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): March 31, 2020
THE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware |
1-36900 |
47-3373056 |
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(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) |
(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
2 Penn Plaza, New York, New York |
10121 |
|
(Address of principal executive offices) |
(Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (212) 465-6000
Not Applicable
(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-4(c)). |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class |
Trading Symbol(s) |
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered |
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Class A Common Stock |
MSG |
New York Stock Exchange |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
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 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
INTRODUCTORY NOTE
Distribution of MSG Entertainment Spinco
On March 31, 2020, the Board of Directors of The Madison Square Garden Company (the “Registrant”) approved the distribution to its stockholders of the common stock of MSG Entertainment Spinco, Inc. (“MSG Entertainment Spinco”) (such distribution of MSG Entertainment Spinco’s common stock, the “Distribution”). The Distribution will take the form of a distribution by the Registrant of (a) one share of MSG Entertainment Spinco’s Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Spinco Class A Common Stock”), for every one share of the Registrant’s Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Registrant Class A Common Stock”), held of record at the close of business in New York City on April 13, 2020 (the “Record Date”), and (b) one share of MSG Entertainment Spinco’s Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share, for every one share of the Registrant’s Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share, held of record at the close of business in New York City on the Record Date. The Distribution will become effective and the new shares of MSG Entertainment Spinco will be distributed at 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on April 17, 2020 (the “Distribution date”). The completion of the Distribution is subject to, among other things, (i) the effectiveness of MSG Entertainment Spinco’s registration statement on Form 10 (the “Form 10”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), (ii) the making of the Contribution (defined below), (iii) final approval from the National Basketball Association (the “NBA”) and the National Hockey League (the “NHL”) and (iv) receipt of a tax opinion from counsel to the Registrant. The Registrant’s Board of Directors has reserved the right to modify or abandon the Distribution at any time prior to the Distribution. The Registrant expects the conditions to the Distribution to be satisfied on or before the Distribution date.
The Form 10 contains information about MSG Entertainment Spinco and the Distribution. Prior to the Distribution, the Registrant will distribute to its stockholders of record on the Record Date copies of an information statement relating to MSG Entertainment Spinco that is part of the Form 10 filing.
Name Change
Concurrent with the Distribution, the Registrant will change its name to “Madison Square Garden Sports Corp.” and MSG Entertainment Spinco will change its name to “Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.” On the first trading day following the Distribution date, the trading symbol for Registrant Class A Common Stock on the NYSE will change from “MSG” to “MSGS” and the Spinco Class A Common Stock will trade on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the symbol “MSGE.”
Item 1.01 | Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement. |
Following the Distribution, MSG Entertainment Spinco will be a public company and the Registrant will have no continuing common stock ownership interest in MSG Entertainment Spinco. For purposes of governing the ongoing relationships between the Registrant and MSG Entertainment Spinco after the Distribution and to provide for an orderly transition, the Registrant and MSG Entertainment Spinco have entered or will enter into a number of agreements prior to the Distribution. The principal agreements are described below.
The agreements summarized in this Item 1.01 are included as Exhibits 2.1 and 10.1 through 10.8 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and the following summaries of those agreements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the agreements as so filed, which are incorporated into this Item 1.01 by reference.
Distribution Agreement
On March 31, 2020, the Registrant entered into the Distribution Agreement with MSG Entertainment Spinco as part of a series of transactions pursuant to which MSG Entertainment Spinco will receive prior to the Distribution the businesses and other assets described in the Form 10, including the businesses and assets that formerly comprised the Registrant’s MSG Entertainment business segment (including Madison Square Garden (“The Garden”)) as well as the sports bookings business formerly owned and operated by the Registrant through its MSG Sports business segment (the “Contributed Assets”).
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Under the Distribution Agreement, as further described in the Introductory Note above, the Registrant will distribute MSG Entertainment Spinco’s common stock to the common stockholders of the Registrant. The Distribution Agreement provides that the Registrant will have the sole and absolute discretion to determine whether to proceed with the Distribution, including the form, structure and terms of any transactions to effect the Distribution and the timing of and satisfaction of conditions to the consummation of the Distribution.
Under the Distribution Agreement, the Registrant provides MSG Entertainment Spinco with indemnities with respect to liabilities, damages, costs and expenses arising out of any of: (i) the Registrant’s businesses (other than businesses of MSG Entertainment Spinco); (ii) certain identified claims or proceedings; (iii) any breach by the Registrant of its obligations under the Distribution Agreement; (iv) any untrue statement or omission in the Form 10 or in the information statement relating to the Registrant and its subsidiaries; and (v) indemnification obligations MSG Entertainment Spinco may have to the NBA or NHL that result from acts or omissions of the Registrant. MSG Entertainment Spinco provides the Registrant with indemnities with respect to liabilities, damages, costs and expenses arising out of any of: (i) MSG Entertainment Spinco’s businesses; (ii) any breach by MSG Entertainment Spinco of its obligations under the Distribution Agreement; (iii) any untrue statement or omission in the Form 10 or in the information statement other than any such statement or omission relating to the Registrant and its subsidiaries; and (iv) indemnification obligations the Registrant may have to the NBA or NHL that result from acts or omissions of MSG Entertainment Spinco.
In the Distribution Agreement, MSG Entertainment Spinco released the Registrant from any claims it might have arising out of: (i) the management of the businesses and affairs of MSG Entertainment Spinco on or prior to the Distribution; (ii) the terms of the Distribution, MSG Entertainment Spinco’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation, MSG Entertainment Spinco’s by-laws and the other agreements entered into in connection with the Distribution; and (iii) any decisions that have been made, or actions taken, relating to MSG Entertainment Spinco or the Distribution.
Additionally, in the Distribution Agreement, the Registrant released MSG Entertainment Spinco from any claims it might have arising out of: (i) the management of the businesses and affairs of the Registrant on or prior to the Distribution; (ii) the terms of the Distribution and the other agreements entered into in connection with the Distribution; and (iii) any decisions that have been made, or actions taken, relating to the Distribution.
The Distribution Agreement also provides for access to records and information, cooperation in defending litigation, as well as methods of resolution for certain disputes.
Contribution Agreement
On March 31, 2020, the Registrant, MSG Entertainment Spinco and MSG Sports & Entertainment, LLC (to be renamed MSG Entertainment Group, LLC), a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of the Registrant that will become a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Spinco, entered into a Contribution Agreement pursuant to which the Registrant will contribute the Contributed Assets to MSG Entertainment Spinco prior to the Distribution (such transaction, the “Contribution”). In consideration of the Contribution, MSG Entertainment Spinco will issue shares of its common stock to the Registrant. The Contribution Agreement does not provide for any ongoing obligations for any party following the Distribution.
Transition Services Agreement
On March 31, 2020, subsidiaries of the Registrant and MSG Entertainment Spinco entered into a Transition Services Agreement under which, in exchange for the fees specified in such agreement, MSG Entertainment Spinco has agreed to provide certain corporate and other services to the Registrant, including with respect to such areas as information technology, accounts payable, payroll, tax, certain legal functions, human resources, insurance and risk management, government affairs, investor relations, corporate communications, benefit plan administration and reporting, and internal audit functions as well as certain marketing functions. The Registrant has similarly agreed to provide certain transition services to MSG Entertainment Spinco. MSG Entertainment Spinco and the Registrant, as parties receiving services under the agreement, have agreed to indemnify the party providing services for losses incurred by such party that arise out of or are otherwise in connection with the provision by such party of services under the agreement, except to the extent that such losses result from the providing party’s gross negligence, willful
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misconduct or breach of its obligations under the agreement. Similarly, each party providing services under the agreement has agreed to indemnify the party receiving services for losses incurred by such party that arise out of or are otherwise in connection with the indemnifying party’s provision of services under the agreement if such losses result from the providing party’s gross negligence, willful misconduct or breach of its obligations under the agreement.
Tax Disaffiliation Agreement
On March 31, 2020, the Registrant and MSG Entertainment Spinco entered into a Tax Disaffiliation Agreement that governs the parties’ respective rights, responsibilities and obligations with respect to taxes and tax benefits, the filing of tax returns, the control of audits and other tax matters. References in this summary description of the Tax Disaffiliation Agreement to the terms “tax” or “taxes” means taxes as well as any interest, penalties, additions to tax or additional amounts in respect of such taxes.
MSG Entertainment Spinco and its eligible subsidiaries currently join with the Registrant in the filing of certain consolidated, combined, and unitary returns for state, local, and other applicable tax purposes. However, for periods (or portions thereof) beginning after the Distribution, MSG Entertainment Spinco generally will not join with the Registrant in the filing of any federal, state, local or other applicable consolidated, combined or unitary tax returns.
Under the Tax Disaffiliation Agreement, with certain exceptions, the Registrant will generally be responsible for all U.S. federal, state, local and other applicable income taxes for any taxable period or portion of such period ending on or before the Distribution date. MSG Entertainment Spinco will generally be responsible for all taxes that are attributable to it or one of its subsidiaries after the Distribution date.
For any tax year, MSG Entertainment Spinco will generally be responsible for filing all separate company tax returns that relate to MSG Entertainment Spinco or one of its subsidiaries and that do not also include the Registrant or any of its subsidiaries. The Registrant will generally be responsible for filing all separate company tax returns that relate to the Registrant or its subsidiaries (other than tax returns that will be filed by MSG Entertainment Spinco), and for filing consolidated, combined or unitary returns that include (i) one or more of the Registrant and its subsidiaries and (ii) one or more of MSG Entertainment Spinco and its subsidiaries. Where possible, MSG Entertainment Spinco has waived the right to carry back any losses, credits, or similar items to periods ending prior to or on the Distribution date; however, if MSG Entertainment Spinco cannot waive the right, MSG Entertainment Spinco would be entitled to receive the resulting refund or credit, net of any taxes incurred by the Registrant with respect to the refund or credit.
Generally, MSG Entertainment Spinco will have the authority to conduct all tax proceedings, including tax audits, relating to taxes or any adjustment to taxes for which MSG Entertainment Spinco is responsible for filing a return under the Tax Disaffiliation Agreement, and the Registrant will have the authority to conduct all tax proceedings, including tax audits, relating to taxes or any adjustment to taxes for which the Registrant is responsible for filing a return under the Tax Disaffiliation Agreement. However, if one party acknowledges a liability to indemnify the other party for a tax to which such proceeding relates, and provides evidence to the other party of its ability to make such payment, the first-mentioned party will have the authority to conduct such proceeding. The Tax Disaffiliation Agreement further provides for cooperation between the Registrant and MSG Entertainment Spinco with respect to tax matters, the exchange of information and the retention of records that may affect the tax liabilities of the parties to the agreement.
The Tax Disaffiliation Agreement requires that none of the Registrant, MSG Entertainment Spinco or any of their respective subsidiaries will take, or fail to take, any action where such action, or failure to act, would be inconsistent with or preclude the Distribution from qualifying as a tax-free transaction to the Registrant and to its stockholders under Section 355 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or would otherwise cause holders of the Registrant’s stock receiving MSG Entertainment Spinco stock in the Distribution to be taxed as a result of the Distribution and certain transactions undertaken in connection with the Distribution. Additionally, for the two-year period following the Distribution, the Registrant and MSG Entertainment Spinco may not engage in certain activities that may jeopardize the tax-free treatment of the Distribution to the Registrant and its stockholders, unless, in the case of MSG Entertainment Spinco, MSG Entertainment Spinco receives the Registrant’s consent or
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otherwise obtains a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service or a legal opinion, in either case reasonably satisfactory to the Registrant, that the activity will not alter the tax-free status of the Distribution to the Registrant and its stockholders.
Finally, MSG Entertainment Spinco is required to indemnify the Registrant and its subsidiaries, directors and officers for any taxes, resulting from action or failure to act, if such action or failure to act precludes the Distribution from qualifying as a tax-free transaction (including taxes imposed as a result of a violation of the restrictions set forth above).
Employee Matters Agreement
The Registrant and MSG Entertainment Spinco have entered into an employee matters agreement (the “Employee Matters Agreement”) that will allocate assets, liabilities and responsibilities with respect to certain employee compensation and benefit plans and programs and certain other related matters upon completion of the Distribution. In general, the Registrant’s employees currently participate in various of MSG Entertainment Spinco’s retirement, health and welfare, and other employee benefit plans. After the Distribution, it is anticipated that the Registrant’s employees will generally participate in similar plans and arrangements established and maintained by the Registrant; however, the Registrant may continue to be a participating company in certain of MSG Entertainment Spinco’s employee benefit plans during a transition period. Effective as of the Distribution date, MSG Entertainment Spinco and the Registrant generally will each hold responsibility for its respective employees and compensation plans.
Arena License Agreements
Prior to the Distribution, subsidiaries of the Registrant will enter into arena license agreements (the “Arena License Agreements”) with a subsidiary of MSG Entertainment Spinco that will require the New York Knicks (the “Knicks”) of the NBA and the New York Rangers (the “Rangers”) of the NHL to play their home games at The Garden. Under the Arena License Agreements, which will each have a term of 35 years, the Knicks and the Rangers will pay an annual license fee in connection with their respective use of The Garden. For each, the license fee for the initial contract year ending June 30, 2020 will be prorated based on the number of games scheduled to be played at The Garden between the Distribution date and the end of that contract year. The license fee for the first full contract year ending June 30, 2021 will be approximately $22.5 million for the Knicks and approximately $16.7 million for the Rangers, and then for each subsequent year, the license fees will be 103% of the license fees for the immediately preceding contract year. If, due to a force majeure event, capacity at The Garden is limited to 1,000 or fewer attendees, the teams may schedule and play home games at The Garden with amounts payable under the Arena License Agreements reduced by up to 80%. The teams are not required to pay the license fee during a period in which The Garden is unavailable for home games due to a force majeure event, but if The Garden becomes available following a force majeure event (including the government mandated suspension of events at The Garden as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak), future rent payments due under the Arena License Agreements will be payable by the Knicks and the Rangers even if the NBA or NHL seasons do not resume simultaneously or at all. See the information under the header “Update on COVID-19 Impacts” set forth under Item 7.01 for additional information regarding the impacts of COVID-19.
The Arena License Agreements set forth the terms of the teams’ use of The Garden, including arrangements for the provision of amenities, game day and other services. While MSG Entertainment Spinco will provide game day services for the Knicks and Rangers, most of the associated costs will be borne by the teams. Pursuant to the Arena License Agreements, MSG Entertainment Spinco will be responsible for the maintenance, equipment and other functions needed to operate, repair and maintain The Garden. MSG Entertainment Spinco will also operate and manage the sale of food and beverage services during all Knicks and Rangers events, for which MSG Entertainment Spinco will share an agreed portion of net profits with the applicable team. MSG Entertainment Spinco will also have the right and obligation to operate and manage team merchandise sales at The Garden, and MSG Entertainment Spinco will retain a portion of revenues from team merchandise sold in the arena.
MSG Entertainment Spinco will have the exclusive right to license and manage suites and club memberships at The Garden, including for use during Knicks and Rangers games, subject to certain exceptions, and will share a portion of the revenues from such licenses and club memberships with the Knicks and the Rangers.
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The Arena License Agreements will grant MSG Entertainment Spinco the right to sell, and the Knicks and the Rangers the right to keep, a percentage of revenue from certain arena shared sponsorship assets, such as fixed signage or entitlements at The Garden. The teams will have the exclusive right to sell and keep the revenue from certain team sponsorship assets, such as courtside or rinkside advertising and other team or event-specific sponsorship assets.
The Knicks and Rangers will have the exclusive right to sell tickets and retain all revenues from ticket sales and resales. The Arena License Agreements set forth MSG Entertainment Spinco’s responsibilities with respect to box office services and the teams’ respective responsibilities to comply with MSG Entertainment Spinco’s ticket agent agreements.
The Arena License Agreements will provide that the teams will be responsible for 100% of any real property or similar taxes applicable to The Garden. If the tax exemption is repealed or the teams are otherwise subject to property tax through no fault of the teams, the revenue opportunity that MSG Entertainment Spinco may generate from team events will be reduced on a percentage basis as set forth in the Arena License Agreements.
The Arena License Agreements will provide for MSG Entertainment Spinco to prepare an annual budget, in consultation with the teams, subject to certain team consent rights. The NBA will be required to consent to amendments of the Knicks’ Arena License Agreement.
NBA and NHL Transaction Agreements
Prior to the Distribution, the Registrant and its subsidiaries that own an interest in the Knicks, MSG Entertainment Spinco and its subsidiaries that own an interest in The Garden and certain members of the Dolan family will enter into a Transaction Agreement with the NBA (the “NBA Transaction Agreement”) pursuant to which the NBA will agree to approve the Distribution and certain matters related to the Distribution. The Registrant, MSG Entertainment Spinco and Dolan parties will make certain representations to the NBA regarding the Distribution and agree to comply with NBA rules and certain financial and business covenants in connection with the Knicks and The Garden. Pursuant to the NBA Transaction Agreement, the Registrant will agree not to incur any new indebtedness (as defined in the NBA’s debt policies) without the NBA’s consent. All Registrant, MSG Entertainment Spinco and Dolan parties will agree to release the NBA entities from any claims against them and indemnify the NBA entities against any claims arising out of the Distribution or breaches of the NBA Transaction Agreement.
Prior to the Distribution, the Registrant and its subsidiaries that own an interest in the Rangers and MSG Entertainment Spinco and its subsidiaries that own an interest in The Garden will enter into a Transaction Agreement with the NHL (the “NHL Transaction Agreement”) pursuant to which the NHL will agree to approve the Distribution. The Registrant and MSG Entertainment Spinco parties will make certain representations to the NHL regarding the Distribution and agree to comply with NHL rules and certain financial and business covenants in connection with the Rangers and The Garden. All Registrant and MSG Entertainment Spinco parties will agree to release the NHL entities from any claims against them and indemnify the NHL entities against any claims arising out of the Distribution or breaches of the NHL Transaction Agreement. Certain members of the Dolan family will enter into a separate letter agreement with the NHL pursuant to which they will agree to comply with NHL rules and make certain representations and provide releases and indemnities to the NHL generally consistent with those of the Registrant and MSG Entertainment Spinco parties in the NHL Transaction Agreement.
Item 5.02 | Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. |
In connection with the Distribution, there will be changes to the executive officers and directors of the Registrant. The Registrant entered into employment agreements with certain of the executive officers, the material terms of which are described below.
Changes in Executive Officers
Effective on the Distribution date, the following executive officers of the Registrant will, in connection with their becoming executive officers of MSG Entertainment Spinco, cease to serve as executive officers of the Registrant: Joseph F. Yospe (Senior Vice President, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer) and Philip D’Ambrosio (Senior Vice President, Treasurer).
Also effective on the Distribution date, James L. Dolan, age 64, will continue to serve as the Executive Chairman of the Registrant and the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MSG Entertainment Spinco and Andrew Lustgarten, age 42, will serve as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant and the President of MSG Entertainment Spinco. Currently, Mr. Lustgarten serves as the President of the Registrant (since December 2017) and the President of MSG Entertainment Spinco (since November 2019). Previously, Mr. Lustgarten served as Executive Vice President, Corporate Development and Strategy, since 2014. In his role as Executive Vice President, Corporate Development and Strategy, Mr. Lustgarten was responsible for developing both internal and external opportunities that advance the Registrant’s key growth initiatives, maintaining key industry and strategic alliances, and overseeing the Registrant’s involvement in new strategic transactions. Prior to his employment with the Registrant, Mr. Lustgarten worked at the NBA, as Senior Vice President, Global Strategy and Senior Vice President, Business and Strategic Development, from 2012 to 2014, and as Special Assistant to the Commissioner from 2007 to 2012. Prior to joining the NBA in 2007, Mr. Lustgarten held various positions, including Vice President, Finance at Cablevision Systems Corporation, and as a financial analyst in the Media and Entertainment Investment Banking Group of Bear Stearns & Co. Mr. Lustgarten serves as a director of Boston Calling Events, LLC since 2016, Tao Group Holdings LLC since 2017 and both the Garden of Dreams Foundation and Counter Logic Gaming since 2018, as well as the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research since 2001, the nation’s largest private supporter of pancreatic cancer research. Mr. Lustgarten previously served as a director of Tribeca Enterprises LLC from 2017 to August 2019.
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In addition, effective on the Distribution date, Alexander Shvartsman, age 47, will serve as the Senior Vice President, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer of the Registrant. Mr. Shvartsman currently serves as Senior Vice President and Assistant Controller of the Registrant since 2016. Previously, Mr. Shvartsman served in various roles at the Registrant, including as Vice President, External Reporting and Consolidations from 2015 to 2016; Vice President, Technical Accounting and Accounting Policy from March 2015 to October 2015; Director, Technical Accounting and Accounting Policy from 2013 to 2015; and Director, External Reporting from 2010 to 2013. Prior to his roles at the Registrant, Mr. Shvartsman served in various capacities at CIT Group Inc., American Standard Inc. and KPMG LLP.
Lawrence J. Burian will continue to serve as Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the Registrant following the Distribution, and Victoria M. Mink will continue to serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and, effective as of the Distribution date, Treasurer, of the Registrant following the Distribution.
Changes in Directors
On March 31, 2020, the following directors of the Registrant tendered their resignations as directors of the Registrant effective as of the Distribution date and will become directors of MSG Entertainment Spinco in connection with the Distribution: Matthew C. Blank, Joseph J. Lhota and Frederic V. Salerno. The following individuals have been appointed, effective as of the Distribution date, to the Board of Directors of the Registrant as directors elected by holders of Registrant Class A Common Stock to fill the vacancies created by the resignations of the directors elected by holders of Registrant Class A Common Stock:
Joseph M. Cohen, age 73. Mr. Cohen serves as President of Sports of The Switch, a broadcast transmission facilities provider, since 2013. Previously, Mr. Cohen was the CEO, Chairman and principal owner of HTM Communications, LLC, a broadcast transmission facilities provider in the sports space, from 2003 to 2013. In addition, he served as an advisor to Platinum Equities, a private equity firm, from October 2018 to May 2019. He also served in various senior-executive roles with MSG Networks Inc. (“MSG Networks”), including as President from 1977 to 1985 and Executive Vice President of MSG Media from 1995 to 2002. He was Chairman of the Los Angeles Kings of the NHL from 1993 to 1995, during which time he also served on the board of governors of the NHL. He was President of Spectator West and Chief Executive Officer of Spectator Firms from 1991 to 1993. He served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Hughes Television Network from 1985 to 1989. He was a co-founder and a director of USA Network from 1977 to 1983.
Ivan Seidenberg, age 73. Mr. Seidenberg serves as an Advisory Partner of Perella Weinberg Partners since 2012. Previously, Mr. Seidenberg served as Chief Executive Officer of Verizon Communications, Inc. (“Verizon”), a telecommunications provider, from 2002 to 2011. He also served as Chairman of the board of Verizon from 2004 to 2011. He previously served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Bell Atlantic Corporation and NYNEX Corporation, Verizon’s predecessor companies, from 1995 to 2002. Mr. Seidenberg serves as a director of BlackRock Inc. since 2011 and previously served as a director of Boston Properties Inc. from 2014 to 2016.
Anthony J. Vinciquerra, age 65. Mr. Vinciquerra serves as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc., a film entertainment company, since June 2017. Mr. Vinciquerra previously served as a Senior Advisor to Texas Pacific Group (TPG), a private equity company, in the Technology, Media and Telecom sectors from 2011 to 2017, Chairman of Fox Networks Group, a television entertainment company, from 2008 to 2011, and President and Chief Executive Officer of Fox Networks Group from 2002 to 2011. Mr. Vinciquerra serves as a director of Qualcomm Incorporated since 2015 and previously served as a director of Pandora Media, Inc. from 2016 to 2017, Univision Communications, Inc. from 2011 to 2017, Motorola Mobility Holdings, Inc. from 2011 to 2012 and DirecTV from 2013 to 2015.
Effective immediately following the Distribution, Messrs. Vinciquerra and Seidenberg will serve as members of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Registrant and Messrs. Cohen and Seidenberg will serve as members of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Registrant. Mr. Cohen will also serve as Chair of the Compensation Committee. Mr. Vincent Tese, a current director elected by holders of the Registrant’s Class B common stock, will continue to serve as a member of the Compensation Committee and the Chair of the Audit Committee of the Registrant.
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Effective as of the Distribution date, the Board of Directors of the Registrant has increased the size of the Board of Directors from 16 to 17 directors and designated the newly created vacancy as a directorship held by holders of Registrant Class B Common Stock. The following individual has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Registrant to fill such vacancy:
Steve Mills, age 60. Mr. Mills served as President from 2017 to 2020 and Executive Vice President and General Manager from 2013 to 2017 of the New York Knicks, which is owned by the Registrant. Prior to joining the New York Knicks, he served as a Partner at Athletes & Entertainers Wealth Management Group, LLC from 2009 to 2013, the Chief Operating Officer and Sports Business President of the Registrant from 2003 to 2009, and in various roles at the NBA from 1984 to 2000. Mr. Mills serves on the board of advisors for the Hospital for Special Surgery since 2011, as a director of Harlem Junior Tennis since 2017, as a Trustee of Ariel Investments since 2015 and as a director of the Princeton University Varsity Club since 2010. He previously served as a trustee of USA Basketball from 1992 to 2000 and the Basketball Hall of Fame from 1992 to 2000.
Employment Agreements
Employment Agreement with James L. Dolan
On March 31, 2020, the Registrant entered into an employment agreement with James L. Dolan, which replaces his existing agreement and provides for Mr. Dolan’s employment as the Executive Chairman of the Registrant effective as of the Distribution. The employment agreement recognizes that Mr. Dolan will be employed by MSG Entertainment Spinco and MSG Networks during his employment with the Registrant.
The employment agreement provides for an annual base salary of not less than $400,000. Mr. Dolan is eligible to participate in the Registrant’s annual bonus program with an annual target bonus opportunity equal to not less than 200% of his base salary. Commencing with the fiscal year starting July 1, 2020, he is also eligible, subject to his continued employment by the Registrant, to participate in such long-term incentive programs that are made available in the future to similarly situated executives of the Registrant. It is expected that Mr. Dolan will receive one or more annual long-term awards with an aggregate target value of not less than $3,600,000.
For the period in which Mr. Dolan is employed by MSG Entertainment Spinco, Mr. Dolan will not be eligible to participate in the Registrant’s benefits program, except that Mr. Dolan will continue to be eligible to participate in the Registrant’s Excess Savings Plan (and Mr. Dolan’s full base salary will be used to determine his benefits under the Excess Savings Plan). If Mr. Dolan’s employment with MSG Entertainment Spinco terminates while Mr. Dolan remains employed by the Registrant, then he will be eligible to participate in the Registrant’s standard benefits program, subject to meeting the relevant eligibility requirements, payment of required premiums, and the terms of the plans.
If, on or prior to the first anniversary of the Distribution date, Mr. Dolan’s employment is either terminated by the Registrant for any reason other than “cause” (as defined in the agreement), or is terminated by Mr. Dolan for “good reason” (as defined in the agreement) and cause does not then exist (a “Qualifying Termination”), then, subject to Mr. Dolan’s execution of a separation agreement, the Registrant will provide him with the following benefits and rights: (a) a severance payment in an amount determined at the discretion of the Registrant, but in no event less than two times the sum of Mr. Dolan’s annual base salary and annual target bonus, (b) any unpaid annual bonus for the fiscal year prior to the fiscal year in which such termination occurred and a prorated annual bonus for the fiscal year in which such termination occurred, (c) each of Mr. Dolan’s outstanding unvested long-term cash awards will immediately vest in full and will be payable to Mr. Dolan to the same extent that other similarly situated active executives receive payment, (d) all of the time-based restrictions on each of Mr. Dolan’s outstanding unvested shares of restricted stock or restricted stock units (including restricted stock units subject to performance criteria) will immediately be eliminated and such restricted stock and restricted stock units will be payable or deliverable to Mr. Dolan subject to satisfaction of any applicable performance criteria, and (e) each of Mr. Dolan’s outstanding unvested stock options and stock appreciation awards will immediately vest.
If Mr. Dolan’s employment is terminated due to his death or disability before the first anniversary of the Distribution date, and at such time cause does not exist, then, subject to execution of a separation agreement (other than in the case of death), he or his estate or beneficiary will be provided with the benefits and rights set forth in
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clauses (b), (d) and (e) above and any long-term cash awards shall immediately vest in full, whether or not subject to performance criteria and will be payable on the 90th day after the termination of his employment; provided, that if any such long-term cash award is subject to any performance criteria, then (i) if the measurement period for such performance criteria has not yet been fully completed, then the payment amount will be at the target amount for such award, and (ii) if the measurement period for such performance criteria has already been fully completed, then the payment amount of such award will be at the same time and to the same extent that other similarly situated executives receive payment as determined by the Compensation Committee (subject to the satisfaction of the applicable performance criteria). If Mr. Dolan’s employment is terminated after the first anniversary of the Distribution date due to a Qualifying Termination, death or disability, then, subject to execution of a separation agreement (other than in the case of death), he or his estate or beneficiary will be provided with the benefits and rights set forth in clauses (c), (d) and (e) above.
The employment agreement contains certain covenants by Mr. Dolan, including a noncompetition agreement that restricts Mr. Dolan’s ability to engage in competitive activities until the first anniversary of a termination of his employment with the Registrant.
The description above is qualified in its entirety by reference to Mr. Dolan’s Employment Agreement, which is attached as Exhibit 10.9 hereto and incorporated into this Item 5.02 by reference.
Employment Agreement with Andrew Lustgarten
On March 31, 2020, the Registrant entered into an employment agreement with Andrew Lustgarten, which replaces his existing agreement and provides for Mr. Lustgarten’s employment as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant effective as of the Distribution. The employment agreement recognizes that Mr. Lustgarten will be employed by MSG Entertainment Spinco during his employment with the Registrant.
The employment agreement provides for an annual base salary of not less than $900,000 (subject to annual review and increase in the discretion of our Compensation Committee) and an annual target bonus equal to not less than 200% of Mr. Lustgarten’s annual base salary, which target bonus opportunity will be effective for the current fiscal year. Mr. Lustgarten will be eligible, subject to his continued employment by the Registrant, to participate in future long-term incentive programs that are made available to similarly situated executives of the Registrant. It is expected that Mr. Lustgarten will receive one or more annual long-term awards with an aggregate target value of not less than $3,300,000. With respect to the Registrant’s current fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, Mr. Lustgarten will be recommended for a mid-year equity grant with a target value equal to a prorated portion of the Registrant’s allocable share of the aggregate increase to Mr. Lustgarten’s annual target value (with proration generally based on the number of full and partial months from and after the Distribution). Under the employment agreement, Mr. Lustgarten continues to be eligible to participate in the Registrant’s standard benefits program, subject to meeting the relevant eligibility requirements, payment of required premiums, and the terms of the plans.
If Mr. Lustgarten’s employment with the Registrant is terminated on or prior to December 31, 2021 (i) by the Registrant other than for “cause” (as defined in the employment agreement), or (ii) by Mr. Lustgarten for “good reason” (as defined in the employment agreement) and cause does not then exist, then, subject to Mr. Lustgarten’s execution of a separation agreement with the Registrant, the Registrant will provide him with the following benefits and rights: (a) a severance payment in an amount determined at the discretion of the Registrant, but in no event less than two times the sum of Mr. Lustgarten’s annual base salary and annual target bonus; (b) any unpaid annual bonus for the fiscal year prior to the fiscal year in which such termination occurred and a prorated annual bonus for the fiscal year in which such termination occurred; (c) each of Mr. Lustgarten’s outstanding long-term cash awards will immediately vest in full and will be payable to Mr. Lustgarten to the same extent that other similarly situated active executives receive payment; (d) all of the time-based restrictions on each of Mr. Lustgarten’s outstanding restricted stock or restricted stock units granted to him under the plans of the Registrant will immediately be eliminated and will be payable or deliverable to Mr. Lustgarten subject to satisfaction of any applicable performance criteria; and (e) each of Mr. Lustgarten’s outstanding stock options and stock appreciation awards under the plans of the Registrant will immediately vest.
8
If Mr. Lustgarten’s employment is terminated due to his death or disability prior to December 31, 2021, and at such time cause does not exist, then, subject to execution of a separation agreement (other than in the case of death), he or his estate or beneficiary will be provided with the benefits and rights set forth in clauses (b), (d) and (e) of the preceding paragraph and each of his outstanding long-term cash awards will immediately vest in full, whether or not subject to performance criteria and will be payable on the 90th day after the termination of his employment; provided, that if any such long-term cash award is subject to any performance criteria, then (i) if the measurement period for such performance criteria has not yet been fully completed, then the payment amount will be at the target amount for such award, and (ii) if the measurement period for such performance criteria has already been fully completed, then the payment amount of such award will be at the same time and to the same extent that other similarly situated executives receive payment as determined by the Compensation Committee (subject to the satisfaction of the applicable performance criteria). If Mr. Lustgarten’s employment is terminated after December 31, 2021 by the Registrant without cause, by Mr. Lustgarten for good reason or as a result of death or disability, then, subject to execution of a separation agreement, he or his estate or beneficiary will be provided with the benefits and rights set forth in clauses (b), (d) and (e) above.
The employment agreement contains certain covenants by Mr. Lustgarten including a non-competition covenant that restricts Mr. Lustgarten’s ability to engage in competitive activities until the first anniversary of a termination of his employment with the Registrant on or prior to December 31, 2021; provided that the noncompetition covenant will not apply following a termination of Mr. Lustgarten’s employment either by the Registrant other than for cause or by Mr. Lustgarten for good reason (if cause does not then exist) if Mr. Lustgarten waives his entitlement to the severance benefits described above.
The description above is qualified in its entirety by reference to Mr. Lustgarten’s Employment Agreement, which is attached as Exhibits 10.10 hereto and incorporated into this Item 5.02 by reference.
Item 7.01 | Regulation FD Disclosure. |
Update on COVID-19 Impacts
The Registrant’s operations and operating results have been, and continue to be, materially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and government actions taken in response. As of the date of this Current Report on Form 8-K, virtually all of the Registrant’s business operations are shut down and it is not clear when those operations will resume. As of March 31, 2020, as a result of government mandated assembly limitations and closures, all of the Registrant’s scheduled events at The Garden, Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the Beacon Theatre, The Chicago Theatre and the Forum are postponed or cancelled through April, and continue to be impacted throughout the month of May. In addition, the NBA and the NHL have suspended their seasons. It is unclear whether and to what extent those events and games will be rescheduled. Additionally, public officials have imposed mandates limiting restaurants and bars to only take-out and delivery service and requiring that nightlife venues close in the cities in which Tao Group Hospitality operates. As a result, all Tao Group Hospitality venues in the United States and a majority of Tao Group Hospitality venues outside of the United States are currently closed, which has resulted in the business being materially impacted. It is unclear how long these restrictions will be in effect.
We are unable to predict when the Registrant will be permitted or able to resume normal business operations and what the longer-term effects, if any, of these events will be.
The Registrant is currently building a state-of-the-art venue in Las Vegas, called MSG Sphere. This is a complex construction project with cutting-edge technology that relies on subcontractors obtaining components from a variety of sources around the world. The widespread global effects of COVID-19 have resulted in significant impediments to construction that are beyond our control, including disruptions to our supply chain. As a result, the Registrant will implement a temporary suspension of construction, with all work ceasing over approximately the next two weeks, and expects to incur some additional expense related to this stopping and starting of construction. At this time, we are unable to determine the full impact of coronavirus-related disruptions, however they may impact our cost estimates. The Registrant remains committed to building a state-of-the-art venue in Las Vegas and looks forward to quickly and efficiently resuming construction as soon as practicable. As a result of this delay, the Registrant does not expect to achieve its goal of opening the venue in calendar year 2021.
9
Distribution Press Release
On March 31, 2020, the Registrant issued a press release in connection with approving the Distribution, a copy of which is included as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
The information furnished pursuant to this Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities under that Section and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act.
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Statements and other information included in this Current Report on Form 8-K that are not historical facts, including statements about the Registrant’s plans, strategies, beliefs and expectations, as well as certain estimates and assumptions used by the Registrant’s management, may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and, except for the Registrant’s ongoing obligations under the U.S. federal securities laws, the Registrant undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement.
Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on estimates and assumptions that are subject to change or revision, including the expected timing of the closing of the proposed transaction, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected or implied by the forward-looking statements or the estimates or assumptions used. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the failure to obtain governmental and regulatory approvals required for the closing of the proposed transaction; the failure to satisfy the conditions to the closing of the proposed transaction; unexpected costs, liabilities or delays in connection with or with respect to the proposed transaction, including but not limited to changes due to general economic, political and business conditions, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic; potential legal proceedings relating to the proposed transaction and the outcome of any such legal proceeding; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the MIPA; and other risks to the consummation of the proposed transaction, including the risk that the proposed transaction will not be consummated within the expected time period or at all. Additional factors that may affect the Registrant’s future results are identified in the Registrant’s most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other filings with the SEC, which are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Factors other than those listed above also could cause the Registrant’s results to differ materially from expected results.
Item 8.01 | Other Events. |
The information set forth in the Introductory Note is incorporated into this Item 8.01 by reference.
Certain Relationships and Potential Conflicts of Interest
As noted under Item 5.02 above, following the Distribution, there will be an overlap between certain officers of the Registrant, MSG Entertainment Spinco and MSG Networks. James L. Dolan will serve as the Executive Chairman of both the Registrant and MSG Networks and as the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MSG Entertainment Spinco. Andrew Lustgarten will serve as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant and as the President of MSG Entertainment Spinco. As a result, following the Distribution, not all of the Registrant’s executive officers will be devoting their full time and attention to the Registrant’s affairs. In addition, Gregg G. Seibert will serve as a Vice Chairman of the Registrant, MSG Entertainment Spinco, MSG Networks and AMC Networks Inc. (“AMC Networks”). Further, immediately following the Distribution, 10 members of the Registrant’s Board of Directors will also be directors of MSG Entertainment Spinco, six will serve as directors of MSG Networks and seven will serve as directors of AMC Networks.
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The overlapping directors and officers may have actual or apparent conflicts of interest with respect to matters involving or affecting each company. For example, there will be the potential for a conflict of interest when the Registrant or MSG Entertainment Spinco, MSG Networks, and/or AMC Networks and their respective subsidiaries and successors (each of the foregoing an “Other Entity”) look at certain acquisitions and other corporate opportunities that may be suitable for more than one of the companies. Also, conflicts may arise if there are issues or disputes under the commercial arrangements that will exist between an Other Entity on the one hand and the Registrant on the other hand. In addition, after the Distribution, certain of the Registrant’s directors and officers will continue to own stock and/or stock options or other equity awards of an Other Entity. These ownership interests could create actual, apparent or potential conflicts of interest when these individuals are faced with decisions that could have different implications for the Registrant and an Other Entity.
The Registrant’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation acknowledges that directors and officers of the Registrant may also be serving as directors, officers, employees or agents of MSG Networks or AMC Networks (the “Overlap Persons”), and that the Registrant may engage in material business transactions with such entities and provides that no Overlap Person will be liable to the Registrant or its stockholders for breach of any fiduciary duty that would otherwise occur by reason of the fact that any such individual directs a corporate opportunity (other than certain limited types of restricted corporate opportunities set forth in the Registrant’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation, provided that the Registrant is directly engaged in such business at the relevant time) to MSG Networks or AMC Networks instead of the Registrant, or does not refer or communicate information regarding such corporate opportunities to the Registrant. These provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation also expressly validate certain contracts, agreements, arrangements and transactions (and amendments, modifications or terminations thereof) between the Registrant and MSG Networks or AMC Networks and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, provide that the actions of the Overlap Persons in connection therewith are not breaches of fiduciary duties owed to the Registrant, any of its subsidiaries or their respective stockholders.
In connection with the Distribution, the Board of Directors of the Registrant has adopted a policy (the “Overlap Policy”) to extend the foregoing provisions to directors and officers of the Registrant who serve as directors, officers, employees or agents of MSG Entertainment Spinco or its subsidiaries. Under the Overlap Policy, the types of restricted corporate opportunities have been revised to reflect the Registrant’s business following the Distribution and will now include an opportunity that relates exclusively to the ownership of a franchise in the NBA, the NHL, the National Football League, Major League Baseball or Major League Soccer located in New York, New Jersey or Connecticut.
Related Party Transaction Approval Policy
In connection with the Distribution, the Registrant will amend its Related Party Transaction Approval Policy to include MSG Entertainment Spinco as an affiliate under that policy. As a result, transactions with MSG Entertainment Spinco will be subject to approval by an independent committee of the Registrant’s Board of Directors if in excess of the dollar threshold set forth in Item 404 of Regulation S-K (currently $120,000).
Treatment of Outstanding Options, Restricted Stock Units and Other Awards
The Registrant has previously issued options to purchase Registrant Class A Common Stock. In connection with the Distribution, each Registrant option will become two options: one will be an option to acquire Registrant Class A Common Stock and one an option to acquire Spinco Class A Common Stock. The existing exercise price will be allocated between the existing Registrant options and the new MSG Entertainment Spinco options based upon the volume weighted average price of each of the Registrant Class A Common Stock and Spinco Class A Common Stock over the ten trading days immediately following the Distribution as reported by Bloomberg, and the underlying share amount will take into account the one-to-one distribution ratio (i.e., one share of Spinco Class A Common Stock will be issued for every one share of Registrant Class A Common Stock). The Registrant options and new MSG Entertainment Spinco options will not be exercisable during a period beginning on a date prior to the Distribution determined by the Registrant in its sole discretion, and continuing until the exercise prices of the Registrant options and new MSG Entertainment Spinco options are determined after the Distribution, or such longer period as the Registrant or MSG Entertainment Spinco determine is necessary with respect to the Registrant’s and MSG Entertainment Spinco’s respective awards. Other than the split of the Registrant options and the allocation of the existing exercise price, upon issuance of new MSG Entertainment Spinco options there will be no additional
11
adjustment to the existing Registrant options in connection with the Distribution and the terms of each employee’s applicable Registrant award agreement will continue to govern the Registrant options. The options that MSG Entertainment Spinco issues in respect of outstanding Registrant stock options will be affected by a change in control or going private transaction of the Registrant or MSG Entertainment Spinco, as set forth in the terms of the award agreement.
The Registrant has previously issued restricted stock units and performance stock units to its employees, which represent unfunded, unsecured rights to receive shares of Registrant Class A Common Stock (or cash or other property) at a future date upon the satisfaction of the conditions specified by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Registrant in the award agreement. In connection with the Distribution, each holder of an employee restricted stock unit will receive one MSG Entertainment Spinco restricted stock unit in respect of every one Registrant restricted stock unit owned on the record date and continue to be entitled to a share of Registrant Class A Common Stock (or cash or other property) for each Registrant restricted stock unit in accordance with the MSG award agreement. Additionally, each holder of an employee performance stock unit will receive one MSG Entertainment Spinco performance stock unit (at target performance) in respect of every one Registrant performance stock unit (at target performance) owned on the record date and continue to be entitled to a share of Registrant Class A Common Stock (or cash or other property) for each Registrant performance stock unit in accordance with the Registrant award agreement. The performance conditions applicable to Registrant performance stock units and MSG Entertainment Spinco performance stock units that have a performance period ending in 2020 will be equitably adjusted to reflect the Distribution in order to measure the achievement of the consolidated performance of the Registrant and MSG Entertainment Spinco over the performance period. The performance conditions applicable to Registrant performance stock units and MSG Entertainment Spinco performance stock units that have a performance period ending after 2020 will be equitably adjusted so that the performance conditions relate solely to whichever company employs the holder of the award as of the Distribution (or, for individuals employed by both companies, so that the performance conditions relate to both companies).
Except as described above, there will be no adjustment to the existing Registrant restricted stock units or Registrant performance stock units in connection with the Distribution and the terms of each employee’s applicable award agreement will continue to govern the Registrant award. The restricted stock units and performance stock units that MSG Entertainment Spinco issue in respect of outstanding Registrant awards will be affected by a change in control or going private transaction of the Registrant or MSG Entertainment Spinco, as set forth in the terms of the award agreement.
The Registrant has issued restricted stock units to its non-employee directors which represent unfunded, unsecured rights to receive shares of Registrant Class A Common Stock (or cash or other property) at a future date. Such restricted stock units were fully vested on the date of grant. In connection with the Distribution, each holder of a director restricted stock unit will receive one share of Spinco Class A Common Stock in respect of every one Registrant restricted stock unit owned on the record date and continue to be entitled to a share of Registrant Class A Common Stock (or cash or other property) in accordance with the award agreement.
With respect to outstanding equity awards, the Registrant and MSG Entertainment Spinco will not be regarded as competitive entities of each other for purposes of any non-compete provisions contained in the applicable award agreements. With respect to all outstanding Registrant awards (and MSG Entertainment Spinco awards issued in connection with such awards) holders of such awards will continue to vest so long as they remain employed by the Registrant, MSG Entertainment Spinco or affiliates of either entity, provided that an employee who moves between the Registrant or one of its subsidiaries, on the one hand, and MSG Entertainment Spinco or one of its subsidiaries, on the other hand, at a time when the two entities are no longer affiliates will not continue to vest in such awards and such change will constitute a termination of employment for purposes of the award agreement.
Tax Recognition on Certain Deferred Revenue in Connection with the Distribution
In connection with the reorganization transactions related to the Distribution, the tax recognition on deferred revenues from certain amounts that the Registrant collects in advance for ticket sales, sponsorships and suite rentals, all of which are Contributed Assets, will be accelerated to the date of the Distribution, rather than being recognized through the year ending June 30, 2021. However, the Registrant currently expects that any income from the acceleration of such deferred revenue would be completely offset by the Registrant’s net operating losses.
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Update on Liquidity and Capital Resources
Existing Revolving Credit Facilities
Subsidiaries of the Registrant are parties to three revolving credit facilities:
• | New York Knicks, LLC is party to a senior secured revolving credit facility of up to $200,000 (the “Knicks Revolving Credit Facility”); |
• | New York Knicks, LLC is party to an unsecured revolving credit facility for a maximum credit amount of $15,000 (the “Knicks Unsecured Credit Facility”); and |
• | New York Rangers, LLC is a party to a senior secured revolving credit facility of up to $150,000 (the “Rangers Revolving Credit Facility”). |
See the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2019 for a further description of these revolving credit facilities.
During March 2020, New York Knicks, LLC borrowed all $200 million available under the Knicks Revolving Credit Facility and New York Rangers, LLC borrowed all $150 million available under the Rangers Revolving Credit Facility. It is expected that $300 million of the amounts borrowed will be contributed to MSG Entertainment Spinco as part of the approximately $1.2 billion in cash that will be contributed to MSG Entertainment Spinco prior to the Distribution. Following the Distribution, the Registrant’s cash balance will be approximately $100 million, including the remaining $50 million drawn under the facilities during March 2020. It will continue to have $15 million of borrowing capacity under the New York Knicks, LLC Unsecured Credit Facility.
Delayed Draw Term Loan Credit Agreements
As described above under Item 7.01, our operations and operating results have been, and continue to be, materially impacted by COVID-19 and government actions taken in response. As an additional source of liquidity for the Registrant in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, prior to or concurrently with the consummation of the Distribution, and subject to approval from the NBA (which is expected to be received prior to the Distribution), a subsidiary of MSG Entertainment Spinco is expected to enter into two delayed draw term loan facilities with the Registrant. Two of the Registrant’s subsidiaries, MSG NYK Holdings, LLC and MSG NYR Holdings, LLC will be able to draw up to $110,000 and $90,000, respectively (the “Delayed Draw Term Loans”), for general corporate purposes for a period of 18 months following the effective date of the facilities. Each Delayed Draw Term Loan will bear interest at a rate equal to LIBOR plus 2.00%, or at the option of the Registrant, a base rate plus 1.00%. The Registrant’s ability to draw down on the Delayed Draw Term Loans will be subject to certain conditions, including (i) that it has less than $50,000 of liquidity on the date a borrowing is requested, and (ii) the Registrant must have used commercially reasonable efforts to obtain additional liquidity from other financing sources. If the Registrant draws down on one or both Delayed Draw Term Loans, the outstanding principal balance of each term loan will be due, together with any unpaid interest thereon, 18 months following the Distribution. The Delayed Draw Term Loans are pre-payable at any time without penalty and will also include certain mandatory prepayments, along with commitment reductions. There are no financial covenants associated with the Delayed Draw Term Loans.
Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(d) Exhibits
2.1 |
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10.1 |
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10.2 |
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10.3 |
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10.4 |
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10.5 |
Form of Arena License Agreement between MSG Arena, LLC and New York Knicks, LLC.* |
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10.6 |
Form of Arena License Agreement between MSG Arena, LLC and New York Rangers, LLC.* |
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10.7 |
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10.8 |
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10.9 |
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10.10 |
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99.1 |
Press Release, dated March 31, 2020, issued by the Registrant. |
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104 |
Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the inline XRBL document). |
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* | Certain confidential information — identified by bracketed asterisks “[*****]” — has been omitted from this exhibit pursuant to Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K because it is both (i) not material and (ii) would be competitively harmful to the Registrant if publicly disclosed. |
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SIGNATURES
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.
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THE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN COMPANY |
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(Registrant) |
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Date: March 31, 2020 |
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By: |
/s/ Victoria M. Mink |
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Name: |
Victoria M. Mink |
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Title: |
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
Exhibit 2.1
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
BY AND BETWEEN
THE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN COMPANY
(TO BE RENAMED MADISON SQUARE GARDEN SPORTS CORP.)
AND
MSG ENTERTAINMENT SPINCO, INC.
(TO BE RENAMED MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.)
Dated as of March 31, 2020
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||||
ARTICLE I | ||||||
DEFINITIONS | ||||||
Section 1.1 |
General | 1 | ||||
Section 1.2 |
Reference; Interpretation | 6 | ||||
ARTICLE II | ||||||
DISTRIBUTION AND | ||||||
CERTAIN COVENANTS | ||||||
Section 2.1 |
Distribution | 7 | ||||
Section 2.2 |
MSG Determination | 7 | ||||
Section 2.3 |
Charter; Bylaws | 7 | ||||
Section 2.4 |
Directors | 8 | ||||
Section 2.5 |
Election of Officers | 8 | ||||
Section 2.6 |
Certain Licenses and Permits | 8 | ||||
Section 2.7 |
State Securities Laws | 8 | ||||
Section 2.8 |
Listing Application; Notice to Stock Exchange | 8 | ||||
Section 2.9 |
Assignment of Agreements | 8 | ||||
Section 2.10 |
Removal of Certain Guarantees; Releases from Liabilities | 9 | ||||
Section 2.11 |
Corporate Names; Trademarks | 10 | ||||
Section 2.12 |
Ancillary Agreements | 10 | ||||
Section 2.13 |
Acknowledgment by Spinco | 10 | ||||
Section 2.14 |
Release | 10 | ||||
Section 2.15 |
Discharge of Liabilities | 10 | ||||
Section 2.16 |
Indebtedness | 12 | ||||
Section 2.17 |
Further Assurances | 12 | ||||
ARTICLE III | ||||||
INDEMNIFICATION | ||||||
Section 3.1 |
Indemnification by MSG | 12 | ||||
Section 3.2 |
Indemnification by Spinco | 13 | ||||
Section 3.3 |
Procedures for Indemnification | 13 | ||||
Section 3.4 |
Indemnification Payments | 15 | ||||
ARTICLE IV | ||||||
ACCESS TO INFORMATION | ||||||
Section 4.1 |
Provision of Corporate Records | 15 | ||||
Section 4.2 |
Access to Information | 16 | ||||
Section 4.3 |
Witnesses; Documents and Cooperation in Actions | 16 | ||||
Section 4.4 |
Confidentiality | 16 | ||||
Section 4.5 |
Privileged Matters | 17 | ||||
Section 4.6 |
Ownership of Information | 18 | ||||
Section 4.7 |
Cost of Providing Records and Information | 18 | ||||
Section 4.8 |
Retention of Records | 18 | ||||
Section 4.9 |
Other Agreements Providing for Exchange of Information | 19 | ||||
Section 4.10 |
Policies and Best Practices | 19 | ||||
Section 4.11 |
Compliance with Laws and Agreements | 19 | ||||
Section 4.12 |
Allocation of Certain Expenses | 19 |
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Page | ||||||
ARTICLE V | ||||||
MISCELLANEOUS | ||||||
Section 5.1 |
Complete Agreement; Construction | 19 | ||||
Section 5.2 |
Ancillary Agreements | 19 | ||||
Section 5.3 |
Counterparts | 19 | ||||
Section 5.4 |
Survival of Agreements | 19 | ||||
Section 5.5 |
Distribution Expenses | 19 | ||||
Section 5.6 |
Notices | 19 | ||||
Section 5.7 |
Waivers | 20 | ||||
Section 5.8 |
Amendments | 20 | ||||
Section 5.9 |
Assignment | 20 | ||||
Section 5.10 |
Successors and Assigns | 20 | ||||
Section 5.11 |
Termination | 20 | ||||
Section 5.12 |
Subsidiaries | 20 | ||||
Section 5.13 |
Third-Party Beneficiaries | 20 | ||||
Section 5.14 |
Title and Headings | 21 | ||||
Section 5.15 |
Schedules | 21 | ||||
Section 5.16 |
Governing Law | 21 | ||||
Section 5.17 |
Waiver of Jury Trial | 21 | ||||
Section 5.18 |
Specific Performance | 21 | ||||
Section 5.19 |
Severability | 21 |
Schedule A-1 List of Spinco Subsidiaries |
A-1 | |||
Schedule A-2 List of Spinco Minority-Ownership Subsidiaries |
A-2 | |||
Schedule B-1 Retained Claims Liabilities |
B-1 | |||
Schedule B-2 Spinco Retained Claims Liabilities |
B-2 | |||
Schedule C-1 MSG Group Guarantees |
C-1 | |||
Schedule C-2 Spinco Group Guarantees |
C-2 | |||
Schedule D Ancillary Agreements |
D-1 | |||
Schedule E Allocation of Certain Expenses |
E-1 |
- ii -
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
This Distribution Agreement (this Agreement), is dated as of March 31, 2020, by and between The Madison Square Garden Company (to be renamed Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. at the Effective Time (as defined herein)), a Delaware corporation (MSG), and MSG Entertainment Spinco, Inc. (to be renamed Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. at the Effective Time), a Delaware corporation and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of MSG (Spinco and, together with MSG, the Parties).
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of MSG determined that it is in the best interests of MSG and its stockholders to separate the business of Spinco, as more fully described in Spincos registration statement on Form 10 (collectively, the Spinco Business), from MSGs other businesses on the terms and conditions set forth herein;
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of MSG has authorized the distribution to the holders of the issued and outstanding shares of MSG Common Stock (as of the record date for the distribution) of all of the issued and outstanding shares of Spinco Common Stock, on the basis of one share of Spinco Class A Common Stock for every one share of MSG Class A Common Stock and one share of Spinco Class B Common Stock for every one share of MSG Class B Common Stock (the Distribution);
WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors of MSG and Spinco have each determined that the Distribution and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements are in furtherance of and consistent with the Corporate Business Purposes and, as such, are in the best interests of their respective companies and stockholders or sole member, as applicable, and have approved this Agreement and each of the Ancillary Agreements; and
WHEREAS, the Parties have determined to set forth the principal corporate and other transactions required to effect the Distribution and to set forth other agreements that will govern certain other matters prior to and following the Distribution.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement, the parties hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1 General. Unless otherwise defined herein or unless the context otherwise requires, as used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
Action shall mean any demand, action, suit, arbitration, inquiry, proceeding or investigation by or before any Governmental Authority or any arbitration or mediation tribunal.
Affiliate shall mean, when used with respect to any specified Person, a Person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such specified Person. As used herein, control means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or other interests, by contract or otherwise. Unless explicitly provided herein to the contrary, for purposes of this Agreement none of MSG, MSG Networks Inc. or AMC Networks Inc., nor any of their respective Subsidiaries, shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of Spinco or any of its Subsidiaries, and none of Spinco, MSG Networks Inc. or AMC Networks Inc., nor any of their respective Subsidiaries, shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of MSG or any of its Subsidiaries. For the avoidance of doubt, the term Affiliate as it applies to Spinco shall include all of the Spinco Subsidiaries.
Agent shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a) of this Agreement.
Agreement shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
Ancillary Agreements shall mean all of the written agreements, instruments, understandings, assignments or other arrangements (other than this Agreement) entered into by the Parties or any other member of their respective Groups in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, including the agreements set forth on Schedule D.
Applicable Rate shall mean the rate of interest per annum announced from time to time by JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, as its prime lending rate.
Arena Indebtedness shall have the meaning set forth in the NBA Debt Policies.
Business Day shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which commercial banking institutions located in The City of New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
Commission shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contribution Agreement shall mean the Contribution Agreement among MSG, MSG Sports & Entertainment, LLC (to be renamed MSG Entertainment Group, LLC) and Spinco, which has been or shall be entered into prior to the Distribution Date.
Corporate Business Purposes shall have the meaning set forth in the Tax Disaffiliation Agreement.
Distribution shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
Distribution Date shall mean such date as may be determined by the Board of Directors of MSG, or a committee of such Board of Directors, as the date as of which the Distribution shall be effected.
Distribution Record Date shall mean such date as may be determined by the Board of Directors of MSG, or a committee of such Board of Directors, as the record date for the Distribution.
Effective Time shall mean 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on the Distribution Date.
Enterprise Indebtedness shall have the meaning set forth in the NBA Debt Policies.
Environmental Laws shall mean any and all federal, state, local and foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, principles of common law, judgments, orders, decrees, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or other governmental restrictions or requirements (including without limitation the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. 9601, et seq.), whether now or hereafter in existence, relating to the environment, natural resources, human health or safety, endangered or threatened species of fish, wildlife and plants, or to emissions, discharges or releases of pollutants, contaminants, petroleum or petroleum products, chemicals or industrial, toxic or hazardous substances or wastes into the environment (including without limitation indoor or outdoor air, surface water, groundwater and surface or subsurface soils), or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, presence, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of, or exposure to, pollutants, contaminants, petroleum or petroleum products, chemicals or industrial, toxic or hazardous substances or wastes or the investigation, cleanup or other remediation thereof.
Exchange Act shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Governmental Authority shall mean any federal, state, local, foreign or international court, government, department, commission, board, bureau, agency, official, NYSE or other regulatory, administrative or governmental authority.
Group shall mean the MSG Group or the Spinco Group.
Indemnifiable Losses shall mean any and all Liabilities, costs or expenses (including reasonable out-of-pocket attorneys fees and any and all out-of-pocket expenses) reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing for or defending against any Actions or potential Actions or in settling any Action or potential Action or in satisfying any judgment, fine or penalty rendered in or resulting from any Action.
Indemnifying Party shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(a) of this Agreement.
Indemnitee shall mean a Spinco Indemnitee or a MSG Indemnitee.
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Information Statement shall mean the Information Statement filed with the Commission as part of the Registration Statement and mailed to the holders of shares of MSG Common Stock in connection with the Distribution, including any amendments or supplements thereto.
Law shall mean all laws, statutes and ordinances and all regulations, rules and other pronouncements of Governmental Authorities having the effect of law of the United States, any foreign country, or any domestic or foreign state, province, commonwealth, city, country, municipality, territory, protectorate, possession or similar instrumentality, or any Governmental Authority thereof.
Liabilities shall mean any and all debts, liabilities, obligations, responsibilities, Losses, damages (whether compensatory, punitive or treble), fines, penalties and sanctions, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, foreseen or unforeseen, joint, several or individual, asserted or unasserted, accrued or unaccrued, known or unknown, whenever arising, including without limitation those arising under or in connection with any Law (including any Environmental Law), Action, threatened Action, order or consent decree of any Governmental Authority or any award of any arbitration tribunal, and those arising under any contract, guarantee, commitment or undertaking, whether sought to be imposed by a Governmental Authority, private party, or Party to this Agreement, whether based in contract, tort, implied or express warranty, strict liability, criminal or civil statute, or otherwise, and including any costs, expenses, interest, attorneys fees, disbursement and expense of counsel, expert and consulting fees and costs related thereto or to the investigation, response, defense or settlement thereof.
Losses shall mean all losses, damages, claims, demands, judgments or settlements of any nature or kind, known or unknown, fixed, accrued, absolute or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, including all reasonable costs and expenses (legal, accounting or otherwise as such costs are incurred) relating thereto, suffered by an Indemnitee.
MSG shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
MSG Assignee shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(a) of this Agreement.
MSG Assignor shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(a) of this Agreement.
MSG Assumed Contract Liabilities shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(b) of this Agreement.
MSG Business shall mean each and every business conducted at any time by MSG or any Subsidiary controlled by MSG, except the Spinco Business.
MSG Class A Common Stock shall mean the Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of MSG.
MSG Class B Common Stock shall mean the Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of MSG.
MSG Common Stock shall mean the MSG Class A Common Stock, together with the MSG Class B Common Stock.
MSG Group shall mean MSG and each Person (other than any member of the Spinco Group) that is a Subsidiary of MSG immediately after the Distribution Date.
MSG Indemnitee shall mean:
(i) MSG and each Affiliate thereof after giving effect to the Distribution; and
(ii) each of the respective Representatives of any of the entities described in the immediately preceding clause (i) and each of the heirs, executors, successors and assigns of any of such Representatives, except in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), the Spinco Indemnitees; provided, however, that a Person who was a Representative of MSG or an Affiliate thereof may be a MSG Indemnitee in that capacity notwithstanding that such Person may also be a Spinco Indemnitee.
MSG Liabilities shall mean:
(i) any and all Liabilities (other than Taxes that are specifically covered by the Tax Disaffiliation Agreement and other Liabilities that are specifically covered by the other Ancillary Agreements and not
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expressly made subject to this Agreement by the express terms of the Ancillary Agreement) that are expressly contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (or the Schedules hereto or thereto) as Liabilities to be assumed by MSG or any member of the MSG Group, and all Liabilities of any member of the MSG Group under this Agreement;
(ii) all Liabilities (other than Taxes that are specifically covered by the Tax Disaffiliation Agreement and other Liabilities that are specifically covered by the other Ancillary Agreements and not expressly made subject to this Agreement by the express terms of the Ancillary Agreement), if and to the extent relating to, arising out of or resulting from:
(A) the ownership or operation of the MSG Business (including any discontinued business or any business which has been sold or transferred), as conducted at any time prior to, on or after the Distribution Date; or
(B) the ownership or operation of any business conducted by MSG or any MSG Subsidiary at any time after the Distribution Date; and
(iii) any Retained Claims Liabilities;
(iv) all MSG Retained Contract Liabilities; and
(v) all MSG Assumed Contract Liabilities.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the MSG Liabilities shall not include: (x) any Liabilities that are expressly contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (or the Schedules hereto or thereto) as Liabilities to be retained or assumed by Spinco or any member of the Spinco Group; or (y) any agreements and obligations of any member of the Spinco Group under this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements.
MSG Releasee shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.15(b) of this Agreement.
MSG Releasor shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.15(b) of this Agreement.
MSG Retained Contract Liability shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(a) of this Agreement.
MSG Subsidiaries shall mean all of the Subsidiaries of MSG other than Spinco and the Spinco Subsidiaries.
NBA shall mean the National Basketball Association.
NBA Agreements shall mean (a) the Agreement and Undertaking, dated as of September 28, 2015, by and among the NBA, MSG, certain subsidiaries of MSG and certain other entities, (b) the Transfer Consent Agreement, dated as of September 28, 2015, by and among the NBA, MSG, certain subsidiaries of MSG and certain other entities, and (c) the Transaction Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the NBA, MSG, certain subsidiaries of MSG, Spinco and certain other entities.
NHL shall mean the National Hockey League.
NHL Agreements shall mean (a) the Transaction Approval Agreement, dated as of September 28, 2015, by and among the NHL, MSG and certain subsidiaries of MSG, (b) the Transfer Consent Agreement, dated as of September 28, 2015, by and among the NHL, MSG and certain subsidiaries of MSG, and (c) the Transaction Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the NHL, MSG, certain subsidiaries of MSG, Spinco and certain other entities.
NYSE shall mean the New York Stock Exchange LLC.
Outside Notice Date shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(a).
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Parties shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
Person shall mean any natural person, corporation, business trust, limited liability company, joint venture, association, company, partnership or government, or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
Records shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(a) of this Agreement.
Registration Statement shall mean the registration statement on Form 10 filed with the Commission to effect the registration of the Spinco Class A Common Shares pursuant to the Exchange Act.
Representative shall mean, with respect to any Person, any of such Persons directors, officers, employees, agents, consultants, advisors, accountants, attorneys and representatives.
Retained Claims Liabilities shall mean the Liabilities, if any, described in Schedule B-1.
Spinco shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
Spinco Assignee shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(b) of this Agreement.
Spinco Assignor shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(b) of this Agreement.
Spinco Assumed Contract Liabilities shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(a) of this Agreement.
Spinco Business shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, Spinco Business includes businesses that are in development such as the MSG Spheres in Las Vegas and London.
Spinco Class A Common Shares shall mean the shares of Spinco Class A Common Stock to be distributed in the Distribution.
Spinco Class A Common Stock shall mean the Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Spinco.
Spinco Class B Common Shares shall mean the shares of Class B Common Stock to be distributed in the Distribution.
Spinco Class B Common Stock shall mean the Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Spinco.
Spinco Common Stock shall mean the Spinco Class A Common Stock, together with the Spinco Class B Common Stock.
Spinco Group shall mean Spinco and each Person that is a Spinco Subsidiary immediately after the Distribution Date.
Spinco Indemnitees shall mean:
(i) Spinco and each Affiliate thereof after giving effect to the Distribution; and
(ii) each of the respective Representatives of any of the entities described in the immediately preceding clause (i) and each of the heirs, executors, successors and assigns of any of such Representatives.
Spinco Liabilities shall mean:
(i) any and all Liabilities (other than Taxes that are specifically covered by the Tax Disaffiliation Agreement and other Liabilities that are specifically covered by the other Ancillary Agreements and not expressly made subject to this Agreement by the express terms of any the Ancillary Agreement) that are expressly contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreements (or the Schedules hereto or thereto) as Liabilities to be assumed by Spinco or any member of the Spinco Group, and all Liabilities of any member of the Spinco Group under this Agreement;
(ii) all Liabilities (other than Taxes that are specifically covered by the Tax Disaffiliation Agreement and other Liabilities that are specifically covered by the other Ancillary Agreements and not expressly made
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subject to this Agreement by the express terms of the Ancillary Agreement), if and to the extent relating to, arising out of or resulting from:
(A) the ownership or operation of the Spinco Business (including any discontinued business or any business which has been sold or transferred), as conducted at any time prior to, on or after the Distribution Date, including any Liability incurred by MSG Group under the indemnification provisions of the 2015 Distribution Agreement which relate to the ownership or operation of the Spinco Business (a 2015 Liability); or
(B) the ownership or operation of any business conducted by Spinco or any Spinco Subsidiary at any time after the Distribution Date, including any 2015 Liability;
(iii) all 2015 Liabilities and any Spinco Retained Claims Liabilities;
(iv) all Spinco Assumed Contract Liabilities; and
(v) all Spinco Retained Contract Liabilities.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Spinco Liabilities shall not include: (x) any Liabilities that are expressly contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (or the Schedules hereto or thereto) as Liabilities to be retained or assumed by MSG or any member of the MSG Group; (y) any agreements and obligations of any member of the MSG Group under this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements and (z) any Retained Claims Liabilities.
Spinco Releasee shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.14(a) of this Agreement.
Spinco Releasor shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.14(a) of this Agreement.
Spinco Retained Claims Liabilities shall mean the Liabilities described in Schedule B-2.
Spinco Retained Contract Liabilities shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(b) of this Agreement.
Spinco Share shall mean each Spinco Class A Common Share and Spinco Class B Common Share, on an individual basis.
Spinco Subsidiaries shall mean all of the Subsidiaries listed on Schedule A-1.
Subsidiary shall mean with respect to any specified Person, any corporation or other legal entity of which such Person or any of its Subsidiaries controls or owns, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the stock or other equity interests entitled to vote on the election of members to the board of directors or similar governing body or, in the case of a Person with no governing body, more than 50% of the equity interests. As to Spinco, the term Subsidiary shall also include the 50% or less owned entities listed on Schedule A-2.
Tax shall have the meaning set forth in the Tax Disaffiliation Agreement.
Tax Disaffiliation Agreement shall mean the Tax Disaffiliation Agreement by and between MSG and Spinco, which agreement shall be entered into prior to or on the Distribution Date.
Third Party shall mean any Person who is not a Party to this Agreement.
Third-Party Claim shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(a) of this Agreement.
Transfers shall mean the direct and indirect transfers of assets and assignment of agreements from MSG to Spinco which resulted in Spinco owning, directly or indirectly, the Spinco Business.
2015 Distribution Agreement shall mean the Distribution Agreement, dated as of September 15, 2015 between MSG and MSG Networks Inc.
Section 1.2 Reference; Interpretation. References in this Agreement to any gender include references to all genders, and references to the singular include references to the plural and vice versa. The words include,
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includes and including when used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase without limitation. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this Agreement to Articles, Sections and Schedules shall be deemed references to Articles and Sections of, and Schedules to, this Agreement. Unless the context otherwise requires, the words hereof, hereby and herein and words of similar meaning when used in this Agreement refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular Article, Section or provision of this Agreement. Neither this Agreement nor any Ancillary Agreement shall be construed against either Party as the principal draftsperson hereof or thereof.
ARTICLE II
DISTRIBUTION AND
CERTAIN COVENANTS
Section 2.1 Distribution. (a) On or prior to the Distribution Date, MSG shall instruct MSGs stock transfer agent (the Agent) to effect the Distribution by distributing, on or as soon as practicable following the Distribution Date, the Spinco Class A Common Shares and the Spinco Class B Common Shares to the holders of record as of the Distribution Record Date of MSG Class A Common Stock and MSG Class B Common Stock, respectively, and to credit the appropriate class and number of such Spinco Shares to book entry accounts or issue properly endorsed stock certificates, as applicable, for each such holder of MSG Common Stock, all as further contemplated by the Information Statement and hereby. Spinco shall provide any share certificates that the Agent shall require in order to effect the Distribution. The Distribution shall be effective at 11:59 P.M., New York City time, on the Distribution Date.
(b) The Spinco Shares distributed in the Distribution are generally intended to be distributed pursuant to a book entry system. MSG shall instruct the Agent to deliver the Spinco Shares previously delivered to the Agent to a depositary and to mail to each holder of record of MSG Common Stock on the Distribution Record Date, a statement of the Spinco Shares credited to such holders account. If prior to or following the Distribution a holder of Spinco Shares requests physical certificates instead of participating in the book entry system, the Agent shall issue certificates for such shares. In lieu of fractional shares, cash shall be given to holders otherwise entitled to such fractional Spinco Shares on the Distribution Date. As soon as practicable following the Distribution Date, the Agent shall (i) aggregate all fractional Spinco Class A Common Shares into whole Spinco Class A Common Shares and (ii) aggregate all fractional Spinco Class B Common Shares into whole Spinco Class B Common Shares, and convert the whole Spinco Class B Common Shares into whole Spinco Class A Common Shares, and (iii) sell the whole Spinco Class A Common Shares in the open market at then prevailing prices and shall distribute to each such holder such holders ratable share of the proceeds of such sale, net of brokerage fees incurred in such sales and after deducting any Taxes required to be withheld and applicable transfer Taxes.
Section 2.2 MSG Determination. MSG shall have the sole and absolute discretion to determine whether to proceed with all or part of the Distribution and all terms of the Distribution, including the form, structure and terms of any transaction(s) and/or offering(s) to effect the Distribution and the timing of and conditions to the consummation of the Distribution. Spinco shall cooperate with MSG in all respects to accomplish the Distribution and shall, at MSGs direction, promptly take any and all actions necessary or desirable to effect the Distribution. In its sole and absolute discretion, MSG shall select any investment banker(s) and manager(s) in connection with the Distribution, as well as any financial printer, solicitation and/or exchange agent and outside counsel for MSG, which shall include Sullivan & Cromwell LLP. Each of MSG and Spinco acknowledges that it has been afforded the opportunity to seek the advice and assistance of its own separate counsel in connection with the negotiation and preparation of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements.
Section 2.3 Charter; Bylaws. On or prior to the Distribution Date, Spinco and MSG shall have taken all necessary actions to provide for the adoption of the form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended By-laws in substantially the form filed by Spinco with the Commission as exhibits to the Registration Statement.
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Section 2.4 Directors. On or prior to the Distribution Date, MSG and Spinco shall have taken all necessary action to cause the Board of Directors of Spinco to consist of the individuals identified in the Information Statement as directors of Spinco as of the Effective Time.
Section 2.5 Election of Officers. On or prior to the Distribution Date, Spinco shall take all actions necessary and desirable so that as of the Distribution Date the officers of Spinco will be as set forth in the Information Statement.
Section 2.6 Certain Licenses and Permits. On or prior to the Distribution Date or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter, MSG shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to transfer or cause to be transferred any transferable licenses, permits and authorizations issued by any Governmental Authority which relate solely to the Spinco Business but which are held in the name of any member of the MSG Group, or in the name of any employee, officer, director, stockholder or agent of any such member, or otherwise, on behalf of a member of the Spinco Group to the appropriate member of the Spinco Group.
Section 2.7 State Securities Laws. Prior to the Distribution Date, MSG and Spinco shall take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate under the securities or blue sky laws of states or other political subdivisions of the United States in order to effect the Distribution.
Section 2.8 Listing Application; Notice to Stock Exchange. (a) Prior to the Distribution Date, MSG and Spinco shall prepare and file with NYSE a listing application and related documents and shall take all such other actions with respect thereto as shall be necessary or desirable in order to cause NYSE to list on or prior to the Distribution Date, subject to official notice of issuance, the Spinco Class A Common Shares.
(b) Prior to the Distribution, MSG shall give NYSE not less than ten days advance notice of the Distribution Record Date in compliance with Rule 10b-17 under the Exchange Act and Section 204.12 of the NYSE Listed Company Manual.
Section 2.9 Assignment of Agreements.
(a) In connection with the Transfers, MSG and/or its Affiliates shall enter into assignment agreements pursuant to which certain rights and obligations of MSG and/or its Affiliates (in each case, an MSG Assignor) will be assigned to, and accepted and assumed by, Spinco and/or its Affiliates (in each case a Spinco Assignee), in each case effective at or prior to the Effective Time. Unless otherwise agreed in the relevant assignment agreement, the relevant MSG Assignor shall be entitled to the benefits of and be responsible for all Liabilities under each such agreement that relate to all periods of time prior to the Effective Time (each such Liability, an MSG Retained Contract Liability) and the relevant Spinco Assignee shall be entitled to the benefits of and be responsible for all Liabilities relating to all periods of time after the Effective Time (each such Liability, a Spinco Assumed Contract Liability).
(b) In connection with the Transfers, Spinco and/or its Affiliates shall enter into assignment agreements pursuant to which rights and obligations of Spinco and/or its Affiliates (in each case, an Spinco Assignor) will be assigned to, and accepted and assumed by, MSG and/or its Affiliates (in each case an MSG Assignee), in each case effective as of the Effective Time. Unless otherwise agreed in the relevant assignment agreement, the relevant Spinco Assignor shall be entitled to the benefits of and be responsible for all Liabilities under each such agreement that relate to all periods of time prior to the Effective Time (each such Liability, a Spinco Retained Contract Liability) and the relevant MSG Assignee shall be entitled to the benefits and responsible for all Liabilities relating to all periods of time after the Effective Time (each such Liability, an MSG Assumed Contract Liability).
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Section 2.10 Removal of Certain Guarantees; Releases from Liabilities.
(a) Except as otherwise specified in any Ancillary Agreement, (i) Spinco shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to have, on or prior to the Distribution Date, or as soon as practicable thereafter, all members of the MSG Group removed as guarantors of or obligors for any Liability of Spinco, including in respect of those guarantees, if any, set forth on Schedule C-1 of this Agreement, and (ii) MSG shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to have, on or prior to the Distribution Date, or as soon as practicable thereafter, all members of the Spinco Group removed as guarantors of or obligors for any Liability of MSG, including in respect of those guarantees, if any, set forth on Schedule C-2 of this Agreement.
(b) If Spinco or MSG, as the case may be, is unable to obtain, or to cause to be obtained, any such required removal as set forth in Section 2.10(a), the applicable guarantor or obligor shall continue to be bound as such and, unless not permitted by Law or the terms thereof, the relevant beneficiary shall or shall cause one of its Subsidiaries, as agent or subcontractor for such guarantor or obligor, to pay, perform and discharge fully all the obligations or other Liabilities of such guarantor or obligor thereunder from and after the Effective Time.
(c) If (i) Spinco is unable to obtain, or to cause to be obtained, any such required removal as set forth in Section 2.10(a), or (ii) Spinco Liabilities arise from and after the Effective Time but before a member of the MSG Group which is a guarantor or obligor with reference to any such Spinco Liability is removed pursuant to Section 2.10(a), then such guarantor or obligor shall be indemnified by Spinco for all Liabilities incurred by it in its capacity as guarantor or obligor. Without limiting the foregoing, Spinco shall, or shall cause a member of the Spinco Group to, reimburse any such member of the MSG Group which is a guarantor or obligor as soon as practicable (but in no event later than 30 days) following delivery by MSG to Spinco of notice of a payment made pursuant to this Section 2.10 in respect of Spinco Liabilities.
(d) If (i) MSG is unable to obtain, or to cause to be obtained, any such required removal as set forth in Section 2.10(a), or (ii) MSG Liabilities arise from and after the Effective Time but before a member of the Spinco Group which is a guarantor or obligor with reference to any such MSG Liability is removed pursuant to Section 2.10(a), then such guarantor or obligor shall be indemnified by MSG for all Liabilities incurred by it in its capacity as guarantor or obligor. Without limiting the foregoing, MSG, shall, or shall cause a member of the MSG Group to, reimburse any such member of the Spinco Group which is a guarantor or obligor as soon as practicable (but in no event later than 30 days) following delivery by Spinco to MSG of notice of a payment made pursuant to this Section 2.10 in respect of MSG Liabilities.
(e) In the event that at any time before or after the Distribution Date MSG identifies any letters of credit, interest rate or foreign exchange contracts, surety bonds or other contracts (excluding guarantees) that relate primarily to the Spinco Business but for which a member of the MSG Group has contingent, secondary, joint, several or other Liability of any nature whatsoever, Spinco shall, at its expense, take such actions and enter into such agreements and arrangements as MSG may reasonably request to effect the release or substitution of MSG (or a member of the MSG Group).
(f) In the event that at any time before or after the Distribution Date Spinco identifies any letters of credit, interest rate or foreign exchange contracts, surety bonds or other contracts (excluding guarantees) that relate primarily to the MSG Business but for which a member of the Spinco Group has contingent, secondary, joint, several or other Liability of any nature whatsoever, MSG shall, at its expense, take such actions and enter into such agreements and arrangements as Spinco may reasonably request to effect the release or substitution of Spinco (or a member of the Spinco Group).
(g) The Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain, or cause to be obtained, any consent, substitution or amendment required to novate or assign all MSG Liabilities and Spinco Liabilities of any nature
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whatsoever transferred under this Agreement or an Ancillary Agreement, or to obtain in writing the unconditional release of the assignor so that in each such case, MSG (or an appropriate member of the MSG Group) shall be solely responsible for the MSG Liabilities and Spinco (or an appropriate member of the Spinco Group) shall be solely responsible for the Spinco Liabilities; provided, however, that no Party shall be obligated to pay any consideration therefore (except for filing fees or other similar charges) to any Third Party from whom such consent, substitution, amendment or release is requested. Whether or not any such consent, substitution, amendment or release is obtained, nothing in this Section 2.10 shall in any way limit the obligations of the parties under Article III.
Section 2.11 Corporate Names; Trademarks. All agreements between the Parties and their respective Affiliates relating to intellectual property matters are set forth in a separate MSG Trademark Agreement between the Parties, dated the date hereof, and this Agreement shall in no way modify or supersede the MSG Trademark Agreement.
Section 2.12 Ancillary Agreements. Prior to the Distribution Date, each of MSG and Spinco shall enter into, and/or (where applicable) shall cause members of their respective Groups to enter into, the Ancillary Agreements and any other agreements in respect of the Distribution reasonably necessary or appropriate in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.
Section 2.13 Acknowledgment by Spinco. Spinco, on behalf of itself and all members of the Spinco Group, acknowledges, understands and agrees that, except as may be expressly set forth herein or in any Ancillary Agreement, (a) no member of the MSG Group or any other Person has, in this Agreement or in any other agreement or document, or otherwise made any representation or warranty of any kind whatsoever, express or implied, to Spinco or any member of the Spinco Group or to any director, officer, employee or agent thereof in any way with respect to any of the transactions contemplated hereby or the business, assets, agreements, condition or prospects (financial or otherwise) of, or any other matter involving, the assets, agreements, Liabilities or businesses of MSG, any member of the MSG Group, Spinco or any member of the Spinco Group, any assets that are transferred, any agreements that are assigned, any Spinco Liabilities or the Spinco Business, (b) Spinco and each member of the Spinco Group has taken all of the assets that are transferred, any agreements that are assigned, the Spinco Business and Spinco Liabilities on an as is, where is basis, and all implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a specific purpose or otherwise have been and are hereby expressly disclaimed, and (c) none of MSG or any members of the MSG Group or any other person has made or makes any representation or warranty with respect to the Distribution or the entering into of this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements or the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and, in each case, Spinco has not relied on any such representation or warranty. Except as expressly set forth herein or in any other Ancillary Agreement, Spinco and each member of the Spinco Group shall bear the economic and legal risk that the Spinco Assets shall prove to be insufficient or that the title of any member of the Spinco Group to any Spinco Assets shall be other than good and marketable and free from encumbrances. The provisions of the Contribution Agreement and any related assignment agreement or other related documents are expressly subject to this Section 2.13 and to Section 2.14 hereof.
(a) Spinco agrees that for itself and for its predecessors, Subsidiaries, departments, divisions and sections and for their successors, Affiliates, heirs, assigns, executors, administrators, partners, members, officers, directors, shareholders, employees, attorneys and agents (individually, each a Spinco Releasor and collectively, the Spinco Releasors), in consideration of the making by MSG of the Transfers, the Spinco Releasors shall
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release, waive and forever discharge MSG and its predecessors, Subsidiaries, departments, divisions, sections, successors, Affiliates, heirs, assigns, partners, members, officers, directors, shareholders, employees, attorneys and agents (individually, each a Spinco Releasee and collectively, the Spinco Releasees) from, and shall, in addition to other obligations under Article III, indemnify and hold harmless all such persons against and from, all Liabilities of every name and nature, in law or equity, known or unknown, which against any Spinco Releasee, a Spinco Releasor ever had, now has or hereafter can, shall or may have by reason of any matter, act, omission, conduct, transaction or occurrence from the beginning of the world up to and including the Distribution Date for, upon, by reason of, asserted in or arising out of, or related to:
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The management of the business and affairs of Spinco (and its predecessors, Subsidiaries and Affiliates) and the Spinco Business on or prior to the Distribution Date; |
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The terms of this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements, the Distribution, the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the Amended By-Laws of Spinco; and |
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Any other decision that may have been made, or any action taken, relating to Spinco (and its predecessors, Subsidiaries and Affiliates), the Spinco Business or the Distribution. |
The term Spinco Releasee is expressly intended to include any person who served as an incorporator, director, officer, employee, agent or attorney of Spinco on or prior to the Distribution Date at the request of MSG. Each Spinco Releasor expressly covenants and agrees never to institute, or participate (including as a member of a class) in, any Action against any Spinco Releasee, in any court or forum, directly or indirectly, regarding or relating to the matters released through this Release, and further covenants and agrees that this Release is a bar to any such Action. For the avoidance of doubt, the purpose of this Section 2.14(a) is to make clear the intent of the Parties that, following the Distribution Date, the only Liability that any Spinco Releasee shall have to any Spinco Releasor shall be its obligation to perform its obligations under and pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements and any other agreements to which the Spinco Releasee and the Spinco Releasor are parties and there shall be no Liability in respect of any event, occurrence, action or inaction on or prior to the Distribution Date. This Release shall not extend to any Liabilities owed by a Spinco Releasee to a Spinco Releasor in the Spinco Releasors capacity as a director, officer, employee or other Representative or shareholder of the Spinco Releasee nor shall it release any Liabilities or obligations under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreements or any other agreements to which the Spinco Releasee and the Spinco Releasor are parties.
(b) MSG agrees that for itself and for its predecessors, Subsidiaries, departments, divisions and sections and for their successors, Affiliates, heirs, assigns, executors, administrators, partners, members, officers, directors, shareholders, employees, attorneys and agents (individually, each an MSG Releasor and collectively, the MSG Releasors), in consideration of the entry by Spinco into this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, the MSG Releasors shall release, waive and forever discharge Spinco and its predecessors, Subsidiaries, departments, divisions, sections, successors, Affiliates, heirs, assigns, partners, members, officers, directors, shareholders, employees, attorneys and agents (individually, each an MSG Releasee and collectively, the MSG Releasees) from, and shall, in addition to other obligations under Article III, indemnify and hold harmless all such persons against and from, all Liabilities of every name and nature, in law or equity, known or unknown, which against any MSG Releasee, an MSG Releasor ever had, now has or hereafter can, shall or may have by reason of any matter, act, omission, conduct, transaction or occurrence from the beginning of the world up to and including the Distribution Date for, upon, by reason of, asserted in or arising out of, or related to:
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The management of the business and affairs of MSG (and its predecessors, Subsidiaries and Affiliates) and the MSG Business on or prior to the Distribution Date; |
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The terms of this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements, the Distribution the Certificate of Incorporation or the By-Laws of MSG; and |
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Any other decision that may have been made, or any action taken, relating to MSG (and its predecessors, Subsidiaries and Affiliates), the MSG Business or the Distribution. |
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The term MSG Releasee is expressly intended to include any person who served as an incorporator, director, officer, employee, agent or attorney of MSG on or prior to the Distribution Date. Each MSG Releasor expressly covenants and agrees never to institute, or participate (including as a member of a class) in, any Action against any MSG Releasee, in any court or forum, directly or indirectly, regarding or relating to the matters released through this Release, and further covenants and agrees that this Release is a bar to any such Action. For the avoidance of doubt, the purpose of this Section 2.14(b) is to make clear the intent of the Parties that, following the Distribution Date, the only Liability that any MSG Releasee shall have to any MSG Releasor shall be its obligation to perform its obligations under and pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements and any other agreements to which the MSG Releasee and the MSG Releasor are parties and there shall be no Liability in respect of any event, occurrence, action or inaction on or prior to the Distribution Date. This Release shall not extend to any Liabilities owed by an MSG Releasee to an MSG Releasor in the MSG Releasors capacity as a director, officer, employee or other Representative or shareholder of the MSG Releasee nor shall it release any Liabilities or obligations under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreements or any other agreements to which the MSG Releasee and the MSG Releasor are parties.
Section 2.15 Discharge of Liabilities. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or in any of the Ancillary Agreements:
(a) From and after the Effective Time, (i) MSG shall, and shall cause each member of the MSG Group to, assume, pay, perform and discharge all MSG Liabilities in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice, and (ii) Spinco shall, and shall cause each member of the Spinco Group, to assume, pay, perform and discharge all Spinco Liabilities in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice. The agreements in this Section 2.15 are made by each Party for the sole and exclusive benefit of the other Party. To the extent reasonably requested to do so by the other Party, each Party agrees to execute and deliver such documents, in a form reasonably satisfactory to such Party, as may be reasonably necessary to evidence the assumption of any Liabilities hereunder.
(b) All intercompany trade, accounts receivable and accounts payable between any member of one Group and any member of another Group in existence at the Effective Time shall be paid and performed in accordance with their terms.
Section 2.16 Indebtedness.
(a) As of the Distribution Date, Spinco represents it will not have any Arena Indebtedness or Enterprise Indebtedness.
(b) Spinco shall not incur any Arena Indebtedness or Enterprise Indebtedness without the prior written consent of MSG.
Section 2.17 Further Assurances.
(a) If at any time after the Effective Time any further action is reasonably necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, the proper officers of each Party shall take all such necessary action. Without limiting the foregoing, each Party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts promptly to obtain all consents and approvals, to enter into all agreements and to make all filings and applications that may be required for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, including all applicable filings with, and approvals from, any Governmental Authority.
(b) Without limiting any provision of this Section 2.17, MSG shall, at any time requested by Spinco, at the expense of Spinco, either submit a request or cooperate in the submission of a joint request or separate requests to the Commission to extend the confidential treatment previously granted to MSG by the Commission with respect to (i) the lease documentation for Radio City Music Hall pursuant to orders CF#32736, dated November 14, 2019, and CF#32736, dated September 15, 2015, and (ii) the ground lease agreement for the MSG Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada pursuant to order CF#36703, dated September 20, 2018.
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ARTICLE III
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 3.1 Indemnification by MSG. Except as otherwise specifically set forth in any provision of this Agreement from and after the Distribution Date, MSG shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Spinco Indemnitees from and against any and all Indemnifiable Losses of the Spinco Indemnitees to the extent arising out of, by reason of or otherwise in connection with (i) the MSG Liabilities or alleged MSG Liabilities; (ii) any breach by any member of the MSG Group of this Agreement (including any provision of this Section 3.1); (iii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact in the Registration Statement or the Information Statement or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent relating to the MSG Group; and (iv) any indemnification or other obligation that any member of the Spinco Group may have (x) to the NBA or its affiliated entities pursuant to the NBA Agreements or to the NHL or its affiliated entities pursuant to the NHL Agreements, in each case regardless of whether any such obligation arose prior to or following the Distribution and regardless of the party deemed to be responsible for such obligation pursuant to the terms of the relevant NBA Agreement or NHL Agreement, as applicable, (y) for any Losses to the NBA, the NHL or their respective affiliated entities, in each case as a result of any act or omission by any member of the MSG Group and (z) for any Losses to the NBA, the NHL or their respective affiliated entities, in each case as a result of any obligation of any member of the Spinco Group to cause or otherwise direct any act or omission of any member of the MSG Group. This Agreement is not intended to address, and should not be interpreted to address, the matters specifically and expressly covered by the Ancillary Agreements unless such Ancillary Agreement expressly provides that this Agreement applies to any matter in such Ancillary Agreement.
Section 3.2 Indemnification by Spinco. Except as otherwise specifically set forth in any provision of this Agreement, from and after the Distribution Date, Spinco shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the MSG Indemnitees from and against any and all Indemnifiable Losses of the MSG Indemnitees to the extent arising out of, by reason of or otherwise in connection with (i) the Spinco Liabilities or alleged Spinco Liabilities; (ii) any breach by any member of the Spinco Group of this Agreement (including any provision of this Section 3.2); (iii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact in the Registration Statement or the Information Statement or in any registration statement, prospectus or listing application with a securities exchange filed by Spinco in connection with the Distribution, or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; provided, however, that this clause (iii) shall not apply to any Liability that is covered by Section 3.1(iii); and (iv) any indemnification or other obligation that any member of the MSG Group may have for (x) any Losses to the NBA, the NHL or their respective affiliated entities, in each case as a result of any act or omission by any member of the Spinco Group and (y) for any Losses to the NBA, the NHL or their respective affiliated entities, in each case as a result of any obligation of any member of the MSG Group to cause or otherwise direct any act or omission of any member of the Spinco Group. This Agreement is not intended to address, and should not be interpreted to address, the matters specifically and expressly covered by the Ancillary Agreements unless such Ancillary Agreement expressly provides that this Agreement applies to any matter in such Ancillary Agreement.
Section 3.3 Procedures for Indemnification.
(a) If a claim or demand is made by a Third Party against an Indemnitee (a Third-Party Claim) as to which such Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Agreement, such Indemnitee shall notify the Party which is or may be required pursuant to Section 3.1 or Section 3.2 hereof to make such indemnification (the Indemnifying Party) in writing, and in reasonable detail, of the Third-Party Claim promptly (and in any event by the date (the Outside Notice Date) that is the 15th Business Day) after receipt by such Indemnitee of written notice of the Third-Party Claim; provided, however, that failure to give such notification shall not affect the indemnification provided hereunder except to the extent the Indemnifying Party shall have been actually prejudiced as a result of such failure (except that the Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any expenses incurred during the period beginning immediately after the Outside Notice Date and ending on the date the Indemnitee gives the required notice). Thereafter, the Indemnitee shall deliver to the Indemnifying Party,
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promptly (and in any event within 10 Business Days) after the Indemnitees receipt thereof, copies of all notices and documents (including court papers) received by the Indemnitee relating to the Third-Party Claim. Notice under this Section 3.3 shall be provided in accordance with Section 5.6. For the avoidance of doubt, knowledge of a Third-Party Claim by a Person who is an officer or director of both MSG and Spinco shall not constitute notice for purposes of this Section 3.3.
If a Third-Party Claim is made against an Indemnitee, the Indemnifying Party shall be entitled to participate in the defense thereof and, if it so chooses and acknowledges in writing its obligation to indemnify the Indemnitee therefor, to assume the defense thereof with counsel selected by the Indemnifying Party; provided, however, that such counsel is not reasonably objected to by the Indemnitee. Should the Indemnifying Party so elect to assume the defense of a Third-Party Claim, the Indemnifying Party shall, within 30 days (or sooner if the nature of the Third-Party Claim so requires), notify the Indemnitee of its intent to do so, and the Indemnifying Party shall thereafter not be liable to the Indemnitee for legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with the defense thereof; provided, however, that such Indemnitee shall have the right to employ counsel to represent such Indemnitee if, in such Indemnitees reasonable judgment, a conflict of interest between such Indemnitee and such Indemnifying Party exists in respect of such claim which would make representation of both such parties by one counsel inappropriate, and in such event the fees and expenses of such separate counsel shall be paid by such Indemnifying Party. If the Indemnifying Party assumes such defense, the Indemnitee shall have the right to participate in the defense thereof and to employ counsel, subject to the proviso of the preceding sentence, at its own expense, separate from the counsel employed by the Indemnifying Party, it being understood that the Indemnifying Party shall control such defense. The Indemnifying Party shall be liable for the fees and expenses of counsel employed by the Indemnitee for any period during which the Indemnifying Party has failed to assume the defense thereof (other than during the period prior to the time the Indemnitee shall have given notice of the Third-Party Claim as provided above). If the Indemnifying Party so elects to assume the defense of any Third-Party Claim, all of the Indemnitees shall cooperate with the Indemnifying Party in the defense or prosecution thereof, including by providing or causing to be provided Records and witnesses as soon as reasonably practicable after receiving any request therefor from or on behalf of the Indemnifying Party.
If the Indemnifying Party acknowledges in writing responsibility under this Section 3.3 for a Third-Party Claim, then in no event will the Indemnitee admit any liability with respect to, or settle, compromise or discharge, any Third-Party Claim without the Indemnifying Partys prior written consent; provided, however, that the Indemnitee shall have the right to settle, compromise or discharge such Third-Party Claim without the consent of the Indemnifying Party if the Indemnitee releases the Indemnifying Party from its indemnification obligation hereunder with respect to such Third-Party Claim and such settlement, compromise or discharge would not otherwise adversely affect the Indemnifying Party. If the Indemnifying Party acknowledges in writing liability for a Third-Party Claim, the Indemnitee will agree to any settlement, compromise or discharge of a Third-Party Claim that the Indemnifying Party may recommend and that by its terms obligates the Indemnifying Party to pay the full amount of the liability in connection with such Third-Party Claim and releases the Indemnitee completely in connection with such Third-Party Claim and that would not otherwise adversely affect the Indemnitee. If an Indemnifying Party elects not to assume the defense of a Third-Party Claim, or fails to notify an Indemnitee of its election to do so as provided herein, such Indemnitee may compromise, settle or defend such Third-Party Claim.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Indemnifying Party shall not be entitled to assume the defense of any Third-Party Claim (and shall be liable for the fees and expenses of counsel incurred by the Indemnitee in defending such Third-Party Claim) if the Third-Party Claim seeks an order, injunction or other equitable relief or relief for other than money damages against the Indemnitee which the Indemnitee reasonably determines, after conferring with its counsel, cannot be separated from any related claim for money damages. If such equitable relief or other relief portion of the Third-Party Claim can be so separated from that for money damages, the Indemnifying Party shall be entitled to assume the defense of the portion relating to money damages.
(b) In the event of payment by an Indemnifying Party to any Indemnitee in connection with any Third-Party Claim, such Indemnifying Party shall be subrogated to and shall stand in the place of such Indemnitee as to
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any events or circumstances in respect of which such Indemnitee may have any right or claim relating to such Third-Party Claim against any claimant or plaintiff asserting such Third-Party Claim. Such Indemnitee shall cooperate with such Indemnifying Party in a reasonable manner, and at the cost and expense of such Indemnifying Party, in prosecuting any subrogated right or claim.
(c) Spinco shall, and shall cause the other Spinco Indemnitees to, and MSG shall, and shall cause the other MSG Indemnitees to, cooperate as may reasonably be required in connection with the investigation, defense and settlement of any Third-Party Claim. In furtherance of this obligation, the Parties agree that if an Indemnifying Party chooses to defend or to compromise or settle any Third-Party Claim, MSG or Spinco, as the case may be, shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to make available to the other Party, upon written request, the former and then current directors, officers, employees and agents of the members of its respective Group as witnesses and any Records or other documents within its control or which it otherwise has the ability to make available, to the extent that any such Person, Records or other documents may reasonably be required in connection with such defense, settlement or compromise. At the request of an Indemnifying Party, an Indemnitee shall enter into a reasonably acceptable joint defense agreement.
(d) The remedies provided in this Article III shall be cumulative and shall not preclude assertion by any Indemnitee of any other rights or the seeking of any and all other remedies against any Indemnifying Party.
Section 3.4 Indemnification Payments. (a) Indemnification required by this Article III shall be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or an Indemnifiable Loss is incurred. If the Indemnifying Party fails to make an indemnification payment required by this Article III within 30 days after receipt of a bill therefor or notice that an Indemnifiable Loss has been incurred, the Indemnifying Party shall also be required to pay interest on the amount of such indemnification payment, from the date of receipt of the bill or notice of the Indemnified Loss to but not including the date of payment, at the Applicable Rate.
(b) The amount of any claim by an Indemnitee under this Agreement (i) shall be reduced to reflect any actual Tax savings or insurance proceeds received by any Indemnitee that result from the Indemnifiable Losses that gave rise to such indemnity and (ii) shall be increased by an amount equal to any Tax cost incurred by any Indemnitee that results from receipt of payments under this Article III.
(c) For all Tax purposes and to the extent permitted by applicable Law, the Parties hereto shall treat (a) any payment (other than payments representing interest) made pursuant to this Article III as a capital contribution or a distribution, as the case may be, immediately prior to the Distribution and (b) any payment of interest as taxable or deductible, as the case may be, to the Party entitled under this Agreement to retain such payment or required under this Agreement to make such payment, in either case except as otherwise required by applicable Law.
ARTICLE IV
ACCESS TO INFORMATION
Section 4.1 Provision of Corporate Records.
(a) Except as specifically provided in Article III (in which event the provisions of such Article will govern), after the Distribution Date, upon the prior written request by Spinco for specific and identified agreements, documents, books, records or files including accounting and financial records (collectively, Records) which relate to Spinco or the conduct of the Spinco Business up to the Effective Time, or which Spinco determines are necessary or advisable in order for Spinco to prepare its financial statements and any reports or filings to be made with any Governmental Authority, MSG shall arrange, as soon as reasonably practicable following the receipt of such request, to provide appropriate copies of such Records (or the originals thereof if Spinco has a reasonable need for such originals) in the possession or control of MSG or any of the MSG Subsidiaries, but only to the extent such items are not already in the possession or control of the requesting Party.
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(b) Except as specifically provided in Article III (in which event the provisions of such Article will govern), after the Distribution Date, upon the prior written request by MSG for specific and identified Records which relate to MSG or the conduct of the MSG Business up to the Effective Time, or which MSG determines are necessary or advisable in order for MSG to prepare its financial statements and any reports or filings to be made with any Governmental Authority, Spinco shall arrange, as soon as reasonably practicable following the receipt of such request, to provide appropriate copies of such Records (or the originals thereof if MSG has a reasonable need for such originals) in the possession or control of Spinco or any of the Spinco Subsidiaries, but only to the extent such items are not already in the possession or control of the requesting Party.
Section 4.2 Access to Information. Except as specifically provided in Article III (in which event the provisions of such Article will govern), from and after the Distribution Date, each of MSG and Spinco shall afford to the other and its authorized Representatives reasonable access during normal business hours, subject to appropriate restrictions for classified, privileged or confidential information, to the personnel, properties, and Records of such Party and its Subsidiaries insofar as such access is reasonably required by the other Party and relates to such other Party or the conduct of its business prior to the Effective Time.
Section 4.3 Witnesses; Documents and Cooperation in Actions. (a) At all times from and after the Distribution Date, each of MSG and Spinco shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to make available to the other, upon reasonable written request, its and its Subsidiaries former and then current Representatives as witnesses and any Records within its control or which it otherwise has the ability to make available, to the extent that such Persons or Records may reasonably be required in connection with the prosecution or defense of any Action in which the requesting Party may from time to time be involved. The requesting Party shall promptly reimburse the other party (and any person it makes available hereunder) for all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith. This provision shall not apply to any Action brought by one Party against another Party (as to which production of documents and witnesses shall be governed by applicable discovery rules).
(b) Without limiting any provision of this Section 4.3, the Parties shall cooperate and consult, and shall cause each member of their respective Groups to cooperate and consult, to the extent reasonably necessary with respect to any Actions.
(c) In connection with any matter contemplated by this Section 4.3, the Parties will enter into a mutually acceptable joint defense agreement so as to maintain to the extent practicable any applicable attorney-client privilege or work product immunity of any member of any Group.
Section 4.4 Confidentiality. (a) MSG and the MSG Subsidiaries and Spinco and the Spinco Subsidiaries shall not use or permit the use of and shall keep, and shall cause its consultants and advisors to keep, confidential all information concerning the other Party in its possession, its custody or under its control to the extent such information (w) relates to or was acquired during the period up to the Effective Time, (x) relates to any Ancillary Agreement, (y) is obtained in the course of performing services for the other Party pursuant to any Ancillary Agreement, or (z) is based upon or is derived from information described in the preceding clauses (w), (x) or (y), and each Party shall not (without the prior written consent of the other) otherwise release or disclose such information to any other Person, except such Partys auditors, attorneys, consultants and advisors, unless compelled to disclose such information by judicial or administrative process or unless such disclosure is required by Law and such Party has used commercially reasonable efforts to consult with the other affected Party or Parties prior to such disclosure. Each Party shall be deemed to have satisfied its obligation to hold confidential any information concerning or owned by the other Party or its Group if it exercises the same care as it takes to preserve confidentiality for its own similar information. The covenants in this Section 4.4 shall survive the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and shall continue indefinitely; provided, however, that the covenants in this Section 4.4 shall terminate with respect to any information not constituting a trade secret under applicable law on the third anniversary of the later of the Distribution Date or the date on which the Party subject to such covenants with respect to such information receives it (but any such termination shall not terminate or
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otherwise limit any other covenant or restriction regarding the disclosure or use of such information under any Ancillary Agreement or other agreement, instrument or legal obligation). This Section 4.4 shall not apply to information (A) that has been in the public domain through no fault of such Party or (B) that has been later lawfully acquired from other sources by such Party, (C) the use or disclosure of which is permitted by this Agreement or any other Ancillary Agreement or any other agreement entered into pursuant hereto, (D) that is immaterial and its disclosure is required as part of the conduct of that Partys business and would not reasonably be expected to be detrimental to the interests of the other Party or (E) that the other Party has agreed in writing may be so used or disclosed.
(b) If any Party or any member of its Group either determines that it is required to disclose pursuant to applicable Law, or receives any demand under lawful process or from any Governmental Authority to disclose or provide, information of the other Party (or any member of the other Partys Group) that is subject to the confidentiality provisions of Section 4.4(a) such Party shall notify the other Party prior to disclosing or providing such information and shall cooperate at the expense of the requesting Party in seeking any reasonable protective arrangements requested by such other Party. Subject to the foregoing, the Person that received such request may thereafter disclose or provide such information if and to the extent required by such Law or by lawful process or such Governmental Authority; provided, however, that the Person shall only disclose such portion of the information as required to be disclosed or provided.
Section 4.5 Privileged Matters. Except as may be otherwise provided in an Ancillary Agreement, the Parties recognize that legal and other professional services that have been and will be provided prior to the Distribution Date have been and will be rendered for the benefit of each of the members of the MSG Group, and each of the members of the Spinco Group, and that each of the members of the MSG Group, and each of the members of the Spinco Group, should be deemed to be the client for the purposes of asserting all privileges which may be asserted under applicable Law. To allocate the interests of each Party in the information as to which any Party is entitled to assert a privilege, the Parties agree as follows:
(a) MSG shall be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges in connection with privileged information that relates solely to the MSG Business (other than with respect to Liabilities as to which Spinco is required to provide indemnification under Article III), whether or not the privileged information is in the possession of or under the control of MSG or Spinco. MSG shall also be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges in connection with privileged information that relates solely to the subject matter of any claims constituting MSG Liabilities (including Retained Claims Liabilities), or other Liabilities as to which it is required to provide indemnification under Article III, now pending or which may be asserted in the future, whether or not the privileged information is in the possession of or under the control of MSG or Spinco.
(b) Spinco shall be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges in connection with privileged information that relates solely to the Spinco Business (other than with respect to matters or claims that are Retained Claims Liabilities or other Liabilities as to which MSG is required to provide indemnification under Article III), whether or not the privileged information is in the possession of or under the control of MSG or Spinco. Spinco shall also be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges in connection with privileged information that relates solely to the subject matter of any claims constituting Spinco Liabilities, or other liabilities as to which it is required to provide indemnification under Article III, now pending or which may be asserted in the future, in any lawsuits or other proceedings initiated against or by Spinco, whether or not the privileged information is in the possession of Spinco or under the control of MSG or Spinco.
(c) The Parties agree that they shall have a shared privilege, with equal right to assert or waive, subject to the restrictions in this Section 4.5, with respect to all privileges not allocated pursuant to the terms of Sections 4.5(a) and (b).
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(d) No Party may waive any privilege which could be asserted under any applicable Law, and in which the other Party has a shared privilege, without the written consent of the other Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, except to the extent reasonably required in connection with any Third-Party Claims or as provided in subsection (e) below.
(e) In the event of any litigation or dispute between or among the Parties, any Party and a Subsidiary of the other Party, or a Subsidiary of one Party and a Subsidiary of the other Party, either such Party may waive a privilege in which the other Party has a shared privilege, without obtaining the consent of the other Party; provided, however, that such waiver of a shared privilege shall be effective only as to the use of information with respect to the litigation or dispute between the Parties and/or their Subsidiaries, and shall not operate as a waiver of the shared privilege with respect to any Third-Party Claims.
(f) If a dispute arises between or among the Parties or their respective Subsidiaries regarding whether a privilege should be waived to protect or advance the interest of any Party, each Party agrees that it shall negotiate in good faith, shall endeavor to minimize any prejudice to the rights of the other Party, and shall not unreasonably withhold consent to any request for a waiver by the other Party. Each Party hereto specifically agrees that it will not withhold consent to a waiver for any purpose except to protect its own legitimate interests.
(g) Upon receipt by any Party or by any Subsidiary thereof of any subpoena, discovery or other request which arguably calls for the production or disclosure of information subject to a shared privilege or as to which another Party has the sole right hereunder to assert a privilege, or if any Party obtains knowledge that any of its or any of its Subsidiaries current or former Representatives have received any subpoena, discovery or other request which arguably calls for the production or disclosure of such privileged information, such Party shall promptly notify the other Party of the existence of the request and shall provide the other Party a reasonable opportunity to review the information and to assert any rights it or they may have under this Section 4.5 or otherwise to prevent the production or disclosure of such privileged information.
(h) The transfer of all Records and other information pursuant to this Agreement is made in reliance on the agreement of MSG and Spinco, as set forth in Sections 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 and this Section 4.5, to maintain the confidentiality of privileged information and to assert and maintain all applicable privileges. The access to information being granted pursuant to Sections 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3 hereof, the agreement to provide witnesses and individuals pursuant to Sections 4.2 and 4.3 hereof, the furnishing of notices and documents and other cooperative efforts contemplated by Section 4.3 hereof, and the transfer of privileged information between and among the Parties and their respective Subsidiaries, Affiliates and Representatives pursuant to this Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver of any privilege that has been or may be asserted under this Agreement or otherwise.
Section 4.6 Ownership of Information. Any information owned by one Party or any of its Subsidiaries that is provided to a requesting Party pursuant to Article III or this Article IV shall be deemed to remain the property of the providing Person. Unless specifically set forth herein, nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as granting or conferring rights of license or otherwise in any such information.
Section 4.7 Cost of Providing Records and Information. A Party requesting Records, information or access to personnel, witnesses or properties, under Article III or this Article IV, agrees to reimburse the other Party and its Subsidiaries for the reasonable out-of-pocket costs, if any, incurred in seeking to satisfy the request of the requesting Party.
Section 4.8 Retention of Records. Except (a) as provided in the Tax Disaffiliation Agreement or (b) when a longer retention period is otherwise required by Law or agreed to in writing, the MSG Group and the Spinco Group shall retain all Records relating to the MSG Business and the Spinco Business as of the Effective Time for the periods of time provided in each Partys record retention policy (with respect to the documents of such party and without regard to the Distribution or its effects) as in effect on the Distribution Date. Notwithstanding the
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foregoing, in lieu of retaining any specific Records, MSG or Spinco may offer in writing to deliver such Records to the other and, if such offer is not accepted within 90 days, the offered Records may be destroyed or otherwise disposed of at any time. If a recipient of such offer shall request in writing prior to the scheduled date for such destruction or disposal that any of Records proposed to be destroyed or disposed of be delivered to such requesting Party, the Party proposing the destruction or disposal shall promptly arrange for delivery of such of the Records as was requested (at the cost of the requesting Party).
Section 4.9 Other Agreements Providing for Exchange of Information. The rights and obligations granted under this Article IV are subject to any specific limitations, qualifications or additional provisions on the sharing, exchange or confidential treatment of information set forth in any Ancillary Agreement or in any other agreement to which a member of the MSG Group and a member of the Spinco Group is a party.
Section 4.10 Policies and Best Practices. Without representation or warranty, Spinco and MSG shall continue to be permitted to share, on a confidential basis, best practices information and materials (such as policies, workflow templates and standard form contracts).
Section 4.11 Compliance with Laws and Agreements. Nothing in this Article IV shall be deemed to require any Person to provide any information if doing so would, in the opinion of counsel to such Person, be inconsistent with any legal or constitutional obligation applicable to such Person.
Section 4.12 Allocation of Certain Expenses. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, MSG and Spinco shall share certain specified litigation costs, expenses, insurance proceeds and other recoveries as described in Schedule E.
ARTICLE V
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 5.1 Complete Agreement; Construction. This Agreement, including the Schedules, and the Ancillary Agreements shall constitute the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and shall supersede all previous negotiations, commitments and writings with respect to such subject matter. In the event of any inconsistency between this Agreement and any Schedule, the Schedule shall prevail.
Section 5.2 Ancillary Agreements. Except as may be expressly stated herein, this Agreement is not intended to address, and should not be interpreted to address, the matters specifically and expressly covered by the Ancillary Agreements.
Section 5.3 Counterparts. 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 such counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties and delivered to the other Party.
Section 5.4 Survival of Agreements. Except as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement, all covenants and agreements of the Parties contained in this Agreement shall survive the Distribution Date.
Section 5.5 Distribution Expenses. Except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, all costs and expenses incurred on or prior to the Distribution Date (whether or not paid on or prior to the Distribution Date) in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, printing and implementation of this Agreement and any Ancillary Agreement, the Information Statement and the Registration Statement, and the Distribution and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, shall be charged to and paid by MSG. Such expenses shall be deemed to be MSG Liabilities. Except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, each Party shall bear its own costs and expenses incurred after the Distribution Date. Any amount or expense to be paid or reimbursed by any Party to any other Party shall be so paid or reimbursed promptly after the existence and amount of such obligation is determined and written demand therefor is made.
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Section 5.6 Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing, shall reference this Agreement and shall be hand delivered or mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested) to the Parties at the following addresses (or at such other addresses for a Party as shall be specified by like notice) and will be deemed given on the date on which such notice is received:
To MSG:
The Madison Square Garden Company (or, after the applicable name change,
Madison Square Garden Sports Corp.)
Two Penn Plaza
New York, New York 10121
Attention: General Counsel
To Spinco:
MSG Entertainment Spinco, Inc. (or, after the applicable name change,
Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.)
Two Penn Plaza
New York, New York 10121
Attention: General Counsel
Section 5.7 Waivers. The failure of any Party to require strict performance by any other Party of any provision in this Agreement will not waive or diminish that Partys right to demand strict performance thereafter of that or any other provision hereof.
Section 5.8 Amendments. Subject to the terms of Sections 5.11 hereof, this Agreement may not be modified or amended except by an agreement in writing signed by each of the Parties.
Section 5.9 Assignment. This Agreement shall not be assignable, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, by any Party without the prior written consent of the other Party, and any attempt to assign any rights or obligations arising under this Agreement without such consent shall be void; provided that either Party may assign this Agreement to a purchaser (by merger, sale of assets or otherwise) of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of such Party so long as such purchaser expressly assumes, in a written instrument in form reasonably satisfactory to the non-assigning Party, the due and punctual performance or observance of every agreement and covenant of this Agreement on the part of the assigning Party to be performed or observed. Any assignment in violation of the provisions of this Section 5.9 shall be void.
Section 5.10 Successors and Assigns. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
Section 5.11 Termination. This Agreement (including Article III hereof) may be terminated and the Distribution may be amended, modified or abandoned at any time prior to the Distribution by and in the sole discretion of MSG without the approval of Spinco or the stockholders of MSG. In the event of such termination, no Party shall have any liability of any kind to any other Party or any other Person. After the Distribution, this Agreement may not be terminated except by an agreement in writing signed by the Parties; provided, however, that Article III shall not be terminated or amended after the Distribution in respect of a Third Party beneficiary thereto without the consent of such Person.
Section 5.12 Subsidiaries. Each of the Parties shall cause to be performed, and hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements and obligations set forth herein to be performed by any entity that is contemplated to be a Subsidiary of such Party after the Distribution Date.
Section 5.13 Third-Party Beneficiaries. Except as provided in Article III relating to Indemnitees, this Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and their respective Subsidiaries and Affiliates and should not
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be deemed to confer upon any other Person any remedy, claim, liability, reimbursement, cause of action or other right in excess of those existing without reference to this Agreement.
Section 5.14 Title and Headings. Titles and headings to Sections herein are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
Section 5.15 Schedules. The Schedules shall be construed with and as an integral part of this Agreement to the same extent (except as set forth in the last sentence of Section 5.1) as if the same had been set forth verbatim herein.
Section 5.16 Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
Section 5.17 Waiver of Jury Trial. The Parties hereby irrevocably waive any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or related to this Agreement.
Section 5.18 Specific Performance. From and after the Distribution, in the event of any actual or threatened default in, or breach of, any of the terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement, the Parties agree that the Party to this Agreement who is or is to be thereby aggrieved shall have the right to specific performance and injunctive or other equitable relief of its rights under this Agreement, in addition to any and all other rights and remedies at law or in equity, and all such rights and remedies shall be cumulative. The Parties agree that, from and after the Distribution, the remedies at law for any breach or threatened breach of this Agreement, including monetary damages, are inadequate compensation for any loss, that any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate is hereby waived, and that any requirements for the securing or posting of any bond with such remedy are hereby waived.
Section 5.19 Severability. In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and therein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The Parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions, the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.
[Signature page follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
THE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN COMPANY (to be renamed Madison Square Garden Sports Corp.) |
By: |
/s/ Andrew Lustgarten |
|||
Name: | Andrew Lustgarten | |||
Title: | President |
MSG ENTERTAINMENT SPINCO, INC. (to be renamed Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.) |
By: |
/s/ James L. Dolan |
|||
Name: | James L. Dolan | |||
Title: | Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
Exhibit 10.1
CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
BY AND AMONG
THE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN COMPANY
(TO BE RENAMED MADISON SQUARE GARDEN SPORTS CORP.),
MSG SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT, LLC
(TO BE RENAMED MSG ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, LLC)
AND
MSG ENTERTAINMENT SPINCO, INC.
(TO BE RENAMED MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.)
Dated as of March 31, 2020
CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT (this Agreement), dated as of March 31, 2020, by and among THE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN COMPANY (to be renamed Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. at the Effective Time (as defined herein)), a Delaware corporation (MSG), MSG Sports & Entertainment, LLC (to be renamed MSG Entertainment Group, LLC), a Delaware limited liability company and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of MSG (MSG Entertainment), and MSG ENTERTAINMENT SPINCO, INC. (to be renamed Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. at the Effective Time), a Delaware corporation (Spinco).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, MSG and Spinco are parties to a Distribution Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2020 (the Distribution Agreement);
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, MSG intends to distribute to its stockholders all of Spincos common stock (the Distribution);
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, the parties wish to cause the transactions described on Annex I (the Reorganization Transactions) to be completed including, without limitation, (a) the assignment by MSG Entertainment or its subsidiaries to MSG or its subsidiaries of all of the issued and outstanding common stock, partnership interests and membership interests of the entities and assets and liabilities as reflected in Section A of Annex I (such assignments are referred to herein as the Sports Assignments) and (b) the assignment by MSG to Spinco or its subsidiaries of all of the issued and outstanding common stock, partnership interests and membership interests of the entities and assets and liabilities as reflected in Section B of Annex I (such assignments are referred to herein as the Entertainment Assignments and, together with the Sports Assignments, the Assignments);
WHEREAS, in consideration of the Entertainment Assignments, Spinco wishes to issue to MSG, and MSG wishes to receive, 900 shares of newly issued Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Spinco (the Spinco Stock);
WHEREAS, MSG, in its capacity as the sole stockholder of Spinco, has approved such issuance of Spinco Stock for purposes of exempting such acquisition under Rule 16b-3(d) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended;
WHEREAS, the parties hereto intend for Spinco to own, immediately following the Distribution, the business and assets described in Spincos registration statement on Form 10 (the Form 10) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as being owned, directly or indirectly, by Spinco (the Spinco Assets);
WHEREAS, the parties hereto intend for Spinco to assume and be responsible for, directly or indirectly, the liabilities described in the Form 10 as being liabilities, directly or indirectly, of Spinco (the Spinco Liabilities);
WHEREAS, in order to complete the Reorganization Transactions and the Distribution, the parties desire to enter into this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, this Agreement, together with the other documents implementing the Distribution and Reorganization Transactions, is intended to be and is hereby adopted as, a plan of reorganization within the meaning of Treas. Reg. section 1.368-2(g); and
WHEREAS, terms used but not defined herein have the meanings assigned thereto in the Distribution Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are acknowledged by this Agreement, the parties agree as follows:
1. Assignments. Subject to the terms of the Distribution Agreement, MSG hereby agrees to transfer and assign to Spinco, or to cause its applicable subsidiaries or affiliates to transfer and assign to Spinco, or its applicable subsidiaries or affiliates, all of the Spinco Assets, and Spinco agrees to assume, or to cause its applicable subsidiaries or affiliates to assume, the Spinco Liabilities. These transfers, assignments and assumptions are effective at or prior to the Effective Time. In furtherance of the foregoing, MSG, MSG Entertainment and Spinco shall take all actions necessary to cause the completion of the Reorganization Transactions to which it or any of its subsidiaries is a party. In furtherance thereof, prior to the Effective Time, (a) MSG Entertainment shall make the Sports Assignments to MSG or its subsidiaries, and MSG or its subsidiaries shall accept such Sports Assignments from MSG Entertainment, and (b) MSG shall make the Entertainment Assignments to Spinco or its subsidiaries, and Spinco or its subsidiaries shall accept such Entertainment Assignments from MSG.
2. Stock Issuance. Spinco hereby agrees to issue to MSG, prior to the Effective Time, the Spinco Stock, in uncertificated form, pursuant to the Assignment Agreement and Stock Power, dated the date of this Agreement, between MSG and Spinco. MSG acknowledges and agrees that the uncertificated Spinco Stock shall be subject to the terms of the legends set forth on Annex II hereto.
3. Disclosure. Except as expressly provided in the Distribution Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement, (i) none of the parties is making any representation to any other party in connection with the Reorganization Transactions, the Assignments or the Spinco Stock issuance, and (ii) Spinco is not directly assuming any liabilities under the Reorganization Transactions or the Entertainment Assignments.
4. Further Assurances. Each party hereto agrees to take such further actions as may be reasonably necessary to effect the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing sentence, the parties will take any such steps as are necessary to complete the transfer to Spinco, or its applicable subsidiaries or affiliates, of the Spinco Assets and the assumption by Spinco, or its applicable subsidiaries or affiliates, of the Spinco Liabilities.
5. Complete Agreement; Construction. This Agreement, including the Annexes hereto, shall constitute the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and shall supersede all previous negotiations, commitments and writings with respect to such subject matter. In the event of any inconsistency between this Agreement and any Annex, the Annex shall prevail.
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6. Ancillary Agreements. This Agreement is not intended to address, and should not be interpreted to address, the matters specifically and expressly covered by the Distribution Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements. Without limiting the foregoing sentence, the provisions of Sections 2.13 and 2.14 of the Distribution Agreement shall apply to the Reorganization Transaction and the Assignments.
7. Counterparts. 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 such counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties.
8. Survival of Agreements. Except as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement, all covenants and agreements of the parties contained in this Agreement shall survive the Distribution Date.
9. Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing, shall reference this Agreement and shall be hand delivered or mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested) to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other addresses for a party as shall be specified by like notice) and will be deemed given on the date on which such notice is received:
To MSG:
The Madison Square Garden Company (or, after the applicable name change, Madison Square Garden Sports Corp.)
Two Penn Plaza
New York, New York 10121
Attention: General Counsel
To Spinco and MSG Entertainment:
MSG Entertainment Spinco, Inc. (or, after the applicable name change, Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.)
Two Penn Plaza
New York, New York 10121
Attention: General Counsel
10. Waivers. The failure of any party to require strict performance by any other party of any provision in this Agreement will not waive or diminish that partys right to demand strict performance thereafter of that or any other provision hereof.
11. Amendments. Subject to the terms of Section 14 hereof, this Agreement may not be modified or amended except by an agreement in writing signed by each of the parties.
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12. Assignment. This Agreement shall not be assignable, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, by any party without the prior written consent of the other parties, and any attempt to assign any rights or obligations arising under this Agreement without such consent shall be void; provided that any party may assign this Agreement to a purchaser of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of such party (whether by sale, merger or otherwise) so long as such purchaser expressly assumes, in a written instrument in form reasonably satisfactory to the non-assigning parties, the due and punctual performance or observance of every agreement and covenant of this Agreement on the part of the assigning party to be performed or observed.
13. Successors and Assigns. The provisions to this Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
14. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Distribution by and in the sole discretion of MSG without the approval of MSG Entertainment, Spinco or the stockholders of MSG. In the event of such termination, no party shall have any liability of any kind to any other party or any other Person. After the Distribution, this Agreement may not be terminated except by an agreement in writing signed by the parties.
15. Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the parties and should not be deemed to confer upon any other Person any remedy, claim, liability, reimbursement, cause of action or other right in excess of those existing without reference to this Agreement.
16. Title and Headings. Titles and headings to Sections herein are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
17. Annexes. The Annexes shall be construed with and as an integral part of this Agreement to the same extent as if the same had been set forth verbatim herein.
18. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts made and to be performed in the State of New York.
19. Waiver of Jury Trial. The parties hereby irrevocably waive any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or related to this Agreement.
20. Specific Performance. From and after the Distribution, in the event of any actual or threatened default in, or breach of, any of the terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement, the parties agree that the party to this Agreement who is or is to be thereby aggrieved shall have the right to specific performance and injunctive or other equitable relief of its rights under this Agreement, in addition to any and all other rights and remedies at law or in equity, and all such rights and remedies shall be cumulative. The parties agree that, from and after the Distribution, the remedies at law for any breach or threatened breach of this Agreement, including monetary damages, are inadequate compensation for any loss, that any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate is hereby waived, and that any requirements for the securing or posting of any bond with such remedy are hereby waived.
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21. Severability. In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and therein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions, the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of illegal or unenforceable provisions.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
THE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN COMPANY (to be renamed Madison Square Garden Sports Corp.) |
||||
By: |
/s/ Andrew Lustgarten |
|||
Name: | Andrew Lustgarten | |||
Title: | President | |||
MSG SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT, LLC (to be renamed MSG Entertainment Group, LLC) |
||||
By: |
/s/ Victoria M. Mink |
|||
Name: | Victoria M. Mink | |||
Title: | Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | |||
MSG ENTERTAINMENT SPINCO, INC. (to be renamed Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.) |
||||
By: |
/s/ James L. Dolan |
|||
Name: | James L. Dolan | |||
Title: | Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
Exhibit 10.2
TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT
BY AND BETWEEN
MSG SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT, LLC
(TO BE RENAMED MSG ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, LLC)
AND
MSG SPORTS, LLC
dated as of March 31, 2020
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS |
||||
Section 1.1. General |
1 | |||
Section 1.2. Reference; Interpretation |
4 | |||
ARTICLE II
SERVICES |
||||
Section 2.1. Services |
4 | |||
Section 2.2. Standard of Service |
5 | |||
Section 2.3. Additional Services |
5 | |||
Section 2.4. Representative |
5 | |||
ARTICLE III
LICENSES AND PERMITS |
||||
Section 3.1. Licenses and Permits |
5 | |||
ARTICLE IV
PAYMENT |
||||
Section 4.1. General |
6 | |||
Section 4.2. Additional Expenses |
6 | |||
Section 4.3. Adjustments |
6 | |||
Section 4.4. Invoices |
7 | |||
Section 4.5. Failure to Pay |
7 | |||
Section 4.6. Termination of Services |
7 | |||
ARTICLE V
INSURANCE MATTERS |
||||
Section 5.1. Existing Insurance Polices |
8 | |||
Section 5.2. Disclaimer |
8 | |||
Section 5.3. Insurance Transition |
8 | |||
Section 5.4. Claims Made Policies |
8 | |||
Section 5.5. Post-Distribution Claims for Pre-Distribution Events |
9 | |||
Section 5.6. Audits and Adjustments |
9 | |||
Section 5.7. No Assignment or Waiver |
9 | |||
Section 5.8. No Limitation on Sportsco Insurance |
9 | |||
Section 5.9. Scope |
9 |
ARTICLE VI | ||||
INDEMNIFICATION | ||||
Section 6.1. Indemnification of Party Receiving Services | 10 | |||
Section 6.2. Indemnification of Party Providing Services | 10 | |||
Section 6.3. Third Party Claims | 11 | |||
Section 6.4. Indemnification Payments | 13 | |||
Section 6.5. Survival | 13 | |||
ARTICLE VII | ||||
COOPERATION; CONFIDENTIALITY; TITLE | ||||
Section 7.1. Good Faith Cooperation; Consents | 13 | |||
Section 7.2. Confidentiality | 13 | |||
Section 7.3. Internal Use; Title, Copies, Return | 14 | |||
ARTICLE VIII | ||||
TERM | ||||
Section 8.1. Duration | 14 | |||
Section 8.2. Early Termination by Entertainco | 15 | |||
Section 8.3. Early Termination by Sportsco | 15 | |||
Section 8.4. Termination of MSGN Services Agreement | 15 | |||
Section 8.5. Suspension Due to Force Majeure | 16 | |||
Section 8.6. Consequences of Termination | 16 | |||
ARTICLE IX | ||||
RECORDS | ||||
Section 9.1. Maintenance of Records | 16 | |||
ARTICLE X | ||||
DISPUTE RESOLUTION | ||||
Section 10.1. Negotiation | 17 | |||
Section 10.2. Continuity of Service and Performance | 17 | |||
Section 10.3. Other Remedies | 17 | |||
ARTICLE XI | ||||
NOTICES | ||||
Section 11.1. Notices | 17 |
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ARTICLE XII | ||||
MISCELLANEOUS | ||||
Section 12.1. Taxes | 18 | |||
Section 12.2. Relationship of Parties | 18 | |||
Section 12.3. Complete Agreement; Construction | 18 | |||
Section 12.4. Counterparts | 18 | |||
Section 12.5. Waivers | 19 | |||
Section 12.6. Amendments | 19 | |||
Section 12.7. Assignment | 19 | |||
Section 12.8. Successors and Assigns | 19 | |||
Section 12.9. Third Party Beneficiaries | 19 | |||
Section 12.10. Governing Law; League Rules | 19 | |||
Section 12.11. Waiver of Jury Trial | 19 | |||
Section 12.12. Specific Performance | 19 | |||
Section 12.13. Severability | 20 | |||
Section 12.14. Provisions Unaffected | 20 | |||
Section 12.15. No Presumption | 20 | |||
Schedule A Services Provided by Entertainco to Sportsco | A-1 | |||
Schedule A.1 IT Services Provided by Entertainco to Sportsco | A.1-1 | |||
Schedule B Services Provided by Sportsco to Entertainco | B-1 | |||
Schedule C Initial Representatives | C-1 | |||
Schedule D Existing Insurance Polices | D-1 |
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Transition Services Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2020 (this Agreement), between MSG Sports, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Sportsco), and MSG Sports & Entertainment, LLC (to be renamed MSG Entertainment Group, LLC), a Delaware limited liability company (Entertainco).
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, Sportscos parent, The Madison Square Garden Company (to be renamed Madison Square Garden Sports Corp.) (Sportsco Parent), and Entertaincos parent, MSG Entertainment Spinco, Inc. (to be renamed Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.) (MSG), have entered into a Distribution Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2020 (the Distribution Agreement), which sets forth the terms pursuant to which Sportsco Parent will transfer certain assets to MSG and Sportsco Parent will distribute the common stock of MSG to shareholders of Sportsco Parent (the Distribution); and
WHEREAS, in connection with the Distribution, and in order to ensure an orderly transition under the Distribution Agreement, it will be necessary for each of the parties to provide to the other the Services described herein for a transitional period;
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants contained herein, agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1. General. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the respective meanings set forth below:
Action shall have the meaning assigned to that term in the Distribution Agreement.
Affiliate shall, subject to the next succeeding sentence, have the meaning assigned to that term in the Distribution Agreement. For clarity, unless the context otherwise requires, a reference to a Persons Affiliates shall be deemed to mean such Persons Affiliates following the Distribution; provided that for purposes of this Agreement Entertainco and Sportsco shall not be considered Affiliates.
Ancillary Agreement shall have the meaning assigned to that term in the Distribution Agreement.
Applicable Rate shall mean the Prime Rate (as defined below) plus three percent (3%) per annum.
Bankruptcy Event with respect to a party shall mean the filing of an involuntary petition in bankruptcy or similar proceeding against such party seeking its reorganization, liquidation or the appointment of a receiver, trustee or liquidator for it or for all or substantially all of its assets, whereupon such petition shall not be dismissed within sixty (60) days after the filing thereof, or if such party shall (i) apply for or consent in writing to the appointment of a
receiver, trustee or liquidator of all or substantially all of its assets, (ii) file a voluntary petition or admit in writing its inability to pay its debts as they become due, (iii) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, (iv) file a petition or an answer seeking reorganization or an arrangement with its creditors or take advantage of any insolvency law with respect to itself as debtor, or (v) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency proceedings or any similar proceedings.
Business Day shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banks in New York City, New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
Change of Control of a company shall mean an event or series of events by which Dolan Family Interests or Persons controlled by Dolan Family Interests (any such Person, a Dolan Family Interest Controlled Person) (so long as such person or group (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)) other than the Dolan Family Interests shall beneficially own (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 (as in effect on the effective date of this Agreement) promulgated under the Exchange Act), in the aggregate, more than fifty percent (50%) of the equity interests in such Dolan Family Interest Controlled Person(s)) shall cease at any time to have beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of shares of the capital stock of such company, having sufficient votes to elect (or otherwise designate) at such time a majority of the members of the board of directors of such company.
Commencement Date shall have the meaning ascribed to that term in Section 8.1 of this Agreement.
Dolan Family Interests shall mean (i) any Dolan Family Member, (ii) any trusts for the benefit of any Dolan Family Members, (iii) any estate or testamentary trust of any Dolan Family Member for the benefit of any Dolan Family Members, (iv) any executor, administrator, trustee, conservator or legal or personal representative of any Person or Persons specified in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above to the extent acting in such capacity on behalf of any Dolan Family Member or Members and not individually and (v) any corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other similar entity, in each case 80% of which is owned and controlled by any of the foregoing or combination of the foregoing.
Dolan Family Members shall mean Charles F. Dolan, his spouse, his descendants and any spouse of any of such descendants.
Entertainco Services shall mean those transitional services, including any Additional Services, to be provided by Entertainco to Sportsco set forth on Schedule A hereto to assist Sportsco in operating Sportscos business following the Distribution. Services or actions of Overlap Individuals shall not be considered to be Entertainco Services under this Agreement unless expressly agreed in writing by both parties to this Agreement.
League Rules shall collectively mean NBA Rules (as defined below) and NHL Rules (as defined below).
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Loss shall mean any damage, claim, loss, charge, action, suit, proceeding, deficiency, tax, interest, penalty and reasonable costs and expenses related thereto (including reasonable attorneys fees).
NBA shall mean the National Basketball Association.
NBA Rules shall mean (i) the NBA Constitution and By-Laws and all other rules and regulations of the NBA, as they presently exist and as they may from time to time be amended, to the extent they are of general applicability to all NBA members, and (ii) the terms of any existing or future contracts entered into by the NBA on behalf of all NBA members for the telecasting of basketball games.
NHL shall mean the National Hockey League.
NHL Rules shall mean (i) the NHL Constitution; (ii) the NHL By-Laws; (iii) all resolutions duly adopted by the NHL Board of Governors in accordance with (i) or (ii) above; (iv) all other rules, regulations, policies, procedures, interpretations and agreements adopted, issued, authorized, established, entered into or otherwise promulgated, in each case, pursuant to or otherwise in accordance with the items in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) above; and (v) the terms of any contracts entered into by the NHL on behalf of all NHL member clubs for the telecasting of hockey games; in each case (i.e., clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v)) (x) as may be presently existing, hereafter entered into or in effect, or adopted, repealed and/or amended from time to time and (y) that are generally applicable to all NHL member clubs.
Overlap Individuals shall mean Persons who are directors of both Sportsco and Entertainco or employees of both Sportsco and Entertainco if such employee is compensated by both companies.
Person shall mean any natural person, corporation, business trust, limited liability company, joint venture, association, company, partnership or government, or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
Prime Rate shall mean the rate of interest per annum announced from time to time by JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, as its prime lending rate.
Services shall mean, collectively, the Entertainco Services and the Sportsco Services.
Sportsco Services shall mean those transitional services, including any Additional Services, to be provided by Sportsco to Entertainco set forth on Schedule B hereto to assist Entertainco in operating Entertaincos business following the Distribution. Services or actions of Overlap Individuals shall not be considered to be Sportsco Services under this Agreement unless expressly agreed in writing by both parties to this Agreement.
Third-Party shall mean any Person who is not a party to this Agreement.
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Section 1.2. Reference; Interpretation. References in this Agreement to any gender include references to all genders, and references to the singular include references to the plural and vice versa. The words include, includes and including when used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase without limitation. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this Agreement to Articles, Sections and Schedules shall be deemed references to Articles and Sections of, and Schedules to, this Agreement. Unless the context otherwise requires, the words hereof, hereby and herein and words of similar meaning when used in this Agreement refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular Article, Section or provision of this Agreement.
ARTICLE II
SERVICES
Section 2.1. Services. (a) Entertainco shall provide to Sportsco each Entertainco Service for the term set forth opposite the description of such Entertainco Service in Schedule A. Upon conclusion of the term set forth opposite the description of such Entertainco Service, this Agreement shall be deemed terminated with respect to such Entertainco Service. Additional Services may be provided by Entertainco to Sportsco as provided in Section 2.3. At its option, (i) Entertainco may cause any Entertainco Service it is required to provide hereunder to be provided by a Third Party that is providing, or may from time to time provide, the same or similar services for Entertainco and/or (ii) to the extent any Entertainco Service is already provided by a Third Party, Entertainco shall have the right to change the Third Party that is providing such Entertainco Service to any Third Party that is providing, or may from time to time provide, the same or similar services for Entertainco, at any time upon reasonable notice to Sportsco. In the event of such a change as permitted in clauses (i) or (ii) above results in a change in cost of Entertainco for the provision of such Entertainco Service, the applicable schedules to this agreement shall be updated to reflect the revised fees as allocated to Sportsco, provided that if such a change results in an increase over 10% of the costs currently contemplated by Schedule A such an amendment will require the consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) of Sportsco.
(b) Sportsco shall provide to Entertainco each Sportsco Service for the term set forth opposite the description of such Sportsco Service in Schedule B. Upon conclusion of the term set forth opposite the description of such Sportsco Service, this Agreement shall be deemed terminated with respect to such Sportsco Service. Additional Services may be provided to Entertainco by Sportsco as provided in Section 2.3. At its option, (i) Sportsco may cause any Sportsco Service it is required to provide hereunder to be provided by a Third Party that is providing, or may from time to time provide, the same or similar services for Sportsco and/or (ii) to the extent any Sportsco Service is already provided by a Third Party, Sportsco shall have the right to change the Third Party that is providing such Sportsco Service to any Third Party that is providing, or may from time to time provide, the same or similar services for Sportsco, at any time upon reasonable notice to Entertainco. In the event of such a change as permitted in clauses (i) or (ii) above results in a change in cost of Sportsco for the provision of such Sportsco Service, the applicable schedules to this agreement shall be updated to reflect the revised fees as allocated to Entertainco, provided that if such a change results in an increase over 10% of the costs currently contemplated by Schedule B such an amendment will require the consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) of Entertainco.
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Section 2.2. Standard of Service. Entertainco and Sportsco shall maintain sufficient resources to perform their respective obligations hereunder. In performing the Services, Entertainco and Sportsco shall provide substantially the same level of service and use substantially the same degree of care as their respective personnel provided and used in providing such Services prior to completion of the Distribution for itself (but in no event less than a reasonable degree of care), subject in each case to any provisions set forth on Schedule A or Schedule B with respect to each such Service. Each party shall provide reasonable assistance to the other party in migrating the applicable Services to the recipient of such Services.
Section 2.3. Additional Services. From time to time after the date hereof, the parties may identify additional services that one party will provide to the other party in accordance with the terms of this Agreement (the Additional Services). The parties shall cooperate and act in good faith to agree on the terms pursuant to which any such Additional Service shall be provided and to amend Schedule A or Schedule B, as applicable, in accordance with such terms. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither party shall have any obligation to agree to provide Additional Services, except that, in the event that Additional Services requested by Sportsco to be provided by Entertainco are required by either the NBA or the NHL pursuant to applicable League Rules, and such Additional Services are the type of (or are comparable to) services that Entertainco otherwise provides for itself (or currently obtains through a Third Party), Entertainco shall use good faith efforts to provide such Additional Services in accordance with the terms of the second sentence of this Section 2.3 and otherwise in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
Section 2.4. Representative. The parties shall each appoint a representative (each, a Representative) to facilitate communications and performance under this Agreement. Each party may treat an act of a Representative of another party as being authorized by such other party without inquiring behind such act or ascertaining whether such Representative had authority to so act. Each party shall have the right at any time and from time to time to replace its Representative by giving notice in writing to the other party. The initial representative of each party is as set forth on Schedule C.
ARTICLE III
LICENSES AND PERMITS
Section 3.1. Licenses and Permits. Each party warrants and covenants that all duties and obligations (including with respect to Entertainco, all Entertainco Services and with respect to Sportsco, all Sportsco Services) to be performed hereunder shall be performed in compliance with all material applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations. Each party shall obtain and maintain all material permits, approvals and licenses necessary or appropriate to perform its duties and obligations (including with respect to Entertainco, the Entertainco Services and with respect to Sportsco, the Sportsco Services) hereunder and shall at all times comply with the terms and conditions of such permits, approvals and licenses.
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ARTICLE IV
PAYMENT
Section 4.1. General. (a) In consideration for the provision of each of the Entertainco Services, Sportsco shall pay to Entertainco the fee set forth for such Entertainco Service on Schedule A.
(b) In consideration for the provision of each of the Sportsco Services, Entertainco shall pay to Sportsco the fee as set forth for such Sportsco Service on Schedule B.
Section 4.2. Additional Expenses. (a) In addition to the fees payable in accordance with Section 4.1(a), Sportsco shall reimburse Entertainco for all reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by Entertainco with respect to Third Parties in connection with the provision of Entertainco Services to Sportsco pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or paid by Entertainco on behalf of Sportsco that are not already contemplated by Schedule A; provided that if Entertainco expects to incur in respect of a Third Party in any month costs and expenses in excess of $25,000 and not already contemplated by Schedule A, Entertainco shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide to Sportsco prior to the first day of such month a written notice setting forth Entertaincos reasonable estimate of the expenses it expects to incur.
(b) In addition to the fees payable for expenses in accordance with Section 4.1(b), Entertainco shall reimburse Sportsco for all reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by Sportsco with respect to Third Parties in connection with the provision of Sportsco Services to Entertainco pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or paid by Sportsco on behalf of Entertainco that are not already contemplated by Schedule B; provided that if Sportsco expects to incur in respect of a Third Party in any month costs and expenses in excess of $25,000 and not already contemplated by Schedule B, Sportsco shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide to Entertainco prior to the first day of such a month written notice setting forth Sportscos reasonable estimate of the expenses it expects to incur.
Section 4.3. Adjustments. Entertainco and Sportsco shall review and evaluate the fees payable in accordance with Section 4.1 (the Fees) for existing services contemplated on Schedule A or Schedule B (the Existing Services) for reasonableness annually and work in good faith to equitably adjust such Fees for Existing Services as appropriate to reflect among other things changes in compensation due to promotions or replacement of personnel at a lower or higher compensation level, increases or decreases in the percentage of labor-based allocation based on increased or decreased efforts of a particular individual, or adjustments to percentage of non-labor allocations tied to headcounts or other reasonable metrics. Entertainco and Sportsco shall work together in good faith to determine an appropriate date for such adjustments to take effect (which may be retroactive to the date of such changes). The addition of any Services not contemplated by Schedule A and B shall be subject to each companys related party transaction approval policy.
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Section 4.4. Invoices. (a) Entertainco will invoice Sportsco in U.S. dollars: (i) as of the last day of each calendar month for any fees payable by Sportsco in accordance with Section 4.1(a) for Entertainco Services listed on Schedule A provided pursuant to the terms of this Agreement during such month; (ii) as of the last day of each calendar month for any amounts payable by Sportsco in accordance with Section 4.2(a) (and enclosing invoices from the relevant Third Parties); and (iii) as of the last day of each calendar month for any taxes (excluding income taxes) accrued with respect to the provision of Entertainco Services to Sportsco during such month. Entertainco shall deliver or cause to be delivered to Sportsco each such invoice within thirty (30) days following the last day of the calendar month to which such invoice relates. Sportsco shall pay each such invoice received by electronic funds transfer as follows: in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), within forty-five (45) Business Days of the date on which such invoice was received, and in the case of clause (iii), not later than one (1) Business Day prior to the due date for such tax payments; provided that Entertainco delivers such invoice not less than three (3) Business Days prior to the due date for such tax payments.
(b) Sportsco will invoice Entertainco in U.S. dollars: (i) as of the last day of each calendar month for any fees payable by Entertainco in accordance with Section 4.1(b) for Sportsco Services listed on Schedule B provided pursuant to the terms of this Agreement during such month; (ii) as of the last day of each calendar month for any amounts payable by Entertainco in accordance with Section 4.2(b) (and enclosing invoices from such Third Parties); and (iii) as of the last day of each calendar month for any taxes (excluding income taxes) accrued with respect to the provision of Sportsco Services to Entertainco during such month. Sportsco shall deliver or cause to be delivered to Entertainco each such invoice within thirty (30) days following the last day of the calendar month to which such invoice relates. Entertainco shall pay each such invoice received by electronic funds transfer: in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), within forty-five (45) Business Days of the date on which such invoice was received, and in the case of clause (iii), not later than one (1) Business Day prior to the due date for such tax payments provided that Sportsco delivers such invoice not less than three (3) Business Days prior to the due date for such tax payments.
Section 4.5. Failure to Pay. Any undisputed amount not paid when due shall be subject to a late payment fee computed daily at a rate equal to the Applicable Rate from the due date of such amount to the date such amount is paid. Each party agrees to pay the other partys reasonable attorneys fees and other costs incurred in collection of any amounts owed to such other party hereunder and not paid when due. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in the event either party fails to make a payment of any undisputed amount when due hereunder, and such failure continues for a period of thirty (30) days following delivery of notice to such non-paying party of such failure, the other party shall have the right to cease provision of such Services to such non-paying party until such overdue payment (and any applicable late payment fee accrued with respect thereto) is paid in full. Such right of the party providing services shall not in any manner limit or prejudice any of such partys other rights or remedies in the event of the non-paying partys failure to make payments when due hereunder, including without limitation any rights or remedies pursuant to Sections 6, 8 and 10.
Section 4.6. Termination of Services. In the event of a termination of Services pursuant to Section 8, with respect to the calendar month in which such Services cease to be provided, the recipient of such Services shall be obligated to pay a fee for such Services calculated as set forth on Schedule A or B, as applicable for the portion of the month prior to the termination. Where possible, the parties agree to work together cooperatively to seek to have terminations occur as of month ends, but this Agreement shall not limit a partys right to effect a termination in accordance with this Agreement other than as of a month end.
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ARTICLE V
INSURANCE MATTERS
Section 5.1. Existing Insurance Polices. Each of the insurance policies of Entertainco and Sportsco Parent in effect prior to the Distribution are listed on Schedule D hereto (the Existing Policies). Certain of the Existing Policies shall be transferred from the original named insured under that policy (the Transferor) to another party (the Transferee) as indicated in Schedule D (the Transferred Policies).
Section 5.2. Disclaimer. With respect to the Transferred Policies, each Transferor does hereby, for itself and each of its subsidiaries, agree that the applicable Transferee and its subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers and employees shall not have any liability whatsoever as a result of the insurance policies and practices of the Transferor and its affiliates as in effect at any time prior to the Distribution, including as a result of the level or scope of any such insurance, the creditworthiness of any insurance carrier, the selection, identity or performance of any Third Party administrator, the terms and conditions of any policy, the adequacy or timeliness of any notice to any insurance carrier with respect to any claim or potential claim or otherwise.
Section 5.3. Insurance Transition. With respect to the Transferred Policies, each Transferor agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the interest and rights of the applicable Transferee and each of its subsidiaries as of the date of the Distribution as insureds, additional named insureds or beneficiaries or in any other capacity under occurrence-based insurance policies and programs (and under claims-made policies and programs to the extent a claim has been submitted prior to the Distribution or later if so permitted by the terms of the applicable insurance policy and assuming that such policy is then in effect) of the applicable Transferee in respect of periods prior to the date of the Distribution to survive the Distribution for the period for which such interests and rights would have survived without regard to the transactions contemplated hereby to the extent permitted by such policies. In accordance with this Agreement the applicable Transferor shall transition the administration of the Transferred Policies and related programs noted on Schedule D to the Transferee indicated on Schedule D (or such other entity designated by the applicable Transferee) and the Transferee shall pay the costs and fees of the Transferor during such transition as provided in Article IV and Schedule A.
Section 5.4. Claims Made Policies. With respect to the Transferred Policies, each Transferee agrees that if it obtains or maintains any insurance coverage after the date of the Distribution for matters occurring prior to that time (e.g., a claims made directors and officers insurance policy) it will also obtain or maintain such coverage for the applicable Transferor, and its subsidiaries, subject to the Transferors payment of the fees and costs in connection therewith as provided in this Agreement.
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Section 5.5. Post-Distribution Claims for Pre-Distribution Events. In the event that a claim is made after the Distribution for an event that occurred prior to the Distribution, and such claim arises out of: (a) the Spinco Business (as defined in the Distribution Agreement), the parties will work together in good faith to ensure that such claim is made or caused to be made under the appropriate Existing Policy (whether transferred or not), that the expenses (if any) related to such a claim (e.g., payment of deductibles or expenses/recoveries not covered by the applicable Existing Policy) are borne by Entertainco, and the proceeds (if any) shall be for the benefit of Entertainco (or as otherwise mutually agreed by the parties, with the intent being achieving a fair and equitable result); (b) the MSG Business (as defined in the Distribution Agreement), the parties will work together in good faith to ensure that such claim is made or caused to be made under the appropriate Existing Policy (whether transferred or not), that the expenses (if any) related to such a claim (e.g., payment of deductibles or expenses/recoveries not covered by the applicable Existing Policy) are borne by Sportsco, and the proceeds (if any) shall be for the benefit of Sportsco (or as otherwise mutually agreed by the parties, with the intent being achieving a fair and equitable result); or (c) corporate matters of the pre-Distribution consolidated business that generally impact the MSG Business and Spinco business equally (e.g., D&O), or is the result of an action of a third-party and such action impacts the pre-Distribution consolidated business equally or indiscriminately (e.g., Cyber & Media), the parties will work together in good faith to ensure that such claim is made or caused to be made under the appropriate Existing Policy (whether transferred or not), that the expenses (if any) related to such a claim (e.g., payment of deductibles or expenses/recoveries not covered by the applicable Existing Policy) are borne by Sportsco, and the proceeds (if any) shall be for the benefit of Sportsco (or as otherwise mutually agreed by the parties, with the intent being achieving a fair and equitable result).
Section 5.6. Audits and Adjustments. With respect to the Transferred Policies, each Transferee agrees that it will reimburse the applicable Transferor under this Agreement for any additional premiums or other amounts owing to any Third Party as a result of any audit or similar procedure by a Third Party, to the extent that such additional premiums or amounts owing relate to Transferee or any of its subsidiaries during the period Transferee or such subsidiaries were covered by the relevant insurance policy.
Section 5.7. No Assignment or Waiver. This Agreement is not intended as an attempted assignment of any policy of insurance or as a contract of insurance and shall not be construed to waive any right or remedy of any Transferee in respect of any insurance policy or any other contract or policy of insurance.
Section 5.8. No Limitation on Sportsco Insurance. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to restrict a Transferor from acquiring at its own expense any other insurance policy in respect of any liabilities or covering any period.
Section 5.9. Scope. The provisions of this Article V shall not apply to insurance practices or policies relating to health and welfare plans or any other employee benefit arrangement. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of Article V apply to insurance practices and policies relating to workers compensation and the foregoing sentence does not limit the application of Article V to such practices and policies.
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ARTICLE VI
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 6.1. Indemnification of Party Receiving Services. (a) Entertainco agrees to indemnify, defend and hold Sportsco harmless from and against any Loss to which Sportsco may become subject arising out of, by reason of or otherwise in connection with the provision hereunder by Entertainco of Entertainco Services, other than Losses resulting from Sportscos gross negligence, willful misconduct or breach of its obligations pursuant to this Agreement. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, Entertainco shall not be liable under this Section 6.1 for any consequential, special or punitive damages (including but not limited to lost profits), except to the extent that such consequential, special or punitive damages relate to a Loss resulting from a Third Party Claim (as defined below).
(b) Sportsco agrees to indemnify, defend and hold Entertainco harmless from and against any Loss to which Entertainco may become subject arising out of, by reason of or otherwise in connection with the provision hereunder by Sportsco of Sportsco Services, other than Losses resulting from Entertaincos gross negligence, willful misconduct or breach of its obligations pursuant to this Agreement. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, Sportsco shall not be liable under this Section 6.1 for any consequential, special or punitive damages (including but not limited to lost profits), except to the extent that such consequential, special or punitive damages relate to a Loss resulting from a Third Party Claim (as defined below).
Section 6.2. Indemnification of Party Providing Services. (a) Sportsco agrees to indemnify, defend and hold Entertainco harmless from and against any Loss to which Entertainco may become subject arising out of, by reason of or otherwise in connection with, the provision hereunder by Entertainco of Entertainco Services to Sportsco where such Losses resulted from Sportscos gross negligence, willful misconduct or breach of its obligations pursuant to this Agreement. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, Sportsco shall not be liable under this Section 6.2 for any consequential, special or punitive damages (including but not limited to lost profits), except to the extent that such consequential, special or punitive damages relate to a Loss resulting from a Third Party Claim (as defined below).
(b) Entertainco agrees to indemnify, defend and hold Sportsco harmless from and against any Loss to which Sportsco may become subject arising out of, by reason of or otherwise in connection with the provision hereunder by Sportsco of Sportsco Services to Entertainco where such Losses resulted from Entertaincos gross negligence, willful misconduct or breach of its obligations pursuant to this Agreement. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, Entertainco shall not be liable under this Section 6.2 for any consequential, special or punitive damages (including but not limited to lost profits), except to the extent that such consequential, special or punitive damages relate to a Loss resulting from a Third Party Claim (as defined below).
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Section 6.3. Third Party Claims. (a) If a claim or demand is made against Sportsco or Entertainco (each, an Indemnitee) by any Third Party (a Third Party Claim) as to which such Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Agreement, such Indemnitee shall notify the party which is or may be required pursuant to Section 6.1 or Section 6.2 hereof to make such indemnification (the Indemnifying Party) in writing, and in reasonable detail, of the Third Party Claim promptly and in any event by the date (the Outside Notice Date) that is the 15th Business Day after receipt by such Indemnitee of written notice of the Third Party Claim; provided, however, that failure to give such notification shall not affect the indemnification provided hereunder except to the extent the Indemnifying Party shall have been actually prejudiced as a result of such failure (except that the Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any expenses incurred during the period beginning immediately after the Outside Notice Date and ending on the date that the Indemnitee gives the required notice). Thereafter, the Indemnitee shall deliver to the Indemnifying Party, promptly (and in any event within ten Business Days) after the Indemnitees receipt thereof, copies of all notices and documents (including court papers) received by the Indemnitee relating to the Third Party Claim. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Sportsco shall not be required to provide notice to Entertainco for Third Party Claims for which Entertainco is providing legal support as part of the Entertainco Services to the extent that Entertainco has received notice in such capacity.
(b) If a Third Party Claim is made against an Indemnitee, the Indemnifying Party shall be entitled to participate in the defense thereof and, if it so chooses and acknowledges in writing its obligation to indemnify the Indemnitee therefor, to assume the defense thereof with counsel selected by the Indemnifying Party, provided, however, that such counsel is not reasonably objected to by the Indemnitee. Should the Indemnifying Party so elect to assume the defense of a Third Party Claim, the Indemnifying Party shall, within 30 days (or sooner if the nature of the Third Party Claim so requires), notify the Indemnitee of its intent to do so, and the Indemnifying Party shall thereafter not be liable to the Indemnitee for legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with the defense thereof; provided, however, that such Indemnitee shall have the right to employ counsel to represent such Indemnitee if, in such Indemnitees reasonable judgment, a conflict of interest between such Indemnitee and such Indemnifying Party exists in respect of such claim which would make representation of both such parties by one counsel inappropriate, and in such event the fees and expenses of such separate counsel shall be paid by such Indemnifying Party. If the Indemnifying Party assumes such defense, the Indemnitee shall have the right to participate in the defense thereof and to employ counsel, subject to the proviso of the preceding sentence, at its own expense, separate from the counsel employed by the Indemnifying Party, it being understood that the Indemnifying Party shall control such defense. The Indemnifying Party shall be liable for the fees and expenses of counsel employed by the Indemnitee for any period during which the Indemnifying Party has failed to assume the defense thereof (other than during the period prior to the time the Indemnitee shall have given notice of the Third Party Claim as provided above). If the Indemnifying Party so elects to assume the defense of any Third Party Claim, all of the Indemnitees shall cooperate with the Indemnifying Party in the defense or prosecution thereof, including by providing or causing to be provided agreements, documents, books, records, files and witnesses as soon as reasonably practicable after receiving any request therefor from or on behalf of the Indemnifying Party, except to the extent that providing or causing the foregoing to be provided would constitute a waiver of any Indemnitees attorney-client privilege.
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(c) If the Indemnifying Party acknowledges in writing responsibility under this Article VI for a Third Party Claim, then in no event will the Indemnitee admit any liability with respect to, or settle, compromise or discharge, any Third Party Claim without the Indemnifying Partys prior written consent; provided, however, that the Indemnitee shall have the right to settle, compromise or discharge such Third Party Claim without the consent of the Indemnifying Party if the Indemnitee releases the Indemnifying Party from its indemnification obligation hereunder with respect to such Third Party Claim and such settlement, compromise or discharge would not otherwise adversely affect the Indemnifying Party. If the Indemnifying Party acknowledges in writing liability for a Third Party Claim, the Indemnitee will agree to any settlement, compromise or discharge of a Third Party Claim that the Indemnifying Party may recommend and that by its terms obligates the Indemnifying Party to pay the full amount of the liability in connection with such Third Party Claim and releases the Indemnitee completely in connection with such Third Party Claim and that would not otherwise adversely affect the Indemnitee. If an Indemnifying Party elects not to assume the defense of a Third Party Claim, or fails to notify an Indemnitee of its election to do so as provided herein, such Indemnitee may compromise, settle or defend such Third Party Claim.
(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Indemnifying Party shall not be entitled to assume the defense of any Third Party Claim (and shall be liable for the fees and expenses of counsel incurred by the Indemnitee in defending such Third Party Claim) if the Third Party Claim seeks an order, injunction or other equitable relief or relief for other than money damages against the Indemnitee which the Indemnitee reasonably determines, after conferring with its counsel, cannot be separated from any related claim for money damages. If such equitable relief or other relief portion of the Third Party Claim can be so separated from that for money damages, the Indemnifying Party shall be entitled to assume the defense of the portion relating to money damages.
(e) In the event and to the extent of payment by an Indemnifying Party to any Indemnitee in connection with any Third-Party Claim, such Indemnifying Party shall be subrogated to and shall stand in the place of such Indemnitee as to any events or circumstances in respect of which such Indemnitee may have any right or claim relating to such Third-Party Claim against any claimant or plaintiff asserting such Third-Party Claim. Such Indemnitee shall cooperate with such Indemnifying Party in a reasonable manner, and at the cost and expense of such Indemnifying Party, in prosecuting any subrogated right or claim.
(f) Entertainco and Sportsco shall cooperate as may reasonably be required in connection with the investigation, defense and settlement of any Third-Party Claim. In furtherance of this obligation, the parties agree that if an Indemnifying Party chooses to defend or to compromise or settle any Third-Party Claim, Sportsco or Entertainco, as the case may be, shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to make available to the other party, upon written request, their former and then current directors, officers, employees and agents and those of their subsidiaries as witnesses and any records or other documents within its control or which it otherwise has the ability to make available, to the extent that (i) any such Person, records or other documents may reasonably be required in connection with such defense, settlement or compromise and (ii) making such Person, records or other documents so available would not constitute a waiver of the attorney-client privilege of Sportsco or Entertainco, as the case may be. At the request of an Indemnifying Party, an Indemnitee shall enter into a reasonably acceptable joint defense agreement.
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(g) The remedies provided in this Article VI shall be cumulative and shall not preclude assertion by any Indemnitee of any other rights or the seeking of any and all other remedies against any Indemnifying Party.
Section 6.4. Indemnification Payments. (a) Indemnification required by this Article VI shall be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or any Loss is incurred. If the Indemnifying Party fails to make an indemnification payment required by this Article VI within 30 days after receipt of a bill therefor or notice that a Loss has been incurred, the Indemnifying Party shall also be required to pay interest on the amount of such indemnification payment, from the date of receipt of the bill or notice of the Loss to, but not including the date of payment, at the Prime Rate.
(b) The amount of any claim by an Indemnitee under this Agreement shall be (i) reduced to reflect any actual tax savings or insurance proceeds received by any Indemnitee that result from the Losses that gave rise to such indemnity, and (ii) increased by an amount equal to any tax cost incurred by any Indemnitee that results from receipt of payments under this Article VI.
Section 6.5. Survival. The parties obligations under this Article VI shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
ARTICLE VII
COOPERATION; CONFIDENTIALITY; TITLE
Section 7.1. Good Faith Cooperation; Consents. Each party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with the other party in all matters relating to the provision and receipt of the Services. Such cooperation shall include, but not be limited to, exchanging information, providing electronic access to systems used in connection with the Services, performing true-ups and adjustments and obtaining all consents, licenses, sublicenses or approvals necessary to permit each party to perform its obligations hereunder. Sportsco and Entertainco shall maintain reasonable documentation related to the Services and cooperate with each other in making such information available as needed.
Section 7.2. Confidentiality. Each party shall keep confidential from Third Parties the Schedules to this Agreement and all non-public information received from the other party regarding the Services, including, without limitation, any information received with respect to products and services of Sportsco or Entertainco, and to use such information only for the purposes set forth in this Agreement unless (i) otherwise agreed to in writing by the party from which such information was received, (ii) required by applicable law, regulation or any securities exchange (in which case the parties shall cooperate in seeking to obtain a protective order or other arrangement pursuant to which the confidentiality of such information is preserved) or (iii) mandated by either or both of the NBA or NHL pursuant to applicable League Rules; provided that to the extent disclosure is required and permitted under the terms of clauses (ii) or (iii) of this Section 7.2, the disclosing party shall provide reasonable advance notice to the non-disclosing party of such required disclosure. The covenants in this Article VII shall survive any termination of this Agreement for a period of three (3) years from the date such termination becomes effective.
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Section 7.3. Internal Use; Title, Copies, Return. Except to the extent inconsistent with the express terms of the Distribution Agreement and any Ancillary Agreement other than this Agreement, each party agrees that:
(a) title to all systems used in performing any Service provided hereunder shall remain in the party providing such Service or its Third Party vendors; and
(b) to the extent the provision of any Service involves intellectual property, including without limitation software programs or patented or copyrighted material, or material constituting trade secrets, the recipient of such Service shall not copy, modify, reverse engineer, decompile or in any way alter any of such material, or otherwise use such material in a manner inconsistent with the terms and provisions of this Agreement, without the express written consent of the party providing such Service; and upon the termination of any Service, the recipient of such Service shall return to the party providing such Service, as soon as practicable, any equipment or other property of the party providing such Service relating to such Service which is owned or leased by the party providing such Service and is or was in its possession or control.
ARTICLE VIII
TERM
Section 8.1. Duration. (a) Except as provided in Sections 4.6, 6.5, 7.2, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4 and 8.5, the term of this Agreement shall commence on the date hereof (the Commencement Date) and shall continue in full force and effect until the earlier of (i) the date that is the day prior to the second anniversary of the Commencement Date, unless otherwise mutually agreed by the parties and (ii) the earlier termination of all Services in accordance with Section 4.5 or 8.1(b).
(b) Each party acknowledges that the purpose of this Agreement is for Entertainco to provide the Entertainco Services to Sportsco on an interim basis until Sportsco can perform the Entertainco Services for itself, and for Sportsco to provide the Sportsco Services to Entertainco on an interim basis until Entertainco can perform the Sportsco Services for itself. As Sportsco becomes self-sufficient or engages other sources to provide any Entertainco Service, Sportsco shall be entitled to release Entertainco from providing any or all of the Entertainco Services hereunder by delivering a written notice thereof to Entertainco at least twenty (20) Business Days prior to the effective date of release of such Entertainco Service(s). At the end of such twenty (20) Business Day period (or such shorter period as may be agreed by the parties), Entertainco shall discontinue the provision of the Entertainco Services specified in such notice and any such Entertainco Services shall be excluded from this Agreement, Schedule A shall be deemed to be amended accordingly, and this Agreement shall be deemed to be terminated with respect to such Entertainco Service. Entertainco shall also be entitled to release Sportsco from providing any or all of the Sportsco Services hereunder by delivering a written notice thereof to
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Sportsco at least twenty (20) Business Days prior to the effective date of release of such Sportsco Service(s). At the end of such twenty (20) Business Day period (or such shorter period as may be agreed by the parties), Sportsco shall discontinue the provision of the Sportsco Services specified in such notice and any such Sportsco Services shall be excluded from this Agreement, Schedule B shall be deemed to be amended accordingly, and this Agreement shall be deemed to be terminated with respect to such Sportsco Service.
Section 8.2. Early Termination by Entertainco. Entertainco may terminate this Agreement by giving written notice to Sportsco under the following circumstances:
(a) if Sportsco shall default in the performance of any of its material obligations under this Agreement, and such default or breach shall continue and not be remedied for a period of thirty (30) days after Entertainco has given written notice to Sportsco specifying such default and requiring it to be remedied;
(b) if a Bankruptcy Event has occurred with respect to Sportsco; or
(c) if a Change of Control of Sportsco has occurred.
Section 8.3. Early Termination by Sportsco. Sportsco may terminate this Agreement by giving written notice to Entertainco under the following circumstances:
(a) if Entertainco shall default in the performance of any of its material obligations under this Agreement and such default shall continue and not be remedied for a period of thirty (30) days after Sportsco has given written notice to Entertainco specifying such default and requiring it to be remedied;
(b) if a Bankruptcy Event has occurred with respect to Entertainco; or
(c) if a Change of Control of Entertainco has occurred.
Section 8.4. Termination of MSGN Services Agreement. As of the date hereof, Entertainco is party to a Services Agreement (as such agreement may be amended, modified, extended, replaced or supplemented, the MSGN Services Agreement) with MSGN Holdings, L.P (MSGN). Sportsco and Entertainco acknowledge and agree that the fees set forth on Schedule A contemplate the payment for certain services by MSGN pursuant to that MSGN Services Agreement (i.e., certain fees contemplate expenses being shared by three parties, rather than two), and in the event that the MSGN Services Agreement expires, is terminated, or otherwise ceases to exist (an MSGN Termination Event), the parties agree that certain fees on Schedule A may require adjustment to reflect payment by two parties instead of three for services that are also provided for under the MSGN Services Agreement (the Similar Services). In the event of an MSGN Termination Event, (a) Entertainco shall promptly notify Sportsco of such MSGN Termination Event, and (b) within fifteen (15) days of such MSGN Termination Event, Entertainco shall deliver Sportsco a revised Schedule A, identifying the Similar Services, and an approximate pro rata distribution of fees (based on Sportscos fees reflected on Schedule A as of the date of the MSGN Termination Event compared to Entertaincos fees/expenses for the same service as of the same date) previously paid for by
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MSGN for such Similar Service under the MSGN Services Agreement. Entertainco shall use reasonable efforts to adjust anticipated expenses to reflect any reduction in headcount or other needs as a result of the MSGN Termination Event, in a way that is reasonable and generally consistent with MSGs past practices. The revised Schedule A reflecting the pro rata allocation to Sportsco shall automatically become effective the later of (x) forty-five (45) days from the MSGN Termination Event or (y) thirty (30) days from the delivery of such revised Schedule A to Sportsco, unless, prior to that date, Sportsco notifies Entertainco that it desires to terminate any Similar Service identified, and, in either case, Schedule A shall be amended accordingly, with such revised pricing and/or termination being retroactive to the date of the MSGN Termination Event.
Section 8.5. Suspension Due to Force Majeure. In the event the performance by either Sportsco or Entertainco of its duties or obligations hereunder is interrupted or interfered with by reason of any cause beyond its reasonable control including, but not limited to, fire, storm, flood, earthquake, explosion, war, strike or labor disruption, rebellion, insurrection, quarantine, act of God, boycott, embargo, shortage or unavailability of supplies, riot, or governmental law, regulation or edict (collectively, Force Majeure Events), the party affected by such Force Majeure Event shall not be deemed to be in default of this Agreement by reason of its non-performance due to such Force Majeure Event, but shall give notice to the other party of the Force Majeure Event and the fee provided for in Section 4.1 shall be equitably adjusted to reflect the reduced performance. In such event, the party affected by such Force Majeure Event shall resume the performance of its duties and obligations hereunder as soon as reasonably practicable after the end of the Force Majeure Event.
Section 8.6. Consequences of Termination. In the event this Agreement expires or is terminated in accordance with this Article VIII, then (a) all Services to be provided will promptly cease, (b) each of Entertainco and Sportsco shall, upon request of the other party, promptly return or destroy all non-public confidential information received from the other party in connection with this Agreement (including the return of all information received with respect to the Services or products of Sportsco or Entertainco, as the case may be), without retaining a copy thereof (other than one copy for file purposes), and (c) each of Entertainco and Sportsco shall honor all credits and make any accrued and unpaid payment to the other party as required pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and no rights already accrued hereunder shall be affected.
ARTICLE IX
RECORDS
Section 9.1. Maintenance of Records. Each of the parties shall create and maintain full and accurate books in connection with the provision of the Services, and all other records relevant to this Agreement, and upon reasonable notice from the other party shall make available for inspection and copy by such other partys agents such records during reasonable business hours.
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ARTICLE X
DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Section 10.1. Negotiation. In the event of a controversy, dispute or claim arising out of, in connection with, or in relation to the interpretation, performance, nonperformance, validity or breach of this Agreement or otherwise arising out of, or in any way related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, including, without limitation, any claim based on contract, tort, statute or constitution (but excluding any controversy, dispute or claim arising out of any agreement relating to the use or lease of real property if any Third Party is a party to such controversy, dispute or claim) (collectively, Agreement Disputes), the management of the parties shall negotiate in good faith for a reasonable period of time to settle such Agreement Dispute, provided, however, that such reasonable period shall not, unless otherwise agreed by the parties in writing, exceed 30 days from the time the parties began such negotiations.
Section 10.2. Continuity of Service and Performance. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the parties will continue to provide service and honor all other commitments under this Agreement during the course of any form of dispute resolution with respect to all matters not subject to such dispute, controversy or claim.
Section 10.3. Other Remedies. Nothing in this Article X shall limit the right that any party may otherwise have to seek to obtain (a) preliminary injunctive relief in order to preserve the status quo pending the resolution of a dispute or (b) temporary or permanent injunctive relief from any breach of any provisions of this Agreement.
ARTICLE XI
NOTICES
Section 11.1. Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing, shall reference this Agreement and shall be emailed, hand delivered or mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested) to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice) and will be deemed given on the date on which such notice is received:
To Entertainco:
MSG Sports & Entertainment, LLC (or, after the applicable name change, MSG Entertainment Group, LLC)
Two Penn Plaza
New York, New York 10121
Attention: President
with a copy to:
MSG Sports & Entertainment, LLC (or, after the applicable name change, MSG Entertainment Group, LLC)
Two Penn Plaza
New York, New York 10121
Attention: General Counsel
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To Sportsco:
MSG Sports, LLC
Two Penn Plaza
New York, New York 10121
Attention: President
with a copy to:
MSG Sports, LLC
Two Penn Plaza
New York, New York 10121
Attention: General Counsel
ARTICLE XII
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 12.1. Taxes. Except as may otherwise be specifically provided herein, each party shall bear all taxes, duties and other similar charges (and any related interest and penalties) imposed as a result of its receipt of Services under this Agreement.
Section 12.2. Relationship of Parties. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed or construed by the parties or any Third Party as creating the relationship of principal and agent, partnership or joint venture between the parties, it being understood and agreed that no provision contained herein, and no act of the parties, shall be deemed to create any relationship between the parties other than the relationship of independent contractor nor be deemed to vest any rights, interest or claims in any third parties.
Section 12.3. Complete Agreement; Construction. This Agreement, including the Schedules hereto, shall constitute the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and shall supersede all previous negotiations, commitments and writings with respect to such subject matter. In the event of any inconsistency between this Agreement and any Schedule, the Schedule shall prevail. The rights and remedies of the parties herein provided shall be cumulative and in addition to any other or further remedies provided by law or equity.
Section 12.4. Counterparts. 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 such counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other party.
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Section 12.5. Waivers. The failure of any party to require strict performance by the other party of any provision in this Agreement will not waive or diminish that partys right to demand strict performance thereafter of that or any other provision hereof.
Section 12.6. Amendments. This Agreement may not be modified or amended except by an agreement in writing by each of the parties.
Section 12.7. Assignment. This Agreement shall not be assignable, in whole or in part, by any party without the prior written consent of the other party, and any attempt to assign any rights or obligations arising under this Agreement without such consent shall be void.
Section 12.8. Successors and Assigns. The provisions to this Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
Section 12.9. Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the parties and shall not be deemed to confer upon any other Person any remedy, claim, liability, reimbursement, claim of action or other right in excess of those existing without reference to this Agreement.
Section 12.10. Governing Law; League Rules. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts made and to be performed in the State of New York. In addition, this Agreement is subject in all respects to all applicable League Rules.
Section 12.11. Waiver of Jury Trial. The parties hereby irrevocably waive any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 12.12. Specific Performance. Subject to Article X, in the event of any actual or threatened default in, or breach of, any of the terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement, the parties agree that the party who is or is to be thereby aggrieved shall have the right to specific performance and injunctive or other equitable relief of its rights under this Agreement, in addition to any and all other rights and remedies at law or in equity, and all such rights and remedies shall be cumulative. For the avoidance of doubt, Entertainco acknowledges and agrees that at no time during the term of this Agreement shall it seek to enjoin the playing of any professional sporting event involving any team that is owned, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, by Sportsco for non-compliance by Sportsco of any terms of this Agreement. The parties agree that the remedies at law for any breach or threatened breach of this Agreement, including monetary damages, are inadequate compensation for any loss, that any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate is hereby waived, and that any requirements for the securing or posting of any bond with such remedy are hereby waived.
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Section 12.13. Severability. In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and therein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions, the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.
Section 12.14. Provisions Unaffected. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall affect the rights and obligations of MSG and Sportsco Parent pursuant to the Distribution Agreement.
Section 12.15. No Presumption. Neither Entertainco nor Sportsco shall be deemed to be the drafter of this Agreement and no term or provision of this Agreement may be construed against any party on that basis.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered on behalf of the parties as of the date first herein above written.
MSG SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT, LLC (To be renamed MSG Entertainment Group, LLC) |
By: |
/s/ James L. Dolan |
|
Name: |
James L. Dolan | |
Title: |
Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
MSG SPORTS, LLC |
By: |
/s/ Andrew Lustgarten |
|
Name: |
Andrew Lustgarten | |
Title: |
President |
Exhibit 10.3
TAX DISAFFILIATION AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
THE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN COMPANY
(TO BE RENAMED MADISON SQUARE GARDEN SPORTS CORP.)
AND
MSG ENTERTAINMENT SPINCO, INC.
(TO BE RENAMED MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.)
dated as of March 31, 2020
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION 1. |
Definition of Terms |
2 | ||||||
SECTION 2. |
Allocation of Taxes and Tax-Related Losses |
10 | ||||||
2.1 |
Allocation of Taxes |
10 | ||||||
2.2 |
Special Allocation of Certain Taxes |
11 | ||||||
2.3 |
Tax Payments |
12 | ||||||
SECTION 3. |
Preparation and Filing of Tax Returns |
12 | ||||||
3.1 |
Combined Returns |
12 | ||||||
3.2 |
Separate Returns |
12 | ||||||
3.3 |
Agent |
12 | ||||||
3.4 |
Provision of Information |
13 | ||||||
3.5 |
Special Rules Relating to the Preparation of Tax Returns |
13 | ||||||
3.6 |
Refunds, Credits, Offsets, Tax Benefits |
13 | ||||||
3.7 |
Carrybacks |
14 | ||||||
3.8 |
Amended Returns |
14 | ||||||
3.9 |
Compensatory Equity Interests |
15 | ||||||
SECTION 4. |
Tax Payments |
15 | ||||||
4.1 |
Payment of Taxes to Tax Authority |
15 | ||||||
4.2 |
Indemnification Payments |
15 | ||||||
4.3 |
Interest on Late Payments |
15 | ||||||
4.4 |
Tax Consequences of Payments |
16 | ||||||
4.5 |
Adjustments to Payments |
16 | ||||||
4.6 |
Section 336(e) Election |
16 | ||||||
4.7 |
Certain Final Determinations |
17 | ||||||
SECTION 5. |
Cooperation and Tax Contests |
17 | ||||||
5.1 |
Cooperation |
17 | ||||||
5.2 |
Notices of Tax Contests |
17 | ||||||
5.3 |
Control of Tax Contests |
18 | ||||||
5.4 |
Cooperation Regarding Tax Contests |
18 | ||||||
SECTION 6. |
Tax Records |
18 | ||||||
6.1 |
Retention of Tax Records |
18 | ||||||
6.2 |
Access to Tax Records |
19 | ||||||
6.3 |
Confidentiality |
19 |
i
SECTION 7. |
Representations and Covenants |
19 | ||||||
7.1 |
Covenants of MSG and Spinco |
19 | ||||||
7.2 |
Covenants of Spinco |
20 | ||||||
7.3 |
Covenants of MSG |
20 | ||||||
7.4 |
Exceptions |
21 | ||||||
7.5 |
Injunctive Relief |
22 | ||||||
7.6 |
Further Assurances |
22 | ||||||
SECTION 8. |
General Provisions |
22 | ||||||
8.1 |
Construction |
22 | ||||||
8.2 |
Ancillary Agreements |
22 | ||||||
8.3 |
Counterparts |
22 | ||||||
8.4 |
Notices |
22 | ||||||
8.5 |
Amendments |
23 | ||||||
8.6 |
Assignment |
23 | ||||||
8.7 |
Successors and Assigns |
23 | ||||||
8.8 |
Change in Law |
23 | ||||||
8.9 |
Authorization, Etc. |
23 | ||||||
8.10 |
Termination |
24 | ||||||
8.11 |
Subsidiaries |
24 | ||||||
8.12 |
Third-Party Beneficiaries |
24 | ||||||
8.13 |
Double Recovery |
24 | ||||||
8.14 |
Titles and Headings |
24 | ||||||
8.15 |
Governing Law |
24 | ||||||
8.16 |
Waiver of Jury Trial |
24 | ||||||
8.17 |
Severability |
24 | ||||||
8.18 |
No Strict Construction; Interpretation |
24 | ||||||
SCHEDULE A |
ii
TAX DISAFFILIATION AGREEMENT
THIS TAX DISAFFILIATION AGREEMENT (the Agreement) is dated as of March 31, 2020, by and between The Madison Square Garden Company (to be renamed Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. at the Effective Time (as defined below)), a Delaware corporation (MSG), and MSG Entertainment Spinco, Inc. (to be renamed Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. at the Effective Time), a Delaware corporation and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of MSG (Spinco and, together with MSG, the Parties, and each, a Party). Unless otherwise indicated, all Section references in this Agreement are to sections of the Agreement.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of MSG determined that, based on the Corporate Business Purposes (as defined below), it is in the best interests of MSG and its stockholders to separate the businesses of Spinco, all as more fully described in Spincos registration statement on Form 10, from MSGs other businesses on the terms and conditions set forth in the Distribution Agreement between MSG and Spinco dated on or about the date hereof (the Distribution Agreement);
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Contribution Agreement (as defined below), (a) MSG Sports & Entertainment, LLC (to be renamed MSG Entertainment Group, LLC), a Delaware limited liability company and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of MSG (MSG Entertainment), intends to complete the Sports Assignments (as defined below), and (b) MSG intends to complete the Entertainment Assignments (as defined below);
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of MSG has authorized the distribution to the holders of the issued and outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, and Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of MSG (collectively, the MSG Shares) as of the record date for the distribution of all the issued and outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, and Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Spinco (each, a Spinco Share and collectively, the Spinco Shares), respectively, on the basis of one Spinco Share for every one MSG Share (the Distribution);
WHEREAS, MSG and Spinco intend the Recapitalization (as defined below) to qualify as a tax-free transaction under section 368(a)(1)(E) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (as defined below);
WHEREAS, MSG and Spinco intend the Contribution (as defined below) and Distribution to qualify for the Tax-Free Status (as defined below);
WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors of MSG and Spinco have each determined that the Distribution and the other transactions contemplated by the Distribution Agreement, and the Ancillary Agreements (as defined below) are in furtherance of and consistent with the Corporate Business Purposes and, as such, are in the best interests of their respective companies and stockholders or sole stockholder, as applicable, and have approved the Distribution Agreement, and each of the Ancillary Agreements;
WHEREAS, the Parties set forth in the Distribution Agreement the principal arrangements between them regarding the separation of the Spinco Group (as defined below) from the MSG Group (as defined below); and
WHEREAS, the Parties desire to provide for and agree upon the allocation between the Parties of liabilities for Taxes (as defined below) arising prior to, as a result of, and subsequent to the Distribution, and to provide for and agree upon other matters relating to Taxes;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement, the Parties hereby agree as follows:
SECTION 1. Definition of Terms. For purposes of this Agreement (including the recitals hereof), the following terms have the following meanings:
Affiliate has the meaning set forth in the Distribution Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, the term Affiliate as it applies to Spinco shall include the Spinco Company Entities.
Agreed Treatment means the treatment of (i) the Sports Assignments as a transaction that is disregarded for U.S. federal income Tax purposes, (ii) the Recapitalization as a tax-free transaction to which section 368(a)(1)(E) of the Code applies, and (iii) the Contribution and the Distribution in accordance with the Tax-Free Status.
Agreement has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereof.
Ancillary Agreements means the agreements encompassed by such term in the Distribution Agreement.
Business Day has the meaning set forth in the Distribution Agreement.
Code has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereof.
Combined Return means a consolidated, combined or unitary Tax Return that includes, by election or otherwise, one or more members of the MSG Group and one or more members of the Spinco Group.
Companies means MSG and Spinco.
Company means MSG or Spinco, as the context requires.
Compensatory Equity Interests means options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units or other rights with respect to MSG Common Shares or Spinco Shares that are granted by MSG, Spinco or any of their respective Subsidiaries in connection with employee or director compensation or other employee benefits.
Compensatory Equity Net Share Settlements means net share settlement transactions with respect to Compensatory Equity Interests between either Party (or any of their respective Subsidiaries) on the one hand and the employee (or director, as the case may be) of such Party or the other Party (or any of their respective Subsidiaries) on the other hand, in each case pursuant to the terms of the relevant agreement with respect to such Compensatory Equity Interests.
2
Contribution Agreement means the Contribution Agreement between MSG, Spinco and MSG Entertainment dated on or about the date hereof.
Contribution means the Entertainment Assignments.
Controlling Party means, with respect to a Tax Contest, the Person that has responsibility, control and discretion in handling, defending, settling or contesting such Tax Contest.
Corporate Business Purposes means the Corporate Business Purposes as set forth in the Tax Opinion Representations (including any appendices thereto) and the Reasons for the Distribution in Spincos registration statement on Form 10, as amended.
Deconsolidation Taxes means any Taxes imposed on any member of the MSG Group or the Spinco Group as a result of or in connection with the Sports Assignments, the Contribution and the Distribution (or any portion thereof), but excluding any Transfer Taxes and Distribution Taxes.
Disclosing Party has the meaning set forth in Section 6.3.
Distribution has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereof.
Distribution Agreement has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereof.
Distribution Date has the meaning set forth in the Distribution Agreement.
Distribution Taxes means any Taxes arising from a Final Determination that the Contribution and the Distribution failed to be tax-free to MSG in accordance with the requirements of section 355 or section 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code (including any Taxes resulting from the application of section 355(d) or (e) to the Distribution), or that any stock of Spinco failed to qualify as qualified property within the meaning of section 355(c)(2) or 361(c)(2) of the Code (including as a result of the application of section 355(d) or 355(e) of the Code to the Distribution) or where applicable, failed to be stock permitted to be received without recognition of gain or loss under section 361(a) of the Code, and shall include any Taxes resulting from an election under section 336(e) of the Code in the circumstances set forth in Section 4.6 hereof.
Due Date has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3.
Entertainment Assignments has the meaning set forth in the Contribution Agreement.
Effective Time means 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on the Distribution Date.
3
Employee Matters Agreement means the Employee Matters Agreement by and between MSG and Spinco entered into on or about the date hereof.
Escheat Liability means any unclaimed property or escheat liability, including any interest, penalty, administrative charge, or addition thereto and further including all costs of responding to or defending against an audit, examination, or controversy with respect to such liability, imposed by or on behalf of a governmental entity with respect to any property or obligation (including, without limitation, uncashed checks to vendors, customers, or employees and non-refunded overpayments).
Excess Taxes means the excess of (x) the Taxes for which MSG Group is liable if an election is made pursuant to section 336(e) of the Code under Section 4.6 of this Agreement, over (y) the Taxes for which MSG Group is liable if such an election is not made, in each case taking into account the allocation of Taxes that is otherwise applicable in this Agreement but without regard to Section 4.6 hereof.
Expert Law Firm means a law firm nationally recognized for its expertise in the matter for which its opinion is sought.
Fifty-Percent Equity Interest means, in respect of any corporation (within the meaning of the Code), stock or other equity interests of such corporation possessing (i) at least fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock or equity interests entitled to vote, or (ii) at least fifty percent (50%) of the total value of shares of all classes of stock or of the total value of all equity interests.
Filer means the Company that is responsible for filing the applicable Tax Return pursuant to Sections 3.1 or 3.2.
Final Determination means a determination within the meaning of section 1313 of the Code or any similar provision of state or local Tax Law.
Group means the MSG Group or the Spinco Group, as the context requires.
Income Tax or Income Taxes means any Tax that is imposed on or measured by or referred to as income, gross income, gross receipts, profits, capital stock, franchise or other similar Tax.
Indemnified Party has the meaning set forth in Section 4.5.
Indemnifying Party has the meaning set forth in Section 4.5.
Interest Rate means (x) the Applicable Rate as set forth in the Distribution Agreement, or (y) if higher and if with respect to a payment to indemnify for a Tax to which the large corporate underpayment provision within the meaning of section 6621(c) of the Code applies, such interest rate that would be applicable at such time to such large corporate underpayment.
IRS means the Internal Revenue Service.
4
MSG has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereof.
MSG Business has the meaning ascribed to the term MSG Business in the Tax Opinion Representations that constitutes an active trade or business (within the meaning of section 355(b) of the Code) of the separate affiliated group (as defined in section 355(b)(3)(B) of the Code) of MSG.
MSG Group has the meaning ascribed to the term MSG Group in the Distribution Agreement.
MSG Indemnified Party includes each member of the MSG Group, each of their representatives and Affiliates, each of their respective directors, officers, managers and employees, and each of their heirs, executors, trustees, administrators, successors and assigns.
MSG Restricted Action means any action by MSG or any of its Subsidiaries inconsistent with the covenants set forth in Section 7.4(a); and, for the avoidance of doubt, an action shall be and remain a MSG Restricted Action even if MSG or any of its Subsidiaries is permitted to take such an action pursuant to Section 7.5(b).
MSG Shares has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
MSG Tainting Act means any breach of a representation or covenant made by MSG in Section 7.1 of this Agreement or the taking of a MSG Restricted Action, if as a result of such breach or taking of a MSG Restricted Action a Final Determination is made that the Contribution and the Distribution failed to be tax-free by reason of (i) failing to qualify as a transaction described in section 355 and section 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code, or (ii) any stock of Spinco failing to qualify as qualified property within the meaning of section 355(c)(2) or 361(c)(2) of the Code (including as a result of the application of section 355(d) or 355(e) of the Code to the Distribution) or where applicable, failing to be stock permitted to be received without recognition of gain or loss under section 361(a) of the Code.
Non-Controlling Party has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3(a).
Non-Filer means any Company that is not responsible for filing the applicable Tax Return pursuant to Sections 3.1 or 3.2.
Non-Income Tax or Non-Income Taxes means any Tax that is not an Income Tax.
Other Party has the meaning set forth in Section 4.6(b).
Party has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereof.
Parties has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereof.
Payment Date means (x) with respect to any U.S. federal income tax return, the date on which any required installment of estimated taxes determined under section 6655 of the Code is due, the date on which (determined without regard to extensions) filing the return determined under section 6072 of the Code is required, and the date the return is filed, and (y) with respect to any other Tax Return, the corresponding dates determined under the applicable Tax Law.
5
Periodic Taxes means Taxes imposed on a periodic basis that are not based upon or related to income or receipts. Periodic Taxes include property Taxes and similar Taxes.
Permitted Acquisition means any acquisition (as a result of the Distribution) of Spinco Shares solely by reason of holding MSG Shares, but does not include such an acquisition if such MSG Shares, before such acquisition, were themselves acquired in a manner to which the flush language of section 355(e)(3)(A) of the Code applies (thus causing, for the avoidance of doubt, section 355(e)(3)(A)(i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) of the Code not to apply).
Person means any individual, corporation, company, limited liability company, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture or other entity of any kind.
Post-Distribution Period means any Tax Year or other taxable period beginning after the Distribution Date and, in the case of any Straddle Period, that part of the Tax Year or other taxable period that begins at the beginning of the day after the Distribution Date.
Pre-Distribution Period means any Tax Year or other taxable period that ends on or before the Distribution Date and, in the case of any Straddle Period, that part of the Tax Year or other taxable period through the end of the day on the Distribution Date.
Preparer means the Company that is responsible for the preparation and filing of the applicable Tax Return pursuant to Sections 3.1 or 3.2.
Recapitalization means the issuance of all Spinco Shares to MSG in exchange for all of the Spinco Pre-Recapitalization Shares held by MSG.
Receiving Party has the meaning set forth in Section 6.3.
Responsible Party has the meaning set forth in Section 4.6(b).
Restriction Period means the period beginning on the Distribution Date and ending twenty-four (24) months after the Distribution Date.
Satisfactory Guidance means either a ruling from the IRS or an Unqualified Opinion, in either case reasonably satisfactory to MSG or Spinco (as the context dictates) in both form and substance.
Separate Return means (a) in the case of any Tax Return required under relevant Tax Law to be filed by any member of the MSG Group (including any consolidated, combined or unitary Tax Return), any such Tax Return that does not include any member of the Spinco Group, and (b) in the case of any Tax Return required under relevant Tax Law to be filed by any member of the Spinco Group (including any consolidated, combined or unitary Tax Return), any such Tax Return that does not include any member of the MSG Group.
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Spinco has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereof.
Spinco Business has the meaning ascribed to the term Spinco Business in the Tax Opinion Representations that constitutes an active trade or business (within the meaning of section 355(b) of the Code) of the separate affiliated group (as defined in section 355(b)(3)(B) of the Code) of Spinco.
Spinco Share or Spinco Shares has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
Spinco Company Entities means, collectively, the entities listed on Schedule A of the Distribution Agreement.
Spinco Group has the meaning ascribed to the term Spinco Group in the Distribution Agreement.
Spinco Indemnified Party includes each member of the Spinco Group, each of their representatives and Affiliates, each of their respective directors, officers, managers and employees, and each of their heirs, executors, trustees, administrators, successors and assigns.
Spinco Pre-Recapitalization Shares means the single class of issued and outstanding common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Spinco.
Spinco Restricted Action means any action by Spinco or any of its Subsidiaries inconsistent with the covenants set forth in Section 7.3; and, for the avoidance of doubt, an action shall be and remain a Spinco Restricted Action even if Spinco or any of its Subsidiaries is permitted to take such an action pursuant to Section 7.5(a).
Spinco Shares has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
Spinco Tainting Act means any breach of a representation or covenant made by Spinco in Section 7.1 of this Agreement or the taking of a Spinco Restricted Action, if as a result of such breach or taking of a Spinco Restricted Action a Final Determination is made that the Contribution and the Distribution failed to be tax-free by reason of (i) failing to qualify as a transaction described in section 355 and section 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code, or (ii) any stock of Spinco failing to qualify as qualified property within the meaning of section 355(c)(2) or 361(c)(2) of the Code (including as a result of the application of section 355(d) or 355(e) of the Code to the Distribution) or where applicable, failing to be stock permitted to be received without recognition of gain or loss under section 361(a) of the Code.
Sports Assignments has the meaning set forth in the Contribution Agreement.
Straddle Period means any taxable period beginning on or prior to, and ending after, the Distribution Date.
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Subsidiary when used with respect to any Person, means (i)(A) a corporation a majority in voting power of whose share capital or capital stock with voting power, under ordinary circumstances, to elect directors is at the time, directly or indirectly, owned by such Person, by one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or by such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, whether or not such power is subject to a voting agreement or similar encumbrance, (B) a partnership or limited liability company in which such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person is, at the date of determination, (1) in the case of a partnership, a general partner of such partnership with the power affirmatively to direct the policies and management of such partnership or (2) in the case of a limited liability company, the managing member or, in the absence of a managing member, a member with the power affirmatively to direct the policies and management of such limited liability company, or (C) any other Person (other than a corporation) in which such Person, one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination thereof, has or have (1) the power to elect or direct the election of a majority of the members of the governing body of such Person, whether or not such power is subject to a voting agreement or similar encumbrance, or (2) in the absence of such a governing body, at least a majority ownership interest or (ii) any other Person of which an aggregate of 50% or more of the equity interests are, at the time, directly or indirectly, owned by such Person and/or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person. For the avoidance of doubt, the term Subsidiary as it applies to Spinco shall include the Spinco Company Entities.
Tax or Taxes means any income, gross income, gross receipts, profits, capital stock, franchise, withholding, payroll, social security, workers compensation, employment, unemployment, disability, property, ad valorem, stamp, excise, severance, occupation, service, sales, use, license, lease, transfer, import, export, value added, alternative minimum, estimated or other similar tax (including any fee, assessment, or other charge in the nature of or in lieu of any tax) imposed by any Tax Authority, any Escheat Liability, abandoned, or unclaimed property law, and any interest, penalties, additions to tax, or additional amounts in respect of the foregoing, together with any reasonable expenses, including attorneys fees, incurred in defending against any such tax.
Tax Adjustment has the meaning set forth in Section 4.7.
Tax Authority means, with respect to any Tax, the governmental entity or political subdivision, agency, commission or authority thereof that imposes such Tax, and the agency, commission or authority (if any) charged with the assessment, determination or collection of such Tax for such entity or subdivision.
Tax Benefit means a reduction in the Tax liability of a taxpayer (or of the Group of which it is a member) for any taxable period. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, a Tax Benefit shall be deemed to have been realized or received from a Tax Item in a taxable period only if and to the extent that the Tax liability of the taxpayer (or of the Group of which it is a member) for such period, after taking into account the effect of the Tax Item on the Tax liability of such taxpayer in the current period and all prior periods, is less than it would have been if such Tax liability were determined without regard to such Tax Item.
Tax Contest means an audit, review, examination, or any other administrative or judicial proceeding with the purpose, potential or effect of redetermining Taxes of any member of either Group (including any administrative or judicial review of any claim for refund).
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Tax Counsel means the advisors listed in Schedule A.
Tax-Free Status means the qualification of the Contribution and the Distribution (a) as a transaction described in section 355 and section 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code, (b) as a transaction in which the stock of Spinco distributed by MSG is qualified property for purposes of sections 355(c)(2), 355(d), 355(e) and 361(c) of the Code, and (c) a transaction in which shareholders of MSG will not recognize income, gain or loss upon the Distribution under section 355(a) of the Code (except with respect to cash received in lieu of fractional shares).
Tax Item means, with respect to any Tax, any item of income, gain, loss, deduction, credit, adjustment in basis, or other attribute that may have the effect of increasing or decreasing any Tax.
Tax Law means the law of any governmental entity or political subdivision thereof, and any controlling judicial or administrative interpretations of such law, relating to any Tax.
Tax Opinion means the opinion (or opinions) to be delivered by Tax Counsel to MSG in connection with the Distribution to the effect that (i) MSG will not recognize gain or loss upon the Distribution under section 355(c) or section 361(c) of the Code, and (ii) shareholders of MSG will not recognize gain or loss upon the Distribution under section 355(a) of the Code, and no amount will be included in such shareholders income, except in respect of cash received in lieu of fractional Spinco Shares.
Tax Opinion Representations means the written and signed representations delivered to Tax Counsel in connection with the Tax Opinion.
Tax Records means Tax Returns, Tax Return work papers, documentation relating to any Tax Contests, and any other books of account or records required to be maintained under applicable Tax Laws (including but not limited to section 6001 of the Code) or under any record retention agreement with any Tax Authority.
Tax Return means any report of Taxes due, any claims for refund of Taxes paid, any information return with respect to Taxes, or any other similar report, statement, declaration, or document filed or required to be filed (by paper, electronically or otherwise) under any applicable Tax Law, including any attachments, exhibits, or other materials submitted with any of the foregoing, and including any amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing.
Tax Year means, with respect to any Tax, the year, or shorter period, if applicable, for which the Tax is reported as provided under applicable Tax Law.
Transactions means the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement and the Distribution Agreement and includes, for the avoidance of doubt, (i) the Sports Assignments, (ii) the Contribution, (iii) the Recapitalization, and (iv) the Distribution.
Transfer Taxes means all U.S. federal, state, local or foreign sales, use, privilege, transfer, documentary, gains, stamp, duties, recording, and similar Taxes and fees (including any penalties, interest or additions thereto) imposed upon any Party hereto or any of its Affiliates in connection with the Distribution.
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Transition Services Agreement means the transition services agreement between MSG and Spinco dated on or about the date hereof.
Treasury Regulations means the regulations promulgated from time to time under the Code as in effect for the relevant Tax Year.
Unqualified Opinion means an unqualified will opinion of an Expert Law Firm that permits reliance by MSG or Spinco (as the context dictates). For the avoidance of doubt, an Unqualified Opinion must be based on factual representations and assumptions that are reasonably satisfactory to MSG or Spinco (as the context dictates).
Arena License Agreements means (i) the Arena License Agreement between MSG Arena, LLC and New York Knicks, LLC dated on or about the date hereof, and (ii) the Arena License Agreement between MSG Arena, LLC and New York Rangers, LLC dated on or about the date hereof.
SECTION 2. Allocation of Taxes and Tax-Related Losses.
2.1 Allocation of Taxes. Except as provided in Section 2.2, Taxes shall be allocated as follows:
(a) MSG shall be liable for and shall be allocated (i) any Taxes attributable to members of the MSG Group for all periods, and (ii) any Income Taxes attributable to members of the Spinco Group for any Pre-Distribution Period.
(b) Spinco shall be liable for and shall be allocated (i) any Taxes attributable to members of the Spinco Group for any Post-Distribution Period, and (ii) any Non-Income Taxes attributable to members of the Spinco-Group for any Pre-Distribution Period.
(c) In applying the provisions of Sections 2.1(a) and 2.1(b) (but subject to the provisions of Section 2.2):
(i) Any Taxes, other than Periodic Taxes, in respect of a Straddle Period shall be allocated between the Pre-Distribution Period and the Post-Distribution Period on a closing of the books basis by assuming that the books of the members of the MSG Group and the members of the Spinco Group were closed on the Distribution Date. For purposes of the foregoing, depreciation and amortization deductions with respect to property placed in service after the Distribution Date shall be allocated to the Post-Distribution Period, and all other depreciation and amortization deductions shall be allocated on a per diem basis.
(ii) Any Periodic Taxes in respect of a Straddle Period shall be allocated to the Pre-Distribution Period in an amount equal to such Periodic Taxes for the entire Straddle Period multiplied by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of calendar days in the period ending on the Distribution Date and the denominator of which is the number of calendar days in the entire period. The portion of any Periodic Taxes in respect of a Straddle Period not allocated to the Pre-Distribution Period shall be allocated to the Post-Distribution Period. For the avoidance of doubt, if a Party has prepaid Periodic Taxes that are allocated to the other Party under any provisions of this Agreement, the second Party shall reimburse the first Party to the extent so allocated.
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(iii) Taxes attributable to any transaction or action taken by or with respect to any member of the Spinco Group before the Effective Time on the Distribution Date shall be allocated to the Pre-Distribution Period, and Taxes attributable to any transaction or action taken by or with respect to any member of the Spinco Group after the Effective Time on the Distribution Date shall be allocated to the Post-Distribution Period.
(iv) In determining the allocation of any Escheat Liability, the liability shall be allocated to the Party whose Group members actually hold (or are required to hold) the property subject to the Escheat Liability at the time a payment or remittance in respect of such liability is required to be made to the applicable governmental entity.
2.2 Special Allocation of Certain Taxes. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement:
(a) Any and all Deconsolidation Taxes shall be borne by MSG.
(b) Spinco shall indemnify and hold harmless each MSG Indemnified Party from and against any liability of MSG for Distribution Taxes to the extent such Distribution Taxes are attributable to a Spinco Tainting Act, provided, however, that Spinco shall have no obligation to indemnify any MSG Indemnified Party hereunder if there has occurred, prior to such Spinco Tainting Act, a MSG Tainting Act and such Distribution Taxes are attributable to such MSG Tainting Act. It is understood and agreed that, in determining the amounts payable under this Section 2.2(b), there shall be included all costs, expenses and damages associated with shareholders litigation or controversies and any amount paid by MSG in respect of the liability of its shareholders, whether paid to its shareholders or to any Tax Authority, in connection with liability that may arise to shareholders as a result of receiving or accruing an amount payable under this Section 2.2(b), and all reasonable costs and expenses associated with such payments.
(c) MSG shall indemnify and hold harmless each Spinco Indemnified Party from and against any liability of Spinco for Distribution Taxes to the extent that Spinco is not liable for such Taxes pursuant to Section 2.2(b).
(d) In the case of any conflict between this Agreement and any of the Arena License Agreements in relation to any Tax matters addressed by such Arena License Agreement, the applicable Arena License Agreement shall prevail unless such Arena License Agreement explicitly states that this Agreement shall control.
(e) The Companies shall cooperate with each other and use their commercially reasonable efforts to reduce and/or eliminate any Transfer Taxes. If any Transfer Tax remains payable after application of the first sentence of this Section 2.2(d) and notwithstanding any other provision in this Section 2, all Transfer Taxes shall be allocated to MSG.
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2.3 Tax Payments. Each Company shall be liable for and shall pay the Taxes allocated to it by this Section 2 either to the applicable Tax Authority or to the other Company in accordance with Section 4 and the other applicable provisions of this Agreement.
SECTION 3. Preparation and Filing of Tax Returns.
3.1 Combined Returns.
(a) MSG shall be responsible for preparing and filing (or causing to be prepared or filed) all Combined Returns for any Tax Year. For any such return, Spinco shall furnish any relevant information, including pro forma returns, disclosures, apportionment data and supporting schedules, relating to any member of the Spinco Group necessary for completing any such return in a format suitable for inclusion in such return, provided that Spinco shall have the right to review and approve items on such returns if and to the extent such items directly relate to Taxes for which Spinco would be liable under Section 2, such approval not to be unreasonably delayed, conditioned or withheld by Spinco.
(b) For the period in which the Transition Services Agreement is in effect, Spinco shall assist in the preparation of any Tax Returns which may be requested by MSG in accordance with the terms of the Transition Services Agreement (even if, for the avoidance of doubt, the responsibility for preparation such Tax Return may be allocated to MSG under other provisions of this Agreement). Nothing in this Section 3.1(b) shall be construed to affect MSGs right or responsibility to file the Tax Returns whose filing is allocated to MSG under other provisions of this Agreement.
3.2 Separate Returns.
(a) Tax Returns to be Prepared by MSG. MSG shall be responsible for preparing and filing (or causing to be prepared and filed) all Separate Returns which relate to one or more members of the MSG Group and for which Spinco is not responsible under Section 3.2(b).
(b) Tax Returns to be Prepared by Spinco. Spinco shall be responsible for preparing and filing (or causing to be prepared and filed) all Separate Returns which relate to one or more members of the Spinco Group for any Tax Year, provided, however, that in the case of such returns in respect of any Pre-Distribution Period or Straddle Period, MSG shall have the right to review and approve such returns, such approval not to be unreasonably delayed, conditioned or withheld by MSG.
3.3 Agent. Subject to the other applicable provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, Section 5), MSG and Spinco (and their respective Affiliates) shall designate the other Party as its agent and attorney-in-fact to take such action (including execution of documents) as such other Party may deem reasonably appropriate in matters relating to the preparation or filing of any Tax Return described in Sections 3.1 and 3.2.
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3.4 Provision of Information.
(a) MSG shall provide to Spinco, and Spinco shall provide to MSG, any information about members of the MSG Group or the Spinco Group, respectively, that the Preparer reasonably requires to determine the amount of Taxes due on any Payment Date with respect to a Tax Return for which the Preparer is responsible pursuant to Section 3.1 or 3.2 and to properly and timely file all such Tax Returns.
(b) If a member of the Spinco Group supplies information to a member of the MSG Group, or a member of the MSG Group supplies information to a member of the Spinco Group, and an officer of the requesting member intends to sign a statement or other document under penalties of perjury in reliance upon the accuracy of such information, then a duly authorized officer of the member supplying such information shall certify, to the best of such officers knowledge, the accuracy of the information so supplied.
3.5 Special Rules Relating to the Preparation of Tax Returns.
(a) In General. All Tax Returns that include any members of the MSG Group or Spinco Group, or any of their respective Affiliates, shall be prepared in a manner that is consistent with the Tax Opinion (including, for the avoidance doubt, the Tax Opinion Representations). Except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement, all Tax Returns for which MSG has the right to prepare, review, approve or file under Sections 3.1 and 3.2 shall be prepared (x) in accordance with elections, Tax accounting methods and other practices used with respect to such Tax Returns filed prior to the Distribution Date (unless such past practices are not permissible under applicable law), or (y) to the extent any items are not covered by past practices (or in the event such past practices are not permissible under applicable Tax Law), in any reasonable manner, in accordance with the preparation, review, approval and filing responsibilities of Sections 3.1 and 3.2; provided, however, that in each case of (x) and (y) to the extent that a change in such elections, methods or practices could not reasonably be expected to result in any adverse impact on MSG and would not be inconsistent with applicable law, such Tax Returns shall be prepared in accordance with reasonable practices selected by Spinco.
(b) Election to File Consolidated, Combined or Unitary Tax Returns. Subject to Spincos reasonable approval, MSG shall elect to file any Tax Return on a consolidated, combined or unitary basis, if such Tax Return would include at least one member of each Group and the filing of such Tax Return is elective under the relevant Tax Law.
3.6 Refunds, Credits, Offsets, Tax Benefits
(a) Any refunds, credits, or offsets with respect to Taxes allocated to MSG pursuant to this Agreement shall be for the account of MSG. Any refunds, credits or offsets with respect to Taxes allocated to Spinco pursuant to this Agreement shall be for the account of Spinco.
(b) MSG shall forward to Spinco, or reimburse Spinco for, any such refunds, credits or offsets, plus any interest received thereon, net of any Taxes incurred with respect to the receipt or accrual thereof and any expenses incurred in connection therewith, that are for the account of Spinco within fifteen (15) Business Days from receipt thereof by MSG or any of its Affiliates. Spinco shall forward to MSG, or reimburse MSG for, any refunds, credits or offsets,
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plus any interest received thereon, net of any Taxes incurred with respect to the receipt or accrual thereof and any expenses incurred in connection therewith, that are for the account of MSG within fifteen (15) Business Days from receipt thereof by Spinco or any of its Affiliates. Any refunds, credits or offsets, plus any interest received thereon, or reimbursements not forwarded or made within the fifteen (15) Business Day period specified above shall bear interest from the date received by the refunding or reimbursing party (or its Affiliates) through and including the date of payment at the Interest Rate (treating the date received as the Due Date for purposes of determining such interest). If, subsequent to a Tax Authoritys allowance of a refund, credit or offset, such Tax Authority reduces or eliminates such allowance, any refund, credit or offset, plus any interest received thereon, forwarded or reimbursed under this Section 3.6 shall be returned to the party who had forwarded or reimbursed such refund, credit or offset and interest upon the request of such forwarding party in an amount equal to the applicable reduction, including any interest received thereon.
(c) For the avoidance of doubt, no Party shall be required to reimburse the other Party under this Section 3.6 for the use of a refund, credit or offset or other Tax Benefit, calculated by reference to the Tax allocated to the other Party, including but not limited to a dividends received deduction set forth under section 243 of the Code and an unincorporated business tax credit as currently provided by Section 11-604 of the New York City Administrative Code or any successor thereto, if such deduction, credit or offset is not available to reduce the Tax liability of such other Party for any Tax Year.
3.7 Carrybacks. To the extent permitted under applicable Tax Laws, the Spinco Group shall make the appropriate elections in respect of any Tax Returns to waive any option to carry back any net operating loss, any credits or any similar item from a Post-Distribution Period to any Pre-Distribution Period or to any Straddle Period. Any refund of or credit for Taxes resulting from any such carryback by a member of the Spinco Group that cannot be waived shall be payable to Spinco net of any Taxes incurred with respect to the receipt or accrual thereof and any expenses incurred in connection therewith.
3.8 Amended Returns. Any amended Tax Return or claim for Tax refund, credit or offset with respect to any member of the MSG Group or Spinco Group may be made only by the Company (or its Affiliates) responsible for filing the original Tax Return with respect to such member pursuant to Sections 3.1 or 3.2 (and, for the avoidance of doubt, subject to the same preparation, review, approval and filing rights set forth in Sections 3.1 or 3.2, to the extent applicable). Such Company (or its Affiliates) shall not, without the prior written consent of the other Company (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), file, or cause to be filed, any such amended Tax Return or claim for Tax refund, credit or offset to the extent that such filing, if accepted, is likely to increase the Taxes allocated to, or the Tax indemnity obligations under this Agreement of, such other Company for any Tax Year (or portion thereof); provided, however, that such consent need not be obtained if the Company filing the amended Tax Return by written notice to the other Company agrees to indemnify the other Company for the incremental Taxes allocated to, or the incremental Tax indemnity obligation resulting under this Agreement to, such other Company as a result of the filing of such amended Tax Return.
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3.9 Compensatory Equity Interests. Matters relating to Taxes and/or Tax Items with respect to Compensatory Equity Interests shall be governed by the Employee Matters Agreement.
SECTION 4. Tax Payments.
4.1 Payment of Taxes to Tax Authority. MSG shall be responsible for remitting to the proper Tax Authority the Tax shown on any Tax Return for which it is responsible for filing pursuant to Section 3.1 or Section 3.2, and Spinco shall be responsible for remitting to the proper Tax Authority the Tax shown on any Tax Return for which it is responsible for filing pursuant to Section 3.2.
4.2 Indemnification Payments.
(a) Tax Payments Made by the MSG Group. If any member of the MSG Group is required to make a payment to a Tax Authority for Taxes allocated to Spinco under this Agreement, Spinco will pay the amount of Taxes allocated to it to MSG not later than the later of (i) five (5) Business Days after receiving notification requesting such amount, and (ii) five (5) Business Days prior to the date such payment is required to be made to such Tax Authority. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, if any member of the MSG Group has made a prepayment of Periodic Taxes that are allocated to Spinco under this Agreement, Spinco will pay the amount of such Taxes allocated to it to MSG not later than thirty (30) Business Days after the Distribution Date.
(b) Tax Payments Made by the Spinco Group. If any member of the Spinco Group is required to make a payment to a Tax Authority for Taxes allocated to MSG under this Agreement, MSG will pay the amount of Taxes allocated to it to Spinco not later than the later of (i) five (5) Business Days after receiving notification requesting such amount, and (ii) five (5) Business Days prior to the date such payment is required to be made to such Tax Authority. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, if any member of the Spinco Group has made a prepayment of Periodic Taxes that are allocated to MSG under this Agreement, MSG will pay the amount of such Taxes allocated to it to Spinco not later than thirty (30) Business Days after the Distribution Date.
4.3 Interest on Late Payments. Payments pursuant to this Agreement that are not made by the date prescribed in this Agreement or, if no such date is prescribed, not later than five (5) Business Days after demand for payment is made (the Due Date) shall bear interest for the period from and including the date immediately following the Due Date through and including the date of payment at the Interest Rate. Such interest will be payable at the same time as the payment to which it relates. Interest will be calculated on the basis of a year of 365 days and the actual number of days for which due. Any payments of interest made under this Section 4.3 shall be treated as taxable or deductible, as the case may be, to the Party entitled under this Agreement to retain such payment or required under this Agreement to make such payment, in either case except as otherwise required by applicable law.
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4.4 Tax Consequences of Payments. For all Tax purposes and to the extent permitted by applicable Tax Law, the parties hereto shall treat any payment (except as provided in Section 4.3) made pursuant to this Agreement as a capital contribution or a distribution, as the case may be, immediately prior to the Distribution or as payments of an assumed or retained liability.
4.5 Adjustments to Payments. The amount of any payment made pursuant to this Agreement shall be adjusted as follows:
(a) If the receipt or accrual of any indemnity amounts for which any Party hereto (the Indemnifying Party) is required to pay another Party (the Indemnified Party) under this Agreement causes, directly or indirectly, an increase in the taxable income of the Indemnified Party under one or more applicable Tax Laws, such payment shall be increased so that, after the payment of any Taxes with respect to the payment, the Indemnified Party shall have realized the same net amount it would have realized had the payment not resulted in taxable income. For the avoidance of doubt, any liability for Taxes due to an increase in taxable income described in the immediately preceding sentence shall be governed by this Section 4.5(a) and not by Section 2.2.
(b) To the extent that Taxes for which the Indemnifying Party is required to pay to the Indemnified Party pursuant to this Agreement gives rise to a deduction, credit or other Tax Benefit (including as a result of any election set forth in Section 4.6) to the Indemnified Party or any of its Affiliates, the amount of any payment made to the Indemnified Party by the Indemnifying Party shall be decreased by taking into account any resulting reduction in Taxes actually realized by the Indemnified Party or any of its Affiliates resulting from such Tax Benefit (including as a result of any election set forth in Section 4.6). If such a reduction in Taxes of the Indemnified Party occurs following the payment made to the Indemnified Party with respect to the relevant indemnified Taxes, the Indemnified Party shall promptly repay the Indemnifying Party the amount of such reduction when actually realized. If the Tax Benefit arising from the foregoing reduction of Taxes described in this Section 4.5(b) is subsequently decreased or eliminated, then the Indemnifying Party shall promptly pay the Indemnified Party the amount of the decrease in such Tax Benefit. This Section 4.5(b) shall not apply to the extent that Section 3.6(d) would also apply to cause recovery of the same amounts to the Indemnifying Party.
4.6 Section 336(e) Election.
(a) Upon request by MSG, Spinco shall join with MSG in making a protective election under section 336(e) of the Code (and any similar election under state or local law) with respect to the Distribution in accordance with Treasury Regulations section 1.336-2(h) and (j) (and any applicable provisions under state and local law), provided that Spinco shall indemnify MSG for any cost to the MSG Group of making such an election (but it being understood that any such cost arising from Taxes shall be limited to Excess Taxes). MSG and Spinco shall cooperate in the timely completion and/or filings of such elections and any related filings or procedures (including filing or amending any Tax Returns to implement an election that becomes effective). This Section 4.6 is intended to constitute a binding, written agreement to make an election under section 336(e) of the Code with respect to the Distribution.
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(b) If Taxes are allocated to a Party (the Responsible Party) as a result of any election set forth in Section 4.6, then to the extent that such Taxes give rise to a Tax Benefit, other than a refund, credit or offset as described in Section 3.6(b), to the other Party (the Other Party) or any of its Affiliates, and such Tax Benefit results in an actual reduction in Taxes (determined on a with and without basis) of the Other Party or any of its Affiliates in any Tax Year, the Other Party shall pay to the Responsible Party in the relevant Tax Year an amount equal to such reduction in Taxes (determined on a with and without basis); provided, however, that this provision shall not apply to the extent that the actual reduction in Taxes for the relevant Tax Year and any unpaid reduction in Taxes for all prior Tax Years is less than $50,000.
4.7 Certain Final Determinations. If an adjustment (a Tax Adjustment) pursuant to a Final Determination in a Tax Contest initiated by a Tax Authority results in a Tax greater than the Tax shown on the relevant Tax Return for any Pre-Distribution Period, the Indemnified Party shall pay to the Indemnifying Party an amount equal to any Tax Benefit as and when actually realized by such Indemnified Party as a result of such Tax Adjustment. The Parties agree that if an Indemnified Party is required to make a payment to an Indemnifying Party pursuant to this Section 4.7, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to set off the amount of such payment against any indemnity payments owed by the Indemnifying Party to the Indemnified Party, taking into account time value and similar concepts as appropriate.
SECTION 5. Cooperation and Tax Contests.
5.1 Cooperation. In addition to the obligations enumerated in Sections 3.4 and 5.4, MSG and Spinco will cooperate (and cause their respective Subsidiaries and Affiliates to cooperate) with each other and with each others agents, including accounting firms and legal counsel, in connection with Tax matters, including provision of relevant documents and information in their possession and making available to each other, as reasonably requested and available, personnel (including officers, directors, employees and agents of the Parties or their respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates) responsible for preparing, maintaining, and interpreting information and documents relevant to Taxes, and personnel reasonably required as witnesses or for purposes of providing information or documents in connection with any administrative or judicial proceedings relating to Taxes.
5.2 Notices of Tax Contests. Each Company shall provide prompt notice to the other Company of any pending or threatened Tax audit, assessment or proceeding or other Tax Contest of which it becomes aware relating to (i) Taxes for which it is or may be indemnified by such other Company hereunder or (ii) Tax Items that may affect the amount or treatment of Tax Items of such other Company. Such notice shall contain factual information (to the extent known) describing any asserted Tax liability in reasonable detail and shall be accompanied by copies of any notice and other documents received from any Tax Authority in respect of any such matters; provided, however, that failure to give such notification shall not affect the indemnification provided hereunder except, and only to the extent that, the indemnifying Company shall have been actually prejudiced as a result of such failure. Thereafter, the indemnified Company shall deliver to the indemnifying Company such additional information with respect to such Tax Contest in its possession that the indemnifying Company may reasonably request.
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5.3 Control of Tax Contests.
(a) Controlling Party. Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 5.3(b), each Filer (or the appropriate member of its Group) shall, at its own cost and expense, be the Controlling Party with respect to any Tax Contest involving a Tax reported (or that, it is asserted, should have been reported) on a Tax Return for which such Company is responsible for filing (or causing to be filed) pursuant to Section 3 of this Agreement (it being understood, for the avoidance of doubt but subject to the other provisions of this Section 5.3(a), that MSG shall be the Controlling Party with respect to any Tax Contest involving Distribution Taxes), in which case any Non-Filer that could have liability under this Agreement for a Tax to which such Tax Contest relates shall be treated as the Non-Controlling Party. Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence, if a Non-Filer (x) acknowledges to the Filer in writing its full liability under this Agreement to indemnify for any Tax, and (y) provides to the Filer evidence (that is satisfactory to the Filer as determined in the Filers reasonable discretion) of the Non-Filers financial readiness and capacity to make such indemnity payment, then thereafter with respect to the Tax Contest relating solely to such Tax the Non-Filer shall be the Controlling Party (subject to Section 5.3(b)) and the Filer shall be treated as the Non-Controlling Party.
(b) Non-Controlling Party Participation Rights. With respect to a Tax Contest of any Tax Return that could result in a Tax liability that is allocated under this Agreement, (i) the Non-Controlling Party shall, at its own cost and expense, be entitled to participate in such Tax Contest and to provide comments and suggestions to the Controlling Party, such comments and suggestions not to be unreasonably rejected, (ii) the Controlling Party shall keep the Non-Controlling Party updated and informed, and shall consult with the Non-Controlling Party, (iii) the Controlling Party shall act in good faith with a view to the merits in connection with the Tax Contest, and (iv) the Controlling Party shall not settle or compromise such Tax Contest without the prior written consent of the Non-Controlling Party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld).
5.4 Cooperation Regarding Tax Contests. The Parties shall provide each other with all information relating to a Tax Contest which is needed by the other Party or Parties to handle, participate in, defend, settle or contest the Tax Contest. At the request of any party, the other Parties shall take any action (e.g., executing a power of attorney) that is reasonably necessary in order for the requesting Party to exercise its rights under this Agreement in respect of a Tax Contest. Spinco shall assist MSG, and MSG shall assist Spinco, in taking any remedial actions that are necessary or desirable to minimize the effects of any adjustment made by a Tax Authority. The Indemnifying Party or Parties shall reimburse the Indemnified Party or Parties for any reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in complying with this Section 5.4.
SECTION 6. Tax Records.
6.1 Retention of Tax Records. Each of MSG and Spinco shall preserve, and shall cause their respective Subsidiaries to preserve, all Tax Records that are in their possession, and that could affect the liability of any member of the other Group for Taxes, for as long as the contents thereof may become material in the administration of any matter under applicable Tax Law, but in any event until the later of (x) the expiration of any applicable statute of limitations, as extended, and (y) seven years after the Distribution Date.
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6.2 Access to Tax Records. Spinco shall make available, and cause its Subsidiaries to make available, to members of the MSG Group for inspection and copying the portion of any Tax Record in their possession that relates to a Pre-Distribution Period or Post-Distribution Period and which is reasonably necessary for the preparation, review, approval or filing of a Tax Return by a member of the MSG Group or any of their Affiliates or with respect to any Tax Contest with respect to such return. MSG shall make available, and cause its Subsidiaries to make available, to members of the Spinco Group for inspection and copying the portion of any Tax Record in their possession that relates to a Pre-Distribution Period and which is reasonably necessary for the preparation, review, approval or filing of a Tax Return by a member of the Spinco Group or any of their Affiliates or with respect to any Tax Contest with respect to such return.
6.3 Confidentiality. Each party hereby agrees that it will hold, and shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause its officers, directors, employees, accountants, counsel, consultants, advisors and agents to hold, in confidence all records and information prepared and shared by and among the Parties in carrying out the intent of this Agreement, except as may otherwise be necessary in connection with the filing of Tax Returns or any administrative or judicial proceedings relating to Taxes or unless disclosure is compelled by a governmental authority. Information and documents of one Party (the Disclosing Party) shall not be deemed to be confidential for purposes of this Section 6.3 to the extent that such information or document (i) is previously known to or in the possession of the other Party or Parties (the Receiving Party) and is not otherwise subject to a requirement to be kept confidential, (ii) becomes publicly available by means other than unauthorized disclosure under this Agreement by the Receiving Party or (iii) is received from a third party without, to the knowledge of the Receiving Party after reasonable diligence, a duty of confidentiality owed to the Disclosing Party.
SECTION 7. Representations and Covenants.
7.1 Covenants of MSG and Spinco.
(a) MSG hereby covenants that, to the fullest extent permissible under U.S. federal income and state Tax Laws, it will, and will cause the members of the MSG Group to, treat the applicable Transactions in accordance with the Agreed Treatment. Spinco hereby covenants that, to the fullest extent permissible under U.S. federal income and state Tax Laws, it will, and will cause each Subsidiary of Spinco to, treat the applicable Transactions in accordance with the Agreed Treatment.
(b) MSG further covenants that, as of and following the date hereof, MSG shall not and shall cause the members of the MSG Group not to take any action that (or fail to take any action the omission of which) would be inconsistent with the applicable Transactions qualifying for the Agreed Treatment or that would preclude the applicable Transactions from qualifying for the Agreed Treatment.
(c) Spinco further covenants that, as of and following the date hereof, Spinco shall not and shall cause its Subsidiaries not to take any action that (or fail to take any action the omission of which) would be inconsistent with the applicable Transactions qualifying for the Agreed Treatment or that would preclude the applicable Transactions from qualifying for the Agreed Treatment.
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7.2 Covenants of Spinco.
(a) Without limiting the generality of the provisions of Section 7.1, Spinco, on behalf of itself and its Subsidiaries, agrees and covenants that Spinco and each of its Subsidiaries will not, directly or indirectly, during the Restriction Period, (i) take any action that would result in Spincos ceasing to be engaged in the active conduct of the Spinco Business with the result that Spinco is not engaged in the active conduct of a trade or business within the meaning of section 355(b)(2) of the Code, (ii) redeem or otherwise repurchase (directly or through an Affiliate of Spinco) any of Spincos outstanding stock, other than through stock purchases meeting the requirements of section 4.05(1)(b) of Revenue Procedure 96-30, 1996-1 C.B. 696 (but it being understood, for the avoidance of doubt, that no agreement or covenant under this Section 7.3(a)(ii) is being entered with respect to Compensatory Equity Net Share Settlements), (iii) amend the certificate of incorporation (or other organizational documents) of Spinco that would affect the relative voting rights of separate classes of Spincos stock or would convert one class of Spincos stock into another class of its stock, (iv) liquidate (within the meaning of section 331 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder) or partially liquidate Spinco, (v) merge Spinco with any other corporation (other than in a transaction that does not affect the relative shareholding of Spinco shareholders), sell or otherwise dispose of (other than in the ordinary course of business) the assets of Spinco and its Subsidiaries, or take any other action or actions if such merger, sale, other disposition or other action or actions in the aggregate would have the effect that one or more Persons acquire (or have the right to acquire), directly or indirectly, as part of a plan or series of related transactions, assets representing one-half or more of the asset value of the Spinco Group, or (vi) take any other action or actions that in the aggregate would have the effect that one or more Persons acquire (or have the right to acquire), directly or indirectly, as part of a plan or series of related transactions, stock of Spinco representing a Fifty-Percent Equity Interest in Spinco (as determined for purposes of section 355(e) of the Code), other than a Permitted Acquisition.
7.3 Covenants of MSG.
(a) Without limiting the generality of the provisions of Section 7.1, MSG, on behalf of itself and each member of the MSG Group, agrees and covenants that MSG and each member of the MSG Group will not, directly or indirectly, during the Restriction Period, (i) take any action that would result in MSGs ceasing to be engaged in the active conduct of the MSG Business with the result that MSG is not engaged in the active conduct of a trade or business within the meaning of section 355(b)(2) of the Code, (ii) redeem or otherwise repurchase (directly or through an Affiliate of MSG) any of MSGs outstanding stock, other than through stock purchases meeting the requirements of section 4.05(1)(b) of Revenue Procedure 96-30, 1996-1 C.B. 696 (but it being understood, for the avoidance of doubt, that no agreement or covenant under this Section 7.4(a)(ii) is being entered with respect to Compensatory Equity Net Share Settlements), (iii) amend the certificate of incorporation (or other organizational documents) of MSG that would affect the relative voting rights of separate classes of MSGs stock or would convert one class of MSGs stock into another class of its stock, (iv) liquidate (within the meaning of section 331 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated
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thereunder) or partially liquidate MSG, (v) merge MSG with any other corporation (other than in a transaction that does not affect the relative shareholding of MSG shareholders), sell or otherwise dispose of (other than in the ordinary course of business) the assets of MSG and its Subsidiaries, or take any other action or actions if such merger, sale, other disposition or other action or actions in the aggregate would have the effect that one or more Persons acquire (or have the right to acquire), directly or indirectly, as part of a plan or series of related transactions, assets representing one-half or more of the asset value of the MSG Group, or (vi) take any other action or actions that in the aggregate would have the effect that one or more Persons acquire (or have the right to acquire), directly or indirectly, as part of a plan or series of related transactions, stock of MSG representing a Fifty-Percent Equity Interest in MSG (as determined for purposes of section 355(e) of the Code).
(b) Nothing in this Section 7 shall be construed to give Spinco or any Affiliates of Spinco any right to remedies other than indemnification for any increase in the actual Tax liability (and/or decrease in Tax Benefit) of Spinco or any Affiliate of Spinco that results from MSG Groups failure to comply with the covenants and representations in this Section 7.
7.4 Exceptions.
(a) Exceptions with Respect to Spinco.
(i) Notwithstanding Section 7.3 above, Spinco or any of its Subsidiaries may take a Spinco Restricted Action if MSG consents in writing to such Spinco Restricted Action, or if Spinco provides MSG with Satisfactory Guidance concluding that such Spinco Restricted Action will not alter the Tax-Free Status of the Distribution in respect of MSG and MSGs shareholders.
(ii) Spinco and each of its Subsidiaries agree that MSG and each MSG Affiliate are to have no liability for any Tax resulting from any Spinco Restricted Actions permitted pursuant to this Section 7.5(a) and, subject to Section 2.2, agree to indemnify and hold harmless each MSG Indemnified Party against any such Tax. Spinco shall bear all costs incurred by it, and all reasonable costs incurred by MSG, in connection with requesting and/or obtaining any Satisfactory Guidance.
(b) Exceptions with Respect to MSG.
(i) Notwithstanding Section 7.4(a) above, MSG or any of its Subsidiaries may take a MSG Restricted Action if Spinco consents in writing to such MSG Restricted Action, or if MSG provides Spinco with Satisfactory Guidance concluding that such MSG Restricted Action will not alter the Tax-Free Status of the Distribution in respect of Spinco and Spincos shareholders.
(ii) MSG and each of its Subsidiaries agree that Spinco and each Spinco Affiliate are to have no liability for any Tax resulting from any MSG Restricted Actions permitted pursuant to this Section 7.5(b) and, subject to Section 2.2, agree to indemnify and hold harmless each Spinco Indemnified Party against any such Tax. MSG shall bear all costs incurred by it, and all reasonable costs incurred by Spinco, in connection with requesting and/or obtaining any Satisfactory Guidance.
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7.5 Injunctive Relief. For the avoidance of doubt, MSG shall have the right to seek injunctive relief to prevent Spinco or any of its Subsidiaries from taking any action that is not consistent with the covenants of the Spinco or any of its Subsidiaries under Section 7.1 or 7.3.
7.6 Further Assurances. For the avoidance of doubt, (i) neither MSG nor a member of the MSG Group shall take any action on the Distribution Date that would result in an increase of the actual Tax liability (and/or decrease of any Tax Benefit) of Spinco or any of its Subsidiaries, other than in the ordinary course of business, except for actions undertaken in connection with the Distribution, which actions are described in the Tax Opinion or the Tax Opinion Representations, and (ii) neither Spinco nor any of its Subsidiaries shall take any action on the Distribution Date that would result in an increase of the actual Tax liability (and/or decrease of any Tax Benefit) of MSG or a member of the MSG Group, other than in the ordinary course of business, except for actions undertaken in connection with the Distribution, which actions are described in the Tax Opinion or the Tax Opinion Representations.
SECTION 8. General Provisions.
8.1 Construction. This Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement (except insofar and to the extent that it specifically and expressly references the Distribution Agreement and any other Ancillary Agreement) between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and shall supersede all previous negotiations, commitments and writings with respect to such subject matter.
8.2 Ancillary Agreements. This Agreement is not intended to address, and should not be interpreted to address, the matters specifically and expressly covered by the Distribution Agreement or any other Ancillary Agreement.
8.3 Counterparts. 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 such counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties and delivered to the other Party.
8.4 Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing, shall reference this Agreement and shall be hand delivered or mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested) to the Parties at the following addresses (or at such other addresses for a Party as shall be specified by like notice) and will be deemed given on the date on which such notice is received:
To MSG:
The Madison Square Garden Company (or, after the applicable name change, Madison Square Garden Sports Corp.)
11 Penn Plaza
New York, New York 10001
Attention: General Counsel
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with copy to:
MSG Entertainment Spinco, Inc. (or, after the applicable name change, Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.)
Two Penn Plaza
New York, New York 10121
Attention: General Counsel
To Spinco:
MSG Entertainment Spinco, Inc. (or, after the applicable name change, Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.)
Two Penn Plaza
New York, New York 10121
Attention: General Counsel
8.5 Amendments. This Agreement may not be modified or amended except by an agreement in writing signed by each of the Parties.
8.6 Assignment. This Agreement shall not be assignable, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, by any Party without the prior written consent of the other Party, and any attempt to assign any rights or obligations arising under this Agreement without such consent shall be void; provided that, subject to compliance with Section 7, if applicable, either Party may assign this Agreement to a purchaser of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of such Party so long as such purchaser expressly assumes, in a written instrument in form reasonably satisfactory to the non-assigning Party, the due and punctual performance or observance of every agreement and covenant of this Agreement on the part of the assigning Party to be performed or observed.
8.7 Successors and Assigns. The provisions to this Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
8.8 Change in Law. Any reference to a provision of the Code or any other Tax Law shall include a reference to any applicable successor provision or law.
8.9 Authorization, Etc. Each of the Parties hereto hereby represents and warrants that it has the power and authority to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement, that this Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of such Party, that this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Party and that the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by such Party does not contravene or conflict with any provision of law or the Partys charter or bylaws or any agreement, instrument or order binding such Party.
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8.10 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Distribution by and in the sole discretion of MSG without the approval of Spinco or the stockholders of MSG. In the event of such termination, no Party shall have any liability of any kind to any other Party or any other Person. After the Distribution, this Agreement may not be terminated except by an agreement in writing signed by the Parties.
8.11 Subsidiaries. Each of the Parties shall cause to be performed, and hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements and obligations set forth herein to be performed by any entity that is contemplated to be a Subsidiary of such Party after the Distribution Date.
8.12 Third-Party Beneficiaries. Except with respect to MSG Indemnified Parties and Spinco Indemnified Parties, and in each case, only where and as indicated herein, this Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and their respective Subsidiaries and Affiliates and should not be deemed to confer upon any other Person any remedy, claim, liability, reimbursement, cause of action or other right in excess of those existing without reference to this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, this Agreement is not intended to confer upon any Spinco Indemnified Parties any rights or remedies against Spinco hereunder, and this Agreement is not intended to confer upon any MSG Indemnified Parties any rights or remedies against MSG hereunder.
8.13 Double Recovery. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to confer to or impose upon any Party a duplicative right, entitlement, obligation or recovery with respect to any matter arising out of the same facts and circumstances.
8.14 Titles and Headings. Titles and headings to Sections herein are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
8.15 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts made and to be performed in the State of New York.
8.16 Waiver of Jury Trial. The Parties hereby irrevocably waive any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
8.17 Severability. In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and therein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The Parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions, the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.
8.18 No Strict Construction; Interpretation.
(a) Each of MSG and Spinco acknowledges that this Agreement has been prepared jointly by the Parties hereto and shall not be strictly construed against any Party hereto.
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(b) The table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. Whenever the words include, includes or including are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words without limitation. The words hereof, herein and hereunder and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. All terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined meanings when used in any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto unless otherwise defined therein. The definitions contained in this Agreement are applicable to the singular as well as the plural forms of such terms and to the masculine as well as to the feminine and neuter genders of such term. Any agreement, instrument or statute defined or referred to herein or in any agreement or instrument that is referred to herein means such agreement, instrument or statute as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, including (in the case of agreements or instruments) by waiver or consent and (in the case of statutes) by succession of comparable successor statutes and references to all attachments thereto and instruments incorporated therein. References to a Person are also to its permitted successors and assigns.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by the respective officers as of the date set forth above.
THE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN COMPANY (To be renamed Madison Square Garden Sports Corp.) |
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By: |
/s/ Andrew Lustgarten |
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Name: | Andrew Lustgarten | |||
Title: | President | |||
MSG ENTERTAINMENT SPINCO, INC. (To be renamed Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.) |
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By: |
/s/ James L. Dolan |
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Name: | James L. Dolan | |||
Title: | Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
[Signature Page to Tax Disaffiliation Agreement]
SCHEDULE A
Tax Counsel to The Madison Square Garden Company
Sullivan & Cromwell LLP
KPMG LLP
Exhibit 10.4
EMPLOYEE MATTERS AGREEMENT
BY AND BETWEEN
THE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN COMPANY
(TO BE RENAMED MADISON SQUARE GARDEN SPORTS CORP.)
AND
MSG ENTERTAINMENT SPINCO, INC.
(TO BE RENAMED MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.)
Dated as of March 31, 2020
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||||
ARTICLE I |
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DEFINITIONS |
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Section 1.1 |
Definitions | 1 | ||||
Section 1.2 |
General Interpretive Principles | 8 | ||||
ARTICLE II |
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GENERAL PRINCIPLES |
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Section 2.1 |
Assumption and Retention of Liabilities; Related Assets | 9 | ||||
Section 2.2 |
MSGS Participation in Spinco Plans | 10 | ||||
Section 2.3 |
Service Recognition | 10 | ||||
ARTICLE III |
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U.S. QUALIFIED DEFINED BENEFIT PLAN |
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Section 3.1 |
Cash Balance Pension Plan | 12 | ||||
ARTICLE IV |
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U.S. QUALIFIED DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS |
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Section 4.1 |
401(k) Plan | 12 | ||||
Section 4.2 |
Investment and Benefits Committee | 12 | ||||
ARTICLE V |
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NONQUALIFIED PLANS |
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Section 5.1 |
Excess Cash Balance Pension Plan | 12 | ||||
Section 5.2 |
Excess Retirement Plan | 13 | ||||
Section 5.3 |
Excess Savings Plan | 13 | ||||
Section 5.4 |
Transferred Employees | 14 | ||||
Section 5.5 |
No Separation from Service | 14 | ||||
ARTICLE VI |
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U.S. HEALTH AND WELFARE PLANS |
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Section 6.1 |
Health and Welfare Plans Maintained by Spinco Prior to the Distribution Date | 14 | ||||
Section 6.2 |
Flexible Spending Accounts Plan | 15 | ||||
Section 6.3 |
Legal Plan | 15 | ||||
Section 6.4 |
COBRA and HIPAA | 15 | ||||
Section 6.5 |
Liabilities | 16 | ||||
Section 6.6 |
Time-Off Benefits | 17 | ||||
Section 6.7 |
Severance Pay Plans | 18 |
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ARTICLE VII |
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EQUITY COMPENSATION |
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Section 7.1 |
Equity Compensation | 18 | ||||
Section 7.2 |
Taxes and Withholding | 18 | ||||
Section 7.3 |
Cooperation | 20 | ||||
Section 7.4 |
SEC Registration | 20 | ||||
Section 7.5 |
Savings Clause | 20 | ||||
ARTICLE VIII |
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ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS MATTERS |
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Section 8.1 |
Cash Incentive Awards | 20 | ||||
Section 8.2 |
Individual Arrangements | 21 | ||||
Section 8.3 |
Non-Competition | 22 | ||||
Section 8.4 |
Collective Bargaining | 22 | ||||
Section 8.5 |
Union Dues; Severance and Fringe Benefits | 22 | ||||
Section 8.6 |
Director Programs | 22 | ||||
Section 8.7 |
Sections 162(m)/409A | 23 | ||||
ARTICLE IX |
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INDEMNIFICATION |
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Section 9.1 |
Indemnification | 23 | ||||
ARTICLE X |
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GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE |
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Section 10.1 |
Sharing of Information | 23 | ||||
Section 10.2 |
Reasonable Efforts/Cooperation | 24 | ||||
Section 10.3 |
Non-Termination of Employment; No Third-Party Beneficiaries | 24 | ||||
Section 10.4 |
Consent of Third Parties | 24 | ||||
Section 10.5 |
Access to Employees | 24 | ||||
Section 10.6 |
Beneficiary Designation/Release of Information/Right to Reimbursement | 25 | ||||
Section 10.7 |
Not a Change in Control | 25 | ||||
ARTICLE XI |
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MISCELLANEOUS |
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Section 11.1 |
Effect If Distribution Does Not Occur | 25 | ||||
Section 11.2 |
Complete Agreement; Construction | 25 | ||||
Section 11.3 |
Counterparts | 25 | ||||
Section 11.4 |
Survival of Agreements | 25 | ||||
Section 11.5 |
Notices | 25 | ||||
Section 11.6 |
Waivers | 26 | ||||
Section 11.7 |
Amendments | 26 | ||||
Section 11.8 |
Assignment | 26 | ||||
Section 11.9 |
Successors and Assigns | 26 |
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Section 11.10 |
Subsidiaries |
26 | ||||
Section 11.11 |
Title and Headings |
26 | ||||
Section 11.12 |
Governing Law |
26 | ||||
Section 11.13 |
Waiver of Jury Trial |
27 | ||||
Section 11.14 |
Specific Performance |
27 | ||||
Section 11.15 |
Severability |
27 |
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Exhibits
Exhibit A |
MSGS Retained Retirement Plans |
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Exhibit B |
Spinco Retained Retirement Plans |
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Exhibit C |
MSGS Retained Multi-Employer Benefit Plans |
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Exhibit D |
Spinco Retained Multi-Employer Benefit Plans |
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Exhibit E |
Spinco Health & Welfare Plans |
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Exhibit F |
MSGS Union Relationships |
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Exhibit G |
Spinco Union Relationships |
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Exhibit H |
FY 2020 Annual Cash Incentive Awards |
-iv-
EMPLOYEE MATTERS AGREEMENT
THIS EMPLOYEE MATTERS AGREEMENT (this Agreement), dated as of March 31, 2020, is by and between The Madison Square Garden Company (to be renamed Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. at the Distribution (as defined herein)), a Delaware corporation (MSGS), and MSG Entertainment Spinco, Inc. (to be renamed Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. at the Distribution), a Delaware corporation and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of MSGS (Spinco and, together with MSGS, each, a Party and collectively, the Parties).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of MSGS determined that it is in the best interests of MSGS and its stockholders to separate the business of Spinco, as more fully described in Spincos registration statement on Form 10 (collectively, the Spinco Business), from MSGs other businesses, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Distribution Agreement (as defined below);
WHEREAS, in order to effectuate the foregoing, MSGS and Spinco have entered into a Distribution Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2020 (the Distribution Agreement), pursuant to which and subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, the Spinco Business shall be separated from the MSGS Business, and all of the issued and outstanding shares of Spinco Common Stock beneficially owned by MSGS shall be distributed (the Distribution) to the holders of the issued and outstanding MSGS Common Stock; and
WHEREAS, MSGS and Spinco have agreed to enter into this Agreement for the purpose of allocating Assets, Liabilities and responsibilities with respect to certain employee compensation and benefit plans, programs and arrangements, and certain employment matters between and among them.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the respective agreements and covenants contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1 Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
401(k) Plan shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 4.1 of this Agreement.
Action means any claim, demand, complaint, charge, action, cause of action, suit, countersuit, arbitration, litigation, inquiry, proceeding or investigation by or before any Governmental Authority or any arbitration or mediation tribunal.
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Actual Benefit Cost shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.5(b).
Agreement shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the preamble to this Agreement, including all the exhibits hereto, and all amendments made hereto from time to time.
Asset means any right, property or asset, whether real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible, of any kind, nature and description, whether accrued, contingent or otherwise, and wherever situated and whether or not carried or reflected, or required to be carried or reflected, on the books of any Person.
Cash Balance Pension Plan means the MSG Sports & Entertainment, LLC Cash Balance Pension Plan or any successor thereto.
COBRA means the continuation coverage requirements for group health plans under Title X of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended, and as codified in Section 4980B of the Code and Sections 601 through 608 of ERISA.
Code means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Control means, as to any Person, the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or other interests, by contract or otherwise.
Distribution shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the recitals to this Agreement, as the same is further described in the Distribution Agreement.
Distribution Agreement shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the recitals to this Agreement.
Distribution Date shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the Distribution Agreement.
DOL means the U.S. Department of Labor.
Effective Date shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 6.1(a) of this Agreement.
Equity Compensation means, collectively, the MSGS Options, MSGS RSUs, Spinco Options, and Spinco RSUs.
ERISA means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
Estimated Benefit Cost shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.5(b).
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Former MSGS Employee means:
i. |
with respect to an individual whose MSGS Group employment terminated prior to the Distribution Date, any such individual (A) whose last position was in the Corporate Division and who was expected to be employed by the MSGS Group following the Distribution Date, or (B) whose last position was in the Sports division (other than the Sports Properties Group); and |
ii. |
with respect to an individual whose MSGS Group employment terminated on or after the Distribution Date, any former employee of any member of the MSGS Group. |
Any individual who is an employee of any member of the Spinco Group on the Distribution Date or a Former Spinco Employee shall not be a Former MSGS Employee.
Former Spinco Employee means:
i. |
with respect to an individual whose MSGS Group employment terminated prior to the Distribution Date, any such individual (A) whose last position was in the Corporate Division and who was not expected to be employed by the MSGS Group following the Distribution Date, (B) whose last position was in the Sports Properties Group or (C) whose last position was not in the Sports division (except as provided in clauses (A) and (B) of this sentence); and |
ii. |
with respect to an individual whose Spinco Group employment terminated on or after the Distribution Date, any former employee of any member of the Spinco Group. |
Any individual who is an employee of any member of the MSGS Group on the Distribution Date or a Former MSGS Employee shall not be a Former Spinco Employee.
Governmental Authority means any federal, state, local, foreign or international court, government, department, commission, board, bureau, agency, official, the NYSE, NASDAQ or other regulatory, administrative or governmental authority.
Group means the MSGS Group and/or the Spinco Group, as the context requires.
HIPAA means the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, as amended.
Information shall mean all information, whether in written, oral, electronic or other tangible or intangible form, stored in any medium, including non-public financial information, studies, reports, records, books, accountants work papers, contracts, instruments, flow charts, data, communications by or to attorneys, memos and other materials prepared by attorneys and accountants or under their direction (including attorney work product) and other financial, legal, employee or business information or data.
IRS means the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
Law means all laws, statutes and ordinances and all regulations, rules and other pronouncements of Governmental Authorities having the effect of law of the United States, any foreign country, or any domestic or foreign state, province, commonwealth, city, country, municipality, territory, protectorate, possession or similar instrumentality, or any Governmental Authority thereof.
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Liabilities means all debts, liabilities, obligations, responsibilities, Losses, damages (whether compensatory, punitive, or treble), fines, penalties and sanctions, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, foreseen or unforeseen, joint, several or individual, asserted or unasserted, accrued or unaccrued, known or unknown, whenever arising, including without limitation those arising under or in connection with any Law, Action, threatened Action, order or consent decree of any Governmental Authority or any award of any arbitration tribunal, and those arising under any contract, guarantee, commitment or undertaking, whether sought to be imposed by a Governmental Authority, private party, or a Party, whether based in contract, tort, implied or express warranty, strict liability, criminal or civil statute, or otherwise, and including any costs, expenses, interest, attorneys fees, disbursements and expense of counsel, expert and consulting fees, fees of third-party administrators and costs related thereto or to the investigation or defense thereof.
Loss means any claim, demand, complaint, damages (whether compensatory, punitive, consequential, treble or other), fines, penalties, loss, liability, payment, cost or expense arising out of, relating to or in connection with any Action.
MSGS shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the preamble to this Agreement.
MSGS Business means all businesses and operations conducted by the MSGS Group from time to time, whether prior to, at or after the Distribution Date, other than the Spinco Business.
MSGS Common Stock means the issued and outstanding Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of MSGS and Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of MSG.
MSGS Compensation Committee means the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of MSG.
MSGS Director means any individual who is a current or former non-employee director of MSGS as of the Distribution Date.
MSGS Employee means any individual who, immediately following the Distribution Date, will be employed by MSGS or any member of the MSGS Group in a capacity considered by MSGS to be common law employment, including active employees and employees on vacation and approved leaves of absence (including maternity, paternity, family, sick, short-term or long-term disability leave, qualified military service under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, and leave under the Family Medical Leave Act and other approved leaves).
MSGS Excess Cash Balance Plan shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 5.1(a) of this Agreement.
MSGS Excess Savings Plan shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 5.3(a).
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MSGS Excess Retirement Plan shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 5.2(a) of this Agreement.
MSGS Flexible Spending Accounts Plan shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 6.2 of this Agreement.
MSGS Group means, as of the Distribution Date, MSGS and each of its former and current Subsidiaries (or any predecessor organization thereof), and any corporation or entity that may become part of such Group from time to time thereafter. The MSGS Group shall not include any member of the Spinco Group.
MSGS Health & Welfare Plans shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 6.1(a) of this Agreement.
MSGS Liabilities means all Liabilities assumed or retained by any member of the MSGS Group pursuant to this Agreement.
MSGS Option means an option to buy MSGS Class A Common Stock granted pursuant to an MSGS Share Plan (including the options adjusted for the Distribution) and outstanding as of the Distribution Date (or shortly thereafter to the extent necessary to determine any adjustments in connection with the Distribution).
MSGS Participant means any individual who, immediately following the Distribution Date, is an MSGS Employee, a Former MSGS Employee or a beneficiary, dependent or alternate payee of any of the foregoing.
MSGS Plan means any Plan sponsored, maintained or contributed to by MSGS or any of its Subsidiaries, including the MSGS Retained Retirement Plans, MSGS Share Plans, MSGS Flexible Spending Accounts Plan, MSGS Health & Welfare Plans and MSGS Retained Multi-Employer Benefit Plans.
MSGS Retained Multi-Employer Benefit Plans means the multi-employer plans that are listed on Exhibit C.
MSGS Retained Retirement Plans means the retirement plans that are listed on Exhibit A.
MSGS RSU means a restricted stock unit (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any restricted stock unit that is subject to performance vesting conditions) representing an unfunded and unsecured promise to deliver a share of MSGS Class A Common Stock, or cash or other property equal in value to the share of MSGS Class A Common Stock, that is granted pursuant to an MSGS Share Plan and outstanding as of the Distribution Date (or shortly thereafter to the extent necessary to determine any adjustments in connection with the Distribution).
MSGS Share Plans means, collectively, any stock option or stock incentive compensation plan or arrangement, including equity award agreements, maintained before the Distribution Date for employees, officers or non-employee directors of MSGS or its Subsidiaries or affiliates, as amended.
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NASDAQ means The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC.
NYSE means the New York Stock Exchange.
Participating Company means MSGS and any Person (other than a natural person) participating in an MSGS Plan.
Party and Parties shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the preamble to this Agreement.
Person means any natural person, corporation, business trust, limited liability company, joint venture, association, company, partnership or governmental, or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
Plan means, with respect to an entity, each plan, program, arrangement, agreement or commitment that is an employment, consulting, non-competition or deferred compensation agreement, or an executive compensation, incentive bonus or other bonus, employee pension, profit-sharing, savings, retirement, supplemental retirement, stock option, stock purchase, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, other equity-based compensation, severance pay, salary continuation, life, health, hospitalization, sick leave, vacation pay, disability or accident insurance plan, corporate-owned or key-man life insurance or other employee benefit plan, program, arrangement, agreement or commitment, including any employee benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA), entered into, sponsored or maintained by such entity (or to which such entity contributes or is required to contribute).
Service Crediting Date shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 2.3(b)(i) of this Agreement.
Shared Executives means those individuals who, as of the Distribution Date, are employed in a senior executive capacity by both MSGS and Spinco.
Spinco shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the preamble to this Agreement.
Spinco Business means all businesses and operations conducted by the Spinco Group from time to time, whether prior to, at or after the Distribution Date, including (A) the businesses and operations of the Sports Properties Group and (B) the other businesses and operations conducted by the Spinco Group as more fully described in the Spinco Information Statement and excluding the MSGS Business.
Spinco Common Stock means the outstanding Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Spinco and Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Spinco.
Spinco Director means any individual who is a current non-employee director of Spinco as of the Distribution Date.
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Spinco Employee means any individual who, immediately following the Distribution Date, will be employed by Spinco or any member of the Spinco Group in a capacity considered by Spinco to be common law employment, including active employees and employees on vacation and approved leaves of absence (including maternity, paternity, family, sick, short-term or long-term disability leave, qualified military service under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, and leave under the Family Medical Leave Act and other approved leaves).
Spinco Excess Cash Balance Plan shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 5.1(a).
Spinco Excess Savings Plan shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 5.3(a).
Spinco Excess Retirement Plan shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 5.2(a).
Spinco Flexible Spending Accounts Plan shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 6.2 of this Agreement.
Spinco Group means, as of the Distribution Date, Spinco and each of its former and current Subsidiaries (or any predecessor organization thereof), and any corporation or entity that may become part of such Group from time to time thereafter. The Spinco Group shall not include any member of the MSGS Group.
Spinco Health & Welfare Plans shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 6.1(a) of this Agreement.
Spinco Information Statement means the definitive information statement distributed to holders of MSGS Common Stock in connection with the Distribution and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) as Exhibit 99.1 to the registration statement on Form 10 filed with the Commission to effect the registration of the Spinco Class A Common Shares pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or as an exhibit to a Form 8-K of Spinco.
Spinco Liabilities means all Liabilities assumed or retained by any member of the Spinco Group pursuant to this Agreement.
Spinco Option means an option to buy Spinco Class A Common Stock granted pursuant to a Spinco Share Plan and granted in connection with the Distribution (or shortly thereafter to the extent necessary to determine any adjustments in connection with the Distribution).
Spinco Participant means any individual who, immediately following the Distribution Date, is a Spinco Employee, a Former Spinco Employee or a beneficiary, dependent or alternate payee of any of the foregoing.
Spinco Plan means any Plan sponsored, maintained or contributed to by any member of the Spinco Group, including the Spinco Retained Retirement Plans, Spinco Share Plans, Spinco Flexible Spending Accounts Plan, the Spinco Retiree Medical Program, Spinco Health & Welfare Plans and Spinco Retained Multi-Employer Benefit Plans.
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Spinco Retained Multi-Employer Benefit Plans means the multi-employer plans that are listed on Exhibit D.
Spinco Retained Retirement Plans means the retirement plans that are listed on Exhibit B.
Spinco RSU means a restricted stock unit (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any restricted stock unit that is subject to performance vesting conditions) representing an unfunded and unsecured promise to deliver a share of Spinco Class A Common Stock, or cash or other property equal in value to the share of Spinco Class A Common Stock, that is granted pursuant to a Spinco Share Plan and granted in connection with the Distribution (or shortly thereafter to the extent necessary to determine any adjustments in connection with the Distribution).
Spinco Share Plans means the Spinco 2020 Employee Stock Plan, Spinco 2020 Stock Plan For Non-Employee Directors and any stock plan or stock incentive arrangement, including equity award agreements, entered into by Spinco in connection with the Distribution.
Subsidiary has the same meaning as provided in the Distribution Agreement.
Transition Period means, with respect to each MSGS Plan in which any Spinco Group member is a Participating Company, the period of time beginning on the Distribution Date and ending on the date Spinco establishes a corresponding Plan and allows participation in such Plan, which shall be no later than the Effective Date. The Transition Period may be extended beyond the Effective Date if both Parties agree to the extension, and such agreement shall not be unreasonably withheld.
Transition Period End Date means the last day of each applicable Transition Period.
U.S. means the United States of America.
Section 1.2 General Interpretive Principles. Words in the singular shall include the plural and vice versa, and words of one gender shall include the other gender, in each case, as the context requires. The words hereof, herein, hereunder, and herewith and words of similar import shall, unless otherwise stated, be construed to refer to this Agreement and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and references to Article, Section, paragraph and Exhibit are references to the Articles, Sections, paragraphs and Exhibits to this Agreement unless otherwise specified. The word including and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall mean including, without limitation, unless otherwise specified. Any reference to any federal, state, local or non-U.S. statute or Law shall be deemed to also refer to all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, unless the context otherwise requires.
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ARTICLE II
GENERAL PRINCIPLES
Section 2.1 Assumption and Retention of Liabilities; Related Assets.
(a) As of the Distribution Date, except as otherwise expressly provided for in this Agreement, MSGS shall, or shall cause one or more members of the MSGS Group to, assume or retain and MSGS hereby agrees to pay, perform, fulfill and discharge, in due course in full (i) all Liabilities under all MSGS Plans (provided that, as between MSGS and Spinco, Spinco shall be responsible for certain of those Liabilities pursuant to Section 2.1(b) of this Agreement), (ii) all Liabilities with respect to the employment, retirement, service, termination of employment or termination of service of all MSGS Employees, Former MSGS Employees, MSGS Directors, their dependents and beneficiaries and other service providers (including any individual who is, or was, an independent contractor, temporary employee, temporary service worker, consultant, freelancer, agency employee, leased employee, on-call worker, incidental worker, or non-payroll worker of any member of the MSGS Group or in any other employment, non-employment, or retainer arrangement or relationship with any member of the MSGS Group), in each case to the extent arising in connection with or as a result of employment with or the performance of services for any member of the MSGS Group, and (iii) any other Liabilities expressly assumed by or retained by MSGS or any of its Subsidiaries under this Agreement, including liabilities retained pursuant to Article V of this Agreement. For purposes of clarification and the avoidance of doubt, (x) the Liabilities assumed or retained by the MSGS Group as provided for in this Section 2.1(a) are intended to be MSGS Liabilities as such term is defined in the Distribution Agreement, and (y) the Parties intend that such Liabilities assumed or retained by the MSGS Group include the retirement benefits and health and welfare plan benefits under the MSGS Plans for all MSGS Employees, Former MSGS Employees, their dependents, beneficiaries, alternate payees and surviving spouses.
(b) As of the Distribution Date, except as otherwise expressly provided for in this Agreement, Spinco shall, or shall cause one or more members of the Spinco Group to, assume or retain and Spinco hereby agrees to pay, perform, fulfill and discharge, in due course in full (i) all Liabilities under all Spinco Plans, (ii) all Liabilities with respect to the employment, service, retirement, termination of employment or termination of service of all Spinco Employees, Former Spinco Employees, their dependents and beneficiaries and other service providers (including any individual who is, or was, an independent contractor, temporary employee, temporary service worker, consultant, freelancer, agency employee, leased employee, on-call worker, incidental worker, or non-payroll worker of any member of the Spinco Group or in any other employment, non-employment, or retainer arrangement or relationship with any member of the Spinco Group), and (iii) any other Liabilities expressly assumed or retained by Spinco or any of its Subsidiaries under this Agreement. For purposes of clarification and the avoidance of doubt, the Liabilities assumed or retained by the Spinco Group as provided for in this Section 2.1(b) are intended to be Spinco Liabilities as such term is defined in the Distribution Agreement.
(c) From time to time after the Distribution, Spinco shall promptly reimburse MSGS, upon MSGs presentation of such substantiating documentation as Spinco shall reasonably request, for the cost of any Liabilities satisfied by MSGS or its Subsidiaries that are, or that have been made pursuant to this Agreement, the responsibility of Spinco or any of its Subsidiaries.
(d) From time to time after the Distribution, MSGS shall promptly reimburse Spinco, upon Spincos presentation of such substantiating documentation as MSGS shall reasonably request, for the cost of any Liabilities satisfied by Spinco or its Subsidiaries that are, or that have been made pursuant to this Agreement, the responsibility of MSGS or any of its Subsidiaries.
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Section 2.2 MSGS Participation in Spinco Plans.
(a) During the Transition Period. Except for the Spinco Plans described in Articles III, V, VII and VIII herein, until the Transition Period End Date, MSGS and each member of the MSGS Group that presently participates in a particular Spinco Plan may continue to be a Participating Company in such Spinco Plan, and MSGS and Spinco shall take all necessary action to effectuate each such continuation. MSGS and each member of the MSGS Group shall pay Spinco for any MSGS Employee or Former MSGS Employees participation in the Spinco Plans.
(b) After the Transition Period. Except as otherwise expressly provided for in this Agreement, effective as of the Transition Period End Date, MSGS and each member of the MSGS Group shall cease to be a Participating Company in the corresponding Spinco Plan, and MSGS and Spinco shall take all necessary action to effectuate each such cessation.
Section 2.3 Service Recognition.
(a) Pre-Distribution Service Credit. MSGS shall give each MSGS Participant full credit for purposes of eligibility, vesting, determination of level of benefits, and, to the extent applicable, benefit accruals under any MSGS Plan for such MSGS Participants service with any member of the Spinco Group prior to the Distribution Date to the same extent such service was recognized by the corresponding Spinco Plans immediately prior to the Distribution Date; provided, however, that such service shall not be recognized to the extent that such recognition would result in the duplication of benefits.
(b) Post-Distribution Service Crediting for the MSGS Retained Retirement Plans and Spinco Retained Retirement Plans. Each of MSGS and Spinco (acting directly or through their respective Subsidiaries) shall cause each of the MSGS Retained Retirement Plans and the Spinco Retained Retirement Plans, respectively, to provide the following service crediting rules effective as of the Distribution Date:
(i) If an MSGS Employee who participates in, or is eligible to participate but as of June 30, 2021 (the Service Crediting Date) is not participating in, any of the MSGS Retained Retirement Plans becomes employed by a member of the Spinco Group on or after the Distribution Date, but on or before the Service Crediting Date, and such MSGS Employee has been continuously employed by the MSGS Group from the Distribution Date through the date such MSGS Employee commences active employment with a member of the Spinco Group, then such MSGS Employees service with the MSGS Group following the Distribution Date shall be recognized for purposes of eligibility, vesting and level of benefits under the corresponding Spinco Retained Retirement Plans, in each case to the same extent as such MSGS Employees service with the MSGS Group was recognized under the corresponding MSGS Retained Retirement Plans, if any.
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(ii) If a Spinco Employee becomes employed by a member of the MSGS Group prior to the Service Crediting Date and such Spinco Employee is continuously employed by the Spinco Group from the Distribution Date through the date such Spinco Employee commences active employment with a member of the MSGS Group, then such Spinco Employees service with the Spinco Group following the Distribution Date shall be recognized for purposes of eligibility, vesting and level of benefits under the corresponding MSGS Retained Retirement Plans, in each case to the same extent as such Spinco Employees service with the Spinco Group was recognized under the corresponding Spinco Retained Retirement Plans, if any.
(iii) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, for the period commencing on the Distribution Date until the Service Crediting Date, the MSGS Retained Retirement Plans and the Spinco Retained Retirement Plans (other than the Cash Balance Pension Plan) shall provide that no break in service occurs with respect to any MSGS Employee or Spinco Employee who is hired or rehired by any member of the Spinco Group or the MSGS Group after the termination of such MSGS Employees or Spinco Employees employment with either the MSGS Group or the Spinco Group within such period.
(iv) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the employment service with the MSGS Group or the Spinco Group shall not be double counted or result in duplicative benefits or service crediting under any MSGS Retained Retirement Plan or Spinco Retained Retirement Plan.
(c) Post-Distribution Service Crediting for the MSGS and Spinco Health & Welfare Plans.
(i) If an MSGS Employee who participates in any of the MSGS Health & Welfare Plans becomes employed by a member of the Spinco Group on or after the Distribution Date, but on or before the Service Crediting Date, and such MSGS Employee has been continuously employed by the MSGS Group from the Distribution Date through the date such MSGS Employee commences active employment with a member of the Spinco Group, then such MSGS Employees service with the MSGS Group following the Distribution Date shall be recognized for purposes of eligibility under the corresponding Spinco Health & Welfare Plans, in each case to the same extent as such MSGS Employees service with the MSGS Group was recognized under the corresponding MSGS Health & Welfare Plan.
(ii) If a Spinco Employee who participates in any of the Spinco Health & Welfare Plans becomes employed by a member of the MSGS Group on or after the Distribution Date, but on or before the Service Crediting Date, and such Spinco Employee has been continuously employed by the Spinco Group from the Distribution Date through the date such Spinco Employee commences active employment with a member of the MSGS Group, then such Spinco Employees service with the Spinco Group following the Distribution Date shall be recognized for purposes of eligibility under the corresponding MSGS Health & Welfare Plans, in each case to the same extent as such Spinco Employees service with the Spinco Group was recognized under the corresponding Spinco Health & Welfare Plans.
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ARTICLE III
U.S. QUALIFIED DEFINED BENEFIT PLAN
Section 3.1 Cash Balance Pension Plan. As of the Distribution Date, a member of the Spinco Group shall retain all of the assets in the trust underlying the Cash Balance Pension Plan, and remain responsible for all Liabilities under the Cash Balance Pension Plan.
ARTICLE IV
U.S. QUALIFIED DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS
Section 4.1 401(k) Plan. On or prior to the Distribution Date, MSGS and Spinco shall take all necessary actions to add MSGS as a contributing employer to the Madison Square Garden 401(k) Savings Plan (the 401(k) Plan). On and after the Distribution Date, MSGS Participants who, immediately prior to the Distribution Date were participants in, or entitled to, future benefits under the 401(k) Plan shall continue to participate in the 401(k) Plan on the same terms and conditions as applied prior to the Distribution Date, as may be modified from time to time. On and after the Distribution Date, all contributions payable to the 401(k) Plan with respect to MSGS Participants, determined in accordance with the terms of the 401(k) Plan, ERISA and the Code, shall be paid by MSGS to the 401(k) Plan.
Section 4.2 Investment and Benefits Committee. Effective as of the Distribution Date, MSGS shall establish an Investments and Benefits Committee, which, among other things, shall oversee its participation in the 401(k) Plan.
ARTICLE V
NONQUALIFIED PLANS
Section 5.1 Excess Cash Balance Pension Plan.
(a) No later than the Distribution Date, MSGS shall establish and make payments pursuant to a non-qualified defined benefit pension plan (the MSGS Excess Cash Balance Plan) to provide non-qualified retirement benefits to MSGS Employees (including Shared Executives) who, immediately prior to the effective date of the MSGS Excess Cash Balance Plan, were entitled to future benefits under the MSG Sports & Entertainment, LLC Excess Cash Balance Plan (the Spinco Excess Cash Balance Plan) and shall assume the Liabilities as of the Distribution Date of the Spinco Excess Cash Balance Plan relating to MSGS Employees, Former MSGS Employees and Shared Executives.
(b) As of the effective date of the MSGS Excess Cash Balance Plan, MSGS (acting directly or through its Subsidiaries) shall cause the MSGS Excess Cash Balance Plan to recognize and maintain all existing beneficiary designations with respect to MSGS Employees, Former MSGS Employees and Shared Executives under the Spinco Excess Cash Balance Plan.
(c) The Parties agree that the Liabilities of the Spinco Excess Cash Balance Plan relating to MSGS Employees, Former MSGS Employees and Shared Executives shall be transferred to the MSGS Excess Cash Balance Plan effective as of the Distribution Date.
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Section 5.2 Excess Retirement Plan.
(a) No later than the Distribution Date, MSGS shall establish and make payments pursuant to a non-qualified defined benefit pension plan (the MSGS Excess Retirement Plan) to provide non-qualified retirement benefits to eligible MSGS Employees and shall assume the Liabilities as of the Distribution Date of the MSG Sports & Entertainment, LLC Excess Retirement Plan (the Spinco Excess Retirement Plan) relating to MSGS Employees and, subject to the following sentence, Former MSGS Employees. For the avoidance of doubt, MSGS shall not assume, and Spinco shall remain responsible for, any Liabilities of the Spinco Excess Retirement Plan relating to any individual who is no longer employed by the MSGS Group or the Spinco Group as of the Distribution Date and has already commenced receipt of his or her benefit under such plan.
(b) As of the effective date of the MSGS Excess Retirement Plan, MSGS (acting directly or through its Subsidiaries) shall cause the MSGS Excess Retirement Plan to recognize and maintain all existing beneficiary designations with respect to MSGS Employees and, as applicable pursuant to Section 5.2(a), Former MSGS Employees, under the Spinco Excess Retirement Plan.
(c) The Parties agree that, effective as of the Distribution Date, the Liabilities of the Spinco Excess Retirement Plan relating to MSGS Employees and, as applicable pursuant to Section 5.2(a), Former MSGS Employees, shall be transferred to the MSGS Excess Retirement Plan.
Section 5.3 Excess Savings Plan.
(a) Establishment of the MSGS Excess Savings Plan. No later than the Distribution Date, MSGS shall establish a defined contribution plan for the benefit of MSGS Employees (including Shared Executives) (the MSGS Excess Savings Plan) who, immediately prior to the effective date of the MSGS Excess Savings Plan, were participants in, or entitled to future benefits under, the MSG Sports & Entertainment, LLC Excess Savings Plan (the Spinco Excess Savings Plan).
(b) Transfer of Spinco Excess Savings Plan Accounts. No later than the Distribution Date, Spinco shall cause the accounts in the Spinco Excess Savings Plan attributable to MSGS Employees, Former MSGS Employees and Shared Executives to be transferred to the MSGS Excess Savings Plan and MSGS shall cause the MSGS Excess Savings Plan to accept such transfer of accounts in accordance with current practice and to assume and to fully perform, pay and discharge all Liabilities of the Spinco Excess Savings Plan relating to the accounts of MSGS Employees, Former MSGS Employees and Shared Executives as of the effective date of the MSGS Excess Savings Plan.
(c) Continuation of Elections. As of the effective date of the MSGS Excess Savings Plan, MSGS (acting directly or through its Subsidiaries) shall cause the MSGS Excess Savings Plan to recognize and maintain all elections, including deferral elections and beneficiary designations, as applicable, with respect to MSGS Employees, Former MSGS Employees and Shared Executives under the Spinco Excess Savings Plan for the remainder of the period or periods for which such elections or designations are by their original terms applicable, to the extent such election or designation is available under the MSGS Excess Savings Plan.
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Section 5.4 Transferred Employees. Employees who transfer from Spinco to MSGS between the Distribution Date and June 30, 2021 will not be eligible for an immediate distribution of their account balance from the Spinco Excess Cash Balance Plan, Spinco Excess Retirement Plan or the Spinco Excess Savings Plan; instead, subject to compliance with any applicable requirements of Section 409A of the Code, any such account balance shall be transferred to the MSGS Excess Cash Balance Plan, MSGS Excess Retirement Plan or the MSGS Excess Savings Plan on the date of transfer, and Spinco shall pay MSGS an amount equal to the vested account balance as of the transfer date within 30 days of such transfer date. Employees who transfer from MSGS to Spinco between the Distribution Date and June 30, 2021 will not be eligible for an immediate distribution of their account balance from the MSGS Excess Cash Balance Plan, MSGS Excess Retirement Plan or the MSGS Excess Savings Plan; instead, subject to compliance with any applicable requirements of Section 409A of the Code, any such account balance shall be transferred to the MSGS Excess Cash Balance Plan, Spinco Excess Retirement Plan or the Spinco Excess Savings Plan on the date of transfer, and MSGS shall pay Spinco an amount equal to the vested account balance as of the transfer date within 30 days of such transfer date.
Section 5.5 No Separation from Service. The transactions provided for under this Agreement shall not constitute a separation from service or a termination of employment under the MSGS Excess Cash Balance Plan, Spinco Excess Cash Balance Plan, MSGS Excess Retirement Plan, Spinco Excess Retirement Plan, MSGS Excess Savings Plan or the Spinco Excess Savings Plan, each of which shall provide that no distribution of retirement benefits shall be made to any MSGS Employee or Spinco Employee on account of these transactions.
ARTICLE VI
U.S. HEALTH AND WELFARE PLANS
Section 6.1 Health and Welfare Plans Maintained by Spinco Prior to the Distribution Date.
(a) Establishment of the MSGS Health & Welfare Plans. Spinco or one or more of its Subsidiaries maintain each of the health and welfare plans set forth on Exhibit E attached hereto (the Spinco Health & Welfare Plans) for the benefit of eligible MSGS Participants and Spinco Participants. Effective as of January 1, 2021 (the Effective Date), MSGS shall, or shall cause one of its Subsidiaries to, adopt health and welfare plans (other than a retiree medical program) for the benefit of eligible MSGS Participants (collectively, the MSGS Health & Welfare Plans).
(b) Terms of Participation in MSGS Health & Welfare Plans. MSGS (acting directly or through its Subsidiaries) shall cause all MSGS Health & Welfare Plans, if applicable, to (i) waive all limitations as to preexisting conditions, exclusions, and service conditions with respect to participation and coverage requirements applicable to MSGS Participants, other than limitations that were in effect with respect to MSGS Participants immediately prior to the Effective Date, (ii) waive any waiting period limitation or evidence of insurability requirement that would otherwise be applicable to an MSGS Participant immediately prior to the Effective Date to the extent such MSGS Participant had satisfied any similar limitation under the analogous Spinco Health & Welfare Plan, and (iii) in the case of self-insured MSGS Health &
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Welfare Plans, provide credit for all benefits paid to MSGS Participants under the Spinco Health & Welfare Plans for purposes of determining when such persons have reached their lifetime maximums (if any) under the MSGS Health & Welfare Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any MSGS Participant, Former MSGS Employee, or dependent thereof is confined to a facility for treatment as of the Effective Date, such persons nevertheless shall become covered under MSGS Health & Welfare Plans as of such date, and shall cease being covered under Spinco Health & Welfare Plans as of such date.
Section 6.2 Flexible Spending Accounts Plan. As of the Effective Date, MSGS (acting directly or through its Subsidiaries) shall establish a flexible spending accounts plan (the MSGS Flexible Spending Accounts Plan) with features that are comparable to those contained in the flexible spending accounts plan maintained by Spinco for the benefit of MSGS Participants immediately prior to the Effective Date (the Spinco Flexible Spending Accounts Plan). Following the Effective Date, MSGS Participants that presently participate in the Spinco Flexible Spending Accounts Plan may submit, for reimbursement in accordance with the Spinco Flexible Spending Accounts Plan, claims for health costs incurred during the 2020 plan year and any applicable grace period thereafter, and Spinco shall be responsible for the payment of such claims. MSGS shall be entitled to retain the net positive balance, if any, of the MSGS Participants flexible spending accounts from the 2020 plan year. MSGS shall pay to Spinco the net negative balance, if any, of the MSGS Participants flexible spending accounts from the 2020 plan year. As of the Effective Date, MSGS shall be responsible for administering all reimbursement claims of MSGS Participants under the MSGS Flexible Spending Accounts Plan with respect to calendar year 2020 under the MSGS Flexible Spending Accounts Plan.
Section 6.3 Legal Plan. Any case initiated by an MSGS Participant under the Spinco Group Legal Plan prior to the Effective Date will continue under such plan until its completion regardless of whether the MSGS Participant enrolls in the MSGS Group Legal Plan after the Effective Date.
Section 6.4 COBRA and HIPAA. As of the Effective Date, MSGS (acting directly or through its Subsidiaries) shall assume, or shall have caused the MSGS Health & Welfare Plans to assume, responsibility for compliance with the health care continuation coverage requirements of COBRA with respect to MSGS Participants who, as of the day prior to the Effective Date, were covered under a Spinco Health & Welfare Plan pursuant to COBRA or were eligible for COBRA under a Spinco Health & Welfare Plan and incur any COBRA claims after the Effective Date. Spinco shall be responsible for the claims incurred by MSGS Participants prior to the Effective Date, regardless of whether payments for such claims are made or due after the Effective Date. Spinco (acting directly or through its Subsidiaries) shall be responsible for administering compliance with the certificate of creditable coverage requirements of HIPAA applicable to the Spinco Health & Welfare Plans with respect to MSGS Participants for the period ending on the Effective Date. The Parties hereto agree that neither the Distribution nor any transfers of employment directly from the MSGS Group to the Spinco Group or directly from the Spinco Group to the MSGS Group that occur before the Effective Date shall constitute a COBRA qualifying event for purposes of COBRA.
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Section 6.5 Liabilities.
(a) Insured Benefits. With respect to employee welfare and fringe benefits that are provided through the purchase of insurance, Spinco shall cause the Spinco Health & Welfare Plans to fully perform, pay and discharge all claims of MSGS Participants that are incurred prior to the Effective Date (whether reported or unreported by the Effective Date) for the Spinco Health & Welfare Plans, and MSGS shall pay Spinco for premiums incurred by Spinco in respect of MSGS Participants from the Distribution Date through the Effective Date. MSGS shall cause the MSGS Health & Welfare Plans to fully perform, pay and discharge all claims of MSGS Participants that are incurred on or after the Effective Date. With respect to claims of MSGS Participants that are incurred under such Spinco Health & Welfare Plans prior to the Effective Date (whether reported or unreported by the Effective Date), but after the Distribution Date, and paid by the Spinco Health & Welfare Plans, MSGS, as a Participating Company, shall promptly reimburse Spinco for any administrative or other expenses.
(i) Long-Term Disability. Any MSGS Participant who is on long-term disability leave and receiving long-term disability benefits under the MSG Sports & Entertainment, LLC Long Term Disability Plan as of the Effective Date shall continue to receive benefits under the MSG Sports & Entertainment, LLC Long Term Disability Plan in accordance with the provisions of such Plan following the Effective Date.
(b) Self-Insured Benefits. With respect to employee welfare and fringe benefits that are provided on a self-insured basis, except as otherwise provided herein, MSGS (i) shall pay Spinco the Estimated Benefit Cost (defined below) for each month from the Distribution Date through the Effective Date for each MSGS Participant participating in such benefits (prorated for any partial month based on the number of days in such month) and (ii) acting directly or through its Subsidiaries, shall cause the MSGS Health & Welfare Plans to fully perform, pay and discharge all claims of MSGS Participants that are incurred on or after the Effective Date. The Estimated Benefit Cost shall equal the aggregate monthly cost of such self-insured benefits on a per-employee basis, as set forth in Spincos applicable annual budget (as may be adjusted quarterly), taking into account relevant claims experience. As soon as administratively practicable after the Effective Date, Spinco and MSGS shall determine the actual cost of providing such self-insured benefits to the MSGS Participants for the period from the Distribution Date through the Effective Date (the Actual Benefit Cost), which shall be determined based on the number, and claims experience, of MSGS Participants and Spinco Participants during that period. If the Actual Benefit Cost is greater than the aggregate Estimated Benefit Cost paid by MSGS, then MSGS shall promptly pay Spinco such shortfall, or if the aggregate Estimated Benefit Cost paid by MSGS is greater than the Actual Benefit Cost, then Spinco shall promptly reimburse such excess amount to MSGS. Except as provided otherwise herein, MSGS shall promptly reimburse Spinco for the administrative and other expenses related to self-insured benefit claims of MSGS Participants paid by the Spinco Health & Welfare Plans or Spinco that were incurred prior to the Effective Date (whether reported or unreported by the Effective Date).
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(i) Short-Term Disability.
(A) Any MSGS Participant who is on short-term disability leave and receiving short-term disability benefits under the Sports & Entertainment, LLC Short Term Disability Plan as of the Effective Date shall continue to receive short-term disability benefits under the MSG Sports & Entertainment, LLC Short Term Disability Plan. MSGS, as a Participating Company, shall reimburse Spinco for all administrative and other expenses paid by the MSG Sports & Entertainment, LLC Short Term Disability Plan or Spinco after the Effective Date. MSGS shall continue to pay any short-term disability benefits owed to an MSGS Participant under the MSG Sports & Entertainment, LLC Short Term Disability Plan.
(B) Any MSGS Participant who is on a short-term disability leave as of the Effective Date, and who but for the transactions contemplated under the Distribution Agreement would have become eligible for long-term disability benefits in accordance with the provisions of the MSG Sports & Entertainment, LLC Long Term Disability Plan, will continue to be eligible for long-term disability benefits under the MSG Sports & Entertainment, LLC Long Term Disability Plan.
(c) Incurred Claim Definition. For purposes of this Section 6.5, a claim or Liability is deemed to be incurred (i) with respect to medical, dental, vision and/or prescription drug benefits, upon the rendering of health services or provision of supplies giving rise to such claim or Liability; (ii) with respect to life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment and business travel accident insurance, upon the occurrence of the event giving rise to such claim or Liability; (iii) with respect to disability benefits, upon the date of an individuals disability, as determined by the disability benefit insurance carrier or claim administrator, giving rise to such claim or Liability; and (iv) with respect to a period of continuous hospitalization (or any medical or other service or supply performed or provided during the period of continuous hospitalization), upon the date of admission to the hospital.
(d) Retiree Medical Program. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Spinco shall retain all Liabilities under the Spinco Retiree Medical Program, whether incurred before, on or after the Distribution Date, with respect to qualifying MSGS Participants and Spinco Participants.
Section 6.6 Time-Off Benefits. MSGS shall credit each MSGS Participant with the amount of accrued but unused vacation time, sick time and other time-off benefits as such MSGS Participant had with the Spinco Group as of the Distribution Date or as of an employees transfer date for a Spinco Employee who becomes an MSGS Employee prior to the Service Crediting Date. Spinco shall credit each Spinco Participant with the amount of accrued but unused vacation time, sick time and other time-off benefits as of an employees transfer date for an MSGS Employee who becomes a Spinco Employee prior to the Service Crediting Date. Notwithstanding the above, MSGS shall not be required to credit any MSGS Participant and Spinco shall not be required to credit any Spinco Participant with any accrual to the extent that a benefit attributable to such vacation time, sick time and other time-off benefits is paid by the Spinco Group or MSGS Group, respectively.
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Section 6.7 Severance Pay Plans. The Parties acknowledge and agree that the transactions contemplated by the Distribution Agreement will not constitute a termination of employment of any Spinco Participant or MSGS Participant for purposes of any policy, plan, program or agreement of MSGS or Spinco or any member of the MSGS Group or Spinco Group that provides for the payment of severance, separation pay, salary continuation or similar benefits in the event of a termination of employment.
ARTICLE VII
EQUITY COMPENSATION
Section 7.1 Equity Compensation. The Parties, including through instructions with their respective administrators and recordkeepers, shall use commercially reasonable efforts and shall cooperate in good faith to take all actions reasonably necessary or appropriate for the adjustment of the Equity Compensation under the MSGS Share Plans, for the issuance of the Equity Compensation under the Spinco Share Plans, and to coordinate the tax treatment of such Equity Compensation as set forth in this Article VII, all in a manner consistent with the resolutions adopted by the MSGS Compensation Committee in connection with the Distribution and the provisions of this Article VII.
Section 7.2 Taxes and Withholding.
(a) Options.
(i) Exercise Price.
(A) Upon the exercise of an MSGS Option, whether by an MSGS Employee, Former MSGS Employee, MSGS Director, Spinco Employee, Former Spinco Employee or Spinco Director, the Parties shall take steps to ensure that the exercise price is delivered to MSG.
(B) Upon the exercise of a Spinco Option, whether by an MSGS Employee, Former MSGS Employee, MSGS Director, Spinco Employee, Former Spinco Employee or Spinco Director, the Parties shall take steps to ensure that the exercise price is delivered to Spinco.
(ii) Taxes.
(A) Upon exercise of an MSGS Option or Spinco Option, the employer or, in the case of a Former MSGS Employee or Former Spinco Employee, the former employer of such holder shall fund any employer taxes.
(B) Upon exercise of an MSGS Option or Spinco Option, the Parties shall take steps to ensure that the applicable withholding amount is remitted in cash to the employer or, in the case of a Former MSGS Employee or Former Spinco Employee, the former employer of such holder.
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(b) [Intentionally Omitted.]
(c) Restricted Stock Units.
(i) Settlement.
(A) After the Distribution Date, MSGS shall be responsible for all Liabilities under MSGS RSUs, whether such MSGS RSUs are held by MSGS Employees, Former MSGS Employees, Spinco Employees, Former Spinco Employees and individuals who received such MSGS RSUs in their capacity as MSGS Directors. MSGS shall settle, and satisfy any dividend obligations with respect to, such MSGS RSUs in accordance with the terms of its 2015 Employee Stock Plan and its 2015 Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors.
(B) After the Distribution Date, Spinco shall be responsible for all Liabilities under Spinco RSUs, whether such Spinco RSUs are held by MSGS Employees, Former MSGS Employees, Spinco Employees or Former Spinco Employees. Spinco shall settle, and satisfy any dividend obligations with respect to, such Spinco RSUs in accordance with the terms of its 2020 Employee Stock Plan.
(ii) Taxes.
(A) Upon settlement of any MSGS RSU or Spinco RSU, other than an MSGS RSU that is held by an individual who received such MSGS RSU in his capacity as an MSGS Director, the employer, or, in the case of a Former MSGS Employee or Former Spinco Employee, the former employer, of such holder shall fund any employer taxes.
(B) Upon settlement of any MSGS RSU or Spinco RSU, other than an MSGS RSU that is held by an individual who received such MSGS RSU in his capacity as an MSGS Director, the Parties shall take steps to ensure that the applicable withholding amount is remitted in cash to the employer, or, in the case of a Former MSGS Employee or Former Spinco Employee, the former employer of such holder.
(C) MSGS will be responsible for any tax reporting obligations associated with any MSGS RSUs that are held by an individual who received such MSGS RSU in his capacity as an MSGS Director.
(d) Tax Deductions. With respect to the Equity Compensation held by individuals who are MSGS Employees or MSGS Directors at the time the Equity Compensation becomes taxable and individuals who are Former MSGS Employees at such time, MSGS shall claim any federal, state and/or local tax deductions after the Distribution Date, and Spinco shall not claim such deductions. With respect to the Equity Compensation held by individuals who are employees of the Spinco Group at the time the Equity Compensation becomes taxable and individuals who are Former Spinco Employees at such time, Spinco shall claim any federal, state
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and/or local tax deductions after the Distribution Date, and MSGS shall not claim such deductions. If either MSGS or Spinco determines in its reasonable judgment that there is a substantial likelihood that a tax deduction that was assigned to MSGS or Spinco pursuant to this Section 7.2 will instead be available only to the other party (whether as a result of a determination by the IRS, a change in the Code or the regulations or guidance thereunder, or otherwise), it will notify the other party and both Parties will negotiate in good faith to resolve the issue in accordance with the following principle: the party entitled to the deduction shall pay to the other party an amount that places the other party in a financial position equivalent to the financial position the party would have been in had the party received the deduction as intended under this Section 7.2. Such amount shall be paid within 90 days of filing the last tax return necessary to make the determination described in the preceding sentence.
Section 7.3 Cooperation. In addition to any cooperation principles governed by Article X, if, after the Distribution Date, MSGS or Spinco identify an administrative error in the individuals identified as holding Equity Compensation, the amount of Equity Compensation so held, the vesting level of such Equity Compensation, or any other similar error, MSGS and Spinco shall mutually cooperate in taking such actions as are necessary or appropriate to place, as nearly as reasonably practicable, the individual and MSGS and Spinco in the position in which they would have been had the error not occurred. Each of the Parties shall establish an appropriate administration system in order to handle in an orderly manner exercises of MSGS Options and Spinco Options and the settlement of MSGS RSUs and Spinco RSUs. Each of the Parties will work together to unify and consolidate all indicative data and payroll and employment information on regular timetables and make certain that each applicable entitys data and records with respect to Equity Compensation are correct and updated on a timely basis. The foregoing shall include employment status and information required for tax withholding/remittance, compliance with trading windows and compliance with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and other applicable Laws.
Section 7.4 SEC Registration. The Parties mutually agree to use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain effective registration statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to the long-term incentive awards to the extent any such registration statement is required by applicable Law.
Section 7.5 Savings Clause. The Parties hereby acknowledge that the provisions of this Article VII are intended to achieve certain tax, legal and accounting objectives and, in the event such objectives are not achieved, the Parties agree to negotiate in good faith regarding such other actions that may be necessary or appropriate to achieve such objectives.
ARTICLE VIII
ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS MATTERS
Section 8.1 Cash Incentive Awards.
(a) Cooperation. The Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts and shall cooperate in good faith to take all actions reasonably necessary or appropriate to achieve the treatment of annual cash incentive awards established under MSGs 2015 Cash Incentive Plan (or the comparable non-executive annual incentive plan maintained by MSG) as approved by the MSGS Compensation Committee prior to the Distribution in accordance with the terms of such Plans and the award agreements issued thereunder, including as set forth in this Section 8.1.
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(b) Liability.
(i) Effective as of the Distribution Date, Spinco shall assume or retain, as applicable, responsibilities for all Liabilities, and fully perform, pay and discharge all Liabilities when such Liabilities become due, relating to any annual cash incentive awards, or portion of any such incentive awards, including awards established under MSGs 2015 Cash Incentive Plan (or the comparable non-executive annual incentive plan maintained by MSG), that any Spinco Participant is eligible to receive with respect to any performance period that ends after the Distribution Date and, effective as of the Distribution Date, MSGS shall have no obligations with respect to any such incentive awards. As soon as reasonably practicable, but in any event within 30 days, following the date that MSGS or Spinco pays an annual cash incentive award established with respect to the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020 to a MSGS Participant or Spinco Participant who, immediately prior to the Distribution, was a corporate employee of MSGS (including Shared Executives), the Parties shall cooperate to ensure that each Party is responsible for (and reimburses as applicable) the portion of the Liability with respect to such award accrued as of the Distribution Date (after giving effect to the portion of such Liability allocated to MSG Networks Inc.) reflected on Exhibit H, except as otherwise agreed between the Parties.
(ii) MSGS acknowledges and agrees that, except as otherwise provided herein, it shall have full responsibility with respect to any Liabilities and the payment or performance of any obligations arising out of or relating to any incentive, commission or other similar compensatory arrangement previously provided by any member of the MSGS Group or Spinco Group to any MSGS Participant.
(iii) Spinco acknowledges and agrees that, except as otherwise provided herein, it shall have full responsibility with respect to any Liabilities and the payment or performance of any obligations arising out of or relating to any incentive, commission or other similar compensatory arrangement previously provided by any member of the MSGS Group or Spinco Group to any Spinco Participant.
Section 8.2 Individual Arrangements.
(a) MSGS Individual Arrangements. MSGS acknowledges and agrees that, except as otherwise provided herein, it shall have full responsibility with respect to any Liabilities and the payment or performance of any obligations arising out of or relating to any employment, separation, severance, consulting, non-competition, retention or other compensatory arrangement previously provided by any member of the MSGS Group or Spinco Group to any MSGS Participant.
(b) Spinco Individual Arrangements. Spinco acknowledges and agrees that, except as otherwise provided herein, it shall have full responsibility with respect to any Liabilities and the payment or performance of any obligations arising out of or relating to any employment, separation, severance, consulting, non-competition, retention or other compensatory arrangement previously provided by any member of the MSGS Group or Spinco Group to any Spinco Participant.
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(c) [Intentionally Omitted].
(d) Effect of the Distribution on Severance. The Parties acknowledge and agree that the transactions contemplated by the Distribution Agreement will not constitute a termination of employment of any Spinco Participant for purposes of any policy, plan, program or agreement of MSGS or Spinco or any member of the MSGS Group or Spinco Group that provides for the payment of severance, separation pay, salary continuation or similar benefits in the event of a termination of employment.
(e) Rangers and Knicks Arrangements. As of the Distribution Date, MSGS shall assume the compensation and/or salary arrangements, and any agreements and assets related thereto, in respect of Glen Sather, Kevin Stevens, Bradley Richards, Daniel Girardi, Kevin Shattenkirk, Scott Arniel and Darryl Williams. As of the Distribution Date, MSGS shall assume the compensation and/or salary arrangements, and any agreements and assets related thereto, in respect of Joakim Noah, Zach Randolph, David Fizzdale, Steve Mills and Keith Smart.
Section 8.3 Non-Competition. For the purpose of any non-compete provision in any MSGS Plan or any award thereunder, Spinco shall not be regarded as a competitive entity. For the purpose of any non-compete provision in any Spinco Plan or any award thereunder, MSGS shall not be regarded as a competitive entity. This Section 8.3 shall apply only so long as MSGS and Spinco remain under common Control.
Section 8.4 Collective Bargaining. To the extent any provision of this Agreement is contrary to the provisions of any collective bargaining agreement to which MSGS or Spinco or any of their respective Subsidiaries is a party, the terms of such collective bargaining agreement shall prevail. Should any provisions of this Agreement be deemed to relate to a topic determined by an appropriate authority to be a mandatory subject of collective bargaining, MSGS or Spinco may be obligated to bargain with the union representing affected employees concerning those subjects.
Section 8.5 Union Dues; Severance and Fringe Benefits. MSGS and its Subsidiaries shall retain responsibility for the payment of dues and severance and fringe benefit payments on behalf of MSGS Employees with respect to the unions set forth on Exhibit F. Spinco and its Subsidiaries shall retain responsibility for the payment of dues and severance and fringe benefit payments on behalf of Spinco Employees with respect to the unions set forth on Exhibit G.
Section 8.6 Director Programs. MSGS shall retain responsibility for the payment of any fees and MSGS RSUs payable in respect of service on the MSGS Board of Directors that are payable but not yet paid as of the Distribution Date, and Spinco shall have no responsibility for any such payments (to an individual who is a member of the Spinco Board of Directors as of the Distribution Date or otherwise).
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Section 8.7 Sections 162(m)/409A. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary (including the treatment of supplemental and deferred compensation plans, outstanding long-term incentive awards and annual incentive awards as described herein), the Parties agree to negotiate in good faith regarding the need for any treatment different from that otherwise provided herein to ensure that (i) a federal income tax deduction for the payment of such supplemental or deferred compensation or long-term incentive award, annual incentive award or other compensation is not limited by reason of Section 162(m) of the Code, if applicable, and (ii) the treatment of such supplemental or deferred compensation or long-term incentive award, annual incentive award or other compensation does not cause the imposition of a tax under Section 409A of the Code.
ARTICLE IX
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 9.1 Indemnification. All Liabilities retained or assumed by or allocated to MSGS or the MSGS Group pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to be MSGS Liabilities (as defined in the Distribution Agreement) for purposes of Article III of the Distribution Agreement, and all Liabilities retained or assumed by or allocated to Spinco or the Spinco Group pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to be Spinco Liabilities (as defined in the Distribution Agreement) for purposes of Article III of the Distribution Agreement.
ARTICLE X
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE
Section 10.1 Sharing of Information. MSGS and Spinco (acting directly or through their respective Subsidiaries) shall provide to the other and their respective agents and vendors all Information as the other may reasonably request to enable the requesting Party to administer efficiently and accurately each of its Plans, to assist Spinco in obtaining its own insurance policies to provide benefits under Spinco Plans, and to determine the scope of, as well as fulfill, its obligations under this Agreement; provided, however, that, in the event that any Party reasonably determines that any such provision of Information could be commercially detrimental to such Party or any member of its Group, violate any Law or agreement to which such Party or member of its Group is a party, or waive any attorney-client privilege applicable to such Party or member of its Group, the Parties shall provide any such Information and the Parties shall take all reasonable measures to comply with the obligations pursuant to this Section 10.1 in a manner that mitigates any such harm or consequence to the extent practicable, and the Parties agree to cooperate with each other and take such commercially reasonable steps as may be practicable to preserve the attorney-client privilege with respect to the disclosure of any such Information. Such Information shall, to the extent reasonably practicable, be provided in the format and at the times and places requested, but in no event shall the Party providing such Information be obligated to incur any out-of-pocket expenses not reimbursed by the Party making such request or make such Information available outside of its normal business hours and premises. Any Information shared or exchanged pursuant to this Agreement shall be subject to the same confidentiality requirements set forth in Section 4.4 of the Distribution Agreement.
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Section 10.2 Reasonable Efforts/Cooperation. Each of the Parties hereto will use its commercially reasonable efforts to promptly take, or cause to be taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable Laws and regulations to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including adopting plans or plan amendments. Each of the Parties hereto shall cooperate fully on any issue relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement for which the other Party seeks a determination letter or private letter ruling from the IRS, an advisory opinion from the DOL or any other filing, consent or approval with respect to or by a Governmental Authority.
Section 10.3 Non-Termination of Employment; No Third-Party Beneficiaries. No provision of this Agreement or the Distribution Agreement shall be construed to create any right, or accelerate entitlement, to any compensation or benefit whatsoever on the part of any MSGS Employee or Spinco Employee or other future, present, or former employee of any member of the MSGS Group or Spinco Group under any MSGS Plan or Spinco Plan or otherwise. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other person or persons (including any employee or former employee of MSGS or Spinco or either of their respective Subsidiaries or any beneficiary or dependent thereof) any rights, benefits or remedies of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement. No provision in this Agreement shall modify or amend any other agreement, plan, program, or document unless this Agreement explicitly states that the provision amends that other agreement, plan, program, or document. This shall not prevent the Parties entitled to enforce this Agreement from enforcing any provision in this Agreement, but no other person shall be entitled to enforce any provision in this Agreement on the grounds that it is an amendment to another agreement, plan, program, or document unless the provision is explicitly designated as such in this Agreement, and the person is otherwise entitled to enforce the other agreement, plan, program, or document. If a person not entitled to enforce this Agreement brings a lawsuit or other action to enforce any provision in this Agreement as an amendment to another agreement, plan, program, or document, and that provision is construed to be such an amendment despite not being explicitly designated as one in this Agreement, that provision in this Agreement shall be void ab initio, thereby precluding it from having any amendatory effect. Furthermore, nothing in this Agreement is intended to confer upon any employee or former employee of MSGS, Spinco or either of their respective Subsidiaries any right to continued employment, or any recall or similar rights to an individual on layoff or any type of approved leave.
Section 10.4 Consent of Third Parties. If any provision of this Agreement is dependent on the consent of any third party and such consent is withheld, the Parties hereto shall use their reasonable best efforts to implement the applicable provisions of this Agreement to the fullest extent practicable. If any provision of this Agreement cannot be implemented due to the failure of such third party to consent, the Parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to implement the provision in a mutually satisfactory manner.
Section 10.5 Access to Employees. Following the Distribution Date, MSGS and Spinco shall, or shall cause each of their respective Subsidiaries to, make available to each other those of their employees who may reasonably be needed in order to defend or prosecute any legal or administrative action (other than a legal action between any member of the MSGS Group and any member of the Spinco Group) to which any employee, director or Plan of the MSGS Group or Spinco Group is a party and which relates to their respective Plans prior to the Distribution Date.
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Section 10.6 Beneficiary Designation/Release of Information/Right to Reimbursement. To the extent permitted by applicable Law and except as otherwise provided for in this Agreement, all beneficiary designations, authorizations for the release of information and rights to reimbursement made by or relating to Spinco Participants under MSGS Plans shall be transferred to and be in full force and effect under the corresponding Spinco Plans until such beneficiary designations, authorizations or rights are replaced or revoked by, or no longer apply to, the relevant Spinco Participant.
Section 10.7 Not a Change in Control. The Parties hereto acknowledge and agree that the transactions contemplated by the Distribution Agreement and this Agreement do not constitute a change in control for purposes of any MSGS Plan or Spinco Plan.
ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 11.1 Effect If Distribution Does Not Occur. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if the Distribution Agreement is terminated prior to the Distribution Date, then all actions and events that are, under this Agreement, to be taken or occur effective immediately prior to or as of the Distribution Date, or otherwise in connection with the Distribution, shall not be taken or occur except to the extent specifically agreed to in writing by MSGS and Spinco and neither Party shall have any Liability to the other Party under this Agreement.
Section 11.2 Complete Agreement; Construction. This Agreement, including the Exhibits, shall constitute the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and shall supersede all previous negotiations, commitments and writings with respect to such subject matter.
Section 11.3 Counterparts. 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 such counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties and delivered to the other Party.
Section 11.4 Survival of Agreements. Except as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement, all covenants and agreements of the Parties contained in this Agreement shall survive the Distribution Date.
Section 11.5 Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing, shall reference this Agreement and shall be hand delivered or mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested) to the Parties at the following addresses (or at such other addresses for a Party as shall be specified by like notice) and will be deemed given on the date on which such notice is received:
To MSG:
The Madison Square Garden Company (or, after the applicable name change, Madison Square Garden Sports Corp.)
Two Penn Plaza
New York, New York 10121
Attention: General Counsel
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To Spinco:
MSG Entertainment Spinco, Inc. (or, after the applicable name change, Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.)
Two Penn Plaza
New York, New York 10121
Attention: General Counsel
Section 11.6 Waivers. The failure of any Party to require strict performance by any other Party of any provision in this Agreement will not waive or diminish that Partys right to demand strict performance thereafter of that or any other provision hereof.
Section 11.7 Amendments. Subject to the terms of Sections 11.8 and 11.10 hereof, this Agreement may not be modified or amended except by an agreement in writing signed by each of the Parties.
Section 11.8 Assignment. This Agreement shall not be assignable, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, by any Party without the prior written consent of the other Party, and any attempt to assign any rights or obligations arising under this Agreement without such consent shall be void; provided that either Party may assign this Agreement to a purchaser (by merger, sale of assets or otherwise) of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of such Party so long as such purchaser expressly assumes, in a written instrument in form reasonably satisfactory to the non-assigning Party, the due and punctual performance or observance of every agreement and covenant of this Agreement on the part of the assigning Party to be performed or observed. Any arrangement in violation of the provisions of this Section 11.8 shall be void.
Section 11.9 Successors and Assigns. The provisions to this Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
Section 11.10 Subsidiaries. Each of the Parties shall cause to be performed, and hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements and obligations set forth herein to be performed by any entity that is contemplated to be a Subsidiary of such Party after the Distribution Date.
Section 11.11 Title and Headings. Titles and headings to Sections herein are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
Section 11.12 Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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Section 11.13 Waiver of Jury Trial. The Parties hereby irrevocably waive any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or related to this Agreement.
Section 11.14 Specific Performance. From and after the Distribution, in the event of any actual or threatened default in, or breach of, any of the terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement, the Parties agree that the Party to this Agreement who is or is to be thereby aggrieved shall have the right to specific performance and injunctive or other equitable relief of its rights under this Agreement, in addition to any and all other rights and remedies at law or in equity, and all such rights and remedies shall be cumulative. The Parties agree that, from and after the Distribution, the remedies at law for any breach or threatened breach of this Agreement, including monetary damages, are inadequate compensation for any Loss, that any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate is hereby waived, and that any requirements for the securing or posting of any bond with such remedy are hereby waived.
Section 11.15 Severability. In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and therein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The Parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions, the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.
[signature page follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
THE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN COMPANY (to be renamed Madison Square Garden Sports Corp.) |
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By: |
/s/ Andrew Lustgarten |
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Name: | Andrew Lustgarten | |||
Title: | President | |||
MSG ENTERTAINMENT SPINCO, INC. (to be renamed Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.) |
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By: |
/s/ James L. Dolan |
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Name: | James L. Dolan | |||
Title: | Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
[Signature Page to Employee Matters Agreement]
Exhibit 10.5
ARENA LICENSE AGREEMENT
between
MSG ARENA, LLC
and
NEW YORK KNICKS, LLC
Dated as of , 2020
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||||
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS |
1 | |||||
ARTICLE II TERM |
6 | |||||
Section 2.01 |
Term; Commencement Date |
6 | ||||
ARTICLE III LICENSE FEE |
6 | |||||
Section 3.01 |
License Fee |
6 | ||||
Section 3.02 |
Payment of License Fee |
7 | ||||
ARTICLE IV USE OF ARENA |
7 | |||||
Section 4.01 |
Arena Areas |
7 | ||||
Section 4.02 |
Knicks Use |
7 | ||||
Section 4.03 |
Licensors Right of Entry |
8 | ||||
Section 4.04 |
Scheduling |
8 | ||||
Section 4.05 |
Alterations |
9 | ||||
Section 4.06 |
Manner of the Knicks Use |
10 | ||||
Section 4.07 |
Knicks Misuse |
11 | ||||
Section 4.08 |
Surrender |
11 | ||||
ARTICLE V TICKETS, SUITES AND CLUBS |
12 | |||||
Section 5.01 |
Prices |
12 | ||||
Section 5.02 |
Ticket Revenues |
12 | ||||
Section 5.03 |
Suites; Madison Club; The Loft |
12 | ||||
Section 5.04 |
Future Ticket and Premium Products |
17 | ||||
Section 5.05 |
Box Office; Ticket Printing; In-Arena Ticket Sales |
17 | ||||
Section 5.06 |
Ticket Agent |
18 | ||||
Section 5.07 |
Ticket Settlement Process |
19 | ||||
Section 5.08 |
Access to Tickets |
19 | ||||
Section 5.09 |
Credentials and Passes |
19 | ||||
Section 5.10 |
Admission to Arena |
19 | ||||
ARTICLE VI CONCESSIONS |
20 | |||||
Section 6.01 |
F&B Concessions and Catering |
20 | ||||
Section 6.02 |
Team Merchandise |
20 | ||||
Section 6.03 |
Non-Team Merchandise |
21 |
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Section 6.04 |
Third-Party Contracts |
21 | ||||
Section 6.05 |
Operation on a Fair Basis; Standard of Service |
22 | ||||
Section 6.06 |
Settlement |
22 | ||||
ARTICLE VII SIGNAGE AND SPONSORSHIPS |
22 | |||||
Section 7.01 |
Definitions |
22 | ||||
Section 7.02 |
Team Sponsorship Assets |
24 | ||||
Section 7.03 |
Arena Game Shared Sponsorship Assets |
25 | ||||
Section 7.04 |
Non-Team Sponsorship Assets |
25 | ||||
Section 7.05 |
Arena Naming Rights |
26 | ||||
Section 7.06 |
Other Revenue |
26 | ||||
Section 7.07 |
Signage and Sponsorship Settlement Process |
26 | ||||
ARTICLE VIII BROADCASTING |
26 | |||||
Section 8.01 |
Broadcast Rights and Facilities |
26 | ||||
Section 8.02 |
Broadcast Renovations |
27 | ||||
ARTICLE IX LICENSOR SERVICES |
27 | |||||
Section 9.01 |
General Services |
27 | ||||
Section 9.02 |
Game Day Services |
28 | ||||
Section 9.03 |
Delta Club and JP Morgan Club |
29 | ||||
Section 9.04 |
Staffing Levels for Certain Services |
29 | ||||
Section 9.05 |
Budgeting and Estimates |
29 | ||||
Section 9.06 |
Settlement |
30 | ||||
Section 9.07 |
Provision of Licensor Services |
31 | ||||
ARTICLE X PROMOTION; TRADEMARKS; DATA OWNERSHIP |
32 | |||||
Section 10.01 |
Promotional Outlets |
32 | ||||
Section 10.02 |
Trademark Licenses |
32 | ||||
Section 10.03 |
Customer Data |
33 | ||||
ARTICLE XI EXCLUSIVITY COVENANT |
34 | |||||
Section 11.01 |
Covenant |
34 | ||||
ARTICLE XII CASUALTY AND CONDEMNATION |
34 | |||||
Section 12.01 |
Termination or Restoration Due to Condemnation |
34 | ||||
Section 12.02 |
Termination or Restoration Due to Casualty |
37 | ||||
Section 12.03 |
Condemnation Proceeding and Awards |
40 | ||||
Section 12.04 |
Temporary Taking |
41 |
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Section 12.05 |
Inability to Timely Restore; Estimate of Time and Cost to Restore |
41 | ||||
Section 12.06 |
Replacement Arena |
43 | ||||
Section 12.07 |
Intention of the Parties |
43 | ||||
ARTICLE XIII INDEMNIFICATION |
44 | |||||
Section 13.01 |
General Indemnification |
44 | ||||
Section 13.02 |
Notice of Claims and Rights to Defend and Settle Claims |
44 | ||||
ARTICLE XIV INSURANCE AND SUBROGATION |
45 | |||||
Section 14.01 |
Knicks Insurance Coverage |
45 | ||||
Section 14.02 |
Knicks Insurance Requirements |
46 | ||||
Section 14.03 |
Knicks Certificates of Insurance |
46 | ||||
Section 14.04 |
Knicks Waiver of Subrogation |
46 | ||||
Section 14.05 |
Licensor Insurance Coverage |
46 | ||||
Section 14.06 |
Licensor Insurance Requirements |
47 | ||||
Section 14.07 |
Licensor Certificates of Insurance |
47 | ||||
Section 14.08 |
Licensor Waiver of Subrogation |
48 | ||||
ARTICLE XV WORK STOPPAGE |
48 | |||||
Section 15.01 |
Impact on License Fee |
48 | ||||
Section 15.02 |
Treatment of Refunds or Credits |
48 | ||||
Section 15.03 |
Scheduling |
48 | ||||
ARTICLE XVI CERTAIN TAXES |
48 | |||||
Section 16.01 |
Property Taxes |
48 | ||||
Section 16.02 |
Commercial Rent Tax |
49 | ||||
ARTICLE XVII KNICKS DEFAULT; LICENSORS RIGHTS AND REMEDIES |
49 | |||||
Section 17.01 |
Knicks Default |
49 | ||||
Section 17.02 |
Remedies of Licensor |
50 | ||||
Section 17.03 |
Remedies of Licensor for an Exclusivity Breach |
50 | ||||
Section 17.04 |
Leagues Right to Notice of and Cure Knicks Defaults |
51 | ||||
ARTICLE XVIII LICENSOR DEFAULT; KNICKS RIGHTS AND REMEDIES; RIGHTS IN THE EVENT OF REPEAL OF PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION |
51 | |||||
Section 18.01 |
Licensor Default |
51 | ||||
Section 18.02 |
Remedies of the Knicks |
52 | ||||
Section 18.03 |
Rights in the Event of Repeal of Property Tax Exemption |
52 |
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ARTICLE XIX ASSIGNMENT |
52 | |||||
Section 19.01 |
Licensor Assignment |
52 | ||||
Section 19.02 |
Knicks Assignment |
53 | ||||
Section 19.03 |
No Other Assignment |
53 | ||||
ARTICLE XX MISCELLANEOUS |
53 | |||||
Section 20.01 |
Force Majeure |
53 | ||||
Section 20.02 |
Consents and Approvals |
53 | ||||
Section 20.03 |
Entire Agreement |
53 | ||||
Section 20.04 |
Notices |
54 | ||||
Section 20.05 |
Successors Bound |
54 | ||||
Section 20.06 |
Governing Law; Disputes |
54 | ||||
Section 20.07 |
Captions and Headings; Certain Rules of Construction |
56 | ||||
Section 20.08 |
Counterparts |
56 | ||||
Section 20.09 |
Confidentiality |
56 | ||||
Section 20.10 |
League Rules |
57 | ||||
Section 20.11 |
Superior Interests |
57 | ||||
Section 20.12 |
Severability |
57 | ||||
Section 20.13 |
Waiver |
57 | ||||
Section 20.14 |
Further Assurances |
58 | ||||
Section 20.15 |
No Third-Party Beneficiary; Enforcement of Third-Party Agreements |
58 | ||||
Section 20.16 |
Books and Records |
58 | ||||
Section 20.17 |
Audit Rights |
58 | ||||
Section 20.18 |
Access to Financial Information |
59 |
SCHEDULES
iv
ARENA LICENSE AGREEMENT
This ARENA LICENSE AGREEMENT (this Agreement) is made as of , 2020 (the Effective Date) between MSG Arena, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Licensor), and New York Knicks, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the Knicks). Licensor and the Knicks are each referred to individually as a Party and collectively as the Parties.
RECITALS
A. |
Licensor owns and operates the arena commonly known as Madison Square Garden, which is located at 4 Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, New York 10001 that contains approximately 18,800 seats for basketball games, and is suitable for the exhibition of basketball games and for other purposes (the Arena). |
B. |
New York Knicks, LLC owns and operates the professional basketball team known as the New York Knicks (the Team) in the National Basketball Association (the NBA or the League). |
C. |
Licensor wishes to grant the Knicks, on behalf of the Team, certain rights to use specified parts of the Arena at specified times, and the Knicks desire to so use the Arena at such times, upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. |
Now, therefore, in consideration of the foregoing, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
[*****]
Advertising means, collectively, all advertising, sponsorship and promotional activity, signage, messages and displays of every kind and nature at or regarding the Arena, whether audio or visual and whether now existing or developed in the future, including the following: (i) the right to name the Arena or any portion thereof, including identifying such name on the Arena concourses, the entrances to the Arena, premium seating areas or any other areas at the Arena; (ii) permanent, non-permanent and transitory signage or advertising displayed on permanent (e.g., fixed panel) or non permanent (e.g., rotating) advertising panels or on the interior or exterior of the Arena (including Arena marquee boards and other exterior signage); (iii) advertising appearing on fixtures or equipment (such as scoreboard advertising and canopy advertising); (iv) audio or video public address advertising and message board advertising; (iv) electronic insertion, fascia boards, liquid electronic displays, ribbon boards and other forms of electronic signage (LED Signage); (v) print and display advertising, including advertising on or in game programs, schedules, tickets and yearbooks; (vii) promotional events or activities sponsored by corporate partners; (viii) the exhibition and promotion of products and services at the Arena (e.g., kiosks and special areas in the concourse); (ix) advertising worn or carried by concessionaire personnel or
other personnel engaged in the operation of any Arena event; (x) advertising affixed to or included with cups, napkins, utensils, plates or other similar items used to consume Concessions at the Arena (Concession Items); (xi) advertising at concession areas; and (xii) promotional or premium item give-aways.
Affiliate means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by, or under direct or indirect common control with, such specified Person, or which is a director, officer, employee, or partner (limited or general) of such specified Person, but with respect to either Party specifically excluding the other Party and the other Partys publicly owned parent and such parent entitys direct and indirect subsidiaries. For the purpose of this definition, control, when used with respect to any specified Person, means the power to direct or cause, directly or indirectly, the direction of the management and policies of such Person whether through the voting of securities, by contract or otherwise. The terms controlling and controlled have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
Agreement has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
Arena has the meaning set forth in Recital A.
Arena Agency Agreements has the meaning set forth in Section 7.02(b).
Attendance Based Allocation has the meaning set forth in Schedule 6.01.
Auditing Party has the meaning set forth in Section 20.17.
Books and Records has the meaning set forth in Section 20.16.
Casualty shall mean any damage, destruction or other property casualty of any kind or nature, ordinary or extraordinary, foreseen or unforeseen resulting from any cause, including any Force Majeure event.
Catering Services and Catering Gross Receipts have the meanings set forth in Schedule 6.01.
Commencement Date has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01.
Common Areas has the meaning set forth in Schedule 4.01.
Concessions means F&B Concessions, Team Merchandise sold or provided at the Arena, and Non-Team Merchandise.
Condemnation means a taking by eminent domain, condemnation or appropriation by any governmental authority or other Person with the power of eminent domain for any public or private use or purpose.
Condemnation Award means all sums, amounts or other compensation for the Arena payable to the Knicks or Licensor as a result of or in connection with any Condemnation.
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Convenience Fees has the meaning set forth in Section 5.06(a).
Contract Year means, other than the Initial Contract Year, each period of the Term from July 1 through the immediately following June 30.
Courtside Advertising has the meaning set forth in Section 7.01.
Customer Data has the meaning set forth in Section 10.03(a).
Effective Date has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
Exclusivity Breach has the meaning set forth in Section 17.01(e).
Exhibition and Regular Season Home Games means games played by the Team during the exhibition season or regular season of the League where the Team (and not the opposing team) has the right to designate the location of such game or which is considered one of the Teams home games by the League for purposes of League Rules, standings or scheduling.
F&B Concessions and F&B Concessions Gross Receipts have the meanings set forth in Schedule 6.01.
Facility Ticket Fee has the meaning set forth in Section 5.02(c).
First Full Contract Year means July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021.
Force Majeure has the meaning set forth in Section 20.01.
Game Day Services has the meaning set forth in Section 9.02.
General Services has the meaning set forth in Section 9.01.
Gross Receipts has the meaning set forth in Schedule 6.01.
Home Date means each date on which a Home Game is scheduled.
Home Games means collectively, Exhibition and Regular Season Home Games and Playoff Home Games.
Initial Contract Year means the period beginning on the Commencement Date through June 30, 2020.
Joint Sponsors has the meaning set forth in Section 7.02(b).
Knicks has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
Knicks Default has the meaning set forth in Section 17.01.
Knicks Event means Home Games and Other Knicks Events.
3
Knicks Misuse has the meaning set forth in Section 4.07.
Knicks Personnel and Guests means the personnel, guests and invitees of the Knicks (including holders of tickets of admission to the Arena, holders of press and media credentials, and visiting team personnel).
League has the meaning set forth in Recital B.
League Rules means (a) all of the mandates, rules, regulations, policies, bulletins, directives, memoranda, resolutions and agreements of the NBA (or its members generally), the other NBA Entities, their respective governing bodies (including the NBA Board of Governors and the committees thereof), and the NBA Commissioner generally applicable to members of the NBA and (b) all agreements and arrangements to which the Knicks or the Team is (or after the date of this Agreement may become) subject or by which the Knicks or the Team or their assets are (or may become) bound with or in favor of any of the NBA Entities, including without limitation the Transaction Agreement dated as of the date hereof, in each case, as they presently exist or as they may, from time to time, be entered into, created or amended, including the Constitution and By-Laws of the NBA, the operations manual of the NBA, any collective bargaining agreement to which the NBA is a party, trademark and other intellectual property license agreements and all current and future television, radio, and other agreements involving the broadcast of NBA games.
License Fee has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01.
Licensor has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
Licensor Default has the meaning set forth in Section 18.01.
Licensor Promotion has the meaning set forth in Section 10.01(a).
Licensor Services means, collectively, General Services and Game Day Services.
Madison Club has the meaning set forth in Section 5.03(d).
Maximum Credit or Refund has the meaning set forth in Section 15.02.
MSG Sports means MSG Sports, LLC, the parent company of the Knicks and the Rangers.
NBA has the meaning set forth in Recital B.
NBA Entities means the NBA, NBA Properties, Inc., NBA Media Ventures, LLC, NBA Development League Holdings, LLC, WNBA Holdings, LLC, any other entity formed generally by the NBA members and each direct and indirect subsidiary of any of the foregoing, and each of their respective successors and assigns.
Net Profits has the meaning set forth in Schedule 6.01.
4
No Fault Occurrence has the meaning set forth in Section 18.03.
Non-Auditing Party has the meaning set forth in Section 20.17.
Non-Team Merchandise means all programs, other publications, and merchandise other than Team Merchandise.
Other Arena Event has the meaning set forth in Section 4.04(c).
Other Knicks Event has the meaning set forth in Section 4.04(b).
Party or Parties has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
Person means any individual, corporation, company, voluntary association, partnership, incorporated organization, trust, limited liability company, or any other entity or organization.
Playoff Home Games means games played after the end of the Leagues regular season as part of its championship tournament, for which the Team must qualify based on its regular season record, where the Team (and not the opposing team) has the right to designate the location of such game or which is considered one of the Teams home games by the League for purposes of League Rules or scheduling.
Property Tax Exemption has the meaning set forth in Section 16.01.
Property Tax Exemption Agreement has the meaning set forth in Section 16.01.
Rangers has the meaning set forth in Section 4.04(a).
Rangers Games has the meaning set forth in Section 4.04(a).
Representatives has the meaning set forth in Section 20.09.
Standard means, with respect to the applicable requirement, obligation or matter, (a) in compliance with applicable law, (b) in compliance with League Rules (including the NBA Arena Standards) and (c) at a first-class level equal to or better than that at which NBA arenas in major U.S. markets are then operated, maintained and improved for NBA games (in the case of improvements, taking into reasonable consideration the age and location of the Arena and its existing structural limitations), and in no event less than the highest standard of quality and manner in which the Arena (i) was operated, maintained and improved historically (post 2011-2013 transformation) with respect to Home Games and (ii) will be operated, maintained and improved for Other Arena Events.
Suite 200 has the meaning set forth in Section 5.03(h).
Suites shall mean the premium locations within the Arena currently designated as Event Level Suites, Madison Level Suites and Signature Level Suites as more specifically described in Schedule 4.01, and any replacement suites in those locations.
Team has the meaning set forth in Recital B.
5
Team Areas has the meaning set forth in Schedule 4.01.
Team Merchandise means merchandise (including programs and other publications) that bears the Teams name, logo(s), or other intellectual property relating to the Team, or any other League intellectual property, including any merchandise relating to or depicting (as the case may be) the League and/or any of its teams, players, and/or events (e.g., the NBA All-Star Game, the NBA Playoffs,), or the logo(s) of any of the foregoing.
Team Merchandise Allocation has the meaning set forth in Section 6.02(d).
Term has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01.
The Loft has the meaning set forth in Section 5.03(d).
Ticket or Tickets has the meaning set forth in Section 5.01.
Ticket Agent has the meaning set forth in Section 5.06(a).
Ticket Agent Agreement has the meaning set forth in Section 5.06(a).
Untenantable Condition means a condition of the Arena that occurs on account of a Casualty or Condemnation and, as a result of which League Rules or applicable law prohibit the playing of Home Games at the Arena or would entail denial of access to or loss of a material portion of (i) the general seating areas of the Arena or (ii) revenues of the Knicks derived from the Arena.
VIP Club Services has the meaning set forth in Section 9.03.
VIP Clubs has the meaning set forth in Section 9.03.
Work Stoppage has the meaning set forth in Section 15.01.
ARTICLE II
TERM
Section 2.01 Term; Commencement Date. The term of this Agreement shall commence on , 2020 (the Commencement Date) and, unless earlier terminated in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, shall end on June 30, 2055 (the Term).
ARTICLE III
LICENSE FEE
Section 3.01 License Fee. The Knicks shall pay to Licensor a license fee, without any right of offset, reduction or abatement (except as expressly provided in this Agreement), as follows: (a) for the Initial Contract Year, a prorated amount equal to $21,800,000 divided by forty-
6
four (44), multiplied by the number of Exhibition and Regular Season Home games scheduled to be played in the Arena in the Initial Contract Year; (b) for the First Full Contract Year, $22,454,000; and (c) for each subsequent Contract Year, 103% of the license fee for the immediately preceding Contract Year (the License Fee).
Section 3.02 Payment of License Fee. For each Contract Year, the Knicks shall pay the License Fee in twelve (12) equal installments on the first business day of each month during the Contract Year, except that the License Fee for the Initial Contract Year shall be paid in equal monthly installments on the first business day of the month following the Commencement Date and the first business day of each remaining month in the Initial Contract Year.
ARTICLE IV
USE OF ARENA
Section 4.01 Arena Areas. The Arena includes the areas identified on Schedule 4.01 attached hereto. The Parties shall regularly coordinate and discuss with one another and accommodate the others reasonable requests for adjustment thereto. The Parties acknowledge and agree that the precise locations, square footage, appearance and amenities of the Common Areas and Team Areas set forth therein shall be subject to change from time to time during the Term in accordance with Section 4.05.
Section 4.02 Knicks Use. Licensor hereby grants to the Knicks and Knicks Personnel and Guests, and the Knicks hereby accept from Licensor, for itself and the Knicks Personnel and Guests, a license to use the Arena as follows:
(a) Common Areas and Team Areas. Subject to League Rules, on each Home Date, beginning at approximately the earlier of 10:00 a.m. or three (3) hours prior to the start of any Home Game, until two (2) hours after the completion of such Home Game, the Knicks shall have the exclusive right and license to use the Common Areas and the Team Areas for the purpose of playing of Home Games and conducting related activities, and the presentation thereof by any and all means, live and over radio and television and all other means of communication now existing and hereafter developed, and such other uses expressly permitted in this Agreement or as may be agreed to by the Parties. Notwithstanding the foregoing start time, Licensor may schedule Other Arena Events (as defined below) on Home Dates (each, a Shared Date) in accordance with Section 4.04(c); provided that in no event shall the Knicks have exclusive access to the Common Areas and Team Areas any later than approximately three (3) hours prior to the start of any Home Game (or as otherwise required by League Rules). Licensor shall reimburse the Knicks for any costs incurred by the Knicks solely as a result of a Home Game occurring on a Shared Date (e.g., visiting team relocating a shootaround). In addition, the Knicks shall have reasonable access, on a non-exclusive basis, to the Common Areas and the Team Areas for purposes related to the business or basketball operations of the Knicks at reasonable times on days that are not Home Dates and during periods on Home Dates other than those specified above (but in no case during ticketed Other Arena Events (as defined in Section 4.04(c) below)), provided the Knicks use of the Common Areas may not unreasonably interfere with any use by Licensor or authorized use by its other licensees (including the Rangers).
7
(b) Access. All rights and licenses set forth in this Section 4.02 include in favor of the Knicks and the Knicks Personnel and Guests (including holders of tickets of admission to the Arena, holders of press and media credentials, and visiting team personnel), subject to the Arenas safety and security protocols as provided in Section 4.06(b), (i) rights and licenses of entry, ingress and egress over and across all applicable portions of the Arena, and (ii) the right and license to bring onto the Arena (and to permit the Knicks Personnel and Guests to bring into the Arena), and retain ownership and control of, items of personal property and equipment.
(c) Grant of License. This Agreement is intended to, and shall be construed as, a grant of a license by Licensor to the Knicks and the Knicks Personnel and Guests, and shall not operate to vest in the Knicks any ownership or leasehold interest, or other real estate interest, in the Arena or the property of Licensor, whether real or personal, tangible or intangible, or any use or possessory rights other than those rights expressly granted by the license hereunder (and then subject to and in accordance with all of the provisions of this Agreement).
Section 4.03 Licensors Right of Entry. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 4.02, but subject to League Rules, Licensor and its agents and representatives shall have the right to enter into and upon any and all parts of the Arena, including the Team Areas and the Common Areas, as necessary for the purpose of carrying out its obligations under this Agreement, to operate the Arena, to perform necessary safety, security and maintenance activities and for other purposes that do not unreasonably interfere with the Knicks rights hereunder.
Section 4.04 Scheduling.
(a) Team Games. The scheduling procedure for Home Games shall continue in a manner consistent with past practice, subject to, and at all times in accordance with, League Rules (including, without limitation, with respect to playoff scheduling). It is understood between the Parties that Licensor is entering into a simultaneous license with New York Rangers, LLC (the Rangers), on behalf of the professional hockey team known as the New York Rangers, to host hockey games (Rangers Games) in the Arena. The Parties will continue to cooperate with each other in good faith recognizing that Licensor has obligations to the Rangers. Consistent with past practice, Licensor will jointly coordinate with the League and the National Hockey League in scheduling Home Games and Rangers Games. In addition, each Party shall (i) use reasonable efforts to avoid material business impacts on the other Party where such Party has the ability to do so and (ii) reasonably cooperate and honor requests for changes to previously scheduled or held dates. For the avoidance of doubt, in the event of any conflict between any of the foregoing and League Rules, League Rules shall control and govern.
(b) Other Knicks Events and Usage.
(i) Subject to the terms of this subsection, the Knicks shall be entitled to license the Arena without payment of an incremental license fee on up to two (2) occasions per Contract Year, to present certain Team-related events other than Home Games (e.g., open practices, try-outs; scrimmages; camps, clinics and youth academies; marketing, promotion or other related purposes; press gatherings; Knicks charity events (which may be ticketed); luncheons, meetings, parties ticket sales events, season subscriber events and similar functions as mutually agreed) (each, an Other Knicks Event). Dates
8
for Other Knicks Events may be reserved no earlier than sixty (60) in advance of the proposed event and such reservations shall be subject to any dates previously booked by Licensor for Other Arena Events.
(ii) The Knicks may use such Team Areas and Common Areas, and Licensor shall provide such Licensor Services (for which Game-Day Services the Knicks shall pay or reimburse Licensor as provided herein), as are reasonably requested by the Knicks for such Other Knicks Events. Other Knicks Events shall be subject to any other terms and conditions to be negotiated by the Parties. Unless the Parties agree otherwise with respect to a particular event, all terms of this Agreement applicable to Home Games will apply to Other Knicks Events.
(iii) At the Knicks request, Licensor may, in its discretion, license the Arena and/or other Licensor-owned venues (e.g., Beacon Theater, Radio City, Tao) to the Knicks to the extent available and without payment of an incremental license fee (the Knicks shall pay any expenses). Such events may be in addition to Other Knicks Events.
(c) Other Arena Events. Subject to Section 4.04(a), Licensor shall be entitled to schedule Rangers Games, other sporting events, concerts, and any other types of events in the Arena (each, an Other Arena Event), including, for the avoidance of doubt, on the same day as a Home Game; provided that: (i) no Other Arena Event shall relieve Licensor of its obligations hereunder, including to deliver the Common Areas and Team Areas to the Knicks in the condition required by ARTICLE IX by or before the times required in Section 4.02(a), (ii) no Other Arena Event shall be scheduled if it could reasonably be expected to materially interfere with the presentation, use or operation of the Arena for any previously scheduled Knicks Events (or the revenues derived by the Knicks therefrom) , and (iii) [*****]
Section 4.05 Alterations.
(a) Knicks Alterations.
(i) During the Term, and subject to any existing union jurisdictional arrangement relating to the Arena, the Knicks may make non-structural alterations to the Team Areas, subject to Licensors approval thereof, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed (it being understood that Licensor may deny its approval if such alterations would reasonably be expected to adversely impact in a material way Licensor or any third party who regularly uses the space (e.g. the Rangers)). Licensor shall reimburse the Knicks for the cost of such alterations to the extent necessary to comply with its obligations under this Agreement, provided that any such cost must be preapproved in writing by Licensor, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. To the extent those alterations are not necessary for Licensor to comply with its obligations under this Agreement, those alterations shall be made at the Knicks sole cost and expense.
(ii) During the Term, the Knicks may also request that Licensor make alterations to the Team Areas or Common Areas. Licensor shall make those alterations to the extent necessary to comply with its obligations under this Agreement, at Licensors
9
sole cost and expense. To the extent those alterations are not necessary for Licensor to comply with its obligations under this Agreement, those alterations shall be subject to the approval of Licensor, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, and shall be made at the Knicks sole cost and expense (subject to the Knicks approval of Licensors plans and costs); it being understood that Licensor may deny its approval if such alterations would reasonably be expected to adversely impact in a material way Licensor or any third party who regularly uses the space (e.g. the Rangers).
(b) Licensor Alterations.
(i) Licensor shall have the right to make alterations or other changes to the Arena, in its sole discretion and at its sole cost and expense; provided that Licensor shall be required to obtain the prior written consent (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) of the Knicks to the extent that any such alterations or changes could reasonably be expected to impact the Knicks rights or obligations hereunder, or the presentation, set-up, use or operation of the Arena for any Knicks Event.
(ii) Without limiting ARTICLE IX, Licensor shall be responsible for making alterations, upgrades, modifications and improvements to the Arena (and the components thereof) at Licensors sole cost and expense (subject to Section 4.05(c)), as may be required from time to time in order to maintain the Arena in accordance with the Standard.
(iii) Alterations intended to generate additional premium seating revenues for both Licensor and the Knicks shall be governed by the terms of Section 5.04.
(c) Alterations Pursuant to League Rules. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, any alterations, upgrades, modifications or improvements to the Arena that are made solely to comply with any new or amended League Rules that are enacted after the Commencement Date shall be made at the Knicks sole expense.
(d) The Parties shall cooperate in good faith to agree on the plans and specifications for alterations made under Sections 4.05(a) - (c) and the time period during which such alterations are expected to be made. All such alterations shall (i) be made by Licensor or its contractors (except for alterations made pursuant to Section 4.05(a)(i)), (ii) comply with all applicable laws, ordinances, orders, regulations and League Rules, (iii) be completed in a good and workmanlike manner, using new materials or their equivalent, without unreasonable delay, (iv) not interfere with gameplay in accordance with League Rules and (v) not materially interfere with the presentation, set-up, use or operation of the Arena for any Knicks Event (or the revenues derived by the Knicks therefrom), without the Knicks prior written approval.
Section 4.06 Manner of the Knicks Use. At all times during the Term:
(a) The Knicks shall use the Arena in accordance with all League Rules and applicable laws, ordinances, and regulations. Licensor shall operate the Arena in accordance with all League Rules, applicable laws, ordinances, and regulations. [*****]
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(b) The Knicks and their guests, invitees, patrons, and designees shall be subject to any reasonable and nondiscriminatory rules and regulations and security procedures that Licensor imposes on the use of the Arena, so long as the same (i) are not inconsistent with the other provisions of this Agreement (including Licensors requirement to maintain and operate the Arena in accordance with the Standard) or League Rules, and (ii) are uniformly applied to all other occupants and users of the Arena except to the extent necessitated by differing particular event types.
(c) Each Party shall, at any time and from time to time, upon not less than ten (10) days prior written request from the other Party, execute, acknowledge and deliver to the requesting Party, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the requesting Party and, if applicable, its existing or prospective direct or indirect lender or purchaser, a written estoppel statement certifying, (i) that this Agreement is unmodified and in full force and effect (or, if there have been modifications, that the same is in full force and effect as modified and stating the modifications), (ii) if true (or, if not entirely true, listing any exceptions), that the requesting Party is not in default hereunder, (iii) the date to which the License Fee and other charges have been paid in advance, if any, and (iv) such other accurate certifications as may reasonably be required by the requesting Party or its existing or prospective direct or indirect lender or purchaser, and agreeing to give copies to the requesting Partys existing or prospective direct or indirect lender or purchaser of all material notices by the stating Party to the requesting Party, and agreeing to afford the requesting Partys existing or prospective direct or indirect lender or purchaser an opportunity to cure any default of the stating Party within the applicable cure period afforded to the requesting Party hereunder. It is intended that any such statement delivered pursuant to this subsection may be relied upon by any prospective direct or indirect lender to or purchaser of the Knicks or of the Arena and their respective successors and assigns.
Section 4.07 Knicks Misuse. The Knicks shall promptly reimburse Licensor for costs of cleaning, repairs or replacements, net of insurance proceeds received under Article XIV, necessitated by (a) uses by the Knicks not permitted under this Agreement, or (b) grossly negligent, reckless or willful acts of the Knicks or visiting NBA teams for Knicks Events that cause such damage (collectively, Knicks Misuse).
Section 4.08 Surrender. Upon the expiration of the Term or earlier termination of this Agreement, the Knicks shall promptly vacate the Arena under the direction of and in the manner reasonably approved by Licensor, and shall surrender all of its keys, access cards, and other credentials and access items for the Arena to Licensor, and shall inform Licensor of all combinations on all of its locks, safes, and vaults, if any, in the Arena. Without limiting the foregoing, the Knicks shall not remove any alterations, improvements, or other property (other than personal property not affixed or attached to the Arena or any elements thereof) from the Arena unless permitted to do so by Licensor, and the Knicks shall promptly reimburse Licensor for the cost of repairing any damage caused by such removal. Any personal property of the Knicks which remains in the Arena after the expiration of the Term or earlier termination of this Agreement may, at the option of Licensor, be deemed to have been abandoned, and, in Licensors sole discretion, (a) may be retained by Licensor as its property, (b) shall be disposed of by the Knicks at the request of Licensor, or (c) may be disposed of by Licensor.
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ARTICLE V
TICKETS, SUITES AND CLUBS
Section 5.01 Prices. As between Licensor and the Knicks, (a) the Knicks shall have sole discretion to control the manifest and determine the prices and fees (subject to Section 5.06(a)) for all tickets and other indicia authorizing admission (each a Ticket) for general admission seating, standing room and other general admission spectator positions in the Arena for all Knicks Events, and (b) except as provided below, Licensor shall have sole discretion to control the manifest and determine the license fees to be paid for the Suites, The Loft, the Madison Club and similar premium spaces developed in accordance with Section 5.03 and Section 5.04 during the Term. There shall be no limit on the number of complimentary Tickets the Knicks may issue.
Section 5.02 Ticket Revenues.
(a) Ticket Sales. The Knicks shall have the exclusive right to sell and resell all Tickets and retain all revenues from all Ticket sales and resales, including the Facility Ticket Fee (as defined in Section 5.02(c)), the Knicks share of any Convenience Fee (as defined in Section 5.06(a)), and any personal seat licenses the Knicks may elect to sell, provided, that the Knicks right to sell personal seat licenses shall be limited to Knicks Events only (and no Other Arena Events) and provided further, that any form agreement for the sale or licensing of personal seat licenses shall be subject to Licensors prior approval, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed and the Knicks shall not make any material alterations to such form agreement that adversely impact Licensor without Licensors prior written approval, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.
(b) Loaded-Value Tickets. To the extent that the Knicks offer a ticket product where the ticketholder is entitled to gratis Concessions in addition to seating to a Home Game, Licensor shall provide such Concessions and the Knicks shall remit to Licensor the actual retail value of any Concessions redeemed by each such ticketholder, which revenue will be included in Team Merchandise revenue (to the extent that the sale/redemption relates to Team Merchandise) or F&B Concessions Gross Receipts, as applicable. To the extent that the sale/redemption relates to Non-Team Merchandise, Licensor shall retain all such redeemed amounts. For purposes of clarity, any revenue associated with loaded-value tickets that is not redeemed for Concessions shall remain the property of the Knicks.
(c) Facility Ticket Fee. [*****] shall charge to all initial Home Game Ticket purchasers a per-Ticket facility fee (the Facility Ticket Fee), in an amount determined from time to time by Licensor following consultation with the Knicks. [*****]
Section 5.03 Suites; Madison Club; The Loft
(a) Suites. Subject to other provisions of this Section 5.03, Licensor shall have the exclusive right to license Suites to third parties for all or a portion of Knicks Events and Other Arena Events and collect license fees for the privilege of using the Suites and related amenities. Licensor shall be responsible for all costs of licensing, operating, servicing and maintaining the Suites in accordance with the Standard. Revenues generated from the licensing of Suites shall be
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allocated as set forth in Section 5.03(b). All of the terms and conditions of such licenses and appurtenant Arena admission tickets and other rights and obligations related to the occupancy of Suites, shall be governed by separate agreements (each, a Suite Agreement) entered into between Licensor and the licensees of Suites. Licensors form Suite Agreements shall be subject to the prior written approval of the Knicks (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) and Licensor shall not make any material alterations to the form Suite Agreements or any executed Suite Agreement that adversely impact the Knicks without the Knicks prior written approval, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.
(b) Suites Revenue.
(i) All-Event Suites. For Suites licensed for all or substantially all Arena events including Home Games (other than certain major Other Arena Events, including All-Star Games, awards shows, major college championship events, etc.), including those sold on a half-share, quarter-share or other fractional portion basis, the Knicks shall receive [*****]% of all revenues collected or received by Licensor from the sale of such Suites (the Knicks Suites Revenue Share), net of contracted catering credits (if any), taxes and credit card fees, and Licensor shall retain the remaining amounts, except as provided in Section 5.03(g) and 6.01(a) [*****]. In the event of a No Fault Occurrence, the Knicks Suites Revenue Share shall be increased to [*****]%.
(ii) Team-Only and Single Game Suites. The Knicks shall receive all revenues collected or received by Licensor from the sale of Suites licensed only for individual or packages of Home Games and/or other Knicks Events, net of the retail value of food and beverage packages included in the license fee (Included F&B Packages), contracted catering credits (if any), taxes and credit card fees, less a Licensor commission of [*****]% of such net revenue (provided that, in the event of a No Fault Occurrence, the Parties will agree on an appropriate reduction to such commission to account for any reduction in the additional amount that would have been payable to the Knicks under the last sentence of Section 5.03(b)(i) if all Suites were sold for all Arena events).
(iii) Custom Team and Non-Team Suite Packages. For customized Suite packages (i.e., a pre-determined mix of events that include Knicks Events and Other Arena Events), revenues shall be proportionally allocated to each event included in such package based on the then-applicable rate card for the included events. The Knicks shall receive all revenues collected or received by Licensor attributable to the Knicks Events included in such package, net of Included F&B Packages, contracted catering credits (if any), taxes and credit card fees, to the extent used during Knicks Events, less a Licensor commission of [*****]% of such net revenue as so allocated (provided that, in the event of a No Fault Occurrence, the Parties will agree on an appropriate reduction to such commission to account for any reduction in the additional amount that would have been payable to the Knicks under the last sentence of Section 5.03(b)(i) if all Suites were sold for all Arena events).
(iv) Suite Passes for Knicks Events. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all revenues from the sale or license of passes for incremental admission to Suites for Knicks Events (commonly known as suite passes), net of taxes and credit card fees, shall be retained by the Knicks. The parties shall agree on the terms and pricing of such suite passes, which shall be sold by Licensor.
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(v) Catering Credits. Any contracted catering credits or Included F&B Packages granted to a Suite licensee as part of a Suite license shall be included in Catering Gross Receipts as and to the extent used during Knicks Events. Any contracted catering credits or Included F&B Packages granted to a Suite licensee as part of a (x) single-game or Team-only package or (y) customized Suite package including Knicks Events and Other Arena Events (as described in Section 5.03(b)(iii)) shall be subject to the prior written approval of the Knicks, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. With respect to any contracted catering credits or Included F&B Packages granted to a Suite licensee as part of any suite package containing a mix of Team and non-Team events, Licensor shall ensure that such contracted catering credits or Included F&B Packages have the same terms and conditions, at the Suite licensees discretion, at both Knicks Events and Other Arena Events.
(c) Suite 16. The Knicks acknowledge that Suite 16 on the tenth floor of the Arena is currently licensed to the TAO Group, in which Licensors parent company has a majority ownership interest. The Knicks agree that notwithstanding Licensors ownership interest in the TAO Group, the Knicks share of the license revenue for this suite shall be calculated based on the fees paid or payable to Licensor by the TAO Group, and not with respect to any membership or other revenue or income generated by the TAO Group, provided that such fees are established and maintained on an arms-length basis (it being acknowledged that the fee payable by the TAO Group to Licensor for the twelve-month period ended June 30, 2019 is arms-length for purposes of this Section 5.03(c)).
(d) The Madison Club and The Loft.
(i) Certain clients will pay Licensor membership fees that entitle them to access (a) the 170-seat defined hospitality and seating space on the west side of the Arena currently known as the Madison Club during all Home Games and all Rangers Games, boxing, tennis, and NCAA college basketball events at the Arena (the Madison Club); and/or (b) the 48-seat defined hospitality and seating space on the east side of the Arena currently known as The Loft at Madison Square Garden during all Arena events including Home Games (other than certain major Other Arena Events, including All-Star Games, awards shows, major college championship events, etc.) (The Loft). Licensor shall not sell more than 170 or 48 tickets of admission or memberships to the Madison Club or The Loft, respectively, for any Knicks Events without the prior written consent of the Knicks, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.
(ii) Licensor shall be responsible for selling and servicing Madison Club and Loft memberships and operating, maintaining and servicing the Madison Club and The Loft in accordance with the Standard. The Knicks shall receive [*****]% of all revenues collected or received by Licensor from the sale of memberships to the Madison Club and The Loft, net of taxes and credit card fees (the Knicks Hospitality Share). The Knicks shall reimburse Licensor for (a) the direct cost of providing complimentary food and beverage, and (b) the cost of other direct event variable labor (e.g., concierge, coat check,
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etc.), other than labor related to Concessions that are sold, attributable to the Madison Club and The Loft for Home Games, in each case under (a) and (b), which costs shall be consistent for all events and on a basis as determined in consultation with the Knicks. Schedule 5.03(d) sets forth the staffing levels for the Madison Club and The Loft as of the 2019-20 Season (which takes into account the services provided for the Madison Club and The Loft as of the 2019-20 Season). For all Home Games and similar (based on factors including expected attendance) Other Arena Events, Licensor shall maintain substantially similar levels of service and staffing (as set forth on Schedule 5.03(d)), provided that the Parties shall regularly coordinate and discuss with one another the appropriate levels of service and staffing and accommodate the others reasonable requests for adjustment thereto. In the event of a No Fault Occurrence, the Knicks Hospitality Share shall be increased to [*****]%.
(iii) To the extent that Licensor sells specialized packages that are different from those referenced in Sections 5.03(d)(i)-(ii) above, the parties shall coordinate and agree on appropriate pricing, revenue share and/or commissions. To the extent that Licensor provides members of the Madison Club and/or The Loft with limited amount of gratis Concessions (e.g., through a loaded ticket) (Gratis Concessions), the Parties shall coordinate and mutually agree on appropriate terms, costs and revenue allocations for such Gratis Concessions.
(iv) All of the terms and conditions of the sale of such memberships shall be governed by separate agreements (the Hospitality Agreements) entered into between Licensor and the members of the Madison Club and The Loft. Licensors form Hospitality Agreements shall be subject to the prior written approval of the Knicks (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) and Licensor shall not make any alterations to such form Hospitality Agreement or any executed Hospitality Agreement that materially adversely impact the Knicks without the Knicks prior written approval, not to be unreasonably delayed or withheld.
(e) Sales by the Knicks. Licensor may from time to time authorize the Knicks to attempt to license or sell on Licensors behalf the Suites or memberships referred to in this Section 5.03. For purposes of clarity, the Parties agree that the revenue sharing referred to in this Section 5.03 shall apply whether the license or sale is consummated by Licensor, Knicks or MSG Sports employees; provided that, if the license or sale is of Team-only or single game Suites (as described in Section 5.03(b)(ii)) or custom Team and non-Team Suite packages (as described in Section 5.03(b)(iii)) and is consummated by the Knicks or MSG Sports, Licensors commission on such license or sale shall be [*****]% of the applicable net revenue.
(f) Settlement. Licensor shall remit to the Knicks on a monthly basis a cash payment equal to the Knicks share of revenues collected or received for the Suites, the Madison Club, The Loft (and any similar premium spaces developed during the Term in accordance with Section 5.04 ), in each case, in accordance with Section 9.06. To the extent that Licensor receives value in kind as payment for the sale of licenses or memberships to the Suites, the Madison Club or The Lofts, Licensor shall pay to the Knicks an amount based on the rate card value of such license or membership (e.g., if Licensor receives value in kind as full payment for an all-Event Suite, Licensor shall pay the Knicks the Knicks Hospitality Share of the rate card value of such Suite license). Licensor shall be responsible for the payment of all taxes and credit card fees with respect to all sales made by Licensor or its agents pursuant to this Agreement.
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(g) Complimentary Suites and Usage.
(i) The Knicks shall have the exclusive right to use without payment of a fee or other consideration one (1) Event Level Suite and associated tickets for each Knicks Event. Such suite shall be what is currently designated Event Level Suite 20, or another Event Level Suite as designated by Licensor, subject to Teams approval, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.
(ii) The Knicks may not license to third parties the Suite or associated tickets referred to in subsection (i), provided that it may request Licensor to attempt to license or sell such Suite or associated tickets for a particular Home Game or Home Games and/or Other Knicks Events. Any resulting revenue, net of Included F&B Packages, contracted catering credits (if any), taxes and credit card fees, will be shared by Licensor and the Knicks as if it were a single-game suite license pursuant to Section 5.03(b)(ii). Licensor may use or license such Suite or associated tickets for Other Arena Events without payment to the Knicks of the revenue share otherwise attributable to the license of Suites set forth in Section 5.03(b).
(iii) Upon request by the Knicks, and subject to availability, Licensor shall make available, at no cost, one (1) Madison-level or Signature-level Suite on a Home Game by Home Game basis solely for use by visiting team owners and executives and their guests.
(iv) Licensor shall have the right to use one (1) Event Level Suite for all Knicks Events and Other Arena Events without payment to the Knicks of the revenue share otherwise attributable to the license of Suites set forth in Section 5.03(b). Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent Licensor decides to license such Event Level Suite in whole or in part to a third party and receives a license fee therefor, the Knicks shall receive their applicable revenue share (if any) as provided in Section 5.03(b). Such suite shall be the Suite currently designated Event Level Suite 19, or another Event Level Suite as designated by Licensor, subject to Teams approval, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.
(v) Unsold Suite, Madison Club and Loft Inventory. Suites and associated tickets related to the Suites, the Madison Club and the Loft that are not licensed or sold for Home Games may be used by Licensor for prospecting for Suite, Madison Club and Loft licensees. Additional unsold Suite, Madison Club and Loft inventory may be used to provide for complimentary attendance by employees of the Knicks, Licensor and their respective Affiliates or for other business relationships in accordance with each companys complimentary ticket program. The Parties shall mutually determine how to allocate unsold suite inventory between the Parties, provided, that if the Parties cannot agree, [*****] of such inventory shall be available to the Knicks for such purposes and [*****] of such inventory shall be retained by Licensor for such purposes. In no event may the unused Suites or associated tickets related to Suites, Madison Club or Loft allocated under
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this Section 5.03(g)(v) be licensed or sold by either Party, without the consent of the other Party (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), in which case the Knicks shall receive their applicable revenue share as provided in Sections 5.03(b) or 5.03(d).
(h) Suite 200. Licensor shall maintain the executive lounge currently designated Suite 200 (or a private hospitality area of substantially similar size offering substantially similar amenities, in the same or a different location in the Arena) for the use of senior executives and their invited guests (Suite 200). The Knicks shall have access to Suite 200 during Home Games in a manner consistent with past practice and shall bear or reimburse Licensor for all out-of-pocket costs associated with operating Suite 200 for Home Games. Any annual increase to the aggregate costs charged to the Knicks for operating Suite 200 shall not exceed [*****]% without the Knicks prior written approval, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. The Knicks agree that senior executives of Licensor and their invited guests shall have complimentary access to Suite 200 during Home Games on the same basis as senior executives of the Knicks and their invited guests.
Section 5.04 Future Ticket and Premium Products
(a) Licensor, after consultation with and receipt of prior written approval from the Knicks, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, may develop new seating products where the ticket purchaser has the option to purchase seats for multiple event types (e.g., Home Games and Other Arena Events). If the Knicks approve such new seating products, the Knicks shall provide the required ticket inventory, and Licensor shall provide applicable amenities, at prices and other economic terms and splits to be negotiated and agreed upon by the Parties.
(b) Licensor, after consultation with and receipt of prior written approval from the Knicks, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, may develop new suites and/or seating products (e.g., new or altered premium spaces) where amenities additional to admission are provided to the ticket purchaser, licensor or member. If the Knicks approve such new seating products, allocation of capital and operating expenses, revenues and obligations shall be determined in a manner to be agreed upon.
Section 5.05 Box Office; Ticket Printing; In-Arena Ticket Sales
(a) Box Office Operations. If Licensor generally operates a box office (including will call support) for Other Arena Events, Licensor will also operate a box office (including will call support) during reasonable business hours, and for all Knicks Events commencing at the earlier of (i) noon and (ii) the opening of the Arena doors for the applicable Knicks Events and ending no earlier than the commencement of the third quarter of the Knicks Events, and shall provide substantially equivalent service and staffing, with respect to the sale of tickets for Home Games and Other Knicks Events to Other Arena Events all in a manner consistent with past practice, provided that the Parties shall regularly coordinate and discuss with one another the appropriate levels of service and staffing and accommodate the others reasonable requests for adjustment thereto. At the Knicks request, Licensor shall share with the Knicks all Customer Data (as defined in Section 10.03) relating to the Knicks generated through box office operations.
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(b) Full and Partial Season Ticket Packages. If requested by the Knicks and for so long as Licensor is generally printing tickets for Other Arena Events, Licensor shall coordinate, at the Knicks reasonable direction, cost and expense, the printing of Tickets for full and partial season packages. The Knicks shall sell, invoice and collect all revenues from such Ticket packages in its sole discretion. The Knicks shall be responsible for all credit card fees and other similar charges in connection with the sale of such Tickets. The Knicks shall develop any and all creative content to be included on such Tickets printed by Licensor at the Knicks request.
(c) Group Ticket Packages. If requested by the Knicks and for so long as Licensor is generally printing tickets for Other Arena Events, Licensor shall coordinate, at the Knicks reasonable direction, cost and expense, the printing of Tickets for group packages. The Knicks shall sell, invoice and collect all revenues from such Ticket packages in its sole discretion. The Knicks shall be responsible for all credit card fees and other similar charges in connection with the sale of such Tickets. The Knicks shall develop any and all creative content to be included on such Tickets printed by Licensor at the Knicks request.
(d) In-Arena Ticket Sales. During Knicks Events, the Knicks shall be permitted to have tables and kiosks on the concourse for the sole purpose of selling season (including partial) ticket and group ticket packages for the Knicks and its Affiliates. The placement of such tables and kiosks shall be reasonably determined by Licensor consistent with past practice.
Section 5.06 Ticket Agent
(a) Ticket Agent Agreements. The Knicks shall be required to utilize and comply with the current primary and secondary ticket provider agreement(s) with Licensors ticket agent (the Ticket Agent), and any amendment, modification or replacement of the same in accordance with Section 5.06(b), (the Ticket Agent Agreements) for applicable Ticket transactions for Home Games and any Other Knicks Events to which tickets are sold. It is understood that a portion of any upfront or annual fees received by Licensor from the Ticket Agent during the Term shall be allocated to the Knicks on a pro rata basis on equitable terms (e.g., based on projected ticket sales for the businesses covered by the Ticket Agent Agreements). [*****]
(b) Amended or Replacement Ticket Agent Agreements. Licensor shall have the right to negotiate and administer any amendments to the current Ticket Agent Agreements or any replacement ticket provider agreement with a third party, provided that, (i) any portion of such amendment or replacement agreement that relates to the Knicks or Knicks Events or (ii) any renewal or extension of the current Ticket Agent Agreements or any replacement ticket provider agreement, in each case, shall be subject to the prior written approval of the Knicks. If the Knicks do not grant such approval, the Knicks may enter into its own ticket provider agreement(s), provided that the Knicks or such other ticket provider shall pay all costs needed to implement such other ticketing systems at the Arena.
(c) Access to Systems and Data. Licensor shall use commercially reasonable efforts to (i) include in its Ticket Agent Agreements an obligation to provide the Knicks with substantially similar access to relevant information about the Knicks customers and sales activity that resides in the Ticket Agents database and other system components as is provided under Licensors current agreement with Ticketmaster; (ii) enforce such obligation on behalf of the
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Knicks at the Knicks expense and (iii) enforce any other terms of any Ticket Agent Agreements that affect the Knicks at the Knicks expense; it being understood that, with respect to any agreements where the Knicks are an express party or a third party beneficiary, Licensor shall have no obligations under clauses (ii) or (iii), above.
Section 5.07 Ticket Settlement Process. Licensor shall (with respect to box office sales), and shall cause Ticket Agent to, remit to the Knicks all amounts collected in connection with the sale of Tickets on a weekly basis, together with an itemized statement indicating the number and price of each Ticket sold and related fees collected.
Section 5.08 Access to Tickets.
(a) Complimentary Licensor Tickets for Home Games. Licensor shall be afforded access to a pool of complimentary tickets for Home Games throughout the Term, on the following terms:
(i) The pool shall include [*****], or other sections as the Parties may otherwise agree, it being understood that the Parties shall regularly coordinate and discuss with one another and accommodate the others reasonable requests for adjustment to the number and location of the additional complimentary tickets described in clause (y).
(ii) Complimentary tickets may be used by Licensor for its and its Affiliates employees or other business purposes but may not be resold. If such complimentary tickets will not be used, such tickets may be sold by the Knicks and the Knicks may retain all revenue therefrom.
(b) Pools of Tickets for Purchase. In addition, the Knicks shall be afforded access to purchase tickets from a pool of tickets for Other Arena Events and Licensor shall be afforded access to purchase tickets from a pool of tickets for Home Games, in each case subject to availability. Such tickets may be used by the Knicks or Licensor (as applicable) for their Affiliates, employees or other business purposes but may not be resold. Each ticket pool shall also be subject to such other procedures, restraints and limitations as determined by the Party offering access. In both cases, the Parties shall regularly coordinate and discuss with one another and accommodate the others reasonable requests for adjustment to the number and location of the tickets in the pool.
Section 5.09 Credentials and Passes. The Knicks may issue a reasonable number of passes to photo, press and media, staff, visiting teams, performers (e.g., dance teams and halftime performers), League personnel and any other Person, pursuant to the directions of the Knicks from time to time, permitting such selected persons free access to the Arena for Knicks Events and to specified areas of the Arena normally closed to the public; provided, however, any such issuance is in accordance with League Rules, including, without limitation, the then-prevailing NBA Arena Security Standards (including, as of the Commencement Date, Section V(A) therein) and Licensors Arena safety and security protocols.
Section 5.10 Admission to Arena. Licensor shall not grant any spectator admission to the Arena for any Knicks Event unless such spectator has acquired and displays a Ticket or other indicia of admission (e.g., a press or related pass) to such Knicks Event issued by Licensor or the Knicks (or, if applicable, the League) in accordance with this Agreement.
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ARTICLE VI
CONCESSIONS
Section 6.01 F&B Concessions and Catering.
(a) Licensor shall have the exclusive right and obligation to operate and manage the sale of F&B Concessions and Catering Services during all Knicks Events in a manner reasonably calculated to maximize profits but subject to providing a positive customer experience in accordance with the Standard and subject to Schedule 6.01. The Knicks shall receive [*****]% of the Net Profits (as defined in Schedule 6.01) from the sale of F&B Concessions and Catering Services attributable to Knicks Events (the Knicks F&B Concessions and Catering Share). To the extent Licensor directly manages and conducts the sale of such F&B Concessions and Catering Services, such sales shall be provided in accordance with Schedule 6.01. In the event of a No Fault Occurrence, the Knicks F&B Concessions and Catering Share shall be increased to [*****]%.
(b) In the event Licensor retains a third party to provide F&B Concessions and/or Catering Services or enters into a lease, license or operating agreement for food and beverage space, in each case, in accordance with Section 6.04 the Knicks shall receive [*****]% of all amounts received by Licensor (including any annual payments, up-front payments, advances, back-end payments, earn-outs, guarantees, allowances, rebates, refunds, discounts or any other payments or revenues retained by Licensor or its Affiliate) attributable to Knicks Events from any such arrangement or agreement (the Third Party F&B Share); provided that, with respect to amounts received that cannot be specifically traced to a Knicks Event as opposed to an Other Arena Event, Licensor shall reasonably and fairly estimate the portion of the total amount that is attributable to Knicks Events (which estimate shall be subject to the review and approval of the Knicks, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) and shall remit to the Knicks the Third Party F&B Share of the portion of such amount. In the event of a No Fault Occurrence, the Third Party F&B Share shall be increased to [*****]%.
Section 6.02 Team Merchandise.
(a) Licensor shall have the exclusive right and obligation, at its sole cost and expense, to operate and manage the sale of Team Merchandise at the Arena (excluding collectibles and game-used items) in a manner reasonably calculated to maximize revenues, but subject to providing a positive customer experience in accordance with the Standard. Schedule 6.02 sets forth the service and staffing for the sale of Team Merchandise for Regular Season Home Games as of the 2019-20 Season. Licensor shall maintain at least substantially similar levels of service and staffing for all Home Games provided that the Parties shall regularly coordinate and discuss with one another the appropriate levels of service and staffing and accommodate the others reasonable requests for adjustment thereto. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, as between the Parties, the Knicks shall have the exclusive right to sell and control the sale of Team Merchandise online and anywhere else (other than at the Arena) and retain all revenue therefrom.
(b) The Knicks shall source, purchase and own all Team Merchandise it designates for sale at the Arena and consign it to Licensor for sale. Licensor shall be responsible
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for reasonable storage and inventory control for Team Merchandise. The Knicks shall set the pricing of Team Merchandise. Licensor, at its sole cost, shall offer and sell Team Merchandise, and provide appropriate sales staff and supervision, at points of sale in existing and replacement in-Arena stores and other locations designated or approved by the Knicks (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), on Home Dates and at other times pursuant to Section 6.02(d).
(c) Licensor shall retain [*****]% of revenues, net of taxes and credit card fees, collected by Licensor from the sale of Team Merchandise sold at the Arena by or on behalf of Licensor and remit the remainder to the Knicks, provided that the Knicks shall retain all revenue from any collectibles or game-used items received pursuant to any third-party agreement (e.g., Fanatics). Licensor shall be responsible for the payment of all taxes and credit card fees with respect to all such sales.
(d) Licensor shall dedicate to Team Merchandise designated by the Knicks a minimum of [*****]% of the display space designated by Licensor in consultation with the Knicks (the Team Merchandise Allocation) in the Madison Square Garden Store located in Chase Square and other subsequent stores located within the Arena that do not require an individual to have a ticket to access such store. It is understood and agreed that the Knicks and the Rangers (to the extent that they remain affiliated entities) may allocate display space to each other on an event-by-event and day-by-day basis; for the avoidance of doubt, Licensor shall not have access to more than [*****]% of the display space in the Madison Square Garden Store, except as provided in subsection (e), below.
(e) Licensor and the Knicks agree that no Team Merchandise shall be required to be offered in such stores (or elsewhere in the Arena) while the Arena is being used for Other Arena Events.
(f) The Parties shall regularly coordinate and discuss with one another the appropriate relative levels and locations of display space and accommodate the others reasonable requests for adjustment thereto.
Section 6.03 Non-Team Merchandise. Subject to Section 6.02, Licensor shall have the exclusive right to control the operation and sale of Non-Team Merchandise at the Arena at any time. Licensor shall retain all revenue from the sale of all Non-Team Merchandise. Licensor may use up to [*****]% of the display space in concourses and other ticketed areas during Home Games for the sale of Non-Team Merchandise, provided that such merchandise and the locations in which it is displayed and sold shall require the approval of the Knicks, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. The Parties shall regularly coordinate and discuss with one another the appropriate relative levels and locations of display space and accommodate the others reasonable requests for adjustment thereto.
Section 6.04 Third-Party Contracts. Licensor shall have the right to enter into a contract or contracts with one or more third parties pursuant to which such third parties shall conduct and manage the sale of some or all Concessions and/or Catering Services, provided that Licensor shall be required to obtain the prior written approval of the Knicks, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, for service providers that (i) do not or will not provide similar
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services during Other Arena Events or (ii) will conduct or manage the sale of a majority of F&B Concessions or Team Merchandise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Licensor shall reasonably consult with the Knicks regarding the terms of any proposed agreement with any third party that shall conduct or manage the sale of a majority of F&B Concessions or Team Merchandise.
Section 6.05 Operation on a Fair Basis; Standard of Service. Licensor shall operate, or contract with a third party for the operation of, Concessions and/or Catering Services on a basis that is fair to both Licensor and the Knicks and equivalent for Knicks Events and Other Arena Events. The quality of the service provided for Knicks Events shall be consistent with the Standard.
Section 6.06 Settlement. Licensor shall, or shall cause any third party conducting and managing the sale of Concessions and/or Catering Services to, remit to the Knicks all amounts from the sale of Concessions and/or Catering Services that the Knicks are entitled to under this ARTICLE VI in accordance with Section 9.06.
ARTICLE VII
SIGNAGE AND SPONSORSHIPS
Section 7.01 Definitions.
Arena Game Shared Sponsorship Assets means Advertising (including digital and fixed signage) visible or audible inside the Arena during Home Games and Other Arena Events, but expressly excluding Team Sponsorship Assets and Arena Naming Rights, which includes, without limitation, (a) bridge signage and entitlements, (b) vomitorium signage, (c) GardenVision underbelly and other fixed signage and Advertising on fixtures and equipment, (d) Advertising at concession areas and on Concession Items, (e) Advertising worn or carried by concessionaire personnel or other personnel engaged in the operation of Arena events and (f) naming rights and other entitlements of the lobby, concourses, suite levels, clubs and all other spaces in the Arena. For avoidance of doubt, Arena Game Shared Sponsorship Assets shall not include any Advertising (i) outside of the building entrances to the Arena (e.g., marquee spots or signage, outdoor digital board Advertising, breezeway signage or banners, Arena rooftop signage, etc.) which is not visible or audible inside the Arena bowl and sold to be visible or audible by seated Arena patrons, which Licensor shall have the exclusive right to sell and retain all revenue from or (ii) that is a Team Sponsorship Asset, which the Knicks shall have the exclusive right to sell and retain all revenue from in accordance with Section 7.02, whether or not such Advertising may also be visible or audible inside the Arena during Other Arena Events.
Arena Naming Rights means the right of a sponsor to have its brand integrated into the name of the Arena, e.g., the [*****] Madison Square Garden.
Courtside Advertising means electronic, virtual, and static Advertising and other signage displayed at Knicks Events that appears inside the Arena spectator bowl on: (a) seat back sleeves and other signage within the teams bench areas (e.g., sports drink-branded coolers, cups, squeeze bottles, and towels); (b) the basketball playing floor (both in-bounds and out-of-bounds surface areas); (c) the basketball stanchions; (d) the backboard; (e) the backboard spine
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and base; (f) any moving or movable items (e.g., an indoor blimp/drone, t-shirt machines); (g) the scorers, press, or other tables immediately surrounding the basketball playing floor (e.g., courtside and baseline signage devices); (h) entitlement of Celebrity Row; (i) team bench kickplates; (j) presentation of the Seventh Avenue Squad and Knicks City Dancers (or other pep squad); (k) seat back sleeves in stands that are present for Home Games or Other Knicks Events only; and (l) any other equipment, fixtures and items used by the Knicks in the vicinity of the basketball playing floor not already covered in the definition of Team Sponsorship Assets (but excluding any Arena Game Shared Sponsorship Assets).
In-Bowl Variable Advertising means Advertising and other visual signage appearing on, and other audio airing through or in connection with, (a) in-Arena electronic scoreboards, telescreens and any other message boards, (b) in-Arena LED Signage, (c) any part of the Arena spectator bowl through projection technology, augmented reality and/or virtual reality, and (d) Arena audio or visual public address Advertising.
Non-Team Sponsorship Assets means Advertising controlled by Licensor to the extent that it creates no direct association with the Team, other than Team Sponsorship Assets, Arena Naming Rights and Arena Game Shared Sponsorship Assets.
Sponsorship Sales and Service Representation Agreement means the agreement between Licensors affiliate, MSG Entertainment, Group LLC (formerly MSG Sports & (( LLC) (MSGE) and the Knicks parent entity, Knicks Holding, LLC (Knicks Holding), entered into approximately contemporaneously herewith, whereby Knicks Holding authorizes MSGE to enter into sponsorship agreements that include Team Sponsorship Assets.
Team Sponsorship Allocation Agreement means the agreement between MSGE and MSG Sports, entered into approximately contemporaneously herewith, whereby MSG Sports agrees to deliver certain Team Sponsorship Assets in connection with certain current sponsorship agreements, and MSGE agrees to allocate and pay to Knicks Holding certain amounts with respect to such agreements.
Team Sponsorship Assets means, with respect to the Knicks or Knicks Events only (in each case, including within three (3) hours before, during and within two (2) hours after each Knicks Event), (a) Courtside Advertising; (b) In-Bowl Variable Advertising; (c) Advertising on Team programs, schedules, yearbooks and tickets; (d) GardenVision underbelly and other fixed signage and Advertising on fixtures and equipment; (e) Advertising relating to the player introduction tunnel (connecting locker room area to court); (f) Advertising relating to Team game day contests and promotions (e.g., bobblehead night, hat night, etc.); (g) Advertising that has been sold specifically with respect to only the Team (e.g., temporary Arena bowl stair signage present only for Knicks Events); (h) concourse activations; (i) Advertising relating to the Team and Knicks Event visiting team player locker rooms, training rooms and interview rooms; (j) the exhibition and promotion of products and services at the Arena (e.g., kiosks and special areas in the concourse) during Knicks Events or on any date in which a Knicks Event is scheduled to the extent pertaining to any Knicks Event (but excluding food and beverage and merchandise otherwise covered by this Agreement); (k) promotional or premium item give-aways at Knicks Events; (l) such other Advertising and sponsorship assets as currently exist or may later be developed that are Team- or Knicks Event-specific; and (m) for the avoidance of doubt, all other advertising, sponsorship and promotional activities relating to the Team that is not related to the Arena (including advertising on Team uniforms, broadcasts, websites, mobile application and social media platforms).
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Section 7.02 Team Sponsorship Assets
(a) Subject to subsections (b)-(c) of this Section 7.02, the Knicks shall have the exclusive right to sell and retain all revenue from, and shall be responsible for all direct out of pocket costs and expenses related to, the operation and sale of Team Sponsorship Assets, including the right to enter into category-exclusive sponsorship agreements with respect to Team Sponsorship Assets. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Licensor shall have the right to (i) alter digital signage platforms at any time (e.g., elimination of LED ring) at Licensors sole cost and expense, subject to reasonable advance consultation with the Knicks and provided that if such alterations would eliminate or materially alter any Team Sponsorship Assets contained in any agreement under which the Knicks provide or are committed to provide Team Sponsorship Assets as of the date of such alteration, Licensor will provide to the Knicks a replacement asset of equal or greater value (A) reasonably acceptable to the Knicks and (B) if such replacement is not permitted under such agreement, acceptable to the sponsor party to such agreement, and (ii) (x) approve, in its sole discretion, any permanent affixed signage in the Arena by the Knicks or (y) approve, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, any temporary affixed signage by the Knicks on [*****] (clauses (1), (2) and (3) collectively, the Restricted Signage Areas); provided that (A) [*****] and (B) [*****]. For the avoidance of doubt, any concourse, lobby or similar activations shall be subject to Sections 4.06(a) and 4.06(b). Licensor shall provide and maintain the in-Arena signage, assets and other elements associated with Team Sponsorship Assets (to the extent in the control of Licensor) in accordance with the Standard.
(b) The Parties acknowledge and agree that their rights and obligations under this Section 7.02 shall be subject and subordinate to the Sponsorship Sales and Service Representation Agreement and the Team Sponsorship Allocation Agreement (collectively, the Arena Agency Agreements), as of the Effective Date and throughout the respective terms of such agreements. Pursuant to such Arena Agency Agreements, the Knicks shall be (i) required to provide Team Sponsorship Assets inventory committed to, and to comply with promotional category exclusivities granted to, certain Licensor sponsors (Joint Sponsors) in accordance with such Joint Sponsors respective agreements (each a Joint Sponsorship Agreement) with Licensor and (ii) entitled to certain allocations of revenue received by Licensor pursuant to such agreements; each of (i) and (ii) as set forth in more detail in the Team Sponsorship Allocation Agreement.
(c) Subject to League Rules, the name and logo of any Arena Naming Rights partner or Marquee-level sponsor shall be exhibited on Teams home playing surface near Teams mid-court logo at the Arena (with [*****]% of the allocable revenue therefrom delivered to the Knicks).
(d) The Parties shall meet and confer regularly (contemplated to be no less frequently than once per calendar quarter) to discuss in good faith opportunities to maximize the collective value of their sponsorships by combining the sales of Team Sponsorship Assets, Arena Game Shared Sponsorship Assets and/or Non-Team Sponsorship Assets.
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(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in no event shall the Knicks cover or interfere with any Arena Game Sponsorship Assets with any temporary, virtual or any other type of signage. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in no event shall Licensor cover or interfere with any Team Sponsorship Assets with any temporary, virtual or any other type of signage.
Section 7.03 Arena Game Shared Sponsorship Assets
Licensor shall have the exclusive right to sell all Arena Game Shared Sponsorship Assets, provided that Licensor shall not, without the Knicks prior written approval, (a) enter into any agreement that includes any Team Sponsorship Assets or (b) enter into any agreement or modify any arena inventory or signage existing as of the date hereof if such agreement or modification would reasonably be expected to (i) cause a breach under any agreement that includes Team Sponsorship Assets, (ii) eliminate, or substantially impair (i.e. effectively eliminate all or most of the value of) any physical Team Sponsorship Assets inventory in the Arena or (iii) limit or restrict the Knicks ability to include Team Sponsorship Assets in any exclusive or non-exclusive advertising or sponsorship agreements, in each case under clauses (i), (ii) or (iii), unless Licensor provides to the Knicks a replacement asset of equal or greater value (A) reasonably acceptable to the Knicks and (B) if such replacement is not permitted under such agreement, acceptable to the sponsor party to such agreement. The Knicks shall not enter into any agreement (and has not as of the Effective Date) that contains Arena Game Shared Sponsorship Assets or would cause a breach under any agreement that includes Arena Game Shared Sponsorship Assets without Licensors prior written approval. The Knicks shall be entitled to [*****]% of net revenue from the sale of Arena Game Shared Sponsorship Assets (the Knicks Arena Game Shared Sponsorships Share), i.e., gross revenue therefrom less any of the following paid by Licensor: taxes and applicable fees; and actual out-of-pocket costs for signage fabrication, installation and removal costs; provided that, if (a) an Arena Game Shared Sponsorship Asset is not visible, audible or otherwise present during substantially all Other Arena Events, (b) an Arena Game Shared Sponsorship Asset is not visible, audible or otherwise present for a similar length of time during Other Arena Events and Knicks Events, or (c) such Arena Game Shared Sponsorship Assets does not include substantially all Knicks Events, then, in each instance, the revenues shall be proportionally allocated to each event included in such agreement, in a reasonable manner and as mutually agreed by Licensor and the Knicks, and the Knicks shall receive the appropriate proportional amount of revenues attributable to the Knicks Events (e.g., treatment of the JP Morgan Club, as currently operated). In the event of a No Fault Occurrence, the Knicks Arena Game Shared Sponsorships Share shall be increased to [*****]% (and in the case of any proportional allocation of revenues pursuant to the proviso in the foregoing sentence, the Parties will agree on an appropriate increase in favor of the Knicks to such allocation).
Section 7.04 Non-Team Sponsorship Assets
(a) The Knicks shall have no rights whatsoever with respect to Non-Team Sponsorship Assets.
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Section 7.05 Arena Naming Rights
(a) The Knicks shall be entitled to [*****]% of revenue from the sale of any Arena Naming Rights, excluding any amounts already allocable to the Knicks pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise.
Section 7.06 Other Revenue
(a) The Parties shall discuss in good faith the allocation of other Advertising income, revenues and fees derived from operations at the Arena that are not otherwise provided herein, to the extent attributable to Knicks Events.
Section 7.07 Signage and Sponsorship Settlement Process
Licensor shall remit to the Knicks a cash payment equal to all amounts collected or received from the sale of Arena Game Shared Sponsorship Assets and Arena Naming Rights that the Knicks are entitled to under this ARTICLE VII in accordance with Section 9.06.
ARTICLE VIII
BROADCASTING
Section 8.01 Broadcast Rights and Facilities.
(a) As between the Parties, the Knicks shall own and control all rights with respect to the broadcasts and telecasts of each Knicks Event by any means whatsoever (including, without limitation, radio; over the air, pay-per-view, and basic and pay cable television; and streaming and other forms of electronic and digital media now known or hereafter created) (the Broadcast Rights) and shall retain all revenues in connection with such Broadcast Rights. Subject to League Rules, the Knicks may not authorize or purport to authorize their media rightsholder to include in telecasts or broadcasts of Home Games any virtual signage in the Restricted Signage Areas without the prior written consent of Licensor, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. For the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing sentence shall not apply to any League telecasts or broadcasts (including, without limitation, any national and international telecasts or broadcasts) or any visiting team telecasts or broadcasts, with respect to which the Knicks and Licensor each reserve all rights.
(b) Licensor shall ensure that the press areas, broadcast areas, playing surfaces, Team Areas and Common Areas continue to be wired or otherwise equipped throughout the Term for the production of such broadcasts and telecasts in accordance with League Rules.
(c) Licensor shall cooperate with the Knicks and provide access for the producers of such broadcasts and telecasts to such truck loading docks, camera positions, and other Arena facilities reasonably required for the production of such broadcasts and telecasts in accordance with League Rules, at the Knicks or its broadcasters expense. Subject to League Rules, Licensor shall cooperate with and provide access for broadcast and telecast producers acting on behalf of all other duly authorized parties (e.g., opposing teams and the NBA) at such games.
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(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Licensor retains the right to assign and reassign facilities, locations and spaces for the conduct of broadcasting in a manner consistent with League Rules; provided that Licensor will consult with the Knicks prior to any proposed changes to the locations and spaces for the conduct of broadcasting during Home Games. For example, and without limiting the previous sentence, Licensor is not obligated to continue to provide the courtside studio, or the studio facilities on the bridge level, in their current locations.
Section 8.02 Broadcast Renovations. At the Knicks written request, Licensor shall make such alterations to the Arenas broadcast facilities and equipment as are reasonably necessary to comply with League Rules, and any broadcast agreements between the Knicks and/or the League and a broadcaster, provided that the Knicks shall be responsible for any upfront and continuing costs related to such alterations.
ARTICLE IX
LICENSOR SERVICES
Section 9.01 General Services. During the Term, Licensor, at its sole cost and expense (except as otherwise expressly provided herein), shall provide the following services, to and for the benefit of the Knicks (and the Arena generally), each in accordance with the Standard (General Services), provided that the Parties shall regularly coordinate and discuss with one another the appropriate levels and quality of staffing, equipment and service and accommodate the others reasonable requests for adjustment thereto.
(a) Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning.
(b) Subject to unavailability due to causes beyond Licensors reasonable control, utilities, including electricity, gas, steam, chilled water, hot and cold water, lighting, sewer, Wi-Fi (or comparable data delivery pipeline or service) service accessible to Knicks employees and patrons during Knicks Events, telephone and intercommunications equipment, elevators, and escalators.
(c) Lighting equipment and apparatus, including as may be required by League Rules.
(d) Maintenance and repair of the Arena and all of its components in compliance with all applicable governmental laws, ordinances, and regulations and in clean and good condition, subject to ordinary wear and tear, subject to the Knicks obligation to pay for maintenance and repairs necessitated by Knicks Misuse.
(e) Twenty-four (24) hour per day, year-round protection and security of the Arena and all its facilities (including Team Areas), and all property of the Knicks and Knicks personnel located in the Arena.
(f) Reasonable grounds maintenance and snow and ice removal, including, but not limited to, keeping sidewalks and other areas immediately surrounding the Arena in compliance with all applicable governmental laws, ordinances, and regulations and reasonably free of snow, ice, debris, dirt, litter, and trash.
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(g) Box office services in accordance with Section 5.05(a).
(h) Repair and maintenance, in each case, in accordance with League Rules, of the playing surfaces and related equipment (including the court, baskets and basket stanchions), and all back-up equipment and to the Knicks reasonable satisfaction in accordance with League Rules, all such costs to be borne or reimbursed by the Knicks, except to the extent repair or replacement is necessitated by the negligence of Licensor or its agents or other parties permitted by Licensor to use the foregoing (e.g., college teams using basketball court), or required by League Rules.
(i) All other services and functions needed to operate, repair and maintain the Arena in accordance with the Standard, including pest control and obtaining and maintaining all necessary licenses and permits.
(j) Without limiting any of the foregoing, Licensor shall operate, maintain and improve the Arena in accordance with the Standard at all times throughout the Term.
Section 9.02 Game Day Services. In addition to the General Services provided pursuant to Section 9.01, Licensor shall provide to and for the benefit of the Knicks, the following day-of-game services on the dates of all Knicks Events, each in accordance with the Standard (Game Day Services), for which the Knicks shall reimburse Licensors actual out-of-pocket operating cost (except as otherwise provided in this Agreement (e.g., operation of Suites, Advertising, Concessions and General Services)) without markup or overhead, as the same may be adjusted pursuant to Section 9.04:
(a) Set-up of playing surfaces for the Knicks use on Home Dates (and for Other Knicks Events), by or before the time required in Section 4.02(a), in accordance with League Rules, and subject to the Knicks reasonable satisfaction.
(b) Operating in house broadcast production facilities in the Arena in accordance with Article VIII (currently known as GardenVision) at a level consistent with past practice, it being understood that the Knicks maintain exclusive rights and remain responsible for providing the direction and production of all game presentation elements.
(c) Operating the Arena during and cleaning up the Arena after, Home Games and Other Knicks Events, including the following event-specific personnel and their successors in name or function: security personnel, building security personnel, street patrol personnel (including supervisors), paid NYPD detail, anti-bomb canines and handlers, ushers, ticket takers, concourse Directors, elevator operators, restroom attendants, event office administrators, guest experience representatives, guest service supervisors, security supervisors, concourse supervisors, concourse managers, laborers/utility workers, carpenters, electricians, custodial porters, telecommunications technicians, spotlight operators and stagehands (as required based on the production elements for such Home Game or Other Knicks Event), and other necessary labor and third-party services, including overnight labor and supervisors, medical and emergency services staff or contractors and rubbish removal, all in a manner consistent with past practice, but not including game officials, referees, or timekeepers. The Knicks shall only be responsible for the costs relating to the foregoing personnel to the extent allocable to Home Games or Other Knicks Events.
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(d) If requested by the Knicks, Game Day box office personnel incremental to the staffing provided as General Services pursuant to Section 9.01(g) in a manner consistent with past practice.
(e) Any additional services reasonably requested by the Knicks in writing and approved by Licensor, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.
(f) With respect to all Game Day Services, all costs charged to the Knicks shall be nondiscriminatory and consistent with rates incurred by Licensor for all other events at the Arena.
Section 9.03 Delta Club and JP Morgan Club. During Knicks Events, the Knicks shall be permitted to provide certain ticketholders (subject to physical capacity constraints) with access to (a) the club currently known as the Delta Sky 360 Club and (b) the club currently known as the JP Morgan Club (collectively, the VIP Clubs). Ticketholders who have access to the VIP Clubs shall be entitled to a certain amount of complimentary food and beverage. The Knicks shall have the sole discretion in determining the price charged to ticketholders for access to, as well as the menu offered in, the VIP Clubs, and shall retain all revenues therefrom. Licensor shall operate the VIP Clubs in accordance with the Standard (the VIP Club Services), for which the Knicks shall reimburse Licensors actual cost, without markup or overhead, attributable to such Knicks Events.
Section 9.04 Staffing Levels for Certain Services.
(a) Schedule 9.04 sets forth the staffing levels for Game Day Services, VIP Club Services and Suite 200 for Home Games as of the 2019-20 Season. Licensor shall maintain substantially similar levels of staffing for all Home Games, provided that the Parties shall regularly coordinate and discuss with one another the appropriate levels of staffing and accommodate the others reasonable requests for adjustment thereto. Licensor shall be responsible for retaining, managing and supervising all personnel in Licensors provision of the General Services, Game Day Services VIP Club Services and Suite 200. Licensor shall use reasonable efforts to accommodate the Knicks reasonable requests with respect to the provision of all Game Day Services.
(b) Licensor shall not do or fail to do anything that will result in or will cause the Arena not being reasonably fit or otherwise available for use for Home Games in accordance with the League Rules as and when required to enable the Knicks to comply with its obligations under this Agreement.
Section 9.05 Budgeting and Estimates.
(a) Following reasonable consultation with the Knicks, Licensor shall provide the Knicks with reasonably detailed annual estimates of revenues and expenses by month and Home Game (the Annual Budget) related to Game Day Services, VIP Club Services, Suite 200 and any other revenues to be recouped and expenses to be paid by the Knicks under this Agreement (such costs and expenses, collectively, the Knicks Costs). The Annual Budget shall be provided
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at such times as may be reasonably required by the Knicks in accordance with the Knicks reasonable budgeting and forecasting processes. Upon receipt of the Annual Budget, the Knicks shall have a period of fifteen (15) days to review each estimate and forecast, and identify any objections it has to the Annual Budget. The Knicks and Licensor will then negotiate for a period of fifteen (15) days regarding any disagreements in respect of the Annual Budget. Subject to Section 9.05(b) below, if the Knicks and Licensor are unable to agree with respect to a particular cost within an Annual Budget within such period, the corresponding line item from the most recent approved Annual Budget will control with respect to such line item until such time, if any, that the Knicks and Licensor agree on such proposed line item; provided, that: (1) if such line item in the Annual Budget did not appear in the corresponding most recent approved Annual Budget, then Licensor shall not be entitled to payment or reimbursement for expenses in such line item and Licensor shall have no obligation to provide such product or service until the proposed line item is approved by the Knicks (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed); and (2) if such line item appeared in the prior Annual Budget, then Licensor shall be entitled to payment or reimbursement in an amount not to exceed the applicable line item of the prior approved Annual Budget multiplied by 104 %. The Annual Budget for the 2019-20 Contract Year is attached hereto.
(b) [*****]
(c) The Knicks Costs shall be consistent with the costs incurred for Other Arena Events, it being understood that costs will differ based on the nature and need of the events and circumstances outside of the reasonable control of Licensor (e.g., Force Majeure). The amount payable by the Knicks to Licensor for Game Day Services and VIP Club Services shall be determined on a monthly basis in accordance with Section 9.06. The Knicks consent shall be required for any deviation from the approved Annual Budget and, without such approval, the Knicks shall not be responsible for any costs or expenses in excess of such line items in the approved Annual Budget.
Section 9.06 Settlement.
(a) Not later than the fifteenth (15th) day of each calendar month, Licensor shall provide the Knicks a report (Monthly Report) calculating (i) each item of revenue (including any deductions therefrom) that is shared with or allocated or payable to the Knicks in accordance with this Agreement with respect to the immediately preceding calendar month and (ii) each item of cost or expense incurred by Licensor during the immediately preceding calendar month for which Licensor is entitled to payment or reimbursement (in whole or in part) from the Knicks in accordance with this Agreement (clauses (i) and (ii) collectively, the Applicable Amounts). Each Monthly Report shall include a reasonable amount of detail describing each of the Applicable Amounts and copies of ledgers, invoices or other reasonable evidence of each of the Applicable Amounts. Each Monthly Report delivered by Licensor to the Knicks shall set forth for each Joint Sponsorship Agreement during such Monthly Period, (x) the Revenues under such Joint Sponsorship Agreement allocated to the Knicks, on the one hand, and Licensor, on the other hand and (y) the Team entitlements (including Team Sponsorship Assets, Tickets, ticket banks, etc. provided to such Joint Sponsor) and Arena entitlements (including Non-Team Sponsorship Assets, Arena Game Shared Sponsorship Assets, Suites, etc. provided to such Joint Sponsor) contributed and their respective rate card values or fair market value (as applicable) under such Joint Sponsorship Agreement. Licensor shall pay the Knicks the net amount payable under each Monthly Report on or prior to the fifteenth (15th) day of each calendar month (i.e., the date in which the related Monthly Report is required to be provided to the Knicks).
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(b) Notwithstanding payment of the net amount under a Monthly Report, the Knicks may reasonably request additional information regarding such Monthly Report and the Licensor agrees to provide such additional information. The Knicks may dispute any amount in any Monthly Report, except for the License Fee and the percentage of the Knicks Tax Share (e.g., 50%). The Parties shall promptly confer to resolve any such areas of disagreement, and each Party shall be entitled to refer any disagreement that cannot be resolved to the Accounting Firm in accordance with Section 9.06(c). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the acceptance of a Monthly Report (or any portion thereof) and the payment of any amounts in accordance therewith shall be without prejudice to the Knicks rights to subsequently dispute any Applicable Amounts (including pursuant to Section 9.06(c) and Section 20.17). Licensor shall pay the Knicks any disputed amounts that it is determined to owe in a Monthly Report within five (5) business days after the dispute is resolved by the Parties or by the Accounting Firm in accordance with Section 9.06(c).
(c) Notwithstanding Section 20.06, in the event of a dispute between the Parties with respect to the determination of any Applicable Amounts, the Parties shall refer such disputed matters set forth in Sections 9.06(a) and 9.06(b) to a mutually agreed upon national independent accounting firm (the Accounting Firm), and the Parties shall cooperate with the Accounting Firm to enable such Accounting Firm to resolve the dispute as promptly as practicable. The Accounting Firm shall address only those items in dispute and may not assign a value greater than the greatest value for such item claimed by either Party or smaller than the smallest value for such item claimed by either Party. In the absence of manifest error, the resolution of disputed items by the Accounting Firm shall constitute an arbitral award that is final, binding and non-appealable. The costs and expenses of the Accounting Firm incurred pursuant to this Section 9.06 shall be borne by the Knicks, on the one hand, and the Licensor, on the other hand, in proportion to the allocation by the Accounting Firm of the net dollar amount of disputed matters, such that the prevailing party (or parties) pay a lesser proportion (or none, as applicable) of such costs and expenses.
(d) Licensor will use commercially reasonable efforts to maximize any revenues that are contractually payable to the Knicks hereunder, including using commercially reasonable efforts to collect such revenues. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if any revenue payable to a Party by an Affiliate of such Party is subject to sharing with the other Party hereunder (including, for example, pursuant to Section 5.03(c)), such revenue shall be deemed collected by the Party to whom it is payable on the earlier of (i) the date on which such revenue is actually collected and (ii) the date on which such revenue is payable pursuant to the terms of the applicable contract or other arrangement.
Section 9.07 Provision of Licensor Services.
(a) Licensor shall have the right to delegate, subcontract, or sublicense to a third party, including Licensors Affiliates, the provision of Licensor Services and no such delegation, subcontract or sublicense shall relieve Licensor of any of its obligations hereunder; provided that, Licensor shall be required to obtain consent of the Knicks (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) in connection with the delegation, subcontracting, or sublicensing of
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Licensor Services to any third party service providers that (i) do not or will not provide similar services during Other Arena Events or (ii) will provide, conduct or manage the majority of a particular material Licensor Service. Subject to the preceding sentence, Licensor shall make the final decision regarding the selection of any such third party.
(b) Licensor shall make reasonable efforts to minimize interference with the Knicks use of the Arena, and in no event shall Licensor materially interfere with the Knicks ability to conduct or broadcast Knicks Events or materially reduce or interfere with the Knicks permitted use of the Arena or ingress thereto or egress therefrom, subject to Licensors Arena safety and security protocols in accordance with Section 4.06(b).
(c) For clarity, as between Licensor and the Knicks, the Knicks shall have the right to fully control all Home Game entertainment and basketball operations (including scoreboard and audio operations), with assistance from Licensors production staff through the applicable General Services and/or Game Day Services.
ARTICLE X
PROMOTION; TRADEMARKS; DATA OWNERSHIP
Section 10.01 Promotional Outlets.
(a) [*****]
(b) [*****]
(c) [*****]
(d) At the commencement of the Term, Licensors use of the Knicks in-game and broadcast promotional outlets set forth in subparagraphs (a) and (b), and the Knicks use of the Licensor promotional outlets set forth in subparagraph (c), shall each be generally consistent with the allocations set forth on Schedule 10.01, provided that the Parties shall regularly coordinate and discuss with one another their desired promotional efforts, inventory availability and needs and shall accommodate the others reasonable requests for adjustment to the number and type of assets (including newly-developed assets) to which the other shall have access, and the manner in which they are used. It is understood and agreed that, to the extent that they remain affiliated entities, the Knicks and the Rangers may share the promotional assets granted to them pursuant to their respective license agreements with Licensor.
Section 10.02 Trademark Licenses.
(a) The Knicks hereby grant to Licensor for the Term non-exclusive royalty-free licenses by the Knicks and Team of all intellectual property owned or licensed by the Knicks or the Team, including but not limited to images, likenesses, service marks, tradenames and trademarks, for the exclusive purposes of promoting the Arena as the home arena of the Team, operating the Arena and providing the Licensor Services. Licensors use of such licenses shall be in accordance with and subject to League Rules and subject to the Knicks prior written approval. Licensor shall not have any right to sublicense, or seek or receive any payments from third parties
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specifically for the use of, the Knicks intellectual property, except in accordance with ARTICLE VII, it being understood that Licensor may exercise the right to promote the Arena as the home arena of the Team in places and in a manner that may also incorporate in an incidental manner promotion of Licensors marketing partners and sponsors (including, without limitation, use in connection with the Knicks intellectual property any overall Arena marketing partner(s) lock-up logo or naming rights, sponsored Licensor web pages and upcoming events promotions, etc.).
(b) The Knicks shall be permitted to reference the Arena as their home venue on all material promoting the Team and ticket sales (and the Ticket Agent). In connection therewith, Licensor and its Affiliates hereby grant to the Knicks a non-exclusive royalty-free license to use the trademarks MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, MSG, THE WORLDS MOST FAMOUS ARENA and related logos solely for such promotional purposes. The Knicks use of such licenses shall be subject to the Licensors prior written approval, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. The Knicks shall not have any right to sublicense, or seek or receive any payments from third parties specifically for the use of, Licensors intellectual property.
Section 10.03 Customer Data. [*****]
(a) [*****]
(b) [*****]
(c) [*****]
(d) Data Use and Sharing. Each Party shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, share their owned Customer Data with the other Party for use by the other Party and their affiliates, subject to the prior approval in each case by the Customer Data-owning Party, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed, provided, that any sale, licensing or disclosure to a third party of Customer Data owned by the other Party is subject to the prior written consent of the Customer Data-owning Party in their sole discretion. Each Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that all Customer Data is collected in such a manner that it may be shared with the other Party under this Section 10.03 and applicable law. For purposes of clarity, the Party that is the owner of Customer Data pursuant to this Section 10.03 or otherwise may use such data for any and all purposes, including the sale, licensing or disclosure of such data to third parties.
(e) Confidentiality and Data Protection. The Parties agree to establish appropriate safeguards to protect the confidentiality of shared Customer Data and to prevent unauthorized use or access. Specifically, each Party shall implement and maintain an information security management policy with standards that are no less rigorous than accepted industry practices, comply with all applicable laws to protect the Customer Data from unauthorized access, destruction, use, modification, or disclosure, as well as comply with the provisions of this Agreement. At a minimum, each Party shall implement physical, technical, and administrative information safeguards that provide for: (a) protection of business facilities, paper files, servers, computing equipment, including all mobile devices and other equipment with information storage capability, and backup systems containing Customer Data; (b) network, application (including databases), and platform security; (c) business systems designed to optimize security; (d) secure,
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encrypted transmission and secure, encrypted storage of Customer Data; (e) a minimum of two factor authentication and access control mechanisms; and (f) personnel security, including background checks on all such personnel, use of unique, robust passwords, and annual training on how to comply with a Partys physical, technical, and administrative information security safeguards. Each Party shall regularly test and monitor the effectiveness of their security practices and procedures relating to the Customer Data, and will evaluate and adjust their information security program in light of the results of the testing and monitoring, any material changes to their operations or business arrangements, or any other circumstances that a Party knows or reasonably should know may have a material effect on their information security program.
(f) The Parties shall also share with each other the results of fan and guest surveys, focus groups, etc. to the extent the information relates to guests experiences in connection with Home Games (including customer service, quality of Concessions, cleanliness, game presentation, arriving and departing, etc.).
ARTICLE XI
EXCLUSIVITY COVENANT
Section 11.01 Covenant. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, including Section 20.10 with respect to League Rules, the Knicks hereby agree that during the Term, the Team shall not play any Home Games in any location other than the Arena, except as provided in ARTICLE XII or Section 20.01; provided that if the Property Tax Exemption is no longer in effect, the Knicks may play up to two (2) Home Games each season at other locations outside of the New York metropolitan area in accordance with League Rules. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Knicks agree to fully comply with the obligations undertaken by its predecessor Madison Square Garden Center, Inc. under the Property Tax Exemption Agreement as the owner of the Team. Licensor agrees to fully comply and cause full compliance with all other obligations undertaken by its predecessor Madison Square Garden Center, Inc. under the Property Tax Exemption Agreement.
ARTICLE XII
CASUALTY AND CONDEMNATION
Section 12.01 Termination or Restoration Due to Condemnation.
(a) In the event that title to all or substantially all of the Arena or the right of Licensor to occupy or possess all or substantially all of the Arena shall be taken by Condemnation (a Total Taking), Licensor shall provide prompt notice of such Total Taking to the Knicks, and, except in the case of a Temporary Taking, this Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force upon the earlier of (i) the date when the possession of all or such substantial portion of the Arena or right so taken shall be required for such use or purpose or (b) the effective date of the Total Taking.
(b) In the event of a Condemnation other than a Total Taking, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect; provided, however, that if any such Condemnation results
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in an Untenantable Condition (including for this purpose a Temporary Taking that results in an Untenantable Condition for a period in excess of (i) [*****], or (ii) in the case of any such Temporary Taking that occurs during the last five (5) Contract Years of the Term, [*****]) then each Party shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to terminate this Agreement by notice to the other given within 30 days after the date of the Knicks receipt of the Estimate (as defined in Section 12.05(a)) with respect to such Condemnation, without any further liability hereunder, except for any liability hereunder which, by the specific terms of this Agreement survives termination; provided further, however, that neither Party shall have such termination right if (x) the then applicable legal requirements, zoning laws, building regulations and other governmental or quasi-governmental ordinances, rules or regulations (collectively, Governmental Rules) do not prohibit or materially restrict the performance of the Condemnation Restoration Work (as defined in Section 12.01(c)), (y) the Estimated Date (as defined in Section 12.05(a)) with respect to such Condemnation shall be a date that occurs on or before the date that is (i) [*****] after the date of such Condemnation, or (ii) in the case of any such Condemnation that occurs during the last five (5) Contract Years of the Term, [*****] after the date of such Condemnation and (z) the remaining portions of the Arena can be restored in a manner as shall satisfy the requirements of the definition of Condemnation Restoration Work. Further, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the foregoing, if the Estimated Restoration Cost with respect to such Condemnation exceeds [*****]% of the full replacement value of the portions of the Arena that are not subject to such Condemnation, then Licensor shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to terminate this Agreement by notice to the Knicks given within 90 days after the date of the Knicks receipt of the Estimate with respect to such Condemnation, without any further liability hereunder, except for any liability hereunder which, by the specific terms of this Agreement survives termination. If either Party terminates this Agreement as provided in this Section 12.01(b), then such termination shall be effective on the date specified in such Partys notice of termination, but no earlier than thirty (30) days after the date of such notice and no later than one hundred eighty (180) days after the date of such notice, as if said date were the date fixed for the expiration of the Term
(c) If neither party has the right to terminate this Agreement, or if neither party shall timely elect to terminate this Agreement, as provided in paragraph (b) above, Licensor shall, at its sole cost and expense, commence as soon as reasonably practicable and with reasonable diligence proceed to perform the work (the Condemnation Restoration Work) to and repair and restore the part of the Arena not taken to an architecturally complete unit and, to the extent commercially practicable, to substantially its former condition, as and to the extent necessary to remedy the Untenantable Condition, using materials, equipment and construction techniques which are common at the time of such Condemnation and with such changes as may be required by then applicable Governmental Rules or that Licensor may otherwise deem appropriate in each case, in a manner consistent with and as necessary to maintain the Standard; it being agreed, however, that Licensor shall be required to obtain the prior written consent of the Knicks to any changes that are not required by then applicable Governmental Rules and that could materially adversely impact the Knicks rights or obligations under this Agreement. Licensor shall (i) keep the Knicks reasonably apprised of the progress and the estimated date of completion of the Condemnation Restoration Work, and (ii) provide such information as may be reasonably requested by the Knicks from time to time with respect to the progress of such Condemnation Restoration Work. Licensor shall use commercially reasonable efforts (which shall not require Licensor to employ overtime labor or otherwise incur overtime charges) to substantially complete
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such Condemnation Restoration Work as soon as commercially practicable, but in all events, on or before the Condemnation Outside Date (as defined in Section 12.01(d)) applicable to such Condemnation (it being agreed that the Knicks sole remedy on account of Licensors failure to substantially complete such Condemnation Restoration Work shall be the rights of the Knicks to terminate this Agreement as provided in paragraphs 12.01(d) and 12.05(b)(iv) below). The Condemnation Restoration Work shall not include the repair and restoration of any of the trade fixtures, personal property or equipment of the Knicks (all of which the Knicks shall repair and restore at its sole cost and expense).
(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Knicks shall have the right to terminate this Agreement (without any further liability hereunder, except for any liability hereunder which, by the specific terms of this Agreement survives termination) if the Condemnation Restoration Work required as a result of such Condemnation is not substantially completed by the Condemnation Outside Date applicable to such Condemnation (as such Condemnation Outside Date is postponed pursuant to the below provisions of this Section 12.01(d)), which right may be exercised by the Knicks upon written notice to Licensor given within thirty (30) days after such applicable Condemnation Outside Date but before the substantial completion of the Condemnation Restoration Work; provided, however, that if a Final Revised Estimated Date for such Condemnation shall have been determined pursuant to Section 12.05(b) below, then the Knicks shall have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 12.01(d) (without any further liability hereunder, except for any liability hereunder which, by the specific terms of this Agreement survives termination) only if the Condemnation Restoration Work is not substantially completed by the later to occur of the Condemnation Outside Date applicable to such Condemnation (as such Condemnation Outside Date is postponed pursuant to the below provisions of this Section 12.01(d)) and such Final Revised Estimated Date, which right may be exercised by the Knicks upon written notice to Licensor given within thirty (30) days after the later to occur of such Condemnation Outside Date and such Final Revised Estimated Date, but before the substantial completion of the Condemnation Restoration Work. If Licensor has not completed the Condemnation Restoration Work prior to the date that is [*****] after the giving of such notice by the Knicks (which date shall be postponed by one day for each day that Licensor is actually delayed in substantially completing the Condemnation Restoration Work by (i) any acts or omissions of the Knicks, the League or their respective agents, employees or contractors or (ii) any one or more events of Force Majeure (provided that the maximum period such date shall be postponed due to events of Force Majeure is an additional [*****])), then this Agreement shall be terminated automatically effective as of such date, without any further liability hereunder, except for any liability hereunder which, by the specific terms of this Agreement survives termination. For all purposes hereof, the Condemnation Outside Date applicable to any Condemnation shall be determined as follows:
(w) If the Estimate with respect to the Condemnation Restoration Work required as a result of such Condemnation provides for an Estimated Date that will occur on or prior to the [*****] after the date of such Condemnation, then the Condemnation Outside Date applicable to such Condemnation shall be the date that is [*****] following such Estimated Date; provided, however, that such date shall be postponed by one day for each day that Licensor is actually delayed in substantially completing the Condemnation Restoration Work by (i) any acts or omissions of the Knicks, the League or their respective agents, employees or contractors or (ii) any one or more events of Force Majeure (provided that the maximum period such Condemnation Outside Date shall be postponed due to events of Force Majeure is an additional [*****]).
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(x) If the Estimate with respect to the Condemnation Restoration Work required as a result of such Condemnation provides for an Estimated Date that will occur during the period commencing on the [*****] after the date of such Condemnation and ending on the [*****] after the date of such Condemnation, then the Condemnation Outside Date applicable to such Condemnation shall be the date that is [*****] following such Estimated Date; provided, however, that such date shall be postponed by one day for each day that Licensor is actually delayed in substantially completing the Condemnation Restoration Work by (i) any acts or omissions of the Knicks, the League or their respective agents, employees or contractors or (ii) any one or more events of Force Majeure (provided that the maximum period such Condemnation Outside Date shall be postponed due to events of Force Majeure is an additional [*****]).
(y) If the Estimate with respect to the Condemnation Restoration Work required as a result of such Condemnation provides for an Estimated Date that will occur during the period commencing on the [*****] after the date of such Condemnation and ending on the [*****] after the date of such Condemnation, then the Condemnation Outside Date applicable to such Condemnation shall be the date that is [*****] following such Estimated Date; provided, however, that such date shall be postponed by one day for each day that Licensor is actually delayed in substantially completing the Condemnation Restoration Work by (i) any acts or omissions of the Knicks, the League or their respective agents, employees or contractors or (ii) any one or more events of Force Majeure (provided that the maximum period such Condemnation Outside Date shall be postponed due to events of Force Majeure is an additional [*****]).
(z) If the Estimate with respect to the Condemnation Restoration Work required as a result of such Condemnation provides for an Estimated Date that will occur on or after the [*****] following the date of such Condemnation, then the Condemnation Outside Date applicable to such Condemnation shall be the date that is [*****] following such Estimated Date; provided, however, that such date shall be postponed by one day for each day that Licensor is actually delayed in substantially completing the Condemnation Restoration Work by (i) any acts or omissions of the Knicks, the League or their respective agents, employees or contractors or (ii) any one or more events of Force Majeure (provided that the maximum period such Condemnation Outside Date shall be postponed due to events of Force Majeure is an additional [*****]).
Section 12.02 Termination or Restoration Due to Casualty.
(a) If all or any material portion of the Arena is damaged or destroyed by Casualty such that an Untenantable Condition exists (each, a Total Casualty), and the Estimate with respect to such Casualty delivered pursuant to Section 12.05 below indicates that the Casualty Restoration Work (defined below) would not reasonably be expected to be substantially completed (i) within 24 months after the occurrence of such Casualty, or (ii) in the case of any Casualty that occurs during the last five (5) Contract Years of the Term, within 12 months after the occurrence of such Casualty, then the Knicks shall have the right to terminate this Agreement without any
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further liability hereunder, except for any liability hereunder which, by the specific terms of this Agreement survives termination. If the Knicks wish to exercise such right of termination, it shall do so by notice to Licensor given not later than the date that is thirty (30) days after the date of the Estimate with respect to such Casualty under Section 12.05.
(b) In the event there shall occur a Total Casualty and (i) Licensor is prohibited or materially restricted by then applicable Governmental Rules from performing the Casualty Restoration Work, or (ii) the Estimate with respect to such Casualty indicates that the Casualty Restoration Work would not reasonably be expected to be substantially completed (x) within [*****] after the occurrence of such Casualty, or (y) in the case of any Casualty that occurs during the last five (5) Contract Years of the Term, within [*****] after the occurrence of such Casualty, or (iii) the Estimated Restoration Cost with respect to such Casualty exceeds [*****]% of the full replacement value of the Arena immediately prior to such Casualty, then, and in any of such events, Licensor shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to terminate this Agreement without any further liability hereunder, except for any liability hereunder which, by the specific terms of this Agreement survives termination. If Licensor wishes to exercise such right of termination, it shall do so by notice to the Knicks given not later than the date that is thirty (30) days after the date of the Estimate with respect to such Casualty under Section 12.05. If either Party terminates this Agreement as provided in this Section 12.02(b) or in Section 12.02(a) above, then such termination shall be effective on the date specified in such Partys notice of termination, but no earlier than thirty (30) days after the date of such notice and no later than one hundred eighty (180) days after the date of such notice, as if said date were the date fixed for the expiration of the Term
(c) In the event of a Casualty with respect to which neither party has the right to terminate this Agreement, or neither party timely elects to terminate this Agreement, pursuant to paragraphs (a) or (b) above, Licensor shall, at its sole cost and expense, commence as soon as reasonably practicable and with reasonable diligence proceed to perform the work (the Casualty Restoration Work) to repair and restore the Arena to substantially its former condition, as and to the extent necessary to remedy the Untenantable Condition, using materials, equipment and construction techniques which are common at the time of such Casualty and with such changes as may be required by then applicable Governmental Rules or that Licensor may deem appropriate, in each case, in a manner consistent with and as necessary to maintain the Standard; it being agreed, however, that Licensor shall be required to obtain the prior written consent of the Knicks to any changes that are not required by then applicable Governmental Rules and that could materially adversely impact the Knicks rights or obligations under this Agreement. Licensor shall (i) keep the Knicks reasonably apprised of the progress and the estimated date of completion of the Casualty Restoration Work, and (ii) provide such information as may be reasonably requested by the Knicks from time to time with respect to the progress of the Casualty Restoration Work. Licensor shall use commercially reasonable efforts (which shall not require Licensor to employ overtime labor or otherwise incur overtime charges) to substantially complete such Casualty Restoration Work as soon as commercially practicable, but in all events, on or before the Casualty Outside Date (as defined in Section 12.02(d)) applicable to such Casualty (it being agreed that the Knicks sole remedy on account of Licensors failure to substantially complete such Casualty Restoration Work shall be the rights of the Knicks to terminate this Agreement as provided in Section 12.02(d) and 12.05(b)(iv) below). The Casualty Restoration Work shall not include the repair and restoration of any of the trade fixtures, personal property or equipment of the Knicks (all of which the Knicks shall repair and restore at its sole cost and expense).
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(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Knicks shall have the right to terminate this Agreement (without any further liability hereunder, except for any liability hereunder which, by the specific terms of this Agreement survives termination) if the Casualty Restoration Work required as a result of such Casualty shall not be substantially completed by the Casualty Outside Date applicable to such Casualty (as such Casualty Outside Date is postponed pursuant to the below provisions of this Section 12.02(d)), which right may be exercised by the Knicks upon written notice to Licensor given within thirty (30) days after such applicable Casualty Outside Date but before the substantial completion of the Casualty Restoration Work; provided, however, that if a Final Revised Estimated Date for such Casualty shall have been determined pursuant to Section 12.05(b) below, then the Knicks shall have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 12.02(d) (without any further liability hereunder, except for any liability hereunder which, by the specific terms of this Agreement survives termination) only if the Casualty Restoration Work is not substantially completed by the later to occur of the Casualty Outside Date applicable to such Casualty (as such Casualty Outside Date is postponed pursuant to the below provisions of this Section 12.02(d)) and such Final Revised Estimated Date for such Casualty, which right may be exercised by the Knicks upon written notice to Licensor given within thirty (30) days after the later to occur of such Casualty Outside Date and such Final Revised Estimated Date but before the substantial completion of the Casualty Restoration Work. If Licensor has not completed the Casualty Restoration Work prior to the date that is [*****] after the giving of such notice by the Knicks (which date shall be postponed by one day for each day that Licensor is actually delayed in substantially completing the Casualty Restoration Work by (i) any acts or omissions of the Knicks, the League or their respective agents, employees or contractors or (ii) any one or more events of Force Majeure (provided that the maximum period such date shall be postponed due to events of Force Majeure is an additional [*****])), then this Agreement shall be terminated automatically effective as of such date, without any further liability hereunder, except for any liability hereunder which, by the specific terms of this Agreement survives termination. For all purposes hereof, the Casualty Outside Date applicable to any Casualty shall be determined as follows:
(w) If the Estimate with respect to the Casualty Restoration Work required as a result of such Casualty provides for an Estimated Date that will occur on or prior to the [*****] after the date of such Casualty, then the Casualty Outside Date applicable to such Casualty shall be the date that is [*****] following such Estimated Date; provided, however, that such date shall be postponed by one day for each day that Licensor is actually delayed in substantially completing the Casualty Restoration Work by (i) any acts or omissions of the Knicks, the League or their respective agents, employees or contractors or (ii) any one or more events of Force Majeure (provided that the maximum period such Casualty Outside Date shall be postponed due to events of Force Majeure is an additional [*****]).
(x) If the Estimate with respect to the Casualty Restoration Work required as a result of such Casualty provides for an Estimated Date that will occur during the period commencing on the [*****] after the date of such Casualty and ending on the [*****] after the date of such Casualty, then the Casualty Outside Date applicable to such Casualty shall be the date that is [*****] following such Estimated Date; provided, however, that such date shall be
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postponed by one day for each day that Licensor is actually delayed in substantially completing the Casualty Restoration Work by (i) any acts or omissions of the Knicks, the League or their respective agents, employees or contractors or (ii) any one or more events of Force Majeure (provided that the maximum period such Casualty Outside Date shall be postponed due to events of Force Majeure is an additional [*****]).
(y) If the Estimate with respect to the Casualty Restoration Work required as a result of such Casualty provides for an Estimated Date that will occur during the period commencing on the [*****] after the date of such Casualty and ending on the [*****] after the date of such Casualty, then the Casualty Outside Date applicable to such Casualty shall be the date that is [*****] following such Estimated Date; provided, however, that such date shall be postponed by one day for each day that Licensor is actually delayed in substantially completing the Casualty Restoration Work by (i) any acts or omissions of the Knicks, the League or their respective agents, employees or contractors or (ii) any one or more events of Force Majeure (provided that the maximum period such Casualty Outside Date shall be postponed due to events of Force Majeure is an additional [*****]).
(z) If the Estimate with respect to the Casualty Restoration Work required as a result of such Casualty provides for an Estimated Date that will occur on or after the [*****] following the date of such Casualty, then the Casualty Outside Date applicable to such Casualty shall be the date that is [*****] following such Estimated Date; provided, however, that such date shall be postponed by one day for each day that Licensor is actually delayed in substantially completing the Casualty Restoration Work by (i) any acts or omissions of the Knicks, the League or their respective agents, employees or contractors or (ii) any one or more events of Force Majeure (provided that the maximum period such Casualty Outside Date shall be postponed due to events of Force Majeure is an additional [*****]).
Section 12.03 Condemnation Proceeding and Awards. Upon commencement of any Condemnation action or proceeding, Licensor and the Knicks shall cooperate with each other, and provide each other with such information and assistance, as each shall reasonably request in connection therewith. Licensor and the Knicks each shall have the right, at its own expense, to appear and to participate in any and all hearings, trials and appeals relating thereto even if this Agreement has been terminated. Subject to the other provisions of this Section 12.03, in any Condemnation (x) the Knicks shall have the right to assert a claim against the condemning authority for, and receive from the condemning authority, all Condemnation Awards for, (i) any damage to the Knicks business or any loss in value of any of the rights granted to the Knicks under this Agreement (if applicable, as if this Agreement had not been terminated), (ii) the value of any of the Knicks personal property (tangible or intangible) taken or damaged as result of the Condemnation, (iii) any relocation costs of the Knicks business, and (iv) any other damages to which the Knicks may be entitled under any applicable law, ordinance, order or regulation, and (y) Licensor shall have the right to assert a claim against the condemning authority for, and receive from the condemning authority, all Condemnation Awards for, (i) the loss in value of its ownership
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of and rights in and to the Arena and its other property (tangible and intangible), (ii) any damage to, or relocation costs of, Licensors business, and (iii) any other damages to which Licensor may be entitled under any applicable law, ordinance, order or regulation. The Parties shall request that all Condemnation Awards be specifically allocated by the applicable condemning authority (it being agreed that Licensor may direct that any such awards allocated to Licensor be paid to any Superior Interest Holder designated by Licensor for such purpose). If any Condemnation Award is not specifically allocated between the Parties by the applicable condemning authority, the Condemnation Award shall be equitably allocated and distributed to Licensor and the Knicks in such manner as the Parties shall mutually agree.
Section 12.04 Temporary Taking. If the whole or any part of the Arena or the right of Licensor to occupy or possess the whole or any part of the Arena shall be taken in any Condemnation for a temporary use or occupancy not to exceed an aggregate of [*****], or in the case of any such Condemnation that occurs during the last five (5) Contract Years of the Term, [*****] (a Temporary Taking), the Term shall not be reduced, extended or affected in any way, and neither Licensor nor the Knicks shall be relieved of its obligations under this Agreement, except that (a) the Knicks shall have the right to make a claim against the condemning authority for, and receive from the condemning authority and retain, an award of any damages sustained by the Knicks as a result of such Temporary Taking, and (b) the Knicks obligation to pay the License Fee shall be abated during periods that the Arena is unavailable to the Knicks for the playing of Home Games in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
Section 12.05 Inability to Timely Restore; Estimate of Time and Cost to Restore.
(a) The determination of the estimated time and costs that are reasonably expected to be necessary to perform and substantially complete any Condemnation Restoration Work or any Casualty Restoration Work shall be made by an independent architect or construction manager that is experienced in arena construction projects, well-regarded in the industry and selected by Licensor and reasonably approved by the Knicks. In the event of any Condemnation or Casualty resulting in an Untenantable Condition, Licensor shall furnish to the Knicks an estimate (the Estimate), prepared and certified by such independent architect or construction manager (the Estimator) of (i) the estimated date (the Estimated Date) by which the Condemnation Restoration Work or Casualty Restoration Work, as the case may be, will be substantially completed and (ii) the estimated cost (the Estimated Restoration Cost) to perform the Condemnation Restoration Work or Casualty Restoration Work, as the case may be. Licensor shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such independent architect or construction manager to make its determination as soon as reasonably practicable (and, in the case of a Casualty, no later than [*****] after the date of such Casualty) and will deliver the Estimate to the Knicks promptly upon Licensors receipt thereof.
(b) (i) If, during the performance of the Condemnation Restoration Work or the Casualty Restoration Work required as a result of any Condemnation or Casualty, the Knicks reasonably believe that the substantial completion of such Condemnation Restoration Work or such Casualty Restoration Work, as the case may be, will not, absent extraordinary efforts that Licensor does not agree (if not already obligated to take pursuant to this Agreement), be achieved by the applicable Condemnation Outside Date or applicable Casualty Outside Date therefor (as such Condemnation Outside Date or such Casualty Outside Date may have theretofore been
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postponed pursuant to the provisions of Section 12.01(d) or Section 12.02(d) above, respectively), then the Knicks, by notice given to Licensor and the Estimator, shall have the right (not to be exercised more than once in any six (6) month period) with respect to such Condemnation or such Casualty to request that the Estimator determine the estimated date (the Revised Estimated Date) by which such Condemnation Restoration Work or such Casualty Restoration Work, as the case may be, is then reasonably expected to be substantially completed.
(ii) If the Knicks give such notice pursuant to Section 12.05(b)(i) above, then Licensor, within ten (10) business days after its receipt of such notice, shall have the right to submit to the Knicks and to the Estimator a notice that (x) sets forth any information that Licensor reasonably believes is relevant to the determination of the Revised Estimated Date and/or (y) indicates the measures that Licensor intends and agrees to implement in an effort to cause the substantial completion of such Condemnation Restoration Work or such Casualty Restoration Work, as the case may be, to be achieved by the applicable Condemnation Outside Date or the applicable Casualty Outside Date (as such Condemnation Outside Date or such Casualty Outside Date may have theretofore been postponed pursuant to the provisions of Section 12.01(d) or Section 12.02(d) above, respectively). Within ten (10) business days after the Knicks receipt of Licensors notice (or, if Licensor does not give such notice, within twenty (20) business days after Licensors receipt of the Knicks notice given pursuant to Section 12.05(b)(i) above), the Knicks shall have the right to submit to Licensor and the Estimator a notice that sets forth any information that the Knicks reasonably believes is relevant to the determination of the Revised Estimated Date. In determining the Revised Estimated Date, the Estimator shall take into consideration all information and measures set forth in any notices provided by the Parties pursuant to the two immediately preceding sentences, as well as all other relevant factors. Licensor shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Estimator to make its determination of the Revised Estimated Date as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt of the Knicks notice given pursuant to Section 12.05(b)(i) above and the notices which each Party is entitled to deliver pursuant to this Section 12.05(b)(ii), and Licensor shall deliver such determination of the Revised Estimated Date to the Knicks promptly upon Licensors receipt thereof.
(iii) Each Party shall have the option (the Review Option), exercised by notice given to the other within ten (10) business days after Licensor delivers to the Knicks the Estimators determination of the Revised Estimated Date, to require that the Estimators determination of the Revised Estimated Date be reviewed by another independent architect or construction manager that is experienced in arena construction projects, well-regarded in the industry and mutually selected by the Parties (the Second Estimator). If the Parties are unable to mutually select the Second Estimator within ten (10) business days after the giving of a notice exercising the Review Option, then either Licensor or the Knicks, by giving ten (10) days notice to the other, shall have the right to request that the presiding judge of the lowest level court of general jurisdiction for the district in which the Arena is located select the Second Estimator. Licensor shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Second Estimator, as soon as reasonably practicable after the selection thereof, to (x) review the Estimators determination of the Revised Estimated Date, (y) make its own determination of the Revised Estimated Date (which determination shall be made in accordance with the provisions of Section 12.05 (b)(ii) above) and (z) deliver to Licensor written notice indicating whether the Second Estimator agrees with the determination of the Estimator and, if not, setting forth the Second Estimators determination of the Revised Estimated Date. For all purposes of this Agreement, the Final Revised Estimated
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Date shall mean either (a) the Revised Estimated Date determined by the Estimator, if neither Party timely exercises the Review Option or if a Party exercises the Review Option and the Second Estimator agrees with the Estimators determination of the Revised Estimated Date; or (b) the Revised Estimated Date determined by the Second Estimator, if a Party exercises the Review Option and the Second Estimator disagrees with the Estimators determination of the Revised Estimated Date and therefore issues its own determination of the Revised Estimated Date. Licensor shall deliver the Second Estimators written notice to the Knicks promptly upon Licensors receipt thereof. The fees and expenses of the Estimator and the Second Estimator for the exercise set forth in this Section 12.05(b)(iii) and in Section 12.05(b)(ii) above shall be borne equally by Licensor and the Knicks.
(iv) If the Final Revised Estimated Date with respect to any Condemnation or Casualty is later than the date that is 365 days after the applicable Condemnation Outside Date or applicable Casualty Outside Date therefor (each of which, for purposes of this paragraph (iv), shall be deemed to be such applicable Condemnation Outside Date or such applicable Casualty Outside as postponed by the maximum number of days by which same may be postponed due to events of Force Majeure pursuant to Section 12.01(d) or Section 12.02(d) above, respectively), then the Knicks shall have the right to terminate this Agreement without any further liability hereunder, except for any liability hereunder which, by the specific terms of this Agreement survives termination. If the Knicks wish to exercise such right of termination, then it shall do so by notice to Licensor given not later than the date that is sixty (60) days after the date on which the Final Revised Estimated Date is determined (it being agreed that the Final Revised Estimated Date shall be deemed determined either as of the date on which the Parties right to exercise the Review Option shall have lapsed or, if a Party timely exercises the Review Option, as of the date on which the Second Estimators notice of determination is given to the Knicks). If the Knicks terminate this Agreement as provided in this Section 12.05(b)(iv), then such termination shall be effective on the date specified in the Knicks notice of termination, but no earlier than thirty (30) days after the date of such notice and no later than one hundred eighty (180) days after the date of such notice, as if said date were the date fixed for the expiration of the Term.
Section 12.06 Replacement Arena; Rent Abatement. In the event of the occurrence of a Condemnation or Casualty that results in an Untenantable Condition but does not result in termination of this Agreement, the Knicks, during the continuance of such Untenantable Condition, shall have the right to use an alternate site for Knicks Events while the Arena is being restored, provided such use fully complies with the requirements of Paragraph 6 of the Property Tax Exemption Agreement, and the Knicks obligation to pay the License Fee shall be abated during such periods in accordance with Section 20.01.
Section 12.07 Intention of the Parties. The provisions of this Article XII shall be deemed an express agreement governing any case of the Arena or any portion thereof becoming untenantable or unfit for occupancy, and Section 227 of the Real Property Law of the State of New York, providing for such contingency in the absence of an express agreement, and any other legal requirements of like import, now or hereafter in force, shall have no application in such case and are expressly waived by the Parties.
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ARTICLE XIII
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 13.01 General Indemnification
(a) To the extent permitted by applicable law, and subject to any valid and collectible insurance, Licensor and the Knicks shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the other and its current and future Affiliates, and each of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, successors and assigns from and against any and all claims, liability, loss, damages (whether actual, incidental, consequential, punitive or otherwise), judgments, settlement expenses, cost and expenses whatsoever, including court costs, reasonable attorneys fees and related disbursements, with regard to any action, cause of action or claim of any nature (each, a Loss), in any way arising out of or related to (i) the indemnifying Partys acts or omissions in or about the Arena (except to the extent caused by the indemnified Partys negligence or misconduct); (ii) the indemnifying Partys failure to fulfill any duty or obligation hereunder or to comply with applicable law or the obligations applicable to the indemnifying Party in the [*****]; or (iii) the indemnifying Partys breach of any representations, warranties or covenants contained in this Agreement. Each Partys indemnity hereunder shall include the acts and omissions of its contractors, licensees, agents and employees.
(b) Without limiting the provisions of Subparagraph 13.01(a), Licensor and the Knicks indemnify the other party for any damage to the property (whether in or about the Arena) of the other party caused by the acts or omissions of the indemnifying partys contractors, licensees, agents, employees and invitees, limited however (for purposes of clarity), in the case of the Knicks, to Knicks Misuse. All repairs to the damaged property of Licensor shall be made by firm(s) designated by Licensor.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, for so long as Licensor and the Knicks are under common control, the Parties intend for all Losses to be covered, consistent with past practice and the terms and conditions of the applicable insurance policies, by the NBAs master insurance program for the benefit of teams, whether such Loss was caused by Licensor, the Knicks or any third party (including any ticketholders).
Section 13.02 Notice of Claims and Rights to Defend and Settle Claims. The indemnified Party agrees to serve the indemnifying Party with prompt written notice of any claims which could give rise to the indemnifying Partys indemnity hereunder, and the indemnifying Party and its insurance carrier(s) shall have the right to defend such claims with counsel of their choosing. The indemnified Party shall not settle any claim without the indemnifying Partys (or its insurers) prior written consent, not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
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ARTICLE XIV
INSURANCE AND SUBROGATION
Section 14.01 Knicks Insurance Coverage. The Knicks shall, from and after the Commencement Date, maintain at its expense in force the following minimum insurance:
(a) Property insurance for the full one hundred percent (100%) of replacement cost of all of the Knicks equipment, improvements, and betterments owned by the Knicks, literary or musical material, and all other properties and materials owned, rented or brought onto the premises by the Knicks. Coverage shall be on an All Risk of physical loss or damage basis and shall include business interruption coverage in reasonable and customary amounts with customary deductibles and coinsurance against physical loss or damage or destruction from such perils;
(b) Commercial general liability insurance covering against bodily injury and property damage having a limit of not less than $[*****] for each occurrence and a limit of not less than $[*****] in the aggregate for each occurrence. Coverages shall be in accordance with the ISO form or equivalent, for response to any occurrence in and about the Arena in connection with any Knicks Event and covering the Knicks contractual liability for indemnification under this Agreement, including but not limited to Section 4.07 and Article XIII herein. Such insurance shall include, but not be limited to, premises operations, products and completed operations, personal injury, advertising injury and independent contractors and containing provisions for separation of insureds or severability of interests. Coverage under the Knicks policy shall be on a primary and non-contributory basis with any insurance available to Licensor for claims arising in connection with Knicks operations. The Knicks GL Policy shall be in such amount and with such policy limits so that the coverage and limits are adequate to maintain the Knicks Excess/Umbrella Policy without gaps in coverage between the Knicks GL Policy and the Knicks Excess/Umbrella Policy;
(c) Liquor liability insurance coverage having limits of not less than $[*****] for each common cause and in the aggregate;
(d) Automobile liability insurance coverage with a combined single limit of no less than $[*****];
(e) Employers liability insurance with the following minimum limits: bodily injury by accident $[*****] each accident; bodily injury by disease $[*****] policy limit and $[*****] each employee;
(f) Umbrella or excess liability coverage, following the terms, conditions, and extensions of coverages, to apply over and above the primary coverages in subsections (b), (c) and (d) and (e), in an amount not less than $[*****] in the aggregate;
(g) Statutory workers compensation coverage;
(h) Employment practices liability insurance with minimum limits of $[*****];
(i) Broad-form Media liability insurance with limits of no less than $[*****] per claim/$[*****] aggregate; and
(j) Disability insurance as required by the State of New York.
(k) The insurance referred to in this Section 14.01, with the exception of property insurance, workers compensation and employers liability coverage, shall name Licensor and its Affiliates and mortgagees, and each of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, successors and assigns, and any other parties designated by Licensor, as additional
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insureds. Licensor shall also have the right to require the Knicks, from time to time, to increase the scope and limits of any insurance coverage required to be carried herein, so long as such increase is commercially reasonable under the circumstances.
Section 14.02 Knicks Insurance Requirements.
(a) The Knicks shall, at its own expense, obtain and maintain during the Term and for three (3) years thereafter, policies of insurance as required herein written by an insurance carrier(s) reasonably acceptable to Licensor that is/are authorized to do business in the State of New York, rated A VII or better in the most current edition of A.M. Bests Insurance Report (or if such report shall cease to be published, such comparable rating system as reasonably determined by Licensor), and with deductible and self-insurance retention amounts that are not in excess of amounts which are commercially reasonable under the circumstances (except that in the event that any maximum deductible or self-insurance retention amounts are mandated either by law, such mandated maximum amounts shall not be exceeded regardless of whether higher amounts may be commercially reasonable under the circumstances).
(b) In the event of cancellation of any policies, the applicable carrier shall provide at least thirty (30) days advance written notice of same to the additional insureds described in Section 14.01. If the policies cannot be amended to provide for such cancellation, the Knicks agree to provide written notice of cancellation as described herein.
(c) In the event that Licensor is in receipt of such notice of non-payment and/or cancellation, Licensor shall have the right, but not the obligation, to pay for any commercially reasonable costs and expenses which shall be required to maintain or reinstate such insurance, and to charge the Knicks for any and all expenses incurred in connection therewith.
Section 14.03 Knicks Certificates of Insurance. The Knicks shall provide Licensor with appropriate evidence of insurance setting forth the required coverages not later than ten (10) days prior to the date on which such coverage is required to be obtained hereunder. For each consecutive year, the Knicks shall provide appropriate evidence of insurance no later than ten (10) days before the policies are required to be renewed. At the request of Licensor, the Knicks shall obtain, release, and forward duplicate original copies of any policy or policies for review by Licensor or its agent to determine if all insurance requirements have been met.
Section 14.04 Knicks Waiver of Subrogation. The Knicks shall require each of their carriers to include a waiver of the insurance carriers claims and rights of subrogation against Licensor.
Section 14.05 Licensor Insurance Coverage. Licensor shall, from and after the Commencement Date, maintain at its expense in force the following minimum insurance:
(a) Property insurance for the full one hundred percent (100%) of replacement cost of the Arena, including all improvements, and betterments and personal property owned by Licensor. Coverage shall be on an All Risk of physical loss or damage basis, including losses arising out of a terrorism event, and shall include business interruption and loss of rental income coverages in reasonable and customary amounts with customary deductibles;
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(b) Commercial general liability insurance covering against bodily injury and property damage having a limit of not less than $[*****] for each occurrence and a limit of not less than $[*****] in the aggregate for each occurrence. Coverages shall be in accordance with the ISO form or equivalent, for response to any occurrence in and about the Arena.. Such insurance shall include, but not be limited to, premises operations, products and completed operations, personal injury, advertising injury and independent contractors and containing provisions for separation of insureds or severability of interests. For so long as Licensor and the Knicks are under common control, coverage under the Licensors policy shall be in excess to any insurance required of the Knicks. The Licensors GL Policy shall be in such amount and with such policy limits so that the coverage and limits are adequate to maintain the Licensors Excess/Umbrella Policy without gaps in coverage between the Licensors GL Policy and the Licensors Excess/Umbrella Policy;
(c) Umbrella or excess liability coverage, following the terms, conditions, and extensions of coverages, to apply over and above the primary coverages in subsection (b), and the employers liability coverage in subsection (d), in an amount not less than $[*****] in the aggregate;
(d) Employers liability insurance with the following minimum limits: bodily injury by accident $[*****] each accident; bodily injury by disease $[*****] policy limit and $[*****] each employee;
(e) Statutory workers compensation coverage;
(f) Disability insurance as required by the State of New York.
Section 14.06 Licensor Insurance Requirements. Licensor shall, at its own expense, obtain and maintain during the Term and for three (3) years thereafter, policies of insurance as required herein written by an insurance carrier(s) reasonably acceptable to the Knicks that is authorized to do business in the State of New York, rated A VII or better in the most current edition of A.M. Bests Insurance Report (or if such report shall cease to be published, such comparable rating system as reasonably determined by the Knicks), and with deductible and self-insurance retention amounts that are not in excess of amounts which are commercially reasonable under the circumstances (except that in the event that any maximum deductible or self-insurance retention amounts are mandated either by law, such mandated maximum amounts shall not be exceeded regardless of whether higher amounts may be commercially reasonable under the circumstances). The insurance referred to in Section 14.05, with the exception of property insurance, workers compensation and employers liability coverage, shall name Knicks and its Affiliates, and each of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, successors and assigns, and any other parties designated by Knicks, as additional insureds.
Section 14.07 Licensor Certificates of Insurance. Licensor shall provide the Knicks with appropriate evidence of insurance setting forth the required coverages not later than ten (10) days prior to the date on which such coverage is required to be obtained hereunder. For each consecutive year, Licensor shall provide appropriate evidence of insurance no later than ten (10) days before the policies are required to be renewed. At the request of the Knicks, Licensor shall obtain, release, and forward duplicate original copies of any policy or policies for review by Licensor or its agent to determine if all insurance requirements have been met.
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Section 14.08 Licensor Waiver of Subrogation. Licensor shall include in each of its policies, a waiver of the insurance carriers rights of subrogation against the Knicks.
ARTICLE XV
WORK STOPPAGE
Section 15.01 Impact on License Fee. If, during any NBA season, any previously scheduled Home Game is cancelled as a result of a strike, work stoppage, lockout, or other suspension or cancellation of NBA play arising out of a labor dispute involving NBA players or referees, or any other League-related labor or other dispute (each a Work Stoppage), there shall be no reduction in the License Fee, provided, however, that, upon any such cancellation, Licensor shall use commercially reasonable efforts to hold the Arena out for relicense on such Home Date, and in the event that Licensor relicenses the Arena on such Home Date during the time of the previously scheduled Home Game, Licensor will refund to the Knicks the lesser of (i) [*****] of any net contribution attributable to the relicense of the Arena and (ii) the pro rata portion of the annual License Fee attributable to such Home Date (i.e. 1/44th of the License Fee if there had been 41 home games and 3 preseason games scheduled) (the Work Stoppage Abatement). If, during any season in which the Knicks receive a Work Stoppage Abatement, any previously scheduled Home Games are cancelled as a result of a Work Stoppage and subsequently rescheduled, any Work Stoppage Abatement received by the Knicks shall be reduced by an amount equal to the Work Stoppage Abatement, divided by the number of Home Games that were cancelled and multiplied by the number of Home Games that were subsequently rescheduled.
Section 15.02 Treatment of Refunds or Credits. Any refunds or credits granted to Licensors suite or other licensees, sponsors, advertisers or other third parties (including any concessionaire or service provider) that relates to the Work Stoppage shall be determined in Licensors reasonable discretion, but may not exceed the Teams allocable share of such revenue for a full-season work stoppage (pro rata for a partial-season work stoppage) (Maximum Credit or Refund). Licensor shall retain [*****]% of the difference, if any, between the Maximum Credit or Refund and the actual credit or refund attributable to such assets. Any refunds or credits shall be deducted from the Knicks share of revenue under this Agreement for the applicable Arena assets.
Section 15.03 Scheduling. If a Work Stoppage results in the partial cancellation of a season, the Parties shall mutually agree in good faith on the rescheduling of Home Games.
ARTICLE XVI
CERTAIN TAXES
Section 16.01 Property Taxes.
(a) The Knicks shall be responsible for the payment, without demand, counter-claim or offset, of fifty percent (50%) (the Knicks Tax Share) of any real property or similar taxes
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applicable to the Arena (Arena Property Tax). Licensor may notify any jurisdiction imposing (or proposing to impose) any Arena Property Tax that the Knicks have full responsibility for the payment of 50% of any such Arena Property Tax and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, rule or regulation, Licensor shall arrange for such Arena Property Tax to be billed directly to the Knicks. Licensor shall promptly provide to the Knicks copies of all materials relating to any Arena Property Tax that it receives from any government authority.
(b) Licensor and the Knicks acknowledge that, as of the Commencement Date, Licensor is exempt, pursuant to the laws of the State of New York and that certain agreement between the Mayor of the City of New York, acting as Chief Executive Officer of, and for, the City of New York, and Licensors and the Knicks predecessor-in-interest Madison Square Garden Center, Inc., dated July 15, 1982 (the Property Tax Exemption Agreement), from paying any Arena Property Tax in connection with the Arena (the Property Tax Exemption). Licensor and the Knicks shall each use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Property Tax Exemption to remain in effect at all times during the term of this Agreement.
Section 16.02 Commercial Rent Tax. The Knicks shall be responsible for paying directly, and shall timely pay, to the City of New York the Commercial Rent Or Occupancy Tax imposed pursuant to Chapter 7 of Title 11 of the New York City Administrative Code, or successor or similar tax assessed or imposed on a tenant as a consequence of the Knicks status as a licensee under this Agreement.
ARTICLE XVII
KNICKS DEFAULT; LICENSORS RIGHTS AND REMEDIES
Section 17.01 Knicks Default. The occurrence of any one or more of the following events shall constitute a default by the Knicks under this Agreement (each, a Knicks Default):
(a) Failure by the Knicks to timely pay any amount owed by the Knicks to Licensor pursuant to this Agreement if such failure shall continue for thirty (30) days after notice thereof is received by the Knicks from Licensor;
(b) Failure by the Knicks to maintain the Teams membership in the NBA;
(c) The levy upon or other execution or the attachment by legal process of the interest of the Knicks in the Arena herein, or the filing or creation of a lien in respect of such interest, which levy, attachment or lien shall not be released, discharged or bonded against within sixty (60) days from the date of such filing;
(d) The making by the Knicks of an assignment for the benefit of creditors; an adjudication that the Knicks are bankrupt, insolvent or unable to pay its debts as they mature; the filing by or against the Knicks of a petition to have the Knicks adjudged bankrupt, or a petition for reorganization or arrangement under any law relating to bankruptcy unless, in the case of a petition filed against the Knicks, the case is dismissed within sixty (60) days after the filing thereof; the appointment of a trustee or receiver to take possession of substantially all of the Knicks assets or the Knicks interests in this Agreement unless the appointment is revoked within sixty (60) days
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after the appointment thereof; or an attachment, execution or levy against substantially all of the Knicks interests in this Agreement unless the attachment, execution or levy is revoked within sixty (60) days after the attachment, execution or levy;
(e) Breach by the Knicks of ARTICLE XI (an Exclusivity Breach); and
(f) Failure by the Knicks to observe or perform in any material respect any covenant, agreement, condition, or provision of this Agreement not otherwise specified in this ARTICLE XVII if such failure shall continue for sixty (60) days after notice thereof from Licensor to the Knicks; provided that the Knicks shall not be in a Knicks Default with respect to matters that cannot reasonably be cured within sixty (60) days so long as within sixty (60) days after such notice the Knicks commence such cure and diligently and continuously proceed to complete the same, but in any event, the Knicks shall not have more than ninety (90) days from its receipt of such notice to cure such failure.
Section 17.02 Remedies of Licensor. If a Knicks Default occurs, Licensor shall have the following rights and remedies which shall be distinct, separate, and, to the extent not mutually exclusive, cumulative:
(a) In addition to any other legal or equitable damages as may be available to Licensor and subject to clause (b) below, Licensor may enforce this Agreement by seeking specific performance of any Knicks covenant or agreement contained herein or the enforcement of any other appropriate legal or equitable remedy, including self-help (following notice, expiration of any applicable cure period, and failure to cure) and recoupment from the Knicks of the reasonable cost of curing any default on the Knicks behalf (and the right to offset such cost from any amounts due from Licensor pursuant to this Agreement);
(b) Licensor shall be entitled to all reasonable costs, charges, expenses, and attorneys fees incurred by the Licensor in connection with a Knicks Default; and
(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Licensor shall not, under any circumstances, have the right to terminate this Agreement, except as set forth in ARTCLE XII.
Section 17.03 Remedies of Licensor for an Exclusivity Breach. The Knicks hereby acknowledge that Licensor and its Affiliates will be irreparably and continually harmed by any Exclusivity Breach or the threat thereof and that damages for an Exclusivity Breach cannot be estimated with any degree of certainty and that monetary damages cannot fairly or adequately compensate Licensor for an Exclusivity Breach. The Knicks further acknowledge that Licensor does not have an adequate remedy at law for an Exclusivity Breach. Accordingly, the Knicks hereby acknowledge that, in the event of an Exclusivity Breach, Licensor shall, in addition to any other applicable available rights and remedies, be entitled to seek and obtain, and the Knicks hereby consent to the entry of, a temporary restraining order, together with temporary, preliminary and permanent injunctive or other equitable relief, from any court of competent jurisdiction to enjoin any violation or threatened violation of ARTICLE XI and to compel the Knicks to comply with or restrain or cease from breaching or violating the covenants of ARTICLE XI. The Knicks hereby waive any requirement that Licensor post a bond or other security in connection with injunctive or other equitable relief.
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Section 17.04 Leagues Right to Notice of and Cure Knicks Defaults. Licensor shall simultaneously serve the League, at the addresses set forth in Section 20.04, with copies of all notices of Knicks Defaults served upon the Knicks. Licensor shall accept a cure of a Knicks Default by the League within the applicable cure period.
ARTICLE XVIII
LICENSOR DEFAULT; KNICKS RIGHTS AND REMEDIES; RIGHTS IN THE
EVENT OF REPEAL OF PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION
Section 18.01 Licensor Default. The occurrence of any one or more of the following shall constitute a default by Licensor under this Agreement (each, a Licensor Default):
(a) Failure by Licensor to timely pay any amount owed by Licensor to the Knicks pursuant to this Agreement if such failure shall continue for thirty (30) days after notice thereof is received by Licensor;
(b) The making by Licensor of an assignment for the benefit of creditors; an adjudication that Licensor is bankrupt, insolvent or unable to pay its debts as they mature; the filing by or against Licensor of a petition to have Licensor adjudged bankrupt, or a petition for reorganization or arrangement under any law relating to bankruptcy unless, in the case of a petition filed against the Licensor, the case is dismissed within sixty (60) days after the filing thereof; the appointment of a trustee or receiver to take possession of substantially all of Licensors assets or Licensors interests in this Agreement; or an attachment, execution or levy against substantially all of Licensors interests in this Agreement;
(c) Failure by Licensor to provide the Knicks with any of the Knicks rights hereunder that interferes with the playing of Home Games in the Arena;
(d) Failure by Licensor to cause the Arena to be maintained and operated in accordance with, or otherwise to meet and observe, the Standard, and such failure shall continue for fifteen (15) days after notice thereof from the Knicks to Licensor; provided that if such failure cannot reasonably be cured within such fifteen (15) days, then Licensor shall have up to an additional fifteen (15) days to cure such failure as long as, within fifteen (15) days after such notice, it diligently undertakes and pursues such cure and provides the Knicks with reasonable evidence that it is diligently undertaking and pursuing such cure, but in any event, Licensor shall not have more thirty (30) days from its receipt of notice of such failure from the Knicks to cure such failure; and
(e) Failure by Licensor to observe or perform in any material respect any covenant, agreement, condition, or provision of this Agreement not otherwise specified in this ARTICLE XVIII if such failure shall continue for sixty (60) days after notice thereof from the Knicks to Licensor; provided that Licensor shall not be in a Licensor Default with respect to matters that cannot reasonably be cured within sixty (60) days so long as within sixty (60) days after such notice Licensor commences such cure and diligently and continuously proceeds to complete the same, but in any event, Licensor shall not have more than ninety (90) days from its receipt of such notice to cure such failure.
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Section 18.02 Remedies of the Knicks. If a Licensor Default occurs, the Knicks shall have the following rights and remedies, which shall be distinct, separate, and, to the extent not mutually exclusive, cumulative:
(a) In addition to any other legal or equitable remedies as may be available to the Knicks and subject to clause (b) below, the Knicks may enforce the provisions of this Agreement and may enforce and protect the rights of the Knicks herein by seeking specific performance of any covenant or agreement contained herein, or the enforcement of any other appropriate legal or equitable remedy, including self-help (following notice, expiration of applicable cure period, and failure to cure) and recoupment from Licensor of the reasonable cost of curing any default on Licensors behalf (and the right to offset such cost, or any amounts due from Licensor pursuant to this Agreement, against any amount then owed by the Knicks to Licensor pursuant to this Agreement), and recovery of all monies due or to become due from Licensor under any provisions of this Agreement;
(b) The Knicks shall be entitled to all reasonable costs, charges, expenses, and attorneys fees incurred by the Knicks in connection with a Licensor Default; and
(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Knicks shall not, under any circumstances, have the right to terminate this Agreement, except as set forth in ARTICLE XII.
Section 18.03 Rights in the Event of Repeal of Property Tax Exemption
(a) In the event the Property Tax Exemption is no longer in effect [*****] (a No Fault Occurrence), the Knicks shall remain responsible for fifty percent (50%) of the Arena Property Tax for the remainder of the Term, unless the Parties agree to extend this provision.
(b) In the event the Property Tax Exemption is no longer in effect due to a breach of the Property Tax Exemption Agreement by the Knicks that leads to the loss of the Property Tax Exemption, the Knicks shall be responsible for 100% of any Arena Property Tax for the remainder of the Term.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Sections 16.01 or 18.03(a), in the event of a loss of the Property Tax Exemption [*****].
(d) [*****]
ARTICLE XIX
ASSIGNMENT
Section 19.01 Licensor Assignment. Licensor shall have the right to assign this Agreement upon written notice to the Knicks to any Person that acquires the Arena, provided the assignee agrees in writing to assume all of Licensors obligations under this Agreement.
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Section 19.02 Knicks Assignment. The Knicks shall have the right to assign this Agreement upon written notice to Licensor to any Person that acquires the Team in accordance with League Rules, provided the assignee agrees in writing to assume all of the Knicks obligations under this Agreement. The Knicks shall further have the rights to collaterally assign this Agreement to secure indebtedness of the Knicks incurred in accordance with League Rules.
Section 19.03 No Other Assignment. Except as set forth in this ARTICLE XIX, neither Party shall be permitted to assign this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other Party. A change in ownership of either Party shall not be deemed an assignment under this Section 19.
ARTICLE XX
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 20.01 Force Majeure. Should any fire or other casualty, act of God, earthquake, flood, epidemic, landslide, enemy act, war, riot, act or threat of terrorism, civil commotion, general unavailability of certain materials; a strike, slowdown, boycott or labor dispute (other than a strike, slowdown, boycott or labor dispute involving the League), or any other similar event beyond the reasonable control of the subject Party (each, a Force Majeure) prevent performance of this Agreement by such Party in accordance with its provisions, performance of this Agreement (other than the payment of any sum of money owed hereunder, subject to the final two sentences of this Section 20.01) by such Party shall be suspended or excused to the extent commensurate with such interfering occurrence. In the event of a Force Majeure, the Knicks shall be permitted to schedule and play Home Games at an alternate location, provided that playing games in such location fully complies with the requirements of Paragraph 6 of the Property Tax Exemption Agreement. In the event of a Force Majeure (including a governmental action) that results in (a) attendance at Arena events being limited to 1000 attendees or less per event for any period (a Restricted Attendance Period), the Knicks shall be permitted to schedule and play Home Games at the Arena during the Restricted Attendance Period; the pro rata License Fee attributable to any Home Games played at the Arena during any Restricted Attendance Period shall be reduced by 80% or (b) attendance at Arena events being materially limited (but greater than 1000 attendees), the parties will negotiate in good faith to agree on an appropriate reduction to the License Fee. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Knicks obligation to pay the License Fee for periods for which the Arena is unavailable for Home Games due to a Force Majeure event (including a governmental action or the occurrence of any Untenantable Condition) shall be abated during such periods.
Section 20.02 Consents and Approvals. Any consents or approvals permitted or required to be given by Licensor or the Knicks under this Agreement shall not be valid unless such consent or approval is in writing, signed by the Party by or on whose behalf such consent or approval is executed.
Section 20.03 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including the schedules and exhibits attached hereto, which are incorporated herein, constitutes the entire agreement between and among the Parties, and supersedes any previous oral or written agreements, representations and covenants, regarding the subject matter hereof and is a binding and enforceable agreement between and among the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. This Agreement may not be amended, modified, supplemented or terminated unless in writing executed by the Parties and, in each case, unless approved in advance in writing by the NBA. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any agreement, consent, waiver or modification to the terms of this Agreement, whether or not contemplated herein, that would constitute a material modification to the terms of this Agreement that would remain in effect after the Parties are no longer affiliated, shall require the prior written approval of the NBA. Subject to the foregoing obligations to obtain NBA approval, in the event of any proposed change of control or ownership of either Party, the Parties may mutually agree to amend, modify or supplement this Agreement in order to facilitate such change of control or ownership transaction.
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Section 20.04 Notices. All notices, demands, consents, approvals, statements, requests, and reports to be given under this Agreement shall be in writing, signed by the Party or an officer, agent, or attorney of the Party giving the notice and shall be deemed to be given upon receipt if delivered personally by nationally recognized overnight courier providing a receipt for delivery, by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid with return receipt requested, or by personal delivery at the applicable address set forth below or to such other address as that Party may designate in writing.
For the Knicks: | MSG Sports, LLC | |||
Two Pennsylvania Plaza | ||||
New York, New York 10121 | ||||
Attention: President | ||||
With copies to: | MSG Sports, LLC | |||
Two Pennsylvania Plaza | ||||
New York, New York 10121 | ||||
Attention: General Counsel | ||||
For the NBA: National Basketball Association | ||||
645 Fifth Avenue | ||||
New York, New York 10022 | ||||
Attention: General Counsel | ||||
For Licensor: | MSG Arena, LLC | |||
c/o MSG Entertainment Group, LLC | ||||
Two Pennsylvania Plaza | ||||
New York, New York 10121 | ||||
Attention: President | ||||
With a copy to: | MSG Arena, LLC | |||
c/o MSG Entertainment Group, LLC | ||||
Two Pennsylvania Plaza | ||||
New York, New York 10121 | ||||
Attention: General Counsel |
Section 20.05 Successors Bound. The covenants, terms, provisions, and conditions of this Agreement shall be binding upon Licensor and the Knicks and their respective successors and permitted assigns and inure to the benefit of Licensor and the Knicks and their respective successors and, to the extent permitted herein, assigns.
Section 20.06 Governing Law; Disputes.
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without regard to its choice of law provisions.
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(b) Any disputes arising under this Agreement, shall be submitted to, and resolved exclusively and finally through, the following arbitration process (Arbitration). Except as set forth below, the Arbitration process shall be administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under the Commercial Arbitration Rules in effect at the time the Dispute or Controversy is submitted to the AAA for Arbitration. The panel (the Arbitration Panel) will consist of three (3) neutral arbitrators (each, an Arbitrator) selected in accordance with applicable AAA procedures. In proposing a list of candidates for Arbitrators, AAA will take into account the Parties desire to obtain potential Arbitrators with significant experience in the operation of comparable sports or entertainment facilities or in the entertainment and sports business generally, or with specific experience regarding the nature of the dispute. Barring extraordinary circumstances, an initial conference with the Arbitration Panel shall be scheduled to take place in New York, New York within thirty (30) days after the appointment of the third Arbitrator. At such conference, a schedule shall be established for such discovery, if any, as a majority of the Arbitration Panel deems appropriate in light of the nature of the dispute and the Parties desire to resolve disputes in a prompt and cost-effective manner, and the date of the Arbitration hearing shall be established by vote of a majority of the Arbitration Panel. Barring extraordinary circumstances, the award will be rendered no later than fourteen (14) days from the date of the conclusion of the hearing. Unless the Parties otherwise agree, the Arbitration shall take place in New York, New York. Each Party irrevocably consents to the delivery of service of process with respect to any Arbitration in any manner permitted for the giving of notices under Section 20.04. The Arbitration Panel shall not have the authority to alter, change, amend, modify, waive, add to or delete from any provision of this Agreement. If the Parties initiate multiple arbitration proceedings, the subject matters of which are related by common questions of law or fact and that could result in conflicting awards or obligations, such proceedings shall be consolidated into a single arbitral proceeding. Notwithstanding anything contained in the AAA rules to the contrary, subject to Article XIII, unless the Arbitration Panel finds that one or more claims or defenses were frivolous or knowingly false when made, each Party shall bear the cost of its own legal representation and expert witness fees, as well as its share of the fees and costs payable to the AAA and the Arbitrators, in any Arbitration under this Agreement. If the Arbitration Panel finds that one or more claims or defenses were frivolous or knowingly false when made, the Arbitration Panel shall be entitled to require the Party that made such frivolous or knowingly false claims or defenses to bear all or a portion of the other Partys legal fees and expert witness fees incurred in connection with such frivolous claims or defenses. All provisions of this Agreement applicable to disputes generally shall apply to the Arbitration. All decisions by the Arbitration Panel shall be (i) decided by majority vote and (ii) final and binding on the Parties and may be enforced by any court of competent jurisdiction.
(c) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, each Party may seek injunctive or other equitable relief (but not a declaratory judgment) from a court of law, as described in Section 20.06(d), with respect to any dispute. If a dispute requires emergency relief before the matter may be effectively resolved through arbitration, the Arbitration procedures set forth above will continue to govern the ultimate resolution of the dispute notwithstanding the fact that a court of competent jurisdiction may have entered an order providing for injunctive or other equitable relief.
(d) Any action that seeks injunctive or other equitable relief or confirmation of an award rendered in an Arbitration may only be brought by suit, action or proceeding before any
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federal or state court located in the Borough of Manhattan, City of New York, each of the Parties voluntarily and irrevocably consents and (without waiving service of process) submits to the personal jurisdiction and venue of the courts located in the Borough of Manhattan, City of New York that have subject matter jurisdiction, waives all objections as to venue and any claim that it is not personally subject to such jurisdiction or to seek a change of venue, agrees not to bring any such action or proceeding in any other forum, and waives the right to a trial by jury.
(e) This Section 20.06 shall survive any termination or expiration of the Term.
Section 20.07 Captions and Headings; Certain Rules of Construction.
(a) The captions and headings throughout this Agreement are for convenience and reference only and the words contained therein shall in no way be held or deemed to define, limit, describe, explain, modify, amplify, or add to the interpretation, construction, or meaning of any provisions of this Agreement or the scope or intent thereof, nor in any way affect this Agreement.
(b) Unless the context, otherwise requires: (i) a term has the meaning assigned to it, (ii) or is not exclusive, (iii) words in the singular include the plural and words in the plural include the singular, (iv) herein, hereof and other words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular article, section or other subdivision, (v) all references to clauses, sections or articles refer to clauses, sections or articles of this Agreement, (vi) including means including, without limitation and (vii) the masculine, feminine and neuter adjectives and pronouns include one another.
Section 20.08 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by facsimile or PDF signature and in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
Section 20.09 Confidentiality. Subject to League Rules and the rights of any mortgagees each Party agrees that, commencing on the Commencement Date and continuing for a period of five (5) years after the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement, the Parties shall keep confidential the terms and conditions of this Agreement; provided that disclosure may be made (a) to their directors, equity holders, officers, Affiliates, employees, agents, advisors, and representatives (collectively, their Representatives) (b) if disclosure is required by court order, or applicable law or regulation, including disclosures required by any governmental or regulatory body having the authority to regulate or oversee any aspect of the business of either Party (e.g., the Securities and Exchange Commission) (in which case the Party required to disclose such Confidential Information shall notify the other Party and use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain confidential treatment of any information so required to be disclosed), (c) if disclosure is required to comply with a request or requirement of a governmental or administrative entity or agent thereof, (d) to the League and/or any League Representatives, (e) as required by League Rules, (f) for valid business purposes to existing or prospective lenders, investors and employees of partners and Affiliates, (g) to enforce any of a Partys rights pursuant to this Agreement, or (h) to governmental authorities, to the extent necessary to perform a Partys obligations under this Agreement. Each Party shall direct their Representatives to maintain such information in the strictest confidence. No Party shall make any public announcement with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby without the prior written consent of the other Parties, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.
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Section 20.10 League Rules. This Agreement is subject to League Rules and Licensor hereby covenants to comply with all League Rules in connection with its performance hereunder and its operation of the Arena for Knicks Events. In the event of any conflict between this Agreement and League Rules with respect to the Parties rights and obligations hereunder, League Rules shall control and govern in all respects. Nothing in this Section 20.10 shall affect the Knicks obligations under Section 11.01 or Article XIII.
Section 20.11 Superior Interests
(a) Each mortgagee or similar party named in any mortgage or similar instrument now existing or hereafter made and encumbering an interest in the Arena superior to that of Licensor (each such mortgage and similar instrument being hereinafter collectively referred to as Superior Interests, and the holder of the mortgagees and similar partys interest being hereinafter collectively referred to as Superior Interest Holders) shall agree in a commercially reasonable form of instrument that, if it succeeds to the interest of Licensor in the Arena by termination of the Superior Interest by any means, it will recognize the rights and interest of the Knicks under this Agreement to use and occupy the Arena if and as long as a Knicks Default has not occurred and is continuing (which agreement may, at such Superior Interest Holders option require attornment by the Knicks), in consideration of which the rights and interests of the Knicks to use and occupy the Arena shall be subject and subordinate to the Superior Interest and to any and all advances to be made therein, and to the interest thereon, and all renewals, replacements and extensions thereof. The Superior Interest Holder may elect that, instead of making this Agreement subject and subordinate to its Superior Interest, the rights and interest of the Knicks under this Agreement shall have priority over the lien of the Superior Interest in question. The Knicks agree that it will, within ten (10) days after demand in writing, execute and deliver such reasonable instruments may be required, either to make this Agreement subject and subordinate to such a Superior Interest (subject to the Superior Interest Holders agreement as aforesaid to recognize the rights and interest of the Knicks under this Agreement to use and occupy the Arena if and as long as a Knicks Default has not occurred and is continuing), or to give this Agreement priority over the lien of such Superior Interest, whichever alternative may be elected by the respective Superior Interest Holder.
Section 20.12 Severability. If any Article, Section, Subsection, Schedule, Exhibit, term, or provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any Party or circumstance shall, to any extent, be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of the Article, Section, Subsection, Schedule, Exhibit, term, or provision of this Agreement or the application of same to Parties or circumstances other than those to which it is held invalid or unenforceable shall not be affected thereby and each remaining Article, Section, Subsection, Schedule, Exhibit, term, or provision of this Agreement shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Section 20.13 Waiver. No waiver of any right, obligation or default shall be implied, but must be in writing, signed by the Party against whom the waiver is sought to be enforced. Any particular waiver of any right, obligation or default shall not be construed as a waiver of any subsequent or other right, obligation or default.
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Section 20.14 Further Assurances. Licensor and the Knicks shall execute, acknowledge, and deliver, after the date hereof, without additional consideration, such further assurances, instruments, and documents, and shall take such further actions, as Licensor or the Knicks shall reasonably request of the other in order to fulfill the intent of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby.
Section 20.15 No Third-Party Beneficiary; Enforcement of Third-Party Agreements.
(a) The provisions of this Agreement are for the exclusive benefit of the Parties and not for the benefit of any third person, nor shall this Agreement be deemed to have conferred any rights, express or implied, upon any third person unless otherwise expressly provided for herein; provided, that the League is a third party beneficiary of (i) the Knicks cure rights as set forth in Section 17.04, (ii) the obligations of the Parties to obtain the Leagues written approval prior to any amendment, modification, waiver, supplementation or termination of this Agreement (as set forth in Section 20.03), and (iii) the enforcement of Section 20.10.
(b) Licensor shall use commercially reasonable efforts to enforce any agreement between Licensor and any third-party (or third-parties) (including, without limitation, the [*****], Ticket Agent Agreements, Suite Agreements, Hospitality Agreements and Joint Sponsor Agreements) that apply to any of the Knicks rights or obligations under this Agreement.
Section 20.16 Books and Records. Licensor and the Knicks shall each keep full, true, and correct contracts, books and records in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied (and shall require all of their agents, contractors, and concessionaires to keep such books and records of their transactions to the extent that such transactions would be the subject of the calculation of any payments due from one Party to the other under this Agreement) setting forth the factual, accounting, and legal bases upon which the calculation of payments herein are made (the Books and Records), and in such detail that would reasonably enable a reasonably qualified third party to readily and independently make such calculations and verify the accuracy of statements of same which are furnished by one Party to the other under this Agreement. Each Partys books and records shall be (a) retained for at least three (3) years following the other Partys receipt of the respective statement(s) to which they apply, and (b) made available for inspections and copying by the other Partys duly authorized representatives at all reasonable times at reasonable office locations in the New York, NY metropolitan area. Each Party shall promptly furnish to the other a complete copy of any report of any such examination or inspection.
Section 20.17 Audit Rights. Each Party (the Auditing Party) shall be entitled to audit the relevant Books and Records of the other Party (the Non-Auditing Party) for the sole purpose, and only to the extent, of determining the Non-Auditing Partys compliance with the financial terms of this Agreement. Such audit right shall be exercisable by the Auditing Party by providing the Non-Auditing Party with not less than five (5) business days written notice. Except as otherwise set forth below, all costs and expenses of any such audit shall be paid by the Auditing Party. If the audit discloses that the Non-Auditing Party has failed to pay any amounts due under this Agreement, the Non-Auditing Party shall remit the underpayment to the Auditing Party within thirty (30) days following the Auditing Partys delivery of notice and evidence of underpayment
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to the Non- Auditing Party. If the audit reveals an underpayment to the Auditing Party of greater than 5%, then the Non- Auditing Party shall pay all costs and expenses associated with such audit, provided that the auditor is an independent certified public accounting firm paid on an hourly (and not contingency) basis.
Section 20.18 Access to Financial Information. Licensor acknowledges that existing League Rules on financial reporting under the Leagues collective bargaining agreements and revenue sharing plans requires the Team, annually and from time to time, to provide the League and auditors for the League and its players association detailed financial information, including information that is in the possession of Licensor. Licensor agrees to provide the information requested by the League and/or the auditors for these purposes and to use commercially reasonable efforts to provide the staff and other support necessary to comply with these requests and the related process.
[signatures on next page]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have entered into this Agreement as of the date first above written.
LICENSOR: | ||
MSG ARENA, LLC | ||
By: |
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Name: |
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Title: |
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KNICKS: | ||
NEW YORK KNICKS, LLC | ||
By: |
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Name: |
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Exhibit 10.6
ARENA LICENSE AGREEMENT
between
MSG ARENA, LLC
and
NEW YORK RANGERS, LLC
Dated as of , 2020
ARENA LICENSE AGREEMENT
This ARENA LICENSE AGREEMENT (this Agreement) is made as of , 2020 (the Effective Date) between MSG Arena, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Licensor), and New York Rangers, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the Rangers). Licensor and the Rangers are each referred to individually as a Party and collectively as the Parties.
RECITALS
A. Licensor owns and operates the arena commonly known as Madison Square Garden, which is located at 4 Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, New York 10001 that contains approximately 17,000 seats for hockey games, and is suitable for the exhibition of ice hockey games and for other purposes (the Arena).
B. New York Rangers, LLC owns and operates the professional hockey team known as the New York Rangers (the Team) in the National Hockey League (the NHL or the League).
C. Licensor wishes to grant the Rangers, on behalf of the Team, certain rights to use specified parts of the Arena at specified times, and the Rangers desire to so use the Arena at such times, upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
Now, therefore, in consideration of the foregoing, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
[*****]
Advertising means, collectively, all advertising, sponsorship and promotional activity, signage, messages and displays of every kind and nature at or regarding the Arena, whether audio or visual and whether now existing or developed in the future, including the following: (i) the right to name the Arena or any portion thereof, including identifying such name on the Arena concourses, the entrances to the Arena, premium seating areas or any other areas at the Arena; (ii) permanent, non-permanent and transitory signage or advertising displayed on permanent (e.g., fixed panel) or non-permanent (e.g., rotating) advertising panels or on the interior or exterior of the Arena (including Arena marquee boards and other exterior signage); (iii) advertising appearing on fixtures or equipment (such as scoreboard advertising and canopy advertising); (iv) audio or video public address advertising and message board advertising; (v) electronic insertion, fascia boards, liquid electronic displays, ribbon boards and other forms of electronic signage (LED Signage); (vi) print and display advertising, including advertising on or in game programs, schedules, tickets and yearbooks; (vii) promotional events or activities sponsored by corporate partners; (viii) the exhibition and promotion of products and services at the Arena (e.g., kiosks and special areas in the concourse); (ix) advertising worn or carried by concessionaire personnel or
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other personnel engaged in the operation of any Arena event; (x) advertising affixed to or included with cups, napkins, utensils, plates or other similar items used to consume Concessions at the Arena (Concession Items); (xi) advertising at concession areas; and (xii) promotional or premium item give-aways.
Affiliate means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by, or under direct or indirect common control with, such specified Person, or which is a director, officer, employee, or partner (limited or general) of such specified Person, but with respect to either Party specifically excluding the other Party and the other Partys publicly owned parent and such parent entitys direct and indirect subsidiaries. For the purpose of this definition, control, when used with respect to any specified Person, means the power to direct or cause, directly or indirectly, the direction of the management and policies of such Person whether through the voting of securities, by contract or otherwise. The terms controlling and controlled have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
Agreement has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
Arena has the meaning set forth in Recital A.
Arena Agency Agreements has the meaning set forth in Section 7.02(b).
Attendance Based Allocation has the meaning set forth in Schedule 6.01.
Auditing Party has the meaning set forth in Section 20.17.
Books and Records has the meaning set forth in Section 20.16.
Casualty shall mean any damage, destruction or other property casualty of any kind or nature, ordinary or extraordinary, foreseen or unforeseen resulting from any cause, including any Force Majeure event.
Catering Services and Catering Gross Receipts have the meanings set forth in Schedule 6.01.
Commencement Date has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01.
Common Areas has the meaning set forth in Schedule 4.01.
Concessions means F&B Concessions, Team Merchandise sold or provided at the Arena, and Non-Team Merchandise.
Condemnation means a taking by eminent domain, condemnation or appropriation by any governmental authority or other Person with the power of eminent domain for any public or private use or purpose.
Condemnation Award means all sums, amounts or other compensation for the Arena payable to the Rangers or Licensor as a result of or in connection with any Condemnation.
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Convenience Fees has the meaning set forth in Section 5.06(a).
Contract Year means, other than the Initial Contract Year, each period of the Term from July 1 through the immediately following June 30.
Customer Data has the meaning set forth in Section 10.03(a).
Effective Date has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
Exclusivity Breach has the meaning set forth in Section 17.01(e).
Exhibition and Regular Season Home Games means games played by the Team during the exhibition season or regular season of the League where the Team (and not the opposing team) has the right to designate the location of such game or which is considered one of the Teams home games by the League for purposes of League Rules, standings or scheduling.
F&B Concessions and F&B Concessions Gross Receipts have the meanings set forth in Schedule 6.01.
Facility Ticket Fee has the meaning set forth in Section 5.02(c).
First Full Contract Year means July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021.
Force Majeure has the meaning set forth in Section 20.01.
Game Day Services has the meaning set forth in Section 9.02.
General Services has the meaning set forth in Section 9.01.
Gross Receipts has the meaning set forth in Schedule 6.01.
Home Date means each date on which a Home Game is scheduled.
Home Games means collectively, Exhibition and Regular Season Home Games and Playoff Home Games.
Initial Contract Year means the period beginning on the Commencement Date through June 30, 2020.
Joint Sponsors has the meaning set forth in Section 7.02(b).
Knicks has the meaning set forth in Section 4.04(a).
Knicks Games has the meaning set forth in Section 4.04(a).
League has the meaning set forth in Recital B.
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League Rules means (a) the NHL Constitution, (b) the NHL By-laws, (c) the governing documents of each of the NHL Entities, (d) all other existing or future rules, regulations, interpretations, memoranda, procedures, directives, policies, guidelines, positions, and resolutions of, including, without limitation, positions taken with, and agreements, covenants, representations and warranties made to, any court or governmental or quasi-governmental agency by, each of the NHL Entities, the NHL Board of Governors and the NHL Commissioner, (e) the Transaction Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among the NHL, the Rangers and certain other parties thereto (the Transaction Agreement) and each Prior Consent Agreement (as defined in Transaction Agreement), (f) the Settlement Documents as defined in the Settlement Agreement dated March 23, 2009, (g) the Lender Letter Agreement (as defined in the Transaction Agreement), (h) the current and future Collective Bargaining Agreements between the NHL and the National Hockey League Players Association and between the NHL and the National Hockey League Officials Association and all other agreements, consent agreements, decrees, cooperation agreements and settlement agreements presently or hereafter in effect or entered into between or among any NHL Entity or Entities, on the one hand, and the NHL member clubs generally, on the other hand, or any NHL Entity or Entities and/or the NHL member clubs generally, on the one hand, and other persons, on the other hand, in furtherance of the NHLs (or any other NHL Entitys) business or interests or as otherwise authorized, directly or indirectly, by the NHL Board of Governors, the NHL Commissioner, the applicable NHL Entity, the NHL Constitution or the NHL By-laws and (i) the NHL Commissioners interpretation of, opinions concerning, and the custom and practice under, any of the foregoing, all as may be amended from time to time.
License Fee has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01.
Licensor has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
Licensor Default has the meaning set forth in Section 18.01.
Licensor Promotion has the meaning set forth in Section 10.01(a).
Licensor Services means, collectively, General Services and Game Day Services.
Madison Club has the meaning set forth in Section 5.03(d).
Maximum Credit or Refund has the meaning set forth in Section 15.02.
MSG Sports means MSG Sports, LLC, the parent company of the Rangers and the Knicks.
NHL has the meaning set forth in Recital B.
NHL Entities means the NHL, NHL Enterprises, L.P., NHL Enterprises Canada, L.P., NHL Enterprises, Inc., National Hockey League Enterprises Canada, Inc., NHL Enterprises B.V., Intra-Continental Ensurers, Limited, NHL Interactive CyberEnterprises, LLC, NHL Network US, L.P., NHL Network US, Inc., NHL WCH 16, LP, NHL WCH 16, Inc., NHL WCH 16 Canada Holdco, Inc., NHL WCH 16 US, LP, NHL WCH 16 US GP, LLC, NHL WCH 16 US Holdco, LLC, NHL China Holdings, LLC, any entity that may be formed by the NHL member clubs generally after the date of this Agreement (but excluding the NHL member clubs), and each of their respective subsidiaries and other present or future affiliates.
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Net Profits has the meaning set forth in Schedule 6.01.
No Fault Occurrence has the meaning set forth in Section 18.03.
Non-Auditing Party has the meaning set forth in Section 20.17.
Non-Team Merchandise means all programs, other publications, and merchandise other than Team Merchandise.
Other Arena Event has the meaning set forth in Section 4.04(c).
Other Rangers Event has the meaning set forth in Section 4.04(b).
Party or Parties has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
Person means any individual, corporation, company, voluntary association, partnership, incorporated organization, trust, limited liability company, or any other entity or organization.
Playoff Home Games means games played after the end of the Leagues regular season as part of its championship tournament, for which the Team must qualify based on its regular season record, where the Team (and not the opposing team) has the right to designate the location of such game or which is considered one of the Teams home games by the League for purposes of League Rules or scheduling.
Property Tax Exemption has the meaning set forth in Section 16.01.
Property Tax Exemption Agreement has the meaning set forth in Section 16.01.
Rangers has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
Rangers Default has the meaning set forth in Section 17.01.
Rangers Event means Home Games and Other Rangers Events.
Rangers Misuse has the meaning set forth in Section 4.07.
Rangers Personnel and Guests means the personnel, guests and invitees of the Rangers (including holders of tickets of admission to the Arena, holders of press and media credentials, and visiting team personnel).
Rangers Promotional Use has the meaning set forth in Section 10.01(d).
Representatives has the meaning set forth in Section 20.09.
Rinkside Advertising has the meaning set forth in Section 7.01.
Standard means, with respect to the applicable requirement, obligation or matter, (a) in compliance with applicable law, (b) in compliance with League Rules and (c) at a first-class level equal to or better than that at which NHL arenas in major U.S. markets are then operated,
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maintained and improved for NHL games (in the case of improvements, taking into reasonable consideration the age and location of the Arena and its existing structural limitations), and in no event less than the highest standard of quality and manner in which the Arena (i) was operated, maintained and improved historically (post 2011 - 2013 transformation) with respect to Home Games and (ii) will be operated, maintained and improved for Other Arena Events.
Suite 200 has the meaning set forth in Section 5.03(h).
Suites shall mean the premium locations within the Arena currently designated as Event Level Suites, Madison Level Suites and Signature Level Suites as more specifically described in Schedule 4.01, and any replacement suites in those locations.
Team has the meaning set forth in Recital B.
Team Areas has the meaning set forth in Schedule 4.01.
Team Merchandise means merchandise (including programs and other publications) that bears the Teams name, logo(s), or other intellectual property relating to the Team, or any other League intellectual property, including any merchandise relating to or depicting (as the case may be) the League and/or any of its teams, players, and/or events (e.g., the NHL All-Star Game, the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the NHL Winter Classic), or the logo(s) of any of the foregoing.
Team Merchandise Allocation has the meaning set forth in Section 6.02(d).
Term has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01.
The Loft has the meaning set forth in Section 5.03(d).
Ticket or Tickets has the meaning set forth in Section 5.01.
Ticket Agent has the meaning set forth in Section 5.06(a).
Ticket Agent Agreement has the meaning set forth in Section 5.06(a).
Untenantable Condition means a condition of the Arena that occurs on account of a Casualty or Condemnation and, as a result of which League Rules or applicable law prohibit the playing of Home Games at the Arena or would entail denial of access to or loss of a material portion of (i) the general seating areas of the Arena or (ii) revenues of the Rangers derived from the Arena.
VIP Club Services has the meaning set forth in Section 9.03.
VIP Clubs has the meaning set forth in Section 9.03.
Work Stoppage has the meaning set forth in Section 15.01.
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ARTICLE II
TERM
Section 2.01 Term; Commencement Date. The term of this Agreement shall commence on , 2020 (the Commencement Date) and, unless earlier terminated in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, shall end on June 30, 2055 (the Term).
ARTICLE III
LICENSE FEE
Section 3.01 License Fee. The Rangers shall pay to Licensor a license fee, without any right of offset, reduction or abatement (except as expressly provided in this Agreement), as follows: (a) for the Initial Contract Year, a prorated amount equal to $16,200,000 divided by forty-four (44), multiplied by the number of Exhibition and Regular Season Home games scheduled to be played in the Arena in the Initial Contract Year; (b) for the First Full Contract Year, $16,686,000; and (c) for each subsequent Contract Year, 103% of the license fee for the immediately preceding Contract Year (the License Fee).
Section 3.02 Payment of License Fee. For each Contract Year, the Rangers shall pay the License Fee in twelve (12) equal installments on the first business day of each month during the Contract Year, except that the License Fee for the Initial Contract Year shall be paid in equal monthly installments on the first business day of the month following the Commencement Date and the first business day of each remaining month in the Initial Contract Year.
ARTICLE IV
USE OF ARENA
Section 4.01 Arena Areas. The Arena includes the areas identified on Schedule 4.01 attached hereto. The Parties shall regularly coordinate and discuss with one another and accommodate the others reasonable requests for adjustment thereto. The Parties acknowledge and agree that the precise locations, square footage, appearance and amenities of the Common Areas and Team Areas set forth therein shall be subject to change from time to time during the Term in accordance with Section 4.05.
Section 4.02 Rangers Use. Licensor hereby grants to the Rangers and the Rangers Personnel and Guests, and the Rangers hereby accept from Licensor, for itself and the Rangers Personnel and Guests, a license to use the Arena as follows:
(a) Common Areas and Team Areas. Subject to League Rules, on each Home Date, beginning at approximately 10:00 a.m., until two (2) hours after the completion of such Home Game, the Rangers shall have the exclusive right and license to use the Common Areas and the Team Areas for the purpose of playing of Home Games and conducting related activities, and the presentation thereof by any and all means, live and over radio and television and all other means of communication now existing and hereafter developed, and such other uses expressly
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permitted in this Agreement or as may be agreed to by the Parties. Notwithstanding the foregoing start time, Licensor may schedule Other Arena Events (as defined below) on Home Dates (each, a Shared Date) in accordance with Section 4.04(c); provided that in no event shall the Rangers have exclusive access to the Common Areas and Team Areas any later than three (3) hours prior to the start of any Home Game. Licensor shall reimburse the Rangers for any costs incurred by the Rangers solely as a result of a Home Game occurring on a Shared Date (e.g., visiting team relocating a morning skate). In addition, the Rangers shall have reasonable access, on a non-exclusive basis, to the Common Areas and the Team Areas for purposes related to the business or hockey operations of the Rangers at reasonable times on days that are not Home Dates and during periods on Home Dates other than those specified above (but in no case during ticketed Other Arena Events (as defined in Section 4.04(c) below)), provided the Rangers use of the Common Areas may not unreasonably interfere with any use by Licensor or authorized use by its other licensees (including the Knicks).
(b) Access. All rights and licenses set forth in this Section 4.02 include in favor of the Rangers and the Rangers Personnel and Guests (including holders of tickets of admission to the Arena, holders of press and media credentials, and visiting team personnel), subject to the Arenas safety and security protocols as provided in Section 4.06(b), (i) rights and licenses of entry, ingress and egress over and across all applicable portions of the Arena, and (ii) the right and license to bring into the Arena (and to permit the Rangers Personnel and Guests into the Arena), and retain ownership and control of, items of personal property and equipment.
(c) Grant of License. This Agreement is intended to, and shall be construed as, a grant of a license by Licensor to the Rangers and the Rangers Personnel and Guests, and shall not operate to vest in the Rangers any ownership or leasehold interest, or other real estate interest, in the Arena or the property of Licensor, whether real or personal, tangible or intangible, or any use or possessory rights other than those rights expressly granted by the license hereunder (and then subject to and in accordance with all of the provisions of this Agreement).
Section 4.03 Licensors Right of Entry. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 4.02, but subject to League Rules, Licensor and its agents and representatives shall have the right to enter into and upon any and all parts of the Arena, including the Team Areas and the Common Areas, as necessary for the purpose of carrying out its obligations under this Agreement, to operate the Arena, to perform necessary safety, security and maintenance activities and for other purposes that do not unreasonably interfere with the Rangers rights hereunder.
Section 4.04 Scheduling.
(a) Team Games. The scheduling procedure for Home Games shall continue in a manner consistent with past practice, subject to, and at all times in accordance with, League Rules. It is understood between the Parties that Licensor is entering into a simultaneous license with New York Knicks, LLC (the Knicks), on behalf of the professional basketball team known as the New York Knicks, to host basketball games (Knicks Games) in the Arena. The Parties will continue to cooperate with each other in good faith recognizing that Licensor has obligations to the Knicks. Consistent with past practice, Licensor will jointly coordinate with the League and the National Basketball Association in scheduling Home Games and Knicks Games. In addition, each Party shall (i) use reasonable efforts to avoid material business impacts on the other Party
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where such Party has the ability to do so and (ii) reasonably cooperate and honor requests for changes to previously scheduled or held dates. For the avoidance of doubt, in the event of any conflict between any of the foregoing and League Rules, League Rules shall control and govern.
(b) Other Rangers Events and Usage.
(i) Subject to the terms of this subsection, the Rangers shall be entitled to license the Arena without payment of an incremental license fee on up to two (2) occasions per Contract Year, to present certain Team-related events other than Home Games (e.g., open practices, ticket sales events, season subscriber events and similar functions as mutually agreed) (each, an Other Rangers Event). Dates for Other Rangers Events may be reserved no earlier than forty-five (45) days in advance of the proposed event and such reservations shall be subject to any dates previously booked by Licensor for Other Arena Events.
(ii) The Rangers may use such Team Areas and Common Areas, and Licensor shall provide such Licensor Services (for which Game-Day Services the Rangers shall pay or reimburse Licensor as provided herein), as are reasonably necessary or requested by the Rangers for such Other Rangers Events. Other Rangers Events shall be subject to other terms and conditions to be negotiated by the Parties. Unless the Parties agree otherwise with respect to a particular event, all terms of this Agreement applicable to Home Games will apply to Other Rangers Events.
(iii) At the Rangers request, Licensor may, in its discretion, license the Arena and/or other Licensor-owned venues (e.g., Beacon Theater, Radio City, Tao) to the Rangers to the extent available and without payment of an incremental license fee (the Rangers shall pay any expenses). Such events may be in addition to Other Rangers Events.
(c) Other Arena Events. Subject to Section 4.04(a), Licensor shall be entitled to schedule Knicks Games, other sporting events, concerts, and any other types of events in the Arena (each, an Other Arena Event), including, for the avoidance of doubt, on the same day as a Home Game; provided that: (i) no Other Arena Event shall relieve Licensor of its obligations hereunder, including to deliver the Common Areas and Team Areas to the Rangers in the condition required by ARTICLE IX by or before the times required in Section 4.02(a), and (ii) no Other Arena Event shall be scheduled if it could reasonably be expected to materially interfere with the presentation, use or operation of the Arena for any previously scheduled Rangers Events (or the revenues derived by the Rangers therefrom).
Section 4.05 Alterations.
(a) Rangers Alterations. During the Term, the Rangers may request that Licensor make alterations to the Team Areas and/or Common Areas. Licensor shall make those alterations to the extent necessary to comply with its obligations under this Agreement, at Licensors sole cost and expense. To the extent those alterations are not necessary for Licensor to comply with its obligations under this Agreement, those alterations shall be subject to the approval of Licensor, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, and shall be made at the Rangers sole cost and expense (subject to the Rangers approval of Licensors plans and costs);
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it being understood that Licensor may deny its approval if it reasonably determines that such alterations would materially adversely impact Licensor or any third party who regularly uses the space (e.g., the Knicks).
(b) Licensor Alterations.
(i) |
Licensor shall have the right to make alterations or other changes to the Arena, in its sole discretion and at its sole cost and expense; provided that Licensor shall be required to obtain the prior written consent (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) of the Rangers to the extent that any such alterations or changes could reasonably be expected to impact the Rangers rights or obligations hereunder, or the presentation, set-up, use or operation of the Arena for any Rangers Event. |
(ii) |
Without limiting ARTICLE IX, Licensor shall be responsible for making alterations, upgrades, modifications and improvements to the Arena (and the components thereof) at Licensors sole cost and expense (subject to Section 4.05(c)), as may be required from time to time in order to maintain the Arena in accordance with the Standard. |
(iii) |
Alterations intended to generate additional premium seating revenues for both Licensor and the Rangers shall be governed by the terms of Section 5.04. |
(c) Alterations Pursuant to League Rules. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, any alterations, upgrades, modifications or improvements to the Arena that are made solely to comply with any new or amended League Rules that are enacted after the Commencement Date shall be made at the Rangers sole expense.
The Parties shall cooperate in good faith to agree on the plans and specifications for alterations made under Sections 4.05(a) (c) and the time period during which such alterations are expected to be made. All such alterations shall (i) be made by Licensor or its contractors, (ii) comply with all applicable laws, ordinances, orders, regulations and League Rules, (iii) be completed in a good and workmanlike manner, using new materials or their equivalent, without unreasonable delay, (iv) not interfere with gameplay in accordance with League Rules and (v) not materially interfere with the presentation, set-up, use or operation of the Arena for any Rangers Event (or the revenues derived by the Rangers therefrom), without the Rangers prior written approval.
Section 4.06 Manner of the Rangers Use. At all times during the Term:
(a) The Rangers shall use the Arena in accordance with all League Rules and applicable laws, ordinances, and regulations. Licensor shall operate the Arena in accordance with all League Rules, applicable laws, ordinances, and regulations. [*****]
(b) The Rangers and their guests, invitees, patrons, and designees shall be subject to any reasonable and nondiscriminatory rules and regulations and security procedures that Licensor imposes on the use of the Arena, so long as the same (i) are not inconsistent with the other
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provisions of this Agreement (including Licensors requirement to maintain and operate the Arena in accordance with the Standard) or League Rules, and (ii) are uniformly applied to all other occupants and users of the Arena except to the extent necessitated by differing particular event types.
(c) Each Party shall, at any time and from time to time, upon not less than ten (10) days prior written request from the other Party, execute, acknowledge and deliver to the requesting Party, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the requesting Party and, if applicable, its existing or prospective direct or indirect lender or purchaser, a written estoppel statement certifying, (i) that this Agreement is unmodified and in full force and effect (or, if there have been modifications, that the same is in full force and effect as modified and stating the modifications), (ii) if true (or, if not entirely true, listing any exceptions), that the requesting Party is not in default hereunder, (iii) the date to which the License Fee and other charges have been paid in advance, if any, and (iv) such other accurate certifications as may reasonably be required by the requesting Party or its existing or prospective direct or indirect lender or purchaser, and agreeing to give copies to the requesting Partys existing or prospective direct or indirect lender or purchaser of all material notices by the stating Party to the requesting Party, and agreeing to afford the requesting Partys existing or prospective direct or indirect lender or purchaser an opportunity to cure any default of the stating Party within the applicable cure period afforded to the requesting Party hereunder. It is intended that any such statement delivered pursuant to this subsection may be relied upon by any prospective direct or indirect lender to or purchaser of the Rangers or of the Arena and their respective successors and assigns.
Section 4.07 Rangers Misuse. The Rangers shall promptly reimburse Licensor for costs of cleaning, repairs or replacements, net of insurance proceeds received under Article XIV, necessitated by (a) uses by the Rangers not permitted under this Agreement, or (b) grossly negligent, reckless or willful acts of the Rangers or visiting NHL teams for Rangers Events that cause such damage (collectively, Rangers Misuse).
Section 4.08 Surrender. Upon the expiration of the Term or earlier termination of this Agreement, the Rangers shall promptly vacate the Arena under the direction of and in the manner reasonably approved by Licensor, and shall surrender all of its keys, access cards, and other credentials and access items for the Arena to Licensor, and shall inform Licensor of all combinations on all of its locks, safes, and vaults, if any, in the Arena. Without limiting the foregoing, the Rangers shall not remove any alterations, improvements, or other property (other than personal property not affixed or attached to the Arena or any elements thereof) from the Arena unless permitted to do so by Licensor, and the Rangers shall promptly reimburse Licensor for the cost of repairing any damage caused by such removal. Any personal property of the Rangers which remains in the Arena after the expiration of the Term or earlier termination of this Agreement may, at the option of Licensor, be deemed to have been abandoned, and, in Licensors sole discretion, (a) may be retained by Licensor as its property, (b) shall be disposed of by the Rangers at the request of Licensor, or (c) may be disposed of by Licensor.
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ARTICLE V
TICKETS, SUITES AND CLUBS
Section 5.01 Prices. As between Licensor and the Rangers, (a) the Rangers shall have sole discretion to control the manifest and determine the prices and fees (subject to Section 5.06(a)) for all tickets and other indicia authorizing admission (each a Ticket) for general admission seating, standing room and other general admission spectator positions in the Arena for all Rangers Events, and (b) except as provided below, Licensor shall have sole discretion to control the manifest and determine the license fees to be paid for the Suites, The Loft, the Madison Club and similar premium spaces developed in accordance with Section 5.03 and Section 5.04 during the Term. There shall be no limit on the number of complimentary Tickets the Rangers may issue.
Section 5.02 Ticket Revenues.
(a) Ticket Sales. The Rangers shall have the exclusive right to sell and resell all Tickets and retain all revenues from all Ticket sales and resales, including the Facility Ticket Fee (as defined in Section 5.02(c)), the Rangers share of any Convenience Fee (as defined in Section 5.06(a)), and any personal seat licenses the Rangers may elect to sell, provided, that the Rangers right to sell personal seat licenses shall be limited to Rangers Events only (and no Other Arena Events) and provided further, that any form agreement for the sale or licensing of personal seat licenses shall be subject to Licensors prior approval, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, and the Rangers shall not make any material alterations to such form agreement that adversely impact Licensor without Licensors prior written approval, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.
(b) Loaded-Value Tickets. To the extent that the Rangers offer a ticket product with which the ticketholder is entitled to gratis Concessions in addition to seating to a Home Game, Licensor shall provide such Concessions and the Rangers shall remit to Licensor the actual retail value of any Concessions redeemed by each such ticketholder, which revenue will be included in Team Merchandise revenue (to the extent that the sale/redemption relates to Team Merchandise) or F&B Concessions Gross Receipts, as applicable. To the extent that the sale/redemption relates to Non-Team Merchandise, Licensor shall retain all such redeemed amounts. For purposes of clarity, any revenue associated with loaded-value tickets that is not redeemed for Concessions shall remain the property of the Rangers.
(c) Facility Ticket Fee. [*****] shall charge to all primary Home Game Ticket purchasers a per-Ticket facility fee (the Facility Ticket Fee), in an amount determined from time to time by Licensor following consultation with the Rangers. [*****]
Section 5.03 Suites; Madison Club; The Loft.
(a) Suites. Subject to other provisions of this Section 5.03, Licensor shall have the exclusive right to license Suites to third parties for all or a portion of Rangers Events and Other Arena Events and collect license fees for the privilege of using the Suites and related amenities. Licensor shall be responsible for all costs of licensing, operating, servicing and maintaining the Suites in accordance with the Standard. Revenues generated from the licensing of Suites shall be
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allocated as set forth in Section 5.03(b). All of the terms and conditions of such licenses and appurtenant Arena admission tickets and other rights and obligations related to the occupancy of Suites shall be governed by separate agreements (each, a Suite Agreement) entered into between Licensor and the licensees of Suites. Licensors form Suite Agreements shall be subject to the prior written approval of the Rangers (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), and Licensor shall not make any material alterations to the form Suite Agreements or any executed Suite Agreement that adversely impact the Rangers without the Rangers prior written approval, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.
(b) Suites Revenue.
(i) |
All-Event Suites. For Suites licensed for all or substantially all Arena events including Home Games (other than certain major Other Arena Events, including All-Star Games, awards shows, major college championship events, etc.), including those sold on a half-share, quarter-share or other fractional portion basis, the Rangers shall receive [*****]% of all revenues collected or received by Licensor from the sale of such Suites (the Rangers Suites Revenue Share), net of contracted catering credits (if any), taxes and credit card fees, and Licensor shall retain the remaining amounts, except as provided in Section 5.03(g) and 6.01(a) [*****]. In the event of a No Fault Occurrence, the Rangers Suites Revenue Share shall be increased to [*****]%. |
(ii) |
Team-Only and Single Game Suites. The Rangers shall receive all revenues collected or received by Licensor from the sale of Suites licensed only for individual or packages of Home Games and/or other Rangers Events, net of the retail value of food and beverage packages included in the license fee (Included F&B Packages), contracted catering credits (if any), taxes and credit card fees, less a Licensor commission of [*****]% of such net revenue (provided that, in the event of a No Fault Occurrence, the Parties will agree on an appropriate reduction to such commission to account for any reduction in the additional amount that would have been payable to the Rangers under the last sentence of Section 5.03(b)(i) if all Suites were sold for all Arena events). |
(iii) |
Custom Team and Non-Team Suite Packages. For customized Suite packages (i.e., a pre-determined mix of events that include Rangers Events and Other Arena Events), revenues shall be proportionally allocated to each event included in such package based on the then-applicable rate card for the included events. The Rangers shall receive all revenues collected or received by Licensor attributable to the Rangers Events included in such package, net of Included F&B Packages, contracted catering credits (if any), taxes and credit card fees, to the extent used during Rangers Events, less a Licensor commission of [*****]% of such net revenue as so allocated (provided that, in the event of a No Fault Occurrence, the Parties will agree on an appropriate reduction to such commission to account for any reduction in the additional amount that would have been payable to the Rangers under the last sentence of Section 5.03(b)(i) if all Suites were sold for all Arena events). |
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(iv) |
Suite Passes for Rangers Events. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all revenues from the sale or license of passes for incremental admission to Suites for Rangers Events (commonly known as suite passes), net of taxes and credit card fees, shall be retained by the Rangers. The parties shall agree on the terms and pricing of such suite passes, which shall be sold by Licensor. |
(v) |
Catering Credits. Any contracted catering credits or Included F&B Packages granted to a Suite licensee as part of a Suite license shall be included in Catering Gross Receipts as and to the extent used during Rangers Events. Any contracted catering credits or Included F&B Packages granted to a Suite licensee as part of a (x) single-game or Team-only package or (y) customized Suite package including Rangers Events and Other Arena Events (as described in Section 5.03(b)(iii)) shall be subject to the prior written approval of the Rangers, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. With respect to any contracted catering credits or Included F&B Packages granted to a Suite licensee as part of any suite package containing a mix of Team and non-Team events, Licensor shall ensure that such contracted catering credits or Included F&B Packages have the same terms and conditions, at the Suite licensees discretion, at both Team Events and Other Arena Events. |
(c) Suite 16. The Rangers acknowledge that Suite 16 on the tenth floor of the Arena is currently licensed to the TAO Group, in which Licensors parent company has a majority ownership interest. The Rangers agree that notwithstanding Licensors ownership interest in the TAO Group, the Rangers share of the license revenue for this suite shall be calculated based on the fees paid or payable to Licensor by the TAO Group, and not with respect to any membership or other revenue or income generated by the TAO Group, provided that such fees are established and maintained on an arms-length basis (it being acknowledged that the fee payable by the TAO Group to Licensor for the twelve-month period ended June 30, 2019 is arms-length for purposes of this Section 5.03(c)).
(d) The Madison Club and The Loft.
(i) |
Certain clients will pay Licensor membership fees that entitle them to access (a) the 170-seat defined hospitality and seating space on the west side of the Arena currently known as the Madison Club during all Home Games and all Knicks Games, boxing, tennis, and NCAA college basketball events at the Arena (the Madison Club); and/or (b) the 48-seat defined hospitality and seating space on the east side of the Arena currently known as The Loft at Madison Square Garden during all Arena events including Home Games (other than certain major Other Arena Events, including All-Star Games, awards shows, major college championship events, etc.) (The Loft). |
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(ii) |
Licensor shall be responsible for selling and servicing Madison Club and Loft memberships and operating, maintaining and servicing the Madison Club and The Loft in accordance with the Standard. The Rangers shall receive [*****]% of all revenues collected or received by Licensor from the sale of memberships to the Madison Club and The Loft, net of taxes and credit card fees (the Rangers Hospitality Share). The Rangers shall reimburse Licensor for (a) the direct cost of providing complimentary food and beverage, and (b) the cost of other direct event variable labor (e.g., concierge, coat check, etc.), other than labor related to Concessions that are sold, attributable to the Madison Club and The Loft for Home Games, in each case under (a) and (b), which costs shall be consistent for all events and on a basis as determined in consultation with the Rangers. Schedule 5.03(d) sets forth the staffing levels for the Madison Club and The Loft as of the 2019-20 Season (which takes into account the services provided for the Madison Club and The Loft as of the 2019-20 Season). For all Home Games and similar (based on factors including expected attendance) Other Arena Events, Licensor shall maintain substantially similar levels of service and staffing (as set forth on Schedule 5.03(d)), provided that the Parties shall regularly coordinate and discuss with one another the appropriate levels of service and staffing and accommodate the others reasonable requests for adjustment thereto. In the event of a No Fault Occurrence, the Rangers Hospitality Share shall be increased to [*****]%. |
(iii) |
To the extent that Licensor sells specialized packages that are different from those referenced in Sections 5.03(d)(i)-(ii) above, the parties shall coordinate and agree on appropriate pricing, revenue share and/or commissions. To the extent that Licensor provides members of the Madison Club and/or The Loft with limited amount of gratis Concessions (e.g., through a loaded ticket) (Gratis Concessions), the Parties shall coordinate and mutually agree on appropriate terms, costs and revenue allocations for such Gratis Concessions. |
(iv) |
All of the terms and conditions of the sale of such memberships shall be governed by separate agreements (the Hospitality Agreements) entered into between Licensor and the members of the Madison Club and The Loft. Licensors form Hospitality Agreements shall be subject to the prior written approval of the Rangers (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) and Licensor shall not make any alterations to such form Hospitality Agreement or any executed Hospitality Agreement that materially adversely impact the Rangers without the Rangers prior written approval, not to be unreasonably delayed or withheld. |
(e) Sales by the Rangers. Licensor may from time to time authorize the Rangers to attempt to license or sell on Licensors behalf the Suites or memberships referred to in this Section 5.03. For purposes of clarity, the Parties agree that the revenue sharing referred to in this Section 5.03 shall apply whether the license or sale is consummated by Licensor, Rangers or MSG Sports employees; provided that, if the license or sale is of Team-only or single game Suites (as described
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in Section 5.03(b)(ii)) or custom Team and non-Team Suite packages (as described in Section 5.03(b)(iii)) and is consummated by the Rangers or MSG Sports, Licensors commission on such license or sale shall be [*****]% of the applicable net revenue.
(f) Settlement. Licensor shall remit to the Rangers on a monthly basis a cash payment equal to the Rangers share of revenues collected or received for the Suites, the Madison Club, The Loft (and any similar premium spaces developed during the Term in accordance with Section 5.04), in each case, in accordance with Section 9.06. To the extent that Licensor receives value in kind as payment for the sale of licenses or memberships to the Suites, the Madison Club or The Lofts, Licensor shall pay to the Rangers an amount based on the rate card value of such license or membership (e.g., if Licensor receives value in kind as full payment for an all-Event Suite, Licensor shall pay the Rangers the Rangers Hospitality Share of the rate card value of such Suite license). Licensor shall be responsible for the payment of all taxes and credit card fees with respect to all sales made by Licensor or its agents pursuant to this Agreement.
(g) Complimentary Suites and Usage.
(i) |
The Rangers shall have the right to use without payment of a license fee one (1) Event Level Suite or a comparable suite product for each Rangers Event. Licensor shall determine the location of such Suite based on availability and sales levels and prospects, provided that the Rangers shall initially be permitted to use what is currently designated Event Level Suite 20. |
(ii) |
The Rangers may not license to third parties the Suite or associated tickets referred to in subsection (i), provided that it may request Licensor to attempt to license or sell such Suite or associated tickets for a particular Home Game or Home Games and/or Other Rangers Events. Any resulting revenue, net of Included F&B Packages, contracted catering credits (if any), taxes and credit card fees, will be shared by Licensor and the Rangers as if it were a single-game suite license pursuant to Section 5.03(b)(ii). Licensor may use or license such Suite or associated tickets for Other Arena Events without payment to the Rangers of the revenue share otherwise attributable to the license of Suites set forth in Section 5.03(b). |
(iii) |
Upon request by the Rangers, and subject to availability, Licensor shall make available, at no cost, one (1) Madison-level or Signature-level Suite on a Home Game by Home Game basis solely for use by visiting team owners, executives and their guests. |
(iv) |
Licensor shall have the right to use one (1) Event Level Suite for all Rangers Events and Other Arena Events without payment to the Rangers of the revenue share otherwise attributable to the license of Suites set forth in Section 5.03(b). Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent Licensor decides to license such Event Level Suite in whole or in part to a third party and receives a license fee therefor, the Rangers shall receive their applicable revenue share (if any) as provided in Section 5.03(b). |
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(v) |
Unsold Suite, Madison Club and Loft Inventory. Suites and associated tickets related to the Suites, the Madison Club and the Loft that are not licensed or sold for Home Games may be used by Licensor for prospecting for Suite, Madison Club and Loft licensees. Additional unsold Suite, Madison Club and Loft inventory may be used to provide for complimentary attendance by employees of the Rangers, Licensor and their respective Affiliates or for other business relationships in accordance with each companys complimentary ticket program. The Parties shall mutually determine how to allocate unsold suite inventory between the Parties, provided, that if the Parties cannot agree, [*****] of such inventory shall be available to the Rangers for such purposes and [*****] of such inventory shall be retained by Licensor for such purposes. In no event may the unused Suites or associated tickets related to Suites, Madison Club or Loft allocated under this Section 5.03(g)(v) be licensed or sold by either Party, without the consent of the other Party (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), in which case the Rangers shall receive their applicable revenue share as provided in Sections 5.03(b) or 5.03(d). |
(h) Suite 200. Licensor shall maintain the executive lounge currently designated Suite 200 (or a private hospitality area of substantially similar size offering substantially similar amenities, in the same or a different location in the Arena) for the use of senior executives and their invited guests (Suite 200). The Rangers shall have access to Suite 200 during Home Games in a manner consistent with past practice and shall bear or reimburse Licensor for all out-of-pocket costs associated with operating Suite 200 for Home Games. Any annual increase to the aggregate costs charged to the Rangers for operating Suite 200 shall not exceed [*****]% without the Rangers prior written approval, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. The Rangers agree that senior executives of Licensor and their invited guests shall have complimentary access to Suite 200 during Home Games on the same basis as senior executives of the Rangers and their invited guests.
Section 5.04 Future Ticket and Premium Products.
(a) Licensor, after consultation with and receipt of prior written approval from the Rangers (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), may develop after the Commencement Date new seating products where the ticket purchaser has the option to purchase seats for multiple event types (e.g., Home Games and Other Arena Events). If the Rangers approve such new seating products, the Rangers shall provide the required ticket inventory, and Licensor shall provide applicable amenities, at prices and other economic terms and splits to be negotiated and agreed upon by the Parties.
(b) Licensor, after consultation with and receipt of prior written approval from the Rangers, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, may develop after the Commencement Date new suites and/or seating products (e.g., new or altered premium spaces) where amenities additional to admission are provided to the ticket purchaser, licensor or member. In such event, allocation of capital and operating expenses, revenues and obligations shall be determined in a manner to be agreed upon.
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Section 5.05 Box Office; Ticket Printing; In-Arena Ticket Sales.
(a) Box Office Operations. If Licensor generally operates a box office (including will call support) for Other Arena Events, Licensor will also operate a box office (including will call support) during reasonable business hours, and for all Rangers Events commencing at the earlier of (i) noon and (ii) the opening of the Arena doors for the applicable Rangers Events and ending no earlier than the commencement of the third period of the Rangers Events, and shall provide substantially equivalent service and staffing, with respect to the sale of tickets for Home Games and Other Rangers Events as to Other Arena Events all in a manner consistent with past practice, provided that the Parties shall regularly coordinate and discuss with one another the appropriate levels of service and staffing, sales strategies and priorities and accommodate the others reasonable requests for adjustment thereto. At the Rangers request, Licensor shall share with the Rangers all Customer Data (as defined in Section 10.03) relating to the Rangers that is generated through box office operations.
(b) Full and Partial Season Ticket Packages. If requested by the Rangers, and for so long as Licensor is generally printing tickets for Other Arena Events, Licensor shall coordinate, at the Rangers reasonable direction, cost and expense, the printing of Tickets for full and partial season packages. The Rangers shall sell, invoice and collect all revenues from such Ticket packages, in its sole discretion. The Rangers shall be responsible for all credit card fees and other similar charges in connection with the sale of such Tickets. The Rangers shall develop any and all creative content to be included on such Tickets printed by Licensor at the Rangers request.
(c) Group Ticket Packages. If requested by the Rangers, and for so long as Licensor is generally printing tickets for Other Arena Events, Licensor shall coordinate, at the Rangers reasonable direction, cost and expense, the printing of Tickets for group packages. The Rangers shall sell, invoice and collect all revenues from such Ticket packages, in its sole discretion. The Rangers shall be responsible for all credit card fees and other similar charges in connection with the sale of such Tickets. The Rangers shall develop any and all creative content to be included on such Tickets printed by Licensor at the Rangers request.
(d) In-Arena Ticket Sales. During Rangers Events, the Rangers shall be permitted to have tables and kiosks on the concourse for the sole purpose of selling season (including partial) ticket and group ticket packages for the Rangers and its Affiliates. The placement of such tables and kiosks shall be reasonably determined by Licensor consistent with past practice.
Section 5.06 Ticket Agent.
(a) Ticket Agent Agreements. The Rangers shall be required to utilize and comply with the current primary and secondary ticket provider agreement(s) with Licensors ticket agent (the Ticket Agent), and any amendment, modification or replacement of the same in accordance with Section 5.06(b), (the Ticket Agent Agreements) for applicable Ticket transactions for Home Games and any Other Rangers Events to which tickets are sold. It is understood that a portion of any upfront or annual fees received by Licensor from the Ticket Agent during the Term shall be allocated to the Rangers on a pro rata basis on equitable terms (e.g., based on projected ticket sales for the businesses covered by the Ticket Agent Agreements). [*****]
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(b) Amended or Replacement Ticket Agent Agreements. Licensor shall have the right to negotiate and administer any amendments to the current Ticket Agent Agreements or any replacement ticket provider agreement with a third party, provided that, (i) any portion of such amendment or replacement agreement that relates to the Rangers or Rangers Events or (ii) any renewal or extension of the current Ticket Agent Agreements or any replacement ticket provider agreement, in each case, shall be subject to the prior written approval of the Rangers. If the Rangers do not grant such approval, the Rangers may enter into its own ticket provider agreement(s), provided that the Rangers or such other ticket provider shall pay all costs needed to implement such other ticketing systems at the Arena.
(c) Access to Systems and Data. Licensor shall use commercially reasonable efforts to (i) include in its Ticket Agent Agreements an obligation to provide the Rangers with substantially similar access to relevant information about the Rangers customers and sales activity that resides in the Ticket Agents database and other system components as are provided under Licensors current agreement with Ticketmaster, (ii) enforce such obligation on behalf of the Rangers at the Rangers expense and (iii) enforce any other terms of any Ticket Agent Agreements that affect the Rangers at the Rangers expense; it being understood that, with respect to any agreements where the Rangers are an express party or a third party beneficiary, Licensor shall have no obligations under clauses (ii) or (iii), above.
Section 5.07 Ticket Settlement Process. Licensor shall, or shall cause Ticket Agent to, remit to the Rangers all amounts collected in connection with the sale of Tickets on a weekly basis, together with an itemized statement indicating the number and price of each Ticket sold and related fees collected.
Section 5.08 Access to Tickets.
(a) Complimentary Tickets for Home Games. Licensor shall be afforded access to a pool of complimentary tickets for Home Games throughout the Term, on the following terms:
(i) |
The pool shall include [*****] or other sections as the Parties may otherwise agree, it being understood that the Parties shall regularly coordinate and discuss with one another and accommodate the others reasonable requests for adjustment to the number and location of the additional complimentary tickets described in clause (y). |
(ii) |
Complimentary tickets may be used by Licensor for its and its Affiliates employees or other business purposes but may not be resold. If such complimentary tickets will not be used, such tickets may be sold by the Rangers and the Rangers may retain all revenue therefrom. |
(b) Pools of Tickets for Purchase. The Rangers shall be afforded access to purchase tickets from a pool of tickets for Other Arena Events, and Licensor shall be afforded access to purchase tickets from a pool of tickets for Home Games, in each case subject to availability. Such tickets may be used by the Rangers or Licensor (as applicable) for their Affiliates, employees or other business purposes but may not be resold. Each ticket pool shall also be subject to such other procedures, restraints and limitations as may be determined by the Party offering access. In both cases, the Parties shall regularly coordinate and discuss with one another and accommodate the others reasonable requests for adjustment to the number and locations of the tickets in the pool.
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Section 5.10 Credentials and Passes. The Rangers may issue a reasonable number of passes to photo, press and media, staff, visiting teams, performers (e.g., dance teams and intermission performers), League personnel and any other Person, pursuant to the directions of the Rangers from time to time, permitting such selected persons free access to the Arena for Rangers Events and to specified areas of the Arena normally closed to the public; provided, however, that any such issuance is in accordance with League Rules, including, without limitation, the then-prevailing NHL Recommendations for Arena Security and Licensors Arena safety and security protocols.
Section 5.11 Admission to Arena. Licensor shall not grant any spectator admission to the Arena for any Rangers Event unless such spectator has acquired and displays a Ticket or other indicia of admission (e.g., a press or related pass) to such Rangers Event issued by Licensor or the Rangers (or, if applicable, the League) in accordance with this Agreement.
ARTICLE VI
CONCESSIONS
Section 6.01 F&B Concessions and Catering.
(a) Licensor shall have the exclusive right and obligation to operate and manage the sale of F&B Concessions and Catering Services during all Rangers Events in a manner reasonably calculated to maximize profits but subject to providing a positive customer experience in accordance with the Standard and subject to Schedule 6.01. The Rangers shall receive [*****]% of the Net Profits (as defined in Schedule 6.01) from the sale of F&B Concessions and Catering Services attributable to Rangers Events (the Rangers F&B Concessions and Catering Share). To the extent Licensor directly manages and conducts the sale of such F&B Concessions and Catering Services, such sales shall be provided in accordance with Schedule 6.01. In the event of a No Fault Occurrence, the Rangers F&B Concessions and Catering Share shall be increased to [*****]%.
(b) In the event Licensor retains a third party to provide F&B Concessions and/or Catering Services or enters into a lease, license or operating agreement for food and beverage space, in each case, in accordance with Section 6.04 the Rangers shall receive [*****]% of all amounts received by Licensor (including any annual payments, up-front payments, advances, back-end payments, earn-outs, guarantees, allowances, rebates, refunds, discounts or any other payments or revenues retained by Licensor or its Affiliate) attributable to Rangers Events from any such arrangement or agreement (the Third Party F&B Share); provided that, with respect to amounts received that cannot be specifically traced to a Rangers Event as opposed to an Other Arena Event, Licensor shall reasonably and fairly estimate the portion of the total amount that is attributable to Rangers Events (which estimate shall be subject to the review and approval of the Rangers, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) and shall remit to the Rangers the Third Party F&B Share of the portion of such amount. In the event of a No Fault Occurrence, the Third Party F&B Share shall be increased to [*****]%.
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Section 6.02 Team Merchandise.
(a) Licensor shall have the exclusive right and obligation, at its sole cost and expense, to operate and manage the sale of Team Merchandise at the Arena (excluding collectibles and game-used items) in a manner reasonably calculated to maximize revenues, but subject to providing a positive customer experience in accordance with the Standard. Schedule 6.02 sets forth the service and staffing for the sale of Team Merchandise for Regular Season Home Games as of the 2019-20 Season. Licensor shall maintain at least substantially similar levels of service and staffing for all Home Games provided that the Parties shall regularly coordinate and discuss with one another the appropriate levels of service and staffing and accommodate the others reasonable requests for adjustment thereto. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, as between the Parties, the Rangers shall have the exclusive right to sell and control the sale of Team Merchandise online and anywhere else (other than at the Arena) and retain all revenue therefrom.
(b) The Rangers shall source, purchase and own all Team Merchandise it designates for sale at the Arena and consign it to Licensor for sale. Licensor shall be responsible for reasonable storage and inventory control for Team Merchandise. The Rangers shall set the pricing of Team Merchandise. Licensor, at its sole cost, shall offer and sell Team Merchandise, and provide appropriate sales staff and supervision, at points of sale in existing and replacement in-Arena stores and other locations designated or approved by the Rangers (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), on Home Dates and at other times pursuant to Section 6.02(d).
(c) Licensor shall retain [*****]% of revenues, net of taxes and credit card fees, collected by Licensor from the sale of Team Merchandise sold at the Arena by or on behalf of Licensor and remit the remainder to the Rangers, provided that the Rangers shall retain all revenue from any collectibles or game-used items received pursuant to any third-party agreement (e.g., Fanatics). Licensor shall be responsible for the payment of all taxes and credit card fees with respect to all such sales.
(d) Licensor shall dedicate to Team Merchandise designated by the Rangers a minimum of [*****]% of the display space designated by Licensor in consultation with the Rangers (the Team Merchandise Allocation) in the Madison Square Garden Store located in Chase Square and other subsequent stores located within the Arena that do not require an individual to have a ticket to access such store. It is understood and agreed that the Rangers and the Knicks (to the extent that they remain affiliated entities) may allocate display space to each other on an event-by-event and day-by-day basis; for the avoidance of doubt, Licensor shall not have access to more than [*****]% of the display space in the Madison Square Garden Store, except as provided in subsection (e), below.
(e) Licensor and the Rangers agree that no Team Merchandise shall be required to be offered in such stores (or elsewhere in the Arena) while the Arena is being used for Other Arena Events.
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(f) The Parties shall regularly coordinate and discuss with one another the appropriate relative levels and locations of display space and accommodate the others reasonable requests for adjustment thereto.
Section 6.03 Non-Team Merchandise. Subject to Section 6.02, Licensor shall have the exclusive right to control the operation and sale of Non-Team Merchandise at the Arena at any time. Licensor shall retain all revenue from the sale of all Non-Team Merchandise. Licensor may use up to [*****]% of the display space in concourses and other ticketed areas during Home Games for the sale of Non-Team Merchandise, provided that such merchandise and the locations in which it is displayed and sold shall require the approval of the Rangers, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. The Parties shall regularly coordinate and discuss with one another the appropriate relative levels and locations of display space and accommodate the others reasonable requests for adjustment thereto.
Section 6.04 Third-Party Contracts. Licensor shall have the right to enter into a contract or contracts with one or more third parties pursuant to which such third parties shall conduct and manage the sale of some or all Concessions and/or Catering Services, provided that Licensor shall be required to obtain the prior written approval of the Rangers, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, for service providers that (i) do not or will not provide similar services during Other Arena Events or (ii) will conduct or manage the sale of a majority of F&B Concessions or Team Merchandise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Licensor shall reasonably consult with the Rangers regarding the terms of any proposed agreement with any third party that shall conduct or manage the sale of a majority of F&B Concessions or Team Merchandise.
Section 6.05 Operation on a Fair Basis; Standard of Service. Licensor shall operate, or contract with a third party for the operation of, Concessions and/or Catering Services on a basis that is fair to both Licensor and the Rangers and equivalent for Rangers Events and Other Arena Events. The quality of the service provided for Rangers Events shall be consistent with the Standard.
Section 6.06 Settlement. Licensor shall, or shall cause any third party conducting and managing the sale of Concessions and/or Catering Services to, remit to the Rangers all amounts from the sale of Concessions and/or Catering Services that the Rangers are entitled to under this ARTICLE VI in accordance with Section 9.06.
ARTICLE VII
SIGNAGE AND SPONSORSHIPS
Section 7.01 Definitions.
Arena Game Shared Sponsorship Assets means Advertising (including digital and fixed signage) visible or audible inside the Arena during Home Games and Other Arena Events, but expressly excluding Team Sponsorship Assets, and Arena Naming Rights, which includes, without limitation, (a) bridge signage and entitlements, (b) vomitorium signage, (c) GardenVision
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underbelly and other fixed signage and Advertising on fixtures and equipment, (d) Advertising at concession areas and on Concession Items, (e) Advertising worn or carried by concessionaire personnel or other personnel engaged in the operation of Arena events and (f) naming rights and other entitlements of the lobby, concourses, suite levels, clubs and all other spaces in the Arena. For avoidance of doubt, Arena Game Shared Sponsorship Assets shall not include any Advertising (i) outside of the building entrances to the Arena (e.g., marquee spots or signage, outdoor digital board Advertising, breezeway signage or banners, Arena rooftop signage, etc.) which is not visible or audible inside the Arena bowl and sold to be visible or audible by seated Arena patrons, which Licensor shall have the exclusive right to sell and retain all revenue from or (ii) that is a Team Sponsorship Asset, which the Rangers shall have the exclusive right to sell and retain all revenue from in accordance with Section 7.02, whether or not such Advertising may also be visible or audible inside the Arena during Other Arena Events.
Arena Naming Rights means the right of a sponsor to have its brand integrated into the name of the Arena, e.g., the [*****] Madison Square Garden.
In-Bowl Variable Advertising means Advertising and other visual signage appearing on, and other audio airing through or in connection with, (a) in-Arena electronic scoreboards, telescreens and any other message boards, (b) in-Arena LED Signage, (c) any part of the Arena spectator bowl through projection technology, augmented reality and/or virtual reality, and (d) Arena audio or visual public address Advertising.
Non-Team Sponsorship Assets means Advertising controlled by Licensor to the extent that it creates no direct association with the Team, other than Team Sponsorship Assets, Arena Naming Rights and Arena Game Shared Sponsorship Assets.
Rinkside Advertising means electronic, virtual, and static Advertising displayed at Rangers Events that appears inside the Arena spectator bowl on: (a) seat back sleeves and other signage within the teams bench areas (e.g., sports drink-branded coolers, cups, squeeze bottles, and towels); (b) on or under the ice; (c) on dasherboards and plexiglass surrounding the ice hockey rink; (d) any moving or movable items (e.g., shovels, brooms and other ice-cleaning equipment, an indoor blimp/drone, t-shirt machines, the Zamboni ice machine); (e) within the penalty box; (f) between the team benches; (g) presentation of the Rangers Blue Crew (or other pep squad); (h) seat back sleeves in stands that are present for Home Games or Other Rangers Events only; (i) any other Advertising provided under and subject to the NHLs Line of Sight Guidelines and any other applicable League Rules; and (j) any other equipment, fixtures and items used by the Rangers in the vicinity of the ice hockey rink not already covered in the definition of Team Sponsorship Assets.
Sponsorship Sales and Service Representation Agreement means the agreement between Licensors affiliate, MSG Entertainment Group, LLC (MSGE) and the Rangers, entered into approximately contemporaneously herewith, whereby the Rangers authorizes MSGE to enter into sponsorship agreements that include Team Sponsorship Assets.
Team Sponsorship Allocation Agreement means the agreement between MSGE and MSG Sports, entered into approximately contemporaneously herewith, whereby MSG Sports agrees to deliver certain Team Sponsorship Assets in connection with certain current sponsorship agreements, and MSGE agrees to allocate and pay to the Rangers certain amounts with respect to such agreements.
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Team Sponsorship Assets means, with respect to the Rangers or Rangers Events only (in each case, including within three (3) hours before, during and within two (2) hours after each Rangers Event), (a) Rinkside Advertising; (b) In-Bowl Variable Advertising; (c) Advertising on Team programs, schedules, yearbooks and tickets; (d) GardenVision underbelly and other fixed signage and Advertising on fixtures and equipment; (e) Advertising relating to the player introduction tunnel (connecting locker room area to rink); (f) Advertising relating to Team game day contests and promotions (e.g., bobblehead night, hat night, puck-night, etc.); (g) Advertising that has been sold specifically with respect to only the Team (e.g., temporary Arena bowl stair signage present only for Rangers Events); (h) concourse activations (i) Advertising relating to the Team and visiting team player locker rooms, training rooms and interview rooms; (j) the exhibition and promotion of products and services at the Arena (e.g., kiosks and special areas in the concourse) during Rangers Events or on any date in which a Rangers Event is scheduled to the extent pertaining to any Rangers Event (but excluding food and beverage and merchandise otherwise covered by this Agreement); (k) promotional or premium item give-aways at Rangers Events; (l) such other Advertising and sponsorship assets as currently exist or may later be developed that are Team- or Rangers Event-specific; and (m) for the avoidance of doubt, all other advertising, sponsorship and promotional activity relating to the Team that is not related to the Arena (including advertising on Team uniforms, broadcasts, websites, mobile applications and social media platforms).
Section 7.02 Team Sponsorship Assets.
(a) Subject to subsections (b)-(e) of this Section 7.02, the Rangers shall have the exclusive right to sell and retain all revenue from, and shall be responsible for all direct out of pocket costs and expenses related to, the operation and sale of Team Sponsorship Assets, including the right to enter into category-exclusive sponsorship agreements with respect to Team Sponsorship Assets. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Licensor shall have the right to (i) alter digital signage platforms at any time (e.g., elimination of LED ring) at Licensors sole cost and expense, subject to reasonable advance consultation with the Rangers and provided that if such alterations would eliminate or materially alter any Team Sponsorship Assets contained in any agreement under which the Rangers provide or are committed to provide Team Sponsorship Assets as of the date of such alteration, Licensor will provide to the Rangers a replacement asset of equal or greater value (A) reasonably acceptable to the Rangers and (B) if such replacement is not permitted under such agreement, acceptable to the sponsor party to such agreement and (ii) (x) approve, in its sole discretion, any permanent affixed signage in the Arena by the Rangers or (y) approve, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, any temporary affixed signage by the Rangers on [*****] (clauses (1), (2) and (3) collectively, the Restricted Signage Areas); provided that (A) [*****] and (B) [*****] For the avoidance of doubt, any concourse, lobby or similar activations shall be subject to Sections 4.06(a) and 4.06(b). Licensor shall provide and maintain the in-Arena signage, assets and other elements associated with Team Sponsorship Assets (to the extent in the control of Licensor) in accordance with the Standard.
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(b) The Parties acknowledge and agree that their rights and obligations under this Section 7.02 shall be subject and subordinate to the Sponsorship Sales and Service Representation Agreement and the Team Sponsorship Allocation Agreement (collectively, the Arena Agency Agreements), as of the Effective Date and throughout the respective terms of such agreements. Pursuant to such Arena Agency Agreements, the Rangers shall be (i) required to provide Team Sponsorship Assets inventory committed to, and to comply with promotional category exclusivities granted to, certain Licensor sponsors (Joint Sponsors) in accordance with such Joint Sponsors respective agreements (each, a Joint Sponsorship Agreement) with Licensor and (ii) entitled to certain allocations of revenue received by Licensor pursuant to such agreements; each of (i) and (ii) as set forth in more detail in the Team Sponsorship Allocation Agreement.
(c) Subject to League Rules, the name and logo of any Arena Naming Rights partner or Marquee-level sponsor shall be exhibited on Teams home playing surface near Teams center-ice logo at the Arena (with [*****]% of the allocable revenue therefrom delivered to the Rangers).
(d) The Parties shall meet and confer regularly (contemplated to be no less frequently than once per calendar quarter) to discuss in good faith opportunities to maximize the collective value of their sponsorships by combining the sales of Team Sponsorship Assets, Arena Game Shared Sponsorship Assets and/or Non-Team Sponsorship Assets.
(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in no event shall the Rangers cover or interfere with any Arena Game Sponsorship Assets with any temporary, virtual or any other type of signage. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in no event shall Licensor cover or interfere with any Team Sponsorship Assets with any temporary, virtual or any other type of signage.
Section 7.03 Arena Game Shared Sponsorship Assets. Licensor shall have the exclusive right to sell all Arena Game Shared Sponsorship Assets, provided that Licensor shall not, without the Rangers prior written approval, (a) enter into any agreement that includes any Team Sponsorship Assets or (b) enter into any agreement or modify any arena inventory or signage existing as of the date hereof if such agreement or modification would reasonably be expected to (i) cause a breach under any agreement that includes Team Sponsorship Assets, (ii) eliminate, or substantially impair (i.e. effectively eliminate all or most of the value of) any physical Team Sponsorship Assets in the Arena or (iii) limit or restrict the Rangers ability to include Team Sponsorship Assets in any exclusive or non-exclusive advertising or sponsorship agreements, in each case under clauses (i), (ii) or (iii), unless Licensor provides to the Rangers a replacement asset of equal or greater value (A) reasonably acceptable to the Rangers and (B) if such replacement is not permitted under such agreement, acceptable to the sponsor party to such agreement. The Rangers shall not enter into any agreement (and has not as of the Effective Date) that contains Arena Game Shared Sponsorship Assets or would cause a breach under any agreement that includes Arena Game Shared Sponsorship Assets without Licensors prior written approval. The Rangers shall be entitled to (i) [*****]% of net revenue from the sale of Arena Game Shared Sponsorship Assets (the Rangers Arena Game Sponsorships Share), i.e., gross revenue therefrom less any of the following paid by Licensor: taxes and applicable fees; and actual out-of-pocket costs for signage fabrication, installation and removal costs; provided that, if (a) an Arena Game Shared Sponsorship Asset is not visible, audible or otherwise present during substantially all Other Arena Events, (b) an Arena Game Shared Sponsorship Asset is not visible,
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audible or otherwise present for a similar length of time during Other Arena Events and Rangers Events, or (c) such Arena Game Shared Sponsorship Assets does not include substantially all Rangers Events, then, in each instance, the revenues shall be proportionally allocated to each event included in such agreement, in a reasonable manner and as mutually agreed by Licensor and the Rangers, and the Rangers shall receive the appropriate proportional amount of revenues attributable to the Rangers Events (e.g., treatment of the JP Morgan Club, as currently operated). In the event of a No Fault Occurrence, the Rangers Arena Game Shared Sponsorships Share shall be increased to [*****]% (and in the case of any proportional allocation of revenues pursuant to the proviso in the foregoing sentence, the Parties will agree on an appropriate increase in favor of the Rangers to such allocation).
Section 7.04 Non-Team Sponsorship Assets. The Rangers shall have no rights whatsoever with respect to Non-Team Sponsorship Assets.
Section 7.05 Arena Naming Rights. The Rangers shall be entitled to [*****]% of revenue from the sale of any Arena Naming Rights, excluding any amounts already allocable to the Rangers pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise.
Section 7.06 Other Revenue. The Parties shall discuss in good faith the allocation of other Advertising income, revenues and fees derived from operations at the Arena that are not otherwise provided herein, to the extent attributable to Rangers Events.
Section 7.07 Signage and Sponsorship Settlement Process. Licensor shall remit to the Rangers a cash payment equal to all amounts collected or received from the sale of Arena Game Shared Sponsorship Assets and Arena Naming Rights that the Rangers are entitled to under this ARTICLE VII in accordance with Section 9.06.
ARTICLE VIII
BROADCASTING
Section 8.01 Broadcast Rights and Facilities.
(a) As between the Parties, the Rangers shall own and control all rights with respect to the broadcasts and telecasts of each Rangers Event by any means whatsoever (including, without limitation, radio; over the air, pay-per-view, and basic and pay cable television; and streaming and other forms of electronic and digital media now known or hereafter created) (the Broadcast Rights) and shall retain all revenues in connection with such Broadcast Rights. The Rangers may not authorize or purport to authorize their media rightsholder to include in telecasts or broadcasts of Home Games any virtual signage in the Restricted Signage Areas without the prior written consent of Licensor, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. For the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing sentence shall not apply to (i) any virtual signage being used as of the 2019-20 Season (i.e., one (1) position on the glass at each end of the ice and one (1) position between the benches) without the prior written consent of Licensor, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed or (ii) any League telecasts or broadcasts (including, without limitation, any national and international telecasts or broadcasts) or any visiting team telecasts or broadcasts, with respect to which the Rangers and Licensor each reserve all rights.
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(b) Licensor shall ensure that the press areas, broadcast areas, playing surfaces, Team Areas and Common Areas continue to be wired or otherwise equipped throughout the Term for the production of such broadcasts and telecasts in accordance with League Rules.
(c) Licensor shall cooperate with the Rangers and provide access for the producers of such broadcasts and telecasts to such truck loading docks, camera positions, and other Arena facilities reasonably required for the production of such broadcasts and telecasts in accordance with League Rules, at the Rangers or its broadcasters expense. Subject to League Rules, Licensor shall cooperate with and provide access for broadcast and telecast producers acting on behalf of all other duly authorized parties (e.g., opposing teams and the NHL) at such games.
(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Licensor retains the right to assign and reassign facilities, locations and spaces for the conduct of broadcasting in a manner consistent with League Rules; provided that Licensor will consult with the Rangers prior to any proposed changes to the locations and spaces for the conduct of broadcasting during Home Games. For example, and without limiting the previous sentence, Licensor is not obligated to continue to provide the rinkside studio, or the studio facilities on the bridge level, in their current locations.
Section 8.02 Broadcast Renovations. At the Rangers written request, Licensor shall make such alterations to the Arenas broadcast facilities and equipment as are reasonably necessary to comply with League Rules, and any broadcast agreements between the Rangers and/or the League and a broadcaster, provided that the Rangers shall be responsible for any upfront and continuing costs related to such alterations.
ARTICLE IX
LICENSOR SERVICES
Section 9.01 General Services. During the Term, Licensor, at its sole cost and expense (except as otherwise expressly provided herein), shall provide the following services, to and for the benefit of the Rangers (and the Arena generally), each in accordance with the Standard (General Services), provided that the Parties shall regularly coordinate and discuss with one another the appropriate levels and quality of staffing, equipment and service and accommodate the others reasonable requests for adjustment thereto.
(a) Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning.
(b) Subject to unavailability due to causes beyond Licensors reasonable control, utilities, including electricity, gas, steam, chilled water, hot and cold water, lighting, sewer, Wi-Fi (or comparable data delivery pipeline or service) service accessible to Rangers employees and patrons during Rangers Events, telephone and intercommunications equipment, elevators, and escalators.
(c) Lighting equipment and apparatus, including as may be required by League Rules.
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(d) Maintenance and repair of the Arena and all of its components in compliance with all applicable governmental laws, ordinances, and regulations and in clean and good condition, subject to ordinary wear and tear, subject to the Rangers obligation to pay for maintenance and repairs necessitated by Rangers Misuse.
(e) Twenty-four (24) hour per day, year-round protection and security of the Arena and all its facilities (including Team Areas), and all property of the Rangers and Rangers personnel located in the Arena.
(f) Reasonable grounds maintenance and snow and ice removal, including, but not limited to, keeping sidewalks and other areas immediately surrounding the Arena in compliance with all applicable governmental laws, ordinances, and regulations and reasonably free of snow, ice, debris, dirt, litter, and trash.
(g) Box office services in accordance with Section 5.05(a).
(h) Repair and maintenance, in each case in accordance with League Rules, of the playing surfaces and related equipment (including the ice surface, Zambonis, goals, dasherboards, and glass), and all back-up equipment and to the Rangers reasonable satisfaction in accordance with League Rules, all such costs to be borne or reimbursed by the Rangers, except to the extent repair or replacement is necessitated by the negligence of Licensor or its agents or other parties permitted by Licensor to use the foregoing (e.g., college teams using hockey rink), or required by League Rules.
(i) Without limiting the generality of Section 9.01(h), the Parties agree that Licensor shall own and maintain the ice plant and ice floor and related equipment supporting the operation of the ice rink but that the Rangers shall bear or reimburse Licensor for the cost of the labor, supplies and equipment required for such operation, including for cleaning the pipes and other ice-system elements and for purchasing and recycling the brine used in the ice system.
(j) All other services and functions needed to operate, repair and maintain the Arena in accordance with the Standard, including pest control and obtaining and maintaining all necessary licenses and permits.
(k) Without limiting any of the foregoing, Licensor shall operate, maintain and improve the Arena in accordance with the Standard at all times throughout the Term.
Section 9.02 Game Day Services. In addition to the General Services provided pursuant to Section 9.01, Licensor shall provide to and for the benefit of the Rangers, the following day-of-game services on the dates of all Rangers Events, each in accordance with the Standard (Game Day Services), for which the Rangers shall reimburse Licensors actual out-of-pocket operating cost (except as otherwise provided in this Agreement (e.g., operation of Suites, Advertising, Concessions and General Services)) without markup or overhead, as the same may be adjusted pursuant to Section 9.04:
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(a) Set-up of playing surfaces for the Rangers use on Home Dates (and for Other Rangers Events), by or before the time required in Section 4.02(a), in accordance with League Rules, and subject to the Rangers reasonable satisfaction.
(b) Operating in-house broadcast production facilities in the Arena in accordance with Article VIII (currently known as GardenVision) at a level consistent with past practice, it being understood that the Rangers maintain exclusive rights and remain responsible for providing the direction and production of all game presentation elements.
(c) Operating the Arena during and cleaning up the Arena after, a Home Game and Other Rangers Events, including the following event-specific personnel and their successors in name or function: security personnel, building security personnel, street patrol personnel (including supervisors), paid NYPD detail, anti-bomb canines and handlers, ushers, ticket takers, concourse Directors, elevator operators, restroom attendants, event office administrators, guest experience representatives, guest service supervisors, security supervisors, concourse supervisors, concourse managers, laborers/utility workers, carpenters, electricians, custodial porters, telecommunications technicians, spotlight operators and stagehands (as required based on the production elements for such Home Game or Other Rangers Event), and other necessary labor and third-party services, including overnight labor and supervisors, medical and emergency services staff or contractors and rubbish removal, all in a manner consistent with past practice, but not including game officials, referees, or timekeepers. The Rangers shall only be responsible for the costs relating to the foregoing personnel to the extent allocable to Rangers Events.
(d) If requested by the Rangers, Game Day box office personnel incremental to the staffing provided as General Services pursuant to Section 9.01(g) in a manner consistent with past practice.
(e) Any additional services reasonably requested by the Rangers in writing and approved by Licensor, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.
(f) With respect to all Game Day Services, all costs charged to the Rangers shall be nondiscriminatory and consistent with rates incurred by Licensor for all other events at the Arena.
Section 9.03 Delta Club and JP Morgan Club. During Rangers Events, the Rangers shall be permitted to provide certain ticketholders (subject to physical capacity constraints) with access to (a) the club currently known as the Delta Sky 360 Club and (b) the club currently known as the JP Morgan Club (collectively, the VIP Clubs). Ticketholders who have access to the VIP Clubs shall be entitled to a certain amount of complimentary food and beverage. The Rangers shall have the sole discretion in determining the price charged to ticketholders for access to, as well as the menu offered in, the VIP Clubs, and shall retain all revenues therefrom. Licensor shall operate the VIP Clubs in accordance with the Standard (the VIP Club Services), for which the Rangers shall reimburse Licensors actual cost, without markup or overhead, attributable to such Rangers Events.
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Section 9.04 Staffing Levels for Certain Services.
(a) Schedule 9.04 sets forth the staffing levels for Game Day Services, VIP Club Services and Suite 200 for Home Games as of the 2019-20 Season. Licensor shall maintain substantially similar levels of staffing for all Home Games, provided that the Parties shall regularly coordinate and discuss with one another the appropriate levels of staffing and accommodate the others reasonable requests for adjustment thereto. Licensor shall be responsible for retaining, managing and supervising all personnel in Licensors provision of the General Services, Game Day Services, VIP Club Services and Suite 200. Licensor shall use reasonable efforts to accommodate the Rangers reasonable requests with respect to the provision of all Game Day Services.
(b) Licensor shall not do or fail to do anything that will result in or will cause the Arena not being reasonably fit or otherwise available for use for Home Games in accordance with the League Rules as and when required to enable the Rangers to comply with its obligations under this Agreement.
Section 9.05 Budgeting and Estimates.
(a) Following reasonable consultation with the Rangers, Licensor shall provide the Rangers with reasonably detailed annual estimates of revenues and expenses by month and Home Game (the Annual Budget) related to Game Day Services, VIP Club Services, Suite 200 and any other revenues to be recouped and expenses to be paid by the Rangers under this Agreement (such costs and expenses, collectively, the Rangers Costs). The Annual Budget shall be provided at such times as may be reasonably required by the Rangers in accordance with the Rangers reasonable budgeting and forecasting processes. Upon receipt of the Annual Budget, the Rangers shall have a period of fifteen (15) days to review each estimate and forecast, and identify any objections it has to the Annual Budget. The Rangers and Licensor will then negotiate for a period of fifteen (15) days regarding any disagreements in respect of the Annual Budget. Subject to Section 9.05(b) below, if the Rangers and Licensor are unable to agree with respect to a particular cost within an Annual Budget within such period, the corresponding line item from the most recent approved Annual Budget will control with respect to such line item until such time, if any, that the Rangers and Licensor agree on such proposed line item; provided, that: (1) if such line item in the Annual Budget did not appear in the corresponding most recent approved Annual Budget, then Licensor shall not be entitled to payment or reimbursement for expenses in such line item and Licensor shall have no obligation to provide such product or service until the proposed line item is approved by the Rangers (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed); and (2) if such line item appeared in the prior Annual Budget, then Licensor shall be entitled to payment or reimbursement in an amount not to exceed the applicable line item of the prior approved Annual Budget multiplied by 104%. The Annual Budget for the 2019-20 Contract Year is attached hereto.
(b) [*****]
(c) The Rangers Costs shall be consistent with the costs incurred for Other Arena Events, it being understood that costs will differ based on the nature and need of the events and circumstances outside of the reasonable control of Licensor (e.g., Force Majeure). The amount payable by the Rangers to Licensor for Game Day Services and VIP Club Services shall be determined on a monthly basis in accordance with Section 9.06. The Rangers consent shall be
31
required for any deviation from the approved Annual Budget and, without such approval, the Rangers shall not be responsible for any costs or expenses in excess of such line items in the approved Annual Budget.
Section 9.06 Settlement.
(a) |
Not later than the fifteenth (15th) day of each calendar month, Licensor shall provide the Rangers a report (Monthly Report) calculating (i) each item of revenue (including any deductions therefrom) that is shared with or allocated or payable to the Rangers in accordance with this Agreement with respect to the immediately preceding calendar month and (ii) each item of cost or expense incurred by Licensor during the immediately preceding calendar month for which Licensor is entitled to payment or reimbursement (in whole or in part) from the Rangers in accordance with this Agreement (clauses (i) and (ii) collectively, the Applicable Amounts). Each Monthly Report shall include a reasonable amount of detail describing each of the Applicable Amounts and copies of ledgers, invoices or other reasonable evidence of each of the Applicable Amounts. Each Monthly Report delivered by Licensor to the Rangers shall set forth for each Joint Sponsorship Agreement during such Monthly Period, (x) the Revenues under such Joint Sponsorship Agreement allocated to the Rangers, on the one hand, and Licensor, on the other hand and (y) the Team entitlements (including Team Sponsorship Assets, Tickets, ticket banks, etc. provided to such Joint Sponsor) and Arena entitlements (including Non-Team Sponsorship Assets, Arena Game Shared Sponsorship Assets, Suites, etc. provided to such Joint Sponsor) contributed and their respective rate card values or fair market value (as applicable) under such Joint Sponsorship Agreement. Licensor shall pay the Rangers the net amount payable under each Monthly Report on or prior to the fifteenth (15th) day of each calendar month (i.e., the date in which the related Monthly Report is required to be provided to the Rangers). |
(b) |
Notwithstanding payment of the net amount under a Monthly Report, the Rangers may reasonably request additional information regarding such Monthly Report and the Licensor agrees to provide such additional information. The Rangers may dispute any amount in any Monthly Report, except for the License Fee and the percentage of the Rangers Tax Share (e.g., 50%). The Parties shall promptly confer to resolve any such areas of disagreement, and each Party shall be entitled to refer any disagreement that cannot be resolved to the Accounting Firm in accordance with Section 9.06(c). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the acceptance of a Monthly Report (or any portion thereof) and the payment of any amounts in accordance therewith shall be without prejudice to the Rangers rights to subsequently dispute any Applicable Amounts (including pursuant to Section 9.06(c) and Section 20.17). Licensor shall pay the Rangers any disputed amounts that it is determined to owe in a Monthly Report within five (5) business days after the dispute is resolved by the Parties or by the Accounting Firm in accordance with Section 9.06(c). |
(c) |
Notwithstanding Section 20.06, in the event of a dispute between the Parties with respect to the determination of any Applicable Amounts, the Parties shall refer such disputed matters set forth in Sections 9.06(a) and 9.06(b) to a mutually agreed upon national independent accounting firm (the Accounting Firm), and the Parties shall cooperate |
32
with the Accounting Firm to enable such Accounting Firm to resolve the dispute as promptly as practicable. The Accounting Firm shall address only those items in dispute and may not assign a value greater than the greatest value for such item claimed by either Party or smaller than the smallest value for such item claimed by either Party. In the absence of manifest error, the resolution of disputed items by the Accounting Firm shall constitute an arbitral award that is final, binding and non-appealable. The costs and expenses of the Accounting Firm incurred pursuant to this Section 9.06 shall be borne by the Rangers, on the one hand, and the Licensor, on the other hand, in proportion to the allocation by the Accounting Firm of the net dollar amount of disputed matters, such that the prevailing party (or parties) pay a lesser proportion (or none, as applicable) of such costs and expenses. |
(d) |
Licensor will use commercially reasonable efforts to maximize any revenues that are contractually payable to the Rangers hereunder, including using commercially reasonable efforts to collect such revenues. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if any revenue payable to a Party by an Affiliate of such Party is subject to sharing with the other Party hereunder (including, for example, pursuant to Section 5.03(c)), such revenue shall be deemed collected by the Party to whom it is payable on the earlier of (i) the date on which such revenue is actually collected and (ii) the date on which such revenue is payable pursuant to the terms of the applicable contract or other arrangement. |
Section 9.07 Provision of Licensor Services.
(a) Licensor shall have the right to delegate, subcontract, or sublicense to a third party, including Licensors Affiliates, the provision of Licensor Services and no such delegation, subcontract or sublicense shall relieve Licensor of any of its obligations hereunder; provided that Licensor shall be required to obtain consent of the Rangers (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) in connection with the delegation, subcontracting, or sublicensing of Licensor Services to any third party service providers that (i) do not or will not provide similar services during Other Arena Events or (ii) will provide, conduct or manage the majority of a particular material Licensor Service. Subject to the preceding sentence, Licensor shall make the final decision regarding the selection of any such third party.
(b) Licensor shall make reasonable efforts to minimize interference with the Rangers use of the Arena, and in no event shall Licensor materially interfere with the Rangers ability to conduct or broadcast Rangers Events or materially reduce or interfere with the Rangers permitted use of the Arena or ingress thereto or egress therefrom, subject to Licensors Arena safety and security protocols in accordance with Section 4.06(b).
(c) For clarity, as between Licensor and the Rangers, the Rangers shall have the right to fully control all Home Game entertainment and hockey operations (including scoreboard and audio operations), with assistance from Licensors production staff through the applicable General Services and/or Game Day Services.
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ARTICLE X
PROMOTION; TRADEMARKS; DATA OWNERSHIP
Section 10.01 Promotional Outlets.
(a) [*****]
(b) [*****]
(c) [*****]
(d) At the commencement of the Term, Licensors use of the Rangers in-game and broadcast promotional outlets set forth in subparagraphs (a) and (b), and the Rangers use of the Licensor promotional outlets (the Rangers Promotional Use) set forth in subparagraph (c), shall each be generally consistent with the allocations set forth on Schedule 10.01, provided that the Parties shall regularly coordinate and discuss with one another their desired promotional efforts, inventory availability and needs and shall accommodate the others reasonable requests for adjustment to the number and type of assets (including newly-developed assets) to which the other shall have access, and the manner in which they are used. It is understood and agreed that, to the extent that they remain affiliated entities, the Rangers and the Knicks may share the promotional assets granted to them pursuant to their respective license agreements with Licensor.
Section 10.02 Trademark Licenses.
(a) The Rangers hereby grant to Licensor for the Term a non-exclusive royalty-free license to use all Team-related intellectual property owned or licensed by the Rangers, including but not limited to images, likenesses, service marks, tradenames and trademarks (the Rangers IP), for the purposes of (i) promoting the Arena as the home arena of the Team, (ii) operating the Arena, and (iii) providing the Licensor Services. In all instances Licensors use of such Rangers IP shall be in accordance with League Rules. Licensor is solely responsible for clearing any third-party rights that may be used in connection with the Rangers IP. Licensor shall not have any right to sublicense, or seek or receive any payments from third parties specifically for the use of, the Rangers IP, except in accordance with ARTICLE VII, it being understood that the license granted hereunder shall include the right for Licensor to promote the Arena as the home arena of the Team in places and in a manner that may also incorporate in an incidental manner promotion of Licensors marketing partners and sponsors (including, without limitation, use in connection with the Rangers IP any overall Arena marketing partner(s) lock-up logo or naming rights, sponsored Licensor web pages and upcoming events promotions, etc.) so long as no association is created between the Rangers and any third party, except in accordance with League Rules.
(b) The Rangers shall be required and permitted to reference the Arena as their home venue on all material promoting the Team and ticket sales. In connection therewith, Licensor and its Affiliates hereby grant to the Rangers a non-exclusive royalty-free license to use the trademarks MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, MSG, THE WORLDS MOST FAMOUS ARENA and related logos solely for such promotional purposes.
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(c) The Parties shall mutually agree on an appropriate approval process regarding the use of the other Partys intellectual property in order to maintain quality control standards.
Section 10.03 Customer Data. [*****]
(a) [*****]
(b) [*****]
(c) [*****]
(d) Data Use and Sharing. Each Party shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law and its privacy policy, share their owned Customer Data with the other Party for use by the other Party and their affiliates, subject to the prior approval in each case by the Customer Data-owning Party, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed, provided, that any sale or licensing to a third party of Customer Data owned by the other Party is subject to the prior written consent of the Customer Data-owning Party in their sole discretion. Each Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that all Customer Data is collected in such a manner that it may be shared with the other Party under this Section 10.03 and applicable law. For purposes of clarity, the Party that is the owner of Customer Data pursuant to this Section 10.03 or otherwise may use such data for any and all purposes, including the sale or licensing of such data to third parties, subject to compliance with applicable law and such Partys privacy policy.
(e) Confidentiality and Data Protection.
(i) |
The Parties agree to establish appropriate safeguards to protect the confidentiality of shared Customer Data and to prevent unauthorized use, disclosure or access. Specifically, each Party shall implement and maintain an information security management policy with standards that are no less rigorous than accepted industry practices, comply with all applicable laws to protect the Customer Data from unauthorized access, destruction, use, modification, or disclosure, and comply with the provisions of this Agreement. At a minimum, each Party shall implement physical, technical, and administrative information safeguards that provide for: (a) protection of business facilities, paper files, servers, computing equipment, including all mobile devices and other equipment with information storage capability, and backup systems containing Customer Data; (b) network, application (including databases), and platform security; (c) business systems designed to optimize security; (d) secure, encrypted transmission and secure, encrypted storage of Customer Data; (e) a minimum of two factor authentication and access control mechanisms; and (f) personnel security, including background checks on all such personnel, use of unique, robust passwords, and annual training on how to comply with a Partys physical, technical, and administrative information security safeguards. Each Party shall regularly test and monitor the effectiveness of their security practices and procedures relating to the Customer Data, and will evaluate and adjust |
35
their information security program in light of the results of the testing and monitoring, any material changes to their operations or business arrangements, or any other circumstances that a Party knows or reasonably should know may have a material effect on their information security program. |
(ii) |
As of and following the Effective Date, each Party (the Affected Party) shall provide immediate written notice to the other Party upon discovery or notification (either of the foregoing, Discovery) of any (i) unauthorized or unlawful access to, or acquisition, use or disclosure of, Customer Data or (ii) event which, after Discovery, would lead a reasonable person to conclude that there was, or likely was, unauthorized or unlawful access to, or acquisition, use or disclosure of, Customer Data (either of the foregoing, a Data Breach). Such notice shall include (and be supplemented in writing to the other Party on an ongoing basis as reasonably requested by the other Party), to the extent known by the Affected Party and reasonably relevant to such breach: (i) the general circumstances and extent of any Data Breach or intrusion into the Affected Partys systems that are used to protect, store, process or use Customer Data; (ii) the types and volume of Customer Data involved in the Data Breach; (iii) the Affected Partys plans for corrective actions to respond to the Data Breach; (iv) the identities of all individuals whose Customer Data was or may have been affected by the Data Breach; (v) steps taken to secure Customer Data and preserve information for any necessary investigation; and (vi) any other related information reasonably requested by the other Party. |
(iii) |
The Affected Party shall, at its own expense, reasonably cooperate with the other Party in connection with any notice to third parties of such Data Breach and any other remediation efforts required by applicable law. Without limiting the foregoing, the Affected Party shall, at its own expense, promptly reimburse the other Party for all costs and expenses (including legal fees) reasonably incurred by the other Party in connection with the Data Breach, including without limitation costs and expenses (including legal fees) reasonably incurred in connection with any notices to third parties or other remediation efforts required by applicable law. Neither Party will name the other in any press release or other public disclosure without prior written approval, except to the extent required by applicable law. |
(iv) |
The Affected Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to detect, respond to and contain vulnerabilities, activities and other circumstances that caused or gave rise to the Data Breach as promptly as reasonably practicable after Discovery and in accordance with industry standards, the provisions of this Agreement and applicable law. Without limiting the foregoing, the Affected Party shall promptly take commercially reasonable corrective actions, and will reasonably cooperate with the other Party in reasonable and lawful efforts to prevent, eradicate, mitigate and rectify such Data Breach. |
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(v) |
The Affected Party shall, at its own expense, reasonably cooperate with the other Party in investigating and responding to each Data Breach, including by (i) providing information and responding to inquiries and (ii) obtaining copies of information, data and records, in each case as reasonably requested by the other Party. |
(f) To the extent permitted by applicable law and each Partys respective privacy policy, the Parties shall also share with each other the results of fan and guest surveys, focus groups, etc. to the extent the information relates to guests experiences in connection with Home Games (including customer service, quality of Concessions, cleanliness, game presentation, arriving and departing, etc.).
ARTICLE XI
EXCLUSIVITY COVENANT
Section 11.01 Covenant. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, including Section 20.10 with respect to League Rules, the Rangers hereby agree during the Term that the Team shall not play any Home Games in any location other than the Arena, except as provided in ARTICLE XII or Section 20.01. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Rangers agree to fully comply with the obligations undertaken by its predecessor Madison Square Garden Center, Inc. under the Property Tax Exemption Agreement as the owner of the Team. Licensor agrees to fully comply and cause full compliance with all other obligations undertaken by its predecessor Madison Square Garden Center, Inc. under the Property Tax Exemption Agreement.
ARTICLE XII
CASUALTY AND CONDEMNATION
Section 12.01 Termination or Restoration Due to Condemnation.
(a) In the event that title to all or substantially all of the Arena or the right of Licensor to occupy or possess all or substantially all of the Arena shall be taken by Condemnation (a Total Taking), Licensor shall provide prompt notice of such Total Taking to the Rangers, and, except in the case of a Temporary Taking, this Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force upon the earlier of (i) the date when the possession of all or such substantial portion of the Arena or right so taken shall be required for such use or purpose or (b) the effective date of the Total Taking.
(b) In the event of a Condemnation other than a Total Taking, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect; provided, however, that if any such Condemnation results in an Untenantable Condition (including for this purpose a Temporary Taking that results in an Untenantable Condition for a period in excess of (i) [*****], or (ii) in the case of any such Temporary Taking that occurs during the last five (5) Contract Years of the Term, [*****]) then
37
each Party shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to terminate this Agreement by notice to the other given within 30 days after the date of the Rangers receipt of the Estimate (as defined in Section 12.05(a)) with respect to such Condemnation, without any further liability hereunder, except for any liability hereunder which, by the specific terms of this Agreement survives termination; provided further, however, that neither Party shall have such termination right if (x) the then applicable legal requirements, zoning laws, building regulations and other governmental or quasi-governmental ordinances, rules or regulations (collectively, Governmental Rules) do not prohibit or materially restrict the performance of the Condemnation Restoration Work (as defined in Section 12.01(c)), (y) the Estimated Date (as defined in Section 12.05(a)) with respect to such Condemnation shall be a date that occurs on or before the date that is (i) [*****] after the date of such Condemnation, or (ii) in the case of any such Condemnation that occurs during the last five (5) Contract Years of the Term, [*****] after the date of such Condemnation and (z) the remaining portions of the Arena can be restored in a manner as shall satisfy the requirements of the definition of Condemnation Restoration Work. Further, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the foregoing, if the Estimated Restoration Cost with respect to such Condemnation exceeds [*****]% of the full replacement value of the portions of the Arena that are not subject to such Condemnation, then Licensor shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to terminate this Agreement by notice to the Rangers given within 90 days after the date of the Rangers receipt of the Estimate with respect to such Condemnation, without any further liability hereunder, except for any liability hereunder which, by the specific terms of this Agreement survives termination. If either Party terminates this Agreement as provided in this Section 12.01(b), then such termination shall be effective on the date specified in such Partys notice of termination, but no earlier than thirty (30) days after the date of such notice and no later than one hundred eighty (180) days after the date of such notice, as if said date were the date fixed for the expiration of the Term
(c) If neither party has the right to terminate this Agreement, or if neither party shall timely elect to terminate this Agreement, as provided in paragraph (b) above, Licensor shall, at its sole cost and expense, commence as soon as reasonably practicable and with reasonable diligence proceed to perform the work (the Condemnation Restoration Work) to and repair and restore the part of the Arena not taken to an architecturally complete unit and, to the extent commercially practicable, to substantially its former condition, as and to the extent necessary to remedy the Untenantable Condition, using materials, equipment and construction techniques which are common at the time of such Condemnation and with such changes as may be required by then applicable Governmental Rules or that Licensor may otherwise deem appropriate in each case, in a manner consistent with and as necessary to maintain the Standard; it being agreed, however, that Licensor shall be required to obtain the prior written consent of the Rangers to any changes that are not required by then applicable Governmental Rules and that could materially adversely impact the Rangers rights or obligations under this Agreement. Licensor shall (i) keep the Rangers reasonably apprised of the progress and the estimated date of completion of the Condemnation Restoration Work, and (ii) provide such information as may be reasonably requested by the Rangers from time to time with respect to the progress of such Condemnation Restoration Work. Licensor shall use commercially reasonable efforts (which shall not require Licensor to employ overtime labor or otherwise incur overtime charges) to substantially complete such Condemnation Restoration Work as soon as commercially practicable, but in all events, on or before the Condemnation Outside Date (as defined in Section 12.01(d)) applicable to such Condemnation (it
38
being agreed that the Rangers sole remedy on account of Licensors failure to substantially complete such Condemnation Restoration Work shall be the rights of the Rangers to terminate this Agreement as provided in paragraphs 12.01(d) and 12.05(b)(iv) below). The Condemnation Restoration Work shall not include the repair and restoration of any of the trade fixtures, personal property or equipment of the Rangers (all of which the Rangers shall repair and restore at its sole cost and expense).
(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Rangers shall have the right to terminate this Agreement (without any further liability hereunder, except for any liability hereunder which, by the specific terms of this Agreement survives termination) if the Condemnation Restoration Work required as a result of such Condemnation is not substantially completed by the Condemnation Outside Date applicable to such Condemnation (as such Condemnation Outside Date is postponed pursuant to the below provisions of this Section 12.01(d)), which right may be exercised by the Rangers upon written notice to Licensor given within thirty (30) days after such applicable Condemnation Outside Date but before the substantial completion of the Condemnation Restoration Work; provided, however, that if a Final Revised Estimated Date for such Condemnation shall have been determined pursuant to Section 12.05(b) below, then the Rangers shall have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 12.01(d) (without any further liability hereunder, except for any liability hereunder which, by the specific terms of this Agreement survives termination) only if the Condemnation Restoration Work is not substantially completed by the later to occur of the Condemnation Outside Date applicable to such Condemnation (as such Condemnation Outside Date is postponed pursuant to the below provisions of this Section 12.01(d)) and such Final Revised Estimated Date, which right may be exercised by the Rangers upon written notice to Licensor given within thirty (30) days after the later to occur of such Condemnation Outside Date and such Final Revised Estimated Date, but before the substantial completion of the Condemnation Restoration Work. If Licensor has not completed the Condemnation Restoration Work prior to the date that is [*****] after the giving of such notice by the Rangers (which date shall be postponed by one day for each day that Licensor is actually delayed in substantially completing the Condemnation Restoration Work by (i) any acts or omissions of the Rangers, the League or their respective agents, employees or contractors or (ii) any one or more events of Force Majeure (provided that the maximum period such date shall be postponed due to events of Force Majeure is an additional [*****])), then this Agreement shall be terminated automatically effective as of such date, without any further liability hereunder, except for any liability hereunder which, by the specific terms of this Agreement survives termination. For all purposes hereof, the Condemnation Outside Date applicable to any Condemnation shall be determined as follows:
(w) If the Estimate with respect to the Condemnation Restoration Work required as a result of such Condemnation provides for an Estimated Date that will occur on or prior to the [*****] after the date of such Condemnation, then the Condemnation Outside Date applicable to such Condemnation shall be the date that is [*****] following such Estimated Date; provided, however, that such date shall be postponed by one day for each day that Licensor is actually delayed in substantially completing the Condemnation Restoration Work by (i) any acts or omissions of the Rangers, the League or their respective agents, employees or contractors or (ii) any one or more events of Force Majeure (provided that the maximum period such Condemnation Outside Date shall be postponed due to events of Force Majeure is an additional [*****]).
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(x) If the Estimate with respect to the Condemnation Restoration Work required as a result of such Condemnation provides for an Estimated Date that will occur during the period commencing on the [*****] after the date of such Condemnation and ending on the [*****] after the date of such Condemnation, then the Condemnation Outside Date applicable to such Condemnation shall be the date that is [*****] following such Estimated Date; provided, however, that such date shall be postponed by one day for each day that Licensor is actually delayed in substantially completing the Condemnation Restoration Work by (i) any acts or omissions of the Rangers, the League or their respective agents, employees or contractors or (ii) any one or more events of Force Majeure (provided that the maximum period such Condemnation Outside Date shall be postponed due to events of Force Majeure is an additional [*****]).
(y) If the Estimate with respect to the Condemnation Restoration Work required as a result of such Condemnation provides for an Estimated Date that will occur during the period commencing on the [*****] after the date of such Condemnation and ending on the [*****] after the date of such Condemnation, then the Condemnation Outside Date applicable to such Condemnation shall be the date that is [*****] following such Estimated Date; provided, however, that such date shall be postponed by one day for each day that Licensor is actually delayed in substantially completing the Condemnation Restoration Work by (i) any acts or omissions of the Rangers, the League or their respective agents, employees or contractors or (ii) any one or more events of Force Majeure (provided that the maximum period such Condemnation Outside Date shall be postponed due to events of Force Majeure is an additional [*****]).
(z) If the Estimate with respect to the Condemnation Restoration Work required as a result of such Condemnation provides for an Estimated Date that will occur on or after the [*****] following the date of such Condemnation, then the Condemnation Outside Date applicable to such Condemnation shall be the date that is [*****] following such Estimated Date; provided, however, that such date shall be postponed by one day for each day that Licensor is actually delayed in substantially completing the Condemnation Restoration Work by (i) any acts or omissions of the Rangers, the League or their respective agents, employees or contractors or (ii) any one or more events of Force Majeure (provided that the maximum period such Condemnation Outside Date shall be postponed due to events of Force Majeure is an additional [*****]).
Section 12.02 Termination or Restoration Due to Casualty.
(a) If all or any material portion of the Arena is damaged or destroyed by Casualty such that an Untenantable Condition exists (each, a Total Casualty), and the Estimate with respect to such Casualty delivered pursuant to Section 12.05 below indicates that the Casualty Restoration Work (defined below) would not reasonably be expected to be substantially completed (i) within 24 months after the occurrence of such Casualty, or (ii) in the case of any Casualty that occurs during the last five (5) Contract Years of the Term, within 12 months after the occurrence of such Casualty, then the Rangers shall have the right to terminate this Agreement without any further liability hereunder, except for any liability hereunder which, by the specific terms of this Agreement survives termination. If the Rangers wish to exercise such right of termination, it shall do so by notice to Licensor given not later than the date that is thirty (30) days after the date of the Estimate with respect to such Casualty under Section 12.05.
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(b) In the event there shall occur a Total Casualty and (i) Licensor is prohibited or materially restricted by then applicable Governmental Rules from performing the Casualty Restoration Work, or (ii) the Estimate with respect to such Casualty indicates that the Casualty Restoration Work would not reasonably be expected to be substantially completed (x) within [*****] after the occurrence of such Casualty, or (y) in the case of any Casualty that occurs during the last five (5) Contract Years of the Term, within [*****] after the occurrence of such Casualty, or (iii) the Estimated Restoration Cost with respect to such Casualty exceeds [*****]% of the full replacement value of the Arena immediately prior to such Casualty, then, and in any of such events, Licensor shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to terminate this Agreement without any further liability hereunder, except for any liability hereunder which, by the specific terms of this Agreement survives termination. If Licensor wishes to exercise such right of termination, it shall do so by notice to the Rangers given not later than the date that is thirty (30) days after the date of the Estimate with respect to such Casualty under Section 12.05. If either Party terminates this Agreement as provided in this Section 12.02(b) or in Section 12.02(a) above, then such termination shall be effective on the date specified in such Partys notice of termination, but no earlier than thirty (30) days after the date of such notice and no later than one hundred eighty (180) days after the date of such notice, as if said date were the date fixed for the expiration of the Term
(c) In the event of a Casualty with respect to which neither party has the right to terminate this Agreement, or neither party timely elects to terminate this Agreement, pursuant to paragraphs (a) or (b) above, Licensor shall, at its sole cost and expense, commence as soon as reasonably practicable and with reasonable diligence proceed to perform the work (the Casualty Restoration Work) to repair and restore the Arena to substantially its former condition, as and to the extent necessary to remedy the Untenantable Condition, using materials, equipment and construction techniques which are common at the time of such Casualty and with such changes as may be required by then applicable Governmental Rules or that Licensor may deem appropriate, in each case, in a manner consistent with and as necessary to maintain the Standard; it being agreed, however, that Licensor shall be required to obtain the prior written consent of the Rangers to any changes that are not required by then applicable Governmental Rules and that could materially adversely impact the Rangers rights or obligations under this Agreement. Licensor shall (i) keep the Rangers reasonably apprised of the progress and the estimated date of completion of the Casualty Restoration Work, and (ii) provide such information as may be reasonably requested by the Rangers from time to time with respect to the progress of the Casualty Restoration Work. Licensor shall use commercially reasonable efforts (which shall not require Licensor to employ overtime labor or otherwise incur overtime charges) to substantially complete such Casualty Restoration Work as soon as commercially practicable, but in all events, on or before the Casualty Outside Date (as defined in Section 12.02(d)) applicable to such Casualty (it being agreed that the Rangers sole remedy on account of Licensors failure to substantially complete such Casualty Restoration Work shall be the rights of the Rangers to terminate this Agreement as provided in Section 12.02(d) and 12.05(b)(iv) below). The Casualty Restoration Work shall not include the repair and restoration of any of the trade fixtures, personal property or equipment of the Rangers (all of which the Rangers shall repair and restore at its sole cost and expense).
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(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Rangers shall have the right to terminate this Agreement (without any further liability hereunder, except for any liability hereunder which, by the specific terms of this Agreement survives termination) if the Casualty Restoration Work required as a result of such Casualty shall not be substantially completed by the Casualty Outside Date applicable to such Casualty (as such Casualty Outside Date is postponed pursuant to the below provisions of this Section 12.02(d)), which right may be exercised by the Rangers upon written notice to Licensor given within thirty (30) days after such applicable Casualty Outside Date but before the substantial completion of the Casualty Restoration Work; provided, however, that if a Final Revised Estimated Date for such Casualty shall have been determined pursuant to Section 12.05(b) below, then the Rangers shall have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 12.02(d) (without any further liability hereunder, except for any liability hereunder which, by the specific terms of this Agreement survives termination) only if the Casualty Restoration Work is not substantially completed by the later to occur of the Casualty Outside Date applicable to such Casualty (as such Casualty Outside Date is postponed pursuant to the below provisions of this Section 12.02(d)) and such Final Revised Estimated Date for such Casualty, which right may be exercised by the Rangers upon written notice to Licensor given within thirty (30) days after the later to occur of such Casualty Outside Date and such Final Revised Estimated Date but before the substantial completion of the Casualty Restoration Work. If Licensor has not completed the Casualty Restoration Work prior to the date that is [*****] after the giving of such notice by the Rangers (which date shall be postponed by one day for each day that Licensor is actually delayed in substantially completing the Casualty Restoration Work by (i) any acts or omissions of the Rangers, the League or their respective agents, employees or contractors or (ii) any one or more events of Force Majeure (provided that the maximum period such date shall be postponed due to events of Force Majeure is an additional [*****])), then this Agreement shall be terminated automatically effective as of such date, without any further liability hereunder, except for any liability hereunder which, by the specific terms of this Agreement survives termination. For all purposes hereof, the Casualty Outside Date applicable to any Casualty shall be determined as follows:
(w) If the Estimate with respect to the Casualty Restoration Work required as a result of such Casualty provides for an Estimated Date that will occur on or prior to the [*****] after the date of such Casualty, then the Casualty Outside Date applicable to such Casualty shall be the date that is [*****] following such Estimated Date; provided, however, that such date shall be postponed by one day for each day that Licensor is actually delayed in substantially completing the Casualty Restoration Work by (i) any acts or omissions of the Rangers, the League or their respective agents, employees or contractors or (ii) any one or more events of Force Majeure (provided that the maximum period such Casualty Outside Date shall be postponed due to events of Force Majeure is an additional [*****]).
(x) If the Estimate with respect to the Casualty Restoration Work required as a result of such Casualty provides for an Estimated Date that will occur during the period commencing on the [*****] after the date of such Casualty and ending on the [*****] after the date of such Casualty, then the Casualty Outside Date applicable to such Casualty shall be the date that is [*****] following such Estimated Date; provided, however, that such date shall be postponed by one day for each day that Licensor is actually delayed in substantially completing the Casualty Restoration Work by (i) any acts or omissions of the Rangers, the League or their respective agents, employees or contractors or (ii) any one or more events of Force Majeure (provided that the maximum period such Casualty Outside Date shall be postponed due to events of Force Majeure is an additional [*****]).
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(y) If the Estimate with respect to the Casualty Restoration Work required as a result of such Casualty provides for an Estimated Date that will occur during the period commencing on the [*****] after the date of such Casualty and ending on the [*****] after the date of such Casualty, then the Casualty Outside Date applicable to such Casualty shall be the date that is [*****] following such Estimated Date; provided, however, that such date shall be postponed by one day for each day that Licensor is actually delayed in substantially completing the Casualty Restoration Work by (i) any acts or omissions of the Rangers, the League or their respective agents, employees or contractors or (ii) any one or more events of Force Majeure (provided that the maximum period such Casualty Outside Date shall be postponed due to events of Force Majeure is an additional [*****]).
(z) If the Estimate with respect to the Casualty Restoration Work required as a result of such Casualty provides for an Estimated Date that will occur on or after the [*****] following the date of such Casualty, then the Casualty Outside Date applicable to such Casualty shall be the date that is [*****] following such Estimated Date; provided, however, that such date shall be postponed by one day for each day that Licensor is actually delayed in substantially completing the Casualty Restoration Work by (i) any acts or omissions of the Rangers, the League or their respective agents, employees or contractors or (ii) any one or more events of Force Majeure (provided that the maximum period such Casualty Outside Date shall be postponed due to events of Force Majeure is an additional [*****]).
Section 12.03 Condemnation Proceeding and Awards. Upon commencement of any Condemnation action or proceeding, Licensor and the Rangers shall cooperate with each other, and provide each other with such information and assistance, as each shall reasonably request in connection therewith. Licensor and the Rangers each shall have the right, at its own expense, to appear and to participate in any and all hearings, trials and appeals relating thereto even if this Agreement has been terminated. Subject to the other provisions of this Section 12.03, in any Condemnation (x) the Rangers shall have the right to assert a claim against the condemning authority for, and receive from the condemning authority, all Condemnation Awards for, (i) any damage to the Rangers business or any loss in value of any of the rights granted to the Rangers under this Agreement (if applicable, as if this Agreement had not been terminated), (ii) the value of any of the Rangers personal property (tangible or intangible) taken or damaged as result of the Condemnation, (iii) any relocation costs of the Rangers business, and (iv) any other damages to which the Rangers may be entitled under any applicable law, ordinance, order or regulation, and (y) Licensor shall have the right to assert a claim against the condemning authority for, and receive from the condemning authority, all Condemnation Awards for, (i) the loss in value of its ownership of and rights in and to the Arena and its other property (tangible and intangible), (ii) any damage to, or relocation costs of, Licensors business, and (iii) any other damages to which Licensor may be entitled under any applicable law, ordinance, order or regulation. The Parties shall request that all Condemnation Awards be specifically allocated by the applicable condemning authority (it being agreed that Licensor may direct that any such awards allocated to Licensor be paid to any Superior Interest Holder designated by Licensor for such purpose). If any Condemnation Award is not specifically allocated between the Parties by the applicable condemning authority, the Condemnation Award shall be equitably allocated and distributed to Licensor and the Rangers in such manner as the Parties shall mutually agree.
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Section 12.04 Temporary Taking. If the whole or any part of the Arena or the right of Licensor to occupy or possess the whole or any part of the Arena shall be taken in any Condemnation for a temporary use or occupancy not to exceed an aggregate of [*****] (a Temporary Taking), the Term shall not be reduced, extended or affected in any way, and neither Licensor nor the Rangers shall be relieved of its obligations under this Agreement, except that (a) the Rangers shall have the right to make a claim against the condemning authority for, and receive from the condemning authority and retain, an award of any damages sustained by the Rangers as a result of such Temporary Taking, and (b) the Rangers obligation to pay the License Fee shall be abated during periods that the Arena is unavailable to the Rangers for the playing of Home Games in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
Section 12.05 Inability to Timely Restore; Estimate of Time and Cost to Restore.
(a) The determination of the estimated time and costs that are reasonably expected to be necessary to perform and substantially complete any Condemnation Restoration Work or any Casualty Restoration Work shall be made by an independent architect or construction manager that is experienced in arena construction projects, well-regarded in the industry and selected by Licensor and reasonably approved by the Rangers. In the event of any Condemnation or Casualty resulting in an Untenantable Condition, Licensor shall furnish to the Rangers an estimate (the Estimate), prepared and certified by such independent architect or construction manager (the Estimator) of (i) the estimated date (the Estimated Date) by which the Condemnation Restoration Work or Casualty Restoration Work, as the case may be, will be substantially completed and (ii) the estimated cost (the Estimated Restoration Cost) to perform the Condemnation Restoration Work or Casualty Restoration Work, as the case may be. Licensor shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such independent architect or construction manager to make its determination as soon as reasonably practicable (and, in the case of a Casualty, no later than [*****] after the date of such Casualty) and will deliver the Estimate to the Rangers promptly upon Licensors receipt thereof.
(b) (i) If, during the performance of the Condemnation Restoration Work or the Casualty Restoration Work required as a result of any Condemnation or Casualty, the Rangers reasonably believe that the substantial completion of such Condemnation Restoration Work or such Casualty Restoration Work, as the case may be, will not, absent extraordinary efforts that Licensor does not agree (if not already obligated to take pursuant to this Agreement), be achieved by the applicable Condemnation Outside Date or applicable Casualty Outside Date therefor (as such Condemnation Outside Date or such Casualty Outside Date may have theretofore been postponed pursuant to the provisions of Section 12.01(d) or Section 12.02(d) above, respectively), then the Rangers, by notice given to Licensor and the Estimator, shall have the right (not to be exercised more than once in any six (6) month period) with respect to such Condemnation or such Casualty to request that the Estimator determine the estimated date (the Revised Estimated Date) by which such Condemnation Restoration Work or such Casualty Restoration Work, as the case may be, is then reasonably expected to be substantially completed.
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(ii) If the Rangers give such notice pursuant to Section 12.05(b)(i) above, then Licensor, within ten (10) business days after its receipt of such notice, shall have the right to submit to the Rangers and to the Estimator a notice that (x) sets forth any information that Licensor reasonably believes is relevant to the determination of the Revised Estimated Date and/or (y) indicates the measures that Licensor intends and agrees to implement in an effort to cause the substantial completion of such Condemnation Restoration Work or such Casualty Restoration Work, as the case may be, to be achieved by the applicable Condemnation Outside Date or the applicable Casualty Outside Date (as such Condemnation Outside Date or such Casualty Outside Date may have theretofore been postponed pursuant to the provisions of Section 12.01(d) or Section 12.02(d) above, respectively). Within ten (10) business days after the Rangers receipt of Licensors notice (or, if Licensor does not give such notice, within twenty (20) business days after Licensors receipt of the Rangers notice given pursuant to Section 12.05(b)(i) above), the Rangers shall have the right to submit to Licensor and the Estimator a notice that sets forth any information that the Rangers reasonably believes is relevant to the determination of the Revised Estimated Date. In determining the Revised Estimated Date, the Estimator shall take into consideration all information and measures set forth in any notices provided by the Parties pursuant to the two immediately preceding sentences, as well as all other relevant factors. Licensor shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Estimator to make its determination of the Revised Estimated Date as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt of the Rangers notice given pursuant to Section 12.05(b)(i) above and the notices which each Party is entitled to deliver pursuant to this Section 12.05(b)(ii), and Licensor shall deliver such determination of the Revised Estimated Date to the Rangers promptly upon Licensors receipt thereof.
(iii) Each Party shall have the option (the Review Option), exercised by notice given to the other within ten (10) business days after Licensor delivers to the Rangers the Estimators determination of the Revised Estimated Date, to require that the Estimators determination of the Revised Estimated Date be reviewed by another independent architect or construction manager that is experienced in arena construction projects, well-regarded in the industry and mutually selected by the Parties (the Second Estimator). If the Parties are unable to mutually select the Second Estimator within ten (10) business days after the giving of a notice exercising the Review Option, then either Licensor or the Rangers, by giving ten (10) days notice to the other, shall have the right to request that the presiding judge of the lowest level court of general jurisdiction for the district in which the Arena is located select the Second Estimator. Licensor shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Second Estimator, as soon as reasonably practicable after the selection thereof, to (x) review the Estimators determination of the Revised Estimated Date, (y) make its own determination of the Revised Estimated Date (which determination shall be made in accordance with the provisions of Section 12.05 (b)(ii) above) and (z) deliver to Licensor written notice indicating whether the Second Estimator agrees with the determination of the Estimator and, if not, setting forth the Second Estimators determination of the Revised Estimated Date. For all purposes of this Agreement, the Final Revised Estimated Date shall mean either (a) the Revised Estimated Date determined by the Estimator, if neither Party timely exercises the Review Option or if a Party exercises the Review Option and the Second Estimator agrees with the Estimators determination of the Revised Estimated Date; or (b) the Revised Estimated Date determined by the Second Estimator, if a Party exercises the Review Option and the Second Estimator disagrees with the Estimators determination of the Revised Estimated Date and therefore issues its own determination of the Revised Estimated Date. Licensor shall deliver the
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Second Estimators written notice to the Rangers promptly upon Licensors receipt thereof. The fees and expenses of the Estimator and the Second Estimator for the exercise set forth in this Section 12.05(b)(iii) and in Section 12.05(b)(ii) above shall be borne equally by Licensor and the Rangers.
(iv) If the Final Revised Estimated Date with respect to any Condemnation or Casualty is later than the date that is 365 days after the applicable Condemnation Outside Date or applicable Casualty Outside Date therefor (each of which, for purposes of this paragraph (iv), shall be deemed to be such applicable Condemnation Outside Date or such applicable Casualty Outside as postponed by the maximum number of days by which same may be postponed due to events of Force Majeure pursuant to Section 12.01(d) or Section 12.02(d) above, respectively), then the Rangers shall have the right to terminate this Agreement without any further liability hereunder, except for any liability hereunder which, by the specific terms of this Agreement survives termination. If the Rangers wish to exercise such right of termination, then it shall do so by notice to Licensor given not later than the date that is sixty (60) days after the date on which the Final Revised Estimated Date is determined (it being agreed that the Final Revised Estimated Date shall be deemed determined either as of the date on which the Parties right to exercise the Review Option shall have lapsed or, if a Party timely exercises the Review Option, as of the date on which the Second Estimators notice of determination is given to the Rangers). If the Rangers terminate this Agreement as provided in this Section 12.05(b)(iv), then such termination shall be effective on the date specified in the Knicks notice of termination, but no earlier than thirty (30) days after the date of such notice and no later than one hundred eighty (180) days after the date of such notice, as if said date were the date fixed for the expiration of the Term.
Section 12.06 Replacement Arena; Rent Abatement. In the event of the occurrence of a Condemnation or Casualty that results in an Untenantable Condition but does not result in termination of this Agreement, the Rangers, during the continuance of such Untenantable Condition, shall have the right to use an alternate site for Rangers Events while the Arena is being restored, provided such use fully complies with the requirements of Paragraph 6 of the Property Tax Exemption Agreement, and the Rangers obligation to pay the License Fee shall be abated during such periods in accordance with Section 20.01.
Section 12.07 Intention of the Parties. The provisions of this Article XII shall be deemed an express agreement governing any case of the Arena or any portion thereof becoming untenantable or unfit for occupancy, and Section 227 of the Real Property Law of the State of New York, providing for such contingency in the absence of an express agreement, and any other legal requirements of like import, now or hereafter in force, shall have no application in such case and are expressly waived by the Parties.
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ARTICLE XIII
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 13.01 General Indemnification.
(a) To the extent permitted by applicable law, Licensor and the Rangers shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the other and its current and future Affiliates, and each of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, successors and assigns from and against any and all claims, liability, loss, damages (whether actual, incidental, consequential, punitive or otherwise), judgments, settlement expenses, cost and expenses whatsoever, including court costs, reasonable attorneys fees and related disbursements, with regard to any action, cause of action or claim of any nature (each, a Loss), in any way arising out of or related to (i) the indemnifying Partys acts or omissions in or about the Arena (except to the extent solely caused by the indemnified Partys negligence or misconduct); (ii) the indemnifying Partys failure to fulfill any duty or obligation hereunder or to comply with applicable law or the obligations applicable to the indemnifying Party in the [*****]; or (iii) the indemnifying Partys breach of any representations, warranties or covenants contained in this Agreement. Each Partys indemnity hereunder shall include the acts and omissions of its contractors, licensees, agents and employees.
(b) Without limiting the provisions of Subparagraph 13.01(a), Licensor and the Rangers indemnify the other party for any damage to the property (whether in or about the Arena) of the other party caused by the acts or omissions of the indemnifying partys contractors, licensees, agents, employees and invitees, limited however (for purposes of clarity), in the case of the Rangers, to Rangers Misuse. All repairs to the damaged property of Licensor shall be made by firm(s) designated by Licensor.
(c) While the Parties are Affiliates, Sections 13.01(a) and 13.01(b) shall not restrict the Parties access to the Leagues leaguewide insurance policies, to the extent they would otherwise be covered by the terms of such policies.
Section 13.02 Notice of Claims and Rights to Defend and Settle Claims. The indemnified Party agrees to serve the indemnifying Party with prompt written notice of any claims which could give rise to the indemnifying Partys indemnity hereunder, and the indemnifying Party and its insurance carrier(s) shall have the right to defend such claims with counsel of their choosing. The indemnified Party shall not settle any claim without the indemnifying Partys (or its insurers) prior written consent, not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
ARTICLE XIV
INSURANCE AND SUBROGATION
Section 14.01 Rangers Insurance Coverage. The Rangers shall, from and after the Commencement Date, maintain at its expense in force the following insurance:
(a) Property insurance for the full one hundred percent (100%) of replacement cost of all of the Rangers equipment, improvements, and betterments owned by the Rangers, literary or musical material, and all other properties and materials owned, rented or brought onto the premises by the Rangers. Coverage shall be on an All Risk of physical loss or damage basis;
(b) Commercial general liability insurance covering against bodily injury and property damage having a limit of not less than $[*****] for each occurrence and a limit of not less than $[*****] in the aggregate for each occurrence. Coverages shall be in accordance with the ISO form or equivalent. Such insurance shall include, but not be limited to, contractual liability, premises operations, products, completed operations, personal injury, advertising injury, bodily injury and property damage;
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(c) Liquor liability insurance coverage having limits of not less than $[*****] for each common cause and in the aggregate;
(d) Automobile liability insurance coverage for bodily injury and property damage with a combined single limit of no less than $[*****];
(e) Employers liability insurance with the following minimum limits: bodily injury by accident - $[*****] each accident; bodily injury by disease - $[*****] policy limit and $[*****] each employee;
(f) Umbrella or excess liability coverage, following the terms, conditions, and extensions of coverages, to apply over and above the primary coverages in subsections (b), (c), (d), and (e), in an amount not less than $[*****] in the aggregate;
(g) Statutory workers compensation coverage;
(h) Employment practices liability insurance with minimum limits of $[*****] per claim;
(i) Media liability policy with limits of no less than $[*****] per claim/$[*****] aggregate; and
(j) Disability insurance as required by the State of New York.
The insurance referred to in this Section 14.01, with the exception of property insurance, employment practices liability insurance, workers compensation and employers liability coverage, shall name Licensor and its Affiliates and mortgagees, and each of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, successors and assigns, as additional insureds for claims arising in connection with Rangers operations. Licensor shall also have the right to require the Rangers, from time to time, to increase the scope and limits of any insurance coverage required to be carried herein, so long as such increase is commercially reasonable under the circumstances.
Section 14.02 Rangers Insurance Requirements.
(a) The Rangers shall, at its own expense, obtain and maintain during the Term and if written on a claims made basis for three (3) years thereafter, policies of insurance as required herein written by an insurance carrier(s) reasonably acceptable to Licensor that is authorized to do business in the State of New York, rated A-VII or better in the most current edition of A.M. Bests Insurance Report (or if such report shall cease to be published, such comparable rating system as reasonably determined by Licensor), and with deductible and self-insurance retention amounts that are not in excess of amounts which are commercially reasonable under the circumstances (except that in the event that any maximum deductible or self-insurance retention amounts are mandated either by law, such mandated maximum amounts shall not be exceeded regardless of whether higher amounts may be commercially reasonable under the circumstances). All liability insurance policies must provide Cross Liability coverage (separation of insureds or severability of interest
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provisions). Further, coverage for the additional insureds shall apply on a primary and non-contributory basis irrespective of any other insurance maintained by the additional insureds, whether collectible or not, for claims arising in connection with the Rangers operations. Policies written on a claims made basis shall be maintained for a period of at least three (3) years after termination of the Term. The insurance requirements set forth will in no way modify, reduce, or limit the indemnification herein made by the Rangers. Receipt of a certificate of insurance, endorsement or policy of insurance which is more restrictive than the contracted for insurance shall not be construed as a waiver or modification of the insurance requirements above or an implied agreement to modify same, nor is any verbal agreement to modify same permissible or binding.
(b) In the event of cancellation of any policies with respect to non-payment of any premium or premiums, the Rangers shall provide at least ten (10) days advance written notice of same to the Licensor.
(c) In the event that Licensor is in receipt of such notice of non-payment and/or cancellation, Licensor shall have the right, but not the obligation, to pay for any commercially reasonable costs and expenses which shall be required to maintain or reinstate such insurance, and to charge the Rangers for any and all expenses incurred in connection therewith.
Section 14.03 Rangers Certificates of Insurance. The Rangers shall provide Licensor with appropriate evidence of insurance setting forth the required coverages not later than ten (10) days prior to the date on which such coverage is required to be obtained hereunder. For each consecutive year, the Rangers shall provide appropriate evidence of insurance no later than ten (10) days before the policies are required to be renewed.
Section 14.04 Rangers Waiver of Subrogation. The Rangers shall include in each of their policies insuring against (a) loss, damage or destruction by fire or any other peril covering any property owned, borrowed, or in the Rangers care, custody, or control, or (b) injuries to any employee or agent of the Rangers, a waiver of the insurance carriers rights of subrogation against Licensor. If such waiver is unobtainable from any of the Rangers insurance carriers, the Rangers shall obtain (i) an express agreement that such policy shall not be invalidated if the Rangers waive or had waived the right of recovery against Licensor, or (ii) any other form of permission of release of Licensor.
Section 14.05 Licensor Insurance Coverage. Licensor shall, from and after the Commencement Date, maintain at its expense in force the following minimum insurance:
(a) Property insurance for the replacement cost of the Arena, including all equipment, improvements and betterments owned by Licensor. Coverage shall be on an All Risk of physical loss or damage basis, including losses arising out of a terrorism event;
(b) Employers liability insurance with the following minimum limits: bodily injury by accident - $[*****] each accident; bodily injury by disease - $[*****] policy limit and $[*****] each employee;
(c) Statutory workers compensation coverage;
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(d) Disability insurance as required by the State of New York;
(e) Commercial general liability insurance covering against bodily injury and property damage having a limit of not less than $[*****] for each occurrence and a limit of not less than $[*****] in the aggregate for each occurrence. Coverages shall be in accordance with the ISO form or equivalent. Such insurance shall include, but not be limited to, contractual liability, premises operations, products, completed operations, personal injury, advertising injury, bodily injury and property damage;
(f) Liquor liability insurance coverage having limits of not less than $[*****] for each common cause and in the aggregate;
(g) Automobile liability insurance coverage for bodily injury and property damage with a combined single limit of no less than $[*****];
(h) Umbrella or excess liability coverage, following the terms, conditions, and extensions of coverages, to apply over the employers liability coverage in subsection (b) and above the primary coverages (e), (f) and (g), in an amount not less than $[*****] in the aggregate;
(i) Employment practices liability insurance with minimum limits of $[*****];
(j) Media liability policy with limits of no less than $[*****] per claim/$[*****] aggregate.
The liability insurance referred to in this Section 14.05, in paragraphs (e) and (h), shall include the Rangers and its Affiliates, and each of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, successors and assigns, as additional insureds for claims arising in connection with Licensors operations. However, the insurance referred to in this Section 14.05 will be in excess of any insurance purchased and maintained by the Rangers. The Rangers shall also have the right to require Licensor, from time to time, to increase the scope and limits of any insurance coverage required to be carried herein, so long as such increase is commercially reasonable under the circumstances.
Section 14.06 Licensor Insurance Requirements.
(a) Licensor shall, at its own expense, obtain and maintain during the Term and if written on a claims made basis for three (3) years thereafter, policies of insurance as required herein written by an insurance carrier(s) reasonably acceptable to the Rangers that are authorized to do business in the State of New York, rated A VII or better in the most current edition of A.M. Bests Insurance Report (or if such report shall cease to be published, such comparable rating system as reasonably determined by the Rangers), and with deductible and self-insurance retention amounts that are not in excess of amounts which are commercially reasonable under the circumstances (except that in the event that any maximum deductible or self-insurance retention amounts are mandated either by law, such mandated maximum amounts shall not be exceeded regardless of whether higher amounts may be commercially reasonable under the circumstances). All liability insurance policies must provide Cross Liability coverage (separation of insureds or severability of interest provisions). Policies written on a claims made basis shall be maintained for a period of three (3) years after termination of the Term. The insurance requirements set forth
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will in no way modify, reduce, or limit the indemnification herein made by Licensor. Receipt of a certificate of insurance, endorsement or policy of insurance which is more restrictive than the contracted for insurance shall not be construed as a waiver or modification of the insurance requirements above or an implied agreement to modify same, nor is any verbal agreement to modify same permissible or binding.
(b) In the event of cancellation of any policies with respect to non-payment of any premium or premiums, Licensor shall provide at least ten (10) days advance written notice of same to the Rangers.
(c) In the event that the Rangers are in receipt of such notice of non-payment and/or cancellation, the Rangers shall have the right, but not the obligation, to pay for any commercially reasonable costs and expenses which shall be required to maintain or reinstate such insurance, and to charge Licensor for any and all expenses incurred in connection therewith.
Section 14.07 Licensor Certificates of Insurance. Licensor shall provide the Rangers with appropriate evidence of insurance setting forth the required coverages not later than ten (10) days prior to the date on which such coverage is required to be obtained hereunder. For each consecutive year, Licensor shall provide appropriate evidence of insurance no later than ten (10) days before the policies are required to be renewed.
Section 14.08 Licensor Waiver of Subrogation. Licensor shall include in each of its policies insuring against (a) loss, damage or destruction by fire or any other peril covering any owned property or (b) injuries to any employee or agent of Licensor, a waiver of the insurance carriers rights of subrogation against the Rangers. If such waiver is unobtainable from any of Licensors insurance carriers, Licensor shall obtain (i) an express agreement that such policy shall not be invalidated if Licensor waives or had waived the right of recovery against the Rangers, or (ii) any other form of permission of release of the Rangers.
ARTICLE XV
WORK STOPPAGE
Section 15.01 Impact on License Fee. If, during any NHL season, any previously scheduled Home Game is cancelled as a result of a strike, work stoppage, lockout, or other suspension or cancellation of NHL play arising out of a labor dispute involving NHL players or referees, or any other League-related labor or other dispute (each a Work Stoppage), there shall be no reduction in the License Fee; provided, however, that, upon any such cancellation, Licensor shall use commercially reasonable efforts to hold the Arena out for relicense on such Home Date, and in the event that Licensor relicenses the Arena on such Home Date during the time of the previously scheduled Home Game, Licensor will refund to the Rangers the lesser of (i) [*****] of any net contribution attributable to the relicense of the Arena and (ii) the pro rata portion of the annual License Fee attributable to such Home Date (i.e. 1/44th of the License Fee if there had been 41 home games and 3 preseason games scheduled) (the Work Stoppage Abatement). If, during any season in which the Rangers receive a Work Stoppage Abatement, any previously scheduled Home Games are cancelled as a result of a Work Stoppage and subsequently rescheduled, any Work Stoppage Abatement received by the Rangers shall be reduced by an amount equal to the Work Stoppage Abatement, divided by the number of Home Games that were cancelled and multiplied by the number of Home Games that were subsequently rescheduled.
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Section 15.02 Treatment of Refunds or Credits. Any refunds or credits granted to Licensors suite or other licensees, sponsors, advertisers or other third parties (including any concessionaire or service provider) that relates to the Work Stoppage shall be determined in Licensors reasonable discretion, but may not exceed the Teams allocable share of such revenue for a full-season work stoppage (pro rata for a partial-season work stoppage) (Maximum Credit or Refund). Licensor shall retain [*****]% of the difference, if any, between the Maximum Credit or Refund and the actual credit or refund attributable to such assets. Any refunds or credits shall be deducted from the Rangers share of revenue under this Agreement for the applicable Arena assets.
Section 15.03 Scheduling. Upon the occurrence of a Work Stoppage, Licensor may schedule events on previously scheduled Home Dates during the period for which the League has cancelled games. If a Work Stoppage results in the partial cancellation of a season, the Parties shall mutually agree in good faith on the rescheduling of Home Games.
ARTICLE XVI
CERTAIN TAXES
Section 16.01 Property Taxes.
(a) The Rangers shall be responsible for the payment, without demand, counter-claim or offset, of fifty percent (50%) (the Rangers Tax Share) of any real property or similar taxes applicable to the Arena (Arena Property Tax). Licensor may notify any jurisdiction imposing (or proposing to impose) any Arena Property Tax that the Rangers have full responsibility for the payment of 50% of any such Arena Property Tax and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, rule or regulation, Licensor shall arrange for such Arena Property Tax to be billed directly to the Rangers. Licensor shall promptly provide to the Rangers copies of all materials relating to any Arena Property Tax that it receives from any government authority.
(b) Licensor and the Rangers acknowledge that, as of the Commencement Date, Licensor is exempt, pursuant to the laws of the State of New York and that certain agreement between the Mayor of the City of New York, acting as Chief Executive Officer of, and for, the City of New York, and Licensors and the Rangers predecessor-in-interest Madison Square Garden Center, Inc., dated July 15, 1982 (the Property Tax Exemption Agreement), from paying any Arena Property Tax in connection with the Arena (the Property Tax Exemption). Licensor and the Rangers shall each use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Property Tax Exemption to remain in effect at all times during the term of this Agreement.
Section 16.02 Commercial Rent Tax. The Rangers shall be responsible for paying directly, and shall timely pay, to the City of New York the Commercial Rent Or Occupancy Tax imposed pursuant to Chapter 7 of Title 11 of the New York City Administrative Code, or successor or similar tax assessed or imposed on a tenant as a consequence of the Rangers status as a licensee under this Agreement.
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ARTICLE XVII
RANGERS DEFAULT; LICENSORS RIGHTS AND REMEDIES
Section 17.01 Rangers Default. The occurrence of any one or more of the following events shall constitute a default by the Rangers under this Agreement (each, a Rangers Default):
(a) Failure by the Rangers to timely pay any amount owed by the Rangers to Licensor pursuant to this Agreement if such failure shall continue for fourteen (14) days after notice thereof is received by the Rangers from Licensor;
(b) Failure by the Rangers to maintain the Teams membership in the NHL;
(c) The levy upon or other execution or the attachment by legal process of the interest of the Rangers in the Arena herein, or the filing or creation of a lien in respect of such interest, which levy, attachment or lien shall not be released, discharged or bonded against within sixty (60) days from the date of such filing;
(d) The making by the Rangers of an assignment for the benefit of creditors; an adjudication that the Rangers are bankrupt, insolvent or unable to pay its debts as they mature; the filing by or against the Rangers of a petition to have the Rangers adjudged bankrupt, or a petition for reorganization or arrangement under any law relating to bankruptcy unless, in the case of a petition filed against the Rangers, the case is dismissed within sixty (60) days after the filing thereof; the appointment of a trustee or receiver to take possession of substantially all of the Rangers assets or the Rangers interests in this Agreement unless the appointment is revoked within sixty (60) days after the appointment thereof; or an attachment, execution or levy against substantially all of the Rangers interests in this Agreement unless the attachment, execution or levy is revoked within sixty (60) days after the attachment, execution or levy;
(e) Breach by the Rangers of ARTICLE XI (an Exclusivity Breach); and
(f) Failure by the Rangers to observe or perform in any material respect any covenant, agreement, condition, or provision of this Agreement not otherwise specified in this ARTICLE XVII if such failure shall continue for sixty (60) days after notice thereof from Licensor to the Rangers; provided that the Rangers shall not be in a Rangers Default with respect to matters that cannot reasonably be cured within sixty (60) days so long as within sixty (60) days after such notice the Rangers commence such cure and diligently and continuously proceed to complete the same, but in any event, the Rangers shall not have more than ninety (90) days from its receipt of such notice to cure such failure.
Section 17.02 Remedies of Licensor. If a Rangers Default occurs, Licensor shall have the following rights and remedies which shall be distinct, separate, and, to the extent not mutually exclusive, cumulative:
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(a) In addition to any other legal or equitable damages as may be available to Licensor and subject to clause (b) below, Licensor may enforce this Agreement by seeking specific performance of any Rangers covenant or agreement contained herein or the enforcement of any other appropriate legal or equitable remedy, including self-help (following notice, expiration of any applicable cure period, and failure to cure) and recoupment from the Rangers of the reasonable cost of curing any default on the Rangers behalf (and the right to offset such cost from any amounts due from Licensor pursuant to this Agreement); and
(b) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Licensor shall not, under any circumstances, have the right to terminate this Agreement.
Section 17.03 Remedies of Licensor for an Exclusivity Breach. The Rangers hereby acknowledge that Licensor and its Affiliates will be irreparably and continually harmed by any Exclusivity Breach or the threat thereof and that damages for an Exclusivity Breach cannot be estimated with any degree of certainty and that monetary damages cannot fairly or adequately compensate Licensor for an Exclusivity Breach. The Rangers further acknowledge that Licensor does not have an adequate remedy at law for an Exclusivity Breach. Accordingly, the Rangers hereby acknowledge that, in the event of an Exclusivity Breach, Licensor shall, in addition to any other applicable available rights and remedies, be entitled to seek and obtain, and the Rangers hereby consent to the entry of, a temporary restraining order, together with temporary, preliminary and permanent injunctive or other equitable relief, from any court of competent jurisdiction to enjoin any violation or threatened violation of ARTICLE XI and to compel the Rangers to comply with or restrain or cease from breaching or violating the covenants of ARTICLE XI. The Rangers hereby waive any requirement that Licensor post a bond or other security in connection with injunctive or other equitable relief.
Section 17.04 Leagues Right to Notice of and Cure Rangers Defaults. Licensor shall simultaneously serve the League, at the addresses set forth in Section 20.04, with copies of all notices of Rangers Defaults served upon the Rangers. Licensor shall accept a cure of a Rangers Default by the League within the applicable cure period.
ARTICLE XVIII
LICENSOR DEFAULT; RANGERS RIGHTS AND REMEDIES; RIGHTS IN THE
EVENT OF REPEAL OF PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION
Section 18.01 Licensor Default. The occurrence of any one or more of the following shall constitute a default by Licensor under this Agreement (each, a Licensor Default):
(a) Failure by Licensor to timely pay any amount owed by Licensor to the Rangers pursuant to this Agreement if such failure shall continue for fourteen (14) days after notice thereof is received by Licensor;
(b) The making by Licensor of an assignment for the benefit of creditors; an adjudication that Licensor is bankrupt, insolvent or unable to pay its debts as they mature; the filing by or against Licensor of a petition to have Licensor adjudged bankrupt, or a petition for reorganization or arrangement under any law relating to bankruptcy unless, in the case of a petition filed against the Licensor, the case is dismissed within sixty (60) days after the filing thereof; the appointment of a trustee or receiver to take possession of substantially all of Licensors assets or Licensors interests in this Agreement; or an attachment, execution or levy against substantially all of Licensors interests in this Agreement;
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(c) Failure by Licensor to provide the Rangers with any of the Rangers rights hereunder that interferes with the playing of Home Games in the Arena;
(d) Failure by Licensor to cause the Arena to be maintained and operated in accordance with, or otherwise to meet and observe, the Standard, and such failure shall continue for fifteen (15) days after notice thereof from the Rangers to Licensor; provided that if such failure cannot reasonably be cured within such fifteen (15) days, then Licensor shall have up to an additional fifteen (15) days to cure such failure as long as, within fifteen (15) days after such notice, it diligently undertakes and pursues such cure and provides the Rangers with reasonable evidence that it is diligently undertaking and pursuing such cure, but in any event, Licensor shall not have more thirty (30) days from its receipt of notice of such failure from the Rangers to cure such failure; and
(e) Failure by Licensor to observe or perform in any material respect any covenant, agreement, condition, or provision of this Agreement not otherwise specified in this ARTICLE XVIII if such failure shall continue for sixty (60) days after notice thereof from the Rangers to Licensor; provided that Licensor shall not be in a Licensor Default with respect to matters that cannot reasonably be cured within sixty (60) days so long as within sixty (60) days after such notice Licensor commences such cure and diligently and continuously proceeds to complete the same, but in any event, Licensor shall not have more than ninety (90) days from its receipt of such notice to cure such failure.
Section 18.02 Remedies of the Rangers. If a Licensor Default occurs, the Rangers shall have the following rights and remedies, which shall be distinct, separate, and, to the extent not mutually exclusive, cumulative:
(a) In addition to any other legal or equitable remedies as may be available to the Rangers and subject to clause (b) below, the Rangers may enforce the provisions of this Agreement and may enforce and protect the rights of the Rangers herein by seeking specific performance of any covenant or agreement contained herein, or the enforcement of any other appropriate legal or equitable remedy, including self-help (following notice, expiration of applicable cure period, and failure to cure) and recoupment from Licensor of the reasonable cost of curing any default on Licensors behalf (and the right to offset such cost, or any amounts due from Licensor pursuant to this Agreement, against any amount then owed by the Rangers to Licensor pursuant to this Agreement), and recovery of all monies due or to become due from Licensor under any provisions of this Agreement;
(b) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Rangers shall not, under any circumstances, have the right to terminate this Agreement, except as set forth in ARTICLE XII.
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Section 18.03 Rights in the Event of Repeal of Property Tax Exemption.
(a) In the event the Property Tax Exemption is no longer in effect [*****] (a No Fault Occurrence), the Rangers shall remain responsible for fifty percent (50%) of the Arena Property Tax for the remainder of the Term, unless the Parties agree to extend this provision.
(b) In the event the Property Tax Exemption is no longer in effect due to a breach of the Property Tax Exemption Agreement by the Rangers that leads to the loss of the Property Tax Exemption, the Rangers shall be responsible for 100% of any Arena Property Tax for the remainder of the Term.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Sections 16.01 or 18.03(a), in the event of a loss of the Property Tax Exemption [*****]
(d) [*****]
ARTICLE XIX
ASSIGNMENT
Section 19.01 Licensor Assignment. Licensor shall have the right to assign this Agreement upon written notice to the Rangers to any Person that acquires the Arena, provided the assignee agrees in writing to assume all of Licensors obligations under this Agreement.
Section 19.02 Rangers Assignment. The Rangers shall have the right to assign this Agreement upon written notice to Licensor to any Person that acquires the Team in accordance with League Rules, provided the assignee agrees in writing to assume all of the Rangers obligations under this Agreement. The Rangers shall further have the rights to collaterally assign this Agreement to secure indebtedness of the Rangers incurred in accordance with League Rules.
Section 19.03 No Other Assignment. Except as set forth in this ARTICLE XIX, neither Party shall be permitted to assign this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other Party, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. A change in ownership of either Party shall not be deemed an assignment under this Section 19.
ARTICLE XX
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 20.01 Force Majeure. Should any fire or other casualty, act of God, earthquake, flood, epidemic, landslide, enemy act, war, riot, act or threat of terrorism, civil commotion, general unavailability of certain materials; a strike, slowdown, boycott or labor dispute (other than a strike, slowdown, boycott or labor dispute involving the League), or any other similar event beyond the reasonable control of the subject Party (each, a Force Majeure) prevent performance of this Agreement by such Party in accordance with its provisions, performance of this Agreement (other than the payment of any sum of money owed hereunder, subject to the final two sentences of this Section 20.01) by such Party shall be suspended or excused to the extent commensurate with such interfering occurrence. In the event of a Force Majeure, the Rangers shall be permitted to schedule and play Home Games at an alternate location, provided that playing games in such location fully complies with the requirements of Paragraph 6 of the Property Tax Exemption Agreement. In the event of a Force Majeure (including a governmental action) that results in (a) attendance at Arena events being limited to 1000 attendees or less per event for any period (a Restricted Attendance Period), the Rangers shall be permitted to schedule and play Home Games at the Arena during the Restricted Attendance Period; the pro rata License Fee attributable to any Home Games played at the Arena during any Restricted Attendance Period shall be reduced by 80% or (b) attendance at Arena events being materially limited (but greater than 1000 attendees), the parties will negotiate in good faith to agree on an appropriate reduction to the License Fee. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Rangers obligation to pay the License Fee for periods for which the Arena is unavailable for Home Games due to a Force Majeure event (including a governmental action or the occurrence of any Untenantable Condition) shall be abated during such periods.
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Section 20.02 Consents and Approvals. Any consents or approvals permitted or required to be given by Licensor or the Rangers under this Agreement shall not be valid unless such consent or approval is in writing, signed by the Party by or on whose behalf such consent or approval is executed.
Section 20.03 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including the schedules and exhibits attached hereto, which are incorporated herein, constitutes the entire agreement between and among the Parties, and supersedes any previous oral or written agreements, representations and covenants, regarding the subject matter hereof and is a binding and enforceable agreement between and among the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. This Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented unless in writing executed by the Parties.
Section 20.04 Notices. All notices, demands, consents, approvals, statements, requests, and reports to be given under this Agreement shall be in writing, signed by the Party or an officer, agent, or attorney of the Party giving the notice and shall be deemed to be given upon receipt if delivered personally by nationally recognized overnight courier providing a receipt for delivery, by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid with return receipt requested, or by personal delivery at the applicable address set forth below or to such other address as that Party may designate in writing.
For the Rangers: | MSG Sports, LLC | |
Two Pennsylvania Plaza | ||
New York, New York 10121 | ||
Attention: President | ||
With copies to: | MSG Sports, LLC | |
Two Pennsylvania Plaza | ||
New York, New York 10121 | ||
Attention: General Counsel | ||
For Licensor: | MSG Arena, LLC | |
c/o MSG Entertainment Group, LLC | ||
Two Pennsylvania Plaza | ||
New York, New York 10121 | ||
Attention: President | ||
With a copy to: | MSG Arena, LLC | |
c/o MSG Entertainment Group, LLC | ||
Two Pennsylvania Plaza | ||
New York, New York 10121 | ||
Attention: General Counsel |
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Section 20.05 Successors Bound. The covenants, terms, provisions, and conditions of this Agreement shall be binding upon Licensor and the Rangers and their respective successors and permitted assigns and inure to the benefit of Licensor and the Rangers and their respective successors and, to the extent permitted herein, assigns.
Section 20.06 Governing Law; Disputes. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without regard to its choice of law provisions. In connection with any disputes arising under this Agreement, each of the Parties voluntarily and irrevocably consents and (without waiving service of process) submits to the personal jurisdiction and venue of the courts located in the Borough of Manhattan, City of New York that have subject matter jurisdiction, waives all objections as to venue and any claim that it is not personally subject to such jurisdiction or to seek a change of venue, agrees not to bring any action or proceeding in any other forum, and waives the right to a trial by jury.
Section 20.07 Captions and Headings; Certain Rules of Construction.
(a) The captions and headings throughout this Agreement are for convenience and reference only and the words contained therein shall in no way be held or deemed to define, limit, describe, explain, modify, amplify, or add to the interpretation, construction, or meaning of any provisions of this Agreement or the scope or intent thereof, nor in any way affect this Agreement.
(b) Unless the context, otherwise requires: (i) a term has the meaning assigned to it, (ii) or is not exclusive, (iii) words in the singular include the plural and words in the plural include the singular, (iv) herein, hereof and other words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular article, section or other subdivision, (v) all references to clauses, sections or articles refer to clauses, sections or articles of this Agreement, (vi) including means including, without limitation and (vii) the masculine, feminine and neuter adjectives and pronouns include one another.
Section 20.08 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by facsimile or PDF signature and in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
Section 20.09 Confidentiality. Subject to League Rules and the rights of any mortgagees each Party agrees that, commencing on the Commencement Date and continuing for a period of five (5) years after the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement, the Parties shall keep confidential the terms and conditions of this Agreement; provided that disclosure may be made (a) to their directors, equity holders, officers, Affiliates, employees, agents, advisors, and representatives (collectively, their Representatives) (b) if disclosure is required by court order, or applicable law or regulation, including disclosures required by any governmental or regulatory body having the authority to regulate or oversee any aspect of the business of either Party (e.g., the Securities and Exchange Commission) (in which case the Party required to disclose such Confidential Information shall notify the other Party and use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain confidential treatment of any information so required to be disclosed), (c) if disclosure is required to comply with a request or requirement of a governmental or administrative entity or agent thereof, (d) to the League and/or any League Representatives, (e) as required by League Rules, (f) for valid business purposes to existing or prospective lenders, investors and employees
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of partners and Affiliates, (g) to enforce any of a Partys rights pursuant to this Agreement, or (h) to governmental authorities, to the extent necessary to perform a Partys obligations under this Agreement. Each Party shall direct their Representatives to maintain such information in the strictest confidence. No Party shall make any public announcement with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby without the prior written consent of the other Parties, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.
Section 20.10 League Rules. This Agreement is subject to League Rules and Licensor hereby covenants to comply with all League Rules in connection with its performance hereunder and its operation of the Arena for Rangers Events. In the event of any conflict between this Agreement and League Rules with respect to the Parties rights and obligations hereunder, League Rules shall control and govern in all respects. Nothing in this Section 20.10 shall affect the Rangers obligations under Section 11.01 or Article XIII.
Section 20.11 Superior Interests
Each mortgagee or similar party named in any mortgage or similar instrument now existing or hereafter made and encumbering an interest in the Arena superior to that of Licensor (each such mortgage and similar instrument being hereinafter collectively referred to as Superior Interests, and the holder of the mortgagees and similar partys interest being hereinafter collectively referred to as Superior Interest Holders) shall agree in a commercially reasonable form of instrument that, if it succeeds to the interest of Licensor in the Arena by termination of the Superior Interest by any means, it will recognize the rights and interest of the Rangers under this Agreement to use and occupy the Arena if and as long as no Rangers Default has occurred and is continuing (which agreement may, at such Superior Interest Holders option require attornment by the Rangers), in consideration of which the rights and interests of the Rangers to use and occupy the Arena shall be subject and subordinate to the Superior Interest and to any and all advances to be made therein, and to the interest thereon, and all renewals, replacements and extensions thereof. The Superior Interest Holder may elect that, instead of making this Agreement subject and subordinate to its Superior Interest, the rights and interest of the Rangers under this Agreement shall have priority over the lien of the Superior Interest in question. The Rangers agree that it will, within ten (10) days after demand in writing, execute and deliver such reasonable instruments may be required, either to make this Agreement subject and subordinate to such a Superior Interest (subject to the Superior Interest Holders agreement as aforesaid to recognize the rights and interest of the Rangers under this Agreement to use and occupy the Arena if and as long as a Rangers Default has not occurred and is continuing), or to give this Agreement priority over the lien of such Superior Interest, whichever alternative may be elected by the respective Superior Interest Holder.
Section 20.12 Severability. If any Article, Section, Subsection, Schedule, Exhibit, term, or provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any Party or circumstance shall, to any extent, be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of the Article, Section, Subsection, Schedule, Exhibit, term, or provision of this Agreement or the application of same to Parties or circumstances other than those to which it is held invalid or unenforceable shall not be affected thereby and each remaining Article, Section, Subsection, Schedule, Exhibit, term, or provision of this Agreement shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.
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Section 20.13 Waiver. No waiver of any right, obligation or default shall be implied, but must be in writing, signed by the Party against whom the waiver is sought to be enforced. Any particular waiver of any right, obligation or default shall not be construed as a waiver of any subsequent or other right, obligation or default.
Section 20.14 Further Assurances. Licensor and the Rangers shall execute, acknowledge, and deliver, after the date hereof, without additional consideration, such further assurances, instruments, and documents, and shall take such further actions, as Licensor or the Rangers shall reasonably request of the other in order to fulfill the intent of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby.
Section 20.15 No Third-Party Beneficiary: Enforcement of Third Party Agreements.
(a) The provisions of this Agreement are for the exclusive benefit of the Parties and not for the benefit of any third person, nor shall this Agreement be deemed to have conferred any rights, express or implied, upon any third person unless otherwise expressly provided for herein provided, that the League is a third party beneficiary of (i) the Rangers cure rights as set forth in Section 17.04, and (ii) the enforcement of Section 20.10.
(b) Licensor shall use commercially reasonable efforts to enforce any agreement between Licensor and any third-party (or third-parties) (including, without limitation, [*****], Ticket Agent Agreements, Suite Agreements, Hospitality Agreement and Joint Sponsor Agreements) that apply to any of the Rangers rights or obligations under this Agreement.
Section 20.16 Books and Records. Licensor and the Rangers shall each keep full, true, and correct contracts, books and records in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied (and shall require all of their agents, contractors, and concessionaires to keep such books and records of their transactions to the extent that such transactions would be the subject of the calculation of any payments due from one Party to the other under this Agreement) setting forth the factual, accounting, and legal bases upon which the calculation of payments herein are made (the Books and Records), and in such detail that would reasonably enable a reasonably qualified third party to readily and independently make such calculations and verify the accuracy of statements of same which are furnished by one Party to the other under this Agreement. Each Partys books and records shall be (a) retained for at least three (3) years following the other Partys receipt of the respective statement(s) to which they apply, and (b) made available for inspections and copying by the other Partys duly authorized representatives at all reasonable times at reasonable office locations in the New York, NY metropolitan area. Each Party shall promptly furnish to the other a complete copy of any report of any such examination or inspection.
Section 20.17 Audit Rights. Each Party (the Auditing Party) shall be entitled to audit the relevant Books and Records of the other Party (the Non-Auditing Party) for the sole purpose, and only to the extent, of determining the Non-Auditing Partys compliance with the financial terms of this Agreement. Such audit right shall be exercisable by the Auditing Party by providing the Non-Auditing Party with not less than five (5) business days written notice. Except as otherwise set forth below, all costs and expenses of any such audit shall be paid by
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the Auditing Party. If the audit discloses that the Non-Auditing Party has failed to pay any amounts due under this Agreement, the Non-Auditing Party shall remit the underpayment to the Auditing Party within thirty (30) days following the Auditing Partys delivery of notice and evidence of underpayment to the Non- Auditing Party. If the audit reveals an underpayment to the Auditing Party of greater than 5%, then the Non- Auditing Party shall pay all costs and expenses associated with such audit, provided that the auditor is an independent certified public accounting firm paid on an hourly (and not contingency) basis.
Section 20.18 Access to Financial Information. Licensor acknowledges that existing League Rules on financial reporting under the Leagues collective bargaining agreements and revenue sharing plans requires the Team, annually and from time to time, to provide the League and auditors for the League and its players association detailed financial information, including information that is in the possession of Licensor. Licensor agrees to provide the information requested by the League and/or the auditors for these purposes and to use commercially reasonable efforts to provide the staff and other support necessary to comply with these requests and the related process.
[signatures on next page]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have entered into this Agreement as of the date first above written.
LICENSOR: | ||
MSG ARENA, LLC | ||
By: |
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Name: |
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Title: |
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RANGERS: | ||
NEW YORK RANGERS, LLC | ||
By: |
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Name: |
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Exhibit 10.9
EXECUTION COPY
March 31, 2020
Mr. James L. Dolan
The Madison Square Garden Company (to be renamed Madison Square Garden Sports Corp.)
Two Pennsylvania Plaza
New York, NY 10121
Dear Jim:
This letter agreement (the Agreement), effective as of the closing of the distribution and spin-off (the Spin-Off) of the common stock of MSG Entertainment Spinco, Inc. (to be renamed Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp., MSG) to the shareholders of The Madison Square Garden Company (to be renamed Madison Square Garden Sports Corp., the Company) (the Effective Date) will confirm the terms of your continued employment with the Company following the Effective Date.
1. Your title continues to be Executive Chairman and it is expected that you will continue to be nominated for election as a director of the Company during the period you serve as Executive Chairman, and as of the Effective Date you will no longer serve as Chief Executive Officer. Subject to the provisions of this paragraph, you agree to devote your business time and attention to the business and affairs of the Company. The Company understands that you are a party to an Employment Agreement with each of MSG and MSG Networks Inc. (MSG Networks) and recognizes and agrees that your responsibilities to MSG and MSG Networks will preclude you from devoting substantially all of your time and attention to the Companys affairs. However, the Company understands, and you agree, that you will not take on another significant and substantial employment role outside of these three entities and/or their respective subsidiaries, and that you will devote to the Companys affairs a sufficiently substantial portion of your time and attention as may be reasonably necessary to accomplish the objectives of your strategic and operational role for the Company as identified in this Agreement and as mutually agreed between yourself and the Company from time to time. In addition, as recognized in Article Tenth of the Companys Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the Overlap Policy), there may be certain potential conflicts of interest and fiduciary duty issues associated with your roles at the Company, MSG and MSG Networks. The Company recognizes and agrees that none of (i) your responsibilities at the Company, MSG and MSG Networks, (ii) your inability to devote substantially all of your time and attention to the Companys affairs, (iii) the actual or potential conflicts of interest and fiduciary duty issues that are waived in the Overlap Policy or (iv) any actions taken, or omitted to be taken, by you in good faith to comply with your duties and responsibilities to the Company in light of your responsibilities to the Company, MSG and MSG Networks, shall be deemed to be a breach by you of your obligations under this Agreement (including your obligations under Annex A) nor shall any of the foregoing constitute Cause as such term is defined herein.
Mr. James L. Dolan
Page 2
2. Your annual base salary will be not less than $400,000 annually, paid bi-weekly, subject to annual review and potential increase by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (the Compensation Committee) in its discretion. The Compensation Committee will continue to review your compensation package on an annual basis to ensure you are paid consistently with the market for other similarly situated executives as well as external peers.
3. You will also participate in our discretionary annual bonus program with an annual target bonus opportunity equal to not less than 200% of your annual base salary (with such target bonus opportunity effective for the current fiscal year). Bonus payments are based on actual salary dollars paid during the year and depend on a number of factors including Company, unit and individual performance. However, the decision of whether or not to pay a bonus, and the amount of that bonus, if any, is made by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion. Annual bonuses are typically paid in the first fiscal quarter of the subsequent fiscal year. Except as otherwise provided herein, in order to receive a bonus, you must be employed by the Company at the time bonuses are being paid. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if your employment with the Company ends on the Scheduled Expiration Date (as defined below), you shall be paid your pro rata bonus for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, if any, even if such payment is not made to you prior to the Scheduled Expiration Date, which bonus shall be subject to Company and your business unit performance for that fiscal year as determined by the Company in its sole discretion, but without adjustment for your individual performance.
4. You will also, subject to your continued employment by the Company and actual grant by the Compensation Committee, participate in such equity and other long-term incentive programs that are made available in the future to similarly situated executives at the Company but subject to the terms of this Paragraph. Commencing with the Companys fiscal year starting July 1, 2020, it is expected that such awards will consist of annual grants of cash and/or equity awards with an annual target value of not less than $3,600,000, as determined by the Compensation Committee in its discretion.
All awards described in this Paragraph 4, in addition to being subject to actual grant by the Compensation Committee, would be pursuant to the applicable plan document and would be subject to any terms and conditions established by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion that would be detailed in separate agreements you would receive after any award is actually made; provided, however, that such terms and conditions shall be consistent with those in awards granted to similarly situated executives. Long-term incentive awards are currently expected to be subject to three-year vesting.
This confirms that you have received the FY 2019 Award and the FY 2018 Award, as defined in your employment agreement with the Company, dated October 3, 2018, as amended (the Prior Agreement), with such terms and conditions as provided in the Prior Agreement.
Mr. James L. Dolan
Page 3
5. While you are employed by MSG, you will not be eligible to participate in the Companys benefits program except as provided below. If your employment with MSG terminates while you remain employed by the Company, you will be eligible to participate in our standard benefits programs, subject to meeting the relevant eligibility requirements, payment of the required premiums, and the terms of the plans themselves. Notwithstanding the first sentence of this Paragraph 5, you will continue to be eligible to participate in the Companys Excess Savings Plan and your full Company base salary will be used to determine the applicable benefits under the Companys Excess Savings Plan. Any Company provided life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance will be based on your Company base salary. You will also continue to be eligible for paid time off to be accrued and used in accordance with Company policy, which currently allows for time off on a flexible and unlimited basis.
6. If your employment with the Company is terminated on or prior to the first anniversary of the Effective Date (the Scheduled Expiration Date): (i) by the Company (other than for Cause); or (ii) by you for Good Reason (other than if Cause then exists); then, subject to your execution and delivery, within 60 days after the date of termination of your employment, and non-revocation (within any applicable revocation period) of the Separation Agreement (as defined below), the Company will provide you with the following:
(a) |
Severance in an amount to be determined by the Company (the Severance Amount), but in no event less than two (2) times the sum of your annual base salary and your annual target bonus as in effect at the time your employment terminates. Sixty percent (60%) of the Severance Amount will be payable to you on the six-month anniversary of the date your employment so terminates (the Termination Date) and the remaining forty percent (40%) of the Severance Amount will be payable to you on the twelve-month anniversary of the Termination Date; |
(b) |
Any unpaid annual bonus for the Companys fiscal year prior to the fiscal year which includes your Termination Date, and a pro-rated bonus based on the amount of your base salary actually earned by you during the Companys fiscal year through the Termination Date, each of which will be paid to you when such bonuses are generally paid to similarly situated active executives and will be based on your then current annual target bonus as well as Company and your business unit performance for the applicable fiscal year (which performance will be evaluated on the same business unit performance standards as are applied to other executive officers of the Company in respect of the payment of bonuses for such year) as determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion, but without adjustment for your individual performance; |
Mr. James L. Dolan
Page 4
(c) |
Each of your then-outstanding and not yet vested long-term cash awards (including any deferred compensation awards under the long-term cash award programs) granted under the plans of the Company, if any, shall immediately vest in full and shall be payable to you at the same time as such awards are paid to active executives of the Company, and the payment amount of such award shall be to the same extent that other similarly situated active executives receive payment as determined by the Compensation Committee (subject to satisfaction of any applicable performance criteria but without adjustment for your individual performance); |
(d) |
(i) All of the time-based restrictions on each of your then-outstanding and not-yet vested restricted stock or restricted stock unit awards granted to you under the plans of the Company, if any, shall immediately be eliminated, (ii) payment and deliveries with respect to your restricted stock that are not subject to performance criteria or are subject to performance criteria that have previously been satisfied (as certified by the Compensation Committee) shall be made immediately after the effective date of the Separation Agreement, (iii) payment and deliveries with respect to your restricted stock units that are not subject to performance criteria or are subject to performance criteria that have previously been satisfied (as certified by the Compensation Committee) shall be made on the 90th day after the termination of your employment and (iv) payments or deliveries with respect to your restricted stock and restricted stock units that are subject to performance criteria that have not yet been satisfied shall be made on the 90th day after the applicable performance criteria is certified by the Compensation Committee as having been satisfied; and |
(e) |
Each of your then-outstanding and not yet vested stock options and stock appreciation awards, if any, under the plans of the Company shall immediately vest and become exercisable, and you shall have the right to exercise each of those options and stock appreciation awards for the remainder of the term of such option or award. |
If you die after a termination of your employment that is subject to this Paragraph 6, your estate or beneficiaries will be provided with any remaining benefits and rights under this Paragraph 6.
7. (a) If you cease to be an employee of the Company prior to the Scheduled Expiration Date as a result of your death or your Disability (as defined in the Companys Long Term Disability Plan), and at such time Cause does not exist, then, subject (other than in the case of death) to your execution and delivery, within 60 days after the date of termination of your employment, and non-revocation (within any applicable revocation period) of the Separation Agreement, you or your estate or beneficiary shall be provided with the benefits and rights set
Mr. James L. Dolan
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forth in Paragraphs 6(b), (d) and (e) above, and each of your outstanding long-term cash awards granted under the plans of the Company shall immediately vest in full, whether or not subject to performance criteria and shall be payable on the 90th day after the termination of your employment; provided, that if any such award is subject to any performance criteria, then (i) if the measurement period for such performance criteria has not yet been fully completed, then the payment amount shall be at the target amount for such award and (ii) if the measurement period for such performance criteria has already been fully completed, then the payment of such award shall be at the same time and to the extent that other similarly situated executives receive payment as determined by the Compensation Committee (subject to satisfaction of the applicable performance criteria).
(b) If, prior to or after the Scheduled Expiration Date, you cease to be employed by the Company for any reason other than your being terminated for Cause, you shall have three years to exercise outstanding stock options and stock appreciation awards, unless you are afforded a longer period for exercise pursuant to another provision of this Agreement or any applicable award letter, but in no event exercisable after the end of the applicable regularly scheduled term (except in the case of death, as may otherwise be permitted under the applicable Employee Stock Plan or award letter).
(c) If, after the Scheduled Expiration Date, your employment with the Company is terminated (i) by the Company, (ii) by you for Good Reason, or (iii) as a result of your death or Disability, and at the time of any such termination described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii), Cause does not exist, then, subject (other than in the case of your death) to your execution and delivery, within 60 days after the date of termination of your employment, and non-revocation (within any applicable revocation period) of the Separation Agreement, each of your then outstanding long term cash awards and equity awards (including restricted stock, restricted stock units, options and stock appreciation rights) that was awarded prior to the Scheduled Expiration Date shall vest and/or be payable as set forth in Paragraphs 6(c), (d) and (e) above.
(d) Upon the termination of your employment with the Company, the Company shall pay you any unpaid base salary through the date of termination by no later than the next payroll period, and shall reimburse you for any unreimbursed expenses incurred through the date of termination in accordance with the Companys reimbursement policy. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, your rights to benefits and payments under the Companys pension and welfare plans (other than severance benefits) and any outstanding long-term cash or equity awards shall be determined in accordance with the then current terms and provisions of such plans, agreements and awards under which such benefits and payments (including such long-term cash or equity awards) were granted.
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8. For purposes hereof, Separation Agreement shall mean the Companys standard severance agreement (modified to reflect the terms of this Agreement) which will include, without limitation, the provisions set forth in Paragraphs 6, 7 and 9 hereof and Annex A hereto regarding non-compete (limited to one year), non-disparagement, non-hire/non-solicitation, confidentiality (including, without limitation, the last paragraph of Section 3 of Annex A), and further cooperation obligations and restrictions on you (with Company reimbursement of your associated expenses and payment for your services as described in Annex A in connection with any required post-employment cooperation) as well as a general release by you of the Company and its affiliates (and their respective directors and officers), but shall otherwise contain no post-employment covenants unless agreed to by you. The Company shall provide you with the form of Separation Agreement within seven days of your termination of employment. For avoidance of doubt, your rights of indemnification under the Companys Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, under your indemnification agreement with the Company and under any insurance policy, or under any other resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company shall not be released, diminished or affected by any Separation Agreement or release or any termination of your employment.
9. Except as otherwise set forth in Paragraphs 6 and 7 hereof, in connection with any termination of your employment, your then outstanding equity and cash incentive awards shall be treated in accordance with their terms and, other than as provided in this Agreement, you shall not be eligible for severance benefits under any other plan, program or policy of the Company. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to limit any more favorable rights that you may be entitled to under your equity and cash incentive award agreements, including, without limitation, your rights in the event of a termination of your employment, a Going Private Transaction or a Change of Control (as those terms are defined in the applicable award agreement).
10. For purposes of this Agreement, Cause means your (i) commission of an act of fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation, willful misconduct, gross negligence or breach of fiduciary duty against the Company or an affiliate thereof, or (ii) commission of any act or omission that results in a conviction, plea of no contest, plea of nolo contendere, or imposition of unadjudicated probation for any crime involving moral turpitude or any felony.
For purposes of this Agreement, Good Reason means that (1) without your written consent and other than by your own causation, (A) your annual base salary or annual target bonus (as each may be increased from time to time in the Compensation Committees sole discretion) is reduced, (B) you are no longer the Executive Chairman of the Company, (C) you no longer report directly to the Board of Directors of the Company, (D) the Company requires that your principal office be located outside of Nassau County or the Borough of Manhattan, (E) the Company materially breaches its obligations to you under this Agreement; or (F) your responsibilities are materially diminished, (2) you have given the Company written notice, referring specifically to this Agreement and definition, that you do not consent to such action, (3) the Company has not corrected such action within 30 days of receiving such notice, and (4) you voluntarily terminate your employment with the Company within 90 days following the happening of the action described in subsection (1) above.
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11. This Agreement does not constitute a guarantee of employment for any definite period. Your employment is at will and may be terminated by you or the Company at any time, with or without notice or reason.
12. The Company may withhold from any payment due to you any taxes required to be withheld under any law, rule or regulation. If any payment otherwise due to you hereunder would result in the imposition of the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, the Company will instead pay you either (i) such amount or (ii) the maximum amount that could be paid to you without the imposition of the excise tax, depending on whichever amount results in your receiving the greater amount of after-tax proceeds. In the event that the payments and benefits payable to you would be reduced as provided in the previous sentence, then such reduction will be determined in a manner which has the least economic cost to you and, to the extent the economic cost is equivalent, such payments or benefits will be reduced in the inverse order of when the payments or benefits would have been made to you (i.e. later payments will be reduced first) until the reduction specified is achieved. If the Company elects to retain any accounting or similar firm to provide assistance in calculating any such amounts, the Company shall be responsible for the costs of any such firm.
13. It is intended that this Agreement will comply with Section 409A to the extent this Agreement is subject thereto, and that this Agreement shall be interpreted on a basis consistent with such intent. If and to the extent that any payment or benefit under this Agreement, or any plan, award or arrangement of the Company or its affiliates, constitutes non-qualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A and is payable to you by reason of your termination of employment, then (a) such payment or benefit shall be made or provided to you only upon a separation from service as defined for purposes of Section 409A under applicable regulations and (b) if you are a specified employee (within the meaning of Section 409A as determined by the Company), (i) any payments will not be made to you and instead will be made to a trust in compliance with Rev. Proc. 92-64 (the Rabbi Trust), provided, however, that no payment will be made to the Rabbi Trust if it would be contrary to law or cause you to incur additional tax under Section 409A, (ii) any benefits will be delayed, and (iii) such payments or benefits shall not be made or provided to you before the date that is six months after the date of your separation from service (or your earlier death). Any amount not paid or benefit not provided in respect of the six month period specified in the preceding sentence will be paid to you, together with interest on such delayed amount at a rate equal to the average of the one-year LIBOR fixed rate equivalent for the ten business days prior to the date of your employment termination, in a lump sum or provided to you as soon as practicable after the expiration of such six month period. Each payment or benefit provided under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A to the extent Section 409A applies to such payment. If the Rabbi
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Trust has not been established at the time of the termination of your employment, you may select an institution to serve as the trustee of the Rabbi Trust (so long as the institution is reasonably acceptable to the Company). You may negotiate such terms with the trustee as are customary for such arrangements and reasonably acceptable to the Company. The Company will bear all costs related to the establishment and operation of the Rabbi Trust, including your attorneys fees.
14. To the extent you are entitled to any expense reimbursement from the Company that is subject to Section 409A, (i) the amount of any such expenses eligible for reimbursement in one calendar year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other taxable year (except under any lifetime limit applicable to expenses for medical care), (ii) in no event shall any such expense be reimbursed after the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which you incurred such expense, and (iii) in no event shall any right to reimbursement be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.
15. The Company will not take any action, or omit to take any action, that would expose any payment or benefit to you to the additional tax of Section 409A, unless (i) the Company is obligated to take the action under an agreement, plan or arrangement to which you are a party, (ii) you request the action, (iii) the Company advises you in writing that the action may result in the imposition of the additional tax and (iv) you subsequently request the action in a writing that acknowledges you will be responsible for any effect of the action under Section 409A. The Company will hold you harmless for any action it may take or omission in violation of this Paragraph 15, including any attorneys fees you may incur in enforcing your rights.
16. It is our intention that the benefits and rights to which you could become entitled in connection with termination of employment be exempt from or comply with Section 409A. If you or the Company believes, at any time, that any of such benefit or right is not exempt or does not comply, it will promptly advise the other and will negotiate reasonably and in good faith to amend the terms of such arrangement such that it complies (with the most limited possible economic effect on you and on the Company).
17. This Agreement is personal to you and without the prior written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by you. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by your legal representatives. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns. The rights or obligations of the Company under this Agreement may only be assigned or transferred pursuant to a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the continuing entity, or the sale or liquidation of all or substantially all of the assets of Company; provided, however, that the assignee or transferee is the successor to all or substantially all of the assets of Company and such assignee or transferee assumes the liabilities and duties of Company, as contained in this Agreement, either contractually or as a matter of law.
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18. To the extent permitted by law, you and the Company waive any and all rights to a jury trial with respect to any matter relating to this Agreement (including the covenants set forth in Annex A hereof). This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York applicable to contracts made and to be performed entirely within that State.
19. Both the Company and you hereby irrevocably submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York and the federal courts of the United States of America in each case located in the City of New York, Borough of Manhattan, solely in respect of the interpretation and enforcement of the provisions of this Agreement, and each party hereby waives, and agrees not to assert, as a defense that either party, as appropriate, is not subject thereto or that the venue thereof may not be appropriate. You and the Company each agree that mailing of process or other papers in connection with any such action or proceeding in any manner as may be permitted by law shall be valid and sufficient service thereof.
20. This Agreement may not be amended or modified otherwise than by a written agreement executed by the parties hereto or their respective successors and legal representatives. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement. It is the parties intention that this Agreement not be construed more strictly with regard to you or the Company.
21. This Agreement reflects the entire understanding and agreement of you and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior understandings or agreements relating thereto, including, without limitation the Prior Agreement; provided, however, that you shall be entitled to the benefits under the indemnification agreement between you and the Company. You acknowledge and agree that the Spin-Off and the modifications to the Prior Agreement reflected in this Agreement (including, without limitation, the change from the Prior Agreement to your title and compensation) do not under these circumstances constitute grounds for, and you will not allege that they constitute grounds for (whether individually or in the aggregate), Good Reason hereunder or under the terms of the Prior Agreement. This Agreement will automatically terminate, and be null and void ab initio and of no force or effect, if the Spin-Off of MSG is not completed by June 30, 2020, in which case the Prior Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
22. This Agreement will automatically terminate, and be of no further force or effect, on the Scheduled Expiration Date; provided, however, that the provisions of Paragraphs 6 through 10, 12 through 22, Annex A, and any amounts earned but not yet paid to you pursuant to the terms of this Agreement as of the Scheduled Expiration Date shall survive the termination of the Agreement and remain binding on you and the Company in accordance with their terms.
[Signature Page Follows]
Mr. James L. Dolan
Page 10
Sincerely, | ||
THE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN COMPANY (to be renamed Madison Square Garden Sports Corp.) | ||
/s/ Andrew Lustgarten |
||
By: | Andrew Lustgarten | |
Title: | President |
Accepted and Agreed: |
/s/ James L. Dolan |
James L. Dolan |
Mr. James L. Dolan
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ANNEX A
ADDITIONAL COVENANTS
(This Annex constitutes part of the Agreement)
You agree to comply with the following covenants in addition to those set forth in the Agreement.
1. CONFIDENTIALITY
You agree to retain in strict confidence and not divulge, disseminate, copy or disclose to any third party any Confidential Information, other than for legitimate business purposes of the Company and its subsidiaries. As used herein, Confidential Information means any non-public information that is material or of a confidential, proprietary, commercially sensitive or personal nature of, or regarding, the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any current or former director, officer or member of senior management of any of the foregoing (collectively Covered Parties). The term Confidential Information includes information in written, digital, oral or any other format and includes, but is not limited to (i) information designated or treated as confidential; (ii) budgets, plans, forecasts or other financial or accounting data; (iii) customer, guest, fan, vendor, sponsor, marketing affiliate or shareholder lists or data; (iv) technical or strategic information regarding the Covered Parties advertising, sports, or other businesses; (v) advertising, sponsorship, business, sales or marketing tactics, strategies or information; (vi) policies, practices, procedures or techniques; (vii) trade secrets or other intellectual property; (viii) information, theories or strategies relating to litigation, arbitration, mediation, investigations or matters relating to governmental authorities; (ix) terms of agreements with third parties and third party trade secrets; (x) information regarding employees, talent, players, coaches, agents, consultants, advisors or representatives, including their compensation or other human resources policies and procedures; (xi) information or strategies relating to any potential or actual business development transactions and/or any potential or actual business acquisition, divestiture or joint venture, and (xii) any other information the disclosure of which may have an adverse effect on the Covered Parties business reputation, operations or competitive position, reputation or standing in the community.
If disclosed, Confidential Information or Other Information could have an adverse effect on the Companys standing in the community, its business reputation, operations or competitive position or the standing, reputation, operations or competitive position of any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers, directors, employees, coaches, consultants or agents or any of the Covered Parties.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations of this section, other than with respect to subscriber information, shall not apply to Confidential Information which is:
a) already in the public domain or which enters the public domain other than by your breach of this Paragraph 1;
b) disclosed to you by a third party with the right to disclose it in good faith; or
c) specifically exempted in writing by the Company from the applicability of this Agreement.
Notwithstanding anything elsewhere in this Agreement, including this Paragraph 1 and Paragraph 3 below, you are authorized to make any disclosure required of you by any federal, state and local laws or judicial, arbitral or governmental agency proceedings (including making truthful statements in connection with a judicial or arbitral proceeding to enforce your rights under this Agreement, to the extent reasonably required and made in good faith), after, to the extent legal and practicable, providing the Company with prior written notice and an opportunity to respond prior to such disclosure. In addition, this Agreement in no way restricts or prevents you from providing truthful testimony concerning the Company to judicial, administrative, regulatory or other governmental authorities.
2. NON-COMPETE
You acknowledge that due to your executive position in the Company and your knowledge of the Companys confidential and proprietary information, your employment or affiliation with certain entities would be detrimental to the Company. You agree that, without the prior written consent of the Company, you will not represent, become employed by, consult to, advise in any manner or have any material interest in any business directly or indirectly in any Competitive Entity (as defined below). A Competitive Entity shall mean any person or entity that (i) owns or operates a professional sports team in the New York City metropolitan area, or (ii) directly competes with any other business of the Company or one of its subsidiaries that produced greater than 10% of the Companys revenues in the calendar year immediately preceding the year in which the determination is made. An entity shall be deemed to compete with the on-line content business of the Company, or any of its affiliates only if the entity directly competes against the on-line content business of the Company, or its affiliate(s); provided, however, that an entitys business shall not be deemed to directly compete merely by the fact that the business sells ads on-line, unless the business specifically targets such ads to the same customers or potential customers as being targeted by the on-line content business of the Company, its subsidiary or affiliate. Ownership of not more than 1% of the outstanding stock of any publicly traded company shall not be a violation of this Paragraph. This agreement not to compete will expire upon the one year anniversary of the date of a termination of your employment with the Company.
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3. ADDITIONAL UNDERSTANDINGS
You agree, for yourself and others acting on your behalf, that you (and they) have not disparaged and will not disparage, make negative statements about, or act in any manner which is intended to or does damage to the good will of, or the business or personal reputations of the Company or any of its incumbent officers, directors, agents, consultants, employees, successors and assigns or any of the Covered Parties.
The Company agrees that, except as necessary to comply with applicable law or the rules of the New York Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange on which the Companys stock may be traded (and any public statements made in good faith by the Company in connection therewith), it and its corporate officers and directors, employees in its public relations department or third party public relations representatives retained by the Company will not disparage you or make negative statements in the press or other media which are damaging to your business or personal reputation. In the event that the Company so disparages you or makes such negative statements, then notwithstanding the Additional Understandings provision to the contrary, you may make a proportional response thereto.
In addition, you agree that the Company is the owner of all rights, title and interest in and to all documents, tapes, videos, designs, plans, formulas, models, processes, computer programs, inventions (whether patentable or not), schematics, music, lyrics and other technical, business, financial, advertising, sales, marketing, customer or product development plans, forecasts, strategies, information and materials (in any medium whatsoever) developed or prepared by you or with your cooperation in connection with your employment by the Company (the Materials). For purposes of clarity, Materials shall not include any music or lyrics written (in the past or in the future) by you, and shall not include any documents, tapes or videos that relate to such music or lyrics or the performance of such music or lyrics other than music or lyrics written in connection with your employment. The Company will have the sole and exclusive authority to use the Materials in any manner that it deems appropriate, in perpetuity, without additional payment to you.
If requested by the Company, you agree to deliver to the Company upon the termination of your employment, or at any earlier time the Company may request, all memoranda, notes, plans, files, records, reports, and software and other documents and data (and copies thereof regardless of the form thereof (including electronic copies)) containing, reflecting or derived from Confidential Information or the Materials of the Company or any of its affiliates which you may then possess or have under your control. If so requested, you shall provide to the Company a signed statement confirming that you have fully complied with this Paragraph. Notwithstanding the foregoing, you shall be entitled to retain your contacts, calendars and personal diaries and any materials needed for your tax return preparation or related to your compensation.
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4. FURTHER COOPERATION
Following the date of termination of your employment with the Company (the Expiration Date), you will no longer provide any regular services to the Company or represent yourself as a Company agent. If, however, the Company so requests, you agree to cooperate fully with the Company in connection with any matter with which you were involved prior to the Expiration Date, or in any litigation or administrative proceedings or appeals (including any preparation therefore) where the Company believes that your personal knowledge, attendance and participation could be beneficial to the Company. This cooperation includes, without limitation, participation on behalf of the Company in any litigation or administrative proceeding brought by any former or existing Company employees, representatives, agents or vendors. The Company will pay you for your services rendered under this provision at the rate of $8,400 per day for each day or part thereof, within 30 days of the approval of the invoice therefor; provided that, if you provide services on the same day for the Company, MSG, and/or MSG Networks, your daily rate shall not exceed $8,400 in the aggregate.
The Company will provide you with reasonable notice in connection with any cooperation it requires in accordance with this section and will take reasonable steps to schedule your cooperation in any such matters so as not to materially interfere with your other professional and personal commitments. The Company will reimburse you for any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses you reasonably incur in connection with the cooperation you provide hereunder as soon as practicable after you present appropriate documentation evidencing such expenses. You agree to provide the Company with an estimate of such expense before you incur the same.
5. NON-HIRE OR SOLICIT
You agree not to hire, seek to hire, or cause any person or entity to hire or seek to hire (without the prior written consent of the Company), directly or indirectly (whether for your own interest or any other person or entitys interest) any person who is or was in the prior six months an employee of the Company, or any of its subsidiaries, until the first anniversary of the date of your termination of employment with the Company. This restriction does not apply to any former employee who was discharged by the Company or any of its affiliates. In addition, this restriction will not prevent you from providing references.
6. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
You acknowledge that the restrictions contained in this Annex A, in light of the nature of the Companys business and your position and responsibilities, are reasonable and necessary to protect the legitimate interests of the Company. You acknowledge that the Company has no adequate remedy at law and would be irreparably harmed if you breach or threaten to breach the provisions of this Annex A, and therefore agree that the Company shall be entitled to injunctive relief, to prevent any breach or threatened breach of any of those provisions and to specific
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performance of the terms of each of such provisions in addition to any other legal or equitable remedy it may have. You further agree that you will not, in any equity proceeding relating to the enforcement of the provisions of this Annex A, raise the defense that the Company has an adequate remedy at law. Nothing in this Annex A shall be construed as prohibiting the Company from pursuing any other remedies at law or in equity that it may have or any other rights that it may have under any other agreement. If it is determined that any of the provisions of this Annex A or any part thereof, is unenforceable because of the duration or scope (geographic or otherwise) of such provision, it is the intention of the parties that the duration or scope of such provision, as the case may be, shall be reduced so that such provision becomes enforceable and, in its reduced form, such provision shall then be enforceable and shall be enforced.
7. SURVIVAL
The provisions of this Annex A shall survive any termination of your employment by the Company or the expiration of the Agreement except as otherwise provided herein.
* * *
Exhibit 10.10
March 31, 2020
Mr. Andrew Lustgarten
The Madison Square Garden Company (to be renamed Madison Square Garden Sports Corp.)
Two Pennsylvania Plaza
New York, NY 10121
Dear Andy:
This letter agreement (the Agreement), effective as of the distribution (the Distribution) of the common stock of MSG Entertainment Spinco, Inc. (to be renamed Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp., MSG) to the shareholders of The Madison Square Garden Company (to be renamed Madison Square Garden Sports Corp., the Company) (the Effective Date), will confirm the terms of your employment with the Company following the Effective Date.
1. Your title will be Chief Executive Officer and President and you will report to the Executive Chairman of the Company. Subject to Paragraph 2 below, you agree to continue to devote all of your business time and attention to the business and affairs of the Company and to perform your duties in a diligent, competent, professional and skillful manner and in accordance with applicable law. Subject to Paragraph 2 below, you shall not undertake any outside business commitments without the Companys consent. Notwithstanding anything contained in this paragraph to the contrary, the Company acknowledges and consents to your service as Chairman of the Lustgarten Foundation.
2. The Company acknowledges that, in addition to your services pursuant to this Agreement, you will simultaneously serve as the President of, and are expected to devote a portion of your business time and attention to MSG. The Company understands that you have entered or are entering into an employment agreement with MSG contemporaneous with the execution of this Agreement and recognizes and agrees that your responsibilities to MSG will preclude you from devoting substantially all of your time and attention to the Companys affairs. In addition, as recognized in Article Tenth of the Companys Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and resolutions adopted by its Board of Directors (collectively, the Overlap Policy), there may be certain potential conflicts of interest and fiduciary duty issues associated with your multiple roles at the Company and MSG. The Company recognizes and agrees that none of (i) your multiple responsibilities at the Company and MSG, (ii) your inability to devote substantially all of your time and attention to the Companys affairs, (iii) the actual or potential conflicts of interest and fiduciary duty issues that are waived in the Overlap Policy, or (iv) any actions taken, or omitted to be taken, by you in good faith to comply with your duties and responsibilities to the Company in light of your multiple responsibilities to the Company and MSG, shall be deemed to be a breach by you of your obligations under this Agreement (including your obligations under Annex A) nor shall any of the foregoing constitute Cause as such term is defined in Paragraph 12 hereof.
Mr. Andrew Lustgarten
Page 2
3. Your annual base salary will be not less than $900,000 annually, paid bi-weekly, subject to annual review and potential increase by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (the Compensation Committee) in its discretion. The Compensation Committee will review your compensation package on an annual basis to ensure that you are paid consistently with other similarly situated executives as well as external peers.
4. You will also participate in our discretionary annual bonus program with an annual target bonus opportunity equal to not less than 200% of your annual base salary (with such target bonus opportunity effective for the current fiscal year). Bonus payments depend on a number of factors including Company, business unit and individual performance. However, the decision of whether or not to pay a bonus, and the amount of that bonus, if any, is made by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion. Annual bonuses are typically paid early in the subsequent fiscal year. Except as otherwise provided herein, in order to receive a bonus, you must be employed by the Company at the time bonuses are being paid. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if your employment with the Company ends on the Scheduled Expiration Date (as defined below), you shall be paid your bonus for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022 (based on the salary dollars actually paid through the Scheduled Expiration Date, and payable at such time as bonuses are paid to the Companys management employees), if any, even if such payment is not made to you prior to the Scheduled Expiration Date, which bonus shall be subject to Company and your business unit performance for that fiscal year as determined by the Company in its sole discretion, but without adjustment for your individual performance.
5. You will also, subject to your continued employment by the Company and actual grant by the Compensation Committee, participate in such equity and other long-term incentive programs that are made available in the future to similarly situated executives at the Company. It is expected that such awards will consist of annual grants of cash and/or equity awards with an annual target value of not less than $3,300,000, all as determined by the Compensation Committee in its discretion. With respect to the Companys current fiscal year (ending June 30, 2020) you will be recommended for a mid-year grant with a target value equal to a pro-rated portion of the Companys allocable share of the aggregate increase to your annual target value ($1,280,000) (such proration to be based on the number of full and partial months (so long as the Distribution occurs prior to the midpoint of such partial month) from and after the Distribution) . All awards described in this Paragraph and in Paragraph 6 below, in addition to being subject to actual grant by the Compensation Committee, would be pursuant to the applicable plan document and would be subject to any terms and conditions established by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion that would be detailed in separate agreements you would receive after any award is actually made; provided, however, that such terms and conditions shall be consistent with those in awards granted to similarly situated executives. Long-term incentive awards are currently expected to be subject to three-year vesting.
Mr. Andrew Lustgarten
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6. [Intentionally Omitted].
7. You will also continue to be eligible to participate in our standard benefits program, subject to meeting the relevant eligibility requirements, payment of the required premiums, and the terms of the plans themselves. We currently offer medical, dental, vision, life, and accidental death and dismemberment insurance; short- and long- term disability insurance; a savings and retirement program; and ten paid holidays. You will also continue to be eligible for paid time off to be accrued and used in accordance with Company policy.
8. If your employment with the Company is terminated on or prior to December 31, 2021 (the Scheduled Expiration Date) (i) by the Company (other than for Cause); or (ii) by you for Good Reason (other than if Cause then exists); then, subject to your execution and delivery, within 60 days after the date of termination of your employment, and non-revocation (within any applicable revocation period) of the Separation Agreement (as defined below), the Company will provide you with the following:
(a) |
Severance in an amount to be determined by the Company (the Severance Amount), but in no event less than two (2) times the sum of your annual base salary and your annual target bonus as in effect at the time your employment terminates. Sixty percent (60%) of the Severance Amount will be payable to you on the six-month anniversary of the date your employment so terminates (the Termination Date) and the remaining forty percent (40%) of the Severance Amount will be payable to you on the twelve-month anniversary of the Termination Date; |
(b) |
Any unpaid annual bonus for the Companys fiscal year prior to the fiscal year which includes your Termination Date, and a pro rated bonus based on the amount of your base salary actually earned by you during the Companys fiscal year through the Termination Date, each of which will be paid to you when such bonuses are generally paid to similarly situated active executives and will be based on your then current annual target bonus as well as Company and your business unit performance for the applicable fiscal year as determined by the Company in its sole discretion, but without adjustment for your individual performance; |
(c) |
Each of your outstanding long-term cash awards granted under the plans of the Company shall immediately vest in full and shall be payable to you at the same time as such awards are paid to active executives of the Company and the payment amount of such award shall be to the same extent that other similarly situated active executives receive payment as determined by the Compensation Committee (subject to satisfaction of any applicable performance criteria but without adjustment for your individual performance); |
Mr. Andrew Lustgarten
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(d) |
(i) All of the time-based restrictions on each of your outstanding restricted stock or restricted stock unit awards granted to you under the plans of the Company shall immediately be eliminated, (ii) deliveries with respect to your restricted stock that are not subject to performance criteria or are subject to performance criteria that have previously been satisfied (as certified by the Compensation Committee) shall be made immediately after the effective date of the Separation Agreement, (iii) payment and deliveries with respect to your restricted stock units that are not subject to performance criteria or are subject to performance criteria that have previously been satisfied (as certified by the Compensation Committee) shall be made on the 90th day after the termination of your employment and (iv) payments or deliveries with respect to your restricted stock and restricted stock units that are subject to performance criteria that have not yet been satisfied shall be made on the 90th day after the applicable performance criteria is certified by the Compensation Committee as having been satisfied; and |
(e) |
Each of your outstanding stock options and stock appreciation awards, if any, under the plans of the Company shall immediately vest and become exercisable, and you shall have the right to exercise each of those options and stock appreciation awards for the remainder of the term of such option or award. |
(f) |
Notwithstanding any provisions of this Paragraph 8 to the contrary, to the extent that (i) any awards granted prior to the Effective Date that are payable under this Paragraph 8 constitute nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code) and any regulations and guidelines promulgated thereunder (collectively, Section 409A); and (ii) accelerated payout pursuant to the terms of this Paragraph 8 of such awards is not permitted by Section 409A, then such awards shall be payable to you at such time as is provided under the terms of such awards or otherwise in compliance with Section 409A. |
If you die after a termination of your employment that is subject to this Paragraph 8, your estate or beneficiaries will be provided with any remaining benefits and rights under this Paragraph 8.
9. (a) If you cease to be an employee of the Company prior to the Scheduled Expiration Date as a result of your death or your Disability (as defined in the Companys Long Term Disability Plan), and at such time Cause does not exist then, subject (other than in the case of death) to your execution and delivery, within 60 days after the date of termination of your employment, and non-revocation (within any applicable revocation period) of the Separation Agreement, you or your estate or beneficiary shall be provided with the benefits and rights set
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forth in Paragraphs 8(b), (d) and (e) above, and each of your outstanding long-term cash awards granted under the plans of the Company shall immediately vest in full, whether or not subject to performance criteria and shall be payable on the 90th day after the termination of your employment; provided, that if any such award is subject to any performance criteria, then (i) if the measurement period for such performance criteria has not yet been fully completed, then the payment amount shall be at the target amount for such award and (ii) if the measurement period for such performance criteria has already been fully completed, then the payment of such award shall be at the same time and to the extent that other similarly situated executives receive payment as determined by the Compensation Committee (subject to satisfaction of the applicable performance criteria).
(b) If after the Scheduled Expiration Date, your employment with the Company is terminated (i) by the Company without Cause, (ii) by you for Good Reason, or (iii) as a result of your death or Disability (as defined in the Companys Long-Term Disability Plan) and at the time of any such termination Cause does not exist, then, subject to your (or, in the case of your death, your representatives) execution and delivery, within 60 days after the date of termination of your employment, and non-revocation (within any applicable revocation period) of the Separation Agreement, you will be provided with the benefits and rights set forth in Paragraphs 8(b), (d) and (e) above.
10. For purposes hereof, Separation Agreement shall mean the Companys standard severance agreement (modified to reflect the terms of this Agreement) which will include, without limitation, the provisions set forth in Paragraphs 8, 9 and 11 hereof and Annex A hereto regarding non-compete (limited to one year), non-disparagement, non-hire/non-solicitation, confidentiality (including, without limitation, the last paragraph of Section 3 of Annex A), and further cooperation obligations and restrictions on you (with Company reimbursement of your associated expenses and payment for your services as described in Annex A in connection with any required post-employment cooperation) as well as a general release by you of the Company and its affiliates (and their respective directors and officers), but shall otherwise contain no post-employment covenants unless agreed to by you. You will not be asked to release claims with respect to any of your rights under this Agreement which, by its terms, survive the termination of your employment. The Company shall provide you with the form of Separation Agreement within seven days of your termination of employment. For avoidance of doubt, your rights of indemnification under the Companys Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, under your indemnification agreement with the Company and under any insurance policy, or under any other resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company shall not be released, diminished or affected by any Separation Agreement or release or any termination of your employment.
11. Except as otherwise set forth in Paragraphs 8 and 9 hereof, in connection with any termination of your employment, your then outstanding equity and cash incentive awards shall be treated in accordance with their terms and, other than as provided in this Agreement, you shall not be eligible for severance benefits under any other plan, program or policy of the Company.
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Nothing in this Agreement is intended to limit any more favorable rights that you may be entitled to under your equity and cash incentive award agreements, including, without limitation, your rights in the event of a termination of your employment, a Going Private Transaction or a Change of Control (as those terms are defined in the applicable award agreement).
12. For purposes of this Agreement, Cause means your (i) commission of an act of fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation, willful misconduct, gross negligence or breach of fiduciary duty against the Company or an affiliate thereof, or (ii) commission of any act or omission that results in a conviction, plea of no contest, plea of nolo contendere, or imposition of unadjudicated probation for any crime involving moral turpitude or any felony.
For purposes of this Agreement, Good Reason means that (1) without your written consent, (A) your annual base salary or annual target bonus (as each may be increased from time to time in the Compensation Committees sole discretion) is reduced, (B) your title (as in effect from time to time) is diminished, (C) you report to someone other than to the Companys senior-most executive officer (currently the Executive Chairman) or the Board of the Company, (D) the Company requires that your principal office be located outside of the Borough of Manhattan, or (E) the Company materially breaches its obligations to you under this Agreement, (2) you have given the Company written notice, referring specifically to this Agreement and definition, that you do not consent to such action, (3) the Company has not corrected such action within 15 days of receiving such notice, and (4) you voluntarily terminate your employment with the Company within 90 days following the happening of the action described in subsection (1) above.
13. This Agreement does not constitute a guarantee of employment for any definite period. Your employment is at will and may be terminated by you or the Company at any time, with or without notice or reason.
14. The Company may withhold from any payment due to you any taxes required to be withheld under any law, rule or regulation. If any payment otherwise due to you hereunder would result in the imposition of the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, the Company will instead pay you either (i) such amount or (ii) the maximum amount that could be paid to you without the imposition of the excise tax, depending on whichever amount results in your receiving the greater amount of after-tax proceeds. In the event that the payments and benefits payable to you would be reduced as provided in the previous sentence, then such reduction will be determined in a manner which has the least economic cost to you and, to the extent the economic cost is equivalent, such payments or benefits will be reduced in the inverse order of when the payments or benefits would have been made to you (i.e. later payments will be reduced first) until the reduction specified is achieved. If the Company elects to retain any accounting or similar firm to provide assistance in calculating any such amounts, the Company shall be responsible for the costs of any such firm.
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15. It is intended that this Agreement will comply with Section 409A to the extent this Agreement is subject thereto, and that this Agreement shall be interpreted on a basis consistent with such intent. If and to the extent that any payment or benefit under this Agreement, or any plan, award or arrangement of the Company or its affiliates, constitutes non-qualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A and is payable to you by reason of your termination of employment, then (a) such payment or benefit shall be made or provided to you only upon a separation from service as defined for purposes of Section 409A under applicable regulations and (b) if you are a specified employee (within the meaning of Section 409A as determined by the Company), such payment or benefit shall not be made or provided before the date that is six months after the date of your separation from service (or your earlier death). Any amount not paid or benefit not provided in respect of the six month period specified in the preceding sentence will be paid to you, together with interest on such delayed amount at a rate equal to the average of the one-year LIBOR fixed rate equivalent for the ten business days prior to the date of your employment termination, in a lump sum or provided to you as soon as practicable after the expiration of such six month period. Each payment or benefit provided under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A to the extent Section 409A applies to such payment.
16. To the extent you are entitled to any expense reimbursement from the Company that is subject to Section 409A, (i) the amount of any such expenses eligible for reimbursement in one calendar year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other taxable year (except under any lifetime limit applicable to expenses for medical care), (ii) in no event shall any such expense be reimbursed after the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which you incurred such expense, and (iii) in no event shall any right to reimbursement be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.
17. The Company will not take any action, or omit to take any action, that would expose any payment or benefit to you to the additional tax of Section 409A, unless (i) the Company is obligated to take the action under an agreement, plan or arrangement to which you are a party, (ii) you request the action, (iii) the Company advises you in writing that the action may result in the imposition of the additional tax and (iv) you subsequently request the action in a writing that acknowledges you will be responsible for any effect of the action under Section 409A. The Company will hold you harmless for any action it may take or omission in violation of this Paragraph 17, including any attorneys fees you may incur in enforcing your rights.
18. It is our intention that the benefits and rights to which you could become entitled in connection with termination of employment be exempt from or comply with Section 409A. If you or the Company believes, at any time, that any of such benefit or right is not exempt or does not comply, it will promptly advise the other and will negotiate reasonably and in good faith to amend the terms of such arrangement such that it complies (with the most limited possible economic effect on you and on the Company).
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19. This Agreement is personal to you and without the prior written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by you. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by your legal representatives. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns. The rights or obligations of the Company under this Agreement may only be assigned or transferred pursuant to a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the continuing entity, or the sale or liquidation of all or substantially all of the assets of Company; provided, however, that the assignee or transferee is the successor to all or substantially all of the assets of Company and such assignee or transferee assumes the liabilities and duties of Company, as contained in this Agreement, either contractually or as a matter of law.
20. To the extent permitted by law, you and the Company waive any and all rights to a jury trial with respect to any matter relating to this Agreement (including the covenants set forth in Annex A hereof). This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York applicable to contracts made and to be performed entirely within that State.
21. Both the Company and you hereby irrevocably submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York and the federal courts of the United States of America in each case located in the City of New York, Borough of Manhattan, solely in respect of the interpretation and enforcement of the provisions of this Agreement, and each party hereby waives, and agrees not to assert, as a defense that either party, as appropriate, is not subject thereto or that the venue thereof may not be appropriate. You and the Company each agree that mailing of process or other papers in connection with any such action or proceeding in any manner as may be permitted by law shall be valid and sufficient service thereof.
22. This Agreement may not be amended or modified otherwise than by a written agreement executed by the parties hereto or their respective successors and legal representatives. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement. It is the parties intention that this Agreement not be construed more strictly with regard to you or the Company.
23. This Agreement reflects the entire understanding and agreement of you and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior understandings or agreements relating thereto, including, without limitation, the Employment Agreement dated December 15, 2017 by and between you and the Company (the Prior Agreement). You acknowledge that none of the terms of this Agreement (including, without limitation, the change from the Prior Agreement to your compensation) constitute good reason hereunder or under the terms of the Prior Agreement. This Agreement will automatically terminate, and be null and void ab initio and of no force or effect, if the Distribution of MSG is not completed by June 30, 2020, in which case the Prior Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
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24. The Company hereby agrees that it shall indemnify and hold you harmless to the fullest extent provided in its Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and on the same terms as those applicable to other similarly situated executives.
25. This Agreement will automatically terminate, and be of no further force or effect, on the Scheduled Expiration Date; provided, however, that the provisions of Paragraphs 8 through 11, 14 through 25 and Annex A, and any amounts earned but not yet paid to you pursuant to the terms of this Agreement as of the Scheduled Expiration Date shall survive the termination of the Agreement and remain binding on you and the Company in accordance with their terms.
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Sincerely, |
THE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN COMPANY (to be renamed Madison Square Garden Sports Corp.) |
/s/ James L. Dolan |
By: James L. Dolan |
Title: Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
Accepted and Agreed: |
/s/ Andrew Lustgarten |
Andrew Lustgarten |
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ANNEX A
ADDITIONAL COVENANTS
(This Annex constitutes part of the Agreement)
You agree to comply with the following covenants in addition to those set forth in the Agreement.
1. CONFIDENTIALITY
You agree to retain in strict confidence and not divulge, disseminate, copy or disclose to any third party any Confidential Information, other than for legitimate business purposes of the Company and its subsidiaries. As used herein, Confidential Information means any non-public information that is material or of a confidential, proprietary, commercially sensitive or personal nature of, or regarding, the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any current or former director, officer or member of senior management of any of the foregoing (collectively Covered Parties). The term Confidential Information includes information in written, digital, oral or any other format and includes, but is not limited to (i) information designated or treated as confidential; (ii) budgets, plans, forecasts or other financial or accounting data; (iii) customer, guest, fan, vendor, sponsor, marketing affiliate or shareholder lists or data; (iv) technical or strategic information regarding the Covered Parties advertising, sports, or other businesses; (v) advertising, sponsorship, business, sales or marketing tactics, strategies or information; (vi) policies, practices, procedures or techniques; (vii) trade secrets or other intellectual property; (viii) information, theories or strategies relating to litigation, arbitration, mediation, investigations or matters relating to governmental authorities; (ix) terms of agreements with third parties and third party trade secrets; (x) information regarding employees, talent, players, coaches, agents, consultants, advisors or representatives, including their compensation or other human resources policies and procedures; (xi) information or strategies relating to any potential or actual business development transactions and/or any potential or actual business acquisition, divestiture or joint venture, and (xii) any other information the disclosure of which may have an adverse effect on the Covered Parties business reputation, operations or competitive position, reputation or standing in the community.
If disclosed, Confidential Information or Other Information could have an adverse effect on the Companys standing in the community, its business reputation, operations or competitive position or the standing, reputation, operations or competitive position of any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers, directors, employees, coaches, consultants or agents or any of the Covered Parties.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations of this section, other than with respect to subscriber information, shall not apply to Confidential Information which is:
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a) already in the public domain or which enters the public domain other than by your breach of this Paragraph 1;
b) disclosed to you by a third party with the right to disclose it in good faith; or
c) specifically exempted in writing by the Company from the applicability of this Agreement.
Notwithstanding anything elsewhere in this Agreement, including this Paragraph 1 and Paragraph 3 below, you are authorized to make any disclosure required of you by any federal, state and local laws or judicial, arbitral or governmental agency proceedings (including making truthful statements in connection with a judicial or arbitral proceeding to enforce your rights under this Agreement, to the extent reasonably required and made in good faith), after, to the extent legal and practicable, providing the Company with prior written notice and an opportunity to respond prior to such disclosure. In addition, this Agreement in no way restricts or prevents you from providing truthful testimony concerning the Company to judicial, administrative, regulatory or other governmental authorities.
2. NON-COMPETE
You acknowledge that due to your executive position in the Company and the knowledge of the Companys and its affiliates confidential and proprietary information which you will obtain during the term of your employment hereunder, your employment by certain businesses would be irreparably harmful to the Company and/or its affiliates. During your employment with the Company and, provided that your employment has terminated on or prior to December 31, 2021, thereafter through the first anniversary of the date on which your employment with the Company has terminated for any reason (the Non-Compete Period), you agree not to (other than with the prior written consent of the Company), become employed by any Competitive Entity (as defined below). A Competitive Entity shall mean any person or entity that (1) has a direct or indirect 10% or greater ownership interest in, or management or control of, any business, person or entity that competes with any of the Companys businesses including, without limitation, any professional sports team, sports league, or similar or related business (e.g., Internet sites in connection therewith) within the United States or within any other country in which the Company has any competing business or from which such business, person or entity competes with any of the Companys domestic businesses, or (2) is an affiliate of a person or entity described in clause (1). For purposes of this Paragraph 2, an affiliate of an entity (including, without limitation, the Company) shall mean an entity that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or under common control with, such entity. An entity shall be deemed to compete with the on-line content business of the Company, or any of its affiliates only if the entity directly competes against the on-line content business of the Company, or its affiliate; provided, however, that an entitys business shall not be deemed to directly compete merely by the fact that the business sells ads on-line, unless the business specifically targets such ads to the same
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customers or potential customers as being targeted by the on-line content business of the Company, its subsidiary or affiliate. Additionally, the ownership by you of not more than 1% of the outstanding equity of any publicly traded company shall not, by itself, be a violation of this Paragraph. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if your employment is terminated on or prior to December 31, 2021 either (i) by the Company for any reason other than Cause or (ii) by you for Good Reason and Cause doesnt then exist, then the Non-Compete Period shall automatically expire on such termination of employment (but will be included in the Separation Agreement which, for the avoidance of doubt, you will not be required to sign if you wish to waive your rights to the severance benefits described in the Agreement).
3. ADDITIONAL UNDERSTANDINGS
You agree, for yourself and others acting on your behalf, that you (and they) have not disparaged and will not disparage, make negative statements about (either on the record or off the record) or act in any manner which is intended to or does damage to the good will of, or the business or personal reputations of the Company or any of its incumbent or former officers, directors, agents, consultants, employees, successors and assigns or any of the Covered Parties.
The Company agrees that, except as necessary to comply with applicable law or the rules of the New York Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange on which the Companys stock may be traded (and any public statements made in good faith by the Company in connection therewith), it and its corporate officers and directors, employees in its public relations department or third party public relations representatives retained by the Company will not disparage you or make negative statements in the press or other media which are damaging to your business or personal reputation. In the event that the Company so disparages you or makes such negative statements, then notwithstanding the Additional Understandings provision to the contrary, you may make a proportional response thereto.
In addition, you agree that the Company is the owner of all rights, title and interest in and to all documents, tapes, videos, designs, plans, formulas, models, processes, computer programs,
inventions (whether patentable or not), schematics, music, lyrics and other technical, business, financial, advertising, sales, marketing, customer or product development plans, forecasts, strategies, information and materials (in any medium whatsoever) developed or prepared by you or with your cooperation in connection with your employment by the Company (the Materials). The Company will have the sole and exclusive authority to use the Materials in any manner that it deems appropriate, in perpetuity, without additional payment to you.
If requested by the Company, you agree to deliver to the Company upon the termination of your employment, or at any earlier time the Company may request, all memoranda, notes, plans, files, records, reports, and software and other documents and data (and copies thereof regardless of the form thereof (including electronic copies)) containing, reflecting or derived from Confidential Information or the Materials of the Company or any of its affiliates which you may then possess
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or have under your control. If so requested, you shall provide to the Company a signed statement confirming that you have fully complied with this Paragraph. Notwithstanding the foregoing, you shall be entitled to retain your contacts, calendars and personal diaries and any materials needed for your tax return preparation or related to your compensation.
In addition, you agree for yourself and others acting on your behalf, that you (and they) shall not, at any time, participate in any way in the writing or scripting (including, without limitation, any as told to publications) of any book, periodical story, movie, play, or other similar written or theatrical work or video that (i) relates to your services to the Company or any of its affiliates or (ii) otherwise refers to the Company or its respective businesses, activities, directors, officers, employees or representatives (other than identifying your biographical information), without the prior written consent of the Company.
4. FURTHER COOPERATION
Following the date of termination of your employment with the Company (the Expiration Date), you will no longer provide any regular services to the Company or represent yourself as a Company agent. If, however, the Company so requests, you agree until the date that is the sixth anniversary of the Expiration Date to cooperate fully with the Company in connection with any matter with which you were involved prior to the Expiration Date, or in any litigation or administrative proceedings or appeals (including any preparation therefore) where the Company believes that your personal knowledge, attendance and participation could be beneficial to the Company. This cooperation includes, without limitation, participation on behalf of the Company in any litigation or administrative proceeding brought by any former or existing Company employees, representatives, agents or vendors. The Company will pay you for your services rendered under this provision at the rate of $5,440 per day for each day or part thereof, within 30 days of the approval of the invoice therefor.
The Company will provide you with reasonable notice in connection with any cooperation it requires in accordance with this section and will take reasonable steps to schedule your cooperation in any such matters so as not to materially interfere with your other professional and personal commitments. The Company will reimburse you for any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses you reasonably incur in connection with the cooperation you provide hereunder as soon as practicable after you present appropriate documentation evidencing such expenses. You agree to provide the Company with an estimate of such expense before you incur the same.
5. NON-HIRE OR SOLICIT
You agree not to hire, seek to hire, or cause any person or entity to hire or seek to hire (without the prior written consent of the Company), directly or indirectly (whether for your own interest or any other person or entitys interest) any person who is or was in the prior six months an employee of the Company, or any of its subsidiaries, until the first anniversary of the date of
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your termination of employment with the Company. This restriction does not apply to any former employee who was discharged by the Company or any of its affiliates. In addition, this restriction will not prevent you from providing references. If you remain continuously employed with the Company through the Scheduled Expiration Date, then this agreement not to hire or solicit will expire on the Scheduled Expiration Date; provided that in such case, the restriction in this Paragraph 5 will remain in effect until June 30, 2022 with respect to the hiring or solicitation of any Company executive at the Executive Vice President level or higher.
6. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
You acknowledge that the restrictions contained in this Annex A, in light of the nature of the Companys business and your position and responsibilities, are reasonable and necessary to protect the legitimate interests of the Company. You acknowledge that the Company has no adequate remedy at law and would be irreparably harmed if you breach or threaten to breach the provisions of this Annex A, and therefore agree that the Company shall be entitled to injunctive relief, to prevent any breach or threatened breach of any of those provisions and to specific performance of the terms of each of such provisions in addition to any other legal or equitable remedy it may have. You further agree that you will not, in any equity proceeding relating to the enforcement of the provisions of this Annex A, raise the defense that the Company has an adequate remedy at law. Nothing in this Annex A shall be construed as prohibiting the Company from pursuing any other remedies at law or in equity that it may have or any other rights that it may have under any other agreement. If it is determined that any of the provisions of this Annex A or any part thereof, is unenforceable because of the duration or scope (geographic or otherwise) of such provision or because of applicable rules of professional responsibility, it is the intention of the parties that the duration or scope of such provision, as the case may be, shall be reduced so that such provision becomes enforceable and, in its reduced form, such provision shall then be enforceable and shall be enforced.
7. SURVIVAL
The provisions of this Annex A shall survive any termination of your employment by the Company or the expiration of the Agreement except as otherwise provided herein.
Exhibit 99.1
THE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN COMPANY BOARD APPROVES SPIN-OFF OF
ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESSES FROM SPORTS BUSINESSES
Spin-Off Transaction Expected to be Completed in Mid-April
Construction of MSG Sphere in Las Vegas to be Temporarily Suspended
NEW YORK, N.Y., March 31, 2020The Madison Square Garden Company (NYSE: MSG) today announced that its board of directors has approved the spin-off of its entertainment businesses from its sports businesses, which is expected to be completed in mid-April. In addition, the Company provided an update on its MSG Sphere construction in Las Vegas.
Two Distinct Companies for Shareholders
Upon completion of the spin-off transaction, MSG will be a pure-play sports company and will change its name to Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. (MSG Sports), while the newly-formed entertainment company will be named Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (MSG Entertainment).
The distribution will take place on April 17, 2020 to MSG stockholders of record as of the close of business on April 13, 2020. Each MSG common stockholder will receive one share of MSG Entertainment Class A or Class B common stock for every share of MSG Class A or Class B common stock, respectively, held as of the record date.
James L. Dolan, MSGs Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said: While our industry is currently going through a difficult period, we are confident in the enduring strength and value of our businesses. Todays approved spin-off is the result of many months of preparation, and we believe it will set the stage for long-term success for both MSG Sports and MSG Entertainment.
No action or payment is required by MSG stockholders to receive shares of the new MSG Entertainment. Stockholders who hold MSG common stock as of the record date will receive a book-entry account statement reflecting their ownership of new MSG Entertainment common stock or their brokerage account will be credited with the new MSG Entertainment shares. An Information Statement containing details regarding the distribution of the new MSG Entertainment common stock and the new MSG Entertainment business and management following the spin-off will be mailed to MSG stockholders as of the record date prior to the distribution date.
The spin-off has been structured to qualify as a tax-free distribution to MSG stockholders and MSG for U.S. federal income tax purposes. MSG stockholders are urged to consult with their tax advisors with respect to the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of the spin-off.
Beginning on April 9, 2020, and continuing until the occurrence of the distribution, MSG expects that its common stock will trade in two markets on the NYSE: in the regular way market under the symbol MSG and under the current name, The Madison Square Garden Company, and in the ex-distribution market under the symbol MSGS WI and under the new name Madison Square Garden Sports Corp.
Any holders of MSG Class A common stock who sell shares regular way on or before April 17, 2020, will also be selling their right to receive Class A common stock of the newly formed MSG Entertainment. Investors are encouraged to consult with their financial advisors regarding the specific implications of buying or selling MSG Class A common stock on or before the distribution date. The CUSIP number for MSG Class A common stock will remain 55825T103. MSGs Class B common stock is not listed on a securities exchange.
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Page 2 MSG Board Approves Spin-off of Entertainment Businesses from Sports Businesses
The new MSG Entertainment Class A common stock is expected to begin trading on a when-issued basis on the NYSE under the symbol MSGE WI and under the name Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. beginning on April 9, 2020. When issued trading of MSG Entertainment Class A common stock will continue until the distribution occurs. The CUSIP number for MSG Entertainment Class A stock will be 55826T102. MSG Entertainments Class B common stock will not be listed on a securities exchange. Regular way trading will begin on April 20, 2020, with MSG Entertainment Class A common stock trading under the symbol MSGE and MSG Sports Class A common stock trading under the symbol MSGS.
The completion of the spin-off is subject to the effectiveness of the Form 10, as well as certain conditions, and approvals and consents, including final league approvals. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and PJT Partners LP continue to serve as financial advisors and Sullivan & Cromwell LLP continues to serve as legal advisor.
As previously disclosed, it is expected that James Dolan will serve as Executive Chairman of MSG Sports and as Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MSG Entertainment. Andrew Lustgarten is expected to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of MSG Sports and as President of MSG Entertainment.
Update on MSG Sphere Construction in Las Vegas
The Company is currently building a state-of-the-art venue in Las Vegas, called MSG Sphere. The widespread global effects of COVID-19 have resulted in significant impediments to construction that are beyond the Companys control, including disruptions to its supply chain. As a result, the Company will implement a temporary suspension of construction, with all work ceasing over approximately the next two weeks. The Company remains committed to building a state-of-the-art venue in Las Vegas and looks forward to quickly and efficiently resuming construction as soon as practicable. As a result of this delay, the Company does not expect to achieve its goal of opening the venue in calendar year 2021.
About The Madison Square Garden Company
The Madison Square Garden Company (MSG) is a world leader in live sports and entertainment experiences. The company presents or hosts a broad array of premier events in its diverse collection of iconic venues: New Yorks Madison Square Garden, Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall and Beacon Theatre; the Forum in Inglewood, CA; and The Chicago Theatre. Other MSG properties include legendary sports franchises: the New York Knicks (NBA) and the New York Rangers (NHL); two development league teams the Westchester Knicks (NBAGL) and the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL); and esports teams through Counter Logic Gaming, a leading North American esports organization, and Knicks Gaming, MSGs NBA 2K League franchise. In addition, the Company features the popular original production the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes and through Boston Calling Events, produces New Englands preeminent Boston Calling Music Festival. Also under the MSG umbrella is Tao Group Hospitality, a world-class hospitality group with globally-recognized entertainment, dining and nightlife brands including Tao, Marquee, Lavo, Avenue, Beauty & Essex and Cathédrale. More information is available at www.themadisonsquaregardencompany.com
This press release may contain statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or results and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results, developments and events may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including financial community and rating agency perceptions of the Company and its business, operations, financial condition and the industry in which it operates and the factors described in the Companys filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the sections titled Risk Factors and Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained therein. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained herein.
# # #
Contacts:
Kimberly Kerns EVP and Chief Communications Officer The Madison Square Garden Company (212) 465-6442 / kimberly.kerns@msg.com |
Ari Danes, CFA Senior Vice President, Investor Relations & Treasury The Madison Square Garden Company (212) 465-6072 / ari.danes@msg.com |
Exhibit 10.7
TRANSACTION AGREEMENT
Transaction Agreement (this Agreement), dated as of , 2020, by and among New York Knicks, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Knicks LLC), Westchester Knicks, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Westchester Knicks), Knicks Gaming, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Knicks Gaming), Knicks Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Knicks Holdings), MSG NYK Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (MSG NYK Holdings), MSG Sports, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (MSG Sports), The Madison Square Garden Company (to be renamed Madison Square Garden Sports Corp.), a Delaware corporation (MSG and together with Knicks LLC, Westchester Knicks, Knicks Gaming, Knicks Holdings, MSG NYK Holdings and MSG Sports, the Team Parties), MSG Arena, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Arenaco), MSG Arena Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Arena Holdco and together with Arenaco, the Arena Companies), MSG National Properties, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (National Properties), MSG Entertainment Group, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (formerly MSG Sports & Entertainment, LLC) (MSGE Group), MSG Entertainment Spinco, Inc., a Delaware corporation (to be renamed Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.) (Spinco and together with the Arena Companies, National Properties and MSGE Group, the Spinco Parties), Charles F. Dolan (CD), Helen A. Dolan (HD) and James L. Dolan (JD and together with CD, HD and the Team Parties, the Principal Owners, and the Principal Owners and the Spinco Parties being referred to collectively as the Transaction Parties), on the one hand, each Principal Owner c/o Madison Square Garden Sports Corp., Two Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, New York 10121, Attn: General Counsel and each Spinco Party c/o The Madison Square Garden Company, Two Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, New York 10121, Attn: General Counsel; and the National Basketball Association (NBA), on the other hand, c/o National Basketball Association, Olympic Tower, 645 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10022, Attn: General Counsel.
RECITALS
A. The NBA and certain of the Transaction Parties are parties to (i) the Agreement and Undertaking (the 2015 Agreement and Undertaking), dated as of September 28, 2015, from certain of the Transaction Parties and certain other entities in favor of the NBA Entities (as defined therein), and (ii) the Transfer Consent Agreement (the Transfer Consent Agreement and together with the 2015 Agreement and Undertaking, the 2015 Agreements), dated as of September 28, 2015, among certain of the Transaction Parties and certain other entities and the NBA.
B. MSG plans to separate (the Spin-Off) its entertainment business (which includes the Madison Square Garden Arena (the Arena)) from its sports business (which includes the NBA membership known as the New York Knickerbockers (the Membership) and all assets comprising the New York Knickerbockers basketball team (collectively with the Membership, the Knickerbockers) on , 2020 (the Spin-Off Date).
C. After giving effect to the Spin-Off, MSG will remain a publicly-traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the NYSE).
D. As steps in effecting the Spin-Off, on the date hereof, (i) MSG Sports will distribute its 100% ownership interest in Knicks Holdings to its direct wholly-owned subsidiary MSG NYK Holdings, (ii) MSGE Group will distribute its 100% ownership interest in Arena Holdco to its indirect wholly-owned subsidiary National Properties (iii) MSGE Group will distribute (the Distribution) its 100% ownership interest in MSG Sports to its direct parent MSG (the transactions described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) collectively, the Distribution), and (iv) MSGE Group will become a subsidiary of Spinco (together with the Distribution and the Spin-Off, the Proposed Transactions).
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E. In connection with the Spin-Off, on the Spin-Off Date, (i) Arenaco will enter into the Arena License Agreement (the Arena License Agreement) with Knicks LLC pursuant to which the Knicks team will play its home games at the Arena and (ii) a subsidiary of Spinco will enter into the Sponsorship Sales and Service Representation Agreement (the Sponsorship Sales and Service Representation Agreement) with Knicks Holdings pursuant to which the subsidiary of Spinco will act as sales and service representative for sponsorships with respect to the Knickerbockers.
F. After giving effect to the Proposed Transactions: (i) all of the membership interests of Arenaco will be directly owned by Arena Holdco, (ii) all of the membership interests of Arena Holdco will be directly owned by National Properties, (iii) all of the membership interests of National Properties will be directly owned by S&E, LLC, (iv) all of the membership interests of S&E LLC will be directly owned by Spinco, and (v) Spinco will be a publicly-traded company listed on the NYSE.
G. After giving effect to the Proposed Transactions, the direct and indirect ownership of the Team Parties will be as set forth on Schedule 1(xiv).
H. After giving effect to the Proposed Transactions: (i) the ultimate ownership of the Knickerbockers, the Team Parties and the Arena immediately following the Spin-Off by the stockholders of MSG (with respect to the Knickerbockers and the Team Parties) and Spinco (with respect to the Arena), respectively, shall be the same as it was immediately prior to the Spin-Off (including the Dolan familys ability to elect a majority of the board of directors), and (ii) the Spinco Parties will no longer own any direct or indirect interest in the Knickerbockers or any Team Party.
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I. The Proposed Transactions require the approval of the NBA. The NBA has approved the Proposed Transactions upon the condition that each of the Transaction Parties executes, delivers and performs this Agreement and the Closing Certificate (as defined below).
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the approval by the NBA of the Proposed Transactions, the Transaction Parties agree and undertake in favor of the NBA and the other Affiliated NBA Parties (as defined below), subject to the NBAs confirmation in Section 7 below, as follows:
1. The Transaction Parties jointly and severally represent, warrant and agree as follows:
(i) Each Transaction Party that is an entity is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its formation, and has the power and authority to own, operate and lease its properties and to carry on its business. Each Transaction Party has the power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder. This Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of each Transaction Party, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms.
(ii) All consents, approvals and filings necessary for the consummation of the Proposed Transactions have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect.
(iii) There is no action, suit or proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of any Transaction Party, threatened against any Transaction Party that is reasonably likely to result in a material adverse change in the business, properties, assets or prospects or in the condition, financial or otherwise (a Material Adverse Change), of such Transaction Party, or
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which is reasonably likely to prevent, impede or adversely affect the consummation of the Proposed Transactions. There is no order, writ, injunction or decree that has been issued by, or, to the knowledge of any Transaction Party, requested by, any court or governmental agency which has resulted or is reasonably likely to result in any Material Adverse Change with respect to any Transaction Party or which is reasonably likely to prevent, impede or adversely affect the consummation of the Proposed Transactions or, with respect to the Principal Owners, the operation of the Membership.
(iv) Each Transaction Party is in compliance in all material respects with all laws, regulations and orders, federal, state, provincial or otherwise, except where the failure to be in compliance (individually or collectively) would not be reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Change with respect to such Transaction Party or have a material adverse effect on the ability of such Transaction Party to conduct its business as currently conducted or, with respect to the Principal Owners, the operation of the Membership.
(v) Each Transaction Party has performed in all material respects all obligations required to be performed by such Transaction Party to date with respect to the Proposed Transactions. No Transaction Party is in default under any material contract, agreement, lease, or other instrument relating to the Proposed Transactions to which such Transaction Party is a party or by which such Transaction Party is bound. Each of the Transaction Documents (as defined below) constitutes a valid and binding obligation enforceable against each Transaction Party that is a party thereto in accordance with its terms.
(vi) The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Transaction Documents, and the compliance by the Transaction Parties with their terms, will not conflict with, or result in the breach or termination of, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or constitute
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a default under, or result in the creation of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any Transaction Partys properties or assets pursuant to any indenture, mortgage, lease, agreement or other instrument to which such Transaction Party is a party or by which such Transaction Party is bound. The Proposed Transactions will have no material adverse effect on the business, assets, operations or condition, financial or otherwise, of Knicks LLC, any other Team Party, Arenaco, the Knickerbockers or the Arena.
(vii) After giving effect to the Proposed Transactions and except as provided in Schedule 1(vii), none of the assets of Knicks LLC (including the Membership) or assets of any other Team Party constituting Basketball-Related Assets, including direct or indirect ownership interests in the Knickerbockers or any Team Party (except for shares of MSG that may be pledged without NBA approval as provided in Section 3 of the Transfer Consent Agreement), are, and after giving effect to the Proposed Transactions none of such assets will be, pledged to secure the indebtedness or obligations of any person or entity. After giving effect to the Proposed Transactions and the potential financing contemplated by National Properties to occur subsequent to the Proposed Transactions, neither the Arena nor any direct or indirect ownership interests in the Arena Companies or National Properties (except for shares of Spinco that may be pledged without NBA approval to the same extent shares of MSG may be pledged without NBA approval as provided in Section 3 of the Transfer Consent Agreement) are, and after giving effect to the Proposed Transactions none of such assets or interests will be, pledged to secure the indebtedness or obligations of any person or entity. As used in this Agreement, the terms interest and ownership interest shall include, individually and collectively, each economic, voting, management, disposition and other right associated with such interest or ownership interest, including, without limitation, the right to receive dividends and distributions upon a sale transaction or otherwise.
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(viii) After giving effect to the Proposed Transactions and except as provided in Schedule 1(vii), the Transaction Parties do not have, and after giving effect to the Proposed Transactions, the Transaction Parties will not have (as of the Spin-Off Date), any Enterprise Indebtedness (as defined in the NBA Debt Policies).
(ix) None of the Transaction Parties has any Claims (as defined below) against any of the Affiliated NBA Parties, except for claims of the type described in Section 3(b).
(x) The Proposed Transactions (other than the Spin-Off) have been consummated today and the Spin-Off shall be consummated on the Spin-Off Date, in each case in accordance with the terms of the documents listed on Schedule 1(x) (the Transaction Documents).
(xi) Except as provided in the Transaction Documents and except as provided in Schedule 1(vii), there are no agreements, arrangements or understandings, whether written or oral, among any of the Transaction Parties or their respective Affiliates (as defined below) relating to or entered into in connection with the Proposed Transactions or relating to the ownership, control, management, right to transfer direct or indirect interests in, or financing of the Knickerbockers or any of the Transaction Parties (including, without limitation, partnership or shareholders agreements). The NBA has received true and complete copies of each of the Transaction Documents, including the Arena License Agreement, the Sponsorship Sales and Service Representation Agreement and the Team Sponsorship Allocation Agreement, in the forms to be entered into on the Spin-Off Date.
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(xii) All information furnished by or on behalf of the Transaction Parties to the NBA Entities in connection with the request for approval of the Proposed Transactions is true and correct in all material respects and has not contained any material misstatement or omitted any material statement which would make such information not misleading.
(xiii) After giving effect to the Proposed Transactions, except (A) as described on Schedule 1(xiv), and (B) with respect to shares of MSG that may be transferred without NBA approval as provided in Section 3 of the Transfer Consent Agreement, there are no options, warrants, rights (contingent or otherwise) or convertible securities of any kind entitling any person or entity to acquire, directly or indirectly, any shares, partnership interests, membership interests, debt instruments or other economic rights in the Knickerbockers or any of the Team Parties (Contingent Interests), nor does the Knickerbockers or any of the Team Parties have any obligation to issue any such Contingent Interests. No Transaction Party is holding its direct or indirect interest in the Knickerbockers or rights under the Transaction Documents for the benefit of any other person or entity. After giving effect to the Proposed Transactions, no Principal Owner presently has any intention of, or agreement or arrangement with respect to, selling, relocating or otherwise transferring any of its direct or indirect interests in (a) the Knickerbockers or (b) any other Basketball-Related Asset. After giving effect to the Proposed Transactions, no Spinco Party presently has any intention of, or agreement or arrangement with respect to, selling, relocating or otherwise transferring any of its direct or indirect interests in the Arena. As used in this Agreement, the term Basketball-Related Assets means, collectively, (a) the Knickerbockers, (b) any and all other assets used in or related to the ownership or operation of the Knickerbockers or the performance or exhibition by the Knickerbockers of NBA games in which it is a participant, and (c) any and all assets arising out of or created or issued by virtue of, as a result of, or in
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connection with, the admission or current status of the Knickerbockers as a member of the NBA, including, without limitation, media rights, sponsorship rights, rights to attend Knickerbockers games and all rights to derive revenues from any of the foregoing; Basketball-Related Assets include any agreements to the extent they grant other persons any such rights, whether or not they include the grant of additional rights. Following the consummation of the Proposed Transactions, all Basketball-Related Assets (other than the Arena) will be owned by Knicks LLC and neither Spinco nor any of its subsidiaries will own any Basketball-Related Assets (other than the Arena). Following the consummation of the Proposed Transactions, Arenaco will continue to own the Arena and will be an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Spinco; and no Team Party will have any direct or indirect ownership interest in Arenaco. Following the consummation of the Proposed Transactions and for so long as it remains an affiliate of Knicks LLC, Arena Holdings, Arenaco and any other direct or indirect subsidiary of Spinco that does not own substantial assets other than such entitys direct or indirect ownership interests in the Arena will be an Arena Affiliate for purposes of the NBA Debt Policies; thereafter, such entities shall not be Arena Affiliates for purposes of the NBA Debt Policies and therefore the Arena and any direct or indirect ownership interests in the Arena Companies may be pledged to secure the indebtedness or obligations of any person or entity. For the avoidance of doubt, following the consummation of the Proposed Transactions, none of Spinco, MSG S&E or any of their respective direct or indirect subsidiaries that is not an Arena Affiliate shall be subject to the Arena Indebtedness limitations in the NBA Debt Policies or any NBA restriction on pledging any of such entitys assets (other than direct or indirect equity interests in an Arena Affiliate as provided in Section 1(vii)) provided that it complies with the foregoing covenant to not own any Basketball-Related Assets (other than the Arena) and each of the other terms of this Agreement and the Transaction Documents.
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(xiv) Schedule 1(xiv) contains a true and complete list, after giving effect to the Proposed Transactions, of (x) all of the individuals and entities that directly or indirectly own interests in the Knickerbockers (other than shareholders of MSG), and their respective percentage ownership interests in the Knickerbockers and each intermediate entity; (y) all of the individuals and entities that directly or indirectly own shares of Class B common stock of MSG (including the trustees and beneficiaries of any trusts), and their respective percentage ownership interests in MSG and each intermediate entity; and (z) except as set forth in clause (y), to the best knowledge of the Principal Owners and as of the date or dates indicated, all of the individuals and entities that directly or indirectly own 5% or more of the shares of Class A common stock of MSG, and their respective percentage ownership interests in MSG and each intermediate entity. CD, HD and trusts of which they are the sole trustees collectively own approximately [●]% of the shares of Class B common stock of MSG, [●]% of the total outstanding shares of common stock of MSG and [●]% of the voting power of MSG. CD, HD, JD, descendants of CD and HD, and trusts for their benefit collectively own all of the shares of Class B common stock of MSG, approximately [●]% of the total outstanding shares of common stock of MSG and approximately [●]% of the voting power of MSG. After giving effect to the Proposed Transactions, the Spinco Parties will not own any shares of MSG. Knicks LLC directly owns the Membership, and owns, leases or has the right to use all other assets used in or necessary for the customary operation of the Membership and the performance or exhibition by the Membership of games in which its NBA team is a participant, and all other assets arising out of or in connection with the Memberships status as a member of the NBA.
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(xv) The Controlling Owner (as defined in the NBA Ownership Transfer Policies) of the Knickerbockers shall continue to be JD. Any proposed successor Controlling Owner shall be subject to the prior approval of the NBA and must satisfy all requirements of the NBA Rules (as defined in the Transfer Consent Agreement). The persons serving as the Alternate Governors of the Knickerbockers shall initially be Andrew Lustgarten and Leon Rose.
(xvi) All of the intellectual property relating to or used by any of the Owners in the operation of the Knickerbockers is owned by Knicks, LLC, other than intellectual property owned by third parties and licensed to Knicks, LLC (including pursuant to the Arena License Agreement between Knicks, LLC and Arenaco).
(xvii) As of the [date of this Agreement and the Spin-Off Date], MSG has cash and cash equivalents in excess of $[●] and undrawn availability under committed lines of credit in excess of $[●], in each case that is available to fund the operations, liabilities and obligations of Knicks LLC as such funding is required.
(xviii) None of the Transaction Parties or its Affiliates (other than Knicks LLC) has any interest in any business that has a relationship with any NBA player or player agent that would constitute a violation of NBA Rules.
2. (a) The Transaction Parties agree that none of the Transaction Documents (other than the Arena License Agreement and the Sponsorship Sales and Service Representation Agreement, which include provisions relating to NBA approval of amendments, modifications, terminations, waivers and supplements) shall be amended, modified, terminated or waived in any respect, and none of the Transaction Parties or their Affiliates shall enter into any new agreements, arrangements or understandings, in each case that change in a material way any management, control or ownership arrangement or the business transaction presented to and approved by the NBA without the prior written consent of the NBA. The Arena License Agreement, the Sponsorship Sales and Service Representation Agreement and the Team
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Sponsorship Allocation Agreement shall not be amended, modified, terminated, waived or supplemented unless approved in advance in writing by the NBA as provided therein. None of the Transaction Parties shall assign, pledge or otherwise encumber any of their rights, or delegate any of their duties, under any of the Transaction Documents, without the prior written consent of the NBA, and any assignment, pledge, encumbrance or delegation in violation of this provision shall be void.
(b) The Principal Owners shall cause Knicks LLC to operate the Knickerbockers in a first class manner, consistent with the manner in which NBA teams generally are operated, as determined by the NBA Commissioner; provided that CD, HD and JD shall not have Financial Responsibility pursuant to this sentence. The Spinco Parties, CD, HD and JD shall cause Arenaco to operate the Arena in a first class manner, consistent with the manner in which NBA arenas generally are operated, as determined by the NBA Commissioner; provided that CD, HD and JD shall not have Financial Responsibility pursuant to this sentence. For purposes of this Agreement, Financial Responsibility shall mean personal liability for the debts, liabilities or obligations of, and any obligation to make any capital contribution or loan to, the applicable Transaction Party or any of its Affiliates.
(c) MSG and each other Team Party (including, without limitation, Knicks LLC) shall at all times pay in the ordinary course and in a timely fashion all of its expenses, liabilities and obligations (including, without limitation, all dues, assessments, capital contributions and other amounts payable to the NBA Entities) and shall maintain sufficient net working capital and cash reserves to pay such
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expenses, liabilities and obligations. The Team Parties (other than Knicks LLC) agree jointly and severally to provide Knicks LLC with all required operating support, financial and otherwise, necessary for Knicks LLC to pay such expenses, liabilities and obligations as and when due, and to otherwise operate the Knickerbockers in a first class manner in accordance with Section 2(b). Subject to complying with the preceding sentence, MSG agrees to provide each other Team Party with all required operating support, financial and otherwise, necessary for such Team Party to pay such expenses, liabilities and obligations as and when due, and to otherwise operate its business in a first class manner consistent with the operation of the Knickerbockers. Spinco agrees to provide each other Spinco Party with all required operating support, financial and otherwise, necessary to operate the Arena in a first class manner in accordance with Section 2(b) and pay its expenses, liabilities and obligations as and when due. For the avoidance of doubt, none of CD, HD nor JD shall have Financial Responsibility pursuant to this provision.
(d) After the date of this Agreement, (i) the Principal Owners shall cause Knicks LLC to be party to all agreements exclusively relating to the Knickerbockers, including agreements granting rights to Basketball-Related Assets that exclusively relate to the Knickerbockers, (ii) if such agreements relate to businesses of a Transaction Party or its Affiliate other than the Knickerbockers, the Transaction Parties shall ensure that there will be a fair market allocation of revenues and expenses among Knicks LLC and such other businesses, and (iii) the Principal Owners shall cause all other newly acquired Basketball-Related Assets that exclusively relate to the Knickerbockers to be owned directly by Knicks LLC. The Spinco Parties shall not take any action inconsistent with the provisions of this paragraph.
(e) From and after the date of this Agreement, (i) the Team Parties agree not to incur any Enterprise Indebtedness without the prior approval of the NBA and compliance with the applicable NBA Rules and (ii) the Spinco Parties agree not to incur any Enterprise Indebtedness without the prior approval of the NBA and compliance with the applicable NBA Rules.
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3. (a) Each of the Transaction Parties, on its own behalf and on behalf of its Affiliates, hereby releases and forever discharges the NBA Entities, each of the present and future member teams of the NBA (the NBA Teams) (other than New York Knicks, LLC), and each of their respective predecessors, successors, assigns and affiliates, and the past, present and future direct and indirect directors, officers, employees, agents, owners, partners, members, managers, shareholders, governors, affiliates and subsidiaries of each of the foregoing (collectively, including the NBA Entities and NBA Teams, the Affiliated NBA Parties) from all actions, causes of action, suits, debts, losses, costs, controversies, damages, liabilities, judgments, claims, and demands whatsoever, in law, admiralty or equity (collectively, Claims), known or unknown and arising out of or relating to (i) the Proposed Transactions, or (ii) facts, circumstances, acts or omissions existing or occurring on or prior to the date of this Agreement relating to the business of the NBA Entities or the game of NBA, WNBA, NBA 2K League or G League basketball, that any of the Transaction Parties (or its Affiliates) ever had, now has or hereafter can, shall or may have against any of them. Each of the Transaction Parties represents and warrants to the NBA Entities that none of the Claims purportedly released under the prior sentence has been assigned or transferred to any other party. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary stated above, the Transaction Parties are not releasing or discharging the Los Angeles Clippers (or their owners or affiliated entities) with respect to the ongoing dispute involving their plans for a new arena in Inglewood, California.
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(b) The release and discharge set forth in Section 3(a) shall not apply to terminate, modify or amend any contracts or agreements between or among the Transaction Parties
(or their Affiliates) and any of the Affiliated NBA Parties which were entered into by the Transaction Parties (or their Affiliates) in the ordinary course of their business, or release or discharge any amounts due in the ordinary course under any of those agreements.
4. (a) The Transaction Parties jointly and severally shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless each of the Affiliated NBA Parties from and against all actions, causes of action, suits, debts, obligations, losses, damages, amounts paid in settlement, liabilities, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, interest, penalties and reasonable attorneys fees and expenses) (collectively, Losses) resulting to, imposed upon, asserted against or incurred by any Affiliated NBA Party (including, but not limited to, in any action between any of the Transaction Parties and any Affiliated NBA Party) in connection with or arising out of (i) the Proposed Transactions or any transactions or other acts or occurrences relating to the Proposed Transactions; (ii) any breach or misrepresentation by any of the Transaction Parties under this Agreement; (iii) any act or omission (or alleged act or omission), whether on, prior to or after the date of this Agreement, by or on behalf of any of the Transaction Parties or their respective past, present or future Affiliates, except that in the case of Losses suffered by owners of NBA Teams or their affiliates (other than their NBA Teams and the NBA Entities), such Losses must arise from acts or circumstances related to the business of the NBA Entities or the game of NBA, WNBA, NBA 2K League or G-League basketball, and in the case of Losses suffered by NBA Teams or their affiliates (other than the NBA Entities), such Losses shall not include damages payable by such NBA Team or affiliate to a Transaction Party in a proceeding in which such Transaction Party is the prevailing party, or expenses incurred by such NBA Team or affiliate in such proceeding; or (iv) any Claim (other than a Claim against a particular NBA Team or its owners) by an Affiliate of any of the Transaction Parties that would have been released by such Affiliate under Section 3(a)
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(after giving effect to Section 3(b)) if it had been defined as an Transaction Party for purposes of this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary stated above, the Transaction Parties are not indemnifying the Los Angeles Clippers (or their owners or affiliated entities) with respect to the ongoing dispute involving their plans for a new arena in Inglewood, California.
(b) Upon the request of the NBA, the applicable Transaction Parties shall advance to the NBA or another indemnified party an amount equal to any Losses as those Losses are incurred; provided that in a proceeding between a Transaction Party or its Affiliate and an NBA Team or its affiliate (other than their NBA Teams and the NBA Entities), such Losses must only be advanced upon a final determination that the Transaction Party or its Affiliate is liable in such proceeding.
(c) None of the Affiliated NBA Parties shall be entitled to bring an indemnification claim against any of the Transaction Parties under this Section 4 without the approval of the NBA Commissioner.
(d) Any Affiliated NBA Party claiming a right of indemnity hereunder shall give the indemnifying party prompt notice of the claim, action, suit, proceeding or circumstance giving rise to the potential Losses and shall afford the indemnifying party the opportunity to participate in the defense of such claim, action, suit or proceeding; provided, however, that the failure of any Affiliated NBA Party to give such prompt notice shall not affect its right to receive indemnification under this Agreement except to the extent the indemnifying party is materially and adversely affected by the failure.
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5. Each Transaction Party acknowledges that from time to time it and one or more of the NBA Entities will jointly retain one or more law firms or experts to represent and advise them (League Advisors). Each Transaction Party agrees and consents to the representation of the NBA Entities and the other NBA Teams by League Advisors in connection with any and all controversies and disputes, including any litigation or other adversarial proceeding adverse to such Transaction Party. In any such adverse representation, the current or prior representation of such Transaction Party by that League Advisor, and the information that was conveyed to that League Advisor in the course of such representation, shall not be asserted as, and shall not constitute, a basis to disqualify that League Advisor from the adverse representation.
6. Any notice or other communication under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be considered given when delivered personally, sent by reputable overnight courier or mailed by registered mail, return receipt requested, to the parties at the addresses set forth above (or at such other address as a party may specify by notice similarly given).
7. This Agreement and the Closing Certificate contain the entire agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the Proposed Transactions, and supersedes all prior agreements or understandings, whether written or oral, relating to the subject matter hereof; provided that nothing in this Agreement or the Closing Certificate shall (a) amend, terminate or waive any of the terms or provisions (including representations and indemnities) of any Agreement and Undertaking or other agreement or certificate executed by any of the Transaction Parties prior to the date of this Agreement, or (b) affect any rights or Claims of the Affiliated NBA Parties, or liabilities or obligations of any of the Transaction Parties or other parties, under any such Agreement and Undertaking or other agreement or certificate arising or accrued through the date of this Agreement, each of which shall remain in full force and effect. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Transaction Parties and the NBA confirm that after the Spin-Off Date: (i) no Spinco Party shall have any further obligation under
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Section 1, the second sentence of Section 2 or the second sentence of Section 4(b) of the 2015 Agreement and Undertaking, (ii) MSG shall have not have any further obligation to provide operating support to any Spinco Party under the third sentence of Section 4(b) of the 2015 Agreement and Undertaking, (iii) no Spinco Party shall have any obligation under Section 7(a)(ii) or (iii) of the 2015 Agreement and Undertaking for breaches, acts or omissions of any Team Party occurring after the Spin-Off Date, (iv) the first sentence of Section 2 of the 2015 Agreement and Undertaking shall remain applicable to the Spinco Parties provided that the first sentence of Section 2 of the 2015 Agreement and Undertaking shall not be violated with respect to any NBA Entity or any NBA Team by any position or action taken by the Spinco Parties or their subsidiaries in the ordinary course of their respective businesses at any time after they are no longer affiliates of Knicks LLC, and (v) no Team Party shall have any obligation under Section 7(a)(ii) or (iii) of the 2015 Agreement and Undertaking for breaches, acts or omissions of any Spinco Party occurring after the Spin-Off Date. MSG NYK Holdings agrees to be bound by and comply with each provision of any Agreement and Undertaking executed by any of the Transaction Parties prior to the date of this Agreement applicable to Knicks Holdings.
8. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York applicable to agreements made and to be performed entirely in New York. Pursuant to Article 24(h) of the NBA Constitution, the provisions of this Agreement shall be interpreted by the NBA Commissioner.
9. Subject to Section 3(b) of the Transfer Consent Agreement, in the event of any breach by any of the Transaction Parties of its agreements contained herein, in addition to all other legal and equitable rights and remedies available to the NBA Entities and the NBA Teams (including, without limitation, the authority of the NBA Commissioner to impose fines and other penalties under Article 24 of the NBA Constitution), such breach shall constitute a failure to fulfill a contractual obligation within the meaning of Article 13(d) of the NBA Constitution, and shall
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entitle the NBA Entities and NBA Teams to exercise all rights and remedies against Knicks LLC and any other applicable Team Party as if Knicks LLC or such Team Party had itself committed such breach.
10. The covenants and agreements by the Transaction Parties contained in this Agreement shall be construed as several covenants by each of the Transaction Parties in favor of the NBA Entities that may be relied on solely by the NBA Entities, and not as covenants between any of the Transaction Parties. Accordingly, any of such covenants and agreements, and any of the representations made by the Transaction Parties in this Agreement, may be waived, amended, consented to or otherwise approved by the NBA Entities, on the one hand, and the particular Transaction Party to which such covenant, agreement or representation applies, on the other hand, without the consent or approval of any other party, including, but not limited to, in cases where one or more other Transaction Parties has made the same or a similar covenant, agreement or representation that is not being waived, amended, consented to or otherwise approved by the NBA Entities as to such Transaction Party, as applicable. The covenants and agreements by the Principal Owners contained in this Agreement shall apply to them in their capacities as owners of an interest in the Membership and otherwise.
11. As used in this Agreement, the term Affiliate means: (a) with respect to a specified person or entity, (i) any other person or entity directly or indirectly controlled by, controlling or under common control with the specified person or entity, (ii) any person who is an officer, director or trustee of, or serves in a similar capacity with respect to, the specified entity, (iii) any other person or entity that, directly or indirectly, is the beneficial owner of 50% or more of any class of equity interests of the specified entity, or of which the specified person or entity, directly or indirectly, is the owner of 50% or more of any class of equity interests, and (iv) the
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spouse, children and other lineal descendants (collectively, Relatives) of the specified person, any trust for the benefit of the specified person or his or her Relatives, and any entity directly or indirectly controlled by one or more Relatives of the specified person; and (b) with respect to each Principal Owner, (i) each direct or indirect owner of Class B common stock of MSG (including trusts and trustees and beneficiaries of trusts), and their respective Affiliates, and (ii) each other Transaction Party and its Affiliates. For the avoidance of doubt, each of MSG, Spinco and their direct and indirect subsidiaries are Affiliates of each the Principal Owners as of the date of this Agreement and the Spin-Off Date.
12. The Transaction Parties acknowledge and agree that the NBAs approval of the Proposed Transactions is subject to: (i) the Spin-Off being consummated on the Spin-Off Date strictly in accordance with the [Distribution Agreement and the other applicable Transaction Documents], (ii) the Transaction Parties executing and delivering to the NBA a certificate dated the Spin-Off Date in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto (the Closing Certificate), and (iii) the ownership structure of the Transaction Parties upon consummation of the Proposed Transactions conforming to Schedule 1(xiv) hereto. If any condition in the foregoing clauses (i)-(iii) is not satisfied, the approval of the NBA with respect to the Proposed Transactions (but not the representations, warranties and obligations of the Transaction Parties hereunder) shall be void ab initio.
13. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, which together shall constitute the same instrument.
[Signature pages follow]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered this Agreement, intending to be bound hereby, as of the date first written above.
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION |
By: |
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MSG ARENA, LLC |
By: |
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MSG ARENA HOLDINGS, LLC |
By: |
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MSG ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, LLC (formerly MSG Sports & Entertainment, LLC) |
By: |
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MSG NATIONAL PROPERTIES, LLC |
By: |
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MSG ENTERTAINMENT SPINCO, INC. (to be renamed Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.) |
By: |
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NEW YORK KNICKS, LLC |
By: |
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WESTCHESTER KNICKS, LLC |
By: |
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KNICKS GAMING, LLC |
By: |
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KNICKS HOLDINGS, LLC |
By: |
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MSG NYK HOLDINGS, LLC |
By: |
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MSG SPORTS, LLC |
By: |
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THE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN COMPANY (to be renamed Madison Square Garden Sports Corp.) |
By: |
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By: |
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Charles F. Dolan | ||
By: |
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Helen A. Dolan | ||
By: |
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James L. Dolan |
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Exhibit 10.8
TRANSACTION AGREEMENT
THIS TRANSACTION AGREEMENT (this Agreement) is made this ____ day of , 2020 by and among: (i) the NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE, a joint venture organized as an unincorporated association (the NHL), (ii) NEW YORK RANGERS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Rangers LLC), RANGERS HOLDINGS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (RH LLC), MSG NYR HOLDINGS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (MSG NYR Holdings), MSG SPORTS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (MSG Sports), and THE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN COMPANY, a Delaware corporation (to be renamed Madison Square Garden Sports Corp.) (TMSGC) (the entities listed in this clause (ii) are referred to collectively as the Club Parties); (iii) MSG ARENA, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Arenaco), and MSG ARENA HOLDINGS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Arena Holdco and together with Arenaco, the Arena Companies), and (iv) MSG NATIONAL PROPERTIES, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (National Properties), MSG ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (formerly MSG Sports & Entertainment, LLC) (MSGE Group), and MSG ENTERTAINMENT SPINCO, INC., a Delaware corporation (to be renamed Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.) (Spinco) (the entities listed in this clause (iv) together with the Arena Companies, the Spinco Parties, and the Spinco Parties together with the Club Parties, the Transaction Parties).
Background
(a) The NHL and certain of the Transaction Parties are parties to (i) the Transaction Approval Agreement (the 2015 Transaction Approval Agreement), dated as of September 28, 2015, by and among the NHL, certain of the Transaction Parties and certain other entities, and (ii) the Transfer Consent Agreement (the 2015 Transfer Consent Agreement and together with the 2015 Transaction Approval Agreement, the 2015 Agreements), dated as of September 28, 2015, by and among the NHL, certain of the Transaction Parties and certain other entities.
(b) TMSGC plans to separate (the Spin-Off) its entertainment business (which include the Madison Square Garden Arena (the Arena)) from its sports business (which includes the membership in the NHL of the New York Rangers hockey club (the Rangers)).
(c) After giving effect to the Spin-Off, TMSGC will remain a publicly-traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the NYSE).
(d) As steps in effecting the Spin-Off, on or prior to the date of the Spin-Off (the Spin-Off Date), (i) MSG Sports will distribute its 100% ownership interest in RH LLC to its direct wholly-owned subsidiary MSG NYR Holdings, (ii) MSGE Group proposes to distribute its 100% ownership interest in MSG Sports to its direct parent TMSGC (the transactions described in clauses (i) and (ii) collectively, the Distribution), and (iii) MSGE Group will become a subsidiary of Spinco (together with the Distribution and the Spin-Off, the Proposed Transactions).
(e) After giving effect to the Proposed Transactions: (i) all of the membership interests of Arenaco will be directly owned by Arena Holdco, (ii) all of the membership interests of Arena Holdco will be directly owned by National Properties, (iii) all of the membership interests of National Properties will be directly owned by MSGE Group, (iv) all of the membership interests of MSGE Group will be directly owned by Spinco, (v) Spinco will be a publicly-traded company listed on the NYSE and (vi) the direct and indirect ownership of the Club Parties will be set forth on Schedule 1.
(f) After giving effect to the Proposed Transactions: (i) the ultimate ownership of the Rangers, the Club Parties and the Arena immediately following the Spin-Off by the stockholders of TMSGC (with respect to the Rangers and the Club Parties) and Spinco (with respect to the Arena), respectively, shall be the same as it was immediately prior to the Spin-Off (including the Dolan familys ability to elect a majority of the board of directors), and (ii) the Spinco Parties will no longer own any direct or indirect interest in the Rangers or any Club Party.
(g) The NHL has approved the Distribution upon the condition that each of the Transaction Parties executes, delivers and performs this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth herein, and subject to the following terms and conditions, it is agreed as follows:
1. Representations and Warranties. The Transaction Parties jointly and severally represent and warrant as of the date hereof and as of the Spin-Off Date to the NHL as follows:
(a) If it is a corporation or limited liability company, it is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of its existence, and has the power and authority to own, operate and lease its properties and to carry on its business.
(b) Each Transaction Party has the power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder.
(c) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of each Transaction Party enforceable against it in accordance with its terms.
(d) Except as set forth in Schedule 1 hereto, the ownership interests in each Transaction Party described in paragraph (e) of the Background Section hereof are validly issued and fully paid and, except for restrictions on transfers of common stock under the Transaction Documents or with respect to publicly traded shares of TMSGC or Spinco held by persons other than Dolan family members, trusts or affiliates, are held free and clear of any liens, security interests, pledges, charges, encumbrances or claims of liability. Except as otherwise permitted hereunder, (i) each Club Party presently has no intention of selling directly any part of its interest in the Rangers, or any of the assets of the Rangers, or any other Hockey-Related Asset (as defined below) and (ii) except for the securities described on Schedule 1 hereto, there are no options, warrants, put or call rights or any other rights of acquisition or conversion that would entitle any person or entity to acquire any direct or indirect interest, whether equity or otherwise, in any Club
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Party. Except as otherwise permitted hereunder, (i) each Spinco Party presently has no intention of selling directly any part of its interest in the Arena and (ii) except for the securities described on Schedule 1 hereto, there are no options, warrants, put or call rights or any other rights of acquisition or conversion that would entitle any person or entity to acquire any direct or indirect interest, whether equity or otherwise, in any Spinco Party. The ownership structure of each Transaction Party conforms to the provisions of paragraphs (e) and (f) of the Background Section hereof.
(e) After giving effect to the Proposed Transactions, James Dolan remains the Governor of the Rangers and the Chief Executive Officer of TMSGC, and continues to be responsible for and has the authority to manage the business and affairs of the Rangers and each Club Party, subject to certain prior approvals of the board of directors and stockholders of TMSGC as required by law.
(f) There is no action, suit, or proceeding pending against the Rangers or any Transaction Party which involves the likelihood of any adverse judgment or liability not fully covered by insurance or with respect to which adequate reserves have not been established in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in effect from time to time in the United States (GAAP) and which may result in a material adverse change in the business, properties or assets or in the condition, financial or otherwise, of any Transaction Party or which may prevent or impede the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. There is no order, writ, injunction or decree that has been issued by, or, to the knowledge of the Transaction Parties, requested by, any court or governmental agency which does or may result in any material adverse change in the business, properties or assets or in the condition financial or otherwise, of any Transaction Party or which may prevent or impede the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(g) To the best of the knowledge and belief of the Transaction Parties, each Transaction Party has complied in all material respects with all material laws, regulations and orders, federal or otherwise.
(h) All material consents, waivers, approvals, orders and authorizations of any persons or entities or governmental or regulatory authorities (or registrations, declarations, filings or recordings with any such authorities) that are required in connection with the Proposed Transactions have been obtained (or made) and are in full force and effect.
(i) Each Transaction Party has performed in all material respects all obligations required to be performed by such Transaction Party to date with respect to the Proposed Transactions and, except as disclosed in any schedules hereto, no Transaction Party is in default under any material contract, agreement, lease, or other instrument relating to the same to which such Transaction Party is a party or by which such Transaction Party is bound.
(j) The execution and delivery of this Agreement, and compliance with the terms hereof and thereof by each Transaction Party, will not conflict with, or result in the breach of, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any Transaction Partys properties or assets pursuant to any indenture, mortgage, lease, agreement or other instrument to which any Transaction Party is a party or by which any Transaction Party is bound.
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(k) To the best of the Transaction Parties knowledge, no Transaction Party has any Claims against any of the Affiliated NHL Parties.
(l) Each of the Transaction Parties has the power and authority to execute and deliver each Transaction Document to which it (or he or she, as the case may be) is a party and to perform its (or his or her, as the case may be) obligations thereunder.
(m) The Transaction Parties have furnished to the NHL true, complete and correct copies of all documents relating to the Proposed Transactions, a complete list of which is provided on Schedule 2 (the Transaction Documents). The Transaction Documents have been (or will be as of the Distribution Date) executed in the form delivered to the NHL and there are no other material arrangements, agreements, or understandings, whether written or oral, among the parties to the Transaction Documents which relate to the Proposed Transactions. True and correct copies of all documents described or referred to herein or in any Schedule attached hereto have heretofore been delivered or made available to the NHL or will be made available upon request. All other information furnished by each Transaction Party to the NHL in connection with the request for approval of the Distribution is true and correct in all material respects and has not omitted any material statement which would make such information not misleading.
2. Post Transaction Capital Structure. The Transaction Parties represent, warrant and covenant that: (a) none of the Transaction Parties has pledged or granted a security interest in the Franchise, their direct or indirect interests therein or any other Hockey-Related Assets to secure any debt obligation, nor shall any Club Party grant such a pledge or security interest without the NHLs prior written consent (to the extent required by the NHL Constitution and Agreements (as defined below)); provided, however, that Rangers LLC may pledge its assets in accordance with, and subject to, the terms and conditions of that certain letter agreement, dated January 25, 2017, by and among the NHL, the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, Rangers LLC and the other parties thereto relating to certain obligations secured, among other things, by certain assets of Rangers LLC (as amended, restated, amended and restated, replaced, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the Lender Letter Agreement) and (b) neither Spinco nor any of its subsidiaries shall at any time following the date hereof own or have any rights whatsoever with respect to any Hockey-Related Assets (as all of such assets are, and at all times following the date hereof shall be, owned solely and directly by Rangers LLC, without restriction by, or reservation of rights in favor of, Spinco or any of its subsidiaries), any direct or indirect ownership or other interest in, or any indebtedness of, Rangers LLC or the Franchise, in each case, without the prior written consent of the NHL.
3. Release and Limitation of Liability.
(a) As partial consideration for the NHLs approval of the Distribution, each of the Transaction Parties on its own behalf and on behalf of its successors and assigns, but not on behalf of any other affiliate or subsidiary or in its capacity as a partner, shareholder or agent of any such affiliate or subsidiary, hereby forever release and discharge the NHL, all of the other NHL Entities, all of the Member Clubs (except the Rangers, but including future Member Clubs), each
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of their respective predecessors, affiliates, successors and assigns, and any of their respective past, present and future direct and indirect owners, partners, shareholders, members, managers, directors, officers, agents, governors, trustees and employees in their respective capacities as such (collectively, Affiliated NHL Parties) from any and all claims, demands, causes of action and liabilities of any kind whatsoever (upon any legal or equitable theory, whether contractual, common-law, statutory, decisional, Canadian, United States, state, provincial, local or otherwise) (collectively, Claims) that any Transaction Party ever had, now has or hereafter can, shall or may have by reason of or concerning any act, omission, transaction, occurrence, rule, regulation, resolution, policy, procedure, or directive taken, occurring, or existing at any time up to and including the date of the execution of this Agreement, relating to, or arising from, any hockey operations or any NHL activity, including without limitation, the performance, presentation or exploitation of any hockey game or hockey exhibition, or in respect of the Proposed Transactions; provided that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed or interpreted as a release and discharge by any of the Transaction Parties of (x) any Claims expressly reserved in the Settlement Documents as defined in the Settlement Agreement dated March 23, 2009 (the Settlement Agreement) pursuant to paragraphs 13 and 16 of the Supplemental Agreement dated as of March 23, 2009, except that the Transaction Parties acknowledge that the actions, policies or practices described in paragraphs 13 and 16 of such Supplemental Agreement have not changed materially between the Effective Date of the Settlement Documents and the date of the execution of this Agreement; (y) any obligation of the NHL or any Affiliated NHL Party under any of the Settlement Documents, or (z) any amounts due to any of the Transaction Parties from any Affiliated NHL Parties in the ordinary course, or any amounts due or claims under agreements executed prior to the date hereof (including, but not limited to, in respect of player transactions). With respect to the preceding sentence of this paragraph, the parties agree that no inferences shall be drawn against the Affiliated NHL Parties from the absence of a provision that the release applies to such actions, policies or practices continuing materially unchanged after the date of the execution of this Agreement and, as such, either party shall be free to raise any and all arguments whatsoever about the scope and/or applicability of the Courts October 10, 2008 Opinion in Madison Square Garden, L.P. v. National Hockey League, et al., No. 07 CIV. 8455 (LAP) relating to the extent to which the Claims covered by the preceding sentence of this paragraph are released as related to actions, policies and practices that continue materially unchanged after the date of the execution of this Agreement, provided, for clarity, that all Claims covered by the preceding sentence of this paragraph that exist as of the date of the execution of this Agreement are released. To the extent any Affiliated NHL Party asserts a claim against any Transaction Party, then the release contained in this paragraph shall not prohibit such Transaction Party from asserting a defense or counterclaim to that claim. Except as expressly described herein, nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to be in derogation or as a limitation of any rights that the Transaction Parties or any Affiliated NHL Party has pursuant to the Settlement Documents.
(b) Except as permitted pursuant to the Settlement Documents and without limiting Rangers LLCs rights thereunder, the Transaction Parties hereby agree, based upon facts known to, or facts that reasonably should have been known to, the Transaction Parties on the date hereof, not to initiate a judicial or other proceeding against the NHL challenging any provision of the NHL Constitution and Agreements as in effect and interpreted on the date hereof as they may apply to acts or omissions up to and including the date hereof.
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(c) Without limiting any other rights any Affiliated NHL Party may have, and without limiting any partys affirmative obligation to pay the amounts referenced in this Agreement and/or the Lender Letter Agreement:
(i) the Transaction Parties hereby jointly and severally agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Affiliated NHL Parties from and against any and all losses, obligations, claims, liabilities, fines, penalties, damages, costs and expenses (including without limitation, reasonable costs of investigation and settlement and attorneys fees, including in actions with Affiliated NHL Parties) incurred or required to be paid by an Affiliated NHL Party (collectively, Losses), arising out of, attributable to, in connection with or in any way relating to the Proposed Transactions and any other transactions or other acts or occurrences relating to or contemplated by the Proposed Transactions or the Transaction Documents and/or the NHLs and Member Clubs, where applicable, consideration of and approval of the Distribution;
(ii) the Club Parties hereby jointly and severally agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Affiliated NHL Parties from and against any and all Losses arising out of, attributable to, in connection with or in any way relating to: (A) any breach of any warranty, covenant, obligation or agreement or any misrepresentation in this Agreement or the Lender Letter Agreement by any Club Party or any breach of any warranty, covenant, obligation or agreement or any misrepresentation in the letter agreement dated as of the date hereof in favor of the NHL by Charles Dolan, Helen Dolan and James Dolan (the Letter Agreement), or (B) any act, omission, liability or obligation (including, without limitation, all obligations set forth in this Agreement and/or the Lender Letter Agreement) of any Club Party, any of their respective subsidiaries or other past, present or future affiliates or any of their respective past, present or future shareholders, partners, principals, members, managers, investors, directors, officers, employees, representatives or agents; and
(iii) the Spinco Parties hereby jointly and severally agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Affiliated NHL Parties from and against any and all Losses arising out of, attributable to, in connection with or in any way relating to: (A) any breach of any warranty, covenant, obligation or agreement or any misrepresentation in this Agreement by any Spinco Party, or (B) any act, omission, liability or obligation (including, without limitation, all obligations set forth in this Agreement) of any Spinco Party, any of their respective subsidiaries or other past, present or future affiliates or any of their respective past, present or future shareholders, partners, principals, members, managers, investors, directors, officers, employees, representatives or agents.
No Affiliated NHL Party other than the NHL or other NHL Entities shall be entitled to indemnification under clause (ii)(B) or (iii)(B) above unless the Commissioner determines that such indemnification is appropriate in the Commissioners sole discretion. Any Affiliated NHL Party claiming a right of indemnity hereunder shall give the indemnifying party prompt notice of the claim, action, suit, proceeding or circumstance giving rise to the potential Losses and shall afford the indemnifying party the opportunity to participate in the defense of such claim, action,
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suit or proceeding; provided, however, that the failure of any Affiliated NHL Party to give such prompt notice shall not affect its right to receive indemnification under this Agreement except to the extent that indemnifying party is materially and adversely affected by the failure. No claim against either an individual Member Club or which is based primarily on an act or omission of the Rangers for which indemnification is sought under this paragraph will be settled without the consent of the indemnifying parties, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld.
(d) Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be, or be construed or deemed to be, a subordination by the NHL of the NHLs rights: (i) to receive payments on account of indebtedness or liabilities now or hereafter owing to it by any Club Party, the Rangers or any other entity or (ii) to defer or off-set any distribution to any Club Party, or the Rangers. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed in any respect as a guaranty or indemnity by the NHL, or any of its Member Clubs, of any debts, liabilities or obligations whatsoever of the Rangers, any Transaction Party or any other party.
4. Confirmation of Agreements. The Transaction Parties and the NHL confirm that the Consent Agreement dated as of June 17, 1997 (the 1997 Agreement), the Consent Agreement dated as of March 29, 2001 (the 2001 Agreement), the Consent Agreement dated as of December 5, 2002 (the 2002 Agreement), the Transfer Consent Agreement and Transaction Approval Agreement, each dated February 9, 2010 (the 2010 Agreements), the 2015 Agreements and any other consent agreement at any time executed by any of the Transaction Parties with the NHL (collectively, including the 1997 Agreement, the 2001 Agreement, the 2002 Agreement, the 2010 Agreements and the 2015 Agreements, the Prior Consent Agreements), have not been amended or modified by this Agreement and remain in full force and effect, except that Section 2 hereof shall supersede Section 5(b) of the 2015 Transaction Approval Agreement. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that the NHL shall not seek to enforce against MSGE Group, Arenaco or Arena Holdco their respective obligations set forth in Sections 4(b), 5(c), 7(d), 7(f), 7(g), 7(h), 9(b) and 12 of the 2015 Transaction Approval Agreement or set forth in Sections 1(c) and 1(d) of the 2015 Transfer Consent Agreement, in each case with respect to matters occurring following the date of this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to amend or modify any of the agreements in favor of the NHL given by Charles Dolan, James Dolan or trusts for the benefit of members of their families, including the Letter Agreement, the letter agreement dated September 30, 2015 in favor of the NHL by Charles Dolan, James Dolan, trusts for the benefit of members of their families and certain other parties, the agreement of Charles Dolan dated June 17, 1997 and the agreement of such trusts dated March 10, 1995, all of which remain in full force and effect. MSG NYR Holdings agrees to be bound by and comply with each provision of the Prior Consent Agreements applicable to RH LLC.
5. Additional Provisions.
(a) This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, including but not limited to, any corporation or other business entity into which any party shall be merged, consolidated or amalgamated or to which substantially all of the assets of a party shall be transferred in each case in accordance with the NHL Constitution and Agreements. No Transaction Party may assign any of its rights or delegate any of its duties under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the NHL. Notwithstanding anything in any Transaction Document to the contrary, except as provided in
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paragraph 11 of the Settlement Agreement, any dispute between or among the parties hereunder relating to the subject matter hereof shall be deemed to be a dispute which shall be resolved in accordance with Section 6.3 of the NHL Constitution and the Commissioner shall have full and exclusive jurisdiction and authority to arbitrate and resolve such dispute unless the NHL shall have waived the application of Section 6.3 of the NHL Constitution to any future agreement or relationship in a writing that refers to that provision.
(b) Any notice or other communication under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be considered given when delivered personally or sent by facsimile (with a copy by any other means permitted for the giving of notices under this section), one (1) day after being sent by a reputable overnight courier, or three (3) days after being mailed by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, as follows:
If to the NHL (prior to July 1, 2020): |
National Hockey League 1185 Avenue of the Americas New York, New York 10036 Attention: General Counsel |
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and to: |
National Hockey League One Manhattan West 395 9th Avenue New York, New York 10001 Attention: General Counsel |
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with a copy to: |
Proskauer Rose LLP Eleven Times Square New York, New York 10036 Attention: Wayne D. Katz, Esq. |
|
If to the NHL (on or after July 1, 2020): |
National Hockey League One Manhattan West 395 9th Avenue New York, New York 10001 Attention: General Counsel |
|
with a copy to: |
Proskauer Rose LLP Eleven Times Square New York, New York 10036 Attention: Wayne D. Katz, Esq. |
|
If to any Transaction Party: |
Two Penn Plaza New York, New York 10121 Attention: General Counsel |
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or to such other persons or to such other addresses as the parties hereto shall designate from time to time by like notice. The NHLs addresses provided in this Section 5(b) shall supersede and replace all notice addresses provided by the NHL in any contract, agreement or other instrument executed by any Transaction Party (or any of their affiliates) with the NHL.
(c) Except as provided in the Settlement Documents, this Agreement and the exhibits and schedules annexed hereto and made a part hereof contain the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the Proposed Transactions. This Agreement shall not be modified, supplemented, or terminated orally, and shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made and to be performed entirely in New York. It is acknowledged and agreed that the NHL will suffer immediate and irreparable harm in the event of a breach of this Agreement by any other party hereto of any of its obligations hereunder and will not have an adequate remedy at law, and therefore, the NHL shall in addition to any other remedy available to it at law or in equity, except as otherwise provided herein, be entitled to temporary, preliminary and permanent injunctive relief and a decree for specific performance in the event of a breach or threatened or attempted breach, without the necessity of showing any actual damage or irreparable harm or the posting of any bond or furnishing of any other security. The Transaction Parties also acknowledge and agree that to the extent permitted by the NHL Constitution and Agreements (including this Agreement), certain actions of only one or more of the Transaction Parties or their respective affiliates or subsidiaries may result in the exercise of rights and remedies against Rangers LLC or the Franchise, including, but not limited to, the involuntary termination of the Franchise. This Agreement shall be interpreted neutrally and without regard to the party that drafted it and, in particular, no rule of construction shall be applied as against any party hereto that would result in the resolution of an ambiguity contained herein against the drafting party solely by reason of such party being the drafting party.
(d) This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (including by facsimile or other electronic transmission), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
(e) No failure on the part of any party to exercise, and no delay of exercising, any right, power or remedy under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power or remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof or of any other right, power or remedy. No waiver by any party of another partys compliance with the provisions of this Agreement shall be effective unless set forth in a writing signed by the party granting such waiver, and no waiver of any provision on any one occasion shall constitute a waiver of such provision or any other provision on any subsequent occasion.
(f) All of the parties to this Agreement acknowledge, covenant and agree that the NHL has reviewed the Transaction Documents that have been supplied to it for certain limited purposes only and that the NHL is not charged with knowledge of, or deemed to have any independent obligations under, any of the Transaction Documents. For greater certainty and clarity, notwithstanding anything contained in any Transaction Document, whether to the contrary or otherwise, in the event of any conflict or ambiguity between any term or provision contained in this Agreement on one hand, and any Transaction Document on the other hand, the terms of this Agreement shall control.
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(g) The headings in the sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part thereof.
(h) All capitalized terms used in this Agreement but not otherwise defined shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the 2015 Transaction Approval Agreement; provided that as used in this Agreement, the term Hockey-Related Assets shall exclude the Arena and shall include the rights of the Club Parties under the Arena License Agreement entered into by Arenaco and Rangers LLC in connection with the Spin-Off, pursuant to which the Rangers will play their home games at the Arena. As used in this Agreement, the term NHL Constitution and Agreements shall mean (i) the NHL Constitution, (ii) the NHL By-laws, (iii) the governing documents of each of the NHL, NHL Enterprises, L.P., NHL Enterprises Canada, L.P., NHL Enterprises, Inc., National Hockey League Enterprises Canada, Inc., NHL Enterprises B.V., Intra-Continental Ensurers, Limited, NHL Interactive CyberEnterprises, LLC, NHL Network US, L.P., NHL Network US, Inc., NHL WCH 16, LP, NHL WCH 16, Inc., NHL WCH 16 Canada Holdco, Inc., NHL WCH 16 US, LP, NHL WCH 16 US GP, LLC, NHL WCH 16 US Holdco, LLC, NHL China Holdings, LLC, any entity that may be formed by the NHL member clubs (the Member Clubs) generally after the date of this Agreement, and each of their respective subsidiaries and other present or future affiliates (all of the foregoing entities, including the NHL but excluding the Member Clubs, the NHL Entities), (iv) all other existing or future rules, regulations, interpretations, memoranda, procedures, directives, policies, guidelines, positions, and resolutions of, including, without limitation, positions taken with, and covenants, representations and warranties made to, any court or governmental or quasi-governmental agency by, each of the NHL Entities, the NHL Board of Governors and the NHL Commissioner (the Commissioner), (v) this Agreement, the Letter Agreement and, subject to Section 4, each Prior Consent Agreement (as defined in Section 4), (vi) the Lender Letter Agreement, (vii) the current and future Collective Bargaining Agreements between the NHL and the National Hockey League Players Association and between the NHL and the National Hockey League Officials Association and all other agreements, consent agreements, decrees, cooperation agreements and settlement agreements presently or hereafter in effect or entered into between or among any NHL Entity or Entities, on the one hand, and the Member Clubs generally, on the other hand, or any NHL Entity or Entities and/or the Member Clubs generally, on the one hand, and other persons, on the other hand, in furtherance of the NHLs (or any other NHL Entitys) business or interests or as otherwise authorized, directly or indirectly, by the NHL Board of Governors, the Commissioner, the applicable NHL Entity, the NHL Constitution or the NHL By-laws, and (viii) the Commissioners interpretation of, opinions concerning, and the custom and practice under, any of the foregoing, all as may be amended from time to time.
(i) This Agreement does not create, and shall not be construed as creating, any rights enforceable by any person not a party to this Agreement (except for the NHL Entities and as provided in Section 3).
(j) If any provision of this Agreement shall be deemed invalid or unenforceable by a court having jurisdiction, the balance of this Agreement shall remain in effect and shall be enforced to the maximum extent permitted by law.
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(k) As used in this Agreement, the term affiliate means, with respect to a specified person or entity: (i) any other person or entity directly or indirectly controlled by, controlling, or under common control with the specified person or entity, and (ii) any family member of the specified person or trust for the benefit of one or more family members of the specified person.
(l) Subject to the third sentence of Section 5(a), the courts of New York State located in New York County and the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York located in New York County shall have exclusive jurisdiction over the parties (and the subject matter) with respect to any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement, and by execution of this Agreement, each Transaction Party submits to and accepts the exclusive jurisdiction of those courts and irrevocably agrees to be bound by any final judgment rendered thereby in connection with this Agreement or any matter affecting any Transaction Party or the Rangers, in general. A summons or complaint in any such action or proceeding may be served in accordance with Section 5(b). Each Transaction Party irrevocably waives any objection, including, without limitation, any objection to the laying of venue or based on the grounds of forum non conveniens, which it may now or hereafter have to the bringing of any such action or proceeding in any such jurisdiction.
(m) The Transaction Parties covenant and agree, in accordance with the third paragraph of Article 3.5 of the NHL Constitution, that all legal fees and costs incurred by the NHL with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be charged to the Franchise and shall be the obligation thereof.
(n) Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine and feminine forms.
[Signature pages follow.]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed as of the date first written above.
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
NEW YORK RANGERS, LLC | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
RANGERS HOLDINGS, LLC | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
MSG NYR HOLDINGS, LLC | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
MSG SPORTS, LLC | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
THE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN COMPANY
(to be renamed Madison Square Garden Sports Corp.) |
||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
MSG ARENA, LLC | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
MSG ARENA HOLDINGS, LLC |
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
MSG ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, LLC | ||
(formerly MSG Sports & Entertainment, LLC) |
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
MSG ENTERTAINMENT SPINCO, INC. | ||
(to be renamed Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.) |
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |