As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 10, 2023
File No. 001-41627
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Amendment No. 1
to
FORM 10
General Form for Registration of Securities
Pursuant to Section 12(b) or (g) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
MSGE Spinco, Inc.*
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Delaware | 92-0318813 | |
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) |
(IRS Employer Identification Number) | |
Two Pennsylvania Plaza New York, NY |
10121 | |
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) |
(212) 465-6000
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
Securities to be Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class to be so Registered |
Name of Each Exchange on Which Each Class is to be Registered | |
Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share | New York Stock Exchange |
Securities to be Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer, smaller reporting company and emerging growth company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large Accelerated Filer | ☐ | Accelerated Filer | ☐ | |||
Non-Accelerated Filer | ☒ | Smaller Reporting Company | ☐ | |||
Emerging Growth Company | ☒ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the Registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act: ☒
* | MSGE Spinco, Inc. will be renamed Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. on or prior to the Distribution (as defined herein). |
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN REGISTRATION STATEMENT
CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET BETWEEN ITEMS OF FORM 10
AND THE ATTACHED INFORMATION STATEMENT.
The information required by the following Form 10 Registration Statement items is contained in the Information Statement sections identified below, each of which is incorporated in this report by reference:
Item 1. | Business |
The information required by this item is contained under the sections Summary, Business, Available Information and Combined Financial Statements of this information statement. Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 1A. | Risk Factors |
The information required by this item is contained under the section Risk Factors. That section is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 2. | Financial Information |
The information required by this item is contained under the sections Summary, and Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of this information statement. Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 3. | Properties |
The information required by this item is contained under the section Business Properties of this information statement. That section is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 4. | Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management |
The information required by this item is contained under the sections Summary and Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters of this information statement. Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 5. | Directors and Executive Officers |
The information required by this item is contained under the section Corporate Governance and Management of this information statement. That section is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 6. | Executive Compensation |
The information required by this item is contained under the section Executive Compensation of this information statement. That section is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 7. | Certain Relationships and Related Transactions |
The information required by this item is contained under the sections Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions and Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters of this information statement. Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 8. | Legal Proceedings |
The information required by this item is contained under the section Business Legal Proceedings of this information statement. That section is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9. | Market Price of and Dividends on the Registrants Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters |
The information required by this item is contained under the sections Risk Factors, The Distribution, Dividend Policy, Business, Corporate Governance and Management, Shares Eligible for Future Sale and Description of Capital Stock of this information statement. Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 10. | Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities |
On September 15, 2022, MSGE Spinco, Inc. was incorporated in the State of Delaware. On December 21, 2022, Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. acquired 100 uncertificated shares of common stock of MSGE Spinco, Inc. for $100.
Item 11. | Description of Registrants Securities to be Registered |
The information required by this item is contained under the sections The Distribution and Description of Capital Stock of this information statement. Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 12. | Indemnification of Directors and Officers |
The information required by this item is contained under the section Indemnification of Directors and Officers of this information statement. That section is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 13. | Financial Statements and Supplementary Data |
The information required by this item is contained under the sections Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Combined Financial Statements of this information statement. Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 14. | Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure |
None.
Item 15. | Financial Statements and Exhibits |
(a) Financial Statements
The information required by this item is contained under the section Combined Financial Statements beginning on page F-1 of this information statement. That section is incorporated herein by reference.
Form 10 Exhibits List and Status
i | Previously filed on February 15, 2023. |
* | To be filed by amendment. |
+ | 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) is the type that the registrant treats as private or confidential. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
MSGE Spinco, Inc. |
By: | /s/ David F. Byrnes | |
Name: | David F. Byrnes | |
Title: |
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
Dated: March 10, 2023
Exhibit 3.2
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
MSGE SPINCO, INC.
Pursuant to Sections 242 and 245 of
The General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
MSGE Spinco, Inc., a Delaware corporation, hereby certifies as follows:
1. The name of the corporation is MSGE Spinco, Inc. The date of filing of its original certificate of incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware was September 15, 2022. The date of filing of its amended and restated certificate of incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware was December 20, 2022.
2. This second amended and restated certificate of incorporation amends, restates and integrates the provisions of the certificate of incorporation of said corporation and has been duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Sections 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware by written consent of the holder of all of the outstanding stock entitled to vote thereon and all of the outstanding stock of each class entitled to vote thereon as a class in accordance with the provisions of Section 228 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
3. The text of the certificate of incorporation is hereby amended and restated to read herein as set forth in full:
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
FIRST. The name of this corporation (hereinafter called the Corporation) is Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.
SECOND. The name and address, including street, number, city and county, of the registered office and registered agent for service of process of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is Corporation Service Company, 251 Little Falls Drive, City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, 19808.
THIRD. The nature of the business and of the purposes to be conducted and promoted by the Corporation are to conduct any lawful business, to promote any lawful purpose, and to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
FOURTH. The aggregate number of shares of capital stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue shall be [ ] shares, which shall be divided into the following classes:
(a) [_] shares shall be of a class designated Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share (Class A Common Stock);
(b) [_] shares shall be of a class designated Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share (Class B Common Stock and together with Class A Common Stock, Common Stock);
(c) [_] shares shall be of a class designated preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (Preferred Stock).
This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall become effective at 11:59 p.m. on [_], 2023 (the Effective Time). At the Effective Time, the shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Corporation (Old Common Stock), in the aggregate outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall automatically be reclassified as and converted into an aggregate of [_] shares of Class A Common Stock and [_] shares of Class B Common Stock. From and after the Effective Time, certificates that previously represented shares of Old Common Stock (if any) shall, until the same are presented for exchange, represent the number of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock into which such shares of Old Common Stock were reclassified and converted pursuant hereto.
The following is a statement of (a) the designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of the Common Stock, and (b) the authority expressly vested in the Board of Directors hereunder with respect to the issuance of any series of Preferred Stock:
A. | Common Stock. |
I. | Priority of Preferred Stock. |
Each of the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock is subject to all the powers, rights, privileges, preferences and priorities of any series of Preferred Stock as are stated and expressed herein and as shall be stated and expressed in any Certificates of Designations filed with respect to any series of Preferred Stock pursuant to authority expressly granted to and vested in the Board of Directors by the provisions of Section B of this Article FOURTH.
II. | Dividends. |
Subject to (a) any other provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation including, without limitation, Section A.V of this Article FOURTH, and (b) the provisions of any Certificates of Designations filed with respect to any series of Preferred Stock, holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock shall be entitled to receive equally on a per share basis such dividends and other distributions in cash, stock or property of the Corporation as may be declared thereon by the Board of Directors from time to time out of assets or funds of the Corporation legally available therefor; provided, that, subject to Section A.V of this Article, the Board of Directors shall declare no dividend, and no dividend shall be paid, with respect to any outstanding share of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, whether paid in cash or property, unless, simultaneously, the same dividend is paid with respect to each share of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock.
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III. | Voting. |
(a) Except as otherwise required (i) by statute, (ii) pursuant to the provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation, or (iii) pursuant to the provisions of any Certificates of Designations filed with respect to any series of Preferred Stock, the holders of Common Stock shall have the sole right and power to vote on all matters on which a vote of stockholders is to be taken. At every meeting of the stockholders, each holder of Class A Common Stock shall be entitled to cast one (1) vote in person or by proxy for each share of Class A Common Stock standing in his or her name on the transfer books of the Corporation and each holder of Class B Common Stock shall be entitled to cast ten (10) votes in person or by proxy for each share of Class B Common Stock standing in his or her name on the transfer books of the Corporation.
Except in the election of directors of the Corporation (voting in respect of which shall be governed by the terms set forth in subsections (b) and (c) of this Section III) and as otherwise required (i) by statute, (ii) pursuant to the provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation, or (iii) pursuant to the provisions of any Certificates of Designations filed with respect to any series of Preferred Stock, the holders of Common Stock shall vote together as a single class; provided, that the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, voting separately as a class, shall be required for (1) the authorization or issuance of any additional shares of Class B Common Stock and (2) any amendment, alteration or repeal of any of the provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation which adversely affects the powers, preferences or rights of Class B Common Stock. Except as provided in the previous sentence, the number of authorized shares of any class of Common Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of the majority of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote.
(b) With respect to the election of directors:
(i) If on the record date for notice of any meeting of stockholders of the Corporation at which directors are to be elected by the holders of Common Stock (the Common Stock Directors), the aggregate number of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock is at least 10% of the total aggregate number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, holders of Class A Common Stock shall vote together as a separate class and shall be entitled to elect 25% of the total number of Common Stock Directors; provided, that if such 25% is not a whole number, then the holders of Class A Common Stock, voting together as a separate class, shall be entitled to elect the nearest higher whole number of directors that is at least 25% of the total number of the Common Stock Directors. Subject to subsection (iii) of this Section III(b), holders of Class B Common Stock shall vote together as a separate class to elect the remaining Common Stock Directors;
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(ii) If on the record date for notice of any meeting of stockholders of the Corporation at which Common Stock Directors are to be elected, the aggregate number of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock is less than 10% of the total aggregate number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, the holders of Common Stock shall vote together as a single class with respect to the election of the Common Stock Directors and the holders of Class A Common Stock, voting together as a separate class, shall not have the right to elect 25% of the Common Stock Directors, but shall have one (1) vote per share for all Common Stock Directors and the holders of Class B Common Stock shall be entitled to ten (10) votes per share for all Common Stock Directors; and
(iii) If on the record date for notice of any meeting of stockholders of the Corporation at which Common Stock Directors are to be elected, the aggregate number of outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock is less than 12 1/2% of the total aggregate number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, then the holders of Class A Common Stock, voting together as a separate class, shall continue to elect a number of directors equal to 25% of the total number of Common Stock Directors (or the next highest whole number) in accordance with subsection (b)(i) of this Section III and, in addition, shall vote together with the holders of Class B Common Stock, as a single class, to elect the remaining Common Stock Directors, with the holders of Class A Common Stock entitled to one (1) vote per share for all Common Stock Directors and the holders of Class B Common Stock entitled to ten (10) votes per share for all Common Stock Directors.
(c) Any vacancy in the office of a Common Stock Director elected by the holders of Class A Common Stock voting as a separate class during the term for which such Common Stock Director was elected shall be filled by a vote of holders of Class A Common Stock voting as a separate class, and any vacancy in the office of a Common Stock Director elected by the holders of Class B Common Stock voting as a separate class during the term for which such Common Stock Director was elected shall be filled by a vote of holders of Class B Common Stock voting as a separate class or, in the absence of a stockholder vote, in the case of a vacancy in the office of a Common Stock Director elected by either class during the term for which such Common Stock Director was elected, such vacancy may be filled by the remaining directors of such class. Except as provided in the foregoing sentence, any vacancy on the Board of Directors may be filled by a vote of holders of Class A Common Stock or the Common Stock Directors elected thereby if the number of Common Stock Directors elected thereby is then less than 25% of the total number of Common Stock Directors, and otherwise may be filled by a vote of holders of Class B Common Stock or the Common Stock Directors elected thereby; provided, that in each case at the time of the filling of such vacancy, the holders of such class of stock were then entitled to elect directors to the Board of Directors by class vote. Any director elected by the Board of Directors to fill a vacancy shall serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders (at which time such persons term shall expire) and until such persons successor has been duly elected and qualified. If the Board of Directors increases the number of directors in accordance with Article FIFTH of this Certificate of Incorporation, any newly created directorship may be filled by the Board of Directors; provided that, so long as the holders of Class A Common Stock have the rights provided in subsections (b) and (c) of this Section III in respect of the last preceding annual meeting of stockholders to elect 25% of the total number of Common Stock Directors, (i) the Board of Directors may be so enlarged by the directors only to the extent that at least 25% of the enlarged board consists of (1) Common Stock Directors elected by the holders of Class A Common Stock, (2) persons appointed to fill vacancies created by the death, resignation or removal of persons elected by
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the holders of Class A Common Stock or (3) persons appointed by Common Stock Directors elected by holders of Class A Common Stock or persons appointed to fill vacancies created by the death, resignation or removal of persons elected by holders of Class A Common Stock and (ii) each person filling a newly-created directorship is designated either (x) as a Common Stock Director to be elected by holders of Class A Common Stock and is appointed by Common Stock Directors elected by holders of Class A Common Stock or persons appointed to fill vacancies created by the death, resignation or removal of persons elected by holders of Class A Common Stock or (y) as a Common Stock Director to be elected by holders of Class B Common Stock and is appointed by Common Stock Directors elected by holders of Class B Common Stock or persons appointed to fill vacancies created by the death, resignation or removal of persons elected by the holders of Class B Common Stock.
(d) Notwithstanding anything in this Section III to the contrary, the holders of Class A Common Stock shall have exclusive voting power on all matters upon which, pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation or applicable laws, the holders of Common Stock are entitled to vote, at any time when no shares of Class B Common Stock are issued and outstanding.
(e) Wherever any provision of this Certificate of Incorporation or the by-laws of the Corporation sets forth a specific percentage of the shares outstanding and entitled to vote which is required for approval or ratification of any action upon which the vote of the stockholders is required or may be obtained, such provision shall mean such specified percentage of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of shares then outstanding and entitled to vote on such action.
(f) From and after the date on which Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (to be renamed MSG Sphere Corp. effective as of the Effective Time, and referred to herein as MSG Sphere) first distributes to its stockholders shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, dated as of [_], 2023, between the Corporation and MSG Sphere, no action of stockholders of the Corporation required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation may be taken without a meeting of stockholders, without prior notice and without a vote, and the power of the stockholders of the Corporation to consent in writing to the taking of any action without a meeting is specifically denied. Notwithstanding this clause (f), the holders of any series of Preferred Stock of the Corporation shall be entitled to take action by written consent to such extent, if any, as may be provided in the terms of such series.
IV. | Conversion Rights. |
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Article FOURTH, each share of Class B Common Stock shall be convertible at any time and from time to time, at the option of the holder thereof, at the office of any transfer agent for such Class B Common Stock and at such other place or places, if any, as the Board of Directors may designate, or, if the Board of Directors shall fail to so designate, at the principal office of the Corporation (attention of the Secretary of the Corporation), into one (1) fully paid and non-assessable share of Class A Common Stock. Upon conversion, the Corporation shall make no payment or adjustment on account of dividends accrued or in arrears on Class B Common Stock surrendered for conversion
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or on account of any dividends on the Class A Common Stock issuable on such conversion; provided that the foregoing shall not affect the right of any holder of Class B Common Stock on the record date for any dividend to receive payment of such dividend. Before any holder of Class B Common Stock shall be entitled to convert the same into Class A Common Stock, he or she shall surrender the certificate or certificates (if any) for such Class B Common Stock at the office of said transfer agent (or other place as provided above), which certificate or certificates, if the Corporation shall so request, shall be duly endorsed to the Corporation or in blank or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer to the Corporation or in blank (such endorsements or instruments of transfer to be in form satisfactory to the Corporation), or, if the shares to be converted are uncertificated, shall deliver an appropriate instrument or instruction to the office of said transfer agent (or other place as provided above), and, in either case, shall give written notice to the Corporation at said office that he or she elects so to convert said Class B Common Stock in accordance with the terms of this Section IV, and shall state in writing therein the name or names in which he or she desires the shares of Class A Common Stock to be issued. Every such notice of election to convert shall constitute a binding contract between the holder of such Class B Common Stock and the Corporation, whereby the holder of such Class B Common Stock shall be deemed to subscribe for the amount of Class A Common Stock which he or she shall be entitled to receive upon such conversion, and, in satisfaction of such subscription, to deposit the Class B Common Stock to be converted and to release the Corporation from all liability thereunder, and thereby the Corporation shall be deemed to agree that the surrender of the certificate or certificates therefor, if any, and the extinguishment of liability thereon shall constitute full payment of such subscription for Class A Common Stock to be issued upon such conversion. The Corporation will as soon as practicable thereafter, (i) if the applicable shares of Class A Common Stock are certificated, issue a certificate or certificates for the number of full shares of Class A Common Stock to which he or she shall be entitled as aforesaid and, if less than all of the shares of Class B Common Stock represented by any one certificate are to be converted, issue a new certificate representing the shares of Class B Common Stock not converted, and deliver such certificates at the office of said transfer agent (or other place as provided above) to the person for whose account such Class B Common Stock was so surrendered, or to his or her nominee or nominees, or (ii) if the applicable shares of Class A Common Stock are uncertificated, issue the number of full shares of Class A Common Stock to which he or she shall be entitled as aforesaid and deliver a notice of issuance of the uncertificated shares or other evidence of shares held in book-entry form at the office of said transfer agent (or other place as provided above) to the person for whose account such Class B Common Stock was so surrendered, or to his or her nominee or nominees. Subject to the provisions of subsection (c) of this Section IV, such conversion shall be deemed to have been made as of the date of such surrender of the certificates, if any, or an appropriate instrument or instruction, if applicable, with respect to the Class B Common Stock to be converted; and the person or persons entitled to receive the Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion of such Class B Common Stock shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder or holders of such Class A Common Stock on such date. Upon conversion of shares of Class B Common Stock, shares of Class B Common Stock so converted will be canceled and retired by the Corporation, such shares shall not be reissued and the number of shares of Class B Common Stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue shall be decreased by the number of shares of Class B Common Stock so converted and the Board of Directors shall take such steps as are required to so retire such shares.
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(b) The issuance of shares of Class A Common Stock upon conversion of shares of Class B Common Stock shall be made without charge for any stamp or other similar tax in respect of such issuance. However, if any such shares are to be issued in a name other than that of the holder of the share or shares of Class B Common Stock converted, the person or persons requesting the issuance thereof shall pay to the Corporation the amount of any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in such issuance or shall establish to the satisfaction of the Corporation that such tax has been paid or that no such tax is due.
(c) The Corporation shall not be required to convert Class B Common Stock, and no surrender of Class B Common Stock shall be effective for that purpose, while the stock transfer books of the Corporation are closed for any purpose; but the surrender of Class B Common Stock for conversion during any period while such books are closed shall be deemed effective for conversion immediately upon the reopening of such books, as if the conversion had been made on the date such Class B Common Stock was surrendered.
(d) The Corporation will at all times reserve and keep available, solely for the purpose of issue upon conversion of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, such number of shares of Class A Common Stock as shall be issuable upon the conversion of all such outstanding shares; provided, that nothing contained herein shall be construed to preclude the Corporation from satisfying its obligations in respect of the conversion of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock by delivery of shares of Class A Common Stock which are held in the treasury of the Corporation. The Corporation covenants that if any shares of Class A Common Stock, required to be reserved for purposes of conversion hereunder, require registration with or approval of any governmental authority under any federal or state law before such shares of Class A Common Stock may be issued upon conversion, the Corporation will use its best efforts to cause such shares to be duly registered or approved, as the case may be. The Corporation will endeavor to list the shares of Class A Common Stock required to be delivered upon conversion prior to such delivery upon each national securities exchange, if any, upon which the outstanding Class A Common Stock is listed at the time of such delivery. The Corporation covenants that all shares of Class A Common Stock which shall be issued upon conversion of the shares of Class B Common Stock will, upon issue, be fully paid and non-assessable and not entitled to any preemptive rights.
V. | Securities Distributions. |
(a) The Corporation may declare and pay a dividend or distribution consisting of shares of Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock or any other securities of the Corporation or any other person (hereinafter sometimes called a share distribution) to holders of one or more classes of Common Stock only in accordance with the provisions of this Section V.
(b) If at any time a share distribution is to be made with respect to Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, such share distribution may be declared and paid only as follows:
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(i) a share distribution consisting of shares of Class A Common Stock (or Convertible Securities (as defined below) convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of Class A Common Stock) to holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, on an equal per share basis;
(ii) a share distribution consisting of shares of Class A Common Stock (or Convertible Securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of Class A Common Stock) to holders of Class A Common Stock and, on an equal per share basis, shares of Class B Common Stock (or like Convertible Securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of Class B Common Stock) to holders of Class B Common Stock; and
(iii) a share distribution consisting of any class or series of securities of the Corporation or any other person other than as described in clauses (i) and (ii) of this subsection (b) of this Section V, either (1) on the basis of a distribution of identical securities, on an equal per share basis, to holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock or (2) on the basis of a distribution of one class or series of securities to holders of Class A Common Stock and another class or series of securities to holders of Class B Common Stock; provided, that the securities so distributed (and, if the distribution consists of Convertible Securities, the securities into which such Convertible Securities are convertible or for which they are exercisable or exchangeable) do not differ in any respect other than differences in their rights (other than voting rights) consistent in all material respects with the differences between the Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock and differences in their relative voting rights, with holders of shares of Class B Common Stock receiving the class or series having the higher relative voting rights (without regard to whether such voting rights differ to a greater or lesser extent than the corresponding differences in the voting rights of the Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock provided in Section A.III of this Article FOURTH); provided, that if the securities so distributed constitute capital stock of a subsidiary of the Corporation, such voting rights shall not differ to a greater extent than the corresponding differences in voting rights of the Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock provided in Section A.III of this Article FOURTH, and provided in each case that such distribution is otherwise made on an equal per share basis, as determined by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion.
For purposes of this Certificate of Incorporation, Convertible Securities shall mean any securities of the Corporation (other than any class of Common Stock) or any subsidiary thereof that are convertible into, exchangeable for or evidence the right to purchase any shares of any class of Common Stock, whether upon conversion, exercise, exchange, pursuant to anti-dilution provisions of such securities or otherwise.
VI. | Liquidation Rights. |
In the event of any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation and after payment in full of the amounts to be paid to holders of Preferred Stock as set forth in any Certificates of Designations filed with respect thereto, the remaining assets and funds of the Corporation shall be divided among, and paid ratably to the holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock (including those persons who shall become holders of Class A Common Stock by reason of the conversion of their shares of Class B Common Stock) as a single class. For the purposes of this Section VI, a consolidation or merger of the Corporation with one or more other corporations or business entities shall not be deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up, voluntary or involuntary.
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VII. | Reclassifications, Etc. |
Neither the Class A Common Stock nor the Class B Common Stock may be subdivided, consolidated, reclassified or otherwise changed unless contemporaneously therewith the other class of Common Stock is subdivided, consolidated, reclassified or otherwise changed in the same proportion and in the same manner.
VIII. | Mergers, Consolidations, Etc. |
In any merger, consolidation or business combination of the Corporation with or into another corporation, whether or not the Corporation is the surviving corporation, the consideration per share to be received by holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock in such merger, consolidation or business combination must be identical to that received by holders of the other class of Common Stock, except that in any such transaction in which shares of capital stock are distributed, such shares may differ as to voting rights to the extent and only to the extent that the voting rights of the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock differ as provided herein.
IX. | Rights and Warrants. |
In case the Corporation shall issue rights or warrants to purchase shares of capital stock of the Corporation, the terms of the rights and warrants, and the number of rights or warrants per share, to be received by holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock must be identical to that received by holders of the other class of Common Stock, except that the shares of capital stock into which such rights or warrants are exercisable may differ as to voting rights to the extent and only to the extent that the voting rights of the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock differ as provided herein.
B. | Preferred Stock. |
I. | Issuance. |
Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series, the shares of each series to have such powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, as are stated and expressed herein or in a Certificate or Certificates of Designations providing for the issuance of such series, adopted by the Board of Directors as hereinafter provided.
II. | Powers of the Board of Directors. |
Authority is hereby expressly granted to the Board of Directors to authorize the issue of one or more series of Preferred Stock, and with respect to each series to set forth in a Certificate or Certificates of Designations provisions with respect to the issuance of such series, the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof of the shares of each series of Preferred Stock, including without limitation the following:
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(a) The maximum number of shares to constitute such series and the distinctive designation thereof;
(b) Whether the shares of such series shall have voting rights, in addition to any voting rights provided by law, and, if so, the terms of such voting rights;
(c) The dividend rate (or method of determining such rate), if any, on the shares of such series, the conditions and dates upon which such dividends shall be payable, the preference or relation which such dividends shall bear to the dividends payable on any other class or classes or on any other series of capital stock, and whether such dividends shall be cumulative or non-cumulative;
(d) Whether the shares of such series shall be subject to redemption by the Corporation, and, if made subject to redemption, the times, prices and other terms and conditions of such redemption;
(e) The rights of the holders of shares of such series upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation;
(f) Whether or not the Corporation has an obligation to purchase or redeem shares of such series pursuant to the operation of a retirement or sinking fund or otherwise, and, if so, the prices at which, periods within which and terms or conditions upon which, the shares of such series shall be purchased or redeemed;
(g) Whether or not the shares of such series shall be convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of stock of any other class or classes, or of any other series of the same class, and if so convertible or exchangeable, the price or prices or the rate or rates of conversion or exchange and the method, if any, of adjusting the same;
(h) The limitations and restrictions, if any, to be effective while any shares of such series are outstanding upon the payment of dividends or making of other distributions on, and upon the purchase, redemption or other acquisition by the Corporation of the Class A Common Stock, the Class B Common Stock or any other class or classes of stock of the Corporation ranking junior to the shares of such series either as to dividends or upon liquidation;
(i) The conditions or restrictions, if any, upon the creation of indebtedness of the Corporation or upon the issue of any additional stock (including additional shares of such series or of any other series or of any other class) ranking on a parity with or prior to the shares of such series as to dividends or distribution of assets on liquidation, dissolution or winding up; and
(j) Any other preference and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof as shall not be inconsistent with this Article FOURTH.
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III. | Ranking. |
All shares of any one series of Preferred Stock shall be identical with each other in all respects, except that shares of any one series issued at different times may differ as to the dates from which dividends, if any, thereon shall be cumulative; and all series shall rank equally and be identical in all respects, except as permitted by the foregoing provisions of Section B.II of this Article FOURTH; and all shares of Preferred Stock shall rank senior to the Common Stock both as to dividends and upon liquidation.
IV. | Liquidation Rights. |
Except as shall be otherwise stated and expressed in the Certificate or Certificates of Designations adopted by the Board of Directors with respect to any series of Preferred Stock, in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, before any payment or distribution of the assets of the Corporation (whether capital or surplus) shall be made to or set apart for the holders of any class or classes of stock of the Corporation ranking junior to the Preferred Stock upon liquidation, the holders of the shares of the Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive payment at the rate fixed in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors providing for the issue of such series, plus (if dividends on shares of such series of Preferred Stock shall be cumulative) an amount equal to all dividends (whether or not earned or declared) accumulated to the date of final distribution to such holders; but they shall be entitled to no further payment. Except as aforesaid, if, upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, the assets of the Corporation, or proceeds thereof, distributable among the holders of the shares of the Preferred Stock shall be insufficient to pay in full the preferential amount aforesaid, then such assets, or the proceeds thereof, shall be distributed among such holders ratably in accordance with the respective amounts which would be payable on such shares if all amounts payable thereon were paid in full. For the purposes of this Section IV, a consolidation or merger of the Corporation with one or more other corporations or business entities shall not be deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up, voluntary or involuntary.
V. | Voting. |
Except as shall be otherwise stated and expressed herein or in the Certificate or Certificates of Designations adopted by the Board of Directors with respect to the issuance of any series of Preferred Stock and except as otherwise required by the laws of the State of Delaware, the holders of shares of Preferred Stock shall have, with respect to such shares, no right or power to vote on any question or in any proceeding or to be represented at, or to receive notice of, any meeting of stockholders.
FIFTH. The management of the business and the conduct of the affairs of the Corporation, including the election of the Chairman, if any, the President, the Treasurer, the Secretary, and other principal officers of the Corporation, shall be vested in its Board of Directors. The number of directors of the Corporation shall be fixed by the by-laws of the Corporation and may be altered from time to time as provided therein. A director shall be elected to hold office until the expiration of the term for which such person is elected (which shall expire at the next annual meeting of stockholders after such persons election), and until such persons successor shall be duly elected and qualified.
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SIXTH. Whenever a compromise or arrangement is proposed between the Corporation and its creditors or any class of them and/or between the Corporation and its stockholders or any class of them, any court of equitable jurisdiction within the State of Delaware may, on the application in a summary way of the Corporation or any creditor or stockholder thereof or on the application of any receiver or receivers appointed for the Corporation under the provisions of Section 291 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or on the application of trustees in dissolution or of any receiver or receivers appointed for the Corporation under the provisions of Section 279 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware order a meeting of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or the stockholders or class of stockholders of the Corporation, as the case may be, to be summoned in such manner as the said court directs. If a majority in number representing three-fourths in value of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of the Corporation, as the case may be, agree to any compromise or arrangement and to any reorganization of the Corporation as a consequence of such compromise or arrangement, the said compromise or arrangement and the said reorganization shall, if sanctioned by the court to which the said application has been made, be binding on all the creditors or class of creditors, and/or on all the stockholders or class of stockholders, of the Corporation, as the case may be, and also on the Corporation.
SEVENTH. The power to make, alter, or repeal the by-laws, and to adopt any new by-law, shall be vested in the Board of Directors and the stockholders entitled to vote in the election of directors.
EIGHTH. The Corporation shall, to the fullest extent permitted by Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as the same may be amended and supplemented, or by any successor thereto, indemnify any and all persons whom it shall have power to indemnify under said section from and against any and all of the expenses, liabilities or other matters referred to in or covered by said section. Such right to indemnification shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person. The indemnification provided for herein shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled under any by-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
No director or officer of the Corporation shall be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer, as applicable, except that this paragraph shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director or officer (A) for any breach of the directors or officers duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (B) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (C) under Section 174 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, (D) for any transaction from which the director or officer derived an improper personal benefit, or (E) with respect to an officer only, in any action by or in the right of the Corporation.
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No amendment, modification or repeal of this Article EIGHTH shall adversely affect any right or protection of a person that exists at the time of such amendment, modification or repeal.
NINTH. No contract or transaction between the Corporation and one or more of its directors or officers, or between the Corporation and any other corporation, partnership, association or other organization in which one or more of its directors or officers are directors or officers, or have a financial interest, shall be void or voidable solely for this reason, or solely because the director or officer is present at or participates in the meeting of the Board of Directors or committee thereof which authorizes the contract or transaction, or solely because such directors or officers votes are counted for such purpose, if:
A. | The material facts as to the directors or officers relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the Board of Directors or the committee, and the Board of Directors or committee in good faith authorizes the contract or transaction by the affirmative votes of a majority of the disinterested directors, even though the disinterested directors be less than a quorum; or |
B. | The material facts as to the directors or officers relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the stockholders entitled to vote thereon, and the contract or transaction is specifically approved in good faith by vote of the stockholders; or |
C. | The contract or transaction is fair as to the Corporation as of the time it is authorized, approved or ratified by the Board of Directors, a committee thereof, or the stockholders. |
Common or interested directors may be counted in the presence of a quorum at a meeting of the Board of Directors or of a committee which authorizes the contract or transaction.
TENTH.
A. | Certain Acknowledgements; Definitions. |
It is recognized that (a) certain directors and officers of the Corporation and its subsidiaries (the Overlap Persons) have served and may serve as directors, officers, employees and agents of MSG Sphere, Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. and AMC Networks Inc. and their respective subsidiaries and successors (each of the foregoing is an Other Entity), (b) the Corporation and its subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, may engage in the same, similar or related lines of business as those engaged in by any Other Entity and other business activities that overlap with or compete with those in which such Other Entity may engage, (c) the Corporation or its subsidiaries may have an interest in the same areas of business opportunity as an Other Entity, (d) the Corporation will derive substantial benefits from the service as directors or officers of the Corporation and its subsidiaries of Overlap Persons, and (e) it is in the best interests of the Corporation that the rights of the Corporation, and the duties of any Overlap Persons, be determined and delineated as provided in this Article TENTH in respect of any Potential Business Opportunities (as defined below) and in respect of the agreements and
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transactions referred to herein. The provisions of this Article TENTH will, to the fullest extent permitted by law, regulate and define the conduct of the business and affairs of the Corporation and its officers and directors who are Overlap Persons in connection with any Potential Business Opportunities and in connection with any agreements and transactions referred to herein. Any person purchasing or otherwise acquiring any shares of capital stock of the Corporation, or any interest therein, will be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the provisions of this Article TENTH. References in this Article TENTH to directors, officers, employees and agents of any person will be deemed to include those persons who hold similar positions or exercise similar powers and authority with respect to any other entity that is a limited liability company, partnership, joint venture or other non-corporate entity.
B. | Duties of Directors and Officers Regarding Potential Business Opportunities; Renunciation of Interest in Potential Business Opportunities. |
The Corporation hereby renounces, on behalf of itself and its subsidiaries, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any interest or expectancy in any Potential Business Opportunity that is not a Restricted Potential Business Opportunity. If a director or officer of the Corporation who is an Overlap Person is presented or offered, or otherwise acquires knowledge of, a potential transaction or matter that may constitute or present a business opportunity for the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries, in which the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries could, but for the provisions of this Article TENTH, have an interest or expectancy (any such transaction or matter, and any such actual or potential business opportunity, a Potential Business Opportunity), (i) such Overlap Person will, to the fullest extent permitted by law, have no duty or obligation to refrain from referring such Potential Business Opportunity to any Other Entity and, if such Overlap Person refers such Potential Business Opportunity to an Other Entity, such Overlap Person shall have no duty or obligation to refer such Potential Business Opportunity to the Corporation or to any of its subsidiaries or to give any notice to the Corporation or to any of its subsidiaries regarding such Potential Business Opportunity (or any matter related thereto), (ii) if such Overlap Person refers a Potential Business Opportunity to an Other Entity, such Overlap Person, to the fullest extent permitted by law, will not be liable to the Corporation as a director, officer, stockholder or otherwise, for any failure to refer such Potential Business Opportunity to the Corporation, or for referring such Potential Business Opportunity to any Other Entity, or for any failure to give any notice to the Corporation regarding such Potential Business Opportunity or any matter relating thereto, (iii) any Other Entity may participate, engage or invest in any such Potential Business Opportunity notwithstanding that such Potential Business Opportunity may have been referred to such Other Entity by an Overlap Person, and (iv) if a director or officer who is an Overlap Person refers a Potential Business Opportunity to an Other Entity, then, as between the Corporation and/or its subsidiaries, on the one hand, and such Other Entity, on the other hand, the Corporation and its subsidiaries shall be deemed to have renounced any interest, expectancy or right in or to such Potential Business Opportunity or to receive any income or proceeds derived therefrom solely as a result of such Overlap Person having been presented or offered, or otherwise acquiring knowledge of, such Potential Business Opportunity, unless in each case referred to in clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv), such Potential Business Opportunity satisfies all of the following conditions (any Potential Business Opportunity that satisfies all of such conditions, a Restricted Potential Business Opportunity): (A) such Potential Business Opportunity was expressly presented or offered to the Overlap Person in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Corporation; (B) the Overlap Person believed that the Corporation
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possessed, or would reasonably be expected to be able to possess, the resources necessary to exploit such Potential Business Opportunity; and (C) such opportunity relates primarily to a theatrical or arena venue in the United States; provided, that if the conditions in clauses (A) and (B) and the following proviso also are satisfied with respect to MSG Sphere, then the Overlap Person shall alternate referring such opportunity to the Corporation and MSG Sphere (with the first opportunity after the date hereof being referred to MSG Sphere); provided further, that the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries is directly engaged in such business at the time the Potential Business Opportunity is presented or offered to the Overlap Person. In the event the Corporations board of directors, or a committee thereof, declines to pursue a Restricted Potential Business Opportunity, Overlap Persons shall be free to refer such Restricted Potential Business Opportunity to an Other Entity.
C. | Certain Agreements and Transactions Permitted. |
No contract, agreement, arrangement or transaction (or any amendment, modification or termination thereof) entered into between the Corporation and/or any of its subsidiaries, on the one hand, and an Other Entity, on the other hand, before the Corporation ceased to be a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of MSG Sphere shall be void or voidable or be considered unfair to the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries solely because an Other Entity is a party thereto, or because any directors, officers or employees of an Other Entity were present at or participated in any meeting of the board of directors, or a committee thereof, of the Corporation, or the board of directors, or committee thereof, of any subsidiary of the Corporation, that authorized the contract, agreement, arrangement or transaction (or any amendment, modification or termination thereof), or because his, her or their votes were counted for such purpose. The Corporation may from time to time enter into and perform, and cause or permit any of its subsidiaries to enter into and perform, one or more contracts, agreements, arrangements or transactions (or amendments, modifications or supplements thereto) with an Other Entity. To the fullest extent permitted by law, no such contract, agreement, arrangement or transaction (nor any such amendments, modifications or supplements), nor the performance thereof by the Corporation, any subsidiary of the Corporation or an Other Entity, shall be considered contrary to any fiduciary duty owed to the Corporation (or to any subsidiary of the Corporation, or to any stockholder of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries) by any director or officer of the Corporation (or by any director or officer of any subsidiary of the Corporation) who is an Overlap Person. To the fullest extent permitted by law, no director or officer of the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation who is an Overlap Person thereof shall have or be under any fiduciary duty to the Corporation (or to any subsidiary of the Corporation, or to any stockholder of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries) to refrain from acting on behalf of the Corporation, any subsidiary of the Corporation or an Other Entity in respect of any such contract, agreement, arrangement or transaction or performing any such contract, agreement, arrangement or transaction in accordance with its terms and each such director or officer of the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation who is an Overlap Person shall be deemed to have acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and its subsidiaries, and shall be deemed not to have breached his or her duties of loyalty to the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective stockholders, and not to have derived an improper personal benefit therefrom.
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D. | Amendment of Article TENTH. |
No alteration, amendment or repeal of, or adoption of any provision inconsistent with, any provision of this Article TENTH will have any effect upon (a) any agreement between the Corporation or a subsidiary thereof and any Other Entity, that was entered into before the time of such alteration, amendment or repeal or adoption of any such inconsistent provision (the Amendment Time), or any transaction entered into in connection with the performance of any such agreement, whether such transaction is entered into before or after the Amendment Time, (b) any transaction entered into between the Corporation or a subsidiary thereof and any Other Entity, before the Amendment Time, (c) the allocation of any business opportunity between the Corporation or any subsidiary thereof and any Other Entity before the Amendment Time, or (d) any duty or obligation owed by any director or officer of the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation (or the absence of any such duty or obligation) with respect to any Potential Business Opportunity which such director or officer was offered, or of which such director or officer otherwise became aware, before the Amendment Time (regardless of whether any proceeding relating to any of the above is commenced before or after the Amendment Time).
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, MSGE SPINCO, INC. has caused this certificate to be signed by [_], its [_], on the [_]th day of [_], 2023.
MSGE SPINCO, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ | |
Name: [_] Title: [_] |
[Signature Page to Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of MSGE Spinco, Inc.]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||||
Article I Stockholders |
1 | |||||
1. |
Certificates; Uncertificated Shares | 1 | ||||
2. |
Fractional Share Interests | 2 | ||||
3. |
Stock Transfers | 2 | ||||
4. |
Record Date for Stockholders | 2 | ||||
5. |
Meaning of Certain Terms | 3 | ||||
6. |
Stockholder Meetings | 3 | ||||
Article II Directors |
8 | |||||
1. |
Functions and Definitions | 8 | ||||
2. |
Qualifications and Number | 8 | ||||
3. |
Election and Term | 8 | ||||
4. |
Meeting | 9 | ||||
5. |
Removal of Directors | 10 | ||||
6. |
Action in Writing | 10 | ||||
7. |
Executive Committee | 10 | ||||
8. |
Other Committees | 11 | ||||
Article III Officers |
12 | |||||
1. |
Officers | 12 | ||||
2. |
Term of Office; Removal | 12 | ||||
3. |
Authority and Duties | 12 | ||||
4. |
The Chairman | 12 | ||||
Article IV Voting of Stock in Other Companies |
12 | |||||
Article V Corporate Seal and Corporate Books |
13 | |||||
Article VI Fiscal Year |
13 | |||||
Article VII Control over By-Laws |
13 | |||||
Article VIII Indemnification |
13 |
AMENDED BY-LAWS
OF
MSGE SPINCO, INC.
(A DELAWARE CORPORATION TO BE RENAMED MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.)
ARTICLE I
STOCKHOLDERS
1. Certificates; Uncertificated Shares. The shares of stock in the Corporation shall be represented by certificates, provided that the board of directors of the Corporation (the Board of Directors or Board) may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of the Corporations stock shall be uncertificated shares. Any such resolution shall not apply to shares represented by a certificate theretofore issued until such certificate is surrendered to the Corporation. Notwithstanding the adoption of such a resolution by the Board, to the extent, if any, required by applicable law, every holder of stock of the Corporation represented by such a certificate shall be entitled to have such certificate signed by, or in the name of, the Corporation by the Chairman, if any, the Chief Executive Officer or Vice Chairman, if any, or the President, if any, or a Vice President, and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation certifying the number of shares owned by such holder in the Corporation. If such certificate is countersigned by a transfer agent other than the Corporation or its employee or by a registrar other than the Corporation or its employee, any other signature on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent, or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent, or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he or she were such officer, transfer agent, or registrar at the date of issue.
Whenever the Corporation shall be authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class of stock, and whenever the Corporation shall issue any shares of its stock as partly paid stock the certificates representing shares of any such class or series or of any such partly paid stock shall set forth thereon the statements prescribed by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the General Corporation Law). Any restrictions on the transfer or registration of transfer of any shares of stock of any class or series shall be noted conspicuously on the certificate representing such shares. Within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of uncertificated stock, the Corporation shall send to the registered owner thereof a written notice containing the information required by law to be set forth or stated on certificates or a statement that the Corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.
The Corporation may issue a new certificate of stock or uncertificated shares in place of any certificate theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed, and the Board of Directors may require the owner of any lost, stolen, or destroyed certificate, or such owners legal representative, to give the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft, or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of any such new certificate.
2. Fractional Share Interests. The Corporation may, but shall not be required to, issue fractions of a share. In lieu thereof it shall either pay in cash the fair value of fractions of a share, as determined by the Board of Directors, to those entitled thereto or issue scrip or fractional warrants in registered form, either represented by a certificate or uncertificated, or bearer form over the manual or facsimile signature of an officer of the Corporation or of its agent, exchangeable as therein provided for full shares, but such scrip or fractional warrants shall not entitle the holder to any rights of a stockholder except as therein provided. Such scrip or fractional warrants may be issued subject to the condition that the same shall become void if not exchanged for certificates representing full shares of stock or uncertificated full shares of stock before a specified date, or subject to the condition that the shares of stock for which such scrip or fractional warrants are exchangeable may be sold by the Corporation and the proceeds thereof distributed to the holders of such scrip or fractional warrants, or subject to any other conditions which the Board of Directors may determine.
3. Stock Transfers. Upon compliance with provisions restricting the transfer or registration of transfer of shares of stock, if any, transfers or registration of transfer of shares of stock of the Corporation shall be made only on the stock ledger of the Corporation by the registered holder thereof, or by such holders attorney thereunto authorized by power of attorney duly executed and filed with the Secretary of the Corporation or with a transfer agent or a registrar, if any, and, in the case of shares represented by certificates, on surrender of the certificate or certificates for such shares of stock properly endorsed and the payment of all taxes due thereon.
4. Record Date for Stockholders. For the purpose of determining the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or the allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion, or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the directors may fix, in advance, a date as the record date for any such determination of stockholders. Such date shall not be less than ten days nor more than sixty days before the date of such meeting, nor more than sixty days prior to any other action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held; the record date for determining stockholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto. When a determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders has been made as provided in this paragraph, such determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.
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5. Meaning of Certain Terms. As used herein in respect of the right to notice of a meeting of stockholders or a waiver thereof or to participate or vote thereat, the term share or shares or share of stock or shares of stock or stockholder or stockholders refers to an outstanding share or shares of stock and to a holder or holders of record of outstanding shares of stock when the Corporation is authorized to issue only one class of shares of stock, and said reference is also intended to include any outstanding share or shares of stock and any holder or holders of record of outstanding shares of stock of any class upon which or upon whom the Corporations certificate of incorporation confers such rights where there are two or more classes or series of shares of stock or upon which or upon whom the General Corporation Law confers such rights notwithstanding that the certificate of incorporation may provide for more than one class or series of shares of stock, one or more of which are limited or denied such rights thereunder; provided, however, that no such right shall vest in the event of an increase or a decrease in the authorized number of shares of stock of any class or series which is otherwise denied voting rights under the provisions of the certificate of incorporation, including any Preferred Stock which is denied voting rights under the provisions of the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors with respect to the issuance thereof.
6. Stockholder Meetings.
Time. The annual meeting shall be held on the date and at the time fixed, from time to time, by the directors. A special meeting shall be held on the date and at the time fixed by the directors.
Place. Annual meetings and special meetings shall be held at such place, within or without the State of Delaware, as the directors may, from time to time, fix. Whenever the directors shall fail to fix such place, the meeting shall be held at the registered office of the corporation in the State of Delaware. A meeting of stockholders may be held solely by means of remote communication, as may be designated by the directors from time to time.
Call. Annual meetings and special meetings may be called by the Board of Directors only.
Notice or Waiver of Notice. Notice of all meetings shall be given, stating the place (if any), date, and hour of the meeting, and the means of remote communication (if any) by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting. The notice of an annual meeting shall state that the meeting is called for the election of directors and for the transaction of other business which may properly come before the meeting, and shall (if any other action which could be taken at a special meeting is to be taken at such annual meeting) state such other action or actions as are known at the time of such notice. The notice of a special meeting shall in all instances state the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. If any action is proposed to be taken which would, if taken, entitle stockholders to receive payment for their shares of stock, the notice shall include a statement of that purpose and to that effect. Except as otherwise provided by the General Corporation Law, a copy of the notice of any meeting shall be given, personally or by mail or in such other manner as may be permitted by the General Corporation Law, not less than ten days nor more than sixty days before the date of the meeting, unless the lapse of the prescribed period of time shall have been waived. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited, with postage
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thereof prepaid, in the United States mail directed to the stockholder at such stockholders record address or at such other address which such stockholder may have furnished for such purpose in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation. In addition, if stockholders have consented to receive notices by a form of electronic transmission, then such notice, by facsimile telecommunication, or by electronic mail, shall be deemed to be given when directed to a number or an electronic mail address, respectively, at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice. If such notice is transmitted by a posting on an electronic network together with separate notice to the stockholder of such specific posting, such notice shall be deemed to be given upon the later of (i) such posting, and (ii) the giving of such separate notice. If such notice is transmitted by any other form of electronic transmission, such notice shall be deemed to be given when directed to the stockholder. Notice shall be deemed to have been given to all stockholders of record who share an address if notice is given in accordance with the householding rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act) and Section 233 of the General Corporation Law. For purposes of these by-laws, electronic transmission means any form of communication, not directly involving the physical transmission of paper, that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved and reviewed by a recipient thereof, and that may be directly reproduced in paper form through an automated process. Notice need not be given to any stockholder who submits a written waiver of notice before or after the time stated therein. Attendance of a person at a meeting of stockholders shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the stockholder attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the stockholders need be specified in any written waiver of notice.
Adjournments. Any meeting of stockholders, annual or special, may be adjourned from time to time, to reconvene at the same or some other place, and notice need not be given of any such adjourned meeting if the time, place, if any, thereof, and the means of remote communications, if any, thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting the Corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than thirty days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.
Stockholder List. There shall be prepared and made, at least ten days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares of each class of capital stock of the Corporation registered in the name of each stockholder. Nothing in this Section shall require the Corporation to include electronic mail addresses or other electronic contact information on such list. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, for a period of at least ten days prior to the meeting either (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (ii) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the Corporation. In the event that the Corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the Corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the Corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a place, then a
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list of stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof and may be examined by any stockholder who is present. If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, then such list shall also be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting. The stock ledger shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the stock ledger, the list required by this section or the books of the Corporation, or to vote at any meeting of stockholders.
Conduct of Meeting. Meetings of the stockholders shall be presided over by one of the following officers in the order of seniority and if present and acting, the Chairman, if any, the Chief Executive Officer, if any, a Vice Chairman, if any, the President, if any, a Vice President, a chairman for the meeting chosen by the Board of Directors, or, if none of the foregoing is in office and present and acting, by a chairman to be chosen by the stockholders. The Secretary of the Corporation, or in his or her absence, an Assistant Secretary, shall act as secretary of every meeting, but if neither the Secretary nor an Assistant Secretary is present, the chairman for the meeting shall appoint a secretary of the meeting. The presiding officer shall: call the meeting to order; determine when proxies must be filed with the secretary of the meeting; open the polls, establish the time period for which polls remain open and close the polls; decide who may address the meeting and generally determine the order of business and time for adjournment of the meeting. The presiding officer shall also maintain proper and orderly conduct, and shall take all means reasonably necessary to prevent or cease disruptions, personal attacks or inflammatory remarks at the meeting. In addition to the powers and duties specified herein, the presiding officer shall have the authority to make all other determinations necessary for the order and proper conduct of the meeting.
Proxy Representation. Every stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy in all matters in which a stockholder is entitled to participate, whether by waiving notice of any meeting or voting or participating at a meeting. Such authorization may take any form permitted by the General Corporation Law. No proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date unless such proxy provides for a longer period. A duly executed proxy shall be irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and, if, and only as long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power. A proxy may be made irrevocable regardless of whether the interest with which it is coupled is an interest in the stock itself or an interest in the Corporation generally.
Inspectors. The Corporation shall, in advance of any meeting of stockholders, appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting or any adjournment thereof. The Corporation may designate one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate is able to act at the meeting of stockholders, the person presiding at the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector before entering upon the discharge of such inspectors duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector at such meeting with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. The inspectors shall ascertain the number of shares of stock outstanding and the voting power of each; determine the shares of stock represented at the meeting and the validity of proxies and ballots; receive, count and tabulate all votes and ballots; determine, and retain for a reasonable period of time a record of the disposition of, any challenges made to their determinations; and certify their determination of the number of shares represented at the meeting and their count of all votes and ballots. The inspector or inspectors may appoint or retain other entities to assist the inspectors in the performance of their duties.
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Quorum. Except as the General Corporation Law, the certificate of incorporation or these by-laws may otherwise provide, the holders of a majority of the votes represented by the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of stockholders for the transaction of any business; provided, however, that if the certificate of incorporation or the General Corporation Law provides that voting on a particular action is to be by class, the holders of a majority of the votes, present in person or represented by proxy, represented by the outstanding shares of stock of such class shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of stockholders for the authorization of such action. Two or more classes or series of stock shall be considered a single class if the holders thereof are entitled to vote together as a single class at the meeting. In the absence of a quorum of the holders of any class of stock entitled to vote on a matter, either (i) the holders of such class so present or represented may, by majority vote, adjourn the meeting of such class from time to time in the manner provided above in this Section 6 until a quorum of such class shall be so present or represented or, (ii) the Chairperson of the meeting may on his or her own motion adjourn the meeting from time to time in the manner provided above in this Section 6 until a quorum of such class shall be so present and represented, without the approval of the stockholders who are present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote and without notice other than announcement at the meeting. When a quorum is once present to organize a meeting, it is not broken by the subsequent withdrawal of any stockholders.
Voting. Except as otherwise provided in these by-laws, the certificate of incorporation or, with respect to Preferred Stock, the resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors providing for the issuance thereof, and except as otherwise provided by the General Corporation Law, at every meeting of the stockholders, each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting shall be entitled to the number of votes as specified, and to the extent provided for, in the certificate of incorporation or, with respect to Preferred Stock, the resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors providing for the issuance thereof, in person or by proxy, for each share of stock entitled to vote held by such stockholder. In the election of directors, a plurality of the votes cast by each class of stock, voting separately as a class, shall elect the directors that such class is authorized to elect as specified, and to the extent provided for, in the certificate of incorporation. Any other action shall be authorized by a majority of the votes cast except where the certificate of incorporation or the General Corporation Law prescribes a different percentage of votes and/or a different exercise of voting power. Voting by ballot shall not be required for corporate action except as otherwise provided by the General Corporation Law.
Advance Notice of Stockholder Proposals. At any annual or special meeting of stockholders, proposals by stockholders and persons nominated for election as directors by stockholders shall be considered only if advance notice thereof has been timely given as provided herein. Notice of any proposal to be presented by any stockholder or of the name of any person to be nominated by any stockholder for election as a director of the Corporation at any meeting of stockholders shall be given to the Secretary of the Corporation not less than 60 nor more than 90 days prior to the date of the meeting; provided, however, that if the date of the meeting is publicly announced or disclosed less than 70 days prior to the date of the meeting,
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such notice shall be given not more than ten days after such date is first so announced or disclosed. No additional public announcement or disclosure of the date of any annual meeting of stockholders need be made if the Corporation shall have previously disclosed, in these by-laws or otherwise, that the annual meeting in each year is to be held on a determinable date, unless and until the Board of Directors determines to hold the meeting on a different date. The person presiding at the meeting shall determine whether such notice has been duly given and shall direct that proposals and nominees not be considered if such notice has not been given.
Any stockholder who gives notice of any such proposal shall deliver therewith the text of the proposal to be presented, including the text of any resolutions to be presented for consideration by the stockholders, a brief written statement of the reasons why such stockholder favors the proposal, such stockholders name and address, the number and class of all shares of each class of stock of the Corporation and each derivative instrument beneficially owned by such stockholder, a description of any material interest of such stockholder in the proposal (other than as a stockholder) and a description of all agreements, arrangements and understandings between such stockholder, if any, and any other person or persons (including the names of such persons) in connection with the proposal.
Any stockholder desiring to nominate any person for election as a director of the Corporation shall deliver with such notice a statement in writing setting forth the name of the person to be nominated, the number and class of all shares of each class of stock of the Corporation and each derivative instrument beneficially owned by such person, the information regarding such person required by Item 401 of Regulation S-K adopted by the Commission (Regulation S-K), such persons signed consent to serve as a director of the Corporation if elected, all other information relating to such person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for the election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act (including the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder), a representation confirming that such nominee is eligible for consideration as an independent director under the relevant standards contemplated by Item 407(a) of Regulation S-K and the primary national stock exchange upon which the Corporations shares are then listed (including for purposes of membership on the audit and compensation committees of the Board of Directors), any compensation or other material agreements, arrangements, understandings, or relationships between such director nominee and such stockholder or any other person in connection with the nomination, such stockholders name and address and the number and class of all shares of each class of stock of the Corporation and each derivative instrument beneficially owned by such stockholder. The Corporation may also require any nominee to furnish such other information, including completion of the Corporations director questionnaire, as it may reasonably request.
Any notice delivered with respect to proposals by stockholders and persons nominated for election as directors by stockholders must also include (a) a representation that the stockholder that submitted the notice is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting of the Corporation on the matter proposed and intends to appear in person at such meeting to propose its nomination or other business and (b) if the stockholder intends to solicit proxies in support of such stockholders proposal, a representation to that effect.
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As used herein, (i) shares beneficially owned shall mean all shares as to which such person, together with such persons affiliates and associates (as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act), may be deemed to beneficially own pursuant to Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, as well as all shares as to which such person, together with such persons affiliates and associates, has the right to become the beneficial owner pursuant to any agreement or understanding, or upon the exercise of warrants, options or rights to convert or exchange (whether such rights are exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time or the occurrence of conditions), (ii) derivative instrument shall mean any security or right with an exercise or conversion privilege or a settlement payment or mechanism at a price related to any class or series of shares of the Corporation or with a value derived in whole or in part from the value of any class or series of shares of the Corporation, whether or not such instrument or right shall be subject to settlement in the underlying class or series of capital stock of the Corporation or otherwise, and any other direct or indirect opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Corporation (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any short interest), and (iii) a meeting is publicly announced or disclosed if it is announced in a press release issued by the Corporation and distributed by a national news service or disclosed in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Commission.
ARTICLE II
DIRECTORS
1. Functions and Definitions. The business of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors of the Corporation. The use of the phrase whole Board of Directors herein refers to the total number of directors which the Corporation would have if there were no vacancies.
2. Qualifications and Number. A director need not be a stockholder, a citizen of the United States, or a resident of the State of Delaware. The initial Board of Directors shall consist of 12 persons. Thereafter the number of directors constituting the whole Board of Directors shall be at least three. Subject to the foregoing limitation and except for the first Board of Directors, such number may be fixed from time to time by action of the Board of Directors only, or, if the number is not fixed, the number shall be 12.
3. Election and Term. The first Board of Directors shall be elected by the incorporator and shall hold office until the next election of the class for which such directors have been chosen and until their successors have been elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal. Except as may be otherwise specified in the certificate of incorporation, directors who are elected or appointed at an annual meeting of stockholders, and directors who are elected or appointed in the interim to fill vacancies and newly created directorships, shall hold office for the term of the class for which such directors shall have been chosen and until their successors have been elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal. Any director may resign at any time upon written notice to the Corporation. Such resignation shall take effect at the time it is delivered unless the resignation specifies a later effective date or an effective date determined upon the happening of an event or events. In the interim between annual meetings of stockholders or of special meetings of stockholders called for the election of directors and/or for the removal of one or more directors and for the filling of any vacancies in the Board of Directors, including vacancies resulting from the removal of directors for cause or without cause, any vacancy in the Board of Directors may be filled as provided in the certificate of incorporation.
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4. Meeting.
Time. Meetings shall be held at such time as the Board of Directors shall fix.
First Meeting. The first meeting of each newly elected Board of Directors may be held immediately after each annual meeting of the stockholders at the same place at which the annual meeting of stockholders is held, and no notice of such meeting shall be necessary, provided a quorum shall be present. In the event such first meeting is not so held immediately after the annual meeting of the stockholders, it may be held at such time and place as shall be specified in the notice given as hereinafter provided for special meetings of the Board of Directors, or at such time and place as shall be fixed by the consent in writing of all of the directors.
Place. Meetings, both regular and special, shall be held at such place within or without the State of Delaware as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.
Call. No call shall be required for regular meetings for which the time and place have been fixed. Special meetings may be called by or at the direction of the Chairman, if any, a Vice Chairman, if any, the Chief Executive Officer, or the President, if any, or of a majority of the directors in office.
Notice or Actual or Constructive Waiver. No notice shall be required for regular meetings for which the time and place have been fixed. Written, oral, electronic or any other mode of notice of the time and place shall be given for special meetings in sufficient time for the convenient assembly of the directors thereat. The notice of any meeting need not specify the purpose of the meeting. Any requirement of furnishing a notice shall be waived by any director who signs a written waiver of such notice before or after the time stated therein.
Attendance of a director at a meeting of the Board of Directors shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.
Quorum and Action. A majority of the whole Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum except when a vacancy or vacancies prevent such majority, whereupon a majority of the directors in office shall constitute a quorum; provided, however, that such majority shall constitute at least one-third (1/3) of the whole Board of Directors. Any director may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all directors participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting of the Board of Directors shall constitute presence in person at such meeting. A majority of the directors present, whether or not a quorum is present, may adjourn a meeting to another time and place. Except as herein otherwise provided, and except as otherwise provided by the General Corporation Law or the certificate of incorporation, the act of the Board of Directors shall be the act by vote of a majority of the directors present at a meeting, a quorum being present. The quorum and voting provisions herein stated shall not be construed as conflicting with any provisions of the General Corporation Law and these by-laws which govern a meeting of directors held to fill vacancies and newly created directorships in the Board of Directors.
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Chairman of the Meeting. The Chairman, if any and if present and acting, shall preside at all meetings; otherwise, any other director chosen by the Board of Directors shall preside.
5. Removal of Directors. Any or all of the directors may be removed for cause or without cause by the stockholders; provided, however, that so long as the certificate of incorporation provides that each class of stock, voting separately as a class, shall elect a certain percentage of directors, a director may be removed without cause by stockholders only by the vote of the class of stock, voting separately as a class, that either elected such director or elected the predecessor of such director whose position was filled by such director due to the predecessor directors death, resignation or removal.
6. Action in Writing. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board of Directors or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or committee.
7. Executive Committee.
Powers. The Board of Directors may appoint an Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the Corporation of such number of members as shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors. The term of office of each member of the Executive Committee shall be co-extensive with the term of such members office as director. Any member of the Executive Committee who shall cease to be a director of the Corporation shall ipso facto cease to be a member of the Executive Committee. A majority of the members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum for the valid transaction of business. The Executive Committee may meet at stated times or on two days notice by any member of the Executive Committee to all other members, by delivered letter, by mail, by courier service or by email. The provisions of Section 4 of this Article II with respect to waiver of notice of meetings of the Board of Directors and participation at meetings of the Board of Directors by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment shall apply to meetings of the Executive Committee. The provisions of Section 6 of this Article II with respect to action taken by a committee of the Board of Directors without a meeting shall apply to action taken by the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the board of directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, except as limited by the General Corporation Law. The Executive Committee shall have power to make rules and regulations for the conduct of its business. Vacancies in the membership of the Executive Committee shall be filled by the Board of Directors from among the directors at a regular meeting, or at a special meeting held for that purpose.
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Chairman and Secretary. The Executive Committee shall elect from its own members a chairman who shall hold office during the term of such persons office as a member of the Executive Committee. When present, the chairman shall preside over all meetings of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall also elect a secretary of the Executive Committee who shall attend all meetings of the Executive Committee and keep the minutes of its acts and proceedings. Such secretary shall be a member of the Board of Directors and may, but need not, be a member of the Executive Committee.
Minutes. The Executive Committee shall keep minutes of its acts and proceedings which shall be submitted at the next meeting of the Board of Directors, and any action taken by the Board of Directors with respect thereto shall be entered in the minutes of the Board of Directors.
Meetings. The Executive Committee may hold meetings, both regular and special, either within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be set forth in the Notice of the Meeting or in a duly executed Waiver of Notice thereof.
8. Other Committees. The Board of Directors may from time to time, by resolution adopted by affirmative vote of a majority of the whole Board of Directors, appoint other committees of the Board of Directors which shall have such powers and duties as the Board of Directors may properly determine. No such other committee of the Board of Directors shall be composed of fewer than two directors; provided, however, that if a committee appointed by the Board of Directors is initially composed of two or more directors and one or more of such directors are no longer able to serve on the committee due to death, disability or incapacity, the committee may continue its appointment with the powers and duties delegated to it by the Board of Directors with less than two directors, unless the Board of Directors determines otherwise. Meetings of such committees of the Board of Directors may be held at any place, within or without the State of Delaware, from time to time designated by the Board of Directors or the committee in question. Such committees may meet at stated times or on two days notice by any member of such committee to all other members, by delivered letter, by mail, by courier service or by email. Unless the Board of Directors otherwise provides, each committee designated by the Board may adopt, amend and repeal rules for the conduct of its business. In the absence of a provision by the Board or a provision in the rules of such committee to the contrary, a majority of the members then serving on such committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, the vote of a majority of the members present at a meeting at the time of such vote if a quorum is then present shall be the act of such committee. The provisions of Section 4 of this Article II with respect to waiver of notice of meetings of the Board of Directors and participation at meetings of the Board of Directors by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment shall apply to meetings of such other committees.
ARTICLE III
OFFICERS
1. Officers. The directors may elect or appoint an Executive Chairman, a Chief Executive Officer, one or more Vice Chairmen, a President, one or more Vice Presidents (one or more of whom may be denominated Executive Vice President or Senior Vice President), a Secretary, one or more Assistant Secretaries, a Treasurer, one or more Assistant Treasurers, a Controller, one or more Assistant Controllers and such other officers as they may determine. Any number of offices may be held by the same person.
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2. Term of Office; Removal. Unless otherwise provided in the resolution of election or appointment, each officer shall hold office until the meeting of the Board of Directors following the next annual meeting of stockholders and until such officers successor has been elected and qualified. The Board of Directors may remove any officer for cause or without cause.
3. Authority and Duties. All officers, as between themselves and the Corporation, shall have such authority and duties as generally pertain to their respective offices, as well as such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred by these by-laws, or, to the extent not so provided, by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may delegate to the Chairman or to the Chief Executive Officer the power and authority to define the authority and duties of any or all of the other officers of the Corporation.
4. The Chairman. The Chairman, if any, shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors; otherwise, any other director chosen by the Board of Directors shall preside. The Chairman, if any, shall have such additional duties as the Board of Directors may prescribe. As used in these by-laws, the term Chairman means the Executive Chairman, if any.
ARTICLE IV
VOTING OF STOCK IN OTHER COMPANIES
Unless otherwise ordered by the Board of Directors, the Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, a Vice Chairman, the President, a Vice President, the Secretary or the Treasurer shall have full power and authority on behalf of the Corporation to attend and to act and vote at any meetings of stockholders of any corporation, or to execute written consents as a stockholder of any corporation, in which the Corporation may hold stock and at any such meeting, or in connection with any such consent, shall possess and exercise any and all of the rights and powers incident to the ownership of such stock which as the owner thereof the Corporation might have possessed and exercised if present or any of the foregoing officers of the Corporation may in his or her discretion give a proxy or proxies in the name of the Corporation to any other person or persons, who may vote said stock, execute any written consent, and exercise any and all other rights in regard to it here accorded to the officers. The Board of Directors by resolution from time to time may limit or curtail such power. The officers named above shall have the same powers with respect to entities which are not corporations.
ARTICLE V
CORPORATE SEAL AND CORPORATE BOOKS
The corporate seal shall be in such form as the Board of Directors shall prescribe.
The books of the Corporation may be kept within or without the State of Delaware, at such place or places as the Board of Directors may, from time to time, determine.
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ARTICLE VI
FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed, and shall be subject to change, by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VII
CONTROL OVER BY-LAWS
The power to amend, alter, and repeal these by-laws and to adopt new by-laws shall be vested in both the Board of Directors and the stockholders entitled to vote in the election of directors.
ARTICLE VIII
INDEMNIFICATION
A. The Corporation shall indemnify each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter, a proceeding), by reason of the fact that he or she, or a person of whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent or alleged action in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent, to the maximum extent authorized by the General Corporation Law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than said law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment), against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such proceeding. Such indemnification shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators. The right to indemnification conferred in this Article shall be a contract right and shall include the right to be paid by the Corporation the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided, however, that, if the General Corporation Law so requires, the payment of such expenses incurred by a director or officer in advance of the final disposition of a proceeding shall be made only upon receipt by the Corporation of an undertaking by or on behalf of such person to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized in this Article or otherwise.
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B. The right to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred on any person by this Article shall not limit the Corporation from providing any other indemnification permitted by law nor shall it be deemed exclusive of any other right which any such person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the certificate of incorporation, by-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
C. The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the General Corporation Law.
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Exhibit 4.1
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
BY AND AMONG
MSGE SPINCO, INC.
(TO BE RENAMED MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.)
AND
THE CHARLES F. DOLAN CHILDREN TRUSTS
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Registration Rights Agreement (this Agreement) dated as of [], 2023 (but effective as provided in Section 10(l)), by and among MSGE Spinco, Inc. (to be renamed Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.), a Delaware corporation (the Company), the Charles F. Dolan Children Trusts, created under an Agreement dated December 22, 2009, between Kathleen M. Dolan, Paul J. Dolan, Matthew J. Dolan and Mary S. Dolan, as Grantors and Trustees (the Children Trusts), and the Qualifying Creditors, if any, who have agreed in writing to become bound by this Agreement. Certain capitalized terms used in this Agreement are defined in Annex A hereto.
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, as of the date of this Agreement, the Children Trusts own shares of Class B Common Stock of MSGE, par value $.01 per share (MSGE Class B Common Stock), and shares of Class A Common Stock of MSGE, par value $.01 per share (MSGE Class A Common Stock);
WHEREAS, the Children Trusts are party to a Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 3, 2020, by and among MSGE and the Children Trusts, and the Children Trusts have certain registration rights under that agreement with respect to shares of MSGE Class A Common Stock;
WHEREAS, MSGE intends to distribute approximately 67% of the outstanding shares of the Companys Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value (the Class A Common Stock) to the holders of MSGE Class A Common Stock and all of the outstanding shares of the Companys Class B Common Stock, $.01 par value (the Class B Common Stock) to the holders of MSGE Class B Common Stock (the Distribution); and
WHEREAS, the Company and the Children Trusts wish to provide for benefits and restrictions applicable to the Shares owned by the Children Trust Holders following the Distribution, all as provided herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements contained herein, the parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Conversion of Class B Common Stock into Class A Common Stock.
(a) Transfers Requiring Conversion. Subject to Section 1(b), (i) each Children Trust agrees that if at any time or from time to time it desires to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly (including, without limitation, any transfer or issuance of equity or beneficial interests in an entity that is a Children Trust Holder) (a Transfer), any or all of its shares of Class B Common Stock and (ii) each other Children Trust Holder agrees that if at any time or from time to time it desires to Transfer any or all of its CSCo Shares, such Children Trust or Children Trust Holder, as the case may be, shall convert such shares of Class B Common Stock into shares of Class A Common Stock in accordance with the terms of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company immediately prior to such Transfer. Subject to Section 1(b), the Company shall be under no obligation to record the Transfer on its books of such shares of Class B Common Stock until they have been converted into Class A Common Stock.
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(b) Permissible Transfers Without Conversion. The provisions of subparagraph (a) of this Section 1 are inapplicable to (i) any Transfer of shares of Class B Common Stock (including any Transfer of equity or beneficial interests in an entity that is a Children Trust Holder) to Dolan, his spouse, any person related to Dolan by reason of being his ancestor or descendent (natural or adopted), any Acceptable Marital Trust, any entity (whether a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust or other entity of any kind) all of the equity or beneficial interests in which are owned or held by any of the foregoing persons, or any person (whether or not such person is one of the foregoing persons) who is a trustee for, or is acting on behalf of, any of such foregoing persons, and (ii) any bona fide pledge or similar perfected security interest relating to any interest in any of the foregoing persons (an Indirect Pledge) or to Collateral Stock, in either case for the benefit of any Creditor; provided, however, that the Transfer shall not be permissible and shall be void for all purposes unless (x) in the case of a Transfer referred to in clause (i) of this Section 1(b) the transferee executes a joinder agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (it being understood that, if such transferee is also a successor to a Children Trust, neither the obligation to execute, nor the execution of, such joinder agreement shall limit the effect of the first sentence of Section 10(d)), and (y) in the case of a Transfer referred to in clause (ii) of this Section 1(b), (A) such shares of Collateral Stock or, in the case of an Indirect Pledge, such interests in such other person, remain registered solely in the name of one or more Children Trust Holders, and (B) any such Creditor agrees with the Company in a writing reasonably acceptable to the Company not to foreclose on, or otherwise make use of or exercise remedies with respect to, or effect any Transfer of, the Collateral Stock or, in the case of an Indirect Pledge,
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such interests, without prior conversion of the shares of Collateral Stock or, in the case of an Indirect Pledge, the shares of Class B Common Stock, owned by the person the interests in which are the subject of the Indirect Pledge into shares of Class A Common Stock in accordance with the terms of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, and provided further that the last sentence of paragraph (a) of this Section 1 shall remain applicable to any shares of Class B Common Stock that are the subject of a Transfer, including any pledge or the creation of any security interest, pursuant to this Section 1(b).
(c) Legends. All certificates representing shares of Class B Common Stock that are covered by this Agreement shall have endorsed thereon or, if such share is uncertificated, in the stock ledger a legend which shall read substantially as follows:
The shares represented by this certificate or book-entry are held subject to the terms of a certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated [], 2023, by and among Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (formerly MSGE Spinco, Inc.) and the Dolan Children Trusts, as amended from time to time, a copy of which is on file with the Secretary of Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp., and such shares may not be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of, directly or indirectly, except in accordance with the terms of such Registration Rights Agreement.
2. Demand Registration by the Children Trust Parties of the Shares.
(a) Demand Registration. One or more of the Children Trust Parties may request in writing, with the Dolan Consent, that the Company file a registration statement on an appropriate form for the general registration of securities under the Securities Act, and include therein such number of the Shares owned by such Children Trust Party as such person may specify in its written request; provided, however, that (x)
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the Company shall not be required to file a registration statement pursuant to this Section 2 if (A) the Shares requested to be so registered do not, in the case of a Children Trust Holder, together with any Shares timely requested to be registered by other Children Trust Holders and Other Holders pursuant to the third-to-last sentence of this Section 2(a), have an aggregate Market Price exceeding the Rule 144 Threshold as of the Trading Day immediately preceding the expiration of the applicable Notice Period under such sentence or, in the case of a Qualifying Creditor, do not have an aggregate Market Price exceeding the Rule 144 Threshold as of the Trading Day immediately preceding the date on which the request for registration is received by the Company, or (B) the Company delivers to each Children Trust Party requesting registration under this Section 2 an opinion of counsel to the Company (such opinion and such counsel to be reasonably acceptable to each such Children Trust Party, it being agreed that the Companys regular outside securities counsel shall be deemed to be reasonably acceptable counsel for this purpose) to the effect that the Shares proposed to be registered by such person may be offered and sold by such person to the public in the United States together with the Shares requested to be registered by all other Children Trust Parties and Other Holders (I) without registration pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and (II) within the volume limitations under Rule 144(e) promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule or regulation) whether or not such volume limitations are then applicable, (y) subject to the next sentence, the Children Trust Holders shall in the aggregate have the right on only four occasions to require the Company to file a registration statement pursuant to this Section 2, and (z) subject to the next sentence, a Qualifying Creditor may require registration only following the exercise
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of its remedies under a security agreement with a Children Trust Holder and for the purpose of Transferring Shares pursuant thereto and each Qualifying Creditor may only require one registration hereunder. The total number of demand registrations under clauses (y) and (z) of the immediately preceding sentence and under the corresponding provisions of the Dolan Registration Rights Agreement shall not exceed four. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, it is understood and agreed that the Dolan Consent may be granted by the person or entity then entitled to grant such consent with respect to a Qualifying Creditor at the time the pledge or similar security arrangement applicable to such Qualifying Creditor is created, and that such consent will thereafter constitute an irrevocable Dolan Consent for any future request by such Qualifying Creditor for a registration under this Section 2, whether or not the person or entity that granted such Dolan Consent is the person or entity otherwise entitled to grant Dolan Consents at the time such request is actually exercised. All requests made pursuant to this paragraph shall specify the aggregate number of Shares to be registered and the intended methods of disposition thereof, which methods may include an underwritten public offering. Upon receipt of a written request for registration from a Children Trust Holder pursuant to the preceding sentences, the Company shall promptly give written notice of the proposed registration to each such other Children Trust Holder and each Other Holder and provide each such other holder with the opportunity to join in such request by written notice to the Company specifying the aggregate number of Shares to be registered by such holder within 20 days from the date of the Companys written notice (such period is referred to as the Notice Period). Subject to Section 2(c) of this Agreement, the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to ensure that each
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registration statement required to be filed pursuant to this Section 2 shall be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) as promptly as reasonably practicable, but not later than 45 days after receipt of such request by the Company, and the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause such registration statement to be declared effective by the Commission as promptly thereafter as practicable; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to maintain such effectiveness for more than 90 days. Notwithstanding the Companys rights to effect a Suspension of Filing or Suspension of Effectiveness in Section 2(c), the Children Trust Parties that made the registration request under this Section 2(a) shall have the right to withdraw any such request, and such withdrawn request shall not count as a demand registration under clause (y) or (z) of this Section 2(a) or the corresponding provisions under the Dolan Registration Rights Agreement, if (1) the registration statement required to be filed pursuant to this Section 2 is not filed with the Commission by the date that is 45 days after such request is received by the Company and has not at the time of such withdrawal been filed with the Commission, or is not declared effective by the date that is 90 days after the date such registration statement is filed with the Commission and has not at the time of such withdrawal been declared effective, and (2) in either case, such Children Trust Parties notify the Company of the withdrawal of such request no later than 10 days after such 45th or 90th day, as the case may be.
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(b) Concurrent Primary Offering. Anything in this Section 2 to the contrary notwithstanding, if the Company at the time of receipt of a request for registration pursuant to this Section 2 has a bona fide intent and plan to file a registration statement (other than on Form S-4 or S-8 or any successor forms) covering a primary offering by the Company of its Common Equity Securities, the Company, by notice to the applicable Children Trust Parties, may delay the filing (but not the preparation) of the requested registration statement for a period ending on the earlier of (i) 60 days after the closing of such offering or (ii) 120 days after receipt of the request for registration; and, provided, further, if the Company either abandons its plan to file such registration statement or does not file the same within 75 days after receipt of such request, the Company shall promptly thereafter file the requested registration statement. The Company may not, pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence, delay the filing of a requested registration statement more than once during any two-year period.
(c) Suspension of Offering. Upon notice by the Company to any Children Trust Party which has requested registration under this Section 2 that a negotiation or consummation of a transaction by the Company or any of its subsidiaries is pending or an event has occurred, which negotiation, consummation or event would require disclosure in the registration statement for the requested registration and such disclosure would, in the good faith judgment of the board of directors of the Company, be materially adverse to the business interests of the Company, and the nondisclosure of which in the registration statement would reasonably be expected to cause the registration statement to fail to comply with applicable disclosure requirements (a Materiality Notice), the Company may delay the filing (but not the preparation) of such registration statement (a Suspension of Filing). Upon the delivery of a Materiality Notice by the Company pursuant to the preceding sentence at any time when a registration statement has been filed but not declared effective, the Company may delay seeking the effectiveness of such registration statement (a Suspension of Effectiveness), and each
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Children Trust Party named therein shall immediately discontinue any offers of Shares under such registration statement until such Children Trust Party receives copies of a supplemented or amended prospectus that corrects such misstatement or omission, or until it is advised in writing by the Company that offers under such registration statement may be resumed and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings which are incorporated by reference in such registration statement. Upon the delivery of a Materiality Notice by the Company pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 2(c) at any time when a registration statement has been filed and declared effective, each Children Trust Party named therein shall immediately discontinue offers and sales of Shares under such registration statement until such Children Trust Party receives copies of a supplemented or amended prospectus that corrects such misstatement or omission and notice that any post-effective amendment has become effective, or until it is advised in writing by the Company that offers under such registration statement may be resumed and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings which are incorporated by reference in the registration statement (a Suspension of Offering; a Suspension of Filing, a Suspension of Effectiveness and a Suspension of Offering are collectively referred to herein as, Suspensions). If so directed by the Company, each Children Trust Party will deliver to the Company all copies (other than permanent file copies then in such Children Trust Partys possession) of any prospectus covering Shares in the possession of such Children Trust Party or its agents current at the time of receipt of any Materiality Notice. In any 12-month period, the aggregate time of all Suspensions shall not, without the consent of a majority of the Children Trust Holders (by number of Shares held), which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, exceed 180 days. If interrupted
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by a Suspension of Offering, any 90-day period in respect of which the Company is required to maintain the effectiveness of a registration statement pursuant to Section 2(a) of this Agreement shall be extended by the number of days during which the Suspension of Offering was in effect. In the event of any Suspension of Offering of more than 30 days in duration prior to which the Children Trust Parties have sold less than 75% of the Shares to be sold in such offering, the Children Trust Parties shall be entitled to withdraw such registration prior to the later of (i) the end of the Suspension of Offering and (ii) three business days after the Company has provided the Dolan Family Parties written notice of the anticipated date on which the Suspension of Offering will end, and, if such registration is withdrawn, the related demand for registration shall not count for the purposes of the limitations set forth under clauses (y) and (z) of Section 2(a) or the comparable provisions under the Dolan Registration Rights Agreement.
(d) Market Price; Trading Day. For purposes of this Section 2:
(i) Market Price of a share of Class A Common Stock shall mean the weighted average of the closing prices for the Class A Common Stock on each Trading Day (as defined below) in the 30-day period ending on the day prior to the date of determination as reported in the consolidated transaction reporting system of the New York Stock Exchange or on the comparable reporting system of such other exchange or trading system that is at the time the principal market for the Class A Common Stock.
(ii) Trading Day shall mean any day on which trading takes place on the New York Stock Exchange or such other exchange or trading system that is at the time the principal market for the Class A Common Stock.
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3. Coordination of PiggyBack Registration Rights.
Each of the Children Trust Parties hereby acknowledges and consents to the grant by the Company to the Dolan Family Holders (as defined in the Dolan Registration Rights Agreement) in the Dolan Registration Rights Agreement and the MSG Sphere Holders (as defined in the Remainco Registration Rights Agreement and, together with the Dolan Family Holders, the Other Holders) in the Remainco Registration Rights Agreement, of the right of the Other Holders to include certain of their respective shares of Class A Common Stock in certain registration statements filed pursuant hereto. Each of the Children Trust Parties further acknowledges and agrees that if any offering upon the demand registration by any Children Trust Parties under Section 2 is to be underwritten and if the managing underwriter or underwriters of such offering informs such person in writing that the number of shares of Class A Common Stock which the Children Trust Parties, and the Other Holders, as the case may be, intend to include in such offering is sufficiently large so as to affect the offering price of such offering materially and adversely, then the respective number of shares of Class A Common Stock to be offered for the account of each Children Trust Party and each Other Holder, as the case may be, who is participating in such offering shall be reduced pro rata to the extent necessary to reduce the total number of shares of Class A Common Stock to be included in such offering to the number recommended by such managing underwriter. Except for such piggyback registration rights granted to Other Holders, and to any transferee of the shares of Class A Common Stock owned by a Dolan Family Holder which may be registered pursuant to the Dolan Registration Rights Agreement, neither the Company nor any of its security holders shall have the right to include any of the Companys securities in any registration statement filed pursuant hereto.
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4. Piggyback Registration of the Shares.
(a) If the Company proposes to file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to an offering (a) by an Other Holder of its holdings of Class A Common Stock pursuant to the Dolan Registration Rights Agreement or the Remainco Registration Rights Agreement, as applicable, (b) by any other holder of any Common Equity Securities or (c) by the Company for its own account of any Common Equity Securities (other than a registration statement on Form S-4 or S-8, or any successor form or a form filed in connection with an exchange offer or an offering of securities solely to the existing stockholders of the Company), the Company shall give written notice of such proposed filing to each of the Children Trust Holders at least 20 days before the anticipated filing date which shall state whether such registration will be in connection with an underwritten offering and offer such Children Trust Holders the opportunity, subject to receipt of the Dolan Consent, to include in such registration statement such number of the Shares as such Children Trust Holder may request not later than three days prior to the anticipated filing date. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the managing underwriter or underwriters of a proposed underwritten offering to permit such Children Trust Holders to be included in the registration for such offering and to include such Shares in such offering on the same terms and conditions as the Common Equity Securities included in such offering. If such proposed offering is to be underwritten, then upon request by the managing underwriter or underwriters given to such Children Trust Holders prior to the effective date of the offering, any Children Trust
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Holder electing to have Shares included in the registration statement shall either enter into underwriting agreements with customary terms and conditions for a secondary offering with such underwriter or underwriters providing for the inclusion of such number of the Shares owned by such Children Trust Holder in such offering on such terms and conditions or, if such Children Trust Holder shall refuse to enter into any such agreement, the Company shall have the right to exclude from such registration all (but not less than all) of the Shares of such Children Trust Holder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) in no event will any Children Trust Holder be required in such underwriting agreement (or in any other agreement in connection with such offering) to (i) make any representations or warranties to or agreements with the underwriters other than representations, warranties or agreements customarily made by selling securityholders in underwritten secondary offerings, (ii) make any representations or warranties to or agreements with the Company other than representations, warranties or agreements regarding such Children Trust Holder, the ownership of such Children Trust Holders Common Equity Securities, the authorization, validity and binding effect of transaction documents executed by such Children Trust Holder in connection with such registration and such Children Trust Holders intended method or methods of distribution and any other representation required by law; provided that no Children Trust Holder shall be required to make any representation or warranty to any person covered by the indemnity in Section 8(b) other than on a several (and not joint) basis, or (iii) furnish any indemnity to any person which is broader than the indemnity customarily furnished by selling security holders in underwritten offerings; provided that no Children Trust Holder shall be required to furnish any indemnity broader than the indemnity furnished by such
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Children Trust Holder in Section 8(b) to any person covered by the indemnity in Section 8(b), and (y) if the managing underwriter or underwriters of such offering informs the Children Trust Holders in writing that the number of Shares which the Children Trust Holders and the number of Shares which the Other Holders intend to include in such offering is sufficiently large so as to affect materially and adversely the success of such offering, the Shares to be offered for the account of the Children Trust Holders, the Other Holders and the other applicable holders of any Common Equity Securities shall first be reduced pro rata to the extent necessary to reduce the total number of shares of Class A Common Stock to be included in such offering to the number recommended by such managing underwriter; provided, however, that in the event of a demand registration by MSG Sphere Holders pursuant to the Remainco Registration Rights Agreement, the Children Trust Holders acknowledge and agree that such MSG Sphere Holders shall be excluded from such pro rata reduction and the reduction shall be completed in accordance with the Remainco Registration Rights Agreement. In giving effect to the foregoing reduction, the respective number of the Shares to be offered for the account of Children Trust Holders shall be reduced pro rata.
5. Holdback Agreements.
(a) Restrictions on Public Sale by Children Trust Parties. To the extent not inconsistent with applicable law, each Children Trust Party agrees not to offer publicly or effect any public sale or distribution of Common Equity Securities, including a sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act (or any successor rule or regulation), during the seven days prior to, and during the 90-day period beginning on, the effective date of any registration statement filed by the Company pursuant to which any such shares or securities are being registered (except as part of such registration), if and to the extent requested by the Company in the case of a non-underwritten public offering or if and to the extent requested by the managing underwriter or underwriters in the case of an underwritten public offering.
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(b) Restrictions on Public Sale by the Company and Others. The Company agrees (i) that during the seven days prior to, and during the 90-day period beginning on, the effective date of any registration statement filed at the request of a Children Trust Party pursuant hereto, the Company will not offer publicly or effect any public sale or distribution of Common Equity Securities (other than any such sale or distribution of such securities in connection with any merger or consolidation of the Company or any subsidiary with, or the acquisition by the Company or a subsidiary of the capital stock or substantially all of the assets of, any other person or any offer or sale of such securities pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8), and (ii) that any agreement entered into after the date of this Agreement pursuant to which the Company issues or agrees to issue any privately placed Common Equity Securities shall contain a provision under which holders of such securities agree not to effect any public sale or distribution of any such securities during the periods described in (i) above, in each case including a sale pursuant to Rule 144 (or any successor rule or regulation) under the Securities Act (except as part of any such registration, if permitted).
6. Registration Procedures.
In connection with any registration of the Shares owned by a Children Trust Party contemplated hereby, the Company will as expeditiously as possible:
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(a) Furnish to such Children Trust Party, prior to filing a registration statement, copies of such registration statement as proposed to be filed, and thereafter such number of copies of such registration statement, each amendment and supplement thereto (in each case including all exhibits thereto), the prospectus included in such registration statement (including each preliminary prospectus) and such other documents in such quantities as such Children Trust Party may reasonably request from time to time in order to facilitate the disposition of the Shares.
(b) Use its reasonable best efforts to register or qualify the Shares being registered as contemplated hereby (the Registered Class A) under such other securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as such Children Trust Party reasonably requests and do any and all other acts and things which may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such Children Trust Party to consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Registered Class A; provided that the Company will not be required to (i) qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this paragraph (b), (ii) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction, or (iii) consent to general service of process in any such jurisdiction.
(c) Use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Registered Class A to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the business and operations of the Company to enable such Children Trust Party to consummate the disposition of such Registered Class A.
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(d) Notify such Children Trust Party at any time, (i) of any request by the Commission or any other federal or state governmental authority for amendments or supplements to a registration statement or related prospectus or for additional information, (ii) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a registration statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, (iii) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of any of the Registered Class A for sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose, and (iv) when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the happening of any event as a result of which the prospectus included in such registration statement contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and, except as otherwise provided in Section 2(c) hereof, the Company will, as expeditiously as practicable, prepare a supplement or amendment to such prospectus so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such Registered Class A, such prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.
(e) Use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of a registration statement, or the lifting of any suspension of the qualification (or exemption from qualification) of any of the Registered Class A for sale in any jurisdiction at the earliest date reasonably practical.
(f) Cause all such Registered Class A to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange or on any other securities exchange on which the Class A Common Stock is then listed, provided that the applicable listing requirements are satisfied.
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(g) Enter into customary agreements (including an underwriting agreement in customary form) and take such other actions as are reasonably requested by the relevant Children Trust Party in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of the Registered Class A.
(h) Make available for inspection by such Children Trust Party, any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to such registration statement, and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by such Children Trust Party or such underwriter (collectively, the Inspectors), all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company (collectively, the Records) as shall be reasonably necessary to enable them to exercise their due diligence responsibility, and cause the officers, directors and employees of the Company to supply all information reasonably requested by any such Inspector in connection with such registration statement. Records which the Company determines, in good faith, to be confidential and which it notifies the Inspectors are confidential shall not be disclosed by the Inspectors unless (i) the disclosure of such Records is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in the registration statement or (ii) the release of such Records is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other order from a court of competent jurisdiction. Any Children Trust Party shall use reasonable best efforts, prior to any disclosure by any such Inspector under clause (i) of the preceding sentence, to inform the Company that such disclosure is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in the registration statement. Each Children Trust Party further agrees that it will, upon learning that disclosure of Records is sought in a court of competent jurisdiction, give notice to the Company and allow the Company, at the expense of the Company, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of the Records deemed confidential.
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(i) In the event such sale is pursuant to an underwritten offering, use its reasonable best efforts to (i) obtain a comfort letter from the independent public accountants for the Company in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by such letters as any Children Trust Party reasonably requests and (ii) ensure that (A) the representations, warranties and covenants contained in the applicable underwriting agreement shall expressly be for the benefit of any Children Trust Party participating in such sale, (B) the conditions to closing in said underwriting agreement shall be reasonably satisfactory to such Children Trust Party and (C) to the extent customary, all comfort letters and opinions of counsel contemplated by said underwriting agreements are delivered to such Children Trust Party on the closing date of the offering.
(j) Otherwise use its reasonable best efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission and have the registration statement declared effective as soon as practicable after filing.
The Company may require any Children Trust Party to furnish to the Company such information regarding such Children Trust Party as the Company may from time to time reasonably request in writing, in each case only as required by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder.
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Each Children Trust Party agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 6(d) hereof, such Children Trust Party will forthwith discontinue disposition of the Registered Class A pursuant to the registration statement covering such Registered Class A until such Children Trust Party receives the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section 6(d) hereof, and, if so directed by the Company, such Children Trust Party will deliver to the Company (at the expense of the Company) all copies, other than permanent file copies then in such Children Trust Partys possession, of the prospectus covering such Registered Class A current at the time of receipt of such notice. If interrupted by receipt of any such notice pursuant to Section 6(d), any 90-day period in respect of which the Company is required to maintain the effectiveness of a registration statement pursuant to Section 2(a) shall be extended by the number of days during which the interruption was in effect.
7. Registration Expenses.
Other than in the case of (a) a registration at the request of a Qualifying Creditor or (b) a demand registration under Section 2(a)(y) after the second such registration (each registration referred to in clause (a) or (b), a Designated Registration), all expenses incident to the performance of or compliance with this Agreement by the Company, including, without limitation, all registration and filing fees, fees and expenses of compliance with securities or blue sky laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel in connection with blue sky qualifications of the Registered Class A), printing expenses, messenger and delivery expenses, internal expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Registered Class A on the New York Stock Exchange or any other securities exchange on which such Class A Common Stock is then listed,
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fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and its independent certified public accountants (including the expenses of any special audit or comfort letters required by or incident to such performance), securities acts liability insurance (if the Company elects to obtain such insurance), the fees and expenses of any special experts retained by the Company in connection with such registration, the fees and expenses of other persons retained by the Company, including transfer agents, trustees, depositories and registrars (all such expenses being herein called Registration Expenses), will be borne by the Company. In the case of a Designated Registration, all Registration Expenses other than internal expenses of the Company and securities acts liability insurance obtained by the Company at its election, shall be borne by the Qualifying Creditor or the Children Trust Holders participating in the offering, as the case may be. The Company will not have any responsibility for any of the expenses of any Children Trust Party incurred in connection with any registration statement hereunder, including, without limitation, underwriting discounts or commissions attributable to the sale of Registered Class A and fees and expenses of counsel for such Children Trust Party.
8. Indemnification; Contribution.
(a) Indemnification by the Company. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by law, (i) each Children Trust Party, (ii) the directors, officers, partners, employees, agents, beneficiaries, trustees, members and affiliates of each Children Trust Party, and the directors, officers, partners, employees and agents of each such affiliate, and (iii) each person who controls any of the foregoing (within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act), and any investment adviser thereof, against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities,
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expenses (or actions or proceedings in respect thereof) or costs (including, without limitation, costs of investigation and reasonable attorneys fees and disbursements incurred by any such indemnified person in connection with enforcing its rights hereunder preparing, pursuing or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability, expense, action or proceeding), including any of the foregoing incurred in settlement of any litigation commenced or threatened (collectively, Losses), joint or several, based upon or arising out of (x) any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in any registration statement, prospectus, preliminary prospectus, summary prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto, (y) any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of a prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, or (z) any violation by the Company of any federal, state or common law rule or regulation applicable to the Company in connection with such registration, and the Company will reimburse each such indemnified party for any such Loss, except in each case insofar as any such Loss arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or omission made in any such registration statement, prospectus, preliminary prospectus, final prospectus, summary prospectus, amendment or supplement, or a violation of law or regulation in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such indemnified party expressly for use in the preparation thereof, it being understood that the information to be furnished to the Company for use in the preparation of any such document shall be limited only to the information specifically referenced in the penultimate sentence of Section 8(b). Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by
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such indemnified person and shall survive the Transfer of any Shares by any such indemnified person. The indemnity in this Section 8(a) shall not apply to Losses incurred by a person other than in his or her capacity as a selling security holder. In connection with an underwritten offering, the Company will indemnify the underwriters thereof, their officers and directors and each person who controls such underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act) to the same extent as provided above with respect to the indemnification of each Children Trust Party.
(b) Indemnification by Children Trust Parties. In connection with any registration statement contemplated hereby, each Children Trust Party participating in any offer or sale pursuant to such registration statement will furnish to the Company in writing such information with respect to such Children Trust Party as the Company reasonably requests for use in connection with any such registration statement, prospectus, preliminary prospectus, summary prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto and agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, severally, and not jointly, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company, its directors, officers, employees, agents and affiliates and the directors, officers, partners, employees and agents of each such affiliate and each person who controls the Company (within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act) against any Losses insofar as such Losses arise out of or are based upon (i) an untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any such registration statement, prospectus, preliminary prospectus, summary prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of a prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made)
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not misleading, to the extent that such untrue statement or omission is contained in or omitted from any information with respect to such Children Trust Party so furnished in writing by such Children Trust Party expressly for use in the preparation of such registration statement, prospectus, preliminary prospectus, summary prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto, as the case may be, or (ii) any violation by such Children Trust Party of any federal, state or common law rule or regulation applicable to such Children Trust Party in connection with such registration. It is understood that the information to be furnished by a Children Trust Party to the Company for use in the preparation of any such document shall be limited only to information regarding such Children Trust Party, the ownership of such Children Trust Partys Common Equity Securities, such Children Trust Partys intended method or methods of distribution and any other information required by law. The liability of a Children Trust Party under this Section 8(b) shall not exceed the amount of net proceeds received by such Children Trust Party (net of underwriting discounts borne by such Children Trust Party) from the sale of the Shares in the offering that is the subject of an indemnity claim under this Section 8(b).
(c) Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings. Any person entitled to indemnification hereunder agrees to give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party after the receipt by such person of any written notice of the commencement of any action, suit, proceeding or investigation or threat thereof made in writing for which such person will claim indemnification or contribution pursuant to this Agreement, provided that the failure of any indemnified party to give notice as provided herein shall not relieve the indemnified party of its obligations under this Section 8, except to the extent that the
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indemnifying party is materially prejudiced by such failure to give notice. Unless in the reasonable judgment of such indemnified party, a conflict of interest may exist between such indemnified party and the indemnifying party with respect to such claim, the indemnified party shall permit the indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party. If the indemnifying party is not entitled to, or elects not to, assume the defense of a claim, it will not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel with respect to such claim, unless in the reasonable judgment of any indemnified party a conflict of interest may exist between such indemnified party and any other of such indemnified parties with respect to such claim, in which event the indemnifying party shall be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of such additional counsel or counsels. No indemnifying party will be subject to any liability for any settlement made without its consent. No indemnifying party, in the defense of any such claim or litigation shall, except with the consent of the applicable indemnified party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such indemnified party of a release from all liability in respect of such claim or litigation.
(d) Indemnification Payments. Any indemnification required to be made by an indemnifying party pursuant to this Section 8 shall be made by periodic payments to the indemnified party during the course of the action or proceeding, as and when bills are received by such indemnifying party with respect to indemnifiable Losses incurred by such indemnified party.
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(e) Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 from the indemnifying party is unavailable to an indemnified party hereunder in respect of any Losses or is insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party from all Losses covered thereby, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such Losses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party and indemnified parties in connection with the actions which resulted in such Losses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of such indemnifying party and indemnified parties shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by such indemnifying party or indemnified parties, and the parties relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statements or omissions. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 8(c), any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or proceeding.
The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 8(e) were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
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Notwithstanding anything else contained herein, (i) no party shall be liable for contribution under this Section 8(e) except to the extent and under such circumstances as such party would have been liable to indemnify under this Section 8 if such indemnification were enforceable under applicable law and (ii) no Children Trust Party (or related indemnified party) shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the net proceeds received by such Children Trust Party (net of underwriting discounts borne by such Children Trust Party) from the sale of Shares in the offering that is the subject of the claim for contribution exceeds the amount of any damages which such Children Trust Party (or related indemnified party) would have been required to pay by reason of the indemnity under this Section 8 if such indemnification was enforceable under applicable law.
If indemnification is available under this Section 8, the indemnifying parties shall indemnify each indemnified party to the full extent provided in Sections 8(a) and (b) without regard to the relative fault of said indemnifying party or indemnified party or any other equitable consideration provided for in this Section 8(e).
9. Participation in Underwritten Registrations. A Children Trust Party may not participate in any underwritten registration hereunder or under the Dolan Registration Rights Agreement or otherwise unless such Children Trust Party (a) agrees to sell the Shares on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements with customary terms and conditions for a secondary offering approved by the persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements, provided that none of the foregoing shall in any way limit the obligations of the Company under Section 8.
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10. Miscellaneous.
(a) Specific Performance. The Company and each Children Trust Party acknowledge that it will be impossible to measure in money the damage to the Company if such Children Trust Party fails to comply with any of the obligations imposed by Section 1 of this Agreement, that every such obligation therein is material and that, in the event of any such failure, the Company will not have an adequate remedy at law or in damages. Accordingly, each Children Trust Party consents to the issuance of an injunction or the enforcement of other equitable remedies against it at the suit of the Company without bond or other security, to compel performance by such Children Trust Party of all the terms of Section 1 hereof, and waives any defenses of (i) failure of consideration, (ii) breach of any other provision of this Agreement and (iii) availability of relief in damages.
(b) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company will not hereafter enter into any agreement with respect to its securities which is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Children Trust Parties in this Agreement.
(c) Amendments. This Agreement may not be amended, modified or altered except by a writing duly signed by the party against which such amendment or modification is sought to be enforced.
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(d) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company, the Children Trust Parties and the respective successors and permitted assigns of the Company and the Children Trust Parties. This Agreement may not be assigned by either the Company or a Children Trust Party without the prior written consent of the other party hereto. The Company shall assign its rights and obligations hereunder to any entity that succeeds to all or substantially all of its assets, by merger or otherwise, including to any holding company that may be formed to be the parent of the Company, if such entity becomes the issuer of the securities then owned by the Children Trust Holders.
(e) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
(f) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not constitute a part hereof.
(g) Construction. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York without giving any effect to principles of conflicts of laws.
(h) Notices. Any notice required or desired to be delivered hereunder shall be (i) in writing, (ii) delivered by personal delivery, sent by commercial delivery service or certified mail, return receipt requested, or by facsimile or electronic mail, (iii) deemed to have been given on the date of personal delivery, the date set forth in the records of the delivery service or return receipt, or in the case of facsimile or electronic mail, upon dispatch, and (iv) addressed as designated on Schedule 1 hereto (or to such other address as the party entitled to notice shall hereafter designate in accordance with the terms hereof), with copies as designated on Schedule 1 hereto.
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(i) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the application of any provision hereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of this Agreement and the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected unless the provision held invalid shall substantially impair the benefits of the remaining portions of this Agreement.
(j) Entire Agreement. This Agreement is intended by the parties as a final expression of their agreement and is intended to be a complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein. There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.
(k) Attorneys Fees. In any action or proceeding brought to enforce any provision of this Agreement, or where any provision hereof is validly asserted as a defense, the successful party shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys fees in addition to any other available remedy.
(l) Effectiveness. This Agreement shall become effective on the date on which the Distribution is consummated, without any further action of any of the parties hereto.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first written above.
MSGE SPINCO, INC. (to be renamed Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.) | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
KATHLEEN M. DOLAN | ||
As a Trustee of the Charles F. Dolan Children Trusts FBO Kathleen M. Dolan, Deborah A. Dolan-Sweeney, Marianne Dolan Weber, Thomas C. Dolan and James L. Dolan | ||
PAUL J. DOLAN | ||
As a Trustee of the Charles F. Dolan Children Trust FBO Kathleen M. Dolan and the Charles F. Dolan Children Trust FBO James L. Dolan | ||
MATTHEW DOLAN | ||
As a Trustee of the Charles F. Dolan Children Trust FBO Marianne Dolan Weber and the Charles F. Dolan Children Trust FBO Thomas C. Dolan | ||
MARY S. DOLAN | ||
As a Trustee of the Charles F. Dolan Children Trust FBO Deborah A. Dolan-Sweeney |
[Signature Page to Children Trusts Registration Rights Agreement (MSGE Spinco)]
Annex A
Definitions:
Acceptable Marital Trust means a marital trust the income of which is for the benefit of any spouse of any descendant of Dolan and the principal of which (including all shares of Class B Common Stock held by such trust) is for the sole benefit of any descendant of Dolan.
Children Trust Holders means the Children Trusts and any transferee of shares of Class B Common Stock pursuant to clause (i) of Section 1(b).
Children Trust Parties means all Children Trust Holders and any Qualifying Creditor.
Children Trusts has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Recitals.
Class A Common Stock has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Recitals.
Class B Common Stock has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Recitals.
Collateral Stock means shares of Class B Common Stock that are the subject of a bona fide pledge or similar perfected security interest.
Commission has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 2(a) hereof.
Common Equity Securities means shares of any class of common stock, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of any class of common stock of the Company.
Company has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Recitals.
Creditor means any financial institution approved by the Company, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld.
CSCo Shares means (a) shares of Class B Common Stock issued in the Distribution in respect of shares of MSGE Class B Common Stock that were previously issued in respect of The Madison Square Garden Company Class B Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, that were previously issued in respect of Cablevision NY Group Class B Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, that were (i) owned at any time by Cablevision Systems Company, CFD Joint Venture or MAC TRUST GROUP or (ii) issued by Cablevision Systems Corporation in respect of any such shares as a result of any stock split, stock dividend or other recapitalization, and (b) any shares of Class B Common Stock issued by the Company in respect of such shares issued in the Distribution as a result of any stock split, stock dividend or other recapitalization.
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Designated Registration shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 7 hereof.
Distribution has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Recitals.
Dolan means Charles F. Dolan; such term does not include Mr. Dolans legal representatives or his estate.
Dolan Consent means the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the votes of the members of the Dolan Family Committee.
Dolan Family Committee means the Dolan Family Committee established pursuant to the MSG Spinco, Inc. (to be renamed Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.) Stockholders Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among each of the holders of the Class B Common Stock, as the same may be amended, modified or amended and restated from time to time.
Dolan Registration Rights Agreement means the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, between the Company and the Dolan Family Affiliates (as defined therein), as the same may be amended, modified or amended and restated from time to time.
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Inspectors has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 6(g) hereof.
Losses has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 8(a) hereof.
Market Price has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 2(d) hereof.
Materiality Notice has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 2(c) hereof.
MSGE means Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (to be renamed MSG Sphere Corp.), a Delaware corporation.
MSGE Class A Common Stock has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Recitals.
MSGE Class B Common Stock has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Recitals.
Other Holders has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 3 hereof.
Permanent Incapacity means, with respect to an individual, any individual whose ability to receive and evaluate information effectively or to communicate decisions, or both, is impaired to such an extent that the individual permanently lacks the capacity to manage his or her financial resources, as determined by certification of one licensed physician.
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Public Offering has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Recitals.
Qualifying Creditor means a Creditor who has, at the written request of a Children Trust Holder, signed an instrument in form reasonably acceptable to the Company agreeing to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement. Any affiliate of a Qualifying Creditor who owns Collateral Stock shall be deemed to be the same person as the Qualifying Creditor for purposes of Section 2.
Records has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 6(g) hereof.
Registered Class A has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 6(b).
Registration Expenses has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 7 hereof.
Remainco Registration Rights Agreement means that certain Shareholders and Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of [], 2023 but effective as provided therein, by and among the Company and MSGE.
Rule 144 Threshold means the product of (a) the maximum number of shares of Class A Common Stock of the Company that could be sold under Rule 144(e)(1) under the Securities Act (or any successor rule or regulation) and (b) the applicable Market Price provided for in this Agreement.
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Shares means (i) shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock acquired by any Children Trust Holder in the Distribution or pursuant to a Transfer in accordance with Section 1(b), (ii) any shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock acquired by any Children Trust Holder as a result of any stock split, stock dividend or other recapitalization with respect to any shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock acquired by any Children Trust Holder in the Distribution, pursuant to a Transfer in accordance with Section 1(b) or as provided in this clause (ii) and (iii) shares of Class A Common Stock acquired upon conversion of Class B Common Stock acquired in the Distribution, pursuant to a Transfer in accordance with Section 1(b) or as provided in clause (ii).
Suspension of Effectiveness has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 2(c) hereof.
Suspension of Filing has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 2(c) hereof.
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Suspension of Offering has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 2(c) hereof.
Trading Day has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 2(d) hereof.
Transfer has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 1(a) hereof.
A-4
Exhibit 4.2
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
BY AND AMONG
MSGE SPINCO, INC.
(TO BE RENAMED MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.)
AND
THE DOLAN FAMILY AFFILIATES
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Registration Rights Agreement (this Agreement) dated as of [], 2023 (but effective as provided in Section 9(k)), by and among MSGE Spinco, Inc. (to be renamed Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.), a Delaware corporation (the Company), the parties set forth on Annex A to this Agreement (the Dolan Family Affiliates) and the Qualifying Creditors, if any, who have agreed in writing to become bound by this Agreement. Certain capitalized terms used in this Agreement are defined in Annex B hereto.
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, as of the date of this Agreement, the Dolan Family Affiliates own shares of Class B Common Stock of MSGE, par value $.01 per share (MSGE Class B Common Stock), and shares of Class A Common Stock of MSGE, par value $.01 per share (MSGE Class A Common Stock);
WHEREAS, the Dolan Family Affiliates are party to a Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 3, 2020, by and among MSGE and the Dolan Family Affiliates, and the Dolan Family Affiliates have certain registration rights under that agreement with respect to shares of MSGE Class A Common Stock;
WHEREAS, MSGE intends to distribute approximately 67% of the outstanding shares of the Companys Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value (the Class A Common Stock) to the holders of MSGE Class A Common Stock and all of the outstanding shares of the Companys Class B Common Stock, $.01 par value (the Class B Common Stock) to the holders of MSGE Class B Common Stock (the Distribution); and
WHEREAS, the Company and the Dolan Family Affiliates wish to provide for benefits and restrictions applicable to the Shares owned by the Dolan Family Holders following the Distribution, all as provided herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements contained herein, the parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Demand Registration by the Dolan Family Parties of the Shares.
(a) Demand Registration. One or more of the Dolan Family Parties may request in writing, with the Dolan Consent, that the Company file a registration statement on an appropriate form for the general registration of securities under the Securities Act, and include therein such number of the Shares owned by such Dolan Family Party as such person may specify in its written request; provided, however, that (i) the Company shall not be required to file a registration statement pursuant to this Section 1 if (x) the Shares requested to be so registered do not, in the case of a Dolan Family Holder, together with any Shares timely requested to be registered by other Dolan Family Holders and Other Holders pursuant to the third-to-last sentence of this Section 1(a), have an aggregate Market Price exceeding the Rule 144 Threshold as of the Trading Day immediately preceding the expiration of the applicable Notice Period under such sentence or, in the case of a Qualifying Creditor, do not have an aggregate Market Price exceeding the Rule 144 Threshold as of the Trading Day immediately preceding the date on which the request for registration is received by the Company, or (y) the Company delivers to each Dolan Family Party requesting registration under this Section 1 an
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opinion of counsel to the Company (such opinion and such counsel to be reasonably acceptable to each such Dolan Family Party, it being agreed that the Companys regular outside securities counsel shall be deemed to be reasonably acceptable counsel for this purpose) to the effect that the Shares proposed to be registered by such person may be offered and sold by such person to the public in the United States together with the Shares requested to be registered by all other Dolan Family Parties and Other Holders (I) without registration pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and (II) within the volume limitations under Rule 144(e) promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule or regulation) whether or not such volume limitations are then applicable, (ii) subject to the next sentence, the Dolan Family Holders shall in the aggregate have the right on only four occasions to require the Company to file a registration statement pursuant to this Section 1, and (iii) subject to the next sentence, a Qualifying Creditor may require registration only following the exercise of its remedies under a security agreement with a Dolan Family Holder and for the purpose of Transferring Shares pursuant thereto and each Qualifying Creditor may only require one registration hereunder. The total number of demand registrations under clauses (ii) and (iii) of the immediately preceding sentence and under the corresponding provisions of the Dolan Children Trusts Registration Rights Agreement shall not exceed four. All requests made pursuant to this paragraph shall specify the aggregate number of Shares to be registered and the intended methods of disposition thereof, which methods may include an underwritten public offering. Upon receipt of a written request for registration from a Dolan Family Holder pursuant to the preceding sentences, the Company shall promptly give written notice of the proposed registration to each such other Dolan Family Holder
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and each Other Holder and provide each such other holder with the opportunity to join in such request by written notice to the Company specifying the aggregate number of Shares to be registered by such holder within 20 days from the date of the Companys written notice (such period is referred to as the Notice Period). Subject to Section 1(c) of this Agreement, the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to ensure that each registration statement required to be filed pursuant to this Section 1 shall be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) as promptly as reasonably practicable, but no later than 45 days after receipt of such request by the Company, and the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause such registration statement to be declared effective by the Commission as promptly thereafter as practicable; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to maintain such effectiveness for more than 90 days. Notwithstanding the Companys rights to effect a Suspension of Filing or Suspension of Effectiveness in Section 1(c), the Dolan Family Parties that made the registration request under this Section 1(a) shall have the right to withdraw any such request, and such withdrawn request shall not count as a demand registration under clause (ii) or (iii) of this Section 1(a) or the corresponding provisions under the Dolan Children Trusts Registration Rights Agreement, if (1) the registration statement required to be filed pursuant to this Section 1 is not filed with the Commission by the date that is 45 days after such request is received by the Company and has not at the time of such withdrawal been filed with the Commission, or is not declared effective by the date that is 90 days after the date such registration statement is filed with the Commission and has not at the time of such withdrawal been declared effective, and (2) in either case, such Dolan Family Parties notify the Company of the withdrawal of such request no later than 10 days after such 45th or 90th day, as the case may be.
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(b) Concurrent Primary Offering. Anything in this Section 1 to the contrary notwithstanding, if the Company at the time of receipt of a request for registration pursuant to this Section 1 has a bona fide intent and plan to file a registration statement (other than on Form S-4 or S-8 or any successor forms) covering a primary offering by the Company of its Common Equity Securities, the Company, by notice to the applicable Dolan Family Parties, may delay the filing (but not the preparation) of the requested registration statement for a period ending on the earlier of (i) 60 days after the closing of such offering or (ii) 120 days after receipt of the request for registration; and, provided, further, if the Company either abandons its plan to file such registration statement or does not file the same within 75 days after receipt of such request, the Company shall promptly thereafter file the requested registration statement. The Company may not, pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence, delay the filing of a requested registration statement more than once during any two-year period.
(c) Suspension of Offering. Upon notice by the Company to any Dolan Family Party which has requested registration under this Section 1 that a negotiation or consummation of a transaction by the Company or any of its subsidiaries is pending or an event has occurred, which negotiation, consummation or event would require disclosure in the registration statement for the requested registration and such disclosure would, in the good faith judgment of the board of directors of the Company, be materially adverse to the business interests of the Company, and the nondisclosure of which in the registration statement would reasonably be expected to cause the registration
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statement to fail to comply with applicable disclosure requirements (a Materiality Notice), the Company may delay the filing (but not the preparation) of such registration statement (a Suspension of Filing). Upon the delivery of a Materiality Notice by the Company pursuant to the preceding sentence at any time when a registration statement has been filed but not declared effective, the Company may delay seeking the effectiveness of such registration statement (a Suspension of Effectiveness), and each Dolan Family Party named therein shall immediately discontinue any offers of Shares under such registration statement until such Dolan Family Party receives copies of a supplemented or amended prospectus that corrects such misstatement or omission, or until it is advised in writing by the Company that offers under such registration statement may be resumed and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings which are incorporated by reference in such registration statement. Upon the delivery of a Materiality Notice by the Company pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 1(c) at any time when a registration statement has been filed and declared effective, each Dolan Family Party named therein shall immediately discontinue offers and sales of Shares under such registration statement until such Dolan Family Party receives copies of a supplemented or amended prospectus that corrects such misstatement or omission and notice that any post-effective amendment has become effective, or until it is advised in writing by the Company that offers under such registration statement may be resumed and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings which are incorporated by reference in the registration statement (a Suspension of Offering; a Suspension of Filing, a Suspension of Effectiveness and a Suspension of Offering are collectively referred to herein as, Suspensions). If so directed by the Company, each Dolan Family
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Party will deliver to the Company all copies (other than permanent file copies then in such Dolan Family Partys possession) of any prospectus covering Shares in the possession of such Dolan Family Party or its agents current at the time of receipt of any Materiality Notice. In any 12-month period, the aggregate time of all Suspensions shall not, without the consent of a majority of the Dolan Family Holders (by number of Shares held), which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, exceed 180 days. If interrupted by a Suspension of Offering, any 90-day period in respect of which the Company is required to maintain the effectiveness of a registration statement pursuant to Section 1(a) of this Agreement shall be extended by the number of days during which the Suspension of Offering was in effect. In the event of any Suspension of Offering of more than 30 days in duration prior to which the Dolan Family Parties have sold less than 75% of the Shares to be sold in such offering, the Dolan Family Parties shall be entitled to withdraw such registration prior to the later of (i) the end of the Suspension of Offering and (ii) three business days after the Company has provided the Dolan Family Parties written notice of the anticipated date on which the Suspension of Offering will end, and, if such registration is withdrawn, the related demand for registration shall not count for the purposes of the limitations set forth under clauses (ii) and (iii) of Section 1(a) or the comparable provisions under the Dolan Trusts Registration Rights Agreement.
(d) Market Price; Trading Day. For purposes of this Section 1:
(i) Market Price of a share of Class A Common Stock shall mean the weighted average of the closing prices for the Class A Common Stock on each Trading Day (as defined below) in the 30-day period ending on the day prior to the date of determination as reported in the consolidated transaction reporting system of the New York Stock Exchange or on the comparable reporting system of such other exchange or trading system that is at the time the principal market for the Class A Common Stock.
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(ii) Trading Day shall mean any day on which trading takes place on the New York Stock Exchange or such other exchange or trading system that is at the time the principal market for the Class A Common Stock.
2. Coordination of PiggyBack Registration Rights.
Each of the Dolan Family Parties hereby acknowledges and consents to the grant by the Company to the Children Trust Holders (as defined in the Dolan Children Trusts Registration Rights Agreement) in the Dolan Children Trusts Registration Rights Agreement and the MSG Sphere Holders (as defined in the Remainco Registration Rights Agreement and, together with the Children Trust Holders, the Other Holders) in the Remainco Registration Rights Agreement, of the right of the Other Holders to include certain of their respective shares of Class A Common Stock in certain registration statements filed pursuant hereto. Each of the Dolan Family Parties further acknowledges and agrees that if any offering upon the demand registration by any Dolan Family Party under Section 1 is to be underwritten and if the managing underwriter or underwriters of such offering informs such person in writing that the number of shares of Class A Common Stock which the Dolan Family Parties, and the Other Holders, as the case may be, intend to include in such offering is sufficiently large so as to affect the offering price of such offering materially and adversely, then the respective number of shares of Class A Common Stock to be offered for the account of each Dolan Family Party and each Other Holder, as the case may be, who is participating in such offering
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shall be reduced pro rata to the extent necessary to reduce the total number of shares of Class A Common Stock to be included in such offering to the number recommended by such managing underwriter. Except for such piggyback registration rights granted to Other Holders, and to any transferee of the shares of Class A Common Stock owned by an Children Trust Holder which may be registered pursuant to the Dolan Children Trusts Registration Rights Agreement, neither the Company nor any of its security holders shall have the right to include any of the Companys securities in any registration statement filed pursuant hereto.
3. Piggyback Registration of the Shares.
If the Company proposes to file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to an offering (a) by an Other Holder of its holdings of Class A Common Stock pursuant to the Dolan Children Trusts Registration Rights Agreement or the Remainco Registration Rights Agreement, as applicable, (b) by any other holder of any Common Equity Securities or (c) by the Company for its own account of any Common Equity Securities (other than a registration statement on Form S-4 or S-8, or any successor form or a form filed in connection with an exchange offer or an offering of securities solely to the existing stockholders of the Company), the Company shall give written notice of such proposed filing to each of the Dolan Family Holders at least 20 days before the anticipated filing date which shall state whether such registration will be in connection with an underwritten offering and offer such Dolan Family Holders the opportunity to include in such registration statement such number of the Shares as such Dolan Family Holder may request not later than three days prior to the anticipated filing date. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the managing
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underwriter or underwriters of a proposed underwritten offering to permit such Dolan Family Holders to be included in the registration for such offering and to include such Shares in such offering on the same terms and conditions as the Common Equity Securities included in such offering. If such proposed offering is to be underwritten, then upon request by the managing underwriter or underwriters given to such Dolan Family Holders prior to the effective date of the offering, any Dolan Family Holder electing to have Shares included in the registration statement shall either enter into underwriting agreements with customary terms and conditions for a secondary offering with such underwriter or underwriters providing for the inclusion of such number of the Shares owned by such Dolan Family Holder in such offering on such terms and conditions or, if such Dolan Family Holder shall refuse to enter into any such agreement, the Company shall have the right to exclude from such registration all (but not less than all) of the Shares of such Dolan Family Holder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) in no event will any Dolan Family Holder be required in such underwriting agreement (or in any other agreement in connection with such offering) to (i) make any representations or warranties to or agreements with the underwriters other than representations, warranties or agreements customarily made by selling securityholders in underwritten secondary offerings, (ii) make any representations or warranties to or agreements with the Company other than representations, warranties or agreements regarding such Dolan Family Holder, the ownership of such Dolan Family Holders Common Equity Securities, the authorization, validity and binding effect of transaction documents executed by such Dolan Family Holder in connection with such registration and such Dolan Family Holders intended method or methods of distribution and any other representation
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required by law; provided that no Dolan Family Holder shall be required to make any representation or warranty to any person covered by the indemnity in Section 7(b) other than on a several (and not joint) basis, or (iii) furnish any indemnity to any person which is broader than the indemnity customarily furnished by selling security holders in underwritten offerings; provided that no Dolan Family Holder shall be required to furnish any indemnity broader than the indemnity furnished by such Dolan Family Holder in Section 7(b) to any person covered by the indemnity in Section 7(b), and (y) if the managing underwriter or underwriters of such offering informs the Dolan Family Holders in writing that the number of Shares which the Dolan Family Holders and the number of Shares which the Other Holders intend to include in such offering is sufficiently large so as to affect materially and adversely the success of such offering, the Shares to be offered for the account of the Dolan Family Holders, the Other Holders and the other applicable holders of any Common Equity Securities shall first be reduced pro rata to the extent necessary to reduce the total number of shares of Class A Common Stock to be included in such offering to the number recommended by such managing underwriter, provided, however, that in the event of a demand registration by MSG Sphere Holders pursuant to the Remainco Registration Rights Agreement, the Dolan Family Holders acknowledge and agree that such MSG Sphere Holders shall be excluded from such pro rata reduction and the reduction shall be completed in accordance with the Remainco Registration Rights Agreement. In giving effect to the foregoing reduction, the respective number of the Shares to be offered for the account of Dolan Family Holders shall be reduced pro rata.
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4. Holdback Agreements.
(a) Restrictions on Public Sale by Dolan Family Parties. To the extent not inconsistent with applicable law, each Dolan Family Party agrees not to offer publicly or effect any public sale or distribution of Common Equity Securities, including a sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act (or any successor rule or regulation), during the seven days prior to, and during the 90-day period beginning on, the effective date of any registration statement filed by the Company pursuant to which any such shares or securities are being registered (except as part of such registration), if and to the extent requested by the Company in the case of a non-underwritten public offering or if and to the extent requested by the managing underwriter or underwriters in the case of an underwritten public offering.
(b) Restrictions on Public Sale by the Company and Others. The Company agrees (i) that during the seven days prior to, and during the 90-day period beginning on, the effective date of any registration statement filed at the request of a Dolan Family Party pursuant hereto, the Company will not offer publicly or effect any public sale or distribution of Common Equity Securities (other than any such sale or distribution of such securities in connection with any merger or consolidation of the Company or any subsidiary with, or the acquisition by the Company or a subsidiary of the capital stock or substantially all of the assets of, any other person or any offer or sale of such securities pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8), and (ii) that any agreement entered into after the date of this Agreement pursuant to which the Company issues or agrees to issue any privately placed Common Equity Securities shall contain a provision under which holders of such securities agree not to effect any public sale or distribution of any such securities during the periods described in (i) above, in each case including a sale pursuant to Rule 144 (or any successor rule or regulation) under the Securities Act (except as part of any such registration, if permitted).
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5. Registration Procedures.
In connection with any registration of the Shares owned by a Dolan Family Party contemplated hereby, the Company will as expeditiously as possible:
(a) Furnish to such Dolan Family Party, prior to filing a registration statement, copies of such registration statement as proposed to be filed, and thereafter such number of copies of such registration statement, each amendment and supplement thereto (in each case including all exhibits thereto), the prospectus included in such registration statement (including each preliminary prospectus) and such other documents in such quantities as such Dolan Family Party may reasonably request from time to time in order to facilitate the disposition of the Shares.
(b) Use its reasonable best efforts to register or qualify the Shares being registered as contemplated hereby (the Registered Class A) under such other securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as such Dolan Family Party reasonably requests and do any and all other acts and things which may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such Dolan Family Party to consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Registered Class A; provided that the Company will not be required to (i) qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this paragraph (b), (ii) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction, or (iii) consent to general service of process in any such jurisdiction.
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(c) Use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Registered Class A to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the business and operations of the Company to enable such Dolan Family Party to consummate the disposition of such Registered Class A.
(d) Notify such Dolan Family Party at any time, (i) of any request by the Commission or any other federal or state governmental authority for amendments or supplements to a registration statement or related prospectus or for additional information, (ii) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a registration statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, (iii) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of any of the Registered Class A for sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose, and (iv) when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the happening of any event as a result of which the prospectus included in such registration statement contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and, except as otherwise provided in Section 1(c) hereof, the Company will, as expeditiously as practicable, prepare a supplement or amendment to such prospectus so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such Registered Class A, such prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.
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(e) Use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of a registration statement, or the lifting of any suspension of the qualification (or exemption from qualification) of any of the Registered Class A for sale in any jurisdiction at the earliest date reasonably practical.
(f) Cause all such Registered Class A to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange or on any other securities exchange on which the Class A Common Stock is then listed, provided that the applicable listing requirements are satisfied.
(g) Enter into customary agreements (including an underwriting agreement in customary form) and take such other actions as are reasonably requested by the relevant Dolan Family Party in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of the Registered Class A.
(h) Make available for inspection by such Dolan Family Party, any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to such registration statement, and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by such Dolan Family Party or such underwriter (collectively, the Inspectors), all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company (collectively, the Records) as shall be reasonably necessary to enable them to exercise their due diligence responsibility, and cause the officers, directors and employees of the Company to supply all information reasonably requested by any such Inspector in connection with such registration statement. Records which the Company determines, in good faith, to be confidential and which it notifies the Inspectors are confidential shall not be disclosed by the Inspectors unless (i) the disclosure of such Records is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in the registration statement or (ii) the release of such Records is ordered
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pursuant to a subpoena or other order from a court of competent jurisdiction. Any Dolan Family Party shall use reasonable best efforts, prior to any disclosure by any such Inspector under clause (i) of the preceding sentence, to inform the Company that such disclosure is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in the registration statement. Each Dolan Family Party further agrees that it will, upon learning that disclosure of Records is sought in a court of competent jurisdiction, give notice to the Company and allow the Company, at the expense of the Company, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of the Records deemed confidential.
(i) In the event such sale is pursuant to an underwritten offering, use its reasonable best efforts to (i) obtain a comfort letter from the independent public accountants for the Company in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by such letters as any Dolan Family Party reasonably requests and (ii) ensure that (A) the representations, warranties and covenants contained in the applicable underwriting agreement shall expressly be for the benefit of any Dolan Family Party participating in such sale, (B) the conditions to closing in said underwriting agreement shall be reasonably satisfactory to such Dolan Family Party and (C) to the extent customary, all comfort letters and opinions of counsel contemplated by said underwriting agreements are delivered to such Dolan Family Party on the closing date of the offering.
(j) Otherwise use its reasonable best efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission and have the registration statement declared effective as soon as practicable after filing.
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The Company may require any Dolan Family Party to furnish to the Company such information regarding such Dolan Family Party as the Company may from time to time reasonably request in writing, in each case only as required by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder.
Each Dolan Family Party agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 5(d) hereof, such Dolan Family Party will forthwith discontinue disposition of the Registered Class A pursuant to the registration statement covering such Registered Class A until such Dolan Family Party receives the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section 5(d) hereof, and, if so directed by the Company, such Dolan Family Party will deliver to the Company (at the expense of the Company) all copies, other than permanent file copies then in such Dolan Family Partys possession, of the prospectus covering such Registered Class A current at the time of receipt of such notice. If interrupted by receipt of any such notice pursuant to Section 5(d), any 90-day period in respect of which the Company is required to maintain the effectiveness of a registration statement pursuant to Section 1(a) shall be extended by the number of days during which the interruption was in effect.
6. Registration Expenses.
Other than in the case of (a) a registration at the request of a Qualifying Creditor or (b) a demand registration under Section 1(a)(ii) after the second such registration (each registration referred to in clause (a) or (b), a Designated Registration), all expenses incident to the performance of or compliance with this Agreement by the Company, including, without limitation, all registration and filing fees,
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fees and expenses of compliance with securities or blue sky laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel in connection with blue sky qualifications of the Registered Class A), printing expenses, messenger and delivery expenses, internal expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Registered Class A on the New York Stock Exchange or any other securities exchange on which such Class A Common Stock is then listed, fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and its independent certified public accountants (including the expenses of any special audit or comfort letters required by or incident to such performance), securities acts liability insurance (if the Company elects to obtain such insurance), the fees and expenses of any special experts retained by the Company in connection with such registration, the fees and expenses of other persons retained by the Company, including transfer agents, trustees, depositories and registrars (all such expenses being herein called Registration Expenses), will be borne by the Company. In the case of a Designated Registration, all Registration Expenses other than internal expenses of the Company and securities acts liability insurance obtained by the Company at its election, shall be borne by the Qualifying Creditor or the Dolan Family Holders participating in the offering, as the case may be. The Company will not have any responsibility for any of the expenses of any Dolan Family Party incurred in connection with any registration statement hereunder, including, without limitation, underwriting discounts or commissions attributable to the sale of Registered Class A and fees and expenses of counsel for such Dolan Family Party.
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7. Indemnification; Contribution.
(a) Indemnification by the Company. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by law, (i) each Dolan Family Party, (ii) the directors, officers, partners, employees, agents, beneficiaries, trustees, members and affiliates of each Dolan Family Party, and the directors, officers, partners, employees and agents of each such affiliate, and (iii) each person who controls any of the foregoing (within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act), and any investment adviser thereof, against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, expenses (or actions or proceedings in respect thereof) or costs (including, without limitation, costs of investigation and reasonable attorneys fees and disbursements incurred by any such indemnified person in connection with enforcing its rights hereunder preparing, pursuing or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability, expense, action or proceeding), including any of the foregoing incurred in settlement of any litigation commenced or threatened (collectively, Losses), joint or several, based upon or arising out of (x) any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in any registration statement, prospectus, preliminary prospectus, summary prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto, (y) any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of a prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, or (z) any violation by the Company of any federal, state or common law rule or regulation applicable to the Company in connection with such registration, and the Company will reimburse each such indemnified party for any such Loss, except in each case insofar as any such Loss arises out of or is based upon
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an untrue statement or omission made in any such registration statement, prospectus, preliminary prospectus, final prospectus, summary prospectus, amendment or supplement, or a violation of law or regulation in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such indemnified party expressly for use in the preparation thereof, it being understood that the information to be furnished to the Company for use in the preparation of any such document shall be limited only to the information specifically referenced in the penultimate sentence of Section 7(b). Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by such indemnified person and shall survive the Transfer of any Shares by any such indemnified person. The indemnity in this Section 7(a) shall not apply to Losses incurred by a person other than in his or her capacity as a selling security holder. In connection with an underwritten offering, the Company will indemnify the underwriters thereof, their officers and directors and each person who controls such underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act) to the same extent as provided above with respect to the indemnification of each Dolan Family Party.
(b) Indemnification by Dolan Family Parties. In connection with any registration statement contemplated hereby, each Dolan Family Party participating in any offer or sale pursuant to such registration statement will furnish to the Company in writing such information with respect to such Dolan Family Party as the Company reasonably requests for use in connection with any such registration statement, prospectus, preliminary prospectus, summary prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto and agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, severally, and not jointly, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company, its directors, officers, employees, agents
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and affiliates and the directors, officers, partners, employees and agents of each such affiliate and each person who controls the Company (within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act) against any Losses insofar as such Losses arise out of or are based upon (i) an untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any such registration statement, prospectus, preliminary prospectus, summary prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of a prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, to the extent that such untrue statement or omission is contained in or omitted from any information with respect to such Dolan Family Party so furnished in writing by such Dolan Family Party expressly for use in the preparation of such registration statement, prospectus, preliminary prospectus, summary prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto, as the case may be, or (ii) any violation by such Dolan Family Party of any federal, state or common law rule or regulation applicable to such Dolan Family Party in connection with such registration. It is understood that the information to be furnished by a Dolan Family Party to the Company for use in the preparation of any such document shall be limited only to information regarding such Dolan Family Party, the ownership of such Dolan Family Partys Common Equity Securities, such Dolan Family Partys intended method or methods of distribution and any other information required by law. The liability of a Dolan Family Party under this Section 7(b) shall not exceed the amount of net proceeds received by such Dolan Family Party (net of underwriting discounts borne by such Dolan Family Party) from the sale of the Shares in the offering that is the subject of an indemnity claim under this Section 7(b).
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(c) Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings. Any person entitled to indemnification hereunder agrees to give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party after the receipt by such person of any written notice of the commencement of any action, suit, proceeding or investigation or threat thereof made in writing for which such person will claim indemnification or contribution pursuant to this Agreement, provided that the failure of any indemnified party to give notice as provided herein shall not relieve the indemnified party of its obligations under this Section 7, except to the extent that the indemnifying party is materially prejudiced by such failure to give notice. Unless in the reasonable judgment of such indemnified party, a conflict of interest may exist between such indemnified party and the indemnifying party with respect to such claim, the indemnified party shall permit the indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party. If the indemnifying party is not entitled to, or elects not to, assume the defense of a claim, it will not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel with respect to such claim, unless in the reasonable judgment of any indemnified party a conflict of interest may exist between such indemnified party and any other of such indemnified parties with respect to such claim, in which event the indemnifying party shall be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of such additional counsel or counsels. No indemnifying party will be subject to any liability for any settlement made without its consent. No indemnifying party, in the defense of any such claim or litigation shall, except with the consent of the applicable indemnified party, which consent shall not be
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unreasonably withheld, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such indemnified party of a release from all liability in respect of such claim or litigation.
(d) Indemnification Payments. Any indemnification required to be made by an indemnifying party pursuant to this Section 7 shall be made by periodic payments to the indemnified party during the course of the action or proceeding, as and when bills are received by such indemnifying party with respect to indemnifiable Losses incurred by such indemnified party.
(e) Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in this Section 7 from the indemnifying party is unavailable to an indemnified party hereunder in respect of any Losses or is insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party from all Losses covered thereby, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such Losses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party and indemnified parties in connection with the actions which resulted in such Losses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of such indemnifying party and indemnified parties shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by such indemnifying party or indemnified parties, and the parties relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statements or omissions. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 7(c), any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or proceeding.
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The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7(e) were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
Notwithstanding anything else contained herein, (i) no party shall be liable for contribution under this Section 7(e) except to the extent and under such circumstances as such party would have been liable to indemnify under this Section 7 if such indemnification were enforceable under applicable law and (ii) no Dolan Family Party (or related indemnified party) shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the net proceeds received by such Dolan Family Party (net of underwriting discounts borne by such Dolan Family Party) from the sale of Shares in the offering that is the subject of the claim for contribution exceeds the amount of any damages which such Dolan Family Party (or related indemnified party) would have been required to pay by reason of the indemnity under this Section 7 if such indemnification was enforceable under applicable law.
If indemnification is available under this Section 7, the indemnifying parties shall indemnify each indemnified party to the full extent provided in Sections 7(a) and (b) without regard to the relative fault of said indemnifying party or indemnified party or any other equitable consideration provided for in this Section 7(e).
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8. Participation in Underwritten Registrations. A Dolan Family Party may not participate in any underwritten registration hereunder or under the Dolan Children Trusts Registration Rights Agreement or otherwise unless such Dolan Family Party (a) agrees to sell the Shares on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements with customary terms and conditions for a secondary offering approved by the persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements, provided that none of the foregoing shall in any way limit the obligations of the Company under Section 7.
9. Miscellaneous.
(a) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company will not hereafter enter into any agreement with respect to its securities which is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Dolan Family Parties in this Agreement.
(b) Amendments. This Agreement may not be amended, modified or altered except by a writing duly signed by the party against which such amendment or modification is sought to be enforced.
(c) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company, the Dolan Family Parties and the respective successors and permitted assigns of the Company and the Dolan Family Parties. This Agreement may not be assigned by either the Company or a Dolan Family Party without
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the prior written consent of the other party hereto; provided that the Company agrees that all transferees of all or substantially all of the Shares held by Dolan shall be accorded all of the registration rights of Dolan hereunder. The Company shall assign its rights and obligations hereunder to any entity that succeeds to all or substantially all of its assets, by merger or otherwise, including to any holding company that may be formed to be the parent of the Company, if such entity becomes the issuer of the securities then owned by the Dolan Family Holders.
(d) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
(e) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not constitute a part hereof.
(f) Construction. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York without giving any effect to principles of conflicts of laws.
(g) Notices. Any notice required or desired to be delivered hereunder shall be (i) in writing, (ii) delivered by personal delivery, sent by commercial delivery service or certified mail, return receipt requested, or by facsimile or electronic mail, (iii) deemed to have been given on the date of personal delivery, the date set forth in the records of the delivery service or return receipt, or in the case of facsimile or electronic mail, upon dispatch, and (iv) addressed as designated on Schedule 1 hereto (or to such other address as the party entitled to notice shall hereafter designate in accordance with the terms hereof), with copies as designated on Schedule 1 hereto.
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(h) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the application of any provision hereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of this Agreement and the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected unless the provision held invalid shall substantially impair the benefits of the remaining portions of this Agreement.
(i) Entire Agreement. This Agreement is intended by the parties as a final expression of their agreement and is intended to be a complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein. There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.
(j) Attorneys Fees. In any action or proceeding brought to enforce any provision of this Agreement, or where any provision hereof is validly asserted as a defense, the successful party shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys fees in addition to any other available remedy.
(k) Effectiveness. This Agreement shall become effective on the date on which the Distribution is consummated, without any further action of any of the parties hereto.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first written above.
MSGE SPINCO, INC. (to be renamed Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.)
By: Name: Title: |
CHARLES F. DOLAN |
|
Individually, and as Trustee of the Charles F. Dolan 2009 Revocable Trust |
HELEN A. DOLAN |
|
As Trustee of the Helen A. Dolan 2009 Revocable Trust |
MARY S. DOLAN |
|
As Trustee of the Charles F. Dolan 2009 Family Trusts FBO Kathleen M. Dolan, Deborah Dolan-Sweeney, Marianne Dolan Weber, Thomas C. Dolan and James L. Dolan, the Charles F. Dolan 2012 Grandchildren Trusts and the Charles F. Dolan 2012 Descendants Trust |
[Signature Page to Family Affiliates Registration Rights Agreement (MSGE Spinco)]
CORBY DOLAN LEINAUER
|
|
As Trustee of the Charles F. Dolan 2009 Family Trusts FBO Kathleen M. Dolan, Deborah Dolan-Sweeney, Marianne Dolan Weber, Thomas C. Dolan and James L. , the Charles F. Dolan 2012 Grandchildren Trusts and the Charles F. Dolan 2012 Descendants Trust |
KATHLEEN M. DOLAN |
|
As Trustee of the Tara Dolan 1989 Trust and the Ryan Dolan 1989 Trust |
JAMES L. DOLAN |
|
James L. Dolan, individually
BRIAN G. SWEENEY
As Trustee of the Charles F. Dolan 2009 Revocable Trust and the Helen A. Dolan 2009 Revocable Trust |
[Signature Page to Family Affiliates Registration Rights Agreement (MSGE Spinco)]
ANNEX B
Definitions
Acceptable Marital Trust means a marital trust the income of which is for the benefit of any spouse of any descendant of Dolan and the principal of which (including all shares of Class B Common Stock held by such trust) is for the sole benefit of any descendant of Dolan.
Class A Common Stock has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Recitals.
Class B Common Stock has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Recitals.
Collateral Stock means shares of Class B Common Stock that are the subject of a bona fide pledge or similar perfected security interest.
Commission has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 1(a) hereof.
Common Equity Securities means shares of any class of common stock, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of any class of common stock of the Company.
Company has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Recitals.
Creditor means any financial institution approved by the Company, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld.
Designated Registration shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 6 hereof.
Distribution has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Recitals.
Dolan means Charles F. Dolan; such term does not include Mr. Dolans legal representatives or his estate.
Dolan Children Trusts Registration Rights Agreement means the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, between the Company and the Charles F. Dolan Children Trusts, as the same may be amended, modified or amended and restated from time to time.
Dolan Consent means the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the votes of the members of the Dolan Family Committee.
B-1
Dolan Family Affiliates has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Preamble hereof.
Dolan Family Committee means the Dolan Family Committee established pursuant to the MSG Spinco, Inc. (to be renamed Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.) Stockholders Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among each of the holders of the Class B Common Stock, as the same may be amended, modified or amended and restated from time to time.
Dolan Family Holders means the Dolan Family Affiliates and any other Dolan Family Member who or that is a transferee of shares of Class B Common Stock from a Dolan Family Affiliate or other Dolan Family Member.
Dolan Family Member means Dolan, his spouse, any person related to Dolan by reason of being his ancestor or descendent (natural or adopted), any Acceptable Marital Trust, any entity (whether a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust or other entity of any kind) all of the equity or beneficial interests in which are owned or held by any of the foregoing persons, or any person (whether or not such person is one of the foregoing persons) who is a trustee for, or is acting on behalf of, any of such foregoing persons.
Dolan Family Parties means all Dolan Family Holders and any Qualifying Creditor.
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Inspectors has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 5(g) hereof.
Losses has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 7(a) hereof.
Market Price has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 1(d) hereof.
Materiality Notice has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 1(c) hereof.
MSGE means Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (to be renamed MSG Sphere Corp.), a Delaware corporation.
MSGE Class A Common Stock has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Recitals.
MSGE Class B Common Stock has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Recitals.
Other Holders has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 2 hereof.
B-2
Permanent Incapacity means, with respect to an individual, any individual whose ability to receive and evaluate information effectively or to communicate decisions, or both, is impaired to such an extent that the individual permanently lacks the capacity to manage his or her financial resources, as determined by certification of one licensed physician.
Public Offering has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Recitals.
Qualifying Creditor means a Creditor who has, at the written request of a Dolan Family Holder, signed an instrument in form reasonably acceptable to the Company agreeing to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement. Any affiliate of a Qualifying Creditor who owns Collateral Stock shall be deemed to be the same person as the Qualifying Creditor for purposes of Section 1.
Records has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 5(g) hereof.
Registered Class A has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 5(b).
Registration Expenses has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 6 hereof.
Remainco Registration Rights Agreement means that certain Shareholders and Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of [], 2023 but effective as provided therein, by and among the Company and MSGE.
Rule 144 Threshold means the product of (a) the maximum number of shares of Class A Common Stock of the Company that could be sold under Rule 144(e)(1) under the Securities Act (or any successor rule or regulation) and (b) the applicable Market Price provided for in this Agreement.
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Shares means (i) shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock acquired by any Dolan Family Holder in the Distribution, (ii) any shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock acquired by any Dolan Family Holder as a result of any stock split, stock dividend or other recapitalization with respect to any shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock acquired by any Dolan Family Holder in the Distribution or acquired as provided in this clause (ii) and (iii) shares of Class A Common Stock acquired upon conversion of Class B Common Stock acquired in the Distribution or acquired as provided in clause (ii).
Suspension of Effectiveness has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 2(c) hereof.
B-3
Suspension of Filing has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 1(c) hereof.
Suspension of Offering has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 1(c) hereof.
Trading Day has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 1(d) hereof.
Transfer means a sale, transfer or other disposition.
B-4
Exhibit 4.3
SHAREHOLDERS AND REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
BY AND AMONG
MSGE SPINCO, INC.
(TO BE RENAMED MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.)
AND
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
(TO BE RENAMED MSG SPHERE CORP.)
SHAREHOLDERS AND REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Shareholders and Registration Rights Agreement (this Agreement) dated as of [], 2023 (but effective as provided in Section 12(k)), by and among MSGE Spinco, Inc. (to be renamed Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.), a Delaware corporation (the Company), and Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (to be renamed MSG Sphere Corp.) (the Shareholder or MSGE and, together with its subsidiaries, Initial MSG Sphere Holders), a Delaware corporation. Certain capitalized terms used in this Agreement are defined in Annex A hereto.
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, as of the date of this Agreement, the Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of MSGE;
WHEREAS, MSGE intends to distribute approximately 67% of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company to the holders of MSGE common stock (the Distribution). The Distribution will take the form of a distribution of shares of the Companys Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value (the Class A Common Stock), to the holders of Class A Common Stock of MSGE and shares of the Companys Class B Common Stock, $.01 par value (the Class B Common Stock), to the holders of Class B Common Stock of MSGE;
WHEREAS, following the Distribution, the Shareholder intends to retain approximately 33% of the outstanding common stock of the Company, which will be shares of Class A Common Stock;
WHEREAS, the Company and the Shareholder wish to provide for certain registration rights and other benefits and restrictions applicable to the Shares owned by the Shareholder, its subsidiaries and the Transferees (collectively, the MSG Sphere Holders and each, an MSG Sphere Holder and, together with any Qualifying Creditors, the MSG Sphere Parties) following the Distribution, all as provided herein; and
WHEREAS, the Shareholder desires to grant the Company a proxy to vote the Shares in proportion to the votes cast by the Companys other holders of Class A Common Stock, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements contained herein, the parties hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
1. Demand Registration by the MSG Sphere Parties of the Shares.
(a) Demand Registration. One or more of the MSG Sphere Parties may request in writing that the Company file a registration statement on an appropriate form for the general registration of securities under the Securities Act, and include therein such number of the Shares owned by such MSG Sphere Party as such MSG Sphere Party may specify in its written request; provided, however, that (i) the Company shall not be required to file a registration statement pursuant to this Section 1 if (x) the Shares requested to be so registered do not, in the case of a MSG Sphere Holder, together with any Shares timely requested to be registered by other MSG Sphere Holders pursuant to the fourth-to-last sentence of this Section 1(a), have an aggregate Market Price exceeding
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the Rule 144 Threshold as of the Trading Day immediately preceding the expiration of the applicable Notice Period under such sentence or, in the case of a Qualifying Creditor, do not have an aggregate Market Price exceeding the Rule 144 Threshold as of the Trading Day immediately preceding the date on which the request for registration is received by the Company, or (y) the Company delivers to each MSG Sphere Party requesting registration under this Section 1 an opinion of counsel to the Company (such opinion and such counsel to be reasonably acceptable to each such MSG Sphere Party, it being agreed that the Companys regular outside securities counsel shall be deemed to be reasonably acceptable counsel for this purpose) to the effect that the Shares proposed to be registered by such person may be offered and sold by such person to the public in the United States together with the Shares requested to be registered by all other MSG Sphere Parties (I) without registration pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and (II) within the volume limitations under Rule 144(e) promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule or regulation) whether or not such volume limitations are then applicable, (ii) subject to the next sentence, the MSG Sphere Holders shall in the aggregate have the right on only five occasions to require the Company to file a registration statement pursuant to this Section 1, and (iii) subject to the next sentence, a Qualifying Creditor may require registration only following the exercise of its remedies under a security agreement with a MSG Sphere Holder and for the purpose of Transferring Shares pursuant thereto and each Qualifying Creditor may only require one registration hereunder. The total number of demand registrations under clauses (ii) and (iii) of the immediately preceding sentence shall not exceed five. All requests made pursuant to this paragraph shall specify the aggregate number of Shares to
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be registered and the intended methods of disposition thereof, which methods may include an underwritten public offering, exchange offer or pro-rata distribution. Upon receipt of a written request for registration from a MSG Sphere Holder pursuant to the preceding sentences, the Company shall promptly give written notice of the proposed registration to each such other MSG Sphere Holder and provide each such other holder with the opportunity to join in such request by written notice to the Company specifying the aggregate number of Shares to be registered by such holder within 20 days from the date of the Companys written notice (such period is referred to as the Notice Period). Subject to Section 1(c) of this Agreement, the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to ensure that each registration statement required to be filed pursuant to this Section 1 shall be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) as promptly as reasonably practicable, but no later than 45 days after receipt of such request by the Company, and the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause such registration statement to be declared effective by the Commission as promptly thereafter as practicable; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to maintain such effectiveness for more than 90 days. No registration shall be deemed to have been effective if the conditions to closing specified in the underwriting agreement or dealer manager agreement, if any, entered into in connection with such registration are not satisfied by reason of a wrongful act, misrepresentation or breach of such applicable underwriting agreement or dealer manager agreement by the Company. Notwithstanding the Companys rights to effect a Suspension of Filing or Suspension of Effectiveness in Section 1(c), the MSG Sphere Parties that made the registration request under this Section 1(a) shall have the right to withdraw any such request, and such
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withdrawn request shall not count as a demand registration under clause (ii) or (iii) of this Section 1(a), if (1) the registration statement required to be filed pursuant to this Section 1 is not filed with the Commission by the date that is 45 days after such request is received by the Company and has not at the time of such withdrawal been filed with the Commission, or is not declared effective by the date that is 90 days after the date such registration statement is filed with the Commission and has not at the time of such withdrawal been declared effective, and (2) in either case, such MSG Sphere Parties notify the Company of the withdrawal of such request no later than 10 days after such 45th or 90th day, as the case may be.
(b) Concurrent Primary Offering. Anything in this Section 1 to the contrary notwithstanding, if the Company at the time of receipt of a request for registration pursuant to this Section 1 has a bona fide intent and plan to file a registration statement (other than on Form S-4 or S-8 or any successor forms) covering a primary offering by the Company of its Common Equity Securities, the Company, by notice to the applicable MSG Sphere Parties, may delay the filing (but not the preparation) of the requested registration statement for a period ending on the earlier of (i) 60 days after the closing of such offering or (ii) 120 days after receipt of the request for registration; and, provided, further, if the Company either abandons its plan to file such registration statement or does not file the same within 75 days after receipt of such request, the Company shall promptly thereafter file the requested registration statement. The Company may not, pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence, delay the filing of a requested registration statement more than once during any two-year period.
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(c) Suspension of Offering. Upon notice by the Company to any MSG Sphere Party which has requested registration under this Section 1 that a negotiation or consummation of a transaction by the Company or any of its subsidiaries is pending or an event has occurred, which negotiation, consummation or event would require disclosure in the registration statement for the requested registration and such disclosure would, in the good faith judgment of the board of directors of the Company, be materially adverse to the business interests of the Company, and the nondisclosure of which in the registration statement would reasonably be expected to cause the registration statement to fail to comply with applicable disclosure requirements (a Materiality Notice), the Company may delay the filing (but not the preparation) of such registration statement (a Suspension of Filing). Upon the delivery of a Materiality Notice by the Company pursuant to the preceding sentence at any time when a registration statement has been filed but not declared effective, the Company may delay seeking the effectiveness of such registration statement (a Suspension of Effectiveness), and each MSG Sphere Party named therein shall immediately discontinue any offers of Shares under such registration statement until such MSG Sphere Party receives copies of a supplemented or amended prospectus that corrects such misstatement or omission, or until it is advised in writing by the Company that offers under such registration statement may be resumed and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings which are incorporated by reference in such registration statement. Upon the delivery of a Materiality Notice by the Company pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 1(c) at any time when a registration statement has been filed and declared effective, each MSG Sphere Party named therein shall immediately discontinue offers and sales of Shares under such
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registration statement until such MSG Sphere Party receives copies of a supplemented or amended prospectus that corrects such misstatement or omission and notice that any post-effective amendment has become effective, or until it is advised in writing by the Company that offers under such registration statement may be resumed and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings which are incorporated by reference in the registration statement (a Suspension of Offering; a Suspension of Filing, a Suspension of Effectiveness and a Suspension of Offering are collectively referred to herein as, Suspensions). If so directed by the Company, each MSG Sphere Party will deliver to the Company all copies (other than permanent file copies then in such MSG Sphere Partys possession) of any prospectus covering Shares in the possession of such MSG Sphere Party or its agents current at the time of receipt of any Materiality Notice. In any 12-month period, the aggregate time of all Suspensions shall not, without the consent of a majority of the MSG Sphere Holders (by number of Shares held), which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, exceed 180 days. If interrupted by a Suspension of Offering, any 90-day period in respect of which the Company is required to maintain the effectiveness of a registration statement pursuant to Section 1(a) of this Agreement shall be extended by the number of days during which the Suspension of Offering was in effect. In the event of any Suspension of Offering of more than 30 days in duration prior to which the MSG Sphere Parties have sold less than 75% of the Shares to be sold in such offering, the MSG Sphere Parties shall be entitled to withdraw such registration prior to the later of (i) the end of the Suspension of Offering and (ii) three business days after the Company has provided the MSG Sphere Parties written notice of the anticipated date on which the Suspension of Offering will end, and, if such registration is withdrawn, the related demand for registration shall not count for the purposes of the limitations set forth under clauses (ii) and (iii) of Section 1(a).
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(d) Market Price; Trading Day. For purposes of this Section 1:
(i) Market Price of a share of Class A Common Stock shall mean the weighted average of the closing prices for the Class A Common Stock on each Trading Day (as defined below) in the 30-day period ending on the day prior to the date of determination as reported in the consolidated transaction reporting system of the New York Stock Exchange or on the comparable reporting system of such other exchange or trading system that is at the time the principal market for the Class A Common Stock.
(ii) Trading Day shall mean any day on which trading takes place on the New York Stock Exchange or such other exchange or trading system that is at the time the principal market for the Class A Common Stock.
2. Coordination of Piggyback Registration Rights.
The Shareholder hereby acknowledges and consents, on behalf of itself and each MSG Sphere Party, to the grant by the Company to the Children Trust Holders (as defined in the Dolan Children Trusts Registration Rights Agreement) and the Dolan Family Holders (as defined in the Dolan Family Affiliates Registration Rights Agreement) (together with the Children Trust Holders, hereinafter referred to in this Agreement as the Other Holders), in the Dolan Children Trusts Registration Rights Agreement and the Dolan Family Affiliates Registration Rights Agreement (collectively, the Dolan Registration Rights Agreements), respectively, of the right of the Other Holders to include certain of their respective shares of Class A Common Stock in certain
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registration statements filed pursuant hereto. Each of the MSG Sphere Parties further acknowledges and agrees that if any offering upon the demand registration by any MSG Sphere Party under Section 1 is to be underwritten and if the managing underwriter or underwriters of such offering informs such person in writing that the number of shares of Class A Common Stock which the MSG Sphere Parties and the Other Holders, as the case may be, intend to include in such offering is sufficiently large so as to affect the offering price of such offering materially and adversely, then the MSG Sphere Parties shall have priority with respect to the number of shares of Class A Common Stock to be offered in such offering and the respective number of shares of Class A Common Stock to be offered for the account of each Other Holder who is participating in such offering shall be reduced pro rata with the Other Holders participating in such offering to the extent necessary to reduce the total number of shares of Class A Common Stock to be included in such offering to the number recommended by such managing underwriter before any shares to be offered for the account of the MSG Sphere Parties are reduced, which reduction shall be on a pro rata basis among the MSG Sphere Parties participating in such offering. Except for such piggyback registration rights granted to the MSG Sphere Holders and Other Holders and to any transferee of the shares of Class A Common Stock owned by an Other Holder which may be registered pursuant to the applicable Dolan Registration Rights Agreement, neither the Company nor any of its security holders shall have the right to include any of the Companys securities in any registration statement filed pursuant hereto.
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3. Piggyback Registration of the Shares.
(a) If the Company proposes to file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to an offering (a) by an Other Holder of its holdings of Class A Common Stock pursuant to the applicable Dolan Registration Rights Agreement, (b) by any other holder of any Common Equity Securities or (c) by the Company for its own account of any Common Equity Securities, other than (i) a registration statement on Form S-4 or S-8, or any successor form or a form filed in connection with an exchange offer, (ii) in connection with an offering of securities solely to the existing shareholders of the Company, (iii) any form of registration statement that does not include substantially the same information, other than information relating to the selling holders or their plan of distribution, as would be required to be included in a registration statement covering the sale of the Shares, (iv) in connection with any dividend reinvestment or similar plan, (v) for the sole purpose of offering securities to another entity or its security holders in connection with the acquisition of assets or securities of such entity or any similar transaction, or (vi) a registration in which the only common stock of the Company being registered is common stock issuable upon conversion of debt securities that are also being registered, the Company shall give written notice of such proposed filing to each of the MSG Sphere Holders at least 20 days before the anticipated filing date which shall state whether such registration will be in connection with an underwritten offering and offer such MSG Sphere Holders the opportunity to include in such registration statement such number of the Shares as such MSG Sphere Holder may request not later than three days prior to the anticipated filing date. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the managing underwriter or underwriters of a proposed underwritten offering to
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permit such MSG Sphere Holders to be included in the registration for such offering and to include such Shares in such offering on the same terms and conditions as the Common Equity Securities included in such offering. If such proposed offering is to be underwritten, then upon request by the managing underwriter or underwriters given to such MSG Sphere Holders prior to the effective date of the offering, any MSG Sphere Holder electing to have Shares included in the registration statement shall either enter into underwriting agreements with customary terms and conditions for a secondary offering with such underwriter or underwriters providing for the inclusion of such number of the Shares owned by such MSG Sphere Holder in such offering on such terms and conditions or, if such MSG Sphere Holder shall refuse to enter into any such agreement, the Company shall have the right to exclude from such registration all (but not less than all) of the Shares of such MSG Sphere Holder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) in no event will any MSG Sphere Holder be required in such underwriting agreement (or in any other agreement in connection with such offering) to (i) make any representations or warranties to or agreements with the underwriters other than representations, warranties or agreements customarily made by selling security holders in underwritten secondary offerings, (ii) make any representations or warranties to or agreements with the Company other than representations, warranties or agreements regarding such MSG Sphere Holders, the ownership of such MSG Sphere Holders Common Equity Securities, the authorization, validity and binding effect of transaction documents executed by such MSG Sphere Holder in connection with such registration and such MSG Sphere Holders intended method or methods of distribution and any other representation required by law; provided that no MSG Sphere Holder shall be
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required to make any representation or warranty to any person covered by the indemnity in Section 7(b) other than on a several (and not joint) basis, or (iii) furnish any indemnity to any person which is broader than the indemnity customarily furnished by selling security holders in underwritten offerings; provided that no MSG Sphere Holder shall be required to furnish any indemnity broader than the indemnity furnished by such MSG Sphere Holder in Section 7(b) to any person covered by the indemnity in Section 7(b), and (y) if the managing underwriter or underwriters of such offering informs the MSG Sphere Holders in writing that the number of Shares which the MSG Sphere Holders and the number of Shares which the Other Holders intend to include in such offering is sufficiently large so as to affect materially and adversely the success of such offering, the Shares to be offered for the account of the MSG Sphere Holders, the Other Holders and the other applicable holders of any Common Equity Securities shall first be reduced pro rata to the extent necessary to reduce the total number of shares of Class A Common Stock to be included in such offering to the number recommended by such managing underwriter. In giving effect to the foregoing reduction, the respective number of the Shares to be offered for the account of MSG Sphere Holders shall be reduced pro rata.
(b) Each MSG Sphere Holder shall be permitted to withdraw all or part of such MSG Sphere Holders Shares from a piggyback registration at any time prior to the effective date thereof.
(c) After a MSG Sphere Holder has been notified of its opportunity to include Shares in a piggyback registration, such MSG Sphere Holder (i) shall treat the Offering Confidential Information as confidential information, (ii) shall not use any Offering Confidential Information for any purpose other than to evaluate whether to
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include its Shares (or other shares of the common stock of the Company) in such piggyback registration and (iii) shall not disclose any Offering Confidential Information to any person other than such of its agents, employees, advisors and counsel as have a need to know such Offering Confidential Information, and to cause such agents, employees, advisors and counsel to comply with the requirements of this Section 3(c); provided, that any such MSG Sphere Holder may disclose Offering Confidential Information if such disclosure is required by legal process, but such MSG Sphere Holder shall cooperate with the Company to limit the extent of such disclosure through protective order or otherwise, and to seek confidential treatment of the Offering Confidential Information.
4. Holdback Agreements.
(a) Restrictions on Public Sale by MSG Sphere Parties. To the extent not inconsistent with applicable law, the Shareholder, on behalf of itself and each MSG Sphere Party, agrees not to offer publicly or effect any public sale or distribution of Common Equity Securities, including a sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act (or any successor rule or regulation), during the seven days prior to, and during the 90-day period beginning on, the effective date of any registration statement filed by the Company pursuant to which any such shares or securities are being registered (except as part of such registration), if and to the extent requested by the Company in the case of a non-underwritten public offering, exchange offer or pro-rata distribution, or if and to the extent requested by the managing underwriter or underwriters in the case of an underwritten public offering or by the managing dealer manager or dealer managers in the case of an exchange offer.
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(b) Restrictions on Public Sale by the Company and Others. The Company agrees (i) that during the seven days prior to, and during the 90-day period beginning on, the effective date of any registration statement filed at the request of a MSG Sphere Party pursuant hereto, the Company will not offer publicly or effect any public sale or distribution of Common Equity Securities (other than any such sale or distribution of such securities in connection with any merger or consolidation of the Company or any subsidiary with, or the acquisition by the Company or a subsidiary of the capital stock or substantially all of the assets of, any other person or any offer or sale of such securities pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8), and (ii) that any agreement entered into after the date of this Agreement pursuant to which the Company issues or agrees to issue any privately placed Common Equity Securities shall contain a provision under which holders of such securities agree not to effect any public sale or distribution of any such securities during the periods described in (i) above, in each case including a sale pursuant to Rule 144 (or any successor rule or regulation) under the Securities Act (except as part of any such registration, if permitted).
5. Registration Procedures.
In connection with any registration of the Shares owned by a MSG Sphere Party contemplated hereby, the Company will as expeditiously as possible
(a) Furnish to such MSG Sphere Party, prior to filing a registration statement, copies of such registration statement as proposed to be filed, and thereafter such number of copies of such registration statement, each amendment and supplement thereto (in each case including all exhibits thereto), the prospectus included in such registration statement (including each preliminary prospectus) and such other documents in such quantities as such MSG Sphere Party may reasonably request from time to time in order to facilitate the disposition of the Shares.
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(b) Use its reasonable best efforts to register or qualify the Shares being registered as contemplated hereby (the Registered Class A) under such other securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as such MSG Sphere Party reasonably requests and do any and all other acts and things which may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such MSG Sphere Party to consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Registered Class A; provided that the Company will not be required to (i) qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this paragraph (b), (ii) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction, or (iii) consent to general service of process in any such jurisdiction.
(c) Use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Registered Class A to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the business and operations of the Company to enable such MSG Sphere Party to consummate the disposition of such Registered Class A.
(d) Notify such MSG Sphere Party at any time, (i) of any request by the Commission or any other federal or state governmental authority for amendments or supplements to a registration statement or related prospectus or for additional information, (ii) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a registration statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, (iii) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of any of the Registered Class A for sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for
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such purpose, and (iv) when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the happening of any event as a result of which the prospectus included in such registration statement contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and, except as otherwise provided in Section 1(c) hereof, the Company will, as expeditiously as practicable, prepare a supplement or amendment to such prospectus so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such Registered Class A, such prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.
(e) Use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of a registration statement, or the lifting of any suspension of the qualification (or exemption from qualification) of any of the Registered Class A for sale in any jurisdiction at the earliest date reasonably practical.
(f) Cause all such Registered Class A to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange or on any other securities exchange on which the Class A Common Stock is then listed, provided that the applicable listing requirements are satisfied.
(g) Enter into customary agreements (including an underwriting agreement in customary form) and take such other actions as are reasonably requested by the relevant MSG Sphere Party in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of the Registered Class A.
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(h) Make available for inspection by such MSG Sphere Party, any underwriter or dealer manager participating in any disposition pursuant to such registration statement, and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by such MSG Sphere Party or such underwriter or dealer manager (collectively, the Inspectors), all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company (collectively, the Records) as shall be reasonably necessary to enable them to exercise their due diligence responsibility, and cause the officers, directors and employees of the Company to supply all information reasonably requested by any such Inspector in connection with such registration statement. Records which the Company determines, in good faith, to be confidential and which it notifies the Inspectors are confidential shall not be disclosed by the Inspectors unless (i) the disclosure of such Records is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in the registration statement or (ii) the release of such Records is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other order from a court of competent jurisdiction. Any MSG Sphere Party shall use reasonable best efforts, prior to any disclosure by any such Inspector under clause (i) of the preceding sentence, to inform the Company that such disclosure is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in the registration statement. Each MSG Sphere Party further agrees that it will, upon learning that disclosure of Records is sought in a court of competent jurisdiction, give notice to the Company and allow the Company, at the expense of the Company, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of the Records deemed confidential.
(i) In the event such sale is pursuant to an underwritten offering or exchange offer, use its reasonable best efforts to (i) obtain a comfort letter from the independent public accountants for the Company in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by such letters as any MSG Sphere Party reasonably requests and (ii) ensure that (A) the representations, warranties and covenants
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contained in the applicable underwriting agreement, dealer manager agreement or distribution agreement shall expressly be for the benefit of any MSG Sphere Party participating in such sale, (B) the conditions to closing in said underwriting agreement or dealer managers agreement shall be reasonably satisfactory to such MSG Sphere Party and (C) to the extent customary, all comfort letters and opinions of counsel contemplated by said underwriting agreement or dealer manager agreement are delivered to such MSG Sphere Party on the closing date of the offering.
(j) In the case of an exchange offer that does not involve a dealer manager or a pro-rata distribution, provide to each participating MSG Sphere Party such customary written representations and warranties or other covenants or agreements as may be requested by any participating MSG Sphere Party comparable to those that would be included in an underwriting agreement, dealer manager agreement or distribution agreement.
(k) Otherwise use its reasonable best efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission and have the registration statement declared effective as soon as practicable after filing.
The Company may require any MSG Sphere Party to furnish to the Company such information regarding such MSG Sphere Party as the Company may from time to time reasonably request in writing, in each case only as required by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder.
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Each MSG Sphere Party agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 5(d) hereof, such MSG Sphere Party will forthwith discontinue disposition of the Registered Class A pursuant to the registration statement covering such Registered Class A until such MSG Sphere Party receives the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section 5(d) hereof, and, if so directed by the Company, such MSG Sphere Party will deliver to the Company (at the expense of the Company) all copies, other than permanent file copies then in such MSG Sphere Partys possession, of the prospectus covering such Registered Class A current at the time of receipt of such notice. If interrupted by receipt of any such notice pursuant to Section 5(d), any 90-day period in respect of which the Company is required to maintain the effectiveness of a registration statement pursuant to Section 1(a) shall be extended by the number of days during which the interruption was in effect.
6. Registration Expenses.
Other than in the case of (a) a registration at the request of a Qualifying Creditor or (b) a demand registration under Section 1(a)(ii) after the second such registration (each registration referred to in clause (a) or (b), a Designated Registration), all expenses incident to the performance of or compliance with this Agreement by the Company, including, without limitation, all registration and filing fees, fees and expenses of compliance with securities or blue sky laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel in connection with blue sky qualifications of the Registered Class A), printing expenses, messenger and delivery expenses, internal expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Registered Class A on the New York Stock Exchange or any other securities exchange on which such Class A Common Stock is then listed,
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fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and its independent certified public accountants (including the expenses of any special audit or comfort letters required by or incident to such performance), securities acts liability insurance (if the Company elects to obtain such insurance), the fees and expenses of any special experts retained by the Company in connection with such registration, the fees and expenses of other persons retained by the Company, including transfer agents, trustees, depositories and registrars (all such expenses being herein called Registration Expenses), will be borne by the Company. In the case of a Designated Registration, all Registration Expenses other than internal expenses of the Company and securities acts liability insurance obtained by the Company at its election, shall be borne by the Qualifying Creditor or the MSG Sphere Holders participating in the offering, as the case may be. The Company will not have any responsibility for any of the expenses of any MSG Sphere Party incurred in connection with any registration statement hereunder, including, without limitation, underwriting discounts or commissions or dealer manager fees attributable to the sale or other disposition of Registered Class A and fees and expenses of counsel for such MSG Sphere Party.
7. Indemnification; Contribution.
(a) Indemnification by the Company. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by law, (i) each MSG Sphere Party, (ii) the directors, officers, partners, employees, agents, beneficiaries, trustees, members and affiliates of each MSG Sphere Party, and the directors, officers, partners, employees and agents of each such affiliate, and (iii) each person who controls any of the foregoing (within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act), against any
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and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, expenses (or actions or proceedings in respect thereof) or costs (including, without limitation, costs of investigation and reasonable attorneys fees and disbursements incurred by any such indemnified person in connection with enforcing its rights hereunder preparing, pursuing or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability, expense, action or proceeding), including any of the foregoing incurred in settlement of any litigation commenced or threatened (collectively, Losses), joint or several, based upon or arising out of (x) any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in any registration statement, prospectus, preliminary prospectus, summary prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto, (y) any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of a prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, or (z) any violation by the Company of any federal, state or common law rule or regulation applicable to the Company in connection with such registration, and the Company will reimburse each such indemnified party for any such Loss, except in each case insofar as any such Loss arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or omission made in any such registration statement, prospectus, preliminary prospectus, final prospectus, summary prospectus, amendment or supplement, or a violation of law or regulation in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such indemnified party expressly for use in the preparation thereof, it being understood that the information to be furnished to the Company for use in the preparation of any such document shall be limited only to the information specifically referenced in the penultimate sentence of Section 7(b). Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by
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such indemnified person and shall survive the Transfer of any Shares by any such indemnified person. The indemnity in this Section 7(a) shall not apply to Losses incurred by a person other than in his or her capacity as a selling security holder. In connection with an underwritten offering or registered exchange offer, the Company will indemnify the underwriters or dealer managers thereof, their officers and directors and each person who controls such underwriters or dealer managers (within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act) to the same extent as provided above with respect to the indemnification of each MSG Sphere Party.
(b) Indemnification by MSG Sphere Parties. In connection with any registration statement contemplated hereby, each MSG Sphere Party participating in any offer or sale pursuant to such registration statement will furnish to the Company in writing such information with respect to such MSG Sphere Party as the Company reasonably requests for use in connection with any such registration statement, prospectus, preliminary prospectus, summary prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto and agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, severally, and not jointly, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company, its directors, officers, employees, agents and affiliates and the directors, officers, partners, employees and agents of each such affiliate and each person who controls the Company (within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act) against any Losses insofar as such Losses arise out of or are based upon (i) an untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any such registration statement, prospectus, preliminary prospectus, summary prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in
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the case of a prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, to the extent that such untrue statement or omission is contained in or omitted from any information with respect to such MSG Sphere Party so furnished in writing by such MSG Sphere Party expressly for use in the preparation of such registration statement, prospectus, preliminary prospectus, summary prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto, as the case may be, or (ii) any violation by such MSG Sphere Party of any federal, state or common law rule or regulation applicable to such MSG Sphere Party in connection with such registration. It is understood that the information to be furnished by a MSG Sphere Party to the Company for use in the preparation of any such document shall be limited only to information regarding such MSG Sphere Party, the ownership of such MSG Sphere Partys Common Equity Securities, such MSG Sphere Partys intended method or methods of distribution and any other information required by law. The liability of a MSG Sphere Party under this Section 7(b) shall not exceed the amount of net proceeds (including the value of any securities received in an exchange offer) received by such MSG Sphere Party (net of underwriting discounts or dealer manager fees borne by such MSG Sphere Party) from the sale or other disposition of the Shares in the offering that is the subject of an indemnity claim under this Section 7(b).
(c) Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings. Any person entitled to indemnification hereunder agrees to give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party after the receipt by such person of any written notice of the commencement of any action, suit, proceeding or investigation or threat thereof made in writing for which such person will claim indemnification or contribution pursuant to this Agreement, provided that the
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failure of any indemnified party to give notice as provided herein shall not relieve the indemnified party of its obligations under this Section 7, except to the extent that the indemnifying party is materially prejudiced by such failure to give notice. Unless in the reasonable judgment of such indemnified party, a conflict of interest may exist between such indemnified party and the indemnifying party with respect to such claim, the indemnified party shall permit the indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party. If the indemnifying party is not entitled to, or elects not to, assume the defense of a claim, it will not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel with respect to such claim, unless in the reasonable judgment of any indemnified party a conflict of interest may exist between such indemnified party and any other of such indemnified parties with respect to such claim, in which event the indemnifying party shall be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of such additional counsel or counsels. No indemnifying party will be subject to any liability for any settlement made without its consent. No indemnifying party, in the defense of any such claim or litigation shall, except with the consent of the applicable indemnified party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such indemnified party of a release from all liability in respect of such claim or litigation.
(d) Indemnification Payments. Any indemnification required to be made by an indemnifying party pursuant to this Section 7 shall be made by periodic payments to the indemnified party during the course of the action or proceeding, as and when bills are received by such indemnifying party with respect to indemnifiable Losses incurred by such indemnified party.
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(e) Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in this Section 7 from the indemnifying party is unavailable to an indemnified party hereunder in respect of any Losses or is insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party from all Losses covered thereby, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such Losses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party and indemnified parties in connection with the actions which resulted in such Losses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of such indemnifying party and indemnified parties shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by such indemnifying party or indemnified parties, and the parties relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statements or omissions. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 7(c), any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or proceeding.
The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7(e) were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
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Notwithstanding anything else contained herein, (i) no party shall be liable for contribution under this Section 7(e) except to the extent and under such circumstances as such party would have been liable to indemnify under this Section 7 if such indemnification were enforceable under applicable law and (ii) no MSG Sphere Party (or related indemnified party) shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the net proceeds (including the value of any securities received in an exchange offer) received by such MSG Sphere Party (net of underwriting discounts or dealer manager fees borne by such MSG Sphere Party) from the sale or other disposition of Shares in the offering that is the subject of the claim for contribution exceeds the amount of any damages which such MSG Sphere Party (or related indemnified party) would have been required to pay by reason of the indemnity under this Section 7 if such indemnification was enforceable under applicable law.
If indemnification is available under this Section 7, the indemnifying parties shall indemnify each indemnified party to the full extent provided in Sections 7(a) and (b) without regard to the relative fault of said indemnifying party or indemnified party or any other equitable consideration provided for in this Section 7(e).
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8. Participation in Underwritten Registrations. A MSG Sphere Party may not participate in any underwritten registration, exchange offer or pro-rata distribution hereunder or otherwise unless such MSG Sphere Party (a) agrees to sell the Shares on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements, dealer manager arrangements or distribution arrangements with customary terms and conditions for a secondary offering approved by the Company or the persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements, dealer manager agreements and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements, the dealer manager arrangements or this Agreement, provided that none of the foregoing shall in any way limit the obligations of the Company under Section 7.
9. Convertible or Exchange Registration.
(a) If any MSG Sphere Holder who is a holder of the Shares offers any options, rights, warrants or other securities issued by it or any other person that are offered with, convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for any Shares, the Shares underlying such options, rights, warrants or other securities shall be eligible for registration pursuant to Section 1 and Section 3 hereof.
10. Reporting Requirements; Rule 144. Until the expiration or termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms, the Company shall be and remain in compliance with the periodic filing requirements imposed under the Commissions rules and regulations, including the Exchange Act, and any other applicable laws or rules, and shall timely file such information, documents and reports as the Commission may require or prescribe under Section 13 or 15(d) (whichever is applicable) of the Exchange Act. If the Company is not required to file such reports, it will, upon the request of any MSG Sphere Holder, make publicly available such
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necessary information for so long as necessary to permit sales pursuant to Rule 144 or Regulation S under the Securities Act, and it will take such further action as any MSG Sphere Holder may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such MSG Sphere Holder to sell the Shares without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by (a) Rule 144 or Regulation S under the Securities Act, as such Rules may be amended from time to time, or (b) any rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC. From and after the date hereof through the first anniversary of the date upon which no MSG Sphere Holder owns any Shares, the Company shall forthwith upon request furnish any MSG Sphere Holder (i) a written statement by the Company as to whether it has complied with such requirements and, if not, the specifics thereof, (ii) a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company, and (iii) such other reports and documents filed by the Company with the Commission as such MSG Sphere Holder may reasonably request in availing itself of an exemption for the sale of Shares without registration under the Securities Act.
ARTICLE II
VOTING RESTRICTIONS
11. Voting of the Class A Common Stock.
(a) From the date of the Distribution until the date that the Initial MSG Sphere Holders cease to own any Shares, the Shareholder shall, and shall cause each Initial MSG Sphere Holder to (in each case, to the extent that they own any Shares), be present, in person or by proxy, at each and every shareholder meeting of the Company, and otherwise to cause all Shares owned by them to be counted as present for purposes of establishing a quorum at any such meeting, and to vote or consent on any matter (including waivers of contractual or statutory rights), or cause to be voted or consented on any such matter, all such Shares in proportion to the votes cast by the other holders of the Class A Common Stock on such matter.
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(b) From the date of the Distribution until the date that the Initial MSG Sphere Holders cease to own any Shares, the Shareholder hereby grants, and shall cause each Initial MSG Sphere Holder (in each case, to the extent that they own any Shares) to grant, an irrevocable proxy, which shall be deemed coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable proxy to the Company or its designees, to vote, with respect to any matter (including waivers of contractual or statutory rights), all Shares owned by them, in proportion to the votes cast by the other holders of the Class A Common Stock on such matter; provided that (i) such proxy shall automatically be revoked as to a particular Share upon any sale of such Share from an Initial MSG Sphere Holder to a person other than an Initial MSG Sphere Holder and (ii) nothing in this Section 11(b) shall limit or prohibit any such sale.
(c) The Shareholder acknowledges and agrees (on behalf of itself and each Initial MSG Sphere Holder) that the Company will be irreparably damaged in the event any of the provisions of this Article II are not performed by the Shareholder in accordance with their terms or are otherwise breached. Accordingly, it is agreed that the Company shall be entitled to an injunction to prevent breaches of this Article II and to specific enforcement of the provisions of this Article II in any action instituted in any court of the United States or any state having subject matter jurisdiction over such action.
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ARTICLE III
MISCELLANEOUS
12. Miscellaneous.
(a) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company will not hereafter enter into any agreement with respect to its securities which is inconsistent with the rights granted to the MSG Sphere Parties in this Agreement.
(b) Amendments. This Agreement may not be amended, modified or altered except by a writing duly signed by the party against which such amendment or modification is sought to be enforced.
(c) Successors and Assigns.
(i) This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company, the MSG Sphere Parties and the respective successors and permitted assigns of the Company and the MSG Sphere Parties. The Company shall assign its rights and obligations hereunder to any entity that succeeds to all or substantially all of its assets, by merger or otherwise, including to any holding company that may be formed to be the parent of the Company, if such entity becomes the issuer of the securities then owned by the MSG Sphere Holders. Each MSG Sphere Holder may assign its rights and obligations hereunder to any other MSG Sphere Holder that succeeds to all or substantially all of its assets, by merger or otherwise, without the consent of the Company.
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(ii) In connection with the sale of Shares, the Shareholder or another MSG Sphere Holder that has been transferred Shares pursuant to clause (A) below may assign its registration-related rights and obligations under this Agreement relating to such Shares (other than, in the case of clause (B) or (C) below, the voting provisions contained in Article II hereof) to the following transferees in such sale: (A) another MSG Sphere Holder to which the Shares are sold, (B) any other transferee to which the Shares are sold, if the Company provides prior written consent to the transfer of such registration-related rights and obligations along with the sale of the Shares or (C) any other transferee to which the Shares are sold, unless (I) such sale consists of Shares representing less than 5% of the Companys then-issued and outstanding securities of the same class as the Shares or (II) such Shares are eligible for sale pursuant to an exemption from the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act under Section 4(a) thereof (including transactions pursuant to Rule 144); provided, (x) the Company is given written notice prior to or at the time of such sale stating the name and address of the transferee and identifying the securities with respect to which the registration-related rights and obligations are being sold and (y) the transferee executes a counterpart in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A and delivers the same to the Company (any such transferee in such sale, a Transferee). A Transferee that obtains Shares in compliance with the foregoing sentence shall be considered a MSG Sphere Holder for purposes of this Agreement upon satisfaction of the procedures set forth in the foregoing sentence.
(d) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
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(e) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not constitute a part hereof.
(f) Construction. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York without giving any effect to principles of conflicts of laws.
(g) Notices. Any notice required or desired to be delivered hereunder shall be (i) in writing, (ii) delivered by personal delivery, sent by commercial delivery service or certified mail, return receipt requested, or by facsimile or electronic mail, (iii) deemed to have been given on the date of personal delivery, the date set forth in the records of the delivery service or return receipt, or in the case of facsimile or electronic mail, upon dispatch, and (iv) addressed as designated on Schedule 1 hereto (or to such other address as the party entitled to notice shall hereafter designate in accordance with the terms hereof), with copies as designated on Schedule 1 hereto.
(h) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the application of any provision hereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of this Agreement and the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected unless the provision held invalid shall substantially impair the benefits of the remaining portions of this Agreement.
(i) Entire Agreement. This Agreement is intended by the parties as a final expression of their agreement and is intended to be a complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein. There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.
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(j) Attorneys Fees. In any action or proceeding brought to enforce any provision of this Agreement, or where any provision hereof is validly asserted as a defense, the successful party shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys fees in addition to any other available remedy.
(k) Effectiveness. This Agreement shall become effective on the date on which the Distribution is consummated, without any further action of any of the parties hereto.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first written above.
MSGE SPINCO, INC. | ||
(to be renamed Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.) | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP. | ||
(to be renamed MSG Sphere Corp.) | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: |
[Signature Page to Shareholders and Registration Rights Agreement]
ANNEX A
Definitions
Class A Common Stock has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Recitals.
Class B Common Stock has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Recitals.
Commission has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 1(a) hereof.
Common Equity Securities means shares of any class of common stock, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of any class of common stock of the Company.
Company has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Recitals.
Creditor means any financial institution approved by the Company, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld.
Designated Registration has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 6 hereof.
Distribution has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Recitals.
Dolan Children Trusts Registration Rights Agreement means the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, between the Company and the Charles F. Dolan Children Trusts, as the same may be amended, modified or amended and restated from time to time.
Dolan Family Affiliates Registration Rights Agreement means the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, between the Company and the Dolan Family Affiliates (as defined therein), as the same may be amended, modified or amended and restated from time to time.
Dolan Registration Rights Agreements has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 2 hereof.
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Inspectors has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 5(g) hereof.
Losses has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 7(a) hereof.
Market Price has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 1(d) hereof.
A-1
Materiality Notice has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 1(c) hereof.
MSG Sphere Group means MSGE and its subsidiaries.
MSG Sphere Holders has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Preamble hereof.
MSG Sphere Parties has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Preamble hereof.
MSGE means The Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (to be renamed MSG Sphere Corp.), a Delaware corporation.
Offering Confidential Information means, with respect to a piggyback registration, (i) the Companys plan to file the relevant registration statement and engage in the offering so registered, (ii) any information regarding the offering being registered (including the potential timing, price, number of shares, underwriters or other counterparties, selling stockholders or plan of distribution) and (iii) any other information (including information contained in draft supplements or amendments to offering materials) provided to any MSG Sphere Party or Other Holder by the Company (or by third parties) in connection with a piggyback registration; provided, that Offering Confidential Information shall not include information that (x) was or becomes generally available to the public (including as a result of the filing of the relevant registration statement) other than as a result of a disclosure by any MSG Sphere Party or Other Holder, (y) was or becomes available to any MSG Sphere Party or Other Holder from a source not bound by any confidentiality agreement with the Company or (z) was otherwise in such MSG Sphere Party or Other Holders possession prior to it being furnished to such MSG Sphere Party or Other Holder by the Company or on the Companys behalf.
Other Holders has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 2 hereof.
Qualifying Creditor means a Creditor who has, at the written request of a MSG Sphere Holder, signed an instrument in form reasonably acceptable to the Company agreeing to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement.
Records has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 5(g) hereof.
Registered Class A has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 5(b).
A-2
Registration Expenses has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 6 hereof.
Rule 144 Threshold means the product of (a) the maximum number of shares of Class A Common Stock of the Company that could be sold under Rule 144(e)(1) under the Securities Act (or any successor rule or regulation) and (b) the applicable Market Price provided for in this Agreement.
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Shares means (i) shares of Class A Common Stock acquired by any MSG Sphere Holder in the Distribution, (ii) any shares of Class A Common Stock acquired by any MSG Sphere Holder as a result of any stock split, stock dividend or other recapitalization with respect to any shares of Class A Common Stock acquired by any MSG Sphere Holder in the Distribution or acquired as provided in this clause (ii), provided that the Shares excludes any security (i) the offering and sale of which has been effectively registered under the Securities Act and which has been sold in accordance with a registration statement or (ii) that has been sold pursuant to Rule 144 (or any successor provision) under the Securities Act.
Suspension of Effectiveness has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 2(c) hereof.
Suspension of Filing has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 1(c) hereof.
Suspension of Offering has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 1(c) hereof.
Trading Day has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 1(d) hereof.
Transfer means a sale, transfer or other disposition.
Transferee has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 12(c) hereof.
A-3
Exhibit 8.1
[ ], 2023
Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.,
Two Pennsylvania Plaza,
New York, NY 10121.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as U.S. tax counsel to Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp., a Delaware corporation (MSGE), in connection with the Distribution as described in the officers certificate to us from MSGE, dated [ ], 2023 (the Officers Certificate). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Officers Certificate.
In rendering our opinion, we have examined and relied upon the accuracy and completeness of the facts set forth in the Officers Certificate and such other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate. In addition, we have relied upon the representation letter to us from Charles F. Dolan. In connection with this opinion, we have assumed that the Contribution and the Distribution will be consummated in the manner described in the Officers Certificate, and we have made the assumptions described in Exhibit E attached thereto.
In rendering our opinion, we have considered the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, pertinent judicial authorities, interpretive rulings of the Internal Revenue Service, and such other authorities as we have deemed appropriate under the circumstances. All such authorities are subject to change, and any of such changes could apply retroactively.
Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that under current law,
(1) The Contribution and Distribution, taken together, should qualify as a reorganization under Section 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code;
(2) Neither MSGE nor MSGE Spinco, Inc. (Controlled) should recognize gain or loss upon the Contribution;
(3) MSGE should not recognize gain or loss upon the Distribution under Section 355(c) or Section 361(c) of the Code; and
(4) Stockholders of MSGE should not recognize gain or loss upon the Distribution under Section 355(a) of the Code, and no amount should be included in such shareholders income, except in respect of cash received in lieu of fractional shares of Controlled.
Our opinion is expressly conditioned upon the assumptions and statements of reliance set forth above. We express no other opinion as to the tax consequences (including any applicable state, local or foreign tax consequences) of the transactions referred to herein or in the Officers Certificate.
[Remainder of this page intentionally left blank.]
Very truly yours, |
|
[] |
Exhibit 10.6
STANDSTILL AGREEMENT
BY AND AMONG
MSGE SPINCO, INC.
(TO BE RENAMED MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.)
AND
THE DOLAN FAMILY GROUP
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STANDSTILL AGREEMENT
Standstill Agreement (this Standstill Agreement), dated as of [_], 2023, by and among MSGE Spinco, Inc. (to be renamed Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.), a Delaware corporation (the Company), each of the members of the Dolan Family Group listed on Schedule I to this Standstill Agreement (the Dolan Family Parties) and, as and to the extent provided herein, their transferees, successors and assigns.
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, as of the date of this Standstill Agreement, the Dolan Family Parties own all of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock of The Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (MSGE), par value $.01 per share (MSGE Class B Common Stock), and also own shares of Class A Common Stock of MSGE, par value $.01 per share (MSGE Class A Common Stock);
WHEREAS, MSGE intends to distribute (the Distribution) to the holders of MSGE Class A Common Stock approximately 67% of the outstanding shares of the Companys Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value (the Class A Common Stock), and to the holders of MSGE Class B Common Stock all of the outstanding shares of the Companys Class B Common Stock, $.01 par value (the Class B Common Stock and, together with the Class A Common Stock, the Common Stock); and
WHEREAS, the Company and the Dolan Family Parties wish to provide for certain restrictions that will be applicable to the Dolan Family Parties following the Distribution, all as provided herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements contained herein, the parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Standstill Agreement.
During the 12-month period beginning on the date the Distribution is consummated (the Distribution Date), the Dolan Family Parties shall obtain the prior approval of a majority of the Companys Independent Directors prior to acquiring Common Stock of the Company through a tender offer that results in members of the Dolan Family Group beneficially owning more than 50% of the total number of outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company. For purposes of this Standstill Agreement, the term Independent Directors means the directors of the Company who have been determined by the Companys Board of Directors to be independent directors for purposes of the New York Stock Exchange corporate governance standards.
2. Transfers and Related Matters.
(a) Transfers. Each Dolan Family Party agrees that if at any time or from time to time prior to the first anniversary of the Distribution Date it desires to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly (including any transfer of equity or beneficial interests in an entity that is a Dolan Family Party or any other entity to which shares of Class B Common Stock may have been transferred, directly or indirectly) (a Transfer), any or all of its shares of Class B Common Stock to any Dolan Person (as defined below) who is not a Dolan Family Party, such Dolan Family Party shall, prior to the consummation of such Transfer, cause the transferee to execute a joinder agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (a Joinder), pursuant to which such transferee shall agree to be bound by the
2
provisions of this Standstill Agreement as a Dolan Family Party. In addition, if prior to the first anniversary of the Distribution Date, any person becomes a member of the Dolan Family Group, the Dolan Family Parties shall cause such person to execute a Joinder. Dolan Person means any individual who is a member of the immediate family (as defined in Rule 16a-1(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) of a Dolan Family Party; an entity that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, a Dolan Family Party; or a trust or estate in which a Dolan Family Party has an interest (including as a trustee or beneficiary).
(b) Legends. The Company may, at its election, require that any certificate representing shares of Class B Common Stock that are covered by this Standstill Agreement and that are issued prior to the first anniversary of the Distribution Date shall have endorsed thereon a legend which shall read substantially as follows:
The shares represented by this certificate are held subject to the terms of a certain Standstill Agreement, dated [__], 2023, by and among Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. and the Dolan Family Group, as amended from time to time, a copy of which is on file with the Secretary of Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp., and such shares may not be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of, directly or indirectly, except in accordance with the terms of such Standstill Agreement.
Following the first anniversary of the Distribution Date, any stockholder may require the Company to remove the foregoing legend from any of such stockholders share certificates promptly after the surrender of any such certificate for such purpose.
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3. Miscellaneous.
(a) Specific Performance. The Company and each Dolan Family Party acknowledge that it will be impossible to measure in money the damage to a party hereto if another party fails to comply with any of the obligations imposed by this Standstill Agreement, that every such obligation herein is material and that, in the event of any such failure, the non-breaching party will not have an adequate remedy at law or in damages. Accordingly, each party hereto consents to the issuance of an injunction or the enforcement of other equitable remedies against it without bond or other security, to compel performance by such party of all the terms hereof, and waives any defenses of (i) failure of consideration, (ii) breach of any other provision of this Standstill Agreement and (iii) availability of relief in damages.
(b) Amendments. This Standstill Agreement may not be amended, modified or altered except by a writing duly signed by the party against which such amendment or modification is sought to be enforced and with the consent of a majority of the Independent Directors.
(c) Successors and Assigns. This Standstill Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company, the Dolan Family Parties and the respective successors and permitted assigns of the Company and the Dolan Family Parties. This Standstill Agreement may not be assigned by either the Company or a Dolan Family Party without the prior written consent of the other party hereto. The Company shall assign its rights and obligations hereunder (and no consent thereto shall be required under this Section 3(c)) to any entity that succeeds to all or substantially all of its assets, by merger or otherwise, including to any holding company that may be formed to be the parent of the Company, if such entity becomes the issuer of the securities then owned by the Dolan Family Parties.
4
(d) Termination. This Standstill Agreement shall terminate on the first anniversary of the date hereof, but a termination shall not affect any rights accrued prior to such termination.
(e) Counterparts. This Standstill Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
(f) Headings. The headings in this Standstill Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not constitute a part hereof.
(g) Construction. This Standstill Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York without giving any effect to principles of conflicts of laws.
(h) Notices. All notices hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given at the time when mailed by certified mail, addressed to the address below stated of the party to which notice is given, or to such changed address as such party may have fixed by notice:
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To the Company:
MSGE Spinco, Inc. (or, after the applicable name change, |
Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.) |
Two Pennsylvania Plaza |
New York, NY 10121 |
Attn: General Counsel |
To a Dolan Family Party:
c/o Brian G. Sweeney |
91 Cove Neck Road |
Oyster Bay, NY 11771 |
Facsimile: (516) 992-4790 |
E-mail: bgsweeney@gmail.com |
With copies to (which shall not constitute notice):
Dolan Family Office LLC |
340 Crossways Park Drive |
Woodbury, New York 11797 |
Attn: Dennis H. Javer |
Facsimile: (516) 226-1188 |
E-mail: DJaver@dfollc.com |
and |
Debevoise & Plimpton LLP |
650 California Street |
San Francisco, CA 94108 |
Attention: Michael Diz |
E-mail: madiz@debevoise.com |
provided, however, that any notice of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.
(i) Severability. If any provision of this Standstill Agreement or the application of any provision hereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of this Standstill Agreement and the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected unless the provision held invalid shall substantially impair the benefits of the remaining portions of this Standstill Agreement.
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(j) Entire Agreement. This Standstill Agreement is intended by the parties as a final expression of their agreement and is intended to be a complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein. There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein. This Standstill Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.
(k) Attorneys Fees. In any action or proceeding brought to enforce any provision of this Standstill Agreement, or where any provision hereof is validly asserted as a defense, the successful party shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys fees in addition to any other available remedy.
7
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Standstill Agreement as of the day and year first written above.
MSGE SPINCO, INC. (to be renamed Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.) | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
CHARLES F. DOLAN, individually, and as Trustee of the Charles F. Dolan 2009 Revocable Trust and existing and future Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts for his benefit | ||
| ||
Charles F. Dolan | ||
HELEN A. DOLAN, individually, and as Trustee of the Helen A. Dolan 2009 Revocable Trust and existing and future Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts for her benefit | ||
| ||
Helen A. Dolan | ||
JAMES L. DOLAN, individually | ||
| ||
James L. Dolan |
[Signature Page to Standstill Agreement]
THOMAS C. DOLAN, individually |
|
Thomas C. Dolan |
MARIANNE DOLAN WEBER, individually |
|
Marianne Dolan Weber |
DEBORAH A. DOLAN-SWEENEY, individually |
|
Deborah A. Dolan-Sweeney |
KATHLEEN M. DOLAN, individually, and as a Trustee of the Charles F. Dolan Children Trusts FBO Kathleen M. Dolan, Deborah A. Dolan-Sweeney, Marianne Dolan Weber, Thomas C. Dolan and James L. Dolan, and as Trustee of the Ryan Dolan 1989 Trust and the Tara Dolan 1989 Trust |
|
Kathleen M. Dolan |
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PAUL J. DOLAN, not individually, but as a Trustee of the Charles F. Dolan Children Trust FBO Kathleen M. Dolan and the Charles F. Dolan Children Trust FBO James L. Dolan |
|
Paul J. Dolan |
MATTHEW J. DOLAN, not individually, but as a Trustee of the Charles F. Dolan Children Trusts FBO Marianne Dolan Weber and the Charles F. Dolan Children Trust FBO Thomas C. Dolan |
|
Matthew J. Dolan |
MARY S. DOLAN, not individually, but as a Trustee of the Charles F. Dolan Children Trust FBO Deborah A. Dolan-Sweeney, the Charles F. Dolan 2009 Family Trusts, the Charles F. Dolan 2012 Grandchildren Trusts and the Charles F. Dolan 2012 Descendants Trust |
|
Mary S. Dolan |
CORBY DOLAN LEINAUER, not individually, but as a Trustee of the Charles F. Dolan 2009 Family Trusts, the Charles F. Dolan 2012 Grandchildren Trusts and the Charles F. Dolan 2012 Descendants Trust |
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Corby Dolan Leinauer |
10
Exhibit 10.9
FORM OF RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS AGREEMENT
Dear [Participant Name]:
Pursuant to the 2023 Employee Stock Plan (the Plan), you have been selected by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (as more fully described in Section 11, the Committee) of Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (formerly known as MSGE Spinco, Inc.) (the Company), effective as of [Date] (the Grant Date) to receive [#RSUs] restricted stock units (Units). The Units are granted subject to the terms and conditions set forth below and in the Plan.
Capitalized terms used but not defined in this agreement (this Agreement) have the meanings given to them in the Plan. The Units are subject to the terms and conditions set forth below:
1. Awards. Each Unit shall represent an unfunded, unsecured promise by the Company to deliver to you one share of the Companys Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (Share) on the Delivery Date. In accordance with Section 10(b) of the Plan, in the discretion of the Committee, in lieu of all or any portion of the Shares otherwise deliverable in respect of your Units, the Company may deliver a cash amount equal to the number of such Shares multiplied by the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date when Shares would otherwise have been issued, as determined by the Committee.
2. Vesting. One-third of your Units will vest on each of September 15, [year], [year] and [year] (each, a Vesting Date); provided that you have remained in the continuous employ of the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group (each as defined below) through the applicable Vesting Date; provided further that fractional Units eligible to vest on each of the first two Vesting Dates will be rounded down to the nearest whole Unit. Subject to Sections 3 and 4, you will forfeit any unvested Units if you do not remain continuously employed with the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group (each as defined below) from the Grant Date through any Vesting Date.
For purposes of this Agreement, the MSG Entertainment Group means the Company and any of its Subsidiaries. The MSG Sphere Group means MSG Sphere Corp. (formerly known as Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.) (MSG Sphere) and any of its Subsidiaries. The MSG Sports Group means Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. (MSG Sports) and any of its Subsidiaries.
For purposes of this Agreement, if you are employed by the MSG Entertainment Group, your Employer means the Company; if you are employed by the MSG Sphere Group, your Employer means MSG Sphere; if you are employed by the MSG Sports Group, your Employer means MSG Sports; if you are employed by both the MSG Entertainment Group and the MSG Sphere Group, your Employer means MSG Entertainment; if you are employed by both the MSG Entertainment Group and the MSG Sports Group, your Employer means MSG Entertainment; and if you are employed by each of the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group and the MSG Sports Group, your Employer means MSG Entertainment.
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3. Vesting in the Event of Death, Disability[, Retirement] 1 and Other Circumstances.
(A) If your employment is terminated as a result of your death, all of the unvested Units will vest as of the termination date.
(B) If your employment is terminated while you are Disabled, and Cause does not then exist, your unvested Units will immediately vest, and will become payable at such times as they would have otherwise vested pursuant to Section 2.
(C) [If your employment is terminated on or after the date that you achieve Retirement Eligibility, and Cause does not then exist, then so long as you enter into your Employers then-current form of separation agreement (which shall include, without limitation, a covenant not to compete), you will vest in your Units and such Units will become payable at such times as they would have otherwise vested pursuant to Section 2 regardless of whether or not you remain employed by your Employer on such dates; provided, however, that upon a termination for Cause, you will forfeit all Units that had not yet been paid.]2
(D) If your employment is terminated for other reasons, the Committee may, in its sole discretion determine to vest all or a portion of the unvested Units (but shall be under no obligation to consider doing so).
(E) For purposes of this Agreement:
(i) | Disabled means that you received short term disability income replacement payments for six (6) months, and thereafter (A) have been determined to be disabled in accordance with your Employers long term disability plan in which employees of your Employer are generally able to participate, if one is in effect at such time or (B) to the extent no such long term disability plan exists, have been determined to have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months as determined by the department or vendor directed by your Employer to determine eligibility for unpaid medical leave. |
(ii) | Cause means, as determined by the compensation committee of your Employer, in its sole discretion, your (A) commission of an act of fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation, willful misconduct, gross negligence or breach of fiduciary duty against your Employer or (B) 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. |
1 | To be included on a case-by-case basis as determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion. |
2 | See footnote 1. |
(iii) | [Retirement Eligibility means that you are either (A) at least fifty-five (55) years old with at least ten (10) years of continuous service with the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group and/or the MSG Sports Group or (B) at least sixty (60) years old with at least five (5) years of continuous service with the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group and/or the MSG Sports Group.]3 |
4. Change of Control/Going-Private Transaction. As set forth in Appendix 1 attached hereto, your entitlement to the Units may be affected in the event of a MSG Entertainment Change of Control, a MSG Sphere Change of Control, a MSG Sports Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to the Company, MSG Sphere or MSG Sports (each as defined in Appendix 1 attached hereto).
5. Transfer Restrictions. You may not transfer, assign, pledge or otherwise encumber the Units, other than to the extent provided in the Plan.
6. Right to Vote and Receive Dividends. You shall not be deemed to be the holder of, or have any of the rights of a stockholder with respect to, any Units unless and until the Company shall have issued and delivered Shares to you and your name shall have been entered as a stockholder of record on the books of the Company. Pursuant to Section 10(c) of the Plan, all ordinary (as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion) cash dividends that would have been paid upon any Shares underlying your Units had such Shares been issued will be retained by the Company for your account until your Units vest and such dividends will be paid to you (without interest) on the applicable Delivery Date to the extent that your Units vest.
7. Tax Representations and Tax Withholding. You hereby acknowledge that you have reviewed with your own tax advisors the federal, state and local tax consequences of receiving the Units. You hereby represent to the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group and the MSG Sports Group that you are relying solely on such advisors and not on any statements or representations of the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group, any of their respective Affiliates or any of their respective agents. If, in connection with the Units, your Employer is required to withhold any amounts by reason of any federal, state or local tax, such withholding shall be effected in accordance with Section 16 of the Plan. If your Units vest prior to payment in accordance with Section 3(B)[ or][,] (C)[ or (D)]4, then you agree to cooperate with your Employer to satisfy any tax withholding obligations, in such manner as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.
8. Section 409A. It is the intent that payments under this Agreement shall comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code (Section 409A) to the extent applicable, and that the Agreement be administered accordingly. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or any employment agreement you have entered into with
3 | See footnote 1. |
4 | See footnote 1. |
your Employer, to the extent that any payment or benefit under this Agreement is determined by your Employer to constitute non-qualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A and is payable to you by reason of termination of your 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 and as determined by your Employer), such payment or benefit shall not be made or provided before the date that is six (6) months after the date of your separation from service (or your earlier death). Each payment under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment under Section 409A.
9. Delivery. Subject to Sections 7, 10 and 13 and except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Shares will be delivered in respect of vested Units (if any) on the first to occur of the following events: (i) to you on or promptly after the applicable Vesting Date (but in no case more than fifteen (15) days after such date), (ii) in the event of your death to your estate after your death and during the calendar year in which your death occurs (or such later date as may be permitted under Section 409A) and (iii) in the event of any other termination of your employment (including pursuant to the provisions of Appendix 1) to you on the ninetieth (90th) day following termination of your employment (the Delivery Date). Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, delivery of the Shares at the Delivery Date will be by book-entry credit to an account in your name that the Company has established at a custody agent (the custodian). The Companys transfer agent, EQ Shareowner Services, shall act as the custodian of the Shares; however, the Company may in its sole discretion appoint another custodian to replace EQ Shareowner Services. On the Delivery Date, if you have complied with your obligations under this Agreement and provided that your tax obligations with respect to the vested Units are appropriately satisfied, we will instruct the custodian to electronically transfer your Shares to a brokerage or other account on your behalf (or make such other arrangements for the delivery of the Shares to you as we reasonably determine).
10. Right of Offset. You hereby agree that the Company shall have the right to offset against its obligation to deliver shares of Class A Common Stock, cash or other property under this Agreement to the extent that it does not constitute non-qualified deferred compensation pursuant to Section 409A, any outstanding amounts of whatever nature that you then owe to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
11. The Committee. For purposes of this Agreement, the term Committee means the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company or any replacement committee established under, and as more fully defined in, the Plan.
12. Committee Discretion. The Committee has full discretion with respect to any actions to be taken or determinations to be made in connection with this Agreement, and its determinations shall be final, binding and conclusive.
13. Amendment. The Committee reserves the right at any time to amend the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, except that the Committee shall not make any amendment or revision in a manner unfavorable to you (other than if immaterial), without your consent. No consent shall be required for amendments made pursuant to Section 12 of the Plan, except that, for purposes of Section 19 of the Plan, Section 4 and Appendix 1 of this Agreement
are deemed to be terms of an Award Agreement expressly refer[ring] to an Adjustment Event. Any amendment of this Agreement shall be in writing and signed by an authorized member of the Committee or a person or persons designated by the Committee.
14. Units Subject to the Plan. The Units covered by this Agreement are subject to the Plan.
15. Subsidiaries. For purposes of this Agreement, Subsidiaries means any entities that are controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Company, MSG Sphere or MSG Sports, as applicable, or in which the Company, MSG Sphere or MSG Sports, as applicable, owns, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the equity interests.
16. Entire Agreement. Except for any employment agreement between you and the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group in effect as of the date of the grant hereof (as such employment agreement may be modified, renewed or replaced), this Agreement and the Plan constitute the entire understanding and agreement of you and the Company with respect to the Units covered hereby and supersede all prior understandings and agreements. Except as provided in Sections 8 and 15, in the event of a conflict among the documents with respect to the terms and conditions of the Units covered hereby, the documents will be accorded the following order of authority: the terms and conditions of the Plan will have highest authority followed by the terms and conditions of your employment agreement, if any, followed by the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
17. Successors and Assigns. The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the Company and its successors and assigns.
18. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be deemed to be made under, and in all respects be interpreted, construed and governed by and in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without regard to conflict of law principles.
19. Jurisdiction and Venue. You irrevocably submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York and the Federal courts of the United States located in the Southern District of the State of New York in respect of the interpretation and enforcement of the provisions of this Agreement, and hereby waive, and agree not to assert, as a defense that you are not subject thereto or that the venue thereof may not be appropriate. You agree that the mailing of process or other papers in connection with any action or proceeding in any manner permitted by law shall be valid and sufficient service.
20. Waiver. No waiver by the Company at any time of any breach by you of, or compliance with, any term or condition of this Agreement or the Plan to be performed by you shall be deemed a waiver of the same term or condition, or of any similar or any dissimilar term or condition, whether at the same time or at any prior or subsequent time.
21. Severability. The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or condition hereof shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the other terms and conditions set forth herein.
22. Exclusion from Compensation Calculation. By acceptance of this Agreement, you shall be deemed to be in agreement that the Units covered hereby shall be considered special incentive compensation and will be exempt from inclusion as wages or salary in pension, retirement, life insurance and other employee benefits arrangements of the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group, except as determined otherwise by the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group. In addition, each of your beneficiaries shall be deemed to be in agreement that all such shares be exempt from inclusion in wages or salary for purposes of calculating benefits of any life insurance coverage sponsored by the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group.
23. No Right to Continued Employment. Nothing contained in this Agreement or the Plan shall be construed to confer on you any right to continue in the employ of the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group, or derogate from the right of the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group, as applicable, to retire, request the resignation of, or discharge you, at any time, with or without cause.
24. Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for purposes of convenience only and are not intended to define or limit the construction of the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
25. Effective Date. Upon execution by you, this Agreement shall be effective from and as of the Grant Date.
26. Signatures. Execution of this Agreement by the Company may be in the form of an electronic, manual or similar signature (including, without limitation, an electronic acknowledgement of acceptance), and such signature shall be treated as an original signature for all purposes.
[Remainder of the page intentionally left blank]
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP. | ||
By: |
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Name: | ||
Title: |
By your electronic acknowledgement of acceptance, you (i) acknowledge that a complete copy of the Plan and an executed original of this Agreement have been made available to you and (ii) agree to all of the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan and this Agreement.
Appendix 1
RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS AGREEMENT
1. In the event of a MSG Entertainment Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to the Company, each as defined below, your entitlement to Units shall be as follows:
(A) If the Company or the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity, as defined below (if any), has shares of common stock (or partnership units) traded on a national stock exchange or on the over-the-counter market as reported on the New York Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange, the Committee shall, no later than the effective date of the transaction which results in a MSG Entertainment Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to the Company, either (i) convert your unvested Units into an amount of cash equal to (a) the number of your unvested Units multiplied by (b) the offer price per share, the acquisition price per share or the merger price per share, each as defined below, whichever of such amounts is applicable or (ii) arrange to have the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity grant to you an award of restricted stock units (or partnership units) for shares of the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity on the same terms and with a value equivalent to your unvested Units which will, in the good faith determination of the Committee, provide you with an equivalent profit potential.
(B) If the Company or the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity does not have shares of common stock (or partnership units) traded on a national stock exchange or on the over-the-counter market as reported on the New York Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange, the Committee shall convert your unvested Units into an amount of cash equal to the amount calculated as per Paragraph 1(A)(i) above.
(C) Provided that you remain continuously employed with the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group, the MSG Sports Group or the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity through the date of the earliest event described in any of (i), (ii) or (iii) below, any award provided for in Paragraph 1(A)(i) or 1(B) shall become payable to you (or your estate), and any substitute restricted stock unit award of the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity provided in Paragraph 1(A)(ii) shall vest, at the earlier of (i) each applicable date on which your Units would otherwise have vested had they continued in effect, (ii) the date of your death, or (iii) if, immediately prior to termination you were an employee of the MSG Entertainment Group, the date on which your employment with the MSG Entertainment Group or the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity is terminated (a) by the Company, one of its Subsidiaries or the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity other than for Cause, (b) by you for good reason, as defined below or (c) by you for any reason at least six (6) months, but not more than nine (9) months after the effective date of the MSG Entertainment Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to the Company; provided that clause (c) herein shall not apply in the event that your rights in the Units are converted into a right to receive an amount of cash in accordance with Paragraph 1(A)(i). The amount payable in cash shall be payable together with interest from the effective date of the MSG Entertainment Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to the Company, until the date of payment at (i) the weighted average cost of capital of the Company immediately prior to the effectiveness of the MSG Entertainment Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to the Company or (ii) if the Company (or the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity) sets aside the funds in a trust or other funding arrangement, the actual earnings of such trust or other funding arrangement.
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2. In the event of a MSG Sphere Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sphere, each as defined below, and if (1) immediately prior to such MSG Sphere Change of Control or going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sphere you were an employee of the MSG Sphere Group and (2) at the time of such MSG Sphere Change of Control or going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sphere you are not an employee of the MSG Entertainment Group or the MSG Sports Group, your entitlement to the Units shall be as follows:
Your Units shall vest at the earlier of (A) the date on which your Units would otherwise have vested had they continued in effect, (B) the date of your death or (C) the date on which your employment with the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sphere Surviving Entity, as defined below, is terminated (i) by MSG Sphere, one of its Subsidiaries or the MSG Sphere Surviving Entity other than for Cause, (ii) by you for good reason or (iii) by you for any reason at least six (6) months, but not more than nine (9) months after the effective date of the MSG Sphere Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sphere.
3. In the event of a MSG Sports Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sports, each as defined below, and if (1) immediately prior to such MSG Sports Change of Control or going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sports you were an employee of the MSG Sports Group and (2) at the time of such MSG Sports Change of Control or going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sports you are not an employee of the MSG Entertainment Group or the MSG Sphere Group, your entitlement to the Units shall be as follows:
Your Units shall vest at the earlier of (A) the date on which your Units would otherwise have vested had they continued in effect, (B) the date of your death or (C) the date on which your employment with the MSG Sports Group or the MSG Sports Surviving Entity, as defined below, is terminated (i) by MSG Sports, one of its Subsidiaries or the MSG Sports Surviving Entity other than for Cause, (ii) by you for good reason or (iii) by you for any reason at least six (6) months, but not more than nine (9) months after the effective date of the MSG Sports Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sports.
4. As used herein,
Acquisition price per share means the greater of (i) the highest price per share stated on the Schedule 13D or any amendment thereto filed by the holder of twenty percent (20%) or more of the Companys voting power which gives rise to the MSG Entertainment Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to the Company and (ii) the highest fair market value per share of common stock during the ninety (90)-day period ending on the date of such MSG Entertainment Change of Control or going-private transaction with respect to the Company.
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Cause means your (i) commission of an act of fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation, willful misconduct, gross negligence or breach of fiduciary duty against your Employer 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.
Going-private transaction means a transaction involving the purchase of Company, MSG Sphere or MSG Sports, as applicable, securities described in Rule 13e-3 to the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.
Good reason means
a. without your express written consent any reduction in your base salary or target bonus opportunity, or any material impairment or material adverse change in your working conditions (as the same may from time to time have been improved or, with your written consent, otherwise altered, in each case, after the Grant Date) at any time after or within ninety (90) days prior to the MSG Entertainment Change of Control, the MSG Sphere Change of Control or the MSG Sports Change of Control, as applicable, including, without limitation, any material reduction of your other compensation, executive perquisites or other employee benefits (measured, where applicable, by level or participation or percentage of award under any plans of the Company, MSG Sphere or MSG Sports, as applicable), or material impairment or material adverse change of your level of responsibility, authority, autonomy or title, or to your scope of duties;
b. any failure by your Employer to comply with any of the provisions of this Agreement, other than an insubstantial or inadvertent failure remedied by your Employer promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by you;
c. your Employers requiring you to be based at any office or location more than thirty-five (35) miles from your location immediately prior to such event except for travel reasonably required in the performance of your responsibilities; or
d. with respect to the Company only, any failure by the Company to obtain the assumption and agreement to perform this Agreement by a successor as contemplated by Paragraph 1.
Merger price per share means, in the case of a merger, consolidation, sale, exchange or other disposition of assets that results in a MSG Entertainment Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to the Company (a Merger), the greater of (i) the fixed or formula price for the acquisition of shares of common stock occurring pursuant to the Merger and (ii) the highest fair market value per share of common stock during the ninety (90)-day period ending on the date of such MSG Entertainment Change of Control or going-private transaction with respect to the
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Company. Any securities or property which are part or all of the consideration paid for shares of common stock pursuant to the Merger shall be valued in determining the merger price per share at the higher of (A) the valuation placed on such securities or property by the Company, person or other entity which is a party with the Company to the Merger or (B) the valuation placed on such securities or property by the Committee.
MSG Entertainment Change of Control means the acquisition, in a transaction or a series of related transactions, by any person or group, other than Charles F. Dolan or members of the immediate family of Charles F. Dolan or trusts for the benefit of Charles F. Dolan or his immediate family (or an entity or entities controlled by any of them) or any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Company, of the power to direct the management of the Company or substantially all its assets (as constituted immediately prior to such transaction or transactions).
MSG Sphere Change of Control means the acquisition, in a transaction or a series of related transactions, by any person or group, other than Charles F. Dolan or members of the immediate family of Charles F. Dolan or trusts for the benefit of Charles F. Dolan or his immediate family (or an entity or entities controlled by any of them) or any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by MSG Sphere, of the power to direct the management of MSG Sphere or substantially all its assets (as constituted immediately prior to such transaction or transactions).
MSG Sports Change of Control means the acquisition, in a transaction or a series of related transactions, by any person or group, other than Charles F. Dolan or members of the immediate family of Charles F. Dolan or trusts for the benefit of Charles F. Dolan or his immediate family (or an entity or entities controlled by any of them) or any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by MSG Sports, of the power to direct the management of MSG Sports or substantially all its assets (as constituted immediately prior to such transaction or transactions).
MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity means the entity that owns, directly or indirectly, after consummation of any transaction, substantially all of the Companys assets (as constituted immediately prior to such transaction). If any such entity is at least majority-owned, directly or indirectly, by any entity (a parent entity) which has shares of common stock (or partnership units) traded on a national stock exchange or the over-the-counter market, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange, then such parent entity shall be deemed to be the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity; provided that if there shall be more than one such parent entity, the parent entity closest to ownership of the Companys assets shall be deemed to be the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity.
MSG Sphere Surviving Entity means the entity that owns, directly or indirectly, after consummation of any transaction, substantially all of MSG Spheres assets (as constituted immediately prior to such transaction). If any such entity is at least majority-owned, directly or indirectly, by any entity (a parent entity) which has shares of common stock (or partnership units) traded on a national stock exchange or the over-the-counter market, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange, then such parent entity shall be deemed to be the MSG Sphere Surviving Entity; provided that if there shall be more than one such parent entity, the parent entity closest to ownership of MSG Spheres assets shall be deemed to be the MSG Sphere Surviving Entity.
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MSG Sports Surviving Entity means the entity that owns, directly or indirectly, after consummation of any transaction, substantially all of MSG Sports assets (as constituted immediately prior to such transaction). If any such entity is at least majority-owned, directly or indirectly, by any entity (a parent entity) which has shares of common stock (or partnership units) traded on a national stock exchange or the over-the-counter market, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange, then such parent entity shall be deemed to be the MSG Sports Surviving Entity; provided that if there shall be more than one such parent entity, the parent entity closest to ownership of MSG Sports assets shall be deemed to be the MSG Sports Surviving Entity.
Offer price per share means, in the case of a tender offer or exchange offer which results in a MSG Entertainment Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to the Company (an Offer), the greater of (i) the highest price per share of common stock paid pursuant to the Offer or (ii) the highest fair market value per share of common stock during the ninety (90)-day period ending on the date of a MSG Entertainment Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to the Company. Any securities or property which are part or all of the consideration paid for shares of common stock in the Offer shall be valued in determining the Offer Price per Share at the higher of (A) the valuation placed on such securities or property by the Company, person or other entity making such offer or (B) the valuation placed on such securities or property by the Committee.
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Exhibit 10.10
FORM OF PERFORMANCE RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS AGREEMENT
Dear [Participant Name]:
Pursuant to the 2023 Employee Stock Plan (the Plan), you have been selected by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (as more fully described in Section 12, the Committee) of Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (formerly known as MSGE Spinco, Inc.) (the Company), effective as of [Date] (the Grant Date) to receive a performance restricted stock unit award (the Award). The Award is granted subject to the terms and conditions set forth below and in the Plan.
Capitalized terms used but not defined in this agreement (this Agreement) have the meanings given to them in the Plan. The Award is subject to the terms and conditions set forth below:
1. Awards. In accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the target amount of your contingent Award is [#RSUs] restricted stock units (the Target Award), which number of units may be increased or decreased to the extent the performance criteria (the Objectives) set forth in Appendix 2 attached hereto have been attained in respect of the period from July 1, [year] through June 30, [year] (the Performance Period). Each unit shall represent an unfunded, unsecured promise by the Company to deliver to you one share of the Companys Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (Share) on the Delivery Date. The Award, calculated in accordance with Appendix 2 attached hereto, will vest upon the later of (i) September 15, [year] and (ii) the date on which the Committee (as defined in Section 12 below) determines the Companys performance against the Objectives (the Vesting Date); provided that you have remained in the continuous employ of the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group (each as defined below) from the Effective Date through the Vesting Date. In accordance with Section 10(b) of the Plan, in the discretion of the Committee, in lieu of all or any portion of the Shares otherwise deliverable in respect of your Award, the Company may deliver a cash amount equal to the number of such Shares multiplied by the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date when Shares would otherwise have been issued, as determined by the Committee.
2. Vesting. Subject to Sections 3 and 4, you will automatically forfeit all of your rights and interest in the Award if you do not remain continuously employed with the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group (each as defined below) from the Grant Date through the Vesting Date, regardless of whether the Objectives are attained.
For purposes of this Agreement, the MSG Entertainment Group means the Company and any of its Subsidiaries. The MSG Sphere Group means MSG Sphere Corp. (formerly known as Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.) (MSG Sphere) and any of its Subsidiaries. The MSG Sports Group means Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. (MSG Sports) and any of its Subsidiaries.
For purposes of this Agreement, if you are employed by the MSG Entertainment Group, your Employer means the Company; if you are employed by the MSG Sphere Group, your Employer means MSG Sphere; if you are employed by the MSG Sports Group, your
Employer means MSG Sports; if you are employed by both the MSG Entertainment Group and the MSG Sphere Group, your Employer means MSG Entertainment; if you are employed by both the MSG Entertainment Group and the MSG Sports Group, your Employer means MSG Entertainment; and if you are employed by each of the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group and the MSG Sports Group, your Employer means MSG Entertainment.
3. Vesting in the Event of Death [or][,] Disability[, or Retirement].1
(A) If your employment is terminated as a result of your death on or prior to the Vesting Date, then the Target Award will vest as of the termination date. If, after June 30, [year] but prior to the Vesting Date, your employment is terminated as a result of your death, then your estate will receive the Award, if any, to which you would have been entitled on the Vesting Date had your employment not been so terminated.
(B) If your employment is terminated while you are Disabled, and Cause does not then exist, the Award will remain subject to vesting on the Vesting Date in accordance with Section 1.
(C) [If your employment is terminated on or after the date that you achieve Retirement Eligibility, and Cause does not then exist, and you enter into your Employers then-current form of separation agreement (which shall include, without limitation, a covenant not to compete), the Award will remain subject to vesting on the Vesting Date in accordance with Section 1.]2
(D) For purposes of this Agreement:
(i) | Disabled means that you received short term disability income replacement payments for six (6) months, and thereafter (A) have been determined to be disabled in accordance with your Employers long term disability plan in which employees of your Employer are generally able to participate, if one is in effect at such time or (B) to the extent no such long term disability plan exists, have been determined to have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months as determined by the department or vendor directed by your Employer to determine eligibility for unpaid medical leave. |
(ii) | Cause means, as determined by the compensation committee of your Employer, in its sole discretion, your (A) commission of an act of fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation, willful misconduct, gross negligence or breach of fiduciary duty against your |
1 | To be included on a case-by-case basis as determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion. |
2 | See footnote 1. |
Employer or (B) 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. |
(iii) | [Retirement Eligibility means that you are either (A) at least fifty-five (55) years old with at least ten (10) years of continuous service with the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group and/or the MSG Sports Group or (B) at least sixty (60) years old with at least five (5) years of continuous service with the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group and/or the MSG Sports Group.]3 |
4. Change of Control/Going-Private Transaction. As set forth in Appendix 1 attached hereto, your entitlement to the Award may be affected in the event of a MSG Entertainment Change of Control, a MSG Sphere Change of Control, a MSG Sports Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to the Company, MSG Sphere or MSG Sports (each as defined in Appendix 1 attached hereto).
5. Transfer Restrictions. You may not transfer, assign, pledge or otherwise encumber the units, other than to the extent provided in the Plan.
6. Unfunded Obligation. The Plan will at all times be unfunded and, except as set forth in Appendix 1 attached hereto, no provision will at any time be required to be made with respect to segregating any assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for payment of any benefits under the Plan, including, without limitation, those covered by this Agreement. Your right or that of your estate to receive delivery or payment under this Agreement shall be an unsecured claim against the general assets of the Company, including any rabbi trust established pursuant to Appendix 1. Neither you nor your estate shall have any rights in or against any specific assets of the Company other than the assets held by the rabbi trust established pursuant to Appendix 1.
7. Right to Vote and Receive Dividends. You shall not be deemed to be the holder of, or have any of the rights of a stockholder with respect to, any units unless and until the Company shall have issued and delivered Shares to you and your name shall have been entered as a stockholder of record on the books of the Company. Pursuant to Section 10(c) of the Plan, all ordinary (as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion) cash dividends that would have been paid upon any Shares underlying your units had such Shares been issued will be retained by the Company for your account until your units vest and such dividends will be paid to you (without interest) on the Delivery Date to the extent that your units vest.
8. Tax Representations and Tax Withholding. You hereby acknowledge that you have reviewed with your own tax advisors the federal, state and local tax consequences of receiving the units. You hereby represent to the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group and the MSG Sports Group that you are relying solely on such advisors and not on any
3 | See footnote 1. |
statements or representations of the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group, any of their respective Affiliates or any of their respective agents. If, in connection with the units, your Employer is required to withhold any amounts by reason of any federal, state or local tax, such withholding shall be effected in accordance with Section 16 of the Plan. If your Units vest prior to payment in accordance with Section 3(B)[ or (C)]4, then you agree to cooperate with your Employer to satisfy any tax withholding obligations, in such manner as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.
9. Section 409A. It is the intent that payments under this Agreement shall comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code (Section 409A) to the extent applicable, and that the Agreement be administered accordingly. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or any employment agreement you have entered into with your Employer, to the extent that any payment or benefit under this Agreement is determined by your Employer to constitute non-qualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A and is payable to you by reason of termination of your 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 and as determined by your Employer), such payment or benefit shall not be made or provided before the date that is six (6) months after the date of your separation from service (or your earlier death). Each payment under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment under Section 409A.
10. Delivery. Subject to Sections 8, 11 and 14 and Appendix 1 and except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Shares will be delivered in respect of vested units (if any) on the first to occur of the following events: (i) to you on or promptly after the Vesting Date (but in no case more than fifteen (15) days after such date) and (ii) in the event of your death to your estate after your death and during the calendar year in which your death occurs (or such later date as may be permitted under Section 409A) (the Delivery Date). Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, delivery of the Shares at the Delivery Date will be by book-entry credit to an account in your name that the Company has established at a custody agent (the custodian). The Companys transfer agent, EQ Shareowner Services, shall act as the custodian of the Shares; however, the Company may in its sole discretion appoint another custodian to replace EQ Shareowner Services. On the Delivery Date, if you have complied with your obligations under this Agreement and provided that your tax obligations with respect to the vested units are appropriately satisfied, we will instruct the custodian to electronically transfer your Shares to a brokerage or other account on your behalf (or make such other arrangements for the delivery of the Shares to you as we reasonably determine).
11. Right of Offset. You hereby agree that the Company shall have the right to offset against its obligation to deliver shares of Class A Common Stock, cash or other property under this Agreement to the extent that it does not constitute non-qualified deferred compensation pursuant to Section 409A, any outstanding amounts of whatever nature that you then owe to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
4 | See footnote 1. |
12. The Committee. For purposes of this Agreement, the term Committee means the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company or any replacement committee established under, and as more fully defined in, the Plan.
13. Committee Discretion. The Committee has full discretion with respect to any actions to be taken or determinations to be made in connection with this Agreement, and its determinations shall be final, binding and conclusive.
14. Amendment. The Committee reserves the right at any time to amend the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, except that the Committee shall not make any amendment or revision in a manner unfavorable to you (other than if immaterial), without your consent. No consent shall be required for amendments made pursuant to Section 12 of the Plan, except that, for purposes of Section 19 of the Plan, Section 4 and Appendix 1 of this Agreement are deemed to be terms of an Award Agreement expressly refer[ring] to an Adjustment Event. Any amendment of this Agreement shall be in writing and signed by an authorized member of the Committee or a person or persons designated by the Committee.
15. Units Subject to the Plan. The units covered by this Agreement are subject to the Plan.
16. Subsidiaries. For purposes of this Agreement, Subsidiaries means any entities that are controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Company, MSG Sphere or MSG Sports, as applicable, or in which the Company, MSG Sphere or MSG Sports, as applicable, owns, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the equity interests.
17. Entire Agreement. Except for any employment agreement between you and the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group in effect as of the date of the grant hereof (as such employment agreement may be modified, renewed or replaced), this Agreement and the Plan constitute the entire understanding and agreement of you and the Company with respect to the units covered hereby and supersede all prior understandings and agreements. Except as provided in Sections 9 and 16, in the event of a conflict among the documents with respect to the terms and conditions of the units covered hereby, the documents will be accorded the following order of authority: the terms and conditions of the Plan will have highest authority followed by the terms and conditions of your employment agreement, if any, followed by the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
18. Successors and Assigns. The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the Company and its successors and assigns.
19. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be deemed to be made under, and in all respects be interpreted, construed and governed by and in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without regard to conflict of law principles.
20. Jurisdiction and Venue. You irrevocably submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York and the Federal courts of the United States located in the Southern District of the State of New York in respect of the interpretation and enforcement of the provisions of this Agreement, and hereby waive, and agree not to assert, as a defense that you are
not subject thereto or that the venue thereof may not be appropriate. You agree that the mailing of process or other papers in connection with any action or proceeding in any manner permitted by law shall be valid and sufficient service.
21. Waiver. No waiver by the Company at any time of any breach by you of, or compliance with, any term or condition of this Agreement or the Plan to be performed by you shall be deemed a waiver of the same term or condition, or of any similar or any dissimilar term or condition, whether at the same time or at any prior or subsequent time.
22. Severability. The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or condition hereof shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the other terms and conditions set forth herein.
23. Exclusion from Compensation Calculation. By acceptance of this Agreement, you shall be deemed to be in agreement that the units covered hereby shall be considered special incentive compensation and will be exempt from inclusion as wages or salary in pension, retirement, life insurance and other employee benefits arrangements of the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group, except as determined otherwise by the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group. In addition, each of your beneficiaries shall be deemed to be in agreement that all such shares be exempt from inclusion in wages or salary for purposes of calculating benefits of any life insurance coverage sponsored by the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group.
24. No Right to Continued Employment. Nothing contained in this Agreement or the Plan shall be construed to confer on you any right to continue in the employ of the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group, or derogate from the right of the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group, as applicable, to retire, request the resignation of, or discharge you, at any time, with or without cause.
25. Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for purposes of convenience only and are not intended to define or limit the construction of the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
26. Effective Date. Upon execution by you, this Agreement shall be effective from and as of the Grant Date.
27. Signatures. Execution of this Agreement by the Company may be in the form of an electronic, manual or similar signature (including, without limitation, an electronic acknowledgement of acceptance), and such signature shall be treated as an original signature for all purposes.
[Remainder of the page intentionally left blank]
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP. | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: |
By your electronic acknowledgement of acceptance, you (i) acknowledge that a complete copy of the Plan and an executed original of this Agreement have been made available to you and (ii) agree to all of the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan and this Agreement.
Appendix 1
PERFORMANCE RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS AGREEMENT
1. In the event of a going-private transaction with respect to the Company, as defined below, your entitlement to the Award shall be as follows:
(A) The Committee shall, no later than the effective date of the transaction which results in a going-private transaction with respect to the Company, deem the Objectives to be satisfied at the target level and convert your Target Award into an amount of cash equal to (i) the number of your unvested units multiplied by (ii) the offer price per share, the acquisition price per share or the merger price per share, each as defined below, whichever of such amounts is applicable.
(B) Provided that you remain continuously employed with the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group, the MSG Sports Group or the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity, as defined below, through the date of the earliest event described in any of (i), (ii) or (iii) below, any award provided for in Paragraph 1(A) shall become payable to you (or your estate) at or promptly after (but in no event more than fifteen (15) days after) the earlier of (i) the date on which your Award would otherwise have vested had it continued in effect, (ii) the date of your death or (iii) if, immediately prior to termination you were an employee of the MSG Entertainment Group, the date on which your employment with the MSG Entertainment Group or the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity is terminated (a) by the Company, one of its Subsidiaries or the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity other than for Cause (as defined below) or (b) by you for good reason (as defined below). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if you become entitled to payment of an award by virtue of a termination in accordance with (iii)(a) or (iii)(b) of this Paragraph 1(B) and are determined by the Company to be a specified employee within the meaning of Section 409A, the award shall be paid to you on the earlier of: (i) July 1, [year], (ii) the date that is six (6) months from your date of employment termination and (iii) any other date on which such payment or any portion thereof would be a permissible distribution under Section 409A. In the event of such a determination, the Company shall promptly following the date of your employment termination set aside such amount for your benefit in a rabbi trust that satisfies the requirements of Revenue Procedure 92-64, and on a monthly basis shall deposit into such trust interest in arrears (compounded quarterly at the rate provided below) until such time as such amount, together with all accrued interest thereon, is paid to you in full pursuant to the previous sentence; provided, that no payment will be made to such rabbi trust if it would be contrary to law or cause you to incur additional tax under Section 409A. The initial interest rate shall be the average of the one-year SOFR fixed rate equivalent for the ten (10) business days prior to the date of your employment termination.
2. In the event of a MSG Entertainment Change of Control, as defined below, provided that you have remained continuously employed with the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group through the effective date of the transaction that results in the MSG Entertainment Change of Control, you will be entitled to the payment of the Target Award whether or not the Objectives have been attained.
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(A) If the actual MSG Entertainment Change of Control:
(i) is a permissible distribution event under Section 409A or payment of the Award promptly upon such event is otherwise permissible under Section 409A (including, for the avoidance of doubt, by reason of the inapplicability of Section 409A to the Award), then the Target Award shall be paid to you by the Company promptly following the MSG Entertainment Change of Control; or
(ii) is not a permissible distribution event under Section 409A and payment of the Award promptly upon such event is not otherwise permissible under Section 409A, then:
(a) | (1) if the Company or the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity has shares of common stock (or partnership units) traded on a national stock exchange or on the over-the-counter market as reported on the New York Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange, then the Committee shall, no later than the effective date of the MSG Entertainment Change of Control, either (i) convert your Target Award into an amount of cash equal to (a) the number of your unvested units multiplied by (b) the offer price per share, the acquisition price per share or the merger price per share, each as defined below, whichever of such amounts is applicable or (ii) arrange to have the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity grant to you an award of restricted stock units (or partnership units) for shares of the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity on the same terms and with a value equivalent to your Target Award which will, in the good faith determination of the Committee, provide you with an equivalent profit potential; or |
(2) if the Company or the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity does not have shares of common stock (or partnership units) traded on a national stock exchange or on the over-the-counter market as reported on the New York Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange, then the Award will be treated in accordance with Paragraph 1(A) above.
(b) | Any cash award or substitute restricted stock unit award of the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity provided for in Paragraph 2(A)(ii)(a) will be fully vested and will be paid to you (or your estate), at the earliest to occur of: (1) if, immediately prior to termination you were an employee of the MSG Entertainment Group, the date on which your employment with the MSG Entertainment Group or the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity terminates for any reason other than termination of your employment by one of such entities for Cause (provided that if you are determined by the Company to be a specified employee within the meaning of Section 409A, six (6) months from such date), (2) the date of your death, (3) any other date on which such payment or any portion thereof would be a permissible distribution under Section 409A or (4) July 1, [year]. |
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(c) | The Company shall promptly following the MSG Entertainment Change of Control set aside cash (or shares in the event a substitute restricted stock unit award is made) for your benefit in a rabbi trust that satisfies the requirements of Revenue Procedure 92-64, and on a monthly basis shall deposit into such trust interest in arrears (compounded quarterly at the rate provided below) until such time as such amount, together with all accrued interest thereon, is paid to you in full pursuant to Paragraph 2(A)(ii)(b) above); provided, that no payment will be made to such rabbi trust if it would be contrary to law or cause you to incur additional tax under Section 409A. The initial interest rate shall be the average of the one-year SOFR fixed rate equivalent for the ten (10) business days prior to the date of the MSG Entertainment Change of Control and shall adjust annually based on the average of such rate for the ten (10) business days prior to each anniversary of the MSG Entertainment Change of Control. |
3. In the event of a MSG Sphere Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sphere, each as defined below, and if (1) immediately prior to such MSG Sphere Change of Control or going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sphere you were an employee of the MSG Sphere Group and (2) at the time of such MSG Sphere Change of Control or going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sphere you are not an employee of the MSG Entertainment Group or the MSG Sports Group, your entitlement to the units shall be as follows:
Your units shall vest at the earlier of (A) the date on which your units would otherwise have vested had they continued in effect, (B) the date of your death (in which case the Target Award shall vest) or (C) the date on which your employment with the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sphere Surviving Entity, as defined below, is terminated (i) by MSG Sphere, one of its Subsidiaries or the MSG Sphere Surviving Entity other than for Cause, (ii) by you for good reason or (iii) by you for any reason at least six (6) months, but not more than nine (9) months after the effective date of the MSG Sphere Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sphere (in which case the Target Award shall vest).
4. In the event of a MSG Sports Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sports, each as defined below, and if (1) immediately prior to such MSG Sports Change of Control or going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sports you were an employee of the MSG Sports Group and (2) at the time of such MSG Sports Change of Control or going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sports you are not an employee of the MSG Entertainment Group or the MSG Sphere Group, your entitlement to the units shall be as follows:
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Your units shall vest at the earlier of (A) the date on which your units would otherwise have vested had they continued in effect, (B) the date of your death (in which case the Target Award shall vest) or (C) the date on which your employment with the MSG Sports Group or the MSG Sports Surviving Entity, as defined below, is terminated (i) by MSG Sports, one of its Subsidiaries or the MSG Sports Surviving Entity other than for Cause, (ii) by you for good reason or (iii) by you for any reason at least six (6) months, but not more than nine (9) months after the effective date of the MSG Sports Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sports (in which case the Target Award shall vest).
5. As used herein,
Acquisition price per share means the greater of (i) the highest price per share stated on the Schedule 13D or any amendment thereto filed by the holder of twenty percent (20%) or more of the Companys voting power which gives rise to the MSG Entertainment Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to the Company and (ii) the highest fair market value per share of common stock during the ninety (90)-day period ending on the date of such MSG Entertainment Change of Control or going-private transaction with respect to the Company.
Cause means your (i) commission of an act of fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation, willful misconduct, gross negligence or breach of fiduciary duty against your Employer 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.
Going-private transaction means a transaction involving the purchase of Company, MSG Sphere or MSG Sports, as applicable, securities described in Rule 13e-3 to the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.
Good reason means
a. without your express written consent any reduction in your base salary or target bonus opportunity, or any material impairment or material adverse change in your working conditions (as the same may from time to time have been improved or, with your written consent, otherwise altered, in each case, after the Grant Date) at any time after or within ninety (90) days prior to the MSG Entertainment Change of Control, the MSG Sphere Change of Control or the MSG Sports Change of Control, as applicable, including, without limitation, any material reduction of your other compensation, executive perquisites or other employee benefits (measured, where applicable, by level or participation or percentage of award under any plans of the Company, MSG Sphere or MSG Sports, as applicable), or material impairment or material adverse change of your level of responsibility, authority, autonomy or title, or to your scope of duties;
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b. any failure by your Employer to comply with any of the provisions of this Agreement, other than an insubstantial or inadvertent failure remedied by your Employer promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by you;
c. your Employers requiring you to be based at any office or location more than thirty-five (35) miles from your location immediately prior to such event except for travel reasonably required in the performance of your responsibilities; or
d. with respect to the Company only, any failure by the Company to obtain the assumption and agreement to perform this Agreement by a successor as contemplated by Paragraph 1 or Paragraph 2(A)(ii)(a).
Merger price per share means, in the case of a merger, consolidation, sale, exchange or other disposition of assets that results in a MSG Entertainment Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to the Company (a Merger), the greater of (i) the fixed or formula price for the acquisition of shares of common stock occurring pursuant to the Merger and (ii) the highest fair market value per share of common stock during the ninety (90)-day period ending on the date of such MSG Entertainment Change of Control or going-private transaction with respect to the Company. Any securities or property which are part or all of the consideration paid for shares of common stock pursuant to the Merger shall be valued in determining the merger price per share at the higher of (A) the valuation placed on such securities or property by the Company, person or other entity which is a party with the Company to the Merger or (B) the valuation placed on such securities or property by the Committee.
MSG Entertainment Change of Control means the acquisition, in a transaction or a series of related transactions, by any person or group, other than Charles F. Dolan or members of the immediate family of Charles F. Dolan or trusts for the benefit of Charles F. Dolan or his immediate family (or an entity or entities controlled by any of them) or any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Company, of the power to direct the management of the Company or substantially all its assets (as constituted immediately prior to such transaction or transactions).
MSG Sphere Change of Control means the acquisition, in a transaction or a series of related transactions, by any person or group, other than Charles F. Dolan or members of the immediate family of Charles F. Dolan or trusts for the benefit of Charles F. Dolan or his immediate family (or an entity or entities controlled by any of them) or any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by MSG Sphere, of the power to direct the management of MSG Sphere or substantially all its assets (as constituted immediately prior to such transaction or transactions).
MSG Sports Change of Control means the acquisition, in a transaction or a series of related transactions, by any person or group, other than Charles F. Dolan or members of the immediate family of Charles F. Dolan or trusts for the benefit of Charles F. Dolan or his immediate family (or an entity or entities controlled by any of them) or any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by MSG Sports, of the power to direct the management of MSG Sports or substantially all its assets (as constituted immediately prior to such transaction or transactions).
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MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity means the entity that owns, directly or indirectly, after consummation of any transaction, substantially all of the Companys assets (as constituted immediately prior to such transaction). If any such entity is at least majority-owned, directly or indirectly, by any entity (a parent entity) which has shares of common stock (or partnership units) traded on a national stock exchange or the over-the-counter market, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange, then such parent entity shall be deemed to be the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity; provided that if there shall be more than one such parent entity, the parent entity closest to ownership of the Companys assets shall be deemed to be the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity.
MSG Sphere Surviving Entity means the entity that owns, directly or indirectly, after consummation of any transaction, substantially all of MSG Spheres assets (as constituted immediately prior to such transaction). If any such entity is at least majority-owned, directly or indirectly, by any entity (a parent entity) which has shares of common stock (or partnership units) traded on a national stock exchange or the over-the-counter market, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange, then such parent entity shall be deemed to be the MSG Sphere Surviving Entity; provided that if there shall be more than one such parent entity, the parent entity closest to ownership of MSG Spheres assets shall be deemed to be the MSG Sphere Surviving Entity.
MSG Sports Surviving Entity means the entity that owns, directly or indirectly, after consummation of any transaction, substantially all of MSG Sports assets (as constituted immediately prior to such transaction). If any such entity is at least majority-owned, directly or indirectly, by any entity (a parent entity) which has shares of common stock (or partnership units) traded on a national stock exchange or the over-the-counter market, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange, then such parent entity shall be deemed to be the MSG Sports Surviving Entity; provided that if there shall be more than one such parent entity, the parent entity closest to ownership of MSG Sports assets shall be deemed to be the MSG Sports Surviving Entity.
Offer price per share means, in the case of a tender offer or exchange offer which results in a MSG Entertainment Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to the Company (an Offer), the greater of (i) the highest price per share of common stock paid pursuant to the Offer or (ii) the highest fair market value per share of common stock during the ninety (90)-day period ending on the date of a MSG Entertainment Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to the Company. Any securities or property which are part or all of the consideration paid for shares of common stock in the Offer shall be valued in determining the Offer Price per Share at the higher of (A) the valuation placed on such securities or property by the Company, person or other entity making such offer or (B) the valuation placed on such securities or property by the Committee.
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Appendix 2
Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. Objectives
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Exhibit 10.11
FORM OF OPTION AGREEMENT
Dear [Participant Name]:
Pursuant to the 2023 Employee Stock Plan (the Plan) of Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (formerly known as MSGE Spinco, Inc.) (the Company), on [Date] (the Effective Date) you have been awarded nonqualified options (the Options) to purchase [#shares] shares of the Companys Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (Class A Common Stock) at a price of $[Dollars] per share. The Award is granted subject to the terms and conditions set forth below and in the Plan.
Capitalized terms used but not defined in this agreement (this Agreement) have the meanings given to them in the Plan. The Options are granted subject to the terms and conditions set forth below:
1. Vesting. Your Options will vest and become exercisable in accordance with Appendix 1; provided that you have remained in the continuous employ of the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group (each as defined below) from the Effective Date through the applicable vesting date(s).
For purposes of this Agreement, the MSG Entertainment Group means the Company and any of its Subsidiaries. The MSG Sphere Group means MSG Sphere Corp. (formerly known as Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.) (MSG Sphere) and any of its Subsidiaries. The MSG Sports Group means Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. (MSG Sports) and any of its Subsidiaries.
For purposes of this Agreement, if you are employed by the MSG Entertainment Group, your Employer means the Company; if you are employed by the MSG Sphere Group, your Employer means MSG Sphere; if you are employed by the MSG Sports Group, your Employer means MSG Sports; if you are employed by both the MSG Entertainment Group and the MSG Sphere Group, your Employer means MSG Entertainment; if you are employed by both the MSG Entertainment Group and the MSG Sports Group, your Employer means MSG Entertainment; and if you are employed by each of the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group and the MSG Sports Group, your Employer means MSG Entertainment.
2. Exercise. You may exercise the Options that become vested and exercisable by following such procedures as established by the Company, specifying the number of shares of Class A Common Stock as to which the Options are being exercised (the Exercise Notice). Unless the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (as more fully described in Section 15, the Committee) chooses to settle such exercise in cash, shares of Class A Common Stock, or a combination thereof pursuant to Section 3, you will be required to deliver to the Company, or such person as the Company may designate, within such time period as the Company may require, payment in full of the exercise price and any taxes due on account of such exercise.
3. Option Spread. Upon receipt of the Exercise Notice, the Committee may elect, in lieu of issuing shares of Class A Common Stock, to settle the exercise covered by such notice by paying you an amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying (i) the excess of
the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Class A Common Stock on the date of exercise over the per share exercise price of the Options (the Option Spread) by (ii) the number of shares of Class A Common Stock specified in the Exercise Notice. The amount payable to you in these circumstances may be paid by the Company either in cash or in shares of Class A Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the Option Spread, or a combination thereof, as the Company shall determine. Class A Common Stock used to pay the Option Spread pursuant to this Section 3 will be valued at the Fair Market Value as of the day the Exercise Notice is received by the Company.
4. Expiration. The Options will terminate automatically and without further notice on [Date], or at any of the following dates, if earlier:
(A) with respect to those Options which are then unexercisable, the date upon which you are no longer employed by the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group, unless as a result of your death, in which case, subject to execution and non-revocation of a release of claims if required pursuant to the terms of an applicable employment agreement between you and your Employer, all of your Options granted under this Agreement shall become immediately exercisable;
(B) with respect to those Options which are then exercisable, (1) in the event of a termination of your employment by your Employer without Cause (other than while you are Disabled) or your resignation of employment from your Employer[ (other than due to Retirement, in which case the Options will remain exercisable until [Date])]1, ninety (90) days following the date upon which you are no longer employed or (2) in the event of your death or a termination of your employment with your Employer while you are Disabled, the first anniversary of your death or the date upon which you are no longer employed by your Employer, as applicable; or
(C) with respect to all your then outstanding Options, whether exercisable or unexercisable, the date upon which your employment with your Employer is terminated for Cause.
5. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:
(A) Disabled means that you received short term disability income replacement payments for six (6) months, and thereafter (A) have been determined to be disabled in accordance with your Employers long term disability plan in which employees of your Employer are generally able to participate, if one is in effect at such time or (B) to the extent no such long term disability plan exists, have been determined to have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months as determined by the department or vendor directed by your Employer to determine eligibility for unpaid medical leave.
1 | To be included on a case-by-case basis as determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion. |
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(B) Cause means, as determined by the compensation committee of your Employer, in its sole discretion, your (i) commission of an act of fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation, willful misconduct, gross negligence or breach of fiduciary duty against your Employer 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.
(C) [Retirement means the voluntary termination by you of your employment with your Employer at such time as (i) you have attained at least the age of fifty-five (55) and (ii) you have been employed by the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group and/or the MSG Sports Group for at least five (5) years in the aggregate; provided that your Employer may nevertheless decide, in its sole discretion, not to treat your termination of employment as a Retirement hereunder. Treatment of your termination of employment as a Retirement hereunder shall be further subject to your execution (and the effectiveness) of a retirement agreement to your Employers satisfaction, including, without limitation (to the extent desired by your Employer), non-compete, non-disparagement, non-solicitation, confidentiality and further cooperation obligations/restrictions on you as well as a general release by you of the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group and the MSG Sports Group. The above definition of Retirement is solely for purposes of this Agreement and shall not, in any way, create or imply any obligations of the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group (under any other agreement or otherwise) with respect to any such termination of your employment.]2
6. Change of Control/Going-Private Transaction. As set forth in Appendix 2 attached hereto, the Options may be affected in the event of a MSG Entertainment Change of Control, a MSG Sphere Change of Control, a MSG Sports Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to the Company, MSG Sphere or MSG Sports (each as defined in Appendix 2 attached hereto).
7. Tax Representations and Tax Withholding. You hereby acknowledge that you have reviewed with your own tax advisors the federal, state and local tax consequences of exercising the Options and receiving shares of Class A Common Stock and cash. You hereby represent to the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group and the MSG Sports Group that you are relying solely on such advisors and not on any statements or representations of the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group, any of their respective Affiliates or any of their respective agents. If, in connection with the exercise of the Options, your Employer is required to withhold any amounts by reason of any federal, state or local tax, such withholding shall be effected in accordance with Section 16 of the Plan.
8. Section 409A. It is the intent that payments under this Agreement are exempt from Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), and that the Agreement be administered accordingly. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if and to the extent that any payment or benefit under this
2 | See footnote 1. |
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Agreement is determined by your Employer to constitute non-qualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code (Section 409A) and is payable to you by reason of termination of your 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 and as determined by your Employer), such payment or benefit shall not be made or provided before the date that is six (6) months after the date of your separation from service (or your earlier death).
9. Transfer Restrictions. You may not transfer, assign, pledge or otherwise encumber the Options, other than to the extent provided in the Plan.
10. Non-Qualification as ISO. The Options are not intended to qualify as incentive stock options within the meaning of Section 422A of the Code.
11. Securities Law Acknowledgments. You hereby acknowledge and confirm to the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group and the MSG Sports Group that (i) you are aware that the shares of Class A Common Stock are publicly-traded securities and (ii) the shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Options may not be sold or otherwise transferred unless such sale or transfer is registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the securities laws of any applicable state or other jurisdiction, or is exempt from such registration.
12. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be deemed to be made under, and in all respects shall be interpreted, construed and governed by and in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
13. Jurisdiction and Venue. 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 located in the Southern District and Eastern District of the State of New York in respect of the interpretation and enforcement of the provisions of this Agreement, and hereby waive, and agree not to assert, as a defense that you are not subject thereto or that the venue thereof may not be appropriate. You hereby 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.
14. Right of Offset. You hereby agree that the Company shall have the right to offset against its obligation to deliver shares of Class A Common Stock, cash or other property under this Agreement to the extent that it does not constitute non-qualified deferred compensation pursuant to Section 409A, any outstanding amounts of whatever nature that you then owe to the Company or any of its Subsidaries.
15. The Committee. For purposes of this Agreement, the term Committee means the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company or any replacement committee established under, and as more fully defined in, the Plan.
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16. Committee Discretion. The Committee has full discretion with respect to any actions to be taken or determinations to be made in connection with this Agreement, and its determinations shall be final, binding and conclusive.
17. Amendment. The Committee reserves the right at any time to amend the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, except that the Committee shall not make any amendment or revision in a manner unfavorable to you (other than if immaterial), without your consent. No consent shall be required for amendments made pursuant to Section 12 of the Plan, except that, for purposes of Section 19 of the Plan, Section 6 and Appendix 2 of this Agreement are deemed to be terms of an Award Agreement expressly refer[ring] to an Adjustment Event. Any amendment of this Agreement shall be in writing and signed by an authorized member of the Committee or a person or persons designated by the Committee.
18. Options Subject to the Plan. The Options granted by this Agreement are subject to the Plan.
19. Entire Agreement. Except for any employment agreement between you and the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group in effect as of the date of the grant hereof (as such employment agreement may be modified, renewed or replaced; provided that such modification, renewal or replacement shall not extend the time any Options may be exercised beyond the time provided herein or in such original employment agreement), this Agreement and the Plan constitute the entire understanding and agreement of you and the Company with respect to the Options covered hereby and supersede all prior understandings and agreements. Except as provided in Sections 8 and 25, in the event of a conflict among the documents with respect to the terms and conditions of the Options covered hereby, the documents will be accorded the following order of authority: the terms and conditions of the Plan will have highest authority followed by the terms and conditions of your employment agreement, if any, followed by the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
20. Successors and Assigns. The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the Company and its successors and assigns.
21. Waiver. No waiver by the Company at any time of any breach by you of, or compliance with, any term or condition of this Agreement or the Plan to be performed by you shall be deemed a waiver of the same term or condition, or of any similar or any dissimilar term or condition, whether at the same time or at any prior or subsequent time.
22. Severability. The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or condition hereof shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the other terms and conditions set forth herein.
23. Exclusion from Compensation Calculation. By acceptance of this Agreement, you shall be deemed to be in agreement that all shares of Class A Common Stock and cash received upon each exercise of the Options shall be considered special incentive compensation and will be exempt from inclusion as wages or salary in pension, retirement, life insurance and other employee benefits arrangements of the MSG Entertainment Group, the
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MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group, except as determined otherwise by the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group. In addition, each of your beneficiaries shall be deemed to be in agreement that all such shares of Class A Common Stock and cash will be exempt from inclusion in wages or salary for purposes of calculating benefits of any life insurance coverage sponsored by the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group.
24. No Right to Continued Employment. Nothing contained in this Agreement or the Plan shall be construed to confer on you any right to continue in the employ of the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group, or derogate from the right of the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group, as applicable, to retire, request the resignation of, or discharge you, at any time, with or without cause.
25. Subsidiaries. For purposes of this Agreement, Subsidiaries means any entities that are controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Company, MSG Sphere or MSG Sports, as applicable, or in which the Company, MSG Sphere or MSG Sports, as applicable, owns, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the equity interests.
26. Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for purposes of convenience only and are not intended to define or limit the construction of the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
27. Effective Date. Upon execution by you, this Agreement shall be effective from and as of the Effective Date.
28. Signatures. Execution of this Agreement by the Company may be in the form of an electronic, manual or similar signature (including, without limitation, an electronic acknowledgement of acceptance), and such signature shall be treated as an original signature for all purposes.
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MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP. | ||
By |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: |
By your electronic acknowledgement of acceptance, you (i) acknowledge that a complete copy of the Plan and an executed original of this Agreement have been made available to you and (ii) agree to all of the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan and this Agreement.
Appendix 1
OPTION AGREEMENT
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Appendix 2
OPTION AGREEMENT
1. In the event of a MSG Entertainment Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to the Company, each as defined below, your entitlement to exercise the Options shall be as follows:
(A) If the Company or the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity, as defined below, has shares of common stock (or partnership units) traded on a national stock exchange or on the over-the-counter market as reported on the New York Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange, the Committee shall, to the extent that the Options have not been exercised and have not expired (the Outstanding Options), no later than the effective date of the transaction which results in a MSG Entertainment Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to the Company, either (i) convert your rights in the Outstanding Options into a right to receive an amount of cash equal to (a) the number of common shares subject or relating to the Outstanding Options multiplied by (b) the excess of (x) the offer price per share, the acquisition price per share or the merger price per share, each as defined below, whichever of such amounts is applicable, over (y) the exercise price of the shares subject or relating to the Outstanding Options, or (ii) arrange to have the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity grant to you in substitution for your Outstanding Options an award of options for shares of common stock (or partnership units) of the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity on the same terms with a value equivalent to the Outstanding Options and which will, in the good faith determination of the Committee, provide you with an equivalent profit potential, as determined in a manner compliant with Section 409A.
(B) If the Company or the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity does not have shares of common stock (or partnership units) traded on a national stock exchange or on the over-the-counter market as reported on the New York Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange, the Committee shall convert your rights in the Outstanding Options into a right to receive an amount of cash equal to the amount calculated as per Paragraph 1(A)(i) above.
(C) The cash award provided in Paragraph 1(A)(i) or 1(B) shall become payable to you, and the substitute options of the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity provided in Paragraph 1(A)(ii) will become exercisable (1) with respect to the Outstanding Options that were not exercisable on the effective date of the MSG Entertainment Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to the Company, as the case may be, at the earlier of (i) the date on which the Outstanding Options would otherwise have become exercisable hereunder had they continued in effect or (ii) if, immediately prior to termination you were an employee of the MSG Entertainment Group, the date on which your employment with the MSG Entertainment Group or the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity is terminated (a) by the Company, one of its Subsidiaries or the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity other than for Cause, if such termination occurs within three (3) years of the MSG Entertainment Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to the Company, (b) by you for good reason, as defined below, if such termination occurs within three (3) years of the
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MSG Entertainment Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to the Company or (c) by you for any reason at least six (6) months, but not more than nine (9) months after the effective date of the MSG Entertainment Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to the Company; provided that clause (c) herein shall not apply in the event that your rights in the Outstanding Options are converted into a right to receive an amount of cash in accordance with Paragraph 1(A)(i), or (2) with respect to the Outstanding Options that were exercisable on the effective date of the MSG Entertainment Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to the Company, the substitute options shall become exercisable immediately and the cash awards shall become payable promptly. The amount payable in cash shall be payable together with interest from the effective date of the MSG Entertainment Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to the Company until the date of payment at (i) the weighted average cost of capital of the Company immediately prior to the effectiveness of the MSG Entertainment Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to the Company or (ii) if the Company (or the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity) sets aside the funds in a trust or other funding arrangement, the actual earnings of such trust or other funding arrangement.
For the avoidance of doubt, any Options that are underwater as of a MSG Entertainment Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to the Company (i.e., the exercise price equals or exceeds the offer price per share, the acquisition price per share or the merger price per share, as applicable), may be cancelled for no consideration as of the consummation of the MSG Entertainment Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to the Company.
2. In the event of a MSG Sphere Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sphere, each as defined below, and if (1) immediately prior to such MSG Sphere Change of Control or going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sphere you were an employee of the MSG Sphere Group and (2) at the time of such MSG Sphere Change of Control or going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sphere you are not an employee of the MSG Entertainment Group or the MSG Sports Group, your entitlement to exercise the Options shall be as follows:
Your Outstanding Options shall become exercisable at the earlier of (A) the date on which the Outstanding Options would otherwise have become exercisable hereunder, (B) the date of your death or (C) the date on which your employment with the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sphere Surviving Entity, as defined below, is terminated (i) by MSG Sphere, one of its Subsidiaries or the MSG Sphere Surviving Entity other than for Cause, if such termination occurs within three (3) years of the MSG Sphere Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sphere, (ii) by you for good reason, if such termination occurs within three (3) years of the MSG Sphere Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sphere or (iii) by you for any reason at least six (6) months, but not more than nine (9) months after the effective date of the MSG Sphere Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sphere.
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3. In the event of a MSG Sports Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sports, each as defined below, and if (1) immediately prior to such MSG Sports Change of Control or going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sports you were an employee of the MSG Sports Group and (2) at the time of such MSG Sports Change of Control or going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sports you are not an employee of the MSG Entertainment Group or the MSG Sphere Group, your entitlement to exercise the Options shall be as follows:
Your Outstanding Options shall become exercisable at the earlier of (A) the date on which the Outstanding Options would otherwise have become exercisable hereunder, (B) the date of your death or (C) the date on which your employment with the MSG Sports Group or the MSG Sports Surviving Entity, as defined below, is terminated (i) by MSG Sports, one of its Subsidiaries or the MSG Sports Surviving Entity other than for Cause, if such termination occurs within three (3) years of the MSG Sports Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sports, (ii) by you for good reason, if such termination occurs within three (3) years of the MSG Sports Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sports or (iii) by you for any reason at least six (6) months, but not more than nine (9) months after the effective date of the MSG Sports Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sports.
4. As used herein,
Acquisition price per share means the greater of (i) the highest price per share stated on the Schedule 13D or any amendment thereto filed by the holder of twenty percent (20%) or more of the Companys voting power which gives rise to the MSG Entertainment Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to the Company and (ii) the highest fair market value per share of common stock during the ninety (90)-day period ending on the date of such MSG Entertainment Change of Control or going-private transaction with respect to the Company.
Cause means your (i) commission of an act of fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation, willful misconduct, gross negligence or breach of fiduciary duty against your Employer 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.
Going-private transaction means a transaction involving the purchase of Company, MSG Sphere or MSG Sports, as applicable, securities described in Rule 13e-3 to the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.
Good reason means
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a. without your express written consent any reduction in your base salary or target bonus opportunity, or any material impairment or material adverse change in your working conditions (as the same may from time to time have been improved or, with your written consent, otherwise altered, in each case, after the Effective Date) at any time after or within ninety (90) days prior to the MSG Entertainment Change of Control, the MSG Sphere Change of Control or the MSG Sports Change of Control, as applicable, including, without limitation, any material reduction of your other compensation, executive perquisites or other employee benefits (measured, where applicable, by level or participation or percentage of award under any plans of the Company, MSG Sphere or MSG Sports, as applicable), or material impairment or material adverse change of your level of responsibility, authority, autonomy or title, or to your scope of duties;
b. any failure by your Employer to comply with any of the provisions of this Agreement, other than an insubstantial or inadvertent failure remedied by your Employer promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by you;
c. your Employers requiring you to be based at any office or location more than thirty-five (35) miles from your location immediately prior to such event except for travel reasonably required in the performance of your responsibilities; or
d. with respect to the Company only, any failure by the Company to obtain the assumption and agreement to perform this Agreement by a successor as contemplated by Paragraph 1.
Merger price per share means, in the case of a merger, consolidation, sale, exchange or other disposition of assets that results in a MSG Entertainment Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to the Company (a Merger), the greater of (i) the fixed or formula price for the acquisition of shares of common stock occurring pursuant to the Merger and (ii) the highest fair market value per share of common stock during the ninety (90)-day period ending on the date of such MSG Entertainment Change of Control or going-private transaction with respect to the Company. Any securities or property which are part or all of the consideration paid for shares of common stock pursuant to the Merger shall be valued in determining the merger price per share at the higher of (A) the valuation placed on such securities or property by the Company, person or other entity which is a party with the Company to the Merger or (B) the valuation placed on such securities or property by the Committee.
MSG Entertainment Change of Control means the acquisition, in a transaction or a series of related transactions, by any person or group, other than Charles F. Dolan or members of the immediate family of Charles F. Dolan or trusts for the benefit of Charles F. Dolan or his immediate family (or an entity or entities controlled by any of them) or any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Company, of the power to direct the management of the Company or substantially all its assets (as constituted immediately prior to such transaction or transactions).
MSG Sphere Change of Control means the acquisition, in a transaction or a series of related transactions, by any person or group, other than Charles F. Dolan or members of the immediate family of Charles F. Dolan or trusts for the benefit of Charles F. Dolan or his immediate family (or an entity or entities controlled by any of them) or any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by MSG Sphere, of the power to direct the management of MSG Sphere or substantially all its assets (as constituted immediately prior to such transaction or transactions).
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MSG Sports Change of Control means the acquisition, in a transaction or a series of related transactions, by any person or group, other than Charles F. Dolan or members of the immediate family of Charles F. Dolan or trusts for the benefit of Charles F. Dolan or his immediate family (or an entity or entities controlled by any of them) or any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by MSG Sports, of the power to direct the management of MSG Sports or substantially all its assets (as constituted immediately prior to such transaction or transactions).
MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity means the entity that owns, directly or indirectly, after consummation of any transaction, substantially all of the Companys assets (as constituted immediately prior to such transaction). If any such entity is at least majority-owned, directly or indirectly, by any entity (a parent entity) which has shares of common stock (or partnership units) traded on a national stock exchange or the over-the-counter market, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange, then such parent entity shall be deemed to be the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity; provided that if there shall be more than one such parent entity, the parent entity closest to ownership of the Companys assets shall be deemed to be the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity.
MSG Sphere Surviving Entity means the entity that owns, directly or indirectly, after consummation of any transaction, substantially all of MSG Spheres assets (as constituted immediately prior to such transaction). If any such entity is at least majority-owned, directly or indirectly, by any entity (a parent entity) which has shares of common stock (or partnership units) traded on a national stock exchange or the over-the-counter market, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange, then such parent entity shall be deemed to be the MSG Sphere Surviving Entity; provided that if there shall be more than one such parent entity, the parent entity closest to ownership of MSG Spheres assets shall be deemed to be the MSG Sphere Surviving Entity.
MSG Sports Surviving Entity means the entity that owns, directly or indirectly, after consummation of any transaction, substantially all of MSG Sports assets (as constituted immediately prior to such transaction). If any such entity is at least majority-owned, directly or indirectly, by any entity (a parent entity) which has shares of common stock (or partnership units) traded on a national stock exchange or the over-the-counter market, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange, then such parent entity shall be deemed to be the MSG Sports Surviving Entity; provided that if there shall be more than one such parent entity, the parent entity closest to ownership of MSG Sports assets shall be deemed to be the MSG Sports Surviving Entity.
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Offer price per share means, in the case of a tender offer or exchange offer which results in a MSG Entertainment Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to the Company (an Offer), the greater of (i) the highest price per share of common stock paid pursuant to the Offer or (ii) the highest fair market value per share of common stock during the ninety (90)-day period ending on the date of a MSG Entertainment Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to the Company. Any securities or property which are part or all of the consideration paid for shares of common stock in the Offer shall be valued in determining the Offer Price per share at the higher of (A) the valuation placed on such securities or property by the Company, person or other entity making such offer or (B) the valuation placed on such securities or property by the Committee.
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Exhibit 10.12
FORM OF PERFORMANCE OPTION AGREEMENT
Dear [Participant Name]:
Pursuant to the 2023 Employee Stock Plan (the Plan) of Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (formerly known as MSGE Spinco, Inc.) (the Company), on [Date] (the Effective Date) you have been awarded nonqualified options (the Options) to purchase [#shares] shares of the Companys Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (Class A Common Stock) at a price of $[Dollars] per share. The Award is granted subject to the terms and conditions set forth below and in the Plan.
Capitalized terms used but not defined in this agreement (this Agreement) have the meanings given to them in the Plan. The Options are granted subject to the terms and conditions set forth below:
1. Vesting. In accordance with the terms of this Agreement, a target of [#Options] Options (the Target Award), and a maximum of [#Options] Options, will vest and become exercisable, which number of Options will be determined based on the extent to which the performance criteria (the Objectives) set forth in Appendix 1 to this Agreement have been attained in respect of the period from July 1, [year] to June 30, [year] (the Performance Period). The Options, calculated in accordance with Appendix 1, will vest [on [Date], subject to the determination by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (as more fully described in Section 15, the Committee) of the Companys performance against the Objectives][upon the date on which the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (as more fully described in Section 15, the Committee) determines the Companys performance against the Objectives] (the Vesting Date), and any Options that do not so vest shall be immediately and automatically forfeited as of the Vesting Date; provided that you have remained in the continuous employ of the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group (each as defined below) from the Effective Date through the Vesting Date.
For purposes of this Agreement, the MSG Entertainment Group means the Company and any of its Subsidiaries. The MSG Sphere Group means MSG Sphere Corp. (formerly known as Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.) (MSG Sphere) and any of its Subsidiaries. The MSG Sports Group means Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. (MSG Sports) and any of its Subsidiaries.
For purposes of this Agreement, if you are employed by the MSG Entertainment Group, your Employer means the Company; if you are employed by the MSG Sphere Group, your Employer means MSG Sphere; if you are employed by the MSG Sports Group, your Employer means MSG Sports; if you are employed by both the MSG Entertainment Group and the MSG Sphere Group, your Employer means MSG Entertainment; if you are employed by both the MSG Entertainment Group and the MSG Sports Group, your Employer means MSG Entertainment; and if you are employed by each of the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group and the MSG Sports Group, your Employer means MSG Entertainment.
2. Exercise. You may exercise the Options that become vested and exercisable by following such procedures as established by the Company, specifying the number of shares of Class A Common Stock as to which the Options are being exercised (the Exercise Notice). Unless the Committee chooses to settle such exercise in cash, shares of Class A Common Stock, or a combination thereof pursuant to Section 3, you will be required to deliver to the Company, or such person as the Company may designate, within such time period as the Company may require, payment in full of the exercise price and any taxes due on account of such exercise.
3. Option Spread. Upon receipt of the Exercise Notice, the Committee may elect, in lieu of issuing shares of Class A Common Stock, to settle the exercise covered by such notice by paying you an amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying (i) the excess of the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Class A Common Stock on the date of exercise over the per share exercise price of the Options (the Option Spread) by (ii) the number of shares of Class A Common Stock specified in the Exercise Notice. The amount payable to you in these circumstances may be paid by the Company either in cash or in shares of Class A Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the Option Spread, or a combination thereof, as the Company shall determine. Class A Common Stock used to pay the Option Spread pursuant to this Section 3 will be valued at the Fair Market Value as of the day the Exercise Notice is received by the Company.
4. Expiration. The Options will terminate automatically and without further notice on [Date], or at any of the following dates, if earlier:
(A) with respect to those Options which are then unexercisable, the date upon which you are no longer employed by the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group, unless as a result of your death, in which case a number of your Options granted under this Agreement shall become immediately exercisable as follows:[ (i)] if your employment terminates due to your death prior to [Date], then a portion of the Target Award, determined based on the number of months of your employment completed prior to such termination during the period commencing on [Date] and ending on [Date], will vest as of the termination date[ or (ii) if your employment terminates due to your death after [Date] but prior to the Vesting Date, then the number of Options that would have vested on the Vesting Date had your employment not been so terminated shall vest as of the termination date];
(B) with respect to those Options which are then exercisable, (1) in the event of a termination of your employment by your Employer without Cause (other than while you are Disabled) or your resignation of employment from your Employer[ (other than due to Retirement, in which case the Options will remain exercisable until [Date])]1, ninety (90) days following the date upon which you are no longer employed or (2) in the event of your death or a termination of your employment with your Employer while you are Disabled, the first anniversary of your death or the date upon which you are no longer employed by your Employer, as applicable; or
1 | To be included on a case-by-case basis as determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion. |
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(C) with respect to all your then outstanding Options, whether exercisable or unexercisable, the date upon which your employment with your Employer is terminated for Cause.
5. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:
(A) Disabled means that you received short term disability income replacement payments for six (6) months, and thereafter (A) have been determined to be disabled in accordance with your Employers long term disability plan in which employees of your Employer are generally able to participate, if one is in effect at such time or (B) to the extent no such long term disability plan exists, have been determined to have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months as determined by the department or vendor directed by your Employer to determine eligibility for unpaid medical leave.
(B) Cause means, as determined by the compensation committee of your Employer, in its sole discretion, your (i) commission of an act of fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation, willful misconduct, gross negligence or breach of fiduciary duty against your Employer 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.
(C) [Retirement means the voluntary termination by you of your employment with your Employer at such time as (i) you have attained at least the age of fifty-five (55) and (ii) you have been employed by the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group and/or the MSG Sports Group for at least five (5) years in the aggregate; provided that your Employer may nevertheless decide, in its sole discretion, not to treat your termination of employment as a Retirement hereunder. Treatment of your termination of employment as a Retirement hereunder shall be further subject to your execution (and the effectiveness) of a retirement agreement to your Employers satisfaction, including, without limitation (to the extent desired by your Employer), non-compete, non-disparagement, non-solicitation, confidentiality and further cooperation obligations/restrictions on you as well as a general release by you of the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group and the MSG Sports Group. The above definition of Retirement is solely for purposes of this Agreement and shall not, in any way, create or imply any obligations of the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group (under any other agreement or otherwise) with respect to any such termination of your employment.]2
6. Change of Control/Going-Private Transaction. As set forth in Appendix 2 attached hereto, the Options may be affected in the event of a MSG Entertainment
2 | See footnote 1. |
3
Change of Control, a MSG Sphere Change of Control, a MSG Sports Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to the Company, MSG Sphere or MSG Sports (each as defined in Appendix 2 attached hereto).
7. Tax Representations and Tax Withholding. You hereby acknowledge that you have reviewed with your own tax advisors the federal, state and local tax consequences of exercising the Options and receiving shares of Class A Common Stock and cash. You hereby represent to the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group and the MSG Sports Group that you are relying solely on such advisors and not on any statements or representations of the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group, any of their respective Affiliates or any of their respective agents. If, in connection with the exercise of the Options, your Employer is required to withhold any amounts by reason of any federal, state or local tax, such withholding shall be effected in accordance with Section 16 of the Plan.
8. Section 409A. It is the intent that payments under this Agreement are exempt from Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), and that the Agreement be administered accordingly. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if and to the extent that any payment or benefit under this Agreement is determined by your Employer to constitute non-qualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code (Section 409A) and is payable to you by reason of termination of your 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 and as determined by your Employer), such payment or benefit shall not be made or provided before the date that is six (6) months after the date of your separation from service (or your earlier death).
9. Transfer Restrictions. You may not transfer, assign, pledge or otherwise encumber the Options, other than to the extent provided in the Plan.
10. Non-Qualification as ISO. The Options are not intended to qualify as incentive stock options within the meaning of Section 422A of the Code.
11. Securities Law Acknowledgments. You hereby acknowledge and confirm to the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group and the MSG Sports Group that (i) you are aware that the shares of Class A Common Stock are publicly-traded securities and (ii) the shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Options may not be sold or otherwise transferred unless such sale or transfer is registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the securities laws of any applicable state or other jurisdiction, or is exempt from such registration.
12. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be deemed to be made under, and in all respects shall be interpreted, construed and governed by and in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
13. Jurisdiction and Venue. 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
4
America located in the Southern District and Eastern District of the State of New York in respect of the interpretation and enforcement of the provisions of this Agreement, and hereby waive, and agree not to assert, as a defense that you are not subject thereto or that the venue thereof may not be appropriate. You hereby 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.
14. Right of Offset. You hereby agree that the Company shall have the right to offset against its obligation to deliver shares of Class A Common Stock, cash or other property under this Agreement to the extent that it does not constitute non-qualified deferred compensation pursuant to Section 409A, any outstanding amounts of whatever nature that you then owe to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
15. The Committee. For purposes of this Agreement, the term Committee means the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company or any replacement committee established under, and as more fully defined in, the Plan.
16. Committee Discretion. The Committee has full discretion with respect to any actions to be taken or determinations to be made in connection with this Agreement, and its determinations shall be final, binding and conclusive.
17. Amendment. The Committee reserves the right at any time to amend the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, except that the Committee shall not make any amendment or revision in a manner unfavorable to you (other than if immaterial), without your consent. No consent shall be required for amendments made pursuant to Section 12 of the Plan, except that, for purposes of Section 19 of the Plan, Section 6 and Appendix 2 of this Agreement are deemed to be terms of an Award Agreement expressly refer[ring] to an Adjustment Event. Any amendment of this Agreement shall be in writing and signed by an authorized member of the Committee or a person or persons designated by the Committee.
18. Options Subject to the Plan. The Options granted by this Agreement are subject to the Plan.
19. Entire Agreement. Except for any employment agreement between you and the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group in effect as of the date of the grant hereof (as such employment agreement may be modified, renewed or replaced; provided that such modification, renewal or replacement shall not extend the time any Options may be exercised beyond the time provided herein or in such original employment agreement), this Agreement and the Plan constitute the entire understanding and agreement of you and the Company with respect to the Options covered hereby and supersede all prior understandings and agreements. Except as provided in Sections 8 and 25, in the event of a conflict among the documents with respect to the terms and conditions of the Options covered hereby, the documents will be accorded the following order of authority: the terms and conditions of the Plan will have highest authority followed by the terms and conditions of your employment agreement, if any, followed by the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
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20. Successors and Assigns. The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the Company and its successors and assigns.
21. Waiver. No waiver by the Company at any time of any breach by you of, or compliance with, any term or condition of this Agreement or the Plan to be performed by you shall be deemed a waiver of the same term or condition, or of any similar or any dissimilar term or condition, whether at the same time or at any prior or subsequent time.
22. Severability. The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or condition hereof shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the other terms and conditions set forth herein.
23. Exclusion from Compensation Calculation. By acceptance of this Agreement, you shall be deemed to be in agreement that all shares of Class A Common Stock and cash received upon each exercise of the Options shall be considered special incentive compensation and will be exempt from inclusion as wages or salary in pension, retirement, life insurance and other employee benefits arrangements of the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group, except as determined otherwise by the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group. In addition, each of your beneficiaries shall be deemed to be in agreement that all such shares of Class A Common Stock and cash will be exempt from inclusion in wages or salary for purposes of calculating benefits of any life insurance coverage sponsored by the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group.
24. No Right to Continued Employment. Nothing contained in this Agreement or the Plan shall be construed to confer on you any right to continue in the employ of the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group, or derogate from the right of the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group, as applicable, to retire, request the resignation of, or discharge you, at any time, with or without cause.
25. Subsidiaries. For purposes of this Agreement, Subsidiaries means any entities that are controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Company, MSG Sphere or MSG Sports, as applicable, or in which the Company, MSG Sphere or MSG Sports, as applicable, owns, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the equity interests.
26. Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for purposes of convenience only and are not intended to define or limit the construction of the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
27. Effective Date. Upon execution by you, this Agreement shall be effective from and as of the Effective Date.
28. Signatures. Execution of this Agreement by the Company may be in the form of an electronic, manual or similar signature (including, without limitation, an electronic acknowledgement of acceptance), and such signature shall be treated as an original signature for all purposes.
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MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP. | ||
By |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: |
By your electronic acknowledgement of acceptance, you (i) acknowledge that a complete copy of the Plan and an executed original of this Agreement have been made available to you and (ii) agree to all of the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan and this Agreement.
Appendix 1
PERFORMANCE OPTION AGREEMENT
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Appendix 2
PERFORMANCE OPTION AGREEMENT
1. In the event of a going-private transaction with respect to the Company, as defined below, your entitlement to exercise the Options shall be as follows:
(A) The Committee shall, no later than the effective date of the transaction which results in a going-private transaction with respect to the Company, (i) if your Options are outstanding and not exercisable as of the date of the going-private transaction with respect to the Company, either (a) if the effective date of the going-private transaction with respect to the Company is before the end of the Performance Period, deem the Objectives to be satisfied at the target level or (b) if the effective date of the going-private transaction with respect to the Company is on or after the last day of the Performance Period, determine the Companys performance against the Objectives, and (ii) convert your Options, calculated in accordance with Appendix 1 and this Paragraph 1(A), as applicable, into a right to receive an amount of cash equal to (a) the number of common shares subject or relating to such Options multiplied by (b) the excess of (x) the offer price per share, the acquisition price per share or the merger price per share, each as defined below, whichever of such amounts is applicable, over (y) the exercise price of the shares subject or relating to such Options. For the avoidance of doubt, Options for which the applicable amount in (x) exceeds the exercise price in (y) (i.e., Options which are underwater) may be cancelled for no consideration as of the effective date of the going-private transaction with respect to the Company.
(B) The cash award provided in Paragraph 1(A)(i)(a) or 1(A)(i)(b) shall become payable to you as follows: (1) if the Options are not exercisable on the effective date of the going-private transaction with respect to the Company, then the cash award shall become payable at the earlier of (i) the date on which such Options would otherwise have become exercisable hereunder had they continued in effect or (ii) if, immediately prior to termination you were an employee of the MSG Entertainment Group, the date on which your employment with the MSG Entertainment Group or the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity, as defined below, is terminated (a) by the Company, one of its Subsidiaries or the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity other than for Cause, if such termination occurs within three (3) years of the going-private transaction with respect to the Company or (b) by you for good reason, as defined below, if such termination occurs within three (3) years of the going-private transaction with respect to the Company, or (2) if the Options are exercisable on the effective date of the going-private transaction with respect to the Company, then the cash award shall become payable promptly. The amount payable in cash shall be payable together with interest from the effective date of the going-private transaction with respect to the Company until the date of payment at (i) the weighted average cost of capital of the Company immediately prior to the effectiveness of the going-private transaction with respect to the Company or (ii) if the Company (or the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity) sets aside the funds in a trust or other funding arrangement, the actual earnings of such trust or other funding arrangement.
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2. In the event of a MSG Entertainment Change of Control, as defined below, (A) if your Options are outstanding and not exercisable as of the date of the MSG Entertainment Change of Control, the Target Award will immediately vest, whether or not the Objectives have been attained and (B) your vested Options will either (i) be cancelled and you will be entitled to prompt payment of an amount of cash determined in accordance with Section 1(A) above or (ii) if the Company or the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity has shares of common stock (or partnership units) traded on a national stock exchange or on the over-the-counter market as reported on the New York Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange, then the Committee may (in its discretion) arrange to have the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity grant to you in substitution for such Options an award of options for shares of common stock (or partnership units) of the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity on the same terms with a value equivalent to such Options and which will, in the good faith determination of the Committee, provide you with an equivalent profit potential, as determined in a manner compliant with Section 409A. For the avoidance of doubt, Options which are underwater may be cancelled for no consideration as of the consummation of the MSG Entertainment Change of Control.
3. In the event of a MSG Sphere Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sphere, each as defined below, and if (1) immediately prior to such MSG Sphere Change of Control or going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sphere you were an employee of the MSG Sphere Group and (2) at the time of such MSG Sphere Change of Control or going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sphere you are not an employee of the MSG Entertainment Group or the MSG Sports Group, your entitlement to exercise the Options shall be as follows:
The Options shall become exercisable at the earlier of (A) the date on which the Options would otherwise have become exercisable hereunder, (B) the date of your death (in which case, if the death is before the end of the Performance Period, the Objectives will be deemed to be satisfied at the target level) or (C) the date on which your employment with the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sphere Surviving Entity, as defined below, is terminated (i) by MSG Sphere, one of its Subsidiaries or the MSG Sphere Surviving Entity other than for Cause, if such termination occurs within three (3) years of the MSG Sphere Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sphere or (ii) by you for good reason, if such termination occurs within three (3) years of the MSG Sphere Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sphere (in which case, if the termination is before the end of the Performance Period, the Objectives will be deemed to be satisfied at the target level).
4. In the event of a MSG Sports Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sports, each as defined below, and if (1) immediately prior to such MSG Sports Change of Control or going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sports you were an employee of the MSG Sports Group and (2) at the time of such MSG Sports Change of Control or going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sports you are not an employee of the MSG Entertainment Group or the MSG Sphere Group, your entitlement to exercise the Options shall be as follows:
A2-2
The Options shall become exercisable at the earlier of (A) the date on which the Options would otherwise have become exercisable hereunder, (B) the date of your death (in which case, if the death is before the end of the Performance Period, the Objectives will be deemed to be satisfied at the target level) or (C) the date on which your employment with the MSG Sports Group or the MSG Sports Surviving Entity, as defined below, is terminated (i) by MSG Sports, one of its Subsidiaries or the MSG Sports Surviving Entity other than for Cause, if such termination occurs within three (3) years of the MSG Sports Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sports or (ii) by you for good reason, if such termination occurs within three (3) years of the MSG Sports Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sports (in which case, if the termination is before the end of the Performance Period, the Objectives will be deemed to be satisfied at the target level).
5. As used herein,
Acquisition price per share means the greater of (i) the highest price per share stated on the Schedule 13D or any amendment thereto filed by the holder of twenty percent (20%) or more of the Companys voting power which gives rise to the MSG Entertainment Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to the Company and (ii) the highest fair market value per share of common stock during the ninety (90)-day period ending on the date of such MSG Entertainment Change of Control or going-private transaction with respect to the Company.
Cause means your (i) commission of an act of fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation, willful misconduct, gross negligence or breach of fiduciary duty against your Employer 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.
Going-private transaction means a transaction involving the purchase of Company, MSG Sphere or MSG Sports, as applicable, securities described in Rule 13e-3 to the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.
Good reason means
a. without your express written consent any reduction in your base salary or target bonus opportunity, or any material impairment or material adverse change in your working conditions (as the same may from time to time have been improved or, with your written consent, otherwise altered, in each case, after the Effective Date) at any time after or within ninety (90) days prior to the MSG Entertainment Change of Control, the MSG Sphere Change of Control or the MSG Sports Change of Control, as applicable, including, without limitation, any material reduction of your other compensation, executive perquisites or other employee benefits (measured, where applicable, by level or participation or percentage of award under any plans of the Company, MSG Sphere or MSG Sports, as applicable), or material impairment or material adverse change of your level of responsibility, authority, autonomy or title, or to your scope of duties;
A2-3
b. any failure by your Employer to comply with any of the provisions of this Agreement, other than an insubstantial or inadvertent failure remedied by your Employer promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by you;
c. your Employers requiring you to be based at any office or location more than thirty-five (35) miles from your location immediately prior to such event except for travel reasonably required in the performance of your responsibilities; or
d. with respect to the Company only, any failure by the Company to obtain the assumption and agreement to perform this Agreement by a successor as contemplated by Paragraph 1.
Merger price per share means, in the case of a merger, consolidation, sale, exchange or other disposition of assets that results in a MSG Entertainment Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to the Company (a Merger), the greater of (i) the fixed or formula price for the acquisition of shares of common stock occurring pursuant to the Merger and (ii) the highest fair market value per share of common stock during the ninety (90)-day period ending on the date of such MSG Entertainment Change of Control or going-private transaction with respect to the Company. Any securities or property which are part or all of the consideration paid for shares of common stock pursuant to the Merger shall be valued in determining the merger price per share at the higher of (A) the valuation placed on such securities or property by the Company, person or other entity which is a party with the Company to the Merger or (B) the valuation placed on such securities or property by the Committee.
MSG Entertainment Change of Control means the acquisition, in a transaction or a series of related transactions, by any person or group, other than Charles F. Dolan or members of the immediate family of Charles F. Dolan or trusts for the benefit of Charles F. Dolan or his immediate family (or an entity or entities controlled by any of them) or any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Company, of the power to direct the management of the Company or substantially all its assets (as constituted immediately prior to such transaction or transactions).
MSG Sphere Change of Control means the acquisition, in a transaction or a series of related transactions, by any person or group, other than Charles F. Dolan or members of the immediate family of Charles F. Dolan or trusts for the benefit of Charles F. Dolan or his immediate family (or an entity or entities controlled by any of them) or any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by MSG Sphere, of the power to direct the management of MSG Sphere or substantially all its assets (as constituted immediately prior to such transaction or transactions).
MSG Sports Change of Control means the acquisition, in a transaction or a series of related transactions, by any person or group, other than Charles F. Dolan or members of the immediate family of Charles F. Dolan or trusts for the benefit of Charles F. Dolan or his immediate family (or an entity or entities controlled by any of them) or any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by MSG Sports, of the power to direct the management of MSG Sports or substantially all its assets (as constituted immediately prior to such transaction or transactions).
A2-4
MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity means the entity that owns, directly or indirectly, after consummation of any transaction, substantially all of the Companys assets (as constituted immediately prior to such transaction). If any such entity is at least majority-owned, directly or indirectly, by any entity (a parent entity) which has shares of common stock (or partnership units) traded on a national stock exchange or the over-the-counter market, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange, then such parent entity shall be deemed to be the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity; provided that if there shall be more than one such parent entity, the parent entity closest to ownership of the Companys assets shall be deemed to be the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity.
MSG Sphere Surviving Entity means the entity that owns, directly or indirectly, after consummation of any transaction, substantially all of MSG Spheres assets (as constituted immediately prior to such transaction). If any such entity is at least majority-owned, directly or indirectly, by any entity (a parent entity) which has shares of common stock (or partnership units) traded on a national stock exchange or the over-the-counter market, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange, then such parent entity shall be deemed to be the MSG Sphere Surviving Entity; provided that if there shall be more than one such parent entity, the parent entity closest to ownership of MSG Spheres assets shall be deemed to be the MSG Sphere Surviving Entity.
MSG Sports Surviving Entity means the entity that owns, directly or indirectly, after consummation of any transaction, substantially all of MSG Sports assets (as constituted immediately prior to such transaction). If any such entity is at least majority-owned, directly or indirectly, by any entity (a parent entity) which has shares of common stock (or partnership units) traded on a national stock exchange or the over-the-counter market, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange, then such parent entity shall be deemed to be the MSG Sports Surviving Entity; provided that if there shall be more than one such parent entity, the parent entity closest to ownership of MSG Sports assets shall be deemed to be the MSG Sports Surviving Entity.
Offer price per share means, in the case of a tender offer or exchange offer which results in a MSG Entertainment Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to the Company (an Offer), the greater of (i) the highest price per share of common stock paid pursuant to the Offer or (ii) the highest fair market value per share of common stock during the ninety (90)-day period ending on the date of a MSG Entertainment Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to the Company. Any securities or property which are part or all of the consideration paid for shares of common stock in the Offer shall be valued in determining the Offer Price per share at the higher of (A) the valuation placed on such securities or property by the Company, person or other entity making such offer or (B) the valuation placed on such securities or property by the Committee.
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Exhibit 10.13
FORM OF RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS AGREEMENT
Dear [Participant Name]:
Pursuant to MSG Sphere Corp.s 2020 Employee Stock Plan or MSG Networks Inc.s 2010 Employee Stock Plan, as amended, as applicable, on [Date] (the Grant Date), you were granted restricted stock units, each of which represents an unfunded, unsecured promise by MSG Sphere Corp. (formerly known as Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.) (MSG Sphere) to deliver to you one share of MSG Sphere Class A Common Stock. In conjunction with the spin-off of Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (formerly known as MSGE Spinco, Inc.) (the Company) from MSG Sphere on [Date] (the Distribution Date), and pursuant to the Companys 2023 Employee Stock Plan (the Plan), you are receiving the award described in this Restricted Stock Units Agreement (the Agreement) of [#RSUs] restricted stock units (the Units), each of which represents an unfunded, unsecured promise by the Company to deliver to you one share of the Companys Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (Share).
Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Agreement have the meanings given to them in the Plan. The Units are subject to the terms and conditions set forth below:
1. Awards. Each Unit shall represent an unfunded, unsecured promise by the Company to deliver to you one Share on the Delivery Date. In accordance with Section 10(b) of the Plan, in the discretion of the Committee, in lieu of all or any portion of the Shares otherwise deliverable in respect of your Units, the Company may deliver a cash amount equal to the number of such Shares multiplied by the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date when Shares would otherwise have been issued, as determined by the Committee.
2. Vesting. Your Units will vest in accordance with Appendix 1; provided that you have remained in the continuous employ of the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group (each as defined below) through each vesting date set forth on Appendix 1 (each, a Vesting Date). Subject to Sections 3 and 4, you will forfeit any unvested Units if you do not remain continuously employed with the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group (each as defined below) from the Grant Date through any Vesting Date.
For purposes of this Agreement, the MSG Entertainment Group means the Company and any of its Subsidiaries. The MSG Sphere Group means MSG Sphere and any of its Subsidiaries. The MSG Sports Group means Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. (MSG Sports) and any of its Subsidiaries.
For purposes of this Agreement, if you are employed by the MSG Entertainment Group, your Employer means the Company; if you are employed by the MSG Sphere Group, your Employer means MSG Sphere; if you are employed by the MSG Sports Group, your Employer means MSG Sports; if you are employed by both the MSG Entertainment Group and the MSG Sphere Group, your Employer means MSG Entertainment; if you are employed by both the MSG Entertainment Group and the MSG Sports Group, your Employer means MSG Entertainment; and if you are employed by each of the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group and the MSG Sports Group, your Employer means MSG Entertainment.
3. Vesting in the Event of Death, Disability[, Retirement]1 and Other Circumstances.
(A) If your employment is terminated as a result of your death, all of the unvested Units will vest as of the termination date.
(B) If your employment is terminated while you are Disabled, and Cause does not then exist, your unvested Units will immediately vest, and will become payable at such times as they would have otherwise vested pursuant to Section 2.
(C) [If your employment is terminated on or after the date that you achieve Retirement Eligibility, and Cause does not then exist, then so long as you enter into your Employers then-current form of separation agreement (which shall include, without limitation, a covenant not to compete), you will vest in your Units and such Units will become payable at such times as they would have otherwise vested pursuant to Section 2 regardless of whether or not you remain employed by your Employer on such dates; provided, however, that upon a termination for Cause, you will forfeit all Units that had not yet been paid.]2
(D) If your employment is terminated for other reasons, the Committee may, in its sole discretion determine to vest all or a portion of the unvested Units (but shall be under no obligation to consider doing so).
(E) For purposes of this Agreement:
(i) | Disabled means that you received short term disability income replacement payments for six (6) months, and thereafter (A) have been determined to be disabled in accordance with your Employers long term disability plan in which employees of your Employer are generally able to participate, if one is in effect at such time or (B) to the extent no such long term disability plan exists, have been determined to have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months as determined by the department or vendor directed by your Employer to determine eligibility for unpaid medical leave. |
(ii) | Cause means, as determined by the compensation committee of your Employer, in its sole discretion, your (A) commission of an |
1 | To be included to the extent included in MSG Sphere restricted stock units. |
2 | See footnote 1. |
act of fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation, willful misconduct, gross negligence or breach of fiduciary duty against your Employer or (B) 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. |
(iii) | [Retirement Eligibility means that you are either (A) at least fifty-five (55) years old with at least ten (10) years of continuous service with the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group and/or the MSG Sports Group or (B) at least sixty (60) years old with at least five (5) years of continuous service with the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group and/or the MSG Sports Group.]3 |
4. Change of Control/Going-Private Transaction. As set forth in Appendix 2 attached hereto, your entitlement to the Units may be affected in the event of a MSG Entertainment Change of Control, a MSG Sphere Change of Control, a MSG Sports Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to the Company, MSG Sphere or MSG Sports (each as defined in Appendix 2 attached hereto).
5. Transfer Restrictions. You may not transfer, assign, pledge or otherwise encumber the Units, other than to the extent provided in the Plan.
6. Right to Vote and Receive Dividends. You shall not be deemed to be the holder of, or have any of the rights of a stockholder with respect to, any Units unless and until the Company shall have issued and delivered Shares to you and your name shall have been entered as a stockholder of record on the books of the Company. Pursuant to Section 10(c) of the Plan, all ordinary (as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion) cash dividends that would have been paid upon any Shares underlying your Units had such Shares been issued will be retained by the Company for your account until your Units vest and such dividends will be paid to you (without interest) on the applicable Delivery Date to the extent that your Units vest.
7. Tax Representations and Tax Withholding. You hereby acknowledge that you have reviewed with your own tax advisors the federal, state and local tax consequences of receiving the Units. You hereby represent to the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group and the MSG Sports Group that you are relying solely on such advisors and not on any statements or representations of the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group, any of their respective Affiliates or any of their respective agents. If, in connection with the Units, your Employer is required to withhold any amounts by reason of any federal, state or local tax, such withholding shall be effected in accordance with Section 16 of the Plan. If your Units vest prior to payment in accordance with Section 3(B)[ or][,] (C)[ or (D)]4, then you agree to cooperate with your Employer to satisfy any tax withholding obligations, in such manner as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.
3 | See footnote 1. |
4 | See footnote 1. |
8. Section 409A. It is the intent that payments under this Agreement shall comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code (Section 409A) to the extent applicable, and that the Agreement be administered accordingly. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or any employment agreement you have entered into with your Employer, to the extent that any payment or benefit under this Agreement is determined by your Employer to constitute non-qualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A and is payable to you by reason of termination of your 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 and as determined by your Employer), such payment or benefit shall not be made or provided before the date that is six (6) months after the date of your separation from service (or your earlier death). Each payment under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment under Section 409A.
9. Delivery. Subject to Sections 7, 10 and 13 and except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Shares will be delivered in respect of vested Units (if any) on the first to occur of the following events: (i) to you on or promptly after the applicable Vesting Date (but in no case more than fifteen (15) days after such date), (ii) in the event of your death to your estate after your death and during the calendar year in which your death occurs (or such later date as may be permitted under Section 409A) and (iii) in the event of any other termination of your employment (including pursuant to the provisions of Appendix 1) to you on the ninetieth (90th) day following termination of your employment (the Delivery Date). Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, delivery of the Shares at the Delivery Date will be by book-entry credit to an account in your name that the Company has established at a custody agent (the custodian). The Companys transfer agent, EQ Shareowner Services, shall act as the custodian of the Shares; however, the Company may in its sole discretion appoint another custodian to replace EQ Shareowner Services. On the Delivery Date, if you have complied with your obligations under this Agreement and provided that your tax obligations with respect to the vested Units are appropriately satisfied, we will instruct the custodian to electronically transfer your Shares to a brokerage or other account on your behalf (or make such other arrangements for the delivery of the Shares to you as we reasonably determine).
10. Right of Offset. You hereby agree that the Company shall have the right to offset against its obligation to deliver shares of Class A Common Stock, cash or other property under this Agreement to the extent that it does not constitute non-qualified deferred compensation pursuant to Section 409A, any outstanding amounts of whatever nature that you then owe to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
11. The Committee. For purposes of this Agreement, the term Committee means the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company or any replacement committee established under, and as more fully defined in, the Plan.
12. Committee Discretion. The Committee has full discretion with respect to any actions to be taken or determinations to be made in connection with this Agreement, and its determinations shall be final, binding and conclusive.
13. Amendment. The Committee reserves the right at any time to amend the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, except that the Committee shall not make any amendment or revision in a manner unfavorable to you (other than if immaterial), without your consent. No consent shall be required for amendments made pursuant to Section 12 of the Plan, except that, for purposes of Section 19 of the Plan, Section 4 and Appendix 1 of this Agreement are deemed to be terms of an Award Agreement expressly refer[ring] to an Adjustment Event. Any amendment of this Agreement shall be in writing and signed by an authorized member of the Committee or a person or persons designated by the Committee.
14. Units Subject to the Plan. The Units covered by this Agreement are subject to the Plan.
15. Subsidiaries. For purposes of this Agreement, Subsidiaries means any entities that are controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Company, MSG Sphere or MSG Sports, as applicable, or in which the Company, MSG Sphere or MSG Sports, as applicable, owns, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the equity interests.
16. Entire Agreement. Except for any employment agreement between you and the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group in effect as of the date of the grant hereof (as such employment agreement may be modified, renewed or replaced), this Agreement and the Plan constitute the entire understanding and agreement of you and the Company with respect to the Units covered hereby and supersede all prior understandings and agreements. Except as provided in Sections 8 and 15, in the event of a conflict among the documents with respect to the terms and conditions of the Units covered hereby, the documents will be accorded the following order of authority: the terms and conditions of the Plan will have highest authority followed by the terms and conditions of your employment agreement, if any, followed by the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
17. Successors and Assigns. The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the Company and its successors and assigns.
18. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be deemed to be made under, and in all respects be interpreted, construed and governed by and in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without regard to conflict of law principles.
19. Jurisdiction and Venue. You irrevocably submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York and the Federal courts of the United States located in the Southern District of the State of New York in respect of the interpretation and enforcement of the provisions of this Agreement, and hereby waive, and agree not to assert, as a defense that you are not subject thereto or that the venue thereof may not be appropriate. You agree that the mailing of process or other papers in connection with any action or proceeding in any manner permitted by law shall be valid and sufficient service.
20. Waiver. No waiver by the Company at any time of any breach by you of, or compliance with, any term or condition of this Agreement or the Plan to be performed by you shall be deemed a waiver of the same term or condition, or of any similar or any dissimilar term or condition, whether at the same time or at any prior or subsequent time.
21. Severability. The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or condition hereof shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the other terms and conditions set forth herein.
22. Exclusion from Compensation Calculation. By acceptance of this Agreement, you shall be deemed to be in agreement that the Units covered hereby shall be considered special incentive compensation and will be exempt from inclusion as wages or salary in pension, retirement, life insurance and other employee benefits arrangements of the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group, except as determined otherwise by the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group. In addition, each of your beneficiaries shall be deemed to be in agreement that all such shares be exempt from inclusion in wages or salary for purposes of calculating benefits of any life insurance coverage sponsored by the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group.
23. No Right to Continued Employment. Nothing contained in this Agreement or the Plan shall be construed to confer on you any right to continue in the employ of the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group, or derogate from the right of the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group, as applicable, to retire, request the resignation of, or discharge you, at any time, with or without cause.
24. Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for purposes of convenience only and are not intended to define or limit the construction of the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
25. Effective Date. Upon execution by you, this Agreement shall be effective from and as of the Grant Date.
26. Signatures. Execution of this Agreement by the Company may be in the form of an electronic, manual or similar signature (including, without limitation, an electronic acknowledgement of acceptance), and such signature shall be treated as an original signature for all purposes.
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MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP. | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: |
By your electronic acknowledgement of acceptance, you (i) acknowledge that a complete copy of the Plan and an executed original of this Agreement have been made available to you and (ii) agree to all of the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan and this Agreement.
Appendix 1
RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS AGREEMENT
A1-1
Appendix 2
RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS AGREEMENT
1. In the event of a MSG Entertainment Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to the Company as defined below, your entitlement to Units shall be as follows:
(A) If the Company or the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity, as defined below (if any), has shares of common stock (or partnership units) traded on a national stock exchange or on the over-the-counter market as reported on the New York Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange, the Committee shall, no later than the effective date of the transaction which results in a MSG Entertainment Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to the Company, either (i) convert your unvested Units into an amount of cash equal to (a) the number of your unvested Units multiplied by (b) the offer price per share, the acquisition price per share or the merger price per share, each as defined below, whichever of such amounts is applicable or (ii) arrange to have the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity grant to you an award of restricted stock units (or partnership units) for shares of the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity on the same terms and with a value equivalent to your unvested Units which will, in the good faith determination of the Committee, provide you with an equivalent profit potential.
(B) If the Company or the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity does not have shares of common stock (or partnership units) traded on a national stock exchange or on the over-the-counter market as reported on the New York Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange, the Committee shall convert your unvested Units into an amount of cash equal to the amount calculated as per Paragraph 1(A)(i) above.
(C) Provided that you remain continuously employed with the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group, the MSG Sports Group or the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity through the date of the earliest event described in any of (i), (ii) or (iii) below, any award provided for in Paragraph 1(A)(i) or 1(B) shall become payable to you (or your estate), and any substitute restricted stock unit award of the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity provided in Paragraph 1(A)(ii) shall vest, at the earlier of (i) each applicable date on which your Units would otherwise have vested had they continued in effect, (ii) the date of your death or (iii) if, immediately prior to termination you were an employee of the MSG Entertainment Group, the date on which your employment with the MSG Entertainment Group or the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity is terminated (a) by the Company, one of its Subsidiaries or the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity other than for Cause, (b) by you for good reason, as defined below or (c) by you for any reason at least six (6) months, but not more than nine (9) months after the effective date of the MSG Entertainment Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to the Company; provided that clause (c) herein shall not apply in the event that your rights in the Units are converted into a right to receive an amount of cash in accordance with Paragraph 1(A)(i). The amount payable in cash shall be payable together with interest from the effective date of the MSG Entertainment Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to the Company until the date of payment at (i) the weighted average cost of capital of the Company immediately prior to the effectiveness of the MSG Entertainment Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to the Company or (ii) if the Company (or the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity) sets aside the funds in a trust or other funding arrangement, the actual earnings of such trust or other funding arrangement.
A2-1
2. In the event of a MSG Sphere Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sphere, each as defined below, and if (1) immediately prior to such MSG Sphere Change of Control or going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sphere you were an employee of the MSG Sphere Group and (2) at the time of such MSG Sphere Change of Control or going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sphere you are not an employee of the MSG Entertainment Group or the MSG Sports Group, your entitlement to the Units shall be as follows:
Your Units shall vest at the earlier of (A) the date on which your Units would otherwise have vested had they continued in effect, (B) the date of your death or (C) the date on which your employment with the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sphere Surviving Entity, as defined below, is terminated (i) by MSG Sphere, one of its Subsidiaries or the MSG Sphere Surviving Entity other than for Cause, (ii) by you for good reason or (iii) by you for any reason at least six (6) months, but not more than nine (9) months after the effective date of the MSG Sphere Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sphere.
3. In the event of a MSG Sports Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sports, each as defined below, and if (1) immediately prior to such MSG Sports Change of Control or going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sports you were an employee of the MSG Sports Group and (2) at the time of such MSG Sports Change of Control or going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sports you are not an employee of the MSG Entertainment Group or the MSG Sphere Group, your entitlement to the Units shall be as follows:
Your Units shall vest at the earlier of (A) the date on which your Units would otherwise have vested had they continued in effect, (B) the date of your death or (C) the date on which your employment with the MSG Sports Group or the MSG Sports Surviving Entity, as defined below, is terminated (i) by MSG Sports, one of its Subsidiaries or the MSG Sports Surviving Entity other than for Cause, (ii) by you for good reason or (iii) by you for any reason at least six (6) months, but not more than nine (9) months after the effective date of the MSG Sports Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sports.
4. As used herein,
Acquisition price per share means the greater of (i) the highest price per share stated on the Schedule 13D or any amendment thereto filed by the holder of twenty percent (20%) or more of the Companys voting power which gives rise to the MSG Entertainment Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to the Company, and (ii) the highest fair market value per share of common stock during the ninety (90)-day period ending on the date of such MSG Entertainment Change of Control or going-private transaction with respect to the Company.
A2-2
Cause means your (i) commission of an act of fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation, willful misconduct, gross negligence or breach of fiduciary duty against your Employer 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.
Going-private transaction means a transaction involving the purchase of Company, MSG Sphere or MSG Sports, as applicable, securities described in Rule 13e-3 to the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.
Good reason means
a. without your express written consent any reduction in your base salary or target bonus opportunity, or any material impairment or material adverse change in your working conditions (as the same may from time to time have been improved or, with your written consent, otherwise altered, in each case, after the Distribution Date) at any time after or within ninety (90) days prior to the MSG Entertainment Change of Control, the MSG Sphere Change of Control or the MSG Sports Change of Control, as applicable, including, without limitation, any material reduction of your other compensation, executive perquisites or other employee benefits (measured, where applicable, by level or participation or percentage of award under any plans of the Company, MSG Sphere or MSG Sports, as applicable), or material impairment or material adverse change of your level of responsibility, authority, autonomy or title, or to your scope of duties;
b. any failure by your Employer to comply with any of the provisions of this Agreement, other than an insubstantial or inadvertent failure remedied by your Employer promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by you;
c. your Employers requiring you to be based at any office or location more than thirty-five (35) miles from your location immediately prior to such event except for travel reasonably required in the performance of your responsibilities; or
d. with respect to the Company only, any failure by the Company to obtain the assumption and agreement to perform this Agreement by a successor as contemplated by Paragraph 1.
Merger price per share means, in the case of a merger, consolidation, sale, exchange or other disposition of assets that results in a MSG Entertainment Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to the Company (a Merger), the greater of (i) the fixed or formula price for the acquisition of shares of common stock occurring pursuant to the Merger and (ii) the highest fair market value per share of common stock during the ninety (90)-day period ending on the date of such MSG Entertainment Change of Control or going-private transaction with respect to the
A2-3
Company. Any securities or property which are part or all of the consideration paid for shares of common stock pursuant to the Merger shall be valued in determining the merger price per share at the higher of (A) the valuation placed on such securities or property by the Company, person or other entity which is a party with the Company to the Merger or (B) the valuation placed on such securities or property by the Committee.
MSG Entertainment Change of Control means the acquisition, in a transaction or a series of related transactions, by any person or group, other than Charles F. Dolan or members of the immediate family of Charles F. Dolan or trusts for the benefit of Charles F. Dolan or his immediate family (or an entity or entities controlled by any of them) or any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Company, of the power to direct the management of the Company or substantially all its assets (as constituted immediately prior to such transaction or transactions).
MSG Sphere Change of Control means the acquisition, in a transaction or a series of related transactions, by any person or group, other than Charles F. Dolan or members of the immediate family of Charles F. Dolan or trusts for the benefit of Charles F. Dolan or his immediate family (or an entity or entities controlled by any of them) or any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by MSG Sphere, of the power to direct the management of MSG Sphere or substantially all its assets (as constituted immediately prior to such transaction or transactions).
MSG Sports Change of Control means the acquisition, in a transaction or a series of related transactions, by any person or group, other than Charles F. Dolan or members of the immediate family of Charles F. Dolan or trusts for the benefit of Charles F. Dolan or his immediate family (or an entity or entities controlled by any of them) or any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by MSG Sports, of the power to direct the management of MSG Sports or substantially all its assets (as constituted immediately prior to such transaction or transactions).
MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity means the entity that owns, directly or indirectly, after consummation of any transaction, substantially all of the Companys assets (as constituted immediately prior to such transaction). If any such entity is at least majority-owned, directly or indirectly, by any entity (a parent entity) which has shares of common stock (or partnership units) traded on a national stock exchange or the over-the-counter market, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange, then such parent entity shall be deemed to be the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity; provided that if there shall be more than one such parent entity, the parent entity closest to ownership of the Companys assets shall be deemed to be the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity.
MSG Sphere Surviving Entity means the entity that owns, directly or indirectly, after consummation of any transaction, substantially all of MSG Spheres assets (as constituted immediately prior to such transaction). If any such entity is at least majority-owned, directly or indirectly, by any entity (a parent entity) which has shares of common stock (or partnership units) traded on a national stock exchange or the over-the-counter market, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange, then such parent entity shall be deemed to be the MSG Sphere Surviving Entity; provided that if there shall be more than one such parent entity, the parent entity closest to ownership of MSG Spheres assets shall be deemed to be the MSG Sphere Surviving Entity.
A2-4
MSG Sports Surviving Entity means the entity that owns, directly or indirectly, after consummation of any transaction, substantially all of MSG Sports assets (as constituted immediately prior to such transaction). If any such entity is at least majority-owned, directly or indirectly, by any entity (a parent entity) which has shares of common stock (or partnership units) traded on a national stock exchange or the over-the-counter market, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange, then such parent entity shall be deemed to be the MSG Sports Surviving Entity; provided that if there shall be more than one such parent entity, the parent entity closest to ownership of MSG Sports assets shall be deemed to be the MSG Sports Surviving Entity.
Offer price per share means, in the case of a tender offer or exchange offer which results in a MSG Entertainment Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to the Company (an Offer), the greater of (i) the highest price per share of common stock paid pursuant to the Offer or (ii) the highest fair market value per share of common stock during the ninety (90)-day period ending on the date of a MSG Entertainment Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to the Company. Any securities or property which are part or all of the consideration paid for shares of common stock in the Offer shall be valued in determining the Offer Price per share at the higher of (A) the valuation placed on such securities or property by the Company, person or other entity making such offer or (B) the valuation placed on such securities or property by the Committee.
A2-5
Exhibit 10.14
FORM OF OPTION AGREEMENT
Dear [Participant Name]:
Pursuant to MSG Sphere Corp.s 2020 Employee Stock Plan or MSG Network Inc.s 2010 Employee Stock Plan, as amended, as applicable, on [Date] (the Grant Date), you were granted options to purchase shares of MSG Sphere Corp. (formerly known as Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.) (MSG Sphere) Class A Common Stock. In conjunction with the spin-off of Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (formerly known as MSGE Spinco, Inc.) (the Company) from MSG Sphere on [Date] (the Distribution Date), and pursuant to the Companys 2023 Employee Stock Plan (the Plan), you are receiving the award described in this Option Agreement (the Agreement) of nonqualified stock options (the Options) to purchase [#shares] shares of the Companys Class A common stock (the Class A Common Stock) at a price of $[Dollars] per share.
Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Agreement have the meanings given to them in the Plan. The Options are granted subject to the terms and conditions set forth below:
1. Vesting. Your Options will vest and become exercisable in accordance with Appendix 1; provided, that you have remained in the continuous employ of the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group (each as defined below) from the Grant Date through the applicable vesting date(s).
For purposes of this Agreement, the MSG Entertainment Group means the Company and any of its Subsidiaries. The MSG Sphere Group means MSG Sphere and any of its Subsidiaries. The MSG Sports Group means Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. (MSG Sports) and any of its Subsidiaries.
For purposes of this Agreement, if you are employed by the MSG Entertainment Group, your Employer means the Company; if you are employed by the MSG Sphere Group, your Employer means MSG Sphere; if you are employed by the MSG Sports Group, your Employer means MSG Sports; if you are employed by both the MSG Entertainment Group and the MSG Sphere Group, your Employer means MSG Entertainment; if you are employed by both the MSG Entertainment Group and the MSG Sports Group, your Employer means MSG Entertainment; and if you are employed by each of the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group and the MSG Sports Group, your Employer means MSG Entertainment.
2. Exercise. You may exercise the Options that become vested and exercisable by following such procedures as established by the Company, specifying the number of shares of Class A Common Stock as to which the Options are being exercised (the Exercise Notice). Unless the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (as more fully described in Section 15, the Committee) chooses to settle such exercise in cash, shares of Class A Common Stock, or a combination thereof pursuant to Section 3, you will be required to deliver to the Company, or such person as the Company may designate, within such time period as the Company may require, payment in full of the exercise price and any taxes due on account of such exercise.
3. Option Spread. Upon receipt of the Exercise Notice, the Committee may elect, in lieu of issuing shares of Class A Common Stock, to settle the exercise covered by such notice by paying you an amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying (i) the excess of the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Class A Common Stock on the date of exercise over the per share exercise price of the Options (the Option Spread) by (ii) the number of shares of Class A Common Stock specified in the Exercise Notice. The amount payable to you in these circumstances may be paid by the Company either in cash or in shares of Class A Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the Option Spread, or a combination thereof, as the Company shall determine. Class A Common Stock used to pay the Option Spread pursuant to this Section 3 will be valued at the Fair Market Value as of the day the Exercise Notice is received by the Company.
4. Expiration. The Options will terminate automatically and without further notice on [Date], or at any of the following dates, if earlier:
(A) with respect to those Options which are then unexercisable, the date upon which you are no longer employed by the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group, unless as a result of your death, in which case, subject to execution and non-revocation of a release of claims if required pursuant to the terms of an applicable employment agreement between you and your Employer, all of your Options granted under this Agreement shall become immediately exercisable;
(B) with respect to those Options which are then exercisable, (1) in the event of a termination of your employment by your Employer without Cause (other than while you are Disabled) or your resignation of employment from your Employer[ (other than due to Retirement, in which case the Options will remain exercisable until [Date])]1, ninety (90) days following the date upon which you are no longer employed or (2) in the event of your death or a termination of your employment with your Employer while you are Disabled, the first anniversary of your death or the date upon which you are no longer employed by your Employer, as applicable; or
(C) with respect to all your then outstanding Options, whether exercisable or unexercisable, the date upon which your employment with your Employer is terminated for Cause.
5. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:
(A) Disabled means that you received short term disability income replacement payments for six (6) months, and thereafter (A) have been determined to be disabled in accordance with your Employers long term disability plan in which employees of your Employer are generally able to participate, if one is in effect at such time or (B) to the extent no such long term disability plan exists, have been determined to have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months as determined by the department or vendor directed by your Employer to determine eligibility for unpaid medical leave.
1 | To be included to the extent included in MSG Sphere options. |
(B) Cause means, as determined by the compensation committee of your Employer, in its sole discretion, your (i) commission of an act of fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation, willful misconduct, gross negligence or breach of fiduciary duty against your Employer 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.
(C) [Retirement means the voluntary termination by you of your employment with your Employer at such time as (i) you have attained at least the age of fifty-five (55) and (ii) you have been employed by the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group and/or the MSG Sports Group for at least five (5) years in the aggregate; provided that your Employer may nevertheless decide, in its sole discretion, not to treat your termination of employment as a Retirement hereunder. Treatment of your termination of employment as a Retirement hereunder shall be further subject to your execution (and the effectiveness) of a retirement agreement to your Employers satisfaction, including, without limitation (to the extent desired by your Employer), non-compete, non-disparagement, non-solicitation, confidentiality and further cooperation obligations/restrictions on you as well as a general release by you of the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group and the MSG Sports Group. The above definition of Retirement is solely for purposes of this Agreement and shall not, in any way, create or imply any obligations of the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group (under any other agreement or otherwise) with respect to any such termination of your employment.]2
6. Change of Control/Going-Private Transaction. As set forth in Appendix 2 attached hereto, the Options may be affected in the event of a MSG Entertainment Change of Control, a MSG Sphere Change of Control, a MSG Sports Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to the Company, MSG Sphere or MSG Sports (each as defined in Appendix 2 attached hereto).
7. Tax Representations and Tax Withholding. You hereby acknowledge that you have reviewed with your own tax advisors the federal, state and local tax consequences of exercising the Options and receiving shares of Class A Common Stock and cash. You hereby represent to the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group and the MSG Sports Group that you are relying solely on such advisors and not on any statements or representations of the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group, any of their respective Affiliates or any of their respective agents. If, in connection with the exercise of the Options, your Employer is required to withhold any amounts by reason of any federal, state or local tax, such withholding shall be effected in accordance with Section 16 of the Plan.
2 | See footnote 1. |
8. Section 409A. It is the intent that payments under this Agreement are exempt from Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), and that the Agreement be administered accordingly. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if and to the extent that any payment or benefit under this Agreement is determined by your Employer to constitute non-qualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code (Section 409A) and is payable to you by reason of termination of your 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 and as determined by your Employer), such payment or benefit shall not be made or provided before the date that is six (6) months after the date of your separation from service (or your earlier death).
9. Transfer Restrictions. You may not transfer, assign, pledge or otherwise encumber the Options, other than to the extent provided in the Plan.
10. Non-Qualification as ISO. The Options are not intended to qualify as incentive stock options within the meaning of Section 422A of the Code.
11. Securities Law Acknowledgments. You hereby acknowledge and confirm to the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group and the MSG Sports Group that (i) you are aware that the shares of Class A Common Stock are publicly-traded securities and (ii) the shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Options may not be sold or otherwise transferred unless such sale or transfer is registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the securities laws of any applicable state or other jurisdiction, or is exempt from such registration.
12. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be deemed to be made under, and in all respects shall be interpreted, construed and governed by and in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
13. Jurisdiction and Venue. 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 located in the Southern District and Eastern District of the State of New York in respect of the interpretation and enforcement of the provisions of this Agreement, and hereby waive, and agree not to assert, as a defense that you are not subject thereto or that the venue thereof may not be appropriate. You hereby 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.
14. Right of Offset. You hereby agree that the Company shall have the right to offset against its obligation to deliver shares of Class A Common Stock, cash or other property under this Agreement to the extent that it does not constitute non-qualified deferred compensation pursuant to Section 409A, any outstanding amounts of whatever nature that you then owe to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
15. The Committee. For purposes of this Agreement, the term Committee means the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company or any replacement committee established under, and as more fully defined in, the Plan.
16. Committee Discretion. The Committee has full discretion with respect to any actions to be taken or determinations to be made in connection with this Agreement, and its determinations shall be final, binding and conclusive.
17. Amendment. The Committee reserves the right at any time to amend the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, except that the Committee shall not make any amendment or revision in a manner unfavorable to you (other than if immaterial), without your consent. No consent shall be required for amendments made pursuant to Section 12 of the Plan, except that, for purposes of Section 19 of the Plan, Section 6 and Appendix 2 of this Agreement are deemed to be terms of an Award Agreement expressly refer[ring] to an Adjustment Event. Any amendment of this Agreement shall be in writing and signed by an authorized member of the Committee or a person or persons designated by the Committee.
18. Options Subject to the Plan. The Options granted by this Agreement are subject to the Plan.
19. Entire Agreement. Except for any employment agreement between you and the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group in effect as of the date of the grant hereof (as such employment agreement may be modified, renewed or replaced; provided that such modification, renewal or replacement shall not extend the time any Options may be exercised beyond the time provided herein or in such original employment agreement), this Agreement and the Plan constitute the entire understanding and agreement of you and the Company with respect to the Options covered hereby and supersede all prior understandings and agreements. Except as provided in Sections 8 and 25, in the event of a conflict among the documents with respect to the terms and conditions of the Options covered hereby, the documents will be accorded the following order of authority: the terms and conditions of the Plan will have highest authority followed by the terms and conditions of your employment agreement, if any, followed by the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
20. Successors and Assigns. The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the Company and its successors and assigns.
21. Waiver. No waiver by the Company at any time of any breach by you of, or compliance with, any term or condition of this Agreement or the Plan to be performed by you shall be deemed a waiver of the same term or condition, or of any similar or any dissimilar term or condition, whether at the same time or at any prior or subsequent time.
22. Severability. The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or condition hereof shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the other terms and conditions set forth herein.
23. Exclusion from Compensation Calculation. By acceptance of this Agreement, you shall be deemed to be in agreement that all shares of Class A Common Stock
and cash received upon each exercise of the Options shall be considered special incentive compensation and will be exempt from inclusion as wages or salary in pension, retirement, life insurance and other employee benefits arrangements of the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group, except as determined otherwise by the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group. In addition, each of your beneficiaries shall be deemed to be in agreement that all such shares of Class A Common Stock and cash will be exempt from inclusion in wages or salary for purposes of calculating benefits of any life insurance coverage sponsored by the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group.
24. No Right to Continued Employment. Nothing contained in this Agreement or the Plan shall be construed to confer on you any right to continue in the employ of the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group, or derogate from the right of the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group, as applicable, to retire, request the resignation of, or discharge you, at any time, with or without cause.
25. Subsidiaries. For purposes of this Agreement, Subsidiaries means any entities that are controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Company, MSG Sphere or MSG Sports, as applicable, or in which the Company, MSG Sphere or MSG Sports, as applicable, owns, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the equity interests.
26. Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for purposes of convenience only and are not intended to define or limit the construction of the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
27. Effective Date. Upon execution by you, this Agreement shall be effective from and as of the Distribution Date.
28. Signatures. Execution of this Agreement by the Company may be in the form of an electronic, manual or similar signature (including, without limitation, an electronic acknowledgement of acceptance), and such signature shall be treated as an original signature for all purposes.
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MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP. | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: |
By your electronic acknowledgement of acceptance, you (i) acknowledge that a complete copy of the Plan and an executed original of this Agreement have been made available to you and (ii) agree to all of the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan and this Agreement.
Appendix 1
OPTION AGREEMENT
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Appendix 2
OPTION AGREEMENT
1. In the event of a MSG Entertainment Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to the Company, each as defined below, your entitlement to exercise the Options shall be as follows:
(A) If the Company or the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity, as defined below, has shares of common stock (or partnership units) traded on a national stock exchange or on the over-the-counter market as reported on the New York Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange, the Committee shall, to the extent that the Options have not been exercised and have not expired (the Outstanding Options), no later than the effective date of the transaction which results in a MSG Entertainment Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to the Company, either (i) convert your rights in the Outstanding Options into a right to receive an amount of cash equal to (a) the number of common shares subject or relating to the Outstanding Options multiplied by (b) the excess of (x) the offer price per share, the acquisition price per share or the merger price per share, each as defined below, whichever of such amounts is applicable, over (y) the exercise price of the shares subject or relating to the Outstanding Options, or (ii) arrange to have the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity grant to you in substitution for your Outstanding Options an award of options for shares of common stock (or partnership units) of the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity on the same terms with a value equivalent to the Outstanding Options and which will, in the good faith determination of the Committee, provide you with an equivalent profit potential, as determined in a manner compliant with Section 409A.
(B) If the Company or the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity does not have shares of common stock (or partnership units) traded on a national stock exchange or on the over-the-counter market as reported on the New York Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange, the Committee shall convert your rights in the Outstanding Options into a right to receive an amount of cash equal to the amount calculated as per Paragraph 1(A)(i) above.
(C) The cash award provided in Paragraph 1(A)(i) or 1(B) shall become payable to you, and the substitute options of the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity provided in Paragraph 1(A)(ii) will become exercisable (1) with respect to the Outstanding Options that were not exercisable on the effective date of the MSG Entertainment Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to the Company, as the case may be, at the earlier of (i) the date on which the Outstanding Options would otherwise have become exercisable hereunder had they continued in effect or (ii) if, immediately prior to termination you were an employee of the MSG Entertainment Group, the date on which your employment with the MSG Entertainment Group or the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity is terminated (a) by the Company, one of its Subsidiaries or the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity other than for Cause, if such termination occurs within three (3) years of the MSG Entertainment Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to the Company, (b) by you for good reason, as defined below, if such termination occurs within three (3) years of the
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MSG Entertainment Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to the Company or (c) by you for any reason at least six (6) months, but not more than nine (9) months after the effective date of the MSG Entertainment Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to the Company; provided that clause (c) herein shall not apply in the event that your rights in the Outstanding Options are converted into a right to receive an amount of cash in accordance with Paragraph 1(A)(i), or (2) with respect to the Outstanding Options that were exercisable on the effective date of the MSG Entertainment Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to the Company, the substitute options shall become exercisable immediately and the cash awards shall become payable promptly. The amount payable in cash shall be payable together with interest from the effective date of the MSG Entertainment Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to the Company until the date of payment at (i) the weighted average cost of capital of the Company immediately prior to the effectiveness of the MSG Entertainment Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to the Company or (ii) if the Company (or the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity) sets aside the funds in a trust or other funding arrangement, the actual earnings of such trust or other funding arrangement.
For the avoidance of doubt, any Options that are underwater as of a MSG Entertainment Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to the Company (i.e., the exercise price equals or exceeds the offer price per share, the acquisition price per share or the merger price per share, as applicable), may be cancelled for no consideration as of the consummation of the MSG Entertainment Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to the Company.
2. In the event of a MSG Sphere Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sphere, each as defined below, and if (1) immediately prior to such MSG Sphere Change of Control or going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sphere you were an employee of the MSG Sphere Group and (2) at the time of such MSG Sphere Change of Control or going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sphere you are not an employee of the MSG Entertainment Group or the MSG Sports Group, your entitlement to exercise the Options shall be as follows:
Your Outstanding Options shall become exercisable at the earlier of (A) the date on which the Outstanding Options would otherwise have become exercisable hereunder, (B) the date of your death or (C) the date on which your employment with the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sphere Surviving Entity, as defined below, is terminated (i) by MSG Sphere, one of its Subsidiaries or the MSG Sphere Surviving Entity other than for Cause, if such termination occurs within three (3) years of the MSG Sphere Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sphere, (ii) by you for good reason, if such termination occurs within three (3) years of the MSG Sphere Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sphere or (iii) by you for any reason at least six (6) months, but not more than nine (9) months after the effective date of the MSG Sphere Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sphere.
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3. In the event of a MSG Sports Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sports, each as defined below, and if (1) immediately prior to such MSG Sports Change of Control or going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sports you were an employee of the MSG Sports Group and (2) at the time of such MSG Sports Change of Control or going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sports you are not an employee of the MSG Entertainment Group or the MSG Sphere Group, your entitlement to exercise the Options shall be as follows:
Your Outstanding Options shall become exercisable at the earlier of (A) the date on which the Outstanding Options would otherwise have become exercisable hereunder, (B) the date of your death or (C) the date on which your employment with the MSG Sports Group or the MSG Sports Surviving Entity, as defined below, is terminated (i) by MSG Sports, one of its Subsidiaries or the MSG Sports Surviving Entity other than for Cause, if such termination occurs within three (3) years of the MSG Sports Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sports, (ii) by you for good reason, if such termination occurs within three (3) years of the MSG Sports Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sports or (iii) by you for any reason at least six (6) months, but not more than nine (9) months after the effective date of the MSG Sports Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sports.
4. As used herein,
Acquisition price per share means the greater of (i) the highest price per share stated on the Schedule 13D or any amendment thereto filed by the holder of twenty percent (20%) or more of the Companys voting power which gives rise to the MSG Entertainment Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to the Company and (ii) the highest fair market value per share of common stock during the ninety (90)-day period ending on the date of such MSG Entertainment Change of Control or going-private transaction with respect to the Company.
Cause means your (i) commission of an act of fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation, willful misconduct, gross negligence or breach of fiduciary duty against your Employer 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.
Going-private transaction means a transaction involving the purchase of Company, MSG Sphere or MSG Sports, as applicable, securities described in Rule 13e-3 to the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.
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Good reason means
a. without your express written consent any reduction in your base salary or target bonus opportunity, or any material impairment or material adverse change in your working conditions (as the same may from time to time have been improved or, with your written consent, otherwise altered, in each case, after the Effective Date) at any time after or within ninety (90) days prior to the MSG Entertainment Change of Control, the MSG Sphere Change of Control or the MSG Sports Change of Control, as applicable, including, without limitation, any material reduction of your other compensation, executive perquisites or other employee benefits (measured, where applicable, by level or participation or percentage of award under any plans of the Company, MSG Sphere or MSG Sports, as applicable), or material impairment or material adverse change of your level of responsibility, authority, autonomy or title, or to your scope of duties;
b. any failure by your Employer to comply with any of the provisions of this Agreement, other than an insubstantial or inadvertent failure remedied by your Employer promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by you;
c. your Employers requiring you to be based at any office or location more than thirty-five (35) miles from your location immediately prior to such event except for travel reasonably required in the performance of your responsibilities; or
d. with respect to the Company only, any failure by the Company to obtain the assumption and agreement to perform this Agreement by a successor as contemplated by Paragraph 1.
Merger price per share means, in the case of a merger, consolidation, sale, exchange or other disposition of assets that results in a MSG Entertainment Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to the Company (a Merger), the greater of (i) the fixed or formula price for the acquisition of shares of common stock occurring pursuant to the Merger and (ii) the highest fair market value per share of common stock during the ninety (90)-day period ending on the date of such MSG Entertainment Change of Control or going-private transaction with respect to the Company. Any securities or property which are part or all of the consideration paid for shares of common stock pursuant to the Merger shall be valued in determining the merger price per share at the higher of (A) the valuation placed on such securities or property by the Company, person or other entity which is a party with the Company to the Merger or (B) the valuation placed on such securities or property by the Committee.
MSG Entertainment Change of Control means the acquisition, in a transaction or a series of related transactions, by any person or group, other than Charles F. Dolan or members of the immediate family of Charles F. Dolan or trusts for the benefit of Charles F. Dolan or his immediate family (or an entity or entities controlled by any of them) or any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Company, of the power to direct the management of the Company or substantially all its assets (as constituted immediately prior to such transaction or transactions).
MSG Sphere Change of Control means the acquisition, in a transaction or a series of related transactions, by any person or group, other than Charles F. Dolan or members of the immediate family of Charles F. Dolan or trusts for the benefit of Charles F. Dolan or his immediate family (or an entity or entities controlled by any of them) or any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by MSG Sphere, of the power to direct the management of MSG Sphere or substantially all its assets (as constituted immediately prior to such transaction or transactions).
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MSG Sports Change of Control means the acquisition, in a transaction or a series of related transactions, by any person or group, other than Charles F. Dolan or members of the immediate family of Charles F. Dolan or trusts for the benefit of Charles F. Dolan or his immediate family (or an entity or entities controlled by any of them) or any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by MSG Sports, of the power to direct the management of MSG Sports or substantially all its assets (as constituted immediately prior to such transaction or transactions).
MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity means the entity that owns, directly or indirectly, after consummation of any transaction, substantially all of the Companys assets (as constituted immediately prior to such transaction). If any such entity is at least majority-owned, directly or indirectly, by any entity (a parent entity) which has shares of common stock (or partnership units) traded on a national stock exchange or the over-the-counter market, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange, then such parent entity shall be deemed to be the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity; provided that if there shall be more than one such parent entity, the parent entity closest to ownership of the Companys assets shall be deemed to be the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity.
MSG Sphere Surviving Entity means the entity that owns, directly or indirectly, after consummation of any transaction, substantially all of MSG Spheres assets (as constituted immediately prior to such transaction). If any such entity is at least majority-owned, directly or indirectly, by any entity (a parent entity) which has shares of common stock (or partnership units) traded on a national stock exchange or the over-the-counter market, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange, then such parent entity shall be deemed to be the MSG Sphere Surviving Entity; provided that if there shall be more than one such parent entity, the parent entity closest to ownership of MSG Spheres assets shall be deemed to be the MSG Sphere Surviving Entity.
MSG Sports Surviving Entity means the entity that owns, directly or indirectly, after consummation of any transaction, substantially all of MSG Sports assets (as constituted immediately prior to such transaction). If any such entity is at least majority-owned, directly or indirectly, by any entity (a parent entity) which has shares of common stock (or partnership units) traded on a national stock exchange or the over-the-counter market, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange, then such parent entity shall be deemed to be the MSG Sports Surviving Entity; provided that if there shall be more than one such parent entity, the parent entity closest to ownership of MSG Sports assets shall be deemed to be the MSG Sports Surviving Entity.
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Offer price per share means, in the case of a tender offer or exchange offer which results in a MSG Entertainment Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to the Company (an Offer), the greater of (i) the highest price per share of common stock paid pursuant to the Offer or (ii) the highest fair market value per share of common stock during the ninety (90)-day period ending on the date of a MSG Entertainment Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to the Company. Any securities or property which are part or all of the consideration paid for shares of common stock in the Offer shall be valued in determining the Offer Price per share at the higher of (A) the valuation placed on such securities or property by the Company, person or other entity making such offer or (B) the valuation placed on such securities or property by the Committee.
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Exhibit 10.15
FORM OF PERFORMANCE RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS AGREEMENT
Dear [Participant Name]:
Pursuant to MSG Sphere Corp.s 2020 Employee Stock Plan or MSG Networks Inc.s 2010 Employee Stock Plan, as amended, as applicable, on [Date] (the Grant Date), you were granted performance restricted stock units, each of which represents an unfunded, unsecured promise by MSG Sphere Corp. (formerly known as Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.) (MSG Sphere) to deliver to you one share of MSG Sphere Class A Common Stock. In conjunction with the spin-off of Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (formerly known as MSGE Spinco, Inc.) (the Company) from MSG Sphere on [Date] (the Distribution Date), and pursuant to the Companys 2023 Employee Stock Plan (the Plan), you are receiving the award described in this Performance Restricted Stock Units Agreement (the Agreement) of performance restricted stock units (the Units), each of which represents an unfunded, unsecured promise by the Company to deliver to you one share of the Companys Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (Share).
Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Agreement have the meanings given to them in the Plan. The Units are subject to the terms and conditions set forth below:
1. Awards. In accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the target amount of your contingent Award is [#RSUs] restricted stock units (the Target Award), which number of units may be increased or decreased to the extent the performance criteria (the Objectives) set forth in Appendix 2 attached hereto have been attained in respect of the performance period set forth in Appendix 2 (the Performance Period). Each Unit shall represent an unfunded, unsecured promise by the Company to deliver to you one Share on the Delivery Date. The Award, calculated in accordance with Appendix 2 attached hereto, will vest upon the later of (i) September 15, [year] and (ii) the date on which the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (as more fully described in Section 12, the Committee) determines performance against the Objectives (the Vesting Date); provided, that you have remained in the continuous employ of the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group (each as defined below) from the Grant Date through the Vesting Date. In accordance with Section 10(b) of the Plan, in the discretion of the Committee, in lieu of all or any portion of the Shares otherwise deliverable in respect of your Award, the Company may deliver a cash amount equal to the number of such Shares multiplied by the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date when Shares would otherwise have been issued, as determined by the Committee.
2. Vesting. Subject to Sections 3 and 4, you will automatically forfeit all of your rights and interest in any unvested Units if you do not remain continuously employed with the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group (each as defined below) from the Grant Date through the Vesting Date.
For purposes of this Agreement, the MSG Entertainment Group means the Company and any of its Subsidiaries. The MSG Sphere Group means MSG Sphere and any of its Subsidiaries. The MSG Sports Group means Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. (MSG Sports) and any of its Subsidiaries.
For purposes of this Agreement, if you are employed by the MSG Entertainment Group, your Employer means the Company; if you are employed by the MSG Sphere Group, your Employer means MSG Sphere; if you are employed by the MSG Sports Group, your Employer means MSG Sports; if you are employed by both the MSG Entertainment Group and the MSG Sphere Group, your Employer means MSG Entertainment; if you are employed by both the MSG Entertainment Group and the MSG Sports Group, your Employer means MSG Entertainment; and if you are employed by each of the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group and the MSG Sports Group, your Employer means MSG Entertainment.
3. Vesting in the Event of Death[or][,] Disability[, or Retirement].1
(A) If your employment is terminated as a result of your death on or prior to the Vesting Date, then the Target Award will vest as of the termination date. If, after June 30, [year] but prior to the Vesting Date, your employment is terminated as a result of your death, then your estate will receive the Award, if any, to which you would have been entitled on the Vesting Date had your employment not been so terminated.
(B) If your employment is terminated while you are Disabled, and Cause does not then exist, the Award will remain subject to vesting on the Vesting Date in accordance with Section 1.
(C) [If your employment is terminated on or after the date that you achieve Retirement Eligibility, and Cause does not then exist, and you enter into your Employers then-current form of separation agreement (which shall include, without limitation, a covenant not to compete), the Award will remain subject to vesting on the Vesting Date in accordance with Section 1.]2
(D) For purposes of this Agreement:
(i) | Disabled means that you received short term disability income replacement payments for six (6) months, and thereafter (A) have been determined to be disabled in accordance with your Employers long term disability plan in which employees of your Employer are generally able to participate, if one is in effect at such time, or (B) to the extent no such long term disability plan exists, have been determined to have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months as determined by the department or vendor directed by your Employer to determine eligibility for unpaid medical leave. |
1 | To be included to the extent included in MSG Sphere performance restricted stock units. |
2 | See footnote 1. |
(ii) | Cause means, as determined by the compensation committee of your Employer, in its sole discretion, your (A) commission of an act of fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation, willful misconduct, gross negligence or breach of fiduciary duty against your Employer or (B) 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. |
(iii) | [Retirement Eligibility means that you are either (A) at least fifty-five (55) years old with at least ten (10) years of continuous service with the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group and/or the MSG Sports Group or (B) at least sixty (60) years old with at least five (5) years of continuous service with the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group and/or the MSG Sports Group.]3 |
4. Change of Control/Going-Private Transaction. As set forth in Appendix 1 attached hereto, your entitlement to the Award may be affected in the event of a MSG Entertainment Change of Control, a MSG Sphere Change of Control, a MSG Sports Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to the Company, MSG Sphere or MSG Sports (each as defined in Appendix 1 attached hereto).
5. Transfer Restrictions. You may not transfer, assign, pledge or otherwise encumber the Units, other than to the extent provided in the Plan.
6. Unfunded Obligation. The Plan will at all times be unfunded and, except as set forth in Appendix 1 attached hereto, no provision will at any time be required to be made with respect to segregating any assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for payment of any benefits under the Plan, including, without limitation, those covered by this Agreement. Your right or that of your estate to receive delivery or payment under this Agreement shall be an unsecured claim against the general assets of the Company, including any rabbi trust established pursuant to Appendix 1. Neither you nor your estate shall have any rights in or against any specific assets of the Company other than the assets held by the rabbi trust established pursuant to Appendix 1.
7. Right to Vote and Receive Dividends. You shall not be deemed to be the holder of, or have any of the rights of a stockholder with respect to, any Units unless and until the Company shall have issued and delivered Shares to you and your name shall have been entered as a stockholder of record on the books of the Company. Pursuant to Section 10(c) of the Plan, all ordinary (as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion) cash dividends that would have been paid upon any Shares underlying your Units had such Shares been issued will be retained by the Company for your account until your Units vest and such dividends will be paid to you (without interest) on the Delivery Date to the extent that your Units vest.
3 | See footnote 1. |
8. Tax Representations and Tax Withholding. You hereby acknowledge that you have reviewed with your own tax advisors the federal, state and local tax consequences of receiving the Units. You hereby represent to the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group and the MSG Sports Group that you are relying solely on such advisors and not on any statements or representations of the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group, any of their respective Affiliates or any of their respective agents. If, in connection with the Units, your Employer is required to withhold any amounts by reason of any federal, state or local tax, such withholding shall be effected in accordance with Section 16 of the Plan. If your Units vest prior to payment in accordance with Section 3(B)[ or (C)]4, then you agree to cooperate with your Employer to satisfy any tax withholding obligations, in such manner as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.
9. Section 409A. It is the intent that payments under this Agreement shall comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code (Section 409A) to the extent applicable, and that the Agreement be administered accordingly. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or any employment agreement you have entered into with your Employer, to the extent that any payment or benefit under this Agreement is determined by your Employer to constitute non-qualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A and is payable to you by reason of termination of your 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 and as determined by your Employer), such payment or benefit shall not be made or provided before the date that is six (6) months after the date of your separation from service (or your earlier death). Each payment under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment under Section 409A.
10. Delivery. Subject to Sections 8, 11 and 14 and Appendix 1 and except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Shares will be delivered in respect of vested Units (if any) on the first to occur of the following events: (i) to you on or promptly after the Vesting Date (but in no case more than fifteen (15) days after such date) and (ii) in the event of your death to your estate after your death and during the calendar year in which your death occurs (or such later date as may be permitted under Section 409A) (the Delivery Date). Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, delivery of the Shares at the Delivery Date will be by book-entry credit to an account in your name that the Company has established at a custody agent (the custodian). The Companys transfer agent, EQ Shareowner Services, shall act as the custodian of the Shares; however, the Company may in its sole discretion appoint another custodian to replace EQ Shareowner Services. On the Delivery Date, if you have complied with your obligations under this Agreement and provided that your tax obligations with respect to the vested Units are appropriately satisfied, we will instruct the custodian to electronically transfer your Shares to a brokerage or other account on your behalf (or make such other arrangements for the delivery of the Shares to you as we reasonably determine).
11. Right of Offset. You hereby agree that the Company shall have the right to offset against its obligation to deliver shares of Class A Common Stock, cash or other property
4 | See footnote 1. |
under this Agreement to the extent that it does not constitute non-qualified deferred compensation pursuant to Section 409A, any outstanding amounts of whatever nature that you then owe to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
12. The Committee. For purposes of this Agreement, the term Committee means the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company or any replacement committee established under, and as more fully defined in, the Plan.
13. Committee Discretion. The Committee has full discretion with respect to any actions to be taken or determinations to be made in connection with this Agreement, and its determinations shall be final, binding and conclusive.
14. Amendment. The Committee reserves the right at any time to amend the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, except that the Committee shall not make any amendment or revision in a manner unfavorable to you (other than if immaterial), without your consent. No consent shall be required for amendments made pursuant to Section 12 of the Plan, except that, for purposes of Section 19 of the Plan, Section 4 and Appendix 1 of this Agreement are deemed to be terms of an Award Agreement expressly refer[ring] to an Adjustment Event. Any amendment of this Agreement shall be in writing and signed by an authorized member of the Committee or a person or persons designated by the Committee.
15. Units Subject to the Plan. The Units covered by this Agreement are subject to the Plan.
16. Subsidiaries. For purposes of this Agreement, Subsidiaries means any entities that are controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Company, MSG Sphere or MSG Sports, as applicable, or in which the Company, MSG Sphere or MSG Sports, as applicable, owns, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the equity interests.
17. Entire Agreement. Except for any employment agreement between you and the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group in effect as of the date of the grant hereof (as such employment agreement may be modified, renewed or replaced), this Agreement and the Plan constitute the entire understanding and agreement of you and the Company with respect to the Units covered hereby and supersede all prior understandings and agreements. Except as provided in Sections 9 and 16, in the event of a conflict among the documents with respect to the terms and conditions of the Units covered hereby, the documents will be accorded the following order of authority: the terms and conditions of the Plan will have highest authority followed by the terms and conditions of your employment agreement, if any, followed by the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
18. Successors and Assigns. The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the Company and its successors and assigns.
19. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be deemed to be made under, and in all respects be interpreted, construed and governed by and in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without regard to conflict of law principles.
20. Jurisdiction and Venue. You irrevocably submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York and the Federal courts of the United States located in the Southern District of the State of New York in respect of the interpretation and enforcement of the provisions of this Agreement, and hereby waive, and agree not to assert, as a defense that you are not subject thereto or that the venue thereof may not be appropriate. You agree that the mailing of process or other papers in connection with any action or proceeding in any manner permitted by law shall be valid and sufficient service.
21. Waiver. No waiver by the Company at any time of any breach by you of, or compliance with, any term or condition of this Agreement or the Plan to be performed by you shall be deemed a waiver of the same term or condition, or of any similar or any dissimilar term or condition, whether at the same time or at any prior or subsequent time.
22. Severability. The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or condition hereof shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the other terms and conditions set forth herein.
23. Exclusion from Compensation Calculation. By acceptance of this Agreement, you shall be deemed to be in agreement that the Units covered hereby shall be considered special incentive compensation and will be exempt from inclusion as wages or salary in pension, retirement, life insurance and other employee benefits arrangements of the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group, except as determined otherwise by the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group. In addition, each of your beneficiaries shall be deemed to be in agreement that all such shares be exempt from inclusion in wages or salary for purposes of calculating benefits of any life insurance coverage sponsored by the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group.
24. No Right to Continued Employment. Nothing contained in this Agreement or the Plan shall be construed to confer on you any right to continue in the employ of the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group, or derogate from the right of the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group, as applicable, to retire, request the resignation of, or discharge you, at any time, with or without cause.
25. Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for purposes of convenience only and are not intended to define or limit the construction of the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
26. Effective Date. Upon execution by you, this Agreement shall be effective from and as of the Grant Date.
27. Signatures. Execution of this Agreement by the Company may be in the form of an electronic, manual or similar signature (including, without limitation, an electronic acknowledgement of acceptance), and such signature shall be treated as an original signature for all purposes.
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MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP. | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: |
By your electronic acknowledgement of acceptance, you (i) acknowledge that a complete copy of the Plan and an executed original of this Agreement have been made available to you and (ii) agree to all of the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan and this Agreement.
Appendix 1
PERFORMANCE RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS AGREEMENT
1. In the event of a going-private transaction with respect to the Company, as defined below, your entitlement to the Award shall be as follows:
(A) The Committee shall, no later than the effective date of the transaction which results in a going-private transaction with respect to the Company, deem the Objectives to be satisfied at the target level and convert your Target Award into an amount of cash equal to (i) the number of your unvested units multiplied by (ii) the offer price per share, the acquisition price per share or the merger price per share, each as defined below, whichever of such amounts is applicable.
(B) Provided that you remain continuously employed with the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group, the MSG Sports Group or the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity, as defined below, through the date of the earliest event described in any of (i), (ii) or (iii) below, any award provided for in Paragraph 1(A) shall become payable to you (or your estate) at or promptly after (but in no event more than fifteen (15) days after) the earlier of (i) the date on which your Award would otherwise have vested had it continued in effect, (ii) the date of your death or (iii) if, immediately prior to termination you were an employee of the MSG Entertainment Group, the date on which your employment with the MSG Entertainment Group or the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity is terminated (a) by the Company, one of its Subsidiaries or the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity other than for Cause (as defined below) or (b) by you for good reason (as defined below). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if you become entitled to payment of an award by virtue of a termination in accordance with (iii)(a) or (iii)(b) of this Paragraph 1(B) and are determined by the Company to be a specified employee within the meaning of Section 409A, the award shall be paid to you on the earlier of: (i) July 1, [year], (ii) the date that is six (6) months from your date of employment termination and (iii) any other date on which such payment or any portion thereof would be a permissible distribution under Section 409A. In the event of such a determination, the Company shall promptly following the date of your employment termination set aside such amount for your benefit in a rabbi trust that satisfies the requirements of Revenue Procedure 92-64, and on a monthly basis shall deposit into such trust interest in arrears (compounded quarterly at the rate provided below) until such time as such amount, together with all accrued interest thereon, is paid to you in full pursuant to the previous sentence; provided, that no payment will be made to such rabbi trust if it would be contrary to law or cause you to incur additional tax under Section 409A. The initial interest rate shall be the average of the one-year SOFR fixed rate equivalent for the ten (10) business days prior to the date of your employment termination.
2. In the event of a MSG Entertainment Change of Control, as defined below, provided that you have remained continuously employed with the MSG Entertainment Group, the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sports Group through the effective date of the transaction that results in the MSG Entertainment Change of Control, you will be entitled to the payment of the Target Award whether or not the Objectives have been attained.
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(A) | If the actual MSG Entertainment Change of Control: |
(i) is a permissible distribution event under Section 409A or payment of the Award promptly upon such event is otherwise permissible under Section 409A (including, for the avoidance of doubt, by reason of the inapplicability of Section 409A to the Award), then the Target Award shall be paid to you by the Company promptly following the MSG Entertainment Change of Control; or
(ii) is not a permissible distribution event under Section 409A and payment of the Award promptly upon such event is not otherwise permissible under Section 409A, then:
(a) | (1) if the Company or the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity has shares of common stock (or partnership units) traded on a national stock exchange or on the over-the-counter market as reported on the New York Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange, then the Committee shall, no later than the effective date of the MSG Entertainment Change of Control, either (i) convert your Target Award into an amount of cash equal to (a) the number of your unvested units multiplied by (b) the offer price per share, the acquisition price per share or the merger price per share, each as defined below, whichever of such amounts is applicable or (ii) arrange to have the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity grant to you an award of restricted stock units (or partnership units) for shares of the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity on the same terms and with a value equivalent to your Target Award which will, in the good faith determination of the Committee, provide you with an equivalent profit potential; or |
(2) if the Company or the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity does not have shares of common stock (or partnership units) traded on a national stock exchange or on the over-the-counter market as reported on the New York Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange, then the Award will be treated in accordance with Paragraph 1(A) above;
(b) Any cash award or substitute restricted stock unit award of the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity provided for in Paragraph 2(A)(ii)(a) will be fully vested and will be paid to you (or your estate), at the earliest to occur of: (1) if, immediately prior to termination you were an employee of the MSG Entertainment Group, the date on which your employment with the MSG Entertainment Group or the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity terminates for any reason other than termination of your employment by one of such entities for Cause (provided that if you are determined by the Company to be a specified employee within the meaning of Section 409A, six (6) months from such date), (2) the date of your death, (3) any other date on which such payment or any portion thereof would be a permissible distribution under Section 409A or (4) July 1, [year].
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b. | The Company shall promptly following the MSG Entertainment Change of Control set aside cash (or shares in the event a substitute restricted stock unit award is made) for your benefit in a rabbi trust that satisfies the requirements of Revenue Procedure 92-64, and on a monthly basis shall deposit into such trust interest in arrears (compounded quarterly at the rate provided below) until such time as such amount, together with all accrued interest thereon, is paid to you in full pursuant to Paragraph 2(A)(ii)(b) above); provided, that no payment will be made to such rabbi trust if it would be contrary to law or cause you to incur additional tax under Section 409A. The initial interest rate shall be the average of the one-year SOFR fixed rate equivalent for the ten (10) business days prior to the date of the MSG Entertainment Change of Control and shall adjust annually based on the average of such rate for the ten (10) business days prior to each anniversary of the MSG Entertainment Change of Control. |
3. In the event of a MSG Sphere Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sphere, each as defined below, and if (1) immediately prior to such MSG Sphere Change of Control or going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sphere you were an employee of the MSG Sphere Group and (2) at the time of such MSG Sphere Change of Control or going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sphere you are not an employee of the MSG Entertainment Group or the MSG Sports Group, your entitlement to the Units shall be as follows:
Your Units shall vest at the earlier of (A) the date on which your Units would otherwise have vested had they continued in effect, (B) the date of your death (in which case the Target Award shall vest) or (C) the date on which your employment with the MSG Sphere Group or the MSG Sphere Surviving Entity, as defined below, is terminated (i) by MSG Sphere, one of its Subsidiaries or the MSG Sphere Surviving Entity other than for Cause, (ii) by you for good reason or (iii) by you for any reason at least six (6) months, but not more than nine (9) months after the effective date of the MSG Sphere Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sphere (in which case the Target Award shall vest).
4. In the event of a MSG Sports Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sports, each as defined below, and if (1) immediately prior to such MSG Sports Change of Control or going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sports you were an employee of the MSG Sports Group and (2) at the time of such MSG Sports Change of Control or going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sports you are not an employee of the MSG Entertainment Group or the MSG Sphere Group, your entitlement to the Units shall be as follows:
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Your Units shall vest at the earlier of (A) the date on which your Units would otherwise have vested had they continued in effect, (B) the date of your death (in which case the Target Award shall vest) or (C) the date on which your employment with the MSG Sports Group or the MSG Sports Surviving Entity, as defined below, is terminated (i) by MSG Sports, one of its Subsidiaries or the MSG Sports Surviving Entity other than for Cause, (ii) by you for good reason or (iii) by you for any reason at least six (6) months, but not more than nine (9) months after the effective date of the MSG Sports Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to MSG Sports (in which case the Target Award shall vest).
5. | As used herein, |
Acquisition price per share means the greater of (i) the highest price per share stated on the Schedule 13D or any amendment thereto filed by the holder of twenty percent (20%) or more of the Companys voting power which gives rise to the MSG Entertainment Change of Control or the going-private transaction with respect to the Company and (ii) the highest fair market value per share of common stock during the ninety (90)-day period ending on the date of such MSG Entertainment Change of Control or going-private transaction with respect to the Company.
Cause means your (i) commission of an act of fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation, willful misconduct, gross negligence or breach of fiduciary duty against your Employer 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.
Going-private transaction means a transaction involving the purchase of Company, MSG Sphere or MSG Sports, as applicable, securities described in Rule 13e-3 to the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.
Good reason means
a. without your express written consent any reduction in your base salary or target bonus opportunity, or any material impairment or material adverse change in your working conditions (as the same may from time to time have been improved or, with your written consent, otherwise altered, in each case, after the Distribution Date) at any time after or within ninety (90) days prior to the MSG Entertainment Change of Control, the MSG Sphere Change of Control or the MSG Sports Change of Control, as applicable, including, without limitation, any material reduction of your other compensation, executive perquisites or other employee benefits (measured, where applicable, by level or participation or percentage of award under any plans of the Company, MSG Sphere or MSG Sports, as applicable), or material impairment or material adverse change of your level of responsibility, authority, autonomy or title, or to your scope of duties;
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b. any failure by your Employer to comply with any of the provisions of this Agreement, other than an insubstantial or inadvertent failure remedied by your Employer promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by you;
c. your Employers requiring you to be based at any office or location more than thirty-five (35) miles from your location immediately prior to such event except for travel reasonably required in the performance of your responsibilities; or
d. with respect to the Company only, any failure by the Company to obtain the assumption and agreement to perform this Agreement by a successor as contemplated by Paragraph 1 or Paragraph 2(A)(ii)(a).
Merger price per share means, in the case of a merger, consolidation, sale, exchange or other disposition of assets that results in a MSG Entertainment Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to the Company (a Merger), the greater of (i) the fixed or formula price for the acquisition of shares of common stock occurring pursuant to the Merger and (ii) the highest fair market value per share of common stock during the ninety (90)-day period ending on the date of such MSG Entertainment Change of Control or going-private transaction with respect to the Company. Any securities or property which are part or all of the consideration paid for shares of common stock pursuant to the Merger shall be valued in determining the merger price per share at the higher of (A) the valuation placed on such securities or property by the Company, person or other entity which is a party with the Company to the Merger or (B) the valuation placed on such securities or property by the Committee.
MSG Entertainment Change of Control means the acquisition, in a transaction or a series of related transactions, by any person or group, other than Charles F. Dolan or members of the immediate family of Charles F. Dolan or trusts for the benefit of Charles F. Dolan or his immediate family (or an entity or entities controlled by any of them) or any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Company, of the power to direct the management of the Company or substantially all its assets (as constituted immediately prior to such transaction or transactions).
MSG Sphere Change of Control means the acquisition, in a transaction or a series of related transactions, by any person or group, other than Charles F. Dolan or members of the immediate family of Charles F. Dolan or trusts for the benefit of Charles F. Dolan or his immediate family (or an entity or entities controlled by any of them) or any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by MSG Sphere, of the power to direct the management of MSG Sphere or substantially all its assets (as constituted immediately prior to such transaction or transactions).
MSG Sports Change of Control means the acquisition, in a transaction or a series of related transactions, by any person or group, other than Charles F. Dolan or members of the immediate family of Charles F. Dolan or trusts for the benefit of Charles F. Dolan or his immediate family (or an entity or entities controlled by any of them) or any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by MSG Sports, of the power to direct the management of MSG Sports or substantially all its assets (as constituted immediately prior to such transaction or transactions).
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MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity means the entity that owns, directly or indirectly, after consummation of any transaction, substantially all of the Companys assets (as constituted immediately prior to such transaction). If any such entity is at least majority-owned, directly or indirectly, by any entity (a parent entity) which has shares of common stock (or partnership units) traded on a national stock exchange or the over-the-counter market, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange, then such parent entity shall be deemed to be the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity; provided that if there shall be more than one such parent entity, the parent entity closest to ownership of the Companys assets shall be deemed to be the MSG Entertainment Surviving Entity.
MSG Sphere Surviving Entity means the entity that owns, directly or indirectly, after consummation of any transaction, substantially all of MSG Spheres assets (as constituted immediately prior to such transaction). If any such entity is at least majority-owned, directly or indirectly, by any entity (a parent entity) which has shares of common stock (or partnership units) traded on a national stock exchange or the over-the-counter market, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange, then such parent entity shall be deemed to be the MSG Sphere Surviving Entity; provided that if there shall be more than one such parent entity, the parent entity closest to ownership of MSG Spheres assets shall be deemed to be the MSG Sphere Surviving Entity.
MSG Sports Surviving Entity means the entity that owns, directly or indirectly, after consummation of any transaction, substantially all of MSG Sports assets (as constituted immediately prior to such transaction). If any such entity is at least majority-owned, directly or indirectly, by any entity (a parent entity) which has shares of common stock (or partnership units) traded on a national stock exchange or the over-the-counter market, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange, then such parent entity shall be deemed to be the MSG Sports Surviving Entity; provided that if there shall be more than one such parent entity, the parent entity closest to ownership of MSG Sports assets shall be deemed to be the MSG Sports Surviving Entity.
Offer price per share means, in the case of a tender offer or exchange offer which results in a MSG Entertainment Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to the Company (an Offer), the greater of (i) the highest price per share of common stock paid pursuant to the Offer or (ii) the highest fair market value per share of common stock during the ninety (90)-day period ending on the date of a MSG Entertainment Change of Control or a going-private transaction with respect to the Company. Any securities or property which are part or all of the consideration paid for shares of common stock in the Offer shall be valued in determining the Offer Price per share at the higher of (A) the valuation placed on such securities or property by the Company, person or other entity making such offer or (B) the valuation placed on such securities or property by the Committee.
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Appendix 2
Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. Objectives
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Exhibit 10.48
EXECUTION VERSION
March [], 2023
Mr. James L. Dolan
MSGE Spinco, Inc. (to be renamed Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.)
Two Pennsylvania Plaza
New York, NY 10121
Dear Jim:
This letter agreement (the Agreement), effective as of the closing of the Spin-Off (the Effective Date) will confirm the terms of your employment with MSGE Spinco, Inc. (to be renamed Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp., the Company) following the Effective Date. For purposes of this Agreement, Spin-Off means the distribution of approximately 67% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of the Company to the shareholders of Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (to be renamed MSG Sphere Corp., MSG Sphere).
1. Your title will be Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer 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. 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 Sphere and Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. (MSGS) and recognizes and agrees that your responsibilities to MSG Sphere and MSGS 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 (the Company, MSG Sphere and MSGS) 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 (and cooperate with the Company annually in reviewing the foregoing). 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 Sphere and MSGS. The Company recognizes and agrees that none of (i) your responsibilities at the Company, MSG Sphere and MSGS, (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 Sphere and MSGS, 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.
2. Your annual base salary will be not less than $1 million 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 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 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 anticipated to be 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 bonus for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, 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, 2023, 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 $6 million, 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.
5. You will also be eligible to participate in all of our benefits and retirement plans and programs, subject to meeting the relevant eligibility requirements, payment of the required premiums, and the terms of the plans themselves. We anticipate offering 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 be eligible for paid time off to be accrued and used in accordance with Company policy, which we anticipate to allow for time off on a flexible and unlimited basis.
6. If your employment with the Company is terminated on or prior to June 30, 2024 (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; |
(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 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. |
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.
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 or be exempt from Section 409A, and that this Agreement shall be interpreted on a basis consistent with such intent. Any payment or benefit under Sections 6 or 7 of this Agreement that is payable to you by reason of your termination of employment shall be made or provided to you only upon a separation from services as defined for purposes of Section 409A under applicable regulation, provided that the service recipient and the employer for this purpose shall be the service recipient as defined by Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(g). 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 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 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. In no event may you, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of any payment to be made under this Agreement that is considered nonqualified deferred compensation. In no event shall the timing of your execution of a Separation Agreement, directly or indirectly, result in your designating the calendar year of payment, and if a payment that is subject to execution of a Separation Agreement could be made in more than one taxable year, payment shall be made in the later taxable year.
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.
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; provided, however, that you shall be entitled to the benefits under the indemnification agreement between you and the Company.
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]
Sincerely, | ||
MSGE SPINCO, INC. | ||
(to be renamed Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.) | ||
| ||
By: | ||
Title: |
Accepted and Agreed: |
|
James L. Dolan |
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) subscriber, customer, guest, fan, vendor, sponsor, marketing affiliate or shareholder lists or data; (iv) financial, technical or strategic information regarding the Covered Parties programming, carriage agreements and arrangements, affiliation and/or other distribution arrangements, live streaming, advertising, entertainment, theatrical, 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, announcers and commentators, 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:
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 any arena or theater with more than 2,000 seats in any area in which the Company or any of its subsidiaries owns or operates an arena or theater, (ii) creates, produces or presents live sporting events or live entertainment in any metropolitan area in which the Company or any of its subsidiaries owns, operates or has exclusive booking rights to a venue (iii) owns or operates any regional sports programming network or other online or mobile sports programming platform, in any case, primarily distributed in the New York metropolitan area, or (iv) 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 television programming and/or 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.
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.
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 any of the Company, MSG Sphere and MSGS, 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 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 10.49
November 17, 2021
Mr. Philip DAmbrosio
c/o Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.
Two Pennsylvania Plaza
New York, NY 10121
Dear Phil:
This Agreement (the Agreement), effective as of January 1, 2022 (the Effective Date), will confirm the terms of your employment by Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (the Company).
The term of your employment under this Agreement (the Term) shall commence as of the Effective Date and, unless terminated earlier in accordance with this Agreement, will expire on December 31, 2024 (the Expiration Date).
Your title will be Senior Vice President and Treasurer. Throughout the Term, you agree to devote substantially 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 and the Companys policies and procedures.
Your annual base salary will be a minimum of $680,000 paid no less frequently than monthly, subject to annual review and potential increase by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (the Compensation Committee) in its sole discretion. You will also be eligible to participate in our discretionary annual cash bonus program with an annual target bonus opportunity equal to at least 75% of salary. Bonus payments depend on a number of factors including Company, unit and individual performance. Except as provided below, the decision whether or not to pay a bonus, and the amount of that bonus, if any, shall be made by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion. Bonuses are typically paid early in the subsequent fiscal year. Except as provided below, in order to receive a bonus, you must be employed by the Company at the time bonuses are being paid. Your annual base salary and annual bonus target (as each may be increased from time to time in the Compensation Committees sole discretion) will not be reduced during the Term.
You will be eligible to participate in such long-term incentive programs as are made available to similarly situated executives at the Company. It is expected that such awards will
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
TWO PENNSYLVANIA PLAZA, NEW YORK, NY 10121-0091
TEL 212-465-6000
Mr. Philip DAmbrosio
Page 2
consist of annual grants of cash and/or equity awards with an annual target value of not less than $1,000,000, as determined by the Compensation Committee. Any such awards would be subject to actual grant to you by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion, would be pursuant to the applicable plan document and would be subject to 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. Long term incentive awards are currently expected to be subject to three-year vesting.
You will also be eligible for our standard benefits programs at the levels that are made available to similarly situated executives at the Company. Participation in our benefits programs is subject to meeting the relevant eligibility requirements, payment of the required premiums and the terms of the plans themselves. You will also be entitled to paid time off to be accrued and used in accordance with Company policy.
Upon commencement of the Term, you agree to be bound by the additional covenants and provisions that are set forth in Annex I and Annex II hereto, which Annexes shall be deemed to be a part of the Agreement.
If your employment with the Company hereunder is terminated prior to the 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, delivery and non-revocation (within any applicable revocation period) of the severance agreement described below, the Company will provide you with the following:
(1) | Severance in an amount to be determined by the Compensation Committee (the Severance Amount), but in no event less than the sum of your annual base salary and your annual target bonus, each 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; and |
(2) | 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. |
Your entitlement to the severance benefits describing in clauses (1) and (2) above will be subject to your prior execution, delivery and non-revocation (within any applicable revocation period) of a reasonable severance agreement no later than the six-month anniversary of the
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
TWO PENNSYLVANIA PLAZA, NEW YORK, NY 10121-0091
TEL 212-465-6000
Mr. Philip DAmbrosio
Page 3
Termination Date. This severance agreement shall be delivered to you by the Company as soon as reasonably practicable after the Termination Date and will include, without limitation, (x) a full and complete general release in favor of the Company and its affiliates (and their respective directors, officers and employees), (y) non-solicitation, non-disparagement, confidentiality and further cooperation provisions substantially similar to those set forth in Annex I hereto and (z) non-compete provisions no more restrictive than those set forth in Annex II hereto (but limited to the one-year period from the Termination Date).
In connection with any termination of your employment, any outstanding equity and cash incentive awards shall be treated in accordance with their terms.
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 (i) without your written consent, (1) 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, (2) you are no longer the Companys treasurer, or (3) you no longer report to the Companys Chief Financial Officer or a more senior executive, (ii) you have given the Company written notice, referring specifically to this Agreement and definition, that you do not consent to such action, (iii) the Company has not corrected such action within 30 days of receiving such notice, and (iv) you voluntarily terminate your employment with the Company within 90 days following the happening of the action described in subsection (i) above.
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.
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 Internal Revenue 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 until the reduction specified is achieved.
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, is determined by the Company to constitute non-qualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
TWO PENNSYLVANIA PLAZA, NEW YORK, NY 10121-0091
TEL 212-465-6000
Mr. Philip DAmbrosio
Page 4
(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, if earlier than the expiration of such six month period, the date of 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 in a lump sum or provided to you as soon as practicable after the expiration of such six month period.
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.
This Agreement is personal to you and without the prior written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by you otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. 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.
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.
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.
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 located in Manhattan solely in respect of the interpretation and enforcement of the provisions of this Agreement, and each of us hereby waives, and agrees not to assert, as a defense that either of us, as appropriate, is not subject thereto or that the venue thereof may not be appropriate. We each hereby 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.
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. The Company and you have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
TWO PENNSYLVANIA PLAZA, NEW YORK, NY 10121-0091
TEL 212-465-6000
Mr. Philip DAmbrosio
Page 5
Company and you and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement.
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 and agreements.
This Agreement will automatically terminate, and be of no further force or effect, on the Expiration Date (other than with respect to any rights which, by the terms of this Agreement, arose before such date); provided, however that the last eight paragraphs hereof, and Annex I and Annex II, shall remain in effect during the Term and thereafter indefinitely (unless otherwise expressly provided) and shall survive any termination or expiration of the Agreement or any termination of your employment with the Company.
Very truly yours, |
/s/ Mark FitzPatrick |
Mark FitzPatrick |
Executive Vice President and |
Chief Financial Officer |
Accepted and Agreed: |
/s/ Philip DAmbrosio |
Philip DAmbrosio |
Date: November 17, 2021 |
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
TWO PENNSYLVANIA PLAZA, NEW YORK, NY 10121-0091
TEL 212-465-6000
Mr. Philip DAmbrosio
Page 6
ANNEX I
This Annex I constitutes part of the Agreement dated November 17, 2021 (the Agreement) by and between Philip DAmbrosio (You) and Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (the Company).
You agree to comply with the following covenants in addition to those set forth in the Agreement.
1. | Confidentiality |
(a) Confidential and Proprietary Information. You agree to retain in strict confidence and not use for any purpose whatsoever or divulge, disseminate, copy, disclose to any third party, or otherwise use any Confidential Information, other than for legitimate business purposes of the Company and its affiliates. As used herein, Confidential Information means any non-public information of a confidential, proprietary, commercially sensitive or personal nature of, or regarding, the Company or any of its affiliates or any director, officer or member of senior management of any of the foregoing (collectively Covered Parties). The term Confidential Information includes such 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, broadcast affiliate, fan, vendor, sponsor, marketing affiliate or shareholder lists or data; (iv) technical or strategic information regarding the Covered Parties television, programming, advertising, 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, 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.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations of this section, other than with respect to employee or customer information, shall not apply to Confidential Information that is in the public domain (through no breach by you) or specifically exempted in writing by the applicable Covered Party from the applicability of this Agreement.
(c) Notwithstanding anything contained elsewhere in this Agreement, (i) you are authorized to make any disclosure which, in the written advice of outside counsel, is required of you by any federal, state or local laws or judicial, arbitral or governmental agency proceedings, after providing the Company with prior written notice (to the extent legally permissible) and an opportunity to respond prior to such disclosure (to extent reasonably practicable), and (ii) you are
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
TWO PENNSYLVANIA PLAZA, NEW YORK, NY 10121-0091
TEL 212-465-6000
Mr. Philip DAmbrosio
Page 7
authorized to disclose Confidential Information to your personal attorney, solely for the purpose of, and to the extent necessary to, obtain personal legal advice.
(d) You agree not to issue any press release or public statement regarding your employment by the Company and/ or the commencement thereof unless (i) so disclosed with the prior written consent of the Company, or (ii) it is, in the written opinion of outside counsel, required and then only to the extent so required, by applicable law.
2. | Additional Understandings |
You agree for yourself and others acting on your behalf, that you (and they) 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, any of its affiliates or any of their respective officers, directors, employees, successors and assigns (including, without limitation, any former officers, directors or employees of the Company and/ or its affiliates, to the extent such individuals served in any such capacity at any point during the Term).
This Agreement in no way restricts or prevents you from providing truthful testimony as is required by court order or other legal process; provided that you afford the Company written notice and an opportunity to respond prior to such disclosure.
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 (as defined below) 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.
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, sponsorship, 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 any way 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. You agree to perform all actions reasonably requested by the Company (whether during or after the Term) to establish and confirm the Companys ownership of such Materials (including, without limitation, the execution and delivery of assignments, consents, powers of attorney and other instruments) and to provide reasonable assistance to the Company or any of its affiliates in connection with the prosecution of any applications for patents, trademarks, trade names, service marks or reissues thereof or in the prosecution or defense of interferences relating to any Materials. If the Company is unable, after reasonable effort, to secure your signature on
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
TWO PENNSYLVANIA PLAZA, NEW YORK, NY 10121-0091
TEL 212-465-6000
Mr. Philip DAmbrosio
Page 8
any such papers, any executive officer of the Company shall be entitled to execute any such papers as your agent and attorney-in-fact, and you hereby irrevocably designate and appoint each executive officer of the Company as your agent and attorney-in-fact to execute any such papers on your behalf, and to take any and all actions as the Company may deem necessary or desirable in order to protect its rights and interests in any Materials, under the conditions described in this sentence.
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, article, periodical, periodical story, movie, play, other 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, without the prior written consent of the Company.
3. | Further Cooperation |
Following the date of termination of your employment with the Company, 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 use commercially reasonable good faith efforts to cooperate fully with the Company in connection with any matter with which you were involved prior to such employment termination, or in any litigation or administrative proceedings or appeals (including any preparation therefore) where the Company believes that your personal knowledge, attendance or participation could be beneficial to the Company or its affiliates. This cooperation includes, without limitation, participation on behalf of the Company and/ or its affiliates in any litigation, administrative or similar proceeding, including providing truthful testimony.
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 any such individual expense of more than $1,000 before it is incurred.
4. | No-Hire or Solicit |
During the Term and thereafter through the first anniversary of the date on which your employment with the Company has terminated for any reason, 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 employee of the Company or any of its affiliates. This restriction does not apply to any employee who was not an employee of the Company or any of its affiliates at any time during the six-month period immediately preceding your solicitation. This restriction does not
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
TWO PENNSYLVANIA PLAZA, NEW YORK, NY 10121-0091
TEL 212-465-6000
Mr. Philip DAmbrosio
Page 9
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. For the avoidance of doubt, a general (non-targeted), publicly-accessible advertisement (or web posting) of an open employment position will not in and of itself be deemed to be a breach of the solicitation restrictions set forth in this paragraph.
5. | Specific Performance; Injunctive Relief |
You understand and agree that (i) the provisions of this Annex I are reasonable and appropriate for the Companys protection of its legitimate business interests, (ii) the consideration provided under the Agreement is sufficient to justify the restrictions and limitations contained in this Annex I, and (iii) the Company will suffer immediate, irreparable harm in the event you breach any of your obligations under the covenants and agreements set forth in this Annex I, that monetary damages will be inadequate to compensate the Company for such breach and that the Company shall be entitled to injunctive relief as a remedy for any such breach (or threatened breach). Such remedy shall not be deemed to be the exclusive remedy in the event of breach by you of any of the covenants or agreements set forth in this Annex I, but shall be in addition to all other remedies available to the Company at law or in equity. You hereby waive, to the extent you may legally do so, any requirement for security or the posting of any bond or other surety in connection with any temporary or permanent award of injunctive or other equitable relief, and further waive, to the extent you may legally do so, the defense in any action for specific performance or other equitable remedy that a remedy at law would be adequate. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, in the event you violate the covenants and agreements set forth in this Annex I in any material respect, then, in addition to all other rights and remedies available to the Company, the Company shall have no further obligation to pay you any severance benefits or to provide you with any other rights or benefits to which you would have been entitled pursuant to this Agreement had you not breached the covenants and agreements set forth in this Annex I.
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
TWO PENNSYLVANIA PLAZA, NEW YORK, NY 10121-0091
TEL 212-465-6000
Mr. Philip DAmbrosio
Page 10
ANNEX II
This Annex II constitutes part of the Agreement dated November 17, 2021 (the Agreement) by and between Philip DAmbrosio (You) and The Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (the Company).
The provisions of this Annex II shall remain in effect during your employment by the Company and for one year following the termination of your employment for any reason; provided, however, that if your employment is terminated 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 provisions of this Annex II shall automatically expire on such Termination Date (but will be included in the Companys proposed severance 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).
Capitalized terms contained herein, and not otherwise defined herein, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Agreement (or in the Annex I attached thereto).
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 thereafter through the first anniversary of the date on which your employment with the Company has terminated for any reason, you agree not to (other than with the prior written consent of the Company), become employed by, advise, consult, have any material interest in or otherwise perform services for any Competitive Entity (as defined below). A Competitive Entity shall mean any (A) arena or theater (with at least 1,000 seats) that competes in the same city as any of the Companys arenas or theaters, respectively, or (B) affiliate of any person or entity that operates any of the types of businesses described in clause (A) above, provided that you may become employed or otherwise provide services to such an affiliate of a Competitive Entity, so long as (x) your services are neither provided to, nor benefit, such Competitive Entity described in clause (A) and (y) the affiliate is not a direct or indirect parent company of the Competitive Entity described in clause (A) if the Competitive Entity subsidiary constitutes more than 30% of the total revenue of the parent company consolidated family of companies. 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.
By accepting the provisions set forth in this Annex II, you understand that the terms and conditions of this Annex II may limit your ability to earn a livelihood in a business similar to the business of the Company and its affiliates, but nevertheless hereby agree that the restrictions and limitations hereof are reasonable in scope, area and duration, and that the consideration provided under the Agreement and the severance agreement is sufficient to justify the restrictions and limitations contained herein which, in any event (given your education, skills and ability), you do not believe would prevent you from otherwise earning a living. You further agree that the
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
TWO PENNSYLVANIA PLAZA, NEW YORK, NY 10121-0091
TEL 212-465-6000
Mr. Philip DAmbrosio
Page 11
restrictions are reasonable and necessary, are valid and enforceable under New York law, and do not impose a greater restraint than necessary to protect the Companys legitimate business interests.
You understand and agree that the Company will suffer immediate, irreparable harm in the event you breach any of your obligations under the covenants and agreements set forth in this Annex II, that monetary damages will be inadequate to compensate the Company for such breach and that the Company shall be entitled to injunctive relief as a remedy for any such breach (or threatened breach). Such remedy shall not be deemed to be the exclusive remedy in the event of breach (or threatened breach) by you of any of the covenants or agreements set forth in this Annex II, but shall be in addition to all other remedies available to the Company at law or in equity. You hereby waive, to the extent you may legally do so, (i) any requirement for security or the posting of any bond or other surety in connection with any temporary or permanent award of injunctive or other equitable relief, and (ii) the defense in any action for specific performance or other equitable remedy that a remedy at law would be adequate. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Agreement, in the event you violate the covenants and agreements set forth in this Annex II, in addition to all other rights and remedies available to the Company, the Company shall have no further obligation to pay you any severance benefits or to provide you with any other rights or benefits to which you would have been entitled pursuant to the Agreement or the severance agreement had you not breached the covenants and agreements set forth in this Annex II.
The restrictions contained in this Annex II shall be extended on a day-for-day basis for each day during which you violate the provisions of this Annex II in any respect.
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
TWO PENNSYLVANIA PLAZA, NEW YORK, NY 10121-0091
TEL 212-465-6000
Exhibit 10.50
October 26, 2021
Mr. Jamal Haughton
c/o Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.
Two Pennsylvania Plaza
New York, NY 10121
Dear Jamal:
This letter agreement (the Agreement), effective as of December 6, 2021 (the Effective Date), will confirm the terms of your employment with Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (the Company) following the Effective Date.
1. Your title will be Executive Vice President and General Counsel and you will report to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. You agree 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. You shall not undertake any outside business commitments without the Companys consent.
2. Your annual base salary will be not less than $1,100,000 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.
3.
(a)Commencing with the Companys fiscal year starting July 1, 2021, you will also participate in our discretionary annual bonus program with an annual target bonus opportunity equal to not less than 100% of your annual base salary. Bonus payments 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 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 or after the Scheduled Expiration Date (as defined below), you shall be paid your bonus for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 (based on the salary dollars actually paid through the Termination Date (as defined below), and payable at such time as bonuses are paid to the Companys management employees), if any, which bonus shall be subject to Company and your business unit performance for the fiscal year as determined by the Company in its sole discretion, but without adjustment for your individual performance.
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
TWO PENNSYLVANIA PLAZA, NEW YORK, NY 10121-0091
TEL 212-465-6000
Mr. Jamal Haughton
Page 2
(b)In addition to the cash compensation described above, you will be entitled to a one-time special cash payment of $250,000, paid within thirty days of the Effective Date (the Special Cash Award). If at any time prior to the first anniversary of the Effective Date your employment with the Company terminates as a result of (i) your resignation (other than for Good Reason), or (b) an involuntary termination by the Company for Cause (each as defined below), then you shall immediately refund to the Company the prorated amount of the Special Cash Award (proration based on the number of calendar days remaining until the first anniversary of the Effective Date, less all applicable payroll taxes).
4. Commencing with the Companys fiscal year starting July 1, 2021, 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 $1,300,000, all as determined by the Compensation Committee in its discretion. All awards described in this Paragraph, 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.
5. You will also 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 to be eligible for flexible time off in accordance with Company policy.
6. If your employment with the Company is terminated on or prior to December 5, 2024 (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:
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
TWO PENNSYLVANIA PLAZA, NEW YORK, NY 10121-0091
TEL 212-465-6000
Mr. Jamal Haughton
Page 3
(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, if any, 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);
(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
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
TWO PENNSYLVANIA PLAZA, NEW YORK, NY 10121-0091
TEL 212-465-6000
Mr. Jamal Haughton
Page 4
(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.
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. 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 forth in Paragraphs 6(b), (d) and (e) above, and each of your outstanding long-term cash awards, if any, 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).
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.
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
TWO PENNSYLVANIA PLAZA, NEW YORK, NY 10121-0091
TEL 212-465-6000
Mr. Jamal Haughton
Page 5
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/or 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, (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 Chief Executive Officer or the Executive Chairman of the Board of the Company, (D) you are no longer the Companys most senior legal officer, (E) the Company requires that your principal office be located outside of the Borough of Manhattan, (F) the Company materially breaches its obligations to you under this Agreement, or (G) your responsibilities as in effect immediately after the Effective Date are thereafter 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 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.
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
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
TWO PENNSYLVANIA PLAZA, NEW YORK, NY 10121-0091
TEL 212-465-6000
Mr. Jamal Haughton
Page 6
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), 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.
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.
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
TWO PENNSYLVANIA PLAZA, NEW YORK, NY 10121-0091
TEL 212-465-6000
Mr. Jamal Haughton
Page 7
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.
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.
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
TWO PENNSYLVANIA PLAZA, NEW YORK, NY 10121-0091
TEL 212-465-6000
Mr. Jamal Haughton
Page 8
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 9, 12 through 22 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.
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
TWO PENNSYLVANIA PLAZA, NEW YORK, NY 10121-0091
TEL 212-465-6000
Mr. Jamal Haughton
Page 9
Sincerely, |
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP. |
/s/ James L. Dolan |
By: James L. Dolan |
Title: Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
Accepted and Agreed: |
/s/ Jamal Haughton |
Jamal Haughton |
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
TWO PENNSYLVANIA PLAZA, NEW YORK, NY 10121-0091
TEL 212-465-6000
Mr. Jamal Haughton
Page 10
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, entertainment, theatrical, 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:
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.
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
TWO PENNSYLVANIA PLAZA, NEW YORK, NY 10121-0091
TEL 212-465-6000
Mr. Jamal Haughton
Page 11
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 thereafter through the first anniversary of the date on which your employment with the Company has terminated for any reason, you agree, to the extent permissible under applicable rules of professional responsibility, 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 arena or theater (with at least 1,000 seats) that competes in the same city as any of the Companys arenas or theaters, respectively. 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.
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.
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
TWO PENNSYLVANIA PLAZA, NEW YORK, NY 10121-0091
TEL 212-465-6000
Mr. Jamal Haughton
Page 12
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 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.
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
TWO PENNSYLVANIA PLAZA, NEW YORK, NY 10121-0091
TEL 212-465-6000
Mr. Jamal Haughton
Page 13
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 $7,000 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 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.
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
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
TWO PENNSYLVANIA PLAZA, NEW YORK, NY 10121-0091
TEL 212-465-6000
Mr. Jamal Haughton
Page 14
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.
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
TWO PENNSYLVANIA PLAZA, NEW YORK, NY 10121-0091
TEL 212-465-6000
Exhibit 10.51
December 20, 2021
Mr. David F. Byrnes
c/o Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.
Two Pennsylvania Plaza
New York, NY 10121
Dear David:
This letter agreement (the Agreement), effective as of the date hereof (the Effective Date), will confirm the terms of your employment with the Company which shall commence on January 24, 2022 or such earlier or later date as the parties may agree (the Commencement Date).
1. Commencing on the Commencement Date, your title will be Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and you will report solely and directly to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (the CEO) (except for matters requiring you to report directly to the Board of the Directors of the Company (the Board) or the Audit Committee of the Board, as determined in the sole discretion of the Board or its Audit Committee, as applicable). You agree to devote substantially 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. You shall not undertake any outside business commitments without the Companys consent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall preclude you from (i) serving as a member of the board of directors or advisory board (or their equivalents in the case of a non-corporate entity) of up to two non-competing businesses with the approval of the CEO (not to be unreasonably withheld, but subject to customary covenants around confidentiality and corporate opportunities), (ii) engaging in charitable activities and community affairs, and (iii) managing your personal investments and affairs; provided, however, that the activities set out in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) shall be limited by you so as not to materially interfere, individually or in the aggregate, with the performance of your duties and responsibilities hereunder, including compliance with the covenants set forth in Appendix A.
2. Commencing on the Commencement Date, your annual base salary will be not less than $800,000 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 of the Company as well as external peers.
Mr. David F. Byrnes
Page 2
3.
(a)Commencing with the Companys fiscal year starting July 1, 2021, you will also participate in our discretionary annual bonus program with an annual target bonus opportunity equal to not less than 100% of your annual base salary. For the avoidance of doubt, your Bonus for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2021 will not be pro-rated. Bonus payments 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 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.
(b)In addition to the cash compensation described above, subject to your continued employment (except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement), you will be entitled to a one-time special cash payment of $1,331,000, paid no later than the first regular Company payroll date on or after April 1, 2022 (the Special Cash Award). The Special Cash Award will be subject to the terms set forth in the letter to you from the Company dated as of the date hereof. If at any time prior to the first anniversary of the Effective Date your employment with the Company terminates as a result of (i) your voluntary resignation (other than for Good Reason), or (b) an involuntary termination by the Company for Cause (each as defined below), then you shall immediately refund to the Company the gross amount of the Special Cash Award.
4. Commencing with the Companys fiscal year starting July 1, 2021, 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 $1,200,000, all as determined by the Compensation Committee in its discretion. For the avoidance of doubt, it is expected that your annual grant for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2021 will be made in April 2022 and will not be pro-rated. All awards described in this Paragraph, 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 (subject to any more favorable terms set forth in this Agreement). Long-term incentive awards are currently expected to be subject to three-year vesting.
Mr. David F. Byrnes
Page 3
5. You will also 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 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. You will also be entitled to reimbursement of business expenses upon submission of appropriate documentation in accordance with Company policy.
6. If your employment with the Company is terminated on or prior to December 31, 2024 (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 (or, if your employment terminates prior to the Commencement Date, the annual base salary and target bonus that would be in effect on the Commencement Date). Sixty percent (60%) of the Severance Amount (the First Payment) 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) Any unpaid portion of the Special Cash Award, which shall be paid on the first regular Company payroll date on or after April 1, 2022;
(d) Each of your outstanding long-term cash awards, if any, 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. David F. Byrnes
Page 4
(e) (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
(f) 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.
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 forth in Paragraphs 6(b), (c), (e) and (f) above, and each of your outstanding long-term cash awards, if any, 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
Mr. David F. Byrnes
Page 5
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 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 6(b), (d), (e) and (f) above.
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) with customary carve-outs, 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/or 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).
Mr. David F. Byrnes
Page 6
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 (including, without limitation, a breach of your representation in Paragraph 26), 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 Chief Executive Officer or the Executive Chairman of the Board of the Company, (D) you are no longer the Companys most senior financial officer, (E) the Company requires that your principal office be located outside of the Borough of Manhattan, or (F) the Company materially breaches its obligations to you under this Agreement (including, without limitation, a breach of the last sentence of Paragraph 26), (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.
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.
Mr. David F. Byrnes
Page 7
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), 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.
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).
Mr. David F. Byrnes
Page 8
17. This Agreement is personal to you and without the prior written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by you other than by the laws of descent and distribution. 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.
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.
22. The Company hereby agrees that it shall indemnify and hold you harmless to the fullest extent provided in the Companys Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and on the same terms as those applicable to other similarly situated executives. In addition, the Company agrees to maintain a directors and officers liability insurance policy or policies covering you at a level and on terms and conditions no less favorable than the Company provides it directors and senior-level officers currently (subject to any future improvement in such terms and conditions), until such time as legal or regulatory action against you are no longer permitted by law.
Mr. David F. Byrnes
Page 9
23. All notices between the parties will be in writing and will be deemed received when delivered in person or by electronic mail or facsimile or five (5) days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, certified or registered mail addressed to the other party at the corporate headquarters of the Company, or at such other address as such party may supply by written notice to the other. Any notice to the Company will be sent with a copy to legalnotices@msg.com. This section does not apply to the service of any proceedings or other documents in any legal action or, where applicable, any arbitration or other method of dispute resolution.
24. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
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 6 through 9, 12 through 22, 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.
26. You hereby represent and warrant that your execution of this Agreement and your employment by the Company as contemplated herein does not and shall not violate, conflict with or result in a material breach of any covenant restricting competition in an agreement to which you are a party. It is understood and agreed by the Company that it will not require you to violate any confidentiality covenants of any current or former employer with respect to proprietary information of such other employer obtained prior to the Commencement Date.
Mr. David F. Byrnes
Page 10
Sincerely, |
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP. |
/s/ James L. Dolan |
By: James L. Dolan |
Title: Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
Accepted and Agreed: |
/s/ David F. Byrnes |
David F. Byrnes |
Mr. David F. Byrnes
Page 11
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, entertainment, theatrical, 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 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.
Mr. David F. Byrnes
Page 12
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 (other than in connection with a judicial or arbitral proceeding to enforce your rights under this Agreement). 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.
You are hereby notified that the immunity provisions in Section 1833 of title 18 of the United States Code provide that an individual cannot be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for any disclosure of a trade secret that is made (1) in confidence to federal, state or local government officials, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, and is solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of the law, (2) under seal in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, or (3) to your attorney in connection with a lawsuit for retaliation for reporting a suspected violation of law (and the trade secret may be used in the court proceedings for such lawsuit) as long as any document containing the trade secret is filed under seal and the trade secret is not disclosed except pursuant to court order.
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 thereafter through the first anniversary of the date on which your employment with the Company has terminated for any reason, 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) is engaged in the business then conducted by the Company or its subsidiaries, which, as of the date of this Agreement, includes any arena, stadium, concert venue, concert promoter, theatrical producer
Mr. David F. Byrnes
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and internet sites connected therewith, in any jurisdiction in which the Company or its subsidiaries is then conducting business, 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 shall mean an entity that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or under common control with, such entity. 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. For the avoidance of doubt, this agreement not to compete will expire on the Expiration Date but will be included in the separation agreement on which your receipt of the benefits described in Paragraph 6 of the Agreement will be conditioned.
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
Mr. David F. Byrnes
Page 14
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 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 $5,450 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 your termination of employment with the Company; provided that engaging in a general
Mr. David F. Byrnes
Page 15
solicitation not specifically targeted at such employees shall not be prohibited hereby. This restriction does not apply to any former employee who was discharged by the Company or any of its subsidiaries. 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.
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 10.52
March 23, 2022
Ms. Courtney Zeppetella
c/o Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.
Two Pennsylvania Plaza
New York, NY 10121
Dear Courtney:
This Agreement (the Agreement), effective as of May 2, 2022 (the Effective Date), will confirm the terms of your employment by Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (the Company).
The term of your employment under this Agreement (the Term) shall commence as of the Effective Date and, unless terminated earlier in accordance with this Agreement, will expire on the third anniversary of the Effective Date (the Expiration Date).
Your title will be Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer. Throughout the Term, you agree to devote substantially 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 and the Companys policies and procedures.
Your annual base salary will be a minimum of $550,000 paid no less frequently than monthly, subject to annual review and potential increase by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (the Compensation Committee) in its sole discretion. Commencing with the Companys fiscal year starting on July 1, 2022 (FY23), you will also be eligible to participate in our discretionary annual cash bonus program with an annual target bonus opportunity equal to at least 50% of salary. Bonus payments depend on a number of factors including Company, unit and individual performance. Except as provided below, the decision whether or not to pay a bonus, and the amount of that bonus, if any, shall be made by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion. Bonuses are typically paid early in the subsequent fiscal year. Except as provided below, in order to receive a bonus, you must be employed by the Company at the time bonuses are being paid.
In addition to the cash compensation described above, you will be entitled to a one-time special cash payment of $200,000, paid within thirty days after the Effective Date (the Special Cash Award). If at any time prior to the first anniversary of the Effective Date your employment with the Company terminates as a result of (i) your resignation (other than for Good Reason), or (b) an involuntary termination by the Company for Cause (each as defined below), then you shall immediately refund to the Company the full amount of the Special Cash Award.
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
TWO PENNSYLVANIA PLAZA, NEW YORK, NY 10121-0091
TEL 212-465-6000
Ms. Courtney Zeppetella
Page 2
Commencing with the Companys fiscal year starting on July 1, 2022 (FY23), you will be eligible to participate in such long-term incentive programs as are made available 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 $500,000, as determined by the Compensation Committee. Any such awards would be subject to actual grant to you by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion, would be pursuant to the applicable plan document and would be subject to 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. Long term incentive awards are currently expected to be subject to three-year vesting.
You will also be eligible for our standard benefits programs at the levels that are made available to similarly situated executives at the Company. Participation in our benefits programs is subject to meeting the relevant eligibility requirements, payment of the required premiums and the terms of the plans themselves. You will also be entitled to paid time off to be accrued and used in accordance with Company policy.
Upon commencement of the Term, you agree to be bound by the additional covenants and provisions that are set forth in Annex I and Annex II hereto, which Annexes shall be deemed to be a part of the Agreement.
If your employment with the Company hereunder is terminated prior to the 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, delivery and non-revocation (within any applicable revocation period) of the severance agreement described below, the Company will provide you with the following:
(1) | Severance in an amount to be determined by the Compensation Committee (the Severance Amount), but in no event less than the sum of your annual base salary and your annual target bonus, each 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; and |
(2) | 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. |
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
TWO PENNSYLVANIA PLAZA, NEW YORK, NY 10121-0091
TEL 212-465-6000
Ms. Courtney Zeppetella
Page 3
Your entitlement to the severance benefits describing in clauses (1) and (2) above will be subject to your prior execution, delivery and non-revocation (within any applicable revocation period) of a reasonable severance agreement no later than the six-month anniversary of the Termination Date. This severance agreement shall be delivered to you by the Company as soon as reasonably practicable after the Termination Date and will include, without limitation, (x) a full and complete general release in favor of the Company and its affiliates (and their respective directors, officers and employees), (y) non-solicitation, non-disparagement, confidentiality and further cooperation provisions substantially similar to those set forth in Annex I hereto and (z) non-compete provisions no more restrictive than those set forth in Annex II hereto (but limited to the one-year period from the Termination Date).
In connection with any termination of your employment, any outstanding equity and cash incentive awards shall be treated in accordance with their terms.
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 (i) without your written consent, (1) 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, (2) you are no longer the Companys chief accounting officer, or (3) you no longer report to the Companys Chief Financial Officer or a more senior executive, (ii) you have given the Company written notice, referring specifically to this Agreement and definition, that you do not consent to such action, (iii) the Company has not corrected such action within 30 days of receiving such notice, and (iv) you voluntarily terminate your employment with the Company within 90 days following the happening of the action described in subsection (i) above.
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.
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 Internal Revenue 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 until the reduction specified is achieved.
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
TWO PENNSYLVANIA PLAZA, NEW YORK, NY 10121-0091
TEL 212-465-6000
Ms. Courtney Zeppetella
Page 4
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, is determined by the Company to constitute non-qualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code (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, if earlier than the expiration of such six month period, the date of 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 in a lump sum or provided to you as soon as practicable after the expiration of such six month period.
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.
This Agreement is personal to you and without the prior written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by you otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. 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.
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.
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.
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 located in Manhattan solely in respect of the interpretation and enforcement of the provisions of this Agreement, and each of us hereby waives, and agrees not to assert, as a defense that either of us, as appropriate, is not subject thereto or that the venue thereof may not be appropriate. We each hereby 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.
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
TWO PENNSYLVANIA PLAZA, NEW YORK, NY 10121-0091
TEL 212-465-6000
Ms. Courtney Zeppetella
Page 5
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. The Company and you have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the Company and you and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement.
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 and agreements.
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
TWO PENNSYLVANIA PLAZA, NEW YORK, NY 10121-0091
TEL 212-465-6000
Ms. Courtney Zeppetella
Page 6
This Agreement will automatically terminate, and be of no further force or effect, on the Expiration Date (other than with respect to any rights which, by the terms of this Agreement, arose before such date); provided, however that the last eight paragraphs hereof, and Annex I and Annex II, shall remain in effect during the Term and thereafter indefinitely (unless otherwise expressly provided) and shall survive any termination or expiration of the Agreement or any termination of your employment with the Company.
Very truly yours, |
/s/ David Byrnes |
David Byrnes |
Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer |
Accepted and Agreed: |
/s/ Courtney Zeppetella |
Courtney Zeppetella |
Date: 3/23/22 |
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
TWO PENNSYLVANIA PLAZA, NEW YORK, NY 10121-0091
TEL 212-465-6000
Ms. Courtney Zeppetella
Page 7
ANNEX I
This Annex I constitutes part of the Agreement dated March 23, 2022 (the Agreement) by and between Courtney Zeppetella (You) and Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (the Company).
You agree to comply with the following covenants in addition to those set forth in the Agreement.
1. | Confidentiality |
(a) Confidential and Proprietary Information. You agree to retain in strict confidence and not use for any purpose whatsoever or divulge, disseminate, copy, disclose to any third party, or otherwise use any Confidential Information, other than for legitimate business purposes of the Company and its affiliates. As used herein, Confidential Information means any non-public information of a confidential, proprietary, commercially sensitive or personal nature of, or regarding, the Company or any of its affiliates or any director, officer or member of senior management of any of the foregoing (collectively Covered Parties). The term Confidential Information includes such 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, broadcast affiliate, fan, vendor, sponsor, marketing affiliate or shareholder lists or data; (iv) technical or strategic information regarding the Covered Parties television, programming, advertising, 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, 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.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations of this section, other than with respect to employee or customer information, shall not apply to Confidential Information that is in the public domain (through no breach by you) or specifically exempted in writing by the applicable Covered Party from the applicability of this Agreement.
(c) Notwithstanding anything contained elsewhere in this Agreement, (i) you are authorized to make any disclosure which, in the written advice of outside counsel, is required of you by any federal, state or local laws or judicial, arbitral or governmental agency proceedings, after providing the Company with prior written notice (to the extent legally permissible) and an opportunity to respond prior to such disclosure (to extent reasonably practicable), and (ii) you are authorized to disclose Confidential Information to your personal attorney, solely for the purpose of, and to the extent necessary to, obtain personal legal advice.
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
TWO PENNSYLVANIA PLAZA, NEW YORK, NY 10121-0091
TEL 212-465-6000
Ms. Courtney Zeppetella
Page 8
(d) You agree not to issue any press release or public statement regarding your employment by the Company and/ or the commencement thereof unless (i) so disclosed with the prior written consent of the Company, or (ii) it is, in the written opinion of outside counsel, required and then only to the extent so required, by applicable law.
2. | Additional Understandings |
You agree for yourself and others acting on your behalf, that you (and they) 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, any of its affiliates or any of their respective officers, directors, employees, successors and assigns (including, without limitation, any former officers, directors or employees of the Company and/ or its affiliates, to the extent such individuals served in any such capacity at any point during the Term).
This Agreement in no way restricts or prevents you from providing truthful testimony as is required by court order or other legal process; provided that you afford the Company written notice and an opportunity to respond prior to such disclosure.
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 (as defined below) 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.
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, sponsorship, 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 any way 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. You agree to perform all actions reasonably requested by the Company (whether during or after the Term) to establish and confirm the Companys ownership of such Materials (including, without limitation, the execution and delivery of assignments, consents, powers of attorney and other instruments) and to provide reasonable assistance to the Company or any of its affiliates in connection with the prosecution of any applications for patents, trademarks, trade names, service marks or reissues thereof or in the prosecution or defense of interferences relating to any Materials. If the Company is unable, after reasonable effort, to secure your signature on
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
TWO PENNSYLVANIA PLAZA, NEW YORK, NY 10121-0091
TEL 212-465-6000
Ms. Courtney Zeppetella
Page 9
any such papers, any executive officer of the Company shall be entitled to execute any such papers as your agent and attorney-in-fact, and you hereby irrevocably designate and appoint each executive officer of the Company as your agent and attorney-in-fact to execute any such papers on your behalf, and to take any and all actions as the Company may deem necessary or desirable in order to protect its rights and interests in any Materials, under the conditions described in this sentence.
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, article, periodical, periodical story, movie, play, other 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, without the prior written consent of the Company.
3. | Further Cooperation |
Following the date of termination of your employment with the Company, 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 use commercially reasonable good faith efforts to cooperate fully with the Company in connection with any matter with which you were involved prior to such employment termination, or in any litigation or administrative proceedings or appeals (including any preparation therefore) where the Company believes that your personal knowledge, attendance or participation could be beneficial to the Company or its affiliates. This cooperation includes, without limitation, participation on behalf of the Company and/ or its affiliates in any litigation, administrative or similar proceeding, including providing truthful testimony.
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 any such individual expense of more than $1,000 before it is incurred.
4. | No-Hire or Solicit |
During the Term and thereafter through the first anniversary of the date on which your employment with the Company has terminated for any reason, 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 employee of the Company or any of its affiliates. This restriction does not apply to any employee who was not an employee of the Company or any of its affiliates at any time during the six-month period immediately preceding your solicitation. This restriction does not
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
TWO PENNSYLVANIA PLAZA, NEW YORK, NY 10121-0091
TEL 212-465-6000
Ms. Courtney Zeppetella
Page 10
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. For the avoidance of doubt, a general (non-targeted), publicly-accessible advertisement (or web posting) of an open employment position will not in and of itself be deemed to be a breach of the solicitation restrictions set forth in this paragraph.
5. | Specific Performance; Injunctive Relief |
You understand and agree that (i) the provisions of this Annex I are reasonable and appropriate for the Companys protection of its legitimate business interests, (ii) the consideration provided under the Agreement is sufficient to justify the restrictions and limitations contained in this Annex I, and (iii) the Company will suffer immediate, irreparable harm in the event you breach any of your obligations under the covenants and agreements set forth in this Annex I, that monetary damages will be inadequate to compensate the Company for such breach and that the Company shall be entitled to injunctive relief as a remedy for any such breach (or threatened breach). Such remedy shall not be deemed to be the exclusive remedy in the event of breach by you of any of the covenants or agreements set forth in this Annex I, but shall be in addition to all other remedies available to the Company at law or in equity. You hereby waive, to the extent you may legally do so, any requirement for security or the posting of any bond or other surety in connection with any temporary or permanent award of injunctive or other equitable relief, and further waive, to the extent you may legally do so, the defense in any action for specific performance or other equitable remedy that a remedy at law would be adequate. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, in the event you violate the covenants and agreements set forth in this Annex I in any material respect, then, in addition to all other rights and remedies available to the Company, the Company shall have no further obligation to pay you any severance benefits or to provide you with any other rights or benefits to which you would have been entitled pursuant to this Agreement had you not breached the covenants and agreements set forth in this Annex I.
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
TWO PENNSYLVANIA PLAZA, NEW YORK, NY 10121-0091
TEL 212-465-6000
Ms. Courtney Zeppetella
Page 11
ANNEX II
This Annex II constitutes part of the Agreement dated March 23, 2022 (the Agreement) by and between Courtney Zeppetella (You) and Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (the Company).
The provisions of this Annex II shall remain in effect during your employment by the Company and for one year following the termination of your employment for any reason; provided, however, that if your employment is terminated 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 provisions of this Annex II shall automatically expire on such Termination Date (but will be included in the Companys proposed severance 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).
Capitalized terms contained herein, and not otherwise defined herein, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Agreement (or in the Annex I attached thereto).
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 thereafter through the first anniversary of the date on which your employment with the Company has terminated for any reason, you agree not to (other than with the prior written consent of the Company), become employed by, advise, consult, have any material interest in or otherwise perform services for any Competitive Entity (as defined below). A Competitive Entity shall mean any (A) arena or theater (with at least 1,000 seats) that competes in the same city as any of the Companys arenas or theaters, respectively, or (B) affiliate of any person or entity that operates any of the types of businesses described in clause (A) above, provided that you may become employed or otherwise provide services to such an affiliate of a Competitive Entity, so long as (x) your services are neither provided to, nor benefit, such Competitive Entity described in clause (A) and (y) the affiliate is not a direct or indirect parent company of the Competitive Entity described in clause (A) if the Competitive Entity subsidiary constitutes more than 30% of the total revenue of the parent company consolidated family of companies. 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.
By accepting the provisions set forth in this Annex II, you understand that the terms and conditions of this Annex II may limit your ability to earn a livelihood in a business similar to the business of the Company and its affiliates, but nevertheless hereby agree that the restrictions and limitations hereof are reasonable in scope, area and duration, and that the consideration provided under the Agreement and the severance agreement is sufficient to justify the restrictions and limitations contained herein which, in any event (given your education, skills and ability), you do not believe would prevent you from otherwise earning a living. You further agree that the restrictions are reasonable and necessary, are valid and enforceable under New York law, and do not impose a greater restraint than necessary to protect the Companys legitimate business interests.
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
TWO PENNSYLVANIA PLAZA, NEW YORK, NY 10121-0091
TEL 212-465-6000
Ms. Courtney Zeppetella
Page 12
You understand and agree that the Company will suffer immediate, irreparable harm in the event you breach any of your obligations under the covenants and agreements set forth in this Annex II, that monetary damages will be inadequate to compensate the Company for such breach and that the Company shall be entitled to injunctive relief as a remedy for any such breach (or threatened breach). Such remedy shall not be deemed to be the exclusive remedy in the event of breach (or threatened breach) by you of any of the covenants or agreements set forth in this Annex II, but shall be in addition to all other remedies available to the Company at law or in equity. You hereby waive, to the extent you may legally do so, (i) any requirement for security or the posting of any bond or other surety in connection with any temporary or permanent award of injunctive or other equitable relief, and (ii) the defense in any action for specific performance or other equitable remedy that a remedy at law would be adequate. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Agreement, in the event you violate the covenants and agreements set forth in this Annex II, in addition to all other rights and remedies available to the Company, the Company shall have no further obligation to pay you any severance benefits or to provide you with any other rights or benefits to which you would have been entitled pursuant to the Agreement or the severance agreement had you not breached the covenants and agreements set forth in this Annex II.
The restrictions contained in this Annex II shall be extended on a day-for-day basis for each day during which you violate the provisions of this Annex II in any respect.
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
TWO PENNSYLVANIA PLAZA, NEW YORK, NY 10121-0091
TEL 212-465-6000
Exhibit 10.53
DELAYED DRAW TERM LOAN CREDIT AGREEMENT
Dated as of [], 2023,
among
MSG SPHERE CORP.
as Borrower,
and
MSG ENTERTAINMENT HOLDINGS, LLC,
as Lender
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||||
Article I DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS |
1 | |||||
1.01 |
Defined Terms | 1 | ||||
1.02 |
Other Interpretive Provisions | 20 | ||||
1.03 |
Accounting Terms | 21 | ||||
1.04 |
Times of Day | 21 | ||||
Article II THE COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS |
21 | |||||
2.01 |
Commitments | 21 | ||||
2.02 |
Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans | 22 | ||||
2.03 |
[Reserved] | 23 | ||||
2.04 |
[Reserved] | 23 | ||||
2.05 |
Voluntary Prepayments | 23 | ||||
2.06 |
Termination or Reduction of Delayed Draw Term Loan Commitment | 23 | ||||
2.07 |
Repayment of Loans | 23 | ||||
2.08 |
Interest | 24 | ||||
2.09 |
Equity Repayment Election | 25 | ||||
2.10 |
Unused Commitment Fee | 25 | ||||
2.11 |
Computation of Interest and Fees | 25 | ||||
2.12 |
Evidence of Debt | 26 | ||||
2.13 |
Payments Generally | 26 | ||||
Article III TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY |
26 | |||||
3.01 |
Taxes | 26 | ||||
3.02 |
Illegality | 28 | ||||
3.03 |
Alternate Rate of Interest | 29 | ||||
3.04 |
Increased Costs; Reserves on Term Benchmark Loans | 31 | ||||
3.05 |
Compensation for Losses | 32 | ||||
3.06 |
Mitigation Obligations | 32 | ||||
3.07 |
Survival | 33 | ||||
Article IV [RESERVED] |
33 | |||||
Article V CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO EFFECTIVENESS AND TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS |
33 | |||||
5.01 |
Conditions to Effectiveness | 33 | ||||
5.02 |
Conditions to Borrowings | 34 | ||||
Article VI REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES |
34 | |||||
6.01 |
Organization, Etc. | 35 | ||||
6.02 |
Due Authorization, Non-Contravention, Etc. | 35 | ||||
6.03 |
Government Approval, Regulation, Etc. | 35 | ||||
6.04 |
Validity, Etc. | 35 | ||||
6.05 |
Financial Information | 36 | ||||
6.06 |
No Material Adverse Effect | 36 | ||||
6.07 |
Litigation | 36 | ||||
6.08 |
Compliance with Laws and Agreements | 36 | ||||
6.09 |
[Reserved] | 36 | ||||
6.10 |
Ownership of Properties | 36 |
i
6.11 |
Taxes | 37 | ||||
6.12 |
Pension and Welfare Plans | 37 | ||||
6.13 |
Environmental Warranties | 38 | ||||
6.14 |
Regulations T, U and X | 38 | ||||
6.15 |
Disclosure and Accuracy of Information | 38 | ||||
6.16 |
Labor Matters | 38 | ||||
6.17 |
Solvency | 38 | ||||
6.18 |
Securities | 39 | ||||
6.19 |
Sanctions; Anti-Corruption Laws | 39 | ||||
Article VII AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS |
39 | |||||
7.01 |
Existence; Conduct of Business | 39 | ||||
7.02 |
Financial Information | 40 | ||||
7.03 |
Compliance with Laws; Payment of Obligations | 40 | ||||
7.04 |
Books and Records | 40 | ||||
7.05 |
Notice of Material Events | 40 | ||||
7.06 |
[Reserved] | 41 | ||||
7.07 |
Use of Proceeds | 41 | ||||
7.08 |
ERISA Obligations | 41 | ||||
7.09 |
Maintenance of Insurance | 41 | ||||
Article VIII NEGATIVE COVENANTS |
41 | |||||
8.01 |
Restricted Payments | 41 | ||||
8.02 |
Business | 41 | ||||
8.03 |
Transactions with Affiliates | 42 | ||||
8.04 |
Amendments of Certain Instruments | 42 | ||||
8.05 |
Fundamental Changes | 42 | ||||
8.06 |
Dispositions | 42 | ||||
8.07 |
Accounting Changes | 43 | ||||
8.08 |
Negative Pledge; Burdensome Agreements | 43 | ||||
8.09 |
Sanctions | 43 | ||||
Article IX EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES |
43 | |||||
9.01 |
Events of Default | 43 | ||||
9.02 |
Action if Bankruptcy | 45 | ||||
9.03 |
Action if Other Event of Default | 45 | ||||
9.04 |
[Reserved] | 45 | ||||
9.05 |
Application of Proceeds | 45 | ||||
Article X [Reserved] |
46 | |||||
Article XI MISCELLANEOUS |
46 | |||||
11.01 |
Amendments, Etc. | 46 | ||||
11.02 |
Notices and Other Communications; Facsimile Copies | 46 | ||||
11.03 |
No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies; Enforcement | 47 | ||||
11.04 |
Expenses; Indemnity; and Damage Waiver | 47 | ||||
11.05 |
Payments Set Aside | 48 | ||||
11.06 |
Successors and Assigns | 48 | ||||
11.07 |
Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality | 48 | ||||
11.08 |
Set-off | 49 | ||||
11.09 |
Interest Rate Limitation | 49 |
ii
11.10 |
Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness | 50 | ||||
11.11 |
Survival of Representations and Warranties | 50 | ||||
11.12 |
Severability | 50 | ||||
11.13 |
[Reserved] | 50 | ||||
11.14 |
Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc. | 50 | ||||
11.15 |
Waiver of Right to Trial by Jury | 51 | ||||
11.16 |
Electronic Execution | 52 |
SCHEDULES | ||
8.03 | Existing Transactions with Affiliates | |
11.02 | Certain Addresses for Notices |
EXHIBITS |
||
2.02 |
Form of Loan Notice | |
2.05(a) |
Form of Notice of Prepayment and/or Reduction / Termination of Commitments | |
2.11 |
Form of Delayed Draw Term Loan Note | |
3.01 |
Forms of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificates (Forms 1-4) | |
7.01(d) |
Form of Compliance Certificate |
iii
DELAYED DRAW TERM LOAN CREDIT AGREEMENT
This DELAYED DRAW TERM LOAN CREDIT AGREEMENT (this Agreement) is entered into as of [], 2023, by and among MSG Sphere Corp., a Delaware corporation (the Borrower), and MSG Entertainment Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the Lender).
The Borrower has requested that the Lender provide a delayed draw term loan facility in the aggregate principal amount of SIXTY-FIVE MILLION DOLLARS ($65,000,000) (as such amount may be decreased pursuant to the terms hereof) for the purposes set forth herein, and the Lender is willing to do so on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS
1.01 Defined Terms.
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
20-Day VWAP means, for the MSGE Equity Interests as of any specified date(s), the dollar volume-weighted average price for such MSGE Equity Interests on the principal securities exchange or securities market on which such MSGE Equity Interests are then listed during the period beginning at 9:30:01 a.m., New York time, and ending at 4:00:00 p.m., New York time, as reported by Bloomberg through its HP function (set to weighted average) for the twenty (20) trading days ending on such specified date.
ABR, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or each Loan comprising such Borrowing, bears interest at a rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate.
Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR means an interest rate per annum equal to (a) the Daily Simple SOFR, plus (b) 0.10%; provided that if the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR as so determined would be less than the Floor, such rate shall be deemed to be equal to the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement.
Adjusted Term SOFR means, for any Interest Period, an interest rate per annum equal to (a) the Term SOFR for such Interest Period plus (b) 0.10%; provided that if the Adjusted Term SOFR as so determined would be less than the Floor, such rate shall be deemed to be equal to the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement.
Affiliate of any Person means any other Person that directly or indirectly controls, or is under common control with, or is controlled by, such Person. As used in this definition, control (including, with its correlative meanings, controlled by and under common control with) means possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of management or policies (whether through ownership of securities or limited liability company, partnership or other ownership interests, by contract or otherwise), provided that for purposes of this definition, in any event, any Person which owns directly or indirectly 10% or more of the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other governing body of a corporation or 10% or more of the limited liability company, partnership or other ownership interests of any other Person (other than as a non-managing member or limited partner of
such other Person) will be deemed to control such corporation, limited liability company or other Person; and provided further that no individual shall be an Affiliate of a corporation, limited liability company or partnership solely by reason of his or her being an officer, director, manager, member or partner of such entity, except in the case of a member or a partner if his or her interests in such limited liability company or partnership shall qualify him or her as an Affiliate.
Agreement means this Delayed Draw Term Loan Credit Agreement.
Alternate Base Rate means, for any day, a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the NYFRB Rate in effect on such day plus 1⁄2 of 1% and (c) the Adjusted Term SOFR for a one month Interest Period as published two U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to such day (or if such day is not a U.S. Government Securities Business Day, the immediately preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day) plus 1%. For purposes of clause (c) above, the Adjusted Term SOFR for any day shall be based on the Term SOFR Reference Rate at approximately 5:00 a.m. Chicago time on such day (or any amended publication time for the Term SOFR Reference Rate, as specified by the CME Term SOFR Administrator in the Term SOFR Reference Rate methodology). Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the NYFRB Rate or the Adjusted Term SOFR shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate, the NYFRB Rate or the Adjusted Term SOFR, respectively. If the Alternate Base Rate is being used as an alternate rate of interest pursuant to Section 3.03 (for the avoidance of doubt, only until the Benchmark Replacement has been determined pursuant to Section 3.03(b)), then the Alternate Base Rate shall be the greater of clauses (a) and (b) above and shall be determined without reference to clause (c) above. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Alternate Base Rate as determined pursuant to the foregoing would be less than 1.00%, such rate shall be deemed to be 1.00% for purposes of this Agreement.
Applicable Rate means the rate equal to (i) 1.00% plus (ii) the Applicable Rate (as defined in MSG NP Credit Agreement).
Audited Financial Statements means the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower for the Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2022, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders equity and cash flows for such Fiscal Year of the Borrower, including the notes thereto, audited by independent public accountants of recognized national standing and prepared in conformity with GAAP.
Available Tenor means, as of any date of determination and with respect to the then-current Benchmark, as applicable, any tenor for such Benchmark (or component thereof) or payment period for interest calculated with reference to such Benchmark (or component thereof), as applicable, that is or may be used for determining the length of an Interest Period for any term rate or otherwise, for determining any frequency of making payments of interest calculated pursuant to this Agreement as of such date and not including, for the avoidance of doubt, any tenor for such Benchmark that is then-removed from the definition of Interest Period pursuant to clause (f) of Section 3.03.
Benchmark means, initially, with respect to any (a) Term Benchmark Loan, the Term SOFR and (b) RFR Loan, the Daily Simple SOFR; provided that if a Benchmark Transition Event and the related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to the Term SOFR or Daily Simple SOFR, as applicable, or the then-current Benchmark, then Benchmark means the applicable Benchmark Replacement to the extent that such Benchmark Replacement has replaced such prior benchmark rate pursuant to clause (b) of Section 3.03.
Benchmark Replacement means, for any Available Tenor, the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by the Lender for the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date:
2
(a) the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR; and
(b) the sum of: (i) the alternate benchmark rate that has been selected by the Lender and the Borrower as the replacement for the then-current Benchmark for the applicable Corresponding Tenor giving due consideration to (A) any selection or recommendation of a replacement benchmark rate or the mechanism for determining such a rate by the Relevant Governmental Body or (B) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a benchmark rate as a replacement for the then-current Benchmark for dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities at such time in the United States and (ii) the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.
If the Benchmark Replacement as determined pursuant to clause (a) or (b) above would be less than the Floor, the Benchmark Replacement will be deemed to be the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
Benchmark Replacement Adjustment means, with respect to any replacement of the then-current Benchmark with an Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for any applicable Interest Period and Available Tenor for any setting of such Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement, the spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment (which may be a positive or negative value or zero), that has been selected by the Lender and the Borrower for the applicable Corresponding Tenor giving due consideration to (a) any selection or recommendation of a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement by the Relevant Governmental Body on the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date and/or (b) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities in the United States at such time.
Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes means, with respect to any Benchmark Replacement and/or any Term Benchmark Loan, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of Alternate Base Rate, the definition of Business Day, the definition of U.S. Government Securities Business Day, the definition of Interest Period, timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest, timing of borrowing requests or prepayment, conversion or continuation notices, length of lookback periods, the applicability of breakage provisions, and other technical, administrative or operational matters) that the Lender decides in its reasonable discretion may be appropriate to reflect the adoption and implementation of such Benchmark and to permit the administration thereof by the Lender in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Lender decides in its reasonable discretion that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if the Lender determines in its reasonable discretion that no market practice for the administration of such Benchmark exists, in such other manner of administration as the Lender decides is reasonably necessary in connection with the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents).
Benchmark Replacement Date means, with respect to any Benchmark, the earlier to occur of the following events with respect to such then-current Benchmark:
(a) in the case of clause (a) or (b) of the definition of Benchmark Transition Event, the later of (i) the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein and (ii) the date on which the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) permanently or indefinitely ceases to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); or
3
(b) in the case of clause (c) of the definition of Benchmark Transition Event, the first date on which such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) has been determined and announced by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) to be no longer representative; provided that such non-representativeness will be determined by reference to the most recent statement or publication referenced in such clause (c) and even if any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) continues to be provided on such date.
For the avoidance of doubt, (x) if the event giving rise to the Benchmark Replacement Date occurs on the same day as, but earlier than, the Reference Time in respect of any determination, the Benchmark Replacement Date will be deemed to have occurred prior to the Reference Time for such determination and (y) the Benchmark Replacement Date will be deemed to have occurred in the case of clause (a) or (b) with respect to any Benchmark upon the occurrence of the applicable event or events set forth therein with respect to all then-current Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).
Benchmark Transition Event means, with respect to any Benchmark, the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to such then-current Benchmark:
(a) a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) announcing that such administrator has ceased or will cease to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof), permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof);
(b) a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof), the FRB, the NYFRB, the CME Term SOFR Administrator, an insolvency official with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component thereof), a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component thereof) or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component thereof), in each case, which states that the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) has ceased or will cease to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); or
(c) a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) announcing that all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) are no longer, or as of a specified future date will no longer be, representative.
For the avoidance of doubt, a Benchmark Transition Event will be deemed to have occurred with respect to any Benchmark if a public statement or publication of information set forth above has occurred with respect to each then-current Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).
Benchmark Unavailability Period means, with respect to any Benchmark, the period (if any) (a) beginning at the time that a Benchmark Replacement Date pursuant to clauses (a) or (b) of that definition has occurred if, at such time, no Benchmark Replacement has replaced such then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in accordance with Section 3.03 and (b) ending at the time that a Benchmark Replacement has replaced such then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in accordance with Section 3.03.
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Benefit Plan means any of: (a) an employee benefit plan (as defined in ERISA) that is subject to Title I of ERISA; (b) a plan as defined in Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code; or (c) any Person whose Property includes (for purposes of ERISA Section 3(42), or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code) the Property of any such employee benefit plan or plan.
Board of Directors means, with respect to any Person: (a) in the case of any corporation, the board of directors of such Person; (b) in the case of any limited liability company, the board of managers, manager or managing member of such Person; (c) in the case of any partnership, the general partner of such Person; and (d) in any other case, the functional equivalent of the foregoing.
Borrower has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.
Borrowing means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous Loans of the same Type, and, in the case of Term Benchmark Loans, having the same Interest Period, made by the Lender pursuant to Section 2.01.
Business has the meaning specified in Section 8.02.
Business Day means any day (other than a Saturday or a Sunday) on which banks are open for business in New York City; provided that, in addition to the foregoing, a Business Day shall be (a) in relation to RFR Loans and at any interest rate settings, fundings, disbursements, settlements or payments of any such RFR Loan, or any other dealings of such RFR Loan, and (b) in relation to Loans referencing the Adjusted Term SOFR and any interest rate settings, fundings, disbursements, settlements or payments of any such Loans referencing the Adjusted Term SOFR or any other dealings of such Loans referencing the Adjusted Term SOFR, any such day that is also a U.S. Government Securities Business Day.
Capital Lease means, as applied to any Person, any lease of any Property by that Person as lessee which, in accordance with GAAP, is required to be accounted for as a capital lease on the balance sheet of that Person. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, for purposes of this definition, GAAP shall mean GAAP as in effect prior to giving effect to the adoption of ASU No. 2016-02 Leases (Topic 842) and ASU No. 2018-11 Leases (Topic 842).
Capital Lease Obligations means all monetary or financial obligations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries under any leasing or similar arrangement conveying the right to use real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which, in accordance with GAAP, would or should be classified and accounted for as Capital Leases, and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP, and the stated maturity thereof shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first (1st) date on which such lease may be terminated by the lessee without payment of a penalty.
CERCLA means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended.
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Change in Control means (a) an event or series of events by which (i) Dolan Family Interests or (ii) Persons Controlled by Dolan Family Interests (any such Person, a Dolan Family Interest Controlled Person) (so long as, in the case of this clause (ii), no person or group (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) other than the Dolan Family Interests shall beneficially own (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 (as in effect on the Effective Date) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), 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 (as in effect on the Effective Date) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) of Equity Interests of the Borrower, having sufficient votes to elect (or otherwise designate) at such time a majority of the members of the board of directors of the Borrower or (b) an event of series of events by which the Borrower ceases to hold, directly or indirectly, 100% of the voting Equity Interests of MSG Entertainment Group, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
Change in Law means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty, or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority, or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rule, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority; provided, that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, (i) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith, and (ii) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority), or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall, in each case of the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), be deemed to be a Change in Law, regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued.
CME Term SOFR Administrator means CME Group Benchmark Administration Limited as administrator of the forward-looking term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) (or a successor administrator).
Commitment means the Delayed Draw Term Loan Commitment of the Lender.
Connection Income Taxes means Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on, or measured by, net income (however denominated), or that are franchise Taxes or branch profits Taxes.
Controlled Group means the Borrower and all members of a controlled group of corporations and all trades or businesses (whether or not incorporated) under common control which, together with the Borrower, are treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.
Corresponding Tenor with respect to any Available Tenor means, as applicable, either a tenor (including overnight) or an interest payment period having approximately the same length (disregarding business day adjustment) as such Available Tenor.
Credit Extension means a Borrowing.
Daily Simple SOFR means, for any day (a SOFR Rate Day), a rate per annum equal to SOFR for the day that is five U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to (a) if such SOFR Rate Day is a U.S. Government Securities Business Day, such SOFR Rate Day or (b) if such SOFR Rate Day is not a U.S. Government Securities Business Day, the U.S. Government Securities Business Day immediately preceding such SOFR Rate Day, in each case, as such SOFR is published by the SOFR Administrator on the SOFR Administrators Website. Any change in Daily Simple SOFR due to a change in SOFR shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in SOFR without notice to the Borrower.
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Debtor Relief Laws means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief Laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect.
Default means any event or condition that constitutes an Event of Default, or that, with the giving of any notice, the passage of time, or both, would be an Event of Default.
Default Rate means an interest rate equal to (a) the Alternate Base Rate, plus (b) the Applicable Rate, if any, applicable to ABR Loans, plus (c) two percent (2.00%) per annum, provided, that, with respect to a Term Benchmark Loan, the Default Rate shall be an interest rate equal to the interest rate (including any Applicable Rate) otherwise applicable to such Loan, plus two percent (2.00%) per annum, in each case, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.
Delayed Draw Term Loan has the meaning specified in Section 2.01(a).
Delayed Draw Term Loan Availability Period means, with respect to the Delayed Draw Term Loan Commitment, the period from, and including, the Effective Date to the earliest of: (a) [], 2024; (b) the date of termination of the Delayed Draw Term Loan Commitment pursuant to Section 2.06; and (c) the date of termination of the commitment of the Lender to make Loans pursuant to Section 9.02 or Section 9.03, as applicable.
Delayed Draw Term Loan Borrowing means a Borrowing consisting of the Delayed Draw Term Loan.
Delayed Draw Term Loan Commitment means the Lenders obligation to make the Delayed Draw Term Loan to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01(a), as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.
Designated Jurisdiction means any country or territory, to the extent that such country or territory itself is the subject of any Sanction.
Disposition or Dispose means the sale, conveyance, assignment, transfer, license, lease, lapse, abandonment or other disposition (including any sale and leaseback transaction) of any asset (or the granting of any option or other right to do any of the foregoing), including any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposal, with or without recourse, of any notes or accounts receivable or any rights and claims associated therewith; provided that the term Disposition specifically excludes (i) dispositions of property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, that is obsolete, worn out, damaged, surplus or otherwise no longer used or useful in the ordinary course of business, (ii) dispositions of inventory (including advertising, sponsorship, tickets, air time, signage and similar items) in the ordinary course of business, (iii) dispositions of cash and cash equivalents in the ordinary course of business and the conversion of cash into cash equivalents and cash equivalents into cash, (iv) dispositions of property by any Subsidiary to the Borrower or to another Subsidiary, (v) sales or other dispositions without recourse and in the ordinary course of business of overdue accounts receivable of financially troubled debtors in connection with the compromise or collection thereof, (vi) the licensing or sublicensing of intellectual property rights on a non-exclusive basis, (vii) the settlement of tort or other litigation claims in the ordinary course of business or determined by the board of directors or similar governing entity to be fair and reasonable in light of the circumstances, (viii) charitable contributions in amounts that in the aggregate are not material to the Borrower and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (ix) leases or licenses of space in the ordinary course of business that are not
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material to the Business taken as a whole, (x) the sale, conveyance, assignment, transfer, license, lease, lapse, abandonment or other disposition of property involving property or assets having a fair market value of less than $10,000,000 in a single transaction or a series of related transactions and (xi) the sale, conveyance, assignment, transfer, license, lease, lapse, abandonment or other disposition of assets in the ordinary course of business.
Dolan Family Interests means (a) any Dolan Family Member, (b) any trusts for the benefit of any Dolan Family Members, (c) any estate or testamentary trust of any Dolan Family Member for the benefit of any Dolan Family Members, (d) any executor, administrator, trustee, conservator or legal or personal representative of any Person or Persons specified in clauses (a), (b) and (c) above to the extent acting in such capacity on behalf of any Person or Persons and not individually and (e) 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 Interest Controlled Person has the meaning specified in the definition of Change in Control.
Dolan Family Members means Charles F. Dolan, his spouse, his descendants by birth or adoption (including any stepchildren of his descendants) and any spouse of any of such descendants.
Dollar and $ mean lawful money of the United States.
Effective Date means the date hereof.
Environment means ambient air, surface water and groundwater (including potable water, navigable water and wetlands), the land surface or subsurface strata, natural resources such as flora and fauna, or as otherwise defined in any applicable Environmental Law.
Environmental Laws means all applicable Laws which: (a) regulate, or relate to, pollution or the protection, including, without limitation, any Remedial Action, of the environment or human health (to the extent relating to exposure to Hazardous Materials); (b) the use, generation, distribution, treatment, storage, transportation, handling, disposal or release of Hazardous Materials; (c) the preservation or protection of waterways, groundwater, drinking water, air, wildlife, plants or other natural resources; or (d) impose liability or provide for damages with respect to any of the foregoing, including the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. §1251 et seq.), Resource Conservation & Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. §6901 et seq.), Safe Drinking Water Act (21 U.S.C. § 349, 42 U.S.C. §§201, 300f), Toxic Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C. §2601 et seq.), Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. §7401 et seq.), and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. §9601 et seq.), or any other similar applicable Law of similar effect, each as amended.
Environmental Liability means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including, but not limited to, any liability for damages, natural resource damage, costs of Remedial Action, administrative oversight costs, fines, penalties or indemnities), of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly resulting from, or based upon: (a) violation of any Environmental Law; (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials; (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials; or (d) the Release, or threatened Release, of any Hazardous Materials.
Equity Interests means, with respect to any Person, all of the shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the warrants, options or other rights for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the securities convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of capital stock of (or other
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ownership or profit interests in) such Person, or warrants, rights or options for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of such shares (or such other interests), and all of the other ownership or profit interests in such Person (including partnership, member or trust interests therein), whether voting or nonvoting, and whether or not such shares, warrants, options, rights or other interests are outstanding on any date of determination.
Equity Repayment means a repayment of Obligations by delivery of Equity Repayment Shares in accordance with Section 2.09.
Equity Repayment Amount has the meaning set forth in Section 2.09.
Equity Repayment Date means the date that Equity Repayment Shares are delivered in accordance with Section 2.09.
Equity Repayment Election Notice has the meaning set forth in Section 2.09.
Equity Repayment Price means the 20-Day VWAP on the day prior to the date of the applicable Equity Repayment Election Notice, equitably adjusted in case of any stock split, combination, stock dividend or other similar event occurring after the commencement of the applicable 20-trading day period but prior to the Equity Repayment Date.
Equity Repayment Shares has the meaning set forth in Section 2.09.
Existing Credit Agreements means, collectively, the MSG LV Credit Agreement, MSGN Credit Agreement and Tao Credit Agreement.
ERISA means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
ERISA Affiliate means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) under common control with the Borrower within the meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Internal Revenue Code (and Sections 414(m) and (o) of the Internal Revenue Code, for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code).
ERISA Event means: (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension Plan; (b) the withdrawal of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Pension Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which such entity was a substantial employer, as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA, or a cessation of operations that is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (c) a complete or partial withdrawal by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan; (d) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate, or the treatment of a Pension Plan amendment as a termination, under Sections 4041 or 4041A of ERISA; (e) the institution by the PBGC of proceedings to terminate a Pension Plan; (f) any event or condition which constitutes grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan; (g) the determination that any Pension Plan is considered an at-risk plan, or a plan in endangered or critical status within the meaning of Sections 430 and 432 of the Internal Revenue Code or Sections 303 and 305 of ERISA; (h) the imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate; or (i) a failure by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to meet all applicable requirements under the Pension Funding Rules in respect of a Pension Plan, whether or not waived, or the failure by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to make any required contribution to a Multiemployer Plan.
Event of Default has the meaning specified in Section 9.01.
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Excluded Taxes means any of the following Taxes imposed on, or with respect to, any Recipient, or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient: (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the Laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its lending office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof), or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes; (b) in the case of a Lender, U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to, or for the account of, the Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan or Commitment, pursuant to a Law in effect on the date on which (i) the Lender acquires such interest in the Loan or Commitment, or (ii) the Lender changes its lending office, except, in each case of the foregoing clauses (b)(i) and (b)(ii), to the extent that, pursuant to Section 3.01, amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to the Lenders assignor immediately before the Lender became a party hereto, or to the Lender immediately before it changed its lending office; (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipients failure to comply with Section 3.01(e); and (d) any withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA.
FATCA means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Internal Revenue Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code, and any applicable intergovernmental agreements implementing any of the foregoing.
Federal Funds Effective Rate means, for any day, the rate calculated by the NYFRB based on such days federal funds transactions by depository institutions, as determined in such manner as shall be set forth on the NYFRBs Website from time to time, and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as the Federal Funds Effective Rate; provided, that if the Federal Funds Effective Rate as so determined would be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for all purposes hereof.
Financial Officer of any corporation, partnership, or other entity means the chief financial officer, the principal accounting officer, the treasurer, or the controller of such corporation, partnership or other entity.
Floor means the benchmark rate floor, if any, provided in this Agreement initially (as of the execution of this Agreement, the modification, amendment or renewal of this Agreement or otherwise) with respect to the Adjusted Term SOFR or the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR, as applicable. For the avoidance of doubt, the initial Floor for each of the Adjusted Term SOFR and the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR shall be zero.
Foreign Plan means any employee benefit plan, program, policy, arrangement or agreement maintained, or contributed to, outside the United States by the Borrower primarily for the benefit of employees of the Borrower employed outside the United States.
FRB means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States.
GAAP means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or such other principles as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession in the United States, that are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination, consistently applied.
Governmental Authority means the government of the United States or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of, or pertaining to, government (including any supra-national bodies, such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).
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Guarantee means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly (including by means of causing a bank to open a letter of credit), guaranteeing, endorsing, contingently agreeing to purchase or to furnish funds for the payment or maintenance of, or otherwise be or become contingently liable upon or with respect to, the Indebtedness, other obligations, net worth, working capital or earnings of any Person, or agreeing to purchase, sell or lease (as lessee or lessor) property, products, materials, supplies or services primarily for the purpose of enabling a debtor to make payment of its obligations or to assure a creditor against loss.
Hazardous Materials means all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes, and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law.
Indebtedness of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property acquired by such Person, (d) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding (i) current accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business and (ii) obligations in respect of compensation payments to players, coaches, managers or other personnel of such Person incurred pursuant to employment contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business), (e) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the Indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed, (f) all Guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of others, (g) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (h) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit and letters of guaranty and (i) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of bankers acceptances; provided, however, that Indebtedness shall not include Indebtedness of the Borrower to any Subsidiary of the Borrower or of a Subsidiary of the Borrower to the Borrower or another Subsidiary of the Borrower. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Persons ownership interest in such entity, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, for the avoidance of doubt, Indebtedness shall exclude (1) deferred revenue (including advance ticket sales), (2) obligations to make or pay advances, deposits or deferred compensation to announcers, broadcasters, on-air talent, promoters, producers or other third parties in connection with the development, booking, production, broadcast, promotion, execution, staging or presentations of shows, events or other entertainment activities or related merchandising, concessions or licensing, and (3) obligations to pay advances, deposits or deferred compensation to the holders of rights to content or intellectual property in connection with the development, broadcast, distribution or license of content or underlying intellectual property.
Indemnified Taxes means: (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on, or with respect to, any payment made by, or on account of, any obligation of the Borrower under any Loan Document; and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in clause (a), Other Taxes.
Information has the meaning specified in Section 11.07.
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Interest Payment Date means: (a) as to any Term Benchmark Loan, the last day of each Interest Period applicable to such Loan and the Maturity Date, provided, that, if any Interest Period for a Term Benchmark Loan exceeds three (3) months, the respective dates that fall every three (3) months after the beginning of such Interest Period shall also be Interest Payment Dates; (b) as to any ABR Loan, the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December and the Maturity Date; and (c) as to any RFR Loan, each day that is on the numerically corresponding day in each calendar month that is three months after the date of such Borrowing (or, if there is no such numerically corresponding date in such month, then the last day of such month) and the Maturity Date.
Interest Period means with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding date in the calendar month that is one (1), three (3) or six (6) months thereafter, (in each case, subject to availability for the Benchmark applicable to the relevant Loan), as the Borrower may elect; provided, that:
(a) any Interest Period that would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, unless such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case, such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day;
(b) any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period;
(c) no Interest Period with respect to any Delayed Draw Term Loan shall extend beyond the Maturity Date and
(d) no tenor that has been removed from this definition pursuant to Section 3.03(e) shall be available for specification in the relevant Loan Notice.
For purposes hereof, the date of a Borrowing initially shall be the date on which such Borrowing is made and thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Borrowing.
Internal Revenue Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as amended).
Internal Revenue Service and IRS means the United States Internal Revenue Service.
Laws means, collectively, all international, foreign, federal, state and local statutes, treaties, rules, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, codes and administrative or judicial precedents or authorities, including the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all applicable administrative orders, directed duties, requests, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority, in each case applicable or binding upon any Person or any of its Property, or to which such Person or any of its Property is subject.
Lender has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.
Lien means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge, or preference, priority or other security interest or preferential arrangement in the nature of a security interest of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any easement, right of way or other encumbrance on title to Real Property, and any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).
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Loan means an extension of credit by a Lender to the Borrower under Article II in the form of a Delayed Draw Term Loan.
Loan Documents means this Agreement and each Note.
Loan Notice means a notice of (a) a Borrowing of Loans, (b) a conversion of Loans from one Type to another Type, or (c) a continuation of Term Benchmark Loans, in each case, pursuant to Section 2.02(a), which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.02 or such other form as may be approved by the Lender (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approved by the Lender), appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.
Master Agreement has the meaning specified in the definition of Swap Contract below.
Material Adverse Effect means a materially adverse effect on: (a) the operations, business, assets, properties, liabilities, or financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (b) the ability of the Borrower to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents; (c) the rights and remedies of the Lender under any Loan Document; or (d) legality, validity, binding effect, or enforceability against the Borrower of any Loan Document to which it is a party.
Material Indebtedness means (i) any Indebtedness (other than the Loans), or (ii) obligations in respect of one (1) or more Swap Contracts, of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries in a principal amount exceeding twenty million dollars ($20,000,000).
Material Nonpublic Information means information regarding the Borrower and its Subsidiaries that is not generally available to the public that a reasonable investor would likely consider important in deciding whether to buy, sell or hold shares of common stock of the Borrower.
Maturity Date means [], 2024.
Maximum Rate has the meaning specified in Section 11.09.
MSG Entertainment means MSG Spinco, Inc. (to be renamed Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.), a Delaware corporation.
MSGE Equity Interests means the Class A common shares of MSG Entertainment, par value $0.01.
MSG LV Credit Agreement means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of December 22, 2022, among MSG Las Vegas, LLC, as borrower, the guarantors party thereto, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, as amended, modified, restated or supplemented from time to time.
MSG Networks means MSG Networks Inc., a Delaware corporation.
MSG NP Credit Agreement means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2022, among MSG National Properties, LLC, as borrower, the guarantors party thereto, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, as amended, modified, restated or supplemented from time to time.
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MSG Spin Agreements means each agreement or instrument entered into by the Borrower or its Affiliates in connection with the Spin-Off.
MSGN Credit Agreement means that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 11, 2019, among MSGN Holdings, L.P., as borrower, the guarantors party thereto, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, as amended, modified, restated or supplemented from time to time.
Multiemployer Plan means any employee benefit plan of the type described in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate makes, or is obligated to make, contributions, or, during the preceding five (5) plan years, has made, or been obligated to make, contributions.
Multiple Employer Plan means a Plan which has two (2) or more contributing sponsors (including the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate) at least two (2) of whom are not under common control, as such a plan is described in Section 4064 of ERISA.
Net Proceeds means, with respect to any Disposition, the aggregate consideration received by such Person from such Disposition, less the sum of: (i) the amount of all payments required to be made as a result of such Disposition to repay Indebtedness (other than Loans), (ii) the actual amount of the fees and commissions payable by such Person, other than to any of its Affiliates; and (iii) the legal expenses, and the other costs and expenses, directly related to such issuance or incurrence that are to be paid by such Person, other than to any of its Affiliates.
Note or Notes means the Delayed Draw Term Loan Notes.
Notice of Prepayment and/or Reduction / Termination of Commitments means a notice of prepayment with respect to a Loan, which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.05(a) or such other form as may be approved by the Lender (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approved by the Lender), appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer.
NYFRB means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
NYFRB Rate means, for any day, the greater of (a) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day and (b) the Overnight Bank Funding Rate in effect on such day (or for any day that is not a Business Day, for the immediately preceding Business Day); provided that if both such rates are not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the term NYFRB Rate means the rate quoted for such day for a federal funds transaction at 11:00 a.m. on such day received by the Lender from a Federal funds broker of recognized standing selected by it; provided, further, that if any of the aforesaid rates shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.
NYFRBs Website means the website of the NYFRB at http://www.newyorkfed.org, or any successor source.
Obligations means all advances to, and debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties of, the Borrower arising under any Loan Document or otherwise with respect to any Loan including any PIK Interest and PIK Fees accrued and capitalized), whether direct or indirect (including, without limitation, those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising, and including interest and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against the Borrower, or Affiliate thereof, of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding.
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OFAC means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury.
Organizational Document means: (a) with respect to each Person that is a corporation, its charter and its by-laws (or similar documents); (b) with respect to each Person that is a limited liability company, its certificate of formation and its operating agreement (or similar documents); (c) with respect to each Person that is a limited partnership, its certificate of formation and its limited partnership agreement (or similar documents); (d) with respect to each Person that is a general partnership, its partnership agreement (or similar document); and (e) with respect to any Person that is any other type of entity, such documents as shall be comparable to the foregoing.
Other Connection Taxes means, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Loan Document).
Other Taxes means all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment made pursuant to Section 3.06).
Outstanding Amount means, with respect to any Loans on any date, the aggregate outstanding principal amount thereof, after giving effect to any borrowings and prepayments or repayments of any Loans occurring on such date.
Overnight Bank Funding Rate means, for any day, the rate comprised of both overnight federal funds and overnight eurodollar transactions denominated in Dollars by U.S.managed banking offices of depository institutions (as such composite rate shall be determined by the NYFRB as set forth on the NYFRBs Website from time to time) and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as an overnight bank funding rate.
PBGC means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any successor thereto.
Pension Funding Rules means the rules of the Internal Revenue Code and ERISA regarding minimum funding standards with respect to Pension Plans and set forth in Sections 412, 430, 431, 432 and 436 of the Code and Sections 302, 303, 304 and 305 of ERISA.
Pension Plan means any employee pension benefit plan (including a Multiple Employer Plan or a Multiemployer Plan) that is maintained, or is contributed to, by the Borrower and any ERISA Affiliate, and is either covered by Title IV of ERISA or is subject to minimum funding standards under Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Person means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.
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PIK Fees has the meaning specified in Section 2.10.
PIK Interests has the meaning specified in Section 2.08.
Plan means any employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA (including a Pension Plan), maintained for employees of the Borrower, or any such Plan to which the Borrower is required to contribute on behalf of any of its employees.
Prime Rate means the rate of interest last quoted by The Wall Street Journal as the Prime Rate in the U.S. or, if The Wall Street Journal ceases to quote such rate, the highest per annum interest rate published by the FRB in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) (Selected Interest Rates) as the bank prime loan rate or, if such rate is no longer quoted therein, any similar rate quoted therein (as determined by the Lender) or any similar release by the FRB (as determined by the Lender). Each change in the Prime Rate shall be effective from and including the date such change is publicly announced or quoted as being effective.
Projections has the meaning specified in Section 6.15.
Property means any interest in any kind of property or asset, whether real, personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible.
Real Property means all right, title and interest of the Borrower or Subsidiary in and to any and all parcels of, or interests in, real property owned, leased, licensed or operated (including, without limitation, any leasehold estate) by the Borrower or Subsidiary, together with, in each case, all improvements and appurtenant fixtures.
Recipient means the Lender.
Reference Time with respect to any setting of the then-current Benchmark means (a) if such Benchmark is the Term SOFR, 5:00 a.m. (Chicago time) on the day that is two U.S. Government Securities Business Days preceding the date of such setting, (b) if such Benchmark is the Daily Simple SOFR, the four Business Days prior to such setting or (c) if such Benchmark is none of the Term SOFR or the Daily Simple SOFR, the time determined by the Lender in its reasonable discretion.
Regulation T means Regulation T of the FRB, as from time to time in effect, and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.
Regulation U means Regulation U of the FRB, as from time to time in effect, and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.
Regulation X means Regulation X of the FRB, as from time to time in effect, and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.
Related Parties means, with respect to any Person, such Persons Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees, administrators, managers, advisors and representatives of such Person and of such Persons Affiliates.
Release means any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, disposing, depositing, dispersing, emanating or migrating of any Hazardous Material in, into, onto or through the Environment.
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Relevant Governmental Body means the FRB and/or the NYFRB, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the FRB and/or the NYFRB or, in each case, any successor thereto.
Relevant Rate means (a) with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing, the Adjusted Term SOFR, or (b) with respect to any RFR Borrowing, the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR, as applicable.
Remedial Action means: (a) remedial action, as such term is defined in CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. §9601(24); and (b) all other actions required by any Governmental Authority or voluntarily undertaken to (i) clean up, remove, treat, abate or otherwise take corrective action to address any Hazardous Material in the Environment, (ii) prevent the Release or threat of Release, or minimize the further Release of any Hazardous Material so it does not migrate or endanger, or threaten to endanger, public health, welfare or the Environment, or (iii) perform studies and investigations in connection with, or as a precondition to, clauses (b)(i) or (b)(ii) above.
Reportable Event means any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA, other than events for which the thirty (30) day notice period has been waived.
Request for Credit Extension means, with respect to a Borrowing, conversion or continuation of Loans, a Loan Notice.
Responsible Officer of any person means: (i) any executive officer or Financial Officer of such person, and any other officer or similar official thereof with responsibility for the administration of the obligations of such person in respect of this Agreement; (ii) solely for purposes of the delivery of incumbency certificates pursuant to Section 5.01, the secretary, or any assistant secretary, of the Borrower; and (iii) solely for purposes of notices given pursuant to Article II, any other officer or employee of the Borrower, so designated by any of the foregoing officers in a notice to the Lender, or any other officer or employee of the Borrower designated in, or pursuant to, an agreement between the Borrower and the Lender. Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of the Borrower, and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of the Borrower. To the extent requested by the Lender, each Responsible Officer will provide an incumbency certificate and, to the extent requested by the Lender, appropriate authorization documentation, in each case, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Lender.
Restricted Payment means direct or indirect distributions, dividends or other payments by the Borrower on account of (including sinking fund or other payments on account of the redemption, retirement, purchase or acquisition of) any general or limited partnership or joint venture interest in, or any capital stock of, the Borrower, as the case may be (whether made in cash, property or other obligations), excluding any cash expenditures by the Borrower related to the vesting of share based compensation.
RFR when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, bears interest at a rate based on the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR.
Sanction(s) means any sanction administered or enforced by the United States Government (including, without limitation, OFAC), the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majestys Treasury (HMT) or other relevant applicable sanctions authority.
SEC means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.
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SOFR means a rate equal to the secured overnight financing rate as administered by the SOFR Administrator.
SOFR Administrator means the NYFRB (or a successor administrator of the secured overnight financing rate).
SOFR Administrators Website means the NYFRBs Website, currently at http://www.newyorkfed.org, or any successor source for the secured overnight financing rate identified as such by the SOFR Administrator from time to time.
SOFR Rate Day has the meaning specified in the definition of Daily Simple SOFR.
Sphere Project means the Project as defined in the MSG LV Credit Agreement as in effect on the date hereof.
Spin-Off means the separation of the Borrowers traditional live entertainment business from the Borrowers MSG Sphere, MSG Networks and Tao Group Hospitality businesses through a tax-free distribution of the live entertainment business.
Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person, (a) any corporation of which more than fifty percent (50.0%) of the outstanding Equity Interests having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the Board of Directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether, at the time, Equity Interests of any other class or classes of such corporation shall or might have voting power upon the occurrence of any contingency) is, at the time, directly or indirectly, owned by such Person, by such Person and one (1) or more other Subsidiaries of such Person, or by one (1) or more other Subsidiaries of such Person, (b) any partnership of which more than fifty percent (50.0%) of the outstanding Equity Interests having the power to act as a general partner of such partnership (irrespective of whether at the time any Equity Interests other than general partnership interests of such partnership shall or might have voting power upon the occurrence of any contingency) are, at the time, directly or indirectly, owned by such Person, by such Person and one (1) or more other Subsidiaries of such Person, or by one (1) or more other Subsidiaries of such Person, or (c) any limited liability company, association, joint venture or other entity in which such Person, and/or one (1) or more Subsidiaries of such Person, have more than a fifty percent (50.0%) Equity Interest at the time. Unless otherwise indicated, when used in this Agreement, the term Subsidiary shall refer to a Subsidiary of the Borrower, as applicable.
Swap Contract means: (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options, or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions, or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by, or subject to, any master agreement; and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a Master Agreement), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.
Tao Credit Agreement means that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 9, 2022, among Tao Group Operating LLC, as borrower, Tao Group Intermediate Holdings LLC, as intermediate holdings, the lenders party thereto, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as agent, as amended, modified, restated or supplemented from time to time.
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Taxes means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax, or penalties applicable thereto.
Term Benchmark when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or each Loan comprising such Borrowing, bears interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted Term SOFR.
Term Loans means, collectively, the Delayed Draw Term Loans.
Term SOFR means, with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing and for any tenor comparable to the applicable Interest Period, the Term SOFR Reference Rate at approximately 5:00 a.m., Chicago time, two U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to the commencement of such tenor comparable to the applicable Interest Period, as such rate is published by the CME Term SOFR Administrator.
Term SOFR Determination Day has the meaning specified under the definition of Term SOFR Reference Rate.
Term SOFR Reference Rate means, for any day and time (such day, the Term SOFR Determination Day), with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing and for any tenor comparable to the applicable Interest Period, the forward-looking term rate based on SOFR as such rate is published by the CME Term SOFR Administrator. If by 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on such Term SOFR Determination Day, the Term SOFR Reference Rate for the applicable tenor has not been published by the CME Term SOFR Administrator and a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to the Term SOFR has not occurred, then, so long as such day is otherwise a U.S. Government Securities Business Day, the Term SOFR Reference Rate for such Term SOFR Determination Day will be the Term SOFR Reference Rate as published in respect of the first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day for which such Term SOFR Reference Rate was published by the CME Term SOFR Administrator, so long as such first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day is not more than five U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to such Term SOFR Determination Day.
Type means, with respect to any Loan, its character as an ABR Loan, a RFR Loan or a Term Benchmark Loan.
Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement means the applicable Benchmark Replacement excluding the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.
United States and U.S. mean the United States of America.
Unused Commitment Fee has the meaning specified in Section 2.10.
Unused Commitment Fee Percentage means the rate equal to (i) 0.10% plus (ii) the Commitment Fee Percentage (as defined in MSG NP Credit Agreement).
U.S. Government Securities Business Day means any day except for (a) a Saturday, (b) a Sunday or (c) a day on which the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association recommends that the fixed income departments of its members be closed for the entire day for purposes of trading in United States government securities.
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Welfare Plan means a welfare plan, as such term is defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA, that is maintained, or contributed to, by the Borrower or Subsidiary, or with respect to which the Borrower or Subsidiary could incur liability.
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person, any Subsidiary of such Person of which all of the Equity Interests (other than, in the case of a Foreign Subsidiary, directors qualifying shares, to the extent legally required) are, directly or indirectly, owned and controlled by such Person, or by one (1) or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of such Person. Unless otherwise indicated, when used in this Agreement, the term Wholly-Owned Subsidiary shall refer to a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower.
1.02 Other Interpretive Provisions.
With reference to this Agreement and each other Loan Document, unless otherwise specified herein or in such other Loan Document:
(a) The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words include, includes and including shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase , without limitation,. The word will shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word shall. Unless the context requires otherwise: (i) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document (including any Organizational Document) shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein or in any other Loan Document); (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Persons successors and assigns; (iii) the words hereto, herein, hereof and hereunder, and words of similar import, when used in any Loan Document, shall be construed to refer to such Loan Document in its entirety, and not to any particular provision thereof; (iv) all references in a Loan Document to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, the Loan Document in which such references appear; (v) any reference to any law shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing or interpreting such law, and any reference to any law or regulation shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law or regulation as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time; and (vi) the words asset and property shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect, and to refer to, any and all real and personal Property and tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.
(b) In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word from means from, and including,; the words to and until each mean to, but excluding,; and the word through means to, and including,.
(c) Section headings herein and in the other Loan Documents are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
(d) Any reference herein to a merger, transfer, consolidation, amalgamation, consolidation, assignment, sale, disposition or transfer, or similar term, shall be deemed to apply to a division of or by a limited liability company, or an allocation of assets to a series of a limited liability company (or the unwinding of such a division or allocation), as if it were a merger, transfer, consolidation, amalgamation, consolidation, assignment, sale, disposition or transfer, or similar term, as applicable, to, of or with a separate Person. Any division of a limited liability company shall constitute a separate Person hereunder (and each division of any limited liability company that is a Subsidiary, joint venture or any other like term shall also constitute such a Person or entity).
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1.03 Accounting Terms.
(a) Generally. Except as otherwise specifically prescribed herein, all accounting terms not specifically or completely defined herein shall be construed in conformity with, and all financial data (including financial ratios and other financial calculations) required to be submitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared in conformity with, GAAP applied on a consistent basis, as in effect from time to time.
(b) Changes in GAAP. If, at any time, any change in GAAP (including the adoption of IFRS) would affect the computation of any financial ratio or requirement set forth in any Loan Document, and either the Borrower or the Lender shall so request, the Borrower and the Lender shall negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in GAAP; provided, that, until so amended or the request for amendment has been withdrawn, (i) such ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein, and (ii) to the extent requested by the Lender, the Borrower shall provide to the Lender financial statements and other documents required under this Agreement, or as requested hereunder setting forth a reconciliation between calculations of such ratio or requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, for all purposes of this Agreement (including, without limitation, the provisions of Article VII), leases shall continue to be classified and accounted for on a basis consistent with the definition of Capital Lease, notwithstanding any change in GAAP relating thereto, unless the parties hereto shall enter into a mutually acceptable amendment addressing such changes, as provided for above.
(c) FASB ASC 825 and FASB ASC 47020. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the above, for purposes of determining compliance with any covenant contained herein, Indebtedness of the Borrower shall be deemed to be carried at one hundred percent (100.0%) of the outstanding principal amount thereof, and the effects of FASB ASC 825 and FASB ASC 47020 on financial liabilities shall be disregarded.
1.04 Times of Day.
Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Eastern time (daylight or standard, as applicable).
ARTICLE II
THE COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS
2.01 Commitments.
(a) Delayed Draw Term Loans. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Lender agrees to make a term loan (a Delayed Draw Term Loan) to the Borrower in Dollars in up to six (6) Delayed Draw Term Loan Borrowings, each on any Business Day during the Delayed Draw Term Loan Availability Period, and in an aggregate amount not to exceed $65,000,000. Amounts repaid on the Delayed Draw Term Loans may not be reborrowed. Each Delayed Draw Term Loan may consist of Term Benchmark Loan or ABR Loans, or a combination thereof, as further provided herein.
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2.02 Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans.
(a) Each Borrowing, each conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, and each continuation of Term Benchmark Loans shall be made upon the Borrowers irrevocable notice to the Lender, which may be given by (A) telephone, or (B) a Loan Notice. Each such notice must be received by the Lender not later than 11:00 a.m.: (i) three (3) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to the requested date of any Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of, Term Benchmark Loans or of any conversion of Term Benchmark Loans to ABR Loans; and (ii) on the requested date of any Borrowing of ABR Loans. Each telephonic notice by the Borrower pursuant to this clause (a) must be confirmed promptly by delivery to the Lender of a Loan Notice. Each Borrowing shall be in a principal amount of Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000), or a whole multiple of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) in excess thereof (or, if less, an amount equal to the unused amount of the Delayed Draw Term Loan Commitment that are undrawn immediately prior to giving effect to such Borrowing). Each conversion to, or continuation of Term Benchmark Loans shall be in a principal amount of Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000), or a whole multiple of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) in excess thereof (or, if less, the entire amount of the applicable Borrowing). Each conversion to ABR Loans shall be in a principal amount of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000), or a whole multiple of Five-Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000) in excess thereof (or, if less, the entire amount of the applicable Borrowing). Each Loan Notice and each telephonic notice shall specify: (i) whether the Borrower is requesting a Borrowing, a conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, or a continuation of Term Benchmark Loans; (ii) the requested date of the Borrowing, conversion or continuation, as the case may be (which shall be a Business Day); (iii) the principal amount of Loans to be borrowed, converted or continued; (iv) the Type of Loans to be borrowed or to which existing Loans are to be converted; and (v) if applicable, the duration of the Interest Period with respect thereto. If the Borrower fails to specify a Type of a Loan in a Loan Notice or if the Borrower fails to give a timely notice requesting a conversion or continuation, then the applicable Loans shall be continued as Loans of the same Type. If the Borrower requests a Borrowing of, conversion to, or continuation of Term Benchmark Loans in any Loan Notice, but fails to specify an Interest Period, it will be deemed to have specified an Interest Period of one (1) month.
(b) Following receipt of a Loan Notice, the Lender shall make the amount of its Loan available to the Borrower not later than 2:00 p.m. on the Business Day specified in the applicable Loan Notice by wire transfer of such funds, in accordance with instructions provided to (and acceptable to) the Lender by the Borrower.
(c) Except as otherwise provided herein, a Term Benchmark Loan may be continued or converted only on the last day of the Interest Period for such Term Benchmark Loan. During the existence of an Event of Default, no Loans may be requested as, converted to or continued as Term Benchmark Loans without the consent of the Lender, and the Lender may demand that any or all of the then outstanding Term Benchmark Loans be converted immediately to ABR Loans.
(d) The Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower of the interest rate applicable to any Interest Period for Term Benchmark Loans upon determination of such interest rate.
(e) After giving effect to all Borrowings, all conversions of Loans from one Type to the other, and all continuations of Loans as the same Type, there shall not be more than six (6) Interest Periods in effect with respect to all Loans.
(f) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Lender may exchange, continue, extend or roll over all, or the portion, of its Loans in connection with any refinancing, extension, loan modification, or similar transaction permitted by the terms of this Agreement, pursuant to a cashless settlement mechanism approved by the Borrower and the Lender.
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2.03 [Reserved].
2.04 [Reserved].
2.05 Voluntary Prepayments.
The Borrower may, upon delivery of a Notice of Prepayment and/or Reduction / Termination of Commitments to the Lender, at any time or from time to time, voluntarily prepay Delayed Draw Term Loans (in whole or in part, without premium or penalty, subject to Section 3.05), provided, that: (A) such notice must be received by the Lender not later than 11:00 a.m. (I) at least three (3) Business Days prior to any date of prepayment of Term Benchmark Loans or ABR Loans, and (II) at least five (5) Business Days prior to any date of prepayment of RFR Loans; (B) any prepayment of Term Benchmark Loans shall be in a principal amount of Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000), or in a whole multiple of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) in excess thereof (or, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding); (C) any prepayment of RFR Loans shall be in a principal amount of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000), or in a whole multiple of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) in excess thereof (or, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding); and (D) any prepayment of ABR Loans shall be in a principal amount of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000), or in a whole multiple of Five-Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000) in excess thereof (or, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding). Each such notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment and the Type(s) of Loans to be prepaid. Subject to payment of breakage costs (if any) in accordance with Section 3.05, any such notice delivered by the Borrower may be conditioned upon the effectiveness of other transactions, in which case, such notice may be revoked or its effectiveness deferred by the Borrower (by notice to the Lender on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied. If such notice is given by the Borrower, the Borrower shall make such prepayment and the payment amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein, subject to any condition specified in such notice. Any prepayment of a Loan shall be accompanied by all accrued interest on the amount prepaid, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 3.05.
2.06 Termination or Reduction of Delayed Draw Term Loan Commitment.
(a) Optional Reductions. The Borrower may, upon notice to the Lender, terminate the Delayed Draw Term Loan Commitment, or from time to time permanently reduce the Delayed Draw Term Loan Commitment; provided, that, (i) any such notice shall be received by the Lender not later than 12:00 p.m. (noon) three (3) Business Days prior to the date of termination or reduction, and (ii) any such partial reduction shall be in an aggregate amount of Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000), or in any whole multiple of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) in excess thereof. Any such notice may state that it is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other transactions, in which case, such notice may be revoked or its effectiveness deferred by the Borrower (by notice to the Lender on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied.
(b) Mandatory Reductions. The aggregate unfunded Delayed Draw Term Loan Commitments shall automatically terminate at the expiration of the Delayed Draw Term Loan Availability Period.
2.07 Repayment of Loans.
The Borrower shall repay the then Outstanding Amount of the Delayed Draw Term Loan and all other outstanding Obligations on the Maturity Date (as such amount may hereafter be adjusted as a result of prepayments made pursuant to Section 2.05), unless accelerated sooner pursuant to Section 9.02, Section 9.03 or Section 9.04, as applicable.
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2.08 Interest.
(a) Subject to the provisions of clause (b) below: (i) each Term Benchmark Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof for each Interest Period at a rate per annum equal to the Adjusted Term SOFR for such Interest Period, plus the Applicable Rate for Term Benchmark Loans; (ii) each RFR Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR plus the Applicable Rate for RFR Loans; and (iii) each ABR Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Alternate Base Rate, plus the Applicable Rate for ABR Loans. All interest accruing prior to January 1, 2024 shall be payable in kind by capitalizing and adding such interest to the outstanding principal amount of the Loans on the applicable Interest Payment Date (PIK Interest). Such PIK Interest shall be automatically capitalized on the applicable Interest Payment Date by adding the amount thereof to the outstanding principal amount of the Loans. All interest accruing on and after January 1, 2024 shall be payable in cash or MSGE Equity Interests in accordance with Section 2.09 on the applicable Interest Payment Date. For purposes of this Agreement, the amounts so capitalized shall constitute a portion of the principal amount outstanding of the Loans hereunder and shall bear interest in accordance with this Section 2.08 and all references herein to the principal amount of the Loans shall include all interest accrued and capitalized as a result of any payment of PIK Interest. Interest on each Loan shall be due and payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date applicable thereto and at such other times as may be specified herein. Interest hereunder shall be due and payable in accordance with the terms hereof before and after judgment, and before and after the commencement of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law.
(b)
(i) If any amount of principal of any Loan is not paid when due (without regard to any applicable grace periods), whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, then such overdue amount of principal shall thereafter bear interest at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.
(ii) If any amount (other than principal of any Loan) is not paid when due (after giving effect to any applicable grace periods), whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, then upon the request of the Lender, such amount shall thereafter bear interest at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.
(iii) If an Event of Default under Section 9.01(i) shall be continuing, the Borrower shall pay interest on the principal amount of all outstanding Obligations hereunder at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.
(iv) Accrued and unpaid interest on past due amounts (including interest on past due interest) shall be due and payable upon demand.
(c) Interest on each Loan shall be due and payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date applicable thereto and at such other times as may be specified herein. Interest hereunder shall be due and payable in accordance with the terms hereof before and after judgment, and before and after the commencement of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law.
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2.09 Equity Repayment Election.
The Borrower may elect to make all or a portion of any payments of outstanding principal of the Loans hereunder and accrued interest and fees thereon by delivering a number of shares of MSGE Equity Interests (Equity Repayment Shares) equal to the sum of the amount (or portion thereof) to be repaid or prepaid (Equity Repayment Amount) divided by the Equity Repayment Price, pursuant to a written notice (Equity Repayment Election Notice), to be delivered to the Lender by the Borrower ten (10) Business Days prior to the Equity Repayment Date (or such shorter period as the Lender may agree in its sole discretion). Together with the Equity Repayment Election Notice, the Borrower shall deliver a certificate duly executed by a Responsible Officer attaching and certifying the calculation setting forth the Equity Repayment Price. The Borrower shall cause the Lender to be credited a number of Equity Repayment Shares equal to the Equity Repayment Amount indicated in the applicable Equity Repayment Election Notice divided by applicable Equity Repayment Price, rounded down to the next integral number of shares, provided that if the Equity Repayment Shares are not so delivered, the Equity Repayment Election Notice shall be deemed void. Upon delivery of the Equity Repayment Shares in accordance with the foregoing the principal and accrued interest and fees thereon specified in the applicable Equity Repayment Election Notice shall be deemed satisfied in full, provided that in the event more than one Borrowing of Delayed Draw Term Loans is outstanding, any Equity Repayment shall be applied to reduce the principal balance of such outstanding Loans as designated by the Lender.
2.10 Unused Commitment Fee.
The Borrower shall pay to the Lender a commitment fee (the Unused Commitment Fee) in an amount equal to Unused Commitment Fee Percentage. The Commitment Fee shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, commencing with the first such date to occur after the Effective Date. The Commitment Fee shall be calculated quarterly in arrears. All Unused Commitment Fees accruing prior to January 1, 2024 shall be payable in kind by capitalizing and adding such Unused Commitment Fees to the outstanding principal amount of the Loans on the applicable Interest Payment Date (PIK Fees). Such PIK Fees shall be automatically capitalized on the applicable Interest Payment Date by adding the amount thereof to the outstanding principal amount of the Loans. All Unused Commitment Fees accruing on and after January 1, 2024 shall be payable in cash or MSGE Equity Interests in accordance with Section 2.09 on the applicable Interest Payment Date. For purposes of this Agreement, the amounts so capitalized shall constitute a portion of the principal amount outstanding of the Loans hereunder and shall bear interest in accordance with Section 2.08 and all references herein to the principal amount of the Loans shall include all Unused Commitment Fees accrued and capitalized as a result of any payment of PIK Fees.
2.11 Computation of Interest and Fees.
All computations of interest for ABR Loans, when the Alternate Base Rate is determined by the Prime Rate, shall be made on the basis of a year of three-hundred sixty-five (365) or three hundred sixty-six (366) days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed. All other computations of fees and interest shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year and actual days elapsed (which results in more fees or interest, as applicable, being paid than if computed on the basis of a 365-day year). Interest shall accrue on each Loan for the day on which the Loan is made, and shall not accrue on a Loan, or any portion thereof, for the day on which the Loan or such portion is paid; provided, that, any Loan that is repaid on the same day on which it is made shall, subject to Section 2.13(a), bear interest for one (1) day. Each determination by the Lender of an interest rate or fee hereunder shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.
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2.12 Evidence of Debt.
The Credit Extensions made by the Lender shall be evidenced by one (1) or more accounts or records maintained by the Lender in the ordinary course of business. The accounts or records maintained by the Lender shall be conclusive absent manifest error of the amount of the Credit Extensions made by the Lender to the Borrower and the interest and payments thereon. Any failure to so record or any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrower hereunder to pay any amount owing with respect to the Obligations. Upon the request of the Lender, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to the Lender a promissory note, which shall evidence the Lenders Loans in addition to such accounts or records. Each such promissory note shall be in the form of Exhibit 2.11 (a Delayed Draw Term Loan Note). The Lender may attach schedules to its Note and endorse thereon the date, Type (if applicable), amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto.
2.13 Payments Generally.
(a) General. All payments to be made by the Borrower shall be made free and clear of and without condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, and subject to Section 2.09, all payments by the Borrower hereunder shall be made to the Lender, at the Lenders Office in Dollars and in immediately available funds not later than 2:00 p.m. on the date specified herein. All payments received by the Lender after 2:00 p.m. shall be deemed received on the next succeeding Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue. Subject to the definition of Interest Period in Section 1.01, if any payment to be made by the Borrower shall come due on a day other than a Business Day, payment shall be made on the next following Business Day, and such extension of time shall be reflected in computing interest or fees, as the case may be.
(b) Funding Source. Nothing herein shall be deemed to obligate the Lender to obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner or to constitute a representation by the Lender that it has obtained or will obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner.
ARTICLE III
TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY
3.01 Taxes.
(a) Payments Free of Taxes; Obligation to Withhold; Payments on Account of Taxes.
(i) Any and all payments by, or on account of, any obligation of the Borrower under any Loan Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable Laws. If any applicable Laws (as determined in the good faith discretion of the Lender or the Borrower, as applicable) require the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by the Borrower, then the Borrower shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding, upon the basis of the information and documentation to be delivered pursuant to clause (e) below.
(ii) If the Borrower shall be required by any applicable Laws to withhold or deduct any Taxes, including both United States Federal backup withholding and withholding Taxes, from any payment, then: (A) the Borrower shall withhold or make such deductions as are determined in good faith by the Borrower to be required based upon the information and documentation it has received pursuant to clause (e) below; (B) the Borrower shall timely pay the full amount withheld or deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code; and (C) to the extent that the withholding or deduction is made on account of Indemnified Taxes, the sum payable by the Borrower shall be increased as necessary so that, after any required withholding or the making of all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 3.01), the Lender receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such withholding or deduction been made.
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(b) Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrower. Without limiting the provisions of clause (a) above, the Borrower shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Law, or, at the option of the Lender, timely reimburse it for the payment of, any Other Taxes.
(c) Tax Indemnifications.
(i) The Borrower shall, and does hereby, jointly and severally indemnify the Lender, and shall make payment in respect thereof within ten (10) days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on, or attributable to, amounts payable under this Section 3.01) payable or paid by the Lender or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to the Lender, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by the Lender shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(d) Evidence of Payments. Upon request by the Lender, after any payment of Taxes by the Borrower to a Governmental Authority as provided in this Section 3.01, the Borrower shall deliver to the Lender the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of any return required by applicable Laws to report such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Lender.
(e) Status of Lender; Tax Documentation.
(i) If the Lender is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document, the Lender shall deliver to the Borrower, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, the Lender, if reasonably requested by the Borrower, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable Law or reasonably requested by the Borrower as will enable the Borrower to determine whether or not the Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two (2) sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in clause (e)(ii) below) shall not be required if in the Lenders reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject the Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of the Lender.
(ii) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
(A) the Lender shall deliver to the Borrower on or prior to the date on which this Agreement becomes effective (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower), executed copies of IRS Form W9 certifying that the Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding Tax, or executed copies of any relevant IRS Forms W-8;
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(B) if a payment made to the Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if the Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Internal Revenue Code, as applicable), the Lender shall deliver to the Borrower, at the time or times prescribed by applicable Law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower, such documentation prescribed by applicable Law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower as may be necessary for the Borrower to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that the Lender has complied with the Lenders obligations under FATCA, or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (e)(ii)(B), FATCA shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.
(iii) The Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered pursuant to this Section 3.01 expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower in writing of its legal inability to do so.
(f) Treatment of Certain Refunds. If any party determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this Section 3.01 (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made under this Section 3.01 with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of such indemnified party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund). Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such indemnified party, shall repay to such indemnified party the amount paid over pursuant to this clause (f) (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event that such indemnified party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this clause (f), in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to the indemnifying party pursuant to this clause the payment of which would place the indemnified party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the indemnified party would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This clause (f) shall not be construed to require any indemnified party to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person.
(g) Survival. Each partys obligations under this Section 3.01 shall survive any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, the Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all other Obligations.
3.02 Illegality.
If the Lender determines that any Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for the Lender to make, maintain or fund Loans whose interest is determined by reference to the Adjusted Term SOFR or the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR, or to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Adjusted Term SOFR or the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR , or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of the Lender to purchase or sell, or to take deposits of, Dollars in the applicable interbank market, then, on notice thereof by the Lender to the Borrower, (i) any obligation of the Lender to make or continue Term Benchmark Loans or RFR Loans or to convert ABR Loans to Term Benchmark Loans or RFR Loans shall be suspended, and (ii) if such notice asserts the illegality of the Lender making or maintaining ABR Loans the interest rate on which is determined by reference to the Adjusted Term SOFR component of the Alternate Base Rate, the interest
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rate on which ABR Loans of the Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Lender without reference to the Adjusted Term SOFR component of the Alternate Base Rate, in each case, until the Lender notifies the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower shall, upon demand from the Lender, prepay or, if applicable, convert all Term Benchmark Loans and RFR Loans of the Lender to ABR Loans (the interest rate on which ABR Loans of the Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Lender without reference to the Adjusted Term SOFR component of the Alternate Base Rate), either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if the Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Loans to such day, or immediately, if the Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Loans, and if such notice asserts the illegality of the Lender determining or charging interest rates based upon the Adjusted Term SOFR, the Lender shall during the period of such suspension compute the Alternate Base Rate applicable to the Lender without reference to the Adjusted Term SOFR component thereof until it is no longer illegal for the Lender to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Adjusted Term SOFR. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted.
3.03 Alternate Rate of Interest.
(a) Subject to clauses (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) of this Section 3.03, if:
(i) the Lender determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) (A) prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Term Benchmark Borrowing, that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted Term SOFR (including because the Term SOFR Reference Rate is not available or published on a current basis), for such Interest Period or (B) at any time, if applicable, that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the applicable Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR; provided that no Benchmark Transition Event shall have occurred at such time; or
(ii) the Lender determines that (A) prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Term Benchmark Borrowing, the Adjusted Term SOFR or the Term SOFR, as applicable, for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to the Lender of making or maintaining its Loan included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period or (B) at any time, if applicable, the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR or the Daily Simple SOFR, as applicable, will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to the Lender of making or maintaining its Loan included in such Borrowing;
then the Lender shall give notice thereof to the Borrower by telephone, telecopy or electronic mail as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until the Lender notifies the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (A) any Loan Notice that requests the conversion to, or continuation of, a Term Benchmark Borrowing shall be ineffective and (B) if any Committed Loan Notice requests a Term Benchmark Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be made as (A) an RFR Borrowing so long as the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR is not also the subject of Section 3.03(a)(i) or (ii) above or (B) an ABR Borrowing if the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR also is the subject of Section 3.03(a)(i) or (ii) above; provided that if the circumstances giving rise to such notice affect only one Type of Borrowings, then all other Types of Borrowings shall be permitted. Furthermore, if any Term Benchmark Loan or RFR Loan is outstanding on the date of the Borrowers receipt of such notice from the Lender referred to in this Section 3.03(a) with respect to a Relevant Rate applicable to such Term Benchmark Loan or RFR Loan, then until (x) the Lender notifies the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, and (y) the Borrower delivers a request for a Borrowing in accordance with the terms of Section 2.02, (A) any Term Benchmark Loan shall on the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Loan, be converted by the Lender to, and shall constitute, (1) an RFR Borrowing so long as the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR is not also the subject of Section 3.03(a)(i) or (ii) above or (2) an ABR Borrowing if the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR also is the subject of Section 3.03(a)(i) or (ii) above, and (B) any RFR Loan shall on and from such day be converted by the Lender to, and shall constitute, an ABR Loan.
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(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document (and any Swap Contract shall be deemed not to be a Loan Document for purposes of this Section 3.03), if a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred prior to the Reference Time in respect of any setting of the then-current Benchmark, then (x) if a Benchmark Replacement is determined in accordance with clause (a) of the definition of Benchmark Replacement for such Benchmark Replacement Date, such Benchmark Replacement will replace such Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in respect of such Benchmark setting and subsequent Benchmark settings without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document and (y) if a Benchmark Replacement is determined in accordance with clause (b) of the definition of Benchmark Replacement for such Benchmark Replacement Date, such Benchmark Replacement will replace such Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in respect of any Benchmark setting at or after 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the fifth (5th) Business Day after the date on which the Lender shall have posted such proposed amendment to the Borrower.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, the Lender will have the right to make Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, any amendments implementing such Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
(d) The Lender will promptly notify the Borrower of (i) any occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date, (ii) the implementation of any Benchmark Replacement, (iii) the effectiveness of any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes, (iv) the removal or reinstatement of any tenor of a Benchmark pursuant to clause (e) below and (v) the commencement or conclusion of any Benchmark Unavailability Period. Any determination, decision or election that may be made by the Lender pursuant to this Section 3.03, including any determination with respect to a tenor, rate or adjustment or of the occurrence or non-occurrence of an event, circumstance or date and any decision to take or refrain from taking any action or any selection, will be conclusive and binding absent manifest error and may be made in its sole discretion and without consent from any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except, in each case, as expressly required pursuant to this Section 3.03.
(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, at any time (including in connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement), (i) if the then-current Benchmark is a term rate (including the Term SOFR) and either (A) any tenor for such Benchmark is not displayed on a screen or other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as selected by the Lender in its reasonable discretion or (B) the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark has provided a public statement or publication of information announcing that any tenor for such Benchmark is or will be no longer representative, then the Lender may modify the definition of Interest Period for any Benchmark settings at or after such time to remove such unavailable or non-representative tenor and (ii) if a tenor that was removed pursuant to clause (i) above either (A) is subsequently displayed on a screen or information service for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement) or (B) is not, or is no longer, subject to an announcement that it is or will no longer be representative for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement), then the Lender may modify the definition of Interest Period for all Benchmark settings at or after such time to reinstate such previously removed tenor.
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(f) Upon the Borrowers receipt of notice of the commencement of a Benchmark Unavailability Period, the Borrower may revoke any request for a Term Benchmark Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Term Benchmark Loans to be made, converted or continued during any Benchmark Unavailability Period and, failing that, the Borrower will be deemed to have converted any such request into a request for a Borrowing of or conversion to (i) an RFR Borrowing so long as the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR is not the subject of a Benchmark Transition Event or (ii) an ABR Borrowing if the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR is the subject of a Benchmark Transition Event. During any Benchmark Unavailability Period or at any time that a tenor for the then-current Benchmark is not an Available Tenor, the component of Alternate Base Rate based upon the then-current Benchmark or such tenor for such Benchmark, as applicable, will not be used in any determination of Alternate Base Rate. Furthermore, if any Term Benchmark Loan or RFR Loan is outstanding on the date of the Borrowers receipt of notice of the commencement of a Benchmark Unavailability Period with respect to a Relevant Rate applicable to such Term Benchmark Loan or RFR Loan, then until such time as a Benchmark Replacement is implemented pursuant to this Section 3.03, (A) any Term Benchmark Loan shall on the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Loan, be converted by the Lender to, and shall constitute, (1) an RFR Loan so long as the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR is not the subject of a Benchmark Transition Event or (2) an ABR Loan if the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR is the subject of a Benchmark Transition Event on such day and (B) any RFR Loan shall on and from such day be converted by the Agent to, and shall constitute, an ABR Loan.
3.04 Increased Costs; Reserves on Term Benchmark Loans.
(a) Increased Costs Generally. If any Change in Law shall:
(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against any Property of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, the Lender;
(ii) subject the Lender to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Taxes described in clauses (b) through (d) of the definition of Excluded Taxes in Section 1.01, and (C) Connection Income Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto; or
(iii) impose on the Lender or the applicable interbank market any other condition, cost or expense affecting this Agreement or Term Benchmark Loans or RFR Loans made by the Lender;
and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to the Lender of making, converting to, continuing or maintaining any Term Benchmark Loan or RFR Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan), or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by the Lender (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, upon request of the Lender, the Borrower will pay to the Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate the Lender for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.
(b) [Reserved].
(c) Certificates for Reimbursement. A certificate of the Lender setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate the Lender or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in clauses (a) or (b) above and delivered to the Borrower shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay the Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten (10) days after receipt thereof. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Section 3.04 to the contrary, the Borrower shall only be obligated to pay any amounts due under this Section 3.04 if, and the Lender shall not exercise any right under this Section 3.04 unless, the Lender certifies that it is generally imposing a similar charge on, or otherwise similarly enforcing its agreements with, its other similarly situated borrowers.
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(d) Delay in Requests. Failure or delay on the part of the Lender to demand compensation pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.04 shall not constitute a waiver of the Lenders right to demand such compensation; provided, that, the Borrower shall not be required to compensate the Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.04 for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than four (4) months prior to the date that the Lender notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of the Lenders intention to claim compensation therefor (provided, that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the four (4) month period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).
(e) Reserves on Term Benchmark Loans and RFR Loans. The Borrower shall pay to the Lender, as long as the Lender shall be required to maintain reserves with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or including funds or deposits other than ABR funds or deposits, additional interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Term Benchmark Loan and RFR Loan equal to the actual costs of such reserves allocated to such Loan by such Lender (as determined by such Lender in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive), which shall be due and payable on each date on which interest is payable on such Loan, provided that the Borrower shall have received at least 10 days prior notice of such additional interest from the Lender. If the Lender fails to give notice 10 days prior to the relevant Interest Payment Date, such additional interest shall be due and payable 10 days from receipt of such notice.
3.05 Compensation for Losses.
Upon written demand of the Lender from time to time, the Borrower shall promptly compensate the Lender for and hold the Lender harmless from any loss, cost or expense incurred by it as a result of:
(a) any continuation, conversion, payment or prepayment of any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period for such Loan (whether voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise); or
(b) any failure by the Borrower (for a reason other than the failure of the Lender to make a Loan) to prepay, borrow, continue or convert any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on the date or in the amount notified by the Borrower;
including any loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment of funds (but excluding loss of anticipated profits) obtained by it to maintain such Loan or from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained.
For purposes of calculating amounts payable by the Borrower to the Lender under this Section 3.05, the Lender shall be deemed to have funded each Term Benchmark Loan and RFR Loan made by it at the Adjusted Term SOFR or the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR used in determining the Adjusted Term SOFR or the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR, as applicable, without reference to any Floor.
3.06 Mitigation Obligations. If the Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04, or requires the Borrower to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to the Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of the Lender pursuant to Section 3.01, or if the Lender gives a notice pursuant to Section 3.02, then at the request of the Borrower the Lender shall use reasonable efforts to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its affiliates, if, in the judgment of the Lender, such assignment: (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 3.01 or Section 3.04, as the case may be, in the future, or eliminate the need for the notice pursuant to Section 3.02, as applicable; and (ii) in each case, would not subject the Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to the Lender. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by the Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.
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3.07 Survival.
All of the Borrowers obligations under this Article III shall survive termination of the Delayed Draw Term Loan Commitment and repayment of all other Obligations hereunder.
ARTICLE IV
[RESERVED]
ARTICLE V
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO EFFECTIVENESS AND TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS
5.01 Conditions to Effectiveness.
This Agreement shall become effective upon the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:
(a) Loan Documents. Receipt by the Lender of executed counterparts of this Agreement to be entered into as of the Effective Date, each properly executed by an authorized officer of the Borrower.
(b) Organizational Documents, Resolutions, Etc. Receipt by the Lender of the following, each of which shall be originals or facsimiles (followed promptly by originals):
(i) copies of the Organizational Documents of the Borrower certified to be true and complete as of a recent date by the appropriate Governmental Authority of the state or other jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, where applicable, and certified by a secretary or assistant secretary of the Borrower to be true and correct as of the Effective Date;
(ii) such certificates of resolutions or other action, incumbency certificates and/or other certificates of authorized officers of the Borrower as the Lender may reasonably require, evidencing the identity, authority and capacity of each authorized officer thereof authorized to act as an authorized officer in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which the Borrower is a party; and
(iii) such documents and certifications as the Lender may reasonably require to evidence that the Borrower is duly organized or formed, and is validly existing, in good standing, and qualified to engage in business in its state of incorporation or organization.
(c) Closing Certificate. Receipt by the Lender of a certificate, signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower and dated as of the Effective Date:
(i) certifying that each of the representations and warranties contained in Article VI and in each other Loan Document, and in each agreement, certificate and notice furnished at any time under, or in connection with, this Agreement or such other Loan Document, is true and correct in all material respects (provided, that, any representation or warranty that is qualified as to materiality or Material Adverse Effect shall be true and correct in all respects) on and as of the
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date hereof with the same effect as if then made (except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case, such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects (provided, that, any representation or warranty that is qualified as to materiality or Material Adverse Effect shall be true and correct in all respects) as of such earlier date); and
(ii) certifying that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of, or immediately after giving effect to, this Agreement or any Credit Extensions to be made on the Effective Date.
5.02 Conditions to Borrowings.
The obligation of the Lender to fund any requested Borrowing of Delayed Draw Term Loans is subject to the satisfaction or waiver by the Lender of the following conditions precedent as of the date of Borrowing such requested Delayed Draw Term Loan:
(a) The representations and warranties of Borrower contained in Article VI or any other Loan Document, or which are contained in any agreement, certificate or notice furnished at any time under, or in connection, herewith or therewith, shall be true and correct in all material respects (provided, that, any representation or warranty that is qualified as to materiality or Material Adverse Effect shall be true and correct in all respects) on and as of the date of such Credit Extension, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case, they shall be true and correct in all material respects (provided, that, any representation or warranty that is qualified as to materiality or Material Adverse Effect shall be true and correct in all respects) as of such earlier date.
(b) No Default or Event of Default shall exist, or would result from the funding of such Delayed Draw Term Loans or from the application of the proceeds thereof.
(c) The Lender shall have received a Request for Credit Extension in accordance with the requirements hereof.
(d) The Effective Date shall have occurred.
Each Request for Credit Extension submitted by the Borrower requesting a Borrowing of Delayed Draw Term Loans shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty that the conditions specified in Section 5.02(a)-(b) have been satisfied (or waived in accordance with the terms hereof) on and as of the date of the applicable Credit Extension.
ARTICLE VI
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
In order to induce the Lender to enter into this Agreement, and to extend credit hereunder and under the other Loan Documents on the Effective Date, the Borrower makes the representations and warranties set forth in this Article VI and upon the occurrence of each Credit Extension thereafter:
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6.01 Organization, Etc.
The Borrower is (a) is a corporation or other form of legal entity, and each of its Subsidiaries is a corporation, partnership or other form of legal entity (i) validly organized and existing, and (ii) in good standing (to the extent such concept exists in the relevant jurisdiction) under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, as the case may be, (b) is duly qualified to do business, and is in good standing as a foreign corporation or foreign partnership (or comparable foreign qualification, if applicable, in the case of any other form of legal entity), as the case may be, in each jurisdiction where the nature of its business requires such qualification, (c) has full power and authority to (i) enter into, and perform its obligations under, this Agreement and each other Loan Document to which it is a party, and (ii) own, or hold under lease, its property, and to conduct its business substantially as currently conducted by it, and (d) holds all requisite governmental licenses, permits and other approvals to (i) enter into, and perform its obligations under, this Agreement and each other Loan Document to which it is a party, and (ii) own, or hold under lease, its property, and to conduct its business substantially as currently conducted by it, except, in the case of clauses (a)(ii), (b), (c)(ii) and (d) above only, where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.02 Due Authorization, Non-Contravention, Etc.
The execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of this Agreement and each other Loan Document to which it is a party, the borrowing of the Loans, and the use of the proceeds thereof are within the Borrowers corporate, partnership or comparable powers, as the case may be, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership or comparable and, if required, stockholder action, as the case may be, and do not:
(a) contravene the Organizational Documents of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;
(b) contravene any law, statute, rule or regulation binding on or affecting the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;
(c) violate, or result in a default or event of default or an acceleration of any rights or benefits under, any indenture, agreement or other instrument binding upon the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; or
(d) result in, or require the creation or imposition of, any Lien on any Property of the Borrower, or any of its Subsidiaries, except Liens created under the Loan Documents;
except, in the cases of clauses (a) (in the case of subsidiaries of the Borrower not party to this agreement only), (b), (c) and (d) above, as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.03 Government Approval, Regulation, Etc.
No consent, authorization, approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with any Governmental Authority or regulatory body or other Person is required for the due execution, delivery or performance by the Borrower of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, the borrowing of the Loans, and the use of the proceeds thereof, except, in each case: (i) such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect; and (ii) those, the failure of which to obtain or make, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary thereof is an investment company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
6.04 Validity, Etc.
This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Borrower, and constitutes, and each other Loan Document to which the Borrower is to be a party will, on the due execution and delivery thereof, and, assuming the due execution and delivery of this Agreement by each of the other parties hereto, constitute, the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrower enforceable in accordance with its respective terms, subject to the effect of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar Laws affecting the enforceability of creditors rights generally and to general principles of equity.
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6.05 Financial Information.
(a) (i) The Audited Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, and present fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition of the Borrower, and the results of their operations and their cash flows, as of the dates and for the period presented, and the Audited Financial Statements have been audited by independent registered public accountants of nationally recognized standing and are accompanied by an opinion of such accountants (without any Impermissible Qualification) and (ii) the Borrowers reviewed financial statements as at and for the six-month period ended December 31, 2022 have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, and present fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition of the Borrower.
(b) Except as disclosed in the financial statements referred to above or the notes thereto or otherwise disclosed to the Lender prior to the Effective Date, neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary thereof has any contingent liabilities, long-term commitments or unrealized losses that have had, or reasonably would be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
6.06 No Material Adverse Effect. Since June 30, 2022, no event or circumstance has occurred that has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.
6.07 Litigation.
There is no pending, or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened, litigation, action or proceeding against the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or which purports to affect the legality, validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.
6.08 Compliance with Laws and Agreements.
The Borrower has not violated, is not in violation of, and has not been given written notice of any violation of any Laws (other than Environmental Laws, which are the subject of Section 6.13), regulations or orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property, or any indenture, agreement or other instrument binding upon it or its property, except for any violations which would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.09 [Reserved].
6.10 Ownership of Properties.
(a) The Borrower and each Subsidiary has good and marketable title in fee simple to (or other similar title in jurisdictions outside the United States of America), or valid leasehold interests in, or easements or other limited property interests in, or otherwise has the right to use, all its properties and assets, except for defects in the foregoing that do not materially interfere with its ability to conduct its business as currently conducted, or to utilize such properties and assets for their intended purposes, and except where the failure to do so, in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
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(b) The Borrower and each Subsidiary owns, possesses, is licensed or otherwise has the right to use, or could obtain ownership, possession of, or the right to use, all patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, and copyrights necessary for the present conduct of its business, in each case, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.11 Taxes.
Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Borrower and each Subsidiary has timely filed all federal, foreign, and other Tax returns and reports required by applicable Law to have been filed by it, and has timely paid all Taxes and governmental charges due (whether or not shown on any Tax return), except any such Taxes or charges which are being diligently contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP shall have been set aside on its books.
6.12 Pension and Welfare Plans.
(a) Each Plan is in compliance, in all material respects, with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code, and other federal or state Laws. Each Pension Plan that is intended to be a qualified plan under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter or is subject to a favorable opinion letter from the IRS, to the effect that the form of such Plan is qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code and the trust related thereto has been determined by the IRS to be exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(a) of the Code, or an application for such a letter is currently being processed by the IRS. To the best knowledge of the Borrower, nothing has occurred that would prevent, or cause the loss of, such tax-qualified status.
(b) There are no pending, or, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, threatened, claims, actions or lawsuits, or action by any Governmental Authority, with respect to any Plan that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There has been no prohibited transaction or violation of the fiduciary responsibility rules with respect to any Plan that has resulted, or would reasonably be expected to result, in a Material Adverse Effect.
(c) Except as would not result, or be reasonably be expected to result, in a Material Adverse Effect, (i) no ERISA Event has occurred, and neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate is aware of any fact, event or circumstance that would reasonably be expected to constitute, or result in, an ERISA Event with respect to any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (ii) as of the most recent valuation date for any Pension Plan, the funding target attainment percentage (as defined in Section 430(d)(2) of the Code) is sixty percent (60.0%) or higher, and neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate knows of any facts or circumstances that would reasonably be expected to cause the funding target attainment percentage for any such plan to drop below sixty percent (60.0%) as of the most recent valuation date; (iii) neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred any liability to the PBGC, other than for the payment of premiums, and there are no premium payments which have become due that are unpaid; (iv) neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has engaged in a transaction that could be subject to Section 4069 or Section 4212(c) of ERISA; and (v) no Pension Plan has been terminated by the plan administrator thereof nor by the PBGC, and no event or circumstance has occurred or exists that would reasonably be expected to cause the PBGC to institute proceedings under Title IV of ERISA to terminate any Pension Plan.
(d) Neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate maintains or contributes to, or has any material unsatisfied obligation to contribute to, or material liability under, any active or terminated Pension Plan, other than Pension Plans not otherwise prohibited by this Agreement.
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(e) The Borrower represents and warrants, as of the Effective Date, that the Borrower is not and will not be using plan assets (within the meaning of Section 3(42) of ERISA or otherwise) of one (1) or more Benefit Plans with respect to the Borrowers entrance into, participation in, administration of, and performance of the Loans, the Commitments, or this Agreement.
6.13 Environmental Warranties.
The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries conduct, in the ordinary course of business, a review of the effect of existing Environmental Laws and known Environmental Liabilities on their respective businesses, operations and properties, and, as a result thereof, the Borrower has reasonably concluded that such Environmental Laws and known Environmental Liabilities would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.14 Regulations T, U and X.
The Loans and other Credit Extensions, the use of the proceeds thereof, this Agreement, and the transactions contemplated hereby will not result in a violation of Regulation T, Regulation U or Regulation X.
6.15 Disclosure and Accuracy of Information.
Neither this Agreement nor any other document, certificate or written statement (other than Projections, estimates, forecasts and information of a general economic or industry specific nature), in each case, concerning the Borrower, furnished to the Lender by, or on behalf of, the Borrower in connection herewith, contains any untrue statement of a material fact, or omits to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained herein and therein not materially misleading, in light of the circumstances under which they were made. Any document, certificate or written statement containing financial projections and other forward looking information concerning the Borrower provided to the Lender by the Borrower or any of its representatives (or on their behalf) (the Projections) have been prepared in good faith utilizing assumptions believed by the Borrower to be reasonable and due care has been taken in the preparation of such document, certificate or written statement, it being understood that forecast and projections are subject to uncertainties and contingencies and no assurance can be given that any forecast or projection will be realized.
6.16 Labor Matters.
Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect: (a) there are no strikes, lockouts or slowdowns against the Borrower pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened; (b) the hours worked by, and payments made to, employees of the Borrower have not been in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act or any other applicable federal, state, local or foreign Law dealing with such matters; and (c) all payments due from the Borrower, or for which any claim may be made against the Borrower, on account of wages and employee health and welfare insurance and other benefits, have been paid or accrued as a liability on the books of the Borrower.
6.17 Solvency.
Immediately following the making of each Loan and after giving effect to the application of the proceeds of such Loans: (a) the fair value of the Property of the Borrower and its subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, at a fair valuation, will exceed their debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise; (b) the present fair saleable value of the Property of the Borrower and its subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, will be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of their
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debts and other liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other liabilities become absolute and matured; (c) the Borrower and its subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis will be able to pay their debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured; and (d) the Borrower and its subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, will not have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the business in which they are engaged as such business is now conducted and is proposed to be conducted. For purposes of this Section 6.17, the amount of any contingent liability at any time shall be computed as the amount that would reasonably be expected to become an actual and matured liability.
6.18 Securities.
The common Equity Interests of each Subsidiary are fully paid and non-assessable, in each case, to the extent applicable. There are not, as of the Effective Date, any existing options, warrants, calls, subscriptions, convertible or exchangeable securities, rights, agreements, commitments or arrangements for any Person to acquire any common stock of any Subsidiary, or any other securities convertible into, exchangeable for, or evidencing the right to subscribe for, any such common stock, except: (i) as disclosed in the financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 7.02(a), Section 7.02(b) and Section 7.02(c); or (ii) otherwise disclosed to the Lender prior to the Effective Date.
6.19 Sanctions; Anti-Corruption Laws.
(a) Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary, nor, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any director, officer or employee thereof, is an individual or entity that is: (i) currently the subject or target of any Sanctions; (ii) included on OFACs List of Specially Designated Nationals, HMTs Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets and the Investment Ban List, or any similar list enforced by the United States federal government (including, without limitation, OFAC), the European Union or Her Majestys Treasury; or (iii) located, organized or resident in a Designated Jurisdiction.
(b) (i) Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary is in violation of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the UK Bribery Act 2010, or other similar anti-corruption legislation in other jurisdictions applicable to the Borrower or Subsidiary from time to time, the effect of which is, or would reasonably be expected to be, material to the Borrower and Subsidiaries taken as a whole; and (ii) the Borrower has instituted and maintained policies and procedures reasonably designed to promote and achieve compliance with such Laws.
ARTICLE VII
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
The Borrower hereby covenants and agrees with the Lender that, on or after the Effective Date and until the Commitments have expired or terminated and the principal of, and interest on, each Loan, and all fees and other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document, have been paid in full (other than contingent indemnification obligations that are not then due and payable):
7.01 Existence; Conduct of Business.
The Borrower shall at all times maintain, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain, its corporation, limited liability company or partnership existence, as applicable, in full force and effect.
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7.02 Financial Information.
(a) Within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, the Borrower shall furnish to the Lender, the Borrowers consolidated audited balance sheet and related audited statement of operations, stockholders equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the prior fiscal year, all audited by and accompanied by the opinion of Deloitte LLP or another independent registered public accounting firm of recognized national standing in customary form (without a going concern or like qualification) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Borrower as of the end of and for such year in accordance with GAAP.
(b) Within 60 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Borrower, the Borrower shall furnish to the Lender, the Borrowers consolidated balance sheet as of the end of such fiscal quarter, the related consolidated statement of operations for such fiscal quarter and the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year and the related statement of cash flows for the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, in each case setting forth in comparative form the figures for the corresponding period or periods of (or, in the case of the balance sheet, as of the end of) the prior fiscal year, all certified by the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or controller of the Borrower as presenting fairly, in all material respects, the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter and such portion of the fiscal year in accordance with GAAP, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of certain footnotes.
(c) Documents required to be delivered pursuant to clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 7.02 (to the extent any such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC) shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date on which such documents are filed with the SEC, and available on the EDGAR website of the SEC.
7.03 Compliance with Laws; Payment of Obligations.
The Borrower shall comply and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to comply with all laws, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority and pay all Taxes, assessments, governmental charges, claims for labor, supplies, rent and any other obligation, except to the extent the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; provided that such payment shall not be required with respect to any Tax so long as the validity and amount shall be contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and the Borrower has set aside on its books adequate reserves.
7.04 Books and Records.
The Borrower shall keep true books of records and accounts and in which full, true and correct entries, in all material respects, shall be made of all of its dealings and transactions.
7.05 Notice of Material Events.
The Borrower will furnish to the Lender, prompt written notice of any of its executive officers obtaining actual knowledge of the following (and, in any event, any such notice shall be furnished to the Lender within 20 days of its executive officers obtaining actual knowledge thereof):
(a) the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, specifying what action the Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto; and
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(b) any development or event that has resulted in, or would reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect.
7.06 [Reserved].
7.07 Use of Proceeds.
The Borrower shall use proceeds of the Loans solely (i) for funding costs associated with the financing, design, planning, construction and development of the Sphere Project and the related acquisition and development of content, productions, attractions and other matters related to the Sphere Project and (ii) in connection with the refinancing of the Indebtedness under the MSGN Credit Agreement.
7.08 ERISA Obligations.
The Borrower shall make, and to the extent reasonably practicable, shall cause each other member of its Controlled Group to make, all required contributions to each material Plan to which the Borrower or other member of its Controlled Group has or shall have an obligation to make contributions.
7.09 Maintenance of Insurance.
The Borrower shall maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance with respect to its properties and business against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against by Persons engaged in the same or similar business, of such types and in such amounts as are customarily carried under similar circumstances by such other Persons.
ARTICLE VIII
NEGATIVE COVENANTS
Until the Commitments have expired or terminated and the principal of, and interest on, each Loan, and all fees and other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document, have been paid in full (other than contingent indemnification obligations that are not then due and payable), the Borrower hereby covenants and agrees with the Lender that, from and after the Effective Date:
8.01 Restricted Payments.
The Borrower will not, directly or indirectly, make or declare any Restricted Payment at any time, except that, such restriction shall not apply to transactions permitted under clauses (a) through (e) of Section 8.03.
8.02 Business.
The Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall not directly engage in any material line of business substantially different from those lines of business conducted by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) on the Effective Date, other than any business reasonably related or incidental, complementary or ancillary thereto or a reasonable extension thereof (collectively, the Business).
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8.03 Transactions with Affiliates.
The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, effect any transaction with any of its Affiliates on a basis less favorable to the Borrower or such Subsidiary than would at the time be obtainable for a comparable transaction in arms-length dealing with an unrelated third party other than (a) employee and director compensation arrangements (including equity compensation), (b) overhead, office services and other ordinary course allocations of costs and services, in each case under this clause (b), on a reasonable basis, (c) allocations of tax liabilities and other tax-related items among the Borrower and its Affiliates based in all material respects upon the financial income, taxable income, credits and other amounts directly related to the respective parties, to the extent that the share of such liabilities and other items allocable to the Borrower shall not exceed the amount that such Persons would have been responsible for as a direct taxpayer, (d) transactions contemplated by the MSG Spin Agreements and agreements and arrangements set forth on Schedule 8.03 and amendments, renewals and extensions thereof on terms not materially less favorable in the aggregate to the interests of the Lender than those in existence as of the date of this Agreement, (e) transactions among the Borrower and its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries, and (f) transactions involving property or assets having an aggregate fair market value of no greater than $1,000,000 during the term of this Agreement.
8.04 Amendments of Certain Instruments.
The Borrower will not amend, modify or supplement any of the provisions of its constitutive documents other than amendments that would not be materially adverse to the interests of the Lender.
8.05 Fundamental Changes.
The Borrower shall not merge, dissolve, liquidate, consolidate with or into another Person, or Dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of the assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) of the Borrower, to or in favor of any Person.
8.06 Dispositions.
The Borrower shall not make any Disposition or enter into any agreement to make any Disposition except:
(a) Dispositions to Subsidiaries by the Borrower in the ordinary course of business for the purposes of maintenance, repair or replacement of operating assets;
(b) Any Disposition that results in the concurrent or substantially concurrent repayment in full and termination of this Agreement; and
(c) Dispositions that are not material to the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole);
(d) Dispositions of MSGE Equity Interests;
(e) Dispositions of Equity Interests in, or assets of, MSG TG, LLC and/or its Subsidiaries; and
(f) Other Dispositions; provided that (i) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing both immediately before and immediately after giving effect to such Disposition, (ii) such Disposition shall be for fair market value and (iii) the Borrower shall apply the Net Proceeds of such Disposition to the prepayment of Delayed Draw Term Loans, within five (5) Business Days after the actual receipt by the Borrower of such Net Proceeds, with any prepayments being applied, first, to ABR Loans, then, to RFR Loans and then, to Term Benchmark Loans; provided, that any such prepayments shall be subject to Section 3.05, but otherwise without premium or penalty, and shall be accompanied by interest on the principal amount prepaid to the date of prepayment.
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8.07 Accounting Changes.
The Borrower shall not make any change in (a) accounting policies or reporting practices, except as required or permitted by GAAP, or (b) the fiscal quarter or fiscal year, except that upon not less than 10 Business Days prior notice, the Borrower may change its fiscal year end from June 30 to December 31.
8.08 Negative Pledge; Burdensome Agreements.
The Borrower shall not enter into or suffer to exist, or permit any of the Subsidiaries to enter into or suffer to exist, any agreement or other arrangement prohibiting or conditioning the ability of any Subsidiary to pay dividends or other distributions with respect to its Equity Interests or to make or repay loans or advances to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary or to Guarantee Indebtedness of the Borrower or any other Subsidiary except (i) restrictions set forth in the Existing Credit Agreements and related documents, including any renewals, extensions, replacement or refinancing of such agreements, (ii) any agreements or other arrangements permitted under any of the Existing Credit Agreements and (iii) agreements or other arrangements imposed by law or by this Agreement.
8.09 Sanctions.
The Borrower will not request any Borrowing, and the Borrower shall not use, and shall use its reasonable best efforts to provide that its respective directors, officers, employees and agents shall not use, the proceeds of any Borrowing in any manner that would result in the violation of any Sanctions applicable to any party hereto.
ARTICLE IX
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
9.01 Events of Default.
Each of the following events or occurrences described in this Section 9.01 shall constitute an Event of Default:
(a) the Borrower shall default: (i) in the payment when due of any principal of any Loan (including, without limitation, on any scheduled principal payment date); (ii) in the payment when due of any interest on any Loan (and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of three (3) Business Days); or (iii) in the payment when due of any other previously invoiced amount required to be paid under the Loan Documents (other than an amount described in clauses (a)(i) and (a)(ii) above) payable under this Agreement or any other Loan Document (and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of five (5) Business Days); or
(b) any representation or warranty of the Borrower made, or deemed to be made, hereunder or in any other Loan Document, or in any other agreement, certificate or notice furnished by, or on behalf of, the Borrower to the Lender for the purposes of, or in connection with, this Agreement, or any such other Loan Document, is, or shall be, incorrect in any material respect (provided, that, any representation or warranty that is qualified as to materiality or Material Adverse Effect shall be true and correct in all respects) when made or deemed made; or
(c) the Borrower shall default in the due performance and observance of any of its obligations under Section 7.01 (with respect to the maintenance and preservation of the Borrowers corporate existence), Section 7.05(a), or Article VIII; or
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(d) the Borrower shall default in the due performance and observance of any agreement (other than those specified in clauses (a) through (c) above) contained herein or in any other Loan Document, and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of thirty (30) days after the earlier of: (i) the date such default became known to a Responsible Officer of the Borrower; and (ii) delivery of notice thereof to the Borrower from the Lender; or
(e) a default shall occur (i) in the payment when due, whether by acceleration or otherwise, of any Material Indebtedness, or (ii) in the performance or observance of any obligation or condition with respect to any Material Indebtedness, if the effect of such default referred to in this clause (e)(ii) is to accelerate the maturity of any such Material Indebtedness, or that enables or permits the holder or holders of any such Material Indebtedness, or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf, to cause any such Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity (in the case of both clauses (e)(i) and (e)(ii) above, subject to any applicable grace period or cure period, as well as any applicable requirement for notice of default, under the definitive documentation for such Material Indebtedness); provided, that, no Event of Default (as defined in the MSG LV Credit Agreement, Tao Credit Agreement or MSGN Credit Agreement) that has been cured or waived pursuant to the terms of the MSG LV Credit Agreement, Tao Credit Agreement or MSGN Credit Agreement, as applicable, shall constitute an Event of Default hereunder, so long as the Lender has not commenced, as of the time of such cure or waiver, the exercise of any remedies available under the Loan Documents upon the occurrence and during the continuance of such Event of Default; or
(f) any judgment or order (or combination of judgments and orders) for the payment of money equal to, or in excess of, twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) (other than amounts covered by (A) insurance for which the insurer thereof has been notified of such claim and has not challenged such coverage, or (B) valid third-party indemnifications for which the indemnifying party thereof has been notified of such claim and has not challenged such indemnification), individually or in the aggregate, shall be rendered by a court or Governmental Authority against the Borrower or Subsidiary (or any combination thereof), which judgment or order remains undischarged, un-waived, unstayed, unbonded or unsatisfied for a period of sixty (60) consecutive days; or
(g) any of the following events shall occur with respect to any Pension Plan: (i) the taking of any specific actions by the Borrower, any ERISA Affiliate, or any other Person to terminate a Pension Plan if, as a result of such termination, the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate would reasonably be expected to incur a liability or obligation to such Pension Plan which would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; or (ii) an ERISA Event, or noncompliance with respect to Foreign Plans, shall have occurred that gives rise to a Lien on the Property of the Borrower that, when taken together with all other ERISA Events and noncompliance with respect to Foreign Plans that have occurred, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(h) any Change in Control shall occur; or
(i) the Borrower shall: (i) become insolvent or generally fail to pay debts as they become due; (ii) apply for, consent to, or acquiesce in the appointment of, a trustee, receiver, sequestrator or other custodian for the Borrower, or substantially all of the Property of any thereof, or make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; (iii) in the absence of such application, consent or acquiescence, permit, or suffer to exist the appointment of a trustee, receiver, sequestrator or other custodian for the Borrower, or for a substantial part of the Property of any thereof, and such trustee, receiver, sequestrator or other custodian shall not be discharged or stayed within sixty (60) days, provided, that, the Borrower hereby expressly authorizes the Lender to appear in any court conducting any relevant proceeding during such sixty (60) day period to preserve, protect and defend its rights under the Loan Documents; (iv) permit, or suffer to exist, the commencement of any bankruptcy, reorganization, debt arrangement or other case or
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proceeding under any bankruptcy or insolvency Law, or any dissolution, winding up or liquidation proceeding, in respect of the Borrower, and, if any such case or proceeding is not commenced by the Borrower, such case or proceeding shall be consented to, or acquiesced in, the Borrower, or shall result in the entry of an order for relief, or shall remain for sixty (60) days undismissed and unstayed, provided, that, the Borrower hereby expressly authorizes the Lender to appear in any court conducting any such case or proceeding during such sixty (60) period to preserve, protect and defend its rights under the Loan Documents; or (v) take any corporate or partnership action (or comparable action, in the case of any other form of legal entity) authorizing any of the foregoing.
9.02 Action if Bankruptcy.
If any Event of Default described in Section 9.01(i) shall occur, the Commitments (if not theretofore terminated) shall automatically terminate, and the outstanding principal amount of all outstanding Loans and all other Obligations shall automatically be and become immediately due and payable, without notice or demand, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower.
9.03 Action if Other Event of Default.
If any Event of Default (other than any Event of Default described Section 9.01(i)) shall occur for any reason, whether voluntary or involuntary, and be continuing, the Lender may, by written notice to the Borrower, declare all, or any portion, of the outstanding principal amount of the Loans and other Obligations to be due and payable and/or the Commitments (if not theretofore terminated) to be terminated, whereupon the full unpaid amount of such Loans and other Obligations which shall be so declared due and payable, shall be and become immediately due and payable, without further notice, demand or presentment, and/or, as the case may be, the Commitments shall terminate.
9.04 [Reserved].
9.05 Application of Proceeds.
After the exercise of remedies provided for in this Article IX (or after the Loans have automatically become immediately due and payable as set forth in this Article IX), any amounts received on account of the Obligations shall, subject to the provisions of Section 2.13, be applied by the Lender in the following order:
(a) First, to the payment of all reasonable costs and expenses, fees, commissions and taxes of such sale, collection or other realization, including compensation to the Lender and its agents and counsel, and all expenses, liabilities and advances made or incurred by the Lender in connection therewith, and all amounts for which the Lender is entitled to indemnification pursuant to the provisions of any Loan Document, together with interest on each such amount at the highest rate then in effect under this Agreement from and after the date such amount is due, owing or unpaid until paid in full;
(b) Second, without duplication of amounts applied pursuant to clause (a) above, to the payment in full, in cash, of that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid interest on the Loans and fees, premiums and any interest accrued and due under the Loan Documents;
(c) Third, to the payment in full, in cash, of that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid principal of the Loans; and
(d) Fourth, the balance, if any, to the person lawfully entitled thereto (including the Borrower or its successors or assigns) or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct.
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ARTICLE X
[RESERVED]
ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS
11.01 Amendments, Etc.
Subject, in each case, to Section 3.03, no amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no consent to any departure by the Borrower therefrom, shall be effective, unless in writing signed by the Lender (except as provided in the last proviso to this Section 11.01) and the Borrower, and each such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given.
11.02 Notices and Other Communications; Facsimile Copies.
(a) Notices Generally. Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and except as provided in clause (b) below), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by facsimile as follows, and all notices and other communications expressly permitted hereunder to be given by telephone shall be made to the applicable telephone number, as follows:
(i) if to the Borrower or the Lender, to the address, facsimile number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified for such Person on Schedule 11.02.
Notices and other communications sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices and other communications sent by facsimile shall be deemed to have been given when sent (provided, that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient). Notices and other communications delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided in clause (b) below, shall be effective as provided in such clause (b).
(b) Change of Address, Etc. Each of the Borrower and the Lender may change its address, facsimile or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto.
(c) Reliance by the Lender. The Lender shall be entitled to rely and act upon any notices (including telephonic or electronic Loan Notices) purportedly given by, or on behalf of, the Borrower, even if: (i) such notices were not made in a manner specified herein, were incomplete or were not preceded or followed by any other form of notice specified herein; or (ii) the terms thereof, as understood by the recipient, varied from any confirmation thereof. The Borrower shall indemnify the Lender from all losses, costs, expenses and liabilities resulting from the reliance by the Lender on each notice purportedly given by, or on behalf of, the Borrower.
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11.03 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies; Enforcement.
No failure by the Lender to exercise, and no delay by the Lender in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided, and provided under each other Loan Document, are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by applicable Law.
11.04 Expenses; Indemnity; and Damage Waiver.
(a) Costs and Expenses. The Borrower shall pay: (i) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Lender and its Affiliates (limited, in the case of legal counsel, to the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees, charges and disbursements of one (1) primary counsel for all such Persons taken as a whole and, if deemed reasonably necessary by the Lender, of one (1) regulatory and/or local counsel to the Lender and its Affiliates in each applicable jurisdiction retained by the Lender), in connection with the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated); and (ii) all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Lender (limited, in the case of legal counsel, to the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees, charges and disbursements of one (1) primary counsel for the Lender and, if deemed reasonably necessary by the Lender, of one (1) regulatory and/or local counsel to the Lender in each applicable jurisdiction) in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights (A) in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section 11.04, or (B) in connection with the Loans made hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans.
(b) Indemnification by the Borrower. The Borrower shall indemnify the Lender against, and hold the Lender harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses (limited, in the case of legal counsel, to the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees, charges and disbursements of one (1) primary counsel for the Lender and, if deemed reasonably necessary by the Lender, of one (1) regulatory and/or local counsel to the Lender in each applicable jurisdiction), incurred by the Lender or asserted against the Lender by any Person (including the Borrower), arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, (ii) any Loan or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom, (iii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any Property owned or operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability related to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third-party or by the Borrower, and regardless of whether the Lender is a party thereto, in all cases, whether or not caused by or arising, in whole or in part, out of the comparative, contributory or sole negligence of the Lender; provided, that, such indemnity shall not, as to the Lender, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses (A) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final, non-appealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of the Lender, or (B) results from a claim brought by the Borrower against the Lender for a material breach of the Lenders obligations hereunder or under any of Loan Document, if the Borrower has obtained a final, non-appealable judgment in its favor on such claim as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction. Without limiting the provisions of Section 3.01(c), this clause (b) shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses, claims, damages, etc. arising from any non-Tax claim.
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(c) Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, the Borrower shall not assert, and the Borrower hereby waives any claim against the Lender, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or the use of the proceeds thereof. The Lender shall not be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed by it through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby other than for direct or actual damages resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Lender as determined by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.
(d) Payments. All amounts due under this Section 11.04 shall be payable not later than ten (10) Business Days after demand therefor.
(e) Survival. The agreements in this Section 11.04 and the indemnity provisions of Section 11.02(a) shall survive the replacement of the Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all the other Obligations.
11.05 Payments Set Aside.
To the extent that any payment by, or on behalf of, the Borrower is made to the Lender, or the Lender exercises its right of setoff, and such payment or the proceeds of such setoff or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Lender in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or otherwise, then to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such setoff had not occurred.
11.06 Successors and Assigns.
(a) Successors and Assigns Generally. The provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and thereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, provided, that, neither the Borrower nor the Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder or thereunder without the prior written consent of the other party. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of the Lender) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
(b) Certain Pledges. Any Lender may, at any time, pledge or assign a security interest in all, or any portion, of its rights under this Agreement (including under its Note, if any) to secure obligations of the Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank or any other central bank; provided, that, no such pledge or assignment shall release the Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for the Lender as a party hereto.
11.07 Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality.
The Lender agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), provided, that, Information may be disclosed: (a) to its Affiliates and to its Related Parties (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential); (b) to the extent required or requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over the Lender or its Related Parties; (c) to the extent required by applicable Laws or by any subpoena or similar legal process, provided, that, other than
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disclosure to any Governmental Authority with regulatory authority over the Lender, unless specifically prohibited by applicable Laws or court order from so doing, the Lender shall make reasonable efforts to notify the Borrower of any such disclosure; (d) to any other party hereto; (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder; (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section 11.07, to (i) any assignee of any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement, or (ii) any actual or prospective party (or its Related Parties, including any risk protection provider) to any swap, derivative or other transaction under which payments are to be made by reference to the Borrower and its obligations, this Agreement or payments hereunder; (g) with the consent of the Borrower; or (h) to the extent such Information (i) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section 11.07, or (ii) becomes available to the Lender or any of their respective Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower.
For purposes of this Section 11.07, Information means all information received from the Borrower or any Subsidiary relating to the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any of their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by the Borrower or any Subsidiary. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section 11.07 shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.
The Lender acknowledges that: (a) the Information may include material non-public information concerning the Borrower or a Subsidiary, as the case may be; (b) it has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of material non-public information; and (c) it will handle such material non-public information in accordance with applicable Law, including United States Federal and state securities Laws.
11.08 Set-off.
If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Lender is hereby authorized, at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held, and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing, by the Lender to, or for the credit or the account of, the Borrower against any and all of the obligations of the Borrower now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, to the Lender, irrespective of whether or not the Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and although such obligations of the Borrower may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch office or Affiliate of the Lender different from the branch office or Affiliate holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness. The Lender agrees to notify the Borrower promptly after any such setoff and application; provided, that, the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.
11.09 Interest Rate Limitation.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Loan Document, the interest paid or agreed to be paid under the Loan Documents shall not exceed the maximum rate of non-usurious interest permitted by applicable Law (the Maximum Rate). If the Lender shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum Rate, the excess interest shall be applied to the principal of the Loans or, if it exceeds such unpaid principal, refunded to the Borrower. In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged, or received by the Lender exceeds the Maximum Rate, the Lender may, to the extent permitted by applicable Law: (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee, or premium rather than interest; (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof; and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations hereunder.
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11.10 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness.
This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as provided in Section 5.01, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Lender and when the Lender shall have received counterparts hereof that, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic imaging means (e.g., .pdf or .tif) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.
11.11 Survival of Representations and Warranties.
All representations and warranties made hereunder and in any other Loan Document or other document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and thereof. Such representations and warranties have been or will be relied upon by the Lender, regardless of any investigation made by the Lender, or on their behalf, and notwithstanding that the Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default at the time of any Credit Extension, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as any Loan or any other Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied.
11.12 Severability.
If any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable: (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall not be affected or impaired thereby; and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions. The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
11.13 [Reserved].
11.14 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.
(a) GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents and any claims, controversy, dispute or cause of action (whether in contract or tort or otherwise) based upon, arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document (except, as to any other Loan Document, as expressly set forth therein) and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the Law of the State of New York.
(b) SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION. THE BORROWER IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT COMMENCE ANY ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING OF ANY KIND OR DESCRIPTION, WHETHER IN LAW OR EQUITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR IN TORT OR OTHERWISE, AGAINST THE LENDER OR ANY RELATED PARTY OF THE FOREGOING IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER
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LOAN DOCUMENT, OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATING HERETO OR THERETO, IN ANY OTHER FORUM OTHER THAN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS AND AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY APPLICABLE LAW. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT OR IN ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT THE LENDER MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST THE BORROWER OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.
(c) WAIVER OF VENUE. THE BORROWER IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN CLAUSE (B) ABOVE. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.
(d) SERVICE OF PROCESS. EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 11.02. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.
11.15 Waiver of Right to Trial by Jury.
EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO: (a) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER; AND (b) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 11.15.
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11.16 Electronic Execution.
The words delivery, execute, execution, signed, signature, and words of like import in any Loan Document or any other document executed in connection herewith shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, the electronic matching of assignment terms and contract formations on electronic platforms approved by the Lender, or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable Law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act; provided, that, (i) notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary the Lender is under no obligation to agree to accept electronic signatures in any form or in any format unless expressly agreed to by the Lender pursuant to procedures approved by it, and (ii) without limiting the foregoing, upon the request of the Lender, any electronic signature shall be promptly followed by such manually executed counterpart.
[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]
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LENDER: | MSG ENTERTAINMENT HOLDINGS, LLC, | |||||
as the Lender | ||||||
By: |
| |||||
Name: | ||||||
Title: |
Signature Page to Delayed Draw Term Loan Credit Agreement
Exhibit 99.1
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
TWO PENNSYLVANIA PLAZA
NEW YORK, NY 10121
[●], 2023
Dear Stockholder:
I am pleased to report that the previously announced spin-off by Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp., which we refer to as MSG Entertainment, of approximately 67% of the common stock of its MSGE Spinco, Inc. subsidiary is expected to become effective on [●], 2023. MSGE Spinco, Inc., a Delaware corporation, which we refer to as Spinco, will become a public company on that date and will own the Entertainment business segment, excluding MSG Sphere, currently owned and operated by MSG Entertainment, as described in this information statement. We expect that on or prior to the Distribution, Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. will change its name to MSG Sphere Corp. and Spinco will change its name to Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. Spincos Class A Common Stock will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange, which we refer to as NYSE, under the symbol MSGE and we expect that Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (renamed MSG Sphere Corp.) will change its symbol on the NYSE to SPHR in connection with the spin-off.
Holders of record of MSG Entertainments Class A Common Stock as of the close of business, New York City time, on [●], 2023, which will be the record date, will receive one share of Spinco Class A Common Stock for every one share of MSG Entertainments Class A Common Stock held. Holders of record of MSG Entertainments Class B Common Stock as of the close of business on the record date will receive one share of Spinco Class B Common Stock for every one share of MSG Entertainment Class B Common Stock held. No action is required on your part to receive your Spinco shares. You will not be required either to pay anything for the new shares or to surrender any shares of MSG Entertainment stock.
Immediately following such distribution, MSG Entertainment will retain approximately 33% of the outstanding shares of Spinco common stock in the form of Class A Common Stock. MSG Entertainment will not own any of our Class B Common Stock following the Distribution.
No fractional shares of Spinco stock will be issued. If you otherwise would be entitled to a fractional share, you will receive a check for the cash value thereof, which generally will be taxable to you. In due course you will be provided with information to enable you to compute your tax bases in both MSG Entertainment and Spinco stock. MSG Entertainment expects to obtain an opinion from Sullivan & Cromwell LLP substantially to the effect that, among other things, the distribution by MSG Entertainment of our Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock to the holders of MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock and MSG Entertainment Class B Common Stock, respectively (i.e., the distribution), should qualify as a tax-free distribution for U.S. federal income tax purposes. MSG Entertainment will be required by applicable tax rules to dispose of the retained shares within a fixed period of time, which may occur through a series of steps including sales, exchange offers or pro rata distributions.
The enclosed information statement describes the distribution of shares of Spinco stock and contains important information about Spinco, including financial statements. I suggest that you read it carefully. If you have any questions regarding the Distribution, please contact MSG Entertainments transfer and distribution agent, EQ Shareowner Services, at 1-800-468-9716 (U.S. toll free) or 651-450-4064 (International).
Sincerely,
James L. Dolan
Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A Registration Statement on Form 10 relating to these securities has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
PRELIMINARY INFORMATION STATEMENT
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MARCH 10, 2023
INFORMATION STATEMENT
MSGE Spinco, Inc.
Distribution of
Class A Common Stock
Par Value, $0.01 Per Share
Class B Common Stock
Par Value, $0.01 Per Share
This information statement is being furnished in connection with the distribution by Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (MSG Entertainment) to holders of its common stock of approximately 67% of the outstanding shares of MSGE Spinco, Inc. (collectively, we, us, our, Spinco, or the Company) common stock. Immediately following such distribution, MSG Entertainment will retain approximately 33% of the outstanding shares of Spinco common stock in the form of Class A Common Stock. MSG Entertainment will not own any of our Class B Common Stock following the Distribution. Prior to such distribution, we will enter into a series of transactions with MSG Entertainment pursuant to which we will own the Entertainment business segment, excluding MSG Sphere, that was owned and operated by MSG Entertainment, as described in this information statement.
Shares of our Class A Common Stock will be distributed to holders of MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock of record as of the close of business, New York City time, on [●], 2023, which will be the record date. Each such holder will receive one share of our Class A Common Stock for every one share of MSG Entertainments Class A Common Stock held on the record date. Shares of our Class B Common Stock will be distributed to holders of MSG Entertainments Class B Common Stock as of the close of business on the record date. Each holder of MSG Entertainments Class B Common Stock will receive one share of our Class B Common Stock for every one share of MSG Entertainments Class B Common Stock held on the record date. We refer to this distribution of securities as the Distribution. The Distribution will be effective at 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on [●], 2023 (the Distribution Date). For MSG Entertainment stockholders who own common stock in registered form, in most cases the transfer and distribution agent will credit their shares of Spinco common stock to book entry accounts established to hold their MSG Entertainment common stock. Our transfer and distribution agent will send these stockholders a statement reflecting their Spinco common stock ownership shortly after [●], 2023. For stockholders who own MSG Entertainment common stock through a broker or other nominee, their shares of Spinco common stock will be credited to their accounts by the broker or other nominee. Stockholders will receive a cash payment in lieu of fractional shares, which generally will be taxable. See The Distribution Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Distribution.
The Company will have two classes of common stock. Our Class A Common Stock will be entitled to one vote per share and to collectively elect 25% of our Board of Directors, and our Class B Common Stock will be entitled to ten votes per share and to collectively elect the remaining 75% of our Board of Directors. See Description of Capital Stock for more information. As of the Distribution Date, the Dolan family, including trusts for the benefit of members of the Dolan family (the Dolan Family Group), will collectively own all of our Class B Common Stock, approximately [●]% of our outstanding Class A Common Stock and approximately [●]% of the total voting power of all our outstanding common stock. As a result, the Company will be a controlled company within the meaning of the corporate governance standards of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Dolan Family Group will have the ability to determine all matters requiring approval by stockholders (other than the election of the Class A Directors and any matters requiring a separate vote by the holders of the Class A common stock).
No stockholder approval of the Distribution is required or sought. We are not asking you for a proxy and you are requested not to send us a proxy. MSG Entertainment stockholders will not be required to pay for the shares of our common stock to be received by them in the Distribution, or to surrender or to exchange shares of MSG Entertainment common stock in order to receive our common stock, or to take any other action in connection with the Distribution. There is currently no trading market for our common stock.
We expect that on or prior to the Distribution, Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. will change its name to MSG Sphere Corp. and MSGE Spinco, Inc. will change its name to Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. We will apply to list our Class A Common Stock on the NYSE. Our Class A Common Stock will trade under the symbol MSGE and we expect that Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (renamed MSG Sphere Corp.) will change its symbol on the NYSE to SPHR in connection with the Distribution. We will not list our Class B Common Stock on any securities exchange.
IN REVIEWING THIS INFORMATION STATEMENT, YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE MATTERS DESCRIBED UNDER THE CAPTION RISK FACTORS BEGINNING ON PAGE 26.
WE ARE AN EMERGING GROWTH COMPANY AS DEFINED IN THE JUMPSTART OUR BUSINESS STARTUPS ACT OF 2012. REFER TO RISK FACTORS RISKS RELATED TO THE SPIN-OFF TRANSACTION THE REDUCED DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO US AS AN EMERGING GROWTH COMPANY MAY MAKE OUR CLASS A COMMON STOCK LESS ATTRACTIVE TO INVESTORS AND BUSINESS EMERGING GROWTH COMPANY STATUS.
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS INFORMATION STATEMENT IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
THIS INFORMATION STATEMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES.
Stockholders of MSG Entertainment with inquiries related to the Distribution should contact MSG Entertainments transfer and distribution agent, EQ Shareowner Services, at 1-800-468-9716 (U.S. toll free) or 651-450-4064 (International).
The date of this information statement is [●], 2023.
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The following is a summary of certain of the information contained in this information statement. This summary is included for convenience only and should not be considered complete. This summary is qualified in its entirety by more detailed information contained elsewhere in this information statement, which should be read in its entirety.
Unless the context otherwise requires, all references to we, us, our, Spinco or the Company refer to MSGE Spinco, Inc., together with its direct and indirect subsidiaries. Where we describe in this information statement our business activities, we do so as if the transfer of the Entertainment business segment, excluding MSG Sphere, owned and operated by MSG Entertainment, to Spinco has already occurred.
On or prior to the Distribution, Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. will change its name to MSG Sphere Corp. and MSGE Spinco, Inc. will change its name to Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.
The Company reports on a fiscal year basis ending on June 30. The fiscal years ended June 30, 2022, 2021 and 2020 are referred to as Fiscal Year 2022, Fiscal Year 2021, and Fiscal Year 2020, respectively, and the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023 is referred to as Fiscal Year 2023.
Our Company
We are a leader in live entertainment experiences, comprised of iconic venues and marquee entertainment content. Utilizing our powerful brands and live entertainment expertise, the Company delivers unique experiences that set the standard for excellence and innovation while forging deep connections with diverse and passionate audiences.
Our company includes (i) our portfolio of venues: Madison Square Garden (The Garden), The Theater at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the Beacon Theatre, and The Chicago Theatre, (ii) the original production, the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes (Christmas Spectacular), and (iii) our entertainment and sports bookings business, which showcases a broad array of compelling concerts, family shows and special events, as well as a diverse mix of sporting events, for millions of guests annually.
We manage our business through a single reportable segment.
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Our Business
The Companys operations and operating results were materially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic (including COVID-19 variants) and actions taken in response by governmental authorities and certain professional sports leagues during Fiscal Years 2020, 2021 and 2022. For the majority of Fiscal Year 2021, substantially all of our business operations were suspended. Fiscal Year 2022 was also impacted by the pandemic, with fewer ticketed events at our venues in the first half of the fiscal year as compared with Fiscal Year 2019 (the last full fiscal year not impacted by COVID-19) due to the lead-time required to book touring acts and artists, and an increase in COVID-19 cases due to a new variant, which resulted in a number of events at our venues being cancelled or postponed in the fiscal second and third quarters.
As a result of government-mandated assembly limitations and closures, all of our venues were closed beginning in March 2020. Use of The Garden resumed for home games of the New York Knicks (the Knicks) and the New York Rangers (the Rangers) without fans in December 2020 and January 2021, respectively, and was available at 10% seating capacity from February through May 2021 subject to certain safety protocols and social distancing. Beginning in May 2021, all of our New York venues were permitted to host guests at full capacity, subject to certain restrictions, and effective June 2021, The Chicago Theatre was permitted to host events without restrictions. Guests of our Chicago and New York venues were also subject to certain vaccination
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requirements until February and March 2022, respectively. Our venues no longer require guests to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination before entering (although specific performers may require enhanced protocols).
For Fiscal Year 2021, the majority of ticketed events at our venues were postponed or cancelled. For Fiscal Year 2022 and as of the date of this filing, live events have been permitted to be held at all of our venues and we are continuing to host and book new events. As a result of an increase in cases of a COVID-19 variant, select bookings were postponed or cancelled at our venues in the second and third quarters of Fiscal Year 2022. Variants of COVID-19 that arise in the future may result in additional postponements or cancellations of bookings at our venues.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operations also included the partial cancellation of the 2021 production of the Christmas Spectacular and the cancellation of the 2020 production of the Christmas Spectacular.
The Company has long-term arena license agreements (the Arena License Agreements) with Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. (MSG Sports), formerly known as The Madison Square Garden Company, that require the Knicks and Rangers to play their home games at The Garden. As discussed above, capacity restrictions, use limitations and social distancing requirements were in place for the entirety of the Knicks and Rangers 2020-21 regular seasons, which materially impacted the payments we received under the Arena License Agreements for Fiscal Year 2021. On July 1, 2021, the Knicks and Rangers began paying the full amounts provided for under their respective Arena License Agreements. The Knicks and the Rangers each completed their 2021-2022 82-game regular seasons, with the Rangers advancing to the playoffs.
It is unclear to what extent COVID-19 concerns, including with respect to new variants, could result in new government- or league-mandated capacity restrictions or vaccination/mask requirements or impact the use of and/or demand for our venues, demand for our sponsorship and signage assets, deter our employees and vendors from working at our venues (which may lead to difficulties in staffing) or otherwise materially impact our operations.
Our Strengths
| Strong position in live entertainment through: |
| A portfolio of world-renowned venues; and |
| Marquee live entertainment brands and content; |
| Significant presence in the New York market the nations number one Designated Market Area (DMA); |
| Deep industry relationships that drive top-tier performers and a wide variety of events to the Companys venues; |
| Proven track record of delivering significant value for partners through innovative sponsorships and premium hospitality; |
| Reputation for world-class customer experience driven by decades of expertise in sales and marketing, and venue operations; |
| Expertise in utilizing data to drive decisions to maximize revenue and the experience of our guests; |
| Long-term agreements to host home games at The Garden for two of the most recognized franchises in professional sports the Knicks and the Rangers; and a |
| Strong and seasoned management team. |
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Our Strategy
Our strategy is to create world-class live experiences for our guests and partners by leveraging (i) our Companys unique portfolio of live entertainment assets and brands; (ii) our expertise in venue management, bookings and productions, sponsorship, ticketing, marketing and premium hospitality, and content development; (iii) our deep relationships across the entertainment and sports industries; and (iv) our strong connection with diverse and passionate audiences. We believe this strategy will enable us to generate long-term value creation for our shareholders.
Key components of our strategy include:
| Maximizing the live entertainment experience for our customers. We use the strength of our venues, expertise and relationships to attract top talent and deliver unforgettable experiences for our guests. We have a track record of designing world-class facilities with top-quality amenities, including our renovations of The Garden, Radio City Music Hall, and the Beacon Theatre. We also continue to explore new ways to use technology to improve the guest experience. From the way our customers buy food, beverage and merchandise, to how we market and process their tickets, to utilizing next-generation audio technology in our venues, we strive to give our customers the best experience in the industry. We believe this approach will enable us to drive improvements in per-event revenue and profitability at our venues and help create a seamless and memorable guest experience that will help drive repeat visitation to our venues. |
| Increasing the utilization of our venues. Part of what drives our success is our artist first approach. Through dedicated artist areas and top-tier service, our talent-friendly environment not only attracts artists to our venues, but also brings them back for repeat performances. Another part of this approach is how we use our diverse collection of venues. With seating capacities and configurations that range from 2,800 to 21,000, our venue portfolio enables us to shepherd artists through the growth in their careers, helping us develop deeper industry relationships. We will continue to use this artist first approach to attract the industrys top talent with the goal of increasing utilization across all our venues through more multi-night concerts, as well as more marquee special events. We also plan to continue exploring opportunities for new events that would be unique to our venues, including high-profile residencies that would help build our base of events. |
| Delivering unrivaled marketing exposure for our partners. Our assets are highly sought after by companies that value the popularity of our venues and entertainment brands. Our value proposition is further strengthened by our sponsorship sales representation agreement with MSG Sports which enables us to deliver broad-based marketing platforms that combine our assets with MSG Sports professional sports brands. We plan to continue utilizing this integrated approach to both renew and extend our relationships with existing partners, as well as to form partnerships with leading companies in emerging industries and in industry verticals where we are currently underpenetrated. We also offer our partners expanded reach through outdoor signage around the Madison Square Garden Complex and Pennsylvania Station (Penn Station), a major commuter hub in Manhattan. We plan to selectively explore additional opportunities to grow our external signage portfolio, which could increase our existing marketing partnerships packages as well as attract new partners. |
| Offering best-in-class premium hospitality products. The Company offers a wide array of premium corporate hospitality offerings that cater to a variety of audiences. For example, The Garden has a range of suite and club products, including 21 Event Level suites, 58 Lexus Level suites, 18 Infosys Level suites, the Caesars Sportsbook Lounge, Suite Sixteen and the HUB Loft. These suites and clubs which provide exclusive private spaces, first-class amenities and some of the best seats in The Garden are primarily licensed to corporate customers with the majority being multi-year agreements with annual escalators. Through our Arena License Agreements with the Knicks and Rangers, we also offer suite holders access to MSG Sports premium live sporting events. We believe the strength of our product and content offerings, along with the continued importance of corporate hospitality to our partners, position us well with regard to |
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ongoing renewal and new sales activity. We also plan to explore enhancing and expanding our premium hospitality offerings, which would create new monetization opportunities for the Company. |
| Understanding our customers. We continue to forge direct relationships with customers and fans, with a focus on understanding how consumers interact with every aspect of the Company. A key component of this strategy is our large and growing proprietary database of millions of customers. The data we collect from our venues and digital products provides the Company with significant insights into our customers, including who is utilizing our digital assets and attending events at our venues. In addition to providing value for our marketing partners, these insights are leveraged to help drive revenue and engagement across our assets, providing us with an opportunity to tailor offerings and cross-promote our products and services, introducing customers to our wide range of assets and brands. We also plan to increasingly use data to proactively identify potential bookings for our venues. |
| Exploring opportunities to expand proprietary entertainment content. We plan to selectively explore opportunities to create new live entertainment content, including by leveraging owned intellectual property like the Radio City Rockettes (the Rockettes). This would enable us to benefit from the economics of being both content owner and venue operator. Additional owned content would also make us less reliant on third-party events to drive utilization of our venues. |
Key Challenges
Following the Distribution, we may face a number of challenges, both pre-existing and as a result of the Distribution, including:
| Intense competition in the market and industry in which we operate, including with other leisure-time activities such as television, motion pictures and sporting events and other live performances, and concert venues; |
| Dependence upon the continued popularity of the entertainment and sporting events presented in our venues and our existing brands (including the Christmas Spectacular and the National Basketball Associations (NBA) New York Knicks and the National Hockey Leagues (NHL) New York Rangers), which are sensitive to customer tastes, and our ability to attract popular artists, groups and events to our venues; |
| Effectively managing any impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic (including COVID-19 variants) as well as renewed actions taken in response by governmental authorities or certain professional sports leagues, including ensuring compliance with rules and regulations imposed upon our venues, to the extent applicable; |
| Significantly levered balance sheet and liquidity restraints imposed by interest and principal payments as well as a high cost of capital; |
| Lack of an operating history as a stand-alone public company; |
| Strength or weakness of, as well as volatility and less predictability in, our operating results and cash flow because the Companys results will no longer include cash flows from MSG Networks Inc. (MSG Networks) and Tao Group Hospitality; and |
| Volatility in the market price and trading volume of our common stock. The market price for our common stock could fluctuate significantly for many reasons following the Distribution, including the lack of an existing public market for our stock, the information set forth under Risk Factors and other reasons unrelated to our performance. |
See the section entitled Risk Factors for more information on each of these key challenges.
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Organizational Structure
The following charts depict a simplified graphical representation of the Companys corporate structure before and after the Distribution. The shares issued in the Distribution will represent approximately 67% of our common stock and MSG Entertainment (to be renamed MSG Sphere Corp.) will retain approximately 33% of our common stock immediately following the Distribution in the form of Class A Common Stock. MSG Entertainment will not own any of our Class B Common Stock following the Distribution. The shares issued in the Distribution will include approximately 62% of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock (the holders of which will have the right to collectively elect 25% of our Board of Directors, rounded up to the nearest whole number of directors) and 100% of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock (the holders of which will have the right to collectively elect the remaining 75% of our Board of Directors). As a result, the shares issued in the Distribution will represent at least 90% of the combined voting power of the outstanding common stock with respect to the election of directors. The Dolan family, including trusts for the benefit of members of the Dolan family (collectively, the Dolan Family Group) will collectively own all of our Class B Common Stock, approximately [●]% of our outstanding Class A Common Stock and approximately [●]% of the total voting power of all our outstanding common stock.
Before the Distribution:
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After the Distribution:
Company Information
We are a Delaware corporation with our principal executive offices at Two Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, NY 10121. Our telephone number is +1 (212) 465-6000, our website is www.msgentertainment.com. Spinco is a holding company and conducts substantially all of its operations through its subsidiaries.
Spinco was incorporated on September 15, 2022 and is a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of MSG Entertainment. MSG Entertainments board of directors approved the Distribution on [●], 2023. Prior to the Distribution, the Company will acquire the subsidiary of MSG Entertainment that owns, directly and indirectly, the subsidiaries, businesses and other assets described in this information statement. Where we describe in this information statement our business activities, we do so as if these transfers have already occurred.
We expect that on or prior to the Distribution, Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. will change its name to MSG Sphere Corp. and MSGE Spinco, Inc. will change its name to Madison Square Garden
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Entertainment Corp. We will apply for our Class A Common Stock to be listed on the NYSE under the symbol MSGE and we expect that Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (renamed MSG Sphere Corp.) will change its symbol on the NYSE to SPHR in connection with the Distribution. We will not list our Class B Common Stock on any securities exchange.
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SUMMARY OF RISK FACTORS
Ownership of our common stock is subject to numerous risks, including the Distribution, that could adversely affect our business, operations and financial results. The following list of risk factors is not exhaustive. Please read the information in the section entitled Risk Factors for a more thorough description of these and other risks.
Risks Related to Our Business
| Our business faces intense and wide-ranging competition that may have a material negative effect on our business and results of operations. |
| The success of our business depends on the continued popularity of the Christmas Spectacular production, and the entertainment and sporting events we host at our venues. |
| Our operations and operating results were, and may in the future be, materially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and actions taken in response by governmental authorities and certain professional sports leagues. |
| We depend on licenses from third parties for the performance of musical works at our venues. |
| Our properties are subject to, and benefit from, certain easements, the availability of which may not continue on terms favorable to us or at all. |
| A change to or withdrawal of a New York City real estate tax exemption for the Madison Square Garden Complex may have a material negative effect on our business and results of operations. |
| We have extended credit to MSG Entertainment, which is a highly leveraged business, on an unsecured basis, and a default on the loan could impact our results of operations and cash flows. |
Economic and Operational Risks
| Our business has been adversely impacted and may, in the future, be materially adversely impacted by an economic downturn, recession, financial instability, inflation or changes in consumer tastes and preferences. |
| We do not own all of our venues and our failure to renew our leases on economically attractive terms may have a material negative effect on our business and results of operations. |
| The geographic concentration of our business could subject us to greater risk than our competitors and have a material negative effect on our business and results of operations. |
| Our business could be adversely affected by terrorist activity or the threat of terrorist activity, weather and other conditions that discourage congregation at prominent places of public assembly. |
| We are subject to extensive governmental regulation and our failure to comply with these regulations may have a material negative effect on our business and results of operations. |
| Labor matters may have a material negative effect on our business and results of operations. |
Risks Related to Indebtedness; Financial Condition; Internal Control; Cybersecurity and Intellectual Property
| We have substantial indebtedness and are highly leveraged, which could adversely affect our business. |
| We have and could in the future incur substantial operating losses, adjusted operating losses and negative cash flow. |
| We face continually evolving cybersecurity and similar risk, which could result in loss, disclosure, theft, destruction or misappropriation of, or access to, our confidential information and cause disruption of our business, damage to our brands and reputation, legal exposure and financial losses. |
| Theft of our intellectual property may have a material negative effect on our business and results of operations. |
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Risks Related to the Spin-off Transaction
| Because there has not been any public market for our common stock, the market price and trading volume of our common stock may be volatile and you may not be able to resell your shares at or above the initial market price of our stock following the distribution. In addition, future stock sales, including as a result of the exercise of registration rights by certain of our stockholders, could adversely affect the trading price of our Class A Common Stock. |
| The combined post-distribution value of MSG Entertainment and Spinco shares may not equal or exceed the pre-distribution value of MSG Entertainment shares, and we may incur material costs and expenses as a result of our separation from MSG Entertainment. |
| The distribution could result in significant tax liability, and we may have a significant indemnity obligation to MSG Entertainment if the distribution is treated as a taxable transaction. |
| The tax rules applicable to the distribution may restrict us from engaging in certain corporate transactions or from raising equity capital beyond certain thresholds for a period of time after the distribution. |
| Certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences might apply to non-U.S. holders that hold our Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock after the distribution if we are treated as a United States real property holding corporation (USRPHC). |
| We do not have an operating history as a stand-alone public company and our historical financial results and our unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements may not be representative of our results as a separate, stand-alone company. |
| If applicable, following the Distribution, if we are unable to satisfy the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended (the Sarbanes-Oxley Act), or our internal control over financial reporting is not effective, the reliability of our financial statements may be questioned and our stock price may suffer. |
| We will share certain key directors and officers with MSG Entertainment, MSG Sports and/or AMC Networks, which means those officers will not devote their full time and attention to our affairs and the overlap may give rise to conflicts. These overlaps may result in the diversion of corporate opportunities and other conflicts, and provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation may provide us no remedy in that circumstance. |
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Please see The Distribution for a more detailed description of the matters described below.
Distributing Company |
MSG Entertainment, a live entertainment and media company, which is comprised of iconic venues, marquee entertainment content, award-winning regional sports and entertainment networks. In addition to the Entertainment business that is being transferred to Spinco, MSG Entertainment also owns and operates the MSG Sphere business under its Entertainment business segment, the MSG Networks business segment and the Tao Group Hospitality business segment. |
Distributed Company |
Spinco, a wholly-owned subsidiary of MSG Entertainment, which will own and operate the Entertainment business segment, excluding MSG Sphere, currently owned and operated by MSG Entertainment, as described in this information statement. Please see Business and Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for information concerning this business. |
Distribution Ratio |
Each holder of MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock will receive a distribution of one share of our Class A Common Stock for every one share of MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock held on the record date and each holder of MSG Entertainment Class B Common Stock will receive a distribution of one share of our Class B Common Stock for every one share of MSG Entertainment Class B Common Stock held on the record date. |
Securities to be Distributed |
Based on [●] shares of MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock and [●] shares of MSG Entertainment Class B Common Stock outstanding on [●], 2023, approximately [●] shares of our Class A Common Stock and [●] shares of our Class B Common Stock will be distributed. The shares issued in the Distribution will represent approximately 67% of our common stock and MSG Entertainment will retain approximately 33% of our common stock immediately following the Distribution in the form of Class A Common Stock. MSG Entertainment will not own any of our Class B Common Stock following the Distribution. The shares issued in the Distribution will include approximately 62% of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock (the holders of which will have the right to collectively elect 25% of our Board of Directors, rounded up to the nearest whole number of directors) and 100% of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock (the holders of which will have the right to collectively elect the remaining 75% of our Board of Directors). As a result, the shares issued in the Distribution will represent at least 90% of the combined voting power of the outstanding common stock with respect to the election of directors. MSG Entertainment stockholders will not be required to pay for the shares of our common stock to be received by them in the Distribution, or to surrender or exchange shares of MSG Entertainment common stock in order to receive our common stock, or to take any other action in connection with the Distribution. |
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Fractional Shares |
Fractional shares of our common stock will not be distributed. Fractional shares of our Class A Common Stock will be aggregated and sold in the public market by the transfer and distribution agent and stockholders will receive a cash payment in lieu of a fractional share. Similarly, fractional shares of our Class B Common Stock will be aggregated, converted to Class A Common Stock, and sold in the public market by the transfer and distribution agent. The aggregate net cash proceeds of these sales will be distributed ratably to the stockholders who would otherwise have received fractional interests. These proceeds generally will be taxable to those stockholders. |
Distribution Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar for the Shares |
EQ Shareowner Services will be the distribution agent, transfer agent and registrar for the shares of our common stock. |
Record Date |
The record date is the close of business, New York City time, on [●], 2023. |
Distribution Date |
11:59 p.m., New York City time, on [●], 2023. |
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Distribution |
MSG Entertainment expects to obtain an opinion from Sullivan & Cromwell LLP substantially to the effect that, among other things, the distribution by MSG Entertainment of our Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock to the holders of MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock and MSG Entertainment Class B Common Stock, respectively (i.e., the Distribution), should qualify as a tax-free distribution under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Distribution is not expected to result in the recognition of gain to MSG Entertainment with respect to the distribution of our Class A Common Stock or our Class B Common Stock to the MSG Entertainment stockholders and, except to the extent a stockholder receives cash in lieu of fractional shares of our common stock, no income, gain or loss should be recognized by, and no amount should be included in the income of, such holder upon the receipt of shares of our common stock pursuant to the Distribution. The opinion will not be binding on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or the courts. See The Distribution Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Distribution below. Certain transactions related to the Distribution that are not addressed (or expected to be addressed) by the opinion could result in the recognition of income or gain by MSG Entertainment. The opinion will rely on factual representations and reasonable assumptions, which, if incorrect or inaccurate, may jeopardize the ability to rely on such opinion. MSG Entertainment will be required by applicable tax rules to dispose of the retained shares within a fixed period of time, which may occur through a series of steps including sales, exchange offers or pro rata distributions. |
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Stock Exchange Listing |
There is not currently a public market for our common stock. We will apply for our Class A Common Stock to be listed on the NYSE under the symbol MSGE and we expect that Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (renamed MSG Sphere Corp.) will change its symbol on the NYSE to SPHR in connection with the Distribution. It is anticipated that trading will commence on a when-issued basis prior to the Distribution. On the first trading day following the date of the Distribution, when-issued trading in respect of our Class A Common Stock will end and regular way trading will begin. Our Class B Common Stock will not be listed on any securities exchange. |
Relationship Between MSG Entertainment and Us After the Distribution |
Following the Distribution, we will be a separate public company. MSG Entertainment will initially own approximately 38% of the outstanding Class A Common Stock, representing an approximately 33% economic interest in us. MSG Entertainment will not own any of our Class B Common Stock following the Distribution. Prior to the Distribution, we and MSG Entertainment will enter into a distribution agreement (the Distribution Agreement) and several ancillary agreements for the purpose of accomplishing the distribution of our common stock to MSG Entertainments common stockholders. These agreements also will govern our relationship with MSG Entertainment subsequent to the Distribution and provide for the allocation of employee benefit, tax and some other liabilities and obligations attributable to periods prior to, at and after the Distribution. These agreements also will include arrangements with respect to transition services (the Transition Services Agreement) and a number of on-going commercial relationships. The Distribution Agreement includes an agreement that we and MSG Entertainment will provide each other with appropriate indemnities with respect to liabilities arising out of the business being transferred to us by MSG Entertainment. We will also be party to other arrangements with MSG Sports, MSG Entertainment and each entitys subsidiaries. See Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions Relationship Between MSG Entertainment and Us After the Distribution. |
Overlapping Directors and Officers and Potential Conflicts of Interest |
Following the Distribution, there will be an overlap between an officer of the Company, MSG Sports and MSG Entertainment. James L. Dolan will serve as the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of both the Company and MSG Entertainment and as the Executive Chairman of MSG Sports. James L. Dolan also currently serves as Non-Executive Chairman of AMC Networks Inc. (AMC Networks), a company controlled by the Dolan family. In addition, Gregg G. Seibert will serve as a Vice Chairman of the Company, MSG Sports, MSG Entertainment and AMC Networks and Charles F. Dolan will serve as Chairman Emeritus of AMC Networks concurrently with his service on our Board of Directors (the Board |
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of Directors or the Board). Furthermore, immediately following the Distribution, nine of the members of the Board of Directors will also serve as directors of MSG Entertainment, nine will serve as directors of MSG Sports and five will serve as directors of AMC Networks (each of MSG Entertainment, MSG Sports and AMC Networks is referred to as an Other Entity), including our Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, who serves as the Non-Executive Chairman of AMC Networks. |
There will be no overlap of Class A Directors as between MSG Entertainment and the Company. |
The overlapping directors and officers may have actual or apparent conflicts of interest with respect to matters involving or affecting each company. In addition, after the Distribution, certain of our 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 our Company and an Other Entity. |
The Companys amended and restated certificate of incorporation will acknowledge that directors and officers of the Company may also be serving as directors, officers, employees or agents of an Other Entity (the Overlap Persons), and that the Company may engage in material business transactions with such Other Entities. The Company will renounce its rights to certain business opportunities and the Companys amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that no Overlap Person will be liable to the Company 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 opportunities set forth in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation) to one or more of the Other Entities instead of the Company, or does not refer or communicate information regarding such corporate opportunities to the Company. These provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will also expressly validate certain contracts, agreements, arrangements and transactions (and amendments, modifications or terminations thereof) between the Company and the Other Entities and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, will provide that the actions of the Overlap Persons in connection therewith are not breaches of fiduciary duties owed to the Company, any of its subsidiaries or their respective stockholders. |
See Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions Certain Relationships and Potential Conflicts of Interest and Description of Capital Stock Certain Corporate Opportunities and Conflicts. |
Control by Dolan Family |
Following the Distribution, we will be controlled by the Dolan Family Group. We have been informed that the Dolan Family Group will |
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enter into a stockholders agreement (the Stockholders Agreement) relating, among other things, to the voting of its shares of our Class B Common Stock. As a result, following the Distribution, we will be a controlled company under the corporate governance rules of the NYSE. Our Board of Directors has elected not to comply with the NYSE requirements for a majority-independent board of directors and an independent corporate governance and nominating committee because of our status as a controlled company. The Dolan Family Group also controls MSG Entertainment, MSG Sports and AMC Networks. See Risk Factors Risks Related to the Spin-off Transaction We Are Controlled by the Dolan Family. As a Result of Their Control, the Dolan Family Has the Ability to Prevent or Cause a Change in Control or Approve, Prevent or Influence Certain Actions by the Company. Immediately following the Distribution, nine of the members of our Board of Directors will be members of the Dolan family. |
Post-Distribution Dividend Policy |
We do not expect to pay any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. All decisions regarding the payment of dividends will be made by our Board of Directors from time to time in accordance with applicable law. |
Risk Factors |
Stockholders should carefully consider the matters discussed under Risk Factors. |
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SELECTED HISTORICAL AND UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL DATA
The historical operating and balance sheet data included in the following selected financial data table have been derived from the unaudited combined financial statements as of December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022 and for the six months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 and the audited combined financial statements as of June 30, 2022 and 2021 and for the three years ended June 30, 2022, 2021 and 2020 included elsewhere in this information statement. The historical financial information presented below does not necessarily reflect what our results of operations and financial position would have been if we had operated as a separate publicly-traded entity during those periods. The selected historical financial data presented below should be read in conjunction with the combined financial statements included elsewhere in this information statement and with Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Also set forth below are summary unaudited pro forma combined balance sheet data as of December 31, 2022 and summary unaudited pro forma combined statements of operations data for the six months ended December 31, 2022 and the year ended June 30, 2022. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet information has been prepared giving effect to the distribution as if this transaction had occurred as of December 31, 2022. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations have been prepared giving effect to the distribution as if this transaction had occurred on July 1, 2021. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information also reflects certain assumptions that we believe are reasonable given the information currently available. The unaudited pro forma financial information does not purport to represent what the Companys financial position and results of operations actually would have been had the Distribution occurred on the dates indicated, or to project the Companys financial performance for any future period. See Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information for more information.
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Pro Forma Combined | Historical | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Six Months Ended December 31, 2022 |
Year Ended June 30, 2022 |
Six Months Ended December 31, |
Years Ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands, except per share information) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating Data: |
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Revenues |
$ | 502,332 | $ | 653,490 | $ | 502,332 | $ | 281,162 | $ | 653,490 | $ | 81,812 | $ | 584,601 | ||||||||||||||
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Operating income (loss) |
76,846 | (70,162 | ) | 102,134 | (15,931 | ) | (5,648 | ) | (237,288 | ) | 225,332 | |||||||||||||||||
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Net income (loss) |
52,466 | (202,831 | ) | 78,807 | (58,369 | ) | (136,200 | ) | (219,308 | ) | 170,659 | |||||||||||||||||
Less: Net loss attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests |
(553 | ) | (2,864 | ) | (553 | ) | (367 | ) | (2,864 | ) | (694 | ) | (1,071 | ) | ||||||||||||||
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Net income (loss) attributable to Spincos stockholders |
53,019 | (199,967 | ) | 79,360 | (58,002 | ) | (133,336 | ) | (218,614 | ) | 171,730 | |||||||||||||||||
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Balance Sheet Data: |
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Total assets |
1,398,847 | 1,548,961 | 1,526,701 | 1,697,289 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total debt, net of deferred financing costs |
664,647 | 664,647 | 663,674 | 617,785 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Spinco divisional equity (deficit) |
(51,225 | ) | 98,889 | (1,475 | ) | 495,902 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Pro forma earnings (loss) per share: |
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Basic |
$ | 1.03 | $ | (3.91 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Diluted |
$ | 1.03 | $ | (3.91 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Pro forma weighted-average common shares outstanding: |
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Basic |
51,558 | 51,127 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Diluted |
51,624 | 51,127 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-GAAP Financial measures (a) |
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Adjusted operating income (loss) |
$ | 110,649 | $ | 11,637 | $ | 137,798 | $ | 26,418 | $ | 79,095 | $ | (123,384 | ) | $ | 92,250 |
(a) | See Adjusted operating income (loss) (AOI) below. |
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Pro Forma Combined | Historical | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Six Months Ended December 31, 2022 |
Year Ended June 30, 2022 |
Six Months Ended December 31, |
Years Ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Other Financial Data: |
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Reconciliation of Operating income (loss) to Adjusted operating income (loss): |
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Operating income (loss) |
$ | 76,846 | $ | (70,162 | ) | $ | 102,134 | $ | (15,931 | ) | $ | (5,648 | ) | $ | (237,288 | ) | $ | 225,332 | ||||||||||
Non-cash portion of arena license fees from MSG Sports (a) |
(12,929 | ) | (27,754 | ) | (12,929 | ) | (11,889 | ) | (27,754 | ) | (13,026 | ) | | |||||||||||||||
Share-based compensation expense |
12,104 | 34,802 | 13,965 | 21,079 | 37,746 | 40,663 | 26,110 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
31,571 | 69,534 | 31,571 | 33,159 | 69,534 | 71,576 | 81,591 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Restructuring charges |
7,359 | 5,171 | 7,359 | | 5,171 | 14,691 | | |||||||||||||||||||||
Gains, net on dispositions |
(4,412 | ) | | (4,412 | ) | | | | (240,783 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Amortization for capitalized cloud computing arrangement costs |
104 | | 104 | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||
Remeasurement of deferred compensation plan liabilities |
6 | 46 | 6 | | 46 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Adjusted operating income (loss) |
$ | 110,649 | $ | 11,637 | $ | 137,798 | $ | 26,418 | $ | 79,095 | $ | (123,384 | ) | $ | 92,250 | |||||||||||||
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(a) | This adjustment represents the non-cash portion of operating lease revenue related to the Companys Arena License Agreements with MSG Sports. Pursuant to GAAP, recognition of operating lease revenue is recorded on a straight-line basis over the term of the agreement based upon the value of total future payments under the arrangement. As a result, operating lease revenue is comprised of a contractual cash component plus or minus a non-cash component for each period presented. Operating income on a GAAP basis includes lease income of (i) $20,220 and $17,293 of revenue collected in cash for the six months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and (ii) a non-cash portion of $12,929 and $11,889 for the six months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. For Fiscal Years 2022, 2021 and 2020, operating income on a GAAP basis includes lease income of (i) $40,319, $8,319 and nil, respectively, collected in cash, and (ii) a non-cash portion of $27,754, $13,026 and nil, respectively. |
Adjusted operating income (loss) (AOI)
The Company evaluates performance based on several factors, of which the key financial measure is adjusted operating income (loss), a non-GAAP financial measure. We define adjusted income (loss) as operating income (loss) excluding:
(i) | the impact of non-cash straight-line leasing revenue associated with the Arena License Agreements with MSG Sports, |
(ii) | depreciation, amortization and impairments of property and equipment, goodwill and intangible assets, |
(iii) | amortization for capitalized cloud computing arrangement costs, |
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(iv) | share-based compensation expense, |
(v) | restructuring charges or credits, |
(vi) | merger and acquisition-related costs, including litigation expenses, |
(vii) | gains or losses on sales or dispositions of businesses and associated settlements, |
(viii) | the impact of purchase accounting adjustments related to business acquisitions, and |
(ix) | gains and losses related to the remeasurement of liabilities under MSG Entertainments Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (which was established in November 2021). |
The Company believes that given the length of the Arena License Agreements and resulting magnitude of the difference in leasing revenue recognized and cash revenue received, the exclusion of non-cash leasing revenue provides investors with a clearer picture of the Companys operating performance. Management believes that this adjustment is beneficial for other incremental reasons as well. This adjustment provides senior management, investors and analysts with important information regarding a long-term related party agreement with MSG Sports. In addition, this adjustment is included under the Companys debt covenant compliance calculations and is a component of the performance measures used to evaluate, and compensate, senior management of the Company. The Company believes that the exclusion of share-based compensation expense or benefit allows investors to better track the performance of the Companys business without regard to the settlement of an obligation that is not expected to be made in cash. The Company eliminates merger and acquisition-related costs, when applicable, because the Company does not consider such costs to be indicative of the ongoing operating performance of the Company as they result from an event that is of a non-recurring nature, thereby enhancing comparability. In addition, management believes that the exclusion of gains and losses related to the remeasurement of liabilities under the MSG Entertainments Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, which were included for the first time in Fiscal Year 2022, provides investors with a clearer picture of the Companys operating performance given that, in accordance with GAAP, gains and losses related to the remeasurement of liabilities under the MSG Entertainments Executive Deferred Compensation Plan are recognized in Operating (income) loss whereas gains and losses related to the remeasurement of the assets under the MSG Entertainments Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, which are equal to and therefore fully offset the gains and losses related to the remeasurement of liabilities, are recognized in Other income (expense), net, which is not reflected in Operating income (loss).
The Company believes AOI is an appropriate measure for evaluating the operating performance of the Company on a combined basis. AOI and similar measures with similar titles are common performance measures used by investors and analysts to analyze the Companys performance. The Company uses revenues and AOI measures as the most important indicators of its business performance and evaluates managements effectiveness with specific reference to these indicators.
AOI should be viewed as a supplement to and not a substitute for operating income (loss), net income (loss), cash flows from operating activities, and other measures of performance and/or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. Since AOI is not a measure of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP, this measure may not be comparable to similar measures with similar titles used by other companies. The Company has presented the components that reconcile operating income (loss), the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, to AOI.
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE DISTRIBUTION
The following is a brief summary of the terms of the Distribution. Please see The Distribution for a more detailed description of the matters described below.
Q: | What is the Distribution? |
A: | The Distribution is the method by which MSG Entertainment will separate the business of our Company from MSG Entertainments other business, creating two separate, publicly traded companies. In the Distribution, MSG Entertainment will distribute to its stockholders shares of our Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock that it owns. Following the Distribution, we will be a separate company from MSG Entertainment. MSG Entertainment will continue to own approximately 38% of our outstanding Class A Common Stock (approximately 33% of our total outstanding common stock). The number of shares of MSG Entertainment common stock you own will not change as a result of the Distribution. |
Q: | What is being distributed in the Distribution? |
A: | Approximately [●] shares of our Class A Common Stock and [●] shares of our Class B Common Stock will be distributed in the Distribution, based upon the number of shares of MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock and MSG Entertainment Class B Common Stock outstanding on the record date. The shares of our Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock to be distributed by MSG Entertainment will constitute approximately 62% of the issued and outstanding shares of our Class A Common Stock and all of the Class B Common Stock immediately after the Distribution. For more information on the shares being distributed in the Distribution, see Description of Capital Stock Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock. |
Q: | Which business and assets will remain with MSG Entertainment and which business and assets will transfer to the Company? |
A: | Following the Distribution, the Company will include: |
| A diverse collection of venues: The Garden, The Theater at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the Beacon Theatre, and The Chicago Theatre; |
| The entertainment and sports bookings business, which showcases a broad array of compelling concerts, family shows and special events, as well as a diverse mix of sporting events, for millions of guests annually; |
| Long-term Arena License Agreements with the New York Knicks and New York Rangers, which require both teams to play their home games exclusively at The Garden; |
| The Radio City Rockettes and Christmas Spectacular production; and |
| approximately $[●] in cash. |
Following the Distribution, MSG Entertainment will include:
| MSG Sphere, which are planned state-of-the-art venues that will employ cutting-edge technology and multi-sensory storytelling to deliver immersive experiences on an unparalleled scale. The first MSG Sphere is under construction in Las Vegas and is expected to open in the second half of calendar 2023; |
| MSG Networks, which owns two regional sports and entertainment networks, MSG Network and MSG Sportsnet, as well as a companion streaming service, MSG GO, and other digital properties; |
| Majority interest in Tao Group Hospitality, a global entertainment dining and nightlife provider; |
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| an approximately 33% economic interest in the Company (for the avoidance of doubt, MSG Entertainment will not own any of the Companys Class B Common Stock following the Distribution); and |
| approximately $[●] in cash. |
Q: | What will I receive in the Distribution? |
A: | Holders of MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock will receive a distribution of one share of our Class A Common Stock for every one share of MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock held by them on the record date, and holders of MSG Entertainment Class B Common Stock will receive a distribution of one share of our Class B Common Stock for every one share of MSG Entertainment Class B Common Stock held by them on the record date. As a result of the Distribution, your proportionate interest in MSG Entertainment will not change. For a more detailed description, see The Distribution. |
Q: | What is the record date for the Distribution? |
A: | Record ownership will be determined as of the close of business, New York City time, on [●], 2023, which we refer to as the record date. The person in whose name shares of MSG Entertainment common stock are registered as of the close of business on the record date is the person to whom shares of the Companys common stock will be issued in the Distribution. As described below, if a record holder of MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock sells those shares regular way after the record date and on or prior to the Distribution date, the seller will be obligated to deliver to the purchaser the shares of our common stock that are issued in respect of the transferred MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock. |
Q: | When will the Distribution occur? |
A: | Shares of our Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock will be distributed by the transfer and distribution agent, on behalf of MSG Entertainment, effective at 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on [●], 2023, which we refer to as the Distribution date. |
Q: | What will the relationship between MSG Entertainment and us be following the Distribution? |
A: | Following the Distribution, we will be a separate public company. MSG Entertainment will initially own approximately 38% of the outstanding Class A Common Stock, representing an approximately 33% economic interest in us. In connection with the Distribution, we and MSG Entertainment have entered into a Distribution Agreement and several other agreements for the purpose of accomplishing the Distribution of our common stock to MSG Entertainments common stockholders. These agreements also govern our relationship with MSG Entertainment subsequent to the Distribution and provide for the allocation of employee benefit, tax and some other liabilities and obligations attributable to periods prior to, at and after the Distribution. These agreements also include arrangements with respect to transition services under the Transition Services Agreement and a number of ongoing commercial relationships. The Distribution Agreement provides that we and MSG Entertainment will provide each other with appropriate indemnities with respect to liabilities arising out of the business being transferred to us by MSG Entertainment. We will also be party to other arrangements with MSG Entertainment and its subsidiaries. See Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions. Following the Distribution, we and MSG Entertainment will both be controlled by the Dolan Family Group. |
Following the Distribution, there will be an overlap between an officer of the Company and MSG Entertainment. James L. Dolan will serve as the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of both the Company and MSG Entertainment and as the Executive Chairman of MSG Sports. James L. Dolan also
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currently serves as Non-Executive Chairman of AMC Networks. In addition, Gregg G. Seibert will serve as a Vice Chairman of the Company, MSG Sports, MSG Entertainment and AMC Networks and Charles F. Dolan will serve as Chairman Emeritus of AMC Networks concurrently with his service on our Board. Furthermore, immediately following the Distribution, nine of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company will also serve as directors of MSG Entertainment, nine will serve as directors of MSG Sports and five will serve as directors of AMC Networks, including our Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, who serves as Non-Executive Chairman of AMC Networks. There will be no overlap of Class A Directors as between MSG Entertainment and the Company.
See Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions Certain Relationships and Potential Conflicts of Interest for a discussion of the policy that will be in place for dealing with potential conflicts of interest that may arise from our ongoing relationships with MSG Entertainment, MSG Sports and AMC Networks.
Q: | What voting power will current MSG Entertainment shareholders (including the Dolan Family Group) and others hold in the Company immediately following the Distribution? |
A: | In the Distribution, holders of MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock will receive a distribution of one share of our Class A Common Stock for every one share of MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock held by them on the record date, and holders of MSG Entertainment Class B Common Stock will receive a distribution of one share of our Class B Common Stock for every one share of MSG Entertainment Class B Common Stock held by them on the record date. The Companys Class A Common Stock is entitled to one vote per share and to collectively elect 25% of our Board of Directors, and the Companys Class B Common Stock will be entitled to ten votes per share and to collectively elect the remaining 75% of our Board of Directors. See Description of Capital Stock for more information. The Dolan Family Group will collectively own all of our Class B Common Stock, approximately [●]% of our outstanding Class A Common Stock and approximately [●]% of the total voting power of all our outstanding common stock. As a result, the Company will be a controlled company within the meaning of the corporate governance standards of the NYSE and the Dolan Family Group will have the ability to determine all matters requiring approval by stockholders (other than the election of the Class A Directors and any matters requiring a separate vote by the holders of the Class A common stock). |
Q: | What do I have to do to participate in the Distribution? |
A: | No action is required on your part. Stockholders of MSG Entertainment on the record date for the Distribution are not required to pay any cash or deliver any other consideration, including any shares of MSG Entertainment common stock, for the shares of our common stock distributable to them in the Distribution. |
Q: | If I sell, on or before the Distribution date, shares of MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock that I held on the record date, am I still entitled to receive shares of Spinco Class A Common Stock distributable with respect to the shares of MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock I sold? |
A: | It depends on the market in which you sell your shares. Beginning on [●], 2023 and continuing until the occurrence of the Distribution, MSG Entertainment expects that the MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock will trade in two markets on the NYSE: in the regular way market under the symbol MSGE and in the ex-distribution market under the symbol SPHR WI. If you own shares of MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock on the record date and thereafter sell those shares regular way on or prior to the Distribution date, you will also be selling the shares of our Class A Common Stock that would have been distributed to you in the Distribution with respect to the shares of MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock you sell. |
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Conversely, a person who purchases shares of MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock after the record date and on or prior to the Distribution date will be entitled to receive from the seller of those shares the shares of our Class A Common Stock issued in the Distribution with respect to the transferred MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock. |
However, if you own shares of MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock on the record date and thereafter sell those shares in the ex-distribution market on or prior to the Distribution date, you will not be selling the shares of our Class A Common Stock that will be distributed to you in the Distribution with respect to the shares of MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock you sell. Conversely, a person who purchases shares of MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock in the ex-distribution market after the record date and on or prior to the Distribution date will not be entitled to receive from the seller of those shares the shares of our Class A Common Stock issued in the Distribution with respect to the transferred MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock.
Q: | How will fractional shares be treated in the Distribution? |
A: | If you would be entitled to receive a fractional share of our common stock in the Distribution, you will instead receive a cash payment. See The Distribution Manner of Effecting the Distribution for an explanation of how the cash payments will be determined and The Distribution Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Distribution for an explanation of the tax consequences of such cash payments. |
Q: | How will MSG Entertainment distribute shares of Spinco common stock to me? |
A: | Holders of shares of MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock or MSG Entertainment Class B Common Stock on the record date will receive shares of the same class of our common stock in book entry form. See The Distribution Manner of Effecting the Distribution for a more detailed explanation. |
Q: | What is the reason for the Distribution? |
A: | The potential benefits considered by MSG Entertainments board of directors in making the determination to consummate the Distribution included the following: |
| to provide each of MSG Entertainment and the Company with increased flexibility to fully pursue and fund its business plan, including capital expenditures, investments and acquisitions that would be more difficult to consider or effectuate in the absence of the Distribution. This increased financial flexibility reflects the belief that investors in a company with the mix of assets that each of MSG Entertainment and the Company will own following the Distribution will be more receptive to strategic initiatives that MSG Entertainment and the Company may respectively pursue; |
| to increase the aggregate value of the stock of MSG Entertainment and the Company above the value that the stock of MSG Entertainment would have had if it had continued to represent an interest in both the businesses of MSG Entertainment and the Company, so as to: (i) allow each company to use its stock to pursue and achieve strategic objectives, including evaluating and effectuating acquisitions and increasing the long-term attractiveness of equity compensation programs in a significantly more efficient and effective manner with significantly less dilution to existing stockholders; and (ii) allow each company to offer a more focused investment profile to investors; and |
| to provide MSG Entertainment, through the retained equity interest, with the opportunity to raise cash proceeds for corporate purposes, including capital expenditures, and/or to use such shares for other transactions that would be advantageous for MSG Entertainment and its stockholders. These capital expenditures will include funds that will be utilized to pursue growth opportunities associated with |
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MSG Entertainments Sphere initiative. In addition, upon the Distribution, MSG Entertainment will pledge the entire retained equity interest to secure the $275 million senior secured term loan facility of MSG Las Vegas, LLC, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of MSG Entertainment, which was entered into on December 22, 2022. This pledge will be released once the Las Vegas Sphere has been substantially completed and certain of its systems are ready to be used in live, immersive events. The Company will have no interest, contractual or otherwise, in the Sphere venues. |
MSG Entertainments board of directors also considered several factors that might have a negative effect on MSG Entertainment as a result of the Distribution. MSG Entertainments common stock may come under initial selling pressure as certain MSG Entertainment stockholders sell their shares because they are not interested in holding an investment in MSG Entertainments remaining business. Moreover, certain factors, such as a lack of comparable public companies, may limit investors ability to appropriately value MSG Entertainments common stock. In addition, the Distribution would separate from MSG Entertainment the business and assets of the Company, which represent significant value. Because the Company will no longer be part of MSG Entertainment, the Distribution will also affect the terms upon which MSG Entertainment can pursue cross-company business transactions and initiatives with the Company. In addition, after the Distribution, MSG Entertainments results will not reflect the generally more predictable cash flow from the Entertainment business segment, which may result in more volatile and less predictable operating results and cash flow for MSG Entertainment. Finally, following the Distribution, MSG Entertainment and its remaining business will need to absorb certain corporate and administrative costs previously allocated to its Entertainment business segment.
MSG Entertainments board of directors considered certain aspects of the Distribution that may be adverse to the Company. The Companys common stock may come under initial selling pressure as certain MSG Entertainment stockholders sell their shares in the Company because they are not interested in holding an investment in the Companys business. Moreover, certain factors, such as a lack of comparable public companies, may limit investors ability to appropriately value the Companys common stock. Because the Company will no longer be part of MSG Entertainment, the Distribution will also affect the terms upon which the Company can pursue cross-company business transactions and initiatives with MSG Entertainments other businesses. In addition, after the Distribution, the Companys results will not reflect cash flow from the MSG Networks and Tao Group Hospitality businesses. As a result of the Distribution, the Company will bear significant incremental costs associated with being a publicly held company and will need to absorb certain corporate and operational support costs previously allocated to MSG Entertainment. This cost increase will be partially offset by payments that the Company will receive from MSG Entertainment resulting from the establishment of the Transition Services Agreement, which will be recorded as a reduction of operating expenses. Refer to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information section for further details.
Q: | What are the federal income tax consequences to me of the Distribution? |
A: | MSG Entertainment expects to obtain an opinion from Sullivan & Cromwell LLP substantially to the effect that, among other things, the distribution by MSG Entertainment of our Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock to the holders of MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock and MSG Entertainment Class B Common Stock, respectively (i.e., the Distribution), should qualify as a tax-free distribution under the Code. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Distribution is not expected to result in the recognition of gain to MSG Entertainment with respect to the distribution of our Class A Common Stock or our Class B Common Stock to the MSG Entertainment stockholders and, except to the extent that you receive cash in lieu of fractional shares of our common stock, you should not recognize income, gain or loss, and no amount should be included in your income upon the receipt of shares of our common stock pursuant to the Distribution. The opinion will not be binding on the IRS or the courts. See The Distribution Material |
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U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Distribution. Certain transactions related to the Distribution that are not addressed (or expected to be addressed) by the opinion could result in the recognition of income or gain by MSG Entertainment. The opinion will rely on factual representations and reasonable assumptions, which, if incorrect or inaccurate, may jeopardize the ability to rely on such opinion. MSG Entertainment does not intend to request any ruling from the IRS as to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Distribution. MSG Entertainment will be required by applicable tax rules to dispose of the retained shares within a fixed period of time, which may occur through a series of steps, including sales, exchange offers or pro rata distributions. |
Q: | Does Spinco intend to pay cash dividends? |
A: | No. We do not expect to pay any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. All decisions regarding the payment of dividends will be made by our Board of Directors from time to time in accordance with applicable law. |
Q: | How will Spinco common stock trade? |
A: | Currently, there is no public market for our common stock. We will apply for our Class A Common Stock to be listed on the NYSE under the symbol MSGE (and we will change our name to Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.) and we expect that Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. will change its symbol on the NYSE to SPHR (and be renamed MSG Sphere Corp.) in connection with the Distribution. It is anticipated that trading will commence on a when-issued basis prior to the Distribution. On the first trading day following the Distribution date, when-issued trading in respect of our Class A Common Stock will end and regular way trading will begin. Our Class B Common Stock will not be listed on a securities exchange. |
Q: | Will the Distribution affect the trading price of my MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock? |
A: | Yes. After the initial distribution of our Class A Common Stock, the trading price of MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock may be lower than the trading price of the MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock immediately prior to the Distribution. Moreover, until the market has evaluated the operations of MSG Entertainment without the operations of the Entertainment business segment (except for MSG Sphere) that was owned and operated by MSG Entertainment, the trading price of MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock may fluctuate significantly. MSG Entertainment believes that the separation of the Company from MSG Entertainment offers its stockholders the greatest long-term value. However, the combined trading prices of MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock and Spinco Class A Common Stock after the Distribution may be lower than the trading price of MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock prior to the Distribution. See Risk Factors beginning on page 26. |
Q: | Can MSG Entertainment decide to cancel the Distribution? |
A: | Yes. The occurrence of the Distribution will be subject to certain conditions, including the final approval of the MSG Entertainment board of directors. The MSG Entertainment board of directors may, in its sole and absolute discretion, determine to impose or waive conditions to the Distribution or abandon the Distribution. If the MSG Entertainment board of directors decides to cancel the Distribution or otherwise materially amend the terms of the Distribution, MSG Entertainment will notify stockholders of such decision by issuing a press release and/or filing a current report on Form 8-K. |
Q: | Do I have appraisal rights? |
A: | No. Holders of MSG Entertainment common stock are not entitled to appraisal rights in connection with the Distribution. |
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Q: | Who is the transfer and distribution agent for Spinco common stock? |
A: | EQ Shareowner Services, P.O. Box 64874, St. Paul, Minnesota 55164-0854. Telephone: 1-800-468-9716 (U.S. toll free) or 651-450-4064 (International). Corporate website: www.shareowneronline.com. |
Q: | Where can I get more information? |
A: | If you have questions relating to the mechanics of the Distribution of shares of Spinco common stock, you should contact the transfer and distribution agent: |
EQ Shareowner Services, P.O. Box 64874, St. Paul, Minnesota 55164-0854. Telephone: 1-800-468-9716 (U.S. toll free) or 651-450-4064 (International). Corporate website: www.shareowneronline.com.
If you have questions relating to the Distribution or Spinco, you should contact:
Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.
Investor Relations Department
Two Pennsylvania Plaza
New York, NY 10121
Telephone: 1-212-631-5422
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You should carefully consider the following risk factors and all the other information contained in this information statement in evaluating us and our common stock.
Risks Related to Our Business
Our Business Faces Intense and Wide-Ranging Competition That May Have a Material Negative Effect on Our Business and Results of Operations.
Our business competes, in certain respects and to varying degrees, with other leisure-time activities such as television, radio, motion pictures, sporting events and other live performances, the Internet, social media and social networking platforms, and online and mobile services, including sites for online content distribution, video on demand and other alternative sources of entertainment and information, in addition to competing for concerts with other event venues, for total entertainment dollars in our marketplace.
The success of our business is largely dependent on the continued success of the Christmas Spectacular, and the availability of, and our venues ability to attract, concerts, family shows, sporting events and other events, competition for which is intense, and the ability of performers to attract strong attendance at our venues. For example, The Garden, The Theater at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall and the Beacon Theatre all compete with other entertainment options in the New York City metropolitan area. The Chicago Theatre faces similar competition from other entertainment options in its market and elsewhere.
In addition, our business is highly sensitive to customer tastes and depends on our ability to attract artists and events. The success of our business depends in part upon our ability to offer live entertainment that is popular with customers. We contract with promoters and others to provide performers and events at our venues. There may be a limited number of popular artists, groups or events that can attract audiences to our venues, and our business would suffer to the extent that we are unable to continue to attract such artists, groups and events to perform at our venues. See Risks Related to Our Business Our Operations and Operating Results Were, and May in the Future be, Materially Impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic and Actions Taken in Response by Governmental Authorities and Certain Professional Sports Leagues.
In order to maintain the competitive positions of The Garden and our other venues, we must invest on a continuous basis in state-of-the-art technology. In addition, we must maintain a competitive pricing structure for events that may be held in our venues, many of which have alternative venue options available to them in New York and other cities. We invest a substantial amount in our Christmas Spectacular to continue to attract audiences. We cannot be assured that such investments will generate revenues that are sufficient to justify our investment or even that exceed our expenses.
The Success of Our Business Depends on the Continued Popularity of the Christmas Spectacular Production, and the Sporting Events We Host at Our Venues, the Decline of Which Could Have a Material Negative Effect on Our Business and Results of Operations.
The financial results of our business are dependent on the Christmas Spectacular production, for which the 2019 production (the last production presented prior to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic) represented 22% of our revenues in Fiscal Year 2020. Fan and consumer tastes also change frequently and it is a challenge to anticipate what will be successful at any point in time. Should the popularity of the Christmas Spectacular decline (including, for example, due to customer unwillingness to travel to New York City, purchase tickets to a full-capacity indoor event, comply with safety protocols or satisfy vaccination requirements to the extent applicable, all as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic), our revenues from ticket sales and concession and merchandise sales would likely decline, and we might not be able to replace the lost revenue with revenues from other sources.
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As a result of our commercial agreements with MSG Sports, the success of our business is also impacted in part by the popularity of MSG Sports Knicks and Rangers franchises with their fan bases and, in varying degrees, the teams achieving on-court and on-ice success, which can generate fan enthusiasm, resulting in additional suite, sponsorship, food and beverage and merchandise sales during the teams regular seasons. Furthermore, success in the regular season may qualify the Knicks and Rangers for participation in post-season playoffs, which provides us with additional revenue by increasing the number of games played by the teams at The Garden, potentially helping improve attendance in subsequent seasons and increasing the popularity of our suites and sponsorships.
Our Operations and Operating Results Were, and May in the Future be, Materially Impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic and Actions Taken in Response by Governmental Authorities and Certain Professional Sports Leagues.
The Companys operations and operating results were materially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic (including COVID-19 variants) and actions taken in response by governmental authorities and certain professional sports leagues during Fiscal Years 2020, 2021 and 2022.
As a result of government-mandated assembly limitations and closures, all of our venues were closed beginning in March 2020 and substantially all of our business operations were suspended for the majority of Fiscal Year 2021. Use of The Garden resumed for Knicks and Rangers home games without fans in December 2020 and January 2021, respectively, and was available at 10% seating capacity from February through May 2021 subject to certain safety protocols and social distancing. As a result, the payments we received under the Arena License Agreements during this period were materially impacted. Beginning in May 2021, all of our New York venues were permitted to host guests at full capacity, subject to certain restrictions, and effective June 2021, The Chicago Theatre was permitted to host events without restrictions. Guests of our Chicago and New York venues were also subject to certain vaccination requirements until February and March 2022, respectively. During Fiscal Year 2022, we had fewer ticketed events at our venues in the first half of the fiscal year as compared with Fiscal Year 2019 (the last full fiscal year not impacted by COVID-19) due to the lead-time required to book touring acts and artists, and an increase in COVID-19 cases due to a new variant, which resulted in a number of events at our venues being cancelled or postponed in the second and third fiscal quarters. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operations also included (i) the partial cancellation of the 2021 production of the Christmas Spectacular and (ii) the cancellation of the 2020 production of the Christmas Spectacular. As a direct response to this disruption, during Fiscal Years 2020 and 2021, the Company implemented cost savings initiatives in order to streamline operations and preserve liquidity, including furloughing our venue employees while activities were limited, reducing our full-time workforce and implementing additional comprehensive cost reduction measures, such as terminating certain third-party services, negotiating reduced rates and/or reduced service levels with third parties, pursuing targeted savings and reductions in spending on marketing and travel and entertainment, and deferring or limiting non-essential operating or other discretionary expenses. During Fiscal Years 2021 and 2020, over 90% and over 70% of the respective overall declines in our revenues were the result of the COVID-19 pandemic, in each case compared to the prior year period. While the Company substantially recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic during Fiscal Year 2022, the Company still experienced some softness in bookings and attendance, most notably at the beginning of the year along with certain event postponements and cancellations throughout the year, although not at the level of the prior two fiscal years. See Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsFactors Affecting Results of Operations.
It is unclear to what extent COVID-19 concerns, including with respect to new variants, could result in renewed government or league-mandated capacity restrictions or vaccination/mask requirements or impact the use of and/or demand for our venues, demand for our sponsorship and signage assets, deter our employees and vendors from working at our venues (which may lead to difficulties in staffing) or otherwise materially impact our operations. Governmental regulations enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic may impact the revenue we derive and/or the expenses we incur from events that we choose to host such that events that were historically profitable would instead result in losses. Concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic could deter artists from touring and/or substantially decrease the use of and demand for our venues. Both the NBA and NHL
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determined to complete their 2019-20 seasons with games away from home arenas, reduce the number of regular season games for the 2020-21 seasons, and conduct the majority of the shortened 2020-21 seasons without fans in attendance, and it is possible that concerns related to COVID-19 could cause professional sports teams in the United States to play games without an audience during future seasons or to suspend, cancel or otherwise reduce the number of games scheduled in the regular reason or playoffs, which could have a material impact on the payments we receive under the Arena License Agreements. See Economic and Operational Risks We Are Subject to Extensive Governmental Regulation and Our Failure to Comply with These Regulations May Have a Material Negative Effect on Our Business and Results of Operations.
Our business is particularly sensitive to reductions in travel and discretionary consumer spending. A pandemic, such as COVID-19, could also impede economic activity in impacted regions and globally over the long term, potentially causing a global recession and leading to a further decline in discretionary spending on sports and entertainment events and other leisure activities, which could result in long-term effects on our business. To the extent the COVID-19 pandemic adversely affects our business and financial results, it may also have the effect of heightening many of the other risks described in this Risk Factors section, such as those relating to our liquidity, indebtedness and our ability to comply with the covenants contained in the agreements that govern our indebtedness.
Our Business Strategy Includes the Development of New Productions, Which Could Require Us to Make Considerable Investments for Which There Can Be No Guarantee of Success.
As part of our business strategy, we intend to develop new productions for our existing venues, which may include expansions or enhancements of our existing productions or the creation of entirely new productions. Expansion or enhancement of productions and/or the development of new productions could require significant upfront expense that may never result in a viable show, as well as investment in sets, staging, creative processes, commissioning and/or licensing of intellectual property, casting and advertising, and may lead to dislocation of other alternative sources of entertainment that may have played in our venues absent these productions. To the extent that any efforts at expanding or enhancing productions or creating new productions do not result in a viable show, or to the extent that any such productions do not achieve expected levels of popularity among audiences, we may not recover the substantial expenses we previously incurred for non-capitalized investments, or may need to write-off all or a portion of capitalized investments. In addition, any delay in launching such productions or enhancements could result in the incurrence of operating costs which may not be recouped. For example, we wrote off approximately $75.4 million of deferred production costs across Fiscal Years 2016 and 2017 related to the New York Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes.
Our Business is Highly Sensitive to Customer Tastes and Depends on Our Ability to Attract Artists and Events.
The success of our business depends in part upon our ability to offer live entertainment that is popular with customers. We contract with promoters and others to provide performers and events at our venues. There may be a limited number of popular artists, groups or events that can attract audiences to our venues, and our business would suffer to the extent that we are unable to continue to attract such artists, groups and events to perform at our venues.
We Depend on Licenses from Third Parties for the Performance of Musical Works at Our Venues, the Loss of Which or Renewal of Which on Less Favorable Terms May Have a Negative Effect on Our Business and Results of Operations.
We are required to obtain public performance licenses from music performing rights organizations, commonly known as PROs, in connection with the performance of musical works at concerts and certain other live events held at our venues. In exchange for public performance licenses, PROs are paid a per-event royalty, traditionally calculated either as a percentage of ticket revenue or a per-ticket amount. The PRO royalty obligation of any individual event is generally paid by, or charged to, the promoter of the event.
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If we are unable to obtain these licenses, or are unable to obtain them on favorable terms consistent with past practice, it may have a negative effect on our business and results of operations. An increase in the royalty rate and/or the revenue base on which the royalty rate is applied could substantially increase the cost of presenting concerts and certain other live events at our venues. If we are no longer able to pass all or a portion of these royalties on to promoters (or other venue licensees), it may have a negative effect on our business and results of operations.
Our Properties Are Subject to, and Benefit from, Certain Easements, the Availability of Which May Not Continue on Terms Favorable to Us or at All.
Our properties are subject to, and benefit from, certain easements. For example, the breezeway into the Madison Square Garden Complex from Seventh Avenue in New York City is a significant easement that we share with other property owners. Our ability to continue to utilize these and other easements, including for advertising and promotional purposes, requires us to comply with a number of conditions. Certain adjoining property owners have easements over our property, which we are required to maintain so long as those property owners meet certain conditions. It is possible that we will be unable to continue to access or maintain any easements on terms favorable to us, or at all, which could have a material negative effect on our business and results of operations.
A Change to or Withdrawal of a New York City Real Estate Tax Exemption for the Madison Square Garden Complex May Have a Material Negative Effect on Our Business and Results of Operations.
Many arenas, ballparks and stadiums nationally and in New York City have received significant public support, such as tax exempt financing, other tax benefits, direct subsidies and other contributions, including for public infrastructure critical to the facilities such as parking lots and transit improvements. Our Madison Square Garden Complex benefits from a more limited real estate tax exemption pursuant to an agreement with the City of New York, subject to certain conditions, and legislation enacted by the State of New York in 1982. For Fiscal Year 2022, the tax exemption was $41.9 million. From time to time, there have been calls to repeal or amend the tax exemption. For example, in January 2023, a number of elected representatives issued a public letter noting the tax exemption status should be reexamined. Notwithstanding the suggestion in the public letter, any repeal or amendment of the tax exemption status would require legislative action by New York State.
We are party to Arena License Agreements with subsidiaries of MSG Sports that require two of MSG Sports professional sports teams the Knicks and Rangers to play all of their home games at The Garden. Under the Arena License Agreements, which each have a term of 35 years (unless extended), the Knicks and the Rangers pay an annual license fee in connection with their respective use of The Garden. In addition, the Arena License Agreements provide us with additional revenue opportunities. Under the Arena License Agreements, the teams are 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 the property tax due to no fault of the teams, the revenue that we generate from team events will be reduced on a percentage basis as set forth in the Arena License Agreements. The value of any such revenue reduction could be significant but is expected to be substantially less than the property tax paid by the teams. There can be no assurance that the tax exemption will not be amended in a manner that imposes property tax or repealed in its entirety, either of which could have a material negative effect on our business and results of operations.
We Have Extended Credit to MSG Entertainment, Which is a Highly Leveraged Business, on an Unsecured Basis, and a Default on the Loan Could Impact Our Results of Operations and Cash Flows.
Prior to or concurrently with the consummation of the Distribution, we expect to enter into a Delayed Draw Term Loan Credit Agreement with MSG Entertainment (the DDTL Facility), pursuant to which a subsidiary of Spinco will commit to lend on an unsecured basis up to $65 million in delayed draw term loans to MSG Entertainment for a period of 18 months following the consummation of the Distribution. MSG Entertainment is
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a highly leveraged business with existing credit facilities at Tao Group Hospitality, MSG Networks and has continued to incur indebtedness, most recently when its subsidiary MSG Las Vegas, LLC entered into a credit agreement in December 2022. Our loan to MSG Entertainment will be structurally subordinated to the approximately $1.3 billion of debt of MSG Entertainments subsidiaries. MSG Entertainment continues to have significant cash needs including continued expenditures on its Sphere initiative and the expectation that it will pay down a portion of MSG Networks term loan in connection with its refinancing prior to its maturity in October 2024. MSG Entertainments ability to make payments on, repay or refinance, its debt including the financing we provided depends upon its future operating performance and execution of its business plan, which could be impacted by a recession or economic downturn, or other changes specifically affecting its business or industry. Accordingly, no assurances can be made that MSG Entertainment will be in a position to make repayment of the loan,
If MSG Entertainment defaults on its loan, it could impair our assets and create losses related to such loan, and as a result, our business could be adversely affected. If we are unable to recover the principal amount of the loan from a default, there may be a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity.
Economic and Operational Risks
Our Business Has Been Adversely Impacted and May, in the Future, Be Materially Adversely Impacted by an Economic Downturn, Recession, Financial Instability, Inflation or Changes in Consumer Tastes and Preferences.
Our business depends upon the ability and willingness of consumers and businesses to purchase tickets at our venues, license suites and club memberships at The Garden, spend on food and beverages and merchandise, and drive continued sponsorship and signage revenues, and these revenues are sensitive to general economic conditions, recession, fears of recession and consumer behavior. For example, following the 2008 financial crisis, we experienced a lower level of event bookings and reduced renewals of certain of our suite licenses, which adversely affected the Companys results of operations. Further, the industry is often affected by changes in consumer tastes, national, regional and local economic conditions, discretionary spending priorities, demographic trends, traffic patterns and the type, number and location of competing businesses.
Consumer and corporate spending may decline at any time for reasons beyond our control, and the risks associated with our businesses may become more acute in periods of a slowing economy or recession, which may be accompanied by reductions in corporate sponsorship and signage and decreases in attendance at live events, among other things. In addition, inflation, which has significantly risen, has and may continue to increase operational costs, including labor costs, and continued increases in interest rates in response to concerns about inflation may have the effect of further increasing economic uncertainty and heightening these risks. As a result, instability and weakness of the U.S. and global economies, including due to the effects caused by disruptions to financial markets, inflation, recession, high unemployment, geopolitical events and other effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the negative effects on consumers and businesses discretionary spending, have and may continue to materially negatively affect our business and results of operations. A prolonged period of reduced consumer or corporate spending, including with respect to sponsorship, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic, could have an adverse effect on our business and our results of operations. See Risks Related to Our Business Our Operations and Operating Results Were, and May in the Future be, Materially Impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic and Actions Taken in Response by Governmental Authorities and Certain Professional Sports Leagues.
We Do Not Own All of Our Venues and Our Failure to Renew Our Leases on Economically Attractive Terms May Have a Material Negative Effect on Our Business and Results of Operations.
We lease the Beacon Theatre and Radio City Music Hall under long-term leases that expire in 2036 and 2038, respectively. MSG Entertainment Group, LLC (MSG Entertainment Group), the entity that guarantees
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the lease for Radio City Music Hall is required to maintain a certain net worth that if not maintained would require the entity to post a letter of credit or provide cash collateral. In connection with the Distribution, we expect MSG Entertainment Holdings, LLC (MSG Entertainment Holdings) to become the entity that guarantees the lease.
The Geographic Concentration of Our Business Could Subject Us to Greater Risk Than Our Competitors and Have a Material Negative Effect on Our Business and Results of Operations.
The Company primarily operates in New York City and, as a result, is subject to greater degrees of risk than competitors with more operating properties or that operate in more markets. The Garden, The Theater at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall and the Beacon Theatre are all located in New York City. Therefore, the Company is particularly vulnerable to adverse events (including acts of terrorism, natural disasters, epidemics, pandemics, weather conditions, labor market disruptions and government actions) and economic conditions in New York City and surrounding areas. For example, our operations and operating results were materially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. See Risks Related to Our Business Our Operations and Operating Results Were, and May in the Future be, Materially Impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic and Actions Taken in Response by Governmental Authorities and Certain Professional Sports Leagues.
Our Business Could Be Adversely Affected by Terrorist Activity or the Threat of Terrorist Activity, Weather and Other Conditions That Discourage Congregation at Prominent Places of Public Assembly.
The success of our business is dependent upon the willingness and ability of patrons to attend events at our venues. The venues we operate, like all prominent places of public assembly, could be the target of terrorist activities, including acts of domestic terrorism, or other actions that discourage attendance. Any such activity or threatened activity at or near one of our venues or other similar venues, including those located elsewhere, could result in reduced attendance at our venues and a material negative effect on our business and results of operations. Similarly, a major epidemic or pandemic, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, or the threat or perceived threat of such an event, could adversely affect attendance at our events and venues by discouraging public assembly at our events and venues. Moreover, the costs of protecting against such incidents, including the costs of implementing additional protective measures for the health and safety of our guests, could reduce the profitability of our operations. See Risks Related to Our Business Our Operations and Operating Results Were, and May in the Future be, Materially Impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic and Actions Taken in Response by Governmental Authorities and Certain Professional Sports Leagues.
Weather or other conditions, including natural disasters, in locations where we own or operate venues may affect patron attendance as well as sales of food and beverages and merchandise, among other things. Weather conditions may also require us to cancel or postpone events. Any of these events may have a material negative effect on our business and results of operations, and any such events may harm our ability to obtain or renew insurance coverage on favorable terms or at all.
We May Pursue Acquisitions and Other Strategic Transactions and/or Investments to Complement or Expand Our Business That May Not Be Successful.
From time to time, we may continue to explore opportunities to purchase or invest in other businesses, venues or assets that we believe will complement, enhance or expand our current business or that might otherwise offer us growth opportunities, including opportunities that may differ from the Companys current business. Any transactions that we are able to identify and complete may involve risks, including the commitment of significant capital, the incurrence of indebtedness, the payment of advances, the diversion of managements attention and resources from our existing business to develop and integrate the acquired or combined business, the inability to successfully integrate such business or assets into our operations, litigation or other claims in connection with acquisitions or against companies we invest in or acquire, our lack of control over certain companies, including joint ventures and other minority investments, the risk of not achieving the intended results and the exposure to losses if
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the underlying transactions or ventures are not successful. At times, we have had significant investments in businesses that we account for under the equity method of accounting, and we may again in the future. Certain of these investments have generated operating losses in the past and certain have required additional investments from us in the form of equity or loans. There can be no assurance that these investments will become profitable individually or in the aggregate or that they will not require material additional funding from us in the future.
We may not control the day-to-day operations of these investments. We have in the past written down and, to the extent that these investments are not successful in the future, we may write down all or a portion of such investments. Additionally, these businesses may be subject to laws, rules and other circumstances, and have risks in their operations, which may be similar to, or different from, those to which we are subject. Any of the foregoing risks could result in a material negative effect on our business and results of operations or adversely impact the value of our investments.
We Are Subject to Extensive Governmental Regulation and Our Failure to Comply with These Regulations May Have a Material Negative Effect on Our Business and Results of Operations.
Our business is subject to the general powers of federal, state and local governments, as well as foreign governmental authorities. We are also subject to the rules, regulations and decisions of the NBA and NHL.
| Public Health and Safety. As a result of government mandated assembly limitations and closures implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, our venues were unable to host events for the substantial majority of Fiscal Year 2021. There can be no assurance that some or all of these restrictions will not be imposed again in the future due to increased infection rates of COVID-19 or another pandemic. We are unable to predict what the long-term effects of these events, including renewed government regulations or requirements, will be. For example, future governmental regulations adopted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic may impact the revenue we derive and/or the expenses we incur from the events that we choose to host, such that events that were historically profitable would instead result in losses. See Risks Related to Our Business Our Operations and Operating Results Have Been, and May in the Future be, Materially Impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic and Actions Taken in Response by Governmental Authorities and Certain Professional Sports Leagues. |
| Hospitality-related Permits/Licenses. We hold liquor licenses at each of our venues and are subject to licensing requirements with respect to the sale of alcoholic beverages in the jurisdictions in which we serve those beverages. Failure to receive or retain, or the suspension of, liquor licenses or permits could interrupt or terminate our ability to serve alcoholic beverages at the applicable venue and could have a material negative effect on our business and our results of operations. Additional regulation relating to liquor licenses may limit our activities in the future or significantly increase the cost of compliance, or both. In the jurisdictions in which our venues are located, we are subject to statutes that generally provide that serving alcohol to a visibly intoxicated or minor patron is a violation of the law and may provide for strict liability for certain damages arising out of such violations. Our liability insurance coverage may not be adequate or available to cover any potential liability. |
| Environmental Laws. We and our venues are subject to environmental laws and regulations relating to the use, disposal, storage, emission and release of hazardous and non-hazardous substances, as well as zoning and noise level restrictions which may affect, among other things, the operations of our venues. Compliance with these regulations and the associated costs may be heightened as a result of the purchase, construction or renovation of a venue. Additionally, certain laws and regulations could hold us strictly, jointly and severally responsible for the remediation of hazardous substance contamination at our facilities or at third-party waste disposal sites, as well as for any personal injury or property damage related to any contamination. |
| Zoning and Building Regulations. Our venues are subject to zoning and building regulations including permits relating to the operation of The Garden. The Garden requires a special zoning permit, which was originally granted by the New York City Planning Commission in 1963 and renewed in July 2013 for 10 years. Certain government officials and special interest groups sought to use the renewal process to pressure |
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us to improve Penn Station or to relocate The Garden. There can be no assurance regarding the future renewal of the permit or the terms thereof, and the failure to obtain such renewal or to do so on favorable terms could have a negative effect on our business. |
| Data Privacy. We are subject to various data privacy and protection laws, regulations, policies and contractual obligations that apply to the collection, transmission, storage, processing and use of personal information or personal data, which, among other things, impose certain requirements relating to the privacy and security of personal information. The variety of laws and regulations governing data privacy and protection, and the use of the internet as a commercial medium, are rapidly evolving, extensive and complex, and may include provisions and obligations that are inconsistent with one another or uncertain in their scope or application. |
The data protection landscape is rapidly evolving in the United States. As our operations and business grow, we may become subject to or affected by new or additional data protection laws and regulations and face increased scrutiny or attention from regulatory authorities. For example, California has passed a comprehensive data privacy law, the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (the CCPA), and other states, including Virginia and Colorado, have also passed similar laws. Additionally, the California Privacy Rights Act (the CPRA) imposed additional data protection obligations on covered businesses, including additional consumer rights procedures and obligations, limitations on data uses, new audit requirements for higher-risk data, and constraints on certain uses of sensitive data. The majority of the CPRA provisions went into effect on January 1, 2023, and additional compliance investment and potential business process changes may be required. Further, there are several legislative proposals in the United States, at both the federal and state level, that could impose new privacy and security obligations. We cannot yet determine the impact that these future laws and regulations may have on our business.
In addition, governmental authorities and private litigants continue to bring actions against companies for online collection, use, dissemination and security practices that are unfair or deceptive.
Our business is, and may in the future be, subject to a variety of other laws and regulations, including licensing, permitting, and historic designation and similar requirements; working conditions, labor, immigration and employment laws; health, safety and sanitation requirements; and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (and related state and local statutes).
Any changes to the legal and regulatory framework applicable to our business could have an adverse impact on our business and our failure to comply with applicable governmental laws and regulations, or to maintain necessary permits or licenses, could result in liability or government actions that could have a material negative effect on our business and results of operations.
Our Business Is Subject to Seasonal Fluctuations, and Our Operating Results and Cash Flow Could Vary Substantially from Period to Period.
Our revenues and expenses have been seasonal and we expect they will continue to be seasonal. For example, 22% of our revenues in Fiscal Year 2020 were derived from the Christmas Spectacular (the last production presented prior to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic). Our revenues are highest in the second quarter of our fiscal year when these performances primarily occur. As a result, our business earns a disproportionate amount of its revenue and operating income in the second quarter of each fiscal year. Therefore, our operating results and cash flow reflect significant variation from period to period and will continue to do so in the future. Consequently, period-to-period comparisons of our operating results may not necessarily be meaningful and the operating results of one period are not indicative of our financial performance during a full fiscal year. This variability may adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Labor Matters May Have a Material Negative Effect on Our Business and Results of Operations.
As a result of ongoing labor market disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic and otherwise, we have faced difficulty in maintaining staffing at our venues and retaining talent in our corporate departments. As a
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result, we have had to scale back hours and days of operations in certain markets and venues. If we are unable to attract and retain qualified people or to do so on reasonable terms, our venues could be short staffed or become more expensive to operate and affect our ability to meet our customers demand, any of which could materially adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Our business is dependent upon the efforts of unionized workers. As of December 31, 2022, approximately 4,900 full-time and part-time employees, who represent approximately 70% of the Companys workforce, were subject to collective bargaining agreements (CBAs). Approximately 3% were subject to CBAs that expired as of December 31, 2022 and approximately 38% were subject to CBAs that will expire by June 30, 2023, if they are not extended prior thereto. Any labor disputes, such as strikes or lockouts, with the unions with which we have CBAs could have a material negative effect on our business and results of operations (including our ability to produce or present concerts, programming, theatrical productions, sporting events and other events).
Additionally, NBA and NHL players are covered by CBAs. Both leagues have experienced labor difficulties in the past and may have labor issues in the future, such as player strikes or management lockouts. If any Knicks or Rangers games are cancelled because of any such labor difficulties, the loss of revenue, including from customers who would have attended home games at The Garden would have a negative impact on our business and results of operations.
The Unavailability of Systems Upon Which We Rely May Have a Material Negative Effect on Our Business and Results of Operations.
We rely upon various internal and third-party software or systems in the operation of our business, including, with respect to ticket sales, credit card processing, email marketing, point of sale transactions, database, inventory, human resource management and financial systems. From time to time, certain of these arrangements may not be covered by long-term agreements. The failure or unavailability of these internal or third-party services or systems, depending upon its severity and duration, could have a material negative effect on our business and results of operations.
There Is a Risk of Injuries and Accidents in Connection with Our Venues, Which Could Subject Us to Personal Injury or Other Claims; We Are Subject to the Risk of Adverse Outcomes in Other Types of Litigation.
There are inherent risks associated with producing and hosting events and operating, maintaining, renovating or constructing our venues. As a result, personal injuries, accidents and other incidents have occurred and may occur from time to time, which could subject us to claims and liabilities.
These risks may not be covered by insurance or could involve exposures that exceed the limits of any applicable insurance policy. Incidents in connection with events at any of our venues could also reduce attendance at our events and may have a negative impact on our revenue and results of operations. We seek to obtain contractual indemnities for events at our venues that we do not promote, and under the Arena License Agreements, MSG Sports and the Company have reciprocal indemnity obligations to each other in connection with the home games of the Knicks and Rangers held at The Garden. While we also maintain insurance policies that provide coverage for incidents in the ordinary course of business, there can be no assurance that such indemnities or insurance will be adequate at all times and in all circumstances.
From time to time, the Company and its subsidiaries are involved in various legal proceedings, including proceedings or lawsuits brought by governmental agencies, stockholders, customers, employees, private parties and other stakeholders. The outcome of litigation is inherently unpredictable and, regardless of the merits of the claims, litigation may be expensive, time-consuming, disruptive to our operations, harmful to our reputation and distracting to management. As a result, we may incur liability from litigation (including in connection with settling such litigation) which could be material and for which we may not have available or adequate insurance coverage, or be subject to other forms of non-monetary relief which may adversely affect the Company. By its
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nature, the outcome of litigation is difficult to assess and quantify, and its continuing defense is costly. The liabilities and any defense costs we incur in connection with any such litigation could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
Risks Related to Indebtedness and Financial Condition
We Have Substantial Indebtedness and Are Highly Leveraged, Which Could Adversely Affect Our Business.
The Company will be highly leveraged with a significant amount of debt and may continue to incur additional debt in the future. On June 30, 2022, MSG National Properties, LLC (MSG National Properties) and certain other subsidiaries entered into a five-year $650 million senior secured term loan facility (the National Properties Term Loan Facility) and a five-year $100 million revolving credit facility (the National Properties Revolving Credit Facility and, together with the National Properties Term Loan Facility, the National Properties Facilities), which are guaranteed by MSG Entertainment Group, to fund working capital needs, for general corporate purposes of MSG National Properties and its subsidiaries, and to make distributions to MSG Entertainment Group (the National Properties Credit Agreement). As of December 31, 2022, outstanding letters of credit were $7.9 million and the remaining balance available under the National Properties Revolving Credit Facility was $63.0 million. The National Properties Facilities will mature on June 30, 2027. The principal obligations under the National Properties Term Loan Facility are to be repaid in quarterly installments beginning with the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2023, in an aggregate amount equal to 2.50% per annum (0.625% per quarter), stepping up to 5.0% per annum (1.25% per quarter) in the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2025, with the balance due at the maturity of the facility. The principal obligations under the National Properties Revolving Credit Facility are due at the maturity of the facility. The National Properties Credit Agreement also includes financial covenants requiring MSG National Properties and its restricted subsidiaries to maintain a specified minimum liquidity level, a specified minimum debt service coverage ratio and specified maximum total leverage ratio. In connection with the Distribution, we expect MSG Entertainment Holdings to become the entity that guarantees the National Properties Credit Agreement on the same terms.
As a result of this indebtedness, we will be required to make interest and principal payments on our borrowings that are significant in relation to our revenues and cash flows. These payments reduce our earnings and cash available for other potential business purposes. Furthermore, our interest expense could increase if interest rates increase (including in connection with rising inflation) because our indebtedness bears interest at floating rates or to the extent we have to refinance existing debt with higher cost debt.
In addition, the ability of MSG National Properties to draw on its revolving credit facility will depend on its ability to meet certain financial covenants and other conditions. This leverage also exposes us to significant risk by limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business (whether through competitive pressure or otherwise), the entertainment and hospitality industries and the economy at large. Although our cash flows could decrease in these scenarios, our required payments in respect of indebtedness would not decrease.
In addition, our ability to make payments on, or repay or refinance, such debt, and to fund our operating and capital expenditures, depends largely upon our future operating performance. Our future operating performance, to a certain extent, is subject to general economic conditions, recession, fears of recession, and financial, competitive, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control. The failure to satisfy the covenants, including any inability to attain a covenant waiver, and other requirements under the credit agreement could trigger a default thereunder, acceleration of outstanding debt thereunder and a demand for payment under the guarantee provided by MSG Entertainment Group, or, following the distribution, MSG Entertainment Holdings, as applicable, which would negatively impact our liquidity and could have a negative effect on our business.
In addition, MSG Entertainment has made investments in, or otherwise extended loans to, one or more of its joint ventures or other parties and we may make additional investments in, or otherwise extend loans to, one or more of such parties in the future. To the extent that such parties do not perform as expected, including with respect to repayment of such loans, it could impair such assets or create losses related to such loans, and, as a result, have a negative effect on our business and results of operations.
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Our Variable Rate Indebtedness Subjects Us to Interest Rate Risk, Which Could Cause Our Debt Service Obligations to Increase Significantly.
Borrowings under our facilities are at variable rates of interest and expose us to interest rate risk. If interest rates increase (including in connection with rising inflation), our debt service obligations on certain of our variable rate indebtedness will increase even though the amount borrowed remains the same, and our net income and cash flows, including cash available for servicing our indebtedness, will correspondingly decrease.
The United Kingdoms Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), has announced that it will not compel banks to contribute to LIBOR after 2021. In November 2020, the ICE Benchmark Administration Limited announced a plan to extend the date as of which most U.S. LIBOR values would cease being computed from December 31, 2021 to June 30, 2023. On July 29, 2021 the Alternative Reference Rates Committee announced that it was formally recommending the forward-looking Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) term rate. Our National Properties Facilities have been amended to adjust to SOFR-based rates. The consequences of these developments with respect to LIBOR cannot be entirely predicted but may affect the level of interest payments on the portion of our indebtedness that bears interest at variable rates, which may adversely impact the amount of our interest payments under such debt.
We Have Incurred Substantial Operating Losses, Adjusted Operating Losses and Negative Cash Flow and There is No Assurance We Will Have Operating Income, Positive Adjusted Operating Income or Positive Cash Flow in the Future.
We incurred operating losses of $5.6 million and $237.3 million for Fiscal Years 2022 and 2021, respectively, and operating income of $225.3 million for Fiscal Year 2020. In addition, we have in prior periods incurred operating losses and negative cash flow and there is no assurance that we will have operating income, adjusted operating income, or positive cash flow in the future. Significant operating losses may limit our ability to raise necessary financing, or to do so on favorable terms, as such losses could be taken into account by potential investors, lenders and the organizations that issue investment ratings on indebtedness. See Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Factors Affecting Results of Operations.
MSG Entertainments Management Identified a Material Weakness During Fiscal Year 2022, Which Has Now Been Remediated. If We Identify Other Material Weaknesses or Adverse Findings in the Future, Our Ability to Report Our Financial Condition or Results of Operations Accurately or Timely May Be Adversely Affected, Which May Result in a Loss of Investor Confidence in Our Financial Reports, Significant Expenses to Remediate Any Internal Control Deficiencies, and Ultimately Have an Adverse Effect on the Market Price of Our Common Stock.
Pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, our management will be required to report on, and our independent registered public accounting firm will be required to attest to, the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Currently, we are an emerging growth company, and are exempt from complying with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404, but we will be subject to the requirements in the future. The rules governing the standards that must be met for management to assess internal control over financial reporting are complex and require significant documentation, testing and possible remediation. In addition, if we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal control over financial reporting, we will not be able to conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. If we fail to achieve and maintain an effective internal control environment, we could suffer misstatements in our financial statements and fail to meet our reporting obligations, which would likely cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information. This could result in significant expenses to remediate any internal control deficiencies and lead to a decline in our stock price.
Subsequent to the filing of the Fiscal Year 2021 Form 10-K, MSG Entertainment management evaluated an immaterial accounting error related to interest costs that should have been capitalized for the MSG Sphere in Las
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Vegas in Fiscal Years 2021, 2020 and 2019 and in the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2021, as prescribed by Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 835-20 Capitalization of Interest. As a result of the accounting error, MSG Entertainment re-evaluated the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting and identified a material weakness as of June 30, 2021, September 30, 2021, December 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022. MSG Entertainment undertook certain remediation efforts by implementing additional controls which were operating effectively as of June 30, 2022, and as a result, MSG Entertainments management has concluded that the material weakness has been remediated and its internal control over financial reporting was effective as of June 30, 2022. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of a companys annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
Once we are subject to these requirements, our management may be unable to conclude in future periods that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective due to the effects of various factors, which may, in part, include unremediated material weaknesses in internal controls over financial reporting. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in those reports is accumulated and communicated to the companys management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In addition, we may not be able to identify and remediate other control deficiencies, including material weaknesses, in the future.
Risks Related to Cybersecurity and Intellectual Property
We Face Continually Evolving Cybersecurity and Similar Risks, Which Could Result in Loss, Disclosure, Theft, Destruction or Misappropriation of, or Access to, Our Confidential Information and Cause Disruption of Our Business, Damage to Our Brands and Reputation, Legal Exposure and Financial Losses.
Through our operations, we may collect and store, including by electronic means, certain personal, proprietary and other sensitive information, including payment card information, that is provided to us through purchases, registration on our websites, mobile applications, or otherwise in communication or interaction with us. These activities require the use of online services and centralized data storage, including through third-party service providers. Data maintained in electronic form is subject to the risk of security incidents, including breach, compromise, intrusion, tampering, theft, destruction, misappropriation or other malicious activity. Our ability to safeguard such personal and other sensitive information, including information regarding the Company and our customers, sponsors, partners and employees, independent contractors and vendors, is important to our business. We take these matters seriously and take significant steps to protect our stored information, including the implementation of systems and processes to thwart malicious activity. These protections are costly and require ongoing monitoring and updating as technologies change and efforts to overcome security measures become more sophisticated. See Economic and Operational Risks We Are Subject to Extensive Governmental Regulation and Our Failure to Comply with These Regulations May Have a Material Negative Effect on Our Business and Results of Operations.
Despite our efforts, the risks of a security incident cannot be entirely eliminated and our information technology and other systems that maintain and transmit consumer, sponsor, partner, Company, employee and other confidential and proprietary information may be compromised due to employee error or other circumstances such as malware or ransomware, viruses, hacking and phishing attacks, denial-of-service attacks, business email compromises, or otherwise. Such compromise could affect the security of information on our network or that of a third-party service provider. Additionally, outside parties may attempt to fraudulently induce employees, vendors or users to disclose sensitive, proprietary or confidential information in order to gain access to data and systems. As a result, such sensitive, proprietary and/or confidential information may be lost, disclosed, accessed or taken without consent. For example, in November 2016, a payment card issue that affected cards used at merchandise and food and beverage locations at several of our New York venues and The Chicago Theatre was identified and addressed with the assistance of security firms. The issue was promptly fixed and enhanced security measures were implemented.
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The Company also continues to review and enhance our security measures in light of the constantly evolving techniques used to gain unauthorized access to networks, data, software and systems. The Company may be required to incur significant expenses in order to address any actual or potential security incidents that arise and we may not have insurance coverage for any or all of such expenses. If we experience an actual or perceived security incident, our ability to conduct business may be interrupted or impaired, we may incur damage to our systems, we may lose profitable opportunities or the value of those opportunities may be diminished and we may lose revenue as a result of unlicensed use of our intellectual property. Unauthorized access to or security breaches of our systems could result in the loss of data, loss of business, severe reputational damage adversely affecting customer or investor confidence, diversion of managements attention, regulatory investigations and orders, litigation, indemnity obligations, damages for contract breach, penalties for violation of applicable laws or regulations and significant costs for remediation that may include liability for stolen or lost assets or information and repair of system damage that may have been caused, incentives offered to customers or other business partners in an effort to maintain business relationships after a breach and other liabilities. In addition, in the event of a security incident, changes in legislation may increase the risk of potential litigation. For example, the CCPA, which provides a private right of action (in addition to statutory damages) for California residents whose sensitive personal information is breached as a result of a business violation of its duty to reasonably secure such information, took effect on January 1, 2020 and was expanded by the CPRA, which took effect in January 2023. Our insurance coverage may not be adequate to cover the costs of a data breach, indemnification obligations or other liabilities.
In addition, in some instances, we may have obligations to notify relevant stakeholders of security breaches. Such mandatory disclosures are costly, could lead to negative publicity, may cause our customers to lose confidence in the effectiveness of our security measures and require us to expend significant capital and other resources to respond to or alleviate problems caused by an actual or perceived security breach.
We May Become Subject to Infringement or Other Claims Relating to Our Content or Technology.
From time to time, third parties may assert against us alleged intellectual property infringement claims (e.g., copyright, trademark and patent) or other claims relating to our productions, venues and brands, technologies, digital content or other content or material, some of which may be important to our business. In addition, our productions could potentially subject us to claims of defamation, violation of rights of privacy or publicity or similar types of allegations. Any such claims, regardless of their merit or outcome, could cause us to incur significant costs that could harm our results of operations. We may not be indemnified against, or have insurance coverage for, claims or costs of these types. In addition, if we are unable to continue the use of certain intellectual property rights, our business and results of operations could be materially negatively impacted.
Theft of Our Intellectual Property May Have a Material Negative Effect on Our Business and Results of Operations.
The success of our business depends in part on our ability to maintain and monetize our intellectual property rights, including our brand logos, our technologies, digital content and other content that is material to our business. Theft of our intellectual property, including content, could have a material negative effect on our business and results of operations because it may reduce the revenue that we are able to receive from the legitimate exploitation of such intellectual property, undermine lawful distribution channels and limit our ability to control the marketing of our content and inhibit our ability to recoup or profit from the costs incurred to create such content. Litigation may be necessary to enforce our intellectual property rights or protect our trade secrets. Any litigation of this nature, regardless of the outcome, could cause us to incur significant costs.
Risks Related to the Spin-off Transaction
Following the Distribution, We Will Be Materially Dependent on Affiliated Entities Performances Under Various Agreements.
Following the Distribution, we will enter into various agreements with MSG Entertainment and MSG Sports that will govern our ongoing commercial relationship subsequent to the Distribution, including sponsorship agency agreements in connection with the sale of sponsorships for the Knicks and Rangers, as well as MSG
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Sports other teams, and a trademark license agreement regarding the use of the MSG name. These agreements will each be subject to potential termination in the event MSG Entertainment or MSG Sports and the Company are no longer affiliates.
The Company will provide to MSG Entertainment certain business services that were performed by MSG Entertainment prior to the Distribution, such 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. These services include the collection and storage of certain personal information regarding employees and/or customers as well as information regarding the Company, MSG Entertainment and our sponsors and partners. See also Risks Related to Cybersecurity and Intellectual Property We Face Continually Evolving Cybersecurity and Similar Risks, Which Could Result in Loss, Disclosure, Theft, Destruction or Misappropriation of, or Access to, Our Confidential Information and Cause Disruption of Our Business, Damage to Our Brands and Reputation, Legal Exposure and Financial Losses.
The Company and its affiliated entities will each rely on the other to perform its obligations under all of these agreements. If one of the affiliated entities were to breach, be unable to satisfy its material obligations under these agreements, including a failure to satisfy its indemnification or other financial obligations, or these agreements otherwise terminate or expire and we do not enter into replacement agreements, we could suffer operational difficulties and/or significant losses.
Because There Has Not Been Any Public Market for Our Common Stock, the Market Price and Trading Volume of Our Common Stock May Be Volatile and You May Not Be Able to Resell Your Shares at or Above the Initial Market Price of Our Stock Following the Distribution.
Prior to the Distribution, there will have been no regular way trading market for our common stock. We cannot predict the extent to which investors interest will lead to a liquid trading market or whether the market price of our common stock will be volatile. The market price of our common stock could fluctuate significantly for many reasons, including in response to the risk factors listed in this information statement or for reasons unrelated to our specific performance, such as reports by industry analysts, investor perceptions or negative developments for our customers, competitors or suppliers, as well as general economic and industry conditions.
The Combined Post-Distribution Value of MSG Entertainment and Spinco Shares May Not Equal or Exceed the Pre-Distribution Value of MSG Entertainment Shares.
After the Distribution, MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock will continue to be listed and traded on the NYSE. We cannot assure you that the combined trading prices of MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock and Spinco Class A Common Stock after the Distribution, as adjusted for any changes in the combined capitalization of these companies, will be equal to or greater than the trading price of MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock prior to the Distribution. Until the market has fully evaluated the business of MSG Entertainment without the business of Spinco, the price at which MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock trades may fluctuate significantly. Similarly, until the market has fully evaluated the business of Spinco, the price at which shares of Spinco Class A Common Stock trade may fluctuate significantly.
A Significant Amount of Our Total Outstanding Shares May Be Sold Freely into the Market. This Could Cause the Market Price of Our Common Shares to Drop Significantly, Even if Our Business is Doing Well.
MSG Entertainment is required by applicable tax rules to dispose of all retained shares as soon as practicable consistent with the business purposes for the retention, and expects to dispose of such retained shares within one year, subject to market conditions. Sales of the approximately 33% of our common shares to be retained by MSG Entertainment in the public market, or the perception that these sales might occur, could depress the market price of our common shares and could impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of
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additional equity securities. Immediately following the Distribution, this significant amount of our common shares will be freely tradable, without restrictions or further registration under the Securities Act, subject to certain restrictions applicable to shares held by our affiliates as defined in Rule 144.
The Distribution is Subject to Various Risks and Uncertainties and May Not Be Completed in Accordance With the Expected Plans or Anticipated Timeline, or At All, and Will Involve Significant Time and Expense, Which Could Disrupt or Adversely Affect Our Business.
In August 2022, MSG Entertainment announced its plan to separate the Company into an independent, publicly-traded company by way of a tax free spin-off. The Distribution is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including final approval by MSG Entertainments Board of Directors of the final terms of the Distribution and certain other conditions. Furthermore, the Distribution is complex in nature, and unanticipated developments or changes, including changes in the law, the macroeconomic environment, competitive conditions of MSG Entertainments markets, regulatory approvals or clearances, the uncertainty of the financial markets and challenges in executing the Distribution, could delay or prevent the completion of the proposed Distribution, or cause the Distribution to occur on terms or conditions that are different or less favorable than expected.
Until the Distribution occurs, MSG Entertainment will have the discretion to determine and change the terms of the Distribution. For example, in December 2022, MSG Entertainment announced its plan to revise the structure of the proposed transaction and no longer include the MSG Networks business in the Company.
In addition, MSG Entertainment may decide at any time not to proceed with the Distribution. The process of completing the proposed Distribution has been and is expected to continue to require managements attention and involves significant costs and expenses. The Distribution costs may be significantly higher than what we currently anticipate and may not yield a discernible benefit if the Distribution is not completed, or if the expected benefits of the Distribution are not realized. We cannot predict the extent to which MSG Entertainments investors interest in the Distribution and the Company will impact the market price of its stock if the Distribution is not completed.
The Distribution Could Result in Significant Tax Liability.
MSG Entertainment expects to obtain an opinion from Sullivan & Cromwell LLP substantially to the effect that, among other things, the distribution by MSG Entertainment of our Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock to the holders of MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock and MSG Entertainment Class B Common Stock, respectively (i.e., the Distribution), should qualify as a tax-free distribution under the Code. Accordingly, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Distribution is not expected to result in the recognition of gain to MSG Entertainment with respect to the distribution of our Class A Common Stock or our Class B Common Stock to the MSG Entertainment stockholders and, except to the extent a stockholder receives cash in lieu of fractional shares of our common stock, no income, gain or loss should be recognized by, and no amount should be included in the income of such holder upon the receipt of shares of our common stock pursuant to the Distribution. The opinion will not be binding on the IRS or the courts. See The Distribution Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Distribution. Certain transactions related to the Distribution that are not addressed (or expected to be addressed) by the opinion could result in the recognition of income or gain by MSG Entertainment. The opinion will rely on factual representations and reasonable assumptions, which, if incorrect or inaccurate, may jeopardize the ability to rely on such opinion. MSG Entertainment does not intend to request any ruling from the IRS as to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Distribution.
If the Distribution does not qualify for tax-free treatment for U.S. federal income tax purposes, then, in general, MSG Entertainment would recognize taxable gain in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of our common stock distributed in the Distribution over MSG Entertainments tax basis therein (i.e., as if it had sold such common stock in a taxable sale for its fair market value). In addition, the receipt by MSG Entertainment stockholders of common stock of our Company would be a taxable distribution, and each U.S. holder that receives our common stock in the Distribution would be treated as if the U.S. holder had received a
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distribution equal to the fair market value of our common stock that was distributed to it, which generally would be treated first as a taxable dividend to the extent of such holders pro rata share of MSG Entertainments earnings and profits, then as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of the holders tax basis in its MSG Entertainment common stock, and thereafter as capital gain with respect to any remaining value. It is expected that the amount of any such taxes to MSG Entertainment stockholders and MSG Entertainment would be substantial. See The Distribution Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Distribution.
We May Have a Significant Indemnity Obligation to MSG Entertainment if the Distribution Is Treated as a Taxable Transaction.
We will enter into a Tax Disaffiliation Agreement with MSG Entertainment, which will set out each partys rights and obligations with respect to federal, state, local or foreign taxes for periods before and after the Distribution and related matters such as the filing of tax returns and the conduct of IRS and other audits. Pursuant to the Tax Disaffiliation Agreement, we will be required to indemnify MSG Entertainment for losses and taxes of MSG Entertainment resulting from the breach of certain covenants and for certain taxable gain recognized by MSG Entertainment, including as a result of certain acquisitions of our stock or assets. If we are required to indemnify MSG Entertainment under the circumstances set forth in the Tax Disaffiliation Agreement, we may be subject to substantial liabilities, which could materially adversely affect our financial position.
The Tax Rules Applicable to the Distribution May Restrict Us from Engaging in Certain Corporate Transactions or from Raising Equity Capital Beyond Certain Thresholds for a Period of Time After the Distribution.
To preserve the tax-free treatment of the Distribution to MSG Entertainment and its stockholders, under the Tax Disaffiliation Agreement with MSG Entertainment, for the two-year period following the Distribution, we will be subject to restrictions with respect to:
| entering into any transaction pursuant to which 50% or more of our shares or assets would be acquired, whether by merger or otherwise, unless certain tests are met; |
| issuing equity securities, if any such issuances would, in the aggregate, constitute 50% or more of the voting power or value of our capital stock; |
| certain repurchases of our common shares; |
| ceasing to actively conduct our business; |
| amendments to our organizational documents (i) affecting the relative voting rights of our stock or (ii) converting one class of our stock to another; |
| liquidating or partially liquidating; and |
| taking any other action that prevents the Distribution and certain related transactions from being tax-free. |
These restrictions may limit our ability during such period to pursue strategic transactions of a certain magnitude that involve the issuance or acquisition of our stock or engage in new businesses or other transactions that might increase the value of our business. These restrictions may also limit our ability to raise significant amounts of cash through the issuance of stock, especially if our stock price were to suffer substantial declines, or through the sale of certain of our assets. For more information, see the sections entitled The Distribution Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Distribution and Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions Relationship Between MSG Entertainment and Us After the Distribution Tax Disaffiliation Agreement.
Certain Adverse U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences Might Apply to Non-U.S. Holders That Hold Our Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock After the Distribution If We Are Treated as a USRPHC.
The Company has not made a determination as to whether we will be deemed to be a USRPHC, as defined in section 897(c)(2) of the Code. In general, we will be a USRPHC if 50% or more of the fair market value of our
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assets constitute United States real property interests within the meaning of the Code. However, the determination of whether we are a USRPHC turns on the relative fair market value of our United States real property interests and our other assets, and because the USRPHC rules are complex and the determination of whether we are a USRPHC depends on facts and circumstances that may be beyond our control, we can give no assurance as to our USRPHC status after the Distribution. If we are treated as a USRPHC, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences might apply to non-U.S. holders that hold our Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock after the Distribution. A beneficial owner of MSG Entertainment common stock that is a non-U.S. holder should consult its tax advisor as to the particular tax consequences that would be applicable to such holder if we are treated as a USRPHC after the Distribution. For more information, see the section entitled The Distribution Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Distribution.
We Do Not Have an Operating History as a Stand-Alone Public Company.
In the past, our operations have been a part of MSG Entertainment and MSG Entertainment provided us with various financial, operational and managerial resources for conducting our business. Following the Distribution, we will maintain our own credit and banking relationships and perform certain of our own financial and operational functions. We cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully put in place the financial, operational and managerial resources necessary to operate as a public company or that we will be able to be profitable doing so.
Our Historical Financial Results and Our Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements May Not Be Representative of Our Results as a Separate, Stand-Alone Company.
The historical financial information we have included in this information statement has been derived from the consolidated financial statements and accounting records of MSG Entertainment and does not necessarily reflect what our financial position, results of operations or cash flows would have been had we been a separate, stand-alone company during the periods presented. Although MSG Entertainment did account for the Entertainment business (with the addition of MSG Sphere) as a separate business segment, we were not operated as a separate, stand-alone company for the historical periods presented. The historical costs and expenses reflected in our combined financial statements include an allocation for certain corporate functions historically provided by MSG Entertainment, including general corporate expenses and employee benefits and incentives. These allocations were based on what we and MSG Entertainment considered to be reasonable reflections of the historical utilization levels of these services required in support of our business. The historical information does not necessarily indicate what our results of operations, financial position, cash flows or costs and expenses will be in the future. Our pro forma financial information set forth under Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information reflects changes to our operations as a result of the separation. However, there can be no assurances that this unaudited pro forma combined financial information will appropriately reflect our financial position or results of operations as a separate, stand-alone company.
We May Incur Material Costs and Expenses as a Result of Our Separation from MSG Entertainment.
We may incur costs and expenses greater than those we currently incur as a result of our separation from MSG Entertainment. These increased costs and expenses may arise from various factors, including financial reporting and costs associated with complying with federal securities laws (including compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act). In addition, we expect to either maintain similar or have increased corporate and administrative costs and expenses to those we incurred while part of MSG Entertainment, even though following the Distribution we will be a smaller, stand-alone company. We cannot assure you that these costs will not be material to our business.
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If, Following the Distribution, We Are Unable to Satisfy the Requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, or Our Internal Control Over Financial Reporting is Not Effective, the Reliability of Our Financial Statements May Be Questioned and Our Stock Price May Suffer.
Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires any company subject to the reporting requirements of the U.S. securities laws to do a comprehensive evaluation of its and its consolidated subsidiaries internal control over financial reporting. To comply with this statute, we will eventually be required to document and test our internal control procedures, our management will be required to assess and issue a report concerning our internal control over financial reporting, and our independent auditors will be required to issue an opinion on the Companys internal controls over financial reporting. The rules governing the standards that must be met for management to assess our internal control over financial reporting are complex and require significant documentation, testing and possible remediation to meet the detailed standards under the rules. During the course of its testing, our management may identify material weaknesses or deficiencies which may not be remedied in time to meet the deadline imposed by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. If our management cannot favorably assess the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting or our auditors identify material weaknesses in our internal controls, investor confidence in our financial results may weaken, and our stock price may suffer.
The Reduced Disclosure Requirements Applicable to Us as an Emerging Growth Company May Make Our Class A Common Stock Less Attractive to Investors.
We are an emerging growth company as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the JOBS Act), and we may avail ourselves of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements of public companies that are not emerging growth companies, including, but not limited to, an exemption from complying with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and, like smaller reporting companies, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirement of holding a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. We may remain an emerging growth company for up to five full fiscal years following the Distribution. We would cease to be an emerging growth company, and, therefore, become ineligible to rely on the above exemptions, if we: (a) have more than $1.235 billion in annual revenue in a fiscal year; (b) issue more than $1 billion of non-convertible debt over a three-year period; or (c) become a large accelerated filer as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act) which would generally occur after: (i) we have filed at least one annual report; (ii) we have been a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reporting company for at least 12 months; and (iii) the market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter. We cannot predict if investors will find our common stock less attractive because we may rely on these exemptions.
If some investors find our common stock less attractive as a result of the exemptions available to us as an emerging growth company, there may be a less active trading market for our common stock and our value may be more volatile than that of an otherwise comparable company that does not avail itself of the same or similar exemptions.
We Are Controlled by the Dolan Family. As a Result of Their Control, the Dolan Family Has the Ability to Prevent or Cause a Change in Control or Approve, Prevent or Influence Certain Actions by the Company.
We have two classes of common stock:
| Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, which is entitled to one vote per share and is entitled collectively to elect 25% of our Board of Directors; and |
| Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, which is entitled to 10 votes per share and is entitled collectively to elect the remaining 75% of our Board of Directors. |
As of the Distribution date, the Dolan Family Group will collectively own all of our Class B Common Stock, approximately [●]% of our outstanding Class A Common Stock and approximately [●]% of the total
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voting power of all our outstanding common stock. The members of the Dolan Family Group holding Class B Common Stock will execute a Stockholders Agreement prior to the Distribution that will have the effect of causing the voting power of the holders of our Class B Common Stock to be cast as a block with respect to all matters to be voted on by holders of Class B Common Stock. Under the Stockholders Agreement, the shares of Class B Common Stock owned by members of the Dolan Family Group (representing all of the outstanding Class B Common Stock) are to be voted on all matters in accordance with the determination of the Dolan Family Committee (as defined below), except that the decisions of the Dolan Family Committee are non-binding with respect to the Class B Common Stock owned by certain Dolan family trusts that collectively own [●]% of the outstanding Class B Common Stock (Excluded Trusts). The Dolan Family Committee will consist of Charles F. Dolan and his six children, James L. Dolan, Thomas C. Dolan, Patrick F. Dolan, Kathleen M. Dolan, Marianne Dolan Weber and Deborah A. Dolan-Sweeney. The Dolan Family Committee generally acts by majority vote, except that approval of a going-private transaction must be approved by a two-thirds vote and approval of a change-in-control transaction must be approved by not less than all but one vote. The voting members of the Dolan Family Committee will be James L. Dolan, Thomas C. Dolan, Kathleen M. Dolan, Deborah A. Dolan-Sweeney and Marianne Dolan Weber, with each member having one vote other than James L. Dolan, who has two votes. Because James L. Dolan has two votes, he will have the ability to block Dolan Family Committee approval of any Company change in control transaction. Shares of Class B Common Stock owned by Excluded Trusts will on all matters be voted on in accordance with the determination of the Excluded Trusts holding a majority of the Class B Common Stock held by all Excluded Trusts, except in the case of a vote on a going-private transaction or a change in control transaction, in which case a vote of trusts holding two-thirds of the Class B Common Stock owned by Excluded Trusts will be required.
The Dolan Family Group is able to prevent a change in control of our Company and no person interested in acquiring us will be able to do so without obtaining the consent of the Dolan Family Group. The Dolan Family Group, by virtue of its stock ownership, has the power to elect all of our directors subject to election by holders of Class B Common Stock, and is able collectively to control stockholder decisions on matters on which holders of all classes of our common stock vote together as a single class. These matters could include the amendment of some provisions of our certificate of incorporation and the approval of fundamental corporate transactions.
In addition, the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding shares of the Class B Common Stock, voting separately as a class, is required to approve:
| the authorization or issuance of any additional shares of Class B Common Stock, and |
| any amendment, alteration or repeal of any of the provisions of our certificate of incorporation that adversely affects the powers, preferences or rights of the Class B Common Stock. |
As a result, the Dolan Family Group has the power to prevent such issuance or amendment.
The members of the Dolan Family Group will enter into an agreement with the Company in which they agree that, during the 12-month period beginning on the Distribution date, the Dolan Family Group must obtain the prior approval of a majority of the Companys Independent Directors prior to acquiring common stock of the Company through a tender offer that results in members of the Dolan Family Group owning more than 50% of the total number of outstanding shares of common stock of the Company. For purposes of this agreement, the term Independent Directors means the directors of the Company who have been determined by our Board of Directors to be independent directors for purposes of NYSE corporate governance standards.
Following the Distribution, the Company and MSG Entertainment will still be controlled by the Dolan Family Group. The Dolan Family Group also controls MSG Sports and AMC Networks.
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We Have Elected to Be a Controlled Company for NYSE Purposes Which Allows Us Not to Comply with Certain of the Corporate Governance Rules of the NYSE.
We have been informed that, prior to the Distribution, the members of the Dolan Family Group will enter into a Stockholders Agreement relating, among other things, to the voting of their shares of our Class B Common Stock. As a result, following the Distribution, we will be a controlled company under the corporate governance rules of the NYSE. As a controlled company, we will have the right to elect not to comply with the corporate governance rules of the NYSE requiring: (i) a majority of independent directors on our Board of Directors; (ii) an independent corporate governance and nominating committee; and (iii) an independent compensation committee. Our Board of Directors has elected for the Company to be treated as a controlled company under NYSE corporate governance rules and not to comply with the NYSE requirement for a majority-independent board of directors and for an independent corporate governance and nominating committee because of our status as a controlled company. Nevertheless, we expect our Board of Directors to elect to comply with the NYSE requirement for an independent compensation committee.
Future Stock Sales, Including as a Result of the Exercise of Registration Rights by Certain of Our Stockholders, Could Adversely Affect the Trading Price of Our Class A Common Stock.
All of the shares of Class A Common Stock will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act unless the shares are owned by our affiliates as that term is defined in the rules under the Securities Act. Shares held by affiliates may be sold in the public market only if registered or if they qualify for an exemption from registration under Rule 144 which is summarized under Shares Eligible for Future Sale. Further, we plan to file a registration statement to cover the shares issued under our equity-based benefit plans.
As described under Shares Eligible for Future Sale Registration Rights Agreements, certain parties have registration rights covering a portion of our shares.
We expect to enter into registration rights agreements with Charles F. Dolan, members of his family, certain Dolan family interests and the Dolan Family Foundation that provide them with demand and piggyback registration rights with respect to approximately [●] million shares of Class A Common Stock, including shares issuable upon conversion of shares of Class B Common Stock.
We also expect to enter into a Stockholder and Registration Rights Agreement with MSG Entertainment, pursuant to which we will provide MSG Entertainment with demand and piggyback registration rights with respect to the approximately [●] shares of Class A Common Stock it will own following the Distribution. In addition, MSG Entertainment will agree to vote the Class A Common Stock that it owns in proportion to the votes cast by the other holders of the Companys Class A Common Stock on such matter, to the extent such shares of Class A Common Stock are entitled to be voted on such matter. The shares of Class A Common Stock owned by MSG Entertainment will be present at all stockholder meetings for quorum purposes. MSG Entertainment will grant the Company an irrevocable proxy to implement these voting agreements. Although no final decisions have been made, MSG Entertainment is required by applicable tax rules to dispose of all the retained shares, which will represent approximately 38% of the outstanding shares of our Class A Common Stock, as soon as practicable consistent with the business purposes for the retention, and expects to dispose of such retained shares within one year, subject to market conditions. This disposition may be through one or more sales, exchange offers or pro-rata distributions.
Sales of a substantial number of shares of Class A Common Stock, including sales pursuant to these registration rights agreements, could adversely affect the market price of the Class A Common Stock and could impair our future ability to raise capital through an offering of our equity securities. Such adverse effects could be particularly negative during the period between the completion of the Distribution and the time when MSG Entertainment completes its disposition of the retained shares.
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We Will Share Certain Directors and Officers with MSG Entertainment, MSG Sports and/or AMC Networks, Which Means Those Officers Will Not Devote Their Full Time and Attention to Our Affairs and the Overlap May Give Rise to Conflicts.
James L. Dolan will serve as the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of both the Company and MSG Entertainment and as the Executive Chairman of MSG Sports. James L. Dolan also currently serves as Non-Executive Chairman of AMC Networks. In addition, Gregg G. Seibert will serve as a Vice Chairman of the Company, MSG Sports, MSG Entertainment and AMC Networks and Charles F. Dolan will serve as Chairman Emeritus of AMC Networks concurrently with his service on our Board. Furthermore, immediately following the Distribution, nine of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company will also serve as directors of MSG Entertainment, nine will serve as directors of MSG Sports and five will serve as directors of AMC Networks, including our Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, who serves as Non-Executive Chairman of AMC Networks. There will be no overlap of Class A Directors as between MSG Entertainment and the Company. The Overlap Persons 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 we on the one hand, and MSG Entertainment, MSG Sports, and/or AMC Networks and their respective subsidiaries and successors on the other hand, 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 and us. In addition, after the Distribution, certain of our 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 our Company and an Other Entity. See Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions Certain Relationships and Potential Conflicts of Interest for a discussion of certain procedures we will institute to help ameliorate such potential conflicts that may arise.
Our Overlapping Directors and Officers with MSG Entertainment, MSG Sports and/or AMC Networks May Result in the Diversion of Corporate Opportunities to MSG Entertainment, MSG Sports and/or AMC Networks and Other Conflicts and Provisions in Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation May Provide Us No Remedy in That Circumstance.
The Companys amended and restated certificate of incorporation will acknowledge that directors and officers of the Company may also be serving as directors, officers, employees or agents of an Other Entity, and that the Company may engage in material business transactions with such Other Entities. The Company will renounce its rights to certain business opportunities and the Companys amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that no Overlap Person will be liable to the Company 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 opportunities set forth in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation) to one or more of the Other Entities instead of the Company, or does not refer or communicate information regarding such corporate opportunities to the Company. These provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will also expressly validate certain contracts, agreements, arrangements and transactions (and amendments, modifications or terminations thereof) between the Company and the Other Entities and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, provide that the actions of the Overlap Person in connection therewith are not breaches of fiduciary duties owed to the Company, any of its subsidiaries or their respective stockholders. See Description of Capital Stock Certain Corporate Opportunities and Conflicts.
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General
MSG Entertainment will distribute approximately 67% of our outstanding stock to the holders of MSG Entertainments Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock and will retain approximately 33% of our outstanding common stock in the form of Class A Common Stock. MSG Entertainment will not own any of our Class B Common Stock following the Distribution. We refer to this distribution of securities as the Distribution, the Class A Common Stock distributed as the Distributed Class A Common Stock, the Class B Common Stock distributed as the Distributed Class B Common Stock (and, together with the Distributed Class A Common Stock, the Distributed Common Stock) and the shares retained by MSG Entertainment as the Retained Common Stock. The Distributed Common Stock will include approximately 62% of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock (the holders of which will have the right to collectively elect 25% of our Board of Directors, rounded up to the nearest whole number of directors) and 100% of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock (the holders of which will have the right to collectively elect the remaining 75% of our Board of Directors). As a result, the Distributed Common Stock will represent at least 90% of the combined voting power of the outstanding common stock with respect to the election of directors.
In the Distribution, each holder of MSG Entertainment common stock will receive a distribution of one share of our common stock for every one share of MSG Entertainment common stock held as of the close of business, New York City time, on [●], 2023, which will be the record date. Immediately following the Distribution, MSG Entertainment will own approximately 38% of our Class A Common Stock (representing approximately 33% of our common stock), the Class A Common Stockholders of MSG Entertainment will own approximately 62% of our Class A Common Stock (representing approximately 53% of our common stock), and the Class B Common Stockholders of MSG Entertainment will own 100% of our Class B Common Stock (representing approximately 13% of our common stock).
Manner of Effecting the Distribution
The general terms and conditions relating to the Distribution are set forth in the Distribution Agreement between us and MSG Entertainment. Under the Distribution Agreement, the Distribution will be effective at 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on [●], 2023. For most MSG Entertainment stockholders who own MSG Entertainment common stock in registered form on the record date, our transfer and distribution agent will credit their shares of our common stock to book entry accounts established to hold these shares. Our transfer and distribution agent will send these stockholders a statement reflecting their ownership of our common stock. Book entry refers to a method of recording stock ownership in our records in which no physical certificates are used. For stockholders who own MSG Entertainment common stock through a broker or other nominee, their shares of our common stock will be credited to these stockholders accounts by the broker or other nominee. As further discussed below, fractional shares will not be distributed. Following the Distribution, stockholders whose shares are held in book entry form may request that their shares of our common stock be transferred to a brokerage or other account at any time, as well as delivery of physical stock certificates for their shares, in each case without charge.
MSG ENTERTAINMENT STOCKHOLDERS WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO PAY FOR SHARES OF OUR COMMON STOCK RECEIVED IN THE DISTRIBUTION, OR TO SURRENDER OR EXCHANGE SHARES OF MSG ENTERTAINMENT COMMON STOCK IN ORDER TO RECEIVE OUR COMMON STOCK, OR TO TAKE ANY OTHER ACTION IN CONNECTION WITH THE DISTRIBUTION. NO VOTE OF MSG ENTERTAINMENT STOCKHOLDERS IS REQUIRED OR SOUGHT IN CONNECTION WITH THE DISTRIBUTION, AND MSG ENTERTAINMENT STOCKHOLDERS HAVE NO APPRAISAL RIGHTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE DISTRIBUTION.
Fractional shares of our common stock will not be issued to MSG Entertainment stockholders as part of the Distribution or credited to book entry accounts. In lieu of receiving fractional shares, each holder of MSG Entertainment common stock who would otherwise be entitled to receive a fractional share of our common stock
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will receive cash for the fractional interest, which generally will be taxable to such holder. An explanation of the tax consequences of the Distribution can be found below in the subsection captioned Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Distribution. The transfer and distribution agent will, as soon as practicable after the Distribution date, aggregate fractional shares of our Class A Common Stock into whole shares and sell them in the open market at the prevailing market prices and distribute the aggregate proceeds, net of brokerage fees, ratably to stockholders otherwise entitled to fractional interests in our Class A Common Stock. Similarly, fractional shares of our Class B Common Stock will be aggregated, converted to Class A Common Stock, and sold in the public market by the transfer and distribution agent. The amount of such payments will depend on the prices at which the aggregated fractional shares are sold by the transfer and distribution agent in the open market shortly after the Distribution date.
See Executive Compensation Treatment of Outstanding Awards, for a discussion of how outstanding MSG Entertainment options, restricted stock units and performance stock units will be affected by the Distribution.
In order to be entitled to receive shares of our common stock in the Distribution, MSG Entertainment stockholders must be stockholders of record of MSG Entertainment common stock at the close of business, New York City time, on the record date, [●], 2023.
Reasons for the Distribution
MSG Entertainments board of directors has determined that separation of our business from MSG Entertainments other business is in the best interests of MSG Entertainment and its stockholders. The potential benefits considered by MSG Entertainments board of directors in making the determination to consummate the Distribution included the following:
| to provide each of MSG Entertainment and the Company with increased flexibility to fully pursue and fund its business plan, including capital expenditures, investments and acquisitions that would be more difficult to consider or effectuate in the absence of the Distribution. This increased financial flexibility reflects the belief that investors in a company with the mix of assets that each of MSG Entertainment and the Company will own following the Distribution will be more receptive to strategic initiatives that MSG Entertainment and the Company may respectively pursue; |
| to increase the aggregate value of the stock of MSG Entertainment and the Company above the value that the stock of MSG Entertainment would have had if it had continued to represent an interest in both the businesses of MSG Entertainment and the Company, so as to: (i) allow each company to use its stock to pursue and achieve strategic objectives, including evaluating and effectuating acquisitions and increasing the long-term attractiveness of equity compensation programs in a significantly more efficient and effective manner with significantly less dilution to existing stockholders; and (ii) allow each company to offer a more focused investment profile to investors; and |
| to provide MSG Entertainment, through the retained equity interest, with the opportunity to raise cash proceeds for corporate purposes, including capital expenditures, and/or to use such shares for other transactions that would be advantageous for MSG Entertainment and its stockholders. These capital expenditures will include funds utilized to pursue growth opportunities associated with MSG Entertainments Sphere initiative. In addition, upon the Distribution, MSG Entertainment will pledge the entire retained equity interest to secure the $275 million senior secured term loan facility of MSG Las Vegas, LLC, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of MSG Entertainment, which was entered into on December 22, 2022. This pledge will be released once the Las Vegas Sphere has been substantially completed and certain of its systems are ready to be used in live, immersive events. The Company will have no interest, contractual or otherwise, in the Sphere venues. |
MSG Entertainments board of directors also considered several factors that might have a negative effect on MSG Entertainment as a result of the Distribution. MSG Entertainments common stock may come under initial selling pressure as certain MSG Entertainment stockholders sell their shares because they are not interested in
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holding an investment in MSG Entertainments remaining business. Moreover, certain factors, such as a lack of comparable public companies, may limit investors ability to appropriately value MSG Entertainments common stock. In addition, the Distribution would separate from MSG Entertainment the business and assets of the Company, which represent significant value. Because the Company will no longer be part of MSG Entertainment, the Distribution will also affect the terms upon which MSG Entertainment can pursue cross-company business transactions and initiatives with the Company. In addition, after the Distribution, MSG Entertainments results will not reflect the generally more predictable cash flow from the Entertainment business segment, which may result in more volatile and less predictable operating results and cash flow for MSG Entertainment. Finally, following the Distribution, MSG Entertainment and its remaining business will need to absorb certain corporate and administrative costs previously allocated to its Entertainment business segment.
MSG Entertainments board of directors considered certain aspects of the Distribution that may be adverse to the Company. The Companys common stock may come under initial selling pressure as certain MSG Entertainment stockholders sell their shares in the Company because they are not interested in holding an investment in the Companys business. Moreover, certain factors, such as a lack of comparable public companies, may limit investors ability to appropriately value the Companys common stock. Because the Company will no longer be part of MSG Entertainment, the Distribution will also affect the terms upon which the Company can pursue cross-company business transactions and initiatives with MSG Entertainments other business. In addition, after the Distribution, the Companys results will not reflect cash flow from the MSG Networks and Tao Group Hospitality business segments. As a result of the Distribution, the Company will bear significant incremental costs associated with being a publicly held company and will need to absorb certain corporate and operational support costs previously allocated to MSG Entertainment. This cost increase will be partially offset by payments that the Company will receive from MSG Entertainment resulting from the establishment of the Transition Services Agreement, which will be recorded as a reduction of operating expenses. Refer to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information section for further details.
Results of the Distribution
After the Distribution, we will be a public company owning and operating the Entertainment business segment, excluding the MSG Sphere business, currently owned and operated by MSG Entertainment. Immediately after the Distribution, we expect to have approximately [●] holders of record of our Class A Common Stock and [●] holders of record of our Class B Common Stock and approximately [●] shares of Class A Common Stock and [●] shares of Class B Common Stock outstanding, based on the number of stockholders of record and outstanding shares of MSG Entertainment common stock on [●], 2023 and after giving effect to the delivery to stockholders of cash in lieu of fractional shares of our common stock. The actual number of shares to be distributed will be determined on the record date. You can find information regarding options, restricted stock units and performance stock units that will be outstanding after the Distribution in the section captioned, Executive Compensation Treatment of Outstanding Awards. We and MSG Entertainment will both be controlled by the Dolan Family Group.
In connection with the Distribution, we have entered or will enter into a number of other agreements with MSG Entertainment and MSG Sports (and certain of their subsidiaries) to provide for an orderly transition and to govern the ongoing relationships between the Company, MSG Entertainment and MSG Sports after the Distribution. These agreements are summarized below, and described in more detail in the Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions section below.
Agreements between MSG Entertainment and the Company
| Distribution Agreement. We will enter into a Distribution Agreement with MSG Entertainment as part of a series of transactions pursuant to which we have acquired or will acquire prior to the Distribution the subsidiaries, businesses and other assets of MSG Entertainment that constitute our business. |
| Transition Services Agreement. We will enter into a Transition Services Agreement with MSG Entertainment under which, in exchange for the fees specified in such agreement, the Company will agree to |
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provide certain corporate and other services to MSG Entertainment, 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. MSG Entertainment similarly will agree to provide certain transition services to the Company. |
| Tax Disaffiliation Agreement. We will enter into a Tax Disaffiliation Agreement with MSG Entertainment that will govern MSG Entertainments and our 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. |
| Employee Matters Agreement. We will enter into an employee matters agreement with MSG Entertainment that allocates 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. |
| Stockholder and Registration Rights Agreement. The Company will enter into stockholder and registration rights agreements with MSG Entertainment. |
| Delayed Draw Term Loan Facility. Prior to or concurrently with the consummation of the Distribution, it is expected that MSG Entertainment Holdings will enter into the DDTL Facility with MSG Entertainment, pursuant to which MSG Entertainment Holdings would commit to lend up to $65 million in delayed draw term loans to MSG Entertainment on an unsecured basis for a period of 18 months following the consummation of the Distribution. |
| Two Pennsylvania Plaza. Following the Distribution, the Company will sublease approximately 20,000 square feet of office space at Two Pennsylvania Plaza in New York City to MSG Entertainment. |
| Aircraft Arrangements. We will enter into various arrangements with MSG Entertainment, pursuant to which MSG Entertainment will have the right to lease on a time-sharing basis certain aircraft to which we have access. |
Agreements with MSG Sports and/or AMC Networks
| Arena License Agreements. In connection with the Distribution, MSG Entertainment will assign its Arena License Agreements with subsidiaries of MSG Sports that require the Knicks and Rangers to play their home games at The Garden to the Company. |
| Sponsorship Sales and Service Representative Agreements. In connection with the Distribution, MSG Entertainment expects to assign its sponsorship sales and service representation agreements with the Knicks and the Rangers, under which MSG Entertainment is the exclusive sales and service representative for all sponsorship benefits available for sale in connection with the Knicks and Rangers, as well as the Knicks development team, the Westchester Knicks, and Knicks Gaming, the official NBA 2K esports franchise of the Knicks, subject to certain exceptions. |
| Team Sponsorship Allocation Agreement. In connection with the Distribution, MSG Entertainment will assign its team sponsorship allocation agreement with MSG Sports that memorializes certain agreements to distribute payments received under third-party sponsorship agreements that include the assets of both companies, with either MSG Entertainment or MSG Sports serving as the contracting party, and payments being allocated generally in accordance with the relative value of the assets provided by each company. |
| Group Ticket Sales and Service Representation Agreement. In connection with the Distribution, MSG Entertainment will assign its group ticket sales and service representation agreement with MSG Sports, pursuant to which MSG Sports is MSG Entertainments sales and service representative to sell group tickets and ticket packages. |
| Two Pennsylvania Plaza Sublease. In connection with the Distribution, the Company will sublease approximately 47,000 square feet of office space at Two Pennsylvania Plaza in New York City to MSG Sports. |
The Distribution will not affect the number of outstanding shares of MSG Entertainment common stock or any rights of MSG Entertainment stockholders.
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Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Distribution
The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Distribution to us, MSG Entertainment and MSG Entertainment stockholders. This summary is based on the Code, the regulations promulgated under the Code by the Department of the Treasury, and interpretations of such authorities by the courts and the IRS, all as of the date of this information statement and all of which are subject to change at any time, possibly with retroactive effect. This summary is limited to holders of MSG Entertainment common stock that are U.S. holders, as defined below, that hold their shares of MSG Entertainment common stock as capital assets, within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code. Further, this summary does not discuss all tax considerations that may be relevant to holders of MSG Entertainment common stock in light of their particular circumstances, nor does it address the consequences to holders of MSG Entertainment common stock subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws, such as tax-exempt entities, partnerships (including arrangements treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes), persons who acquired such shares of MSG Entertainment common stock pursuant to the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation, financial institutions, insurance companies, dealers in securities or currencies, traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities holdings, persons liable for the alternative minimum tax, persons who hold their shares of MSG Entertainment common stock as part of a straddle, hedge, conversion, constructive sale, synthetic security, integrated investment or other risk-reduction transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and persons whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar. This summary does not address any U.S. federal estate, gift or other non-income tax consequences or any applicable state, local, foreign, or other tax consequences. Each stockholders individual circumstances may affect the tax consequences of the Distribution.
For purposes of this summary, a U.S. holder is a beneficial owner of MSG Entertainment common stock that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
| an individual who is a citizen or a resident of the United States; |
| a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized under the laws of the United States or any state or political subdivision thereof; |
| an estate, the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source; or |
| a trust, if (i) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary jurisdiction over its administration and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all of its substantial decisions, or (ii) it has a valid election in place under applicable U.S. Department of Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person. |
A non-U.S. holder is a beneficial owner of MSG Entertainment common stock that is not a U.S. holder for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
If a partnership (including any arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds shares of MSG Entertainment common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A partner of a partnership holding shares of MSG Entertainment common stock should consult its tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of the Distribution.
MSG Entertainment expects to obtain an opinion from Sullivan & Cromwell LLP substantially to the effect that, among other things, the distribution by MSG Entertainment of our Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock to the holders of MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock and MSG Entertainment Class B Common Stock, respectively (i.e., the Distribution), should qualify as a tax-free distribution under the Code. The opinion will not be binding on the IRS or the courts. Certain transactions related to the Distribution that are not addressed (or expected to be addressed) by the opinion could result in the recognition of income or gain by MSG Entertainment. The opinion will rely on factual representations and reasonable assumptions, which, if incorrect or inaccurate, may jeopardize the ability to rely on such opinion. MSG Entertainment does not intend to request any ruling from the IRS as to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Distribution.
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On the basis of the opinion we expect to receive, and assuming that MSG Entertainment common stock is a capital asset in the hands of an MSG Entertainment stockholder on the Distribution date:
| Except for any cash received in lieu of a fractional share of our common stock, an MSG Entertainment stockholder should not recognize any income, gain or loss as a result of the receipt of our common stock in the Distribution. |
| An MSG Entertainment stockholders holding period for our common stock received (including, for this purpose, any fractional share of our common stock for which cash is received) in the Distribution should include the period for which that stockholders MSG Entertainment common stock was held. |
| An MSG Entertainment stockholders tax basis for our common stock received in the Distribution should be determined by allocating to that common stock, on the basis of the relative fair market values of MSG Entertainment common stock and our common stock at the time of the Distribution, a portion of the stockholders tax basis in its MSG Entertainment common stock. An MSG Entertainment stockholders tax basis in its MSG Entertainment common stock should be decreased by the portion allocated to our common stock. Within a reasonable period of time after the Distribution, MSG Entertainment will provide its stockholders who receive our common stock pursuant to the Distribution with a worksheet for calculating their tax bases in our common stock and their MSG Entertainment common stock. |
| The receipt of cash in lieu of a fractional share of our common stock generally should be treated as a sale of the fractional share of our common stock, and an MSG Entertainment stockholder should recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount of cash received and the stockholders tax basis in the fractional share of our common stock, as determined above. The gain or loss should be long-term capital gain or loss if the holding period for the fractional share of our common stock, as determined above, is more than one year. |
| The Distribution should not be a taxable transaction to us or MSG Entertainment. However, certain transactions related to the Distribution that are not expected to be addressed by the opinion could result in the recognition of income or gain by MSG Entertainment. |
MSG Entertainment is required by applicable tax rules to dispose of all retained shares as soon as practicable consistent with the business purposes for the retention, and expects to dispose of such retained shares within one year, subject to market conditions. If the Distribution does not qualify for tax-free treatment for U.S. federal income tax purposes, then, in general, MSG Entertainment would recognize taxable gain in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of our common stock distributed in the Distribution over MSG Entertainments tax basis therein (i.e., as if it had sold such common stock in a taxable sale for its fair market value). In addition, the receipt by MSG Entertainment stockholders of our common stock would be a taxable distribution, and each U.S. holder that receives our common stock in the Distribution would be treated as if the U.S. holder had received a distribution equal to the fair market value of our common stock that was distributed to it, which generally would be treated first as a taxable dividend to the extent of such holders pro rata share of MSG Entertainments earnings and profits, then as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of the holders tax basis in its MSG Entertainment common stock, and thereafter as capital gain with respect to any remaining value.
Even if the Distribution otherwise qualifies for tax-free treatment under the Code, the Distribution may be taxable to MSG Entertainment and would result in a significant U.S. federal income tax liability to MSG Entertainment (but not to the MSG Entertainment stockholders) under Section 355(e) of the Code if the Distribution were deemed to be part of a plan (or series of related transactions) pursuant to which one or more persons acquire, directly or indirectly, stock representing a 50% or greater interest by vote or value, in MSG Entertainment or us. For this purpose, any acquisitions of MSG Entertainments stock or our stock within the period beginning two years before the Distribution and ending two years after the Distribution are presumed to be part of such a plan, although MSG Entertainment or we may be able to rebut that presumption. The process for determining whether a prohibited acquisition has occurred under the rules described in this paragraph is complex, inherently factual and subject to interpretation of the facts and circumstances of a particular case. MSG Entertainment or we might inadvertently cause or permit a prohibited change in the ownership of MSG Entertainment or us to occur, thereby triggering tax to MSG Entertainment, which could have a material adverse effect. If such an acquisition of our stock or MSG
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Entertainments stock triggers the application of Section 355(e) of the Code, MSG Entertainment would recognize taxable gain equal to the excess of the fair market value of our common stock distributed in the Distribution over MSG Entertainments tax basis therein, but the Distribution would be tax-free to each MSG Entertainment stockholder. In certain circumstances, under the tax disaffiliation agreement between MSG Entertainment and us (the Tax Disaffiliation Agreement), we would be required to indemnify MSG Entertainment against certain taxes imposed on MSG Entertainment if they resulted from certain actions by us after the Distribution. Please see Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions Relationship Between MSG Entertainment and Us After the Distribution Tax Disaffiliation Agreement for a more detailed discussion of the Tax Disaffiliation Agreement between MSG Entertainment and us.
Payments of cash in lieu of a fractional share of our common stock made in connection with the Distribution may, under certain circumstances, be subject to backup withholding, unless a holder provides proof of an applicable exception or a correct taxpayer identification number, and otherwise complies with the applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules are not additional tax and may be refunded or credited against the holders U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that the holder furnishes the required information to the IRS.
U.S. Treasury regulations require certain MSG Entertainment stockholders with significant ownership in MSG Entertainment that receive shares of our stock in the Distribution to attach to their U.S. federal income tax return for the year in which such stock is received a detailed statement setting forth such data as may be appropriate to show that the Distribution is tax-free under the Code. Within a reasonable period of time after the Distribution, MSG Entertainment will provide its stockholders who receive our common stock pursuant to the Distribution with the information necessary to comply with such requirement.
The Company has not made a determination as to whether we will be deemed to be a United States real property holding corporation as defined in section 897(c)(2) of the Code. In general, we will be a USRPHC if 50% or more of the fair market value of our assets constitute United States real property interests within the meaning of the Code. However, the determination of whether we are a USRPHC turns on the relative fair market value of our United States real property interests and our other assets, and because the USRPHC rules are complex and the determination of whether we are a USRPHC depends on facts and circumstances that may be beyond our control, we can give no assurance as to our USRPHC status after the Distribution.
If we are treated as a USRPHC, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences might apply to non-U.S. holders that hold our Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock after the Distribution. Specifically, a non-U.S. holder that holds a class of shares that is traded on an established securities market will be subject to the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980, as amended (FIRPTA), in respect of a sale or disposition of such shares if the holder owned more than 5% of the shares of such class at any time during the shorter of the period that the non-U.S. holder owned such shares or the five-year period ending on the date when the holder sold or disposed of the shares. We expect that our Class A Common Stock, but not our Class B Common Stock, will be traded on an established securities market after the Distribution, but there can be no assurance that our Class A Common Stock will in fact be traded on an established securities market after the Distribution. A non-U.S. holder that holds our Class B Common Stock will be subject to FIRPTA in respect of a sale or disposition of such stock if on the date the stock was acquired by the holder, it had a fair market value greater than the fair market value on that date of 5% of our Class A Common Stock. If a non-U.S. holder holds our Class B Common Stock, and subsequently acquires additional interests of the same class, then all such interests must be aggregated and valued as of the date of the subsequent acquisition for purposes of the 5% test that is described in the preceding sentence. If tax under FIRPTA applies to the gain on the sale or disposition of shares, non-U.S. holders will be taxed at the normal capital gain rates applicable to U.S. holders, subject to any applicable alternative minimum tax in the case of nonresident alien individuals. For purposes of determining the amount of shares owned by a holder, complex constructive ownership rules apply.
Furthermore, if we are treated as a USRPHC, we could potentially be required to withhold at least 15% of any distribution in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, even if the non-U.S. holder is not
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liable for U.S. tax on the receipt of that distribution. However, a non-U.S. holder may seek a refund of these amounts from the IRS if the non-U.S. holders tax liability with respect to the distribution is less than the amount withheld. Such withholding should generally not be required if a non-U.S. holder would not be taxed under FIRPTA upon a sale or disposition of our shares, as discussed in the previous paragraph.
A beneficial owner of MSG Entertainment common stock that is a non-U.S. holder should consult its tax advisor as to the particular tax consequences that would be applicable to such holder if we are treated as a USRPHC after the Distribution.
EACH MSG ENTERTAINMENT STOCKHOLDER SHOULD CONSULT ITS TAX ADVISOR ABOUT THE PARTICULAR CONSEQUENCES OF THE DISTRIBUTION TO SUCH STOCKHOLDER, INCLUDING THE APPLICATION OF STATE, LOCAL AND FOREIGN TAX LAWS, AND POSSIBLE CHANGES IN TAX LAW THAT MAY AFFECT THE TAX CONSEQUENCES DESCRIBED ABOVE.
Listing and Trading of Our Common Stock
There is not currently a public market for our common stock. We will apply for our Class A Common Stock to be listed on the NYSE under the symbol MSGE (and we will change our name to Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.) and we expect that Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. will change its symbol on the NYSE to SPHR (and be renamed MSG Sphere Corp.) in connection with the Distribution. It is anticipated that trading will commence on a when-issued basis prior to the Distribution. On the first trading day following the Distribution date, when-issued trading in our Class A Common Stock will end and regular-way trading will begin. When-issued trading refers to trading which occurs before a security is actually issued. These transactions are conditional with settlement to occur if and when the security is actually issued and NYSE determines transactions are to be settled. Regular way trading refers to normal trading transactions, which are settled by delivery of the securities against payment on the third business day after the transaction.
We cannot assure you as to the price at which our Class A Common Stock will trade before, on or after the Distribution date. Until our Class A Common Stock is fully distributed and an orderly market develops in our Class A Common Stock, the price at which such stock trades may fluctuate significantly. In addition, the combined trading prices of our Class A Common Stock and MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock held by stockholders after the Distribution may be less than, equal to, or greater than the trading price of the MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock prior to the Distribution. Our Class B Common Stock will not be listed on a securities exchange or publicly traded.
The shares of our common stock distributed to MSG Entertainment stockholders will be freely transferable, except for shares received by people who may have a special relationship or affiliation with us or shares subject to contractual restrictions. People who may be considered our affiliates after the Distribution generally include individuals or entities that control, are controlled by, or are under common control with us. This may include certain of our officers, directors and significant stockholders, including MSG Entertainment. Persons who are our affiliates will be permitted to sell their shares only pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), or an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, or in compliance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act (Rule 144). As described under Shares Eligible for Future Sale Registration Rights Agreements, we expect that certain persons will have registration rights with respect to our stock.
Reason for Furnishing this Information Statement
This information statement is being furnished by MSG Entertainment solely to provide information to stockholders of MSG Entertainment who will receive shares of our common stock in the Distribution. It is not, and is not to be construed as, an inducement or encouragement to buy or sell any of our securities. We and MSG Entertainment will not update the information in this information statement except in the normal course of our and MSG Entertainments respective public disclosure obligations and practices.
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We are a Delaware corporation with our principal executive offices at Two Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, NY 10121. Our telephone number is +1 (212) 465-6000. Spinco is a holding company and conducts substantially all of its operations through its subsidiaries.
Spinco was incorporated on September 15, 2022 and is a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of MSG Entertainment. MSG Entertainments board of directors approved the Distribution on [●], 2023. Prior to the Distribution, the Company will acquire the subsidiary of MSG Entertainment that owns, directly and indirectly, the subsidiaries, businesses and other assets described in this information statement. Where we describe in this information statement our business activities, we do so as if these transfers have already occurred.
We expect that on or prior to the Distribution, Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. will change its name to MSG Sphere Corp. and MSGE Spinco, Inc. will change its name to Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. We will apply for our Class A Common Stock to be listed on the NYSE under the symbol MSGE and we expect that Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (renamed MSG Sphere Corp.) will change its symbol on the NYSE to SPHR in connection with the Distribution. We will not list our Class B Common Stock on any securities exchange.
General
We are a leader in live entertainment experiences, comprised of iconic venues and marquee entertainment content. Utilizing our powerful brands and live entertainment expertise, the Company delivers unique experiences that set the standard for excellence and innovation while forging deep connections with diverse and passionate audiences.
Our company includes (i) our portfolio of venues: The Garden, The Theater at Madison Square Garden (formerly the Hulu Theater), Radio City Music Hall, the Beacon Theatre, and The Chicago Theatre, (ii) the original production, the Christmas Spectacular, and (iii) our entertainment and sports bookings business, which showcases a broad array of compelling concerts, family shows and special events, as well as a diverse mix of sporting events, for millions of guests annually.
We manage our business through a single reportable segment.
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Our Business
The Companys operations and operating results were materially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic (including COVID-19 variants) and actions taken in response by governmental authorities and certain professional sports leagues during Fiscal Years 2020, 2021 and 2022. For the majority of Fiscal Year 2021, substantially all of our business operations were suspended. Fiscal Year 2022 was also impacted by the pandemic, with fewer ticketed events at our venues in the first half of the fiscal year as compared with Fiscal Year 2019 (the last full fiscal year not impacted by COVID-19) due to the lead-time required to book touring acts and artists, and an increase in COVID-19 cases due to a new variant, which resulted in a number of events at our venues being cancelled or postponed in the fiscal second and third quarters.
As a result of government-mandated assembly limitations and closures, all of our venues were closed beginning in March 2020. Use of The Garden resumed for Knicks and Rangers home games without fans in December 2020 and January 2021, respectively, and was available at 10% seating capacity from February through May 2021 subject to certain safety protocols and social distancing. Beginning in May 2021, all of our New York venues were permitted to host guests at full capacity, subject to certain restrictions, and effective June 2021, The Chicago Theatre was permitted to host events without restrictions. Guests of our Chicago and New York venues were also subject to certain vaccination requirements until February and March 2022, respectively. Our venues no longer require guests to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination before entering, but
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specific performers may require enhanced protocols. We continue to monitor risks related to COVID-19 and prepare so that we can respond to any increased safety protocols that may be needed in response to a change in circumstances, request from a performer or new governmental or league mandates. However, existing or prior procedures may not be sufficient as COVID-19 continues to evolve, including through new case levels or variants.
For Fiscal Year 2021, the majority of ticketed events at our venues were postponed or cancelled. For Fiscal Year 2022 and as of the date of this filing, live events have been permitted to be held at all of our venues and we are continuing to host and book new events. As a result of an increase in cases of a COVID-19 variant, select bookings were postponed or cancelled at our venues in the second and third quarters of Fiscal Year 2022. Variants of COVID-19 that arise in the future may result in additional postponements or cancellations of bookings at our venues.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operations also included the partial cancellation of the 2021 production of the Christmas Spectacular and the cancellation of the 2020 production of the Christmas Spectacular.
The Company has Arena License Agreements with MSG Sports that require the Knicks and Rangers to play their home games at The Garden. As discussed above, capacity restrictions, use limitations and social distancing requirements were in place for the entirety of the Knicks and Rangers 2020-21 regular seasons, which materially impacted the payments we received under the Arena License Agreements for Fiscal Year 2021. On July 1, 2021, the Knicks and Rangers began paying the full amounts provided for under their respective Arena License Agreements. The Knicks and the Rangers each completed their 2021-2022 82-game regular seasons, with the Rangers advancing to the playoffs.
It is unclear to what extent COVID-19 concerns, including with respect to new variants, could result in new government or league-mandated capacity restrictions or vaccination/mask requirements or impact the use of and/or demand for our venues, demand for our sponsorship and signage assets, deter our employees and vendors from working at our venues (which may lead to difficulties in staffing) or otherwise materially impact our operations.
Our Strengths
| Strong position in live entertainment through: |
| A portfolio of world-renowned venues; and |
| Marquee live entertainment brands and content. |
| Significant presence in the New York market the nations number one DMA; |
| Deep industry relationships that drive top-tier performers and a wide variety of events to the Companys venues; |
| Proven track record of delivering significant value for partners through innovative sponsorships and premium hospitality; |
| Reputation for world-class customer experience driven by decades of expertise in sales and marketing, and venue operations; |
| Expertise in utilizing data to drive decisions to maximize revenue and the experience of our guests; |
| Long-term agreements to host home games at The Garden for two of the most recognized franchises in professional sports the Knicks and the Rangers; and a |
| Strong and seasoned management team. |
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Our Strategy
Our strategy is to create world-class live experiences for our guests and partners by leveraging (i) our Companys unique portfolio of live entertainment assets and brands; (ii) our expertise in venue management, bookings and productions, sponsorship, ticketing, marketing and premium hospitality and content development; (iii) our deep relationships across the entertainment and sports industries; and (iv) our strong connection with diverse and passionate audiences. We believe this strategy will enable us to generate long-term value creation for our shareholders.
Key components of our strategy include:
| Maximizing the live entertainment experience for our customers. We use the strength of our venues, expertise and relationships to attract top talent and deliver unforgettable experiences for our guests. We have a track record of designing world-class facilities with top-quality amenities, including our renovations of The Garden, Radio City Music Hall, and the Beacon Theatre. We also continue to explore new ways to use technology to improve the guest experience. From the way our customers buy food, beverage and merchandise, to how we market and process their tickets, to utilizing next-generation audio technology in our venues, we strive to give our customers the best experience in the industry. We believe this approach will enable us to drive improvements in per-event revenue and profitability at our venues and help create a seamless and memorable guest experience that will help drive repeat visitation to our venues. |
| Increasing the utilization of our venues. Part of what drives our success is our artist first approach. Through dedicated artist areas and top-tier service, our talent-friendly environment not only attracts artists to our venues, but also brings them back for repeat performances. Another part of this approach is how we use our diverse collection of venues. With seating capacities and configurations that range from 2,800 to 21,000, our venue portfolio enables us to shepherd artists through the growth in their careers, helping us develop deeper industry relationships. We will continue to use this artist first approach to attract the industrys top talent with the goal of increasing utilization across all our venues through more multi-night concerts, as well as more marquee special events. We also plan to continue exploring opportunities for new events that would be unique to our venues, including high-profile residencies that would help build our base of events. |
| Delivering unrivaled marketing exposure for our partners. Our assets are highly sought after by companies that value the popularity of our venues and entertainment brands. Our value proposition is further strengthened by our sponsorship sales representation agreement with MSG Sports which enables us to deliver broad-based marketing platforms that combine our assets with MSG Sports professional sports brands. We plan to continue utilizing this integrated approach to both renew and extend our relationships with existing partners, as well as to form partnerships with leading companies in emerging industries and in industry verticals where we are currently underpenetrated. We also offer our partners expanded reach through outdoor signage around the Madison Square Garden Complex and Penn Station, a major commuter hub in Manhattan. We plan to selectively explore additional opportunities to grow our external signage portfolio which could increase our existing marketing partnerships packages as well as attract new partners. |
| Offering best-in-class premium hospitality products. The Company offers a wide array of premium corporate hospitality offerings that cater to a variety of audiences. For example, The Garden has a range of suite and club products, including 21 Event Level suites, 58 Lexus Level suites, 18 Infosys Level suites, the Caesars Sportsbook Lounge, Suite Sixteen and the HUB Loft. These suites and clubs which provide exclusive private spaces, first-class amenities and some of the best seats in The Garden are primarily licensed to corporate customers with the majority being multi-year agreements with annual escalators. Through our Arena License Agreements with the Knicks and Rangers, we also offer suite holders access to MSG Sports premium live sporting events. We believe the strength of our product and content offerings, along with the continued importance of corporate hospitality to our partners, position us well with regard to ongoing renewal and new sales activity. We also plan to explore enhancing and expanding our premium hospitality offerings, which would create new monetization opportunities for the Company. |
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| Understanding our customers. We continue to forge direct relationships with customers and fans, with a focus on understanding how consumers interact with every aspect of the Company. A key component of this strategy is our large and growing proprietary database of millions of customers. The data we collect from our venues and digital products provides the Company with significant insights into our customers, including who is utilizing our digital assets and attending events at our venues. In addition to providing value for our marketing partners, these insights are leveraged to help drive revenue and engagement across our assets, providing us with an opportunity to tailor offerings and cross-promote our products and services, introducing customers to our wide range of assets and brands. We also plan to increasingly use data to proactively identify potential bookings for our venues. |
| Exploring opportunities to expand proprietary entertainment content. We plan to selectively explore opportunities to create new live entertainment content, including by leveraging owned intellectual property like the Rockettes. This would enable us to benefit from the economics of being both content owner and venue operator. Additional owned content would also make us less reliant on third-party events to drive utilization of our venues. |
Our Business
Our Company delivers unforgettable live experiences all in extraordinary settings, with a substantial presence in the New York market, our nations largest DMA. This creates significant demand for our brands by a wide selection of artists, sporting events, premier companies and the public. And with a foundation of iconic venues, our Company has a proven ability to leverage the strength of our industry relationships, marketing assets, customer database and live event expertise to create compelling performance, promotion and distribution opportunities for artists, events and productions.
Specifically, the Company produces, presents and hosts a variety of live entertainment events, such as concerts, sporting events, family shows, performing arts events, special events and the wholly-owned Christmas Spectacular production which features the world-famous Rockettes. In addition, the Company hosts two of the most recognized franchises in professional sports the NBAs Knicks and the NHLs Rangers. These live events are held at the Companys venues: The Garden, The Theater at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the Beacon Theatre, and The Chicago Theatre. With seating capacities and configurations that range from 2,800 to 21,000, our diverse collection of venues enables us to showcase a multitude of acts and events that cover a wide spectrum of genres to diverse audiences.
Prior to December 2, 2022, the Company also owned a controlling interest in Boston Calling Events, LLC (BCE), the entertainment production company that owns and operates the Boston Calling Music Festival. The Company disposed of its controlling interest in BCE in Fiscal Year 2023.
Our Bookings Business
Live Entertainment
Our Company is an established industry leader that books a wide variety of live entertainment events in our venues, which perennially include some of the biggest names in music and entertainment. Over the last several years, our venues have been key destinations for artists such as the Eagles, U2, Foo Fighters, Paul McCartney, Drake, Bruno Mars, Justin Bieber, Harry Styles, Dead and Company, Phish, Fleetwood Mac, Kacey Musgraves, Eric Clapton, Josh Groban, Andrea Boccelli, Jennifer Lopez, Carrie Underwood, Justin Timberlake, P!nk, Chris Stapleton, Radiohead, Barbra Streisand, Olivia Rodrigo, Ariana Grande, Sebastian Maniscalco, Trevor Noah, John Mulaney and Dave Chappelle.
In addition, we have successfully developed new ways to increase the utilization of our venues, while creating unique experiences for artists and fans with our various residencies including The Gardens first music franchise: Billy Joel at The Garden. This extraordinary residency is at a historic 87 performances and counting since it began in January 2014, bringing Billy Joels lifetime performances at The Worlds Most Famous Arena to 133 (through February 2023). The Companys other current residencies include the multi-year, dual-city residency of Tedeschi
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Trucks Band at both the Beacon Theatre and The Chicago Theatre. The Company has also in recent years successfully created other unique bookings and residencies across its portfolio of venues, including Jerry Seinfeld at the Beacon Theatre, Dave Chappelle at Radio City Music Hall, Phishs 13-night Bakers Dozen run at The Garden, Ali Wong at the Beacon Theatre, Josh Grobans Great Big Radio City Show, Trey Anastasios eight-week virtual residency at the Beacon Theatre a first for the Company and Harry Styles 15-night run at The Garden.
Our venues also attract family shows and theatrical productions, which have included: Twas the Night Before by Cirque du Soleil at both The Chicago Theatre and The Theater at Madison Square Garden, as well as Peppa Pig Live!, Paw Patrol Live! and Sesame Street Live!. Other significant events that have taken place at our venues include the Tony Awards, the MTV Video Music Awards, New York Comic Con, Tribeca Festival events and the final season premieres of both HBOs Game of Thrones and STARZs POWER. We have also hosted appearances by luminaries such as His Holiness Pope Francis, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, along with graduations, television upfronts, product launches and film premieres.
Although we primarily license our venues to third-party promoters for a fee, we also promote or co-promote shows. If we serve as promoters or co-promoters of a show, we have economic risk relating to the event.
Sports
MSG Sports professional sports teams, the Knicks and Rangers, are two of the most recognized franchises in sports, with passionate, multi-generational fanbases. The Company has long-term Arena License Agreements with MSG Sports that require the Knicks and the Rangers to play their home games at The Garden, allowing us to continue hosting their long-time fans at The Worlds Most Famous Arena.
Our Company also promotes, produces and/or presents a broad array of other live sporting events, including professional boxing, college basketball, college hockey, professional bull riding, mixed martial arts, esports and wrestling. Many of these events are among the most popular in our history and are perennial highlights on our annual calendar, as well as some of The Gardens longest-running associations.
Professional boxing has had a long history with The Garden. The Garden famously hosted Muhammad Ali and Joe Fraziers 1971 Fight of the Century, considered among the greatest sporting events in modern history, as well as numerous other boxing greats, including: Joe Louis, Rocky Marciano, Sugar Ray Robinson, Willie Pep, Emile Griffith, George Foreman, Roberto Duran, Oscar De La Hoya, Sugar Ray Leonard, Lennox Lewis, Roy Jones, Jr., Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Miguel Cotto and Wladimir Klitschko. In recent years, boxings top fighters have called The Garden home, including former unified lightweight world champion Teofimo Lopez, former three weight class champion Vasiliy Lomachenko, former unified middleweight champion Gennadiy Golovkin and boxing superstar Canelo Alvarez. In 2022, for the first-time in The Gardens history, two women headlined a boxing event when Katie Taylor faced off against Amanda Serrano in front of a sold-out crowd for the undisputed lightweight championship.
Since the return of professional mixed martial arts in New York State in 2016, The Garden regularly hosts top UFC events, as well as Bellator MMA events and the Professional Fighters League, which has held events at The Theater at Madison Square Garden, including its inaugural World Championships.
College sports have been a mainstay at The Garden for decades, with college basketball being featured at The Worlds Most Famous Arena for nearly 90 years. The Garden hosted the annual Big East Tournament in March 2022 for the 40th straight year. It is the longest-running conference tournament at one site in all of college basketball and will celebrate its 41st anniversary at The Garden in March 2023. In addition, St. Johns University has called The Garden its home away from home for decades. The Garden also continues to build its college hockey tradition, with a popular biennial event featuring Cornell University vs. Boston University, as well as recent visits from top national teams such as Boston College, North Dakota, Harvard, Yale, Michigan and Minnesota.
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For the first time in venue history, the Madison Square Garden Complex hosted professional darts when the US Darts Masters and the North American Championship took place at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in 2022, which also marked the first time a professional darts championship was held in New York City.
Other world-class sporting events have included the NBA All-Star Game in 2015, and the NCAA Division I Mens Basketball East Regional Finals, which The Garden hosted in 2014 and 2017. The widely popular season-ending tournament is set to return to The Garden in 2023.
Our Productions
One of the Companys core properties, the Christmas Spectacular which runs exclusively at Radio City Music Hall and features the world-famous Rockettes has been performed at the Music Hall since 1933. This production has become a tradition for many, creating a holiday touchstone that generations of fans want to return to, time and again. The shows enduring popularity is driven by the incomparable Rockettes, the longest-running precision dance company in America, admired for their iconic style of dance, talent and athleticism, as well as their unity both on and off the stage.
In 2021, the production returned for a shortened run a result of the COVID-19 pandemic welcoming over 400,000 guests across 101 performances and serving as a source of joy and inspiration for many fans. The Rockettes perform in nine numbers throughout the 90-minute production with more technically complex and different styles of dance than ever before.
We acquired the rights to the Christmas Spectacular in 1997, and those rights are separate from, and do not depend on the continuation of, our lease of Radio City Music Hall. We also hold rights to the Rockettes brand in the same manner. We lease Radio City Music Hall pursuant to a long-term lease agreement. See Our Business Our Venues Radio City Music Hall.
The Company believes it has a significant and unique asset in the Rockettes and continues to strengthen and broaden the Rockettes brand by targeting the most prominent and effective vehicles that elevate their visibility and underscore their reputation as beloved American cultural icons. The Rockettes have appeared or performed at high-profile events and award shows, including Presidential Inaugurations, Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade, Macys 4th of July Fireworks event, the Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting, New Years Eve Times Square Ball Drop, Tony Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, World Pride events, and television shows and holiday specials (Saturday Night Live, Americas Got Talent, Project Runway, The Kacey Musgraves Christmas Show, The Today Show, Live with Kelly and Ryan and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon), among many others. In November 2022, the Rockettes were featured in Hallmark Channels movie, A Holiday Spectacular, which was shot in part on location at Radio City Music Hall and will debut as part of the networks Countdown to Christmas programming.
We continue to pursue opportunities to generate greater brand awareness, including through television and public appearances and dance education offerings. We are also committed to ensuring that the best dancers from all backgrounds, cultures, races, religions and ethnicities can become Rockettes, and are actively strengthening our relationships within the dance community, expanding where we hold auditions and scouting sessions, and eliminating financial barriers to entry, including for Rockettes Conservatory, our dancer development program. Rockettes Conservatory is an invite-only, week-long intensive training program held at Radio City Music Hall and offered at no cost to participants. The program was designed as an investment in promising dancers futures, and in addition to becoming an inclusive talent pipeline for future Rockettes, conservatory ensures the dance company continues to evolve by attracting the best dancers. Additionally, to create a more inclusive line by broadening the number of dancers eligible to become Rockettes, the organization announced an expanded height requirement beginning with the April 2022 audition. The dance company continues to foster relationships with diverse dance organizations, including Dance Theatre of Harlem, Harlem School of the Arts, The Ailey School, International Association of Blacks in Dance and The Chloé and Maud Foundation, to provide program support,
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introduce staff and students to the unique world of precision dance and actively engage with dancers for Rockettes Conservatory.
Our Venues
The Company operates a mix of iconic venues that continue to build on their historic prominence as destinations for unforgettable experiences and events.
We own or operate under long-term leases a total of five venues in New York City and Chicago. These venues are: The Garden, The Theater at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall and the Beacon Theatre in New York City; and The Chicago Theatre.
The Garden
The Garden has been a celebrated center of New York life since it first opened its doors in 1879. Over its 143-year history, there have been four Garden buildings, each known for showcasing the best of the eras live sports and entertainment offerings. We believe that The Garden has come to epitomize the power and passion of live sports and entertainment to people around the world, with an appearance at The Garden often representing a pinnacle of an athletes or performers career. Known as The Worlds Most Famous Arena, The Garden has been the site of some of the most memorable events in sports and entertainment, and together with The Theater at Madison Square Garden, has hosted hundreds of events and millions of visitors each year. In 2009, Billboard magazine ranked The Garden the number-one venue of the decade in its respective class based upon gross ticket sales. Music industry subscribers to the trade magazine Pollstar have voted The Garden Arena of the Year 23 times since the inception of the awards in 1989. The Garden also regularly ranks as the highest-grossing entertainment venue of its size in the world based on Billboard magazines mid-year and year-end rankings. The venue was ranked number one worldwide four times in the last five years for venues with a capacity over 15,001, according to Billboards year-end rankings.
Over The Gardens history, it has been the setting for countless big events, inspired performances and one-of-a-kind moments that have helped define sports, entertainment and culture. Highlights include The Fight of the Century between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in 1971, the 1970 Knicks NBA Championship, the Rangers 1994 Stanley Cup Championship, three Democratic National Conventions and one Republican National Convention, Marilyn Monroes famous birthday serenade to President John F. Kennedy, Frank Sinatras Main Event concert in 1974, the only U.S. concerts from the reunited Cream, the 25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame concerts, the 60th Annual Grammy Awards, and Billy Joels record-breaking 133 total performances at The Garden (through February 2023). In September 2015, His Holiness Pope Francis celebrated Mass at The Garden as part of his successful U.S. visit, which marked the first time a current pope has visited The Garden since Pope John Paul II in 1979. The Garden has also hosted four prominent benefit concerts, which galvanized the public to respond to national and global crises, including the first of its kind, The Concert for Bangladesh in 1972, as well as The Concert for New York City, following the events of 9/11, From the Big Apple to the Big Easy, held after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and 12-12-12, The Concert for Sandy Relief in 2012. And in February 2020, To Kill a Mockingbird became the first-ever Broadway play to perform at The Garden with an entirely free performance for 18,000 New York City public school students. The Garden also continues to be home to two of MSG Sports professional sports franchises the Knicks and Rangers.
The current Madison Square Garden Complex, located between 31st and 33rd Streets and Seventh and Eighth Avenues on Manhattans West Side, opened on February 11, 1968 with a salute to the United Service Organizations hosted by Bob Hope and Bing Crosby. From a structural standpoint, the construction of the current Garden was considered an engineering wonder for its time, including its famous circular shape and unique, cable supported ceiling, which contributes to its intimate feel. It was the first large structure built over an active railroad track. The builder, R.E. McKee, had a national reputation and was later recognized as a Master Builder by the construction industry. Architect Charles Luckman had one of the largest firms in the country and designed such buildings as the Prudential Tower in Boston, NASAs flight center in Houston and the Forum in Inglewood, CA.
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Following a three-year, top-to-bottom renovation, in October 2013, The Garden was fully transformed, featuring improved sightlines, additional entertainment and dining options, new concourses, upgraded hospitality areas, new technology, unique historic exhibits, and a completely transformed interior, where the intimacy of the arena bowl and The Gardens world-famous ceiling were maintained. Focused on the total fan experience, the renovation was designed to benefit everyone in attendance, whether first-time visitors, season ticket subscribers, athletes, artists, suite holders or marketing partners. The Gardens transformation ensured that attending an event at The Worlds Most Famous Arena remained unlike anywhere else.
We own the Madison Square Garden Complex, the platform on which it is built and development rights (including air rights) above our property. Madison Square Garden sits atop Penn Station, a major commuter hub in Manhattan, which is owned by the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak). While the development rights we own would permit us to expand in the future, any such use of development rights would require various approvals from the City of New York. The Garden seats up to approximately 21,000 spectators for entertainment and sporting events and, along with The Theater at Madison Square Garden, contains approximately 1,100,000 square feet of floor space over 11 levels.
The Theater at Madison Square Garden
The Theater at Madison Square Garden, which has approximately 5,600 seats, opened as part of the fourth Madison Square Garden Complex in 1968. Since then, some of the biggest names in live entertainment have performed at The Theater at Madison Square Garden, including The Who, Diana Ross, Elton John, James Taylor, Mary J. Blige, Pentatonix, John Legend, Karol G, Ellie Goulding, Chris Rock, Neil Young, Bill Maher, Jerry Seinfeld, Tyler, the Creator, J Balvin, Ricky Gervais, Nicky Jam, Aziz Ansari, Alejandro Sanz, Bert Kreischer and Van Morrison. The Theater at Madison Square Garden has also been the site for several boxing events including the inaugural World Championships of the Professional Fighters League as well as the NBA and NFL Drafts. In addition, it has hosted various product launches, upfronts, award shows, and other special events such as Wheel of Fortune and audition shows for Americas Got Talent, as well as a variety of theatrical productions and family shows, including Twas the Night Before by Cirque du Soleil, A Christmas Story, Elf The Musical, Paw Patrol Live! and Sesame Street Live!. The Theater at Madison Square Garden regularly ranks as one of the highest-grossing entertainment venues of its size in the world, based on Billboard magazines mid-year and year-end rankings.
Radio City Music Hall
Radio City Music Hall has a rich history as a national theatrical and cultural mecca since it was first built by theatrical impresario S.L. Roxy Rothafel in 1932. Known as The Showplace of the Nation, it was the first building in the Rockefeller Center complex and, at the time, the largest indoor theater in the world. Radio City Music Hall, a venue with approximately 6,000 seats, hosts concerts, family shows and special events, and is home to the Christmas Spectacular. See Our Business Our Productions. Over its history, entertainers who have graced the Great Stage include: Aretha Franklin, Lady Gaga, Brian Wilson, Harry Styles, Diana Ross, Lizzo, Olivia Rodrigo, Josh Groban, Mariah Carey, Lorde, Nine Inch Nails, Trey Anastasio, Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, Tony Bennett, Hasan Minhaj, Billie Eilish, Sebastian Maniscalco, Jim Gaffigan, David Gilmour and Dave Chappelle. Radio City Music Hall was recognized by Pollstar magazine as Theatre of the Decade for 2009-2019 and regularly ranks as the highest-grossing entertainment venue of its size in the world, based on Billboard magazines mid-year and year-end rankings. The venue has ranked number one worldwide nine of the last ten years for venues with capacities of 5,001 to 10,000, according to Billboards year-end rankings.
In 1978, Radio City Music Hall was designated a New York City landmark by the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission and a national landmark on the National Register of Historic Places. We acquired the lease in 1997, and in 1999, performed a complete restoration that returned the legendary theater to its original grandeur. The acclaimed restoration touched all aspects of the venue, including burnishing the ceilings of Radio City Music Hall with 720,000 sheets of gold and aluminum leaf, replacing the existing stage curtain with a new 112-foot wide golden silk curtain, and cleaning the three-story tall mural The Fountain of Youth, by Ezra
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Winter, which looms above the grand staircase. State-of-the-art sound systems, lighting and HDTV capabilities were also installed.
We lease Radio City Music Hall, located at Sixth Avenue and 50th Street in Manhattan, pursuant to a long-term lease agreement. In July 2021, the Company extended the term of the lease, previously set to expire in 2023, until August 31, 2038 with an option to renew for an additional 10 years by providing two years notice prior to expiration.
Beacon Theatre
In November 2006, we entered into a long-term lease agreement to operate the legendary Beacon Theatre, a venue with approximately 2,800 seats, which sits on the corner of Broadway and 74th Street in Manhattan. The Beacon Theatre was conceived by S. L. Roxy Rothafel and is considered the older sister to Radio City Music Hall. Designed by Chicago architect Walter Ahlschlager, the Beacon Theatre opened in 1929 as a forum for vaudeville acts, musical productions, drama, opera and movies. The Beacon Theatre was designated a New York City landmark by the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission in 1979 and a national landmark on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. Over its history, the Beacon Theatre has been a venerable rock and roll room for some of the greatest names in music, including: Steely Dan, Coldplay, Alice Cooper, Dave Matthews Band, Crosby Stills & Nash, Elton John, Hozier, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Eddie Vedder, John Mellencamp, Widespread Panic and Bob Dylan, as well as The Allman Brothers Band, which played their 238th show at the Beacon Theatre in October 2014, marking their final concert as a band. In recent years, the venue has become a comedy haven, hosting a monthly Jerry Seinfeld residency and multi-night stands from comedians including Ali Wong, Sebastian Maniscalco, Chelsea Handler, Eddie Izzard, Nate Bargatze and Russell Peters. The venue has also hosted special events, such as film premieres for the Tribeca Festival, along with numerous luminaries such as His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 2009 and 2013, and President Bill Clinton in 2006, when the Rolling Stones played a private concert in honor of his 60th birthday. In Fall 2020, the Company and Trey Anastasio presented The Beacon Jams, the venues first-ever virtual residency which included eight weekly shows that were streamed live to hundreds of thousands of fans and raised more than $1 million for charity.
In August 2008, the Beacon Theatre was closed for a seven-month restoration project to return the theater to its original 1929 grandeur. The restoration of the Beacon Theatre focused on all historic, interior public spaces of the building, backstage and back-of-house areas, and was based on extensive historic research, as well as detailed, on-site examination of original, decorative painting techniques that had been covered by decades-old layers of paint. The Beacon Theatre has won several architectural awards recognizing its outstanding restoration. The widely acclaimed, comprehensive restoration was similar to our restoration of Radio City Music Hall and reflects our commitment to New York City. The Beacon Theatre regularly ranks as one of the highest-grossing entertainment venues of its size in the world, based on Billboard magazines mid-year and year-end rankings.
In August 2022, the Beacon Theatre debuted a groundbreaking new sound system Sphere Immersive Sound which was developed for MSG Sphere at The Venetian, substantially improving the audio experience at the venue and providing greater programming control and flexibility for artists and engineers.
In December 2021, the Company extended the term of our lease on the Beacon Theatre, previously set to expire in 2026, until December 31, 2036 with an option to renew for an additional 10 years by providing notice prior to expiration.
The Chicago Theatre
In October 2007, to provide us with an anchor for content and distribution in a key market in the Midwest, we purchased the legendary The Chicago Theatre, a venue with approximately 3,600 seats. The Chicago Theatre, which features its famous six-story-high C-H-I-C-A-G-O marquee, was built in 1921 and designed in the
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French Baroque style by architects Cornelius W. Rapp and George L. Rapp. It is the oldest surviving example of this architectural style in Chicago today, and was designated a Chicago landmark building in 1983.
The Chicago Theatre has become a highly attractive destination for concerts, comedy shows and other live events, hosting a wide range of entertainers, including Bob Dylan, Mumford & Sons, David Byrne, Neil Young, Diana Ross, Madonna, Jerry Seinfeld, Janet Jackson, Elvis Costello, Bob Weir, Jim Gaffigan, Conan OBrien, Amy Schumer, Steely Dan and Brett Eldredge. The venue has also hosted theatrical tours such as Twas the Night Before by Cirque du Soleil, A Christmas Story, The Wizard of Oz, Paw Patrol Live! and Dr. Seuss How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical. The Chicago Theatre regularly ranks as one of the highest-grossing entertainment venues of its size in the world, based on Billboard magazines mid-year and year-end rankings.
Intellectual Property
We create, own and license intellectual property in the countries in which we operate, have operated or intend to operate, and it is our practice to protect our trademarks, brands, copyrights, inventions and other original and acquired works. We have registered many of our trademarks and have filed applications for certain others. Additionally, we have filed for patent protection in the United States. Our registrations and applications relate to trademarks and inventions associated with, among other of our brands, Madison Square Garden and the Radio City Rockettes brands. We believe our ability to maintain and monetize our intellectual property rights, including our brand logos, are important to our business, our brand-building efforts and the marketing of our products and services. We cannot predict, however, whether steps taken by us to protect our proprietary rights will be adequate to prevent misappropriation of these rights or protect against vulnerability to oppositions or cancellation actions due to non-use. See Risk Factors Risks Related to Cybersecurity and Intellectual Property We May Become Subject to Infringement or Other Claims Relating to Our Content or Technology and Risk Factors Risks Related to Cybersecurity and Intellectual Property Theft of Our Intellectual Property May Have a Material Negative Effect on Our Business and Results of Operations.
Other Investments
Our Company explores investment opportunities that strengthen its existing position within the entertainment landscape and/or allow us to exploit our assets and core competencies for growth.
Our Community
The Company actively engages with and supports the communities we serve through a variety of important initiatives.
We are proud to play a leadership role organizing extraordinary events such as opening The Garden to the 12-12-12 benefit concert organized post-Superstorm Sandy, which raised more than $50 million for hurricane victims. In February 2020, The Garden opened its doors to 18,000 New York City public school students for an exclusive, free performance of the Broadway production of To Kill a Mockingbird. In addition to these events, the Company provides funding annually to various non-profit organizations across the country, as well as in-kind contributions such as tickets, promotional items and food to schools, charities and community-based organizations in the local area. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company worked with dozens of local restaurants and charities to donate approximately 200,000 meals to families in need. In addition, the Company is a long-time supporter of the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, the nations largest private supporter of pancreatic cancer research, which has directed more than $225 million to research and assembled the best scientific minds to help find a cure.
Our Company also has a close association with The Garden of Dreams Foundation (the Foundation), a non-profit charity dedicated to bringing life changing opportunities to young people in need. In partnership with the Company and MSG Sports, the Foundation provides young people in our communities with access to
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educational and skills opportunities, mentoring programs, and memorable experiences that enhance their lives, help shape their futures and create lasting joy. Specific initiatives include the Inspire Scholarship program, which has committed since its inception over $5.8 million in aid to high school seniors to provide financial assistance related to college and trade school expenses. All of the Foundations activities target young people facing illness or financial challenges, as well as children of uniformed personnel who have been lost or injured while serving our communities. Since its inception in 2006, the Foundation has impacted more than 400,000 young people and their families.
Regulation
The rules, regulations, policies and procedures affecting our business are subject to change. The following paragraphs describe the existing legal and regulatory requirements that are most significant to our business today; they do not purport to describe all present and proposed laws and regulations affecting our business.
Our business is subject to the general powers of federal, state and local government, as well as foreign governmental authorities, to deal with matters of health and public safety.
Venue Licenses
Our venues, like all public spaces, are subject to building and health codes and fire regulations imposed by the state and local governments in the jurisdictions in which they are located. Our venues are also subject to zoning and outdoor advertising regulations, and, with respect to Radio City Music Hall, the Beacon Theatre and The Chicago Theatre, landmark regulations which restrict us from making certain modifications to our facilities as of right or from operating certain types of businesses. Our venues also require a number of licenses to operate, including occupancy permits, exhibition licenses, food and beverage permits, liquor licenses and other authorizations and, with respect to The Garden, a zoning special permit granted by the New York City Planning Commission. In the jurisdictions in which these venues are located, the operator is subject to statutes that generally provide that serving alcohol to a visibly intoxicated or minor guest is a violation of the law and may provide for strict liability for certain damages arising out of such violations. In addition, our venues are subject to the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (and related state and local statutes), which requires us to maintain certain accessibility features at each of our facilities. We and our venues are also subject to environmental laws and regulations. See Risk Factors Economic and Operational Risks We Are Subject to Extensive Governmental Regulation and Our Failure to Comply with These Regulations May Have a Material Negative Effect on Our Business and Results of Operations.
Labor
Our business is also subject to regulation regarding working conditions, overtime and minimum wage requirements. See Risk Factors Economic and Operational Risks Labor Matters May Have a Material Negative Effect on Our Business and Results of Operations.
Ticket Sales
Our business is subject to legislation governing the sale and resale of tickets and consumer protection statutes generally.
Data and Privacy
We are subject to data privacy and protection laws, regulations, policies and contractual obligations that apply to the collection, transmission, storage, processing and use of personal information or personal data, which among other things, impose certain requirements relating to the privacy and security of personal information. The variety of laws and regulations governing data privacy and protection, and the use of the internet as a commercial medium are rapidly evolving, extensive and complex, and may include provisions and obligations that are inconsistent with one another or uncertain in their scope or application.
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The data protection landscape is rapidly evolving in the United States. For example, California passed a comprehensive data privacy law, the CCPA, and other states including Virginia and Colorado have also passed similar laws. Additionally, the CPRA imposed additional data protection obligations on covered businesses, including additional consumer rights procedures and obligations, limitations on data uses, new audit requirements for higher risk data, and constraints on certain uses of sensitive data. The majority of the CPRA provisions went into effect on January 1, 2023, and additional compliance investment and potential business process changes may be required. Further, there are several legislative proposals in the United States, at both the federal and state level, that could impose new privacy and security obligations.
In addition, governmental authorities and private litigants continue to bring actions against companies for online collection, use, dissemination and security practices that are unfair or deceptive.
Website and Mobile Application Requirements
Our business is also subject to certain regulations applicable to our Internet websites and mobile applications. We maintain various websites and mobile applications that provide information and content regarding our business, offer merchandise and tickets for sale, make available sweepstakes and/or contests and offer hospitality services. The operation of these websites and applications may be subject to third-party application store requirements, as well as a range of federal, state and local laws including those related to privacy and protection of personal information, accessibility for persons with disabilities and consumer protection regulations. In addition, to the extent any of our websites seek to collect information from children under 13 years of age, they may be subject to the Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act, which places restrictions on websites and online services collection and use of personally identifiable information online from children under age 13 without parental consent.
Competition
Our business competes, in certain respects and to varying degrees, with other live performances, sporting events, movies, home entertainment (including the Internet and online services, social media and social networking platforms, television, video and gaming devices), and the large number of other entertainment and public attraction options available to members of the public. Our business typically represents alternative uses for the publics entertainment dollars. The primary geographic area in which we operate, New York City, is among the most competitive entertainment markets in the world, with the worlds largest live theater industry and extensive performing arts venues, 12 major professional sports teams, numerous museums, galleries and other attractions, and numerous movie theaters available to the public. Our venues and live offerings outside of New York City similarly compete with other entertainment options in their respective markets and elsewhere. We compete with these other entertainment options on the basis of the quality of our offerings, the publics interest in our content and the price of our tickets.
We compete for bookings with a large number of other venues both in the cities in which our venues are located and in alternative locations capable of booking the same productions and events. Generally, we compete for bookings on the basis of the size, quality, expense and nature of the venue required for the booking. Some of our competitors may have a larger network of venues and/or greater financial resources.
In addition to competition for bookings and ticket sales, we also compete to varying degrees with other productions and sporting events for sponsorship dollars.
Human Capital Resources
We believe the strength of our workforce is one of the significant contributors to our success. Our key human capital management objectives are to invest in and support our employees in order to attract, develop and retain a high performing and diverse workforce.
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Diversity and Inclusion (D&I)
We aim to create an employee experience that fosters the Companys culture of respect and inclusion. By welcoming the diverse perspectives and experiences of our employees, we all share in the creation of a more vibrant, unified, and engaging place to work. To advance these efforts, we maintain a Diversity and Inclusion Council (the D&I Council) comprised of employees from the Company, MSG Entertainment and MSG Sports who have demonstrated a high level of passion and commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Several D&I Council initiatives have furthered these objectives under the expanded Talent Management, Diversity and Inclusion function led by MSG Entertainments VP, Talent Management and Chief Diversity Officer, including:
Workforce: Embedding Diversity and Inclusion through Talent Actions
| Introduced bi-annual workforce demographic dashboards to the extended management team and facilitated four diversity and inclusion content-specific working sessions to advise leaders on strategies to build and retain inclusive teams. |
| Revisited our mandatory Inclusive Selection Training for managers and developed guidelines to de-bias talent review conversations with an aim to increase objectivity and consistency around leadership potential. |
| Developed an Emerging Talent List to expand our talent pool to better identify and develop high performing diverse talent for expanded roles and promotion opportunities. |
Workplace: Building an Inclusive and Accessible Community
| In fiscal year 2022, MSG Entertainment launched the MSG Diversity & Inclusion Heritage Month enterprise calendar to acknowledge and celebrate culturally relevant days and months of recognition, anchored by our six employee resource groups: Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI), Black, LatinX, PRIDE, Veterans, and Women. Viewership of D&I related content on our internal employee communications portal by MSG Entertainment and MSG Sports personnel more than doubled year-over-year. |
| Introduced a Paid Military Leave benefit to support our employees who are called to military service, demonstrating our commitment to be a military-friendly employer. |
| Launched our first employer-branded campaign, We Are MSG, reflecting the values of the Company, MSG Entertainment and MSG Sports and the diversity that unites our community. The first video, Faces of MSG, was publicly released on internal and external platforms, anchoring our careers website and LinkedIn page. |
Community: Bridging the Divide through Expansion to Diverse Stakeholders
| Focused on connecting with minority-owned businesses to increase the diversity of our vendors and suppliers by leveraging employee resource groups and our community, which creates revenue generating opportunities for diverse suppliers to promote their businesses and products. In Fiscal Year 2022, MSG Entertainment and MSG Sports hosted the Black Fashion Pop-Up Shop and Pride Fest for Black and LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, respectively. |
| Invested in an external facing supplier diversity portal on our website, which we expect to launch in Fiscal Year 2023. The portal is intended to expand opportunities for MSG Entertainment to do business with diverse suppliers, including minority-, women-, LGBTQ+- and veteran-owned businesses. |
| Strengthened our commitment to higher education institutions to increase campus recruitment pipelines. In partnership with the Knicks and our social impact team, MSG Entertainment and MSG Sports hosted the 1st |
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Annual Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Night highlighting the important contributions of these institutions. In partnership with Chase, MSG Entertainment and MSG Sports awarded a twenty-five-thousand-dollar scholarship to a Spelman College student. Additionally, we hosted HBCU SpringComing Innovation Lab for select HBCU alumni and students, leveraging their insights to strengthen our recruitment outreach strategy. We also partnered with select City University of New York students to host resume workshops curated and sponsored by the PRIDE employee resource group. |
Talent
As of December 31, 2022, we had approximately 970 full-time union and non-union employees and 6,021 part-time union and non-union employees.
We aim to attract top talent through our prestigious brands and venues, as well as through the many benefits we offer. We aim to retain and develop our talent by emphasizing our competitive rewards, offering opportunities that support employees both personally and professionally, and our commitment to fostering career development in a positive corporate culture.
Our performance management practice includes ongoing feedback and conversations between managers and team members, and talent reviews designed to identify potential future leaders and inform succession plans. We value continuous learning and development opportunities for our employees, which include a career development tool, leadership development programs, a learning platform, and tuition assistance.
Our benefit offerings are designed to meet the range of needs of our diverse workforce and include: domestic partner coverage, an employee assistance program which also provides assistance with child and elder care resources, legal support, pet insurance, wellness programs and financial planning seminars. These resources are intended to support the physical, emotional and financial well-being of our employees.
As of December 31, 2022, approximately 4,900 full-time and part-time employees, who represent approximately 70% of the Companys workforce, were subject to CBAs. Approximately 3% were subject to CBAs that expired as of December 31, 2022 and approximately 38% were subject to CBAs that will expire by June 30, 2023, if they are not extended prior thereto. Labor relations can be volatile, though our current relationships with our unions taken as a whole are positive. We have from time to time faced labor action or had to make contingency plans because of threatened or potential labor actions.
COVID-19
The health and safety of our employees, contractors, performing artists, athletes and guests at our venues is our top priority. In response to COVID-19, measures were taken to ensure that health and safety protocols were in place and enforced throughout our offices and our venues, to the extent applicable. We also supported our employees through our relief fund, wellness programming and remote working capabilities. At times this included capacity restrictions and social distancing and vaccination and mask requirements. Although these policies are not currently required, we continue to monitor the evolving risks related to COVID-19 so that we can reintroduce these or other policies as needed. We believe we have been able to resume our business operations without sacrificing this commitment to keeping our employees and contractors safe while working on-site.
Properties
We own the Madison Square Garden Complex, which includes The Garden (with a maximum capacity of approximately 21,000 seats) and The Theater at Madison Square Garden (approximately 5,600 seats) in New York City, comprising approximately 1,100,000 square feet; and The Chicago Theatre (approximately 3,600 seats) in Chicago comprising approximately 72,600 square feet.
Significant properties that are leased in New York City include approximately 373,000 square feet housing Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.s administrative and executive offices with approximately 47,000
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square feet of space that is subleased to MSG Sports, approximately 577,000 square feet comprising Radio City Music Hall (approximately 6,000 seats) and approximately 57,000 square feet comprising the Beacon Theatre (approximately 2,800 seats). For more information on our venues, see Our Business Our Venues.
Our Madison Square Garden Complex is subject to and benefits from various easements, including over the breezeway into Madison Square Garden from Seventh Avenue in New York City (which we share with other property owners). Our ability to continue to utilize easements requires us to comply with certain conditions. Moreover, certain adjoining property owners have easements over our property, which we are required to maintain so long as those property owners meet certain conditions.
Legal Proceedings
Fifteen complaints were filed in connection with MSG Entertainments acquisition of MSG Networks Inc. (the Networks Merger) by purported stockholders of MSG Entertainment and MSG Networks Inc. Nine of these complaints involved allegations of materially incomplete and misleading information set forth in the joint proxy statement/prospectus filed by MSG Entertainment and MSG Networks Inc. in connection with the Networks Merger. These disclosure actions were subsequently voluntarily dismissed with prejudice. Six complaints involved allegations of fiduciary breaches in connection with the negotiation and approval of the Networks Merger and have since been consolidated into two remaining litigations. MSG Entertainment and MSG Networks Inc. will retain all rights and obligations with respect to these claims, as applicable, and MSG Entertainment will indemnify the Company from and release the Company from all present and future costs, expenses, and liabilities, if any, related to these claims.
The Company is a defendant in various lawsuits. Although the outcome of these lawsuits cannot be predicted with certainty (including the extent of available insurance, if any), management does not believe that resolution of these lawsuits will have a material adverse effect on the Company.
Financial Information about Geographic Areas
All revenues and assets of the Company are attributed to or located in the United States. A majority of the Companys revenues and assets are concentrated in the New York City metropolitan area.
Emerging Growth Company Status
We are an emerging growth company, as defined in the JOBS Act and we are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies. These exemptions generally include, but are not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.
Although we are still evaluating the JOBS Act, we may take advantage of some or all of the reduced regulatory and reporting requirements that will be available to us as long as we qualify as an emerging growth company, except that we have irrevocably elected not to take advantage of the extension of time to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards available under Section 102(b) of the JOBS Act.
We will, in general, remain as an emerging growth company for up to five full fiscal years following the Distribution. We would cease to be an emerging growth company and, therefore, become ineligible to rely on the above exemptions, if we:
| have more than $1.235 billion in annual revenue in a fiscal year; |
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| issue more than $1 billion of non-convertible debt during the preceding three-year period; or |
| become a large accelerated filer as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2, which would occur after: (i) we have filed at least one annual report pursuant to the Exchange Act; (ii) we have been an SEC-reporting company for at least 12 months; and (iii) the market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter. |
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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
All amounts included in the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information are presented in thousands, except per share data or as otherwise noted.
On December 6, 2022, the board of directors of Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (MSG Entertainment) authorized MSG Entertainment management to explore a potential tax-free spin-off of the traditional live entertainment business from the MSG Sphere, MSG Networks, and Tao Group Hospitality businesses.
MSGE Spinco, Inc. (we, us, our, Spinco or the Company) was incorporated in the state of Delaware on September 15, 2022 to be the company to hold the traditional live entertainment business of MSG Entertainment. In the first step of the transaction, record holders of MSG Entertainment Class A and Class B common stock would receive a pro-rata distribution expected to be equivalent, in the aggregate, to approximately 67% of the economic interest in the Company (the Distribution). The remaining approximately 33% economic interest in the Company would be retained by MSG Entertainment, subject to completion of the Distribution. These transfers to us by MSG Entertainment are treated as a contribution to our capital at MSG Entertainments historical cost.
The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of December 31, 2022 and the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations for the six months ended December 31, 2022 and the year ended June 30, 2022 have been derived from the historical annual and interim combined financial statements of the Company, including the unaudited condensed combined balance sheet as of December 31, 2022, the unaudited condensed combined statement of operations for the six months ended December 31, 2022, and the audited combined statement of operations for the year ended June 30, 2022, included elsewhere in this information statement. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information presented below should be read in conjunction with Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and our historical annual and interim combined financial statements and corresponding notes thereto included elsewhere in this information statement. The unaudited pro forma combined financial information reflects certain known impacts as a result of the Distribution to separate the Company from MSG Entertainment.
The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information gives effect to the Distribution and related adjustments in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act.
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet has been prepared giving effect to the Distribution as if this transaction had occurred as of December 31, 2022. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations have been prepared giving effect to the Distribution as if this transaction had occurred on July 1, 2021. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information also reflects certain assumptions that we believe are reasonable given the information currently available.
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of December 31, 2022 and the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations for the six months ended December 31, 2022 and the year ended June 30, 2022, respectively, have been prepared to reflect transaction accounting and autonomous entity adjustments to the Companys historical combined financial statements to present the financial condition and results of operations as if we were a separate stand-alone entity. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been adjusted to give effect to the following items (collectively, the Pro Forma Adjustments):
| Adjustments for differences between the historical combined balance sheet prepared on a carve-out basis and assets and liabilities expected to be transferred between MSG Entertainment and the Company. Adjustments also give effect to the related impacts to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations; |
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| The distribution of approximately 67% of the Companys issued and outstanding common stock by MSG Entertainment in connection with the Distribution; |
| The impact of transactions contemplated by the Transition Services Agreement (the TSA); |
| The impact of and transactions contemplated by other contracts entered into between MSG Entertainment and the Company at the time of Distribution, such as the Employee Matters Agreement; |
| Other adjustments as described in the notes to this unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information; and |
| Income tax impacts of the adjustments described above. |
In preparing the pro forma condensed combined financial information, we did not include adjustments for the following items:
| The Companys historical combined financial statements reflect net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards calculated on a separate return basis. These NOL carryforwards were calculated as if the Company operated as a separate stand-alone entity for the periods presented in the historical annual and interim combined financial statements of the Company included elsewhere in this Information Statement. Because the Distribution involves a spin-off of the Company, these NOLs do not carry over to the Company in connection with the reorganization transactions related to the Distribution. Historically, amounts that we collected for sponsorships and suite rentals in advance were recorded as deferred revenue and were recognized as revenues when earned for both accounting and tax purposes. In connection with the reorganization transactions related to the Distribution, the tax recognition for certain of these deferred revenues will be accelerated to the date of the Distribution, rather than recognized over the course of one year. Assuming the Distribution occurred on December 31, 2022, the estimated tax on the acceleration of such deferred revenue is $58,000. Such tax will be the responsibility of MSG Entertainment, however MSG Entertainment will fully offset the deferred revenue income with their NOLs. The Company will not reimburse MSG Entertainment for such taxes. This one-time benefit will not recur in the future. |
| The Companys wholly owned subsidiary, MSG Entertainment Holdings, LLC (the DDTL Lender), is expected to enter into the DDTL Facility with MSG Entertainment (the DDTL Borrower) on or prior to the date of the Distribution. The DDTL Borrower will be able to draw up to $65,000 of senior unsecured delayed draw term loans (Delayed Draw Term Loans) for a period of 18 months following the effective date of the facility. Any Delayed Draw Term Loans that are funded will bear interest at a variable rate equal to either, at the option of the DDTL Borrower, (a) a base rate plus an applicable margin, or (b) the Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) plus 0.10%, plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin is expected to be equal to the then applicable margin under the National Properties Facilities plus 1.00% per annum. In addition, the DDTL Facility will include an unused commitment fee in respect of the daily unused commitments under the facility at a rate equal to the unused commitment fee rate under the National Properties Revolving Credit Facility plus 0.10% per annum. All interest and commitment fees accruing prior to January 1, 2024 will be payable in kind by capitalizing and adding such interest or fee to the outstanding principal amount of the Delayed Draw Term Loans. All interest and commitment fees accruing on and after January 1, 2024 will be payable in cash or by delivering to the DDTL Lender shares of Class A common stock of the Company as described below. Subject to customary borrowing conditions, the DDTL Borrower will be able to draw down on the DDTL Facility in up to six increments of $5,000 or more in an aggregate amount not to exceed $65,000. If the DDTL Borrower draws down on the DDTL Facility, the outstanding principal balance will be due, together with any unpaid interest thereon, 18 months following the Distribution. The DDTL Facility is pre-payable at any time without penalty and amounts drawn under the DDTL Facility may not be reborrowed. There are no financial covenants associated with the DDTL Facility. The DDTL Borrower will have the option to make any payments of principal, interest or fees under the DDTL Facility either in cash or by delivering to the DDTL Lender shares of the Companys Class A |
73
Common Stock. If the DDTL Borrower elects to make any payment in the form of the Companys Class A Common Stock, the amount of such payment shall be calculated based on the dollar volume-weighted average trading price for the Companys Class A Common Stock for the twenty trading days ending on the day on which the DDTL Borrower makes such election. |
The Company does not expect the DDTL Borrower to draw on the DDTL Facility prior to or at the completion of the Distribution; however, if the DDTL Borrower were to do so, the Company may concurrently draw the same amount from the National Properties Revolving Credit Facility. If this occurs, the Companys cash balance would remain unchanged and it would recognize a loan payable for the National Properties Revolving Credit Facility and a corresponding loan receivable from the DDTL Borrower up to a maximum of $65,000. In addition, future periods would reflect an interest payable for the National Properties Revolving Credit Facility and the related interest expense, and an interest receivable from the DDTL Borrower and the related interest income. If the full capacity of the DDTL Facility was utilized assuming the rates in place as of December 31, 2022, and the corresponding amount was drawn from the National Properties Revolving Credit Facility, the Company would have recorded approximately $2,659 and $5,317 of interest expense for the six months ended December 31, 2022 and the year ended June 30, 2022, respectively, and approximately $2,984 and $5,967 of interest income for the six months ended December 31, 2022 and the year ended June 30, 2022, respectively, in its unaudited pro forma combined statements of operations. Assuming the DDTL Facility was fully drawn and the same amount was funded by the National Properties Revolving Credit Facility, a 1% change in the interest rate on the National Properties Revolving Credit Facility would result in approximately $650 of incremental interest expense by the Company, which would be primarily offset by the additional interest income from MSG Entertainment. The amounts of deferred financing costs attributable to the DDTL Facility have not yet been determined. As the DDTL Borrower is not currently expected to exercise its right to utilize the DDTL Facility prior to or at the completion of the Distribution, management has not adjusted the unaudited pro forma combined financial information herein.
Our historical combined financial statements, which were the basis for the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information, were prepared on a carve-out basis as we did not operate as a stand-alone entity for the periods presented. As part of the Distribution, certain corporate and operational support functions are being transferred to the Company and therefore, allocations of corporate overhead and shared services expense to MSG Entertainment from the Company were recorded for corporate and operational functions as a reduction of either direct operating expenses or selling, general and administrative expense in the historical combined financial statements. The allocations and estimates in such historical financial statements are based on assumptions that management believes are reasonable. See Note 1, Description of the Business and Basis of Presentation, Note 19, Related Party Transactions to the audited combined financial statements included elsewhere in this Information Statement for further information on the allocation of corporate costs.
We expect to experience changes in our ongoing cost structure when we become an independent, publicly-traded company. Our historical combined financial statements include allocations of certain corporate expenses to MSG Entertainment, including certain public company costs incurred as a combined entity, of $73,967 for the six months ended December 31, 2022 and $161,189 for the year ended June 30, 2022. Following the Distribution, the Company will bear substantially all corporate overhead and support costs, including amounts previously allocated to MSG Entertainment. The Company will continue to provide support services to MSG Entertainment pursuant to the TSA. Payments received by the Company for transition services provided will be presented as a reduction of direct operating expense or selling, general and administrative expense. Refer to note (f) for further details related to the pro forma impact of these adjustments.
As discussed above, the costs to operate our business as an independent public entity are expected to vary from the historical allocations, including corporate and administrative charges from MSG Entertainment for the six months ended December 31, 2022 and for the year ended June 30, 2022 reflected in the accompanying historical
74
annual and interim combined financial statements included elsewhere within this information statement. The accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations are not adjusted for these expenses as many of the costs are estimates based on projections and are not quantifiable at this time. Such costs principally relate to areas that include, but are not limited to:
| corporate personnel overhead expenses as a result of the Company operating on a stand-alone basis; |
| professional fees associated with internal and external audits including compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, tax, legal and other services; |
| anticipated executive compensation costs related to existing and new executive management and excluding future share-based compensation expense; and |
| stock market listing fees, investor relations costs and fees for preparing and distributing periodic filings with the SEC. |
This unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information reflects other adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary to present fairly the pro forma condensed combined results of operations and combined financial position of the Company as of and for the periods indicated. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is subject to the assumptions and adjustments described in the accompanying notes. This unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is subject to change as MSG Entertainment and the Company finalize the terms of the separation and distribution agreement and other agreements and transactions related to the separation. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is for illustrative and informational purposes only and is not intended to represent or be indicative of what our financial condition or results of operations would have been had the Company operated historically as a company independent of MSG Entertainment, or if the Distribution had occurred on the dates indicated. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information also should not be considered representative of our future condensed combined financial condition or combined results of operations.
75
MSG ENTERTAINMENT SPINCO, INC.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
As of December 31, 2022 (in thousands)
Historical Spinco (a) |
Transaction Accounting Adjustments |
Notes | Autonomous Entity Adjustments |
Notes | Pro Forma | |||||||||||||||
ASSETS |
||||||||||||||||||||
Current Assets: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash |
$ | 153,746 | $ | (103,746 | ) | (b) | $ | | $ | 50,000 | ||||||||||
Accounts receivable, net |
100,820 | | | 100,820 | ||||||||||||||||
Related party receivables, current |
95,064 | (52,513 | ) | (c) | 6,145 | (g) | 48,696 | |||||||||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
69,686 | | | 69,686 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total current assets |
419,316 | (156,259 | ) | 6,145 | 269,202 | |||||||||||||||
Property and equipment, net |
649,962 | | | 649,962 | ||||||||||||||||
Right-of-use lease assets |
255,024 | | | 255,024 | ||||||||||||||||
Goodwill |
69,041 | | | 69,041 | ||||||||||||||||
Intangible assets, net |
63,801 | | | 63,801 | ||||||||||||||||
Other non-current assets |
91,817 | | | 91,817 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total assets |
$ | 1,548,961 | $ | (156,259 | ) | $ | 6,145 | $ | 1,398,847 | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
LIABILITIES AND DIVISIONAL EQUITY (DEFICIT) |
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Current Liabilities: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Accounts payable, accrued and other current liabilities |
$ | 176,287 | $ | | $ | | $ | 176,287 | ||||||||||||
Related party payables, current |
70,379 | | | 70,379 | ||||||||||||||||
Current portion of long-term debt |
16,250 | | | 16,250 | ||||||||||||||||
Operating lease liabilities, current |
36,623 | | | 36,623 | ||||||||||||||||
Deferred revenue |
188,842 | | | 188,842 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total current liabilities |
488,381 | | | 488,381 | ||||||||||||||||
Long-term debt, net of deferred financing costs |
648,397 | | | 648,397 | ||||||||||||||||
Operating lease liabilities, non-current |
238,015 | | | 238,015 | ||||||||||||||||
Deferred tax liabilities, net |
23,386 | | | 23,386 | ||||||||||||||||
Other non-current liabilities |
51,893 | | | 51,893 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total liabilities |
1,450,072 | | | 1,450,072 | ||||||||||||||||
Commitments and contingencies |
||||||||||||||||||||
Spinco Divisional Equity (Deficit): |
||||||||||||||||||||
MSG Entertainment investment |
133,018 | (133,018 | ) | (d) | | | ||||||||||||||
Class A Common Stock |
| 447 | (d) | | 447 | |||||||||||||||
Class B Common Stock |
| 69 | (d) | | 69 | |||||||||||||||
Accumulated deficit |
| (23,757 | ) | (b), (c), (d) | 6,145 | (g) | (17,612 | ) | ||||||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
(34,129 | ) | | | (34,129 | ) | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total Spinco divisional equity (deficit) |
98,889 | (156,259 | ) | 6,145 | (51,225 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Nonredeemable noncontrolling interest |
| | | | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total liabilities and divisional equity (deficit) |
$ | 1,548,961 | $ | (156,259 | ) | $ | 6,145 | $ | 1,398,847 | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
76
MSG ENTERTAINMENT SPINCO, INC.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the Six Months Ended December 31, 2022
(in thousands, except per share data)
Historical Spinco (a) |
Transaction Accounting Adjustments |
Notes | Autonomous Entity Adjustments |
Notes | Pro Forma | |||||||||||||||
Revenues |
$ | 502,332 | $ | | $ | | $ | 502,332 | ||||||||||||
Operating expenses: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Direct operating expenses |
282,265 | | 1,145 | (f) | 283,410 | |||||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
83,415 | | 24,143 | (f) | 107,558 | |||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
31,571 | | | 31,571 | ||||||||||||||||
Gains, net on dispositions |
(4,412 | ) | | | (4,412 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Restructuring charges |
7,359 | | | 7,359 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Operating income (loss) |
102,134 | | (25,288 | ) | 76,846 | |||||||||||||||
Other income (expense): |
||||||||||||||||||||
Interest income |
3,322 | (1,804 | ) | (c) | | 1,518 | ||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
(24,632 | ) | | | (24,632 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Other income (expense), net |
(1,286 | ) | | | (1,286 | ) | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
(22,596 | ) | (1,804 | ) | | (24,400 | ) | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Income (loss) from operations before income taxes |
79,538 | (1,804 | ) | (25,288 | ) | 52,446 | ||||||||||||||
Income tax (expense) benefit |
(731 | ) | 54 | (e) | 697 | (h) | 20 | |||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
78,807 | (1,750 | ) | (24,591 | ) | 52,466 | ||||||||||||||
Less: Net loss attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interest |
(553 | ) | | | (553 | ) | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Spincos stockholders |
$ | 79,360 | $ | (1,750 | ) | $ | (24,591 | ) | $ | 53,019 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Pro Forma earnings per share: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Basic |
(i) | $ | 1.03 | |||||||||||||||||
Diluted |
(i) | $ | 1.03 | |||||||||||||||||
Pro forma weighted-average common shares outstanding: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Basic |
(i) | 51,558 | ||||||||||||||||||
Diluted |
(i) | 51,624 |
77
MSG ENTERTAINMENT SPINCO, INC.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the Year Ended June 30, 2022
(in thousands, except per share data)
Historical Spinco (a) |
Transaction Accounting Adjustments |
Notes | Autonomous Entity Adjustments |
Notes | Pro Forma | |||||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
$ | 653,490 | $ | | $ | | $ | 653,490 | ||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Direct operating expenses |
417,301 | | 2,514 | (f) | 419,815 | |||||||||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
167,132 | | 62,000 | (f) | 229,132 | |||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
69,534 | | | 69,534 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Gain on disposal of assets held for sale and associated settlements |
| | | | ||||||||||||||||||||
Restructuring charges |
5,171 | | | 5,171 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Operating income (loss) |
(5,648 | ) | | (64,514 | ) | (70,162 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Other income (expense): |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest income |
7,150 | (2,117 | ) | (c) | | 5,033 | ||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
(53,110 | ) | | | (53,110 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Loss on extinguishment of debt |
(35,629 | ) | | | (35,629 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Other income (expense), net |
(49,033 | ) | | | (49,033 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
(130,622 | ) | (2,117 | ) | | (132,739 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from operations before income taxes |
(136,270 | ) | (2,117 | ) | (64,514 | ) | (202,901 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Income tax (expense) benefit |
70 | | (e) | | (h) | 70 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
(136,200 | ) | (2,117 | ) | (64,514 | ) | (202,831 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Less: Net loss attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interest |
(2,864 | ) | | | (2,864 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Spincos stockholders |
$ | (133,336 | ) | $ | (2,117 | ) | $ | (64,514 | ) | $ | (199,967 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Pro Forma earnings per share: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic |
(i | ) | $ | (3.91 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Diluted |
(i | ) | $ | (3.91 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Pro forma weighted-average common shares outstanding: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic |
(i | ) | 51,127 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Diluted |
(i | ) | 51,127 |
78
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(a) | Represents Spincos unaudited condensed combined balance sheet as of December 31, 2022, unaudited condensed combined statement of operations for the six months ended December 31, 2022 and audited combined statement of operations for the year ended June 30, 2022. |
Adjustments Related to the Distribution Transaction:
(b) | Adjustment reflects assets attributed to Spinco in the historical condensed combined balance sheet as of December 31, 2022 that will not be transferred from MSG Entertainment to Spinco in connection with the Distribution. To reflect this impact, an adjustment to Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of $103,746 was recorded. Refer to Note 1. Description of Business and Basis of Presentation of our annual historical audited combined financial statements for further discussion of the Companys attribution of assets and liabilities. |
(c) | Adjustment reflects the transfer from MSG Entertainment to Spinco of the loan payable to the Companys wholly-owned captive insurance subsidiary, Eden Insurance Company Inc. (Eden), which will occur prior to the Distribution. This results in a reduction of Spincos loan receivable from MSG Entertainment of $52,513. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations reflect an adjustment of $1,804 and $2,117 to reflect the removal of interest income related to the aforementioned loan receivable from MSG Entertainment for the six months ended December 31, 2022 and for the year ended June 30, 2022, respectively. |
(d) | Adjustment reflects the pro forma recapitalization of our equity. As of the Distribution date, MSG Entertainments net investment in the Company will be distributed to MSG Entertainments stockholders through the distribution of approximately 67% of Spincos common stock with the remaining approximately 33% held by MSG Entertainment as a retained interest. As the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information are presented for the Company on a standalone basis, the entire balance of historical MSG Entertainment investment has been recorded as common stock and accumulated deficit, respectively, as a result of this adjustment. The par value of Spincos stock was recognized as a component of common stock, with the remaining balance recorded as accumulated deficit in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of December 31, 2022. |
Common stock reflects approximately 44.7 million shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, and approximately 6.9 million shares of Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share. The number of shares of common stock assumes each MSG Entertainment Class A and Class B common stockholder will receive one Spinco Class A or Class B common share for each MSG Entertainment Class A or Class B common share held on the record date for the Distribution. We expect approximately 33% of our common stock to be owned by MSG Entertainment immediately following the spin-off, representing approximately 1.5 shares of Spinco for every 1 outstanding share of MSG Entertainment.
This adjustment is based on MSG Entertainments December 31, 2022 issued and outstanding Class A and Class B common shares, although the actual number of shares issued will not be known until the record date for the Distribution. The adjustments to accumulated deficit including assets transferred between MSG Entertainment and Spinco as described in notes (b) and (c) are summarized below:
($ in thousands) | ||||
Reduction of Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (b) |
$ | 103,746 | ||
Elimination of loan receivable from MSG Entertainment (c) |
52,513 | |||
Recapitalization of MSG Entertainment investment (d) |
(133,018 | ) | ||
Establishment of Class A Common Stock (d) |
447 | |||
Establishment of Class B Common Stock (d) |
69 | |||
|
|
|||
Accumulated deficit |
$ | 23,757 | ||
|
|
79
(e) | The income tax effects of the pro forma adjustments are fully offset by the valuation allowance for the year ended June 30, 2022. |
The income tax effects of the pro forma adjustments are recorded at the applicable federal statutory tax rate for the six months ended December 31, 2022, net of adjustments to the Companys valuation allowance and the limitation on the utilization of net operating loss carryforwards. This resulted in an overall tax benefit of $54 for the six months ended December 31, 2022 on the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations.
Autonomous Entity Adjustments:
(f) | Reflects the impact of the TSA and related agreements entered into in connection with the Distribution, which resulted in incremental corporate and administrative costs not included in the Companys historical combined financial statements. |
Following the Distribution, the Company will bear substantially all corporate overhead and support costs, including amounts previously charged back to MSG Entertainment. The Company will continue to provide support services to MSG Entertainment pursuant to the TSA. Payments received by the Company for transition services provided will be presented as a reduction of direct operating expenses or selling, general, and administrative expenses. The adjustment was derived by comparing contractual payments required by the TSA and related agreements to amounts historically allocated by the Company to MSG Entertainment on the basis of direct usage when identifiable, with the remainder allocated on a pro rata basis of certain measures of the Company or MSG Entertainment in the Companys historical combined financial statements.
(g) | Adjustment reflects the effect of the Employee Matters Agreement, which entitles the Company to receive reimbursement for services provided to MSG Entertainment prior to the Distribution. An adjustment of $6,145 was recorded to recognize a Net receivable balance from MSG Entertainment to the Company in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of December 31, 2022. |
(h) | The income tax effects of the pro forma adjustments are fully offset by the valuation allowance for the year ended June 30, 2022. |
The income tax effects of the pro forma adjustments are recorded at the applicable federal statutory tax rate for the six months ended December 31, 2022, net of adjustments to the Companys valuation allowance and the limitation on the utilization of net operating loss carryforwards. This resulted in an overall tax benefit of $697 for the six months ended December 31, 2022 on the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations.
Earnings (Loss) Per Share:
(i) | Pro forma earnings per share and pro forma weighted-average basic shares outstanding are based on the weighted-average number of shares of MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock and MSG Entertainment Class B Common Stock outstanding of 51.6 million during the six months ended December 31, 2022 and 51.1 million during the year ended June 30, 2022. Spincos weighted average shares outstanding assumes a distribution ratio of one share of our common stock for each share of MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock and MSG Entertainment Class B Common Stock held on the record date of the Distribution for the approximately 67% to be distributed to shareholders. In addition, the approximately 33% interest in the outstanding shares of our common stock that will be owned by MSG Entertainment at the time of the spin-off is reflected in the weighted-average share counts presented herein. As a result, the Companys pro forma weighted-average basic shares outstanding, after giving effect to the Distribution and the approximately 33% retained interest held by MSG Entertainment, represents approximately 1.5 shares of Spinco for every 1 outstanding share of MSG Entertainment. |
Pro forma diluted weighted-average shares outstanding reflect potential dilution from the issuance of Spinco common shares from MSG Entertainment equity plans, giving effect to the distribution ratio and conversion
80
of certain MSG Entertainment equity awards into Spinco equity awards. Potentially dilutive shares for the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations for the year ended June 30, 2022 are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. While the actual impact on a go-forward basis will depend on various factors, including employees who may change employment from one company to another, we believe the estimate provided yields a reasonable approximation of the dilutive impact of MSG Entertainment equity plans. We expect that the actual amounts will differ from these estimates.
81
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In this MD&A, there are statements concerning the future operating and future financial performance of Spinco, including our potential spin-off from MSG Entertainment, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and COVID-19 variants on our future operations. Words such as expects, anticipates, believes, estimates, may, will, should, could, potential, continue, intends, plans, and similar words and terms used in the discussion of future operating and future financial performance identify forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, results or events and involve risks and uncertainties and that actual results or developments may differ materially from the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. References to Spinco or the Company include the subsidiaries of MSG Entertainment that will be subsidiaries of the Company at the time of the Distribution. Factors that may cause such differences to occur include, but are not limited to:
| the level of our expenses, including our corporate expenses; |
| the level of our revenues, which depends in part on the popularity of the Christmas Spectacular, the sports teams whose games are played at The Garden, and other events which are presented in our venues; |
| our ability to effectively manage any impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic (including COVID-19 variants) as well as renewed actions taken in response by governmental authorities or certain professional sports leagues, including ensuring compliance with rules and regulations imposed upon our venues, to the extent applicable; |
| the effect of any postponements or cancellations by third-parties or the Company as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic due to operational challenges and other health and safety concerns (such as the partial cancellation of the 2021 production of the Christmas Spectacular); |
| the extent to which attendance at our venues may be impacted by government actions, continuing health concerns by potential attendees and reduced tourism; |
| the impact on the payments we receive under the Arena License Agreements as a result of government-mandated capacity restrictions, league restrictions and/or social-distancing or vaccination requirements, if any, at games of the Knicks of the NBA and the Rangers of the NHL; |
| lack of operating history as a stand-alone public company and costs associated with being an independent public company; |
| the on-ice and on-court performance of the professional sports teams whose games we host in our venues; |
| the level of our capital expenditures and other investments; |
| general economic conditions, especially in the New York City and Chicago metropolitan areas where we have business activities; |
| the demand for sponsorship arrangements; |
| competition, for example, from other venues and sports and entertainment options, including new competing venues; |
| changes in laws, guidelines, bulletins, directives, policies and agreements, and regulations under which we operate; |
| any economic, social or political actions, such as boycotts, protests, work stoppages or campaigns by labor organizations, including the unions representing players and officials of the NBA and NHL, or other work stoppage due to COVID-19 or otherwise; |
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| seasonal fluctuations and other variations in our operating results and cash flow from period to period; |
| the successful development of new live productions, enhancements or changes to existing productions and the investments associated with such development, enhancements, or changes; |
| business, reputational and litigation risk if there is a cyber or other security incident resulting in loss, disclosure or misappropriation of stored personal information, or disclosure of confidential information or other breaches of our information security; |
| activities or other developments (such as pandemics, including the COVID-19 pandemic) that discourage or may discourage congregation at prominent places of public assembly, including our venues; |
| the acquisition or disposition of assets or businesses and/or the impact of, and our ability to successfully pursue, acquisitions or other strategic transactions; |
| our ability to successfully integrate acquisitions, new venues or new businesses into our operations; |
| our internal control environment and our ability to identify and remedy any future material weaknesses; |
| the costs associated with, and the outcome of, litigation and other proceedings to the extent uninsured, including litigation or other claims against companies we invest in or acquire; |
| the impact of governmental regulations or laws, changes in how those regulations and laws are interpreted, as well as the continued benefit of certain tax exemptions and the ability to maintain necessary permits or licenses; |
| the impact of any government plans to redesign New York Citys Penn Station; |
| the impact of sports league rules, regulations and/or agreements and changes thereto; |
| the substantial amount of debt incurred, the ability of our subsidiaries to make payments on, or repay or refinance, such debt under the National Properties Credit Agreement and our ability to obtain additional financing, to the extent required; |
| financial community perceptions of our business, operations, financial condition and the industries in which we operate; |
| the performance by MSG Sports of its obligations under various agreements with the Company and ongoing commercial arrangements, including the Arena License Agreements; |
| the tax-free treatment of the Distribution; |
| our ability to achieve the intended benefits of the Distribution; |
| failure of the Company or MSG Entertainment to satisfy its obligations under transition services agreements or other agreements entered into in connection with the Distribution; |
| our status as an emerging growth company; and |
| the additional factors described under Risk Factors in this information statement. |
We disclaim any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein, except as otherwise required by applicable federal securities laws.
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All dollar amounts included in the following MD&A are presented in thousands, except as otherwise noted.
Introduction
This MD&A is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with the Companys combined financial statements as of December 31, 2022 (unaudited) and June 30, 2022, and for the six months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 (unaudited) and footnotes thereto (Unaudited Combined Interim Financial Statements) and the Companys combined financial statements as of June 30, 2022 and 2021 and for the three years ended June 30, 2022, 2021, and 2020 and footnotes thereto (Audited Combined Annual Financial Statements) included elsewhere in this information statement to help provide an understanding of our financial condition, changes in financial condition and results of operations. The information included in this MD&A should also be read in conjunction with the financial data set forth under the pro forma condensed combined financial information. See Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information for further details. The Company reports on a fiscal year basis ending on June 30th (Fiscal Year). In this MD&A, the years ended on June 30, 2023, 2022, 2021 and 2020 are referred to as Fiscal Year 2023, Fiscal Year 2022, Fiscal Year 2021, and Fiscal Year 2020, respectively.
Our MD&A is organized as follows:
Proposed Distribution and Basis of Presentation. This section provides a general description of the proposed spin-off that would separate the traditional live entertainment business from the MSG Sphere, MSG Networks, and Tao Group Hospitality businesses of MSG Entertainment.
Business Overview. This section provides a general description of our business, as well as other matters that we believe are important in understanding our results of operations and financial condition and in anticipating future trends.
Results of Operations. This section provides an analysis of our results of operations for the six months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, and for Fiscal Years 2022, 2021, and 2020 on a combined basis.
Liquidity and Capital Resources. This section provides a discussion of our financial condition and liquidity, as well as an analysis of our cash flows for the six months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, and Fiscal Years 2022, 2021, and 2020. The discussion of our financial condition and liquidity includes summaries of our primary sources of liquidity, our contractual obligations and off-balance sheet arrangements that existed at December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022.
Seasonality of Our Business. This section discusses the seasonal performance of our business.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements and Critical Accounting Estimates. This section cross-references a discussion of accounting policies considered to be important to our financial condition and results of operations and which require significant judgment and estimates on the part of management in their application. In addition, all of our significant accounting policies, including our critical accounting policies and recently issued accounting pronouncements, are discussed in the notes to our combined financial statements included elsewhere in this information statement.
Proposed Distribution and Basis of Presentation
On December 6, 2022, the board of directors of Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (MSG Entertainment) authorized MSG Entertainment management to explore a potential tax-free spin-off of the traditional live entertainment business from the MSG Sphere, MSG Networks, and Tao Group Hospitality businesses, and approved the filing of a Form 10 registration statement and amendments thereto.
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MSGE Spinco, Inc. was incorporated in the state of Delaware on September 15, 2022 to be the company to hold the traditional live entertainment business of MSG Entertainment. The spin-off is expected to be completed through a tax-free pro rata distribution of approximately 67% of the common stock of the Company to MSG Entertainment stockholders (the Distribution). The remaining approximately 33% economic interest in the Company would be retained by MSG Entertainment, subject to completion of the Distribution. MSG Entertainment is required by applicable tax rules to dispose of the retained interest within a fixed period of time, which may occur through a series of steps including sales, exchange offers or pro rata distributions. MSG Entertainment expects to dispose of such retained shares within one year of the date of the Distribution, subject to market conditions.
Completion of the Distribution is subject to various conditions, including final approval by the board of directors of MSG Entertainment, receipt of a tax opinion from counsel and the filing and effectiveness of the registration statement with the SEC.
The combined financial statements of the Company were prepared on a stand-alone basis derived from the consolidated financial statements and accounting records of MSG Entertainment. These financial statements reflect the combined historical results of operations, financial position and cash flows of the Company in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 1-B, Allocation of Expenses and Related Disclosure in Financial Statements of Subsidiaries, Divisions or Lesser Business Components of Another Entity. References to U.S. GAAP issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) in this MD&A are to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification, also referred to as ASC.
Historically, separate financial statements have not been prepared for the Company and it has not operated as a stand-alone business from MSG Entertainment. The combined financial statements include certain assets and liabilities that have historically been held by MSG Entertainment or by other MSG Entertainment subsidiaries but are specifically identifiable or otherwise attributable to the Company. The combined financial statements are presented as if the Companys businesses had been combined for all periods presented. The assets and liabilities in the combined financial statements have been reflected on a historical cost basis, as immediately prior to the Distribution of all of the assets and liabilities presented are wholly owned by MSG Entertainment and are being transferred to the Company at a carry-over basis.
Fiscal Year 2020 includes additional carve-out allocations as the combined financial statements for the period from July 1, 2019 to April 17, 2020 were prepared on a stand-alone basis derived from the consolidated financial statements and accounting records of MSG Sports. This was a result of a distribution of all the outstanding common stock of MSG Entertainment to MSG Sports stockholders (referred herein as the 2020 Entertainment Distribution).
All significant intracompany accounts and balances within the Companys combined businesses have been eliminated. Certain historical intercompany transactions between MSG Entertainment and the Company have been included as components of MSG Entertainment investment in the combined financial statements, as they are to be considered effectively settled upon effectiveness of the Distribution and were not historically settled in cash. Certain other historical intercompany transactions between MSG Entertainment and the Company have been classified as related party, rather than intercompany, in the combined financial statements as they were historically settled in cash. See Note 14, Related Party Transactions to the Unaudited Combined Interim Financial Statements, and Note 19, Related Party Transactions to the Audited Combined Annual Financial Statements included elsewhere in this information statement for additional information.
The combined statements of operations include allocations for certain support functions that are provided on a centralized basis and not historically recorded at the business unit level by MSG Entertainment, such as expenses related to executive management, finance, legal, human resources, government affairs, and information technology among others. As part of the Distribution, certain corporate and operational support functions are
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being transferred to Spinco and therefore, charges were reflected in order to properly burden all business units comprising MSG Entertainments historical operations. These expenses have been allocated to MSG Entertainment on the basis of direct usage when identifiable, with the remainder allocated on a pro-rata basis of combined assets, headcount or other measures of Spinco or MSG Entertainment, which is recorded as a reduction of either direct operating expenses or selling, general & administrative (SG&A) expense. See Note 14, Related Party Transactions to the Unaudited Combined Interim Financial Statements, and Note 19, Related Party Transactions to the Audited Combined Annual Financial Statements included elsewhere in this information statement for additional information.
Management believes the assumptions underlying the combined financial statements, including the assumptions regarding allocating general corporate expenses, are reasonable. Nevertheless, the combined financial statements may not include all of the actual expenses that would have been incurred by the Company and may not reflect its combined results of operations, financial position and cash flows had it been a stand-alone company during the periods presented. Actual costs that would have been incurred if the Company had been a stand-alone company would depend on multiple factors, including organizational structure and strategic decisions made in various areas, including information technology and infrastructure. The Company is unable to quantify the amounts that it would have recorded during the historical periods on a stand-alone basis as it is not practicable to do so. See Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information, Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the Unaudited Combined Interim Financial Statements, and Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the Audited Combined Annual Financial Statements included elsewhere within this information statement for additional information.
Business Overview
We are a live entertainment company comprised of iconic venues and marquee entertainment content. Utilizing the Companys powerful brands and live entertainment expertise, the Company delivers unique experiences that set the standard for excellence and innovation while forging deep connections with diverse and passionate audiences.
We manage our business through one reportable segment. The Companys portfolio of venues includes: The Garden, The Theater at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the Beacon Theatre, and The Chicago Theatre. The Company also includes the original production, the Christmas Spectacular, and our entertainment and sports bookings business, which showcases a broad array of compelling concerts, family shows and special events, as well as a diverse mix of sporting events, for millions of guests annually.
The Company conducts a significant portion of its operations at venues that it either owns or operates under long-term leases. The Company owns The Garden, The Theater at Madison Square Garden and The Chicago Theatre, and leases Radio City Music Hall and the Beacon Theatre.
All of the Companys revenues and assets are attributed to or located in the United States and are primarily concentrated in the New York City metropolitan area.
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Our Business
The Companys operations and operating results were materially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic (including COVID-19 variants) and actions taken in response by governmental authorities and certain professional sports leagues during Fiscal Years 2020, 2021 and 2022. For the majority of Fiscal Year 2021, substantially all of our business operations were suspended. Fiscal Year 2022 was also impacted by the pandemic, with fewer ticketed events at our venues in the first half of the fiscal year as compared with Fiscal Year 2019 (the last full fiscal year not impacted by COVID-19) due to the lead-time required to book touring acts and artists, and an increase in COVID-19 cases due to a new variant, which resulted in a number of events at our venues being cancelled or postponed in the fiscal second and third quarters.
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The Companys operations and operating results were not materially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic during the six months ended December 31, 2022, as compared to the prior year period, which was impacted by fewer ticketed events at our venues due to the lead-time required to book touring acts and artists, and the postponement or cancellation of select events (including the partial cancellation of the 2021 production of the Christmas Spectacular) as a result of an increase in COVID-19 cases during the fiscal second quarter.
As a result of government-mandated assembly limitations and closures, all of our venues were closed beginning in March 2020. Use of The Garden resumed for Knicks and Rangers home games without fans in December 2020 and January 2021, respectively, and was available at 10% seating capacity from February through May 2021 subject to certain safety protocols and social distancing. Beginning in May 2021, all of our New York venues were permitted to host guests at full capacity, subject to certain restrictions, and effective June 2021, The Chicago Theatre was permitted to host events without restrictions. Guests of our Chicago and New York venues were also subject to certain vaccination requirements until February and March 2022, respectively. Our venues no longer require guests to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination before entering (although specific performers may require enhanced protocols).
For Fiscal Year 2021, the majority of ticketed events at our venues were postponed or cancelled. For Fiscal Year 2022 and as of the date of this filing, live events have been permitted to be held at all of our venues and we are continuing to host and book new events. As a result of an increase in cases of a COVID-19 variant, select bookings were postponed or cancelled at our venues in the second and third quarters of Fiscal Year 2022. Variants of COVID-19 that arise in the future may result in additional postponements or cancellations of bookings at our venues.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operations also included the partial cancellation of the 2021 production of the Christmas Spectacular and the cancellation of the 2020 production of the Christmas Spectacular.
The Company has long-term Arena License Agreements with MSG Sports that require the Knicks and Rangers to play their home games at The Garden. As discussed above, capacity restrictions, use limitations and social distancing requirements were in place for the entirety of the Knicks and Rangers 2020-21 regular seasons, which materially impacted the payments we received under the Arena License Agreements for Fiscal Year 2021. On July 1, 2021, the Knicks and Rangers began paying the full amounts provided for under their respective Arena License Agreements. The Knicks and the Rangers each completed their 2021-2022 82-game regular seasons, with the Rangers advancing to the playoffs.
It is unclear to what extent COVID-19 concerns, including with respect to new variants, could result in new government or league-mandated capacity restrictions or vaccination/mask requirements or impact the use of and/or demand for our venues, demand for our sponsorship and advertising assets, deter our employees and vendors from working at our venues (which may lead to difficulties in staffing) or otherwise materially impact our operations.
For more information about the risks to the Company as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on our operating results, see Risk Factors included elsewhere in this information statement for further details.
Description of Our Business
The Company produces, presents and hosts live entertainment events, including (i) concerts, (ii) sports events, and (iii) other live events such as family shows, performing arts events and special events, in our diverse collection of venues. The scope of our collection of venues enables us to showcase acts that cover a wide spectrum of genres and popular appeal.
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Although we primarily license our venues to third-party promoters for a fee, we also promote or co-promote shows. If we serve as promoters or co-promoters of a show, we have economic risk relating to the event.
The Company also creates, produces and/or presents live productions that are performed in the Companys venues. This includes the Christmas Spectacular production, which features the world-famous Rockettes and which has been performed at Radio City Music Hall for 89 years.
The Company also historically owned a controlling interest in BCE, the entertainment production company that owns and operates the Boston Calling Music Festival. The Company disposed of its controlling interest in BCE on December 2, 2022.
Revenue Sources
The Company earns revenue from several primary sources: ticket sales to our audiences for live events that we produce or promote/co-promote, license fees for our venues paid by third-party promoters or licensees in connection with events that we do not produce or promote/co-promote, facility and ticketing fees, concessions, sponsorships and signage, suite license fees at The Garden, merchandising and tours at certain of our venues. The amount of revenue and expense recorded by the Company for a given event depends to a significant extent on whether the Company is promoting or co-promoting the event or is licensing a venue to a third party or MSG Sports. See Description of Our Business Revenue Sources Venue License Fees below for further discussion of our venue licensing arrangements with MSG Sports.
Ticket Sales and Suite Licenses
For our productions and for entertainment events in our venues that we promote, we recognize revenues from the sale of tickets to our audiences. We sell tickets to the public through our box office, via our websites and ticketing agencies and through group sales. The amount of revenue we earn from ticket sales depends on the number of shows and the mix of events that we promote, the capacity of the venue used, the extent to which we can sell to fully utilize the capacity, and our ticket prices.
The Garden has 21 Event Level suites, 58 Lexus Level suites, 18 Infosys Level suites, the Caesars Sportsbook Lounge, Suite Sixteen and the Hub Loft. Suite licenses at The Garden are generally sold to corporate customers with the majority being multi-year licenses with annual escalators. The Company licenses Suite Sixteen to Tao Group Hospitality in exchange for license fee payments.
Under standard suite licenses, the licensees pay an annual license fee, which varies depending on the location of the suite. The license fee includes, for each seat in the suite, tickets for events at The Garden for which tickets are sold to the general public, subject to certain exceptions. In addition, suite holders separately pay for food and beverage service in their suites at The Garden. Revenues from the sale of suite licenses are shared between the Company and MSG Sports. Revenues for the Companys suite license arrangements are recorded on a gross basis, as the Company is the principal in such transactions and controls the related goods or services until transfer to the customer. MSG Sports share of the Companys suite license revenue is recognized in the combined statements of operations as a component of direct operating expenses. The revenue sharing expense recognized by the Company for MSG Sports share of suite license revenue at The Garden is based on a 67.5% allocation to MSG Sports pursuant to the Arena License Agreements.
Venue License Fees
For entertainment events held at our venues that we do not produce, promote or co-promote, we typically earn revenue from venue license fees charged to the third-party promoter or producer of the event. The amount of license fees we charge varies by venue, as well as by the size of the production and the number of days utilized, among other factors. Our fees typically include both the cost of renting space in our venues and costs for
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providing event staff, such as front-of-house and back-of-house staff, including stagehands, electricians, laborers, box office staff, ushers and security as well as production services such as staging, lighting and sound.
In connection with the 2020 Entertainment Distribution, the Company entered into Arena License Agreements with MSG Sports that, among other things, require the Knicks and the Rangers to play their home games at The Garden in exchange for fixed annual license fees scheduled to be paid monthly over the term of the agreement. The Company accounts for these license fees as operating lease revenue given that the Company provides MSG Sports with the right to direct the use of and obtain substantially all of the economic benefit from The Garden during Knicks and Rangers home games. Operating lease revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term, adjusted pursuant to the terms of the Arena License Agreements, which is comprised of non-consecutive periods of use when MSG Sports uses The Garden generally for their professional sports teams preseason and regular season home games. As such, operating lease revenue is recognized ratably as events occur.
The Arena License Agreements allow for certain reductions in the license fees during periods when The Garden is not available for use due to a force majeure event. As a result of the government-mandated suspension of events at The Garden due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, at the beginning of Fiscal Year 2021, The Garden was not available for use. Capacity restrictions, use limitations and social distancing requirements were in place for the entirety of the Knicks and Rangers 2020 21 regular seasons, which materially impacted the payments we received under the Arena License Agreements for Fiscal Year 2021. On July 1, 2021, the Knicks and Rangers began paying the full amounts provided for under their respective Arena License Agreements. The Knicks and the Rangers each completed their 20212022 82-game regular seasons, with the Rangers advancing to the playoffs.
Facility and Ticketing Fees
For all public and ticketed events held in our venues aside from MSG Sports home games, we also earn additional revenues on substantially all tickets sold, whether we promote/co-promote the event or license the venue to a third party. These revenues are earned in the form of certain fees and assessments, including the facility fees we charge, and vary by venue.
Concessions
We sell food and beverages during substantially all events held at our venues. In addition to concession-style sales of food and beverages, which represent the majority of our concession revenues, we also generate revenue from catering for our suites at The Garden. Pursuant to the Arena License Agreements related to the use of The Garden by MSG Sports, the Company shares with MSG Sports revenues and related expenses associated with sales of food and beverages (including suite catering) during Knicks and Rangers games at The Garden.
Revenue generated from in-venue food and beverage sales at MSG Sports events is recognized by the Company on a gross basis, with a corresponding revenue sharing expense for MSG Sports share of such sales recorded within direct operating expense. The Arena License Agreements require the Company to pay 50% of the net proceeds generated from in-venue food and beverage sales to MSG Sports.
Merchandise
We earn revenues from the sale of merchandise related to our proprietary productions and other live entertainment events that take place at our venues. The majority of our merchandise revenues are generated through on-site sales during performances of our productions and other live events. We also generate revenues from the sales of our Christmas Spectacular merchandise, such as ornaments and apparel, through traditional retail channels. Revenues associated with Christmas Spectacular merchandise are generally recorded on gross basis (as principal). Typically, revenues from our merchandise sales at our non-proprietary events relate to sales
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of merchandise provided by the artist, the producer or promoter of the event and are generally subject to a revenue sharing arrangement and are generally recorded on a net basis (as agent).
Pursuant to the Arena License Agreements, the Company receives 30% of revenues, net of taxes and credit card fees, recorded on a net basis (agent), from the sale of MSG Sports teams merchandise sold at The Garden.
Signage and Sponsorship
We earn revenues through the sale of signage space and sponsorship rights in connection with our venues, productions and other live entertainment events. Signage revenues generally involve the sale of advertising space at The Garden during entertainment events and otherwise in our venues. We also earn our revenues through the sale of outdoor signage around the Madison Square Garden complex and Penn Station.
Sponsorship agreements may require us to use the name, logos and other trademarks of sponsors in our advertising and in promotions for our venues, productions and other live entertainment events. Sponsorship arrangements may be exclusive within a particular sponsorship category or non-exclusive and generally permit a sponsor to use the name, logos and other trademarks of our productions, events and venues in connection with their own advertising and in promotions in our venues or in the community.
Prior to the 2020 Entertainment Distribution, for sponsorship agreements entered into by the Company or for arrangements that had performance obligations satisfied solely by the Company, revenue was generally recorded on a gross basis as the Company was the principal in such arrangements and controlled the related goods or services until transfer to the customer. MSG Sports share of the Companys sponsorship and signage revenue was recognized in the combined statements of operations as a component of direct operating expenses. The revenue sharing expense was specifically identified where possible, with the remainder allocated proportionally based upon revenue.
Under the Arena License Agreements, the Company shares certain sponsorship and signage revenues with MSG Sports. Pursuant to these agreements, MSG Sports has the rights to sponsorship and signage revenue that is specific to Knicks and Rangers events. The Company and MSG Sports also entered into sponsorship sales representation agreements, under which the Company has the right and obligation to sell and service sponsorships for the sports teams of MSG Sports, in exchange for a commission.
Advertising Sales (Ad Sales) Commission
The Company is a party to an advertising sales representation agreement with MSG Networks. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company has the exclusive right and obligation to sell advertising availabilities of MSG Networks. The Company is entitled to, and earns, commission revenue on such sales. The expense associated with advertising personnel is recognized in selling, general and administrative expenses. The Company recorded revenues under the advertising sales representation agreement with MSG Networks of $8,802 and $7,395 for the six months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. For Fiscal Years 2022, 2021, and 2020, the Company recognized $20,878, $13,698 and $12,653 of revenues, respectively, under the advertising sales representation agreement with MSG Networks.
Expenses
Our principal expenses are payments made to performers of our productions, staging costs and day-of-event costs associated with events, and advertising costs. In addition, our expenses include costs associated with the ownership, lease, maintenance and operation of our venues, along with our corporate and other supporting functions.
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Performer Payments
Our proprietary productions are performed by talented actors, dancers, singers, musicians and entertainers. In order to attract and retain this talent, we are required to pay our performers an amount that is commensurate with both their abilities and the demand for their services from other entertainment companies. Our productions typically feature ensemble casts (such as the Rockettes), where most of our performers are paid based on a standard scale, pursuant to collective bargaining agreements we negotiate with the performers unions. Certain performers, however, have individually negotiated contracts.
Staging Costs
Staging costs for our proprietary events as well as other events that we promote include the costs of sets, lighting, display technologies, special effects, sound and all of the other technical aspects involved in presenting a live entertainment event. These costs vary substantially depending on the nature of the particular show, but tend to be highest for large-scale theatrical productions, such as the Christmas Spectacular. For concerts we promote, the performer usually provides a fully produced show. Along with performer salaries, the staging costs associated with a given production are an important factor in the determination of ticket prices.
Day-of-Event Costs
For days in which the Company stages its productions, promotes an event or provides one of our venues to a third-party promoter under a license fee arrangement, the event is charged the variable costs associated with such event, including box office staff, stagehands, ticket takers, ushers, security, and other similar expenses. In situations where we provide our venues to a third-party promoter under a license fee arrangement, day-of-event costs are typically included in the license fees charged to the promoter. Under the Arena License Agreements related to the use of The Garden by MSG Sports, the Company is reimbursed for day-of-event costs (as defined under the Arena License Agreements). The Company records such reimbursements as reductions to direct operating expenses.
Venue Usage
The Companys combined financial statements include expenses associated with the ownership, maintenance and operation of The Garden, which the Company and MSG Sports use in their respective operations. Prior to the 2020 Entertainment Distribution, the Company did not charge rent expense to MSG Sports for use of The Garden. However, for purposes of the Companys combined financial statements, a portion of the historical depreciation expense as well as other non-event related venue operations costs are allocated to MSG Sports, in order to properly burden all business units comprising MSG Sports historical operations, related to use of The Garden. This allocation is based on event count and revenue, which the Companys management believes is a reasonable allocation methodology. This allocation is reported as a reduction of direct operating expense in the combined statements of operations. This allocation is reflected for the portion of Fiscal Year 2020 prior to the 2020 Entertainment Distribution.
Revenue Sharing Expenses
As discussed above, MSG Sports share of the Companys suites licenses, venue signage and certain sponsorship and concessions revenue is reflected within direct operating expense as revenue sharing expenses. For periods prior to the 2020 Entertainment Distribution, such amounts were either specifically identified where possible, or allocated proportionally within the combined financial statements.
Marketing and Advertising Costs
We incur significant costs promoting our productions and other events through various advertising campaigns, including advertising on social and digital platforms, television, outdoor platforms and radio, and in
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newspapers. In light of the intense competition for entertainment events, such expenditures are a necessity to drive interest in our productions and encourage members of the public to purchase tickets to our shows.
Other Expenses
The Companys selling, general and administrative expenses primarily consist of administrative costs, including compensation, professional fees, advertising sales commissions, as well as sales and marketing costs, including non-event related advertising expenses. Operating expenses also include corporate overhead costs and venue operating expenses. Venue operating expenses include the non-event related costs of operating the Companys venues, and include such costs as rent for the Companys leased venues, real estate taxes, insurance, utilities, repairs and maintenance, and labor related to the overall management of the venues.
Factors Affecting Results of Operations
In addition the discussion under the section Business Overview Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Our Business above, our operating results are largely dependent on our ability to attract concerts and other events to our venues, revenues under various agreements entered into with MSG Sports, and the continuing popularity of the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall. Certain of these factors in turn depend on the popularity and/or performance of the professional sports teams whose games we host in our venues.
Our Companys future performance is dependent in part on general economic conditions and the effect of these conditions on our customers. Weak economic conditions may lead to lower demand for suite licenses and tickets to our live productions, concerts, family shows and other events, which would also negatively affect concession and merchandise sales, and lower levels of sponsorship and venue signage. These conditions may also affect the number of concerts, family shows and other events that take place in the future. An economic downturn could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Factors Affecting Comparability
Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic discussed above, each of Fiscal Year 2021 and Fiscal Year 2022 results are not comparable to the prior year and are not indicative of future results.
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Combined Results of Operations
Comparison of the Six Months Ended December 31, 2022 versus the Six Months Ended December 31, 2021
The table below sets forth, for the periods presented, certain historical financial information.
Six Months Ended December 31, |
Change | |||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | Amount | Percentage | |||||||||||||
Revenues |
$ | 502,332 | $ | 281,162 | $ | 221,170 | 79% | |||||||||
Direct operating expenses |
282,265 | 182,236 | 100,029 | 55% | ||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
83,415 | 81,698 | 1,717 | 2% | ||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
31,571 | 33,159 | (1,588 | ) | (5)% | |||||||||||
Gains, net on dispositions |
(4,412 | ) | | (4,412 | ) | NM | ||||||||||
Restructuring charges |
7,359 | | 7,359 | NM | ||||||||||||
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Operating income (loss) |
102,134 | (15,931 | ) | 118,065 | NM | |||||||||||
Interest income |
3,322 | 3,604 | (282 | ) | (8)% | |||||||||||
Interest expense |
(24,632 | ) | (26,795 | ) | 2,163 | (8)% | ||||||||||
Other expense, net |
(1,286 | ) | (19,247 | ) | 17,961 | (93)% | ||||||||||
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Income (loss) from operations before income taxes |
79,538 | (58,369 | ) | 137,907 | NM | |||||||||||
Income tax (expense) benefit |
(731 | ) | | (731 | ) | NM | ||||||||||
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Net income (loss) |
78,807 | (58,369 | ) | 137,176 | NM | |||||||||||
Less: Net loss attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests |
(553 | ) | (367 | ) | (186 | ) | 51% | |||||||||
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|||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.s stockholders |
79,360 | (58,002 | ) | 137,362 | NM | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
NM Absolute percentages greater than 200% and comparisons from positive to negative values or to zero values are considered not meaningful.
Revenues
Revenues for the six months ended December 31, 2022 increased $221,170 as compared to the prior year period. The change in revenues was attributable to the following:
Six Months Ended December 31, 2022 |
||||
Increase in event-related revenues, as discussed below |
$ | 88,214 | ||
Increase in revenues from the presentation of the Christmas Spectacular |
71,414 | |||
Increase in revenues subject to the sharing of economics with MSG Sports pursuant to the Arena License Agreements |
35,404 | |||
Increase in venue-related sponsorship, signage and suite license fee revenues |
16,643 | |||
Increase in arena license fees from MSG Sports pursuant to the Arena License Agreements |
3,968 | |||
Other net increases |
5,527 | |||
|
|
|||
$ | 221,170 | |||
|
|
For the six months ended December 31, 2022, the increase in event-related revenues primarily reflects higher revenues from concerts of $88,072. The increase in revenues for the six months ended December 31, 2022 was primarily due to the return of live events at the Companys venues as compared to limited live events held during the first six months of Fiscal Year 2022 (due to the COVID-19 pandemic). See Business Overview Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Our Business for more information.
93
The Company had 181 Christmas Spectacular performances during this years holiday season, of which 174 took place in the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2023, as compared to 101 performances in the prior years holiday season (due to the partial cancellation of the 2021 production as a result of an increase in COVID-19 cases), all of which took place in the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2022. For this years holiday season, more than 930,000 tickets were sold, representing an over 25% increase in attendance on a per-show basis as compared to the prior year.
For the six months ended December 31, 2022, the increase in revenues subject to the sharing of economics with MSG Sports pursuant to the Arena License Agreements primarily reflected higher suite license fee revenues and, to a lesser extent, higher food, beverage and merchandise sales at Knicks and Rangers games.
For the six months ended December 31, 2022, the increase in venue-related sponsorship, signage and suite license fee revenues primarily reflects higher suite license fee revenues, which was mainly due to the return of live events at the Companys venues as compared to limited live events held during the first six months of Fiscal Year 2022 (due to the COVID-19 pandemic).
Direct operating expenses
Direct operating expenses for the six months ended December 31, 2022 increased $100,029 as compared to the prior year period. The change in direct operating expenses was attributable to the following:
Six Months Ended December 31, 2022 |
||||
Increase in event-related direct operating expenses as discussed below |
$ | 47,644 | ||
Increase in expenses associated with the sharing of economics with MSG Sports pursuant to the Arena License Agreements |
28,693 | |||
Increase in direct operating expenses associated with the Christmas Spectacular |
9,854 | |||
Increase in venue operating costs |
6,627 | |||
Increase in direct operating expenses associated with the Arena License Agreements |
4,732 | |||
Other net increases |
2,479 | |||
|
|
|||
$ | 100,029 | |||
|
|
For the six months ended December 31, 2022, the increase in event-related direct operating expenses primarily reflects higher direct operating expenses from concerts of $46,422, which was primarily due to the increase in the number of events held at the Companys venues as compared to the prior year period.
For the six months ended December 31, 2022, the increase in direct operating expenses associated with the sharing of economics with MSG Sports pursuant to the Arena License Agreements primarily reflects the increase in suite license fees and, to a lesser extent, the increase in Knicks and Rangers food and beverage sales.
For the six months ended December 31, 2022, the increase in direct operating expenses associated with the Christmas Spectacular production was primarily due to the increase in the number of performances as compared to the prior year period.
For the six months ended December 31, 2022, the increase in expenses associated with the Arena License Agreements primarily reflects an increase in food and beverage costs associated with the increase in Knicks and Rangers food and beverage sales.
94
Selling, general and administrative expenses
For the six months ended December 31, 2022, selling, general and administrative expenses increased $1,717, or 2%, to $83,415 as compared to the prior year period. The increase primarily reflects higher advertising and general administrative expenses.
Gains, net on dispositions
For the six months ended December 31, 2022, the Company recorded net gains of $4,412 primarily due to the gain on sale of the companys controlling interest in BCE, partially offset by the net loss on the disposal of a corporate aircraft.
Restructuring Charges
For the six months ended December 31, 2022, the Company recorded total restructuring charges of $7,359 related to termination benefits provided for a workforce reduction of certain executives and employees as part of the Companys cost reduction program implemented in Fiscal Year 2023. No amounts were recorded as restructuring charges during the comparative prior period.
Operating income (loss)
Operating income for the six months ended December 31, 2022 was $102,134 as compared to a loss of $15,931 in the prior year period, an improvement of $118,065. The improvement in operating income (loss) was primarily due to an increase in revenues, partially offset by higher direct operating expenses, as discussed above.
Interest income
Interest income for the six months ended December 31, 2022 decreased $282 as compared to the prior year period primarily due to lower related party interest of $1,660 as a result of MSG Entertainments repayment of the TAO Subordinated Credit Agreement (defined below) on June 9, 2022, partially offset by higher interest income of $1,378 due to higher rates and average investment balances.
Interest expense
Interest expense for the six months ended December 31, 2022 decreased $2,163 as compared to the prior year period primarily due to lower amortization of deferred financing costs of $1,774 as a result of the extinguishment of MSG National Properties prior term loan facility in June 2022.
Other expense, net
Other expense, net for the six months ended December 31, 2022 decreased $17,961 as compared to the prior year period primarily due to lower unrealized losses of approximately $21,300 associated with the Companys investments in DraftKings Inc., partially offset by the realized gain of $1,489 on shares sold of DraftKings.
Income tax (expense) benefit
Income tax expense for the six months ended December 31, 2022 of $731 reflected an effective income tax rate of 1% and differs from the income tax expense derived from applying the statutory federal rate of 21% to the pretax income primarily due to (i) tax expense related to state and local taxes of $11,769, (ii) tax expense of $5,103 related to share-based payment awards and (iii) tax expense of $1,993 related to nondeductible officers compensation, partially offset by (i) tax benefit of $33,001 resulting from a decrease in the valuation allowance and (ii) a tax benefit of $2,066 related to a federal income tax refund.
95
Income tax expense for the six months ended December 31, 2021 of nil reflected an effective income tax rate of 0% and differs from income tax benefit derived from applying the statutory federal rate of 21% to the pretax loss primarily due to (i) tax expense of $13,741 resulting from an increase in the valuation allowance and (ii) tax expense of $3,527 related to nondeductible officers compensation, partially offset by state income tax benefit of $4,926.
Adjusted operating income (loss) (AOI)
The Company evaluates performance based on several factors, of which the key financial measure is adjusted operating income (loss), a non-GAAP financial measure. We define adjusted income (loss) as operating income (loss) excluding:
(i) | the impact of non-cash straight-line leasing revenue associated with the Arena License Agreements with MSG Sports, |
(ii) | depreciation, amortization and impairments of property and equipment, goodwill and intangible assets, |
(iii) | amortization for capitalized cloud computing arrangement costs, |
(iv) | share-based compensation expense, |
(v) | restructuring charges or credits, |
(vi) | merger and acquisition-related costs, including litigation expenses, |
(vii) | gains or losses on sales or dispositions of businesses and associated settlements, |
(viii) | the impact of purchase accounting adjustments related to business acquisitions, and |
(ix) | gains and losses related to the remeasurement of liabilities under MSG Entertainments Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (which was established in November 2021). |
The Company believes that given the length of the Arena License Agreements and resulting magnitude of the difference in leasing revenue recognized and cash revenue received, the exclusion of non-cash leasing revenue provides investors with a clearer picture of the Companys operating performance. Management believes that this adjustment is beneficial for other incremental reasons as well. This adjustment provides senior management, investors and analysts with important information regarding a long-term related party agreement with MSG Sports. In addition, this adjustment is included under the Companys debt covenant compliance calculations and is a component of the performance measures used to evaluate, and compensate, senior management of the Company. The Company believes that the exclusion of share-based compensation expense or benefit allows investors to better track the performance of the Companys business without regard to the settlement of an obligation that is not expected to be made in cash. The Company eliminates merger and acquisition-related costs, when applicable, because the Company does not consider such costs to be indicative of the ongoing operating performance of the Company as they result from an event that is of a non-recurring nature, thereby enhancing comparability. In addition, management believes that the exclusion of gains and losses related to the remeasurement of liabilities under the MSG Entertainments Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, which were included for the first time in Fiscal Year 2022, provides investors with a clearer picture of the Companys operating performance given that, in accordance with GAAP, gains and losses related to the remeasurement of liabilities under the MSG Entertainments Executive Deferred Compensation Plan are recognized in Operating (income) loss whereas gains and losses related to the remeasurement of the assets under the MSG Entertainments Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, which are equal to and therefore fully offset the gains and losses related to the remeasurement of liabilities, are recognized in Other income (expense), net, which is not reflected in Operating income (loss).
96
The Company believes AOI is an appropriate measure for evaluating the operating performance of the Company on a combined basis. AOI and similar measures with similar titles are common performance measures used by investors and analysts to analyze the Companys performance. The Company uses revenues and AOI measures as the most important indicators of its business performance and evaluates managements effectiveness with specific reference to these indicators.
AOI should be viewed as a supplement to and not a substitute for operating income (loss), net income (loss), cash flows from operating activities, and other measures of performance and/or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. Since AOI is not a measure of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP, this measure may not be comparable to similar measures with similar titles used by other companies. The Company has presented the components that reconcile operating income (loss), the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, to AOI.
The following is a reconciliation of operating income (loss) to adjusted operating income for the six months ended December 31, 2022 as compared to the prior year period:
Six Months Ended | Change | |||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | Amount | Percentage | |||||||||||||
Operating income (loss) |
102,134 | (15,931 | ) | 118,065 | NM | |||||||||||
Non-cash portion of arena license fees from MSG Sports |
(12,929 | ) | (11,889 | ) | ||||||||||||
Share-based compensation expense |
13,965 | 21,079 | ||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
31,571 | 33,159 | ||||||||||||||
Gains, net on dispositions |
(4,412 | ) | | |||||||||||||
Restructuring charges |
7,359 | | ||||||||||||||
Amortization for capitalized cloud computing arrangement costs |
104 | | ||||||||||||||
Remeasurement of deferred compensation plan liabilities |
6 | | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Adjusted operating income |
137,798 | 26,418 | 111,380 | NM | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NM Absolute percentages greater than 200% and comparisons from positive to negative values or to zero values are considered not meaningful.
(a) | This adjustment represents the non-cash portion of operating lease revenue related to the Companys Arena License Agreements with MSG Sports. Pursuant to GAAP, recognition of operating lease revenue is recorded on a straight-line basis over the term of the agreement based upon the value of total future payments under the arrangement. As a result, operating lease revenue is comprised of a contractual cash component plus or minus a non-cash component for each period presented. Operating income on a GAAP basis includes lease income of (i) $20,220 and $17,293 of revenue collected in cash for the six months ended December 31, 2022, and 2021, respectively and (ii) a non-cash portion of $12,929 and $11,889 for the six months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. |
Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable and nonredeemable noncontrolling interests
For the six months ended December 31, 2022, the Company recorded $553 of net loss attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests as compared to $367 of net loss attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests for the six months ended December 31, 2021. These amounts represent the share of net loss of BCE that is not attributable to the Company.
97
Comparison of the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2022 versus the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2021
Combined Results of Operations
The table below sets forth, for the periods presented, certain historical financial information.
Years Ended June 30, | Change | |||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | Amount | Percentage | |||||||||||||
Revenues |
$ | 653,490 | $ | 81,812 | $ | 571,678 | NM | |||||||||
Direct operating expenses |
417,301 | 96,236 | 321,065 | NM | ||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
167,132 | 136,597 | 30,535 | 22% | ||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
69,534 | 71,576 | (2,042 | ) | (3)% | |||||||||||
Restructuring charges |
5,171 | 14,691 | (9,520 | ) | (65)% | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Operating loss |
(5,648 | ) | (237,288 | ) | 231,640 | 98% | ||||||||||
Other income (expense): |
||||||||||||||||
Interest expense, net |
(45,960 | ) | (27,293 | ) | (18,667 | ) | (68)% | |||||||||
Loss on extinguishment of debt |
(35,629 | ) | | (35,629 | ) | NM | ||||||||||
Other income (expense), net |
(49,033 | ) | 50,622 | (99,655 | ) | NM | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Loss from operations before income taxes |
(136,270 | ) | (213,959 | ) | 77,689 | 36% | ||||||||||
Income tax (expense) benefit |
70 | (5,349 | ) | 5,419 | NM | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Net loss |
(136,200 | ) | (219,308 | ) | 83,108 | 38% | ||||||||||
Less: Net loss attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests |
(2,864 | ) | (694 | ) | (2,170 | ) | NM | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Net loss attributable to Spincos stockholders |
$ | (133,336 | ) | $ | (218,614 | ) | $ | 85,278 | 39% | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
NM (not meaningful) Absolute percentages greater than 200% and comparisons from positive to negative values or to zero values are considered not meaningful.
The Companys operating results were materially impacted during Fiscal Years 2022 and 2021 by the COVID-19 pandemic and government actions taken in response. See Business Overview Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Our Business for more information.
Revenues
Revenues increased $571,678 from $81,812 for Fiscal Year 2021 to $653,490 for Fiscal Year 2022. The net increase was attributable to the following:
Increase in event-related revenues, as discussed below |
$ | 239,574 | ||
Increase in revenues from signage, suite licenses, and sales of food, beverage and merchandise subject to revenue or profit sharing with MSG Sports pursuant to the Arena License Agreements |
130,238 | |||
Increase in revenues from the shortened Christmas Spectacular 2021 holiday season run as compared to the cancellation of the 2020 production in Fiscal Year 2021 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic |
55,454 | |||
Increase in arena license fees from MSG Sports pursuant to the Arena License Agreements, as discussed below |
46,727 | |||
Increase in suite license fee revenues, due to the return of live events at the Companys venues during Fiscal Year 2022 as compared to limited live events held in Fiscal Year 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic |
34,904 | |||
Increase in venue-related signage and sponsorship revenues primarily due to the return of live events at the Companys venues during Fiscal Year 2022 as compared to limited live events held in Fiscal Year 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic |
29,940 | |||
Increase in revenues from the Boston Calling Music Festival as compared to the cancellation of the festival in Fiscal Year 2021 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic |
18,313 | |||
Other net increases |
16,528 | |||
|
|
|||
$ | 571,678 | |||
|
|
98
The increase in event-related revenues reflects (i) higher revenues from concerts of $179,892 during Fiscal Year 2022 and (ii) higher revenues from live entertainment and other sporting events of $59,682 during Fiscal Year 2022. These increases were due to the return of live events to the Companys venues during Fiscal Year 2022 as compared to limited live events held in Fiscal Year 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. See Business Overview Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Our Business for more information.
In Fiscal Year 2022, the Knicks and Rangers played a combined 98 pre-season, regular season, and post-season games at The Garden without any capacity restrictions. As a result, the Company recorded $68,072 in arena license fees under the Arena License Agreements for Fiscal Year 2022. In Fiscal Year 2021, capacity restrictions, use limitations and social distancing requirements were in place for the entirety of the Knicks and Rangers 2020-21 regular seasons, which materially impacted the payments we received under the Arena License Agreements during Fiscal Year 2021.
Direct operating expenses
Direct operating expenses increased $321,065 from $96,236 for Fiscal Year 2021 to $417,301 for Fiscal Year 2022. The net increase was attributable to the following:
For Fiscal Year 2022, the increase in event-related direct operating expenses reflects (i) higher direct operating expenses from concerts of $91,938, and (ii) higher direct operating expenses from live entertainment and other sporting events of $33,993, primarily due to the return of events to the Companys venues during Fiscal Year 2022 as compared to limited live events in Fiscal Year 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Selling, general and administrative expenses
SG&A expenses for Fiscal Year 2022 increased $30,535, or 22%, to $167,132 as compared to Fiscal Year 2021 primarily due to a net increase in employee compensation and related benefits, which included the impact of severance-related costs attributable to separation agreements in Fiscal Year 2022.
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization for Fiscal Year 2022 decreased $2,042, or 3%, to $69,534 as compared to Fiscal Year 2021 primarily due to certain assets in The Garden being fully depreciated and amortized.
99
Restructuring charges
Restructuring charges for Fiscal Year 2022 were $5,171 as compared to $14,691 in Fiscal Year 2021, a decrease of $9,520, or 65%. The Companys operations have been disrupted since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a direct response to this disruption, the Company implemented cost savings initiatives to reduce labor costs. For Fiscal Year 2021, the Company recorded total restructuring charges of $14,691 related to termination benefits provided to employees associated with a full-time workforce reduction in August 2020 and November 2020. For Fiscal Year 2022, the Company underwent additional organizational changes to further streamline operations related to the elimination of certain executive and management level functions, resulting in additional restructuring charges but of a lesser amount.
Operating loss
Operating loss for Fiscal Year 2022 improved $231,640 to $5,648 as compared to an operating loss of $237,288 in Fiscal Year 2021. The improvement in operating loss was primarily due to the increase in revenues, and, to a lesser extent, the decrease in restructuring charges, offset by higher direct operating expenses and SG&A expenses.
Interest expense, net
Interest expense, net for Fiscal Year 2022 was $45,960 as compared to $27,293 in Fiscal Year 2021, an increase of $18,667, or 68%. The increase in net interest expense in Fiscal Year 2022 was primarily due to an increase in interest expense of $18,787 on the MSG National Properties, LLC facilities as a result of the balance of MSG National Properties prior term loan facility being outstanding for almost the full year of Fiscal Year 2022 (refinanced on June 30, 2022) compared to a partial year for Fiscal Year 2021, given the Company entered into the prior term loan facility on November 12, 2020. The increase in interest expense was partially offset by an increase in interest income from a related party.
Loss on extinguishment of debt
For Fiscal Year 2022, the Company incurred a loss on extinguishment of debt of $35,629 in connection with the extinguishment of MSG National Properties prior term loan facility.
Other income (expense), net
For Fiscal Year 2022, net other expense was $49,033 as compared to net other income of $50,622 for Fiscal Year 2021, a decrease of $99,655. The decrease was primarily due to an increase in unrealized losses of $62,155 and $41,192 associated with the investments in DraftKings Inc. (DraftKings) and Townsquare Media, Inc. (Townsquare), respectively, partially offset by (i) the absence of a $2,327 realized loss on the Companys sale of investments in DraftKings in Fiscal Year 2021 and (ii) a $1,073 decrease in other pension costs.
Income taxes
Income tax benefit for Fiscal Year 2022 of $70 differs from income tax benefit derived from applying the statutory federal rate of 21% to the pretax loss primarily due to (i) an increase in the valuation allowance of $31,679 and (ii) tax expense of $8,125 related to nondeductible officers compensation, partially offset by state income tax benefit of $12,141.
Income tax expense for Fiscal Year 2021 of $5,349 differs from income tax benefit derived from applying the statutory federal rate of 21% to the pretax loss primarily due to (i) an increase in the valuation allowance of $70,501 and (ii) tax expense of $5,209 related to nondeductible officers compensation, partially offset by (i) state income tax benefit of $22,882 and (ii) tax benefit of $2,545 related to a change in the estimated applicable tax rate used to determine deferred taxes.
100
See Note 18, Income Taxes to the Audited Combined Annual Financial Statements included elsewhere in this information statement for further details on the components of income tax and a reconciliation of the statutory federal rate to the effective tax rate.
The following is a reconciliation of operating loss to adjusted operating income (loss):
Years Ended June 30, | Change | |||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | Amount | Percentage | |||||||||||||
Operating loss |
$ | (5,648 | ) | $ | (237,288 | ) | $ | 231,640 | 98% | |||||||
Non-cash portion of arena license fees from MSG Sports (a) |
(27,754 | ) | (13,026 | ) | ||||||||||||
Share-based compensation expense |
37,746 | 40,663 | ||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
69,534 | 71,576 | ||||||||||||||
Restructuring charges |
5,171 | 14,691 | ||||||||||||||
Remeasurement of deferred compensation plan liabilities |
46 | | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Adjusted operating income (loss) |
$ | 79,095 | $ | (123,384 | ) | $ | 202,479 | NM | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
NM (not meaningful) Absolute percentages greater than 200% and comparisons from positive to negative values or to zero values are considered not meaningful.
(a) | This adjustment represents the non-cash portion of operating lease revenue related to the Companys Arena License Agreements with MSG Sports. Pursuant to GAAP, recognition of operating lease revenue is recorded on a straight-line basis over the term of the agreement based upon the value of total future payments under the arrangement. As a result, operating lease revenue is comprised of a contractual cash component plus or minus a non-cash component for each period presented. Operating income on a GAAP basis includes lease income of (i) $40,319 and $8,319 collected in cash for Fiscal Years 2022 and 2021, respectively, and (ii) a non-cash portion of $27,754 and $13,026 for Fiscal Years 2022 and 2021, respectively. |
Net loss attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests
For Fiscal Year 2022, the Company posted a net loss attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests of $2,864 in comparison to a net loss attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests of $694 for Fiscal Year 2021. These amounts represent the share of net loss of BCE that is not attributable to the Company.
101
Comparison of the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2021 versus the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2020
See below for a discussion of the comparison of Fiscal Year 2021 versus Fiscal Year 2020 for the combined Company.
Combined Results of Operations
The table below sets forth, for the periods presented, certain historical financial information.
Years Ended June 30, | Change | |||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | Amount | Percentage | |||||||||||||
Revenues |
$ | 81,812 | $ | 584,601 | $ | (502,789 | ) | (86)% | ||||||||
Direct operating expenses |
96,236 | 380,526 | (284,290 | ) | (75)% | |||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
136,597 | 137,935 | (1,338 | ) | (1)% | |||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
71,576 | 81,591 | (10,015 | ) | (12)% | |||||||||||
Gain on disposal of assets held for sale and associated settlements |
| (240,783 | ) | 240,783 | 100% | |||||||||||
Restructuring charges |
14,691 | | 14,691 | NM | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Operating income (loss) |
(237,288 | ) | 225,332 | (462,620 | ) | NM | ||||||||||
Other income (expense): |
||||||||||||||||
Interest expense, net |
(27,293 | ) | 8,380 | (35,673 | ) | NM | ||||||||||
Other income, net |
50,622 | 37,129 | 13,493 | 36% | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Income (loss) from operations before income taxes |
(213,959 | ) | 270,841 | (484,800 | ) | NM | ||||||||||
Income tax expense |
(5,349 | ) | (100,182 | ) | 94,833 | 95% | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
(219,308 | ) | 170,659 | (389,967 | ) | NM | ||||||||||
Less: Net loss attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests |
(694 | ) | (1,071 | ) | 377 | 35% | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Spincos stockholders |
$ | (218,614 | ) | $ | 171,730 | $ | (390,344 | ) | NM | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
NM (not meaningful) Absolute percentages greater than 200% and comparisons from positive to negative values or to zero values are considered not meaningful.
Revenues
Revenues for Fiscal Year 2021 decreased $502,789, or 86%, to $81,812 as compared to Fiscal Year 2020. The net decrease was attributable to the following:
Decrease in event-related revenues from concerts, as discussed below |
$ | (212,899 | ) | |
Decrease in revenues from the Christmas Spectacular due to the cancellation of the 2020 holiday season production as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic |
(128,488 | ) | ||
Decrease in suite license fee revenues due to the government-mandated closures and restrictions on the use of our venues beginning in March 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic |
(85,900 | ) | ||
Decrease in venue-related signage and sponsorship revenues as well as the impact of government-mandated closures and restrictions on the use of our venues beginning in March 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic |
(65,196 | ) | ||
Absence of revenues from the Forum due to its disposition in May 2020 |
(45,719 | ) | ||
Increase in arena license fees from MSG Sports pursuant to the Arena License Agreements, as discussed below |
21,345 | |||
Increase in revenues from sponsorship sales and service representation agreements with MSG Sports, as discussed below |
11,280 | |||
Other net increases |
2,788 | |||
|
|
|||
$ | (502,789 | ) | ||
|
|
102
The decrease in event-related revenues reflects (i) lower revenues from concerts of $158,580 during Fiscal Year 2021 and (ii) lower revenues from live entertainment and other sporting events of $54,319 during Fiscal Year 2021. Both of these declines were due to government-mandated closures and restrictions on the use of our venues beginning in March 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. See Business Overview Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Our Business for more information.
The arena license fee revenues from MSG Sports in Fiscal Year 2021 were due to The Garden reopening for the Knicks games in December 2020 and the Rangers games in January 2021 with limited or no fans. There were no arena license fees recorded prior to the 2020 Entertainment Distribution.
The increase in revenues from the Companys sponsorship sales and service representation agreements and Arena License Agreements with MSG Sports reflects the impact of entering into these agreements in connection with, and effective as of, the 2020 Entertainment Distribution.
Direct operating expenses
Direct operating expenses for Fiscal Year 2021 decreased $284,290, or 75%, to $96,236 as compared to Fiscal Year 2020. The net decrease was attributable to the following:
Decrease in event-related direct operating expenses from (i) concerts of $85,449 during Fiscal Year 2021 and (ii) live entertainment and other sporting events of $39,057, both due to government-mandated closures and restrictions on the use of our venues beginning in March 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic |
$ | (124,506 | ) | |
Decrease in direct operating expenses associated with suite license operations primarily due to the impact of lower revenue sharing expenses with MSG Sports corresponding to the lower suite revenue during Fiscal Year 2020 due to government-mandated closures and restrictions on the use of our venues beginning in March 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic |
(58,096 | ) | ||
Decrease in direct operating expenses associated with venue-related signage and sponsorship primarily due to the impact of lower revenue sharing expense with MSG Sports of $52,052 |
(53,392 | ) | ||
Decrease in direct operating expenses associated with the Christmas Spectacular due to the cancellation of the 2020 holiday season production as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic |
(50,714 | ) | ||
Decrease in direct operating expenses associated with the Forum due to its disposition in May 2020 |
(26,576 | ) | ||
Other net increases, primarily due to the absence of carve-out allocations to MSG Sports related to the 2020 Entertainment Distribution |
28,994 | |||
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$ | (284,290 | ) | ||
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Selling, general and administrative expenses
SG&A expenses for Fiscal Year 2021 decreased $1,338, or 1%, to $136,597 as compared to Fiscal Year 2020. The decrease was primarily due to a net decrease in employee compensation and related benefits as a result of the Companys full-time workforce reduction in August 2020 as well as other net decreases in professional fees. The decrease was partially offset by an incremental expense for share-based compensation associated with the cancellation of certain awards pursuant to a settlement agreement.
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization for Fiscal Year 2021 decreased $10,015, or 12%, to $71,576 as compared to Fiscal Year 2020 primarily due to certain assets in The Garden being fully depreciated and amortized, resulting in a decrease of $3,013, and lower depreciation and amortization of $5,827 associated with the Forum as the recording of depreciation ceased on March 24, 2020 when the venue was classified as assets held for sale.
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Gain on disposal of assets held for sale and associated settlements
In May 2020, the Company sold the Forum for cash consideration in the amount of $400,000 (including the settlement of related litigation). In connection with this transaction, the Company recorded a gain of $240,783 in the fourth quarter of Fiscal Year 2020, which included $140,495 attributable to the Forum associated settlement.
Restructuring charges
The Companys operations were disrupted in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and those disruptions have continued. As a direct response to this disruption, in Fiscal Year 2021, the Company implemented cost savings initiatives in order to streamline operations and preserve liquidity. For Fiscal Year 2021, the Company recorded total restructuring charges of $14,691 related to termination benefits provided to employees associated with a full-time workforce reduction in August 2020 and November 2020. No restructuring charges were incurred in Fiscal Year 2020.
Operating income (loss)
Operating income for Fiscal Year 2021 decreased $462,620 to an operating loss of $237,288 as compared to Fiscal Year 2020 primarily due to (i) the decrease in revenues, (ii) the gain on disposal of the Forum in Inglewood and associated settlement recorded in Fiscal Year 2020, and (iii) restructuring charges incurred in Fiscal Year 2021 as a response to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The decrease in operating income was partially offset by the decrease in direct operating expenses.
Interest expense, net
Net interest expense for Fiscal Year 2021 increased $35,673 to $27,293 as compared to net interest income of $8,380 for Fiscal Year 2020. The increase was primarily due to (i) higher interest expense in Fiscal Year 2021 associated with the National Properties Term Loan Facility (as defined below) of $33,481, which was entered into in November 2020, (ii) lower interest income of $2,363 mainly due to the absence of $1,400 of interest income earned on a loan extended to Azoff Music as compared to Fiscal Year 2020 since the loan was repaid during the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2020, and (iii) lower interest income of $910 earned on the Eden Loan Agreement, as defined below.
Other income, net
Other income, net for Fiscal Year 2021 increased by $13,493 to $50,622 as compared to $37,129 for Fiscal Year 2020. The increase was primarily due to the net realized and unrealized gains of $13,550 recognized on the Companys investments in DraftKings and Townsquare.
Income taxes
Income tax expense for Fiscal Year 2021 of $5,349 differs from income tax benefit derived from applying the statutory federal rate of 21% to the pretax loss primarily due to (i) an increase in the valuation allowance of $70,501 and (ii) tax expense of $5,209 related to nondeductible officers compensation, offset partially by (i) state income tax benefit of $22,882 and (ii) tax benefit of $2,545 related to a change in the estimated applicable tax rate used to determine deferred taxes.
Income tax expense for Fiscal Year 2020 of $100,182 differs from income tax expense derived from applying the statutory federal rate of 21% to the pretax income primarily due to (i) state income tax expense of $33,345, (ii) tax expense of $7,120 related to nondeductible transaction costs associated with the 2020 Entertainment Distribution, and (iii) tax expense of $4,407 related to nondeductible officers compensation, partially offset by an excess tax benefit related to share-based payment awards of $2,322.
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See Note 18, Income Taxes to the Audited Combined Annual Financial Statements included elsewhere in this information statement for further details on the components of income tax and a reconciliation of the statutory federal rate to the effective tax rate.
Adjusted operating income (loss)
The following is a reconciliation of operating income (loss) to adjusted operating income (loss):
Years Ended June 30, | Change | |||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | Amount | Percentage | |||||||||||||
Operating income (loss) |
$ | (237,288 | ) | $ | 225,332 | $ | (462,620 | ) | (205 | )% | ||||||
Non-cash portion of arena license fees from MSG Sports (a) |
(13,026 | ) | | |||||||||||||
Share-based compensation expense |
40,663 | 26,110 | ||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
71,576 | 81,591 | ||||||||||||||
Restructuring charges |
14,691 | | ||||||||||||||
Gain on disposal of assets held for sale, including legal settlement |
| (240,783 | ) | |||||||||||||
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Adjusted operating income (loss) |
$ | (123,384 | ) | $ | 92,250 | $ | (215,634 | ) | (234 | )% | ||||||
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(a) | This adjustment represents the non-cash portion of operating lease revenue related to the Companys Arena License Agreements with MSG Sports. Pursuant to GAAP, recognition of operating lease revenue is recorded on a straight-line basis over the term of the agreement based upon the value of total future payments under the arrangement. As a result, operating lease revenue is comprised of a contractual cash component plus or minus a non-cash component for each period presented. Operating income on a GAAP basis includes lease income of (i) $8,319 and nil collected in cash for Fiscal Years 2021 and 2020, respectively, and (ii) a non-cash portion of $13,026 and nil for Fiscal Years 2021 and 2020, respectively. |
Net loss attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests
For Fiscal Year 2021, the Company recorded a net loss attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests of $694 as compared to $1,071 for Fiscal Year 2020. These amounts represent the share of net loss of BCE that is not attributable to the Company.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic
The Companys operations and operating results were materially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic (including COVID-19 variants) and actions taken in response by governmental authorities and certain professional sports leagues during Fiscal Years 2020, 2021 and 2022. For the majority of Fiscal Year 2021, substantially all of our business operations were suspended. Fiscal Year 2022 was also impacted by the pandemic, with fewer ticketed events at our venues in the first half of the fiscal year as compared with Fiscal Year 2019 (the last full fiscal year not impacted by COVID-19) due to the lead-time required to book touring acts and artists, and an increase in COVID-19 cases due to a new variant, which resulted in a number of events at our venues being cancelled or postponed in the fiscal second and third quarters.
The Companys operations and operating results were not materially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic during the six months ended December 31, 2022, as compared to the prior year period, which was impacted by fewer ticketed events at our venues due to the lead-time required to book touring acts and artists, and the postponement or cancellation of select events (including the partial cancellation of the 2021 production of the Christmas Spectacular) as a result of an increase in COVID-19 cases during the fiscal second quarter.
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As a result of government-mandated assembly limitations and closures, all of our venues were closed beginning in March 2020. Use of The Garden resumed for Knicks and Rangers home games without fans in December 2020 and January 2021, respectively, and was available at 10% seating capacity from February through May 2021 subject to certain safety protocols and social distancing. Beginning in May 2021, all of our New York venues were permitted to host guests at full capacity, subject to certain restrictions, and effective June 2021, The Chicago Theatre was permitted to host events without restrictions. Guests of our Chicago and New York venues were also subject to certain vaccination requirements until February and March 2022, respectively. As a result, our venues no longer require guests to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination before entering (although specific performers may require enhanced protocols).
For Fiscal Year 2021, the majority of ticketed events at our venues were postponed or cancelled. For Fiscal Year 2022 and as of the date of this filing, live events have been permitted to be held at all of our venues and we are continuing to host and book new events. As a result of an increase in cases of a COVID-19 variant, select bookings were postponed or cancelled at our venues in the second and third quarters of Fiscal Year 2022. Variants of COVID-19 that arise in the future may result in additional postponements or cancellations of bookings at our venues.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operations also included the partial cancellation of the 2021 production of the Christmas Spectacular and the cancellation of the 2020 production of the Christmas Spectacular.
The Company has long-term Arena License Agreements with MSG Sports that require the Knicks and Rangers to play their home games at The Garden. As discussed above, capacity restrictions, use limitations and social distancing requirements were in place for the entirety of the Knicks and Rangers 2020-21 regular seasons, which materially impacted the payments we received under the Arena License Agreements for Fiscal Year 2021. On July 1, 2021, the Knicks and Rangers began paying the full amounts provided for under their respective Arena License Agreements. The Knicks and the Rangers each completed their 2021-2022 82-game regular seasons, with the Rangers advancing to the playoffs.
It is unclear to what extent COVID-19 concerns, including with respect to new variants, could result in new government or league-mandated capacity restrictions or vaccination/mask requirements or impact the use of and/or demand for our venues, demand for our sponsorship and advertising assets, deter our employees and vendors from working at our venues (which may lead to difficulties in staffing) or otherwise materially impact our operations.
For more information about the risks to the Company as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on our operating results, see Risk Factors included in this information statement for further details.
Sources of Liquidity
Our primary sources of liquidity are cash and cash equivalents, cash flows from the operations of our businesses and available borrowing capacity under the National Properties Credit Agreement (as defined below). Our principal uses of cash include working capital-related items (including funding our operations), capital spending, and debt service. Our decisions as to the use of our available liquidity will be based upon the ongoing review of the funding needs of the business, the optimal allocation of cash resources, and the timing of cash flow generation. To the extent that we desire to access alternative sources of funding through the capital and credit markets, challenging U.S. and global economic and market conditions could adversely impact our ability to do so at that time.
We regularly monitor and assess our ability to meet our net funding and investing requirements. As of December 31, 2022, the Companys unrestricted cash and cash equivalents balance was $153,496 as compared to $58,102 as of June 30, 2022. As of December 31, 2022 the Companys restricted cash and cash equivalents
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balance was $250 as compared to $4,471 as of June 30, 2022. The principal balance of the Companys total debt outstanding as of December 31, 2022 was $679,100, compared to $679,737 as of June 30, 2022. We believe we have sufficient liquidity from cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2022 and future cash flows from operations (including savings generated by the Companys cost reduction program) to fund our operations, and service the National Properties Credit Agreement for the foreseeable future.
See Note 10, Credit Facilities to the Unaudited Combined Interim Financial Statements, and Note 14, Credit Facilities to the Audited Combined Annual Financial Statements included elsewhere in this information statement for a discussion of the National Properties Facilities.
Financing Agreements
National Properties Credit Facilities
On June 30, 2022, MSG National Properties, LLC (MSG National Properties), MSG Entertainment Group, LLC (MSG Entertainment Group) and certain subsidiaries of MSG National Properties entered into a credit agreement with JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and the lenders and L/C issuers party thereto (the National Properties Credit Agreement), providing for a five-year, $650,000 senior secured term loan facility (the National Properties Term Loan Facility) and a five-year, $100,000 revolving credit facility (the National Properties Revolving Credit Facility and, together with the National Properties Term Loan Facility, the National Properties Facilities).
Up to $25,000 of the National Properties Revolving Credit Facility is available for the issuance of letters of credit. As of December 31, 2022, outstanding letters of credit were $7,860 and the remaining balance available under the National Properties Revolving Credit Facility was $63,040. As of June 30, 2022, outstanding letters of credit were $6,631 and the remaining balance available under the National Properties Revolving Credit Facility was $70,900.
The principal obligations under the National Properties Term Loan Facility amortizes quarterly in accordance with its terms beginning March 31, 2023 through March 31, 2027, with the balance due at the maturity of the facility on June 30, 2027. The principal obligations under the National Properties Revolving Credit Facility are due at the maturity of the facility. Under certain circumstances, MSG National Properties is required to make mandatory prepayments on loans outstanding, including prepayments in an amount equal to the net cash proceeds of certain sales of assets or casualty insurance and/or condemnation recoveries (subject to certain reinvestment, repair or replacement rights), subject to certain exceptions.
The National Properties Credit Agreement includes financial covenants requiring MSG National Properties and its restricted subsidiaries to maintain a specified minimum liquidity level, a specified minimum debt service coverage ratio and specified maximum total leverage ratio. The minimum liquidity level is set at $50,000, and is tested based on the level of average daily liquidity, consisting of cash and cash equivalents and available revolving commitments, over the last month of each quarter over the life of the National Properties Facilities. The debt service coverage ratio covenant began testing in the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2022, and is set at a ratio of 2:1 before stepping up to 2.5:1 in the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2024. The leverage ratio covenant begins testing in the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2023. It is tested based on the ratio of MSG National Properties and its restricted subsidiaries consolidated total indebtedness to adjusted operating income, with an initial maximum ratio of 6:1, stepping down to 5.5:1 in the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2024 and 4.5:1 in the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2026. As of December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022, MSG National Properties and its restricted subsidiaries were in compliance with the covenants of the National Properties Credit Agreement.
See Note 10, Credit Facilities to the Unaudited Combined Interim Financial Statements, and Note 14, Credit Facilities to the Audited Combined Annual Financial Statements included elsewhere in this information statement for additional information regarding the National Properties Credit Agreement.
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Loans receivable from MSG Entertainment
The Companys captive insurance entity, Eden Insurance Company, Inc. (Eden), entered into a loan agreement with MSG Entertainment (the Eden Loan Agreement), under which Eden granted MSG Entertainment an unsecured loan bearing interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 350 basis points with a principal amount not exceeding $60,000. This loan is in the form of a demand promissory note, payable immediately upon order from Eden. As of December 31, 2022, June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2021, Eden had an outstanding loan receivable from MSG Entertainment of $52,513, $56,060 and $57,962, respectively, inclusive of accrued interest. During the six months ended December 31, 2022 and Fiscal Year 2022, Eden declared dividends to MSG Entertainment through a reduction of the loan receivable from MSG Entertainment. During the six months ended December 31, 2021 and Fiscal Year 2021, no interest or principal payments were received by Eden and instead the accrued but unpaid interest was added to the outstanding principal amount of the loan. The cash flows related to this loan receivable are reflected as investing activities, as these balances represent amounts loaned by the Company to MSG Entertainment. The Company recorded related party interest income of $1,804, $1,062, $2,117, $1,888 and $2,798 related to the Eden Loan Agreement during the six months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, and in Fiscal Years 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. See Note 14, Related Party Transactions to the Unaudited Combined Interim Financial Statements, and Note 19, Related Party Transactions to the Audited Combined Annual Financial Statements included elsewhere in this information statement for additional information.
Delayed Draw Term Loan Facility
Prior to or concurrently with the consummation of the Distribution, MSG Entertainment Holdings (referred to as the DDTL Lender) is expected to enter into the DDTL Facility with MSG Entertainment (the DDTL Borrower). The DDTL Facility is expected to provide for a $65 million senior unsecured delayed draw term loan facility for the DDTL Borrower. The DDTL Facility will mature and any unused commitments thereunder will expire 18 months after the effective date thereof. Borrowings under the DDTL Facility will bear interest at a variable rate equal to either, at the option of the DDTL Borrower, (a) a base rate plus an applicable margin, or (b) Term SOFR plus 0.10%, plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin is expected to be equal to the applicable margin under the National Properties Facilities plus 1.00% per annum. The DDTL Borrower will also be required to pay a commitment fee in respect of the daily unused commitments under the DDTL Facility at a rate equal to the unused commitment fee rate under the National Properties Facilities plus 0.10% per annum. All interest and commitment fees accruing prior to January 1, 2024 will be payable in kind by capitalizing and adding such interest or fee to the outstanding principal amount of the loans. All interest and commitment fees accruing on and after January 1, 2024 will be payable in cash or by transferring to the DDTL Lender shares of Class A Common Stock of the Company as described below. Subject to customary borrowing conditions, the DDTL Facility may be drawn in up to six separate borrowings of $5 million or more. The DDTL facility is prepayable at any time without penalty, and amounts repaid on the DDTL Facility may not be reborrowed. The DDTL Borrower will have the option to make any payments of principal, interest or fees under the DDTL Facility either in the form of cash or by delivering to the DDTL Lender shares of the Companys Class A Common Stock. If the DDTL Borrower elects to make any payment in the form of the Companys Class A Common Stock, the amount of such payment shall be calculated based on the dollar volume-weighted average price for the Class A Common Stock for the twenty trading days ending on the day on which the DDTL Borrower makes such election. The DDTL Borrower shall only be permitted to use the proceeds of the DDTL Facility (i) for funding costs associated with the MSG Sphere initiative and (ii) in connection with refinancing of the indebtedness under that certain amended and restated credit agreement, dated as of October 11, 2019, among MSGN Holdings, L.P., as borrower, the guarantors party thereto, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, as amended, modified, restated or supplemented from time to time (the MSG Networks Credit Facility).
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Contractual Obligations
As of June 30, 2022, the approximate future payments under our contractual obligations are as follows:
Payments Due by Period (c) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total | Year 1 |
Years 2-3 |
Years 4-5 |
More Than 5 Years |
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Leases (a) |
$ | 404,502 | $ | 40,730 | $ | 75,998 | $ | 34,075 | $ | 253,699 | ||||||||||
Debt repayments (b) |
679,737 | 8,762 | 32,500 | 638,475 | | |||||||||||||||
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$ | 1,084,239 | $ | 49,492 | $ | 108,498 | $ | 672,550 | $ | 253,699 | |||||||||||
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(a) | Includes contractually obligated minimum lease payments for operating leases having an initial noncancellable term in excess of one year for the Companys venues, including various corporate offices. These commitments are presented exclusive of the imputed interest used to reflect the payments present value. See Note 10, Leases to the Audited Combined Annual Financial Statements included elsewhere in this information statement for more information. |
(b) | See Note 14, Credit Facilities to the Audited Combined Annual Financial, and Note 10, to the Unaudited Combined Interim Financial Statements included elsewhere in this information statement for more information regarding the principal repayments required under the National Properties Credit Agreement. |
(c) | Pension obligations have been excluded from the table above as the timing of the future cash payments is uncertain. See Note 15, Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans to the Audited Combined Annual Financial Statements, and Note 11, Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans to the Unaudited Combined Interim Financial Statements included elsewhere in this information statement for more information on the future funding requirements under our pension obligations. |
As of December 31, 2022, the Company did not have any material changes in its non-cancelable contractual obligations (other than activities in the ordinary course of business). See Note 9, Commitments and Contingencies to the Unaudited Combined Interim Financial Statements, and Note 13, Commitments and Contingencies to the Audited Combined Annual Financial Statements included elsewhere in this information statement for further details on the timing and amount of payments under various agreements.
Cash Flow Discussion
As of December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022, 2021 and 2020, cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash totaled $153,746, $62,573, $318,069 and $3,038, respectively. The following table summarizes the Companys cash flow activities for the six months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, and Fiscal Years 2022, 2021 and 2020:
Six Months Ended December 31, |
Years Ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | 78,807 | $ | (58,369 | ) | $ | (136,200 | ) | $ | (219,308 | ) | $ | 170,659 | |||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities |
53,200 | 80,574 | 209,669 | 65,952 | 1,861 | |||||||||||||||
Changes in working capital assets and liabilities |
(62,671 | ) | 35,972 | 21,882 | 5,238 | (140,992 | ) | |||||||||||||
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Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities |
$ | 69,336 | $ | 58,177 | $ | 95,351 | $ | (148,118 | ) | $ | 31,528 | |||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities |
22,390 | (2,791 | ) | 45,440 | (10,339 | ) | 276,388 | |||||||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
(553 | ) | (141,696 | ) | (396,287 | ) | 473,488 | (315,379 | ) | |||||||||||
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Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash |
$ | 91,173 | $ | (86,310 | ) | $ | (255,496 | ) | $ | 315,031 | $ | (7,463 | ) | |||||||
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Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities for the six months ended December 31, 2022 increased by $11,159 to $69,336 as compared to the prior year period, primarily due to the increase in net income, partially offset by (i) changes in working capital assets and liabilities, which included a decrease in accounts payable, accrued and other current and non-current liabilities, a decrease in deferred revenue associated with customers advanced payments, a decrease in accounts receivable, net, and an increase in related party receivables, net of payables, (ii) a decrease in net unrealized loss on equity investments with readily determinable fair value, (iii) lower share-based compensation expense, and (iv) gains, net on dispositions recognized in the current year period.
Net cash provided by operating activities for Fiscal Year 2022 increased by $243,469 to $95,351 as compared to Fiscal Year 2021 primarily due to higher positive adjustments in reconciling net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities, which include (i) the add back of net unrealized loss on equity investments with readily determinable fair value in Fiscal Year 2022 compared to an unrealized gain in Fiscal Year 2021, (ii) the add back of the loss on extinguishment of debt in connection with the extinguishment of MSG National Properties prior term loan facility in Fiscal Year 2022, and (iii) a lower net loss in Fiscal Year 2022 compared to Fiscal Year 2021.
Net cash provided by operating activities for Fiscal Year 2021 decreased by $179,646 to net cash used in operating activities of $148,118 as compared to Fiscal Year 2020 primarily due to (i) a net loss in Fiscal Year 2021 compared to net income in Fiscal Year 2020 and (ii) a higher net unrealized gain on equity investments with readily determinable fair value in Fiscal Year 2021 compared to Fiscal Year 2020, partially offset by the gain on the sale of the Forum in Fiscal Year 2020.
Investing Activities
Net cash provided by investing activities for the six months ended December 31, 2022 increased by $25,181 to $22,390 as compared to the prior year period primarily due to (i) proceeds received from the dispositions of BCE and the corporate aircraft and (ii) proceeds received from the sale of investments, partially offset by the absence of proceeds received from a related party loan receivable in the current year period.
Net cash provided by investing activities for Fiscal Year 2022 increased by $55,779 to $45,440 as compared to Fiscal Year 2021 primarily due to higher proceeds received from related party loans in Fiscal Year 2022 and lower amounts loaned to a related party in Fiscal Year 2022, partially offset by the absence of proceeds from sale of securities investments in Fiscal Year 2022.
Net cash used in investing activities for Fiscal Year 2021 decreased by $286,727 to $10,339 as compared to Fiscal Year 2020 primarily due to (i) proceeds received in Fiscal Year 2020 from the sale of Forum, (ii) proceeds from a loan receivable in Fiscal Year 2020, and (iii) an increase in loans to related parties and decrease in repayments from related parties in Fiscal Year 2021 compared to Fiscal Year 2020, partially offset by a decrease in capital expenditures.
Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities for the six months ended December 31, 2022 increased by $141,143 to $553 as compared to the prior year period primarily due to lower net transfers to MSG Entertainment and MSG Entertainments subsidiaries in the current year period as compared to the prior year period.
Net cash used in financing activities for Fiscal Year 2022 increased by $869,775 to $396,287 as compared to Fiscal Year 2021 primarily due to (i) higher principal repayments for the National Properties Term Loan Facility in Fiscal Year 2022 and (ii) higher net transfers to MSG Entertainment and MSG Entertainments subsidiaries in Fiscal Year 2022 as compared to Fiscal Year 2021.
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Net cash provided by financing activities for Fiscal Year 2021 increased by $788,867 to $473,488 as compared to Fiscal Year 2020 primarily due to (i) proceeds received in Fiscal Year 2021 from the National Properties Term Loan Facility and (ii) lower net transfers to MSG Entertainment and MSG Entertainments subsidiaries.
Seasonality of Our Business
The revenues the Company earns from the Christmas Spectacular and arena license fees from MSG Sports in connection with the Knicks and Rangers use of The Garden generally means the Company earns a disproportionate share of its revenues and operating income in the second and third quarters of the Companys fiscal year, with the first fiscal quarter being disproportionally lower.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements and Critical Accounting Estimates
Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, to the Audited Combined Annual Financial Statements, and Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, to the Unaudited Combined Interim Financial Statements included elsewhere in this information statement for discussion of recently issued accounting pronouncements.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Critical accounting estimates are those that management believes are the most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results and require the most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain, especially in light of the current economic environment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Judgments and uncertainties may result in materially different amounts being reported under different conditions or using different assumptions. In addition to the critical accounting estimates disclosed below, refer to the section above entitled Proposed Distribution and Basis of Presentation for further details on corporate allocations recorded in the combined financial statements.
The preparation of the Companys combined financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events. These estimates and the underlying assumptions affect the amounts of assets and liabilities reported, disclosures about contingent assets and liabilities, and reported amounts of revenues and expenses. Management believes its use of estimates in the combined financial statements to be reasonable. The significant accounting policies which we believe are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results include the following:
Revenue Recognition Arrangements with Multiple Performance Obligations
The Company enters into arrangements with multiple performance obligations, such as multi-year sponsorship agreements which may derive revenues for both the Company as well as MSG Sports within a single arrangement. The Company also derives revenue from similar types of arrangements which are entered into by MSG Sports. Payment terms for such arrangements can vary by contract, but payments are generally due in installments throughout the contractual term. The performance obligations included in each sponsorship agreement vary and may include advertising and other benefits such as, but not limited to, signage at The Garden and the Companys other venues, digital advertising, and event or property specific advertising, as well as non-advertising benefits such as suite licenses and event tickets. To the extent the Companys multi-year arrangements provide for performance obligations that are consistent over the multi-year contractual term, such performance obligations generally meet the definition of a series as provided for under the accounting guidance. If performance obligations are concluded to meet the definition of a series, the contractual fees for all years during the contract term are aggregated and the related revenue is recognized proportionately as the underlying performance obligations are satisfied.
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The timing of revenue recognition for each performance obligation is dependent upon the facts and circumstances surrounding the Companys satisfaction of its respective performance obligation. The Company allocates the transaction price for such arrangements to each performance obligation within the arrangement based on the estimated relative standalone selling price of the performance obligation. The Companys process for determining its estimated standalone selling prices involves managements judgment and considers multiple factors including company specific and market specific factors that may vary depending upon the unique facts and circumstances related to each performance obligation. Key factors considered by the Company in developing an estimated standalone selling price for its performance obligations include, but are not limited to, prices charged for similar performance obligations, the Companys ongoing pricing strategy and policies, and consideration of pricing of similar performance obligations sold in other arrangements with multiple performance obligations.
The Company may incur costs such as commissions to obtain its multi-year sponsorship agreements. The Company assesses such costs for capitalization on a contract by contract basis. To the extent costs are capitalized, the Company estimates the useful life of the related contract asset which may be the underlying contract term or the estimated customer life depending on the facts and circumstances surrounding the contract. The contract asset is amortized over the estimated useful life.
Impairment of Long-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Assets
The Companys long-lived and indefinite-lived assets accounted for approximately 67% and 72% of the Companys combined total assets as of December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022, respectively, and consisted of the following:
December 31, 2022 |
June 30, 2022 |
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Goodwill |
$ | 69,041 | $ | 69,041 | ||||
Indefinite-lived intangible assets |
63,801 | 63,801 | ||||||
Amortizable intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization |
| 1,638 | ||||||
Property and equipment, net |
649,962 | 696,079 | ||||||
Right-of-use lease assets |
255,024 | 271,154 | ||||||
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$ | 1,037,828 | $ | 1,101,713 | |||||
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In assessing the recoverability of the Companys long-lived and indefinite-lived assets when there is an indicator of potential impairment, the Company must make estimates and assumptions regarding future cash flows and other factors to determine the fair value of the respective assets. These estimates and assumptions could have a significant impact on whether an impairment charge is recognized as well as the magnitude of any such charge. Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant information. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve significant uncertainties and judgments and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates. If these estimates or material related assumptions change in the future, the Company may be required to record impairment charges related to its long-lived and/or indefinite-lived assets.
Goodwill
Goodwill is tested annually for impairment as of August 31 and at any time upon the occurrence of certain events or substantive changes in circumstances. The Company performs its goodwill impairment test at the reporting unit level. As of December 31, 2022, the Company has one reportable segment, consistent with the way management makes decisions and allocates resources to the business.
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The Company has the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine if an impairment is more likely than not to have occurred. If the Company can support the conclusion that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the Company would not need to perform a quantitative impairment test for that reporting unit. If the Company cannot support such a conclusion or the Company does not elect to perform the qualitative assessment, the first step of the goodwill impairment test is used to identify potential impairment by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill.
The estimate of the fair value of the Companys reporting unit is primarily determined using discounted cash flows, comparable market transactions or other acceptable valuation techniques, including the cost approach. These valuations are based on estimates and assumptions including projected future cash flows, discount rates, cost-based assumptions, determination of appropriate market comparables and the determination of whether a premium or discount should be applied to comparables. Significant judgments inherent in a discounted cash flow analysis include the selection of the appropriate discount rate, the estimate of the amount and timing of projected future cash flows and identification of appropriate continuing growth rate assumptions. The discount rates used in the analysis are intended to reflect the risk inherent in the projected future cash flows. The amount of an impairment loss is measured as the amount by which a reporting units carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill.
The Company elected to perform the qualitative assessment of impairment for the Companys reporting unit for the periods presented in the Combined Financial Statements. This assessment considered factors such as:
| macroeconomic conditions; |
| industry and market considerations; |
| cost factors; |
| overall financial performance of the reporting unit; |
| other relevant company-specific factors such as changes in management, strategy or customers; and |
| relevant reporting unit specific events such as changes in the carrying amount of net assets. |
On August 31, 2022, the Company performed its most recent annual impairment test of goodwill and determined that there was no impairment of goodwill identified for its reporting unit as of the impairment test date. Based on this impairment test, the Companys reporting unit had a sufficient safety margin, representing the excess of the estimated fair value of the reporting unit, derived from the most recent quantitative assessment, less its respective carrying value (including goodwill). The Company believes that if the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value by greater than 10%, a sufficient safety margin has been realized.
Amortizable intangible assets and other long-lived assets are grouped and evaluated for impairment at the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows that are independent from cash flows from other assets and liabilities. In determining whether an impairment of long-lived assets has occurred, the Company considers both qualitative and quantitative factors. The quantitative analysis involves estimating the undiscounted future cash flows directly related to that asset group and comparing the resulting value against the carrying value of the asset group. If the carrying value of the asset group is greater than the sum of the undiscounted future cash flows, an impairment loss is recognized for the difference between the carrying value of the asset group and its estimated fair value.
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Identifiable Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
Identifiable indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested annually for impairment as of August 31st and at any time upon the occurrence of certain events or substantive changes in circumstances. The following table sets forth the amount of identifiable indefinite-lived intangible assets reported in the Companys combined balance sheets as of December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022:
December 31, 2022 |
June 30, 2022 |
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Trademarks |
$ | 61,881 | $ | 61,881 | ||||
Photographic related rights |
1,920 | 1,920 | ||||||
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$ | 63,801 | $ | 63,801 | |||||
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The Company has the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine if an impairment is more likely than not to have occurred. In the qualitative assessment, the Company must evaluate the totality of qualitative factors, including any recent fair value measurements, that impact whether an indefinite-lived intangible asset other than goodwill has a carrying amount that more likely than not exceeds its fair value. The Company must proceed to conducting a quantitative analysis, if the Company (i) determines that such an impairment is more likely than not to exist, or (ii) forgoes the qualitative assessment entirely. Under the quantitative assessment, the impairment test for identifiable indefinite-lived intangible assets consists of a comparison of the estimated fair value of the intangible asset with its carrying value. If the carrying value of the intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. For all periods presented, the Company elected to perform the qualitative assessment of impairment for the photographic related rights and the trademarks. These assessments considered the events and circumstances that could affect the significant inputs used to determine the fair value of the intangible asset. Examples of such events and circumstances include:
| cost factors; |
| financial performance; |
| legal, regulatory, contractual, business or other factors; |
| other relevant company-specific factors such as changes in management, strategy or customers; |
| industry and market considerations; and |
| macroeconomic conditions. |
On August 31, 2022, the Company performed its most recent annual impairment test of identifiable indefinite-lived intangible assets, and there were no impairments identified. Based on these impairment tests, the Companys indefinite-lived intangible assets had sufficient safety margins, representing the excess of each identifiable indefinite-lived intangible assets estimated fair value over its respective carrying value. The Company believes that if the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its carrying value by greater than 10%, a sufficient safety margin has been realized.
Other Long-Lived Assets
For other long-lived assets, including intangible assets that are amortized, the Company evaluates assets for recoverability when there is an indication of potential impairment. If the undiscounted cash flows from a group of assets being evaluated is less than the carrying value of that group of assets, the fair value of the asset group is determined and the carrying value of the asset group is written down to fair value.
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The estimated useful lives and net carrying values of the Companys intangible assets subject to amortization as of December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022 are as follows:
Estimated Useful Lives |
December 31, 2022 |
June 30, 2022 |
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Trade names |
7 years | $ | | $ | 361 | |||||||
Festival rights |
7 years | | 1,154 | |||||||||
Other intangibles |
15 years | | 123 | |||||||||
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$ | | $ | 1,638 | |||||||||
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The Company has recognized intangible assets for trade names, festival rights and other intangibles as a result of purchase accounting. The Company has determined that these intangible assets have finite lives.
The useful lives of the Companys long-lived assets are based on estimates of the period over which the Company expects the assets to be of economic benefit to the Company. In estimating the useful lives, the Company considers factors such as, but not limited to, risk of obsolescence, anticipated use, plans of the Company, and applicable laws and permit requirements. In light of these facts and circumstances, the Company has determined that its estimated useful lives are appropriate.
See Note 1, Description of Business and Basis of Presentation to the Unaudited Combined Interim Financial Statements, and Note 1, Description of Business and Basis of Presentation to the Audited Combined Annual Financial Statements included elsewhere in this information statement for discussion of additional consideration related to the preparation of the combined financial statements.
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Corporate Governance
General
We will apply to list our Class A Common Stock on the NYSE under the symbol MSGE (and change our name to Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.) and we expect that Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. will change its symbol on the NYSE to SPHR (and be renamed MSG Sphere Corp.) in connection with the Distribution. As a result, we are generally subject to NYSE corporate governance listing standards.
A listed company that meets NYSEs definition of a controlled company may elect not to comply with certain of these requirements. Holders of MSG Entertainment Class B Common Stock who are members of the Dolan Family Group entered into a Stockholders Agreement relating to, among other things, the voting of their shares of MSG Entertainment Class B Common Stock and filed a Schedule 13D with the SEC as a group under the rules of the SEC. We have been informed that prior to the Distribution, the members of the Dolan Family Group will enter into a similar Stockholders Agreement with respect to the voting of their shares of the Class B Common Stock that will be issued in the Distribution. As a result, following the Distribution, we will be a controlled company. As a controlled company, we will have the right to elect not to comply with the corporate governance rules of the NYSE requiring: (i) a majority of independent directors on our Board, (ii) an independent corporate governance and nominating committee and (iii) an independent compensation committee. Our Board of Directors has elected for the Company to be treated as a controlled company under NYSE corporate governance rules and not to comply with the NYSE requirement for a majority-independent board of directors and for a corporate governance and nominating committee because of our status as a controlled company. Nevertheless, we expect our Board of Directors to elect to comply with the NYSE requirement for an independent compensation committee.
Corporate Governance Guidelines
Our Board of Directors will adopt our Corporate Governance Guidelines (Governance Guidelines). These guidelines set forth our practices and policies with respect to Board composition and selection, Board meetings, executive sessions of the Board, Board committees, the expectations we have of our directors, selection of the Executive Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer, management succession, Board and executive compensation, and Board self-assessment requirements. The full text of our Governance Guidelines may be viewed at our website at www.msgentertainment.com under Investors Governance Corporate Governance. A copy may be obtained by writing to MSGE Spinco, Inc., Two Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, NY 10121; Attention: Corporate Secretary.
Executive Sessions of Non-Management and Independent Board Members
Under our Governance Guidelines, either our directors who are not also executive officers of our Company (the non-management directors) or our directors who are independent under the NYSE rules are required to meet regularly in executive sessions with no members of management present. If non-management directors who are not independent participate in these executive sessions, the independent directors under the NYSE rules are required to meet separately in executive sessions at least once each year. The non-management or independent directors may specify the procedure to designate the director who may preside at any such executive session.
Communicating with Our Directors
Our Board will adopt policies designed to allow our stockholders and other interested parties to communicate with our directors. Any interested party who wishes to communicate directly with the Board or any director or the non-management directors as a group should send communications in writing to the Chairman of
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the Audit Committee, MSGE Spinco, Inc., Two Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, NY 10121. Any person, whether or not an employee, who has a concern with respect to our accounting, internal accounting controls, auditing issues or other matters, may, in a confidential or anonymous manner, communicate those concerns to our Audit Committee by contacting the MSG Entertainment Integrity Hotline, which is operated by a third-party service provider, at 1-877-756-4306 or www.msg.ethicspoint.com.
Code of Conduct and Ethics
Our Board will adopt a Code of Conduct and Ethics for our directors, officers and employees. A portion of this Code of Conduct and Ethics also serves as a code of conduct and ethics for our senior financial officers, including our principal accounting officer and controller. Among other things, our Code of Conduct and Ethics covers conflicts of interest, disclosure responsibilities, legal compliance, reporting and compliance with the Code of Conduct and Ethics, confidentiality, corporate opportunities, fair dealing, protection and proper use of Company assets and equal employment opportunity and harassment. The full text of the Code of Conduct and Ethics is available on our website at investor.msgentertainment.com under Investors Governance Corporate Governance. In addition, a copy may be obtained by writing to MSGE Spinco, Inc., Two Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, NY 10121; Attention: Corporate Secretary.
Our Directors
The following individuals are expected to be elected to serve as directors of the Company commencing on the Distribution date:
Directors Elected by Class A Common Stockholders
In connection with the Distribution, it is expected that Messrs. Bandier and Salerno will resign as directors of MSG Entertainment elected by holders of MSG Entertainments Class A Common Stock effective as of, and contingent upon the occurrence of, the Distribution. We expect the following individuals to be elected, prior to the Distribution, as directors of the Company, and to be designated as directors elected by the Class A Common Stockholders.
MARTIN BANDIER, 81, has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Bandier Ventures LP, a music publishing and recorded music acquisition company, since 2019, and a director of MSG Entertainment since 2020. It is expected that Mr. Bandier will no longer serve as a director of MSG Entertainment following the Distribution. Previously, Mr. Bandier served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sony/ATV Music Publishing, a music publishing company, from 2007 to 2019, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of EMI Music Publishing Worldwide, a music publishing company, from 1991 to 2006 and Vice Chairman from 1989 to 1991. Mr. Bandier has served as a director of the Songwriters Hall of Fame since 1975 and as a trustee of Syracuse University since 2006 and is a 1994 Arents Award winner. In 2006, Mr. Bandier founded The Bandier Program for Music and Entertainment Industries, a music and entertainment industry degree program, at Syracuse University that has become a leading music business program. Mr. Bandier previously served as a director and Vice President of the National Music Publishers Association from 1992 to 2019, as a director of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) from 2007 to 2018 and as a trustee of the T.J. Martell Foundation from 1993 to 1998. His civic and industry commitments also include extensive involvement with the City of Hope. Mr. Bandier brings to the Board his more than 30 years in the entertainment industry, including his leadership roles in music publishing companies and recognition with many industry awards including numerous Publisher of the Year awards from ASCAP and BMI, the GRAMMYs Presidents Merit Award in 2015 and the Visionary Leadership Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2019.
DONNA COLEMAN, 66, was the Interim Chief Financial Officer of AMC Networks from October 2020 to January 2021. Previously, Ms. Coleman was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of MSG
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Sports from October 2015 to December 2019, the Interim Chief Financial Officer of MSG Networks from May 2015 until September 2015, and Executive Vice President, Corporate Financial Planning and Control of Cablevision 2012 to 2014. Prior to that, she was Senior Vice President, Corporate Financial Planning and Control of Cablevision from 2011 to 2012 and Senior Vice President, Planning and Operations of Cablevision from 2000 to 2011. Ms. Coleman served as a director of the Garden of Dreams Foundation from 2016 to 2019 and as a Director of Tribeca Enterprises LLC from 2015 to 2019. Ms. Coleman brings to the Board her prior experiences as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of The Madison Square Garden Company, and as Interim Chief Financial Officer of AMC Networks and MSG Networks, as well as experience in various financial positions with Cablevision.
FREDERIC V. SALERNO, 79, has served as a director of MSG Entertainment since 2020 and Associated Capital Group, Inc., an alternative investment management business, since 2017. It is expected that Mr. Salerno will no longer serve as a director of MSG Entertainment following the Distribution. Mr. Salerno previously served as a director of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc., which owns and operates exchanges for financial and commodity markets, from 2002 to May 2022, and Lead Independent Director from 2008 to May 2022, and as a director of Akamai Technologies, Inc., a provider of web-based technology services, from 2002 to 2021, Chairman of the Board from 2018 to 2021 and Lead Independent Director from 2013 to 2018. Mr. Salerno also served as Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of Verizon Communications, Inc., a provider of communications services, from 1991 to 2002, and in various other senior management positions with Verizon and its predecessors prior to that time. Mr. Salerno previously served as a director of MSG Sports from 2019 to 2020, National Fuel Gas Company from 2008 to 2013, CBS Corporation from 2007 to 2016, Viacom, Inc. from 1996 to 2017 and FCB Financial Holdings, Inc. from 2010 to 2019. Mr. Salerno brings to the Board his experience as a senior executive and director of other public companies and his knowledge of the media and entertainment industry.
Directors Elected by Class B Common Stockholders
The following individual is currently a director of the Company and is expected to continue to serve as a director elected by the Class B Common Stockholders at the time of the Distribution:
JAMES L. DOLAN, 67, has served as a director, the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since December 2022. Mr. Dolan has served as a director, the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MSG Entertainment since November 2019, as a director and the Executive Chairman of MSG Sports since 2015 and as Non-Executive Chairman (since September 2020) and a director (since 2011) of AMC Networks. He served as Interim Executive Chairman of AMC Networks from December 2022 to February 2023. Mr. Dolan was a director and the Executive Chairman of MSG Networks from 2009 until the Networks Merger in July 2021, the Chief Executive Officer of MSG Sports from 2017 to April 2020, and the Chief Executive Officer of Cablevision Systems Corporation (Cablevision) from 1995 to 2016. He was President of Cablevision from 1998 to 2014; Chief Executive Officer of Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc., a former programming subsidiary of Cablevision that spun off in 2011 to become AMC Networks, from 1992 to 1995; and Vice President of Cablevision from 1987 to 1992. In addition, Mr. Dolan previously served as a director of Cablevision from 1991 to 2016. James L. Dolan is the son of Charles F. Dolan, the father of Charles P. Dolan, Quentin F. Dolan and Ryan T. Dolan, the brother of Marianne Dolan Weber and Thomas C. Dolan, the brother-in-law of Brian G. Sweeney and the cousin of Paul J. Dolan. Mr. Dolan brings to the Board his experience as Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MSG Entertainment, as Executive Chairman and former Chief Executive Officer of MSG Sports, as well as experience in various positions with Cablevision, including as its Chief Executive Officer, and in various positions with MSG Networks and its predecessors since 1999, including as Executive Chairman, as well as the knowledge and experience he has gained about MSG Entertainments businesses and contributions he has made during his tenure as a director of MSG Entertainment, MSG Sports, MSG Networks, AMC Networks and Cablevision.
We expect the following individuals to be elected, prior to the Distribution, as directors of the Company, and to be designated as directors elected by the Class B Common Stockholders.
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CHARLES F. DOLAN, 96, has served as a director and Chairman Emeritus of AMC Networks since 2011 and 2020, respectively. He served as Executive Chairman of AMC Networks from 2011 to September 2020 and Chairman of Cablevision from 1985 to 2016. He was Chief Executive Officer of Cablevision from 1985 to 1995. Mr. Dolan founded and acted as the General Partner of Cablevisions predecessor from 1973 to 1985 and established Manhattan Cable Television in 1961 and Home Box Office in 1971. In addition to AMC Networks, Mr. Dolan has served as a director of MSG Entertainment since 2020, MSG Sports since 2015, and previously served as a director of MSG Networks from 2009 until the Networks Merger in July 2021 and Cablevision from 1985 to 2016. Charles F. Dolan is the father of James L. Dolan, Marianne Dolan Weber and Thomas C. Dolan, the father-in-law of Brian G. Sweeney, the uncle of Paul J. Dolan and the grandfather of Charles P. Dolan, Quentin F. Dolan and Ryan T. Dolan. Mr. Dolan brings to the Board his experience in the cable television and cable programming industries, as well as his experience as founder of Cablevision, his previous service as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cablevision and its predecessors, his service as Executive Chairman and Chairman Emeritus of AMC Networks, as well as the knowledge and experience he has gained about MSG Entertainments businesses and contributions he has made during his tenure as a director of MSG Entertainment, MSG Sports, MSG Networks, AMC Networks and Cablevision.
CHARLES P. DOLAN, 35, has been an employee of Knickerbocker Group LLC since 2010. Mr. Dolan has served as a director of MSG Entertainment since 2020 and MSG Sports since 2015, and previously served as a director of MSG Networks from 2010 to 2015. He is a graduate of New York University and has significant familiarity with the business of the Company as a member of the third generation of Cablevisions founding family. Mr. Dolan is the son of James L. Dolan, the brother of Quentin F. Dolan and Ryan T. Dolan, the grandson of Charles F. Dolan, the nephew of Marianne Dolan Weber, Thomas C. Dolan and Brian G. Sweeney and the cousin of Paul J. Dolan. Mr. Dolan brings to the Board his familiarity with the MSG Entertainments businesses, being a member of the third generation of Cablevisions founding family, as well as the knowledge and experience he has gained and the contributions he has made during his tenure as a director of MSG Entertainment, MSG Sports and MSG Networks.
MARIANNE DOLAN WEBER, 65, has been President of Heartfelt Wings Foundation Inc. since 2015, and a Member of the Board of Green Mountain Foundation Inc. since 2015. Ms. Dolan Weber currently serves as the manager of MLC Ventures LLC and served as Chairman of both the Dolan Family Foundation and the Dolan Childrens Foundation from 1999 to 2011 and Vice Chairman and Director of the Dolan Family Office, LLC from 1997 to 2011. Ms. Dolan Weber has served as a director of AMC Networks since June 2022, MSG Entertainment since 2020 and MSG Sports since 2016. She previously served as a director of AMC Networks from 2011 to June 2021, Cablevision from 2005 to 2016 and MSG Networks from 2010 to 2014. Marianne Dolan Weber is the daughter of Charles F. Dolan, the sister of James L. Dolan and Thomas C. Dolan, the sister-in-law of Brian G. Sweeney, the cousin of Paul J. Dolan and the aunt of Charles P. Dolan, Quentin F. Dolan and Ryan T. Dolan. Ms. Dolan Weber brings to the Board her experience as a member of Cablevisions founding family and as former Chairman of the Dolan Family Foundation and her experience as the former Vice Chairman of the Dolan Family Office, LLC, as well as the knowledge and experience she has gained about MSG Entertainments businesses and contributions she has made during her tenure as a director of MSG Entertainment, MSG Sports, MSG Networks, AMC Networks and Cablevision.
PAUL J. DOLAN, 64, is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Cleveland Guardians Major League Baseball (MLB) team since 2010. Mr. Dolan was President of the Cleveland Guardians from 2004 to 2010 and Vice President and General Counsel from 2000 to 2004. Mr. Dolan has served on multiple committees of the MLB and is currently serving on the MLBs Long Range Planning Committee, Ownership Committee and Diversity and Inclusion Committee as well as serving on the Executive Council. Mr. Dolan has been a director and member of the Executive Compensation Committee of The J.M. Smucker Company since 2006 and served as the Chair of the Executive Compensation Committee from 2017 until August 2022. Additionally, Mr. Dolan has served as a director of MSG Entertainment since 2020, MSG Sports since 2019 and Dix & Eaton, a privately-owned communications and public relations firm, since 2014. Mr. Dolan previously served as a director of MSG Networks from 2015 until the Networks Merger in July 2021 and Cablevision from 2015 to 2016. Mr. Dolan was
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Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Fast Ball Sports Productions, a sports media company, from 2006 through 2012. Paul J. Dolan is the nephew of Charles F. Dolan, the cousin of James L. Dolan, Thomas C. Dolan, Marianne Dolan Weber, Charles P. Dolan, Quentin F. Dolan and Ryan T. Dolan and the cousin by marriage of Brian G. Sweeney. Mr. Dolan brings to the Board his extensive business and management experience in the sports and media industries, his experience as a member of Cablevisions founding family, the experience he has gained during his tenure as a director of MSG Entertainment, MSG Sports, MSG Networks and of Cablevision, and his service on the board of other public and private companies.
QUENTIN F. DOLAN, 28, has been Investment Director of MSG Sports since 2022 and has served as a director of MSG Sports since 2021 and MSG Entertainment since 2020. Mr. Dolan is a graduate of New York University. Mr. Dolan previously served as a director of MSG Networks from 2015 to June 2020 and has held internship positions at Grubman Shire & Meiselas, P.C. and Azoff MSG Entertainment, LLC. Quentin F. Dolan is the son of James L. Dolan, the brother of Charles P. Dolan and Ryan T. Dolan, the grandson of Charles F. Dolan, the nephew of Marianne Dolan Weber, Thomas C. Dolan and Brian G. Sweeney, and the cousin of Paul J. Dolan. Mr. Dolan brings to the Board his familiarity with MSG Entertainments businesses as a member of the third generation of Cablevisions founding family, as well as the knowledge and experience he has gained and the contributions he has made during his tenure as a director of MSG Sports and MSG Networks.
RYAN T. DOLAN, 33, has served as Vice President, Interactive Experiences of MSG Ventures, a wholly-owned subsidiary of MSG Entertainment, since June 2019, and previously served as its Director, Interactive Experiences from 2016 to June 2019. Mr. Dolan has played an integral role in the growth and development of MSG Ventures interactive gaming initiatives and has significant familiarity with the business of MSG Entertainment as a member of the third generation of Cablevisions founding family. Mr. Dolan has served as a director of MSG Entertainment since 2020 and MSG Sports since 2019. Mr. Dolan is the son of James L. Dolan, the brother of Charles P. Dolan and Quentin F. Dolan, the grandson of Charles F. Dolan, the nephew of Marianne Dolan Weber, Thomas C. Dolan and Brian G. Sweeney and the cousin of Paul J. Dolan. Mr. Dolan brings to the Board his familiarity with MSG Entertainments businesses as a member of the third generation of Cablevisions founding family, as well as the knowledge and experience he has gained about MSG Entertainments businesses as an employee of MSG Ventures and a key contributor to MSG Entertainments growth strategy, and his service as a director of MSG Sports.
THOMAS C. DOLAN, 70, served as Executive Vice President Strategy and Development, Office of the Chairman of Cablevision from 2008 to 2016. He was Chief Executive Officer of Rainbow Media Corp. from 2004 to 2005; and previously served in various roles at Cablevision, including: Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer from 2001 until 2005, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer from 1996 to 2001, Vice President and Chief Information Officer from 1994 to 1996, General Manager of Cablevisions East End Long Island cable system from 1991 to 1994, and System Manager of Cablevisions East End Long Island cable system from 1987 to 1991. Mr. Dolan has served as a director of MSG Entertainment since 2020, MSG Sports since 2015 and AMC Networks since 2011, and previously served as a director of MSG Networks from 2010 until the Networks Merger in July 2021 and Cablevision from 2007 to 2016. Mr. Dolan is the son of Charles F. Dolan, the brother of James L. Dolan and Marianne Dolan Weber, the brother-in-law of Brian G. Sweeney, the cousin of Paul J. Dolan and the uncle of Charles P. Dolan, Quentin F. Dolan and Ryan T. Dolan. Mr. Dolan brings to the Board his experience as a member of Cablevisions founding family and in various positions with Cablevision, as well as the knowledge and experience he has gained about MSG Entertainments businesses and contributions he has made during his tenure as a director of MSG Entertainment, MSG Sports, MSG Networks, AMC Networks and Cablevision.
BRIAN G. SWEENEY, 58, served as the President of Cablevision from 2014 and President and Chief Financial Officer of Cablevision from 2015 to 2016. Previously, Mr. Sweeney served in various other roles at Cablevision, including: Senior Executive Vice President, Strategy and Chief of Staff from 2013 to 2014; Senior Vice President Strategic Software Solutions from 2012 to 2013; and Senior Vice President eMedia from January 2000 to 2012. Mr. Sweeney has served as a director of MSG Entertainment since 2020, MSG Sports
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since 2015 and AMC Networks since 2011 and previously served as a director of MSG Networks from 2010 until the Networks Merger in July 2021 and Cablevision from 2005 to 2016. Brian G. Sweeney is the son-in-law of Charles F. Dolan, the brother-in-law of James L. Dolan, Marianne Dolan Weber, and Thomas C. Dolan, the cousin by marriage of Paul J. Dolan and the uncle of Charles P. Dolan, Quentin F. Dolan and Ryan T. Dolan. Mr. Sweeney brings to the Board his experience in various positions with Cablevision, as well as the knowledge and experience he has gained about MSG Entertainments businesses and contributions he has made during his tenure as a director of MSG Entertainment, MSG Sports, MSG Networks, AMC Networks, and Cablevision.
The term of office of our directors will expire at the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors have been elected and qualified and at each succeeding annual meeting after that. The business address for each director is c/o MSGE Spinco, Inc., Two Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, NY 10121 and each director is a citizen of the United States. We will encourage our directors to attend annual meetings of stockholders and believe that attendance at annual meetings is just as important as attendance at meetings of the Board.
Because we did not have any operations in fiscal year 2022, our Board did not hold any meetings during that year.
Overlapping Directors
Immediately following the Distribution, there will be certain overlap between members of the Companys Board of Directors who also hold positions at MSG Entertainment, MSG Sports and AMC Networks. Nine of the members of the Board of Directors including James L. Dolan, Charles F. Dolan, Charles P. Dolan, Paul J. Dolan, Thomas C. Dolan, Brian G. Sweeney, Ryan T. Dolan, Quentin F. Dolan, and Marianne Dolan Weber will also serve as directors of MSG Entertainment, nine members of the Board including James L. Dolan, Charles F. Dolan, Charles P. Dolan, Paul J. Dolan, Thomas C. Dolan, Brian G. Sweeney, Ryan T. Dolan, Quentin F. Dolan, and Marianne Dolan Weber will serve as directors of MSG Sports and five members of the Board, including James L. Dolan, Charles F. Dolan, Thomas C. Dolan, Brian G. Sweeney, and Marianne Dolan Weber will serve as directors of AMC Networks. In addition, Charles F. Dolan will serve as Chairman Emeritus of AMC Networks concurrently with his service on our Board. There will be no overlap of Class A Directors as between MSG Entertainment and the Company.
Director Compensation
A director who is a Company employee will receive no extra compensation for serving as a director. Each non-employee director will receive a base cash retainer of $75,000 per year, $15,000 annually per committee membership and $25,000 annually per committee chairmanship. In addition, we will reimburse our directors for reasonable expenses in connection with attendance at Board, committee and stockholder meetings.
We will also pay our non-employee directors additional compensation in restricted stock units. Each year, each non-employee director will receive a grant of restricted stock units for the number of shares of common stock equal to $160,000 divided by the average closing price over the twenty-trading-day period concluding on the date immediately preceding the grant date. The restricted stock units the non-employee directors will receive will be fully vested on the date of grant but will remain subject to a holding requirement until the first business day following 90 days after service on the Board ceases (other than in the event of a directors death, in which case the restricted stock units will be settled as soon as practicable). Such compensation will be made pursuant to our Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors. Please see Executive Compensation Our Equity Compensation Plan Information Our Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors for information concerning our Director Stock Plan.
Non-employee directors have the ability to make a non-revocable annual election to defer all cash compensation (annual cash retainer and, if applicable, committee fees) to be earned in the next calendar year into restricted stock units. Grants of restricted stock units in lieu of cash compensation are determined by dividing the value of the applicable directors total annual cash compensation by the average closing price over the twenty-trading-day period
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concluding on the date immediately preceding the grant date (February 15 or the next succeeding business day). Restricted stock units are fully vested on the date of grant but remain subject to a holding requirement until the first business day following 90 days after service on the Board ceases (other than in the event of a directors death, in which case they are settled as soon as practicable), at which time they are settled in stock or, at the Compensation Committees election, in cash. Such equity grants are made pursuant to the Companys 2023 Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors (the Director Stock Plan).
Board Committees
The Board has two permanent committees: the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee.
Audit Committee
At the time of the Distribution, our Audit Committee will consist of three members. The primary purposes and responsibilities of our Audit Committee are to: (a) assist the Board (i) in its oversight of the integrity of our financial statements, (ii) in its oversight of our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (iii) in assessing our independent registered public accounting firms qualifications and independence, and (iv) in assessing the performance of our internal audit function and independent registered public accounting firm; (b) appoint, compensate, retain, oversee and terminate the Companys independent registered public accounting firm and pre-approve, or adopt appropriate procedures to pre-approve, all audit and non-audit services, if any, to be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm; (c) review the appointment and replacement of the head of our internal audit department and to review and coordinate the agenda, scope, priorities, plan and authority of the internal audit department; (d) establish procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters and for the confidential, anonymous submission by Company employees or any provider of accounting-related services of concerns regarding questionable accounting and auditing matters and review of submissions and the treatment of any such complaints; (e) review and approve related party transactions that are required to be disclosed under SEC rules or that require such approval under the Companys Related Party Transaction Approval Policy (if the Audit Committee is then serving as the Independent Committee under such policy); (f) conduct and review with the Board an annual self-assessment of the Audit Committee; (g) prepare any report of the Audit Committee required by the rules and regulations of the SEC for inclusion in our annual proxy statement; (h) review and reassess the Audit Committee charter at least annually; (i) report to the Board on a regular basis; and (j) oversee corporate risks, including cybersecurity and venue security, and provide periodic updates to the Board on such oversight activities. The text of our Audit Committee charter is available on our website at investor.msgentertainment.com under Investors Corporate Governance. A copy may be obtained by writing to MSGE Spinco, Inc., Two Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, NY 10121; Attention: Corporate Secretary.
We expect our Board of Directors to determine that each member of our Audit Committee is independent within the meaning of the rules of both the NYSE and the SEC, and that each has not participated in the preparation of the financial statements of the Company or any current subsidiary of the Company at any time during the past three years and is able to read and understand fundamental financial statements, including balance sheets, income statements and cash flow statements. All directors we add to the Audit Committee in the future will also meet those standards. We expect our Board to also determine that at least one member of our Audit Committee is an audit committee financial expert within the meaning of the rules of the SEC.
Our Board has established a procedure whereby complaints or concerns with respect to accounting, internal controls, auditing and other matters may be submitted to the Audit Committee. This procedure is described under Communicating with Our Directors above.
Our Audit Committee did not exist in fiscal year 2022.
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Compensation Committee
At the time of the Distribution, our Compensation Committee will consist of not less than two members. The primary purposes of our Compensation Committee are to: (a) establish our general compensation philosophy and, in consultation with management, oversee the development and implementation of compensation programs; (b) review and approve corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and our other executive officers who are required to file reports with the SEC under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (together with the Chief Executive Officer, the Senior Employees), evaluate their performance in light of these goals and objectives and determine and approve their compensation based upon that evaluation; (c) approve any new equity compensation plan or material changes to an existing plan; (d) oversee the activities of the committee or committees administering our retirement and benefit plans; (e) in consultation with management, oversee regulatory compliance with respect to compensation matters including overseeing the Companys policies on structuring compensation programs to preserve tax deductibility; (f) determine and approve any severance or similar termination payments to be made to Senior Employees (current or former); (g) determine the components and amount of Board compensation and review such determinations from time to time in relation to other similarly situated companies; (h) prepare any reports of the Compensation Committee to be included in the Companys annual proxy statement in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC; (i) conduct and review with the Board an annual self-assessment of the Compensation Committee; and (j) report to the Board on a regular basis, but not less than annually.
The Compensation Committee will review the performance of the Senior Employees, evaluate their performance in light of those goals and objectives and, either as a committee or together with any other independent directors (as directed by the Board), will determine and approve the Senior Employees compensation level based on this evaluation. In determining the long-term incentive component of our Chief Executive Officers compensation, the Compensation Committee will consider, among other factors, the Companys performance and relative stockholder return, the value of similar incentive awards to Chief Executive Officers at comparable companies and the awards given to the Chief Executive Officer in past years.
The Compensation Committee may, in its discretion, delegate a portion of its duties and responsibilities to one or more subcommittees of the Compensation Committee. For example, the Compensation Committee may delegate the approval of certain transactions to a subcommittee consisting solely of members of the Compensation Committee who are non-employee directors for the purposes of Rule 16b-3 issued by the SEC under the Exchange Act. The Compensation Committee may also engage outside compensation consultants to assist in the performance of its duties and responsibilities. The text of our Compensation Committee charter is available on our website at investor.msgentertainment.com under Investors Governance Corporate Governance. A copy may be obtained by writing to MSGE Spinco, Inc., Two Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, NY 10121; Attention: Corporate Secretary.
We expect our Board of Directors to determine that each member of our Compensation Committee is independent under the rules of the NYSE.
Our Compensation Committee did not exist in fiscal year 2022.
Absence of Nominating Committee
We will not have a nominating committee. We believe that it is appropriate not to have a nominating committee because of our stockholder voting structure. Under the terms of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, the holders of our Class B Common Stock will have the right to elect 75% of the members of our Board. Our Governance Guidelines provide a mechanism for the selection of nominees for election as directors by the holders of our Class A Common Stock (Class A Directors) and by the holders of our Class B Common Stock (Class B Directors). The holders of our Class A Common Stock are currently entitled to elect 25% of the members of our Board. Under our Governance Guidelines, nominees for election as Class A Directors
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shall be recommended to the Board by the Class A Directors then in office who were elected by the holders of our Class A Common Stock. Nominees for election as Class B Directors shall be recommended to our Board by the Class B Directors then in office who were elected by the holders of the Class B Common Stock.
Our directors have not set specific, minimum qualifications that nominees must meet in order for them to be nominated for election to the Board, but rather believe that each nominee should be evaluated based on his or her individual merits, taking into account, among other matters, the factors set forth in our Governance Guidelines under Board Composition and Selection of Directors. Those factors include:
| The desire to have a Board that encompasses a broad range of skills, expertise, industry knowledge, diversity of viewpoints, opinions, background and experience, and contacts relevant to our business; |
| Personal qualities and characteristics, accomplishments and reputation in the business community; |
| Ability and willingness to commit adequate time to Board and committee matters; and |
| The fit of the individuals skill and personality with those of other directors and potential directors in building a Board that is effective, collegial and responsive to the needs of our Company. |
The Class A Directors will evaluate possible candidates to recommend to the Board for nomination as Class A Directors and suggest individuals for the Board. The Board will consider nominees for Class A Directors recommended by our stockholders. Nominees recommended by stockholders will be given appropriate consideration in the same manner as other nominees. Stockholders who wish to submit nominees for consideration by the Board for election at our annual meeting of stockholders may do so by submitting in writing such nominees names, in compliance with the procedures and along with the other information required by our by-laws. Any such nominee must be submitted to the Corporate Secretary of the Company, at MSGE Spinco, Inc., Two Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, NY 10121 not less than 60 or more than 90 days prior to the date of our annual meeting of stockholders, provided that if the date of the meeting is publicly announced or disclosed less than 70 days prior to the date of the meeting, such notice must be given not more than 10 days after such date is first announced or disclosed.
The Class B Directors will consult from time to time with one or more of the holders of Class B Common Stock to ensure that all Class B Director nominees recommended to the Board are individuals who will make a meaningful contribution as Board members and will be individuals likely to receive the approving vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Class B Common Stock. The Class B Directors do not intend to consider unsolicited suggestions of nominees by holders of our Class A Common Stock. We believe that this is appropriate in light of the voting provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation which vest exclusively in the holders of our Class B Common Stock the right to elect our Class B Directors.
Other Committees
In addition to standing committees, the Company has adopted a policy whereby a committee of our Board of Directors consisting entirely of independent directors (an Independent Committee) will review and approve transactions with Other Entities in which the value or expected value of the transaction or arrangement exceeds $1,000,000. The Independent Committee will also review and approve or take such other action as it may deem appropriate with respect to transactions involving the Company and its subsidiaries, on the one hand, and in which any director, executive officer, greater than 5% stockholder of the Company or any other related person as defined in Item 404 of Regulation S-K adopted by the SEC (Item 404) has or will have a direct or indirect material interest. This approval requirement covers any transaction that meets the related party disclosure requirements of the SEC as set forth in Item 404, which currently apply to any transaction (or any series of similar transactions) in which the amount involved exceeds $120,000. The policy does not cover decisions on compensation or benefits or the hiring or retention of executive officers. The hiring or retention of executive officers is determined by our full Board of Directors. Compensation of executive officers is subject to the approval of our Compensation Committee. This policy also does not cover any pro rata distributions to all
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Company stockholders, including a pro rata distribution of our Class A Common Stock to holders of our Class A Common Stock and our Class B Common Stock to holders of our Class B Common Stock. No director on an Independent Committee will participate in the consideration of a related party transaction with that director or any related person of that director.
Our amended by-laws will provide for the formation of an Executive Committee of the Board of Directors which would have the power to exercise all of the powers and authority of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Company, except as limited by the Delaware General Corporation Law. Our Board has not formed an Executive Committee, although it could do so in the future.
Our by-laws also permit the Board of Directors to appoint other committees of the Board from time to time which would have such powers and duties as the Board properly determines.
Our Executive Officers
The following individuals are executive officers of the Company and are expected to continue to serve as our executive officers at the time of the Distribution. Additional executive officers may be appointed prior to the Distribution. It is expected that in connection with the Distribution, Messrs. Byrnes, Haughton and DAmbrosio, and Ms. Zeppetella, will cease to serve as executive officers of MSG Entertainment.
JAMES L. DOLAN, 67, has served as a director, the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since December 2022. Mr. Dolan has served as a director, the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MSG Entertainment since November 2019, as a director and the Executive Chairman of MSG Sports since 2015 and as Non-Executive Chairman (since September 2020) and a director (since 2011) of AMC Networks. He served as Interim Executive Chairman of AMC Networks from December 2022 to February 2023. Mr. Dolan was a director and the Executive Chairman of MSG Networks from 2009 until the Networks Merger in July 2021, the Chief Executive Officer of MSG Sports from 2017 to April 2020, and the Chief Executive Officer of Cablevision from 1995 to 2016. He was President of Cablevision from 1998 to 2014; Chief Executive Officer of Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc., a former subsidiary of Cablevision that spun off in 2011 to become AMC Networks, from 1992 to 1995; and Vice President of Cablevision from 1987 to 1992. In addition, Mr. Dolan previously served as a director of Cablevision from 1991 until its sale in 2016.
DAVID F. BYRNES, 52, has served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company since February 13, 2023 and has been the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of MSG Entertainment since January 2022. It is expected that he will no longer serve as the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of MSG Entertainment following the Distribution. Mr. Byrnes previously served as Executive Vice President, Corporate Finance of ViacomCBS (now known as Paramount Global), a media and entertainment company, from December 2019 to January 2022, where he was primarily responsible for the companys budgeting, forecasting and long-range strategic planning processes and oversaw the corporate, technology and finance integration and transformation finance teams. From 2008 through the merger of CBS and Viacom in 2019, Mr. Byrnes held various financial leadership positions at CBS, including Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer; Senior Vice President, Internal Audit; Senior Vice President, Finance, CBS Technology; Vice President, Finance at Simon & Schuster; and Vice President, Corporate Development. Prior to joining CBS, Mr. Byrnes held various financial leadership positions at Automatic Data Processing, including Divisional CFO and Vice President of Financial Reporting and Policy. Mr. Byrnes began his career in the audit practice at KPMG LLP (KPMG), a U.S. professional services firm providing audit, tax and advisory services, where he worked for 11 years.
JAMAL H. HAUGHTON, 48, has served as the Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company since February 13, 2023 and has been the Executive Vice President and General Counsel of MSG Entertainment since December 2021. It is expected that he will no longer serve as the Executive Vice President
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and General Counsel of MSG Entertainment following the Distribution. Mr. Haughton previously served as the Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (Samsung), a global leader in consumer electronics and technology, as Samsungs chief legal officer for the U.S. from March 2016 to December 2021. As a member of Samsungs executive management team, he was responsible for providing counsel to the Chief Executive Officer and other senior leadership on all legal matters affecting Samsung and its subsidiaries, including commercial transactions, regulatory matters, litigation, risk management and employment issues, among others. Prior to Samsung, Mr. Haughton served in various roles at Cablevision, including Senior Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary from 2014 to 2016, Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel from 2011 to 2013 and Vice President and Associate General Counsel from 2006 to 2010. At Cablevision, Mr. Haughton provided ongoing legal counsel to the Board of Directors and senior executive management on corporate governance, public company reporting, corporate finance and major strategic company-wide corporate transactions. Before serving at Cablevision, Mr. Haughton was a corporate associate at Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP from 1999 to 2006, where he specialized in domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance and securities law matters.
PHILIP G. DAMBROSIO, 55, has served as the Senior Vice President and Treasurer of the Company since February 13, 2023 and has been the Senior Vice President and Treasurer of MSG Entertainment since 2019. It is expected that he will no longer serve as the Senior Vice President and Treasurer of MSG Entertainment following the Distribution. He also served as Secretary of MSG Entertainment from March 2020 to December 2020 and as Interim Chief Financial Officer from March 2020 to April 2020. Mr. DAmbrosio previously served as Senior Vice President, Treasurer, of MSG Sports from October 2018 to April 2020 and Senior Vice President, Tax and Treasury, of MSG Sports from 2016 through October 2018. Prior to joining MSG Sports, Mr. DAmbrosio was Senior Vice President, Tax, of Cablevision from 2002 through 2016. Prior to that, Mr. DAmbrosio was a partner at Ernst & Young. Mr. DAmbrosio has served as a director of the Broadband Tax Institute since 2005 and the Bucknell University Parents Association since February 2019, and as a trustee of the Rye Historical Society since 2018.
COURTNEY M. ZEPPETELLA, 46, has served as the Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer of the Company since February 13, 2023 and has been the Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer of MSG Entertainment since May 2022. It is expected that she will no longer serve as the Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer of MSG Entertainment following the Distribution. Prior to joining MSG Entertainment, Ms. Zeppetella served as Partner at KPMG from 2012 to April 2022. In that role, she was primarily responsible for the global coordination and execution of financial statement audits and audits of internal control over financial reporting for SEC registrants. She also led the resolution of highly technical, complex accounting and financial reporting issues and provided strategic input to senior executives, audit committees and board members with respect to regulatory updates, cybersecurity and risk management. Ms. Zeppetella has substantial experience with SEC rules, U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, and Sarbanes-Oxley 404 internal controls. Prior to her role as Audit Partner, Ms. Zeppetella served in numerous roles at KPMG.
Overlapping Officers
Immediately following the Distribution, James L. Dolan will also serve as the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of both the Company and MSG Entertainment and as the Executive Chairman of MSG Sports. James L. Dolan also currently serves as Non-Executive Chairman of AMC Networks.
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Introduction
This section presents information concerning compensation arrangements for our named executive officers. We present historical and current fiscal year information concerning the compensation from MSG Entertainment of Mr. James L. Dolan, our Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; David F. Byrnes, our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; Jamal H. Haughton, our Executive Vice President and General Counsel; Philip G. DAmbrosio, our Senior Vice President and Treasurer; and Courtney M. Zeppetella, our Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022.
The historical compensation information, including in particular the information set forth below under Historical Compensation Information, is not directly relevant to the compensation that these officers will receive from the Company.
Each of our named executive officers holds various long-term incentive awards that were granted by MSG Entertainment. Treatment of these in the Distribution is described under Treatment of Outstanding Awards.
Compensation Discussion & Analysis
This Compensation Discussion & Analysis provides a discussion of MSG Entertainments compensation philosophy and 2022 fiscal year compensation from MSG Entertainment for our NEOs (as defined below). MSG Entertainments compensation philosophy may be relevant to the Company because it is anticipated that the elements of our compensation will be similar to the elements of MSG Entertainments compensation. Our Compensation Committee will review the impact of the Distribution and will review all aspects of compensation and make any appropriate adjustments.
For purposes of this Compensation Discussion & Analysis, the Companys named executive officers are James L. Dolan, David F. Byrnes, Jamal H. Haughton, Philip G. DAmbrosio, and Courtney M. Zeppetella. These individuals are referred to as Named Executive Officers (NEOs). Mr. Dolan is also a named executive officer of MSG Entertainment and will continue as an officer of MSG Entertainment following the Distribution.
Executive Summary
MSG Entertainments Executive Compensation Program Objectives and Philosophy
Given the unique nature of its business, MSG Entertainment places great importance on its ability to attract, retain, motivate and reward experienced executive officers who can drive its business objectives and achieve strong financial, operational and stock price performance, as well as long-term value creation. The compensation committee of the board of directors of MSG Entertainment (MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee or the MSG Entertainment Compensation Committee) has designed executive compensation policies and programs that are consistent with, explicitly linked to, and supportive of the financial and strategic objectives of growing MSG Entertainments businesses and driving long-term stockholder value.
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MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee has designed a program that reflects four key overarching executive compensation principles:
Principle |
Implementation(1) | |
A significant portion of compensation opportunities should be at risk. | The majority of executive compensation is at risk and based on MSG Entertainment stockholder returns as well as MSG Entertainments performance against predetermined financial performance targets. | |
Long-term performance incentives should generally outweigh short-term performance incentives. | Incentive compensation focuses more heavily on MSG Entertainments long-term rather than short-term accomplishments and results. | |
Executive officers should be aligned with stockholders through equity compensation. | Equity-based compensation comprises a substantial portion of executive compensation, ensuring alignment with MSG Entertainments stockholder interests. | |
The compensation structure should enable MSG Entertainment to attract, retain, motivate and reward the best talent in a competitive industry. | MSG Entertainments overall executive compensation program is competitive, equitable and thoughtfully structured so as to attract, retain, motivate and reward talent.
MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee focuses on total direct compensation, as well as individual compensation elements when providing competitive compensation opportunities. |
(1) | Excludes any one-time awards, including awards granted in connection with commencement of employment. |
In designing MSG Entertainments executive compensation program, MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee seeks to fulfill these objectives by maintaining appropriate balances between (1) short-term and long-term compensation, (2) cash and equity compensation, and (3) performance-based and time-based vesting of compensation.
Elements of MSG Entertainments Compensation Program
MSG Entertainment compensated the NEOs through base salary, annual incentive awards, long-term incentive awards, perquisites and benefit programs, as applicable. MSG Entertainments annual and long-term incentive programs provide performance-based incentives for such NEOs tied to key financial and strategic measures that generate long-term stockholder value and reward sustained achievement of MSG Entertainments key financial goals. MSG Entertainment considers Total MSG Entertainment Net Revenue (defined below) and AOI to be the key measures of MSG Entertainments operating performance. As such, MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee has reflected these performance measures in its annual incentive awards and long-term incentive performance equity awards, along with other specific strategic and operating measures. MSG Entertainments long-term incentive program also includes restricted stock units whose value is tied to the performance of the market value of MSG Entertainments Class A Common Stock. Ms. Zeppetella, who joined MSG Entertainment effective as of May 2, 2022, was not eligible to receive annual incentive awards or long-term incentive awards during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022.
The table below summarizes the elements of MSG Entertainments compensation program for the 2022 fiscal year and how each element was linked to MSG Entertainments performance. The MSG Entertainment
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Compensation Committee, after considering the advice of its independent compensation consultant, approved certain changes to the elements of MSG Entertainments compensation program for the 2023 fiscal year, which are described further below under MSG Entertainments Compensation Program Practices and Policies Changes to Fiscal Year 2023 Compensation Program.
Component
|
Performance Link
|
Description
| ||||||
Base Salary |
Cash |
Fixed level of compensation determined primarily based on the role, job performance and experience
Intended to compensate the NEOs for day-to-day services performed | ||||||
Annual Incentive | Cash |
Financial (50%)
|
Total MSG Entertainment Net Revenue (40%) |
Performance-based cash incentive opportunity
Designed to be based on the achievement of pre-determined financial and strategic performance measures approved by the MSG Entertainment Compensation Committee | ||||
MSG Entertainment AOI (60%) | ||||||||
Strategic (50%)
|
Strategic Objectives
| |||||||
Long- Term Incentive |
Performance Stock Units (50%) |
Total MSG Entertainment Net Revenue (50%)
|
Financial performance targets are pre-determined by the MSG Entertainment Compensation Committee to incentivize strong execution of MSG Entertainments strategy and long-term financial goals
Cliff-vest after three years to the extent that financial performance targets measured in the last year of the three-year period are achieved
| |||||
MSG Entertainment Business
| ||||||||
Restricted Stock Units (50%) |
Stock Price Performance
|
Share-based award establishes direct alignment with MSG Entertainment stock price performance and stockholder interests
Vest ratably over three years |
MSG Entertainments 2022 Fiscal Year Annual Compensation Opportunities Mix
As described above, MSG Entertainments compensation program is designed with significant long-term performance-based and at-risk components. For the 2022 fiscal year, a substantial majority of the NEOs MSG
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Entertainment compensation was at risk, with a majority of at-risk compensation granted in the form of long-term equity-based awards.
Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Pay Mix(1)(2) |
Average NEO Pay Mix(1)(2) (excluding Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer) | |
|
|
(1) | Reflects the allocation of base salary, annual target bonus opportunity, and long-term incentive award target value as set forth in the NEOs employment agreements with MSG Entertainment for the 2022 fiscal year. |
(2) | Sum of compensation elements or the At-Risk value shown may not add to 100% (or At-Risk value) due to rounding. |
MSG Entertainments Sound Compensation Governance Practices
MSG Entertainments executive compensation program is overseen by the wholly independent MSG Entertainment Compensation Committee, with the support of an independent compensation consultant and independent legal counsel. MSG Entertainment maintains a compensation program with strong governance features, including:
MSG Entertainments Compensation Practices | ||
✓ | Substantial proportion of standard annual compensation is at risk (89% for the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and 67% on average for the other NEOs) | |
✓ | Short- and long-term incentives earned based on the achievement of objective, pre-determined performance goals | |
✓ | Stockholder feedback considered in MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee review of compensation program | |
✓ | Anti-hedging/pledging policies | |
✓ | No excise tax gross-up provisions | |
✓ | Review of tally sheets for each NEO by MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee at least annually | |
✓ | Fully independent MSG Entertainment Compensation Committee oversight of compensation decisions | |
✓ | MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee utilizes support of an independent compensation consultant and independent legal counsel. |
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MSG Entertainments Compensation Program Practices and Policies
The following discussion describes the practices and policies implemented by MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022. For the 2022 fiscal year, compensation for each NEO was subject to an employment agreement approved by MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee.
During fiscal year 2022, MSG Entertainment entered into a new multi-year employment agreement with Mr. Dolan, effective as of August 1, 2021. The prior employment agreement with MSG Entertainment had been entered into at the time of the spin-off of MSG Entertainment in April 2020, with a scheduled expiration date on the first anniversary of the spin-off. The MSG Entertainment Compensation Committee was responsible for overseeing matters relating to the new agreement and was advised by the MSG Entertainment Compensation Committees independent compensation consultant and represented in the negotiations by the MSG Entertainment Compensation Committees independent legal counsel. Prior to the Networks Merger, Mr. Dolan was employed as Executive Chairman of MSG Networks pursuant to the terms of a multi-year employment agreement that continued to apply following the Networks Merger (but which has been superseded by the terms of Mr. Dolans new agreement with MSG Entertainment). In the course of their review, the independent compensation consultant provided the MSG Entertainment Compensation Committee with broad market data (both industry-related and general industry data) on multi-year arrangements involving executive chairman and chief executive officer positions, information relating to the terms of Mr. Dolans employment agreement with MSG Networks, as well as other information relating to MSG Entertainments performance and operations and other internal executive compensation data. The MSG Entertainment Compensation Committees review also took into account various other factors, including MSG Entertainments overall objectives and philosophy of its executive compensation program, the components of the proposed compensation arrangement, Mr. Dolans extensive experience and history with MSG Entertainment and its predecessors and affiliates, his in-depth knowledge of MSG Entertainments business and key involvement in the Sphere initiatives, his leadership and relationship with senior management and the overall scope and responsibilities of his role as Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
Role of the MSG Entertainment Compensation Committee
MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee administers MSG Entertainments executive compensation program. The responsibilities of MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee are set forth in its charter. Among other responsibilities, MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee: (1) establishes MSG Entertainments general compensation philosophy and, in consultation with management, oversees the development and implementation of MSG Entertainments compensation programs; (2) reviews and approves corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of MSG Entertainments executive officers who are required to file reports with the SEC under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, evaluates their performance in light of those goals and objectives, and determines and approves their respective compensation levels based on this evaluation; (3) oversees the activities of the committee or committees administering MSG Entertainments retirement and benefit plans; and (4) administers MSG Entertainments equity-based compensation plans.
Role of the Independent MSG Entertainment Compensation Consultant
MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee has authority under its charter to engage outside consultants to assist in the performance of its duties and responsibilities. MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee utilizes the services of ClearBridge Compensation Group LLC (the MSG Entertainment independent compensation consultant), an independent compensation consultant, to assist in determining whether the elements of MSG Entertainments executive compensation program are reasonable and consistent with MSG Entertainments objectives.
The MSG Entertainment independent compensation consultant collaborates with independent legal counsel to the MSG Entertainment Compensation Committee and reports directly to MSG Entertainments Compensation
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Committee and, at the request of MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee, the MSG Entertainment independent compensation consultant meets with members of MSG Entertainments management from time to time for the purpose of gathering information on management proposals and recommendations to be presented to MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee.
With respect to compensation matters for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, the services provided by the MSG Entertainment independent compensation consultant to MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee included:
| Attending all MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee meetings; |
| Providing information, research, and analysis pertaining to MSG Entertainments executive compensation program for the 2022 fiscal year; |
| Regularly updating MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee on market trends, changing practices, and legislation pertaining to compensation; |
| Assisting MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee in making pay determinations for MSG Entertainments executive officers; |
| Assisting MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee in connection with the entry into new employment agreements with certain of MSG Entertainments named executive officers; |
| Advising on the design of MSG Entertainments executive compensation program and the reasonableness of individual compensation targets and awards; |
| Conducting a compensation risk assessment; |
| Advising on compensation matters in connection with the Networks Merger; |
| Providing advice and recommendations that incorporate both market data and company-specific factors; and |
| Assisting MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee in connection with its review and update to its non-employee director compensation program. |
During the 2022 fiscal year, the MSG Entertainment independent compensation consultant provided no services to MSG Entertainment other than those provided to MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee.
MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee charter requires MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee to consider the NYSE independence factors before receiving advice from an advisor, despite the fact that such independence rules are not applicable to controlled companies. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee concluded that the MSG Entertainment independent compensation consultant satisfies the independence requirements of the NYSE rules. In addition, MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee believed that the MSG Entertainment independent compensation consultants work did not raise any conflicts of interest during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022. In reaching this conclusion, MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee considered the same rules regarding advisor independence.
Role of MSG Entertainment Executive Officers in Determining Compensation
MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee reviews the performance and compensation of MSG Entertainments Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and, following discussions with the MSG Entertainment independent compensation consultant, establishes his compensation. MSG Entertainments senior management assists MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee and the MSG Entertainment independent compensation consultant as described in this Compensation Discussion & Analysis, and provides to MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee, either directly or through the MSG Entertainment independent compensation consultant, managements recommendations on the compensation for MSG Entertainments
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executive officers other than the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Other members of MSG Entertainments management provide support to MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee as needed. Based upon a review of performance and historical compensation, recommendations and information from members of MSG Entertainments management, and recommendations and discussions with the MSG Entertainment independent compensation consultant, MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee determines and approves compensation for its executive officers.
MSG Entertainments Performance Objectives
As described below under Elements of MSG Entertainments Compensation Program, performance-based incentive compensation is an important element of MSG Entertainments executive compensation program.
Generally, MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee has historically based the performance objectives for MSG Entertainments incentive compensation on Total MSG Entertainment Net Revenue and AOI. MSG Entertainment considers these performance objectives to be key measures of MSG Entertainments operating performance, and currently expects to follow this practice in the future.
MSG Entertainment defines Total MSG Entertainment Net Revenue as MSG Entertainments total revenue for all business units other than specified divisions where direct contribution is the measure used, in which cases Total MSG Entertainment Net Revenue includes the direct contribution of those units. Direct contribution is revenue less event-related expenses. In those instances, MSG Entertainments management believes direct contribution serves as a more meaningful measure of revenue.
MSG Entertainment defines AOI, which is a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure, as MSG Entertainments operating income (loss) before (i) adjustments to remove the impact of non-cash straight-line leasing revenue associated with Arena License Agreements, (ii) depreciation, amortization and impairments of property and equipment, goodwill and intangible assets, (iii) amortization for capitalized cloud computing arrangement costs, (iv) share-based compensation expense, (v) restructuring charges or credits, (vi) merger and acquisition related costs, including litigation expenses, (vii) gains or losses on sales or dispositions of businesses and associated settlements, (viii) the impact of Purchase Accounting Adjustments related to business acquisitions, and (ix) gains and losses related to the remeasurement of liabilities under MSG Entertainments executive deferred compensation plan (which was established in November 2021). MSG Entertainment Business Unit AOI is based upon the AOI of MSG Entertainments business segments less unallocated corporate business unit expenses such as public company costs and merger and acquisition support, subject to certain adjustments.
The performance measures used for purposes of annual incentives or long-term awards may contemplate certain potential future adjustments and exclusions.
Tally Sheets
MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee has reviewed tally sheets prepared by the MSG Entertainment independent compensation consultant, setting forth all components of compensation payable, and the benefits accruing, to the NEOs including all cash compensation, benefits, perquisites and the current value of outstanding equity-based awards. The tally sheets also set forth potential payouts to such NEOs upon various termination scenarios.
Determining MSG Entertainment Compensation Levels; Benchmarking
As part of the MSG Entertainment Compensation Committees review of the total compensation for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, the MSG Entertainment independent compensation consultant assisted MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee in: (1) determining if a peer group should be used for comparative
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purposes, (2) assessing executive compensation in light of internal and external considerations and (3) reviewing MSG Entertainments equity and cash-based executive incentive programs, taking into account evolving market trends. MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee, in consultation with the MSG Entertainment independent compensation consultant, considered broad market data (both industry-related and general industry data) and multiple broad-based compensation surveys in order to appropriately assess compensation levels.
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee, in consultation with the MSG Entertainment independent compensation consultant, determined not to utilize a peer group or target positioning in determining compensation given the limited number of comparable publicly-traded companies.
In addition to the market data listed above, MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee considered internal information (historical compensation, job responsibility, experience, parity among executive officers, contractual commitments and attraction and retention of talent) to determine compensation.
Elements of MSG Entertainments Compensation Program
MSG Entertainments executive compensation philosophy is reflected in the principal elements of its executive compensation program, each of which is important to MSG Entertainments goal of attracting, retaining, motivating and rewarding highly-qualified executive officers. MSG Entertainments compensation program included the following key elements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022: base salary, annual cash incentives, long-term incentives, retirement, health and welfare and other benefits, which are generally provided to all other eligible employees of MSG Entertainment, and additional executive officer benefits, including post-termination compensation under certain circumstances and certain perquisites, each as described below.
A significant percentage of total direct compensation is allocated to incentive compensation in accordance with the philosophy of MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee. MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee reviews historical compensation, other information provided by the MSG Entertainment independent compensation consultant and other factors, such as experience, performance, length of service and contractual commitments, to determine the appropriate level and mix of compensation for its executive officers. The allocation between cash and equity compensation and between short-term and long-term compensation is designed to provide a variety of fixed and at-risk compensation that is related to the achievement of MSG Entertainments short-term and long-term objectives.
Mr. Dolan is also employed by MSG Sports as its Executive Chairman. Mr. Dolan receives separate compensation from MSG Sports with respect to such employment. Prior to the Networks Merger, Mr. Dolan was also employed by MSG Networks, and he received separate compensation from MSG Networks during the 2021 fiscal year. While the MSG Entertainment Compensation Committee was aware that Mr. Dolan also received compensation for services rendered to MSG Sports, its own compensation decisions were based on its independent assessment and application of the compensation goals and objectives of MSG Entertainment. The compensation program and philosophies discussed in this information statement reflect only compensation that is paid by MSG Entertainment for services rendered to MSG Entertainment, except as otherwise noted.
See Key Elements of 2023 Expected Compensation from the Company below for information regarding the compensation expected to be paid by the Company to our NEOs following the Distribution.
Base Salaries
MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee is responsible for setting the base salaries of its executive officers, which are intended to compensate them for the day-to-day services that they perform for MSG Entertainment. MSG Entertainment set the base salaries for these executive officers at levels that are intended to reflect the competitive marketplace in attracting and retaining quality executive officers. The employment
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agreements between MSG Entertainment and the executive officers contain a minimum base salary level. MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee reviews the salaries of its executive officers at least annually. MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee may adjust base salaries for its executive officers over time, based on their performance and experience and in accordance with the terms of their employment agreements.
The MSG Entertainment base salary rates for Messrs. Dolan, Byrnes, Haughton and DAmbrosio and Ms. Zeppetella in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022 were as follows: $2,000,000, $800,000, $1,100,000, $680,000 and $550,000, respectively. See footnote 1 to Historical Compensation Information Summary Compensation Table for additional information regarding the base salaries paid by MSG Entertainment to our NEOs during its fiscal year. MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee determined salaries for the NEOs after evaluation of MSG Entertainment and individual performance, market pay levels, the range of increases generally provided to MSG Entertainments employees and, to the extent appropriate, MSG Entertainment managements recommendations.
Annual Cash Incentives
Overview
MSG Entertainments annual cash incentives earned for performance in the 2022 fiscal year were determined by performance against goals established by the MSG Entertainment Compensation Committee under the MSG Entertainments Management Performance Incentive Plan (MPIP). Under the MPIP, eligible members of management were provided an opportunity to earn an annual cash award. The size of the bonus pool was based on performance measures tied to Total MSG Entertainment Net Revenue and MSG Entertainment AOI targets for the 2022 fiscal year as well as certain pre-determined strategic objectives.
This annual incentive was designed to link executive compensation directly to MSG Entertainments performance by providing incentives and rewards based upon business performance during the applicable fiscal year.
MPIP awards to all eligible employees were conditioned upon the satisfaction of predetermined financial and strategic objectives. For the 2022 fiscal year, MSG Entertainment applied a business function-specific weighting system, with the weighting between financial and strategic objectives for each business function depending on the specific challenges and desired focus of that function. MSG Entertainment had 12 business functions in fiscal year 2022 including: MSG Networks, Productions, Live, Marketing Partnerships, Venue Operations, MSG Ventures, MSG Studios and Corporate, with a varied range of strategic weightings determined by the MSG Entertainment Compensation Committee, depending on the particular business function. The financial and strategic objectives for the Corporate function (including named executive officers) were each weighted 50% to reflect MSG Entertainments focus on supporting the business units in safely and efficiently bringing business back following the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as MSG Entertainments long-term goals for transformative strategic growth and development, including the development of MSG Spheres.
MPIP results were calculated based on performance achievement against these predetermined goals, as discussed below for MSG Entertainments Corporate function.
As discussed in Performance Targets & Achievement Levels below, as a result of the level of achievement of the adjusted Corporate financial and strategic objectives, the payout level of the annual cash incentives was calculated at 139.2% of the target level.
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Target Award Opportunities
Each employee eligible for an annual incentive award from MSG Entertainment was assigned a target award equal to a percentage of that employees base salary as of the conclusion of the applicable fiscal year. Target annual incentive opportunities were based upon the applicable employees position, grade level, responsibilities, and historical and expected future contributions to MSG Entertainment. In addition, each employment agreement between MSG Entertainment and each of the NEOs contains a minimum target annual incentive award level. The MSG Entertainment Compensation Committee reviews the target annual incentive award levels of the NEOs at least annually, subject to the minimum target annual incentive award level set forth in each employment agreement between MSG Entertainment and each of the NEOs.
Annual Incentive Payouts
The below table summarizes each NEOs target annual incentive opportunity and actual 2022 fiscal year annual incentive payouts from MSG Entertainment, as determined by MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee. The annual incentive payouts are described in more detail below:
Name |
2022 Fiscal Year Base Salary |
Target Incentive (% of Base Salary) |
Actual 2022 Fiscal Year MPIP as a % of Target |
Actual 2022 Fiscal Year Annual Incentive Award |
||||||||||||
James L. Dolan |
$ | 2,000,000 | 200 | % | 139.2 | % | $ | 5,566,000 | ||||||||
David F. Byrnes(1) |
$ | 800,000 | 100 | % | 139.2 | % | $ | 1,113,200 | ||||||||
Jamal H. Haughton(2) |
$ | 1,100,000 | 100 | % | 139.2 | % | $ | 1,530,650 | ||||||||
Philip G. DAmbrosio |
$ | 680,000 | 75 | % | 158.8 | %(3) | $ | 809,665 | (3) | |||||||
Courtney M. Zeppetella(4) |
$ | 550,000 | | | |
(1) | Pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement, Mr. Byrnes was also provided a one-time cash award in the amount of $811,868 in connection with the forfeiture of earned compensation payable to him by his previous employer. Mr. Byrnes will be required to repay the gross amount of this one-time cash award in the event of his resignation without good reason or termination for cause within one year following the commencement of his employment with MSG Entertainment. |
(2) | Pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement, Mr. Haughton was also provided a one-time cash award in the amount of $250,000 in connection with the commencement of his employment with MSG Entertainment. Mr. Haughton will be required to repay the prorated amount of this one-time cash award in the event of his resignation without good reason or termination for cause within one year following the commencement of his employment with MSG Entertainment (proration based on the number of calendar days remaining until the first anniversary of the effective date, less all applicable payroll taxes). |
(3) | Mr. DAmbrosios 2022 incentive payout reflects an additional $100,000 (in excess of the 139.2% annual cash incentive payout for the corporate function) in recognition of his contributions to MSG Entertainments financing efforts. |
(4) | Pursuant to the terms of her employment agreement, Ms. Zeppetella was not eligible for an annual cash incentive award for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, and was provided a one-time special cash award in the amount of $200,000. Ms. Zeppetella will be required to repay the prorated amount of this one-time cash award in the event of her resignation without good reason or termination for cause within one year following the commencement of her employment with MSG Entertainment (proration based on the number of calendar days remaining until the first anniversary of the effective date, less all applicable payroll taxes). |
Performance Targets & Achievement Levels
Financial Component (50%):
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, the MPIP financial performance objectives were set recognizing the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and expected ramp-up during fiscal year 2022, the expected
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impacts of the Networks Merger (including transaction fees and synergies), and included rigorous Total MSG Entertainment Net Revenue (weighted 40% of the financial component) and Company AOI (weighted 60% of the financial component) targets, with potential payouts under this component ranging from 0-200% of target.
The financial component of the MPIP was determined after assessing the consolidated financial performance against the predetermined targets. The MPIP provides for pre-approved adjustments, including with respect to the MSG Networks business and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, when evaluating the financial performance against the pre-determined objectives.
The measurement against the adjusted targets for the 2022 fiscal year provided the following calculated results:
Financial Metrics (Weighting) |
2022 Fiscal Year Payout Results | |
Revenues (40%) |
99.6% of target | |
AOI (60%) |
174.9% of target |
Based on the performance against these pre-determined financial performance objectives, the calculated result of the financial component of the MPIP, giving effect to the payment provisions of the MPIP, was 144.8%.
Strategic Component (50%):
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, the MPIP also included a performance component that measured achievement against relevant strategic goals, objectives and metrics specified each fiscal year. These goals, objectives and metrics are reviewed and approved by the MSG Entertainment Compensation Committee at the beginning of each year.
Goal Setting Process: Each year, specific goals are established for each business function. These goals are intended to align with MSG Entertainments broad strategic initiatives and are subdivided into discrete objectives, which are further cascaded down into specific, measurable metrics that are used to enumerate year-end achievement. As part of this process, each goal (and its related tactics) is assigned a weight, and at the end of the fiscal year, each goal and tactics level of achievement is evaluated and assigned a rating of 0-200%. Taking into account the weight of each goal and tactic, these ratings are then used to derive the overall strategic score for each business function.
2022 Fiscal Year Corporate Goals & Achievement: In the 2022 fiscal year, the Corporate functions strategic component focused on numerous core strategies aimed at supporting business units in safely and efficiently bringing business back, supporting MSG Entertainments MSG Sphere initiative and driving value through corporate structuring and key new business initiatives and special projects. These Corporate function goals were supported by more than 50 individual measurable metrics and tactics.
The strategic component for eligible NEO payouts was calculated based on the extent to which Corporate-specific objectives and metrics were achieved in the fiscal year.
Based on the performance against these predetermined Corporate objectives, the MSG Entertainment Compensation Committee determined the payout result of the strategic component of the MPIP for the Corporate function was achieved at 133.5% of target.
Annual Cash Incentive Payout:
As a result of level of achievement of the Corporate financial and strategic objectives, as discussed above, the payout level of the annual cash incentives was calculated at 139.2% of the target level for the 2022 fiscal year.
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Long-term Incentives
Long-term incentives represent a substantial portion of MSG Entertainments executive officers annual total direct compensation. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, MSG Entertainments standard long-term incentives were comprised of performance stock units and restricted stock units.
MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee believes this equity mix:
| Establishes strong alignment between its executive officers and the interests of MSG Entertainments stockholders; |
| Provides meaningful incentive to drive actions that will improve MSG Entertainments long term stockholder value; and |
| Supports MSG Entertainments objectives of attracting and retaining the best executive officer talent. |
The following table summarizes MSG Entertainments 2022 fiscal year standard annual long-term incentive awards for the NEOs, excluding Ms. Zeppetella:
Element | Weighting | Summary | ||||
MSG Entertainment Restricted Stock Units | 50% | ✓ | Share-based award establishes direct alignment with MSG Entertainments stock price performance and its stockholder interests | |||
✓ | Vest ratably over three years | |||||
MSG Entertainment Performance Stock Units |
50% |
✓ | Performance is measured by Total MSG Entertainment Net Revenue and MSG Entertainment Business Unit AOI, which are equally weighted and considered key value drivers of MSG Entertainments business | |||
✓ | Financial performance targets are pre-determined by MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee early in the three-year performance period to incentivize strong execution of MSG Entertainments strategy and long-term financial goals | |||||
✓ | Cliff-vest after three years to the extent that financial performance targets measured in the final year of the three-year period are achieved |
Additional information regarding long-term incentive awards granted by MSG Entertainment to the Companys NEOs during the 2022 fiscal year is set forth in the Summary Compensation Table and the Grants of MSG Entertainment Plan-Based Awards table under Historical Compensation Information below. See Treatment of Outstanding Awards below for a discussion of the impact of the Distribution on outstanding MSG Entertainment long-term incentive awards.
MSG Entertainment Restricted Stock Units
MSG Entertainments restricted stock units serve to align its executive officers interests with those of its stockholders and promote the retention of employees, including its executive officers.
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MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee approved the following awards of MSG Entertainment restricted stock units to the Companys NEOs for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022 pursuant to MSG Entertainments Employee Stock Plan (the MSG Entertainment Employee Stock Plan):
Name |
Restricted Stock Units |
Grant Value(1) | ||||||
James L. Dolan(2) |
84,736 | $ | 6,745,928 | |||||
David F. Byrnes(3) |
7,415 | $ | 607,882 | |||||
Jamal H. Haughton(3) |
8,033 | $ | 658,545 | |||||
Philip G. DAmbrosio |
7,300 | $ | 577,211 | |||||
Courtney M. Zeppetella(4) |
| |
(1) | The grant date fair value listed above is calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 (Topic 718). MSG Entertainment determines the number of restricted stock units to grant by dividing the target grant value by the 20-trading day average ending on the day before the date of approval by MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee. |
(2) | This amount includes 15,757 units ($1,291,759) granted in April 2022 to reflect the increased target long-term incentive opportunity (on a non-pro rata basis) as a result of Mr. Dolans new employment agreement effective August 2021. |
(3) | With respect to Messrs. Byrnes and Haughton, this amount was granted in April 2022 to reflect long-term incentive opportunities under their employment agreements on a non-pro rata basis. |
(4) | Pursuant to the terms of her employment agreement, Ms. Zeppetella was not eligible for any grant of long-term incentive awards for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022. |
MSG Entertainments standard restricted stock units vest ratably over three years on September 15th of each year following the year of grant, subject to continued employment and employment agreement terms (as applicable). Mid-year grants in respect of an out-of-cycle promotion, increase in compensation or new-hire typically vest on the same time frame as standard restricted stock units granted that fiscal year.
MSG Entertainment Performance Stock Units
Performance stock units are intended to align MSG Entertainments executive officers interests with those of its stockholders, with a focus on long-term financial results.
Under MSG Entertainments executive compensation program for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, performance stock units were granted to MSG Entertainments executive officers and certain other members of its management pursuant to the MSG Entertainment Employee Stock Plan.
2022 Fiscal Year Grants
During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee approved the following awards of MSG Entertainment performance stock units to the Companys NEOs for the 2022-2024 fiscal year period:
Name |
Performance Stock Units (at target) |
Grant Date Fair Value(1) |
||||||
James L. Dolan(2) |
84,736 | $ | 4,402,883 | |||||
David F. Byrnes(3) |
7,415 | $ | 385,283 | |||||
Jamal H. Haughton(3) |
8,033 | $ | 417,395 | |||||
Philip G. DAmbrosio |
7,300 | $ | 379,308 | |||||
Courtney M. Zeppetella(4) |
| |
(1) | The grant date fair value listed above is calculated in accordance with Topic 718. Under Topic 718, the date of grant for performance stock units is the date the performance targets are set for such awards, which, for |
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the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022 was on June 28, 2022. MSG Entertainment determines the number of performance stock units to grant by dividing the target grant value by the 20-trading day average ending on the day before the date of approval by MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee. |
(2) | With respect to Mr. Dolan, this amount includes 15,757 units ($818,734) approved in April 2022 to reflect the increased target long-term incentive opportunity (on a non-pro rata basis) as a result of Mr. Dolans new employment agreement effective August 2021. |
(3) | With respect to Messrs. Byrnes and Haughton, this amount was approved in April 2022 to reflect long-term incentive opportunities under their employment agreements on a non-pro rata basis. |
(4) | Pursuant to the terms of her employment agreement, Ms. Zeppetella was not eligible for any grant of long-term incentive awards for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022. |
MSG Entertainments performance stock units are structured to be settled upon the later of September 15th following a three-year period, and the date of certification of achievement against pre-determined performance goals measured in the final year of such three-year period. Mid-year grants in respect of an out-of-cycle promotion, increase in compensation or new-hire typically settle on the same time frame as standard performance stock units granted that fiscal year.
Target Setting
For the 2022 fiscal year performance stock units approved in August 2021 and April 2022 for the 2022-2024 fiscal year period, MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee selected Total MSG Entertainment Net Revenue and MSG Entertainment Business Unit AOI as the two financial metrics to be measured in the final fiscal year of the vesting period.
Goals were set in June 2022 based on MSG Entertainments long-range plan, which is subject to review by the board of directors of MSG Entertainment. MSG Entertainments long-range plan is confidential and disclosure of those targets could provide information that could lead to competitive harm, and for this reason the performance stock unit financial performance targets are not disclosed; however, MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee seeks to make target goals ambitious, requiring meaningful growth over the performance period, while threshold goals are expected to be achievable. MSG Entertainment intends to disclose the Total MSG Entertainment Net Revenue and MSG Entertainment Business Unit AOI payout results as a percentage of target as well as the resulting payout for the 2022 fiscal year performance stock units as a percentage of target measured in the last year of the three-year vesting period (i.e., performance is based on 2024 fiscal year performance).
MSG Entertainment Financial Metrics (Weighting) |
Threshold Performance |
Maximum Performance | ||
Total MSG Entertainment Net Revenue (50%) |
85% of target goal | 115% of target goal | ||
MSG Entertainment Business Unit AOI (50%) |
75% of target goal | 125% of target goal |
The performance stock unit payout opportunity ranges from 0 to 110% of target, based on MSG Entertainments performance and subject to continued employment and employment agreement terms (as applicable). At the threshold performance level, the award would vest at 90% of the target performance stock units, and at or above the maximum performance level, the award would vest at 110% of the target performance stock units. If MSG Entertainment exceeds threshold levels but does not achieve the targeted rates, or if MSG Entertainment achieves or exceeds one target but not both, the award provides for partial payments. No performance stock units would vest if MSG Entertainment fails to achieve both threshold levels of performance.
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2020 Fiscal Year Performance Stock Unit Awards
The performance stock units issued by MSG Entertainment at the time of the 2020 Entertainment Distribution in respect of the MSG Sports performance stock units granted by The Madison Square Garden Company during the 2020 fiscal year (the 2020 fiscal year performance stock units) were amended by MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee following the 2020 Entertainment Distribution to reflect Total MSG Entertainment Net Revenue and MSG Entertainment Business Unit AOI performance objectives, weighted at 50% each, measured over a July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022 performance period (the third year of the three-year performance award). The level of achievement for each performance objective was adjusted in accordance with the terms of the awards. Based on the performance against these predetermined objectives, the Total MSG Entertainment Net Revenue and MSG Entertainment Business Unit AOI performance results as a percentage of target performance were calculated at 99.7% and 105.7%, respectively, with a resulting calculated payout for the 2020 fiscal year performance stock units of 102.7% of target. The 2020 fiscal year performance stock units were settled in September 2022.
With respect to Mr. Dolan, who was employed by both the Company and MSG Sports during the 2020 fiscal year, the payout multiplier was determined based on the performance of MSG Entertainment and MSG Sports, with the performance for each company blended as a weighted average based on Mr. Dolans total direct compensation allocated between MSG Entertainment and MSG Sports at the time of the 2020 Entertainment Distribution, and applied to both his MSG Entertainment and MSG Sports performance stock units. As a result, the payout of Mr. Dolans MSG Entertainment 2020 fiscal year performance stock units was 102.7% of target. For more information on the MSG Sports 2020 performance stock units payout level, see MSG Sports 2022 Definitive Proxy Statement.
Treatment of MSG Networks Equity Awards
In connection with the Networks Merger, the MSG Networks stock options and restricted stock unit awards, including such awards held by any NEO who was also employed by MSG Networks, were assumed by MSG Entertainment and converted into a stock option or restricted stock unit denominated in shares of MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock based on an exchange ratio of 0.172 (stock options and restricted stock units subject to performance vesting conditions were converted to stock options and restricted stock units, as applicable, with time-vesting conditions for the remainder of the performance period assuming the performance conditions were achieved at 100% of target). Additional details regarding the assumption and conversion of the MSG Networks awards is available in the joint proxy statement/prospectus filed by MSG Entertainment and MSG Networks in connection with the Networks Merger.
MSG Entertainments Hedging and Pledging Policies
MSG Entertainments Insider Trading Policy prohibits all of its directors, consultants and employees (including its executive officers), and all members of their immediate families or any individual who is materially dependent upon them for financial support who reside in the same household, from directly or indirectly (i) engaging in short sales, short sales against the box or other hedging transactions unless otherwise permitted by MSG Entertainment and (ii) placing securities in margin accounts or otherwise pledging MSG Entertainment securities.
Holding Requirements
Under MSG Entertainments executive compensation program for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, annual restricted stock unit awards vest ratably over three years and annual performance stock unit awards cliff-vest after three years to the extent that pre-determined financial performance targets measured in the last year of the three-year period are achieved, in each case, so long as the recipient is continuously employed by MSG Entertainment until the applicable vesting date (and subject to the performance conditions described above and
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any applicable terms of the award agreements and their MSG Entertainment employment agreement). With respect to MSG Entertainments non-management directors, compensation includes annual awards of MSG Entertainment restricted stock units. Pursuant to MSG Entertainments award agreements, directors restricted stock units are settled in shares of MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock (or, in the MSG Entertainment Compensation Committees discretion, cash) on the first business day following 90 days after service on the board of directors of MSG Entertainment ceases (other than in the event of a directors death, where the MSG Entertainment restricted stock units are settled immediately). One effect of the cliff and three-year ratable vesting (with respect to MSG Entertainments named executive officers or eligible MSG Entertainment employees) and holding requirements (with respect to non-management MSG Entertainment directors) applicable to MSG Entertainment awards is to require MSG Entertainment executive officers, directors and eligible MSG Entertainment employees to maintain significant holdings of MSG Entertainment securities at all times.
Changes to Fiscal Year 2023 Compensation Program
In connection with approving the elements of MSG Entertainments compensation program for the 2023 fiscal year, the MSG Entertainment Compensation Committee, in consultation with the MSG Entertainment independent compensation consultant, determined to establish an annual incentive plan that reflected certain changes from the terms of the MPIP as in effect for the 2022 fiscal year:
| As MSG Entertainments business operations resume with increased capacity following the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, the MSG Entertainment Compensation Committee determined that it was appropriate for the MPIP for the 2023 fiscal year to further MSG Entertainments focus on profitability by increasing the portion of the financial objectives tied to AOI from 60% to 70%, with the remainder tied to Total MSG Entertainment Net Revenue. |
| For the Corporate function, the financial objectives will continue to be determined based on the performance of MSG Entertainment. |
MSG Entertainment believes that these changes for the 2023 fiscal year are appropriate for meeting MSG Entertainments annual incentive objectives. There were no changes to MSG Entertainments long-term incentive program.
MSG Entertainments Benefits
Benefits offered by MSG Entertainment to its executive officers generally provide for retirement income and serve as a safety net against hardships that can arise from illness, disability or death. MSG Entertainments executive officers are generally eligible to participate in the same health and welfare benefit plans made available to the other benefits-eligible employees of MSG Entertainment, including, for example, medical, dental, vision, life insurance and disability coverage.
Defined Benefit Plans
MSG Entertainment sponsors the MSG Entertainment Group, LLC Cash Balance Pension Plan (the Cash Balance Pension Plan), a tax-qualified defined benefit plan, which was retained by MSG Entertainment after the 2020 Entertainment Distribution, for participating employees, including certain executive officers. The Cash Balance Pension Plan was frozen to new participants and future benefit accruals effective as of December 31, 2015. Following the Distribution, we expect to offer health and welfare benefits and retirement plans that are substantially similar to the existing benefits and plans offered by MSG.
More information regarding the Cash Balance Pension Plan and the Retirement Plan is provided in the Pension Benefits table under Historical Compensation Information below.
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Defined Contribution Plans
MSG Entertainment sponsors the Madison Square Garden 401(k) Savings Plan (the Savings Plan), a tax-qualified retirement savings plan, for its participating employees, including its executive officers. The Savings Plan is a multiple employer plan to which MSG Sports also contributes as a participating employer. Under the Savings Plan, participants may contribute into their plan accounts a percentage of their eligible pay on a pre-tax basis as well as a percentage of their eligible pay on an after-tax basis. The Savings Plan provides (a) fully-vested matching contributions equal to 100% of the first 4% of eligible pay contributed on a pre-tax basis by participating employees and (b) a discretionary non-elective contribution by MSG Entertainment.
In addition, MSG Entertainment offers the MSG Entertainment Group, LLC Excess Savings Plan (the Excess Savings Plan), a non-qualified deferred compensation plan that was retained by MSG Entertainment following the 2020 Entertainment Distribution, to its employees, including its executive officers, whose contributions to the Savings Plan are restricted by the applicable IRS annual compensation limitation and/or the pre-tax income deferral limitation. More information regarding the Excess Savings Plan is provided in the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation table under Historical Compensation Information below.
Matching contributions made by MSG Entertainment in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022 in respect of the Companys NEOs under the Savings Plan are set forth in the Summary Compensation Table under Historical Compensation Information below.
MSG Cares Charitable Matching Gift Program
Since the 2020 fiscal year, MSG Entertainments employees, including its named executive officers, are eligible to participate in the MSG Cares Charitable Matching Gifts Program. Under this program, MSG Entertainment matches charitable contributions made by its employees, including the NEOs, to eligible 501(c)(3) organizations of the employees choice, in an aggregate amount of up to $1,000 per employee for each fiscal year.
MSG Entertainments Perquisites
MSG Entertainment provides certain perquisites to its executive officers as described below. Additional information concerning perquisites provided by MSG Entertainment is set forth in the Summary Compensation Table under Historical Compensation Information below. We anticipate that the arrangements described below will continue following the Distribution.
Car and Driver
Mr. Dolan has regular access to cars and drivers, which he is permitted to use for personal use in addition to business purposes. MSG Entertainment and MSG Sports shared these costs equally during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022. In addition, certain other MSG Entertainment executive officers and members of management have had access to cars and drivers on a limited basis for personal use. To the extent employees used a car and driver for personal use without reimbursement to MSG Entertainment, those employees were imputed compensation for tax purposes.
Aircraft Arrangements
During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, MSG Entertainment owned and leased certain aircraft, and also had access to various aircraft through arrangements with various Dolan family entities. Mr. Dolan has been permitted to use MSG Entertainments aircraft (including aircraft to which MSG Entertainment has access through various dry lease agreements) for personal use. Mr. Dolan is not required to reimburse MSG Entertainment for personal use of MSG Entertainment-owned aircraft. Additionally, Mr. Dolan has access to
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helicopter travel, including for personal travel. Helicopter use has primarily been for commutation and he is not required to reimburse MSG Entertainment for such use. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, MSG Entertainment and MSG Sports shared the costs of Mr. Dolans personal aircraft and helicopter use equally.
MSG Entertainment is typically reimbursed for the incremental variable costs associated with the personal use of aircraft (except as noted above). To the extent any MSG Entertainment executive officer or other employee of MSG Entertainment used any of the aircraft, including helicopters, for personal travel without reimbursement to MSG Entertainment, they were imputed compensation for tax purposes based on the Standard Industry Fare Level rates that are published biannually by the IRS. For compensation reporting purposes, MSG Entertainment valued the incremental cost of the personal use of the aircraft based on the variable costs incurred by MSG Entertainment net of any reimbursements received from its executive officers. The incremental cost of the use of the aircraft does not include any costs that would have been incurred by MSG Entertainment whether or not the personal trip was taken.
See Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions Relationship between MSG Entertainment and Us After the Distribution Aircraft Arrangements for a description of certain aircraft arrangements that we will enter into with MSG Entertainment prior to the Distribution.
Executive Security
Mr. Dolan participates in MSG Entertainments executive security program, including services related to cybersecurity and connectivity. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, MSG Sports and MSG Entertainment shared the costs of such participation in their security program equally. Because certain of these costs can be viewed as conveying personal benefits to Mr. Dolan, they are reported as perquisites.
Other
From time to time certain MSG Entertainment employees, including its executive officers (and their guests), have access to tickets to sporting events and other entertainment at MSG Entertainments venues at no cost, and may also purchase tickets at face value. Attendance at such events is integrally and directly related to the performance of the executive officers duties, and, as such, MSG Entertainment does not deem the receipt of such tickets to be perquisites.
MSG Entertainment named executive officers may also make incidental use from time to time of certain amenities made available through MSG Entertainment resources, such as food and beverage at MSG Entertainments nightlife, dining and entertainment venues.
MSG Entertainments Post-Termination Compensation
MSG Entertainment believes that post-termination benefits are integral to its ability to attract and retain qualified executive officers. See Employment Agreements below for a description of the severance arrangements that MSG Entertainment has agreed to provide our NEOs in the event of a qualifying termination of employment from MSG Entertainment.
Under certain circumstances, payments or other benefits may be provided by MSG Entertainment to its employees upon the termination of their employment with MSG Entertainment. These may include payments or other benefits upon a termination by MSG Entertainment without cause, termination by the employee for good reason, other voluntary termination by the employee, retirement, death, disability, or termination following a change in control of MSG Entertainment or following a going-private transaction. With respect to the NEOs, the amounts and terms of such payments and other benefits (including the definition of cause and good reason) are governed by each NEOs employment agreement and any applicable award agreements with MSG Entertainment.
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Employment Agreements
We intend to enter into an employment agreement with Mr. Dolan effective as of the Distribution, the material terms of which are described below. As noted above, Mr. Dolan will continue as an officer of MSG Entertainment following the Distribution.
Effective as of the Distribution date, we expect that MSG Entertainment will assign to us, and we will assume, the employment agreements between MSG Entertainment and each of Messrs. Byrnes, Haughton and DAmbrosio and Ms. Zeppetella, the material terms of which are also described below.
James L. Dolan
We intend to enter into an employment agreement with Mr. Dolan which will provide for Mr. Dolans employment as the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The employment agreement will recognize that Mr. Dolan will be employed by MSG Entertainment and MSG Sports during his employment with the Company.
The employment agreement will provide for an annual base salary of not less than $1,000,000. Mr. Dolan will be eligible to participate in the Companys 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, 2023, he will also be eligible, subject to his continued employment by the Company, to participate in such long-term incentive programs that are made available in the future to similarly situated executives at the Company, with an aggregate annual target value of not less than $6,000,000. Mr. Dolan will be eligible to participate in the Companys 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 June 30, 2024, Mr. Dolans employment is either terminated by the Company for any reason other than cause (as will be defined in the employment agreement), or is terminated by Mr. Dolan for good reason (as will be defined in the employment agreement) and cause does not then exist, then, subject to Mr. Dolans execution of a separation agreement, the Company will provide him with the following benefits and rights: (a) a severance payment in an amount determined at the discretion of the Company, but in no event less than two times the sum of Mr. Dolans 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. Dolans 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. Dolans 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. Dolans outstanding unvested stock options and stock appreciation awards will immediately vest.
If Mr. Dolans employment is terminated due to his death or disability before June 30, 2024, 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) 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 Companys Compensation Committee (subject to the satisfaction of the applicable performance criteria). If Mr. Dolans employment is terminated after June 30, 2024
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either by the Company for any reason other than cause, by Mr. Dolan for good reason and cause does not then exist, or due to 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.
Following June 30, 2024, certain provisions of Mr. Dolans employment agreement regarding annual cash and equity compensation will no longer continue in effect with respect to services following such date.
The employment agreement will contain certain covenants by Mr. Dolan, including a noncompetition agreement that will restrict Mr. Dolans ability to engage in competitive activities until the first anniversary of a termination of his employment with the Company.
David F. Byrnes
Pursuant to his employment agreement with MSG Entertainment dated December 20, 2021, Mr. Byrnes receives an annual base salary of not less than $800,000. Commencing with the Companys fiscal year starting July 1, 2021, Mr. Byrnes is eligible to participate in MSG Entertainments discretionary annual incentive program with an annual target bonus equal to not less than 100% of his annual base salary.
Commencing with the Companys fiscal year starting July 1, 2021, Mr. Byrnes is eligible, subject to his continued employment by MSG Entertainment, to participate in such long-term incentive programs that are made available to similarly situated executives of MSG Entertainment. It is expected that Mr. Byrnes will receive one or more annual long-term awards with an aggregate target value of not less than $1,200,000. Mr. Byrnes is eligible to participate in MSG Entertainments 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 December 31, 2024, Mr. Byrnes employment with MSG Entertainment is terminated (i) by MSG Entertainment other than for cause (as defined in the agreement), or (ii) by Mr. Byrnes for good reason (as defined in the agreement) and so long as cause does not then exist, then, subject to Mr. Byrnes execution of a separation agreement with MSG Entertainment, MSG Entertainment will provide him with the following benefits and rights: (a) a severance payment in an amount determined at the discretion of MSG Entertainment, but in no event less than two times the sum of Mr. Byrnes 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) any unpaid portion of the special cash award, which was paid no later than the first regular Company payroll date on or after April 1, 2022; (d) each of Mr. Byrnes outstanding long-term cash awards will immediately vest in full and will be payable to Mr. Byrnes to the same extent that other similarly situated active executives receive payment; (e) all of the time-based restrictions on each of Mr. Byrnes outstanding restricted stock or restricted stock units will immediately be eliminated and will be payable or deliverable to Mr. Byrnes subject to satisfaction of any applicable performance criteria; and (f) each of Mr. Byrnes outstanding stock options and stock appreciation awards, if any, will immediately vest.
If Mr. Byrnes employment is terminated due to his death or disability prior to December 31, 2024, 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), (c), (e) and (f) of the preceding paragraph and each of his outstanding 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).
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The employment agreement contains certain covenants by Mr. Byrnes including a noncompetition agreement that restricts Mr. Byrnes ability to engage in competitive activities until the first anniversary of a termination of his employment with MSG Entertainment.
Jamal H. Haughton
Pursuant to his employment agreement with MSG Entertainment dated October 26, 2021, which was effective as of December 6, 2021, Mr. Haughton receives an annual base salary of not less than $1,100,000. Commencing with MSG Entertainments fiscal year starting July 1, 2021, Mr. Haughton is eligible to participate in MSG Entertainments discretionary annual incentive program with an annual target bonus equal to not less than 100% of Mr. Haughtons annual base salary.
Commencing with MSG Entertainments fiscal year starting July 1, 2021, Mr. Haughton is eligible, subject to his continued employment by MSG Entertainment, to participate in future long-term incentive programs that are made available to similarly situated executives of MSG Entertainment. It is expected that Mr. Haughton will receive one or more annual long-term awards with an aggregate target value of not less than $1,300,000. Mr. Haughton is eligible to participate in MSG Entertainments 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 December 5, 2024, Mr. Haughtons employment with MSG Entertainment is either terminated (i) by MSG Entertainment other than for cause (as defined in the agreement), or (ii) by Mr. Haughton for good reason (as defined in the agreement) and so long as cause does not then exist, then, subject to Mr. Haughtons execution of a separation agreement with MSG Entertainment, MSG Entertainment will provide him with the following benefits and rights: (a) a severance payment in an amount determined at the discretion of MSG Entertainment, but in no event less than two times the sum of Mr. Haughtons 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. Haughtons outstanding long-term cash awards will immediately vest in full and will be payable to Mr. Haughton to the same extent that other similarly situated active executives receive payment; (d) all of the time-based restrictions on each of Mr. Haughtons outstanding restricted stock or restricted stock units will immediately be eliminated and will be payable or deliverable to Mr. Haughton subject to satisfaction of any applicable performance criteria; and (e) each of Mr. Haughtons outstanding stock options and stock appreciation awards, if any, will immediately vest.
If Mr. Haughtons employment is terminated due to his death or disability prior to December 5, 2024, 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 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 extent that other similarly situated executives receive payment as determined by the Compensation Committee (subject to the satisfaction of the applicable performance criteria).
The employment agreement contains certain covenants by Mr. Haughton including a non-competition agreement that restricts Mr. Haughtons ability to engage in competitive activities until the first anniversary of a termination of his employment with MSG Entertainment.
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Philip G. DAmbrosio
Pursuant to his employment agreement with MSG Entertainment dated November 17, 2021, which was effective as of January 1, 2022, Mr. DAmbrosio receives an annual base salary of not less than $680,000. Mr. DAmbrosio is eligible to participate in MSG Entertainments discretionary annual incentive program with an annual target bonus equal to not less than 75% of his annual base salary. Mr. DAmbrosio is eligible, subject to his continued employment by MSG Entertainment, to participate in such long-term incentive programs that are made available to similarly situated executives at MSG Entertainment. It is expected that Mr. DAmbrosio will receive one or more annual long-term awards with an aggregate target value of not less than $1,000,000. Mr. DAmbrosio is eligible to participate in MSG Entertainments standard benefits program, subject to meeting the relevant eligibility requirements, payment of required premiums, and the terms of the plans.
If, prior to December 31, 2024, Mr. DAmbrosios employment is terminated (i) by MSG Entertainment other than for cause (as defined in the agreement), or (ii) by Mr. DAmbrosio for good reason (as defined in the agreement) and so long as cause does not then exist, then, subject to Mr. DAmbrosios execution of a separation agreement with MSG Entertainment, MSG Entertainment will provide him with the following benefits and rights: (a) a severance payment in an amount determined at the discretion of MSG Entertainment, but in no event less than the sum of Mr. DAmbrosios annual base salary and annual target bonus; and (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.
The employment agreement contains certain covenants by Mr. DAmbrosio including a noncompetition agreement that restricts Mr. DAmbrosios ability to engage in competitive activities until the first anniversary of a termination of his employment with MSG Entertainment.
Courtney M. Zeppetella
Pursuant to her employment agreement with MSG Entertainment dated March 23, 2022, which was effective as of May 2, 2022, Ms. Zeppetella receives an annual base salary of not less than $550,000 and, commencing with MSG Entertainments fiscal year starting July 1, 2022, an annual target bonus opportunity equal to 50% of annual base salary. Ms. Zeppetella will be eligible, subject to her continued employment by MSG Entertainment, to participate, commencing with MSG Entertainments fiscal year starting July 1, 2022, in future long-term incentive programs that are made available to similarly situated executives of MSG Entertainment. It is expected that Ms. Zeppetella will receive one or more annual long-term awards with an aggregate target value of not less than $500,000.
In connection with the commencement of her employment with MSG Entertainment, Ms. Zeppetella received a one-time special cash payment of $200,000, paid within 30 days after May 2, 2022. If Ms. Zeppetellas employment with MSG Entertainment terminates prior to the first anniversary of the commencement of her employment as a result of (a) her resignation (other than for good reason (as defined in the agreement)) or (b) an involuntary termination by MSG Entertainment for cause (as defined in the agreement), then Ms. Zeppetella will be required to refund to MSG Entertainment the full amount of the special cash award.
Ms. Zeppetella will be eligible to participate in MSG Entertainments 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 May 2, 2025, Ms. Zeppetellas employment with MSG Entertainment is either terminated by MSG Entertainment other than for cause (as defined in the agreement), or by Ms. Zeppetella for good reason (as defined in the agreement) and cause does not exist, then, subject to Ms. Zeppetellas execution of a separation agreement with MSG Entertainment, MSG Entertainment will provide her with the following benefits and rights: (a) severance in an amount determined at the discretion of MSG Entertainment, but in no event less than the sum of Ms. Zeppetellas annual base salary and annual target bonus; and (b) any unpaid annual bonus
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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.
The employment agreement contains certain covenants by Ms. Zeppetella including a non-competition covenant that restricts Ms. Zeppetellas ability to engage in competitive activities until the first anniversary of a termination of her employment with MSG Entertainment; provided that the non-competition covenant will not apply following a termination of Ms. Zeppetellas employment either by MSG Entertainment other than for cause or by Ms. Zeppetella for good reason (if cause does not then exist) if Ms. Zeppetella waives her entitlement to the severance benefits described above.
Key Elements of 2023 Expected Compensation from the Company
As a newly formed entity, we did not have any executive officers or pay any compensation during the year ended June 30, 2022. The following summarizes the principal components of the annual compensation that we expect to provide following the Distribution to Messrs. Dolan, Byrnes, Haughton and DAmbrosio and Ms. Zeppetella. We have not yet determined the form of any long-term incentives to be granted.
James L. Dolan: |
||
Base Salary |
$1,000,000 | |
Target Bonus |
200% of Base Salary | |
Target Long-Term Incentives |
$6,000,000 | |
David F. Byrnes: |
||
Base Salary |
$800,000 | |
Target Bonus |
100% of Base Salary | |
Target Long-Term Incentives |
$1,700,000 | |
Jamal H. Haughton: |
||
Base Salary |
$1,100,000 | |
Target Bonus |
100% of Base Salary | |
Target Long-Term Incentives |
$1,300,000 | |
Philip G. DAmbrosio: |
||
Base Salary |
$680,000 | |
Target Bonus |
75% of Base Salary | |
Target Long-Term Incentives |
$1,000,000 | |
Courtney M. Zeppetella: |
||
Base Salary |
$550,000 | |
Target Bonus |
50% of Base Salary | |
Target Long-Term Incentives |
$500,000 |
In addition, our NEOs are expected to receive other benefits and perquisites, similar to those received by MSG Entertainments named executive officers, as discussed above.
Based on information provided to us by MSG Entertainment, Mr. Dolans direct compensation opportunities with MSG Entertainment will be reduced effective as of the Distribution by an amount equal to Mr. Dolans direct compensation opportunities under his employment agreement with the Company. His direct compensation opportunities at MSG Sports are not impacted by the Distribution. Accordingly, Mr. Dolans aggregate compensation across MSG Entertainment, MSG Sports and the Company will not change upon the Distribution.
Historical Compensation Information
All of the information set forth in the following table reflects compensation earned during the years ended June 30, 2022, 2021 and 2019. MSG Entertainments Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer is a shared employee of MSG Sports and MSG Entertainment; the information set forth below only reflects the compensation paid by MSG Entertainment for services rendered to MSG Entertainment, and excludes amounts for which MSG Sports reimbursed MSG Entertainment.
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References in the tables that follow to 2022, 2021, or 2020 refer to the year ended June 30, 2022, 2021 or 2020, respectively. The information below is therefore not necessarily indicative of the compensation these individuals will receive as executive officers of the Company.
Summary Compensation Table
Name and Principal Position |
Year | Salary ($)(1) |
Bonus ($)(2) |
Stock Awards ($)(3) |
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)(4) |
Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings ($)(5) |
All Other Compensation ($)(6) |
Total ($) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
James L. Dolan |
2022 | 1,937,500 | | 11,148,811 | 5,566,000 | | 591,368 | 19,243,679 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
2021 | 600,000 | | 5,848,014 | 1,320,000 | | 555,826 | 8,323,840 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2020 | 115,385 | | 2,305,894 | 1,439,167 | | 94,683 | 3,955,129 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
David F. Byrnes(7) Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
2022 | 338,462 | 811,868 | 993,165 | 1,113,200 | | 11,893 | 3,268,588 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Jamal H. Haughton(8) Executive Vice President and General Counsel |
2022 | 613,462 | 250,000 | 1,075,940 | 1,530,650 | | 13,112 | 3,483,164 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Philip G. DAmbrosio(9) Senior Vice President and Treasurer |
2022 | 625,481 | | 956,519 | 809,665 | | 35,618 | 2,427,283 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 575,000 | | 1,070,669 | 474,375 | | 32,370 | 2,152,414 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2020 | 110,577 | | 205,006 | 295,930 | | 235 | 611,748 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Courtney M. Zeppetella(10) Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer |
2022 | 84,615 | 200,000 | | | | 224 | 284,839 |
(1) | For 2022, the salary paid by MSG Entertainment to the NEOs accounted for approximately the following percentages of their total MSG Entertainment compensation: Mr. Dolan 10%; Mr. Byrnes 10%; Mr. Haughton 18%; Mr. DAmbrosio 26%; and Ms. Zeppetella 30%. |
The 2020 salary information excludes the following amounts paid by The Madison Square Garden Company during the Pre-Distribution Period: Mr. Dolan $807,692; and Mr. DAmbrosio $464,423.
(2) | This column reflects a one-time special bonus paid outside of the MPIP to Mr. Byrnes in connection with forfeited compensation from his previous employer and to Mr. Haughton and Ms. Zeppetella in connection with the commencement of their employment with MSG Entertainment. |
(3) | This column reflects the aggregate grant date fair value of MSG Entertainment restricted stock units and performance stock units granted to the NEOs, without any reduction for risk of forfeiture, as calculated in accordance with Topic 718 on the date of grant. Under Topic 718, the date of grant for performance stock units is the date the performance targets are set for such awards, which, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022 was on June 28, 2022. The assumptions used by MSG Entertainment in calculating these amounts are set forth in Note 17 to the financial statements included in MSG Entertainments 2022 Form 10-K. The grant date fair value of the performance stock units is shown at target performance. The number of restricted stock units and performance stock units granted to the NEOs was determined based on the 20-trading day average closing market price on the day prior to the date such awards were approved by the MSG Entertainment Compensation Committee. |
For the 2022 figures, this column reflects the value of restricted stock units approved and granted in August 2021 and April 2022 and performance stock units approved in August 2021 and April 2022 and granted for purposes of Topic 718 in June 2022. At the highest level of performance, the value of such 2022 performance stock units on the grant date for purposes of Topic 718 would be: $4,843,171 for Mr. Dolan; $423,812 for Mr. Byrnes; $459,134 for Mr. Haughton; and $417,239 for Mr. DAmbrosio. With respect to Mr. Dolan, such amounts include awards approved in April 2022 to reflect the increased long-term incentive opportunity (on a non-pro rata basis) as a result of Mr. Dolans new employment agreement effective August 2021; with respect to Messrs. Byrnes and Haughton, such awards, approved in April 2022, reflect long-term incentive opportunities under their employment agreements (on a non-pro rata basis).
For the 2021 figures, this column reflects the value of restricted stock units and performance stock units granted in August and September 2020 and April 2021. At the highest level of performance, the value of such 2021 performance stock units on the grant date
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would be: $3,379,808 for Mr. Dolan; and $613,078 for Mr. DAmbrosio. With respect to Mr. DAmbrosio, such amounts also include awards granted in April 2021 to reflect an increased long-term incentive opportunity.
For the 2020 figures, this column reflects the value of MSG Entertainment restricted stock units and performance stock units granted in April 2020 in respect of existing MSG Sports awards that were granted by The Madison Square Garden Company in August 2019. With respect to these awards, the value reflected is the pro rata portion of the grant date value of the original MSG Sports award granted in August 2019 by The Madison Square Garden Company, calculated in accordance with Topic 718, based on the stock price of MSG Entertainments and MSG Sports Class A Common Stock on the Distribution date of the 2020 Entertainment Distribution. At the highest level of performance, the value of such 2020 MSG Entertainment performance stock units on the grant date would be: $1,268,242 for Mr. Dolan; and $112,753 for Mr. DAmbrosio.
(4) | For the 2022 figures, this column reflects the annual incentive award earned by each NEO under MSG Entertainments program with respect to performance during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022 and paid in September 2022. For the 2021 figures, this column reflects the annual incentive award earned by each NEO under MSG Entertainments program with respect to performance during the year ended June 30, 2021 and paid in September 2021. For the 2020 figures, this column reflects the annual incentive award earned by each NEO under MSG Entertainments program with respect to performance during the year ended June 30, 2020 and paid in September 2020. With respect to Mr. Dolan, this amount also includes $239,167 paid by MSG Entertainment to MSG Sports, reflecting MSG Entertainments obligation to pay 75% of the aggregate annual incentive liability accrued as of the Distribution date of the 2020 Entertainment Distribution. With respect to Mr. DAmbrosio, these amounts exclude $135,321 paid by MSG Sports to MSG Entertainment, reflecting MSG Sports obligation to pay 41% of the liability accrued as of the Distribution date of the 2020 Entertainment Distribution. |
(5) | For each period, this column represents the sum of the increase during such period in the present value of each NEOs accumulated Cash Balance Pension Plan account over the amount reported for the prior period. There were no above-market earnings on nonqualified deferred compensation. For more information regarding the NEOs pension benefits, please see the Pension Benefits table below. |
(6) | The table below shows the components of this column: |
Name |
Year | 401(k) Plan Match(a) |
401(k) Plan Discretionary Contribution(a) |
Excess Savings Plan Match(a) |
Excess Savings Plan Discretionary Contribution(a) |
Life Insurance Premiums(b) |
MSG Cares Matching Gift Program(c) |
Perquisites(d) | Separation Related Benefits |
Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
James L. Dolan |
2022 | 12,723 | 4,350 | 62,400 | 24,309 | 4,896 | | 482,690 | | 591,368 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
David F. Byrnes |
2022 | 11,077 | | | | 816 | | | | 71,211 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Jamal H. Haughton |
2022 | 11,000 | 952 | | | 1,160 | | | | 11,893 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Philip G. DAmbrosio |
2022 | 13,185 | 4,350 | 11,400 | 4,275 | 1,408 | 1,000 | | | 35,618 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Courtney M. Zeppetella |
2022 | | | | | 224 | | | | 224 |
a) | These columns represent a matching contribution by MSG Entertainment on behalf of the individual under the Savings Plan or Excess Savings Plan, as applicable. |
(b) | This column represents amounts paid for the individual to participate in MSG Entertainments group life insurance program. |
(c) | This column represents amount paid by MSG Entertainment to eligible 501(c)(3) organizations as matching contributions for donations made by the NEO under the MSG Cares Charitable Matching Gift Program. |
(d) | This column represents the following aggregate estimated perquisites, as described in the table below, excluding amounts reimbursed by MSG Sports. For more information regarding the calculation of these perquisites, please see MSG Entertainments Compensation Practices and Policies MSG Entertainments Perquisites. |
Name |
Year | Car and Driver(I) |
Aircraft(II) | Executive Security(III) |
Total ($) |
|||||||||||||||
James L. Dolan |
2022 | 129,134 | 342,740 | * | 482,690 | |||||||||||||||
David F. Byrnes |
2022 | * | * | * | ** | |||||||||||||||
Jamal H. Haughton |
2022 | * | * | * | ** | |||||||||||||||
Philip G. DAmbrosio |
2022 | * | * | * | ** | |||||||||||||||
Courtney M. Zeppetella |
2022 | * | * | * | ** |
* | Does not exceed the greater of $25,000 or 10% of the total amount of the perquisites of the NEO. |
** | The aggregate value of the perquisites in 2022 for the individual is less than $10,000. |
(I) | Amounts in this column represent MSG Entertainments share of the cost of the personal use (which includes commutation) by Mr. Dolan of cars and drivers provided by MSG Entertainment. These amounts are calculated using a portion of the cost of MSG Entertainments drivers plus maintenance, fuel and other related costs for MSG Entertainment vehicles, based on an estimated percentage of personal use. |
(II) | As discussed under MSG Entertainments Compensation Program Practices and Policies MSG Entertainments Perquisites Aircraft Arrangements, the amounts in the table reflect MSG Entertainments share of the incremental cost for personal use of MSG Entertainments aircraft and other aircraft MSG Entertainment has access to pursuant to |
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arrangements with various Dolan family entities (see Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions Dolan Family Arrangements Aircraft and Office Space Arrangements), as well as personal helicopter use primarily for commutation. Incremental cost is determined as the actual additional cost incurred by MSG Entertainment under the applicable arrangement. |
(III) | The amounts in this column represent MSG Entertainments share of the cost of executive security services (including cybersecurity and connectivity) provided to Mr. Dolan. |
(7) | Effective January 24, 2022, Mr. Byrnes was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of MSG Entertainment. |
(8) | Effective December 6, 2021, Mr. Haughton was appointed Executive Vice President and General Counsel of MSG Entertainment. |
(9) | From March 12, 2020 through the 2020 Entertainment Distribution date, Mr. DAmbrosio served as MSG Entertainments Interim Chief Financial Officer and from March 12, 2020 through December 10, 2020, Mr. DAmbrosio also served as MSG Entertainments Secretary. |
(10) | Effective May 2, 2022, Ms. Zeppetella was appointed Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer. |
Grants of MSG Entertainment Plan-Based Awards
The table below presents information regarding equity awards granted by MSG Entertainment during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022 to the Companys NEOs under MSG Entertainments plans, including estimated possible and future payouts under non-equity incentive plan awards and equity incentive plan awards of restricted stock units and performance stock units. See Treatment of Outstanding Awards below for a discussion of the impact of the Distribution on certain of the awards discussed in the following table.
Name |
Year | Grant Date(1) |
Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards |
Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards |
All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units (#)(2) |
Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards ($)(3) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Threshold ($) |
Target ($) |
Maximum ($) |
Threshold (#) |
Target (#) |
Maximum (#) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
James L. Dolan |
2022 | 8/27/2021 | (4) | 4,000,000 | 8,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2022 | 6/28/2022 | (5) | 76,262 | 84,736 | 93,210 | 4,402,883 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2022 | 8/27/2021 | (6) | 68,979 | 5,454,170 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2022 | 4/20/2022 | (6) | 15,757 | 1,291,759 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
David F. Byrnes |
2022 | 12/20/2021 | (4) | 800,000 | 1,600,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2022 | 6/28/2022 | (5) | 6,674 | 7,415 | 8,157 | 385,283 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2022 | 4/20/2022 | (6) | 7,415 | 607,882 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Jamal H. Haughton |
2022 | 12/6/2021 | (4) | 1,100,000 | 2,200,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2022 | 6/28/2022 | (5) | 7,230 | 8,033 | 8,836 | 417,395 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2022 | 4/20/2022 | (6) | 8,033 | 658,545 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Philip G. DAmbrosio |
2022 | 8/27/2021 | (4) | 510,000 | 1,020,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2022 | 6/28/2022 | (5) | 6,570 | 7,300 | 8,030 | 379,308 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2022 | 8/27/2021 | (6) | 7,300 | 577,211 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Courtney M. Zeppetella |
2022 | | | | | | | | |
(1) | The grant date is presented in accordance with Topic 718. Under Topic 718, the date of grant for performance stock units is the date the performance targets are set for such awards, which, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022 was on June 28, 2022. |
(2) | The number of restricted stock units and performance stock units granted to the NEOs was determined based on the 20-trading day average closing market price on the day prior to the date such awards were approved by the MSG Entertainment Compensation Committee. |
(3) | This column reflects the aggregate grant date fair value of the restricted stock unit awards and performance stock unit awards, as applicable, granted to each NEO in the 2022 fiscal year without any reduction for risk of forfeiture as calculated in accordance with Topic 718 as of the date of grant. The grant date fair value of the performance stock units is shown at target performance. At the highest level of performance, the value of the performance stock units on the applicable grant date would be: $4,843,171 for Mr. Dolan; $423,812 for Mr. Byrnes; $459,134 for Mr. Haughton; and $417,239 for Mr. DAmbrosio. |
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(4) | This row reflects the possible payouts with respect to grants of annual incentive awards under MSG Entertainments MPIP for performance in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022. Each of the NEOs is assigned a target bonus which is a percentage of the NEOs base salary as of such fiscal year end. There is no threshold amount for annual incentive awards. The amounts of annual incentive awards actually paid by MSG Entertainment in September 2022 for performance in the 2022 fiscal year are disclosed in the Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation column of the Summary Compensation Table above. For more information regarding the terms of these annual incentive awards, please see MSG Entertainments Compensation Program Practices and Policies Elements of MSG Entertainments Compensation Program Annual Cash Incentives. |
(5) | This row reflects the threshold, target and maximum number of MSG Entertainment performance stock units awarded in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022. Such performance stock units were approved by the MSG Entertainment Compensation Committee in August 2021 and April 2022 (only with respect to Messrs. Dolan, Byrnes and Haughton) and granted for purposes of Topic 718 in June 2022, when the performance targets were set for such award. The performance stock unit award was approved with a target number of units, with an actual payment based upon the achievement of performance targets. This grant of performance stock units, which was made under the MSG Entertainment Employee Stock Plan, will vest upon the later of September 15, 2024 and the date of certification of achievement against pre-determined performance goals measured in the 2024 fiscal year, subject to continued employment requirements and employment agreement and award terms (as applicable). See MSG Entertainments Compensation Program Practices and Policies Long-term Incentives MSG Entertainment Performance Stock Units and Employment Agreements. |
(6) | This row reflects the number of MSG Entertainment restricted stock units awarded in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022. These grants of restricted stock units, which were made under the MSG Entertainment Employee Stock Plan, will vest in three equal installments on September 15, 2022, 2023 and 2024, subject to continued employment requirements and employment agreement and award terms (as applicable). See MSG Entertainments Compensation Program Practices and Policies Long-term Incentives MSG Entertainment Restricted Stock Units and Employment Agreements. |
Outstanding MSG Entertainment Equity Awards at June 30, 2022
The table below shows (i) each grant of MSG Entertainment stock options that is unexercised and outstanding, and (ii) the aggregate number and value of unvested MSG Entertainment restricted stock units and MSG Entertainment performance stock units outstanding (assuming target performance) for each NEO, in each case, as of June 30, 2022. See Treatment of Outstanding Awards below for a discussion of the impact of the Distribution on certain of the awards discussed in the following table.
Name |
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable |
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable |
Option Exercise Price ($) |
Option Expiration Date |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#) |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($)(1) |
||||||||||||||||||
James L. Dolan |
184,150 | (2) | 103.55 | 03/15/2024 | | | ||||||||||||||||||
146,349 | (3) | 125.59 | 03/01/2025 | | | |||||||||||||||||||
108,630 | (4) | 145.64 | 02/25/2026 | | | |||||||||||||||||||
63,704 | (5) | 127,406 | (5) | 83.26 | 02/26/2027 | | | |||||||||||||||||
| | | | 312,799 | (6) | 16,459,483 | ||||||||||||||||||
David F. Byrnes |
| | | | 14,830 | (7) | 780,355 | |||||||||||||||||
Jamal H. Haughton |
| | | | 16,066 | (8) | 845,393 | |||||||||||||||||
Philip G. DAmbrosio |
| | | | 28,079 | (9) | 1,477,517 | |||||||||||||||||
Courtney M. Zeppetella |
| | | | | |
(1) | Calculated using the closing market price of MSG Entertainments Class A Common Stock on the NYSE on June 30, 2022 of $52.62 per share. |
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(2) | The amounts in this row represent Mr. Dolans time-based stock options granted at the effective time of the Networks Merger (Effective Time) as a result of the conversion of Mr. Dolans MSG Networks time-based stock options and performance-based stock options granted as long-term incentive awards on September 15, 2016, which have fully vested. |
(3) | The amounts in this row represent Mr. Dolans time-based stock options granted at the Effective Time of the Networks Merger as a result of the conversion of Mr. Dolans MSG Networks time-based stock options and performance-based stock options granted as long-term incentive awards on September 1, 2017, which have fully vested. |
(4) | The amounts in this row represent Mr. Dolans time-based stock options granted at the Effective Time of the Networks Merger as a result of the conversion of Mr. Dolans MSG Networks time-based stock options and performance-based stock options granted as long-term incentive awards on August 28, 2018, which have fully vested. |
(5) | The amounts in this row represent Mr. Dolans 191,110 time-based stock options (63,704 of which have vested) granted at the Effective Time of the Networks Merger as a result of the conversion of Mr. Dolans MSG Networks time-based stock options and performance-based (based on target performance) stock options granted as long-term incentive awards on August 29, 2019. The unvested portion of the time-based stock options will vest on August 29, 2022, subject to continued employment requirements and employment agreement and award terms (as applicable). |
(6) | With respect to Mr. Dolan, the total in this column includes 5,399 MSG Entertainment restricted stock units (from an original award of 16,197 restricted stock units) and 16,197 MSG Entertainment target performance stock units granted in respect of MSG Sports long-term incentive awards granted by The Madison Square Garden Company prior to the 2020 Entertainment Distribution. 5,399 restricted stock units vest on September 15, 2022. 16,197 performance stock units vest upon the later of September 15, 2022, and the date of certification of achievement against pre-determined performance goals measured in the final year of the three-year period ending June 30, 2022. This column also includes 22,632 MSG Entertainment restricted stock units (from an original award of 33,947 restricted stock units) issued in respect of MSG Networks restricted stock units and 33,947 MSG Entertainment restricted stock units issued in respect of MSG Networks performance stock units, granted by MSG Networks prior to the Networks Merger. 11,316 and 11,316 restricted stock units issued in respect of the MSG Networks restricted stock units vest on September 15, 2022 and 2023, respectively. 33,947 restricted stock units issued in respect of the MSG Networks performance stock units vest on September 15, 2023. In addition, this column includes an award of 26,061 restricted stock units (from an original award of 39,091 restricted stock units) and 39,091 target performance stock units approved as long-term incentive awards on August 25, 2020, 68,979 restricted stock units and 68,979 target performance stock units approved as long-term incentive awards on August 27, 2021, and 15,757 restricted stock units and 15,757 target performance stock units approved as long-term incentive awards on April 20, 2022. The restricted stock units vest ratably over three years on September 15th each year following the year of grant. The performance stock units cliff-vest upon the later of September 15th following a three year-period, and the date of certification of achievement against pre-determined performance goals measured in the final year of the period ending June 30th of the applicable year. All vestings are subject to continued employment and the terms of Mr. Dolans employment agreement. For more information on MSG Sports restricted stock units and performance stock units granted by The Madison Square Garden Company prior to the 2020 Entertainment Distribution, which are not reflected herein, see MSG Sports Definitive Proxy Statement, filed with the SEC on October 27, 2020. |
(7) | With respect to Mr. Byrnes, the total in this column represents an award of 7,415 restricted stock units and 7,415 target performance stock units approved as long-term incentive awards on April 20, 2022. The restricted stock units vest ratably over three years on September 15th each year following the year of grant. The performance stock units cliff-vest upon the later of September 15th following a three year-period, and the date of certification of achievement against pre-determined performance goals measured in the final year of the period ending June 30th of the applicable year. All vestings are subject to continued employment and the terms of Mr. Byrnes employment agreement. |
(8) | With respect to Mr. Haughton, the total in this column represents an award of 8,033 restricted stock units and 8,033 target performance stock units approved as long-term incentive awards on April 20, 2022. The |
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restricted stock units vest ratably over three years on September 15th each year following the year of grant. The performance stock units cliff-vest upon the later of September 15th following a three year-period, and the date of certification of achievement against pre-determined performance goals measured in the final year of the period ending June 30th of the applicable year. All vestings are subject to continued employment and the terms of Mr. Haughtons employment agreement. |
(9) | With respect to Mr. DAmbrosio, the total in this column includes an award of 480 Company restricted stock units (from an original award of 1,440 restricted stock units) and 1,440 Company target performance stock units granted in respect of MSG Sports long-term incentive awards granted by The Madison Square Garden Company prior to the 2020 Entertainment Distribution. 480 restricted stock units vest on September 15, 2022. 1,440 performance stock units vest upon the later of September 15, 2022, and the date of certification of achievement against pre-determined performance goals measured in the final year of the three-year period ending June 30, 2022. In addition, this column includes an award of 3,862 restricted stock units (from an original award of 5,792 restricted stock units) and 5,792 target performance stock units approved as long-term incentive awards on August 25, 2020, 762 restricted stock units (from an original award of 1,143 restricted stock units) and 1,143 target performance stock units approved as long-term incentive awards on April 22, 2021, and 7,300 restricted stock units and 7,300 target performance stock units approved as long-term incentive awards on August 27, 2021. The restricted stock units vest ratably over three years on September 15th each year following the year of grant. The performance stock units cliff-vest upon the later of September 15th following a three year-period, and the date of certification of achievement against pre-determined performance goals measured in the final year of the period ending June 30th of the applicable year. All vestings are subject to continued employment and the terms of Mr. DAmbrosios employment agreement. For more information on MSG Sports restricted stock units and performance stock units granted by The Madison Square Garden Company prior to the 2020 Entertainment Distribution, which are not reflected herein, see MSG Sports Definitive Proxy Statement, filed with the SEC on October 27, 2020. |
MSG Entertainment Option Exercises and Stock Vested
The table below shows MSG Entertainment restricted stock unit awards that vested during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022. No MSG Entertainment stock options were exercised in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022.
Name |
Restricted Stock Units | |||||||
Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting |
Value Realized on Vesting(1) |
|||||||
James L. Dolan |
49,274 | $ | 3,967,050 | |||||
David F. Byrnes |
| | ||||||
Jamal H. Haughton |
| | ||||||
Philip G. DAmbrosio |
4,532 | $ | 364,871 | |||||
Courtney M. Zeppetella |
| |
(1) | Calculated using the closing price of MSG Entertainments Class A Common Stock on the NYSE on the vesting dates, September 15, 2021, November 1, 2021, November 16, 2021, and April 1, 2022, of $80.51, $73.94, $75.46, and $81.76 per share, respectively. |
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MSG Entertainment Pension Benefits
The table below shows the present value of accumulated benefits payable to each NEO, including the number of years of service credited to the NEO, under MSG Entertainments defined benefit pension plans as of June 30, 2022 (which plans are being assigned to the Company in connection with the Distribution).
Name |
Plan Name(1) |
Number of Years of Credited Service (#) |
Present Value of Accumulated Benefit ($)(2) |
|||||||
James L. Dolan |
Cash Balance Pension Plan | | (3) | | ||||||
David F. Byrnes |
Cash Balance Pension Plan | | (4) | | ||||||
Jamal H. Haughton |
Cash Balance Pension Plan | | (4) | | ||||||
Philip G. DAmbrosio |
Cash Balance Pension Plan | | (4) | | ||||||
Courtney M. Zeppetella |
Cash Balance Pension Plan | | (4) | |
(1) | Accruals under the Cash Balance Pension Plan were frozen as of December 31, 2015. |
(2) | Additional information concerning Pension Plans and Postretirement Plan Assumptions is set forth in Note 16 to MSG Entertainments financial statements included in its 2022 Form 10-K. |
(3) | Mr. Dolan does not participate in the Cash Balance Pension Plan. |
(4) | Messrs. Byrnes, Haughton and DAmbrosio and Ms. Zeppetella commenced employment with MSG Entertainment after the Cash Balance Pension Plan was frozen and therefore are not eligible to participate. |
MSG Entertainment maintains several benefit plans for its executive officers. The material terms and conditions are discussed below.
Cash Balance Pension Plan
MSG Entertainment sponsors the Cash Balance Pension Plan, a tax-qualified defined benefit plan which was retained by MSG Entertainment in the 2020 Entertainment Distribution. The Cash Balance Pension Plan generally covers regular full-time and part-time non-union employees of MSG Entertainment and certain of its affiliates who have completed one year of service. The Cash Balance Pension Plan was frozen to future benefit accruals effective as of December 31, 2015 (though accrued benefits continue to earn interest credits). A notional account is maintained for each participant under the Cash Balance Pension Plan, which consists of (i) annual allocations made by MSG Entertainment as of the end of each year on behalf of each participant who has completed 800 hours of service during the year that range from 3% to 9% of the participants compensation, based on the participants age and (ii) monthly interest credits based on the average of the annual rate of interest on the 30-year U.S. Treasury Bonds for the months of September, October and November of the prior year. Compensation includes all direct cash compensation received while a participant as part of the participants primary compensation structure (excluding bonuses, fringe benefits, and other compensation that is not received on a regular basis), and before deductions for elective deferrals, subject to applicable IRS limits.
A participants interest in the Cash Balance Pension Plan is subject to vesting limitations for the first three years of employment. A participants account will also vest in full upon his or her termination due to death, disability or retirement after attaining age 65. Upon retirement or other termination of employment with MSG Entertainment, the participant may elect a distribution of the vested portion of the cash balance account. Any amounts remaining in the Cash Balance Pension Plan will continue to be credited with interest until the account is paid. The normal form of benefit payment for an unmarried participant is a single life annuity and the normal form of benefit payment for a married participant is a 50% joint and survivor annuity. The participant, with spousal consent if applicable, can waive the normal form and elect a single life annuity or a lump sum.
Madison Square Garden 401(k) Savings Plan
Under the Savings Plan, a tax-qualified retirement savings plan which was retained by MSG Entertainment after the 2020 Entertainment Distribution, participating employees, including MSG Entertainments executive
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officers, may contribute into their plan accounts a percentage of their eligible pay on a pre-tax basis as well as a percentage of their eligible pay on an after-tax basis. MSG Entertainment provides a (a) fully-vested matching contribution equal to 100% of the first 4% of eligible pay contributed by participating employees and (b) discretionary non-elective fully-vested contribution by MSG Entertainment. The Savings Plan is a multiple-employer plan sponsored by MSG Entertainment, to which MSG Sports also contributes for its employees. Prior to the Networks Merger, MSG Networks also contributed for its employees.
Excess Savings Plan
The Excess Savings Plan, which was retained by MSG Entertainment following the 2020 Entertainment Distribution, is an unfunded, non-qualified deferred compensation plan that operates in conjunction with MSG Entertainments tax-qualified Savings Plan. An employee is eligible to participate in the Excess Savings Plan for a calendar year if his or her compensation (as defined in the Savings Plan) in the preceding year exceeded (or would have exceeded, if the employee had been employed for the entire year) the IRS limit on the amount of compensation that can be taken into account in determining contributions under tax-qualified retirement plans ($305,000 in calendar year 2022) and he or she makes an election to participate prior to the beginning of the year. An eligible employee whose contributions to the Savings Plan are limited as a result of this compensation limit or as a result of reaching the maximum 401(k) deferral limit ($20,500, or $27,000 if 50 or over, for calendar year 2022) can continue to make pre-tax contributions under the Excess Savings Plan of up to 4% of his or her eligible pay. In addition, MSG Entertainment provides a (a) fully-vested matching contribution equal to 100% of the first 4% of eligible pay contributed by participating employees and (b) discretionary non-elective fully-vested contribution by MSG Entertainment. Account balances under the Excess Savings Plan are credited monthly with the rate of return earned by the stable value fund offered as an investment alternative under the Savings Plan. Distributions of vested benefits are made in a lump sum as soon as practicable after the participants termination of employment with MSG Entertainment.
Our Retirement Benefits
Effective as of the Distribution, we will retain the assets and liabilities under the Cash Balance Pension Plan. Additionally, we will be added as a contributing employer of the Savings Plan following the Distribution.
After the Distribution, we will retain the Excess Savings Plan and liabilities for benefits under such plan relating to MSG Entertainments employees will be assumed by MSG Entertainment. The actuarial present values of the accumulated pension benefits of Messrs. Dolan, Byrnes, Haughton and DAmbrosio, who have participated in certain of these plans as of June 30, 2022, are reported in the MSG Entertainment Pension Benefits Table and MSG Entertainment Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Table herein.
MSG Entertainment Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
The table below shows (i) the contributions made by the Companys NEOs and MSG Entertainment during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, (ii) aggregate earnings on the NEOs account balance during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022 and (iii) the account balance of the NEOs under the Excess Savings Plan as of June 30, 2022.
Name |
Plan Name | Executive Contributions in 2022 ($) (1) |
Registrant Contributions in 2022 ($) (2) |
Aggregate Earnings in 2022 ($) (3) |
Aggregate Withdrawals/ Distributions ($) |
Aggregate Balance at End of 2022 ($) |
||||||||||||||||||
James L. Dolan |
Excess Savings Plan | 64,046 | 86,709 | 8,865 | | 706,172 | ||||||||||||||||||
David F. Byrnes |
Excess Savings Plan | 108 | | | | 108 | ||||||||||||||||||
Jamal H. Haughton |
Excess Savings Plan | 8,108 | | 13 | | 8,121 | ||||||||||||||||||
Philip G. DAmbrosio |
Excess Savings Plan | 11,673 | 15,675 | 2,093 | | 159,361 | ||||||||||||||||||
Courtney M. Zeppetella |
Excess Savings Plan | | | | | |
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(1) | These amounts represent a portion of the NEOs salaries and/or annual cash incentives, which are included in the numbers reported in the Salary or Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation columns, as applicable, of the Summary Compensation Table that the NEOs contributed to the Excess Savings Plan. |
(2) | These amounts are reported in the All Other Compensation column of the Summary Compensation Table. |
(3) | These amounts are not reported in the All Other Compensation column of the Summary Compensation Table. |
Termination and Severance
This section describes the payments that would have been received by the NEOs who were employed by MSG Entertainment as of June 30, 2022 (the last business day of MSG Entertainments 2022 fiscal year) upon various terminations of employment from MSG Entertainment scenarios. The information under Separation from MSG Entertainment assumes that each of the NEOs was employed by MSG Entertainment under his or her applicable employment agreement, and his or her employment terminated as of June 30, 2022. This information is presented to illustrate the payments the NEOs would have received from MSG Entertainment under the various termination scenarios. See Employment Agreements for a description of severance arrangements we have agreed to provide certain of our NEOs.
Separation from MSG Entertainment
Payments may be made to MSG Entertainments executive officers upon the termination of their employment with MSG Entertainment depending upon the circumstances of their termination, which include termination by MSG Entertainment without cause, termination by MSG Entertainment with cause, termination by the officer for good reason, other voluntary termination by the officer, retirement, death, disability, or termination following a change in control of MSG Entertainment or following a going-private transaction. Certain of these circumstances are addressed in the employment agreements between MSG Entertainment and each of its executive officers. In addition, MSG Entertainment award agreements for long-term incentives also address some of these circumstances. The Distribution will not constitute a change in control of MSG Entertainment for purposes of the employment agreements between MSG Entertainment and its executive officers or MSG Entertainments long-term incentive award agreements.
Award Agreement Terms in the Event of a Change in Control or Going Private Transaction
The award agreements governing the restricted stock units of MSG Entertainment provide that upon a change in control or going private transaction, the applicable NEO will be entitled to either (in the successor entitys discretion) (a) cash equal to the unvested restricted stock units multiplied by the per share price paid in the change in control or going private transaction, or (b) only if the successor entity is a publicly-traded company, a replacement restricted stock unit award from the successor entity with the same terms. Any such cash award as provided in clause (a) above would be payable, and any replacement restricted stock unit award as provided in clause (b) above would vest, upon the earliest of (x) the date the restricted stock units were originally scheduled to vest so long as the applicable NEO remains continuously employed, (y) a termination without cause or a resignation for good reason (as each term is defined in the applicable award agreement), or (z) only if the successor entity elects clause (b) above, upon a resignation without good reason that is at least six months, but no more than nine months, following the change in control or going private transaction.
The award agreements governing the performance restricted stock units of MSG Entertainment provide that upon a change in control or going private transaction, the unvested performance stock units will vest at the target level and be payable (i) upon a change in control, regardless of whether the applicable NEOs employment is terminated, or (ii) following a going private transaction if the applicable NEO is employed through July 1, 2022 (in the case of MSG Entertainment awards granted in respect of MSG Sports 2020 fiscal year awards), July 1, 2023 (in the case of fiscal year 2021 awards) or July 1, 2024 (in the case of 2022 fiscal year awards), or is
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terminated without cause or resigns for good reason (as each term is defined in the applicable award agreement) prior to such applicable date.
The award agreements governing the stock options of MSG Entertainment provide that upon a change in control or going private transaction, the applicable NEO will be entitled to either (a) cash equal to the number of options multiplied by the excess of the per share price paid in the change in control or going private transaction over the exercise price, or (b) only if the successor entity is a publicly traded company, a replacement option award from the successor entity with the same terms. Any such cash award would be payable, or unvested options would vest, upon the earliest of (x) the date the options were originally scheduled to vest so long as the NEO remains continuously employed, (y) a termination without cause or a resignation for good reason within three years following the change in control or going private transaction, or (z) only if the successor entity elects clause (b) above, upon a resignation without good reason that is at least six months, but no more than nine months, following the change in control or going private transaction. Any stock options that have an exercise price greater than the per share price paid in the change in control or going private transaction may be cancelled for no consideration.
For purposes of the Termination and Severance Award Agreement Terms in the Event of a Change in Control or Going Private Transaction Benefits Payable as a Result of Termination of Employment by MSG Entertainment Without Cause or for Good Reason Following a Change in Control or Going-Private Transaction below, we have assumed that the applicable NEO has either been terminated without cause or resigned for good reason after the close of business on June 30, 2022.
Quantification of Termination and Severance Payable by MSG Entertainment
The following tables set forth a quantification of estimated severance and other benefits payable by MSG Entertainment to the NEOs under various circumstances regarding the termination of their employment. In calculating these amounts, the following was taken into consideration or otherwise assumed:
| Termination of employment from MSG Entertainment occurred after the close of business on June 30, 2022. |
| Equity awards (other than stock options) were valued using the closing market price of MSG Entertainments Class A Common Stock of $52.62 and MSG Sports Class A common stock of $151.00 on the NYSE on June 30, 2022. |
| Stock options were valued at their intrinsic value equal to the closing market price of MSG Entertainments Class A Common Stock of $52.62 and MSG Sports Class A common stock of $151.00 on the NYSE on June 30, 2022, less the per share exercise price, multiplied by the number of MSG Entertainment shares underlying the stock options. |
| We have assumed that the per share price paid in a change in control or going private transaction is equal to the closing market price of MSG Entertainments Class A Common Stock of $52.62 and MSG Sports Class A common stock of $151.00 on the NYSE on June 30, 2022. |
| In the event of termination of employment from MSG Entertainment, the payment of certain long-term incentive awards and other amounts may be delayed, depending upon the terms of each specific MSG Entertainment award agreement, the provisions of the applicable NEOs employment agreement with MSG Entertainment and the applicability of Code Section 409A. In quantifying aggregate termination payments, the timing of the payments was not taken into account and the value of payments that would be made over time was not discounted, except where otherwise disclosed. |
| It was assumed that all MSG Entertainment performance objectives for performance-based awards are achieved (but not exceeded). |
| With respect to Mr. Dolan, it was assumed that on June 30, 2022 he is either simultaneously terminated from both MSG Sports and MSG Entertainment, or has no continued employment relationship with MSG Sports. |
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Benefits Payable as a Result of Voluntary Termination of Employment from MSG Entertainment by NEO, Termination of Employment by NEO Due to Retirement, or Termination of Employment by MSG Entertainment for Cause
In the event of a voluntary termination of employment from MSG Entertainment, a retirement from MSG Entertainment, or event of termination by MSG Entertainment for cause, no NEO would have been entitled to any payments at June 30, 2022, excluding any pension or other vested retirement benefits.
Benefits Payable as a Result of Termination of Employment by MSG Entertainment Without Cause or Termination of Employment by NEO for Good Reason*
Elements |
James L. Dolan |
David F. Byrnes |
Jamal H. Haughton |
Philip G. DAmbrosio |
Courtney M. Zeppetella |
|||||||||||||||
Severance |
$ | 12,000,000 | (1) | $ | 3,200,000 | (1) | $ | 4,400,000 | (1) | $ | 1,190,000 | (2) | $ | 825,000 | (2) | |||||
Pro rata bonus |
$ | 5,566,000 | (3) | $ | 1,113,200 | (3) | $ | 1,530,650 | (3) | $ | 809,665 | (3) | | (3) | ||||||
Unvested restricted stock |
$ | 9,091,421 | (4) | $ | 390,177 | (4) | $ | 422,696 | (4) | | | |||||||||
Unvested performance stock |
$ | 7,368,063 | (5) | $ | 390,177 | (5) | $ | 422,696 | (5) | | | |||||||||
Unvested time-based stock options |
| (6) | | | | |
* | The amounts in this table do not include any pension or other vested retirement benefits. |
(1) | Represents severance equal to two times the sum of his annual base salary and annual target bonus. |
(2) | Represents severance equal to the sum of his or her annual base salary and annual target bonus. |
(3) | Represents a pro rata annual bonus for the year in which the termination occurred, payable to the same extent as annual bonuses are paid to MSG Entertainments other named executive officers under MSG Entertainments program without regard to personal performance objectives. Due to the timing of Ms. Zeppetellas commencement of employment with MSG Entertainment, she was not eligible for an annual bonus for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022. |
(4) | Represents the full vesting of the restricted stock units issued in April 2020 in respect of outstanding MSG Sports restricted stock unit awards granted by The Madison Square Garden Company prior to the 2020 Entertainment Distribution, the 2021 fiscal year grants of restricted stock units, the restricted stock units issued in July 2021 in respect of outstanding MSG Networks restricted stock unit and performance stock unit awards held at the time of the Networks Merger, and the 2022 fiscal year grants of restricted stock units, as applicable, which are: Mr. Dolan, 5,399 units ($284,095), 26,061 units ($1,371,330), 56,579 units ($2,977,187) and 84,736 units ($4,458,808), respectively; Mr. Byrnes, 7,415 units ($390,177) (2022 fiscal year only); and Mr. Haughton, 8,033 units ($422,696) (2022 fiscal year only). In addition to the amounts included in the table above, Mr. Dolan would also fully vest in his outstanding MSG Sports restricted stock units, which are: 5,399 MSG Sports units ($815,249). |
(5) | Represents the full vesting at target of the performance stock units issued in April 2020 in respect of outstanding MSG Sports performance stock unit awards granted by The Madison Square Garden Company prior to the 2020 Entertainment Distribution, and the 2021 and 2022 fiscal year grants of performance stock units, as applicable, which are: Mr. Dolan, 16,197 units ($852,286), 39,091 units ($2,056,968), and 84,736 units ($4,458,808), respectively; Mr. Byrnes 7,415 units ($390,177) (2022 fiscal year only); and Mr. Haughton 8,033 units ($422,696) (2022 fiscal year only). In addition to the amounts included in the table above, Mr. Dolan would also fully vest in his outstanding MSG Sports performance stock units, which are (at target): 16,197 MSG Sports units ($2,445,747). |
(6) | Represents the full vesting of the stock options issued in July 2021 in respect of outstanding MSG Networks time-based and performance-based options granted to Mr. Dolan by MSG Networks as long-term incentive awards in August 2019, but such options have no value because each award had an exercise price greater than the closing market price of a share of MSG Entertainments Class A Common Stock on June 30, 2022. |
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Benefits Payable as a Result of Termination of Employment from MSG Entertainment Due to Death or Disability*
Elements |
James L. Dolan |
David F. Byrnes |
Jamal H. Haughton |
Philip G. DAmbrosio |
Courtney M. Zeppetella |
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Severance |
| | | | | |||||||||||||||
Pro rata bonus |
$ | 5,566,000 | (1) | $ | 1,113,200 | (1) | $ | 1,530,650 | (1) | | | |||||||||
Unvested restricted stock |
$ | 9,091,420 | (2) | $ | 390,177 | (2) | $ | 422,696 | (2) | $ | 652,698 | (2) | | (2) | ||||||
Unvested performance stock |
$ | 7,368,063 | (3) | $ | 390,177 | (3) | $ | 422,696 | (3) | $ | 824,819 | (3) | | (3) | ||||||
Unvested time-based stock options |
| (4) | | | | |
* | The amounts in this table do not include any pension or other vested retirement benefits. |
(1) | Represents a pro rata annual bonus for the year in which the termination occurred, payable to the same extent as annual bonuses are paid to MSG Entertainments other named executive officers under MSG Entertainments program but without regard to personal performance objectives. |
(2) | Represents the full vesting of the restricted stock units issued in April 2020 in respect of outstanding MSG Sports restricted stock unit awards granted by The Madison Square Garden Company prior to the 2020 Entertainment Distribution, the 2021 fiscal year grants of restricted stock units, the restricted stock units issued in July 2021 in respect of outstanding MSG Networks restricted stock unit and performance stock unit awards held at the time of the Networks Merger, and the 2022 fiscal year grants of restricted stock units, as applicable, which are: Mr. Dolan, 5,399 units ($284,095), 26,061 units ($1,371,330), 56,579 units ($2,977,187) and 84,736 units ($4,458,808), respectively; Mr. Byrnes, 7,415 units ($390,177) (2022 fiscal year only); Mr. Haughton, 8,033 units ($422,696) (2022 fiscal year only); and Mr. DAmbrosio, 480 units ($25,258), 4,624 units ($243,315), and 7,300 units ($384,126), respectively (no Networks Merger units). Ms. Zeppetella did not have any equity awards outstanding as of June 30, 2022, but would otherwise be entitled to the full vesting of any unvested restricted stock units. In addition to the amounts included in the table above, Messrs. Dolan and DAmbrosio would also fully vest in their outstanding MSG Sports restricted stock units, which are: Mr. Dolan, 5,399 MSG Sports units ($815,249); and Mr. DAmbrosio, 480 MSG Sports units ($72,480). |
(3) | Represents the full vesting at target of the performance stock units issued in April 2020 in respect of outstanding MSG Sports performance stock unit awards granted by The Madison Square Garden Company prior to the 2020 Entertainment Distribution, and the 2021 and 2022 fiscal year grants of performance stock units, as applicable, which are: Mr. Dolan, 16,197 units ($852,286), 39,091 units ($2,056,968) and 84,736 units ($4,458,808), respectively; Mr. Byrnes, 7,415 units ($390,177) (2022 fiscal year only); Mr. Haughton, 8,033 units ($422,696) (2022 fiscal year only); and Mr. DAmbrosio, 1,440 units ($75,773), 6,935 units ($364,920) and 7,300 units ($384,126). Ms. Zeppetella did not have any equity awards outstanding as of June 30, 2022, but would otherwise be entitled to the full vesting of any unvested performance stock units. In addition to the amounts included in the table above, Messrs. Dolan and DAmbrosio would also fully vest in their outstanding MSG Sports performance stock units, which are (at target): Mr. Dolan, 16,197 MSG Sports units ($2,445,747); and Mr. DAmbrosio, 1,440 MSG Sports Units ($217,440). |
(4) | Represents the full vesting of the stock options issued in July 2021 in respect of outstanding MSG Networks time-based and performance-based options granted to Mr. Dolan by MSG Networks as long-term incentive awards in August 2019, but such options have no value because each award had an exercise price greater than the closing market price of a share of MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock on June 30, 2022. |
(5) | With respect to Mr. DAmbrosio and Ms. Zeppetella, a termination by MSG Entertainment due to disability would be treated under their employment agreements as a termination by MSG Entertainment without cause and, therefore, Mr. DAmbrosio and Ms. Zeppetella would be entitled to the amounts reflected in the table above, as well as those reflected in the Benefits Payable as a Result of Termination of Employment by MSG Entertainment Without Cause or Termination of Employment by NEO for Good Reason table. |
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Benefits Payable as a Result of Termination of Employment from MSG Entertainment Without Cause or for Good Reason Following a Change in Control or Going-Private Transaction (1)(2)*
Elements |
James L. Dolan |
David F. Byrnes |
Jamal H. Haughton |
Philip G. DAmbrosio |
Courtney M. Zeppetella |
|||||||||||||||
Severance |
$ | 12,000,000 | (3) | $ | 3,200,000 | (3) | $ | 4,400,000 | (3) | $ | 1,190,000 | (4) | $ | 825,000 | (4) | |||||
Pro rata bonus |
$ | 5,566,000 | (5) | $ | 1,113,200 | (5) | $ | 1,530,650 | (5) | $ | 809,665 | (5) | | (5) | ||||||
Unvested restricted stock |
$ | 9,091,421 | (6) | $ | 390,177 | (6) | $ | 422,696 | (6) | $ | 652,698 | (6) | | (6) | ||||||
Unvested performance stock |
$ | 7,368,063 | (7) | $ | 390,177 | (7) | $ | 422,696 | (7) | $ | 824,819 | (7) | | (7) | ||||||
Unvested time-based stock options |
| (8) | | | | |
* | The amounts in this table do not include any pension or other vested retirement benefits. |
(1) | The information in this table and the footnotes hereto describe amounts payable as a result of certain terminations of employment by the NEO or MSG Entertainment following a change in control. The amounts payable as a result of termination of employment by the NEO or MSG Entertainment following a going private transaction are generally equal to or less than the amounts payable as a result of termination of employment by the NEO or MSG Entertainment following a change in control. Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in this table, if any payment otherwise due to any of the NEOs would result in the imposition of an excise tax under Code Section 4999, then MSG Entertainment would instead pay to the applicable NEO either (a) the amounts set forth in this table, or (b) the maximum amount that could be paid to such NEO without the imposition of the excise tax, whichever results in a greater amount of after-tax proceeds to such NEO. |
(2) | As noted in Termination and Severance Award Agreement Terms in the Event of a Change in Control or Going Private Transaction above, the amounts in this table assume that the applicable NEO has either been terminated without cause or resigned for good reason following such a change in control or going private transaction. The award agreements applicable to stock awards held by the NEOs dictate the terms of the vesting of those awards and any severance or bonus reflected in this table is provided as a result of the terms of the applicable NEOs employment agreement and its terms related to termination without cause or resigned for good reason, and such severance is not enhanced by the change of control or going private transaction. For additional information, see Termination and Severance Award Agreement Terms in the Event of a Change in Control or Going Private Transaction above. |
(3) | Represents severance equal to two times the sum of his annual base salary and annual target bonus. |
(4) | Represents severance equal to the sum of his or her annual base salary and annual target bonus. |
(5) | Represents a pro rata annual bonus for the year in which the termination occurred, payable to the same extent as annual bonuses are paid to MSG Entertainments other named executive officers under MSG Entertainments program without regard to personal performance objectives. Due to the timing of Ms. Zeppetellas commencement of employment with MSG Entertainment, she was not eligible for an annual bonus for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022. |
(6) | Represents the full vesting of the restricted stock units issued in April 2020 in respect of outstanding MSG Sports restricted stock unit awards granted by The Madison Square Garden Company prior to the 2020 Entertainment Distribution, the 2021 fiscal year grants of restricted stock units, the restricted stock units issued in July 2021 in respect of outstanding MSG Networks restricted stock unit and performance stock unit awards held at the time of the Networks Merger, and the 2022 fiscal year grants of restricted stock units, as applicable, which are: Mr. Dolan, 5,399 units ($284,095), 26,061 units ($1,371,330), 56,579 units ($2,977,187) and 84,736 units ($4,458,808), respectively; Mr. Byrnes, 7,415 units ($390,177) (2022 fiscal year only); Mr. Haughton, 8,033 units ($422,696) (2022 fiscal year only); and Mr. DAmbrosio, 480 units ($25,258), 4,624 units ($243,315), and 7,300 units ($384,126), respectively (no Networks Merger units). Ms. Zeppetella did not have any equity awards outstanding as of June 30, 2022, but would otherwise be entitled to the full vesting of any unvested restricted stock units. In addition to the amounts included in the table above, Messrs. Dolan and DAmbrosio would also fully vest in their outstanding MSG Sports restricted stock units, which are: Mr. Dolan, 5,399 MSG Sports units ($815,249); and Mr. DAmbrosio, 480 MSG Sports units ($72,480). |
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(7) | Represents the full vesting at target of the performance stock units issued in April 2020 in respect of outstanding MSG Sports performance stock unit awards granted by The Madison Square Garden Company prior to the 2020 Entertainment Distribution, and the 2021 and 2022 fiscal year grants of performance stock units, as applicable, which are: Mr. Dolan, 16,197 units ($852,286), 39,091 units ($2,056,968) and 84,736 units ($4,458,808), respectively; Mr. Byrnes, 7,415 units ($390,177) (2022 fiscal year only); Mr. Haughton, 8,033 units ($422,696) (2022 fiscal year only); and Mr. DAmbrosio, 1,440 units ($75,773), 6,935 units ($364,920) and 7,300 units ($384,126). Ms. Zeppetella did not have any equity awards outstanding as of June 30, 2022, but would otherwise be entitled to the full vesting of any unvested performance stock units. In addition to the amounts included in the table above, Messrs. Dolan and DAmbrosio would also fully vest in their outstanding MSG Sports performance stock units, which are (at target): Mr. Dolan, 16,197 MSG Sports units ($2,445,747); and Mr. DAmbrosio, 1,440 MSG Sports units ($217,440). |
(8) | Represents the full vesting of the stock options issued in July 2021 in respect of outstanding MSG Networks time-based and performance-based options granted to Mr. Dolan by MSG Networks as long-term incentive awards in August 2019, but such options have no value because each award had an exercise price greater than the closing market price of a share of MSG Entertainments Class A Common Stock on June 30, 2022. |
Our Equity Compensation Plan Information
We plan to adopt an Employee Stock Plan (the Employee Stock Plan) and a Director Stock Plan, which are discussed below.
Our Employee Stock Plan
Prior to the Distribution, we expect to adopt an Employee Stock Plan, subject to the approval of MSG Entertainment as our sole shareholder at such time. A form of the Employee Stock Plan is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, of which this information statement forms a part, that we have filed with the SEC, and the following description of the Employee Stock Plan is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Employee Stock Plan.
Overview
The purpose of the Employee Stock Plan will be to (i) compensate employees and eligible service providers of the Company and its affiliates who are responsible for the management and growth of the business of the Company and its affiliates, and (ii) advance the interest of the Company by encouraging and enabling the acquisition of a personal proprietary interest in the Company by employees and such service providers upon whose judgment and keen interest the Company and its affiliates are largely dependent for the successful conduct of their operations. It is anticipated that the acquisition of such a proprietary interest in the Company will stimulate the efforts of these employees and such service providers on behalf of the Company and its affiliates, and strengthen their desire to remain with the Company and its affiliates. It is also expected that the opportunity to acquire such a proprietary interest will enable the Company and its affiliates to attract and retain desirable personnel and will better align the interests of participating employees and service providers with those of the Companys stockholders. The Employee Stock Plan will provide for grants of incentive stock options (as defined in Section 422 of the Code), non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted shares, restricted stock units and other equity-based awards (collectively, Awards). The Employee Stock Plan is expected to terminate, and no more Awards will be granted, after the ten year anniversary of the Distribution (unless sooner terminated by our Board or our Compensation Committee). The termination of the Employee Stock Plan will not affect previously granted Awards.
Shares Subject to the Employee Stock Plan; Other Limitations
The Employee Stock Plan will be administered by the Companys Compensation Committee. Awards may be granted under the Employee Stock Plan to such employees and other eligible service providers of the Company and its affiliates as the Compensation Committee may determine. An affiliate will be defined in the Employee Stock Plan to
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mean any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Company or any other affiliate and will also include any entity in which the Company owns at least five percent of the outstanding equity interests. It is expected that the total number of shares of the Companys Class A Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to Awards under the Employee Stock Plan may not exceed an aggregate of 11,000,000, which may be either treasury shares or authorized and unissued shares. To the extent that (i) an Award is paid, settled or exchanged or expires, lapses, terminates or is cancelled for any reason without the issuance of shares, (ii) any shares under an Award are not issued because of payment or withholding obligations or (iii) restricted shares revert back to the Company prior to the lapse of the restrictions or are applied by the Company for purposes of tax withholding obligations, then it is expected that the Compensation Committee will also be able to grant Awards with respect to such shares or restricted shares. Awards payable only in cash or property other than shares will not reduce the aggregate remaining number of shares with respect to which Awards may be made under the Employee Stock Plan and shares relating to any other Awards that are settled in cash or property other than shares, when settled, will be added back to the aggregate remaining number of shares with respect to which Awards may be made under the Employee Stock Plan. Any shares underlying Awards that the Company becomes obligated to make through the assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by an acquired entity will not count against the shares available to be delivered pursuant to Awards under the Employee Stock Plan. No single individual may be issued Awards during any one calendar year for, or that relate to, a number of shares exceeding 750,000. In the event that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, shares, other securities, or other property), recapitalization, forward or reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination, repurchase, share exchange, liquidation, dissolution or other similar corporate transaction or event affects shares such that the failure to make an adjustment to an Award would not appropriately protect the rights represented by the Award in accordance with the essential intent and principles thereof (each such event, an Adjustment Event), then it is expected that the Compensation Committee will, in such manner as it may determine to be equitable in its sole discretion, adjust any or all of the terms of an outstanding Award (including, without limitation, the number of shares covered by such outstanding Award, the type of property to which the Award is subject and the exercise price of such Award).
Awards
It is expected that all employees and other service providers of the Company and its affiliates who are eligible under General Instruction A.1(a) to Form S-8, excluding any member of the Board who is not a current employee of the Company or its subsidiaries, will be eligible to receive Awards under the Employee Stock Plan. Under the Employee Stock Plan, the Company will be able to grant options and stock appreciation rights, which will be exercisable at a price determined by the Compensation Committee on the date of the Award grant, which price will be no less than the fair market value of a share of the Companys Class A Common Stock on the date the option or stock appreciation right is granted. Other than in the case of the death of a participant, such options and stock appreciation rights may be exercised for a term fixed by the Compensation Committee but no longer than ten years from the date of grant. An award agreement may provide that, in the event the participant dies while the option or stock appreciation right is outstanding, the option or stock appreciation right will remain outstanding until the first anniversary of the participants death, whether or not such first anniversary occurs after such ten-year period. Upon its exercise, a stock appreciation right will be settled (and an option may be settled, in the Compensation Committees discretion) for an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of a share of the Companys Class A Common Stock on the date of exercise over the exercise price of the stock appreciation right (or option). The Employee Stock Plan will prohibit (1) repricing options and stock appreciation rights (other than in connection with Adjustment Events), (2) repurchasing options or stock appreciation rights for cash when the exercise price equals or exceeds the fair market value of a share of the Companys Class A Common Stock or (3) option or stock appreciation right automatic reload provisions, in each case without the approval of the Companys stockholders.
It is expected that the Employee Stock Plan will also permit the Company to grant restricted shares and restricted stock units. A restricted share is a share of the Companys Class A Common Stock that is registered in the participants name, but that is subject to certain transfer and/or forfeiture restrictions for a period of time as specified in the applicable award agreement. The participant of a restricted share will have the rights of a
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stockholder, subject to any restrictions and conditions specified by the Compensation Committee in the participants award agreement. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, unless the Compensation Committee determines otherwise, all ordinary cash dividends paid upon any restricted share prior to its vesting will be retained by the Company for the account of the relevant participant and upon vesting will be paid to the relevant participant.
A restricted stock unit is an unfunded, unsecured right to receive a share of the Companys Class A Common Stock (or cash or other property) at a future date upon the satisfaction of the conditions specified by the Compensation Committee in the award agreement. Unless otherwise provided by the Compensation Committee, a restricted stock unit will also carry a dividend equivalent right representing an unfunded and unsecured promise to pay to the relevant participant, upon the vesting of the restricted stock unit, an amount equal to the ordinary cash dividends that would have been paid upon any share underlying a restricted stock unit had such shares been issued.
The Compensation Committee is also expected to be able to grant other equity-based or equity-related awards to participants subject to terms and conditions it may specify. These awards may entail the transfer of shares or payment in cash based on the value of shares.
It is expected that under the Employee Stock Plan, the Compensation Committee will have the authority, in its discretion, to add performance criteria as a condition to any participants ability to exercise a stock option or stock appreciation right, or the vesting or payment of any restricted shares or restricted stock units, granted under the Employee Stock Plan. Additionally, the Employee Stock Plan will specify certain performance criteria that may, in the case of certain executive officers of the Company, be conditions precedent to the vesting of awards granted to such executives under the Employee Stock Plan.
Amendment; Termination
It is expected that the Board or the Compensation Committee may discontinue the Employee Stock Plan at any time and from time to time may amend or revise the terms of the Employee Stock Plan or any award agreement, as permitted by applicable law, except that it may not (a) make any amendment or revision in a manner unfavorable to a participant (other than if immaterial), without the consent of the participant or (b) make any amendment or revision without the approval of the stockholders of the Company if such approval is required by the rules of the stock exchange on which the Companys shares are listed. The consent of the participant will not be required solely pursuant to the previous sentence in respect of any adjustment made in light of an Adjustment Event, except to the extent the terms of an award agreement expressly refer to an Adjustment Event, in which case such terms will not be amended in a manner unfavorable to a participant (other than if immaterial) without such participants consent.
U.S. Federal Tax Implications of Certain Awards Under the Plan
The following summary generally describes the principal Federal (but not state and local) income tax consequences of certain awards that are expected to be permitted under the Employee Stock Plan. It is general in nature and is not intended to cover all tax consequences that may apply to a particular participant or the Company. The provisions of the Code and the regulations thereunder relating to these matters are complex and their impact in any one case may depend upon the particular circumstances.
Incentive Stock Options
A participant will not be subject to tax upon the grant of an incentive stock option (an ISO) or upon the exercise of an ISO. However, the excess of the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise over the exercise price paid will be included in the participants alternative minimum taxable income. Whether the participant is subject to the alternative minimum tax will depend on his or her particular circumstances. The
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participants basis in the shares received will be equal to the exercise price paid, and the holding period in such shares will begin on the day following the date of exercise. If a participant disposes of the shares on or after (i) the second anniversary of the date of grant of the ISO and (ii) the first anniversary of the date of exercise of the ISO (the statutory holding period), the participant will recognize a capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized on such disposition and his or her basis in the shares.
Nonstatutory Stock Options
For the grant of an option that is not intended to be (or does not qualify as) an ISO, a participant will not be subject to tax upon the grant of such an option (a nonstatutory stock option). Upon exercise of a nonstatutory stock option, an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares acquired on the date of exercise over the exercise price paid is taxable to a participant as ordinary income, and such amount is generally deductible by the Company. This amount of income will be subject to income tax withholding and employment taxes. A participants basis in the shares received will equal the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise, and a participants holding period in such shares will begin on the day following the date of exercise.
Restricted Stock
A participant will not be subject to tax upon receipt of an award of shares subject to forfeiture conditions and transfer restrictions (the restrictions) under the Employee Stock Plan unless the participant makes the election referred to below. Upon lapse of the restrictions, a participant will recognize ordinary income equal to the fair market value of the shares on the date of lapse (less any amount the participant may have paid for the shares), and such income will be subject to income tax withholding and employment taxes. A participants basis in the shares received will be equal to the fair market value of the shares on the date the restrictions lapse, and a participants holding period in such shares begins on the day after the restrictions lapse. If any dividends are paid on such shares prior to the lapse of the restrictions they will be includible in a participants income during the restricted period as additional compensation (and not as dividend income) and will be subject to income tax withholding and employment taxes.
If permitted by the applicable award agreement, a participant may elect, within thirty days after the date of the grant of the restricted stock, to recognize immediately (as ordinary income) the fair market value of the shares awarded (less any amount a participant may have paid for the shares), determined on the date of grant (without regard to the restrictions). Such income will be subject to income tax withholding and employment taxes at such time. This election is made pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code and the regulations thereunder. If a participant makes this election, the participants holding period will begin the day after the date of grant, dividends paid on the shares will be subject to the normal rules regarding distributions on stock, and no additional income will be recognized by the participant upon the lapse of the restrictions. However, if the participant forfeits the restricted shares before the restrictions lapse, no deduction or capital loss will be available to the participant (even though the participant previously recognized income with respect to such forfeited shares).
In the taxable year in which a participant recognizes ordinary income on account of shares awarded to the participant, the Company generally will be entitled to a deduction equal to the amount of income recognized by the participant. In the event that the restricted shares are forfeited by the participant after having made the Section 83(b) election referred to above, the Company generally will include in our income the amount of our original deduction.
Stock Appreciation Rights
A participant will not be subject to tax upon the grant of a stock appreciation right. Upon exercise of a stock appreciation right, an amount equal to the cash and/or the fair market value (measured on the date of exercise) of shares receivable by the participant in respect of a stock appreciation right will be taxable to the participant as
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ordinary income, and such amount generally will be deductible by the Company. This amount of income will be subject to income tax withholding and employment taxes. A participants basis in any shares received will be equal to the fair market value of such shares on the date of exercise, and a participants holding period in such shares will begin on the day following the date of exercise.
Restricted Stock Units
A participant will not be subject to tax upon the grant of a restricted stock unit. Upon vesting of a restricted stock unit, the fair market value of the shares covered by the award on the vesting date will be subject to employment taxes. Upon distribution of the shares and/or cash underlying a restricted stock unit, a participant will recognize as ordinary income an amount equal to the cash and/or fair market value (measured on the Distribution date) of the shares received, and such amount will generally be deductible by the Company. This amount of income will generally be subject to income tax withholding on the date of distribution. A participants basis in any shares received will be equal to the fair market value of the shares on the date of distribution, and a participants holding period in such shares will begin on the date of distribution. If any dividend equivalent amounts are paid to a participant, they will be includible in the participants income as additional compensation (and not as dividend income) and will be subject to income and employment tax withholding.
Disposition of Shares
Unless stated otherwise above, upon the subsequent disposition of shares acquired under any of the preceding awards, a participant will recognize capital gain or loss based upon the difference between the amount realized on such disposition and the participants basis in the shares, and such amount will be long-term capital gain or loss if such shares were held for more than 12 months.
Our Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors
Prior to the Distribution, we expect to adopt the Director Stock Plan, subject to the approval of MSG Entertainment as our sole shareholder at such time. A form of the Director Stock Plan is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, of which this information statement forms a part, that we have filed with the SEC, and the following description of the Director Stock Plan is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Director Stock Plan.
Overview
We believe that the Companys ability to attract and retain capable persons as non-employee directors will be enhanced if it can provide its non-employee directors with equity-based awards and that the Company will benefit from encouraging a sense of proprietorship of such persons stimulating the active interest of such persons in the development and financial success of the Company. The Director Stock Plan will provide for potential grants of non-qualified stock options, restricted stock units, restricted shares and other equity-based awards (collectively, Director Awards) to our non-employee directors. The Director Stock Plan is expected to terminate, and no more Director Awards will be granted, after the ten year anniversary of the Distribution (unless sooner terminated by our Board or our Compensation Committee). The termination of the Director Stock Plan will not affect previously granted Director Awards.
Shares Subject to the Director Stock Plan; Other Limitations
The Director Stock Plan will be administered by the Companys Compensation Committee. The total number of shares of the Companys Class A Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to Director Awards under the Director Stock Plan may not exceed an aggregate of 750,000 shares, which may be either treasury shares or authorized and unissued shares. To the extent that (i) a Director Award is paid, settled or exchanged or expires, lapses, terminates or is cancelled for any reason without the issuance of shares or (ii) any shares under a Director Award are not issued because of payment or withholding obligations, then it is expected that the
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Compensation Committee will also be able to grant Director Awards with respect to such shares. Director Awards payable only in cash or property other than shares will not reduce the aggregate remaining number of shares with respect to which Director Awards may be made under the Director Stock Plan and shares relating to any other Director Awards that are settled in cash or property other than shares, when settled, will be added back to the aggregate remaining number of shares with respect to which Director Awards may be made under the Director Stock Plan. Any shares underlying Director Awards that the Company becomes obligated to make through the assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by an acquired entity will not count against the shares available to be delivered pursuant to Director Awards under the Director Stock Plan. In the event that any Adjustment Event affects shares such that the failure to make an adjustment to a Director Award would not appropriately protect the rights represented by the Director Award in accordance with the essential intent and principles thereof, then it is expected that the Compensation Committee will, in such manner as it may determine to be equitable in its sole discretion, be able to adjust any or all of the terms of an outstanding Director Award (including, without limitation, the number of shares covered by such outstanding Director Award, the type of property to which the Director Award is subject and the exercise price of such Director Award).
Director Awards
It is expected that under the Director Stock Plan, the Company will be able to grant stock options to participants. The options will be exercisable at a price determined by the Compensation Committee on the date of the Director Award grant, which price will be no less than the fair market value of a share of the Companys Class A Common Stock on the date the option is granted, and will otherwise be subject to such terms and conditions as specified by the Compensation Committee, provided that, unless determined otherwise by the Compensation Committee, such options will be fully vested and exercisable on the date of grant. Each option granted pursuant to the Director Stock Plan will terminate upon the earlier to occur of (i) the expiration of ten years following the date upon which the option is granted and (ii) a period fixed by the Compensation Committee in the award agreement; however, an award agreement may provide that in the event that a participant dies while an option is exercisable, the option will remain exercisable by the participants estate or beneficiary only until the first anniversary of the participants date of death and whether or not such first anniversary occurs prior to or following the expiration of the relevant period referred to above. It is expected that upon its exercise, an option may be settled, in the Compensation Committees discretion, for a cash amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of a share of the Companys Class A Common Stock on the date of exercise over the exercise price of the option. The Director Stock Plan will prohibit (1) repricing options and stock appreciation rights (other than in connection with Adjustment Events), (2) repurchasing options or stock appreciation rights for cash when the exercise price equals or exceeds the fair market value of a share of the Companys Class A Common Stock or (3) option or stock appreciation right automatic reload provisions, in each case without the approval of the Companys stockholders.
The Company is also expected to be able to grant restricted stock units to participants. A restricted stock unit is an unfunded, unsecured right to receive a share of the Companys Class A Common Stock (or cash or other property) at a future date upon the satisfaction of the conditions specified by the Compensation Committee in the award agreement. Unless otherwise provided by the Compensation Committee, such restricted stock units will be fully vested on the date of grant and will also carry a dividend equivalent right representing an unfunded and unsecured promise to pay to the relevant participant an amount equal to the ordinary cash dividends that would have been paid upon any share underlying a restricted stock unit had such shares been issued. If a restricted stock unit is not fully vested at the date of grant, the dividend equivalent right will not apply until such restricted stock unit is vested.
It is expected that the Compensation Committee will be permitted to grant other equity-based or equity-related awards (including, without limitation, restricted shares, unrestricted shares and share appreciation awards) to non-employee directors subject to terms and conditions it may specify. These awards may entail the transfer of shares or payment in cash based on the value of shares.
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Amendment; Termination
It is expected that the Board or the Compensation Committee may discontinue the Director Stock Plan at any time and from time to time may amend or revise the terms of the Director Stock Plan or any award agreement, as permitted by applicable law, except that it may not (a) make any amendment or revision in a manner unfavorable to a participant (other than if immaterial), without the consent of the participant or (b) make any amendment or revision without the approval of the stockholders of the Company if such approval is required by the rules of the stock exchange on which the Companys shares are listed. Consent of the participant will not be required solely pursuant to the previous sentence in respect of any adjustment made in light of a Director Stock Plan Adjustment Event, except to the extent the terms of an award agreement expressly refer to a Director Stock Plan Adjustment Event, in which case such terms will not be amended in a manner unfavorable to a participant (other than if immaterial) without such participants consent.
U.S. Federal Tax Implications of Options and Restricted Stock Units Under the Director Stock Plan
The following summary generally describes the principal Federal (but not state and local) income tax consequences of the issuance and exercise of options and restricted stock units that it is expected would be permitted under the Director Stock Plan. It is general in nature and is not intended to cover all tax consequences that may apply to a particular participant or the Company. The provisions of the Code and the regulations thereunder relating to these matters are complex and subject to change and their impact in any one case may depend upon the particular circumstances.
A non-employee director will not realize any income, and the Company will not be entitled to a deduction, at the time that a stock option is granted under the Director Stock Plan. Upon exercising an option, a non-employee director will realize ordinary income (not as capital gain), and the Company will be entitled to a corresponding deduction, in an amount equal to the fair market value on the exercise date of the shares subject to the option over the exercise price of the option. The non-employee director will have a basis in the shares received as a result of the exercise, for purposes of computing capital gain or loss, equal to the fair market value of those shares on the exercise date and the non-employee directors holding period in the shares received will commence on the day after the date of exercise. If an option is settled by the Company in cash, shares or a combination thereof, the non-employee directors will recognize ordinary income at the time of settlement equal to the fair market value of such cash, shares or combination thereof, and the Company will be entitled to a corresponding deduction.
A non-employee director will not realize any income, and the Company will not be entitled to a deduction, at the time that a restricted stock unit is granted under the Director Stock Plan or at the time that a restricted stock unit vests. Upon payment or settlement of a restricted stock unit award in our Class A Common Stock or cash, the non-employee director will recognize ordinary income, and the Company will be entitled to a corresponding deduction, equal to the fair market value of any Class A Common Stock or cash received.
Treatment of Outstanding Awards
MSG Entertainment has previously issued options to purchase its MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock. In connection with the Distribution, each MSG Entertainment option will become two options: one will be an option to acquire MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock and one an option to acquire our Class A Common Stock. We expect that options with respect to our Class A Common Stock will be issued under the Employee Stock Plan. The existing exercise price will be allocated between the existing MSG Entertainment options and our new options based upon the weighted average price of each of MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock and our 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 our common stock will be issued for every one share of MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock). The MSG Entertainment options and our new options will not be exercisable during a period beginning on a date prior to the Distribution determined by MSG Entertainment in its sole discretion, and continuing until the exercise prices of the MSG Entertainment options and our new options are determined after the Distribution, or such longer period as
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MSG Entertainment or we determine is necessary with respect to our and MSG Entertainments respective awards. Other than the split of the MSG Entertainment options and the allocation of the existing exercise price, upon issuance of our new options there will be no additional adjustment to the existing MSG Entertainment options in connection with the Distribution and the terms of each employees applicable MSG Entertainment award agreement will continue to govern the MSG Entertainment options. The options that we issue in respect of outstanding MSG Entertainment stock options will be affected by a change in control or going private transaction of the Company, MSG Entertainment or MSG Sports, as set forth in the terms of the award agreement.
MSG Entertainment has previously issued restricted stock units and performance stock units to its employees, which represent unfunded, unsecured rights to receive shares of MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock (or cash or other property) at a future date upon the satisfaction of the conditions specified by MSG Entertainments Compensation Committee in the award agreement. In connection with the Distribution, each holder of an employee restricted stock unit will receive one Company restricted stock unit in respect of every one MSG Entertainment restricted stock unit owned on the record date and continue to be entitled to a share of MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock (or cash or other property) for each MSG Entertainment restricted stock unit in accordance with the MSG Entertainment award agreement. Additionally, each holder of an employee performance stock unit will receive one Company performance stock unit (at target performance) in respect of every one MSG Entertainment performance stock unit (at target performance) owned on the record date and continue to be entitled to a share of MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock (or cash or other property) for each MSG Entertainment performance stock unit in accordance with the MSG Entertainment award agreement. The performance conditions applicable to MSG Entertainment performance stock units and Company performance stock units that have a performance period ending in 2023 will be equitably adjusted to reflect the Distribution in order to measure the achievement of the consolidated performance of MSG Entertainment and the Company over the performance period. The performance conditions applicable to MSG Entertainment performance stock units and Company performance stock units that have a performance period ending after 2023 will be equitably adjusted so that the performance conditions relate solely to whichever company employs the holder of the award as of the Distribution.
Our restricted stock units and performance stock units will be issued under our Employee Stock Plan and will be subject to the same conditions and restrictions as the MSG Entertainment award except as described above. Except as described above, there will be no adjustment to the existing MSG Entertainment restricted stock units or MSG Entertainment performance stock units in connection with the Distribution and the terms of each employees applicable award agreement will continue to govern the MSG Entertainment award. The restricted stock units and performance stock units that we issue in respect of outstanding MSG Entertainment awards will be affected by a change in control or going private transaction of the Company, MSG Entertainment or MSG Sports, as set forth in the terms of the award agreement.
MSG Entertainment has previously issued restricted stock units to its non-employee directors which represent unfunded, unsecured rights to receive shares of MSG Entertainment 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 our Class A Common Stock in respect of every one MSG Entertainment restricted stock unit owned on the record date and continue to be entitled to a share of MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock (or cash or other property) in accordance with the award agreement. Such shares of Company Class A Common Stock will be issued under our Director Stock Plan.
With respect to outstanding equity awards, the Company, MSG Entertainment and MSG Sports 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 MSG Entertainment awards (and our awards issued in connection with such awards) holders of such awards will continue to vest so long as they remain employed by the Company, MSG Entertainment, MSG Sports or affiliates of such entities, provided that an employee who moves between the Company (or one of its subsidiaries), MSG Entertainment (or one of its subsidiaries) or MSG Sports (or one of its subsidiaries) at a time when the applicable 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.
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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Introduction
Following the Distribution, the Company and MSG Entertainment will each be controlled by the Dolan Family Group. The Dolan Family Group also controls MSG Sports and AMC Networks. For purposes of governing the ongoing relationships between the Company and MSG Entertainment, respectively, after the Distribution, we will enter into certain agreements with those companies prior to the Distribution.
Relationship Between MSG Entertainment and Us After the Distribution
Following the Distribution, we will be a public company and MSG Entertainment will have a continuing approximately 33% common stock ownership interest in us in the form of Class A Common Stock. MSG Entertainment will not own any of our Class B Common Stock following the Distribution. As described under The Distribution Results of the Distribution, both MSG Entertainment and Spinco will be under the control of Charles F. Dolan, members of his family and certain related family entities immediately following the Distribution. See Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information, Combined Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2022 and 2021 and Combined Statements of Operations for the years ended June 30, 2022, 2021 and 2020 Notes to Combined Financial Statements Note 19, Related Party Transactions for information concerning historical intercompany transactions between us and MSG Entertainment. MSG Entertainment is required by applicable tax rules to dispose of all of the retained shares as soon as practicable consistent with the business purposes for the retention, and expects to dispose of such retained shares within one year, subject to market conditions.
For purposes of governing the ongoing relationships between MSG Entertainment and us after the Distribution and to provide for an orderly transition, MSG Entertainment and Spinco will enter into the agreements described in this section prior to the Distribution.
Certain of the agreements summarized in this section will be filed prior to the Distribution as exhibits to the registration statement, of which this information statement forms a part, that we have filed with the SEC, and the following summaries of those agreements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the agreements that will be filed prior to the Distribution.
Distribution Agreement
We will enter into a Distribution Agreement with MSG Entertainment as part of a series of transactions pursuant to which we have acquired or will acquire prior to the Distribution the subsidiaries, business and other assets of MSG Entertainment that constitute our business.
Under the Distribution Agreement, MSG Entertainment will distribute approximately 67% of our common stock to its common stockholders.
Under the Distribution Agreement, MSG Entertainment will provide us with indemnities with respect to liabilities, damages, costs and expenses arising out of any of: (i) MSG Entertainments businesses (other than business of ours); (ii) certain identified claims or proceedings; (iii) any breach by MSG Entertainment of its obligations under the Distribution Agreement; (iv) any untrue statement or omission in the registration statement, of which this information statement forms a part, or in this information statement relating to MSG Entertainment and its subsidiaries; and (v) indemnification obligations we may have to the NBA or NHL that result from acts or omissions of MSG Entertainment. We will provide MSG Entertainment with indemnities with respect to liabilities, damages, costs and expenses arising out of any of (i) its businesses; (ii) any breach by us of its obligations under the Distribution Agreement; (iii) any untrue statement or omission in the registration statement, of which this information statement forms a part, or in this information statement other than any such statement or omission relating to MSG Entertainment and its subsidiaries; and (iv) indemnification obligations MSG Entertainment may have to the NBA or NHL that result from acts or omissions of the Company.
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In the Distribution Agreement, we will release MSG Entertainment from any claims we might have arising out of:
| the management of the business and affairs of MSG Entertainments Entertainment business segment (excluding MSG Sphere) on or prior to the Distribution; |
| the terms of the Distribution, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our by-laws and the other agreements entered into in connection with the Distribution; and |
| any decisions that have been made, or actions taken, relating to MSG Entertainments Entertainment business segment (excluding MSG Sphere) or the Distribution. |
Additionally, in the Distribution Agreement, MSG Entertainment will release us from any claims MSG Entertainment might have arising out of:
| the management of the businesses and affairs of MSG Entertainments MSG Networks and Tao Group Hospitality business segments or related to the MSG Sphere business on or prior to the Distribution; |
| the terms of the Distribution and the other agreements entered into in connection with the Distribution; and |
| any decisions that have been made, or actions taken, relating to the Distribution. |
The Distribution Agreement will also provide that MSG Entertainment has 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.
The Distribution Agreement will also provide for access to records and information, cooperation in defending litigation, as well as methods of resolution for certain disputes.
Transition Services Agreement
We will enter into a Transition Services Agreement with MSG Entertainment under which, in exchange for the fees specified in such agreement, the Company will agree to provide certain corporate and other services to MSG Entertainment, 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. MSG Entertainment similarly will agree to provide certain transition services to the Company. The Company and MSG Entertainment, as parties receiving services under the agreement, will agree 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 partys gross negligence, willful misconduct or breach of its obligations under the agreement. Similarly, each party providing services under the agreement will agree to indemnify the party receiving services for losses incurred by such party that arise out of or are otherwise in connection with the indemnifying partys provision of services under the agreement if such losses result from the providing partys gross negligence, willful misconduct or breach of its obligations under the agreement.
Tax Disaffiliation Agreement
We will enter into a Tax Disaffiliation Agreement with MSG Entertainment that will govern MSG Entertainments and our 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 mean taxes as well as any interest, penalties, additions to tax or additional amounts in respect of such taxes.
We and our eligible subsidiaries currently join with MSG Entertainment in the filing of certain consolidated, combined, and unitary returns for state, local, and other applicable tax purposes. However, for periods (or
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portions thereof) beginning after the Distribution, we generally will not join with MSG Entertainment or any of its subsidiaries (as determined after the Distribution) 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, MSG Entertainment will be generally responsible for all of our 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. We will be generally responsible for all taxes that are attributable to us or one of our subsidiaries after the Distribution date.
For any tax year, we will be generally responsible for filing all separate company tax returns that relate to us or one of our subsidiaries and that do not also include MSG Entertainment or any of its subsidiaries. MSG Entertainment will be generally responsible for filing all separate company tax returns that relate to MSG Entertainment or its subsidiaries (other than tax returns that will be filed by us), and for filing consolidated, combined or unitary returns that include (i) one or more of MSG Entertainment and its subsidiaries and (ii) one or more of us and our subsidiaries. Where possible, we will waive the right to carry back any losses, credits, or similar items to periods ending prior to or on the Distribution date; however, if we cannot waive the right, we will be entitled to receive the resulting refund or credit, net of any taxes incurred by MSG Entertainment with respect to the refund or credit.
Generally, we will have the authority to conduct all tax proceedings, including tax audits, relating to taxes or any adjustment to taxes for which we are responsible for filing a return under the Tax Disaffiliation Agreement, and MSG Entertainment will have the authority to conduct all tax proceedings, including tax audits, relating to taxes or any adjustment to taxes for which MSG Entertainment will be 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 will further provide for cooperation between MSG Entertainment and the Company 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.
Finally, the Tax Disaffiliation Agreement will require that neither we nor any of our 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 MSG Entertainment and to its stockholders under Section 355 of the Code, or would otherwise cause holders of MSG Entertainment stock receiving our 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, we will be restricted from engaging in certain activities that may jeopardize the tax-free treatment of the Distribution to MSG Entertainment and its stockholders, unless we receive MSG Entertainments consent or otherwise obtain a ruling from the IRS or a legal opinion, in either case reasonably satisfactory to MSG Entertainment, that the activity will not alter the tax-free status of the Distribution to MSG Entertainment and its stockholders. Such restricted activities include:
| entering into any transaction pursuant to which all or a significant portion of our shares or assets would be acquired, whether by merger or otherwise, unless certain tests are met; |
| issuing equity securities, if any such issuances would, together with certain other transactions, constitute 50% or more of the voting power or value of our capital stock; |
| certain repurchases of our common shares; |
| ceasing to actively conduct our business; |
| amendments to our organizational documents (i) affecting the relative voting rights of our stock or (ii) converting one class of our stock to another; |
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| liquidating or partially liquidating; and |
| taking any other action that prevents the Distribution and certain related transactions from being tax-free. |
Moreover, we will be required to indemnify MSG Entertainment 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
We will enter into an employee matters agreement (the Employee Matters Agreement) with MSG Entertainment that allocates 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, MSG Entertainment employees currently participate in various of our retirement, health and welfare, and other employee benefit plans. After the Distribution, it is anticipated that MSG Entertainment employees will generally participate in similar plans and arrangements established and maintained by MSG Entertainment; however, MSG Entertainment may continue to be a participating company in certain of our employee benefit plans during a transition period. Effective as of the Distribution date, we and MSG Entertainment generally will each hold responsibility for our respective employees and compensation plans.
For a description of the impact of the Distribution on holders of MSG Entertainment options, restricted stock units and performance stock units, see Executive Compensation Treatment of Outstanding Awards.
Stockholder and Registration Rights Agreement
See Shares Eligible for Future Sale for a description of the Stockholder and Registration Rights Agreement to be entered into between MSG Entertainment and the Company.
Delayed Draw Term Loan Facility
Prior to or concurrently with the consummation of the Distribution, the DDTL Lender is expected to enter into the DDTL Facility with the DDTL Borrower. The DDTL Facility is expected to provide for a $65 million senior unsecured delayed draw term loan facility for the DDTL Borrower.
The DDTL Facility will mature and any unused commitments thereunder will expire 18 months after the effective date thereof. Borrowings under the DDTL Facility will bear interest at a variable rate equal to either, at the option of the DDTL Borrower, (a) a base rate plus an applicable margin, or (b) Term SOFR plus 0.10%, plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin is expected to be equal to the applicable margin under the National Properties Facilities plus 1.00% per annum. The DDTL Borrower would also be required to pay a commitment fee in respect of the daily unused commitments under the DDTL Facility at a rate equal to the unused commitment fee rate under the National Properties Facilities plus 0.10% per annum. All interest and commitment fees accruing prior to January 1, 2024 will be payable in kind by capitalizing and adding such interest or fee to the outstanding principal amount of the loans. All interest and commitment fees accruing on and after January 1, 2024 will be payable in cash or by transferring to the DDTL Lender shares of Class A Common Stock of the Company as described below. Subject to customary borrowing conditions, the DDTL Facility may be drawn in up to six separate borrowings of $5 million or more.
The DDTL Facility is prepayable at any time without penalty and amounts repaid on the DDTL Facility may not be reborrowed. The DDTL Borrower will have the option to make any payments of principal, interest or fees under the DDTL Facility either in the form of cash or by delivering to the DDTL Lender shares of the Companys Class A Common Stock. If the DDTL Borrower elects to make any payment in the form of the Companys Class A Common Stock, the amount of such payment shall be calculated based on the dollar volume-weighted average price
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for the Class A Common Stock for the twenty trading days ending on the day on which the DDTL Borrower makes such election.
The DDTL Borrower shall only be permitted to use the proceeds of the DDTL Facility (i) for funding costs associated with the MSG Sphere initiative and (ii) in connection with refinancing of the indebtedness under the MSG Networks Credit Facility.
The DDTL Facility contains certain representations and warranties and affirmative and negative covenants, including, among others, financial reporting, notices of material events, and limitations on asset dispositions, restricted payments, and affiliate transactions. In addition, the DDTL Facility includes certain events of default, including, among others, defaults based on certain bankruptcy and insolvency events, nonpayment, cross-defaults to other debt, breach of specified covenants, ERISA events, material monetary judgments, change of control events and the material inaccuracy of the representations and warranties. If an event of default occurs and is continuing under the DDTL Facility, the agreement provides that the DDTL Lender may terminate the commitments under the agreement, declare amounts outstanding, including principal and accrued interest and fees, payable immediately, and enforce any and all of its rights and interests.
Two Pennsylvania Plaza Sublease
Following the Distribution, the Company will sublease approximately 20,000 square feet of office space at Two Pennsylvania Plaza in New York City to MSG Entertainment. The Company expects to earn approximately $2 million of sublease revenue from MSG Entertainment during Fiscal Year 2024 in connection with this arrangement.
Aircraft Arrangements
We will enter into various arrangements with MSG Entertainment, pursuant to which MSG Entertainment will have the right to lease on a time-sharing basis certain aircraft to which we have access. MSG Entertainment will be required to pay us specified expenses for each flight they elect to utilize, but not exceeding the maximum amount payable under Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules. In calculating the amounts payable under the agreement, the parties will allocate in good faith the treatment of any flight that is for the benefit of both companies. Additionally, the parties will agree on an allocation of the costs of certain helicopter use by any shared executive officers.
Other Arrangements and Agreements with MSG Entertainment
The Company has also entered into a number of commercial and other arrangements and agreements with MSG Entertainment and its subsidiaries. These include arrangements for the provision of services, allocations with respect to sponsorship agreements and other matters, aircraft sharing, and certain trademark licensing arrangements.
Other Arrangements and Agreements with MSG Sports and/or AMC Networks
The Company expects to enter into a number of commercial and other arrangements and agreements with MSG Sports and/or AMC Networks and their respective subsidiaries. The Company will agree to share certain executive support costs, including office space, executive assistants, security and transportation costs, for the Companys Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer with MSG Entertainment and MSG Sports and for the Companys Vice Chairman with MSG Entertainment, MSG Sports and AMC Networks. Additionally, the Company will agree on an allocation of the costs of certain personal aircraft use with MSG Entertainment and MSG Sports (with respect to Mr. Dolan only) and helicopter use with MSG Entertainment, MSG Sports and AMC Networks by their shared executives. Other arrangements may include the use of equipment, lease and use of offices and other premises, provision of transport services and vendor services, access to technology and lease of suites and sponsorships.
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Arena License Agreements
On April 15, 2020, a subsidiary of MSG Entertainment entered into Arena License Agreements with subsidiaries of MSG Sports that require the Knicks and Rangers (the teams) to play their home games at The Garden. These agreements will be assigned to the Company in connection with the Distribution. Under the Arena License Agreements, which each have a term of 35 years, the Knicks and the Rangers pay an annual license fee in connection with their respective use of The Garden. For each, the Arena License Agreement provides that the license fee for the first full contract year ended June 30, 2021 was to 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. The teams are not required to pay the license fee during a period in which The Garden is unavailable for use due to a force majeure event (including when events at The Garden were suspended by government mandate as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic). 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 applicable rent payable to the Company under the Arena License Agreements reduced by 80%. If, due to a force majeure event, capacity at The Garden is limited to less than full capacity but over 1,000 attendees, the parties will agree on an appropriate reduction to the rent payments. For the year ended June 30, 2022, MSG Entertainment recognized total license fee revenue under the Arena License Agreements of approximately $68.1 million from MSG Sports.
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 the Company will provide game day services for the teams, most of the associated costs will be borne by the teams. Pursuant to the Arena License Agreements, the Company, at its sole cost and expense, is responsible for the maintenance, equipment and other functions needed to operate, repair and maintain The Garden. The Company does not own or control the teams broadcast and telecast rights and therefore is not entitled to revenues in connection with their broadcast rights.
Pursuant to the Arena License Agreements, the Company operates and manages food and beverage services during all team events, for which the Company shares 50% of net profits with the applicable team. For the year ended June 30, 2022, MSG Entertainments revenue sharing expense for food and beverage services was approximately $10.8 million for MSG Sports.
Pursuant to the Arena License Agreements, the Company also has the right and obligation to operate and manage team merchandise sales at The Garden. The Company retains a 30% portion of revenues from team merchandise sold in The Garden. The Company maintains the exclusive right to control the operation and sale of non-team merchandise. For the year ended June 30, 2022, MSG Entertainment recorded revenue of approximately $4.4 million from team merchandise sales at The Garden.
Pursuant to the Arena License Agreements, the Company has the exclusive right to license and manage suites and club memberships at The Garden, including for use during team games, subject to certain exceptions, and shares a portion of the revenues from such licenses and club memberships with MSG Sports. MSG Sports is entitled to 67.5% of revenues (net of any contracted catering credits), for suites or club memberships sold for all or substantially all events at The Garden, including team home games. MSG Sports receives all revenues from the sale of suites licensed for team-only packages or individual team games, subject to a 20-25% commission to the Company. For any customizable suite package, revenues are divided between the Company and MSG Sports on a proportional basis, with MSG Sports receiving all revenues attributable to the team events included in the package, less a 20-25% commission to the Company. For the year ended June 30, 2022, MSG Entertainment recorded approximately $74.8 million of revenue sharing expense from licensing suite and club memberships.
Pursuant to the Arena License Agreements, the Company retains 52.5% of revenue from the sale of certain arena shared sponsorship assets, such as fixed signage or entitlements at The Garden. The Company is not entitled to any revenue from certain team sponsorship assets, such as courtside or rinkside advertising and other team or event-specific sponsorship assets. The Company is also entitled to 67.5% of the revenue from the sale of
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any arena naming rights. For the year ended June 30, 2022, MSG Entertainment recorded approximately $6.5 million of revenue sharing expense from arena shared sponsorship assets.
Pursuant to the Arena License Agreements, the Company does not have the right to sell or retain revenues from ticket sales or resales to team events. The Arena License Agreements set forth MSG Entertainments responsibilities with respect to box office services, ticket printing and the teams respective responsibilities to comply with MSG Entertainments ticket agent agreements.
The Arena License Agreements provide that the teams are 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 the Company may generate from team events will be reduced on a percentage basis as set forth in the Arena License Agreements.
The Arena License Agreements provide for the Company to prepare an annual budget, in consultation with the teams, subject to certain team consent rights.
NBA consent is required to amend the Knicks Arena License Agreement.
Sponsorship Sales and Service Representation Agreements
On April 15, 2020, MSG Entertainment entered into sponsorship sales and service representation agreements with the teams, which have terms of more than 10 years (subject to an early termination right exercisable by May 31, 2025 and effective June 30, 2025). Under these agreements, MSG Entertainment is the exclusive sales and service representative for all sponsorship benefits available for sale in connection with the teams, as well as the Knicks development team, the Westchester Knicks, and Knicks Gaming, the official NBA 2K esports franchise of the Knicks, subject to certain exceptions (e.g., regarding television and radio rights licensed to MSG Networks pursuant to separate media rights agreements). MSG Entertainment receives a commission from MSG Sports, subject to certain exceptions set forth in the agreements. Commissions are generally set at 12.5% of gross revenue, and may be increased to 17.5% of gross revenue for sales above the annual target revenue for the year. Commissions may also be reduced to account for fulfilment costs associated with a particular sponsorship asset. For the year ended June 30, 2022, MSG Entertainment recorded commission revenue of approximately $9.2 million from MSG Sports.
MSG Entertainment also receives annual sales operation fixed payments from MSG Sports associated with providing sponsorship sales services. For each subsequent year, the payment will be 103% of the payment for the immediately preceding contract year. For the year ended June 30, 2022, MSG Entertainment recorded revenue of approximately $8.4 million from MSG Sports.
These agreements are subject to certain termination rights, including the right of each of MSG Entertainment and MSG Sports to terminate if MSG Entertainment and MSG Sports are no longer affiliates, and MSG Sports right to terminate if certain sales thresholds are not met (unless MSG Entertainment pays MSG Sports the shortfall). NBA consent is required to amend the Knicks sponsorship sales and service representation agreement. In connection with the Distribution, we expect these agreements to be assigned from MSG Entertainment to the Company, although some adjustments may be needed as a result of the new organizational structure of the companies.
Team Sponsorship Allocation Agreement
MSG Entertainment and MSG Sports each routinely enter into sponsorship agreements with third-parties that include the assets of both companies with either MSG Entertainment or MSG Sports serving as the contracting party with the third-party sponsor. On April 15, 2020, MSG Entertainment entered into a team sponsorship allocation agreement with MSG Sports pursuant to which MSG Entertainment and MSG Sports
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agreed to distribute payments received under the third-party sponsorship agreements to each other generally in accordance with the relative value of the assets provided by each company under the respective third-party agreement. MSG Entertainment and MSG Sports have also agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to continue to receive the payments by the third-party sponsors, and have agreed that neither party will take any action that would cause the other one to be in breach under the third-party agreements (to the extent they have knowledge or reason to have knowledge of such agreement), as well as to consult with each other in the event of a breach by a third-party sponsor. In connection with the Distribution, the team sponsorship allocation agreement will be assigned from MSG Entertainment to the Company.
Group Ticket Sales and Service Representation Agreement
On April 15, 2020, MSG Entertainment entered into a group ticket sales and service representation agreement with MSG Sports, with an initial term lasting until June 30, 2024 and automatically renewing annually thereafter, pursuant to which MSG Sports is MSG Entertainments sales and service representative to sell group tickets and ticket packages. MSG Entertainment pays a 7.5% commission on gross revenue derived from group ticket sales placed on behalf of MSG Entertainment by MSG Sports and reimburses MSG Sports for a share of certain of its costs, which is determined by mutual good faith agreement of the parties and revisited each month to cover costs such as sales and service staff and overhead allocated to commission sales. For the year ended June 30, 2022, MSG Entertainment recorded expenses, within operating expenses, of approximately $3.1 million related to the group ticket sales and service representation agreement. In connection with the Distribution, this agreement will be assigned from MSG Entertainment to the Company.
Two Pennsylvania Plaza Sublease
Following the Distribution, the Company will sublease approximately 47,000 square feet of office space at Two Pennsylvania Plaza in New York City to MSG Sports. The Company expects to earn approximately $3 million of sublease revenue from MSG Sports during Fiscal Year 2024 in connection with this arrangement.
Dolan Family Arrangements
Standstill Agreement
Prior to the Distribution, the members of the Dolan Family Group will enter into an agreement (the Standstill Agreement) with the Company in which they will agree that during the 12-month period beginning on the Distribution date, the Dolan Family Group must obtain the prior approval of a majority of the Companys Independent Directors prior to acquiring common stock of the Company through a tender offer that results in members of the Dolan Family Group owning more than 50% of the total number of outstanding shares of common stock of the Company. For purposes of this agreement, the term Independent Directors means the directors of the Company who have been determined by our Board of Directors to be independent directors for purposes of NYSE corporate governance standards. The Standstill Agreement has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this information statement forms a part, that we have filed with the SEC, and the foregoing discussion of that agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to that exhibit.
Aircraft and Office Space Arrangements
A subsidiary of the Company is party to time sharing agreements, dry lease agreements and aircraft support services agreements with entities controlled by members of the Dolan Family with respect to various aircraft owned by either the Company or such Dolan Family members. Amounts paid or received by MSG Entertainment pursuant to these arrangements during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022 would have been paid or received by the Company if the Distribution had already occurred.
A subsidiary of the Company is a party to agreements with Charles F. Dolan, the father of James L. Dolan, pursuant to which Mr. Charles F. Dolan has the right to lease on a time-sharing basis certain Company aircraft.
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Mr. Dolan is required to pay us specified expenses for each flight he elects to utilize, but not exceeding the maximum amount payable under FAA rules. Pursuant to this arrangement, Mr. Dolan paid MSG Entertainment $182,210 for use of MSG Entertainments aircraft during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022. In addition, a subsidiary of the Company is party to an agreement with Sterling 2K, LLC (S2K), a company controlled by Deborah Dolan-Sweeney, the daughter of Charles F. Dolan and the sister of James L. Dolan, pursuant to which the Company has the right to lease on a non-exclusive basis S2Ks Gulfstream Aerospace GV-SP (G550) aircraft (the DFO G550). We are required to pay S2K rent at an hourly rate and specified expenses (which mirror the types of expenses we charge S2K for use of our aircraft) for each flight we elect to utilize. The agreement includes a true-up mechanism such that, to the extent the Companys annual usage of the DFO G550 exceeds Mr. Charles F. Dolans annual usage of the Companys aircraft, the Company will pay an additional hourly rate with respect to excess hours intended to cover additional costs. Pursuant to this arrangement, MSG Entertainment paid S2K $418,635 for use of the DFO G550 during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, inclusive of accrued true-up payments required under the agreement. In addition, the agreement provides for equitable adjustment in the event that discrepancies in hours of usage or other factors cause the arrangement to be economically unfair to either party.
A subsidiary of the Company and Brighid Air, LLC (Brighid), a company controlled by Patrick F. Dolan, are parties to agreements, pursuant to which the Company has a right to lease on a non-exclusive basis (the dry-lease) and on a time-sharing basis (the time-share) Brighids Bombardier BD100-1A10 Challenger 350 aircraft (the Challenger). The Company is required to pay Brighid specified expenses of each flight it elects to utilize, but not exceeding the maximum amount payable under FAA rules. MSG Entertainment paid Brighid $254,110 under the dry-lease agreement for use of the Challenger during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022. No payments were made under the time share because the Company did not use the Challenger under this agreement during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022. In connection with the agreement for the Companys use of the Challenger, a subsidiary of the Company and Dolan Family Office, LLC (DFO), an entity controlled by Charles F. Dolan, are parties to a Flight Crew Services Agreement, pursuant to which the Company may utilize pilots employed by DFO for purposes of flying the Challenger when the Company is leasing the Challenger under its agreement with Brighid. The Company is required to pay DFO an hourly rate for the use of such pilots, as well as reimburse certain expenses of the pilots. Pursuant to this arrangement, MSG Entertainment paid DFO $38,975 for use of DFO pilots during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022.
Until December 21, 2021, a subsidiary of MSG Entertainment was a party to an agreement with Quart 2C, LLC (Q2C), a company controlled by James. L. Dolan, the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, as well as a director of the Company, and Kristin A. Dolan, his spouse, pursuant to which Q2C had the right to lease on a time-sharing basis MSG Entertainments Gulfstream Aerospace G550 aircraft (the G550). Q2C was required to pay MSG Entertainment specified expenses for each flight it elected to utilize, but not exceeding the maximum amount payable under FAA rules. Q2C did not use MSG Entertainments aircraft during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022 and as a result, MSG Entertainment did not receive any payments from them. In addition, until December 21, 2021, a subsidiary of MSG Entertainment and Q2C were parties to an agreement, pursuant to which MSG Entertainment had the right to lease on a non-exclusive basis Q2Cs Gulfstream Aerospace G450 aircraft (the G450). MSG Entertainment was required to pay Q2C rent at an hourly rate and specified expenses (which mirror the types of expenses MSG Entertainment charged Q2C for use of the G550) for each flight MSG Entertainment elected to utilize. The agreement included a true-up mechanism such that, to the extent MSG Entertainments annual usage of the G450 exceeded Q2Cs annual usage of the G550, MSG Entertainment paid an additional hourly rate with respect to excess hours intended to cover additional costs. The agreement also provided for equitable adjustments in the event that discrepancies in hours of usage or other factors caused the arrangement to be economically unfair to either party. Pursuant to this arrangement, MSG Entertainment accrued expenses of $2,011,095 for use of the G450 during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, inclusive of any true-up payments and adjustments under the agreement due to significant use of the G450 by MSG Entertainment. These agreements were no longer effective as of December 21, 2021.
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A subsidiary of the Company is party to various Aircraft Support Services Agreements (as such agreements may be amended from time to time, the Aircraft Services Agreements) pursuant to which the Company provides aircraft support services to (i) Charles F. Dolan and certain of his other children (specifically, Thomas C. Dolan, a director of the Company, Deborah Dolan-Sweeney, Patrick F. Dolan, Marianne Dolan Weber, a director of the Company, and Kathleen Dolan) and (ii) an entity controlled by Patrick Dolan, the son of Charles F. Dolan and brother of James L. Dolan. Pursuant to the Services Agreements, the Company provides certain aircraft support services in exchange for a monthly agency fee. These services include providing pilots, crew and maintenance personnel, aircraft maintenance, FAA compliance, flight scheduling and dispatch services, negotiation/management of third-party contracts and other services necessary and appropriate for the support of aircraft. Pursuant to the Aircraft Services Agreements, each of the parties noted above paid MSG Entertainment (i) $193,705 and (ii) $168,730, respectively, during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022. The Company provided similar services to an entity controlled by James L. Dolan pursuant to an Aircraft Support Services Agreement until December 21, 2021, upon which date the agreement ceased to be effective. Pursuant to such agreement, the entity controlled by James L. Dolan paid MSG Entertainment $98,430 during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022.
605, LLC
James L. Dolan, a director and the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and his wife Kristin Dolan own 50% of 605, LLC (605), an audience measurement and data analytics company in the media and entertainment industries. Kristin Dolan is also the founder and Non-Executive Chairman of 605. MSG Entertainment paid 605 $53,349 for data analytics services during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022. In addition, MSG Entertainments Audit Committee approved the entry into one or more agreements with 605 to provide certain data analytics services to the Company for an aggregate amount of up to $1 million. In August 2022 a subsidiary of the Company entered into a three-year agreement with 605, valued at approximately $750,000, covering several customer analysis projects per year in connection with events held at our venues. The Company expects to engage 605 to provide certain data analytics services in the future.
Registration Rights
See Shares Eligible for Future Sale Registration Rights Agreements for a description of registration rights agreements that will be entered into among Dolan family interests and the Company and MSG Entertainment and the Company.
Certain Relationships and Potential Conflicts of Interest
Following the Distribution, there will be an overlap between an officer of the Company, MSG Sports and MSG Entertainment. James L. Dolan will serve as the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of both the Company and MSG Entertainment and as the Executive Chairman of MSG Sports. James L. Dolan also currently serves as Non-Executive Chairman of AMC Networks. In addition, Gregg G. Seibert will serve as a Vice Chairman of the Company, MSG Sports, MSG Entertainment and AMC Networks and Charles F. Dolan will serve as Chairman Emeritus of AMC Networks concurrently with his service on our Board. Furthermore, immediately following the Distribution, nine of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company will also serve as directors of MSG Entertainment, nine will serve as directors of MSG Sports and five will serve as directors of AMC Networks, including our Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, who serves as Non-Executive Chairman of AMC Networks. There will be no overlap of Class A Directors as between MSG Entertainment and the Company.
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 we or the Other Entities 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
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arrangements that will exist between an Other Entity on the one hand and us on the other hand. In addition, after the Distribution, certain of our 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 our Company and an Other Entity. See Related Party Transaction Approval Policy for a discussion of certain procedures we will institute to help ameliorate such potential conflicts that may arise.
The Companys amended and restated certificate of incorporation will acknowledge that the Overlap Persons may also be serving as directors, officers, employees or agents of an Other Entity, and that the Company may engage in material business transactions with such Other Entities. The Company will renounce its rights to certain business opportunities and the Companys amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that no Overlap Person will be liable to the Company 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 opportunities set forth in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation) to one or more of the Other Entities instead of the Company, or does not refer or communicate information regarding such corporate opportunities to the Company. These provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will also expressly validate certain contracts, agreements, arrangements and transactions (and amendments, modifications or terminations thereof) between the Company and the Other Entities 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 Company, any of its subsidiaries or their respective stockholders. See Description of Capital Stock Certain Corporate Opportunities and Conflicts.
Related Party Transaction Approval Policy
We will adopt a written policy whereby an Independent Committee of our Board of Directors will review and approve or take such other action as it may deem appropriate with respect to transactions involving the Company and its subsidiaries, on the one hand, and in which any director, executive officer, greater than 5% stockholder of the Company or any other related person (as defined in Item 404 of Regulation S-K adopted by the SEC) has or will have a direct or indirect material interest. This approval requirement covers any transaction that meets the related party disclosure requirements of the SEC as set forth in Item 404, which currently apply to transactions (or any series of similar transactions) in which the amount involved exceeds the dollar threshold set forth in Item 404 (currently $120,000). To simplify the administration of the approval process under this policy, an Independent Committee may, where appropriate, establish guidelines for certain of those transactions. The policy does not cover decisions on compensation or benefits or the hiring or retention of any person. The hiring or retention of executive officers is determined by our full Board of Directors. Compensation of executive officers is subject to the approval of our Compensation Committee. This policy also does not cover any pro rata distributions to all Company stockholders, including a pro rata distribution of our Class A Common Stock to holders of our Class A Common Stock and our Class B Common Stock to holders of our Class B Common Stock. No director on an Independent Committee will participate in the consideration of a related party transaction with that director or any related person of that director. Following the Distribution, our Board of Directors will also adopt a special approval policy for transactions with the Other Entities whether or not such transactions qualify as related party transactions described above. Under this policy, an Independent Committee will oversee approval of all transactions and arrangements between the Company and its subsidiaries, on the one hand, and one or more of the Other Entities, on the other hand, in which the amount exceeds a $1,000,000 threshold. In addition, an Independent Committee will receive a quarterly update from the Companys Internal Audit Department of all related party transactions, including transactions and arrangements between the Company and its subsidiaries on the one hand, and each of the Other Entities, on the other hand, regardless of value. To simplify the administration of the approval process under this policy, an Independent Committee may, where appropriate, establish guidelines for certain of these transactions. The approval requirement will not apply to the implementation and administration of these intercompany arrangements under the related party transaction approval policy but will cover any amendments, modifications, terminations or extensions involving amounts in excess of $1,000,000, as well as the handling and resolution of any disputes
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involving amounts in excess of $1,000,000. Our executive officers and directors who are also senior executives or directors of the Other Entities may participate in the negotiation, execution, implementation, amendment, modification, or termination of these intercompany arrangements, as well as in any resolution of disputes thereunder, on behalf of any or all of the Company and the Other Entities, in each case under the direction or ultimate approval of an Independent Committee or the comparable committee of the board of directors of the Company and/or Other Entities, as applicable.
Our related party transaction approval policy cannot be amended or terminated without the prior approval of a majority of the Companys independent directors and by a majority of the directors elected by our Class B Common Stockholders. For purposes of this policy, independent directors means those directors who have been determined by our Board to be independent directors for purposes of NYSE corporate governance standards.
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Beneficial Ownership of Stock
This table shows the number of shares of our Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, and the percentage of shares of our Class A Common Stock and our Class B Common Stock, that would be owned of record and beneficially at the time of the Distribution by each director and executive officer of the Company (calculated as of March 7, 2023, the Reference Date). The table also shows the name, address and the number of shares of our Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock and percentage of shares of our Class A Common Stock and our Class B Common Stock that would be owned by persons beneficially owning more than five percent (5%) of any class at the time of Distribution. All information in the table and related footnotes is based solely upon the Companys review of SEC filings as of the Reference Date (and, in the case of members of the Dolan family and trusts for their benefit, information provided to the Company as of the Reference Date) as to the ownership of MSG Entertainment common stock and is presented as if the Distribution had occurred on the Reference Date. The ownership percentages in this table are based on the following total share amounts expected to be outstanding at the time of the Distribution (calculated as of the Reference Date and based on the distribution ratio of one share of our Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock for each share of MSG Entertainment Class A Common Stock and MSG Entertainment Class B Common Stock, respectively), and include MSG Entertainments retained interest and the issuance of shares of our Class A Common Stock to MSG Entertainment non-employee directors who held MSG Entertainment non-employee director restricted stock units as of the Reference Date: 44,900,926 Class A Shares and 6,866,754 Class B Shares, for a total of 51,767,680 shares.
Name and Address |
Title of Stock Class(1) |
Beneficial Ownership |
Percent of Class |
Combined Voting Power of All Classes of Stock Beneficially Owned(1)(2) | ||||
Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. Two Pennsylvania Plaza New York, NY 10121 |
Class A Common Stock Class B Common Stock |
17,021,491 |
37.9 |
32.9% | ||||
Dolan Family Group (3) 340 Crossways Park Drive Woodbury, NY 11797 |
Class A Common Stock Class B Common Stock |
1,623,023 6,866,754 |
3.6% 100% |
61.6% | ||||
Charles F. Dolan (3)(4)(5)(7)(15)(17)(23) (27) 340 Crossways Park Drive Woodbury, NY 11797 |
Class A Common Stock Class B Common Stock |
298,958 3,863,285 |
* 56.3% |
34.3% | ||||
Helen A. Dolan (3)(4)(5)(7)(15)(17)(23) (27) 340 Crossways Park Drive Woodbury, NY 11797 |
Class A Common Stock Class B Common Stock |
298,958 3,863,285 |
* 56.3% |
34.3% | ||||
James L. Dolan (3)(6)(7)(8)(11)(14)(18) P.O. Box 420 Oyster Bay, NY 11771 |
Class A Common Stock Class B Common Stock |
1,008,484 1,140,792 |
2.2% 16.6% |
10.9% | ||||
Thomas C. Dolan (3)(7)(9)(14)(16)(19) 340 Crossways Park Drive Woodbury, NY 11797 |
Class A Common Stock Class B Common Stock |
67,284 468,423 |
* 6.8% |
4.2% | ||||
Brian G. Sweeney (3)(7)(10)(13)(14)(15)(21) 20 Audrey Avenue, 1st Floor Oyster Bay, NY 11771 |
Class A Common Stock Class B Common Stock |
128,527 806,076 |
* 11.7% |
7.2% | ||||
Paul J. Dolan (3)(7)(11)(18)(22) 340 Crossways Park Drive Woodbury, NY 11797 |
Class A Common Stock Class B Common Stock |
129,885 1,380,548 |
* 20.1% |
12.3% |
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Name and Address |
Title of Stock Class(1) |
Beneficial Ownership |
Percent of Class |
Combined Voting Power of All Classes of Stock Beneficially Owned(1)(2) | ||||
Marianne Dolan Weber (3)(7)(12)(14)(16)(20) MLC Ventures LLC P.O. Box 1014 Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 |
Class A Common Stock Class B Common Stock |
93,255 450,152 |
* 6.6% |
4.0% | ||||
Charles P. Dolan (7) | Class A Common Stock Class B Common Stock |
19,971 |
* |
* | ||||
Ryan T. Dolan (6) | Class A Common Stock Class B Common Stock |
1,076 |
* |
* | ||||
Quentin F. Dolan (7) | Class A Common Stock Class B Common Stock |
13,546 |
* |
* | ||||
Martin N. Bandier (7) | Class A Common Stock Class B Common Stock |
9,869 |
|
| ||||
Donna Coleman (7) | Class A Common Stock Class B Common Stock |
12,307 |
* |
* | ||||
Frederic V. Salerno (7) | Class A Common Stock Class B Common Stock |
12,348 |
* |
* | ||||
David F. Byrnes (6) | Class A Common Stock Class B Common Stock |
1,210 |
* |
* | ||||
Jamal H. Haughton (6) | Class A Common Stock Class B Common Stock |
1,311 |
* |
* | ||||
Philip G. DAmbrosio (6) | Class A Common Stock Class B Common Stock |
10,126 |
* |
* | ||||
Courtney Zeppetella (6) | Class A Common Stock Class B Common Stock |
|
|
| ||||
All current executive officers and directors as a group (4) (12) |
Class A Common Stock Class B Common Stock |
1,713,508 6,851,436 |
3.8% 99.8% |
61.5% | ||||
Deborah A. Dolan-Sweeney (3)(7)(10)(13)(14)(15)(21) 340 Crossways Park Drive Woodbury, NY 11797 |
Class A Common Stock Class B Common Stock |
128,527 806,076 |
* 11.7% |
7.2% | ||||
Kathleen M. Dolan (3)(11)(14)(18) (22) MLC Ventures LLC P.O. Box 1014 Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 |
Class A Common Stock Class B Common Stock |
189,694 2,778,833 |
* 40.5% |
24.6% | ||||
Mary S. Dolan (3)(15)(21)(23) (27) 340 Crossways Park Drive Woodbury, NY 11797 |
Class A Common Stock Class B Common Stock |
71,948 3,985,993 |
* 58.0% |
35.2% | ||||
Matthew J. Dolan (3)(16)(19)(20) 340 Crossways Park Drive Woodbury, NY 11797 |
Class A Common Stock Class B Common Stock |
46,357 918,575 |
* 13.4% |
8.1% | ||||
Corby Dolan Leinauer (3)(17)(23) (27) 340 Crossways Park Drive Woodbury, NY 11797 |
Class A Common Stock Class B Common Stock |
41,254 3,521,601 |
* 51.3% |
31.0% | ||||
Charles F. Dolan James L. Dolan (3)(8)(11)(14)(18) P.O. Box 420 Oyster Bay, NY 11771 |
Class A Common Stock Class B Common Stock |
44,342 916,156 |
* 13.3% |
8.1% |
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Name and Address |
Title of Stock Class(1) |
Beneficial Ownership |
Percent of Class |
Combined Voting Power of All Classes of Stock Beneficially Owned(1)(2) | ||||
Charles F. Dolan Thomas C. Dolan (3)(9)(14)(16)(19) 340 Crossways Park Drive Woodbury, NY 11797 |
Class A Common Stock Class B Common Stock |
20,156 468,423 |
* 6.8% |
4.1% | ||||
Charles F. Dolan Marianne Dolan Weber (3)(12)(14)(16)(20) MLC Ventures LLC P.O. Box 1014 Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 |
Class A Common Stock Class B Common Stock |
24,187 450,152 |
* 6.6% |
4.0% | ||||
Charles F. Dolan Deborah Dolan-Sweeney (3)(10)(13)(14)(15)(21) 340 Crossways Park Drive Woodbury, NY 11797 |
Class A Common Stock Class B Common Stock |
24,187 464,392 |
* 6.8% |
4.1% | ||||
Charles F. Dolan Kathleen M. Dolan (3)(11)(14)(22) MLC Ventures LLC P.O. Box 1014 Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 |
Class A Common Stock Class B Common Stock |
24,187 464,392 |
* 6.8% |
4.1% | ||||
Charles F. Dolan James L. Dolan (3)(4)(5)(15)(17)(23) P.O. Box 420 Oyster Bay, NY 11771 |
Class A Common Stock Class B Common Stock |
6,718 1,046,565 |
* 15.2% |
9.2% | ||||
Charles F. Dolan Thomas C. Dolan (3)(4)(5)(15)(17)(24) 340 Crossways Park Drive Woodbury, NY 11797 |
Class A Common Stock Class B Common Stock |
6,718 652,490 |
* 9.5% |
5.8% | ||||
Charles F. Dolan Marianne E. Dolan Weber (3)(4)(5)(15)(17)(25) MLC Ventures LLC P.O. Box 1014 Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 |
Class A Common Stock Class B Common Stock |
6,718 646,426 |
* 9.4% |
5.7% | ||||
Charles F. Dolan Deborah A. Dolan-Sweeney (3)(4)(5)(15)(17)(26) 340 Crossways Park Drive Woodbury, NY 11797 |
Class A Common Stock Class B Common Stock |
6,718 561,530 |
* 8.2% |
5.0% | ||||
Charles F. Dolan Kathleen M. Dolan (3)(4)(5)(15)(17)(27) MLC Ventures LLC P.O. Box 1014 Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 |
Class A Common Stock Class B Common Stock |
6,718 614,590 |
* 9.0% |
5.4% |
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Name and Address |
Title of Stock Class(1) |
Beneficial Ownership |
Percent of Class |
Combined Voting Power of All Classes of Stock Beneficially Owned(1)(2) | ||||
Ariel Investments, LLC (28) 200 E. Randolph Street, Suite 2900 Chicago, IL 60601 |
Class A Common Stock Class B Common Stock |
6,692,520 |
14.9% |
5.9% | ||||
The Vanguard Group (29) 100 Vanguard Blvd. Malvern, PA 19355 |
Class A Common Stock Class B Common Stock |
2,514,028 |
5.6% |
2.2% |
* | Less than 1%. |
(1) | Beneficial ownership of a security consists of sole or shared voting power (including the power to vote or direct the vote) and/or sole or shared investment power (including the power to dispose or direct the disposition) with respect to the security through any contract, arrangement, understanding and relationship or otherwise. Unless indicated, beneficial ownership disclosed consists of sole voting and investment power. Beneficial ownership of Class A Common Stock is exclusive of the shares of Class A Common Stock that are issuable upon conversion of shares of Class B Common Stock. Share ownership reflects rounding for share-based compensation in the aggregate, not by specific tranche or award. |
(2) | Shares of Class B Common Stock are convertible into shares of Class A Common Stock at the option of the holder on a share for share basis. The holder of one share of Class A Common Stock has one vote per share at a meeting of our stockholders and the holder of one share of Class B Common Stock has ten votes per share at a meeting of our stockholders, except in the separate elections of directors. Holders of Class A Common Stock have the right to elect 25% of our Board rounded up to the nearest whole director and the holders of Class B Common Stock have the right to elect the remaining members of our Board. |
(3) | Members of the Dolan family have formed a group for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act. The members of this group (the Group Members) are: Charles F. Dolan, individually and as co-trustee of the Charles F. Dolan 2009 Revocable Trust (the CFD 2009 Trust); Helen A. Dolan, individually and as a co-trustee of the Helen A. Dolan 2009 Revocable Trust (the HAD 2009 Trust); James L. Dolan; Thomas C. Dolan; Kathleen M. Dolan, individually and as co-trustee of the Charles F. Dolan Children Trust FBO Kathleen M. Dolan, the Charles F. Dolan Children Trust FBO Deborah Dolan-Sweeney, the Charles F. Dolan Children Trust FBO Marianne Dolan Weber, the Charles F. Dolan Children Trust FBO Thomas C. Dolan and the Charles F. Dolan Children Trust FBO James L. Dolan (hereinafter collectively referred to as the Dolan Children Trusts and individually, a Dolan Children Trust) and as sole trustee of the Ryan Dolan 1989 Trust and Tara Dolan 1989 Trust; Marianne E. Dolan Weber; Deborah A. Dolan-Sweeney; the CFD 2009 Trust; the HAD 2009 Trust; the Dolan Children Trust FBO Kathleen M. Dolan; the Dolan Children Trust FBO Marianne Dolan Weber; the Dolan Children Trust FBO Deborah Dolan-Sweeney; the Dolan Children Trust FBO James L. Dolan; the Dolan Children Trust FBO Thomas C. Dolan; the Charles F. Dolan 2009 Family Trust FBO James L. Dolan; the Charles F. Dolan 2009 Family Trust FBO Thomas C. Dolan; the Charles F. Dolan 2009 Family Trust FBO Kathleen M. Dolan; the Charles F. Dolan 2009 Family Trust FBO Marianne E. Dolan Weber; the Charles F. Dolan 2009 Family Trust FBO Deborah A. Dolan-Sweeney; the Ryan Dolan 1989 Trust; and the Tara Dolan 1989 Trust. Individuals who are not Group Members but are trustees of trusts that are Group Members include Brian G. Sweeney, as co-trustee of the CFD 2009 Trust and the HAD 2009 Trust; Corby Dolan Leinauer, as co-trustee of the Charles F. Dolan 2009 Family Trust FBO Thomas C. Dolan, the Charles F. Dolan 2009 Family Trust FBO James L. Dolan, the Charles F. Dolan 2009 Family Trust FBO Marianne E. Dolan Weber, the Charles F. Dolan 2009 Family Trust FBO Kathleen M. Dolan and the Charles F. Dolan 2009 Family Trust FBO Deborah A. Dolan-Sweeney (collectively, the 2009 Family Trusts and individually, a 2009 Family Trust); Paul J. Dolan, as co-trustee of the Dolan Children Trust FBO Kathleen M. Dolan and the Dolan Children Trust FBO James L. Dolan; Matthew J. Dolan, as co-trustee of the Dolan Children Trust FBO |
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Marianne Dolan Weber and the Dolan Children Trust FBO Thomas C. Dolan; and Mary S. Dolan, as co-trustee of the Dolan Children Trust FBO Deborah Dolan-Sweeney and each of the 2009 Family Trusts. The Group Members may be deemed to beneficially own an aggregate of (i) 1,623,023 shares of Class A Common Stock and (ii) 6,866,754 shares of Class B Common Stock and the equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof. Group Members in the aggregate may be deemed to have the current shared power to vote or direct the vote of and to dispose of or direct the disposition of 6,866,754 shares of Class B Common Stock (representing all outstanding Class B Common Stock) and the equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof by reason of the terms of an agreement among the group members. Individuals who are not Group Members but are trustees of trusts that are Group Members may be deemed to beneficially own 78,434 shares of Class A Common Stock. |
(4) | Charles F. Dolan may be deemed to have (a) the sole power to vote or direct the vote of and to dispose of or to direct the disposition of 17,773 shares of Class A Commom Stock owned of record personally and (b) the current shared power to vote or direct the vote of and to dispose of or direct the disposition of an aggregate of 281,185 shares of Class A Common Stock (including 50,307 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the CFD 2009 Trust, for which he serves as co-trustee, 197,288 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the Dolan Family Foundation and an aggregate of 33,590 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the 2009 Family Trusts) and an aggregate of 3,863,285 shares of Class B Common Stock and the equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof (including 228,992 shares of Class B Common Stock owned of record by the CFD 2009 Trust, for which he serves as co-trustee, 112,692 shares of Class B Common Stock owned of record by the HAD 2009 Trust, for which his spouse, Helen A. Dolan, serves as co-trustee, and an aggregate of 3,521,601 shares of Class B Common Stock owned of record by the 2009 Family Trusts). This includes an aggregate of 33,590 shares of Class A Common Stock and 3,521,601 shares of Class B Common Stock owned of record by the 2009 Family Trusts which Charles F. Dolan may be deemed to have the right to acquire because he has the right to substitute assets with each of the trusts, subject to the trustees reasonable satisfaction that the substitute assets received by the trust are of equal value to the trust property exchanged therefor. He disclaims beneficial ownership of an aggregate of 230,878 shares of Class A Common Stock (including 197,288 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the Dolan Family Foundation and an aggregate of 33,590 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the 2009 Family Trusts) and an aggregate of 3,634,293 shares of Class B Common Stock and the equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof (including 112,692 shares of Class B Common Stock owned of record by the HAD 2009 Trust, for which his spouse serves as co-trustee, and an aggregate of 3,521,601 shares of Class B Common Stock owned of record by the 2009 Family Trusts). |
(5) | Helen A. Dolan may be deemed to have the current shared power to vote or direct the vote of and to dispose of or direct the disposition of an aggregate of 298,958 shares of Class A Common Stock (including 17,773 shares of Class A Common Stcok owned personally by her spouse, Charles F. Dolan, 197,288 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the Dolan Family Foundation, an aggregate of 33,590 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the 2009 Family Trusts and 50,307 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the CFD 2009 Trust, for which her spouse serves as co-trustee) and an aggregate of 3,863,285 shares of Class B Common Stock and the equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof (including 112,692 shares of Class B Common Stock owned of record by the HAD 2009 Trust, for which she serves as co-trustee, 228,992 shares of Class B Common Stock owned of record by the CFD 2009 Trust, for which her spouse serves as co-trustee, and an aggregate of 3,521,601 shares of Class B Common Stock owned of record by the 2009 Family Trusts). Includes an aggregate of 33,590 shares of Class A Common Stock and 3,521,601 shares of Class B Common Stock owned of record by the 2009 Family Trusts which her spouse may be deemed to have the right to acquire because he has the right to substitute assets with each of the trusts, subject to the trustees reasonable satisfaction that the substitute assets received by the trust are of equal value to the trust property exchanged therefor. She disclaims beneficial ownership of an aggregate of 298,958 shares of Class A Common Stock (including 17,773 shares of Class A Common owned personally by her spouse, 197,288 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the Dolan Family Foundation, an aggregate of 33,590 shares of Class A Common |
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Stock owned of record by the 2009 Family Trusts and 50,307 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the CFD 2009 Trust for which her spouse serves as co-trustee) and an aggregate of 3,750,593 shares of Class B Common Stock and the equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof (including 228,992 shares of Class B Common Stock owned of record by the CFD 2009 Trust, for which her spouse serves as co-trustee, and an aggregate of 3,521,601 shares of Class B Common Stock owned of record by the 2009 Family Trusts). |
(6) | Does not include restricted stock units that will be issued in connection with the Distribution in respect of unvested restricted stock units granted under the MSG Entertainment Employee Stock Plan or the target amount of unvested performance stock units granted under the MSG Entertainment Employee Stock Plan (except for restricted stock units and performance stock units subject to vesting within 60 days of the Reference Date). The excluded number of restricted stock units for the following individuals are: Messrs. James L. Dolan, 213,535 units; David F. Byrnes, 18,934 units; Jamal H. Haughton, 16,054 units; Philip G. DAmbrosio, 15,409 units; and Ryan T. Dolan, 931 units; and Ms. Courtney Zeppetella, 4,115 units. The excluded number of target performance stock units for the following individuals are: Messrs. James L. Dolan, 222,577 units; David F. Byrnes, 21,405 units; Jamal H. Haughton, 18,731 units; Philip G. DAmbrosio 22,465 units; Ryan T. Dolan, 1,367 units; and Ms. Courtney Zeppetella, 4,115 units. |
(7) | For purposes of the table, the number of shares beneficially owned presented includes shares of our Class A Common Stock that are expected to be issued to non-employee directors in respect of MSG Entertainment non-employee director restricted stock units held as of the Reference Date, which for each of the following individuals is: Messrs. Martin N. Bandier, 9,869 units; Charles F. Dolan, 17,773 units; Charles P. Dolan, 8,141 units; Paul J. Dolan, 14,749 units; Thomas C. Dolan, 17,773 units; Quentin F. Dolan, 8,141 units; Frederic V. Salerno, 11,950 units; and Brian G. Sweeney, 17,773 units; and Ms. Marianne Dolan Weber, 8,141 units. See Executive Compensation Treatment of Outstanding Awards for further information. |
(8) | James L. Dolan may be deemed to have (a) the sole power to vote or direct the vote of and to dispose of or to direct the disposition of an aggregate of 937,191 shares of Class A Common Stock (including 306,206 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record personally, options owned of record personally to purchase 630,239 shares of Class A Common Stock that are exercisable within 60 days of the Reference Date and 746 shares of Class A Common Stock held as custodian for one or more minor children) and 224,636 shares of Class B Common Stock and the equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof owned of record personally and (b) the shared power to vote or direct the vote of and to dispose of or direct the disposition of an aggregate of 71,293 shares of Class A Common Stock (including 631 shares of Class A Common Stock owned jointly with his spouse, Kristin A. Dolan, 26,320 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record personally by his spouse and 44,342 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the Dolan Children Trust for his benefit) and 916,156 shares of Class B Common Stock and the equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof owned of record by the Dolan Children Trust for his benefit. He disclaims beneficial ownership of an aggregate of 71,408 shares of Class A Common Stock (including 746 shares of Class A Common Stock held as custodian for one or more minor children, 26,320 shares of Class A common Stock owned of record personally by his spouse and 44,342 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the Dolan Children Trust for his benefit) and 916,156 shares of Class B Common Stock and the equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof owned of record by the Dolan Children Trust for his benefit. |
(9) | Thomas C. Dolan may be deemed to have (a) the sole power to vote or direct the vote of and to dispose of or to direct the disposition of 47,128 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record personally and (b) the shared power to vote or direct the vote of and to dispose of or to direct the disposition of 20,156 shares of Class A Common Stock and 468,423 shares of Class B Common Stock and the equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof owned of record by the Dolan Children Trust for his benefit. He disclaims beneficial ownership of 20,156 shares of Class A Common Stock and 468,423 |
shares of Class B Common Stock and the equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof owned of record by the Dolan Children Trust for his benefit. |
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(10) | Brian G. Sweeney may be deemed to have (a) the sole power to vote or direct the vote of and dispose or direct the disposition of 40,200 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record personally and (b) the shared power to vote or direct the vote of and to dispose of or direct the disposition of an aggregate of 88,327 shares of Class A Common Stock (including 10,419 shares of Class A Common Stock owned personally by his spouse, Deborah A. Dolan-Sweeney, an aggregate of 3,414 shares of Class A Common Stock held in trusts for his children, for which he serves as trustee, 50,307 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the CFD 2009 Trust, for which he serves as co-trustee, and 24,187 shares of Class A Common Stock owned by the Dolan Children Trust for the benefit of his spouse) and an aggregate of 806,076 shares of Class B Common Stock and the equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof (including 464,392 shares of Class B Common Stock owned of record by the Dolan Children Trust for the benefit of his spouse, 228,992 shares of Class B Common Stock owned of record by the CFD 2009 Trust, for which he serves as co-trustee, and 112,692 shares of Class B Common Stock owned of record by the HAD 2009 Trust, for which he serves as co-trustee). He disclaims beneficial ownership of an aggregate of 88,327 shares of Class A Common Stock, (including 10,419 shares of Class A Common Stock owned personally by his spouse, 3,414 shares of Class A Common Stock held in trusts for his children, for which he serves as trustee, 50,307 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the CFD 2009 Trust, for which he serves as co-trustee, and 24,187 shares of Class A Common Stock owned by the Dolan Children Trust for the benefit of his spouse) and an aggregate of 806,076 shares of Class B Common Stock and the equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof (including 464,392 shares of Class B Common Stock owned of record by the Dolan Children Trust for the benefit of his spouse, 228,992 shares of Class B Common Stock owned of record by the CFD 2009 Trust, for which he serves as co-trustee, and 112,692 shares of Class B Common Stock owned of record by the HAD 2009 Trust, for which he serves as co-trustee). |
(11) | Paul J. Dolan may be deemed to have (a) the sole power to vote or direct the vote of and to dispose of or to direct the disposition of an aggregate of 61,356 shares of Class A Common Stock (including 15,147 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record personally and 46,209 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the CFD Trust No. 10, for which he serves as co-trustee) and (b) the current shared power to vote or direct the vote of and to dispose of or direct the disposition of an aggregate of 68,529 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the Dolan Children Trusts for the benefit of Kathleen M. Dolan and James L. Dolan, for which he serves as co-trustee, and an aggregate of 1,380,548 shares of Class B Common Stock and the equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof owned of record by the Dolan Children Trusts for the benefit of Kathleen M. Dolan and James L. Dolan, for which he serves as co-trustee. He disclaims beneficial ownership of an aggregate of 114,738 shares of Class A Common Stock (including 46,209 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the CFD Trust No. 10, for which he serves as co-trustee, an aggregate of 68,529 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the Dolan Children Trusts for the benefit of Kathleen M. Dolan and James L. Dolan, for which he serves as co-trustee) and an aggregate of 1,380,548 shares of Class B Common Stock and the equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof owned of record by the Dolan Children Trusts for the benefit of Kathleen M. Dolan and James L. Dolan, for which he serves as co-trustee. |
(12) | Marianne Dolan Weber may be deemed to have (a) the sole power to vote or direct the vote of and to dispose of or to direct the disposition of 19,747 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record personally and (b) the current shared power to vote or direct the vote of and to dispose of or direct the disposition of an aggregate of 73,508 shares of Class A Common Stock (including 49,321 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the Heartfelt Wings Foundation Inc. and 24,187 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the Dolan Children Trust for her benefit) and 450,152 shares of Class B Common Stock and the equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof owned of record by the Dolan Children Trust for her benefit. She disclaims beneficial ownership of an aggregate of 73,508 shares of Class A Common Stock (including 49,321 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the Heartfelt Wings Foundation Inc. and 24,187 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the Dolan Children Trust for her benefit) and 450,152 shares of Class B Common Stock and the equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof owned of record by the Dolan Children Trust for her benefit. |
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(13) | Deborah A. Dolan-Sweeney may be deemed to have (a) the sole power to vote or direct the vote of and to dispose of or to direct the disposition of 10,419 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record personally and (b) the current shared power to vote or direct the vote of and to dispose of or direct the disposition of an aggregate of 118,108 shares of Class A Common Stock (including 40,200 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record personally by her spouse, 3,414 shares of Class A Common Stock held by trusts for her children, for which her spouse serves as trustee, 50,307 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the CFD 2009 Trust, for which her spouse serves as co-trustee, and 24,187 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the Dolan Children Trust for her benefit) and an aggregate of 806,076 shares of Class B Common Stock and the equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof (including 464,392 owned of record by the Dolan Children Trust for her benefit, 228,992 shares of Class B Common Stock owned of record by the CFD 2009 Trust, for which her spouse serves as co-trustee, and 112,692 shares of Class B Common Stock owned of record by the HAD 2009 Trust, for which her spouse serves as co-trustee). She disclaims beneficial ownership of an aggregate of 118,108 shares of Class A Common Stock (including 40,200 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record personally by her spouse, 3,414 shares of Class A Common Stock held by trusts for her children, for which her spouse serves as trustee, 50,307 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the CFD 2009 Trust, for which her spouse serves as co-trustee, and 24,187 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the Dolan Children Trust for her benefit and an aggregate of 806,076 shares of Class B Common Stock and the equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof (including 464,392 owned of record by the Dolan Children Trust for her benefit, 228,992 shares of Class B Common Stock owned of record by the CFD 2009 Trust, for which her spouse serves as co-trustee, and 112,692 shares of Class B Common Stock owned of record by the HAD 2009 Trust, for which her spouse serves as co-trustee). |
(14) | Kathleen M. Dolan may be deemed to have (a) the sole power to vote or direct the vote of and to dispose of or to direct the disposition of an aggregate of 3,314 shares of Class A Common Stock (including 2,378 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record personally and 936 shares of Class A Common Stock held as custodian for one or more minor children) and an aggregate of 15,318 shares of Class B Common Stock and the equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof (including 7,659 shares of Class B Common Stock owned of record by the Ryan Dolan 1989 Trust and 7,659 shares of Class B Common Stock owned of record by the Tara Dolan 1989 Trust, for which she serves as sole trustee) and (b) the current shared power to vote or direct the vote of and to dispose of or direct the disposition of an aggregate of 186,380 shares of Class A Common Stock (including 49,321 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the Green Mountain Foundation Inc. and an aggregate of 137,059 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the Dolan Children Trusts, for which she serves as co-trustee) and an aggregate of 2,763,515 shares of Class B Common Stock and the equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof owned of record by the Dolan Children Trusts, for which she serves as co-trustee. She disclaims beneficial ownership of an aggregate of 187,316 shares of Class A Common Stock (including 936 shares of Class A Common Stock held as custodian for one or more minor children, 49,321 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the Green Mountain Foundation Inc. and an aggregate of 137,059 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the Dolan Children Trusts, for which she serves as co-trustee) and an aggregate of 2,778,833 shares of Class B Common Stock and the equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof (including 7,659 shares of Class B Common Stock owned of record by the Ryan Dolan 1989 Trust and 7,659 shares of Class B Common Stock owned of record by the Tara Dolan 1989 Trust, for which she serves as sole trustee, and 2,763,515 shares of Class B Common Stock owned of record by the Dolan Children Trusts, for which she serves as co-trustee). |
(15) | Mary S. Dolan may be deemed to have (a) the sole power to vote or direct the vote and to dispose of or direct the disposition of 3,453 shares of Class A Common Stock held as custodian for one or more minor children and (b) the current shared power to vote or direct the vote of and to dispose of or direct the disposition of an aggregate of 68,495 shares of Class A Common Stock (including 3,947 shares of Class A |
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Common Stock owned jointly with her spouse, 24,187 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the Dolan Children Trust for the benefit of Deborah Dolan-Sweeney, for which she serves as co-trustee, an aggregate of 1,692 shares of Class A Common Stock (including 423 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the CFD 2012 Grandchildren Trust FBO Aidan J. Dolan, 423 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the CFD 2012 Grandchildren Trust FBO Quentin F. Dolan, 423 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the CFD 2012 Grandchildren Trust FBO Marianne Rose Weber and 423 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the CFD 2012 Grandchildren Trust FBO Kevyn A. Dolan, for which she serves as co-trustee), 5,079 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the CFD 2012 Descendants Trust, for which she serves as co-trustee, and an aggregate of 33,590 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the 2009 Family Trusts, for which she serves as co-trustee) and an aggregate of 3,985,993 shares of Class B Common Stock and the equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof (including 464,392 shares of Class B Common Stock owned of record by the Dolan Children Trust for the benefit of Deborah Dolan-Sweeney, for which she serves as co-trustee, and an aggregate of 3,521,601 shares of Class B Common Stock owned of record by the 2009 Family Trusts, for which she serves as co-trustee). She disclaims beneficial ownership of an aggregate of 68,001 shares of Class A Common Stock (including 3,453 shares of Class A Common Stock held as custodian for one or more minor children, 24,187 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the Dolan Children Trust for the benefit of Deborah Dolan-Sweeney, for which she serves as co-trustee, an aggregate of 1,692 shares of Class A Common Stock (including 423 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the CFD 2012 Grandchildren Trust FBO Aidan J. Dolan, 423 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the CFD 2012 Grandchildren Trust FBO Quentin F. Dolan, 423 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the CFD 2012 Grandchildren Trust FBO Marianne Rose Weber and 423 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the CFD 2012 Grandchildren Trust FBO Kevyn A. Dolan, for which she serves as co-trustee), 5,079 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the CFD 2012 Descendants Trust, for which she serves as co-trustee, and an aggregate of 33,590 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the 2009 Family Trusts, for which she serves as co-trustee) and an aggregate of 3,985,993 shares of Class B Common Stock and the equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof (including 464,392 shares of Class B Common Stock and the equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof owned of record by the Dolan Children Trust for the benefit of Deborah A. Dolan-Sweeney, for which she serves as co-trustee, and an aggregate of 3,521,601 shares of Class B Common Stock and the equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof owned of record by the 2009 Family Trusts, for which she serves as co-trustee. |
(16) | Matthew J. Dolan may be deemed to have (a) the sole power to vote or direct the vote of and to dispose of or to direct the disposition of an aggregate of 1,206 shares of Class A Common Stock (including 619 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record personally and 587 shares of Class A Common Stock held as custodian for a minor child) and (b) the current shared power to vote or direct the vote of and to dispose of or direct the disposition of an aggregate of 45,151 shares of Class A Common Stock (including 480 shares of Class A Common Stock owned jointly with his spouse, 328 shares of Class A Common Stock held by his spouse as custodian for a minor child and an aggregate of 44,343 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the Dolan Children Trusts for the benefit of Marianne Dolan Weber and Thomas C. Dolan, for which he serves as co-trustee) and an aggregate of 918,575 shares of Class B Common Stock and the equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof owned of record by the Dolan Children Trusts for the benefit of Marianne Dolan Weber and Thomas C. Dolan, for which he serves as co-trustee. He disclaims beneficial ownership of an aggregate of 45,258 shares of Class A Common Stock (including 587 shares of Class A Common Stock held as custodian for a minor child, 328 shares of Class A Common Stock held by his spouse as custodian for a minor child and an aggregate of 44,343 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the Dolan Children Trusts for the benefit of Marianne Dolan Weber and Thomas C. Dolan, for which he serves as co-trustee) and an aggregate of 918,575 shares of |
Class B Common Stock and the equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof owned of record by the Dolan Children Trusts for the benefit of Marianne Dolan Weber and Thomas C. Dolan, for which he serves as co-trustee. |
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(17) | Corby Dolan Leinauer may be deemed to have (a) the sole power to vote or direct the vote and to dispose of or direct the disposition of 54 shares of Class A Common Stock held as custodian for one or more minor children and (b) the current shared power to vote or direct the vote of and to dispose of or direct the disposition of an aggregate of 41,200 shares of Class A Common Stock (including 154 shares of Class A Common Stock owned jointly with her spouse, 685 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the Leinauer Family Education Trust, an aggregate of 1,692 shares of Class A Common Stock (including 423 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the CFD 2012 Grandchildren Trust FBO Aidan J. Dolan, 423 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the CFD 2012 Grandchildren Trust FBO Quentin F. Dolan, 423 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the CFD 2012 Grandchildren Trust FBO Marianne Rose Weber and 423 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the CFD 2012 Grandchildren Trust FBO Kevyn A. Dolan, for which she serves as co-trustee), 5,079 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the CFD 2012 Descendants Trust, for which she serves as co-trustee, and an aggregate of 33,590 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the 2009 Family Trusts, for which she serves as co-trustee) and an aggregate of 3,521,601 shares of Class B Common Stock and the equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof owned of record by the 2009 Family Trusts, for which she serves as co-trustee. She disclaims beneficial ownership of an aggregate of 41,100 shares of Class A Common Stock (including 54 shares of Class A Common Stock held as custodian for one or more minor children, 685 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the Leinauer Family Education Trust, an aggregate of 1,692 shares of Class A Common Stock (including 423 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the CFD 2012 Grandchildren Trust FBO Aidan J. Dolan, 423 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the CFD 2012 Grandchildren Trust FBO Quentin F. Dolan, 423 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the CFD 2012 Grandchildren Trust FBO Marianne Rose Weber and 423 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the CFD 2012 Grandchildren Trust FBO Kevyn A. Dolan, for which she serves as co-trustee), 5,079 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the CFD 2012 Descendants Trust, for which she serves as co-trustee and an aggregate of 33,590 shares of Class A Common Stock owned of record by the 2009 Family Trusts, for which she serves as co-trustee) and an aggregate of 3,521,601 shares of Class B Common Stock and the equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof owned of record by the 2009 Family Trusts, for which she serves as co-trustee. |
(18) | Kathleen M. Dolan and Paul J. Dolan are the trustees of the Charles F. Dolan Children Trust FBO James L. Dolan and have the shared power to vote and dispose of the shares held by the trust. |
(19) | Kathleen M. Dolan and Matthew J. Dolan are the trustees of the Charles F. Dolan Children Trust FBO Thomas C. Dolan and have the shared power to vote and dispose of the shares held by the trust. |
(20) | Kathleen M. Dolan and Matthew J. Dolan are the trustees of the Charles F. Dolan Children Trust FBO Marianne Dolan Weber and have the shared power to vote and dispose of the shares held by the trust. |
(21) | Kathleen M. Dolan and Mary S. Dolan are the trustees of the Charles F. Dolan Children Trust FBO Deborah Dolan-Sweeney and have the shared power to vote and dispose of the shares held by the trust. |
(22) | Kathleen M. Dolan and Paul J. Dolan are the trustees of the Charles F. Dolan Children Trust FBO Kathleen M. Dolan and have the shared power to vote and dispose of the shares held by the trust. |
(23) | Corby Dolan Leinauer and Mary S. Dolan are the trustees of the Charles F. Dolan 2009 Family Trust FBO James L. Dolan and have the shared power to vote and dispose of the shares held by the trust. |
(24) | Corby Dolan Leinauer and Mary S. Dolan are the trustees of the Charles F. Dolan 2009 Family Trust FBO Thomas C. Dolan and have the shared power to vote and dispose of the shares held by the trust. |
(25) | Corby Dolan Leinauer and Mary S. Dolan are the trustees of the Charles F. Dolan 2009 Family Trust FBO Marianne E. Dolan Weber and have the shared power to vote and dispose of the shares held by the trust. |
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(26) | Corby Dolan Leinauer and Mary S. Dolan are the trustees of the Charles F. Dolan 2009 Family Trust FBO Deborah A. Dolan-Sweeney and have the shared power to vote and dispose of the shares held by the trust. |
(27) | Corby Dolan Leinauer and Mary S. Dolan are the trustees of the Charles F. Dolan 2009 Family Trust FBO Kathleen M. Dolan and have the shared power to vote and dispose of the shares held by the trust. |
(28) | Based upon a Schedule 13G/A (Amendment No. 5) filed with the SEC on February 14, 2023, Ariel Investments, LLC (Ariel) beneficially owns 6,692,520 shares of Class A Common Stock. Ariel has sole voting power over 6,097,877 shares of Class A Common Stock and sole dispositive power over 6,692,520 shares of Class A Common Stock. |
(29) | Based upon a Schedule 13G/A (Amendment No. 1) filed with the SEC on February 9, 2023, The Vanguard Group, Inc. (Vanguard) beneficially owns 2,514,028 shares of Class A Common Stock. Vanguard has sole voting power over 0 shares of Class A Common Stock, shared voting power over 17,682 shares of Class A Common Stock, sole dispositive power over 2,471,218 shares of Class A Common Stock and shared dispositive power over 42,810 shares of Class A Common Stock. |
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SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
Sales or the availability for sale of substantial amounts of our Class A Common Stock in the public market could adversely affect the prevailing market price for such stock. Upon completion of the Distribution, we will have outstanding an aggregate of approximately [●] shares of our Class A Common Stock and [●] shares of our Class B Common Stock based upon the shares of MSG Entertainment common stock outstanding on [●], 2023, excluding treasury stock and assuming no exercise of outstanding options. All of the shares of Class A Common Stock will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act unless the shares are owned by our affiliates as that term is defined in the rules under the Securities Act. Shares held by affiliates may be sold in the public market only if registered or if they qualify for an exemption from registration or in compliance with Rule 144, which is summarized below. Further, as described below, we plan to file a registration statement to cover the shares issued under our Employee Stock Plan.
Rule 144
In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, an affiliate would be entitled to sell within any three-month period a number of shares of Class A Common Stock that does not exceed the greater of:
| one percent of the number of shares of our Class A Common Stock then outstanding; or |
| the average weekly trading volume of our Class A Common Stock on the NYSE during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to such sale. |
Sales under Rule 144 are also subject to certain holding period requirements, manner of sale provisions and notice requirements and to the availability of current public information about us.
Employee Stock Awards
As described under Executive Compensation Treatment of Outstanding Awards, in connection with the Distribution we will issue under our Employee Stock Plan options with respect to approximately [●] shares of our Class A Common Stock, approximately [●] restricted stock units and approximately [●] performance stock units (at the target level of performance) in respect of previously outstanding awards by MSG Entertainment. In addition, we anticipate making other equity-based awards to our employees in the future. We currently expect to file a registration statement under the Securities Act to register shares to be issued under our Employee Stock Plan, including the options, restricted stock units and performance stock units that were granted in connection with the Distribution. Shares covered by such registration statement, other than shares issued to affiliates, generally will be freely tradable without further registration under the Securities Act.
Non-Employee Director Stock Awards
We also currently expect to file a registration statement under the Securities Act to register shares to be issued under our Director Stock Plan, including approximately [●] shares of the Companys Class A Common Stock in connection with MSG Entertainments restricted stock units, in each case held by MSG Entertainment directors. These shares will be granted, issued and fully vested as of the Distribution date. Shares covered by such registration statement, other than shares issued to affiliates, generally will be freely tradable without further registration under the Securities Act.
Registration Rights Agreements
MSG Entertainment will retain approximately 38% of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock, representing approximately 33% of our common stock, following the Distribution. Prior to the Distribution, we and MSG Entertainment will enter into a Stockholder and Registration Rights Agreement pursuant to which we will provide MSG Entertainment with demand and piggyback registration rights with respect to the shares of
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Class A Common Stock it owns following the Distribution. In addition, MSG Entertainment will agree to vote the Class A Common Stock that it owns in proportion to the votes cast by the other holders of the Companys Class A Common Stock on such matter, to the extent such shares of Class A Common Stock are entitled to be voted on such matter. The shares of Class A Common Stock owned by MSG Entertainment will be present at all stockholder meetings for quorum purposes. MSG Entertainment will grant the Company an irrevocable proxy to implement these voting agreements. Although no final decisions have been made, MSG Entertainment is required by applicable tax rules to dispose of all the retained shares as soon as practicable consistent with the business purposes for the retention, and expects to dispose of such retained shares within one year, subject to market conditions. This disposition may be through one or more sales, exchange offers or pro-rata distributions.
Charles F. Dolan, all other holders of Class B Common Stock (other than the Charles F. Dolan Children Trusts) and the Dolan Family Foundation (collectively, the Dolan Parties) will enter into the Dolan Registration Rights Agreement with the Company, which will become effective upon consummation of the Distribution. Under this agreement, the Company will provide the Dolan Parties (and, in certain cases, transferees and pledgees of shares of Class B Common Stock owned by these parties) with certain demand and piggy-back registration rights with respect to their shares of Class A Common Stock (including those issued upon conversion of shares of Class B Common Stock). The Dolan Parties are expected to receive [●] shares of our Class B Common Stock in the Distribution, which are expected to represent approximately [●]% of our Class B Common Stock as well as approximately [●] shares of Class A Common Stock, which are expected to represent less than [●]% of our Class A Common Stock. Such shares of Class B Common Stock and Class A Common Stock, collectively, are expected to represent approximately [●]% of our common stock and [●]% of the aggregate voting power of our common stock.
The Charles F. Dolan Children Trusts (the Dolan Children Trusts) and the Company will enter into the Children Trusts Registration Rights Agreement, which will become effective upon consummation of the Distribution. Under this agreement, the Company will provide the Dolan Children Trusts (and, in certain cases, transferees and pledgees of shares of Class B Common Stock owned by these parties) with certain demand and piggy-back registration rights with respect to their shares of Class A Common Stock (including those issued upon conversion of shares of Class B Common Stock). The Dolan Children Trusts are expected to receive Class B Common Stock in the Distribution (the Children Trust Shares), which are expected to represent approximately [●]% of our Class B Common Stock, as well as approximately [●] shares of Class A Common Stock, which are expected to represent less than [●]% of our Class A Common Stock. Such shares of Class B Common Stock and Class A Common Stock, collectively, are expected to represent approximately [●]% of our common stock and [●]% of the aggregate voting power of our common stock.
In the Children Trusts Registration Rights Agreement, each Dolan Children Trust will agree that in the case of any sale or disposition of its shares of Class B Common Stock by such Dolan Children Trust, or of any of the Children Trust Shares by any other Dolan family interest to which such shares of Class B Common Stock are transferred, such stock will be converted to Class A Common Stock. The Dolan Registration Rights Agreement will not include a comparable conversion obligation, and the conversion obligation in the Children Trusts Registration Rights Agreement will not apply to the Class B Common Stock received by the Dolan Parties in the Distribution.
The MSG Entertainment Registration Rights Agreement, Dolan Registration Rights Agreement and the Children Trusts Registration Rights Agreement are filed as exhibits prior to the Distribution to the registration statement, of which this information statement forms a part, that we have filed with the SEC, and the foregoing discussion of those agreements is qualified in its entirety by reference to those agreements that will be filed prior to the Distribution.
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We are currently authorized to issue 1,000 shares of common stock. Prior to the Distribution, we will amend our certificate of incorporation to provide authorization for us to issue [●] shares of capital stock, of which [●] shares will be Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, [●] shares will be Class B Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, and [●] shares will be preferred stock, par value $.01 per share. The amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that our common stock and preferred stock will have the rights described below.
Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock
All shares of our common stock currently outstanding are fully paid and non-assessable, not subject to redemption and without preemptive or other rights to subscribe for or purchase any proportionate part of any new or additional issues of stock of any class or of securities convertible into stock of any class.
Voting
Holders of Class A Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share. Holders of Class B Common Stock are entitled to 10 votes per share. All actions submitted to a vote of stockholders are voted on by holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock voting together as a single class, except for the election of directors and as otherwise set forth below. With respect to the election of directors, holders of Class A Common Stock will vote together as a separate class and be entitled to elect 25% of the total number of directors constituting the whole Board of Directors and, if such 25% is not a whole number, then the holders of Class A Common Stock, voting together as a separate class, will be entitled to elect the nearest higher whole number of directors that is at least 25% of the total number of directors. Holders of Class B Common Stock, voting together as a separate class, will be entitled to elect the remaining directors.
If, however, on the record date for any stockholders meeting at which directors are to be elected, the number of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock is less than 10% of the total number of outstanding shares of both classes of common stock, the holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock will vote together as a single class with respect to the election of directors and the holders of Class A Common Stock will not have the right to elect 25% of the total number of directors but will have one vote per share for all directors and the holders of Class B Common Stock will have 10 votes per share for all directors. (On the date of the Distribution, we anticipate that the number of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock will represent approximately [●]% of the total number of outstanding shares of both classes of common stock.)
If, on the record date for notice of any stockholders meeting at which directors are to be elected, the number of outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock is less than 121/2% of the total number of outstanding shares of both classes of common stock, then the holders of Class A Common Stock, voting as a separate class, would continue to elect a number of directors equal to 25% of the total number of directors constituting the whole Board of Directors and, in addition, would vote together with the holders of Class B Common Stock, as a single class, to elect the remaining directors to be elected at such meeting, with the holders of Class A Common Stock entitled to one vote per share and the holders of Class B Common Stock entitled to 10 votes per share.
In addition, the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least 662/3% of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, voting separately as a class, is required for the authorization or issuance of any additional shares of Class B Common Stock and for any amendment, alteration or repeal of any provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation which would affect adversely the powers, preferences or rights of the Class B Common Stock. The number of authorized shares of Class A Common Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of the majority of the voting power of the Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock voting together as a single classno separate class vote of the holders of Class A Common Stock is required, irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (or any successor provision thereto). Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will not provide for cumulative voting.
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Pursuant to the Stockholder and Registration Rights Agreement, MSG Entertainment has agreed that so long as it owns any Class A Common Stock, such Class A Common Stock will be voted with respect to any matter (including waivers of contractual or statutory rights), in proportion to the votes cast by the other holders of Class A Common Stock on such matter, to the extent such shares of Class A Common Stock are entitled to be voted on such matter. In addition, the shares of Class A Common Stock owned by MSG Entertainment will be present at all stockholder meetings for quorum purposes. MSG Entertainment has granted the Company an irrevocable proxy to implement these voting agreements.
Advance Notification of Stockholder Nominations and Proposals
Our amended by-laws will establish advance notice procedures with respect to stockholder proposals and nomination of candidates for election as directors other than nominations made by or at the direction of our Board of Directors. In particular, stockholders must notify our corporate secretary in writing prior to the meeting at which the matters are to be acted upon or directors are to be elected. The notice must contain the information specified in our amended by-laws. To be timely, the notice must be received by our corporate secretary not less than 60 or more than 90 days prior to the date of the stockholders meeting, provided that if the date of the meeting is publicly announced or disclosed less than 70 days prior to the date of the meeting, the notice must be given not more than 10 days after such date is first announced or disclosed.
No Stockholder Action by Written Consent
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that, except as otherwise provided as to any series of preferred stock in the terms of that series, no action of stockholders required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders may be taken without a meeting of stockholders, without prior notice and without a vote, and the power of the stockholders to consent in writing to the taking of any action without a meeting is specifically denied.
Conversions
The Class A Common Stock has no conversion rights. The Class B Common Stock is convertible into Class A Common Stock in whole or in part at any time and from time to time on the basis of one share of Class A Common Stock for each share of Class B Common Stock. In the case of any sale or disposition of Class B Common Stock by a Dolan Children Trust, or of any Children Trust Shares by any other Dolan family interest to which such shares have been transferred, such stock must be converted to Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis. This conversion requirement will not apply to sales or dispositions of Class B Common Stock to Charles F. Dolan or other Dolan family interests. Any conversion of Class B Common Stock into Class A Common Stock would result in the issuance of additional shares of Class A Common Stock. As a result of any such conversion, existing Class A Common Stockholders would own the same percentage of the outstanding Common Stock but a smaller percentage of the total number of shares of issued and outstanding Class A Common Stock. Additionally, the conversion of shares of Class B Common Stock, which are entitled to 10 votes per share, into shares of Class A Common Stock, which are entitled to one vote per share, would increase the voting power of Class A Common Stockholders with respect to all actions that are voted on by holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock as a single class; however, the Class B Common Stockholders, voting as a separate class, would continue to have the right to elect up to 75% of our Board of Directors unless and until the Class B Common Stock represented less than 121/2% of the outstanding Common Stock and, when both classes vote together as one class, would continue to represent a majority of the outstanding voting power of the Common Stock unless and until the Class B Common Stock represented less than approximately 9.1% of the outstanding Common Stock. See Description of Capital Stock Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock Voting and Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters Beneficial Ownership of Stock.
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Dividends
Holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock are entitled to receive dividends equally on a per-share basis if and when such dividends are declared by the Board of Directors from funds legally available therefor. No dividend may be declared or paid in cash or property or shares of either Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock unless the same dividend is paid simultaneously on each share of the other class of common stock. In the case of any stock dividend, holders of Class A Common Stock are entitled to receive the same dividend on a percentage basis (payable in shares of or securities convertible to shares of Class A Common Stock and other securities of ours or any other person) as holders of Class B Common Stock receive (payable in shares of or securities convertible into shares of Class A Common Stock, shares of or securities convertible into shares of Class B Common Stock and other securities of us or any other person). The distribution of shares or other securities of the Company or any other person to common stockholders is permitted to differ to the extent that the common stock differs as to voting rights and rights in connection to certain dividends.
Liquidation
Holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock share with each other on a ratable basis as a single class in the net assets available for distribution in respect of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock in the event of a liquidation.
Other Terms
Neither the Class A Common Stock nor the Class B Common Stock may be subdivided, consolidated, reclassified or otherwise changed, except as expressly provided in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, unless the other class of common stock is subdivided, consolidated, reclassified or otherwise changed at the same time, in the same proportion and in the same manner.
In any merger, consolidation or business combination the consideration to be received per share by holders of either Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock must be identical to that received by holders of the other class of common stock, except that in any such transaction in which shares of capital stock are distributed, such shares may differ as to voting rights only to the extent that voting rights now differ between Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock.
Transfer Agent
The transfer and distribution agent and registrar for the Class A Common Stock is EQ Shareowner Services.
Preferred Stock
Under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our Board of Directors will be authorized, without further stockholder action, to provide for the issuance of up to [●] shares of preferred stock in one or more series. The powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions, including dividend rights, voting rights, conversion rights, terms of redemption and liquidation preferences, of the preferred stock of each series will be fixed or designated by the Board of Directors pursuant to a certificate of designations. There will be no shares of our preferred stock outstanding at the time of the Distribution. Any issuance of preferred stock may adversely affect the rights of holders of our common stock and may render more difficult certain unsolicited or hostile attempts to take over the Company.
Certain Corporate Opportunities and Conflicts
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will recognize that Overlap Persons may serve as directors, officers, employees, and agents of an Other Entity and will provide that if a director or officer of the
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Company who is an Overlap Person is presented or offered, or otherwise acquires knowledge of, a potential transaction or matter that may constitute or present a business opportunity for the Company or any of its subsidiaries, in which the Company could have an interest or expectancy (any such transaction or matter, and any such actual or potential business opportunity, a Potential Business Opportunity), (i) such Overlap Person will, to the fullest extent permitted by law, have no duty or obligation to refrain from referring such Potential Business Opportunity to any Other Entity and, if such director or officer refers such Potential Business Opportunity to an Other Entity, such Overlap Person shall have no duty or obligation to refer such Potential Business Opportunity to the Company or to give any notice to the Company regarding such Potential Business Opportunity (or any matter related thereto), (ii) if such Overlap Person refers a Potential Business Opportunity to an Other Entity, such Overlap Person, to the fullest extent permitted by law, will not be liable to the Company as a director, officer, stockholder or otherwise, for any failure to refer such Potential Business Opportunity to the Company, or for referring such Potential Business Opportunity to any Other Entity, or for any failure to give any notice to the Company regarding such Potential Business Opportunity or any matter relating thereto, (iii) any Other Entity may participate, engage or invest in any such Potential Business Opportunity notwithstanding that such Potential Business Opportunity may have been referred to such Other Entity by an Overlap Person, and (iv) if a director or officer who is an Overlap Person refers a Potential Business Opportunity to an Other Entity, then, as between the Company, on the one hand, and such Other Entity, on the other hand, the Company shall be deemed to have renounced any interest, expectancy or right in or to such Potential Business Opportunity or to receive any income or proceeds derived therefrom solely as a result of such Overlap Person having been presented or offered, or otherwise acquiring knowledge of, such Potential Business Opportunity, unless in each case referred to in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv), such Potential Business Opportunity is considered a Restricted Potential Business Opportunity as defined in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. In our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, the Company has renounced to the fullest extent permitted by law, any interest or expectancy in any Potential Business Opportunity that is not a Restricted Potential Business Opportunity. In the event that the Companys Board of Directors declines to pursue a Restricted Potential Business Opportunity, Overlap Persons are free to refer such Restricted Potential Business Opportunity to an Other Entity.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that no contract, agreement, arrangement or transaction (or any amendment, modification or termination thereof) entered into between the Company and/or any of its subsidiaries, on the one hand, and an Other Entity, on the other hand, before the Company ceased to be an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of MSG Entertainment shall be void or voidable or be considered unfair to the Company or any of its subsidiaries solely because an Other Entity is a party thereto, or because any directors, officers or employees of an Other Entity were present at or participated in any meeting of the Board of Directors, or a committee thereof, of the Company that authorized the contract, agreement, arrangement or transaction (or any amendment, modification or termination thereof), or because his, her or their votes were counted for such purpose. The Company may from time to time enter into and perform, and cause or permit any of its subsidiaries to enter into and perform, one or more contracts, agreements, arrangements or transactions (or amendments, modifications or supplements thereto) with an Other Entity. To the fullest extent permitted by law, no such contract, agreement, arrangement or transaction (nor any such amendments, modifications or supplements), nor the performance thereof by the Company or an Other Entity, shall be considered contrary to any fiduciary duty owed to the Company (or to any stockholder of the Company) by any director or officer of the Company who is an Overlap Person. To the fullest extent permitted by law, no director or officer of the Company who is an Overlap Person thereof shall have or be under any fiduciary duty to the Company (or to any stockholder of the Company) to refrain from acting on behalf of the Company or an Other Entity in respect of any such contract, agreement, arrangement or transaction or performing any such contract, agreement, arrangement or transaction in accordance with its terms and each such director or officer of the Company who is an Overlap Person shall be deemed to have acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and shall be deemed not to have breached his or her duties of loyalty to the Company (or to any stockholders of the Company) and not to have derived an improper personal benefit therefrom.
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No alteration, amendment or repeal of, or adoption of any provision inconsistent with the foregoing provisions will have any effect upon: (a) any agreement between the Company or a subsidiary thereof and any Other Entity that was entered into before the time of such alteration, amendment or repeal or adoption of any such inconsistent provision (the Amendment Time), or any transaction entered into in connection with the performance of any such agreement, whether such transaction is entered into before or after the Amendment Time; (b) any transaction entered into between the Company or a subsidiary thereof and any Other Entity, before the Amendment Time; (c) the allocation of any business opportunity between the Company or any subsidiary thereof and any Other Entity before the Amendment Time; or (d) any duty or obligation owed by any director or officer of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company (or the absence of any such duty or obligation) with respect to any Potential Business Opportunity which such director or officer was offered, or of which such director or officer otherwise became aware, before the Amendment Time (regardless of whether any proceeding relating to any of the above is commenced before or after the Amendment Time).
Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law
Section 203 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware prohibits certain transactions between a Delaware corporation and an interested stockholder. An interested stockholder for this purpose is a stockholder who is directly or indirectly a beneficial owner of 15% or more of the aggregate voting power of a Delaware corporation. This provision prohibits certain business combinations between an interested stockholder and a corporation for a period of three years after the date on which the stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless: (1) prior to the time that a stockholder became an interested stockholder, either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder is approved by the Companys Board of Directors; (2) the interested stockholder acquired at least 85% of the aggregate voting power of the Company in the transaction in which the stockholder became an interested stockholder; or (3) the business combination is approved by a majority of the Board of Directors and the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the aggregate voting power not owned by the interested stockholder at or subsequent to the time that the stockholder became an interested stockholder. These restrictions do not apply if, among other things, the Companys certificate of incorporation contains a provision expressly electing not to be governed by Section 203. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will not contain such an election. However, our Board of Directors has exercised its right under Section 203 to approve the acquisition of our common stock in the Distribution by members of the Dolan Family Group. This has the effect of making Section 203 inapplicable to transactions between the Company and current and future members of the Dolan Family Group.
Limitation on Personal Liability
We have provided, consistent with the Delaware General Corporation Law, in our certificate of incorporation that a director of the Company shall not be personally liable to the Company or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability for:
| any breach of the directors duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders; |
| acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; |
| payments of unlawful dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions; or |
| any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. |
Neither the amendment nor repeal of such provision will adversely affect any right or protection of a person that exists at the time of such amendment or repeal.
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OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a corporation may indemnify any current or former director, officer or employee or other individual against expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement in connection with civil, criminal, administrative or investigative actions or proceedings, other than a derivative action by or in the right of the corporation, if the director, officer, employee or other individual acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, if he or she had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. A similar standard is applicable in the case of derivative actions, except that indemnification only extends to expenses incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of such actions, and the statute requires court approval before there can be any indemnification where the person seeking indemnification has been found liable to the corporation. The statute provides that it is not exclusive of other indemnification that may be granted by a corporations by-laws, disinterested director vote, stockholder vote, agreement or otherwise.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that, to the fullest extent permitted by Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as the same may be amended and supplemented, or by any successor thereto, the Company will indemnify any and all persons whom it shall have power to indemnify under said section from and against any and all of the expenses, liabilities or other matters referred to in or covered by said section. Such right to indemnification shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person. The right to indemnification provided under the certificate of incorporation is not exclusive of any other rights to which a person seeking indemnification may be entitled under any by-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise. The amended and restated certificate of incorporation also provides that no amendment, modification or repeal of the indemnification provision shall adversely affect any right or protection of a person that exists at the time of such amendment, modification or repeal.
Prior to the Distribution, we expect to enter into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers. The indemnification agreements will provide that we will, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, and subject to the terms and conditions of each indemnification agreement, indemnify each director and executive officer against certain types of liabilities and pay or reimburse certain expenses if the director or executive officer is involved in any manner (including as a party or witness) in certain types of proceedings by reason of the fact of such persons service as a director, officer, partner, trustee, fiduciary, manager or employee of the Company or of any other corporation, limited liability company, public limited company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan, fund or other enterprise (a) affiliated with the Company or (b) at the written request of the Board, a Board committee, the Executive Chairman or the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
The Distribution Agreement between us and MSG Entertainment provides for indemnification by us of MSG Entertainment and its directors, officers and employees and by MSG Entertainment of us and our directors, officers and employees for some liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act. The amount of these indemnity obligations is unlimited.
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We have filed with the SEC a registration statement, of which this information statement forms a part, under the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act with respect to the shares of our Class A Common Stock being distributed to MSG Entertainment stockholders in the Distribution. This information statement does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and its exhibits and schedules, to which reference is made hereby. Statements in this information statement as to the contents of any contract, agreement or other document are qualified in all respects by reference to such contract, agreement or document. If we have filed any of those contracts, agreements or other documents as an exhibit to the registration statement, you should read the full text of such contract, agreement or document for a more complete understanding of the document or matter involved. For further information with respect to us and our Class A Common Stock, we refer you to the registration statement, of which this information statement forms a part, including the exhibits and the schedules filed as a part of it.
We intend to furnish the holders of our Class A Common Stock with annual reports and proxy statements containing financial statements audited by an independent public accounting firm and file with the SEC quarterly reports for the first three quarters of each fiscal year containing interim unaudited financial information. We also intend to furnish other reports as we may determine or as required by law.
The registration statement, of which this information statement forms a part, and its exhibits and schedules, and other documents which we file with the SEC are available to the public at the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov. You can also obtain reports, proxy statements and other information about us at the NYSEs website at http://www.nyse.com.
Information that we file with the SEC after the date of this information statement may supersede the information in this information statement. You may read these reports, proxy statements and other information and obtain copies of such documents and information as described above.
No person is authorized to give any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this information statement, and, if given or made, such information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized. Neither the delivery of this information statement nor any distribution of securities made hereunder shall imply that there has been no change in the information set forth or in our affairs since the date hereof.
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INDEX TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Page | ||||
Condensed Combined Financial Statements (Unaudited) |
||||
Condensed Combined Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022 |
F-56 | |||
Condensed Combined Statements of Operations for the six months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 |
F-57 | |||
F-58 | ||||
Condensed Combined Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 |
F-59 | |||
F-61 | ||||
F-62 |
F-1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of MSGE Spinco, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying combined balance sheets of MSGE Spinco, Inc. (the traditional live entertainment business of Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.) (the Company) as of June 30, 2022 and 2021, the related combined statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), cash flows, and divisional equity (deficit) for each of the two years in the period ended June 30, 2022, and the related notes and financial statement Schedule II (collectively referred to as the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of June 30, 2022 and 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended June 30, 2022, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Companys financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB and in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Emphasis of Matter
As described in Notes 1 and 19 to the financial statements, the financial statements were derived from the consolidated financial statements and accounting records of Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. These financial statements include transactions with related parties and allocations for certain support functions that are provided on a centralized basis, which may not be indicative of the conditions that would have existed, or actual expenses that would have been incurred by the Company, and may not reflect its combined results of operations, financial position and cash flows had it operated without such affiliations and had been a stand-alone company during the periods presented.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
New York, New York
January 13, 2023
We have served as the Companys auditor since 2022.
F-2
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
MSGE Spinco, Inc.:
Opinion on the Combined Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying combined statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), divisional equity (deficit) and cash flows of MSGE Spinco, Inc. and subsidiaries (the traditional live entertainment business of Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.) (the Company) for the year ended June 30, 2020 and the related notes (collectively, the combined financial statements). In our opinion, the combined financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the results of operations of the Company and its cash flows for the year ended June 30, 2020, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Basis for Opinion
These combined financial statements are the responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these combined financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB and in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the combined financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the combined financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the combined financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the combined financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ KPMG LLP
We have served as the Companys auditor from 2022 to 2023.
New York, New York
January 13, 2023
F-3
COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
June 30, | ||||||||
2022 | 2021 | |||||||
ASSETS |
||||||||
Current Assets: |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 58,102 | $ | 317,819 | ||||
Restricted cash |
4,471 | 250 | ||||||
Accounts receivable, net |
102,501 | 67,806 | ||||||
Related party receivables, current |
96,938 | 95,442 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
79,441 | 63,504 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total current assets |
341,453 | 544,821 | ||||||
Related party receivables, noncurrent |
| 66,902 | ||||||
Property and equipment, net |
696,079 | 742,916 | ||||||
Right-of-use lease assets |
271,154 | 95,775 | ||||||
Amortizable intangible assets, net |
1,638 | 7,476 | ||||||
Indefinite-lived intangible assets |
63,801 | 63,801 | ||||||
Goodwill |
69,041 | 69,041 | ||||||
Other assets |
83,535 | 106,557 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total assets |
$ | 1,526,701 | $ | 1,697,289 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
LIABILITIES AND DIVISIONAL EQUITY (DEFICIT) |
||||||||
Current Liabilities: |
||||||||
Accounts payable |
$ | 11,241 | $ | 2,465 | ||||
Accrued and other current liabilities |
210,720 | 123,063 | ||||||
Related party payables, current |
72,683 | 57,788 | ||||||
Current portion of long-term debt |
8,762 | 6,500 | ||||||
Operating lease liabilities, current |
39,006 | 40,926 | ||||||
Deferred revenue |
202,678 | 198,505 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total current liabilities |
545,090 | 429,247 | ||||||
Long-term debt, net of deferred financing costs |
654,912 | 611,285 | ||||||
Operating lease liabilities, non-current |
254,114 | 77,211 | ||||||
Deferred tax liabilities, net |
23,253 | 23,270 | ||||||
Other liabilities |
50,921 | 57,624 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total liabilities |
1,528,290 | 1,198,637 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Commitments and contingencies (see Note 13) |
||||||||
Spinco Divisional Equity (Deficit): |
||||||||
MSG Entertainment investment |
33,265 | 529,500 | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
(34,740 | ) | (33,598 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total Spinco divisional equity (deficit) |
(1,475 | ) | 495,902 | |||||
Nonredeemable noncontrolling interests |
(114 | ) | 2,750 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total liabilities and divisional equity (deficit) |
$ | 1,526,701 | $ | 1,697,289 | ||||
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to the combined financial statements.
F-4
COMBINED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands)
Years Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
Revenues (a) |
$ | 653,490 | $ | 81,812 | $ | 584,601 | ||||||
Operating expenses: (a) |
||||||||||||
Direct operating expenses |
417,301 | 96,236 | 380,526 | |||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
167,132 | 136,597 | 137,935 | |||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
69,534 | 71,576 | 81,591 | |||||||||
Gain on disposal of assets held for sale and associated settlements |
| | (240,783 | ) | ||||||||
Restructuring charges |
5,171 | 14,691 | | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Operating income (loss) |
(5,648 | ) | (237,288 | ) | 225,332 | |||||||
Other income (expense): |
||||||||||||
Interest income (a) |
7,150 | 6,442 | 8,805 | |||||||||
Interest expense |
(53,110 | ) | (33,735 | ) | (425 | ) | ||||||
Loss on extinguishment of debt |
(35,629 | ) | | | ||||||||
Other income (expense), net |
(49,033 | ) | 50,622 | 37,129 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
(130,622 | ) | 23,329 | 45,509 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Income (loss) from operations before income taxes |
(136,270 | ) | (213,959 | ) | 270,841 | |||||||
Income tax (expense) benefit |
70 | (5,349 | ) | (100,182 | ) | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net income (loss) |
(136,200 | ) | (219,308 | ) | 170,659 | |||||||
Less: Net loss attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interest |
(2,864 | ) | (694 | ) | (1,071 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Spincos stockholders |
$ | (133,336 | ) | $ | (218,614 | ) | $ | 171,730 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) | See Note 19, Related Party Transactions, for further information on related party arrangements |
See accompanying notes to the combined financial statements.
F-5
COMBINED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(in thousands)
Years Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | (136,200 | ) | $ | (219,308 | ) | $ | 170,659 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss), before income taxes: |
||||||||||||
Pension plans and postretirement plans: |
||||||||||||
Net unamortized losses arising during the period |
(2,805 | ) | (5,168 | ) | (45 | ) | ||||||
Amortization of net actuarial loss included in net periodic benefit cost |
1,420 | 1,191 | 1,342 | |||||||||
Curtailments |
| 156 | | |||||||||
Settlement loss |
| 870 | 67 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss), before income taxes |
(1,385 | ) | (2,951 | ) | 1,364 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Income tax benefit (expense) related to items of other comprehensive income |
243 | 461 | (488 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes |
(1,142 | ) | (2,490 | ) | 876 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Comprehensive income (loss) |
(137,342 | ) | (221,798 | ) | 171,535 | |||||||
Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests |
(2,864 | ) | (694 | ) | (1,071 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to MSGE Spinco, Inc. |
$ | (134,478 | ) | $ | (221,104 | ) | $ | 172,606 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to the combined financial statements.
F-6
COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
Years Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: |
||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | (136,200 | ) | $ | (219,308 | ) | $ | 170,659 | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: |
||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
69,534 | 71,576 | 81,591 | |||||||||
Share-based compensation expense |
39,357 | 40,663 | 26,110 | |||||||||
Amortization of deferred financing costs |
6,781 | 4,315 | | |||||||||
Provision for deferred income taxes |
225 | 566 | 17,429 | |||||||||
Related party paid in kind interest |
(3,582 | ) | (4,952 | ) | (1,813 | ) | ||||||
Net unrealized (gain) loss on equity investments with readily determinable fair value |
49,842 | (53,505 | ) | (31,277 | ) | |||||||
Provision for doubtful accounts / credit losses |
166 | 887 | 3,568 | |||||||||
Amortization of right-of-use assets |
11,717 | 5,460 | 6,541 | |||||||||
Gain on sale of the Forum, excluding associated settlement |
| | (100,288 | ) | ||||||||
Loss on extinguishment of debt |
35,629 | | | |||||||||
Write-off of deferred production costs |
| 942 | | |||||||||
Change in assets and liabilities: |
||||||||||||
Accounts receivable, net |
(34,861 | ) | (18,819 | ) | 8,400 | |||||||
Related party receivables, net of payables |
19,535 | 24,631 | (23,626 | ) | ||||||||
Other current and non-current assets |
(42,408 | ) | (10,838 | ) | (37,754 | ) | ||||||
Accounts payable |
8,776 | (6,925 | ) | (9,298 | ) | |||||||
Accrued and other current and non-current liabilities |
78,780 | (2,598 | ) | (69,000 | ) | |||||||
Deferred revenue |
4,173 | 19,677 | (1,250 | ) | ||||||||
Operating lease right-of-use assets and lease liabilities |
(12,113 | ) | 110 | (8,464 | ) | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities |
$ | 95,351 | $ | (148,118 | ) | $ | 31,528 | |||||
Cash flows from investing activities: |
||||||||||||
Capital expenditures |
(15,797 | ) | (10,315 | ) | (29,644 | ) | ||||||
(Purchase) / proceeds from sale of investments |
(350 | ) | 21,976 | 25,659 | ||||||||
Proceeds from loan receivable |
68,367 | | 74,852 | |||||||||
Loan to related parties |
(6,780 | ) | (22,000 | ) | (5,000 | ) | ||||||
Proceeds from sale of Forum, excluding associated settlement |
| | 210,521 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities |
$ | 45,440 | $ | (10,339 | ) | $ | 276,388 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to the combined financial statements.
F-7
MSGE SPINCO, INC.
COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)
(in thousands)
Years Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
Cash flows from financing activities: |
||||||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of term loan, net of issuance discount |
$ | 650,000 | $ | 630,500 | $ | | ||||||
Principal repayments on long-term debt |
(646,750 | ) | (3,250 | ) | | |||||||
Proceeds from revolving credit facilities |
29,100 | | | |||||||||
Debt extinguishment costs |
(12,838 | ) | | | ||||||||
Payments for debt financing costs |
(16,060 | ) | (14,417 | ) | | |||||||
Net transfers (to)/from MSG Entertainment and MSG Entertainments subsidiaries |
(399,739 | ) | (139,345 | ) | (315,379 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
$ | (396,287 | ) | $ | 473,488 | $ | (315,379 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash |
(255,496 | ) | 315,031 | (7,463 | ) | |||||||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period |
318,069 | 3,038 | 10,501 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period |
$ | 62,573 | $ | 318,069 | $ | 3,038 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Non-cash investing and financing activities: |
||||||||||||
Capital expenditures incurred but not yet paid |
$ | 1,585 | $ | 1,083 | $ | 2,641 | ||||||
Non-cash reduction of loan receivable from related party |
$ | 4,019 | $ | | $ | |
See accompanying notes to the combined financial statements.
F-8
COMBINED STATEMENTS OF DIVISIONAL EQUITY (DEFICIT)
(in thousands)
MSG Entertainment Investment |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
Total Spinco Divisional Equity (Deficit) |
Nonredeemable Noncontrolling Interests |
Total Divisional Equity (Deficit) |
||||||||||||||||
Balance as of June 30, 2019 |
$ | 933,401 | $ | (33,378 | ) | $ | 900,023 | $ | 4,515 | $ | 904,538 | |||||||||
Net income (loss) |
171,730 | | 171,730 | (1,071 | ) | 170,659 | ||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income |
| 876 | 876 | | 876 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Comprehensive income (loss) |
172,606 | (1,071 | ) | 171,535 | ||||||||||||||||
Adjustments related to the transfer of certain assets and liabilities due to the 2020 Entertainment Distribution |
| 1,394 | 1,394 | | 1,394 | |||||||||||||||
Net decrease in MSG Entertainment Investment |
(258,857 | ) | | (258,857 | ) | | (258,857 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Balance as of June 30, 2020 |
$ | 846,274 | $ | (31,108 | ) | $ | 815,166 | $ | 3,444 | $ | 818,610 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Net loss |
(218,614 | ) | | (218,614 | ) | (694 | ) | (219,308 | ) | |||||||||||
Other comprehensive loss |
| (2,490 | ) | (2,490 | ) | | (2,490 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Comprehensive loss |
| | (221,104 | ) | (694 | ) | (221,798 | ) | ||||||||||||
Net decrease in MSG Entertainment Investment |
(98,160 | ) | | (98,160 | ) | | (98,160 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Balance as of June 30, 2021 |
$ | 529,500 | $ | (33,598 | ) | $ | 495,902 | $ | 2,750 | $ | 498,652 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Net loss |
(133,336 | ) | | (133,336 | ) | (2,864 | ) | (136,200 | ) | |||||||||||
Other comprehensive loss |
| (1,142 | ) | (1,142 | ) | | (1,142 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Comprehensive loss |
(134,478 | ) | (2,864 | ) | (137,342 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Net decrease in MSG Entertainment Investment |
(362,899 | ) | | (362,899 | ) | | (362,899 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Balance as of June 30, 2022 |
$ | 33,265 | $ | (34,740 | ) | $ | (1,475 | ) | $ | (114 | ) | $ | (1,589 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to the combined financial statements.
F-9
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
All amounts included in the following Notes to Combined Financial Statements are presented in thousands, except as otherwise noted.
Note 1. Description of Business and Basis of Presentation
The Proposed Distribution
On December 6, 2022, the board of directors of MSG Entertainment authorized MSG Entertainment management to explore a potential tax-free spin-off of the traditional live entertainment business from the MSG Sphere, MSG Networks, and Tao Group Hospitality businesses, and approved the filing of a Form 10 registration statement and amendments thereto.
MSGE Spinco, Inc. (Spinco or the Company) was incorporated in the state of Delaware on September 15, 2022 to be the company to hold the traditional live entertainment business of MSG Entertainment. In the first step of the transaction, record holders of MSG Entertainment Class A and Class B common stock would receive a pro-rata distribution expected to be equivalent, in aggregate, to approximately 67% of the economic interest in the Company (the Distribution). The remaining approximately 33% economic interest in the Company would be retained by MSG Entertainment, subject to completion of the Distribution. Completion of the Distribution is subject to various conditions, including final approval by the board of directors of MSG Entertainment, receipt of a tax opinion from counsel and the filing and effectiveness of the registration statement with the SEC (defined below). References to Spinco or the Company include the subsidiaries of MSG Entertainment that will be subsidiaries of the Company at the time of the Distribution. MSG Entertainment will be required by applicable tax rules to dispose of the retained interest within a fixed period of time, which may occur through a series of steps including sales, exchange offers or pro rata distributions. MSG Entertainment expects to dispose of such retained interest within one year of the date of the Distribution, subject to market conditions.
Description of Business
The Company is a live entertainment company, comprised of iconic venues, and marquee entertainment content. Utilizing the Companys powerful brands and live entertainment expertise, the Company delivers unique experiences that set the standard for excellence and innovation while forging deep connections with diverse and passionate audiences.
The Company is comprised of one reportable segment. The Companys decision to organize as one reportable segment is based upon the manner in which its operations are managed, and the criteria used by the Companys Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, its Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM), to evaluate segment performance. The Companys CODM reviews total company operating results to assess overall performance and allocate resources.
The Companys portfolio of venues includes: Madison Square Garden (The Garden), Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden (Hulu Theater), Radio City Music Hall, the Beacon Theatre, and The Chicago Theatre. The Company also owns and produces the original production, the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes (the Christmas Spectacular). The Company also has a bookings business, which showcases a broad array of compelling concerts, family shows and special events, as well as a diverse mix of sporting events, for millions of guests annually.
The Company conducts a significant portion of its operations at venues that it either owns or operates under long-term leases. The Company owns The Garden, Hulu Theater and The Chicago Theatre, and leases Radio City Music Hall and the Beacon Theatre.
F-10
MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
All of the Companys revenues and assets are attributed to or located in the United States and are primarily concentrated in the New York City metropolitan area.
Basis of Presentation
The Company reports on a fiscal year basis ending on June 30. In these combined financial statements, the fiscal years ended June 30, 2022, 2021 and 2020 are referred to as Fiscal Year 2022, Fiscal Year 2021, and Fiscal Year 2020, respectively, and the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023 is referred to as Fiscal Year 2023.
The combined financial statements of the Company (the combined financial statements) were prepared on a stand-alone basis derived from the consolidated financial statements and accounting records of MSG Entertainment. These financial statements reflect the combined historical results of operations, financial position and cash flows of the Company in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) Topic 1-B, Allocation of Expenses and Related Disclosure in Financial Statements of Subsidiaries, Divisions or Lesser Business Components of Another Entity. References to U.S. GAAP issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) in these footnotes are to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification, also referred to as ASC.
Historically, separate financial statements have not been prepared for the Company and it has not operated as a stand-alone business from MSG Entertainment. The combined financial statements include certain assets and liabilities that have historically been held by MSG Entertainment or by other MSG Entertainment subsidiaries but are specifically identifiable or otherwise attributable to the Company. The combined financial statements are presented as if the Companys businesses had been combined for all periods presented. The assets and liabilities in the combined financial statements have been reflected on a historical cost basis, as immediately prior to the Distribution of all of the assets and liabilities presented are wholly owned by MSG Entertainment and are being transferred to the Company at a carry-over basis.
Fiscal Year 2020 includes additional carve-out allocations as the combined financial statements for the period from July 1, 2019 to April 17, 2020 were prepared on a stand alone basis derived from the consolidated financial statements and accounting records of Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. (MSG Sports). This was a result of a distribution of all the outstanding common stock of MSG Entertainment to MSG Sports stockholders on April 17, 2020 (referred herein as the 2020 Entertainment Distribution).
The combined statements of operations include allocations for certain support functions that are provided on a centralized basis and not historically recorded at the business unit level by MSG Entertainment and MSG Sports (for the period from July 1, 2019 to April 17, 2020), such as expenses related to executive management, finance, legal, human resources, government affairs, information technology, and venue operations, among others. As part of the Distribution, certain corporate and operational support functions are being transferred to the Company and therefore, charges were reflected in order to properly burden all business units comprising MSG Entertainments historical operations. These expenses have been allocated to MSG Entertainment on the basis of direct usage when identifiable, with the remainder allocated on a pro rata basis of combined assets, headcount or other measures of the Company or MSG Entertainment, which are recorded as a reduction of either direct operating expenses or selling, general and administrative expense.
Management believes the assumptions underlying the combined financial statements, including the assumptions regarding allocating general corporate expenses, are reasonable. Nevertheless, the combined financial statements may not include all of the actual expenses that would have been incurred by the Company and may not reflect its combined results of operations, financial position and cash flows had it been a stand-alone company during the periods presented. Actual costs that would have been incurred if the Company had been a
F-11
MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
stand-alone company would depend on multiple factors, including organizational structure and strategic decisions made in various areas, including information technology and infrastructure. The Company is unable to quantify the amounts that it would have recorded during the historical periods on a stand-alone basis as it is not practicable to do so. See Note 19, Related Party Transactions for more information regarding allocations of certain costs from the Company to MSG Entertainment.
MSG Entertainment uses a centralized approach to cash management and financing of operations. Cash is managed centrally with net earnings reinvested and working capital requirements met from existing liquid funds. The Companys cash in excess of minimum liquidity requirements under the credit facilities was available for use and was regularly swept historically. Cash and cash equivalents were attributed to the Company for each of the periods presented, as such cash was held in accounts legally owned by the Company. See Note 14, Credit Facilities for more information regarding the Companys debt facilities. Transfers of cash both to and from MSG Entertainment are included as components of MSG Entertainment investment on the combined statements of divisional equity (deficit).
MSG Entertainments net investment in the Company has been presented as a component of divisional equity (deficit) in the combined financial statements. Distributions made by MSG Entertainment to the Company or to MSG Entertainment from the Company are recorded as transfers to and from MSG Entertainment, and the net amount is presented on the combined statements of cash flows as Net transfers (to)/from MSG Entertainment and MSG Entertainments subsidiaries.
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic
The Companys operations and operating results have been materially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic (including COVID-19 variants) and actions taken in response by governmental authorities and certain professional sports leagues during Fiscal Years 2020, 2021 and 2022. For the majority of Fiscal Year 2021, substantially all of our business operations were suspended. Fiscal Year 2022 was also impacted by the pandemic, with fewer ticketed events at our venues in the first half of the fiscal year as compared with Fiscal Year 2019 (the last full fiscal year not impacted by COVID-19) due to the lead-time required to book touring acts and artists, and an increase in COVID-19 cases due to a new variant, which resulted in a number of events at our venues being cancelled or postponed in the fiscal second and third quarters.
As a result of government-mandated assembly limitations and closures, all of our venues were closed beginning in March 2020. Use of The Garden resumed for Knicks and Rangers home games without fans in December 2020 and January 2021, respectively, and was available at 10% seating capacity from February through May 2021 subject to certain safety protocols and social distancing. Beginning in May 2021, all of our New York venues were permitted to host guests at full capacity, subject to certain restrictions, and effective June 2021, The Chicago Theatre was permitted to host events without restrictions. Guests of our Chicago and New York venues were also subject to certain vaccination requirements until February and March 2022, respectively. As a result, our venues no longer require guests to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination before entering (although specific performers may require enhanced protocols).
For Fiscal Year 2021, the majority of ticketed events at our venues were postponed or cancelled. For Fiscal Year 2022 and as of the date of this filing, live events have been permitted to be held at all of our venues and we are continuing to host and book new events. As a result of an increase in cases of a COVID-19 variant, select bookings were postponed or cancelled at our venues in the second and third quarters of Fiscal Year 2022. Variants of COVID-19 that arise in the future may result in additional postponements or cancellations of bookings at our venues.
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The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operations also included the partial cancellation of the 2021 production of the Christmas Spectacular and the cancellation of the 2020 production of the Christmas Spectacular.
The Companys long-term Arena License Agreements with MSG Sports require the Knicks and Rangers to play their home games at The Garden. As discussed above, capacity restrictions, use limitations and social distancing requirements were in place for the entirety of the Knicks and Rangers 2020-21 regular seasons, which materially impacted the payments we received under the Arena License Agreements for Fiscal Year 2021. On July 1, 2021, the Knicks and Rangers began paying the full amounts provided for under their respective Arena License Agreements. The Knicks and the Rangers each completed their 2021-2022 82-game regular seasons, with the Rangers advancing to the playoffs.
It is unclear to what extent COVID-19 concerns, including with respect to new variants, could result in new government or league-mandated capacity restrictions or vaccination/mask requirements or impact the use of and/or demand for our venues, demand for our sponsorship and advertising assets, deter our employees and vendors from working at our venues (which may lead to difficulties in staffing) or otherwise materially impact our operations.
Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
A. Principles of Combination
All significant intracompany transactions and balances within the Companys combined businesses have been eliminated. Certain historical intercompany transactions between MSG Entertainment and the Company have been included as components of MSG Entertainment investment in the combined financial statements, as they are to be considered effectively settled upon effectiveness of the Distribution and were not historically settled in cash. Certain other historical intercompany transactions between MSG Entertainment and the Company have been classified as related party, rather than intercompany, in the combined financial statements as they were historically settled in cash. Expenses related to corporate allocations from the Company to MSG Entertainment prior to the Distribution, are considered to be effectively settled in the combined financial statements at the time the transaction is recorded, with the offset recorded against MSG Entertainment investment. See Note 19, Related Party Transactions, for further information on related party arrangements.
B. Use of Estimates
The preparation of the accompanying combined financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events. These estimates and the underlying assumptions affect the amounts of assets and liabilities reported, disclosures about contingent assets and liabilities, and reported amounts of revenues and expenses. Such estimates include the provision for credit losses, goodwill, intangible assets, other long-lived assets, deferred tax assets, pension and other postretirement benefit obligations and the related net periodic benefit cost, and other liabilities. In addition, estimates are used in revenue recognition, depreciation and amortization, litigation matters and other matters. Management believes its use of estimates in the financial statements to be reasonable.
Management evaluates its estimates on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the general economic environment and actions it may take in the future. The Company adjusts such estimates when facts and circumstances dictate. However, these estimates may involve significant uncertainties and judgments and cannot be determined with precision. In addition, these estimates are based on managements best judgment at a point in time and, as such, these estimates may ultimately differ from actual results. Changes in estimates resulting from weakness in the economic environment or other factors beyond the Companys control could be material and would be reflected in the Companys financial statements in future periods.
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C. Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue when, or as, performance obligations under the terms of a contract are satisfied, which generally occurs when, or as, control of promised goods or services is transferred to customers. Revenue is measured as the amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services (transaction price). To the extent the transaction price includes variable consideration, the Company estimates the amount of variable consideration that should be included in the transaction price utilizing the most likely amount to which the Company expects to be entitled. Variable consideration is included in the transaction price if, in the Companys judgment, it is probable that a significant future reversal of cumulative revenue under the contract will not occur. Estimates of variable consideration and the determination of whether to include such estimated amounts in the transaction price are based largely on an assessment of the Companys anticipated performance and all information that is reasonably available. The Company accounts for taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities on a net basis and excludes these amounts from revenues.
In addition, the Company defers certain costs to fulfill the Companys contracts with customers to the extent such costs relate directly to the contracts, are expected to generate resources that will be used to satisfy the Companys performance obligations under the contracts, and are expected to be recovered through revenue generated under the contracts. Contract fulfillment costs are expensed as the Company satisfies the related performance obligations.
Arrangements with Multiple Performance Obligations
The Company enters into arrangements with multiple performance obligations, such as multi-year sponsorship agreements which may derive revenues for the Company, as well as MSG Entertainment and MSG Sports within a single arrangement. The Company also derives revenue from similar types of arrangements which are entered into by MSG Sports. Payment terms for such arrangements can vary by contract, but payments are generally due in installments throughout the contractual term. The performance obligations included in each sponsorship agreement vary and may include advertising and other benefits such as, but not limited to, signage at The Garden and the Companys other venues, digital advertising, event or property-specific advertising, as well as non-advertising benefits such as suite licenses and event tickets. To the extent the Companys multi-year arrangements provide for performance obligations that are consistent over the multi-year contractual term, such performance obligations generally meet the definition of a series as provided for under the accounting guidance. If performance obligations are concluded to meet the definition of a series, the contractual fees for all years during the contract term are aggregated and the related revenue is recognized proportionately as the underlying performance obligations are satisfied.
The timing of revenue recognition for each performance obligation is dependent upon the facts and circumstances surrounding the Companys satisfaction of its respective performance obligation. The Company allocates the transaction price for such arrangements to each performance obligation within the arrangement based on the estimated relative stand-alone selling price of the performance obligation. The Companys process for determining its estimated stand-alone selling prices involves managements judgment and considers multiple factors including company specific and market specific factors that may vary depending upon the unique facts and circumstances related to each performance obligation. Key factors considered by the Company in developing an estimated stand-alone selling price for its performance obligations include, but are not limited to, prices charged for similar performance obligations, the Companys ongoing pricing strategy and policies, and consideration of pricing of similar performance obligations sold in other arrangements with multiple performance obligations.
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The Company may incur costs such as commissions to obtain its multi-year sponsorship agreements. The Company assesses such costs for capitalization on a contract by contract basis. To the extent costs are capitalized, the Company estimates the useful life of the related contract asset, which may be the underlying contract term or the estimated customer life depending on the facts and circumstances surrounding the contract. The contract asset is amortized over the estimated useful life.
Principal versus Agent Revenue Recognition
The Company reports revenue on a gross or net basis based on managements assessment of whether the Company acts as a principal or agent in the transaction. The determination of whether the Company acts as a principal or an agent in a transaction is based on an evaluation of whether the Company controls the good or service before transfer to the customer. When the Company concludes that it controls the good or service before transfer to the customer, the Company is considered a principal in the transaction and records revenue on a gross basis. When the Company concludes that it does not control the good or service before transfer to the customer but arranges for another entity to provide the good or service, the Company acts as an agent and records revenue on a net basis in the amount it earns for its agency service.
Contract Balances
Amounts collected in advance of the Companys satisfaction of its contractual performance obligations are recorded as a contract liability within deferred revenue, and are recognized as the Company satisfies the related performance obligations. Amounts collected in advance of events for which the Company is not the promoter or co-promoter do not represent contract liabilities and are recorded within accrued and other current liabilities on the accompanying combined balance sheets. Amounts recognized as revenue for which the Company has a right to consideration for goods or services transferred to customers and for which the Company does not have an unconditional right to bill as of the reporting date are recorded as contract assets. Contract assets are transferred to accounts receivable once the Companys right to consideration becomes unconditional.
D. Direct Operating Expenses
Direct operating expenses include, but are not limited to, event costs related to the presentation and production of the Companys live entertainment and sporting events, revenue sharing expenses associated with signage, sponsorship and suite license fee revenue and in-venue food and beverage sales that are attributable to MSG Sports and venue lease, maintenance, and other operating expenses. In addition, for the period July 1, 2019 to April 17, 2020, the direct operating expenses also included revenue sharing expenses associated with the venue-related signage, sponsorship, and suite license fee revenues that are attributable to MSG Sports and an allocation of charges for venue usage to MSG Sports for hosting home games of the Knicks and the Rangers at The Garden.
Production Costs for the Companys Original Productions
The Company defers certain costs of productions such as creative design, scenery, wardrobes, rehearsal and other related costs for the Companys proprietary shows. Deferred production costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the course of a productions performance period using the expected life of a shows assets. Deferred production costs are subject to recoverability assessments whenever there is an indication of potential impairment.
Allocation of Charges for Venue Usage to MSG Sports
For period prior to the 2020 Entertainment Distribution, the Companys combined financial statements included expenses associated with the ownership, maintenance, and operation of The Garden, which the
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Company and MSG Sports use in their respective operations. The Knicks and Rangers are the primary recurring occupants of The Garden, playing their home games at The Garden. The number of home games increases if the Knicks and Rangers qualify for the playoffs. Historically, the Company did not charge rent expense to MSG Sports for use of The Garden. However, for purposes of the Companys combined financial statements, the Company allocated expenses to MSG Sports for the usage of The Garden, which were reported as a reduction of direct operating expense in the accompanying combined statements of operations. This allocation was based on a combination of event count and revenue, which the Companys management believes is a reasonable allocation methodology. The venue usage charge allocated to MSG Sports was $46,072 for the period of July 1, 2019 to April 17, 2020 in Fiscal Year 2020, prior to the 2020 Entertainment Distribution.
In connection with the 2020 Entertainment Distribution, the Company entered into Arena License Agreements with MSG Sports (see Note 10, Leases for further discussion). Fees recognized by the Company under the Arena License Agreements with MSG Sports for use of The Garden are reported as operating lease revenues in accordance with ASC Topic 842 Leases (ASC Topic 842).
Revenue Sharing Expenses
As discussed above, prior to the 2020 Entertainment Distribution, MSG Sports share of the Companys suites license, venue signage and sponsorship revenue, and in-venue food and beverage sales has been reflected within direct operating expense as revenue sharing expenses, where such amounts were either specifically identified where possible or allocated proportionally.
After the 2020 Entertainment Distribution, such revenue sharing expenses are determined based on contractual agreements between the Company and MSG Sports, primarily related to suite license, certain internal signage and in-venue food and beverage sales.
E. Advertising Expenses
Advertising costs are typically charged to expense when incurred. Total advertising costs expensed were $7,995, $269 and $10,895 for Fiscal Years 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
F. Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC Topic 740 Income Taxes (ASC Topic 740). Income taxes as presented herein attribute current and deferred income taxes of MSG Entertainment to the Companys stand-alone financial statements in a manner that is systematic, rational, and consistent with the asset and liability method prescribed by ASC Topic 740.
Accordingly, the Companys income tax provision was prepared following the separate return method. The separate return method applies ASC Topic 740 to the stand-alone financial statements of each member of the combined group as if the group member were a separate taxpayer and the benefits of a consolidated return have been reflected where such returns have or could be filed based on the entities jurisdictions included in the combined financial statements. As a result, actual tax transactions included in the consolidated financial statements of MSG Entertainment may not be included in the combined financial statements.
Similarly, the tax treatment of certain items reflected in the combined financial statements may not be reflected in the consolidated financial statements and tax returns of MSG Entertainment. Therefore, portions of items such as net operating losses (NOLs), tax credit carryforwards, other deferred taxes, and valuation allowances may exist in the combined financial statements that may or may not exist in MSG Entertainments consolidated financial statements and vice versa.
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In addition, although deferred tax assets have been recognized for NOLs and tax credits in accordance with the separate return method, such NOLs and credits will not carry over with the Company in connection with the Distribution.
G. Share-based Compensation
Certain employees of the Company have historically participated in share-based compensation plans of MSG Entertainment. Share-based compensation expense has been attributed to the Company based on the awards and terms previously granted to MSG Entertainments employees. For purposes of the combined financial statements, an allocation to MSG Entertainment of share-based compensation expense related to corporate employees was recorded in addition to the expense attributed to the Companys direct employees. Share-based compensation expense related to directors and corporate executives of MSG Entertainment has been allocated on a proportional basis, which management has deemed to be reasonable.
Following the 2020 Entertainment Distribution, the Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity-based instruments based on the grant date fair value of the award. Share-based compensation cost is recognized in earnings over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award, except for restricted stock units granted to non-employee directors which, unless otherwise provided under the applicable award agreement, are fully vested, and are expensed at the grant date.
The Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur, rather than estimating expected forfeitures.
H. Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers the balance of its investment in funds that substantially hold highly liquid securities that mature within three months or less from the date the fund purchases these securities to be cash equivalents. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents either approximates fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments or is at fair value. Checks outstanding in excess of related book balances are included in accounts payable in the accompanying combined balance sheets. The Company presents the change in these book cash overdrafts as cash flows from operating activities.
I. Restricted Cash
The Companys restricted cash includes cash deposited in escrow accounts. The Company has deposited cash in an interest-bearing escrow account related to credit support, debt facilities, and collateral to its workers compensation and general liability insurance obligations.
The carrying amount of restricted cash approximates fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments.
J. Short-Term Investments
Short-term investments include investments that (i) have original maturities of greater than three months and (ii) the Company has the ability to convert into cash within one year. The Company classifies its short-term investments at the time of purchase as held-to-maturity and re-evaluates its classification quarterly based on whether the Company has the intent and ability to hold until maturity. Short-term investments, which are recorded at cost and adjusted for accrued interest, approximate fair value. Cash inflows and outflows related to the sale and purchase of short-term investments are classified as investing activities in the Companys combined statements of cash flows.
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NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
K. Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable are recorded at net realizable value. The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses to reserve for potentially uncollectible receivables. The allowance for credit losses is estimated based on the Companys consideration of credit risk and analysis of receivables aging, specific identification of certain receivables that are at risk of not being paid, past collection experience and other factors.
L. Investments in Equity Securities
For the Companys equity investments with readily determinable fair values, changes in the fair value of those investments are measured monthly and are recorded within Other income (expense), net in the accompanying combined statements of operations.
M. Property and Equipment and Other Long-Lived Assets
Property and equipment and other long-lived assets, including amortizable intangible assets, are stated at cost or acquisition date fair value, if acquired. Expenditures for new facilities or equipment, and expenditures that extend the useful lives of existing facilities or equipment, are capitalized and recorded at cost. The useful lives of the Companys long-lived assets are based on estimates of the period over which the Company expects the assets to be of economic benefit to the Company. In estimating the useful lives, the Company considers factors such as, but not limited to, risk of obsolescence, anticipated use, plans of the Company, and applicable laws and permit requirements. Depreciation starts on the date when the asset is available for its intended use. Construction in progress assets are not depreciated until available for their intended use. Costs of maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred.
The major categories of property and equipment are depreciated on a straight-line basis using the estimated lives indicated below:
Estimated Useful Lives | ||
Buildings |
Up to 40 years | |
Equipment |
1 year to 20 years | |
Aircraft |
20 years | |
Furniture and fixtures |
1 year to 10 years | |
Leasehold improvements |
Shorter of term of lease or useful life of improvement |
Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized principally using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:
Estimated Useful Lives | ||
Trade names |
7 years | |
Festival rights |
7 years | |
Other intangibles |
15 years |
N. Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Assets
Under the acquisition method of accounting, the Company recognizes separately from goodwill the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interests in an acquiree, generally at the acquisition date fair value. The Company measures goodwill as of the acquisition date as the excess of consideration transferred, which is also measured at fair value over the net of the acquisition date amounts of the
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NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Costs that the Company incurs to complete a business combination such as investment banking, legal, and other professional fees are not considered part of consideration and the Company charges these costs to selling, general and administrative expense as they are incurred. In addition, the Company recognizes measurement-period adjustments in the period in which the amount is determined, including the effect on earnings of any amounts the Company would have recorded in previous periods if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. Goodwill and identifiable intangible assets that have indefinite useful lives are not amortized.
O. Impairment of Long-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Assets
In assessing the recoverability of the Companys long-lived and indefinite-lived assets, the Company must make estimates and assumptions regarding future cash flows and other factors to determine the fair value of the respective assets. These estimates and assumptions could have a significant impact on whether an impairment charge is recognized and the magnitude of any such charge. Fair value estimates are made based on relevant information at a specific point in time, and are subjective in nature and involve significant uncertainties and judgments. If these estimates or assumptions change materially, the Company may be required to record impairment charges related to its long-lived and/or indefinite-lived assets.
Goodwill is tested annually for impairment as of August 31st and at any time upon the occurrence of certain events or changes in circumstances. The Company has the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine if an impairment is more likely than not to have occurred. If the Company can support the conclusion that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the Company would not need to perform a quantitative impairment test for that reporting unit. If the Company cannot support such a conclusion or the Company does not elect to perform the qualitative assessment, the Company would identify potential impairment by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. The Company generally determines the fair value of a reporting unit using an income approach, such as the discounted cash flow method, or other acceptable valuation techniques, including the cost approach, in instances when it does not perform the qualitative assessment of goodwill. The amount of an impairment loss is measured as the amount by which a reporting units carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill.
Identifiable indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested annually for impairment as of August 31st and at any time upon the occurrence of certain events or substantive changes in circumstances. The Company has the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine if an impairment is more likely than not to have occurred. In the qualitative assessment, the Company must evaluate the totality of qualitative factors, including any recent fair value measurements, that impact whether an indefinite-lived intangible asset other than goodwill has a carrying amount that more likely than not exceeds its fair value. The Company must proceed to conducting a quantitative analysis if the Company (i) determines that such an impairment is more likely than not to exist, or (ii) foregoes the qualitative assessment entirely. Under the quantitative assessment, the impairment test for identifiable indefinite-lived intangible assets consists of a comparison of the estimated fair value of the intangible asset with its carrying value. If the carrying value of the intangible asset exceeds its fair value, then an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. The Company generally determines the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset using an income approach, such as the relief from royalty method, in instances when it does not perform the qualitative assessment of the intangible asset.
For other long-lived assets, including property and equipment, right-of-use lease assets (ROU) and intangible assets that are amortized, the Company evaluates assets for recoverability when there is an indication of potential impairment. If the undiscounted cash flows from a group of assets being evaluated is less than the carrying value of that group of assets, the fair value of the asset group is determined and the carrying value of the
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asset group is written down to fair value. The Company generally determines the fair value of a finite-lived intangible asset using an income approach, such as the discounted cash flow method.
See Note 11, Goodwill and Intangible Assets for further discussion of impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets.
P. Leases
The Companys leases primarily consist of certain venues, corporate office space, storage and, to a lesser extent, office and other equipment. The Company determines whether an arrangement contains a lease at the inception of the arrangement. If a lease is determined to exist, the lease term is assessed based on the date when the underlying asset is made available by the lessor for the Companys use. The Companys assessment of the lease term reflects the non-cancellable term of the lease, inclusive of any rent-free periods and/or periods covered by early-termination options which the Company is reasonably certain not to exercise, as well as periods covered by renewal options which the Company is reasonably certain to exercise. The Companys lease agreements do not contain material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.
The Company determines lease classification as either operating or finance at lease commencement, which governs the pattern of expense recognition and the presentation reflected in the combined statements of operations and statements of cash flows over the lease term.
For leases with a term exceeding 12 months, a lease liability is recorded on the Companys combined balance sheets at lease commencement reflecting the present value of the fixed minimum payment obligations over the lease term. A corresponding ROU asset equal to the initial lease liability is also recorded, adjusted for any prepaid rent and/or initial direct costs incurred in connection with execution of the lease and reduced by any lease incentives received. In addition, the ROU asset is adjusted to reflect any above or below market lease terms under acquired lease contracts.
The Company includes fixed payment obligations related to non-lease components in the measurement of ROU assets and lease liabilities, as the Company has elected to account for lease and non-lease components together as a single lease component. ROU assets associated with finance leases are presented separate from ROU assets associated with operating leases and are included within Property and equipment, net on the Companys combined balance sheets. For purposes of measuring the present value of the Companys fixed payment obligations for a given lease, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate, determined based on information available at lease commencement, as rates implicit in the underlying leasing arrangements are typically not readily determinable. The Companys incremental borrowing rate reflects the rate it would pay to borrow on a secured basis and incorporates the term and economic environment surrounding the associated lease.
For operating leases, fixed lease payments are recognized as lease expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. For finance leases, the initial ROU asset is depreciated on a straight-line basis over the lease term, along with recognition of interest expense associated with accretion of the lease liability, which is ultimately reduced by the related fixed payments. For leases with a term of 12 months or less (short-term leases), any fixed lease payments are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and are not recognized on the combined balance sheets. Variable lease costs for both operating and finance leases, if any, are recognized as incurred and such costs are excluded from lease balances recorded on the combined balance sheets.
Q. Contingencies
Liabilities for loss contingencies arising from claims, assessments, litigation, fines and penalties and other sources are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the assessment can be reasonably estimated.
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R. Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
As more fully described in Note 15, Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans certain employees of the Company participate in defined benefit pension plans (Shared Plans) sponsored by MSG Entertainment, which also have historically included participants of MSG Sports and MSG Entertainment. The Company accounts for the Shared Plans under the guidance of ASC Topic 715 Compensation Retirement Benefits (ASC Topic 715). Accordingly, for the Shared Plans liabilities, the combined financial statements reflected the full impact of such plans on both the combined statements of operations and combined balance sheets and the Company recorded an asset or liability to recognize the funded status of the Shared Plans (other than multiemployer plans), as well as a liability only for any required contributions to the Shared Plans that were accrued and unpaid at the balance sheet date. The related pension expenses attributed to the Company were based primarily on pension-eligible compensation of active participants. The pension expense related to employees of MSG Entertainment or MSG Sports participating in any of the Shared Plans is reflected as a contributory credit from the Company to MSG Entertainment, resulting in a decrease to the expense recognized in the combined statements of operations.
The plan that was sponsored by MSG Entertainment and only included participants of the Company and not of MSG Sports and MSG Entertainment (Direct Plan) was accounted for as a defined benefit pension plan. Accordingly, the funded and unfunded position of the Direct Plan was recorded in the Companys combined balance sheets, as well as all costs related to the Direct Plan which are recorded in the combined statements of operations.
Actuarial gains and losses that have not yet been recognized through the combined statements of operations are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) until they are amortized as a component of net periodic benefit cost through other comprehensive income (loss).
S. Fair Value Measurements
The fair value hierarchy is based on inputs to valuation techniques that are used to measure fair value that are either observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability based on market data obtained from independent sources while unobservable inputs reflect a reporting entitys pricing based upon their own market assumptions. The fair value hierarchy consists of the following three levels:
| Level I Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets. |
| Level II Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable. |
| Level III Instruments whose significant value drivers are unobservable. |
T. Concentrations of Risk
Financial instruments that may potentially subject the Company to a concentration of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. Cash and cash equivalents are invested in money market accounts and time deposits. The Company monitors the financial institutions and money market funds where it invests its cash and cash equivalents with diversification among counterparties to mitigate exposure to any single financial institution. The Companys emphasis is primarily on safety of principal and liquidity, and secondarily on maximizing the yield on its investments.
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U. Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. This ASU eliminates certain exceptions to the general approach in ASC Topic 740 and includes methods of simplification to the existing guidance. This standard was adopted by the Company in the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2022. The adoption of this standard had no impact on the Companys combined financial statements.
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. This ASU provides temporary optional expedients and exceptions to the guidance on contract modifications and hedge accounting to ease the financial reporting burdens of the expected market transition from the London Interbank Offered Rate and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates. In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-01, which refines the scope of Topic 848 and clarifies some of its guidance as part of the FASBs monitoring of global reference rate activities. The new guidance was effective upon issuance, and the Company is allowed to elect to apply the amendments prospectively through December 31, 2022. The Company adopted ASU 2020-04 in Fiscal Year 2022. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Companys combined financial statements.
Note 3. Business Disposition
Disposition of The Forum
Prior to May 1, 2020, the Company owned the Forum in Inglewood, CA. On March 24, 2020, the Company entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell the Forum and settle related litigation for cash consideration in the amount of $400,000, subject to regulatory and other customary closing conditions. The transaction subsequently closed on May 1, 2020, resulting in a total gain on sale of $240,783, net of transaction costs of $50,806 during Fiscal Year 2020, of which $140,495 was attributable to the settlement of the related litigation. The transaction costs included a fee of $48,742 to The Azoff Company Holdings (Azoff Music) in connection with an agreement made by MSG Sports when the remaining 50% interest of Azoff Music was sold on December 5, 2018.
The Forum met the definition of a business under SEC Regulation S-X Rule 11-01(d)-1 and ASC Topic 805 Business Combinations. This disposition did not represent a strategic shift with a major effect on the Companys operations, and as such, has not been reflected as a discontinued operation under ASC Subtopic 205-20 Discontinued Operations.
Note 4. Revenue Recognition
For Fiscal Years 2022, 2021 and 2020, all revenue recognized in the combined statements of operations is considered to be revenue from contracts with customers in accordance with ASC Topic 606 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC Topic 606), except for revenues from Arena License Agreements. In Fiscal Years 2022 and 2021, the Company did not have any material provisions for credit losses on receivables or contract assets arising from contracts with customers.
Arena License Agreements
In connection with the 2020 Entertainment Distribution, the Company entered into Arena License Agreements with MSG Sports that require the Knicks and the Rangers to play their home games at The Garden. These agreements also provide for the provision of certain services by the Company to MSG Sports for MSG
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Sports events that are held at The Garden and include revenue-sharing provisions for certain agreements entered into by the Company and MSG Sports. The Arena License Agreements contain both lease and non-lease components. The revenue to be recognized with respect to the lease components of the Arena License Agreements is accounted for as operating lease revenue in accordance with ASC Topic 842. The non-lease components are accounted for in accordance with ASC Topic 606, as further discussed below.
During Fiscal Years 2022 and 2021, the Company recognized $68,072 and $21,345, respectively, of revenues under the Arena License Agreements. With The Garden closed by government mandate, the Company did not recognize operating lease revenue under the Arena License Agreements in Fiscal Year 2020.
Principal vs. Agent Considerations
Revenue for the Companys suite license arrangements is recorded on a gross basis, as the Company is the principal in such transactions and controls the related goods or services before transfer to the customer. MSG Sports is entitled to a share of the Companys suite license revenue pursuant to the terms of the Arena License Agreements, which is recognized in the combined statements of operations as a component of direct operating expenses.
For sponsorship agreements entered into by the Company or by MSG Sports that contain performance obligations satisfied solely by the Company, revenue is generally recorded on a gross basis as the Company is the principal with respect to such performance obligations and controls the related goods or services before transfer to the customer. In accordance with the Arena License Agreements, MSG Sports is entitled to a share of the revenue generated from certain signage performance obligations where the Company is the principal. The Company records this signage revenue on a gross basis and MSG Sports share of such revenue as a component of direct operating expenses within the combined statements of operations.
For Fiscal Years 2022, 2021 and 2020, the Company recorded revenue-sharing expense of $92,086, $558 and $110,002, respectively, for MSG Sports share of the Companys revenues from (i) suite licenses, (ii) certain signage and sponsorships, and (iii) food and beverage based upon the provisions of the underlying contractual arrangements for the period subsequent to the 2020 Entertainment Distribution, and on the basis of direct usage when specifically identified or allocated proportionally for all prior periods.
In connection with the 2020 Entertainment Distribution, the Company entered into advertising sales representation agreements with certain subsidiaries of MSG Sports. Pursuant to these agreements, the Company has the exclusive right and obligation to sell sponsorship assets on behalf of the respective subsidiaries of MSG Sports. The Company is entitled to both fixed and variable commissions under the terms of these agreements. The Company recognizes the fixed component ratably over the term of the arrangement which corresponds with the Companys satisfaction of its service-based performance obligations. Variable commissions are earned and recognized as the related sponsorship performance obligations are satisfied by MSG Sports. The Company is not the principal in such arrangements as it does not control the related goods or services prior to transfer to the customer. As an agent under these arrangements, the Company recognizes the advertising commission revenue on a net basis.
The Company is also party to an advertising sales representation agreement with MSG Networks. Pursuant to this agreement, the Company has the exclusive right and obligation to sell advertising on behalf of MSG Networks and is entitled to and earns commission revenue as the advertisements are aired on MSG Networks. Since the Company acts as an agent, the Company recognizes the advertising commission revenue on a net basis. See Note 19, Related Party Transactions for more information regarding the advertising sales representation agreements with subsidiaries of MSG Sports and MSG Networks.
F-23
MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Event Related Revenue
The Company earns event related revenues principally from the sale of tickets for events that the Company produces or promotes/co-promotes, and from venue license fees charged to third-party promoters for events held at the Companys venues that the Company does not produce or promote/co-promote. The Companys performance obligations with respect to event-related revenues from the sale of tickets, venue license fees from third-party promoters, sponsorships, concessions and merchandise are satisfied at the point of sale or as the related event occurs. As a result of the agreements entered into in connection with the 2020 Entertainment Distribution, the Company also earns revenue from the provision of various event-related services that are incremental to MSG Sports general use of The Garden. The Companys performance obligations with respect to these event-related services are satisfied as the related event occurs.
The Companys revenues also include revenue from the license of The Gardens suites for the Companys or MSG Sports events. Suite license arrangements are generally multi-year fixed-fee arrangements that include annual fee increases. Payment terms for suite license arrangements can vary by contract, but payments are generally due in installments prior to each license year. The Companys performance obligation under such arrangements is to provide the licensee with access to the suite when events occur at The Garden. The Company accounts for the performance obligation under these types of arrangements as a series and, as a result, the related suite license fees for all years during the license term are aggregated and revenue is recognized proportionately over the license period as the Company satisfies the related performance obligation. Progress toward satisfaction of the Companys annual suite license performance obligation is measured as access to the suite that is provided to the licensee for each event throughout the contractual term of the license.
Other Revenue
The Company also earns revenues from the sale of advertising in the form of venue signage and other forms of sponsorship, which are not related to any specific event of the Company or MSG Sports. The Companys performance obligations with respect to this advertising are satisfied as the related benefits are delivered over the term of the respective agreements.
Disaggregation of Revenue
The following table disaggregates the Companys revenue by major source based upon the timing of transfer of goods or services to the customer for Fiscal Years 2022, 2021 and 2020:
Year Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
Event-related and entertainment offerings (a) |
$ | 386,309 | $ | 14,062 | $ | 390,691 | ||||||
Sponsorship, signage and suite licenses (b) |
156,387 | 15,897 | 177,209 | |||||||||
Other (c) |
39,384 | 27,528 | 16,701 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total revenues from contracts with customers |
582,080 | 57,487 | 584,601 | |||||||||
Revenues from Arena License Agreements, leases and subleases |
71,410 | 24,325 | | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total revenues |
$ | 653,490 | $ | 81,812 | $ | 584,601 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) | Event-related and entertainment offerings revenues are recognized at a point in time. |
(b) | See Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Revenue Recognition, and the discussion above within this Note for further details on the pattern of recognition of sponsorship, signage, and suite license revenues. |
(c) | Primarily consists of (i) revenues from sponsorship sales and representation agreements with MSG Sports, and (ii) advertising commission revenues recognized from MSG Networks. |
F-24
MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
In addition to the disaggregation of the Companys revenue by major source based upon the timing of transfer of goods or services to the customer disclosed above, the following table disaggregates the Companys combined revenues by type of goods or services in accordance with the required entity-wide disclosure requirements of ASC Subtopic 280-10-50-38 to 40 and the disaggregation of revenue required disclosures in accordance with ASC Subtopic 606-10-50-5 for Fiscal Years 2022, 2021 and 2020.
Year Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
Ticketing and venue license fee revenues (a) |
$ | 250,092 | $ | 8,311 | $ | 310,971 | ||||||
Sponsorship and signage, suite, and advertising commission revenues (b) |
219,113 | 43,312 | 200,503 | |||||||||
Food, beverage and merchandise revenues |
109,915 | 3,078 | 62,341 | |||||||||
Other |
2,960 | 2,786 | 10,786 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total revenues from contracts with customers |
582,080 | 57,487 | 584,601 | |||||||||
Revenues from Arena License Agreements, leases and subleases |
71,410 | 24,325 | | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total revenues |
$ | 653,490 | $ | 81,812 | $ | 584,601 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) | Amounts include ticket sales, including other ticket-related revenue, and venue license fees from the Companys events such as (i) concerts, (ii) the presentation of the Christmas Spectacular, and (iii) live entertainment and other sporting events. |
(b) | Amounts include (i) revenues from sponsorship sales and representation agreements with MSG Sports and (ii) advertising commission revenues recognized from MSG Networks. |
Contract Balances
The following table provides information about the opening and closing contract balances from the Companys contracts with customers as of June 30, 2022, 2021 and 2020.
June 30, | ||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
Receivables from contracts with customers, net (a) |
$ | 106,664 | $ | 72,978 | $ | 52,839 | ||||||
Contract assets, current (b) |
5,503 | 7,052 | 3,850 | |||||||||
Deferred revenue, including non-current portion (c) |
203,256 | 199,041 | 182,632 |
(a) | As of June 30, 2022, 2021 and 2020, the Companys receivables from contracts with customers above included $4,163, $5,172 and $2,966, respectively, related to various related parties. See Note 19, Related Party Transactions for further details on these related party arrangements. |
(b) | Contract assets primarily relate to the Companys rights to consideration for goods or services transferred to customers, for which the Company does not have an unconditional right to bill as of the reporting date. Contract assets are transferred to accounts receivable once the Companys right to consideration becomes unconditional. |
(c) | Revenue recognized for Fiscal Year 2022 relating to the deferred revenue balance as of June 30, 2021 was $143,422. |
Transaction Price Allocated to the Remaining Performance Obligations
The following table depicts the estimated revenue expected to be recognized in the future related to performance obligations that are unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) as of June 30, 2022. This primarily relates to performance obligations under sponsorship and suite license agreements that have original expected durations
F-25
MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
longer than one year and for which the considerations are not variable. In developing the estimated revenue, the Company applies the allowable practical expedient and does not disclose information about remaining performance obligations that have original expected durations of one year or less.
Fiscal year ending June 30, 2023 |
$ | 148,830 | ||
Fiscal year ending June 30, 2024 |
124,971 | |||
Fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 |
91,400 | |||
Fiscal year ending June 30, 2026 |
68,700 | |||
Fiscal year ending June 30, 2027 |
41,023 | |||
Thereafter |
48,947 | |||
|
|
|||
$ | 523,871 | |||
|
|
Note 5. Restructuring Charges
For Fiscal Year 2022, MSG Entertainment underwent organizational changes to further streamline operations. These measures included termination of certain executive and management level functions. During Fiscal Year 2022, the Company recorded $5,171 for restructuring charges related to the termination benefits provided to employees and executives, inclusive of $1,612 of share-based compensation expenses for the acceleration of stock award vesting, which is reflected in divisional equity (deficit). As of June 30, 2022, the Company had accrued severance of $3,210, which is expected to be paid by the end of Fiscal Year 2023.
During Fiscal Year 2021, the Company recorded $14,691 of restructuring charges, primarily related to termination benefits provided to employees, of which all amounts have been paid as of June 30, 2022. These measures included reductions in full-time workforce in August 2020 and November 2020.
Such costs are reflected in restructuring charges in the accompanying combined statements of operations for Fiscal Years 2022 and 2021.
Note 6. Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
The following table provides a summary of the amounts recorded as cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash:
As of | ||||||||
June 30, 2022 |
June 30, 2021 |
|||||||
Captions on the combined balance sheets: |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 58,102 | $ | 317,819 | ||||
Restricted cash |
4,471 | 250 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash on the combined statements of cash flows |
$ | 62,573 | $ | 318,069 | ||||
|
|
|
|
The Companys cash equivalents consist of money market accounts and time deposits of $50,527 and $250,116 for Fiscal Years 2022 and 2021, respectively. Cash equivalents are measured at fair value within Level I of the fair value hierarchy on a recurring basis using observable inputs that reflect quoted prices for identical assets in active markets.
F-26
MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Note 7. Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets
Prepaid expenses and other current assets consisted of the following:
As of | ||||||||
June 30, 2022 |
June 30, 2021 |
|||||||
Prepaid insurance |
$ | 6,896 | $ | 5,411 | ||||
Prepaid revenue sharing expense |
43,291 | 32,661 | ||||||
Other prepaid expenses |
14,878 | 8,497 | ||||||
Deferred production costs Christmas Spectacular and other productions |
3,801 | 4,090 | ||||||
Inventory (a) |
2,752 | 2,233 | ||||||
Contract assets (b) |
5,503 | 7,052 | ||||||
Other |
2,320 | 3,560 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total prepaid expenses and other current assets |
$ | 79,441 | $ | 63,504 | ||||
|
|
|
|
(a) | Inventory is primarily comprised of food and liquor for venues. |
(b) | See Note 4, Revenue Recognition for more information on contract assets. |
Note 8. Equity Investments With Readily Determinable Fair Values
As of June 30, 2022, the Company held investments of (i) 583 shares of the Class A common stock of Townsquare Media, Inc. (Townsquare), (ii) 2,625 shares of the Class C common stock of Townsquare, and (iii) 869 shares of Class A common stock of DraftKings Inc. (DraftKings):
| Townsquare is a community-focused digital media, digital marketing solutions and radio company that has its Class A common stock listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol TSQ. |
| DraftKings is a digital sports entertainment and gaming company that is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market (NASDAQ) under the symbol DKNG. |
The fair value of the Companys investments in Class A common stock of Townsquare and Class A common stock of DraftKings is determined based on quoted market prices in active markets on the NYSE and NASDAQ, respectively, which are classified within Level I of the fair value hierarchy. As a holder of Class C common stock of Townsquare, the Company is entitled to convert at any time all or any part of the Companys shares into an equal number of shares of Class A common stock of Townsquare, subject to restrictions set forth in Townsquares certificate of incorporation. Therefore, the fair value of the Companys investment in Class C common stock of Townsquare is also determined based on the quoted market price in an active market on the NYSE, which is classified within Level I of the fair value hierarchy.
F-27
MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The cost basis and the carrying fair value of these investments, which are reported under Other assets in the accompanying combined balance sheets as of June 30, 2022 and 2021, are as follows:
Balance as of June 30, 2022 | ||||||||||||
Equity Investment with Readily Determinable Fair Value | Shares Held |
Cost Basis |
Carrying Value / Fair Value |
|||||||||
Townsquare Class A common stock |
583 | $ | 4,221 | $ | 4,776 | |||||||
Townsquare Class C common stock |
2,625 | 19,001 | 21,499 | |||||||||
DraftKings Class A common stock |
869 | 6,036 | 10,146 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total |
$ | 29,258 | $ | 36,421 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
Balance as of June 30, 2021 | ||||||||||||
Equity Investment with Readily Determinable Fair Value | Shares Held |
Cost Basis |
Carrying Value / Fair Value |
|||||||||
Townsquare Class A common stock |
583 | $ | 4,221 | $ | 7,435 | |||||||
Townsquare Class C common stock |
2,625 | 19,001 | 33,469 | |||||||||
DraftKings Class A common stock |
869 | 6,036 | 45,360 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total |
$ | 29,258 | $ | 86,264 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
The following table summarizes the realized and unrealized gain (loss) on equity investments with readily determinable fair value for Fiscal Years 2022, 2021 and 2020:
June 30, | ||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
Unrealized gain (loss) Townsquare |
$ | (14,629 | ) | $ | 26,563 | $ | (2,920 | ) | ||||
Unrealized gain (loss) DraftKings |
(35,213 | ) | 26,942 | 34,197 | ||||||||
Realized gain (loss) DraftKings |
| (2,327 | ) | 6,351 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
$ | (49,842 | ) | $ | 51,178 | $ | 37,628 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Supplemental information on realized gain (loss): |
||||||||||||
Shares of common stock sold DraftKings |
| 420 | 197 | |||||||||
Cash proceeds from common stock sold DraftKings |
$ | | $ | 22,079 | $ | 7,659 |
The realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments discussed above are reported under Other income (expense), net in the accompanying combined statements of operations.
F-28
MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Note 9. Property and Equipment, Net
As of June 30, 2022 and 2021, property and equipment, net consisted of the following assets:
June 30, | ||||||||
2022 | 2021 | |||||||
Land |
$ | 62,768 | $ | 62,768 | ||||
Buildings |
995,965 | 995,019 | ||||||
Equipment |
323,741 | 311,848 | ||||||
Aircraft |
38,090 | 38,090 | ||||||
Furniture and fixtures |
28,976 | 28,718 | ||||||
Leasehold improvements |
105,877 | 106,444 | ||||||
Construction in progress |
3,139 | 3,211 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
1,558,556 | 1,546,098 | |||||||
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization |
(862,477 | ) | (803,182 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
$ | 696,079 | $ | 742,916 | |||||
|
|
|
|
Depreciation expense on property and equipment was $63,696, $70,588 and $80,603 for Fiscal Years 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Note 10. Leases
The following table summarizes the ROU assets and lease liabilities recorded on the Companys combined balance sheets as of June 30, 2022 and 2021:
Line Item in the Companys Combined |
June 30, 2022 | June 30, 2021 | ||||||||
Right-of-use assets: |
||||||||||
Operating leases |
Right-of-use lease assets |
$ | 271,154 | $ | 95,775 | |||||
Lease liabilities: |
||||||||||
Operating leases, current |
Operating lease liabilities, current |
(39,006 | ) | (40,926 | ) | |||||
Operating leases, noncurrent |
Operating lease liabilities, non-current |
(254,114 | ) | (77,211 | ) | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total lease liabilities |
$ | (293,120 | ) | $ | (118,137 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
The following table summarizes the activity recorded within the Companys combined statements of operations for Fiscal Years 2022, 2021 and 2020:
Line Item in the Companys Combined Statements
of |
Years Ended June 30, | |||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||
Operating lease cost |
Direct operating expenses | $ | 22,360 | $ | 20,138 | $ | 20,029 | |||||||
Operating lease cost |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 9,782 | 9,773 | 11,891 | ||||||||||
Variable lease cost |
Direct operating expenses | 147 | 247 | 221 | ||||||||||
Variable lease cost |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 41 | 39 | 47 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total lease cost |
$ | 32,330 | $ | 30,197 | $ | 32,188 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
In November 2021, MSG Entertainment executed an agreement with the existing landlord for its New York corporate office space, which will be assigned to the Company, pursuant to which it will be relocating from the
F-29
MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
space that the Company currently occupies to newly renovated office space within the same building. The Company will not be involved in the design or construction of the new space for purposes of the Companys buildout prior to obtaining possession, which is expected to occur in Fiscal Year 2024. Upon obtaining possession of the space, the new lease is expected to result in an additional lease obligation and right of use asset. While lease payments under the new lease agreement will be recognized as a lease expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term, the Company will begin paying full rent in the second half of Fiscal Year 2026 due to certain tenant incentives included in the arrangement. Base rent payments will increase every five years beginning in Fiscal Year 2031 in accordance with the terms of the lease. The Company anticipates entering into a new sublease agreement with MSG Sports for a lease term equivalent to the November 2021 agreement that MSG Entertainment entered into with the existing landlord. The future lease payments related to this new lease for the next five fiscal years and thereafter are expected to be as follows:
Fiscal Year 2023 |
$ | | ||
Fiscal Year 2024 |
| |||
Fiscal Year 2025 |
10,121 | |||
Fiscal Year 2026 |
16,276 | |||
Fiscal Year 2027 |
39,207 | |||
Thereafter (Fiscal Year 2028 to Fiscal Year 2046) |
838,789 | |||
|
|
|||
Total lease payments |
$ | 904,393 | ||
|
|
Supplemental cash flow information related to operating leases is as follows:
Years Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities |
$ | 33,312 | $ | 29,380 | $ | 37,081 | ||||||
Lease assets obtained in exchange for new lease obligations |
$ | 298,100 | $ | | $ | 6,966 |
Maturities of operating lease liabilities as of June 30, 2022 are as follows:
Fiscal year ending June 30, 2023 |
$ | 40,730 | ||
Fiscal year ending June 30, 2024 |
45,047 | |||
Fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 |
30,951 | |||
Fiscal year ending June 30, 2026 |
11,409 | |||
Fiscal year ending June 30, 2027 |
22,666 | |||
Thereafter |
253,699 | |||
|
|
|||
Total lease payments |
404,502 | |||
Less: imputed interest |
111,382 | |||
|
|
|||
Total lease liabilities |
$ | 293,120 | ||
|
|
The weighted average remaining lease term and weighted average discount rate for our operating leases are as follows:
June 30, | ||||||||
2022 | 2021 | |||||||
Weighted average remaining lease term (in years) |
12.9 | 3.6 | ||||||
Weighted average discount rate |
4.79 | % | 4.42 | % |
F-30
MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
As of June 30, 2022, the Companys existing operating leases, which are recorded on the accompanying combined financial statements, have remaining lease terms ranging from 0.7 years to 16.1 years.
Lessor Arrangements
In connection with the 2020 Entertainment Distribution, the Company entered into Arena License Agreements with MSG Sports that, among other things, require the Knicks and the Rangers to play their home games at The Garden in exchange for fixed annual license fees scheduled to be paid monthly over the term of the agreements. The Company accounts for these license fees as operating lease revenue given that the Company provides MSG Sports with the right to direct the use of and obtain substantially all of the economic benefit from The Garden during Knicks and Rangers home games. Operating lease revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term, adjusted pursuant to the terms of the Arena License Agreements. In the case of the Arena License Agreements, the lease terms relate to non-consecutive periods of use when MSG Sports uses The Garden for their professional sports teams home games, and operating lease revenue is therefore recognized ratably as events occur.
The Arena License Agreements provide that license fees are not required to be paid by MSG Sports during periods when The Garden is unavailable for use due to a force majeure event. As a result of government-mandated suspension of events at The Garden beginning on March 13, 2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Garden was not available for use by MSG Sports from the effective date of the Arena License Agreements through the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2021, and, accordingly, the Company did not record any operating lease revenue for this arrangement during the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2021. Use of The Garden resumed for Knicks and Rangers home games without fans in December 2020 and January 2021, respectively, and was available at 10% seating capacity from February through May 2021 when it became available at 100% seating capacity. The Company recorded $68,072 and $21,345 of revenues under the Arena License Agreements for Fiscal Year 2022 and 2021, respectively. In addition, the Company recorded revenues from third party and related party lease and sublease arrangements of $3,338 and $2,980 for Fiscal Year 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Note 11. Goodwill and Intangible Assets
As of June 30, 2022 and 2021, the carrying amount of goodwill was $69,041. No impairment charges were recorded during the periods presented.
The Companys indefinite-lived intangible assets as of June 30, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:
As of | ||||||||
June 30, 2022 |
June 30, 2021 |
|||||||
Trademarks |
$ | 61,881 | $ | 61,881 | ||||
Photographic related rights |
1,920 | 1,920 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total |
$ | 63,801 | $ | 63,801 | ||||
|
|
|
|
On August 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company performed its annual impairment tests of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets and determined that there were no impairments of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets identified as of the impairment test date.
F-31
MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The Companys intangible assets subject to amortization are as follows:
June 30, 2022 | Gross | Accumulated Amortization |
Net | |||||||||
Trade names |
$ | 2,530 | $ | (2,169 | ) | $ | 361 | |||||
Festival rights |
8,080 | (6,926 | ) | 1,154 | ||||||||
Other intangibles |
4,217 | (4,094 | ) | 123 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
$ | 14,827 | $ | (13,189 | ) | $ | 1,638 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2021 | Gross | Accumulated Amortization |
Net | |||||||||
Trade names |
$ | 2,530 | $ | (842 | ) | $ | 1,688 | |||||
Festival rights |
8,080 | (2,696 | ) | 5,384 | ||||||||
Other intangibles |
4,217 | (3,813 | ) | 404 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
$ | 14,827 | $ | (7,351 | ) | $ | 7,476 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortization expense for intangible assets was $5,838, $988 and $988 for Fiscal Years 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively.
The Companys annual amortization expense for existing intangible assets subject to amortization for each fiscal year from 2023 through 2027, and thereafter, is as follows:
Fiscal year ending June 30, 2023 |
$ | 1,638 | ||
Fiscal year ending June 30, 2024 |
| |||
Fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 |
| |||
Fiscal year ending June 30, 2026 |
| |||
Fiscal year ending June 30, 2027 |
| |||
Thereafter |
| |||
|
|
|||
$ | 1,638 | |||
|
|
Note 12. Accrued and Other Current Liabilities
Accrued and other current liabilities consisted of the following:
As of | ||||||||
June 30, 2022 |
June 30, 2021 |
|||||||
Accrued payroll and employee related liabilities |
$ | 88,501 | $ | 50,158 | ||||
Cash due to promoters |
78,428 | 37,877 | ||||||
Accrued expenses |
43,791 | 35,028 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total accrued and other current liabilities |
$ | 210,720 | $ | 123,063 | ||||
|
|
|
|
F-32
MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Note 13. Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments
As of June 30, 2022, commitments of the Company in the normal course of business in excess of one year are as follows:
Balance (a) | ||||
Fiscal year ending June 30, 2023 |
$ | 12,730 | ||
Fiscal year ending June 30, 2024 |
4,420 | |||
Fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 |
4,272 | |||
|
|
|||
$ | 21,422 | |||
|
|
(a) | The Companys material off balance sheet arrangements relate to $14,791 for marketing partnership and other IT commitments and $6,631 of letters of credit. |
See Note 10, Leases for more information regarding the Companys contractually obligated minimum lease payments for operating leases having an initial non-cancelable term in excess of one year for the Companys venues and various corporate offices. These commitments are presented exclusive of the imputed interest used to reflect the payments present value.
See Note 14, Credit Facilities for more information regarding the principal repayments required under the National Properties Facilities.
Legal Matters
Fifteen complaints were filed in connection with MSG Entertainments acquisition of MSG Networks Inc. (the Networks Merger) by purported stockholders of MSG Entertainment and MSG Networks Inc. Nine of these complaints involved allegations of materially incomplete and misleading information set forth in the joint proxy statement/prospectus filed by MSG Entertainment and MSG Networks Inc. in connection with the Networks Merger. These disclosure actions were subsequently voluntarily dismissed with prejudice. Six complaints involved allegations of fiduciary breaches in connection with the negotiation and approval of the Networks Merger and have since been consolidated into two remaining litigations. MSG Entertainment and MSG Networks Inc. will retain all rights and obligations with respect to these claims, as applicable, and MSG Entertainment will indemnify the Company from and release the Company from all present and future costs, expenses, and liabilities, if any, related to these claims.
The Company is a defendant in various lawsuits. Although the outcome of these lawsuits cannot be predicted with certainty (including the extent of available insurance, if any), management does not believe that resolution of these lawsuits will have a material adverse effect on the Company.
Note 14. Credit Facilities
The following table summarizes the presentation of the outstanding balances under the Companys National Properties credit agreement as of June 30, 2022 and 2021:
June 30, 2022 |
June 30, 2021 |
|||||||
Current Portion |
||||||||
National Properties Term Loan Facility |
$ | 8,125 | $ | 6,500 | ||||
Other debt |
637 | | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total |
$ | 8,762 | $ | 6,500 | ||||
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F-33
MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
June 30, 2022 | June 30, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Principal | Unamortized Deferred Financing Costs |
Net | Principal | Unamortized Deferred Financing Costs |
Net | |||||||||||||||||||
Noncurrent Portion |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
National Properties Term Loan Facility |
$ | 641,875 | $ | (16,063 | ) | $ | 625,812 | $ | 640,250 | $ | (29,602 | ) | $ | 610,648 | ||||||||||
National Properties Revolving Credit Facility |
29,100 | | 29,100 | | | | ||||||||||||||||||
Other debt |
| | | 637 | | 637 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Long-term debt, net of deferred financing costs |
$ | 670,975 | $ | (16,063 | ) | $ | 654,912 | $ | 640,887 | $ | (29,602 | ) | $ | 611,285 | ||||||||||
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National Properties Facilities
General. On June 30, 2022, MSG National Properties, LLC (MSG National Properties), MSG Entertainment Group, LLC (MSG Entertainment Group) and certain subsidiaries of MSG National Properties entered into a credit agreement with JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and the lenders and L/C issuers party thereto (the National Properties Credit Agreement), providing for a five-year, $650,000 senior secured term loan facility (the National Properties Term Loan Facility) and a five-year, $100,000 revolving credit facility (the National Properties Revolving Credit Facility and, together with the National Properties Term Loan Facility, the National Properties Facilities). As of June 30, 2022, outstanding letters of credit were $6,631 and the remaining balance available under the National Properties Revolving Credit Facility was $70,900.
Proceeds. The proceeds of the National Properties Facilities were used on the closing date to repay in full the obligations outstanding under MSG National Properties prior term loan facility (the Prior National Properties Loan Facility) and to pay fees and expenses in connection with the National Properties Facilities and the refinancing of the Prior National Properties Loan Facility. Up to $25,000 of the National Properties Revolving Credit Facility is available for the issuance of letters of credit. Proceeds of the National Properties Revolving Credit Facility may be used to fund working capital needs, for general corporate purposes of MSG National Properties and its subsidiaries, and to make distributions to MSG Entertainment Group.
Interest Rates. Borrowings under the current National Properties Facilities bear interest at a floating rate, which at the option of MSG National Properties may be either (a) a base rate plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.50% to 2.50% per annum, determined based on the total leverage ratio of MSG National Properties and its restricted subsidiaries (the National Properties Base Rate), or (b) Term SOFR plus an applicable margin ranging from 2.50% to 3.50% per annum, determined based on the total leverage ratio of MSG National Properties and its restricted subsidiaries (the National Properties SOFR Rate). The Prior National Properties Loan Facility bore interest at a floating rate, which at the option of MSG National Properties, was either (i) a base rate plus a margin of 5.25% per annum or (ii) LIBOR, with a floor of 0.75%, plus a margin of 6.25% per annum. As of June 30, 2022, the additional rate used in calculating the floating rate was (i) 3.50% per annum for borrowings bearing the National Properties Base Rate, and (ii) 1.63% per annum for borrowings bearing the National Properties SOFR Rate. The National Properties Credit Agreement requires MSG National Properties to pay a commitment fee ranging from 0.30% to 0.50% in respect of the daily unused commitments under the National Properties Revolving Credit Facility. MSG National Properties is also required to pay customary letter of credit fees, as well as fronting fees, to banks that issue letters of credit pursuant to the National Properties Credit Agreement. The interest rate on the National Properties Facilities as of June 30, 2022 was 5.13%.
F-34
MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Principal Repayments. Subject to customary notice and minimum amount conditions, the Company may voluntarily repay outstanding loans under the National Properties Facilities and terminate commitments under the National Properties Revolving Credit Facility, at any time, in whole or in part, subject only to customary breakage costs in the case of prepayment of Term SOFR loans. The National Properties Facilities will mature on June 30, 2027. The principal obligations under the National Properties Term Loan Facility are to be repaid in quarterly installments beginning with the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2023, in an aggregate amount equal to 2.50% per annum (0.625% per quarter), stepping up to 5.0% per annum (1.25% per quarter) in the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2025, with the balance due at the maturity of the facility. The principal obligations under the National Properties Revolving Credit Facility are due at the maturity of the facility.
Covenants. The National Properties Credit Agreement includes financial covenants requiring MSG National Properties and its restricted subsidiaries to maintain a specified minimum liquidity level, a specified minimum debt service coverage ratio and specified maximum total leverage ratio. The minimum liquidity level is set at $50,000, and is tested based on the level of average daily liquidity, consisting of cash and cash equivalents and available revolving commitments, over the last month of each quarter over the life of the National Properties Facilities. The debt service coverage ratio covenant begins testing in the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2022, and is set at a ratio of 2:1 before stepping up to 2.5:1 in the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2024. The leverage ratio covenant begins testing in the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2023. It is tested based on the ratio of MSG National Properties and its restricted subsidiaries consolidated total indebtedness to adjusted operating income, with an initial maximum ratio of 6:1, stepping down to 5.5:1 in the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2024 and 4.5:1 in the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2026. As of June 30, 2022, MSG National Properties and its restricted subsidiaries were in compliance with the covenants of the National Properties Credit Agreement.
In addition to the financial covenants discussed above, the National Properties Credit Agreement and the related security agreement contain certain customary representations and warranties, affirmative and negative covenants and events of default. The National Properties Credit Agreement contains certain restrictions on the ability of MSG National Properties and its restricted subsidiaries to take certain actions as provided in (and subject to various exceptions and baskets set forth in) the National Properties Credit Agreement, including the following: (i) incur additional indebtedness; (ii) create liens on certain assets; (iii) make investments, loans or advances in or to other persons; (iv) pay dividends and distributions or repurchase capital stock (which will restrict the ability of MSG National Properties to make cash distributions to the Company); (v) repay, redeem or repurchase certain indebtedness; (vi) change its lines of business; (vii) engage in certain transactions with affiliates; (viii) amend their respective organizational documents; (ix) merge or consolidate; and (x) make certain dispositions.
Guarantors and Collateral. All obligations under the National Properties Facilities are guaranteed by MSG Entertainment Group and MSG National Properties existing and future direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries, other than the subsidiaries that own The Garden and certain other excluded subsidiaries (the Subsidiary Guarantors).
All obligations under the National Properties Facilities, including the guarantees of those obligations, are secured by certain of the assets of MSG National Properties and the Subsidiary Guarantors (collectively, Collateral) including, but not limited to, a pledge of some or all of the equity interests held directly or indirectly by MSG National Properties in each Subsidiary Guarantor. The Collateral does not include, among other things, any interests in The Garden or the leasehold interests in Radio City Music Hall and the Beacon Theatre. Under certain circumstances, MSG National Properties is required to make mandatory prepayments on loans outstanding, including prepayments in an amount equal to the net cash proceeds of certain sales of assets or casualty insurance and/or condemnation recoveries (subject to certain reinvestment, repair or replacement rights), subject to certain exceptions.
F-35
MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Accounting Treatment. The Company evaluated the terms of the National Properties Term Loan Facility and the Prior National Properties Term Loan Facility and concluded such facilities to be substantially different for accounting purposes. As a result, the Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of approximately $35,600 in connection with the above financing transactions for Fiscal Year 2022.
Debt Maturities
National Properties Facilities |
Other debt | Total | ||||||||||
Fiscal year ending June 30, 2023 |
$ | 8,125 | $ | 637 | $ | 8,762 | ||||||
Fiscal year ending June 30, 2024 |
16,250 | | 16,250 | |||||||||
Fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 |
16,250 | | 16,250 | |||||||||
Fiscal year ending June 30, 2026 |
32,500 | | 32,500 | |||||||||
Fiscal year ending June 30, 2027 |
605,975 | | 605,975 | |||||||||
Thereafter |
| | | |||||||||
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$ | 679,100 | $ | 637 | $ | 679,737 | |||||||
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Interest payments and loan principal repayments made by the Company under the National Properties Credit Agreement were as follows:
Interest Payments | Loan Principal Repayments |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Years Ended June 30, | Years Ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||
National Properties Term Loan Facility |
52,163 | 22,879 | | 646,750 | 3,250 | |
The carrying value and fair value of the Companys financial instruments reported in the accompanying combined balance sheets are as follows:
June 30, 2022 | June 30, 2021 | |||||||||||||||
Carrying Value |
Fair Value |
Carrying Value |
Fair Value |
|||||||||||||
Liabilities: |
||||||||||||||||
National Properties Facilities |
$ | 679,100 | $ | 679,100 | $ | 646,750 | $ | 669,386 |
The Companys long-term debt is classified within Level II of the fair value hierarchy as it is valued using quoted indices of similar instruments for which the inputs are readily observable.
Note 15. Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Postretirement Benefit Plans
MSG Entertainment sponsors a non-contributory, qualified cash balance retirement plan covering its non-union employees (the Cash Balance Pension Plan) and an unfunded non-contributory, non-qualified excess cash balance plan covering certain employees who participate in the underlying qualified plan (collectively, the Cash Balance Plans). Since March 1, 2011, the Cash Balance Pension Plan has also included the assets and liabilities of a frozen (as of December 31, 2007) non-contributory qualified defined benefit pension plan covering non-union employees hired prior to January 1, 2001. These plans are considered Shared Plans, as previously defined, with substantially all plan participants specifically identified to the Company.
F-36
MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
MSG Entertainment also sponsors an unfunded non-contributory, non-qualified defined benefit pension plan for the benefit of certain employees who participated in an underlying qualified plan, which was merged into the Cash Balance Pension Plan on March 1, 2011 (the Excess Plan). As of December 31, 2007, the Excess Plan was amended to freeze all benefits earned through December 31, 2007 and to eliminate the ability of participants to earn benefits for future service under these plans. This plan is considered a Shared Plan, as previously defined, with substantially all plan participants specifically identified to the Company.
The Cash Balance Plans were amended to freeze participation and future benefit accruals effective December 31, 2015 for all employees. Therefore, after December 31, 2015, no employee of the Company, MSG Entertainment or MSG Sports who was not already a participant may become a participant in the plans and no further annual pay credits will be made for any future year. Existing account balances under the plans will continue to be credited with monthly interest in accordance with the terms of the plans.
Lastly, MSG Entertainment sponsors a non-contributory, qualified defined benefit pension plan covering certain of the Companys union employees (the Union Plan). Benefits payable to retirees under the Union Plan are based upon years of Benefit Service (as defined in the Union Plan document). The Union Plan is considered a Direct Plan, as previously defined.
The Cash Balance Plans, Union Plan, and Excess Plan are collectively referred to as the Pension Plans.
MSG Entertainment also sponsors a contributory welfare plan which provides certain postretirement healthcare benefits to certain employees of the Company hired prior to January 1, 2001, who are eligible to commence receipt of early or normal benefits under the Cash Balance Pension Plan, and their dependents, as well as certain union employees (Postretirement Plan).
For the historical periods, MSG Entertainment was the legal sponsor of the Pension Plans and Postretirement Plan. For purposes of the combined financial statements, it was determined that these plans assets and liabilities were attributable to the Company. Therefore, the combined financial statements reflect the full impact of the Shared Plans and the Direct Plan on both the combined statements of operations and combined balance sheets. The pension expense related to employees of other MSG Entertainment businesses participating in the Shared Plans were immaterial for Fiscal Years 2022, 2021 and 2020.
F-37
MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The following table summarizes the projected benefit obligations, assets, funded status and the amounts recorded on the Companys combined balance sheets as of June 30, 2022 and 2021, associated with the Pension Plans and Postretirement Plan based upon actuarial valuations as of those measurement dates.
Pension Plans | Postretirement Plan | |||||||||||||||
June 30, | June 30, | |||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
Change in benefit obligation: |
||||||||||||||||
Benefit obligation at beginning of period |
$ | 171,897 | $ | 174,892 | $ | 3,218 | $ | 3,658 | ||||||||
Service cost |
120 | 96 | 32 | 47 | ||||||||||||
Interest cost |
3,708 | 3,385 | 42 | 45 | ||||||||||||
Actuarial loss (gain) (a) |
(33,344 | ) | 1,981 | (501 | ) | (76 | ) | |||||||||
Benefits paid |
(6,465 | ) | (4,410 | ) | (328 | ) | (390 | ) | ||||||||
Curtailments |
| (91 | ) | | | |||||||||||
Plan settlements paid |
| (3,777 | ) | | | |||||||||||
Other |
| (179 | ) | | (66 | ) | ||||||||||
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Benefit obligation at end of period |
135,916 | 171,897 | 2,463 | 3,218 | ||||||||||||
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Change in plan assets: |
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Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period |
145,651 | 151,756 | | | ||||||||||||
Actual return on plan assets |
(30,667 | ) | 1,969 | | | |||||||||||
Employer contributions |
400 | 60 | | | ||||||||||||
Benefits paid |
(6,406 | ) | (4,409 | ) | | | ||||||||||
Plan settlements paid |
| (3,725 | ) | | | |||||||||||
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Fair value of plan assets at end of period |
108,978 | 145,651 | | | ||||||||||||
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Funded status at end of period |
$ | (26,938 | ) | $ | (26,246 | ) | $ | (2,463 | ) | $ | (3,218 | ) | ||||
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(a) | In Fiscal Year 2022, the actuarial gains on the benefit obligations were primarily due to a net increase in discount and interest crediting rates. In Fiscal Year 2021, the actuarial losses on the benefit obligations were primarily due to a net decrease in discount and interest crediting rates. |
Amounts recognized in the combined balance sheets as of June 30, 2022 and 2021 consist of:
Pension Plans | Postretirement Plan | |||||||||||||||
June 30, | June 30, | |||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
Current liabilities (included in accrued employee related costs) |
$ | (264 | ) | $ | (259 | ) | $ | (364 | ) | $ | (369 | ) | ||||
Non-current liabilities (included in defined benefit and other postretirement obligations) |
(26,674 | ) | (25,987 | ) | (2,099 | ) | (2,849 | ) | ||||||||
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$ | (26,938 | ) | $ | (26,246 | ) | $ | (2,463 | ) | $ | (3,218 | ) | |||||
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F-38
MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, before income tax, as of June 30, 2022 and 2021 consists of the following amounts that have not yet been recognized in net periodic benefit cost:
Pension Plans | Postretirement Plan | |||||||||||||||
June 30, | June 30, | |||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
Actuarial gain (loss) |
$ | (41,910 | ) | $ | (39,957 | ) | $ | (251 | ) | $ | (786 | ) |
The following table presents components of net periodic benefit cost for the Pension Plans and Postretirement Plan included in the accompanying combined statements of operations for Fiscal Years 2022, 2021 and 2020. Service cost is recognized in direct operating expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses. All other components of net periodic benefit cost are reported in Other income (expense), net.
Pension Plans | Postretirement Plan | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Years Ended June 30, | Years Ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||
Service cost |
$ | 120 | $ | 96 | $ | 95 | $ | 32 | $ | 47 | $ | 56 | ||||||||||||
Interest cost |
3,708 | 3,385 | 5,261 | 42 | 45 | 108 | ||||||||||||||||||
Expected return on plan assets |
(6,016 | ) | (5,232 | ) | (5,319 | ) | | | | |||||||||||||||
Recognized actuarial loss |
1,386 | 1,093 | 1,336 | 34 | 98 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||
Settlement loss recognized (a) |
| 870 | 67 | | | | ||||||||||||||||||
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Net periodic benefit cost |
$ | (802 | ) | $ | 212 | $ | 1,440 | $ | 108 | $ | 190 | $ | 170 | |||||||||||
Contributory charge to Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. for participation in the Shared Plans and all allocation of costs related to the corporate employees |
| | (173 | ) | | | (26 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
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Net periodic benefit cost reported in the combined statements of operations |
$ | (802 | ) | $ | 212 | $ | 1,267 | $ | 108 | $ | 190 | $ | 144 | |||||||||||
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(a) | For Fiscal Years 2022, 2021 and 2020, lump-sum payments totaling $0, $52 and $551, respectively, were distributed to vested participants of the non-qualified excess cash balance plan, triggering the recognition of settlement losses in accordance with ASC Topic 715. Due to these pension settlements, the Company was required to remeasure its pension plan liability as of June 30, 2021 and 2020 and for Fiscal Years 2021 and 2020, respectively. The discount rates used for the projected benefit obligation and interest cost were 1.96% and 1.30% as of June 30, 2022, respectively, 1.77% and 1.24% as of June 30, 2021, respectively, and 2.95% and 2.83% as of June 30, 2020, respectively. Additionally, settlement charges of $0, $870 and $67 were recognized in Other income (expense), net for Fiscal Years 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. |
F-39
MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Other pre-tax changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) for Fiscal Years 2022, 2021 and 2020 are as follows:
Pension Plans | Postretirement Plan | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Years Ended June 30, | Years Ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||
Actuarial gain (loss), net |
$ | (3,306 | ) | $ | (5,244 | ) | $ | 232 | $ | 501 | $ | 76 | $ | (277 | ) | |||||||||
Recognized actuarial loss |
1,386 | 1,093 | 1,336 | 34 | 98 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||
Recognized prior service credit |
| | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||
Curtailments |
| 91 | | | 65 | | ||||||||||||||||||
Settlement loss recognized |
| 870 | 67 | | | | ||||||||||||||||||
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Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) |
$ | (1,920 | ) | $ | (3,190 | ) | $ | 1,635 | $ | 535 | $ | 239 | $ | (271 | ) | |||||||||
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Funded Status
The accumulated benefit obligation for the Pension Plans aggregated to $135,916 and $171,897 at June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. As of June 30, 2022 and 2021, each of the Pension Plans had accumulated benefit obligations and projected benefit obligations in excess of plan assets.
Pension Plans and Postretirement Plan Assumptions
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations (made at the end of the period) as of June 30, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:
Pension Plans | Postretirement Plan | |||||||||||||||
June 30, | June 30, | |||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
Discount rate |
4.86 | % | 2.87 | % | 4.62 | % | 2.17 | % | ||||||||
Interest crediting rate |
2.76 | % | 2.32 | % | n/a | n/a | ||||||||||
Healthcare cost trend rate assumed for next year |
n/a | n/a | 6.00 | % | 6.25 | % | ||||||||||
Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate) |
n/a | n/a | 5.00 | % | 5.00 | % | ||||||||||
Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate |
n/a | n/a | 2027 | 2027 |
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost (made at the beginning of the period) for Fiscal Years 2022, 2021 and 2020 are as follows:
Pension Plans | Postretirement Plan | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Years Ended June 30, | Years Ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||
Discount rateprojected benefit obligation |
2.87 | % | 2.84 | % | 3.58 | % | 2.17 | % | 2.09 | % | 3.18 | % | ||||||||||||
Discount rateservice cost |
3.11 | % | 3.20 | % | 3.78 | % | 2.65 | % | 2.15 | % | 3.45 | % | ||||||||||||
Discount rateinterest cost |
1.92 | % | 1.92 | % | 3.21 | % | 1.51 | % | 1.23 | % | 2.84 | % | ||||||||||||
Expected long-term return on plan assets |
4.94 | % | 4.02 | % | 5.28 | % | n/a | n/a | n/a | |||||||||||||||
Interest crediting rate |
2.32 | % | 1.37 | % | 3.28 | % | n/a | n/a | n/a | |||||||||||||||
Healthcare cost trend rate assumed for next year |
n/a | n/a | n/a | 6.25 | % | 6.50 | % | 6.75 | % | |||||||||||||||
Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate) |
n/a | n/a | n/a | 5.00 | % | 5.00 | % | 5.00 | % | |||||||||||||||
Year that the rate reaches the ultimate ntrend rate |
n/a | n/a | n/a | 2027 | 2027 | 2027 |
F-40
MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The discount rates were determined (based on the expected duration of the benefit payments for the plans) from the Willis Towers Watson U.S. Rate Link: 40-90 Discount Rate Model as of June 30, 2022 and 2021 to select a rate at which the Company believed the plans benefits could be effectively settled. This model was developed by examining the yields on selected highly rated corporate bonds. The expected long-term return on plan assets is based on a periodic review and modeling of the plans asset allocation structures over a long-term horizon. Expectations of returns for each asset class are the most important of the assumptions used in the review and modeling and are based on comprehensive reviews of historical data, forward-looking economic outlook, and economic/financial market theory. The expected long-term rate of return was selected from within the reasonable range of rates determined by (i) historical returns for the asset classes covered by the investment policy and (ii) projections of returns over the long-term period during which benefits are payable to plan participants.
Plan Assets and Investment Policy
The weighted-average asset allocation of the Pension Plans assets at June 30, 2022 and 2021 was as follows:
June 30, | ||||||||
2022 | 2021 | |||||||
Asset Classes (a): |
||||||||
Fixed income securities |
78 | % | 98 | % | ||||
Equity securities |
14 | % | | % | ||||
Cash equivalents |
8 | % | 2 | % | ||||
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100 | % | 100 | % | |||||
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(a) | The Companys target allocation for pension plan assets is 85% fixed income securities and 15% equity as of June 30, 2022. |
Investment allocation decisions have been made by the Companys Investment and Benefits Committee, which considers investment advice provided by the Companys external investment consultant. The investment consultant takes into account expected long-term risks, returns, correlation, and other prudent investment assumptions when recommending asset classes and investment managers to the Companys Investment and Benefits Committee. The investment consultant also considers the pension plans liabilities when making investment allocation recommendations. The Companys Investment and Benefits Committees decisions are influenced by asset/liability studies conducted by the external investment consultant who combines actuarial considerations and strategic investment advice. The major investment categories of the pension plan assets are in cash equivalents and long duration fixed income securities that are marked-to-market on a daily basis. As a result, the pension plan assets are subjected to interest-rate risk, specifically to a rising interest rate environment, as the majority of the pension plan assets are invested in long duration fixed income securities. However, the pension plan assets are structured in an asset/liability framework, and consequently, an increase in interest rates would cause a corresponding decrease to the overall liability of the pension plans, thus creating a hedge against rising interest rates. Additional risks involving the asset/liability framework include earning insufficient investment returns to cover future pension plan liabilities and imperfect hedging of such liabilities. In addition, a portion of the long duration fixed income securities portfolio is invested in non-government securities that are subject to credit risk of the issuers who might default on interest and/or principal payments.
F-41
MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Investments at Estimated Fair Value
The cumulative fair values of the individual plan assets at June 30, 2022 and 2021 by asset class are as follows:
Fair Value Hierarchy |
June 30, | |||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||
Fixed income securities: |
||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury securities (a) |
I | $ | 672 | $ | | |||||||
Money market fund (a) |
I | 8,311 | 2,753 | |||||||||
U.S. corporate bonds (b) |
II | | 100,229 | |||||||||
Foreign issues (c) |
II | | 20,119 | |||||||||
Municipal bonds (c) |
II | | 3,881 | |||||||||
Mutual fund equity (d) |
II | 15,661 | | |||||||||
Common collective trust (d) |
II | 84,334 | 18,669 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total investments measured at fair value |
$ | 108,978 | $ | 145,651 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
(a) | U.S. Treasury Securities and the money market fund are classified within Level I of the fair value hierarchy as they are valued using observable inputs that reflect quoted prices for identical assets in active markets. |
(b) | U.S. corporate bonds are classified within Level II of the fair value hierarchy as they are valued using quoted prices for similar assets in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active and evaluations based on various market and industry inputs. |
(c) | Foreign issued corporate bonds and municipal bonds are classified within Level II of the fair value hierarchy as they are valued at a price that is based on a compilation of primarily observable market information or a broker quote in a non-active over-the-counter market. |
(d) | The common collective trust (CCT) and the mutual fund, which are non-exchange traded funds, are classified within Level II of the fair value hierarchy at their net asset value (NAV) as reported by the Trustee and investment manager, respectively. The NAV is based on the fair value of the underlying investments held by the fund which are based on quoted market prices less their liabilities. Both the CCT and the mutual fund publish their daily NAV and use such value as the basis for current transactions. |
Contributions for Qualified Defined Benefit Pension Plans
During Fiscal Year 2022, the Company contributed $400 to the Union Plan. The Company expects to contribute $250 to the Union Plan in Fiscal Year 2023.
Estimated Future Benefit Payments
The following table presents estimated future fiscal year benefit payments for the Pension Plans and Postretirement Plan:
Pension Plans |
Postretirement Plan |
|||||||
Fiscal year ending June 30, 2023 |
$ | 11,291 | $ | 370 | ||||
Fiscal year ending June 30, 2024 |
$ | 8,323 | $ | 320 | ||||
Fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 |
$ | 8,030 | $ | 304 | ||||
Fiscal year ending June 30, 2026 |
$ | 8,638 | $ | 280 | ||||
Fiscal year ending June 30, 2027 |
$ | 8,802 | $ | 228 | ||||
Fiscal years ending June 30, 2028 2032 |
$ | 44,197 | $ | 950 |
F-42
MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Defined Contribution Plans
MSG Entertainment sponsors The Madison Square Garden 401(k) Savings Plan (the 401(k) Plan) and the MSG S&E, LLC Excess Savings Plan (collectively referred to as the Savings Plans). The 401(k) Plan is a multiple employer plan. For Fiscal Years 2022, 2021 and 2020, expenses related to the Savings Plans, excluding expenses related to MSG Sports employees, that are included in the accompanying combined statements of operations were $4,284, $2,274, and $3,136, respectively.
In addition, MSG Entertainment sponsors The Madison Square Garden 401(k) Union Plan (the Union Savings Plan). The Union Savings Plan is a multiple employer plan. For Fiscal Years 2022, 2021 and 2020, expenses related to the Union Savings Plan included in the accompanying combined statements of operations were $394, $215 and $539, respectively.
Multiemployer Plans
The Company contributes to a number of multiemployer defined benefit pension plans, multiemployer defined contribution pension plans, and multiemployer health and welfare plans that provide benefits to retired union-represented employees under the terms of collective bargaining agreements (CBAs).
Multiemployer Defined Benefit Pension Plans
The multiemployer defined benefit pension plans to which the Company contributes generally provide for retirement and death benefits for eligible union-represented employees based on specific eligibility/participant requirements, vesting periods and benefit formulas. The risks to the Company of participating in these multiemployer defined benefit pension plans are different from single-employer defined benefit pension plans in the following aspects:
| Assets contributed to a multiemployer defined benefit pension plan by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers. |
| If a participating employer stops contributing to a multiemployer defined benefit pension plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan may be borne by the remaining participating employers. |
| If the Company chooses to stop participating in some of these multiemployer defined benefit pension plans, the Company may be required to pay those plans an amount based on the Companys proportion of the underfunded status of the plan, referred to as a withdrawal liability. However, cessation of participation in a multiemployer defined benefit pension plan and subsequent payment of any withdrawal liability is subject to the collective bargaining process. |
The following table outlines the Companys participation in multiemployer defined benefit pension plans for Fiscal Years 2022, 2021 and 2020, and summarizes the contributions that the Company has made during each period. The EIN and Pension Plan Number columns provide the Employer Identification Number and the three-digit plan number for each applicable plan. The most recent Pension Protection Act zone status available as of June 30, 2022 and 2021 relates to the plans two most recent years ended which are indicated. Among other factors, plans in the red zone are generally less than 65% funded, plans in the orange zone are both less than 80% funded and have an accumulated funding deficiency or are expected to have a deficiency in any of the next six plan years, plans in the yellow zone are less than 80% funded, and plans in the green zone are at least 80% funded. The FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented column indicates whether a funding improvement plan (FIP) for yellow/orange zone plans or a rehabilitation plan (RP) for red zone plans is either pending or has been implemented by the trustees of such plan. The zone status and any FIP or RP information is based on information that the Company received from the plan, and the zone status is as certified by the plans actuary.
F-43
MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The last column lists the expiration date(s) or a range of expiration dates of the CBA to which the plans are subject. There are no other significant changes that affect such comparability.
PPA Zone Status | FIP/RP Status Pending / Implemented |
Company Contributions |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
As of June 30, | Years Ended June 30, |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Plan Name |
EIN | Pension Plan Number |
2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | Surcharge Imposed |
Expiration Date of CBA |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pension Fund of Local No. 1 of I.A.T.S.E. |
136414973 | 001 | |
Green as of 2021-12-31 |
|
|
Green as of 2020-12-31 |
|
No | $ | 1.999 | $ | 194 | $ | 1,831 | No | 6/30/2021 5/1/2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
All Other Multiemployer Defined Benefit Pension Plans |
1.907 | 584 | 3,137 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 3.906 | $ | 778 | $ | 4,968 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Company was listed in the following plans Form 5500s as providing more than 5% of the total contributions for the following plans and plan years:
Fund Name |
Exceeded 5 |
Year Contributions to Plan Exceeded 5 Percent of Total Contributions (As of Plans Year-End) | ||
Pension Fund of Local No. 1 of I.A.T.S.E | True | December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 | ||
32BJ/Broadway League Pension Fund | True | December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 | ||
Treasurers and Ticket Sellers Local 751 Pension Fund | True | August 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 |
Multiemployer Defined Contribution Pension Plans
The Company contributed $5,641, $723 and $5,258 for Fiscal Years 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively, to multiemployer defined contribution pension plans.
Note 16. Share-based Compensation
Certain employees of the Company have historically participated in the share-based compensation plans of MSG Entertainment (MSG Entertainment Employee Stock Plans). The plans provide for discretionary grants of incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options, restricted shares, restricted stock units, performance stock units, stock appreciation rights and other share-based awards. All awards granted under the plans will settle in shares of MSG Entertainments Class A Common Stock, or, at the option of the Compensation Committee of the MSG Entertainment Board of Directors, in cash. Only the expenses for the awards provided to the Companys direct employees, net of expenses related to the Companys corporate employees who participate in the plans that were charged to MSG Entertainment, are recorded in the combined financial statements.
Share-based Compensation Expense
Share-based compensation expense is generally recognized straight-line over the vesting term of the award, which typically provides for three-year cliff or graded vesting subject to continued employment. For awards that are graded vesting and subject to performance conditions, in addition to continued employment, the Company uses the graded-vesting method to recognize share-based compensation expense.
F-44
MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Share-based compensation expense was recognized in the combined statements of operations as a component of direct operating expenses or selling, general and administrative expenses. Share-based compensation expense was $39,357, $40,663 and $26,110 for Fiscal Years 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The share-based compensation expense recorded by the Company, in the periods presented, includes the expenses associated with the employees attributable to the Company, net of contributory credits from the Company to MSG Entertainment for the Companys corporate employees. The total share-based compensation expense for Fiscal Year 2022 includes $1,612 which was reclassified to Restructuring charges in the combined statements of operations, as detailed in Note 5, Restructuring Charges.
Restricted Stock Units Award Activity
The following table summarizes activity related to MSG Entertainments restricted stock units (RSUs) held by the Companys direct employees for Fiscal Year 2022:
Number of | Weighted- Average Fair Value Per Share At Date of Grant |
|||||||||||
Nonperformance Based Vesting RSUs |
Performance Stock Units |
|||||||||||
Unvested award balance as of June 30, 2021 |
67 | 81 | $ | 74.42 | ||||||||
Granted |
62 | 56 | $ | 79.14 | ||||||||
Vested |
(22 | ) | (8 | ) | $ | 77.25 | ||||||
Forfeited |
(6 | ) | (9 | ) | $ | 75.81 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Unvested award balance as of June 30, 2022 |
101 | 120 | $ | 76.46 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of June 30, 2022, there was $9,854 of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested RSUs and performance stock units (PSUs) held by the Companys direct employees. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.6 years.
The following table summarizes additional information about restricted stock units:
For the Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||||||||
June 30, 2022 | June 30, 2021 | June 30, 2020 | ||||||||||
Weighted average grant date fair value per share of awards granted |
$ | 79.14 | $ | 72.81 | $ | 74.50 | ||||||
Intrinsic value of awards vested |
$ | 2,424 | $ | 1,396 | $ | 101 |
Stock Options Award Activity
Compensation expense for MSG Entertainment stock options held by the Companys employees is determined based on the grant date fair value of the award calculated using the Black-Scholes options-pricing model. Stock options generally vest over a three years service period and expire 7.5 to 10 years from the date of grant. None of the Companys direct employees held any stock options during the periods presented. As such, the only cost related to stock options in the combined financial statements relates to allocated costs discussed above for corporate employees.
Treatment After the 2020 Entertainment Distribution of Share-based Payment Awards Initially Granted Under MSG Sports Equity Award Programs
In connection with the 2020 Entertainment Distribution, each holder of an MSG Sports employee restricted stock unit received one MSG Entertainment RSU in respect of every one MSG Sports RSU owned on the record
F-45
MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
date and continues to be entitled to a share of MSG Sports Class A common stock (or cash or other property) for each MSG Sports RSU in accordance with the MSG Sports award agreement. Additionally, each holder of an MSG Sports employee PSU received one Company PSU (at target performance) in respect of every one MSG Sports PSU (at target performance) owned on the Record Date and continues to be entitled to a share of MSG Sports Class A common stock (or cash or other property) for each MSG Sports PSU in accordance with the MSG Sports award agreement.
Further, in connection with the 2020 Entertainment Distribution, each holder of an MSG Sports director RSU received one share of our Class A Common Stock in respect of every one MSG Sports RSU owned on the Record Date and continues to be entitled to a share of MSG Sports Class A common stock (or cash or other property) in accordance with the MSG Sports award agreement.
Note 17. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
The following table details the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
Pension Plans and Postretirement Plan |
||||||||||||
June 30, | ||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
Balance at beginning of period |
$ | (33,598 | ) | $ | (31,108 | ) | $ | (33,378 | ) | |||
Other comprehensive income (loss): |
||||||||||||
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications |
| | (45 | ) | ||||||||
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (a) |
(1,385 | ) | (2,951 | ) | 1,409 | |||||||
Income tax benefit |
243 | 461 | (488 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss), total |
(1,142 | ) | (2,490 | ) | 876 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Adjustment related to the transfer of Pension Plans and Postretirement Plan liabilities as a result of the 2020 Entertainment Distribution |
| | $ | 1,394 | ||||||||
Balance at end of period |
$ | (34,740 | ) | $ | (33,598 | ) | $ | (31,108 | ) | |||
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) | Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss represent curtailments, settlement losses recognized, the amortization of net actuarial gain (loss) and net unrecognized prior service credit included in net periodic benefit cost, which is reflected under Other income (expense), net in the accompanying combined statements of operations (see Note 15, Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans). |
Note 18. Income Taxes
During the periods presented in the combined financial statements, the Company did not file separate tax returns. The Company was included in the federal and state income tax returns of MSG Entertainment for all periods presented. The income tax expense or benefit presented has been determined on a separate return basis as if the Company filed a separate income tax return.
The separate return method applies the accounting guidance for income taxes to the financial statements as if the Company was a separate taxpayer. The Company believes the assumptions supporting its allocation and
F-46
MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
presentation of income taxes on a separate return basis are reasonable. One of these assumptions is that the Company on a stand-alone basis will not benefit from certain tax incentives that historically benefited MSG Entertainment. However, the taxes recognized in the combined financial statements and resulting effective tax rates may not be reflective of the taxes that the Company expects to recognize in the future as a stand-alone entity.
Income tax expense is comprised of the following components:
Years Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
Current (expense) benefit: |
||||||||||||
Federal |
$ | 515 | $ | (2,536 | ) | $ | (41,526 | ) | ||||
State and other |
(220 | ) | (2,247 | ) | (41,227 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
295 | (4,783 | ) | (82,753 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Deferred (expense) benefit: |
||||||||||||
Federal |
(4,711 | ) | (15,658 | ) | (14,408 | ) | ||||||
State and other |
4,486 | 15,092 | (3,021 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
(225 | ) | (566 | ) | (17,429 | ) | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Income tax (expense) benefit |
$ | 70 | $ | (5,349 | ) | $ | (100,182 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
The income tax (expense) benefit differs from the amount derived by applying the statutory federal rate to pre-tax income (loss) principally due to the effect of the following items:
Years Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
Federal tax (expense) benefit at statutory federal rate |
$ | 28,617 | $ | 44,931 | $ | (56,877 | ) | |||||
State income taxes, net of federal benefit |
12,141 | 22,882 | (33,345 | ) | ||||||||
Change in valuation allowance |
(31,679 | ) | (70,501 | ) | 558 | |||||||
Change in the estimated applicable tax rate used to determine deferred taxes |
| 2,545 | | |||||||||
Nondeductible transaction costs |
| | (7,120 | ) | ||||||||
GAAP income of consolidated partnership attributable to non-controlling interest |
(601 | ) | (146 | ) | (224 | ) | ||||||
Nondeductible officers compensation |
(8,125 | ) | (5,209 | ) | (4,407 | ) | ||||||
Nondeductible expenses |
(373 | ) | (285 | ) | (349 | ) | ||||||
Excess tax benefit related to share-based payment awards |
93 | 1,088 | 2,322 | |||||||||
Other, net |
(3 | ) | (654 | ) | (740 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Income tax (expense) benefit |
$ | 70 | $ | (5,349 | ) | $ | (100,182 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-47
MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The tax effects of temporary differences which give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and liabilities at June 30, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:
June 30, | ||||||||
2022 | 2021 | |||||||
Deferred tax assets: |
||||||||
Net operating losses (NOLs) |
$ | 102,273 | $ | 76,052 | ||||
Accrued employee benefits |
29,440 | 20,743 | ||||||
Restricted stock units and stock options |
12,452 | 12,263 | ||||||
Deferred revenue |
| 31,609 | ||||||
Right-of-use lease assets and lease liabilities, net |
7,482 | 7,616 | ||||||
Deferred interest |
24,950 | 9,296 | ||||||
Property and equipment |
16,327 | 2,487 | ||||||
Other, net |
| 2,113 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total gross deferred tax assets |
$ | 192,924 | $ | 162,179 | ||||
Less valuation allowance |
(151,043 | ) | (119,135 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net deferred tax assets |
$ | 41,881 | $ | 43,044 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Deferred tax liabilities: |
||||||||
Intangibles and other assets |
$ | (40,069 | ) | $ | (39,810 | ) | ||
Deferred revenue |
(10,107 | ) | | |||||
Prepaid expenses |
(4,874 | ) | (4,055 | ) | ||||
Investments |
(3,377 | ) | (22,449 | ) | ||||
Other, net |
(6,707 | ) | | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total deferred tax liabilities |
$ | (65,134 | ) | $ | (66,314 | ) | ||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net deferred tax liability |
$ | (23,253 | ) | $ | (23,270 | ) | ||
|
|
|
|
In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. The Companys ability to realize its deferred tax assets depends upon the generation of sufficient future taxable income to allow for the utilization of its NOLs and future deductible temporary differences. As of June 30, 2022, based on current facts and circumstances, management believes that it is more likely than not that the Company will not realize the benefit for a portion of its net deferred tax assets. Accordingly, a valuation allowance has been recorded.
The federal NOL carryforward as of June 30, 2022 is $284,470. The NOL has an unlimited carryforward period. The Companys historical combined financial statements for periods prior to the Distribution reflect NOLs and tax credits calculated on a separate return basis. These NOL carryforwards were calculated as if the Company operated as a separate stand-alone entity. Because the Distribution involves a spin-off of the Company, substantially all of the NOLs and tax credits did not carry over to the Company.
Income tax payments, net of refunds, were $8,956, $15,526 and $54 for Fiscal Years 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Note 19. Related Party Transactions
Members of the Dolan family, including trusts for the benefit of members of the Dolan family (collectively, the Dolan Family Group) are the controlling stockholders of the Company, MSG Entertainment including its MSG Networks and TAO Group Hospitality subsidiaries, MSG Sports, and AMC Networks Inc. (AMC Networks).
F-48
MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Current Related Party Arrangements
The Company is party to the following agreements and/or arrangements with MSG Sports:
| Arena License Agreements pursuant to which the Company (i) provides MSG Sports the right to use The Garden for games of the Knicks and Rangers for a 35-year term in exchange for venue license fees, (ii) shares revenues collected for suite licenses, (iii) operates and manages the sale of the sports teams merchandise at The Garden for a commission, (iv) operates and manages the sale of food and beverage sales and catering services during the Knicks and Rangers games for a portion of net profits (as defined under the Arena License Agreements), (v) provides day of game services that were historically provided prior to the 2020 Entertainment Distribution, and (vi) provides other general services within The Garden. Refer to the below discussion on the venue usage cost allocation prior to the 2020 Entertainment Distribution; |
| Sponsorship sales and service representation agreements pursuant to which the Company has the exclusive right and obligation to sell MSG Sports sponsorships for an initial stated term of ten years for a commission; |
| A team sponsorship allocation agreement, pursuant to which MSG Sports continues receiving an allocation of sponsorship and signage revenues associated with the sponsorship agreements that existed at the 2020 Entertainment Distribution Date; |
| Transition services agreement (the TSA) pursuant to which the Company provides certain corporate and other transition services to MSG Sports, such as information technology, security, 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, in exchange for service fees. MSG Sports also provides certain transition services to the Company, including certain legal functions, communications, ticket sales and certain operational and marketing services, in exchange for service fees; |
| Sublease agreement, pursuant to which the Company subleases office space to MSG Sports; |
| Group ticket sales representation agreement, pursuant to which the Company appointed MSG Sports as its sales and service representative to sell group ticket packages related Company events in exchange for a commission; |
| Single night rental commission agreement, pursuant to which MSG Sports may, from time to time, sell (or make referrals for sales of) licenses for the use of suites at The Garden for individual Company events in exchange for a commission; |
| Aircraft time sharing agreements (discussed below); and; |
| Other agreements with MSG Sports entered into in connection with the 2020 Entertainment Distribution such as a distribution agreement, a tax disaffiliation agreement, an employee matters agreement, a trademark license agreement and certain other arrangements. |
In addition, the Company has various agreements with MSG Networks including an advertising sales representation agreement and a services agreement (the MSG Networks Services Agreement), which have historically been cash settled. Pursuant to the advertising sales representation agreement, the Company has the exclusive right and obligation to sell advertising on behalf of MSG Networks in exchange for a commission. Pursuant to the MSG Networks Services Agreement, the Company provides certain services to MSG Networks, such as information technology, accounts payable and payroll, human resources, and other corporate functions, as well as the executive support services described below, in exchange for service fees. MSG Networks also provides certain services to the Company, in exchange for service fees.
Further, the Company shares certain executive support costs, including office space, executive assistants, security and transportation costs, for (i) the Companys Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer with
F-49
MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
MSG Entertainment and MSG Sports and (ii) the Companys Vice Chairman with MSG Entertainment, MSG Sports and AMC Networks. Prior to April 1, 2022, the Company also shared costs for the Companys former President with MSG Entertainment and MSG Sports.
The Company is a party to various aircraft arrangements. Pursuant to certain Aircraft Support Services Agreements (the Support Agreements), the Company provides certain aircraft support services to entities controlled by (i) Charles F. Dolan, a director, and certain of his children, who are siblings of James L. Dolan, the Companys Executive Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and a director, specifically: Thomas C. Dolan (a director of MSG Entertainment), Deborah Dolan-Sweeney, Patrick F. Dolan, Marianne Dolan Weber (a director of MSG Entertainment), and Kathleen M. Dolan, and (ii) Patrick F. Dolan, the son of Charles F. Dolan and brother of James L. Dolan.
The Company is party to reciprocal time sharing/dry lease agreements with Charles F. Dolan and Sterling2k LLC (collectively, CFD), an entity owned and controlled by Deborah Dolan-Sweeney, the daughter of Charles F. Dolan and the sister of James L. Dolan, pursuant to which the Company has agreed from time to time to make its aircraft available to CFD and CFD has agreed from time to time to make its aircraft available to the Company. Pursuant to the terms of the agreements, CFD may lease on a non-exclusive, time sharing basis, certain Company aircraft.
The Company is also party to a dry lease agreement and a time sharing agreement with Brighid Air, LLC (Brighid Air), a company owned and controlled by Patrick F. Dolan, the son of Charles F. Dolan and the brother of James L. Dolan, pursuant to which Brighid Air has agreed from time to time to make its Bombardier BD100-1A10 Challenger 350 aircraft (the Challenger) available to the Company on a non-exclusive basis. In connection with the dry lease agreement, the Company also entered into a Flight Crew Services Agreement (the Flight Crew Agreement) with Dolan Family Office, LLC (DFO), an entity owned and controlled by Charles F. Dolan, pursuant to which the Company may utilize pilots employed by DFO for purposes of flying the Challenger when the Company is leasing that aircraft under the Companys dry lease agreement with Brighid Air.
Prior to December 21, 2021, the Company was also party to (i) a reciprocal time sharing/dry lease agreement with Quart 2C, LLC (Q2C), a company controlled by James L. Dolan and Kristin A. Dolan, his spouse and a director of MSG Entertainment, pursuant to which the Company from time to time made its aircraft available to Q2C, and Q2C, from time to time made its aircraft available to the Company, and (ii) an aircraft support services agreement with an entity controlled by James L. Dolan, pursuant to which the Company provided certain aircraft support services. These agreements were no longer effective as of December 21, 2021.
The Company and each of MSG Sports and AMC Networks are party to certain aircraft time sharing agreements, pursuant to which the Company has agreed from time to time to make aircraft available to MSG Sports and/or AMC Networks for lease on a time sharing basis. Additionally, the Company, MSG Sports and AMC Networks have agreed on an allocation of the costs of certain aircraft and helicopter use by their shared executives.
In addition to the aircraft arrangements described above, certain executives of the Company are party to aircraft time sharing agreements, pursuant to which the Company has agreed from time to time to make certain aircraft available for lease on a time sharing basis for personal use in exchange for payment of actual expenses of the flight (as listed in the agreement).
From time to time the Company enters into arrangements with 605, LLC. James L. Dolan, the Companys Executive Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and a director, and his spouse, Kristin A. Dolan (a director of MSG Entertainment), own 50% of 605, LLC. Kristin A. Dolan is also the founder and Chief Executive Officer of 605, LLC. 605, LLC provides audience measurement and data analytics services to the Company and its subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.
As of June 30, 2022 and 2021, BCE had $637 and $637, respectively, of notes payable with respect to a loan received by BCE from its noncontrolling interest holder.
F-50
MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Revenues and Operating Expenses
The following table summarizes the composition and amounts of the transactions with the Companys affiliates. The significant components of these amounts are discussed below. These amounts are reflected in revenues and operating expenses in the accompanying combined statements of operations for Fiscal Years 2022, 2021 and 2020:
Years Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
Revenues |
$ | 115,370 | $ | 51,657 | $ | 18,955 | ||||||
Operating expenses (credits): |
||||||||||||
Revenue sharing expenses |
17,279 | 558 | 110,002 | |||||||||
Allocation of charges for venue usage to MSG Sports |
| | (46,072 | ) | ||||||||
Reimbursement under Arena License Arrangements |
(25,827 | ) | (9,717 | ) | | |||||||
Cost reimbursement from MSG Sports |
(38,254 | ) | (36,502 | ) | (116,946 | ) | ||||||
Corporate allocations to MSG Entertainment |
(161,189 | ) | (100,942 | ) | (82,506 | ) | ||||||
Other operating expenses, net |
4,995 | 4,041 | 794 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total operating expenses (credits), net (a) |
$ | (202,996 | ) | $ | (142,562 | ) | $ | (134,728 | ) |
(a) | Of the total operating expenses, net, $(9,347), $(930) and $71,722 for Fiscal Years 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively, are included in direct operating expenses in the accompanying combined statements of operations, and $(193,649), $(141,632) and $(206,450) for Fiscal Years 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively, are included as net credits in selling, general and administrative expenses. |
Revenues
Through Fiscal Year 2022, the Knicks and the Rangers played a total of 98 home games at The Garden and the Company recorded $68,072 of revenues under the Arena License Agreements for Fiscal Year 2022. In addition, the Company recorded revenues under sponsorship sales and service representation agreements with MSG Sports of $17,570, and merchandise sharing revenues with MSG Sports of $4,412 for Fiscal Year 2022. The Company recorded revenues under the advertising sales representation agreement with MSG Networks of $20,878 for Fiscal Year 2022. The Company also earned $2,444 of sublease revenue from related parties during Fiscal Year 2022.
Through Fiscal Year 2021, the Knicks and the Rangers played a total of 69 home games at The Garden and the Company recorded $21,345 of revenues under the Arena License Agreements for Fiscal Year 2021. In addition, the Company recorded revenues under sponsorship sales and service representation agreements with MSG Sports of $13,584 for Fiscal Year 2021. The Company recorded revenues under the advertising sales representation agreement with MSG Networks of $13,698 for Fiscal Year 2021. The Company also earned $2,450 of sublease revenue from related parties during Fiscal Year 2021.
Through Fiscal Year 2020, the Company recorded revenues under sponsorship sales and service representation agreements with MSG Sports of $4,330. The Company recorded revenues under the advertising sales representation agreement with MSG Networks of $12,653 for Fiscal Year 2020.
Operating Expenses
Revenue sharing expenses
Revenue sharing expenses include MSG Sports share of the Companys in-venue food and beverage sales and certain venue signage agreements, and, prior to the 2020 Entertainment Distribution, other amounts specifically identified where possible or allocated proportionally.
F-51
MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Allocation of Charges for Venue Usage to MSG Sports and Reimbursements under Arena License Arrangements
For purposes of the Companys combined financial statements prior to the 2020 Entertainment Distribution, the Company allocated to MSG Sports certain expenses for the usage of The Garden, which were reported as a reduction of direct operating expense in the accompanying combined statements of operations.
After the 2020 Entertainment Distribution, fees recognized by the Company under the Arena License Agreements with MSG Sports for use of The Garden are reported as operating lease revenues in accordance with ASC Topic 842. Because The Garden was closed by government mandate, the Company did not recognize operating lease revenue under the Arena License Agreements for the quarter ended September 30, 2020. Starting December 2020, the Garden reopened for games of the Knicks and the Rangers and the Company recorded $68,072 and $21,345 of revenues under the Arena License Agreements for Fiscal Years 2022 and 2021, respectively. In addition, the Company recorded credits to direct operating expenses as a reimbursement under the Arena License Agreements of $25,827 and $9,717 for Fiscal Years 2022 and 2021, respectively. No credits were recorded for Fiscal Year 2020.
Cost reimbursement from MSG Sports
Per the TSA described above, the Companys corporate overhead expenses that are charged to MSG Sports are primarily related to centralized functions, including information technology, security, accounts payable, payroll, tax, legal, human resources, insurance and risk management, investor relations, corporate communications, benefit plan administration and reporting, and internal audit.
Prior to the 2020 Entertainment Distribution, allocations of corporate overhead and shared services expense were recorded by both MSG Entertainment, and in turn by the Company, and MSG Sports for corporate and operational functions based on direct usage or the relative proportion of revenue, headcount or other measures of MSG Entertainment or MSG Sports.
Corporate allocations to MSG Entertainment
As part of the Distribution, certain corporate and operational support functions are being transferred to the Company and therefore, charges were reflected in order to properly burden all business units comprising MSG Entertainments historical operations. Allocations of corporate overhead and shared services expense to MSG Entertainment from the Company were recorded for corporate and operational functions based on direct usage when identifiable, with the remainder allocated on a pro rata basis of combined assets, headcount or other measures of the Company or MSG Entertainment, which is recorded as a reduction of either direct operating expenses or selling, general and administrative expense. The aforementioned allocations for certain support functions that are provided on a centralized basis and not historically recorded at the business unit level by MSG Entertainment and MSG Sports (for the period from July 1, 2019 to April 17, 2020), related to departments such as executive management, finance, legal, human resources, government affairs, and information technology, among others. In addition, corporate allocations to MSG Entertainment include charges to MSG Networks under the MSG Networks Services Agreement.
Other Operating Expenses, net
The Company and its related parties enter into transactions with each other in the ordinary course of business. Amounts charged to the Company for other transactions with its related parties are net of amounts charged by the Company to the Knickerbocker Group, LLC, an entity owned by James L. Dolan, the Executive Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and a director of the Company, for office space and the cost of certain
F-52
MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
technology services. In addition, other operating expenses primarily include net charges relating to (i) reciprocal aircraft arrangements between the Company and each of Q2C and CFD, (ii) time sharing and/or dry lease agreements with MSG Sports, AMC Networks and Brighid Air, (iii) commission under the group ticket sales representation agreement with MSG Sports, and (iv) expenses for advertising and promotional services rendered by MSG Networks. The reciprocal aircraft arrangement between the Company and Q2C and the related aircraft support services arrangement between them was no longer effective as of December 21, 2021.
Loans Receivable from MSG Entertainment
The Companys captive insurance entity, Eden Insurance Company, Inc. (Eden), entered into a loan agreement with MSG Entertainment (the Eden Loan Agreement), under which Eden granted MSG Entertainment an unsecured loan bearing interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 350 basis points with a principal amount not exceeding $60,000. This loan is in the form of a demand promissory note, payable immediately upon order from Eden. As of June 30, 2022 and 2021, Eden had an outstanding loan receivable from MSG Entertainment of $56,060 and $57,962, respectively, inclusive of accrued interest. During Fiscal Year 2022, Eden declared and paid dividends to MSG Entertainment through a reduction of the loan receivable from MSG Entertainment. During Fiscal Year 2021, no interest or principal payments were received by Eden. Instead, the accrued but unpaid interest was added to the outstanding principal amount of the loan. The cash flows related to this loan receivable are reflected as investing activities, as these balances represent amounts loaned by the Company to MSG Entertainment. The Company expects that the outstanding loan payable will be transferred by MSG Entertainment to the Company prior to the Distribution. The Company recorded related party interest income of $2,117, $1,888 and $2,798 related to the Eden Loan Agreement in Fiscal Years 2022, 2021 and 2020.
On May 23, 2019, the Company entered into a subordinated credit agreement with TAO Group Sub-Holdings, LLC (TAOG Sub-Holdings), a wholly-owned subsidiary of MSG Entertainment (the TAO Subordinated Credit Agreement), under which the Company granted TAOG Sub-Holdings a $49,000 subordinated loan. This loan had a maturity date of August 22, 2024. On June 15, 2020, the TAO Subordinated Credit Agreement was amended to provide an additional $22,000 of borrowing capacity. The Company provided additional proceeds of $14,000 and $5,000 during Fiscal Years 2021 and 2020, respectively, under the TAO Subordinated Credit Agreement. There are no mandatory repayments of principal until the maturity date. Subject to customary notice and minimum amount conditions, TAOG Sub-Holdings can voluntarily prepay outstanding loans under the TAO Subordinated Credit Agreement at any time, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty. Interest is due monthly in cash or paid-in-kind based on the terms of the TAO Senior Credit Agreement. During Fiscal Year 2020, on behalf of TAOG Sub-Holdings, MSG Entertainment made a voluntary principal payment and interest payments of $5,000 and $3,546, respectively. As of June 30, 2021, the Company had an outstanding loan receivable from MSG Entertainment related to this loan of $66,902, inclusive of accrued interest, and on June 9, 2022, MSG Entertainment paid the full outstanding principal amount of this TAO Subordinated Credit Agreement. The cash flows related to this loan receivable are reflected as investing activities, as these balances represent amounts loaned by the Company to MSG Entertainment. The Company recorded related party interest income of $4,420, $4,525 and $4,531 related to the TAO Subordinated Credit Agreement in Fiscal Years 2022, 2021 and 2020.
Cash Management
MSG Entertainment uses a centralized approach to cash management and financing of operations. The Companys and MSG Entertainments other subsidiaries cash was available for use and was regularly swept historically. Cash and cash equivalents was attributed to the Company for each of the periods presented, as such cash was held in accounts legally owned by the Company. Transfers of cash both to and from MSG Entertainment were included as components of MSG Entertainments Investment on the combined statements of
F-53
MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
divisional equity (deficit). The main components of the net transfers (to)/from MSG Entertainment are cash pooling/general financing activities, various expense allocations to/from MSG Entertainment, and receivables/payables from/(to) MSG Entertainment deemed to be effectively settled upon the distribution of the Company by MSG Entertainment.
MSG Entertainment Investment
Certain significant balances and transactions among the Company and MSG Entertainment and its subsidiaries, which include allocations of corporate general and administrative expenses, share-based compensation expense and other historical intercompany activities, are recorded as components of Divisional Equity (Deficit), except for the transactions noted above related to historically cash-settled loans between the Company and MSG Entertainment. The changes in MSG Entertainment Investment also include financing activities for capital transfers, cash sweeps, and other treasury services. As part of this activity, cash balances are swept to MSG Entertainment regularly as part of the MSG Entertainment cash management policy.
Note 20. Concentrations of Risk
As of June 30, 2022, approximately 4,200 full-time and part-time employees, who represent approximately 63% of the Companys workforce, are subject to CBAs. Approximately 7% are subject to CBAs that expired as of June 30, 2022 and approximately 47% are subject to CBAs that will expire by June 30, 2023, if they are not extended prior thereto.
Note 21. Subsequent Events
The Company evaluated subsequent events for the period from June 30, 2022 through January 13, 2023, the date the combined financial statements were available for issuance. On December 2, 2022, the Company sold its 85% controlling interest in BCE for approximately $10,000. Additionally, on December 30, 2022, the Company sold a corporate aircraft for approximately $20,400.
F-54
MSGE SPINCO, INC.
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
(in thousands)
(Additions) / Deductions | ||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at Beginning of Period |
Charged to Costs and Expenses |
Charged to Other Accounts |
Deductions | Balance at End of Period |
||||||||||||||||
Year Ended June 30, 2022 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Allowance for doubtful accounts / credit losses |
$ | (4,167 | ) | $ | (166 | ) | $ | | $ | 623 | $ | (3,710 | ) | |||||||
Deferred tax valuation allowance |
(119,135 | ) | (31,679 | ) | (229 | ) | | (151,043 | ) | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
$ | (123,302 | ) | $ | (31,845 | ) | $ | (229 | ) | $ | 623 | $ | (154,753 | ) | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Year Ended June 30, 2021 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Allowance for doubtful accounts / credit losses |
$ | (3,926 | ) | $ | (887 | ) | $ | | $ | 646 | $ | (4,167 | ) | |||||||
Deferred tax valuation allowance |
(39,030 | ) | (70,501 | ) | (9,604 | ) | | (119,135 | ) | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
$ | (42,956 | ) | $ | (71,388 | ) | $ | (9,604 | ) | $ | 646 | $ | (123,302 | ) | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Year Ended June 30, 2020 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Allowance for doubtful accounts / credit losses |
$ | (1,814 | ) | $ | (3,568 | ) | $ | | $ | 1,456 | $ | (3,926 | ) | |||||||
Deferred tax valuation allowance |
(15,409 | ) | 558 | (24,179 | ) | | (39,030 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
$ | (17,223 | ) | $ | (3,010 | ) | $ | (24,179 | ) | $ | 1,456 | $ | (42,956 | ) | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-55
CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
(in thousands)
December 31, 2022 |
June 30, 2022 |
|||||||
ASSETS |
||||||||
Current Assets: |
||||||||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash |
$ | 153,746 | $ | 62,573 | ||||
Accounts receivable, net |
100,820 | 102,501 | ||||||
Related party receivables, current |
95,064 | 96,938 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
69,686 | 79,441 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total current assets |
419,316 | 341,453 | ||||||
Property and equipment, net |
649,962 | 696,079 | ||||||
Right-of-use lease assets |
255,024 | 271,154 | ||||||
Goodwill |
69,041 | 69,041 | ||||||
Intangible assets, net |
63,801 | 65,439 | ||||||
Other non-current assets |
91,817 | 83,535 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total assets |
$ | 1,548,961 | $ | 1,526,701 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
LIABILITIES AND DIVISIONAL EQUITY (DEFICIT) |
||||||||
Current Liabilities: |
||||||||
Accounts payable, accrued and other current liabilities |
$ | 176,287 | $ | 221,961 | ||||
Related party payables, current |
70,379 | 72,683 | ||||||
Current portion of long-term debt |
16,250 | 8,762 | ||||||
Operating lease liabilities, current |
36,623 | 39,006 | ||||||
Deferred revenue |
188,842 | 202,678 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total current liabilities |
488,381 | 545,090 | ||||||
Long-term debt, net of deferred financing costs |
648,397 | 654,912 | ||||||
Operating lease liabilities, non-current |
238,015 | 254,114 | ||||||
Deferred tax liabilities, net |
23,386 | 23,253 | ||||||
Other non-current liabilities |
51,893 | 50,921 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total liabilities |
1,450,072 | 1,528,290 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Commitments and contingencies (see Note 9) |
||||||||
Spinco Divisional Equity (Deficit): |
||||||||
MSG Entertainment investment |
133,018 | 33,265 | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
(34,129 | ) | (34,740 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total Spinco divisional equity (deficit) |
98,889 | (1,475 | ) | |||||
Nonredeemable noncontrolling interest |
| (114 | ) | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total liabilities and divisional equity (deficit) |
$ | 1,548,961 | $ | 1,526,701 | ||||
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed combined financial statements.
F-56
CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
(in thousands)
Six Months Ended December 31, |
||||||||
2022 | 2021 | |||||||
Revenues (a) |
$ | 502,332 | $ | 281,162 | ||||
Operating expenses: (a) |
||||||||
Direct operating expenses |
282,265 | 182,236 | ||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
83,415 | 81,698 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
31,571 | 33,159 | ||||||
Gains, net on dispositions |
(4,412 | ) | | |||||
Restructuring charges |
7,359 | | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Operating income (loss) |
102,134 | (15,931 | ) | |||||
Other income (expense): |
||||||||
Interest income (a) |
3,322 | 3,604 | ||||||
Interest expense |
(24,632 | ) | (26,795 | ) | ||||
Other income (expense), net |
(1,286 | ) | (19,247 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
(22,596 | ) | (42,438 | ) | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Income (loss) from operations before income taxes |
79,538 | (58,369 | ) | |||||
Income tax (expense) benefit |
(731 | ) | | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net income (loss) |
78,807 | (58,369 | ) | |||||
Less: Net loss attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interest |
(553 | ) | (367 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Spincos stockholders |
$ | 79,360 | $ | (58,002 | ) | |||
|
|
|
|
(a) | See Note 14, Related Party Transactions, for further information on related party arrangements |
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed combined financial statements.
F-57
CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Unaudited)
(in thousands)
Six Months Ended December 31, |
||||||||
2022 | 2021 | |||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | 78,807 | $ | (58,369 | ) | |||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Other comprehensive income (loss), before income taxes: |
||||||||
Pension plans and postretirement plans: |
||||||||
Amortization of net actuarial loss included in net periodic benefit cost |
742 | 743 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Other comprehensive income (loss), before income taxes |
742 | 743 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Income tax benefit (expense) related to items of other comprehensive income |
(131 | ) | (131 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes |
611 | 612 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Comprehensive income (loss) |
79,418 | (57,757 | ) | |||||
Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interest |
(553 | ) | (367 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to MSGE Spinco, Inc. |
$ | 79,971 | $ | (57,390 | ) | |||
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed combined financial statements.
F-58
CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
(in thousands)
Six Months Ended December 31, |
||||||||
2022 | 2021 | |||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: |
||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | 78,807 | $ | (58,369 | ) | |||
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: |
||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
31,571 | 33,159 | ||||||
Share-based compensation expense |
16,258 | 21,079 | ||||||
Amortization of deferred financing costs |
1,613 | 3,392 | ||||||
Related party paid in kind interest |
(1,804 | ) | (1,855 | ) | ||||
Net unrealized (gain) loss on equity investments with readily determinable fair value |
3,203 | 19,615 | ||||||
Amortization of right-of-use assets |
6,756 | 5,184 | ||||||
Gains, net on dispositions |
(4,412 | ) | | |||||
Other non-cash adjustment |
15 | | ||||||
Change in assets and liabilities: |
||||||||
Accounts receivable, net |
1,987 | (36,892 | ) | |||||
Related party receivables, net of payables |
6,732 | 17,114 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current and non-current assets |
(5,606 | ) | (15,058 | ) | ||||
Accounts payable, accrued and other current and non-current liabilities |
(44,140 | ) | 39,417 | |||||
Deferred revenue |
(12,758 | ) | 34,068 | |||||
Operating lease right-of-use assets and lease liabilities |
(8,886 | ) | (2,677 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
$ | 69,336 | $ | 58,177 | ||||
Cash flows from investing activities: |
||||||||
Capital expenditures |
(9,208 | ) | (7,236 | ) | ||||
Proceeds from dispositions, net |
27,904 | | ||||||
(Purchase) / proceeds from sale of investments |
3,694 | (250 | ) | |||||
Proceeds from loan receivable |
| 4,695 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities |
$ | 22,390 | $ | (2,791 | ) | |||
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed combined financial statements.
F-59
MSGE SPINCO, INC.
CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
(in thousands)
Six Months Ended December 31, |
||||||||
2022 | 2021 | |||||||
Cash flows from financing activities: |
||||||||
Principal repayments on long-term debt |
$ | | $ | (3,250 | ) | |||
Net transfers to MSG Entertainment and MSG Entertainments subsidiaries |
(553 | ) | (138,446 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net cash used in financing activities |
$ | (553 | ) | $ | (141,696 | ) | ||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash |
91,173 | (86,310 | ) | |||||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period |
62,573 | 318,069 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period |
$ | 153,746 | $ | 231,759 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Non-cash investing and financing activities: |
||||||||
Capital expenditures incurred but not yet paid |
$ | 402 | $ | 125 | ||||
Non-cash reduction of loan receivable from related party |
$ | 5,350 | $ | 4,019 |
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed combined financial statements.
F-60
CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENTS OF DIVISIONAL EQUITY (DEFICIT) (Unaudited)
(in thousands)
MSG Entertainment Investment |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
Total Spinco Divisional Equity (Deficit) |
Nonredeemable Noncontrolling Interest |
Total Divisional Equity (Deficit) |
||||||||||||||||
Balance as of June 30, 2022 |
$ | 33,265 | $ | (34,740 | ) | $ | (1,475 | ) | $ | (114 | ) | $ | (1,589 | ) | ||||||
Net income (loss) |
79,360 | | 79,360 | (553 | ) | 78,807 | ||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income |
| 611 | 611 | | 611 | |||||||||||||||
BCE disposition |
| | | 667 | 667 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Comprehensive income |
| | 79,971 | 114 | 80,085 | |||||||||||||||
Net increase in MSG Entertainment Investment |
20,393 | | 20,393 | | 20,393 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2022 |
$ | 133,018 | $ | (34,129 | ) | $ | 98,889 | $ | | $ | 98,889 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Balance as of June 30, 2021 |
$ | 529,500 | $ | (33,598 | ) | $ | 495,902 | $ | 2,750 | $ | 498,652 | |||||||||
Net loss |
(58,002 | ) | | (58,002 | ) | (367 | ) | (58,369 | ) | |||||||||||
Other comprehensive income |
| 612 | 612 | | 612 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Comprehensive loss |
| | (57,390 | ) | (367 | ) | (57,757 | ) | ||||||||||||
Net decrease in MSG Entertainment Investment |
(113,463 | ) | | (113,463 | ) | | (113,463 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2021 |
$ | 358,035 | $ | (32,986 | ) | $ | 325,049 | $ | 2,383 | $ | 327,432 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed combined financial statements.
F-61
NOTES TO CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
All amounts included in the following Notes to Condensed Combined Financial Statements (unaudited) are presented in thousands, except as otherwise noted.
Note 1. Description of Business and Basis of Presentation
The Proposed Distribution
On December 6, 2022, the board of directors of Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (MSG Entertainment) authorized MSG Entertainment management to explore a potential tax-free spin-off of the traditional live entertainment business from the MSG Sphere, MSG Networks, and Tao Group Hospitality businesses, and approved the filing of a Form 10 registration statement and amendments thereto.
MSGE Spinco, Inc. (Spinco or the Company) was incorporated in the state of Delaware on September 15, 2022 to be the company to hold the traditional live entertainment business of MSG Entertainment. In the first step of the transaction, record holders of MSG Entertainment Class A and Class B common stock would receive a pro-rata distribution expected to be equivalent, in aggregate, to approximately 67% of the economic interest in the Company (the Distribution). The remaining approximately 33% economic interest in the Company would be retained by MSG Entertainment, subject to completion of the Distribution. Completion of the Distribution is subject to various conditions, including final approval by the board of directors of MSG Entertainment, receipt of a tax opinion from counsel and the filing and effectiveness of the registration statement with the SEC (defined below). References to Spinco or the Company include the subsidiaries of MSG Entertainment that will be subsidiaries of the Company at the time of the Distribution. MSG Entertainment will be required by applicable tax rules to dispose of the retained interest within a fixed period of time, which may occur through a series of steps including sales, exchange offers or pro rata distributions. MSG Entertainment expects to dispose of such retained interest within one year of the date of the Distribution, subject to market conditions.
Description of Business
The Company is a live entertainment company, comprised of iconic venues, and marquee entertainment content. Utilizing the Companys powerful brands and live entertainment expertise, the Company delivers unique experiences that set the standard for excellence and innovation while forging deep connections with diverse and passionate audiences. The Company is comprised of one reportable segment. As of December 31, 2022, there have been no changes to the reportable segment of the Company. See Note 1, Description and Basis of Presentation to the Companys audited combined financial statements as of June 30, 2022 and 2021 and for the three years ended June 30, 2022, 2021 and 2020 (the Audited Combined Annual Financial Statements) for additional information regarding the details of the Companys business.
Basis of Presentation
The Company reports on a fiscal year basis ending on June 30th (Fiscal Year). In these unaudited condensed combined interim financial statements, the years ended on June 30, 2023 and 2022 are referred to as Fiscal Year 2023 and Fiscal Year 2022, respectively.
The accompanying interim condensed combined financial statements of the Company (the condensed combined financial statements) were prepared on a stand-alone basis derived from the consolidated financial statements and accounting records of MSG Entertainment. These financial statements reflect the combined historical results of operations, financial position and cash flows of the Company in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for interim financial information, the instructions of Rule
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MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
10-01 of Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) Topic 1-B, Allocation of Expenses and Related Disclosure in Financial Statements of Subsidiaries, Divisions or Lesser Business Components of Another Entity, and should be read in conjunction with the Companys Audited Combined Annual Financial Statements. References to U.S. GAAP issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) in these footnotes are to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification, also referred to as ASC.
Historically, separate financial statements have not been prepared for the Company and it has not operated as a stand-alone business from MSG Entertainment. The condensed combined financial statements include certain assets and liabilities that have historically been held by MSG Entertainment or by other MSG Entertainment subsidiaries but are specifically identifiable or otherwise attributable to the Company. The condensed combined financial statements are presented as if the Companys businesses had been combined for all periods presented. The assets and liabilities in the condensed combined financial statements have been reflected on a historical cost basis, as immediately prior to the Distribution of all of the assets and liabilities presented are wholly owned by MSG Entertainment and are being transferred to the Company at a carry-over basis.
The condensed combined statements of operations include allocations for certain support functions that are provided on a centralized basis and not historically recorded at the business unit level by MSG Entertainment, such as expenses related to executive management, finance, legal, human resources, government affairs, and information technology, among others. As part of the Distribution, certain corporate and operational support functions are being transferred to the Company and therefore, charges were reflected in order to properly burden all business units comprising MSG Entertainments historical operations. These expenses have been allocated to MSG Entertainment on the basis of direct usage when identifiable, with the remainder allocated on a pro rata basis of combined assets, headcount or other measures of the Company or MSG Entertainment, which are recorded as a reduction of either direct operating expenses or selling, general and administrative expenses.
Management believes the assumptions underlying the condensed combined financial statements, including the assumptions regarding allocating general corporate expenses, are reasonable. Nevertheless, the condensed combined financial statements may not include all of the actual expenses that would have been incurred by the Company and may not reflect its combined results of operations, financial position and cash flows had it been a stand-alone company during the periods presented. Actual costs that would have been incurred if the Company had been a stand-alone company would depend on multiple factors, including organizational structure and strategic decisions made in various areas, including information technology and infrastructure. The Company is unable to quantify the amounts that it would have recorded during the historical periods on a stand-alone basis as it is not practicable to do so. See Note 14, Related Party Transactions for more information regarding allocations of certain costs from the Company to MSG Entertainment.
MSG Entertainment uses a centralized approach to cash management and financing of operations. Cash is managed centrally with net earnings reinvested and working capital requirements met from existing liquid funds. The Companys cash in excess of minimum liquidity requirements under the credit facilities was available for use and was regularly swept historically. Cash and cash equivalents were attributed to the Company for each of the periods presented, as such cash was held in accounts legally owned by the Company. See Note 10, Credit Facilities for more information regarding the Companys debt facilities. Transfers of cash both to and from MSG Entertainment are included as components of MSG Entertainment investment on the condensed combined statements of divisional equity (deficit).
MSG Entertainments net investment in the Company has been presented as a component of divisional equity (deficit) in the condensed combined financial statements. Distributions made by MSG Entertainment to
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NOTES TO CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
the Company or to MSG Entertainment from the Company are recorded as transfers to and from MSG Entertainment, and the net amount is presented on the condensed combined statements of cash flows as Net transfers to MSG Entertainment and MSG Entertainments subsidiaries.
The condensed combined financial statements as of December 31, 2022 and for the six months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 presented herein are unaudited; however, in the opinion of management, the accompanying financial statements contain all adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. The condensed combined balance sheet as of Fiscal Year 2022 was derived from the Audited Combined Annual Financial Statements but does not contain all of the footnote disclosures from the Audited Combined Annual Financial Statements.
The results of operations for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that might be expected for future interim periods or for the full year. As a result of the production of the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes (the Christmas Spectacular), and arena license fees in connection with the use of Madison Square Garden (The Garden) by the New York Knicks (the Knicks) of the National Basketball Association (the NBA) and the New York Rangers (the Rangers) of the National Hockey League (the NHL), the Company generally earns a disproportionate share of its annual revenues in the second and third quarters of its fiscal year.
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic
The Companys operations and operating results were not materially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic during the six months ended December 31, 2022, as compared to the prior year period, which was impacted by (i) fewer ticketed events at our venues due to the lead-time required to book touring acts and artists, (ii) the postponement or cancellation of select bookings at our venues (including the partial cancellation of the 2021 production of the Christmas Spectacular), and (iii) certain regulatory requirements, including vaccination/mask requirements for our venues. See Note 1, Description of Business and Basis of Presentation to the Companys Audited Combined Annual Financial Statements for additional information regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Companys business.
It is unclear to what extent COVID-19 concerns, including with respect to new variants, could result in new government or league-mandated capacity restrictions or vaccination/mask requirements or impact the use of and/or demand for our venues, demand for our sponsorship and advertising assets, deter our employees and vendors from working at our venues (which may lead to difficulties in staffing) or otherwise materially impact our operations.
Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
A. Principles of Combination
All significant intracompany transactions and balances within the Companys condensed combined businesses have been eliminated. Certain historical intercompany transactions between MSG Entertainment and the Company have been included as components of MSG Entertainment investment in the condensed combined financial statements, as they are to be considered effectively settled upon effectiveness of the Distribution and were not historically settled in cash. Certain other historical intercompany transactions between MSG Entertainment and the Company have been classified as related party, rather than intercompany, in the condensed combined financial statements as they were historically settled in cash. Expenses related to corporate allocations from the Company to MSG Entertainment prior to the Distribution, are considered to be effectively settled in the condensed combined financial statements at the time the transaction is recorded, with the offset recorded against MSG Entertainment investment. See Note 14, Related Party Transactions, for further information on related party arrangements.
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MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
The Company disposed of its controlling interest in Boston Calling Events (BCE) on December 2, 2022 and these condensed combined financial statements reflect the results of operations of BCE until its disposition. See Note 3, Dispositions, for details regarding the disposal.
B. Use of Estimates
The preparation of the accompanying condensed combined financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events. These estimates and the underlying assumptions affect the amounts of assets and liabilities reported, disclosures about contingent assets and liabilities, and reported amounts of revenues and expenses. Such estimates include the provision for credit losses, goodwill, intangible assets, other long-lived assets, deferred tax assets, pension and other postretirement benefit obligations and the related net periodic benefit cost, and other liabilities. In addition, estimates are used in revenue recognition, performance and share based compensation, depreciation and amortization, litigation matters and other matters. Management believes its use of estimates in the financial statements to be reasonable.
Management evaluates its estimates on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the general economic environment and actions it may take in the future. The Company adjusts such estimates when facts and circumstances dictate. However, these estimates may involve significant uncertainties and judgments and cannot be determined with precision. In addition, these estimates are based on managements best judgment at a point in time and, as such, these estimates may ultimately differ from actual results. Changes in estimates resulting from weakness in the economic environment or other factors beyond the Companys control could be material and would be reflected in the Companys condensed combined financial statements in future periods.
C. Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
No recently issued accounting pronouncements are expected to materially impact the Companys financial statements.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In October 2021, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2021-08, Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities From Contracts With Customers. This ASU requires that the acquiring entity in a business combination recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in accordance with ASC Topic 606. This standard was adopted by the Company in the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2023. The adoption of this standard had no impact on the Companys condensed combined financial statements.
Note 3. Dispositions
Disposition of Our Interest in Boston Calling Events
The Company entered into an agreement on December 1, 2022 to sell its controlling interest in BCE (the BCE Disposition). The transaction closed on December 2, 2022, resulting in a total gain on sale of $8,744, net of transaction costs. BCE meets the definition of a business under SEC Regulation S-X Rule 11-01(d)-1 and FASB ASC Topic 805 Business Combinations. This disposition does not represent a strategic shift with a major effect on the Companys operations, and as such, has not been reflected as a discontinued operation under FASB ASC Subtopic 205-20 Discontinued Operations. The gain on the BCE Disposition was recorded in Gains, net on dispositions in the condensed combined statements of operations.
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MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
Disposition of Corporate Aircraft
On December 30, 2022, the Company sold its owned aircraft for $20,375. In connection with the sale, the Company recognized a loss of $4,332, net of transaction costs. The loss on the aircraft disposition was recorded in Gains, net on dispositions in the condensed combined statements of operations.
Note 4. Revenue Recognition
Contracts with Customers
See Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 4, Revenue Recognition, to the Companys Audited Combined Annual Financial Statements for more information regarding the details of the Companys revenue recognition policies. All revenue recognized in the condensed combined statements of operations is considered to be revenue from contracts with customers in accordance with ASC Topic 606, except for revenues from the arena license agreements that require the Knicks and the Rangers to play their home games at The Garden (the Arena License Agreements), leases and subleases that are accounted for in accordance with ASC Topic 842.
Disaggregation of Revenue
The following table disaggregates the Companys revenue by major source based upon the timing of transfer of goods or services to the customer for the six months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.
Six Months Ended December 31, |
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2022 | 2021 | |||||||
Event-related and entertainment offerings (a) |
$ | 341,678 | $ | 177,492 | ||||
Sponsorship, signage and suite licenses (b) |
107,389 | 57,956 | ||||||
Other (c) |
18,462 | 14,887 | ||||||
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Total revenues from contracts with customers |
467,529 | 250,335 | ||||||
Revenues from Arena License Agreements, leases and subleases |
34,803 | 30,827 | ||||||
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Total revenues |
$ | 502,332 | $ | 281,162 | ||||
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(a) | Event-related and entertainment offerings revenues are recognized at a point in time. |
(b) | See Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Revenue Recognition, and Note 4, Revenue Recognition, to the Companys Audited Combined Annual Financial Statements for further details on the pattern of recognition of sponsorship, signage, and suite license revenues. |
(c) | Primarily consists of (i) revenues from sponsorship sales and representation agreements with MSG Sports and (ii) advertising commission revenues recognized from MSG Networks. |
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MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
In addition to the disaggregation of the Companys revenue by major source based upon the timing of transfer of goods or services to the customer disclosed above, the following table disaggregates the Companys combined revenues by type of goods or services in accordance with the required entity-wide disclosure requirements of ASC Subtopic 280-10-50-38 to 40 and the disaggregation of revenue required disclosures in accordance with ASC Subtopic 606-10-50-5 for the six months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.
Six Months Ended December 31, |
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2022 | 2021 | |||||||
Ticketing and venue license fee revenues (a) |
$ | 245,857 | $ | 125,977 | ||||
Sponsorship and signage, suite, and advertising commission revenues (b) |
137,308 | 81,415 | ||||||
Food, beverage and merchandise revenues |
81,690 | 41,688 | ||||||
Other |
2,674 | 1,255 | ||||||
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Total revenues from contracts with customers |
467,529 | 250,335 | ||||||
Revenues from Arena License Agreements, leases and subleases |
34,803 | 30,827 | ||||||
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Total revenues |
$ | 502,332 | $ | 281,162 | ||||
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(a) | Amounts include ticket sales, including other ticket-related revenue, and venue license fees from the Companys events such as (i) concerts, (ii) the presentation of the Christmas Spectacular, and (iii) other live entertainment and sporting events. |
(b) | Amounts include (i) revenues from sponsorship sales and representation agreements with MSG Sports and (ii) advertising commission revenues recognized from MSG Networks. |
Contract Balances
The following table provides information about contract balances from the Companys contracts with customers as of December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022.
December 31, | June 30, | |||||||
2022 | 2022 | |||||||
Receivables from contracts with customers, net (a) |
$ | 113,090 | $ | 106,664 | ||||
Contract assets, current (b) |
$ | 8,645 | $ | 5,503 | ||||
Deferred revenue, including non-current portion (c) |
$ | 189,098 | $ | 203,256 |
(a) | Receivables from contracts with customers, which are reported in Accounts receivable, net and Related party receivables, current in the Companys condensed combined balance sheets, represent the Companys unconditional rights to consideration under its contracts with customers. As of December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022, the Companys receivables from contracts with customers above included $12,270 and $4,163, respectively, related to various related parties. See Note 14, Related Party Transactions for further details on related party arrangements. |
(b) | Contract assets, which are reported as Prepaid expenses and other current assets or Other non-current assets in the Companys condensed combined balance sheets, primarily relate to the Companys rights to consideration for goods or services transferred to customers, for which the Company does not have an unconditional right to bill as of the reporting date. Contract assets are transferred to accounts receivable once the Companys right to consideration becomes unconditional. |
(c) | Deferred revenue primarily relates to the Companys receipt of consideration from customers in advance of the Companys transfer of goods or services to the customers. Deferred revenue is reduced and the related revenue is recognized once the underlying goods or services are transferred to a customer. Revenue recognized for the six months ended December 31, 2022 relating to the deferred revenue balance as of June 30, 2022 was $154,130. |
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MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
Transaction Price Allocated to the Remaining Performance Obligations
As of December 31, 2022, the Companys remaining performance obligations were approximately $535,000, of which 45% is expected to be recognized over the next two years and an additional 36% of the balance is expected to be recognized in the following two years. This primarily relates to performance obligations under sponsorship and suite license agreements that have original expected durations longer than one year and for which the consideration is not variable. In developing the estimated revenue, the Company applies the allowable practical expedient and does not disclose information about remaining performance obligations that have original expected durations of one year or less.
Note 5. Restructuring Charges
During the six months ended December 31, 2022, MSG Entertainment implemented a cost reduction program which resulted in the recording of termination benefits for a workforce reduction of certain executives and employees. The Company recorded restructuring charges of $7,359, net of contributory credits from the Company to MSG Entertainment for the Companys corporate employees, during the six months ended December 31, 2022. Restructuring charges are inclusive of $2,293 of share-based compensation expenses. As of December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022, the Company had accrued severance of $12,132 and $3,210, respectively, shown in accounts payable, accrued and other current liabilities and divisional equity (deficit). The Company did not record restructuring charges for the six months ended December 31, 2021.
Note 6. Equity Investments With Readily Determinable Fair Values
As of December 31, 2022, the Company held investments of (i) Townsquare Media, Inc. (Townsquare) and (ii) DraftKings Inc. (DraftKings):
| Townsquare is a media, entertainment and digital marketing solutions company that is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol TSQ. |
| DraftKings is a fantasy sports contest and sports gambling provider that is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market (NASDAQ) under the symbol DKNG. |
The fair value of the Companys investments in Class A common stock of Townsquare and Class A common stock of DraftKings is determined based on quoted market prices in active markets on the NYSE and NASDAQ, respectively, which are classified within Level I of the fair value hierarchy. As a holder of Class C common stock of Townsquare, the Company is entitled to convert at any time all or any part of the Companys shares into an equal number of shares of Class A common stock of Townsquare, subject to restrictions set forth in Townsquares certificate of incorporation.
The carrying fair value of these investments, which are reported under Other non-current assets in the accompanying condensed combined balance sheets as of December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022, are as follows:
December 31, 2022 |
June 30, 2022 |
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Townsquare Class A common stock |
$ | 4,228 | $ | 4,776 | ||||
Townsquare Class C common stock |
19,031 | 21,499 | ||||||
DraftKings common stock |
7,630 | 10,146 | ||||||
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Total Equity Investment with Readily Determinable Fair Values |
$ | 30,889 | $ | 36,421 | ||||
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MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
The following table summarizes the realized and unrealized (loss) gain on equity investments with readily determinable fair value, which is reported in Other income (expenses), net:
Six Months Ended December 31, |
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2022 | 2021 | |||||||
Unrealized gain (loss) Townsquare |
$ | (3,015 | ) | $ | 1,861 | |||
Unrealized loss DraftKings |
(188 | ) | (21,476 | ) | ||||
Gain from shares sold DraftKings |
1,489 | | ||||||
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Total realized and unrealized (loss) gain |
$ | (1,714 | ) | $ | (19,615 | ) | ||
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Supplemental information on realized gain: |
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Shares of common stock sold DraftKings |
200 | | ||||||
Cash proceeds from common stock sold DraftKings |
$ | 3,819 | $ | |
Note 7. Property and Equipment, Net
As of December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022, property and equipment, net consisted of the following:
December 31, | June 30, | |||||||
2022 | 2022 | |||||||
Land |
$ | 62,768 | $ | 62,768 | ||||
Buildings |
997,393 | 995,965 | ||||||
Equipment |
332,195 | 323,741 | ||||||
Aircraft (a) |
| 38,090 | ||||||
Furniture and fixtures |
29,264 | 28,976 | ||||||
Leasehold improvements |
105,877 | 105,877 | ||||||
Construction in progress |
1,980 | 3,139 | ||||||
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1,529,477 | 1,558,556 | |||||||
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization |
(879,515 | ) | (862,477 | ) | ||||
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$ | 649,962 | $ | 696,079 | |||||
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(a) | On December 30, 2022, the Company completed the disposition of a corporate aircraft (see Note 3, Dispositions), which resulted in a reduction of gross assets of $38,090, and accumulated depreciation of $13,689. |
Depreciation expense on property and equipment was $30,817 and $32,665 for the six months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Note 8. Goodwill and Intangible Assets
As of December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022, the carrying amount of goodwill was $69,041. During the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2023, the Company performed its annual impairment test of goodwill and determined that there was no impairment of goodwill identified as of the impairment test date.
The Companys indefinite-lived intangible assets as of December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022 were as follows:
Trademarks |
$ | 61,881 | ||
Photographic related rights |
1,920 | |||
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Total |
$ | 63,801 | ||
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MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
During the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2023, the Company performed its annual impairment test of indefinite-lived intangible assets and determined that there were no impairments of indefinite-lived intangibles identified as of the impairment test date.
The Companys intangible assets subject to amortization are as follows:
December 31, 2022 | Gross | Accumulated Amortization |
Net | |||||||||
Trade names (a) |
$ | | $ | | $ | | ||||||
Festival rights (a) |
| | | |||||||||
Other intangibles (b) |
4,217 | (4,217 | ) | | ||||||||
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$ | 4,217 | $ | (4,217 | ) | $ | | ||||||
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June 30, 2022 | Gross | Accumulated Amortization |
Net | |||||||||
Trade names |
$ | 2,530 | $ | (2,169 | ) | $ | 361 | |||||
Festival rights |
8,080 | (6,926 | ) | 1,154 | ||||||||
Other intangibles |
4,217 | (4,094 | ) | 123 | ||||||||
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$ | 14,827 | $ | (13,189 | ) | $ | 1,638 | ||||||
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(a) | On December 2, 2022, the Company completed the BCE Disposition (see Note 3, Dispositions) which resulted in a reduction of gross amortizable intangible assets of $674 related to festival rights and $210 related to trade names, and accumulated amortization of $7,406 related to festival rights and $2,320 related to trade names associated with BCE. |
(b) | The Other intangibles gross and accumulated amortization balances were fully amortized. |
Amortization expense for intangible assets was $754 and $494 for the six months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Note 9. Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments
See Note 13, Commitments and Contingencies, to the Companys Audited Combined Annual Financial Statements for details on the Companys off-balance sheet commitments. The Companys off-balance sheet commitments as of June 30, 2022 included a total of $21,422 of contract obligations.
During the six months ended December 31, 2022, the Company did not have any material changes in its non-cancelable contractual obligations other than activities in the ordinary course of business. See Note 10, Credit Facilities for details of the principal repayments required under the Companys various credit facilities.
Legal Matters
Fifteen complaints were filed in connection with MSG Entertainments acquisition of MSG Networks Inc. (the Networks Merger) by purported stockholders of MSG Entertainment and MSG Networks Inc. Nine of these complaints involved allegations of materially incomplete and misleading information set forth in the joint proxy statement/prospectus filed by MSG Entertainment and MSG Networks Inc. in connection with the Networks Merger. These disclosure actions were subsequently voluntarily dismissed with prejudice. Six complaints involved allegations of fiduciary breaches in connection with the negotiation and approval of the
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MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
Networks Merger and have since been consolidated into two remaining litigations. MSG Entertainment and MSG Networks Inc. will retain all rights and obligations with respect to these claims, as applicable, and MSG Entertainment will indemnify the Company from and release the Company from all present and future costs, expenses, and liabilities, if any, related to these claims.
The Company is a defendant in various lawsuits. Although the outcome of these lawsuits cannot be predicted with certainty (including the extent of available insurance, if any), management does not believe that resolution of these lawsuits will have a material adverse effect on the Company.
Note 10. Credit Facilities
See Note 14, Credit Facilities, to the Companys Audited Combined Annual Financial Statements for more information regarding the Companys credit facilities. The following table summarizes the outstanding balances under the Companys credit facilities as of December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022:
December 31, 2022 |
June 30, 2022 |
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Principal | ||||||||
Current Portion |
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National Properties Term Loan Facility |
$ | 16,250 | $ | 8,125 | ||||
Other debt |
| 637 | ||||||
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Current portion of long-term debt |
$ | 16,250 | $ | 8,762 | ||||
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December 31, 2022 | June 30, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Principal | Unamortized Deferred Financing Costs |
Net | Principal | Unamortized Deferred Financing Costs |
Net | |||||||||||||||||||
Non-current Portion |
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National Properties Term Loan Facility |
$ | 633,750 | $ | (14,453 | ) | $ | 619,297 | $ | 641,875 | $ | (16,063 | ) | $ | 625,812 | ||||||||||
National Properties Revolving Credit Facility |
29,100 | | 29,100 | 29,100 | | 29,100 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Long-term debt, net of deferred financing costs |
$ | 662,850 | $ | (14,453 | ) | $ | 648,397 | $ | 670,975 | $ | (16,063 | ) | $ | 654,912 | ||||||||||
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National Properties Facilities
General. On June 30, 2022, MSG National Properties, LLC (MSG National Properties), MSG Entertainment Group, LLC (MSG Entertainment Group) and certain subsidiaries of MSG National Properties entered into a credit agreement with JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and the lenders and L/C issuers party thereto (the National Properties Credit Agreement), providing for a five-year, $650,000 senior secured term loan facility (the National Properties Term Loan Facility) and a five-year, $100,000 revolving credit facility (the National Properties Revolving Credit Facility and, together with the National Properties Term Loan Facility, the National Properties Facilities). As of December 31, 2022, outstanding letters of credit were $7,860 and the remaining balance available under the National Properties Revolving Credit Facility was $63,040.
Interest Rates. Borrowings under the current National Properties Facilities bear interest at a floating rate, which at the option of MSG National Properties may be either (a) a base rate plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.50% to 2.50% per annum, determined based on the total leverage ratio of MSG National Properties and its
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MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
restricted subsidiaries (the National Properties Base Rate), or (b) Term SOFR plus an applicable margin ranging from 2.50% to 3.50% per annum, determined based on the total leverage ratio of MSG National Properties and its restricted subsidiaries (the National Properties SOFR Rate). The National Properties Credit Agreement requires MSG National Properties to pay a commitment fee ranging from 0.30% to 0.50% in respect of the daily unused commitments under the National Properties Revolving Credit Facility. MSG National Properties is also required to pay customary letter of credit fees, as well as fronting fees, to banks that issue letters of credit pursuant to the National Properties Credit Agreement. The interest rate on the National Properties Facilities as of December 31, 2022 was 8.18%.
Principal Repayments. Subject to customary notice and minimum amount conditions, the Company may voluntarily repay outstanding loans under the National Properties Facilities and terminate commitments under the National Properties Revolving Credit Facility, at any time, in whole or in part, subject only to customary breakage costs in the case of prepayment of Term SOFR loans. The principal obligations under the National Properties Term Loan Facility are to be repaid in quarterly installments beginning with the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2023, in an aggregate amount equal to 2.50% per annum (0.625% per quarter), stepping up to 5.0% per annum (1.25% per quarter) in the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2025, with the balance due at the maturity of the facility on June 30, 2027. The principal obligations under the National Properties Revolving Credit Facility are due at the maturity of the facility. Under certain circumstances, MSG National Properties is required to make mandatory prepayments on loans outstanding, including prepayments in an amount equal to the net cash proceeds of certain sales of assets or casualty insurance and/or condemnation recoveries (subject to certain reinvestment, repair, or replacement rights), subject to certain exceptions.
Covenants. The National Properties Credit Agreement includes financial covenants requiring MSG National Properties and its restricted subsidiaries to maintain a specified minimum liquidity level, a specified minimum debt service coverage ratio and specified maximum total leverage ratio. The minimum liquidity level is set at $50,000, and is tested based on the level of average daily liquidity, consisting of cash and cash equivalents and available revolving commitments, over the last month of each quarter over the life of the National Properties Credit Facilities. The debt service coverage ratio covenant began testing in the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2022, and is set at a ratio of 2:1 before stepping up to 2.5:1 in the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2024. The leverage ratio covenant begins testing in the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2023. It is tested based on the ratio of MSG National Properties and its restricted subsidiaries consolidated total indebtedness to adjusted operating income, with an initial maximum ratio of 6:1, stepping down to 5.5:1 in the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2024 and 4.5:1 in the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2026. As of December 31, 2022, MSG National Properties and its restricted subsidiaries were in compliance with the covenants of the National Properties Credit Agreement.
In addition to the financial covenants discussed above, the National Properties Credit Agreement and the related security agreement contain certain customary representations and warranties, affirmative and negative covenants and events of default. The National Properties Credit Agreement contains certain restrictions on the ability of MSG National Properties and its restricted subsidiaries to take certain actions as provided in (and subject to various exceptions and baskets set forth in) the National Properties Credit Agreement, including the following: (i) incur additional indebtedness; (ii) create liens on certain assets; (iii) make investments, loans or advances in or to other persons; (iv) pay dividends and distributions or repurchase capital stock (which will restrict the ability of MSG National Properties to make cash distributions to the Company); (v) repay, redeem or repurchase certain indebtedness; (vi) change its lines of business; (vii) engage in certain transactions with affiliates; (viii) amend their respective organizational documents; (ix) merge or consolidate; and (x) make certain dispositions.
Guarantors and Collateral. All obligations under the National Properties Facilities are guaranteed by MSG Entertainment Group and MSG National Properties existing and future direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries, other than the subsidiaries that own The Garden and certain other excluded subsidiaries (the Subsidiary Guarantors).
F-72
MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
All obligations under the National Properties Facilities, including the guarantees of those obligations, are secured by certain of the assets of MSG National Properties and the Subsidiary Guarantors (collectively, Collateral) including, but not limited to, a pledge of some or all of the equity interests held directly or indirectly by MSG National Properties in each Subsidiary Guarantor. The Collateral does not include, among other things, any interests in The Garden or the leasehold interests in Radio City Music Hall and the Beacon Theatre.
Interest payments and loan principal repayments made by the Company under the National Properties Credit Agreement were as follows:
Interest Payments | Loan Principal Repayments | |||||||||||||||
Six Months Ended December 31, |
Six Months Ended December 31, |
|||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
National Properties Term Loan Facility |
$ | 22,410 | $ | 23,141 | $ | | $ | 3,250 |
The carrying value and fair value of the Companys financial instruments reported in the accompanying condensed combined balance sheets are as follows:
December 31, 2022 | June 30, 2022 | |||||||||||||||
Carrying Value |
Fair Value |
Carrying Value (a) |
Fair Value |
|||||||||||||
Liabilities: |
||||||||||||||||
National Properties Facilities |
$ | 679,100 | $ | 672,309 | $ | 679,100 | $ | 679,100 |
(a) | The total carrying value of the Companys financial instruments as of December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022 is equal to the current and non-current principal payments for the Companys credit agreements excluding unamortized deferred financing costs of $14,453 and $16,063, respectively and other debt of $ and $637, respectively. |
The Companys long-term debt is classified within Level II of the fair value hierarchy as it is valued using quoted indices of similar instruments for which the inputs are readily observable.
Note 11. Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
MSG Entertainment sponsors several pension, savings and postretirement benefit plans including the defined benefit pension plans (Pension Plans), postretirement benefit plan (Postretirement Plan), The Madison Square Garden 401(k) Savings Plan and the MSG Sports & Entertainment, LLC Excess Savings Plan (collectively, the Savings Plans), and The Madison Square Garden 401(k) Union Plan (the Union Savings Plan). Certain of these Pension Plans and Postretirement Plan, such as Cash Balance Plans and Excess Plans, historically included participants of the Company as well as MSG Entertainment and MSG Sports (Shared Plans). Other plans, such as the Union Plan, only included participants of the Company and not of MSG Sports and MSG Entertainment (Direct Plan). See Note 15, Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, to the Companys Audited Combined Annual Financial Statements for more information regarding these plans.
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Postretirement Benefit Plan
For the historical periods, MSG Entertainment was the legal sponsor of the Pension Plans and Postretirement Plan. For purposes of the condensed combined financial statements, it was determined that these plans assets and liabilities were attributable to the Company. Therefore, the condensed combined financial
F-73
MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
statements reflect the full impact of the Shared Plans and the Direct Plan on both the condensed combined statements of operations and condensed combined balance sheets. The pension expense and liabilities related to employees of other MSG Entertainment businesses participating in the Shared Pension Plans and Postretirement Plan were immaterial for the six months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.
The following table presents components of net periodic benefit cost for the Pension Plans and Postretirement Plan included in the accompanying condensed combined statements of operations for the six months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021. Service cost is recognized in direct operating expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses. All other components of net periodic benefit cost are reported in Other income (expense), net.
Pension Plans | Postretirement Plan | |||||||||||||||
Six Months Ended December 31, |
Six Months Ended December 31, |
|||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Service cost |
$ | 60 | $ | 50 | $ | 16 | $ | 18 | ||||||||
Interest cost |
1,854 | 1,856 | 22 | 24 | ||||||||||||
Expected return on plan assets |
(3,008 | ) | (3,008 | ) | | | ||||||||||
Recognized actuarial loss |
692 | 710 | 18 | 32 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Net periodic benefit cost |
$ | (402 | ) | $ | (392 | ) | $ | 56 | $ | 74 |
Contributions for Qualified Defined Benefit Pension Plan
MSG Entertainment sponsors a non-contributory, qualified defined benefit pension plan covering certain of its union employees (the Union Plan). During the six months ended December 31, 2022, the Company did not make any contributions to the Union Plan.
Defined Contribution Plans
For the six months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, expenses related to the Savings Plans and Union Savings Plan included in the accompanying condensed combined statements of operations are as follows:
Six Months Ended December 31, |
||||||||
2022 | 2021 | |||||||
Savings Plans |
$ | 2,186 | $ | 1,936 | ||||
Union Savings Plan |
38 | 21 |
Note 12. Share-based Compensation
Certain employees of the Company have historically participated in the share-based compensation plans of MSG Entertainment (MSG Entertainment Employee Stock Plans). Only the expenses for the awards provided to the Companys direct employees, net of expenses related to the Companys corporate employees who participate in the plans that were charged to MSG Entertainment, are recorded in the condensed combined financial statements. See Note 16, Share-based Compensation to the Companys Audited Combined Annual Financial Statements for more information on these plans.
Share-based compensation expense was recognized in the condensed combined statements of operations as a component of direct operating expenses or selling, general and administrative expenses. The share-based compensation expense recorded by the Company, in the periods presented, includes the expenses associated with
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MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
the employees attributable to the Company, net of contributory credits from the Company to MSG Entertainment for the Companys corporate employees. The following table summarizes the Companys share-based compensation expense:
Six Months Ended December 31, |
||||||||
2022 | 2021 | |||||||
Share-based compensation (a) |
$ | 16,258 | $ | 21,079 | ||||
Intrinsic value of awards vested |
2,867 | 2,422 |
(a) | The balance shown includes $2,293 which was reclassified to Restructuring charges in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the six months ended December 31, 2022, as detailed in Note 5, Restructuring Charges. |
As of December 31, 2022, there was $10,064 of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested RSUs and PSUs held by the Companys employees. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.8 years.
Award Activity
RSUs
During the six months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, approximately 66 and 59 RSUs, respectively, were granted and approximately 40 and 22 RSUs vested, respectively.
PSUs
During the six months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, approximately 60 and 55 PSUs, respectively, were granted and approximately 11 and 8 PSUs vested, respectively.
Note 13. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
The following table details the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
Pension Plans and Postretirement Plan |
||||||||
Six Months Ended December 31, |
||||||||
2022 | 2021 | |||||||
Balance at beginning of period |
$ | (34,740 | ) | $ | (33,598 | ) | ||
Other comprehensive income (loss): |
||||||||
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (a) |
742 | 743 | ||||||
Income tax expense |
(131 | ) | (131 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes |
611 | 612 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Balance at end of period |
$ | (34,129 | ) | $ | (32,986 | ) | ||
|
|
|
|
(a) | Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss represent the amortization of net actuarial loss and net unrecognized prior service credit included in net periodic benefit cost, which is reflected under Other income (expense), net in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations (see Note 11, Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans). |
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MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
Note 14. Related Party Transactions
Members of the Dolan family, including trusts for the benefit of members of the Dolan family (collectively, the Dolan Family Group) are the controlling stockholders of the Company, MSG Entertainment including its MSG Networks and TAO Group Hospitality subsidiaries, MSG Sports, and AMC Networks Inc. (AMC Networks). See Note 19, Related Party Transactions to the Companys Audited Combined Annual Financial Statements for a description of the Companys current related party arrangements. There have been no material changes in such related party arrangements except as described below.
From time to time the Company enters into arrangements with 605, LLC (605). James L. Dolan, the Companys Executive Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and a director, and his spouse, Kristin A. Dolan (a director of the Company), own 50% of 605. Kristin A. Dolan is also the founder and Non-Executive Chairman of 605. 605 provides audience measurement and data analytics services to the Company and its subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business. MSG Entertainment entered into one or more agreements with 605 to provide certain data analytics services to the Company for an aggregate amount of up to $1,000. In August 2022, a subsidiary of MSG Entertainment entered into a three-year agreement with 605, valued at approximately $750, covering several customer analysis projects per year in connection with events held at our venues. The Company expects to engage 605 to provide additional data analytics services in the future. Pursuant to this arrangement, the Company recognized approximately $135 of expense for the six months ended December 31, 2022 and as of December 31, 2022 approximately $135 has been recognized in Prepaid expenses and other current assets.
As of June 30, 2022, the Company had $637 of notes payable with respect to a loan received by BCE from its noncontrolling interest holder. There were no notes payable as of December 31, 2022 as a result of the BCE Disposition.
Revenues and Operating Expenses
The following table summarizes the composition and amounts of the transactions with the Companys affiliates. The significant components of these amounts are discussed below. These amounts are reflected in revenues and operating expenses in the accompanying condensed combined statements of operations for the six months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021:
Six Months Ended December 31, |
||||||||
2022 | 2021 | |||||||
Revenues |
$ | 55,188 | $ | 47,157 | ||||
Operating expenses (credits): |
||||||||
Revenue sharing expenses |
8,286 | 6,396 | ||||||
Reimbursement under Arena License Arrangements |
(9,850 | ) | (9,050 | ) | ||||
Cost reimbursement from MSG Sports |
(18,992 | ) | (19,729 | ) | ||||
Corporate allocations to MSG Entertainment |
(73,967 | ) | (74,284 | ) | ||||
Other operating expenses, net |
3,355 | 4,160 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total operating expenses (credits), net (a) |
$ | (91,168 | ) | $ | (92,507 | ) |
(a) | Of the total operating expenses, net, $(525) and $(3,030) for the six months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, are included in direct operating expenses in the accompanying condensed combined statements of operations, and $(90,643) and $(89,477) for the six months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 respectively, are included as net credits in selling, general and administrative expenses. |
F-76
MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
Revenues
The Company recorded $33,149 of revenues under the Arena License Agreements for the six months ended December 31, 2022. In addition, the Company recorded revenues under sponsorship sales and service representation agreements with MSG Sports of $8,564, and merchandise sharing revenues with MSG Sports of $2,291 during the six months ended December 31, 2022. The Company recorded revenues under the advertising sales representation agreement with MSG Networks of $8,802 for the six months ended December 31, 2022. The Company also earned $1,222 of sublease revenue from related parties during the six months ended December 31, 2022.
The Company recorded $29,181 of revenues under the Arena License Agreements for the six months ended December 31, 2021. In addition, the Company recorded revenues under sponsorship sales and service representation agreements with MSG Sports of $7,179 and merchandise sharing revenues with MSG Sports of $1,452 for the six months ended December 31, 2021. The Company recorded revenues under the advertising sales representation agreement with MSG Networks of $7,395 for the six months ended December 31, 2021. The Company also earned $1,222 of sublease revenue from related parties during the six months ended December 31, 2021.
Operating Expenses
Revenue sharing expenses
Revenue sharing expenses include MSG Sports share of the Companys in-venue food and beverage sales and certain venue signage agreements.
Reimbursements under Arena License Arrangements
Fees recognized by the Company under the Arena License Agreements with MSG Sports for use of The Garden are reported as operating lease revenues in accordance with ASC Topic 842. In addition, the Company records credits to direct operating expenses as a reimbursement under the Arena License Agreements.
Cost reimbursement from MSG Sports
Per the Transition Services Agreement with MSG Sports, the Companys corporate overhead expenses that are charged to MSG Sports are primarily related to centralized functions, including information technology, security, accounts payable, payroll, tax, legal, human resources, insurance and risk management, investor relations, corporate communications, benefit plan administration and reporting, and internal audit.
Corporate allocations to MSG Entertainment
As part of the Distribution, certain corporate and operational support functions are being transferred to the Company and therefore, charges were reflected in order to properly burden all business units comprising MSG Entertainments historical operations. Allocations of corporate overhead and shared services expense to MSG Entertainment from the Company were recorded for corporate and operational functions based on direct usage when identifiable, with the remainder allocated on a pro rata basis of combined assets, headcount or other measures of the Company or MSG Entertainment, which is recorded as a reduction of either direct operating expenses or selling, general and administrative expense. The aforementioned allocations for certain support functions that are provided on a centralized basis and not historically recorded at the business unit level by MSG Entertainment related to departments such as executive management, finance, legal, human resources, government affairs, and information technology, among others. In addition, corporate allocations to MSG Entertainment include charges to MSG Networks under the MSG Networks Services Agreement.
F-77
MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
Other Operating Expenses, net
The Company and its related parties enter into transactions with each other in the ordinary course of business. Amounts charged to the Company for other transactions with its related parties are net of amounts charged by the Company to the Knickerbocker Group, LLC, an entity owned by James L. Dolan, the Executive Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and a director of the Company, for office space and the cost of certain technology services. In addition, other operating expenses primarily include net charges relating to (i) reciprocal aircraft arrangements between the Company and each of Q2C and CFD, (ii) time sharing and/or dry lease agreements with MSG Sports, AMC Networks and Brighid Air, (iii) commission under the group ticket sales representation agreement with MSG Sports, and (iv) expenses for advertising and promotional services rendered by MSG Networks. The reciprocal aircraft arrangement between the Company and Q2C and the related aircraft support services arrangement between them was no longer effective as of December 21, 2021.
Loans Receivable from MSG Entertainment
The Companys captive insurance entity, Eden Insurance Company, Inc. (Eden), entered into a loan agreement with MSG Entertainment (the Eden Loan Agreement), under which Eden granted MSG Entertainment an unsecured loan bearing interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 350 basis points with a principal amount not exceeding $60,000. This loan is in the form of a demand promissory note, payable immediately upon order from Eden. As of December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022, Eden had an outstanding loan receivable from MSG Entertainment of $52,513 and $56,060, respectively, inclusive of accrued interest. During the six months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, Eden declared dividends to MSG Entertainment through a reduction of the loan receivable from MSG Entertainment. During the six months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, no interest or principal payments were received by Eden and instead the accrued but unpaid interest was added to the outstanding principal amount of the loan. The cash flows related to this loan receivable are reflected as investing activities, as these balances represent amounts loaned by the Company to MSG Entertainment. The Company recorded related party interest income of $1,804 and $1,062 related to the Eden Loan Agreement during the six months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
On May 23, 2019, the Company entered into a subordinated credit agreement with TAO Group Sub-Holdings, LLC (TAOG Sub-Holdings), a wholly-owned subsidiary of MSG Entertainment (the TAO Subordinated Credit Agreement), under which the Company granted TAOG Sub-Holdings a $49,000 subordinated loan. This loan had a maturity date of August 22, 2024. On June 15, 2020, the TAO Subordinated Credit Agreement was amended to provide an additional $22,000 of borrowing capacity and subsequently, the Company provided additional proceeds of $19,000 under the TAO Subordinated Credit Agreement. There are no mandatory repayments of principal until the maturity date. Subject to customary notice and minimum amount conditions, TAOG Sub-Holdings can voluntarily prepay outstanding loans under the TAO Subordinated Credit Agreement at any time, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty. Interest is due monthly in cash or paid-in-kind based on the terms of the TAO Senior Credit Agreement. On June 9, 2022, MSG Entertainment paid the full outstanding principal amount of this TAO Subordinated Credit Agreement. The Company recorded related party interest income of $2,402 related to the TAO Subordinated Credit Agreement during the six months ended December 31, 2021.
Cash Management
MSG Entertainment uses a centralized approach to cash management and financing of operations. The Companys and MSG Entertainments other subsidiaries cash was available for use and was regularly swept historically. Cash and cash equivalents was attributed to the Company for each of the periods presented, as such cash was held in accounts legally owned by the Company. Transfers of cash both to and from MSG
F-78
MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
Entertainment were included as components of MSG Entertainments Investment on the condensed combined statements of divisional equity (deficit). The main components of the net transfers to MSG Entertainment are cash pooling/general financing activities, various expense allocations to/from MSG Entertainment, and receivables/payables from/to MSG Entertainment deemed to be effectively settled upon the distribution of the Company by MSG Entertainment.
MSG Entertainment Investment
Certain significant balances and transactions among the Company and MSG Entertainment and its subsidiaries, which include allocations of corporate general and administrative expenses, share-based compensation expense and other historical intercompany activities, are recorded as components of Divisional Equity (Deficit), except for the transactions noted above related to historically cash-settled loans between the Company and MSG Entertainment. The changes in MSG Entertainment Investment also include financing activities for capital transfers, cash sweeps, and other treasury services. As part of this activity, cash balances are swept to MSG Entertainment regularly as part of the MSG Entertainment cash management policy.
Note 15. Additional Financial Information
The following table provides a summary of the amounts recorded as cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash:
As of | ||||||||
December 31, 2022 |
June 30, 2022 |
|||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 153,496 | $ | 58,102 | ||||
Restricted cash |
250 | 4,471 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash |
$ | 153,746 | $ | 62,573 | ||||
|
|
|
|
The Companys cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash are classified within Level I of the fair value hierarchy as it is valued using observable inputs that reflect quoted prices for identical assets in active markets. The Companys restricted cash includes cash deposited in escrow accounts. The Company has deposited cash in an interest-bearing escrow account related to credit support, debt facilities, and collateral to workers compensation and general liability insurance obligations.
Prepaid expenses and other current assets consisted of the following:
As of | ||||||||
December 31, 2022 |
June 30, 2022 |
|||||||
Prepaid expenses |
$ | 52,263 | $ | 65,065 | ||||
Inventory (a) |
2,487 | 2,752 | ||||||
Notes and other receivables |
982 | 322 | ||||||
Other |
13,954 | 11,302 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total prepaid expenses and other current assets |
$ | 69,686 | $ | 79,441 | ||||
|
|
|
|
(a) | Inventory is mostly comprised of food and liquor for venues. |
F-79
MSGE SPINCO, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
Accounts payable, accrued and other current liabilities consisted of the following:
As of | ||||||||
December 31, 2022 |
June 30, 2022 |
|||||||
Accounts payable |
$ | 23,339 | $ | 11,241 | ||||
Accrued payroll and employee related liabilities |
62,865 | 88,501 | ||||||
Cash due to promoters |
34,912 | 78,428 | ||||||
Accrued expenses |
55,171 | 43,791 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total accounts payable, accrued and other current liabilities |
$ | 176,287 | $ | 221,961 | ||||
|
|
|
|
Other income (expense), net includes the following:
Six Months Ended December 31, |
||||||||
2022 | 2021 | |||||||
Gains from shares sold DraftKings |
$ | 1,489 | $ | | ||||
Net unrealized loss on equity investments with readily determinable fair value |
(3,203 | ) | (19,615 | ) | ||||
Other |
428 | 368 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total other income (expense), net |
$ | (1,286 | ) | $ | (19,247 | ) | ||
|
|
|
|
Income Taxes
During the six months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company received income tax refunds, net of payments, of $2,031 and $10,426, respectively.
Note 16. Subsequent Events
The Company evaluated subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued. Based on this evaluation, the Company concluded that there was no subsequent event that would require disclosure to or adjustment to the financial statements.
F-80