14.15Consent to Forum; Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions.
14.15.1 Forum. EACH BORROWER HEREBY CONSENTS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE STATE SUPREME COURT SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY, NEW YORK OR THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, IN ANY DISPUTE, ACTION, LITIGATION OR OTHER PROCEEDING RELATING IN ANY WAY TO ANY LOAN DOCUMENTS, AND AGREES THAT ANY DISPUTE, ACTION, LITIGATION OR OTHER PROCEEDING SHALL BE BROUGHT BY IT SOLELY IN ANY SUCH COURT. EACH BORROWER IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ALL CLAIMS, OBJECTIONS AND DEFENSES THAT IT MAY HAVE REGARDING ANY SUCH COURT’S PERSONAL OR SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION, VENUE OR INCONVENIENT FORUM. EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS AND CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 14.3.1. A final judgment in any proceeding of any such court shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or any other manner provided by Applicable Law.
14.15.2 Other Jurisdictions. Nothing herein shall limit the right of Agent or any Lender to bring proceedings against any Obligor in any other court, nor limit the right of any party to serve process in any other manner permitted by Applicable Law. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to preclude enforcement by Agent of any judgment or order obtained in any forum or jurisdiction.
14.15.3 Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among the parties, each party hereto (including each Secured Party) acknowledges that any liability arising under a Loan Document of any Secured Party that is an EEA Financial Institution, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the write-down and conversion powers of an EEA Resolution Authority, and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by, (a) the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by an EEA Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising under any Loan Documents which may be payable to it by any Secured Party that is an EEA Financial Institution; and (b) the effects of any Bail-in Action on any such liability, including (i) a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability; (ii) a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such EEA Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under any Loan Document; or (iii) the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of any EEA Resolution Authority.
89
14.16Waivers by Borrowers. To the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, each Borrower waives (a) the right to trial by jury (which Agent, Issuing Bank and each Lender hereby also waive) in any proceeding or dispute of any kind relating in any way to any Loan Documents, Obligations or Collateral; (b) presentment, demand, protest, notice of presentment, default, nonpayment, maturity, release, compromise, settlement, extension or renewal of any commercial paper, accounts, documents, instruments, chattel paper and guaranties at any time held by Agent on which a Borrower may in any way be liable, and hereby ratifies anything Agent may do in this regard; (c) notice prior to taking possession or control of any Collateral; (d) any bond or security that might be required by a court prior to allowing Agent to exercise any rights or remedies; (e) the benefit of all valuation, appraisement and exemption laws; (f) any claim against Agent, Issuing Bank or any Lender, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential, exemplary or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) in any way relating to any Enforcement Action, Obligations, Loan Documents or transactions relating thereto; and (g) notice of acceptance hereof. Each Borrower acknowledges that the foregoing waivers are a material inducement to Agent, Issuing Bank and Lenders entering into this Agreement and that they are relying upon the foregoing in their dealings with Borrowers. Each Borrower has reviewed the foregoing waivers with its legal counsel and has knowingly and voluntarily waived its jury trial and other rights following consultation with legal counsel. In the event of litigation, this Agreement may be filed as a written consent to a trial by the court.
14.17Patriot Act Notice. Agent and Lenders hereby notify Borrowers that pursuant to the Patriot Act, Agent and Lenders are required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each Borrower, including its legal name, address, tax ID number and other information that will allow Agent and Lenders to identify it in accordance with the Patriot Act. Agent and Lenders will also require information regarding any personal guarantor and may require information regarding Borrowers’ management and owners, such as legal name, address, social security number and date of birth. Borrowers shall, promptly upon request, provide all documentation and other information as Agent, Issuing Bank or any Lender may request from time to time in order to comply with any obligations under any “know your customer,” anti-money laundering or other requirements of Applicable Law.
14.18NO ORAL AGREEMENT. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signatures begin on following page]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed and delivered as of the date set forth above.
| | BORROWERS: | |
| | | |
| | ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT HOLDING CORPORATION | |
| | | |
| | By: | /s/ Bruce Ogilvie, Jr. |
| | Name: | Bruce Ogilvie, Jr. |
| | Title: | Chairman and Chief Operating Officer |
| | | |
| | Address: | |
| | | |
| | 1401 Northwest 136th Avenue | |
| | Sunrise, Florida 33323 | |
| | Attn: Bruce Ogilvie, Jr. | |
| | E-mail: bruce.ogilvie@aent.com |
| | PROJECT PANTHER ACQUISITION CORPORATION | |
| | | |
| | By: | /s/ Bruce Ogilvie, Jr. |
| | Name: | Bruce Ogilvie, Jr. |
| | Title: | Chairman and Chief Operating Officer |
| | | |
| | Address: | |
| | | |
| | 1401 Northwest 136th Avenue | |
| | Sunrise, Florida 33323 | |
| | Attn: Bruce Ogilvie, Jr. | |
| | E-mail: bruce.ogilvie@aent.com |
| | AEC DIRECT, LLC | |
| | | |
| | By: | /s/ Bruce Ogilvie, Jr. |
| | Name: | Bruce Ogilvie, Jr. |
| | Title: | Chairman and Chief Operating Officer |
| | | |
| | Address: | |
| | | |
| | 1401 Northwest 136th Avenue | |
| | Sunrise, Florida 33323 | |
| | Attn: Bruce Ogilvie, Jr. | |
| | E-mail: bruce.ogilvie@aent.com |
Loan and Security Agreement
| | ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT, LLC | |
| | | |
| | By: | /s/ Bruce Ogilvie, Jr. |
| | Name: | Bruce Ogilvie, Jr. |
| | Title: | Chairman and Chief Operating Officer |
| | | |
| | Address: | |
| | | |
| | 1401 Northwest 136th Avenue | |
| | Sunrise, Florida 33323 | |
| | Attn: Bruce Ogilvie, Jr. | |
| | E-mail: bruce.ogilvie@aent.com |
| | DIRECTTOU, LLC | |
| | | |
| | By: | /s/ Bruce Ogilvie, Jr. |
| | Name: | Bruce Ogilvie, Jr. |
| | Title: | Chairman and Chief Operating Officer |
| | | |
| | Address: | |
| | | |
| | 1401 Northwest 136th Avenue | |
| | Sunrise, Florida 33323 | |
| | Attn: Bruce Ogilvie, Jr. | |
| | E-mail: bruce.ogilvie@aent.com |
Loan and Security Agreement
| | AGENT AND LENDERS: | |
| | | |
| | BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., | |
| | as Agent and Lender | |
| | | |
| | By: | /s/ Stephen J. King |
| | Name: | Stephen J. King |
| | Title: | Senior Vice President |
| | | |
| | Address: | |
| | | |
| | 333 South Hope Street, Suite 1300 | |
| | Los Angeles, CA 90071 | |
| | Attn: Stephen J. King | |
| | E-mail: stephen.j.king@baml.com | |
| | Telecopy: (312) 453-5167 |
Loan and Security Agreement
| | BMO HARRIS BANK N.A. | |
| | | |
| | By: | /s/ Jason Hoefler |
| | Name: | Jason Hoefler |
| | Title: | Managing Director |
| | | |
| | Address: | |
| | | |
| | BMO Harris Bank N.A. | |
| | 111 West Monroe, Suite 20E | |
| | Chicago, Illinois 60603 | |
| | Attn: Jason Hoefler |
Loan and Security Agreement
EXHIBIT A
to
Loan and Security Agreement
ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE
Reference is made to the Loan and Security Agreement dated as of February 21, 2017, as amended (“Loan Agreement”), among ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT HOLDING CORPORATION, PROJECT PANTHER ACQUISITION CORPORATION, AEC DIRECT, LLC, ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT, LLC, and DIRECTTOU, LLC (collectively, “Borrowers”), BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as agent (“Agent”) for the financial institutions from time to time party to the Loan Agreement (“Lenders”), and such Lenders. Terms are used herein as defined in the Loan Agreement.
________________________ (“Assignor”) and ________________________ (“Assignee”) agree as follows:
1.Assignor hereby assigns to Assignee and Assignee hereby purchases and assumes from Assignor (a) a principal amount of $______ of Assignor’s outstanding Revolver Loans and $_____ of Assignor’s participations in LC Obligations, and (b) the amount of $________ of Assignor’s Revolver Commitment (which represents_______ % of the total Revolver Commitments) (the foregoing items being, collectively, “Assigned Interest”), together with an interest in the Loan Documents corresponding to the Assigned Interest. This Agreement shall be effective as of the date (“Effective Date”) indicated in the corresponding Assignment Notice delivered to Agent, provided such Assignment Notice is executed by Assignor, Assignee, Agent and Borrower Agent, if applicable. From and after the Effective Date, Assignee hereby expressly assumes, and undertakes to perform, all of Assignor’s obligations in respect of the Assigned Interest, and all principal, interest, fees and other amounts which would otherwise be payable to or for Assignor’s account in respect of the Assigned Interest shall be payable to or for Assignee’s account, to the extent such amounts accrue on or after the Effective Date.
2.Assignor (a) represents that as of the date hereof, prior to giving effect to this assignment, its Revolver Commitment is $_______, the outstanding balance of its Revolver Loans and participations in LC Obligations is $_________; (b) makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Loan Agreement or the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Agreement or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto, other than that Assignor is the legal and beneficial owner of the interest being assigned by it hereunder and that such interest is free and clear of any adverse claim; and (c) makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to the financial condition of Borrowers or the performance by Borrowers of their obligations under the Loan Documents. [Assignor is attaching the promissory note[s] held by it and requests that Agent exchange such note[s] for new promissory notes payable to Assignee [and Assignor].]
3.Assignee (a) represents and warrants that it is legally authorized to enter into this Assignment; (b) confirms that it has received copies of the Loan Agreement and such other Loan Documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment; (c) agrees that it shall, independently and without reliance upon Assignor and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents; (d) confirms that it is an Eligible Assignee; (e) appoints and authorizes Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under the Loan Agreement as are delegated to Agent by the terms thereof, together with such powers as are incidental thereto; (f) agrees that it will observe and perform all obligations that are required to be performed by it as a “Lender” under the Loan Documents; and (g) represents and warrants that the assignment evidenced hereby will not result in a non-exempt “prohibited transaction” under Section 406 of ERISA.
Exhibit A
1
4.This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York. If any provision is found to be invalid under Applicable Law, it shall be ineffective only to the extent of such invalidity and the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
5.Each notice or other communication hereunder shall be in writing, shall be sent by messenger, by telecopy or facsimile transmission, or by first-class mail, shall be deemed given when sent and shall be sent as follows:
(a) | If to Assignee, to the following address (or to such other address as Assignee may designate from time to time): |
(b) | If to Assignor, to the following address (or to such other address as Assignor may designate from time to time): |
Payments hereunder shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available Dollars as follows:
If to Assignee, to the following account (or to such other account as Assignee may designate from time to time):
ABA No. | ||
Account No. | ||
Reference: |
If to Assignor, to the following account (or to such other account as Assignor may designate from time to time):
ABA No. | ||
Account No. | ||
Reference: |
Exhibit A
2
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Assignment and Acceptance is executed as of________________.
| | |
| (“Assignee”) | |
| | |
| By | |
| | Title: |
| | |
| | |
| (“Assignor”) | |
| | |
| By | |
| | Title: |
Exhibit A
3
EXHIBIT B
to
Loan and Security Agreement
ASSIGNMENT NOTICE
Reference is made to (1) the Loan and Security Agreement dated as of February 21, 2017, as amended (“Loan Agreement”), among ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT HOLDING CORPORATION, PROJECT PANTHER ACQUISITION CORPORATION, AEC DIRECT, LLC, ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT, LLC, and DIRECTTOU, LLC, (collectively, “Borrowers”), BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as agent (“Agent”) for the financial institutions from time to time party to the Loan Agreement (“Lenders”), and such Lenders; and (2) the Assignment and Acceptance dated as of , 20 (“Assignment”), between_____________________ (“Assignor”) and ______________ (“Assignee”). Terms are used herein as defined in the Loan Agreement.
Assignor hereby notifies Borrowers and Agent of Assignor’s intent to assign to Assignee pursuant to the Assignment (a) a principal amount of $__________ of Assignor’s outstanding Revolver Loans and $_______ of Assignor’s participations in LC Obligations, and (b) the amount of $_________ of Assignor’s Revolver Commitment (which represents_______% of the total Revolver Commitments) (the foregoing items being, collectively, the “Assigned Interest”), together with an interest in the Loan Documents corresponding to the Assigned Interest. This Agreement shall be effective as of the date (“Effective Date”) indicated below, provided this Assignment Notice is executed by Assignor, Assignee, Agent and Borrower Agent, if applicable. Pursuant to the Assignment, Assignee has expressly assumed all of Assignor’s obligations under the Loan Agreement to the extent of the Assigned Interest, as of the Effective Date.
For purposes of the Loan Agreement, Agent shall deem Assignor’s Revolver Commitment to be reduced by $__________, and Assignee’s Revolver Commitment to be increased by $ .
The address of Assignee to which notices and information are to be sent under the terms of the Loan Agreement is:
| | |
| | |
| | |
The address of Assignee to which payments are to be sent under the terms of the Loan Agreement is shown in the Assignment.
This Notice is being delivered to Borrowers and Agent pursuant to Section 13.3 of the Loan Agreement. Please acknowledge your acceptance of this Notice by executing and returning to Assignee and Assignor a copy of this Notice.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Assignment Notice is executed as of ______________.
| | |
| (“Assignee”) | |
| | |
| By | |
| | Title: |
Exhibit B
1
| | |
| (“Assignee”) | |
| | |
| By | |
| | Title: |
ACKNOWLEDGED AND AGREED,
AS OF THE DATE SET FORTH ABOVE:
BORROWER AGENT:* | | |
| | |
ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT, LLC | | |
| | |
By | | |
Name: | Bruce Ogilvie, Jr. | |
Title: | Chairman | |
* No signature required if Assignee is a Lender, Affiliate of a Lender or Approved Fund, or if an Event of Default exists.
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., | | |
as Agent | | |
| | |
By | | |
Title: | | |
Exhibit B
2
SCHEDULE 1.1
to
Loan and Security Agreement
COMMITMENTS OF LENDERS
Lender |
| Revolver Commitment |
| Total Commitments | ||
Bank of America, N.A. | | $ | 90,000,000 | | $ | 90,000,000 |
BMO Harris Bank N.A. | | $ | 35,000,000 | | $ | 35,000,000 |
Total: | | $ | 125,000,000 | | $ | 125,000,000 |
Schedule 1.1
SCHEDULE 8.5.1
to
Loan and Security Agreement
DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS
Borrower | Depository Bank | Type of Account | Account Number |
Alliance Entertainment, LLC | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Disbursement Account | 2079900631252 |
Alliance Entertainment, LLC | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Funding Account | 2000057537126 |
Alliance Entertainment, LLC | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Disbursement Account | 2079900549373 |
Alliance Entertainment, LLC | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Disbursement Account | 2079940017195 |
Alliance Entertainment, LLC | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Collections Deposit Account | 2000035866136 |
Alliance Entertainment, LLC | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Deposit Account (UK - EUR) | GB44PNBP16567188001382 |
Alliance Entertainment, LLC | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Deposit Account (UK - GBP) | GB71PNBP16567188001381 |
Directtou, LLC | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Deposit Account | 2000027385670 |
Directtou, LLC | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Disbursement Account | 2079900549551 |
Directtou, LLC | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Disbursement Account | 9604000456 |
Directtou, LLC | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Checking Account | 4127155448 |
Directtou, LLC | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Collections Deposit Account | 4133177172 |
Directtou, LLC | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Collections Deposit Account | 4950036913 |
Directtou, LLC | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Collections Deposit Account | 4124696451 |
Directtou, LLC | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Collections Deposit Account | 4127735280 |
Directtou, LLC | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Collections Deposit Account | 4127735298 |
Directtou, LLC | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Collections Deposit Account | 4127735314 |
Directtou, LLC | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Collections Deposit Account | 4127735322 |
Schedule 8.5.1
Borrower | Depository Bank | Type of Account | Account Number |
Directtou, LLC | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Collections Deposit Account | 4301262663 |
Directtou, LLC | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Collections Deposit Account | 4584685317 |
Directtou, LLC | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Collections Deposit Account | 4769455106 |
Directtou, LLC | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Collections Deposit Account | 4232965012 |
Directtou, LLC | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Collections Deposit Account | 4127735330 |
Directtou, LLC | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Collections Deposit Account | 4127735348 |
Directtou, LLC | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Collections Deposit Account | 4127735355 |
Directtou, LLC | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Collections Deposit Account | 4127735363 |
Directtou, LLC | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Collections Deposit Account | 4127735371 |
Directtou, LLC | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Collections Deposit Account | 4127745305 |
Directtou, LLC | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Collections Deposit Account | 4127745313 |
Directtou, LLC | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Collections Deposit Account | 4127745321 |
Directtou, LLC | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Collections Deposit Account | 4127745339 |
Directtou, LLC | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Collections Deposit Account | 4127745347 |
Directtou, LLC | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Collections Deposit Account | 4299283044 |
Directtou, LLC | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Collections Deposit Account | 4301262622 |
Directtou, LLC | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Collections Deposit Account | 4301262630 |
Directtou, LLC | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Collections Deposit Account | 4301262648 |
Schedule 8.5.1
Borrower | Depository Bank | Type of Account | Account Number |
Directtou, LLC | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Collections Deposit Account | 4301262655 |
Directtou, LLC | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Collections Deposit Account | 4300272887 |
Directtou, LLC | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Collections Deposit Account | 4300272895 |
Directtou, LLC | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Collections Deposit Account | 4299283002 |
Directtou, LLC | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Collections Deposit Account | 4299283010 |
Directtou, LLC | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Collections Deposit Account | 4299283028 |
Directtou, LLC | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Collections Deposit Account | 4299283036 |
Directtou, LLC | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Deposit Account (Cayman - CAD) | 7775019669 |
Directtou, LLC | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Deposit Account (Cayman - EUR) | 7775027787 |
Directtou, LLC | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Deposit Account (Cayman - JPY) | 7775019677 |
Directtou, LLC | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Deposit Account (UK - BP) | GB80PNBP16567188002674 |
Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Disbursement Account | 4942026659 |
Project Panther Acquisition Corporation | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Disbursement Account | 4942026675 |
Alliance Entertainment Holding Corp. and Directtou, LLC (purchased from Movies Unlimited Inc.) | TD Bank | Checking Account | 37-3936111 |
Alliance Entertainment Holding Corp. and Directtou, LLC (purchased from Movies Unlimited Inc.) | TD Bank | Checking Account | 37-4799138 |
Schedule 8.5.1
SCHEDULE 8.6.1
to
Loan and Security Agreement
BUSINESS LOCATIONS
1. | Each Borrower currently has the following business locations: |
Chief Executive Office:
The Chief Executive Office of each of the Borrowers are located at the following address:
1401 Northwest 136th Avenue
Sunrise, Florida 33323
Other Locations:
The Borrowers maintain business locations at the following addresses:
300 Omicron Court
Shepherdsville, KY, 40165
725 Main Street
Suite 107
Woodland, CA 95695
Three Galleria Tower
Suite 934, 928, 926 & 978
13155 Noel Rd. 9th Floor
Dallas, TX 75240
Neshaminy Plaza
Bldg 2
3070 Bristol Pike
Bensalem, PA 19020
30 Corporate Park
Suite 207
Irvine, CA 92614
740 Hilltop Drive
Itasca, IL 60143
2.Each Subsidiary currently has the following business locations:
Chief Executive Office:
Fulfillment Express Limited
Hayles Bridge Offices
228 Mulgrave Road
Schedule 8.6.1
Cheam
Surrey
SM2 6JT
United Kingdom
Other Locations: None
3.In the five years preceding the Closing Date, Borrowers and Subsidiaries have had the following business locations in addition to those set forth above:
1270 Hillcrest Road
Dallas, Texas 75320
4250 Coral Ridge Drive
Coral Springs, Florida 33065
4.The following bailees, warehouseman, similar parties and consignees hold inventory of a Borrower or Subsidiary:
Name and | Nature of Relationship | Amount of Inventory | Owner of Inventory |
ANConnect, LLC 2001 Commerce Parkway Franklin, Indiana 46131 | Bailee | Approx. $3.1 million | Alliance Entertainment, LLC |
Schedule 8.6.1
SCHEDULE 9.1.4
to
Loan and Security Agreement
NAMES AND CAPITAL STRUCTURE
1.The corporate names, jurisdictions of incorporation, and authorized and issued Equity Interests of each Borrower and Subsidiary are as follows:
Name | Jurisdiction | Number and Class of | Number and Class of |
Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation | Delaware | 1,000 shares; Common Stock 957 shares; Common | 957 shares; Common Stock (57 shares issued as treasury stock) |
Project Panther Acquisition Corporation | Delaware | 1,000 shares; Common Stock | 100 shares; Common Stock |
Alliance Entertainment, LLC | Delaware | N/A; limited liability company membership interests | N/A; limited liability company membership interests |
AEC Direct, LLC | Delaware | N/A; limited liability company membership interests | N/A; limited liability company membership interests |
Directtou, LLC | Delaware | N/A; limited liability company membership interests | N/A; limited liability company membership interests |
Fulfillment Express Limited | United Kingdom | 331,290 shares allotted; Ordinary shares | 331,290 shares; ordinary shares |
2.The record holders of Equity Interests of each Borrower and Subsidiary are as follows:
Name | Class of Stock | Number of Shares | Record Owner |
Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation | Common Stock | 450 shares (50% of issued and outstanding, other than treasury stock) | Bruce Ogilvie |
Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation | Common Stock | 450 shares (50% of issued and outstanding, other than treasury stock) | Jeff Walker |
Project Panther Acquisition Corporation | Common Stock | 100 shares (100% of issued and outstanding) | Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation |
Alliance Entertainment, LLC | Limited liability company membership interests | 100% | Project Panther Acquisition Corporation |
AEC Direct, LLC | Limited liability company membership interests | 100% | Project Panther Acquisition Corporation |
Schedule 9.1.4
Name | Class of Stock | Number of Shares | Record Owner |
Directtou, LLC | Limited liability company membership interests | 100% | Project Panther Acquisition Corporation |
Fulfillment Express Limited | Ordinary shares | 331,290 shares (100% of issued and outstanding) | Project Panther Acquisition Corporation |
3.All agreements binding on holders of Equity Interests of Borrowers and Subsidiaries with respect to such interests are as follows:
None.
4.In the five years preceding the Closing Date, no Borrower or Subsidiary has acquired any substantial assets from any other Person nor been the surviving entity in a merger or combination, except:
Schedule 9.1.4
SCHEDULE 9.1.11
to
Loan and Security Agreement
PATENTS, TRADEMARKS, COPYRIGHTS AND LICENSES
1. | Borrowers’ and Subsidiaries’ patents: |
None.
2. | Borrowers’ and Subsidiaries’ trademarks: |
U.S. Trademark Registrations:
Trademark | Owner | Status in | Federal | Registration |
Alliance Entertainment, LLC | Registered; Issued and Active | 3434119 | 05/27/2008 | |
WEB AMI INTERACTIVE ALLIANCE MUSIC INDEX | Alliance Entertainment, LLC | Registered; Issued and Active | 4435189 | 11/19/2013 |
BIG BOOK OF MUSIC | Directtou, LLC | Registered; Issued and Active | 4240701 | 11/13/2012 |
CCMUSIC | Directtou, LLC | Registered; Issued and Active | 3907682 | 01/18/2011 |
CCVIDEO | Directtou, LLC | Registered; Issued and Active | 2275744 | 09/07/1999 |
COLLECTOR’S CHOICE | Directtou, LLC | Registered; Issued and Active | 1860145 | 10/25/1994 |
COLLECTORS’ CHOICE MUSIC | Directtou, LLC | Registered; Issued and Active | 1858053 | 10/11/1994 |
DEEPDISCOUNT | Directtou, LLC | Registered; Issued and Active | 3409924 | 04/08/2008 |
DEEPDISCOUNT.COM | Directtou, LLC | Registered; Issued and Active | 3409913 | 04/08/2008 |
DEEPDISCOUNTCD.COM | Directtou, LLC | Registered; Issued and Active | 3215314 | 03/06/2007 |
DEEPDISCOUNTDVD.COM | Directtou, LLC | Registered; Issued and Active | 3215313 | 03/06/2007 |
Schedule 9.1.11
DVDPLANET | Directtou, LLC | Registered; Issued and Active | 2453998 | 05/22/2001 |
HEARTLAND MUSIC (& Design) | Directtou, LLC | Registered; Issued and Active | 1762498 | 04/06/1993 |
THE BIG BOOK OF MOVIES | DirectTou, LLC | Registered; Issued and Active | 2376791 | 08/15/2000 |
HEARTLAND MUSIC | Directtou, LLC | Registered; Issued and Active | 2292647 | 11/16/1999 |
“THE MOVIE COLLECTOR’S WEBSITE” | Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation | Registered; Issued and Active | 3192582 | 01/02/2007 |
Word Mark: ADULTMOVIESUNLIMITED.COM | Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation | Registered; Issued and Active | 2740596 | 07/22/2003 |
THE MOVIE COLLECTOR’S BLOG | Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation | Registered; Issued and Active | 3776506 | 04/13/2010 |
MOVIESUNLIMITED.COM | Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation | Registered; Issued and Active | 2615288 | 09/03/2002 |
MOVIES FOR MOVIE LOVERS | Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation | Registered; Issued and Active | 2303874 | 12/28/1999 |
Word Mark: MOVIES FOR MOVIE LOVERS | Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation | Registered; Issued and Active | 2209897 | 12/08/1998 |
Word Mark: MOVIES UNLIMITED | Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation | Registered; Issued and Active | 1257955 | 11/15/1983 |
Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation | Registered; Issued and Active | 1257954 | 11/15/1983 |
Schedule 9.1.11
Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation | Registered; Issued and Active | 1257984 | 11/15/1983 | |
Alliance Entertainment Corporation | Registered; Issued and Active | 1248713 | 08/16/1983 | |
Word Mark: MOVIES UNLIMITED | Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation | Registered; Issued and Active | 1245646 | 07/12/1983 |
Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation | Registered; Issued and Active | 1245647 | 07/12/1983 | |
Word Mark: WINSTAR | Alliance Entertainment Corporation | Registered; Issued and Active | 2016027 | 11/12/1996 |
Alliance Entertainment Corporation | Registered; Issued and Active | 1868115 | 12/20/1994 | |
Alliance Entertainment Corporation | Registered; Issued and Active | 1871150 | 01/03/1995 |
Foreign Trademark Registrations:
Mark: | Owner: | Reg. No.: | Country |
AEC ONE STOP GROUP | Alliance Entertainment, LLC | 823045471 | Brazil |
AEC ONE STOP GROUP | Alliance Entertainment, LLC | 823045536 | Brazil |
AMIGO! AEC MUSIC INDEX and design | Alliance Entertainment, LLC | 823045463 | Brazil |
Schedule 9.1.11
3. | Borrowers’ and Subsidiaries’ copyrights: |
United States Copyrights:
Title | Claimant | Registration Date | Registration Number |
SuperFile | Alliance Entertainment, LLC | 4/8/2002 | TX0005875696 |
4. | Borrowers’ and Subsidiaries’ licenses (other than routine business licenses, authorizing them to transact business in local jurisdictions): |
a) | License Agreement for Computer Programs by and between Manhattan Associates, Inc. (as successor in interest to Manhattan Associates, LLC) and Alliance Entertainment LLC (as successor in interest to Alliance Entertainment Corp.), dated February 23, 1998, as amended and/or assigned December 27, 1999, November 20, 2000, March 17, 2004 and December 17, 2010. |
b) | Standard Terms and Conditions of Sale by and between Enterasys Networks, Inc. and Alliance Entertainment, dated April 1, 2013. |
c) | Home Video Distribution Agreement by and between NCircle Entertainment, a division of Alliance Entertainment, LLC, and Zinkia Entertainment, S.A., dated March 26, 2012. |
d) | Home Video Distribution Agreement by and between NCircle Entertainment, a division of Alliance Entertainment, LLC, and Orange Eyes Limited, dated December 15, 2010. |
e) | Home Video Distribution Agreement by and between NCircle Entertainment (a division of Alliance Entertainment, LLC) and The Jim Henson Company, dated February 20, 2008, as amended November 17, 2010 and September 10, 2012. |
f) | Home Video Distribution Agreement by and between NCircle Entertainment (a division of Alliance Entertainment, LLC) and Breakthrough Entertainment Inc., dated March 1, 2011. |
g) | Home Video Distribution Agreement by and between NCircle Entertainment (a division of Alliance Entertainment, LLC) and The Jim Henson Company, dated October 26, 2011. |
h) | Home Distribution Agreement by and between NCircle Entertainment, a division of Alliance Entertainment, LLC (as successor in interest to Source Interlink Distribution LLC) and Random House Children’s Entertainment, LLC, dated September 1, 2009, as amended February, 2012. |
i) | Master Services Attachment for Service Elite by and between Alliance Entertainment and International Business Machines Corporation. |
j) | Oracle Ordering Document and General Terms, dated January 22, 2013. Schedule 9.1.11 |
Schedule 9.1.11
k) | 1st Amendment to Video License Agreement by and between NCircle Entertainment, a division of Alliance Entertainment, LLC, and HIT (MTK) Limited, dated January 31, 2013. |
l) | Amendment to Home Video Distribution Agreement by and between NCE and 9 Story Media Group Inc., dated November 8, 2016 |
m) | Amendment 5 to the Home Video Distribution Agreement by and between NCE and Portfolio Entertainment Inc., dated September 21, 2016 |
n) | Home Video Distribution Agreement by and between NCE and Foothill Entertainment, Inc. dates as of October 19, 2016 |
o) | VideogramLicense Agreement by and between NCE and Zodiak Right, LTD dates as of October 1, 2016 |
p) | Distribution in Services and License Agreement by and between NCE and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment dated as of August 4, 2016 |
Schedule 9.1.11
SCHEDULE 9.1.14
to
Loan and Security Agreement
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
None.
Schedule 9.1.14
SCHEDULE 9.1.15
to
Loan and Security Agreement
RESTRICTIVE AGREEMENTS
None.
Schedule 9.1.15
SCHEDULE 9.1.16
to
Loan and Security Agreement
LITIGATION AND COMMERCIAL TORT CLAIMS
1. | Proceedings and investigations pending against Borrowers or Subsidiaries: |
None.
2. | Threatened proceedings or investigations of which any Borrower or Subsidiary is aware: |
None.
3. | Pending Commercial Tort Claim(s) of any Obligor: |
None.
Schedule 9.1.16
SCHEDULE 9.1.18
to
Loan and Security Agreement
PENSION PLAN DISCLOSURES
None.
Schedule 9.1.18
SCHEDULE 9.1.20
to
Loan and Security Agreement
LABOR CONTRACTS
Borrowers and Subsidiaries are party to the following collective bargaining agreements, management agreements and consulting agreements:
None.
Schedule 9.1.20
SCHEDULE 10.1.2
to
Loan and Security Agreement
ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL AND COLLATERAL REPORTING
Monthly (no later than the 20th day of each month) | (a)a detailed calculation of those domestic Accounts that are not eligible for the Borrowing Base, |
| (b)a detailed calculation of those foreign Accounts that are not eligible for the Borrowing Base, |
| |
| (c)a detailed Inventory system/perpetual report together with a reconciliation to each Borrower’s general ledger accounts (delivered electronically in a format reasonably satisfactory to Agent), |
| |
| (d)a detailed report specifying Borrowers’ Inventory to be returned to Borrowers’ vendors (other than Inventory returned from Borrowers’ customers which is not reflected on the most recent Inventory perpetual report delivered pursuant to clause (c) above), together with a reconciliation to each Borrower’s general ledger accounts (delivered electronically in an acceptable format), |
| |
| (e)a detailed report specifying Borrowers’ Inventory returned from Borrowers’ customers which is not reflected on the most recent Inventory perpetual report delivered pursuant to clause (c) above, together with a reconciliation to each Borrower’s general ledger accounts (delivered electronically in a format reasonably satisfactory to Agent), |
| |
| (f)a detailed calculation of Inventory categories, including Inventory returned from Borrowers’ customers (whether or not such Inventory is reflected on the Inventory perpetual report delivered pursuant to clause (c) above) that are not eligible for the Borrowing Base, |
| |
| (g)a detailed report regarding Alliance Holding’s and its Subsidiaries’ cash and Cash Equivalents, |
| |
| (h)a monthly Account roll-forward, in a format acceptable to Agent in its discretion, tied to the beginning and ending account receivable balances of each Borrower’s general ledger and a detailed aging of Accounts, and |
| |
| (i)a reconciliation of Accounts, trade accounts payable, and Inventory of each Borrower’s general ledger accounts to its monthly financial statements including any book reserves related to each category. |
Promptly following any request by Agent | (j)copies of purchase orders and invoices for Inventory and Equipment acquired by Alliance Holding or its Subsidiaries, |
| |
| (k)copies of invoices together with corresponding shipping and delivery documents, and credit memos together with corresponding supporting documentation, with respect to invoices and credit memos in excess of an amount determined in the sole discretion of Agent, from time to time, and |
| |
| (l)a detailed list of Alliance Holding’s and its Subsidiaries’ customers, with address and contact information. |
Schedule 10.1.2
SCHEDULE 10.1.7
to
Loan and Security Agreement
CATEGORIES OF INSURANCE
Super O and Guard Yourself are micro-captive insurance companies that shall provide insurance coverage to the Borrowers with respect to the following categories of insurance:
● | General Cost of Defense |
● | Political Violence |
● | Administrative Actions |
● | Business Income & Extra Expense |
● | Business Risk Indemnity |
● | Computer Operations & Data |
● | Credit Default |
● | Directors & Officers |
● | Employee Fidelity |
● | Employment Practices Liability |
● | Keyman Disability |
● | Litigation expense |
● | Loss of Key Employee |
● | Shipping Risk |
● | Tax Indemnity |
Schedule 10.2.2
SCHEDULE 10.2.2
to
Loan and Security Agreement
EXISTING LIENS
Schedule 10.2.2
Debtor Name | Jurisdiction | File No. | Date | Secured Party | Collateral |
Alliance Entertainment, LLC | Delaware | 20142358331 | 06/16/2014 | Passchendaele Capital Fund | Lease filing |
Alliance Entertainment, LLC | Delaware | 20144460010 | 11/05/2014 | Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC | All inventory manufactured, distributed, consigned and, sold by or bearing the trademark of the secured party |
Alliance Entertainment, LLC | Delaware | 20144523619 | 11/10/2014 | Newstar Commercial Lease Funding I, LLC | Specific equipment |
Alliance Entertainment, LLC | Delaware | 20150010313 | 01/02/2015 | U.S. Bank Equipment Finance | Specific equipment |
Alliance Entertainment, LLC | Delaware | 20150381557 | 01/28/2015 | CIT Finance LLC | Specific equipment |
Alliance Entertainment, LLC | Delaware | 20152250222 | 05/27/2015 | U.S. Bank Equipment Finance | Specific equipment |
Alliance Entertainment, LLC | Florida | 20150347141 X | 04/14/2015 | CIT Finance LLC | Specific equipment |
Directtou, LLC | Delaware | 20144460010 | 11/05/2014 | Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC | All inventory manufactured, distributed, consigned and, sold by or bearing the trademark of the secured party |
Schedule 10.2.2
SCHEDULE 10.2.17
to
Loan and Security Agreement
EXISTING AFFILIATE TRANSACTIONS
The Borrowers, on the one hand, and Fulfillment Express Limited, a Subsidiary, on the other hand, participate in recurring transactions whereby Fulfillment Express Limited transfers to the Borrowers amounts received by it as refunds of VAT from the relevant Governmental Authorities in the United Kingdom.
Schedule 10.2.17
Exhibit 10.13
Execution Version
AMENDMENT NUMBER NINE
TO LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT
This AMENDMENT NUMBER NINE TO LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT (this “Amendment”), dated as of January 24, 2022, is entered into by and among ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT HOLDING CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (“Alliance Holding”), PROJECT PANTHER ACQUISITION CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (“Panther”), AEC DIRECT, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“AEC”), ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Alliance”), DIRECTTOU, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Directtou”), MECCA ELECTRONICS INDUSTRIES, INC., a New York corporation (“Mecca”), MILL CREEK ENTERTAINMENT, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company (“Mill Creek”), AERIS MARKETING, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company (“Aeris,”), and COKEM INTERNATIONAL, LTD., a Minnesota corporation (“COKeM”, and together with Alliance Holding, Panther, AEC, Alliance, Directtou, Mecca, Mill Creek and Aeris, each a “Borrower”, and collectively, the “Borrowers”), the Lenders (as defined below) party hereto, and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., a national banking association (“Bank of America”), as agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, “Agent”).
RECITALS
A. Borrowers, Agent, and the financial institutions party thereto from time to time as lenders (collectively, “Lenders”) are parties to that certain Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of February 21, 2017 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented, extended, or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”). Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Loan Agreement as amended hereby.
B. Borrowers have requested amendments to the Loan Agreement.
C. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, Agent and Lenders agree to make those amendments to the Loan Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants herein contained, and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:
I. AMENDMENTS TO THE LOAN AGREEMENT. The Agreement is, effective as of the Effective Date, hereby amended to delete the stricken text (indicated textually in the same manner as the following example: stricken text) and to add the double-underlined text (indicated textually in the same manner as the following example double-underlined text) as set forth in the pages of the Loan Agreement attached as Annex A hereto.
II. CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS. The effectiveness of this Amendment as set forth herein is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions precedent:
A. Amendment. (i) Agent shall have received fully executed copies of this Amendment; and (ii) Agent shall be satisfied that the execution and delivery of this Amendment by Borrowers shall have been duly authorized or ratified by all necessary corporate action.
B. Satisfaction of Conditions under Section 6.2 of the Loan Agreement. Borrowers represent and warrant as of the date hereof that: (i) no Default or Event of Default exists; (ii) the representations and warranties of each Obligor in the Loan Documents are true and correct (except for representations and warranties that relate solely to an earlier date); (iii) all conditions precedent in any Loan Document are satisfied; (iv) no event has occurred or circumstance exists that has or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (v) with respect to a Letter of Credit issuance, all LC Conditions are satisfied.
C. Miscellaneous. Borrowers shall have executed and delivered to Agent such other documents and instruments as Agent may reasonably require.
III.MISCELLANEOUS.
A. Survival of Representations and Warranties. All representations and warranties made in the Loan Agreement or any other document or documents relating thereto, including, without limitation, any Loan Document furnished in connection with this Amendment, shall survive the execution and delivery of this Amendment and the other Loan Documents, and no investigation by Agent or any Lender shall affect the representations and warranties or the right of Agent and Lenders to rely thereon.
B. Reference to Loan Agreement. The Loan Agreement, each of the Loan Documents, and any and all other agreements, documents or instruments now or hereafter executed and delivered pursuant to the terms hereof, or pursuant to the terms of the Loan Agreement as amended hereby, are hereby amended so that any reference therein to the Loan Agreement shall mean a reference to the Loan Agreement as amended hereby.
C. Loan Agreement Remains in Effect. The Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents, as amended hereby, remain in full force and effect and each Borrower ratifies and confirms its agreements and covenants contained therein. Each Borrower hereby confirms that no Event of Default or Default exists.
D. Severability. Any provision of this Amendment held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable shall not impair or invalidate the remainder of this Amendment and the effect thereof shall be confined to the provision so held to be invalid or unenforceable.
E. Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
F. Headings. The headings, captions, and arrangements used in this Amendment are for convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Amendment.
G. NO ORAL AGREEMENTS. THIS AMENDMENT, TOGETHER WITH THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS AS WRITTEN, REPRESENTS THE FINAL AGREEMENT AMONG AGENT, LENDERS, AND BORROWERS AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS AMONG AGENT, LENDERS, AND BORROWERS.
H. GOVERNING LAW. THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES EXCEPT FEDERAL LAWS RELATING TO NATIONAL BANKS.
I. CONSENT TO FORUM; OTHER JURISDICTIONS; ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND CONSENT TO BAIL-IN OF EEA FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS. THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS REGARDING FORUM; OTHER JURISDICTIONS; ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND CONSENT TO BAIL-IN OF EEA FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS SET FORTH IN SECTIONS 14.14 AND 14.15 OF THE LOAN AGREEMENT, AND SUCH PROVISIONS ARE INCORPORATED HEREIN BY THIS REFERENCE, MUTATIS MUTANDIS.
[Signature Pages to Follow]
2
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be duly executed by its authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.
| AGENT AND LENDERS: | |
|
| |
| BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., | |
| as Agent and a Lender | |
|
| |
|
| |
| By: | /s/ Jennifer Tang |
| Name: | Jennifer Tang |
| Title: | SVP |
Amendment Number Nine to Loan and Security Agreement
| FIFTH THIRD BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, | |
| as a Lender | |
|
| |
|
| |
| By: | /s/ Patrick Lingrosso |
| Name: | Patrick Lingrosso |
| Title: | Vice President |
Amendment Number Nine to Loan and Security Agreement
| BMO HARRIS BANK N.A., | |
| as a Lender | |
|
| |
|
| |
| By: | /s/ Brittany Malone |
| Name: | Brittany Malone |
| Title: | Director |
Amendment Number Nine to Loan and Security Agreement
| BORROWERS: | |
|
| |
| ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT HOLDING CORPORATION | |
|
| |
|
| |
| By: | /s/ Bruce Ogilvie |
| Name: | Bruce Ogilvie |
| Title: | Chairman |
| PROJECT PANTHER ACQUISITION CORPORATION | |
|
| |
|
| |
| By: | /s/ Bruce Ogilvie |
| Name: | Bruce Ogilvie |
| Title: | Chairman |
| AEC DIRECT, LLC | |
|
| |
|
| |
| By: | /s/ Bruce Ogilvie |
| Name: | Bruce Ogilvie |
| Title: | Chairman |
| ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT, LLC | |
|
| |
|
| |
| By: | /s/ Bruce Ogilvie |
| Name: | Bruce Ogilvie |
| Title: | Chairman |
| DIRECTTOU, LLC | |
|
| |
|
| |
| By: | /s/ Bruce Ogilvie |
| Name: | Bruce Ogilvie |
| Title: | Chairman |
| MECCA ELECTRONICS INDUSTRIES, INC. | |
|
| |
|
| |
| By: | /s/ Bruce Ogilvie |
| Name: | Bruce Ogilvie |
| Title: | Chairman |
Amendment Number Nine to Loan and Security Agreement
| MILL CREEK ENTERTAINMENT, LLC | |
|
| |
|
| |
| By: | /s/ Bruce Ogilvie |
| Name: | Bruce Ogilvie |
| Title: | Chairman |
| AERIS MARKETING, LLC | |
|
| |
|
| |
| By: | /s/ Bruce Ogilvie |
| Name: | Bruce Ogilvie |
| Title: | Chairman |
| COKEM INTERNATIONAL, LTD. | |
|
| |
|
| |
| By: | /s/ Bruce Ogilvie |
| Name: | Bruce Ogilvie |
| Title: | Chairman |
Amendment Number Nine to Loan and Security Agreement
Annex A to First Amendment to Credit Agreement
COMPOSITE LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT
Dated as of February 21, 2017
ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT HOLDING CORPORATION,
PROJECT PANTHER ACQUISITION CORPORATION,
AEC DIRECT, LLC,
ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT, LLC,
DIRECTTOU, LLC,
MECCA ELECTRONICS INDUSTRIES, INC.,
MILL CREEK ENTERTAINMENT, LLC,
AERIS MARKETING, LLC, and
COKEM INTERNATIONAL, LTD
as Borrowers
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as Agent
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents
| Page | |
|
|
|
SECTION 1. | DEFINITIONS; RULES OF CONSTRUCTION | 1 |
|
|
|
1.1 | Definitions | 1 |
1.2 | Accounting Terms | 3037 |
1.3 | Uniform Commercial Code | 3137 |
1.4 | Certain Matters of Construction | 3137 |
1.5 | Currency Equivalents | 3138 |
1.6 | Division | 38 |
|
|
|
SECTION 2. | CREDIT FACILITIES | 3238 |
|
|
|
2.1 | Revolver Commitment | 3238 |
2.2 | [Reserved] | 3340 |
2.3 | Letter of Credit Facility | 3340 |
|
|
|
SECTION 3. | INTEREST, FEES AND CHARGES | 3642 |
|
|
|
3.1 | Interest | 3642 |
3.2 | Fees | 3744 |
3.3 | Computation of Interest, Fees, Yield Protection | 3744 |
3.4 | Reimbursement Obligations | 3845 |
3.5 | Illegality | 3845 |
3.6 | Inability to Determine Rates | 3846 |
3.7 | Increased Costs; Capital Adequacy | 3948 |
3.8 | Mitigation | 4049 |
3.9 | Funding Losses | 4049 |
3.10 | Maximum Interest | 4049 |
|
|
|
SECTION 4. | LOAN ADMINISTRATION | 4050 |
|
|
|
4.1 | Manner of Borrowing and Funding Revolver Loans | 4050 |
4.2 | Defaulting Lender | 4251 |
4.3 | [Reserved] | 52 |
4.3 | Number and Amount of LIBOR Loans; Determination of Rate | 42 |
4.4 | Borrower Agent | 4252 |
4.5 | One Obligation | 4352 |
4.6 | Effect of Termination | 4352 |
|
|
|
SECTION 5. | PAYMENTS | 4353 |
|
|
|
5.1 | General Payment Provisions | 4353 |
5.2 | Repayment of Revolver Loans | 4353 |
5.3 | [Reserved] | 4353 |
5.4 | Payment of Other Obligations | 4353 |
5.5 | Marshaling; Payments Set Aside | 4453 |
5.6 | Application and Allocation of Payments | 4453 |
5.7 | Dominion Accounts | 4554 |
5.8 | Account Stated | 4554 |
5.9 | Taxes | 4555 |
5.10 | Lender Tax Information | 4756 |
5.11 | Nature and Extent of Each Borrower's Liability | 4858 |
i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents
(continued)
|
| Page |
|
|
|
SECTION 6. | CONDITIONS PRECEDENT | 5060 |
|
|
|
6.1 | Conditions Precedent to Initial Loans | 5060 |
6.2 | Conditions Precedent to All Credit Extensions | 5261 |
|
|
|
SECTION 7. | COLLATERAL | 5261 |
|
|
|
7.1 | Grant of Security Interest | 5261 |
7.2 | Lien on Deposit Accounts; Cash Collateral | 5362 |
7.3 | [Reserved] | 5362 |
7.4 | Other Collateral | 5362 |
7.5 | Limitations | 5363 |
7.6 | Further Assurances | 5463 |
7.7 | Foreign Subsidiary Stock | 5463 |
|
|
|
SECTION 8. | COLLATERAL ADMINISTRATION | 5463 |
|
|
|
8.1 | Borrowing Base Reports | 5463 |
8.2 | Accounts | 5463 |
8.3 | Inventory | 5564 |
8.4 | Equipment | 5565 |
8.5 | Deposit Accounts | 5665 |
8.6 | General Provisions | 5766 |
8.7 | Power of Attorney | 5867 |
|
|
|
SECTION 9. | REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES | 5867 |
|
|
|
9.1 | General Representations and Warranties | 5867 |
9.2 | Complete Disclosure | 6272 |
|
|
|
SECTION 10. | COVENANTS AND CONTINUING AGREEMENTS | 6372 |
|
|
|
10.1 | Affirmative Covenants | 6372 |
10.2 | Negative Covenants | 6575 |
10.3 | Financial Covenants | 7281 |
|
|
|
SECTION 11. | EVENTS OF DEFAULT; REMEDIES ON DEFAULT | 7381 |
|
|
|
11.1 | Events of Default | 7381 |
11.2 | Remedies upon Default | 7482 |
11.3 | License | 7583 |
11.4 | Setoff | 7583 |
11.5 | Remedies Cumulative; No Waiver | 7584 |
|
|
|
SECTION 12. | AGENT | 7584 |
|
|
|
12.1 | Appointment, Authority and Duties of Agent | 7584 |
12.2 | Agreements Regarding Collateral and Borrower Materials | 7685 |
12.3 | Reliance By Agent | 7785 |
12.4 | Action Upon Default | 7786 |
12.5 | Ratable Sharing | 7786 |
12.6 | Indemnification | 7786 |
ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents
(continued)
iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
LIST OF EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES
Exhibit A | Form of Assignment and Acceptance |
Exhibit B | Form of Assignment Notice |
| |
Schedule 1.1 | Commitments of Lenders |
Schedule 8.5.1 | Deposit Accounts |
Schedule 8.6.1 | Business Locations |
Schedule 9.1.4 | Names and Capital Structure |
Schedule 9.1.11 | Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights and Licenses |
Schedule 9.1.14 | Environmental Matters |
Schedule 9.1.15 | Restrictive Agreements |
Schedule 9.1.16 | Litigation and Commercial Tort Claims |
Schedule 9.1.18 | Pension Plans |
Schedule 9.1.20 | Labor Contracts |
Schedule 10.1.2 | Additional Financial and Collateral Reporting |
Schedule 10.1.7 | Categories of Insurance |
Schedule 10.2.2 | Existing Liens |
Schedule 10.2.17 | Existing Affiliate Transactions |
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LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT
THIS LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is dated as of February 21, 2017, among ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT HOLDING CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation ("Alliance Holding"), PROJECT PANTHER ACQUISITION CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation ("Panther"), AEC DIRECT, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("AEC"), ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("Alliance”), DIRECTTOU, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("Directtou”), MECCA ELECTRONICS INDUSTRIES, INC., a New York corporation (“Mecca”), MILL CREEK ENTERTAINMENT, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company (“Mill Creek”), AERIS MARKETING, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company (“Aeris”), COKEM INTERNATIONAL, LTD., a Minnesota corporation (“COKeM”, and together with Aeris, Mill Creek, Mecca, Alliance Holding, Panther, AEC, Alliance and Directtou each a “Borrower”, and collectively, the “Borrowers”), the financial institutions party to this Agreement from time to time as Lenders, and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., a national banking association ("Bank of America"), as agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, "Agent").
R E C I T A L S:
Borrowers have requested that Lenders provide a credit facility to Borrowers to finance their mutual and collective business enterprise. Lenders are willing to provide the credit facility on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, for valuable consideration hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS; RULES OF CONSTRUCTION
1.1 Definitions. As used herein, the following terms have the meanings set forth below:
Accounts Formula Amount: the sum of (a) 85% of the Value of Eligible Domestic Accounts, plus (b) 85% of the Value of Eligible Financed Accounts, plus, (c) the lesser of (i) $15,000,000 and (ii) 80% of the Value of Eligible Foreign Accounts; provided, however, that, during the months of: (A) April through September of each year, such percentages shall be reduced by 1.0% for each percentage point (or portion thereof) that the Dilution Percent exceeds 5% (or, without duplication, an Availability Reserve will be established to the same effect), and (B) January, February, March, October, November and December of each year, such percentages shall be reduced by 1.0% for each percentage point (or portion thereof) that either the Dilution Percent (or at Agent’s sole discretion, Historical Dilution, if higher) exceeds 5% (or, without duplication, an Availability Reserve will be established to the same effect); provided, further, that the amount of the Accounts Formula Amount attributable to clause (c) hereof shall not exceed 40% of the total amount of the Accounts Formula Amount.
Accounts Payable Reserve: the aggregate amount of Borrowers’ accounts payable that are unpaid after the later of (a) 60 days after the original due date, or (b) the date to which the original due date is extended by written permission (including by e-mail) from the supplier, but in no event more than 90 days after the original due date.
Acquisition: a transaction or series of transactions resulting in (a) acquisition of a business, division or substantially all assets of a Person; (b) record or beneficial ownership of 50% or more of the Equity Interests of a Person; or (c) merger, consolidation or combination of a Borrower or Subsidiary with another Person.
Activation Instruction: as defined in Section 8.5.2.
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AEC: as defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
Aeris: Aeris Marketing, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company.
Affected Financial Institution: any EEA Financial Institution or UK Financial Institution.
Affiliate: with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified. "Control" means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. "Controlling" and "Controlled" have correlative meanings.
Agent Indemnitees: Agent and its officers, directors, employees, Affiliates, agents and attorneys.
Agent Professionals: attorneys, accountants, appraisers, auditors, business valuation experts, environmental engineers or consultants, turnaround consultants, and other professionals and experts retained by Agent.
Agreement Currency: as defined in Section 1.5.2.
Airlie Protection: Airlie Protection Insurance Company, Inc., a Montana corporation.
Alliance: as defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
Alliance Holding: as defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
Allocable Amount: as defined in Section 5.11.3.
Anderson Media Acquisition Agreement: that certain Agreement of Sale and Purchase, dated May 18, 2016, by and among Panther, ANconnect, LLC, a Texas limited liability company, and Anderson Media Corporation, a Delaware corporation.
Anti-Terrorism Law: any law relating to terrorism or money laundering, including the Patriot Act.
Applicable Law: all laws, rules, regulations and governmental guidelines applicable to the Person or matter in question, including statutory law, common law and equitable principles, as well as provisions of constitutions, treaties, statutes, rules, regulations, orders and decrees of Governmental Authorities.
Applicable Margin: the margin set forth below, as determined by the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the last calendar month that is the end of a Fiscal Quarter, as measured for the twelve month period then ended:
|
|
|
| Base Rate Revolver |
| LIBOR SOFR Revolver |
| ||
Level |
| Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio |
| Loans |
| Loans |
| ||
I |
| < 1.5x |
|
| 1.50 | % |
| 2.50 | % |
II |
| >1.5x and < 1.75 |
|
| 1.25 | % |
| 2.25 | % |
III |
| >1.75x |
|
| 1.00 | % |
| 2.00 | % |
Until October 31, 2020, margins shall be determined as if Level III were applicable. Thereafter, margins shall be subject to increase or decrease by Agent on the first day of the calendar month following receipt by Agent of the Compliance Certificate delivered in respect of the most recent calendar month that is the end of a Fiscal Quarter. If Agent is unable to determine the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for a calendar month that is the end of a Fiscal Quarter due to Borrowers' failure to deliver the Compliance Certificate or any financial report when required hereunder, then, at the option of Agent or Required Lenders, margins shall be determined as if Level I were applicable until the first day of the calendar month following its receipt.
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Appointee: as defined in Section 12.14.
Approved Fund: any Person (other than a natural Person) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans in its ordinary course of activities.
Asset Disposition: a sale, lease, license, consignment, transfer or other disposition of Property of an Obligor, including any disposition in connection with a sale-leaseback transaction or synthetic lease.
Assignment: an assignment agreement between a Lender and Eligible Assignee, in the form of Exhibit A or otherwise satisfactory to Agent.
Availability: the Borrowing Base minus Revolver Usage.
Availability Reserve: the sum (without duplication) of (a) the Inventory Reserve; (b) the Rent and Charges Reserve; (c) the Bank Product Reserve; (d) the aggregate amount of liabilities secured by Liens upon Collateral that are senior to Agent's Liens (but imposition of any such reserve shall not waive an Event of Default arising therefrom); (e) the Accounts Payable Reserve; (f) the COKeM Independent Contractor Reserve, (g) the COKeM Sellers Notes Reserve and (h) such additional reserves, in such amounts and with respect to such matters, as Agent in its Permitted Discretion may elect to impose from time to time.
Available Tenor: as of any date of determination and with respect to the then-current Benchmark, as applicable, (a) if such Benchmark is a term rate, any tenor for the Benchmark that is or may be used for determining the length of an Interest Period; or (b) otherwise, any payment period for interest calculated with reference to such Benchmark, as applicable, pursuant to this Agreement as of such date.
Average Daily Availability: means, for any measurement period, the average daily Availability during such period.
Bail-In Action: the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an Affected Financial Institution.
Bail-In Legislation: with respect to (a) any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule, or (b) the United Kingdom, Part I of the United Kingdom Banking Act 2009 and any other law applicable in the United Kingdom relating to the resolution of unsound or failing banks, investment firms or other financial institutions or their affiliates (other than through liquidation, administration or other insolvency proceedings).
Bank of America: as defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
Bank of America Indemnitees: Bank of America and its officers, directors, employees, Affiliates, agents and attorneys.
Bank Product: any of the following products or services extended to a Borrower or Affiliate of a Borrower by a Lender or any of its Affiliates: (a) Cash Management Services; (b) products under Hedging Agreements; (c) commercial credit card and merchant card services; and (d) other banking products or services, other than Letters of Credit.
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Bank Product Reserve: the aggregate amount of reserves established by Agent from time to time in its Permitted Discretion with respect to Secured Bank Product Obligations.
Bankruptcy Code: Title 11 of the United States Code.
Base Rate: for any day, a per annum rate equal to the greater of (a) the Prime Rate for such day; (b) the Federal Funds Rate for such day, plus 0.50%; or (c) LIBOR Term SOFR for a 30 day one month interest period as of such day, subject to the interest rate floor set forth therein, plus 1.0%.
Base Rate Loan: any Loan that bears interest based on the Base Rate.
Base Rate Revolver Loan: a Revolver Loan that bears interest based on the Base Rate.
Benchmark: initially, LIBOR; provided, that if a replacement of the Benchmark has occurred pursuant to Section 3.6.2, then "Benchmark" means the applicable Benchmark Replacement to the extent that such Benchmark Replacement has replaced such prior benchmark rate. Any reference to "Benchmark" shall include, as applicable, the published component used in the calculation thereof.
Benchmark Replacement: (a) for purposes of Section 3.6.2(a), the first alternative set forth below that can be determined by Agent:
(i) the sum of (A) Term SOFR plus (B) 0.11448% (11.448 basis points) for an Available Tenor of one month, 0.26161% (26.161 basis points) for an Available Tenor of three months, 0.42826% (42.826 basis points) for an Available Tenor of six months, and 0.71513% (71.513 basis points) for an Available Tenor of 12 months; or
(ii) the sum of (A) Daily Simple SOFR plus (B) 0.11448% (11.448 basis points);
provided, that if initially LIBOR is replaced with the rate contained in clause (ii) above (Daily Simple SOFR plus the applicable spread adjustment) and subsequent to such replacement, Agent determines that Term SOFR has become available and is administratively feasible for Agent in its discretion, and Agent notifies Borrowers and Lenders of such availability, then from and after the beginning of the Interest Period, relevant interest payment date or payment period for interest calculated, in each case, commencing no less than 30 days after the date of such notice, the Benchmark Replacement shall be as set forth in clause (i) above; and (b) for purposes of Section 3.6.2(b), the sum of (i) the alternate benchmark rate and (ii) an adjustment (which may be a positive or negative value or zero), in each case that has been selected by Agent and Borrower Agent as the replacement Benchmark giving due consideration to any evolving or then-prevailing market convention, including any applicable recommendations made by a Relevant Governmental Body, for U.S. Dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities at such time. If the Benchmark Replacement as determined above would be less than 0.25% at any time, it shall be deemed to be 0.25% for purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Any Benchmark Replacement shall be applied in a manner consistent with market practice; provided , that to the extent such market practice is not administratively feasible for Agent, it shall be applied in a manner as otherwise reasonably determined by Agent.
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Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes: with respect to any Benchmark Replacement, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of Base Rate, Business Day or Interest Period, timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest, timing of borrowing requests or prepayment, conversion or continuation notices, applicability and length of lookback periods, applicability of breakage provisions, and other technical, administrative or operational matters) that Agent decides may be appropriate to reflect the adoption and implementation of such Benchmark Replacement and to permit the administration thereof by Agent in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if Agent decides that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if Agent determines that no market practice for the administration of such Benchmark Replacement exists, in such other manner of administration as Agent decides is reasonably necessary in connection with administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents).
Benchmark Transition Event: with respect to any then-current Benchmark (other than LIBOR), the occurrence of a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of such Benchmark or a Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over such administrator announcing or stating that all Available Tenors are or will no longer be representative, or made available, or used for determining the interest rate of loans, or shall or will otherwise cease, provided, that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator satisfactory to Agent that will continue to provide any representative tenors of such Benchmark after such specific date.
Beneficial Ownership Certification: a certification regarding beneficial ownership as required by the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent.
Beneficial Ownership Regulation: 31 C.F.R. §1010.230
Benefit Plan: any (a) employee benefit plan (as defined in ERISA) subject to Title I of ERISA, (b) plan (as defined in and subject to Section 4975 of the Code), or (c) Person whose assets include (for purposes of ERISA Section 3(42) or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) the assets of any such employee benefit plan or plan.
Board of Governors: the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
Borrowed Money: with respect to any Obligor, without duplication, its (a) Debt that (i) arises from the lending of money by any Person to such Obligor, (ii) is evidenced by notes, drafts, bonds, debentures, credit documents or similar instruments, (iii) accrues interest or is a type upon which interest charges are customarily paid (excluding trade payables owing in the Ordinary Course of Business), or (iv) was issued or assumed as full or partial payment for Property; (b) Capital Leases; (c) letter of credit reimbursement obligations; and (d) guaranties of any of the foregoing owing by another Person.
Borrower Agent: as defined in Section 4.4.
Borrower Materials: Borrowing Base Reports, Compliance Certificates and other information, reports, financial statements and other materials delivered by Borrowers hereunder, as well as other Reports and information provided by Agent to Lenders.
Borrowing: a group of Loans that are made or converted together on the same day and have the same interest option and, if applicable, Interest Period.
Borrowing Base: on any date of determination, an amount equal to the lesser of (a) the aggregate Revolver Commitments; or (b) the sum of the Accounts Formula Amount, plus the Inventory Formula Amount, minus the Availability Reserve.
Borrowing Base Report: a report of the Borrowing Base, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent.
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Business Day: any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks are authorized to close under the laws of, or are in fact closed in, North Carolina and California, and if such day relates to a LIBOR Loan, any such day on which dealings in Dollar deposits are conducted in the London interbank market.
Capital Expenditures: all liabilities incurred or expenditures made by a Borrower or Subsidiary for the acquisition of fixed assets, or any improvements, replacements, substitutions or additions thereto with a useful life of more than one year.
Capital Lease: any lease required to be capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP.
Cash Collateral: cash delivered to Agent to Cash Collateralize any Obligations, and all interest, dividends, earnings and other proceeds relating thereto.
Cash Collateralize: the delivery of cash to Agent, as security for the payment of Obligations, in an amount equal to (a) with respect to LC Obligations, 105% of the aggregate LC Obligations, and (b) with respect to any inchoate, contingent or other Obligations (including Secured Bank Product Obligations), Agent's good faith estimate of the amount due or to become due, including fees, expenses and indemnification hereunder. "Cash Collateralization" has a correlative meaning.
Cash Equivalents: (a) marketable obligations issued or unconditionally guaranteed by, and backed by the full faith and credit of, the U.S. government, maturing within 12 months of the date of acquisition; (b) certificates of deposit, time deposits and bankers' acceptances maturing within 12 months of the date of acquisition, and overnight bank deposits, in each case which are issued by Bank of America or a commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state or district thereof, rated A-1 (or better) by S&P or P-1 (or better) by Moody's at the time of acquisition, and (unless issued by a Lender) not subject to offset rights; (c) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than 30 days for underlying investments of the types described in clauses (a) and (b) entered into with any bank described in clause (b); (d) commercial paper issued by Bank of America or rated A-1 (or better) by S&P or P-1 (or better) by Moody's, and maturing within nine months of the date of acquisition; and (e) shares of any money market fund that has substantially all of its assets invested continuously in the types of investments referred to above, has net assets of at least $500,000,000 and has the highest rating obtainable from either Moody's or S&P.
Cash Management Services: services relating to operating, collections, payroll, trust, or other depository or disbursement accounts, including Automated Clearing House (ACH), international Automated Clearing House (IACH), e-payable, electronic funds transfer, wire transfer, controlled disbursement, overdraft, depository, information reporting, scanner and stop payment services.
Cayman Account Charge: means, (a) prior to the date the Permitted Cayman Japanese Yen Account, the Permitted Cayman Canadian Dollars Account, and the Permitted Cayman Euros Account are maintained with Bank of America or its Affiliates, the Cayman Islands law governed account charge, dated on or around the Closing Date, between Directtou and Agent with respect to the Deposit Accounts maintained with Wells Fargo bearing account number 7775019669, 7775019677 and 7775027787, and (b) on and after the date the Permitted Cayman Japanese Yen Account, the Permitted Cayman Canadian Dollars Account, and the Permitted Cayman Euros Account are maintained with Bank of America or its Affiliates, the Cayman Islands governed account charge, dated on or around the date such Deposit Accounts are first maintained with Bank of America or its Affiliates, between Directtou and Agent with respect to such Deposit Accounts.
Cayman Security Document: as defined in Section 12.14.
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CERCLA: the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq.).
Change in Law: the occurrence, after the date hereof, of (a) the adoption, taking effect or phasing in of any law, rule, regulation or treaty; (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation or application thereof; or (c) the making, issuance or application of any request, guideline, requirement or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority; provided, however, that "Change in Law" shall include, regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued, all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements or directives (i) under or relating to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, or (ii) promulgated pursuant to Basel III by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any similar authority) or any other Governmental Authority.
Change of Control: (a) Alliance Holding ceases to own and control, beneficially and of record, directly or indirectly, all Equity Interests in all Borrowers; (b) Walker and Ogilvie (in each case individually or as the trustee of a family trust), collectively, cease to own and control, beneficially and of record, more than 51% of the Equity Interests of Alliance Holding; or (c) the sale or transfer of all or substantially all assets of a Borrower, except to another Borrower.
Charged Property: as defined in Section 12.14.
Claims: all claims, liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, judgments, proceedings, interest, costs and expenses of any kind (including remedial response costs, reasonable attorneys' fees and Extraordinary Expenses) at any time (including after Full Payment of the Obligations or replacement of Agent or any Lender) incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any Obligor or other Person, in any way relating to (a) any Loans, Letters of Credit, Loan Documents, Borrower Materials, or the use thereof or transactions relating thereto, (b) any action taken or omitted in connection with any Loan Documents, (c) the existence or perfection of any Liens, or realization upon any Collateral, (d) exercise of any rights or remedies under any Loan Documents or Applicable Law, or (e) failure by any Obligor to perform or observe any terms of any Loan Document, in each case including all costs and expenses relating to any investigation, litigation, arbitration or other proceeding (including an Insolvency Proceeding or appellate proceedings), whether or not the applicable Indemnitee is a party thereto.
Closing Date: as defined in Section 6.1.
Code: the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
COKeM: COKeM International, Ltd., a Minnesota corporation.
COKeM Acquisition: as defined in the definition of “COKeM Purchase Agreement”.
COKeM Independent Contractor Agreement: that certain Independent Contractor Agreement dated as of the Fifth Amendment Effective Date, between COKeM and Charles Bond.
COKeM Independent Contractor Reserve: beginning as of December 4, 2020, the amount of $750,000, which amount shall be increased by $750,000 each week thereafter for three consecutive weeks, and then reduced by the amount of the payment made under the COKeM Independent Contractor Agreement of up to $3,000,000 on or within three Business Days after December 31, 2020; provided, that in no event shall such reserve be less than zero dollars.
CokeM PPE Inventory: the “PPE Inventory” as defined in the COKeM Purchase Agreement as in effect on the Fifth Amendment Effective Date.
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COKeM Purchase Agreement: that certain Share Purchase Agreement, dated as of the Fifth Amendment Effective Date, among Panther, COKeM, and the COKeM Sellers, pursuant to which Panther shall purchase from the COKeM Sellers all of the Equity Interests of COKeM, subject to the terms and conditions therein (the “COKeM Acquisition”).
COKeM Purchase Price Adjustment: an adjustment to the Purchase Price (as defined in the COKeM Purchase Agreement as in effect on the Fifth Amendment Effective Date) which may occur after the Fifth Amendment Effective Date in accordance with Section 2.4 of the COKeM Purchase Agreement.
COKeM Sellers: the “Shareholders” as defined in the COKeM Purchase Agreement as in effect on the Fifth Amendment Effective Date.
COKeM $2,500,000 Sellers Note: that certain Bond Promissory Note in the original principal amount of up to $2,5000,000, dated as of the Fifth Amendment Effective Date, issued by CokeM to Charles Bond, as agent for the CokeM Sellers, or their assigns, as a portion of the purchase price for the COKeM Acquisition.
COKeM $6,000,000 Sellers Note: that certain Subordinated Promissory Note in the original principal amount of up to $6,000,000, dated as of the Fifth Amendment Effective Date, issued by Panther and CokeM to Charles Bond, as agent for the CokeM Sellers, or their assigns, as a portion of the purchase price for the COKeM Acquisition.
COKeM Sellers Notes: the CokeM $2,500,000 Sellers Note and the CokeM $6,000,000 Sellers Note.
COKeM Sellers Notes Reserve: beginning as of March 5, 2021, the amount of $625,000, which amount shall be increased by $ 625,000 each week thereafter for three consecutive weeks, and then reduced by the amount of the payment made under the CokeM $2,500,000 Sellers Note of up to $2,500,000 on or within three Business Days after March 31, 2021; provided, that in no event shall such reserve be less than zero dollars.
COKeM Sellers Subordination Agreement: that certain Subordination Agreement, dated as of the date of the Fifth Amendment Effective Date, by and among each COKeM Seller, Panther and Agent, with respect to each COKeM Sellers Note.
COKeM Special Litigation Matters: the “Special Litigation Matters” as defined in the COKeM Purchase Agreement as in effect on the Fifth Amendment Effective Date.
Collateral: all Property described in Section 7.1, all Property described in any Security Documents as security for any Obligations, and all other Property that now or hereafter secures (or is intended to secure) any Obligations.
Commitment: for any Lender, the aggregate amount of such Lender's Revolver Commitment. "Commitments" means the aggregate amount of all Revolver Commitments.
Commitment Termination Date: the earliest to occur of (a) the Revolver Termination Date; (b) the date on which Borrowers terminate the Revolver Commitments pursuant to Section 2.1.4; or (c) the date on which the Revolver Commitments are terminated pursuant to Section 11.2.
Commodity Exchange Act: the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.).
Compliance Certificate: a certificate, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, by which Borrowers certify compliance with Section 10.3.
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Conforming Changes: with respect to use, administration of or conventions associated with SOFR, Daily Simple SOFR or any proposed Successor Rate, as applicable, any conforming changes to the definitions of Base Rate, SOFR, Daily Simple SOFR, or Term SOFR, timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest and other technical, administrative or operational matters (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the definitions of Business Day and U.S. Government Securities Business Day, timing of borrowing requests or prepayment, conversion or continuation notices, and length of lookback periods) as may be appropriate, in Agent's discretion, to reflect the adoption and implementation of such applicable rate(s) and to permit the administration thereof by Agent in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if Agent determines that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or that no market practice for the administration of such rate exists, in such other manner of administration as Agent determines is reasonably necessary in connection with the administration of any Loan Document).
Connection Income Taxes: Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), or are franchise or branch profits Taxes.
Contingent Obligation: any obligation of a Person arising from a guaranty, indemnity or other assurance of payment or performance of any Debt, lease, dividend or other obligation ("primary obligations") of another obligor ("primary obligor") in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including any obligation of such Person under any (a) guaranty, endorsement, co-making or sale with recourse of an obligation of a primary obligor; (b) obligation to make take-or-pay or similar payments regardless of nonperformance by any other party to an agreement; and (c) arrangement (i) to purchase any primary obligation or security therefor, (ii) to supply funds for the purchase or payment of any primary obligation, (iii) to maintain or assure working capital, equity capital, net worth or solvency of the primary obligor, (iv) to purchase Property or services for the purpose of assuring the ability of the primary obligor to perform a primary obligation, or (v) otherwise to assure or hold harmless the holder of any primary obligation against loss in respect thereof. The amount of any Contingent Obligation shall be deemed to be the stated or determinable amount of the primary obligation (or, if less, the maximum amount for which such Person may be liable under the instrument evidencing the Contingent Obligation) or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability with respect thereto.
Controlled Account: as defined in Section 8.5.1.
Covered Entity: (a) a "covered entity," as defined and interpreted in accordance with 12 C.F.R. §252.82(b); (b) a "covered bank," as defined in and interpreted in accordance with 12 C.F.R. §47.3(b); or (c) a "covered FSI," as defined in and interpreted in accordance with 12 C.F.R. §382.2(b).
CME: CME Group Benchmark Administration Limited.
CWA: the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. §§ 1251 et seq.).
Daily Simple SOFR: with respect to any applicable determination datefor any day, a per annum rate equal to the secured overnight financing rate published on such date by the FRBNY (or a successor administrator), as administrator of the benchmark (or a successor administrator), on FRBNY's on its website (or any successor source satisfactory to Agent), plus the SOFR Adjustment; provided, that in no event shall Daily Simple SOFR be less than one quarter of one percent (0.25%).
Debt: as applied to any Person, without duplication, (a) all items that would be included as liabilities on a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP, including Capital Leases, but excluding trade payables incurred and being paid in the Ordinary Course of Business; (b) all Contingent Obligations; (c) all reimbursement obligations in connection with letters of credit issued for the account of such Person; and (d) in the case of a Borrower, the Obligations. The Debt of a Person shall include any recourse Debt of any partnership in which such Person is a general partner or joint venturer.
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Default: an event or condition that, with the lapse of time or giving of notice, would constitute an Event of Default.
Default Rate: for any Obligation (including, to the extent permitted by law, interest not paid when due), 2% plus the interest rate otherwise applicable thereto.
Defaulting Lender: any Lender that (a) has failed to comply with its funding obligations hereunder, and such failure is not cured within two Business Days; (b) has notified Agent or any Borrower that such Lender does not intend to comply with its funding obligations hereunder or under any other credit facility, or has made a public statement to that effect; (c) has failed, within three Business Days following request by Agent or any Borrower, to confirm in a manner satisfactory to Agent and Borrowers that such Lender will comply with its funding obligations hereunder; or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, become the subject of an Insolvency Proceeding (including reorganization, liquidation, or appointment of a receiver, custodian, administrator or similar Person by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other regulatory authority) or Bail-In Action; provided, however, that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of a Governmental Authority's ownership of an equity interest in such Lender or parent company unless the ownership provides immunity for such Lender from jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets, or permits such Lender or Governmental Authority to repudiate or otherwise to reject such Lender's agreements.
De Lage Landen Inventory Finance Agreement: That certain Inventory Finance Repurchase Agreement dated as of March 16, 2019, between De Lage Landen Financial Services, Inc. and COKeM, together with each Program Letter related thereto, concerning Accounts owing to COKeM by Atlanta Network Technologies, Inc.
Delegate: as defined in Section 12.14.
Deposit Account Control Agreement: control agreement satisfactory to Agent executed by an institution maintaining a Deposit Account for an Obligor, to perfect Agent's Lien on such account.
Designated Jurisdiction: a country or territory that is the subject of a Sanction.
Dilution Percent: the percent, determined on a trailing twelve months basis, as reflected in the most recent field examination, or more recent information as received by Agent, equal to (a) bad debt write-downs or write-offs, discounts, returns, promotions, credits, credit memos and other dilutive items with respect to Accounts which are recorded to reduce Accounts consistent with the current and historical practices of Borrowers or by a field examination conducted by Agent or Agent’s employees or representatives, in each case, as determined by Agent in its Permitted Discretion, divided by (b) gross sales.
Directtou: as defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
Distribution: any declaration or payment of a distribution, interest or dividend on any Equity Interest (other than payment-in-kind); distribution, advance or repayment of Debt to a holder of Equity Interests; or purchase, redemption, or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interest.
Dollars: lawful money of the United States.
Dominion Account: a special account established by Borrowers at Bank of America or another bank acceptable to Agent, over which Agent has exclusive control for withdrawal purposes.
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Early Opt-in Effective Date: with respect to any Early Opt-in Election, the sixth Business Day after the date notice of such Early Opt-in Election is provided to Lenders, as long as Agent has not received, by 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the fifth Business Day after such notice is provided to Lenders, written notice of objection to such Early Opt-in Election from Lenders comprising Required Lenders.
Early Opt-in Election: the occurrence of (a) a determination by Agent, or a notification by Borrower Agent to Agent that Borrowers have made a determination, that U.S. Dollar -denominated syndicated credit facilities currently being executed, or that include language similar to that contained in Section 3.6.2, are being executed or amended (as applicable) to incorporate or adopt a new benchmark interest rate to replace LIBOR; and (b) the joint election by Agent and Borrower Agent to replace LIBOR with a Benchmark Replacement and the provision by Agent of written notice of such election to Lenders.
EBITDA: with respect to Alliance Holding and its Subsidiaries for any period, (a) the Net Income of Alliance Holding and its Subsidiaries for such period, plus (b) without duplication, the sum of the following amounts of Alliance Holding and its Subsidiaries for such period and to the extent deducted in determining Net Income of Alliance Holding and its Subsidiaries for such period (i) Interest Expense, (ii) income tax expense, (iii) depreciation expense, (iv) amortization expense, (v) any extraordinary or any non-recurring non-cash losses, including any extraordinary or any non-recurring non-cash losses from Permitted Asset Dispositions, (vi) non-recurring non-cash or other non-cash charges (except to the extent representing a reserve or accrual for cash expenses in another period), including goodwill, asset and other impairment charges, losses on early extinguishment of debt, and write-downs of deferred financing costs, and (vii) Permitted IC-DISC Payments, minus (c) without duplication, the sum of the following amounts of Alliance Holding and its Subsidiaries for such period and to the extent included in determining Net Income of Alliance Holding and its Subsidiaries for such period: (i) non-recurring non-cash items increasing such Net Income for such period, (ii) any extraordinary or any non-recurring gains, including any extraordinary, non-recurring gains from Permitted Asset Dispositions, and (iii) gains from the receipt of proceeds under insurance policies net of any associated losses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, EBITDA shall exclude non-cash effects of any purchase accounting adjustments. For the purposes of calculating EBITDA for any period (each, a “Reference Period”), if at any time during such Reference Period (and after the Closing Date), Alliance Holding or any of its Subsidiaries shall have made a Permitted Acquisition, EBITDA for such Reference Period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto (including pro forma adjustments arising out of events which are directly attributable to such Permitted Acquisition, are factually supportable, and are expected to have a continuing impact, in each case to be mutually and reasonably agreed upon by Borrower Agent and Agent) as if any such Permitted Acquisition or adjustment occurred on the first day of such Reference Period.
EEA Financial Institution: (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in an EEA Member Country that is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority; (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country that is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) above; or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country that is a subsidiary of an institution described in the foregoing clauses and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.
EEA Member Country: any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
EEA Resolution Authority: any public administrative authority or any Person entrusted with public administrative authority of an EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.
Eligible Account: an Eligible Domestic Account, an Eligible Financed Account, or an Eligible Foreign Account.
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Eligible Amazon Inventory: means Inventory held by Amazon (pursuant to the Fulfillment by Amazon program) in the continental United States from time to time (i) with an aggregate value (calculated at the lower of cost or market on a basis consistent with Borrowers' historical accounting practices) which does not exceed $5,000,000 and (ii) which is not in-transit.
Eligible Assignee: (a) a Lender, Affiliate of a Lender or Approved Fund; (b) an assignee approved by Borrower Agent (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, and shall be deemed given if no objection is made within 5 Business Days after notice of the proposed assignment) and Agent; or (c) during an Event of Default, any Person acceptable to Agent in its discretion.
Eligible Domestic Account: an Account (other than an Eligible Foreign Account) owing to a Borrower that arises in the Ordinary Course of Business from the sale of goods or rendition of services, is payable in Dollars and is deemed by Agent, in its Permitted Discretion, to be an Eligible Domestic Account. Without limiting the foregoing, no Account shall be an Eligible Domestic Account if:
(a) it is unpaid for more than 60 days after the original due date, or more than 90 days after the original invoice date; provided, however, that Accounts of Borrowers that (i) have selling terms of more than 60 days but less than 91 days, (ii) are not aged more than 120 days from the original invoice date, (iii) are for an invoice generated during the period from September 30 through and including December 2, and (iv) are not more than 30 days past due shall not be rendered ineligible under this clause (a) so long as the aggregate amount of such Accounts does not exceed $5,000,000; and provided further, however, that during the period commencing on the Fourth Amendment Effective Date through and including October 28, 2020 Accounts of Borrowers that are not aged more than 150 days past invoice date (and irrespective of their number of days past due) shall not be rendered ineligible under this clause (a) so long as (x) the aggregate amount of such Accounts does not exceed $2,000,000 and (y) Borrowers have delivered to Agent evidence that they have obtained credit insurance in form and substance, and from an insurance provider, acceptable to the Agent covering Accounts generally with at least $2,000,000 of coverage, and such insurance remains in effect;
(b) 50% or more of the Accounts owing by the Account Debtor are not Eligible Domestic Accounts under the foregoing clause;
(c) when aggregated with other Accounts owing by the Account Debtor, it exceeds 10% (or 15% for Barnes and Noble, and 30% for each of (i) Amazon, (ii) Target Corporation, (iii) Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club, taken together, and (iv) Best Buy (such percentage being subject to reduction by Agent in its Permitted Discretion from time to time if the creditworthiness of such Account Debtor deteriorates)) of the aggregate Eligible Domestic Accounts (or such higher percentage as Agent may establish for the Account Debtor from time to time);
(d) it does not conform in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to the portion of any representation and warranty that is already qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof) with a covenant or representation herein;
(e) it is owing by a creditor or supplier, or is otherwise subject to a potential offset, counterclaim, dispute, deduction, discount, recoupment, reserve, defense, chargeback, credit or allowance (but ineligibility shall be limited to the amount thereof);
(f) an Insolvency Proceeding has been commenced by or against the Account Debtor; or the Account Debtor has failed, has suspended or ceased doing business, is liquidating, dissolving or winding up its affairs, is not Solvent, or is subject to any Sanction or on any specially designated nationals list maintained by OFAC; or the Borrower is not able to bring suit or enforce remedies against the Account Debtor through judicial process;
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(g) the Account Debtor is organized or has its principal offices or assets outside the United States or Canada;
(h) it is owing by a Governmental Authority (other than a public library), unless the Account Debtor is the United States or any department, agency or instrumentality thereof and the Account has been assigned to Agent in compliance with the federal Assignment of Claims Act;
(i) it is not subject to a duly perfected, first priority Lien in favor of Agent, or is subject to any other Lien other than a Permitted Lien;
(j) the goods giving rise to it have not been delivered to the Account Debtor, the services giving rise to it have not been accepted by the Account Debtor, or it otherwise does not represent a final sale;
(k) it is evidenced by Chattel Paper or an Instrument of any kind, or has been reduced to judgment;
(l) its payment has been extended or the Account Debtor has made a partial payment;
(m) it arises from a sale to an Affiliate, from a sale on a cash-on-delivery, bill-and-hold, sale or return, sale on approval, consignment, or other repurchase or return basis, or from a direct sale for personal, family or household purposes;
(n) it represents a progress billing or retainage, or relates to services for which a performance, surety or completion bond or similar assurance has been issued;
(o) it includes a billing for interest, fees or late charges, but ineligibility shall be limited to the extent thereof. In calculating delinquent portions of Accounts under clauses (a) and (b), credit balances more than 90 days old will be excluded;
(p) the Account Debtor has been billed by the applicable Borrower from an office or location of the applicable Borrower that is not located in the United States, or the collection of the Account is to occur via an office or location of the applicable Borrower that is not located in the United States, or the payment of such Account will not be to a Controlled Account in the United States;
(q) it constitutes a receivable due to any Borrower from a credit card issuer or credit card processor; provided, that any such Accounts which generate an aggregate amount of up to $5,000,000 of Availability under the Borrowing Base shall not be excluded solely pursuant to this clause (q), so long as the credit card issuer or credit card processor has not failed to pay such Accounts within 5 days of the original sale date (it being acknowledged and agreed that such Accounts shall be calculated net of any unpaid and/or accrued credit card issuer or credit card processor fee or expense balances);
(r) it is a Financed Account; or
(s) it is an Account owing to CokeM with respect to the CokeM PPE Inventory.
Eligible Financed Account: an Account that would otherwise be an Eligible Domestic Account if it were not a Financed Account, and that Agent, in its Permitted Discretion, deems to be an Eligible Financed Account. Without limiting the foregoing, no Account shall be an Eligible Financed Account unless it (i) is owing to COKeM by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Sam’s West, Inc., or any of their subsidiaries or affiliates, (ii) is subject to the Wells Fargo Receivables Purchase Agreement and an intercreditor or similar agreement satisfactory to Agent providing that Wells Fargo has no Lien on such Account or the proceeds thereof until such Account has been purchased by Wells Fargo and the purchase price has been paid to a collection account of COKeM maintained at Agent, (iii) is not older than 10 days since its origination date, and (iv) has not been purchased by Wells Fargo.
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Eligible Foreign Account: an Account (other than an Eligible Domestic Account) owing to a Borrower that arises in the Ordinary Course of Business from the sale of goods or rendition of services, is payable in Dollars (provided, however, that Accounts of Borrowers that are payable and will be paid in Euros, Sterling, Japanese Yen or Canadian Dollars shall not be rendered ineligible merely because they are not payable in Dollars to the extent that (i) the aggregate amount of all such Accounts owing at any one time does not exceed $ 2,000,000 and (ii) such currency is commonly used in the jurisdiction of such Account Debtor’s office or location) and is deemed by Agent, in its Permitted Discretion, to be an Eligible Foreign Account. Without limiting the foregoing, no Account shall be an Eligible Foreign Account if:
(a) it is unpaid for more than 60 days after the original due date, or more than 90 days after the original invoice date; provided, however, that Accounts of Borrowers that (i) have selling terms of more than 60 days but less than 91 days, (ii) are not aged more than 120 days from the original invoice date, (iii) are for an invoice generated during the period from September 30 through and including December 2, and (iv) are not more than 30 days past due shall not be rendered ineligible under this clause (a) so long as the aggregate amount of such Accounts does not exceed $3,000,000;
(b) 50% or more of the Accounts owing by the Account Debtor are not Eligible Foreign Accounts under the foregoing clause;
(c) when aggregated with other Accounts owing by the Account Debtor, it exceeds either (i) 10% of the aggregate Dollar equivalent of all Eligible Foreign Accounts (or such higher percentage as Agent may establish for the Account Debtor from time to time), or (ii) $2,000,000 (but ineligibility under this clause (ii) shall be limited to the amount of such excess);
(d) it does not conform in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to the portion of any representation and warranty that is already qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof) with a covenant or representation herein;
(e) it is owing by a creditor or supplier, or is otherwise subject to a potential offset, counterclaim, dispute, deduction, discount, recoupment, reserve, defense, chargeback, credit or allowance (but ineligibility shall be limited to the amount thereof);
(f) an Insolvency Proceeding has been commenced by or against the Account Debtor; or the Account Debtor has failed, has suspended or ceased doing business, is liquidating, dissolving or winding up its affairs, is not Solvent, or is subject to any Sanction or on any specially designated nationals list maintained by OFAC; or the Borrower is not able to bring suit or enforce remedies against the Account Debtor through judicial process;
(g) the Account Debtor is organized or has its principal offices or assets in a foreign country other than Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom or any other foreign country approved by Agent in its sole discretion;
(h) it is owing by a Governmental Authority (other than a public library);
(i) it is not subject to a duly perfected, first priority Lien in favor of Agent, or is subject to any other Lien other than a Permitted Lien;
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(j) the goods giving rise to it have not been delivered to the Account Debtor, the services giving rise to it have not been accepted by the Account Debtor, or it otherwise does not represent a final sale;
(k) it is evidenced by Chattel Paper or an Instrument of any kind, or has been reduced to judgment;
(l) its payment has been extended or the Account Debtor has made a partial payment;
(m) it arises from a sale to an Affiliate, from a sale on a cash-on-delivery, bill-and-hold, sale or return, sale on approval, consignment, or other repurchase or return basis, or from a sale for personal, family or household purposes;
(n) it represents a progress billing or retainage, or relates to services for which a performance, surety or completion bond or similar assurance has been issued;
(o) it includes a billing for interest, fees or late charges, but ineligibility shall be limited to the extent thereof. In calculating delinquent portions of Accounts under clauses (a) and (b), credit balances more than 90 days old will be excluded;
(p) the Account Debtor has been billed by the applicable Borrower from an office or location of the applicable Borrower that is not located in the United States, or the collection of the Account is to occur via an office or location of the applicable Borrower that is not located in the United States, the United Kingdom or the Cayman Islands, or the payment of such Account will not be to a Controlled Account;
(q) it is a Financed Account; or
(r) it is an Account owing to CokeM with respect to the CokeM PPE Inventory.
Eligible In-Transit Inventory: Inventory owned by a Borrower that would be Eligible Inventory if it were not subject to a Document and in transit from a foreign location to a location of the Borrower within the United States, and that Agent, in its Permitted Discretion, deems to be Eligible In-Transit Inventory. Without limiting the foregoing, no Inventory shall be Eligible In-Transit Inventory unless it (a) is subject to a negotiable Document showing Agent (or, with the consent of Agent, the applicable Borrower) as consignee, which Document is in tangible form (unless such requirement is waived in Agent’s sole discretion) in the possession of Agent or such other Person as Agent shall approve; (b) is fully insured in a manner satisfactory to Agent; (c) is not sold by a vendor that has a right to reclaim, divert shipment of, repossess, stop delivery, claim any reservation of title or otherwise assert Lien rights against the Inventory, or with respect to whom any Borrower is in default of any obligations; (d) is subject to purchase orders and other sale documentation satisfactory to Agent, the vendor has been paid in full (unless such requirement is waived in Agent’s sole discretion), and title has passed to the Borrower; (e) is shipped by a common carrier that is not affiliated with the vendor and is not the target of any Sanction or on any specially designated nationals list maintained by OFAC; (f) has been in transit to the United States for no more than 60 days, (g) is being handled by a customs broker, freight-forwarder or other handler that has delivered a Lien Waiver, and (h) the vendor is Tastemakers Asia Limited or such other vendor that Agent, in its Permitted Discretion, deems to be acceptable from time to time.
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Eligible Inventory: Inventory owned by a Borrower that Agent, in its Permitted Discretion, deems to be Eligible Inventory. Without limiting the foregoing, no Inventory shall be Eligible Inventory unless it:
(a) is finished goods, and not packaging or shipping materials, labels, samples, or display items;
(b) is not held on consignment, nor subject to any deposit or down payment;
(c) is in new and saleable condition and is not damaged, defective, shopworn or otherwise unfit for sale;
(d) is not slow-moving, perishable, obsolete or unmerchantable;
(e) meets in all material respects all standards imposed by any Governmental Authority, has not been acquired from a Person subject to any Sanction or on any specially designated nationals list maintained by OFAC, and does not constitute hazardous materials under any Environmental Law;
(f) conforms in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to the portion of any representation and warranty that is already qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof) with the covenants and representations herein;
(g) is subject to Agent's duly perfected, first priority Lien, and no other Lien other than a Permitted Lien;
(h) is within the continental United States, is not in transit except between locations of Borrowers, and is not consigned to any Person (except for Eligible Amazon Inventory);
(i) is not subject to any warehouse receipt or negotiable Document;
(j) is not subject to any License or other arrangement that restricts such Borrower's or Agent's right to dispose of such Inventory, unless Agent has received an appropriate Lien Waiver;
(k) other than Eligible Amazon Inventory, such Inventory is not located on leased premises or in the possession of a warehouseman, processor, repairman, mechanic, shipper, freight forwarder or other Person, unless the lessor or such Person has delivered a Lien Waiver or an appropriate Rent and Charges Reserve has been established; and
(l) it is not CokeM PPE Inventory.
Enforcement Action: any action to enforce any Obligations (other than Secured Bank Product Obligations) or Loan Documents or to exercise any rights or remedies relating to any Collateral, whether by judicial action, self-help, notification of Account Debtors, setoff or recoupment, credit bid, deed in lieu of foreclosure, action in an Insolvency Proceeding or otherwise.
English Security Document: as defined in Section 12.14.
Environmental Laws: Applicable Laws (including programs, permits and guidance promulgated by regulators) relating to public health (other than occupational safety and health regulated by OSHA) or the protection or pollution of the environment, including the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. §§6991-6991i), Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. §1251 et seq.) and CERCLA.
Environmental Notice: a notice (whether written or oral) from any Governmental Authority or other Person of any possible noncompliance with, investigation of a possible violation of, litigation relating to, or potential fine or liability under any Environmental Law, or with respect to any Environmental Release, environmental pollution or hazardous materials, including any complaint, summons, citation, order, claim, demand or request for correction, remediation or otherwise.
Environmental Release: a release as defined in CERCLA or under any other Environmental Law.
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Equity Interest: the interest of any (a) shareholder in a corporation; (b) partner in a partnership (whether general, limited, limited liability or joint venture); (c) member in a limited liability company; or (d) other Person having any other form of equity security or ownership interest.
ERISA: the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
ERISA Affiliate: any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) under common control with an Obligor within the meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code (and Sections 414(m) and (o) of the Code for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412 of the Code).
ERISA Event: (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension Plan; (b) withdrawal of an Obligor or ERISA Affiliate from a Pension Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which it was a substantial employer (as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA) or a cessation of operations that is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (c) complete or partial withdrawal of an Obligor or ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan or notification that a Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization; (d) filing of a notice of intent to terminate, treatment of a Pension Plan amendment as a termination under Section 4041 or 4041A of ERISA, or institution of proceedings by the PBGC to terminate a Pension Plan; (e) determination that a Pension Plan is considered an at-risk plan or a plan in critical or endangered status under the Code or ERISA; (f) an event or condition that constitutes grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for termination of, or appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan; (g) imposition of any liability on an Obligor or ERISA Affiliate under Title IV of ERISA, other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA; or (h) failure by an Obligor or ERISA Affiliate to meet all applicable requirements under the Pension Funding Rules in respect of a Pension Plan, whether or not waived, or to make a required contribution to a Multiemployer Plan.
EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule: the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association, as in effect from time to time.
Event of Default: as defined in Section 11.
Excess Availability: as of any date of determination, the amount equal to Availability, minus the aggregate amount, if any, of the Accounts Payable Reserve and all book overdrafts of Alliance Holding and its Subsidiaries in excess of historical practices with respect thereto, in each case as determined by Agent in its Permitted Discretion. For the purposes of this definition, to the extent that the sum of the Accounts Formula Amount, plus the Inventory Formula Amount, minus the Availability Reserve, is in excess of the amount of Revolver Commitments, up to $5,000,000 of such excess amount shall be included in the calculation of Excess Availability.
Excluded Swap Obligation: with respect to an Obligor, each Swap Obligation as to which, and only to the extent that, such Obligor's guaranty of or grant of a Lien as security for such Swap Obligation is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act because the Obligor does not constitute an "eligible contract participant" as defined in the act (determined after giving effect to any keepwell, support or other agreement for the benefit of such Obligor and all guarantees of Swap Obligations by other Obligors) when such guaranty or grant of Lien becomes effective with respect to the Swap Obligation. If a Hedging Agreement governs more than one Swap Obligation, only the Swap Obligation(s) or portions thereof described in the foregoing sentence shall be Excluded Swap Obligation(s) for the applicable Obligor.
Excluded Taxes: (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by a Recipient's net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes and branch profits Taxes (i) as a result of such Recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or applicable Lending Office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax, or (ii) constituting Other Connection Taxes; (b) U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of a Lender with respect to its interest in a Loan or Commitment pursuant to a law in effect when the Lender acquires such interest (except pursuant to an assignment request by Borrower Agent under Section 13.4) or changes its Lending Office, unless the Taxes were payable to its assignor immediately prior to such assignment or to the Lender immediately prior to its change in Lending Office; (c) Taxes attributable to a Recipient's failure to comply with Section 5.10; and (d) U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed pursuant to FATCA. In no event shall "Excluded Taxes" include any withholding Tax imposed on amounts paid by or on behalf of a foreign Obligor to a Recipient that has complied with Section 5.10.2.
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Extraordinary Expenses: all costs, expenses or advances that Agent may incur during a Default or Event of Default, or during the pendency of an Insolvency Proceeding of an Obligor, including those relating to (a) any audit, inspection, repossession, storage, repair, appraisal, insurance, manufacture, preparation or advertising for sale, sale, collection, or other preservation of or realization upon any Collateral; (b) any action, arbitration or other proceeding (whether instituted by or against Agent, any Lender, any Obligor, any representative of creditors of an Obligor or any other Person) in any way relating to any Collateral (including the validity, perfection, priority or avoidability of Agent's Liens with respect to any Collateral), Loan Documents, Letters of Credit or Obligations, including any lender liability or other Claims; (c) the exercise of any rights or remedies of Agent in, or the monitoring of, any Insolvency Proceeding; (d) settlement or satisfaction of taxes, charges or Liens with respect to any Collateral; (e) any Enforcement Action; and (f) negotiation and documentation of any modification, waiver, workout, restructuring or forbearance with respect to any Loan Documents or Obligations. Such costs, expenses and advances include transfer fees, Other Taxes, storage fees, insurance costs, permit fees, utility reservation and standby fees, legal fees, appraisal fees, brokers' and auctioneers' fees and commissions, accountants' fees, environmental study fees, wages and salaries paid to employees of any Obligor or independent contractors in liquidating any Collateral, and travel expenses.
FATCA: Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code (including any amended or successor version if substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), and any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code.
Federal Funds Rate: (a) the weighted average of interest rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System on the applicable day (or the preceding Business Day, if the applicable day is not a Business Day), as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the next Business Day; or (b) if no such rate is published on the next Business Day, the average rate (rounded up to the nearest 1/8 of 1%) charged to Bank of America on the applicable day on such transactions, as determined by Agent; provided, that in no event shall such rate be less than zero.
Fifth Amendment Effective Date: September 29, 2020.
Financed Accounts: (i) Accounts owing to COKeM by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Sam’s West, Inc., or any of their subsidiaries or affiliates, that are subject to the Wells Fargo Receivables Purchase Agreement, (ii) Accounts owing to any Borrower that are subject to an agreement described in clause (f) of the definition of Permitted Asset Disposition, or (iii) Accounts owing to COKeM by Atlanta Network Technologies, Inc. or any other “Eligible Dealer” under and subject to the De Lage Landen Inventory Finance Agreement.
Fiscal Quarter: each period of three months, commencing on the first day of a Fiscal Year.
Fiscal Year: the fiscal year of Borrowers and Subsidiaries for accounting and tax purposes, ending on June 30 of each year.
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio: with respect to Alliance Holding and its Subsidiaries as of any date of measurement, the ratio of (a) EBITDA for the twelve month period ending on such date, minus Capital Expenditures that are not financed with amortizing Debt made (to the extent not already incurred in a prior period) or incurred during such twelve month period, to (b) Fixed Charges for such twelve month period.
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Fixed Charges: with respect to any fiscal period and with respect to Alliance Holding and its Subsidiaries determined in accordance with GAAP, the sum, without duplication, of (a) Interest Expense accrued (other than interest paid-in-kind, amortization of financing fees and other non-cash Interest Expense) during such period, (b) scheduled principal payments in respect of Indebtedness that are required to be paid, and are actually paid, in cash during such period, (c) all federal, state, and local income taxes accrued during such period, (d) all Distributions paid in cash by Alliance Holding during such period, (e) without duplication of any payments included under clause (b) above, any principal payments made on account of any IC-DISC Notes, (f) [reserved], and (g) the difference between (i) Permitted IC-DISC Payments paid in cash during such period, less (ii) the aggregate amount of Debt incurred pursuant to clauses (f) and (g) of the definition of “Permitted IC-DISC Payments” during such period.
FLSA: the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.
Foreign Lender: any Lender that is not a U.S. Person.
Foreign Plan: any employee benefit plan or arrangement (a) maintained or contributed to by any Obligor or Subsidiary that is not subject to the laws of the United States; or (b) mandated by a government other than the United States for employees of any Obligor or Subsidiary.
Foreign Security Documents: as defined in Section 12.14.
Foreign Subsidiary: a Subsidiary that is a "controlled foreign corporation" under Section 957 of the Code, such that a guaranty by such Subsidiary of the Obligations or a Lien on the assets of such Subsidiary to secure the Obligations would result in material tax liability to Borrowers.
FRBNY: Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
Fourth Amendment Effective Date: April 28, 2020.
Fronting Exposure: a Defaulting Lender's interest in LC Obligations, Swingline Loans and Protective Advances, except to the extent Cash Collateralized by the Defaulting Lender or allocated to other Lenders hereunder.
Full Payment: with respect to any Obligations, (a) the full and indefeasible cash payment thereof, including any interest, fees and other charges accruing during an Insolvency Proceeding (whether or not allowed in the proceeding); and (b) if such Obligations are LC Obligations or inchoate or contingent in nature, Cash Collateralization thereof (or delivery of a standby letter of credit acceptable to Agent in its discretion, in the amount of required Cash Collateral). No Loans shall be deemed to have been paid in full unless all Commitments related to such Loans are terminated.
GAAP: generally accepted accounting principles in effect in the United States from time to time.
Governmental Approvals: all authorizations, consents, approvals, licenses and exemptions of, registrations and filings with, and required reports to, all Governmental Authorities.
Governmental Authority: any federal, state, local, foreign or other agency, authority, body, commission, court, instrumentality, political subdivision, central bank, or other entity or officer exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions for any governmental, judicial, investigative, regulatory or self-regulatory authority (including the Financial Conduct Authority, the Prudential Regulation Authority and any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or European Central Bank).
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Guarantor Payment: as defined in Section 5.11.3.
Guarantors: each Person that guarantees payment or performance of Obligations.
Guaranty: each guaranty agreement executed by a Guarantor in favor of Agent.
Gulf Stream: Gulf Stream Capital, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company.
Hedging Agreement: a "swap agreement" as defined in Bankruptcy Code Section 101(53B)(A).
Historical Dilution: means, as of any date of determination during the month of:
(a) October, a percentage that is the result of dividing the Dollar equivalent amount of (i) bad debt write-downs or write-offs, discounts, returns, promotions, credits, credit memos and other dilutive items with respect to Borrowers’ Accounts during the period of November and December of the prior calendar year and January of the current calendar year, by (ii) Borrowers’ gross sales during the period of August, September and October of the prior calendar year;
(b) November, a percentage that is the result of dividing the Dollar equivalent amount of (i) bad debt write-downs or write-offs, discounts, returns, promotions, credits, credit memos and other dilutive items with respect to Borrowers’ Accounts during the period of December of the prior calendar year and January and February of the current calendar year, by (ii) Borrowers’ gross sales during the period of September, October and November of the prior calendar year;
(c) December, a percentage that is the result of dividing the Dollar equivalent amount of (i) bad debt write-downs or write-offs, discounts, returns, promotions, credits, credit memos and other dilutive items with respect to Borrowers’ Accounts during the period of January, February and March of the current calendar year, by (ii) Borrowers’ gross sales during the period of October, November and December of the prior calendar year;
(d) January, a percentage that is the result of dividing the Dollar equivalent amount of (i) bad debt write-downs or write-offs, discounts, returns, promotions, credits, credit memos and other dilutive items with respect to Borrowers’ Accounts during the period of February, March and April of the prior calendar year, by (ii) Borrowers’ gross sales during the period of November and December of the calendar year before the prior calendar year and January of the prior calendar year;
(e) February, a percentage that is the result of dividing the Dollar equivalent amount of (i) bad debt write-downs or write-offs, discounts, returns, promotions, credits, credit memos and other dilutive items with respect to Borrowers’ Accounts during the period of March, April and May of the prior calendar year, by (ii) Borrowers’ gross sales during the period of December of the calendar year before the prior calendar year and January and February of the prior calendar year; and
(f) March, a percentage that is the result of dividing the Dollar equivalent amount of (i) bad debt write-downs or write-offs, discounts, returns, promotions, credits, credit memos and other dilutive items with respect to Borrowers’ Accounts during the period of April, May and June of the prior calendar year, by (ii) Borrowers’ gross sales during the period of January, February and March of the prior calendar year.
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IC -DISC Notes: any notes issued after the Fifth Amendment Effective Date in connection with the making of the Permitted IC-DISC Payments so long as the terms of such notes are substantially similar to the terms of the IC-DISC Notes 3/4, including maturity of not less than 5 years after the date of issuance, only payment in kind of interest (no cash interest payments), and subordinated in payment pursuant to the terms of the IC-DISC Subordination Agreement.
IC-DISC Notes 3/4: that certain (a) Second Amended and Restated Subordinated PIK Note, dated as of February 1, 2017, made by Alliance and payable to the order of Ogilvie in the original principal amount of $3,358,000, and (b) Second Amended and Restated Subordinated PIK Note, dated as of February 1, 2017, made by Alliance and payable to the order of Walker in the original principal amount of $3,358,000.
IC-DISC Subordination Agreements: each of (a) that certain Subordination Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, between Ogilvie and Agent, and (b) that certain Subordination Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, between Walker and Agent in each case, in respect of the IC-DISC Notes.
ILJ: ILJ Enterprises, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company.
Indemnified Taxes: (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or relating to any payment of an Obligation; and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in clause (a), Other Taxes.
Indemnitees: Agent Indemnitees, Lender Indemnitees, Issuing Bank Indemnitees and Bank of America Indemnitees.
Insolvency Proceeding: any case or proceeding commenced by or against a Person under any state, federal or foreign law for, or any agreement of such Person to, (a) the entry of an order for relief under the Bankruptcy Code, or any other insolvency, debtor relief or debt adjustment law; (b) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, liquidator, administrator, conservator or other custodian for such Person or any part of its Property; or (c) an assignment or trust mortgage for the benefit of creditors.
Intellectual Property: all intellectual and similar Property of a Person, including inventions, designs, patents, copyrights, trademarks, service marks, trade names, trade secrets, confidential or proprietary information, customer lists, know-how, software and databases; all embodiments or fixations thereof and all related documentation, applications, registrations and franchises; all licenses or other rights to use any of the foregoing; and all books and records relating to the foregoing.
Intellectual Property Claim: any claim or assertion (whether in writing, by suit or otherwise) that a Borrower's or Subsidiary's ownership, use, marketing, sale or distribution of any Inventory, Equipment, Intellectual Property or other Property violates another Person's Intellectual Property.
Interest Expense: for any period, the aggregate of the interest expense of Alliance Holding and its Subsidiaries for such period, determined in accordance with GAAP.
Interest Period: as defined in Section 3.1.3.
Inventory: as defined in the UCC, including all goods intended for sale, lease, display or demonstration; all work in process; all processed and unprocessed goods in possession of a Borrower to be returned to Borrowers’ vendors; and all raw materials, and other materials and supplies of any kind that are or could be used in connection with the manufacture, printing, packing, shipping, advertising, sale, lease or furnishing of such goods, or otherwise used or consumed in a Borrower's business (but excluding Equipment).
Inventory Formula Amount: the lesser of:
(a) $100,000,000, during each Seasonal Period, or $75,000,000, at all other times; and
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(b)the sum of:
(i) the lesser of (A) 65% of the Value of Eligible Inventory (other than Inventory to be returned to Borrowers’ vendors or Inventory returned from Borrowers’ customers which is not reflected on the most recent Inventory perpetual report of Borrowers), and (B) 85% of the NOLV Percentage of the Value of Eligible Inventory (other than Inventory to be returned to Borrowers’ vendors or Inventory returned from Borrowers’ customers which is not reflected on the most recent Inventory perpetual report of Borrowers); plus
(ii) the lowest of (A) 65% of the Value of Eligible Inventory consisting of Inventory to be returned to Borrowers’ vendors (other than Inventory returned from Borrowers’ customers which is not reflected on the most recent Inventory perpetual report of Borrowers), (B) 85% of the NOLV Percentage of the Value of Eligible Inventory consisting of Inventory to be returned to Borrowers’ vendors (other than Inventory returned from Borrowers’ customers which is not reflected on the most recent Inventory perpetual report of Borrowers), and (C) $6,500,000; plus
(iii) the lowest of (A) 65% of the Value of Eligible Inventory consisting of Inventory returned from Borrowers’ customers which is not reflected on the most recent Inventory perpetual report of Borrowers, (B) 85% of the NOLV Percentage of the Value of Eligible Inventory consisting of Inventory returned from Borrowers’ customers which is not reflected on the most recent Inventory perpetual report of Borrowers, and (C) $3,000,000; plus
(iv) the lowest of (A) 65% of the Value of Eligible In-Transit Inventory, (B) 85% of the NOLV Percentage of the Value of Eligible In-Transit Inventory, (C) 10% of the Borrowing Base, and (D) $17,500,000,.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the portion of the Inventory Formula Amount that is attributable to Pre-Owned Inventory may not exceed $500,000 at any time.
Inventory Reserve: reserves established by Agent to reflect factors that may negatively impact the Value of Inventory, including change in salability, obsolescence, seasonality, theft, shrinkage, imbalance, change in composition or mix, markdowns and vendor chargebacks.
Investor Note 5: that certain Amended and Restated Investor Note, dated as of December 9, 2014, issued by Alliance to the Bruce Ogilvie, Jr. Trust, dated January 20, 1994.
Investment: an Acquisition, an acquisition of record or beneficial ownership of any Equity Interests of a Person, or an advance or capital contribution to or other investment in a Person.
IP Assignment: a collateral assignment or security agreement pursuant to which an Obligor grants a Lien on its Intellectual Property to Agent, as security for its Obligations.
IRS: the United States Internal Revenue Service.
Issuing Bank: Bank of America (including any Lending Office of Bank of America), or any replacement issuer appointed pursuant to Section 2.3.4.
Issuing Bank Indemnitees: Issuing Bank and its officers, directors, employees, Affiliates, agents and attorneys.
Judgment Currency: as defined in Section 1.5.2.
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LC Application: an application by Borrower Agent to Issuing Bank for issuance of a Letter of Credit, in form and substance satisfactory to Issuing Bank and Agent.
LC Conditions: upon giving effect to issuance of a Letter of Credit, (a) the conditions in Section 6 are satisfied; (b) total LC Obligations do not exceed the Letter of Credit Subline and Revolver Usage does not exceed the Borrowing Base; (c) the Letter of Credit and payments thereunder are denominated in Dollars or other currency satisfactory to Agent and Issuing Bank; and (d) the purpose and form of the Letter of Credit are satisfactory to Agent and Issuing Bank in their discretion.
LC Documents: all documents, instruments and agreements (including LC Requests and LC Applications) delivered by Borrowers or any other Person to Issuing Bank or Agent in connection with any Letter of Credit.
LC Obligations: the sum of (a) all amounts owing by Borrowers for drawings under Letters of Credit; and (b) the Stated Amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit.
LC Request: a request for issuance of a Letter of Credit, to be provided by Borrower Agent to Issuing Bank, in form satisfactory to Agent and Issuing Bank.
Lender Indemnitees: Lenders and Secured Bank Product Providers, and their officers, directors, employees, Affiliates, agents and attorneys.
Lenders: lenders party to this Agreement (including Agent in its capacity as provider of Swingline Loans) and any Person who hereafter becomes a "Lender" pursuant to an Assignment, including any Lending Office of the foregoing.
Lending Office: the office (including any domestic or foreign Affiliate or branch) designated as such by a Lender or Issuing Bank by notice to Agent and Borrower Agent.
Letter of Credit: any standby or documentary letter of credit, foreign guaranty, documentary bankers acceptance, indemnity, reimbursement agreement or similar instrument issued by Issuing Bank for the account or benefit of a Borrower or Affiliate of a Borrower.
Letter of Credit Subline: $2,000,000.
LIBOR: the per annum rate of interest (rounded up to the nearest 1/8th of 1%) determined by Agent at or about 11:00 a.m. (London time) two Business Days prior to an interest period, for a term equivalent to such period, equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate, or comparable or successor rate approved by Agent, as published on the applicable Reuters screen page (or other commercially available source designated by Agent from time to time); provided, that any comparable or successor rate shall be applied by Agent, if administratively feasible, in a manner consistent with market practice; provided further, that in no event shall LIBOR be less than one quarter of one percent (0.25%).
LIBOR Loan: each set of LIBOR Revolver Loans having a common length and commencement of Interest Period.
LIBOR Revolver Loan: a Revolver Loan that bears interest based on LIBOR.
LIBOR Screen Rate: the LIBOR quote on the applicable screen page that Agent designates to determine LIBOR (or such other commercially available source providing such quotations as designated by Agent from time to time).
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License: any license or agreement under which an Obligor is authorized to use Intellectual Property in connection with any manufacture, marketing, distribution or disposition of Collateral, any use of Property or any other conduct of its business.
Licensor: any Person from whom an Obligor obtains the right to use any Intellectual Property.
Lien: a Person's interest in Property securing an obligation owed to, or a claim by, such Person, including any lien, security interest, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, trust, reservation, encroachment, easement, right-of-way, covenant, condition, restriction, lease, or other title exception or encumbrance.
Lien Waiver: an agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, by which (a) for any material Collateral located on leased premises, the lessor waives or subordinates any Lien it may have on the Collateral, and agrees to permit Agent to enter upon the premises and remove the Collateral or to use the premises to store or dispose of the Collateral; (b) for any Collateral held by a warehouseman, processor, shipper, customs broker or freight forwarder, such Person waives or subordinates any Lien it may have on the Collateral, agrees to hold any Documents in its possession relating to the Collateral as agent for Agent, and agrees to deliver the Collateral to Agent upon request; (c) for any Collateral held by a repairman, mechanic or bailee, such Person acknowledges Agent's Lien, waives or subordinates any Lien it may have on the Collateral, and agrees to deliver the Collateral to Agent upon request; and (d) for any Collateral subject to a Licensor's Intellectual Property rights, the Licensor grants to Agent the right, vis-à-vis such Licensor, to enforce Agent's Liens with respect to the Collateral, including the right to dispose of it with the benefit of the Intellectual Property, whether or not a default exists under any applicable License.
Loan: a Revolver Loan.
Loan Documents: this Agreement, Other Agreements and Security Documents.
Loan Year: each 12 month period commencing on the Closing Date or an anniversary thereof.
Margin Stock: as defined in Regulation U of the Board of Governors.
Material Adverse Effect: the effect of any event or circumstance that, taken alone or in conjunction with other events or circumstances, (a) has or could be reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, operations, Properties or condition (financial or otherwise) of any Obligor, on the value of any material Collateral, on the enforceability of any Loan Documents, or on the validity or priority of Agent's Liens on any Collateral; (b) impairs the ability of an Obligor to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents in any material way, including repayment of any Obligations; or (c) otherwise impairs the ability of Agent or any Lender to enforce or collect any Obligations or to realize upon any Collateral.
Material Contract: any agreement or arrangement to which a Borrower or Subsidiary is party (other than the Loan Documents) (a) that is deemed to be a material contract under any securities law applicable to such Person, including the Securities Act of 1933; (b) for which breach, termination, nonperformance or failure to renew could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; or (c) that relates to Subordinated Debt, or to Debt in an aggregate amount of $1,000,000 or more.
MCE: means, collectively, Mill Creek and Aeris.
MCE Earn Out Agreement: that certain Earn Out Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2019, by and among Alliance, Mill Creek, Gulf Stream, ILJ, Moss, and Robert Zakheim, in his capacity as SP Representative.
MCE Earn Out Intercreditor Agreement: that certain Intercreditor and Subordination Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2019, by and among Agent, ILJ, Gulf Stream, and Moss.
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MCE Earn Out Security Agreement: that certain Security Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2019, among Mill Creek and the MCE Sellers, pursuant to which the MCE Sellers are granted a security interest in certain assets of Mill Creek to secure the MCE Earn Out Agreement.
MCE Purchase Agreement: that certain Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated September 30, 2019, by and among Alliance, Mill Creek, Aeris, Gulf Stream, ILJ, Moss, and Robert Zakheim, in his capacity as SP Representative.
Mecca: Mecca Electronics Industries, Inc., a New York corporation.
Mecca Earn Out Agreement: that certain Earn Out Agreement, dated as of April 30, 2018, by and among Panther, Raymond Aboody, Danny Mashal and Abe Lerner.
Mill Creek: Mill Creek Entertainment, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company.
Moody's: Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or any successor acceptable to Agent.
Mortgage: a mortgage or deed of trust in which an Obligor grants a Lien on its Real Estate to Agent, as security for its Obligations.
Moss: Scott Moss, an individual.
Multiemployer Plan: any employee benefit plan of the type described in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which an Obligor or ERISA Affiliate makes or is obligated to make contributions, or during the preceding five plan years, has made or been obligated to make contributions.
Multiple Employer Plan: a Plan that has two or more contributing sponsors, including an Obligor or ERISA Affiliate, at least two of whom are not under common control, as described in Section 4064 of ERISA.
My Worldwide: My Worldwide Marketplace, Inc., a Nevada corporation.
Net Income: with respect to any Person for any period, the net income (loss) of such Person and its Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP, but excluding from the determination of Net Income (without duplication) any tax refunds, net operating losses or other net tax benefits.
Net Proceeds: with respect to an Asset Disposition, proceeds (including, when received, any deferred or escrowed payments) received by a Borrower or Subsidiary in cash from such disposition, net of (a) reasonable and customary costs and expenses actually incurred in connection therewith, including legal fees and sales commissions; (b) amounts applied to repayment of Debt secured by a Permitted Lien senior to Agent's Liens on Collateral sold; (c) transfer or similar taxes; and (d) reserves for indemnities, until such reserves are no longer needed.
NOLV Percentage: the net orderly liquidation value of Inventory, expressed as a percentage, expected to be realized at an orderly, negotiated sale held within a reasonable period of time, net of all liquidation expenses, as determined from the most recent appraisal of Borrowers' Inventory performed by an appraiser and on terms satisfactory to Agent.
Notice of Borrowing: a request by Borrower Agent for a Borrowing of Revolver Loans, in form satisfactory to Agent.
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Notice of Conversion/Continuation: a request by Borrower Agent for conversion or continuation of a Loan as a LIBOR Loan, in form satisfactory to Agent.
Obligations: all (a) principal of and premium, if any, on the Loans, (b) LC Obligations and other obligations of Obligors with respect to Letters of Credit, (c) interest, expenses, fees, indemnification obligations, Extraordinary Expenses and other amounts payable by Obligors under Loan Documents, (d) Secured Bank Product Obligations, and (e) other Debts, obligations and liabilities of any kind owing by Obligors pursuant to the Loan Documents, whether now existing or hereafter arising, whether evidenced by a note or other writing, whether allowed in any Insolvency Proceeding, whether arising from an extension of credit, issuance of a letter of credit, acceptance, loan, guaranty, indemnification or otherwise, and whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, primary or secondary, or joint or several; provided, that Obligations of an Obligor shall not include its Excluded Swap Obligations.
Obligor: each Borrower, Guarantor or other Person that is liable for payment of any Obligations or that has granted a Lien on its assets in favor of Agent to secure any Obligations.
OFAC: Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department.
Ogilvie: Bruce Ogilvie, Jr., an individual.
Ordinary Course of Business: the ordinary course of business of any Borrower or Subsidiary, undertaken in good faith and consistent with Applicable Law and past practices.
Organic Documents: with respect to any Person, its charter, certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws, articles of organization, limited liability agreement, operating agreement, members agreement, shareholders agreement, partnership agreement, certificate of partnership, certificate of formation, voting trust agreement, or similar agreement or instrument governing the formation or operation of such Person.
OSHA: the Occupational Safety and Hazard Act of 1970.
Other Agreement: each LC Document, fee letter, Lien Waiver, intercreditor agreement (including the Vendor Intercreditor Agreements), subordination agreement (including the IC-DISC Subordination Agreements and the COKeM Sellers Subordination Agreement), Mortgage and related real estate documentation, Borrowing Base Report, Compliance Certificate, Borrower Materials, or other note, document, instrument or agreement (other than this Agreement or a Security Document) now or hereafter delivered by an Obligor or other Person to Agent or a Lender in connection with any transactions relating hereto.
Other Connection Taxes: Taxes imposed on a Recipient due to a present or former connection between it and the taxing jurisdiction (other than connections arising from the Recipient having executed, delivered, become party to, performed obligations or received payments under, received or perfected a Lien or engaged in any other transaction pursuant to, enforced, or sold or assigned an interest in, any Loan or Loan Document).
Other Rate Early Opt-in: Agent and Borrower Agent have elected to replace LIBOR with a Benchmark Replacement other than a SOFR-based rate pursuant to (a) an Early Opt-in Election and (b) Section 3.6.2(b) and clause (b) of the definition of Benchmark Replacement.
Other Taxes: all present or future stamp, court, documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a Lien under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, except Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment made pursuant to Section 13.4(c)).
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Overadvance: as defined in Section 2.1.5.
Panther: as defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
Participant: as defined in Section 13.2.
Patriot Act: the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, Pub. L. No. 107-56, 115 Stat. 272 (2001).
Payment Conditions: with respect to the making of any payment: (A) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing both immediately before and immediately after giving effect to each such payment, (B) Borrowers’ Excess Availability is equal to or greater than $28,000,000 both immediately following the making of such payment and calculated on an average daily basis for the 30-day period ending immediately prior to the making of each such payment and (C) Borrowers have, on a pro forma basis immediately after giving effect to such payment, a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (recomputed for the most recent month for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 10.1.2(b)) of not less than 1.25 to 1.00.
Payment Item: each check, draft or other item of payment payable to a Borrower, including those constituting proceeds of any Collateral.
PBGC: the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
Pension Funding Rules: Code and ERISA rules regarding minimum required contributions (including installment payments) to Pension Plans set forth in, for plan years ending prior to the Pension Protection Act of 2006 effective date, Section 412 of the Code and Section 302 of ERISA, both as in effect prior to such act, and thereafter, Sections 412, 430, 431, 432 and 436 of the Code and Sections 302, 303, 304 and 305 of ERISA.
Pension Plan: any employee pension benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA), other than a Multiemployer Plan, that is subject to Title IV of ERISA and is sponsored or maintained by any Obligor or ERISA Affiliate or to which the Obligor or ERISA Affiliate contributes or has an obligation to contribute, or in the case of a multiple employer or other plan described in Section 4064(a) of ERISA, has made contributions at any time during the preceding five plan years.
Permitted Acquisition: any Acquisition as long as
(a) no Default or Event of Default exists or is caused thereby;
(b) the Acquisition is consensual;
(c) the assets (other than a de minimis of assets in relation to the assets being acquired), business or Person being acquired is useful or engaged in the business of Borrowers and Subsidiaries, is located or organized within the United States, either (i) had positive EBITDA for the 12 month period most recently ended, or (ii) would have a positive adjusted EBITDA for such period after taking into account the elimination of duplicative costs and other efficiencies that could reasonably be expected to result from the Acquisition;
(d) no Debt or Liens are assumed or incurred, except as permitted by Sections 10.2.1(f), 10.2.1(h) and 10.2.2(j);
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(e) the total consideration (including deferred payment obligations and Debt assumed or incurred) is less than $10,000,000 and, when aggregated with the total consideration for all other Acquisitions, made after the Fifth Amendment Effective Date, is less than $15,000,000;
(f) Borrowers shall have (i) Average Daily Availability for the 90 day period immediately prior to the consummation of the proposed Acquisition in an amount equal to or greater than $20,000,000, and (ii) Availability immediately after giving effect to the consummation of the proposed Acquisition in an amount equal to or greater than $20,000,000;
(g) Borrowers have provided Agent with written confirmation that, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the proposed Acquisition, determined as if such Acquisition had occurred on the first day of the twelve calendar month period most recently ended for which financial statements are available, Alliance Holding and its Subsidiaries would have been in compliance with the financial covenants in Section 10.3 of this Agreement as of the last day of the calendar month most recently ended for which financial statements are available, which such written confirmation shall be reasonably satisfactory to Agent;
(h) Borrowers deliver to Agent, at least 10 Business Days prior to the proposed Acquisition, copies of all material agreements relating thereto and a certificate, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, stating that the Acquisition is a "Permitted Acquisition" and demonstrating compliance with the foregoing requirements; and
(i) Borrowers have provided Agent with their due diligence package relative to the proposed Acquisition, together with such additional information, in both cases, as reasonably requested by Agent.
Permitted Asset Disposition: as long as no Default or Event of Default exists and all Net Proceeds are remitted to Agent, an Asset Disposition that is (a) a sale of Inventory in the Ordinary Course of Business; (b) a disposition of Equipment that, in the aggregate during any 12 month period, has a fair market or book value (whichever is more) of $1,000,000 or less; (c) a disposition of Inventory that is obsolete, unmerchantable or otherwise unsalable in the Ordinary Course of Business and is not Eligible Inventory; (d) the termination of a lease of real or personal Property that is not necessary for the Ordinary Course of Business, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and does not result from an Obligor's default; (e) the sale of Financed Accounts pursuant to the terms of the Wells Fargo Receivables Purchase Agreement as in effect on the Fifth Amendment Effective Date, (f) the sale of Accounts pursuant to the terms of any agreement entered into after the Fifth Amendment Effective Date allowing for the purchase of Accounts owing to any Borrower, which agreement is acceptable to Agent in its sole discretion, (g) a payment to the COKeM Sellers of any benefits, proceeds, recoveries, and other rights received or payable to COKeM as a result of settlement, adjudication or other resolution of the CokeM Special Litigation Matters pursuant to Section 9.7 of the CokeM Purchase Agreement as in effect on the Fifth Amendment Effective Date, (h) a payment to the CokeM Sellers of the proceeds received by CokeM with respect to the sale of the Specified Financed Accounts under the Wells Fargo Receivables Purchase Agreement, or (i) approved in writing by Agent and Required Lenders.
Permitted Cayman Canadian Dollars Account: the Deposit Account maintained with Wells Fargo bearing account number 7775019669, so long as (a) such Deposit Account does not contain any currency other than Canadian Dollars, (b) at the end of each calendar week, any amounts in excess of Cdn$ 400,000 (minus any pending Automated Clearing House (ACH) or international Automated Clearing House (IACH) transfer amounts, as disclosed by the Borrowers in a report, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, to Agent prior to the end of such calendar week) in such Deposit Account are converted to Dollars and swept to the main Dominion Account at Bank of America, and (c) such Deposit Account is subject to a Deposit Account Control Agreement and the Cayman Account Charge, each in form and substance satisfactory to Agent; provided, however, that within 180 calendar days from the Closing Date, such Deposit Account and the funds on deposit therein shall be maintained with Bank of America or its Affiliates.
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Permitted Cayman Euros Account: the Deposit Account maintained with Wells Fargo bearing account number 7775027787, so long as (a) such Deposit Account does not contain any currency other than Euros, (b) at the end of each calendar week, any amounts in excess of €300,000 (minus any pending Automated Clearing House (ACH) or international Automated Clearing House (IACH) transfer amounts, as disclosed by the Borrowers in a report, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, to Agent prior to the end of such calendar week) in the aggregate in such Deposit Account and in the Permitted UK Euros Account, are converted to Dollars and swept to the main Dominion Account at Bank of America, and (c) such Deposit Account is subject to a Deposit Account Control Agreement and the Cayman Account Charge, each in form and substance satisfactory to Agent; provided, however, that within 180 calendar days from the Closing Date, such Deposit Account and the funds on deposit therein shall be maintained with Bank of America or its Affiliates.
Permitted Cayman Japanese Yen Account: the Deposit Account maintained with Wells Fargo bearing account number 7775019677, so long as (a) such Deposit Account does not contain any currency other than Japanese Yen, (b) at the end of each calendar week, any amounts in excess of ¥20,000,000 (minus any pending Automated Clearing House (ACH) or international Automated Clearing House (IACH) transfer amounts, as disclosed by the Borrowers in a report, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, to Agent prior to the end of such calendar week) in such Deposit Account are converted to Dollars and swept to the main Dominion Account at Bank of America, and (c) such Deposit Account is subject to a Deposit Account Control Agreement and the Cayman Account Charge, each in form and substance satisfactory to Agent; provided, however, that within 180 calendar days from the Closing Date, such Deposit Account and the funds on deposit therein shall be maintained with Bank of America or its Affiliates.
Permitted Contingent Obligations: Contingent Obligations (a) arising from endorsements of Payment Items for collection or deposit in the Ordinary Course of Business; (b) arising from Hedging Agreements permitted hereunder; (c) existing on the Closing Date, and any extension or renewal thereof that does not increase the amount of such Contingent Obligation when extended or renewed; (d) incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business with respect to bid, surety, appeal, statutory, customs or performance bonds, or other similar obligations; (e) arising from customary indemnification obligations in favor of purchasers in connection with dispositions of Equipment permitted hereunder; (f) arising under the Loan Documents; or (g) in an aggregate amount of $1,000,000 or less at any time.
Permitted Discretion: a determination made in the exercise, in good faith, of reasonable business judgment (from the perspective of a secured, asset-based lender).
Permitted Foreign Deposit Accounts: collectively, the Permitted Cayman Canadian Dollars Account, the Permitted Cayman Japanese Yen Account, the Permitted Cayman Euros Account, the Permitted UK Sterling Accounts and the Permitted UK Euros Account.
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Permitted IC-DISC Payments: for any calendar year, two IC-DISC payments to My Worldwide, calculated in accordance with existing practices, so long as: (a) not less than three (3) Business Days prior to the date of the first such payment, a Senior Officer of Borrower Agent shall certify to Agent the amount of each IC-DISC payment to be made in such calendar year and the amount of Debt to be incurred after making each such IC-DISC payment under clauses (f) and (g) below, in each case supported by reasonably detailed calculations, and such amounts to be approved in writing by Agent prior to the making of the first such payment, (b) immediately before and immediately after giving effect to each such payment, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (c) both such payments are made on or before March 31 of such calendar year, (d) the first such payment is in an aggregate amount equal to the approved amount, (e) the second such payment is in an aggregate amount equal to the approved amount, (f) promptly, but in any event within 1 Business Day of the making of the first such payment, Alliance is in receipt of cash proceeds of Debt in an aggregate principal amount of not less than the approved amount, (g) promptly, but in any event within 1 Business Day of the making of the second such payment, Alliance is in receipt of cash proceeds of Debt in an aggregate principal amount of not less than the approved amount, (h) after the making of both such payments and the incurrence of Debt required under clauses (f) and (g) above, Alliance is in receipt of total cash proceeds of Debt required under clauses (f) and (g) above in an aggregate principal amount of not less than the approved amount, (i) promptly, but in any event within 1 Business Day of the receipt by Alliance of the cash proceeds of Debt required under clause (g) above, Alliance will deliver to Agent the applicable IC-DISC Notes issued in connection with the Debt incurred by Alliance under clauses (f) and (g) above, (j) any applicable taxes due on account of any such payment or the resulting dividends to the shareholders of My Worldwide are paid when due, and (k) Borrowers' Excess Availability is equal to or greater than $15,000,000 (A) immediately before and immediately after giving effect to each such payment and (B) calculated on an average daily basis for the 30-day period ending immediately prior to the making of each such payment.
Permitted Lien: as defined in Section 10.2.2.
Permitted Purchase Money Debt: Purchase Money Debt of Borrowers and Subsidiaries that is unsecured or secured only by a Purchase Money Lien, as long as the aggregate amount does not exceed $10,000,000 at any time.
Permitted UK Euros Account: the Deposit Account maintained with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., London Branch bearing account number GB44PNBP16567188001382, so long as (a) such Deposit Account does not contain any currency other than Euros, (b) at the end of each calendar week, any amounts in excess of €300,000 (minus any pending Automated Clearing House (ACH) or international Automated Clearing House (IACH) transfer amounts, as disclosed by the Borrowers in a report, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, to Agent prior to the end of such calendar week) in the aggregate in such Deposit Account and the Permitted Cayman Euros Account, are converted to Dollars and swept to the main Dominion Account at Bank of America, and (c) such Deposit Account is subject to a Deposit Account Control Agreement and UK Account Charge in form and substance satisfactory to Agent; provided, however, that within 180 calendar days from the Closing Date, such Deposit Account and the funds on deposit therein shall be maintained with Bank of America or its Affiliates.
Permitted UK Sterling Accounts: the Deposit Accounts maintained with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., London Branch bearing account numbers GB71PNBP16567188001381 and GB80PNBP16567188002674, so long as (a) such Deposit Accounts do not contain any currency other than Sterling, (b) at the end of each calendar week, any amounts in excess of £300,000 (minus any pending Automated Clearing House (ACH) or international Automated Clearing House (IACH) transfer amounts, as disclosed by the Borrowers in a report, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, to Agent prior to the end of such calendar week) in the aggregate in all such Deposit Accounts are converted to Dollars and swept to the main Dominion Account at Bank of America, (c) each such Deposit Account is subject to a Deposit Account Control Agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, and (d) the Deposit Accounts bearing account numbers GB71PNBP16567188001381 and GB80PNBP16567188002674 are subject to the UK Account Charge, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent; provided, however, that within 180 calendar days from the Closing Date, such Deposit Accounts and the funds on deposit therein shall be maintained with Bank of America or its Affiliates.
Person: any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, association, trust, unincorporated organization, Governmental Authority or other entity.
Plan: any Benefit Plan maintained for employees of an Obligor or ERISA Affiliate, or to which an Obligor or ERISA Affiliate is required to contribute on behalf of its employees.
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Platform: as defined in Section 14.3.3.
PPP Loan: the Debt of COKeM evidenced by the Payment Protection Program Term Note dated as of April 13, 2020, in the original amount of $2,067,100.00, issued by COKeM in favor of PNC Bank, National Association.
Pre-Owned Inventory: Inventory consisting of pre-owned or used games.
Prime Rate: the rate of interest announced by Bank of America from time to time as its prime rate. Such rate is set by Bank of America on the basis of various factors, including its costs and desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above or below such rate. Any change in such rate publicly announced by Bank of America shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the announcement.
Pro Rata: with respect to any Lender, a percentage (rounded to the ninth decimal place) determined (a) by dividing the amount of such Lender's Revolver Commitment by the aggregate outstanding Revolver Commitments; or (b) following termination of the Revolver Commitments, by dividing the amount of such Lender's Loans and LC Obligations by the aggregate outstanding Loans and LC Obligations or, if all Loans and LC Obligations have been paid in full and/or Cash Collateralized, by dividing such Lender's and its Affiliates' remaining Obligations by the aggregate remaining Obligations.
Properly Contested: with respect to any obligation of an Obligor, (a) the obligation is subject to a bona fide dispute regarding amount or the Obligor's liability to pay; (b) the obligation is being properly contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently pursued; (c) appropriate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP; (d) non-payment could not have a Material Adverse Effect, nor result in forfeiture or sale of any assets of the Obligor; (e) no Lien is imposed on assets of the Obligor, unless bonded and stayed to the satisfaction of Agent; and (f) if the obligation results from entry of a judgment or other order, such judgment or order is stayed pending appeal or other judicial review.
Property: any interest in any kind of property or asset, whether real, personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible.
Protection for You: Protection for You Insurance Company, Inc., a Montana corporation.
Protective Advances: as defined in Section 2.1.6.
PTE: a prohibited transaction class exemption issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, as amended from time to time.
Purchase Money Debt: (a) Debt (other than the Obligations) for payment of any of the purchase price of fixed assets; (b) Debt (other than the Obligations) incurred within 30 days before or after the acquisition or completion of construction of any fixed assets, for the purpose of financing any of the purchase price thereof; and (c) any renewals, extensions or refinancings (but not increases) thereof.
Purchase Money Lien: a Lien that secures Purchase Money Debt, encumbering only the fixed assets acquired with such Debt and constituting a Capital Lease or a purchase money security interest under the UCC.
Qualified ECP: an Obligor with total assets exceeding $10,000,000, or that constitutes an "eligible contract participant" under the Commodity Exchange Act and can cause another Person to qualify as an "eligible contract participant" under Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of such act.
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RCRA: the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 6991-6991i).
Real Estate: all right, title and interest (whether as owner, lessor or lessee) in any real Property or any buildings, structures, parking areas or other improvements thereon.
Recipient: Agent, Issuing Bank, any Lender or any other recipient of a payment to be made by an Obligor under a Loan Document or on account of an Obligation.
Refinancing Conditions: (a) the Refinancing Debt is in an aggregate principal amount that does not exceed the principal amount of the Debt being extended, renewed or refinanced; (b) it has a final maturity no sooner than, a weighted average life no less than, and an interest rate no greater than, the Debt being extended, renewed or refinanced; (c) it is subordinated to the Obligations at least to the same extent as the Debt being extended, renewed or refinanced; (d) the representations, covenants and defaults applicable to it are no less favorable to Borrowers than those applicable to the Debt being extended, renewed or refinanced; (e) no additional Lien is granted to secure it; (f) no additional Person is obligated on such Debt; and (g) upon giving effect to it, no Default or Event of Default exists.
Refinancing Debt: Borrowed Money that is the result of an extension, renewal or refinancing of Debt permitted under Section 10.2.1(d) or (f).
Reimbursement Date: as defined in Section 2.3.2.
Relevant Governmental Body: the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or FRBNY, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or FRBNY, or any successor thereto.
Rent and Charges Reserve: the aggregate of (a) all past due rent and other amounts owing by an Obligor to any landlord, warehouseman, processor, repairman, mechanic, shipper, freight forwarder, broker or other Person who possesses any Collateral or could assert a Lien on any Collateral; and (b) a reserve at least equal to three months rent and other charges that could be payable to any such Person, unless it has executed a Lien Waiver.
Report: as defined in Section 12.2.3.
Reportable Event: any event set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA, other than an event for which the 30 day notice period has been waived.
Required Lenders: at any time that there are two or more unaffiliated Secured Parties, two or more unaffiliated Secured Parties holding more than 50% of (a) the aggregate outstanding Revolver Commitments; or (b) after termination of the Revolver Commitments, the aggregate outstanding Loans and LC Obligations or, upon Full Payment of all Loans and LC Obligations, the aggregate remaining Obligations; provided, however, that Commitments, Loans and other Obligations held by a Defaulting Lender and its Affiliates shall be disregarded in making such calculation, but any related Fronting Exposure shall be deemed held as a Loan or LC Obligation by the Lender that funded the applicable Loan or issued the applicable Letter of Credit.
Rescission: as defined in Section 8.5.2.
Resolution Authority: an EEA Resolution Authority or, with respect to any UK Financial Institution, a UK Resolution Authority.
Restricted Investment: any Investment by a Borrower or Subsidiary, other than (a) Investments in Subsidiaries to the extent existing on the Closing Date; (b) Cash Equivalents that are subject to Agent's Lien and control, pursuant to documentation in form and substance satisfactory to Agent; (c) loans and advances permitted under Section 10.2.7; and (d) Permitted Acquisitions.
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Restrictive Agreement: an agreement (other than a Loan Document) that conditions or restricts the right of any Borrower, Subsidiary or other Obligor to incur or repay Borrowed Money, to grant Liens on any assets, to declare or make Distributions, to modify, extend or renew any agreement evidencing Borrowed Money, or to repay any intercompany Debt.
Revolver Commitment: for any Lender and as of any date of measurement, its obligation to make Revolver Loans and to participate in LC Obligations up to the maximum principal amount as of such date shown on Schedule 1.1, as hereafter modified pursuant to Section 2.1.7 or an Assignment to which it is a party. "Revolver Commitments" means the aggregate amount of such commitments of all Lenders.
Revolver Loan: any loan made pursuant to Section 2.1 or as a Swingline Loan.
Revolver Termination Date: September 29, 2023.
Revolver Usage: (a) the aggregate amount of outstanding Revolver Loans; plus (b) the aggregate Stated Amount of outstanding Letters of Credit, except to the extent Cash Collateralized by Borrowers.
Rights: as defined in Section 12.14.
S&P: Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC, a subsidiary of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., or any successor acceptable to Agent.
Sanction: any sanction administered or enforced by the U.S. government (including OFAC), United Nations Security Council, European Union, U.K. government or other sanctions authority.
Scheduled Unavailability Date: as defined in Section 3.6.2.
Seasonal Period: means the period commencing on October 15 of each calendar year and continuing through and including January 15 of the following calendar year.
Secured Bank Product Obligations: Debt, obligations and other liabilities with respect to Bank Products owing by a Borrower or Affiliate of a Borrower to a Secured Bank Product Provider; provided, that Secured Bank Product Obligations of an Obligor shall not include its Excluded Swap Obligations.
Secured Bank Product Provider: (a) Bank of America or any of its Affiliates; and (b) any other Lender or Affiliate of a Lender that is providing a Bank Product, provided such provider delivers written notice to Agent and to Borrowers, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, within 10 days following the later of the Closing Date or creation of the Bank Product, (i) describing the Bank Product and setting forth the maximum amount to be secured by the Collateral and the methodology to be used in calculating such amount, and (ii) agreeing to be bound by Section 12.13.
Secured Parties: Agent, Issuing Bank, Lenders and Secured Bank Product Providers.
Security Documents: the Guaranties, Mortgages, IP Assignments, Deposit Account Control Agreements, the Cayman Account Charge, the UK Account Charge, the Stock Pledge Agreements, and all other documents, instruments and agreements now or hereafter securing (or given with the intent to secure) any Obligations.
Senior Officer: the chairman of the board, president, chief executive officer or chief financial officer of a Borrower or, if the context requires, an Obligor.
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Settlement Report: a report summarizing Revolver Loans and participations in LC Obligations outstanding as of a given settlement date, allocated to Lenders on a Pro Rata basis in accordance with their Revolver Commitments.
Sixth Amendment Effective Date: March 5, 2021.
SOFR: the secured overnight financing rate published on such date by FRBNY.
SOFR Early Opt-in: Agent and Borrower Agent have elected to replace LIBOR pursuant to (a) an Early Opt-in Election and (b) Section 3.6.2(a) and clause (a) of the definition of Benchmark Replacement.
SOFR Adjustment: (a) with respect to Daily Simple SOFR, 0.11448%; and (b) with respect to Term SOFR for a one month interest period, 0.11448%.
SOFR Loan: any Loan that bears interest based on Daily Simple SOFR.
SOFR Revolver Loan: a Revolver Loan that bears interest based on Daily Simple SOFR.
Solvent: as to any Person, such Person (a) owns Property whose fair salable value is greater than the amount required to pay all of its debts (including contingent, subordinated, unmatured and unliquidated liabilities); (b) owns Property whose present fair salable value (as defined below) is greater than the probable total liabilities (including contingent, subordinated, unmatured and unliquidated liabilities) of such Person as they become absolute and matured; (c) is able to pay all of its debts as they mature; (d) has capital that is not unreasonably small for its business and is sufficient to carry on its business and transactions and all business and transactions in which it is about to engage; (e) is not "insolvent" within the meaning of Section 101(32) of the Bankruptcy Code; and (f) has not incurred (by way of assumption or otherwise) any obligations or liabilities (contingent or otherwise) under any Loan Documents, or made any conveyance in connection therewith, with actual intent to hinder, delay or defraud either present or future creditors of such Person or any of its Affiliates. "Fair salable value" means the amount that could be obtained for assets within a reasonable time, either through collection or through sale under ordinary selling conditions by a capable and diligent seller to an interested buyer who is willing (but under no compulsion) to purchase.
Specified Financed Accounts: The Accounts described in clause (i) of the definition of “Financed Accounts” that are in existence as of the Fifth Amendment Effective Date and that are identified in an aging report which was delivered to Agent on the Fifth Amendment Effective Date.
Specified Obligor: an Obligor that is not then an "eligible contract participant" under the Commodity Exchange Act (determined prior to giving effect to Section 5.11).
Spot Rate: the exchange rate, as determined by Agent, that is applicable to conversion of one currency into another currency, which is (a) the exchange rate reported by Bloomberg (or other commercially available source designated by Agent) as of the end of the preceding business day in the financial market for the first currency; or (b) if such report is unavailable for any reason, the spot rate for the purchase of the first currency with the second currency as in effect during the preceding business day in Agent's principal foreign exchange trading office for the first currency
Stated Amount: the outstanding amount of a Letter of Credit, including any automatic increase or tolerance (whether or not then in effect) provided by the Letter of Credit or related LC Documents.
Stock Pledge Agreement: a stock pledge agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, the form and substance of which is reasonably satisfactory to Agent, executed and delivered by each of Walker and Ogilvie to Agent.
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Subordinated Debt: the Debt incurred under the IC-DISC Notes and the COKeM Sellers Notes.
Subsidiary: any entity at least 50% of whose voting securities or Equity Interests is owned by a Borrower or combination of Borrowers (including indirect ownership through other entities in which a Borrower directly or indirectly owns 50% of the voting securities or Equity Interests).
Swap Obligations: with respect to an Obligor, its obligations under a Hedging Agreement that constitutes a "swap" within the meaning of Section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act.
Swingline Loan: any Borrowing of Base Rate Revolver Loans funded with Agent's funds, until such Borrowing is settled among Lenders or repaid by Borrowers.
Taxes: all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.
Technicolor Agreements: collectively, the Technicolor Services Agreement and the Technicolor Security Agreement.
Technicolor Security Agreement: that certain Security Agreement, dated as of March 1, 2016, between Technicolor Home Entertainment Services, Inc. and Technicolor Videocassette of Michigan, Inc., as secured parties, and Mill Creek as debtor, as amended.
Technicolor Services Agreement: that certain Manufacturing and Distribution Services Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2015, between Technicolor Home Entertainment Services, Inc. and Technicolor Videocassette of Michigan, Inc., on the one hand, and Mill Creek, on the other hand, as amended.
Technicolor Subordination Agreement: a Subordination and Support Agreement, to be entered into on or after the Third Amendment Effective Date, between Technicolor Home Entertainment Services, Inc. and Technicolor Videocassette of Michigan, Inc., on the one hand, and Agent, on the other hand, satisfactory in form and substance to Agent.
Term SOFR: for the applicable corresponding tenor (or if any Available Tenor of a Benchmark does not correspond to an Available Tenor for the applicable Benchmark Replacement, the closest corresponding Available Tenor and if such Available Tenor corresponds equally to two Available Tenors of such Benchmark Replacement, the corresponding tenor of the shorter duration shall be applied), the forward-looking term rate based on SOFR that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body.
Term SOFR: for any day, a per annum rate equal to the Term SOFR Screen Rate with a term of one month commencing that day; provided, that in no event shall Term SOFR be less than one quarter of one percent (0.25%).
Term SOFR Screen Rate: the forward-looking SOFR term rate administered by CME (or any successor administrator satisfactory to Agent) and published on the applicable Reuters screen page (or such other commercially available source providing such quotations as may be designated by Agent from time to time).
Third Amendment Effective Date: September 30, 2019.
Transferee: any actual or potential Eligible Assignee, Participant or other Person acquiring an interest in any Obligations.
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Triggering Event: means, as of any date of determination, that (a) a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing as of such date, or (b) Excess Availability is less than, the greater of: (i) an amount equal to 10% of the Borrowing Base for five consecutive Business Days, or (ii) $15,000,000 for five consecutive Business Days.
UCC: the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York or, when the laws of any other jurisdiction govern the perfection or enforcement of any Lien, the Uniform Commercial Code of such jurisdiction.
UK Account Charge: means the English law governed account charge dated on or around the Closing Date, between Alliance and Directtou (as chargors) and Agent with respect to the Permitted UK Euros Account and the Permitted UK Sterling Account.
UK Financial Institution: any BRRD Undertaking (as defined under the PRA Rulebook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Prudential Regulation Authority) or any Person subject to IFPRU 11.6 of the FCA Handbook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, which includes certain credit institutions and investment firms, and certain affiliates of such credit institutions or investment firms.
UK Resolution Authority: the Bank of England or any other public administrative authority having responsibility for the resolution of any UK Financial Institution.
Unfunded Pension Liability: the excess of a Pension Plan's benefit liabilities under Section 4001(a)(16) of ERISA, over the current value of that Pension Plan's assets, determined in accordance with the assumptions used for funding the Pension Plan pursuant to the Code, ERISA or the Pension Protection Act of 2006 for the applicable plan year.
Unused Line Fee Rate: a per annum rate equal to 0.25%.
Upstream Payment: a Distribution by a Subsidiary of a Borrower to such Borrower.
U.S. Person: "United States Person" as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.
U.S. Government Securities Business Day: any Business Day, except any day on which the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, New York Stock Exchange or FRBNY is not open for business because the day is a legal holiday under New York law or U.S. federal law.
U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate: as defined in Section 5.10.2(b)(iii).
Value: (a) for Inventory, its value determined on the basis of the lower of cost or market, calculated on a first-in, first out basis, and excluding any portion of cost attributable to intercompany profit among Borrowers and their Affiliates; and (b) for an Account, its face amount, net of any returns, rebates, discounts (calculated on the shortest terms), credits, allowances or Taxes (including sales, excise or other taxes) that have been or could be claimed by the Account Debtor or any other Person.
Vendor Intercreditor Agreements: each of (a) that certain Intercreditor and Subordination Agreement (letter) dated February 21, 2017 between Warner Home Entertainment Inc. and Agent, (b) that certain Intercreditor and Subordination Agreement (letter) dated February 21, 2017 between Warner/Elektra/Atlantic Corp. and the Agent, (c) that certain Intercreditor and Subordination Agreement (letter) dated February 21, 2017 between Universal Studios Home Entertainment, LLC and Agent, (d) that certain Intercreditor and Subordination Agreement (letter) dated February 21, 2017 between Universal Music Group Distribution, Corp. and Agent, (e) that certain Intercreditor and Subordination Agreement (letter) dated February 21, 2017 between Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment and Agent, and (f) that certain Intercreditor and Subordination Agreement (letter) dated February 21, 2017 between SONY Music Entertainment and its subsidiaries, on the one hand, and Agent, on the other, as the same may be amended or supplemented.
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Walker: Jeffrey C. Walker, an individual.
Wells Fargo: Wells Fargo Bank, National Association.
Wells Fargo Receivables Purchase Agreement: That certain Receivables Purchase Agreement dated as of November 9, 2011, between Wells Fargo and COKeM, related to the purchase of Accounts owing to COKeM by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and Sam’s West, Inc.
Write-Down and Conversion Powers: (a) the write-down and conversion powers of the applicable EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule; or (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, any powers of the applicable Resolution Authority under the Bail-In Legislation to cancel, reduce, modify or change the form of a liability of any UK Financial Institution or any contract or instrument under which that liability arises, to convert all or part of that liability into shares, securities or obligations of that Person or any other Person, to provide that any such contract or instrument is to have effect as if a right had been exercised under it or to suspend any obligation in respect of that liability or any of the powers under that Bail-In Legislation that are related to or ancillary to any of those powers.
1.2 Accounting Terms. Under the Loan Documents (except as otherwise specified therein), all accounting terms shall be interpreted, all accounting determinations shall be made, and all financial statements shall be prepared, in accordance with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with the most recent audited financial statements of Borrowers delivered to Agent before the Closing Date and using the same inventory valuation method as used in such financial statements, except for any change required or permitted by GAAP if Borrowers' certified public accountants concur in such change, the change is disclosed to Agent, and all relevant provisions of the Loan Documents are amended in a manner satisfactory to Required Lenders to take into account the effects of the change.
1.3 Uniform Commercial Code. As used herein, the following terms are defined in accordance with the UCC in effect in the State of New York from time to time: "Account," "Account Debtor," "Chattel Paper," "Commercial Tort Claim," "Deposit Account," "Document," "Equipment," "General Intangibles," "Goods," "Instrument," "Investment Property," "Letter-of-Credit Right" and "Supporting Obligation."
1.4 Certain Matters of Construction. The terms "herein," "hereof," "hereunder" and other words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular section, paragraph or subdivision. Any pronoun used shall be deemed to cover all genders. In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, "from" means "from and including," and "to" and "until" each mean "to but excluding." The terms "including" and "include" shall mean "including, without limitation" and, for purposes of each Loan Document, the parties agree that the rule of ejusdem generis shall not be applicable to limit any provision. Section titles appear as a matter of convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation of any Loan Document. All references to (a) laws include all related regulations, interpretations, supplements, amendments and successor provisions; (b) any document, instrument or agreement include any amendments, waivers and other modifications, extensions or renewals (to the extent permitted by the Loan Documents); (c) any section mean, unless the context otherwise requires, a section of this Agreement; (d) any exhibits or schedules mean, unless the context otherwise requires, exhibits and schedules attached hereto, which are hereby incorporated by reference; (e) any Person include successors and assigns; (f) time of day mean time of day at Agent's notice address under Section 14.3.1; or (g) discretion of Agent, Issuing Bank or any Lender mean the sole and absolute discretion of such Person exercised at any time. All determinations (including calculations of Borrowing Base and financial covenants) made from time to time under the Loan Documents shall be made in light of the circumstances existing at such time. Borrowing Base calculations shall be consistent with historical methods of valuation and calculation, and otherwise satisfactory to Agent (and not necessarily calculated in accordance with GAAP). Borrowers shall have the burden of establishing any alleged negligence, misconduct or lack of good faith by Agent, Issuing Bank or any Lender under any Loan Documents. No provision of any Loan Documents shall be construed against any party by reason of such party having, or being deemed to have, drafted the provision. Reference to a Borrower's "knowledge" or similar concept means actual knowledge of a Senior Officer, or knowledge that a Senior Officer would have obtained if he or she had engaged in good faith and diligent performance of his or her duties, including reasonably specific inquiries of employees or agents and a good faith attempt to ascertain the matter.
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1.5Currency Equivalents.
1.5.1 Calculations. All references in the Loan Documents to Loans, Letters of Credit, Obligations, Borrowing Base components and other amounts shall be denominated in Dollars, unless expressly provided otherwise. The Dollar equivalent of any amounts denominated or reported under a Loan Document in a currency other than Dollars shall be determined by Agent on a daily basis, based on the current Spot Rate. Borrowers shall report Value and other Borrowing Base components to Agent in the currency invoiced by Borrowers (for Accounts) or shown in Borrowers' financial records (for all other assets), and unless expressly provided otherwise, shall deliver financial statements and calculate financial covenants in Dollars. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if an Obligation is funded or expressly denominated in a currency other than Dollars, Borrowers shall repay such Obligation in such other currency.
1.5.2 Judgments. If, in connection with obtaining judgment in any court, it is necessary to convert a sum from the currency provided under a Loan Document ("Agreement Currency") into another currency, the Spot Rate shall be used as the rate of exchange. Notwithstanding any judgment in a currency ("Judgment Currency") other than the Agreement Currency, a Borrower shall discharge its obligation in respect of any sum due under a Loan Document only if, on the Business Day following receipt by Agent of payment in the Judgment Currency, Agent can use the amount paid to purchase the sum originally due in the Agreement Currency. If the purchased amount is less than the sum originally due, such Borrower agrees, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify Agent and Lenders against such loss. If the purchased amount is greater than the sum originally due, Agent shall return the excess amount to such Borrower (or to the Person legally entitled thereto).
1.6 Division. Any reference herein to a merger, transfer, consolidation, amalgamation, assignment, sale, disposition or transfer, or similar term, shall be deemed to apply to a division of or by a limited liability company, or an allocation of assets to a series of a limited liability company (or the unwinding of such a division or allocation) as if it were a merger, transfer, consolidation, amalgamation, assignment, sale, disposition or transfer or similar term, as applicable, to, of or with a separate Person. Any division of a limited liability company shall constitute a separate Person hereunder.
SECTION 2. CREDIT FACILITIES
2.1Revolver Commitment.
2.1.1 Revolver Loans. Each Lender agrees, severally on a Pro Rata basis up to its Revolver Commitment, on the terms set forth herein, to make Revolver Loans to Borrowers from time to time through the Commitment Termination Date. The Revolver Loans may be repaid and reborrowed as provided herein. In no event shall Lenders have any obligation to honor a request for a Revolver Loan if Revolver Usage at such time plus the requested Loan would exceed the Borrowing Base.
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2.1.2 Notes. Loans and interest accruing thereon shall be evidenced by the records of Agent and the applicable Lender. At the request of a Lender, Borrowers shall deliver promissory note(s) to such Lender, evidencing its Loans.
2.1.3 Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of Revolver Loans shall be used by Borrowers solely (a) to satisfy existing Debt; (b) to pay fees and transaction expenses associated with the closing of this credit facility; (c) to pay Obligations in accordance with this Agreement; and (d) for lawful corporate purposes of Borrowers, including working capital. Borrowers shall not, directly or indirectly, use any Letter of Credit or Loan proceeds, nor use, lend, contribute or otherwise make available any Letter of Credit or Loan proceeds to any Subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person, (i) to fund any activities of or business with any Person, or in any Designated Jurisdiction, that, at the time of issuance of the Letter of Credit or funding of the Loan, is the subject of any Sanction; (ii) in any manner that would result in a violation of a Sanction by any Person (including any Secured Party or other individual or entity participating in any transaction); or (iii) for any purpose that would breach the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, UK Bribery Act 2010 or similar law in any jurisdiction.
2.1.4Voluntary Reduction or Termination of Revolver Commitments.
(a) The Revolver Commitments shall terminate on the Revolver Termination Date, unless sooner terminated in accordance with this Agreement. Upon at least 30 days’ prior written notice to Agent at any time after the first Loan Year, Borrowers may, at their option, terminate the Revolver Commitments and this credit facility. Any notice of termination given by Borrowers shall be irrevocable. On the termination date, Borrowers shall make Full Payment of all Obligations.
(b) Borrowers may permanently reduce the Revolver Commitments, on a ratable basis for all Lenders, upon at least 30 days’ prior written notice to Agent, which notice shall specify the amount of the reduction and shall be irrevocable once given. Each reduction shall be in a minimum amount of $5,000,000, or an increment of $1,000,000 in excess thereof.
2.1.5 Overadvances. If Revolver Usage exceeds the Borrowing Base ("Overadvance") at any time, the excess shall be payable by Borrowers on demand by Agent and shall constitute an Obligation secured by the Collateral, entitled to all benefits of the Loan Documents. Agent may require Lenders to fund Base Rate Revolver Loans that cause or constitute an Overadvance and to forbear from requiring Borrowers to cure an Overadvance, as long as the sum of the total Overadvance plus the aggregate amount of Protective Advances, if any, does not exceed 10% of the aggregate Revolver Commitments at any time, and the Overadvance does not continue for more than 30 consecutive days without the consent of Required Lenders. In no event shall Loans be required that would cause Revolver Usage to exceed the aggregate Revolver Commitments. No funding or sufferance of an Overadvance shall constitute a waiver by Agent or Lenders of the Event of Default caused thereby. No Obligor shall be a beneficiary of this Section nor authorized to enforce any of its terms.
2.1.6 Protective Advances. Agent shall be authorized, in its discretion, at any time that any conditions in Section 6 are not satisfied, to make Base Rate Revolver Loans ("Protective Advances") (a) as long as the sum of the aggregate amount of Protective Advances and the total Overadvance, if any, does not exceed 10% of the aggregate Revolver Commitments at any time, if Agent deems such Loans necessary or desirable to preserve or protect Collateral, or to enhance the collectability or repayment of Obligations, as long as such Loans do not cause Revolver Usage to exceed the aggregate Revolver Commitments; or (b) to pay any other amounts chargeable to Obligors under any Loan Documents, including interest, costs, fees and expenses. Lenders shall participate on a Pro Rata basis in Protective Advances outstanding from time to time. Required Lenders may at any time revoke Agent's authority to make further Protective Advances under clause (a) by written notice to Agent. Absent such revocation, Agent's determination that funding of a Protective Advance is appropriate shall be conclusive.
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2.1.7 Increase in Revolver Commitments. Borrowers may request a one-time increase in Revolver Commitments from time to time upon notice to Agent, as long as (a) the requested increase is in a minimum amount of $5,000,000 and is offered on the same terms as existing Revolver Commitments except for a closing fee and an increase in the Applicable Margin, to the extent either is acceptable to Borrowers, and (b) the total increase under this Section does not exceed $10,000,000. Agent shall promptly notify Lenders of the requested increase and, within 10 Business Days thereafter, each Lender shall notify Agent if and to what extent such Lender commits to increase its Revolver Commitment. Any Lender not responding within such period shall be deemed to have declined an increase. If Lenders fail to commit to the full requested increase, Eligible Assignees may issue additional Revolver Commitments and become Lenders hereunder. Agent may allocate, in its discretion, the increased Revolver Commitments among committing Lenders and, if necessary, Eligible Assignees. Provided the conditions set forth in Section 6.2 are satisfied, total Revolver Commitments shall be increased by the requested amount (or such lesser amount committed by Lenders and Eligible Assignees) on a date agreed upon by Agent and Borrower Agent, but no later than 10 days after receipt of such commitments by Lenders and Eligible Assignees. Agent, Borrowers, and new and existing Lenders shall execute and deliver such documents and agreements as Agent deems appropriate to evidence the increase in and allocations of Revolver Commitments and the increase in the Applicable Margin, if any. On the effective date of an increase under this Section 2.1.7, (i) Schedule 1.1 will automatically be revised to provide that the maximum Revolver Commitments (as increased) will be effective during the Seasonal Period each year and will automatically reduce to $175,000,000 at all other times, and (ii) the Revolver Usage and other exposures under the Revolver Commitments shall be reallocated among Lenders, and settled by Agent as necessary, in accordance with Lenders' adjusted shares of such commitments.
2.2[Reserved].
2.3Letter of Credit Facility.
2.3.1 Issuance of Letters of Credit. Issuing Bank shall issue Letters of Credit from time to time until the Commitment Termination Date, on the terms set forth herein, including the following:
(a) Each Borrower acknowledges that Issuing Bank's issuance of any Letter of Credit is conditioned upon Issuing Bank's receipt of a LC Application with respect to the requested Letter of Credit, as well as such other instruments and agreements as Issuing Bank may customarily require for issuance of a letter of credit of similar type and amount. Issuing Bank shall have no obligation to issue any Letter of Credit unless (i) Issuing Bank receives a LC Request and LC Application at least three Business Days prior to the requested date of issuance; (ii) each LC Condition is satisfied; and (iii) if a Defaulting Lender exists, such Lender or Borrowers have entered into arrangements satisfactory to Agent and Issuing Bank to eliminate any Fronting Exposure associated with such Lender. If, in sufficient time to act, Issuing Bank receives written notice from Agent or Required Lenders that a LC Condition has not been satisfied, Issuing Bank shall not issue the requested Letter of Credit. Prior to receipt of any such notice, Issuing Bank shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any failure of LC Conditions.
(b) Letters of Credit may be requested by a Borrower to support obligations incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business, or as otherwise approved by Agent. Increase, renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit shall be treated as issuance of a new Letter of Credit, except that Issuing Bank may require a new LC Application in its discretion.
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(c) Borrowers assume all risks of the acts, omissions or misuses of any Letter of Credit by the beneficiary. In connection with any Letter of Credit, none of Agent, Issuing Bank or any Lender shall be responsible for the existence, character, quality, quantity, condition, packing, value or delivery of any goods purported to be represented by any Documents; any differences or variation in the character, quality, quantity, condition, packing, value or delivery of any goods from that expressed in any Documents; the form, validity, sufficiency, accuracy, genuineness or legal effect of any Documents or of any endorsements thereon; the time, place, manner or order in which shipment of goods is made; partial or incomplete shipment of, or failure to ship, any goods referred to in a Letter of Credit or Documents; any deviation from instructions, delay, default or fraud by any shipper or other Person in connection with any goods, shipment or delivery; any breach of contract between a shipper or vendor and a Borrower; errors, omissions, interruptions or delays in transmission or delivery of any messages, by mail, cable, telegraph, telex, telecopy, e-mail, telephone or otherwise; errors in interpretation of technical terms; the misapplication by a beneficiary of any Letter of Credit or the proceeds thereof; or any consequences arising from causes beyond the control of Issuing Bank, Agent or any Lender, including any act or omission of a Governmental Authority. Borrowers shall take all action to avoid and mitigate any damages relating to any Letter of Credit or claimed against Issuing Bank, Agent or any Lender, including through enforcement of any available rights against a beneficiary. Issuing Bank shall be fully subrogated to the rights and remedies of any beneficiary whose claims against Borrowers are discharged with proceeds of a Letter of Credit. The rights and remedies of Issuing Bank under the Loan Documents shall be cumulative.
(d) In connection with its administration of and enforcement of rights or remedies under any Letters of Credit or LC Documents, Issuing Bank shall be entitled to act, and shall be fully protected in acting, upon any certification, documentation or communication in whatever form believed by Issuing Bank, in good faith, to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by a proper Person. Issuing Bank may use legal counsel, accountants and other experts to advise it concerning its obligations, rights and remedies, and shall be entitled to act upon, and shall be fully protected in any action taken in good faith reliance upon, any advice given by such experts. Issuing Bank may employ agents and attorneys-in-fact in connection with any matter relating to Letters of Credit or LC Documents, and shall not be liable for the negligence or misconduct of agents and attorneys-in-fact selected with reasonable care.
2.3.2 Reimbursement; Participations.
(a) If Issuing Bank honors any request for payment under a Letter of Credit, Borrowers shall pay to Issuing Bank, on the same day ("Reimbursement Date"), the amount paid by Issuing Bank under such Letter of Credit, together with interest at the interest rate for Base Rate Revolver Loans from the Reimbursement Date until payment by Borrowers. The obligation of Borrowers to reimburse Issuing Bank for any payment made under a Letter of Credit shall be absolute, unconditional, irrevocable, and joint and several, and shall be paid without regard to any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit or the existence of any claim, setoff, defense or other right that Borrowers may have at any time against the beneficiary. Whether or not Borrower Agent submits a Notice of Borrowing, Borrowers shall be deemed to have requested a Borrowing of Base Rate Revolver Loans in an amount necessary to pay all amounts due Issuing Bank on any Reimbursement Date and each Lender shall fund its Pro Rata share of such Borrowing whether or not the Commitments have terminated, an Overadvance exists or is created thereby, or the conditions in Section 6 are satisfied.
(b) Each Lender hereby irrevocably and unconditionally purchases from Issuing Bank, without recourse or warranty, an undivided Pro Rata participation in all LC Obligations outstanding from time to time. Issuing Bank is issuing Letters of Credit in reliance upon this participation. If Borrowers do not make a payment to Issuing Bank when due hereunder, Agent shall promptly notify Lenders and each Lender shall within one Business Day after such notice pay to Agent, for the benefit of Issuing Bank, the Lender's Pro Rata share of such payment. Upon request by a Lender, Issuing Bank shall provide copies of Letters of Credit and LC Documents in its possession at such time.
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(c) The obligation of each Lender to make payments to Agent for the account of Issuing Bank in connection with Issuing Bank's payment under a Letter of Credit shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, not subject to any counterclaim, setoff, qualification or exception whatsoever, and shall be made in accordance with this Agreement under all circumstances, irrespective of any lack of validity or unenforceability of any Loan Documents; any draft, certificate or other document presented under a Letter of Credit having been determined to be forged, fraudulent, noncompliant, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect; any waiver by Issuing Bank of a requirement that exists for its protection (and not a Borrower's protection) or that does not materially prejudice a Borrower; any honor of an electronic demand for payment even if a draft is required; any payment of an item presented after a Letter of Credit's expiration date if authorized by the UCC or applicable customs or practices; or any setoff or defense that an Obligor may have with respect to any Obligations. Issuing Bank does not assume any responsibility for any failure or delay in performance or any breach by any Borrower or other Person of any obligations under any LC Documents. Issuing Bank does not make to Lenders any express or implied warranty, representation or guaranty with respect to any Letter of Credit, Collateral, LC Document or Obligor. Issuing Bank shall not be responsible to any Lender for any recitals, statements, information, representations or warranties contained in, or for the execution, validity, genuineness, effectiveness or enforceability of any LC Documents; the validity, genuineness, enforceability, collectability, value or sufficiency of any Collateral or the perfection of any Lien therein; or the assets, liabilities, financial condition, results of operations, business, creditworthiness or legal status of any Obligor.
(d) No Issuing Bank Indemnitee shall be liable to any Lender or other Person for any action taken or omitted to be taken in connection with any Letter of Credit or LC Document except as a result of its gross negligence or willful misconduct. Issuing Bank may refrain from taking any action with respect to a Letter of Credit until it receives written instructions (and in its discretion, appropriate assurances) from the Lenders.
2.3.3 Cash Collateral. Subject to Section 2.1.5, if at any time (a) an Event of Default exists, (b) the Commitment Termination Date occurs, or (c) the Revolver Termination Date is scheduled to occur within 20 Business Days, then Borrowers shall, at Issuing Bank's or Agent's request, Cash Collateralize all outstanding Letters of Credit. Borrowers shall, at Issuing Bank's or Agent's request at any time, Cash Collateralize the Fronting Exposure of any Defaulting Lender. If Borrowers fail to provide any Cash Collateral as required hereunder, Lenders may (and shall upon direction of Agent) advance, as Revolver Loans, the amount of Cash Collateral required (whether or not the Commitments have terminated, an Overadvance exists or the conditions in Section 6 are satisfied).
2.3.4 Resignation of Issuing Bank. Issuing Bank may resign at any time upon notice to Agent and Borrowers, and any resignation of Agent hereunder shall automatically constitute its concurrent resignation as Issuing Bank. From the effective date of such resignation, Issuing Bank shall have no obligation to issue, amend, renew, extend or otherwise modify any Letter of Credit, but shall otherwise continue to have all rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank hereunder relating to any Letter of Credit issued by it prior to such date. Agent shall promptly appoint a replacement Issuing Bank, which, as long as no Default or Event of Default exists, shall be reasonably acceptable to Borrowers.
SECTION 3. INTEREST, FEES AND CHARGES
3.1 Interest.
3.1.1 Rates and Payment of Interest.
(a) The Obligations shall bear interest (i) if a Base Rate Loan, at the Base Rate in effect from time to time, plus the Applicable Margin; (ii) if a LIBOR SOFR Loan, at LIBOR for the applicable Interest Period
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(b) During an Insolvency Proceeding with respect to any Borrower, or during any other Event of Default if Agent or Required Lenders in their discretion so elect, Obligations shall bear interest at the Default Rate (whether before or after any judgment), payable on demand.
(c) Interest shall accrue from the date a Loan is advanced or Obligation is incurred or payable, until paid in full by Borrowers, and shall in no event be less than zero at any time. Interest accrued on the Loans shall be due and payable in arrears, (i) either (A) for LIBOR SOFR Loans, on the last first day of the applicable Interest Periodeach calendar month, or (B) for Base Rate Loans, on the first day of each calendar month; (ii) on any date of prepayment, with respect to the principal amount being prepaid; and (iii) on the Commitment Termination Date. Interest accrued on any other Obligations shall be due and payable as provided in the Loan Documents or, if no payment date is specified, on demand.
3.1.2 Application of LIBOR to Outstanding Loans.
(a) Borrowers may on any Business Day elect to convert any portion of the Base Rate Loans to, or to continue any LIBOR Loan at the end of its Interest Period as, a LIBOR Loan. During any Default or Event of Default, Agent may (and shall at the direction of Required Lenders) declare that no Loan may be made, converted or continued as a LIBOR Loan.
(b) To convert or continue Loans as LIBOR Loans, Borrower Agent shall give Agent Notice of Conversion/Continuation, no later than 11:00 a.m. at least two Business Days before the requested conversion or continuation date. Promptly after receiving any such notice, Agent shall notify each Lender thereof. Each Notice of Conversion/Continuation shall be irrevocable, and shall specify the amount of Loans to be converted or continued, the conversion or continuation date (which shall be a Business Day), and the duration of the Interest Period (which shall be deemed to be 30 days if not specified). If, upon the expiration of any Interest Period for any LIBOR Loan, Borrowers shall have failed to deliver a Notice of Conversion/Continuation, they shall be deemed to have elected to convert such Loan into a Base Rate Loan. Agent does not warrant or accept responsibility for, nor shall it have any liability with respect to, administration, submission or any other matter related to any rate used in determining LIBOR or with respect to any alternate or replacement for or successor to any such rate, any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes, or the effect of any of the foregoing.
3.1.3 Interest Periods. In connection with the making, conversion or continuation of any LIBOR Loans, Borrowers shall select an interest period ("Interest Period") to apply, which interest period shall be 7, 30, 60, or 90 days (if available from all Lenders); provided, however, that:
(a) with respect to an Interest Period of 30, 60, or 90 days, the Interest Period shall begin on the date the Loan is made or continued as, or converted into, a LIBOR Loan, and shall expire on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at its end;
(b) with respect to an Interest Period of 30, 60, or 90 days, if any Interest Period begins on a day for which there is no corresponding day in the calendar month at its end or if such corresponding day falls after the last Business Day of such month, then the Interest Period shall expire on the last Business Day of such month; and if any Interest Period, including an interest period of 7 days, would otherwise expire on a day that is not a Business Day, the period shall expire on the next Business Day; and
(c)no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Revolver Termination Date.
3.1.4 Interest Rate Not Ascertainable. If, due to any circumstance affecting the London interbank market, Agent determines that adequate and fair means do not exist for ascertaining LIBOR on any applicable date or that any Interest Period is not available on the basis provided herein, then Agent shall immediately notify Borrowers of such determination. Until Agent notifies Borrowers that such circumstance no longer exists, the obligation of Lenders to make affected LIBOR Loans shall be suspended and no further Loans may be converted into or continued as such LIBOR Loans.
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3.1.2 Application of SOFR to Loans. Agent does not warrant or accept responsibility for, nor shall it have any liability with respect to, administration, submission or any other matter related to any reference rate referred to herein or with respect to any rate (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the selection of such rate and any related spread or other adjustment) that is an alternate, replacement or successor to such rate (including any Successor Rate), or any component thereof, or the effect of any of the foregoing, or of any Conforming Changes. Agent may select information source(s) in its discretion to ascertain any reference rate referred to herein or any alternative, successor or replacement rate (including any Successor Rate), or any component thereof, in each case pursuant to the terms hereof, and shall have no liability to any Lender, Obligor or other Person for damages of any kind, including direct or indirect, special, punitive, incidental or consequential damages, costs, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise, and whether at law or in equity) for any error or other act or omission related to or affecting the selection, determination or calculation of any rate (or component thereof) provided by such information source(s). During any Default or Event of Default, Agent may (and shall at the direction of Required Lenders) declare that no Loan may be made or continued as a SOFR Loan and that all Loans shall be made as and converted to Base Rate Loans.
3.2Fees.
3.2.1 Unused Line Fee. Borrowers shall pay to Agent, for the Pro Rata benefit of Lenders, a fee equal to the Unused Line Fee Rate times the amount by which the Revolver Commitments exceed the average daily Revolver Usage during any month. Such fee shall be payable in arrears, on the first day of each month and on the Commitment Termination Date.
3.2.2 LC Facility Fees. Borrowers shall pay (a) to Agent, for the Pro Rata benefit of Lenders, a fee equal to the Applicable Margin in effect for LIBOR SOFR Revolver Loans times the average daily Stated Amount of Letters of Credit, which fee shall be payable monthly in arrears, on the first day of each month; (b) to Agent, for its own account, a fronting fee equal to 0.25% per annum on the Stated Amount of each Letter of Credit, which fee shall be payable monthly in arrears, on the first day of each month; and (c) to Issuing Bank, for its own account, all customary charges associated with the issuance, amending, negotiating, payment, processing, transfer and administration of Letters of Credit, which charges shall be paid as and when incurred. During an Event of Default, the fee payable under clause (a) shall be increased by 2% per annum.
3.2.3[Reserved].
3.2.4 Fee Letters. Borrowers shall pay all fees set forth in any fee letter executed in connection with this Agreement.
3.3 Computation of Interest, Fees, Yield Protection. All interest, as well as fees and other charges calculated on a per annum basis, shall be computed for the actual days elapsed, based on a year of 360 days. Each determination by Agent of any interest, fees or interest rate hereunder shall be final, conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error. All fees shall be fully earned when due and shall not be subject to rebate, refund or proration. All fees payable under Section 3.2 are compensation for services and are not, and shall not be deemed to be, interest or any other charge for the use, forbearance or detention of money. A certificate as to amounts payable by Borrowers under Section 3.4, 3.6, 3.7, 3.9 or 5.9, submitted to Borrower Agent by Agent or the affected Lender shall be final, conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error, and Borrowers shall pay such amounts to the appropriate party within 10 days following receipt of the certificate.
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3.4 Reimbursement Obligations. Borrowers shall pay all Extraordinary Expenses promptly upon request. Borrowers shall also reimburse Agent for all legal, accounting, appraisal, consulting, and other fees and expenses incurred by it in connection with (a) negotiation and preparation of any Loan Documents, including any modification thereof; (b) administration of and actions relating to any Collateral, Loan Documents and transactions contemplated thereby, including any actions taken to perfect or maintain priority of Agent's Liens on any Collateral, to maintain any insurance required hereunder or to verify Collateral; and (c) subject to the limits of Section 10.1.1(b), any examination or appraisal with respect to any Obligor or Collateral by Agent's personnel or a third party. All legal, accounting and consulting fees shall be charged to Borrowers by Agent's professionals at their full hourly rates, regardless of any alternative fee arrangements that Agent, any Lender or any of their Affiliates may have with such professionals that otherwise might apply to this or any other transaction. Borrowers acknowledge that counsel may provide Agent with a benefit (such as a discount, credit or accommodation for other matters) based on counsel's overall relationship with Agent, including fees paid hereunder. If, for any reason (including inaccurate reporting in any Borrower Materials), it is determined that a higher Applicable Margin should have applied to a period than was actually applied, then the proper margin shall be applied retroactively and Borrowers shall immediately pay to Agent, for the ratable benefit of Lenders, an amount equal to the difference between the amount of interest and fees that would have accrued using the proper margin and the amount actually paid. All amounts payable by Borrowers under this Section shall be due on demand.
3.5 Illegality. If any Lender determines that any Applicable Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its applicable Lending Office to perform any of its obligations hereunder, to make, maintain, issue, fund or commit to, participate in, or charge applicable interest or fees with respect to any Loan or Letter of Credit, or to determine or charge interest based on LIBOR, or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of such Lender to purchase or sell, or to take deposits of, Dollars in the London interbank marketor fees based on Daily Simple SOFR, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to Agent, (a) any obligation of such Lender to perform such obligations, to make, maintain or , issue, fund the Loan , commit to or participate in the Loan or Letter of Credit (or to charge interest or fees with respect otherwise applicable thereto), or to continue or convert Loans as LIBOR Loans, shall be suspended SOFR Loans, shall be suspended and Borrowers shall make such appropriate accommodations regarding affected Letters of Credit as such Lender may reasonably request, (b) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender to make or maintain Base Rate Loans whose interest rate is determined by reference to Term SOFR, the interest rate applicable to such Lender's Base Rate Loans shall, as necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by Agent without reference to the Term SOFR component of Base Rate, in each case until such Lender notifies Agent that the circumstances giving rise to such Lender's determination no longer exist. Upon delivery of such notice, Borrowers shall prepay the applicable Loan, Cash Collateralize the applicable LC Obligations or, if applicable, convert LIBOR Loan(s) or convert SOFR Loans of such Lender to Base Rate Loan(s), either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain the LIBOR Loan to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain the LIBOR LoanLoans immediately. Upon any such prepayment or conversion of a Loan pursuant to this Section, Borrowers shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted.
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3.6Inability to Determine Rates; Replacement of LIBOR.
3.6.1 Inability to Determine Rate. Agent will promptly notify Borrower Agent and Lenders if, If in connection with any Loan or request with respect to a for a SOFR Loan, (a) Agent determines that (i) Dollar deposits are not being offered to banks in the London interbank Eurodollar market for the applicable Loan amount or Interest Period(which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that (i) no Successor Rate has been determined in accordance with Section 3.6.2, and the circumstances under Section 3.6.2(a) or the Scheduled Unavailability Date has occurred (as applicable), or (ii) adequate and reasonable means do not otherwise exist for determining LIBOR for the Loan or Interest Period (including with respect to calculation of the Base Rate); either Daily Simple SOFR with respect to a proposed SOFR Loan or Term SOFR in connection with an existing or proposed Base Rate Loan, or (b) Agent or Required Lenders determine that for any reason that LIBOR for the Interest Period Daily Simple SOFR with respect to a proposed SOFR Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of funding or maintaining the Loan. Thereafter, Lenders’ obligations to make or maintain affected LIBOR Loans and utilization of the LIBOR component (if affected) such Loan, Agent will promptly so notify Borrowers and Lenders. Thereafter, (x) the obligation of Lenders to make or maintain SOFR Loans shall be suspended (to the extent of the affected SOFR Loans), and (y) in the event of a determination described in the preceding sentence with respect to the Term SOFR component of Base Rate, the utilization of such component in determining Base Rate shall be suspended , in each case until Agent determines (or is instructed (or, in the case of a determination by Required Lenders described above, until Agent upon instruction of Required Lenders) to withdraw the revokes such notice. Upon receipt of such notice, Borrower Agent (I) Borrowers may revoke any pending request for funding, conversion or continuation of a LIBOR Loan a Borrowing or, failing that, will be deemed to have requested a Base Rate Loan, and Agent may (or shall upon request by Required Lenders) immediately convert any affected LIBOR Loan to a Base Rate Loan.converted such request into a request for Base Rate Loans, and (II) any outstanding SOFR Loans immediately shall convert to Base Rate Loans.
3.6.2 Replacement of LIBORSuccessor Rate. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, (a)on March 5, 2021 the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA"), the regulatory supervisor of LIBOR’s administrator ("IBA"), announced in a public statement the future cessation or loss of representativeness of overnight/Spot Next, 1-week, 1-month, 2-month, 3-month, 6-month and 12- month U.S. Dollar LIBOR tenor settings. On the earliest of (i) the date that all Available Tenors of U.S. Dollar LIBOR have if Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error), or Borrower Agent or Required Lenders notify Agent (with, in the case of the Required Lenders, a copy to Borrower Agent) that Borrowers or Required Lenders (as applicable) have determined, that:
(a) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining Daily Simple SOFR, including because Daily Simple SOFR is not available or published on a current basis on the applicable Reuters screen page (or such other commercially available source providing such quotations as may be designated by Agent from time to time), and such circumstances are unlikely to be temporary; or
(b) FRBNY or any successor administrator of Daily Simple SOFR or a Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over Agent, FRBNY or such administrator with respect to its publication of Daily Simple SOFR, in each case acting in such capacity, has made a public statement identifying a specific date after which Daily Simple SOFR will no longer be made available or permitted to be used for determining the interest rate of U.S. dollar denominated syndicated
permanently or indefinitely ceased to be provided by IBA or have been announced by the FCA pursuant to public statement or publication of information to be no longer representative, (ii) June 30, 2023, and (iii) the Early Opt-in Effective Date in respect of a SOFR Early Opt-in, if the then-current Benchmark is LIBOR, the Benchmark Replacement will replace such Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in respect of any setting of such Benchmark on such day and all subsequent settings without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document. If the Benchmark Replacement is Daily Simple SOFR, all interest will be payable on a monthly basis; (b) (i) upon (A) the occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event or (B) a determination by Agent that neither of the alternatives under clause (a) of the definition of Benchmark Replacement are available, the Benchmark Replacement will replace the then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in respect of any Benchmark setting at or after 5:00 p.m. on the fifth Business Day after the date notice of such Benchmark Replacement is provided to Lenders, without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, any Loan Document as long as Agent has not received, by such time, written notice of objection to such Benchmark Replacement from Lenders comprising Required Lenders (and any such objection shall be conclusive and binding absent manifesterror); provided, that solely in the event that the then-current Benchmark at the time of such Benchmark Transition Event is not a SOFR-based rate, the Benchmark Replacement therefor shall be determined in accordance with clause (a) of the definition of Benchmark Replacement unless Agent determines that neither of such alternative rates is available; and (ii) on the Early Opt-in Effective Date in respect of an Other Rate Early Opt-in, the Benchmark Replacement will replace LIBOR for all purposes under the Loan Documents in respect of any setting of such Benchmark on such day and all subsequent settings without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, any Loan Document; and
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(c) at any time that the administrator of the then-current Benchmark has permanently or indefinitely ceased to provide such Benchmark or such Benchmark has been announced by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark pursuant to public statement or publication of information to be no longer representative of the underlying market and economic reality that such Benchmark is intended to measure and that representativeness will not be restored, Borrowers may revoke any request for a borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Loans to be made, converted or continued that would bear interest by reference to such Benchmark until Borrowers' receipt of notice from Agent that a Benchmark Replacement has replaced such Benchmark, and, failing that, Borrowers will be deemed to have converted any such request into a request for a borrowing of or conversion to Base Rate Loans. During the period referenced in the foregoing sentence, the component of Base Rate based on the Benchmark will not be used in any determination of Base Rate.
3.6.3 Conforming Changes. In connection with the implementation and administration of a Benchmark Replacement, Agent will have the right to make Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, any amendments implementing such Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement.
3.6.4 Notice. Agent will promptly notify Borrowers and Lenders of the implementation of any Benchmark Replacement and the effectiveness of any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes. Any determination, decision or election that may be made by Agent pursuant to this Section, including any determination with respect to a tenor, rate or adjustment or of the occurrence or non-occurrence of an event, circumstance or date, and any decision to take or refrain from taking any action, will be conclusive and binding absent manifest error and may be made in its discretion and without consent from any other party hereto, except, in each case, as expressly required pursuant to this Section.
3.6.5 Term Tenors. At any time (including in connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement), (a) if the then-current Benchmark is a term rate (including Term SOFR or LIBOR), Agent may remove any tenor of such Benchmark that is unavailable or non-representative for Benchmark (including Benchmark Replacement) settings; and (b) Agent may reinstate any such previously removed tenor for Benchmark (including Benchmark Replacement) settings.
loans, or shall or will otherwise cease, provided, that at the time of such statement, there is no successor administrator satisfactory to Agent that will continue to provide Daily Simple SOFR after such specific date (the latest date on which Daily Simple SOFR is no longer available permanently or indefinitely, "Scheduled Unavailability Date");
then, on a date and time determined by Agent (any such date, "Daily Simple SOFR Replacement Date"), which date shall be no later than the Scheduled Unavailability Date, Daily Simple SOFR will be replaced hereunder and under any other applicable Loan Document with Term SOFR plus the SOFR Adjustment, for any payment period for interest calculated that can be determined by Agent, in each case, without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, any Loan Document ("Successor Rate").
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Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, (x) if Agent determines that Term SOFR is not available on or prior to the Daily Simple SOFR Replacement Date or (y) if the events or circumstances of the type described in clauses (a) or (b) above have occurred with respect to the Successor Rate then in effect, then in each case, Agent and Borrower Agent may amend this Agreement solely for the purpose of replacing Daily Simple SOFR or any then current Successor Rate in accordance with this Section at the end of any interest period, relevant interest payment date or payment period for interest calculated, as applicable, with an alternative benchmark rate giving due consideration to any evolving or then existing convention for such alternative benchmarks in similar U.S. dollar denominated syndicated credit facilities syndicated and agented in the United States and, in each case, including any mathematical or other adjustments to such benchmark giving due consideration to any evolving or then existing convention for such benchmarks in similar U.S. dollar denominated credit facilities syndicated and agented in the United States, which adjustment or method for calculating such adjustment shall be published on an information service selected by Agent from time to time in its discretion and may be periodically updated. For the avoidance of doubt, any such proposed rate and adjustments shall constitute a Successor Rate. Any such amendment shall become effective at 5:00 p.m. on the fifth Business Day after Agent posts such proposed amendment to all Lenders and Borrowers unless, prior to such time, Required Lenders deliver to Agent written notice that Required Lenders object to the amendment.
Agent will promptly (in one or more notices) notify Borrowers and Lenders of implementation of any Successor Rate. A Successor Rate shall be applied in a manner consistent with market practice; provided, that to the extent market practice is not administratively feasible for Agent, the Successor Rate shall be applied in a manner as otherwise reasonably determined by Agent. Notwithstanding anything else herein, if at any time any Successor Rate as so determined would otherwise be less than zero, the Successor Rate will be deemed to be zero for all purposes of the Loan Documents.
3.7Increased Costs; Capital Adequacy.
3.7.1Increased Costs Generally. If any Change in Law shall:
(a) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, liquidity, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Lender (except any reserve requirement reflected in calculating LIBOR) or Issuing Bank;
(b) subject any Recipient to Taxes (other than (i) Indemnified Taxes, (ii) Taxes described in clauses (b) through (d) of the definition of Excluded Taxes, and (iii) Connection Income Taxes) with respect to any Loan, Letter of Credit, Commitment or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto; or
(c) impose on any Lender, Issuing Bank or interbank market any other condition, cost or expense affecting any Loan, Letter of Credit, participation in LC Obligations, Commitment or Loan Document;
and the result thereof shall be to increase the cost to a Lender of making or maintaining any Loan or Commitment, or converting to or continuing any interest option for a Loan, or to increase the cost to a Lender or Issuing Bank of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit (or of maintaining its obligation to participate in or to issue any Letter of Credit), or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by a Lender or Issuing Bank hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, upon request of such Lender or Issuing Bank, Borrowers will pay to it such additional amount(s) as will compensate it for the additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.
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3.7.2 Capital Requirements. If a Lender or Issuing Bank determines that a Change in Law affecting such Lender or Issuing Bank or its holding company, if any, regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender's, Issuing Bank's or holding company's capital as a consequence of this Agreement, or such Lender's or Issuing Bank's Commitments, Loans, Letters of Credit or participations in LC Obligations or Loans, to a level below that which such Lender, Issuing Bank or holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration its policies with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time Borrowers will pay to such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amounts as will compensate it or its holding company for the reduction suffered.
3.7.3 LIBOR Loan Reserves[Reserved]. If any Lender is required to maintain reserves with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or including Eurocurrency funds or deposits, Borrowers shall pay additional interest to such Lender on each LIBOR Loan equal to the costs of such reserves allocated to the Loan by the Lender (as determined by it in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive). The additional interest shall be due and payable on each interest payment date for the Loan; provided, however, that if the Lender notifies Borrowers (with a copy to Agent) of the additional interest less than 10 days prior to the interest payment date, then such interest shall be payable 10 days after Borrowers' receipt of the notice.
3.7.4 Compensation. Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or Issuing Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of its right to demand such compensation, but Borrowers shall not be required to compensate a Lender or Issuing Bank for any increased costs or reductions suffered more than six months (plus any period of retroactivity of the Change in Law giving rise to the demand) prior to the date that the Lender or Issuing Bank notifies Borrower Agent of the applicable Change in Law and of such Lender's or Issuing Bank's intention to claim compensation therefor.
3.8 Mitigation. If any Lender gives a notice under Section 3.5 or requests compensation under Section 3.7, or if Borrowers are required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts with respect to a Lender under Section 5.9, then at the request of Borrower Agent, such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different Lending Office or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or Affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (a) would eliminate the need for such notice or reduce amounts payable or to be withheld in the future, as applicable; and (b) would not subject the Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to it or unlawful. Borrowers shall pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.
3.9 Funding Losses. If for any reason (a) any Borrowing, conversion or continuation of a LIBOR borrowing of a Loan does not occur on the date specified therefor in a Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation (whether or not withdrawn), (b) any repayment or conversion of a LIBOR Loan occurs on a day other than the end of its Interest Period, (cor (b) Borrowers fail to repay a LIBOR Loan when required hereunder, or (d) a Lender (other than a Defaulting Lender) is required to assign a LIBOR Loan prior to the end of its Interest Period pursuant to Section 13.4, then Borrowers shall pay to Agent its customary administrative charge and to each Lender all losses, expenses and fees arising from redeployment of funds or termination of match funding. For purposes of calculating amounts payable under this Section, a Lender shall be deemed to have funded a LIBOR Loan by a matching deposit or other borrowing in the London interbank market for a comparable amount and period, whether or not the Loan was in fact so funded with respect to such Loan.
3.10 Maximum Interest. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Loan Document, the interest paid or agreed to be paid under the Loan Documents shall not exceed the maximum rate of non-usurious interest permitted by Applicable Law ("maximum rate"). If Agent or any Lender shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the maximum rate, the excess interest shall be applied to the principal of the Obligations or, if it exceeds such unpaid principal, refunded to Borrowers. In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged or received by Agent or a Lender exceeds the maximum rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee or premium rather than interest; (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof; and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations hereunder.
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SECTION 4. LOAN ADMINISTRATION
4.1Manner of Borrowing and Funding Revolver Loans.
4.1.1Notice of Borrowing.
(a) To request Revolver Loans, Borrower Agent shall give Agent a Notice of Borrowing by 11:00 a.m. (i) on the requested funding date , in the case of Base Rate Loans, and (ii) at least two Business Days prior to the requested funding date, in the case of LIBOR Loans. Notices received by Agent after such time shall be deemed received on the next Business Day. Each Notice of Borrowing shall be irrevocable and shall specify (A) the Borrowing amount, and (B) the requested funding date (which must be a Business Day), (C) whether the Borrowing is to be made as a Base Rate Loan or LIBOR Loan, and (D) in the case of a LIBOR Loan, the applicable Interest Period (which shall be deemed to be 30 days if not specified). All Revolver Loans shall be SOFR Loans unless Daily Simple SOFR is unavailable or Agent is otherwise prevented from making or maintaining SOFR Loans pursuant to this Agreement, including, without limitation, pursuant to Section 3.6.2.
(b) Unless payment is otherwise made by Borrowers, the becoming due of any Obligation (whether principal, interest, fees or other charges, including Extraordinary Expenses, LC Obligations, Cash Collateral and Secured Bank Product Obligations) shall be deemed to be a request for a Base Rate Revolver Loan on the due date in the amount due and the Loan proceeds shall be disbursed as direct payment of such Obligation. In addition, Agent may, at its option, charge such amount against any operating, investment or other account of a Borrower maintained with Agent or any of its Affiliates.
(c) If a Borrower maintains a disbursement account with Agent or any of its Affiliates, then presentation for payment in the account of a Payment Item when there are insufficient funds to cover it shall be deemed to be a request for a Base Rate Revolver Loan on the presentation date, in the amount of the Payment Item. Proceeds of the Loan may be disbursed directly to the account.
4.1.2 Fundings by Lenders. Except for Swingline Loans, Agent shall endeavor to notify Lenders of each Notice of Borrowing (or deemed request for a Borrowing) by 12:00 noon on the proposed funding date for a Base Rate Loan or by 2:00 p.m. two Business Days before a proposed funding of a LIBOR SOFR Loan. Each Lender shall fund its Pro Rata share of a Borrowing in immediately available funds not later than 3:00 p.m. on the requested funding date, unless Agent's notice is received after the times provided above, in which case Lender shall fund by 11:00 a.m. on the next Business Day. Subject to its receipt of such amounts from Lenders, Agent shall disburse the Borrowing proceeds in a manner directed by Borrower Agent and acceptable to Agent. Unless Agent receives (in sufficient time to act) written notice from a Lender that it will not fund its share of a Borrowing, Agent may assume that such Lender has deposited or promptly will deposit its share with Agent, and Agent may disburse a corresponding amount to Borrowers. If a Lender's share of a Borrowing or of a settlement under Section 4.1.3(b) is not received by Agent, then Borrowers agree to repay to Agent on demand the amount of such share, together with interest thereon from the date disbursed until repaid, at the rate applicable to the Borrowing. A Lender or Issuing Bank may fulfill its obligations under Loan Documents through one or more Lending Offices, and this shall not affect any obligation of Obligors under the Loan Documents or with respect to any Obligations.
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4.1.3 Swingline Loans; Settlement.
(a) To fulfill any request for a Base Rate Revolver Loan hereunder, Agent may in its discretion advance Swingline Loans to Borrowers, up to an aggregate outstanding amount of 10% of the aggregate Revolver Commitments. Swingline Loans shall constitute Revolver Loans for all purposes, except that payments thereon shall be made to Agent for its own account until Lenders have funded their participations therein as provided below.
(b) Settlement of Loans, including Swingline Loans, among Lenders and Agent shall take place on a date determined from time to time by Agent (but at least weekly, unless the settlement amount is de minimis), on a Pro Rata basis in accordance with the Settlement Report delivered by Agent to Lenders. Between settlement dates, Agent may in its discretion apply payments on Revolver Loans to Swingline Loans, regardless of any designation by Borrowers or anything herein to the contrary. Each Lender hereby purchases, without recourse or warranty, an undivided Pro Rata participation in all Swingline Loans outstanding from time to time until settled. If a Swingline Loan cannot be settled among Lenders, whether due to an Obligor's Insolvency Proceeding or for any other reason, each Lender shall pay the amount of its participation in the Loan to Agent, in immediately available funds, within one Business Day after Agent's request therefor. Lenders' obligations to make settlements and to fund participations are absolute, irrevocable and unconditional, without offset, counterclaim or other defense, and whether or not the Commitments have terminated, an Overadvance exists or the conditions in Section 6 are satisfied.
4.1.4 Notices. If Borrowers request, convert or continue Loans, select interest rates or transfer funds based on telephonic or electronic instructions to Agent, Borrowers shall confirm each such request by prompt delivery to Agent of a Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation, as applicable. Neither Agent nor any Lender shall have any liability for any loss suffered by a Borrower as a result of Agent or any Lender acting upon its understanding of telephonic or electronic instructions from a person believed in good faith to be authorized to give such instructions on a Borrower's behalf.
4.1.5 Conforming Changes. Agent may make Conforming Changes from time to time with respect to SOFR, Daily Simple SOFR or any Successor Rate. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document, any amendment implementing such changes shall be effective without further action or consent of any party to any Loan Document. Agent shall post or provide each such amendment to Lenders and Borrower Agent reasonably promptly after it becomes effective.
4.2Defaulting Lender. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary:
4.2.1 Reallocation of Pro Rata Share; Amendments. For purposes of determining Lenders' obligations or rights to fund, participate in or receive collections with respect to Loans and Letters of Credit (including existing Swingline Loans, Protective Advances and LC Obligations), Agent may in its discretion reallocate Pro Rata shares by excluding a Defaulting Lender's Commitments and Loans from the calculation of shares. A Defaulting Lender shall have no right to vote on any amendment, waiver or other modification of a Loan Document, except as provided in Section 14.1.1(c).
4.2.2 Payments; Fees. Agent may, in its discretion, receive and retain any amounts payable to a Defaulting Lender under the Loan Documents, and a Defaulting Lender shall be deemed to have assigned to Agent such amounts until all Obligations owing to Agent, non-Defaulting Lenders and other Secured Parties have been paid in full. Agent may use such amounts to cover the Defaulting Lender's defaulted obligations, to Cash Collateralize such Lender's Fronting Exposure, to readvance the amounts to Borrowers or to repay Obligations. A Lender shall not be entitled to receive any fees accruing hereunder while it is a Defaulting Lender and its unfunded Commitment shall be disregarded for purposes of calculating the unused line fee under Section 3.2.1. If any LC Obligations owing to a Defaulted Lender are reallocated to other Lenders, fees attributable to such LC Obligations under Section 3.2.2 shall be paid to such Lenders. Agent shall be paid all fees attributable to LC Obligations that are not reallocated.
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4.2.3 Status; Cure. Agent may determine in its discretion that a Lender constitutes a Defaulting Lender and the effective date of such status shall be conclusive and binding on all parties, absent manifest error. Borrowers, Agent and Issuing Bank may agree in writing that a Lender has ceased to be a Defaulting Lender, whereupon Pro Rata shares shall be reallocated without exclusion of the reinstated Lender's Commitments and Loans, and the Revolver Usage and other exposures under the Revolver Commitments shall be reallocated among Lenders and settled by Agent (with appropriate payments by the reinstated Lender, including its payment of breakage costs for reallocated LIBOR Loans) in accordance with the readjusted Pro Rata shares. Unless expressly agreed by Borrowers, Agent and Issuing Bank, or as expressly provided herein with respect to Bail-In Actions and related matters, no reallocation of Commitments and Loans to non-Defaulting Lenders or reinstatement of a Defaulting Lender shall constitute a waiver or release of claims against such Lender. The failure of any Lender to fund a Loan, to make a payment in respect of LC Obligations or otherwise to perform obligations hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations under any Loan Document. No Lender shall be responsible for default by another Lender.
4.3 Number and Amount of LIBOR Loans; Determination of Rate[Reserved]. Each Borrowing of LIBOR Loans when made shall be in a minimum amount of $1,000,000, plus an increment of $100,000 in excess thereof. No more than 10 Borrowings of LIBOR Loans may be outstanding at any time, and all LIBOR Loans having the same length and beginning date of their Interest Periods shall be aggregated together and considered one Borrowing for this purpose. Upon determining LIBOR for any Interest Period requested by Borrowers, Agent shall promptly notify Borrowers thereof by telephone or electronically and, if requested by Borrowers, shall confirm any telephonic notice in writing.
4.4 Borrower Agent. Each Borrower hereby designates Alliance ("Borrower Agent") as its representative and agent for all purposes under the Loan Documents, including requests for and receipt of Loans and Letters of Credit, designation of interest rates, delivery or receipt of communications, delivery of Borrower Materials, payment of Obligations, requests for waivers, amendments or other accommodations, actions under the Loan Documents (including in respect of compliance with covenants), and all other dealings with Agent, Issuing Bank or any Lender. Borrower Agent hereby accepts such appointment. Agent and Lenders shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall be fully protected in relying upon, any notice or communication (including any notice of borrowing) delivered by Borrower Agent on behalf of any Borrower. Agent and Lenders may give any notice or communication with a Borrower hereunder to Borrower Agent on behalf of such Borrower. Each of Agent, Issuing Bank and Lenders shall have the right, in its discretion, to deal exclusively with Borrower Agent for all purposes under the Loan Documents. Each Borrower agrees that any notice, election, communication, delivery, representation, agreement, action, omission or undertaking by Borrower Agent shall be binding upon and enforceable against such Borrower.
4.5 One Obligation. The Loans, LC Obligations and other Obligations constitute one general obligation of Borrowers and are secured by Agent's Lien on all Collateral; provided, however, that Agent and each Lender shall be deemed to be a creditor of, and the holder of a separate claim against, each Borrower to the extent of any Obligations jointly or severally owed by such Borrower.
4.6 Effect of Termination. On the effective date of the termination of all Commitments, the Obligations shall be immediately due and payable, and each Secured Bank Product Provider may terminate its Bank Products. Until Full Payment of the Obligations, all undertakings of Borrowers contained in the Loan Documents shall continue, and Agent shall retain its Liens in the Collateral and all of its rights and remedies under the Loan Documents. Agent shall not be required to terminate its Liens unless it receives Cash Collateral or a written agreement, in each case satisfactory to it, protecting Agent and Lenders from dishonor or return of any Payment Item previously applied to the Obligations. Sections 2.3, 3.4, 3.6, 3.7, 3.9, 5.5, 5.9, 5.10, 12, 14.2, this Section, and each indemnity or waiver given by an Obligor or Lender in any Loan Document, shall survive Full Payment of the Obligations.
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SECTION 5. PAYMENTS
5.1 General Payment Provisions. All payments of Obligations shall be made in Dollars, without offset, counterclaim or defense of any kind, free and clear of (and without deduction for) any Taxes, and in immediately available funds, not later than 12:00 noon on the due date. Any payment after such time shall be deemed made on the next Business Day. Any payment of a LIBOR Loan prior to the end of its Interest Period shall be accompanied by all amounts due under Section 3.9. Borrowers agree that Agent shall have the continuing, exclusive right to apply and reapply payments and proceeds of Collateral against the Obligations, in such manner as Agent deems advisable, but whenever possible, any prepayment of Loans shall be applied first to Base Rate Loans and then to LIBOR SOFR Loans.
5.2 Repayment of Revolver Loans. Revolver Loans shall be due and payable in full on the Revolver Termination Date, unless payment is sooner required hereunder. Revolver Loans may be prepaid from time to time, without penalty or premium. Subject to Section 2.1.5, if an Overadvance exists at any time, Borrowers shall, on the sooner of Agent's demand or the first Business Day after any Borrower has knowledge thereof, repay Revolver Loans in an amount sufficient to reduce Revolver Usage to the Borrowing Base. If any Asset Disposition includes the disposition of Accounts or Inventory, Borrowers shall apply Net Proceeds to repay Revolver Loans equal to the greater of (a) the net book value of such Accounts and Inventory, or (b) the reduction in Borrowing Base resulting from the disposition.
5.3[Reserved].
5.4 Payment of Other Obligations. Obligations other than Loans, including LC Obligations and Extraordinary Expenses, shall be paid by Borrowers as provided in the Loan Documents or, if no payment date is specified, on demand.
5.5 Marshaling; Payments Set Aside. None of Agent or Lenders shall be under any obligation to marshal any assets in favor of any Obligor or against any Obligations. If any payment by or on behalf of Borrowers is made to Agent, Issuing Bank or any Lender, or if Agent, Issuing Bank or any Lender exercises a right of setoff, and any of such payment or setoff is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by Agent, Issuing Bank or a Lender in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other Person, then the Obligation originally intended to be satisfied, and all Liens, rights and remedies relating thereto, shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment or setoff had not occurred.
5.6Application and Allocation of Payments.
5.6.1 Application. Payments made by Borrowers hereunder shall be applied (a) first, as specifically required hereby; (b) second, to Obligations then due and owing; (c) third, to other Obligations specified by Borrowers; and (d) fourth, as determined by Agent in its discretion.
5.6.2 Post-Default Allocation. Notwithstanding anything in any Loan Document to the contrary, during an Event of Default under Section 11.1(j), or during any other Event of Default at the discretion of Agent or Required Lenders, monies to be applied to the Obligations, whether arising from payments by Obligors, realization on Collateral, setoff or otherwise, shall be allocated as follows:
(a) first, to all fees, indemnification, costs and expenses, including Extraordinary Expenses, owing to Agent;
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(b) second, to all other amounts owing to Agent, including Swingline Loans, Protective Advances, and Loans and participations that a Defaulting Lender has failed to settle or fund;
(c)third, to all amounts owing to Issuing Bank;
(d) fourth, to all Obligations (other than Secured Bank Product Obligations) constituting fees, indemnification, costs or expenses owing to Lenders;
(e)fifth, to all Obligations (other than Secured Bank Product Obligations) constituting interest;
(f)sixth, to Cash Collateralize all LC Obligations;
(g) seventh, to all Loans, and to Secured Bank Product Obligations arising under Hedge Agreements (including Cash Collateralization thereof) up to the amount of Reserves existing therefor;
(h)eighth, to all other Secured Bank Product Obligations; and
(i)last, to all remaining Obligations.
Amounts shall be applied to payment of each category of Obligations only after Full Payment of amounts payable from time to time under all preceding categories. If amounts are insufficient to satisfy a category, they shall be paid ratably among outstanding Obligations in the category. Monies and proceeds obtained from an Obligor shall not be applied to its Excluded Swap Obligations, but appropriate adjustments shall be made with respect to amounts obtained from other Obligors to preserve the allocations in each category. Agent shall have no obligation to calculate the amount of any Secured Bank Product Obligation and may request a reasonably detailed calculation thereof from a Secured Bank Product Provider. If the provider fails to deliver the calculation within five days following request, Agent may assume the amount is zero. The allocations set forth in this Section are solely to determine the rights and priorities among Secured Parties, and may be changed by agreement of the affected Secured Parties, without the consent of any Obligor. This Section is not for the benefit of or enforceable by any Obligor, and each Borrower irrevocably waives the right to direct the application of any payments or Collateral proceeds subject to this Section.
5.6.3 Erroneous Application. Agent shall not be liable for any application of amounts made by it in good faith and, if any such application is subsequently determined to have been made in error, the sole recourse of any Lender or other Person to which such amount should have been paid shall be to recover the amount from the Person that actually received it (and, if such amount was received by a Secured Party, the Secured Party agrees to return it).
5.7 Dominion Accounts. The ledger balance in the main Dominion Account as of the end of a Business Day shall be applied to the Obligations at the beginning of the next Business Day. Any resulting credit balance shall not accrue interest in favor of Borrowers and shall be made available to Borrowers as long as no Default or Event of Default exists.
5.8 Account Stated. Agent shall maintain, in accordance with its customary practices, loan account(s) evidencing the Debt of Borrowers hereunder. Any failure of Agent to record anything in a loan account, or any error in doing so, shall not limit or otherwise affect the obligation of Borrowers to pay any amount owing hereunder. Entries made in a loan account shall constitute presumptive evidence of the information contained therein. If any information contained in a loan account is provided to or inspected by any Person, the information shall be conclusive and binding on such Person for all purposes absent manifest error, except to the extent such Person notifies Agent in writing within 30 days after receipt or inspection that specific information is subject to dispute.
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5.9Taxes.
5.9.1Payments Free of Taxes; Obligation to Withhold; Tax Payment.
(a) All payments of Obligations by Obligors shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by Applicable Law. If Applicable Law (as determined by Agent in its discretion) requires the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by Agent or an Obligor, then Agent or such Obligor shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding based on information and documentation provided pursuant to Section 5.10.
(b) If Agent or any Obligor is required by the Code to withhold or deduct Taxes, including backup withholding and withholding taxes, from any payment, then (i) Agent shall pay the full amount that it determines is to be withheld or deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority pursuant to the Code, and (ii) to the extent the withholding or deduction is made on account of Indemnified Taxes, the sum payable by the applicable Obligor shall be increased as necessary so that the Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such withholding or deduction been made.
(c) If Agent or any Obligor is required by any Applicable Law other than the Code to withhold or deduct Taxes from any payment, then (i) Agent or such Obligor, to the extent required by Applicable Law, shall timely pay the full amount to be withheld or deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority, and (ii) to the extent the withholding or deduction is made on account of Indemnified Taxes, the sum payable by the applicable Obligor shall be increased as necessary so that the Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such withholding or deduction been made.
5.9.2 Payment of Other Taxes. Without limiting the foregoing, Borrowers shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with Applicable Law, or at Agent's option, timely reimburse Agent for payment of, any Other Taxes.
5.9.3Tax Indemnification.
(a) Each Borrower shall indemnify and hold harmless, on a joint and several basis, each Recipient against any Indemnified Taxes (including those imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) payable or paid by a Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient, and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. Each Borrower shall indemnify and hold harmless Agent against any amount that a Lender or Issuing Bank fails for any reason to pay indefeasibly to Agent as required pursuant to this Section. Each Borrower shall make payment within 10 days after demand for any amount or liability payable under this Section. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to Borrowers by a Lender or Issuing Bank (with a copy to Agent), or by Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of any Recipient, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(b) Each Lender and Issuing Bank shall indemnify and hold harmless, on a several basis, (i) Agent against any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender or Issuing Bank (but only to the extent Borrowers have not already paid or reimbursed Agent therefor and without limiting Borrowers' obligation to do so), (ii) Agent and Obligors, as applicable, against any Taxes attributable to such Lender's failure to maintain a Participant register as required hereunder, and (iii) Agent and Obligors, as applicable, against any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender or Issuing Bank, in each case, that are payable or paid by Agent or an Obligor in connection with any Obligations, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. Each Lender and Issuing Bank shall make payment within 10 days after demand for any amount or liability payable under this Section. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender or Issuing Bank by Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
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5.9.4 Evidence of Payments. As soon as practicable after payment by an Obligor of any Taxes pursuant to this Section, Borrower Agent shall deliver to Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by the appropriate Governmental Authority evidencing the payment, a copy of any return required by Applicable Law to report the payment or other evidence of payment reasonably satisfactory to Agent.
5.9.5 Treatment of Certain Refunds. Unless required by Applicable Law, at no time shall Agent have any obligation to file for or otherwise pursue on behalf of a Lender or Issuing Bank, nor have any obligation to pay to any Lender or Issuing Bank, any refund of Taxes withheld or deducted from funds paid for the account of a Lender or Issuing Bank. If a Recipient determines in its discretion that it has received a refund of Taxes that were indemnified by Borrowers or with respect to which a Borrower paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section, it shall pay the amount of such refund to Borrowers (but only to the extent of indemnity payments or additional amounts actually paid by Borrowers with respect to the Taxes giving rise to the refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) incurred by such Recipient and without interest (other than interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund). Borrowers shall, upon request by the Recipient, repay to the Recipient such amount paid over to Borrowers (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) if the Recipient is required to repay such refund to the Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no Recipient shall be required to pay any amount to Borrowers if such payment would place it in a less favorable net after-Tax position than it would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. In no event shall Agent or any Recipient be required to make its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes that it deems confidential) available to any Obligor or other Person.
5.9.6 Survival. Each party's obligations under Sections 5.9 and 5.10 shall survive the resignation or replacement of Agent or any assignment of rights by or replacement of a Lender or Issuing Bank, the termination of the Commitments, and the repayment, satisfaction, discharge or Full Payment of any Obligations.
5.10Lender Tax Information.
5.10.1 Status of Lenders. Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments of Obligations shall deliver to Borrowers and Agent properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by Borrowers or Agent as will permit such payments to be made without or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by Borrowers or Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by Applicable Law or reasonably requested by Borrowers or Agent to enable them to determine whether such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, such documentation (other than documentation described in Sections 5.10.2(a), (b) and (d)) shall not be required if a Lender reasonably believes delivery of the documentation would subject it to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice its legal or commercial position.
5.10.2Documentation. Without limiting the foregoing, if any Borrower is a U.S. Person,
(a) Any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to Borrowers and Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender hereunder (and from time to time thereafter upon reasonable request of Borrowers or Agent), executed copies of IRS Form W-9, certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding Tax;
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(b) Any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to Borrowers and Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender hereunder (and from time to time thereafter upon reasonable request of Borrowers or Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:
(i) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party, (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, executed copies of IRS Form W-8BENE establishing an exemption from or reduction of U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the "interest" article of such tax treaty, and (y) with respect to other payments under the Loan Documents, IRS Form W-8BENE establishing an exemption from or reduction of U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the "business profits" or "other income" article of such tax treaty;
(ii)executed copies of IRS Form W-8ECI;
(iii) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate in form satisfactory to Agent to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a "bank" within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a "10 percent shareholder" of a Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or a "controlled foreign corporation" described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code ("U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate"), and (y) executed copies of IRS Form W-8BENE; or
(iv) to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, executed copies of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BENE, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate in form satisfactory to Agent, IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more of its direct or indirect partners is claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate on behalf of each such partner;
(c) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to Borrowers and Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender hereunder (and from time to time thereafter upon reasonable request), executed copies of any other form prescribed by Applicable Law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by Applicable Law to permit Borrowers or Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and
(d) if payment of an Obligation to a Lender would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code), such Lender shall deliver to Borrowers and Agent, at the time(s) prescribed by law and otherwise upon reasonable request, such documentation prescribed by Applicable Law (including Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation as may be appropriate for Borrowers or Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with its obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (d), "FATCA" shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date hereof.
5.10.3 Redelivery of Documentation. If any form or certification previously delivered by a Lender pursuant to this Section expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, such Lender shall promptly update the form or certification or notify Borrowers and Agent in writing of its inability to do so.
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5.11Nature and Extent of Each Borrower's Liability.
5.11.1 Joint and Several Liability. Each Borrower agrees that it is jointly and severally liable for, and absolutely and unconditionally guarantees to Agent and Lenders the prompt payment and performance of, all Obligations, except its Excluded Swap Obligations. Each Borrower agrees that its guaranty obligations hereunder constitute a continuing guaranty of payment and not of collection, that such obligations shall not be discharged until Full Payment of the Obligations, and that such obligations are absolute and unconditional, irrespective of (a) the genuineness, validity, regularity, enforceability, subordination or any future modification of, or change in, any Obligations or Loan Document, or any other document, instrument or agreement to which any Obligor is or may become a party or be bound; (b) the absence of any action to enforce this Agreement (including this Section) or any other Loan Document, or any waiver, consent or indulgence of any kind by Agent or any Lender with respect thereto; (c) the existence, value or condition of, or failure to perfect a Lien or to preserve rights against, any security or guaranty for any Obligations or any action, or the absence of any action, by Agent or any Lender in respect thereof (including the release of any security or guaranty); (d) the insolvency of any Obligor; (e) any election by Agent or any Lender in an Insolvency Proceeding for the application of Section 1111(b)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code; (f) any borrowing or grant of a Lien by any other Borrower, as debtor-in-possession under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code or otherwise; (g) the disallowance of any claims of Agent or any Lender against any Obligor for the repayment of any Obligations under Section 502 of the Bankruptcy Code or otherwise; or (h) any other action or circumstances that might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a surety or guarantor, except Full Payment of the Obligations.
5.11.2Waivers.
(a) Each Borrower expressly waives all rights that it may have now or in the future under any statute, at common law, in equity or otherwise, to compel Agent or Lenders to marshal assets or to proceed against any Obligor, other Person or security for the payment or performance of any Obligations before, or as a condition to, proceeding against such Borrower. Each Borrower waives all defenses available to a surety, guarantor or accommodation co-obligor other than Full Payment of Obligations and waives, to the maximum extent permitted by law, any right to revoke any guaranty of Obligations as long as it is a Borrower. It is agreed among each Borrower, Agent and Lenders that the provisions of this Section 5.11 are of the essence of the transaction contemplated by the Loan Documents and that, but for such provisions, Agent and Lenders would decline to make Loans and issue Letters of Credit. Each Borrower acknowledges that its guaranty pursuant to this Section is necessary to the conduct and promotion of its business, and can be expected to benefit such business.
(b) Agent and Lenders may, in their discretion, pursue such rights and remedies as they deem appropriate, including realization upon Collateral or any Real Estate by judicial foreclosure or nonjudicial sale or enforcement, without affecting any rights and remedies under this Section 5.11. If, in taking any action in connection with the exercise of any rights or remedies, Agent or any Lender shall forfeit any other rights or remedies, including the right to enter a deficiency judgment against any Borrower or other Person, whether because of any Applicable Laws pertaining to "election of remedies" or otherwise, each Borrower consents to such action and waives any claim based upon it, even if the action may result in loss of any rights of subrogation that any Borrower might otherwise have had. Any election of remedies that results in denial or impairment of the right of Agent or any Lender to seek a deficiency judgment against any Borrower shall not impair any other Borrower's obligation to pay the full amount of the Obligations. Each Borrower waives all rights and defenses arising out of an election of remedies, such as nonjudicial foreclosure with respect to any security for Obligations, even though that election of remedies destroys such Borrower's rights of subrogation against any other Person. Agent may bid Obligations, in whole or part, at any foreclosure, trustee or other sale, including any private sale, and the amount of such bid need not be paid by Agent but shall be credited against the Obligations. The amount of the successful bid at any such sale, whether Agent or any other Person is the successful bidder, shall be conclusively deemed to be the fair market value of the Collateral, and the difference between such bid amount and the remaining balance of the Obligations shall be conclusively deemed to be the amount of the Obligations guaranteed under this Section 5.11, notwithstanding that any present or future law or court decision may have the effect of reducing the amount of any deficiency claim to which Agent or any Lender might otherwise be entitled but for such bidding at any such sale.
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5.11.3 Extent of Liability; Contribution.
(a) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, each Borrower's liability under this Section 5.11 shall not exceed the greater of (i) all amounts for which such Borrower is primarily liable, as described in clause (c) below, and (ii) such Borrower's Allocable Amount.
(b) If any Borrower makes a payment under this Section 5.11 of any Obligations (other than amounts for which such Borrower is primarily liable) (a "Guarantor Payment") that, taking into account all other Guarantor Payments previously or concurrently made by any other Borrower, exceeds the amount that such Borrower would otherwise have paid if each Borrower had paid the aggregate Obligations satisfied by such Guarantor Payments in the same proportion that such Borrower's Allocable Amount bore to the total Allocable Amounts of all Borrowers, then such Borrower shall be entitled to receive contribution and indemnification payments from, and to be reimbursed by, each other Borrower for the amount of such excess, ratably based on their respective Allocable Amounts in effect immediately prior to such Guarantor Payment. The "Allocable Amount" for any Borrower shall be the maximum amount that could then be recovered from such Borrower under this Section 5.11 without rendering such payment voidable under Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code or under any applicable state fraudulent transfer or conveyance act, or similar statute or common law.
(c) Section 5.11.3(a) shall not limit the liability of any Borrower to pay or guarantee Loans made directly or indirectly to it (including Loans advanced hereunder to any other Person and then re-loaned or otherwise transferred to, or for the benefit of, such Borrower), LC Obligations relating to Letters of Credit issued to support its business, Secured Bank Product Obligations incurred to support its business, and all accrued interest, fees, expenses and other related Obligations with respect thereto, for which such Borrower shall be primarily liable for all purposes hereunder. Agent and Lenders shall have the right, at any time in their discretion, to condition Loans and Letters of Credit upon a separate calculation of borrowing availability for each Borrower and to restrict the disbursement and use of Loans and Letters of Credit to a Borrower based on that calculation.
(d) Each Obligor that is a Qualified ECP when its guaranty of or grant of Lien as security for a Swap Obligation becomes effective hereby jointly and severally, absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes to provide funds or other support to each Specified Obligor with respect to such Swap Obligation as may be needed by such Specified Obligor from time to time to honor all of its obligations under the Loan Documents in respect of such Swap Obligation (but, in each case, only up to the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred without rendering such Qualified ECP's obligations and undertakings under this Section 5.11 voidable under any applicable fraudulent transfer or conveyance act). The obligations and undertakings of each Qualified ECP under this Section shall remain in full force and effect until Full Payment of all Obligations. Each Obligor intends this Section to constitute, and this Section shall be deemed to constitute, a guarantee of the obligations of, and a "keepwell, support or other agreement" for the benefit of, each Obligor for all purposes of the Commodity Exchange Act.
5.11.4 Joint Enterprise. Each Borrower has requested that Agent and Lenders make this credit facility available to Borrowers on a combined basis, in order to finance Borrowers' business most efficiently and economically. Borrowers' business is a mutual and collective enterprise, and the successful operation of each Borrower is dependent upon the successful performance of the integrated group. Borrowers believe that consolidation of their credit facility will enhance the borrowing power of each Borrower and ease administration of the facility, all to their mutual advantage. Borrowers acknowledge that Agent's and Lenders' willingness to extend credit and to administer the Collateral on a combined basis hereunder is done solely as an accommodation to Borrowers and at Borrowers' request.
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5.11.5 Subordination. Each Borrower hereby subordinates any claims, including any rights at law or in equity to payment, subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, contribution, indemnification or set off, that it may have at any time against any other Obligor, howsoever arising, to the Full Payment of its Obligations.
SECTION 6. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
6.1 Conditions Precedent to Initial Loans. In addition to the conditions set forth in Section 6.2, Lenders shall not be required to fund any requested Loan, issue any Letter of Credit, or otherwise extend credit to Borrowers hereunder, until the date ("Closing Date") that each of the following conditions has been satisfied:
(a) Each Loan Document shall have been duly executed and delivered to Agent by each of the signatories thereto, and each Obligor shall be in compliance with all terms thereof.
(b) Agent shall have received acknowledgments of all filings or recordations necessary to perfect its Liens in the Collateral, as well as UCC and Lien searches and other evidence satisfactory to Agent that such Liens are the only Liens upon the Collateral, except Permitted Liens.
(c)[Reserved].
(d) Agent shall have received certified copies of each note, instrument, or other document to which any of the Borrowers is a party evidencing or securing any of the Subordinated Debt as in effect on the Closing Date.
(e) Agent shall have received duly executed agreements establishing each Dominion Account, in form and substance, and with financial institutions, satisfactory to Agent.
(f) Agent shall have received certificates, in form and substance satisfactory to it, from a knowledgeable Senior Officer of each Borrower certifying that, after giving effect to the initial Loans and transactions hereunder, (i) such Borrower is Solvent; (ii) no Default or Event of Default exists; (iii) the representations and warranties set forth in Section 9 are true and correct; and (iv) such Borrower has complied with all agreements and conditions to be satisfied by it under the Loan Documents.
(g) Agent shall have received a certificate of a duly authorized officer of each Obligor, certifying (i) that attached copies of such Obligor's Organic Documents are true and complete, and in full force and effect, without amendment except as shown; (ii) that an attached copy of resolutions authorizing execution and delivery of the Loan Documents is true and complete, and that such resolutions are in full force and effect, were duly adopted, have not been amended, modified or revoked, and constitute all resolutions adopted with respect to this credit facility; and (iii) to the title, name and signature of each Person authorized to sign the Loan Documents. Agent may conclusively rely on this certificate until it is otherwise notified by the applicable Obligor in writing.
(h) Agent shall have received a written opinion of Sills Cummis & Gross P.C., in form and substance satisfactory to Agent.
(i) Agent shall have received copies of the charter documents of each Obligor, certified by the Secretary of State or other appropriate official of such Obligor's jurisdiction of organization. Agent shall have received good standing certificates for each Obligor, issued by the Secretary of State or other appropriate official of such Obligor's jurisdiction of organization and each jurisdiction where such Obligor's conduct of business or ownership of Property necessitates qualification.
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(j) Agent shall have received copies of policies or certificates of insurance for the insurance policies carried by Borrowers, all in compliance with the Loan Documents.
(k) Agent shall have completed its business, financial and legal due diligence of Obligors, including a roll-forward of its previous field examination, with results satisfactory to Agent. No material adverse change in the financial condition of any Obligor or in the quality, quantity or value of any Collateral shall have occurred since November 30, 2016.
(l)Borrowers shall have paid all fees and expenses to be paid to Agent and Lenders on the Closing Date.
(m) Agent shall have received a Borrowing Base Report as of December 31, 2016. Upon giving effect to the initial funding of Loans and issuance of Letters of Credit, and the payment by Borrowers of all fees and expenses incurred in connection herewith as well as any payables stretched beyond their customary payment practices, Availability shall be at least $25,000,000.
6.2 Conditions Precedent to All Credit Extensions. Agent, Issuing Bank and Lenders shall in no event be required to make any credit extension hereunder (including funding any Loan, arranging any Letter of Credit, or granting any other accommodation to or for the benefit of any Borrower), if the following conditions are not satisfied on such date and upon giving effect thereto:
(a)No Default or Event of Default exists;
(b) The representations and warranties of each Obligor in the Loan Documents are true and correct (except for representations and warranties that relate solely to an earlier date);
(c)All conditions precedent in any Loan Document are satisfied;
(d) No event has occurred or circumstance exists that has or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and
(e)With respect to a Letter of Credit issuance, all LC Conditions are satisfied.
Each request (or deemed request) by a Borrower for any credit extension shall constitute a representation by Borrowers that the foregoing conditions are satisfied on the date of such request and on the date of the credit extension. As an additional condition to a credit extension, Agent may request any other information, certification, document, instrument or agreement as it deems appropriate.
SECTION 7. COLLATERAL
7.1 Grant of Security Interest. To secure the prompt payment and performance of its Obligations, each Borrower hereby grants to Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, a continuing security interest in and Lien upon all personal Property of such Borrower, including all of the following Property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and wherever located:
(a)all Accounts;
(b)all Chattel Paper, including electronic chattel paper;
(c)all Commercial Tort Claims, including those shown on Schedule 9.1.16;
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(d) all Deposit Accounts (including the Permitted Cayman Canadian Dollars Account, the Permitted Cayman Euros Account, the Permitted Cayman Japanese Yen Account, the Permitted UK Euros Account, and the Permitted UK Sterling Account);
(e)all Documents;
(f)all General Intangibles, including Intellectual Property;
(g)all Goods, including Inventory, Equipment and fixtures;
(h)all Instruments;
(i)all Investment Property;
(j)all Letter-of-Credit Rights;
(k)all Supporting Obligations;
(l) all monies, whether or not in the possession or under the control of Agent, a Lender, or a bailee or Affiliate of Agent or a Lender, including any Cash Collateral;
(m) all accessions to, substitutions for, and all replacements, products, and cash and non-cash proceeds of the foregoing, including proceeds of and unearned premiums with respect to insurance policies, and claims against any Person for loss, damage or destruction of any Collateral; and
(n) all books and records (including customer lists, files, correspondence, tapes, computer programs, print-outs and computer records) pertaining to the foregoing.
7.2Lien on Deposit Accounts; Cash Collateral.
7.2.1 Deposit Accounts. To further secure the prompt payment and performance of its Obligations, each Borrower hereby grants to Agent a continuing security interest in and Lien upon all amounts credited to any Deposit Account of such Borrower, including sums in any blocked, sweep or collection account. Each Borrower hereby authorizes and directs each bank or other depository to deliver to Agent, upon request, all balances in any Deposit Account maintained for such Borrower, without inquiry into the authority or right of Agent to make such request.
7.2.2 Cash Collateral. Cash Collateral may be invested, at Agent's discretion (with the consent of Borrowers, provided no Event of Default exists), but Agent shall have no duty to do so, regardless of any agreement or course of dealing with any Borrower, and shall have no responsibility for any investment or loss. As security for its Obligations, each Borrower hereby grants to Agent a security interest in and Lien upon all Cash Collateral delivered hereunder from time to time, whether held in a segregated cash collateral account or otherwise. Agent may apply Cash Collateral to payment of such Obligations as they become due, in such order as Agent may elect. All Cash Collateral and related Deposit Accounts shall be under the sole dominion and control of Agent, and no Borrower or other Person shall have any right to any Cash Collateral until Full Payment of the Obligations.
7.3[Reserved].
7.4Other Collateral.
7.4.1 Commercial Tort Claims. Borrowers shall promptly notify Agent in writing if any Borrower has a Commercial Tort Claim (other than, as long as no Default or Event of Default exists, a Commercial Tort Claim for less than $100,000), shall promptly amend Schedule 9.1.16 to include such claim, and shall take such actions as Agent deems appropriate to subject such claim to a duly perfected, first priority Lien in favor of Agent.
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7.4.2 Certain After-Acquired Collateral. Borrowers shall promptly notify Agent in writing if, after the Closing Date, any Borrower obtains any interest in any Collateral consisting of Deposit Accounts, Chattel Paper, Documents, Instruments, Intellectual Property, Investment Property or Letter-of-Credit Rights and, upon Agent's request, shall promptly take such actions as Agent deems appropriate to effect Agent's duly perfected, first priority Lien upon such Collateral, including obtaining any appropriate possession, control agreement or Lien Waiver. If any Collateral is in the possession of a third party, at Agent's request, Borrowers shall obtain an acknowledgment that such third party holds the Collateral for the benefit of Agent.
7.5 Limitations. The Lien on Collateral granted hereunder is given as security only and shall not subject Agent or any Lender to, or in any way modify, any obligation or liability of Borrowers relating to any Collateral. In no event shall the grant of any Lien under any Loan Document secure an Excluded Swap Obligation of the granting Obligor.
7.6 Further Assurances. All Liens granted to Agent under the Loan Documents are for the benefit of Secured Parties. Promptly upon request, Borrowers shall deliver such instruments and agreements, and shall take such actions, as Agent deems appropriate under Applicable Law to evidence or perfect its Lien on any Collateral, or otherwise to give effect to the intent of this Agreement. Each Borrower authorizes Agent to file any financing statement that describes the Collateral as "all assets" or "all personal property" of such Borrower, or words to similar effect, and ratifies any action taken by Agent before the Closing Date to effect or perfect its Lien on any Collateral.
7.7 Foreign Subsidiary Stock. Notwithstanding Section 7.1, the Collateral shall include only 65% of the voting stock of any Foreign Subsidiary.
SECTION 8. COLLATERAL ADMINISTRATION
8.1 Borrowing Base Reports. By the second Business Day of each calendar week, Borrowers shall deliver to Agent (and Agent shall promptly deliver same to Lenders) a Borrowing Base Report as of the close of business of the previous calendar week, and at such other times as Agent may reasonably request. All information (including calculation of Availability) in a Borrowing Base Report shall be certified by Borrowers. Agent may from time to time adjust such report (a) to reflect Agent's reasonable estimate of declines in value of Collateral, due to collections received in the Dominion Account or otherwise; (b) to adjust advance rates to reflect changes in dilution, quality, mix and other factors affecting Collateral; and (c) to the extent any information or calculation does not comply with this Agreement.
8.2Accounts.
8.2.1 Records and Schedules of Accounts. Each Borrower shall keep accurate and complete records of its Accounts, including all payments and collections thereon, and shall submit to Agent sales, collection, reconciliation and other reports in form satisfactory to Agent, on such periodic basis as Agent may request. Each Borrower shall also provide to Agent, on or before the 20th day of each month, a detailed aged trial balance of all Accounts as of the end of the preceding month, specifying each Account's Account Debtor name and address, amount, invoice date and due date, showing any discount, allowance, credit, authorized return or dispute, and including such proof of delivery, copies of invoices and invoice registers, copies of related documents, repayment histories, status reports and other information as Agent may reasonably request. If Accounts in an aggregate face amount of $100,000 or more cease to be Eligible Accounts, Borrowers shall notify Agent of such occurrence promptly (and in any event within one Business Day) after any Borrower has knowledge thereof.
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8.2.2 Taxes. If an Account of any Borrower includes a charge for any Taxes, Agent is authorized, in its discretion, to pay the amount thereof to the proper taxing authority for the account of such Borrower and to charge Borrowers therefor; provided, however, that neither Agent nor Lenders shall be liable for any Taxes that may be due from Borrowers or with respect to any Collateral.
8.2.3 Account Verification. Whether or not a Default or Event of Default exists, Agent shall have the right at any time, in the name of Agent, any designee of Agent or any Borrower, to verify the validity, amount or any other matter relating to any Accounts of Borrowers by mail, telephone or otherwise. Borrowers shall cooperate fully with Agent in an effort to facilitate and promptly conclude any such verification process.
8.2.4 Maintenance of Dominion Accounts. Borrowers shall maintain Dominion Accounts linked with scanner technology or other arrangements acceptable to Agent. Borrowers shall obtain an agreement (in form and substance satisfactory to Agent) from each Dominion Account bank, establishing Agent's control over and Lien in each Dominion Account, and waiving offset rights of such bank, except for customary administrative charges. Subject to Section 8.5.2, if a Dominion Account is not maintained with Bank of America, Agent may require immediate transfer of all funds in such account to a Dominion Account maintained with Bank of America. Agent and Lenders assume no responsibility to Borrowers for any Dominion Account, including any claim of accord and satisfaction or release with respect to any Payment Items accepted by any bank.
8.2.5 Proceeds of Collateral. Borrowers shall request in writing and otherwise take all necessary steps to ensure that all payments on Accounts or otherwise relating to Collateral are made directly to a Dominion Account via scanner technology. If any Borrower or Subsidiary receives cash or Payment Items with respect to any Collateral, it shall hold same in trust for Agent and promptly (not later than the next Business Day) deposit same into a Dominion Account.
8.3Inventory.
8.3.1 Records and Reports of Inventory. Each Borrower shall keep accurate and complete records of its Inventory, including costs and daily withdrawals and additions, and shall submit to Agent inventory and reconciliation reports in form satisfactory to Agent, on such periodic basis as Agent may request. Each Borrower shall conduct periodic cycle counts consistent with historical practices, and shall provide to Agent a report based on each such count promptly upon completion thereof, together with such supporting information as Agent may request. Agent may participate in and observe each cycle count.
8.3.2 Returns of Inventory. No Borrower shall return any Inventory to a supplier, vendor or other Person, whether for cash, credit or otherwise, unless (a) such return is in the Ordinary Course of Business; (b) no Default, Event of Default or Overadvance exists or would result therefrom; and (c) any payment received by a Borrower for a return is promptly remitted to Agent for application to the Obligations.
8.3.3 Acquisition, Sale and Maintenance. Each Borrower shall take all steps to assure that all Inventory is produced in accordance with Applicable Law, including the FLSA. No Borrower shall sell any Inventory on consignment or approval or any other basis under which the customer may return or require a Borrower to repurchase such Inventory; provided, however, that Alliance Holding and its Subsidiaries may consign their Inventory so long as the Value of all such consigned Inventory does not exceed $6,000,000 in the aggregate at any one time. Borrowers shall use, store and maintain all Inventory with reasonable care and caution, in accordance with applicable standards of any insurance and in conformity with all Applicable Law, and shall make current rent payments (within applicable grace periods provided for in leases) at all locations where any Collateral is located.
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8.4Equipment.
8.4.1 Records and Schedules of Equipment. Each Borrower shall keep accurate and complete records of its Equipment, including kind, quality, quantity, cost, acquisitions and dispositions thereof, and shall submit to Agent, on such periodic basis as Agent may request, a current schedule thereof, in form satisfactory to Agent. Promptly upon request, Borrowers shall deliver to Agent evidence of their ownership or interests in any Equipment.
8.4.2 Dispositions of Equipment. No Borrower shall sell, lease or otherwise dispose of any Equipment, without the prior written consent of Agent, other than (a) a Permitted Asset Disposition; and (b) replacement of Equipment that is worn, damaged or obsolete with Equipment of like function and value, if the replacement Equipment is acquired substantially contemporaneously with such disposition and is free of Liens.
8.4.3 Condition of Equipment. The Equipment is in good operating condition and repair, and all necessary replacements and repairs have been made so that the value and operating efficiency of the Equipment is preserved at all times, reasonable wear and tear excepted. Each Borrower shall ensure that the Equipment is mechanically and structurally sound, and capable of performing the functions for which it was designed, in accordance with manufacturer specifications. No Borrower shall permit any Equipment to become affixed to real Property unless any landlord or mortgagee delivers a Lien Waiver.
8.5Deposit Accounts.
8.5.1 Maintenance of Deposit Accounts. Schedule 8.5.1 shows all Deposit Accounts maintained by Borrowers, including Dominion Accounts. Each Borrower shall take all actions necessary to establish Agent's first priority Lien on each Deposit Account (except accounts exclusively used for payroll, payroll taxes or employee benefits, other disbursement accounts acceptable to Agent, or an account containing not more than $10,000 at any time) (each such Deposit Account, a “Controlled Account”). Borrowers shall be the sole account holders of each Deposit Account and shall not allow any Person (other than Agent and the depository bank) to have control over their Deposit Accounts or any Property deposited therein. Borrowers shall promptly notify Agent of any opening or closing of a Deposit Account and, with the consent of Agent, will amend Schedule 8.5.1 to reflect same.
8.5.2 Sweeps of Controlled Accounts.
(a) with respect to the Controlled Accounts other than the Permitted Foreign Deposit Accounts, the applicable depository bank will forward, by daily sweep, all amounts in such applicable Controlled Account to the main Dominion Account at Bank of America; and
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(b) with respect to the Permitted Foreign Deposit Accounts, upon the instruction of Agent (an “Activation Instruction”), the applicable depository bank will forward by daily sweep all amounts in such applicable Permitted Foreign Deposit Account to the main Dominion Account at Bank of America. Agent agrees not to issue an Activation Instruction with respect to such Permitted Foreign Deposit Accounts unless a Triggering Event has occurred and is continuing at the time such Activation Instruction is issued. Agent agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to rescind an Activation Instruction (the “Rescission”) if: (i) the Triggering Event upon which such Activation Instruction was issued has been waived in writing in accordance with this Agreement, and (ii) no additional Triggering Event has occurred and is continuing prior to the date of the Rescission or is reasonably expected to occur on or immediately after the date of the Rescission. Borrowers shall, (A) with respect to the Permitted Cayman Canadian Dollars Account, cause the applicable depository bank to convert to Dollars and sweep to the main Dominion Account at Bank of America at the end of each calendar week, any amounts in excess of Cdn$400,000 (minus any pending Automated Clearing House (ACH) or international Automated Clearing House (IACH) transfer amounts, as disclosed by the Borrowers in a report, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, to Agent prior to the end of such calendar week) in such Deposit Account, (B) with respect to the Permitted Cayman Japanese Yen Account, cause the applicable depository bank to convert to Dollars and sweep to the main Dominion Account at Bank of America at the end of each calendar week, any amounts in excess of ¥20,000,000 (minus any pending Automated Clearing House (ACH) or international Automated Clearing House (IACH) transfer amounts, as disclosed by the Borrowers in a report, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, to Agent prior to the end of such calendar week) in such Deposit Account, (C) with respect to the Permitted UK Euros Account, cause the depository bank to convert to Dollars and sweep to the main Dominion Account at Bank of America at the end of each calendar week, any amounts in excess of €300,000 (minus any pending Automated Clearing House (ACH) or international Automated Clearing House (IACH) transfer amounts, as disclosed by the Borrowers in a report, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, to Agent prior to the end of such calendar week) in the aggregate in such Deposit Account and the Permitted Cayman Euros Account, (D) with respect to the Permitted Cayman Euros Account, cause the depository bank to convert to Dollars and sweep to the main Dominion Account at Bank of America at the end of each calendar week, any amounts in excess of €300,000 (minus any pending Automated Clearing House (ACH) or international Automated Clearing House (IACH) transfer amounts, as disclosed by the Borrowers in a report, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, to Agent prior to the end of such calendar week) in the aggregate in such Deposit Account and the Permitted UK Euros Account, and (E) with respect to the Permitted UK Sterling Accounts, cause the depository bank to convert to Dollars and sweep to the main Dominion Account at Bank of America at the end of each calendar week, any amounts in excess of £ 300,000 (minus any pending Automated Clearing House (ACH) or international Automated Clearing House (IACH) transfer amounts, as disclosed by the Borrowers in a report, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, to Agent prior to the end of such calendar week) in the aggregate in all such Deposit Accounts.
8.6General Provisions.
8.6.1 Location of Collateral. All tangible items of Collateral, other than Inventory in transit, shall at all times be kept by Borrowers at the business locations set forth in Schedule 8.6.1, except that Borrowers may (a) make sales or other dispositions of Collateral in accordance with Section 10.2.6; and (b) move Collateral to another location in the United States, upon 30 Business Days prior written notice to Agent.
8.6.2 Insurance of Collateral; Condemnation Proceeds.
(a) Each Borrower shall maintain insurance with respect to the Collateral, covering casualty, hazard, theft, malicious mischief, flood and other risks, in amounts, with endorsements and with insurers (with a Best rating of at least A+, unless otherwise approved by Agent in its discretion) satisfactory to Agent. All proceeds under each policy shall be payable to Agent. From time to time upon request, Borrowers shall deliver to Agent the originals or certified copies of its insurance policies and updated flood plain searches. Unless Agent shall agree otherwise, each policy shall include satisfactory endorsements (i) showing Agent as loss payee; (ii) requiring 30 days’ prior written notice to Agent in the event of cancellation of the policy for any reason whatsoever; and (iii) specifying that the interest of Agent shall not be impaired or invalidated by any act or neglect of any Borrower or the owner of the Property, nor by the occupation of the premises for purposes more hazardous than are permitted by the policy. If any Borrower fails to provide and pay for any insurance, Agent may, at its option, but shall not be required to, procure the insurance and charge Borrowers therefor. Each Borrower agrees to deliver to Agent, promptly as rendered, copies of all reports made to insurance companies. While no Event of Default exists, Borrowers may settle, adjust or compromise any insurance claim, as long as the proceeds are delivered to Agent. If an Event of Default exists, only Agent shall be authorized to settle, adjust and compromise such claims.
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(b) Any proceeds of insurance (other than proceeds from workers' compensation or D&O insurance) and any awards arising from condemnation of any Collateral shall be paid to Agent. Any such proceeds or awards that relate to Inventory shall be applied to payment of the Revolver Loans, and then to other Obligations.
8.6.3 Protection of Collateral. All expenses of protecting, storing, warehousing, insuring, handling, maintaining and shipping any Collateral, all Taxes payable with respect to any Collateral (including any sale thereof), and all other payments required to be made by Agent to any Person to realize upon any Collateral, shall be borne and paid by Borrowers. Agent shall not be liable or responsible in any way for the safekeeping of any Collateral, for any loss or damage thereto (except for reasonable care in its custody while Collateral is in Agent's actual possession), for any diminution in the value thereof, or for any act or default of any warehouseman, carrier, forwarding agency or other Person whatsoever, but the same shall be at Borrowers' sole risk.
8.6.4 Defense of Title. Each Borrower shall defend its title to Collateral and Agent's Liens therein against all Persons, claims and demands, except Permitted Liens.
8.7 Power of Attorney. Each Borrower hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints Agent (and all Persons designated by Agent) as such Borrower's true and lawful attorney (and agent-in-fact) for the purposes provided in this Section. Agent, or Agent's designee, may, without notice and in either its or a Borrower's name, but at the cost and expense of Borrowers:
(a) Endorse a Borrower's name on any Payment Item or other proceeds of Collateral (including proceeds of insurance) that come into Agent's possession or control; and
(b) During an Event of Default, (i) notify any Account Debtors of the assignment of their Accounts, demand and enforce payment of Accounts by legal proceedings or otherwise, and generally exercise any rights and remedies with respect to Accounts; (ii) settle, adjust, modify, compromise, discharge or release any Accounts or other Collateral, or any legal proceedings brought to collect Accounts or Collateral; (iii) sell or assign any Accounts and other Collateral upon such terms, for such amounts and at such times as Agent deems advisable; (iv) collect, liquidate and receive balances in Deposit Accounts or investment accounts, and take control, in any manner, of proceeds of Collateral; (v) prepare, file and sign a Borrower's name to a proof of claim or other document in a bankruptcy of an Account Debtor, or to any notice, assignment or satisfaction of Lien or similar document; (vi) receive, open and dispose of mail addressed to a Borrower, and notify postal authorities to deliver any such mail to an address designated by Agent; (vii) endorse any Chattel Paper, Document, Instrument, bill of lading, or other document or agreement relating to any Accounts, Inventory or other Collateral; (viii) use a Borrower's stationery and sign its name to verifications of Accounts and notices to Account Debtors; (ix) use information contained in any data processing, electronic or information systems relating to Collateral; (x) make and adjust claims under insurance policies; (xi) take any action as may be necessary or appropriate to obtain payment under any letter of credit, banker's acceptance or other instrument for which a Borrower is a beneficiary; and (xii) take all other actions as Agent deems appropriate to fulfill any Borrower's obligations under the Loan Documents.
SECTION 9. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
9.1 General Representations and Warranties. To induce Agent and Lenders to enter into this Agreement and to make available the Commitments, Loans and Letters of Credit, each Borrower represents and warrants that:
9.1.1 Organization and Qualification. Each Borrower and Subsidiary is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization. Each Borrower and Subsidiary is duly qualified, authorized to do business and in good standing as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction where failure to be so qualified could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Obligor is an Affected Financial Institution or Covered Entity. The information included in the Beneficial Ownership Certification most recently provided to Agent and each Lender is true and complete in all respects.
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9.1.2 Power and Authority. Each Obligor is duly authorized to execute, deliver and perform its Loan Documents. The execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents have been duly authorized by all necessary action, and do not (a) require any consent or approval of any holders of Equity Interests of any Obligor, except those already obtained; (b) contravene the Organic Documents of any Obligor; (c) violate or cause a default under any Applicable Law or Material Contract; or (d) result in or require imposition of a Lien (other than Permitted Liens) on any Obligor's Property.
9.1.3 Enforceability. Each Loan Document is a legal, valid and binding obligation of each Obligor party thereto, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally.
9.1.4 Capital Structure. Schedule 9.1.4 shows, for each Borrower and Subsidiary, its name, jurisdiction of organization, authorized and issued Equity Interests, holders of its Equity Interests, and agreements binding on such holders with respect to such Equity Interests. Except as disclosed on Schedule 9.1.4, in the five years preceding the Closing Date, no Borrower or Subsidiary has acquired any substantial assets from any other Person nor been the surviving entity in a merger or combination. Each Borrower has good title to its Equity Interests in its Subsidiaries, subject only to Agent's Lien, and all such Equity Interests are duly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. There are no outstanding purchase options, warrants, subscription rights, agreements to issue or sell, convertible interests, phantom rights or powers of attorney relating to Equity Interests of any Borrower or Subsidiary.
9.1.5 Title to Properties; Priority of Liens. Each Borrower and Subsidiary has good and marketable title to (or valid leasehold interests in) all of its Real Estate, and good title to all of its personal Property, including all Property reflected in any financial statements delivered to Agent or Lenders, in each case free of Liens except Permitted Liens. Each Borrower and Subsidiary has paid and discharged all lawful claims that, if unpaid, could become a Lien on its Properties, other than Permitted Liens. All Liens of Agent in the Collateral are duly perfected, first priority Liens, subject only to Permitted Liens that are expressly allowed to have priority over Agent's Liens.
9.1.6 Accounts. Agent may rely, in determining which Accounts are Eligible Accounts, on all statements and representations made by Borrowers with respect thereto. Borrowers warrant, with respect to each Account shown as an Eligible Account in a Borrowing Base Report, that:
(a) it is genuine and in all respects what it purports to be;
(b) it arises out of a completed, bona fide sale and delivery of goods in the Ordinary Course of Business, and substantially in accordance with any purchase order, contract or other document relating thereto;
(c) it is for a sum certain, maturing as stated in the applicable invoice, a copy of which has been furnished or is available to Agent on request;
(d) it is not subject to any offset, Lien (other than Agent's Lien), deduction, defense, dispute, counterclaim or other adverse condition except as arising in the Ordinary Course of Business and disclosed to Agent; and it is absolutely owing by the Account Debtor, without contingency of any kind;
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(e) no purchase order, agreement, document or Applicable Law restricts assignment of the Account to Agent (regardless of whether, under the UCC, the restriction is ineffective), and the applicable Borrower is the sole payee or remittance party shown on the invoice;
(f) no extension, compromise, settlement, modification, credit, deduction or return has been authorized or is in process with respect to the Account, except discounts or allowances granted in the Ordinary Course of Business for prompt payment that are reflected on the face of the invoice related thereto and in the reports submitted to Agent hereunder; and
(g) to the best of Borrowers' knowledge, (i) there are no facts or circumstances that are reasonably likely to impair the enforceability or collectability of such Account; (ii) the Account Debtor had the capacity to contract when the Account arose, continues to meet the applicable Borrower's customary credit standards, is Solvent, is not contemplating or subject to an Insolvency Proceeding, and has not failed, or suspended or ceased doing business; and (iii) there are no proceedings or actions threatened or pending against any Account Debtor that could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Account Debtor's financial condition.
9.1.7 Financial Statements. The consolidated and consolidating balance sheets, and related statements of income, cash flow and shareholders’ equity, of Borrowers and Subsidiaries that have been and are hereafter delivered to Agent and Lenders, are prepared in accordance with GAAP, and fairly present the financial positions and results of operations of Borrowers and Subsidiaries at the dates and for the periods indicated. All projections delivered from time to time to Agent and Lenders have been prepared in good faith, based on reasonable assumptions in light of the circumstances at such time. Since June 30, 2016, there has been no change in the condition, financial or otherwise, of any Borrower or Subsidiary that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No financial statement delivered to Agent or Lenders at any time contains any untrue statement of a material fact, nor fails to disclose any material fact necessary to make such statement not materially misleading. Each Borrower and Subsidiary is Solvent.
9.1.8 Surety Obligations. No Borrower or Subsidiary is obligated as surety or indemnitor under any bond or other contract that assures payment or performance of any obligation of any Person, except as permitted hereunder.
9.1.9 Taxes. Each Borrower and Subsidiary has filed all federal, state and local tax returns and other reports that it is required by law to file, and has paid, or made provision for the payment of, all Taxes upon it, its income and its Properties that are due and payable, except to the extent being Properly Contested. The provision for Taxes on the books of each Borrower and Subsidiary is adequate for all years not closed by applicable statutes, and for its current Fiscal Year.
9.1.10 Brokers. There are no brokerage commissions, finder's fees or investment banking fees payable in connection with any transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents.
9.1.11 Intellectual Property. Each Borrower and Subsidiary owns or has the lawful right to use all Intellectual Property necessary for the conduct of its business, without conflict with any rights of others. There is no pending or, to any Borrower's knowledge, threatened Intellectual Property Claim with respect to any Borrower, any Subsidiary or any of their Property (including any Intellectual Property). Except as disclosed on Schedule 9.1.11, no Borrower or Subsidiary pays or owes any royalty or other compensation to any Person with respect to any Intellectual Property. All Intellectual Property owned, used or licensed by, or otherwise subject to any interests of, any Borrower or Subsidiary, and which has not been abandoned or had its use discontinued by all Borrowers and Subsidiaries, is shown on Schedule 9.1.11.
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9.1.12 Governmental Approvals. Each Borrower and Subsidiary has, is in compliance with, and is in good standing with respect to, all Governmental Approvals necessary to conduct its business and to own, lease and operate its Properties. All necessary import, export or other licenses, permits or certificates for the import or handling of any goods or other Collateral have been procured and are in effect, and Borrowers and Subsidiaries have complied with all foreign and domestic laws with respect to the shipment and importation of any goods or Collateral, except where noncompliance could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
9.1.13 Compliance with Laws. Each Borrower and Subsidiary has duly complied, and its Properties and business operations are in compliance, in all material respects with all Applicable Law, except where noncompliance could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There have been no citations, notices or orders of material noncompliance issued to any Borrower or Subsidiary under any Applicable Law. No Inventory has been produced in violation of the FLSA.
9.1.14 Compliance with Environmental Laws. Except as disclosed on Schedule 9.1.14, no Borrower's or Subsidiary's past or present operations, Real Estate or other Properties are subject to any federal, state or local investigation to determine whether any remedial action is needed to address any environmental pollution, hazardous material or environmental clean-up. No Borrower or Subsidiary has received any Environmental Notice. No Borrower or Subsidiary has any contingent liability with respect to any Environmental Release, environmental pollution or hazardous material on any Real Estate now or previously owned, leased or operated by it.
9.1.15 Burdensome Contracts. No Borrower or Subsidiary is a party or subject to any contract, agreement or charter restriction that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Borrower or Subsidiary is party or subject to any Restrictive Agreement, except as shown on Schedule 9.1.15. No such Restrictive Agreement prohibits the execution, delivery or performance of any Loan Document by an Obligor.
9.1.16 Litigation. Except as shown on Schedule 9.1.16, there are no proceedings or investigations pending or, to any Borrower's knowledge, threatened against any Borrower or Subsidiary, or any of their businesses, operations, Properties, prospects or conditions, that (a) relate to any Loan Documents or transactions contemplated thereby; or (b) could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect if determined adversely to any Borrower or Subsidiary. Except as shown on such Schedule, no Obligor has a Commercial Tort Claim (other than, as long as no Default or Event of Default exists, a Commercial Tort Claim for less than $100,000). No Borrower or Subsidiary is in default with respect to any order, injunction or judgment of any Governmental Authority.
9.1.17 No Defaults. No event or circumstance has occurred or exists that constitutes a Default or Event of Default. Except with respect to the PPP Loan, no Borrower or Subsidiary is in default, and no event or circumstance has occurred or exists that with the passage of time or giving of notice would constitute a default, under any Material Contract or in the payment of any Borrowed Money. Except with respect to the PPP Loan, there is no basis upon which any party (other than a Borrower or Subsidiary) could terminate a Material Contract prior to its scheduled termination date.
9.1.18 ERISA. Except as disclosed on Schedule 9.1.18:
(a) Each Plan is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code, and other federal and state laws. Each Plan that is intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter from the IRS or an application for such a letter is currently being processed by the IRS with respect thereto and, to the knowledge of Borrowers, nothing has occurred which would prevent, or cause the loss of, such qualification. Each Obligor and ERISA Affiliate has met all applicable material requirements under the Code, ERISA and the Pension Protection Act of 2006, and no application for a waiver of the minimum funding standards or an extension of any amortization period has been made with respect to any Plan.
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(b) There are no pending or, to the knowledge of Borrowers, threatened claims, actions or lawsuits, or action by any Governmental Authority, with respect to any Plan that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There has been no prohibited transaction or violation of the fiduciary responsibility rules with respect to any Plan that has resulted in or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Borrower is or will be using "plan assets" (within the meaning of ERISA Section 3(42) or otherwise) of one or more Benefit Plans with respect to its entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, Letter of Credits, Commitments or Loan Documents.
(c) (i) No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (ii) as of the most recent valuation date for any Pension Plan, the funding target attainment percentage (as defined in Section 430(d)(2) of the Code) is at least 60%; and no Obligor or ERISA Affiliate knows of any reason that such percentage could reasonably be expected to drop below 60%; (iii) no Obligor or ERISA Affiliate has incurred any liability to the PBGC except for the payment of premiums, and no premium payments are due and unpaid; (iv) no Obligor or ERISA Affiliate has engaged in a transaction that could be subject to Section 4069 or 4212(c) of ERISA; and (v) no Pension Plan has been terminated by its plan administrator or the PBGC, and no fact or circumstance exists that could reasonably be expected to cause the PBGC to institute proceedings to terminate a Pension Plan.
(d) With respect to any Foreign Plan, (i) all employer and employee contributions required by law or by the terms of the Foreign Plan have been made, or, if applicable, accrued, in accordance with normal accounting practices; (ii) the fair market value of the assets of each funded Foreign Plan, the liability of each insurer for any Foreign Plan funded through insurance, or the book reserve established for any Foreign Plan, together with any accrued contributions, is sufficient to procure or provide for the accrued benefit obligations with respect to all current and former participants in such Foreign Plan according to the actuarial assumptions and valuations most recently used to account for such obligations in accordance with applicable generally accepted accounting principles; and (iii) it has been registered as required and has been maintained in good standing with applicable regulatory authorities.
9.1.19 Trade Relations. There exists no actual or threatened termination, limitation or modification of any business relationship between any Borrower or Subsidiary and any customer or supplier, or any group of customers or suppliers, who individually or in the aggregate are material to the business of such Borrower or Subsidiary. There exists no condition or circumstance that could reasonably be expected to impair the ability of any Borrower or Subsidiary to conduct its business at any time hereafter in substantially the same manner as conducted on the Closing Date.
9.1.20 Labor Relations. Except as described on Schedule 9.1.20, no Borrower or Subsidiary is party to or bound by any collective bargaining agreement, management agreement or consulting agreement. There are no material grievances, disputes or controversies with any union or other organization of any Borrower's or Subsidiary's employees, or, to any Borrower's knowledge, any asserted or threatened strikes, work stoppages or demands for collective bargaining.
9.1.21 Payable Practices. No Borrower or Subsidiary has made any material change in its historical accounts payable practices from those in effect on the Closing Date.
9.1.22 Not a Regulated Entity. No Obligor is (a) an "investment company" or a "person directly or indirectly controlled by or acting on behalf of an investment company" within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940; or (b) subject to regulation under the Federal Power Act, the Interstate Commerce Act, any public utilities code or any other Applicable Law regarding its authority to incur Debt.
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9.1.23 Margin Stock. No Borrower or Subsidiary is engaged, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock. No Loan proceeds or Letters of Credit will be used by Borrowers to purchase or carry, or to reduce or refinance any Debt incurred to purchase or carry, any Margin Stock or for any related purpose governed by Regulations T, U or X of the Board of Governors.
9.1.24 OFAC. No Borrower, Subsidiary, or any director, officer, employee, agent, affiliate or representative thereof, is or is owned or controlled by any individual or entity that is currently the subject or target of any Sanction or is located, organized or resident in a Designated Jurisdiction.
9.1.25 Anti-Corruption Laws. Each Borrower and Subsidiary has conducted its business in accordance with applicable anti-corruption laws and has instituted and maintained policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws.
9.2 Complete Disclosure. No Loan Document contains any untrue statement of a material fact, nor fails to disclose any material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein not materially misleading. There is no fact or circumstance that any Obligor has failed to disclose to Agent in writing that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 10. COVENANTS AND CONTINUING AGREEMENTS
10.1 Affirmative Covenants. As long as any Commitments or Obligations are outstanding, each Borrower shall, and shall cause each Subsidiary to:
10.1.1 Inspections; Appraisals.
(a) Permit Agent from time to time, subject (unless a Default or Event of Default exists) to reasonable notice and normal business hours, to visit and inspect the Properties of any Borrower or Subsidiary, inspect, audit and make extracts from any Borrower's or Subsidiary's books and records, and discuss with its officers, employees, agents, advisors and independent accountants such Borrower's or Subsidiary's business, financial condition, assets, prospects and results of operations. Lenders may participate in any such visit or inspection, at their own expense. Secured Parties shall have no duty to any Obligor to make any inspection, nor to share any results of any inspection, appraisal or report with any Obligor. Borrowers acknowledge that all inspections, appraisals and reports are prepared by Agent and Lenders for their purposes, and Borrowers shall not be entitled to rely upon them.
(b) Reimburse Agent for all its charges, costs and expenses in connection with (i) examinations of Obligors' books and records or any other financial or Collateral matters as it deems appropriate, up to 1 time per Loan Year; and (ii) appraisals of Inventory, up to 1 time per Loan Year; provided, however, that (1) Borrowers shall reimburse Agent for all its charges, costs, and expenses in connection with a second such examination (as described in clause 10.1.1(b)(i)) in any Loan Year and a second (or in Agent’s discretion a third) such appraisal of Inventory in any Loan Year to the extent any such additional examination or appraisal is initiated at a time when Excess Availability is less than the greater of: (i) an amount equal to 15% of the Borrowing Base for five consecutive Business Days, or (ii) $26,250,000 for five consecutive Business Days; and provided further, however, if an examination or appraisal is initiated during a Default or Event of Default, all charges, costs and expenses relating thereto shall be reimbursed by Borrowers without regard to such limits. Borrowers shall pay Agent's then standard charges for examination activities, including charges for its internal examination and appraisal groups, as well as the charges of any third party used for such purposes. No Borrowing Base calculation shall include Collateral acquired in a Permitted Acquisition (except for the COKeM Acquisition), or otherwise outside the Ordinary Course of Business until completion of applicable field examinations and appraisals (which shall not be included in the limits provided above) satisfactory to Agent.
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10.1.2 Financial and Other Information. Keep adequate records and books of account with respect to its business activities, in which proper entries are made in accordance with GAAP reflecting all financial transactions; and furnish to Agent and Lenders:
(a) as soon as available, and in any event within 120 days after the close of each Fiscal Year, balance sheets as of the end of such Fiscal Year and the related statements of income, cash flow and shareholders’ equity for such Fiscal Year, on consolidated and consolidating bases for Borrowers and Subsidiaries, which consolidated statements shall be audited and certified (without qualification) by a firm of independent certified public accountants of recognized standing selected by Borrowers and acceptable to Agent, and shall set forth in comparative form corresponding figures for the preceding Fiscal Year and other information acceptable to Agent;
(b) as soon as available, and in any event within 30 days after the end of each month (but within 45 days after the last month in a Fiscal Year), unaudited balance sheets as of the end of such month and the related statements of income and cash flow for such month and for the portion of the Fiscal Year then elapsed, on consolidated and consolidating bases for Borrowers and Subsidiaries, setting forth in comparative form corresponding figures for the preceding Fiscal Year and certified by the chief financial officer of Borrower Agent as prepared in accordance with GAAP and fairly presenting the financial position and results of operations for such month and period, subject to normal year-end adjustments and the absence of footnotes;
(c) concurrently with delivery of financial statements under clauses (a) and (b) above, or more frequently if requested by Agent while a Default or Event of Default exists, a Compliance Certificate executed by the chief financial officer of Borrower Agent;
(d) concurrently with delivery of financial statements under clause (a) above, copies of all management letters and other material reports submitted to Borrowers by their accountants in connection with such financial statements;
(e) not later than 30 days after the end of each Fiscal Year, projections of Borrowers' consolidated balance sheets, results of operations, cash flow and Availability for such Fiscal Year, month by month, and for the next three Fiscal Years, year by year;
(f) at Agent's request, a listing of each Borrower's trade payables, specifying the trade creditor and balance due, and a detailed trade payable aging, all in form satisfactory to Agent;
(g) promptly after the sending or filing thereof, copies of any proxy statements, financial statements or reports that any Borrower has made generally available to its shareholders; copies of any regular, periodic and special reports or registration statements or prospectuses that any Borrower files with the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other Governmental Authority, or any securities exchange; and copies of any press releases or other statements made available by a Borrower to the public concerning material changes to or developments in the business of such Borrower;
(h) promptly after the sending or filing thereof, copies of any annual report to be filed in connection with each Plan or Foreign Plan;
(i) such other reports and information (financial or otherwise) as Agent may request from time to time in connection with any Collateral or any Borrower's, Subsidiary's or other Obligor's financial condition or business;
(j) as soon as available, and in any event within 120 days after the close of each Fiscal Year, financial statements for each Guarantor, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent; and
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(k) each of the financial statements, reports, and other items set forth on Schedule 10.1.2 no later than the times specified therein, in each case in form and substance satisfactory to Agent.
10.1.3 Notices. Notify Agent and Lenders in writing, promptly after a Borrower's obtaining knowledge thereof, of any of the following that affects an Obligor: (a) the threat or commencement of any proceeding or investigation, whether or not covered by insurance, if an adverse determination could have a Material Adverse Effect; (b) any pending or threatened labor dispute, strike or walkout, or the expiration of any material labor contract; (c) any default under or termination of a Material Contract; (d) the existence of any Default or Event of Default; (e) any judgment in an amount exceeding $500,000; (f) the assertion of any Intellectual Property Claim, if an adverse resolution could have a Material Adverse Effect; (g) any violation or asserted violation of any Applicable Law (including ERISA, OSHA, FLSA, or any Environmental Laws), if an adverse resolution could have a Material Adverse Effect; (h) any Environmental Release by an Obligor or on any Property owned, leased or occupied by an Obligor; or receipt of any Environmental Notice; (i) the occurrence of any ERISA Event that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (j) the discharge of or any withdrawal or resignation by Borrowers' independent accountants; or (k) any opening of a new office or place of business, at least 30 days prior to such opening.
10.1.4 Landlord and Storage Agreements. Upon request, provide Agent with copies of all existing agreements, and promptly after execution thereof provide Agent with copies of all future agreements, between an Obligor and any landlord, warehouseman, processor, shipper, bailee or other Person that owns any premises at which any Collateral may be kept or that otherwise may possess or handle any Collateral.
10.1.5 Compliance with Laws. Comply with all Applicable Laws, including ERISA, Environmental Laws, FLSA, OSHA, Anti-Terrorism Laws, and laws regarding collection and payment of Taxes, and maintain all Governmental Approvals necessary to the ownership of its Properties or conduct of its business, unless failure to comply (other than failure to comply with Anti-Terrorism Laws) or maintain could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if any Environmental Release occurs at or on any Properties of any Borrower or Subsidiary, it shall act promptly and diligently to investigate and report to Agent and all appropriate Governmental Authorities the extent of, and to make appropriate remedial action to eliminate, such Environmental Release, whether or not directed to do so by any Governmental Authority.
10.1.6 Taxes. Pay and discharge all Taxes prior to the date on which they become delinquent or penalties attach, unless such Taxes are being Properly Contested.
10.1.7 Insurance. In addition to the insurance required hereunder with respect to Collateral, maintain insurance with insurers (with a Best rating of at least A+, unless otherwise approved by Agent in its discretion) satisfactory to Agent, (a) with respect to the Properties and business of Borrowers and Subsidiaries of such type (including product liability, workers' compensation, larceny, embezzlement, or other criminal misappropriation insurance), in such amounts, and with such coverages and deductibles as are customary for companies similarly situated; and (b) business interruption insurance in an amount not less than $10,000,000, with deductibles and subject to an endorsement or assignment satisfactory to Agent. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 10.1.7 to the contrary, Airlie Protection and Protection for You may provide the categories of insurance set forth on Schedule 10.1.7.
10.1.8 Licenses. Keep each material License affecting any Collateral (including the manufacture, distribution or disposition of Inventory) or any other material Property of Borrowers and Subsidiaries in full force and effect; promptly notify Agent of any proposed modification to any such License, or entry into any new material License, in each case at least 30 days prior to its effective date; pay all royalties and other amounts when due under any License; and notify Agent of any default or breach asserted by any Person to have occurred under any material License.
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10.1.9 Future Subsidiaries. Promptly notify Agent upon any Person becoming a Subsidiary and, if such Person is not a Foreign Subsidiary, cause it to guaranty the Obligations in a manner satisfactory to Agent, and to execute and deliver such documents, instruments and agreements and to take such other actions as Agent shall require to evidence and perfect a Lien in favor of Agent on all assets of such Person, including delivery of such legal opinions, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, as it shall deem appropriate.
10.1.10 [Reserved].
10.1.11 Anti-Corruption Laws. Conduct its business in compliance with applicable anti-corruption laws and maintain policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws.
10.2 Negative Covenants. As long as any Commitments or Obligations are outstanding, each Borrower shall not, and shall cause each Subsidiary not to:
10.2.1Permitted Debt. Create, incur, guarantee or suffer to exist any Debt, except:
(a)the Obligations;
(b)[reserved];
(c)Permitted Purchase Money Debt;
(d) Borrowed Money (other than the Obligations, Subordinated Debt and Permitted Purchase Money Debt), but only to the extent outstanding on the Closing Date and not satisfied with proceeds of the initial Loans;
(e)Debt with respect to Bank Products incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business;
(f) Debt that is in existence when a Person becomes a Subsidiary or that is secured by an asset when acquired by a Borrower or Subsidiary in a Permitted Acquisition, as long as such Debt was not incurred in contemplation of such Person becoming a Subsidiary or such acquisition, and does not exceed $5,000,000 in the aggregate at any time;
(g)Permitted Contingent Obligations;
(h) Debt owing to sellers of assets or Equity Interests to Alliance Holding or any of its Subsidiaries that is incurred by Alliance Holding or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the consummation of one or more Permitted Acquisitions so long as (i) it is not secured by a Lien, (ii) the aggregate principal amount of all such Debt does not exceed $10,000,000 at any one time outstanding, (iii) is subordinated to the Obligations on terms and conditions reasonably acceptable to Agent, and (iv) is otherwise on terms and conditions (including all economic terms and the absence of covenants) reasonably acceptable to Agent;
(i)[reserved]
(j)[reserved]
(k) Subject to the terms of the IC-DISC Subordination Agreements, unsecured Debt of Alliance under any IC-DISC Notes incurred after the Fifth Amendment Effective Date pursuant to clauses (f) and (g) of the definition of “Permitted IC-DISC Payments”;
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(l)Refinancing Debt as long as each Refinancing Condition is satisfied;
(m)[reserved]
(n) Debt of Panther with respect to the “Earn Out Payment” (as defined in the Mecca Earn Out Agreement, as in effect on April 30, 2018);
(o)Debt of Alliance with respect to the “Earn Out Payments” (as defined in the MCE Earn Out Agreement);
(p) Debt of Mill Creek with respect to the Incentive Fee and the Supplemental Incentive Fees as those terms are defined in the Technicolor Services Agreement as the same is in effect on the Third Amendment Effective Date; in an aggregate amount of all such Incentive Fees not to exceed $500,000 at any one time;
(q) Subject to the terms of the COKeM Sellers Subordination Agreement, Debt of Panther under the COKeM Sellers Notes in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $8,500,000 from the Fifth Amendment Effective Date until March 31, 2021 and $6,000,000 thereafter;
(r) Debt of Panther with respect to any upward adjustment resulting from the COKeM Purchase Price Adjustment;
(s) Debt of COKeM with respect to payments due to Charles Bond under the COKeM Independent Contractor Agreement in an aggregate amount not to exceed $3,000,000;
(t)Debt of COKeM in respect of the PPP Loan; and
(u) Debt that is not included in any of the preceding clauses of this Section, so long as (i) it is not secured by a Lien and (ii) the aggregate principal amount of all such Debt does not exceed $2,500,000 at any one time outstanding.
10.2.2 Permitted Liens. Create or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its Property, except the following (collectively, "Permitted Liens"):
(a)Liens in favor of Agent;
(b)Purchase Money Liens securing Permitted Purchase Money Debt;
(c)Liens for Taxes not yet due or being Properly Contested;
(d) statutory Liens (other than Liens for Taxes or imposed under ERISA) arising in the Ordinary Course of Business, but only if (i) payment of the obligations secured thereby is not yet due or is being Properly Contested, and (ii) such Liens do not materially impair the value or use of the Property or materially impair operation of the business of any Borrower or Subsidiary;
(e) Liens incurred or deposits made in the Ordinary Course of Business to secure the performance of government tenders, bids, contracts, statutory obligations and other similar obligations, as long as such Liens are at all times junior to Agent's Liens and are required or provided by law;
(f)Liens arising in the Ordinary Course of Business that are subject to Lien Waivers;
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(g) Liens arising by virtue of a judgment or judicial order against any Borrower or Subsidiary, or any Property of a Borrower or Subsidiary, as long as such Liens are (i) in existence for less than 20 consecutive days or being Properly Contested, and (ii) at all times junior to Agent's Liens;
(h) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions, covenants or other agreements of record, and other similar charges or encumbrances on Real Estate, that do not secure any monetary obligation and do not interfere with the Ordinary Course of Business;
(i) normal and customary rights of setoff upon deposits in favor of depository institutions, and Liens of a collecting bank on Payment Items in the course of collection;
(j) Liens on assets (other than Accounts and Inventory) acquired in a Permitted Acquisition, securing Debt permitted by Section 10.2.1(f);
(k)existing Liens shown on Schedule 10.2.2;
(l) Liens securing obligations owing to vendors in the Ordinary Course of Business, so long as such Liens are subject to a Vendor Intercreditor Agreement satisfactory to Agent;
(m) Liens on the Financed Accounts in favor of Wells Fargo,. as provided in the Wells Fargo Receivables Purchase Agreement or in favor of another purchaser under an agreement described in clause (f) of the definition of Permitted Asset Disposition;
(n)[reserved]
(o) so long as such Liens are subject to the terms of the MCE Earn Out Intercreditor Agreement, Liens on certain of Mill Creek’s personal property granted to MCE Sellers pursuant to the MCE Earn Out Security Agreement to secure the Earn Out Payments (as defined in the MCE Earn Out Agreement);
(p) so long as such Liens are subject to the terms of the Technicolor Subordination Agreement, Liens in certain of Mill Creek’s personal property granted to Technicolor pursuant to the Technicolor Security Agreement, as the same is in effect on the Third Amendment Effective Date, to secure obligations of Mill Creek’s obligations to Technicolor under the Technicolor Services Agreement, as the same is in effect on the Third Amendment Effective Date; provided, however, that for the first ten days after the Third Amendment Effective Date, the existence of the foregoing Liens shall be considered Permitted Liens for all purposes hereunder except for clause (i) of the definition of Eligible Domestic Account, clause (i) of the definition of Eligible Foreign Account, and clause (g) of the definition of Eligible Inventory, notwithstanding that the Technicolor Subordination Agreement is not yet in effect;
(q) Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for sale of goods entered into by Alliance Holding or any of its Subsidiaries in the Ordinary Course of Business so long as any Inventory or Accounts of any Borrower subject to such Liens are reported by Borrowers as ineligible on the most recent Borrowing Base Report;
(r) Liens that are contractual rights of setoff relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers of Alliance Holding or any of its Subsidiaries in the Ordinary Course of Business, so long as any Inventory or Accounts of any Borrower subject to such Liens are reported by Borrowers as ineligible on the most recent Borrowing Base Report;
(s) Liens consisting of an agreement to sell or otherwise transfer or dispose of any property in a Permitted Asset Disposition, solely to the extent such Permitted Asset Disposition would have been permitted on the date of the creation of such Lien;
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(t) leases and subleases of Real Estate granted in the Ordinary Course of Business which do not interfere in any material respect with the conduct of business of Alliance Holding and its Subsidiaries; and
(u) other Liens as to which the aggregate principal amount of the obligations secured thereby does not exceed $500,000.
10.2.3 PayPal Accounts. Fail to sweep at least weekly all monies held in each of Borrowers’ PayPal accounts to one or more Controlled Accounts that are subject to Deposit Account Control Agreements; provided, that so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Borrowers may exclude from each such sweep up to $150,000 in the aggregate for all such PayPal accounts.
10.2.4 Distributions; Upstream Payments. Declare or make any Distributions, except (i) Upstream Payments, (ii) during the period of time starting on February 1st and ending on August 31st of each year, Distributions to the shareholders of Borrowers, so long as all of the Payment Conditions are satisfied, and (iii) payments under the COKeM Independent Contractor Agreement up to $3,000,000 in aggregate on or within three Business Days after December 31, 2020; or create or suffer to exist any encumbrance or restriction on the ability of a Subsidiary to make any Upstream Payment, except for restrictions under the Loan Documents, under Applicable Law or in effect on the Closing Date as shown on Schedule 9.1.15.
10.2.5Restricted Investments. Make any Restricted Investment.
10.2.6 Disposition of Assets. Make any Asset Disposition, except a Permitted Asset Disposition, a disposition of Equipment under Section 8.4.2, or a transfer of Property by a Subsidiary or Obligor to a Borrower.
10.2.7 Loans. Make any loans or other advances of money to any Person, except (a) advances to an officer or employee for salary, travel expenses, commissions and similar items in the Ordinary Course of Business; (b) prepaid expenses and extensions of trade credit made in the Ordinary Course of Business; (c) deposits with financial institutions permitted hereunder; and (d) as long as no Default or Event of Default exists, intercompany loans by a Borrower to another Borrower.
10.2.8 Restrictions on Payment of Certain Debt. Make any payments (whether voluntary or mandatory, or a prepayment, redemption, retirement, defeasance or acquisition) with respect to any:
(a)Subordinated Debt, except that:
(i)[reserved]
(ii) subject to the terms of the COKeM Sellers Subordination Agreement, Borrowers may make (A) any non-cash payment in respect of the TICO Disputes (as defined in the CokeM Purchase Agreement as in effect on the Fifth Amendment Effective Date) made in accordance with Section 9.8(a) of the CokeM Purchase Agreement as in effect on the Fifth Amendment Effective Date, (B) any non-cash payment in respect of the PPP Loan made in accordance with Section 9.8(b) of the CokeM Purchase Agreement as in effect on the Fifth Amendment Effective Date, (C) regularly scheduled payments (i.e. not prepayments) of interest on the COKeM $6,000,000 Sellers Note through and including December 31, 2020, so long as immediately before and immediately after giving effect to each such payment, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (D) regularly scheduled payments (i.e. not prepayments) of principal and interest on the COKeM $6,000,000 Sellers Note so long as in the case of each such payment, both before and immediately after giving effect to any such payment, all of the Payment Conditions are satisfied, (E) any “catch-up” payments of principal and interest that were not paid when originally due because the Borrower obligated thereunder was not permitted to make such original payments as a result of not meeting the Payment Conditions at such time, so long as in the case of each such “catch up” payment, both before and immediately after giving effect to any such “catch up” payment, all of the Payment Conditions are satisfied, and (F) voluntary prepayments of principal in respect of the COKeM $6,000,000 Sellers Note so long as in the case of each such voluntary payment, both before and immediately after giving effect to any such voluntary payment, all of the Payment Conditions are satisfied;
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(iii) subject to the terms of the IC-DISC Subordination Agreements, Borrowers may make:
(A) principal payments in respect of any IC-DISC Notes, so long as, in the case of each such payment, both before and immediately after giving effect to any such payment, all of the Payment Conditions are satisfied;
(B) any payment of paid-in-kind interest with respect to the Debt under the IC-DISC Notes and the accrual or capitalization of interest, fees or other amounts thereunder, whether pursuant to the terms of the IC-DISC Notes or in lieu of cash payments that otherwise were prohibited under the terms of this Agreement or the IC-DISC Subordination Agreements.
Not less than 5 Business Days prior to the date of any payment permitted under this clause (a), a Senior Officer of Borrower Agent shall certify to Agent that all conditions to such payment have been satisfied under (i) this Agreement and (ii) the IC-DISC Subordination Agreements or the COKeM Sellers Subordination Agreement, as applicable.
(b) Debt of COKeM in respect of the COKeM $2,500,000 Sellers Note, except, COKeM may make a single principal payment in an amount up to $2,500,000 on the COKeM $2,500,000 Sellers Note on or within three Business Days after March 31, 2021.
(c) Debt of Mill Creek with respect to the Incentive Fee and the Supplemental Incentive Fees as those terms are defined in the Technicolor Services Agreement, except Borrowers may make regularly scheduled payments of such Incentive Fees as provided in the Technicolor Services Agreement as the same is in effect on Third Amendment Effective Date1.
(d) Debt of Alliance with respect to the Earn Out Payments (as defined in the MCE Earn Out Agreement), except that Borrowers may make payments of such Earn Out Payments as provided in the MCE Earn Out Agreement as the same is in effect on the Third Amendment Effective Date.
(e) Debt of COKeM in respect of the COKeM Independent Contractor Agreement, except, COKeM may make regularly scheduled payments to Charles Bond under the COKeM Independent Contractor Agreement up to $3,000,000 in aggregate on or within three Business Days after December 31, 2020.
(f) Borrowed Money (other than the Obligations and the Subordinated Debt) prior to its due date under the agreements evidencing such Debt as in effect on the Closing Date (or as amended thereafter with the consent of Agent).
10.2.9 Fundamental Changes. Change its name or conduct business under any fictitious name; change its tax, charter or other organizational identification number; change its form or state of organization; liquidate, wind up its affairs or dissolve itself; or merge, combine or consolidate with any Person, whether in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, except for (a) mergers or consolidations of a wholly-owned Subsidiary with another wholly-owned Subsidiary or into a Borrower; or (b) Permitted Acquisitions.
1 Based on the current fees of $0.08 per replicated disc and $1.00 per parcel box shipment and the current invoicing schedule.
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10.2.10 Subsidiaries. Form or acquire any Subsidiary after the Closing Date, except in accordance with Sections 10.1.9, 10.2.5 and 10.2.9; or permit any existing Subsidiary to issue any additional Equity Interests except directors' qualifying shares.
10.2.11 Organic Documents. Amend, modify or otherwise change any of its Organic Documents, except in connection with a transaction permitted under Section 10.2.9.
10.2.12 Tax Consolidation. File or consent to the filing of any consolidated income tax return with any Person other than Borrowers and Subsidiaries.
10.2.13 Accounting Changes. Make any material change in accounting treatment or reporting practices, except as required by GAAP and in accordance with Section 1.2; or change its Fiscal Year.
10.2.14 Restrictive Agreements. Become a party to any Restrictive Agreement, except a Restrictive Agreement (a) in effect on the Closing Date; (b) relating to secured Debt permitted hereunder, as long as the restrictions apply only to collateral for such Debt; or (c) constituting customary restrictions on assignment in leases and other contracts.
10.2.15 Hedging Agreements. Enter into any Hedging Agreement, except to hedge risks arising in the Ordinary Course of Business and not for speculative purposes.
10.2.16 Conduct of Business. Engage in any business, other than its business as conducted on the Closing Date and any activities incidental thereto.
10.2.17 Affiliate Transactions. Enter into or be party to any transaction with an Affiliate, except:
(a)transactions expressly permitted by the Loan Documents;
(b) payment of reasonable compensation to officers and employees for services actually rendered, and payment of customary directors' fees and indemnities;
(c)transactions solely among Borrowers;
(d)transactions with Affiliates consummated prior to the Closing Date, as shown on Schedule 10.2.17;
(e) transactions with Affiliates in the Ordinary Course of Business, so long as such transactions (i) are disclosed to Agent prior to the consummation thereof, if they involve one or more payments by Borrowers in excess of $1,000,000 for any single transaction or series of related transactions, and (ii) are no less favorable than would be obtained in a comparable arm's-length transaction with a non-Affiliate;
(f) maintenance by Borrowers of the insurance coverage with Airlie Protection and Protection for You as permitted under Section 10.1.7, so long as: (i) the aggregate amount of any payments made by Borrowers on account of such insurance does not exceed (A) $2,200,000 in any calendar year to either Airlie Protection or Protection for You, or (B) $4,400,000 in any calendar year in the aggregate; (ii) both immediately before and immediately after giving effect to any payment made by Borrowers on account of such insurance, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and
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(g) payment of Permitted IC-DISC Payments.
10.2.18 Plans. Become party to any Multiemployer Plan or Foreign Plan, other than any in existence on the Closing Date.
10.2.19 Amendments to Subordinated Debt. Amend, supplement or otherwise modify any document, instrument or agreement relating to any Subordinated Debt, except as permitted under the terms of the IC-DISC Subordination Agreements, the Vendor Intercreditor Agreements, or the COKeM Sellers Subordination Agreement, as applicable.
10.3 Financial Covenants. As long as any Commitments or Obligations are outstanding, Borrowers shall:
10.3.1 Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. Maintain a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, measured at the end of each calendar month, commencing with the month ending January 31, 2017, of at least 1.10 to 1.00.
SECTION 11. EVENTS OF DEFAULT; REMEDIES ON DEFAULT
11.1 Events of Default. Each of the following shall be an "Event of Default" if it occurs for any reason whatsoever, whether voluntary or involuntary, by operation of law or otherwise:
(a) Any Borrower fails to pay its Obligations when due (whether at stated maturity, on demand, upon acceleration or otherwise);
(b) Any representation, warranty or other written statement of an Obligor made in connection with any Loan Documents or transactions contemplated thereby is incorrect or misleading in any material respect when given;
(c) A Borrower breaches or fails to perform any covenant contained in Section 7.2, 7.4, 7.6, 8.1, 8.2.4, 8.2.5, 8.6.2, 10.1.1, 10.1.2, 10.2 or 10.3;
(d) An Obligor breaches or fails to perform any other covenant contained in any Loan Documents, and such breach or failure is not cured within 30 days after a Senior Officer of such Obligor has knowledge thereof or receives notice thereof from Agent, whichever is sooner; provided, however, that such notice and opportunity to cure shall not apply if the breach or failure to perform is not capable of being cured within such period or is a willful breach by an Obligor;
(e) A Guarantor repudiates, revokes or attempts to revoke its Guaranty; an Obligor or third party denies or contests the validity or enforceability of any Loan Documents or Obligations, or the perfection or priority of any Lien granted to Agent; or any Loan Document ceases to be in full force or effect for any reason (other than a waiver or release by Agent and Lenders);
(f) Any breach or default (subject to any grace or cure period) of an Obligor occurs under (i) any Hedging Agreement; or (ii) any instrument or agreement to which it is a party or by which it or any of its Properties is bound, relating to any Debt (other than the Obligations) in excess of $3,000,000, if the maturity of or any payment with respect to such Debt may be accelerated or demanded due to such breach;
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(g) Any judgment or order for the payment of money is entered against an Obligor in an amount that exceeds, individually or cumulatively with all unsatisfied judgments or orders against all Obligors, $3,000,000 (net of insurance coverage therefor that has not been denied by the insurer), unless a stay of enforcement or a bond of such judgment or order is in effect;
(h) A loss, theft, damage or destruction occurs with respect to any Collateral if the amount not covered by insurance exceeds $3,000,000;
(i) An Obligor is enjoined, restrained or in any way prevented by any Governmental Authority from conducting any material part of its business; an Obligor suffers the loss, revocation or termination of any material license, permit, lease or agreement necessary to its business; there is a cessation of any material part of an Obligor's business for a material period of time; any material Collateral or Property of an Obligor is taken or impaired through condemnation; an Obligor agrees to or commences any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of its affairs; or an Obligor is not Solvent;
(j) An Insolvency Proceeding is commenced by an Obligor; an Obligor makes an offer of settlement, extension or composition to its unsecured creditors generally; a trustee is appointed to take possession of any substantial Property of or to operate any of the business of an Obligor; or an Insolvency Proceeding is commenced against an Obligor and: the Obligor consents to institution of the proceeding, the petition commencing the proceeding is not timely contested by the Obligor, the petition is not dismissed within 60 days after filing, or an order for relief is entered in the proceeding;
(k) An ERISA Event occurs with respect to a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in liability of an Obligor to a Pension Plan, Multiemployer Plan or PBGC that would have a Material Adverse Effect, or that constitutes grounds for appointment of a trustee for or termination by the PBGC of any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; an Obligor or ERISA Affiliate fails to pay when due any installment payment with respect to its withdrawal liability under Section 4201 of ERISA under a Multiemployer Plan; or any event similar to the foregoing occurs or exists with respect to a Foreign Plan;
(l) An Obligor or any of its Senior Officers is criminally indicted or convicted for (i) a felony committed in the conduct of the Obligor's business, or (ii) violating any state or federal law (including the Controlled Substances Act, Money Laundering Control Act of 1986 and Illegal Exportation of War Materials Act) that could lead to forfeiture of any material Property or any Collateral; or
(m)A Change of Control occurs.
11.2 Remedies upon Default. If an Event of Default described in Section 11.1(j) occurs with respect to any Borrower, then to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, all Obligations (other than Secured Bank Product Obligations) shall become automatically due and payable and all Commitments shall terminate, without any action by Agent or notice of any kind. In addition, or if any other Event of Default exists, Agent may in its discretion (and shall upon written direction of Required Lenders) do any one or more of the following from time to time:
(a) declare any Obligations (other than Secured Bank Product Obligations) immediately due and payable, whereupon they shall be due and payable without diligence, presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by Borrowers to the fullest extent permitted by law;
(b)terminate, reduce or condition any Commitment or adjust the Borrowing Base;
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(c) require Obligors to Cash Collateralize their LC Obligations, Secured Bank ProductO bligations and other Obligations that are contingent or not yet due and payable, and if Obligors fail to deposit such Cash Collateral, Agent may (and shall upon the direction of Required Lenders) advance the required Cash Collateral as Revolver Loans (whether or not an Overadvance exists or is created thereby, or the conditions in Section 6 are satisfied); and
(d) exercise any other rights or remedies afforded under any agreement, by law, at equity or otherwise, including the rights and remedies of a secured party under the UCC. Such rights and remedies include the rights to (i) take possession of any Collateral; (ii) require Borrowers to assemble Collateral, at Borrowers' expense, and make it available to Agent at a place designated by Agent; (iii) enter any premises where Collateral is located and store Collateral on such premises until sold (and if the premises are owned or leased by a Borrower, Borrowers agree not to charge for such storage); and (iv) sell or otherwise dispose of any Collateral in its then condition, or after any further manufacturing or processing thereof, at public or private sale, with such notice as may be required by Applicable Law, in lots or in bulk, at such locations, all as Agent, in its discretion, deems advisable. Each Borrower agrees that 10 days’ notice of any proposed sale or other disposition of Collateral by Agent shall be reasonable, and that any sale conducted on the internet or to a licensor of Intellectual Property shall be commercially reasonable. Agent may conduct sales on any Obligor's premises, without charge, and any sale may be adjourned from time to time in accordance with Applicable Law. Agent shall have the right to sell, lease or otherwise dispose of any Collateral for cash, credit or any combination thereof, and Agent may purchase any Collateral at public or, if permitted by law, private sale and, in lieu of actual payment of the purchase price, may credit bid and set off the amount of such price against the Obligations.
11.3 License. Agent is hereby granted an irrevocable, non-exclusive license or other right to use, license or sub-license (without payment of royalty or other compensation to any Person) any or all Intellectual Property of Borrowers, computer hardware and software, trade secrets, brochures, customer lists, promotional and advertising materials, labels, packaging materials and other Property, in advertising for sale, marketing, selling, collecting, completing manufacture of, or otherwise exercising any rights or remedies with respect to, any Collateral. Each Borrower's rights and interests under Intellectual Property shall inure to Agent's benefit.
11.4 Setoff. At any time during an Event of Default, Agent, Issuing Bank, Lenders, and any of their Affiliates are authorized, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by Agent, Issuing Bank, such Lender or such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of an Obligor against its Obligations, whether or not Agent, Issuing Bank, such Lender or such Affiliate shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such Obligations may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch or office of Agent, Issuing Bank, such Lender or such Affiliate different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness. The rights of Agent, Issuing Bank, each Lender and each such Affiliate under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Person may have.
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11.5Remedies Cumulative; No Waiver.
11.5.1 Cumulative Rights. All agreements, warranties, guaranties, indemnities and other undertakings of Obligors under the Loan Documents are cumulative and not in derogation of each other. The rights and remedies of Agent and Lenders under the Loan Documents are cumulative, may be exercised at any time and from time to time, concurrently or in any order, and are not exclusive of any other rights or remedies available by agreement, by law, at equity or otherwise. All such rights and remedies shall continue in full force and effect until Full Payment of all Obligations.
11.5.2 Waivers. No waiver or course of dealing shall be established by (a) the failure or delay of Agent or any Lender to require strict performance by any Obligor under any Loan Document, or to exercise any rights or remedies with respect to Collateral or otherwise; (b) the making of any Loan or issuance of any Letter of Credit during a Default, Event of Default or other failure to satisfy any conditions precedent; or (c) acceptance by Agent or any Lender of any payment or performance by an Obligor under any Loan Documents in a manner other than that specified therein. Any failure to satisfy a financial covenant on a measurement date shall not be cured or remedied by satisfaction of such covenant on a subsequent date.
SECTION 12. AGENT
12.1Appointment, Authority and Duties of Agent.
12.1.1 Appointment and Authority. Each Secured Party appoints and designates Bank of America as Agent under all Loan Documents. Agent may, and each Secured Party authorizes Agent to, enter into all Loan Documents to which Agent is intended to be a party and accept all Security Documents. Any action taken by Agent in accordance with the provisions of the Loan Documents, and the exercise by Agent of any rights or remedies set forth therein, together with all other powers reasonably incidental thereto, shall be authorized by and binding upon all Secured Parties. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Agent shall have the sole and exclusive authority to (a) act as the disbursing and collecting agent for Lenders with respect to all payments and collections arising in connection with the Loan Documents; (b) execute and deliver as Agent each Loan Document, including any intercreditor or subordination agreement, and accept delivery of each Loan Document; (c) act as collateral agent for Secured Parties for purposes of perfecting and administering Liens under the Loan Documents, and for all other purposes stated therein; (d) manage, supervise or otherwise deal with Collateral; and (e) take any Enforcement Action or otherwise exercise any rights or remedies with respect to any Collateral or under any Loan Documents, Applicable Law or otherwise. Agent alone shall be authorized to determine eligibility and applicable advance rates under the Borrowing Base, whether to impose or release any reserve, or whether any conditions to funding or issuance of a Letter of Credit have been satisfied, which determinations and judgments, if exercised in good faith, shall exonerate Agent from liability to any Secured Party or other Person for any error in judgment.
12.1.2 Duties. The title of "Agent" is used solely as a matter of market custom and the duties of Agent are administrative in nature only. Agent has no duties except those expressly set forth in the Loan Documents, and in no event does Agent have any agency, fiduciary or implied duty to or relationship with any Secured Party or other Person by reason of any Loan Document or related transaction. The conferral upon Agent of any right shall not imply a duty to exercise such right, unless instructed to do so by Lenders in accordance with this Agreement.
12.1.3 Agent Professionals. Agent may perform its duties through agents and employees. Agent may consult with and employ Agent Professionals, and shall be entitled to act upon, and shall be fully protected in any action taken in good faith reliance upon, any advice given by an Agent Professional. Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agents, employees or Agent Professionals selected by it with reasonable care.
12.1.4 Instructions of Required Lenders. The rights and remedies conferred upon Agent under the Loan Documents may be exercised without the necessity of joining any other party, unless required by Applicable Law. In determining compliance with a condition for any action hereunder, including satisfaction of any condition in Section 6, Agent may presume that the condition is satisfactory to a Secured Party unless Agent has received notice to the contrary from such Secured Party before Agent takes the action. Agent may request instructions from Required Lenders or other Secured Parties with respect to any act (including the failure to act) in connection with any Loan Documents or Collateral, and may seek assurances to its satisfaction from Secured Parties of their indemnification obligations against Claims that could be incurred by Agent. Agent may refrain from any act until it has received such instructions or assurances, and shall not incur liability to any Person by reason of so refraining. Instructions of Required Lenders shall be binding upon all Secured Parties, and no Secured Party shall have any right of action whatsoever against Agent as a result of Agent acting or refraining from acting pursuant to instructions of Required Lenders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, instructions by and consent of specific parties shall be required to the extent provided in Section 14.1.1. In no event shall Agent be required to take any action that it determines in its discretion is contrary to Applicable Law or any Loan Documents or could subject any Agent Indemnitee to liability.
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12.2Agreements Regarding Collateral and Borrower Materials.
12.2.1 Lien Releases; Care of Collateral. Secured Parties authorize Agent to release any Lien on any Collateral (a) upon Full Payment of the Obligations; (b) that is the subject of a disposition or Lien that Borrowers certify in writing is a Permitted Asset Disposition or a Permitted Lien entitled to priority over Agent's Liens (and Agent may rely conclusively on such certificate without further inquiry); (c) that does not constitute a material part of the Collateral; or (d) subject to Section 14.1, with the consent of Required Lenders. Secured Parties authorize Agent to subordinate its Liens to any Purchase Money Lien or other Lien entitled to priority hereunder. Agent has no obligation to assure that any Collateral exists or is owned by an Obligor, or is cared for, protected or insured, nor to assure that Agent's Liens have been properly created, perfected or enforced, or are entitled to any particular priority, nor to exercise any duty of care with respect to any Collateral.
12.2.2 Possession of Collateral. Agent and Secured Parties appoint each Secured Party as agent (for the benefit of Secured Parties) for the purpose of perfecting Liens in Collateral held or controlled by it, to the extent such Liens are perfected by possession or control. If a Secured Party obtains possession or control of any Collateral, it shall notify Agent thereof and, promptly upon Agent's request, deliver such Collateral to Agent or otherwise deal with it in accordance with Agent's instructions.
12.2.3 Reports. Agent shall promptly provide to Lenders, when complete, any field examination, audit or appraisal report prepared for Agent with respect to any Obligor or Collateral ("Report"). Reports and other Borrower Materials may be made available to Lenders by providing access to them on the Platform, but Agent shall not be responsible for system failures or access issues that may occur from time to time. Each Lender agrees (a) that Reports are not intended to be comprehensive audits or examinations, and that Agent or any other Person performing an audit or examination will inspect only limited information and will rely significantly upon Borrowers' books, records and representations; (b) that Agent makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any Borrower Materials and shall not be liable for any information contained in or omitted from any Borrower Materials, including any Report; and (c) to keep all Borrower Materials confidential and strictly for such Lender's internal use, not to distribute any Report or other Borrower Materials (or the contents thereof) to any Person (except to such Lender's Participants, attorneys and accountants), and to use all Borrower Materials solely for administration of the Obligations. Each Lender shall indemnify and hold harmless Agent and any other Person preparing a Report from any action such Lender may take as a result of or any conclusion it may draw from any Borrower Materials, as well as from any Claims arising as a direct or indirect result of Agent furnishing same to such Lender, via the Platform or otherwise.
12.3 Reliance By Agent. Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any certification, notice or other communication (including those by telephone, telex, telegram, telecopy, e-mail or other electronic means) believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person. Agent shall have a reasonable and practicable amount of time to act upon any instruction, notice or other communication under any Loan Document, and shall not be liable for any delay in acting.
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12.4 Action Upon Default. Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default, or of any failure to satisfy any conditions in Section 6, unless it has received written notice from a Borrower or Required Lenders specifying the occurrence and nature thereof. If a Lender acquires knowledge of a Default, Event of Default or failure of such conditions, it shall promptly notify Agent and the other Lenders thereof in writing. Each Secured Party agrees that, except as otherwise provided in any Loan Documents or with the written consent of Agent and Required Lenders, it will not take any Enforcement Action, accelerate Obligations (other than Secured Bank Product Obligations) or assert any rights relating to any Collateral.
12.5 Ratable Sharing. If any Lender obtains any payment or reduction of any Obligation, whether through set-off or otherwise, in excess of its ratable share of such Obligation, such Lender shall forthwith purchase from Secured Parties participations in the affected Obligation as are necessary to share the excess payment or reduction on a Pro Rata basis or in accordance with Section 5.6.2, as applicable. If any of such payment or reduction is thereafter recovered from the purchasing Lender, the purchase shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, but without interest. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Defaulting Lender obtains a payment or reduction of any Obligation, it shall immediately turn over the full amount thereof to Agent for application under Section 4.2.2 and it shall provide a written statement to Agent describing the Obligation affected by such payment or reduction. No Lender shall set off against a Dominion Account without Agent's prior consent.
12.6 Indemnification. EACH SECURED PARTY SHALL INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS AGENT INDEMNITEES AND ISSUING BANK INDEMNITEES, TO THE EXTENT NOT REIMBURSED BY OBLIGORS, ON A PRO RATA BASIS, AGAINST ALL CLAIMS THAT MAY BE INCURRED BY OR ASSERTED AGAINST ANY SUCH INDEMNITEE, PROVIDED THAT ANY CLAIM AGAINST AN AGENT INDEMNITEE RELATES TO OR ARISES FROM ITS ACTING AS OR FOR AGENT (IN THE CAPACITY OF AGENT). In Agent's discretion, it may reserve for any Claims made against an Agent Indemnitee or Issuing Bank Indemnitee, and may satisfy any judgment, order or settlement relating thereto, from proceeds of Collateral prior to making any distribution of Collateral proceeds to Secured Parties. If Agent is sued by any receiver, trustee or other Person for any alleged preference or fraudulent transfer, then any monies paid by Agent in settlement or satisfaction of such proceeding, together with all interest, costs and expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred in the defense of same, shall be promptly reimbursed to Agent by each Secured Party to the extent of its Pro Rata share.
12.7 Limitation on Responsibilities of Agent. Agent shall not be liable to any Secured Party for any action taken or omitted to be taken under the Loan Documents, except for losses directly and solely caused by Agent's gross negligence or willful misconduct. Agent does not assume any responsibility for any failure or delay in performance or any breach by any Obligor, Lender or other Secured Party of any obligations under the Loan Documents. Agent does not make any express or implied representation, warranty or guarantee to Secured Parties with respect to any Obligations, Collateral, Liens, Loan Documents or Obligor. No Agent Indemnitee shall be responsible to Secured Parties for any recitals, statements, information, representations or warranties contained in any Loan Documents or Borrower Materials; the execution, validity, genuineness, effectiveness or enforceability of any Loan Documents; the genuineness, enforceability, collectability, value, sufficiency, location or existence of any Collateral, or the validity, extent, perfection or priority of any Lien therein; the validity, enforceability or collectability of any Obligations; or the assets, liabilities, financial condition, results of operations, business, creditworthiness or legal status of any Obligor or Account Debtor. No Agent Indemnitee shall have any obligation to any Secured Party to ascertain or inquire into the existence of any Default or Event of Default, the observance by any Obligor of any terms of the Loan Documents, or the satisfaction of any conditions precedent contained in any Loan Documents.
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12.8Successor Agent and Co-Agents.
12.8.1 Resignation; Successor Agent. Agent may resign at any time by giving at least 30 days’ written notice thereof to Lenders and Borrowers. Required Lenders may appoint a successor that is (a) a Lender or Affiliate of a Lender; or (b) a financial institution reasonably acceptable to Required Lenders and (provided no Default or Event of Default exists) Borrowers. If no successor is appointed by the effective date of Agent's resignation, then on such date, Agent may appoint a successor acceptable to it in its discretion (which shall be a Lender unless no Lender accepts the role) or, in the absence of such appointment, Required Lenders shall automatically assume all rights and duties of Agent. The successor Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the powers and duties of the retiring Agent without further act. The retiring Agent shall be discharged from its duties hereunder on the effective date of its resignation, but shall continue to have all rights and protections available to Agent under the Loan Documents with respect to actions, omissions, circumstances or Claims relating to or arising while it was acting or transferring responsibilities as Agent or holding any Collateral on behalf of Secured Parties, including the indemnification set forth in Sections 12.6 and 14.2, and all rights and protections under this Section 12. Any successor to Bank of America by merger or acquisition of stock or this loan shall continue to be Agent hereunder without further act on the part of any Secured Party or Obligor.
12.8.2 Co-Collateral Agent. If appropriate under Applicable Law, Agent may appoint a Person to serve as a co-collateral agent or separate collateral agent under any Loan Document. Each right, remedy and protection intended to be available to Agent under the Loan Documents shall also be vested in such agent. Secured Parties shall execute and deliver any instrument or agreement that Agent may request to effect such appointment. If any such agent shall die, dissolve, become incapable of acting, resign or be removed, then all the rights and remedies of the agent, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, shall vest in and be exercised by Agent until appointment of a new agent.
12.9 Due Diligence and Non-Reliance. Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that it has, independently and without reliance upon Agent or any other Lenders, and based upon such documents, information and analyses as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis of each Obligor and its own decision to enter into this Agreement and to fund Loans and participate in LC Obligations hereunder. Each Secured Party has made such inquiries as it feels necessary concerning the Loan Documents, Collateral and Obligors. Each Secured Party acknowledges and agrees that the other Secured Parties have made no representations or warranties concerning any Obligor, any Collateral or the legality, validity, sufficiency or enforceability of any Loan Documents or Obligations. Each Secured Party will, independently and without reliance upon any other Secured Party, and based upon such financial statements, documents and information as it deems appropriate at the time, continue to make and rely upon its own credit decisions in making Loans and participating in LC Obligations, and in taking or refraining from any action under any Loan Documents. Except for notices, reports and other information expressly requested by a Lender, Agent shall have no duty or responsibility to provide any Secured Party with any notices, reports or certificates furnished to Agent by any Obligor or any credit or other information concerning the affairs, financial condition, business or Properties of any Obligor (or any of its Affiliates) which may come into possession of Agent or its Affiliates.
12.10Remittance of Payments and Collections.
12.10.1 Remittances Generally. Payments by any Secured Party to Agent shall be made by the time and date provided herein, in immediately available funds. If no time for payment is specified or if payment is due on demand and request for payment is made by Agent by 1:00 p.m. on a Business Day, then payment shall be made by the Secured Party by 3:00 p.m. on such day, and if request is made after 1:00 p.m., then payment shall be made by 11:00 a.m. on the next Business Day. Payment by Agent to any Secured Party shall be made by wire transfer, in the type of funds received by Agent. Any such payment shall be subject to Agent's right of offset for any amounts due from such payee under the Loan Documents.
12.10.2 Failure to Pay. If any Secured Party fails to deliver when due any amount payable by it to Agent hereunder, such amount shall bear interest, from the due date until paid in full, at the greater of the Federal Funds Rate or the rate determined by Agent as customary for interbank compensation for two Business Days and thereafter at the Default Rate for Base Rate Revolver Loans. In no event shall Borrowers be entitled to credit for any interest paid by a Secured Party to Agent, nor shall a Defaulting Lender be entitled to interest on amounts held by Agent pursuant to Section 4.2.
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12.10.3 Recovery of Payments. If Agent pays an amount to a Secured Party in the expectation that a related payment will be received by Agent from an Obligor and such related payment is not received, then Agent may recover such amount from the Secured Party. If Agent determines that an amount received by it must be returned or paid to an Obligor or other Person pursuant to Applicable Law or otherwise, then Agent shall not be required to distribute such amount to any Secured Party. If Agent is required to return any amounts applied by it to Obligations held by a Secured Party, such Secured Party shall pay to Agent, on demand, its share of the amounts required to be returned.
12.11 Individual Capacities. As a Lender, Bank of America shall have the same rights and remedies under the Loan Documents as any other Lender, and the terms "Lenders," "Required Lenders" or any similar term shall include Bank of America in its capacity as a Lender. Agent, Lenders and their Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, provide Bank Products to, act as financial or other advisor to, and generally engage in any kind of business with, Obligors and their Affiliates, as if they were not Agent or Lenders hereunder, without any duty to account therefor to any Secured Party. In their individual capacities, Agent, Lenders and their Affiliates may receive information regarding Obligors, their Affiliates and their Account Debtors (including information subject to confidentiality obligations), and shall have no obligation to provide such information to any Secured Party.
12.12 Titles. Each Lender, other than Bank of America, that is designated in connection with this credit facility as an "Arranger," "Bookrunner" or "Agent" of any kind shall have no right or duty under any Loan Documents other than those applicable to all Lenders, and shall in no event have any fiduciary duty to any Secured Party.
12.13 Bank Product Providers. Each Secured Bank Product Provider, by delivery of a notice to Agent of a Bank Product, agrees to be bound by the Loan Documents, including Sections 5.6, 14.3.3 and 12. Each Secured Bank Product Provider shall indemnify and hold harmless Agent Indemnitees, to the extent not reimbursed by Obligors, against all Claims that may be incurred by or asserted against any Agent Indemnitee in connection with such provider's Secured Bank Product Obligations.
12.14 Appointment of Agent as Security Trustee. For the purposes of any Liens created under a Security Document governed by (i) English law (an “English Security Document”); and (ii) Cayman Islands law (a “Cayman Security Document” and together with the English Security Documents the “Foreign Security Documents”) the following additional provisions shall apply, in addition to the provisions set out in this Section 12 or otherwise hereunder.
(a)In this Section 12.14, the following expressions have the following meanings:
(i) “Appointee” means any receiver, administrator or other insolvency officer appointed in respect of any Obligor or its assets.
(ii) “Charged Property” means the assets of the Obligors subject to a security interest under a Foreign Security Document.
(iii) “Delegate” means any delegate, agent, attorney or co-trustee appointed by the Agent (in its capacity as security trustee).
(b) The Secured Parties appoint the Agent to hold the security interests constituted by the Foreign Security Documents on trust for the Secured Parties on the terms of the Loan Documents and the Agent accepts that appointment.
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(c) The Agent, its subsidiaries and associated companies may each retain for its own account and benefit any fee, remuneration and profits paid to it in connection with (i) its activities under the Loan Documents; and (ii) its engagement in any kind of banking or other business with any Obligor.
(d) Nothing in this Agreement constitutes the Agent as a trustee or fiduciary of, nor shall the Agent have any duty or responsibility to, any Obligor.
(e) The Agent shall have no duties or obligations to any other Person except for those which are expressly specified in the Loan Documents or mandatorily required by Applicable Law.
(f) The Agent may appoint one or more Delegates on such terms (which may include the power to sub-delegate) and subject to such conditions as it thinks fit, to exercise and perform all or any of the duties, rights, powers and discretions vested in it by the Foreign Security Documents and shall not be obliged to supervise any Delegate or be responsible to any person for any loss incurred by reason of any act, omission, misconduct or default on the part of any Delegate.
(g) The Agent may (whether for the purpose of complying with any law or regulation of any overseas jurisdiction, or for any other reason) appoint (and subsequently remove) any person to act jointly with the Agent either as a separate trustee or as a co-trustee on such terms and subject to such conditions as the Agent thinks fit and with such of the duties, rights, powers and discretions vested in the Agent by the Foreign Security Documents as may be conferred by the instrument of appointment of that person.
(h)The Agent shall notify the Lenders of the appointment of each Appointee (other than a Delegate).
(i) The Agent may pay reasonable remuneration to any Delegate or Appointee, together with any costs and expenses (including legal fees) reasonably incurred by the Delegate or Appointee in connection with its appointment. All such remuneration, costs and expenses shall be treated, for the purposes of this Agreement, as paid or incurred by the Agent.
(j) Each Delegate and each Appointee shall have every benefit, right, power and discretion and the benefit of every exculpation (together “Rights”) of the Agent (in its capacity as security trustee) under the Foreign Security Documents, and each reference to the Agent (where the context requires that such reference is to the Agent in its capacity as security trustee) in the provisions of the Foreign Security Documents which confer Rights shall be deemed to include a reference to each Delegate and each Appointee.
(k) Each Secured Party confirms its approval of the Foreign Security Documents and authorizes and instructs the Agent: (i) to execute and deliver the Foreign Security Documents; (ii) to exercise the rights, powers and discretions given to the Agent (in its capacity as security trustee) under or in connection with the Foreign Security Documents together with any other incidental rights, powers and discretions; and (iii) to give any authorizations and confirmations to be given by the Agent (in its capacity as security trustee) on behalf of the Secured Parties under the Foreign Security Documents.
(l) The Agent may accept without inquiry the title (if any) which any person may have to the Charged Property.
(m) Each other Secured Party confirms that it does not wish to be registered as a joint proprietor of any security interest constituted by a Foreign Security Document and accordingly authorizes: (i) the Agent to hold such security interest in its sole name (or in the name of any Delegate) as trustee for the Secured Parties; and (ii) the Land Registry (or other relevant registry) to register the Agent (or any Delegate or Appointee) as a sole proprietor of such security interest.
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(n) Except to the extent that a Foreign Security Document otherwise requires, any moneys which the Agent receives under or pursuant to a Foreign Security Document may be: (i) invested in any investments which the Agent selects and which are authorized by Applicable Law; or (ii) placed on deposit at any bank or institution (including the Agent) on terms that the Agent thinks fit, in each case in the name or under the control of the Agent, and the Agent shall hold those moneys, together with any accrued income (net of any applicable Taxes) to the order of the Lenders, and shall pay them to the Lenders on demand.
(o) On a disposal of any of the Charged Property which is permitted under the Loan Documents, the Agent shall (at the cost of the Obligors) execute any release of the Foreign Security Documents or other claim over that Charged Property and issue any certificates of non-crystallisation of floating charges that may be required or take any other action that the Agent considers desirable.
(p)The Agent shall not be liable for:
(i) any defect in or failure of the title (if any) which any person may have to any assets over which security is intended to be created by a Foreign Security Document;
(ii) any loss resulting from the investment or deposit at any bank of moneys which it invests or deposits in a manner permitted by a Foreign Security Document;
(iii) the exercise of, or the failure to exercise, any right, power or discretion given to it by or in connection with any Loan Document or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with, any Loan Document; or
(iv)any shortfall which arises on enforcing a Foreign Security Document.
(q)The Agent shall not be obligated to:
(i) obtain any authorization or environmental permit in respect of any of the Charged Property or a Foreign Security Document;
(ii) hold in its own possession a Foreign Security Document, title deed or other document relating to the Charged Property or a Foreign Security Document;
(iii) perfect, protect, register, make any filing or give any notice (where applicable) in respect of a Foreign Security Document (or the order of ranking of a Foreign Security Document), unless that failure arises directly from its own gross negligence or willful misconduct; or
(iv)require any further assurances in relation to a Foreign Security Document.
(r) In respect of any Foreign Security Document, the Agent shall not be obligated to: (i) insure, or require any other person to insure, the Charged Property; or (ii) make any enquiry or conduct any investigation into the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of any insurance existing over such Charged Property.
(s) In respect of any Foreign Security Documents, the Agent shall not have any obligation or duty to any person for any loss suffered as a result of: (i) the lack or inadequacy of any insurance; or (ii) the failure of the Agent to notify the insurers of any material fact relating to the risk assumed by them, or of any other information of any kind, unless Required Lenders have requested it to do so in writing and the Agent has failed to do so within fourteen (14) days after receipt of that request.
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(t) Every appointment of a successor Agent under a Foreign Security Document shall be by deed.
(u) Section 1 of the Trustee Act 2000 shall not apply to the duty of the Agent in relation to the trusts constituted by this Agreement.
(v) In the case of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and those of the Trustee Act 1925 or the Trustee Act 2000, the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail to the extent allowed by law, and shall constitute a restriction or exclusion for the purposes of the Trustee Act 2000.
(w) The perpetuity period under the rule against perpetuities if applicable to this Agreement and any Foreign Security Document shall be 80 years from the date of this Agreement.
12.15 No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Section 12 is an agreement solely among Secured Parties and Agent, and shall survive Full Payment of the Obligations. This Section 12 does not confer any rights or benefits upon Borrowers or any other Person. As between Borrowers and Agent, any action that Agent may take under any Loan Documents or with respect to any Obligations shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized and directed by Secured Parties.
12.16Certain ERISA Matters
12.16.1 Lender Representations. Each Lender represents and warrants, as of the date it became a Lender party hereto, and covenants, from the date it became a Lender party hereto to the date it ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, Agent and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Obligors, that at least one of the following is and will be true: (a) Lender is not using "plan assets" (within the meaning of ERISA Section 3(42) or otherwise) of one or more Benefit Plans with respect to Lender's entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, Letters of Credit, Commitments or Loan Documents; (b) the transaction exemption set forth in one or more PTEs, such as PTE 84-14 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers), PTE 95-60 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTE 90-1 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTE 91-38 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds) or PTE 96-23 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), is applicable with respect to Lender's entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, Letters of Credit, Commitments and Loan Documents; (c) (i) Lender is an investment fund managed by a "Qualified Professional Asset Manager" (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14), (ii) such Qualified Professional Asset Manager made the investment decision on behalf of Lender to enter into, participate in, administer and perform the Loans, Letters of Credit, Commitments and Loan Documents, (iii) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, Letters of Credit, Commitments and Loan Documents satisfies the requirements of sub-sections (b) through (g) of Part I of PTE 84-14, and (iv) to the best knowledge of Lender, the requirements of subsection (a) of Part I of PTE 84-14 are satisfied with respect to Lender's entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, Letters of Credit, Commitments and Loan Documents; or (d) such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between Agent, in its discretion, and Lender.
12.16.2 Further Lender Representation. Unless Section 12.16.1(a) or (d) is true with respect to a Lender, such Lender further represents and warrants, as of the date it became a Lender hereunder, and covenants, from the date it became a Lender to the date it ceases to be a Lender hereunder, for the benefit of, Agent and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of any Obligor, that Agent is not a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Lender involved in its entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, Letters of Credit, Commitments and Loan Documents (including in connection with the reservation or exercise of any rights by Agent under any Loan Document).
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SECTION 13. BENEFIT OF AGREEMENT; ASSIGNMENTS
13.1 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Borrowers, Agent, Lenders, Secured Parties, and their respective successors and assigns, except that (a) no Borrower shall have the right to assign its rights or delegate its obligations under any Loan Documents; and (b) any assignment by a Lender must be made in compliance with Section 13.3. Agent may treat the Person which made any Loan as the owner thereof for all purposes until such Person makes an assignment in accordance with Section 13.3. Any authorization or consent of a Lender shall be conclusive and binding on any subsequent transferee or assignee of such Lender.
13.2Participations.
13.2.1 Permitted Participants; Effect. Subject to Section 13.3.3, any Lender may sell to a financial institution ("Participant") a participating interest in the rights and obligations of such Lender under any Loan Documents. Despite any sale by a Lender of participating interests to a Participant, such Lender's obligations under the Loan Documents shall remain unchanged, it shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for performance of such obligations, it shall remain the holder of its Loans and Commitments for all purposes, all amounts payable by Borrowers shall be determined as if it had not sold such participating interests, and Borrowers and Agent shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with the Loan Documents. Each Lender shall be solely responsible for notifying its Participants of any matters under the Loan Documents, and Agent and the other Lenders shall not have any obligation or liability to any such Participant. A Participant that would be a Foreign Lender if it were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 5.9 unless Borrowers agree otherwise in writing.
13.2.2 Voting Rights. Each Lender shall retain the sole right to approve, without the consent of any Participant, any amendment, waiver or other modification of a Loan Document other than that which forgives principal, interest or fees, reduces the stated interest rate or fees payable with respect to any Loan or Commitment in which such Participant has an interest, postpones the Commitment Termination Date or any date fixed for any regularly scheduled payment of principal, interest or fees on such Loan or Commitment, or releases any Borrower, Guarantor or substantially all Collateral.
13.2.3 Participant Register. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting as a non-fiduciary agent of Borrowers (solely for tax purposes), maintain a register in which it enters the Participant's name, address and interest in Commitments, Loans (and stated interest) and LC Obligations. Entries in the register shall be conclusive, absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person recorded in the register as the owner of the participation for all purposes, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. No Lender shall have an obligation to disclose any information in such register except to the extent necessary to establish that a Participant's interest is in registered form under the Code.
13.2.4 Benefit of Setoff. Each Participant shall have a right of set-off in respect of its participating interest to the same extent as if such interest were owing directly to a Lender, and each Lender shall also retain the right of set-off with respect to any participating interests sold by it. By exercising any right of set-off, a Participant agrees to share with Lenders all amounts received through its set-off, in accordance with Section 12.5 as if such Participant were a Lender.
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13.3Assignments.
13.3.1 Permitted Assignments. A Lender may assign to an Eligible Assignee any of its rights and obligations under the Loan Documents, as long as (a) each assignment is of a constant, and not a varying, percentage of the transferor Lender's rights and obligations under the Loan Documents and, in the case of a partial assignment, is in a minimum principal amount of $5,000,000 (unless otherwise agreed by Agent in its discretion) and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess of that amount; (b) except in the case of an assignment in whole of a Lender's rights and obligations, the aggregate amount of the Commitments retained by the transferor Lender is at least $10,000,000 (unless otherwise agreed by Agent in its discretion); and (c) the parties to each such assignment shall execute and deliver an Assignment to Agent for acceptance and recording. Nothing herein shall limit the right of a Lender to pledge or assign any rights under the Loan Documents to secure obligations of such Lender, including a pledge or assignment to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided, however, that no such pledge or assignment shall release the Lender from its obligations hereunder nor substitute the pledge or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.
13.3.2 Effect; Effective Date. Upon delivery to Agent of an assignment notice in the form of Exhibit B and a processing fee of $3,500 (unless otherwise agreed by Agent in its discretion), the assignment shall become effective as specified in the notice, if it complies with this Section 13.3. From such effective date, the Eligible Assignee shall for all purposes be a Lender under the Loan Documents, and shall have all rights and obligations of a Lender thereunder. Upon consummation of an assignment, the transferor Lender, Agent and Borrowers shall make appropriate arrangements for issuance of replacement and/or new notes, if applicable. The transferee Lender shall comply with Section 5.10 and deliver, upon request, an administrative questionnaire satisfactory to Agent.
13.3.3 Certain Assignees. No assignment or participation may be made to a Borrower, Affiliate of a Borrower, Defaulting Lender or natural person. Agent shall have no obligation to determine whether any assignment is permitted under the Loan Documents. Any assignment by a Defaulting Lender must be accompanied by satisfaction of its outstanding obligations under the Loan Documents in a manner satisfactory to Agent, including payment by the Defaulting Lender or Eligible Assignee of an amount sufficient upon distribution (through direct payment, purchases of participations or other methods acceptable to Agent in its discretion) to satisfy all funding and payment liabilities of the Defaulting Lender. If any assignment by a Defaulting Lender (by operation of law or otherwise) does not comply with the foregoing, the assignee shall be deemed a Defaulting Lender for all purposes until compliance occurs.
13.3.4 Register. Agent, acting as a non-fiduciary agent of Borrowers (solely for tax purposes), shall maintain (a) a copy (or electronic equivalent) of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to it, and (b) a register for recordation of the names, addresses and Commitments of, and the Loans, interest and LC Obligations owing to, each Lender. Entries in the register shall be conclusive, absent manifest error, and Borrowers, Agent and Lenders shall treat each Person recorded in such register as a Lender for all purposes under the Loan Documents, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. Agent may choose to show only one Borrower as the borrower in the register, without any effect on the liability of any Obligor with respect to the Obligations. The register shall be available for inspection by Borrowers or any Lender, from time to time upon reasonable notice.
13.4 Replacement of Certain Lenders. If a Lender (a) within the last 120 days failed to give its consent to any amendment, waiver or action for which consent of all Lenders was required and Required Lenders consented, (b) is a Defaulting Lender, or (c) within the last 120 days gave a notice under Section 3.5 or requested payment or compensation under Section 3.7 or 5.9 (and has not designated a different Lending Office pursuant to Section 3.8), then Agent or Borrower Agent may, upon 10 days’ notice to such Lender, require it to assign its rights and obligations under the Loan Documents to Eligible Assignee(s), pursuant to appropriate Assignment(s), within 20 days after the notice. Agent is irrevocably appointed as attorney-in-fact to execute any such Assignment if the Lender fails to execute it. Such Lender shall be entitled to receive, in cash, concurrently with such assignment, all amounts owed to it under the Loan Documents through the date of assignment.
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SECTION 14. MISCELLANEOUS
14.1Consents, Amendments and Waivers.
14.1.1 Amendment. No modification of any Loan Document, including any extension or amendment of a Loan Document or any waiver of a Default or Event of Default, shall be effective without the prior written agreement of Agent (with the consent of Required Lenders) and each Obligor party to such Loan Document; provided, however, that
(a) without the prior written consent of Agent, no modification shall alter any provision in a Loan Document that relates to any rights, duties or discretion of Agent;
(b) without the prior written consent of Issuing Bank, no modification shall alter Section 2.3 or any other provision in a Loan Document that relates to Letters of Credit or any rights, duties or discretion of Issuing Bank;
(c) without the prior written consent of each affected Lender, including a Defaulting Lender, no modification shall (i) increase the Commitment of such Lender; (ii) reduce the amount of, or waive or delay payment of, any principal, interest or fees payable to such Lender (except as provided in Section 4.2); (iii) extend the Revolver Termination Date applicable to such Lender's Obligations; or (iv) amend this clause (c);
(d) without the prior written consent of all Lenders (except any Defaulting Lender), no modification shall (i) alter Section 5.6.2, 7.1 (except to add Collateral) or 14.1.1; (ii) amend the definition of Borrowing Base, Accounts Formula Amount or Inventory Formula Amount (or any defined term used in such definitions) if the effect of such amendment is to increase borrowing availability, Pro Rata or Required Lenders; (iii) [reserved]; (iv) release all or substantially all Collateral; (v) except in connection with a merger, disposition or similar transaction expressly permitted hereby, release any Obligor from liability for any Obligations; or (vi) modify the repayment terms of the IC-DISC Subordination Agreements; and
(e) without the prior written consent of a Secured Bank Product Provider, no modification shall affect its relative payment priority under Section 5.6.2.
14.1.2 Limitations. Notwithstanding anything in any Loan Document to the contrary, LIBOR SOFR and related matters may be modified in accordance with Section 3.6, and no further action or consent by any party shall be required. The agreement of Borrowers shall not be required for any modification of a Loan Document that deals solely with the rights and duties of Lenders, Agent and/or Issuing Bank as among themselves. Only the consent of the parties to any agreement relating to fees or a Bank Product shall be required for modification of such agreement, and no Bank Product provider (in such capacity) shall have any right to consent to modification of any Loan Document other than its Bank Product agreement. Any waiver or consent granted by Agent or Lenders hereunder shall be effective only if in writing and only for the matter specified.
14.1.3 Payment for Consents. No Borrower will, directly or indirectly, pay any remuneration or other thing of value, whether by way of additional interest, fee or otherwise, to any Lender (in its capacity as a Lender hereunder) as consideration for agreement by such Lender with any modification of any Loan Documents, unless such remuneration or value is concurrently paid, on the same terms, on a Pro Rata basis to all Lenders providing their consent.
14.2 Indemnity. EACH BORROWER SHALL INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS THE INDEMNITEES AGAINST ANY CLAIMS THAT MAY BE INCURRED BY OR ASSERTED AGAINST ANY INDEMNITEE, INCLUDING CLAIMS ASSERTED BY ANY OBLIGOR OR OTHER PERSON OR ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF AN INDEMNITEE. In no event shall any party to a Loan Document have any obligation thereunder to indemnify or hold harmless an Indemnitee with respect to a Claim that is determined in a final, non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to result from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee.
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14.3Notices and Communications.
14.3.1 Notice Address. Subject to Section 14.3.2, all notices and other communications by or to a party hereto shall be in writing and shall be given to any Borrower, at Borrower Agent's address shown on the signature pages hereof, and to any other Person at its address shown on the signature pages hereof (or, in the case of a Person who becomes a Lender after the Closing Date, at the address shown on its Assignment), or at such other address as a party may hereafter specify by notice in accordance with this Section 14.3. Each communication shall be effective only (a) except for notice to any Borrower, if given by facsimile transmission, when transmitted to the applicable facsimile number, if confirmation of receipt is received; (b) if given by mail, three Business Days after deposit in the U.S. mail, with first-class postage pre-paid, addressed to the applicable address; (c) if given by personal delivery, when duly delivered to the notice address with receipt acknowledged; or (d) if given by e-mail, when transmitted to the applicable e-mail address, if any, set forth on the signature pages hereof, if no delivery failure message is received by the sender. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no notice to Agent pursuant to Section 2.1.4, 2.3, 3.1.2, or 4.1.1 shall be effective until actually received by the individual to whose attention at Agent such notice is required to be sent. Any written communication that is not sent in conformity with the foregoing provisions shall nevertheless be effective on the date actually received by the noticed party. Any notice received by Borrower Agent shall be deemed received by all Borrowers.
14.3.2 Communications. Electronic and telephonic communications (including e-mail, messaging, voice mail and websites) may be used only in a manner acceptable to Agent. Secured Parties make no assurance as to the privacy or security of electronic or telephonic communications. Voice mail shall not be effective notice under the Loan Documents.
14.3.3 Platform. Borrower Materials shall be delivered pursuant to procedures approved by Agent, including electronic delivery (if possible) upon request by Agent to an electronic system maintained by Agent ("Platform"). Borrowers shall notify Agent of each posting of Borrower Materials on the Platform and the materials shall be deemed received by Agent only upon its receipt of such notice. Borrower Materials and other information relating to this credit facility may be made available to Secured Parties on the Platform. The Platform is provided "as is" and "as available." Agent does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of any information on the Platform nor the adequacy or functioning of the Platform, and expressly disclaims liability for any errors or omissions in the Borrower Materials or any issues involving the Platform. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS, OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY AGENT WITH RESPECT TO BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE PLATFORM. No Agent Indemnitee shall have any liability to Borrowers, Secured Parties or any other Person for losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses of any kind (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) relating to use by any Person of the Platform, including any unintended recipient, nor for delivery of Borrower Materials and other information via the Platform, internet, e-mail, or any other electronic platform or messaging system.
14.3.4 Public Information. Obligors and Secured Parties acknowledge that "public" information may not be segregated from material non-public information on the Platform. Secured Parties acknowledge that Borrower Materials may include Obligors' material non-public information, and should not be made available to personnel who do not wish to receive such information or may be engaged in investment or other market-related activities with respect to an Obligor's securities.
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14.3.5 Non-Conforming Communications. Agent and Lenders may rely upon any communications purportedly given by or on behalf of any Borrower even if they were not made in a manner specified herein, were incomplete or were not confirmed, or if the terms thereof, as understood by the recipient, varied from a later confirmation. Each Borrower shall indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnitee from any liabilities, losses, costs and expenses arising from any electronic or telephonic communication purportedly given by or on behalf of a Borrower.
14.4 Performance of Borrowers' Obligations. Agent may, in its discretion at any time and from time to time, at Borrowers' expense, pay any amount or do any act required of a Borrower under any Loan Documents or otherwise lawfully requested by Agent to (a) enforce any Loan Documents or collect any Obligations; (b) protect, insure, maintain or realize upon any Collateral; or (c) defend or maintain the validity or priority of Agent's Liens in any Collateral, including any payment of a judgment, insurance premium, warehouse charge, finishing or processing charge, or landlord claim, or any discharge of a Lien. All payments, costs and expenses (including Extraordinary Expenses) of Agent under this Section shall be reimbursed to Agent by Borrowers, on demand, with interest from the date incurred until paid in full, at the Default Rate applicable to Base Rate Revolver Loans. Any payment made or action taken by Agent under this Section shall be without prejudice to any right to assert an Event of Default or to exercise any other rights or remedies under the Loan Documents.
14.5 Credit Inquiries. Agent and Lenders may (but shall have no obligation) to respond to usual and customary credit inquiries from third parties concerning any Obligor or Subsidiary.
14.6 Severability. Wherever possible, each provision of the Loan Documents shall be interpreted in such manner as to be valid under Applicable Law. If any provision is found to be invalid under Applicable Law, it shall be ineffective only to the extent of such invalidity and the remaining provisions of the Loan Documents shall remain in full force and effect.
14.7 Cumulative Effect; Conflict of Terms. The provisions of the Loan Documents are cumulative. The parties acknowledge that the Loan Documents may use several limitations or measurements to regulate similar matters, and they agree that these are cumulative and that each must be performed as provided. Except as otherwise provided in another Loan Document (by specific reference to the applicable provision of this Agreement), if any provision contained herein is in direct conflict with any provision in another Loan Document, the provision herein shall govern and control.
14.8 Counterparts; Execution. Any Loan Document may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement shall become effective when Agent has received counterparts bearing the signatures of all parties hereto. Agent may (but shall have no obligation to) accept any signature, contract formation or record-keeping through electronic means, which shall have the same legal validity and enforceability as manual or paper-based methods, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any similar state law based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act. Upon request by Agent, any electronic signature or delivery shall be promptly followed by a manually executed or paper document.
14.9 Entire Agreement. Time is of the essence with respect to all Loan Documents and Obligations. The Loan Documents constitute the entire agreement, and supersede all prior understandings and agreements, among the parties relating to the subject matter thereof.
14.10 Relationship with Lenders. The obligations of each Lender hereunder are several, and no Lender shall be responsible for the obligations or Commitments of any other Lender. Amounts payable hereunder to each Lender shall be a separate and independent debt. It shall not be necessary for Agent or any other Lender to be joined as an additional party in any proceeding for such purposes. Nothing in this Agreement and no action of Agent, Lenders or any other Secured Party pursuant to the Loan Documents or otherwise shall be deemed to constitute Agent and any Secured Party to be a partnership, joint venture or similar arrangement, nor to constitute control of any Obligor.
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14.11 No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility. In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated by any Loan Document, Borrowers acknowledge and agree that (a)(i) this credit facility and any arranging or other services by Agent, any Lender, any of their Affiliates or any arranger are arm's-length commercial transactions between Borrowers and their Affiliates, on one hand, and Agent, any Lender, any of their Affiliates or any arranger, on the other hand; (ii) Borrowers have consulted their own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent they have deemed appropriate; and (iii) Borrowers are capable of evaluating, and understand and accept, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents; (b) each of Agent, Lenders, their Affiliates and any arranger is and has been acting solely as a principal and, except as expressly agreed in writing by the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary for Borrowers, their Affiliates or any other Person, and has no obligation with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents except as expressly set forth therein; and (c) Agent, Lenders, their Affiliates and any arranger may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of Borrowers and their Affiliates, and have no obligation to disclose any of such interests to Borrowers or their Affiliates. To the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, each Borrower hereby waives and releases any claims that it may have against Agent, Lenders, their Affiliates and any arranger with respect to any breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any transaction contemplated by a Loan Document.
14.12 Confidentiality. Each of Agent, Lenders and Issuing Bank shall maintain the confidentiality of all Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its Affiliates, and to its and their partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors and representatives (provided they are informed of the confidential nature of the Information and instructed to keep it confidential); (b) to the extent requested by any governmental, regulatory or self-regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over it or its Affiliates; (c) to the extent required by Applicable Law or by any subpoena or other legal process; (d) to any other party hereto; (e) in connection with any action or proceeding relating to any Loan Documents or Obligations; (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as this Section, to any Transferee or any actual or prospective party (or its advisors) to any Bank Product or to any swap, derivative or other transaction under which payments are to be made by reference to an Obligor or Obligor's obligations; (g) to the extent such Information (i) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (ii) is available to Agent, any Lender, Issuing Bank or any of their Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than Borrowers; (h) on a confidential basis to a provider of a Platform; or (i) with the consent of Borrower Agent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Agent and Lenders may publish or disseminate general information concerning this credit facility for league table, tombstone and advertising purposes, and may use Borrowers' logos, trademarks or product photographs in advertising materials. As used herein, "Information" means information received from an Obligor or Subsidiary relating to it or its business that is identified as confidential when delivered. A Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information pursuant to this Section shall be deemed to have complied if it exercises a degree of care similar to that accorded its own confidential information. Each of Agent, Lenders and Issuing Bank acknowledges that (i) Information may include material non-public information; (ii) it has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of such information; and (iii) it will handle the material non-public information in accordance with Applicable Law.
14.13[Reserved].
14.14 GOVERNING LAW. UNLESS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN ANY LOAN DOCUMENT, THIS AGREEMENT, THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS AND ALL CLAIMS SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES EXCEPT FEDERAL LAWS RELATING TO NATIONAL BANKS.
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14.15 Consent to Forum; Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions.
14.15.1 Forum. EACH BORROWER HEREBY CONSENTS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE STATE SUPREME COURT SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY, NEW YORK OR THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, IN ANY DISPUTE, ACTION, LITIGATION OR OTHER PROCEEDING RELATING IN ANY WAY TO ANY LOAN DOCUMENTS, AND AGREES THAT ANY DISPUTE, ACTION, LITIGATION OR OTHER PROCEEDING SHALL BE BROUGHT BY IT SOLELY IN ANY SUCH COURT. EACH BORROWER IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ALL CLAIMS, OBJECTIONS AND DEFENSES THAT IT MAY HAVE REGARDING ANY SUCH COURT'S PERSONAL OR SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION, VENUE OR INCONVENIENT FORUM. EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS AND CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 14.3.1. A final judgment in any proceeding of any such court shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or any other manner provided by Applicable Law.
14.15.2 Other Jurisdictions. Nothing herein shall limit the right of Agent or any Lender to bring proceedings against any Obligor in any other court, nor limit the right of any party to serve process in any other manner permitted by Applicable Law. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to preclude enforcement by Agent of any judgment or order obtained in any forum or jurisdiction.
14.15.3 Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among the parties, each party hereto (including each Secured Party) acknowledges that, with respect to any Secured Party that is an Affected Financial Institution, any liability of such Secured Party arising under a Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the write-down and conversion powers Write-Down and Conversion Powers of an applicable Resolution Authority, and each party hereto agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by, (a) the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by an applicable Resolution Authority to any such liability which may be payable to it by such Secured Party; and (b) the effects of any Bail-in Action on any such liability, including (i) a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability; (ii) a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such Affected Financial Institution, its parent entity, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under any Loan Document; or (iii) the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers.
14.16 Waivers by Borrowers. To the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, each Borrower waives (a) the right to trial by jury (which Agent, Issuing Bank and each Lender hereby also waive) in any proceeding or dispute of any kind relating in any way to any Loan Documents, Obligations or Collateral; (b) presentment, demand, protest, notice of presentment, default, non-payment, maturity, release, compromise, settlement, extension or renewal of any commercial paper, accounts, documents, instruments, chattel paper and guaranties at any time held by Agent on which a Borrower may in any way be liable, and hereby ratifies anything Agent may do in this regard; (c) notice prior to taking possession or control of any Collateral; (d) any bond or security that might be required by a court prior to allowing Agent to exercise any rights or remedies; (e) the benefit of all valuation, appraisement and exemption laws; (f) any claim against Agent, Issuing Bank or any Lender, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential, exemplary or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) in any way relating to any Enforcement Action, Obligations, Loan Documents or transactions relating thereto; and (g) notice of acceptance hereof. Each Borrower acknowledges that the foregoing waivers are a material inducement to Agent, Issuing Bank and Lenders entering into this Agreement and that they are relying upon the foregoing in their dealings with Borrowers. Each Borrower has reviewed the foregoing waivers with its legal counsel and has knowingly and voluntarily waived its jury trial and other rights following consultation with legal counsel. In the event of litigation, this Agreement may be filed as a written consent to a trial by the court.
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14.17 Patriot Act Notice. Agent and Lenders hereby notify Borrowers that pursuant to the Patriot Act, Agent and Lenders are required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each Borrower, including its legal name, address, tax ID number and other information that will allow Agent and Lenders to identify it in accordance with the Patriot Act. Agent and Lenders will also require information regarding any personal guarantor and may require information regarding Borrowers' management and owners, such as legal name, address, social security number and date of birth. Borrowers shall, promptly upon request, provide all documentation and other information as Agent, Issuing Bank or any Lender may request from time to time for purposes of complying with any "know your customer," anti-money laundering or other requirements of Applicable Law, including the Patriot Act and Beneficial Ownership Regulation.
14.18 Acknowledgement Regarding Supported QFCs. To the extent that the Loan Documents provide support, through a guarantee or otherwise, for any Swap or any other agreement or instrument that is a QFC (such support, "QFC Credit Support", and each such QFC, a "Supported QFC"), the parties acknowledge and agree as follows with respect to the resolution power of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (together with the regulations promulgated thereunder, the "U.S. Special Resolution Regimes") in respect of such Supported QFC and QFC Credit Support (with the provisions below applicable notwithstanding that the Loan Documents and any Supported QFC may in fact be stated to be governed by the laws of the State of New York and/or of the United States or any other state of the United States):
14.18.1 Covered Party. If a Covered Entity that is party to a Supported QFC (each, a "Covered Party") becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, transfer of such Supported QFC and the benefit of such QFC Credit Support (and any interest and obligation in or under such Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support, and any rights in property securing such Supported QFC or such QFC Credit Support) from such Covered Party will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regimes if the Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support (and any such interest, obligation and rights in property) were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. If a Covered Party or BHC Act Affiliate of a Covered Party becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under the Loan Documents that might otherwise apply to such Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support that may be exercised against such Covered Party are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regimes if the Supported QFC and Loan Documents were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. Without limitation of the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that rights and remedies of the parties with respect to a Defaulting Lender shall in no event affect the rights of any Covered Party with respect to a Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support.
14.18.2 Definitions. As used in this Section, (a) "BHC Act Affiliate" means an "affiliate," as defined in and interpreted in accordance with 12 U.S.C. §1841(k); (b) "Default Right" has the meaning assigned in and interpreted in accordance with 12 C.F.R. §§252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable; and (c) "QFC" means a "qualified financial contract," as defined in and interpreted in accordance with 12 U.S.C. §5390(c)(8)(D).
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14.19 NO ORAL AGREEMENT. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed and delivered as of the date set forth above.
Loan and Security Agreement
Loan and Security Agreement
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| BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., | |
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| BMO HARRIS BANK N.A., | |
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Loan and Security Agreement
EXHIBIT A
to
Loan and Security Agreement
ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE
Reference is made to the Loan and Security Agreement dated as of February 21, 2017, as amended ("Loan Agreement"), among ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT HOLDING CORPORATION, PROJECT PANTHER ACQUISITION CORPORATION, AEC DIRECT, LLC, ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT, LLC, and DIRECTTOU, LLC (collectively, "Borrowers"), BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as agent ("Agent") for the financial institutions from time to time party to the Loan Agreement ("Lenders"), and such Lenders. Terms are used herein as defined in the Loan Agreement.
______________________________________ ("Assignor") and ______________________________________ ("Assignee") agree as follows:
1. Assignor hereby assigns to Assignee and Assignee hereby purchases and assumes from Assignor (a) a principal amount of $________ of Assignor's outstanding Revolver Loans and $___________ of Assignor's participations in LC Obligations, and (b) the amount of $__________ of Assignor's Revolver Commitment (which represents ____% of the total Revolver Commitments) (the foregoing items being, collectively, "Assigned Interest"), together with an interest in the Loan Documents corresponding to the Assigned Interest. This Agreement shall be effective as of the date ("Effective Date") indicated in the corresponding Assignment Notice delivered to Agent, provided such Assignment Notice is executed by Assignor, Assignee, Agent and Borrower Agent, if applicable. From and after the Effective Date, Assignee hereby expressly assumes, and undertakes to perform, all of Assignor's obligations in respect of the Assigned Interest, and all principal, interest, fees and other amounts which would otherwise be payable to or for Assignor's account in respect of the Assigned Interest shall be payable to or for Assignee's account, to the extent such amounts accrue on or after the Effective Date.
2. Assignor (a) represents that as of the date hereof, prior to giving effect to this assignment, its Revolver Commitment is $__________, the outstanding balance of its Revolver Loans and participations in LC Obligations is $__________; (b) makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Loan Agreement or the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Agreement or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto, other than that Assignor is the legal and beneficial owner of the interest being assigned by it hereunder and that such interest is free and clear of any adverse claim; and (c) makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to the financial condition of Borrowers or the performance by Borrowers of their obligations under the Loan Documents. [Assignor is attaching the promissory note[s] held by it and requests that Agent exchange such note[s] for new promissory notes payable to Assignee [and Assignor].]
3. Assignee (a) represents and warrants that it is legally authorized to enter into this Assignment; (b) confirms that it has received copies of the Loan Agreement and such other Loan Documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment; (c) agrees that it shall, independently and without reliance upon Assignor and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents; (d) confirms that it is an Eligible Assignee; (e) appoints and authorizes Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under the Loan Agreement as are delegated to Agent by the terms thereof, together with such powers as are incidental thereto; (f) agrees that it will observe and perform all obligations that are required to be performed by it as a "Lender" under the Loan Documents; and (g) represents and warrants that the assignment evidenced hereby will not result in a non-exempt "prohibited transaction" under Section 406 of ERISA.
Exhibit A
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4. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York. If any provision is found to be invalid under Applicable Law, it shall be ineffective only to the extent of such invalidity and the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
5. Each notice or other communication hereunder shall be in writing, shall be sent by messenger, by telecopy or facsimile transmission, or by first-class mail, shall be deemed given when sent and shall be sent as follows:
(a) | If to Assignee, to the following address (or to such other address as Assignee may designate from time to time): | ||
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(b) | If to Assignor, to the following address (or to such other address as Assignor may designate from time to time): | ||
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Payments hereunder shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available Dollars as follows:
If to Assignee, to the following account (or to such other account as Assignee may designate from time to time):
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If to Assignor, to the following account (or to such other account as Assignor may designate from time to time):
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Exhibit A
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Assignment and Acceptance is executed as of _____________.
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Exhibit A
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EXHIBIT B
to
Loan and Security Agreement
ASSIGNMENT NOTICE
Reference is made to (1) the Loan and Security Agreement dated as of February 21, 2017, as amended ("Loan Agreement"), among ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT HOLDING CORPORATION, PROJECT PANTHER ACQUISITION CORPORATION, AEC DIRECT, LLC, ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT, LLC, and DIRECTTOU, LLC, (collectively, "Borrowers"), BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as agent ("Agent") for the financial institutions from time to time party to the Loan Agreement ("Lenders"), and such Lenders; and (2) the Assignment and Acceptance dated as of ____________, 20__ ("Assignment"), between __________________ ("Assignor") and ____________________ ("Assignee"). Terms are used herein as defined in the Loan Agreement.
Assignor hereby notifies Borrowers and Agent of Assignor's intent to assign to Assignee pursuant to the Assignment (a) a principal amount of $________ of Assignor's outstanding Revolver Loans and $___________ of Assignor's participations in LC Obligations, and (b) the amount of $__________ of Assignor's Revolver Commitment (which represents ____% of the total Revolver Commitments) (the foregoing items being, collectively, the " Assigned Interest"), together with an interest in the Loan Documents corresponding to the Assigned Interest. This Agreement shall be effective as of the date ("Effective Date") indicated below, provided this Assignment Notice is executed by Assignor, Assignee, Agent and Borrower Agent, if applicable. Pursuant to the Assignment, Assignee has expressly assumed all of Assignor's obligations under the Loan Agreement to the extent of the Assigned Interest, as of the Effective Date.
For purposes of the Loan Agreement, Agent shall deem Assignor's Revolver Commitment to be reduced by $_________, and Assignee's Revolver Commitment to be increased by $_________.
The address of Assignee to which notices and information are to be sent under the terms of the Loan Agreement is:
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The address of Assignee to which payments are to be sent under the terms of the Loan Agreement is shown in the Assignment.
This Notice is being delivered to Borrowers and Agent pursuant to Section 13.3 of the Loan Agreement. Please acknowledge your acceptance of this Notice by executing and returning to Assignee and Assignor a copy of this Notice.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Assignment Notice is executed as of _____________.
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Exhibit B
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ACKNOWLEDGED AND AGREED,
AS OF THE DATE SET FORTH ABOVE:
BORROWER AGENT:*
ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT, LLC
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Name: Bruce Ogilvie, Jr. |
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Title: Chairman |
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* No signature required if Assignee is a Lender, Affiliate of a Lender or Approved Fund, or if an Event of Default exists.
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
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Exhibit B
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SCHEDULE 1.1
to
Loan and Security Agreement
COMMITMENTS OF LENDERS
Lender |
| Revolver Commitment |
| Total Commitments |
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Bank of America, N.A. |
| $ | 91,000,000 |
| $ | 91,000,000 |
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BMO Harris Bank N.A. |
| $ | 49,000,000 |
| $ | 49,000,000 |
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Fifth Third Bank |
| $ | 35,000,000 |
| $ | 35,000,000 |
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Total: |
| $ | 175,000,000 |
| $ | 175,000,000 |
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Schedule 1.1
SCHEDULE 8.5.1
to
Loan and Security Agreement
DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS
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Schedule 8.5.1
SCHEDULE 8.6.1
to
Loan and Security Agreement
BUSINESS LOCATIONS
1.Each Borrower currently has the following business locations:
Chief Executive Office:
Other Locations:
2.Each Subsidiary currently has the following business locations:
Chief Executive Office:
Other Locations:
3. | In the five years preceding the Closing Date, Borrowers and Subsidiaries have had the following business locations in addition to those set forth above: |
4.The following bailees, warehouseman, similar parties and consignees hold inventory of a Borrower or Subsidiary:
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Address of Party | Nature of Relationship | Amount of Inventory | Owner of Inventory |
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Schedule 8.6.1
SCHEDULE 9.1.4
to
Loan and Security Agreement
NAMES AND CAPITAL STRUCTURE
1. | The corporate names, jurisdictions of incorporation, and authorized and issued Equity Interests of each Borrower and Subsidiary are as follows: |
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Name | Jurisdiction | Authorized Shares | Issued Shares |
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2.The record holders of Equity Interests of each Borrower and Subsidiary are as follows:
Name | Class of Stock | Number of Shares | Record Owner |
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3. | All agreements binding on holders of Equity Interests of Borrowers and Subsidiaries with respect to such interests are as follows: |
4. | In the five years preceding the Closing Date, no Borrower or Subsidiary has acquired any substantial assets from any other Person nor been the surviving entity in a merger or combination, except: |
Schedule 9.1.4
SCHEDULE 9.1.11
to
Loan and Security Agreement
PATENTS, TRADEMARKS, COPYRIGHTS AND LICENSES
1.Borrowers' and Subsidiaries' patents:
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Patent | Owner | Office | Registration No. | Registration Date |
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2.Borrowers' and Subsidiaries' trademarks:
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3.Borrowers' and Subsidiaries' copyrights:
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Copyright | Owner | Copyright Office | Registration No. | Registration Date |
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4. | Borrowers' and Subsidiaries' licenses (other than routine business licenses, authorizing them to transact business in local jurisdictions): |
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Schedule 9.1.11
SCHEDULE 9.1.14
to
Loan and Security Agreement
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
Schedule 9.1.14
SCHEDULE 9.1.15
to
Loan and Security Agreement
RESTRICTIVE AGREEMENTS
Entity | Agreement | Restrictive Provisions |
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Schedule 9.1.15
SCHEDULE 9.1.16
to
Loan and Security Agreement
LITIGATION AND COMMERCIAL TORT CLAIMS
1.Proceedings and investigations pending against Borrowers or Subsidiaries:
2.Threatened proceedings or investigations of which any Borrower or Subsidiary is aware:
3.Pending Commercial Tort Claim(s) of any Obligor:
Schedule 9.1.16
SCHEDULE 9.1.18
to
Loan and Security Agreement
PENSION PLAN DISCLOSURES
Schedule 9.1.18
SCHEDULE 9.1.20
to
Loan and Security Agreement
LABOR CONTRACTS
Borrowers and Subsidiaries are party to the following collective bargaining agreements, management agreements and consulting agreements:
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Schedule 9.1.20
SCHEDULE 10.1.2
to
Loan and Security Agreement
ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL AND COLLATERAL REPORTING
Monthly (no later than the 20th day of each month) | (a) a detailed calculation of those domestic Accounts that are not eligible for the Borrowing Base, |
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(b) a detailed calculation of those foreign Accounts that are not eligible for the Borrowing Base, | |
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Promptly following any request by Agent | (j) copies of purchase orders and invoices for Inventory and Equipment acquired by Alliance Holding or its Subsidiaries, |
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Schedule 10.1.2
SCHEDULE 10.1.7
to
Loan and Security Agreement
CATEGORIES OF INSURANCE
Airlie Protection and Protection for You are micro-captive insurance companies that shall provide insurance coverage to the Borrowers with respect to the following categories of insurance:
● | Credit Insurance |
● | Cyber Security and Privacy Liability |
● | Premier Business Interruption |
● | Self-Insured Retention/Deductible Reimbursement/Property/Directors & Officers/EPLI/ Crime/Cargo |
● | Shipping Insurance |
● | Tax Audit Expenses |
● | Administrative Action Insurance |
● | Contractual Liability Insurance |
● | Legal Expenses Insurance |
● | Special Excess—Credit Insurance |
● | Special Excess—Cyber Security and Privacy Liability |
● | Special Excess—Premier Business Interruption Insurance |
● | Special Intellectual Property Infringement and Abatement |
● | Special Regulatory Action Liability Insurance |
● | Supplemental Crime Insurance |
Schedule 10.1.7
SCHEDULE 10.2.2
to
Loan and Security Agreement
EXISTING LIENS
Schedule 10.2.2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
SCHEDULE 10.2.17
to
Loan and Security Agreement
EXISTING AFFILIATE TRANSACTIONS
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Exhibit 10.14
Execution Version
AMENDMENT NUMBER TEN
TO LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT
This AMENDMENT NUMBER TEN TO LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT (this “Amendment”), dated as of May 4, 2022, is entered into by and among ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT HOLDING CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (“Alliance Holding”), PROJECT PANTHER ACQUISITION CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (“Panther”), AEC DIRECT, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“AEC”), ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Alliance”), DIRECTTOU, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Directtou”), MECCA ELECTRONICS INDUSTRIES, INC., a New York corporation (“Mecca”), MILL CREEK ENTERTAINMENT, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company (“Mill Creek”), AERIS MARKETING, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company (“Aeris,”), and COKEM INTERNATIONAL, LTD., a Minnesota corporation (“COKeM”, and together with Alliance Holding, Panther, AEC, Alliance, Directtou, Mecca, Mill Creek and Aeris, each a “Borrower”, and collectively, the “Borrowers”), the Lenders (as defined below) party hereto, and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., a national banking association (“Bank of America”), as agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, “Agent”).
RECITALS
A. Borrowers, Agent, and the financial institutions party thereto from time to time as lenders (collectively, “Lenders”) are parties to that certain Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of February 21, 2017 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented, extended, or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”). Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Loan Agreement as amended hereby.
B. Borrowers have requested amendments to the Loan Agreement.
C. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, Agent and Lenders agree to make those amendments to the Loan Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants herein contained, and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:
I. | AMENDMENTS TO THE LOAN AGREEMENT. |
A.The definition of “Inventory Formula Amount” in Section 1.1 of the Agreement is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:
Inventory Formula Amount: the lesser of:
(a) $100,000,000; and
(b) the sum of:
(i) the lesser of (A) 65% of the Value of Eligible Inventory (other than Inventory to be returned to Borrowers’ vendors or Inventory returned from Borrowers’ customers which is not reflected on the most recent Inventory perpetual report of Borrowers), and (B) 85% of the NOLV Percentage of the Value of Eligible Inventory (other than Inventory to be returned to Borrowers’ vendors or Inventory returned from Borrowers’ customers which is not reflected on the most recent Inventory perpetual report of Borrowers); plus
(ii) the lowest of (A) 65% of the Value of Eligible Inventory consisting of Inventory to be returned to Borrowers’ vendors (other than Inventory returned from Borrowers’ customers which is not reflected on the most recent Inventory perpetual report of Borrowers), (B) 85% of the NOLV Percentage of the Value of Eligible Inventory consisting of Inventory to be returned to Borrowers’ vendors (other than Inventory returned from Borrowers’ customers which is not reflected on the most recent Inventory perpetual report of Borrowers), and (C) $6,500,000; plus
(iii) the lowest of (A) 65% of the Value of Eligible Inventory consisting of Inventory returned from Borrowers’ customers which is not reflected on the most recent Inventory perpetual report of Borrowers, (B) 85% of the NOLV Percentage of the Value of Eligible Inventory consisting of Inventory returned from Borrowers’ customers which is not reflected on the most recent Inventory perpetual report of Borrowers, and (C) $3,000,000; plus
(iv) the lowest of (A) 65% of the Value of Eligible In-Transit Inventory, (B) 85% of the NOLV Percentage of the Value of Eligible In-Transit Inventory, (C) 10% of the Borrowing Base, and (D) $17,500,000.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the portion of the Inventory Formula Amount that is attributable to Pre-Owned Inventory may not exceed $500,000 at any time.
II. CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS. The effectiveness of this Amendment as set forth herein is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions precedent:
A. Amendment. (i) Agent shall have received fully executed copies of this Amendment; and (ii) Agent shall be satisfied that the execution and delivery of this Amendment by Borrowers shall have been duly authorized or ratified by all necessary corporate action.
B. Satisfaction of Conditions under Section 6.2 of the Loan Agreement. Borrowers represent and warrant as of the date hereof that: (i) no Default or Event of Default exists; (ii) the representations and warranties of each Obligor in the Loan Documents are true and correct (except for representations and warranties that relate solely to an earlier date); (iii) all conditions precedent in any Loan Document are satisfied; (iv) no event has occurred or circumstance exists that has or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (v) with respect to a Letter of Credit issuance, all LC Conditions are satisfied.
C. Miscellaneous. Borrowers shall have executed and delivered to Agent such other documents and instruments as Agent may reasonably require.
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III.MISCELLANEOUS.
A. Survival of Representations and Warranties. All representations and warranties made in the Loan Agreement or any other document or documents relating thereto, including, without limitation, any Loan Document furnished in connection with this Amendment, shall survive the execution and delivery of this Amendment and the other Loan Documents, and no investigation by Agent or any Lender shall affect the representations and warranties or the right of Agent and Lenders to rely thereon.
B. Reference to Loan Agreement. The Loan Agreement, each of the Loan Documents, and any and all other agreements, documents or instruments now or hereafter executed and delivered pursuant to the terms hereof, or pursuant to the terms of the Loan Agreement as amended hereby, are hereby amended so that any reference therein to the Loan Agreement shall mean a reference to the Loan Agreement as amended hereby.
C. Loan Agreement Remains in Effect. The Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents, as amended hereby, remain in full force and effect and each Borrower ratifies and confirms its agreements and covenants contained therein. Each Borrower hereby confirms that no Event of Default or Default exists.
D. Severability. Any provision of this Amendment held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable shall not impair or invalidate the remainder of this Amendment and the effect thereof shall be confined to the provision so held to be invalid or unenforceable.
E. Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
F. Headings. The headings, captions, and arrangements used in this Amendment are for convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Amendment.
G. NO ORAL AGREEMENTS. THIS AMENDMENT, TOGETHER WITH THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS AS WRITTEN, REPRESENTS THE FINAL AGREEMENT AMONG AGENT, LENDERS, AND BORROWERS AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS AMONG AGENT, LENDERS, AND BORROWERS.
H. GOVERNING LAW. THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES EXCEPT FEDERAL LAWS RELATING TO NATIONAL BANKS.
I. CONSENT TO FORUM; OTHER JURISDICTIONS; ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND CONSENT TO BAIL-IN OF EEA FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS. THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS REGARDING FORUM; OTHER JURISDICTIONS; ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND CONSENT TO BAIL-IN OF EEA FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS SET FORTH IN SECTIONS 14.14 AND 14.15 OF THE LOAN AGREEMENT, AND SUCH PROVISIONS ARE INCORPORATED HEREIN BY THIS REFERENCE, MUTATIS MUTANDIS.
[Signature Pages to Follow]
3
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be duly executed by its authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.
| AGENT AND LENDERS: | |
| | |
| BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., | |
| as Agent and a Lender | |
| | |
| By: | /s/ Jennifer Tang |
| Name: Jennifer Tang | |
| Title: SVP |
Amendment Number Ten to Loan and Security Agreement
| FIFTH THIRD BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, | |
| as a Lender | |
| | |
| By: | /s/ Patrick Lingrosso |
| Name: Patrick Lingrosso | |
| Title: Vice President |
Amendment Number Ten to Loan and Security Agreement
| BMO HARRIS BANK N.A., | |
| as a Lender | |
| | |
| By: | /s/ Brittany Malone |
| Name: Brittany Malone | |
| Title: Director |
Amendment Number Ten to Loan and Security Agreement
| BORROWERS: | |
| | |
| ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT HOLDING CORPORATION | |
| | |
| By: | /s/ Bruce Ogilvie |
| Name: | Bruce Ogilvie |
| Title: | Chairman |
| | |
| PROJECT PANTHER ACQUISITION CORPORATION | |
| | |
| By: | /s/ Bruce Ogilvie |
| Name: | Bruce Ogilvie |
| Title: | Chairman |
| | |
| AEC DIRECT, LLC | |
| | |
| By: | /s/ Bruce Ogilvie |
| Name: | Bruce Ogilvie |
| Title: | Chairman |
| | |
| ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT, LLC | |
| | |
| By: | /s/ Bruce Ogilvie |
| Name: | Bruce Ogilvie |
| Title: | Chairman |
| | |
| DIRECTTOU, LLC | |
| | |
| By: | /s/ Bruce Ogilvie |
| Name: | Bruce Ogilvie |
| Title: | Chairman |
Amendment Number Ten to Loan and Security Agreement
| MECCA ELECTRONICS INDUSTRIES, INC. | |
| | |
| By: | /s/ Bruce Ogilvie |
| Name: | Bruce Ogilvie |
| Title: | Chairman |
| | |
| MILL CREEK ENTERTAINMENT, LLC | |
| | |
| By: | /s/ Bruce Ogilvie |
| Name: | Bruce Ogilvie |
| Title: | Chairman |
| | |
| AERIS MARKETING, LLC | |
| | |
| By: | /s/ Bruce Ogilvie |
| Name: | Bruce Ogilvie |
| Title: | Chairman |
| | |
| COKEM INTERNATIONAL, LTD. | |
| | |
| By: | /s/ Bruce Ogilvie |
| Name: | Bruce Ogilvie |
| Title: | Chairman |
Amendment Number Ten to Loan and Security Agreement
Exhibit 10.15
Execution Version
AMENDMENT NUMBER ELEVEN
TO LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT
This AMENDMENT NUMBER ELEVEN TO LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT (this “Amendment”), dated as of June 30, 2022, is entered into by and among ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT HOLDING CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (“Alliance Holding”), PROJECT PANTHER ACQUISITION CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (“Panther”), AEC DIRECT, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“AEC”), ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Alliance”), DIRECTTOU, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Directtou”), MECCA ELECTRONICS INDUSTRIES, INC., a New York corporation (“Mecca”), MILL CREEK ENTERTAINMENT, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company (“Mill Creek”) and COKEM INTERNATIONAL, LTD., a Minnesota corporation (“COKeM”, and together with Alliance Holding, Panther, AEC, Alliance, Directtou, Mecca and Mill Creek, each a “Borrower”, and collectively, the “Borrowers”), the Lenders (as defined below) party hereto, and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., a national banking association (“Bank of America”), as agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, “Agent”).
RECITALS
A. Borrowers, Agent, and the financial institutions party thereto from time to time as lenders (collectively, “Lenders”) are parties to that certain Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of February 21, 2017 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented, extended, or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”). Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Loan Agreement as amended hereby.
B. Borrowers have requested amendments to the Loan Agreement including an increase of the maximum Revolver Commitment.
C. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, Agent and Lenders agree to make those amendments to the Loan Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants herein contained, and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:
I. | AMENDMENTS TO THE LOAN AGREEMENT. |
A.The definition of “Availability Reserve” in Section 1.1 of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:
Availability Reserve: the sum (without duplication) of (a) the Inventory Reserve; (b) the Rent and Charges Reserve; (c) the Bank Product Reserve; (d) the aggregate amount of liabilities secured by Liens upon Collateral that are senior to Agent's Liens (but imposition of any such reserve shall not waive an Event of Default arising therefrom); (e) the Accounts Payable Reserve; (f) the COKeM Independent Contractor Reserve, (g) the COKeM Sellers Notes Reserve, (h) a temporary reserve in the amount of $5,000,000, which temporary reserve shall be in effect from July 25, 2022 through and including the date thereafter on which Agent has received a new appraisal of Borrowers’ Inventory together with a Borrowing Base Report reflecting such new appraisal and any resulting Overadvances have been repaid in accordance with Section 2.1.5, and (i) such additional reserves, in such amounts and with respect to such matters, as Agent in its Permitted Discretion may elect to impose from time to time.
B.The definition of “Inventory Formula Amount” in Section 1.1 of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:
Inventory Formula Amount: the lesser of:
(a) $140,000,000 during each Seasonal Period and $100,000,000 at all other times; and
(b) the sum of:
(i) the lesser of (A) 65% of the Value of Eligible Inventory (other than Inventory to be returned to Borrowers’ vendors or Inventory returned from Borrowers’ customers which is not reflected on the most recent Inventory perpetual report of Borrowers), and (B) 85% of the NOLV Percentage of the Value of Eligible Inventory (other than Inventory to be returned to Borrowers’ vendors or Inventory returned from Borrowers’ customers which is not reflected on the most recent Inventory perpetual report of Borrowers); plus
(ii) the lowest of (A) 65% of the Value of Eligible Inventory consisting of Inventory to be returned to Borrowers’ vendors (other than Inventory returned from Borrowers’ customers which is not reflected on the most recent Inventory perpetual report of Borrowers), (B) 85% of the NOLV Percentage of the Value of Eligible Inventory consisting of Inventory to be returned to Borrowers’ vendors (other than Inventory returned from Borrowers’ customers which is not reflected on the most recent Inventory perpetual report of Borrowers), and (C) $6,500,000; plus
(iii) the lowest of (A) 65% of the Value of Eligible Inventory consisting of Inventory returned from Borrowers’ customers which is not reflected on the most recent Inventory perpetual report of Borrowers, (B) 85% of the NOLV Percentage of the Value of Eligible Inventory consisting of Inventory returned from Borrowers’ customers which is not reflected on the most recent Inventory perpetual report of Borrowers, and (C) $3,000,000; plus
(iv) the lowest of (A) 65% of the Value of Eligible In-Transit Inventory, (B) 85% of the NOLV Percentage of the Value of Eligible In-Transit Inventory, (C) 10% of the Borrowing Base, and (D) $22,500,000.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the portion of the Inventory Formula Amount that is attributable to Pre-Owned Inventory may not exceed $500,000 at any time.
C.The definition of “Permitted Acquisition” in Section 1.1 of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following to the end thereof:
“For purposes of this Agreement, the Think 3Fold Acquisition shall be deemed a Permitted Acquisition.”
D.The definition of “Seasonal Period” in Section 1.1 of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:
Seasonal Period: the period commencing on July 1 of each calendar year and continuing through and including January 31 of the following calendar year.
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E.The definition of “Triggering Event” in Section 1.1 of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:
Triggering Event: means, as of any date of determination, that (a) a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing as of such date, or (b) Excess Availability is less than, the greater of: (i) an amount equal to 10% of the Borrowing Base for five consecutive Business Days, or (ii) $20,000,000 for five consecutive Business Days.
F.The following definitions are hereby added to Section 1.1 of the Loan Agreement in their appropriate alphabetical order:
Adara: Adara Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation.
Adara Business Combination Agreement: that certain Business Combination Agreement, entered into on June 22, 2022 by and among Adara, Adara Merger Sub, and Alliance Holding.
Adara Merger Sub: Adara Merger Sub, Inc. a Delaware corporation.
Arvest Deposit Account: that certain deposit account number 37730482 maintained at Arvest Bank acquired in the Think 3Fold Acquisition.
B&C Warehouse: the warehouse of B&C Logistics Group, LLC located at 200 Cain Parkway, Rochelle, Illinois.
Eleventh Amendment Effective Date: June 30, 2022.
Permitted SPAC Transaction: the merger of Adara Merger Sub with and into Alliance Holding, with Alliance Holding being the surviving corporation, pursuant to and in accordance with the Adara Business Combination Agreement as in effect on the Eleventh Amendment Effective Date, but only so long as
(a) no Default or Event of Default exists at the time of such merger or is caused thereby;
(b) Borrowers have provided Agent with written confirmation that, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the proposed merger, determined as if such merger had occurred on the first day of the twelve calendar month period most recently ended for which financial statements are available, Alliance Holding and its Subsidiaries would have been in compliance with the financial covenants in Section 10.3 of this Agreement as of the last day of the calendar month most recently ended for which financial statements are available, which such written confirmation shall be reasonably satisfactory to Agent; and
(c) no Debt or Liens are assumed or incurred, except as permitted by Sections 10.2.1(f), 10.2.1(h) and 10.2.2(j), with the proposed merger being deemed a Permitted Acquisition solely for purposes of this definition.
Think 3Fold: Think 3Fold, LLC, an Arkansas limited liability company.
Think 3Fold Acquisition: the purchase of assets by Alliance Holding from Think 3Fold, pursuant to the Think 3Fold Purchase Agreement as in effect on the Eleventh Amendment Effective Date.
3
Think 3Fold Purchase Agreement: that certain Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 18, 2022, between Think 3Fold, LLC, an Arkansas limited liability company as seller and Alliance Holding as purchaser.
Think 3Fold Trade Accounts Payable: trade accounts payable of Think 3Fold, in the approximate amount of $16,200,000, assumed by Alliance Holding in connection with the Think 3Fold Acquisition.
G.Section 2.1.7 of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:
2.1.7 Increase in Revolver Commitments. Borrowers may request a one-time increase in Revolver Commitments from time to time upon notice to Agent, as long as (a) the requested increase is in a minimum amount of $5,000,000 and is offered on the same terms as existing Revolver Commitments except for a closing fee and an increase in the Applicable Margin, to the extent either is acceptable to Borrowers, and (b) the total increase under this Section does not exceed $10,000,000. Agent shall promptly notify Lenders of the requested increase and, within 10 Business Days thereafter, each Lender shall notify Agent if and to what extent such Lender commits to increase its Revolver Commitment. Any Lender not responding within such period shall be deemed to have declined an increase. If Lenders fail to commit to the full requested increase, Eligible Assignees may issue additional Revolver Commitments and become Lenders hereunder. Agent may allocate, in its discretion, the increased Revolver Commitments among committing Lenders and, if necessary, Eligible Assignees. Provided the conditions set forth in Section 6.2 are satisfied, total Revolver Commitments shall be increased by the requested amount (or such lesser amount committed by Lenders and Eligible Assignees) on a date agreed upon by Agent and Borrower Agent, but no later than 10 days after receipt of such commitments by Lenders and Eligible Assignees. Agent, Borrowers, and new and existing Lenders shall execute and deliver such documents and agreements as Agent deems appropriate to evidence the increase in and allocations of Revolver Commitments and the increase in the Applicable Margin, if any. On the effective date of an increase under this Section 2.1.7, (i) Schedule 1.1 will automatically be revised to provide that the maximum Revolver Commitments (as increased) will be effective during the Seasonal Period each year and will automatically reduce to $225,000,000 at all other times, and (ii) the Revolver Usage and other exposures under the Revolver Commitments shall be reallocated among Lenders, and settled by Agent as necessary, in accordance with Lenders’ adjusted shares of such commitments.
H.Section 10.1.1(b) of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:
(b) Reimburse Agent for all its charges, costs and expenses in connection with (i) examinations of Obligors’ books and records or any other financial or Collateral matters as it deems appropriate, up to 1 time per Loan Year; and (ii) appraisals of Inventory, up to 1 time per Loan Year; provided, however, that (1) Borrowers shall reimburse Agent for all its charges, costs, and expenses in connection with a second such examination (as described in clause 10.1.1(b)(i)) in any Loan Year and a second (or in Agent’s discretion a third) such appraisal of Inventory in any Loan Year to the extent any such additional examination or appraisal is initiated at a time when Excess Availability is less than the greater of: (i) an amount equal to 15% of the Borrowing Base for five consecutive Business Days, or (ii) $22,500,000 for five consecutive Business Days; and provided further, however, if an examination or appraisal is initiated during a Default or Event of Default, all charges, costs and expenses relating thereto shall be reimbursed by Borrowers without regard to such limits. Borrowers shall pay Agent’s then standard charges for examination activities, including charges for its internal examination and appraisal groups, as well as the charges of any third party used for such purposes. No Borrowing Base calculation shall include Collateral acquired in a Permitted Acquisition (except for the COKeM Acquisition), or otherwise outside the Ordinary Course of Business until completion of applicable field examinations and appraisals (which shall not be included in the limits provided above) satisfactory to Agent.
4
I. | A new Section 10.1.12 is hereby added to the Loan Agreement as follows: |
10.1.12 Think 3Fold Acquisition Covenants:
(a) no later than August 1, 2022, close the Arvest Deposit Account and cause any proceeds of Walmart Inc. accounts that had been payable to the Arvest Deposit Account to be paid to one or more of the Borrowers’ collection accounts maintained at Bank of America; and
(b) no later than October 1, 2022 cause all Inventory of Borrowers maintained at the B&C Warehouse to be moved to another warehouse of one or more of the Borrowers that is not operated by either B&C Logistics Group or Stord, Inc.
J.Section 10.1.2 of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended by deleting paragraph 10.1.2(a) therefrom and replacing it with the following:
(a)as soon as available, and in any event within 120 days (90 days if the Permitted SPAC Transaction has been consummated) after the close of each Fiscal Year, balance sheets as of the end of such Fiscal Year and the related statements of income, cash flow and shareholders’ equity for such Fiscal Year, on consolidated and consolidating bases for Borrowers and Subsidiaries, which consolidated statements shall be audited and certified (without qualification) by a firm of independent certified public accountants of recognized standing selected by Borrowers and acceptable to Agent, and shall set forth in comparative form corresponding figures for the preceding Fiscal Year and other information acceptable to Agent;
K. Section 10.1.2 of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended by deleting paragraph 10.1.2(g) therefrom and replacing it with the following:
(g)promptly after the sending or filing thereof, copies of any proxy statements, financial statements or reports that any Borrower has made generally available to its shareholders; copies of any annual, regular, periodic and special reports or registration statements or prospectuses (including, without limitation, Forms 10-K, 8-Q or 8-K) that any Borrower files or is required to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other Governmental Authority, or any securities exchange; and copies of any press releases or other statements made available by a Borrower to the public concerning material changes to or developments in the business of such Borrower;
5
L.Section 10.2.9 of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:
10.2.9 Fundamental Changes. Change its name or conduct business under any fictitious name; change its tax, charter or other organizational identification number; change its form or state of organization; liquidate, wind up its affairs or dissolve itself; or merge, combine or consolidate with any Person, whether in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, except for (a) mergers or consolidations of a wholly-owned Subsidiary with another wholly-owned Subsidiary or into a Borrower; (b) Permitted Acquisitions; or (c) the Permitted SPAC Transaction.
M.Schedule 1.1 to the Loan Agreement is hereby replaced by Schedule 1.1 attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference.
II.CONSENT TO DISSOLUTION OF AERIS. The Lenders hereby consent to the dissolution of Aeris Marketing, LLC (“Aeris”), so long as there are no assets remaining at Aeris.
III.CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS. The effectiveness of this Amendment as set forth herein is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions precedent:
A.Upfront Fee. Agent shall have received an upfront fee of $50,000, for the Pro Rata benefit of each Lender increasing its Revolver Commitment pursuant to this Amendment, which upfront fee shall be fully earned when paid.
B.Amendment. (i) Agent shall have received fully executed copies of this Amendment; and (ii) Agent shall be satisfied that the execution and delivery of this Amendment by Borrowers shall have been duly authorized or ratified by all necessary corporate action.
C.Certificates(s). Agent shall have received a certificate of a duly authorized officer of each Obligor, certifying (i) that attached copies of such Obligor’s Organic Documents are true and complete, and in full force and effect, without amendment except as shown; (ii) that an attached copy of resolutions authorizing execution and delivery of the Loan Documents (including the Loan Agreement as modified by this Amendment) is true and complete, and that such resolutions are in full force and effect, were duly adopted, have not been amended, modified or revoked, and constitute all resolutions adopted with respect to this credit facility; and (iii) to the title, name and signature of each Person authorized to sign the Loan Documents. Documents. Agent may conclusively rely on this certificate until it is otherwise notified by the applicable Obligor in writing.
D.Satisfaction of Conditions under Section 6.2 of the Loan Agreement. Borrowers represent and warrant as of the date hereof that: (i) no Default or Event of Default exists; (ii) the representations and warranties of each Obligor in the Loan Documents are true and correct (except for representations and warranties that relate solely to an earlier date); (iii) all conditions precedent in any Loan Document are satisfied; (iv) no event has occurred or circumstance exists that has or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (v) with respect to a Letter of Credit issuance, all LC Conditions are satisfied.
E.Miscellaneous. Borrowers shall have executed and delivered to Agent such other documents and instruments as Agent may reasonably require.
IV.MISCELLANEOUS.
A.Survival of Representations and Warranties. All representations and warranties made in the Loan Agreement or any other document or documents relating thereto, including, without limitation, any Loan Document furnished in connection with this Amendment, shall survive the execution and delivery of this Amendment and the other Loan Documents, and no investigation by Agent or any Lender shall affect the representations and warranties or the right of Agent and Lenders to rely thereon.
6
B. Reference to Loan Agreement. The Loan Agreement, each of the Loan Documents, and any and all other agreements, documents or instruments now or hereafter executed and delivered pursuant to the terms hereof, or pursuant to the terms of the Loan Agreement as amended hereby, are hereby amended so that any reference therein to the Loan Agreement shall mean a reference to the Loan Agreement as amended hereby.
C. Loan Agreement Remains in Effect. The Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents, as amended hereby, remain in full force and effect and each Borrower ratifies and confirms its agreements and covenants contained therein. Each Borrower hereby confirms that no Event of Default or Default exists.
D. Severability. Any provision of this Amendment held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable shall not impair or invalidate the remainder of this Amendment and the effect thereof shall be confined to the provision so held to be invalid or unenforceable.
E. Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
F. Headings. The headings, captions, and arrangements used in this Amendment are for convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Amendment.
G. NO ORAL AGREEMENTS. THIS AMENDMENT, TOGETHER WITH THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS AS WRITTEN, REPRESENTS THE FINAL AGREEMENT AMONG AGENT, LENDERS, AND BORROWERS AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS AMONG AGENT, LENDERS, AND BORROWERS.
H. GOVERNING LAW. THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES EXCEPT FEDERAL LAWS RELATING TO NATIONAL BANKS.
I. CONSENT TO FORUM; OTHER JURISDICTIONS; ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND CONSENT TO BAIL-IN OF EEA FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS. THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS REGARDING FORUM; OTHER JURISDICTIONS; ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND CONSENT TO BAIL-IN OF EEA FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS SET FORTH IN SECTIONS 14.14 AND 14.15 OF THE LOAN AGREEMENT, AND SUCH PROVISIONS ARE INCORPORATED HEREIN BY THIS REFERENCE, MUTATIS MUTANDIS.
[Signature Pages to Follow]
7
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be duly executed by its authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.
| AGENT AND LENDERS: | |
| | |
| BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., | |
| as Agent and a Lender | |
| | |
| By: | /s/ Jennifer Tang |
| Name: Jennifer Tang | |
| Title: SVP |
Amendment Number Eleven to Loan and Security Agreement
| FIFTH THIRD BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, | |
| as a Lender | |
| | |
| By: | /s/ Patrick Lingrosso |
| Name: Patrick Lingrosso | |
| Title: Vice President |
Amendment Number Eleven to Loan and Security Agreement
| BMO HARRIS BANK N.A., | |
| as a Lender | |
| | |
| By: | /s/ Brittany Morrissey |
| Name: Brittany Morrissey | |
| Title: Director |
Amendment Number Eleven to Loan and Security Agreement
| BORROWERS: | |
| | |
| ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT HOLDING CORPORATION | |
| | |
| By: | /s/ Bruce Ogilvie |
| Name: Bruce Ogilvie | |
| Title: Chairman |
| PROJECT PANTHER ACQUISITION CORPORATION | |
| | |
| By: | /s/ Bruce Ogilvie |
| Name: Bruce Ogilvie | |
| Title: Chairman |
| AEC DIRECT, LLC | |
| | |
| By: | /s/ Bruce Ogilvie |
| Name: Bruce Ogilvie | |
| Title: Chairman |
| ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT, LLC | |
| | |
| By: | /s/ Bruce Ogilvie |
| Name: Bruce Ogilvie | |
| Title: Chairman |
| DIRECTTOU, LLC | |
| | |
| By: | /s/ Bruce Ogilvie |
| Name: Bruce Ogilvie | |
| Title: Chairman |
| MECCA ELECTRONICS INDUSTRIES, INC. | |
| | |
| By: | /s/ Bruce Ogilvie |
| Name: Bruce Ogilvie | |
| Title: Chairman |
Amendment Number Eleven to Loan and Security Agreement
| MILL CREEK ENTERTAINMENT, LLC | |
| | |
| By: | /s/ Bruce Ogilvie |
| Name: Bruce Ogilvie | |
| Title: Chairman |
| COKEM INTERNATIONAL, LTD. | |
| | |
| By: | /s/ Bruce Ogilvie |
| Name: Bruce Ogilvie | |
| Title: Chairman |
Amendment Number Eleven to Loan and Security Agreement
SCHEDULE 1.1
to
Loan and Security Agreement
COMMITMENTS OF LENDERS
Lender |
| Revolver Commitment |
| Total Commitments | ||
Bank of America, N.A. |
| $ | 117,000,000 |
| $ | 117,000,000 |
BMO Harris Bank N.A. |
| $ | 63,000,000 |
| $ | 63,000,000 |
Fifth Third Bank |
| $ | 45,000,000 |
| $ | 45,000,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total: |
| $ | 225,000,000 |
| $ | 225,000,000 |
Amendment Number Eleven to Loan and Security Agreement
Exhibit 10.16
LEASE AGREEMENT
LIBERTY PROPERTY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
Landlord
AND
COKEM INTERNATIONAL, LTD.
Tenant
AT
VALLEY PARK BUSINESS CENTER A
5651 INNOVATION BOULEVARD
SHAKOPEE, MINNESOTA
LEASE AGREEMENT
INDEX |
| |
|
| |
§ | Section | Page |
|
|
|
1. | Basic Lease Terms and Definitions | 1 |
2. | Premises | 2 |
3. | Use | 2 |
4. | Term; Possession | 2 |
5. | Rent; Taxes | 2 |
6. | Operating Expenses | 2 |
7. | Utilities | 3 |
8. | Insurance; Waivers; Indemnification | 3 |
9. | Maintenance and Repairs | 4 |
10. | Compliance | 4 |
11. | Signs | 5 |
12. | Alterations | 5 |
13. | Mechanics’ Liens | 5 |
14. | Landlord’s Right of Entry | 5 |
15. | Damage by Fire or Other Casualty | 6 |
16. | Condemnation | 6 |
17. | Quiet Enjoyment | 6 |
18. | Assignment and Subletting | 6 |
19. | Subordination; Mortgagee’s Rights | 7 |
20. | Tenant’s Certificate; Financial Information | 7 |
21. | Surrender | 7 |
22. | Defaults – Remedies | 8 |
23. | Tenant’s Authority | 9 |
24. | Liability of Landlord | 9 |
25. | Miscellaneous | 9 |
26. | Notices | 10 |
27. | Security Deposit | 10 |
28. | Landlord’s Work | 10 |
29. | Right of First Refusal | 11 |
30. | Extension Option | 11 |
Liberty counsel: Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.
THIS LEASE AGREEMENT is made by and between LIBERTY PROPERTY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, a Pennsylvania limited partnership (“Landlord”), and COKEM INTERNATIONAL, LTD., a corporation organized under the laws of Minnesota (“Tenant”), and is dated as of the date on which this Lease has been fully executed by Landlord and Tenant.
1. Basic Lease Terms and Definitions.
(a) Premises: Suite 500, consisting of approximately 162,753 rentable square feet as shown on Exhibit “A”.
(b) Building: Approximate rentable square feet: 197,956.
Address: Valley Park Business Center A, 5651 Innovation Boulevard, Shakopee, Minnesota 55379.
(c) Term: 38 months (plus any partial month from the Commencement Date until the first day of the next full calendar month during the Term).
(d) Commencement Date: March 1, 2018, or the date Tenant takes possession of the Premises, if earlier.
(e) Expiration Date: The last day of the Term.
(f) Minimum Annual Rent: Payable in monthly installments as follows:
Lease Year |
| Annual |
|
| Monthly |
| ||
1 |
| $ | 699,837.96 | * |
| $ | 58,319.83 | * |
2 |
|
| 713,834.76 |
|
|
| 59,486.23 |
|
3 |
|
| 728,111.40 |
|
|
| 60,675.95 |
|
4 (2 months) |
|
| 742,673.64 |
|
|
| 61,889.47 |
|
*The foregoing notwithstanding, monthly installments of Minimum Annual Rent and Operating Expenses shall be abated for the first 2 full calendar months of the Term. If this Lease or Tenant’s right to possess the Premises is terminated on account of a Tenant default, then Landlord shall be entitled to recover from Tenant (in addition to all other rights and remedies available to Landlord) all abated Rent.
(g) Annual Operating Expenses: $463,846.08, payable in monthly installments of $38,653.84, subject to adjustment as provided in this Lease (as noted above, monthly installments of Operating Expenses shall be abated for the first 2 full calendar months of the Term).
(h) Tenant’s Share: 82.22% (also see Definitions).
(i) Use: Warehouse, light assembly and distribution, with appurtenant offices, provided that no more than 11,000 rentable square feet shall be used as office.
(j) Security Deposit: $96,974.
(k) Addresses For Notices:
Landlord: | Liberty Property Limited Partnership |
| Tenant: | Before the Commencement Date: |
| c/o Liberty Property Trust |
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| Cokem International Ltd. |
| 10301 West 70th Street |
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| 3880 4th Avenue East |
| Eden Prairie, MN 55344 |
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| Shakopee, MN 55379 |
| Attn: VP, Market Officer |
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| Attn: Joe Rehak |
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| On or after the Commencement Date: Premises |
(l) Guarantor: Not applicable.
(m) Additional Defined Terms: See Rider 1 for the definitions of other capitalized terms.
(n) Contents: The following are attached to and made a part of this Lease:
Riders: | 1 – Additional Definitions |
| 2 – Maintenance and Repair Responsibilities |
Exhibits: | “A” – Plan Showing Premises |
| “B” – Authorization For Automatic Payments Form |
| “C” – Utility Authorization Form |
| “D” – Estoppel Certificate Form |
| “E” – Building Rules |
| “F” – Office Space Plan |
| “G” – Expansion Space |
2. Premises. Landlord leases to Tenant and Tenant leases from Landlord the Premises, together with the right in common with others to use the Common Areas. Tenant accepts the Premises, Building and Common Areas “AS IS” as of the date Tenant commences occupancy of the Premises, without relying on any representation, covenant or warranty by Landlord other than as expressly set forth in this Lease. Landlord and Tenant stipulate and agree to the rentable square footages set forth in Sections 1(a) and 1(b) above and the Tenant’s Share without regard to actual measurement.
3. Use. Tenant shall occupy and use the Premises only for the Use specified in Section 1 above. Tenant shall not permit any conduct or condition which may endanger, disturb or interfere (whether through noise, odor, vibration or otherwise) with any other Building occupant’s normal operations or with the management of the Building. Tenant shall not use or permit the use of any portion of the Property for outdoor storage or installations outside of the Premises. Tenant may use all Common Areas only for their intended purposes. Landlord shall have exclusive control of all Common Areas at all times.
4. Term; Possession. The Term of this Lease shall commence on the Commencement Date and shall end on the Expiration Date, unless sooner terminated in accordance with this Lease. If Landlord is delayed in delivering possession of all or any portion of the Premises to Tenant as of the Commencement Date, Tenant will take possession on the date Landlord delivers possession, which date will then become the Commencement Date (and the Expiration Date will be extended so that the length of the Term remains unaffected by such delay). Landlord shall not be liable for any loss or damage to Tenant resulting from any delay in delivering possession due to the holdover of any existing tenant or other circumstances outside of Landlord’s reasonable control.
5. Rent; Taxes. Tenant agrees to pay to Landlord, without demand, deduction or offset, Minimum Annual Rent and Annual Operating Expenses for the Term. Tenant shall pay the Monthly Rent, in advance, on the first day of each calendar month during the Term to an account designated by Landlord via the Authorization For Automatic Payments form attached as Exhibit “B” (unless Landlord designates otherwise) and which Authorization For Automatic Payments shall be executed by Tenant simultaneously with the execution of this Lease. In addition, the Monthly Rent for the first full month (disregarding any initial rental abatement period) shall be paid at the signing of this Lease. If the Commencement Date is not the first day of the month, the Monthly Rent for that partial month shall be apportioned on a per diem basis at the rate of $3,188.18 per day and shall be paid on or before the Commencement Date. Tenant shall pay Landlord a service and handling charge equal to 5% of any Rent not paid within 5 days after the date due. In addition, any Rent, including such charge, not paid within 5 days after the due date will bear interest at the Interest Rate from the date due to the date paid. Tenant shall pay before delinquent all taxes or other charges levied or assessed upon, measured by, or arising from: (a) the conduct of Tenant’s business; (b) Tenant’s leasehold estate; or (c) Tenant’s property. Additionally, Tenant shall pay to Landlord all sales, use, transaction privilege, or other excise tax that may at any time be levied or imposed upon, or measured by, any amount payable by Tenant under this Lease.
6. Operating Expenses. The amount of the Annual Operating Expenses set forth in Section 1(g) above represents Tenant’s Share of the estimated Operating Expenses for the calendar year in which the Term commences. Landlord may adjust such amount from time to time if the estimated Annual Operating Expenses increase or decrease; Landlord may also invoice Tenant separately from time to time for Tenant’s Share of any extraordinary or unanticipated Operating Expenses. By April 30th of each year (and as soon as practical after the expiration or termination of this Lease or, at Landlord’s option, after a sale of the Property), Landlord shall provide Tenant with a statement of Operating Expenses for the preceding calendar year or part thereof. Within 30 days after delivery of the statement to Tenant, Landlord or Tenant shall pay to the other the amount of any overpayment or deficiency then due from one to the other or, at Landlord’s option, Landlord may credit Tenant’s account for any overpayment. If Tenant does not give Landlord notice within 30 days after receiving Landlord’s statement that Tenant disagrees with the statement and specifying the items and amounts in dispute, Tenant shall be deemed to have waived the right to contest the statement. Landlord’s and Tenant’s obligation to pay any overpayment or deficiency due the other pursuant to this Section shall survive the expiration or termination of this Lease. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Lease to the contrary, Landlord may, in its reasonable discretion, determine from time to time the method of computing and allocating Operating Expenses, including the method of allocating Operating Expenses to various types of space within the Building to reflect any disparate levels of services provided to different types of space. If the Building is not fully occupied during any period, Landlord may make a reasonable adjustment based on occupancy in computing the Operating Expenses for such period so that Operating Expenses are computed as though the Building had been fully occupied.
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7. Utilities. Tenant shall pay for water, sewer, gas, electricity, heat, power, telephone, telecommunications, data and other communication services and any other utilities supplied to the Premises. Except for sewer and water service (which will be in Landlord’s name and included in Operating Expenses unless and until Tenant leases the entire Building), Tenant shall obtain service in its own name, timely pay all charges directly to the provider and execute and deliver to Landlord within 10 days after Landlord’s request, the Utility Authorization in substantially the form attached as Exhibit “C” hereto and made a part hereof. Landlord shall not be responsible or liable for any interruption in such services, nor shall such interruption affect the continuation or validity of this Lease; however, if the interruption in any such services that Landlord elects to provide (i) prevents Tenant from conducting business in and from the Premises, (ii) continues for a period of 3 consecutive business days, and (iii) resulted from Landlord’s gross negligence or willful misconduct, then Monthly Rent will be abated during the period of time that, and to the extent that, Tenant is unable to conduct business in and from the Premises due to such interruption. Landlord shall have the exclusive right to select, and to change, the companies providing such services to the Building or Premises. Any wiring, cabling or other equipment necessary to connect Tenant’s telecommunications equipment shall be Tenant’s responsibility, and shall be installed in a manner approved by Landlord. In the event Tenant’s consumption of any utility or other service included in Operating Expenses is excessive when compared with other occupants of the Property, Landlord may invoice Tenant separately for, and Tenant shall pay on demand, the cost of Tenant’s excessive consumption, as reasonably determined by Landlord.
8. Insurance; Waivers; Indemnification.
(a) Landlord shall maintain insurance against loss or damage to the Building or the Property with coverage for perils as set forth under the “Causes of Loss-Special Form” or equivalent property insurance policy in an amount equal to the full insurable replacement cost of the Building (excluding coverage of Tenant’s personal property and any Alterations by Tenant), and such other insurance, including rent loss coverage, as Landlord may reasonably deem appropriate or as any Mortgagee may require.
(b) Tenant, at its expense, shall keep in effect commercial general liability insurance, including blanket contractual liability insurance, covering Tenant’s use of the Property, with such coverages and limits of liability as Landlord may reasonably require, but not less than a $1,000,000.00 combined single limit with a $5,000,000.00 general aggregate limit (which general aggregate limit may be satisfied by an umbrella liability policy) for bodily injury or property damage; however, such limits shall not limit Tenant’s liability hereunder. The policy shall name Landlord, Liberty Property Trust and any other associated or affiliated entity as their interests may appear and at Landlord’s request, any Mortgagee(s), as additional insureds, shall be written on an “occurrence” basis and not on a “claims made” basis and shall be endorsed to provide that it is primary to and not contributory to any policies carried by Landlord. Tenant shall provide Landlord with a copy of any notice of cancellation or non-renewal of such policy or reduction in the limits of liability below the limits required hereunder, together with a new certificate of insurance evidencing compliance with the insurance requirements of this Lease, within 2 days after Tenant is informed of such cancellation, non-renewal or reduction, so as to ensure no lapse in the required coverage. The insurer shall be authorized to issue such insurance, licensed to do business and admitted in the state in which the Property is located and rated at least A VII in the most current edition of Best’s Insurance Reports. Tenant shall deliver to Landlord on or before the Commencement Date or any earlier date on which Tenant accesses the Premises, and at least 10 days prior to the date of each policy renewal and of any policy replacement, a certificate of insurance evidencing such coverage and providing that notice of cancellation will be delivered in accordance with the policy provisions.
(c) Landlord and Tenant each waive, and release each other from and against, all claims for recovery against the other for any loss or damage to the property of such party arising out of fire or other casualty coverable by a standard “Causes of Loss-Special Form” property insurance policy with, in the case of Tenant, such endorsements and additional coverages as are considered good business practice in Tenant’s business, even if such loss or damage shall be brought about by the fault or negligence of the other party or its Agents; provided, however, such waiver by Landlord shall not be effective with respect to Tenant’s liability described in Section 10(d) below. This waiver and release is effective regardless of whether the releasing party actually maintains the insurance described above in this subsection and is not limited to the amount of insurance actually carried, or to the actual proceeds received after a loss. Each party shall have its insurance company that issues its property coverage waive any rights of subrogation, and shall have the insurance company include an endorsement acknowledging this waiver, if necessary. Tenant assumes all risk of damage to the property of (i) Tenant, or Tenant’s Agents in or about the Premises or Property, and (ii) any other person whose property is used, leased or stored by Tenant in or about the Premises or Property, including in each case any loss or damage caused by water leakage, fire, windstorm, explosion, theft, act of any other tenant, or other cause.
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(d) Tenant shall not be permitted to satisfy any of its insurance obligations set forth in this Lease through any self-insurance or self-insured retention in excess of $25,000.00.
(e) Subject to subsection (c) above, and except to the extent caused by the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Landlord or its Agents, Tenant will indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Landlord and its Agents from and against any and all claims, actions, damages, liability and expense (including fees of attorneys, investigators and experts) which may be asserted against, imposed upon, or incurred by Landlord or its Agents and arising out of or in connection with loss of life, personal injury or damage to property in or about the Premises or arising out of the occupancy or use of the Property by Tenant or its Agents or occasioned wholly or in part by any act or omission of Tenant or its Agents, whether prior to, during or after the Term. Tenant’s obligations pursuant to this subsection shall survive the expiration or termination of this Lease.
9. Maintenance and Repairs.
(a) Maintenance obligations, and the responsibility for payment associated with the performance of such Maintenance, shall be allocated between Landlord and Tenant in accordance with Rider 2, except as otherwise set forth in this Section 9.
(b) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Lease to the contrary: (i) Tenant shall be solely responsible for all costs and expenses incurred by Landlord for any Alterations, or other Maintenance made necessary because of (A) Tenant’s Alterations, Major Repairs or installations, (B) circumstances special or particular to Tenant, including Tenant’s special or particular use of the Premises, or (C) the acts or omissions of Tenant or its Agents, in each case, to the extent not covered by applicable insurance proceeds paid to Landlord (Tenant being responsible for Landlord’s commercially reasonable deductible notwithstanding the waiver of claims set forth in Section 8(c)); and (ii) provided Tenant has been informed of the conditions of the applicable warranty, Tenant shall be solely responsible for all costs and expenses incurred by Landlord for any Maintenance that would have been covered by warranty but is no longer covered by warranty due to the acts or omissions of Tenant or its Agents. Tenant agrees to pay to Landlord, within 30 days after being billed therefor, all costs and expenses for which Tenant is liable pursuant to this paragraph.
10. Compliance.
(a) Tenant will, at its expense, promptly comply with all Laws now or subsequently pertaining to the Premises or Tenant’s use or occupancy. Neither Tenant nor its Agents shall use the Premises in any manner that under any Law would require Landlord to make any Alteration to or in the Building or Common Areas (without limiting the foregoing, Tenant shall not use the Premises in any manner that would cause the Premises or the Property to be deemed a “place of public accommodation” under the ADA if such use would require any such Alteration). Tenant shall be responsible for compliance with the ADA, and any other Laws regarding accessibility, with respect to the Premises. Landlord represents that, to the actual knowledge of Landlord’s Vice President/Market Officer for the Minnesota region, Landlord has not received any notice from any governmental authority asserting or alleging any violation of Laws (including the ADA) with respect to the Premises other than violations, if any, that have subsequently been cured. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) Landlord shall be obligated to construct and/or install, at Landlord’s sole expense, Alterations to the Property required by any governmental authority with jurisdiction to correct any noncompliance existing as of the date of this Lease, and (ii) in the event Laws of general applicability require a structural Alteration to be performed (as opposed to Laws specific to Tenant’s use thereof), Tenant shall be under no obligation to make such Alteration and Landlord shall make such Alterations as are necessary to comply with Laws and the cost of such Alterations will be included in Operating Expenses (subject to the limitations provided for in the definition of Operating Expenses with respect to capital repairs, replacements or improvements); provided, however that nothing herein shall be deemed to require Landlord to make any Alterations in order to comply with Laws unless and until such compliance is mandated by the appropriate governmental authorities with jurisdiction, and nothing herein shall be deemed to prejudice Landlord’s right to contest in good faith any alleged non-compliance.
(b) Tenant will comply, and will cause its Agents to comply, with the Building Rules.
(c) Tenant agrees not to do anything or fail to do anything which will increase the cost of Landlord’s insurance or which will prevent Landlord from procuring policies (including public liability) from companies and in a form satisfactory to Landlord. If any breach of the preceding sentence by Tenant causes the rate of fire or other insurance to be increased, Tenant shall pay the amount of such increase as additional Rent within 30 days after being billed.
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(d) Tenant agrees that (i) no activity will be conducted on the Premises that will use or produce any Hazardous Materials, except for activities which are part of the ordinary course of Tenant’s business and are conducted in accordance with all Environmental Laws (“Permitted Activities”); (ii) the Premises will not be used for storage of any Hazardous Materials, except for materials used in the Permitted Activities which are properly stored in a manner and location complying with all Environmental Laws; (iii) no portion of the Premises or Property will be used by Tenant or Tenant’s Agents for disposal of Hazardous Materials; (iv) Tenant will deliver to Landlord copies of all Material Safety Data Sheets and other written information prepared by manufacturers, importers or suppliers of any chemical; and (v) Tenant will immediately notify Landlord of any violation by Tenant or Tenant’s Agents of any Environmental Laws or the release or suspected release of Hazardous Materials in, under or about the Premises, and Tenant shall immediately deliver to Landlord a copy of any notice, filing or permit sent or received by Tenant with respect to the foregoing. If at any time during or after the Term, any portion of the Property is found to be contaminated by Tenant or Tenant’s Agents or subject to conditions prohibited in this Lease caused by Tenant or Tenant’s Agents, Tenant will indemnify, defend and hold Landlord harmless from all claims, demands, actions, liabilities, costs, expenses, attorneys’ fees, damages and obligations of any nature arising from or as a result thereof, and Landlord shall have the right to direct remediation activities, all of which shall be performed at Tenant’s cost. Tenant’s obligations pursuant to this subsection shall survive the expiration or termination of this Lease.
11. Signs. Tenant shall not place any signs on the Property without the prior consent of Landlord, other than signs that are located wholly within the interior of the Premises and not visible from the exterior of the Premises. Tenant shall maintain all signs installed by Tenant in good condition. Tenant shall remove its signs at the termination of this Lease, shall repair any resulting damage, and shall restore the Property to its condition existing prior to the installation of Tenant’s signs.
12. Alterations. Except for non-structural Alterations or Major Repairs that, in either instance, (i) do not exceed $5,000.00 in the aggregate, (ii) are not visible from the exterior of the Premises, (iii) do not affect any Building System or the structural strength of the Building, (iv) do not require penetrations into the floor, ceiling or walls, and (v) do not require work within the walls, below the floor or above the ceiling, Tenant shall not make or permit any Alterations or Major Repairs in or to the Premises without first obtaining Landlord’s consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. With respect to any Alterations or Major Repairs made by or on behalf of Tenant (whether or not the Alteration or Major Repair requires Landlord’s consent): (i) not less than 10 days prior to commencing any Alteration or Major Repair, Tenant shall deliver to Landlord the plans, specifications and necessary permits for the Alteration or Major Repair, together with certificates evidencing that Tenant’s contractors and subcontractors have adequate insurance coverage naming Landlord, Liberty Property Trust and any other associated or affiliated entity as their interests may appear as additional insureds; (ii) Tenant shall obtain Landlord’s prior written approval of any contractor or subcontractor; (iii) the Alteration or Major Repair shall be constructed with new materials, in a good and workmanlike manner, and in compliance with all Laws and the plans and specifications delivered to, and, if required above, approved by Landlord; (iv) the Alteration or Major Repair shall be performed in accordance with Landlord’s reasonable requirements relating to sustainability and energy efficiency; (v) Tenant shall pay Landlord all reasonable costs and expenses in connection with Landlord’s review of Tenant’s plans and specifications, and of any supervision or inspection of the construction Landlord deems necessary; and (vi) upon Landlord’s request Tenant shall, prior to commencing any Alteration or Major Repair, provide Landlord reasonable security against liens arising out of such construction. Any Alteration by Tenant shall be the property of Tenant until the expiration or termination of this Lease; at that time without payment by Landlord the Alteration shall remain on the Property and become the property of Landlord unless Landlord gives notice to Tenant to remove it, in which event Tenant will remove it, will repair any resulting damage and will restore the Premises to the condition existing prior to Tenant’s Alteration. At Tenant’s request prior to Tenant making any Alterations, Landlord will notify Tenant whether Tenant is required to remove the Alterations at the expiration or termination of this Lease. Tenant may install its trade fixtures, furniture and equipment in the Premises, provided that the installation and removal of them will not affect any structural portion of the Property, any Building System or any other equipment or facilities serving the Building or any occupant.
13. Mechanics’ Liens. Tenant promptly shall pay for any labor, services, materials, supplies or equipment furnished to Tenant in or about the Premises. Tenant shall keep the Premises and the Property free from any liens arising out of any labor, services, materials, supplies or equipment furnished or alleged to have been furnished to Tenant. Tenant shall take all steps permitted by law in order to avoid the imposition of any such lien. Should any such lien or notice of such lien be filed against the Premises or the Property, Tenant shall discharge the same by bonding or otherwise within 15 days after Tenant has notice that the lien or claim is filed regardless of the validity of such lien or claim.
14. Landlord’s Right of Entry. Tenant shall permit Landlord and its Agents to enter the Premises at all reasonable times following reasonable notice (except in an emergency, when no notice shall be necessary) to inspect, Maintain, or make Alterations to the Premises or Property, to verify that Tenant is performing its Maintenance obligations in accordance with this Lease, to exhibit the Premises for the purpose of sale or financing, and, during the last 12 months of the Term, to exhibit the Premises to any prospective tenant. Landlord will make reasonable efforts not to inconvenience Tenant in exercising such rights, but Landlord shall not be liable for any interference with Tenant’s occupancy resulting from Landlord’s entry.
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15. Damage by Fire or Other Casualty. If the Premises or Common Areas shall be damaged or destroyed by fire or other casualty, Tenant shall promptly notify Landlord, and Landlord, subject to the conditions set forth in this Section, shall repair such damage and restore the Premises or Common Areas to substantially the same condition in which they were immediately prior to such damage or destruction, but not including the repair, restoration or replacement of the fixtures, equipment, or Alterations installed by or on behalf of Tenant. Landlord shall notify Tenant, within 30 days after the date of the casualty, if Landlord anticipates that the restoration will take more than 180 days from the date of the casualty to complete; in such event, either Landlord or Tenant (unless the damage was caused by Tenant) may terminate this Lease effective as of the date of casualty by giving notice to the other within 10 days after Landlord’s notice. In addition, if a casualty occurs during the last 12 months of the Term, Landlord may terminate this Lease unless Tenant has the right to extend the Term for at least 3 more years and does so within 30 days after the date of the casualty. Moreover, Landlord may terminate this Lease if the loss is not covered by the insurance required to be maintained by Landlord under this Lease. Tenant will receive an abatement of Minimum Annual Rent and Annual Operating Expenses to the extent the Premises are rendered untenantable as a result of the casualty.
16. Condemnation. If (a) all of the Premises are Taken, (b) any part of the Premises is Taken and the remainder is insufficient in Landlord’s opinion for the reasonable operation of Tenant’s business, or (c) any of the Property is Taken, and, in Landlord’s opinion, it would be impractical or the condemnation proceeds are insufficient to restore the remainder, then this Lease shall terminate as of the date the condemning authority takes possession. If this Lease is not terminated, Landlord shall restore the Building to a condition as near as reasonably possible to the condition prior to the Taking, the Minimum Annual Rent shall be abated for the period of time all or a part of the Premises is untenantable in proportion to the square foot area untenantable, and this Lease shall be amended appropriately. The compensation awarded for a Taking shall belong to Landlord. Except for any relocation benefits to which Tenant may be entitled, Tenant hereby assigns all claims against the condemning authority to Landlord, including, but not limited to, any claim relating to Tenant’s leasehold estate.
17. Quiet Enjoyment. Landlord covenants that Tenant, upon performing all of its covenants, agreements and conditions of this Lease, shall have quiet and peaceful possession of the Premises as against anyone claiming by or through Landlord, subject, however, to the terms of this Lease.
18. Assignment and Subletting.
(a) Except as provided in Section (b) below, Tenant shall not enter into nor permit any Transfer voluntarily or by operation of law, without the prior consent of Landlord, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Without limitation, Tenant agrees that Landlord’s consent shall not be considered unreasonably withheld if (i) the proposed transferee is an existing tenant of Landlord or an affiliate of Landlord, (ii) the business, business reputation or creditworthiness of the proposed transferee is unacceptable to Landlord, (iii) Landlord or an affiliate of Landlord has comparable space available for lease by the proposed transferee, or (iv) Tenant is in default under this Lease or any act or omission has occurred which would constitute a default with the giving of notice and/or the passage of time. A consent to one Transfer shall not be deemed to be a consent to any subsequent Transfer. In no event shall any Transfer relieve Tenant from any obligation under this Lease. Landlord’s acceptance of Rent from any person shall not be deemed to be a waiver by Landlord of any provision of this Lease or to be a consent to any Transfer. Any Transfer not in conformity with this Section 18 shall be void at the option of Landlord.
(b) Landlord’s consent shall not be required in the event of any Transfer by Tenant to an Affiliate provided that (i) the Affiliate has a tangible net worth at least equal to that of Tenant as of the date of this Lease, (ii) Tenant provides Landlord notice of the Transfer at least 15 days prior to the effective date, together with current financial statements of the Affiliate certified by an executive officer of the Affiliate and a copy of the proposed Transfer documents, (iii) in the case of an assignment or sublease, Tenant delivers to Landlord an assumption agreement or a sublease (as applicable) reasonably acceptable to Landlord executed by Tenant and the Affiliate, together with a certificate of insurance evidencing the Affiliate’s compliance with the insurance requirements of Tenant under this Lease, and (iv) if there is a guaranty of this Lease, Tenant delivers to Landlord a confirmation of such guaranty by the guarantor hereunder, or, in the event the applicable Transfer results in a change of control (directly or indirectly) of Tenant, Tenant delivers to Landlord a new guaranty (on the same form as the existing guaranty) from an entity reasonably acceptable to Landlord.
(c) The provisions of subsection (a) above notwithstanding, if Tenant proposes to Transfer all of the Premises (other than to an Affiliate), Landlord may terminate this Lease, either conditioned on execution of a new lease between Landlord and the proposed transferee or without that condition. If Tenant proposes to enter into a Transfer of less than all of the Premises (other than to an Affiliate), Landlord may amend this Lease to remove the portion of the Premises to be transferred, either conditioned on execution of a new lease between Landlord and the proposed transferee or without that condition. If this Lease is not so terminated or amended, Tenant shall pay to Landlord, immediately upon receipt, the excess of (i) all compensation received by Tenant for the Transfer over (ii) the Rent allocable to the Premises transferred.
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(d) If Tenant requests Landlord’s consent to a Transfer, Tenant shall provide Landlord, at least 15 days prior to the proposed Transfer, current financial statements of the transferee certified by an executive officer of the transferee, a complete copy of the proposed Transfer documents, and any other information Landlord reasonably requests. Immediately following any approved assignment or sublease, Tenant shall deliver to Landlord an assumption agreement or a sublease (as applicable) reasonably acceptable to Landlord executed by Tenant and the transferee, together with a certificate of insurance evidencing the transferee’s compliance with the insurance requirements of Tenant under this Lease. Furthermore, if there is a guaranty of this Lease, Tenant and transferee shall deliver to Landlord a confirmation of such guaranty by the guarantor hereunder, or, in the event the applicable Transfer results in a change of control (directly or indirectly) of Tenant, Tenant shall deliver to Landlord a new guaranty (on the same form as the existing guaranty) from an entity reasonably acceptable to Landlord. Tenant agrees to reimburse Landlord for reasonable administrative and attorneys’ fees in connection with the processing and documentation of any Transfer for which Landlord’s consent is requested.
19. Subordination; Mortgagee’s Rights.
(a) Tenant accepts this Lease subject and subordinate to any Mortgage now or in the future affecting the Premises, provided that Tenant’s right of possession of the Premises shall not be disturbed by the Mortgagee so long as Tenant is not in default under this Lease. This clause shall be self-operative, but within 10 days after request, Tenant shall execute and deliver any further instruments confirming the subordination of this Lease and any further instruments of attornment that the Mortgagee may reasonably request. However, any Mortgagee may at any time subordinate its Mortgage to this Lease, without Tenant’s consent, by giving notice to Tenant, and this Lease shall then be deemed prior to such Mortgage without regard to their respective dates of execution and delivery; provided that such subordination shall not affect any Mortgagee’s rights with respect to condemnation awards, casualty insurance proceeds, intervening liens or any right which shall arise between the recording of such Mortgage and the execution of this Lease.
(b) No Mortgagee shall be (i) liable for any act or omission of a prior landlord, (ii) subject to any rental offsets or defenses against a prior landlord, (iii) bound by any amendment of this Lease made without its written consent, or (iv) bound by payment of Monthly Rent more than one month in advance or liable for any other funds paid by Tenant to Landlord unless such funds actually have been transferred to the Mortgagee by Landlord.
(c) The provisions of Sections 15 and 16 above notwithstanding, Landlord’s obligation to restore the Premises after a casualty or condemnation shall be subject to the consent and prior rights of any Mortgagee.
20. Tenant’s Certificate; Financial Information. Within 10 days after Landlord’s request from time to time, (a) Tenant shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to Landlord, for the benefit of Landlord, Mortgagee, any prospective Mortgagee, and any prospective purchaser of Landlord’s interest in the Property, an estoppel certificate in the form of attached Exhibit “D” (or other form requested by Landlord), modified as necessary to accurately state the facts represented, and (b) Tenant shall furnish to Landlord, Landlord’s Mortgagee, prospective Mortgagee and/or prospective purchaser reasonably requested financial information. Landlord agrees to keep any private financial information provided to it by Tenant confidential (except for disclosure to the parties listed in this subsection (b)), and any Mortgagee, prospective Mortgagee and/or prospective purchaser with which Landlord shares such information shall be informed by Landlord of the obligation to keep such information confidential.
21. Surrender.
(a) On the date on which this Lease expires or terminates, Tenant shall return possession of the Premises to Landlord in good condition, except for ordinary wear and tear, and except for casualty damage or other conditions that Tenant is not required to remedy under this Lease. Prior to the expiration or termination of this Lease, and subject to Section 12 above, Tenant shall remove from the Property all furniture, trade fixtures and equipment, wiring and cabling (unless Landlord directs Tenant otherwise), and all other personal property installed by Tenant or its assignees or subtenants. Tenant shall repair any damage resulting from such removal and shall restore the Property to good order and condition. Any of Tenant’s personal property not removed as required shall be deemed abandoned, and Landlord, at Tenant’s expense, may remove, store, sell or otherwise dispose of such property in such manner as Landlord may see fit and/or Landlord may retain such property or sale proceeds as its property. If Tenant does not return possession of the Premises to Landlord in the condition required under this Lease, Tenant shall pay Landlord all reasonable resulting damages Landlord may suffer.
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(b) If Tenant remains in possession of the Premises after the expiration or termination of this Lease, Tenant’s occupancy of the Premises shall be that of a tenancy at will. Tenant’s occupancy during any holdover period shall otherwise be subject to the provisions of this Lease (unless clearly inapplicable), except that the Monthly Rent shall be double the Monthly Rent payable for the last full month immediately preceding the holdover. No holdover or payment by Tenant after the expiration or termination of this Lease shall operate to extend the Term or prevent Landlord from immediate recovery of possession of the Premises by summary proceedings or otherwise. Any provision in this Lease to the contrary notwithstanding, any holdover by Tenant shall constitute a default on the part of Tenant under this Lease entitling Landlord to exercise, without obligation to provide Tenant any notice or cure period, all of the remedies available to Landlord in the event of a Tenant default, and Tenant shall be liable for all damages, including consequential damages, that Landlord suffers as a result of the holdover.
22. Defaults – Remedies.
(a) It shall be an Event of Default:
(i) If Tenant does not pay in full when due any and all Rent and, except as provided in Section 22(c) below, Tenant fails to cure such default on or before the date that is 5 days after Landlord gives Tenant notice of default;
(ii) If Tenant enters into or permits any Transfer in violation of Section 18 above;
(iii) If Tenant fails to observe and perform or otherwise breaches any other provision of this Lease, and, except as provided in Section 22(c) below, Tenant fails to cure the default on or before the date that is 10 days after Landlord gives Tenant notice of default; provided, however, if the default cannot reasonably be cured within 10 days following Landlord’s giving of notice, Tenant shall be afforded additional reasonable time (not to exceed 30 days following Landlord’s notice) to cure the default if Tenant begins to cure the default within 10 days following Landlord’s notice and continues diligently in good faith to completely cure the default; or
(iv) If Tenant becomes insolvent or makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or offers a settlement to creditors, or if a petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization or for an arrangement with creditors under any federal or state law is filed by or against Tenant, or a bill in equity or other proceeding for the appointment of a receiver for any of Tenant’s assets is commenced, or if any of the real or personal property of Tenant shall be levied upon; provided that any proceeding brought by anyone other than Landlord or Tenant under any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law shall not constitute an Event of Default until such proceeding has continued unstayed for more than 60 consecutive days.
Any notice periods provided for in this Lease shall run concurrently with any statutory notice periods and any notice given hereunder may be given simultaneously with or incorporated into any such statutory notice.
(b) If an Event of Default occurs, Landlord shall have the following rights and remedies:
(i) Landlord, without any obligation to do so, may elect to cure the default on behalf of Tenant, in which event Tenant shall reimburse Landlord upon demand for any actual sums paid or costs incurred by Landlord (together with an administrative fee of 20% thereof) in curing the default;
(ii) To enter and repossess the Premises, by breaking open locked doors if necessary, and remove all persons and all or any property, by action at law or otherwise, without being liable for prosecution or damages. Landlord may, at Landlord’s option, make Alterations and repairs in order to relet the Premises and relet all or any part(s) of the Premises for Tenant’s account. Tenant agrees to pay to Landlord on demand any deficiency (taking into account all costs incurred by Landlord) that may arise by reason of such reletting. In the event of reletting without termination of this Lease, Landlord may at any time thereafter elect to terminate this Lease for such previous breach;
(iii) To accelerate the whole or any part of the Rent for the balance of the Term, and declare the same to be immediately due and payable; and
(iv) To terminate this Lease and the Term without any right on the part of Tenant to save the forfeiture by payment of any sum due or by other performance of any condition, term or covenant broken.
(c) Any provision to the contrary in this Section 22 notwithstanding, (i) Landlord shall not be required to give Tenant the notice and opportunity to cure provided in Section 22(a) above more than twice in any consecutive 12-month period, and thereafter Landlord may declare an Event of Default without affording Tenant any of the notice and cure rights provided under this Lease, and (ii) Landlord shall not be required to give such notice prior to exercising its rights under Section 22(b) if Tenant fails to comply with the provisions of Sections 13, 18, 20, 25(g) or 27 or in an emergency.
(d) No waiver by Landlord of any breach by Tenant shall be a waiver of any subsequent breach, nor shall any forbearance by Landlord to seek a remedy for any breach by Tenant be a waiver by Landlord of any rights and remedies with respect to such or any subsequent breach. Efforts by Landlord to mitigate the damages caused by Tenant’s default shall not constitute a waiver of Landlord’s right to recover damages hereunder. No right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to Landlord is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy provided herein or by law, but each shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right or remedy given herein or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity. No payment by Tenant or receipt or acceptance by Landlord of a lesser amount than the total amount due Landlord under this Lease shall be deemed to be other than on account, nor shall any endorsement or statement on any check or payment be deemed an accord and satisfaction, and Landlord may accept such check or payment without prejudice to Landlord’s right to recover the balance of Rent due, or Landlord’s right to pursue any other available remedy.
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(e) If either party commences an action against the other party arising out of or in connection with this Lease, the prevailing party shall be entitled to have and recover from the other party attorneys’ fees, costs of suit, investigation expenses and discovery and other litigation costs, including costs of appeal.
(f) Landlord and Tenant waive the right to a trial by jury in any action or proceeding based upon or related to, the subject matter of this Lease.
23. Tenant’s Authority. Tenant represents and warrants to Landlord that: (a) Tenant is duly formed, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the state under which Tenant is organized, and qualified to do business in the state in which the Property is located, and (b) the person(s) signing this Lease are duly authorized to execute and deliver this Lease on behalf of Tenant.
24. Liability of Landlord. The word “Landlord” in this Lease includes the Landlord executing this Lease as well as its successors and assigns, each of which shall have the same rights, remedies, powers, authorities and privileges as it would have had it originally signed this Lease as Landlord. Any such person or entity, whether or not named in this Lease, shall have no liability under this Lease after it ceases to hold title to the Premises except for obligations already accrued (and, as to any unapplied portion of Tenant’s Security Deposit, Landlord shall be relieved of all liability upon transfer of such portion to its successor in interest). Tenant shall look solely to Landlord’s successor in interest for the performance of the covenants and obligations of the Landlord hereunder which subsequently accrue. Landlord shall not be deemed to be in default under this Lease unless Tenant gives Landlord notice specifying the default and Landlord fails to cure the default within a reasonable period following Tenant’s notice. In no event shall Landlord be liable to Tenant for any loss of business or profits of Tenant or for consequential, punitive or special damages of any kind. Neither Landlord nor any principal of Landlord nor any owner of the Property, whether disclosed or undisclosed, shall have any personal liability with respect to any of the provisions of this Lease or the Premises; Tenant shall look solely to the equity of Landlord in the Property for the satisfaction of any claim by Tenant against Landlord.
25. Miscellaneous.
(a) The captions in this Lease are for convenience only, are not a part of this Lease and do not in any way define, limit, describe or amplify the terms of this Lease.
(b) This Lease represents the entire agreement between the parties hereto and there are no collateral or oral agreements or understandings between Landlord and Tenant with respect to the Premises or the Property. No rights, easements or licenses are acquired in the Property or any land adjacent to the Property by Tenant by implication or otherwise except as expressly set forth in this Lease. Landlord shall have exclusive control over the use of the roof of the Building. This Lease shall not be modified in any manner except by an instrument in writing executed by the parties. The masculine (or neuter) pronoun and the singular number shall include the masculine, feminine and neuter genders and the singular and plural number. The word “including” followed by any specific item(s) is deemed to refer to examples rather than to be words of limitation. The word “person” includes a natural person, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association and any other form of business association or entity. Both parties having participated fully and equally in the negotiation and preparation of this Lease, this Lease shall not be more strictly construed, nor any ambiguities in this Lease resolved, against either Landlord or Tenant.
(c) Each covenant, agreement, obligation, term, condition or other provision contained in this Lease shall be deemed and construed as a separate and independent covenant of the party bound by, undertaking or making the same, not dependent on any other provision of this Lease unless otherwise expressly provided. All of the terms and conditions set forth in this Lease shall apply throughout the Term unless otherwise expressly set forth herein.
(d) If any provisions of this Lease shall be declared unenforceable in any respect, such unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of this Lease, and each such provision shall be deemed to be modified, if possible, in such a manner as to render it enforceable and to preserve to the extent possible the intent of the parties as set forth herein. This Lease shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the state in which the Property is located.
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(e) This Lease shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Landlord and Tenant and their respective heirs, personal representatives and permitted successors and assigns. The liability of Tenant under this Lease shall be joint and several with any other person who has agreed in writing to be liable for the obligations of Tenant hereunder.
(f) This Lease may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but which, taken together, shall be one original agreement. Any counterpart of this Lease may be executed and delivered by electronic transmission (including, without limitation, e-mail) or by portable document format (pdf) and shall have the same force and effect as an original.
(g) Tenant shall not record this Lease or any memorandum thereof, or otherwise file this Lease with any governmental authority, without Landlord’s prior consent.
(h) Tenant hereby waives all rights to contest the assessed value of the Building or the Property or to appeal the same under applicable Minnesota statutes.
26. Notices. Any notice, consent or other communication under this Lease shall be in writing and addressed to Landlord or Tenant at their respective addresses specified in Section 1 above (or to such other address as either may designate by notice to the other) with a copy to any Mortgagee or other party designated by Landlord. Each notice or other communication shall be deemed given if sent by prepaid overnight delivery service or by certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid or in any other manner, with delivery in any case evidenced by a receipt, and shall be deemed to have been given on the day of actual delivery to the intended recipient or on the business day delivery is refused. The giving of notice by Landlord’s attorneys, representatives and agents under this Section shall be deemed to be the acts of Landlord.
27. Security Deposit. At the time of signing this Lease, Tenant shall deposit with Landlord the Security Deposit to be retained by Landlord as cash security for the faithful performance and observance by Tenant of the provisions of this Lease. Tenant shall not be entitled to any interest on the Security Deposit. Landlord shall have the right to commingle the Security Deposit with its other funds. Landlord may use the whole or any part of the Security Deposit for the payment of any amount as to which Tenant is in default or to compensate Landlord for any loss or damage it may suffer by reason of Tenant’s default under this Lease. If Landlord uses all or any portion of the Security Deposit as herein provided, within 10 days after demand, Tenant shall pay Landlord cash in an amount equal to that portion of the Security Deposit used by Landlord. If Tenant complies fully and faithfully with all of the provisions of this Lease, the Security Deposit shall be returned to Tenant after the Expiration Date and surrender of the Premises to Landlord.
28. Landlord’s Work. Landlord shall, using Building-standard materials, complete the following work to the Premises prior to the Commencement Date (the “Landlord’s Work”):
(a) Landlord shall, at Landlord’s sole cost and expense, construct the demising wall necessary to demise the Premises from the adjacent space.
(b) Landlord shall, at Landlord’s sole cost and expense, provide 19 dock levelers and seals.
(c) Landlord shall construct approximately 10,700 square feet of office space and restrooms substantially as shown on the plan attached hereto as Exhibit “F” (the “Office Space Improvements”). The Office Space Improvements will be constructed at Tenant’s sole expense (subject to the Tenant Allowance described below) equal to the aggregate of all costs, expenses and fees incurred by or on behalf of Landlord in connection therewith (the “Tenant’s Cost”), including without limitation (i) permitting costs, (ii) the cost charged to Landlord by Landlord’s general contractor and all subcontractors for performing such construction, and (iii) and the cost to Landlord, if applicable, of performing directly any portion of such construction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Tenant shall not be responsible for any of Tenant’s Cost until the Tenant Allowance has been completely applied to all such costs. Landlord will contract with Greiner Construction as the general contractor for the Office Space Improvements.
(d) Landlord agrees to credit Tenant with an allowance of up to $700,000 (the “Tenant Allowance”) towards Tenant’s Cost. Tenant agrees to pay to Landlord, within 30 days of being billed therefor, the excess (if any) of the Tenant’s Cost above the Tenant Allowance. The Tenant Allowance may not be used for furniture, fixtures, equipment, phone systems or other removable personal property of Tenant, and may not be used for moving or other expenses of relocation or credited against rent. The Landlord’s Work includes only the improvements expressly described above. Any additional improvements, and the installation of any trade fixtures, equipment or personal property of Tenant, shall be Tenant’s sole cost and responsibility, and shall be subject to the applicable provisions of Sections 12 and 13 of this Lease.
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29. Right of First Refusal. “Expansion Space” means the approximately 35,203 rentable square feet depicted on attached Exhibit “G”, and consisting of the remaining rentable area of the Building.
Prior to accepting any letter of intent or formal proposal from or with a third party (other than the existing tenant or occupant of the Expansion Space) for the leasing of the Expansion Space or any portion thereof (a “Proposal”), Landlord shall provide Tenant written notice stating the net effective Minimum Annual Rent, commencement date and lease term for the Expansion Space (or applicable portion thereof) per the Proposal. Tenant shall have 5 business days in which to provide Landlord written notice electing to lease the Expansion Space (or applicable portion thereof) on the terms of the Proposal.
If Tenant fails to timely provide the written election notice, time being of the essence, Landlord shall be free to enter into a lease of the applicable Expansion Space per the terms of the Proposal, and this Section and Tenant’s rights thereunder shall terminate. Landlord, however, shall not enter into a lease of the applicable Expansion Space having a net effective Minimum Annual Rent that is less than 95% of the net effective Minimum Annual Rent stated in the Proposal, without first re-offering the Expansion Space to Tenant pursuant to the procedure provided in the preceding paragraph.
Although the terms of this Section are self-operative, at the request of either party following Tenant’s timely exercise of its right to lease the applicable Expansion Space, Landlord and Tenant shall execute and deliver an appropriate amendment to this Lease adding the applicable Expansion Space to the Premises. Unless otherwise agreed to by Landlord and Tenant, the Expansion Space shall be delivered to Tenant in an “as is” condition.
Tenant’s rights hereunder shall be void and of no force or effect if an Event of Default on the part of Tenant exists at the time Landlord would otherwise be required to give its offer notice. Tenant shall have no right to lease any Expansion Space if Tenant shall have assigned this Lease or sublet all or any portion of the Premises, but excepting any assignment or subletting to an Affiliate of Tenant. The rights of Tenant under this Section shall not be severed from the Lease or separately sold, assigned or transferred, and will expire upon the expiration or termination of the Lease.
For the avoidance of doubt, Tenant acknowledges that Landlord shall be free to enter into a new lease or lease extension with the current tenant or occupant of the Expansion Space, whether or not pursuant to an express lease right, without any obligation to first offer the Expansion Space to Tenant pursuant to the provisions of this Section.
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Landlord’s approval: | ||
| Senior Vice President/Regional Director |
30. Extension Option. Tenant shall have the right and option to extend the Term of this Lease for one extension term (the “Extension Term”) of 3 years. This option must be exercised, if at all, by giving Landlord prior written notice no more than 9 months and no less than 6 months in advance of the Expiration Date of the then current lease Term, of Tenant’s election to extend the lease Term; it being agreed that time is of the essence. This option is personal to Tenant and is non-transferable to any assignee or sublessee (regardless of whether any such assignment or sublease was made with Landlord’s consent) or other party; provided, however, that this option shall transfer to any Affiliate of Tenant succeeding to Tenant’s interest under this Lease. The Extension Term shall be under the same terms and conditions as provided in the Lease except as follows:
(a) there shall be no further options to extend the term unless agreed to by the parties in writing;
(b) Tenant shall accept the Premises in its “as is” condition, without any obligation on the part of Landlord to provide any tenant improvements or tenant improvement allowance; and
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(c) the Minimum Annual Rent for each Lease Year of the Extension Term shall be the “Market Rent” as defined below and determined as follows. Within 30 days after Landlord receives timely notice from Tenant exercising Tenant’s extension option, Landlord will give notice to Tenant of its determination of the Market Rent for the Premises, and Landlord’s determination will constitute the Market Rent unless Tenant objects by giving Landlord written notice of objection (including Tenant’s determination of the Market Rent) within 10 days after Tenant’s receipt of Landlord’s determination. If Tenant so objects, and the parties are unable to agree upon the Market Rent within 30 days after the Tenant’s objection, then by written notice to the other either party may demand that Market Rent be determined by the appraisal process set forth below. If determination by appraisal is demanded, the Experts (as defined below) shall be instructed to determine the Market Rent for the first Lease Year of the Extension Term, and the Minimum Annual Rent thereafter will increase by 2% for each Lease Year within the Extension Term (and, if the 2% annual increases are greater than or less than then-market escalations, that fact will be taken into consideration by the Experts in establishing the Market Rent for the first Lease Year of the Extension Term). The Minimum Annual Rent for the first Lease Year of the Extension Term will be so determined by a board consisting of three independent and disinterested reputable commercial real estate professionals (licensed brokers/agents or appraisers) with at least 10 years’ experience in the leasing or appraising of the rental value of industrial space in the submarket in which the Premises is located (the “Applicable Submarket”). Landlord and Tenant will each appoint its respective Expert within 30 days following the appraisal demand. The third Expert will be appointed by the first two Experts. If the first two Experts are unable to agree on a third Expert within 30 days after the appointment of the second Expert, then the third Expert shall be appointed by the local chapter of the Appraisal Institute. Any Expert so appointed by the Appraisal Institute shall be a disinterested reputable real estate appraiser with at least 10 years’ experience in appraising the rental value of industrial space in the Applicable Submarket, and shall be a member of the Appraisal Institute with the designation of “MAI.” The Experts shall be instructed to each independently reach their respective determinations of the Minimum Annual Rent for the first Lease Year of the Extension Term (to be Market Rent, assuming 2% annual escalations for subsequent Lease Years) within 45 days of the appointment of the third Expert. If determinations of at least two of the Experts are identical in amount, that amount will be determined to be the fair market Minimum Annual Rent for the first Lease Year of the Extension Term. If the determinations of all three Experts are different in amount, the highest appraised value will be averaged with the middle value (that average being referred to as “Sum A”). The lowest appraised value will be averaged with the middle value (that average being referred to as “Sum B”), and the fair market Minimum Annual Rent will be determined as follows: (i) if neither Sum A nor Sum B differs from the middle appraised value by more than 7% of the middle appraised value, then the fair market Minimum Annual Rent will be the average of the three appraisals, (ii) if either Sum A or Sum B (but not both) differs from the middle appraised value by more than 7% of the middle appraised value, then the fair market Minimum Annual Rent will be the average of the middle appraised value and the appraised value closer in amount to the middle appraised value, and (iii) if both Sum A and Sum B differ from the middle appraised value by more than 7% of the middle appraised value, then the fair market Minimum Annual Rent will be equal to the middle appraised value. Written notice of the fair market Minimum Annual Rent for the first Lease Year of the Extension Term as duly determined in accordance with this paragraph shall be promptly given to Landlord and Tenant and will be binding and conclusive on them, and Minimum Annual Rent for each subsequent Lease Year in the Extension Term shall be 102% of that payable in the previous year. Each party will bear its own expenses in connection with the appraisal proceeding (including the Expert appointed by it), and the fees of the third Expert will be borne equally. If, for any reason, the fair market Minimum Annual Rent has not been determined at the time of the commencement of the Extension Term, then the fair market Minimum Annual Rent will be the amount set forth in Landlord’s original determination, and if the determination of the Experts as provided above indicates that a lesser or greater amount should have been paid than that which was actually paid, a proper adjustment will be made in a payment from Landlord to Tenant, or Tenant to Landlord, as the case may be.
For purposes of this Section, “Market Rent” means the net annual rent that a willing tenant would pay, and a willing lessor would accept, in arms-length, bona fide negotiations, if the premises at issue were leased to a single tenant for the period in question under a lease pursuant to which such tenant would not receive any rental concession, such as rental abatements or “free rent” periods or rental assumption, inducements or any leasehold improvement allowance, and otherwise taking into account any other pertinent factors, including, but not limited to, the net effective annual rates per rentable square foot for leases of comparable space in comparable buildings recently or then being entered into in the Applicable Submarket (“Comparable Rates”). In evaluating Comparable Rates in connection with such determination, the following factors (and any other factors then known to be pertinent) shall be considered: the size of the premises; the length of the term; permitted use; quality of services provided; location and/or floor level; definition of rentable area; existing leasehold improvements; leasehold improvements to be provided by the lessor, whether directly or by allowance; the quality, age and location of the building; financial strength of the applicable tenant; rental concessions (such as rental abatements or “free rent” periods and rent assumptions); inducements; the respective obligations of the lessor and the tenant, the manner in which the rents are then subject to escalation and the time the particular rate under consideration became or will become effective.
If an Event of Default by Tenant under this Lease is continuing as of the date Tenant exercises this extension option or as of the expiration date of the then current lease Term, Landlord may at its option and in its sole discretion, declare this extension option void and of no further force or effect. If Tenant assigns this Lease or sublets more than 50% of the Premises to any person or entity that is not an Affiliate of Tenant, this extension option shall thereafter be void and of no further force or effect.
If Landlord and Tenant enter into any amendment to this Lease extending the Term thereof, then, unless such amendment expressly provides otherwise, this Section shall thereupon be deemed terminated and of no further force or effect.
Upon the timely exercise of an extension option, at the request of either party the parties hereto will enter into an appropriate amendment to the Lease incorporating the terms of the Lease extension.
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Landlord and Tenant have executed this Lease on the respective date(s) set forth below.
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| LIBERTY PROPERTY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP | |||
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| By: | Liberty Property Trust, its sole general partner | ||
Date signed: |
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| By: | /s/ Joe Trinkle | ||
8/18/2017 | 16:50 EDT |
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| Name: | Joe Trinkle | |
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| Title: | SVP, Regional Director |
Date signed: |
| Tenant: | |
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8/17/17 |
| COKEM INTERNATIONAL, LTD. | |
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Attest/Witness: |
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/s/ Julianne M. Turk |
| By: | /s/ Joe Rehak |
Name: Julianne M. Turk |
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| Name: Joe Rehak |
Title: VP, Finance |
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| Title: COO |
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Rider 1 to Lease Agreement
(Multi-Tenant Industrial)
ADDITIONAL DEFINITIONS
“ADA” means the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. § 1201 et seq.), as amended and supplemented from time to time.
“Affiliate” means (i) any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control of, Tenant, (ii) any successor, directly or indirectly, to Tenant by merger, consolidation or reorganization, and (iii) any purchaser of all or substantially all of the assets, directly or indirectly, of Tenant as a going concern.
“Agents” of a party means such party’s employees, agents, representatives, contractors, and invitees, and, in the case of Tenant, also means subtenants, licensees and other occupants of the Premises.
“Alteration” means any addition, alteration or improvement to the Premises or Property, as the case may be.
“Building Rules” means the rules and regulations attached to this Lease as Exhibit “E” as they may be amended from time to time.
“Building Systems” means any electrical, mechanical, plumbing, heating, ventilating, air conditioning, sprinkler, life safety or security systems serving the Building.
“Common Areas” means all areas and facilities as provided by Landlord from time to time for the use or enjoyment of all tenants in the Building or Property, including, if applicable, driveways, sidewalks, parking, loading and landscaped areas.
“Environmental Laws” means all present or future federal, state or local laws, ordinances, rules or regulations (including the rules and regulations of the federal Environmental Protection Agency and comparable state agency) relating to the protection of human health or the environment.
“Event of Default” means a default described in Section 22(a) of this Lease.
“Hazardous Materials” means pollutants, contaminants, toxic or hazardous wastes or other materials the removal of which is required or the use, treatment, storage or disposal of which is regulated, restricted, or prohibited by any Environmental Law.
“Interest Rate” means interest at the rate of 1½% per month.
“Land” means the lot or plot of land on which the Building is situated or the portion thereof allocated by Landlord to the Building.
“Laws” means all laws, ordinances, rules, orders, regulations, codes, guidelines and other requirements of federal, state or local governmental authorities or of any private association or contained in any restrictive covenants or other declarations or agreements, now or subsequently pertaining to the Property or the use and occupation of the Property.
“Lease Year” means the period from the Commencement Date through the succeeding 12 full calendar months (including for the first Lease Year any partial month from the Commencement Date until the first day of the first full calendar month) and each successive 12-month period thereafter during the Term.
“Maintain” or “Maintenance” means to provide such maintenance, repair and, to the extent necessary and appropriate, replacement, as may be needed to keep the subject property in good condition and repair. Maintenance also includes utilizing such Building or Building Systems-performance assessment tools or optimizing practices that Landlord in its discretion reasonably deems necessary or appropriate for planning, designing, installing, testing, operating and maintaining the Building, Building Systems and Common Areas in a sustainable, energy efficient manner and providing a safe and comfortable work environment, with a view toward achieving improved overall performance and minimizing impact on the environment.
R-1-1
“Major Repair” means with respect to Maintenance to be performed by Tenant, any (i) structural Maintenance, (ii) non-routine Maintenance to any Building System, (iii) roof Maintenance, or (iv) Maintenance project reasonably expected to cost more than $10,000.
“Monthly Rent” means the monthly installment of Minimum Annual Rent plus the monthly installment of estimated Annual Operating Expenses payable by Tenant under this Lease.
“Mortgage” means any mortgage, deed of trust or other lien or encumbrance on Landlord’s interest in the Property or any portion thereof, including without limitation any ground or master lease if Landlord’s interest is or becomes a leasehold estate.
“Mortgagee” means the holder of any Mortgage, including any ground or master lessor if Landlord’s interest is or becomes a leasehold estate.
“Operating Expenses” means all costs, fees, charges and expenses incurred or charged by Landlord in connection with the ownership, operation, maintenance and repair of, and services provided to, the Property, including, but not limited to: (i) the charges at standard retail rates for any utilities provided by Landlord pursuant to Section 7 of this Lease; (ii) the cost of insurance carried by Landlord pursuant to Section 8 of this Lease together with the cost of any deductible paid by Landlord in connection with an insured loss; (iii) Landlord’s cost to Maintain the Property (other than as provided in subsection (a) of Rider 2 of this Lease); (iv) to the extent not otherwise payable by Tenant pursuant to Section 5 of this Lease, all levies, taxes (including real estate taxes, sales taxes and gross receipt taxes), assessments, liens, license and permit fees, together with the reasonable cost of contesting any of the foregoing, which are applicable to the Term, and which are imposed by any authority or under any Law, or pursuant to any recorded covenants or agreements, upon or with respect to the Property, or any improvements thereto, or directly upon this Lease or the Rent or upon amounts payable by any subtenants or other occupants of the Premises, or against Landlord because of Landlord’s estate or interest in the Property; (v) the annual amortization (over their estimated economic useful life or payback period, whichever is shorter) of the costs (including reasonable financing charges) of improvements or replacements that would be classified as a capital expenditure under sound real estate accounting practices consistently applied; (vi) a management fee; (vii) a property service fee covering employees of and vehicles utilized by Landlord providing repair, maintenance and related services to the Property, and equipment, tools and materials used in connection with and other costs related to such services, all of which shall be consistent with the service level set forth in Rider 2 of this Lease; and (viii) costs to process the certification or re-certification of the Building pursuant to any applicable environmental or energy rating/bench marking system (such as Energy Star or LEED) including applying, reporting, and tracking costs and related reasonable consultant’s fees associated therewith. The foregoing notwithstanding, Operating Expenses will not include: (i) depreciation on the Building; (ii) financing and refinancing costs (except as provided above), interest on debt or amortization payments on any mortgage, or rental under any ground or underlying lease; (iii) leasing commissions, advertising expenses, tenant improvements or other costs directly related to the leasing of the Property; or (iv) income, excess profits or corporate capital stock tax imposed or assessed upon Landlord, unless such tax or any similar tax is levied or assessed in lieu of all or any part of any taxes includable in Operating Expenses above. If Landlord elects to prepay real estate taxes during any discount period, Landlord shall be entitled to the benefit of any such prepayment. Landlord shall have the right to directly perform (by itself or through an affiliate) any services provided under this Lease provided that the Landlord’s charges included in Operating Expenses for any such services shall not exceed competitive market rates for comparable services.
“Property” means the Land, the Building, the Common Areas, and all appurtenances to them.
“Rent” means the Minimum Annual Rent, Annual Operating Expenses and any other amounts payable by Tenant to Landlord under this Lease.
“Taken” or “Taking” means acquisition by a public authority having the power of eminent domain by condemnation or conveyance in lieu of condemnation.
“Tenant’s Share” means the percentage obtained by dividing the rentable square feet of the Premises by the rentable square feet of the Building, as set forth in Section 1 of this Lease.
“Transfer” means (i) any assignment, transfer, pledge or other encumbrance of all or a portion of Tenant’s interest in this Lease, (ii) any sublease, license or concession of all or a portion of Tenant’s interest in the Premises, or (iii) any transfer, directly or indirectly, of a controlling interest in Tenant, including, without limitation, by merger, consolidation or reorganization.
R-1-2
Rider 2 to Lease Agreement
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR RESPONSIBILITIES
Maintenance obligations, and the responsibility for payment associated with the performance of such Maintenance, shall be allocated between Landlord and Tenant in accordance with this Rider 2, except as otherwise set forth in Section 9 of this Lease.
(a) Landlord’s Obligation to Maintain at Landlord’s Expense. Landlord shall Maintain the Building footings, foundations, structural steel columns and girders, at Landlord’s sole expense, without reimbursement from Tenant.
(b) Landlord’s Obligation to Maintain at Tenant’s Expense. Landlord shall Maintain the following, the costs of which shall be included as Operating Expenses: (i) the Building roof and exterior walls (including, without limitation, exterior facade painting and caulk repair); (ii) the base Building life safety systems (including, but not limited to, fire sprinkler systems, fire pumps and fire alarm panels and devices); (iii) the main utility lines to the point of connection into the Building (e.g., main electricity and water/sewer service to the Building); (iv) any Building Systems not exclusively serving the Premises or the premises of another tenant; (v) the irrigation systems, storm water facilities and detention ponds; and (vi) the Common Areas (including, without limitation, any fencing (other than fencing exclusively serving the Premises), exterior landscaping, asphalt/concrete, snow and ice removal from sidewalks, parking areas, loading areas and driveways). In addition to the foregoing, Landlord shall, as an Operating Expense, be responsible for the following: exterior window cleaning; and sanitary lift stations.
(c) Supplemental Service. If Tenant requests and Landlord then furnishes any service or maintenance over and above the scope of services or maintenance required to be provided by Landlord under this Lease, then Tenant shall pay to Landlord, within 10 days after being billed therefor, Landlord’s charge for such supplemental service or maintenance (together with a supplemental service fee of 20% thereof).
(d) Tenant’s Obligation to Maintain at Tenant’s Expense. Except as otherwise expressly provided in subsections (a) and (b) above, Tenant shall Maintain, at its sole expense, the following: (i) the Building Systems exclusively serving the Premises (including, without limitation, exterior lighting and supplemental life safety systems relating to Tenant’s use of the Premises (including, but not limited to, specialty sprinkler systems and fire suppression systems)); (ii) the Premises and all fixtures and equipment in the Premises (including, without limitation, the floor/concrete slab, all interior and exterior doors and windows, all dock equipment (including dock doors, levelers, bumpers, dock shelters, ramps and dock lights) and all telephone, telecommunications, data and other communication lines and equipment); and (iii) any fencing exclusively serving the Premises. In addition to the foregoing, Tenant, at its sole cost, shall be responsible for the following: security; interior pest control; interior window cleaning; janitorial; trash and recyclables collection services (including dumpsters); elevators; office/warehouse lighting (including all bulbs and ballasts); ceiling tiles; and any exterior stairways exclusively serving the Premises. Major Repairs shall be subject to Landlord consent and other applicable provisions of Section 12 of this Lease. Tenant shall (i) perform each of its Maintenance obligations with a service provider and a service agreement reasonably acceptable to Landlord and, if applicable, within such scope and frequency and otherwise in accordance with any manufacturer’s recommendations, warranty specifications, and Landlord’s reasonable requirements established from time to time, and (ii) provide Landlord with documentation evidencing the satisfactory payment and completion (or results) of any such Maintenance. Tenant shall provide Landlord with a copy of a new contract meeting such requirements on or before the tenth (10th) day prior to the expiration of the then-existing service agreement. All Maintenance by Tenant shall utilize materials and equipment which meet or exceed the quality of that originally used in constructing the Building and Premises. Tenant, upon receipt, shall provide Landlord with copies of all written information (including, without limitation, agreements, contracts, records, reports, certificates, invoices and receipts) relating to any Tenant Maintenance hereunder documenting the satisfactory completion (or results) of such work (or testing) throughout the Term of the Lease. Should Tenant fail to provide such written information as required, then Landlord, at its election, may utilize a third-party vendor to perform inspections with regard to Tenant’s Maintenance obligations and, in such case, Tenant shall pay to Landlord, within 10 days after being billed therefor, the out-of-pocket costs actually incurred by Landlord to verify that Tenant is performing its Maintenance obligations in accordance with this Lease. Tenant, at its sole expense, when performing any Maintenance obligation required to be performed by Tenant under this subsection (d), will be solely responsible for ensuring that any such Maintenance that has an impact on the Building roof (e.g., Maintaining any HVAC located on the Building roof) is performed in a manner that does not violate the Building’s roof warranty, and Tenant shall be solely responsible for any costs or expenses that are not covered by such warranty. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a replacement of any Building System, equipment or fixture exclusively serving the Premises, is required during the Term of this Lease, then Landlord, at its sole option, may elect to replace such system itself, at Tenant’s sole expense, in which event Tenant agrees to pay to Landlord, within 10 days after being billed therefor, any and all costs incurred by Landlord in performing such replacement.
R-2-1
(e) Tenant’s Failure to Maintain. If Tenant fails to Maintain the Premises or Property in accordance with this Lease, then Landlord, subject to Tenant’s notice and cure rights expressly provided in this Lease, shall have the rights and remedies set forth in Section 22 of this Lease; provided, however, that in the case of a condition that Landlord reasonably believes poses an imminent threat to life, safety or damage to property, Landlord may take immediate action to correct such failure, and Tenant shall pay to Landlord, within 10 days after being billed therefor, any and all costs incurred by Landlord in connection with such correction, together with an administrative fee of 20% of such costs.
(f) Tenant Notice Requirement. If Tenant becomes aware of any condition that is Landlord’s responsibility to repair, Tenant shall promptly notify Landlord in writing of the condition. Moreover, regardless of which party bears responsibility for repair, Tenant shall immediately notify Landlord in writing if Tenant becomes aware of any areas of water intrusion or mold in or about the Premises.
R-2-2
EXHIBIT “A”
PLAN SHOWING PREMISES
A-1
EXHIBIT “B”
Liberty Property Limited Partnership (“Liberty”) is pleased to offer you the ability to make your rent payment without the hassle of writing a check, the expense of mailing it overnight, or sending a wire transfer. We are now offering an Automatic Payment Plan and would like you to take advantage of this service.
To take advantage of this convenient plan, complete this authorization form, and return the form to us.
Authorization Agreement for Automatic Payments (ACH Debits)
I authorize Liberty Property Limited Partnership and the bank named below to initiate automatic debits to the bank account noted below in the full amounts due on my account on the first day of each month during the term of my lease agreement (which amounts shall include, but are not limited to, regularly scheduled monthly amounts owed and all other amounts due, if any). This authorization will remain in effect until I notify Liberty and the bank in writing to cancel this agreement in such time as to afford the parties a reasonable opportunity to terminate this agreement. I can stop payment of any entry by notifying Liberty and the bank three days before my account is charged. I understand that Liberty's liability shall be limited to its exercise of ordinary care in initiating debit entries. Rejected ACH Debits may be subject to an insufficient funds charge and other applicable late fees as per my lease agreement.
The bank will automatically deduct the payment due from my account on the due date of the payment or the business day thereafter. You will receive an email or fax notification of the payment before it occurs. |
Return this form to:
Liberty Property Limited Partnership
Attn: AR Department
500 Chesterfield Parkway Malvern, PA 19355
accountsreceivable@libertyproperty.com
Attach a voided Check to Ensure Proper Set Up
Automatic Payment cannot be set up without a voided check or, for savings accounts only, deposit slip is required. Completed forms received by the 10th of the month will take effect the 1st of the following month and you will be notified before the first payment is taken.
Accounting Use Only: |
| form creation 5/24/12 |
Notified PM |
| last modified 8/12/14 |
|
| http://portal.lptoffice.com/Documentation/Accounting/FormsInfo/default.aspx |
B-1
EXHIBIT “C”
UTILITY AUTHORIZATION
<Print on Tenant Letterhead>
Utility Authorization by Tenant
Electric |
| <Date> |
<Utility Company Name>
<Street Address>
<City, State, Zip>
Electric Acct #
Gas (if applicable)
<Utility Company Name>
<Street Address>
<City, State, Zip>
Gas Acct #
Water/Sewer (if in tenants’ name)
<Utility Company Name>
<Street Address>
<City, State, Zip>
Water/Sewer Acct #
Re: Leased Premises located at <Street Number><Street><Space ID><City>
<State><Zip Code>
Dear Utility Service Representatives:
<Tenant Name> hereby authorizes Liberty Property Trust and/or its designated representatives (“Liberty”) to access a minimum of 12 months (and more, if available) of historical and ongoing utility consumption data for the service account numbers set forth above. We hereby give Liberty permission to utilize information related to energy and/or water consumption at the above listed leased property address, to track consumption trends and to achieve maximum energy efficiencies.
If you have any questions regarding this request, please contact <Tenant Name> at <Tenant Phone # and email address>. Thank you in advance for your prompt attention to this matter.
<Tenant Contact>
<Tenant Name>
<Tax ID Number>
C-1
EXHIBIT “D”
TENANT ESTOPPEL CERTIFICATE
Please refer to the documents described in Schedule 1 hereto, (the “Lease Documents”) including the “Lease” therein described; all defined terms in this Certificate shall have the same meanings as set forth in the Lease unless otherwise expressly set forth herein. The undersigned Tenant hereby certifies that it is the tenant under the Lease. Tenant hereby further acknowledges that it has been advised that the Lease may be collaterally assigned in connection with a proposed financing secured by the Property and/or may be assigned in connection with a sale of the Property and certifies both to Landlord and to any and all prospective mortgagees and purchasers of the Property, including any trustee on behalf of any holders of notes or other similar instruments, any holders from time to time of such notes or other instruments, and their respective successors and assigns (the “Beneficiaries”) that as of the date hereof:
1. The information set forth in attached Schedule 1 is true and correct.
2. Tenant is in occupancy of the Premises and the Lease is in full force and effect, and, except by such writings as are identified on Schedule 1, has not been modified, assigned, supplemented or amended since its original execution, nor are there any other agreements between Landlord and Tenant concerning the Premises, whether oral or written.
3. All conditions and agreements under the Lease to be satisfied or performed by Landlord have been satisfied and performed.
4. Tenant is not in default under the Lease Documents, Tenant has not received any notice of default under the Lease Documents, and, to Tenant’s knowledge, there are no events which have occurred that, with the giving of notice and/or the passage of time, would result in a default by Tenant under the Lease Documents.
5. Tenant has not paid any Rent due under the Lease more than 30 days in advance of the date due under the Lease and Tenant has no rights of setoff, counterclaim, concession or other rights of diminution of any Rent due and payable under the Lease except as set forth in Schedule 1.
6. To Tenant’s knowledge, there are no uncured defaults on the part of Landlord under the Lease Documents, Tenant has not sent any notice of default under the Lease Documents to Landlord, and there are no events which have occurred that, with the giving of notice and/or the passage of time, would result in a default by Landlord thereunder, and that at the present time Tenant has no claim against Landlord under the Lease Documents.
7. Except as expressly set forth in Part G of Schedule 1, there are no provisions for any, and Tenant has no, options with respect to the Premises or all or any portion of the Property.
8. No action, voluntary or involuntary, is pending against Tenant under federal or state bankruptcy or insolvency law.
9. The undersigned has the authority to execute and deliver this Certificate on behalf of Tenant and acknowledges that all Beneficiaries will rely upon this Certificate in purchasing the Property or extending credit to Landlord or its successors in interest.
10. This Certificate shall be binding upon the successors, assigns and representatives of Tenant and any party claiming through or under Tenant and shall inure to the benefit of all Beneficiaries.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Tenant has executed this Certificate this _____ day of _____________, 2_____.
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| Name of Tenant | |
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| By: |
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| Title: |
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D-1
SCHEDULE 1 TO TENANT ESTOPPEL CERTIFICATE
Lease Documents, Lease Terms and Current Status
A. Date of Lease:
B. Parties:
1. Landlord:
2. Tenant:
C. Premises:
D. Modifications, Assignments, Supplements or Amendments to Lease:
E. Commencement Date:
F. Expiration of Current Term:
G. Option Rights:
H. Security Deposit Paid to Landlord: $
I. Current Minimum Annual Rent: $
J. Current Annual Operating Expenses: $
K. Current Total Rent: $
L. Square Feet Demised:
D-2
EXHIBIT “E”
BUILDING RULES
1. Any sidewalks, lobbies, passages and stairways shall not be obstructed or used by Tenant for any purpose other than ingress and egress from and to the Premises. Landlord shall in all cases retain the right to control or prevent access by all persons whose presence, in the judgment of Landlord, shall be prejudicial to the safety, peace or character of the Property.
2. The toilet rooms, toilets, urinals, sinks, faucets, plumbing or other service apparatus of any kind shall not be used for any purposes other than those for which they were installed, and no sweepings, rubbish, rags, ashes, chemicals or other refuse or injurious substances shall be placed therein or used in connection therewith or left in any lobbies, passages, elevators or stairways.
3. Tenant shall not impair in any way the fire safety system and shall comply with all safety, fire protection and evacuation procedures and regulations established by Landlord, any governmental agency or any insurance company insuring the Building, including without limitation the insurer’s Red Tag Permit System, Hot Work Permit System and all other fire protection impairment procedures. No person shall go on the roof without Landlord’s prior written permission.
4. Skylights, windows, doors and transoms shall not be covered or obstructed by Tenant, and Tenant shall not install any window covering which would affect the exterior appearance of the Building, except as approved in writing by Landlord. Tenant shall not remove, without Landlord’s prior written consent, any shades, blinds or curtains in the Premises.
5. Without Landlord’s prior written consent, Tenant shall not hang, install, mount, suspend or attach anything from or to any sprinkler, plumbing, utility or other lines. If Tenant hangs, installs, mounts, suspends or attaches anything from or to any doors, windows, walls, floors or ceilings, Tenant shall spackle and sand all holes and repair any damage caused thereby or by the removal thereof at or prior to the expiration or termination of the Lease. If Tenant elects to seal the floor, Tenant shall seal the entire unfinished floor area within the Premises.
6. Tenant shall not change any locks or place additional locks upon any doors without prior written notice to Landlord. Tenant shall be responsible for compliance with all Laws relating to updating fire boxes or otherwise complying with the Laws of the municipality in which the Premises are located with respect to locks.
7. Tenant shall not use or keep in the Building any matter having an offensive odor or which may negatively affect the indoor air quality of the Building, or any explosive or highly flammable material; nor shall any animals other than service animals in the company of their handlers be brought into or kept in or about the Property.
8. If Tenant desires to introduce electrical, signaling, telegraphic, telephonic, protective alarm or other wires, apparatus or devices, Landlord shall direct where and how the same are to be placed, and except as so directed, no installation boring or cutting shall be permitted. Landlord shall have the right to prevent and to cut off the transmission of excessive or dangerous current of electricity or annoyances into or through the Building or the Premises and to require the changing of wiring connections or layout at Tenant’s expense, to the extent that Landlord may deem necessary, and further to require compliance with such reasonable rules as Landlord may establish relating thereto, and in the event of non-compliance with the requirements or rules, Landlord shall have the right immediately to cut wiring or to do what it considers necessary to remove the danger, annoyance or electrical interference with apparatus in any part of the Building. All wires installed by Tenant must be clearly tagged at the distributing boards and junction boxes and elsewhere where required by Landlord, with the number of the office to which said wires lead, and the purpose for which the wires respectively are used, together with the name of the concern, if any, operating same.
9. Tenant shall not place weights anywhere beyond the safe carrying capacity of the Building.
10. The use of rooms as sleeping quarters is strictly prohibited at all times.
E-1
11. Tenant shall have the right, at Tenant’s sole risk and responsibility, to use only Tenant’s Share of the parking spaces at the Property as reasonably determined by Landlord. Tenant shall comply with all parking regulations promulgated by Landlord from time to time for the orderly use of the vehicle parking areas, including without limitation the following: Parking shall be limited to automobiles, passenger or equivalent vans, motorcycles, light four wheel pickup trucks and (in designated areas) bicycles. No vehicles shall be left in the parking lot overnight without Landlord’s prior written approval. Parked vehicles shall not be used for vending or any other business or other activity while parked in the parking areas. Vehicles shall be parked only in striped parking spaces, except for loading and unloading, which shall occur solely in zones marked for such purpose, and be so conducted as to not unreasonably interfere with traffic flow within the Property or with loading and unloading areas of other tenants. Employee and tenant vehicles shall not be parked in spaces marked for visitor parking or other specific use. All vehicles entering or parking in the parking areas shall do so at owner’s sole risk and Landlord assumes no responsibility for any damage, destruction, vandalism or theft. Tenant shall cooperate with Landlord in any measures implemented by Landlord to control abuse of the parking areas, including without limitation access control programs, tenant and guest vehicle identification programs, and validated parking programs, provided that no such validated parking program shall result in Tenant being charged for spaces to which it has a right to free use under its Lease. Each vehicle owner shall promptly respond to any sounding vehicle alarm or horn, and failure to do so may result in temporary or permanent exclusion of such vehicle from the parking areas. Any vehicle which violates the parking regulations may be cited, towed at the expense of the owner, temporarily or permanently excluded from the parking areas, or subject to other lawful consequence.
12. Tenant shall use its best efforts to prohibit any persons from smoking in the Building and within 25 feet of Building entrances, outdoor air intakes, and operable windows.
13. If at Tenant’s request, Landlord consents to Tenant having a dumpster at the Property, Tenant shall locate the dumpster in the area designated by Landlord and shall keep and maintain the dumpster clean and painted with lids and doors in good working order and, at Landlord’s request, locked.
14. Tenant shall provide Landlord with a written identification of any vendors engaged by Tenant to perform services for Tenant at the Premises which will materially impact the Premises and/or the Building (examples: cleaners, security guards/monitors, trash haulers, telecommunications installers/maintenance). Tenant assumes all responsibility for protecting the Premises from theft and vandalism.
15. Tenant shall comply with the move-in/move-out rules provided by Landlord, a copy of which are attached hereto as Schedule 1 to Exhibit “E.”
16. Tenant shall comply with the following additional sustainability requirements:
a. Data Collection. If Landlord does not meter Tenant’s electrical, gas and water usage (which it may elect to do at any time during the Term), Tenant shall provide, within 10 days after Landlord’s request from time to time, reasonably requested energy and water consumption data and related information in connection with Tenant’s use of the Premises and all construction, maintenance, repairs, cleaning, trash disposal and recycling relating to the Premises performed by or on behalf of Tenant – all to be used for purposes of monitoring and improving building efficiencies.
b. Low/No VOC Paint. Tenant shall use only interior paints and coatings (including primers) meeting the environmental requirements of the current Green Seal™ Environmental Standard For Paints And Coatings – GS-11.
c. Recycling. The following items must be recycled to the extent required by applicable Laws: (i) Paper; (ii) Cardboard; (iii) Plastics; (iv) Aluminum Cans/Metals; and (v) Glass.
d. Plumbing Fixtures. For new installations and whenever plumbing fixtures are being replaced the Tenant shall install fixtures according to the following specifications:
i. Water closets with a flush volume not to exceed 1.28 gallons per flush.
ii. Urinals with a flush volume not to exceed .125 gallons per flush.
iii. Lavatory faucets with a flow rate not to exceed .5 gallons per minute with sensor activated 12 second timeout flow control.
iv. Break room and kitchen type faucets with a flow rate not to exceed 1.5 gallons per minute.
v. Showerheads with a flow rate not to exceed 1.5 gallons per minute.
In any event, Tenant shall not be obligated to install or replace fixtures at a specification greater than fixtures previously installed by Landlord unless required by applicable Law.
e. Heating, Ventilation, and Cooling Systems. Heating, ventilation, and cooling systems shall meet or exceed the minimum performance criteria as set forth in Sections 4 through 7 of ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2007, Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality, or applicable local code, whichever is more stringent.
E-2
f. Refrigerants. Newly installed heating ventilating, air conditioning, and refrigeration HVAC&R systems in the Building shall not have chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)-based refrigerants. The newly installed HVAC&R equipment shall comply with the requirements of EAc4: Enhanced Refrigeration Management and the associated formula, which sets a maximum threshold for the combined contributions to ozone depletion and global warming potential.
g. Lighting. Newly installed lighting shall contain no more than 80 picograms of mercury per lumen-hour in conformance with LEED EBOM, MRc4: Reduced Mercury in Lamps, and lighting power density may not exceed .65 watts/SF in the Tenant fitout. Lighting shall incorporate automatic occupancy sensors and shall use ENERGY STAR or FEMP-certified lamps and ballasts or meet ASHRAE 90.1 standards.
17. Tenant shall not store or apply rock salt or salt-based ice treatments on or to outdoor concrete surfaces and shall be responsible for all costs associated with any necessary repairs or replacements to outdoor concrete surfaces damaged by such storage or use.
18. Tenant shall cause all of Tenant’s Agents to comply with these Building Rules.
19. Landlord reserves the right to rescind, suspend or modify any rules or regulations, either on a temporary or permanent basis, and to make such other rules and regulations as, in Landlord’s reasonable judgment, may from time to time be required by applicable Laws or would impact the use of other tenants at the Building. Notice of any action by Landlord referred to in this section, given to Tenant, shall have the same force and effect as if originally made a part of the foregoing Lease. New rules or regulations will not, however, be unreasonably inconsistent with the proper and rightful enjoyment of the Premises by Tenant under the Lease.
These Building Rules are not intended to give Tenant any rights or claims in the event that Landlord does not enforce any of them against any other tenants or if Landlord does not have the right to enforce them against any other tenants and such non-enforcement will not constitute a waiver as to Tenant.
E-3
Schedule 1 to Exhibit “E”
Tenant Move-Out Responsibilities
■ | Tenant must remove all furniture, pictures, whiteboards, etc. from the walls. | |
■ | All holes in drywall must be patched and sanded and ready for paint. | |
■ | All damaged ceiling tiles must be replaced with new, matching tiles. | |
■ | Tenant must provide Landlord with keys, passes and/or access cards to the Premises for all locks on the Premises (including, without limitation, for the front doors, rear doors, and interior doors). Tenant must repair where access equipment was attached on door frames. | |
■ | If machinery, equipment, furniture or fixtures are removed, then electrical lines should be properly terminated at the nearest junction box. | |
■ | Tenant must grind all bolts to below floor level and appropriately fill all holes to floor level with approved epoxy mix. | |
■ | All bollards/railings installed around tenant equipment must be removed and bolts need to be ground to below floor level and appropriately fill all holes to floor level with approved epoxy mix. | |
■ | The warehouse floor must be broom cleaned. | |
■ | The restroom areas, offices and windows must be cleaned. | |
■ | All plumbing fixtures (including, without limitation, the water heater, faucets and toilets) must be in good working order. | |
■ | All window blinds must be in working order, free from damage. | |
■ | All man doors, truck doors and dock levelers (including, without limitation, any truck door panels and door tension) must be in good working order, free of damage; please provide copy of maintenance records. These will be inspected by a 3rd party vendor prior to move out. | |
■ | All dock bumpers must be left in-place, in good condition and well-secured. | |
■ | All lighting (including, without limitation, bulbs, ballasts, and lenses) must be in good working order and all bulbs in fixture must be working. | |
■ | All signage relating to your company and/or your operation must be removed and damage appropriately repaired. Exterior signs removed must also include paint to match existing conditions. | |
■ | All security system equipment, panels, cameras and stickers must be removed from the premise. Damage must be properly repaired and exterior removal must include patch & painting to match existing conditions. | |
■ | All electrical connections to your equipment should be removed and terminated at the nearest electrical box. | |
■ | Carpets and vinyl tiles must be in a clean condition and must not have any holes or chips, except for normal wear and tear. | |
■ | Break room door to warehouse must be repaired and in good working condition. | |
■ | Tenant vending equipment must be removed. | |
■ | All cabling and phone lines must be removed all the way back to the suite d-marc. Cabling can’t be abandoned in place. | |
■ | All equipment in server room must be removed. | |
■ | All tenant equipment on roof must be removed. | |
■ | All damage to structural steel columns in the Premises must be repaired in a manner satisfactory to Landlord. | |
■ | Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems (including, without limitation, warehouse heaters and exhaust fans) must be in good working order. Please provide maintenance records. Landlord will have an exit inspection performed by a certified mechanical contactor to determine the condition. |
E-4
EXHIBIT “F”
OFFICE SPACE PLAN
F-1
EXHIBIT “G”
EXPANSION SPACE
G-1
Exhibit 10.17
FIRST AMENDMENT TO LEASE
THIS FIRST AMENDMENT TO LEASE (this “Amendment”) is made as of the 22nd day of January, 2018, by and between LIBERTY PROPERTY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, a Pennsylvania limited partnership (“Landlord”), and COKEM INTERNATIONAL, LTD., a Minnesota corporation (“Tenant”).
BACKGROUND:
A.Landlord and Tenant are parties to that certain Lease Agreement dated as of August 18, 2017 (the “Lease”) with respect to certain Premises consisting of approximately 162,753 rentable square feet of space and commonly known as Suite 500 in Landlord’s Building at 5651 Innovation Boulevard, Shakopee, Minnesota, all as more fully described in the Lease.
B.Landlord and Tenant desire to amend the Lease as hereinafter set forth. All capitalized terms used in this Amendment and not separately defined herein shall bear the meaning assigned to them in the Lease.
AMENDMENT:
Now therefore, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and legal sufficiency of which the parties acknowledge, the parties agree as follows:
1. | Increased Size of Office Area. Tenant desires to increase the size of the office area within the Premises. Accordingly: |
(a) | In Section l(i) of the Lease, “11,000 rentable square feet” is hereby changed to “12,000 rentable square feet”. |
(b)Tenant shall be responsible for any architectural fees and associated costs and expenses incurred in connection with revising the Office Space Improvements plans to reflect the changes to the office area desired by Tenant.
(c)References to the “Office Space Improvements” in the Lease shall mean the office space and restrooms reflected on revised plans approved by Landlord. Consistent with the provisions of Sections 28(c) and (d) of the Lease, the Office Space Improvements, as revised, will be constructed by Landlord at Tenant’s sole expense, subject to the Tenant Allowance of $700,000. As provided in Section 28(d) of the Lease, Tenant shall be responsible for the cost of the of the Office Space Improvements, as revised, in excess of the Tenant Allowance.
2.Pre-Commencement Date Access. Tenant and its Agents shall have the right, at Tenant’s own risk, expense and responsibility, at all reasonable times from and after the date this Amendment is executed by Landlord and Tenant to enter the Premises for the purpose of installing Tenant’s trade fixtures, furnishings, equipment and cabling, and otherwise preparing the Premises for Tenant’s use and occupancy; provided that (i) Tenant has obtained any permits and approvals necessary for Tenant’s installations, (ii) Tenant does not materially interfere with or materially delay Landlord’s Work, (iii) Tenant uses contractors and workers compatible with the contractors and workers engaged by Landlord, and (iv) if Landlord requests, any such access shall be scheduled through and coordinated with Landlord’s general contractor. In connection with any such access prior to the Commencement Date, Tenant shall abide by the terms and conditions of this Lease including carrying the insurance specified by the Lease, as if the term of this Lease had already commenced, except that Tenant shall have no obligation to pay Monthly Rent for this early-access period. Tenant shall, however, commence paying for utilities from and after the date of this Amendment. The Commencement Date of the Lease shall be March 1, 2018 regardless of whether Landlord’s Work is complete or Tenant has occupied the Premises; provided, however, if Tenant commences business operations in and from any portion of the Premises prior to March 1, 2018, the Commencement Date shall be the date Tenant commences business operations.
3.Tenant’s Authority. Tenant represents and warrants to Landlord that: (a) Tenant is duly formed, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the state under which Tenant is organized, and qualified to do business in the state in which the Property is located, and (b) the person(s) signing this Amendment are duly authorized to execute and deliver this Amendment on behalf of Tenant.
4.Ratification. Except as expressly amended by this Amendment, all of the terms and conditions of the Lease remain unmodified and continue in full force and effect. The Lease, as hereby amended, is hereby ratified and affirmed in all respects. If anything contained in this Amendment conflicts with any terms of the Lease, the terms of this Amendment shall prevail.
5.Successors and Assigns. This Amendment shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and, subject to the provisions of Section 18 of the Lease, their respective successors and assigns.
6.Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but which, taken together, shall be one original agreement. Any counterpart of this Amendment may be executed and delivered by electronic transmission (including, without limitation, e-mail or by portable document format (pdf)) and shall have the same force and effect as an original.
[Signature page follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this First Amendment on the date first above written.
| TENANT: | ||
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| COKEM INTERNATIONAL, LTD. | ||
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| By: | /s/ Joe Rehak | |
| | Print Name: | Joe Rehak |
| | Print Title: | COO |
| LANDLORD: | ||
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| LIBERTY PROPERTY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP | ||
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| By: | LIBERTY PROPERTY TRUST | |
| | Its Sole General Partner | |
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| By: | | |
| | Print Name: | |
| | Print Title: | |
[Signature Page to First Amendment to Lease]
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Exhibit 10.18
MULTl-TENANT INDUSTRIAL TRIPLE NET LEASE
| Effective Date: December 14, 2007 |
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| BASIC LEASE INFORMATION |
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Landlord: | Cedar Grove – Crossdock, LLC |
| a Kentucky limited liability company |
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Landlord’s Address |
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For Notice: | Cedar Grove – Crossdock, LLC |
| 200 S. 5th Street, Suite 400-S |
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| Louisville, Kentucky |
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| Telephone: 502-566-0300 |
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| Fax: 502-566-0322 |
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Landlord’s Address | 200 S. 5th Street, Suite 400-S |
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For Payment of Rent: | Louisville, Kentucky 40202 |
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| Telephone: 502-566-0300 |
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Tenant: | Alliance Entertainment, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company |
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Tenant’s Address |
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For Notice: | Alliance Entertainment, LLC |
| 27500 Riverview Center Blvd. |
| Bonita Springs, FL 34134 |
| Attn: Vice President Facilities |
| Telephone: 239-949-4450 |
| Fax: 239-495-5129 |
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| With a copy to: General Counsel at same address |
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| Fax-239-949-7689 |
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Project: | Cedar Grove Business Center |
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Building: | 300 Omicron Court, Shepherdsville, Kentucky 40165 |
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Premises: | Approximately 404,039 rentable square feet as shown in Exhibit A. |
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Premises Address: |
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Street: | 300 Omicron Court |
City and State: | Shepherdsville, Kentucky 40165 |
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Term: | One Hundred Twenty-Four (124) months |
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Tenant Fixturing Period Date: | February 1, 2008 |
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Estimated Commencement Date: | May 1, 2008 |
(2)
EXHIBITS
A | Premises |
B | Work Letter |
B-1 | Tennant Specifications |
C | Commencement Date Memorandum |
D | Prohibited Uses |
E | Rules and Regulations |
F | Guaranty |
G | Landlord’s Waiver and Consent |
The Basic Lease Information set forth above and the Exhibits attached hereto are incorporated into and made a part of the following Lease. Each reference in this Lease to any of the Basic Lease Information shall mean the respective information above and shall be construed to incorporate all of the terms provided under the particular Lease paragraph pertaining to such information. In the event of any conflict between the Basic Lease Information and the provisions of the Lease, the latter shall control.
| LANDLORD | ( | ) | AND TENANT | ( | ) | AGREE. |
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(3)
Table of Contents
1.PREMISES
1.1Premises. Landlord hereby leases to Tenant the Premises as shown on Exhibit A attached hereto, but excluding the Common Area (defined below) and any other portion of the Building. Tenant, after completion of a punch list after completion of construction of the Building and Premises by Landlord, acknowledges that the Premises are acceptable for Tenant’s use and Tenant acknowledges that, except as set forth in the Work Letter, if any, neither Landlord nor any broker or agent has made any representations or warranties in connection with the physical condition of the Premises or their fitness for Tenant’s use upon which Tenant has relied directly or indirectly for any purpose.
1.2Common Area. Tenant may, subject to rules made by Landlord, use the following areas (“Common Area”) in common with Landlord and other tenants of the Project: refuse facilities, landscaped areas, driveways necessary for access to the Premises, and other common facilities designated by Landlord from time to time for the common use of all tenants of the Project.
1.3Reserved Rights. Landlord reserves the right to enter the Premises upon reasonable notice to Tenant (or without notice in case of an emergency) in order to undertake the following all without abatement of rent or liability to Tenant: inspect the Premises and/or the performance by Tenant of the terms and conditions hereof; make such alterations, repairs, improvements or additions to the Premises as required or permitted hereunder; change boundary lines of the Common Areas; install, use, maintain, repair, alter, relocate or replace any pipes, ducts, conduits, wires, equipment and other facilities in the Common Area or the Building; grant easements on the Project, dedicate for public use portions thereof and record covenants, conditions and restrictions (“CC&Rs”) affecting the Building and/or amendments to existing CC&Rs which do not unreasonably or materially interfere with Tenant’s use of the Premises or impose additional material monetary obligations on Tenant; change the name of the Project; affix reasonable signs and displays; and, during the last six (6) months of the Term, place signs for the rental of, and show the Premises to prospective tenants.
2.TERM.
2.1Commencement Date. The Term of the Lease shall commence (“Commencement Date”) on the date on which Landlord delivers to Tenant the Premises Substantially Complete (as hereinafter defined) and shall run for a period of 124 full calendar months from the first day of the first month after the Commencement Date except that if the Commencement Date is the first day of the month, the Term shall run for a period of l24 full calendar months from such first day of the month, and the Lease shall continue in full force and effect for the period of time specified as the Term or until this Lease is terminated as otherwise provided herein. The Premises shall be deemed to be “Substantially Complete” on the earlier of the date on which: (1) Landlord delivers written notice to Tenant that the Premises are substantially complete and obtains any governmental approval or sign-off with respect to the Premises and Tenant Improvements, as hereinafter defined, required to allow occupancy of the Premises, or (2) Tenant commences business operations in the Premises. Landlord shall arrange for the construction of certain Tenant Improvements as defined in the Work Letter in accordance with and subject to the terms of the Work Letter attached hereto as Exhibit B. Tenant shall, upon demand after delivery of the Premises to Tenant, execute and deliver to Landlord a Commencement Date Memorandum in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C acknowledging (i) the Commencement Date, (ii) the final square footage of the Premises and (iii) Tenant’s acceptance of the Premises. If the Premises and Tenant Improvements are not Substantially Complete on the Estimated Commencement Date (as such estimated date may be extended by one or more Tenant Delays and/or Force Majeure Delays, as such terms are defined in Exhibit B), this Lease shall remain in effect, Landlord shall not be subject to any liability, and the Commencement Date shall be delayed until the date the Premises and Tenant Improvements are Substantially Complete; except, however, that if the Tenant Improvements are not Substantially Complete by the “Outside Date” (as hereinafter defined), then Tenant shall be entitled to three (3) additional days of abatement of Base Rent first otherwise coming due under this Lease for each day following the Outside Date until the date the Premises and Tenant Improvements are Substantially Complete. As used herein, the “Outside Date” shall mean May l, 2008, provided that such Outside Date shall be subject to extension on a day for day basis to the extent that the date the Tenant Improvements are Substantially Complete is delayed by the occurrence of one or more Force Majeure events and/or Tenant Delays and/or the failure to approve the Final Plans (as defined in the Work Letter) by the Final Plans Target Date (as defined in the Work Letter) and/or the failure to approve the Work Cost Estimate (as defined in the Work Letter) by the Work Cost Estimate Target Dale (as defined in the Work Letter). This Lease is contingent upon approval by the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority Board of the Kentucky Jobs Development Act financial benefits. The company currently has such approval for a nearby facility and has already submitted a Kentucky Jobs Development Act application and expects to finalize the process for this facility shortly.
If the Premises are not available by February 10, 2008 (the “Tenant Fixturing Period Commencement Date”) as such estimated date may be extended by one or more Tenant Delays and/or Force Majeure Delays and/or failure to approve the Final Plans by the Final Plans Target Date and/or the Work Cost Estimate by the Work Cost Estimate Target Date, then Tenant shall be entitled to three (3) additional days of abatement of Base Rent first otherwise coming due under this Lease for each day following the Tenant Fixturing Period Commencement Date until the date the Premises are available for Tenant’s fixturing. Tenant shall have no obligation to pay Base Rent, Operating Expenses, or any other charges from the Tenant Fixturing Period Commencement Date to the Commencement Date of this Lease.
3.RENT.
3.1Rent. Tenant shall pay to Landlord, at Landlord’s Address for Payment of Rent designated in the Basic Lease Information, or at such other address as Landlord may from time to time designate in writing to Tenant for the payment of Rent, the Base Rent, in advance, on the first day of each calendar month. It is intended that this Lease be a “triple net lease.” Except as expressly provided to the contrary in this Lease, Landlord shall not be required to make any expenditure, incur any obligation 1 or incur any liability of any kind whatsoever in connection with this Lease or the ownership, construction, maintenance, operation or repair of the Premises or the Project. If the Term commences (or ends) on a date other than the first (or last) day of a month, Base Rent shall be prorated on the basis of a thirty (30) day month. All sums other than Base Rent which Tenant is obligated to pay under this Lease shall be deemed to be additional rent due hereunder (“Additional Rent”), whether or not such sums are designated Additional Rent and, together with the Base Rent, shall be due and payable to Landlord commencing on the Possession Date. The term “Rent” means the Base Rent and all Additional Rent payable hereunder.
3.2Late Charge and Interest. The late payment of any Rent will cause Landlord to incur additional costs, including administration and collection costs and processing and accounting expenses and increased debt service (“Delinquency Costs”). If Landlord has not received any installment of Rent within seven (7) days after the due date thereof, Tenant shall pay a late charge of three percent (3%) of the delinquent amount, which is agreed to represent a reasonable estimate of the Delinquency Costs incurred by Landlord.
3.3Security Deposit. Tenant shall not be responsible to pay a Security Deposit.
4.UTILITIES. Tenant shall pay all charges for heat, water, gas, electricity, telephone and any other utilities used on or provided to the Premises. Landlord shall not be liable to Tenant for interruption in or curtailment of any utility service, nor shall any such interruption or curtailment constitute constructive eviction or grounds for rental abatement, unless such interruption or curtailment is caused by Landlord’s negligence or willful misconduct. Landlord shall, at its sole cost and expense, cause the Premises to be separately metered for electricity and gas and submetered for water.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Lease, during the period from the Tenant Fixturing Period Commencement Date through to the expiration of the Term of the Lease, if Tenant is actually prevented from using all or a material portion of the Premises as a result of (i) an interruption ill essential utility services to the Premises which is the fault of Landlord or Landlord’s employees, agents or contractors, (ii) Landlord’s actions in entering upon the Premises (other than in exercising any remedy or curing any Tenant failure to perform in accordance with this Lease), or (iii) Landlord’s failure to perform its maintenance and repair obligations under this Lease as and when due hereunder, and which prevention from use is not cured by Landlord within three (3) consecutive business days following Landlord’s receipt of written notice thereof from Tenant stating Tenant’s intent to receive an abatement, then Base Rent and Tenant’s obligation for payment of Tenant’s Share of Operating Expenses and Real Property Taxes shall thereafter be equitably abated based upon the portion of the Premises which Tenant is so prevented from using, until and to the extent that Tenant is no longer so prevented from using such portion of the Premises as a result of the applicable item described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of Section 13 below and not the provisions of this Section 4 shall govern in the event of casualty damage to the Premises or Project and the provisions of Section 14 below and not the provisions of this Section 4 shall govern in the event of condemnation of all or a part of the Premises or Project.
5.TAXES.
5.1Real Property Taxes. Tenant shall pay to Landlord Tenant’s share of the Real Property Taxes for each full or partial calendar year during the Lease Term.
5.2Definition of Real Property Taxes. “Real Property Taxes” shall be the sum of the following: all real property taxes, assessments, supplementary taxes, escape taxes, possessory-interest taxes, business or license taxes or fees, service payments in lieu of such taxes or fees, special taxes, fees and/or charges assessed or otherwise payable under any community facilities district, special service district or any other special taxing district or authority, annual or periodic license or use fees, excises, transit and traffic charges, housing fund assessments, open space charges, childcare fees, school, sewer and parking fees or any other assessments, levies, fees, exactions or charges, general and special, ordinary and extraordinary, unforeseen as well as foreseen (including fees “in-lieu” of any such tax or assessment) which are assessed, levied, charged, conferred or imposed by any public authority upon the Project (or any real property comprising any portion thereof) or its operations, together with all taxes, assessments or other fees imposed by any public authority or quasi-public authority upon or measured by any Rent or other charges payable hereunder, including any gross receipts tax or excise tax levied by any governmental authority with respect to receipt of rental income, or upon, with respect to or by reason of the development, possession, leasing, operation, management, maintenance, alteration, repair, use or occupancy by Tenant of the Premises or any portion thereof, or documentary transfer taxes upon this transaction or any document to which Tenant is a party creating or transferring an interest in the Premises, together with any tax imposed in substitution, partially or totally, of any tax previously included within the aforesaid definition or any additional tax the nature of which was previously included within the aforesaid definition, together with any and all costs and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys, administrative and expert witness fees and costs) of challenging any of the foregoing or seeking the reduction in or abatement, redemption or return of any of the foregoing, but only to the extent of any such reduction, abatement, redemption or return. All references to Real Property Taxes during a particular year shall be deemed to refer to taxes accrued during such year, including supplemental tax bills regardless of when they are actually assessed and without regard to when such taxes are payable. The obligation of Tenant to pay for Real Property Taxes (including, without limitation, any supplemental taxes) relating in whole or in part to a part of the Term of this Lease shall survive the expiration or early termination of this Lease. In no event shall Tenant or any Tenant Party (as defined in Section 12.1) be entitled to file any property tax assessment appeal. Nothing contained in this Lease shall require Tenant to pay any franchise, corporate, estate or inheritance tax of Landlord, or any income, profits or revenue tax or charge upon the net income of Landlord. Real Property Taxes for partial years, if any, falling within the Term shall be prorated (so that Tenant is not liable for Real Property Taxes relating to the period prior to the Possession Date or relating to the period following the expiration of the Term). Tenant’s obligations for Real Property Taxes for the last full and/or partial year(s) of the Term shall survive the expiration or early termination of the Lease.
If in Landlord’s reasonable judgment the assessed value of the Building or the land for Real Property Tax purposes is higher than the actual fair market value, Landlord shall have the right to appeal or institute such other proceedings as it may consider appropriate to effect a reduction or abatement in any Real Property Tax levied upon the Building and/or the land. If Landlord does not so elect to undertake such an appeal or institute such other proceedings, at Tenant’s option, Tenant may, at Tenant’s cost and expense, appeal or institute such other proceedings as it may consider appropriate to effect a reduction or abatement in any Real Property Tax levied upon the Building and/or the land upon which the Building is located. If Tenant undertakes such an appeal, Landlord shall reasonably cooperate with Tenant in making such appeal, provided that Landlord shall be under no obligation to incur any expenses or other liabilities in doing so and Tenant shall reimburse Landlord upon demand for all reasonable, out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Landlord in connection therewith. In the event that a “Net Refund” (as hereinafter defined) is obtained for any Real Property Tax for which Tenant previously reimbursed Landlord, Landlord shall promptly pay Tenant its pro rata share of such Net Refund. As used herein, the term “Net Refund” shall mean the amount of any refund of Real Property Taxes less amounts incurred by Landlord in obtaining such Net Refund.
5.3Personal Property Taxes. Prior to delinquency, Tenant shall pay all taxes and assessments levied upon trade fixtures, alterations, additions, improvements, inventories and other personal property located and/or installed on the Premises by Tenant; and Tenant shall provide Landlord copies of receipts for payment of all such taxes and assessments. To the extent any such taxes are not separately assessed or billed to Tenant, Tenant shall pay the amount thereof as invoiced by Landlord.
6.OPERATING EXPENSES.
6.1Operating Expenses. Tenant shall pay to Landlord Tenant’s Share of the Operating Expenses for each full or partial calendar year during the Lease Tenn.
6.2Definition of Operating Expenses. “Operating Expenses” means the total costs and expenses incurred by Landlord in the ownership, operation, maintenance, repair and management of the Common Area and the Building, including, but not limited to, repair, maintenance, utility costs and landscaping of the Common Area, including, but not limited to, any and all costs of maintenance, repair and replacement of all driveways (including, sweeping, striping and slurry coating), loading and unloading areas, trash areas, outdoor lighting, sidewalks, walkways, landscaping (including, without limitation, tree trimming), irrigation systems, monument signs, fences and gates, and other costs which are allocable to the Building or the real property of which the Premises are a part including any costs under the terms of any CC&Rs affecting the real property, insurance deductibles and the costs relating to the insurance maintained by Landlord with respect to the Building under Section 8.1, including, without limitation, Landlord’s cost of any self insurance deductible or retention; trash collection; and capital improvements made to or capital assets acquired for the Building after the Commencement Date that are intended to reduce Operating Expenses or are reasonably necessary for the health and safety of the occupants of the Project or are required under any governmental law or regulation, which capital costs, or an allocable portion thereof, shall be amortized over the period reasonably determined by Landlord, together with interest on the unamortized balance at no greater than eight percent (8%) per annum; and (g) any other cost incurred by Landlord related to the Project. Operating Expenses shall also include an administrative fee to Landlord for accounting and project management services relating to the Building in an amount not to exceed two percent (2%) of the sum of Base Rent.
Operating Expenses shall not include (i) replacement or structural repairs to the roof including gutters, the exterior walls of the Building and any other structural components of the Building (ii) repairs to the extent covered by insurance proceeds, or paid by Tenant or other third parties; (iii) alterations solely attributable to tenants of the Project other than Tenant; or (iv) marketing expenses.
Landlord agrees to limit any increases in controllable Operating Expenses (i.e. all Operating Expenses excluding common utilities, real estate taxes, insurance premiums and removal of snow and ice) to 4% in any given year. Management fees and salaries will be calculated at 2% of Base Rent.
7.ESTIMATED EXPENSES.
7.1Payment. “Estimated Expenses” for any particular year shall mean Landlord’s estimate of Operating Expenses and Real Property Taxes for a calendar year. Tenant shall pay Tenant’s Share of the Estimated Expenses with installments of Base Rent in monthly installments of one-twelfth (1/12th) thereof on the first day of each calendar month during such year. If at any time Landlord determines that Operating Expenses and Real Property Taxes are projected to vary from the then Estimated Expenses, Landlord may, by notice to Tenant, revise such Estimated Expenses, and Tenant’s monthly installments for the remainder of such year shall be adjusted so that by the end of such calendar year Tenant has paid to Landlord Tenant’s Share of the revised Estimated Expenses for such year.
7.2Adjustment. “Operating Expenses and Real Property Taxes Adjustment” (or “Adjustment”) shall mean the difference between Tenant’s Share of Estimated Expenses and Tenant’s Share of Operating Expenses and Real Property Taxes for any calendar year. After the end of each calendar year, Landlord shall deliver to Tenant a statement of Tenant’s Share of Operating Expenses and Real Property Taxes for such calendar year, accompanied by a computation of the Adjustment. If Tenant’s payments are less than Tenant’s Share, then Tenant shall pay the difference within thirty (30) days after receipt of such statement. Tenant’s obligation to pay such amount shall survive the expiration or termination of this Lease. If Tenant’s payments exceed Tenant’s Share, then (provided that Tenant is not in default), Landlord shall credit such excess amount to future installments of Tenant’s Share for the next calendar year. If Tenant is in default, Landlord may, but shall not be required to, credit such amount to Rent arrearages. If during any calendar year the Building is not at least 100% occupied, Operating Expenses for such year shall be calculated based on a 100% occupancy rate for the Building.
7.3Audit Rights. In the event of any dispute as to the amount of Tenant’s Share of Operating Expenses, Tenant will have the right, by prior written notice (“Audit Notice”) given within ninety (90) days (“Audit Period”) following receipt of an actual statement of Operating Expenses (“Actual Statement”), to audit Landlord’s accounting records with respect to Operating Expenses relative to the year to which such Actual Statement relates. The audit shall be conducted by an accounting firm engaged by Tenant and shall be conducted at the office of Landlord at which records are kept or, at Landlord’s election, the office of Landlord’s property manager (if any). The audit shall be conducted at reasonable times during normal business hours. In no event will Landlord or its property manager be required to (i) photocopy any accounting records or other items or contracts, (ii) create any ledgers or schedules not already in existence, (iii) incur any costs or expenses relative to such inspection, or (iv) perform any other tasks other than making available such accounting records as aforesaid. Neither Tenant nor its auditor may leave the office of Landlord with originals of any materials supplied by Landlord. Tenant must pay Tenant’s Share of Operating Expenses when due pursuant to the terms of this Lease and may not withhold payment of Operating Expenses or any other rent pending results of the audit. The audit must be completed within thirty (30) days of the date Landlord makes such accounting records available to Tenant and the results of such audit shall be delivered to Landlord within fifteen (15) days after such audit completion. If such audit or review correctly reveals that Landlord has overcharged Tenant, then within thirty (30) days after the results of such audit are made available to Landlord, Landlord shall refund to Tenant the amount of such overcharge. If the audit reveals that Tenant was undercharged, then within thirty (30) days after the results of the audit are made available to Tenant, Tenant agrees to reimburse Landlord the amount of such undercharge. Tenant agrees to pay the cost of such audit, provided that if the audit reveals that Landlord’s determination of Tenant’s Share of Operating Expenses as set forth in the relevant Actual Statement was in error in Landlord’s favor by more than five percent (5%) of the amount charged by Landlord to Tenant pursuant to such Actual Statement, then Landlord agrees to pay the reasonable, third-party cost of such audit incurred by Tenant. To the extent Landlord must pay the cost of such audit, such cost shall not exceed a reasonable hourly charge for a reasonable amount of hours spent by such third -party in connection with the audit, and in no event will the costs which Landlord is so obligated to pay exceed the amount of the error. Tenant agrees to keep the results of the audit confidential and will cause its agents, employees and contractors to keep such results confidential. To that end, Landlord may require Tenant and its auditor to execute a commercially reasonable form of confidentiality agreement provided by Landlord.
8.INSURANCE.
8.1Landlord. Landlord shall maintain insurance through individual or blanket policies insuring the Building against fire and extended coverage (including, if Landlord elects, “all risk” coverage, earthquake/volcanic action, flood and/or surface water insurance) for the full replacement cost of the Building, with deductibles and the form and endorsements of such coverage as selected by Landlord, together with rental abatement insurance against loss of Rent in an amount equal to the amount of Rent for a period of at least twelve (12) months commencing on the date of loss. The amounts and types of coverages, and the amount of any deductibles under such policies, shall be commercially reasonable. Landlord may also carry such other insurance as Landlord may deem prudent or advisable, including, without limitation, liability insurance in such amounts and on such terms as is customary in the industry for similar buildings with similar use.
8.2Tenant Tenant shall, at Tenant’s expense, obtain and keep in force at all times the following insurance:
8.2.1Commercial General Liability Insurance (Occurrence Form). A policy of commercial general liability insurance (occurrence form), having a combined single limit of not less than Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000) per occurrence and three Million Dollars ($3,000,000) aggregate, providing coverage for, among other things, blanket contractual liability, personal and advertising injury, with an “Additional Insured Lessors of Premises Endorsement”.
8.2.2Automobile Liability Insurance. Comprehensive automobile liability insurance having a combined single limit of not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence and insuring Tenant against liability for claims arising out of ownership, maintenance, or use of any owned, hired, borrowed or non-owned automobiles.
8.2.3Workers’ Compensation and Employer’s Liability Insurance. Workers’ compensation insurance having limits not less than those required by applicable state statute and federal statute and covering all persons employed by Tenant in the conduct of its operations on the Premises (including the all states endorsement and, if applicable, the volunteers endorsement), together with employer’s liability insurance coverage in the amount of at least One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) each accident for bodily injury by accident and One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) each employee for bodily injury by disease.
8.2.4Property Insurance. “All risk” property insurance including boiler and machinery comprehensive form, if applicable, including coverage for vandalism, malicious mischief and sprinkler leakage, covering damage to or loss of any of Tenant’s personal property, fixtures, equipment, merchandise, inventory and alterations, including electronic data processing equipment (collectively “Tenant’s Property”) in an amount equal to the full replacement cost thereof (Tenant shall re-determine the same as frequently as necessary to comply herewith), and including, if applicable (meaning if the property of Tenant’s invitee is to be kept in the Premises), warehouser’s legal liability or bailee customers insurance for the full replacement cost of the property belonging to invitee and located in the Premises.
8.3General.
8.3.1Insurance Companies. Insurance required to be maintained by Tenant shall be written by companies licensed to do business in the state in which the Premises are located and having a “General Policyholders Rating” of at least A:VII (or such higher rating as may be required by a lender having a lien on the Premises) as issued by A.M. Best.
8.3.2Certificates of Insurance. Tenant shall deliver to Landlord certificates of insurance for all insurance required to be maintained by and additional insured endorsements no later than seven (7) days prior to the date of possession of the Premises. Each certificate shall expressly provide that such policies shall not be cancelable or otherwise subject to modification except after thirty (30) days prior written notice to the parties named as additional insureds in this Lease (except in the case of cancellation for nonpayment of premium in which case cancellation shall not take effect until at least ten (10) days’ notice has been given to Landlord). If Tenant fails to maintain any insurance required in this Lease, Tenant shall be liable for all losses and costs suffered or incurred by Landlord (including litigation costs and attorneys’ fees and expenses) resulting from said failure. Failure of Landlord to demand such certificates, endorsements or other evidence of full compliance with the insurance requirements of this Section 8, or failure of Landlord to identity a deficiency from evidence provided will not be construed as a waiver of the Tenant’s obligation to maintain such insurance. The acceptance of delivery by Tenant of any certificates, endorsements or other evidence of insurance does not constitute approval or agreement by Landlord that the insurance requirements have been met, that the insurance policies evidenced are in compliance with these requirements, or that the insurance requirements are sufficient to fully protect Tenant from liability.
8.3.4Primary Coverage. All insurance to be maintained by Tenant shall, except for workers’ compensation and employer’s liability insurance, be primary, without right of contribution from insurance of any additional insured.
8.3.6Notification of Incidents. Tenant shall notify Landlord within forty-eight (48) hours after the occurrence of any accidents or incidents in the Premises, the Building, Common Areas or the Project which could give rise to a claim under any of the insurance policies required under this Section 8.
8.4Indemnity Tenant shall indemnity, protect, defend (by counsel reasonably acceptable to Landlord) and hold harmless Landlord and Landlord’s affiliated entities, and each of their respective members, managers, partners, directors, officers, employees, shareholders, lenders, agents, contractors, successors and assigns from and against any and all claims, judgments, causes of action, damages, penalties, costs, liabilities, and expenses, including all costs, attorneys’ fees, expenses and liabilities incurred in the defense of any such claim or any action or proceeding brought thereon, arising at any time during or after the Term as a result (directly or indirectly) of or in connection with (i) any default in the performance of any obligation on Tenant’s part to be performed under the terms of this Lease, or (ii) Tenant’s use of the Premises, the conduct of Tenant’s business or any activity, work or things done, permitted or suffered by Tenant or any Tenant Party in or about the Premises, the Building, the Common Area, except for claims to the extent caused by Landlord’s negligence or willful misconduct. The obligations of Tenant under this Section 8.4 shall survive the termination of this Lease with respect to any claims or liability arising prior to such termination.
Subject to Section 8.5 below, Landlord shall indemnify, protect, defend (by counsel reasonably acceptable to Tenant) and hold harmless Tenant and Tenant’s affiliated entities, and each of their respective members, managers, partners, directors, officers, employees, shareholders, lenders, agents, contractors, successors and assigns from and against any and all claims, judgments, causes of action, damages, penalties, costs, liabilities, and expenses, including all costs, attorneys’ fees, expenses and liabilities incurred in the defense of any such claim or any action or proceeding brought thereon, arising at any time during or after the Term as a result (directly or indirectly) of or in connection with (i) any default in the performance of any obligation on Landlord’s part to be performed under the terms of this Lease, or (ii) the conduct of Landlord’s business or any activity, work or things done, permitted or suffered by Landlord or any Landlord Party in or about the Premises, the Building, the Common Area, except for claims to the extent caused by Tenant’s negligence or willful misconduct
8.5Exemption of Landlord from Liability. Tenant, as a material part of the consideration to Landlord, hereby assumes all risk of damage to Tenant’s Property (as defined in Section 8.2.4) including, but not limited to, Tenant’s fixtures, equipment, furniture and alterations or illness or injury to persons in, upon or about the Premises, the Building, the Common Area or other portions of the Project arising from any cause, and Tenant hereby expressly releases Landlord and waives all claims in respect thereof against Landlord, except to the extent caused by Landlord’s gross negligence or willful misconduct, Tenant hereby agrees that Landlord shall not be liable for injury to Tenant’s business or any loss of income therefrom or for damage to the property of Tenant, or injury to or illness or death of Tenant or any Tenant Party or any other person in or about the Premises, the Building, the Common Area or the Project, whether such damage, illness or injury is caused by fire, steam, electricity, gas, water or rain, or from the breakage, leakage or other defects of sprinklers, wires, appliances, ventilation, plumbing, air conditioning or lighting fixtures, or from any other cause, and whether said damage, illness or injury results from conditions arising upon the Premises, upon other portions of the Building or from other sources or places, and regardless of whether the cause of such damage, illness or injury or the means of repairing the same is Inaccessible, except only damage, illness or injury to the extent caused by Landlord’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.
8.6Waiver of Subrogation. Notwithstanding anything in this Lease to the contrary, Landlord and Tenant hereby mutually waive any and all rights of recovery against one another for liability loss or for real or personal property loss or damage occurring to the Premises or to the Building or any part thereof or any personal property located therein, regardless of fault, to the extent the loss or damage is covered by the injured party’s insurance, or would have been covered by insurance the Injured party is required to carry under this Lease, Landlord and Tenant shall request their insurance carriers to consent to a waiver of all rights of subrogation against each other by inclusion of such a clause in their respective policies or by endorsements thereto.
9.REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE.
9.1Tenant. Tenant, at Tenant’s sole cost and expense, shall keep and maintain the Premises (interior and exterior, excluding roofing and exterior wails), including, without limitation, loading docks, roll up doors and ramps, floors, floor coverings, walls, drywall and wall coverings, doors, windows, glass, plate glass, locks, ceilings, lighting systems, interior plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems and wiring, appliances and devices using or containing refrigerants, Tenant’s exclusive parking lots, fixtures and equipment in good repair and in a clean and safe condition, and repair and/or replace any and all of the foregoing in a clean and safe condition, in good order, condition and repair, reasonable wear and tear excepted. Without limiting the foregoing, Tenant shall, at Tenant’s sole expense, immediately replace all broken glass in the Premises with glass equal to or In excess of the specification and quality of the original glass; and repair any area damaged by Tenant, Tenant’s agents, employees, invitees and visitors, including any damage caused by any roof penetration, whether or not such roof penetration was approved by Landlord, All repairs and replacements by Tenant shall be made and performed: (a) at Tenant’s cost and expense and at such time and in such manner as Landlord may reasonably designate, (b) by contractors or mechanics reasonably approved by Landlord, (c) so that same shall be at least equal In quality, value and utility to the original work or installation, (d) in a manner and using equipment and materials that will not interfere with or impair the operations, use or occupation of the Building or any of the mechanical, electrical, plumbing or other systems in the Building, and (e) in accordance with the Rules and Regulations and all Applicable Laws (as defined in Section 11), In the event Tenant fails, in the reasonable judgment of Landlord, to maintain the Premises in accordance with the obligations under the Lease, which failure continues at the end of ten (10) days following Tenant’s receipt of written notice from Landlord stating the nature of the failure, Landlord shall have the right to enter the Premises and perform such maintenance, repairs or refurbishing at Tenant’s sole cost and expense (including a sum for overhead to Landlord equal to ten percent (10%) of the costs of maintenance, repairs or refurbishing). Tenant shall maintain written records of maintenance and repairs, as required by any Applicable Law, and shall use certified technicians to perform such maintenance and repairs, as so required. Tenant shall deliver full and complete copies of all service or maintenance contracts entered into by Tenant for the Premises to Landlord within one hundred twenty (120) days after the Commencement Date.
9.2Landlord. Landlord shall, at Landlord’s sole cost and expense, subject to the following limitations, repair or replace the roof (including roof structure, integrity and impermeability), foundation and structural portions of load-bearing portions of exterior walls (excluding drywall, wall coverings, painting, glass and doors) of the Building, and any other structural components of the Building, and, as a reimbursable Operating Expense as heretofore indicated, maintain the Building and Common Areas In good condition and state of repair; provided, if such damage is caused by an act or omission of Tenant, or any Tenant Party, then such repairs shall be at Tenant’s sole expense. Landlord shall not be required to make any repair resulting from (i) any alteration or modification to the Building or to mechanical equipment within the Building performed by, for or because of Tenant or to special equipment or systems installed by, for or because of Tenant, (ii) the installation, use or operation of Tenant’s property, fixtures and equipment, (iii) the moving of Tenant’s property in or out of the Building or in and about the Premises, (iv) Tenant’s use or occupancy of the Premises in violation of Section 11 of this Lease or in the manner not contemplated by the parties at the time of the execution of this Lease, (v) the acts or omissions of Tenant or any Tenant Party, (vi) fire and other casualty, except as provided by Section 13 of this Lease or (vii) condemnation, except as provided in Section 14 of this Lease, Landlord shall have no obligation to make repairs under this Section 9,2 until a reasonable time after receipt of written notice from Tenant of the need for such repairs, but Landlord shall promptly make such repairs as are the responsibility of Landlord under this Lease after Landlord’s learning of the need for such repairs. There shall be no abatement of Rent during the performance of such work. Landlord shall not be liable to Tenant for injury or damage that may result from any defect in the construction or condition of the Premises, nor for any damage that may result from interruption of Tenant’s use of the Premises during any repairs by Landlord unless caused by Landlord or Landlord’s Party’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.
10.ALTERATIONS.
10.1Trade Fixtures; Alterations. Tenant may install necessary trade fixtures, equipment and furniture in the Premises, provided that such items are installed and are removable without structural or material damage to the Premises, the Building, the Common Area or the Project. Tenant shall not construct, nor allow to be constructed, any alterations or physical additions in, about or to the Premises without obtaining the reasonable prior written consent of Landlord, Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 10.1, Tenant may perform certain interior decorating or other non-structural alterations to the Premises such as carpeting, painting (so long as the odors from the same do not materially or unreasonably interfere with any other tenant’s operations), hanging artwork or wall coverings, installing non-affixed furniture systems, installing non-load bearing partitions, or other similar interior decorating improvements or non-structural alterations, without obtaining Landlord’s consent therefor (but subject to the remaining requirements of this Section 10.1), but only if: (i) such items do not adversely affect the Building structure or systems, the public areas of the Building or any other tenant space; (ii) such items are not visible from outside of the Premises; (iii) the cost of such items does not exceed, in any twelve (12) month period, the sum of $25,000; and (iv) Tenant gives at least ten (10) days prior written notice to Landlord of such items, including a description of the contemplated work and the types of materials to be used. Approval of plans and specifications shall not be required for the foregoing interior decorating or non-structural items, where plans and specifications are not reasonably appropriate for the work to be performed. Tenant shall submit plans and specifications to Landlord with Tenant’s request for approval and shall reimburse Landlord for all reasonable costs which Landlord may incur in connection with granting approval to Tenant for any such alterations and additions, including any reasonable costs or expenses which Landlord may incur in electing to have outside architects and engineers review said matters. If Landlord does not respond to a written request from Tenant within ten (10) business days, then Landlord shall be deemed to approve such request. In the event Tenant makes any alterations to the Premises that trigger or give rise to a requirement that the Building or the Premises come into compliance with any governmental laws, ordinances, statutes, orders and/or regulations (such as ADA requirements), Tenant shall be fully responsible for complying, at its sole cost and expense, with same, Tenant shall file a notice of completion after completion of such work and provide Landlord with a copy thereof. Tenant shall provide Landlord with a set of “as-built” drawings for any such work.
10.2Damage; Removal. Tenant shall repair all damage to the Premises, the Building, the Common Area or the Project caused by the installation or removal of Tenant’s fixtures, equipment, furniture or alterations. Upon the termination of this Lease, Tenant shall remove any or all trade fixtures, alterations, additions, improvements and partitions made or installed by Tenant and restore the Premises to its condition existing prior to the construction of any such items (except that Tenant shall not be required to remove such items installed by Tenant as to which Landlord agreed by written notice to Tenant at the time of Tenant’s installation of the applicable item that such removal would not be so required, and Landlord hereby agrees to notify Tenant promptly following receipt of request therefore whether such removal shall be required as to a particular proposed item); provided, however, Landlord has the absolute right to require Tenant to have all or any portion of such items reasonably designated by Landlord to remain on the Premises, in which event they shall be and become the property of Landlord upon the termination of this Lease. All such removals and restoration shall be accomplished in a good and workmanlike manner and so as not to cause any damage to the Premises, the Building, the Common Area whatsoever.
10.3Liens. Tenant shall promptly pay and discharge all claims for labor performed, supplies furnished and services rendered at the request of Tenant and shall keep the Premises free of all mechanics’ and materialmen’s liens in connection therewith. If any lien is filed, Tenant shall cause such lien to be released and removed within twenty (20) days after the date of filing, and if Tenant fails to do so, Landlord may take such action as may be necessary to remove such lien and Tenant shall pay Landlord such amounts expended by Landlord together with interest thereon at the Applicable Interest Rate from the date of expenditure.
10.4Standard of Work. All work to be performed by or for Tenant pursuant hereto shall be performed diligently and in a first class, workmanlike manner, and in compliance with all Applicable Laws, and/or Tenant and Landlord’s insurance carriers, Landlord shall have the right, but not the obligation, to inspect periodically the work on the Premises and Landlord may require changes in the method or quality of the work.
11.USE. The Premises shall be used only for the Permitted Uses set forth in the Basic Lease Information and for no other uses. Tenant’s use of the Premises shall be in compliance with and subject to all applicable laws, statutes, codes, ordinances, orders, rules, regulations, conditions of approval and requirements of all federal, state, county, municipal and governmental authorities and all administrative or judicial orders or decrees and all permits, licenses, approvals and other entitlements issued by governmental entities, and rules of common law, relating to or affecting the Project, the Premises or the Building or the use or operation thereof, whether now existing, including, without limitation, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 USC 12111 et seq. (the “ADA”) as the same may be amended from time to time, all Environmental Laws (as defined in Section 12.1), and any CC&Rs or any supplement thereto recorded in any official or public records with respect to the Building or any portion thereof (“Applicable Laws”). Tenant, at Tenant’s sole cost and expense, shall comply with all Applicable Laws, which compliance obligation shall include the alteration of the Premises and/or any Interior improvements or fixtures in order to comply with such Applicable Laws, Tenant shall be responsible for obtaining any permit, business license, certificate of occupancy, or other permits or licenses required by any governmental agency permitting Tenant’s use or occupancy of the Premises, except that Landlord shall be responsible for obtaining any certificate of occupancy or comparable governmental sign-off sufficient to permit occupancy of the Premises based upon Substantial Completion of the Tenant Improvements. Landlord shall reasonably cooperate with Tenant in Tenant’s efforts to obtain any governmental permit, license or approval which is the responsibility of Tenant hereunder, at no cost, expense or liability to Landlord, Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Lease, Landlord (and not Tenant) shall be required to make, at Landlord’s cost but subject to inclusion of such costs in Operating Expenses to the extent permitted under the definition of Operating Expenses in Section 6 above, any capital improvements to the Premises required in order to cause the Premises to comply with Applicable Laws except that if such compliance work is necessitated by the particular use of, or alterations or improvements to, the Premises by Tenant or any Tenant Parties, then Tenant shall perform such compliance work at Tenant’s sole cost. In no event shall the Premises be used for any of the Prohibited Uses set forth on Exhibit D attached hereto. Tenant shall comply with the rules and regulations attached hereto as Exhibit E, together with such additional rules and regulations as Landlord may from time to time reasonably prescribe. Tenant shall not commit waste, overload the floors or structure of the Building, subject the Premises, the Building, the Common Area or the Project to any use which would damage the same or increase the risk of loss or violate any insurance coverage, permit any unreasonable odors, smoke, dust, gas, substances, noise or vibrations to emanate from the Premises, take any action which would constitute a nuisance or would disturb, obstruct or endanger any other tenants, take any action which would abrogate any warranties, or use or allow the Premises to be used for any unlawful purpose. Landlord shall not be responsible for non-compliance by any other tenant or occupant of the Project with, or Landlord’s failure to enforce, any of the rules or regulations or CC&Rs or any other terms or provisions of such tenant’s or occupant’s lease, but Landlord shall use commercially reasonable efforts to enforce the CC&Rs with respect to all Project tenants in a non-discriminatory manner (provided that nothing contained herein shall obligate Landlord to commence any litigation or other proceeding in pursuing such enforcement). Tenant shall promptly comply with the reasonable requirements of any board of fire insurance underwriters or other similar body now or hereafter constituted. Tenant shall not do any act which shall in any way encumber the title of Landlord in and to the Premises, the Building or the Project.
12.ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.
12.1Landlord Representation. Landlord hereby represents to Tenant that to Landlord’s actual knowledge there are no Hazardous Materials located on or under the Premises at levels which would materially adversely affect the use or occupancy of the Premises by Tenant.
12.2Landlord Hold Harmless. Landlord shall hold harmless Tenant from and against any and all orders, penalties, fines, administrative actions, or other proceedings (collectively, a “Compliance Obligation”) commenced by any governmental agency including, without limitation, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, arising at any time to the extent that such Compliance Obligation results from any environmental condition (as defined in Section 12.1) (a) that exists as of the date of delivery of possession of the Premises to Tenant (a “Pre-existing Condition”), (b) that is the result of a Pre-existing Condition that worsens following the delivery of possession, or (c) that is the result of a sub-surface migration of Hazardous Materials (any such Environmental Condition referenced in the foregoing clause (a), (b) or (c) is referred to herein as a “Landlord Environmental Condition”), except to the extent that such Landlord Environmental Condition is caused or aggravated by the act or omission of Tenant and/or its employees or agents. Landlord’s obligations pursuant to the foregoing hold harmless obligation shall survive the termination of this Lease.
12.3Tenant Indemnification. Tenant shall indemnify, protect, defend (by counsel acceptable to Landlord) and hold harmless Landlord and Landlord’s affiliated entities, and each of their respective members, managers, partners, directors, officers, employees, shareholders, lenders, agents, contractors, successors and assigns (individually and collectively, “Indemnitees”) from and against any and all claims, judgments, causes of action, damages, penalties, fines, taxes, costs, liabilities, losses and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, expenses and court costs) arising at any time during or after the Term as a result (directly or indirectly) of or in connection with (a) Tenant and/or any Tenant Party’s breach of this Section 12, or (b) the presence of Hazardous Materials on, under or about the Premises or other property as a result (directly or indirectly) of Tenant’s and/or any Tenant Party’s activities, or failure to act, in connection with the Premises. This indemnity shall include, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ and experts’ fees and costs, costs of litigation and governmental oversight costs, the cost of any required or necessary repair, cleanup or detoxification, and the preparation and implementation of any closure, monitoring or other required plans, whether such action is required or necessary prior to or following the termination of this Lease, Neither the written consent by Landlord to the presence of Hazardous Materials on, under or about the Premises, nor the strict compliance by Tenant with all Environmental Laws, shall excuse Tenant from Tenant’s obligation of indemnification pursuant hereto. Tenant’s obligations pursuant to the foregoing indemnity shall survive the expiration or termination of this Lease.
13.DAMAGE AND DESTRUCTION.
13.1Casualty. If the Premises or Building should be damaged or destroyed by fire or other casualty, Tenant shall give immediate written notice to Landlord. Within thirty (30) days after receipt from Tenant of such written notice, Landlord shall notify Tenant whether the necessary repairs can reasonably be made: (a) within ninety (90) days; (b) in more than ninety (90) days but in less than one hundred eighty (180) days; or (c) in more than one hundred eighty (180) days, in each case after the date of the issuance of permits for the necessary repair or reconstruction of the portion of the Building or Premises which was damaged or destroyed.
13.1.1Less Than 90 Days. If the Premises or Building should be damaged only to such extent that rebuilding or repairs can reasonably be completed within ninety (90) days after the issuance of permits for the necessary repair or reconstruction of the portion of the Building or Premises which was damaged or destroyed, this Lease shall not terminate and, provided that insurance proceeds are available to fully repair the damage, Landlord shall repair the Premises, except that Landlord shall not be required to rebuild, repair or replace Tenant’s Property which may have been placed in, on or about the Premises by or for the benefit of Tenant. If Tenant is required to vacate all or a portion of the Premises during Landlord’s repair thereof, the Base Rent payable hereunder shall be abated proportionately on the basis of the size of the area of the Premises that is damaged (i.e, the number of square feet of floor area of the Premises that is damaged compared to the total square footage of the floor area of the Premises) from the date Tenant vacates all or a portion of the Premises that was damaged only to the extent rental abatement insurance proceeds are received by Landlord and only during the period the Premises are unfit for occupancy as reasonably determined by the parties. However if the Premises are damaged to such an extent that Tenant cannot reasonably conduct its business in a substantial way, the Base Rent payable hereunder shall be abated during the period the Premises are in such condition as reasonably determined by the parties.
13.1.2Greater Than 90 Days. If the Premises or Building should be damaged only to such extent that rebuilding or repairs can reasonably be completed in more than ninety (90) days but in less than one hundred eighty (180) days after the issuance of permits for the necessary repair or reconstruction of the portion of the Building or Premises which was damaged or destroyed, then Landlord shall have the option of: (a) terminating the Lease effective upon the occurrence of such damage, in which event the Base Rent shall be abated from the date Tenant vacates the Premises; or (b) electing to repair the Premises, provided insurance proceeds are available to fully repair the damage (except that Landlord shall not be required to rebuild, repair or replace Tenant’s Property which may have been placed in, on or about the Premises by or for the benefit of Tenant), If Tenant is required to vacate all or a portion of the Premises during Landlord’s repair thereof, the Base Rent payable hereunder shall be abated proportionately on the basis of the size of the area of the Premises that is damaged (i.e., the number of square feet of floor area of the Premises that is damaged compared to the total square footage of the floor area of the Premises) from the date Tenant vacates all or a portion of the Premises that was damaged only to the extent rental abatement insurance proceeds are received by Landlord and only during the period the Premises are unfit for occupancy as reasonably determined by the parties. However if the Premises are damaged to such an extent that Tenant cannot reasonably conduct its business in a substantial way, the Base Rent payable hereunder shall be abated during the period the Premises are in such condition as reasonably determined by the parties. In the event that Landlord should fail to substantially complete such repairs within one hundred eighty (180) days after the issuance of permits for the necessary repair or reconstruction of the portion of the Building or Premises which was damaged or destroyed, (such period to be extended for delays caused by Tenant or because of any items of Force Majeure, as hereinafter defined) and Tenant has not re-occupied the Premises, Tenant shall have the right, as Tenant’s exclusive remedy, within ten (10) days after the expiration of such one hundred eighty (180) day period, and provided that such repairs have not been substantially completed within such ten (10) day period, to terminate this Lease by delivering written notice to Landlord as Tenant’s exclusive remedy, whereupon all rights hereunder shall cease and terminate thirty (30) days after Landlord’s receipt of such notice.
13.1.3Greater Than 180 Days. If the Premises or Building should be so damaged that rebuilding or repairs cannot be completed within one hundred eighty (180) days after the issuance of permits for the necessary repair or reconstruction of the portion of the Building or Premises which was damaged or destroyed, either Landlord or Tenant may terminate this Lease by giving written notice within ten (10) days after notice from Landlord specifying such time period of repair; and this Lease shall terminate and the Rent shall be abated from the date Tenant vacates the Premises, In the event that neither party elects to terminate this Lease, Landlord shall promptly commence and diligently prosecute to completion the repairs to the Building or Premises, provided insurance proceeds are available to repair the damage (except that Landlord shall not be required to rebuild, repair or replace Tenant’s Property which may have been placed in, on or about the Premises by or for the benefit of Tenant). If Tenant is required to vacate all or a portion of the Premises during Landlord’s repair thereof, the Base Rent payable hereunder shall be abated proportionately on the basis of the size of the area of the Premises that is damaged (i.e., the number of square feet of floor area of the Premises that is damaged compared to the total square footage of the floor area of the Premises), from the date Tenant vacates all or a portion of the Premises that was damaged only to the extent rental abatement insurance proceeds are received by Landlord and only during the period that the Premises are unfit for occupancy as reasonably determined by the parties.
13.1.4Casualty During the Last Year of the Lease Term. Notwithstanding any other provisions hereof, if the Premises or the Building shall be damaged within the last year of the Lease Term, and if the cost to repair or reconstruct the portion of the Building or the Premises which was damaged or destroyed shall exceed $10,000, then, irrespective of the time necessary to complete such repair or reconstruction, Landlord shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to terminate the Lease effective upon the occurrence of such damage, in which event the Rent shall be abated from the date Tenant vacates the Premises. The foregoing right shall be in addition to any other right and option of Landlord under this Section 13.
13.2Tenant’s Fault. If the Premises or any portion of the Building is damaged resulting from the negligence or breach of this Lease by Tenant or any of Tenant Parties, Rent shall not be reduced during the repair of such damage and Tenant shall be liable to Landlord for the cost of the repair caused thereby to the extent such cost is not covered by insurance proceeds received by Landlord.
13.3Uninsured Casualty. Tenant shall be responsible for and shall pay to Landlord Tenant’s Share of any deductible or retention amount payable under the property insurance for the Building. In the event that the Premises or any portion of the Building is damaged to the extent Tenant is unable to use the Premises and such damage is not covered by insurance proceeds received by Landlord or in the event that the holder of any indebtedness secured by the Premises requires that the insurance proceeds be applied to such indebtedness, then Landlord shall have the right at Landlord’s option either (i) to repair such damage as soon as reasonably possible at Landlord’s expense, or (ii) to give written notice to Tenant within thirty (30) days after the date of the occurrence of such damage of Landlord’s intention to terminate this Lease as of the date of the occurrence of such damage. In the event Landlord elects to terminate this Lease, Tenant shall have the right within ten (10) days after receipt of such notice to give written notice to Landlord of Tenant’s commitment to pay the cost of repair of such damage, in which event this Lease shall continue in full force and effect, and Landlord shall make such repairs as soon as reasonably possible subject to the following conditions: Tenant shall deposit with Landlord Landlord’s estimated cost of such repairs not later than ten (10) days prior to Landlord’s commencement of the repair work. If the cost of such repairs exceeds the amount deposited, Tenant shall reimburse Landlord for such excess cost within fifteen (15) days after receipt of an invoice from Landlord. Any amount deposited by Tenant in excess of the cost of such repairs shall be refunded within thirty (30) days of Landlord’s final payment to Landlord’s contractor. If Tenant does not give such notice within the ten (10) day period, or fails to make such deposit as required, this Lease shall terminate automatically as of the date of the occurrence of the damage.
13.4Waiver. With respect to any damage or destruction which Landlord is obligated to repair or may elect to repair, Tenant waives all rights to terminate this Lease pursuant to rights otherwise presently or hereafter accorded by Applicable Laws.
14.EMINENT DOMAIN.
14.1Total Condemnation. If all of the Premises is condemned by eminent domain, Inversely condemned or sold under threat of condemnation for any public or quasi-public use or purpose (“Condemned’’), this Lease shall terminate as of the earlier of the date the condemning authority takes title to or possession of the Premises, and Rent shall be adjusted to the date of termination.
14.2Partial Condemnation. If any portion of the Premises or the Building is Condemned and such partial condemnation materially impairs Tenant’s ability to use the Premises for Tenant’s business as reasonably determined by the parties, Landlord shall have the option of either (i) relocating Tenant to comparable space within the Project or (ii) terminating this Lease as of the earlier of the date title vests in the condemning authority or as of (he date an order of immediate possession is issued and Rent shall be adjusted to the date of termination. If such partial condemnation does not materially impair Tenant’s ability to use the Premises for the business of Tenant, Landlord shall promptly restore the Premises to the extent of any condemnation proceeds recovered by Landlord, excluding the portion thereof lost In such condemnation, and this Lease shall continue in full force and effect except that after the date of such title vesting or order of immediate possession Rent shall be adjusted as reasonably determined by Landlord. However if the Premises are partially condemned to such an extent that Tenant cannot reasonably conduct its business in a substantial way, Tenant may terminate this Agreement.
14.3Award. If the Premises are wholly or partially Condemned, Landlord shall be entitled to the entire award paid for such condemnation, and Tenant waives any claim to any part of the award from Landlord or the condemning authority; provided, however, Tenant shall have the right to recover from the condemning authority such compensation as may be separately awarded to Tenant in connection with costs in removing Tenant’s merchandise, furniture, fixtures, leasehold improvements and equipment to a new location, No condemnation of any kind shall be construed to constitute an actual or constructive eviction of Tenant or a breach of any express or implied covenant of quiet enjoyment, Landlord and Tenant hereby waive the provisions of any statutes or court decisions which provide a party to a lease with a right to abatement of rent or termination of the lease or establish the manner of allocation of the condemnation award when leased property is condemned or taken and agree that such event shall be exclusively governed by the terms of this Lease.
14.4Temporary Condemnation. In the event of a temporary condemnation not extending beyond the Term, this Lease shall remain in effect, Tenant shall continue to pay Rent and Tenant shall receive any award made for such condemnation except damages to any of Landlord’s property. If a temporary condemnation is for a period which extends beyond the Term, this Lease shall terminate as of the date of initial occupancy by the condemning authority and any such award shall be distributed in accordance with the preceding section, If a temporary condemnation remains in effect at the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease, Tenant shall pay Landlord the reasonable cost of performing any obligations required of Tenant with respect to the surrender of the Premises.
15.DEFAULT.
15.1Events of Defaults. The occurrence of any of the following events shall, at Landlord’s option, constitute an. “Event of Default”;
15.1.1Abandonment, Abandonment of the Premises for a period of thirty (30) consecutive days (Abandonment shall mean vacation of the premises and a failure to pay the Base Rent and generally perform Tenant’s obligations under this Agreement);
15.1.2Failure to pay Rent on the date when due and the failure continuing for a period of five (5) days after such payment is due;
15.1.3Failure to perform Tenant’s covenants and obligations hereunder (except default in the payment of Rent) where such failure continues for a period of thirty (30) days after written notice from Landlord; provided, however, if the nature of the default is such that more than thirty (30) days are reasonably required for its cure, Tenant shall not be deemed to be in default if Tenant commences the cure within ten (10) days after written notice from Landlord and diligently and continuously prosecutes such cure to completion;
15.1.4The making of a general assignment by Tenant for the benefit of creditors; the filing of a voluntary petition by Tenant or the filing of an involuntary petition by any of Tenant’s creditors seeking the rehabilitation, liquidation or reorganization of Tenant under any law relating to bankruptcy, Insolvency or other relief of debtors and, in the case of an involuntary action, the failure to remove or discharge the same within sixty (60) days of such filing; the appointment of a receiver or other custodian to take possession of substantially all of Tenant’s assets or this leasehold; Tenant’s insolvency or inability to pay Tenant’s debts or failure generally to pay Tenant’s debts when due; any court entering a decree or order directing the winding up or liquidation of Tenant or of substantially all of Tenant’s assets; Tenant taking any action toward the dissolution or winding up of Tenant’s affairs; the cessation or suspension of Tenant’s use of the Premises; or the attachment, execution or other judicial seizure of substantially all of Tenant’s assets or this leasehold;
15.1.5The making of any material misrepresentation or omission by Tenant or any successor in interest of Tenant in any materials delivered by or on behalf of Tenant to Landlord or Landlord’s lender pursuant to this Lease; or
15.1.6The occurrence of an Event of Default set forth in Section 15.1.4 or 15.1.5 with respect to any guarantor of this Lease, if applicable.
15.2Remedies.
15.2.1Termination. In the event of the occurrence of any Event of Default, Landlord shall have the right to give a written termination notice to Tenant (which notice may be the notice given under Section 15.1 above, if applicable, and which notice shall be in lieu of, and not in addition to, any notice required by Applicable Laws) and, on the date specified in such notice, this Lease shall terminate unless on or before such date all arrears of Rent and all other sums payable by Tenant under this Lease and all costs and expenses incurred by or on behalf of Landlord hereunder shall have been paid by Tenant and all other Events of Default at the time existing shall have been fully remedied to the satisfaction of Landlord.
15.2.1.1Repossession. Following termination, without prejudice to other remedies Landlord may have, Landlord may (i) peaceably re-enter the Premises upon voluntary surrender by Tenant or remove Tenant therefrom and any other persons occupying the Premises, using such legal proceedings as may be available; (ii) repossess the Premises or relet the Premises or any part thereof for such term (which may be for a term extending beyond the Term), at such rental and upon such other terms and conditions as Landlord in Landlord’s sole discretion shall determine, with the right to make reasonable alterations and repairs to the Premises, and (iii) remove all personal property therefrom.
15.2.1.2Unpaid Rent. Landlord shall have all the rights and remedies of a landlord provided by Applicable Law, including the right to recover from Tenant: (a) the worth, at the time of award, of the unpaid Rent that had been earned at the time of termination, (b) the worth, at the time of award, of the amount by which the unpaid Rent that would have been earned after the date of termination until the time of award exceeds the amount of loss of rent that Tenant proves could have been reasonably avoided, (c) the worth, at the time of award, of the amount by which the unpaid Rent for the balance of the Term after the time of award exceeds the amount of the loss of rent that Tenant proves could have been reasonably avoided, and (d) any other amount, and court costs, necessary to compensate Landlord for all detriment proximately caused by Tenant’s default, The phrase “worth, at the time of award,” as used in (a) and (b) above, shall be computed at the Applicable Interest Rate, and as used in (c) above, shall be computed by discounting such amount at the discount rate of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco at the time of award plus one percent (1%).
15.2.2Continuation. Even though an Event of Default may have occurred, this Lease shall continue in effect for so long as Landlord does not terminate this Lease as provided in Section 15.2.1 above; and Landlord may enforce all of Landlord’s rights and remedies under this Lease, including, without limitation, the right to recover Rent as it becomes due. Landlord, without terminating this Lease, may, during the period Tenant is in default, enter the Premises and relet the same, or any portion thereof, to third parties for Tenant’s account and Tenant shall be liable to Landlord for all costs Landlord incurs in reletting the Premises, including, without limitation, brokers’ commissions, expenses of remodeling the Premises and like costs. Reletting may be for a period shorter or longer than the remaining Term. Tenant shall continue to pay the Rent on the date the same is due. No act by Landlord hereunder, including acts of maintenance, preservation or efforts to lease the Premises or the appointment of a receiver upon application of Landlord to protect Landlord’s interest under this Lease, shall terminate this Lease unless Landlord notifies Tenant that Landlord elects to terminate this Lease. In the event that Landlord elects to relet the Premises, the rent that Landlord receives from reletting shall be applied to the payment of, first, any indebtedness from Tenant to Landlord other than Base Rent and Tenant’s Share of Operating Expenses and Real Property Taxes; second, all costs, including maintenance, incurred by Landlord in reletting; and, third, Base Rent and Tenant’s Share of Operating Expenses and Real Property Taxes under this Lease. After deducting the payments referred to above, any sum remaining from the rental Landlord receives from reletting shall be held by Landlord and applied in payment of future Rent as Rent becomes due under this Lease. In no event, and notwithstanding anything in Section 16 to the contrary, shall Tenant be entitled to any excess rent received by Landlord. If, on the date Rent is due under this Lease, the rent received from the reletting is less than the Rent due on that date, Tenant shall pay to Landlord, in addition to the remaining Rent due, all costs, including maintenance, which Landlord incurred in reletting the Premises that remain after applying the rent received from reletting as provided hereinabove. So long as this Lease Is not terminated, Landlord shall have the right to remedy any default of Tenant, to maintain or improve the Premises, to cause a receiver to be appointed to administer the Premises and new or existing subleases and to add to the Rent payable hereunder all of Landlord’s reasonable costs in so doing, with interest at the Applicable Interest Rale from the date of such expenditure. Landlord shall have no duty to relet the Premises so long as it has other unleased space available in the Project.
15.3Cumulative. Each right and remedy of Landlord provided for herein or now or hereafter existing at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise shall be cumulative and shall not preclude Landlord from exercising any other rights or remedies provided for in this Lease or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity, by statute or otherwise. No payment by Tenant of a lesser amount than the Rent nor any endorsement on any check or letter accompanying any check or payment as Rent shall be deemed an accord and satisfaction of full payment of Rent; and Landlord may accept such payment without prejudice to Landlord’s right to recover the balance of such Rent or to pursue other remedies.
16.ASSIGNMENT AND SUBLETTING.
16.1Landlord’s Consent Required. Tenant shall not voluntarily or by operation of law assign, transfer, mortgage, sublet or otherwise transfer or encumber all or any part of Tenant’s interest in this Lease or in the Premises, without Landlord’s prior written consent, which Landlord shall not unreasonably withhold, delay or condition. Landlord shall respond to Tenant’s request for consent hereunder in a timely manner and any attempted assignment, transfer, mortgage, encumbrance or subletting without such consent shall be void and shall constitute a breach of this Lease, Tenant shall not seek to sublet space to any party with whom Landlord is negotiating for space in the Building.
16.2Tenant Affiliate. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 16.1 hereof, Tenant may assign or sublet the Premises, or any portion thereof, without Landlord’s consent, to any legal entity which controls, is controlled by or is under common control with Tenant, or to any legal entity resulting from the merger or consolidation with Tenant, or to any person or entity which acquires all of the assets of Tenant as a going concern of the business that is being conducted on the Premises, provided that said assignee assumes, in full, the obligations of Tenant under this Lease, Any such assignment shall not, in any way, affect or limit the liability of Tenant under the terms of this Lease even if after such assignment or subletting the terms of this Lease are materially changed or altered without the consent of Tenant, the consent of whom shall not be necessary.
16.3No Release of Tenant. Regardless of Landlord’s consent, no subletting or assignment shall release Tenant of Tenant’s obligation or alter the primary liability of Tenant to pay the Rent and to perform all the other obligations by Tenant hereunder, The acceptance of Rent by Landlord from any other person shall not be deemed to be a waiver by Landlord of any provision hereof Consent to one assignment or subletting shall not be deemed consent to any subsequent assignment or subletting, In the event of default of any assignee of Tenant or successor of Tenant, In performance of any of the terms hereof, Landlord may proceed directly against Tenant without the necessity of exhausting remedies against said assignee. Landlord may consent to subsequent assignments or subletting of this Lease or amendments or modifications to this Lease with the assignees of Tenant, without notifying Tenant, or any successor of Tenant, and without obtaining its or their consent thereto and successor shall not relieve Tenant of liability under this Lease.
17.ESTOPPEL, ATTORNMENT AND SUBORDINATION.
17.1Estoppel. Within fifteen (15) days after written request by Landlord, Tenant shall deliver an estoppel certificate duly executed (and acknowledged if required by any lender), to any proposed mortgagee, purchaser or Landlord. Tenant’s failure to deliver said statement in such time period shall be an Event of Default hereunder and shall be conclusive upon Tenant that (a) this Lease is in full force and effect, without modification except as may be represented by Landlord; (b) there are no uncured defaults in Landlord’s performance and Tenant has no right of offset, counterclaim or deduction against Rent hereunder; and (c) no more than one month’s Base Rent has been paid in advance.
17.2Attornment. Tenant shall in the event of a sale or assignment of Landlord’s interest in the Premises or the Building or this Lease or if the Premises or the Building comes into the hands of a mortgagee, ground lessor or any other person whether because of a mortgage foreclosure, exercise of a power of sale under a mortgage, termination of the ground lease, or otherwise, attorn to the purchaser or such mortgagee or other person and recognize the same as Landlord hereunder; provided that such successor of the Premises agrees in writing not to disturb the tenancy of Tenant under this Lease for so long as no Event of Default has occurred (beyond any applicable cure period). Tenant shall execute, at Landlord’s request, any commercially reasonable attornment agreement required by any mortgagee, ground lessor or other such person to be executed, containing such commercially reasonable provisions as such mortgagee, ground lessor or other person requires; provided that Tenant shall not be required to execute an attornment agreement that materially modifies the terms of the Lease or that does not recognize Tenant’s right to not be disturbed under the terms of this Lease.
17.3Subordination. This Lease shall be subject and subordinate to all ground leases and master leases and the lien of all mortgages and deeds of trust which now or hereafter affect the Premises or the Project or Landlord’s interest therein, and all amendments thereto, all without the necessity of Tenant’s executing further instruments to effect such subordination, If requested, Tenant shall execute and deliver to Landlord within fifteen (15) days after Landlord’s request whatever documentation that may reasonably be required to further effect the provisions of this paragraph including a Subordination, Nondisturbance and Attornment Agreement. Tenant’s failure to deliver said documentation in such time period shall be an Event of Default hereunder. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the foregoing, Tenant’s obligation to hereafter subordinate this Lease to any ground lease or master lease hereafter encumbering the Project or the Building or the lien of any future mortgagee or trust deed beneficiary under a mortgage or deed of trust hereafter encumbering the Project or Building shall be conditioned upon the willingness of such ground lessor, master lessor, mortgagee or beneficiary to enter into a Subordination, Nondisturbance and Attornment Agreement with Tenant. In addition, Landlord agrees to provide Tenant, prior to the Commencement Date, a Subordination, Nondisturbance and Attornment Agreement fully executed by any existing mortgagees, trust deed beneficiaries, ground lessors or master lessors with respect to the Building.
17.4Non-Disturbance. So long as Tenant is in compliance with the terms of this Lease, Landlord shall ensure that and warrant that Tenant has peaceful and undisturbed possession of the Premises.
18.MISCELLANEOUS.
18.1General.
18.1.1Entire Agreement. This Lease sets forth all the agreements between Landlord and Tenant concerning the Premises; and there are no agreements either oral or written other than as set forth herein.
18.1.2Time of Essence. Time is of the essence of this Lease.
18.1.3Attorneys’ Fees; Jury Trial Waiver. In any action or proceeding which either party brings against the other to enforce its rights hereunder, the non-prevailing party shall pay all costs incurred by the prevailing party, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs, Any judgment or order entered in any final judgment shall contain a specific provision providing for the recovery of all costs and expenses of suit, including reasonable attorneys’ fees (collectively “Costs”) incurred in enforcing, perfecting and executing such judgment. For the purposes of this paragraph, Costs shall include, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses incurred in (i) post-judgment motions, (ii) contempt proceeding, (iii) garnishment, levy, and debtor and third party examination, (iv) discovery, and (v) bankruptcy litigation. TENANT ALSO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LITIGATION ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS LEASE.
18.1.4Severability. If any provision of this Lease or the application of any such provision shall be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable to any extent, the remaining provisions of this Lease and the application thereof shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected, impaired or invalidated.
18.1.5Law. This Lease shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the state in which the Premises are located.
18.1.6Successors and Assigns. This Lease shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of Landlord and, subject to compliance with the terms of Section 16, Tenant.
18.1.7Third Party Beneficiaries. Nothing herein is intended to create any third party benefit.
18.1.8Memorandum of Lease. Tenant shall not record this Lease or a short form memorandum hereof without Landlord’s prior written consent which Landlord may withhold in its sole discretion.
18.1.9Agency, Partnership or Joint Venture. Nothing contained herein nor any acts of the parties hereto shall be deemed or construed by the parties hereto, nor by any third party, as creating the relationship of principal and agent or of partnership or of joint venture by the parties hereto or any relationship other than the relationship of landlord and tenant.
18.1.10Headings. Section headings have been inserted solely as a matter of convenience and are not intended to define or limit the scope of any of the provisions contained therein.
18.1.11Security Measures. After the Commencement Date of this Lease Tenant hereby acknowledges that Landlord shall have no obligation to provide a guard service or other security measures whatsoever. Tenant assumes all responsibility for the protection of the Premises, Tenant, its agents and invitees and their property from the acts of third parties.
18.2Signs. All signs and graphics of every kind visible in or from public view or corridors, the Common Areas or the exterior of the Premises (whether located inside or outside of the Premises) shall be subject to Landlord’s prior written approval, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned, and shall be subject to any applicable governmental laws, ordinances, and regulations and in compliance with Landlord’s signage program. Tenant shall remove all such signs and graphics prior to the termination of this Lease, Such installations and removals shall be made in such manner as to avoid injury or defacement of the Premises; and Tenant shall repair any injury or defacement, including without limitation, discoloration caused by such installation or removal.
18.3Waiver. No waiver of any default or breach hereunder shall be implied from any omission to take action on account thereof, notwithstanding any custom and practice or course of dealing. No waiver by either party of any provision under this Lease shall be effective unless in writing and signed by such party, No waiver shall affect any default other than the default specified in the waiver and then such waiver shall be operative only for the time and to the extent therein stated. Waivers of any covenant shall not be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach of the same.
18.4Limitation of Liability. The obligations of Landlord under this Lease are not personal obligations of the individual partners, members, managers, directors, officers, shareholders, agents or employees of Landlord; and Tenant shall not seek recourse against the assets of the directors, officers, shareholders, agents or employees of Landlord, Whenever Landlord transfers its interest, Landlord shall be automatically released from further performance under this Lease and from all further liabilities and expenses hereunder and the transferee of Landlord’s interest shall assume all liabilities and obligations of Landlord hereunder from the date of such transfer.
18.5Notices. All notices to be given hereunder shall be in writing and mailed postage prepaid by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, or delivered by personal or courier delivery, or sent by facsimile, electronically confirmed, (immediately followed by one of the preceding methods), to Landlord’s Address and Tenant’s Address, or to such other place as Landlord or Tenant may designate in a written notice given to the other party. Notices shall be deemed served upon the first attempted delivery by the U.S. Postal Service, the courier or a recognized overnight delivery service, or upon receipt of the facsimile prior to 5 p.m., on any business day, or, if after 5 p.m., on the next business day.
18.6Brokerage Commission. Landlord shall pay a brokerage commission to Landlord’s Broker and to Tenant’s Broker specified in the Basic Lease Information in accordance with separate agreements between Landlord and Landlord’s Broker and Tenant’s Broker. Landlord shall have no further or separate obligation for payment of any commissions or fees to any other broker or finder. Tenant warrants to Landlord that Tenant’s sole contact with Landlord or with the Premises in connection with this transaction has been directly with Landlord, Landlord’s Broker and Tenant’s Broker specified in the Basic Lease Information, and that no other broker or finder can properly claim a right to a commission or a finder’s fee based upon contacts between the claimant and Tenant. Subject to the foregoing, Tenant agrees to indemnify and hold Landlord harmless from any claims or liability, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, in connection with a claim by any person for a real estate broker’s commission, finder’s fee or other compensation based upon any statement, representation or agreement of Tenant, and Landlord agrees to indemnify and hold Tenant harmless from any such claims or liability, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, based upon any statement, representation or agreement of Landlord.
18.7Authorization. Each individual executing this Lease on behalf of Tenant or Landlord represents and warrants that he or she is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Lease on behalf of such party and that such execution is binding upon such party.
18.8Holding Over; Surrender.
18.8.1Holding Over. Notwithstanding the provisions of KRS 383.160, Tenant holds over the Premises or any part thereof after expiration of the Term, such holding over shall, at Landlord’s option, constitute a month-to-month tenancy, at a rent equal to one hundred twenty-five percent (125%) of the Base Rent in effect immediately prior to such holding over for the first two months and one hundred fifty percent (150%) thereafter, and shall otherwise be on all the other terms and conditions of this Lease. This paragraph shall not be construed as Landlord’s permission for Tenant to hold over. Acceptance of Rent by Landlord following expiration or termination shall not constitute a renewal of this Lease or extension of the Term except as specifically set forth above. If Tenant fails to surrender the Premises upon expiration or earlier termination of this Lease, Tenant shall indemnify and hold Landlord harmless from and against all loss or liability resulting from or arising out of Tenant’s failure to surrender the Premises, including, but not limited to, any amounts required to be paid to any tenant or prospective tenant who was to have occupied the Premises after the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease and any related attorneys’ fees and brokerage commissions.
18.8.2 Surrender. Upon the termination of this Lease or Tenant’s right to possession of the Premises, Tenant will surrender the Premises broom clean, together with all keys, in good condition and repair, reasonable wear and tear excepted, and with the removal of any items required to be removed by Section 10.2. Tenant shall patch and fill all holes within the Premises and all penetrations of the roof shall be resealed to a watertight condition. In no event may Tenant remove from the Premises any mechanical or electrical systems or any wiring or any other aspect of any systems within the Premises. Conditions existing because of Tenant’s failure to perform maintenance, repairs or replacements shall not be deemed “reasonable wear and tear.”
18.9Joint and Several. If Tenant consists of more than one person, the obligation of all such persons shall be joint and several.
18.10Covenants and Conditions. Each provision to be performed by Tenant hereunder shall be deemed to be both a covenant and a condition.
18.11Auctions. Tenant shall not conduct, nor permit to be conducted, any auction upon the Premises without Landlord’s prior written consent. Landlord shall not be obligated to exercise any standard of reasonableness in determining whether to permit an auction.
18.12Consents. Landlord’s consent to any act, assignment or subletting shall not constitute an acknowledgment that no Event of Default or breach by Tenant of this Lease exists, nor shall such consent be deemed a waiver of any then existing Event of Default or breach, except as may be otherwise specifically stated in writing by Landlord at the time of such consent. Except as otherwise set forth herein, the failure to specify herein any particular condition to Landlord’s consent shall not preclude the imposition by Landlord at the time of consent of such further or other conditions as are then reasonable with reference to the particular matter for which consent is being given.
18.13Force Majeure. “Force Majeure” as used herein means delays resulting from causes beyond the reasonable control of the other party, including, without limitation, any delay caused by any action, inaction, order, ruling, moratorium, regulation, statute, condition or other decision of any private party or governmental agency having jurisdiction over any portion of the Project, over the construction anticipated to occur thereon or over any uses thereof, or by delays in inspections or in issuing approvals by private parties or permits by governmental agencies, or by fire, flood, inclement weather, strikes, lockouts or other labor or industrial disturbance (whether or not on the part of agents or employees of either party hereto engaged in the construction of the Premises), civil disturbance, order of any government, court or regulatory body claiming jurisdiction or otherwise, act of public enemy, war, riot, sabotage, blockage, embargo, failure or inability to secure materials, supplies or labor through ordinary sources by reason of shortages or priority, discovery of hazardous or toxic materials, earthquake, or other natural disaster, delays caused by any dispute resolution process, or any cause whatsoever beyond the reasonable control (excluding financial inability) of the party whose performance is required, or any of its contractors or other representatives, whether or not similar to any of the causes hereinabove stated.
18.14Guarantor. The Guarantor shall execute the guaranty attached hereto as Exhibit F.
18.15Addenda. The Addenda attached hereto, if any, and identified with this Lease are incorporated herein by this reference as if fully set forth herein.
19.BASE RENT ABATEMENT PERIOD. Tenant’s obligation to pay Base Rent for the Premises shall be abated during the first four months of the Term (the “Base Rent Abatement Period”). Other than during the Base Rent Abatement Period, and as except as set forth herein, Tenant shall pay Base Rent as and when due under this Lease. Such abatement during the Base Rent Abatement Period shall apply to Base Rent only and shall not apply to any sums other than Base Rent payable under this Lease at any time during the Term.
20.OPTIONS TO EXTEND.
20.1Terms of Options. Provided Tenant is not in an uncured default under the terms of this Lease at the time each extension option is exercised, Tenant shall have two (2), separate, consecutive options to extend the Term of this Lease, each for an additional period of sixty (60) months (each, an “Extension Term”, and collectively, the “Extension Terms”). The Extension Terms shall be on all the terms and conditions of this Lease, except that Landlord shall have no additional obligation for free rent, or for any other tenant inducements for the Extension Terms. Landlord shall provide Tenant, upon the execution by the parties of the amendment for the Extension Term, with a refurbishment allowance of $.25 per square foot of the then existing Premises for each Extension Term. As of the commencement of each Extension Term, Base Rent shall be to 95% of the fair market rental rate (“Market Rent”) as set forth below. There shall be no additional extension terms beyond the second Extension Term set forth herein. Tenant must exercise each option to extend the Term of this Lease granted pursuant hereto by giving Landlord written notice of its election to do so no later than one hundred eighty ( 180) days prior to the end of the initial Term, or the first Extension Term, as applicable.
20.2Determination of Base Rent During Extension Terms.
20.2.1Agreement on Base Rent. Landlord and Tenant shall have ninety (90) days after Landlord receives the exercise notice in which to agree on the Base Rent during the applicable Extension Term.
21.2.2Appraisal. If Landlord and Tenant are unable to agree upon the Base Rent for the applicable Extension Term within such ninety (90) day period, then within fifteen (15) days after the expiration of the ninety (90) day period, each party, by giving notice to the other party, shall appoint a real estate appraiser who is a current member of the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers, with at least five (5) years of experience appraising building space comparable to the Premises in the city and county where the Premises is located to determine the Market Rent. Market Rent shall mean the monthly amount per rentable square foot in the Premises that a willing, non-equity new tenant would pay and a willing landlord would accept at arm’s length for space in a comparable building or buildings, with comparable tenant improvements, in a comparable location within a ten mile radius of the Building, giving appropriate consideration to monthly rental rates per rentable square foot, the presence or absence of rent escalation clauses such as operating expense and tax pass-throughs, length of lease term, size and location of premises being leased and other generally applicable terms and conditions of tenancy for a similar building or buildings. If the two (2) appraisers are unable to agree on the Market Rent for the applicable Extension Term within twenty (20) days, they shall select a third appraiser meeting the qualifications stated in this Section within five (5) days after the last day the two (2) appraisers are given to set the Market Rent for the applicable Extension Term. The third appraiser, however selected, shall be a person who has not previously acted in any capacity for either party. Within twenty (20) days after the selection of the third appraiser, a majority of the appraisers shall set the Market Rent for the applicable Extension Term. If a majority of the appraisers is unable to set the Market Rent within the twenty (20) day period, the two (2) closest appraisals shall be added together and their total divided by two (2). The resulting quotient times 95% shall be the Market Rent for the applicable Extension Term. Each party shall be responsible for the costs, charges and fees of the appraiser appointed by that party plus one-half of the cost of the third appraiser.
It is hereby expressly understood that the Base Rent for the initial Term of this Lease is predicated upon Tenant paying a premium for additional tenant finish items which have been calculated by Landlord over a 15 year amortization period. The Base Rent for the Second Extension Term shall be calculated upon taking into consideration that these tenant finish improvements have been paid by Tenant and thus shall not be included in the Appraiser’s determination of Base Rent.
20.2.3Amendment of Lease. Immediately after the Base Rent is determined pursuant to this Section 21, Landlord and Tenant shall execute an amendment to this Lease stating the new Base Rent in effect.
21.OPTION TO EXPAND.
21.1Terms of Option. Provided Tenant is not in an uncured default under the terms of this Lease at the time the option is exercised, Tenant shall have the an ongoing option at any time during the then existing Term to expand the area of the Premises (the “Expansion Option”) by a minimum of two full bays within the Building containing approximately forty-seven thousand (47,000) rentable square feet, or any more space in increments of full bays (the “Expansion Area”) provided said space is available for lease
21.2Exercise of Option and Delivery of Expansion Area. Promptly following Tenant’s exercise of the Expansion Option pursuant hereto, the parties shall meet and work in good faith to reach agreement within thirty (30) days thereafter.
21.3Lease Terms. The Expansion Area shall be leased upon the same terms and conditions applicable to the original Premises, with the following provisions:
21.3.1Tenant shall lease the Expansion Area for a term of not less than three (3) years and shall be co-terminous with and at the same then current Base Rent as the original Premises. In the event the remaining Term for the original Premises is less than three (3) years, then Term for the original Premises and the Expansion Area will be extended to achieve a three (3) year minimum balance of Term.
21.3.2The annual Base Rent payable for the Expansion Area shall commence on the date of substantial completion of Landlord’s and Tenant’s work which shall be completed in a timely manner not to exceed one hundred twenty (120) days after execution of an amendment to this lease (the “Expansion Area Commencement Date”).
21.3.3The Expansion Area shall be improved to a minimum level of completed industrial space similar to or better than the current warehouse Premises as follows: the Expansion Space shall be fully finished for Tenant’s occupancy with all necessary governmental approvals and occupancy permits, separate utilities service, fully improved truck docks with levelers equal to one dock per 12,000 square feet of space, lighting to 30 foot candles, heating, ventilation, sprinklers, sealed floor, and relocated demising wall.
21.4Operating Expenses and Real Property Taxes. In addition to the Base Rent for the Expansion Area, Tenant shall be responsible for its prorata share of all Operating Expenses and Real Property Taxes allocable to the Expansion Area from the Expansion Area commencement date.
22.OPTION TO TERMINATE LEASE. Provided Tenant is not in an uncured default, Tenant may terminate this Lease in its entirety (the “Termination Option”) effective on the last day of the eighty-eighth (88th) full calendar month of the Term (the “Termination Date”) by delivering written notice of its intent to terminate this Lease (the “Termination Notice”) to Landlord on or before the last day of the eighty-second (82nd) full calendar month of the Term and payment of the Termination Fee (as defined below) to Landlord within ninety (90) days of Tenant’s notice. If Tenant properly exercises its Termination Option, this Lease shall terminate as of the Termination Date. The “Termination Fee” shall be equal to six months of the then current Base Rent plus the unamortized balance of any Above Standard Tenant Improvement costs paid to Tenant by Landlord (as indicated herein). Tenant shall deliver the Premises to Landlord on or before the effective Termination Date in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Lease the same as if such Termination Date were the original expiration date of the Term of this Lease. If Tenant properly exercises the Termination Option, such termination shall not affect Tenant’s liability for (i) post-Term adjustments in Taxes and Operating Expenses applicable to the period prior to the Termination Date; (ii) obligations which accrue prior to the Termination Date; and (iii) obligations which by their terms survive the expiration or earlier termination of the Term of this Lease.
23.RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL. Provided Tenant is not in an uncured default at the time of notice, Landlord will notify Tenant of any third party’s counteroffer or letter of intent to lease any specific amount of square footage available for lease in the Building (the “Additional Space”). Tenant shall have ten (10) business days in which to notify Landlord of its intent to lease at least the same amount of square footage. If Tenant elects to lease the Additional Space, Landlord and Tenant shall execute an amendment to the Lease within ten (10) business days, based upon the same terms and conditions as outlined in the Option to Expand as indicated in Section 21.1 herein. Tenant agrees to keep any information regarding the prospective tenant confidential. This right is on-going and shall continue in force in each and every instance in which Landlord receives a letter of intent or counter-offer for any available space within the Building. This Right of First Refusal terminates May 1, 2015 or sooner if Tenant vacates Premises.
24.TENANT CURE RIGHTS. In the event Landlord fails to perform any of its repair and maintenance obligations under this Lease (“Landlord Repair Obligations”), Tenant shall give Landlord and (provided that, prior to such notice, Tenant has been notified in writing, by way of service on Tenant of a copy of assignment of rents and leases or otherwise, of the address of such “Landlord’s Mortgagee”, as herein after defined) any holder of any mortgage or deed of trust secured by real property including the Premises (“Landlord’s Mortgagee”), written notice specifying such default, this Lease and Tenant’s rights under this Section and containing the following phrase at the top of page 1 of the notice in all capital letters and boldface type (or it shall not be deemed validly given notice hereunder), “YOUR FAILURE TO COMMENCE THE CURE OF LANDLORD’S REPAIR OBLIGATIONS SET FORTH IN THIS NOTICE WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS SHALL ENTITLE THE UNDERSIGNED TO CURE SUCH DEFAULT AT LANDLORD’S EXPENSE WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE”. Landlord shall thereupon have thirty (30) days in which to cure Landlord’s Repair Obligations; provided, however, if Landlord’s Repair Obligations are not reasonably capable of being cured in thirty (30) days, Landlord shall be deemed to be in compliance with this Lease if Landlord, with reasonable diligence, commences to cure Landlord’s Repair Obligations (which cure shall in any event be commenced within such thirty (30) day period) and diligently and continuously prosecutes such cure to completion. In addition, Landlord’s Mortgagee shall have the right (but not the obligation) to cure or remedy Landlord’s Repair Obligations during the period that is permitted to Landlord hereunder, plus an additional period of ten (10) days, and Tenant will accept such curative or remedial action taken by Landlord’s Mortgagee with the same effect as if such action had been taken by Landlord, provided however, if Landlord’s Repair Obligation is of a nature which, if not cured immediately, poses an imminent risk of harm to persons or property and/or will have an immediate, material, adverse effect on the conduct of Tenant’s business operations at the Premises, Tenant shall have the right to cure Landlord’s Repair Obligation immediately, with only such prior notice (if any) to Landlord and Landlord’s Mortgagee as is reasonable under the circumstances. Upon the failure of Landlord or Landlord’s Mortgagee to cure Landlord’s Repair Obligations in accordance with the provisions of this Section 22, Tenant shall be authorized and empowered to cure Landlord’s Repair Obligations for and on behalf of Landlord (including the cost of curing Landlord’s Repair Obligations in an emergency situation, where no written notice may have been provided to Landlord in accordance with the provisions of this Section 22, provided in such emergency situation Tenant shall use reasonable efforts to provide prior written notice or oral notice to Landlord), and the reasonable cost of any item paid by Tenant in curing Landlord’s Repair Obligations for and on behalf of Landlord, together with interest thereon from the date such costs are paid by Tenant until reimbursed or otherwise recovered by Tenant, at the rate of ten percent ( 10%) per annum, shall be payable on demand by Landlord to Tenant. If Landlord fails to pay to Tenant the cost of such cure within thirty (30) days following Landlord’s (and Landlord’s Mortgagee) receipt of Tenant’s demand therefor, then Tenant may provide to Landlord and Landlord’s Mortgagee a second written demand therefor (“Second Demand”), specifying this Lease and Tenant’s rights under this Section and which contains the following phrase at the top of page 1 of the notice in all capital letters and boldface type (or it shall not be deemed validly given notice hereunder) “YOUR FAILURE TO REIMBURSE TENANT AS REQUIRED HEREIN WITHIN FIVE (5) DAYS SHALL ENTITLE THE UNDERSIGNED TO EXERCISE CERTAIN OFFSET RIGHTS AS SET FORTH IN THE LEASE WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE.” If Landlord fails to pay to Tenant the amount due to Tenant within five (5) days following Landlord’s receipt of the second Demand, then Tenant may offset from the next installments of Rent and other charges coming due under this Lease the full amount owed by Landlord to Tenant (together with all accrued interest), provided, however, that (i) the amount of offset during any single month shall not exceed the greater of (A) twenty percent (20%) of the total Base Rent payable by Tenant to Landlord for such month or (B) the amount necessary to fully amortize Tenant’s cost of cure from the date of completion of such cure to the expiration date of the Lease Term (without regard to any unexercised renewal options), but if so required by a third-party lender, not greater than twenty-five percent (25%) of the total Monthly Base Rent for any one month; and (ii) Landlord is not then contesting by court action or by mediation or arbitration proceeding mutually approved by Landlord and Tenant the amounts Tenant is intending to offset (or having contested same, a judgment, decision or ruling in such action, mediation or arbitration has been rendered in favor of Landlord).
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Lease as of the date set forth above.
“Landlord” |
| “Tenant” | ||||
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Cedar Grove - Crossdock, LLC | | Alliance Entertainment, LLC, a Delaware limited | ||||
a Kentucky limited liability company | | liability company | ||||
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By: | /s/ Lee C. Wilburn | | By: | /s/ Alan Tuchman | ||
| Name: | Lee C. Wilburn | |
| Name: | Alan Tuchman |
| Its: | Manager | |
| Its: | President / Alliance Entertainment, LLC |
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Date: | 12/12/07 | | Date: | 12/14/07 |
EXHIBIT A
PREMISES
A-1
Legal Description
300 Omicron Court, Shepherdsville, KY
BEING Lot 10 C as shown on the Minor Subdivision Plat approved by the Bullitt County Planning Commission on March 7, 2002 attached to a Deed of record beginning at Deed Book 556, Page 618 in the Office of the Clerk of Bullitt County, Kentucky and being a subdivision of Lots 10 and 11 as shown on the plat of Cedar Grove Business Park approved by the Commission on May 12, 2000, Plat of which is of record in Plat Cabinet 2, Slide 443, or, seq., in the Office of the Clerk of Bullitt County, Kentucky.
BEING the same property acquired by Kentucky Trailer Services, LLC, by Deed dated July 22, 2002, of record in Deed Book 556, Page 518, in the Office of the Clerk of Bullitt County, Kentucky.
BEING Lot 11A, as shown on the Minor Subdivision Plat approved by the Bullitt County Planning Commission on March 7, 2002 and attached to deed of record at Deed Book 556, Page 618 (herein the “Minor Plat”) in the Office of the Clerk of Bullitt County, Kentucky and being a subdivision of Lots 10 and 11 as shown on the Plat of Cedar Grove Business Park filed of record in Plat Cabinet #2, Slide 443 in the aforesaid Clerk’s Office.
And BEING a part of the same property acquired by Grantor by Deed dated November 10, 1998, of record in Deed Book 468, Page 410, in the Office of the Clerk of Bullitt County, Kentucky.
EXHIBIT B
WORK LETTER
THIS WORK LETTER (“Work Letter”) is a part of that certain Multi-Tenant Industrial Triple Net Lease (the “Lease”), by and between Cedar Grove - Crossdock, LLC, a Kentucky limited liability company (“Landlord”), and Alliance Entertainment, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Tenant”). Capitalized terms not defined in this Work Letter shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Lease,
1.Definitions. As used in this Work Letter and in the Lease, the term “Tenant Improvements” shall mean those improvements set forth on the “Final Plans” (defined in Section 5(c) of this Work Letter). The construction and installation of the Tenant Improvements is sometimes referred to herein as the “Work”. The parties agree that, without limitation, the Tenant Improvements shall be comprised of Landlord completing the final construction of the Building and the Tenant Improvements and obtaining all necessary governmental approvals resulting in receipt of an occupancy permit at Landlord’s sole cost and expense.
2.Completion of Tenant Improvements. Subject to the terms of the Lease and this Work Letter and any “Tenant Delay” or “Force Majeure Delay” as provided herein, Landlord shall use its commercially reasonable and diligent efforts to cause the “Contractor” (defined in Section 7 of this Work Letter) to complete the construction and installation of the Tenant Improvements in accordance with the terms of this Work Letter. Landlord shall install an open underground conduit for Tenant’s telephonic and data wiring.
3.Designation of Representatives. With respect to the planning, design and construction of the Tenant Improvements, Landlord hereby designates Lee C. Wilburn as “Landlord’s Representative” and Tenant hereby designates Jim Rink or David A. Buck as “Tenant’s Representative.” Tenant hereby confirms that Tenant’s Representative has full authority to act on behalf of and to bind Tenant with respect to all matters pertaining to the planning, design and construction of the Improvements. Landlord hereby confirms that Landlord’s Representative has full authority to act on behalf of Landlord with respect to matters pertaining to the planning, design and construction of the Improvements. Either party may change its designated representative upon five (5) days prior written notice to the other party.
4.Architect Selection. Landlord has selected John Hawkins of Kovert & Hawkins, a licensed architectural firm designated by Landlord (the “Architect”), who shall act as the architect with respect to the design of the Tenant Improvements. Landlord shall enter into a contract with the Architect for such services (the “Architect Contract”). The parties acknowledge and agree that the Architect Contract will obligate the Architect to issue to both Landlord and Tenant an architect’s certificate (“Architect’s Certificate”) upon Substantial Completion (as hereinafter defined) of the Tenant Improvements certifying the Substantial Completion of the Tenant Improvements in accordance with the Final Plans (as hereinafter defined).
5.Tenant Improvement Plans.
(a)Final Plans. Tenant has submitted to Landlord Tenant’s specifications for the Tenant Improvements (collectively, the “Tenant Improvement Specifications”) attached hereto as Exhibit B-1. The Architect will design a proposed floor plan of Tenant’s office space requirements as indicated in the Tenant Improvement Specifications to be mutually acceptable to Landlord and Tenant. Landlord shall cause the Architect to prepare final plans and specifications for the Tenant Improvements (the “Final Plans”) and shall submit the same to Tenant for its approval on or before_______ (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), and shall be deemed granted if within five (5) days following submittal, Tenant does not deliver written notice to Landlord specifying in reasonable detail the basis for Tenant’s disapproval of such proposed Final Plans. If Tenant so timely disapproves of such Final Plans, then the parties shall promptly meet to resolve any open issues and reach agreement upon the Final Plans for the Tenant Improvements. Included in the Final Plans will be the civil, architectural and structural plans for the Tenant Improvements. When the Final Plans have been approved by Tenant and Landlord, Landlord’s Architect shall submit the Final Plans to the appropriate governmental agency for plan checking and the issuance of a building permit for the Tenant Improvements. If the Final Plans have not been approved by_______ (the “Final Plans Target Date”), the Outside Date and the Tenant Fixturing Commencement Date shall each be extended on a day to day basis to the same extent that the Final Plans Target Date is delayed, (b) Work Cost Estimate. Prior to the commencement of construction of any of the Tenant Improvements, Landlord shall submit to Tenant a written estimate of the cost to complete the Tenant Improvements, which written estimate will be based upon the Final Plans taking into account any modifications which may be required to reflect changes in the Final Plans required by the appropriate governmental authorities in connection with the issuance of a building permit (the “Work Cost Estimate”). Within three (3) business days following submission thereof to Tenant, Tenant will either approve the Work Cost Estimate, or disapprove specific items, and submit to Landlord revisions to the Final Plans, Upon Tenant’s approval of the Work Cost Estimate (the “Work Cost Statement”), Landlord will have the right to purchase materials and to commence the construction of the items included in the Work Cost Statement.
(c)No Representations. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Lease or herein, Landlord’s participation in the preparation of the Final Plans, the cost estimates for the Tenant Improvements and the construction thereof shall not constitute any representation or warranty, express or implied, that the Improvements, if built in accordance with the Final Plans, will be suitable for Tenant’s intended purpose. Tenant acknowledges and agrees that the Tenant Improvements are intended for use by Tenant and the specifications and design requirements for such Tenant Improvements are provided to Landlord by Tenant. Landlord’s sole obligation shall be to arrange the construction of the Tenant Improvements in accordance with the requirements of the Final Plans; and any additional costs or expense required for the modification thereof at Tenant’s request (a Tenant Change Order), whether during or after Landlord’s construction thereof, shall be borne entirely by Tenant except as otherwise provided in this Work Letter. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Landlord agrees to assign to Tenant the benefit of all construction warranties pertaining to the Tenant Improvements to the extent that they do not relate to structural or other portions of the Improvements that Landlord is required to maintain and repair under the Lease.
6.Change Orders. After the parties approve the Final Plans and a building permit for the Tenant Improvements is issued, any further changes to the Final Plans shall require the prior written approval of Tenant and Landlord, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. If Tenant desires any change in the Final Plans relative to the Tenant Improvements which is reasonable and practical (which shall be conclusively determined by the Landlord’s Architect), such changes may only be requested by the delivery to Landlord by Tenant of a proposed written “Change Order” specifically setting forth the requested change. Landlord shall have five (5) business days from the receipt of the proposed Change Order to provide Tenant with the Architect’s disapproval of the proposed change stating the reason(s) for such disapproval, or if the Architect approves the proposed change, a summary of any increase or decrease in the cost caused by such change. Tenant shall then have three (3) business days to approve the Change Order Cost. If Tenant approves these items, Landlord shall promptly execute the Change Order and cause the appropriate changes to the Final Plans to be made. If Tenant fails to respond to Landlord within said five (5) business day period, the Change Order Cost shall be deemed disapproved by Tenant and Landlord shall have no further obligation to perform any Work set forth in the proposed Change Order. The Change Order Cost shall include all costs associated with the Change Order, including, without limitation, architectural fees, engineering fees and construction costs, as conclusively determined by the Landlord’s Architect and the Contractor (defined in Section 7), respectively, together with a three percent (3%) fee of these costs as reimbursement for the expense of administration and coordination of such Change Order by Landlord’s Representative.
7.Selection of Contractor. Landlord shall enter into a construction contract (“Construction Contract”) with Scott Welch of AML, Inc., the general contractor designated by Landlord (the “Contractor”) for the construction and installation of the Tenant Improvements in accordance with the Final Plans.
8.Construction of the Improvements. Landlord shall enter into a construction contract with the Contractor on a form reasonably acceptable to Landlord (“Construction Contract”) for the construction and installation of the Improvements in accordance with the Final Plans.
9.Payment for Cost of the Tenant Improvements.
(a)Landlord’s Cost. Landlord shall construct the Premises in accordance with the Final Plans at its sole cost and expense. Provided there have been no increases in the cost to complete the Premises due to a Tenant Delay or Force Majeure Delay then Landlord shall complete the construction with cost not to exceed $___________ (the “Work Cost Estimate”). In the event the costs for completion of the Premises exceed the Work Cost Estimate, provided there have been no increases in the cost to complete the Premises due to a Tenant Delay or Force Majeure Delay, Landlord shall be responsible for such excess.
(b)Value Engineering. In the event there are cost savings in the costs to complete the Premises derived for any reason whatsoever, Tenant shall be provided an abatement of Base Rent (in addition to any other abatement of Base Rent provided for in this Lease) equal to the cost savings.
B2
(c)Above Standard Tenant Improvements. Upon written request by Tenant, Landlord shall provide Tenant an additional allowance for above standard tenant improvements to the Premises in an amount not to exceed Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00). Landlord will increase the monthly Base Rent Tenant shall pay by an amount equal to the monthly installment of the amount requested amortized at a rate of 8% per annum over a term of ten years.
10.Open Book Tenant Improvement Costs. Landlord shall immediately provide Tenant with access to review the bids of all sub-contractors and costs for the completion of the Premises. Tenant may nominate alternate sub-contractors for any or all of the Tenant Improvements without causing a Tenant Delay.
11.Financing of Construction of Improvements. Landlord may elect to finance the construction of the Tenant Improvements with the proceeds of a loan (“Project Loan”) from a third party lender (“Lender”) at the then prevailing market rate and market terms for similar projects. The documents securing or given in connection with the Project Loan, if any, are herein collectively called “Loan Documents.” Any Project Loan may be secured by the lien of a deed of trust encumbering the Land and Improvements. Tenant agrees to execute and/or provide all documents reasonably required by any Lender in connection with any Project Loan.
12.Substantial Completion; Target Completion Date. The Landlord shall provide the Premises Substantially Completed (as defined in Section 2.1 of the Lease) on or before May 1, 2008 (the “Target Completion Date”). If there is any delay in the Substantial Completion of the Tenant Improvements beyond the Target Completion Date and such delay results from a Tenant Delay or Force Majeure Delay, then the Commencement Date shall be adjusted by the number of days of delay caused by the delay(s). If there is any delay in the Substantial Completion of the Tenant Improvements beyond the Target Completion Date and such delay is not caused by a Tenant Delay or Force Majeure Delay then Landlord shall provide Tenant with three (3) days Base Rent abatement for each one (1) day of delay.
13.Substantial Completion; Tenant Fixturing Period Commencement Date. The Landlord shall provide the Premises and the perimeter driveway (the “Ring Road”) partially completed with a minimum of one course of asphalt capable of maintaining truck traffic, to Tenant for the purpose of installing its trade fixtures, personal property, equipment and other leasehold improvements including, but not limited to, it’s machinery, compressors, electrical wiring connections, phone and fiber service, furniture, and product racks on or before February 10, 2008 (the “Tenant Fixturing Period Commencement Date”). The Tenant Fixturing Period shall extend from the Tenant Fixturing Period Commencement Date through the Lease Commencement Date. Tenant may not occupy or conduct business during the Tenant Fixturing Period other than for the purpose of installing its trade fixtures, equipment and other leasehold improvements as indicated above. Tenant’s required insurance coverage, as indicated in Section 8 herein, shall be in full force and effect upon the Tenant Fixturing Period Commencement Date. If there is a delay beyond February 10, 2008, and such delay is not caused by a Tenant Delay, Force Majeure Delay, then Landlord shall provide Tenant with three (3) days Base Rent abatement for each one (1) day of delay. Tenant shall have no obligation to pay Base Rent or any other charges for Operating Expenses, maintenance costs, or Real Property Taxes during the Tenant Fixturing Period. Landlord shall also provide, at its sole cost and expense, physical security services to the Building throughout the Tenant Fixturing Period, but Tenant shall bear the sole risk of loss with respect to any equipment or other personal property of Tenant located on or about the Premises.
14.Tenant Delays; Force Majeure Delays. As used herein, “Tenant Delays” means any delay in the completion of the Tenant Improvements resulting from any or all of the following: (1) Tenant’s failure to timely perform any of its obligations pursuant to this Work Letter, including Tenant’s failure to complete, on or before the due date therefore, any action item which is Tenant’s responsibility pursuant to this Work Letter, including Tenant’s failure to grant approvals within the time frames described herein; (2) Tenant’s requested modifications to the Final Plans or any Tenant-initiated Change Orders; (3) Tenant’s request for materials, finishes, or installations which are not readily available, (4) any delay in any way whatsoever arising from Tenant’s right to conduct “Inspections” under Section 15 below, (5) any other act or failure to act by Tenant, Tenant’s Representative, Tenant’s employees, agents, independent contractors, consultants and/or any other person performing or required to perform services on behalf of Tenant. “Force Majeure Delays” as used herein means delays resulting from causes beyond the reasonable control of Landlord or the Contractor, including, without limitation, any delay caused by any action, inaction, order, ruling, moratorium, regulation, statute, condition or other decision of any private party or governmental agency having jurisdiction over any portion of the project, over the construction of the Improvements or over any uses thereof, or by delays in inspections or in issuing approvals by private parties or permits by governmental agencies, or by fire, flood, inclement weather, strikes, lockouts or other labor or industrial disturbance (whether or not on the part of agents or employees of either party hereto engaged in the construction of the Improvements), civil disturbance, order of any government, court or regulatory body claiming jurisdiction or otherwise, act of public enemy, war, riot, sabotage, blockage, embargo, earthquake, or other natural disaster.
B3
15.Tenant’s Inspection Rights. Landlord shall schedule and attend periodic progress meetings, walk-throughs and any other meetings with the Architect, the Contractor and Tenant to discuss the progress of the construction of the Tenant Improvements (“Meetings”). Landlord shall give Tenant at least forty-eight (48) hours prior notice (written or telephonic) of all such Meetings. Tenant shall designate in writing the person or persons appointed by Tenant to attend the Meetings and such designated party shall be entitled to be present at and to participate in the discussions during all Meetings; but Landlord may conduct the Meetings even if Tenant’s appointees are not present. Landlord shall provide Tenant with detailed minutes of all Meetings. Tenant or its agents shall have the right at any and all reasonable times to conduct Inspections, tests, surveys and reports of work in progress (“Inspections”) for the purpose of reviewing whether the Tenant Improvements are being constructed in accordance with the Final Plans, as amended by any approved Change Orders or other agreed upon changes. Tenant agrees to protect, hold harmless and indemnify Landlord from all claims, demands, costs and liabilities (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising from Tenant’s or Tenant’s agents entry onto the Land for the purpose of conducting Inspections.
16.Walk-Through and Punch List. Upon Substantial Completion of the Tenant Improvements, Tenant, Landlord and the Architect shall jointly conduct a walk-through of the Improvements and shall jointly prepare a punch list (“Punch List”) of items needing additional work (“Punch List Items”); provided, however, the Punch List shall be limited to items which are required by the Construction Contract, the Final Plans, Change Orders and any other changes agreed to by the parties.
17.Miscellaneous Construction Covenants.
(a)Coordination with Lease. Nothing herein contained shall be construed as (i) constituting Tenant as Landlord’s agent for any purpose whatsoever, or (ii) a waiver by Landlord or Tenant of any of the terms or provisions of the Lease. Any default by either party with respect to any portion of this Work Letter, shall be deemed a breach of the Lease for which Landlord and Tenant shall have all the rights and remedies as in the case of a breach of the Lease by the other party.
(b)Cooperation. Landlord and Tenant agree to cooperate with one another and to cause their respective employees, agents and contractors to cooperate with one another to coordinate any work being performed by Landlord and/or Tenant under this Work Letter, and their respective employees, agents and contractors so as to avoid unnecessary interference and delays with the completion of the Work.
18.No Representations. Landlord does not warrant that the Building or any component thereof will be free of latent defects or that it will not require maintenance and/or repair within any particular period of time, except as expressly provided herein. Tenant acknowledges and agrees that it shall rely on the warranty or guaranty, if any, from the Contractor, the Architect or other material and/or service providers relative to the proper design and construction of the Improvements or any component thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Landlord shall repair or replace, as needed, for the first year of the Term, all HVAC, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, building systems, and overhead doors and their component parts, excluding Tenant’s trade fixtures, equipment or other improvements by Tenant, provided Tenant has maintained proper preventive maintenance contracts as provided in the Lease and that the necessary repair or replacement is not caused by Tenant’s abuse. Landlord will provide the driveways and exclusive Tenant parking areas for Tenant with a two year contractor warranty.
B4
EXHIBIT B-1
Tenant’s Specifications
PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS V3
AEC LDII 300 Omicron
DATE: 11/29/07
INDEX
TITLE | PAGE | |
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2.0 | GENERAL STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS | B-1 |
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3.0 | FLOOR SLAB REQUIREMENTS | B-2 |
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4.0 | EXTERIOR WALLS | B-3 |
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5.0 | INTERIOR WALLS | B-3 |
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6.0 | STRUCTURAL STEEL | B-3 |
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7.0 | ROOF | B-3 |
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8.0 | SPRINKLER SYSTEM | B-4 |
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9.0 | LOADING FACILITIES | B-4 |
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10.0 | OFFICES | B-5 |
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11.0 | SITE REQUIREMENTS | B-5 |
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12.0 | PLUMBING | B-7 |
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13.0 | ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS | B-8 |
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14.0 | H.V.A.C | B-9 |
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15.0 | MISCELLANEOUS | B-9 |
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16.0 | MISC FINISHES / MINIMUM DESIGN CRITERIA | B-10 |
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18.0 | GUARANTEES | B-11 |
SCOPE
BUILDING SIZE
The building will contain approximately 404,039 square feet with a 9,805 square feet mezzanine per Exhibit 1-A.
CLEAR HEIGHT
A minimum clear height in the entire facility shall be no less than 36’0” clear. All obstructions including lighting, sprinkler lines, smoke curtains, etc. shall be assumed to be above the minimum clear height unless otherwise noted by the Developer and accepted by AEC. 34’0” minimum clearance snail be provided below existing perimeter heaters.
DIMENSION/LAYOUT
Dimensions of the cross-dock facility will be as shown on Exhibit 1-A.
For purposes of these Performance Specifications, all references herein to “Developer” shall mean CROSSDOCK Development.
GENERAL STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS/TC \L1 “2.0 GENERAL STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS}
The enclosed specifications cover the general basis for design and construction of the proposed facility as well as on-site and off-site requirements.
Irrespective of the quantities and types of materials and equipment listed herein, and regardless of any site, soil or subsurface conditions, the design and construction of the facility shall meet or exceed the performance. Requirements listed herein with the specific intent that the building shall be delivered on a complete “turnkey” basis per these Performance Specifications and exhibits.
The design and construction of the building will be in accordance with all applicable local, state and federal codes, ordinances, restrictive covenants and regulations including but not limited to federal, state and local building codes, onsite and offsite drainage requirements, zoning, seismic, NFPA and ADA requirements as described in all plans, performance specifications, and exhibits to these Performance Specifications.
Standard utilities including sanitary sewer, electric, empty conduits for telecommunications and data, gas and water required for occupancy of the building are to be included and separately metered.
It shall be the responsibility of the Developer to obtain, pay for and perform all improvements necessary (including, but not limited to, means of egress, fire extinguishers, emergency and exit lighting) to obtain all necessary permits and approvals, including the Certificate of Occupancy.
B-1
It is understood that all of the items described in the specifications are to be supplied by the Developer and are to be new and of first quality.
The Developer may submit equivalent alternates to any of the specifications, with the approval of AEC and/or AEC’s architects or engineers.
All requirements of any governing body with respect to off-site improvements are to be provided by and are the responsibility of the Developer.
The Developer will furnish two complete sets of approved shop drawings, maintenance manuals, and as-built drawings to AEC
FLOOR SLAB REQUIREMENTS {TC \L1 “3.0 FLOOR SLAB REQUIREMENTS}
LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENTS
Floor slab must accommodate floor loads and point loads for all operations including the following:
Concentrated loads created by storage fixtures (including racking, mezzanine, etc.) and by material handling equipment. See Exhibit 1-R. (Note: Material handling equipment may approach within 2-3 inches of any other load within the area, including another piece of equipment.
FLOOR LEVELNESS REQUIREMENTS
The degree of the floor levelness and flatness in the entire distribution center shall meet the following criteria as defined by the Face Companies and American Concrete Institute:
FF: | 50 |
FL: | 50 |
FLOOR SEAL
The finished concrete slab surface shall be sealed to produce a non-dusting, permanent durable finish with a sealant that will become an integral part of the concrete. Minimum criteria is Ashford Formula.
INSULATION
Exterior perimeter of building foundation shall be insulated as per Building Code.
B-2
FLOOR JOINT CAULKING
Slab joints, as shown on Exhibit 1-F, shall be filled with Metzger/McGuire MM-80 joint filler or equivalent. Warranty will be as per Metzger/Mcguire standard. Joint filler, where placed within the racked storage area, shall be only applied in the aisles only. The balance of the joint filler shall be applied pursuant to Exhibit 1-F.
EXTERIOR WALLS {TC \L1 “4.0 EXTERIOR WALLS}
CONSTRUCTION
Poured on-site concrete tilt-up panels or Precast concrete panels shall be the standard construction for exterior walls.
INSULATION
Walls must be insulated to comply with all state and local codes.
INTERIOR WALLS {TC \L1 “5.0 INTERIOR WALLS}
In addition to the allowances set forth in section 10.0, the Developer shall provide interior wall separation(s) between office and warehouse area(s) which shall be painted sheetrock projecting up to a minimum of 24” above the finished ceiling in those offices. These walls shall be well insulated for sound (using minimum R-13 insulation). Developer shall install floor mounted protective guardrail with openings as located by AEC between entire office and warehouse area(s) only.
STRUCTURAL STEEL {TC \L1 “6.0 STRUCTURAL STEEL}
FACILITY CLEAR HEIGHT
The roof structure shall provide for a minimum clear height as noted in Section 1.2. Obstructions below this level may be acceptable if necessary in certain areas, but must be approved by AEC. Roof top mounted Cam bridge units will be at a minimum of 34’0” above finished floor.
Clear height in office area should be sufficient to provide 9’0” clear height between finished floor and bottom of hung ceiling, except where noted on plans and specifications.
COLUMNS
Existing steel column locations are acceptable to AEC.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS TO BE INCLUDED
Steel lintels as needed.
ROOF {TC \L1 “7.0 ROOF}
CONSTRUCTION
Roof to consist of roof deck, insulation, and a standard roofing system per local practice.
B-3
LOADING
Roof loading capacity as per applicable codes, with the exceptions noted below.
INTERFERENCE FROM BUILDING COMPONENTS
AEC accepts existing location and positioning of internal roof drains, sprinkler risers, columns, and heating units.
General lighting fixtures shall be supported from structural roof members, and are subject to the clearances described in Exhibit 1-R.
GENERAL
Insulation-Roof must be insulated to comply with all state and local codes.
Roof Finish-Underside of roof deck to be white or light colored.
SPRINKLER SYSTEM {TC \L1 “8.0 SPRINKLER SYSTEM}
TYPE
A complete wet pipe sprinkler system shall be provided throughout the entire building.
ESFR type sprinklers including all necessary components pursuant to code requirements shall be provided and installed to accommodate all operations including rack storage and mezzanine per Exhibits 1-A and 1-R. Developer shall provide fire hose connections if required by code.
CODE REQUIREMENTS
Product classification is Class IV, and shall be stored non-encapsulated (product may be shrink wrapped around the sides only).
Branch line bracing of sprinkler lines to resist seismic loads shall be provided by the Developer only if required by code.
Fire extinguishers and hose racks shall be provided per code requirements. Sprinkler risers shall be properly protected from forklifts, etc.
LOADING FACILITIES {TC \L1 “9.0 LOADING FACILITIES}
EXTERIOR LOADING DOORS
(33) overhead 9’0” (w) x 10’0” (h) insulated dock doors (steel or Porvene while vinyl, R-3 insulation with vision panel) as shown on Exhibit 1-D to be equipped with dock equipment as defined in this section 9.0. All doors will be 46” relative to the truck apron height.
(30) Dock shelters. Rite Hite Eliminator or better.
(1) 14’ (w) x 16’ (h) electrically operated insulated overhead drive-in doors with vision panel grade level ramp located per Exhibit 1-D.
(29) Rite Hite AL Series or Kelly equivalent, recessed 6’(W) x 8’(L), 30,000 pound capacity operated dock levelers with 16” lip.
(32) sets of rubber dock bumpers.
Dual dock lights each with 2 fans, between every other dock door referred to in Section 9.1.1 (Intent is that each dock door referred to in Section 9.1.1 is equipped with one dock light and one fan).
B-4
(3) Dock Doors to be used for trash compactor or dumpsters as shown on Exhibit 1-D. Trash compactor will be provided and installed by AEC.
All other dock doors in the facility if any (other than those being used by AEC) shall include existing standard locking mechanism..
Relocate (5) existing wheel locks and (1) trailer restraining hook.
OFFICES {TC \L1 “10.0 OFFICES}
Main Office Area/Employee Break Room
Approximately 5,343 square feet of one-story, heated and air-conditioned office to include private offices, general offices, cafeteria/break area, lobby, lavatories, and other finished spaces as shown on Exhibit 1-0 (to be provided by developer).
Employee Entrance/ Break Room
Approximately 2,857 square feet of one-story, heated and air-conditioned office to include private offices, cafeteria/break area, security, lavatories, and other finished spaces as shown on Exhibit 1-0 (to be provided by developer).
Compressor Room/Remote Bathrooms
Approximately 800 square feet of one-story, as shown on Exhibit 1-0 (to be provided by developer).
General
The developer is required to provide architectural services to develop a proposed design of all office areas in accordance with AEC’s specific office requirements.
All exterior windows shall be dark tinted for security purposes with mil finished aluminum frame or as existing.
In no event shall any plumbing lines be run over the computer/data room or in any perimeter walls of the computer room unless previously authorized by AEC. (This restriction shall not apply to main plumbing lines or the ESFR sprinkler system located at the building roof deck).
SITE REQUIREMENTS {TC \L1 “11.0 SITE REQUIREMENTS}
PARKING AREA
A visitor and employee parking lot for 308 cars (or additional if required by code) shall be provided and dedicated for AEC’s use as shown on Exhibit 1-S (to be provided by developer).
Asphalt paving for car access and parking shall be designed to support conventional automobile traffic and shall be constructed to code.
Asphalt access roads shall be provided from the main road to the parking areas.
B-5
LOADING AREA
A concrete apron designed with appropriate reinforcement per geotechnical report shall be provided extending a minimum of 50’ from all loading docks. The balance of the truck access, approach area, loading area and trailer parking areas shall be designed for support of full trailers and shall be constructed to code. Pavement in the truck court/loading area shall extend a minimum of 110’ from edge of dock.
Access roads shall be provided for all truck traffic from the main road to the facility.
LANDSCAPING
Landscaping and irrigation to be provided in accordance with the local municipal ordinance and local standard practice.
Provide a partially sheltered patio area of approximately 2,000 sq. ft. This area will be located adjacent to the building and be enclosed with 10’ high chain link fence. The area shall be located at a mutually agreed upon location during the improvement phase of the project.
OUTSIDE LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS
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| MIN. FOOT CANDLE |
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| ILLUMINATION |
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| MAINTAINED |
| TYPE OF |
AREA |
| 30” FROM GROUND |
| LIGHTING |
Parking |
| 3 fc |
| Metal Halide |
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Personnel |
| 5 fc immediate area at office |
| Metal Halide |
Walkways/Patio |
| entrance |
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Truck Court |
| 1 fc |
| Metal Halide |
B-6
MISCELLANEOUS
All car parking and walkways shall include striping and signage per code. Regardless of code requirements, all parking areas and walkways (e.g., from parking areas to building entrances) shall be properly striped.
All existing car parking and walkway areas shall be properly curbed and drained.
Provide 10’ (wide) x 34’ (long) concrete pad for compactor. (Note: Concrete apron will be sufficient if constructed to meet needs for compactor load)
All site grading shall be compatible and proper for a large trucking distribution facility.
Provide fire access road around building as per code.
PLUMBING {TC \L1 “12.0 PLUMBING}
As part of the office allowance, toilet facilities shall be provided for all office and warehouse areas per Exhibit 1-0. Number of fixtures should comply with Item 12.8.
Hot water heaters of sufficient capacity for required facilities shall be installed.
Provide service sinks at each toilet area.
Provide (2) exterior/interior (double head) non-freezing bib connection as shown on Exhibit 1-D.
All plumbing to be provided to code. (Complete sanitary plumbing system with hot/cold water, ventilation, and connection to the sewer system.) It shall be the responsibility of the Developer, not as part of the office allowances in Section 10.0, to provide all domestic water and sewer mains to the point of connection in the lavatory locations shown on Exhibit 1-0.
All lavatories to be equipped with exhaust fans, in accordance with code requirements.
Roughing and final connections for (2) electric water coolers to be provided, Outside main office.
The number of toilet fixtures shall comply with code requirements for the following number of occupants per area provided by AEC:
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| Male |
| Female |
| Total |
Office |
| 10 |
| 10 |
| 20 |
Warehouse |
| 140 |
| 140 |
| 280 |
Total |
| 150 |
| 150 |
| 300 |
B-7
ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTSITC {L1 “13.0 ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS}
GENERAL
Furnish and install appropriate electric power and lighting to accommodate all requirements including all items listed in this Section.
Service should be underground to an on-site transformer station. Provide exit and emergency lighting, per code requirements.
Provide wiring for lighting, heating, ventilating, air-conditioning and all other building equipment.
Provide power distribution for truck dock lights and dock fans at each truck door.
LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS
Lighting foot-candle levels shall be provided as shown on Exhibit 1-L.
All light levels per Exhibit 1-L are shown as average foot candle illumination maintained 30” above F.F.
The high bay lighting fixtures will be of the fluorescent T-5 fixtures type. The fixtures shall be installed in new undamaged condition, and will be mounted directly to the roof structure as per typical construction. All hi-bay fixtures located in pick aisles shall have built in motion sensors. All aisle lighting shall be accomplished utilizing high-bay lighting fixtures.
All lighting shall be controlled with circuit breakers located adjacent to office circuited by aisles and/or bays as defined by AEC such that each circuit breaker shall control the appropriate aisle or area.
EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS
The developer will supply a minimum of 3,000 Amp 480 3 phase service for AEC exclusive use for its MHE equipment and data center.
The developer will supply (5) 277/480 500 Amp 3 phase panels as shown on Exhibit 1-E. These panels will be dedicated for the exclusive use of AEC’s high voltage equipment. Power distribution from the panel to the equipment listed on Exhibit 1-E will be provided by the developer.
The developer will supply (4) 200 Amp 120/208 volt panels as shown on Exhibit 1-E. These panels will be dedicated for outlets and power equipment as shown on Exhibit 1-E and defined by AEC.
Electrical outlets shall be supplied throughout the facility as is required by code and as shown on Exhibit 1-E. All SO cord drops (those not shown on a column or perimeter wall) shall have dedicated circuits (TBD). Column receptacles and dock outlets shall be branched.
All wiring shall be made of copper with the following exceptions: The use of aluminum conductors may be used for the high volotage feeders. All panel buses shall be minimum 42 circuits per panel capacity and the use of an aluminum bus is acceptable.
A total of (64) battery-charging stations must be provided per Exhibit 1-E. The appropriate number of 480 volt, three-phase, 20 amp circuits should be provided to feed the chargers in each area, one circuit per (2) chargers. Each circuit should be provided with its own breaker.
B-8
H.V.A.C. {TC \L1 “14.0 H.V.A.C.}
OFFICE AREAS (GENERAL AND WAREHOUSE)
In all office areas an appropriate heating, ventilating and air conditioning system shall be provided by Developer. At a minimum, the system shall be designed to maintain, with normal tolerances, an average temperature of 75°F inside at 5O% relative humidity when the outside temperature is 95°F. During the winter season the system will be capable of maintaining a minimum temperature of 70°F when the outside temperature is 0°F.
WAREHOUSE AREAS
Heating for the warehouse areas will be accomplished by 3 roof top mounted Cambridge units. Developer specifically excludes air-conditioning or cooling equipment in the warehouse areas.
The facility is to be designed to maintain a differential of 60°F when the outside temperature is 0°F.
If necessary to meet the requirements of Section 14.2.2, ceiling mounted suspended unit heaters shall be provided in loading areas and other areas as necessary to supplement main heating units.
Provide air-conditioning in office areas in accordance with local standard practice but at a minimum to achieve and maintain 75°F inside at 95°F outside in all office areas.
VENTILATION
The required amount of air changes shall be provided per code or a minimum 3 changes per hour.
Ventilation will be provided for toilet as per code.
MISCELLANEOUS {TC \L1 “15.0 MISCELLANEOUS}
FIRE ALARM SYSTEM
A central control panel is to be provided by the Developer in the Main Office (to be specifically located by AEC) to monitor all sprinkler risers and smoke detectors, and manual pull stations. Proposed system features should be provided to AEC for approval.
Developer shall provide a $200,000 allowance for security systems to be specified by AEC at a later time.
ENTRY/EXIT POINTS
Employee and visitor entry/exit to the building will be by way of entrances into the general offices and employee services areas per Exhibit 1 C. Entrances should be of a single door configuration, with stairs and appropriate handicap access ramp from the ground level to allow for ingress/egress.
Two trucker entrances will be needed (one on each side of building) with external entrances and stairways. The entrances should be equipped with a remote latch release system.
B-9
Additional access and egress points to be provided per code and specifications requirements.
BATTERY CHARGING AREA
In battery charging area(s) (3), as shown on Exhibit 1-D, provide all requirements per all applicable codes, including eyewash stations, air ventilation, floor drain, and acid proof epoxy floor coatings.
CAULKING
Provide caulking at windows, exterior doors, control joints, exterior and interior joints between exterior wall panels, etc. Slab control joint caulking will be provided only as per 3.5.1 above.
PROTECTION
Track guards and bollards shall be provided as appropriate to afford adequate protection for interior components including the (32} truck dock doors, sprinkler risers, and rain leaders, etc.
MAINTENANCE AREA
Provide fence around maintenance area as shown TBD using 10’ high chain link fence.
AIR COMPRESSOR ROOM
Construct 440 SF (22’2” x 20’) area as shown on Exhibit l-C. with double door configuration and an appropriate exhaust fan to provide ventilation to the room. Ceiling and lighting to be provided.
COMPRESSED AIR LINES
Developer shall provide 1 1/2” copper or aluminum compressed air lines including regular ball joints and isolation valves as shown on Exhibit 1-C to be installed at a height greater than 36 ft.
COMPRESSOR AND DRYERS
Developer shall provide a $50,000 allowance for a dual screw compressor system with redundant dryers. Specifications will be provided by AEC.
MISC FINISHES / MINIMUM DESIGN CRITERIA {TC \L1” 16.0 MISC FINISHES/MINIMUM DESIGN CRITERIA}
PAINTING
All exposed metal doors and woodwork shall be primed and given two coats of paint.
All structural steel shall receive a minimum of one shop coat of primer or equivalent.
DOORS AND HARDWARE
All interior doors leading to the warhouse or exterior shall be hollow metal, hung in hollow metal frames. All other interior doors will be made of wood and hung in hollow metal frames.
B-10
Hardware shall be Yale, Schlage or equivalent.
Panic hardware to be installed where required by code and on all exterior warehouse personnel doors. Developer to include panic hardware at four (4) personnel doors total.
PLUMBING
Plumbing fixtures shall be the conventional type, as manufactured by American Standard or equal.
PAVING
Minimum design criteria for asphalt paving for car and truck access and parking should be to code.
GUARANTEES {TC \L1 “18.0 GUARANTEES}
Developer shall provide a minimum of a one-year guarantee from the date of substantial completion and receipt of Certificate of Occupancy or equivalent in connection with the construction, including all equipment, materials and labor.
All additional guarantees should be noted in the proposal.
B-11
EXHIBIT C
COMMENCEMENT DATE MEMORANDUM
With respect to that certain lease (“Lease”) dated _________, 2008, between Alliance Entertainment, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Tenant”), and Cedar Grove – Crossdock, LLC, a Kentucky limited liability company (“Landlord”), whereby Landlord leased to Tenant and Tenant leased from Landlord approximately 404,039 rentable square feet of the building located at 300 Omicron Court, Sheperdsville, Kentucky 40165 (“Premises”), Tenant hereby acknowledges and certifies to Landlord as follows:
(1) Landlord delivered possession of the Premises to Tenant Substantially Complete on __________________ (“Possession Date”);
(2) The Lease commenced on __________________ (“Commencement Date”);
(3) The Premises contain ____________square feet of space; and
(4) Tenant has accepted and is currently in possession of the Premises and the Premises are acceptable for Tenant’s use.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Commencement Date Memorandum is executed this ____ day of ___________, 2008.
| “Tenant” | |||
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| Alliance Entertainment, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company | |||
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C-1
EXHIBIT D
PROHIBITED USES
The following types of operations and activities are expressly prohibited on the Premises:
| 1. | automobile/truck maintenance, repair or fueling; |
| | |
| 2. | battery manufacturing or reclamation; |
| | |
| 3. | ceramics and jewelry manufacturing or finishing; |
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| 4. | chemical (organic or inorganic) storage, use or manufacturing; |
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| 5. | drum recycling; |
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| 6. | dry cleaning; |
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| 7. | electronic components manufacturing; |
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| 8, | electroplating and metal finishing; |
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| 9. | explosives manufacturing, use or storage; |
| | |
| 10. | hazardous waste treatment, storage, or disposal; |
| | |
| 11. | leather production, tanning or finishing; |
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| 12. | machinery and tool manufacturing; |
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| 13. | medical equipment manufacturing and hospitals; |
| | |
| 14. | metal shredding, recycling or reclamation; |
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| 15. | metal smelting and refining; |
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| 16. | mining; |
| | |
| 17. | paint, pigment and coating operations; |
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| 18. | petroleum refining; |
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| 19. | plastic and synthetic materials manufacturing; |
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| 20. | solvent reclamation; |
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| 21. | tire and rubber manufacturing; |
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| 22. | above- and/or underground storage tanks; and |
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| 23. | residential use or occupancy. |
D-1
EXHIBIT E
RULES AND REGULATIONS
Landlord to Provide
E-1
EXHIBIT F
GUARANTY AGREEMENT
THIS GUARANTY AGREEMENT (this “Guaranty”) is made as of December 14, 2007, by SOURCE INTERLINK COMPANIES, INC., a Delaware corporation, with its principal place of business at 27500 Riverview Center Blvd., Bonita Springs, Florida 34134 (“Source”), in favor of Cedar Grove-Crossdock, LLC (the “Landlord”).
PREAMBLE
A.Alliance Entertainment, LLC (“Tenant”) has (I) entered into a lease agreement dated as of December 14, 2007, with Landlord, covering certain commercial space and parking storage space located at 300 Omicron Court, Shepherdsville, Kentucky 41065 (the “Lease”), as more particularly described in the Lease,
B.It is a condition to Landlord’s entering into the Lease with Tenant, that Guarantor acts as guarantor of Tenant’s obligations under the Lease for the Term of the Lease (as defined in the Lease) and agrees to be unconditionally liable for, and guarantee the (a) full and punctual payment of any and all Rent (as defined in the Lease) and other sums of money required to be paid to the Landlord by the Tenant under the Lease; and (b) the performance of and compliance by the Tenant with all of the covenants, conditions and agreements contained in the Lease.
Therefore, in consideration of the obligations of Tenant to the Landlord, and intending to be legally bound hereby, Source agrees as follows:
19.Guaranty. Source hereby unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees the full and punctual payment when due of all obligations of Tenant to the Landlord under the Lease and the faithful and prompt performance of Tenant of each and every one of the terms and conditions of the Lease (the “Obligations”). This is a guaranty of payment and performance and not merely of collection. The liability of Source under this Guaranty shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be discharged except by valid, final and irrevocable payment of the Obligations. This Guaranty shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any payment of any of the Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by the Landlord upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of Tenant, all as though such payment has not been made. If a declaration of default or other exercise of or condition to exercise of rights under or in connection with the Lease or any Obligation is stayed, enjoined, delayed or prevented for any reason (including, without limitation, any bankruptcy or insolvency law), Source agrees that for purposes of this Guaranty the Obligations shall be deemed to have been declared in default or accelerated and Source liable hereunder with no further action required.
20.Waiver. Source hereby unconditionally waives: (a) promptness, diligence, notice of acceptance and any other notice with respect to any of the Obligations and this Guaranty; (b) presentment for payment, notice of non-payment, demand, protest, notice of protest and notice of dishonor or default to any party including Source and any requirement that the Landlord exhaust any right or take any action against Assignee or any other person or entity; (c) all other notices to which Source may be entitled but which may be legally waived; and (d) demand for payment as a condition of liability under this Guaranty. The Lease may be amended by the Parties thereto without the consent of Source, and Landlord reserves the right to proceed against Source without first being required to proceed against Tenant. Any assignment of the Lease with or without the Landlord’s consent shall not release Source from any of its obligations hereunder.
21.Miscellaneous.
(a)Amendments. This Guaranty may be amended only by a writing signed by Source and the Landlord, and any such amendment shall be effective only to the extent specifically set forth in such writing.
(b)Assignment. Source shall not assign, pledge or otherwise transfer any of its rights, interest or obligations hereunder, whether by operation of law or otherwise. Landlord may assign its rights hereunder to any transferee of the Building. Any Mortgagee that takes title to the Building by foreclosure or deed in lien thereof, shall succeed to Landlord’s rights hereunder.
(c)Counterparts; Telefacsimile Execution. This Guaranty may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which, when so executed, shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall constitute but one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Guaranty by telefacsimile shall be equally as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Guaranty. Any party delivering an executed counterpart of this Guaranty by telefacsimile also shall deliver a manually executed counterpart of this Guaranty, but the failure to deliver a manually executed counterpart shall not affect the validity, enforceability or binding effect of this Guaranty.
(d)Entire Agreement. This Guaranty contains the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby and supersedes all prior written and oral agreements, and all contemporaneous oral agreements, relating to such transactions.
(e)Governing Law. This Guaranty shall be a contract under the laws of the state of New York and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of said State. The prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorney’s fees, costs and related expenses arising out of any action to enforce their respective rights under this Guaranty.
(f)Notices. Unless otherwise specifically provided herein, all notices, consents, requests, demands and other communications required or permitted hereunder (i) shall be in writing; (ii) shall be sent by messenger, certified or registered U.S. mail, a reliable express delivery service or telecopier (with a copy sent by one of the foregoing means), charges prepaid as applicable, to the appropriate address(es) or number(s) set forth below; and (iii) shall be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt by the addressee (or, if the date of receipt is not a business day, on the first business day after the date of receipt), as evidenced by (A) a receipt executed by the addressee (or a responsible person in his or her office), the records of the person delivering such communication or a notice to the effect that such addressee refused to claim or accept such communication, if sent by messenger, U.S. mail or express delivery service, or (B) a receipt generated by the sender’s telecopier showing that such communication was sent to the appropriate number on a specified date, if sent by telecopier. All such communications shall be sent to the following addresses or numbers, or to such other addresses or numbers as either party may inform the other by giving five business days’ prior notice:
if to Source: | If to Landlord: |
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Source Interlink Companies., Inc. | Cedar Grove – Crossdock, LLC |
(g)Severability. Any provision of this Guaranty which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining portions hereof or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.
(h)Successors and Assigns. This Guaranty shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of each of the parties and their respective heirs, successors and permitted assigns.
(i)Waiver of Jury Trial. Each party hereby waives the right to a trial by jury in any court and in any action or proceeding of any type as to all matters and things arising out of or relating to this Guaranty. Each party expressly acknowledges that this is a commercial transaction, that the foregoing provisions for waiver of jury trial have been read, understood and voluntarily agreed to and that by agreeing to such provisions it is waiving important legal rights.
-2-
(j)Waivers. The due performance or observance by Source of its obligations hereunder shall not be waived, and the rights and remedies of the Landlord hereunder shall not be affected, by any course of dealing or performance or by any delay or failure of the Landlord in exercising any such right or remedy. The due performance or observance by Source of any of its obligations hereunder may be waived only by a writing signed by the Landlord, and any such waiver shall be effective only to the extent specifically set forth in such writing.
[signature page follows]
-3-
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO GUARANTY AGREEMENT]
| SOURCE INTERLINK COMPANIES, INC. | |
| ||
| By: | /s/ Marc Fierman |
| Name: | Marc Fierman |
| Title: | CFO/EVP |
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| By: |
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| Name: |
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| Title: |
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S-1
EXHIBIT G
LANDLORD’S WAIVER AND CONSENT
Source Legal to Provide
G-1
Exhibit 10.19
FIRST AMENDMENT TO LEASE AGREEMENT
This First Amendment to Lease Agreement (this “First Amendment”) is made this 18 day of January, 2013 by and between KTR LOU I LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Landlord”) and Alliance Entertainment, LLC, a Delaware limited liability Company (“Tenant”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, Cedar Grove-Crossdock, LLC, a Kentucky limited liability company and predecessor-in-interest to Landlord (“Original Landlord”), and Tenant entered into that certain Multi-Tenant Industrial Triple Net Lease dated as of December 14, 2007 (the “Original Lease”), whereby Original Landlord leased to Tenant, and Tenant accepted and leased from Original Landlord, certain premises consisting of approximately 404,039 rentable square feet (the “Current Premises”) in the building located at 300 Omicron Court, Shepherdsville, Kentucky (the “Building”); and
WHEREAS, Landlord, as successor-in-interest to Original Landlord, and Tenant desire to amend certain terms of the Original Lease in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth below.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the terms and provisions of this First Amendment, Landlord and Tenant agree as follows:
1. | Capitalized Terms. The Original Lease, as modified by this First Amendment, is referred to as the “Lease”. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this First Amendment shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Original Lease. |
2. | Expansion. |
2.1 Expansion Premises A. Retroactively effective as of January 1, 2013, the Current Premises shall be expanded to include that certain space located in the Building which consists of the approximately 140,548 square foot area (“Expansion Premises A”) labeled as “Expansion Premises A” on the site plan (“Site Plan”), which Site Plan is attached as Exhibit A hereto, and all references in the Lease to the “Premises” from and after January 1, 2013 shall mean the Current Premises expanded to include Expansion Premises A. Base Rent and Additional Rent applicable to Expansion Premises A shall begin to accrue effective as of January 1, 2013. From and after January 1, 2013, Tenant’s Share shall be increased to 82.3%.
2.2 Expansion Premises B and Expansion Premises C. As of the date hereof, pursuant to the terms of an agreement (the “Amazon Agreement”) by and between Landlord and Amazon.com kydc LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Amazon”), Amazon occupies approximately 117,500 rentable square feet in the Building, consisting of (i) the approximately 47,000 square foot area (“Expansion Premises B”) labeled as “Expansion Premises B” on the Site Plan, and (ii) the approximately 70,500 square foot area (“Expansion Premises C”) labeled as “Expansion Premises C” on the Site Plan.
1
The term of the Amazon Agreement is scheduled to expire (a) on July 31, 2013 with respect to Expansion Premises B, and (b) on or before April 30, 2014 with respect to Expansion Premises C. Accordingly, (I) the “Expansion Premises B Commencement Date” shall be August 1, 2013, and (II) the “Expansion Premises C Commencement Date” shall be the first business day following the date on which Amazon has vacated Expansion Premises C, but in no event shall the Expansion Premises C Commencement Date occur prior to August 1, 2013; provided, however, (A) in the event Amazon has not vacated Expansion Premises B as of July 31, 2013, then the Expansion Premises B Commencement Date shall automatically be extended until the first business day following the date on which Amazon has vacated Expansion Premises B, and (B) in the event Amazon has not vacated Expansion Premises C as of April 30, 2014, then the Expansion Premises C Commencement Date shall automatically be extended until the first business day following the date on which Amazon has vacated Expansion Premises C. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (y) in the event Amazon fails to vacate Expansion Premises B on or prior to November 30, 2013 (the “Expansion B and C Drop Dead Date”), notwithstanding Landlord’s good faith and commercially reasonable efforts to cause Amazon to vacate Expansion Premises B in accordance with the Amazon Agreement, Tenant shall have the right to terminate this First Amendment as it relates solely to Expansion Premises B and Expansion Premises C by giving written notice to Landlord of its intention to do so (an “Expansion B and C Termination Notice”) not later than fifteen (15) days after the Expansion B and C Drop Dead Date, and (z) in the event Amazon fails to vacate Expansion Premises C on or prior to September 1, 2014 (the “Expansion C Drop Dead Date”), notwithstanding Landlord’s good faith and commercially reasonable efforts to cause Amazon to vacate in accordance with the Amazon Agreement, Tenant shall have the right to terminate this First Amendment as it relates solely to Expansion Premises C by giving written notice to Landlord of its intention to do so (an “Expansion C Termination Notice”) not later than fifteen (15) days after the Expansion C Drop Dead Date.
In the event Tenant timely delivers to Landlord an Expansion B and C Termination Notice in accordance with this Section 2.2, thereafter neither Landlord nor Tenant shall have any obligations whatsoever to the other hereunder with respect to Expansion Premises B and Expansion Premises C. In the event Tenant timely delivers to Landlord an Expansion C Termination Notice in accordance with this Section 2.2, thereafter neither Landlord nor Tenant shall have any obligations whatsoever to the other hereunder with respect to Expansion Premises C.
In addition, in the event an Expansion B and C Termination Notice is properly delivered in accordance herewith, Landlord shall, at Tenant’s request, (i) promptly replace the fence that currently separates Expansion Premises A and Expansion Premises B with a demising wall, and (ii) at Tenant’s request, remove the demising wall which currently separates the Current Premises from Expansion Premises A. Effective as of (i) the Expansion Premises B Commencement Date, the Premises shall be expanded to include Expansion Premises B and all references in the Lease to the “Premises” from and after the Expansion Premises B Commencement Date shall mean the Premises expanded to include Expansion Premises B, and (ii) the Expansion Premises C Commencement Date, the Premises shall be expanded to include Expansion Premises C and all references in the Lease to the “Premises” from and after the Expansion Premises C Commencement Date shall mean the Premises expanded to include Expansion Premises C. From and after the Expansion Premises B Commencement Date, Tenant’s Share shall be increased to 89.4% and from and after the Expansion Premises C Commencement Date, Tenant’s Share shall be increased to 100%. Landlord shall not amend or alter, or waive or reinstate any provision of, the Amazon Agreement, or enter into any alternative agreement with Amazon or any affiliate of Amazon, which in any such case would have the effect of extending Amazon’s rights to occupy Expansion Premises B or Expansion Premises C beyond those rights which Amazon currently has pursuant to the current Amazon Agreement.
2
2.3Base Rent. Effective as of January 1, 2013, the schedule of Base Rent shall be and is hereby revised as follows:
Period* |
| Monthly Base Rent | |
January 1, 2013 – July 31, 2013 |
| $ | 174,721.66 |
August 1, 2013 – August 31, 2013 |
| $ | 189,800.83 |
September 1,2013 – April 30, 2014 |
| $ | 209,027.41 |
May 1, 2014 – August 31, 2018 |
| $ | 233,937.41 |
*The schedule of Base Rent set forth above assumes an Expansion Premises B Commencement Date of August 1, 2013 and Expansion Premises C Commencement Date of May 1, 2014. In the event that the Expansion Premises B Commencement Date occurs after August 1, 2013, then the schedule of Base Rent set forth above shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect the commencement of payment of Base Rent for Expansion Premises B upon the occurrence of the Expansion Premises B Commencement Date. In the event that the Expansion Premises C Commencement Date occurs either before or after May 1, 2014, then the schedule of Base Rent set forth above shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect the commencement of payment of Base Rent for Expansion Premises C upon the occurrence of the Expansion Premises C Commencement Date.
3. | Additional Rent. Tenant shall continue to pay Additional Rent as set forth in the Original Lease; provided, however, (i) effective from and after January 1, 2013, Tenant shall pay Additional Rent to Landlord with respect to Expansion Premises A, (ii) from and after the Expansion Premises B Commencement Date, Tenant shall pay Additional Rent to Landlord with respect to Expansion Premises B, and (iii) from and after the Expansion Premises C Commencement Date, Tenant shall pay Additional Rent to Landlord with respect to Expansion Premises C. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in the Original Lease, (i) for purposes of calculating the cap on increases in controllable Operating Expenses (as described in Section 6.2 of the Original Lease), for the period of January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013, Landlord shall include an estimate of the controllable Operating Expenses that would have been applicable to Expansion Premises A for the period of January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012, (ii) for purposes of calculating the cap on increases in controllable Operating Expenses for the period commencing on the Expansion Premises B Commencement Date and continuing through the date that is one (1) year after the occurrence of the Expansion Premises B Commencement Date, Landlord shall include an estimate of the controllable Operating Expenses that would have been applicable to Expansion Premises B for the one-year period preceding the Expansion Premises B Commencement Date, and (iii) for purposes of calculating the cap on increases in controllable Operating Expenses for the period commencing on the Expansion Premises C Commencement Date and continuing through the date that is one (1) year after the occurrence of the Expansion Premises C Commencement Date, Landlord shall include an estimate of the controllable Operating Expenses that would have been applicable to Expansion Premises C for the one-year period preceding the Expansion Premises C Commencement Date. |
3
4. | Landlord Work Items. Landlord, at Landlord’s sole cost, shall perform the following work items with respect to Expansion Premises A, Expansion Premises B and Expansion Premises C: |
4.1 | Expansion Premises A. As soon as is reasonably practical, Landlord shall (i) cut two (2) openings in the demising wall separating the Current Premises and Expansion Premises A at the locations to be mutually agreed upon by Landlord and Tenant, (ii) seal the warehouse floor in Expansion Premises A, (iii) cause the electric utilities to be separately metered, (iv) provide lighting to 30 foot candles throughout the unracked shell Expansion Premises A, and (v) fill or smooth the transition floor located at the two (2) openings in the demising wall to industry standards. |
4.2 | Expansion Premises B. As soon as is reasonably practical after the Expansion Premises B Commencement Date, Landlord shall (i) remove the fence separating Expansions Premises A and Expansion Premises B, (ii) cause the electric utilities to be separately metered, (iii) provide lighting to 30 foot candles throughout the unracked shell Expansion Premises B, (iv) promptly remove the demising wall separating the Current Premises and Expansion Premises A, and (v) promptly fill or smooth the transition floor separating the Current Premises and Expansion Premises A to industry standards. |
4.3 | Expansion Premises C. As soon as is reasonably practical after the Expansion Premises C Commencement Date, Landlord shall (i) cause the electric utilities to be separately metered, (ii) provide lighting to 30 foot candles throughout the unracked shell Expansion Premises C, and (iii) promptly remove the demising wall separating Expansion Premises B and Expansion Premises C. |
5. | Security Allowance. Expansion Premises A and Expansion Premises B are separated by a fence and Tenant intends to install additional security and surveillance equipment, including, without limitation, three (3) closed circuit television cameras and a laser detection system (collectively, the “Security Equipment”). In the event Tenant installs the Security Equipment, Landlord shall thereafter contribute $875 per month (to be adjusted proportionately for any partial month) for the period commencing on the date on which the Security Equipment is installed and fully operational, and ending on the Expansion Premises B Commencement Date, toward the cost of the Security Equipment, provided, however, that in no event shall Landlord’s aggregate contributions toward the Security Equipment exceed $7,000. |
4
6. | Termination Option. The Termination Date is hereby extended until the date that is the last day of the calendar month that is thirty-six (36) months after the date of this First Amendment, provided, however, that immediately upon the occurrence of the Expansion Premises B Commencement Date, the Termination Date shall hereby be deemed to be extended until the date that is the last day of the calendar month that is thirty-six (36) months after the Expansion B Commencement Date. In order for Tenant to exercise the Termination Option, Tenant must deliver a Termination Notice to Landlord on or before the date that is six (6) months before the Termination Date and payment of the Termination Fee to Landlord within ninety (90) days of Tenant’s delivery of the Termination Notice to Landlord. Except as modified in this Section 5, the terms of Section 22 of the Original Lease shall remain applicable. |
7. | Deletion of Original Lease Provisions. Sections 21 and 23 of the Original Lease shall be deemed to be deleted in their entirety upon the earliest to occur of (i) the Expansion Premises C Commencement Date, (ii) the date on which an Expansion B and C Termination Notice is given by Tenant to Landlord, or (iii) the date on which an Expansion C Termination Notice is given by Tenant to Landlord. |
8. | Source Guaranty. In connection with the Original Lease, Source Interlink Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Source”), executed and delivered that certain Guaranty Agreement dated as of December 14, 2007 (the “Source Guaranty”). Tenant hereby acknowledges and agrees that Source’s obligations under the Source Guaranty remain unmodified and in full force and effect as they relate to the Original Lease and the Current Premises (and all of Tenant’s obligations and liabilities related or attributable thereto). Landlord hereby acknowledges and agrees that while the Source Guaranty continues to be applicable to the Original Lease and the Current Premises (and all of Tenant’s obligations and liabilities related or attributable thereto), all as set forth in the Source Guaranty (the “Original Guaranty Obligations”), Source’s obligations under the Source Guaranty shall hereafter continue to be limited to the Original Guaranty Obligations and Source shall have no additional obligations to Landlord with respect to Expansion Premises A, Expansion Premises B or Expansion Premises C. |
9. | Tenant’s Notice Address. Tenant’s Address for Notice, as set forth in the Original Lease, is hereby replaced in its entirety with the following: |
Alliance Entertainment, LLC
1401 NW 136th Avenue, Suite 100
Sunrise, Florida 33323
Attn: Peter Blei
Telephone: (954) 255-4405
Fax: (954) 255-4907
5
With a copy to:
Sills Cummis & Gross P.C.
One Riverfront Plaza
Newark, New Jersey 07102
Attn: Jeffrey Wasserman, Esq.
Telephone: (973) 643-5879
Fax: (973) 643-6500
And with a copy to:
Project Panther Acquisition Corporation
360 North Cresent Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Attn: Eva M. Kalawski
Fax: (310) 712-1863
10. | Landlord’s Notice Address. Landlord’s Address for Notice, as set forth in the Original Lease, is hereby replaced in its entirety with the following: |
KTR LOU I LLC
5 Tower Bridge
300 Barr Harbor Drive, Suite 150
Conshohocken, PA 19428
Attn: Stephen J. Butte
Telephone: (484) 530-1843
Fax: (484) 530-1888
With a copy to:
Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg LLP
200 West Madison Avenue, Suite 3900
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attn: Mark J. Beaubien
Telephone: (312) 629-5137
Fax: (312) 984-3150
11. | Brokerage. Landlord shall pay a brokerage commission to Landlord’s Broker and to Tenant’s Broker specified in the Basic Lease Information in the Original Lease in accordance with separate agreements between Landlord and Landlord’s Broker and Tenant’s Broker. Landlord shall have no further or separate obligation for payment of any commissions or fees to any other broker or finder. Landlord warrants to Tenant that Landlord’s sole contact with Tenant or with the Premises in connection with this transaction has been directly with Tenant, Landlord’s Broker and Tenant’s Broker specified in the Basic Lease Information in the Original Lease, and that no other broker or finder can properly claim a right to a commission or a finder’s fee based upon contacts between the claimant and Landlord. Tenant warrants to Landlord that Tenant’s sole contact with Landlord or with the Premises in connection with this transaction has been directly with Landlord, Landlord’s Broker and Tenant’s Broker specified in the Basic Lease Information in the Original Lease, and that no other broker or finder can properly claim a right to a commission or a finder’s fee based upon contacts between the claimant and Tenant. Subject to the foregoing, Tenant agrees to indemnify and hold Landlord harmless from any claims or liability, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, in connection with a claim by any person for a real, estate broker’s commission, finder’s fee or other compensation based upon any statement, representation or agreement of Tenant, and Landlord agrees to indemnify and hold Tenant harmless from any such claims or liability, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, based upon any statement, representation or agreement of Landlord. |
6
12. | Miscellaneous. Except as modified herein, the Original Lease, and all of the terms and provisions thereof, shall remain unmodified and in full force and effect. In the event of any conflict between the Original Lease and this First Amendment, the terms of this First Amendment shall prevail. This First Amendment is incorporated into and made a part of the Lease, and any and all references to the Lease hereafter shall include this First Amendment. This First Amendment represents the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject hereof and supersedes all prior negotiations, either written or oral, including but not limited to any letters of intent. The Recitals set forth in the preamble to this First Amendment are incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this First Amendment. |
13. | Representations. Each party represents and warrants to the other that (i) all action necessary to authorize the execution of this First Amendment has been taken by such party and (ii) the individual executing and delivering this First Amendment on behalf of such party has been authorized to do so, and such execution and delivery shall bind such party. |
14. | Counterparts; Facsimile. This First Amendment may be executed in two (2) or more counterparts, each of which shall be considered an original and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute one (1) instrument. A facsimile or electronic pdf counterpart of this First Amendment shall be deemed an original for all relevant purposes. |
[Signature Pages Follow]
7
| TENANT: | |
|
| |
| ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT, LLC, a Delaware limited liability | |
|
| |
|
|
|
| By: | /s/ George W. Campagna |
| Its: | CFO |
S-2
EXHIBIT A
SITE PLAN
A-1
Exhibit 10.20
SECOND AMENDMENT TO LEASE AGREEMENT
This Second Amendment to Lease Agreement (this “Second Amendment”) is made this 1st day of August, 2014, by and between KTR LOU I LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Landlord”) and Alliance Entertainment, LLC, a Delaware limited liability Company (“Tenant”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, Cedar Grove-Crossdock, LLC, a Kentucky limited liability company and predecessor-in-interest to Landlord (“Original Landlord”), and Tenant entered into that certain Multi-Tenant Industrial Triple Net Lease dated as of December 14, 2007 (the “Initial Lease”), whereby Original Landlord leased to Tenant, and Tenant accepted and leased from Original Landlord, certain premises consisting of approximately 404,039 rentable square feet (the “Original Premises”) in the building located at 300 Omicron Court, Shepherdsville, Kentucky; and
WHEREAS, Landlord, as successor-in-interest to Original Landlord, and Tenant entered into that certain First Amendment to Lease Agreement dated January 18, 2013 (the “First Amendment”, and together with the Initial Lease, the “Original Lease”); and
WHEREAS, Expansion Premises B has been heretofore accepted by Tenant as having been delivered in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Original Lease, as evidenced by that certain Acceptance Agreement dated December 3, 2013, by and between Landlord and Tenant, and
WHEREAS, Landlord and Tenant desire to amend certain terms of the Original Lease in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth below.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the terms and provisions of this Second Amendment, Landlord and Tenant agree as follows:
1. | Capitalized Terms. The Original Lease, as modified by this Second Amendment, is referred to as the “Lease”. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this Second Amendment shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Original Lease. |
2. | Expanded Premises. Landlord and Tenant hereby acknowledge and agree that the Expansion Premises C Commencement Date occurred on July 1, 2014, and, as such, retroactively effective as of July 1, 2014 all references in the Lease to (i) the “Premises” shall mean, in the aggregate, the Current Premises (as defined in the First Amendment), Expansion Premises A, Expansion Premises B, and Expansion Premises C, which comprise 662,087 rentable square feet, and (ii) “Tenant’s Share” shall mean one hundred percent (100%). |
1
3. | Term. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Original Lease, the initial Term of the Lease is hereby extended for an additional period of seventy-five (75) full calendar months through November 30, 2024. |
4. | Defined Terms. The definitions of the following Lease terms are hereby amended and restated in their entirety as follows: |
a) | “Premises” means Approximately 662,087 rentable square feet as shown on Exhibit A attached to this Second Amendment. |
b) | “Term” means One Hundred Ninety-Nine (199) months. |
c) | “Guarantor(s)” means CD Listening Bar, Inc., a California corporation. |
5. | Base Rent. Retroactively effective as of July 1, 2014, the schedule of Base Rent shall be and is hereby revised as follows: |
Period |
| Monthly Base Rent | |
July 1, 2014 – November 30, 2014 |
| $ | 0.00 |
December 1, 2014 – November 30, 2015 |
| $ | 206,902.19 |
December 1, 2015 – November 30, 2016 |
| $ | 211,040.23 |
December 1, 2016 – November 30, 2017 |
| $ | 215,261.04 |
December 1, 2017 – November 30, 2018 |
| $ | 219,566.26 |
December 1, 2018 – November 30, 2019 |
| $ | 223,957.58 |
December 1, 2019 – November 30, 2020 |
| $ | 228,436.73 |
December 1, 2020 – November 30, 2021 |
| $ | 233,005.47 |
December 1, 2021 – November 30, 2022 |
| $ | 237,665.58 |
December 1, 2022 – November 30, 2023 |
| $ | 242,418.89 |
December 1, 2023 – November 30, 2024 |
| $ | 247,267.27 |
6. | Additional Rent. Notwithstanding anything contained in the Original Lease to the contrary, Tenant shall not be required to pay Tenant’s share of Operating Expenses or Real Property Taxes attributable to the period that commenced on July 1, 2014 and ends on November 30, 2014. |
7. | Options to Extend. Section 20 of the Original Lease is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows: |
“20.OPTIONS TO EXTEND.
20.1Terms of Options. If Tenant is not in material default (beyond applicable periods for notice and cure) under this Lease at the time an option to renew described below (each, a “Renewal Option”) is exercised or as of the commencement of the applicable Extension Term (as hereinafter defined), Tenant shall have the option to extend the Term for two (2) consecutive periods of five (5) years each (each, an “Extension Term” and together, the “Extension Terms”) commencing on the first day following the last day of the initial Term, or the last day of the first Extension Term, as applicable, upon the same terms and conditions as are contained in this Lease, except as otherwise hereinafter provided. Base Rent for the Extension Term shall be equal to the Fair Market Value Rental (as defined in Section 20.2). The Fair Market Value Rental shall be determined in accordance with Section 20.2. Each Renewal Option shall be exercised by written notice to Landlord given no later than nine (9) months prior to the last day of the initial Term, or the first Extension Term, as applicable, and the failure to timely exercise either such right shall mean that such rights are null and void.
2
20.2 Fair Market Rent Determination.
3
8.Deletion of Original Lease Provisions. Section 22 of the Initial Lease and Section 6 of the First Amendment are each hereby deleted in their entirety. Tenant hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Termination Option described in the Original Lease is null and void.
9.Demising Wall. Tenant may, at any time during the Term, remove the demising wall separating Expansion Premises B and Expansion Premises C (the “B/C Wall”) at Tenant’s sole cost and expense, provided that such removal may be conducted only in compliance with the terms and provisions contained in Section 10 of the Lease that are applicable to Tenant’s modifications of and/or alterations at the Premises. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything in the Lease to the contrary, (i) Tenant shall have no obligation to remove the B/C Wall, either during or upon the expiration or earlier termination of the Term, and (ii) in the event Tenant removes the B/C Wall, Tenant shall have no obligation to restore the B/C Wall at the expiration or termination of the Lease.
10.Acceptance of Premises. Tenant hereby acknowledges that (i) Landlord shall have no obligation to perform any work to the Premises, (ii) Tenant is familiar with and has inspected the Premises, and (iii) Tenant has accepted the Premises on an “AS-IS”, “WHERE-IS” basis.
11.Guaranty. It shall be a condition precedent to the effectiveness of this Second Amendment that Guarantor shall have executed and delivered to Landlord the guaranty agreement attached as Exhibit B hereto.
12.Brokerage. Landlord shall pay a brokerage commission to Tenant’s broker, CBRE/Louisville, in accordance with a separate agreement between Landlord and CBRE/Louisville. Landlord shall have no further or separate obligation for payment of any commissions or fees to any other broker or finder. Landlord warrants to Tenant that Landlord’s sole contact with Tenant in connection with the transaction described in this
4
| TENANT: | |
|
|
|
| ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| By: | /s/ George W. Campagna |
|
|
|
| Name: | George W. Campagna |
|
|
|
| Its: | CFO |
S-2
EXHIBIT A
PREMISES
A-1
EXHIBIT B
GUARANTY AGREEMENT
THIS GUARANTY AGREEMENT (this “Guaranty”) is made as of August 1st, 2014, by CD Listening Bar, Inc., a California corporation, with an address at 17822-A Gillette Ave., Irvine, CA 92614 (“Guarantor”), to KTR LOU I LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, having an office at Five Tower Bridge Road, 300 Barr Harbor Drive, Suite 150, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania 19428 (“Landlord”).
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, Cedar Grove-Crossdock, LLC, a Kentucky limited liability company and predecessor-in-interest to Landlord (“Original Landlord”), and Alliance Entertainment, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, with an office at 1401 NW 136th Avenue, Suite 100, Sunrise, Florida 33323 (“Tenant”) entered into that certain Multi-Tenant Industrial Triple Net Lease dated December 14, 2007 (the “Original Lease”), whereby Original Landlord leased to Tenant, and Tenant accepted and leased from Original Landlord, certain premises in the building located at 300 Omicron Court, Shepherdsville, Kentucky (the “Building”) as more particularly described in the Original Lease; and
WHEREAS, Landlord, as successor-in-interest to Original Landlord, and Tenant entered into that certain First Amendment to Lease Agreement dated January 18, 2013 (the “First Amendment”, and together with the Original Lease, the “Pre-Existing Lease”), whereby amending the Original Lease; and
WHEREAS, Landlord has been requested by Tenant to enter into a Second Amendment to Lease Agreement dated as of the date hereof (the “Second Amendment”; and together with the Pre-Existing Lease, the “Lease”), which Second Amendment would amend the Pre-Existing Lease. Pursuant to the Lease, Landlord would lease to Tenant, and Tenant would rent from Landlord, certain premises which includes 662,087 rentable square feet in the Building, as more particularly described in the Lease.
Tenant is a[n] [direct][indirect] wholly-owned subsidiary of Guarantor and Guarantor and will derive substantial economic benefit from the execution and delivery of the Second Amendment.
Guarantor acknowledges that Landlord would not enter into the Second Amendment unless this Guaranty accompanied the execution and delivery of the Second Amendment.
Guarantor hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Lease.
B-1
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the execution and delivery of the Second Amendment and of other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Guarantor covenants and agrees, on a fully joint and several basis, as follows:
3. | GUARANTOR’S OBLIGATIONS UNCONDITIONAL. |
B-2
B-3
B-4
B-5
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Guarantor has executed this Guaranty as of the day and year first above written.
| GUARANTOR: | |
|
|
|
| CD Listening Bar, Inc., a California corporation | |
|
|
|
| By: | /s/ George W. Campagna |
|
|
|
| Name: | George W. Campagna |
|
|
|
| Its: | CFO |
B-7
Alliance Entertainment LLC
KY Rent schedule Cash Basis
2014 |
| January |
| February |
| March |
| April |
| May |
| June |
| July |
| August |
| September |
| October |
| November |
| December |
| Total |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | 1 | | 2 | | 3 | | 4 | | 5 | | 6 |
|
| |
Total Sq. Feet |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
|
| |
Cost per Foot |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| 3.75 |
| 3.75 |
| 3.75 |
| 3.75 |
| 3.75 |
| 3.75 |
|
| |
Base Rent |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| 206,902.19 |
| 206,902.19 |
|
Management fee |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| 4,138.04 |
| 4,138.04 |
|
Cam expenses |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| 29,351.00 |
| 29,351.00 |
|
|
| - | | - |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| 240,391.23 |
| 240,391.23 |
|
2015 |
| January |
| February |
| March |
| April |
| May |
| June |
| July |
| August |
| September |
| October |
| November |
| December |
| Total |
|
|
| 7 |
| 8 |
| 9 |
| 10 |
| 11 |
| 12 |
| 13 |
| 14 |
| 15 |
| 16 |
| 17 |
| 18 |
|
| |
Total Sq. Feet |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
|
| |
Cost per Foot |
| 3.75 |
| 3.75 |
| 3.75 |
| 3.75 |
| 3.75 |
| 3.75 |
| 3.75 |
| 3.75 |
| 3.75 |
| 3.75 |
| 3.75 |
| 3.825 |
|
| |
Base Rent |
| 206,902.19 |
| 206,902.19 |
| 206,902.19 |
| 206,902.19 |
| 206,902.19 |
| 206,902.19 |
| 206,902.19 |
| 206,902.19 |
| 206,902.19 |
| 206,902.19 |
| 206,902.19 |
| 211,040.23 |
| 2,486,964.29 |
|
Management fee |
| 4,138.04 |
| 4,138.04 |
| 4,138.04 |
| 4,138.04 |
| 4,138.04 |
| 4,138.04 |
| 4,138.04 |
| 4,138.04 |
| 4,138.04 |
| 4,138.04 |
| 4,138.04 |
| 4,220.80 |
| 49,739.29 |
|
Cam expenses |
| 29,351.00 |
| 29,351.00 |
| 29,351.00 |
| 29,351.00 |
| 29,351.00 |
| 29,351.00 |
| 29,351.00 |
| 29,351.00 |
| 29,351.00 |
| 29,351.00 |
| 29,351.00 |
| 29,351.00 |
| 352,212.00 |
|
|
| 240,391.23 |
| 240,391.23 |
| 240,391.23 |
| 240,391.23 |
| 240,391.23 |
| 240,391.23 |
| 240,391.23 |
| 240,391.23 |
| 240,391.23 |
| 240,391.23 |
| 240,391.23 |
| 244,612.04 |
| 2,888,915.58 |
|
2016 |
| January |
| February |
| March |
| April |
| May |
| June |
| July |
| August |
| September |
| October |
| November |
| December |
| Total |
|
|
| 19 |
| 20 |
| 21 |
| 22 |
| 23 |
| 24 |
| 25 |
| 26 |
| 27 |
| 28 |
| 29 |
| 30 |
|
| |
Total Sq. Feet |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
|
| |
Cost per Foot |
| 3.825 |
| 3.825 |
| 3.825 |
| 3.825 |
| 3.825 |
| 3.825 |
| 3.825 |
| 3.825 |
| 3.825 |
| 3.825 |
| 3.825 |
| 3.90 |
|
| |
Base Rent |
| 211,040.23 |
| 211,040.23 |
| 211,040.23 |
| 211,040.23 |
| 211,040.23 |
| 211,040.23 |
| 211,040.23 |
| 211,040.23 |
| 211,040.23 |
| 211,040.23 |
| 211,040.23 |
| 215,261.04 |
| 2,536,703.58 |
|
Management fee |
| 4,220.80 |
| 4,220.80 |
| 4,220.80 |
| 4,220.80 |
| 4,220.80 |
| 4,220.80 |
| 4,220.80 |
| 4,220.80 |
| 4,220.80 |
| 4,220.80 |
| 4,220.80 |
| 4,305.22 |
| 50,734.07 |
|
Cam expenses |
| 30,525.04 |
| 30,525.04 |
| 30,525.04 |
| 30,525.04 |
| 30,525.04 |
| 30,525.04 |
| 30,525.04 |
| 30,525.04 |
| 30,525.04 |
| 30,525.04 |
| 30,525.04 |
| 30,525.04 |
| 366,300.48 |
|
|
| 245,789.90 |
| 245,789.90 |
| 245,789.90 |
| 245,789.90 |
| 245,789.90 |
| 245,789.90 |
| 245,789.90 |
| 245,789.90 |
| 245,789.90 |
| 245,789.90 |
| 245,789.90 |
| 250,095.20 |
| 2,953,738.13 |
|
2017 |
| January |
| February |
| March |
| April |
| May |
| June |
| July |
| August |
| September |
| October |
| November |
| December |
| Total |
|
|
| 31 |
| 32 |
| 33 |
| 34 |
| 35 |
| 36 |
| 37 |
| 38 |
| 39 |
| 40 |
| 41 |
| 42 |
|
| |
Total Sq. Feet |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
|
| |
Cost per Foot |
| 3.90 |
| 3.90 |
| 3.90 |
| 3.90 |
| 3.90 |
| 3.90 |
| 3.90 |
| 3.90 |
| 3.90 |
| 3.90 |
| 3.90 |
| 3.98 |
|
| |
Base Rent |
| 215,261.04 |
| 215,261.04 |
| 215,261.04 |
| 215,261.04 |
| 215,261.04 |
| 215,261.04 |
| 215,261.04 |
| 215,261.04 |
| 215,261.04 |
| 215,261.04 |
| 215,261.04 |
| 219,566.26 |
| 2,587,437.65 |
|
Management fee |
| 4,305.22 |
| 4,305.22 |
| 4,305.22 |
| 4,305.22 |
| 4,305.22 |
| 4,305.22 |
| 4,305.22 |
| 4,305.22 |
| 4,305.22 |
| 4,305.22 |
| 4,305.22 |
| 4,391.33 |
| 51,748.75 |
|
Cam expenses |
| 31,746.04 |
| 31,746.04 |
| 31,746.04 |
| 31,746.04 |
| 31,746.04 |
| 31,746.04 |
| 31,746.04 |
| 31,746.04 |
| 31,746.04 |
| 31,746.04 |
| 31,746.04 |
| 31,746.04 |
| 380,952.50 |
|
|
| 251,312.30 |
| 251,312.30 |
| 251,312.30 |
| 251,312.30 |
| 251,312.30 |
| 251,312.30 |
| 251,312.30 |
| 251,312.30 |
| 251,312.30 |
| 251,312.30 |
| 251,312.30 |
| 255,703.63 |
| 3,020,138.91 |
|
2018 |
| January |
| February |
| March |
| April |
| May |
| June |
| July |
| August |
| September |
| October |
| November |
| December |
| Total |
|
|
| 43 |
| 44 |
| 45 |
| 46 |
| 47 |
| 48 |
| 49 |
| 50 |
| 51 |
| 52 |
| 53 |
| 54 |
|
|
|
Total Sq. Feet |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
|
| |
Cost per Foot |
| 3.98 |
| 3.98 |
| 3.98 |
| 3.98 |
| 3.98 |
| 3.98 |
| 3.98 |
| 3.98 |
| 3.98 |
| 3.98 |
| 3.98 |
| 4.06 |
|
| |
Base Rent |
| 219,566.26 |
| 219,566.26 |
| 219,566.26 |
| 219,566.26 |
| 219,566.26 |
| 219,566.26 |
| 219,566.26 |
| 219,566.26 |
| 219,566.26 |
| 219,566.26 |
| 219,566.26 |
| 223,957.58 |
| 1,756,530.08 |
|
Management fee |
| 4,391.33 |
| 4,391.33 |
| 4,391.33 |
| 4,391.33 |
| 4,391.33 |
| 4,391.33 |
| 4,391.33 |
| 4,391.33 |
| 4,391.33 |
| 4,391.33 |
| 4,391.33 |
| 4,479.15 |
| 35,130.60 |
|
Cam expenses |
| 33,015.88 |
| 33,015.88 |
| 33,015.88 |
| 33,015.88 |
| 33,015.88 |
| 33,015.88 |
| 33,015.88 |
| 33,015.88 |
| 33,015.88 |
| 33,015.88 |
| 33,015.88 |
| 33,015.88 |
| 264,127.07 | |
| | 256,973.47 |
| 256,973.47 |
| 256,973.47 |
| 256,973.47 |
| 256,973.47 |
| 256,973.47 |
| 256,973.47 |
| 256,973.47 |
| 256,973.47 |
| 256,973.47 |
| 256,973.47 |
| 261,452.61 |
| 2,055,787.75 | |
Alliance Entertainment LLC
KY Rent schedule Cash Basis
2019 |
| January |
| February |
| March |
| April |
| May |
| June |
| July |
| August |
| September |
| October |
| November |
| December |
| Total |
|
|
| 55 |
| 56 |
| 57 |
| 58 |
| 59 |
| 60 |
| 61 |
| 62 |
| 63 |
| 64 |
| 65 |
| 66 |
|
|
|
Total Sq. Feet |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
|
| |
Cost per Foot |
| 4.06 |
| 4.06 |
| 4.06 |
| 4.06 |
| 4.06 |
| 4.06 |
| 4.06 |
| 4.06 |
| 4.06 |
| 4.06 |
| 4.06 |
| 4.14 |
|
| |
Base Rent |
| 223,957.58 |
| 223,957.58 |
| 223,957.58 |
| 223,957.58 |
| 223,957.58 |
| 223,957.58 |
| 223,957.58 |
| 223,957.58 |
| 223,957.58 |
| 223,957.58 |
| 223,957.58 |
| 228,436.73 |
| 1,791,660.64 |
|
Management fee |
| 4,479.15 |
| 4,479.15 |
| 4,479.15 |
| 4,479.15 |
| 4,479.15 |
| 4,479.15 |
| 4,479.15 |
| 4,479.15 |
| 4,479.15 |
| 4,479.15 |
| 4,479.15 |
| 4,568.73 |
| 35,833.21 |
|
Cam expenses |
| 34,336.52 |
| 34,336.52 |
| 34,336.52 |
| 34,336.52 |
| 34,336.52 |
| 34,336.52 |
| 34,336.52 |
| 34,336.52 |
| 34,336.52 |
| 34,336.52 |
| 34,336.52 |
| 34,336.52 |
| 274,692.15 |
|
|
| 262,773.25 |
| 262,773.25 |
| 262,773.25 |
| 262,773.25 |
| 262,773.25 |
| 262,773.25 |
| 262,773.25 |
| 262,773.25 |
| 262,773.25 |
| 262,773.25 |
| 262,773.25 |
| 267,341.98 |
| 2,102,186.00 |
|
2020 |
| January |
| February |
| March |
| April |
| May |
| June |
| July |
| August |
| September |
| October |
| November |
| December |
| Total |
|
|
| 67 |
| 68 |
| 69 |
| 70 |
| 71 |
| 72 |
| 73 |
| 74 |
| 75 |
| 76 |
| 77 |
| 78 |
|
|
|
Total Sq. Feet |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
|
| |
Cost per Foot |
| 4.14 |
| 4.14 |
| 4.14 |
| 4.14 |
| 4.14 |
| 4.14 |
| 4.14 |
| 4.14 |
| 4.14 |
| 4.14 |
| 4.14 |
| 4.22 |
|
| |
Base Rent |
| 228,436.73 |
| 228,436.73 |
| 228,436.73 |
| 228,436.73 |
| 228,436.73 |
| 228,436.73 |
| 228,436.73 |
| 228,436.73 |
| 228,436.73 |
| 228,436.73 |
| 228,436.73 |
| 233,005.47 |
| 1,827,493.84 |
|
Management fee |
| 4,568.73 |
| 4,568.73 |
| 4,568.73 |
| 4,568.73 |
| 4,568.73 |
| 4,568.73 |
| 4,568.73 |
| 4,568.73 |
| 4,568.73 |
| 4,568.73 |
| 4,568.73 |
| 4,660.11 |
| 36,549.88 |
|
Cam expenses |
| 35,709.98 |
| 35,709.98 |
| 35,709.98 |
| 35,709.98 |
| 35,709.98 |
| 35,709.98 |
| 35,709.98 |
| 35,709.98 |
| 35,709.98 |
| 35,709.98 |
| 35,709.98 |
| 35,709.98 |
| 285,679.83 |
|
|
| 268,715.44 |
| 268,715.44 |
| 268,715.44 |
| 268,715.44 |
| 268,715.44 |
| 268,715.44 |
| 268,715.44 |
| 268,715.44 |
| 268,715.44 |
| 268,715.44 |
| 268,715.44 |
| 273,375.56 |
| 2,149,723.55 |
|
2021 |
| January |
| February |
| March |
| April |
| May |
| June |
| July |
| August |
| September |
| October |
| November |
| December |
| Total |
|
|
| 79 |
| 80 |
| 81 |
| 82 |
| 83 |
| 84 |
| 85 |
| 86 |
| 87 |
| 88 |
| 89 |
| 90 |
|
|
|
Total Sq. Feet |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
|
| |
Cost per Foot |
| 4.22 |
| 4.22 |
| 4.22 |
| 4.22 |
| 4.22 |
| 4.22 |
| 4.22 |
| 4.22 |
| 4.22 |
| 4.22 |
| 4.22 |
| 4.31 |
|
| |
Base Rent |
| 233,005.47 |
| 233,005.47 |
| 233,005.47 |
| 233,005.47 |
| 233,005.47 |
| 233,005.47 |
| 233,005.47 |
| 233,005.47 |
| 233,005.47 |
| 233,005.47 |
| 233,005.47 |
| 237,665.58 |
| 1,864,043.76 |
|
Management fee |
| 4,660.11 |
| 4,660.11 |
| 4,660.11 |
| 4,660.11 |
| 4,660.11 |
| 4,660.11 |
| 4,660.11 |
| 4,660.11 |
| 4,660.11 |
| 4,660.11 |
| 4,660.11 |
| 4,753.31 |
| 37,280.88 |
|
Cam expenses |
| 37,138.38 |
| 37,138.38 |
| 37,138.38 |
| 37,138.38 |
| 37,138.38 |
| 37,138.38 |
| 37,138.38 |
| 37,138.38 |
| 37,138.38 |
| 37,138.38 |
| 37,138.38 |
| 37,138.38 |
| 297,107.03 |
|
|
| 274,803.96 |
| 274,803.96 |
| 274,803.96 |
| 274,803.96 |
| 274,803.96 |
| 274,803.96 |
| 274,803.96 |
| 274,803.96 |
| 274,803.96 |
| 274,803.96 |
| 274,803.96 |
| 279,557.27 |
| 2,198,431.66 |
|
2022 |
| January |
| February |
| March |
| April |
| May |
| June |
| July |
| August |
| September |
| October |
| November |
| December |
| Total |
|
|
| 91 |
| 92 |
| 93 |
| 94 |
| 95 |
| 96 |
| 97 |
| 98 |
| 99 |
| 100 |
| 101 |
| 102 |
| |
|
Total Sq. Feet |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
|
| |
Cost per Foot |
| 4.31 |
| 4.31 |
| 4.31 |
| 4.31 |
| 4.31 |
| 4.31 |
| 4.31 |
| 4.31 |
| 4.31 |
| 4.31 |
| 4.31 |
| 4.39 |
|
| |
Base Rent |
| 237,665.58 |
| 237,665.58 |
| 237,665.58 |
| 237,665.58 |
| 237,665.58 |
| 237,665.58 |
| 237,665.58 |
| 237,665.58 |
| 237,665.58 |
| 237,665.58 |
| 237,665.58 |
| 242,418.89 |
| 1,901,324.64 |
|
Management fee |
| 4,753.31 |
| 4,753.31 |
| 4,753.31 |
| 4,753.31 |
| 4,753.31 |
| 4,753.31 |
| 4,753.31 |
| 4,753.31 |
| 4,753.31 |
| 4,753.31 |
| 4,753.31 |
| 4,848.38 |
| 38,026.49 |
|
Cam expenses |
| 38,623.91 |
| 38,623.91 |
| 38,623.91 |
| 38,623.91 |
| 38,623.91 |
| 38,623.91 |
| 38,623.91 |
| 38,623.91 |
| 38,623.91 |
| 38,623.91 |
| 38,623.91 |
| 38,623.91 |
| 308,991.31 |
|
|
| 281,042.81 |
| 281,042.81 |
| 281,042.81 |
| 281,042.81 |
| 281,042.81 |
| 281,042.81 |
| 281,042.81 |
| 281,042.81 |
| 281,042.81 |
| 281,042.81 |
| 281,042.81 |
| 285,891.18 |
| 2,248,342.44 |
|
2023 |
| January |
| February |
| March |
| April |
| May |
| June |
| July |
| August |
| September |
| October |
| November |
| December |
| Total |
|
|
| 103 |
| 104 |
| 105 |
| 106 |
| 107 |
| 108 |
| 109 |
| 110 |
| 111 |
| 112 |
| 113 |
| 114 |
|
| |
Total Sq. Feet |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
|
| |
Cost per Foot |
| 4.39 |
| 4.39 |
| 4.39 |
| 4.39 |
| 4.39 |
| 4.39 |
| 4.39 |
| 4.39 |
| 4.39 |
| 4.39 |
| 4.39 |
| 4.48 |
| | |
Base Rent |
| 242,418.89 |
| 242,418.89 |
| 242,418.89 |
| 242,418.89 |
| 242,418.89 |
| 242,418.89 |
| 242,418.89 |
| 242,418.89 |
| 242,418.89 |
| 242,418.89 |
| 242,418.89 |
| 247,267.27 |
| 1,939,351.12 | |
Management fee |
| 4,848.38 |
| 4,848.38 |
| 4,848.38 |
| 4,848.38 |
| 4,848.38 |
| 4,848.38 |
| 4,848.38 |
| 4,848.38 |
| 4,848.38 |
| 4,848.38 |
| 4,848.38 |
| 4,945.35 |
| 38,787.02 | |
Cam expenses |
| 40,168.87 |
| 40,168.87 |
| 40,168.87 |
| 40,168.87 |
| 40,168.87 |
| 40,168.87 |
| 40,168.87 |
| 40,168.87 |
| 40,168.87 |
| 40,168.87 |
| 40,168.87 |
| 40,168.87 |
| 321,350.96 | |
| | 287,436.14 |
| 287,436.14 |
| 287,436.14 |
| 287,436.14 |
| 287,436.14 |
| 287,436.14 |
| 287,436.14 |
| 287,436.14 |
| 287,436.14 |
| 287,436.14 |
| 287,436.14 |
| 292,381.49 |
| 2,299,489.10 | |
2024 |
| January |
| February |
| March |
| April |
| May |
| June |
| July |
| August |
| September |
| October |
| November |
|
|
| Total |
|
|
| 115 |
| 116 |
| 117 |
| 118 |
| 119 |
| 120 |
| 121 |
| 122 |
| 123 |
| 124 |
| 125 |
|
|
|
| |
Total Sq. Feet |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
| 662,087 |
|
|
| ||
Cost per Foot |
| 4.48 |
| 4.48 |
| 4.48 |
| 4.48 |
| 4.48 |
| 4.48 |
| 4.48 |
| 4.48 |
| 4.48 |
| 4.48 |
| 4.48 |
|
|
| ||
Base Rent |
| 247,267.27 |
| 247,267.27 |
| 247,267.27 |
| 247,267.27 |
| 247,267.27 |
| 247,267.27 |
| 247,267.27 |
| 247,267.27 |
| 247,267.27 |
| 247,267.27 |
| 247,267.27 |
|
| 1,978,138.16 |
| |
Management fee |
| 4,945.35 |
| 4,945.35 |
| 4,945.35 |
| 4,945.35 |
| 4,945.35 |
| 4,945.35 |
| 4,945.35 |
| 4,945.35 |
| 4,945.35 |
| 4,945.35 |
| 4,945.35 |
|
| 39,562.76 |
| |
Cam expenses |
| 41,775.63 |
| 41,775.63 |
| 41,775.63 |
| 41,775.63 |
| 41,775.63 |
| 41,775.63 |
| 41,775.63 |
| 41,775.63 |
| 41,775.63 |
| 41,775.63 |
| 41,775.63 |
|
| 334,205.00 |
| |
|
| 293,988.24 |
| 293,988.24 |
| 293,988.24 |
| 293,988.24 |
| 293,988.24 |
| 293,988.24 |
| 293,988.24 |
| 293,988.24 |
| 293,988.24 |
| 293,988.24 |
| 293,988.24 |
|
| 2,351,905.92 |
|
Exhibit 10.21
GUARANTY AGREEMENT
THIS GUARANTY AGREEMENT (this “Guaranty”) is made as of November 9, 2012, by Project Panther Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation, with its principal place of business at 360 North Crescent Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 (“Guarantor”), in favor of KTR LOU I LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Landlord”).
PREAMBLE
A.Alliance Entertainment, LLC (“Tenant”) entered into a lease agreement dated as of December 14, 2007, with Cedar Grove-Crossdock, LLC, predecessor-in-interest to Landlord, covering certain commercial space and parking storage space located at 300 Omicron Court, Shepherdsville, Kentucky 41065 (the “Original Lease”), as more particularly described in the Original Lease.
B.Landlord and Tenant have entered into that certain First Amendment to Lease Agreement of even date herewith (the “First Amendment”), pursuant to which the Original Lease has been amended, to, among other things, (i) expand the Premises (as defined in the Original Lease) to include Expansion Premises A (as defined in the First Amendment), (ii) further expand the Premises, effective as of a later date, to include Expansion Premises B (as defined in the First Amendment), and (iii) further expand the Premises, effective as of a later date, to include Expansion Premises C (as defined in the First Amendment), as contemplated in the First Amendment. The Original Lease, as amended by the First Amendment is herein referred to as the “Lease” and all capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined hereinafter shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Lease.
C.It is a condition to Landlord’s entering into the First Amendment with Tenant, that Guarantor acts as guarantor of Tenant’s obligations under the Lease for the Term of the Lease and agrees to be unconditionally liable for, and guarantee the (a) full and punctual payment of any and all Rent and other sums of money required to be paid to the Landlord by the Tenant under the Lease, and (b) the performance of and compliance by the Tenant with all of the covenants, conditions and agreements contained in the Lease.
Therefore, in consideration of the obligations of Tenant to the Landlord, and intending to be legally bound hereby, Guarantor agrees as follows:
1.Guaranty. Guarantor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees the full and punctual payment when due of all obligations of Tenant to the Landlord under the Lease and the faithful and prompt performance of Tenant of each and every one of the terms and conditions of the Lease (the “Obligations”). This is a guaranty of payment and performance and not merely of collection. The liability of Guarantor under this Guaranty shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be discharged except by valid, final and irrevocable payment of the Obligations. This Guaranty shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any payment of any of the Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by the Landlord upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of Tenant, all as though such payment has not been made. If a declaration of default or other exercise of or condition to exercise of rights under or in connection with the Lease or any Obligation is stayed, enjoined, delayed or prevented for any reason (including, without limitation, any bankruptcy or insolvency law). Guarantor agrees that for purposes of this Guaranty the Obligations shall be deemed to have been declared in default or accelerated and Guarantor liable hereunder with no further action required.
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2.Waiver. Guarantor hereby unconditionally waives: (a) promptness, diligence, notice of acceptance and any other notice with respect to any of the Obligations and this Guaranty; (b) presentment for payment, notice of non-payment, demand, protest, notice of protest and notice of dishonor or default to any party including Guarantor and any requirement that the Landlord exhaust any right or take any action against Assignee or any other person or entity; (c) all other notices to which Guarantor may be entitled but which may be legally waived; and (d) demand for payment as a condition of liability under this Guaranty. The Lease may be amended by the Parties thereto without the consent of Guarantor, and Landlord reserves the right to proceed against Guarantor without first being required to proceed against Tenant. Any assignment of the Lease with or without the Landlord’s consent shall not release Guarantor from any of its obligations hereunder.
3.Miscellaneous.
(a)Amendments. This Guaranty may be amended only by a writing signed by Guarantor and the Landlord, and any such amendment shall be effective only to the extent specifically set forth in such writing.
(b)Assignment. Guarantor shall not assign, pledge or otherwise transfer any of its rights, interest or obligations hereunder, whether by operation of law or otherwise. Landlord may assign its rights hereunder to any transferee of the Building. Any Mortgagee that takes title to the Building by foreclosure or deed in lieu thereof, shall succeed to Landlord’s rights hereunder.
(c)Counterparts; Telefacsimile or Other Electronic Execution. This Guaranty may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which, when so executed, shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall constitute but one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Guaranty by telefacsimile or email (e.g., in PDF format) shall be equally as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Guaranty. Any party delivering an executed counterpart of this Guaranty by telefacsimile or email also shall deliver a manually executed counterpart of this Guaranty, but the failure to deliver a manually executed counterpart shall not affect the validity, enforceability or binding effect of this Guaranty.
(d)Entire Agreement. This Guaranty contains the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby and supersedes all prior written and oral agreements, and all contemporaneous oral agreements, relating to such transactions.
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(e)Governing Law. This Guaranty shall be a contract under the laws of the state of New York and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of said State. The prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorney’s fees, costs and related expenses arising out of any action to enforce their respective rights under this Guaranty.
(f)Notices. Unless otherwise specifically provided herein, all notices, consents, requests demands and other communications required or permitted hereunder (i) shall be in writing; (ii) shall be sent by messenger, certified or registered U.S. mail, a reliable express delivery service or telecopier (with a copy sent by one of the foregoing means), charges prepaid as applicable, to the appropriate address(es) or number(s) set forth below; and (iii) shall be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt by the addressee (or, if the date of receipt is not a business day, on the first business day after the date of receipt), as evidenced by (A) a receipt executed by the addressee (or a responsible person in his or her office), the records of the person delivering such communication or a notice to the effect that such addressee refused to claim or accept such communication, if sent by messenger, U.S. mail or express delivery service, or (B) a receipt generated by the sender’s telecopier showing that such communication was sent to the appropriate number on a specified date, if sent by telecopier. All such communications shall be sent to the following addresses or numbers, or to such other addresses or numbers as either party may inform the other by giving five business days’ prior notice:
If to Guarantor: | If to Landlord: |
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Project Panther Acquisition Corporation 360 North Crescent Drive Beverly Hills, CA 90210 Attn: Eva M. Kalawski fax: (310) 712-1863 With a copy to: Sills Cummis & Gross P.C. One Riverfront Plaza Newark, New Jersey 07102 Attn: Jeffrey Wasserman, Esq. telephone: (973) 643-5879 fax: (973) 643-6500 | KTR LOU I LLC 5 Tower Bridge 300 Barr Harbor Drive, Suite 150 Conshohocken, PA 19428 Attn: Stephen J. Butte Telephone: (484) 530-1843 Fax: (484) 530-1888 With a copy to: Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg LLP 200 West Madison Avenue, Suite 3900 Chicago, Illinois 60606 Attn: Mark J. Beaubien Telephone: (312) 629-5137 Fax: (312) 984-3150 |
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(g)Severability. Any provision of this Guaranty which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining portions hereof or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.
(h)Successors and Assigns. This Guaranty shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of each of the parties and their respective heirs, successors and permitted assigns.
(i)Waiver of Jury Trial. Each party hereby waives the right to a trial by jury in any court and in any action or proceeding of any type as to all matters and things arising out of or relating to this Guaranty. Each party expressly acknowledges that this is a commercial transaction, that the foregoing provisions for waiver of jury trial have been read, understood and voluntarily agreed to and that by agreeing to such provisions it is waiving important legal rights.
(j)Waivers. The due performance or observance by Guarantor of its obligations hereunder shall not be waived, and the rights and remedies of the Landlord hereunder shall not be affected, by any course of dealing or performance or by any delay or failure of the Landlord in exercising any such right or remedy, The due performance or observance by Guarantor of any of its obligations hereunder may be waived only by a writing signed by the Landlord, and any such waiver shall be effective only to the extent specifically set forth in such writing.
[signature page follows]
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[SIGNATURE PAGE TO GUARANTY AGREEMENT]
| Project Panther Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation | |
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| By: | /s/ Eva M. Kalawski |
| Name: | Eva M. Kalawski |
| Title: | Vice President & Secretary |
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Exhibit 10.22
INDEX TO
OFFICE LEASE
SECTION | PAGE |
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BASIC LEASE INFORMATION RIDER: | |
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1. PREMISES: COMMON AREAS | 5 |
2. LEASE TERM: LEASE DATE | 5 |
3. RENT | 5 |
4. SECURITY DEPOSIT | 8 |
5. USE | 8 |
6. DELAY OF POSSESSION | 8 |
7. ACCEPTANCE OF PREMISES: LANDLORD’S WORK | 9 |
8. PARKING | 9 |
9. BUILDING SERVICES | 9 |
10. SECURITY | 10 |
11. REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE | 11 |
12. TENANT’S ALTERATIONS | 12 |
13. LANDLORD’S ADDITIONS AND ALTERATIONS | 12 |
14. ASSIGNMENT AND SUBLETTING | 12 |
15. TENANT’S INSURANCE COVERAGE | 14 |
16. LANDLORD’S INSURANCE COVERAGE | 15 |
17. SUBROGATION | 15 |
18. DAMAGE OR DESTRUCTION BY CASUALTY | 15 |
19. CONDEMNATION AND EMINENT DOMAIN | 16 |
20. LIMITATION OF LANDLORD’S LIABILITY: INDEMNIFICATION | 16 |
21. COMPLIANCE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS AND PROCEDURES | 17 |
22. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND PROCEDURES | 18 |
23. RIGHT OF ENTRY | 18 |
24. DEFAULT | 18 |
25. LANDLORD’S REMEDIES FOR TENANT’S DEFAULT | 19 |
26. LANDLORD’S RIGHT TO PERFORM FOR TENANT’S ACCOUNT | 20 |
27. LIENS | 20 |
28. NOTICES | 20 |
29. MORTGAGE: ESTOPPEL CERTIFICATE: SUBORDINATION | 20 |
30. ATTORNMENT AND MORTGAGEE’S REQUEST | 21 |
31. TRANSFER BY LANDLORD | 21 |
32. SURRENDER OF PREMISES: HOLDING OVER | 21 |
33. NO WAIVER: CUMULATIVE REMEDIES | 21 |
34. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL | 22 |
35. CONSENTS AND APPROVALS | 22 |
36. RULES AND REGULATIONS | 22 |
37. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS | 22 |
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BASIC LEASE INFORMATION RIDER
OFFICE LEASE
Preamble |
| Date of the Lease: January 7, 2011. |
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Preamble | | Landlord: FRENCH OVERSEAS, LLC, a Florida limited liability company |
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Preamble | | Tenant: ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, authorized to do business in the State of Florida. |
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Section 1 | | Premises: Suite 100, 102 and 304, plus the Extra Space (located in Suite 101) at 1401 N.W. 136th Avenue, Sunrise, Florida 33323 |
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Section 1 | | Rentable Area of Premises: 22,336 square feet plus the additional 400 square feet, more or less, located in Suite 101 of the Building (the “Extra Space”), which shall not be included in the Rentable Area of Premises for purposes of calculating amounts due from Tenant under this Lease. |
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Section 2 | | Lease Commencement Date: April 1, 2011. In its sole discretion, Tenant shall have the right to extend the lease commencement date to May 1, 2011, provided notice thereof is given by Tenant to Landlord on or before March 1, 2011. Furthermore, Tenant shall have the right to move in to the leased premises three weeks prior to the commencement of the Lease for move-in and fitup purposes, provided Tenant has then complied with all insurance requirements provided for on the Lease, and Tenant does not interfere with the completion of Tenant improvements by Landlord. |
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Section 2 | | Expiration Date: January 31, 2017, unless extended as set forth in the Lease. |
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Section 2 | | Lease Term: 70 consecutive calendar months |
| | Rent Commencement Date: April 1, 2011, unless extended as set forth in the Lease. |
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Section 3 | | Base Rent $12.00/sq. ft. of Rentable Area of Premises plus Sales Tax. Subsequent years shall escalate at a fixed three percent (3.0%) per year on the anniversary date of the Lease Term. which is April 1st, unless such anniversary date is extended as a result of the extension of the Commencement Date set forth in the Lease. |
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Section 3 | | Additional Rent: Estimated for 2011 at $ 11.00 per square foot of Rentable Area of Premises plus Sales Tax: Those expenses are “Full Service” and shall include, but not be limited to, Real Estate Taxes, Building Insurance, all Common Area Maintenance (“CAM”) charges, electric, HVAC (during normal business hours), daily janitorial service, and water/sewer. An annual 3% cap on controllable expenses on a non-cumulative basis. |
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Sections 3, 4 | | Security Deposit Received: $45,379.31 (which sum is equal to one (1) month initial Base Rent and Additional Rent). Additionally, at Lease signing, Tenant shall remit the sum of $94,529.31 representing $45,379.31 for Base Rent for the first month that Base Rent is due (the 5th month following the Commencement Date) and last month’s Base Rent and Additional Rent, including Sales Tax estimated to be $49,150.00 (note: first and last month’s rent may need to be adjusted for any variation in the Building’s Operating Expenses and sales taxes). Therefore, |
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Landlord |
| acknowledges receipt from Tenant, subject to clearance, of the total sum of $139,908.62 upon lease signing. |
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Section 5 | | Use of Premises: General office use. |
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Concession: | | First 4 months of Gross/full service rent shall be abated. Thereafter the first 2 months of years 2-4 of Base Rent shall be abated for a total of 10 months abated rent. Months 1-4 Gross/Full Service rent abated. Months 13, 14, 25, 26, 37 and 38 Base Rent abated. |
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| | Tenant’s Address for Notices Prior to Lease Commencement Date: Jon Tiomno Platinum Equity |
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| Tenant’s Address for Notices After Lease Commencement Date: Tenant, Attn: Peter Blei (Chief Operating Officer) The Premises With a copy to: Platinum Equity 360 N. Crescent Drive, South Building Beverly Hills, CA 90210 Attn: Eva Kalawski, General Counsel | |
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| | Landlord’s Address for Notices: French Overseas Company, LLC 2828 Coral Way Suite 304 Miami Florida, 33145 Attention: Alicia Gonzalez Taboas/ Martina San Miguel |
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Section 8 | | Number of Unassigned Parking |
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Section 15 | | Amount of Commercial General Liability Insurance: $ 1,000,000.00 |
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Section 40 | | Tenant’s Real Estate Broker: |
| | Jardack Commercial Realty 2475 NW 95th Avenue, Suite 3, Doral, FL 33172 T: 214-604-6815 F: 214-975-3519 |
| | Landlord’s Representative: Robert Listokin, SIOR Colliers International South Florida 1000 Corporate Drive # 100, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334 T: 954 233 6000 F: 954 233 6010 robert.listokin@colliers.com |
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Certain of the information relating to the Lease, including many of the principal economic terms, are set forth in the foregoing Basic Lease Information Rider (the “BLI Rider”). The BLI Rider and the Lease are, by this reference, hereby incorporated into one another. In the event of any direct conflict between the terms of the BLI Rider and the terms of the Lease, the BLI Rider shall control. Where the Lease simply supplements the BLI Rider and does not conflict directly therewith, the Lease shall control.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Landlord and Tenant have signed this BLI Rider as of this 7th day of January, 2011.
Witnesses: |
| “LANDLORD” | |
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| FRENCH OVERSEAS COMPANY, LLC, a Florida limited liability company | |
| By: | /s/ Martina San Miguel | |
| Name: | Martina San Miguel | |
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| Title: | VICE PRESIDENT |
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| “TENANT” | ||
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| ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, authorized to do business in Florida | |
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| By: | /s/ Jon Tiomno | |
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| Jon Tiomno |
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| Its: Authorized Person |
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OFFICE LEASE
THIS BUILDING LEASE (this “Lease”) is made as of the 7th day of January, 2011 by and between FRENCH OVERSEAS COMPANY, LLC a Florida limited company (“Landlord”), and ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company authorized to do business in the State of Florida (“Tenant”).
WITNESSETH:
1. PREMISES: COMMON AREAS: Landlord leases to Tenant and Tenant leases from Landlord the Premises on the 1st and 3rd floors (Suites 100, 102, 304 and the Extra Space) in the commercial office building located at 1401 N.W. 136th Avenue, City of Sunrise, County of Broward, Florida (together with the uncovered parking facilities sometimes collectively referred to herein as the “Building”), legally described in Exhibit “A”, known by that certain suite number set forth in the Basic Lease Information Rider (the “BLI Rider”) attached to the front of this Lease and incorporated into this Lease by this reference, which space is more particularly shown on the floor plan attached hereto as Exhibit “A- I” and by this reference incorporated herein (the “Premises”). The parties hereby agree that the Premises contain the number of square feet of Rentable Floor Area set forth in the BLI Rider. In addition to the Premises, Tenant has the right to use, in common with others, the lobby, public entrances, public stairways, public elevators, and parking areas of the Building if any. The common areas serving the Building, including those referenced above, the parking facilities, and all others, will at all times be subject to Landlord’s exclusive control and management in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Lease.
2. LEASE TERM: LEASE DATE: The lease term (the “Lease Term”) is for the period of time set forth in the BLI Rider, commencing on the Lease commencement date set forth in the BLI Rider (the “Lease Commencement Date”) and ending on the Lease expiration date set forth in the BLI Rider (the “Expiration Date”). Tenant’s obligation to pay all rent, including Base Rent, Additional Rent and any other cost or charge due and payable by Tenant hereunder, (collectively, “Rent”), as such terms are hereafter defined, will commence on the rent commencement date set forth in the BLI Rider (the “Rent Commencement Date”). For purposes of this Lease, “Lease Year” shall mean and refer to the period of twelve (12) months commencing on the Lease Commencement Date, and each successive period of twelve (12) months during the Lease Term.
3. RENT:
(a) Base Rent: Concession. During the Lease Term, Tenant will pay as the base rent for the Premises (the “Base Rent”) the amounts set forth in the BLI Rider, with same being payable without demand, setoff or deduction, in advance, on or before the first day of each month, in equal monthly installments of the amounts set forth in the BLI Rider, plus applicable sales and other such taxes as are now or later enacted. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision in this Lease to the contrary, Tenant’s obligation hereunder to pay Base Rent to Landlord shall be abated during the first through fourth calendar months of the Lease Term and thereafter the first two months of years 2-4, provided however, if Tenant defaults under the terms of this Lease, then Landlord shall have the right to seek, as part of damages, sums equal to the amounts of Base Rent abated hereunder.
(b) Escalations to Base Rent. Commencing on the first anniversary of the Rent Commencement Date, and on each subsequent anniversary of the Rent Commencement Date (each such date an “Adjustment Date”), the Base Rent shall be increased annually by three percent (3%).
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(c) Additional Rent. Tenant shall pay, as additional rent (“Additional Rent”), prorated for that part of the Lease Term within the applicable calendar year, Tenant’s Percentage Share, as such term is defined in Section 3(d)(iv) below, of the total amount of (i) the annual Operating Expenses, as such term is defined in Section 3(d)(i); provided, however, except for the first full calendar year of the Lease Term, Tenant’s Percentage Share of Operating Expenses (excluding Non-Controllable Expenses, as defined in Section 3(d)(ii) below) shall not be greater than one hundred three percent (103%) of Tenant’s Percentage Share of Operating Expenses (excluding Non-Controllable Expenses) for the prior calendar year, and (ii) the Taxes, as such term is defined in section 3(d)(iii), for the Building. For all years during the Lease Term, Landlord shall, in advance, reasonably estimate for each such calendar year the total amount of the Additional Rent. One-twelfth (1/12) of the estimated Additional Rent (plus all applicable taxes due and payable on Rent, now existing or hereafter enacted) shall be payable monthly, along with the monthly payment of the Base Rent. Landlord shall use its best efforts to make such estimate on or before January 1 of each calendar year. On or before March 31 following a year for which Additional Rent is payable hereunder, Landlord shall use its best efforts to provide Tenant with the amount of the actual Additional Rent for the previous year, and a reasonable breakdown of the items included therein, together with an invoice for any underpayments of Additional Rent (to be paid within thirty (30) days following receipt of such invoice, or to be included with the next monthly payment of Rent, whichever shall first occur) or a check to Tenant to reimburse Tenant for any overpayment of Additional Rent. For a period of thirty (30) days after receipt of the aforedescribed reconciliation statements, Tenant shall have the right, upon advance notice, to visit Landlord’s office in the Building, or such other location where Landlord maintains the books, and records for the Building in the event that Landlord does not maintain an office at the Building, during Business Hours, as hereafter defined, to inspect its books and records concerning the Additional Rent. The delivery of the aforedescribed projection statement after January 1 and/or the reconciliation after March 31 shall not be deemed a waiver of any of Landlord’s rights to collect monies and/or a waiver of any of the duties and obligations of Tenant as described in this section or as provided elsewhere in this Lease.
(d) Definition of Material Terms.
(i) The term “Operating Expenses” shall mean (1) any and all costs of ownership, management, operation and maintenance of the Building, including, without limitation, wages, salaries, professionals’ fees, taxes, insurance, benefits and other payroll burdens of all employees, Building management fees, janitorial services for such services being provided five (5) days per week, maintenance, security guard and other services, building management office rent or rental value, power, fuel, water, waste disposal, landscaping care, lighting, garbage removal, pest control, window cleaning, system maintenance, parking area care, and any and all other utilities, materials, supplies, maintenance, repairs, insurance applicable to the Building and Landlord’s personal property and depreciation on personal property, and (2) the cost (amortized over such reasonable period as Landlord shall determine together with interest at the rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum on the unamortized balance) of any capital improvements made to the Building by Landlord after the date of this Lease that reduce other Operating Expenses or which are made to the Building by Landlord after the date of this Lease that are required under any governmental law or regulation; provided, however, that Operating Expenses shall not include Tenant’s Additional Electricity Use Charge (as defined in Section 9 below), Taxes, depreciation on the Building other than depreciation on carpeting in public corridors and common areas, costs of tenants’ improvements, real estate broker’s commissions, interest and capital items other than those referred to in subsection (2) above. Landlord shall maintain accounting books and records in accordance with sound accounting principles. In determining the amount of Operating Expenses for any calendar year, (i) if less than one-hundred percent (100%) of the Building shall have been occupied by tenants and fully used by them, Operating Expenses shall be increased to an amount equal to the like operating expenses which would normally be expected to be incurred had such occupancy been one-hundred percent (100%) and had such full utilization been made during the entire period or (ii) if Landlord is not furnishing particular work or services (the cost of which if performed by Landlord would constitute an Operating Expense) to a tenant who has undertaken to perform such work or service in lieu of the performance thereof by Landlord, Operating Expenses shall be deemed to be increased by an amount equal to the additional expense which would reasonably have been incurred during such period by Landlord had Landlord furnished such work or service to such tenant. Landlord hereby agrees to deduct each year from the amount of the Operating Expenses the total amount of any and all sums, amounts or charges paid by Tenant or other tenants of the Building directly to Landlord or its agent for specific tenant requested services.
(ii) The term “Non-Controllable Expenses” shall mean the Operating Expenses, the cost of which are not controlled by Landlord but are imposed by independent third parties, including, without limitation, the following items: taxes, insurance, benefits and other payroll benefits of employees (excluding wages, salaries, professionals’ fees); taxes attributable to Operating Expenses, whether existing or hereafter imposed; water, sewer, electrical and waste removal charges; insurance applicable to the Building and Landlord’s personal property; and fees and maintenance charges imposed by the property owners’ association that governs the business park where the Building is located.
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(iii) The term “Taxes” shall mean the gross amount, less all allowable discounts for early payment of all impositions, taxes, assessments special or otherwise), water and sewer assessments and other governmental liens or charges of any and every kind, nature and sort whatsoever, ordinary and extraordinary, foreseen and unforeseen, and substitutes therefor, including all taxes whatsoever (except for taxes for the following categories which shall be excluded from the definition of Taxes: any inheritance, estate, succession, transfer or gift taxes imposed upon Landlord or any income taxes specifically payable by Landlord as a separate tax-paying entity without regard to Landlord’s income source as arising from or out of the Building and/or the land on which it is located) attributable in any manner to the Building, the land on which the Building is located or the rents (however the term may be defined) receivable therefrom, or any part thereof, or any use thereon, or any facility located therein or used in conjunction therewith or any charge or other amount required to be paid to any governmental authority, whether or not any of the foregoing shall be designated “real estate tax”, “sales tax”, “rental tax”, “excise tax”, “business tax”, or designated in any other manner.
(iv) The term “Tenant’s Percentage Share” shall mean the percentage set forth in the BLI Rider. Landlord and Tenant acknowledge that Tenant’s Percentage Share has been obtained by taking the Rentable Area of the Premises, which Landlord and Tenant hereby stipulate for all purposes is the amount set forth in the BLI Rider, and dividing such number by the total net rentable area of the Building, which Landlord and Tenant hereby stipulate for all purposes is 105,487 net rentable square feet, and multiplying such quotient by 100. In the event Tenant’s Percentage Share is changed during a calendar year by reason of a change in the Rentable Area of the Premises, Tenant’s Percentage Share shall thereafter mean the result obtained by dividing the new Rentable Area of the Premises by 105,487 net rentable square feet and multiplying such quotient by 100 and for the purposes of Section 3.(b) Tenant’s Percentage Share shall be determined on the basis of the number of days during such calendar year applicable to each such Tenant’s Percentage Share.
(v) The term “Rent” shall mean the sum of the Base Rent and the Additional Rent and any other cost or charge due and payable by Tenant under this Lease
(e) Related Provisions.
(i) Tenant covenants and agrees to pay a late charge for any payment of Rent or other charges not received by Landlord on or before the 10th day following the date when same is due. Said late charge shall be computed from the first day of the month in the case of Rent and from the date when same is due in the case of any other cost or charge due from Tenant hereunder. The amount of the late charge shall be an amount equal to the interest accruing on the sum(s) outstanding, with such interest commencing on the dates aforesaid, ending on the date of receipt of the sum(s) by Landlord and having a rate equal to twelve percent (12%) per annum. In the event any late charge is due to Landlord, Landlord shall advise Tenant in writing and Tenant shall pay said late charge to Landlord along with and in addition to the next payment of Rent.
(ii) Landlord shall notify Tenant in writing of any and all adjustments to Base Rent. In addition to Base Rent and Additional Rent or any other Rent due under this Lease, Tenant shall and hereby agrees to pay to Landlord each month a sum equal to any sales tax, tax on rentals and any other similar charges now existing or hereafter imposed, based upon the privilege of leasing the space leased hereunder or based upon the amount of rent collected therefor.
(iii) If Tenant’s possession of the Premises commences on any day other than the first day of the month, Tenant shall occupy the Premises under the terms of this Lease and the pro rata portion of the Rent shall be paid by Tenant; provided, however, that in such an event the Lease Commencement Date, for the purposes of this Lease, shall be deemed to be the first day of the month immediately following the month in which possession is given.
(iv) Additional Rent for the final months of this Lease is due and payable even though it may not be calculated until subsequent to the Expiration Date of the Lease. Tenant expressly agrees that Landlord, at Landlord’s sole discretion, may apply the Security Deposit, as hereafter defined, in full or partial satisfaction of any Additional Rent due for the final months of this Lease. If said Security Deposit is greater than the amount of any such Additional Rent and there are no other sums or amounts owed Landlord by Tenant by reason of any other terms, provisions, covenants or conditions of this Lease, then Landlord shall refund the balance of said Security Deposit to Tenant as provided herein. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to relieve Tenant, or imply that Tenant is relieved, of the liability for or the obligation to pay any Additional Rent due for the final months of this Lease by reason of the provisions of this Section, nor shall Landlord be required first to apply said Security Deposit to such Additional Rent if there are any other sums or amounts owed Landlord by Tenant by reason of any other terms, provisions, covenants or conditions of this Lease.
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4. SECURITY DEPOSIT: Tenant, concurrently with the execution of this Lease, has deposited with Landlord the amount set forth in the BLI Rider as the security deposit (the “Security Deposit”) hereunder. This sum will be retained by Landlord as security for the payment by Tenant of the Rent and for the faithful performance by Tenant of all the other terms and conditions of this Lease. In the event Tenant fails to faithfully perform the terms and conditions of this Lease, Landlord, at Landlord’s option, may at any time apply the Security Deposit or any part thereof toward the payment of the Rent and/or toward the performance of Tenant’s obligations under this Lease. In such event, within five (5) days after notice, Tenant will deposit with Landlord cash sufficient to restore the Security Deposit to its original amount. Landlord will return the unused portion of the Security Deposit to Tenant within thirty (30) days after the Expiration Date. Landlord may (but is not obligated to) exhaust any or all rights and remedies against Tenant before resorting to the Security Deposit. Landlord will not be required to pay Tenant any interest on the Security Deposit nor hold same in a separate account. If Landlord sells or otherwise conveys the Building, Landlord will deliver the Security Deposit or the unapplied portion thereof to the new owner. Tenant agrees that if Landlord turns over the Security Deposit or the unapplied portion thereof to the new owner, Tenant will look to the new owner only and not to Landlord for its return upon expiration of the Lease Term. If Tenant assigns this Lease with the consent of Landlord (as expressly provided for in this Lease), the Security Deposit will remain with Landlord for the benefit of the new tenant and will be returned to such tenant upon the same conditions as would have entitled Tenant to its return.
5. USE:
(a) General Office Use. Tenant will use and occupy the Premises solely for general office use and solely for the operation of the business set forth in the BLI Rider. Tenant acknowledges that its type of business, as above specified, is a material consideration for Landlord’s execution of this Lease. Tenant will not commit waste upon the Premises nor suffer or permit the Premises or any part of them to be used in any manner, or suffer or permit anything to be done in or brought into or kept in the Premises or the Building, which would: (i) violate any law or requirement of public authorities, (ii) cause injury to the Building or any part thereof, (iii) annoy or offend other tenants or their patrons or interfere with the normal operations of HVAC, plumbing or other mechanical or electrical systems of the Building or the elevators installed therein, (iv) constitute a public or private nuisance, or (v) alter the appearance of the exterior of the Building or of any portion of the interior other than the Premises pursuant to the provisions of this Lease. Tenant agrees and acknowledges that Tenant shall be responsible for obtaining any special amendments to the certificate of occupancy for the Premises and/or the Building and any other governmental permits, authorizations or consents required solely on account of Tenant’s use of the Premises.
(b) Prohibited Uses. Tenant hereby represents, warrants and agrees that Tenant’s business is not and shall not be used, (i) for the business of photographic, multilith or multigraph reproductions or offset printing; (ii) for a retail banking, trust company, depository, guarantee or safe deposit business open to the general public, (iii) as a savings bank, a savings and loan company open to the general public, (iv) for the sale to the general public of travelers checks, money orders, drafts, foreign exchange or letters of credit or the receipt of money for transmission, (v) as a stock broker’s or dealer’s office or for the underwriting or sale of securities open to the general public, (vi) as a restaurant or bar or for the sale of confectionery, soda, beverages, sandwiches, ice cream or baked goods or for the preparation, dispensing or consumption of food or beverages in any manner whatsoever, (vii) as a news or cigar stand, (viii) as an employment agency, labor union office, or music studio, school (except for the training of employees of Tenant), or (ix) as a barber shop or beauty salon, nor shall Tenant’s use conflict with any applicable zoning or land use codes or laws applicable to the Building.
6. DELAY OF POSSESSION:
(a) Holdover of Prior Tenant. If Landlord is unable to deliver possession of the Premises by reason of the holding over of any prior tenant or any other reason, the payment of Rent shall not commence until Landlord delivers possession of the Premises to Tenant. However, nothing set forth herein will operate to extend the Lease Term and said abatement will be the full extent of Landlord’s liability to Tenant on account of a delay in delivery of possession of the Premises, except that Tenant shall receive rent abatement and free rent allowance to the extent and upon the terms set forth in the Work Letter Agreement attached to this Lease.
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(b) Inability to Deliver Premises. Notwithstanding Section 6.(a) above, if Landlord is unable to deliver possession of the Premises to Tenant within ninety (90) days after the Lease Commencement Date, by reason of anything other than fault on the part of Tenant or any of Tenant’s Agents, as hereafter defined, Tenant will have the right to terminate this Lease upon written notice delivered to the other party within ten (10) days after the lapse of said 90-day period. Upon such termination, Landlord and Tenant will each be released from all further liability under this Lease. The failure to complete minor or insubstantial details of construction, decoration or mechanical adjustments shall not be considered a delay in delivery of the Premises.
7. ACCEPTANCE OF PREMISES: LANDLORD’S WORK: Improvements, if any, to be made to the Premises by Tenant shall be made in accordance with the Work Letter. Improvements, if any, to be made to the Premises by Landlord are specifically set forth in the Work Letter and there are no others. All improvements made to the Premises, whether by Landlord or Tenant, will become the property of Landlord when attached to or incorporated into the Premises. Such property will remain the property of Landlord upon termination of this Lease. The taking of possession by Tenant (or any permitted assignee or subtenant of Tenant) of all or any portion of the Premises for the conduct of business will be deemed to mean that Tenant has found the Premises, and all of their fixtures and equipment, acceptable, unless within 15 days of such taking, notice of any unacceptable conditions is given to the Landlord.
8. PARKING:
(a) Unassigned Parking. As long as Tenant is not in default under this Lease, Landlord will provide Tenant during the Lease Term with unassigned, nonexclusive parking spaces in the parking areas for the number of automobiles set forth in the BLI Rider in the uncovered parking area of the building (the “Unassigned Parking Areas”). Such parking spaces may be used only by principals, employees and the business invitees of Tenant visiting the Premises of Tenant, and any others involved in Tenant’s business or doing business with Tenant.
(b) Parking Controls. Landlord has and reserves the right to alter the methods used to control parking and the right to establish such controls and rules and regulations (such as parking stickers to be affixed to vehicles) regarding parking that Landlord may deem desirable. Without liability, Landlord will have the right to tow or otherwise remove vehicles improperly parked, blocking ingress or egress lanes, or violating parking rules, at the expense of the offending tenant and/or owner of the vehicle, provided reasonable advance notice thereof is given to Tenant with regard to any allowable Tenant automobiles.
9. BUILDING SERVICES:
(a) General: Building Access by Tenant. In general, the services set forth below will be provided by Landlord at a service level set, defined and regulated by Landlord consistent with office buildings of similar quality to and in the same immediate geographic area as the Building. During the Lease Term, the regular business hours (the “Business Hours”) of the Building will be 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and on Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., except holidays generally recognized by state and federal governments. The Building and the premises will be accessible to Tenant, its subtenants, agents, servants, employees, contractors, invitees or licensees (collectively, “Tenant’s Agents”) at all times during Business Hours. Notwithstanding the foregoing to the contrary, Tenant and Tenant’s Agents shall have access to the Building, the premises, and parking areas 24 hours per day 7 days a week during the Lease Term. Landlord shall provide Tenant with a sufficient number of access cards, which shall be a minimum of 185, (if and when any card access system is installed at the Building) for Tenant’s employees to be able to access the Building and the premises after Business Hours at no additional charge to Tenant.. Should additional cards be required after occupancy, there shall be available, through Landlord, at a cost of Fifteen Dollars ($15.00) per card.
(b) Specific Services Provided.
(i) Janitorial Service. Landlord agrees to provide during the Lease Term janitorial services for the Premises customarily provided in office buildings of similar quality to and in the same immediate geographic area as the Building. Janitorial service will be provided after Business Hours at the Building, but no janitorial services will be provided on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays generally recognized by state and federal government. Should Tenant require additional janitorial services beyond those customarily provided by Landlord, Tenant may request same in writing from Landlord and if Landlord agrees to provide such services, Tenant will be billed for same by Landlord at a reasonable rate and those costs and expenses when billed will be as Rent due under this Lease.
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(ii) Electricity. During the Lease Term, electric power will be 10 provided for the purposes of lighting and general office equipment use in amounts consistent with Building standard electrical capacities and will be included within the Base Rent and Additional Rent paid under this Lease. The Building standard mechanical and electrical systems are designed to accommodate loads generated by lights and office equipment such as typewriters, dictating equipment, photocopy equipment, etc., up to the standard maximum capacities as set forth in the Work Letter attached hereto as Exhibit “B” or, if not so set forth, then as is common in comparable office buildings. Tenant acknowledges that Tenant’s intended use of the Premises excludes material use of the Premises beyond Business Hours. Material use shall be deemed to mean the operation of an additional “shift”, either full or part time, or use of the Premises after Business Hours in any way that may preclude or interfere with the providing of janitorial services to the Premises.. Except as set forth above, all electrical power charges shall be payable by Landlord.
(iii) HVAC Services. Landlord agrees to provide and pay for, during Business Hours, heating, ventilating and air conditioning for the purposes of comfort control by way of an individual HVAC unit for the Premises. Landlord and Tenant agree that Landlord’s HVAC system is not designed to cool machinery and equipment.
(v) Water and Sewer. Landlord agrees to provide and pay for municipally supplied cold water and sewer services to the common areas for lavatory purposes.
(vi) Elevator Service. Landlord will provide elevator service during Business Hours and, restricted elevator service during non-Business Hours.
(c) Interruption of Services. It is understood and agreed that Landlord does not warrant that any of the services referred to above, or any other services which Landlord may supply, will be free from interruption. Tenant acknowledges that any one or more of such services may be suspended by reason of accident or repairs, alterations or improvements necessary to be made, or by strikes or lockouts, or by reason of operation of law, or other causes beyond the control of Landlord. No such interruption or discontinuance of service will be deemed an eviction or a disturbance of Tenant’s use and possession of the Premises or any part thereof, or render Landlord liable to Tenant for damages or abatement of Rent or relieve Tenant from the responsibility of performing any of Tenant’s obligations under this Lease. Notwithstanding the above, should such interruption or discontinuance of services for ten (10) consecutive business days be directly caused by the negligent act or omission of Landlord, all Rent and other charges shall abate during the period of time after such interruption in which the Premises are untenantable. Further, if such period shall continue for more than sixty (60) consecutive business days directly caused by the negligent act or omission of Landlord, Tenant shall be entitled to cancel this Lease by delivery of written notice to Landlord.
(d) Under this Lease, business hours shall be as follows:
Monday - Friday | 7:00 am – 6:00 pm |
Saturday | 7:00 am – 1:00 pm |
If not during business hours, HVAC shall be provided by Landlord at a cost to Tenant of $30.00 per hour.
10. SECURITY:
(a) Landlord’s Responsibility. Landlord shall: (1) install a system to reasonably control access to the Building, which shall be monitored by a central monitoring station on a twenty-four (24) hour basis, and (2) to the extent that the entrance to the Premises is already equipped with card sensors to control access to the Premises, Landlord will arrange (or will allow Tenant to arrange) for the sensors to be programmed to function with the access cards issued for entry into the Building, provided that the cost, if any, of such programming, will be borne by Tenant.
(b) Tenant’s Responsibility. Tenant shall: (1) abide by all policies, procedures and rules and regulations for use of the access system, (2) report promptly the loss or theft of all keys which would permit unauthorized entrance to the Premises, Building or parking areas, (3) report to Landlord the employment or discharge of employees and their vehicle’s make, model, and license number, (4) promptly report to Landlord door-to-door solicitation or other unauthorized activity in the Building or parking areas, and (5) promptly inform the Landlord’s Building manager in the event of a break-in or other emergency.
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(c) Interruption of Security. Tenant acknowledges that the above security provisions may be suspended or modified as a result of causes beyond the reasonable control of Landlord. No such interruption, discontinuance or modification of security service will constitute an eviction, constructive eviction, or a disturbance of Tenant’s use and possession of the Premises, and further, no interruption, discontinuance or modification of security service will render Landlord liable to Tenant or third-parties for damages, abatement of Rent, or otherwise, or relieve Tenant of the responsibility of performing Tenant’s obligations under this Lease.
11.REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE:
(a) Landlord’s Responsibilities. During the Lease Term, Landlord shall define, set, and maintain the level of repairs and maintenance for the Building, the common areas, and all other areas serving the Building, in a manner comparable to office buildings of similar quality to and in the immediate geographic area of the Building. Landlord’s responsibilities with respect to this paragraph are as follows: (1) the structural and roof systems of the Building and parking areas, (2) the Building standard electrical and mechanical systems, (3) the primary water and sewer systems of the Building, (4) the Building common areas and the common area furniture, fixtures, and equipment, (5) the landscaped areas in and about the Building, (6) the parking areas (7) replacement of Building standard light bulbs in the common areas and in the premises, and (8) all heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems and equipment.
(b) Tenant’s Responsibilities. During the Lease Term, Tenant will repair and maintain the following at Tenant’s expense: Tenant’s items of personal property, and improvements made and fixtures installed by Tenant.
(i) The interior portion of the demising walls, the interior partition walls of the Premises and their wall-covering, and the entry door to the Premises.
(ii) The electrical and mechanical systems not considered Building standard which have been installed by either Landlord or Tenant, for the exclusive use and benefit of Tenant. The following examples are for clarification and are not all inclusive: (a) electrical services for computers or similar items, (b) projection room equipment such as dimmers, curtains, or similar items, (c) water closet plumbing, kitchen plumbing or similar items, (d) HVAC for other than comfort cooling in the Premises, (e) security systems for the Premises, (f) telephone system for the Premises; and (g) other similar systems.
(iii) Except for the janitorial services, if any, set forth in Section 11.(a) of this Lease, the repair and maintenance of the floor covering of the Premises, including VAT flooring, ceramic tiles, marble, wood flooring, or similar coverings, shall be performed by Landlord upon Tenant’s request, at Tenant’s expense, and Tenant will be billed for same as Rent. At least once per year, if necessary, Landlord will clean Tenant’s carpeting at Tenant’s expense to be billed to Tenant as Rent, or, at Tenant’s request and upon notice to Landlord, Tenant may arrange for a third party to clean the carpets at Tenant’s expense. Prior to Landlord’s cleaning carpets at Tenant’s expense, written notice shall be provided to Tenant so that Tenant may elect to perform the cleaning itself as provided in the previous sentence. Should additional cleaning be requested by Tenant, such cleaning will be available at Tenant’s expense and will be billed to Tenant as Rent.
(iv) All cabinets and millwork (regardless of ownership) so long as said cabinets and millwork are for the exclusive use and benefit of Tenant.
(v) All other personal property, improvements or fixtures, except Building standard improvements and those items enumerated in Section 11.(a) hereof. Those items to be repaired and maintained by Tenant include, but are not limited to, the following: (a) ceiling tiles and ceiling grid, (b) molding or other woodwork and paneling, (c) light fixtures and bulbs, (d) draperies, blinds or wall hangings, (e) glass partition walls, (f) water closets, sinks and kitchen areas, (g) doors and locksets, and (h) vaults, safes, or secured areas. For the aforesaid items, Landlord may elect, with Tenant’s approval (which approval will not be unreasonably withheld) to maintain and repair same at Tenant’s expense and Tenant will be billed for same as Rent.
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(c) Repairs and Maintenance: Miscellaneous. Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this Section 11 to the contrary, Landlord shall have no responsibility to repair or maintain the Building, any of its components, the common areas, the Premises, or any fixture, improvement, trade fixture, or any item of personal property contained in the Building, the common areas, and/or the Premises if such repairs or maintenance are required because of the occurrence of any of the following: (i) the acts, misuse, improper conduct, omission or neglect of Tenant or Tenant’s Agents, or (ii) the conduct of business in the Premises. Should Landlord elect to make repairs or maintenance occasioned by the occurrence of any of the foregoing, Tenant shall pay as Rent all such costs and expenses incurred by Landlord. Landlord shall have the right to approve in advance all work, repair, maintenance or otherwise, to be performed under this Lease by Tenant and all of Tenant’s repairmen, contractors, subcontractors and suppliers performing work or supplying materials. Tenant shall be responsible for all permits, inspections and certificates for accomplishing the above. Tenant shall obtain lien waivers for all work done in or to the Premises.
12.TENANT’S ALTERATIONS:
(a) General. During the Lease Term, Tenant will make no alterations, additions or improvements in or to the Premises, of any kind or nature, including, but not limited to, alterations, additions or improvements in, to, or on, telephone or computer installations (any and all of such alterations, additions or improvements offer for those set forth in the work letter attached hereto are collectively referred to in this Section 12 as the “Alteration(s)”), without the prior written consent of Landlord, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Should Landlord consent to any proposed Alterations by Tenant, such consent will be conditioned upon Tenant’s agreement to comply with all requirements established by Landlord, including safety requirements and the matters referenced in Section 20 of this Lease. As stated herein, all Alterations made hereunder will become Landlord’s property when incorporated into or affixed to the Building. However, at Landlord’s option Landlord may, at the expiration of the Lease Term, require Tenant, at Tenant’s expense, to remove Alterations made by or on behalf of Tenant and to restore the Premises to their original condition. Notwithstanding the above, Tenant shall be entitled to make any non-structural, reasonable alterations, additions or improvements to the Premises, without Landlord’s prior written consent, should the total cost of such alteration, addition or expense not exceed the sum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00).
13. LANDLORD’S ADDITIONS AND ALTERATIONS: Landlord has the right to make changes in and about the Building and parking areas. Such changes may include, but not be limited to, rehabilitation, redecoration, refurbishment and refixturing of the Building and expansion of or structural changes to the Building. The right of Tenant to quiet enjoyment and peaceful possession given under the Lease will not be deemed breached or interfered with by reason of Landlord’s actions pursuant to this paragraph so long as such actions do not materially deprive Tenant of its use and enjoyment of the Premises, and the normal and reasonable conduct of Tenant’s business.
14.ASSIGNMENT AND SUBLETTING:
(a) Prohibition on Assignment and Subletting. Neither Tenant nor Tenant’s legal representatives or successors in interest by operation of law or otherwise shall assign, mortgage, hypothecate or otherwise encumber this Lease or enter into a sublease or license agreement with respect to any portion of the Premises or permit all or any portion of the Premises to be used by others, without the prior written consent of Landlord, which consent may be granted by Landlord in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Lease, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld by Landlord.. Any issuance or transfer of stock in any corporate tenant or subtenant or any interest in any non-corporate entity tenant or subtenant, by sale, exchange, merger, consolidation, operation of law, or otherwise, or creation of new stock or interests, by which an aggregate of more than fifty (50%) percent of Tenant’s stock or equity interests shall be vested in one or more parties who are not stockholders or interest holders as of the date of this Lease, however accomplished, and whether in a single transaction or in a series of related or unrelated transactions, shall be deemed an assignment of this Lease. This subsection shall not apply to sales of stock by persons other than those deemed “insiders” within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended, which sales are effected through any recognized securities exchange. Any modification or amendment to any sublease of any portion of the Premises shall be deemed a further sublease of this Lease.
(b) Request for Consent. If Tenant requests Landlord’s consent to a specific assignment or sublease (a “Transfer”), it shall submit in writing to Landlord, not later than thirty (30) days prior to any anticipated Transfer, (i) the name and address of the proposed assignee or subtenant (the “Proposed Transferee”), (ii) a duly executed counterpart of the proposed agreement of assignment or sublease, (iii) reasonably satisfactory information as to the nature and character of the business of the Proposed Transferee, as to the nature and character of its proposed use of the Premises or portion thereof to be sublet, and otherwise responsive to the criteria set forth in Subsection 14.(d) and (iv) banking, financial, or other credit information relating to the Proposed Transferee reasonably sufficient to enable Landlord to reasonably determine the financial responsibility, creditworthiness, and character of the Proposed Transferee.
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(c) Landlord’s Options. Landlord shall have the following options to be exercised within fifteen (15) business days from submission of Tenant’s request for Landlord’s consent to a specific Transfer:
(i) If Tenant proposes to assign this Lease or sublet all or substantially all of the Premises, Landlord shall have the option to cancel and terminate this Lease as of the proposed commencement date for the transfer, in which event Tenant shall be released from any further obligation or liability under this Lease, effective as of the proposed commencement date for the transfer.
(ii) If any proposed sublease shall be for less than all or substantially all of the Premises or if it shall be for less than the balance of the Lease Term, Landlord shall have the option of canceling and terminating this Lease only as to such portion of the Premises and such portion of the Lease Term covered by the proposed sublease, effective as of the proposed commencement date of the sublease. If Landlord exercises this option, all Rent for the Premises shall be equitably apportioned as of the commencement date of the sublease, in which event Tenant shall be released from any further obligation or liability under this Lease with regard to such portion of the Premises and such portion of the Lease Term covered by the proposed sub-lease effective as of the proposed commencement date of the sub-lease.
(d) Landlord’s Consent. If Landlord does not elect one (1) of the two (2) options provided in Subsection 14.(c), Landlord shall not unreasonably withhold or delay its consent to a proposed Transfer. Landlord shall be deemed to have unreasonably withheld its consent to any proposed transfer if such consent is denied after all of the following conditions have been established:
(i) The Proposed Transferee has sufficient financial wherewithal to discharge its obligations under this Lease and the proposed agreement of assignment or the sublease, as the case may be and as determined by Landlord’s criteria for selecting Building Project tenants and has a net worth, experience, and reputation which is not less than the greater of (1) the net worth, experience, and reputation which Tenant had on the Commencement Date, or (2) the net worth, experience, and reputation of Tenant immediately prior to the request for Landlord’s consent to the proposed Transfer.
(ii) The Proposed Transfer shall not, in Landlord’s reasonable judgment, cause physical harm to the Building or harm to the reputation of the Building which would result in an impairment of Landlord’s ability to lease space in the Building or a diminution in the rental value of space in the Building.
(iii) The proposed use of the Premises by the Proposed Transferee will be a use permitted under this Lease and will not violate any restrictive covenants or exclusive use provisions applicable to Landlord.
(iv) The Proposed Transferee shall not be any person or entity which shall at that time be a tenant, subtenant, or other occupant of any part of the Building Project, or who dealt with Landlord or Landlord’s agent (directly or through a broker) with respect to, space in the Building during the six (6) months immediately preceding Tenant’s request for Landlord’s consent.
(v) The proposed use of the Premises by the Proposed Transferee will not require alterations or additions to the Premises or the Building Project to comply with applicable law or governmental requirements and will not negatively affect insurance requirements or impose environmental risks.
(vi) Any mortgagee of the Building will consent to the proposed Transfer.
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(vii) There shall be no default by Tenant, beyond any applicable grace period, under any of the terms, covenants, and conditions of this Lease at the time that Landlord’s consent to any such transfer is requested and on the date of the commencement of the term of any such proposed transfer. Tenant acknowledges that the foregoing is not intended to be an exclusive list of the reasons for which Landlord may reasonably withhold its consent to a proposed transfer. Tenant expressly, knowingly, and voluntarily waives any right, claim, or remedy otherwise available to Tenant for money damages (nor shall Tenant claim any money damages by way of set-off, counterclaim, or defense) based upon any claim or assertion by Tenant that Landlord has unreasonably withheld or unreasonably delayed its consent or approval to any proposed transfer pursuant to this Lease. Tenant’s sole remedy in such an event shall be to institute an action or proceeding seeking specific performance, injunctive relief, or declaratory judgment.
(e) Overages. If Tenant effects any transfer, then Tenant thereafter shall pay to Landlord a sum equal to (a) one-half (1/2) of the Base Rent, Additional Rent, or any other consideration paid to Tenant by any transferee which is in excess of the rent then being paid by Tenant to Landlord under this Lease for the portion of the Premises so assigned or sublet (on a pro-rated, square footage basis) , and (b) one-half (1/2) of any other profit or gain (after deducting any necessary expenses incurred) realized by Tenant from the transfer. The net rent, or other consideration paid to Tenant shall be calculated by deducting from the gross rent, or other consideration reasonable and customary real estate brokerage commissions actually paid by Tenant to third parties, tenant improvement allowances, rent concessions, the actual cost of improvements to the Premises made by Tenant for the transferee, and other direct out-of-pocket costs actually incurred by Tenant in connection with the transfer (so long as the costs are commercially reasonable and are commonly incurred by landlords in leasing similar space). All sums payable by Tenant pursuant to this paragraph shall be payable to Landlord as Rent immediately upon receipt by Tenant.
(f) No Release. Notwithstanding Landlord’s consent to any Transfer, Tenant shall remain liable to Landlord for the prompt and continuing payment of all forms of Rent, payable under this Lease and the performance of all other covenants of this Lease. Consent by Landlord to a transfer shall not relieve Tenant from the obligation to obtain Landlord’s written consent to any further transfer. If Landlord consents to a transfer, in no event shall any permitted transferee assign or encumber this Lease or its sublease, or further sublet all or any portion of its sublet space, or otherwise suffer or permit the sublet space or any part thereof to be used or occupied by others, without Landlord’s prior written consent in each instance. If this Lease is nevertheless assigned, or the Premises are sublet or occupied by anyone other than Tenant, Landlord may accept rent from such assignee, subtenant, or occupant and apply the net amount thereof to the rent reserved in this Lease, but no such assignment, subletting, occupancy, or acceptance of rent shall be deemed a waiver of the requirement for Landlord’s consent set forth in this section or constitute a novation or otherwise release Tenant from its obligations under this Lease.
(g) Following at least ten (10) days written notice to Landlord, and subject to clause 14(f), above, Tenant may assign or sublet all, or any portion, of the leased premises to any of its subsidiaries or affiliated companies or entities without the consent of Landlord.
15.TENANT’S INSURANCE COVERAGE:
(a) Required Coverages. Tenant agrees that, at all times during the Lease Term (as well as prior and subsequent thereto if Tenant or any of Tenant’s Agents should then use or occupy any portion of the Premises), it will keep in force, with an insurance company licensed to do business in the State of Florida, having a rating of “A” and a financial class of XI or better by Best’s Insurance Key rating Guide published by A.M. Best Company (i) without deductible, commercial general liability insurance, including coverage for bodily injury and death, property damage and personal injury and contractual liability subject to the terms and conditions of the standard ISO general liability policy form in the amount of not less than the amount set forth in the BLI Rider, combined single limit per occurrence for injury (or death) and damages to property, (ii) with deductible of not more than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00), insurance on an “All Risk or Physical Loss” basis, including sprinkler leakage, vandalism, malicious mischief, fire and extended coverage, covering all improvements to the Premises, fixtures, furnishings, removable floor coverings, equipment, signs and all other decoration or stock in trade, in the amounts of not less than the full replacement value thereof, and (iii) workmen’s compensation and employer’s liability insurance, if required by statute. Such general liability policy will: (i) include Landlord and such other parties as Landlord may reasonably designate as additional insured’s, (ii) be considered primary insurance, and (v) provide by endorsement that it may not be canceled or changed without at least thirty (30) days prior written notice from the company providing such insurance to each party insured thereunder. Tenant will also maintain throughout the Lease Term worker’s compensation insurance with not less than the statutory limits of coverage.
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(b) Policy Requirements. The insurance coverages to be provided by Tenant will be included in a blanket policy which has a normal expiration date of less than one year from the effective date of the lease. Renewal certificates will be valid for a period of not less than one year. Prior to the Lease Commencement Date, Tenant will deliver to Landlord original certificates of all such insurance; thereafter, prior to the expiration of any policy Tenant will deliver to Landlord such original certificates as will evidence renewal or new policy to take the place of the one expiring
16.LANDLORD’S INSURANCE COVERAGE:
(a) Required Coverages. Landlord will at all times during the Lease Term maintain a policy or policies of insurance insuring the Building against loss or damage by fire, explosion or other hazards and contingencies typically covered by insurance for an amount acceptable to the mortgagees encumbering the Building.
(b) Tenant not to Affect Landlord’s Insurance Coverages. Tenant will not do or permit anything to be done upon or bring or keep or permit anything to be brought or kept upon the Premises which will increase Landlord’s rate of insurance on the Building. If by reason of the failure of Tenant to comply with the terms of this Lease, or by reason of Tenant’s occupancy (even though permitted or contemplated by this Lease), the insurance rate shall at any time be higher than it would otherwise be, Tenant will reimburse Landlord for that part of all insurance premiums charged because of such violation or occupancy by Tenant. Tenant agrees to comply with any requests or recommendation made by Landlord’s insurance underwriter inspectors.
17.SUBROGATION:
(a) Mutual Waiver of Subrogation. Each party will look first to any insurance in its favor before making any claim against the other party for recovery for loss or damage resulting from fire or other casualty, and to the extent that such insurance is in force and collectible. To the extent permitted by law, each of Landlord and Tenant hereby waives and releases all rights of subrogation under their respective all-risk casualty insurance policies required under this Lease. Each of Landlord and Tenant will cause each such insurance policy to be properly endorsed to evidence such waiver and release of subrogation in favor of Landlord.
(b) Tenant’s Improvements and Personal Property. Tenant acknowledges that Landlord will not carry insurance on improvements, furniture, furnishings, trade fixtures, equipment installed in or made to the Premises by or for Tenant, and Tenant agrees that Tenant, and not Landlord, will be obligated to promptly repair any damage thereto or replace the same.
18.DAMAGE OR DESTRUCTION BY CASUALTY:
(a) Termination. If by fire or other casualty the Premises are totally damaged or destroyed, or the Building is partially damaged or destroyed to the extent of twenty-five per cent (25%) or more of the replacement cost thereof (even though the Premises may not be damaged), Landlord will have the option of terminating this Lease or any renewal or extension thereof by serving written notice upon Tenant within one hundred and eighty (180) days from the date of the casualty and any prepaid Rent will be prorated as of the date of destruction and the unearned portion of such Rent will be refunded to Tenant without interest.
(b) Election for Restoration. If by fire or other casualty the Premises are damaged or partially destroyed to the extent of twenty-five per cent (25%) or more of the replacement cost thereof and the provisions of Section 18.(a) above are not applicable, then (i) if the unexpired Lease Term is Less than two (2) years, excluding any theretofore unexercised renewal option, Landlord may either terminate this Lease by serving written notice upon Tenant within twenty (20) days of the date of destruction or Landlord may elect to restore the Premises, or (ii) if the unexpired Lease Term is more than two years, including any previously exercised renewal option, Landlord will restore the Premises.
(c) Less than Major Damage. If by fire or other casualty the Premises are damaged or partially destroyed to the extent of substantially less than twenty-five percent (25%) of the replacement cost thereof and the unexpired Lease Term, including any previously exercised renewal option is more than two years and the provisions of Section 18.(a) above are not applicable, then Landlord will restore the Premises.
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(d) Apportionment of Rent. In the event of restoration by Landlord, all Rent paid in advance shall be apportioned as of the date of damage or destruction and all such Rent as above described thereafter accruing shall be equitably and proportionately adjusted according to the nature and extent of the destruction or damage, pending substantial completion of rebuilding, restoration or repair. In the event the destruction or damage is so extensive as to make it unfeasible for Tenant to conduct Tenant’s business in the Premises, Rent under this Lease will be completely abated until the Premises are substantially restored by Landlord or until Tenant resumes use and occupancy of the Premises, whichever shall first occur. Landlord will not be liable for any damage to or any inconvenience or interruption of business of Tenant or any of Tenant’s Agents occasioned by fire or other casualty.
(e) Restoration. Restoration, rebuilding or repairing will be at Landlord’s sole cost and expense, subject to the availability of applicable insurance proceeds. Landlord shall have no duty to restore, rebuild or replace Tenant’s personal property and trade fixtures. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Lease, including, but not limited to this Section 18, Landlord’s obligation(s) to repair, rebuild or restore the Building or the Premises shall exist only to the extent of insurance proceeds received by Landlord in connection with the condition or event which gave rise to Landlord’s obligation to repair, rebuild or restore.
19.CONDEMNATION AND EMINENT DOMAIN:
(a) Substantial Taking. If all or a substantial part of the Premises are taken for any public or quasi-public use under any governmental law, ordinance or regulation or by right of eminent domain or by purchase in lieu thereof, and the taking would prevent or materially interfere with the use of the Premises for the purpose for which they are then being used, this Lease will terminate and the Rent will be abated during the unexpired portion of this Lease effective on the date physical possession is taken by the condemning authority. Tenant shall be entitled to pursue a separate claim against the condemning authority for loss of its leasehold interest and the value of its leasehold improvements, provided that the same will not affect or diminish Landlord’s condemnation award.
(b) Less Than Substantial Taking. In the event a portion of the Premises is taken for any public or quasi-public use under any governmental law, ordinance or regulation, or by right of eminent domain or by purchase in lieu thereof, and this Lease is not terminated as provided in paragraph A above, Landlord may, at Landlord’s expense, restore the Premises to the extent necessary to make them reasonably tenantable. The Rent payable under this Lease during the unexpired portion of the Lease Term shall be adjusted to such an extent as may be fair and reasonable under the circumstances. Tenant shall have no claim to the condemnation award with respect to the leasehold estate but, in a subsequent, separate proceeding, may make a separate claim for trade fixtures installed in the Premises by and at the expense of Tenant and Tenant’s moving expense. In no event will Tenant have any claim for the value of the unexpired Lease Term.
(c) Taking Affecting Building. Notwithstanding the foregoing, even if the Premises are not affected in whole or in part by a taking, Landlord will have the right to terminate this Lease upon ten (10) days prior written notice to Tenant if a material portion of the Building is taken by condemnation or eminent domain proceedings. Upon any such termination, Landlord and Tenant will each be released from all further liability under this Lease.
20.LIMITATION OF LANDLORD’S LIABILITY: INDEMNIFICATION:
(a) Tenant’s Personal Property. All personal property placed or moved into the Building will be at the sole risk of Tenant or other owner. Landlord will not be liable to Tenant or others for any damage to person or property arising from Environmental Concerns, as hereafter defined, theft, vandalism, HVAC malfunction, the bursting or leaking of water pipes, any act or omission of any cotenant or occupant of the Building or of any other person, or otherwise, unless caused by the fault, act, or omission of Landlord.
(b) Limitation of Liability. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of this Lease: (i) Tenant will look solely (to the extent insurance coverage is not applicable or available) to the interest of Landlord (or its successor as Landlord hereunder) in the Building for the satisfaction of any judgment or other judicial process requiring the payment of money as a result of any negligence or breach of this Lease by Landlord or its successor or of Landlord’s managing agent (including any beneficial owners, partners, corporations and/or others affiliated or in any way related to Landlord or such successor or managing agent) and Landlord has no personal liability hereunder of any kind, and (ii) Tenant’s sole right and remedy in any action or proceeding concerning Landlord’s reasonableness (where the same is required under this Lease) will be an action for declaratory judgment and/or specific performance.
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(c) Indemnification. Tenant agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Landlord and its agents from and against all claims, causes of actions, liabilities, judgments, damages, losses, costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs through all appeals, incurred or suffered by Landlord and arising from or in any way connected with the Premises or the use thereof or any acts, omissions, neglect or fault of Tenant or any of Tenant’s Agents, including, but not limited to, any breach of this Lease or any death, personal injury or property damage occurring in or about the Premises or the Building or arising from Environmental Concerns, as hereafter defined. Tenant will reimburse Landlord upon request for all costs incurred by Landlord in the interpretation and enforcement of any provisions of this Lease and/or the collection of any sums due to Landlord under this Lease, including collection agency fees, and reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs, regardless of whether litigation is commenced, and through all appellate actions and proceedings if litigation is commenced.
21.COMPLIANCE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS AND PROCEDURES:
(a) Hazardous Waste. “Hazardous Waste” shall mean toxic or hazardous waste, pollutants or substances, including, without limitation, bio hazardous materials, medical waste, asbestos, PCBs, petroleum products and by-products, substances defined or listed as “hazardous substance”, “toxic substance”, “toxic pollutant”, or similarly identified substance or mixture, in or pursuant to any “Environmental Law”. “Environmental Law” shall include, but is not limited to, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 9601, et seq., the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, 49 U.S.C. § 1802, et seq., the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. § 6901, et seq., the Toxic Substance Control Act of 1976, as amended, 15 U.S.C. § 2601, et seq., and the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. § 446 et seq., as amended. The term “Environmental Law” also includes, but is not limited to, any present and then applicable federal, state and local laws, statutes, ordinances, rules, regulations and the like, as well as common law or other approval of a governmental authority relating to compliance with Environmental Law by the Premises requiring notification or disclosure of releases of Hazardous Substances to any governmental authority or other person or entity, imposing environmental conditions or requirements in connection with permits or other authorization for lawful activity at the Premises.
(b) Tenant’s Covenants. Tenant shall not manufacture or dispose of any Hazardous Substances at the Premises or store or use any Hazardous Substance at the Premises in such quantities, concentrations, forms or levels, or otherwise in a manner which is in violation of any applicable Environmental Laws. Tenant shall comply with all Environmental Laws and other ordinances and regulations applicable to the Premises, and shall promptly comply with all governmental orders and directives for the correction prevention and abatement of any violations or nuisances in or upon, or connected with, the Premises, all at Tenant’s sole cost and expense. To the extent that Tenant generates any medical or biohazardous waste in conjunction with Tenant’s use of the Premises, Tenant, at Tenant’s sole cost and expense, shall obtain and maintain throughout the Lease Term a service contract with a duly licensed medical or biohazardous waste transportation and disposal company. Copies of such service contract shall be provided to Landlord each year during the Lease Term.
(c) Indemnification by Tenant.
(i) Environmental Contamination. Tenant hereby agrees to indemnify Landlord and hold Landlord harmless from and against any and all losses, liabilities, including strict liability, damages, injuries, expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees for attorneys of Landlord’s choice, costs of any settlement or judgment and claims of any and every kind whatsoever paid, incurred or suffered by, or asserted against Landlord by any person or entity or governmental agency for, with respect to, or as a direct or indirect result of, the presence on or under, or the escape, seepage, leakage, spillage, discharge, emission or release from the Premises of any Hazardous Waste (including, without limitation, any losses, liabilities, including strict liability, damages, injuries, expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees for attorneys of Landlord’s choice, costs of any settlement or judgment or claims asserted or arising under any Environmental Law, and any and all other statutes, laws, ordinances, codes, rules, regulations, orders or decrees regulating, with respect to or imposing liability, including strict liability, substances or standards of conduct concerning any Hazardous Waste), regardless of whether within Tenant’s control provided that the foregoing was occasioned by the acts or negligence of Tenant, its agents, employees or licensees.
(ii) Notice of Environmental Complaint. If Tenant shall receive any notice of: (1) the happening of any material event involving the spill, release, leak, seepage, discharge or cleanup of any Hazardous Waste at the Premises or in connection with Tenant’s operations thereon; or (2) any complaint, order, citation or material notice with regard to air emissions, water discharges or any other environmental, health or safety matter affecting Tenant (an “Environmental Complaint”) from any person or entity, then Tenant immediately shall notify Landlord orally and in writing of said notice.
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(d) Landlord’s Reserved Rights. Landlord shall have the right but not the obligation (and without limitation of Landlord’s rights under this Lease) to enter onto the Premises or to take such other actions as it shall deem necessary or advisable to clean up, remove, resolve or minimize the impact of, or otherwise deal with, any such Hazardous Waste or Environmental Complaint following receipt of any notice from any person or entity having jurisdiction asserting the existence of any Hazardous Waste or an Environmental Complaint pertaining to the Premises or any part thereof which, if true, could result in an order, suit or other action against Tenant and/or which, in Landlord’s sole opinion, could jeopardize its security under this Lease. All reasonable costs and expenses incurred by Landlord in the exercise of any such rights shall be payable by Tenant upon demand as Rent if same were occasioned by the activities of Tenant, its employees or licensees.
(e) Breach. Any breach of any warranty, representation or agreement contained in this Section shall be an Event of Default and shall entitle Landlord to exercise any and all remedies provided in this Lease or otherwise permitted by law.
(f) Radon Gas. In accordance with Florida Law, the following disclosure is hereby made:
RADON GAS: Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that, when it has accumulated in a building in sufficient quantities, may present health risk to persons who are exposed to it over time. Levels of radon that exceed Federal and State Guidelines have been found in buildings in Florida. Additional information regarding radon and radon testing may be obtained from your county public health unit.
(g) Landlord’s Representation Re: Environmental Hazards. Landlord warrants and represents to Tenant that to the best of Landlord’s knowledge there is no asbestos present in the building and there are no contaminants or environmental hazards in or about the building or the property.
22. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND PROCEDURES: Tenant will promptly comply with all applicable laws, guidelines, rules, regulations and requirements, whether of federal, state, or local origin, applicable to the Premises and the Building, including those for the correction, prevention and abatement of nuisance, unsafe conditions, or other grievances arising from or pertaining to the use or occupancy of the Premises. Accordingly, Tenant agrees that Tenant and Tenant’s Agents shall comply with all operation and maintenance programs and guidelines implemented or promulgated from time to time by Landlord or its consultants, including, but not limited to, those matters set forth in subsections (b) and (c) below, in order to reduce the risk to Tenant, Tenant’s Agents or any other tenants of the Building of injury from Environmental Concerns.
23. RIGHT OF ENTRY: Landlord and its agents, upon reasonable advance notice to Tenant, will have the right to enter-the Premises during all reasonable hours to make necessary repairs to the Premises. In the event of an emergency, Landlord or its agents may enter the Premises at any time, without notice, to appraise and correct the emergency condition. Landlord or its agents will have the right to exhibit the Premises at any time to prospective tenants within one hundred and eighty days (180) before the Expiration Date of the Lease.
24. DEFAULT:
(a) Events of Default. If (1) Tenant vacates or abandons the Premises prior to the Expiration Date in contravention of the terms and provisions of this Lease, or (2) Tenant fails to fulfill any of the terms or conditions of this Lease or any other Lease heretofore made by Tenant for space in the Building or (3) any execution or attachment is issued against Tenant or taken or occupied by someone other than Tenant, or (4) Tenant or any of its successors or assigns or any guarantor of this Lease (“Guarantor”) should file any voluntary petition in bankruptcy, reorganization or arrangement, or an assignment for the benefit of creditors or for similar relief under any present or future statute, law or regulation relating to relief of debtors, or (5) Tenant or any of its successors or assigns or any Guarantor should be adjudicated bankrupt or have an involuntary petition in bankruptcy filed against it, or (6) Tenant shall permit, allow or suffer to exist any lien, judgment, writ, assessment, charge, attachment or execution upon Landlord’s or Tenant’s interest in this Lease or to the Premises, and/or the fixtures, improvements and furnishings located thereon; then, Tenant shall be in default hereunder. Notwithstanding clause (1) above, Tenant shall have the right to vacate the premises at any time as long as it is not otherwise in default under the Lease and as long as Tenant continues to honor and comply with all of its obligations under this Lease.
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(b) Tenant’s Grace Periods. If (I) Tenant fails to pay Rent on the date due or (2) Tenant fails to cure any other default within ten (10) days after written notice from Landlord specifying the nature of such default (unless such default is of a nature that it cannot be completely cured within said ten (10) day period and steps have been diligently commenced to cure or remedy it within such ten (10) day period and are thereafter pursued with reasonable diligence and in good faith), then Landlord shall have such remedies as are provided under this Lease and/or under the laws of the State of Florida.
(c) Repeated Late Payment. Regardless of the number of times of Landlord’s prior acceptance of late payments and/or late charges, (i) if Landlord notifies Tenant two (2) times in any 6-month period that Base Rent has not been paid when due, then any other late payment within such 6-month period shall automatically constitute a default hereunder and (ii) the mere acceptance by Landlord of late payments in the past shall not, regardless of any applicable laws to the contrary, thereafter be deemed to waive Landlord’s right to strictly enforce this Lease, including Tenant’s obligation to make payment of Rent on the exact day same is due, against Tenant.
25. LANDLORD’S REMEDIES FOR TENANT’S DEFAULT: TENANT’S REMEDIES FOR LANDLORD’S DEFAULT:
(a) Landlord s Options. If Tenant is in default of this Lease, Landlord may, at its option, in addition to such other remedies as may be available under Florida law:
(i) terminate this Lease and Tenant’s right of possession;
(b) Landlord’s Remedies.
(i) Landlord may dispossess Tenant by summary proceedings, as well as the legal representative(s) of Tenant and/or other occupant(s) of the Premises, and remove their effects and hold the Premises as if this Lease had not been made; and/or at Landlord’s option,
(ii) All Rent for the balance of the Term will, at the election of Landlord, be accelerated and the full amount of same shall become immediately due thereupon and be paid, together with all reasonable expenses of every nature which Landlord may incur such as (by way of illustration and not limitation) those for attorneys’ fees, brokerage, advertising, and refurbishing the Premises to its original state prior to Tenant’s occupancy or preparing them for re-rental; and/or at Landlord’s option,
(iii) Landlord may re-let the Premises or any part thereof, either in the name of Landlord or otherwise, for a term or terms which may at Landlord’s option be less than or exceed the period which would otherwise have constituted the balance of the Lease Term, and may grant concessions or free rent or charge a higher rental than that reserved in this Lease; and/or at Landlord’s option,
(iv) Tenant or its legal representative(s) will also pay to Landlord as liquidated damages any deficiency between the Rent hereby reserved and/or agreed to be paid and the net amount, if any, of the rents collected on account of the lease or leases of the Premises for each month of the period which would otherwise have constituted the balance of the Lease Term.
Landlord shall use commercially reasonable efforts to re-let the premises.
(c) Landlord’s Default. In the event Landlord shall neglect or fail to perform or observe any of the covenants, provisions or conditions contained in this Lease on its part to be performed or observed and such failure shall continue for thirty (30) days after receipt of written notice of default from Tenant, (except that if such failure cannot be cured within said thirty (30) day period this period shall be extended for a reasonable additional time provided that Landlord commences to cure within said thirty (30) day period and proceeds diligently thereafter to effect such cure), Landlord shall be responsible to Tenant for any and all reasonable actual damages sustained by Tenant as a result of Landlord’s breach. If the Landlord fails to timely remedy a default with respect to repairs which Landlord is obligated to perform under this Lease, or to commence to timely cure such default if the default is not curable within said thirty (30) days, and diligently proceed to complete such curing, the Tenant shall have the right to make such repairs and to receive reimbursement from Landlord for the amount of Tenant’s actual, out-of-pocket expenses in effecting such cure. Such repairs shall be performed at competitive market rates. The specified remedies herein shall be non-exclusive of each other and in addition to any other remedies available to Tenant at law or in equity
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26. LANDLORD’S RIGHT TO PERFORM FOR TENANT’S ACCOUNT: If Tenant fails to observe or perform any term or condition of this Lease within the grace period, if any, applicable thereto, then Landlord may immediately or at any time thereafter perform the same for the account of Tenant If Landlord makes any expenditure or incurs any obligation for the payment of money in connection with such performance for Tenant’s account (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs in instituting, prosecuting and/or defending any action or proceeding through appeal), the sums paid or obligations incurred, with interest at twelve percent (12%) per annum, will be paid by Tenant to Landlord within ten (10) days after rendition of a bill or statement to Tenant. In the event Tenant in the performance or non-performance of any term or condition of this Lease should cause an emergency situation to occur or arise within the Premises or in the Building, Landlord will have all rights set forth in this paragraph immediately without the necessity of providing Tenant any advance notice.
27. LIENS:
(a) Statutory Construction Lien Notice. In accordance with the applicable provisions of the Florida Construction Lien Law and specifically Florida Statutes, § 713.10, no interest of Landlord whether personally or in the Premises, or in the underlying land or Building of which the Premises are a part or the leasehold interest aforesaid shall be subject to liens for improvements made by Tenant or caused to be made by Tenant hereunder. Further, Tenant acknowledges that Tenant, with respect to improvements or alterations made by Tenant or caused to be made by Tenant hereunder, shall promptly notify the contractor making such improvements to the Premises of this provision exculpating Landlord’s liability for such liens.
(b) No Liens. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any construction lien or other lien, attachment, judgment, execution, writ, charge or encumbrance is filed against the Building or the Premises or this leasehold, or any alterations, fixtures or improvements therein or thereto, as a result of any work action or inaction done by or at the direction of Tenant or any of Tenant’s Agents, Tenant will discharge same of record within ten (10) days after the filing thereof, failing which Tenant will be in default under this Lease. In such event, without waiving Tenant’s default, Landlord, in addition to all other available rights and remedies, without further notice, may discharge the same of record by payment, bonding or otherwise, as Landlord may elect, and upon request Tenant will reimburse Landlord for all costs and expenses so incurred by Landlord.
28. NOTICES: Notices to Tenant under this Lease will be addressed to Tenant and mailed or delivered to the address set forth for Tenant in the BLI Rider. Notices to Landlord under this Lease (as well as the required copies thereof) will be addressed to Landlord (and its agents) and mailed or delivered to the address set forth in the BLI Rider. Notices will be personally delivered or given by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested. Notices delivered personally will be deemed to have been given as of the date of delivery and notices given by mail will be deemed to have been given forty-eight (48) hours after the time said properly addressed notice is placed in the mail. Each party may change its address from time to time by written notice given to the other as specified above.
29. MORTGAGE: ESTOPPEL CERTIFICATE: SUBORDINATION:
(a) Mortgage of the Building. Landlord has the unrestricted right to convey, mortgage and refinance the Building, or any part thereof. Tenant agrees, within seven (7) days after notice, to execute and deliver to Landlord or its mortgagee or designee such instruments as Landlord or its mortgagee may require, certifying the amount of the Security Deposit and whether this Lease is in full force and effect, and listing any modifications. This estoppel certificate is intended to be for the benefit of Landlord, any purchaser or mortgagee of Landlord, or any purchaser or assignee of Landlord’s mortgage. The estoppel certificate will also contain such other information as Landlord or its designee may request. Tenant will be reimbursed by Landlord for any reasonable, out-of-pocket costs actually incurred by Tenant in supplying such certificate.
(b) Subordination. This Lease is and at all times will be subject and subordinate to all present and future mortgages or ground leases which may affect the Building and/or the parking areas and to all recastings, renewals, modifications, consolidations, replacements, and extensions of any such mortgage(s), and to all increases and voluntary and involuntary advances made thereunder. The foregoing will be self-operative and no further instrument of subordination will be required. Landlord hereby agrees that it shall, upon written request by Tenant, use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain and deliver in favor of Tenant a non-disturbance agreement from the first mortgage holder for the Building. Landlord makes no representation or warranty that it will actually be able to obtain a non-disturbance agreement in favor of Tenant and such failure shall not be an event of default on the part of Landlord under this Lease nor affect the subordination of this Lease contained in the first sentence of this Section 29.(b). Tenant hereby agrees to give any holder of any first mortgage on the Building, by registered or certified mail, a copy of any default notice served upon Landlord by Tenant provided Tenant has been provided advance written notice of the name and address of such first mortgage holder.
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30. ATTORNMENT AND MORTGAGEE’S REQUEST:
(a) Attornment. If any mortgagee of the Building comes into possession or ownership of the Premises, or acquires Landlord’s interest by foreclosure of the mortgage or otherwise, upon the mortgagee’s request Tenant will attorn to the mortgagee.
(b) Estoppel Certificate. Tenant agrees that within seven (7) days after request by any mortgagee of the Building, Tenant will execute, acknowledge and deliver to the mortgagee a notice in form and substance satisfactory to the mortgagee, setting forth such information as the mortgagee may require with respect to this Lease and/or the Premises. If for any reason Tenant does not timely comply with the provisions of this Section, Tenant will be deemed to have confirmed that this Lease is in full force and effect with no defaults on the part of either part and without any right of Tenant to offset, deduct or withhold any Rent. Tenant will be reimbursed by Landlord for any reasonable, out-of-pocket costs actually incurred by Tenant in supplying such notice.
31. TRANSFER BY LANDLORD: If Landlord’s interest in the Building terminates by reason of a bonafide sale or other transfer, Landlord will, upon transfer of the Security Deposit to the new owner, thereupon be released from all further liability to Tenant under this Lease.
32. SURRENDER OF PREMISES: HOLDING OVER:
(a) Expiration Date. Tenant agrees to surrender the Premises to Landlord on the Expiration Date (or sooner termination of the Lease Term pursuant to other applicable provisions hereof) in as good condition as they were at the commencement of Tenant’s occupancy, ordinary wear and tear, and damage by fire and windstorm excepted.
(b) Restoration. In all events, Tenant will promptly restore all damage caused in connection with any removal of Tenant’s personal property. Tenant will pay to Landlord, upon request, all damages that Landlord may suffer on account of Tenant’s failure to surrender possession as and when aforesaid and will indemnify Landlord against all liabilities, costs and expenses (including all reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs if any) arising out of Tenant’s delay in so delivering possession, including claims of any succeeding tenant.
(c) Improvements. Upon expiration of the Lease Term, Tenant will not be required to remove from the Premises Building standard items, all of such Building standard items are the property of Landlord. However, should Tenant, prior to the expiration of the Lease Term or during the Lease Term, install or cause to be installed fixtures, trade fixtures or any tenant improvements in excess of Building standard, Landlord shall have the option of retaining same or requiring Tenant to remove same. Should Landlord elect to cause Tenant to remove such items, the cost of removal of same, upon Landlord’s election and notice to Tenant, shall be at Tenant’s sole cost and expense. Landlord has no obligation to compensate Tenant for any items which are required hereunder to remain on or with the Premises.
(d) Holdover Rent. Without limiting Landlord’s rights and remedies, if Tenant holds over in possession of the Premises beyond the end of the Lease Term, during the holdover period the Base Rent will be double the amount of the Base Rent due and payable for the last month of the Lease Term.
(e) Offer of Surrender. No offer of surrender of the Premises, by delivery to Landlord or its agent of keys to the Premises or otherwise, will be binding on Landlord unless accepted by Landlord, in writing, specifying the effective surrender of the Premises. At the expiration or termination of the Lease Term, Tenant shall deliver to Landlord all keys to the Premises and make known to Landlord the location and combinations of all locks, safes and similar items.
33. NO WAIVER: CUMULATIVE REMEDIES: No waiver of any provision of this Lease by either party will be deemed to imply or constitute a further waiver by such party of the same or any other provision hereof. The rights and remedies of Landlord under this Lease or otherwise are cumulative and are not intended to be exclusive and the use of one will not be taken to exclude or waive the use of another, and Landlord will be entitled to pursue all rights and remedies available to landlords under the laws of the State of Florida. Landlord, in addition to all other rights which it may have under this Lease, hereby expressly reserves all rights in connection with the Building or the Premises not expressly and specifically granted to Tenant under this Lease and Tenant hereby waives all claims for damages, loss, expense, liability, eviction or abatement it has or may have against Landlord on account of Landlord’s exercise of its reserved rights, including, but not limited to, Landlord’s right to alter the existing name, address, style or configuration of the Building or the common areas, signage, suite identifications, parking facilities, lobbies, entrances and exits, elevators and stairwells.
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34. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL: TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, TENANT HEREBY WAIVES: (A) JURY TRIAL IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING REGARDING A MONETARY DEFAULT BY TENANT AND/OR LANDLORD’S RIGHT TO POSSESSION OF THE PREMISES, AND (B) IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING BY LANDLORD FOR MONIES OWED BY TENANT AND/OR POSSESSION OF THE PREMISES, THEN TENANT WAIVES THE RIGHT TO INTERPOSE ANY CROSSCLAIM OR COUNTERCLAIM (EXCEPT A MANDATORY CROSSCLAIM OR COUNTERCLAIM IF THE SAME IS PROVIDED FOR PURSUANT TO FLORIDA LAW). HOWEVER, THE FOREGOING WILL NOT PROHIBIT TENANT FROM BRINGING A SEPARATE LAWSUIT AGAINST LANDLORD.
35. CONSENTS AND APPROVALS: If Tenant requests Landlord’s consent or approval under this Lease, and if in connection with such requests Landlord deems it necessary to seek the advice of its attorneys, architects and/or other experts, then Tenant shall pay the reasonable fee of Landlord’s attorneys, architects and/or other experts in connection with the consideration of such request and/or the preparation of any documents pertaining thereto.
36. RULES AND REGULATIONS: Tenant agrees to abide by all rules and regulations attached hereto as Exhibit “C” and incorporated herein by this reference, as reasonably amended and supplemented from time to time by Landlord. Landlord will not be liable to Tenant for violation of the same or any other act or omission by any other tenant.
37. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS: This Lease will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the respective heirs, personal and legal representatives, successors and permitted assigns of the parties hereto.
38. QUIET ENJOYMENT: In accordance with and subject to the terms and provisions of this Lease, Landlord warrants that it has full right to execute and to perform under this Lease and to grant the estate demised and that Tenant, upon Tenant’s payment of the required Rent and performing of all of the terms, conditions, covenants, and agreements contained in this Lease, shall peaceably and quietly have, hold and enjoy the Premises during the full Lease Term.
39. ENTIRE AGREEMENT: This Lease, together with the BLI Rider, exhibits, schedules, addenda and guaranties (as the case may be) fully incorporated into this Lease by this reference, contains the entire agreement between the parties hereto regarding the subject matters referenced herein and supersedes all prior oral and written agreements between them regarding such matters. This Lease may be modified only by an agreement in writing dated and signed by Landlord and Tenant after the date hereof.
40. MISCELLANEOUS:
(a) Cross Default. If Tenant has a lease for other space in the Building, any default by Tenant under such lease will constitute a default hereunder.
(b) Severability: Choice of Law: Venue. If any term or condition of this Lease or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is, to any extent, invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Lease, or the application of such term or condition to persons or circumstances other than those as to which it is held invalid or unenforceable, is not to be affected thereby and each term and condition of this Lease is to be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law. This Lease will be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida. Venue for any action arising out of this Lease shall be Broward County, Florida.
(c) NO OFFER. SUBMISSION OF THIS LEASE TO TENANT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER, AND THIS LEASE BECOMES EFFECTIVE ONLY UPON THE MUTUAL EXECUTION AND DELIVERY BY BOTH LANDLORD AND TENANT AND THE PAYMENT TO LANDLORD OF ANY SECURITY DEPOSITS OR ADVANCE RENT REQUIRED HEREUNDER.
(d) Integration. Tenant acknowledges that it has not relied upon any statement, representation, prior or contemporaneous written or oral promises, agreements or warranties, except such as are expressed herein.
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(e) Personal Property Taxes. Tenant will pay before delinquency all taxes assessed during the Lease Term against any occupancy interest in the Premises or personal property of any kind owned by or placed in, upon or about the Premises by Tenant.
(f) Pre-Lease Commencement Occupancy. If Tenant, with Landlord’s consent, occupies the Premises or any part thereof prior to the beginning of the Lease Term, all provisions of this Lease will be in full force and effect commencing upon such occupancy, and Base Rent and Additional Rent, where applicable, for such period will be paid by Tenant at the same rate herein specified.
(g) Brokers Each party represents and warrants that it has not dealt with any agent or broker in connection with this transaction except for the agents or brokers specifically set forth in the BLI Rider with respect to each Landlord and Tenant. If either parties’ representation and warranty proves to be untrue, such party will indemnify the other party against all resulting liabilities, costs, expenses, claims, demands and causes of action, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs through all appellate actions and proceedings, if any. The foregoing will survive the end of the Lease Term.
(h) No Recording. Neither this Lease nor any memorandum hereof will be recorded by Tenant.
(i) Landlord’s Consents. Whenever under this Lease Landlord’s consent or approval is expressly or impliedly required, the same may not be arbitrarily withheld, and may only be reasonably withheld.
(j) No Partnership. Nothing contained in this Lease shall be deemed by the parties hereto or by any third party to create the relationship of principal and agent, partnership, joint venturer or any association between Landlord and Tenant, it being expressly understood and agreed that neither the method of computation of Rent nor any other provisions contained in this Lease nor any act of the parties hereto shall be deemed to create any relationship between Landlord and Tenant other than the relationship of landlord and tenant.
(k) Construction of Certain Terms: Headings. Whenever in this Lease the context allows, the word “including” will be deemed to mean “including without limitation”. The headings of articles, sections or paragraphs are for convenience only and shall not be relevant for purposes of interpretation of the provisions of this Lease.
(l) No-Air Rights. This Lease does not create, nor will Tenant have, any express or implied easement for or other rights to air, light or view over or about the Building or any part thereof.
(m) Delegation by Landlord. Any acts to be performed by Landlord under or in connection with this Lease may be delegated by Landlord to its managing agent or other authorized person or firm.
(n) Construction. This Lease shall not be more strictly construed against either party hereto by reason of the fact that one party may have drafted or prepared any or all of the terms and provisions hereof. It is acknowledged that each of the parties hereto has been fully represented by legal counsel and that each of such legal counsel has contributed substantially to the content of this Lease.
(o) Confidentiality of Terms. Landlord and Tenant acknowledge that the terms and provisions of this Lease have been negotiated based upon a variety of factors, occurring at a coincident point in time, including, but not limited to: (i) the individual principals involved and the financial strength of Tenant, (ii) the nature of Tenant’s business and use of the Premises, (iii) the current leasing market place and the economic conditions affecting rental rates, (iv) the present and projected tenant mix of the Building, and (v) the projected juxtaposition of tenants on the floor(s) upon which the Premises are located and the floors within the Building. Therefore, recognizing the totality, uniqueness, complexity and interrelation of the aforementioned factors, the Tenant agrees to use its best efforts not to disseminate in any manner whatsoever, (whether by word of mouth, mechanical reproduction, physical tender or by any manner of visual or aural transmission or review) the terms and conditions of this Lease to third parties who could in any way be considered presently or in the future as prospective tenants for this or any other leasehold property with which Landlord may be involved.
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(p) Parties Bound. If more than one person or entity is named herein as Tenant, their liability hereunder will be joint and several. In case Tenant is a corporation or limited liability company, Tenant (a) represents and warrants that this Lease has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by and on behalf of Tenant and constitutes the valid and binding agreement of Tenant in accordance with the terms hereof, and (b) Tenant shall deliver to Landlord or its agent, concurrently with the delivery of this Lease, executed by Tenant, certified resolutions of the board of directors (and shareholders, if required) or managers (and members, if required) authorizing Tenant’s execution and delivery of this Lease and the performance of Tenant’s obligations hereunder. In case Tenant is a partnership, Tenant represents and warrants that all of the persons who are general or managing partners in said partnership have executed this Lease on behalf of Tenant, or that this Lease has been executed and delivered pursuant to and in conformity with a valid and effective authorization therefor by all of the general or managing partners of such partnership, and is and constitutes the valid and binding agreement of the partnership and each and every partner therein in accordance with its terms. It is agreed that each and every present and future partner in Tenant shall be and remain at all times jointly and severally liable hereunder and that neither the death, resignation or withdrawal of any partner, nor the subsequent modification or waiver of any of the terms and provisions of this Lease, shall release the liability of such partner under the terms of this Lease unless and until Landlord shall have consented in writing to such release.
(q) Proposed Use. Landlord has made no inquiries about and makes no representations (express or implied) concerning whether Tenant’s proposed use of the Premises is permitted under applicable law, including applicable zoning law; should Tenant’s proposed use be prohibited, Tenant shall be obligated to comply with applicable law and this Lease shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect.
(r) Common Area Renovation. Landlord and Tenant each hereby acknowledge Landlord’s plans to renovate the Building’s ground floor lobby, the interior of each elevator, and the hallways of each elevator floor (paint and carpet only), after the Lease Commencement date (the “Renovations”). Landlord agrees that: (i) Landlord shall, subject to force majeure, substantially complete the Renovations within one hundred twenty (120) days following the Lease Commencement date and (ii) Landlord shall use its reasonable efforts to prevent the Renovations from unreasonably interfering with the Tenant’s use and enjoyment of the Premises.
(s) Signage. Tenant may, at Tenant’s sole cost and expense, install an identification sign within or adjacent to the entrance of the Premises and on the monument sign located on the Southeast corner of Landlord’s property provided such design has the prior approvals of Landlord and the property owners’ association which governs the business park where the Building is located, as well as conforms to the graphic standards of the Building. Landlord shall maintain in the lobby of the Building, a directory which shall include the name of the Tenant and any other names reasonably requested by Tenant in proportion to the number of listings given to other tenants of the Building.
(t) Tenant warrants and represents to Landlord, that the person signing this Lease for Tenant is authorized to sign this Lease on behalf of Tenant and to bind Tenant to the terms and conditions of this Lease. Landlord warrants and represents to Tenant that the person signing this Lease for Landlord is authorized to sign this Lease for Landlord and to bind Landlord to the terms and conditions of this Lease.
(u) In the event that either party is in default under any terms of this Lease, or either party must take any action to enforce any provision of this Lease, then the prevailing party, in addition to recovery of any damages, shall also be entitled to recover from the other any and all of its reasonable attorneys fees and costs, including those in original and appellate proceedings.
(v) Any and all and all real estate brokerage fees, commissions and costs shall be payable in full solely by Landlord, with no responsibility or liability on Tenant.
(w) Counterparts. This Lease may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same Agreement.
(x) Facsimile. Facsimile signatures of this Lease shall be treated as originals for all purposes.
(y) Terrorist Act. The parties represent and warrant that they are not acting, directly or indirectly, for or on behalf of any person, group, entity or nation named by the United States Treasury Department as a Specially Designated National and Blocked Person, or for or on behalf of any person, group, entity or nation designated in Presidential Executive Order 13224 as a person who commits, threatens to commit, or supports terrorism; and that they are not engaged in this transaction directly or indirectly on behalf of, or facilitating this transaction directly or indirectly on behalf of, any such person, group, entity or nation.
(z) Americans With Disabilities Act. Landlord represents to the best of its actual knowledge, without investigation or inquiry, that the Building is not in violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act.
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41. OPTION TO EXTEND LEASE.
Provided this Lease is in effect and Tenant is not in default under any of the terms and conditions of this Lease at the time Tenant exercises its option to extend or at the commencement of the applicable option term, Tenant shall have the right to extend the term of this Lease for two (2) consecutive separate three (3) year terms beyond the current lease expiration date, on the same terms and conditions of this Lease, including the fixed three percent (3%) annual base rent increases, provided Tenant gives Landlord notice thereof at least sixty days (60) before the applicable three (3) year option period begins. This right to extend the term of this Lease shall be exclusive to the Tenant and any sub-tenant or assignee of Tenant which is a subsidiary or affiliated company or entity of Tenant.
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FOLLOW]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed and delivered this Lease as of the day and year first above written.
Witnesses: |
| “LANDLORD” | |
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| FRENCH OVERSEAS COMPANY, LLC, a Florida limited liability company | |
| By: | /s/ Martina San Miguel | |
| Name: | Martina San Miguel | |
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| Title: | VICE PRESIDENT |
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| “TENANT” | ||
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| ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, authorized to do business in Florida | |
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| By: | /s/ Jon Tiomno | |
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| Jon Tiomno |
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| Its: Authorized Person |
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EXHIBIT “A”
LEGAL DESCRIPTION
A portion of Parcel “A” and a portion of Parcel “B”, SUNRISE INDUSTRIAL PARK PHASE I, according to the Plat thereof, recorded in Plat Book 114, Page 25, of the Public Records of Broward County, Florida, more particularly described as follows:
BEGINNING at the Northeast corner of said Parcel “B” and the Southeast corner of Parcel “A”;
Thence, along the East boundary of said Parcel “B”, South 00° 08' 44" East, 235.00 feet;
Thence, continue along said East boundary, South 05° 33' 54" West, 100.50 feet.
Thence, continue along said East boundary, South 00° 08' 44" East, 125.03 feet;
Thence, South 44° 56' 53" West, 56.66 feet to a point on the arc of a non-tangent curve (a radial line through said point bears North 00° 02' 30" East) concave to the North, having a radius of 1,569.72 feet and a delta of 13° 29' 02";
Thence, Westerly along said curve, an arc distance of 369.41 feet;
Thence, tangent to said curve, North 76° 28' 28" West, 276.90 feet to the point of curvature of a tangent curve concave to the Southwest, having a radius of 2,032.00 feet and a delta of 02° 48' 14";
Thence, Northwesterly along said curve, an arc distance of 99.44 feet to an intersection with a non-tangent line (a radial line through said point bears South 10° 43' 17" West;
Thence, North 87° 01' 56" West, 36.21 feet;
Thence, North 13° 31' 32" East, 247.73 Feet;
Thence, North 73° 34' 48" East, 47.53 feet;
Thence, North 56° 07' 51" East, 24.93 feet;
Thence, North 72° 04' 58" East, 48.87 feet;
Thence, North 00° 34' 52" West, 64.78 feet;
Thence, North 76° 11' 51" West, 77.07 feet;
Thence, North 89° 47' 09" East, 99.96 feet;
Thence, North 71° 04' 49" East, 24.90 feet;
Thence, South 00° 34' 52" East, 75.85 feet;
Thence, 72° 04' 49" East 12.13 feet;
Thence, 89° 03' 04" East, 79.75 feet;
Thence 79° 26' 32" East, 100.12 feet;
Thence, North 87° 01' 05" East, 106.22 feet;
Thence, South 84° 58' 05" East, 32.92 feet;
Thence, South 72° 03' 51" East, 47.91 feet
Thence, South 79° 23' 36" East, 100.27 feet;
Thence, North 82° 20' 23" East, 54.10 feet;
Thence, North 52° 37' 14" East, 39.34 feet;
Thence, North 08° 14' 44" East, 65.89 feet;
Thence, North 09° 36' 36" West, 101.69 feet;
Thence, North 06° 08' 06" East, 78.58 feet;
Thence, North 71° 04' 49" East, 41.15 feet to an intersection with the East boundary of said Parcel “A”;
Thence, South 00° 08' 44" East, along said East boundary of Parcel “A”, 210.77 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING.
EXHIBIT B
WORK LETTER AGREMENT
THIS WORK LETTER AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into this ___ day of January, 2011,, between French Overseas Company, LLC, Landlord and Alliance Entertainment, LLC, Tenant. In the event of anyinconsistencies between this Agreement and the Lease dated concurrently herewith to which this Agreement is attached as Exhibit “B”, this Agreement shall control. Capitalized terms used in this Agreement shall, unless otherwise specifically set forth herein, have the same meanings as in the Lease.
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, Landlord and Tenant have executed a Lease this date and, in connection therewith, are entering into this Agreement for the construction of certain leasehold improvements of and to the Premises referenced in the Lease;
WHEREAS, (i) Landlord will he responsible for delivering the Building with certain structural, Mechanical, electrical and other systems in good working order, as provided in the Lease. (ii) Landlord shall employ a general contractor to undertake construction of the Tenant’s leasehold improvements, including, without limitation, architectural and space plans, permit fees, HVAC, and interior finishes of the Premises (all such work being collectively referred to herein as the “Tenant Improvements”).
WHEREAS, the parties agree and acknowledge that, for purposes of this Agreement only, the Premises contain 22336 square feet of space, plus the Extra Space in Suite 101.
NOW, THEREFORE, for TEN & NO/IO0 DOLLARS ($10.00) and other good and valuable considerations, receipt and adequacy of which is hereby acknowledged, Landlord and Tenant agree as follows:
SECTION 1
RECITALS.
1.1 | Landlord and Tenant agree to the recitals set forth above and acknowledge that each of same is true and correct and by this reference is hereby incorporated into this Agreement. |
SECTION 2
PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS: THE CONTRACTOR: HVAC
21 | Landlord shall hire a licensed Florida architect and such Other duly licensed professionals as required to prepare a space plan, construction budget (including all architectural and space planning costs) (the “Construction Budget”), construction plans, Specifications and working drawings for the proposed Tenant Improvements (collectively all such items are referred to herein as the “Preliminary Plans”). The Preliminary Plans shall include the Tenant’s buildout plans prepared by Lon Skidds and dated December 23, 2010, and shall reflect the Tenant Improvements to the Premises to be made in compliance with all applicable zoning, land use and building codes applicable to the Building so that: (I) all required building permits can be obtained, based upon submittal of the Final Working Drawings (as defined below) to the appropriate Governmental authority, (2) upon the proper completion of the Tenant Improvements all required certificates of occupancy can be issued by the governmental authority having jurisdiction over such matters. |
2.2 The Final Working Drawings shall serve as the basis for the construction of the Tenant Improvements (collectively, the “Work”).
2.3. The Tenants Improvements are in accordance with the preliminary Plans that are attached in this document. The following installation, among others will be made in the office space: new walls throughout as needed, complete painting, new carpeting throughout, and some w will be demolished. In addition the following will be done:
a. Suite 304:
1. Replace or resurface pantry countertop/cabinets.
2. Replace boardroom ceiling tiles (most are smoke stained).
3. Replace vinyl tile with carpet and paint walls.
4. Repair or replace LAN room thermostat as required (is damaged/cracked).
b. Suite 100:
1. Restain bathroom doors.
2. Replace damaged or stained ceiling tiles in large open space.
3. Ensure proper ceiling lighting per specs in large open space.
4. Replace all ceiling tiles in small room below bathroom (all damaged and bulging).
5. Repair or replace existing stained or damaged breakroom countertops.
2.4 Landlord shall select a Florida licensed contractor for the completion of the Work, pursuant to the Final Working Drawings (the “Contractor).
SECTION 3
FINANCIAL
Alliance Entertainment requires a turnkey build out allowance at the Landlord expense based upon mutually agreed upon plans and specifications. Landlord also agrees to incur the cost for space planning, CD’s etc.. Landlord at Landlord sole cost shall provide the following Tenant improvements
Turnkey per the enclosed plan on the first floor and 3r floor to include new carpeting/flooring and paint on the 1st floor. Adequate electrical and data voice drops shall be provided per the layout for the 1st and 3rd floors
SECTION 4
CONSTRUCTION OF IMPROVEMENTS
Landlord shall cause the Work to be completed under the auspices of the Contractor in a good and workmanlike manner, in compliance with all applicable zoning, land use and building codes applicable to the Building, free from all construction liens. Landlord will use commercially reasonable efforts to see that work is completed and all necessary approvals and certificates of occupancy are issued by May 1, 2011 (the “Outside Date”). If the Work is not completed by the Outside Date, then (1) Rent shall abate until work is completed and all necessary approvals and certificates of occupancy are issued, and (2) for every day falling between the Outside Date and the actual substantial completion of the Work and delivery of the Premises, Tenant shall receive one day of free rent following the date upon which Tenant’s obligation to pay rent would have otherwise commenced, unless the delay is due to the acts or omissions of Tenant or any reason outside of Landlord’s reasonable Control.
Landlord shall, upon completion of the Work, obtain and provide to Tenant true and correct copies of all certificates of occupancy and other governmental approvals required. Tenant shall not occupy the space for business purposes unless and until Tenant has obtained all of the foregoing governmental approvals, including the Certificate of Occupancy and the occupational licenses submitted same to Landlord.
Tenant shall have the right to relocate all computer room floor tiles and equipment in the Premises, as Tenant deems necessary within the Premises, at Tenant’s sole cost and expense.
SECTION 5
RATIFICATION
Except as specifically set forth in this Agreement, the Lease is ratified and confirmed as written.
[EXECUTION PACE FOLLOWS]
In WINTNESS WHEREOF, the parties have signed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written
Witnesses |
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| LANDORD | ||
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| FRENCH OVERSEAS COMPANY, LLC, a Florida limited liability company | |||
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Printed Name: |
| By: | /s/ Martina San Miguel | ||
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| | MARTINA SAN | |
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| | Vice - President | |
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| Its: Authorized Agent | |||
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| TENANT | ||
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| ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company authorized to do business in the Florida | ||
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Printed Name: |
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/s/ Ruth Jacobs |
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| By: Jon Tiomno | ||
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| /s/ Jon Tiomno | ||
Printed Name: | Ruth Jacobs |
| Its: Authorized Agent |
EXHIBIT “C”
RULES & REGULATIONS
1. The sidewalks, entrances, passages, courts, elevators, vestibules, stairways, corridors, and halls shall not be obstructed or encumbered by any Tenant or used for any purpose other than ingress and egress to and from the Premises.
2. No awnings or other projections shall be attached to the outside walls of the Building without the prior written consent of Landlord. No curtains, blinds, shades, or screens shall be att:aehed to or hung in, or used in connection with, any window or door of the Premises, without the prior written consent of Landlord. Such awnings, projections, curtains, blinds, shades, screens, or other fixtures must be of a quality, type, design, and color, and attached in the manner approved by Landlord.
3. No sign, advertisement, notice or other lettering shall he exhibited, inscribed, painted or affixed by any Tenant on any part of the outside of the Premises or Building or on the inside of the Premises if the same can be seen from the outside of the Premises without the prior written consent of Landlord except that the name of Tenant may appear on the entrance door of the Premises. In the event of a violation of the foregoing by Tenant, Landlord may remove same without any liability and may charge the expense incurred by such removal to the Tenant or Tenants violating this rule. Interior signs on doors and the directory shall be inscribed, painted or affixed for each Tenant by Landlord at the expense of such Tenant and shall he of a size and style acceptable to the Landlord.
4. Tenant shall not occupy or permit any portion of the Premises demised to it to be occupied as an office for a public stenographer or typist, or as a barber or manicure shop, or as an employment bureau. Tenant shall not engage or pay any employees on the Premises, except those actually working for Tenant at the Premises, nor advertise for labor giving an address at the Premises. The Premises shall not be used for gambling, lodging, or sleeping or for any immoral or illegal purposes. The Premises shall not be used for the manufacture, storage, or sale of merchandise, goods or property of any kind whatsoever.
5. The sashes, sash doors, skylights, windows, and doors that reflect or admit light and air into the halls, passageway or other public places in the Building shall not be covered or obstructed by any Tenant nor shall any bottles, parcels or other articles be placed on the window sills. No materials shall be placed in the corridors or vestibules nor shall any articles obstruct any air conditioning supply or exhaust vent.
6. The water and wash closets and other plumbing fixtures shall not be used for any purposes other than those for which they were constructed and no sweepings, rubbish, rags, or other substances shall be thrown therein. All damages resulting from any misuse of the fixtures by Tenant, its servants, employees, agents, or licensees shall be borne by Tenant.
7. No Tenant shall mark, paint, drill into, or in any way deface any part of the Premises or the Building of which they form a part. No boring, cutting, or stringing of wires shall be permitted, except with the prior written consent of Landlord, and as it may direct. Should a Tenant require telegraphic, telephonic, annunciator or other communication service, Landlord will direct the electricians where and how wires are to be introduced and placed, and none shall be introduced or placed except as Landlord shall direct. Electric current shall not be used for power or heating without Landlord’s prior written permission. Neither Tenant nor Tenant’s Agents including, but not limited to, electrical repairmen and telephone installers, shall lift, remove or in any way alter or disturb any of the interior ceiling materials of the Premises or Building, nor shall any of same have any access whatsoever to the area above the interior ceiling of the Premises or the Building except with the prior written consent of Landlord and in accordance with guidelines established by Landlord. No antennas shall be permitted.
8. No bicycles, vehicles, or animals of any kind shall be brought into or kept in or about the Premises, and no cooling shall be done or permitted by any Tenant on said Premises. No Tenant shall cause or permit any unusual or objectionable odors to be produced upon or permeate from the Premises.
9. Landlord shall have the right to retain a passkey and to enter the Premises at any time, to examine same or to make such alterations and repairs as may be deemed necessary, or to exhibit saint to prospective tenants during normal business hours.
10. No Tenant shall make, or permit to be made, any unseemly or disturbing noises or disturb or interfere with occupants of this or neighboring buildings or premises or those having business with them, whether by the use of any musical instrument, radio, talking machine, unmusical noise, whistling, singing, or in any other way. No Tenant shall throw anything out of doors, windows, or skylights, or down the passageways.
11. No additional locks or bolts of any kind shall be placed upon any of the doors or windows by any Tenant, nor shall any changes be made in existing locks or the mechanism thereof: Each Tenant must, upon the termination of his tenancy restore to the Landlord all keys of offices and toilet rooms, either furnished to, or otherwise procured by, such Tenant, Tenant shall pay to the Landlord the cost of any lost keys.
12. Tenant will refer all contractors, contractors’ representatives and installation technicians, rendering any service to Tenant, to Landlord for Landlord’s supervision, approval, and control before performance of any contractual service. This provision shall apply to all work performed in the building, including installations of telephones, telegraph equipment, electrical devices and attachments, and installations of any nature affecting floors, walls, woodwork, trim, windows, ceilings, equipment or any other physical portion of the Building.
13. All removals, or the carrying in or out of any safes, freight, furniture or bulky matter of any description must take place during the hours which the Landlord or its agent may determine from time to time. All such movement shall be tinder supervision of Landlord and in the manner agreed between Tenant and Landlord by prearrangement before performance. Such pre-arrangements initiated by Tenant will include determination by Landlord, subject to his decision and control, of the time, method, and routing of movement and limitations imposed by safety or other concerns which may prohibit any article, equipment or any other item from being brought into the building. Landlord reserves the right to prescribe the weight and position of all safes, which must be placed upon 2-inch thick plank strips to distribute the weight. Any damage done to the Building or to other Tenants or to other persons in bringing in or removing safes, furniture or other bulky or heavy articles shall be paid for by the Tenant.
14. Tenant agrees that all machines or machinery placed in the Premises by Tenant will he erected and placed so as to prevent any vibration or annoyance to any other Tenants in the Building of which the Premises are a part, and it is agreed that upon written request of Landlord, Tenant will, within ten (10) days after the mailing of such notice, provide approved settings for the absorbing, preventing, or decreasing of noise from any or all machines or machinery placed in the Premises.
15. Each Tenant shall, at its expense, provide artificial light for the employees of the Landlord while doing janitor service or other cleaning, and in making repairs or alterations in said Premises,
16. The requirements of Tenant will be attended to only upon written application at the office of the Building, Employees of Landlord shall not receive or carry messages for or to any Tenant or other person nor contract with or render free or paid services to any Tenant of Tenant’s agent, employees, or invitees,
17. Canvassing, soliciting, and peddling in the Building is prohibited and each Tenant shall cooperate to prevent the same.
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18. Tenant shall have the free use of the mail chutes, if any, installed in the Building, but the Landlord in no wise guarantees efficiency of the said mail chutes and shall be in a no wise responsible for any damage or delay which may arise from use thereof
19. Landlord will not be responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged property, equipment, money, or jewelry from Tenant’s area or public rooms regardless of whether such loss occurs when area is locked against entry or not.
20. Landlord specifically reserves the right to refuse admittance to the Building from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. daily, or on Saturdays, Sundays or legal holidays, to any person or persons who cannot furnish satisfactory identification, or to any person or persons who, for any other reason in the Landlord’s judgment, should be denied access to the Premises. Landlord, for the protection of the Tenant and Tenant’s effects may prescribe hours and intervals during the night and on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, when all persons entering and departing the Building shall be required to enter their names, the offices to which they are going or from which they are leaving, and the time of entrance and departure in a register provided for the purpose by that Landlord.
21. No Tenant, nor any of Tenant’s Agents, shall at any time bring or keep upon the Premises any inflammable, combustible, or explosive fluid, chemical, or substance.
22. Landlord reserves the right to make such other and further reasonable rules and regulations as in its judgment may from time to time he needful for the safety, care and cleanliness of the Premises, and for the preservation of good order therein and any such other or further rules and regulations shall he binding upon the parties hereto with the same force and effect as if they had been inserted herein at the time of the execution hereof.
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LANDLORD: FRENCH OVERSEAS COMPANY, LLC
TENANT: ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT, LLC
PREMISES: Suites 101, 102, and 304, 1401 N.W. 136th Ave., Sunrise, FL 33323
RIGHT OF FIRST OFFER RIDER
During the first three years of the term of this Lease now being entered into between Landlord and Tenant (“this Lease”) so long as Tenant is not in default under any of the terms and conditions of this Lease, then Landlord, before entering into any new Lease with a new tenant for all, or any portion, of any other space on the first (1st) and third (3rd) floors of the building that is not part of the leased premises (“other space”), must first offer to lease such other space to Tenant. To exercise this right of first offer, Tenant must sign a new Lease with Landlord for such other space (“new Lease”) within three (3) business days after receipt by Tenant of such new lease from Landlord. Such new Lease shall have a base rent in accordance with the prevailing fair market rate for such space, and in all other material aspects shall be similar to the terms and conditions of this Lease. This right of first offer is exclusive to the present Tenant or any of its subsidiaries or affiliated companies or entities. If this right of first offer is exercised by Tenant with regard to any other space on the first (1st) floor of the building during the first year of this Lease, then the rent on the new Lease for such first (1st) floor other space shall be at the same rate as provided in this Lease.. No lease by Landlord for other space with any new tenant shall be valid, or be of any force or legal effect, unless Tenant is given the opportunity to exercise its right of first offer as set forth in this paragraph, or Tenant has waived such right, in writing. If Tenant no longer has the Right of First Offer pursuant to other provisions of the Lease, or fails to properly exercise within the three (3) business day exercise period or fails to enter into an amendment within the three (3) business day execution period, then the Right of First Offer, with respect to the subject portion of the other space then being negotiated by Landlord, shall thereupon and thereafter be null, void and of no further force or effect. LANDLORD AND TENANT ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE FOR TENANT’S EXERCISE OF ANY RIGHT OF FIRST OFFER, LANDLORD IS NOT OBLIGATED TO NOTIFY TENANT OF ANY UPCOMING NEED TO TIMELY EXERCISE A REFUSAL RIGHT OTHER THAN TO NOTIFY TENANT AS SET FORTH ABOVE.
(Signatures appear on the following page)
IN THE PRESENCE OF: | | LANDLORD: | ||
| | FRENCH OVERSEAS COMPANY, LLC | ||
Printed Name: | | | By: | |
| | Authorized Agent | ||
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| TENANT: | ||
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| ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT, LLC | |||
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Printed Name: |
| By: | /s/ Jon Tiomno | |
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| Jon Tiomno, Authorized Agent | |
/s/ Ruth Jacobs |
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Printed Name: | Ruth Jacobs |
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Exhibit 10.23
FIRST AMENDMENT TO LEASE
(COMMENCEMENT DATE AGREEMENT AND MODIFICATION)
This First Amendment to Lease (this “Amendment”) is made effective as of January 31, 2012, by and between FRENCH OVERSEAS COMPANY, LLC, a Florida limited company (“Landlord”), and ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company authorized to do business in the State of Florida (“Tenant”).
PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS
A. Landlord and Tenant entered into that certain Lease dated January 7, 2011 (the “Lease”) demising the premises therein described (the “Premises”).
B. Landlord and Tenant wish to modify and confirm certain terms of the Lease as set forth in this Amendment.
W I T N E S S E T H:
NOW, THEREFORE in consideration of the sum of $10.00 and other good and valuable consideration in hand paid by each party to the other, the mutual receipt and legal sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Landlord and Tenant hereby agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS: All capitalized terms used, but not defined, in this Amendment shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Lease.
2. PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS: The foregoing preliminary statements are true and correct and are hereby incorporated into this Amendment.
3. SPECIFIC PROVISIONS: Notwithstanding any provision of the Lease to the contrary:
A. Establishment and Confirmation of Various Dates. The term of the Lease (the “Term”) commenced on May 1, 2011. Tenant accepted delivery of possession of the Premises with Landlord’s Work completed in accordance with the provisions of the Lease, on September 19, 2011 (the “Delivery Date”). The Rent Commencement Date shall be deemed to be the same as the Delivery Date. The Term is hereby extended so that the Expiration Date shall be July 19, 2017, which is seventy (70) months (more or less) from the Delivery Date, subject to Tenant’s option to extend the Term as set forth in Section 41 of the Lease. The Adjustment Dates for Base Rent pursuant to Section 3(b) of the Lease shall be October 1, 2012, and October 1st of every year thereafter during the Term, and not on the anniversaries of the Rent Commencement Date as otherwise provided in the Lease.
B. Rent Abatement. Tenant’s initial four-month rent concession period provided under Section 3(a) of the Lease began to run on the Rent Commencement Date and expired on January 19, 2012 (the “Initial Abatement Period”). The parties acknowledge that Tenant has paid Landlord prorated Base Rent and Operating Expenses for the period from January 19, 2012 through January 31, 2012. Beginning on February 1, 2012, Tenant shall be obligated to pay full Base Rent, Operating Expenses, Additional Rent and all other charges due throughout the Term, except that: (A) Base Rent, Operating Expenses and Additional Rent shall abate for two (2) days of each calendar month (excluding the months falling during the Later Abatement Periods, during which all Base Rent is abated pursuant to clause (B), below), until Tenant shall have received a total of sixty (60) days Base Rent, Operating Expense and Additional Rent abatement as compensation for the delayed Delivery Date, and (B) Base Rent (only) shall abate with respect to the following two- month periods (collectively, the “Later Abatement Periods”): October 1, 2012 until November 30, 2012, October 1, 2013 until November 30, 2013, and October 1, 2014 until November 30, 2014 (deemed to be months 13, 14, 25, 26, 37 and 38 of the Lease for purposes of the rent concessions granted in Section 5 of the BLI of the Lease). All Rent abated during the Initial Abatement Period and the Later Abatement Periods shall be recoverable by Landlord as unpaid Rent in the event of a default by Tenant, as set forth in Section 3(a) of the Lease, but the compensatory Base Rent, Operating Expense and Additional Rent abatement described in clause (A) above shall not be recoverable. Landlord and Tenant acknowledge that the rent concession described in clause (A), above, represents a compromise between Landlord and Tenant with respect to delays in the Delivery Date. Tenant accepts this concession as full and complete settlement of any claims it may have or have had with respect to the Delivery Date. Specifically, Tenant hereby releases Landlord from any claim whatsoever that Tenant has or could have had against Landlord as a result of or arising in any way from any delays in the Delivery Date or the condition of the Premises upon the Delivery Date.
4. RATIFICATION: Except as expressly modified herein, all of the terms, provisions and conditions of the Lease are hereby ratified and confirmed, and shall remain in full force and effect.
5. CONFLICT: In the event of any conflict between the provisions of the Lease and the provisions of this Amendment, the provisions of this Amendment shall supersede and prevail.
6. COUNTERPART SIGNATURES: This Amendment may be signed in any number of counterparts each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
7. ACCEPTANCE OF FACSIMILE AND SCANNED SIGNATURES: The parties agree that this Amendment and all related and ancillary documents shall be considered validly signed by, and legally binding upon, a party when: (1) the signature of the party is delivered by facsimile transmission, or (2) the signature of the party is delivered as a scanned image attached to an electronic mail message (email), or (3) an original signature of a party is delivered by mail, hand or courier service. Any facsimile or scanned signature must be treated in all respects as having the same effect as an original signature.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Landlord and Tenant have executed this Amendment effective as of the dates set forth below their respective signatures.
| “LANDLORD”: | |
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| FRENCH OVERSEAS COMPANY, LLC | |
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| By: | /s/ Martina San Miguel |
| Name: | Martina San Miguel |
| Title: | Vice President |
| Dated: | 3/6/12 |
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| “TENANT”: | |
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| ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT, LLC | |
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| By: | /s/ Peter Blei |
| | Peter Blei, EVP & COO |
| Its: | Authorized Person |
| Dated: | 2/14/12 |
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Exhibit 10.24
SECOND AMENDMENT TO LEASE
THIS SECOND AMENDMENT TO LEASE (“Second Amendment”) is made as of the ___ day of August, 2016, by and between FRENCH OVERSEAS COMPANY, LLC, a Florida limited liability company (“Landlord”), and ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company authorized to do business in the State of Florida (“Tenant”). Landlord and Tenant shall be collectively referred to as the “Parties” and each a “Party.”
Recitals
WHEREAS, the Parties entered into that certain lease agreement dated January 7, 2011, for the demise of real property located 1401 N.W. 136 Avenue, Sunrise, Florida, which is more specifically described in said lease, as well as that certain First Amendment to Lease dated January 31, 2012 (the lease and first amendment shall be collectively referred to as the “Lease”); and
WHEREAS, the Lease expires on July 19, 2017; and
WHEREAS, the Parties wish to extend the term of the Lease under the terms and conditions set forth herein; and
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and obligations contained herein and of other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:
Terms
1. | Recitals. The above recitals are hereby incorporated as if fully set forth herein. |
2. | Incorporation of Lease; Supremacy. The terms of the Lease are incorporated as if fully set forth herein. In the event of a conflict between the terms of the Lease and this Second Amendment, the terms of this Second Amendment shall prevail. |
3. | Extension of Lease Term. The Parties hereby agree to extend and continue the Lease for a period (the “Renewal Term”) commencing on July 1, 2017 (the “Renewal Date”), and continuing for a period of five (5) years and (5) months. |
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4. | Rent. |
a. | Base Rent. The Base Rent at the start of the Renewal Term shall be $13.75 per rentable square foot. Base Rent shall be increased by three percent (3%) on July 1st of each year during the Renewal Term. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Tenant’s Base Rent and Additional Rent shall be abated during month one (1) which is July 2017, month two (2) which is August 2017, month thirteen (13) which is July 2018, month fourteen (14) which is August 2018 and month twenty-five (25) which is July 2019 of the Renewal Term. |
b. | Additional Rent. Paragraph 3(c) of the Lease shall be deleted from the Lease as of the Renewal Date and replaced as follows: |
Tenant shall pay, as additional rent (“Additional Rent”), prorated for that part of the Lease Term within the applicable calendar year, Tenant’s Percentage Share, as such term is defined in Section 3(d)(iv) below, of the total amount of (i) the annual Operating Expenses, as such term is defined in Section 3(d)(i); provided, however, except for each full calendar year of the Lease Term, Tenant’s Percentage Share of Operating Expenses (excluding Non-Controllable Expenses, as defined in Section 3(d)(ii) below) shall not be greater than one hundred three percent (103%) of Tenant’s Percentage Share of Operating Expenses (excluding Non-Controllable Expenses) for the prior calendar year, and (ii) the Taxes, as such term is defined in section 3(d)(iii), for the Building. On or before March 31 following a year for which Additional Rent is payable hereunder, Landlord shall use its best efforts to provide Tenant with the amount of the actual Additional Rent for the previous year (the “Additional Rent Breakdown”), and a reasonable breakdown of the items included therein, together with an invoice for any underpayments of Additional Rent, which must be paid by Tenant within thirty (30) days following receipt of such invoice, or to be included with the next monthly payment of Rent, (whichever shall occur first), or a check to Tenant to reimburse Tenant for any overpayment of Additional Rent. Tenant may, at Tenant’s cost and expense and never more than once in any twelve (12) month period, have the right to audit the Building’s operating expenses provided Tenant gives written notice to Landlord within twelve (12) months of receiving the last Additional Rent Breakdown. Any audit by Tenant shall be limited to the previous twelve (12) months from the date Tenant provides Landlord with written notice of its election to audit. Tenant shall be entitled to reimbursement only if Tenant’s audit indicates that the Building’s operating expenses were overstated by more than three percent (3%).
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5. | Expansion Rights. Any right held by Tenant to expand or otherwise increase the number of square feet rented pursuant to the Lease is deemed deleted, as of the date hereof. |
6. | Renewal Option. Paragraph 41 of the Lease shall be stricken and replaced as follows: |
Provided this Lease (including amendments) is still in effect and Tenant is not in material default under any of the terms and conditions of this Lease (including amendments) and which Landlord has noticed Tenant thereof in accordance with the notice provisions of the Lease, at the time Tenant exercises its option or at the commencement of the applicable Renewal Term, Tenant shall have two options to renew as follows: (i) an option for a three (3) year extension under the terms set forth in Paragraph 41 of the Lease (as amended by this Paragraph) and (ii) an option for a five (5) year extension in which the Base Rent shall be 95% of the then-current Fair Market Rental Rate as defined in Exhibit A hereto. If Tenant wishes to exercise either option, Tenant must provide Landlord written notice (the “Renewal Notice) of its election no less than twelve (12) months prior to the expiration of the then-current term. The Renewal Notice must specify which option Tenant is choosing in order to be effective.
7. | Landlord Improvements. Landlord will perform the following improvements within six (6) months within execution of this Second Amendment: |
a. | Upgrade the third (3rd) floor common area – i.e. elevator area, lobby, landing area, and bathrooms – so that it is substantially similar to the common area on the second (2nd) floor. |
b. | Ensure all windows are properly caulked and/or sealed in order to avoid water leaks. |
c. | Repair any roof leaks and/or ceiling tiles which have water damage. |
d. | Repair any leak on the fourth (4th) floor which may be present in the stairwell. |
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e. | Replace all of the overhead lighting that was in the recessed ceiling area above the bullpen/cubicle area on the South side of the Building. |
f. | Unlock the second (2nd) floor bathrooms. |
In the event Landlord fails to complete any of the Landlord improvements set forth in subparagraph 7(a) above within the six (6) month anniversary of the execution of this Second Amendment, then Tenant shall have the right to withhold from any and all payments due Landlord during each month of the Term, including, but not limited to the Base Rent and Additional Rent, commencing with the seventh from the execution date of this Second Amendment an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the aggregate amounts otherwise due Landlord until such time Landlord has satisfactorily completed all of the Landlord improvements set forth in subparagraph 7(a) above. However, the Tenant shall not have a right to withhold if the Landlord is required to obtain governmental permits for any of the work described above or if there is a delay caused by factors outside of the Landlord’s control (such as, for example, shortage of materials, acts of God, acts of terrorism, etc.) If there is a delay covered by the preceding sentence, then the six (6) month period shall be extended for a commercially reasonable amount of time dependent upon the event causing the delay.
8. | Relocation. Landlord shall have the right to relocate the portion of the Premises located on third (3rd) floor into mutually agreeable space that is comparable space within the Building. Landlord may exercise this right only once. In the event Landlord exercises this right, Landlord shall pay for associated moving costs and interior improvements, including, but not limited to costs to move furniture, fixtures and equipment and cabling into the new Premises substantially similar to those paid for by Landlord pursuant to the Master Lease of the current Premises located on the 3rd floor. |
9. | Parking. |
a. | Decrease on Assignment. In the event Tenant seeks to assign or sublet the Premises, Landlord may, in its sole and absolute discretion, condition its consent to the assignment or subletting upon the decrease of the number of parking spaces allotted Tenant (and/or its assignee) to five (5) spaces per each one thousand (1,000) square feet of Rentable Area of Premises. However, the Landlord’s ability to condition the assignment or subletting upon a decrease of the number of parking spaces shall not apply when the assignee or sub-lessee is a subsidiary or affiliated company/entity of Tenant or to the surviving corporation in any merger or consolidation involving the Tenant. |
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10. | Broker’s Commission. Landlord shall pay a broker’s commission to Brady Titcomb of Jones Lang LaSalle Brokerage, Inc. as representative of the Landlord and Zachary Wendelin and Matthew Cheezem of Jones Lang LaSalle Brokerage, Inc. as representatives of Tenant, the terms of which are set forth in a separate agreement. |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed and delivered this Extension Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
Witnesses: |
| “LANDLORD” | |
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| FRENCH OVERSEAS COMPANY, LLC, | ||
| a Florida limited liability company | ||
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| By: | /s/ Martina San Miguel | |
| Name: | Martina San Miguel | |
| Title: | Vice President | |
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| “TENANT” |
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| ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT, LLC | |
Witnesses: |
| a Delaware limited liability company | |
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| By: | /s/ George W. Campagna | |
| Name: | George W. Campagna | |
| Title: | CFO | |
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EXHIBIT A
The “Fair Market Rental Rate” shall mean the rate which a willing landlord, under no compulsion to rent, would agree to accept and a willing tenant, under no compulsion to rent, would agree to pay for base rent for Comparable Leases in the Sawgrass Mills area submarket at the time of exercise of the applicable Renewal Option. “Comparable Leases” shall mean leases which are approximately of the same term as the Renewal Term and are for similar space in similar projects (with occupancy rates similar to the Building) located within the Sawgrass Mills Area Submarket. In determining the Fair Market Rental Rate, the rental rate for Comparable Leases shall be reasonably adjusted for the following: (a) similarity of interior common area improvements; (b) similarity of location in the Submarket; (c) access to public transportation and proximity to car parking spaces; (d) similarity of construction materials and amenities; and (e) applicable allowances for leasehold improvements, brokerage commissions, or other then prevailing market concessions, but without regard to any time during which the applicable space is taken off the market for repairs, upgrades or improvements. Comparable Leases shall not include: (i) any transactions where the landlord of the subject building is in default of its mortgage or other indebtedness on the building, or is currently, or has been in the prior twelve months, in foreclosure proceedings relating to the applicable building or the landlord acquired title to the building by foreclosure or deed-in-lieu of foreclosure; and (ii) transactions in which the tenant has some form of equity participation in the building or lease transaction.
Within 30 days after receipt of the Renewal Notice for each Renewal Term, Landlord shall notify Tenant of its determination of the Fair Market Rental Rate for the Renewal Term. In the event that Tenant objects to Landlord’s determination, Tenant must notify Landlord within ten (10) days after receipt of Landlord’s notice or Tenant shall be deemed to have irrevocably accepted the Landlord’s determination of Fair Market Rental Rate for the applicable Renewal Term. If Landlord and Tenant disagree on the Fair Market Rental Rate, the Fair Market Rental Rate will be determined through the binding appraisal process set forth below.
If appraisal is required to determine the Fair Market Rental Rate for any Renewal Term, Landlord and Tenant will each select a reputable appraiser within 10 business days after Tenant’s notice of objection to Landlord’s determination of the Fair Market Rental Rate. Within 10 business days of their own appointment, the two appraisers thus selected must choose a third appraiser who will act as umpire. The appraisers selected by the parties must proceed with dispatch to make independent appraisals of the Fair Market Rental Value of the Premises, without regard to this lease. If the lower appraisal differs by more than 10% from the higher appraisal, the umpire must reconcile the differences to arrive at a single value to be used to establish a base rent. If the lower appraisal differs by 10% or less from the higher appraisal, the mean value will be used to fix the base rent. The parties must bear equally the fees and expenses of the appraisers and umpire. If the rent for the Renewal Term has not been determined on the first day of the Renewal Term, Tenant will continue to pay the base rent applicable to the final lease year of the preceding term until the base rent for the Renewal Term is determined. Once determined, any difference between the rent paid and the rent due will be resolved as follows: If Tenant has underpaid the rent, the shortage must be paid on Landlord’s demand. If Tenant has overpaid, the excess may be applied to rent due in the future until the excess is exhausted.
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Exhibit 10.25
STANDARD INDUSTRIAL LEASE
THIS INDUSTRIAL LEASE AGREEMENT (“Lease”) dated for reference purposes only as of the 12th day of August, 2020 by and between SCRS VALLEY PARK BUSINESS CENTER, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Landlord”), and COKEM INTERNATIONAL, LTD., a Minnesota corporation (“Tenant”).
1. | BASIC LEASE PROVISIONS. |
1.1DATE OF THE LEASE (FOR REFERENCE PURPOSES):August 12, 2020
1.2LANDLORD:SCRS Valley Park Business Center, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company y
1.3TENANT:COKeM International, Ltd., a Minnesota corporation
1.4PREMISES ADDRESSES:750 Innovation Drive, Suite 300
Shakopee, Minnesota 55379
1.5APPROXIMATE LEASABLE AREA OF PREMISES:29,688 rentable square feet, consisting of approximately 26,305 square feet of warehouse space, and approximately 3,383 square feet of office space (“Office Space”)
1.6USE: Office/Warehouse/Light Assembly/Light Manufacturing/Storage/Distribution, subject to the requirements and limitations contained in Section 4.
1.7TERM: Twenty-five (25) full calendar months.
1.8ESTIMATED COMMENCEMENT DATE: September 1, 2020, subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 3 below.
1.9MONTHLY BASE RENT: The Base Rent shall be adjusted annually on each anniversary of the Commencement Date (unless the Commencement Date is other than the first day of a month, in which event the Base Rent shall be adjusted annually commencing on the first anniversary of the first day of the calendar month following the Commencement Date) during the Term of the Lease as follows:
Lease Period in |
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1 – 12* | | $ | 5.37 | | $ | 13,285.38 | |
13 – 25 | | $ | 5.53 | | $ | 13,681.22 | |
* Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Lease, Landlord has agreed to conditionally waive the Base Rent due from Tenant for the first (1st) full calendar month of the Term in the amount of Thirteen Thousand Two Hundred Eighty-Five and 38/100 Dollars ($13,285.38) (the “Base Rent Abatement”). No other amounts due to Landlord under this Lease other than the Base Rent Abatement shall be abated, except as may be expressly provided in another provision of this Lease. In the event Tenant defaults under this Lease and fails to cure such default within any applicable notice or cure period, Tenant shall not be entitled to any further abatement of Base Rent and all Base Rent previously abated shall be immediately paid by Tenant to Landlord. If the Lease expires in accordance with its terms, and does not terminate as a result of a default by Tenant, Landlord agrees to permanently waive the Base Rent it has conditionally waived pursuant to this provision.
1.10 | BASE RENT AND ESTIMATED OPERATING EXPENSES AND REAL PROPERTY TAXES PAID UPON EXECUTION: $22,810.28; $13,285.38 of which shall be applied to the Base Rent due on the first (1st) day of the second (2nd) full calendar month of the Term, and $9,524.90 of which shall be applied to the monthly estimated Operating Expenses and Real Property Tax Payment due for the first (1st) calendar month of the Term. |
1.11TENANT’S PERCENTAGE SHARE OF THE BUILDING/PROJECT: 24.18% (29,688 divided by 122,789)
(See also Section 6.4)
1.12SECURITY DEPOSIT: $13,285.38
1.13NUMBER OF PARKING SPACES: Unreserved and in common with other tenants of the Project.
1.14REAL ESTATE BROKER:
| LANDLORD: | CBRE |
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| TENANT: | Colliers International |
1.15EXHIBITS ATTACHED TO LEASE: Addendum; Exhibit A — “Premises”; Exhibit B — “Verification Letter”; Exhibit C — “Rules and Regulations”; Exhibit D — “Move-Out Standards”; Exhibit E — “Form of HazMat Certificate”; Schedule 1 — “Additional Improvements Plan”.
1.16ADDRESSES FOR NOTICES:
| LANDLORD: | SCRS Valley Park Business Center, LLC |
| | c/o Cushman & Wakefield |
| | 3500 American Boulevard West, Suite 200 |
| | Minneapolis, Minnesota 55431 |
| | Attention: Michael Gross |
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| WITH COPY TO: | TA Realty |
| | 28 State Street |
| | Boston, Massachusetts 02109 |
| | Attn: Asset Manager - Minnesota |
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| TENANT: | COKeM International, Ltd. |
| | Shakopee, Minnesota 55379 |
| | 5651 Innovation Boulevard, Suite 500 |
| | Attention: Chief Operating Officer |
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2. | PREMISES. |
2.1 ACCEPTANCE. Landlord leases to Tenant, and Tenant leases from Landlord, the Premises, to have and to hold for the Term of this Lease, subject to the terms, covenants and conditions of this Lease. The Premises is depicted on Exhibit “A” attached hereto. The Premises depicted on Exhibit “A” is all or a part of a building (the “Building”) and may contain areas outside of the Building to the extent such areas are specifically identified on Exhibit “A” as being a part of the Premises. Tenant accepts the Premises in its condition as of the Commencement Date, subject to all applicable laws, ordinances, regulations, covenants, conditions, restrictions and easements, and except as may be otherwise expressly provided herein, Landlord shall not be obligated to make any repairs or alterations to the Premises. Tenant acknowledges that Landlord has made no representation or warranty as to the suitability of the Premises for the conduct of Tenant’s business, and Tenant waives any implied warranty that the Premises are suitable for Tenant’s intended purposes. The number of square feet set forth in Section 1.5 is an approximation, and the Base Rent shall not be changed if the actual number of square feet in the Premises is different than the number of square feet set forth in Section 1.5. The foregoing notwithstanding, Landlord shall deliver the Premises with all existing mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems and dock doors serving the Premises in good working condition. In addition, Landlord shall, at Landlord’s sole cost and expense, using Building standard methods, materials and finishes, (i) sheet rock and tape the demising wall in the Premises, and (ii) install dock levelers on three (3) of the dock doors serving the Premises to be mutually selected by Landlord and Tenant in their reasonable discretion.
See Addendum Paragraphs 1 and 2
2.2COMMON AREAS. Landlord hereby grants to Tenant for the benefit of Tenant and its employees, suppliers, shippers, customers and invitees during the Term of this Lease, the nonexclusive right to use, in common with others entitled to such use (including Landlord), any portions of the Project (as hereinafter defined) that are designated by Landlord for the common use of tenants and others (the “Common Areas”). The “Project” consists of the Premises, the Building, the Common Areas, the land upon which the same are located, along with all other buildings and improvements thereon. Under no circumstances shall the right herein granted to use the Common Areas be deemed to include the right to store any property, temporarily or permanently, in the Common Areas, including, without limitation, the storage of trucks or other vehicles. Any such storage shall be permitted only by the prior written consent of Landlord, which consent may be revoked at any time. In the event that any unauthorized storage shall occur then Landlord shall have the right, without notice, in addition to such other rights and remedies that it may have, to remove the property and charge the cost to Tenant, which cost shall be immediately payable upon demand by Landlord..
3. | TERM. |
3.1TERM AND COMMENCEMENT DATE. The Term and Commencement Date of this Lease are specified in Sections 1.7 and 1.8. The Commencement Date set forth in Section 1.8 is an estimated Commencement Date. The actual Commencement Date shall be the date possession of the Premises is tendered to Tenant in the condition required by this Lease; provided, however, that if the Commencement Date is other than the first day of a month, then the Term of this Lease shall be computed from the first day of the calendar month following the Commencement Date.
3.2DELAY IN POSSESSION. Notwithstanding the estimated Commencement Date specified in Section 1.8, if for any reason Landlord cannot deliver possession of the Premises to Tenant on said date, Landlord shall not be subject to any liability therefor, nor shall such failure affect the validity of this Lease or the obligations of Tenant hereunder; provided, however, in such a case, Tenant shall not be obligated to pay rent or perform any other obligation of Tenant under this Lease, except as may be otherwise provided in this Lease, until possession of the Premises is tendered to Tenant.
3.3DELAYS CAUSED BY TENANT. There shall be no abatement of rent to the extent of any delays caused by acts or omissions of Tenant, Tenant’s agents, employees and contractors, or for Tenant delays as defined in the work letter agreement attached to this Lease, if any (hereinafter “Tenant Delays”). Tenant shall pay to Landlord an amount equal to one thirtieth (1/30th) of the Base Rent due for the first full calendar month of the Term for each day of Tenant Delay. For purposes of the foregoing calculation, the Base Rent payable for the first full calendar month of the Term shall not be reduced by any abated rent, conditionally waived rent, free rent or similar rental concessions, if any. Landlord and Tenant agree that the foregoing payment constitutes a fair and reasonable estimate of the damages Landlord will incur as the result of a Tenant Delay. Within thirty (30) days after Landlord tenders possession of the Premises to Tenant, Landlord shall notify Tenant of Landlord’s reasonable estimate of the date Landlord could have delivered possession of the Premises to Tenant but for the Tenant Delays. After delivery of said notice, Tenant shall immediately pay to Landlord the amount described above for the period of Tenant Delay.
3.4EARLY POSSESSION. If Tenant occupies the Premises prior to the Commencement Date, such occupancy shall be subject to all provisions of this Lease, such occupancy shall not change the termination date, and Tenant shall pay Base Rent and all other charges provided for in this Lease during the period of such occupancy. Provided that Tenant does not interfere with or delay the completion by Landlord or its agents or contractors of the construction of any tenant improvements, and provided Landlord has possession of the Premises, Tenant shall have the right to enter the Premises commencing no earlier than thirty (30) days prior to the anticipated Commencement Date for the purpose of installing furniture, trade fixtures, equipment, and similar items. Tenant shall be liable for any damages or delays caused by Tenant’s activities at the Premises. Provided that Tenant has not begun operating its business from the Premises, and subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Lease, the foregoing activity shall not constitute the delivery of possession of the Premises to Tenant, and the Lease Term shall not commence as a result of said activities. Prior to entering the Premises, Tenant shall obtain all insurance it is required to obtain by the Lease and shall provide certificates of said insurance to Landlord. Tenant shall coordinate such entry with Landlord’s manager, and such entry shall be made in compliance with all terms and conditions of this Lease and the Rules and Regulations attached hereto.
4. | USE. |
4.1PERMITTED USE. The Premises shall be used only for the purpose described in Section 1.6 and for no other purpose. Landlord makes no representation or warranty that Tenant’s use is permitted by applicable zoning laws or other laws and regulations. In no event shall any portion of the Premises be used for retail sales. Tenant shall not initiate, submit an application for, or otherwise request, any land use approvals or entitlements with respect to the Premises or any other portion of the Project, including, without limitation, any variance, conditional use permit or rezoning, without first obtaining Landlord’s prior written consent, which may be given or withheld in Landlord’s sole discretion. Tenant shall not (a) permit any animals or pets to be brought to or kept in the Premises, (b) install any antenna, dish or other device on the roof of the Building or outside of the Premises, (c) make any penetrations into the roof of the Building, (d) place loads upon floors, walls or ceilings in excess of the load such items were designed to carry, (e) place or store, nor permit any other person or entity to place or store, any property, equipment, materials, supplies or other items outside of the Building in which the Premises is located or (f) change the exterior of the Premises or the Building in which the Premises is located. In no event shall Tenant use the Premises for the sale of medical marijuana or any use associated with the sale of medical marijuana. Tenant acknowledges that it has satisfied itself by its own independent investigation that the Premises and the Project are suitable for its intended use and that its use is permitted by applicable laws and regulations, and that neither Landlord nor Landlord’s agents have made any representation or warranty as to the present or future suitability of the Premises, or the Project for the conduct of Tenant’s business.
4.2COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. Tenant shall, at Tenant’s sole expense, promptly comply with all applicable laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, orders, certificates of occupancy, conditional use or other permits, variances, covenants, conditions, restrictions, easements, the recommendations of Landlord’s engineers or other consultants, and requirements of any fire insurance underwriters, rating bureaus or government agencies (all of the foregoing being referred to herein as the “Requirements”), now in effect or which may hereafter come into effect, whether or not they reflect a change in policy from that now existing, during the term or any part of the Term hereof, relating in any manner to the Premises or the occupation and use by Tenant of the Premises. Tenant shall, at Tenant’s sole expense, comply with all accessibility requirements of State and Federal law that apply to the Premises, and all federal, state and local laws and regulations governing occupational safety and health. Tenant acknowledges that it will be responsible for complying with current and future laws and regulations even though such compliance requires Tenant to make substantial repairs or modifications (including structural modifications) to the Premises and even though the application of the law or regulation is unrelated to Tenant’s specific use of the Premises. Tenant shall not permit any objectionable or unpleasant odors, smoke, dust, gas, noise or vibrations to emanate from the Premises, or take any other action that would constitute a nuisance, create a dangerous situation, or would disturb, unreasonably interfere with or endanger Landlord or any other tenants of the Project. Tenant shall obtain, at its sole expense, any permit or other governmental authorization required to operate its business from the Premises. Landlord shall not be liable for the failure of any other tenant or person to abide by the requirements of this Section or to otherwise comply with applicable laws and regulations, and Tenant shall not be excused from the performance of its obligations under this Lease due to such a failure.
5.BASE RENT. Tenant shall pay Base Rent in the amount set forth on the first page of this Lease. The first month’s Base Rent, the Security Deposit, and the first monthly installment of estimated Operating Expenses (as hereafter defined) shall be due and payable on the date this Lease is executed by Tenant and shall be applied to rent in accordance with the terms of Section 1.10, and Tenant promises to pay to Landlord in advance, without demand, deduction or set-off, monthly installments of Base Rent on or before the first day of each calendar month succeeding the Commencement Date. Payments of Base Rent for any fractional calendar month shall be prorated. All payments required to be made by Tenant to Landlord hereunder shall be payable at such address as Landlord may specify from time to time by written notice delivered in accordance herewith. Tenant shall have no right at any time to abate, reduce, or set off any rent due hereunder except where expressly provided in this Lease.
6. | OPERATING EXPENSE PAYMENTS. |
6.1OPERATING EXPENSES. Tenant shall pay Tenant’s Percentage Share (as defined below) of the Operating Expenses for the Project. For the purposes of this Lease, the term “Operating Expenses” shall mean all expenses and disbursements of every kind (subject to the limitations set forth below) which Landlord incurs, pays or becomes obligated to pay in connection with the ownership, operation, and maintenance of the Project (including the associated Common Areas), including, but not limited to, the following:
(a)wages and salaries (including management fees) of all employees, agents, consultants and other individuals or entities engaged in the operation, repair, replacement, maintenance, and security of the Project, including taxes, insurance and benefits relating thereto;
(b) all supplies and materials used in the operation, maintenance, repair, replacement, and security of the Project;
(c)annual cost of all Capital Improvements (as defined below) made to the Project which although capital in nature can reasonably be expected to reduce the normal operating costs of the Project, as well as all Capital Improvements made in order to comply with any law now or hereafter promulgated by any governmental authority, as amortized over the useful economic life of such improvements as determined by Landlord in its reasonable discretion (without regard to the period over which such improvements may be depreciated or amortized for federal income tax purposes) together with an interest factor on the unamortized cost of such item equal to the lesser of twelve percent (12%) per annum or the maximum rate of interest permitted by applicable law);
(d)cost of all utilities paid by Landlord;
(e)cost of any insurance or insurance related expense applicable to the Project and Landlord’s personal property used in connection therewith, including, but not limited to, the insurance costs described in Section 10.2;
(f)cost of repairs, replacements and general maintenance of the Project (including all truck court areas, paving and parking areas, Common Area lighting facilities, fences, gates, water lines, sewer lines, rail spur areas and any other item Landlord is obligated to repair or maintain), other than costs necessary to assure the structural soundness of the roof, foundation and exterior walls of the Project which are payable solely by Landlord under Section 11;
(g)cost of service or maintenance contracts with independent contractors for the operation, maintenance, repair, replacement or security of the Project (including, without limitation, alarm service, exterior painting, trash collection, snow, ice, debris and waste removal and landscape maintenance);
(h)the cost of all accounting fees, management fees, legal fees and consulting fees attributable to the operation, ownership, management, maintenance or repair of the Project;
(i)payments made by Landlord under any easement, license, operating agreement, declaration, restrictive covenant or other agreement relating to the sharing of costs among property owners;
(j)reserves created by Landlord, in Landlord’s sole discretion, for future Operating Expenses or the future replacement of Capital Improvements;
(k)the cost of all business licenses, permits or similar fees relating to the operation, ownership, repair or maintenance of the Project; and
(l)the cost of any other item the cost of which is stated in this Lease to be an Operating Expense.
For purposes of this Lease, a “Capital Improvement” shall be an improvement to the Project that Landlord is obligated or permitted to make pursuant to this Lease, the cost of which is not fully deductible in the year incurred in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; provided, however, that, at Landlord’s option, the following items shall be treated as expenses and not Capital Improvements, and the entire cost of these items may be included in Operating Expenses in the year incurred: (i) the cost of painting all or part of the Project, (ii) the cost of resurfacing and restriping roadways and parking areas, (iii) the cost of any items Tenant is obligated to pay for pursuant to Section 12 that Landlord elects, in its sole discretion, to include in Operating Expenses and (iv) the cost of Capital Improvements incurred in any calendar year to the extent the cost of the Capital Improvements are less than $25,000. Real Property Taxes (as defined below) shall be reimbursed to Landlord as provided below and shall not be treated as an Operating Expense. References to facilities, services, utilities or other items in this section shall not impose an obligation on Landlord to have said facilities or to provide said services unless such facilities and services already exist at the Project.
6.2OPERATING EXPENSE EXCLUSIONS. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, for purposes of this Lease, the term “Operating Expenses” shall not include the following: (i) costs (including permit, license and inspection fees) incurred for tenant improvements for other tenants within the Project; (ii) legal and auditing fees (other than those fees reasonably incurred in connection with the maintenance and operation of all or any portion of the Project), leasing commissions, advertising expenses and similar costs incurred in connection with the leasing of the Project; (iii) depreciation of the Building or any other improvements situated within the Project; (iv) any items for which Landlord is actually reimbursed by insurance or by direct reimbursement by any other tenant of the Project; (v) costs of repairs or other work necessitated by fire, windstorm or other casualty (excluding any deductibles) and/or costs of repair or other work necessitated by the exercise of the right of eminent domain to the extent insurance proceeds or a condemnation award, as applicable, is actually received by Landlord for such purposes; provided, such costs of repairs or other work shall be paid by the parties in accordance with the provisions of Sections 11 and 12, below; (vi) other than any interest charges for Capital Improvements referred to in Section 6.1(c) hereinabove, any interest or payments on any financing for the Building or the Project and interest and penalties incurred as a result of Landlord’s late payment of any invoice; (vii) costs associated with the investigation and/or remediation of Hazardous Materials (hereafter defined) present in, on or about any portion of the Project, unless such costs and expenses are the responsibility of Tenant as provided in Section 27 hereof, in which event such costs and expenses shall be paid solely by Tenant in accordance with the provisions of Section 27 hereof; (viii) overhead and profit increment paid to Landlord or to subsidiaries or affiliates of Landlord for goods and/or services in the Project to the extent the same exceeds the costs of such by unaffiliated third parties on a competitive basis; (ix) any payments under a ground lease or master lease; and (x) except as provided above, the cost of Capital Improvements.
6.3PAYMENT. Tenant’s Percentage Share of Operating Expenses shall be payable by Tenant within ten (10) days after a reasonably detailed statement of actual expenses is presented to Tenant by Landlord. At Landlord’s option, however, Landlord may, from time to time, estimate what Tenant’s Percentage Share of Operating Expenses will be, and the same shall be payable by Tenant monthly during each calendar year of the Lease Term, on the same day as the Base Rent is due hereunder. In the event that Tenant pays Landlord’s estimate of Tenant’s Percentage Share of Operating Expenses, Landlord shall use its best efforts to deliver to Tenant within one hundred eighty (180) days after the expiration of each calendar year a reasonably detailed statement (the “Statement”) showing Tenant’s Percentage Share of the actual Operating Expenses incurred during such year. Landlord’s failure to deliver the Statement to Tenant within said period shall not constitute Landlord’s waiver of its right to collect said amounts or otherwise prejudice Landlord’s rights hereunder. If Tenant’s payments under this Section during said calendar year exceed Tenant’s Percentage Share as indicated on the Statement, Tenant shall be entitled to credit the amount of such overpayment against Tenant’s Percentage Share of Operating Expenses next falling due. If Tenant’s payments under this Section during said calendar year were less than Tenant’s Percentage Share as indicated on the Statement, Tenant shall pay to Landlord the amount of the deficiency within thirty (30) days after delivery by Landlord to Tenant of the Statement. Landlord and Tenant shall forthwith adjust between them by cash payment any balance determined to exist with respect to that portion of the last calendar year for which Tenant is responsible for Operating Expenses, notwithstanding that the Lease Term may have terminated before the end of such calendar year; and this provision shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of the Lease.
6.4TENANT’S PERCENTAGE SHARE. “Tenant’s Percentage Share” as used in this Lease shall mean the percentage of the cost of Operating Expenses and Real Property Taxes (as defined below) for which Tenant is obligated to reimburse Landlord pursuant to this Lease. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 1.11, Landlord shall have the right to determine Tenant’s Percentage Share of the cost of Operating Expenses and Real Property Taxes using any one or more of the following three methods, and Tenant hereby agrees that any one of the following three methods of allocation is reasonable: (a) by multiplying the cost of all Operating Expenses or Real Property Taxes by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of square feet of leasable space in the Premises and the denominator of which is the number of square feet of leasable space in all buildings in the Project; or (b) (i) with respect to an Operating Expense or Real Property Taxes attributable solely to the Building, requiring Tenant to pay that portion of the cost of the Operating Expense or Real Property Taxes that is obtained by multiplying such cost by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of square feet of leasable space in the Premises and the denominator of which is the number of square feet of leasable space in the entire Building and (ii) with respect to an Operating Expense or Real Property Taxes attributable to the Common Areas of the Project, but not any particular building in the Project, requiring Tenant to pay that portion of the cost of the Operating Expense or Real Property Taxes that is obtained by multiplying such cost by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of square feet of leasable space in the Premises and the denominator of which is the number of square feet of leasable space in all buildings in the Project or (c) by allocating an Operating Expense or Real Property Taxes in any other reasonable manner, as determined by Landlord.
7.SECURITY DEPOSIT. Tenant shall deliver to Landlord at the time it executes this Lease the security deposit set forth in Section 1.12 as security for Tenant’s faithful performance of Tenant’s obligations hereunder. If Tenant fails to pay Base Rent or other charges due hereunder, or otherwise defaults with respect to any provision of this Lease, Landlord may use all or any portion of said deposit for the payment of any Base Rent or other charge due hereunder, to pay any other sum to which Landlord may become obligated by reason of Tenant’s default, or to compensate Landlord for any loss or damage which Landlord may suffer thereby. If Landlord so uses or applies all or any portion of said deposit, Tenant shall within ten (10) days after written demand therefor deposit cash with Landlord in an amount sufficient to restore said deposit to its full amount. Landlord shall not be required to keep said security deposit separate from its general accounts. If Tenant performs all of Tenant’s obligations hereunder, said deposit, or so much thereof as has not heretofore been applied by Landlord, shall be returned, without payment of interest or other amount for its use, to Tenant (or, at Landlord’s option, to the last assignee, if any, of Tenant’s interest hereunder) at the expiration of the Term hereof, and after Tenant has vacated the Premises. No trust relationship is created herein between Landlord and Tenant with respect to said security deposit. Tenant acknowledges that the security deposit is not an advance payment of any kind or a measure of Landlord’s damages in the event of Tenant’s default. Tenant hereby waives the provisions of any law which is inconsistent with this Section.
8. UTILITIES.
8.1PAYMENT. Tenant shall pay for all water, gas, electricity, telephone, sewer, sprinkler services, refuse and trash collection, janitorial services and other utilities and services used on the Premises, together with any taxes, penalties, surcharges or the like pertaining thereto. Tenant shall contract directly with the applicable public utility for such services. Tenant shall pay its share of all charges for jointly metered utilities based upon consumption, as reasonably determined by Landlord. Tenant agrees to limit use of water and sewer for normal restroom use, and nothing herein contained shall impose upon Landlord any duty to provide sewer or water usage for other than normal restroom usage.
8.2INTERRUPTIONS. Tenant agrees that Landlord shall not be liable to Tenant for its failure to furnish water, gas, electricity, telephone, sewer, refuse and trash collection or any other utility services or building services when such failure is occasioned, in whole or in part, by repairs, replacements or improvements, by any strike, lockout or other labor trouble, by inability to secure electricity, gas, water, telephone service or other utility at the Project, by any accident, casualty or event arising from any cause whatsoever, including the negligence of Landlord, its employees, agents and contractors, by act, negligence or default of Tenant or any other person or entity, or by any other cause, and such failures shall never be deemed to constitute an eviction or disturbance of Tenant’s use and possession of the Premises or relieve Tenant from the obligation of paying rent or performing any of its obligations under this Lease. Furthermore, Landlord shall not be liable under any circumstances for loss of property or for injury to, or interference with, Tenant’s business, including, without limitation, loss of profits, however occurring, through or in connection with or incidental to a failure to furnish any such services or utilities. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, if any interruption of utilities or services caused by Landlord’s gross negligence or willful misconduct shall continue for more than five (5) consecutive business days and shall render all or any portion of the Premises unusable for the normal conduct of Tenant’s business, and if Tenant does not in fact use or occupy such portion of the Premises, then all Base Rent and additional rent payable hereunder with respect to such portion of the Premises which Tenant does not occupy shall be abated from and after the sixth (6th) consecutive business day until full use of such portion of the Premises is restored to Tenant.
8.3UTILITY BILLS. If any utilities are separately metered for Tenant’s use at the Premises and Tenant contracts directly for service from an Utility Provider (defined hereinafter), then Landlord shall have the right to require Tenant to provide Landlord with copies of bills from any utility providers (collectively, “Utility Providers”) Tenant receives directly from Utility Providers relating to Tenant’s utility use at the Premises (“Utility Bills”) within ten (10) days after Landlord’s written request. In addition, Tenant hereby authorizes Landlord to obtain copies of the Utility Bills directly from the Utility Provider(s), and Tenant hereby authorizes each Utility Provider to provide Utility Bills and related usage information directly to Landlord without Tenant’s consent. From time to time within ten (10) days after Landlord’s request, Tenant shall execute and deliver to Landlord an agreement provided by Landlord authorizing the Utility Provider(s) to provide to Landlord Utility Bills and other information relating to Tenant’s utility usage at the Premises. The information provided by the Utility Providers shall be used by Landlord in connection with Landlord’s on-going energy and environmental conservation initiatives and/or as required by laws or regulations, if any, requiring landlords to report energy benchmark information for the Building or otherwise pertaining to any such utility or conservation initiatives or programs.
9.REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES.
9.1PAYMENT OF TAXES. Tenant shall pay to Landlord during the Term of this Lease, in addition to Base Rent and Tenant’s Percentage Share of Operating Expenses, Tenant’s Percentage Share of all Real Property Taxes. Tenant’s Percentage Share of Real Property Taxes shall be payable by Tenant at the same time, in the same manner and under the same terms and conditions as Tenant pays Tenant’s Percentage Share of Operating Expenses.
9.2DEFINITION OF REAL PROPERTY TAX. As used herein, the term “Real Property Taxes” shall include any form of real estate tax or assessment, general, special, ordinary or extraordinary, improvement bond or bonds imposed on the Project or any portion thereof by any authority having the direct or indirect power to tax, including any city, county, state or federal government, or any school, agricultural, sanitary, fire, street, drainage or other improvement district thereof, as against any legal or equitable interest of Landlord in the Project or in any portion thereof. Real Property Taxes shall not include income, inheritance and gift taxes.
9.3PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES. Tenant shall pay prior to delinquency all taxes assessed against and levied upon trade fixtures, furnishings, equipment and all other personal property of Tenant contained in the Premises or related to Tenant’s use of the Premises. If any of Tenant’s personal property shall be assessed with Landlord’s real or personal property, Tenant shall pay to Landlord the taxes attributable to Tenant within ten (10) days after receipt of a written statement from Landlord setting forth the taxes applicable to Tenant’s property.
9.4REASSESSMENTS. From time to time Landlord may challenge the assessed value of the Project as determined by applicable taxing authorities and/or Landlord may attempt to cause the Real Property Taxes to be reduced on other grounds. If Landlord is successful in causing the Real Property Taxes to be reduced or in obtaining a refund, rebate, credit or similar benefit (hereinafter collectively referred to as a “reduction”), Landlord shall have the option, in its sole discretion, to (a) retain the benefit of the reduction and to pay, at Landlord’s sole expense, the costs incurred by Landlord in causing the reduction to be made or (b) to the extent practicable, to credit the reduction(s) to Real Property Taxes for the calendar year to which a reduction applies and to recalculate the Real Property Taxes owed by Tenant for years in which the reduction applies based on the reduced Real Property Taxes. If Landlord proceeds in accordance with (b) above, all costs incurred by Landlord in obtaining the Real Property Tax reductions shall be considered an Operating Expense, and Landlord shall determine, in its sole discretion, to which years any reductions will be applied. In addition, if Landlord proceeds in accordance with (b) above, all accounting and related costs incurred by Landlord in making the adjustments shall be an Operating Expense. If Landlord proceeds in accordance with (a) above, Landlord shall not be obligated to refund to Tenant all or any portion of the reduction or to reduce Real Property Taxes for the years to which any reductions apply. Landlord shall have the right to compensate a person or entity it employs to obtain a reduction in Real Property Taxes by giving such person or entity a percentage of any reduction or credit obtained, and in this event the reduction or credit obtained by Landlord shall be deemed to be the reduction or credit given by the taxing authority less the compensation paid to such person or entity.
10.INSURANCE.
10.1INSURANCE-TENANT.
(a)Tenant shall obtain and keep in force during the Term of this Lease a commercial general liability policy of insurance with coverages acceptable to Landlord, in Landlord’s sole discretion, which, by way of example and not limitation, protects Tenant and Landlord (as an additional insured) against claims for bodily injury, personal injury and property damage based upon, involving or arising out of the ownership, use, occupancy or maintenance of the Premises and all areas appurtenant thereto. Such insurance shall be on an occurrence basis providing single-limit coverage in an amount not less than $5,000,000.00 per occurrence with an “Additional Insured-Managers and Landlords of Premises Endorsement” and contain the “Amendment of the Pollution Exclusion” for damage caused by heat, smoke or fumes from a hostile fire. The policy shall not contain any intra-insured exclusions as between insured persons or organizations, but shall include coverage for liability assumed under this Lease as an “insured contract” for the performance of Tenant’s indemnity obligations under this Lease.
(b)Tenant shall obtain and keep in force during the Term of this Lease “Causes of Loss - Special Form” extended coverage property insurance (previously known as “all risk” property insurance) with coverages acceptable to Landlord, in Landlord’s reasonable discretion. Said insurance shall be written on a one hundred percent (100%) replacement cost basis on Tenant’s personal property, all tenant improvements installed at the Premises by Landlord or Tenant, Tenant’s trade fixtures and other property. By way of example, and not limitation, such policies shall provide protection against any peril included within the classification “fire and extended coverage,” against vandalism and malicious mischief, theft and sprinkler leakage. Tenant’s policy shall include endorsements to insure Tenant against losses to valuable papers, records and computer equipment and to compensate Tenant for the cost of recovering lost data. To the extent that Tenant’s policy covers tenant improvements to the Premises, Landlord shall be a loss payee on such policy. Tenant shall also obtain earthquake insurance, and if the Project is in a Flood Zone, Tenant shall obtain flood insurance, and the terms of such insurance policies shall be reasonably acceptable to Landlord.
(c)In the event Tenant’s use of the Premises (including any materials used or stored by Tenant in the Premises) consists of activities (or storage of materials) that is the type of activity or storage for which a party would normally maintain pollution liability and clean-up cost coverage, as reasonably determined by Landlord, then Tenant shall obtain and keep in force thereafter a policy of pollution liability insurance, including clean-up costs, of not less than $1,000,000.
(d)Tenant shall, at all times during the term hereof, maintain the following insurance with coverages reasonably acceptable to Landlord: (i) workers’ compensation insurance as required by applicable law, (ii) employers liability insurance with limits of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence, (iii) automobile liability insurance for owned, non-owned and hired vehicles with limits of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and (iv) business interruption and extra expense insurance. In addition to the insurance required in (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) above, Landlord shall have the right to require Tenant to increase the limits of its insurance and/or obtain such additional insurance as is customarily required by landlords owning similar real property in the geographical area of the Project.
10.2INSURANCE-LANDLORD.
(a)Landlord shall obtain and keep in force a policy of general liability insurance with coverage against such risks and in such amounts as Landlord deems advisable insuring Landlord against liability arising out of the ownership, operation and management of the Project.
(b)Landlord shall also obtain and keep in force during the Term of this Lease a policy or policies of insurance covering loss or damage to the Project in the amount of not less than eighty percent (80%) of the full replacement cost thereof, as determined by Landlord from time to time. The terms and conditions of said policies and the perils and risks covered thereby shall be determined by Landlord, from time to time, in Landlord’s sole discretion. In addition, at Landlord’s option, Landlord shall obtain and keep in force, during the Term of this Lease, a policy of rental interruption insurance, with loss payable to Landlord, which insurance shall, at Landlord’s option, also cover all Operating Expenses and Real Property Taxes. Tenant will not be named as an additional insured in any insurance policies carried by Landlord and shall have no right to any proceeds therefrom. The policies purchased by Landlord shall contain such deductibles as Landlord may determine. Tenant shall pay at Tenant’s sole expense any increase in the property insurance premiums for the Project over what was payable immediately prior to the increase to the extent the increase is specified by Landlord’s insurance carrier as being caused by the nature of Tenant’s occupancy or any act or omission of Tenant.
10.3INSURANCE POLICIES. Tenant shall deliver to Landlord certificates of the insurance policies required under Section 10.1 concurrently with Tenant’s execution of this Lease using an ACORD 28 form or a similar form approved by Landlord. Tenant’s insurance policies shall not be cancelable or subject to reduction of coverage or other modification except after thirty (30) days prior written notice to Landlord. Tenant shall, at least thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of such policies, furnish Landlord with renewals thereof. Tenant’s insurance policies shall be issued by insurance companies authorized to do business in the state in which the Project is located, and said companies shall maintain during the policy term a “General Policyholder’s Rating” of at least A and a financial rating of at least “Class X” (or such other rating as may be required by any lender having a lien on the Project) as set forth in the most recent edition of “Best Insurance Reports.” All insurance obtained by Tenant shall be primary to and not contributory with any similar insurance carried by Landlord, whose insurance shall be considered excess insurance only. Landlord, Landlord’s property manager and lender(s) and their respective officers, shareholders, directors, partners, members, managers, employees, successors and assigns, shall be included as additional insureds under Tenant’s commercial general liability policy, the pollution liability policy and under the Tenant’s excess or umbrella policy, if any, using ISO additional insured endorsement CG 20 11 or a substitute providing equivalent coverage. Tenant’s insurance policies shall not include deductibles in excess of $5,000.
10.4WAIVER OF SUBROGATION. Landlord waives any and all rights of recovery against Tenant for or arising out of damage to, or destruction of, the Project to the extent that Landlord’s insurance policies then in force insure against such damage or destruction and permit such waiver, and only to the extent of the insurance proceeds actually received by Landlord for such damage or destruction. Landlord’s waiver shall not relieve Tenant from liability under Section 19 below except to the extent Landlord’s insurance company actually satisfies Tenant’s obligations under Section 19 in accordance with the requirements of Section 19. Tenant waives any and all rights of recovery against Landlord, Landlord’s employees, agents and contractors for liability or damages if such liability or damage is covered by Tenant’s insurance policies then in force or the insurance policies Tenant is required to obtain by Section 10.1 (whether or not the insurance Tenant is required to obtain by Section 10.1 is then in force and effect), whichever is broader. Tenant’s waiver shall not be limited by the amount of insurance then carried by Tenant or the deductibles applicable thereto. Tenant shall cause the insurance policies it obtains in accordance with this Section 10 to provide that the insurance company waives all right of recovery by subrogation against Landlord in connection with any liability or damage covered by Tenant’s insurance policies.
10.5COVERAGE. Landlord makes no representation to Tenant that the limits or forms of coverage specified above or approved by Landlord are adequate to insure Tenant’s property or Tenant’s obligations under this Lease, and the limits of any insurance carried by Tenant shall not limit Tenant’s obligations or liability under any indemnity provision included in this Lease or under any other provision of this Lease.
11.LANDLORD’S REPAIRS. Landlord shall maintain in good condition and repair, (i) at Landlord’s expense, only the structural elements of the roof of the Building, the structural soundness of the foundation of the Building and the structural elements of the exterior walls of the Building, and (ii) the Common Areas, including the non-structural elements of the roof (including the roof membrane), all life-safety, sprinkler, fire detection, plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems serving the Common Areas or the Building (as opposed to any equipment or systems serving the Premises solely) as well as landscaping and snow and ice removal from sidewalks, parking lots and access roads within the Project), all subject to reimbursement in accordance with Section 6 hereinabove; however, Tenant shall reimburse Landlord for the cost of any maintenance, repair or replacement of the foregoing necessitated by Tenant’s misuse, negligence, alterations to the Premises or any breach of its obligations under this Lease. By way of example, and not limitation, the term “exterior walls” as used in this Section shall not include windows, glass or plate glass, doors or overhead doors, special store fronts, dock bumpers, dock plates or levelers, or office entries. Tenant shall immediately give Landlord written notice of any repair required by Landlord pursuant to this Section, after which Landlord shall have a reasonable time in which to complete the repair. Nothing contained in this Section shall be construed to obligate Landlord to seal or otherwise maintain the surface of any foundation, floor or slab. Tenant expressly waives the benefits of any statute now or hereafter in effect which would otherwise afford Tenant the right to make repairs at Landlord’s expense or to terminate this Lease because of Landlord’s failure to keep the Premises in good order, condition and repair.
12.TENANT’S REPAIRS.
12.1OBLIGATIONS OF TENANT. Subject to Section 11 above, Tenant shall, at its sole cost and expense, keep and maintain all parts of the Premises in good and sanitary condition, promptly making all necessary repairs and replacements, including but not limited to, windows, glass and plate glass, doors, skylights, any special store front or office entry, walls and finish work, floors and floor coverings, heating and air conditioning systems, dock boards, bumpers, plates, seals, levelers and lights, plumbing fixtures and pipes from the point of entry into the Premises, lighting facilities and bulbs, termite and pest extermination, tenant signage, fire extinguishers and regular removal of trash and debris, as well as any other equipment or systems which are located solely within the Premises or serving the Premises exclusively. Tenant shall notify Landlord in writing prior to making any repair or performing any maintenance pursuant to this Section, and Landlord shall have the right to designate the contractor Tenant shall use to make any repair or to perform any maintenance on the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (“HVAC”), plumbing systems, electrical systems, sprinkler systems, fire alarm systems or fire detection systems located within the Premises. Tenant shall enter into a periodic maintenance agreement (the “HVAC Maintenance Contract”) with an HVAC contractor reasonably approved by Landlord, which contract shall provide for a minimum of two (2) inspections per year. The HVAC Maintenance Contract must include all services suggested by the equipment manufacturer in the operation/maintenance manual. Should Tenant fail to obtain and/or maintain the HVAC Maintenance Contract, Landlord may, upon notice to Tenant, enter into such service contract on behalf of Tenant or perform the work and in either case, charge Tenant the cost thereof along with a reasonable amount for Landlord’s overhead. A copy of said contract shall be forwarded to the Landlord on an annual basis, and copies of inspection reports shall be delivered to the Landlord within ten (10) days of receipt thereof by Tenant. Tenant shall not paint or otherwise change the exterior appearance of the Premises without Landlord’s prior written consent, which may be given or withheld in Landlord’s sole discretion. The cost of maintenance and repair of any common party wall (any wall, divider, partition or any other structure separating the Premises from any adjacent premises occupied by other tenants) shall be shared equally by Tenant and the tenant occupying the adjacent premises; provided, however, if Tenant damages a party wall the entire cost of the repair shall be paid by Tenant, at Tenant’s sole expense. Tenant shall not be obligated to pay the cost of any repairs to a party wall if the need for such repair was caused solely by the tenant occupying the adjacent Premises. Tenant shall not damage any party wall or disturb the integrity and support provided by any party wall. If Tenant fails to keep the Premises in good condition and repair, Landlord may, but shall not be obligated to, make any necessary repairs. If Landlord makes such repairs, Landlord may bill Tenant for the cost of the repairs as additional rent, and said additional rent shall be payable by Tenant within ten (10) days after demand by Landlord.
12.2MAINTENANCE CONTRACTS. Tenant shall enter into the HVAC Maintenance Contract as provided in Section 12.1 above. Landlord shall enter into regularly scheduled preventative maintenance/service contracts for some or all of the following: the sprinkler, fire alarm and fire detection systems servicing the Premises, and backflow testing for the plumbing servicing the Premises (if required by the municipality) (the “Maintenance Contracts”). The Maintenance Contracts shall include maintenance services satisfactory to Landlord, in Landlord’s sole discretion. The cost of the Maintenance Contracts shall be included in Operating Expenses and Tenant shall pay Tenant’s Percentage Share of such costs in accordance with Section 6 hereinabove. Tenant, at Tenant’s sole cost, shall obtain maintenance contracts for any equipment or systems which are located solely within the Premises or serving the Premises exclusively.
13.ALTERATIONS AND SURRENDER.
13.1CONSENT OF LANDLORD. Tenant shall not, without Landlord’s prior written consent, which may be given or withheld in Landlord’s sole discretion, make any alterations, improvements, additions, utility installations or repairs (hereinafter collectively referred to as “Alterations”) in, on or about the Premises or the Project. Alterations shall include, but shall not be limited to, the installation or alteration of security or fire protection systems, communication systems, millwork, shelving, retrieval or storage systems, carpeting or other floor covering, painting, window and wall coverings, electrical distribution systems, lighting fixtures, telephone or computer system wiring, HVAC and plumbing. At the expiration of the term, Landlord may require the removal of any Alterations installed by Tenant and the restoration of the Premises and the Project to their prior condition, at Tenant’s expense. If, as a result of any Alteration made by Tenant, Landlord is obligated to comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act or any other law or regulation, and such compliance requires Landlord to make any improvement or Alteration to any portion of the Project, as a condition to Landlord’s consent, Landlord shall have the right to require Tenant to pay to Landlord prior to the construction of any Alteration by Tenant the entire cost of any improvement or alteration Landlord is obligated to complete by such law or regulation. Should Landlord permit Tenant to make its own Alterations, Tenant shall use only such architect and contractor as has been expressly approved by Landlord, and Landlord may require Tenant to provide to Landlord, at Tenant’s sole cost and expense, a lien and completion bond in an amount equal to one and one-half times the estimated cost of such Alterations, to insure Landlord against any liability for mechanic’s and materialmen’s liens and to insure completion of the work. In addition, Tenant shall pay to Landlord a fee equal to six percent (6%) of the cost of the Alterations to compensate Landlord for the overhead and other costs it incurs in reviewing the plans for the Alterations and in monitoring the construction of the Alterations. Should Tenant make any Alterations without the prior approval of Landlord, or use a contractor not expressly approved by Landlord, Landlord may, at any time during the Term of this Lease, require that Tenant remove all or part of the Alterations and return the Premises to the condition it was in prior to the making of the Alternations. In the event Tenant makes any Alterations, Tenant agrees to obtain or cause its contractor to obtain, prior to the commencement of any work, “builders all risk” insurance in an amount approved by Landlord, worker’s compensation insurance and any other insurance requested by Landlord, in Landlord’s sole discretion. The foregoing notwithstanding, Tenant shall have the right, at Tenant’s sole cost and expense, to construct a conference room in the Office Space (the “Improvements”) in accordance with the provisions of this Section 13 of the Lease.
13.2PERMITS. Any Alterations in or about the Premises that Tenant shall desire to make shall be presented to Landlord in written form, with plans and specifications which are sufficiently detailed to obtain a building permit. If Landlord consents to an Alteration, the consent shall be deemed conditioned upon Tenant acquiring a building permit from the applicable governmental agencies, furnishing a copy thereof to Landlord prior to the commencement of the work, and compliance by Tenant with all conditions of said permit in a prompt and expeditious manner. Tenant shall provide Landlord with as-built plans and specifications for any Alterations made to the Premises.
13.3MECHANICS LIENS. Tenant shall pay, when due, all claims for labor or materials furnished or alleged to have been furnished to or for Tenant at or for use in the Premises, which claims are or may be secured by any mechanic’s or materialmen’s lien against the Premises or the Project, or any interest therein. If Tenant shall, in good faith, contest the validity of any such lien, Tenant shall furnish to Landlord a surety bond satisfactory to Landlord in an amount equal to not less than one and one-half times the amount of such contested lien claim indemnifying Landlord against liability arising out of such lien or claim. Such bond shall be sufficient in form and amount to free the Project from the effect of such lien. In addition, Landlord may require Tenant to pay Landlord’s reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs in participating in such action.
13.4NOTICE. Tenant shall give Landlord not less than ten (10) days’ advance written notice prior to the commencement of any work in the Premises by Tenant, and Landlord shall have the right to post notices of non-responsibility in or on the Premises or the Project.
13.5SURRENDER. Subject to Landlord’s right to require removal or to elect ownership as hereinafter provided, all Alterations made by Tenant to the Premises shall be the property of Tenant, but shall be considered to be a part of the Premises. Unless Landlord gives Tenant written notice of its election not to become the owner of the Alterations at the end of the Term of this Lease, the Alterations shall become the property of Landlord at the end of the Term of this Lease. Landlord may require, on notice to Tenant, that some or all Alterations be removed prior to the end of the Term of this Lease and that any damages caused by such removal be repaired at Tenant’s sole expense. On the last day of the Term hereof, or on any sooner termination, Tenant shall surrender the Premises (including, but not limited to, all doors, windows, floors and floor coverings, skylights, heating and air conditioning systems, dock boards, truck doors, dock bumpers, plumbing work and fixtures, electrical systems, lighting facilities, sprinkler systems, fire detection systems and nonstructural elements of the exterior walls, foundation and roof (collectively the “Elements of the Premises”) to Landlord in the same condition as received, ordinary wear and tear and casualty damage excepted, clean and free of debris and Tenant’s personal property, trade fixtures and equipment and in accordance with the Move-Out Standards described on Exhibit D attached hereto. Tenant’s personal property shall include all computer wiring and cabling installed by Tenant. Provided, however, if Landlord has not elected to have Tenant remove the Alterations, Tenant shall leave the Alterations at the Premises in good condition and repair, ordinary wear and tear excepted. Tenant shall repair any damage to the Premises occasioned by the installation or removal of Tenant’s trade fixtures, furnishings and equipment. Damage to or deterioration of any Element of the Premises or any other item Tenant is required to repair or maintain at the Premises shall not be deemed ordinary wear and tear if the same could have been prevented by good maintenance practices. If the Premises are not surrendered at the expiration of the term or earlier termination of this Lease in accordance with the provisions of this Section, at Landlord’s option, Tenant shall continue to be responsible for the payment of Base Rent and all other amounts due under this Lease until the Premises are so surrendered in accordance with said provisions. Tenant shall indemnify, defend and hold Landlord harmless from and against any and all damages, expenses, costs, losses or liabilities arising from any delay by Tenant in so surrendering the Premises including, without limitation, any damages, expenses, costs, losses or liabilities arising from any claim against Landlord made by any succeeding tenant or prospective tenant founded on or resulting from such delay and losses and damages suffered by Landlord due to lost opportunities to lease any portion of the Premises to any such succeeding tenant or prospective tenant, together with, in each case, actual attorneys’ fees and costs.
13.6FAILURE OF TENANT TO REMOVE PROPERTY. If this Lease is terminated due to the expiration of its term or otherwise, and Tenant fails to remove its property, in addition to any other remedies available to Landlord under this Lease, and subject to any other right or remedy Landlord may have under applicable law, Landlord may remove any property of Tenant from the Premises and store the same elsewhere at the expense and risk of Tenant.
14.DAMAGE AND DESTRUCTION.
14.1EFFECT OF DAMAGE OR DESTRUCTION. If all or part of the Project is damaged by fire, earthquake, flood, explosion, the elements, riot, the release or existence of Hazardous Materials (as defined below) or by any other cause whatsoever (hereinafter collectively referred to as “damages”), but the damages are not material (as defined in Section 14.2 below), Landlord shall repair the damages to the Project as soon as is reasonably possible, and this Lease shall remain in full force and effect. If all or part of the Project is destroyed or materially damaged (as defined in Section 14.2 below), Landlord shall have the right, in its sole and complete discretion, to repair or to rebuild the Project or to terminate this Lease. Landlord shall within one hundred twenty (120) days after the discovery of such material damage or destruction notify Tenant in writing of Landlord’s intention to repair or to rebuild or to terminate this Lease. Tenant shall in no event be entitled to compensation or damages on account of annoyance or inconvenience in making any repairs, or on account of construction, or on account of Landlord’s election to terminate this Lease. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Landlord shall elect to rebuild or repair the Project after material damage or destruction, but in good faith determines that the Premises cannot be substantially repaired within two hundred ten (210) days after the date of the discovery of the material damage or destruction, without payment of overtime or other premiums, and the damage to the Project will render the entire Premises unusable during said two hundred ten (210) day period, Landlord shall notify Tenant thereof in writing at the time of Landlord’s election to rebuild or repair, and Tenant shall thereafter have a period of fifteen (15) days within which Tenant may elect to terminate this Lease, upon thirty (30) days’ advance written notice to Landlord. Tenant’s termination right described in the preceding sentence shall not apply if the damage was caused by the negligent or intentional acts of Tenant or its employees, agents, contractors or invitees. Failure of Tenant to exercise said election within said fifteen (15) day period shall constitute Tenant’s agreement to accept delivery of the Premises under this Lease whenever tendered by Landlord, provided Landlord thereafter pursues reconstruction or restoration diligently to completion, subject to delays caused by Force Majeure Events (defined in Section 32.8 below). If Landlord is unable to repair the damage to the Premises or the Project during such two hundred ten (210) day period due to Force Majeure Events, the two hundred ten (210) day period shall be extended by the period of delay caused by the Force Majeure Events. Subject to Section 14.3 below, if Landlord or Tenant terminates this Lease in accordance with this Section 14.1, Tenant shall continue to pay all Base Rent, Operating Expenses and other amounts due hereunder which arise prior to the date of termination.
14.2DEFINITION OF MATERIAL DAMAGE. Damage to the Project shall be deemed material if, in Landlord’s reasonable judgment, the uninsured cost of repairing the damage will exceed Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000). If insurance proceeds are available to Landlord in an amount which is sufficient to pay the entire cost of repairing all of the damage to the Project, the damage shall be deemed material if the cost of repairing the damage exceeds One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000). Damage to the Project shall also be deemed material if (a) the Project cannot be rebuilt or repaired to substantially the same condition it was in prior to the damage due to laws or regulations in effect at the time the repairs will be made, (b) the holder of any mortgage or deed of trust encumbering the Project requires that insurance proceeds available to repair the damage in excess of Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000) be applied to the repayment of the indebtedness secured by the mortgage or the deed of trust, or (c) the damage occurs during the last twelve (12) months of the Term.
14.3ABATEMENT OF RENT. If Landlord elects to repair damage to the Project and all or part of the Premises will be unusable or inaccessible to Tenant in the ordinary conduct of its business until the damage is repaired, and the damage was not caused by the negligence or intentional acts of Tenant or its employees, agents or contractors, Tenant’s Base Rent and Tenant’s Percentage Share of Operating Expenses shall be abated until the repairs are completed in proportion to the amount of the Premises which is unusable or inaccessible to Tenant in the ordinary conduct of its business. Landlord shall not be liable to Tenant or its employees, agents, contractors, invitees or customers for loss or damage to merchandise, tenant improvements, fixtures, automobiles, furniture, equipment, computers, files or other property (hereinafter collectively “Tenant’s Property”) located at the Project. Tenant shall repair or replace all of Tenant’s Property at Tenant’s sole cost and expense. Tenant acknowledges that it is Tenant’s sole responsibility to obtain adequate insurance coverage to compensate Tenant for damage to Tenant’s Property. Landlord and Tenant hereby waive the provisions of any present or future statutes that relate to the termination of leases when leased property is damaged or destroyed and agree that such event shall be governed by the terms of this Lease.
14.4TENANT’S ACTS. If such damage or destruction occurs as a result of the negligence or the intentional acts of Tenant or Tenant’s employees, agents, contractors or invitees, and the proceeds of insurance which are actually received by Landlord are not sufficient to pay for the repair of all of the damage, Tenant shall pay, at Tenant’s sole cost and expense, to Landlord upon demand, the difference between the cost of repairing the damage and the insurance proceeds received by Landlord.
15.CONDEMNATION. If the Premises or the Project are taken under the power of eminent domain, or sold under the threat of the exercise of said power (all of which are herein called “Condemnation”), this Lease shall terminate as to the part so taken as of the date the condemning authority takes title or possession, whichever first occurs, and the Base Rent and Operating Expenses shall be reduced in the proportion that the usable floor area of the Premises taken bears to the total usable floor area of the Premises. Any award for the taking of all or any part of the Premises or the Project under the power of eminent domain or any payment made under threat of the exercise of such power shall be the property of Landlord, whether such award shall be made as compensation for diminution in value of the leasehold, for good will, for the taking of the fee, as severance damages, or as damages for tenant improvements; provided, however, that Tenant shall be entitled to any separate award for loss of or damage to Tenant’s removable personal property and for moving expenses.
16.ASSIGNMENT AND SUBLETTING.
16.1LANDLORD’S CONSENT REQUIRED. Tenant Shall not voluntarily or by operation of law assign, transfer, hypothecate, mortgage, sublet, or otherwise transfer or encumber all or any part of Tenant’s interest in this Lease or in the Premises (hereinafter collectively a “Transfer”), without Landlord’s prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Landlord shall respond to Tenant’s written request for consent hereunder within thirty (30) days after Landlord’s receipt of the written request from Tenant. Any attempted Transfer without such consent shall be void and shall constitute a default of this Lease. If the entity(ies) which directly or indirectly controls the voting shares/rights of Tenant changes at any time, such change of ownership or control shall constitute a Transfer unless Tenant is an entity whose outstanding stock is listed on a recognized securities exchange or if at least 80% of its voting stock is owned by another entity, the voting stock of which is so listed. Tenant’s written request for Landlord’s consent shall include all of the following information: (a) financial statements for the proposed assignee or subtenant, (b) a detailed description of the business the assignee or subtenant intends to operate at the Premises, (c) a copy of the fully executed sublease or assignment agreement, and (d) such other information as Landlord may reasonably request.
16.2STANDARD FOR APPROVAL. Landlord shall not unreasonably withhold its consent to a Transfer provided that Tenant has complied with each and every requirement, term and condition of this Section 16. It shall be deemed reasonable for Landlord to withhold its consent to a Transfer if any requirement, term or condition of this Section 16 is not complied with or: (a) the Transfer would cause Landlord to be in violation of its obligations under another lease or agreement to which Landlord is a party; (b) in Landlord’s reasonable judgment, a proposed assignee or subtenant has a smaller net worth than Tenant had on the date this Lease was entered into with Tenant or is less able financially to pay the rents due under this Lease as and when they are due and payable; (c) a proposed assignee’s or subtenant’s business will impose a burden on the Project’s parking facilities, Common Areas or utilities that is greater than the burden imposed by Tenant, in Landlord’s reasonable judgment; (d) Tenant is in default as defined in Section 17 at the time of the request; (e) Landlord has sued or been sued by the proposed assignee or subtenant or has otherwise been involved in a legal dispute with the proposed assignee or subtenant; (f) the assignee or subtenant is involved in a business which is not in keeping with the then-current standards of the Project; (g) the proposed assignee or subtenant is an existing tenant of the Project or is a person or entity then negotiating with Landlord for the lease of space in the Project; or (h) the assignee or subtenant will use, store or handle Hazardous Materials in or about the Premises of a type, nature, quantity not acceptable to Landlord, in Landlord’s sole discretion. In the event Tenant shall assign this Lease or sublet the Premises or request the consent of Landlord to any Transfer, then Tenant shall pay Landlord’s reasonable costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith, including, but not limited to, attorneys’, architects’, accountants’, engineers’ or other consultants’ fees.
16.3ADDITIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS. Regardless of Landlord’s consent, no Transfer shall release Tenant from Tenant’s obligations hereunder or alter the primary liability of Tenant to pay the rent and other sums due Landlord hereunder and to perform all other obligations to be performed by Tenant hereunder or release any guarantor from its obligations under its guaranty. The consent by Landlord to any Transfer shall not constitute a consent to any subsequent Transfer by Tenant or to any subsequent or successive Transfer by an assignee or subtenant and no assignment or sublease may be modified or amended without Landlord’s prior written consent. However, Landlord may consent to subsequent Transfers or any amendments or modifications thereto without notifying Tenant or anyone else liable on the Lease and without obtaining their consent, and such action shall not relieve such persons from liability under this Lease. In the event of any default under this Lease, Landlord may proceed directly against Tenant, any guarantors or anyone else responsible for the performance of this Lease, including any subtenant or assignee, without first exhausting Landlord’s remedies against any other person or entity responsible therefore to Landlord, or any security held by Landlord. The discovery of the fact that any financial statement relied upon by Landlord in giving its consent to an assignment or subletting was materially false shall, at Landlord’s election, render Landlord’s consent null and void. Any assignee of, or subtenant under, this Lease shall, by reason of accepting such assignment or entering into such sublease, be deemed, for the benefit of Landlord, to have assumed and agreed to conform and comply with each and every term, covenant, condition and obligation herein to be observed or performed by Tenant during the term of said assignment or sublease, other than such obligations as are contrary or inconsistent with provisions of an assignment or sublease to which Landlord has specifically consented in writing.
16.4TRANSFER PREMIUM FROM ASSIGNMENT OR SUBLETTING. Tenant Shall pay Landlord fifty percent (50%) of all rent and other consideration which Tenant receives as a result of a Transfer that is in excess of the rent payable to Landlord for the portion of the Premises and Term covered by the Transfer. Tenant shall pay Landlord for Landlord’s share of the excess within thirty (30) days after Tenant’s receipt of the excess. Tenant may deduct from the excess, on a straight-line basis, all reasonable and customary expenses directly incurred by Tenant attributable to the Transfer. If Tenant is in default, Landlord may require that all sublease payments be made directly to Landlord, in which case Tenant shall receive a credit against rent in the amount of Tenant’s share of payments received by Landlord.
16.5LANDLORD’S OPTION TO RECAPTURE SPACE. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 16, Landlord shall have the option, by giving written notice to Tenant within thirty (30) days after receipt of any request by Tenant (i) to assign this Lease, or (ii) to sublease space in the Premises if the term of any such sublease shall expire during the last twelve (12) months of the Term, to terminate this Lease with respect to said space as of the date thirty (30) days after Landlord’s election; provided, however, on the first such occasion during the Term of the Lease, Tenant shall have three (3) business days following notice by Landlord of its election to recapture said space to rescind its request to assign or sublease said space. In the event of a recapture by Landlord, if this Lease shall be canceled with respect to less than the entire Premises, the Base Rent, Operating Expenses, Real Property Taxes and the number of parking spaces Tenant may use shall be adjusted on the basis of the number of rentable square feet retained by Tenant in proportion to the number of rentable square feet contained in the original Premises, and this Lease as so amended shall continue thereafter in full force and effect, and upon request of either party, the parties shall execute written confirmation of same.
16.6LANDLORD’S EXPENSES. In the event Tenant shall assign this Lease or sublet the Premises or request the consent of Landlord to any Transfer, then Tenant shall pay Landlord’s reasonable costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith, including, but not limited to, attorneys’, architects’, accountants’, engineers’ or other consultants’ fees.
17.DEFAULT; REMEDIES.
17.1DEFAULT BY TENANT. Landlord and Tenant hereby agree that the occurrence of any one or more of the following events is a default by Tenant under this Lease and that said default shall give Landlord the rights described in Section 17.2. Landlord or Landlord’s authorized agent shall have the right to execute and to deliver any notice of default, notice to pay rent or quit or any other notice Landlord gives Tenant.
(a)Tenant’s failure to make any payment of Base Rent, Tenant’s Percentage Share of Operating Expenses, Tenant’s Percentage Share of Real Property Taxes or any other payment required to be made by Tenant hereunder, as and when due, where such failure shall continue for a period of five (5) days after written notice thereof from Landlord to Tenant. In the event that Landlord serves Tenant with a notice to pay rent or quit pursuant to applicable unlawful detainer statutes, such notice shall also constitute the notice required by this Section 17.1(a).
(b)The abandonment of the Premises by Tenant, in which event Landlord shall not be obligated to give any notice of default to Tenant.
(c)Tenant’s failure to comply with any of the covenants, conditions or provisions of this Lease to be observed or performed by Tenant (other than those referenced in Sections 17.1(a) and (b) above), where such failure shall continue for a period of ten (10) days after written notice thereof from Landlord to Tenant; provided, however, that if the nature of Tenant’s nonperformance is such that more than ten (10) days are reasonably required for its cure, then Tenant shall be allowed additional time (not to exceed 60 days) as is reasonably necessary to cure the failure so long as Tenant commences such cure within said ten (10) day period and thereafter diligently pursues such cure to completion. In the event that Landlord serves Tenant with a notice to quit or any other notice pursuant to applicable unlawful detainer statutes, said notice shall also constitute the notice required by this Section 17.1(c).
(d)(i) The making by Tenant or any guarantor of Tenant’s obligations hereunder of any general arrangement or general assignment for the benefit of creditors; (ii) the appointment of a trustee or receiver to take possession of substantially all of Tenant’s assets located at the Premises or of Tenant’s interest in this Lease, where possession is not restored to Tenant within thirty (30) days; (iii) the attachment, execution or other judicial seizure of substantially all of Tenant’s assets located at the Premises or of Tenant’s interest in this Lease, where such seizure is not discharged within thirty (30) days; or (iv) the insolvency of Tenant or Tenant becoming subject to state insolvency or federal bankruptcy. In the event that any provision of this Section 17.1(d) is unenforceable under applicable law, such provision shall be of no force or effect.
17.2REMEDIES.
(a)In the event of any default or breach of this Lease by Tenant, Landlord may, at any time thereafter, with or without notice or demand, and without limiting Landlord in the exercise of any right or remedy which Landlord may have by reason of such default:
(i) terminate Tenant’s right to possession of the Premises by any lawful means, in which case this Lease and the Term hereof shall terminate and Tenant shall immediately surrender possession of the Premises to Landlord. If Landlord terminates this Lease, Landlord may recover from Tenant (A) the worth at the time of award of the unpaid rent which had been earned at the time of termination; (B) the worth at the time of award of the amount by which the unpaid rent which would have been earned after termination until the time of award exceeds the amount of such rental loss that Tenant proves could have been reasonably avoided; (C) the worth at the time of award of the amount by which the unpaid rent for the balance of the term after the time of award exceeds the amount of such rental loss that Tenant proves could have been reasonably avoided; and (D) any other amount necessary to compensate Landlord for all detriment proximately caused by Tenant’s failure to perform its obligations under the Lease or which in the ordinary course of things would be likely to result therefrom, including, but not limited to, the cost of recovering possession of the Premises, expenses of releasing, including necessary renovation and alteration of the Premises, reasonable attorneys’ fees, any real estate commissions actually paid by Landlord and the unamortized value of any free rent, reduced rent, tenant improvement allowance or other economic concessions provided by Landlord. The “worth at time of award” of the amounts referred to in Section 17.2(a)(i)(A) and (B) shall be computed by allowing interest at the lesser of ten percent (10%) per annum or the maximum interest rate permitted by applicable law. The worth at the time of award of the amount referred to in Section 17.2(a)(i)(C) shall be computed by discounting such amount at the discount rate of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond at the time of award plus one percent (1%). For purposes of this Section 17.2(a)(i), “rent” shall be deemed to be all monetary obligations required to be paid by Tenant pursuant to the terms of this Lease.
(ii)maintain Tenant’s right of possession, in which event Landlord shall have the remedy to continue this Lease in effect after Tenant’s breach and abandonment and recover rent as it becomes due. In the event Landlord elects to continue this Lease in effect, Tenant shall have the right to sublet the Premises or assign Tenant’s interest in the Lease subject to the reasonable requirements contained in Section 16 of this Lease and provided further that Landlord shall not require compliance with any standard or condition contained in Section 16 that has become unreasonable at the time Tenant seeks to sublet or assign the Premises pursuant to this Section 17.2(a)(ii).
(iii) collect sublease rents (or appoint a receiver to collect such rent) and otherwise perform Tenant’s obligations at the Premises, it being agreed, however, that the appointment of a receiver for Tenant shall not constitute an election by Landlord to terminate this Lease.
(iv) pursue any other remedy now or hereafter available to Landlord under the laws or judicial decisions of the state in which the Premises are located.
(b)No remedy or election hereunder shall be deemed exclusive, but shall, wherever possible, be cumulative with all other remedies at law or in equity. The expiration or termination of this Lease and/or the termination of Tenant’s right to possession of the Premises shall not relieve Tenant of liability under any indemnity provisions of this Lease as to matters occurring or accruing during the Term of the Lease or by reason of Tenant’s occupancy of the Premises.
(c)If Tenant abandons or vacates the Premises, Landlord may re-enter the Premises, and such reentry shall not be deemed to constitute Landlord’s election to accept a surrender of the Premises or to otherwise relieve Tenant from liability for its breach of this Lease. No surrender of the Premises shall be effective against Landlord unless Landlord has entered into a written agreement with Tenant in which Landlord expressly agrees to (i) accept a surrender of the Premises and (ii) relieve Tenant of liability under the Lease. The delivery by Tenant to Landlord of possession of the Premises shall not constitute the termination of the Lease or the surrender of the Premises.
17.3DEFAULT BY LANDLORD. Landlord shall not be in default under this Lease unless Landlord fails to perform obligations required of Landlord within thirty (30) days after written notice by Tenant to Landlord and to the holder of any mortgage or deed of trust encumbering the Project whose name and address shall have theretofore been furnished to Tenant in writing, specifying wherein Landlord has failed to perform such obligation; provided, however, that if the nature of Landlord’s obligation is such that more than thirty (30) days are required for its cure, then Landlord shall not be in default if Landlord commences performance within such thirty (30) day period and thereafter diligently pursues the same to completion. In no event shall Tenant have the right to terminate this Lease as a result of Landlord’s default, and Tenant’s remedies shall be limited to damages and/or an injunction. Tenant hereby waives its right to recover consequential damages (including, but not limited to, lost profits) or punitive damages arising out of a Landlord default. This Lease and the obligations of Tenant hereunder shall not be affected or impaired because Landlord is unable to fulfill any of its obligations hereunder or is delayed in doing so, if such inability or delay is caused by reason of a Force Majeure Event, and the time for Landlord’s performance shall be extended for the period of any such delay. Any claim, demand, right or defense by Tenant that arises out of this Lease or the negotiations which preceded this Lease shall be barred unless Tenant commences an action thereon, or interposes a defense by reason thereof, within six (6) months after the date of the inaction, omission, event or action that gave rise to such claim, demand, right or defense.
17.4LATE CHARGES. If any installment of Base Rent, Tenant’s Percentage Share of Operating Expenses or any other sum due from Tenant shall not be received by Landlord within five (5) days of when such amount shall be due, then, without any requirement for notice or demand to Tenant, Tenant shall immediately pay to Landlord a late charge equal to six percent (6%) of such overdue amount. The parties hereby agree that such late charge represents a fair and reasonable estimate of the costs Landlord will incur by reason of late payment by Tenant. Acceptance of such late charge by Landlord shall in no event constitute a waiver of Tenant’s default with respect to such overdue amount, nor prevent Landlord from exercising any of the other rights and remedies granted hereunder, including the assessment of interest under Section 17.5.
17.5INTEREST ON PAST-DUE OBLIGATIONS. Except as expressly herein provided, any amount due to Landlord that is not paid when due shall bear interest at the lesser of ten percent (10%) per annum or the maximum rate permitted by applicable law. Payment of such interest shall not excuse or cure any default by Tenant under this Lease; provided, however, that interest shall not be payable on late charges incurred by Tenant nor on any amounts upon which late charges are paid by Tenant.
18.LANDLORD’S RIGHT TO CURE DEFAULT; PAYMENTS BY TENANT. If Tenant shall fail to perform any of its obligations under this Lease, Landlord shall have the right to make any such payment or perform any such act on Tenant’s behalf without waiving its rights based upon any default of Tenant and without releasing Tenant from any obligations hereunder. Tenant shall reimburse Landlord for the cost of such performance upon demand.
19.INDEMNITY. Tenant hereby agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Landlord and its employees, partners, agents, property managers, contractors, lenders and ground lessors (said persons and entities are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Indemnified Parties” or “Landlord Parties”) from and against any and all liability, loss, cost, damage, claims, loss of rents, liens, judgments, penalties, fines, settlement costs, investigation costs, cost of consultants and experts, attorney’s fees, court costs and other legal expenses, effects of environmental contamination, cost of environmental testing, removal, remediation and/or abatement of Hazardous Materials (as said term are defined below), insurance policy deductibles and other expenses (hereinafter collectively referred to as “Damages”) arising out of or related to an Indemnified Matter (as defined below). For purposes of this Section, an “Indemnified Matter” shall mean any matter for which one or more of the Indemnified Parties incurs liability or Damages if the liability or Damages arise out of or involve, directly or indirectly, (a) Tenant’s or its employees’, agents’, contractors’ or invitees’ (all of said persons or entities are hereinafter collectively referred to as “Tenant Parties”) use or occupancy of the Premises or the Project, (b) any act, omission or neglect of a Tenant Party, (c) Tenant’s failure to perform any of its obligations under the Lease, (d) the existence, use or disposal of any Hazardous Materials (as defined below) brought on to the Project by a Tenant Party or (e) any other matters for which Tenant has agreed to indemnify Landlord pursuant to any other provision of this Lease. Tenant’s obligations hereunder shall include, but shall not be limited to (f) compensating the Indemnified Parties for Damages arising out of Indemnified Matters within ten (10) days after written demand from an Indemnified Party and (g) providing a defense, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party, at Tenant’s sole expense, within ten (10) days after written demand from the Indemnified Party, of any claims, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to an Indemnified Matter whether or not litigated or reduced to judgment and whether or not well founded. If Tenant is obligated to compensate an Indemnified Party for Damages arising out of an Indemnified Matter, Landlord shall have the immediate and unconditional right, but not the obligation, without notice or demand to Tenant, to pay the damages, and Tenant shall, upon ten (10) days’ advance written notice from Landlord, reimburse Landlord for the costs incurred by Landlord. By way of example, and not limitation, Landlord shall have the immediate and unconditional right to cause any damages to the Common Areas, another tenant’s premises or to any other part of the Project to be repaired and to compensate other tenants of the Project or other persons or entities for Damages arising out of an Indemnified Matter. The Indemnified Parties need not first pay any Damages to be indemnified hereunder. Tenant’s obligations under this Section shall not be released, reduced or otherwise limited because one or more of the Indemnified Parties are or may be actively or passively negligent with respect to an Indemnified Matter or because an Indemnified Party is or was partially responsible for the Damages incurred. For the avoidance of doubt, and notwithstanding the foregoing, Tenant shall have no obligation to indemnify the Indemnified Parties for any Damages to the extent arising out of or resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of any of the Landlord Parties. This indemnity is intended to apply to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. Tenant’s obligations under this Section shall survive the expiration or termination of this Lease unless specifically waived in writing by Landlord after said expiration or termination.
20.EXEMPTION OF LANDLORD FROM LIABILITY. Tenant hereby agrees that Landlord Parties shall not be liable for injury to Tenant’s business or any loss of income therefrom or for loss of or damage to the merchandise, tenant improvements, fixtures, furniture, equipment, computers, files, automobiles, or other property of Tenant, Tenant’s employees, agents, contractors or invitees, or any other person in or about the Project, nor shall Landlord Parties be liable for injury to the person of Tenant, Tenant’s employees, agents, contractors or invitees, whether such damage or injury is caused by or results from any cause whatsoever including, but not limited to, theft, criminal activity at the Project, negligent security measures, bombings or bomb scares, acts of terrorism, Hazardous Materials, fire, steam, electricity, gas, water or rain, flooding, breakage of pipes, sprinklers, plumbing, air conditioning or lighting fixtures, or from any other cause, whether said damage or injury results from conditions arising upon the Premises or upon other portions of the Project, or from other sources or places, or from new construction or the repair, alteration or improvement of any part of the Project, unless the cause of the damage or injury arises out of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Landlord Parties. Landlord Parties shall not be liable for any damages arising from any act or neglect of any employees, agents, contractors or invitees of any other tenant, occupant or user of the Project, nor from the failure of Landlord Parties to enforce the provisions of the lease of any other tenant of the Project. Tenant, as a material part of the consideration to Landlord hereunder, hereby assumes all risk of damage to Tenant’s property or business or injury to persons, in, upon or about the Project arising from any cause, excluding the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Landlord Parties, and Tenant hereby waives all claims in respect thereof against Landlord Parties.
21.LANDLORD’S LIABILITY. Tenant acknowledges that Landlord shall have the right to transfer all or any portion of its interest in the Project and to assign this Lease to the transferee. Tenant agrees that in the event of such a transfer Landlord shall automatically be released from all liability under this Lease; and Tenant hereby agrees to look solely to Landlord’s transferee for the performance of Landlord’s obligations hereunder after the date of the transfer. Upon such a transfer, Landlord shall, at its option, return Tenant’s security deposit to Tenant or transfer Tenant’s security deposit to Landlord’s transferee and, in either event, Landlord shall have no further liability to Tenant for the return of its security deposit. Subject to the rights of any lender holding a mortgage or deed of trust encumbering all or part of the Project, Tenant agrees to look solely to Landlord’s equity interest in the Project for the collection of any judgment requiring the payment of money by Landlord arising out of (a) Landlord’s failure to perform its obligations under this Lease or (b) the negligence or willful misconduct of Landlord, its partners, employees and agents. No other property or assets of Landlord shall be subject to levy, execution or other enforcement procedure for the satisfaction of any judgment or writ obtained by Tenant against Landlord. No partner, employee or agent of Landlord shall be personally liable for the performance of Landlord’s obligations hereunder or be named as a party in any lawsuit arising out of or related to, directly or indirectly, this Lease and the obligations of Landlord hereunder. The obligations under this Lease do not constitute personal obligations of the individual partners of Landlord, if any, and Tenant shall not seek recourse against the individual partners of Landlord or their assets.
22.SIGNS. Tenant shall not make any changes to the exterior of the Premises, install any exterior lights, decorations, balloons, flags, pennants, banners or painting, or erect or install any signs, windows or door lettering, placards, decorations or advertising media of any type which can be viewed from the exterior of the Premises, without Landlord’s prior written consent, which may be given or withheld in Landlord’s sole discretion. Upon vacation of the Premises, Tenant shall remove all signs and repair, paint and/or replace the building fascia surface to which its signs are attached. Tenant shall obtain all applicable governmental permits and approvals for signs and exterior treatments. All signs, decorations, advertising media, blinds, draperies and other window treatment or bars or other security installations visible from outside the Premises shall be subject to Landlord’s approval and conform in all respects to Landlord’s requirements.
23.PARKING. During the Term and subject to the rules and regulations attached hereto as Exhibit “C,” as modified by Landlord from time to time (the “Rules”), Tenant shall be entitled to use the number of parking spaces set forth in Section 1.13 in the Common Area parking lot of the Project. Tenant’s parking rights are in common with the parking rights of any other tenants of the Project, and all of Tenant’s parking spaces are unreserved parking spaces. Tenant’s parking rights are the personal rights of Tenant, and Tenant shall not transfer, assign or otherwise convey its parking rights separate and apart from this Lease.
24.BROKER’S FEE. Tenant and Landlord each represent and warrant to the other that neither has had any dealings or entered into any agreements with any person, entity, broker or finder other than the persons, if any, listed in Section 1.14, in connection with the negotiation of this Lease, and no other broker, person, or entity is entitled to any commission or finder’s fee in connection with the negotiation of this Lease, and Tenant and Landlord each agree to indemnify, defend and hold the other harmless from and against any claims, damages, costs, expenses, attorneys’ fees or liability for compensation or charges which may be claimed by any such unnamed broker, finder or other similar party by reason of any dealings, actions or agreements of the indemnifying party.
25.ESTOPPEL CERTIFICATE. Tenant shall from time to time, upon not less than ten (10) days’ prior written notice from Landlord, execute and deliver to Landlord a statement in writing certifying such information as Landlord may reasonably request including, but not limited to, the following: (a) that this Lease is unmodified and in full force and effect (or, if modified, stating the nature of such modification and certifying that this Lease, as so modified, is in full force and effect), (b) the date to which the Base Rent and other charges are paid in advance and the amounts so payable, (c) that there are not, to Tenant’s knowledge, any uncured defaults or unfulfilled obligations on the part of Landlord, or specifying such defaults or unfulfilled obligations, if any are claimed, (d) that all tenant improvements to be constructed by Landlord, if any, have been completed in accordance with Landlord’s obligations, and (e) that Tenant has taken possession of the Premises. Any such statement may be conclusively relied upon by any prospective purchaser or encumbrancer of the Project.
26.FINANCIAL INFORMATION. From time to time, at Landlord’s request, Tenant shall cause the following financial information to be delivered to Landlord, at Tenant’s sole cost and expense, upon not less than ten (10) days’ advance written notice from Landlord: (a) a current financial statement for Tenant and Tenant’s financial statements for the previous two accounting years, (b) a current financial statement for any guarantor(s) of this Lease and the guarantor’(s) financial statements for the previous two accounting years and (c) such other financial information pertaining to Tenant or any guarantor as Landlord or any lender or purchaser of Landlord may reasonably request. All financial statements shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied and, if such is the normal practice of Tenant, shall be audited by an independent certified public accountant. Tenant hereby authorizes Landlord, from time to time, without notice to Tenant, to obtain a credit report or credit history on Tenant from any credit reporting company. Prior to receiving Tenant’s financial information, Tenant may require Landlord and any party that will receive the statements to execute Tenant’s commercially reasonable form of confidentiality and nondisclosure agreement.
27.ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS/HAZARDOUS MATERIALS.
27.1HAZARDOUS MATERIALS DISCLOSURE CERTIFICATE. Prior to executing this Lease, Tenant has delivered to Landlord Tenant’s executed initial Hazardous Materials Disclosure Certificate (the “Initial HazMat Certificate”), a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit E. Tenant covenants, represents and warrants to Landlord that the information in the Initial HazMat Certificate is true and correct and accurately describes the use(s) of Hazardous Materials which will be made and/or used on the Premises by Tenant. Tenant shall, commencing with the date which is one year from the Commencement Date and continuing every year thereafter, deliver to Landlord an executed Hazardous Materials Disclosure Certificate (the “HazMat Certificate”) describing Tenant’s then-present use of Hazardous Materials on the Premises, and any other reasonably necessary documents and information as requested by Landlord. The HazMat Certificates required hereunder shall be in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit E.
27.2DEFINITION OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS. As used in this Lease, the term “Hazardous Materials” shall mean and include (a) any hazardous or toxic wastes, materials or substances, and other pollutants or contaminants, which are or become regulated by any Environmental Laws (defined below); (b) petroleum, petroleum by-products, gasoline, diesel fuel, crude oil or any fraction thereof; (c) asbestos and asbestos-containing material, in any form, whether friable or non-friable; (d) polychlorinated biphenyls; (e) radioactive materials; (f) lead and lead-containing materials; (g) any other material, waste or substance displaying toxic, reactive, ignitable or corrosive characteristics, as all such terms are used in their broadest sense, and are defined or become defined by any Environmental Law; or (h) any materials which cause or threatens to cause a nuisance upon or waste to any portion of the Project or any surrounding property; or poses or threatens to pose a hazard to the health and safety of persons on the Premises, any other portion of the Project or any surrounding property. For purposes of this Lease, the term Hazardous Materials shall not include nominal amounts of ordinary household cleaners, office supplies and janitorial supplies which are not actionable under any Environmental Laws.
27.3PROHIBITION; ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS. Tenant shall not be entitled to use or store any Hazardous Materials on, in, or about any portion of the Premises and the Project without, in each instance, obtaining Landlord’s prior written consent thereto. If Landlord, in its sole discretion, consents to any such usage or storage, then Tenant shall be permitted to use and/or store only those Hazardous Materials that are necessary for Tenant’s business and to the extent disclosed in the HazMat Certificate and as expressly approved by Landlord in writing. Any such usage and storage may only be to the extent of the quantities of Hazardous Materials as specified in the then-applicable HazMat Certificate as expressly approved by Landlord. In all events such usage and storage must at all times be in full compliance with any and all local, state and federal environmental, health and/or safety-related laws, statutes, orders, standards, courts’ decisions, ordinances, rules and regulations (as interpreted by judicial and administrative decisions), decrees, directives, guidelines, permits or permit conditions, currently existing and as amended, enacted, issued or adopted in the future which are or become applicable to Tenant or all or any portion of the Premises (collectively, the “Environmental Laws”) and in compliance with the recommendations of Landlord’s consultants. Tenant agrees that any changes to the type and/or quantities of Hazardous Materials specified in the most recent HazMat Certificate may be implemented only with the prior written consent of Landlord, which consent may be given or withheld in Landlord’s sole discretion. Tenant shall not be entitled nor permitted to install any tanks under, on or about the Premises for the storage of Hazardous Materials without the express written consent of Landlord, which may be given or withheld in Landlord’s sole discretion. Landlord shall have the right, in Landlord’s sole discretion, at all times during the Term of this Lease to (i) inspect the Premises, (ii) conduct tests and investigations to determine whether Tenant is in compliance with the provisions of this Section 27 or to determine if Hazardous Materials are present in, on or about the Project, (iii) request lists of all Hazardous Materials used, stored or otherwise located on, under or about any portion of the Premises and/or the Common Areas, and (iv) to require Tenant to complete a survey of its use, storage and handling of Hazardous Materials in the Premises, using a form and following procedures designated by Landlord, in Landlord’s sole discretion (the “Survey”). Tenant shall reimburse Landlord for the cost of all such inspections, tests and investigations, and all costs associated with any Survey. If as a result of an inspection, test or Survey Landlord determines, in Landlord’s sole discretion, that Tenant should implement or perform safety, security or compliance measures, Tenant shall within thirty (30) days after written request by Landlord perform such measures, at Tenant’s sole cost and expense. The aforementioned rights granted herein to Landlord and its representatives shall not create (a) a duty on Landlord’s part to inspect, test, investigate, monitor or otherwise observe the Premises or the activities of Tenant and Tenant Parties with respect to Hazardous Materials, including without limitation, Tenant’s operation, use and any remediation relating thereto, or (b) liability on the part of Landlord and its representatives for Tenant’s use, storage, disposal or remediation of Hazardous Materials, it being understood that Tenant shall be solely responsible for all liability in connection therewith.
27.4TENANT’S ENVIRONMENTAL OBLIGATIONS. Tenant shall give to Landlord immediate verbal and follow-up written notice of any spills, releases, discharges, disposals, emissions, migrations, removals or transportation of Hazardous Materials on, under or about any portion of the Premises or in any Common Areas; provided that Tenant has actual, implied or constructive knowledge of such event(s). Tenant, at its sole cost and expense, covenants and warrants to promptly investigate, clean up, remove, restore and otherwise remediate (including, without limitation, preparation of any feasibility studies or reports and the performance of any and all closures) any spill, release, discharge, disposal, emission, migration or transportation of Hazardous Materials arising from or related to the intentional or negligent acts or omissions of Tenant or Tenant Parties such that the affected portions of the Project and any adjacent property are returned to the condition existing prior to the appearance of such Hazardous Materials. Any such investigation, clean up, removal, restoration and other remediation shall only be performed after Tenant has obtained Landlord’s prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld so long as such actions would not potentially have a material adverse long-term or short-term effect on any portion of the Project. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Tenant shall be entitled to respond immediately to an emergency without first obtaining Landlord’s prior written consent. Tenant, at its sole cost and expense, shall conduct and perform, or cause to be conducted and performed, all closures as required by any Environmental Laws or any agencies or other governmental authorities having jurisdiction thereof. If Tenant fails to so promptly investigate, clean up, remove, restore, provide closure or otherwise so remediate, Landlord may, but without obligation to do so, take any and all steps necessary to rectify the same, and Tenant shall promptly reimburse Landlord, upon demand, for all costs and expenses to Landlord of performing investigation, cleanup, removal, restoration, closure and remediation work. All such work undertaken by Tenant, as required herein, shall be performed in such a manner so as to enable Landlord to make full economic use of the Premises and other portions of the Project after the satisfactory completion of such work.
27.5ENVIRONMENTAL INDEMNITY. In addition to Tenant’s other indemnity obligations under this Lease, Tenant agrees to, and shall, protect, indemnify, defend (with counsel acceptable to Landlord) and hold Landlord and the other Landlord Parties harmless from and against any and all loss, cost, damage, liability or expense (including, without limitation, diminution in value of any portion of the Premises or the Project, damages for the loss of or restriction on the use of rentable or usable space, and from any adverse impact of Landlord’s marketing of any space within the Project) arising at any time during or after the Term of this Lease in connection with or related to, directly or indirectly, the use, presence, transportation, storage, disposal, migration, removal, spill, release or discharge of Hazardous Materials on, in or about any portion of the Project as a result (directly or indirectly) of the intentional or negligent acts or omissions of Tenant or Tenant Parties. Neither the written consent of Landlord to the presence, use or storage of Hazardous Materials in, on, under or about any portion of the Project nor the strict compliance by Tenant with all Environmental Laws shall excuse Tenant from its obligations of indemnification pursuant hereto. Tenant shall not be relieved of its indemnification obligations under the provisions of this Section 27.5 due to Landlord’s status as either an “owner” or “operator” under any Environmental Laws. Tenant’s obligations and liabilities pursuant to the provisions of this Section 27 shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease.
27.6SURVIVAL. Tenant’s obligations and liabilities pursuant to the provisions of this Section 27 shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease. If it is determined by Landlord that the condition of all or any portion of the Project is not in compliance with the provisions of this Lease with respect to Hazardous Materials, including without limitation, all Environmental Laws at the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease, then Landlord may require Tenant to hold over possession of the Premises until Tenant can surrender the Premises to Landlord in the condition in which the Premises existed as of the Commencement Date and prior to the appearance of such Hazardous Materials except for reasonable wear and tear, including without limitation, the conduct or performance of any closures as required by any Environmental Laws. The burden of proof hereunder shall be upon Tenant. For purposes hereof, the term “reasonable wear and tear” shall not include any deterioration in the condition or diminution of the value of any portion of the Project in any manner whatsoever related to, directly or indirectly, Hazardous Materials. Any such holdover by Tenant will be with Landlord’s consent, will not be terminable by Tenant in any event or circumstance and will otherwise be subject to the provisions of Section 33 of this Lease.
28.SUBORDINATION.
28.1EFFECT OF SUBORDINATION. This Lease, and any Option (as defined below) granted hereby, upon Landlord’s written election, shall be subject and subordinate to any ground lease, mortgage, deed of trust or any other hypothecation or security now or hereafter placed upon the Project and to any and all advances made on the security thereof and to all renewals, modifications, consolidations, replacements and extensions thereof. Notwithstanding such subordination, Tenant’s right to quiet possession of the Premises shall not be disturbed if Tenant is not in default and so long as Tenant shall pay the rent and observe and perform all of the provisions of this Lease, unless this Lease is otherwise terminated pursuant to its terms. At the request of any mortgagee, trustee or ground lessor, Tenant shall attorn to such person or entity. If any mortgagee, trustee or ground lessor shall elect to have this Lease and any Options granted hereby prior to the lien of its mortgage, deed of trust or ground lease, and shall give written notice thereof to Tenant, this Lease and such Options shall be deemed prior to such mortgage, deed of trust or ground lease, whether this Lease or such Options are dated prior or subsequent to the date of said mortgage, deed of trust or ground lease or the date of recording thereof. In the event of the foreclosure of a security device, the new owner shall not (a) be liable for any act or omission of any prior landlord or with respect to events occurring prior to its acquisition of title, (b) be liable for the breach of this Lease by any prior landlord, (c) be subject to any offsets or defenses which Tenant may have against the prior landlord or (d) be liable to Tenant for the return of its security deposit.
28.2EXECUTION OF DOCUMENTS. Tenant agrees to execute and acknowledge any documents Landlord reasonably requests Tenant execute to effectuate an attornment, a subordination, or to make this Lease or any Option granted herein prior to the lien of any mortgage, deed of trust or ground lease, as the case may be. Tenant’s failure to execute such documents within ten (10) days after written demand shall constitute a default by Tenant hereunder or, at Landlord’s option, Landlord shall have the right to execute such documents on behalf of Tenant as Tenant’s attorney-in-fact. Tenant does hereby make, constitute and irrevocably appoint Landlord as Tenant’s attorney-in-fact and in Tenant’s name, place and stead to execute such documents in accordance with this Section.
29.SUBSTITUTION OF OTHER PREMISES. Landlord, at Landlord’s expense, at any time before or during the Term, may relocate Tenant from the Premises to space of reasonably comparable size and utility (the “Relocation Space”) within the Building or other buildings within the same Project upon sixty (60) days’ prior written notice to Tenant. From and after the date of the relocation, the Base Rent and Tenant’s Percentage Share shall be adjusted based on the rentable square footage of the Relocation Space. Landlord shall pay Tenant’s reasonable costs of relocation, including all costs for moving Tenant’s furniture, equipment, supplies and other personal property, as well as the cost of printing and distributing change of address notices to Tenant’s customers and one month’s supply of stationery showing the new address.
30.HOLDING OVER. If Tenant remains in possession of the Premises or any part thereof after the expiration or earlier termination of the Term hereof with Landlord’s consent, such occupancy shall be a tenancy from month to month upon all the terms and conditions of this Lease pertaining to the obligations of Tenant, except that the Base Rent payable shall be two hundred percent (200%) of the Base Rent and additional rent payable immediately preceding the termination date of this Lease, and all Options, if any, shall be deemed terminated and be of no further effect. If Tenant remains in possession of the Premises or any part thereof, after the expiration of the Term hereof without Landlord’s consent, Tenant shall be treated as a tenant at sufferance or a trespasser. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to constitute Landlord’s consent to Tenant holding over at the expiration or earlier termination of the Term or to give Tenant the right to hold over after the expiration or earlier termination of the Term. Tenant hereby agrees to indemnify, hold harmless and defend Landlord from any cost, loss, claim or liability (including attorneys’ fees) Landlord may incur as a result of Tenant’s failure to surrender possession of the Premises to Landlord upon the termination of this Lease.
31.LANDLORD’S ACCESS. Landlord and Landlord’s agents, contractors and employees shall have the right to enter the Premises at reasonable times for the purpose of inspecting the Premises, performing any services required of Landlord, showing the Premises to prospective purchasers, lenders or tenants, undertaking safety measures, and making alterations, repairs, improvements or additions to the Premises or to the Project. In the event of an emergency, Landlord may gain access to the Premises by any reasonable means, and Landlord shall not be liable to Tenant for damage to the Premises or to Tenant’s property resulting from such access. If reasonably necessary, Landlord may temporarily limit or eliminate access to portions of the Project, including portions of the Common Areas, or perform work in the Building, which work may create noise, dust or leave debris in the Building. The foregoing activities by Landlord shall not constitute constructive eviction or entitle Tenant to an abatement or reduction of rent. Landlord shall have the right to retain keys to the locks on the entry doors to the Premises and all interior doors at the Premises.
32.MISCELLANEOUS.
32.1.SEVERABILITY. The invalidity of any provision of this Lease as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction shall in no way affect the validity of any other provision hereof.
32.2.TIME OF ESSENCE. Time is of the essence with respect to each of the obligations to be performed by Tenant and Landlord under this Lease.
32.3.DEFINITION OF ADDITIONAL RENT. All monetary obligations of Tenant to Landlord under this Lease, including, but not limited to, Base Rent, Tenant’s Percentage Share of Operating Expenses, Tenant’s Percentage Share of Real Property Taxes, and late charges shall be deemed to be rent.
32.4.INCORPORATION OF PRIOR AGREEMENTS. This Lease constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings related to the Premises, including all lease proposals, letters of intent and other documents. Neither party is relying upon any warranty, statement or representation not contained in this Lease.
32.5.WAIVERS. No waiver by Landlord or Tenant of any provision hereof shall be deemed a waiver of any other provision hereof or of any subsequent breach by Landlord or Tenant of the same or any other provision. Landlord’s consent to, or approval of, any act shall not be deemed to render unnecessary the obtaining of Landlord’s consent to or approval of any subsequent act by Tenant. The acceptance of rent hereunder by Landlord shall not be a waiver of any preceding breach by Tenant of any provision hereof, other than the failure of Tenant to pay the particular rent so accepted, regardless of Landlord’s knowledge of such preceding breach at the time of acceptance of such rent. No acceptance by Landlord of partial payment of any sum due from Tenant shall be deemed a waiver by Landlord of its right to receive the full amount due, nor shall any endorsement or statement on any check or accompanying letter from Tenant be deemed an accord and satisfaction. Tenant hereby waives for Tenant and all those claiming under Tenant all rights now or hereafter existing to redeem by order or judgment of any court or by legal process or writ, Tenant’s right of occupancy of the Premises after any termination of this Lease.
32.6.SECURITY MEASURES. Tenant hereby acknowledges that Landlord shall have no obligation whatsoever to provide guard service or other security measures for the benefit of the Premises or the Project, and Landlord shall have no liability to Tenant due to its failure to provide such services. Tenant assumes all responsibility for the protection of Tenant, its agents, employees, contractors and invitees and the property of Tenant and of Tenant’s agents, employees, contractors and invitees from acts of third parties.
32.7.AMENDMENTS. This Lease may be modified in writing only, signed by the parties in interest at the time of the modification.
32.8.FORCE MAJEURE EVENTS. Whenever a period of time is prescribed for the taking of an action by Landlord or Tenant (other than the payment of the Security Deposit or rent), the period of time for the performance of such action shall be extended by the number of days that the performance is actually delayed due to “acts of God” (including adverse weather conditions that are abnormal for the area in which the Property is located, earthquake, flood, tornado, or other high winds), strike, lockout, shortages of materials or labor resulting from general market shortages, governmental control or diversion, acts of public enemy, terrorist acts, civil disturbances, riot, insurrection, governmental regulation of the sale or transportation of materials, supplies, or labor, any actual or threatened health emergency or public health crisis, including, but not limited to, epidemics, pandemic, famine, disease, plague, quarantine, and other health risks, including, but not limited to, health risks declared or recognized by the Centers for Disease Control, the World Health Organization, and any governmental authority or similar body and/or other causes beyond the reasonable control of the performing party (collectively, “Force Majeure Events”). This Section 32.8 shall not apply to the payment of any sum of money required to be paid by Tenant hereunder or any obligation of Landlord or Tenant that can be satisfied by the payment of money.
32.9.BINDING EFFECT; CHOICE OF LAW; CONFLICT. Subject to any provision hereof restricting assignment or subletting by Tenant, this Lease shall bind the parties, their heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns. This Lease shall be governed by the laws of the state in which the Project is located and any litigation concerning this Lease between the parties hereto shall be initiated in the county in which the Project is located.
32.10.ATTORNEYS’ FEES. If Landlord or Tenant brings an action to enforce the terms hereof or declare rights hereunder, the prevailing party in any such action, or appeal thereon, shall be entitled to its reasonable attorneys’ fees and court costs to be paid by the losing party as fixed by the court in the same or separate suit, and whether or not such action is pursued to decision or judgment. Landlord shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys’ fees and all other costs and expenses incurred in the preparation and service of notices of default and consultations in connection therewith, whether or not a legal action is subsequently commenced in connection with such default. Landlord and Tenant agree that attorneys’ fees incurred with respect to defaults and bankruptcy are actual pecuniary losses within the meaning of Section 365(b)(1)(B) of the Bankruptcy Code or any successor statute.
32.11.MERGER; RELATIONSHIP OF PARTIES. The voluntary or other surrender of this Lease by Tenant, or a mutual cancellation thereof, or a termination by Landlord, shall not result in the merger of Landlord’s and Tenant’s estates, and shall, at the option of Landlord, terminate all or any existing subtenancies or may, at the option of Landlord, operate as an assignment to Landlord of any or all of such subtenancies. Nothing contained in this Lease shall be deemed or construed by the parties hereto or by any third party to create the relationship of principal and agent, partnership, joint venturer or any association between Landlord and Tenant.
32.12.QUIET POSSESSION. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Lease, and provided Tenant is not in default hereunder, Tenant shall have quiet possession of the Premises for the entire Term hereof.
32.13.AUTHORITY; MULTIPLE PARTIES. Tenant represents and warrants to Landlord that each individual executing this Lease on behalf of Tenant is authorized to do so on behalf of Tenant and that this Lease is enforceable against said entity in accordance with its terms. If more than one person or entity is named as Tenant herein, the obligations of Tenant shall be the joint and several responsibility of all persons or entities named herein as Tenant. Service of a notice in accordance with Section 34 on one Tenant shall be deemed service of notice on all Tenants.
32.14.INTERPRETATION. This Lease shall be interpreted as if it was prepared by both parties and ambiguities shall not be resolved in favor of Tenant because all or a portion of this Lease was prepared by Landlord. The captions contained in this Lease are for convenience only and shall not be deemed to limit or alter the meaning of this Lease. As used in this Lease the words tenant and landlord include the plural as well as the singular. Words used in the neuter gender include the masculine and feminine gender. The deletion of any printed, typed or other portion of this Lease shall not evidence the parties’ intention to contradict such deleted portion. Such deleted portion shall be deemed not to have been inserted in this Lease.
32.15. PROHIBITION AGAINST RECORDING. Neither this Lease, nor any memorandum, affidavit or other writing with respect thereto, shall be recorded by Tenant or by anyone acting through, under or on behalf of Tenant. Landlord shall have the right to record a memorandum of this Lease, and Tenant shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to Landlord for recording any memorandum prepared by Landlord.
32.16. SECURITY INTEREST. In consideration of the covenants and agreements contained herein, and as a material consideration to Landlord for entering into this Lease, Tenant hereby unconditionally grants to Landlord a continuing security interest in and to all personal property of Tenant located or left at the Premises and the Security Deposit, if any, and any advance rent payment or other deposit, now in or hereafter delivered to or coming into the possession, custody or control of Landlord, by or for the account of Tenant, together with any increase in profits or proceeds from such property.
32.17.LANDLORD’S RESERVATIONS. Landlord excepts and reserves exclusively to itself any and all rights not specifically granted to Tenant under this Lease. Landlord shall have the right: (a) to change the name and address of the Project or Building upon not less than ninety (90) days prior written notice; (b) to permit any tenant the exclusive right to conduct any business as long as such exclusive right does not conflict with any rights expressly given herein; and (c) to place signs, notices or displays upon the roof, interior or exterior of the Building or Common Areas of the Project. Landlord reserves the right to use the exterior walls of the Premises, and the area beneath, adjacent to and above the Premises together with the right to install, use, maintain and replace equipment, machinery, pipes, conduits and wiring through the Premises, which serve other parts of the Project provided that Landlord’s use does not unreasonably interfere with Tenant’s use of the Premises. Landlord shall have the right, in Landlord’s sole discretion, from time to time, to make changes to the size, shape, location, number and extent of the improvements comprising the Project (hereinafter referred to as “Changes”) including, but not limited to, the interior and exterior of buildings, the Common Areas, HVAC, electrical systems, communication systems, fire protection and detection systems, plumbing systems, security systems, parking control systems, driveways, entrances, parking spaces, parking areas and landscaped areas. Landlord shall have no responsibility or for any reason be liable to Tenant for any direct or indirect injury to or interference with Tenant’s business arising from the Changes, nor shall Tenant be entitled to any compensation or damages from Landlord for any inconvenience or annoyance occasioned by such Changes or Landlord’s actions in connection with such Changes.
32.18.ATTACHMENTS. The items listed in Section 1.16 are a part of this Lease and are incorporated herein by this reference.
32.19OPTIONS. The right or option to extend the Term of this Lease or to renew this Lease, the option or right of first refusal to lease the Premises, the right of first offer to lease the Premises, the right of first refusal to lease other space within the Project, the right of first offer to lease other space within the Project, and the right or option to terminate this Lease prior to its expiration date or to reduce the size of the Premises (each an “Option”) granted to Tenant by this Lease, if any, is personal to the original Tenant and may be exercised only by the original Tenant while occupying the entire Premises and may not be exercised or be assigned, voluntarily or involuntarily, by or to any person or entity other than Tenant, including, without limitation, any Transferee as defined in Section 16. The Options, if any, herein granted to Tenant are not assignable separate and apart from this Lease, nor may any Option be separated from this Lease in any manner, either by reservation or otherwise. If at any time an Option is exercisable by Tenant, the Lease has been assigned, or a sublease exists as to any portion of the Premises, the Option shall be deemed null and void and neither Tenant nor any assignee or subtenant shall have the right to exercise the Option.
33.RELATIONSHIP OF PARTIES. Nothing contained in this Lease shall be deemed or construed by the parties hereto or by any third party to create the relationship of principal and agent, partnership, joint venturer or any association between Landlord and Tenant.
34.RULES AND REGULATIONS. Tenant agrees to abide by and conform to the Rules and to cause its employees, suppliers, customers and invitees to so abide and conform. Landlord shall have the right, from time to time, to modify, amend and enforce the Rules in a nondiscriminatory manner. Landlord shall not be responsible to Tenant for the failure of other persons, including, but not limited to, other tenants, their agents, employees and invitees, to comply with the Rules.
35.RIGHT TO LEASE. Landlord reserves the absolute right to effect such other tenancies in the Project as Landlord in its sole discretion shall determine, and Tenant is not relying on any representation that any specific tenant or number of tenants will occupy the Project.
36.CONFIDENTIALITY. Tenant acknowledges and agrees that the terms of this Lease are confidential and constitute proprietary information of Landlord. Disclosure of the terms hereof could adversely affect the ability of Landlord to negotiate other leases with respect to the Project and may impair Landlord’s relationship with other tenants of the Project. Tenant agrees that it and its partners, officers, directors, employees, brokers, and attorneys, if any, shall not disclose the terms and conditions of this Lease to any other person or entity without the prior written consent of Landlord, which may be given or withheld by Landlord, in Landlord’s sole discretion. It is understood and agreed that damages alone would be an inadequate remedy for the breach of this provision by Tenant, and Landlord shall also have the right to seek specific performance of this provision and to seek injunctive relief to prevent its breach or continued breach.
37.RULE AGAINST PERPETUITIES. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Lease, if the Term of the Lease has not commenced within twenty-one (21) years after the date of this Lease, this Lease shall automatically terminate on the twenty-first (21st) anniversary of such date. The sole purpose of this provision is to avoid any interpretation of this Lease as a violation of the Rule Against Perpetuities, or any other rule of law or equity concerning restraints on alienation.
38.OFAC CERTIFICATION. Tenant certifies that: (i) it is not acting, directly or indirectly, for or on behalf of any person, group, entity, or nation named by any Executive Order or the United States Treasury Department as a terrorist, “Specially Designated National and Blocked Person,” or other banned or blocked person, entity, nation, or transaction pursuant to any law, order, rule, or regulation that is enforced or administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control; and (ii) it is not engaged in this transaction, directly or indirectly on behalf of, or instigating or facilitating this transaction, directly or indirectly on behalf of, any such person, group, entity, or nation. Tenant hereby agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Landlord from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, risks, liabilities, and expenses (including attorney’s fees and costs) arising from or related to any breach of the foregoing certification.
39.NOTICES. All notices required or permitted by this Lease shall be in writing and shall be delivered (a) by hand, (b) by U.S. Postal Service certified mail, return receipt requested, (c) by U.S. Postal Service Express Mail, Federal Express or other overnight courier, or (d) by facsimile transmission, and shall be deemed sufficiently given if served in a manner specified in this Section. Any notice hereunder shall be deemed personally delivered to Tenant on the date the notice is personally delivered to any employee of Tenant at the Premises. The addresses set forth in Section 1.15 of this Lease shall be the address of each party for notice purposes. Landlord or Tenant may by written notice to the other specify a different address for notice purposes, except that upon Tenant’s taking possession of the Premises, the Premises shall constitute Tenant’s address for the purpose of mailing or delivering notices to Tenant. Any notice sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, shall be deemed given three (3) days after deposited with the U.S. Postal Service. Notices delivered by overnight courier service shall be deemed given on the date delivered by the carrier to the appropriate party’s address for notice purposes. If any notice is transmitted by facsimile transmission, the notice shall be deemed delivered upon telephone confirmation of receipt of the transmission thereof. A copy of all notices delivered to a party by facsimile transmission shall also be mailed to the party on the date the facsimile transmission is completed. If Tenant has vacated the Premises or any other notice address of Tenant without providing a new notice address, such notice shall be deemed to have been received three (3) days after notice is deposited in the U.S. mail or with a courier service in the manner described above. If notice is received on Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday, it shall be deemed received on the next business day. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to limit Landlord’s right to serve any notice to pay rent or quit or similar notice by any method permitted by applicable law, and any such notice shall be effective if served in accordance with any method permitted by applicable law whether or not the requirements of this section have been met.
40.COUNTERPART COPIES; ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES. This Lease may be executed in two or more counterpart copies, each of which shall be doomed to be an original and all of which counterparts shall have the same force and effect as If the parties hereto had executed a single copy of this Lease, The parties acknowledge and agree that notwithstanding any law or presumption to the contrary, an electronic or tolofaxed signature (hereinafter, an “Electronic Signature”) of either party. whether upon this Lease or any related document, shall be deemed valid and binding and admissible by either party against the other as if same were an original ink signature Landlord and Tenant hereby acknowledge and agree that they (i) Intend to be bound by any Electronic Signatures, (ii) are aware that the other party will rely on such Electronic Signatures, and (iii) hereby waive any defenses to the enforcement of the terms of this Lease based on the foregoing forms of signature.
41.WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. LANDLORD AND TENANT HEREBY WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CAUSE OF ACTION, CLAIM COUNTERCLAIM OR CROSS-COMPLAINT IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING AND/OR HEARING BROUGHT BY EITHER LANDLORD AGAINST TENANT OR TENANT AGAINST LANDLORD ON ANY MATTER WHATSOEVER ARISING OUT OF, OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH, THIS LEASE, THE RELATIONSHIP OF LANDLORD AND TENANT, TENANT’S USE OR OCCUPANCY OF THE PREMISES, OR ANY CLAIM OF INJURY OR DAMAGE, OR THE ENFORCEMENT OF ANY REMEDY UNDER ANY LAW, STATUTE, OR REGULATION, EMERGENCY OR OTHERWISE, NOW OR HEREAFTER IN EFFECT.
LANDLORD AND TENANT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY HAVE CAREFULLY READ AND REVIEWED THIS LEASE AND EACH TERM AND PROVISION CONTAINED HEREIN AND, BY EXECUTION OF THIS LEASE, SHOW THEIR INFORMED AND VOLUNTARY CONSENT THERETO, THE PARTIES HEREBY AGREE THAT, AT THE TIME THIS LEASE IS EXECUTED, THE TERMS OF THIS LEASE ARE COMMERCIALLY REASONABLE AND EFFECTUATE THE INTENT AND PURPOSE OF LANDLORD AND TENANT WITH RESPECT TO THE PREMISES, TENANT ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS BEEN GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THIS LEASE REVIEWED BY ITS LEGAL COUNSEL PRIOR TO ITS EXECUTION PREPARATION OF THIS LEASE BY LANDLORD OR LANDLORD’S AGENT AND SUBMISSION OF SAME TO TENANT SHALL NOT BE DEEMED AN OFFER BY LANDLORD TO LEASE THE PREMISES TO TENANT OR THE GRANT OF AN OPTION TO TENANT TO LEASE THE PREMISES. THIS LEASE SHALL BECOME BINDING UPON LANDLORD ONLY WHEN FULLY EXECUTED BY BOTH PARTIES AND WHEN LANDLORD HAS DELIVERED THIS LEASE TO TENANT IN THE MANNER SET FORTH IN THIS LEASE, INCLUDING BY ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE.
LANDLORD | TENANT |
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SCRS VALLEY PARK BUSINESS CENTER, LLC, a | COKEM INTERNATIONAL, LTD., |
Delaware limited liability company | a Minnesota corporation |
By: | TA Realty-SC GP, LLC, |
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| a Delaware limited liability company, | By: | /s/ Julianne M Turk |
| its Manager |
| Julianne M Turk |
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| By: | /s/ Brooks D. Wales |
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| Name: | Brooks D. Wales |
| Its: | VP, Finance |
| Title: | Regional Director |
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| Date of Tenant’s Execution: | 8/12/2020 |
Addendum
Addendum to Standard Industrial Lease (the “Lease”)
dated August 12, 2020 Between
SCRS Valley Park Business Center, LLC (“Landlord”) and
COKeM International, Ltd. (“Tenant”)
It is hereby agreed by Landlord and Tenant that the provisions of this Addendum are a part of the Lease. If there is a conflict between the terms and conditions of this Addendum and the terms and conditions of the Lease, the terms and conditions of this Addendum shall control. Capitalized terms in this Addendum shall have the same meaning as capitalized terms in the Lease.
1. Carpet Allowance. Landlord shall provide to Tenant an allowance of up to Seven Thousand Three Hundred Fifty Dollars ($7,350) (the “Carpet Allowance”), which such Carpet Allowance shall be available to reimburse Tenant for the reasonable and customary third-party out-of-pocket costs and expenses actually incurred by Tenant for procuring and installing carpet in the Office Space (“Carpet Expenses”). Landlord shall reimburse Tenant for Tenant’s Carpet Expenses in an amount up to the amount of the Carpet Allowance within a reasonable period of time following Landlord’s receipt of a written request from Tenant setting forth the total amount incurred for Tenant’s Carpet Expenses accompanied by paid receipts and invoices from third parties and any other evidence Landlord may reasonably request to justify such a reimbursement. In the event Tenant’s Carpet Expenses exceed the Carpet Allowance, Tenant shall pay from another source of funds the amount by which Tenant’s Carpet Expenses exceeds the Carpet Allowance prior to any disbursement of the Carpet Allowance by Landlord. In the event Tenant’s Carpet Expenses are less than the Carpet Allowance, the unused portion (the “Unused Allowance”) of the Carpet Allowance shall not be paid or refunded to Tenant or be available to Tenant as a credit against any obligations of Tenant under the Lease. Tenant’s request for reimbursement from the Carpet Allowance for Tenant’s Carpet Expenses must be properly submitted to Landlord prior to December 31, 2020 (the “Allowance Sunset Date”) or Landlord shall have no further obligation to make such a reimbursement hereunder. Tenant shall have no right to receive any portion of the Carpet Allowance at any time that Tenant is in default under the Lease beyond the expiration of any applicable notice and cure period.
2. Improvement Advance. In addition to the Carpet Allowance, Landlord shall install (i) three (3) private offices, and (ii) a sink countertop and lower cabinets as shown on the Space Plan attached hereto as Schedule 1 (the “Additional Improvements”). In connection with the Additional Improvements, Landlord agrees to advance the cost of such Additional Improvements, which (together with a construction supervisory fee of 3%) is estimated to be approximately Seventeen Thousand Six Hundred Thirteen and No/100 Dollars ($17,613.00) (the “Improvement Advance”). The Improvement Advance, together with interest thereon at the rate of six percent (6%) per annum, shall be repaid by Tenant to Landlord in monthly installments (“Tenant Improvement Rent”) together with Tenant’s installment of Base Rent, on the first day of each month during the Term. The Tenant Improvement Rent shall not be subject to annual increases. Tenant may prepay the entire balance of the Improvement Advance without penalty at any time during the Term of the Lease. If the actual cost of the Additional Improvements does not exceed the Improvement Advance, the unused portion of the Improvement Advance shall not be paid or refunded to Tenant or be available to Tenant as a credit against any obligations of Tenant under the Lease. Upon determination of the Tenant Improvement Rent payable pursuant to this Paragraph, the parties shall promptly execute an amendment to this Lease stating the rent so determined. Tenant acknowledges that the Additional Improvements may not be completed by September 1, 2020, and Tenant may elect to take occupancy of the Premises and to have the Commencement Date occur notwithstanding that the Additional Improvements are not completed. To the extent Tenant does take occupancy of the Premises prior to completion of the Additional Improvements, Tenant acknowledges that Landlord’s actions in connection with such Additional Improvements shall in no way constitute a constructive eviction of Tenant or entitle Tenant to any abatement of rent. Landlord shall have no responsibility or for any reason be liable to Tenant for any direct or indirect injury to or interference with Tenant’s business arising from the construction of the Additional Improvements, nor shall Tenant be entitled to any compensation or damages from Landlord for any inconvenience or annoyance occasioned by such construction or Landlord’s actions in connection with such construction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Landlord shall use commercially reasonable efforts to minimize unreasonable interference with Tenant’s use and occupancy of the Premises during any construction.
Add-1
EXHIBIT A
PREMISES
A-1
EXHIBIT B
VERIFICATION LETTER
COKEM INTERNATIONAL, LTD., a Minnesota corporation (“Tenant’) hereby certifies that it has entered into a lease with SCRS VALLEY PARK BUSINESS CENTER, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Landlord”) and verifies the following information as of the day of ______________, 2020:
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Tenant acknowledges and agrees that all tenant improvements Landlord is obligated to make to the Premises, if any, have been completed to Tenant’s satisfaction, that Tenant has accepted possession of the Premises, and that as of the date hereof there exist no offsets or defenses to the obligations of Tenant under the Lease.
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| COKEM INTERNATIONAL, LTD., a Minnesota corporation |
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[SIGNATURES CONTINUE ON NEXT PAGE]
B-1
ACKNOWLEDGED AND AGREED TO:
LANDLORD
SCRS VALLEY PARK BUSINESS CENTER, LLC,
a Delaware limited liability company
By: | TA Realty-SC GP, LLC, |
| a Delaware limited liability company, |
| its Manager |
| By: | | |
| Name: | | |
| Title: | | |
B-2
EXHIBIT C
RULES AND REGULATIONS
GENERAL RULES
Tenant shall faithfully observe and comply with the following Rules and Regulations:
1.Tenant shall not alter any locks or install any new or additional locks or bolts on any doors or windows of the Premises without obtaining Landlord’s prior written consent. Tenant shall bear the cost of any lock changes or repairs required by Tenant.
2.Access to the Project may be refused unless the person seeking access has proper identification or has a previously received authorization for access to the Project. Landlord and its agents shall in no case be liable for damages for any error with regarding to the admission to or exclusion from the Project of any person. In case of invasion, mob, riot, public excitement or other commotion, Landlord reserves the right to prevent access to the Project during the continuance thereof by any means it deems appropriate for the safety and protection of life and property.
3.No cooking shall be done or permitted on the Premises, nor shall the Premises be used for any improper, objectionable or immoral purposes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Underwriters’ Laboratory-approved equipment and microwave ovens may be used in the Premises for heating food and brewing coffee, tea, hot chocolate and similar beverages for employees and visitors of Tenant, provided that such use is in accordance with all applicable federal, state and city laws, codes, ordinances, rules and regulations; and provided further that such cooking does not result in odors escaping from the Premises.
4.No boring or cutting for wires shall be allowed without the consent of Landlord. Tenant shall not install any radio or television antenna, satellite dish, loudspeaker or other device on the roof or exterior walls of the Building. Tenant shall not interfere with broadcasting or reception from or in the Project or elsewhere.
5.Landlord reserves the right to exclude or expel from the Project any person who, in the judgment of Landlord, is intoxicated or under the influence of liquor or drugs, or who shall in any manner do any act in violation of any of these Rules and Regulations.
6.Tenant shall store all its trash and garbage within the interior of the Premises or in other locations approved by Landlord, in Landlord’s sole discretion. No material shall be placed in the trash boxes or receptacles if such material is of such nature that it may not be disposed of in the ordinary and customary manner of removing and disposing of trash in the vicinity of the Project without violation of any law or ordinance governing such disposal.
7.Tenant shall comply with all safety, fire protection and evacuation procedures and regulations established by Landlord or any governmental agency.
PARKING RULES
1.Tenant shall not permit or allow any vehicles that belong to or are controlled by Tenant or Tenant’s employees, suppliers, shippers, customers or invitees to be loaded, unloaded or parked in areas other than those designated by Landlord for such activities and at times approved by Landlord. Users of the parking area will obey all posted signs and park only in the areas designated for vehicle parking. Tenant and its customers, employees, shippers and invitees shall comply with all rules and regulations adopted by Landlord from time to time relating to truck parking and/or truck loading and unloading.
2.Landlord reserves the right to relocate all or a part of parking spaces within the parking area.
3.Landlord will not be responsible for any damage to vehicles, injury to persons or loss of property, all of which risks are assumed by the party using the parking area.
4.The maintenance, washing, waxing or cleaning of vehicles in the parking area or Common Areas is prohibited.
5.Tenant shall be responsible for seeing that all of its employees, agents, contractors and invitees comply with the applicable parking rules, regulations, laws and agreements.
Landlord reserves the right at any time to change or rescind any one or more of these Rules and Regulations, or to make such other and further reasonable Rules and Regulations as in Landlord’s judgment may from time to time be necessary for the management, safety, care and cleanliness of the Project, and for the preservation of good order therein, as well as for the convenience of other occupants and tenants therein. Landlord may waive any one or more of these Rules and Regulations for the benefit of any particular tenant, but no such waiver by Landlord shall be construed as a waiver of such Rules and Regulations in favor of any other tenant, nor prevent Landlord from thereafter enforcing any such Rules or Regulations against any or all tenants of the Project. Tenant shall be deemed to have read these Rules and Regulations and to have agreed to abide by them as a condition of its occupancy of the Premises.
C-1
EXHIBIT D
MOVE OUT STANDARDS
In furtherance of the terms and conditions of Section 13.5 of this Lease and without limiting the generality thereof, Tenant herby agrees that the Premises shall be surrendered by Tenant to Landlord on or before the last day of the Term or the date of any earlier termination thereof in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Lease in a manner that is fully consistent in all respects with the following standards and guidelines:
1. | Lights |
| Office and warehouse lights will be fully operational with all bulbs functioning. |
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2. | Dock Levelers & Roll Up Doors |
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3. | Dock Seals |
| Free of tears and broken backboards repaired. |
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4. | Warehouse Floors |
| Broom clean and reasonably free of stains with no racking bolts or other protrusions left in floor. Cracks should be repaired with an epoxy or polymer. |
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5. | Tenant-Installed Equipment & Wiring |
| Removed and space turned to condition when originally leased. (Remove air lines, junction boxes, conduit, etc.) |
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6. | Walls |
| Sheetrock (drywall) damage should be patched and fire-taped so that there are no holes in office or warehouse areas. |
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7. | Roof |
| Any Tenant-installed equipment to be removed and roof penetrations to be properly repaired by a licensed roofing contractor. |
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8. | Signs |
| All exterior signs to be removed and holes patched and paint touched-up as necessary. All window signs should be removed. |
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9. | Heating, Ventilating and/or Air Conditioning System |
| A written report from a licensed heating, ventilating and air conditioning system contractor within the last 3 months stating that all evaporative coolers and/or heaters within the warehouse areas of the Premises are in good working order and condition and that office heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems are in good working order and condition. |
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10. | Odors |
| All odors arising as a result of, or in connection with, any of the operations of Tenant at the Premises shall be eliminated to the satisfaction of Landlord. |
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11. | Overall Cleanliness |
| Clean windows, sanitize bathrooms, vacuum carpet and remove any and all debris and odors from office and warehouse areas. Remove all pallets and debris from exterior of the Premises. |
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12. | Upon Completion |
| Contact Landlord’s property manager to coordinate date for turning off power, turning in keys, and obtaining final Landlord inspection of the Premises which, in turn, will facilitate any refund of the Security Deposit in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Lease. |
D-1
EXHIBIT E
Form of HazMat Certificate
General Information
Name of Responding Company: | |
Mailing Address: | |
Signature: |
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Date:________________________ Age of Facility:__________________ Length of Occupancy: _____________________________________________
Major products manufactured and/or activities conducted on the property: _______________________________________________________________________________
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Type of Business Activity (ies): | | Hazardous Materials Activities: | ||
(check all that apply) |
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| machine shop | | | degreasing |
| light assembly | | | chemical/etching/milling |
| research and development | | | wastewater treatment |
| product service or repair | | | painting |
| photo processing | | | striping |
| automotive service and repair | | | cleaning |
| manufacturing | | | printing |
| warehouse | | | analytical lab |
| integrated/printed circuit | | | plating |
| chemical/pharmaceutical product | | | chemical/missing/synthesis |
| | | silkscreen | |
| | | lathe/mill machining | |
| | | deionizer water product | |
| | | photo masking | |
| | | wave solder | |
| | | metal finishing |
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS/WASTE HANDLING AND STORAGE
A. | Are hazardous materials handled on any of your shipping and receiving docks in container quantities greater than one gallon?_________Yes________No |
B. | If Hazardous materials or waste are stored on the premises, please check off the nature of the storage and type(s) of materials below: |
| Types of Storage Container |
| Type of Hazardous Materials and/or Waste Stored | ||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1 gallon or 3 liter bottles/cans |
|
| acid |
|
| 5 to 30 gallon carboys |
|
| phenol |
|
| 55 gallon drums |
|
| caustic/alkaline cleaner |
|
| tanks |
|
| cyanide |
|
|
|
|
| photo resist stripper |
|
|
|
|
| paint |
|
|
|
|
| flammable solvent |
|
|
|
|
| gasoline/diesel fuel |
|
|
|
|
| nonflammable/chlorinated solvent |
|
|
|
|
| oil/cutting fluid |
C.Do you accumulate hazardous waste onsite?Yes________No
If yes, how is it being handled?
|
| on-site treatment or recovery |
|
|
|
| discharged to sewer |
|
|
|
| hauled offsite | If hauled offsite, by whom__________________________________ | |
|
| incineration |
|
|
D.Indicate your hazardous waste storage status with Department of Health Services:
|
| generator |
|
|
|
| interim status facility |
|
|
|
| permitted TSDF |
| |
|
| none of the above |
|
|
E-1
WASTEWATER TREATMENT/DISCHARGE
A. | Do you discharge industrial wastewater to: |
|
| sewer |
|
| storm drain |
|
| surface water |
|
| no industrial discharge |
B.Is your industrial wastewater treated before discharge?______ Yes _______ No
If yes, what type of treatment is being conducted?
|
| neutralization |
|
| metal hydroxide formation |
|
| closed-loop treatment |
|
| cyanide destruct |
|
| HF treatment |
|
| other |
SUBSURFACE CONTAINMENT OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS/WASTES
A.Are buried tanks/sumps being used for any of the following:
|
| hazardous waste storage |
|
| chemical storage |
|
| gasoline/diesel fuel storage |
|
| waste treatment |
|
| wastewater neutralization |
|
| industrial wastewater treatment |
|
| none of the above |
B.If buried tanks are located onsite, indicate their construction:
| steel |
| fiberglass |
| concrete |
|
| | inside open vault | | double walled | |
C.Are hazardous materials or untreated industrial wastewater transported via buried piping to tanks, process areas or treatment areas? _____Yes _____ No
D. | Do you have wet floors in your process areas? ________ Yes _______ No |
If yes, name processes:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
E.Are abandoned underground tanks or sumps located on the property? _______ Yes ________ No
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SPILLS
A.Have hazardous materials ever spilled to:
|
| the sewer |
|
| the storm drain |
|
| onto the property |
|
| no spills have occurred |
B.Have you experienced any leaking underground tanks or sumps? ______ Yes ______No
C.If spills have occurred, were they reported? ______ Yes _____ No
Check which the government agencies that you contacted regarding the spill(s):
|
| Department of Health Services |
|
| Department of Fish and Game |
|
| Environmental Protection Agency |
|
| Regional Water Quality Control Board |
|
| Fire Department |
D.Have you been contacted by a government agency regarding soil or groundwater contamination on your site?
| Yes |
| No |
Do you have exploratory wells onsite? _____ Yes _____ No
If yes, indicate the following:
Number of wells: ________ Approximate depth of wells: _______ Well diameters:___________
PLEASE ATTACH ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATORY PERMITS, AGENCY REPORTS THAT APPLY TO YOUR OPERATION AND HAZARDOUS WASTE MANIFESTS.
Check off those enclosed:
| Hazardous Materials Inventory Statement, HMIS |
| Hazardous Materials Management Plan, HMMP |
| Department of Health Services, Generatory Inspection Report |
| Underground Tank Registrations |
| Industrial Wastewater Discharge Permit |
| Hazardous Waste Manifest |
E-2
SCHEDULE 1
Additional Improvements Plan
SCH-1
Exhibit 10.26
SECOND AMENDMENT TO LEASE
THIS SECOND AMENDMENT TO LEASE (this “Amendment”) is entered into as of 6/26/20, by and between LIBERTY PROPERTY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, a Pennsylvania limited partnership (“Landlord”), and COKEM INTERNATIONAL, LTD., a Minnesota corporation (“Tenant”).
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, Landlord and Tenant have entered into a Lease Agreement dated August 18, 2017, as amended by that certain First Amendment to Lease dated January 22, 2018, pursuant to which Landlord leased to Tenant certain premises consisting of approximately 162,753 square feet located at 5651 Innovation Boulevard, Suite 500, Shakopee, Minnesota (the “Premises”), such lease, as amended and heretofore modified, being herein referred to as the “Lease”.
A G R E E M E N T:
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the Premises and the mutual covenants hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. | The Term of the Lease is extended for thirty-seven (37) months, such that the expiration date of the Term shall be May 31, 2024 (the “Renewal Term”). All of the terms and conditions of the Lease shall remain in full force and effect during the Renewal Term except as provided herein. |
2. | Effective on July 1, 2020, the monthly Minimum Annual Rent due and payable under the Lease shall be amended such that it shall be as follows through the conclusion of the Renewal Term: |
|
| Period |
|
|
| Monthly Minimum Annual Rent | |
07/01/2020 |
| through |
| 07/31/2020 |
| *$ | 60,625.49 |
08/01/2020 |
| through |
| 02/28/2021 |
| $ | 60,625.49 |
03/01/2021 |
| through |
| 04/30/2021 |
| $ | 61,889.47 |
05/01/2021 |
| through |
| 04/30/2022 |
| $ | 72,831.97 |
05/01/2022 |
| through |
| 04/30/2023 |
| $ | 74,652.77 |
05/01/2023 |
| through |
| 04/30/2024 |
| $ | 76,519.09 |
05/01/2024 |
| through |
| 05/31/2024 |
| $ | 78,432.06 |
*Minimum Annual Rent shall be abated during this period. Annual Operating Expenses and all other reimbursable amounts accruing under the Lease shall remain due.
3. | Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all defined terms used in this Amendment shall have the same respective meanings as are provided for such defined terms in the Lease. Tenant shall accept the Premises in its “as-is” condition and pay Operating Expenses and other reimbursable costs as provided in the Lease during the Renewal Term. |
4. | Notwithstanding anything provided in the Lease to the contrary, effective on July 1, 2020, all payments required to be made by Tenant to Landlord (or to such other party as Landlord may from time to time specify in writing) may, at the option of Tenant, be made by Electronic Fund Transfer (“EFT”) of immediately available federal funds before 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time at such place, within the continental United States, as Landlord may from time to time designate to Tenant in writing. |
Yardi [_____]
1
5. | The notice addresses for Landlord and Tenant during the Term, as extended, shall be as follows: |
Landlord: | Prologis |
| Attn: Market Officer |
| 406 11th Avenue N, Suite 230 |
| Nashville, TN 37203 |
|
|
With a copy to: | Prologis |
| 1800 Wazee Street, Suite 500 |
| Denver, Colorado 80202 |
| Attention: General Counsel |
|
|
Tenant: | COKeM International Ltd. |
| 5651 Innovation Blvd. |
| Shakopee, MN 55379 |
6. | Tenant represents and warrants that it has dealt with no broker, agent or other person in connection with this transaction and that no broker, agent or other person brought about this transaction, other than Colliers International, and Tenant agrees to indemnify and hold Landlord harmless from and against any claims by any other broker, agent or other person claiming a commission or other form of compensation by virtue of having dealt with Tenant with regard to this leasing transaction. |
7. | Tenant shall continue to have the Right of First Refusal set forth in Paragraph 29 of the Lease during the Renewal Term. All other Tenant options to extend the Term, terminate the Lease, or expand or contract the Premises, if any, which exist under the Lease are hereby null and void. |
8. | Insofar as the specific terms and provisions of this Amendment purport to amend or modify or are in conflict with the specific terms, provisions and exhibits of the Lease, the terms and provisions of this Amendment shall govern and control; in all other respects, the terms, provisions and exhibits of the Lease shall remain unmodified and in full force and effect. |
9. | Landlord and Tenant hereby agree that (i) this Amendment is incorporated into and made a part of the Lease, (ii) any and all references to the Lease hereinafter shall include this Amendment, and (iii) the Lease and all terms, conditions and provisions of the Lease are in full force and effect as of the date hereof, except as expressly modified and amended hereinabove. |
Yardi [_____]
2
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have signed this Amendment as of the day and year first above written.
TENANT: |
| LANDLORD: | ||
|
|
| ||
COKeM INTERNATIONAL, LTD. |
| LIBERTY PROPERTY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP | ||
a Minnesota corporation |
| a Pennsylvania limited partnership | ||
|
|
|
|
|
By: | /s/ Joe Rehak |
| By: Liberty Property Trust | |
Name: | Joe Rehak |
| a Maryland real estate investment trust | |
Title: | COO |
| its general partner | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| By: | /s/ Tanner Hicklin |
|
|
| Name: | Tanner Hicklin |
|
|
| Title: | VP |
Yardi [_____]
3
Exhibit 10.27
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of ________, between Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation (the “Company”) and Bruce Ogilvie (“Executive,” together with the Company, the “Parties” and, each, a “Party”).
WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ Executive, and Executive desires to accept such employment, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, on the basis of the foregoing premises and in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:
1. Employment; Title; Duties and Location. The Company hereby agrees to employ Executive, and Executive hereby accepts employment with the Company, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein. During the Employment Period (as defined in Section 2 below), Executive shall serve the Company as Chairman. Executive shall perform the duties consistent with Executive’s title and position and such other duties commensurate with such position and title as shall be specified or designated by the Company from time to time.
2.Term.
2.1Term. Executive’s employment hereunder shall commence on ____________, 2022 (the “Commencement Date”) and shall continue for a three (3) years (the “Term”), subject to earlier termination exclusively as provided for in Section 6 below. Provided Executive’s employment has not previously been terminated, Executive’s employment hereunder shall automatically be extended for successive, additional one-year periods (each a “Renewal Term”), subject to earlier termination exclusively as provided for in Section 6 below. For the purposes of this Agreement, the “Term” at any given time shall mean the Initial Term as it may have been extended by one or more Renewal Terms as of such time (without regard to whether Executive’s employment is terminated prior to the end of such Term), and the “Employment Period” means the period of Executive’s employment hereunder (regardless of whether such period ends prior to the end of the Term and regardless of the reason for Executive’s termination of employment hereunder).
3.Compensation. During the Employment Period only (unless otherwise expressly provided for herein), Executive shall be entitled to the following compensation and benefits.
3.1Salary. Executive shall receive a base salary (the “Base Salary”) payable in substantially equal installments in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices and procedures in effect from time to time and subject to applicable withholdings and deductions. Executive’s starting Base Salary shall be at the annual rate of $800,000.
3.2Bonus. Executive shall be eligible to participate in the current Alliance Leadership Bonus Plan (“Bonus Plan”) at a bonus rate of up to 100% of Base Salary (“Bonus”) subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Bonus Plan. To be eligible for a Bonus, at the time such Bonus is paid, Executive must be employed by the Company and not given or been given notice of termination of employment, except as otherwise provided in Section 7 below.
3.3Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan. Executive shall be eligible to participate in any stock bonus incentive plan offered by the Company to the extent determined by the Board.
3.4Benefits.
(a)Executive shall have the right to receive or participate in all employee benefit programs and perquisites generally established by the Company from time to time for employees similarly situated to Executive, subject to the general eligibility requirements and other terms of such programs and perquisites, and subject to the Company’s right to amend, terminate or take other similar action with respect to any such programs and perquisites.
3.5Vacation and Other Paid Time Off. Executive shall be entitled to five (5) weeks of paid vacation, as well as sick days and any other paid time off, each year in accordance with then current Company policy and applicable law.
3.6Automobile.
(a)The Company shall (i) pay Executive up to $2,000 per month for the monthly payment of an automobile lease; and (ii) reimburse Executive for all reasonable and properly documented expenses associated with such automobile (including automobile insurance, repairs and gas).
3.7Air Travel. Executive shall be entitled to first class air travel, where available, when traveling on Company business, and Executive agrees to use any upgrade programs or opportunities for such travel whenever feasible.
3.8Required Taxes and Withholdings. The Company shall withhold from any payments made to Executive (including, without limitation, those made under this Agreement) all federal, state, local or other taxes and withholdings as shall be required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or ruling.
4.Exclusivity and Best Efforts. During the Employment Period, Executive shall (i) in all respects conform to and comply with the lawful directions and instructions given to Executive by the Company; (ii) subject to the proviso below, devote Executive’s entire business time, energy and skill to Executive’s services under this Agreement; (iii) use Executive’s best efforts to promote and serve the interests of the Company and to perform Executive’s duties and obligations hereunder in a diligent, trustworthy, businesslike, efficient and lawful manner; (iv) comply with all applicable laws and regulations, as well as the policies and practices established by the Company from time to time and made applicable to its employees generally or senior executives; and (v) not engage in any activity that, directly or indirectly, impairs or conflicts with the performance of Executive’s obligations and duties to the Company, provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prevent the Executive from managing Executive’s personal affairs and passive personal investments and participating in charitable, civic, educational, professional or community affairs, so long as, in the aggregate, any such activities do not unreasonably interfere or conflict with the Executive’s duties hereunder or create a potential business or fiduciary conflict with the Company, as reasonably determined by the Company.
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5.Reimbursement for Expenses. Executive is authorized to incur reasonable expenses in the discharge of the services to be performed hereunder in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policies, as the same may be modified by the Company from time to time in its sole and complete discretion (the “Reimbursement Policies”). Subject to the provisions of Section 12.2 below (Section 409A Compliance), the Company shall reimburse Executive for all such proper expenses upon presentation by Executive of itemized accounts of such expenditures in accordance with the terms of the Reimbursement Policies.
6.Termination.
6.1Death. Executive’s employment shall immediately and automatically be terminated upon Executive’s death.
6.2Disability. The Company may, subject to applicable law, terminate Executive’s employment due to a Disability by providing written notice of such termination and its effective date to Executive. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” means a “disability” that entitles Executive to benefits under the applicable Company long-term disability plan covering Executive and, in the absence of such a plan, that Executive shall have been unable, due to physical or mental incapacity, to substantially perform Executive’s duties and responsibilities hereunder for 180 days out of any 365 day period or for 120 consecutive days. In the event of any question as to the existence, extent or potentiality of Executive’s Disability upon which the Company and Executive cannot agree, such question shall be resolved by a qualified, independent physician mutually agreed to by the Company and Executive, the cost of such examination to be paid by the Company. If the Company and Executive are unable to agree on the selection of such an independent physician, each shall appoint a physician and those two physicians shall select a third physician who shall make the determination of whether Executive has a Disability. The written medical opinion of such physician shall be conclusive and binding upon each of the Parties as to whether a Disability exists and the date when such Disability arose. This section shall be interpreted and applied so as to comply with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (to the extent applicable) and any applicable state or local laws. Until such termination, Executive shall continue to receive his compensation and benefits hereunder, reduced by any benefits payable to him under any Company-provided disability insurance policy or plan applicable to him.
6.3For Cause by the Company.
(a)For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Cause” means (i) the willful and continual failure by Executive to perform the duties or obligations of his employment with the Company or to carry out the reasonable and lawful directives of the Board (which directives are consistent with Executive's position); provided such failure remains uncured for a period of thirty (30) days after written notice describing the same is given to Executive; (ii) Executive's indictment for any crime which constitutes a felony or indictment for any crime involving fraud, intentional or reckless dishonesty, misappropriation or embezzlement (other than any such crime involving the Company or any of its affiliates); (iii) any act of fraud, dishonesty, misappropriation or embezzlement involving the Company or any of its affiliates; (iv) use of alcohol or illegal drugs such as to interfere with the performance of Executive's obligations hereunder or a violation of the Company's policy against sexual or other prohibited harassment (v) the indictment of Executive for any crime involving an act of moral turpitude; (vi) any material breach of this Agreement or any other written agreement between the Company and Executive which remains uncured for a period of thirty (30) days after written notice describing the same is given to Executive; or (vii) any attempt by the Executive to improperly secure any personal profit in connection with the business of the Company or any of its affiliates.
3
6.4Resignation by Executive for Good Reason. Executive may resign Executive’s employment hereunder for Good Reason by written notice of such resignation in compliance with the terms of this Section 6.4. For the purpose of this Agreement, “Good Reason” means (i) a material and substantial diminution in Executive’s duties, authority, or responsibilities that would be inconsistent with Executive’s position (other than while Executive is temporarily physically or mentally incapacitated, as permitted under Section 8 below or as required by applicable law), (ii) a material failure by the Company to pay Executive’s compensation as provided for herein, other than an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent failure not occurring in bad faith; or (iii) other material breach by the Company of a material provision of this Agreement or any other agreement between the Company and Executive; provided, however, that such event shall constitute Good Reason only if (x) Executive has provided the Company with written notice reasonably detailing the event giving rise to Good Reason within thirty (30) days after the initial occurrence thereof or, if later, within thirty (30) days after the date upon which Executive first becomes aware or should have become aware of such event, (y) the Company fails to cure such event within thirty (30) days after delivery to it of such written notice; and (z) Executive actually terminates Executive’s employment for such uncured Good Reason event, on at least ten (10) days’ prior written notice, within thirty (30) days following the expiration of such thirty (30) day period referred to in clause (y) above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, during the Employment Period, in the event that the Company reasonably believes that Executive may have engaged in conduct that could constitute Cause hereunder, the Company may, in its sole and absolute discretion, suspend Executive from performing or alter Executive’s duties hereunder for a period of up to sixty (60) days, and in such event such suspension shall not constitute an event pursuant to which Executive may terminate this Agreement with Good Reason; provided, however, that no such suspension shall alter the Company’s obligations under this Agreement (including, without limitation, its obligations to provide Executive compensation and benefits) during such period of suspension. Executive’s date of termination in the event Executive resigns Executive’s employment for Good Reason shall be the effective date of Executive’s notice of resignation for Good Reason, except that Company may waive all or any part of the above-referenced 10-day notice period or of the 30-day cure period, in which event Executive’s date of termination shall be the last day of such notice or cure period that has not been waived or, if the entire notice or cure period has been waived, the date that Executive provided notice of the event giving rise to Good Reason or of Executive’s resignation for Good Reason. For the avoidance out doubt, Executive’s exclusive remedy against the Company in the event the Company materially breaches this Agreement is to invoke the provisions of this Section 6.4 and Section 7 below.
6.5Without Cause or Without Good Reason. The Company may terminate Executive’s employment without Cause, at any time, with or without prior notice, in its sole and complete discretion, by providing written notice of such termination and its effective date to Executive. Likewise, Executive may terminate Executive’s employment without Good Reason upon at least ninety (90) days prior written notice to the Company without any liability. Termination of Executive’s employment without Cause by the Company or without Good Reason by Executive shall not include termination of Executive’s employment due to Executive’s death or Disability or upon expiration of the Term as provided for in Section 6.6 below.
4
6.6Expiration of the Term. Provided Executive’s employment has not been previously terminated pursuant to the terms hereof, Executive’s employment shall be terminated upon the expiration of the then current Term if one Party provides notice to the other of its decision not to renew this Agreement upon the expiration of the then current Term (“Notice of Non-Renewal”). A Notice of Non-Renewal shall be effective only if it is provided to either Party with at least ninety (90) days prior to the end of the then current Term.
7.Effect of Termination of Employment.
7.1Generally. In the event Executive’s employment with the Company terminates, Executive shall have no right to receive any compensation, benefits or any other payments or remuneration of any kind from the Company, except as otherwise provided by this Section 7, in Section 9 below, in any separate written agreement between Executive and the Company or as may be required by law. In the event Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated for any reason, Executive shall receive the following (collectively, the “Accrued Obligations”): (i) Executive’s Base Salary through and including the effective date of Executive’s termination of employment (the “Termination Date”), which shall be paid on the first regularly scheduled payroll date of the Company following the Termination Date or on or before any earlier date as required by applicable law; (ii) payment for accrued unused vacation time; (iii) payment of any vested benefit due and owing under any employee benefit plan, policy or program pursuant to the terms of such plan, policy or program; and (iv) payment for unreimbursed business expenses subject to, and in accordance with, the terms of Section 5 above, which payment shall be made within 30 days after Executive submits the applicable supporting documentation to the Company, and in any event no later than on or before the last day of Executive’s taxable year following the year in which the expense was incurred.
7.2Severance Benefits. In the event that Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company pursuant to Section 6.5 above (without Cause) or by Executive pursuant to Section 6.4 hereof (Good Reason), in addition to the Accrued Obligations, Executive shall be entitled to receive severance benefits (the “Severance Benefits”), subject to and in accordance with the terms of this Section 7.2.
(a)Benefits. The Severance Benefits shall consist of the payments and benefits provided by this Section 7.2(a).
(i)Executive shall receive payment of an amount (the “Severance Pay”) (i) equal to Executive’s Base Salary immediately prior to the Termination Date (or, if Good Reason was attributable to the Company’s failure to pay the minimum amount of Base Salary provided herein, such minimum amount) for the period of time from the day after the Termination Date through the last day of the Term or for a period of twelve (12) months, whichever is greater (the “Severance Period”); and (ii) in addition to payment of any unpaid bonuses from a prior fiscal year, a pro-rata portion of the Bonus based on the amount of days Executive worked for the fiscal year in which the termination occurs. The Severance Pay shall be paid in the form of salary continuation pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 3.1 above, commencing within ninety (90) days following the Termination Date on the first regularly scheduled payroll date of the Company that is practicable after the effective date of the Separation Agreement (defined in Section 7.2(b) below), except that, if the Separation Agreement may be executed and/or revoked in a calendar year following the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs, the Severance Pay shall commence on the first regularly scheduled payroll date of the Company in the calendar year in which the consideration or, if applicable, release revocation period ends to the extent necessary to comply with Section 409A (as defined in Section 12.2 below). The first such payment shall include payment for any payroll dates between the Termination Date and the date of such payment.
5
(ii) Provided Executive timely elects COBRA continuation coverage under the Company’s group health plan, then during the Severance Period and ending on the earliest to occur of (A) the last day of the Severance Period, (B) the date the Executive ceases to be eligible for COBRA or (C) such time as Executive is eligible for group health insurance benefits from another employer, the Company will pay or reimburse Executive for the portion of the COBRA premium that is equal to the insurance premium the Company would pay if Executive was then an active employee of the Company. Following the expiration of such period, should Executive elect to continue his or his dependents’ health insurance benefits, Executive shall be responsible for the entire cost thereof. If the Company is unable to provide the benefit provided above in this paragraph without violating applicable health care discrimination laws, then, in lieu of such benefit, the Company shall pay Executive a gross amount equal to what the Company’s cost would have been to provide such benefit.
(iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the aggregate amount described in this Section 7.2(a) shall be reduced by the present value of any other cash severance or termination benefits payable to Executive under any other plans, programs or arrangement of the Company, subject to compliance with Section 409A.
(iv)For the avoidance of doubt, Executive’s sole and exclusive remedy upon a termination for which Executive is eligible for Severance Benefits under this Section 7.2 shall be the receipt of the Severance Benefits.
(b)Separation Agreement and Other Conditions for Severance Benefits. Provision of the Severance Benefits is conditioned on (i) Executive’s continued compliance in all material respects with Executive’s continuing obligations to the Company, including, without limitation, the terms of this Agreement that survive termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, and (ii) Executive signing (without revoking if such right is provided under applicable law) a separation agreement and general release in a form of that provided to Executive by the Company on or about the Termination Date (the “Separation Agreement”). Executive must so execute the Separation Agreement within 60 days following the Termination Date (or such shorter time as may be set forth in the Separation Agreement).
(c)Mitigation. Executive shall have no duty to seek other employment or to take other action to mitigate the amount of Severance Benefits due him.
8.Notice of Termination. In the event Executive elects to terminate Executive’s employment hereunder by resigning with or without Good Reason under Sections 6.4 or 6.5 above, Executive shall provide the Company with the applicable prior written notice of termination required by such Sections (the “Notice Period”). .
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9. Cooperation. During and after the Employment Period, Executive shall assist and cooperate with the Company in connection with the defense or prosecution of any claim that may be made against or by the Company, or in connection with any ongoing or future investigation or dispute or claim of any kind involving the Company, including any proceeding before any arbitral, administrative, judicial, legislative, or other body or agency, including testifying in any proceeding to the extent such claims, investigations or proceedings relate to services performed or required to be performed by Executive, pertinent knowledge possessed by Executive, or any act or omission by Executive. Executive will also perform all acts and execute and deliver any documents that may be reasonably necessary to carry out the provisions of this paragraph. Further, if requested, Executive agrees to provide the Company with reasonable assistance, including, without limitation, providing information, in connection with the transition of Executive’s employment duties and responsibilities to others and matters with which Executive was involved during Executive’s employment with the Company. The Company will reimburse Executive for reasonable expenses Executive incurs in fulfilling Executive’s obligations under this Section 9. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section shall not be applicable to any claim by the Company against Executive or by Executive against the Company.
10.Representations Regarding Prior Work and Legal Obligations.
10.1 Executive represents and warrants that Executive has no agreement or other legal obligation with any prior employer, or any other person or entity, that restricts Executive’s ability to accept employment with the Company. Executive further represents and warrants that Executive is not a party to any agreement (including, without limitation, a non-competition, non-solicitation, no hire or similar agreement) and has no other legal obligation that restricts in any way Executive’s ability to perform Executive’s duties and satisfy Executive’s other obligations to the Company, including, without limitation, those under this Agreement.
10.2Executive represents and acknowledges that Executive has been instructed by the Company that at no time should Executive divulge to or use for the benefit of the Company or any Company Affiliates any trade secret or confidential or proprietary information of any previous employer or entity with which Executive was affiliated or of any other third-party. Executive expressly represents and warrants that Executive has not divulged or used any such information for the benefit of the Company or Company Affiliates and will not do so.
10.3Executive represents and agrees that the Executive has not and will not misappropriate any intellectual property belonging to any other person or entity.
10.4 Executive acknowledges that the Company is basing important business decisions on these representations, agreements and warranties, and Executive affirms that all of the statements included herein are true. Executive agrees that Executive shall defend, indemnify and hold the Company harmless from any liability, expense (including attorneys’ fees) or claim by any person in any way arising out of, relating to, or in connection with a breach and/or the falsity of any of the representations, agreements and warranties made by Executive in this Section 10.
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11.Indemnification. The Company shall indemnify Executive to the fullest extent permitted by law, in effect at the time of the subject act or omission, and shall advance to Executive reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses as such fees and expenses are incurred (subject to an undertaking from Executive to repay such advances if it shall be finally determined by a judicial decision which is not subject to further appeal that Executive was not entitled to the reimbursement of such fees and expenses), and Executive will be entitled to the protection of any insurance policies that the Company may elect to maintain generally for the benefit of its directors and officers against all costs, charges and expenses incurred or sustained by Executive in connection with any action, suit or proceeding brought by a third-party to which Executive may be made a party by reason of Executive’s being or having been a director, officer or employee of the Company or any of its affiliates, or Executive’s serving or having served any other enterprise as a director, officer or employee at the request of the Company (other than any dispute, claim or controversy arising under or relating to this Agreement), provided that he acted within the scope of his duties as a director, officer or employee of the Company.
12.Miscellaneous Provisions.
12.1 IRCA Compliance. This Agreement, and Executive’s employment with the Company, is conditioned on Executive’s establishing Executive’s identity and authorization to work as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA).
12.2 Section 409A Compliance. Unless otherwise expressly provided, any payment of compensation by Company to Executive, whether pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise, shall be made no later than the 15th day of the third month (i.e., 2½ months) after the later of the end of the calendar year or the Company’s fiscal year in which Executive’s right to such payment vests (i.e., is not subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture”) for purposes of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Section 409A”). For purposes of this Agreement, termination of employment shall be deemed to occur only upon “separation from service” as such term is defined under Section 409A. Each payment and each installment of any severance payments provided for under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment for purposes of application of Section 409A. To the extent any amounts payable by the Company to the Executive constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” (within the meaning of Section 409A) such payments are intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A, and shall be interpreted in accordance therewith. Neither party individually or in combination may accelerate, offset or assign any such deferred payment, except in compliance with Section 409A. No amount shall be paid prior to the earliest date on which it is permitted to be paid under Section 409A, taking into account any required six (6) month delay of termination payments made to “specified employees” of a public company, to the extent then applicable. Any payments required to be delayed by reason of the prior sentence shall be caught up and paid on the earliest date such amounts are permitted to be paid in compliance with Section 409A. Executive shall have no discretion with respect to the timing of payments except as permitted under Section 409A. Any Section 409A payments which are subject to execution of a waiver and release which may be executed and/or revoked in a calendar year following the calendar year in which the payment event (such as termination of employment) occurs shall commence payment only in such following calendar year to the extent necessary to comply with Section 409A. All expense reimbursement or in-kind benefits subject to Section 409A provided under this Agreement or, unless otherwise specified in writing, under any Company program or policy, shall be subject to the following rules: (i) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits provided during one calendar year may not affect the benefits provided during any other year; (ii) reimbursements shall be paid no later than the end of the calendar year following the year in which Executive incurs such expenses, and Executive shall take all actions necessary to claim all such reimbursements on a timely basis to permit the Company to make all such reimbursement payments prior to the end of said period, and (iii) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no amendment may be made to this Agreement if it would cause the Agreement or any payment hereunder not to be in compliance with Code Section 409A.
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12.3Assignability and Binding Effect. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the heirs, executors, administrators, successors and legal representatives of Executive, and shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company, the Company Affiliates and their successors and assigns, but the obligations of Executive are personal services and may not be delegated or assigned. Executive shall not be entitled to assign, transfer, pledge, encumber, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of this Agreement, or any of Executive’s rights and obligations hereunder, and any such attempted delegation or disposition shall be null and void and without effect. This Agreement may be assigned by the Company to a person or entity that is an affiliate or a successor in interest to substantially all of the business operations of the Company. Upon such assignment, the rights and obligations of the Company hereunder shall become the rights and obligations of such affiliate or successor person or entity.
12.4Severability and Blue Penciling. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. However, if any court determines that any covenant in this Agreement, is unenforceable because the duration, geographic scope or restricted activities thereof are overly broad, then such provision or part thereof shall be modified by reducing the overly broad duration, geographic scope or restricted activities by the minimum amount so as to make the covenant, in its modified form, enforceable.
12.5Choice of Law and Forum.1 This Agreement shall be interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida, without regard to its conflict-of-law principles. The Parties (i) agree that any dispute between the Parties, including, without limitation, any dispute concerning or arising out of this Agreement or Executive’s employment hereunder (or termination thereof) shall be litigated exclusively in an appropriate state or federal court in or closest to King County, Washington; (ii) hereby consent, and waive any objection, to the jurisdiction of any such court; (iii) agree that service of process in any such litigation may be effected by mailing a copy of such process by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to such Party at Executive’s or the Company’s address as provided in Section 12.6 below; and (iv) agree that nothing in this Agreement shall affect the right to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by the laws of Florida. In the event a litigation or other legal proceeding is commenced to resolve any such dispute, the prevailing party in such litigation or proceeding shall be entitled to recover from the non-prevailing party all of its costs, charges, disbursements and fees (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred in connection with such litigation or proceeding and the underlying dispute
1 NTD: Please clarify the rationale for the references to three different states in this section. Revised to change only to the state where the Executive is located and the state where the Company is located (California removed).
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12.6 Notices.
(a)Any notice or other communication under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand, email, facsimile or mailed by overnight courier or by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid:
(i) | If to Executive, to Executive’s address on the books and records of the Company. |
(ii)If to the Company, to 1401 NW 136th Ave, Suite 100, Sunrise, Florida 33, or at such other mailing address, email address or facsimile number as it may have furnished in writing to Executive.
(b)Any notice so addressed shall be deemed to be given: if delivered by hand or email, on the date of such delivery; if by facsimile, on the date of such delivery if receipt on such day is confirmed and, if not so confirmed, on the next business day; if mailed by overnight courier, on the first business day following the date of such mailing; and if mailed by registered or certified mail, on the third business day after the date of such mailing.
12.7Survival of Terms. All provisions of this Agreement that, either expressly or impliedly, contain obligations that extend beyond termination of Executive’s employment hereunder, shall survive the termination of this Agreement and of Executive’s employment hereunder for any reason.
12.8Interpretation. The headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. The language in all parts of this Agreement shall in all cases be construed according to its fair meaning, and not strictly for or against any Party. The Parties acknowledge that both of them have participated in drafting this Agreement; therefore, any general rule of construction that any ambiguity shall be construed against the drafter shall not apply to this Agreement. In this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires, the masculine, feminine and neuter genders and the singular and the plural include one another.
12.9Further Assurances. The Parties will execute and deliver such further documents and instruments and will take all other actions as may be reasonably required or appropriate to carry out the intent and purposes of this Agreement.
12.10Voluntary and Knowing Execution of Agreement. Executive acknowledges that (i) Executive has had the opportunity to consult an attorney regarding the terms and conditions of this Agreement before executing it, (ii) Executive fully understands the terms of this Agreement, and (iii) Executive is executing this Agreement voluntarily, knowingly and willingly and without duress.
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12.11Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding and agreement of the Parties concerning the subject matter hereof, and it supersedes all prior negotiations, discussions, correspondence, communications, understandings and agreements regarding such subject matter. Each Party acknowledges and agrees that such Party is not relying on, and may not rely on, any oral or written representation of any kind that is not set forth in writing in this Agreement.
12.12Waivers and Amendments. This Agreement may be altered, amended, modified, superseded or cancelled, and the terms hereof may be waived, only by a written instrument signed by the Parties or, in the case of a waiver, by the Party alleged to have waived compliance. Any such signature of the Company must be by an authorized signatory for the Company. No delay by any Party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any waiver on the part of any Party of any such right, power or privilege, nor any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or privilege, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other such right, power or privilege.
12.13Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, and each counterpart, when executed, shall have the efficacy of a signed original. Photographic copies, electronically scanned copies and other facsimiles of this Agreement (including such signed counterparts) may be used in lieu of the originals for any purpose.
[The remainder of this page is intentionally blank; signature page follows.]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date first above written.
| | |
Bruce Ogilvie | | |
| | |
ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT HOLDING CORPORATION | | |
By: | | |
| Name: | |
| Title: | |
[Signature page to Employment Agreement]
Exhibit 10.28
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of ________, between Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation (the “Company”) and Jeffery Walker (“Executive,” together with the Company, the “Parties” and, each, a “Party”).
WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ Executive, and Executive desires to accept such employment, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, on the basis of the foregoing premises and in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:
1.Employment; Title; Duties and Location. The Company hereby agrees to employ Executive, and Executive hereby accepts employment with the Company, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein. During the Employment Period (as defined in Section 2 below), Executive shall serve the Company as Chief Executive Officer. Executive shall perform the duties consistent with Executive’s title and position and such other duties commensurate with such position and title as shall be specified or designated by the Company from time to time.
2.Term.
2.1Term. Executive’s employment hereunder shall commence on ____________, 2022 (the “Commencement Date”) and shall continue for a three (3) years (the “Term”), subject to earlier termination exclusively as provided for in Section 6 below. Provided Executive’s employment has not previously been terminated, Executive’s employment hereunder shall automatically be extended for successive, additional one-year periods (each a “Renewal Term”), subject to earlier termination exclusively as provided for in Section 6 below. For the purposes of this Agreement, the “Term” at any given time shall mean the Initial Term as it may have been extended by one or more Renewal Terms as of such time (without regard to whether Executive’s employment is terminated prior to the end of such Term), and the “Employment Period” means the period of Executive’s employment hereunder (regardless of whether such period ends prior to the end of the Term and regardless of the reason for Executive’s termination of employment hereunder).
3.Compensation. During the Employment Period only (unless otherwise expressly provided for herein), Executive shall be entitled to the following compensation and benefits.
3.1Salary. Executive shall receive a base salary (the “Base Salary”) payable in substantially equal installments in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices and procedures in effect from time to time and subject to applicable withholdings and deductions. Executive’s starting Base Salary shall be at the annual rate of $800,000.
3.2Bonus. Executive shall be eligible to participate in the current Alliance Leadership Bonus Plan (“Management Bonus Plan”) at a bonus rate of up to 100% of Base Salary subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Bonus Plan. To be eligible for a Bonus, at the time such Bonus is paid, Executive must be employed by the Company and not given or been given notice of termination of employment, except as otherwise provided in Section 7 below.
3.3Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan. Executive shall be eligible to participate in any stock bonus incentive plan offered by the Company to the extent determined by the Board.
3.4Benefits.
(a)Executive shall have the right to receive or participate in all employee benefit programs and perquisites generally established by the Company from time to time for employees similarly situated to Executive, subject to the general eligibility requirements and other terms of such programs and perquisites, and subject to the Company’s right to amend, terminate or take other similar action with respect to any such programs and perquisites.
3.5Vacation and Other Paid Time Off. Executive shall be entitled to five (5) weeks of paid vacation, as well as sick days and any other paid time off, each year in accordance with then current Company policy and applicable law.
3.6Automobile.
(a)The Company shall (i) pay Executive up to $2,000 per month for the monthly payment of an automobile lease; and (ii) reimburse Executive for all reasonable and properly documented expenses associated with such automobile (including automobile insurance, repairs and gas).
3.7Air Travel. Executive shall be entitled to first class air travel, where available, when traveling on Company business, and Executive agrees to use any upgrade programs or opportunities for such travel whenever feasible.
3.8Required Taxes and Withholdings. The Company shall withhold from any payments made to Executive (including, without limitation, those made under this Agreement) all federal, state, local or other taxes and withholdings as shall be required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or ruling.
4.Exclusivity and Best Efforts. During the Employment Period, Executive shall (i) in all respects conform to and comply with the lawful directions and instructions given to Executive by the Company; (ii) subject to the proviso below, devote Executive’s entire business time, energy and skill to Executive’s services under this Agreement; (iii) use Executive’s best efforts to promote and serve the interests of the Company and to perform Executive’s duties and obligations hereunder in a diligent, trustworthy, businesslike, efficient and lawful manner; (iv) comply with all applicable laws and regulations, as well as the policies and practices established by the Company from time to time and made applicable to its employees generally or senior executives; and (v) not engage in any activity that, directly or indirectly, impairs or conflicts with the performance of Executive’s obligations and duties to the Company, provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prevent the Executive from managing Executive’s personal affairs and passive personal investments and participating in charitable, civic, educational, professional or community affairs, so long as, in the aggregate, any such activities do not unreasonably interfere or conflict with the Executive’s duties hereunder or create a potential business or fiduciary conflict with the Company, as reasonably determined by the Company.
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5.Reimbursement for Expenses. Executive is authorized to incur reasonable expenses in the discharge of the services to be performed hereunder in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policies, as the same may be modified by the Company from time to time in its sole and complete discretion (the “Reimbursement Policies”). Subject to the provisions of Section 12.2 below (Section 409A Compliance), the Company shall reimburse Executive for all such proper expenses upon presentation by Executive of itemized accounts of such expenditures in accordance with the terms of the Reimbursement Policies.
6.Termination.
6.1Death. Executive’s employment shall immediately and automatically be terminated upon Executive’s death.
6.2Disability. The Company may, subject to applicable law, terminate Executive’s employment due to a Disability by providing written notice of such termination and its effective date to Executive. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” means a “disability” that entitles Executive to benefits under the applicable Company long-term disability plan covering Executive and, in the absence of such a plan, that Executive shall have been unable, due to physical or mental incapacity, to substantially perform Executive’s duties and responsibilities hereunder for 180 days out of any 365 day period or for 120 consecutive days. In the event of any question as to the existence, extent or potentiality of Executive’s Disability upon which the Company and Executive cannot agree, such question shall be resolved by a qualified, independent physician mutually agreed to by the Company and Executive, the cost of such examination to be paid by the Company. If the Company and Executive are unable to agree on the selection of such an independent physician, each shall appoint a physician and those two physicians shall select a third physician who shall make the determination of whether Executive has a Disability. The written medical opinion of such physician shall be conclusive and binding upon each of the Parties as to whether a Disability exists and the date when such Disability arose. This section shall be interpreted and applied so as to comply with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (to the extent applicable) and any applicable state or local laws. Until such termination, Executive shall continue to receive his compensation and benefits hereunder, reduced by any benefits payable to him under any Company-provided disability insurance policy or plan applicable to him.
6.3For Cause by the Company.
(a)For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Cause” means (i) the willful and continual failure by Executive to perform the duties or obligations of his employment with the Company or to carry out the reasonable and lawful directives of the Board (which directives are consistent with Executive's position); provided such failure remains uncured for a period of thirty (30) days after written notice describing the same is given to Executive; (ii) Executive's indictment for any crime which constitutes a felony or indictment for any crime involving fraud, intentional or reckless dishonesty, misappropriation or embezzlement (other than any such crime involving the Company or any of its affiliates); (iii) any act of fraud, dishonesty, misappropriation or embezzlement involving the Company or any of its affiliates; (iv) use of alcohol or illegal drugs such as to interfere with the performance of Executive's obligations hereunder or a violation of the Company's policy against sexual or other prohibited harassment (v) the indictment of Executive for any crime involving an act of moral turpitude; (vi) any material breach of this Agreement or any other written agreement between the Company and Executive which remains uncured for a period of thirty (30) days after written notice describing the same is given to Executive; or (vii) any attempt by the Executive to improperly secure any personal profit in connection with the business of the Company or any of its affiliates.
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6.4Resignation by Executive for Good Reason. Executive may resign Executive’s employment hereunder for Good Reason by written notice of such resignation in compliance with the terms of this Section 6.4. For the purpose of this Agreement, “Good Reason” means (i) a material and substantial diminution in Executive’s duties, authority, or responsibilities that would be inconsistent with Executive’s position (other than while Executive is temporarily physically or mentally incapacitated, as permitted under Section 8 below or as required by applicable law), (ii) a material failure by the Company to pay Executive’s compensation as provided for herein, other than an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent failure not occurring in bad faith; or (iii) other material breach by the Company of a material provision of this Agreement or any other agreement between the Company and Executive; provided, however, that such event shall constitute Good Reason only if (x) Executive has provided the Company with written notice reasonably detailing the event giving rise to Good Reason within thirty (30) days after the initial occurrence thereof or, if later, within thirty (30) days after the date upon which Executive first becomes aware or should have become aware of such event, (y) the Company fails to cure such event within thirty (30) days after delivery to it of such written notice; and (z) Executive actually terminates Executive’s employment for such uncured Good Reason event, on at least ten (10) days’ prior written notice, within thirty (30) days following the expiration of such thirty (30) day period referred to in clause (y) above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, during the Employment Period, in the event that the Company reasonably believes that Executive may have engaged in conduct that could constitute Cause hereunder, the Company may, in its sole and absolute discretion, suspend Executive from performing or alter Executive’s duties hereunder for a period of up to sixty (60) days, and in such event such suspension shall not constitute an event pursuant to which Executive may terminate this Agreement with Good Reason; provided, however, that no such suspension shall alter the Company’s obligations under this Agreement (including, without limitation, its obligations to provide Executive compensation and benefits) during such period of suspension. Executive’s date of termination in the event Executive resigns Executive’s employment for Good Reason shall be the effective date of Executive’s notice of resignation for Good Reason, except that Company may waive all or any part of the above-referenced 10-day notice period or of the 30-day cure period, in which event Executive’s date of termination shall be the last day of such notice or cure period that has not been waived or, if the entire notice or cure period has been waived, the date that Executive provided notice of the event giving rise to Good Reason or of Executive’s resignation for Good Reason. For the avoidance out doubt, Executive’s exclusive remedy against the Company in the event the Company materially breaches this Agreement is to invoke the provisions of this Section 6.4 and Section 7 below.
6.5Without Cause or Without Good Reason. The Company may terminate Executive’s employment without Cause, at any time, with or without prior notice, in its sole and complete discretion, by providing written notice of such termination and its effective date to Executive. Likewise, Executive may terminate Executive’s employment without Good Reason upon at least ninety (90) days prior written notice to the Company without any liability. Termination of Executive’s employment without Cause by the Company or without Good Reason by Executive shall not include termination of Executive’s employment due to Executive’s death or Disability or upon expiration of the Term as provided for in Section 6.6 below.
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6.6Expiration of the Term. Provided Executive’s employment has not been previously terminated pursuant to the terms hereof, Executive’s employment shall be terminated upon the expiration of the then current Term if one Party provides notice to the other of its decision not to renew this Agreement upon the expiration of the then current Term (“Notice of Non-Renewal”). A Notice of Non-Renewal shall be effective only if it is provided to either Party with at least ninety (90) days prior to the end of the then current Term.
7.Effect of Termination of Employment.
7.1Generally. In the event Executive’s employment with the Company terminates, Executive shall have no right to receive any compensation, benefits or any other payments or remuneration of any kind from the Company, except as otherwise provided by this Section 7, in Section 9 below, in any separate written agreement between Executive and the Company or as may be required by law. In the event Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated for any reason, Executive shall receive the following (collectively, the “Accrued Obligations”): (i) Executive’s Base Salary through and including the effective date of Executive’s termination of employment (the “Termination Date”), which shall be paid on the first regularly scheduled payroll date of the Company following the Termination Date or on or before any earlier date as required by applicable law; (ii) payment for accrued unused vacation time; (iii) payment of any vested benefit due and owing under any employee benefit plan, policy or program pursuant to the terms of such plan, policy or program; and (iv) payment for unreimbursed business expenses subject to, and in accordance with, the terms of Section 5 above, which payment shall be made within 30 days after Executive submits the applicable supporting documentation to the Company, and in any event no later than on or before the last day of Executive’s taxable year following the year in which the expense was incurred.
7.2Severance Benefits. In the event that Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company pursuant to Section 6.5 above (without Cause) or by Executive pursuant to Section 6.4 hereof (Good Reason), in addition to the Accrued Obligations, Executive shall be entitled to receive severance benefits (the “Severance Benefits”), subject to and in accordance with the terms of this Section 7.2.
(a)Benefits. The Severance Benefits shall consist of the payments and benefits provided by this Section 7.2(a).
(i)Executive shall receive payment of an amount (the “Severance Pay”) (i) equal to Executive’s Base Salary immediately prior to the Termination Date (or, if Good Reason was attributable to the Company’s failure to pay the minimum amount of Base Salary provided herein, such minimum amount) for the period of time from the day after the Termination Date through the last day of the Term or for a period of twelve (12) months, whichever is greater (the “Severance Period”); and (ii) in addition to payment of any unpaid bonuses from a prior fiscal year, a pro-rata portion of the Bonus based on the amount of days Executive worked for the fiscal year in which the termination occurs. The Severance Pay shall be paid in the form of salary continuation pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 3.1 above, commencing within ninety (90) days following the Termination Date on the first regularly scheduled payroll date of the Company that is practicable after the effective date of the Separation Agreement (defined in Section 7.2(b) below), except that, if the Separation Agreement may be executed and/or revoked in a calendar year following the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs, the Severance Pay shall commence on the first regularly scheduled payroll date of the Company in the calendar year in which the consideration or, if applicable, release revocation period ends to the extent necessary to comply with Section 409A (as defined in Section 12.2 below). The first such payment shall include payment for any payroll dates between the Termination Date and the date of such payment.
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(ii)Provided Executive timely elects COBRA continuation coverage under the Company’s group health plan, then during the Severance Period and ending on the earliest to occur of (A) the last day of the Severance Period, (B) the date the Executive ceases to be eligible for COBRA, or (C) such time as Executive is eligible for group health insurance benefits from another employer, the Company will pay or reimburse Executive for the portion of the COBRA premium that is equal to the insurance premium the Company would pay if Executive was then an active employee of the Company. Following the expiration of such period, should Executive elect to continue his or his dependents’ health insurance benefits, Executive shall be responsible for the entire cost thereof. If the Company is unable to provide the benefit provided above in this paragraph without violating applicable health care discrimination laws, then, in lieu of such benefit, the Company shall pay Executive a gross amount equal to what the Company’s cost would have been to provide such benefit.
(iii)Notwithstanding the foregoing, the aggregate amount described in this Section 7.2(a) shall be reduced by the present value of any other cash severance or termination benefits payable to Executive under any other plans, programs or arrangement of the Company, subject to compliance with Section 409A.
(iv)For the avoidance of doubt, Executive’s sole and exclusive remedy upon a termination for which Executive is eligible for Severance Benefits under this Section 7.2 shall be the receipt of the Severance Benefits.
(b)Separation Agreement and Other Conditions for Severance Benefits.
(i)Provision of the Severance Benefits is conditioned on (i) Executive’s continued compliance in all material respects with Executive’s continuing obligations to the Company, including, without limitation, the terms of this Agreement that survive termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, and (ii) Executive signing (without revoking if such right is provided under applicable law) a separation agreement and general release in a form of that provided to Executive by the Company on or about the Termination Date (the “Separation Agreement”). Executive must so execute the Separation Agreement within 60 days following the Termination Date (or such shorter time as may be set forth in the Separation Agreement).
(c)Mitigation. Executive shall have no duty to seek other employment or to take other action to mitigate the amount of Severance Benefits due him.
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8.Notice of Termination. In the event Executive elects to terminate Executive’s employment hereunder by resigning with or without Good Reason under Sections 6.4 or 6.5 above, Executive shall provide the Company with the applicable prior written notice of termination required by such Sections (the “Notice Period”). .
9.Cooperation. During and after the Employment Period, Executive shall assist and cooperate with the Company in connection with the defense or prosecution of any claim that may be made against or by the Company, or in connection with any ongoing or future investigation or dispute or claim of any kind involving the Company, including any proceeding before any arbitral, administrative, judicial, legislative, or other body or agency, including testifying in any proceeding to the extent such claims, investigations or proceedings relate to services performed or required to be performed by Executive, pertinent knowledge possessed by Executive, or any act or omission by Executive. Executive will also perform all acts and execute and deliver any documents that may be reasonably necessary to carry out the provisions of this paragraph. Further, if requested, Executive agrees to provide the Company with reasonable assistance, including, without limitation, providing information, in connection with the transition of Executive’s employment duties and responsibilities to others and matters with which Executive was involved during Executive’s employment with the Company. The Company will reimburse Executive for reasonable expenses Executive incurs in fulfilling Executive’s obligations under this Section 9. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section shall not be applicable to any claim by the Company against Executive or by Executive against the Company.
10.Representations Regarding Prior Work and Legal Obligations.
10.1Executive represents and warrants that Executive has no agreement or other legal obligation with any prior employer, or any other person or entity, that restricts Executive’s ability to accept employment with the Company. Executive further represents and warrants that Executive is not a party to any agreement (including, without limitation, a non-competition, non-solicitation, no hire or similar agreement) and has no other legal obligation that restricts in any way Executive’s ability to perform Executive’s duties and satisfy Executive’s other obligations to the Company, including, without limitation, those under this Agreement.
10.2Executive represents and acknowledges that Executive has been instructed by the Company that at no time should Executive divulge to or use for the benefit of the Company or any Company Affiliates any trade secret or confidential or proprietary information of any previous employer or entity with which Executive was affiliated or of any other third-party. Executive expressly represents and warrants that Executive has not divulged or used any such information for the benefit of the Company or Company Affiliates and will not do so.
10.3Executive represents and agrees that the Executive has not and will not misappropriate any intellectual property belonging to any other person or entity.
10.4Executive acknowledges that the Company is basing important business decisions on these representations, agreements and warranties, and Executive affirms that all of the statements included herein are true. Executive agrees that Executive shall defend, indemnify and hold the Company harmless from any liability, expense (including attorneys’ fees) or claim by any person in any way arising out of, relating to, or in connection with a breach and/or the falsity of any of the representations, agreements and warranties made by Executive in this Section 10.
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11.Indemnification. The Company shall indemnify Executive to the fullest extent permitted by law, in effect at the time of the subject act or omission, and shall advance to Executive reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses as such fees and expenses are incurred (subject to an undertaking from Executive to repay such advances if it shall be finally determined by a judicial decision which is not subject to further appeal that Executive was not entitled to the reimbursement of such fees and expenses), and Executive will be entitled to the protection of any insurance policies that the Company may elect to maintain generally for the benefit of its directors and officers against all costs, charges and expenses incurred or sustained by Executive in connection with any action, suit or proceeding brought by a third-party to which Executive may be made a party by reason of Executive’s being or having been a director, officer or employee of the Company or any of its affiliates, or Executive’s serving or having served any other enterprise as a director, officer or employee at the request of the Company (other than any dispute, claim or controversy arising under or relating to this Agreement), provided that he acted within the scope of his duties as a director, officer or employee of the Company.
12.Miscellaneous Provisions.
12.1IRCA Compliance. This Agreement, and Executive’s employment with the Company, is conditioned on Executive’s establishing Executive’s identity and authorization to work as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA).
12.2Section 409A Compliance. Unless otherwise expressly provided, any payment of compensation by Company to Executive, whether pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise, shall be made no later than the 15th day of the third month (i.e., 2½ months) after the later of the end of the calendar year or the Company’s fiscal year in which Executive’s right to such payment vests (i.e., is not subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture”) for purposes of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Section 409A”). For purposes of this Agreement, termination of employment shall be deemed to occur only upon “separation from service” as such term is defined under Section 409A. Each payment and each installment of any severance payments provided for under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment for purposes of application of Section 409A. To the extent any amounts payable by the Company to the Executive constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” (within the meaning of Section 409A) such payments are intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A, and shall be interpreted in accordance therewith. Neither party individually or in combination may accelerate, offset or assign any such deferred payment, except in compliance with Section 409A. No amount shall be paid prior to the earliest date on which it is permitted to be paid under Section 409A, taking into account any required six (6) month delay of termination payments made to “specified employees” of a public company, to the extent then applicable. Any payments required to be delayed by reason of the prior sentence shall be caught up and paid on the earliest date such amounts are permitted to be paid in compliance with Section 409A. Executive shall have no discretion with respect to the timing of payments except as permitted under Section 409A. Any Section 409A payments which are subject to execution of a waiver and release which may be executed and/or revoked in a calendar year following the calendar year in which the payment event (such as termination of employment) occurs shall commence payment only in such following calendar year to the extent necessary to comply with Section 409A. All expense reimbursement or in-kind benefits subject to Section 409A provided under this Agreement or, unless otherwise specified in writing, under any Company program or policy, shall be subject to the following rules: (i) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits provided during one calendar year may not affect the benefits provided during any other year; (ii) reimbursements shall be paid no later than the end of the calendar year following the year in which Executive incurs such expenses, and Executive shall take all actions necessary to claim all such reimbursements on a timely basis to permit the Company to make all such reimbursement payments prior to the end of said period, and (iii) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no amendment may be made to this Agreement if it would cause the Agreement or any payment hereunder not to be in compliance with Code Section 409A.
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12.3Assignability and Binding Effect. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the heirs, executors, administrators, successors and legal representatives of Executive, and shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company, the Company Affiliates and their successors and assigns, but the obligations of Executive are personal services and may not be delegated or assigned. Executive shall not be entitled to assign, transfer, pledge, encumber, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of this Agreement, or any of Executive’s rights and obligations hereunder, and any such attempted delegation or disposition shall be null and void and without effect. This Agreement may be assigned by the Company to a person or entity that is an affiliate or a successor in interest to substantially all of the business operations of the Company. Upon such assignment, the rights and obligations of the Company hereunder shall become the rights and obligations of such affiliate or successor person or entity.
12.4Severability and Blue Penciling. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. However, if any court determines that any covenant in this Agreement, is unenforceable because the duration, geographic scope or restricted activities thereof are overly broad, then such provision or part thereof shall be modified by reducing the overly broad duration, geographic scope or restricted activities by the minimum amount so as to make the covenant, in its modified form, enforceable.
12.5Choice of Law and Forum. This Agreement shall be interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida, without regard to its conflict-of-law principles. The Parties (i) agree that any dispute between the Parties, including, without limitation, any dispute concerning or arising out of this Agreement or Executive’s employment hereunder (or termination thereof) shall be litigated exclusively in an appropriate state or federal court in or closest to Miami-Dade County, Florida; (ii) hereby consent, and waive any objection, to the jurisdiction of any such court; (iii) agree that service of process in any such litigation may be effected by mailing a copy of such process by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to such Party at Executive’s or the Company’s address as provided in Section 12.6 below; and (iv) agree that nothing in this Agreement shall affect the right to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by the laws of Florida. In the event a litigation or other legal proceeding is commenced to resolve any such dispute, the prevailing party in such litigation or proceeding shall be entitled to recover from the non-prevailing party all of its costs, charges, disbursements and fees (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred in connection with such litigation or proceeding and the underlying dispute.
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12.6Notices.
(a)Any notice or other communication under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand, email, facsimile or mailed by overnight courier or by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid:
(i) | If to Executive, to Executive’s address on the books and records of the Company. |
(ii)If to the Company, to 1401 NW 136th Ave, Suite 100, Sunrise, Florida 33323, or at such other mailing address, email address or facsimile number as it may have furnished in writing to Executive.
(b)Any notice so addressed shall be deemed to be given: if delivered by hand or email, on the date of such delivery; if by facsimile, on the date of such delivery if receipt on such day is confirmed and, if not so confirmed, on the next business day; if mailed by overnight courier, on the first business day following the date of such mailing; and if mailed by registered or certified mail, on the third business day after the date of such mailing.
12.7Survival of Terms. All provisions of this Agreement that, either expressly or impliedly, contain obligations that extend beyond termination of Executive’s employment hereunder, shall survive the termination of this Agreement and of Executive’s employment hereunder for any reason.
12.8Interpretation. The headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. The language in all parts of this Agreement shall in all cases be construed according to its fair meaning, and not strictly for or against any Party. The Parties acknowledge that both of them have participated in drafting this Agreement; therefore, any general rule of construction that any ambiguity shall be construed against the drafter shall not apply to this Agreement. In this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires, the masculine, feminine and neuter genders and the singular and the plural include one another.
12.9Further Assurances. The Parties will execute and deliver such further documents and instruments and will take all other actions as may be reasonably required or appropriate to carry out the intent and purposes of this Agreement.
12.10Voluntary and Knowing Execution of Agreement. Executive acknowledges that (i) Executive has had the opportunity to consult an attorney regarding the terms and conditions of this Agreement before executing it, (ii) Executive fully understands the terms of this Agreement, and (iii) Executive is executing this Agreement voluntarily, knowingly and willingly and without duress.
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12.11Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding and agreement of the Parties concerning the subject matter hereof, and it supersedes all prior negotiations, discussions, correspondence, communications, understandings and agreements regarding such subject matter. Each Party acknowledges and agrees that such Party is not relying on, and may not rely on, any oral or written representation of any kind that is not set forth in writing in this Agreement.
12.12Waivers and Amendments. This Agreement may be altered, amended, modified, superseded or cancelled, and the terms hereof may be waived, only by a written instrument signed by the Parties or, in the case of a waiver, by the Party alleged to have waived compliance. Any such signature of the Company must be by an authorized signatory for the Company. No delay by any Party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any waiver on the part of any Party of any such right, power or privilege, nor any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or privilege, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other such right, power or privilege.
12.13Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, and each counterpart, when executed, shall have the efficacy of a signed original. Photographic copies, electronically scanned copies and other facsimiles of this Agreement (including such signed counterparts) may be used in lieu of the originals for any purpose.
[The remainder of this page is intentionally blank; signature page follows.]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date first above written.
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Jeffery Walker | | |
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ALLIANCE ENTERTAINMENT HOLDING CORPORATION | | |
By: | | |
| Name: | |
| Title: | |
[Signature page to Employment Agreement.]
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Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the use in the Prospectus constituting a part of this Registration Statement on Amendment No. 1 to Form S-4 of our report dated March 28, 2022, relating to the financial statements of Adara Acquisition Corp., which is contained in that Prospectus. We also consent the reference to our Firm under the caption “Experts” in the Prospectus.
/s/ WithumSmith+Brown, PC
New York, New York
October 17, 2022
Exhibit 23.2
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation
Sunrise, Florida
We hereby consent to the use in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus constituting a part of this Registration Statement of our report dated October 17, 2022, relating to the consolidated financial statements of Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation, which is contained in that Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
We also consent to the reference to us under the caption “Experts” in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
/s/BDO USA, LLP
Miami, Florida
October 17, 2022
Exhibit 99.6
CONSENT OF THINKEQUITY LLC
We hereby consent to the use in the Registration Statement (Amendment No. 1) of Adara Acquisition Corp. on Form S-4 (the “Registration Statement”) and in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus of Adara Acquisition Corp., which is part of the Registration Statement, of our written opinion, dated June 21, 2022, appearing as Annex D to such Proxy Statement/Prospectus, and to the description of such opinion and to the references thereto and to our name contained therein under the headings “Questions and Answers About the Business Combination”, “Summary of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus—Opinion of Financial Advisor to Adara, ThinkEquity LLC”, “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Adara”, “Proposal No. 1—The Business Combination Proposal” and “Opinion of Financial Advisor to Adara, ThinkEquity LLC”. In giving the foregoing consent, we do not admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, nor do we admit that we are experts with respect to any part of such Registration Statement within the meaning of the term “experts” as used in the Securities Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
THINKEQUITY LLC | |
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Dated: October 17, 2022 | |
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ThinkEquity LLC | |
ThinkEquity LLC | |