UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): September 21, 2016 (September 16, 2016)

 

 

TOWN SPORTS INTERNATIONAL

HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-36803   20-0640002

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification Number)

5 Penn Plaza (4th Floor), New York, New York 10001

(Address of Principal Executive Offices, Including Zip Code)

(212) 246-6700

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 


Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

Appointment of Patrick Walsh as Chief Executive Officer

On September 21, 2016, Town Sports Holdings Inc. (the “Company”) announced that the Board of Directors of the Company has appointed Patrick Walsh, the Company’s Executive Chairman, as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, effective September 30, 2016. Mr. Walsh will also continue to serve as the Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors.

In connection with Mr. Walsh’s appointment as Chief Executive Officer, the Company and Mr. Walsh entered into a letter agreement dated September 20, 2016 (the “Letter Agreement”). Pursuant to the Letter Agreement, Mr. Walsh will earn an annual base salary of $690,000. In addition, Mr. Walsh will receive 200,000 shares of restricted stock under the Company’s Amended and Restated 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, which will vest in three equal annual installments. Mr. Walsh will also continue to be eligible to receive an annual cash incentive award under the Company’s Amended and Restated 2006 Annual Performance Bonus Plan (the “Bonus Plan”), as previously disclosed.

Departure of Gregory Bartoli, Chief Operating Officer

On September 16, 2016, Town Sports International LLC and Gregory Bartoli, the Company’s Chief Operating Officer, entered into a Separation Agreement (the “Separation Agreement”), which shall become effective as of September 23, 2016, provided that Mr. Bartoli does not revoke his acceptance of the Separation Agreement before such date. The Separation Agreement provides that Mr. Bartoli shall be entitled to the severance payments and benefits owed to him for a termination without cause under his Offer Letter, dated August 17, 2015 (the “Offer Letter”), previously filed by the Company. Pursuant to the terms of the Separation Agreement, Mr. Bartoli’s last day of employment with the Company will be September 30, 2016.

Mr. Bartoli will receive severance payments and benefits, in all material respects, as set forth in the Offer Letter. In addition to payments provided for under the Offer Letter, the Company will pay Mr. Bartoli the prorated portion of his 2016 annual bonus under the Bonus Plan, based on the portion of 2016 that he was employed by the Company. Such bonus will be paid when the Company’s other executive officers are paid and otherwise in accordance with the Bonus Plan. In connection with the separation, Mr. Bartoli has released the Company from any and all claims and has agreed to be subject to certain confidentiality, non-competition, non-solicitation, non-disparagement, cooperation and assistance obligations, consistent with the terms of his Offer Letter.

The above summary of the Letter Agreement and the Separation Agreement is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the terms of the Letter Agreement and Separation Agreement, copies of which are filed herewith as Exhibit 10.1 and Exhibit 10.2, respectively.

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure

On September 21, 2016, the Company issued a press release announcing the appointment of Mr. Walsh as Chief Executive Officer and the departure of Mr. Bartoli. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 hereto.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits

 

10.1    Letter Agreement dated September 20, 2016, between the Company and Patrick Walsh
10.2    Separation Agreement dated September 16, 2016, between Town Sports International LLC and Gregory Bartoli
99.1    Press release of Town Sports International Holdings, Inc.


SIGNATURE

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

 

   

TOWN SPORTS INTERNATIONAL

HOLDINGS, INC.

(Registrant)

Date: September 21, 2016     By:   /s/ Carolyn Spatafora
      Carolyn Spatafora
      Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 10.1

September 20, 2016

Patrick Walsh

Town Sports International, LLC

5 Penn Plaza, 4th Floor

New York, NY 10001

 

  Re: Town Sports—Offer Letter

Dear Patrick:

Town Sports International Holdings, Inc. (“TSI Holdings”) and Town Sports International, LLC (the “Company” or “TSI”) a subsidiary of TSI Holdings, is pleased to extend this offer of employment to you for the position of Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and confirming that while you will no longer be designated as the Company’s Executive Chairman of TSI Holdings, you will remain as the Company’s Chairman of the Board. This letter agreement (this “Agreement”) set forth the terms of your continued employment.

1. Position . As CEO, you will report directly to the TSI’s Board of Directors, and will perform the duties and services assigned to you by the Company and traditionally carried out by the Company’s CEO. You shall also serve as an officer of any affiliate of the Company as designated by the Company. You shall devote a majority of your time and attention to the affairs of the Company and to your duties on the Company’s behalf. Your employment will be subject to all Company policies, procedures and practices as may currently exist or as may be modified or implemented in the future, including our Code of Ethics and Business Conduct and Employee Handbook. In addition, by accepting employment with the Company, you agree to enter into, and comply with, the Company’s Confidentiality and Non-solicitation Agreement (the “Confidentiality Agreement”) and to arbitrate any disputes arising out of your employment as set forth in the Company’s Dispute Resolution Program. These documents will be provided to you as part of your hire package and you will be required to sign them prior to beginning your employment with the Company.

2. Start Date . This Agreement will commence September 30, 2016 (the “Start Date”). You will be based at our headquarters located at 5 Penn Plaza, New York, New York.

3. Compensation . For all services to be performed hereunder, your annual base salary will be $690,000, payable in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll practices and subject to all applicable tax withholdings. Base salary is inclusive of any fees and committee fees (other than Stock Grants) you are otherwise entitled to in your role as a Member of the Board or Committee thereof. Wages are currently paid every other week, on Friday. Your performance will be reviewed each year in accordance with Company policy and practice. Future salary increases will be based on individual and Company performance, and subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) or designated committee.


4. Bonus . Beginning in calendar year 2016, you will be eligible to participate in the TSI Holdings 2006 Annual Performance Bonus Plan with a target bonus to be set at one-hundred percent (100%) of your annual base salary. For purposes of your 2016 Bonus, only your annual salary shall be deemed to be $600,000.00. Payment of a bonus is based upon Company performance against certain targets as outlined or approved by the Board, and can be increased (up to 200%) or decreased (down to 0%) based on the actual Company results and your individual performance toward specific goals (e.g. EBITDA) to be established by the Board or designated committee. Actual incentive payments will usually be paid in the first quarter of the following year, after appropriate approval from the Board of Directors or designated committee.

5. Employee Benefits . You will be eligible to participate in all employee benefit programs as are generally available to other executives of the Company in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable benefits plans, programs, policies and/or practices.

You will be eligible to join the Company’s benefit program on the first of the month following 60 days of employment.

You will be eligible to join the Company’s 401(k) program on the first of the month following your one (1) year anniversary with the Company. In the event that changes are made to any of the benefit plans, such changes will apply to you as they apply to other employees of the Company.

You will be eligible for vacation, holidays and time off in accordance to the Company’s paid time off policy (PTO) consistent with all other executives. Please be aware that TSI’s PTO policy does not allow carryover of unused PTO from year to year, other than as required by federal, state or local law, and is not paid out upon termination of employment.

You will be reimbursed for all normal business expenses in accordance with Company policy.

6. Stock .

On your Start Date, you will be granted 200,000 shares of restricted common stock of TSI Holdings (the “Restricted Stock”), pursuant to the Company’s Restricted Stock Agreement which has been previously approved by the Board of TSI Holdings. The grant hereunder is in addition to any grants of Company Stock or Options previously granted while you maintained the position of Executive Chairman.

7. Intentionally Omitted .

8. Intentionally omitted.

9. Non-Compete and Non-solicitation .

a. As an inducement to the Company to enter into this Agreement, you agree that (i) during your period of employment with the Company, and (ii) during the twelve (12)-month period following the end of your employment for any reason (the “Non-compete Period”), you shall not, directly or indirectly, own, manage, control, participate in, consult with, render services

 

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for, or in any manner engage in, any business competing directly or indirectly with the business as conducted by the Company during your period of employment with the Company or at the time of the termination of your employment or with any other business that is the logical extension of the Company’s business during your period of employment with the Company or at the time of termination of your employment, within any metropolitan area in which the Company engages or has definitive plans to engage in such business as of the date of this Agreement; provided, however, that you shall not be precluded from purchasing or holding publicly traded securities of any entity so long as you shall hold less than 2% of the outstanding units of any such class of securities and have no active participation in the business of such entity. You agree that the following entities are nonexclusive examples of competitive businesses and performing services for them would violate this section: Crunch, 24 Hour, Equinox, NY Health and Racquet Club, LA Fitness, Planet Fitness, Lifetime and Bally.

b. As an inducement to the Company to enter into this Agreement you agree that during the Non-compete Period, you shall not directly or indirectly (i) induce or attempt to induce any employee of the Company to leave the employ of the Company, or in any way interfere with the relationship between the Company and any employee thereof, (ii) hire any person who was an employee of the Company at any time during your employment except for such employees who have been terminated for at least three (3) months, or (iii) induce or attempt to induce any customer, supplier, licensee, franchisor or other business relation of the Company to cease doing business with such Company, or in any way interfere with the relationship between any such customer, supplier, licensee, franchisor or business relation, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand.

c. The provisions of this Section shall survive any expiration or termination of this Agreement.

d. You acknowledge and agree that the restrictions imposed upon you by the terms, conditions and provisions of this Section are reasonably necessary to protect the legitimate business interests of the Company (which for the avoidance of doubt includes its subsidiaries and affiliates), and that any violation of any of the restrictions will result in immediate and irreparable injury to the Company for which monetary damages will not be an adequate remedy. You further acknowledge and agree that if any such restriction is violated, the Company will be entitled to immediate relief enjoining such violation (including, without limitation, temporary and permanent injunctions, a decree for specific performance, and an equitable accounting of earnings, profits, and other benefits arising from such violation) in any court having jurisdiction over such claim, without the necessity of showing any actual damage or posting any bond or furnishing any other security, and that the specific enforcement of the provisions of this Section will not diminish your ability to earn a livelihood or create or impose any undue hardship on you. You also agree that any request for such relief by the Company shall be in addition to, and without prejudice to, any claim for monetary damages that the Company may elect to assert. You further acknowledge and agree that if any provision of this Section is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable or unreasonable as written, you authorize and request said court to revise the unenforceable or unreasonable provision in a manner that shall result in the provision being enforceable while remaining as similar as legally possible to the purpose and intent of the original. You further acknowledge and agree that any period of time during which you are in violation of the covenants set forth in this Section shall be added to the restricted period.

 

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10. Section 409A . If you are a “specified employee” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-l(i) as of the date of the termination of your employment, you shall not be entitled to any payment or benefit that constitutes deferred compensation under 409A pursuant to this Agreement until the earlier of (i) the date which is six (6) months after your termination of employment for any reason other than death or (ii) the date of your death. The provisions of this paragraph shall only apply if, and to the extent, required to avoid the imputation of any tax, penalty or interest pursuant to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Any amounts otherwise payable to you upon or in the six (6) month period following your termination of employment that are not so paid by reason of this Section shall be paid (without interest) as soon as practicable (and in all events within thirty (30) days) after the date that is six (6) months after the date of your termination (or, if earlier, as soon as practicable, and in all events within thirty (30) days, after the date of your death). It is intended that any amounts payable under this Agreement shall comply with or be exempt from and avoid the imputation of any tax, penalty or interest under Section 409A of the Code. This Agreement shall be construed and interpreted consistent with that intent. In no event whatsoever will the Company be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalties that may be imposed on you under Section 409A of the Code or any damages for failing to comply with Section 409A of the Code. A termination of employment shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this Agreement providing for the payment of any amounts or benefits subject to Section 409A of the Code upon or following a termination of employment until such termination is also a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and for purposes of any such provision of this Agreement, references to a “termination of employment” and like terms shall mean separation from service. If under this Agreement an amount is paid in two or more installments, for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, each installment shall be treated as a separate and distinct payment.

11. Employment at Will . In accepting this offer, you understand and agree that your employment with the Company shall be at-will, which means that either you or the Company are free to terminate your employment at any time, for any reason or no reason, with or without notice. You further understand and acknowledge that there is no written or oral contract providing you with any definite or specific term of employment. You further understand and agree that, due to your at-will status, the Company may, at any time, modify the terms of your employment, including, but not limited to, your job title, job responsibilities, compensation and benefits, subject to the terms herein.

12. Truthful Representations . You acknowledge and confirm that all of the representations you have made and all of the information that you have provided to the Company on any employment application, resume or any other document, or orally during the interview process, concerning, among other things, your prior employment history, education, experience and other qualifications, are true and correct. You understand and agree that any falsifications, misrepresentations, or omissions with respect to any of the representations and information that you have made or provided to the Company may be grounds for the withdrawal of this offer of employment or, if hired, the termination of your employment.

 

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13. Other Conditions and Obligations . By signing this agreement, you represent that you are not subject to any currently-effective employment contract, or any other contractual or other binding obligation, including without limitation, any obligation relating to non-competition, confidentiality, trade secrets, proprietary information or works for hire, that would restrict your employment or employment activities with or on behalf of the Company. In your work for the Company, you will be expected not to use or disclose any confidential information, including trade secrets, of any former employer or other person to whom you have an obligation of confidentiality. You agree you will not bring onto Company premises any unpublished documents or property belonging to any former employer or other person to whom you have any obligation of confidentiality.

You further acknowledge that this letter constitutes the sole and complete understanding between you and the Company with respect to this offer of employment and your prospective employment, and you hereby acknowledge that there are no other agreements, understandings or representations, whether written or oral and whether made contemporaneously or otherwise, with respect to this offer of employment.

You further understand and acknowledge that your employment with the Company is contingent upon:

 

    Your completion of Section 1 of the Form I-9 on or before the end of your first (1st) day of employment and your presentation of your original documentation verifying your work eligibility and identification on or before the third (3rd) day of your employment.

14. Taxes . All payments hereunder are subject to applicable tax withholdings.

We all look forward to your continued involvement with our Executive team. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Please indicate your acceptance of this offer of employment by signing this Offer Letter and returning the signed letter to me at the above address.

 

Very truly yours,

 

TOWN SPORTS INTERNATIONAL

HOLDINGS, INC.

By:   /s/ Carolyn Spatafora
  Carolyn Spatafora

 

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TOWN SPORTS INTERNATIONAL, LLC
By:   /s/ Carolyn Spatafora
  Carolyn Spatafora

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

I have read and understand all of the terms of this letter and I accept and agree to all of the terms set forth therein.

 

ACCEPTED AND AGREED TO:
/s/ Patrick Walsh
Patrick Walsh

 

Date:   9/20/16

 

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Exhibit 10.2

September 16, 2016

Mr. Greg Bartoli

Town Sports International, LLC

5 Penn Plaza, 4th Floor

New York, NY 10001

Dear Greg:

This Separation Agreement (“ Agreement ”) will confirm our discussions regarding your separation from employment with Town Sports International, LLC and its parents, affiliates and subsidiaries (the “ Company ”) on mutually agreeable terms as set forth below. You and the Company (collectively, the “ Parties ”) agree that this Agreement represents the full and complete agreement concerning your separation from employment with the Company.

1. Separation Date .

a. Your last day of employment with the Company will be September 30, 2016 (“ Separation Date ”). You will be paid your regular wages through and including the Separation Date. You will no longer be eligible to participate in the Company’s benefit programs after the Separation Date, except as set forth in Section 2 of this Agreement. Information regarding the Company’s 401(k) Plan will be sent to you separately by the plan administrator following the Separation Date.

2. Separation Payments and Benefits . In accordance with the terms of your Letter Agreement dated August 17, 2015 and as additionally approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Town Sports International Holdings, Inc., provided that you sign and return this Agreement by September 23, 2016, without revoking it, and subject to all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, you will be entitled to the following payments (“Payments”) and benefits:

a. The Company will pay you severance equal to $500,000.00, payable in equal biweekly installments over the twelve (12) month period following the Separation Date in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices, and subject to applicable taxes and withholdings. The Company will begin making the Payments described in this Section 2(a) to you on the first payroll date following the earlier of thirty (30) days from the Separation Date, or the first payroll date following the Separation Date. The first payment shall include any prior Payments that you would have received if the Agreement had been effective on the Separation Date.


b. The Company will pay you a pro-rata bonus payment (9 months) of your target bonus rate, which shall be subject to applicable tax withholdings; less the advanced bonus payment made. The Bonus will be paid when other Executives of the Company are paid and otherwise in accordance with the Amended and Restated Town Sports International Holdings, Inc. 2006 Annual Performance Bonus Plan adopted by the Company’s Compensation Committee on March 24, 2016.

c. At the Company’s expense, you may continue your participation in the Company’s health and dental coverage and disability insurance programs in which you participate as of the Separation Date (or comparable substitute coverage) through September 30, 2017 (or, if earlier, until you are eligible for comparable coverage with a subsequent employer) (the “ Coverage Period ”); provided that if applicable law or Company policy does not permit such participation, the Company shall pay the COBRA coverage in amounts up to the level it would have paid if you were an active employee with similar coverage during the Coverage Period, to the extent permitted by law without penalty to the Company. During the Coverage Period, the Company will continue to pay that portion of the premiums that it would have paid if you remained an active employee. You agree to notify the Company immediately in writing in the event that you are eligible for comparable coverage with a subsequent employer. If you are not otherwise covered by a group health or dental plan at the end of the Coverage Period, you will be eligible at your cost and expense to continue your health and dental insurance coverage pursuant to federal COBRA law. Information regarding COBRA will be sent to you separately by the Company’s COBRA administrator.

d. You acknowledge and agree that the Payments and benefits described above constitute adequate consideration for all of the terms of this Agreement and do not include any benefit, monetary or otherwise, that was earned or accrued or to which you were already entitled without signing this Agreement. If you do not execute this Agreement within the time periods provided herein, or if you revoke the Agreement, no Payments or benefits will be due under this Section 2.

3. Equity . Your separation pursuant to this Agreement will be treated as a “Termination Without Cause” under the two Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreements between you and the Company dated August 19, 2015 and the Restricted Stock Agreement between you and the Company dated August 19, 2015 (“ Equity Plan ”). In accordance with Section 7(c) of the Letter Agreement between you and the Company dated August 19, 2015 an additional 17% of the stock and option awards granted (119,000 Options and 51,000 Shares of Restricted Stock) pursuant to the Equity Plan shall vest upon the Separation Date 1 . Your stock options, to the extent vested as of the Separation Date, shall remain outstanding for the post-termination exercise period specified in the Equity Plan, Such vested options will expire at the conclusion of such post-termination exercise period to the extent not previously exercised. Any portion of the Option that is not vested as of the Separation Date of Employment (but excluding any portion that vests in accordance with Section 7(c) of the Letter Agreement) for any reason shall terminate and expire as of the Separation Date of Employment. Any unvested shares of restricted Common Stock (but excluding any portion that Vested in accordance with Section 7c of the Letter Agreement) will be forfeited on the Separation Date without any payment.

 

 

1   33% of such Options and Restricted Shares has previously vested.

 

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4. Exemption from Section 409A . It is intended that the Payments provided for in this Agreement comply with, or are exempt from, Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, pursuant to the separation pay exemption set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9), and shall be interpreted consistent with the requirements of those regulations. That means that, among other things, all severance pay shall be paid in full no later than the end of the second calendar year following the calendar year in which the separation from service occurs, and the total amount of taxable severance pay shall not exceed the lesser of two times your base rate of pay or two times the dollar limit set forth in Code Section 401(a)(17).

5. Release and Waiver of Claims .

a. In consideration of your receipt and acceptance of the Payments and benefits above and the other promises made by the Company in this Agreement, you, on behalf of yourself and your heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, unconditionally and generally release the Company, its parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, related entities, and its and their current and former owners, officers, directors, insurers, agents and employees (“ Releasees ”) from or in connection with, and you hereby waive and/or settle, with prejudice, any and all causes of action, suits, controversies, or any liability, claims or demands, known or unknown and of any nature whatsoever and which you ever had, now have or shall or may have as of the date of this Agreement, including, without limitation, those arising directly or indirectly pursuant to or out of any aspect of your employment with the Company, including the separation thereof.

b. Specifically, to the maximum extent permitted by law, and without limitation of the foregoing, the release and waiver of claims under this Agreement shall include and apply to any rights and/or claims (i) arising under any contract or employment arrangement, express or implied, written or oral; (ii) for wrongful dismissal or termination of employment; (iii) arising under any applicable federal, state, local or other statutes, orders, laws, ordinances, regulations or the like, or case law, that relate to employment or employment practices, including, but not limited to, those that prohibit discrimination based upon age, race, religion, sex, national origin, disability or any other unlawful bases, including without limitation, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Civil Rights Acts of 1866 and 1871, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, the National Labor Relations Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Worker Adjustment and Relocation Notice Act, the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act, the New York Labor Law, the New York State Human Rights Law, the New York City Human Rights Law, all as amended, and any other statutes, orders, laws, ordinances, or regulations applicable to your employment, of any state or city in which any Releasee is subject to jurisdiction, and/or any political subdivision thereof; (iv) arising under any other federal, state, local or other statutes, orders, laws, ordinances, regulations or the like, or case law; (v) for tortious or harassing conduct, infliction of mental distress, interference with contract, unjust enrichment, fraud, libel or slander; and (vi) for damages, including without limitation, punitive or compensatory damages, or for attorneys’ fees, expenses, costs, wages, injunctive or equitable relief. You affirm you have not been denied leave under FMLA or any other paid or unpaid leave statute.

 

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c. You and the Company acknowledge that the above release and waiver of claims shall not apply to (i) the obligation of the Company to provide the consideration described above in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; (ii) your vested benefits pursuant to applicable plans, if any; (iii) your right to continue healthcare insurance under COBRA; (iv) your right to receive benefits for occupational illness or injury under the Workers’ Compensation Law; (v) your right to receive unemployment benefits; (vi) your right to pursue any rights or claims that arise after you sign this Agreement; (vii) any rights you may have to indemnification pursuant to the Company’s organizational documents and the Indemnification Agreement between you and the Company dated June 14 th , 2016, which form shall survive termination of employment; and (viii) any other claims that, under controlling law, may not be released by private settlement.

d. The Company on its behalf, its successors and assigns, in consideration of the terms of this Agreement, releases you, your heirs and executors (“ Releasees ”) from or in connection with, and the Company hereby waives and/or settles, with prejudice, any and all causes of action, suits, controversies, or any liability, claims or demands, known or unknown and of any nature whatsoever and which the Company ever had, now has or shall or may have as of the date of this Agreement, including, without limitation, those arising directly or indirectly pursuant to or out of any aspet of your employment with the Company, including the separation thereof. Notwithstanding, nothing contained herein shall be deemed a waiver or release of any of your ongoing obligations under this Agreement or other agreements referred herein, inter alia the Equity Plan Agreements, Letter Agreement or Indemnification Agreement.

6. No Claims Filed and Covenant Not to Sue .

a. Except as otherwise stated below, you agree and covenant not to file any suit, complaint, claim, grievance or demand for arbitration against any Releasee, either individually or as a member of a class in any class or collective action, in any court or other forum with regard to any claim, demand, liability or obligation arising out of your employment, or separation from employment, with the Company.

b. You further represent and warrant that you have not filed or commenced any suits, complaints, claims, grievances or demands for arbitration of any kind that are currently pending against any Releasee with any federal, state or local court or any administrative or regulatory body.

c. If any claim is brought on your behalf against any Releasee involving any claim released by this Agreement, or if you are named as a member of any class in a case in which any claim or claims are asserted against any Releasee involving any claim released by this Agreement, you shall, upon notice of same, immediately provide the Company with written notification of said claim, and withdraw in writing and with prejudice from said claim or class.

d. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prohibit you from filing a charge or complaint with, or participating in any investigation or proceeding conducted by, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, National Labor Relations Board, or any other federal, state or local agency charged with the enforcement of any employment laws. By signing this Agreement, you are waiving any right to individual relief based on claims asserted in such a charge or complaint.

 

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7. Confidentiality and Confidential Information .

a. You agree that you shall keep confidential and shall not disclose to any person (other than to your immediate family, attorney, financial advisor and accountant, each of whom shall be directed by you not to disclose such information), any and all information concerning the existence or terms of this Agreement, except in the circumstance of providing information in response to a subpoena or order issued by a court or a government agency, or as otherwise required by law.

b. You acknowledge that during your employment, you have acquired proprietary, private and/or otherwise confidential information (“ Confidential Information ,” as defined and described in this sub-paragraph). Confidential Information shall mean all non-public information, whether or not created or maintained in written or electronic form that constitutes, relates or refers to the Company, any current or former employee of the Company, and any aspect of the operation of the business of the Company, including without limitation, all financial, operational and statistical information. All of the foregoing are illustrative and Confidential Information shall not be limited to those illustrations. You agree not to disclose Confidential Information in any form to a third party and shall give immediate notice to the Company if compelled by law to reveal any Confidential Information to any third party.

c. You represent and agree that, on or before your Separation Date, you will return to the Company and not retain any copies of documents, records or materials of any kind, whether written or electronically created or stored, which contain, relate to or refer to any Confidential Information.

8. Non-Disparagement . You agree that you will not make, directly or indirectly, to any person or entity, including but not limited to the Company’s past and/or present employees, board members and/or the press, any negative or disparaging oral or written statements about, or do anything which damages the Company, its officers or directors, or its services, good will, reputation or financial status, or which damages it in any of its business relationships. Written statements include, but are not limited to, posts made on message boards, blogs, listservs, Web sites, Web forums, or similar electronic medium. Nothing in this paragraph shall preclude you from testifying honestly if required by law to testify in a proceeding or complying with any other law.

9. Restrictive Covenants . You understand and agree that, you are bound by and hereby reaffirm the confidential information, non-solicitation and non-competition obligations as set forth in Section 9 of your Letter Agreement and the non-competition and non-solicitation provisions set forth in the Restricted Stock Agreements (Paragraph 12) entered into between you and Town Sports International Holdings, Inc., all of which are incorporated herein by reference and remain in full force and effect.

10. Breach . You acknowledge that the Company would be irreparably injured by your violation of Paragraph 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 and agree that in the event of any such breach or

 

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threatened breach, the Company shall, in addition to any other remedies available to it, be entitled to (i) a temporary restraining order and/or preliminary and/or permanent injunction, or other equivalent relief, restraining you from any actual or threatened breach of Paragraph 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9; (ii) cease making Payments and benefits hereunder and recoup prior Payments and benefits made hereunder; and (iii) recover from you damages, attorneys’ fees, costs and any other available remedies.

11. Non-Admission . This Agreement is not, and shall not be construed as, an admission by the Company of any wrongdoing or illegal acts or omissions, and the Company expressly denies that it engaged in any wrongdoing or illegal or acts or omissions with respect to your employment or the separation of your employment. You hereby represent and agree that you shall not, directly or indirectly make any written or oral statements, suggestions or representations that the Company has made or implied any such admission.

12. Expenses . You will be reimbursed for any reimbursable expenses you incur prior to the Separation Date in accordance with the Company’s Reimbursable Expenses Policy. You agree that you will turn in your expense report to the Chief Executive Officer, with all required receipts, for all expenses incurred by you up until your Separation Date no later than October 15, 2016.

13. Continued Cooperation . After your Separation Date, you agree that you will be available, upon reasonable notice, to respond to questions and provide assistance to the Company regarding any business that remained unfinished as of your Separation Date. Further, after your Separation Date, you agree to cooperate with, and to be readily available to, the Company to assist in any matter, including government agency investigations, court litigation, arbitrations or potential litigation or arbitrations, about which you may have knowledge. In addition, after your Separation Date and for a period of one year thereafter, you agree to make yourself available on an as needed basis and on reasonable notice and during business hours to provide the Company information to assist in negotiating lease renewals and extensions. If you receive a subpoena or other legal process relating in any way to same, you will immediately provide the Company with notice of the contact or the service of such subpoena or other legal process, and shall cooperate with the Company in responding thereto. In the event that you fail to comply with the terms of this Paragraph, the Company reserves the right to stop making the Payments and/or require you to repay the Payments, in addition to seeking compensation in connection with any other damages caused by your non-compliance.

14. Time to Review . You understand and agree that you have been given at least twenty-one (21) days to consider the terms of this Agreement before signing it. If you sign this Agreement before the full 21-day period has expired, you knowingly and voluntarily waive the remainder of the 21-day consideration period, if any, following the date you sign this Agreement. You acknowledge that you have not been asked by the Company to shorten the time-period for consideration of whether to sign this Agreement, and that the Company has not threatened to withdraw or alter the benefits due to you prior to the expiration of the 21-day period. You further agree that any changes to the Agreement, whether material or immaterial, do not restart the running of the 21-day consideration period.

 

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15. Revocation Period .

a. If you sign this Agreement, you have the right to change your mind and revoke it within seven (7) calendar days after signing it (“ Revocation Period ”) by returning it with written revocation notice to Legal Department, Town Sports International, 5 Penn Plaza, 4th Floor, New York, New York 10001. You understand that this Agreement will not be effective until after the expiration of the Revocation Period, and that you will not be entitled to the Payments and benefits described in this Agreement unless and until this Agreement becomes effective.

If you decide to revoke, your written revocation notice should clearly state that “I hereby revoke my agreement to the Separation Agreement that I signed on [fill in date],” and you must sign your name to the notice. To be effective, (a) the notice of revocation must be received by the Company no later than the close of business on the seventh calendar day after you signed the Agreement, or else (b) the Company must be notified by facsimile (212-664-1704) by the close of business on the seventh calendar day after you signed the Agreement, that the written notice with your original signature has been mailed, and the original written notice must be received by the Company within five (5) calendar days thereafter. If any of those days should fall on a weekend or a legal holiday, then the required communication must be received no later than the first business day after the weekend or holiday.

16. Remedies . Except as prohibited by law, the Company shall be excused from any obligation to provide any part of the Payments or benefits to you in the event that (i) the release set forth in this Agreement is determined to be void or unenforceable, in whole or in part; or (ii) you are found to have made a material misstatement in any term, condition, representation or acknowledgment in this Agreement, or you commit a breach of any term, condition or covenant in this Agreement, except otherwise stated therein, in either of which event you shall also be liable for any damages and costs suffered or incurred by the Company by reason of such misstatement or breach.

17. Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the sole and complete understanding and agreement between the Parties with respect to issues addressed in this Agreement, except that any post-termination provisions of the Restricted Stock Agreements entered into between you and Town Sports International Holdings, Inc., and Section 9 of the Letter Agreement remain in full force and effect.

18. Amendments . This Agreement may not be amended except in writing signed by both Parties.

19. Arbitration . You agree that any and all disputes that you raise arising out of or relating in any way to the validity, interpretation or enforcement of this Agreement, or any unreleased claims relating to your employment, other than disputes which by statute are not arbitrable or in which the Company is seeking equitable relief, including injunctive relief, shall be resolved through binding arbitration pursuant to the Company’s Dispute Resolution Program in effect on the date you execute this Agreement.

 

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20. Severability . Except as otherwise stated in this Agreement, in the event that any provision of this Agreement is judicially declared to be invalid or unenforceable, only such provision or provisions shall be invalid or unenforceable without invalidating or rendering unenforceable the remaining provisions of the Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect to the fullest extent permitted by law.

21. No Hire . You agree that the Company has no obligation to reinstate or rehire you to any position, and you cannot assert any future claim against any of the Releasees based on a refusal to hire or reinstate you at any time.

22. Acknowledgments . By your signature on this Agreement, you affirm and acknowledge that:

a. You have carefully read, and understand, this Agreement.

b. You have been advised by the Company to consult with an attorney before executing this Agreement and have had an adequate opportunity to do so, and to review this Agreement and to consider whether to sign this Agreement.

c. You understand that, by signing this Agreement, you are giving up certain rights, including the right to pursue any claims pursuant to the ADEA.

d. You are not entitled to any payments and/or benefits that are not specifically listed in this Agreement, except for those benefits in which you have vested rights pursuant to the terms of any applicable plans or applicable law.

e. You have not relied upon any representations, statements, or omissions made by any of the Company’s agents, attorneys or representatives with regard to the subject matter, basis or effect of this Agreement or otherwise, other than those expressly stated in this Agreement.

f. You have read and understand all of the terms of this Agreement, and agree that such terms are fair, reasonable and are not the result of any fraud, duress, coercion, pressure or undue influence exercised by or on behalf of the Company; and you have agreed to and entered into this Agreement and all of its terms, knowingly, freely and voluntarily.

g. You have been given up to twenty-one (21) days to consider your rights and obligations under this Agreement and to consult with an attorney and/or any other advisor of your choice, and advised of the seven (7) day Revocation Period.

 

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23. Counterparts . The Agreement may be executed in two (2) signature counterparts, each of which will constitute an original, but all of which taken together will constitute but one and the same instrument.

 

Sincerely,

 

Town Sports International LLC

By:   /s/ Stuart M. Steinberg
  Stuart M. Steinberg
  General Counsel

 

Read, Accepted and Agreed:

 

GREG BARTOLI

     
/s/ Greg Bartoli     Date:   9/16/16
     

 

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Exhibit 99.1

Town Sports International Holdings, Inc. Announces Appointment of Chief Executive Officer and Departure of Chief Operating Officer

New York, NY—(BUSINESS WIRE)— On September 21, 2016, Town Sports International Holdings, Inc. (“TSI” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ:CLUB), one of the leading owners and operators of health clubs located primarily in major cities from Washington, DC north through New England, operating under the brand names “New York Sports Clubs,” “Boston Sports Clubs,” “Washington Sports Clubs,” “Philadelphia Sports Clubs” and “BFX Studio,” announced that Patrick Walsh, Executive Chairman of the Company, has been appointed as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, effective September 30, 2016. The Company also announced that Greg Bartoli, the Company’s Chief Operating Officer, will be leaving the Company, effective September 30, 2016.

Patrick Walsh, Executive Chairman \ of the Company stated, “In order to continue our strategic efforts to evolve as a more efficient and streamlined organization, I will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer of the Company effective September 30, 2016 and we will merge the roles of chief operating officer and chief executive. Greg joined TSI over a year ago and contributed his extensive financial and entrepreneurial expertise to strengthening our organization. As a result of Greg’s time at TSI, we are a leaner, more efficient and more profitable organization. Greg lead the way towards strengthening club financials, exploring new business ventures, renegotiating our leases and strengthening our balance sheet while engaging in organizational changes that allowed for stronger club leadership. These initiatives led to more than $40 million of savings annually and significant increases in the Company’s EBITDA. I am extremely proud that these accomplishments were achieved in less than 12 months time.”

About Town Sports International Holdings, Inc.:

New York-based Town Sports International Holdings, Inc. is one of the leading owners and operators of fitness clubs in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic regions of the United States and, through its subsidiaries, operated 149 fitness clubs as of June 30, 2016, comprising 102 New York Sports Clubs, 27 Boston Sports Clubs, 12 Washington Sports Clubs (one of which is partly-owned), five Philadelphia Sports Clubs, and three clubs located in Switzerland. These clubs collectively served approximately 551,000 members as of June 30, 2016. In addition, the Company also owned two BFX Studio locations and had one partly-owned club that operated under a different brand name in Washington, D.C. as of June 30, 2016. For more information on TSI, including the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2016, visit  http://investor.mysportsclubs.com .

From time to time the Company may use its Web site as a channel of distribution of material company information. Financial and other material information regarding the Company is routinely posted on and accessible at http://investor.mysportsclubs.com . In addition, you may automatically receive email alerts and other information about the Company by enrolling through the “Email Alerts” section at  http://investor.mysportsclubs.com .

Town Sports International Holdings, Inc., New York

Contact Information:

Investor Contact:

(917) 765-9974

Investor.relations@town-sports.com