S-4
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
May 23, 2005
Registration
No. 333-
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form S-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
GSC HOLDINGS CORP.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware |
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5734 |
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20-2733559 |
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization) |
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(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number) |
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(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.) |
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c/o GameStop Corp.
625 Westport Parkway
Grapevine, Texas 76051
(817) 424-2000
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of registrants principal executive
offices) |
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R. Richard Fontaine
c/o GameStop Corp.
625 Westport Parkway
Grapevine, Texas 76051
(817) 424-2000
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone
number,
including area code, of agent for service) |
Copies to:
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Michael N. Rosen |
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Jeffrey W. Griffiths |
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Leonard M. Klehr |
Jay M. Dorman |
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Electronics Boutique |
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William W. Matthews, III |
Bryan Cave LLP |
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Holdings Corp. |
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Klehr, Harrison, Harvey, Branzburg & |
1290 Avenue of the Americas |
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931 South Matlack Street |
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Ellers LLP |
New York, New York 10104 |
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West Chester, Pennsylvania 19382 |
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260 South Broad Street |
(212) 541-2000 |
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(610) 430-8100 |
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Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102 |
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(215) 568-6060 |
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale of the
securities to the public: As soon as practicable after this
Registration Statement becomes effective and all other
conditions to the proposed mergers described herein have been
satisfied or waived.
If the securities being registered on this Form are being
offered in connection with the formation of a holding company
and there is compliance with General Instruction G, check
the following
box. o
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an
offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act,
check the following box and list the Securities Act registration
statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same
offering. o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to
Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following
box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of
the earlier effective registration statement for the same
offering. o
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on
such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective
date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which
specifically states that this Registration Statement shall
thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a)
of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration
Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission,
acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this joint proxy statement-prospectus is
not complete and may be changed. We may not sell the securities
offered by this joint proxy statement-prospectus until the
registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission is effective. This joint proxy statement-prospectus
does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an
offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction where an offer
or solicitation is not permitted.
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Proposed Maximum |
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Proposed Maximum |
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Amount of |
Title of Each Class of |
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Amount |
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Offering |
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Aggregate |
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Registration |
Securities to be Registered |
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to be Registered(1) |
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Price per Share(2) |
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Offering Price(2) |
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Fee(3) |
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Class A common stock, par value $0.001 per share(4)
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53,926,126 |
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Not Applicable |
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$2,054,845,745 |
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$241,856 |
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Class B common stock, par value $0.001 per share(4)
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29,901,662 |
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(1) |
The number of shares of Class A common stock, par value
$0.001 per share, of the registrant (Holdco
Class A common stock) being registered is based upon
the sum of (i) the product obtained by multiplying
(x) 34,396,656 shares of Class A common stock,
par value $0.001 per share, of GameStop Corp.
(GameStop Class A common stock) estimated to be
outstanding immediately prior to the GameStop merger (including
12,964,858 shares issuable pursuant to options estimated to
be outstanding on that date) by (y) the exchange ratio of
1.0, plus (ii) the product obtained by multiplying
(a) 24,785,164 shares of common stock, par value
$0.01 per share, of Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp.
(EB common stock) estimated to be outstanding
immediately prior to the EB merger, by (b) the exchange
ratio of 0.78795. The number of shares of Class B common
stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the registrant
(Holdco Class B common stock) being registered
is based upon the sum of the product obtained by multiplying
(x) 29,901,662 shares of Class B common stock,
par value $0.001 per share, of GameStop Corp.
(GameStop Class B common stock) estimated to be
outstanding immediately prior to the GameStop merger by
(y) the exchange ratio of 1.0. |
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(2) |
Pursuant to Rules 457(f)(1) and 457(c) under the Securities
Act and solely for the purpose of calculating the registration
fee, the proposed maximum aggregate offering price is the sum of
(i) the product obtained by multiplying (x) $25.61
(the average of the high and low prices of GameStop Class A
common stock on May 16, 2005), by
(y) 34,396,656 shares of GameStop Class A common
stock (estimated number of shares of GameStop Class A
common stock to be cancelled in the GameStop merger), plus
(ii) the product obtained by multiplying (x) $24.39
(the average of the high and low prices of GameStop Class B
common stock on May 16, 2005), by
(y) 29,901,662 shares of GameStop Class B common
stock (estimated number of shares of GameStop Class B
common stock to be cancelled in the GameStop merger), plus
(iii) the product obtained by multiplying (a) $56.09
(the average of the high and low prices of EB common stock on
May 16, 2005), by (b) 24,785,164 shares of EB
common stock (estimated number of shares of EB common stock to
be cancelled in the EB merger), minus (iii) $945,554,000
(the estimated amount of cash to be paid by the registrant to
EBs stockholders in the EB merger). |
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(3) |
Calculated by multiplying the estimated aggregate offering price
of securities to be registered by .00011770. |
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(4) |
Each holder of GameStop Class A common stock is entitled to
one vote for each share of GameStop Class A common stock,
and each holder of GameStop Class B common stock is
entitled to ten votes for each share of GameStop Class B
common stock, held on all matters properly submitted to the
GameStop stockholders. |
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION DATED MAY 23, 2005
TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF
GAMESTOP CORP. AND
ELECTRONICS BOUTIQUE HOLDINGS CORP.
YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT
GameStop Corp. (GameStop) and Electronics Boutique Holdings
Corp. (EB) have entered into a merger agreement whereby
separate subsidiaries of a newly formed holding company named
GSC Holdings Corp. (Holdco) will be merged with and into
GameStop and EB, respectively, and GameStop and EB will become
wholly-owned subsidiaries of Holdco. Holdco will be renamed
GameStop Corp. upon completion of the mergers. Holdco is
expected to be one of the leading retailers of video games in
the world, initially with approximately $3.8 billion in
annual revenues and with approximately 4,000 retail stores in
the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, Australia, Canada,
Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Northern Ireland,
Norway and Sweden.
In the proposed mergers, EB common stockholders will have the
right to receive $38.15 in cash and .78795 of a share of Holdco
Class A common stock for each share of EB common stock that
they own. In addition, GameStop stockholders will receive one
share of Holdco Class A common stock for each share of
GameStop Class A common stock that they own and one share
of Holdco Class B common stock for each share of GameStop
Class B common stock that they own. Upon completion of the
mergers, we estimate that Holdco will have outstanding
approximately 41.0 million shares of Holdco Class A
common stock and 29.9 million shares of Holdco Class B
common stock and that EBs former stockholders will own
approximately 27.6%, or approximately 5.7% of the combined
voting power, and former GameStop stockholders will own
approximately 72.4%, or approximately 94.3% of the combined
voting power, of the common stock of Holdco. We will apply for
the Holdco Class A and Class B common stock to be
quoted on the New York Stock Exchange (the NYSE) under the
symbols GME and GME.B, respectively.
We will each hold an annual meeting of stockholders at which we
will ask our respective common stockholders to adopt the merger
agreement. Other business will also be considered at each of the
annual meetings. Information about these meetings, the mergers
and other business to be considered by GameStop and EB
stockholders is contained in this joint proxy
statement-prospectus. In particular, see Risk
Factors beginning on page 16. We urge you to read
this joint proxy statement-prospectus, and the documents
incorporated by reference into this joint proxy
statement-prospectus, carefully and in their entirety.
Whether or not you plan to attend your annual meeting,
please vote as soon as possible to make sure that your shares
are represented at that meeting. If you do not vote, it will
have the same effect as voting against the adoption of the
merger proposal.
After careful consideration each of our boards of directors has
approved the merger agreement and has determined that the merger
agreement and the mergers are advisable and in the best
interests of the stockholders of GameStop and EB, respectively.
Accordingly, the GameStop board of directors unanimously
recommends that the GameStop stockholders vote:
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FOR the adoption of the merger agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereby, including the GameStop merger, FOR the
amendment to GameStops certificate of incorporation, and
FOR the amendment to the GameStop Amended and Restated 2001
Incentive Plan, |
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FOR the adoption of the Holdco 2005 Incentive Plan, |
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FOR the election of the GameStop nominees for director named
in this joint proxy statement-prospectus, and |
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FOR the ratification of BDO Seidman, LLP as GameStops
registered independent public accounting firm for
GameStops fiscal year ending January 28, 2006. |
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The EB board of directors unanimously recommends that the EB
stockholders vote:
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FOR the adoption of the merger agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereby, including the EB merger, |
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FOR the adoption of the Holdco 2005 Incentive Plan, |
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FOR the election of the EB nominees for director named in
this joint proxy statement-prospectus, and |
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FOR the ratification of KPMG LLP as EBs registered
independent public accounting firm for EBs fiscal year
ending January 28, 2006. |
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R. Richard Fontaine |
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Jeffrey W. Griffiths |
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
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President and Chief Executive Officer |
GameStop Corp. |
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Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp. |
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) nor any
state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the
securities to be issued in connection with the mergers or
determined if this joint proxy statement-prospectus is truthful
or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal
offense.
This joint proxy statement-prospectus is
dated ,
2005, and is first being mailed to stockholders of GameStop and
EB on or
about ,
2005.
ii
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This joint proxy statement-prospectus incorporates important
business and financial information about GameStop and EB from
other documents that are not included in or delivered with this
joint proxy statement-prospectus. This information is available
to you without charge upon your written or oral request. You can
obtain the documents incorporated by reference in this joint
proxy statement-prospectus through the SEC website at
http://www.sec.gov or by requesting them in writing or by
telephone at the appropriate address below:
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if you are a GameStop stockholder: |
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if you are an EB stockholder: |
By Mail:
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GameStop Corp. |
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By Mail: |
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Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp. |
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625 Westport Parkway |
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931 South Matlack Street |
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Grapevine, Texas 76051 |
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West Chester, Pennsylvania 19382 |
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Attention: Investor Relations |
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Attention: Investor Relations |
By Telephone:
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(817) 424-2000 |
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By Telephone: |
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(610) 430-8100 |
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE ANY DOCUMENTS, PLEASE MAKE YOUR
REQUEST
BY ,
2005 IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THEM BEFORE YOUR ANNUAL MEETING.
See Where You Can Find More Information beginning on
page 159.
VOTING ELECTRONICALLY OR
BY TELEPHONE
Stockholders of record of GameStop Class A common stock and
GameStop Class B common stock at the close of business
on ,
2005, the record date for the GameStop annual meeting, may
submit their proxies:
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through the Internet by visiting a website established for that
purpose at
http://www. and
following the instructions; or |
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by telephone by calling the toll-free number 800-491-3365 in the
United States, Puerto Rico or Canada on a touch-tone phone and
following the recorded instructions. GameStop stockholders
calling from another country may call 212-440-9800 and follow
the recorded instructions. |
Stockholders of record of EB common stock at the close of
business
on ,
2005, the record date for the EB annual meeting, may submit
their proxies:
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through the Internet by visiting a website established for that
purpose at
http://www. and
following the instructions; or |
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by telephone by calling the toll-free number 800-267-4430 in the
United States, Puerto Rico or Canada on a touch-tone phone and
following the recorded instructions. EB stockholders calling
from another country may call 212-440-9800 and follow the
recorded instructions. |
In order to vote via the telephone or the Internet, please have
in front of you either your proxy card, or if you have consented
to receive your materials electronically, your e-mail
notification advising that materials are available on-line. A
phone number and an Internet website address are contained on
each of the documents. Upon entering either the phone number or
the Internet website address, you will be instructed on how to
proceed.
If a GameStop or EB stockholder holds shares registered in the
name of a broker, bank or other nominee, that broker, bank or
other nominee will enclose or provide a voting instruction card
for use in directing that broker, bank or other nominee how to
vote those shares.
iii
GAMESTOP CORP.
Notice of GameStop Annual Meeting of Stockholders
To Be
Held ,
2005
To the stockholders of GameStop:
An annual meeting of the stockholders of GameStop will be held
at ,
on ,
2005 at a.m., local time,
for the following purposes:
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1. To consider and vote on a proposal to (i) adopt the
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April 17, 2005,
by and among GameStop, GameStop, Inc., GSC Holdings Corp., Eagle
Subsidiary LLC, Cowboy Subsidiary LLC and EB, including the
transactions contemplated thereby, including the GameStop
merger, pursuant to which, among other things, separate
subsidiaries of Holdco will be merged with and into GameStop and
EB, (ii) approve the amendment to GameStops
certificate of incorporation to provide for the payment of the
GameStop merger consideration as contemplated by the merger
agreement, and (iii) approve the amendment to the GameStop
Amended and Restated 2001 Incentive Plan to provide for the
issuance of Holdco Class A common stock under the plan. In
the proposed mergers, EB common stockholders will have the right
to receive $38.15 in cash and .78795 of a share of Holdco
Class A common stock for each share of EB common stock that
they own. In addition, GameStop stockholders will receive one
share of Holdco Class A common stock for each share of
GameStop Class A common stock that they own and one share
of Holdco Class B common stock for each share of GameStop
Class B common stock that they own. A copy of the merger
agreement is attached as Annex A to the accompanying
joint proxy statement-prospectus. |
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2. To consider and vote on the adoption of the Holdco 2005
Incentive Plan. |
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3. To elect three members to GameStops board of
directors. |
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4. To ratify the appointment of BDO Seidman, LLP as
GameStops registered independent public accounting firm
for GameStops fiscal year ending January 28, 2006. |
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5. To transact such other business as may properly come
before the GameStop annual meeting or any adjournment or
postponement of the GameStop annual meeting. |
The presence of a majority of the voting power of the shares of
GameStop common stock entitled to vote at the GameStop annual
meeting must be represented in person or by proxy at the
GameStop annual meeting to constitute a quorum. The adoption of
the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby,
including the GameStop merger, the approval of the amendment to
GameStops certificate of incorporation and the amendment
to the GameStop Amended and Restated 2001 Incentive Plan
(collectively referred to herein as the merger proposal)
requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding
shares of GameStop Class A common stock, voting as a single
class, and the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding
shares GameStop Class A common stock and GameStop
Class B common stock, voting together as a single class.
The adoption of the Holdco 2005 Incentive Plan requires the
affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of GameStop
common stock voting on the proposal in person or by proxy at the
GameStop annual meeting. The three nominees for director
receiving the highest vote totals will be elected as directors
of GameStop to serve until the 2008 GameStop annual meeting of
stockholders. The ratification of BDO Seidman, LLP as
GameStops registered independent public accounting firm
requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power
of GameStop common stock voting on the proposal in person or by
proxy at the GameStop annual meeting. At the GameStop annual
meeting, each holder of GameStop Class A common stock is
entitled to one vote for each share of GameStop Class A
common stock, and each holder of GameStop Class B common
stock is entitled to ten votes for each share of GameStop
Class B common stock, held as of the GameStop record date
on all matters properly submitted to the GameStop stockholders.
iv
Pursuant to a voting agreement with Leonard Riggio, a director
of GameStop, and certain of his affiliates (referred to as the
Riggio Group), the Riggio Group has agreed to vote their shares
of GameStop Class A common stock and GameStop Class B
common stock (collectively, GameStop common stock) in favor of
the adoption of the merger proposal. As
of ,
2005, the GameStop record date, the Riggio Group owned
approximately 5.3 million shares of GameStop Class B
common stock, which represents approximately 16.4% of the
combined voting power of all classes of GameStops voting
stock. The Riggio Group also holds exercisable options to
acquire 4,500,000 shares of GameStop Class A common
stock. These options are not expected to be exercised prior to
the GameStop record date and therefore the Riggio Group is not
expected to have any voting power with respect to the GameStop
Class A common stock.
The GameStop board of directors unanimously recommends that
you vote
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FOR the adoption of the merger agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereby, including the GameStop merger, FOR the
amendment to GameStops certificate of incorporation, and
FOR the amendment to the GameStop Amended and Restated 2001
Incentive Plan, |
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FOR the adoption of the Holdco 2005 Incentive Plan, |
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FOR the election of the GameStop nominees for director named
in this joint proxy statement-prospectus, and |
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FOR the ratification of BDO Seidman, LLP as GameStops
registered independent public accounting firm for
GameStops fiscal year ending January 28, 2006. |
Only GameStop stockholders of record at the close of business
on ,
2005 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the GameStop
annual meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof. To
vote your shares, please complete and return the enclosed proxy
card to GameStop or grant your proxy by telephone or through the
Internet. You may also cast your vote in person at the GameStop
annual meeting. Please vote promptly whether or not you expect
to attend the GameStop annual meeting.
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By order of the GameStop board of directors, |
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R. Richard Fontaine |
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Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
Grapevine, Texas
PLEASE VOTE YOUR SHARES PROMPTLY. YOU CAN FIND INSTRUCTIONS
FOR VOTING ON THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS
ABOUT ANY OF THE PROPOSALS TO BE CONSIDERED AT THE GAMESTOP
ANNUAL MEETING OR ABOUT VOTING YOUR SHARES, PLEASE CALL
GEORGESON SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. TOLL-FREE AT
800-491-3365. BANKS AND BROKERS MAY CALL COLLECT AT
212-440-9800.
v
ELECTRONICS BOUTIQUE HOLDINGS CORP.
Notice of EB Annual Meeting of Stockholders
To Be
Held ,
2005
To the stockholders of EB:
An annual meeting of the stockholders of EB will be held
at on at a.m.,
local time, for the following purposes:
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1. To consider and vote on a proposal to adopt the
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April 17, 2005,
by and among GameStop, GameStop, Inc., GSC Holdings Corp., Eagle
Subsidiary LLC, Cowboy Subsidiary LLC and EB, including the
transactions contemplated thereby, including the EB merger,
pursuant to which, among other things, separate subsidiaries of
Holdco will be merged with and into GameStop and EB. In the
proposed mergers, EB common stockholders will have the right to
receive $38.15 in cash and .78795 of a share of Holdco
Class A common stock for each share of EB common stock that
they own. In addition, GameStop stockholders will receive one
share of Holdco Class A common stock for each share of
GameStop Class A common stock that they own and one share
of Holdco Class B common stock for each share of GameStop
Class B common stock that they own. A copy of the merger
agreement is attached as Annex A to the accompanying
joint proxy statement-prospectus. |
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2. To consider and vote on the adoption of the Holdco 2005
Incentive Plan. |
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3. To elect seven directors as EBs board of directors. |
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4. To consider and vote upon a proposal to ratify the
appointment of KPMG LLP as EBs registered independent
public accounting firm for EBs fiscal year ending
January 28, 2006. |
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5. To transact such other business as may properly come
before the EB annual meeting or any adjournment or postponement
of the EB annual meeting. |
The presence of a majority of the outstanding shares of EB
common stock entitled to vote at the EB annual meeting must be
represented in person or by proxy at the EB annual meeting to
constitute a quorum. The adoption of the merger agreement and
the transactions contemplated thereby, including the EB merger,
requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding
shares of EB common stock. The adoption of the Holdco 2005
Incentive Plan requires the affirmative vote of a majority of
the outstanding shares of EB common stock voting on the proposal
in person or by proxy at the EB annual meeting. The seven
nominees for EB director receiving the highest vote totals will
be elected as directors of EB to serve until the next EB annual
meeting of stockholders or until their earlier resignation. The
ratification of KPMG LLP as EBs registered independent
public accounting firm requires the affirmative vote of a
majority of the outstanding shares of EB common stock voting on
the proposal in person or by proxy at the EB annual meeting.
Pursuant to a voting agreement with certain stockholders
affiliated with Mr. James J. Kim, the Chairman of the Board
of EB (the Kim Group), the Kim Group has agreed, subject to
certain limitations, to vote their shares of EB common stock in
favor of the adoption of the merger agreement. As
of ,
2005, the EB record date, the Kim Group beneficially owned
approximately 11.6 million shares of EB common stock, which
represent approximately 46.7% of the outstanding shares of EB
common stock at the EB annual meeting.
The EB board of directors unanimously recommends that you
vote
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FOR adoption of the merger agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereby, including the EB merger, |
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FOR the adoption of the Holdco 2005 Incentive Plan, |
vi
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FOR the election of the EB nominees for director named in
this joint proxy statement-prospectus, and |
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FOR the ratification of KPMG LLP as EBs registered
independent public accounting firm for EBs fiscal year
ending January 28, 2006. |
Only EB stockholders of record at the close of business
on ,
2005 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the EB annual
meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof. To vote
your shares, please complete and return the enclosed proxy card
to EB or grant your proxy by telephone or through the Internet.
You may also cast your vote in person at the EB annual meeting.
Please vote promptly whether or not you expect to attend the EB
annual meeting.
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By order of the EB board of directors, |
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James A. Smith |
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Senior Vice President |
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Chief Financial Officer and Secretary |
West Chester, Pennsylvania
PLEASE VOTE YOUR SHARES PROMPTLY. YOU CAN FIND INSTRUCTIONS
FOR VOTING ON THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS
ABOUT ANY OF THE PROPOSALS TO BE CONSIDERED AT THE EB ANNUAL
MEETING OR ABOUT VOTING YOUR SHARES, PLEASE CALL GEORGESON
SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. TOLL-FREE AT 800-267-4403.
BANKS AND BROKERS MAY CALL COLLECT AT 212-440-9800.
vii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page | |
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TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF GAMESTOP CORP. AND ELECTRONICS BOUTIQUE
HOLDINGS CORP. YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT
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i |
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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iii |
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GAMESTOP CORP. Notice of GameStop Annual Meeting of Stockholders
to be
Held ,
2005
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iv |
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ELECTRONICS BOUTIQUE HOLDINGS CORP. Notice of EB Annual Meeting
of Stockholders to be
Held ,
2005
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vi |
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT VOTING PROCEDURES FOR THE ANNUAL
MEETINGS
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xiii |
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SUMMARY
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1 |
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GameStop Corp. (see page 96)
|
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|
1 |
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|
Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp. (see page 116)
|
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1 |
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GSC Holdings Corp. (see page 116)
|
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1 |
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Structure of the Mergers (see page 36)
|
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2 |
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|
Before the Mergers
|
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2 |
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After the Mergers
|
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2 |
|
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EB Common Stockholders to Receive Shares of Holdco Class A
Common Stock and Cash (see page 31)
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2 |
|
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|
GameStop Common Stockholders to Receive Shares of Holdco Common
Stock (see page 22)
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3 |
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Stock Exchange Listing and Stock Prices (see page 76)
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3 |
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Receipt of Shares of Holdco Common Stock in Mergers Generally
Nontaxable to Stockholders (see page 70)
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3 |
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Our Boards of Directors Unanimously Recommend that GameStop and
EB Stockholders Vote to Adopt the Merger Agreement (see
pages 21 and 30)
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4 |
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Opinions of Financial Advisors (see pages 46 and 53)
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4 |
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The Riggio Group Voting Agreement (see page 92)
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5 |
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The Kim Group Voting Agreement (see page 92)
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5 |
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Interests of Our Directors and Executive Officers in the Mergers
(see page 67)
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5 |
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The Registration Rights Agreement (see page 93)
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5 |
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The Non-Competition Agreement (see page 94)
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5 |
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Appraisal Rights (see page 77)
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5 |
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Directors and Management Following the Mergers (see page 69)
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6 |
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Conditions to Completion of the Mergers; Antitrust Clearance
(beginning on page 82)
|
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6 |
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Termination of the Merger Agreement; Fees Payable (see
page 87)
|
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7 |
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Amendment to GameStops Certificate of Incorporation (see
page 94)
|
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7 |
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GameStop Annual Meeting (see page 21)
|
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8 |
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EB Annual Meeting (see page 30)
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8 |
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SELECTED HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA
|
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10 |
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Selected Historical Financial Data of GameStop
|
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10 |
|
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Selected Historical Financial Data of EB
|
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12 |
|
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Selected Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial
Data of Holdco
|
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14 |
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COMPARATIVE PER SHARE DATA (Unaudited)
|
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15 |
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RISK FACTORS
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16 |
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INFORMATION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
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20 |
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viii
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Page | |
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| |
THE GAMESTOP ANNUAL MEETING
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21 |
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Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus
|
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21 |
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Date, Time and Place of the GameStop Annual Meeting
|
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21 |
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|
Purpose of the GameStop Annual Meeting
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21 |
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Record Date for the GameStop Annual Meeting
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21 |
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Recommendation of the Board of Directors of GameStop
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21 |
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|
GAMESTOP PROPOSAL 1 THE MERGERS
|
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22 |
|
|
Effect of the GameStop Merger; What You Will Receive in the
GameStop Merger
|
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22 |
|
|
GAMESTOP PROPOSAL 2 ADOPTION OF HOLDCO 2005
INCENTIVE PLAN
|
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23 |
|
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Holdco 2005 Incentive Plan
|
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23 |
|
|
GAMESTOP PROPOSAL 3 ELECTION OF GAMESTOP
DIRECTORS
|
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26 |
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GAMESTOP PROPOSAL 4 RATIFICATION OF THE
APPOINTMENT OF GAMESTOPS REGISTERED INDEPENDENT PUBLIC
ACCOUNTING FIRM
|
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27 |
|
|
Votes Required
|
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27 |
|
|
Adjournment or Postponement
|
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28 |
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|
Proxies
|
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28 |
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|
Voting Electronically or by Telephone
|
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29 |
|
|
Solicitation of Proxies
|
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29 |
|
THE EB ANNUAL MEETING
|
|
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30 |
|
|
Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus
|
|
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30 |
|
|
Date, Time and Place of the EB Annual Meeting
|
|
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30 |
|
|
Purpose of the EB Annual Meeting
|
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30 |
|
|
Record Date for the EB Annual Meeting
|
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30 |
|
|
Recommendation of the Board of Directors of EB
|
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30 |
|
|
EB PROPOSAL 1 THE MERGERS
|
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31 |
|
|
Effect of the EB Merger; What You Will Receive in the EB Merger
|
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31 |
|
|
EB PROPOSAL 2 ADOPTION OF HOLDCO 2005 INCENTIVE
PLAN
|
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32 |
|
|
Holdco 2005 Incentive Plan
|
|
|
32 |
|
|
EB PROPOSAL 3 ELECTION OF EB DIRECTORS
|
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32 |
|
|
EB PROPOSAL 4 RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT
OF EBS REGISTERED INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
|
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33 |
|
|
Votes Required
|
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|
33 |
|
|
Adjournment or Postponement
|
|
|
33 |
|
|
Proxies
|
|
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33 |
|
|
Voting Electronically or by Telephone
|
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34 |
|
|
Solicitation of Proxies
|
|
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35 |
|
THE MERGERS
|
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36 |
|
|
Background of the Mergers
|
|
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36 |
|
|
GameStops Reasons for the GameStop Merger; Recommendation
of the GameStop Merger by the GameStop Board of Directors
|
|
|
39 |
|
|
EBs Reasons for the EB Merger; Recommendation of the EB
Merger by the EB Board of Directors
|
|
|
42 |
|
|
Opinion of GameStops Financial Advisor
|
|
|
46 |
|
|
Opinions of EBs Financial Advisors
|
|
|
53 |
|
|
Interests of Directors and Executive Officers in the Mergers
|
|
|
67 |
|
ix
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Page | |
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| |
|
Holdco Board of Directors and Management after the Mergers
|
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69 |
|
|
Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences
|
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70 |
|
|
Accounting Treatment
|
|
|
74 |
|
|
Regulatory Approvals
|
|
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74 |
|
|
Conversion of Shares; Exchange of Certificates; Dividends;
Withholding
|
|
|
74 |
|
|
Treatment of Stock Options
|
|
|
75 |
|
|
Restrictions on Sales of Shares by Affiliates of GameStop and EB
|
|
|
76 |
|
|
Stock Exchange Listing and Stock Prices
|
|
|
76 |
|
|
Rights of Dissenting Stockholders
|
|
|
77 |
|
|
Delisting and Deregistration of GameStop and EB Stock after the
Mergers
|
|
|
80 |
|
|
The Merger Agreement
|
|
|
80 |
|
|
The Kim Group Voting Agreement
|
|
|
92 |
|
|
The Riggio Group Voting Agreement
|
|
|
92 |
|
|
The Registration Rights Agreement
|
|
|
93 |
|
|
The Non-Competition Agreement
|
|
|
94 |
|
|
Amendment to GameStops Certificate of Incorporation
|
|
|
94 |
|
|
Amendment to GameStop Amended and Restated 2001 Incentive Plan
|
|
|
94 |
|
|
Financing
|
|
|
95 |
|
INFORMATION ABOUT GAMESTOP
|
|
|
96 |
|
|
Information about the Board of Directors and Executive Officers
of GameStop
|
|
|
97 |
|
|
GameStop Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
Management and Related Stockholder Matters
|
|
|
102 |
|
|
GameStop Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider
Participation
|
|
|
103 |
|
|
GameStop Executive Compensation
|
|
|
104 |
|
|
GameStop Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation
|
|
|
107 |
|
|
Performance Graph GameStop Class A Common Stock
|
|
|
110 |
|
|
Performance Graph GameStop Class B Common Stock
|
|
|
111 |
|
|
GameStop Certain Relationships and Related
Transactions
|
|
|
111 |
|
|
GameStop Registered Independent Public Accounting Firm
|
|
|
114 |
|
|
GameStop Audit Committee Report on the Fiscal Year Ended
January 29, 2005
|
|
|
115 |
|
|
GameStop Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act
|
|
|
116 |
|
INFORMATION ABOUT HOLDCO
|
|
|
116 |
|
INFORMATION ABOUT EB
|
|
|
116 |
|
|
Information about the Board of Directors and Executive Officers
of EB
|
|
|
117 |
|
|
EB Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation
|
|
|
123 |
|
|
EB Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
|
|
|
126 |
|
|
EB Comparison of Total Stockholder Return
|
|
|
127 |
|
|
EB Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
|
|
|
128 |
|
|
EB Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
|
|
|
129 |
|
|
EB Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
|
|
|
130 |
|
|
EB Registered Independent Public Accounting Firm
|
|
|
130 |
|
|
EB Audit Fees
|
|
|
130 |
|
|
EB Audit Committee Report
|
|
|
131 |
|
x
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page | |
|
|
| |
GSC HOLDINGS CORP. UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL DATA
|
|
|
132 |
|
GSC HOLDINGS CORP. UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEET
|
|
|
134 |
|
GSC HOLDINGS CORP. NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
|
|
|
135 |
|
GSC HOLDINGS CORP. UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
|
|
|
136 |
|
GSC HOLDINGS CORP. NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
|
|
|
137 |
|
DESCRIPTION OF HOLDCO CAPITAL STOCK
|
|
|
138 |
|
|
Common Stock
|
|
|
138 |
|
|
Preferred Stock
|
|
|
138 |
|
|
Rights Agreement
|
|
|
139 |
|
COMPARISON OF STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS
|
|
|
141 |
|
|
Authorized Capital Stock
|
|
|
142 |
|
|
Voting Power of Capital Stock
|
|
|
142 |
|
|
Class Voting
|
|
|
142 |
|
|
Directors
|
|
|
143 |
|
|
Qualifications of Directors
|
|
|
144 |
|
|
Vacancies on the Board of Directors
|
|
|
144 |
|
|
Removal of Directors
|
|
|
145 |
|
|
Amendments to the Certificate of Incorporation
|
|
|
145 |
|
|
Amendments to Bylaws
|
|
|
146 |
|
|
Action by Written Consent of Stockholders
|
|
|
147 |
|
|
Notice of Stockholders Meeting
|
|
|
147 |
|
|
Ability to Call Special Meetings of Stockholders
|
|
|
148 |
|
|
Notice of Stockholder Action
|
|
|
148 |
|
|
Limitation of Personal Liability of Directors and Officers
|
|
|
150 |
|
|
Indemnification of Directors and Officers
|
|
|
151 |
|
|
Preemptive Rights of Stockholders
|
|
|
153 |
|
|
Dividends
|
|
|
153 |
|
|
Inspection of Books and Records and Stockholder List
|
|
|
154 |
|
|
Anti-Takeover Statute: Section 203
|
|
|
154 |
|
|
Transactions Involving Officers or Directors
|
|
|
155 |
|
|
Mergers, Acquisitions, Share Purchases and Certain Other
Transactions
|
|
|
155 |
|
|
Office of the Chairman
|
|
|
156 |
|
LEGAL MATTERS
|
|
|
157 |
|
EXPERTS
|
|
|
157 |
|
OTHER MATTERS WITH RESPECT TO GAMESTOPS ANNUAL MEETING
|
|
|
157 |
|
OTHER MATTERS WITH RESPECT TO EBS ANNUAL MEETING
|
|
|
158 |
|
|
Annual Report On Form 10-K
|
|
|
158 |
|
|
Other Matters
|
|
|
159 |
|
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
|
|
|
159 |
|
xi
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page | |
|
|
| |
ANNEX A Agreement and Plan of Merger
|
|
|
A-1 |
|
ANNEX B Amendment to GameStop Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation
|
|
|
B-1 |
|
ANNEX C Kim Group Voting Agreement
|
|
|
C-1 |
|
ANNEX D Registration Rights Agreement
|
|
|
D-1 |
|
ANNEX E Non-Competition Agreement
|
|
|
E-1 |
|
ANNEX F Riggio Group Voting Agreement, as
amended
|
|
|
F-1 |
|
ANNEX G Opinion of Citigroup Global Markets
Inc.
|
|
|
G-1 |
|
ANNEX H Opinion of Merrill Lynch &
Co.
|
|
|
H-1 |
|
ANNEX I Opinion of Peter J. Solomon Company,
L.P.
|
|
|
I-1 |
|
ANNEX J Section 262 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law
|
|
|
J-1 |
|
ANNEX K Form of Amended and Restated Certificate
of Incorporation of Holdco
|
|
|
K-1 |
|
ANNEX L Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws of
Holdco
|
|
|
L-1 |
|
ANNEX M Holdco 2005 Incentive Plan
|
|
|
M-1 |
|
xii
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT VOTING PROCEDURES
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETINGS
The questions and answers below highlight only selected
procedural information from this joint proxy
statement-prospectus. They do not contain all of the information
that may be important to you. You should read carefully the
entire joint proxy statement-prospectus and the additional
documents incorporated by reference into this joint proxy
statement-prospectus to fully understand the voting procedures
for the annual meetings.
|
|
|
Q: |
|
WHAT IS THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION FOR WHICH I AM BEING ASKED TO
VOTE? |
|
A: |
|
You, as a stockholder of GameStop and/or a stockholder of EB,
are being asked, among other things, to vote to adopt an
Agreement and Plan of Merger entered into by and among GameStop,
GameStop, Inc., GSC Holdings Corp., Eagle Subsidiary LLC, Cowboy
Subsidiary LLC and EB. Subject to the terms and conditions of
the merger agreement, GameStop and EB will simultaneously merge
with newly formed subsidiaries of GSC Holdings Corp. (to be
renamed GameStop Corp. upon closing of the mergers) (which we
refer to in this joint proxy statement-prospectus as Holdco),
and after the mergers would become wholly-owned subsidiaries of
Holdco. A copy of the merger agreement is attached as
Annex A. |
|
|
|
In the proposed mergers, EB common stockholders will have the
right to receive $38.15 in cash and .78795 of a share of Holdco
Class A common stock for each share of EB common stock they
own. GameStop stockholders will receive one share of Holdco
Class A common stock for each share of GameStop
Class A common stock that they own and one share of Holdco
Class B common stock for each share of GameStop
Class B common stock that they own. |
|
Q: |
|
WHAT ARE THE OTHER MATTERS FOR WHICH I AM BEING ASKED TO VOTE? |
|
A: |
|
If you are a GameStop stockholder you are also being asked: |
|
|
|
|
|
1. to consider and vote on the adoption of the Holdco 2005
Incentive Plan; |
|
|
|
2. to elect three members to GameStops board of
directors; |
|
|
|
3. to ratify the appointment of BDO Seidman, LLP as
GameStops registered independent public accounting firm
for GameStops fiscal year ending January 28,
2006; and |
|
|
|
4. to transact such other business as may properly come
before the GameStop annual meeting or any adjournment or
postponement of the GameStop annual meeting. |
|
|
|
|
|
If you are an EB stockholder you are also being asked: |
|
|
|
|
|
1. to consider and vote on the adoption of the Holdco 2005
Incentive Plan; |
|
|
|
2. to elect seven directors as EBs board of directors; |
|
|
|
3. to consider and vote upon a proposal to ratify the
appointment of KPMG LLP as EBs registered independent
public accounting firm for EBs fiscal year ending
January 28, 2006; and |
|
|
|
4. to transact such other business as may properly come
before the EB annual meeting or any adjournment or postponement
of the EB annual meeting. |
|
|
|
Q: |
|
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO NOW TO VOTE? |
|
A: |
|
After carefully reading and considering the information
contained in this joint proxy statement-prospectus, please vote
by telephone, the Internet or by mail as soon as possible so
that your shares may be represented and voted at GameStops
or EBs annual meeting. If you hold your shares in your own
name, you may vote by telephone or through the Internet by
following the instructions on your proxy card or delivered with
your proxy card. If you hold shares registered in the name of a
broker, bank or other nominee, that broker, bank or other
nominee has enclosed or will provide a voting instruction card
for use in directing your broker, bank or other nominee how to
vote those shares. |
xiii
|
|
|
Q: |
|
IF MY GAMESTOP OR EB SHARES ARE HELD IN STREET NAME
BY A BROKER, BANK OR OTHER NOMINEE, WILL MY BROKER OR BANK VOTE
MY SHARES FOR ME? |
|
A: |
|
If you hold your shares in street name and do not
provide voting instructions to your broker, your shares will not
be voted on any proposal on which your broker does not have
discretionary authority to vote. Generally, your broker, bank or
other nominee does not have discretionary authority to vote on
the merger proposal. Accordingly, your broker, bank or other
nominee will vote your shares held by it in street
name only if you provide instructions to it on how to
vote. You should follow the directions your broker, bank or
other nominee provides. Shares that are not voted because you do
not properly instruct your broker, bank or other nominee will
have the effect of votes against the adoption of the merger
proposal. |
|
Q: |
|
IF MY GAMESTOP OR EB SHARES ARE HELD IN MY OWN NAME, WHAT
HAPPENS IF I DONT VOTE? |
|
A: |
|
If you fail to respond with a vote on the merger proposal, it
will have the same effect as a vote against adoption of the
merger proposal. If you respond but do not indicate how you want
to vote, your proxy will be counted as a vote in favor of
adopting the merger agreement. If you respond and indicate that
you are abstaining from voting, your proxy will have the same
effect as a vote against adoption of the merger proposal. |
|
Q: |
|
CAN I CHANGE MY VOTE AFTER I HAVE DELIVERED MY PROXY? |
|
A: |
|
Yes. A registered GameStop or EB stockholder may revoke a
properly executed proxy at any time by (1) notifying
GameStop or EB, as appropriate, in writing to the addresses set
forth under Additional Information, beginning on
page iii, (2) submitting a new properly completed and
signed proxy to GameStop or EB, as appropriate, either by mail
or as described under Additional Information
beginning on page iii or (3) voting in person at the
GameStop or EB annual meeting, as appropriate. |
|
Q: |
|
CAN I ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTE MY SHARES IN PERSON? |
|
A: |
|
Yes. All stockholders of GameStop and EB, including stockholders
of record and stockholders who hold their shares through banks,
brokers, nominees or any other holder of record are invited to
attend their respective annual meetings. Stockholders of record
can vote in person at either the GameStop or EB annual meeting,
as applicable. If you are not a stockholder of record, you must
obtain a proxy, executed in your favor, from the record holder
of your shares, such as a broker, bank or other nominee, to be
able to vote in person at the GameStop or EB annual meeting, as
applicable. If you plan to attend the GameStop or EB annual
meeting, as applicable, you must hold your shares in your own
name or have a letter from the record holder of your shares
confirming your ownership, and you must bring a form of personal
photo identification with you in order to be admitted to the
GameStop or EB annual meeting, as applicable. We reserve the
right to refuse admittance to anyone without proper proof of
share ownership and without proper photo identification. |
|
Q: |
|
SHOULD EB STOCKHOLDERS SEND THEIR STOCK CERTIFICATES WITH THEIR
PROXY CARD? |
|
A: |
|
No. Please DO NOT send your EB stock certificates with
your proxy card. If you are an EB stockholder of record, you
will receive written instructions from the exchange agent after
the EB merger is completed on how to exchange any EB stock
certificates you may have for cash and Holdco Class A
common stock. If the EB shares you hold of record are in
book-entry form, they will be automatically converted into the
right to receive cash and Holdco shares, and you do not need to
take any action. |
|
Q: |
|
SHOULD GAMESTOP STOCKHOLDERS SEND IN THEIR STOCK CERTIFICATES
WITH THEIR PROXY CARD? |
|
A: |
|
No. Please DO NOT send your GameStop stock certificates
with your proxy card. If you are a GameStop stockholder of
record, you will receive written instructions from the exchange
agent after the GameStop merger is completed on how to exchange
any GameStop stock certificates you may |
xiv
|
|
|
|
|
have for Holdco common stock. If the GameStop shares you hold of
record are in book-entry form, they will be automatically
converted into Holdco shares, and you do not need to take any
action. |
|
Q: |
|
WHEN DO WE EXPECT TO COMPLETE THE MERGERS? |
|
A: |
|
We expect to complete the mergers in the third quarter of
GameStop fiscal 2005 (EB fiscal 2006). However, we cannot assure
you when or if the mergers will occur. We must first obtain the
approvals of our respective stockholders at the GameStop and EB
annual meetings and the necessary regulatory approvals. |
|
Q: |
|
WHO CAN HELP ANSWER MY QUESTIONS? |
|
A: |
|
If you have any questions about the mergers or how to submit
your proxy, or if you need additional copies of this joint proxy
statement-prospectus or the enclosed proxy card, you should
contact: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
if you are a GameStop stockholder: |
|
if you are an EB stockholder: |
By Mail:
|
|
Georgeson Shareholder |
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By Mail: |
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Georgeson Shareholder |
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Communications, Inc. |
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Communications, Inc. |
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17 State Street |
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17 State Street |
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New York, NY 10004 |
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New York, NY 10004 |
By Telephone:
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800-491-3365 |
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By Telephone: |
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800-267-4403 |
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212-440-9800 |
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212-440-9800 |
xv
SUMMARY
This summary highlights selected information in this joint
proxy statement-prospectus and may not contain all of the
information that is important to you. You should carefully read
this entire joint proxy statement-prospectus and the documents
incorporated by reference into this joint proxy
statement-prospectus for a more complete understanding of the
matters being considered at the GameStop and EB annual meetings.
In addition, we incorporate by reference important business and
financial information about GameStop and EB into this joint
proxy statement-prospectus. You may obtain the information
incorporated by reference into this joint proxy
statement-prospectus without charge by following the
instructions in the section entitled Where You Can Find
More Information that begins on page 159 of this
joint proxy statement-prospectus.
GameStop Corp. (see page 96)
GameStop Corp., a Delaware corporation, is one of the leading
video game and PC entertainment software retailers in the United
States. GameStop carries one of the largest assortments of new
and used video game hardware, video game software and
accessories, PC entertainment software, and related products,
including action figures, trading cards and strategy guides.
GameStop operates approximately 1,900 stores in the United
States, Puerto Rico, Guam, Ireland and Northern Ireland.
GameStop operates most of its stores under the GameStop name.
GameStop carries a constantly changing selection of more than
5,000 stock keeping units of electronic game merchandise in
most stores. In addition, GameStop operates a web site at
www.gamestop.com and publishes Game Informer, the
industrys largest circulation multi-platform video game
magazine, with over 2,000,000 subscribers. GameStop has
approximately 2,500 full-time salaried,
2,300 full-time hourly and between 12,000 and
18,000 part-time hourly employees depending on the time of
year. The address of GameStops principal executive offices
is 625 Westport Parkway, Grapevine, Texas 76051.
Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp. (see page 116)
Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp., a Delaware corporation, is
one of the leading global retailers of video game hardware and
software, PC entertainment software, pre-played video games and
related accessories and products. EB operates approximately
2,100 stores, primarily under the names EB Games and Electronics
Boutique, in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, New
Zealand, Norway, Puerto Rico, Sweden and the United States. EB
also operates a commercial website under the URL address
www.ebgames.com. EB employs approximately 11,800
non-seasonal full-time and part-time employees. The address of
EBs principal executive offices is 931 South Matlack
Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania 19382.
GSC Holdings Corp. (see page 116)
GSC Holdings Corp. is a newly incorporated Delaware corporation
and will become the new holding company of GameStop and EB upon
consummation of the mergers. Holdcos name will be changed
to GameStop Corp. after consummation of the mergers.
The address of Holdcos principal executive offices is
c/o GameStop Corp., 625 Westport Parkway, Grapevine, Texas
76051.
1
Structure of the Mergers (see page 36)
The organization of GameStop, EB and Holdco before and after the
mergers is illustrated below.
Before the Mergers
After the Mergers
EB Common Stockholders to Receive Shares of Holdco
Class A Common Stock and Cash (see page 31)
If the EB merger is completed, EB common stockholders will
receive $38.15 in cash and .78795 of a share of Holdco
Class A common stock per share of EB common stock that they
own. Upon completion of the mergers, current holders of EB
common stock will, as a group, own approximately 27.6% of the
outstanding common stock of Holdco, which equals approximately
5.7% of the combined voting power of Holdco. Holdco will not
issue fractional shares of Holdco common stock in exchange for
shares of EB. Holders of EB common stock that would otherwise be
entitled to a fractional share of Holdco common stock will
instead receive an amount in cash equal to such fraction
multiplied by the average of the closing sale prices of GameStop
Class A common stock on the ten trading days prior to the
date on which the mergers are completed.
2
GameStop Common Stockholders to Receive Shares of Holdco
Common Stock (see page 22)
If the GameStop merger is completed, GameStop stockholders will
exchange their shares of GameStop Class A common stock for
Holdco Class A common stock and their shares of GameStop
Class B common stock for Holdco Class B common stock,
each on a one-for-one basis. Upon completion of the mergers,
current holders of GameStop common stock will, as a group, own
approximately 72.4% of the outstanding common stock of the
combined company, which equals 94.3% of the combined voting
power.
Stock Exchange Listing and Stock Prices (see page 76)
Holdco common stock is not currently traded or quoted on a stock
exchange or quotation system. However, we have applied for the
Holdco Class A common stock and Holdco Class B common
stock to be quoted on the NYSE under the symbols GME
and GME.B, respectively.
GameStop Class A common stock trades on the NYSE under the
symbol GME, GameStop Class B common stock
trades on the NYSE under the symbol GME.B and EB
common stock trades on the NASDAQ National Market under the
symbol ELBO. The table below shows the closing price
and the pro forma equivalent per share value of GameStop
Class A common stock and EB common stock at the close of
the regular trading session on April 15, 2005, the last
trading day before our public announcement of the signing of the
merger agreement, and May 20, 2005, the most recent trading
day for which that information was available.
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GameStop Pro Forma | |
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EB Pro Forma | |
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GameStop Closing Price | |
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April 15, 2005
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$ |
21.61 |
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41.12 |
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21.61 |
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$ |
55.18 |
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May 20, 2005
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28.02 |
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58.28 |
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28.02 |
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60.23 |
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(1) |
The pro forma equivalent per share value of GameStop
Class A common stock is calculated by multiplying the
GameStop Class A common stock closing price by the GameStop
merger exchange ratio of 1.0. |
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(2) |
The pro forma equivalent per share value of EB common stock is
calculated by multiplying the GameStop Class A common stock
closing price by the EB merger exchange ratio of .78795 and
adding $38.15. |
Because the 1.0 and .78795 exchange ratios in the GameStop and
EB mergers, respectively, are fixed and will not be adjusted as
a result of changes in market prices, the implied value of the
merger consideration will fluctuate with the market price of
GameStop Class A common stock and GameStop Class B
common stock. You should obtain current market quotations for
the shares of both companies from a newspaper, the Internet or
your broker.
Receipt of Shares of Holdco Common Stock in Mergers Generally
Nontaxable to Stockholders (see page 70)
The mergers have been structured to qualify as an exchange
described in Section 351 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the Code), for U.S. federal income tax
purposes. Accordingly, we expect that the exchange of shares by
an EB stockholder for Holdco Class A common stock and cash
will be nontaxable to such stockholder for U.S. federal
income tax purposes, except to the extent of the lesser of
(i) gain realized by such stockholder in the exchange and
(ii) cash received by such stockholder in the exchange. We
expect that the exchange of shares by GameStop stockholders will
be nontaxable to them for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Further, GameStop and EB will not recognize any gain or loss for
U.S. federal income tax purposes in the mergers. It is a
condition to our respective obligations to complete the mergers
that GameStop and EB receive opinions from their respective
counsel that the mergers, taken together, qualify as an exchange
described in Section 351 of the Code for U.S. federal
income tax purposes. In connection with the closing of the
mergers, Bryan Cave LLP, counsel to GameStop, and
3
Klehr, Harrison, Harvey, Branzburg & Ellers LLP,
counsel to EB, will deliver to GameStop and EB, respectively,
their opinions that the mergers will qualify as an exchange
described in Section 351 of the Code for U.S. federal
income tax purposes. You should consult with your own tax
advisor for a full understanding of the tax consequences to you
of the mergers.
Our Boards of Directors Unanimously Recommend that GameStop
and EB Stockholders Vote to Adopt the Merger Agreement (see
pages 21 and 30)
GameStop Stockholders. The GameStop board of directors
unanimously recommends that the GameStop stockholders
vote FOR the adoption of the merger proposal.
EB Stockholders. The EB board of directors unanimously
recommends that the EB stockholders vote FOR the adoption
of the merger agreement.
Opinions of Financial Advisors (see pages 46 and 53)
GameStop. In connection with the mergers, the GameStop
board of directors received a written opinion from Citigroup
Global Markets Inc., GameStops financial advisor, as to
the fairness, from a financial point of view, to GameStop of the
EB merger consideration. The full text of Citigroups
written opinion, dated April 17, 2005, is attached to this
joint proxy statement-prospectus as Annex G. We
encourage you to read this opinion carefully in its entirety for
a description of the assumptions made, procedures followed,
matters considered and limitations on the review undertaken.
Citigroups opinion was provided to the GameStop board
of directors in connection with its evaluation of the EB merger
consideration and relates only to the fairness, from a financial
point of view, to GameStop of the EB merger consideration.
Citigroups opinion does not address any other aspect of
the mergers and does not constitute a recommendation to any
stockholder as to how such stockholder should vote or act on any
matters relating to the proposed mergers.
EB. In connection with the mergers, the EB board of
directors received a written opinion from Merrill Lynch, Pierce,
Fenner & Smith Incorporated, one of EBs financial
advisors, to the effect that, as of the date of such opinion,
and based upon and subject to the assumptions made, matters
considered and qualifications and limitations set forth in the
written opinion, the consideration proposed to be received
pursuant to the EB merger was fair, from a financial point of
view, to the holders of EB common stock (other than GameStop,
its affiliates and the Kim Group). In addition, the EB board of
directors received a written opinion from Peter J. Solomon
Company, L.P., one of EBs financial advisors, to the
effect that, as of the date of such opinion, and based upon and
subject to the assumptions made, matters considered and
qualifications and limitations set forth in the written opinion,
the consideration proposed to be received by the holders of EB
common stock pursuant to the EB merger was fair from a financial
point of view to the holders of EB common stock, excluding the
Kim Group. The full text of the written opinions of Merrill
Lynch and Peter J. Solomon Company, which set forth the
assumptions made, matters considered, and qualifications and
limits on the scope of review undertaken by each of Merrill
Lynch and Peter J. Solomon Company, are attached to this joint
proxy statement-prospectus as Annex H and
Annex I, respectively. We encourage you to carefully
read and consider each of these opinions in their entirety.
Both the Merrill Lynch opinion and the Peter J. Solomon
Company opinion are addressed to EBs board of directors
and address only the fairness, from a financial point of view,
of the consideration proposed to be received by the holders of
EB common stock (other than those stockholders excluded from the
opinions as noted above) pursuant to the EB merger, as of the
date of the opinions. Neither the Merrill Lynch opinion nor the
Peter J. Solomon Company opinion addresses the merits of the
underlying decision by EB to engage in the EB merger or any
other aspect of the mergers. In addition, neither the Merrill
Lynch opinion nor the Peter J. Solomon Company opinion
constitutes, or should be construed as, a recommendation to any
stockholder as to how the stockholder should vote or act with
respect to the EB merger or any related matter.
4
The Riggio Group Voting Agreement (see page 92)
In connection with the mergers, concurrently with the execution
and delivery of the merger agreement and as a condition to
EBs willingness to enter into the merger agreement,
GameStop and EB have entered into a voting agreement and
irrevocable proxy with Leonard Riggio, Barnes & Noble
College Booksellers, Inc. and The Riggio Foundation
(collectively, the Riggio Group) pursuant to which the Riggio
Group has agreed to vote their shares of GameStop common stock
in favor of the adoption of the merger proposal. As
of ,
2005, the GameStop record date, the Riggio Group owned
approximately 5.3 million shares of GameStop Class B
common stock, which represents approximately 16.4% of the
combined voting power of all classes of GameStops voting
stock. The Riggio Group also holds exercisable options to
acquire 4,500,000 shares of GameStop Class A common
stock. These options are not expected to be exercised prior to
the GameStop record date and therefore the Riggio Group is not
expected to have any voting power with respect to the GameStop
Class A common stock.
The Kim Group Voting Agreement (see page 92)
In connection with the mergers, concurrently with the execution
and delivery of the merger agreement and as a condition to
GameStops willingness to enter into the merger agreement,
GameStop and EB have entered into a voting agreement and
irrevocable proxy with EB Nevada Inc. and James J. Kim, the
Chairman of the Board of EB (collectively, the Kim Group),
pursuant to which the Kim Group has agreed to vote all shares of
EB common stock beneficially owned by the Kim Group in favor of
the adoption of the merger agreement and not to sell or
otherwise transfer any shares of EB common stock prior to the
termination of the voting agreement other than in limited
circumstances in accordance with its terms. As a result,
approximately 46.7% of the outstanding shares of EB common stock
has agreed to vote to approve the merger agreement.
Interests of Our Directors and Executive Officers in the
Mergers (see page 67)
You should be aware that some of the directors and executive
officers of GameStop and EB have interests in the mergers that
are different from, or are in addition to, the interests of
stockholders of GameStop or EB. These interests include, but are
not limited to, the treatment of options and other rights held
by directors and executive officers of GameStop and EB in the
mergers, the continued employment of certain executive officers
in Holdco, the continued positions of certain directors of
GameStop and EB as directors of Holdco, and the indemnification
of former GameStop and EB directors by Holdco.
The Registration Rights Agreement (see page 93)
In connection with the consummation of the mergers and as a
condition to entering into the voting agreement with the Kim
Group, Holdco will enter into a registration rights agreement
with the Kim Group pursuant to which Holdco will be obligated to
register with the SEC the shares of Holdco Class A common
stock held by the Kim Group.
The Non-Competition Agreement (see page 94)
In connection with the consummation of the mergers and as a
condition to the closing of the mergers, James J. Kim will enter
into a non-competition agreement with Holdco whereby
Mr. Kim will agree not to compete with Holdco in certain
specified territories for a period of three years from the
effectiveness of the mergers.
Appraisal Rights (see page 77)
Under Delaware law, GameStop stockholders are not entitled to
appraisal rights in connection with the GameStop merger.
Holders of EB common stock who do not wish to accept the
consideration payable pursuant to the EB merger may seek, under
Section 262 of the Delaware General Corporate Law (DGCL),
judicial
5
appraisal of the fair value of their shares by the Delaware
Court of Chancery (the Delaware Court). This value could be more
than, less than or the same as the merger consideration for the
EB common stock. Failure to strictly comply with all the
procedures required by Section 262 of the DGCL will result
in a loss of the right to appraisal.
Merely voting against the EB merger will not preserve the right
of EB stockholders to appraisal under Delaware law. Also,
because a submitted proxy not marked against or
abstain will be voted for the proposal
to adopt the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated
thereby, including the EB merger, the submission of a proxy not
marked against or abstain will result in
the waiver of appraisal rights. EB stockholders who hold shares
in the name of a broker or other nominee must instruct their
nominee to take the steps necessary to enable them to demand
appraisal for their shares.
Annex J to this joint proxy statement-prospectus
contains the full text of Section 262 of the DGCL, which
relates to the rights of appraisal. We encourage you to read
these provisions carefully and in their entirety.
Directors and Management Following the Mergers (see
page 69)
Following the mergers, the board of directors of Holdco will
consist of the seven current GameStop directors, James J. Kim
and an independent director to be appointed by EBs board
of directors and reasonably satisfactory to GameStop. The
GameStop directors will generally remain in their current
classes and serve out their remaining terms, although to make
the three classes equal, one of the Class III directors
being elected at the GameStop annual meeting will become a
Class I director whose term will expire in 2006.
Mr. Kim will be in the class of directors whose term
expires in 2007 and the independent director appointed by EB
will be in the class of directors whose term expires in 2008.
R. Richard Fontaine, the Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of GameStop, will be the Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of Holdco after the mergers. Daniel A. DeMatteo, the
Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of GameStop, will be
the Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of Holdco after
the mergers. It is expected that additional management of Holdco
will be determined and announced on or near the date of the
mergers.
Conditions to Completion of the Mergers; Antitrust Clearance
(beginning on page 82)
Completion of the mergers depends on a number of conditions
being satisfied or waived. These conditions include the
following:
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adoption of the merger proposal and the transactions
contemplated by the merger proposal, including the GameStop
merger, by the GameStop stockholders; |
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adoption of the merger agreement and the transactions
contemplated by the merger agreement, including the EB merger,
by the EB stockholders; |
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absence of any order or injunction of any governmental authority
that would prohibit the consummation of the mergers; |
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approval for listing of Holdco common stock to be issued in the
mergers on the NYSE upon official notice of issuance; |
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receipt of all consents, approvals, waivers, actions or
nonactions required or advisable under all applicable antitrust,
merger control, competition or trade regulation laws, including
under the Hart-Scott Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of
1976 (the HSR Act) and the Italian Law No. 287 of 10
October 1990; |
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continued effectiveness of the registration statement of which
this joint proxy statement-prospectus is a part and the absence
of a stop order or proceeding seeking a stop order by the SEC
suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement; |
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accuracy of each partys representations and warranties in
the merger agreement, except as would not have a material
adverse effect on the party making the representations; |
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performance in all material respects of each partys
covenants in the merger agreement, and performance of each
partys pre-closing operating covenants in the merger
agreement; |
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the delivery of a tax opinion as required by the separation
agreement between GameStop and Barnes & Noble, Inc.
(Barnes & Noble); |
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the delivery of a non-competition agreement by James J. Kim; |
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there shall not have been a material adverse effect on either
party, as defined in the merger agreement; and |
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delivery by both parties of customary officers
certificates and tax opinions. |
The completion of the mergers is not subject to a condition that
GameStop receive financing to pay the cash portion of the EB
merger consideration.
The completion of the mergers is subject to compliance with the
HSR Act. The notifications required under the HSR Act to the
U.S. Federal Trade Commission (the FTC) and the Antitrust
Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (the Antitrust
Division) have been filed.
GameStop and EB have agreed to use their reasonable best efforts
to take, or cause to be taken, all actions necessary, proper or
advisable under applicable law and regulations, including the
HSR Act, to complete the mergers as promptly as practicable, but
in no event later than October 31, 2005, which date may be
extended to December 31, 2005 or January 31, 2006, in
circumstances described below, in Summary
Termination of the Merger Agreement; Fees Payable
beginning on page 7 and in The Mergers
The Merger Agreement Termination beginning on
page 87. We refer to this October 31, 2005 date, as it
may be extended, as the outside date.
The parties have agreed to defend against any lawsuits or other
legal proceedings challenging the mergers, provided, that, if
one of the parties in good faith does not wish to participate in
the defense of such lawsuit or legal proceeding, then the other
party shall pay the expenses for such defense. Neither party
will be required to take any action that would reasonably be
expected to have a material adverse effect on such party.
Termination of the Merger Agreement; Fees Payable (see
page 87)
We may jointly agree to terminate the merger agreement at any
time. Either of us may also terminate the merger agreement in
various circumstances, including failure to receive necessary
stockholder approvals and if the other party breaches certain of
its obligations in the merger agreement.
In several circumstances involving a change in a board of
directors recommendation in favor of the merger agreement
or a third-party acquisition proposal, GameStop or EB may become
obligated to pay $40 million in termination fees pursuant
to the terms of the merger agreement.
Amendment to GameStops Certificate of Incorporation
(see page 94)
In connection with the mergers, Article Fourth (b)(v) of
the amended and restated certificate of incorporation of
GameStop relating to the equal treatment of holders of GameStop
Class A common stock and GameStop Class B common stock
holders in mergers, consolidations, etc., will be amended,
subject to GameStop stockholder approval, to permit the receipt
by the holders of GameStop Class B common stock, in any
consolidation, merger, combination or other transaction in which
shares of GameStop common stock are exchanged for other
securities or property, of securities that differ as to voting
rights and powers on a per share basis from securities received
by holders of GameStop Class A common stock, provided that
such difference shall not exceed ten to one. This amendment is
necessary to allow for the payment of the GameStop merger
consideration in accordance with the terms of the merger
agreement.
7
GameStop Annual Meeting (see page 21)
The GameStop annual meeting will be held
at on ,
2005, starting at a.m.,
local time.
You may vote at the GameStop annual meeting if you owned shares
of GameStop common stock at the close of business
on ,
2005, the GameStop record date. On that date there
were shares
of GameStop Class A common stock
and shares
of GameStop Class B common stock outstanding and entitled
to vote at the GameStop annual meeting.
The presence of a majority of the voting power of the shares of
GameStop common stock entitled to vote at the GameStop annual
meeting must be represented in person or by proxy at the
GameStop annual meeting to constitute a quorum. The adoption of
the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby,
including the GameStop merger, the approval of the amendment to
GameStops certificate of incorporation and the amendment
to the GameStop Amended and Restated 2001 Incentive Plan
(collectively, the merger proposal) requires the affirmative
vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of GameStop
Class A common stock, voting as a single class, and the
affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares
GameStop Class A common stock and GameStop Class B
common stock, voting together as a single class. The adoption of
the Holdco 2005 Incentive Plan requires the affirmative vote of
a majority of the voting power of GameStop common stock voting
on the proposal in person or by proxy at the GameStop annual
meeting. The three nominees for director receiving the highest
vote totals will be elected as directors of GameStop to serve
until the 2008 GameStop annual meeting of stockholders. The
ratification of BDO Seidman, LLP as GameStops registered
independent public accounting firm requires the affirmative vote
of a majority of the voting power of GameStop common stock
voting on the proposal in person or by proxy at the GameStop
annual meeting. At the GameStop annual meeting, each holder of
GameStop Class A common stock is entitled to one vote for
each share of GameStop Class A common stock, and each
holder of GameStop Class B common stock is entitled to ten
votes for each share of GameStop Class B common stock, held
as of the GameStop record date on all matters properly submitted
to the GameStop stockholders.
Pursuant to a voting agreement with the Riggio Group, the Riggio
Group has agreed to vote their shares of GameStop common stock
in favor of the adoption of the merger proposal. As
of ,
2005, the GameStop record date, the Riggio Group owned
approximately 5.3 million shares of GameStop Class B
common stock, which represents approximately 16.4% of the
combined voting power of all classes of GameStops voting
stock. The Riggio Group also holds exercisable options to
acquire 4,500,000 shares of GameStop Class A common
stock. These options are not expected to be exercised prior to
the GameStop record date and therefore the Riggio Group is not
expected to have any voting power with respect to the GameStop
Class A common stock.
EB Annual Meeting (see page 30)
The EB annual meeting will be held
at ,
on ,
2005, starting at a.m.,
local time.
You may vote at the EB annual meeting if you owned shares of EB
common stock at the close of business
on ,
2005, the EB record date. On that date there
were shares
of EB common stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the EB
annual meeting. You may cast one vote for each share of EB
common stock you owned as of the EB record date.
The presence of a majority of the outstanding shares of EB
common stock entitled to vote at the EB annual meeting must be
represented in person or by proxy at the EB annual meeting to
constitute a quorum. The adoption of the merger agreement and
the transactions contemplated thereby, including the EB merger,
requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding
shares of EB common stock. The adoption of the Holdco 2005
Incentive Plan requires the affirmative vote of a majority of
the outstanding shares of EB common stock voting on the proposal
in person or by proxy at the EB annual meeting. The seven
nominees for EB director receiving the highest vote totals will
be elected as directors of EB to serve until the next EB annual
meeting of stockholders or until their earlier resignation. The
ratification of
8
KPMG LLP as EBs registered independent public accounting
firm requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the
outstanding shares of EB common stock voting on the proposal in
person or by proxy at the EB annual meeting.
Pursuant to a voting agreement with the Kim Group, the Kim Group
has agreed, subject to certain limitations, to vote their shares
of EB common stock in favor of the adoption of the merger
agreement. As
of ,
2005, the EB record date, the Kim Group beneficially owned
approximately 11.6 million shares of EB common stock, which
represent approximately 46.7% of the outstanding shares of EB
common stock at the EB annual meeting.
9
SELECTED HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA
The following financial information is provided to assist you in
your analysis of the financial aspects of the mergers. The
following tables present (1) selected historical financial
data of GameStop, (2) selected historical financial data of
EB, and (3) selected unaudited pro forma condensed
consolidated financial data of Holdco reflecting the mergers.
The historical financial data show the financial results
actually achieved by GameStop and EB for the periods indicated.
The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial data
show financial results as if the mergers had taken place on
February 1, 2004, except financial position data which
assumes the mergers had taken place on January 29, 2005.
Selected Historical Financial Data of GameStop
The selected historical financial data of GameStop was derived
from the historical consolidated financial statements and
related notes of GameStop, filed by GameStop with the SEC. Such
data was derived from, and should be read in conjunction with,
the audited consolidated financial statements and other
financial information contained in GameStops Annual Report
on Form 10-K (as amended) for GameStop fiscal 2004 (as
defined below), including the notes thereto. See Where You
Can Find More Information beginning on page 159.
The following table sets forth GameStops selected
consolidated financial and operating data for the periods and at
the dates indicated. GameStops fiscal year is composed of
52 or 53 weeks ending on the Saturday closest to January
31. The fiscal years ended January 29, 2005 (GameStop
fiscal 2004), January 31, 2004 (GameStop fiscal 2003),
February 1, 2003 (GameStop fiscal 2002) and
February 2, 2002 (GameStop fiscal 2001) consisted of
52 weeks and the fiscal year ended February 3, 2001
(GameStop fiscal 2000) consisted of 53 weeks.
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Ended | |
|
Ended | |
|
Ended | |
|
Ended | |
|
Ended | |
|
|
January 29, | |
|
January 31, | |
|
February 1, | |
|
February 2, | |
|
February 3, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2001 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
In thousands, except per share data and statistical data | |
Statement of Operations Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales
|
|
$ |
1,842,806 |
|
|
$ |
1,578,838 |
|
|
$ |
1,352,791 |
|
|
$ |
1,121,138 |
|
|
$ |
756,697 |
|
Cost of sales
|
|
|
1,328,611 |
|
|
|
1,142,264 |
|
|
|
1,009,491 |
|
|
|
854,035 |
|
|
|
570,995 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
514,195 |
|
|
|
436,574 |
|
|
|
343,300 |
|
|
|
267,103 |
|
|
|
185,702 |
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses(1)(2)
|
|
|
378,029 |
|
|
|
302,703 |
|
|
|
233,075 |
|
|
|
202,041 |
|
|
|
157,242 |
|
Depreciation and amortization(1)(2)
|
|
|
37,019 |
|
|
|
29,487 |
|
|
|
23,154 |
|
|
|
19,850 |
|
|
|
13,623 |
|
Amortization of goodwill
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,125 |
|
|
|
9,223 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating earnings
|
|
|
99,147 |
|
|
|
104,384 |
|
|
|
87,071 |
|
|
|
34,087 |
|
|
|
5,614 |
|
Interest expense (income), net
|
|
|
236 |
|
|
|
(804 |
) |
|
|
(630 |
) |
|
|
19,452 |
|
|
|
23,411 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings (loss) before income taxes
|
|
|
98,911 |
|
|
|
105,188 |
|
|
|
87,701 |
|
|
|
14,635 |
|
|
|
(17,797 |
) |
Income tax expense (benefit)
|
|
|
37,985 |
|
|
|
41,721 |
|
|
|
35,297 |
|
|
|
7,675 |
|
|
|
(5,836 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings (loss)
|
|
$ |
60,926 |
|
|
$ |
63,467 |
|
|
$ |
52,404 |
|
|
$ |
6,960 |
|
|
$ |
(11,961 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings (loss) per share basic
|
|
$ |
1.11 |
|
|
$ |
1.13 |
|
|
$ |
0.93 |
|
|
$ |
0.19 |
|
|
$ |
(0.33 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average shares outstanding basic
|
|
|
54,662 |
|
|
|
56,330 |
|
|
|
56,289 |
|
|
|
36,009 |
|
|
|
36,009 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings (loss) per share diluted
|
|
$ |
1.05 |
|
|
$ |
1.06 |
|
|
$ |
0.87 |
|
|
$ |
0.18 |
|
|
$ |
(0.33 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average shares outstanding diluted
|
|
|
57,796 |
|
|
|
59,764 |
|
|
|
60,419 |
|
|
|
39,397 |
|
|
|
36,009 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year | |
|
Fiscal Year | |
|
Fiscal Year | |
|
Fiscal Year | |
|
Fiscal Year | |
|
|
Ended | |
|
Ended | |
|
Ended | |
|
Ended | |
|
Ended | |
|
|
January 29, | |
|
January 31, | |
|
February 1, | |
|
February 2, | |
|
February 3, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2001 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
In thousands, except per share data and statistical data | |
Other Financial Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings (loss) excluding the after-tax effect of goodwill
amortization(3)
|
|
$ |
60,926 |
|
|
$ |
63,467 |
|
|
$ |
52,404 |
|
|
$ |
15,373 |
|
|
$ |
(5,212 |
) |
Net earnings (loss) per share excluding the after-tax effect of
goodwill amortization diluted(3)
|
|
$ |
1.05 |
|
|
$ |
1.06 |
|
|
$ |
0.87 |
|
|
$ |
0.39 |
|
|
$ |
(0.14 |
) |
Store Operating Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stores open at the end of period
|
|
|
1,826 |
|
|
|
1,514 |
|
|
|
1,231 |
|
|
|
1,038 |
|
|
|
978 |
|
Comparable store sales increase (decrease)(4)
|
|
|
1.7 |
% |
|
|
0.8 |
% |
|
|
11.4 |
% |
|
|
32.0 |
% |
|
|
(6.7 |
%) |
Inventory turnover
|
|
|
5.4 |
|
|
|
4.9 |
|
|
|
4.9 |
|
|
|
5.2 |
|
|
|
4.6 |
|
Balance Sheet Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Working capital (deficit)
|
|
$ |
110,093 |
|
|
$ |
188,378 |
|
|
$ |
174,482 |
|
|
$ |
31,107 |
|
|
$ |
(1,726 |
) |
Total assets(1)(2)
|
|
|
914,983 |
|
|
|
902,189 |
|
|
|
806,237 |
|
|
|
608,674 |
|
|
|
511,504 |
|
Total debt
|
|
|
36,520 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
399,623 |
|
|
|
385,148 |
|
Total liabilities(1)(2)
|
|
|
371,972 |
|
|
|
308,156 |
|
|
|
257,562 |
|
|
|
612,659 |
|
|
|
532,114 |
|
Stockholders equity (deficit)
|
|
|
543,011 |
|
|
|
594,033 |
|
|
|
548,675 |
|
|
|
(3,985 |
) |
|
|
(20,610 |
) |
|
|
(1) |
In GameStop fiscal 2004, GameStop revised its method of
accounting for rent expense to conform to GAAP, as recently
clarified by the Chief Accountant of the SEC in a
February 7, 2005 letter to the American Institute of
Certified Public Accountants. A non-cash, after-tax adjustment
of $3,312 was made in the fourth quarter of GameStop fiscal 2004
to correct the method of accounting for rent expense (and
related deferred rent liability) to include the impact of
escalating rents for periods in which GameStop is reasonably
assured of exercising lease options and to include any
rent holiday period (a period during which GameStop
is not obligated to pay rent) the lease allows while the store
is being constructed. GameStop also corrected its calculation of
depreciation expense for leasehold improvements for those leases
which do not include an option period. |
|
|
|
The impact of these corrections on periods prior to GameStop
fiscal 2004 was not material and the adjustment does not affect
historical or future cash flows or the timing of payments under
related leases. |
|
|
(2) |
In GameStop fiscal 2004, GameStop changed its classification of
tenant improvement allowances on the balance sheets, statement
of operations and statements of cash flows. GameStop
historically classified tenant improvement allowances as
reductions of property and equipment on its balance sheets and
as reductions in depreciation and amortization in its statements
of operations. In order to comply with the provisions of FASB
Technical Bulletin No. 88-1, Issues Relating to
Accounting for Leases (FTB 88-1), however, GameStop
has reclassified tenant improvement allowances as deferred rent
liabilities (in other long-term liabilities) on its balance
sheets and as a reduction of rent expense (in selling, general
and administrative expenses) in its statements of operations.
The effect of this reclassification increased total assets and
total liabilities on GameStops balance sheets by $4,671 as
of January 29, 2005, $3,265 as of January 31, 2004,
$2,328 as of February 1, 2003, $1,831 as of
February 2, 2002 and $1,747 as of February 3, 2001 and
decreased selling, general and administrative expense and
increased depreciation expense in GameStops statements of
operations by $671, $540, $601, $678 and $649 in GameStop fiscal
2004, 2003, 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively. |
|
(3) |
Net earnings (loss) excluding the after-tax effect of goodwill
amortization is presented here to provide additional information
about GameStops operations. These items should be
considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for or
superior to, operating earnings, net earnings, cash flow and
other |
11
|
|
|
measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). |
|
(4) |
Stores are included in GameStops comparable store sales
base beginning in the 13th month of operation. Comparable
store sales for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2001 were
computed using the first 52 weeks of the 53-week fiscal
year. |
Selected Historical Financial Data of EB
For the periods indicated, the selected historical financial
data of EB was derived from the historical consolidated
financial statements and related notes of EB, filed by EB with
the SEC. This data was derived from, and should be read in
conjunction with, the audited consolidated financial statements
and other financial information contained in EBs Annual
Report on Form 10-K (as amended) for EB fiscal 2005 (as
defined below), including the notes thereto. See Where You
Can Find More Information beginning on page 159.
The following table sets forth EBs selected consolidated
financial and operating data for the periods and at the dates
indicated. EBs fiscal year is composed of 52 or
53 weeks ending on the Saturday closest to January 31. The
fiscal years ended January 29, 2005 (EB fiscal 2005),
January 31, 2004 (EB fiscal 2004), February 1, 2003
(EB fiscal 2003) and February 2, 2002 (EB fiscal 2002)
consisted of 52 weeks and the fiscal year ended
February 3, 2001 (EB fiscal 2001) consisted of
53 weeks. GameStop refers to the fiscal years described
above as GameStop fiscal 2004, GameStop fiscal 2003, GameStop
fiscal 2002, GameStop fiscal 2001 and GameStop fiscal 2000,
respectively.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year Ended | |
|
|
| |
|
|
January 29, | |
|
January 31, | |
|
February 1, | |
|
February 2, | |
|
February 3, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2001 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data and operating data) | |
Statement of Income Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net sales
|
|
$ |
1,983,537 |
|
|
$ |
1,588,406 |
|
|
$ |
1,309,226 |
|
|
$ |
1,059,338 |
|
|
$ |
802,851 |
|
Management fees(1)
|
|
|
5,845 |
|
|
|
13,375 |
|
|
|
7,553 |
|
|
|
5,889 |
|
|
|
4,425 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
1,989,382 |
|
|
|
1,601,781 |
|
|
|
1,316,779 |
|
|
|
1,065,227 |
|
|
|
807,276 |
|
Cost of goods sold
|
|
|
1,450,205 |
|
|
|
1,174,429 |
|
|
|
971,204 |
|
|
|
826,599 |
|
|
|
626,939 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
539,177 |
|
|
|
427,352 |
|
|
|
345,575 |
|
|
|
238,628 |
|
|
|
180,337 |
|
Selling, general and administrative expense(2)
|
|
|
422,374 |
|
|
|
327,260 |
|
|
|
266,729 |
|
|
|
178,928 |
|
|
|
144,082 |
|
Restructuring and asset impairment (reversal) charge(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,611 |
) |
|
|
12,638 |
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
37,473 |
|
|
|
29,211 |
|
|
|
23,361 |
|
|
|
20,286 |
|
|
|
16,239 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income
|
|
|
79,330 |
|
|
|
70,881 |
|
|
|
58,096 |
|
|
|
26,776 |
|
|
|
20,016 |
|
Other income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,550 |
|
Interest income, net
|
|
|
2,350 |
|
|
|
1,751 |
|
|
|
1,677 |
|
|
|
1,884 |
|
|
|
3,096 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income tax expense and cumulative effect of change
in accounting principle
|
|
|
81,680 |
|
|
|
72,632 |
|
|
|
59,773 |
|
|
|
28,660 |
|
|
|
24,662 |
|
Income tax expense
|
|
|
29,393 |
|
|
|
26,903 |
|
|
|
22,373 |
|
|
|
10,948 |
|
|
|
9,791 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
|
|
|
52,287 |
|
|
|
45,729 |
|
|
|
37,400 |
|
|
|
17,712 |
|
|
|
14,871 |
|
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of
tax(4)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,773 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income(2)
|
|
$ |
52,287 |
|
|
$ |
45,729 |
|
|
$ |
32,627 |
|
|
$ |
17,712 |
|
|
$ |
14,871 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year Ended | |
|
|
| |
|
|
January 29, | |
|
January 31, | |
|
February 1, | |
|
February 2, | |
|
February 3, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2001 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data and operating data) | |
Income per share before cumulative effect of change in
accounting principle:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
$ |
2.16 |
|
|
$ |
1.82 |
|
|
$ |
1.44 |
|
|
$ |
0.74 |
|
|
$ |
0.67 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted
|
|
$ |
2.13 |
|
|
$ |
1.80 |
|
|
$ |
1.42 |
|
|
$ |
0.73 |
|
|
$ |
0.66 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Per share cumulative effect of change in accounting principle:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(0.18 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(0.18 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
$ |
2.16 |
|
|
$ |
1.82 |
|
|
$ |
1.26 |
|
|
$ |
0.74 |
|
|
$ |
0.67 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted
|
|
$ |
2.13 |
|
|
$ |
1.80 |
|
|
$ |
1.24 |
|
|
$ |
0.73 |
|
|
$ |
0.66 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average shares outstanding:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
24,159 |
|
|
|
25,114 |
|
|
|
25,833 |
|
|
|
23,868 |
|
|
|
22,254 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
24,547 |
|
|
|
25,415 |
|
|
|
26,247 |
|
|
|
24,230 |
|
|
|
22,466 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Data:(5)
(unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stores open at end of year
|
|
|
1,977 |
|
|
|
1,528 |
|
|
|
1,145 |
|
|
|
937 |
|
|
|
737 |
|
Comparable store sales increase (decrease)(6)
|
|
|
3.1 |
% |
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
8.3 |
% |
|
|
20.8 |
% |
|
|
(4.5 |
)% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of | |
|
|
| |
|
|
January 29, | |
|
January 31, | |
|
February 1, | |
|
February 2, | |
|
February 3, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2001 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Balance Sheet Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Working capital
|
|
$ |
175,422 |
|
|
$ |
163,422 |
|
|
$ |
144,363 |
|
|
$ |
121,446 |
|
|
$ |
30,133 |
|
Total assets
|
|
|
724,200 |
|
|
|
643,932 |
|
|
|
527,305 |
|
|
|
429,649 |
|
|
|
270,493 |
|
Long-term debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
143 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
372,732 |
|
|
|
339,952 |
|
|
|
252,805 |
|
|
|
192,489 |
|
|
|
139,273 |
|
Total stockholders equity
|
|
|
351,468 |
|
|
|
303,980 |
|
|
|
274,500 |
|
|
|
237,160 |
|
|
|
131,220 |
|
|
|
(1) |
In EB fiscal 2004, management fees included $4.7 million of
revenue earned as part of EBs termination of the services
agreement with The Game Group plc (Game Group). |
|
(2) |
In February 2005, EB initiated a review of its lease-related
accounting methods for rent holidays (the period prior to the
store opening when EB pays reduced or no rent) and tenant
improvement allowances. Based on this review, EB recorded a
one-time, cumulative, non-cash charge to rent expense of
$4.2 million ($2.7 million after-tax, or
$0.11 per diluted share) in the fourth quarter of EB fiscal
2005. |
|
(3) |
In EB fiscal 2002, the restructuring and asset impairment charge
of $12.6 million resulted from EBs adoption of a plan
to close the operations of all 29 EB Kids stores and sell the
22-store BC Sports Collectibles business. The charge represented
a $3.5 million write down of store leasehold improvements,
a $2.3 million write down of store furniture, fixtures and
equipment and $6.7 million in lease termination costs. In
EB fiscal 2003, the $2.6 million net reversal of the
restructuring and asset |
13
|
|
|
impairment charge resulted primarily from store lease related
accruals that were not necessary due to the terms of the sale of
the BC Sports Collectibles business. |
|
(4) |
EB changed its accounting policy with respect to the recording
of vendor advertising allowances effective retroactively as of
the beginning of EB fiscal 2003. As a result, EB recorded a
non-cash charge of $4.8 million, net of income tax, in the
first quarter of EB fiscal 2003 for the cumulative effect of the
change in accounting principle on fiscal years prior to EB
fiscal 2003. Prior to this change, EB recognized all vendor
advertising allowances as an offset to selling, general and
administrative expense. Vendor advertising allowances in excess
of advertising expense of $40.9 million and
$35.8 million were reflected as an offset to selling,
general and administrative expense in EB fiscal 2002 and EB
fiscal 2001, respectively. |
|
(5) |
Does not reflect stores operated by other retailers for which EB
has provided management services. |
|
(6) |
Comparable store sales are based on stores in operation for over
one year. Comparable store sales results for EB fiscal 2001
represents the 52 week period ending January 27, 2001. |
Selected Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial
Data of Holdco
The following table shows information about the pro forma
financial condition and results of operations, including per
share data, of Holdco after giving effect to the mergers. The
table sets forth selected unaudited pro forma condensed
consolidated statement of operations data as if the mergers had
become effective on February 1, 2004, and selected
unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet data as
if the mergers had occurred on January 29, 2005. The
information presented below should be read together with the
historical consolidated financial statements of GameStop and EB,
including the related notes, filed by each of them with the SEC
and together with the consolidated historical financial data for
GameStop and EB and the other unaudited pro forma financial
information, including the related notes, appearing elsewhere in
this joint proxy statement-prospectus. See Where You Can
Find More Information beginning on page 159 and
GSC Holdings Corp. Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed
Consolidated Financial Data beginning on page 132.
The unaudited pro forma financial data is not necessarily
indicative of results that actually would have occurred had the
mergers been completed on the dates indicated or that may be
obtained in the future. See also Risk Factors
beginning on page 16 and Information Regarding
Forward-Looking Statements beginning on page 20.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)s, | |
|
|
except per | |
|
|
share data) | |
For the fiscal year ended January 29, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Results
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$ |
3,826,343 |
|
|
|
Net earnings
|
|
|
64,067 |
|
|
Per Share Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings per common share basic
|
|
$ |
0.86 |
|
|
|
Net earnings per common share diluted
|
|
|
0.83 |
|
|
As of January 29, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial Position
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Merchandise inventories, net
|
|
$ |
507,974 |
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
|
2,657,403 |
|
|
|
Note payable, current portion
|
|
|
12,173 |
|
|
|
Notes payable, long-term portion
|
|
|
974,347 |
|
|
|
Total debt
|
|
|
986,520 |
|
14
COMPARATIVE PER SHARE DATA
(Unaudited)
The following table sets forth certain historical per share data
for GameStop and EB and combined per share data on an unaudited
pro forma condensed consolidated basis. You should read the
information below together with the financial statements and
related notes of GameStop and EB that are incorporated by
reference in this joint proxy statement-prospectus and with the
unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial data
included under GSC Holdings Corp. Unaudited Pro Forma
Condensed Consolidated Financial Data beginning on
page 132.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year Ended | |
GameStop Historical Comparative per Share Data |
|
January 29, 2005 | |
|
|
| |
Net earnings per common share basic
|
|
$ |
1.11 |
|
Net earnings per common share diluted
|
|
$ |
1.05 |
|
Cash dividends per common share
|
|
$ |
|
|
Book value per common share
|
|
$ |
10.68 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year Ended | |
EB Historical Comparative per Share Data |
|
January 29, 2005 | |
|
|
| |
Net earnings per common share basic
|
|
$ |
2.16 |
|
Net earnings per common share diluted
|
|
$ |
2.13 |
|
Cash dividends per common share
|
|
$ |
|
|
Book value per common share
|
|
$ |
14.26 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year Ended | |
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Comparative per Share Data |
|
January 29, 2005 | |
|
|
| |
Net earnings per common share basic
|
|
$ |
0.86 |
|
Net earnings per common share diluted
|
|
$ |
0.83 |
|
Cash dividends per common share
|
|
$ |
|
|
Book value per common share
|
|
$ |
13.70 |
|
15
RISK FACTORS
In addition to the other information contained in or
incorporated by reference into this joint proxy
statement-prospectus, including the matters addressed under the
caption Information Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements on page 20, you should carefully consider
the following risk factors in deciding whether to vote for
adoption of the merger proposal. Additional risk factors
regarding GameStop and EB can be found in the Annual Reports on
Forms 10-K (as amended) for the fiscal year ended
January 29, 2005 of GameStop and EB filed with the SEC and
available at the SECs Internet site
(http://www.sec.gov).
Because the exchange ratios are fixed, the market value of
Holdco common stock issued to you may be less than the value of
your shares of GameStop common stock or EB common stock.
GameStop stockholders and EB stockholders who receive shares in
the mergers will receive a fixed number of shares of common
stock of Holdco rather than a number of shares with a particular
fixed market value. The market values of GameStop and EB common
stock at the time of the mergers may vary significantly from
their prices on the date the merger agreement was executed, the
date of this joint proxy statement-prospectus or the date on
which GameStop and EB stockholders vote on the mergers. Because
the exchange ratio will not be adjusted to reflect any changes
in the market value of GameStop or EB common stock, the market
value of the Holdco common stock issued in the mergers and the
GameStop and EB common stock surrendered in the mergers may be
higher or lower than the values of such shares on such earlier
dates. Stock price changes may result from a variety of factors
that are beyond the control of GameStop and EB, including
changes in their businesses, operations and prospects,
regulatory considerations and general and industry specific
market and economic conditions. Neither GameStop nor EB is
permitted to terminate the merger agreement solely because of
changes in the market price of either partys common stock.
Holdcos significant indebtedness following the
mergers could adversely impact cash availability for growth and
operations and may increase vulnerability to general adverse
economic and industry conditions.
GameStop indebtedness for borrowed money as of May 23, 2005
was approximately $37 million. EB does not currently have
any indebtedness for borrowed money. Holdcos pro forma
total indebtedness, after giving effect to the mergers, is
approximately $987 million. Holdcos debt service
obligations with respect to this increased indebtedness could
have an adverse impact on its earnings and cash flows for as
long as the indebtedness is outstanding.
Holdcos increased indebtedness could have important
consequences to holders of its common stock. For example, it
could:
|
|
|
|
|
make it more difficult for Holdco to pay its debts as they
become due during general adverse economic and market industry
conditions because any related decrease in revenues could cause
Holdcos cash flows from operations to decrease and make it
difficult for Holdco to make its scheduled debt payments; |
|
|
|
limit Holdcos flexibility in planning for, or reacting to,
changes in its business and the industry in which it operates
and, consequently, place Holdco at a competitive disadvantage to
its competitors with less debt; |
|
|
|
require a substantial portion of Holdcos cash flow from
operations to be used for debt service payments, thereby
reducing the availability of its cash flow to fund working
capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general
corporate purposes; and |
|
|
|
result in higher interest expense in the event of increases in
interest rates since some of Holdcos borrowings are, and
will continue to be, at variable rates of interest. |
Additionally, if the rating of Holdcos indebtedness is
downgraded, Holdcos ability to borrow additional funds
could be limited or the interest rates applicable to
Holdcos indebtedness could increase.
16
There can be no assurance that Holdco will be able to make all
of the principal and interest payments when such payments are
due under Holdcos proposed credit facilities, the
indenture governing the proposed Holdco notes and/or the
proposed bridge facility. For more information see The
Mergers Financing.
The failure to integrate successfully GameStops and
EBs businesses and operations in the expected timeframe
may adversely affect Holdcos future results.
GameStop and EB have operated and, until the completion of the
mergers, will continue to operate independently. Holdco will
face significant challenges in consolidating GameStop and EB
functions, integrating their organizations, procedures and
operations in a timely and efficient manner and retaining key
GameStop and EB personnel. The integration of GameStop and EB
will be costly, complex and time consuming, and management of
Holdco will have to devote substantial resources and efforts to
it.
The integration process and other disruptions from the mergers
could result in the disruption of each companys ongoing
business or inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures
and policies that adversely affect their ability to maintain
relationships with customers, suppliers, employees and others
with whom they have business dealings or to achieve the
anticipated benefits of the mergers.
GameStop and EB may be in default under certain of their
store leases upon the closing of the mergers.
Certain of the store leases for GameStop and EB contain
provisions that require the consent of the landlord before the
tenant can complete a transaction such as the mergers or take
other actions that may be required following the closing of the
mergers. GameStop and EB may be in default under these store
leases upon the closing of the mergers. If the landlords under
these leases attempt to exercise any remedies available to them
following the closing of the mergers, the business, financial
conditions and results of operations of the combined company may
be adversely affected.
We may fail to realize the anticipated synergies, cost
savings and other benefits expected from the mergers, which
could adversely affect the value of Holdco stock.
The success of the mergers will depend, in part, on our ability
to realize the anticipated growth opportunities and cost savings
from combining the businesses of GameStop and EB. Management of
GameStop and EB have conservatively estimated that the combined
company expects to realize approximately $30 million in
cost savings and operating synergies by the end of 2006 and
$50 million annually thereafter by capitalizing on
consolidation and integration of certain functions as well as
through the adoption by Holdco of the best practices of both
GameStop and EB. However, to realize the anticipated benefits
from the mergers, we must successfully combine the businesses of
GameStop and EB in a manner that permits those costs savings
synergies to be realized. In addition, we must achieve these
savings without adversely affecting revenues. If we are not able
to successfully achieve these objectives, the anticipated
benefits of the mergers may not be realized fully or at all or
may take longer to realize than expected.
The merger agreement limits GameStops and EBs
ability to pursue alternatives to the mergers.
The merger agreement contains no shop provisions
that, subject to limited exceptions, limit GameStops and
EBs ability to discuss, facilitate or commit to competing
third-party proposals to acquire all or a significant part of
either GameStop or EB. In addition, GameStop and EB have agreed
that if the merger agreement is terminated under certain
circumstances, GameStop or EB will pay the other a termination
fee of $40 million. These provisions might discourage a
potential competing acquiror that might have an interest in
acquiring all or a significant part of GameStop or EB from
considering or proposing an acquisition even if it were prepared
to pay consideration with a higher per share price than that
proposed in the mergers, or might result in a potential
competing acquiror proposing to pay a lower per share price to
acquire GameStop or EB than it might otherwise have proposed to
pay.
17
The mergers are subject to certain closing conditions
that, if not satisfied or waived, will result in the mergers not
being completed, which may cause the market price of GameStop
common stock or EB common stock to decline.
The mergers are subject to customary conditions to closing,
including compliance with the requirements of the HSR Act and
the receipt of required approvals of the stockholders of
GameStop and EB. If any condition to the mergers are not
satisfied or, if permissible, waived, the mergers will not be
completed. In addition, GameStop and EB may terminate the merger
agreement in certain circumstances. If GameStop and EB do not
complete the mergers, the market price of GameStop common stock
or EB common stock may fluctuate to the extent that the current
market prices of those shares reflect a market assumption that
the mergers will be completed. GameStop and EB will also be
obligated to pay certain investment banking, financing, legal
and accounting fees and related expenses in connection with the
mergers, whether or not the mergers are completed. In addition,
GameStop and EB have each diverted significant management
resources in an effort to complete the mergers and are each
subject to restrictions contained in the merger agreement on the
conduct of its business. If the mergers are not completed,
GameStop and EB will each have incurred significant costs,
including the diversion of management resources, for which it
will have received little or no benefit. Further, in specified
circumstances, GameStop and EB may be required to pay to the
other a termination fee of $40 million if the merger
agreement is terminated. For a detailed description of the
circumstances in which such termination fee will be paid, see
The Mergers The Merger Agreement
Termination on page 87 and
Termination Fees on page 87.
Directors of GameStop and EB may have potential conflicts
of interest in recommending that you vote in favor of the
adoption of the merger agreement.
A number of directors of GameStop and a number of directors of
EB who recommend that you vote in favor of the adoption of the
merger agreement have employment or severance agreements, equity
compensation and other benefit arrangements or other interests
that provide them with interests in the mergers that differ from
yours. In addition, certain directors of EB will continue as
directors of Holdco while other directors will not, and in
either case, Holdco will indemnify and provide insurance for
their services as directors of GameStop and EB prior to the
mergers. Leonard Riggio, a GameStop director, is a significant
beneficial stockholder of GameStop and EBs Chairman, James
J. Kim, is a significant beneficial stockholder of EB. You
should be aware of these interests when you consider your board
of directors recommendation that you vote in favor of the
mergers.
Holdco does not expect to pay dividends for the
foreseeable future, and you must rely on increases in the
trading prices of Holdco stock for returns on your
investment.
Holdco does not expect to pay dividends in the foreseeable
future. Former GameStop and EB stockholders who become
stockholders of Holdco must rely on increases, if any, in the
trading price of Holdco common stock for any return on their
investment.
The former EB stockholders will have limited voting rights
in the combined company.
The shares of Holdco Class A common stock that the current
stockholders of EB will receive in connection with the EB merger
will be entitled to one vote per share whereas the shares of
Holdco Class B common stock that will be outstanding
following the mergers will be entitled to ten votes per share.
Accordingly, although the former stockholders of EB will own
approximately 27.6% of the outstanding common stock of Holdco
upon the closing of the mergers, their shares of stock will only
represent approximately 5.7% of the combined voting power of
Holdco.
The loss of key personnel may adversely affect
Holdco.
Following the mergers, Holdco will be dependent upon the
contributions of its senior management team, including R.
Richard Fontaine and Daniel A. DeMatteo, and other key employees
for its future
18
success. While Mr. Fontaine and Mr. DeMatteo have
employment agreements with GameStop, if any of these executives
or other key employees, were to cease to be employed by Holdco,
including as a result of the integration of GameStop and EB
following the mergers, Holdco could be adversely affected.
Former EB stockholders who become stockholders of Holdco
will be governed by the amended and restated certificate of
incorporation and amended and restated bylaws of Holdco.
EB stockholders who receive Holdco common stock in the mergers
will become Holdco stockholders and their rights as stockholders
will be governed by the amended and restated certificate of
incorporation and amended and restated bylaws of Holdco and
Delaware corporate law. As a result, there will be material
differences between the current rights of EB stockholders and
the rights they can expect to have as Holdco stockholders.
For example, among other differences, EBs certificate of
incorporation does not provide for a staggered board of
directors but Holdcos certificate of incorporation does,
and thus an acquisition or change in control of Holdco by a
third party that the board, in its judgment, might not have
favored may be more difficult to effect.
Former GameStop stockholders who become stockholders of
Holdco will be governed by the amended and restated certificate
of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws of
Holdco.
GameStop stockholders who receive Holdco common stock in the
mergers will become Holdco stockholders and their rights as
stockholders will be governed by the amended and restated
certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws of
Holdco and Delaware corporate law. As a result, there will be
material differences between the current rights of GameStop
stockholders and the rights they can expect to have as Holdco
stockholders.
For example, among other differences, GameStops
certificate of incorporation (without taking into effect the
amendment to be voted upon in connection with this joint proxy
statement-prospectus) provides that in connection with a merger,
consolidation, etc. the holders of GameStop Class A common
stock and GameStop Class B common stock will receive the
same consideration. Holdcos amended and restated
certificate of incorporation provides that the holders of Holdco
Class A common stock and Holdco Class B common stock
will receive the same consideration, provided that the holders
of Holdco Class B common stock may receive securities that
differ on a per share basis as to voting rights and powers (but
not more than ten to one) than those of the holders of Holdco
Class A common stock.
Market overhang could depress the market price
of Holdco common stock.
Upon the effectiveness of the registration statement required to
be filed with the SEC under the registration rights agreement
with the Kim Group, 9.1 million shares of Holdco
Class A common stock will be available to be sold
immediately into the public market. That market
overhang, as well as any sales of such shares, could
depress the market price of the Holdco common stock.
The combined company may be required to make severance
payments to EBs executive officers in connection with the
mergers.
Certain executive officers of EB have the right to terminate
their employment with EB following the mergers. If these EB
executive officers elect to so terminate their employment, EB
will be required to make severance payments in an amount equal
to their current total compensation for a period equal to the
greater of (i) the balance of their employment term under
their employment agreements and (ii) twelve months, and to
continue to provide them with their current benefits during such
period. If all of the EB executive officers who have the right
to these severance payments elect to terminate their employment
following the closing of the mergers, EB will have to make
aggregate severance payments of approximately $5.8 million
to these executive officers.
19
INFORMATION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This joint proxy statement-prospectus contains
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These
statements may be made directly in this joint proxy
statement-prospectus or they may be made a part of this joint
proxy statement-prospectus by appearing in other documents filed
with the SEC by GameStop, EB and Holdco and incorporated by
reference in this joint proxy statement-prospectus. These
statements may include statements regarding the period following
completion of the mergers.
Words such as anticipate, estimate,
expect, project, intend,
plan, believe, target,
objective, goal, should and
words and terms of similar substance used in connection with any
discussion of future operating or financial performance of
GameStop, EB or Holdco or of the mergers identify
forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are
managements present expectations or forecasts of future
events and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties
that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
described in the forward-looking statements. In addition to the
factors relating to the mergers discussed under the caption
Risk Factors beginning on page 16 above, the
following factors, among others, could cause actual results to
differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements:
|
|
|
|
|
the ability to obtain governmental approvals of the transaction
on the proposed terms in a timely manner; |
|
|
|
the failure of GameStop and EB stockholders to approve the
transaction; the risk that the businesses will not be integrated
successfully; |
|
|
|
the risk that the cost savings and any other synergies from the
transaction may not be fully realized or may take longer to
realize than expected; |
|
|
|
disruption from the transaction making it more difficult to
maintain relationships with customers, employees or
suppliers; and |
|
|
|
competition and its effect on pricing, spending, third-party
relationships and revenues. Additional factors that could cause
GameStops and EBs results to differ materially from
those described in the forward-looking statements can be found
in the Annual Reports on Forms 10-K (as amended) for the
fiscal year ended January 29, 2005 of GameStop and EB filed
with the SEC and available at the SECs Internet site
(http://www.sec.gov). |
We caution you not to place undue reliance on the
forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of
this joint proxy statement-prospectus in the case of
forward-looking statements contained in this joint proxy
statement-prospectus, or the dates of the documents incorporated
by reference in this joint proxy statement-prospectus in the
case of forward-looking statements made in those incorporated
documents. Except as may be required by law, none of GameStop,
EB or Holdco has any obligation to update or alter these
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.
We expressly qualify in their entirety all forward-looking
statements attributable to GameStop, EB or Holdco or any person
acting on our behalf by the cautionary statements contained or
referred to in this section.
20
THE GAMESTOP ANNUAL MEETING
Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus
This joint proxy statement-prospectus is being furnished to you
in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the GameStop
board of directors in connection with GameStops annual
meeting of stockholders.
This joint proxy statement-prospectus is first being furnished
to GameStop stockholders on or
about ,
2005.
Date, Time and Place of the GameStop Annual Meeting
The GameStop annual meeting is scheduled to be held as follows:
Purpose of the GameStop Annual Meeting
At the GameStop annual meeting, GameStops stockholders
will be asked:
|
|
|
1. To consider and vote on a proposal to (i) adopt the
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April 17, 2005,
by and among GameStop, GameStop, Inc., GSC Holdings Corp., Eagle
Subsidiary LLC, Cowboy Subsidiary LLC and EB, including the
transactions contemplated thereby, including the GameStop
merger, pursuant to which, among other things, separate
subsidiaries of Holdco will be merged with and into GameStop and
EB, (ii) approve the amendment to GameStops
certificate of incorporation to provide for the payment of the
merger consideration as contemplated by the merger agreement and
(iii) to approve the amendment to the GameStop Amended and
Restated 2001 Incentive Plan to provide for the issuance of
Holdco Class A common stock under the plan. In the proposed
mergers, EB common stockholders will have the right to receive
$38.15 in cash and .78795 of a share of Holdco Class A
common stock for each share of EB common stock that they own. In
addition, GameStop stockholders will receive one share of Holdco
Class A common stock for each share of GameStop
Class A common stock that they own and one share of Holdco
Class B common stock for each share of GameStop
Class B common stock that they own. A copy of the merger
agreement is attached as Annex A to the accompanying
joint proxy statement-prospectus. |
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2. To consider and vote on the adoption of the Holdco 2005
Incentive Plan. |
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3. To elect three members to GameStops board of
directors. |
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4. To ratify the appointment of BDO Seidman, LLP as
GameStops registered independent public accounting firm
for GameStops fiscal year ending January 28, 2006. |
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5. To transact such other business as may properly come
before the GameStop annual meeting or any adjournment or
postponement of the GameStop annual meeting. |
Record Date for the GameStop Annual Meeting
The board of directors of GameStop has fixed the close of
business
on ,
2005 as the GameStop record date for determination of GameStop
stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the GameStop
annual meeting of stockholders.
On the GameStop record date, there
were shares
of GameStop Class A common stock
and shares
of GameStop Class B common stock outstanding and entitled
to vote at the GameStop annual meeting, held by
approximately holders
of record. Shares that are held in GameStops treasury are
not entitled to vote at the GameStop annual meeting.
Recommendation of the Board of Directors of GameStop
As discussed elsewhere in this joint proxy
statement-prospectus, GameStops board of directors has
approved the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated
thereby, including the GameStop
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merger, and has determined that the transactions contemplated
by the merger agreement are advisable and fair to and in the
best interests of GameStop and its stockholders. The GameStop
board of directors recommends that GameStop stockholders
vote:
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FOR the proposal to adopt the merger agreement and the
transactions contemplated thereby, including the GameStop
merger, the amendment to GameStops certificate of
incorporation to provide for the payment of the GameStop merger
consideration as contemplated by the merger agreement and the
amendment to the GameStop Amended and Restated 2001 Incentive
Plan to provide for the issuance of Holdco Class A common
stock under the plan; |
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FOR the adoption of the Holdco 2005 Incentive Plan; |
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FOR the election of the GameStop nominees for directors named in
this joint proxy statement-prospectus; and |
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FOR the ratification of BDO Seidman, LLP as GameStops
registered independent public accounting firm for
GameStops fiscal year ending January 28, 2006. |
GAMESTOP PROPOSAL 1 THE MERGERS
As discussed elsewhere in this joint proxy statement-prospectus,
GameStop stockholders are considering and voting on a proposal
to adopt the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated
thereby, including the GameStop merger, an amendment to
GameStops certificate of incorporation to provide for the
payment of the GameStop merger consideration as contemplated by
the merger agreement and the amendment to the GameStop Amended
and Restated 2001 Incentive Plan to provide for the issuance of
Holdco Class A common stock under the plan. You should
carefully read this entire joint proxy statement-prospectus,
including the full text of the merger agreement, which is
attached as Annex A, and the other documents we
refer you to for a more complete understanding of the mergers.
In addition, we incorporate important business and financial
information about each of GameStop and EB into this joint proxy
statement-prospectus by reference. You may obtain the
information incorporated by reference into this joint proxy
statement-prospectus without charge by following the
instructions in the section entitled Where You Can Find
More Information which begins on page 159.
Effect of the GameStop Merger; What You Will Receive in the
GameStop Merger
Upon completion of the GameStop merger, Cowboy Subsidiary LLC, a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdco newly organized to effect the
GameStop merger, will merge with and into GameStop. GameStop
will be the surviving corporation in the GameStop merger and
will thereby become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdco.
In the GameStop merger, each outstanding share of GameStop
Class A common stock (other than shares owned by GameStop,
Cowboy Subsidiary LLC or EB) will be converted into one share of
Holdco Class A common stock and each share of GameStop
Class B common stock (other than shares owned by GameStop,
Cowboy Subsidiary LLC or EB) will be converted into one share of
Holdco Class B common stock. The exchange ratio is fixed
and will not be adjusted to reflect stock price changes prior to
the date of the GameStop merger. Each share of GameStop common
stock owned by GameStop, Cowboy Subsidiary LLC or EB will be
cancelled without consideration.
All outstanding GameStop stock options will be converted into
options to purchase the same number of shares of Holdco
Class A common stock, subject to the same terms and
conditions. Holdco shall assume the GameStop Amended and
Restated 2001 Incentive Plan, as amended. As of May 23,
2005, there were approximately three million shares remaining
available for grant pursuant to this plan.
In connection with the mergers, Article Fourth (b)(v) of
the amended and restated certificate of incorporation of
GameStop relating to the equal treatment of holders of GameStop
Class A common stock and GameStop Class B common stock
in mergers, consolidations, etc., will be amended, subject to
GameStop stockholder approval, to permit the receipt by holders
of GameStop Class B common stock, in
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any consolidation, merger, combination or other transaction in
which shares of GameStop common stock are exchanged for other
securities or property, of securities that differ as to voting
rights and powers on a per share basis from the securities
received by holders of GameStop Class A common stock,
provided that such difference shall not exceed ten to one. This
amendment is necessary to allow for the payment of the GameStop
merger consideration in accordance with the terms of the merger
agreement. This amendment requires the affirmative vote of a
majority of the outstanding shares of GameStop Class A
common stock, voting as a single class, and the affirmative vote
of a majority of the GameStop Class A common stock and
GameStop Class B common stock, voting together as a single
class.
GameStop stockholders who receive Holdco common stock in the
mergers will become Holdco stockholders and their rights as
stockholders will be governed by the amended and restated
certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws of
Holdco and Delaware corporate law. As a result, there will be
material differences between the current rights of GameStop
stockholders and the rights they can expect to have as Holdco
stockholders. The rights pertaining to Holdco common stock and
Holdcos amended and restated certificate of incorporation
and amended and restated bylaws are described under
Description of Holdco Capital Stock Common
Stock on page 138 and the differences between the
rights of Holdco and GameStops stockholders are described
under Comparison of Stockholder Rights on
page 141.
The GameStop board of directors recommends you vote FOR
the merger proposal, and your proxy will be so voted unless you
specify otherwise.
GAMESTOP PROPOSAL 2 ADOPTION OF
HOLDCO 2005 INCENTIVE PLAN
The board of directors of Holdco has approved, subject to the
approval of GameStops stockholders and EBs
stockholders, the adoption of Holdcos 2005 Incentive Plan
(the Incentive Plan or the Holdco 2005 Incentive Plan).
Holdco 2005 Incentive Plan
The following is a summary of the Holdco 2005 Incentive Plan.
This summary is qualified in all respects by reference to the
full text of the Incentive Plan included herein as
Annex M.
General. The Incentive Plan provides for the grant of
awards to key officers, employees, consultants, advisors and
directors of Holdco, its subsidiaries and affiliates selected
from time to time by the Incentive Plan Committee. The purpose
of the Incentive Plan is to assist Holdco in attracting and
retaining selected individuals to serve as directors, officers,
consultants, advisors and employees who will contribute to its
success and to achieve long-term objectives which will inure to
the benefit of all its stockholders through the additional
incentive inherent in the ownership of Holdco Class A
common stock. Awards under the Incentive Plan may take the form
of stock options, including corresponding share appreciation
rights (SARs), restricted stock awards and other share-based
awards.
Options available and outstanding. If approved, the
maximum number of shares that may be the subject of awards under
the Incentive Plan would be 5,000,000 shares of Holdco
Class A common stock. This is in addition to the
approximately 3,000,000 shares of Holdco Class A
common stock that may be issued under the GameStop Amended and
Restated 2001 Incentive Plan, as described in The
Mergers Amendment to GameStop Amended and Restated
2001 Incentive Plan on page 94. Shares are counted
against the maximum number of authorized shares only to the
extent they are actually issued. Thus, shares which terminate by
expiration, forfeiture, cancellation, or otherwise, are settled
in cash in lieu of shares, or exchanged for awards not involving
shares, shall again be available for grant. Also, if the option
price or tax withholding requirements of any award are satisfied
by tendering shares to Holdco, or if a SAR is exercised, only
the number of shares issued, net of the shares tendered, will be
deemed issued under the Incentive Plan.
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The Incentive Plan also imposes annual per-participant award
limits. In any given year, the maximum number of shares with
respect to which options or SARs may be granted to any employee
is 1,000,000 shares, the maximum number of restricted share
awards or other share-based awards that may be granted to any
participant is 1,000,000 shares, and the maximum aggregate
amount awarded or credited with respect to cash-based awards to
any one participant may not exceed $5,000,000.
Incentive Plan Administration. The Holdco Compensation
Committee (the Committee) will administer the Incentive Plan.
Subject to the provisions of the Incentive Plan, the Committee
has authority, in its sole discretion, to grant awards under the
Incentive Plan, to interpret the provisions of the Incentive
Plan and, subject to the requirements of applicable law, to
prescribe, amend, and rescind rules and regulations relating to
the Incentive Plan or any award thereunder as it may deem
necessary or advisable. The Committee may alter, amend, suspend
or terminate the Incentive Plan as it deems advisable, subject
to any requirement for stockholder approval imposed by
applicable law, including Sections 162(m) and 422 of the
Code, or any rule of any stock exchange or quotation system on
which shares are listed or quoted; provided that the Committee
may not amend the Incentive Plan, without the approval of
Holdcos stockholders, to increase the number of shares
that may be the subject of options under the Incentive Plan. In
addition, except to the extent necessary to avoid the imposition
of additional tax or interest under Section 409A of the
Code, no amendment to, or termination of, the Incentive Plan
shall in any way impair the rights of an optionee or a
participant under any award previously granted without such
optionees or participants consent.
Options. The Incentive Plan permits the granting of
incentive stock options meeting the requirements of
Section 422 of the Code, and nonqualified stock
options that do not meet such requirements. The term of
each option is determined by the Committee, but no incentive
stock option may be exercised more than ten years after the date
of grant. Options may also be subject to restrictions on
exercise, such as exercise in periodic installments, as
determined by the Committee. In general, the exercise price for
options must be at least equal to 100% of the fair market value
of the shares on the date of the grant. The exercise price can
be paid in cash, or if approved by the Committee, by tendering
shares owned by the participant, or any combination of the
foregoing. Awards are not transferable except by will or the
laws of descent and distribution and may generally be exercised
only by the participant (or his or her guardian or legal
representative) during his or her lifetime, provided, however,
nonqualified stock options may, under certain circumstances, be
transferable to family members and trusts for the benefit of the
participant or his or her family members.
Share Appreciation Rights. The Incentive Plan provides
that the Committee may grant SARs in connection with the grant
of options. Each SAR must be associated with a specific option
and must be granted at the time of grant of such option. A SAR
is exercisable only to the extent the related option is
exercisable. Upon the exercise of a SAR, the recipient is
entitled to receive from Holdco up to, but no more than, an
amount in shares equal to the excess of (i) the fair market
value of one share on the date of such exercise over
(ii) the exercise price of any related option, multiplied
by the number of shares in respect of which such SAR shall have
been exercised. Upon the exercise of a SAR, the related option,
or the portion thereof in respect of which such SAR is
exercised, will terminate. Upon the exercise of an option
granted in tandem with a SAR, such tandem SAR will terminate.
SARs may be granted only if Holdco shares are traded on an
established securities market at the date of grant.
Restricted Stock. The Committee may award restricted
shares under the Incentive Plan. Restricted shares give a
participant the right to receive shares subject to a risk of
forfeiture based upon certain conditions. The forfeiture
restrictions on the shares may be based upon performance
standards, length of service or other criteria as the Committee
may determine. Until all restrictions are satisfied, lapsed or
waived, we will maintain custody over the restricted shares but
the participant will be able to vote the shares and will be
entitled to all distributions paid with respect to the shares,
as provided by the Committee. During such restrictive period,
the restricted shares may not be sold, assigned, transferred,
pledged or otherwise encumbered. Upon termination of employment,
the participant forfeits the right to the shares to the extent
the applicable performance standards, length of service
requirements, or other measurement criteria have not been met.
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Antidilution Provisions. In general, the Committee may
adjust the number of shares authorized to be issued under the
Incentive Plan and subject to outstanding awards (and the grant
or exercise price thereof) to prevent dilution or enlargement of
rights in the event of any dividend or other distribution,
recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split,
reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off,
combination, repurchase or exchange of shares or other
securities, the issuance of warrants or other rights to purchase
shares or other securities, or other similar capitalization
change.
Termination and Amendment. The Incentive Plan will
terminate by its terms and without any action by the board of
directors in 2015. No awards may be made after that date. Awards
outstanding on such termination date will remain valid in
accordance with their terms. In general, the Committee may amend
the Incentive Plan as it shall deem advisable, except that it
may not amend the Incentive Plan to increase the number of
shares authorized for issuance under the Incentive Plan without
the consent of Holdco stockholders and it may not alter
outstanding awards without a participants consent unless
necessary to avoid imposition of additional tax or interest
under Code Section 409A.
Treatment of Awards Upon a Change of Control and Related
Transactions. One or more awards may be subject to the terms
and conditions set forth in a written agreement between Holdco
and a participant providing for different terms or provisions
with respect to such awards upon a change of control
of Holdco (as that term may be defined in such written
agreement), provided, that such written agreement may not
increase the maximum amount of such awards.
Awards for Non-U.S. Employees. To comply with the
laws in other countries in which Holdco or its affiliates or
subsidiaries operate or may operate or have employees, officers,
directors, or third-party service providers, the Committee may
establish, among other things, subplans under the Incentive Plan
and modify the terms of the awards made to such employees,
officers, directors or third-party service providers.
Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences of The Incentive
Plan. The following is a brief summary of the principal
federal income tax consequences of awards under the Incentive
Plan. The summary is based upon current federal income tax laws
and interpretations thereof, all of which are subject to change
at any time, possibly with retroactive effect. The summary is
not intended to be exhaustive and, among other things, does not
describe state, local or foreign tax consequences.
A participant is not subject to federal income tax either at the
time of grant or at the time of exercise of an incentive stock
option. However, upon exercise, the difference between the fair
market value of the shares and the exercise price is an item of
tax preference subject to the possible application of the
alternative minimum tax. If a participant does not dispose of
shares acquired through the exercise of an incentive stock
option in a disqualifying disposition (i.e., no
disposition occurs within two years from the date of grant of
the incentive stock option nor within one year of the transfer
of the shares to the participant), then the participant will be
taxed only upon the gain, if any, from the sale of such shares,
and such gain will be taxable as gain from the sale of a capital
asset.
Holdco will not receive any tax deduction on the exercise of an
incentive stock option or, if the above holding period
requirements are met, on the sale of the underlying shares. If
there is a disqualifying disposition (i.e., one of the holding
period requirements is not met), the participant will be treated
as receiving compensation subject to ordinary income tax in the
year of the disqualifying disposition and Holdco will be
entitled to a deduction for compensation expense in an amount
equal to the amount included in income by the participant. The
participant generally will be required to include in income an
amount equal to the difference between the fair market value of
the shares at the time of exercise and the exercise price. Any
appreciation in value after the time of exercise will be taxed
as capital gain and will not result in any deduction by Holdco.
If nonqualified stock options are granted to a participant,
there are no federal income tax consequences at the time of
grant. Upon exercise of the option, the participant must report
as ordinary income an amount equal to the difference between the
exercise price and the fair market value of the shares on the
date of exercise. Holdco will receive a tax deduction in like
amount. Any appreciation in
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value after the time of exercise will be taxed as capital gain
and will not result in any deduction by Holdco.
No income will be realized by the participant in connection with
the grant of any SAR. The participant must include in ordinary
income the amount of cash received and the fair market value on
the exercise date of any shares received upon the exercise of a
SAR. Holdco will be entitled to a deduction equal to the amount
included in such participants income by reason of the
exercise of any SAR.
Except as described in the following paragraph, a grant of
restricted shares does not constitute a taxable event for either
a participant or Holdco. However, the participant will be
subject to tax, at ordinary income tax rates, based on the fair
market value of the shares when they are no longer subject to a
substantial risk of forfeiture or they become transferable.
Holdco will be entitled to take a commensurate deduction at that
time.
A participant may elect to recognize taxable ordinary income at
the time restricted shares are awarded in an amount equal to the
fair market value of the shares at the time of grant, determined
without regard to any forfeiture restrictions. Any such election
must be filed with the Internal Revenue Service within
30 days following the date of grant. If such an election is
made, Holdco will be entitled to a deduction at that time in the
same amount. Future appreciation on the shares will be taxed at
the capital gains rate when the shares are sold. However, if,
after making such an election, the shares are forfeited, the
participant will be unable to claim a deduction.
Pursuant to Section 162(m) of the Code, Holdco may not
deduct compensation of more than $1,000,000 that is paid to an
individual who, on the last day of the taxable year, is either
Holdcos chief executive officer or is among one of the
four other most highly-compensated officers for that taxable
year as reported in Holdcos proxy statement (a Covered
Employee). The limitation on deductions does not apply to
certain types of compensation, including qualified
performance-based compensation. It is intended that awards under
the Incentive Plan made to Covered Employees in the form of
options, performance-based restricted share awards, SARs, and
cash payments under annual incentive awards will constitute
qualified performance-based compensation and, as such, will be
exempt from the $1,000,000 limitation on deductible
compensation, but no assurance can be made in this regard.
The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, enacted at the end of
2004, added new Section 409A of the Code. Section 409A
imposes additional tax and interest charges on service providers
who receive certain deferred compensation that does not meet the
requirements of Section 409A. Holdco intends that awards
under the Incentive Plan will meet the requirements of
Section 409A, but no assurance can be made in this regard.
Awards made to participants under the Incentive Plan may be
subject to federal, state and local income tax and employment
tax withholding obligations and Holdco will comply with any
requirements to withhold such taxes.
ERISA Status. The Incentive Plan is not subject to the
provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended.
The GameStop board of directors recommends you vote FOR
the adoption of the Holdco 2005 Incentive Plan, and your proxy
will be so voted unless you specify otherwise.
GAMESTOP PROPOSAL 3 ELECTION OF GAMESTOP
DIRECTORS
GameStops board of directors currently consists of seven
directors. GameStops certificate of incorporation divides
its board of directors into three classes: Class I, whose
terms will expire at the GameStop annual meeting of stockholders
to be held in 2006, Class II, whose terms will expire at
the GameStop annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2007,
and Class III, whose terms will expire at this years
GameStop annual meeting. Michael N. Rosen and Edward A. Volkwein
are in Class I; R. Richard Fontaine and Stephanie M.
Shern are in Class II; and Daniel A. DeMatteo, Leonard
Riggio and Gerald R. Szczepanski are in Class III and are
nominated for re-election at this years GameStop
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annual meeting. At each GameStop annual meeting of stockholders,
the successors to directors whose terms will then expire will be
elected to serve from the time of election and qualification
until the third GameStop annual meeting following election.
In addition, GameStops certificate of incorporation
provides that the authorized number of directors may be changed
only by resolution of the GameStop board of directors and may be
from three to fifteen. Any additional directorships resulting
from an increase in the number of directors will be distributed
among the three classes so that, as nearly as possible, each
class will consist of one-third of the total number of directors.
In accordance with the recommendation of the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee, the GameStop board of directors
has nominated Daniel A. DeMatteo, Leonard Riggio and Gerald R.
Szczepanski, each of whom is currently a member of the GameStop
board of directors, for election as Class III directors. If
elected, such nominees will serve for three-year terms to expire
at GameStops annual meeting of stockholders in 2008 or
until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
For information regarding the Class III directors nominated
for reelection, and regarding the GameStop board of directors as
a whole, see Information about GameStop
Information about the Board of Directors and Executive Officers
of GameStop on page 97.
The GameStop board of directors recommends you vote FOR
the election of the GameStop nominees for director named above,
and your proxy will be so voted unless you specify otherwise.
GAMESTOP PROPOSAL 4 RATIFICATION OF THE
APPOINTMENT OF
GAMESTOPS REGISTERED INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTING
FIRM
The GameStop board of directors has appointed the firm of BDO
Seidman, LLP, which firm was engaged as GameStops
registered independent public accounting firm for the fiscal
year ended January 29, 2005, to audit the financial
statements of GameStop for the fiscal year ending
January 28, 2006. A proposal to ratify this appointment is
being presented to the GameStop stockholders at the GameStop
annual meeting. A representative of BDO Seidman will be present
at the GameStop annual meeting and will have the opportunity to
make a statement and will be available to respond to appropriate
questions.
For information regarding audit-related and other fees, see
Information about GameStop GameStop Registered
Independent Public Accounting Firm on page 114.
The GameStop board of directors considers BDO Seidman to be
well qualified and recommends you vote FOR the
ratification, and your proxy will be so voted unless you specify
otherwise.
Votes Required
The presence of a majority of the voting power of the shares of
GameStop common stock entitled to vote at the GameStop annual
meeting must be represented in person or by proxy at the
GameStop annual meeting to constitute a quorum. The adoption of
the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby,
including the GameStop merger, and the approval of the amendment
to GameStops certificate of incorporation and the
amendment to the GameStop Amended and Restated 2001 Incentive
Plan (collectively, the merger proposal) requires the
affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of
GameStop Class A common stock, voting as a single class,
and the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares
of GameStop Class A common stock and GameStop Class B
common stock, voting together as a single class. The adoption of
the Holdco 2005 Incentive Plan requires the affirmative vote of
a majority of the voting power of GameStop common stock voting
on the proposal in person or by proxy at the GameStop annual
meeting. The three nominees for GameStop director receiving the
highest vote totals will be elected as directors of GameStop to
serve until the 2008 GameStop annual meeting of stockholders.
The ratification of BDO Seidman, LLP as GameStops
registered independent public accounting firm requires the
affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of GameStop
common stock voting on the proposal in person or by proxy at the
GameStop annual meeting. At the GameStop
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annual meeting, each holder of GameStop Class A common
stock is entitled to one vote for each share of GameStop
Class A common stock, and each holder of GameStop
Class B common stock is entitled to ten votes for each
share of GameStop Class B common stock, held as of the
GameStop record date on all matters properly submitted to the
GameStop stockholders.
Pursuant to a voting agreement, the Riggio Group has agreed to
vote their shares of GameStop common stock in favor of the
adoption of the merger proposal. As
of ,
2005, the GameStop record date, the Riggio Group owned
approximately 5.3 million shares of GameStop Class B
common stock, which represents approximately 16.4% of the
combined voting power of all classes of GameStops voting
stock. The Riggio Group also holds exercisable options to
acquire 4,500,000 shares of GameStop Class A common
stock. These options are not expected to be exercised prior to
the GameStop record date and therefore the Riggio Group is not
expected to have any voting power with respect to the GameStop
Class A common stock.
A complete list of GameStop stockholders entitled to vote at the
GameStop annual meeting will be available for inspection at the
executive offices of GameStop during regular business hours for
a period of no less than ten days before the GameStop annual
meeting.
Adjournment or Postponement
The GameStop annual meeting may be adjourned or postponed by
GameStops chairman and other authorized persons in order
to permit further solicitation of proxies. However, no proxy
that is voted against a proposal described in this joint proxy
statement-prospectus will be voted in favor of an adjournment.
Proxies
All shares of GameStop common stock represented by properly
executed proxies or voting instructions (including those given
through electronic voting through the Internet or by telephone)
received before or at the GameStop annual meeting prior to the
closing of the polls will, unless revoked, be voted in
accordance with the instructions indicated on those proxies or
voting instructions. If no instructions are indicated on a
properly executed proxy card, the shares will be voted FOR
adoption of the GameStop proposals described herein. If you
return a properly executed proxy card or voting instruction card
and have indicated that you have abstained from voting, your
GameStop common stock represented by the proxy will be
considered present at the GameStop annual meeting for purposes
of determining a quorum, but will have the same effect as a vote
against adopting the merger proposal described herein. We urge
you to mark each applicable box on the proxy card or voting
instruction card to indicate how to vote your shares.
If your GameStop shares are held in an account at a broker or
bank, you must instruct the broker or bank on how to vote your
GameStop shares. If an executed proxy card returned by a broker
or bank holding GameStop shares indicates that the broker or
bank does not have discretionary authority to vote on a
particular matter, the shares will be considered present at the
GameStop annual meeting for purposes of determining the presence
of a quorum, but will have the same effect as a vote against
adopting the merger proposal. This is called a broker non-vote.
Your broker or bank will vote your GameStop annual shares over
which it does not have discretionary authority only if you
provide instructions on how to vote by following the
instructions provided to you by your broker or bank.
Because the adoption of the merger proposal requires the
affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of
GameStop Class A common stock, voting as a single class,
and the affirmative vote of a majority of the GameStop
Class A common stock and GameStop Class B common
stock, voting together as a single class, abstentions, failures
to vote and broker non-votes will have the same effect as votes
against adopting the merger proposal.
GameStop does not expect that any matter other than the
proposals described herein will be brought before its annual
meeting. If, however, other matters are properly presented, the
persons named as proxies
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will vote in accordance with their judgment with respect to
those matters, unless you withhold authority to do so on the
proxy card or voting instruction card.
The persons named as proxies may vote for one or more
adjournments of the GameStop annual meeting to permit further
solicitations in favor of the proposals to be considered at
those meetings. However, no proxy that is voted against a
proposal described in this joint proxy statement-prospectus will
be voted in favor of an adjournment.
You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted by:
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filing a written notice of revocation with the Secretary,
GameStop Corp., 625 Westport Parkway, Grapevine, Texas 76051; |
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delivering a subsequently dated proxy; or |
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appearing in person and voting at the GameStop annual meeting if
you are a holder of record. |
Attendance at the GameStop annual meeting will not in and of
itself constitute revocation of a proxy. If the GameStop annual
meeting is postponed or adjourned, it will not affect the
ability of GameStop stockholders of record as of the GameStop
record date to exercise their voting rights or to revoke any
previously-granted proxy using the methods described above.
Voting Electronically or by Telephone
Because Delaware, the state in which GameStop is incorporated,
permits electronic submission of proxies through the Internet or
by telephone, instead of submitting proxies by mail on the
enclosed proxy card or voting instruction card, GameStop
stockholders of record and many GameStop stockholders who hold
their shares through a broker or bank will have the option to
submit their proxies or voting instructions electronically
through the Internet or by telephone. Please note that there are
separate arrangements for using the Internet and telephone
depending on whether your shares are registered in
GameStops stock records in your name or in the name of a
broker, bank or other holder of record. If you hold your
GameStop shares through a broker, bank or other holder of
record, you should check your proxy card or voting instruction
card forwarded by your broker, bank or other holder of record to
see which options are available.
Stockholders of record of GameStop common stock at the close of
business
on ,
2005, the GameStop record date, may submit their proxies:
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through the Internet by visiting a website established for that
purpose at
http://www. and
following the instructions; or |
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by telephone by calling the toll-free number 800-491-3365 in the
United States, Puerto Rico or Canada on a touch-tone phone and
following the recorded instructions. GameStop stockholders
calling from another country may call 212-440-9800 and follow
the recorded instructions. |
In order to vote via the telephone or the Internet, please have
in front of you either your proxy card, or if you have consented
to receive your materials electronically, your e-mail
notification advising that materials are available on-line. A
phone number and an Internet website address are contained on
each of the documents. Upon entering either the phone number or
the Internet website address, you will be instructed on how to
proceed.
Solicitation of Proxies
To assist in the solicitation of proxies, GameStop has retained
Georgeson Shareholder Communications, Inc. for a fee not to
exceed $9,000 plus reimbursement of expenses. GameStop and its
proxy solicitor will also request banks, brokers and other
intermediaries holding shares of GameStop common stock
beneficially owned by others to send this joint proxy
statement-prospectus to, and obtain proxies from, the beneficial
owners and will, if requested, reimburse the record holders for
their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in so doing.
Solicitation of proxies by mail may be supplemented by telephone
and other
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electronic means, advertisements and personal solicitation by
the directors, officers or employees of GameStop. No additional
compensation will be paid to GameStops directors, officers
or employees for soliciting votes in connection with the
GameStop annual meeting.
THE EB ANNUAL MEETING
Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus
This joint proxy statement-prospectus is being furnished to you
in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the EB board
of directors in connection with EBs annual meeting of
stockholders.
This joint proxy statement-prospectus is first being furnished
to EB stockholders on or
about ,
2005.
Date, Time and Place of the EB Annual Meeting
The EB annual meeting is scheduled to be held as follows:
Purpose of the EB Annual Meeting
At the EB annual meeting, EBs stockholders will be asked:
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1. To consider and vote on a proposal to adopt the
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April 17, 2005,
by and among GameStop, GameStop, Inc., GSC Holdings Corp., Eagle
Subsidiary LLC, Cowboy Subsidiary LLC and EB, including the
transactions contemplated thereby, including the EB merger,
pursuant to which, among other things, separate subsidiaries of
Holdco will be merged with and into GameStop and EB. In the
proposed mergers, EB common stockholders will have the right to
receive $38.15 in cash and .78795 of a share of Holdco
Class A common stock for each share of EB common stock that
they own. In addition, GameStop stockholders will receive one
share of Holdco Class A common stock for each share of
GameStop Class A common stock that they own and one share
of Holdco Class B common stock for each share of GameStop
Class B common stock that they own. A copy of the merger
agreement is attached as Annex A to the accompanying
joint proxy statement-prospectus. |
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2. To consider and vote on the adoption of the Holdco 2005
Incentive Plan. |
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3. To elect seven directors as EBs board of directors. |
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4. To consider and vote upon a proposal to ratify the
appointment of KPMG LLP as EBs registered independent
public accounting firm for EBs fiscal year ending
January 28, 2006. |
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5. To transact such other business as may properly come
before the EB annual meeting or any adjournment or postponement
of the EB annual meeting. |
Record Date for the EB Annual Meeting
The EB board of directors has fixed the close of business
on ,
2005 as the EB record date for determination of EB stockholders
entitled to notice of and to vote at EBs annual meeting of
stockholders.
On the EB record date, there
were shares
of EB common stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the EB
annual meeting, held by
approximately holders
of record. Shares that are held in EBs treasury are not
entitled to vote at the EB annual meeting.
Recommendation of the Board of Directors of EB
As discussed elsewhere in this joint proxy
statement-prospectus, EBs board of directors has approved
the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby,
including the EB merger, and
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has determined that the transactions contemplated by the
merger agreement are advisable and fair to and in the best
interests of EB and its stockholders. The EB board of directors
recommends that EB stockholders vote:
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FOR the proposal to adopt the merger agreement and the
transactions contemplated thereby, including the EB merger; |
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FOR the adoption of the Holdco 2005 Incentive Plan; |
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FOR the election of the EB nominees for director named in this
joint proxy statement-prospectus; and |
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FOR the ratification of KPMG LLP as EBs registered
independent public accounting firm for EBs fiscal year
ending January 28, 2006. |
EB PROPOSAL 1 THE MERGERS
As discussed elsewhere in this joint proxy statement-prospectus,
EB stockholders are considering and voting on a proposal to
adopt the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated
thereby, including the EB merger. You should carefully read this
entire joint proxy statement-prospectus, including the full text
of the merger agreement, which is attached as
Annex A, and the other documents we refer you to for
a more complete understanding of the mergers. In addition, we
incorporate important business and financial information about
each of GameStop and EB into this joint proxy
statement-prospectus by reference. You may obtain the
information incorporated by reference into this joint proxy
statement-prospectus without charge by following the
instructions in the section entitled Where You Can Find
More Information which begins on page 159.
Effect of the EB Merger; What You Will Receive in the EB
Merger
Upon completion of the EB merger, Eagle Subsidiary LLC, a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdco newly organized to effect the
EB merger, will merge with and into EB. EB will be the surviving
corporation in the EB merger and will thereby become a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdco.
If the EB merger is completed, EB common stockholders will
receive $38.15 in cash and .78795 of a share of Holdco
Class A common stock for each share of EB common stock that
they own. Upon completion of the mergers, current holders of EB
common stock will, as a group, own approximately 27.6% of the
outstanding common stock of the combined company, which equals
approximately 5.7% of the combined voting power of Holdco.
Holdco will not issue fractional shares of Holdco common stock
in exchange for shares of EB. Holders of EB common stock that
would otherwise be entitled to a fractional share of Holdco
common stock will instead receive an amount in cash equal to
such fraction multiplied by the average of the closing sale
prices of GameStop Class A common stock on the ten trading
days prior to the date on which the EB merger is completed.
Each outstanding EB stock option will be exchanged for the right
to receive cash in an amount equal to (1) $38.15
plus (2) .78795 multiplied by the average of the
closing prices of GameStop Class A common stock for the ten
trading days prior to the closing date minus (3) the
exercise price per share of such stock option minus
(4) any applicable tax withholding.
The rights pertaining to Holdco common stock will be different
from the rights pertaining to EB common stock because the
amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended
and restated bylaws of Holdco in effect immediately after the
mergers are completed will be different from those of EB. A
further description of the rights pertaining to Holdco common
stock and Holdcos amended and restated certificate of
incorporation and amended and restated bylaws which will be in
effect immediately after the mergers are completed is further
described under Description of Holdco Capital
Stock Common Stock on page 138 and
Comparison of Stockholder Rights beginning on
page 141.
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The EB board of directors recommends you vote FOR the
adoption of the merger agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereby, including the EB merger, and your proxy
will be so voted unless you specify otherwise.
EB PROPOSAL 2 ADOPTION OF
HOLDCO 2005 INCENTIVE PLAN
The Holdco board of directors has approved, subject to the
approval of EBs stockholders and GameStops
stockholders, the adoption of the Holdco 2005 Incentive Plan. A
copy of the Incentive Plan is included as Annex M to
this joint proxy statement-prospectus.
Holdco 2005 Incentive Plan
For a description of the Holdco 2005 Incentive Plan, see
The GameStop Annual Meeting GameStop
Proposal 2 Adoption of Holdco 2005 Incentive
Plan on page 23.
The EB board of directors recommends you vote FOR the
adoption of the Holdco 2005 Incentive Plan, and your proxy will
be so voted unless you specify otherwise.
EB PROPOSAL 3 ELECTION OF EB DIRECTORS
EBs certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that
its directors serve for a term of one year and until their
successors are elected.
The EB board of directors has nominated for election as EB
directors:
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Dean S. Adler, |
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Jeffrey W. Griffiths, |
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James J. Kim, |
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Susan Y. Kim, |
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Louis J. Siana, |
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Alfred J. Stein, and |
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Stanley (Mickey) Steinberg. |
Each nominee is currently a member of the EB board of directors.
If elected, these nominees will serve for a term of one year
which expires at EBs annual meeting of stockholders in
2006, until their successors are duly elected and qualified or
until their earlier resignation.
The EB board of directors has no reason to believe that any of
the nominees will not serve if elected, but if any nominee
should subsequently become unavailable to serve as a director,
the persons named as proxies may, in their discretion, vote for
a substitute nominee designated by the EB board of directors or,
alternatively, the EB board of directors may reduce the number
of directors to be elected at the EB annual meeting.
For information regarding the seven nominees for EBs board
of directors, see Information about EB
Information about the Board of Directors and Executive Officers
of EB beginning on page 117.
The EB board of directors recommends you vote FOR the
election of the EB nominees for director named above, and your
proxy will be so voted unless you specify otherwise.
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EB PROPOSAL 4 RATIFICATION OF THE
APPOINTMENT OF
EBS REGISTERED INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The EB board of directors has appointed the firm of KPMG LLP,
which firm was engaged as EBs registered independent
public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended
January 29, 2005, to audit the financial statements of EB
for the fiscal year ending January 28, 2006. A proposal to
ratify this appointment is being presented to the EB
stockholders at the EB annual meeting. A representative of KPMG
will be present at the EB annual meeting and will have the
opportunity to make a statement and will be available to respond
to appropriate questions.
For information regarding audit-related and other fees, see
Information about EB EB Registered Independent
Public Accounting Firm on page 130.
The EB board of directors considers KPMG to be well qualified
and recommends you vote FOR the ratification, and your
proxy will be so voted unless you specify otherwise.
Votes Required
The presence of a majority of the outstanding shares of EB
common stock entitled to vote at the EB annual meeting must be
represented in person or by proxy at the EB annual meeting to
constitute a quorum. The adoption of the merger agreement and
the transactions contemplated thereby, including the EB merger,
requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding
shares of EB common stock. The adoption of the Holdco 2005
Incentive Plan requires the affirmative vote of a majority of
the outstanding shares of EB common stock voting on the proposal
in person or by proxy at the EB annual meeting. The seven
nominees for EB director receiving the highest vote totals will
be elected as directors of EB to serve until the next EB annual
meeting of stockholders or their earlier resignation. The
ratification of KPMG LLP as EBs registered independent
public accounting firm requires the affirmative vote of a
majority of the outstanding shares of EB common stock voting on
the proposal in person or by proxy at the EB annual meeting. At
the EB annual meeting, each holder of EB common stock is
entitled to one vote for each share of EB common stock held as
of the EB record date on all matters properly submitted to the
EB stockholders.
Pursuant to a voting agreement, subject to certain limitations,
the Kim Group has agreed to vote its shares of EB common stock
in favor of the adoption of the merger agreement. As
of ,
2005, the EB record date, the Kim Group beneficially owned
approximately 11.6 million shares of EB common stock which
represents approximately 46.7% of the outstanding shares of EB
common stock entitled to vote at the EB annual meeting.
A complete list of EB stockholders entitled to vote at the EB
annual meeting will be available for inspection at the executive
offices of EB during regular business hours for a period of no
less than ten days before the EB annual meeting.
Adjournment or Postponement
The EB annual meeting may be adjourned or postponed by EBs
chairman and other authorized persons in order to permit further
solicitation of proxies. However, no proxy that is voted against
a proposal described in this joint proxy statement-prospectus
will be voted in favor of an adjournment.
Proxies
All shares of EB common stock represented by properly executed
proxies or voting instructions (including those given through
electronic voting through the Internet or by telephone) received
before or at the EB annual meeting prior to the closing of the
polls will, unless revoked, be voted in accordance with the
instructions indicated on those proxies or voting instructions.
If no instructions are indicated on a properly executed proxy
card, the shares will be voted FOR adoption of the proposals
described herein. If you return a properly executed proxy card
or voting instruction card and have indicated that you have
abstained from voting, your EB common stock represented by the
proxy will be considered present at the
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EB annual meeting for purposes of determining a quorum, but will
have the same effect as a vote against adopting the merger
agreement as described herein. We urge you to mark each
applicable box on the proxy card or voting instruction card to
indicate how to vote your shares.
If your EB shares are held in an account at a broker or bank,
you must instruct the broker or bank on how to vote your EB
shares. If an executed proxy card returned by a broker or bank
holding EB shares indicates that the broker or bank does not
have discretionary authority to vote on a particular matter, the
shares will be considered present at the EB annual meeting for
purposes of determining the presence of a quorum, but will have
the same effect as a vote against adopting the merger agreement.
This is called a broker non-vote. Your broker or bank will vote
your EB shares over which it does not have discretionary
authority only if you provide instructions on how to vote by
following the instructions provided to you by your broker or
bank.
Because the adoption of the merger agreement requires the
affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of EB
common stock, abstentions, failures to vote and broker non-votes
will have the same effect as votes against adopting the merger
agreement.
EB does not expect that any matter other than the proposals
described herein will be brought before its annual meeting. If,
however, other matters are properly presented, the persons named
as proxies will vote in accordance with their judgment with
respect to those matters, unless you withhold authority to do so
on the proxy card or voting instruction card.
The persons named as proxies may vote for one or more
adjournments of the EB annual meeting to permit further
solicitations in favor of the proposals to be considered at
those meetings. However, no proxy that is voted against a
proposal described in this joint proxy statement-prospectus will
be voted in favor of an adjournment.
You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted by:
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filing a written notice of revocation with the Secretary,
Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp., 931 South Matlack
Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania 19382, if you are an EB
stockholder; |
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delivering a subsequently dated proxy; or |
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appearing in person and voting at the EB annual meeting if you
are a holder of record. |
Attendance at the EB annual meeting will not in and of itself
constitute revocation of a proxy. If the EB annual meeting is
postponed or adjourned, it will not affect the ability of EB
stockholders of record as of the EB record date to exercise
their voting rights or to revoke any previously-granted proxy
using the methods described above.
Voting Electronically or by Telephone
Because Delaware, the state in which EB is incorporated, permits
electronic submission of proxies through the Internet or by
telephone, instead of submitting proxies by mail on the enclosed
proxy card or voting instruction card, EB stockholders of record
and many EB stockholders who hold their shares through a broker
or bank will have the option to submit their proxies or voting
instructions electronically through the Internet or by
telephone. Please note that there are separate arrangements for
using the Internet and telephone depending on whether your
shares are registered in EBs stock records in your name or
in the name of a broker, bank or other holder of record. If you
hold your EB shares through a broker, bank or other holder of
record, you should check your proxy card or voting instruction
card forwarded by your broker, bank or other holder of record to
see which options are available.
Stockholders of record of EB common stock at the close of
business
on ,
2005, the EB record date, may submit their proxies:
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through the Internet by visiting a website established for that
purpose at
http://www. and
following the instructions; or |
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by telephone by calling the toll-free number 800-267-4403 in the
United States, Puerto Rico or Canada on a touch-tone phone and
following the recorded instructions. EB stockholders calling
from another country may call 212-440-9800 and follow the
recorded instructions. |
In order to vote via the telephone or the Internet, please have
in front of you either your proxy card, or if you have consented
to receive your materials electronically, your e-mail
notification advising that materials are available on-line. A
phone number and an Internet website address are contained on
each of the documents. Upon entering either the phone number or
the Internet website address, you will be instructed on how to
proceed.
Solicitation of Proxies
To assist in the solicitation of proxies, EB has retained
Georgeson Shareholder Communications, Inc. for a fee not to
exceed $7,500 plus reimbursement of expenses. EB and its proxy
solicitor will also request banks, brokers and other
intermediaries holding shares of EB common stock beneficially
owned by others to send this joint proxy statement-prospectus
to, and obtain proxies from, the beneficial owners and will, if
requested, reimburse the record holders for their reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses in so doing. Solicitation of proxies by
mail may be supplemented by telephone and other electronic
means, advertisements and personal solicitation by the
directors, officers or employees of EB. No additional
compensation will be paid to EBs directors, officers or
employees for soliciting votes in connection with the EB annual
meeting.
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THE MERGERS
Background of the Mergers
On several isolated occasions prior to January 2005,
representatives of EB approached Leonard Riggio, a director of
GameStop and Chairman of Barnes & Noble, about the
possibility of either combining EB and GameStop or EB acquiring
a controlling interest in GameStop from Barnes & Noble.
In each case, the contacts were preliminary and did not result
in any negotiations regarding a transaction involving EB or
GameStop or any discussions of significant economic terms with
respect to any transaction involving either of the two companies.
On January 10, 2005, R. Richard Fontaine, GameStops
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and John R. Panichello,
EBs Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer,
met while attending the same social function. Mr. Fontaine
and Mr. Panichello briefly discussed whether a combination
of GameStop and EB might be beneficial for the stockholders of
both companies. Messrs. Fontaine and Panichello agreed to
further examine independently the benefits of such a combination.
On January 12, 2005, representatives of Merrill Lynch,
EBs financial advisor, met with Mr. Riggio. At the
meeting, the Merrill Lynch representatives indicated that EB was
willing to consider purchasing GameStop, either for
consideration consisting entirely of cash or some combination of
cash and EB common stock. The Merrill Lynch representatives and
Mr. Riggio agreed that Merrill Lynch would have discussions
with James J. Kim, EBs Chairman, with the aim of
developing a proposal to present to GameStop.
On February 9, 2005, Messrs. Fontaine and Riggio met
with Mr. Kim and representatives of Merrill Lynch and Keane
Advisors, LLC, an additional EB financial advisor, to discuss in
general terms a possible purchase of GameStop by EB. No proposal
was made at that time, although EB continued to express an
interest in developing one that would be mutually acceptable.
On February 10, 2005, representatives of Merrill Lynch
further discussed with Mr. Riggio a possible transaction
between GameStop and EB.
On February 14, 2005, Mr. Fontaine met with
Mr. Kim to discuss the possible benefits of a combination
and the roles Mr. Fontaine might be expected to assume with
the combined company. Mr. Fontaine met later that day with
a representative of Keane Advisors to discuss similar matters.
On February 24, 2005, Mr. Riggio had a conference call
with representatives of Merrill Lynch to further discuss a
possible transaction between GameStop and EB.
On March 1, 2005, Messrs. Kim and Panichello, along
with Jeffrey W. Griffiths, EBs President and Chief
Executive Officer and a member of EBs board of directors,
attended an industry marketing event where they met with Daniel
A. DeMatteo, GameStops Vice Chairman (then President) and
Chief Operating Officer. They discussed the benefits of a
combination and the roles Mr. DeMatteo might be expected to
assume with the combined company.
During the first two weeks of March 2005, GameStop considered an
unrelated alternative acquisition while awaiting a proposal from
EB. Mr. Riggio indicated to representatives of Merrill
Lynch at this time that he would expect that any proposal EB
might make to GameStop would reflect a substantial premium to
GameStop stockholders to the then-current trading price of
GameStop common stock.
On March 14, 2005, Citigroup Global Markets,
GameStops financial advisor, and Merrill Lynch met to
discuss possible terms of a transaction between GameStop and EB.
Although Merrill Lynch indicated that EB preferred to be the
purchaser in any combination of the two companies, Merrill Lynch
did not propose any transaction that GameStop management
considered to provide an acceptable market premium to
GameStops stockholders. As a result, it was subsequently
determined that discussions would cease so that each company
could pursue its own opportunities independently. During this
time, GameStop continued to consider an alternative acquisition.
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On March 29, 2005, Messrs. Fontaine, DeMatteo and
Riggio, together with GameStops financial advisor, met to
discuss GameStops strategic growth alternatives.
GameStops financial advisor was authorized to contact EB
with a proposal for the acquisition of EB by GameStop.
On March 31, 2005, GameStops financial advisor and
Merrill Lynch met to discuss the following GameStop proposal:
GameStop would acquire all of EBs outstanding common stock
for $38.15 in cash and 0.78795 of a share of GameStop
Class A common stock for each share of EB common stock.
Based upon the then-current trading price of GameStop
Class A common stock, the proposal had a value of
$54.50 per share of EB common stock (with the consideration
consisting of approximately 70% cash and 30% GameStop
Class A common stock), reflecting an approximately 30%
premium to the then-current trading price of EB common stock.
GameStops proposal also provided that GameStops
board of directors would control the combined company and that
Messrs. Fontaine and DeMatteo would become Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer, and Vice Chairman and Chief Operating
Officer, respectively, of the combined company. Citigroup
indicated that GameStop had requested a prompt response from EB
so that GameStop would be in a position to determine whether to
pursue the alternative time-sensitive acquisition that it was
considering and that GameStop was prepared to work toward
announcing a transaction with EB by April 18, 2005. Merrill
Lynch agreed to communicate GameStops proposal and provide
EBs response as soon as practicable.
On April 2, 2005, a representative of Merrill Lynch
contacted GameStops financial advisor and stated that,
subject to the completion of satisfactory due diligence, EB was
prepared to move forward with the transaction proposed by
GameStop. Merrill Lynch also indicated that EB would require
that Mr. Kim and an independent director to be selected by
EB become members of the board of directors of the combined
company. GameStops financial advisor and Merrill Lynch
also discussed the desirability of obtaining, in connection with
the proposed transaction, agreements from each companys
significant stockholders (the Kim Group in the case of EB and
the Riggio Group in the case of GameStop) to vote in favor of
the transaction.
On or about April 6, 2005, representatives of the companies
held discussions regarding structural aspects of the proposed
transaction, including the use of Holdco, as a new holding
company, to acquire both GameStop (solely for Holdco stock) and
EB (for cash and Holdco stock). EBs representatives also
indicated that the Kim Group would require registration rights
with respect to the shares of Holdco stock it would receive in
the transaction as a condition to entering into the Kim Group
voting agreement given that, unlike the shares of Holdco
Class A common stock to be received by other EB
stockholders, those shares would not be freely transferable. In
addition, GameStops representatives indicated to certain
of EBs representatives that one of GameStops
conditions to proceeding with a transaction would be that
Mr. Kim enter into a non-competition agreement in favor of
GameStop.
On April 7, 2005, GameStops and EBs
representatives had a conference call to discuss the respective
roles and responsibilities of the parties in proceeding with the
proposed transaction.
On April 8, 2005, GameStop and EB executed a mutual
confidentiality agreement pursuant to which they each agreed to
use the confidential information provided to it by the other
solely in connection with evaluating the proposed transaction
and to keep all such information confidential.
Following the signing of the mutual confidentiality agreement,
and continuing through April 17, 2005, the parties and
their representatives exchanged information in response to their
respective due diligence requests and asked and answered
questions with respect to the exchanged materials. During that
period, through their counsel, the parties also prepared and
negotiated the relevant transaction documents, including the
merger agreement, the Kim Group voting agreement, the Riggio
Group voting agreement, the lender financing commitments and
forms of the non-competition agreement and the registration
rights agreement.
On April 11 and April 12, 2005, Mr. Fontaine, together
with a representative of Keane Advisors, met with members of
EBs senior management to discuss their views with respect
to the proposed transaction and their willingness to continue
employment with the combined company.
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On April 11, 2005, the GameStop board of directors met
telephonically to discuss the terms of the proposed merger
agreement and the related financing, the merits of the
transaction and the status of the negotiations and due diligence
efforts. At this meeting, Citigroup reviewed with the GameStop
board of directors financial aspects of the proposed
transaction, and Bryan Cave reviewed with the board of directors
legal matters pertaining to the proposed transaction. After
discussion, the board of directors directed GameStop management
to continue to negotiate a final form of merger agreement and
related transaction documents, including lender financing
commitments, on the terms discussed at the meeting. The board of
directors agreed to meet again on April 15, 2005 for a
further update on the status of the negotiations and due
diligence efforts and, if appropriate, to consider approval of
the transaction.
On April 12, 2005, the EB board of directors met at
EBs executive offices to discuss the terms of the proposed
merger agreement, the merits of the transaction and the status
of the negotiations and due diligence efforts. Merrill Lynch
reviewed with the EB board of directors financial aspects of the
proposed transaction, and Klehr Harrison reviewed with the EB
board of directors legal matters pertaining to the proposed
transaction. After discussion, the board of directors directed
EB management to continue to negotiate a final form of merger
agreement and related transaction documents on the terms
discussed at the meeting. The EB board of directors agreed to
meet again on or prior to April 17, 2005 for a further
update on the status of the negotiations and due diligence
efforts and, if appropriate, to consider approval of the
transaction.
On or about April 12, 2005, EB retained Peter J. Solomon
Company as an additional financial advisor to provide a second
fairness opinion in connection with the possible business
combination transaction with GameStop in light of the
anticipated role of Merrill Lynch to assist in arranging
financing for the transaction. The EB board of directors
selected Peter J. Solomon Company as a result of its
qualifications, reputation and experience, particularly in the
retail sector.
On April 15, 2005, the GameStop board of directors met
telephonically to receive an update on the status of the
negotiations and due diligence findings. At this meeting,
Citigroup reviewed with the board of directors its financial
analysis of the proposed EB merger consideration. Bryan Cave
reviewed with the board of directors the changes made to the
merger agreement and other transaction documents since the last
board of directors meeting. The board of directors agreed to
meet on April 17, 2005 once the merger agreement was
finalized, with the expectation that the board of directors
would consider approval of the final form of the merger
agreement at that meeting.
On April 17, 2005, the GameStop board of directors met
telephonically to receive a final update on the status of the
negotiations and due diligence findings. At this meeting,
Citigroup rendered to the board of directors its oral opinion,
confirmed by delivery of a written opinion dated April 17,
2005, to the effect that, as of that date and based on and
subject to the matters described in its opinion, the EB merger
consideration was fair, from a financial point of view, to
GameStop. Bryan Cave reviewed with the board of directors the
final changes made to the merger agreement and other transaction
documents since the last board of directors meeting. The board
of directors authorized and directed GameStops management
to execute and deliver to EB the final form of merger agreement
and related transaction documents presented to the board of
directors at the meeting and resolved to recommend the adoption
of the merger agreement to GameStops stockholders.
GameStop exchanged with its lenders executed counterpart
signature pages of their financing commitments.
Also on April 17, 2005, following the GameStop board of
directors meeting, the EB board of directors met telephonically
to receive a final update on the status of the negotiations and
the due diligence findings. Merrill Lynch rendered to the EB
board of directors its oral opinion, confirmed by delivery of a
written opinion dated April 17, 2005, to the effect that,
as of that date and based on and subject to the assumptions
made, matters described and qualifications and limitations in
its written opinion, the merger consideration to be received in
the EB merger was fair, from a financial point of view, to
EBs stockholders
39
other than GameStop, its affiliates and the Kim Group.
Peter J. Solomon Company rendered to the EB board of
directors its oral opinion, confirmed by delivery of a written
opinion dated April 17, 2005, to the effect that, as of
that date and based on and subject to the assumptions made,
matters described and qualifications and limitations in its
written opinion, the merger consideration proposed to be
received by the holders of EB common stock in the EB merger was
fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of EB
common stock, excluding the Kim Group. Klehr Harrison reviewed
with the board of directors the final changes made to the merger
agreement and other transaction documents since the last board
of directors meeting. The board of directors authorized and
directed EBs management to execute and deliver to GameStop
the final form of the merger agreement and related transaction
documents presented to the board of directors at the meeting and
resolved to recommend the adoption of the merger agreement to
EBs stockholders. Following the meeting, executed
counterpart signature pages of the merger agreement and the Kim
Group and Riggio Group voting agreements were exchanged by the
parties.
On April 18, 2005, prior to the opening of trading on the
NYSE and the NASDAQ National Market, GameStop and EB issued a
joint press release announcing the execution of the merger
agreement.
GameStops Reasons for the GameStop Merger;
Recommendation of the GameStop Merger by the GameStop Board of
Directors
The GameStop board of directors believes that the merger
agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including
the GameStop merger, the amendment to GameStops
certificate of incorporation to provide for the payment of the
GameStop merger consideration as contemplated by the merger
agreement and the amendment to the GameStop Amended and Restated
2001 Incentive Plan to provide for the issuance of Holdco
Class A common stock under the plan, are advisable and fair
to and in the best interests of GameStop and its stockholders.
Accordingly, the GameStop board of directors has approved the
merger proposal and recommends that the GameStop stockholders
vote FOR adoption of the merger proposal.
As described above under Background of the
Merger, the GameStop board of directors consulted with
GameStops senior executive officers and GameStops
legal and financial advisors in connection with its evaluation
of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated
thereby. In reaching its decision, the GameStop board of
directors considered a variety of factors, including the
following:
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the transaction will create one of the leading video game
retailers in the world, effectively doubling GameStops
size to over 4,000 stores with estimated pro forma combined
sales of over $3.8 billion in GameStop fiscal 2004, which
should increase the ability of Holdco to compete successfully in
the highly competitive interactive entertainment industry on a
global basis; |
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the transaction will dramatically expand GameStops
international operations, a targeted growth area for GameStop,
from 25 stores in Ireland and Northern Ireland generating less
than 2% of GameStops revenues to 545 stores in Australia,
Canada, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Northern
Ireland, Norway and Sweden generating approximately 16% of
Holdcos revenues, and provide Holdco with a strong
platform for further international growth; |
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as an industry leader of substantial size, Holdco is expected to
be well-positioned to capitalize with its customers and
suppliers on the new video game cycle anticipated to commence
with the release in late 2005 and 2006 of next generation video
game systems and related software; |
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the cost savings and operating synergies expected to be realized
by Holdco through consolidation and integration of certain
functions as well as through the adoption by Holdco of best
practices from both GameStop and EB, which are estimated to
exceed $30 million in GameStop fiscal 2006 and
$50 million annually thereafter; |
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the anticipated significant accretive affect of the transaction
on GameStops earnings per share in GameStop fiscal 2006
and thereafter; |
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the recent and historical information concerning GameStops
and EBs respective businesses, financial performance and
stock trading prices; |
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the similarity in operating strategies between GameStop and EB,
which is expected to facilitate the combination of the two
companies; |
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the results of the due diligence review of EBs business
and operations conducted by GameStops senior management
and legal advisors; |
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the competitive pressures placed on GameStops business by
Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Target and other big-box retailers, by other
specialty retailers expanding their video game businesses such
as Blockbuster/Game Rush and Hollywood Video/Game Crazy, by
internet sellers and renters of video games, and by the
emergence of additional channels of video game distribution such
as internet downloads and interactive on-demand television; |
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GameStops board of directors will constitute seven of the
nine members of Holdcos board of directors and will
control the business of the combined company; |
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R. Richard Fontaine, GameStops Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, and Daniel A. DeMatteo, GameStops Vice
Chairman and Chief Operating Officer, will be the Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer and the Vice Chairman and Chief
Operating Officer, respectively, of Holdco; |
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in addition to Messrs. Fontaine and DeMatteo, Holdco will
have available to it the combined management talent of GameStop
and EB; |
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the agreement by James J. Kim to not compete with Holdco for
three years following the mergers, and to not interfere with
Holdco customers or suppliers or solicit Holdco employees for
two years following the mergers; |
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EBs stockholders will receive only 27.6% (5.7% by vote) of
the outstanding common stock of Holdco, and the remaining 72.4%
(94.3% by vote) of the outstanding common stock of Holdco will
be received by GameStops stockholders; |
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the limited and customary conditions to be met in connection
with GameStops financing commitments with its lenders to
fund the cash portion of the EB merger consideration; |
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because the limited conditions under which GameStops
lenders can terminate their financing commitments are
substantially the same as those that would allow GameStop to
terminate the merger agreement without GameStops payment
of a termination fee, it is not expected that GameStop will be
obligated to consummate the merger agreement without sufficient
lender financing commitments in place; |
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because the stock portion of the EB merger consideration is a
fixed number of Holdco shares, Holdco will not need to increase
the amount of shares it issues to EB stockholders if the value
of GameStops common stock decreases after the date of the
merger agreement; |
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the Holdco stock to be issued to GameStop stockholders in the
GameStop merger is expected to be received tax-free by GameStop
stockholders; |
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the terms of the merger agreement, including the
representations, warranties and covenants of each of the parties
and the conditions to their respective obligations, are believed
to be reasonable and customary in transactions of this type; |
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the conditions required to be satisfied prior to completion of
the mergers, such as the receipt of stockholder approval and
antitrust clearance, are expected to be fulfilled and the
corresponding likelihood that the mergers will be consummated; |
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the terms of the merger agreement provide that, under certain
circumstances, and subject to certain conditions more fully
described in the section entitled The Merger
Agreement No Solicitations by GameStop of
Alternative Transactions beginning on page 85,
GameStop is |
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permitted to furnish information to and conduct negotiations
with a third party in connection with an unsolicited proposal
for a business combination or acquisition of GameStop and the
GameStop board of directors can terminate the merger agreement
for such a proposal or change its recommendation prior to the
GameStop stockholder approval of the merger agreement in certain
circumstances; |
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the limited circumstances in which the EB board of directors may
terminate the merger agreement or change or modify its
recommendation to its stockholders to approve the merger
agreement, and that EB agreed to pay a termination fee of
$40 million to GameStop in the event that the EB board of
directors terminates the merger agreement or changes or modifies
its recommendation in certain circumstances, as described in the
section entitled The Merger Agreement
Termination Fees on page 87; |
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the fact that the Kim Group, holders of approximately 46.7% of
the outstanding shares of EB common stock, have entered into a
voting agreement and irrevocable proxy pursuant to which they
agreed to vote in favor of the adoption of the merger agreement
at the EB stockholders meeting; and |
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Citigroups opinion, dated April 17, 2005, to the
GameStop board as to the fairness, from a financial point of
view and as of the date of the opinion, to GameStop of the EB
merger consideration, as more fully described below under the
caption Opinion of GameStops Financial Advisor. |
In addition to these factors, the GameStop board of directors
also considered the potential adverse impact of other factors
weighing negatively against the proposed transaction, including
the following:
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Holdco is expected to incur indebtedness of approximately
$950 million in connection with the mergers, which debt may
adversely impact Holdcos results of operations following
the mergers; |
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the risk that the mergers might not be completed, including the
effect of the pendency of the mergers and such failure to be
completed may have on: |
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the trading price of GameStops common stock; |
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GameStops operating results, including the expenses
associated with the transaction; |
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GameStops ability to expand in Europe and other
international markets; and |
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GameStops ability to make other acquisitions. |
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the possibility of significant costs and delays resulting from
seeking antitrust clearance necessary for completion of the
mergers; |
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the possibility that the pendency of the mergers will result in
loss of business, supplier relationships or key personnel at EB; |
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the challenges of combining the businesses, operations and
workforces of GameStop and EB and realizing the anticipated cost
savings and operating synergies; |
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the management time, effort and expense associated with the
integration of the two companies, and the risk that such
diversion will have an adverse effect on Holdcos business
and results of operations; |
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the risks associated with substantially increasing
GameStops international operations, including those
resulting from currency exchange rate fluctuations, economic
downturns, international incidents or government instability; |
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because the stock portion of the EB merger consideration is a
fixed number of shares of Holdco Class A common stock, the
consideration received by EB stockholders could be substantially
more than GameStop intended to pay if the trading price of
GameStop Class A common stock increases significantly after
the date of execution of the merger agreement, and the merger
agreement does |
42
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not provide GameStop with a price-based termination right or
other similar protection for GameStop or its stockholders; |
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the possible effects on the long-term stock price and financial
results of Holdco if the benefits and synergies expected of the
mergers are not obtained or are obtained only in part or on a
delayed basis; |
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the market overhang effect on Holdcos stock
price created by the registration pursuant to the registration
rights agreement of over approximately 9.1 million shares
of Holdco Class A common stock owned by the Kim Group, as
described in the section entitled Risk Factors on
page 16; |
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the limitations on GameStop imposed in the merger agreement on
certain activities as described in the section entitled
The Merger Agreement-Conduct of Business
Pending the Mergers on page 88, and on the
solicitation by GameStop of alternative business combinations
prior to the completion of the mergers; |
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the requirement that GameStop must pay to EB a termination fee
of $40 million if the merger agreement is terminated under
circumstances specified in the merger agreement, as described in
the section entitled The Merger Agreement
Termination Fees beginning on page 87; |
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EB must obtain the approval of its stockholders in order to
adopt the merger agreement; and |
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the risks described in the section entitled Risk
Factors beginning on page 16. |
The GameStop board of directors also considered the interests
that certain executive officers and directors of GameStop have
with respect to the mergers, as described in the section
entitled Interests of Directors and Executive
Officers in the Mergers on page 67.
The GameStop board of directors concluded that the positive
factors significantly outweighed the negative factors described
above. This discussion of the information and factors considered
by the GameStop board of directors includes material positive
and negative factors considered by the GameStop board of
directors, but it is not intended to be exhaustive and may not
include all of the factors considered by the GameStop board of
directors. In reaching its determination to approve and
recommend the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated
thereby, the GameStop board of directors did not quantify or
assign any relative or specific weights to the various factors
that it considered in reaching its determination that the merger
agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby are
advisable and fair to and in the best interests of GameStop and
its stockholders. Rather, the GameStop board of directors viewed
its recommendation as being based on the totality of the
information presented to it and all of the factors considered by
it. In addition, in considering the factors described above,
individual members of the GameStop board of directors may have
given different weights to different factors.
After considering this information, the GameStop board of
directors approved the merger agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereby, and recommended that GameStop stockholders
adopt the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated
thereby, including the GameStop merger, the amendment to
GameStops certificate of incorporation to provide for the
payment of the GameStop merger consideration as contemplated by
the merger agreement and the amendment to the GameStop Amended
and Restated 2001 Incentive Plan to provide for the issuance of
Holdco Class A common stock under the plan.
EBs Reasons for the EB Merger; Recommendation of the EB
Merger by the EB Board of Directors
The EB board of directors believes that the merger agreement and
the transactions contemplated thereby, including the EB merger,
are advisable and fair to and in the best interests of EB and
its stockholders. Accordingly, the EB board of directors has
approved the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated
thereby, and recommends that the EB stockholders vote FOR
adoption of the merger agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereby, including the EB merger.
43
As described above under Background of the
Mergers, the EB board of directors, prior to and in
reaching its decision at its meeting on April 17, 2005 to
adopt the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated
thereby, consulted with EBs senior executive officers and
EBs financial and legal advisors and considered a variety
of factors weighing positively in favor of the EB merger,
including the following:
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the value to be received by holders of EB common stock in the EB
merger, including the fact that, based on the closing price of
EBs common stock and GameStop Class A common stock on
April 15, 2005 (the last trading day before the
announcement of the signing of the merger agreement), the value
of the EB merger consideration represented a premium of
approximately 34.2% over the closing price of EBs common
stock on April 15, 2005 and 32.6% over the average closing
price of EBs common stock for the 30 trading days ending
April 15, 2005; |
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the strategic nature of the transaction, which will combine
EBs and GameStops respective businesses to create
one of the leading video game retailers in the world, with pro
forma combined sales of over $3.8 billion for the fiscal
year ended January 29, 2005, all of which should provide
the combined company with the opportunity to become a stronger
global competitor in the interactive entertainment industry; |
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the EB board of directors analysis and understanding of
managements operating plans for EB in the context of the
competitive conditions in the interactive entertainment industry
given the competitive pressures on EBs business by
Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Target and other big-box retailers, by other
retailers expanding their video game businesses such as
Blockbuster/Game Rush and Hollywood Video/Game Crazy, by the
internet and other channels of video game distribution such as
interactive on-demand television, and the EB board of
directors analysis of the business, operations, financial
performance, financial condition, earnings and prospects of EB
on a stand-alone basis, together with the EB board of
directors belief, based on its analysis and understanding,
that Holdco, with its greater size and scale, would be better
positioned to compete effectively in the interactive
entertainment industry; |
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the fact that the initial approximately 70/30 split of cash and
stock in the EB merger consideration affords EB stockholders
both the opportunity to participate in the growth and
opportunities of the combined company through the stock
component of the EB merger consideration and to receive cash for
the value of their shares through the cash component of the EB
merger consideration; |
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because the stock portion of the EB merger consideration is a
fixed number of shares of Holdco Class A common stock, the
opportunity for the EB stockholders to benefit from any increase
in the trading price of GameStop Class A common stock
between the announcement of the mergers and the completion of
the mergers, as well as any increase in the trading price of
Holdco Class A common stock after completion of the mergers; |
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the fact that there are limited conditions to be met in
connection with GameStop obtaining financing to fund the cash
portion of the EB merger consideration; |
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the fact that EB stockholders as a group will own, on a
fully-diluted basis, approximately 27.6% of the outstanding
Holdco common stock immediately following the mergers; |
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the recent and historical information concerning EBs and
GameStops respective businesses and financial performance; |
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the results of the due diligence review of GameStops
business and operations conducted by EBs senior management
and EBs legal advisors; |
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the EB board of directors understanding of the anticipated
cost savings and operating synergies available to the combined
company from the mergers, after consultation with EBs
financial advisors, through consolidation and integration of
certain functions and the adoption of best practices from both
GameStop and EB across the combined company, which is expected
to positively enhance the combined companys earnings and
create value for stockholders; |
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the EB board of directors analysis of other strategic
alternatives for EB, including continued growth as an
independent company and the potential to acquire or combine with
third parties; |
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the expected qualification of the mergers as a transaction
described in Section 351 of the Code, resulting in the
consideration to be received by the EB stockholders not being
subject to federal income tax except to the extent of the lesser
of the cash consideration received in, or the gain realized upon
completion of, the EB merger, as described in the section
entitled Material United States Federal Income
Tax Consequences beginning on page 70; |
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the belief that the terms of the merger agreement, including the
parties representations, warranties and covenants and the
conditions to their respective obligations, are reasonable; |
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the fact that the conditions required to be satisfied prior to
completion of the mergers, such as the receipt of stockholder
approval and antitrust clearance, are expected to be fulfilled
and the corresponding likelihood that the mergers will be
consummated; |
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the fact that James J. Kim and one additional person chosen by
EBs board of directors who is considered independent under
the rules of the NYSE will be appointed to the Holdco board of
directors, which is expected to provide a degree of continuity
and involvement by EB in the combined company following the
mergers; |
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the fact that the terms of the merger agreement provide that,
under certain circumstances, and subject to certain conditions
more fully described in the section entitled
The Merger Agreement No
Solicitations by EB of Alternative Transactions beginning
on page 83, EB is permitted to furnish information to and
conduct negotiations with a third party in connection with an
unsolicited proposal for a business combination or acquisition
of EB that may reasonably be expected to lead to a company
superior proposal and the EB board of directors can terminate
the merger agreement for a company superior proposal or change
its recommendation prior to stockholder approval of the merger
agreement in certain circumstances; |
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the fact that there are limited circumstances in which the
GameStop board of directors may terminate the merger agreement
or change or modify its recommendation to its stockholders to
approve the merger agreement, and that GameStop agreed to pay a
termination fee of $40 million to EB in the event that the
GameStop board of directors terminates the merger agreement or
changes or modifies its recommendation in certain circumstances,
as described in the section entitled The
Merger Agreement Termination Fees on
page 87; |
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the fact that the Riggio Group, holders of approximately 16.4%
of the combined voting power, have entered into a voting
agreement and irrevocable proxy pursuant to which they agreed to
vote their shares of GameStop common stock in favor of the
adoption of the merger agreement at the GameStop annual meeting; |
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Merrill Lynchs opinion described in the section entitled
Opinions of EBs Financial Advisors
beginning on page 53, including its analysis rendered
orally on and confirmed in writing as of April 17, 2005, to
the effect that, as of the date of such opinion, and based on
and subject to various assumptions made, matters considered,
limitations and qualifications described in its written opinion,
the consideration proposed to be received by holders of EB
common stock (other than GameStop, its affiliates and the Kim
Group) in the EB merger was fair from a financial point of view
to such holders; and |
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Peter J. Solomon Companys, L.P. opinion described in the
section entitled Opinions of EBs
Financial Advisors beginning on page 60, including
its analysis rendered orally on and confirmed in writing as of
April 17, 2005, to the effect that, as of the date of such
opinion, and based on and subject to various assumptions made,
matters considered, limitations and qualifications described in
its written opinion, the consideration proposed to be received
by holders of EB common stock in the EB merger was fair, from a
financial point of view, to such holders, excluding the Kim
Group. |
45
In addition to these factors, the EB board of directors also
considered the potential adverse impact of other factors
weighing negatively against the proposed transaction, including,
without limitation, the following:
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the fact that Holdco will incur indebtedness of approximately
$950 million in connection with the mergers, which debt may
adversely impact Holdcos operations following the mergers; |
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the risk that the mergers might not be completed, including the
effect of the pendency of the mergers and such failure to be
completed may have on: |
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the trading price of EBs common stock; |
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EBs operating results, including the expenses associated
with the transaction; |
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EBs ability to expand in Europe and other international
markets; |
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EBs ability to attract and retain key personnel; and |
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EBs ability to retain customers and maintain sales; |
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the possibility of significant costs and delays resulting from
seeking antitrust clearance necessary for completion of the
proposed mergers; |
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because the stock portion of the EB merger consideration is a
fixed number of shares of Holdco Class A common stock, the
EB stockholders could be adversely affected by a decrease in the
trading price of GameStop Class A common stock after the
date of execution of the merger agreement, and the merger
agreement does not provide EB with a price-based termination
right or other similar protection for EB or its stockholders; |
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because the stock portion of the EB merger consideration is a
fixed number of shares of Holdco Class A common stock, and
not shares of Holdco Class B common stock which shall
contain super voting rights similar to GameStop Class B
common stock, the stock consideration to be received by
EBs stockholders in the merger will represent only 5.7% of
the combined voting power of Holdcos common stock
following the mergers; |
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the risk that the financial results and the stock price of the
combined company might decline in the short-term; |
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the possible effects on the long-term stock price and financial
results of the combined company if the benefits and synergies
expected of the mergers are not obtained on a timely basis or at
all; |
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the limitations imposed in the merger agreement on the
solicitation by EB of alternative business combinations prior to
the completion of the mergers; |
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the requirement that EB must pay to GameStop a termination fee
of $40 million if the merger agreement is terminated under
circumstances specified in the merger agreement, as described in
the section entitled The Merger
Agreement-Termination Fees beginning on page 87; |
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the challenges of combining the businesses, operations and
workforces of GameStop and EB and realizing the anticipated cost
savings and operating synergies; |
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the fact that GameStop must obtain the approval of its
stockholders, including a majority of its Class A common
stock, in order to adopt the merger agreement; and |
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the risks described in the section entitled Risk
Factors beginning on page 16. |
The EB board of directors also considered the interests that
certain executive officers and directors of EB have with respect
to the mergers, as described in the section entitled
Interests of Directors and Executive Officers
in the Mergers on page 67.
The EB board of directors concluded that the positive factors
significantly outweighed the negative factors described above.
This discussion of the information and factors considered by the
EB board of
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directors includes material positive and negative factors
considered by the EB board of directors, but it is not intended
to be exhaustive and may not include all of the factors
considered by the EB board of directors. In reaching its
determination to approve and recommend the merger agreement and
the transactions contemplated thereby, the EB board of directors
did not find it useful to and did not quantify or assign any
relative or specific weights to the various factors that it
considered in reaching its determination that the merger
agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, are
advisable and fair to and in the best interests of EB and its
stockholders. Rather, the EB board of directors viewed its
position and recommendation as being based on an overall
analysis and on the totality of the information presented to and
factors considered by it. In addition, in considering the
factors described above, individual members of the EB board of
directors may have given different weights to different factors.
After considering this information, the EB board of directors
approved the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated
thereby, and recommended that EB stockholders adopt the merger
agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including
the EB merger.
Opinion of GameStops Financial Advisor
GameStop has retained Citigroup as GameStops financial
advisor in connection with the mergers. In connection with this
engagement, GameStop requested that Citigroup evaluate the
fairness, from a financial point of view, to GameStop of the EB
merger consideration to be paid pursuant to the merger
agreement. On April 17, 2005, at a meeting of the GameStop
board of directors held to evaluate the mergers, Citigroup
rendered to the GameStop board an oral opinion, which was
confirmed by delivery of a written opinion dated the same date,
to the effect that, as of that date and based on and subject to
the matters described in its opinion, the EB merger
consideration was fair, from a financial point of view, to
GameStop.
In arriving at its opinion, Citigroup:
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reviewed the merger agreement; |
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held discussions with senior officers, directors and other
representatives and advisors of GameStop and senior officers and
other representatives and advisors of EB concerning
GameStops and EBs businesses, operations and
prospects; |
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examined publicly available business and financial information
relating to GameStop and EB; |
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examined financial forecasts and other information and data
relating to EB which were provided to or discussed with
Citigroup by the managements of GameStop and EB, including
adjustments to the forecasts and other information and data
relating to EB prepared by GameStops management; |
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reviewed information prepared by GameStops management
relating to the potential strategic implications and operational
benefits, including their amount, timing and achievability,
anticipated by GameStops management to result from the
mergers; |
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reviewed the financial terms of the mergers as described in the
merger agreement in relation to, among other things, current and
historical market prices of GameStop Class A common stock
and EB common stock, and GameStops and EBs
historical and projected earnings and other operating data,
capitalization and financial condition; |
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considered, to the extent publicly available, the financial
terms of other transactions which Citigroup considered relevant
in evaluating the mergers; |
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analyzed financial, stock market and other publicly available
information relating to the businesses of other companies whose
operations Citigroup considered relevant in evaluating those of
GameStop and EB; |
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reviewed the potential pro forma projected earnings per share of
the combined company relative to the projected earnings per
share of GameStop on a standalone basis based on financial
forecasts |
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and other information and data provided to or discussed with
Citigroup by the managements of GameStop and EB; and |
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conducted other analyses and examinations and considered other
financial, economic and market criteria as Citigroup deemed
appropriate in arriving at its opinion. |
In rendering its opinion, Citigroup assumed and relied, without
assuming any responsibility for independent verification, on the
accuracy and completeness of all financial and other information
and data publicly available or provided to or otherwise reviewed
by or discussed with it and on the assurances of the managements
of GameStop and EB that they were not aware of any relevant
information that was omitted or remained undisclosed to
Citigroup. With respect to financial forecasts and other
information and data provided to or otherwise reviewed by or
discussed with Citigroup, including adjustments to the forecasts
and other information and data relating to EB prepared by
GameStops management and the potential strategic
implications and operational benefits anticipated by
GameStops management to result from the mergers, Citigroup
was advised by the managements of GameStop and EB that the
forecasts and other information and data were reasonably
prepared on bases reflecting the best currently available
estimates and judgments of the managements of GameStop and EB as
to the future financial performance of GameStop and EB and the
potential strategic implications and operational benefits and
other matters covered by such forecasts and other information
and data. Citigroup assumed, with GameStops consent, that
the financial results, including potential strategic
implications and operational benefits, reflected in the
forecasts and other information and data would be realized in
the amounts and at the times projected. Citigroup also assumed,
with GameStops consent, that the mergers would be
consummated in accordance with its terms, without waiver,
modification or amendment of any material term, condition or
agreement and that, in the course of obtaining the necessary
regulatory or third party approvals, consents, releases and
waivers for the mergers, no delay, limitation, restriction or
condition would be imposed that would have an adverse effect on
GameStop, EB or Holdco or on the contemplated benefits of the
mergers. Citigroup further assumed, with GameStops
consent, that each of the GameStop merger and the EB merger
would qualify for federal income tax purposes as a transaction
described in Section 351 of the Code, as amended.
Citigroup did not express any opinion as to what the value of
Holdco common stock actually would be when issued pursuant to
the mergers or the prices at which Holdco common stock, GameStop
common stock or EB common stock would trade at any time.
Citigroup did not make, and was not provided with, an
independent evaluation or appraisal of the assets or
liabilities, contingent or otherwise, of GameStop, EB or Holdco,
and did not make any physical inspection of the properties or
assets of GameStop, EB or Holdco. Citigroup did not express any
view as to, and its opinion did not address, GameStops
underlying business decision to effect the mergers, the relative
merits of the mergers as compared to any alternative business
strategies that might exist for GameStop or the effect of any
other transaction in which GameStop might engage.
Citigroups opinion was necessarily based on information
available to Citigroup, and financial, stock market and other
conditions and circumstances existing and disclosed to
Citigroup, as of the date of its opinion. Except as described
above, GameStop imposed no other instructions or limitations on
Citigroup with respect to the investigations made or procedures
followed by Citigroup in rendering its opinion.
The full text of Citigroups written opinion, dated
April 17, 2005, which describes the assumptions made,
procedures followed, matters considered and limitations on the
review undertaken, is attached to this joint proxy
statement-prospectus as Annex G and is incorporated
into this joint proxy statement-prospectus by reference.
Citigroups opinion was provided to the GameStop board of
directors in connection with its evaluation of the EB merger
consideration and relates only to the fairness, from a financial
point of view, to GameStop of the EB merger consideration.
Citigroups opinion does not address any other aspect of
the mergers and does not constitute a recommendation to any
stockholder as to how such stockholder should vote or act on any
matters relating to the proposed mergers.
In preparing its opinion, Citigroup performed a variety of
financial and comparative analyses, including those described
below. The summary of these analyses is not a complete
description of the analyses underlying Citigroups opinion.
The preparation of a financial opinion is a complex analytical
48
process involving various determinations as to the most
appropriate and relevant methods of financial analysis and the
application of those methods to the particular circumstances
and, therefore, a financial opinion is not readily susceptible
to summary description. Citigroup arrived at its ultimate
opinion based on the results of all analyses undertaken by it
and assessed as a whole, and did not draw, in isolation,
conclusions from or with regard to any one factor or method of
analysis for purposes of its opinion. Accordingly, Citigroup
believes that its analyses must be considered as a whole and
that selecting portions of its analyses and factors or focusing
on information presented in tabular format, without considering
all analyses and factors or the narrative description of the
analyses, could create a misleading or incomplete view of the
processes underlying its analyses and opinion.
In its analyses, Citigroup considered industry performance,
general business, economic, market and financial conditions and
other matters existing as of the date of its opinion, many of
which are beyond the control of GameStop and EB. No company,
business or transaction used in those analyses as a comparison
is identical to GameStop, EB or the mergers, and an evaluation
of those analyses is not entirely mathematical. Rather, the
analyses involve complex considerations and judgments concerning
financial and operating characteristics and other factors that
could affect the acquisition, public trading or other values of
the companies, business segments or transactions analyzed.
The estimates contained in Citigroups analyses and the
valuation ranges resulting from any particular analysis are not
necessarily indicative of actual values or predictive of future
results or values, which may be significantly more or less
favorable than those suggested by its analyses. In addition,
analyses relating to the value of businesses or securities do
not necessarily purport to be appraisals or to reflect the
prices at which businesses or securities actually may be sold.
Accordingly, the estimates used in, and the results derived
from, Citigroups analyses are inherently subject to
substantial uncertainty.
The type and amount of consideration payable in the EB merger
was determined through negotiation between GameStop and EB and
the decision to enter into the mergers was solely that of
GameStops board of directors. Citigroups opinion was
only one of many factors considered by the GameStop board of
directors in its evaluation of the mergers and should not be
viewed as determinative of the views of the GameStop board of
directors or management with respect to the mergers or the
consideration payable in the mergers.
The following is a summary of the material financial analyses
presented to the GameStop board of directors in connection with
Citigroups opinion. The financial analyses summarized
below include information presented in tabular format. In order
to fully understand Citigroups financial analyses, the
tables must be read together with the text of each summary. The
tables alone do not constitute a complete description of the
financial analyses. Considering the data below without
considering the full narrative description of the financial
analyses, including the methodologies and assumptions underlying
the analyses, could create a misleading or incomplete view of
Citigroups financial analyses. For purposes of the
following summary of Citigroups financial analyses, the
term implied per share value of the EB merger
consideration refers to the implied aggregate value of the
cash consideration payable in the EB merger of $38.15 per
share and the stock consideration issuable in the EB merger
based on the exchange ratio provided for in the EB merger of
0.78795 and the per share closing price of GameStop Class A
common stock on April 14, 2005 of $20.91.
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Selected Companies Analysis |
Citigroup reviewed financial and stock market information of EB,
GameStop and the following twelve selected publicly held
companies in the specialty retailing industry:
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Advance Auto Parts, Inc. |
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Barnes & Noble, Inc. |
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Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. |
49
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Best Buy Co., Inc. |
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Blockbuster Inc. |
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Borders Group, Inc. |
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The Home Depot, Inc. |
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Linens N Things, Inc. |
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Lowes Companies, Inc. |
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Office Depot, Inc. |
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PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc. |
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Staples, Inc. |
Citigroup reviewed, among other things, closing stock prices as
a multiple of calendar years 2005 and 2006 estimated earnings
per share (EPS). Citigroup then applied a range of selected
multiples of calendar years 2005 and 2006 estimated EPS derived
from GameStop and the selected companies to EBs estimated
EPS for the fiscal years ending January 28, 2006 (EB fiscal
2006) and February 3, 2007 (EB fiscal 2007). Multiples for
GameStop and the selected companies were based on closing stock
prices as of April 14, 2005 and estimated financial data of
research analysts as compiled by First Call Corporation (a
financial research company), commonly referred to as First Call
estimates. Estimated financial data for EB were based on
internal estimates of EBs management as adjusted by
GameStops management. This analysis indicated the
following implied per share equity reference ranges for EB, as
compared to the implied per share value of the EB merger
consideration:
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Implied per Share | |
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Implied per Share | |
Equity Reference | |
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Value of EB | |
Range for EB | |
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Merger Consideration | |
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EB Fiscal 2006 | |
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EB Fiscal 2007 | |
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$ |
43.73 - $48.87 |
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$ |
47.98 - $54.38 |
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$ |
54.63 |
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Precedent Transactions Analysis |
Citigroup reviewed the transaction value multiples paid in the
following 36 selected transactions in the specialty retailing
industry announced since October 1998:
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Date Announced |
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Acquiror |
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Target |
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March 2005
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Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., Bain Capital
Partners LLC, Vornado Realty Trust |
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Toys R Us, Inc. |
January 2005
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Saunders Karp & Megrue |
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Bobs Discount Furniture, Inc. |
December 2004
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Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P. |
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Duane Reade Inc. |
November 2004
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The Dress Barn, Inc. |
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Maurices Incorporated |
November 2004
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Bain Capital Partners, LLC |
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S. Rossy Inc. and Dollar A.M.A. Inc. (Dollarama
business) |
November 2004
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Jones Apparel Group, Inc. |
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Barneys New York, Inc. |
October 2004
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The Childrens Place Retail Stores, Inc. |
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The Disney Store North America |
September 2004
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Management-led Investor Group |
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Eastern Mountain Sports, Inc. |
July 2004
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Cerberus Capital Management, L.P., Sun Capital
Partners, Inc. and Lubert-Adler and Klaff Partners, L.P. |
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Target Corporation (Mervyns business unit) |
July 2004
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Bridgepoint Capital Limited |
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Pets at Home Limited |
June 2004
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Dicks Sporting Goods, Inc. |
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Galyans Trading Company, Inc. |
May 2004
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Castle Harlan, Inc. |
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Caribbean Restaurants LLC |
April 2004
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Crescent Capital Investments, Inc. |
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Loehmanns Holdings Inc. |
April 2004
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Wasserstein & Co., L.P. |
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Bear Creek Corporation |
April 2004
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Weston Presidio |
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Nebraska Book Company, Inc. |
49
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Date Announced |
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Acquiror |
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Target |
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February 2004
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Genesco Inc. |
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Hat World Corporation |
January 2004
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Sun Capital Partners, Inc. |
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Anchor Blue |
November 2003
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CVC Capital Partners Ltd., Texas Pacific Group |
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Debenhams PLC |
October 2003
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Apollo Management, L.P. |
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General Nutrition Companies, Inc. |
September 2003
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TBC Corporation |
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National Tire & Battery |
July 2003
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Boise Cascade Corporation |
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OfficeMax, Inc. |
June 2003
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Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. |
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Christmas Tree Shops, Inc. |
June 2003
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Dollar Tree Stores, Inc. |
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Greenbacks, Inc. |
February 2003
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Gart Sports Company |
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The Sports Authority, Inc. |
May 2002
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The Blackstone Group LP |
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The Columbia House Company |
August 2001
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Best Buy Co., Inc. |
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Future Shop, Ltd. |
August 2001
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Advance Auto Parts, Inc. |
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Discount Auto Parts, Inc. |
June 2001
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Tweeter Home Entertainment Group, Inc. |
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Sound Advice, Inc. |
February 2001
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Luxottica Group S.p.A. |
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Sunglass Hut International, Inc. |
December 2000
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Best Buy Co., Inc. |
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Musicland Stores Corporation |
August 2000
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Zale Corporation |
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Piercing Pagoda, Inc. |
May 2000
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Barnes & Noble, Inc. (Babbages Etc.
LLC) |
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Funco, Inc. |
May 2000
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Leonard Green & Partners, L.P., Texas
Pacific Group |
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PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc. |
November 1999
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Three Cities Research, Inc. |
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Garden Ridge Corporation |
October 1999
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Barnes & Noble, Inc. |
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Babbages Etc. LLC |
October 1998
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Trans World Entertainment Corporation |
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Camelot Music Holdings, Inc. |
Citigroup reviewed enterprise values in the selected
transactions, calculated as the equity value implied for the
target company based on the consideration payable in the
selected transaction, plus net debt, minority interests and
preferred stock, less investments in unconsolidated affiliates,
as a multiple of latest twelve months estimated earnings before
interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA).
Citigroup then applied a range of selected latest twelve months
EBITDA multiples derived from the selected transactions to EB
fiscal 2006 estimated EBITDA, with particular focus on the Bain
Capital Partners, LLC/ Dollarama L.P., Weston Presidio/ Nebraska
Book Company, Inc., and Dicks Sporting Goods, Inc./
Galyans Trading Company, Inc. transactions given that they were
recent transactions involving target companies generally with
growth characteristics similar to those of EB. Multiples for the
selected transactions were based on publicly available financial
information at the time of announcement of the relevant
transaction. Estimated financial data for EB were based on
internal estimates of EBs management as adjusted by
GameStops management. This analysis indicated the
following implied per share equity reference range for EB, as
compared to the implied per share value of the EB merger
consideration:
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Implied per Share |
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Implied per Share | |
Equity Reference |
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Value of EB | |
Range for EB |
|
Merger Consideration | |
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$50.97 - $61.98
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$ |
54.63 |
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Discounted Cash Flow Analysis |
Citigroup performed a discounted cash flow analysis of EB to
calculate the estimated present value of the standalone
unlevered, after-tax free cash flows that EB could generate over
EB fiscal 2007 through the
50
fiscal year ending January 30, 2010 (EB fiscal 2010).
Estimated financial data for EB were based on internal estimates
of EBs management as adjusted by GameStops
management. Citigroup calculated a range of estimated terminal
values by applying a range of EBITDA terminal value multiples of
7.0x to 8.0x to EB fiscal 2010 estimated EBITDA. The present
value of the cash flows and terminal values were calculated
using discount rates ranging from 10.5% to 11.5%. This analysis
indicated the following implied per share equity reference range
for EB, as compared to the implied per share value of the EB
merger consideration:
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Implied per Share |
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Implied per Share | |
Equity Reference |
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Value of EB | |
Range for EB |
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Merger Consideration | |
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$90.04 - $103.43
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$ |
54.63 |
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GameStop Trading Multiples Analysis |
Citigroup reviewed closing stock prices of GameStop, EB and the
publicly held companies in the specialty retailers industry
referred to above under EB Analyses Selected
Companies Analysis as a multiple of calendar years 2005
and 2006 estimated EPS and also reviewed price-to-earnings
ratios of GameStop, EB and the selected companies as a multiple
of estimated long-term earnings growth rates for calendar years
2005 and 2006. Citigroup reviewed enterprise values, calculated
as the equity value implied by the closing stock price, plus net
debt, minority interests and preferred stock, less investments
in unconsolidated affiliates, as a multiple of latest twelve
months EBITDA and calendar year 2005 estimated EBITDA. Citigroup
then compared the multiples derived for the selected companies
and EB with corresponding multiples implied for GameStop based
on the weighted average closing price of GameStop Class A
common stock and GameStop Class B common stock on
April 14, 2005. Multiples were based on First Call
estimates and closing stock prices as of April 14, 2005.
This analysis indicated the following implied high, low, mean
and median multiples for the selected companies and EB, as
compared to corresponding multiples implied for GameStop based
on the weighted average closing price of GameStop Class A
common stock and GameStop Class B common stock on
April 14, 2005:
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Implied | |
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Implied | |
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Implied Multiples for | |
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Multiples | |
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Multiples | |
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Selected Companies | |
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for EB | |
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for GameStop | |
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High | |
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Low | |
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Mean | |
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Median | |
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Closing Stock Price as Multiple of:
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EPS
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Calendar year 2005
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29.7 |
x |
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14.0 |
x |
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18.0 |
x |
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16.6 |
x |
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17.1 |
x |
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15.1x |
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Calendar year 2006
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18.3 |
x |
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12.5 |
x |
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14.6 |
x |
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14.2 |
x |
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14.8 |
x |
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12.9x |
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Price-to-Earnings Ratio as Multiple of:
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Long-Term Earnings Growth Rate
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Calendar year 2005
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1.9 |
x |
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0.9 |
x |
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1.2 |
x |
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1.1 |
x |
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1.0 |
x |
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0.9x |
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Calendar year 2006
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1.3 |
x |
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0.8 |
x |
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1.0 |
x |
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1.0 |
x |
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0.9 |
x |
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0.8x |
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Enterprise Value as Multiple of:
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EBITDA
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Latest twelve months
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12.3 |
x |
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5.4 |
x |
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8.4 |
x |
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8.5 |
x |
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7.5 |
x |
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7.6x |
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Calendar year 2005
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11.3 |
x |
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5.3 |
x |
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7.6 |
x |
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7.5 |
x |
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6.4 |
x |
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6.3x |
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Citigroup also reviewed historical closing prices of GameStop
Class A common stock from April 15, 2002 to
April 14, 2005 as a multiple of GameStops forward
twelve months estimated EPS based on First Call estimates.
Citigroup noted that the average forward twelve months estimated
EPS multiple for GameStop over the one-year and three-year
periods ended April 14, 2005 was 15.0x and 16.0x,
respectively, as compared to the forward twelve months estimated
EPS multiple for GameStop based on the closing price of GameStop
Class A common stock on April 14, 2005 of 15.1x.
52
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Pro Forma Accretion/ Dilution Analysis |
Citigroup analyzed the potential pro forma effect of the mergers
on the combined companys estimated EPS for the fiscal
years ending January 28, 2006 through January 30,
2010, after giving effect to potential synergies anticipated by
GameStops management to result from the mergers, relative
to GameStops estimated EPS during such period on a
standalone basis. Estimated financial data for GameStop were
based on internal estimates of the management of GameStop.
Estimated financial data for EB were based on internal estimates
of EBs management as adjusted by GameStops
management. This analysis suggested that the mergers could be
accretive to the combined companys estimated EPS relative
to GameStops estimated EPS on a standalone basis in each
of the periods observed. The actual results achieved by the
combined company may vary from projected results and the
variations may be material.
In rendering its opinion, Citigroup also reviewed and considered
other factors, including:
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the relationship between movements in GameStop common stock and
EB common stock; |
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the implied per share values of the EB merger consideration
based on illustrative closing prices of GameStop Class A
common stock at 10% levels above and below the closing price of
GameStop Class A common stock on April 14, 2005; |
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the premiums implied for EB based on the EB merger consideration
relative to the closing price of EB common stock on
April 14, 2005 and on the average closing price for EB
common stock over the 20-day period ended April 14,
2005; and |
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the premiums implied for EB based on selected implied
transaction multiples for EB relative to corresponding trading
multiples for GameStop based on the weighted average closing
price of GameStop Class A common stock and GameStop
Class B common stock on April 14, 2005. |
Under the terms of Citigroups engagement, GameStop has
agreed to pay Citigroup for its financial advisory services in
connection with the mergers an aggregate fee of between
$7 million and $8 million. GameStop also has agreed to
reimburse Citigroup for expenses incurred by Citigroup in
performing its services, including reasonable fees and expenses
of its legal counsel, and to indemnify Citigroup and related
persons against liabilities, including liabilities under the
federal securities laws, arising out of its engagement.
In the ordinary course of business, Citigroup and its affiliates
may actively trade or hold the securities of GameStop and EB for
their own account or for the account of customers and,
accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short position in
those securities. Citigroup and its affiliates in the past have
provided, and currently are providing, services to GameStop and
its affiliates unrelated to the mergers, for which services
Citigroup and its affiliates have received, and expect to
receive, compensation, including having acted as GameStops
financial advisor in 2004 in connection with GameStops
repurchase of a portion of the shares of GameStop Class B
common stock held by Barnes & Noble, an affiliate of
Leonard Riggio, who is a director and stockholder of GameStop,
and the subsequent distribution of the remaining shares of
GameStop Class B common stock held by Barnes &
Noble to its stockholders, and having acted as financial advisor
to Barnes & Noble in 2004 in connection with its
acquisition of barnesandnoble.com inc. Citigroup and its
affiliates also in the past have provided services to EB and its
affiliates unrelated to the mergers, for which services
Citigroup and its affiliates have received compensation,
including having acted as lead manager in 2003 and 2004 for
equity and debt securities financings, and as sole bookrunner in
2003 for an equity securities financing, of affiliates of James
Kim, who is Chairman of the Board of EB. An affiliate of
Citigroup also will be acting as administrative agent and will
be a lender under, and Citigroup will be acting as lead
bookrunner for, bank and debt or equity securities financings
contemplated to be undertaken by GameStop in connection with the
mergers, for which services Citigroup and its affiliates
53
expect to receive compensation. In addition, Citigroup and its
affiliates, including Citigroup Inc. and its affiliates, may
maintain relationships with GameStop, EB and their respective
affiliates.
GameStop selected Citigroup as its financial advisor in
connection with the mergers based on Citigroups
reputation, experience and familiarity with GameStop, EB and
their respective businesses. Citigroup is an internationally
recognized investment banking firm which regularly engages in
the valuation of businesses and their securities in connection
with mergers and acquisitions, negotiated underwritings,
competitive bids, secondary distributions of listed and unlisted
securities, private placements and valuations for estate,
corporate and other purposes.
Opinions of EBs Financial Advisors
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|
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated |
EB engaged Merrill Lynch to act as its financial advisor in
connection with the proposed mergers, and to render an opinion
as to whether the consideration to be received pursuant to the
EB merger is fair from a financial point of view to the holders
of the common stock of EB (other than GameStop, its affiliates
and the Kim Group) (the Public Holders).
On April 17, 2005, Merrill Lynch delivered its oral opinion
to the board of directors of EB, subsequently confirmed in
writing as of the same date, that, as of that date, and based
upon and subject to the assumptions made, matters considered,
and qualifications and limitations set forth, in the written
opinion (which are described below), the consideration of
(i) $38.15 in cash and (ii) 0.78795 shares of
Holdco Class A common stock to be received per share of the
EB common stock pursuant to the EB merger was fair, from a
financial point of view, to the Public Holders.
The full text of the written opinion of Merrill Lynch, which
sets forth the assumptions made, matters considered, and
qualifications and limits on the scope of review undertaken by
Merrill Lynch, is attached to this joint proxy
statement-prospectus as Annex H and is incorporated
into this joint proxy statement-prospectus by reference. The
following summary of the material provisions of Merrill
Lynchs opinion is qualified by reference to the full text
of the opinion. Stockholders are urged to read and consider the
entire opinion carefully.
The opinion is addressed to EBs board of directors and
addresses only the fairness, from a financial point of view, of
the consideration to be received by the Public Holders pursuant
to the EB merger, as of the date of the opinion. The opinion
does not address the merits of the underlying decision by EB to
engage in the EB merger and does not constitute, nor should it
be construed as, a recommendation to any stockholder as to how
the stockholder should vote with respect to the EB merger or any
related matter. Merrill Lynch was not asked to address, and its
opinion did not address, the fairness to, or any other
consideration of, the holders of any class of securities,
creditors or other constituencies of EB, other than the Public
Holders. Although Merrill Lynch provided advice to EB during
negotiations among the parties, the consideration to be received
by the Public Holders was determined by GameStop and EB and was
approved by EBs board of directors. Merrill Lynch did not
determine or recommend the amount of consideration to be paid in
the transaction. In addition, as described above, Merrill
Lynchs fairness opinion was among several factors taken
into consideration by EBs board of directors in making its
determination to approve the merger agreement and the EB merger.
Consequently, Merrill Lynchs analyses described below
should not be viewed as determinative of the decision of
EBs board of directors to approve the merger agreement or
to recommend the EB merger to EBs stockholders.
In arriving at its opinion, Merrill Lynch, among other things:
|
|
|
|
|
Reviewed certain publicly available business and financial
information relating to GameStop and EB that Merrill Lynch
deemed to be relevant; |
|
|
|
Reviewed certain information, including financial forecasts,
relating to the business, earnings, cash flow, assets,
liabilities and prospects of GameStop and EB, as well as the
amount and timing of the |
54
|
|
|
|
|
cost savings and related expenses and synergies (the Expected
Synergies) expected to result from the mergers, and furnished to
Merrill Lynch by each of GameStop and EB; |
|
|
|
Conducted discussions with members of senior management of
GameStop and EB concerning the matters described in the first
and second clauses above, as well as their respective businesses
and prospects before and after giving effect to the mergers and
the Expected Synergies; |
|
|
|
Reviewed the market prices and valuation multiples for EBs
common stock and GameStops common stock and compared them
with those of certain publicly traded companies that Merrill
Lynch deemed to be relevant; |
|
|
|
Reviewed the results of operations of GameStop and EB and
compared them with those of certain publicly traded companies
that Merrill Lynch deemed to be relevant; |
|
|
|
Compared the proposed financial terms of the mergers with the
financial terms of certain other transactions that Merrill Lynch
deemed to be relevant; |
|
|
|
Participated in certain discussions and negotiations among
representatives of GameStop and EB and their financial and legal
advisors; |
|
|
|
Reviewed the potential pro forma impact of the mergers; |
|
|
|
Reviewed an April 17, 2005 draft of the merger agreement; |
|
|
|
Reviewed an April 17, 2005 draft of the Kim Group voting
agreement; |
|
|
|
Reviewed an April 16, 2005 draft of the Riggio Group voting
agreement; |
|
|
|
Reviewed an April 17, 2005 form of the registration rights
agreement; |
|
|
|
Reviewed an April 16, 2005 form of the non-competition
agreement; and |
|
|
|
Reviewed such other financial studies and analyses and took into
account such other matters as Merrill Lynch deemed necessary,
including Merrill Lynchs assessment of general economic,
market and monetary conditions. |
In preparing its opinion, Merrill Lynch assumed and relied on
the accuracy and completeness of all information supplied or
otherwise made available to it, discussed with or reviewed by or
for it, or publicly available. Merrill Lynch did not assume any
responsibility for independently verifying such information or
undertake any independent evaluation or appraisal of any of the
assets or liabilities of GameStop or EB, was not furnished with
any such evaluation or appraisal, and did not evaluate the
solvency or fair value of GameStop or EB under any state or
federal laws relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or similar
matters. In addition, Merrill Lynch did not assume any
obligation to conduct any physical inspection of the properties
or facilities of GameStop or EB. With respect to the financial
forecast information and the Expected Synergies furnished to or
discussed with Merrill Lynch by GameStop or EB, Merrill Lynch
assumed that such information had been reasonably prepared and
reflected the best currently available estimates and judgment of
EBs or GameStops management as to the expected
future financial performance of GameStop or EB, as the case may
be, and the Expected Synergies. Merrill Lynch further assumed
that the exchange of GameStop Class A common stock,
GameStop Class B common stock and EB common stock for
Holdco Class A common stock and Holdco Class B common
stock, as applicable, pursuant to the mergers, taken together,
shall qualify as a transaction described in Section 351 of
the Code. Merrill Lynch also assumed that the final forms of the
merger agreement, the Kim Group voting agreement, the Riggio
Group voting agreement, the registration rights agreement and
the non-competition agreement would be substantially similar to
the last drafts reviewed by it.
The opinion of Merrill Lynch is necessarily based upon market,
economic and other conditions as they existed and could be
evaluated on, and on the information made available to Merrill
Lynch as of, the date of its opinion. Merrill Lynch assumed that
in the course of obtaining the necessary regulatory or other
consents or approvals (contractual or otherwise) for the
mergers, no restrictions, including any divestiture
55
requirements or amendments or modifications, will be imposed
that will have a material adverse effect on the contemplated
benefits of the mergers.
In connection with the preparation of its opinion, Merrill Lynch
was not authorized by EB or EBs board of directors to
solicit, nor did it solicit, third-party indications of interest
for the acquisition of all or any part of EB.
At the board of directors meeting of EB held on April 17,
2005, Merrill Lynch presented certain financial and comparative
analyses accompanied by written materials in connection with the
delivery of its opinion. The following is a summary of the
material financial and comparative analyses performed by Merrill
Lynch in arriving at its opinion. However, it does not purport
to be a complete description of the analyses performed by
Merrill Lynch or of its presentations to EBs board of
directors. Some of the summaries of financial analyses include
information presented in tabular format. In order to understand
fully the financial analyses performed by Merrill Lynch, the
tables must be read together with the accompanying text of each
summary. The tables alone do not constitute a complete
description of the financial and comparative analyses, including
the methodologies and assumptions underlying the analyses, and
if viewed in isolation could create a misleading or incomplete
view of the financial and comparative analyses performed by
Merrill Lynch.
Management Case and Street Case. For purposes of the
analyses discussed below, Merrill Lynch used a set of
projections provided by EB management (the management case). For
the street case, Merrill Lynch used available Wall Street
research estimates which assumed lower sales growth and lower
operating margins than in the management case.
Merger Consideration. Merrill Lynchs analysis is
based on share price information as of April 14, 2005. As
of April 14, 2005 the implied merger consideration was
$54.63, calculated based on (i) $38.15 in cash per share
plus (ii) 0.78795 shares multiplied by the GameStop
Class A common stock closing share price of $20.91 as of
April 14, 2005 (the $54.63 per share merger
consideration). The closing share price of GameStop Class A
common stock on April 15, 2005 (the last trading day prior
to the April 17, 2005 meeting of EBs board of
directors) was $21.61, which implies a per share merger
consideration of $55.18.
Historical Share Price Performance. Merrill Lynch
reviewed the historical performance of EBs common stock
based on a historical analysis of trading prices for the three
years ending April 14, 2005. The following table reflects
the implied premium that the $54.63 per share merger
consideration represents to the various closing prices and
average closing prices at various points in time prior to the
public announcement of GameStops merger proposal:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Price | |
|
Implied Premium | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
April 14, 2005
|
|
$ |
40.86 |
|
|
|
33.7 |
% |
5-Day Trading Average
|
|
$ |
42.19 |
|
|
|
29.5 |
% |
30-Day Trading Average
|
|
$ |
41.57 |
|
|
|
31.4 |
% |
90-Day Trading Average
|
|
$ |
39.29 |
|
|
|
39.0 |
% |
1-Year Trading Average
|
|
$ |
33.40 |
|
|
|
63.6 |
% |
3-Year Trading Average
|
|
$ |
27.58 |
|
|
|
98.1 |
% |
52-Week High
|
|
$ |
47.02 |
|
|
|
16.2 |
% |
52-Week Low
|
|
$ |
23.60 |
|
|
|
131.5 |
% |
Research Analyst Price Targets. Based on publicly
available Wall Street research analyst views, target prices of
EB range from $44.00 to $52.00 per share. Merrill Lynch
compared this range to the $54.63 per share merger
consideration.
Analysis of Selected Comparable Publicly Traded
Companies. Using publicly available information concerning
historical and projected financial results, Merrill Lynch
compared financial and operating information and ratios for EB
with the corresponding financial and operating information for
the selected
56
group of publicly traded companies that Merrill Lynch deemed to
be reasonably comparable to EB. The following companies were
selected as the primary comparable companies to EB.
Specialty Hardline Retailers
|
|
|
|
|
Barnes & Noble, Inc. |
|
|
|
Best Buy Co., Inc. |
|
|
|
Borders Group, Inc. |
|
|
|
Circuit City Stores, Inc. |
|
|
|
Guitar Center, Inc. |
|
|
|
Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. |
|
|
|
RadioShack Corp. |
Video Rental Chains
|
|
|
|
|
Blockbuster, Inc. |
|
|
|
Movie Gallery, Inc. |
There are few public companies which are directly comparable to
EB. The video game industry is highly fragmented. Other than
specialty retailers, industry players include mass merchants,
toy retailers, consumer electronics stores and video rental
chains. Merrill Lynch selected these comparable companies
because they are publicly traded companies with operating
profiles that Merrill Lynch deemed reasonably similar to that of
EB. For each of the comparable companies, Merrill Lynch
calculated enterprise value as of April 14, 2005 as a
multiple of last twelve months earnings before interest,
taxes, depreciation and amortization (LTM EBITDA) and current
stock price as a multiple of 2005 estimated earnings per share
(2005E P/ E multiple).
Based on reported financial results, the enterprise value as a
multiple of LTM EBITDA analysis resulted in a range of multiples
from 5.1x to 11.7x, with a mean of 7.6x for Specialty Hardline
Retailers and 5.3x for Video Rental Chains, as of April 14,
2005, as compared to the 7.5x multiple for EB pre-announcement
and the 10.6x multiple implied by the $54.63 per share
merger consideration. Based on its analysis of the multiples
calculated for the comparable companies, including qualitative
judgments involving non-mathematical considerations, Merrill
Lynch determined the relevant range to be 6.5x to 8.5x LTM
EBITDA, for an implied equity value range for EB of $36.50 to
$45.25 per share.
Based on the street case, 2005E P/ E multiple analysis resulted
in a range of multiples from 11.6x to 28.6x, with a mean of
17.9x for Specialty Hardline Retailers and 21.5x for Video
Rental Chains, as of April 14, 2005. Based on its analysis
of the multiples calculated for the comparable companies,
including qualitative judgments involving non-mathematical
considerations, Merrill Lynch determined the relevant range to
be 16.0x to 20.0x 2005E P/ E, for an implied equity value range
for EB of $38.50 to $48.00 per share based on street case
and $42.25 to $52.75 based on management case.
None of the selected comparable companies are identical to EB.
Accordingly, a complete analysis of the results of the foregoing
calculations cannot be limited to a quantitative review of the
results and involves complex considerations and judgments
concerning differences in financial and operating
characteristics of the selected comparable companies, and other
factors that could affect the public trading dynamics of the
selected comparable companies, as well as those of EB.
57
Analysis of Selected Comparable Transactions. Using
publicly available information concerning past transactions,
Merrill Lynch compared the proposed financial terms of the EB
merger with the financial terms of certain other transactions
that Merrill Lynch deemed to be relevant:
|
|
|
|
|
Date |
|
Target |
|
Acquiror |
|
|
|
|
|
3/17/2005
|
|
Toys R Us, Inc. |
|
Bain, KKR and Vornado |
12/2/2004
|
|
Eye Care Centers of America, Inc. |
|
Moulin International Holdings Ltd. & Golden Gate
Private Equity |
11/19/2004
|
|
Hollywood Entertainment Corp. |
|
Movie Gallery, Inc. |
6/21/2004
|
|
Galyans Trading Company, Inc. |
|
Dicks Sporting Goods, Inc. |
3/31/2004
|
|
InterTAN, Inc. |
|
Circuit City Stores Inc. |
7/14/2003
|
|
OfficeMax, Inc. |
|
Boise Cascade Holdings LLC |
2/20/2003
|
|
The Sports Authority, Inc. |
|
Gart Sports Co. |
8/14/2001
|
|
Future Shop Ltd. |
|
Best Buy Co., Inc. |
12/8/2000
|
|
K.B. Toys, Inc. |
|
Bain Capital, Inc. |
12/7/2000
|
|
Musicland Stores Corp. |
|
Best Buy Co., Inc. |
5/17/2000
|
|
Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. |
|
Leonard Green & Partners/TPG |
5/4/2000
|
|
Funco, Inc. |
|
Barnes & Noble, Inc. |
1/23/2000
|
|
CompUSA, Inc. |
|
Grupo Sanborns SA de CV |
1/15/2000
|
|
Micro Warehouse, Inc. |
|
Freeman Spogli & Co. |
10/28/1999
|
|
Babbages Etc. LLC |
|
Barnes & Noble, Inc. |
The comparable transaction analysis resulted in a range of
transaction values as a multiple of LTM EBITDA from 4.3x to
10.7x, with a mean of 7.2x. Based on the analysis, including
qualitative judgments involving non-mathematical considerations,
Merrill Lynch determined the relevant range to be 7.5x to 9.5x
LTM EBITDA for an implied equity value range for EB of $41.00 to
$49.75 per share.
No transaction used in the analysis above is identical to the
proposed transaction. A complete analysis involves complex
considerations and judgments concerning differences in financial
and operating characteristics of the companies involved in these
transactions and other facts that could affect the transaction
multiples in such comparable transactions to which the proposed
transaction is being compared; mathematical analysis (such as
determining the mean) is not by itself a meaningful method of
using selected transaction data. In addition, Merrill
Lynchs analysis did not take into account different market
or other conditions during the periods in which the selected
transactions occurred.
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis. Merrill Lynch performed
discounted cash flow analyses of EB for three and five years
ending January 31, 2007 and 2009, respectively. Merrill
Lynch based these discounted cash flow analyses upon street case
and management case projections. Merrill Lynch calculated a net
present value for unlevered free cash flow during the projected
periods (i.e.,three and five years) using discount rates
from 13.0% to 16.0%. Merrill Lynch calculated terminal values on
January 31, 2007 and January 31, 2009 with two
methodologies, EBITDA Multiple Method and Perpetuity Growth
Method. For the EBITDA Multiple Method, Merrill Lynch assumed
EBITDA multiples ranging from 6.0x to 8.0x. For the Perpetuity
Growth Method, Merrill Lynch assumed perpetuity growth rates
ranging from 2.0% to 3.0%. The analyses resulted in the
following implied per share equity value ranges for EB:
|
|
|
|
|
Street case projections: |
|
|
|
|
|
EBITDA Multiple Method: $39.00 to $51.25 (3-Year); $41.25 to
$55.00 (5-Year) |
|
|
|
Perpetuity Growth Method: $25.00 to $32.25 (3-Year); $30.00 to
$39.25 (5-Year) |
58
|
|
|
|
|
Management case projections: |
|
|
|
|
|
EBITDA Multiple Method: $49.00 to $65.50 (3-Year); $63.25 to
$86.75 (5-Year) |
|
|
|
Perpetuity Growth Method: $33.00 to $44.00 (3-Year); $47.50 to
$65.50 (5-Year) |
The projections of terminal value EBITDA multiples and
perpetuity growth rates were based upon Merrill Lynchs
judgment and expertise as well as its review of publicly
available business and financial information and the respective
financial and business characteristics of EB and the comparable
companies.
Present Value of Future Stock Prices Assuming Status Quo.
Using both the street case and management case projections,
Merrill Lynch applied EBs current 2005E P/ E multiple,
which is 17.0x for street case and 15.5x for management case, in
each case, as of April 14, 2005, to the projected 2005-2009
earnings assuming status quo to calculate an estimated future
stock price in each of the aforementioned years. Merrill Lynch
estimated the implied range of values to current stockholders as
of April 14, 2005 by discounting these estimated future
stock prices at an estimated 16% equity cost of capital. The
following table reflects the theoretical implied range of values
obtained by Merrill Lynch for the various scenarios using
projections provided by EB:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Street Case | |
|
Management Case | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Status Quo
|
|
$ |
40.75 - $45.75 |
|
|
$ |
41.00 - $70.25 |
|
Historical Implied Exchange Ratio. Merrill Lynch analyzed
the historical implied exchange ratio between EB common stock
and GameStop Class A common stock between April 14,
2002 and April 14, 2005. The historical implied exchange
ratio was calculated by dividing the average price of EB common
stock by the average price of GameStop Class A common stock
for the indicated historical time periods. For comparative
purposes, Merrill Lynch has adjusted the stock portion of the
exchange ratio of 0.78795 to include the exchange ratio implied
from the cash portion of the merger consideration, which implies
an adjusted exchange ratio of 2.612, calculated by dividing the
offer price of $54.63 by the GameStop Class A common stock
price of $20.91 as of April 14, 2005.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Historical | |
Historical Time Period |
|
Exchange Ratio | |
|
|
| |
Close as of April 14, 2005
|
|
|
1.954 |
x |
Average over one month
|
|
|
1.958 |
|
Average over three months
|
|
|
1.932 |
|
Average over six months
|
|
|
1.876 |
|
Average over one year
|
|
|
1.790 |
|
Average over two years
|
|
|
1.719 |
|
Average over three years
|
|
|
1.627 |
|
Relative Valuation Analysis. Merrill Lynch calculated a
range of implied exchange ratios by comparing theoretical values
of EB common stock and GameStop Class A common stock. The
exchange ratio is calculated by dividing the theoretical value
of EB common stock by the theoretical value of GameStop
Class A common stock. Merrill Lynch multiplied these
exchange ratios by the GameStop Class A common stock
closing price of $20.91 as of April 14, 2005 to determine
the implied per share equity values of EB.
Merrill calculated the theoretical value of GameStop
Class A common stock based on projections provided by
GameStop management (GameStop management case). Merrill Lynch
did not assume any responsibility for independently verifying
such information nor did it undertake any independent evaluation
or appraisal of any of the assets or liabilities of GameStop.
The methodologies that Merrill Lynch used to
59
determine the theoretical values of GameStop and EB, as well as
the implied exchange ratios and the implied per share equity
values of EB, are detailed in the table below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Implied per Share Value | |
|
Implied Exchange | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Ratio | |
|
Implied Offer Price | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
EB | |
|
GameStop | |
|
Low EB | |
|
High EB | |
|
Low EB | |
|
High EB | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
to High | |
|
to Low | |
|
to High | |
|
to Low | |
Methodology |
|
Low | |
|
High | |
|
Low | |
|
High | |
|
GameStop | |
|
GameStop | |
|
GameStop | |
|
GameStop | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Public Comparables
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2004 EBITDA
|
|
$ |
36.50 |
|
|
$ |
45.25 |
|
|
$ |
19.50 |
|
|
$ |
24.00 |
|
|
|
1.521 |
x |
|
|
2.321 |
x |
|
$ |
31.75 |
|
|
$ |
48.50 |
|
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis (3-Year)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EB Street Case/ GameStop Management Case |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Perpetuity Growth
|
|
$ |
25.00 |
|
|
$ |
32.25 |
|
|
$ |
15.50 |
|
|
$ |
20.50 |
|
|
|
1.220 |
x |
|
|
2.081 |
x |
|
$ |
25.50 |
|
|
$ |
43.50 |
|
|
EBITDA Multiple
|
|
|
39.00 |
|
|
|
51.25 |
|
|
|
21.50 |
|
|
|
28.25 |
|
|
|
1.381 |
|
|
|
2.384 |
|
|
|
28.75 |
|
|
|
49.75 |
|
EB Management Case/ GameStop Management Case |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Perpetuity Growth
|
|
$ |
33.00 |
|
|
$ |
44.00 |
|
|
$ |
15.50 |
|
|
$ |
20.50 |
|
|
|
1.610 |
x |
|
|
2.839 |
x |
|
$ |
33.75 |
|
|
$ |
59.25 |
|
|
EBITDA Multiple
|
|
|
49.00 |
|
|
|
65.50 |
|
|
|
21.50 |
|
|
|
28.25 |
|
|
|
1.735 |
|
|
|
3.047 |
|
|
|
36.25 |
|
|
|
63.75 |
|
Research Targets
|
|
$ |
44.00 |
|
|
$ |
52.00 |
|
|
$ |
25.00 |
|
|
$ |
30.00 |
|
|
|
1.467 |
x |
|
|
2.080 |
x |
|
$ |
30.75 |
|
|
$ |
43.50 |
|
Pro Forma Acquisition Analysis. Merrill Lynch prepared
pro forma analyses for the financial impact of the mergers using
management case for both GameStop and EB. Based on such
analyses, Merrill Lynch determined that the proposed transaction
would be accretive to GameStops stockholders, after
synergies, in each of the calendar years 2006 and 2007.
The summary set forth above does not purport to be a complete
description of the analyses underlying the Merrill Lynch opinion
or the presentations made by Merrill Lynch to EBs board of
directors. The preparation of a fairness opinion is a complex
process and is not necessarily susceptible to partial analysis
or summary description. Merrill Lynch believes that selecting
any portion of its analyses or of the summary set forth above,
without considering the analyses as a whole, would create an
incomplete view of the process underlying Merrill Lynchs
opinion. In arriving at its opinion, Merrill Lynch considered
the results of all its analyses and did not attribute any
particular weight to any analysis or factor considered by it,
but rather made qualitative judgments as to the significance or
relevance of each analysis and factor. The analyses performed by
Merrill Lynch include analyses based upon forecasts or future
results, which may be significantly more or less favorable than
those underlying Merrill Lynchs analyses. The analyses do
not purport to be appraisals or to reflect the prices at which
EBs or GameStops common stock may trade at any time
after announcement of the mergers or how the Holdco common stock
may trade following consummation of the mergers. The analyses
were prepared solely for the purposes of Merrill Lynch providing
its opinion to the EB board of directors. The matters considered
by Merrill Lynch in its analyses were based on numerous
macroeconomic, operating and financial assumptions with respect
to industry performance, general business and economic
conditions and other matters, many of which are beyond
EBs, GameStops or Merrill Lynchs control, and
involve the application of complex methodologies and educated
judgments. In addition, no company utilized as a comparison in
the analyses described above is identical to GameStop or EB, and
none of the transactions utilized as a comparison is identical
to the mergers. Because the analyses are inherently subject to
uncertainty, neither Merrill Lynch nor any other person assumes
responsibility if future results or actual values are materially
different from those forecast. Merrill Lynch has no obligation
to update its opinion to take into account events occurring
after the date that its opinion was delivered to EBs board
of directors. Circumstances could develop prior to consummation
of the proposed transaction that, if known at the time Merrill
Lynch rendered its opinion, would have altered its opinion.
The board of directors of EB selected Merrill Lynch as its
financial advisor because of Merrill Lynchs reputation as
an internationally recognized investment banking and advisory
firm with substantial experience in transactions similar to the
mergers and because Merrill Lynch is familiar with EB and its
business. As part of its investment banking and advisory
business, Merrill Lynch is continually engaged in
60
the valuation of businesses and their securities in connection
with mergers and acquisitions, negotiated underwritings,
competitive biddings, secondary distributions of listed and
unlisted securities, private placements and valuations for
corporate and other purposes.
Under the terms of a letter agreement dated April 7, 2005,
pursuant to which EB engaged Merrill Lynch as its financial
advisor, EB agreed to pay $10.0 million to Merrill Lynch
for its services, $200,000 of which was paid upon the
announcement of the entry by EB into the merger agreement, and
the remainder of which is contingent upon consummation of the
proposed transactions. In the event that EB receives a
break-up or similar fee or payment, EB agreed to pay
Merrill Lynch a fee of 10% of all such amounts less any fee
previously paid to Merrill Lynch pursuant to the letter
agreement. The aggregate amount of all fees under the letter
agreement may not exceed $10.0 million. In addition to any
fees payable to Merrill Lynch under the letter agreement, EB
agreed to reimburse Merrill Lynch for its reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with providing its
services and rendering its opinion, including the reasonable
fees of its legal counsel. Subject to certain exceptions, EB
also agreed to indemnify Merrill Lynch and related parties
against various liabilities, including liabilities arising under
the federal securities laws or related to or arising out of the
mergers or the engagement of Merrill Lynch.
With the consent of the board of directors of EB, Merrill Lynch
and certain of its affiliates are acting as initial lender and
joint book-running lead arranger for a senior credit facility,
and are engaged as joint book-running managing underwriter,
placement agent, or initial purchaser, in each case along with
certain other financial institutions, to provide financing to
GameStop in connection with the mergers. Merrill Lynch and its
affiliates will receive underwriting, commitment and other fees
in connection with such financing. The financing fee Merrill
Lynch and its affiliates will receive is contingent upon, among
other factors, the structure of the financing, and credit
ratings of the facilities. See The Mergers
Financing on page 95.
In addition, Merrill Lynch has, in the past, provided financial
advisory and financing services to GameStop and EB and/or their
affiliates and may continue to do so and has received, and may
receive, fees for the rendering of such services. Except as
described above, Merrill Lynch has not received any fees from
EB, GameStop and/or their affiliates during the last two years.
In the ordinary course of its business, Merrill Lynch may
actively trade shares of EB common stock and other securities of
EB, as well as common stock of GameStop and other securities of
GameStop, for Merrill Lynchs own account and for the
accounts of its customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold
a long or short position in such securities.
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Peter J. Solomon Company, L.P. |
In April 2005, EB engaged Peter J. Solomon Company, L.P.
(PJSC) to act as its financial advisor with respect to
rendering a fairness opinion regarding the consideration
proposed to be received by the holders of EB common stock in the
EB merger. On April 17, 2005, PJSC rendered its oral
opinion telephonically to EBs board of directors, which
opinion was confirmed by delivery of a written opinion
(PJSCs opinion) to the effect that, based upon and subject
to various considerations set forth in such opinion, as of
April 17, 2005, the consideration proposed to be received
by the holders of EB common stock in connection with the EB
merger was fair from a financial point of view to the holders of
EB common stock, other than the Kim Group.
The full text of PJSCs opinion, which sets forth
assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered,
limitations on and scope of the review by PJSC in rendering
PJSCs opinion, is attached to this joint proxy
statement-prospectus as Annex I and is incorporated
by reference into this joint proxy statement-prospectus.
PJSCs opinion was directed only to the fairness of the
consideration proposed to be received by the holders of EB
common stock, other than the Kim Group, in the EB merger from a
financial point of view, was provided to EBs board of
directors in connection with its evaluation of the mergers, did
not address any other aspect of the mergers and did not, and
does not, constitute a recommendation to any holder of EB common
stock as to how any stockholder should vote or act on any matter
with respect to the mergers. The summary of PJSCs opinion
set forth in this joint proxy
61
statement-prospectus is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the full text of such opinion. Holders of EB common
stock are urged to read PJSCs opinion carefully and in its
entirety. PJSC has consented to the use of PJSCs opinion
in this joint proxy statement-prospectus.
In connection with PJSCs opinion, PJSC:
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reviewed certain publicly available financial statements and
other information of GameStop and EB; |
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reviewed certain internal financial statements and other
financial and operating data concerning GameStop and EB prepared
by the management of GameStop and EB, respectively; |
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reviewed certain financial projections for GameStop and EB,
including certain potential benefits of the proposed business
combination, prepared by the management of GameStop and EB,
respectively; |
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discussed the past and current operations, financial condition
and prospects of GameStop and EB with the management of GameStop
and EB, respectively; |
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reviewed the reported prices and trading activity of EB common
stock and GameStop common stock; |
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compared the financial performance and condition of GameStop and
EB and the reported prices and trading activity of EB common
stock and GameStop common stock with that of certain other
comparable publicly traded companies; |
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reviewed publicly available information regarding the financial
terms of certain transactions comparable, in whole or in part,
to the mergers; |
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participated in certain discussions among representatives of
each of GameStop and EB; |
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reviewed the draft merger agreement dated as of April 16,
2005 and the draft Kim Group and Riggio Group voting agreements
dated as of April 17, 2005; and |
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performed such other analyses as PJSC deemed appropriate. |
PJSC assumed and relied upon the accuracy and completeness of
the information reviewed by PJSC for the purposes of its opinion
and PJSC did not assume any responsibility for independent
verification of such information. With respect to the financial
projections, including the estimates made by EBs
management and GameStops management of certain potential
benefits of the mergers, PJSC assumed that the financial
projections were reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the
best currently available estimates and judgments of the future
financial performance of GameStop and EB, respectively. PJSC did
not conduct a physical inspection of the facilities or property
of GameStop or EB. PJSC did not assume any responsibility for
any independent valuation or appraisal of the assets or
liabilities of GameStop or EB, nor was PJSC furnished with any
such valuation or appraisal. Furthermore, PJSC did not consider
any tax effects of the mergers or the transaction structure on
any person or entity.
PJSC assumed that the final form of the merger agreement and the
voting agreements would be substantially the same as the last
draft of each agreement reviewed by PJSC. PJSC also assumed that
the mergers would be consummated in accordance with the terms of
the merger agreement, without waiver, modification or amendment
of any material term, condition or agreement, and that, in the
course of obtaining the necessary regulatory or third party
approvals, consents and releases for the mergers, no delay,
limitation, restriction or condition would be imposed that would
have a material adverse effect on GameStop or EB or the
contemplated benefits of the mergers. PJSC further assumed that
all representations and warranties set forth in the merger
agreement and the voting agreements were true and correct and
that all parties to the merger agreement and the voting
agreements will comply with all covenants of such party
thereunder. PJSC also assumed that Holdco Class A common
stock and Holdco Class B common stock have identical
powers, preferences and rights, except that holders of Holdco
Class A common stock will have one vote per share and
holders of Holdco Class B common stock will have ten votes
per share, in each case on matters for which the stockholders of
Holdco are entitled to vote.
61
PJSCs opinion was necessarily based on economic, market
and other conditions as in effect on, and the information made
available to PJSC as of, April 15, 2005. In particular,
PJSC did not express any opinion as to the prices at which
shares of EB common stock, GameStop common stock or Holdco
common stock would trade at any future time. Furthermore,
PJSCs opinion did not address EBs underlying
business decision to undertake any part of the mergers.
In arriving at PJSCs opinion, PJSC was not authorized to
solicit, and did not solicit, interest from any party with
respect to a merger or other business combination transaction
involving EB or any of its assets. No limitations were imposed
by EBs board of directors upon PJSC with respect to
investigations made or procedures followed by PJSC in rendering
PJSCs opinion.
The following summarizes the significant financial analyses
performed by PJSC and reviewed with EBs board of directors
on April 17, 2005 in connection with the delivery of
PJSCs opinion. The financial analyses summarized below
include information presented in tabular format. In order to
fully understand PJSCs financial analyses, the tables must
be read together with the text of each summary. The tables alone
do not constitute a complete description of the financial
analyses. Considering the data in the tables below without
considering the full narrative description of the financial
analyses, including the methodologies and assumptions underlying
the analyses, could create a misleading or incomplete view of
PJSCs financial analyses.
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Historical Share Price Analysis EB |
PJSC reviewed the closing prices and trading volumes of EB
common stock on the NASDAQ National Market from April 14,
2000 to April 14, 2005 (two trading days prior to the
rendering of PJSCs opinion) to obtain background
information and perspective with respect to the historical share
price of EB common stock. During the twelve months ended
April 14, 2005, the high closing price for EB common stock
was $47.02 per share and the low closing price was
$23.60 per share. In addition, during the twelve months
ended April 14, 2005, the average closing price for EB
common stock was $33.40 per share and the median closing
price was $33.10 per share. During the period from
April 14, 2000 to April 14, 2005, the high closing
price for EB common stock was $47.02 per share and the low
closing price was $12.05 per share.
PJSC analyzed the implied value per share of the EB merger
consideration of $54.63 for each outstanding share of EB common
stock, which we refer to herein as the implied per share merger
consideration, which was determined based on the merger
consideration of $38.15 in cash and the 0.78795 shares of
GameStop Class A common stock valued at $20.91 based on the
closing price of GameStop Class A common stock on
April 14, 2005, to derive premiums over the median price of
EB common stock for the specified time periods below. PJSC
derived premiums over the median price of EB common stock for
periods prior to April 14, 2005 (two trading days prior to
the rendering of PJSCs opinion). The derived premiums were:
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Premium to | |
Time Periods Prior to April 14, 2005: |
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Median | |
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7 Days Prior
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28.6 |
% |
30 Days Prior
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28.9 |
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60 Days Prior
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36.3 |
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90 Days Prior
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42.2 |
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180 Days Prior
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40.7 |
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Last 1 Year Prior
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65.0 |
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Last 3 Years Prior
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101.1 |
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Last 5 Years Prior
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102.3 |
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PJSC also reviewed the relative performance from
February 12, 2002 (the date of GameStops initial
public offering) to April 14, 2005 of (1) EB common
stock, (2) GameStop Class A common stock and
(3) the Standard & Poors 500 Index. During
the period from April 14, 2004 to April 14, 2005 (two
62
trading days prior to the rendering of PJSCs opinion), the
price of EB common stock increased 43.8%, the price of GameStop
Class A common stock increased 16.8% and the S&P 500
Index increased 3.0%. During the period from February 12,
2002 to April 14, 2005, the price per share of EB common
stock increased 11.0%, the price per share of GameStop
Class A common stock increased 16.2% and the S&P 500
Index increased 4.9%.
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Analysis of Selected Publicly Traded Comparable
Companies |
PJSC reviewed and compared selected financial data of EB with
similar data using publicly available information of the
following publicly traded companies, which, based on PJSCs
experience with companies in the specialty retail entertainment
industry, PJSC deemed comparable to EB: GameStop,
Barnes & Noble, Borders Group, Inc., Blockbuster Inc.,
Guitar Center, Inc., Movie Gallery, Inc., RadioShack Corporation
and Trans World Entertainment Corporation. These companies are
referred to herein as the comparable companies.
PJSC calculated and compared various financial multiples and
ratios, including, among other things: (1) the most recent
stock price per share as a multiple of EPS, for the fiscal years
2004, 2005 and 2006 (ended January 31 of the following year)
based upon (i) the closing stock prices as of
April 14, 2005 and the mean estimate of Wall Street
analysts estimates for EPS as reported by First Call
Investment Research on April 14, 2005 (two trading days
prior to the date of rendering of PJSCs opinion) for the
comparable companies and (ii) EPS for EB based on
(a) actual 2004 EPS of EB and (b) a set of projections
of EB prepared by EBs management, which we refer to herein
as the Management Projections; and (2) enterprise value
(which represents total equity value plus book values of total
debt, preferred stock and minority interests less cash) as a
multiple of net sales, earnings before interest and taxes
(EBIT), and EBITDA for the comparable companies over the latest
twelve months (LTM) and in this case referred to as fiscal
year 2004 (FY 2004).
Based on this data, as of April 14, 2005, PJSC developed a
summary valuation analysis based on a range of trading valuation
multiples and ratios for certain of the comparable companies and
EB. This analysis resulted in the following ranges of multiples
and ratios:
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Implied Ratios | |
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FY 2004
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Enterprise Value as a Ratio of:
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Net Sales
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45.0% - 60.0 |
% |
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EBITDA
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5.5x - 7.5 |
x |
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EBIT
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8.5x - 11.0 |
x |
Equity Value as a Ratio of:
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FY 2004 Net Income
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14.0x - 19.5 |
x |
Projected Data
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Equity Value as a Ratio of:
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FY 2005 Net Income
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14.5x - 18.0 |
x |
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FY 2006 Net Income
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13.0x - 15.5 |
x |
PJSC calculated the implied equity value per share of EB common
stock using the range of multiples and ratios applied to EB
financial statistics, both excluding and including a
control premium. For these purposes, PJSC used a
control premium of 25%, which is the approximate mean premium
paid (to the closing price one week prior to announcement) in
all announced United States mergers and acquisitions
transactions valued between $500 million and
$2.0 billion since April 14, 2002, as reported by
Thomson Financial Mergers & Acquisitions.
Based on the foregoing, this analysis yielded a range of values
from $33.00 to $45.00 per share for EB common stock
excluding a control premium and a range of values from $41.25 to
$56.25 per share of EB common stock including a control
premium, compared to the implied per share merger consideration
of $54.63.
63
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Analysis of Selected Comparable Transactions |
Using publicly available information, PJSC reviewed certain
mergers and acquisitions transactions in the specialty retail
entertainment industry which PJSC believed were comparable to
the mergers. The list of transactions reviewed were (including
the acquiror and target in the transaction, respectively):
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Transaction |
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Date Announced | |
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(i) GameStop/ Barnes & Noble
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October 2004 |
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(ii) Barnes & Noble/ Funco, Inc.
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May 2000 |
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(iii) Barnes & Noble/ Babbages Etc. LLC
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October 1999 |
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(iv) Highfields Capital Management, LP/ Circuit City Stores,
Inc.
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February 2005 |
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(v) Movie Gallery, Inc./ Hollywood Entertainment Corporation
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January 2005 |
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(vi) Circuit City Stores, Inc./ InterTAN, Inc.
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March 2004 |
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(vii) Best Buy Co., Inc./ Musicland Stores Corporation
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December 2000 |
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(viii) Trans World Entertainment Corporation/ Camelot Music
Holdings, Inc.
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October 1998 |
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These transactions are referred to herein as the comparable
transactions.
PJSC calculated the multiples of net sales, EBITDA and EBIT paid
in these selected comparable transactions. PJSC calculated the
implied equity values per share for EB common stock using this
range of multiples and ratios applied to financials of EB for
fiscal year 2004. This analysis resulted in the following ranges
of multiples and ratios:
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FY 2004 |
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Implied Ratios | |
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Enterprise Value as a Ratio of:
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Net Sales
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45.0% - 75.0 |
% |
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EBITDA
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6.5x - 10.5 |
x |
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EBIT
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7.5x - 14.0 |
x |
Equity Value as a Ratio of:
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FY 2004 Net Income
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12.5x - 18.0 |
x |
Based on the foregoing, this analysis yielded a range of values
from $36.00 to $54.00 per share of EB common stock,
compared to the implied per share merger consideration of $54.63.
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Discounted Cash Flow Analysis |
PJSC performed a discounted cash flow analysis to calculate the
net present value per share of EB common stock based on a set of
projections referred to as the Management Projections. In
performing its discounted cash flow analysis, PJSC considered
various assumptions that it deemed appropriate based on a review
with the management of EBs prospects and risks. For these
purposes, PJSC utilized various discount rates ranging from
13.0% to 16.0% and EBITDA terminal value multiples ranging from
6.0x to 8.0x to apply to forecasted EBITDA for the fiscal year
2007.
Based on the foregoing, this analysis yielded a range of net
present values from $50.00 to $65.00 per share of EB common
stock, compared to the implied per share merger consideration of
$54.63.
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Historical Share Price Analysis
GameStop |
PJSC reviewed the closing prices and trading volumes of GameStop
Class A common stock on the NYSE from February 12,
2002 (the date of GameStops initial public offering) to
April 14, 2005 (two trading days prior to the rendering of
PJSCs opinion). During the twelve months ended
April 14, 2005, the high closing price for the GameStop
Class A common stock was $23.50 per share and the low
closing
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price was $14.54 per share. In addition, during the twelve
months ended April 14, 2005, the average closing price for
GameStop Class A common stock was $18.56 per share and
the median closing price was $18.85 per share. During the
period from February 12, 2002 to April 14, 2005, the
high closing price for GameStop Class A common stock was
$24.21 per share and the low closing price was
$7.59 per share.
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Relative Contribution Analysis |
PJSC calculated the relative net sales, EBITDA, EBIT and net
income contributions of GameStop and EB based on actual
historical results and projected results based on projections
prepared by management of GameStop and EB, respectively. PJSC
compared the actual net income contribution of each company for
fiscal years 2002, 2003 and 2004 and the projected net income
contribution of each company for fiscal years 2005, 2006 and
2007 to the equity value contributions of each company to the
combined company based on the implied per share merger
consideration for EB common stock and the closing price for
GameStop Class A common stock as of April 14, 2005.
This analysis indicated net income contributions of EB for all
periods analyzed ranging from 37.0% to 49.1%, compared to the
equity value contribution of EB at the implied per share merger
consideration of 54.4%. PJSC also compared the actual net sales,
EBITDA and EBIT contribution of each company for fiscal years
2002, 2003 and 2004 and the projected net sales, EBITDA and EBIT
contribution of each company for fiscal years 2005, 2006 and
2007 to the enterprise value contributions of each company to
the combined company based on the implied per share merger
consideration for EB common stock and the closing price for
GameStop Class A common stock as of April 14, 2005.
This analysis indicated net sales, EBITDA and EBIT contributions
of EB for all periods analyzed ranging from 35.5% to 52.1%,
compared to the enterprise value contribution of EB at the
implied per share merger consideration of 54.1%.
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Historical Exchange Ratio Analysis |
PJSC compared the historical per share prices of EB common stock
and GameStop Class A common stock for the one-year period
prior to April 14, 2005 in order to determine the implied
average exchange ratio that existed for the period. This
analysis indicated an average exchange ratio of 1.790x for the
one-year period prior to April 14, 2005, compared to the
implied exchange ratio in the merger of 2.612x shares of
GameStop Class A common stock for each share of EB common stock
(as of April 14, 2005 and assuming an all-stock transaction).
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Pro Forma Merger Analysis |
PJSC analyzed the pro forma impact of the mergers on
GameStops EPS in fiscal years 2006, 2007 and 2008 (ended
January 31 of the following year). PJSC compared the projected
stand-alone earnings per share of GameStop Class A common
stock based on GameStops managements projections of
GameStop, on a stand-alone basis, to the pro forma earnings per
share of the common stock of the combined company based on the
management projections of GameStop and the management
projections of EB. This analysis was performed both with and
without synergies in 2006, 2007 and 2008 based on guidance from
the management of EB. This analysis indicated that, excluding
synergies, the mergers would be dilutive in 2006 and accretive
in 2007 and 2008 to holders of GameStop Class A common
stock. Including the synergies, this analysis indicated that the
mergers would be accretive on an earnings per share basis in
2006, 2007 and 2008 to holders of GameStop Class A common
stock.
In arriving at PJSCs opinion, PJSC performed a variety of
financial analyses, the material portions of which are
summarized above. The preparation of a fairness opinion is a
complex process involving various determinations as to the most
appropriate and relevant methods of financial analyses and the
application of those methods to the particular circumstances
and, therefore, such an opinion is not necessarily susceptible
to a partial analysis or summary description. In arriving at its
opinion, PJSC did not attribute any particular weight to any
analysis or factor considered by it, but rather made qualitative
judgments as to significance and relevance of each analysis and
factor. Accordingly, PJSC believes that its analysis must be
66
considered as a whole and that selecting portions of its
analysis, without considering all such analyses, could create an
incomplete view of the process underlying PJSCs opinion.
In performing its analyses, PJSC relied on numerous assumptions
made by the management of GameStop and EB and made numerous
judgments of its own with regard to current and future industry
performance, general business and economic conditions and other
matters, many of which are beyond the control of GameStop and
EB. Actual values will depend upon several factors, including
changes in interest rates, dividend rates, market conditions,
general economic conditions and other factors that generally
influence the price of securities. The analyses performed by
PJSC are not necessarily indicative of actual values or actual
future results, which may be significantly more or less
favorable than suggested by such analyses. Such analyses were
prepared solely as a part of PJSCs analysis of the
fairness from a financial point of view of the consideration
proposed to be received by the holders of EB common stock in
connection with the EB merger and were provided to EBs
board of directors in connection with the delivery of
PJSCs opinion. The analyses do not purport to be
appraisals or necessarily reflect the prices at which businesses
or securities might actually be sold, which are inherently
subject to uncertainty. Because such analyses are inherently
subject to uncertainty, neither of EB nor PJSC, nor any other
person, assumes responsibility for their accuracy. With regard
to the comparable public company analysis and the comparable
transactions analysis summarized above, PJSC selected comparable
public companies on the basis of various factors for reference
purposes only; however, no public company or transaction
utilized as a comparison is fully comparable to EB or the
mergers. Accordingly, an analysis of the foregoing was not
mathematical; rather, it involves complex considerations and
judgments concerning differences in financial and operating
characteristics of the comparable companies and other factors
that could affect the acquisition or public trading value of the
comparable companies and transactions to which EB and the
mergers were being compared.
The consideration in the mergers was determined through
arms-length negotiations between GameStop and EB and was
approved by EBs board of directors. PJSC did not recommend
any specific merger consideration to EB or that any given merger
consideration constituted the only appropriate merger
consideration for the mergers. In addition, as described
elsewhere in this joint proxy statement-prospectus, PJSCs
opinion was one of many factors taken into consideration by
EBs board of directors in evaluating the mergers.
Consequently, the PJSC analyses described above should not be
viewed as determinative of the opinion of EBs board of
directors or management with respect to the mergers.
As part of its investment banking activities, PJSC is regularly
engaged in the evaluation of businesses and their securities in
connection with mergers and acquisitions, restructurings and
valuations for corporate or other purposes. EBs board of
directors selected PJSC to deliver an opinion with respect to
the consideration proposed to be received by the holders of EB
common stock in connection with the EB merger on the basis of
such experience.
The financial advisory services PJSC provided to EB in
connection with the mergers were limited to the delivery of
PJSCs opinion.
Under the terms of PJSCs engagement, EB agreed to pay PJSC
a customary transaction fee of $500,000, all of which was
payable upon the delivery of PJSCs opinion. EB has also
agreed to reimburse PJSC for its out-of-pocket expenses,
including fees and disbursements of its counsel, incurred in
connection with its engagement. In addition, EB agreed to
indemnify PJSC and its affiliates, counsel and other
professional advisors, and the respective directors, officers,
controlling persons, agents and employees of each of the
foregoing, against certain liabilities and expenses arising out
of PJSCs engagement. PJSC has not received any other
compensation during the last two years for providing investment
banking services to GameStop or EB. During the past two years,
PJSC provided financial advisory services to Barnes &
Noble and/or its affiliates in connection with the sale of
shares of GameStop common stock in a private sale and the
spin-off of shares of GameStop common stock to Barnes &
Nobles stockholders, for which services PJSC received a
customary fee.
67
Interests of Directors and Executive Officers in the
Mergers
Interests of GameStop Directors and Executive Officers.
In considering the recommendation of the board of directors of
GameStop to vote for the proposal to adopt the merger agreement
and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the
GameStop merger, the amendment to the GameStop Amended and
Restated 2001 Incentive Plan, the amendment to GameStops
certificate of incorporation and the other proposals at the
annual meeting, stockholders of GameStop should be aware that
members of the GameStop board of directors and members of
GameStops executive management have relationships,
agreements or arrangements that provide them with interests in
the mergers that may be in addition to or differ from those of
GameStops stockholders. The GameStop board of directors
was aware of these relationships, agreements and arrangements
during its deliberations on the merits of the mergers and in
making its decision to recommend to the GameStop stockholders
that they vote to adopt the merger proposal.
Interests of GameStops Controlling Stockholders. In
connection with the merger agreement, the Riggio Group entered
into a voting agreement and irrevocable proxy with GameStop and
EB, pursuant to which, the Riggio Group has agreed (1) to
vote their shares of GameStop common stock in favor of the
adoption of the merger agreement and (2) not to transfer or
otherwise dispose of any of their shares of GameStop common
stock until the termination of the voting agreement which occurs
upon the earlier to occur of the termination of the merger
agreement or the day after the effective date of the mergers.
As
of ,
2005, the GameStop record date, the Riggio Group owned
approximately 5.3 million shares of GameStop Class B
common stock, which represents approximately 16.4% of the
combined voting power of all classes of GameStops voting
stock. The Riggio Group also holds exercisable options to
acquire 4,500,000 shares of GameStop Class A common
stock. These options are not expected to be exercised prior to
the GameStop record date and therefore the Riggio Group is not
expected to have any voting power with respect to the GameStop
Class A common stock. Further information about the
interests of GameStops controlling stockholders can be
found at Risk Factors Directors of GameStop
and EB may have potential conflicts of interest in recommending
that you vote in favor of adoption of the merger agreement
on page 18, and further information about the voting
agreement can be found under The Riggio Group
Voting Agreement on page 92.
Other GameStop Share Ownership. R. Richard Fontaine, the
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GameStop, holds
exercisable options to acquire approximately 4.3% of the
outstanding GameStop Class A common stock. Daniel A.
DeMatteo, the Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of
GameStop, holds exercisable options to acquire approximately
4.3% of the outstanding GameStop Class A common stock.
GameStop Management Positions. R. Richard Fontaine, the
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GameStop, will be the
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Holdco. Daniel A.
DeMatteo, the Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of
GameStop, will be the Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer
of Holdco. It is expected that other GameStop executive officers
will hold executive officer positions at Holdco, to be
determined and announced on or about the date of the mergers.
For further information, see Holdco Board of
Directors and Management After the Mergers below.
For additional information about options held by certain
GameStop directors and executives, see Information about
GameStop Information about the Directors and
Executive Officers of GameStop on page 97 and for
additional information on the effect of the GameStop merger on
stock options held by GameStop directors and executives, see
Treatment of Stock Options on
page 75.
Holdco Directors. Pursuant to the terms of the merger
agreement, all the members of the current GameStop board will be
among the nine initial directors of the Holdco board of
directors after the mergers. James J. Kim, the current Chairman
of the Board of EB, will also serve on the board of directors of
Holdco, along with an additional independent director to be
selected by the board of directors of EB and satisfactory to
GameStop. GameStop directors (other than employees),
Mr. Kim and the newly-appointed director who serve on the
Holdco board of directors are expected to be compensated for
their
68
services in that capacity in accordance with a customary
director compensation policy. For further information, see
Holdco Board of Directors and Management after
the Mergers below.
Indemnification and Insurance. The merger agreement
provides that, upon completion of the mergers, Holdco will, to
the fullest extent permitted by law, indemnify and hold
harmless, and provide advancement of expenses to, all past and
present officers, directors and employees of GameStop and its
subsidiaries to the same extent those persons were entitled to
indemnification or advancement of expenses under GameStops
certificate of incorporation, by-laws and indemnification
agreements.
The merger agreement also provides that Holdco will maintain for
a period of six years after completion of the mergers the
current directors and officers liability insurance
policies maintained by GameStop, or policies with a
substantially comparable insurer of at least the same coverage
and amounts containing terms and conditions that are no less
advantageous to the insured, with respect to claims arising from
facts or events that occurred on or before the completion of the
mergers, although Holdco will not be required to make total
premium payments in excess of 300% of the annual premiums
currently paid by GameStop for directors and
officers liability insurance.
Interests of EB Directors and Executive Officers. In
considering the recommendation of the board of directors of EB
to vote for the proposal to adopt the merger agreement and the
transactions contemplated thereby, including the EB merger,
stockholders of EB should be aware that members of the EB board
of directors and members of EBs management team have
relationships, agreements or arrangements that provide them with
interests in the mergers that may be in addition to or differ
from those of EBs stockholders. The EB board of directors
was aware of these relationships, agreements and arrangements
during its deliberations on the merits of the mergers and in
making its decision to recommend to the EB stockholders that
they vote to adopt the merger agreement.
EB Management Positions. Certain EB executive officers
may become executive officers of Holdco. It is expected that
Holdco will determine and announce which executive officers of
EB will become executive officers of Holdco on or about the date
of the mergers.
EB Stock Options and Restricted Shares. Upon completion
of the mergers, each outstanding EB stock option will be
exchanged for the right to receive cash in an amount equal to
(1) $38.15 plus (2) .78795 multiplied by the
average of the closing prices of GameStop Class A common
stock for the ten trading days prior to the closing date
minus (3) the exercise price per share of such stock
option minus (4) any applicable tax withholding.
Assuming that no options are granted or exercised after the date
of this joint proxy statement-prospectus and assuming that the
average of the ten trading day closing prices of GameStop
Class A common stock prior to the closing of the mergers is
$21.61, EBs directors and executive officers will be paid
an aggregate of approximately $31.0 million for their
outstanding options to purchase EB common stock.
For additional information about options held by certain EB
directors and executives, see Information About EB-
Information About Directors and Executive Officers of EB
on page 117 and for additional information on the effect of
the EB merger on stock options held by EB directors and
executives, see Treatment of Stock
Options on page 75.
EB Bonus Program. The EB board of directors has
established a bonus program for certain of EBs employees
who remain employed with EB through the completion of the
mergers. To be eligible for a bonus under the program, an EB
employee must be an EB home office associate who has worked for
EB for at least one year as of August 1, 2005 and must be
employed by EB on the date of the closing of the mergers. The EB
compensation committee shall, in consultation with James J. Kim,
EBs Chairman of the Board, determine the amount of any
bonus payable under the program based upon an employees
position and/or years of service with EB. Up to $10 million
may be awarded under the bonus program.
Holdco Directors. Pursuant to the terms of the merger
agreement, James J. Kim (currently Chairman of the Board of EB)
will be among the nine initial directors of the Holdco board of
directors
69
after the mergers. Also pursuant to the merger agreement, an
independent director to be appointed by EBs board of
directors and reasonably satisfactory to GameStop will serve on
the board of directors of Holdco. EB directors (other than
employees) who serve on the Holdco board of directors are
expected to be compensated for their services in that capacity
in accordance with a customary director compensation policy. For
further information, see Holdco Board of
Directors and Management after the Mergers below.
Indemnification and Insurance. The merger agreement
provides that, upon completion of the mergers, Holdco will, to
the fullest extent permitted by law, indemnify and hold
harmless, and provide advancement of expenses to, all past and
present officers, directors and employees of EB and its
subsidiaries to the same extent those persons were entitled to
indemnification or advancement of expenses under EBs
certificate of incorporation, by-laws and indemnification
agreements.
The merger agreement also provides that Holdco will maintain for
a period of six years after completion of the mergers the
current directors and officers liability insurance
policies maintained by EB or policies with a substantially
comparable insurer of at least the same coverage and amounts
containing terms and conditions that are no less advantageous to
the insured, with respect to claims arising from facts or events
that occurred on or before the completion of the mergers,
although Holdco will not be required to make total premium
payments in excess of 300% of the annual premiums currently paid
by EB for directors and officers liability insurance.
Holdco Board of Directors and Management after the Mergers
Holdco Board of Directors. The board of directors of
Holdco after the mergers will have at least nine members,
consisting of the current GameStop board of directors, James J.
Kim and an independent director appointed by EBs board of
directors and reasonably satisfactory to GameStop. The GameStop
directors will generally remain in their current classes and
serve out their remaining terms, although to make the three
classes equal, one of the Class III directors being elected
at the GameStop annual meeting will become a Class I
director whose term will expire in 2006. Mr. Kim will be in
the class of directors whose term expires in 2007 and the
independent director appointed by EB will be in the class of
directors whose term expires in 2008.
For more information on the members of the GameStop board of
directors who will be members of the Holdco board of directors,
see Information about GameStop Information
about the Board of Directors and Executive Officers of
GameStop on page 97. For more information on James J.
Kim, see Information about EB Information
about the Board of Directors and Executive Officers of EB
on page 117.
Committees of the Holdco Board of Directors. Upon
completion of the mergers, the board of directors of Holdco will
initially have the following three committees: Audit Committee,
Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee. Each of these committees will comply with the
independence requirements of the NYSE.
The table below reflects the membership for each committee upon
the completion of the mergers:
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Nominating | |
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and | |
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Corporate | |
Name |
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Audit | |
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Compensation | |
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Governance | |
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| |
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| |
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| |
Leonard Riggio
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X |
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Stephanie Shern
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X |
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Gerald R. Szczepanski
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X |
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X |
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X |
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Edward A. Volkwein
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X |
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X |
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X |
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70
Management. Holdcos senior management that has been
designated as of the date of this joint proxy
statement-prospectus and their ages as of May 23, 2005 are
as follows:
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Name |
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Age | |
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Title |
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R. Richard Fontaine
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63 |
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Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer |
Daniel A. DeMatteo
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57 |
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Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer |
It is expected that additional management of Holdco will be
determined and announced on or near the date of the mergers.
Information on the members of the senior management team of
Holdco who will also serve as directors of Holdco is provided
above under Holdco Board of Directors and
Management after the Mergers.
Compensation of Directors and Other Management. Holdco
has not yet paid any compensation to its directors, executive
officers or other managers. The form and amount of the
compensation to be paid to each of Holdcos directors,
executive officers and other managers will be determined by the
Holdco board of directors as soon as practicable immediately
prior to or following the completion of the mergers.
Information concerning the compensation paid to, and the
employment agreements with, the GameStop Chief Executive Officer
and the other four most highly compensated executive officers of
GameStop for the 2004 fiscal year is contained in
Information about GameStop Information about
the Board of Directors and Executive Officers of GameStop
on page 97. Information concerning the compensation paid
to, and the employment agreements with, R. Richard Fontaine, the
current Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GameStop, and
Daniel A. DeMatteo, the current Vice Chairman and Chief
Operating Officer, is contained in Information about
GameStop Information about the Board of Directors
and Executive Officers of GameStop on page 97 and
Information about GameStop
GameStop Certain Relationships and Related
Transactions on page 111. Information concerning the
compensation paid to the Chief Executive Officer and the other
four most highly compensated executive officers of EB for the
2004 fiscal year is contained in Information about
EB Information about the Board of Directors and
Executive Officers of EB on page 117.
Registered Independent Public Accounting Firm. It is
expected that upon completion of the mergers, BDO Seidman, LLP
will act as Holdcos registered independent public
accounting firm for Holdcos fiscal year ending
January 28, 2006.
Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following is a discussion of the material United States
federal income tax consequences of the mergers to
U.S. holders of GameStop common stock and U.S. holders
of EB common stock, in each case who hold such stock as a
capital asset. The following discussion was prepared based on
consultation with both Bryan Cave LLP, counsel to GameStop, and
Klehr, Harrison, Harvey, Branzburg & Ellers LLP,
counsel to EB. In the opinion of Bryan Cave LLP, as it relates
to GameStop and U.S. holders of GameStop common stock, and
Klehr, Harrison, Harvey, Branzburg & Ellers LLP, as it
relates to EB and U.S. holders of EB common stock, the
following discussion, to the extent it constitutes matters of
law or legal conclusions (assuming the facts, representations
and assumptions upon which the discussion is based are
accurate), is accurate in all material respects. The discussion
is based on the Code, Treasury regulations thereunder, and
administrative rulings and court decisions in effect as of the
date hereof, all of which are subject to change at any time,
possibly with retroactive effect.
For purposes of this discussion, the term
U.S. holder means:
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a citizen or resident of the United States; |
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a corporation created or organized under the laws of the United
States or any of its political subdivisions; |
71
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a trust that (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a
court within the United States with respect to its
administration and is subject to the control of one or more
United States persons with respect to all of its substantial
decisions or (2) has a valid election in effect under
applicable United States Treasury regulations to be treated as a
United States person; or |
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an estate that is subject to United States federal income tax on
its income regardless of its source. |
If a partnership holds GameStop common stock or EB common stock,
the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend on the
status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If
a U.S. holder is a partner in a partnership holding
GameStop common stock or EB common stock, the U.S. holder
should consult its tax advisors.
This discussion is not a complete description of all the
consequences of the mergers and, in particular, may not address
United States federal income tax considerations applicable to
stockholders subject to special treatment under United States
federal income tax law (including, for example,
non-U.S. holders, financial institutions, dealers in
securities, insurance companies or tax-exempt entities, 401(k)
plans, holders who acquired GameStop common stock or EB common
stock pursuant to the exercise of an employee stock option or
right or otherwise as compensation, and holders who hold
GameStop common stock or EB common stock as part of a hedge,
straddle or conversion transaction). This discussion does not
address the tax consequences of any transaction other than the
mergers. Also, this discussion does not address United States
federal income tax considerations applicable to holders of
options or warrants to purchase GameStop, EB or Holdco common
stock, or holders of debt instruments convertible into GameStop,
EB or Holdco common stock. In addition, no information is
provided herein with respect to the tax consequences of the
mergers under applicable state, local or non-United States laws,
or under any proposed Treasury regulations that have not taken
effect as of the date of this joint proxy statement-prospectus.
HOLDERS OF GAMESTOP COMMON STOCK OR EB COMMON STOCK ARE URGED TO
CONSULT WITH THEIR TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES
OF THE MERGERS TO THEM, INCLUDING THE EFFECTS OF UNITED STATES
FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL, FOREIGN AND OTHER TAX LAWS.
The obligations of GameStop and EB to consummate the mergers are
conditioned on the receipt of opinions of their respective tax
counsel, Bryan Cave LLP (as to GameStop) and Klehr, Harrison,
Harvey, Branzburg & Ellers LLP (as to EB), dated the
effective date of the mergers (each, a Tax Opinion), to the
effect that the exchange of EB common stock and GameStop common
stock for Holdco common stock pursuant to the mergers, taken
together, will be treated for United States income tax purposes
as a transaction described in Section 351 of the Code. Each
of the Tax Opinions will be subject to customary qualifications
and assumptions, including that the mergers will be completed
according to the terms of the merger agreement. In rendering the
Tax Opinions, each counsel may require and rely upon
representations and covenants including those contained in the
certificates of officers of GameStop, EB, Holdco and others.
Although the merger agreement allows each of GameStop and EB to
waive this condition to closing, neither GameStop nor EB
currently anticipates doing so. In the unlikely event that
either GameStop or EB does waive this condition, then the party
waiving such condition will inform its stockholders of this
decision and ask the affected stockholders to vote on the
mergers taking this into consideration if there are any material
adverse changes in the U.S. federal income tax consequences
to such stockholders.
The Tax Opinions are not binding on the IRS or the courts, and
the parties do not intend to request a ruling from the IRS with
respect to the mergers. Accordingly, there can be no assurance
that the IRS will not challenge the conclusions set forth in the
Tax Opinions or that a court will not sustain such a challenge.
The following discussion assumes that the exchange of EB common
stock and GameStop common stock for Holdco common stock pursuant
to the mergers, taken together, will constitute an exchange
described in Section 351 of the Code. The following
discussion is not binding on the IRS.
72
Federal Income Tax Consequences to GameStop Stockholders
Because a holder of GameStop common stock will receive solely
Holdco common stock in exchange for its GameStop common stock in
the GameStop merger, the holder of GameStop common stock will
not recognize gain or loss upon the exchange. The aggregate tax
basis of the Holdco common stock the holder of GameStop common
stock receives will be equal to the aggregate tax basis of the
GameStop common stock the holder surrenders, and the holding
period of the Holdco common stock will include the holders
holding period of the GameStop common stock surrendered.
Federal Income Tax Consequences to EB Stockholders
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Exchange of EB Common Stock for a Combination of Holdco
Common Stock and Cash |
The tax consequences of the EB merger to holders of EB common
stock could be different from those described below if persons
who own at least 50% of the vote or value of the outstanding EB
common stock immediately before the acquisition own at least 50%
of the vote or value of the outstanding Holdco common stock
immediately after the transaction. For such overlapping
ownership to occur it would be necessary for the holders of EB
common stock to own more than 30.6% of the total value of
GameStops outstanding common stock immediately prior to
the mergers, which would convert into more than 22.4% of the
value of Holdco common stock in the mergers, in addition to the
approximately 27.6% of Holdco common stock to be received by the
EB stockholders in exchange for their EB common stock. In that
event, cash received by a holder of EB common stock in the
transaction might be treated as a dividend rather than capital
gain. The IRS has indicated, however, that, in the case of a
minority stockholder in a publicly held corporation whose
relative stock interest is minimal and who exercises no control
over the corporations affairs, a minimal reduction in the
percentage of stock owned by such stockholder will avoid
dividend treatment. Accordingly, cash received by such a holder
of EB common stock whose percentage interest in Holdco common
stock is less than the holders percentage interest in EB
common stock prior to the transaction should not be treated as
constituting a dividend. For purposes of determining such
percentages, stock owned by certain persons related to the
holder or which the holder can acquire pursuant to the exercise
of options would be treated as owned by the holder. The
discussion below is based upon the understanding that no such
overlapping ownership will occur.
The material U.S. federal income tax consequences to a
U.S. holder of EB common stock who receives both cash and
Holdco common stock in the EB merger are determined under
Section 351 of the Code, in general, as follows:
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gain will be recognized on the exchange of EB common stock for a
combination of cash and Holdco common stock pursuant to the EB
merger equal to the lesser of: |
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(i) the excess of the sum of the fair market value of the
Holdco common stock and the amount of cash received by the
U.S. holder of EB common stock in the EB merger over the
U.S. holders adjusted tax basis in its EB common
stock surrendered in the EB merger, and |
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(ii) the amount of cash received by the U.S. holder in
the EB merger; |
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no loss will be recognized by a U.S. holder of EB common
stock who receives a combination of cash and Holdco common stock
in the EB merger; |
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the aggregate adjusted basis of the Holdco common stock received
in the EB merger will be equal to the aggregate adjusted basis
of the EB common stock surrendered, reduced by the amount of
cash the U.S. holder of EB common stock receives and
increased by the amount of gain that the U.S. holder of EB
common stock recognizes; |
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the holding period of the Holdco common stock received in the EB
merger should include the holding period of the EB common stock
exchanged for such Holdco common stock; and |
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in the case of a U.S. holder who acquired different blocks
of EB common stock at different times and at different prices,
any gain or loss will be determined separately with respect to
each block of |
73
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EB common stock, and the cash received will be allocated pro
rata to each such block of stock, and such a holder should
consult with its tax advisor regarding the manner in which the
above rules would apply to such U.S. holder. |
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Cash In Lieu of Fractional Shares |
The receipt of cash in lieu of a fractional share of Holdco
common stock by a U.S. holder of EB common stock may be
treated as if the holder received the fractional shares in the
EB merger and then received the cash in a redemption of the
fractional shares, in which case the holder should generally
recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the
amount of such cash received and the holders adjusted tax
basis allocable to such fractional share. It is possible,
however, that the receipt of cash in lieu of fractional shares
may be treated as cash received in exchange for EB common stock
as described above under Exchange of EB Common Stock for a
Combination of Holdco Common Stock and Cash.
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Taxation of Capital Gain or Loss |
Gain or loss recognized by a U.S. holder in connection with
the EB merger will generally constitute capital gain or loss,
and any such capital gain or loss will constitute long-term
capital gain or loss if the U.S. holders holding
period with respect to its EB common stock is greater than one
year as of the date of the EB merger. For non-corporate
U.S. holders, this long-term capital gain generally will be
taxed at a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 15%. The
deductibility of capital losses is subject to limits.
Backup withholding may apply with respect to the cash
consideration received by holders of EB common stock, unless
such holder:
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is a corporation or comes within certain other exempt categories
and, when required, demonstrates this fact; or |
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provides a correct taxpayer identification number, certifies as
to no loss of exemption from backup withholding and that such
holder is a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident
alien) and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of
the backup withholding rules. |
A holder of EB common stock who provides Holdco (or the exchange
agent) with an incorrect taxpayer identification number may be
subject to penalties imposed by the IRS. Any amounts withheld
under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or
a credit against the holders federal income tax liability,
provided that the holder furnishes certain required information
to the IRS.
Reporting Requirements
U.S. holders of EB common stock or GameStop common stock
receiving Holdco common stock as a result of the mergers will be
required to attach to their income tax returns for the taxable
year in which the closing of the transaction occurs, and
maintain a permanent record of, a complete statement of all the
facts relating to the exchange of stock in connection with the
transaction. The facts to be disclosed by a U.S. holder
include the U.S. holders basis in the EB common stock
or the GameStop common stock, as the case may be, transferred to
Holdco, the number of shares of Holdco common stock received in
the transaction, the fair market value per share (as of the
exchange date) of each class of Holdco common stock received in
the transaction and, in the case of a holder of EB common stock,
the amount of cash received in the transaction.
This discussion under Material United
States Federal Income Tax Consequences does not address
tax consequences that may vary with, or are contingent on,
individual circumstances. Moreover, it does not address any
non-income tax or any foreign, state or local tax consequences
of the mergers. Tax matters are very complicated, and the tax
consequences of the mergers to you will depend upon the facts of
your particular situation. Accordingly, we strongly urge you to
consult with a tax advisor to determine the particular federal,
state, local, or foreign income or other tax consequences to you
of the mergers.
74
Accounting Treatment
The business combination will be accounted for as a
purchase by GameStop of EB, as that term is used
under GAAP, for accounting and financial reporting purposes.
GameStop and EB have determined that the business combination
will be accounted for as an acquisition by GameStop of EB. In
identifying GameStop as the acquiring entity, the companies took
into account the relative outstanding share ownership, the
composition of the governing body of the combined entity and the
designation of certain senior management positions. As a result,
the historical financial statements of GameStop will become the
historical financial statements of Holdco. The assets (including
identifiable intangible assets) and liabilities (including
executory contracts and other commitments) of EB as of the
effective time of the mergers will be recorded at their
respective fair market values and added to those of GameStop.
Any excess of purchase price over the net fair values of
EBs assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill (excess
purchase price). Any excess of the fair value of EBs net
assets over the purchase price will be allocated as a pro rata
reduction of the amounts that would otherwise have been assigned
to certain of EBs non-current assets acquired. Financial
statements of Holdco issued after the mergers will reflect such
fair values and will not be restated retroactively to reflect
the historical financial position or results of operations of
EB. The results of operations of EB will be included in the
results of operations of Holdco beginning on the effective date
of the mergers. See GSC Holdings Corp. Unaudited Pro Forma
Condensed Consolidated Financial Data beginning on
page 132 for more information.
Regulatory Approvals
U.S. Antitrust Clearance. Under the HSR Act, and the
rules promulgated thereunder by the FTC, the mergers may not be
consummated until notifications have been given and certain
information has been furnished to the FTC and the Antitrust
Division and specified waiting period requirements have been
satisfied. GameStop and EB have filed premerger notification and
report forms under the HSR Act with the FTC and the Antitrust
Division. The HSR Act initial waiting period is scheduled to
expire 30 days after the initial filing date of the
premerger notification and report forms. The FTC and the
Antitrust Division are entitled to extend the waiting period by
issuing a Request for Additional Information and Documentary
Material which extends the waiting period until 30 days
after the parties have substantially complied with this request.
Both before and after the expiration of the HSR waiting periods,
the FTC and the Antitrust Division retain the authority to
challenge the mergers on antitrust grounds. In addition, each
state in which GameStop or EB operates may also seek to review
the mergers. It is possible that some of these authorities may
seek to challenge the mergers.
Italy. Under the Italian Law No. 287 of 10 October,
1990, GameStop and EB are required to file a notification with
respect to the proposed merger. The Italian Competition
Authority (the Authority) may order the parties not to proceed
with the transaction until its review is completed. The
Authority must either commence an investigation or notify the
parties of its decision not to investigate within 30 days
of receiving a formal notification. GameStop and EB will file a
formal notification with the Italian Authority. It is possible
that the Authority may seek to challenge this transaction.
Conversion of Shares; Exchange of Certificates; Dividends;
Withholding
Conversion and Exchange of Shares. The conversion of
GameStop shares and EB shares into the right to receive the
applicable merger consideration will occur automatically at the
effective time of the mergers. The exchange agent will, as soon
as reasonably practicable after the effective time of the
mergers, exchange certificates representing GameStop and EB
shares for the applicable merger consideration to be received in
the mergers pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement.
Letter of Transmittal. Promptly after the completion of
the mergers, the exchange agent will send a letter of
transmittal to those persons who were record holders of GameStop
shares holding certificated shares at the effective time of the
GameStop merger and record holders of EB shares holding
certificated shares at the effective time of the EB merger. This
mailing will contain instructions on how to surrender
certificates representing GameStop shares and EB shares in
exchange for the applicable merger
75
consideration the holder is entitled to receive under the merger
agreement. When you deliver your GameStop stock certificates or
EB stock certificates to the exchange agent along with a
properly executed letter of transmittal and any other required
documents, your stock certificates will be cancelled. If you
hold GameStop or EB shares in book-entry form, your book-entry
shares will automatically be exchanged for book-entry shares of
Holdco (and in the case of EB stockholders, the right to receive
cash) and you will not receive a letter of transmittal. Whether
you hold GameStop or EB shares in certificated or book-entry
form, unless you request otherwise, Holdco will not issue new
certificates and your shares of Holdco common stock will be in
book-entry form.
DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR GAMESTOP OR EB STOCK CERTIFICATES FOR
EXCHANGE UNTIL YOU RECEIVE THE TRANSMITTAL INSTRUCTIONS AND
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL FROM THE EXCHANGE AGENT.
If a certificate for GameStop common stock or EB common stock
has been lost, stolen or destroyed, the exchange agent will
issue the applicable merger consideration properly payable under
the merger agreement upon compliance by the applicable
stockholder with the replacement requirements established by the
exchange agent.
Fractional Shares. You will not receive fractional shares
of Holdcos common stock in connection with the EB merger.
Instead, each holder of EB shares exchanged in the EB merger who
would otherwise have received a fraction of a share of Holdco
common stock will receive cash in an amount determined by
multiplying the fractional interest to which such holder would
otherwise be entitled by the average of the closing prices for a
share of GameStop Class A common stock as reported on the
NYSE for the ten trading days immediately prior to the closing
date of the mergers. Because each share of GameStop Class A
common stock and GameStop Class B common stock is being
exchanged for a share of Holdco Class A common stock and
Holdco Class B common stock, respectively, on a one-for-one
basis, no fractional shares will arise as a result of that
exchange.
Dividends and Distributions. Until GameStop stock
certificates or book-entry shares or EB stock certificates or
book-entry shares are surrendered for exchange, any dividends or
other distributions declared after the effective time of the
mergers with respect to shares of Holdco common stock into which
GameStop shares or EB shares may have been converted will accrue
but will not be paid. Holdco will pay to former GameStop
stockholders and EB stockholders any unpaid dividends or other
distributions, without interest, only after they have duly
surrendered their stock certificates or book-entry shares. After
the effective time of the mergers, there will be no transfers on
the stock transfer books of GameStop or EB of any GameStop
shares or EB shares, respectively. If GameStop stock
certificates or book-entry shares or EB stock certificates or
book-entry shares are presented for transfer after the
completion of the mergers, they will be cancelled and exchanged
for the applicable merger consideration into which such
certificates or book-entry shares have been converted pursuant
to the merger agreement.
Withholding. Holdco or the exchange agent will be
entitled to deduct and withhold from the merger consideration
payable to any GameStop stockholder or EB stockholder the
amounts it is required to deduct and withhold under the Code or
any provision of any state, local or foreign tax law. If the
exchange agent withholds any amounts, these amounts will be
treated for all purposes of the mergers as having been paid to
the stockholders from whom they were withheld.
Treatment of Stock Options
Upon the completion of the GameStop merger, each option held by
directors and executives of GameStop to purchase shares of
GameStop Class A common stock (whether vested or unvested)
will be converted into the right to purchase the same number of
shares of Holdco Class A common stock at an exercise price
per share equal to the exercise price per share of the GameStop
Class A common stock subject to the option before the
conversion and will continue to be governed by its applicable
terms. Substantially all of the GameStop stock options are held
by GameStop directors and GameStop employees.
76
Upon completion of the mergers, each outstanding EB stock option
will be exchanged for the right to receive cash in an amount
equal to (1) $38.15 plus (2) .78795 multiplied
by the average of the closing prices of GameStop
Class A common stock for the ten trading days prior to the
closing date of the mergers minus (3) the exercise
price per share of such stock option minus (4) any
applicable tax withholding.
Restrictions on Sales of Shares by Affiliates of GameStop and
EB
The shares of Holdco common stock to be issued in connection
with the mergers will be registered under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, and will be freely transferable under the
Securities Act, except for shares of Holdco common stock issued
to any person who is deemed to be an affiliate of
GameStop or EB at the time of the applicable annual meeting.
Persons who may be deemed to be affiliates include individuals
or entities that control, are controlled by, or are under the
common control of either GameStop or EB and may include our
executive officers and directors, as well as our significant
stockholders. Affiliates may not sell their shares of Holdco
common stock acquired in connection with the mergers except
pursuant to:
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an effective registration statement under the Securities Act
covering the resale of those shares; |
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an exemption under paragraph (d) of Rule 145
under the Securities Act; or |
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any other applicable exemption under the Securities Act. |
Both GameStop and EB expect that each of their affiliates will
agree with Holdco that the affiliate will not transfer any
shares of stock received in the mergers except in compliance
with the Securities Act. This joint proxy statement-prospectus
does not cover resales of Holdco common stock by affiliates of
GameStop, EB or Holdco.
Under the registration rights agreement, once the registration
statement required thereunder is declared effective by the SEC,
the Kim Group will be free to sell their shares in Holdco
without restriction. For further information, see Risk
Factors Market overhang could depress
the market price of Holdco Class A common stock on
page 19.
Stock Exchange Listing and Stock Prices
We will apply for the following shares of Holdco to be quoted on
the NYSE upon the completion of the mergers:
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Holdco common stock to be issued in the mergers; and |
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Holdco common stock reserved for issuance upon exercise of
GameStop stock options and Holdco stock options. |
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The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the
high and low sale prices per share of GameStop Class A
common stock, GameStop Class B common stock and EB common
stock as reported on the NYSE Composite Tape and on the NASDAQ
National Market, respectively.
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GameStop | |
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GameStop | |
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Class A | |
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Class B | |
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EB | |
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Common Stock | |
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Common Stock | |
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Common Stock | |
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Fiscal Quarter |
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High | |
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Low | |
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High | |
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Low | |
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High | |
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Low | |
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For the Fiscal Year Ended January 31, 2004
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First Quarter
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$ |
13.00 |
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7.59 |
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19.57 |
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11.96 |
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Second Quarter
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$ |
14.85 |
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11.55 |
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27.42 |
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18.08 |
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Third Quarter
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$ |
18.92 |
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12.66 |
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34.80 |
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24.77 |
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Fourth Quarter
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$ |
18.57 |
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14.30 |
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28.07 |
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19.60 |
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For the Fiscal Year Ended January 29, 2005
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First Quarter
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$ |
18.65 |
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16.29 |
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29.94 |
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24.87 |
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Second Quarter
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$ |
18.18 |
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14.54 |
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28.40 |
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23.25 |
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Third Quarter
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$ |
20.23 |
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14.87 |
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35.37 |
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23.50 |
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Fourth Quarter
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$ |
23.50 |
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18.68 |
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24.00 |
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18.75 |
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43.75 |
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33.74 |
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For the Fiscal Year Ending January 28, 2006
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First Quarter
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$ |
24.61 |
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18.60 |
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23.41 |
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18.80 |
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56.80 |
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34.51 |
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Second Quarter (through May 20, 2005)
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$ |
29.09 |
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24.62 |
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26.10 |
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23.30 |
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58.46 |
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55.54 |
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Rights of Dissenting Stockholders
Appraisal rights are statutory rights that enable stockholders
to dissent from an extraordinary transaction, such as a merger,
and to demand that the corporation pay the fair value for their
shares as determined by a court in a judicial proceeding instead
of receiving the consideration offered to stockholders in
connection with the extraordinary transaction. Appraisal rights
are not available in all circumstances, and exceptions to these
rights are provided under the Delaware law, the state of
incorporation of GameStop and EB. As a result of these
exceptions, stockholders of GameStop are not entitled to
appraisal rights in connection with the GameStop merger. If the
EB merger is consummated, holders of shares of EB common stock
are entitled to appraisal rights under Section 262 of the
DGCL, provided that they comply with the conditions established
by Section 262.
Section 262 is reprinted in its entirety as
Annex J to this joint proxy statement-prospectus.
The following discussion is not a complete statement of the law
relating to appraisal rights and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to Annex J. This discussion and
Annex J should be reviewed carefully by any holder
who wishes to exercise statutory appraisal rights or who wishes
to preserve the right to do so, as failure to comply with the
procedures set forth herein or therein will result in the loss
of appraisal rights.
A record holder of shares of EB common stock who makes the
demand described below with respect to such shares, who
continuously is the record holder of such shares through the
effective time of the EB merger, who otherwise complies with the
statutory requirements of Section 262 and who neither votes
in favor of the EB merger nor consents thereto in writing will
be entitled to an appraisal by the Delaware Court of Chancery of
the fair value of his or her shares of EB common stock. All
references in this summary of appraisal rights to a
stockholder or holders of shares of EB common
stock are to the record holder or holders of shares of EB
common stock. Except as set forth herein, stockholders of EB
will not be entitled to appraisal rights in connection with the
EB merger.
Under Section 262, where a merger is to be submitted for
approval at a meeting of stockholders, such as the EB annual
meeting, not less than 20 days prior to the meeting a
constituent corporation must notify each of the holders of its
stock for whom appraisal rights are available that such
appraisal rights are available and include in each such notice a
copy of Section 262. This joint proxy statement-prospectus
shall constitute such notice to the record holders of EB common
stock.
78
Holders of shares of EB common stock who desire to exercise
their appraisal rights must not vote in favor of the EB merger
and must deliver a separate written demand for appraisal to EB
prior to the vote by the stockholders of EB common stock on the
EB merger. A demand for appraisal must be executed by or on
behalf of the EB stockholder of record and must reasonably
inform EB of the identity of the EB stockholder of record and
that such stockholder intends thereby to demand appraisal of the
EB common stock. A proxy or vote against the EB merger will not
by itself constitute such a demand. Within ten days after the
effective time, EB must provide notice of the effective time to
all EB stockholders who have complied with Section 262 and
who have not voted in favor of or consented to the EB merger.
An EB stockholder who elects to exercise appraisal rights should
mail or deliver his or her written demand to:
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Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp. |
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Attn: Secretary |
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931 South Matlack Street |
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West Chester, Pennsylvania 19382 |
A person having a beneficial interest in shares of EB common
stock that are held of record in the name of another person,
such as a broker, fiduciary, depositary or other nominee, must
act promptly to cause the record holder to follow the steps
summarized herein properly and in a timely manner to perfect
appraisal rights. If the shares of EB common stock are owned of
record by a person other than the beneficial owner, including a
broker, fiduciary (such as a trustee, guardian or custodian),
depositary or other nominee, such demand must be executed by or
for the record owner. If the shares of EB common stock are owned
of record by more than one person, as in a joint tenancy or
tenancy in common, such demand must be executed by or for all
joint owners. An authorized agent, including an agent for two or
more joint owners, may execute the demand for appraisal for a
stockholder of record; however, the agent must identify the
record owner and expressly disclose the fact that, in exercising
the demand, such person is acting as agent for the record owner.
If a stockholder holds shares of EB common stock through a
broker who in turn holds the shares through a central securities
depository nominee such as Cede & Co., a demand for
appraisal of such shares must be made by or on behalf of the
depository nominee and must identify the depository nominee as
record holder.
A record holder, such as a broker, fiduciary, depositary or
other nominee, who holds shares of EB common stock as a nominee
for others, may exercise appraisal rights with respect to the
shares held for all or less than all beneficial owners of shares
as to which such person is the record owner. In such case, the
written demand must set forth the number of shares covered by
such demand. Where the number of shares is not expressly stated,
the demand will be presumed to cover all shares of EB common
stock outstanding in the name of such record owner.
Within 120 days after the effective time, either EB or any
EB stockholder who has complied with the required conditions of
Section 262 may file a petition in the Delaware Court, with
a copy served on EB in the case of a petition filed by an EB
stockholder, demanding a determination of the fair value of the
shares of all dissenting stockholders. There is no present
intent on the part of EB to file an appraisal petition and EB
stockholders seeking to exercise appraisal rights should not
assume that EB will file such a petition or that EB will
initiate any negotiations with respect to the fair value of such
shares. Accordingly, holders of EB common stock who desire to
have their shares appraised should initiate any petitions
necessary for the perfection of their appraisal rights within
the time periods and in the manner prescribed in
Section 262. Within 120 days after the effective time,
any EB stockholder who has theretofore complied with the
applicable provisions of Section 262 will be entitled, upon
written request, to receive from EB a statement setting forth
the aggregate number of shares of EB common stock not voting in
favor of the EB merger and with respect to which demands for
appraisal were received by EB and the number of holders of such
shares. Such statement must be mailed (i) within
10 days after the written request therefor has been
received by EB or (ii) within 10 days after the
expiration of the period for the delivery of demands as
described above, whichever is later.
79
If a petition for an appraisal is timely filed, at the hearing
on such petition, the Delaware Court will determine which EB
stockholders are entitled to appraisal rights. The Delaware
Court may require the EB stockholders who have demanded an
appraisal for their shares and who hold stock represented by
certificates to submit their certificates of stock to the
Register in Chancery for notation thereon of the pendency of the
appraisal proceedings; and if any EB stockholder fails to comply
with such direction, the Delaware Court may dismiss the
proceedings as to such stockholder. Where proceedings are not
dismissed, the Delaware Court will appraise the shares of EB
common stock owned by such stockholders, determining the fair
value of such shares exclusive of any element of value arising
from the accomplishment or expectation of the EB merger,
together with a fair rate of interest, if any, to be paid upon
the amount determined to be the fair value.
Although EB believes that the EB merger consideration is fair,
no representation is made as to the outcome of the appraisal of
fair value as determined by the Delaware Court and EB
stockholders should recognize that such an appraisal could
result in a determination of a value higher or lower than, or
the same as, the EB merger consideration. Moreover, EB does not
anticipate offering more than the EB merger consideration to any
EB stockholder exercising appraisal rights and reserves the
right to assert, in any appraisal proceeding, that, for purposes
of Section 262, the fair value of a share of EB
common stock is less than the EB merger consideration. In
determining fair value, the Delaware Court is
required to take into account all relevant factors. In
Weinberger v. UOP, Inc. the Delaware Supreme Court
discussed the factors that could be considered in determining
fair value in an appraisal proceeding, stating that proof
of value by any techniques or methods which are generally
considered acceptable in the financial community and otherwise
admissible in court should be considered and that
[f]air price obviously requires consideration of all
relevant factors involving the value of a company. The
Delaware Supreme Court has stated that in making this
determination of fair value the court must consider market
value, asset value, dividends, earnings prospects, the nature of
the enterprise and any other facts which could be ascertained as
of the date of the merger which throw any light on future
prospects of the merged corporation. Section 262 provides
that fair value is to be exclusive of any element of value
arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the
merger. In Cede & Co. v. Technicolor,
Inc., the Delaware Supreme Court stated that such exclusion
is a narrow exclusion [that] does not encompass known
elements of value, but which rather applies only to the
speculative elements of value arising from such accomplishment
or expectation. In Weinberger, the Delaware Supreme Court
construed Section 262 to mean that elements of future
value, including the nature of the enterprise, which are known
or susceptible of proof as of the date of the merger and not the
product of speculation, may be considered.
The cost of the appraisal proceeding may be determined by the
Delaware Court and taxed against the parties as the Delaware
Court deems equitable in the circumstances. However, costs do
not include attorneys and expert witness fees. Each
dissenting EB stockholder is responsible for his or her
attorneys and expert witness expenses, although, upon
application of a dissenting stockholder of EB, the Delaware
Court may order that all or a portion of the expenses incurred
by any dissenting stockholder in connection with the appraisal
proceeding, including without limitation, reasonable
attorneys fees and the fees and expenses of experts, be
charged pro rata against the value of all shares of stock
entitled to appraisal.
Any holder of shares of EB common stock who has duly demanded
appraisal in compliance with Section 262 will not, after
the effective time, be entitled to vote for any purpose any
shares subject to such demand or to receive payment of dividends
or other distributions on such shares, except for dividends or
distributions payable to EB stockholders of record at a date
prior to the effective time.
At any time within 60 days after the effective time, any EB
stockholder will have the right to withdraw such demand for
appraisal and to accept the terms offered in the EB merger;
after this period, the EB stockholder may withdraw such demand
for appraisal only with the consent of EB. If no petition for
appraisal is filed with the Delaware Court within 120 days
after the effective time, EB stockholders rights to
appraisal shall cease, and all holders of shares of EB common
stock will be entitled to receive the consideration offered
pursuant to the merger agreement. Inasmuch as EB has no
obligation to file such a petition, and EB has no present
intention to do so, any holder of shares of EB common stock who
desires such a petition to be filed is advised to file it on a
timely basis. Any EB stockholder may withdraw such
80
stockholders demand for appraisal by delivering to EB a
written withdrawal of his or her demand for appraisal and
acceptance of the EB merger consideration, except (i) that
any such attempt to withdraw made more than 60 days after
the effective time will require written approval of EB and
(ii) that no appraisal proceeding in the Delaware Court
shall be dismissed as to any EB stockholder without the approval
of the Delaware Court, and such approval may be conditioned upon
such terms as the Delaware Court deems just.
Delisting and Deregistration of GameStop and EB Stock after
the Mergers
When the mergers are completed, the GameStop Class A common
stock and GameStop Class B common stock currently quoted on
the NYSE will cease to be quoted on the NYSE and will be
deregistered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the Exchange Act), and the EB common stock currently
listed on the NASDAQ National Market will be delisted from the
NASDAQ National Market and will be deregistered under the
Exchange Act.
The Merger Agreement
This section of the joint proxy statement-prospectus
describes the material terms of the merger agreement. The
following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to
the complete text of the merger agreement, which is incorporated
by reference and attached as Annex A to this joint
proxy statement-prospectus. We urge you to read the full text of
the merger agreement.
The merger agreement has been included for your convenience
to provide you with information regarding its terms, and we
recommend that you read it in its entirety. Except for its
status as the contractual document that establishes and governs
the legal relations between GameStop and EB with respect to the
mergers, we do not intend for its text to be a source of
factual, business or operational information about either
GameStop or EB. That kind of information can be found elsewhere
in this joint proxy statement-prospectus and in the other public
filings each of us makes with the SEC, which are available
without charge at the SECs website (www.sec.gov). See
Where You Can Find More Information beginning on
page 159.
The merger agreement contains representations and warranties
we have made to each other. Those representations and warranties
are qualified in several important respects, which you should
consider as you read them in the merger agreement.
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First, except for the parties themselves, under the terms of
the merger agreement only certain other specifically identified
persons are third-party beneficiaries of the merger agreement
who may enforce it and rely on its terms. As GameStop and EB
stockholders, you are not third-party beneficiaries of the
merger agreement and therefore may not directly enforce or rely
upon its terms and conditions. |
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Second, the representations and warranties are qualified in
their entirety by schedules each of us prepared and delivered to
the other immediately prior to signing the merger agreement. |
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Third, all of the representations and warranties that deal
with the business and operations of GameStop and EB are
qualified to the extent that any inaccuracy would not reasonably
be expected to have or result in, individually or in the
aggregate, a material adverse effect on the party making the
representation and warranty. |
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Fourth, none of the representations or warranties will
survive the closing of the mergers and they will therefore have
no legal effect among the parties to the merger agreement after
the closing, nor will the parties be able to assert the
inaccuracy of the representations and warranties as a basis for
refusing to close unless all such inaccuracies would reasonably
be expected to have or result in, individually or in the
aggregate, a material adverse effect on the party that made the
representations and warranties. Otherwise, for purposes of the
merger agreement, the representations and warranties will be
deemed to have been sufficiently accurate to require a
closing. |
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Moreover, information concerning the subject matter of the
representations and warranties may have changed since the date
of the merger agreement, and subsequently developed or new
information qualifying a representation or warranty may have
been included in a filing with the SEC made since the date of
the merger agreement (including in this joint proxy
statement-prospectus).
On April 17, 2005, GameStop Corp., GameStop, Inc., GSC
Holdings Corp., Eagle Subsidiary LLC, Cowboy Subsidiary LLC and
Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp. entered into an Agreement
and Plan of Merger.
Completion of the Mergers. Upon completion of the
GameStop merger, Cowboy Subsidiary LLC, a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Holdco newly organized to effect the GameStop
merger, will merge with and into GameStop. GameStop will be the
surviving corporation in the GameStop merger and will thereby
become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdco.
Upon completion of the EB merger, Eagle Subsidiary LLC, a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdco newly organized to effect the
EB merger, will merge with and into EB. EB will be the surviving
corporation in the EB merger and will thereby become a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdco.
In the GameStop merger, each outstanding share of GameStop
Class A common stock (other than shares owned by GameStop,
Cowboy Subsidiary LLC or EB) will be converted into one share of
Holdco Class A common stock and each outstanding share of
GameStop Class B common stock (other than shares owned by
GameStop, Cowboy Subsidiary LLC or EB) will be converted into
one share of Holdco Class B common stock. The exchange
ratio is fixed and will not be adjusted to reflect stock price
changes prior to the date of the GameStop merger. Each share of
GameStop common stock owned by GameStop, Cowboy Subsidiary LLC
or EB will be cancelled without consideration.
In the EB merger, each outstanding share of EB common stock
(other than shares owned by EB, Eagle Subsidiary LLC or
GameStop) will be converted into the right to receive $38.15 in
cash and .78795 of a share of Holdco Class A common stock.
The exchange ratio is fixed and will not be adjusted to reflect
stock price changes prior to the date of the EB merger. Each
share of EB common stock owned by EB, Eagle Subsidiary LLC or
GameStop will be cancelled without consideration.
Each share of Holdco common stock held by GameStop, Inc. prior
to the effective time will be cancelled without consideration.
Each outstanding GameStop stock option will be converted into an
option to purchase the same number of shares of Holdco
Class A common stock, subject to the same terms and
conditions. Each outstanding EB stock option will be exchanged
for the right to receive cash in an amount equal to
(1) $38.15 plus (2) .78795 multiplied by the
average of the closing prices of GameStop Class A common
stock for the ten trading days prior to the closing date of the
mergers minus (3) the exercise price per share of
such stock option minus (4) any applicable tax
withholding.
Upon completion of the mergers, each option or right to acquire
shares of EB common stock under the EB Amended and Restated 2000
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the ESPP) will no longer represent
an option or other right to acquire EB common stock and will
instead represent the right to receive, upon the next offering
termination date (as defined in the ESPP), the EB merger
consideration. EB shall terminate the ESPP as of June 30,
2005. This termination will not affect any options to purchase
shares of EB common stock that were issued prior to the date of
the merger agreement and for which shares of EB common stock
will be issued on June 30, 2005.
Prior to the closing, Holdco shall adopt a rights agreement
substantially similar to the rights agreement currently adopted
by GameStop.
The mergers will be completed when we file certificates of
merger with the Secretary of State for the State of Delaware.
However, we may agree to a later time for completion of the
mergers and specify that time in the certificates of merger. In
any case, both mergers will become effective at the same time.
We expect to file the certificates of merger as soon as
practicable after the satisfaction or waiver of the closing
conditions in the merger agreement, which are described below.
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Conditions to GameStops and EBs Obligations to
Complete the Mergers. GameStop and EB may not complete the
mergers unless each of the following conditions is satisfied or
waived:
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the merger agreement has been adopted by the affirmative vote of
the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of EB common
stock; |
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the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby,
including the GameStop merger and the amendment to
GameStops certificate of incorporation to provide for the
payment of the GameStop merger consideration as contemplated by
the merger agreement and the amendment to the GameStop Amended
and Restated 2001 Incentive Plan to provide for the issuance of
Holdco Class A common stock under such plan has been
adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding
shares of GameStop Class A common stock, voting as a single
class, and the affirmative vote of a majority of the GameStop
Class A common stock and GameStop Class B common
stock, voting together as a single class; |
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no restraining order or injunction prohibiting completion of the
mergers is in effect and completion of the mergers is not
illegal under any applicable law; |
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the registration statement covering the Holdco shares to be
issued in the mergers has been declared effective by the SEC and
is not subject to any stop order or proceedings seeking a stop
order; |
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all regulatory approvals necessary for the completion of the
mergers have been obtained under the HSR Act and all other
applicable competition laws; |
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the shares of Holdco common stock to be issued in the mergers
have been authorized for listing on the NYSE; and |
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Bryan Cave LLP or another law firm selected by GameStop shall
have delivered to Barnes & Noble a tax opinion as
required by the Separation Agreement between GameStop and
Barnes & Noble. |
GameStop and EBs respective obligations to complete the
mergers are also subject to the satisfaction or waiver of each
of the following additional conditions:
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truth and correctness of the representations and warranties of
the other party, generally subject to any exceptions that do not
have, and would not reasonably be expected to have, a material
adverse effect on the other party or, with respect to EBs
obligation to complete the mergers, on GameStop or Holdco after
the mergers; |
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the other partys performance in all material respects of
all obligations that are required by the merger agreement to be
performed on or prior to the closing date; |
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each party shall have received from the other party customary
officers certificates; |
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Holdco shall have received an executed non-competition agreement
from James J. Kim; |
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there shall not have occurred any change in the financial
condition, business or operations of the other party or its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole, that would have or would
reasonably be likely to have a material adverse effect on such
party; and |
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each of GameStops and EBs receipt of an opinion from
its counsel to the effect that the exchange of EB common stock
and GameStop common stock for Holdco common stock pursuant to
the mergers, taken together, will be treated for federal income
tax purposes as a transaction described in Section 351
and/or Section 368 of the Code. |
For purposes of the merger agreement, the term material
adverse effect means, with respect to either of GameStop
or EB, a material adverse effect on the business, financial
condition or results of
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operations of that company and its subsidiaries taken as a
whole. However, any change or event relating to the following
will not be deemed to have a material adverse effect:
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the economy or financial markets in general, except for such
changes or events that disproportionately affect one party
relative to the other participants in the industries in which
such party operates; |
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product shortages and delays in product introductions consistent
with those that occurred in 2004, except for such changes or
events that disproportionately affect one party relative to the
other participants in the industries in which such party
operates; |
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negotiation and entry into the merger agreement, the
announcement of the merger agreement or the undertaking of the
obligations contemplated by the merger agreement or necessary to
consummate the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement
(including adverse effects on results of operations attributable
to the uncertainties associated with the period between the date
hereof and the closing date); |
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fluctuation in the partys stock price; |
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the effect of incurring and paying expenses in connection with
negotiating, entering into, performing and consummating the
transactions contemplated by the merger agreement; and |
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changes in GAAP after the date of the merger agreement. |
The completion of the mergers is not subject to a condition that
GameStop receive financing to pay the cash portion of the EB
merger consideration.
Reasonable Best Efforts to Obtain Required Stockholder
Vote. GameStop and EB have each agreed to take all lawful
action to call, give notice of, convene and hold a meeting of
their respective stockholders as promptly as practicable for the
purpose of obtaining the required stockholder vote to adopt the
merger agreement. In addition, they have agreed that they will
use their reasonable best efforts to obtain from their
respective stockholders the required stockholder vote in favor
of adoption of the merger agreement. Nothing in the merger
agreement is intended to relieve the parties of their respective
obligation to submit the merger agreement to their respective
stockholders for a vote on its adoption.
No Solicitations by EB of Alternative Transactions. The
merger agreement contains detailed provisions prohibiting EB
from seeking an alternative transaction to the mergers. EB has
agreed, and agreed to cause its officers, directors, employees,
financial advisors, attorneys, accountants and other advisors,
investment bankers, representatives and agents, to cease all
existing activities with any parties with respect to or that
could reasonably be expected to lead to a company takeover
proposal. A company takeover proposal means any bona fide
written proposal or offer from any person relating to any:
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direct or indirect acquisition or purchase of a business that
constitutes 50% or more of the net revenues, net income or the
assets of EB and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; |
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direct or indirect acquisition or purchase of 50% or more of the
combined voting power of EB; |
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any tender offer or exchange offer that if consummated would
result in any person beneficially owning 50% or more of the
combined voting power of EB; or |
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any merger, consolidation, business combination,
recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or similar
transaction involving EB, other than the transactions
contemplated by the merger agreement. |
In addition, EB has agreed that it will not, and will not permit
its officers, directors, employees, financial advisors,
attorneys, accountants and other advisors, investment bankers,
representatives and agents to, directly or indirectly:
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solicit, initiate or knowingly encourage or facilitate the
making of a company takeover proposal; |
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approve or recommend, or propose to approve or recommend, or
enter into any agreement, arrangement or understanding with
respect to any company takeover proposal; or |
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other than informing persons of the existence of the
non-solicitation provision, participate in any discussions or
negotiations regarding, or furnish or disclose to any person
(other than to each other) any non-public information with
respect to EB in connection with any inquiries or the making of
any proposal that constitutes, or would reasonably be expected
to lead to, any company takeover proposal. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, EB may, at any time prior to
obtaining EB stockholder approval, in response to an unsolicited
company takeover proposal that the board of directors of EB
determines in good faith (after consultation with its outside
counsel and a financial advisor of nationally recognized
reputation) may reasonably be expected to constitute or
constitutes a company superior proposal (as defined
below), and which company takeover proposal was made after the
date of the merger agreement and did not otherwise result from a
breach of EBs non-solicitation obligations:
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furnish information with respect to EB to the person making the
company takeover proposal (and its representatives) pursuant to
a customary confidentiality agreement not less restrictive of
the person than the existing confidentiality agreement between
GameStop and EB, provided that all the information is, in
substance, simultaneously provided to each other; and |
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participate in discussions or negotiations with the person
making the company takeover proposal (and its representatives)
regarding the company takeover proposal. |
Company superior proposal means a company takeover
proposal from any person that the EB board of directors
determines in its good faith judgment (after consulting with a
nationally recognized investment banking firm and outside
counsel), taking into account all legal, financial and
regulatory and other aspects of the proposal and the person
making the proposal (including any break-up fees, expense
reimbursement provisions and conditions to consummation):
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would be more favorable from a financial point of view to the
stockholders of EB than the transactions contemplated by the
merger agreement (including any adjustment to the terms and
conditions proposed by GameStop in response to such company
takeover proposal); |
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for which financing, to the extent required, is then committed
or may reasonably be expected to be committed; and |
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is reasonably likely to receive all required governmental
approvals. |
If, prior to EB stockholder approval, the EB board of directors
determines in good faith, after consulting with outside counsel,
that the failure to make a company adverse recommendation change
(as defined below) would be inconsistent with the fulfillment of
its fiduciary duties or any other obligations under applicable
law, then the EB board may make a company adverse recommendation
change, only if EB provides written notice to GameStop advising
them that the EB board of directors intends to take such action
and specifying the reasons therefor, and negotiates in good
faith with GameStop for five business days following its receipt
of such notice to make such adjustments to the terms and
conditions of the merger agreement as would enable EB to proceed
with its recommendation of the merger agreement and/or not
terminate the merger agreement.
Furthermore, in the event that prior to obtaining EB stockholder
approval, EBs board of directors receives a company
takeover proposal, then EBs board of directors may
(1) make a company adverse recommendation change and/or
(2) upon termination of the merger agreement and payment of
the termination fee described below, approve and enter into an
agreement relating to a company takeover proposal that
constitutes a superior proposal, if EBs board of directors
determines in good faith, after consultation with outside
counsel, that the failure to make a company adverse
recommendation change would be inconsistent with its fiduciary
duties and other obligations under applicable law to do so and
if, in either case, EB provides written notice advising GameStop
that the EB board of directors intends to take such action and
specifying the reasons therefor, and negotiates in good faith
with GameStop for five business days following its receipt of
such notice to make such adjustments to the terms and conditions
of
85
the merger agreement as would enable EB to proceed with its
recommendation of the merger agreement and/or not terminate the
merger agreement.
A company adverse recommendation change is where the
board of directors of EB decides to (i) withdraw, or
publicly propose to withdraw (or, in either case, modify in a
manner adverse to the other party) the approval recommendation
or declaration of advisability by the EB board of directors of
the merger agreement or (ii) recommend, adopt or approve,
or propose publicly to recommend, adopt or approve, any company
takeover proposal other than pursuant to the merger agreement.
The merger agreement does not prohibit EB from taking and
disclosing to its stockholders, in compliance with the rules and
regulations of the Exchange Act, a position regarding any
unsolicited tender offer for EB common stock or from making any
other disclosure to EB stockholders if, in the good faith
judgment of the EB board of directors, after consultation with
outside counsel, failure to disclose would be inconsistent with
the fulfillment of the fiduciary duties or any other obligations
of the EB board of directors under applicable law.
No Solicitations by GameStop of Alternative Transactions.
The merger agreement contains detailed provisions prohibiting
GameStop from seeking an alternative transaction to the mergers.
GameStop has agreed, and agreed to cause its officers,
directors, employees, financial advisors, attorneys, accountants
and other advisors, investment bankers, representatives and
agents, to cease all existing activities with any parties with
respect to or that could reasonably be expected to lead to a
GameStop takeover proposal. A GameStop takeover
proposal means any bona fide written proposal or offer from any
person relating to any:
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direct or indirect acquisition or purchase of a business that
constitutes 50% or more of the net revenues, net income or the
assets of GameStop and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; |
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direct or indirect acquisition or purchase of 50% or more of the
combined voting power of GameStop; |
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any tender offer or exchange offer that if consummated would
result in any person beneficially owning 50% or more of the
combined voting power of GameStop; or |
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any merger, consolidation, business combination,
recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or similar
transaction involving GameStop, other than the transactions
contemplated by the merger agreement. |
In addition, GameStop has agreed that it will not, and will not
permit its officers, directors, employees, financial advisors,
attorneys, accountants and other advisors, investment bankers,
representatives and agents to, directly or indirectly:
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solicit, initiate or knowingly encourage or facilitate the
making of a GameStop takeover proposal; |
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approve or recommend, or propose to approve or recommend, or
enter into any agreement, arrangement or understanding with
respect to any GameStop takeover proposal; or |
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other than informing persons of the existence of the
non-solicitation provision, participate in any discussions or
negotiations regarding, or furnish or disclose to any person
(other than to each other) any non-public information with
respect to GameStop in connection with any inquiries or the
making of any proposal that constitutes, or would reasonably be
expected to lead to, any GameStop takeover proposal. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, GameStop may, at any time prior
to obtaining GameStop stockholder approval, in response to an
unsolicited GameStop takeover proposal that the board of
directors of GameStop determines in good faith (after
consultation with its outside counsel and a financial advisor of
nationally recognized reputation) may reasonably be expected to
constitute or constitutes a GameStop superior
proposal (as defined below), and which GameStop takeover
proposal was made after the date of
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the merger agreement and did not otherwise result from a breach
of GameStops non-solicitation obligations:
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furnish information with respect to GameStop to the person
making the GameStop takeover proposal (and its representatives)
pursuant to a customary confidentiality agreement not less
restrictive of the person than the existing confidentiality
agreement between GameStop and EB, provided that all the
information is, in substance, simultaneously provided to each
other; and |
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participate in discussions or negotiations with the person
making the GameStop takeover proposal (and its representatives)
regarding the GameStop takeover proposal. |
GameStop superior proposal means a GameStop takeover
proposal from any person that the GameStop board of directors
determines in its good faith judgment (after consulting with a
nationally recognized investment banking firm and outside
counsel), taking into account all legal, financial and
regulatory and other aspects of the proposal and the person
making the proposal (including any break-up fees, expense
reimbursement provisions and conditions to consummation):
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would be more favorable from a financial point of view to the
GameStop stockholders than the transactions contemplated by the
merger agreement (including any adjustment to the terms and
conditions proposed by EB in response to such GameStop takeover
proposal); |
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for which financing, to the extent required, is then committed
or may reasonably be expected to be committed; and |
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is reasonably likely to receive all required governmental
approvals. |
If, prior to GameStop stockholder approval, the GameStop board
of directors determines in good faith, after consulting with
outside counsel, in the exercise of its fiduciary duties and any
other obligations under applicable law that it should make a
GameStop adverse recommendation change (as defined below), then
the GameStop board may make a GameStop adverse recommendation
change, only if, GameStop provides written notice to EB advising
them that the GameStop board of directors intends to take such
action and specifying the reasons therefor, and negotiates in
good faith with EB for five business days following its receipt
of such notice to make such adjustments to the terms and
conditions of the merger agreement as would enable GameStop to
proceed with its recommendation of the merger agreement and/or
not terminate the merger agreement.
Furthermore, in the event that prior to obtaining GameStop
stockholder approval, the GameStop board of directors receives a
GameStop takeover proposal, then GameStops board of
directors may (1) make a GameStop adverse recommendation
change and/or (2) upon termination of the merger agreement
and payment of the termination fee described below, approve and
enter into an agreement relating to a GameStop takeover proposal
that constitutes a GameStop superior proposal, if the GameStop
board of directors determines in good faith, after consultation
with outside counsel, that it should make a GameStop adverse
recommendation change and if, in either case, GameStop provides
written notice advising EB that the GameStop board of directors
intends to take such action and specifying the reasons therefor,
and negotiates in good faith with EB for five business days
following its receipt of such notice to make such adjustments to
the terms and conditions of the merger agreement as would enable
GameStop to proceed with its recommendation of this merger
agreement and/or not terminate the merger agreement.
A GameStop adverse recommendation change is where
the board of directors of GameStop decides to (i) withdraw,
or publicly propose to withdraw (or, in either case, modify in a
manner adverse to the other party) the approval recommendation
or declaration of advisability by the GameStop board of
directors of the merger agreement or (ii) recommend, adopt
or approve, or propose publicly to recommend, adopt or approve,
any GameStop takeover proposal other than pursuant to the merger
agreement.
The merger agreement does not prohibit GameStop from taking and
disclosing to its stockholders, in compliance with the rules and
regulations of the Exchange Act, a position regarding any
unsolicited tender offer for GameStop common stock or from
making any other disclosure to GameStop stockholders if, in
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the good faith judgment of the GameStop board of directors,
after consultation with outside counsel, failure to disclose
would be inconsistent with the fulfillment of the fiduciary
duties or any other obligations of the GameStop board of
directors under applicable law.
Termination. The merger agreement may be terminated in
the following circumstances:
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by mutual consent; |
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by either party, if the mergers have not been completed by
October 31, 2005, provided that if the only condition to
closing that has not been satisfied or waived is that
(i) there is an order or injunction of a governmental
entity that prohibits the mergers or (ii) the parties have
yet to receive antitrust approval, then such date will be
extended to December 31, 2005 or January 31, 2006
(under certain additional circumstances); |
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by either party, if the mergers are not approved by EBs
stockholders or GameStops stockholders; |
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by either party, if any governmental entity issues an order or
injunction permanently prohibiting the mergers; |
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by GameStop, if EB has breached or failed to perform its
obligations under the merger agreement; |
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by GameStop, if the EB board of directors makes a company
adverse recommendation change; |
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by GameStop, if prior to the receipt of the approval of the
GameStop stockholders, GameStop receives a GameStop superior
proposal and the GameStop board of directors makes a GameStop
adverse recommendation change; |
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by EB, if GameStop or Holdco has breached or failed to perform
its obligations under the merger agreement; |
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by EB, if the GameStop board of directors makes a GameStop
adverse recommendation change; or |
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by EB, if prior to the receipt of the approval of EBs
stockholders, EB receives a company superior proposal and the EB
board of directors makes a company adverse recommendation change. |
Termination Fees. A termination fee is payable by EB:
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if GameStop terminates the merger agreement after EBs
board of directors makes a company adverse recommendation
change, provided that such company adverse recommendation change
was not solely due to a material adverse effect on GameStop; |
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if EB terminates the merger agreement after EB receives a
company superior proposal and the EB board of directors makes a
company adverse recommendation change; |
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if the merger agreement is terminated by GameStop or EB as a
result of the conditions to the parties obligations not
being satisfied by October 31, 2005 or because the EB
stockholders have not approved the merger agreement (and
GameStop is not in breach of the merger agreement) and EB
consummates within twelve months of termination a company
takeover proposal that was publicly announced at the time of
termination and not withdrawn; or |
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if the merger agreement is terminated by GameStop because EB has
breached or failed to perform its obligations under the merger
agreement and EB consummates within twelve months of termination
a company takeover proposal that was publicly announced at the
time of termination and not withdrawn. |
A termination fee is payable by GameStop:
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if EB terminates the merger agreement after GameStops
board of directors makes a GameStop adverse recommendation
change, provided that such GameStop adverse recommendation
change was not solely due to a material adverse effect on EB; |
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if GameStop terminates the merger agreement after GameStop
receives a GameStop superior proposal and the GameStop board of
directors makes a GameStop adverse recommendation change; |
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if the merger agreement is terminated by GameStop or EB as a
result of the conditions to the parties obligations not
being satisfied by October 31, 2005 or because the GameStop
stockholders have not approved the merger agreement (and EB is
not in breach of the merger agreement) and GameStop consummates
within twelve months of termination a GameStop takeover proposal
that was publicly announced at the time of termination and not
withdrawn; or |
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if the merger agreement is terminated by EB because GameStop has
breached or failed to perform its obligations under the merger
agreement and GameStop consummates within twelve months of
termination a GameStop takeover proposal that was publicly
announced at the time of termination and not withdrawn. |
The termination fee payable by both parties is $40,000,000.
Conduct of Business Pending the Mergers. Under the merger
agreement, each of us has agreed that, during the period before
completion of the mergers, except as expressly contemplated or
permitted by the merger agreement, or to the extent that the
other party consents in writing, which consent will not be
unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, we will carry on
our respective businesses in the ordinary course and will use
reasonable best efforts to carry on business in the ordinary
course and preserve the business organization intact and
maintain existing relations with customers, suppliers, vendors,
employees, creditors and business partners.
In addition to the above agreements regarding the conduct of
business generally, each of us has agreed with respect to
ourselves and our subsidiaries to various additional specific
restrictions relating to the conduct of our businesses,
including the following (in each case subject to exceptions
specified in the merger agreement):
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issue, sell, transfer, pledge, dispose of or encumber any
additional shares of, or securities convertible into or
exchangeable for, or options, warrants, calls, commitments or
rights of any kind to acquire, any shares of capital stock of
any class of the party or its subsidiaries, other than issuances
pursuant to the exercise of stock options outstanding on the
date hereof or pursuant to any employee stock purchase plans; |
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directly or indirectly, split, combine or reclassify the
outstanding shares of capital stock of the party, or any
outstanding capital stock of any of the subsidiaries of the
party, or redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire directly or
indirectly any of its capital stock; |
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declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other distribution
payable in cash, stock or property with respect to its capital
stock; |
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amend its certificate of incorporation or bylaws (or other
comparable organizational documents); |
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sell, lease, license, mortgage or otherwise encumber or subject
to any lien (other than permitted liens) or otherwise dispose of
any of its material properties or material assets; |
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incur any long-term indebtedness or short-term indebtedness
other than indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of
business or under lines of credit existing on the date of the
merger agreement; |
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other than in the ordinary course of business and consistent
with past practice, (A) grant any increase in the
compensation or benefits payable to any current or former
director, officer, employee or consultant of the party or any of
its subsidiaries, (B) adopt, enter into, amend or otherwise
increase, reprice or accelerate the payment or vesting of the
amounts payable under any benefit plan, (C) enter into or
amend any employment, bonus, severance, change in control,
retention agreement or any similar agreement or any collective
bargaining agreement or, grant any severance, bonus,
termination, or retention pay to any officer, director,
consultant or employee of the party or |
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any of its subsidiaries, or (D) pay or award any pension,
retirement, allowance or other non-equity incentive awards, or
other employee or director benefit not required by any
outstanding benefit plan; |
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enter into any transaction, agreement, arrangement or
understanding between (A) the party or any of its
subsidiaries, on the one hand, and (B) any affiliate of the
party (other than any subsidiary of the party), on the other
hand; |
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take any action to cause the common stock of the party to cease
to be listed on the NYSE or NASDAQ National Market, as
applicable; |
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take any action that would make any representation or warranty
contained in the merger agreement inaccurate in any respect; |
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change the accounting methods or principles used by it unless
required by GAAP (or, if applicable with respect to foreign
subsidiaries, the relevant foreign generally accepted accounting
principles) or any governmental entity; |
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acquire by merging or consolidating with, by purchasing any
equity interest in or any assets of, or by any other manner, any
significant business or any corporation, partnership,
association or other business organization or division thereof,
or otherwise acquire any assets, in each case for a total
purchase price in excess of $35,000,000, except for the purchase
of assets from suppliers or vendors in the ordinary course of
business; |
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except in the ordinary course of business, make or rescind any
material express or deemed election, or settle or compromise any
material claim or action, relating to taxes, or change any of
its methods of accounting or of reporting income or deductions
for tax purposes in any material respect; |
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satisfy any material claims or liabilities, other than in the
ordinary course of business or in accordance with their terms; |
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make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or
investments in, any other person in excess of $5,000,000 in the
aggregate, except for (A) loans, advances, capital
contributions or investments between any subsidiary of the party
and the party or another subsidiary of the party or
(B) employee advances for expenses in the ordinary course
of business; |
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other than in the ordinary course of business,
(A) terminate or adversely modify or amend any contract
having a duration of more than one year and total payment
obligations of the party in excess of $5,000,000 (other than
(1) contracts terminable within one year or (2) the
renewal, on substantially similar terms, of any contract
existing on the date of the merger agreement), (B) waive,
release, relinquish or assign any right or claim of material
value to the party, or (C) cancel or forgive any material
indebtedness owed to the party or any of its
subsidiaries; or |
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authorize, commit or agree to take any of the foregoing actions. |
Holdco, Cowboy Subsidiary LLC and Eagle Subsidiary LLC shall not
engage in any activities other than those set forth in the
merger agreement.
Governance. In the merger agreement, we agreed to adopt
amendments to the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of EB
and the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of GameStop so
that the certificates of incorporation and bylaws of GameStop
and EB after the mergers will be in forms more typical for
wholly-owned subsidiaries. As a result of the mergers,
stockholders of GameStop and stockholders of EB will become
stockholders of Holdco. More information about the amended and
restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated
bylaws of Holdco which will be in effect immediately after the
mergers are completed can be found in the section
Comparison of Stockholder Rights beginning on
page 141.
On or prior to the effectiveness of the mergers, Holdcos
board of directors will cause the full board membership to be
set at nine, and will cause the persons indicated in the section
entitled Holdco
90
Board of Directors and Management after the Mergers
beginning on page 69 of this joint proxy
statement-prospectus to be appointed to the Holdco board of
directors as of the mergers.
On or prior to the effectiveness of the mergers, we will cause
the persons indicated in the section entitled
Holdco Board of Directors and Management after
the Mergers beginning on page 69 to be elected or
appointed to the offices of Holdco, GameStop and EB after the
mergers specified in such section.
Additional Agreements. We have each agreed to use our
reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all
actions necessary, proper or advisable to complete and make
effective the mergers and the other transactions contemplated by
the merger agreement, as promptly as practicable, but in no
event later than the outside date of October 31, 2005,
unless such date is extended up to and including
December 31, 2005 (or January 31, 2006 if
GameStops lenders agree to extend the terms of the
financing commitment letters) in circumstances described above,
in The Merger Agreement
Termination beginning on page 87. This includes:
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obtaining all necessary actions or nonactions, waivers, consents
and approvals from governmental entities and making all
necessary registrations and filings and taking all reasonable
steps as may be necessary to obtain an approval or waiver from,
or to avoid an action or proceeding by, any governmental entity; |
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execution and delivery of any additional instruments necessary
to consummate the transactions contemplated by the merger
agreement; |
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obtaining all necessary consents, approvals or waivers from
third parties; |
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avoidance or the negotiated settlement of each and every
impediment under antitrust and competition laws that may be
asserted by any governmental entity; and |
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in the event each and every impediment described above can not
be avoided, then the defense of lawsuits challenging the mergers. |
Neither party is required to defend any lawsuits if in good
faith it does not wish to participate, but it is required to
participate so long as the non-objecting party pays all
expenses. Neither party is required to agree to a remedy that
would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect
on such party.
The merger agreement also contains covenants relating to
cooperation in the preparation of this joint proxy
statement-prospectus and additional agreements relating to,
among other things, consultation regarding transition matters,
access to information, notices of specified matters, public
announcements, tax opinions, required amendment to the GameStop
rights agreement and letters from each partys accountants.
Benefits Matters. We have agreed that our respective
retirement and other employee benefit plans will remain in
effect after completion of the mergers with respect to employees
covered by those plans, until such time as Holdco shall
determine, subject to the terms of such plans. We have also
agreed to negotiate in good faith to formulate benefit plans for
Holdco after the effective time of the mergers on a basis that
does not discriminate between employees who were covered by the
benefit plans of GameStop and employees who were covered by the
benefit plans of EB.
Holdco will adopt a resolution providing that the receipt by
certain GameStop and EB officers and directors of shares of
Holdco common stock to be issued in connection with the mergers
and subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act are
intended to be exempt from liability pursuant to
Section 16(b).
Amendment, Extension and Waiver. We may amend the merger
agreement by action taken or authorized by our respective boards
of directors, at any time before or after adoption of the merger
agreement by the stockholders of GameStop or EB. After adoption
of the merger agreement by the stockholders of GameStop or EB,
no amendment may be made which by law requires further approval
by those stockholders, unless we obtain that further approval.
All amendments to the merger agreement must be in writing signed
by all of the parties thereto.
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At any time before the completion of the mergers, we may, by
written action taken or authorized by our respective boards of
directors, to the extent legally allowed:
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extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or
other acts provided for in the merger agreement; |
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waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties
contained in the merger agreement or in any document delivered
pursuant to the merger agreement; and |
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waive compliance with any of the agreements or conditions
contained in the merger agreement. |
Fees and Expenses. Whether or not the mergers are
completed, all costs and expenses incurred in connection with
the merger agreement and the mergers will be paid by the party
incurring the expense, except that:
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any filing fees required to be paid by GameStop or EB under the
HSR Act or similar foreign laws shall be shared equally by
GameStop and EB; and |
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all expenses and fees incurred in connection with the filing,
printing and mailing of this joint proxy statement-prospectus
and the registration statement of which it is a part will be
shared equally by GameStop and EB. |
Representations and Warranties. The merger agreement
contains customary and substantially reciprocal representations
and warranties by each of us relating to, among other things:
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corporate organization and similar corporate matters; |
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subsidiaries; |
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capital structure; |
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authorization of the merger agreement and absence of conflicts; |
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no consents or approvals required except GameStop and EB
stockholder approvals, SEC approval, the filing of the joint
proxy statement-prospectus, Exchange Act reports, certificates
of merger and antitrust filings; |
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documents filed with the SEC, financial statements included in
those documents, regulatory reports filed with governmental
entities and absence of material undisclosed liabilities; |
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information supplied in connection with this joint proxy
statement-prospectus and the registration statement of which it
is a part; |
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absence of certain changes or events; |
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compliance with applicable laws and reporting requirements; |
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taxes; |
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transactions with affiliates; |
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the GameStop and EB stockholder votes required to adopt the
merger agreement; |
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board approval and applicable state takeover laws; |
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brokers and finders; |
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opinions of financial advisors; and |
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no negotiations. |
In addition, EB made representations and warranties regarding
the following:
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employee benefits; |
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material agreements; |
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ownership of properties; |
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intellectual property; and |
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environmental matters. |
In addition, GameStop made representations and warranties
regarding the following:
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financing; |
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business of Holdco, Cowboy Subsidiary LLC and Eagle Subsidiary
LLC; and |
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separation agreement with Barnes & Noble. |
The Kim Group Voting Agreement
This section of the joint proxy statement-prospectus
describes the material terms of the Kim Group voting agreement.
The following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference
to the complete text of the Kim Group voting agreement, which is
incorporated by reference and attached as Annex C to
this joint proxy statement-prospectus. We urge you to read the
full text of the Kim Group voting agreement.
In the Kim Group voting agreement, subject to certain limited
exceptions, the Kim Group agreed to vote their shares of EB
common stock in favor of the adoption of the merger agreement at
the EB stockholders meeting. In addition, the Kim Group has
agreed to vote against any proposal (i) in opposition to
adoption of the merger agreement or in competition or
inconsistent with the EB merger (as defined in the merger
agreement) or any transaction contemplated by the merger
agreement, (ii) any Company takeover proposal (as defined
in the merger agreement), (iii) any change in the
management or board of directors of EB (other than as
contemplated by the merger agreement) and (iv) any action
or agreement that would result in a breach of any
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement or any other
obligation of EB under the merger agreement or of the Kim Group
under the voting agreement. The requirement of the Kim Group to
vote their shares of EB common stock as described above is
subject to limitations if the EB board of directors changes its
recommendation with respect to the adoption of the merger
agreement, in which case only a number of shares equal to
one-third of the outstanding shares of EB common stock would be
required to be so voted, with the remaining shares owned by the
Kim Group being required to be voted in a manner that is
proportionate to the manner in which all holders of EB common
stock (other than the Kim Group) vote in respect of such matter.
The Kim Group has also agreed that they will not, directly or
indirectly, sell, transfer, assign, pledge, encumber or
otherwise dispose of any of the EB common stock, or any interest
therein, or any other securities convertible into or
exchangeable for EB common stock (including derivative
securities), or any voting rights with respect thereto or enter
into any contract, option or other arrangement or understanding
with respect thereto (including any voting trust or agreement
and the granting of any proxy) other than (a) pursuant to
the mergers, (b) encumbrances imposed by margin accounts
maintained by each stockholder or pledges to investment banks or
third party lenders and any other transfers resulting therefrom,
(c) transfers to family members of any stockholder,
(d) transfers by operation of law, by will or pursuant to
the laws of descent or distribution, or (e) with the prior
written consent of GameStop.
The voting agreement may be terminated at any time after the
earlier of (a) the termination of the merger agreement in
accordance with its terms or (b) the day following the
effective time (as defined in the merger agreement).
As
of ,
2005, the EB record date, these stockholders beneficially owned
approximately 11.6 million shares of EB common stock, which
represent the power to vote approximately 46.7% of the
outstanding shares of EB common stock at the EB annual meeting.
The Riggio Group Voting Agreement
This section of the joint proxy statement-prospectus
describes the material terms of the Riggio Group voting
agreement. The following summary is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the complete text of
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the Riggio Group voting agreement, which is incorporated by
reference and attached as Annex F to this joint
proxy statement-prospectus. We urge you to read the full text of
the Riggio Group voting agreement.
Pursuant to a voting agreement with the Riggio Group, these
stockholders have agreed to vote their shares of GameStop
Class A common stock and GameStop Class B common stock
in favor of the adoption of the merger agreement. In addition,
the Riggio Group has agreed to vote against any proposal
(i) in opposition to adoption of the merger agreement or in
competition or inconsistent with the GameStop merger or any
transaction contemplated by the merger agreement, (ii) any
GameStop takeover proposal (as defined in the merger agreement),
(iii) any change in the management or board of directors of
GameStop (other than as contemplated by the merger agreement)
and (iv) any action or agreement that would result in a
breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement or
any other obligation of GameStop under the merger agreement or
of such stockholder under the voting agreement. The Riggio Group
has also agreed that they will not directly or indirectly, sell,
transfer, assign, pledge, encumber or otherwise dispose of any
of the GameStop common stock, or any interest therein, or any
other securities convertible into or exchangeable for GameStop
common stock (including derivative securities), or any voting
rights with respect thereto or enter into any contract, option
or other arrangement or understanding with respect thereto
(including any voting trust or agreement and the granting of any
proxy) other than (a) pursuant to the mergers,
(b) encumbrances imposed by margin accounts maintained by
each stockholder or pledges to investment banks or third party
lenders and any other transfers resulting therefrom,
(c) transfers to family members of any stockholder,
(d) transfers by operation of law, by will or pursuant to
the laws of descent or distribution, or (e) with the prior
written consent of EB.
The voting agreement will terminate after the earlier of
(a) the termination of the merger agreement in accordance
with its terms or (b) the day following the effective time
(as defined in the merger agreement).
As
of ,
2005, the GameStop record date, the Riggio Group owned
approximately 5.3 million shares of GameStop Class B
common stock, which represents approximately 16.4% of the
combined voting power of all classes of GameStops voting
stock. The Riggio Group also holds exercisable options to
acquire 4,500,000 shares of GameStop Class A common
stock. These options are not expected to be exercised prior to
the GameStop record date and therefore the Riggio Group is not
expected to have any voting power with respect to the GameStop
Class A common stock.
The Registration Rights Agreement
In connection with the consummation of the mergers and as a
condition to entering into the voting agreement with the Kim
Group, Holdco will enter into a registration rights agreement
with the Kim Group pursuant to which Holdco will be obligated to
file with the SEC a registration statement registering the
shares of Holdco Class A common stock held by the Kim Group
(the registrable securities) as promptly as practicable after
the closing of the mergers and Holdco shall use its reasonable
best efforts to have such registration statement declared
effective within 90 days of the effective time of the
mergers.
If Holdco seeks to register, in a proposed offering for cash,
any Holdco common stock or other equity securities while the
registration rights agreement is in effect, the Kim Group has
the right to request that Holdco include any or all of their
registrable securities in the proposed offering. Holdco must
provide written notice to each member of the Kim Group at least
20 business days prior to the proposed date of filing of the
registration statement. A member of the Kim Group, in a written
request given to Holdco at least ten days prior to the proposed
filing, may include its registrable securities in such
registration statement, subject to constraints of marketability
of the proposed offering, as determined by the managing
underwriter. In the event marketing constraints prevent the
registration of all registrable securities requested to be
registered, after all shares of Holdco common stock to be
registered by Holdco are included, such registrable securities
shall be registered, to the extent marketable, on a pro rata
basis relative to the respective members of the Kim Groups
holding of registrable securities.
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The Kim Group will pay all underwriting discounts, commissions
and transfer taxes related to the registrable securities offered
for sale by the Kim Group as well as the fees and disbursements
of its counsel. All other fees and expenses in connection with
the registration of registrable securities will be borne by
Holdco. Holdco agrees to indemnify the Kim Group and the
prospective underwriters of registrations of registrable
securities for liabilities arising out of violations by Holdco
of applicable laws relating to the registration statement and
for material misstatements and omissions, not provided by the
Kim Group, included in the registration statement. Likewise,
each member of the Kim Group agrees to indemnify Holdco, all
other members of the Kim Group or any underwriter for
liabilities arising out of violations of applicable laws
relating to its offer and sale of registrable securities and for
material misstatements and omissions made in the registration
statement in reliance on information provided to Holdco by such
member of the Kim Group. Contribution will also be available to
any of the above parties in relation to relative fault, to the
extent that indemnification from an indemnifying party to an
indemnified party is unavailable.
The Non-Competition Agreement
In connection with the consummation of the mergers and as a
condition to the closing of the mergers, Mr. James J. Kim
will enter into a non-compete agreement with Holdco whereby
Mr. Kim (either individually or as a member of any group)
agrees not to compete with Holdco for a period of three years
after the effective date. Except as otherwise provided in the
non-competition agreement, Mr. Kim agrees not to:
(i) acquire any ownership interest in, (ii) provide
services to, (iii) assist or participate in the
organization, promotion or founding of, (iv) except as
contemplated by the merger agreement, serve on the board of
directors or advisory board of, (v) act as a consultant to,
or (vi) serve as an officer, employee, representative or
agent of, or otherwise participate in any capacity in the
management or operations of, any competitive business (as
defined in the non-competition agreement). The territories where
Mr. Kim agrees not to compete with Holdco are: the United
States (including, without limitation, Puerto Rico and Guam),
Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Norway,
Sweden, United Kingdom, Ireland, France and Spain.
In addition, the agreement also provides that, for a period of
two years after the effective date, Mr. Kim will not
interfere with customers or suppliers of EB or Holdco or any of
its affiliates, or solicit employees or consultants of Holdco or
its affiliates.
Amendment to GameStops Certificate of Incorporation
In connection with the mergers, Article Fourth (b)(v) of
the amended and restated certificate of incorporation of
GameStop relating to the equal treatment of holders of GameStop
Class A common stock and GameStop Class B common stock
in mergers, consolidations, etc., will be amended, subject to
GameStop stockholder approval, to permit the receipt by the
holders of GameStop Class B common stock, in any
consolidation, merger, combination or other transaction in which
shares of GameStop common stock are exchanged for other
securities or property, of securities that differ as to voting
rights and powers on a per share basis from the securities
received by holders of GameStop Class A common stock, provided
that such difference shall not exceed ten to one. This amendment
is necessary to allow for the payment of the GameStop merger
consideration in accordance with the terms of the merger
agreement. This amendment requires the affirmative vote of a
majority of the outstanding shares of GameStop Class A
common stock, voting as a single class, and the affirmative vote
of a majority of the GameStop Class A common stock and
GameStop Class B common stock, voting together as a single
class.
Amendment to GameStop Amended and Restated 2001 Incentive
Plan
In connection with the mergers, there will be an amendment to
the Amended and Restated 2001 Incentive Plan to provide that all
outstanding unexercised stock options under the plan, and any
future stock or stock option awards granted under the plan, will
be in Holdco Class A common stock instead of GameStop
Class A common stock. We are seeking the affirmative vote
of a majority of the outstanding shares of GameStop Class A
common stock, voting as a single class, and the affirmative vote
of the
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majority of outstanding shares of GameStop Class A common
stock and GameStop Class B common stock, voting together as
a single class, to ensure continued deductibility of the related
compensation expense under Section 162(m) of the Code.
Financing
The following summary is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the complete text of the commitment letters
referred to therein, which are filed as Exhibits 10.4 and
10.5 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of which
this joint proxy statement-prospectus is a part. The following
summary may not contain all of the information about the
commitment letters that is important to you. We urge you to read
the full text of the commitment letters carefully and in their
entirety.
Holdco intends to finance the cash portion of the merger
consideration and to pay fees, expenses and transaction costs
for the mergers through a senior debt financing of approximately
$950 million and excess cash.
Holdco expects the senior debt financing to consist of the
issuance of senior notes and senior floating rate notes. Such
financing may also include a convertible note offering in lieu
of a portion of the senior notes and/or senior floating rate
notes. The terms of any such notes or convertible notes have not
yet been determined but are expected to be standard market terms
comparable to similar offerings being made at the time. Holdco
also has received commitments from affiliates of Citigroup, Bank
of America and Merrill Lynch for a $950 million senior
unsecured bridge loan facility (the bridge loan facility) to be
utilized if necessary for temporary financing that would be
expected to be replaced with the senior notes, senior floating
rate notes and/or convertible notes.
The maturity date of the bridge loan facility would be the first
anniversary of the closing date for the mergers (subject to
extension as provided in the commitment letter for such
facility). Prior to such first anniversary, loans under the
bridge loan facility would bear interest at a rate per annum
equal to, at Holdcos election, either (i) three-month
reserve-adjusted the London Interbank Offered Rate (or LIBOR)
plus a spread initially of 500 basis points (such spread
being subject to quarterly increases by 50 basis points if
the loans are not yet repaid) or (ii) an alternative base
rate (as defined in the commitment letter) rate plus a spread
initially of 400 basis points (such spread being subject to
quarterly increases by 50 basis points if the loans are not
yet repaid). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the interest rate in
effect prior to the first anniversary of the closing date would
not exceed 12.0% per annum or be less than 8.25% per
annum.
Holdco also has received commitments from affiliates of Bank of
America, Merrill Lynch and Citigroup for a $400 million
senior secured revolving credit facility (the revolving credit
facility) that Holdco expects to enter into upon the closing of
the mergers. The commitment letter for the revolving credit
facility provides that such facility will have a five-year term
and will be available for refinancing of indebtedness, to pay
transaction costs in connection with the mergers and for other
general corporate purposes, including letters of credit, working
capital, capital expenditures, permitted dividends, permitted
share repurchases and permitted acquisitions. The revolving
credit facility will be guaranteed by all of Holdcos
wholly owned U.S. subsidiaries and secured by substantially
all of its assets and those of the guarantors. Borrowings under
the revolving credit facility will be limited by a borrowing
base calculated based on specified percentages of the value of
eligible inventory and eligible credit card receivables, subject
to certain reserves.
Interest on the outstanding balances under the revolving credit
facility will be payable, at the borrowers option, at an
alternate base rate (as that term is defined in the commitment
letter) or at LIBOR, in each case plus an applicable margin
ranging from 0% to 1.75% depending on the ratio of total
indebtedness to EBITDA and whether the borrowing is an alternate
base rate or LIBOR borrowing.
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Conditions to the financing commitments for the bridge loan
facility and the revolving credit facility include, among other
things:
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execution of definitive documentation for the respective
financings on terms satisfactory to the financing sources; |
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the absence of any change, effect, event, occurrence or state of
facts that is materially adverse to the business, financial
condition, or results of operations of EB, subject to certain
exceptions; and |
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other customary conditions, including obtaining requisite
material consents and approvals. |
The obligations of the financing sources under the commitment
letters extend through October 31, 2005. This date is
automatically extended to December 31, 2005 if the outside
date for the completion of the mergers is extended to
December 31, 2005 under the merger agreement.
Definitive agreements for the financings have not been finalized
and, accordingly, the form and terms of the financings may
change.
INFORMATION ABOUT GAMESTOP
GameStop Corp. is one of the leading video game and PC
entertainment software retailers in the United States. GameStop
carries one of the largest assortments of new and used video
game hardware, video game software and accessories, PC
entertainment software, and related products, including action
figures, trading cards and strategy guides. GameStop operates
approximately 1,900 stores in the United States, Puerto Rico,
Guam, Ireland and Northern Ireland. GameStop operates most of
its stores under the GameStop name. GameStop carries a
constantly changing selection of more than 5,000 stock keeping
units (SKUs) of electronic game merchandise in most stores. In
addition, GameStop operates a web site at www.gamestop.com and
publishes Game Informer, the industrys largest
circulation multi-platform video game magazine, with over
2,000,000 subscribers.
Of GameStops approximately 1,900 stores, approximately 75%
are located in strip centers and approximately 25% are located
in shopping malls and other locations. GameStops strip
center stores, which average approximately 1,600 square
feet, carry a balanced mix of new and used video game hardware,
video game software and accessories, which are referred to as
video game products, and PC entertainment software.
GameStops mall stores, which average approximately
1,200 square feet, carry primarily new video game products
and PC entertainment software, as well as used video game
products. GameStops used video game products provide an
attractive value proposition to its customers, and its
purchasing of used video game products provides its customers
with an opportunity to trade in their used video game products
for store credits and apply those credits towards other
merchandise, which, in turn, increases sales.
GameStops corporate office and distribution facilities are
housed in a new 420,000 square foot facility in Grapevine,
Texas.
Prior to February 12, 2002, GameStop was a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Barnes & Noble. On February 12,
2002, GameStop completed an initial public offering of shares of
Class A common stock raising net proceeds of approximately
$347.3 million. A portion of those proceeds was used to
repay $250.0 million of its $400 million indebtedness
to Barnes & Noble, with Barnes & Noble
contributing the remaining $150.0 million of indebtedness
to GameStop as additional paid-in-capital. Barnes &
Noble owned approximately 63% of the outstanding shares of
GameStops capital stock through its ownership of 100% of
GameStop Class B common stock until October 2004. On
October 1, 2004, GameStop repurchased approximately
6.1 million shares of its Class B common stock at a
price equal to $18.26 per share for aggregate consideration
of approximately $111.5 million. On November 12, 2004,
Barnes & Noble distributed to its stockholders its
remaining 29.9 million shares of GameStop Class B
common stock in a tax-free dividend. Each of GameStops
Class A common stock and Class B common stock are
traded on the NYSE under the symbols GME and
GME.B, respectively.
For additional information on GameStop, see Where You Can
Find More Information on page 159.
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Information about the Board of Directors and Executive
Officers of GameStop
The following table sets forth the names and ages of
GameStops directors, the year they first became a director
and the positions they hold with GameStop:
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Director | |
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Age | |
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Since | |
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Position with GameStop |
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R. Richard Fontaine
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63 |
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2001 |
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Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Director |
Daniel A. DeMatteo
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57 |
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2002 |
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Vice Chairman, Chief Operating Officer and Director |
Michael N. Rosen
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64 |
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2001 |
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Secretary and Director |
Leonard Riggio(1)
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64 |
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2001 |
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Director |
Stephanie M. Shern(2)
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57 |
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2002 |
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Director |
Gerald R. Szczepanski(3)
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57 |
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2002 |
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Director |
Edward A. Volkwein(3)
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63 |
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2002 |
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Director |
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(1) |
Member of Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee |
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Member of Audit Committee |
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(3) |
Member of Compensation Committee, Audit Committee and Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee |
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Nominees for Election as Director |
The following individuals are nominees for director at the
GameStop annual meeting:
Daniel A. DeMatteo has been GameStops Vice Chairman
and Chief Operating Officer since March 2005. Prior to March
2005, Mr. DeMatteo served as President and Chief Operating
Officer of GameStop or its predecessor companies since November
1996. He has served on the board of GameStop since 2002 and has
been an executive officer in the video game industry since 1988.
Leonard Riggio is a director and a member of the
Nominating Committee. Mr. Riggio was the Chairman of the
Board of GameStop or its predecessor companies from November
1996 until GameStops initial public offering in
February 2002. He has served as an executive officer or
director in the video game industry since 1987. Mr. Riggio
has been Chairman of the Board and a principal stockholder of
Barnes & Noble since its inception in 1986 and served
as Chief Executive Officer from its inception in 1986 until
February 2002. Since 1965, Mr. Riggio has been Chairman of
the Board, Chief Executive Officer and the principal stockholder
of Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, Inc., one of the
largest operators of college bookstores in the country. Since
1985, Mr. Riggio has been Chairman of the Board and a
principal beneficial owner of MBS Textbook Exchange, Inc., one
of the nations largest wholesalers of college textbooks.
Gerald R. Szczepanski is a director and Chair of the
Compensation Committee and a member of the Audit Committee and
the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
Mr. Szczepanski is currently retired. Mr. Szczepanski
was the co-founder, and, from 1994 to 2005, the Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer of Gadzooks, Inc., a publicly traded,
specialty retailer of casual clothing and accessories for
teenagers. On February 3, 2004, Gadzooks, Inc. filed a
voluntary petition under Chapter 11 of the United States
Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the
Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division (Case No.
04-31486-11).
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Other Directors Whose Terms of Office Continue After the
GameStop Annual Meeting |
R. Richard Fontaine has been GameStops
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer since
GameStops initial public offering in February 2002.
Mr. Fontaine has served as the Chief Executive Officer of
GameStops predecessor companies since November 1996. He
has been an executive officer or director in the video game
industry since 1988.
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Michael N. Rosen is GameStops Secretary and a
director. Mr. Rosen has served in the same capacities for
GameStop or its predecessor companies since October 1999.
Mr. Rosen has been a partner at Bryan Cave LLP, counsel to
GameStop, since their July 2002 combination with Robinson
Silverman. Prior to that, Mr. Rosen was Chairman of
Robinson Silverman for more than the past five years.
Mr. Rosen is also a director of Barnes & Noble.
Stephanie M. Shern is a director and Chair of the Audit
Committee. Mrs. Shern formed Shern Associates LLC in
February 2002 to provide business advisory and board services,
primarily to publicly-held companies. From May 2001 until
February 2002, Mrs. Shern served as Senior Vice President
and Global Managing Director of Retail and Consumer Products for
Kurt Salmon Associates. From 1995 until April 2001,
Mrs. Shern was the Vice Chair and Global Director of Retail
and Consumer Products for Ernst & Young LLP and a
member of Ernst & Youngs Management Committee.
Mrs. Shern is currently a director and Chair of the Audit
Committee of The Scotts/ Miracle Gro Company, a director and
Chair of the Audit Committee and member of the Governance
Committee of Nextel Communications, Inc., a director and member
of the Audit Committee of Royal Ahold, and a director and Chair
of the Audit Committee of the Vitamin Shoppe, Inc.
Edward A. Volkwein is a director and a member of the
Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee. Mr. Volkwein is
President and Chief Operating Officer of Hydro-Photon, Inc., a
water purification technology company. Prior to joining
Hydro-Photon, Mr. Volkwein had a broad marketing career
beginning in brand management for General Foods and
Chesebrough-Ponds, Inc. He served as Senior Vice President
Global Advertising and Promotion for Philips Consumer
Electronics and as Senior Vice President Marketing for Sega of
America, where he was instrumental in developing Sega into a
major video game brand. Mr. Volkwein has also held senior
executive positions with Funk & Wagnalls and Prince
Manufacturing.
|
|
|
Meetings and Committees of the GameStop Board |
GameStop was a controlled company under the rules of
the NYSE until all of the outstanding shares of GameStop
Class B common stock were distributed by Barnes &
Noble to its stockholders on November 12, 2004. Companies
that are controlled companies are exempt from the
NYSEs corporate governance rules requiring that listed
companies have (i) a majority of the board of directors
consist of independent directors under the listing
standards of the NYSE, (ii) a nominating/corporate
governance committee composed entirely of
independent directors and a written
nominating/corporate governance committee charter meeting the
NYSEs requirements, and (iii) a compensation
committee composed entirely of independent directors
and a written compensation committee charter meeting the
NYSEs requirements. As required, GameStop currently has a
majority of independent directors, a nominating
committee composed entirely of independent directors
with a written nominating committee charter, and a compensation
committee which is composed entirely of independent
directors and a written compensation committee charter.
The GameStop board of directors met six times during GameStop
fiscal 2004. All directors attended at least 75% of all of the
meetings of the GameStop board of directors and the committees
thereof on which they served during GameStop fiscal 2004.
The GameStop board of directors has three standing committees:
the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, and the
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
GameStop Audit Committee. The GameStop Audit Committee
has the principal function of, among other things, reviewing the
adequacy of GameStops internal system of accounting
controls, the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight
of the independent certified public accountants, conferring with
the independent public accounting firm concerning the scope of
their examination of the books and records of GameStop,
reviewing and approving related party transactions and
considering other appropriate matters regarding the financial
affairs of GameStop. In addition, the GameStop Audit Committee
has established procedures for the receipt, retention and
treatment of confidential and anonymous complaints regarding
GameStops accounting, internal accounting controls and
auditing
99
matters. The GameStop board of directors has adopted a written
charter setting out the functions of the GameStop Audit
Committee, a copy of which is available on GameStops
website at www.gamestop.com and is available in print to any
GameStop stockholder who requests it, in writing to
GameStops Secretary, GameStop Corp., 625 Westport Parkway,
Grapevine, Texas 76051. As required by the charter, the GameStop
Audit Committee will continue to review and reassess the
adequacy of the charter annually and recommend any changes to
the GameStop board of directors for approval. The current
members of the GameStop Audit Committee are Stephanie M. Shern
(Chair), Edward A. Volkwein and Gerald R. Szczepanski, all of
whom are independent directors under the listing
standards of the NYSE. In addition to meeting the independence
standards of the NYSE, each member of the GameStop Audit
Committee is financially literate and meets the independence
standards established by the SEC. The GameStop board of
directors has also determined that Mrs. Shern has the
requisite attributes of an audit committee financial
expert as defined by regulations promulgated by the SEC
and that such attributes were acquired through relevant
education and experience. The GameStop Audit Committee met ten
times during GameStop fiscal 2004. A copy of the report of the
GameStop Audit Committee is on page 115 of this joint proxy
statement-prospectus.
GameStop Compensation Committee. The principal function
of the GameStop Compensation Committee is to, among other
things, make recommendations to the GameStop board of directors
with respect to matters regarding the approval of employment
agreements, management and consultant hiring and executive
compensation. The GameStop Compensation Committee is also
responsible for administering GameStops Amended and
Restated 2001 Incentive Plan and GameStops Supplemental
Compensation Plan (the Supplemental Compensation Plan). The
current members of the GameStop Compensation Committee are
Gerald R. Szczepanski (Chair) and Edward A. Volkwein, both of
whom meet the independence standards of the NYSE. The GameStop
Compensation Committee met one time during GameStop fiscal 2004.
A copy of the report of the GameStop Compensation Committee is
on page 107 of this joint proxy statement-prospectus.
GameStop Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
GameStop was a controlled company under the rules of
the NYSE until all of the outstanding shares of GameStop
Class B common stock were distributed by Barnes &
Noble to its stockholders on November 12, 2004. Subsequent
to this distribution, the GameStop board of directors formed the
GameStop Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The
current members of the GameStop Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee are Leonard Riggio, Gerald R. Szczepanski
and Edward A. Volkwein, all of whom meet the independence
standards of the NYSE. The GameStop board of directors has
adopted a written charter setting out the functions of the
GameStop Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, a copy
of which can be found on GameStops website at
www.gamestop.com.
GameStop does not set specific criteria for directors except to
the extent required to meet applicable legal, regulatory and
stock exchange requirements, including, but not limited to, the
independence requirements of the NYSE and the SEC, as
applicable. Nominees for GameStop director will be selected on
the basis of outstanding achievement in their personal careers;
board experience; wisdom; integrity; ability to make
independent, analytical inquiries; understanding of the business
environment; and willingness to devote adequate time to board of
directors duties. While the selection of qualified
directors is a complex and subjective process that requires
consideration of many intangible factors, the board of directors
believes that each director should have a basic understanding of
(i) the principal operational and financial objectives and
plans and strategies of GameStop, (ii) the results of
operations and financial condition of GameStop and of any of its
significant subsidiaries or business segments, and
(iii) the relative standing of GameStop and its business
segments in relation to its competitors.
Consideration of new GameStop board of directors nominee
candidates, if any, typically involves a series of internal
discussions, review of information concerning candidates and
interviews with selected candidates. The GameStop board of
directors is willing to consider candidates submitted by a
variety of
100
sources (including incumbent directors, GameStop stockholders
(in accordance with the process described below), management and
third-party search firms) when reviewing candidates to fill
vacancies and/or expand the GameStop board of directors. When
nominating a sitting director for re-election at an annual
meeting, the GameStop board of directors will consider the
directors performance on the GameStop board of directors
and the directors qualifications in respect of the
foregoing.
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|
|
Consideration of GameStop Stockholder-Nominated
Directors |
The GameStop board of directors will consider potential nominees
submitted by GameStop stockholders if a vacancy arises or if the
GameStop board of directors decides to expand its membership,
and at such other times as the GameStop board of directors deems
necessary or appropriate. GameStops bylaws provide that,
in order for a GameStop stockholder to nominate a person for
election to the GameStop board of directors at a GameStop annual
meeting of stockholders, such stockholder must give written
notice to GameStops Secretary, GameStop Corp., 625
Westport Parkway, Grapevine, Texas 76051, not less than
30 days nor more than 60 days prior to the meeting;
provided, however, that in the event that less than 40 days
notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the meeting is
given to GameStop stockholders, notice by the GameStop
stockholder must be given not later than the close of business
on the tenth day following the day on which such notice of the
date of the meeting was mailed or such public disclosure was
made. Such notice must contain the proposing GameStop
stockholders record name and address, and the class and
number of shares of GameStop which are beneficially owned by
such stockholder. Such notice must also contain all information
relating to such nominee that is required to be disclosed in
solicitations of proxies for election of directors, or is
otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A
under the Exchange Act, including such persons written
consent to being a nominee and to serving as a GameStop director
if elected.
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|
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics |
The GameStop board of directors has adopted a Code of Business
Conduct and Ethics. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is
available on GameStops website at www.gamestop.com and is
available in print to any GameStop stockholder who requests it
in writing to GameStops Secretary, GameStop Corp., 625
Westport Parkway, Grapevine, Texas 76051.
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|
|
Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers |
GameStop has adopted a Code of Ethics that is applicable to
GameStops Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer, Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer, President,
Chief Financial Officer, Vice President-Finance and any
Executive Vice President of GameStop. This Code of Ethics is
attached as Exhibit 14.1 to GameStops Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2004. In accordance
with SEC rules, GameStop intends to disclose any amendment
(other than any technical, administrative, or other
non-substantive amendment) to, or any waiver from, a provision
of the Code of Ethics on GameStops website at
www.gamestop.com within five business days following such
amendment or waiver.
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|
|
Corporate Governance Guidelines |
The GameStop board of directors adopted Corporate Governance
Guidelines. The Corporate Governance Guidelines are available on
GameStops website at www.gamestop.com and are available in
print to any GameStop stockholder who requests it in writing to
GameStops Secretary, GameStop Corp., 625 Westport Parkway,
Texas 76051.
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|
|
Communications Between GameStop Stockholders and the
GameStop Board of Directors |
GameStop stockholders and other interested persons seeking to
communicate with the GameStop board of directors should submit
any communications in writing to GameStops Secretary,
GameStop Corp., 625 Westport Parkway, Grapevine, Texas 76051.
Any such communication must state the number
100
of shares beneficially owned by the GameStop stockholder making
the communication. GameStops Secretary will forward such
communication to the full GameStop board of directors or to any
individual director or directors (including the presiding
director of the executive sessions of the non-management
directors or the non-management directors as a group) to whom
the communication is directed.
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Attendance at GameStop Annual Meetings |
All members of the GameStop board of directors are expected to
attend in person GameStops annual meetings of stockholders
and be available to address questions or concerns raised by
GameStop stockholders. All seven directors attended the 2004
GameStop annual meeting of stockholders.
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|
Compensation of Directors |
Directors who are not employees of GameStop will receive
compensation of $30,000 per annum and $1,000 per
GameStop in-person board or committee meeting. In June 2004,
each of the directors who are not employees of GameStop or
Barnes & Noble (Stephanie M. Shern, Edward A. Volkwein,
Gerald R. Szczepanski and Michael N. Rosen) were granted options
to acquire 21,000 shares of GameStop Class A common
stock. Each of these options were granted at an exercise price
equal to the market price of the GameStop Class A common
stock on the grant date ($15.10) and each option vests in equal
increments over a three-year period and expires ten years from
the grant date. In addition, GameStop reimburses its directors
for expenses in connection with attendance at GameStop board and
committee meetings. Other than with respect to reimbursement of
expenses, directors who are GameStops employees do not
receive additional compensation for their services as directors.
The following table sets forth the names and ages of
GameStops executive officers and the positions they hold:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Age | |
|
Position |
|
|
| |
|
|
R. Richard Fontaine
|
|
|
63 |
|
|
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer |
Daniel A. DeMatteo
|
|
|
57 |
|
|
Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer |
Joseph DePinto
|
|
|
42 |
|
|
President |
David W. Carlson
|
|
|
42 |
|
|
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
Ronald Freeman
|
|
|
57 |
|
|
Executive Vice President of Distribution |
Information with respect to executive officers of GameStop who
also are directors is set forth in Nominees
for Election as Director and Other
Directors Whose Terms of Office Continue After the GameStop
Annual Meeting above.
Joseph DePinto has been GameStops President since
March 2005. Prior to joining GameStop, Mr. DePinto was Vice
President of Operations of 7-Eleven, Inc. since March 2002.
Prior to March 2002, Mr. DePinto was Senior Vice President
and Chief Operating Officer for Thornton Quick
Café & Market. Prior to joining Thornton Quick
Café & Market, Mr. DePinto held various
positions with PepsiCo, Inc.
David W. Carlson has been Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer of GameStop or its predecessor companies
since November 1996. From 1989 to November 1996,
Mr. Carlson held various positions with Barnes &
Noble, including Director of Finance, Director of Accounting and
Manager of Financial Reporting. Prior to 1989, Mr. Carlson
held various positions with the public accounting firm of KPMG
Peat Marwick.
Ronald Freeman has been GameStops Executive Vice
President of Distribution since January 2004. From March 2000 to
January 2004, Mr. Freeman was GameStops Vice
President of Distribution and Logistics. Mr. Freeman was
Vice President of Distribution/ Configuration for CompUSA from
July 1997
102
until March 2000. Mr. Freeman was Vice President of
Distribution and Logistics of Babbages, a GameStop
predecessor company, from November 1996 until July 1997.
GameStops executive officers are elected by
GameStops board of directors on an annual basis and serve
until the next annual meeting of GameStops board of
directors or until their successors have been duly elected and
qualified.
GameStop Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The following table sets forth the number of shares of GameStop
Class A common stock, Class B common stock and
exercisable options to purchase such stock beneficially owned on
May 1, 2005 by each director and each of the executive
officers named in the summary compensation table in the
GameStop Executive Compensation section,
each holder of 5% or more of GameStop Class A common stock
or Class B common stock and all of GameStops
directors and executive officers as a group. Except as otherwise
noted, the individual director or executive officer or his or
her family members had sole voting and investment power with
respect to the identified securities. The total number of shares
of GameStop Class A common stock and GameStop Class B
common stock outstanding as of May 1, 2005 was 21,431,798
and 29,901,662, respectively.
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares Beneficially Owned | |
|
|
| |
|
|
Class A | |
|
Class B | |
|
|
Common Stock(1) | |
|
Common Stock | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Name |
|
Shares | |
|
% | |
|
Shares | |
|
% | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Wellington Management Company, LLP
|
|
|
2,907,800 |
(2) |
|
|
13.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
75 State Street
Boston, MA 02109 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FMR Corp.
|
|
|
2,475,107 |
(2) |
|
|
11.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA 02109 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Franklin Resources, Inc.
|
|
|
1,718,370 |
(2) |
|
|
8.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
One Franklin Parkway
San Mateo, CA 94403 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LSV Asset Management
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,586,626 |
(2) |
|
|
5.3 |
|
|
1 N. Wacker Drive
Suite 4000, Chicago, IL 60606 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
R. Richard Fontaine
|
|
|
961,600 |
(3) |
|
|
4.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Daniel A. DeMatteo
|
|
|
961,500 |
(4) |
|
|
4.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joseph DePinto
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David W. Carlson
|
|
|
606,000 |
(4) |
|
|
2.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ronald Freeman
|
|
|
25,000 |
(4) |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael N. Rosen
|
|
|
10,000 |
(4) |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
4,248 |
(5) |
|
|
* |
|
Leonard Riggio
|
|
|
4,500,000 |
(4) |
|
|
17.4 |
|
|
|
5,559,648 |
(6) |
|
|
18.6 |
|
Stephanie Shern
|
|
|
16,000 |
(7) |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gerald R. Szczepanski
|
|
|
20,000 |
(8) |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Edward A. Volkwein
|
|
|
16,000 |
(9) |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All directors and executive officers as a group (10 persons)
|
|
|
7,116,100 |
(10) |
|
|
24.9 |
|
|
|
5,563,896 |
|
|
|
18.6 |
|
103
|
|
(1) |
Shares of GameStop Class A common stock that an individual
or group has a right to acquire within 60 days after
May 1, 2005 pursuant to the exercise of options, warrants
or other rights are deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of
computing the beneficial ownership of shares and percentage of
such individual or group, but are not deemed to be outstanding
for the purpose of computing the beneficial ownership of shares
and percentage of any other person or group shown in the table. |
|
(2) |
Information compiled from Schedule 13G filings. |
|
(3) |
Of these shares, 961,500 are issuable upon exercise of stock
options. |
|
(4) |
All of these shares are issuable upon exercise of stock options. |
|
(5) |
These shares are owned by Mr. Rosens wife. |
|
(6) |
Of these shares, Mr. Riggio is the direct beneficial owner
of 3,475,077 shares of GameStop Class B common stock.
Mr. Riggio is the indirect beneficial owner of 1,126,913
shares of GameStop Class B common stock owned by
Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, Inc., a New York
corporation, of which Mr. Riggio owns all of the currently
outstanding voting securities. As co-trustee of The Riggio
Foundation, a charitable trust, Mr. Riggio is the indirect
beneficial owner of 654,946 shares of GameStop Class B
common stock owned by The Riggio Foundation. Excluded from these
shares are 302,712 shares of GameStop Class B common stock
held in a rabbi trust established by Barnes & Nobles
for the benefit of Mr. Riggio pursuant to a deferred
compensation arrangement, but over which Mr. Riggio has no
voting power. |
|
(7) |
Of these shares, 15,000 are issuable upon exercise of stock
options. |
|
(8) |
Of these shares, 10,000 are issuable upon exercise of stock
options. |
|
(9) |
Of these shares, 15,000 are issuable upon exercise of stock
options. Of the remaining 1,000 shares, 500 shares are
owned by Mr. Volkweins wife, and 250 shares each
are owned by Mr. Volkweins two children. |
|
|
(10) |
Of these shares, 7,104,000 are issuable upon exercise of stock
options. |
GameStop Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider
Participation
In September 2002, GameStops board of directors
established a Compensation Committee, which currently consists
of Gerald R. Szczepanski and Edward A. Volkwein. None of
GameStops executive officers serves as a member of the
board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that
has one or more executive officers serving as a member of
GameStops board of directors or Compensation Committee.
104
GameStop Executive Compensation
The following table sets forth the compensation earned during
the years indicated by GameStops chief executive officer
and GameStops other executive officers.
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-Term | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards | |
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Compensation(1) | |
|
GameStop | |
|
|
|
|
GameStop | |
|
| |
|
Options | |
|
All Other | |
Name and Principal Position |
|
Fiscal Year | |
|
Salary ($) | |
|
Bonus ($) | |
|
(Shs.) | |
|
Compensation ($)(2) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
R. Richard Fontaine
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
566,153 |
|
|
$ |
598,500 |
|
|
|
150,000 |
(4) |
|
|
13,031 |
|
|
Chairman of the Board and |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
518,462 |
|
|
|
650,000 |
|
|
|
141,000 |
(5) |
|
|
10,600 |
|
|
Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
2002 |
|
|
|
493,873 |
|
|
|
468,750 |
|
|
|
63,000 |
(6) |
|
|
10,271 |
|
Daniel A. DeMatteo
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
466,646 |
|
|
|
493,500 |
|
|
|
150,000 |
(4) |
|
|
9,065 |
|
|
Vice Chairman and Chief |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
425,138 |
|
|
|
533,000 |
|
|
|
141,000 |
(5) |
|
|
7,126 |
|
|
Operating Officer |
|
|
2002 |
|
|
|
405,150 |
|
|
|
384,375 |
|
|
|
63,000 |
(6) |
|
|
6,995 |
|
David W. Carlson
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
273,077 |
|
|
|
144,375 |
|
|
|
75,000 |
(4) |
|
|
9,539 |
|
|
Executive Vice President, |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
248,077 |
|
|
|
175,000 |
|
|
|
75,000 |
(5) |
|
|
8,173 |
|
|
Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
2002 |
|
|
|
223,077 |
|
|
|
118,125 |
|
|
|
45,000 |
(6) |
|
|
7,514 |
|
|
and Assistant Secretary |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ronald Freeman(3)
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
249,039 |
|
|
|
93,750 |
|
|
|
66,000 |
(4) |
|
|
8,973 |
|
|
Executive Vice President |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
198,077 |
|
|
|
80,000 |
|
|
|
66,000 |
(5) |
|
|
7,491 |
|
|
of Distribution |
|
|
2002 |
|
|
|
174,038 |
|
|
|
39,375 |
|
|
|
9,000 |
(6) |
|
|
6,421 |
|
|
|
(1) |
None of the perquisites or other benefits paid to each named
executive officer exceeded the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of the
total annual salary and bonus received by each named executive
officer. |
|
(2) |
Consists of contributions under GameStops 401(k) plan. |
|
(3) |
Mr. Freeman was appointed as Executive Vice President in
January 2004. The amounts presented above for periods prior to
2004 reflect compensation while he served as GameStops
Vice President of Distribution and Logistics. |
|
(4) |
Reflects options granted on March 11, 2005, based on
performance for the fiscal year ended January 29, 2005. |
|
(5) |
Reflects options granted on March 2, 2004, based on
performance for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2004. |
|
(6) |
Reflects options granted on March 26, 2003, based on
performance for the fiscal year ended February 1, 2003. |
105
|
|
|
Grants of Stock Options in Last Fiscal Year |
The following table shows all grants of options to acquire
shares of GameStop Class A common stock granted to the
executive officers named in the summary compensation table in
the GameStop Executive Compensation
section of this joint proxy statement-prospectus for the year
ended January 29, 2005. The options for executive officers
to acquire shares of GameStop Class A common stock were
granted on March 11, 2005, based on performance for the
year ended January 29, 2005. The potential realizable value
is calculated based on the term of the option at its date of
grant. It is calculated assuming that the fair market value of
GameStop Class A common stock on the date of grant
appreciates at the indicated annual rates compounded annually
for the entire term of the option and that the option is
exercised and sold on the last day of its term for the
appreciated stock. These numbers are calculated based on the
requirements of the SEC and do not reflect GameStops
estimate of future stock price growth.
Option/ SAR Grants In Last Fiscal Year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Individual Grants | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
% of | |
|
|
|
Potential Realizable Value | |
|
|
Number of | |
|
Total | |
|
|
|
at Assumed Annual Rates of | |
|
|
Securities | |
|
Options | |
|
Exercise | |
|
Market | |
|
|
|
Stock Price Appreciation for | |
|
|
Underlying | |
|
Granted | |
|
or Base | |
|
Price on | |
|
|
|
Option Term | |
|
|
Options | |
|
in Fiscal | |
|
Price | |
|
Date of | |
|
Expiration | |
|
| |
|
|
Granted | |
|
Year | |
|
($/Shs.) | |
|
Grant | |
|
Date | |
|
5% ($) | |
|
10% ($) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
R. Richard Fontaine
GameStop Class A common stock
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
7.1 |
% |
|
$ |
20.25 |
|
|
$ |
20.25 |
|
|
|
3/10/15 |
|
|
$ |
1,910,000 |
|
|
$ |
4,841,000 |
|
Daniel A. DeMatteo
GameStop Class A common stock
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
7.1 |
% |
|
$ |
20.25 |
|
|
$ |
20.25 |
|
|
|
3/10/15 |
|
|
$ |
1,910,000 |
|
|
$ |
4,841,000 |
|
David W. Carlson
GameStop Class A common stock
|
|
|
75,000 |
|
|
|
3.6 |
% |
|
$ |
20.25 |
|
|
$ |
20.25 |
|
|
|
3/10/15 |
|
|
$ |
955,000 |
|
|
$ |
2,420,000 |
|
Ronald Freeman
GameStop Class A common stock
|
|
|
66,000 |
|
|
|
3.1 |
% |
|
$ |
20.25 |
|
|
$ |
20.25 |
|
|
|
3/10/15 |
|
|
$ |
841,000 |
|
|
$ |
2,130,000 |
|
106
|
|
|
Fiscal Year End Option Value |
The following table provides information for the executive
officers named in the summary compensation table in the
GameStop Executive Compensation section
of this joint proxy statement-prospectus regarding exercises of
options to purchase shares of GameStop Class A common stock
during the year ended January 29, 2005 and GameStops
options held as of January 29, 2005 by any of
GameStops named executive officers. The values realized
upon exercise in the table have been calculated using the stock
price at the times of exercise. The year-end values in the table
for GameStop Class A common stock have been calculated
based on the $18.80 per share closing price of GameStop
Class A common stock on January 28, 2005 (the last
trading date of the fiscal year), less the applicable exercise
price.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aggregated Option/SAR Exercises in Last Fiscal Year | |
|
|
and Fiscal Year End Option/SAR Values | |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities | |
|
Value of Unexercised | |
|
|
|
|
Underlying Unexercised | |
|
In-the-Money | |
|
|
Shares | |
|
|
|
Options at Fiscal Year End | |
|
Options at Fiscal Year End | |
|
|
Acquired on | |
|
Value | |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Exercise | |
|
Realized | |
|
Exercisable | |
|
Unexercisable | |
|
Exercisable | |
|
Unexercisable | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Shs.) | |
|
($) | |
R. Richard Fontaine GameStop Class A common stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
673,500 |
|
|
|
403,000 |
|
|
|
3,744,500 |
|
|
|
502,500 |
|
Daniel A. DeMatteo GameStop Class A common stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
673,500 |
|
|
|
403,000 |
|
|
|
3,744,500 |
|
|
|
502,500 |
|
David W. Carlson GameStop Class A common stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
449,000 |
|
|
|
222,000 |
|
|
|
3,347,000 |
|
|
|
321,000 |
|
Ronald Freeman
GameStop Class A common stock
|
|
|
59,250 |
|
|
|
881,105 |
|
|
|
34,000 |
|
|
|
89,000 |
|
|
|
27,200 |
|
|
|
70,750 |
|
Equity Compensation Plan Information
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Remaining Available | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
for Future Issuance | |
|
|
Number of Securities | |
|
|
|
Under Equity | |
|
|
to be Issued | |
|
Weighted-Average | |
|
Compensation Plans | |
|
|
Upon Exercise of | |
|
Exercise Price of | |
|
(Excluding Securities | |
|
|
Outstanding Options, | |
|
Outstanding Options, | |
|
Reflected in | |
|
|
Warrants and Rights | |
|
Warrants and Rights | |
|
Column (a)) | |
Plan Category |
|
(a) | |
|
(b) | |
|
(c) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
|
|
|
11,406,000 |
|
|
$ |
10.86 |
|
|
|
5,168,000 |
|
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
not applicable |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
11,406,000 |
|
|
$ |
10.86 |
|
|
|
5,168,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GameStop has entered into employment agreements with R. Richard
Fontaine and Daniel A. DeMatteo. The term of each employment
agreement commenced on April 11, 2005 and continues for a
period of three years thereafter, with automatic annual renewals
thereafter unless either party gives notice of non-renewal at
least six months prior to automatic renewal.
Mr. Fontaines minimum annual salary during the term
of his employment under the employment agreement shall be no
less than $650,000. Mr. DeMatteos minimum annual
salary during the term of his employment under the employment
agreement shall be no less than $535,000. Annual bonus
compensation
107
will be based on the formula and targets established under and
in accordance with GameStops Supplemental Compensation
Plan.
Each executive shall be entitled to all benefits afforded to key
management personnel or as determined by the board of directors
of GameStop, including, but not limited to, stock and stock
option benefits, insurance programs, pension plans, vacation,
sick leave, expense accounts and retirement benefits.
Each executives employment may be terminated upon death,
disability, by GameStop with or without cause or by the
executive within twelve months of a good reason event. A good
reason event is defined as a change of control, a reduction in
compensation or a material reduction in benefits or
responsibilities, or a relocation of at least 50 miles.
Among other things, the employment agreement includes a
severance arrangement if the executive is terminated by GameStop
without cause or by the executive for good reason, which
provides each executive with his base salary through the term of
the agreement, plus the average of the last three annual
bonuses, with a one year minimum, plus the continuation of
medical benefits for 18 months and the release of all stock
option restrictions.
Each executive is also restricted from competing with GameStop
for the later of the expiration of the term of the agreement or
one year after termination of employment, unless the contract is
terminated by GameStop without cause or by the executive for
good reason.
GameStop Compensation Committee Report on Executive
Compensation
GameStops executive officer compensation program is
administered by the GameStop Compensation Committee of the
GameStop board of directors, as discussed below. The program is
based upon the following guiding principles:
|
|
|
1. The pay and benefits provided by GameStop to its
executive officers should be competitive and allow GameStop to
attract and retain individuals whose skills are critical to the
long-term success of GameStop. |
|
|
2. The compensation offered by GameStop should reward and
motivate individual and team performance in attaining business
objectives and maximizing stockholder value. |
|
|
3. Compensation awards should be based on the fundamental
principle of aligning the long-term interests of GameStops
employees with those of GameStops stockholders. |
The GameStop Compensation Committee reviews GameStops
executive compensation program each year. This review includes a
comparison of GameStops executive compensation, corporate
performance, stock appreciation and total return to GameStop
stockholders with that of other companies, including other
retailers.
The key elements of GameStops executive compensation
package consist of base salary, annual bonus and stock options.
GameStops policies with respect to each of these elements
are discussed below. In addition, while the elements of
compensation described below are considered separately, the
GameStop Compensation Committee also considers and reviews the
full compensation package afforded by GameStop to its executive
officers, including insurance and other benefits. The GameStop
Compensation Committee makes its determinations after receiving
and considering the recommendations of GameStops chief
executive officer.
Base Salaries. An executive officers base salary is
determined by evaluating the responsibilities of the position
held, the individuals experience and the competitive
marketplace for executive talent. The base salary is intended to
be competitive with base salaries paid to executive officers
with comparable qualifications, experience and responsibilities
at other companies.
Annual Bonuses. In addition to a base salary, each
executive officer is eligible for an annual cash bonus. Bonuses
for executive officers are based upon the criteria used in, and
are calculated in accordance with, GameStops Supplemental
Compensation Plan.
108
The Supplemental Compensation Plan provides that participating
executive officers are entitled to a cash bonus in an amount
equal to a percentage of their base salary which shall be
pre-determined for each participating executive officer by the
GameStop Compensation Committee for each fiscal year. The
purpose of the Supplemental Compensation Plan is to permit
GameStop, through awards of annual incentive compensation that
satisfy the requirements for performance-based compensation
under Section 162(m) of the Code, to attract and retain
management who, because of the extent of their responsibilities,
can and do make significant contributions to the success of
GameStop by their ability, industry, loyalty and exceptional
service. The bonus amount is calculated after each fiscal year
in accordance with a sliding scale formula based on the extent
to which a pre-established performance target is attained. In
general, not later than 90 days after the commencement of
each fiscal year of GameStop (and before 25% of the relevant
period of service has elapsed), the GameStop Compensation
Committee will establish in writing a performance target for
each participating executive officer (the Target), the
attainment of which is substantially uncertain. Targets are
subject to adjustment for recapitalizations, dividends, stock
splits and reverse splits, reorganizations, issuances of
additional shares, redemptions of shares, option or warrant
exercises, reclassifications, significant acquisitions and
divestitures and other extraordinary events.
Each participating executive officer is entitled to receive a
cash bonus in the amount of their pre-determined percentage of
Base Salary (the Target Bonus) as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Then the Percentage of the | |
If the Fiscal Year Results were: |
|
Target Bonus Received is: | |
|
|
| |
Less than 85% of Target
|
|
|
None |
|
85% or more but less than 90% of Target
|
|
|
50 |
% |
90% or more but less than 100% of Target
|
|
|
75 |
% |
100% or more but less than 110% of Target
|
|
|
100 |
% |
110% or more but less than 125% of Target
|
|
|
110 |
% |
125% or more of Target
|
|
|
125 |
% |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event will the maximum cash
bonus payable to any participating executive officer under the
Supplemental Compensation Plan exceed $1,500,000 with respect to
any fiscal year. No bonuses are paid until the GameStop
Compensation Committee certifies the extent to which the Target
has been attained. R. Richard Fontaine, Daniel A. DeMatteo and
David W. Carlson are the senior executive officers of GameStop
currently participating in the Supplemental Compensation Plan.
Stock Options. The general purpose of long-term awards,
currently in the form of stock options, is to align the
interests of the executive officers with the interests of
GameStops stockholders. Additionally, long-term awards
offer executive officers an incentive for the achievement of
superior performance over time and foster the retention of key
management personnel. In determining annual stock option grants,
the GameStop Compensation Committee bases its decision on the
individuals performance and potential to improve
stockholder value. The issuance of options at 100 percent
of the fair market value also assures that executives will
receive a benefit only when the stock price increases.
Compensation of Chief Executive Officer. R. Richard
Fontaines compensation is determined pursuant to the
principles noted above, including a bonus as determined by the
criteria used in the Supplemental Compensation Plan. Specific
consideration is given to Mr. Fontaines
responsibilities and experience in the industry and the
compensation package awarded to chief executive officers of
other comparable companies.
109
Impact of Section 162(m) of the Code. The GameStop
Compensation Committee has considered the potential impact of
Section 162(m) of the Code, adopted under the Revenue
Reconciliation Act of 1993. This section disallows a tax
deduction for any publicly held corporation, for individual
compensation exceeding $1,000,000 in any taxable year paid to
its chief executive officer or any of its four other highest
paid officers unless (i) the compensation is payable solely
on account of the attainment of performance goals, (ii) the
performance goals are determined by a committee of two or more
outside directors, (iii) the material terms under which
compensation is to be paid are disclosed to and approved by
stockholders and (iv) the determining committee certifies
that the performance goals were met. Because it is in the best
interests of GameStop to qualify to the maximum extent possible
the compensation of its executives for deductibility under
applicable tax laws, GameStop obtained stockholder approval in
July 2003 for the Supplemental Compensation Plan, which provides
for the payment of compensation in compliance with the above
guidelines.
|
|
|
GameStop Compensation Committee |
|
|
Gerald R. Szczepanski, Chair |
|
Edward A. Volkwein |
110
Performance Graph GameStop Class A Common
Stock
The following graph compares the cumulative total stockholder
return on the GameStop Class A common stock for the period
commencing February 12, 2002 (the date of GameStops
initial public offering) through January 28, 2005 (the last
trading date of GameStop fiscal 2004) with the cumulative total
return on the Standard & Poors 500 Stock Index
(the S&P 500), the Dow Jones Retailers, Other Specialty
Industry Group Index (the Dow Jones Specialty Retailers Index)
and EB over the same period. Total return values were calculated
based on cumulative total return assuming (i) the
investment of $100 in GameStop Class A common stock, the
S&P 500, the Dow Jones Specialty Retailers Index and EB on
February 12, 2002 and (ii) reinvestment of dividends.
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
February 12, 2002 |
|
|
February 1, 2003 |
|
|
January 31, 2004 |
|
|
January 29, 2005 |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
GameStops Class A common stock
|
|
|
$ |
100.00 |
|
|
|
$ |
47.22 |
|
|
|
$ |
92.22 |
|
|
|
$ |
104.44 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EB
|
|
|
$ |
100.00 |
|
|
|
$ |
37.50 |
|
|
|
$ |
68.51 |
|
|
|
$ |
93.51 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S&P 500
|
|
|
$ |
100.00 |
|
|
|
$ |
71.84 |
|
|
|
$ |
97.12 |
|
|
|
$ |
105.77 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dow Jones Specialty Retailers
|
|
|
$ |
100.00 |
|
|
|
$ |
111.80 |
|
|
|
$ |
119.11 |
|
|
|
$ |
103.66 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
111
Performance Graph GameStop Class B Common
Stock
The following graph compares the cumulative total stockholder
return on the GameStop Class B common stock for the period
commencing November 12, 2004 (the date of distribution by
Barnes & Noble) through January 28, 2005 (the last
trading date of GameStop fiscal 2004) with the cumulative total
return on the S&P 500, the Dow Jones Specialty Retailers
Index and EB over the same period. Total return values were
calculated based on cumulative total return assuming
(i) the investment of $100 in the GameStop Class B
common stock, the S&P 500, the Dow Jones Specialty Retailers
Index and EB on November 12, 2004 and
(ii) reinvestment of dividends.
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
November 12, 2004 |
|
|
January 28, 2005 |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
GameStops Class B common stock
|
|
|
$ |
100.00 |
|
|
|
$ |
78.13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EB
|
|
|
$ |
100.00 |
|
|
|
$ |
84.48 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S&P 500
|
|
|
$ |
100.00 |
|
|
|
$ |
96.07 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dow Jones Specialty Retailers
|
|
|
$ |
100.00 |
|
|
|
$ |
98.92 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GameStop Certain Relationships and Related
Transactions
|
|
|
Agreements With Barnes & Noble |
In connection with the consummation of GameStops initial
public offering in February 2002, GameStop entered into various
agreements with Barnes & Noble relating to
GameStops relationship with Barnes & Noble
following the completion of GameStops initial public
offering.
GameStop entered into a separation agreement with
Barnes & Noble, which governs GameStops
respective rights and duties with respect to its initial public
offering and the distribution to Barnes &
112
Noble stockholders of its shares of GameStops capital
stock (the spin-off), and contains covenants
designed to facilitate the spin-off and to protect its intended
tax-free nature.
Under the separation agreement, GameStop agreed not to take
certain actions without the approval of Barnes & Noble
or the satisfaction of certain procedures. These actions include:
|
|
|
|
|
until two years after the spin-off, entering into or permitting
any transaction or series of transactions which would result in
a person or persons acquiring or having the right to acquire
shares of GameStops capital stock that would comprise 50%
or more of either the value of all outstanding shares of
GameStops capital stock or the total combined voting power
of GameStops outstanding voting stock; and |
|
|
|
until two years after the spin-off, liquidating, disposing of,
or otherwise discontinuing the conduct of any portion of
GameStops active trade or business. |
GameStop has generally agreed to indemnify Barnes &
Noble and its affiliates against any and all tax-related losses
incurred by Barnes & Noble in connection with any
proposed tax assessment or tax controversy with respect to the
spin-off to the extent caused by any breach by GameStop of any
of its representations, warranties or covenants made in the
separation agreement. This indemnification does not apply if
Barnes & Noble permits GameStop to take certain actions
or if GameStop otherwise complies with the terms of the
separation agreement. As contemplated by the separation
agreement, it is a condition to the closing of the mergers that
GameStop deliver a tax opinion to Barnes & Noble
concluding that the mergers will not adversely affect the
tax-free treatment of the spin-off. Upon delivery of such tax
opinion in form and substance reasonably acceptable to
Barnes & Noble, GameStop will have complied with its
obligations under the separation agreement regarding the
mergers. However, the remaining provisions of the separation
agreement will survive the closing of the mergers.
GameStop entered into an insurance agreement with
Barnes & Noble, pursuant to which Barnes &
Noble allowed GameStop to participate in Barnes &
Nobles workers compensation, property and general
liability and directors and officers liability
insurance programs. GameStop shall reimburse Barnes &
Noble for GameStops pro rata share of the cost of
providing these insurance programs. In GameStop fiscal 2004,
Barnes & Noble charged GameStop approximately
$2,662,000 for GameStops insurance program.
The insurance agreement is terminated in part on May 1,
2005 and will terminate in full on June 1, 2005, at which
time GameStop will procure its own insurance.
GameStop entered into an operating agreement with
Barnes & Noble, pursuant to which it operates the
existing video game departments in ten Barnes & Noble
stores. GameStop pays Barnes & Noble a licensing fee
equal to 7.0% of the aggregate gross sales of each such
department. In GameStop fiscal 2004, Barnes & Noble
charged GameStop approximately $859,000 in connection with its
operation of such departments in Barnes & Noble stores.
The operating agreement will remain in force unless terminated:
|
|
|
|
|
by mutual agreement of GameStop and Barnes & Noble; |
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automatically, in the event that GameStop no longer operates any
department within Barnes & Nobles stores; |
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by GameStop or Barnes & Noble, with respect to any
department, upon not less than 30 days prior notice; |
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by Barnes & Noble because of an uncured default by
GameStop; |
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automatically, with respect to any department, if the applicable
store lease in which GameStop operates that department expires
or is terminated prior to its expiration date; or |
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automatically, in the event of the bankruptcy or a change in
control of either GameStop or Barnes & Noble. |
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Tax Disaffiliation Agreement |
GameStop entered into a tax disaffiliation agreement
with Barnes & Noble which governs the allocation of
federal, state, local and foreign tax liabilities and contains
agreements with respect to other tax matters arising prior to
and after the date of GameStops initial public offering.
The tax disaffiliation agreement became effective at the time of
GameStops initial public offering and, among other things,
sets forth the procedures for amending returns filed prior to
the date of GameStops initial public offering, tax audits
and contests and record retention. In general, GameStop is
responsible for filing and paying its separate taxes for periods
after GameStops initial public offering and
Barnes & Noble is responsible for filing and paying its
separate taxes for periods after GameStops initial public
offering. In general, with respect to consolidated or combined
returns that include Barnes & Noble and GameStop prior
to GameStops initial public offering, Barnes &
Noble is responsible for filing and paying the related tax
liabilities and will retain any related tax refunds.
Under the tax disaffiliation agreement, without the prior
written consent of Barnes & Noble, GameStop may not
amend any tax return for a period in which GameStop was a member
of Barnes & Nobles consolidated tax group.
Barnes & Noble has the sole right to represent the
interests of its consolidated tax group, including GameStop, in
any tax audits, litigation or appeals that involve, directly or
indirectly, periods prior to the time that GameStop ceased to be
a member of their consolidated tax group (the date of the
offering), unless GameStop is solely liable for the taxes at
issue and any redetermination of taxes would not result in any
additional tax liability or detriment to any member of
Barnes & Nobles consolidated tax group. In
addition, GameStop and Barnes & Noble have agreed to
provide each other with the cooperation and information
reasonably requested by the other in connection with the
preparation or filing of any amendment to any tax return, the
determination and payment of any amounts owed relating to
periods prior to the date of the offering and in the conduct of
any tax audits, litigation or appeals.
GameStop and Barnes & Noble have agreed to indemnify
each other for tax or other liabilities resulting from the
failure to pay any taxes required to be paid under the tax
disaffiliation agreement, tax or other liabilities resulting
from negligence in supplying inaccurate or incomplete
information or the failure to cooperate with the preparation of
any tax return or the conduct of any tax audits, litigation or
appeals. The tax disaffiliation agreement requires GameStop to
retain records, documents and other information necessary for
the audit of tax returns relating to periods prior to the date
GameStop ceased to be a member of Barnes & Nobles
consolidated tax group and to provide reasonable access to
Barnes & Noble with respect to such records, documents
and information.
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Other Transactions and Relationships |
GameStop has agreed to pay the legal fees and expenses of one of
its directors, Leonard Riggio, in connection with the
transactions contemplated under the merger agreement, including
Mr. Riggios legal fees and expenses incurred in
connection with the preparation and filing of
Mr. Riggios notification and report form under the
HSR Act (including the filing fee) and in connection with the
negotiation of the Riggio Group voting agreement. GameStop
estimates that the legal fees and expenses in connection with
the preparation and filing of Mr. Riggios
notification and report form under the HSR Act and in connection
with the negotiation of the Riggio Group voting agreement will
be approximately $150,000.
In October 2004, GameStops board of directors authorized a
repurchase of GameStop Class B common stock held by Barnes
& Noble. GameStop repurchased 6,107,000 shares of GameStop
Class B common stock at a price equal to $18.26 per share
for aggregate consideration of $111.5 million. The
repurchase price per share was determined by using a discount of
3.5% on the last reported trade of the
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GameStop Class A common stock on the NYSE prior to the time
of the transaction. GameStop paid $37.5 million in cash and
issued a promissory note in the principal amount of
$74.0 million, which is payable in installments over the
next three years and bears interest at 5.5% per annum, payable
when principal installments are due. GameStop made a principal
payment of $37.5 million on the promissory note in January
2005. Interest expense on the promissory note for the 52 weeks
ended January 29, 2005 totaled $1.3 million.
In July 2003, GameStop purchased an airplane from a company
controlled by a member of the GameStop board of directors. The
purchase price was $9.5 million and was negotiated through
an independent third party following an independent appraisal.
Michael N. Rosen, GameStops Secretary and one of
GameStops directors, is a partner of the New York office
of Bryan Cave LLP, which is counsel to GameStop.
GameStop Registered Independent Public Accounting Firm
The firm of BDO Seidman, LLP has been selected as the
independent registered public accounting firm for GameStop.
The independent accountants examine annual financial statements
and provide other permissible non-audit and tax-related services
for GameStop. GameStop and the GameStop Audit Committee have
considered whether the non-audit services provided by BDO
Seidman are compatible with maintaining the independence of BDO
Seidman in its audit of GameStop and are not considered
prohibited services under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Audit Fees. In GameStop fiscal 2004, the professional
services of BDO Seidman totaled $575,907 for GameStops
audit of the annual financial statements, for reviews of
GameStops financial statements included in GameStops
quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC and for
the audit of GameStops internal controls over financial
reporting. For GameStop fiscal 2003, GameStop paid BDO Seidman
$258,253 for professional services rendered for GameStops
audit of the annual financial statements and for reviews of
GameStops financial statements included in GameStops
quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC.
Audit-Related Fees. In GameStop fiscal 2004, GameStop
paid BDO Seidman $122,465 for services in respect of employee
benefit plan audits ($9,000) and consultation concerning
financial accounting and reporting standards ($113,465). In
GameStop fiscal 2003, GameStop paid BDO Seidman $13,450 for
services in respect of employee benefit plan audits ($11,000)
and consultation concerning financial accounting and reporting
standards ($2,450).
Tax Fees. In GameStop fiscal 2004, GameStop paid BDO
Seidman $355,285 for tax-related services. In GameStop fiscal
2003, GameStop paid BDO Seidman $59,390 for tax-related
services. Tax-related services included professional services
rendered for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.
All Other Fees. GameStop did not pay BDO Seidman any
other fees in GameStop fiscal 2004 or fiscal 2003.
Pre-approval Policies and Procedures. The GameStop Audit
Committee Charter adopted by the GameStop board of directors of
GameStop requires that, among other things, the GameStop Audit
Committee pre-approve the rendering by GameStops
independent auditor of all audit and permissible non-audit
services. Accordingly, as part of its policies and procedures,
the GameStop Audit Committee considers and pre-approves any such
audit and permissible non-audit services on a case-by-case
basis. Since its formation in September 2002, the GameStop Audit
Committee has approved the services provided by BDO Seidman
referred to above.
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GameStop Audit Committee Report on the Fiscal Year Ended
January 29, 2005
GameStop management is responsible for GameStops internal
controls and the financial reporting process. GameStops
registered independent public accountants, BDO Seidman, report
to GameStops Audit Committee, and are responsible for
performing an independent audit of GameStops consolidated
financial statements in accordance with the auditing standards
generally accepted in the United States. BDO Seidman also
reports on GameStop managements assessment of internal
controls over financial reporting based on the criteria
established in Internal ControlIntegrated Framework
issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the
Treadway Commission. BDO Seidman has full access to the GameStop
Audit Committee and meets with the GameStop Audit Committee at
each of the GameStop Audit Committees regularly scheduled
meetings, generally with and without management being present,
to discuss appropriate matters. BDO Seidman discussed its audit
of GameStops financial statements and its report on
GameStop managements assessment of internal controls over
financial reporting with GameStop management and GameStops
Audit Committee.
The GameStop Audit Committee recommended to the GameStop board
of directors that the audited consolidated financial statements
for the fiscal year ended January 29, 2005 be included in
GameStops Annual Report on Form 10-K for such
fiscal year, based on the following:
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its review of GameStops audited consolidated financial
statements; |
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its review of the unaudited interim financial statements
prepared each quarter since the formation of the GameStop Audit
Committee in September 2002; |
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its review of GameStops disclosure committee practices in
accordance with Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002; |
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its discussions with management regarding the audited
consolidated financial statements; |
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its discussions with management regarding the critical
accounting policies on which the financial statements are based,
as well as its evaluation of alternative treatments; |
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its receipt of management representations that GameStops
financial statements were prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles; |
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its discussions with outside legal counsel regarding contingent
liabilities; |
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its receipt of written disclosures and the letter from the
independent auditors required by Independence Standards Board
Standard No. 1; and |
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its discussions with the independent auditors regarding their
independence, the audited consolidated financial statements, the
matters required to be discussed by the Statement on Auditing
Standards No. 61, as amended, and other matters. |
The GameStop Audit Committee also recommended to the GameStop
board of directors that the independent public accounting firm
of BDO Seidman be appointed GameStops auditors for the
fiscal year ending January 28, 2006.
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GameStop Audit Committee |
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Stephanie M. Shern, Chair |
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Gerald R. Szczepanski |
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Edward A. Volkwein |
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GameStop Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange
Act
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting
Compliance. Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires
GameStops executive officers and directors, and persons
who own more than ten percent of a registered class of
GameStops equity securities, to file initial statements of
beneficial ownership (Form 3) and statements of changes in
beneficial ownership (Forms 4 and 5) of common stock
of GameStop with the SEC. Executive officers, directors and
greater than ten-percent stockholders are required to furnish
GameStop with copies of all such forms they file.
To GameStops knowledge, based solely on its review of the
copies of such forms received by it, or written representations
from certain reporting persons that no additional forms were
required, all filing requirements applicable to GameStops
executive officers, directors and greater than ten-percent
stockholders were complied with.
INFORMATION ABOUT HOLDCO
GSC Holdings Corp. is a newly incorporated Delaware corporation
that is currently a wholly-owned subsidiary of GameStop, Inc., a
wholly-owned subsidiary of GameStop. Upon consummation of the
proposed mergers, Holdco will become the holding company of
GameStop and EB, which will continue to operate separately under
their respective brand names. After the mergers, Holdcos
headquarters will be in Grapevine, Texas.
GameStop and EB stockholders who receive Holdco common stock in
the mergers will become Holdco stockholders and their rights as
stockholders will be governed by the amended and restated
certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws of
Holdco and Delaware laws. The amended and restated certificate
of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws of Holdco upon
the completion of the mergers will be in substantially the form
set forth in Annex K and Annex L to this
joint proxy statement-prospectus, respectively. For information
on certain differences between the amended and restated
certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws of
Holdco and Delaware laws and the certificates of incorporation
and bylaws of GameStop and EB, see Comparison of
Stockholder Rights beginning on page 141.
Holdco has not, to date, conducted any material activities other
than those incident to its formation and the matters
contemplated by the merger agreement, including the formation of
each of Eagle Subsidiary LLC and Cowboy Subsidiary LLC as
wholly-owned subsidiaries, and the preparation of this joint
proxy statement-prospectus and the registration statement of
which it forms a part.
INFORMATION ABOUT EB
EB is one of the leading global retailers of video game hardware
and software, PC entertainment software, pre-played video games
and related accessories and products. EB operates approximately
2,100 stores, primarily under the names EB Games and Electronics
Boutique, in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, New
Zealand, Norway, Puerto Rico, Sweden and the United States. EB
also operates a commercial website under the URL address
www.ebgames.com. EBs compound annual growth rates for net
sales and pre-tax net income from EB fiscal 2000 through EB
fiscal 2005 were 21.2% and 16.6%, respectively.
EB operates in the interactive entertainment industry, which was
a $10.8 billion business in the United States and a
$600 million business in Canada in 2004, as reported by The
NPD Group. According to International Development Group,
industry sales in the European market grew to $8.5 billion
during the year. The Australian market also grew in 2004 to
$528 million according to GfK Australia. EB has a leading
market share in both the Canadian and Australian markets and
continues to gain market share in the U.S. and European markets.
EB serves the avid gamer who demands immediate access to new
release titles and who generally purchases more video game
titles and PC entertainment software than the casual gamer. As a
result, EBs
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tie ratio of software units sold to hardware units sold is
consistently above the industry average. EB also serves the
casual, more value conscious gamer by offering pre-played
products at lower prices. EB believes that it attracts both
types of gamers due to its:
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specialty store focus in strip centers and malls; |
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ability to stock sought-after new releases; |
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wide variety of pre-played titles; |
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acceptance of trade-ins of pre-played products towards new
purchases; |
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breadth of product selection; and |
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knowledgeable sales associates. |
EB believes that its vendors recognize the importance of its
customer base and, consequently, often grant EB
disproportionately large allocations of new release titles and
products. EB supports its stores through a highly effective and
centralized inventory management system. This system enables it
to execute its first-to-market new release
strategy and efficiently manage overall inventory levels in
order to maximize the sale of new products during peak periods
and avoid markdowns as titles mature.
EB was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware in
March 1998 as a holding company for its operating activities.
EBs predecessor was incorporated in the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania in 1977.
EB maintains an informational website under the URL address
www.ebholdings.com. The reports EB files pursuant to the
Exchange Act (Form 10-K, Form 10-Q,
Form 8-K) may be accessed free of charge through the
SECs website following EBs filings with the SEC. You
may obtain any reports EB files with the SEC at the SECs
Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington
D.C. 20549 or by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also
maintains a website at www.sec.gov where you may access
EBs Exchange Act reports, proxy statements and other
information.
For additional information on EB, see Where You Can Find
More Information on page 159.
Information about the Board of Directors and Executive
Officers of EB
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Nominees for Election as Directors |
The following individuals are EB nominees for director at the EB
annual meeting:
Dean S. Adler, age 48, has served as a director of
EB since March 1998. In March 1997, Mr. Adler formed
Lubert/ Adler Partners, LP, a partnership investing primarily in
real estate and real estate related ventures. Prior thereto,
Mr. Adler was a principal of CMS Companies. Mr. Adler
was also an instructor at The Wharton School of the University
of Pennsylvania. Mr. Adler serves on the Boards of
Directors of Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. and Developers
Diversified Realty Corporation. Mr. Adler is a member of
the EB Compensation Committee and the EB Nominating Committee.
Jeffrey W. Griffiths, age 54, has served as the
President and Chief Executive Officer of EB and as a director
since June 2001. Prior thereto, he served as Senior Vice
President of Merchandising and Distribution from March 1998 to
June 2001. Mr. Griffiths served as Senior Vice President of
Merchandising and Distribution of The Electronics Boutique, Inc.
from March 1996 to March 1998. From March 1987 to February 1996,
Mr. Griffiths served as Vice President of Merchandising of
The Electronics Boutique, Inc., and from April 1984 to February
1987, he served as Merchandise Manager. Since October 2003,
Mr. Griffiths has been a member of the Board of Trustees of
Albright College. Mr. Griffiths also serves on the Board of
Directors of Philadelphia Academies.
James J. Kim, age 69, has served as EBs
Chairman and as a director since March 1998. Mr. Kim
founded The Electronics Boutique, Inc., the predecessor to EB,
in 1977 and has served as its Chairman since its inception.
Mr. Kim also serves as the Chairman of Amkor Technology,
Inc., a semiconductor
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assembly, test, packaging and technology firm. Mr. Kim is
the father of Susan Y. Kim, a director, and the father-in-law of
John R. Panichello, EBs Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer.
Susan Y. Kim, age 42, has served as a director of EB
since March 1998. Ms. Kim served as a Senior District
Manager of The Electronics Boutique, Inc. from 1991 to 1992, as
The Electronics Boutique, Inc.s Personnel Manager from
1989 to 1991, as a Buyer for The Electronics Boutique, Inc. from
1986 to 1989, and as a Field Manager for The Electronics
Boutique, Inc. from 1985 to 1986. Ms. Kim is a member of
the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Orchestra Association
and The Franklin Institute, and is a Trustee at The Shipley
School and the Gesu School. Ms. Kim is the daughter of
James J. Kim, EBs Chairman and a director, and the wife of
John R. Panichello, EBs Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer.
Louis J. Siana, age 73, has served as a director of
EB since March 1998. Mr. Siana is a certified public
accountant and a senior partner in the accounting firm of Siana,
Carr & OConnor LLP. Mr. Siana is Chairman of
the EB Audit Committee and a member of the EB Compensation
Committee and the EB Nominating Committee.
Alfred J. Stein, age 72, has served as a director of
EB since March 2003. Mr. Stein served on the Board of
Directors of Applied Materials, Inc. from 1982 through 1999 and
RadioShack Corporation from 1982 through May 2003.
Mr. Stein served as Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer of VLSI Technology, Inc. from its inception in
1982 until it was acquired by Philips Electronics in 1999.
Mr. Stein currently serves as a member of the Board of
Directors of Advanced Power Technology, Inc., ESS Technology,
Inc. and Simtek Corporation. In addition, Mr. Stein has
served on the Board of Directors for several private companies.
Mr. Stein is a past Chairman of the Board for the
Semiconductor Industry Association and was on the Board of
Trustees for St. Marys University of Texas.
Mr. Stein is a member of the EB Audit Committee.
Stanley (Mickey) Steinberg, age 72, has served as a
director of EB since September 1998. Mr. Steinberg
currently serves as a Senior Advisor to the mergers and
acquisitions firm of Navigant Capital Advisors, LLC. From August
1994 to June 1998, Mr. Steinberg served as Chairman of Sony
Retail Entertainment. From 1989 to 1994, Mr. Steinberg
served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
of Walt Disney Imagineering. Mr. Steinberg serves on the
Board of Directors of Reckson Associates Realty Corp. and of two
privately held companies, AMC, Inc., the owner and manager of
the AmericasMart Atlanta trade show center, and ECI Group, an
apartment developer, construction and management company.
Mr. Steinberg is a member of the EB Audit Committee.
The EB board of directors held five meetings during EB fiscal
2005. Mr. Adler attended fewer than 75% of the total number
of meetings of the EB board of directors and committees of the
EB board of directors on which he served.
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Committees of the EB Board of Directors |
The EB board of directors has established three standing
committees: the EB Audit Committee, the EB Compensation
Committee and the EB Nominating Committee.
EB Audit Committee. The EB Audit Committee oversees
EBs processes of accounting and financial reporting and
provides oversight with respect to the audits and financial
statements of EB. In this role, the EB Audit Committee reviews
the professional services provided by EBs registered
independent public accountants and the independence of the
accounting firm from the management of EB. The EB Audit
Committee also reviews the scope of the audits by EBs
independent accountants, the annual financial statements of EB,
its systems of internal accounting controls and other matters
with respect to the accounting, internal auditing and financial
reporting practices and procedures as it finds appropriate or as
may be brought to its attention, and meets from time to time
with members of EBs finance and internal audit staff. The
EB Audit Committee is comprised of Messrs. Siana, Stein and
Steinberg, each of whom is
119
independent as defined by the requirements of The NASDAQ Stock
Market and the rules and regulations of the SEC. The EB board of
directors has determined that two of its three EB Audit
Committee members, Messrs. Siana and Stein, qualify as
audit committee financial experts under the
SECs rules. The EB Audit Committee met eight times in EB
fiscal 2005. A copy of the report of the EB Audit Committee is
on page 131 of this joint proxy statement-prospectus.
The EB Audit Committee has adopted an amended and restated
charter, which was approved by the EB board of directors in
April 2004. A copy of EBs Audit Committee Charter is
available on EBs website at www.ebholdings.com.
EB Compensation Committee. The EB Compensation Committee
reviews and approves the salaries, bonuses and other benefits of
EBs executive officers, administers the stock option plan
of EB and reviews and recommends compensation for the EB board
of directors and its committees. In addition, the EB
Compensation Committee advises and consults with EBs
management regarding benefit plans and the compensation policies
and practices of EB. The EB Compensation Committee is comprised
of Messrs. Adler and Siana, each of whom is independent as
defined by the requirements of The NASDAQ Stock Market. The EB
Compensation Committee met once during EB fiscal 2005. A copy of
the report of the EB Compensation Committee is on page 123
of this joint proxy statement-prospectus. A copy of EBs
Compensation Committee Charter is available on EBs website
at www.ebholdings.com.
EB Nominating Committee. The EB board of directors formed
a Nominating Committee in April 2004 and Messrs. Adler and
Siana were appointed to the EB Nominating Committee in February
2005. Each of Messrs. Adler and Siana are independent as
identified by the requirements of The NASDAQ Stock Market. The
EB Nominating Committee identifies and recommends individuals to
the EB board of directors for nomination as members of the EB
board of directors and its committees and assists EBs
board of directors in the event of a vacancy on the EB board of
directors or any committee by identifying and recommending
individuals qualified to fill the vacancy. The EB Nominating
Committee considers candidates suggested by EBs
stockholders, provided that the recommendations are made in
accordance with the procedures set forth in EBs bylaws and
described in this joint proxy statement-prospectus under
Other Matters with Respect to EBs Annual
Meeting on page 158. EB stockholder nominations that
comply with the appropriate procedures will receive the same
consideration that the EB Nominating Committees nominees
receive. A copy of EBs Nominating Committee Charter is
available on EBs website at www.ebholdings.com.
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Compensation of EB Board of Directors |
Non-employee directors receive a $15,000 annual retainer for
services provided to EB, which is paid in four quarterly
installments, and a fee of $1,500 for each EB board of directors
or board committee meeting attended. Non-employee directors also
receive options to purchase 5,000 shares of EB common
stock, which are awarded at the annual meeting of EB
stockholders for each fiscal year. For EB fiscal 2005,
Mr. Kim, the Chairman of the Board, received a salary of
$416,000, payable quarterly, and a bonus of $812,000. In April
2004, Mr. Kim also received options to
purchase 30,000 shares of EB common stock. Directors
who are also full-time employees of EB receive no additional
compensation for service as directors.
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Communicating with the EB Board of Directors |
You may communicate with the EB board of directors by writing a
letter to the Chairman of the Board, to the Chairman of the EB
Nominating Committee, or to the independent directors,
c/o Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp., 931 South Matlack
Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania 19382, attention: corporate
secretary. The general counsel or corporate secretary will
regularly forward to the addressee all relevant correspondence.
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Set forth below is information regarding the executive officers
of EB who are not members of the EB board of directors.
Seth P. Levy, age 47, has served as Senior Vice
President Logistics, Chief Information Officer and the President
of EB Games Online since June 2001. From March 1999 to June
2001, Mr. Levy served as Senior Vice President, Chief
Information Officer and the President of EB Games Online. From
February 1997 to March 1999, Mr. Levy served as the Vice
President and Chief Information Officer. From 1991 to February
1997, Mr. Levy served as the Director of System Development
for the May Merchandising and May Department Stores
International divisions of May Department Stores.
Steven R. Morgan, age 53, has served as Senior Vice
President, President of Stores North America and
President of The Electronics Boutique Canada Inc. since April
2002. Prior thereto, Mr. Morgan served as Senior Vice
President of Stores of The Electronics Boutique, Inc. and
Canadian Operations from June 2001 to April 2002.
Mr. Morgan served as Senior Vice President of Stores of EB
from January 2001 to June 2001. From May 1998 to January 2001,
Mr. Morgan served as President and Chief Executive Officer
of Millennium Futures, Inc., a commodity trading company. From
July 1996 to May 1998, he served as Senior Vice President,
Director of Stores at Filenes Department Stores. From May
1988 to July 1996, he served as Regional Vice President at
Filenes Department Stores.
John R. Panichello, age 43, has served as Executive
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer since April 2002.
Prior thereto, Mr. Panichello served as Senior Vice
President, Chief Operating Officer and President of EB GameWorld
and BC Sports Collectibles (a former division of EB) and
Secretary of EB from June 2001 to April 2002.
Mr. Panichello served as Senior Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer and President of EB GameWorld and the BC
Sports Collectibles division and Secretary of EB from June 2000
to June 2001. Mr. Panichello served as Senior Vice
President, Chief Financial Officer and President of BC Sports
Collectibles and Secretary of EB from March 1998 to June 2000.
Mr. Panichello served as the Senior Vice President of
Finance of The Electronics Boutique, Inc. and the President of
BC Sports Collectibles division from March 1997 to February
1998. Mr. Panichello served as The Electronics Boutique,
Inc.s Vice President of Finance and Treasurer from June
1994 to February 1997. Mr. Panichello served as a director
of Game Group from May 1995 to November 1999.
Mr. Panichello is a Certified Public Accountant.
Mr. Panichello is the husband of Susan Y. Kim and the
son-in-law of James J. Kim.
James A. Smith, age 49, has served as Senior Vice
President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary since June
2001. Prior thereto, Mr. Smith served as Senior Vice
President of Finance of EB from August 2000 to June 2001.
Mr. Smith served as The Electronics Boutique Inc.s
Vice President-Finance from May 1998 to August 2000. From 1996
to 1998, Mr. Smith served as Vice President and Controller
of The Electronics Boutique, Inc., and from 1993 to March 1996,
he served as Controller of The Electronics Boutique, Inc.
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The following table summarizes for EBs last three fiscal
years the compensation of EBs President and Chief
Executive Officer and the other executive officers of EB (the
Named Executive Officers).
Summary Compensation Table
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Jeffrey W. Griffiths
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2005 |
|
|
$ |
531,135 |
|
|
$ |
390,000 |
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
$ |
28,808 |
(2) |
|
President, Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
505,740 |
|
|
$ |
375,000 |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
$ |
26,519 |
(2) |
|
and Director |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
$ |
449,125 |
|
|
$ |
337,500 |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
$ |
24,019 |
(2) |
Seth P. Levy
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
265,769 |
|
|
$ |
130,000 |
|
|
|
8,400 |
|
|
$ |
17,422 |
(2) |
|
Senior Vice President |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
254,655 |
|
|
$ |
125,000 |
|
|
|
14,000 |
|
|
$ |
14,193 |
(2) |
|
Logistics, Chief Information Officer |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
$ |
231,572 |
|
|
$ |
115,000 |
|
|
|
14,000 |
|
|
$ |
26,043 |
(2) |
|
and President EB Games Online |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steven R. Morgan
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
305,089 |
|
|
$ |
150,800 |
|
|
|
8,400 |
|
|
$ |
2,000 |
(2) |
|
Senior Vice President, |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
306,246 |
|
|
$ |
145,000 |
|
|
|
14,000 |
|
|
$ |
2,000 |
(2) |
|
President of Stores North America |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
$ |
270,899 |
|
|
$ |
135,000 |
|
|
|
14,000 |
|
|
$ |
147,555 |
(3) |
|
and President of EB Canada Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John R. Panichello
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
380,056 |
|
|
$ |
243,360 |
|
|
|
18,000 |
|
|
$ |
29,152 |
(2) |
|
Executive Vice President and |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
363,110 |
|
|
$ |
234,000 |
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
$ |
24,178 |
(2) |
|
Chief Operating Officer |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
$ |
330,739 |
|
|
$ |
214,500 |
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
$ |
19,736 |
(2) |
James A. Smith
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
269,380 |
|
|
$ |
130,000 |
|
|
|
8,400 |
|
|
$ |
20,524 |
(2) |
|
Senior Vice President, Chief |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
255,670 |
|
|
$ |
125,000 |
|
|
|
14,000 |
|
|
$ |
17,076 |
(2) |
|
Financial Officer and Secretary |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
$ |
231,103 |
|
|
$ |
115,000 |
|
|
|
14,000 |
|
|
$ |
14,014 |
(2) |
|
|
(1) |
Amounts have been listed for the year earned although actually
paid in the following fiscal year or deferred at the
executives election until a subsequent fiscal year. |
|
(2) |
Consists of EBs matching contribution pursuant to its
executive salary deferral plan and 401(k) defined contribution
plan. |
|
(3) |
Mr. Morgan was reimbursed for expenses related to his
relocation to the West Chester, Pennsylvania area. |
|
|
|
EB Fiscal 2005 Stock Option Grants |
The following table sets forth certain information regarding
grants of stock options made during EB fiscal 2005 to the Named
Executive Officers pursuant to EBs stock option plan.
Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year
Individual Grants
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Potential Realizable Value | |
|
|
|
|
% of Total | |
|
|
|
|
|
at Assumed Annual Rates | |
|
|
Number of | |
|
Options | |
|
|
|
|
|
of Stock Price Appreciation | |
|
|
Securities | |
|
Granted to | |
|
|
|
|
|
for Option Term | |
|
|
Underlying | |
|
Employees in | |
|
Exercise | |
|
Expiration | |
|
| |
Name |
|
Options Granted | |
|
Fiscal Year | |
|
Price | |
|
Date | |
|
5% | |
|
10% | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Jeffrey W. Griffiths
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
11.0% |
|
|
$ |
29.20 |
|
|
|
4/09/14 |
|
|
$ |
550,912 |
|
|
$ |
1,396,118 |
|
Seth P. Levy
|
|
|
8,400 |
|
|
|
3.1% |
|
|
$ |
29.20 |
|
|
|
4/09/14 |
|
|
$ |
154,255 |
|
|
$ |
390,913 |
|
Steven R. Morgan
|
|
|
8,400 |
|
|
|
3.1% |
|
|
$ |
29.20 |
|
|
|
4/09/14 |
|
|
$ |
154,255 |
|
|
$ |
390,913 |
|
John R. Panichello
|
|
|
18,000 |
|
|
|
6.6% |
|
|
$ |
29.20 |
|
|
|
4/09/14 |
|
|
$ |
330,547 |
|
|
$ |
837,671 |
|
James A. Smith
|
|
|
8,400 |
|
|
|
3.1% |
|
|
$ |
29.20 |
|
|
|
4/09/14 |
|
|
$ |
154,255 |
|
|
$ |
390,913 |
|
121
Option Exercises and Fiscal Year-End Option Values
The following table sets forth information regarding the total
number and aggregate value of options exercised by each of the
Named Executive Officers during EB fiscal 2005 and the total
number and aggregate value of options held by each of the Named
Executive Officers at January 28, 2005 (the last trading
day of EB fiscal 2005).
Aggregated Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year
and Fiscal Year-End Option Values
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities Underlying | |
|
Value of Unexercised | |
|
|
Shares | |
|
|
|
Unexercised Options at | |
|
In-the-Money Options at | |
|
|
Acquired on | |
|
Value | |
|
Fiscal Year-End (#) | |
|
Fiscal Year-End ($) | |
Name |
|
Exercise (#) | |
|
Realized ($)(1) | |
|
Exercisable/Unexercisable | |
|
Exercisable/Unexercisable(2) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Jeffrey W. Griffiths
|
|
|
160,000 |
|
|
$ |
3,277,196 |
|
|
|
126,574/80,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,656,151/$807,300 |
|
Seth P. Levy
|
|
|
88,810 |
|
|
$ |
2,103,087 |
|
|
|
24,333/22,400 |
|
|
$ |
242,105/$226,038 |
|
Steven R. Morgan
|
|
|
74,001 |
|
|
$ |
1,604,588 |
|
|
|
0/22,399 |
|
|
$ |
0/$226,036 |
|
John R. Panichello
|
|
|
160,000 |
|
|
$ |
4,010,072 |
|
|
|
123,571/48,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,774,054/$484,380 |
|
James A. Smith
|
|
|
32,143 |
|
|
$ |
713,124 |
|
|
|
46,500/22,400 |
|
|
$ |
631,588/$226,044 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Values are reported before the payment of any commissions or
taxes associated with the exercise of the options or the
subsequent sale of the underlying common stock. |
|
(2) |
In-the-money options are options having a per share exercise
price below the closing price of shares of EB common stock on
The NASDAQ Stock Market on January 28, 2005 (the last
trading day of EB fiscal 2005). |
Equity Compensation Plan Information
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Remaining Available | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
for Future Issuance | |
|
|
Number of Securities | |
|
|
|
Under Equity | |
|
|
to be Issued | |
|
Weighted-Average | |
|
Compensation Plans | |
|
|
Upon Exercise of | |
|
Exercise Price of | |
|
(Excluding Securities | |
|
|
Outstanding Options, | |
|
Outstanding Options, | |
|
Reflected in | |
|
|
Warrants and Rights | |
|
Warrants and Rights | |
|
Column (a)) | |
Plan Category |
|
(a) | |
|
(b) | |
|
(c) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
|
|
|
1,401,115 |
|
|
$ |
22.92 |
|
|
|
1,812,875 |
|
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
1,401,115 |
|
|
$ |
22.92 |
|
|
|
1,812,875 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employment Agreements, Termination of Employment and
Change in Control Arrangements |
In November 2002, EB entered into new employment agreements with
Messrs. Griffiths, Panichello, Smith and Levy providing for
their employment as President and Chief Executive Officer,
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Senior
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary and Senior
Vice President Logistics, Chief Information Officer and
President of EB Games Online, respectively. Each of the
agreements provides for a term of three years and may be
extended automatically for an additional one-year term, unless
terminated by the parties thereto in accordance with their
terms. The current annual base salary for
Messrs. Griffiths, Panichello, Smith and Levy is $546,000,
$393,120, $273,000 and $273,000, respectively, and the
agreements provide for certain fringe and other employee
benefits that are made available to the senior executive
officers of EB.
122
In September 2003, EB entered into a new employment agreement
with Mr. Morgan providing for his continued employment as
Senior Vice President, President of Stores North
America and President of Electronics Boutique Canada, Inc. The
agreement provides for a term ending on the same date as the
employment agreement for EBs other senior executive
officers. The employment agreement may be extended automatically
for an additional one-year term, unless terminated by either
party in accordance with its terms. The current annual base
salary for Mr. Morgan is $316,680 and the agreement
provides for certain fringe and other employee benefits that are
made available to the senior executive officers of EB.
The employment agreements with Messrs. Griffiths,
Panichello, Smith, Levy and Morgan (each an Executive) provide
that (i) in the event that employment is terminated for any
reason other than death, disability or cause (as
defined in their respective agreements), the Executive is
entitled to receive his then current total compensation for the
greater of his remaining term under the employment agreement or
a one year period, (ii) certain severance payments are
limited to an amount equal to $100 less than the maximum that
could be paid to the Executive and deducted by EB under
Section 280G of the Code, in the event of termination of
employment for any reason other than death, disability or
cause, or if the termination is related to a
change in control (as defined in their respective
agreements) and (iii) in the event of disability, EB will
continue to pay 60% of the Executives compensation for the
remaining term of his agreement.
In connection with its approval of the merger agreement, the EB
board of directors took action to provide the Executives and
three other senior officers with severance payments in an amount
equal to their current total compensation for a period equal to
the greater of (i) the balance of their employment term
under their employment agreements and (ii) twelve months,
and to continue to provide them with their current benefits for
such period in the event that these officers elect to terminate
their employment with EB in connection with, and upon
consummation of, the mergers.
EB Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation
|
|
|
Overview of EBs Executive Compensation Policies and
Practices |
The current members of the EB Compensation Committee are
Messrs. Adler and Siana. Messrs. Adler and Siana are
independent directors of EB. The EB Compensation Committee
reviews and approves the salaries, bonuses and other benefits of
EBs Executive Officers, administers the stock option plans
of EB and reviews and recommends compensation for the EB board
of directors and its committees. In April 2004, the EB board of
directors adopted a Compensation Committee Charter which is
available on EBs website at www.ebholdings.com.
The base compensation for the Chief Executive Officer, Jeffrey
W. Griffiths, for EB fiscal 2005 was agreed to in an employment
agreement entered into by EB and Mr. Griffiths in November
2002. The compensation provided for in Mr. Griffiths
employment agreement was based on recommendations regarding
current market data for similar positions, as well as individual
and EBs prior year and anticipated future performance. The
employment agreements for Messrs. Levy, Morgan, Panichello
and Smith were also entered into by EB in consultation with the
EB Compensation Committee.
The EB Compensation Committee has developed and continuously
enhances compensation policies, plans and programs that align
the financial interests of EBs senior management, in their
management capacities, with those of its stockholders. The EB
Compensation Committee believes that (i) executive
compensation should be meaningfully related to the performance
of EB and the value created for EB stockholders;
(ii) compensation programs should support both short and
long-term goals and objectives of EB; (iii) compensation
programs should reward individuals for outstanding contributions
to EBs success; and (iv) short and long-term
compensation policies play a significant role in attracting and
retaining well qualified executives. For the Chief Executive
Officers compensation, the EB Compensation Committee
considers the recommendations of EBs Chairman. For the
compensation of EBs other executive officers, the EB
Compensation Committee considers the recommendations of
EBs Chief Executive Officer.
124
In setting annual compensation for executive officers, the EB
Compensation Committee reviews a number of criteria relating to
the financial performance of EB generally and of each executive
officer specifically during the prior fiscal year, establishes
expectations with respect to each such individuals future
contributions to EB and considers industry and comparably-sized
company data. In making its decision on compensation levels, the
EB Compensation Committee does not use any predetermined formula
or assign any particular weight to any individual criterion.
In EB fiscal 2005, EB engaged William M. Mercer, Incorporated to
prepare a competitive assessment of executive compensation at EB
and the pay/performance relationship at EB compared to an
industry peer group. Mercer analyzed proxy data to help
determine how the market internally values its top management
team and supplemented this information with survey data to
determine how the market functionally values each position.
Market competitive levels were determined for base salary, total
cash compensation (base salary plus annual incentive), total
direct compensation (total cash compensation plus long-term
incentives) and annual stock grant practices.
Recommendations for base salary levels take into account what is
being paid elsewhere in the market, as described above, so that
EB can remain competitive. Increases in base salary also take
into account what has happened in the business in the prior
fiscal year as well as what is expected to happen in the
upcoming year. These factors include:
|
|
|
Sales |
|
EBs prior fiscal year sales volume is an important factor
when evaluating base salary increases. Increased sales volume
indicates that the executives have ensured that products are in
EBs stores at the proper time, stores are staffed with
knowledgeable sales people, and customers are satisfied with
EBs products and services. |
|
Forecasted Sales |
|
Evaluation of industry forecasts for the retail industry, what
new products will be introduced into the market and the overall
economic outlook for the country are all important factors
regarding EBs anticipated profitability and, therefore,
compensation levels. |
|
Growth |
|
EBs growth is evaluated, in both absolute terms and as
compared to planned rates of growth, based on several
determinants, as follows: |
|
|
|
Number of stores |
|
|
|
Comparable store sales |
|
|
|
Overall sales volume |
|
|
|
Market share |
|
|
|
Net income |
|
|
|
Planned vs. actual growth rates |
|
Net Profit Goals |
|
These include an evaluation of store profit and loss, expenses
associated with the management of the stores and support from
the home office and distribution center. |
125
Bonus payments are made based on EBs performance for the
prior fiscal year. Bonus amounts included in the agreements are
determined by performance and compared to external research
provided in the surveys and reports described above to ensure
competitiveness within the industry.
|
|
|
Stock Based Incentive Awards |
The EB Compensation Committee believes that it is important for
executives, as well as other employees, to have a vested
interest in EB, through the granting of stock options which
generally vest over a three-year period, thereby more closely
aligning the long-term interest of executives with that of
EBs stockholders. The EB Compensation Committee believes
that granting stock options provides incentive to executives by
giving them a strong economic interest in maximizing stock price
appreciation and enhancing their performance in attaining the
long-term objectives of EB. In EB fiscal 2004, in anticipation
of possible changes in the accounting for stock option grants,
the EB Compensation Committee began discussing and implementing
a policy pursuant to which it would grant fewer options to
EBs employees, including its executive officers.
The EB Compensation Committee made grants under EBs 2000
Equity Participation Plan and granted stock options to purchase
an aggregate of 73,200 shares of common stock to the Named
Executive Officers during EB fiscal 2005. Mr. Griffiths
also authorized grants of stock options to new employees with
the approval of the EB Compensation Committee. All stock options
granted during EB fiscal 2005 by EB had exercise prices equal to
the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant.
All full-time employees of EB at the manager level and above are
eligible to receive grants of stock options under EBs 2000
Equity Participation Plan.
As Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Griffiths receives an
annual salary of $546,000 in accordance with the terms of his
employment agreement. Prior to March 2005, Mr. Griffiths
received $520,000 in annual base salary. Under his employment
agreement, Mr. Griffiths earned a bonus of $390,000 in EB
fiscal 2005, which was paid in April 2005. In determining
Mr. Griffiths bonus, the EB Compensation Committee
considered EBs performance in a number of key areas,
including the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percentage | |
|
|
Change | |
|
|
from EB | |
Performance Indicator |
|
Fiscal 2004 | |
|
|
| |
Net sales
|
|
|
+24.9% |
|
Number of stores
|
|
|
+29.4% |
|
Comparable store sales
|
|
|
+3.1% |
|
Net income
|
|
|
+14.3% |
|
The EB Compensation Committee believes Mr. Griffiths
current compensation is fully consistent with EBs
philosophy on executive compensation and appropriate in view of
EBs performance in EB fiscal 2005.
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code imposes a
$1 million limit on the allowable tax deduction of
compensation paid by a publicly-held corporation to its chief
executive officer and its other four most highly compensated
officers employed at year-end, subject to a qualified
performance-based compensation exception. The EB Compensation
Committee intends to take Section 162(m) into account when
formulating its compensation policies for EBs executive
officers and to comply with the qualified performance-based
compensation exception of Section 162(m) where the EB
Compensation Committee determines compliance to be practicable
and in the best interests of EB and its stockholders.
126
The EB Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation
shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general
statement incorporating by reference this joint proxy
statement-prospectus into any filing under the Securities Act or
the Exchange Act and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under
the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.
The EB Compensation Committee intends to continue to operate
under, and to adjust where necessary, these performance-driven
compensation policies and practices to assure that they are
consistent with the goals and objectives of EB, and with the
primary mission of the EB board of directors of increasing
long-term stockholder value.
|
|
|
Respectfully submitted, |
|
|
Dean S. Adler |
|
Louis J. Siana |
EB Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider
Participation
The members of the EB Compensation Committee during EB fiscal
2005 were Dean S. Adler and Louis J. Siana. None of EBs
Named Executive Officers serves as a member of the board of
directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one
or more executive officers serving as a member of EBs
board of directors or Compensation Committee.
127
EB Comparison of Total Stockholder Return
The following graph compares the cumulative total stockholder
return on EB common stock with the S&P 500 Index and the
S&P 500 Specialty Retail Index for the period from
January 29, 2000 through January 28, 2005 (the last
trading day of EB fiscal 2005), assuming an initial investment
of $100 and the reinvestment of all dividends.
COMPARISON OF CUMULATIVE FIVE YEAR TOTAL RETURN
Total Return to Stockholders
(Includes reinvestment of dividends)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INDEXED RETURNS |
|
|
|
|
Base Period |
|
|
Fiscal Years Ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jan. 29, 2000 |
|
|
Feb. 3, 2001 |
|
|
Feb. 2, 2002 |
|
|
Feb. 1, 2003 |
|
|
Jan. 31, 2004 |
|
|
Jan. 29, 2005 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ELECTRONICS BOUTIQUE HOLDINGS CORP.
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
115.65 |
|
|
226.38 |
|
|
84.27 |
|
|
153.95 |
|
|
210.14 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S&P 500 INDEX
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
97.37 |
|
|
82.07 |
|
|
63.97 |
|
|
86.08 |
|
|
90.68 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S&P 500 SPECIALTY RETAIL INDEX
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
91.10 |
|
|
99.20 |
|
|
61.47 |
|
|
94.36 |
|
|
105.55 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
128
EB Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
Management
The table below sets forth, as of May 11, 2005, certain
information regarding the beneficial ownership of common stock
by each stockholder known to EB to be the beneficial owner of
more than 5% of the common stock, each of EBs directors
and Named Executive Officers, and all directors and executive
officers as a group.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares Beneficially | |
|
|
Owned(3) | |
|
|
| |
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1)(2) |
|
Number | |
|
Percentage | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
EB Nevada Inc.(4)
|
|
|
11,569,100 |
|
|
|
46.7 |
% |
|
2215-B Renaissance Drive, Suite 5
Las Vegas, Nevada 89119 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wellington Management Company, LLP(5)
|
|
|
2,466,986 |
|
|
|
10.0 |
% |
|
75 State Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James J. and Agnes C. Kim(4)(6)
|
|
|
11,829,995 |
|
|
|
47.2 |
% |
Dean S. Adler
|
|
|
30,001 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Susan Y. Kim(4)(6)
|
|
|
11,733,685 |
|
|
|
47.0 |
% |
Louis J. Siana
|
|
|
15,001 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Alfred J. Stein
|
|
|
3,334 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Stanley Steinberg
|
|
|
32,001 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Jeffrey W. Griffiths
|
|
|
173,276 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Seth P. Levy
|
|
|
37,467 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Steven R. Morgan
|
|
|
12,134 |
|
|
|
* |
|
John R. Panichello(4)(6)
|
|
|
11,733,685 |
|
|
|
47.0 |
% |
James A. Smith
|
|
|
44,634 |
|
|
|
* |
|
All directors and executive officers as a group (11 persons)(7)
|
|
|
773,328 |
|
|
|
3.0 |
% |
|
|
* |
Less than 1.0% |
|
(1) |
Unless otherwise noted, EB believes that all persons named in
the above table have sole voting and investment power with
respect to the shares beneficially owned by them. |
|
(2) |
Unless otherwise noted, the address for all beneficial owners is
931 South Matlack Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania 19382. |
|
(3) |
For purposes of this table, a person is deemed to be the
beneficial owner of any shares that such person has
the right to acquire within 60 days, including upon the
exercise of stock options. For purposes of computing the
percentage of outstanding shares held by each person named above
on a given date, any security that such person has the right to
acquire within 60 days is deemed to be outstanding, but is
not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the
percentage ownership of any other person. |
|
(4) |
EB Nevada Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Electronics
Boutique, Inc., all of the outstanding capital stock of which is
owned by James J. Kim, Agnes C. Kim, the David D. Kim Trust of
December 31, 1987, the John T. Kim Trust of
December 31, 1987 and the Susan Y. Kim Trust of
December 31, 1987. David D. Kim is the trustee of the David
D. Kim Trust, Susan Y. Kim is the trustee of the Susan Y. Kim
Trust, and John T. Kim is the trustee of the John T. Kim Trust
(the trustees of each trust may be deemed to be the beneficial
owners of the shares held by such trust). In addition, the trust
agreement for each of these trusts encourages the trustees of
the trusts to vote the shares of common stock held by them, in
their discretion, in concert with James J. Kims family.
Accordingly, the trusts, together with their respective trustee
and James J. and Agnes C. Kim, may be considered a
group under Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act.
This group may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of the
shares owned by EB Nevada Inc. |
129
|
|
(5) |
Based on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC by Wellington
Management Company, LLP (Wellington) on
February 10, 2005, Wellington (i) shares voting power with
respect to 1,927,108 of the reported shares with certain of its
clients and (ii) shares dispositive power with respect to all of
the reported shares with certain of its clients. |
|
(6) |
James J. Kim and Agnes C. Kim are the parents of Susan Y. Kim.
John R. Panichello and Susan Y. Kim are husband and wife. |
|
(7) |
Excludes 11,569,100 shares owned by EB Nevada Inc. that may
be deemed to be beneficially owned by James J. Kim, Susan Y. Kim
and John R. Panichello. |
EB Certain Relationships and Related
Transactions
On January 30, 2004, EB terminated the services agreement
with Game Group initially established in EB fiscal 1996. Under
the services agreement, Game Group was responsible for the
payment of management fees equal to 1.0% of Game Groups
adjusted sales, plus a bonus calculated on the basis of net
income in excess of a pre-established target set by Game Group.
EB had no management fee receivables as of January 29,
2005. EBs management fee receivable at January 31,
2004 was $2.7 million and was included in Accounts
receivable-Trade and vendors on EBs consolidated balance
sheet. In EB fiscal 2005, EB performed no management services
for Game Group. Management fees received from Game Group under
the services agreement for EB fiscal 2004 and EB fiscal 2003
were $8.6 million and $7.4 million, respectively. As
part of the agreement to terminate the services agreement, Game
Group paid EB $15.0 million. EB received this payment in
February 2004. EB recognized $4.7 million of this payment
as revenue earned on its consolidated statements of income for
EB fiscal 2004. The termination agreement places restrictions on
EBs ability to compete with Game Group in the United
Kingdom and Ireland until February 2006. Certain other covenants
not to compete specified in the termination agreement expired as
of January 31, 2005. Based on an independent analysis
performed in EB fiscal 2005, these covenants not to compete were
determined to have a value of $10.3 million, which was
recorded as deferred revenue as of January 31, 2004. In EB
fiscal 2005, EB amortized $5.8 million of this deferred
revenue into income and the remaining $4.5 million will be
recognized as income in EB fiscal 2006. Game Group was
prohibited from entering the Italian and German markets until
February 2005.
On November 2, 2002, EB sold its BC Sports Collectibles
business to Sports Collectibles Acquisition Corp.
(SCAC) for $2.2 million in cash and the assumption of
lease related liabilities in excess of $13 million. The
purchaser, SCAC, is owned by the family of James J. Kim,
EBs Chairman. The transaction included the sale of all
assets of the business including inventory, intellectual
property and furniture, fixtures and equipment, and transitional
services which were provided by EB to SCAC for a six-month
period after the closing for an additional $300,000. $150,000 of
the fee received for transition services was earned and
recognized as income in EB fiscal 2003 and the remaining
$150,000 in EB fiscal 2004. The transaction was negotiated and
approved by a committee of EBs board of directors
comprised solely of independent directors with the assistance of
an investment banking firm engaged to solicit offers for the BC
Sports Collectibles business.
EB has agreed to pay the legal fees and expenses of its Chairman
of the Board, James J. Kim, in connection with the transactions
contemplated under the merger agreement, including
Mr. Kims legal fees and expenses incurred in
connection with the preparation and filing of
Mr. Kims notification and report forms under the HSR
Act (including the filing fee) and in connection with the
negotiation of the Kim Group voting agreement, the
non-competition agreement and the registration rights agreement.
EB estimates that the legal fees and expenses in connection with
the preparation and filing of Mr. Kims notification
and report forms under the HSR Act and in connection with the
negotiation of the Kim Group voting agreement, the
non-competition agreement and the registration rights agreement
will be approximately $200,000.
130
EB Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting
Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires EBs
directors and executive officers, and certain persons who own
more than 10% of the outstanding common stock, to file with the
SEC and The NASDAQ Stock Market initial reports of ownership and
reports of changes in ownership of common stock
(Section 16(a) Reports). Additionally, executive officers,
directors and greater than 10% stockholders are required by SEC
regulations to furnish EB with copies of all Section 16(a)
Reports they file. On April 13, 2004, Louis J. Siana, a
member of the EB board of directors, filed a Section 16(a)
Report with respect to purchases of 20,000 shares of common
stock in December 2003. Except as set forth above, to EBs
knowledge, all directors, executive officers and beneficial
owners of more than 10% of the common stock outstanding complied
with all applicable filing requirements under Section 16(a)
of the Exchange Act with respect to their beneficial ownership
of common stock during EB fiscal 2005.
EB Registered Independent Public Accounting Firm
The EB board of directors, upon the recommendation of the EB
Audit Committee, has appointed the firm of KPMG LLP, registered
independent public accountants, to audit the books, records and
accounts of EB and its subsidiaries for the fiscal year ending
January 28, 2006, subject to ratification of this
appointment by EBs stockholders. KPMG LLP has served as
independent accountants for EB and The Electronics Boutique,
Inc. since EB fiscal 1995, and are considered well qualified.
EB Audit Fees
During EB fiscal 2005 and EB fiscal 2004, KPMG LLPs
services rendered to EB primarily consisted of auditing
EBs consolidated financial statements, EBs
managements assessment that EB maintained effective
internal control over financial reporting as of EBs fiscal
year end and the effectiveness of EBs internal control
over financial reporting, as well as performing quarterly
reviews of the nature described in Statement on Auditing
Standards No. 100 (Interim Financial Information).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal 2005 | |
|
Fiscal 2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Audit fees
|
|
$ |
1,133,000 |
|
|
$ |
430,000 |
|
Audit related fees(1)
|
|
|
124,000 |
|
|
|
55,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audit and audit related fees
|
|
|
1,257,000 |
|
|
|
485,000 |
|
Tax fees(2)
|
|
|
400,000 |
|
|
|
380,000 |
|
All other fees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total fees
|
|
$ |
1,657,000 |
|
|
$ |
865,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Audit related fees consist primarily of employee benefit plan
audits and assistance with foreign statutory financial
statements, financial accounting and reporting standards and
consultations relating to internal controls. |
|
(2) |
Tax fees consist of tax compliance services and other
consultations on miscellaneous tax matters. |
All audit related services, tax services and other services were
pre-approved by the EB Audit Committee, which concluded that the
provision of such services by KPMG LLP was compatible with the
maintenance of that firms independence in the conduct of
its auditing functions. The EB Audit Committees policy
provides for pre-approval of audit, audit-related and tax
services specifically prescribed by the EB Audit Committee on an
annual basis and, in addition, individual engagements
anticipated to exceed pre-established thresholds must be
separately approved. The policy authorizes the EB Audit
Committee to delegate to one or more of its members pre-approval
authority with respect to permitted services. Any decision must
be reported to the full EB Audit Committee at its next scheduled
meeting.
The EB Audit Committee has determined that the rendering of
services other than audit services by KPMG LLP is compatible
with maintaining KPMG LLPs independence.
131
EB Audit Committee Report
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in EBs
filings under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act
that might incorporate other filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, including this joint proxy
statement-prospectus, in whole or in part, the following report
shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any
Securities Act or Exchange Act filings.
The EB Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed EBs
audited financial statements and managements assessment of
internal controls over financial reporting with both management
and KPMG LLP, EBs registered independent public
accountants. The EB Audit Committee has met with and discussed
with representatives of KPMG LLP various matters including those
required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards
No. 61 (Communication with Audit Committees). The EB Audit
Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter
from the independent auditors required by Independence Standards
Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions with Audit
Committees) and has discussed them with KPMG LLP.
Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the EB
Audit Committee recommended to the EB board of directors that
the financial statements and managements assessment of
internal controls over financial reporting referred to above be
included in EBs Annual Report on Form 10-K.
|
|
|
Respectfully submitted, |
|
|
Louis J. Siana, Chairman |
|
Alfred J. Stein |
|
Stanley Steinberg |
132
GSC HOLDINGS CORP.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated
statements of operations for the year ended January 29,
2005 assume the business combination between GameStop and EB
occurred on February 1, 2004. The unaudited pro forma
condensed consolidated balance sheet as of January 29, 2005
assumes the business combination had been completed on that date.
In the proposed mergers, EB common stockholders will have the
right to receive $38.15 in cash and .78795 of a share of Holdco
Class A common stock for each share of EB common stock that
they own. In addition, GameStop stockholders will receive one
share of Holdco Class A common stock for each share of
GameStop Class A common stock that they own and one share
of Holdco Class B common stock for each share of GameStop
Class B common stock that they own.
The mergers and related transactions will be treated as a
purchase business combination for accounting purposes, and
EBs assets acquired and liabilities assumed will be
recorded at their fair value. We have assumed that GameStop
Class A common stock price is $21.61 per share (based
on the closing price for GameStop Class A common stock on
April 15, 2005) and that 24.648 million shares EBs
common stock are outstanding at the date of completion of the
mergers. Approximately 20.9 million and 29.9 million
shares of Holdco Class A common stock and Holdco
Class B common stock, respectively, will be issued in
exchange for all outstanding common stock of GameStop, based on
the one-for-one exchange ratio. We have assumed that an
aggregate 19.4 million shares of Holdco Class A common
stock will be issued and $940 million in cash will be paid
in consideration for all outstanding common stock of EB. In
addition, $45 million in cash is assumed to be paid in
exchange for all of the outstanding stock options of EB.
The allocations of the purchase price to EBs assets,
including intangible assets, and liabilities are only
preliminary allocations based on estimates of fair values and
will change when actual fair values are determined. Among the
provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 141, Business Combinations, criteria have
been established for determining whether intangible assets
should be recognized separately from goodwill. Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, Goodwill and
Other Intangible Assets (SFAS 142) provides, among
other guidelines, that goodwill and intangible assets with
indefinite lives will not be amortized, but rather are tested
for impairment on at least an annual basis.
Management of both GameStop and EB expect that the benefits of
the business combination will generate an estimated
$30 million of cost savings and operating synergies by the
end of 2006 and $50 million annually thereafter by capitalizing
on consolidation and integration of certain functions as well as
through the adoption by Holdco of the best practices of both
GameStop and EB. Holdco has not made any integration decisions
and, accordingly, the amounts of merger-related integration
costs have not been determined. The accompanying unaudited pro
forma condensed statements of operations do not include any cost
saving synergies which may be achievable subsequent to the
closing of the mergers or the impact of non-recurring expenses
and costs which are directly related to the mergers or business
combination.
The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet as
of January 29, 2005 assumes that the mergers took place on
that date and combines the January 29, 2005 historical
balance sheets for GameStop and EB. The unaudited pro forma
condensed consolidated statements of operations for the fiscal
year ended January 29, 2005 assume that the mergers took
place on February 1, 2004. GameStops and EBs
fiscal year is composed of 52 or 53 weeks ending on the
Saturday closest to January 31. Reclassifications have been made
to the historical financial statements of GameStop and EB to
conform to the presentation expected to be used by Holdco.
133
The pro forma condensed consolidated financial data shown under
this heading is unaudited, is presented for informational
purposes only, is not necessarily indicative of the financial
position or results of operations that would actually have
occurred had the mergers or the related transactions been
consummated as of the dates or at the beginning of the periods
presented, nor is it necessarily indicative of future operating
results or financial position. The unaudited pro forma condensed
consolidated financial data shown under this heading and the
accompanying notes should be read together with the historical
financial statements and related notes contained in the annual
reports and other information that GameStop and EB have each
filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference in this joint
proxy statement-prospectus.
134
GSC HOLDINGS CORP.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Historical | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Historical | |
|
Electronics | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
GameStop Corp. | |
|
Boutique | |
|
|
|
GameStop | |
|
|
January 29, | |
|
January 29, | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
Holding Corp. | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2005 | |
|
Adjustments | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands) | |
ASSETS: |
Current assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
170,992 |
|
|
$ |
175,295 |
|
|
$ |
950,000 |
(a) |
|
$ |
259,760 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,036,527 |
)(b) |
|
|
|
|
|
Receivables, net
|
|
|
9,812 |
|
|
|
21,270 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31,082 |
|
|
Merchandise inventories
|
|
|
216,296 |
|
|
|
291,678 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
507,974 |
|
|
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
|
|
|
18,400 |
|
|
|
17,955 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
36,355 |
|
|
Prepaid taxes
|
|
|
3,053 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,053 |
|
|
Deferred taxes
|
|
|
5,435 |
|
|
|
9,438 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,873 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets
|
|
|
423,988 |
|
|
|
515,636 |
|
|
|
(86,527 |
) |
|
|
853,097 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property and equipment:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Land
|
|
|
2,000 |
|
|
|
8,120 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,120 |
|
|
Building and leasehold improvements
|
|
|
106,428 |
|
|
|
153,883 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
260,311 |
|
|
Fixtures and equipment
|
|
|
184,536 |
|
|
|
154,896 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
339,432 |
|
|
Construction in progress
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,473 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,473 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
292,964 |
|
|
|
319,372 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
612,336 |
|
|
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
124,565 |
|
|
|
145,951 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
270,516 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net property and equipment
|
|
|
168,399 |
|
|
|
173,421 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
341,820 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,456,215 |
(b) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,456,215 |
)(c) |
|
|
|
|
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net
|
|
|
320,888 |
|
|
|
16,308 |
|
|
|
(16,308 |
)(c) |
|
|
320,888 |
|
Intangible assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,098,180 |
(c) |
|
|
1,098,180 |
|
Deferred tax asset
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,433 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,433 |
|
Deferred financing fees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22,875 |
(c) |
|
|
22,875 |
|
Other noncurrent assets
|
|
|
1,708 |
|
|
|
6,402 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,110 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total other assets
|
|
|
322,596 |
|
|
|
35,143 |
|
|
|
1,104,747 |
|
|
|
1,462,486 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$ |
914,983 |
|
|
$ |
724,200 |
|
|
$ |
1,018,220 |
|
|
$ |
2,657,403 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY: |
Current liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable
|
|
$ |
206,739 |
|
|
$ |
228,825 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
435,564 |
|
|
Accrued liabilities
|
|
|
94,983 |
|
|
|
99,939 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
194,922 |
|
|
Note payable, current portion
|
|
|
12,173 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,173 |
|
|
Accrued income taxes payable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,450 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,450 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
|
313,895 |
|
|
|
340,214 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
654,109 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred taxes
|
|
|
20,257 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,257 |
|
Notes payable, long-term portion
|
|
|
24,347 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
950,000 |
(a) |
|
|
974,347 |
|
Deferred rent and other long-term liabilities
|
|
|
13,473 |
|
|
|
32,518 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
45,991 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total long-term liabilities
|
|
|
58,077 |
|
|
|
32,518 |
|
|
|
950,000 |
|
|
|
1,040,595 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
371,972 |
|
|
|
372,732 |
|
|
|
950,000 |
|
|
|
1,694,704 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders equity (deficit):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred stock authorized 5,000 shares; no
shares issued or outstanding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class A common stock $.001 par value;
authorized
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3 |
)(b) |
|
|
|
|
|
300,000 shares; 20,926 shares issued and outstanding
|
|
|
24 |
|
|
|
274 |
|
|
|
(274 |
)(c) |
|
|
40 |
|
|
Class B common stock $.001 par value;
authorized
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19 |
(b) |
|
|
|
|
|
100,000 shares; 29,902 shares issued and outstanding
|
|
|
30 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30 |
|
|
Additional paid-in-capital
|
|
|
500,769 |
|
|
|
206,503 |
|
|
|
419,669 |
(b) |
|
|
870,441 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(49,997 |
)(b) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(206,503 |
)(c) |
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income
|
|
|
567 |
|
|
|
6,980 |
|
|
|
(6,980 |
)(c) |
|
|
567 |
|
|
Retained earnings
|
|
|
91,621 |
|
|
|
203,843 |
|
|
|
(203,843 |
)(c) |
|
|
91,621 |
|
|
Treasury stock, at cost
|
|
|
(50,000 |
) |
|
|
(66,132 |
) |
|
|
66,132 |
(c) |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
50,000 |
(b) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total stockholders equity
|
|
|
543,011 |
|
|
|
351,468 |
|
|
|
68,220 |
|
|
|
962,699 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and stockholders equity (deficit)
|
|
$ |
914,983 |
|
|
$ |
724,200 |
|
|
$ |
1,018,220 |
|
|
$ |
2,657,403 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
135
GSC HOLDINGS CORP.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE
SHEET
(In thousands, except per share data)
1. Certain reclassifications have been made to the
historical presentation of GameStop and EB to conform to the
presentation used in the unaudited pro forma condensed
consolidated balance sheet.
2. In connection with the business combination, EB
stockholders will have the right to receive $38.15 in cash plus
..78795 shares of Holdco Class A common stock for each
share of EB common stock that they own. We have assumed that an
aggregate of 19,421 shares of Holdco Class A common
stock will be issued based upon an assumed number of outstanding
shares of EB common stock of 24,648 and an assumed stock price
of $21.61 per share, with the total consideration
attributable to the Holdco common stock to be issued in the EB
merger equaling $419,688.
Under the purchase method of accounting, the total estimated
consideration as shown in the table below is allocated to
EBs tangible and intangible assets and liabilities based
on their estimated fair values as of the date of the mergers.
The preliminary estimated consideration is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital in | |
|
|
|
|
Common | |
|
Excess of | |
|
|
|
|
Shares | |
|
Par Value | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Issuance of Holdco shares to EB (19.421 million shares at
$21.61)
|
|
$ |
19 |
|
|
$ |
419,669 |
|
|
$ |
419,688 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash consideration paid to EB common stockholders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
940,321 |
|
Cash consideration paid to EB stock option holders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
45,206 |
|
Estimated GameStop transaction costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
51,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total cash consideration
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,036,527 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total consideration
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,456,215 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The historical net book value of EB at January 29, 2005 was
$351,468 resulting in excess cost over book value of $1,104,747,
and has been reflected as such on the accompanying unaudited
condensed pro forma balance sheet.
Holdco has not completed an assessment of the fair values of
assets and liabilities of EB and the related business
integration plans. Holdco expects that the ultimate purchase
price allocation will include adjustments to the fair values of
depreciable tangible assets, inventory, identifiable intangible
assets (some of which will have indefinite lives) and
liabilities, including the establishment of any potential
liabilities associated with business integration plans, sales of
underperforming real estate, and termination and change in
control benefits. Accordingly, to the extent such assessments
indicate that the fair value of the assets and liabilities
differ from their net book values, such differences would be
allocated to those assets and liabilities.
(a) To give effect to the receipt of $950,000 resulting
from issuance of senior bonds.
(b) To give effect to the investment in EB by the payment
of cash and issuance of 19,421 shares of Holdco
Class A common stock and to the elimination of GameStop
treasury stock.
(c) To eliminate the investment in EB against the
underlying net book value and to recognize the excess cost over
net assets acquired (pending the appraisal) and the deferred
financing fees in connection with the transaction.
136
GSC HOLDINGS CORP.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF
OPERATIONS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Historical | |
|
Historical | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
GameStop | |
|
Electronics | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corp. | |
|
Boutique | |
|
|
|
GSC | |
|
|
January 29, | |
|
January 29, | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
Holdings Corp. | |
For the Fiscal Year Ended January 29, 2005 |
|
2005(a) | |
|
2005(a) | |
|
Adjustments(b) | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(in thousands, except per share data) | |
Sales
|
|
$ |
1,842,806 |
|
|
$ |
1,983,537 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
3,826,343 |
|
Management Fees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,845 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,845 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Revenues
|
|
|
1,842,806 |
|
|
|
1,989,382 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,832,188 |
|
Cost of sales
|
|
|
1,328,611 |
|
|
|
1,450,205 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,778,816 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
514,195 |
|
|
|
539,177 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,053,372 |
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses
|
|
|
378,029 |
|
|
|
422,374 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
800,403 |
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
37,019 |
|
|
|
37,473 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
74,492 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating earnings
|
|
|
99,147 |
|
|
|
79,330 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
178,477 |
|
Interest income
|
|
|
(1,919 |
) |
|
|
(2,350 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,269 |
) |
Interest expense
|
|
|
2,155 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
76,000 |
(c) |
|
|
78,155 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,268 |
(d) |
|
|
3,268 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)
|
|
|
98,911 |
|
|
|
81,680 |
|
|
|
(79,268 |
) |
|
|
101,323 |
|
Income tax expense (benefit)
|
|
|
37,985 |
|
|
|
29,393 |
|
|
|
(30,122 |
)(e) |
|
|
37,256 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings (loss)
|
|
$ |
60,926 |
|
|
$ |
52,287 |
|
|
$ |
(49,146 |
) |
|
$ |
64,067 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings (loss) per common share basic
|
|
$ |
1.11 |
|
|
$ |
2.16 |
|
|
$ |
(2.41 |
) |
|
$ |
0.86 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(24,159 |
)(f) |
|
|
|
|
Weighted average shares of common stock basic
|
|
|
54,662 |
|
|
|
24,159 |
|
|
|
19,421 |
(f) |
|
|
74,083 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings (loss) per common share diluted
|
|
$ |
1.05 |
|
|
$ |
2.13 |
|
|
$ |
(2.35 |
) |
|
$ |
0.83 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(24,547 |
)(f) |
|
|
|
|
Weighted average shares of common stock diluted
|
|
|
57,796 |
|
|
|
24,547 |
|
|
|
19,421 |
(f) |
|
|
77,217 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
137
GSC HOLDINGS CORP.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share data)
(a) Certain reclassifications have been made to the
historical presentation of GameStop and EB to conform to the
presentation used in the unaudited pro forma condensed
consolidated statements of operations.
(b) The Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated
Statements of Operations exclude the estimated transaction costs
of approximately $50 million to be incurred in connection
with the mergers.
(c) To give effect to the interest expense incurred related
to the receipt of $950,000 resulting from issuance of senior
bonds, at an assumed interest rate of 8.0%.
(d) To give effect to the amortization of deferred
financing fees over seven years. Does not include commitment
fees, in the amount of approximately $7 million, related to
the bridge loan, which are expected to be expensed when incurred.
(e) Represents the aggregate pro forma effective income tax
effect (38%) of Notes (c) and (d) above.
(f) The pro forma earnings per share has been adjusted to
reflect the issuance of Holdco common stock to EB common
stockholders based upon the number of shares expected to be
issued.
137
DESCRIPTION OF HOLDCO CAPITAL STOCK
The following summary is a description of the material terms of
Holdcos capital stock as of the effective time of the
mergers and is not complete. You should also refer to
(1) Holdcos amended and restated certificate of
incorporation, which will be in effect as of the effective time
of the mergers and a form of which is included as
Annex K to this joint proxy statement-prospectus,
(2) Holdcos amended and restated bylaws, which will
be in effect as of the effective time of the mergers and a form
of which is included as Annex L to this joint proxy
statement-prospectus, and (3) the applicable provisions of
the DGCL.
Common Stock
As of the effective time of the mergers, Holdco will be
authorized to issue up to (i) 300,000,000 shares of
Class A common stock, par value $.001 per share and
(ii) 100,000,000 shares of Class B common stock,
par value $.001 per share. Following the mergers, Holdco
expects there to be approximately 41.0 million shares of
Class A common stock of Holdco and 29.9 million shares
of Class B common stock of Holdco outstanding.
Each holder of Holdcos common stock is entitled to receive
dividends as may be declared by the board of directors of Holdco
from time to time out of assets or funds of Holdco legally
available for payment, subject to the holders of Holdcos
preferred stock.
Each holder of Class A common stock is entitled to one vote
per share. Each holder of Class B common stock is entitled
to ten votes per share. Subject to the rights, if any, of the
holders of any series of preferred stock and subject to
applicable law, all voting rights are vested in the holders of
common stock. Holders of shares of common stock are not entitled
to exercise any right of cumulative voting.
In the event of a voluntary or involuntary liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of Holdco, the holders of common stock
will be entitled to share equally in any of the assets available
for distribution after Holdco has paid in full all of its debts
and after the holder of all series of Holdcos outstanding
preferred stock have received their liquidation preferences in
full.
The issued and outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid
and nonassessable. Holders of common stock have no preemptive or
preferential right. Shares of common stock are not convertible
into shares of any other class of capital stock. The Bank of New
York is the transfer agent for the common stock. Holdco may from
time to time after the consummation of the mergers engage
another transfer agent for its stock as business circumstances
warrant.
Preferred Stock
As of the effective time of the mergers, the board of directors
of Holdco will be authorized to issue up to
5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, 500,000 of which shall
be designated as Series A junior preferred
stock, in one or more series, and to determine the voting
powers, preferences and relative, optional and other special
rights of the shares of such series, and the qualifications,
limitations or restrictions thereof.
Subject to the determination of the Holdco board of directors in
any certificate of designations for a series of preferred stock,
Holdcos preferred stock would generally have preference
over common stock with respect to the payment of dividends and
the distribution of assets in the event of a liquidation or
dissolution of Holdco.
Holders of Series A junior preferred stock are entitled to
receive when, as and if declared by the board of directors of
Holdco out of funds legally available for the purpose, dividends
payable in cash on the
30th
day of each April, July, October and January in each year or
such earlier date in any such month on which dividends on the
common stock are payable.
Each holder of Series A junior preferred stock is entitled
to 10,000 votes per share on all matters submitted to a vote of
the stockholders of Holdco.
139
In the event of a voluntary or involuntary liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of Holdco, the holders of
Series A junior preferred stock will be entitled to receive
$1,000 per share, plus an amount equal to accrued and
unpaid dividends and distributions thereon, whether or not
declared. After the full payment of the amount in the preceding
sentence, no additional distributions shall be made to holders
of Series A junior preferred stock unless the holders of
common stock receive the Common Adjustment (as more fully
described in Holdcos amended and restated certificate of
incorporation). Following the payment of the Common Adjustment,
holders of Series A junior preferred stock and holders of
common stock will receive their ratable and proportionate share
of the remaining assets to be distributed, on a per share basis.
Rights Agreement
Prior to the closing, Holdco shall adopt a rights agreement
substantially similar to the rights agreement currently adopted
by GameStop. EB has not adopted a rights agreement. Under
Holdcos rights agreement, one right (a Right) will be
attached to each outstanding share of Holdco Class A common
stock and each outstanding share of Holdco Class B Common
Stock which will entitle the registered holder to purchase from
Holdco one one-thousandth of a share Series A junior
preferred stock at a price of $100.00 per one
one-thousandth of a share (the Purchase Price), subject to
adjustment. The following summary is qualified in its entirety
by reference to the complete text of the rights agreement
attached as Exhibit 4.2 to the Registration Statement on
Form S-4 of which this joint proxy statement-prospectus is
a part.
Until the earlier to occur of (i) a public announcement
that, without the prior consent of the board of directors of
Holdco, a person or group of affiliated or associated persons
(an Acquiring Person) has acquired beneficial ownership of 15%
or more of the voting power of the outstanding shares of Holdco
common stock (or an additional 5% or more of the voting power of
the outstanding shares of Holdco common stock in the case of any
Acquiring Person who beneficially owns 15% or more of the voting
power of the outstanding shares of Holdco common stock as of the
date of the rights agreement) or (ii) 10 business days (or
such later date as may be determined by action of the board of
directors prior to such time as any person becomes an Acquiring
Person) following the commencement of, or announcement of an
intention to make, a tender offer or exchange offer the
consummation of which would result in the beneficial ownership
by a person or group of 15% or more of the voting power of the
outstanding shares of Holdco common stock (the earlier of such
dates being called the Distribution Date), the Rights will be
evidenced, with respect to any of the Holdco common stock
certificates outstanding, by such Holdco common stock
certificate.
The Rights Agreement provides that, until the Distribution Date,
the Rights will be transferred with and only with the shares of
Holdco common stock. Until the Distribution Date (or earlier
redemption or expiration of the Rights), new Holdco common stock
certificates issued after the mergers, upon transfer or new
issuance of shares of Holdco common stock, will contain a
notation incorporating the Rights Agreement by reference. Until
the Distribution Date (or earlier redemption or expiration of
the Rights), the surrender for transfer of any certificates for
shares of Holdco common stock outstanding as of the Record Date,
even without such notation or a copy of this Summary of Rights
being attached thereto, will also constitute the transfer of the
Rights associated with the shares of Holdco common stock
represented by such certificate. As soon as practicable
following the Distribution Date, separate certificates
evidencing the Rights (Right Certificates) will be mailed to
holders of record of the shares of Holdco common stock as of the
close of business on the Distribution Date and such separate
Right Certificates alone will evidence the Rights.
The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date. The
Rights will expire on a date ten years from the closing date
(the Final Expiration Date), unless the Final Expiration Date is
extended or unless the Rights are earlier redeemed by Holdco, in
each case, as described below.
The Purchase Price payable, and the number of one one-thousandth
shares of preferred stock or other securities or property
issuable, upon exercise of the Rights are subject to adjustment
from time to time to prevent dilution (i) in the event of a
stock dividend on, or a subdivision, combination or
reclassification of,
140
the preferred stock, (ii) upon the grant to holders of the
preferred stock of certain rights or warrants to subscribe for
or purchase preferred stock at a price, or securities
convertible into preferred stock with a conversion price, less
than the then current market price of the preferred stock or
(iii) upon the distribution to holders of the preferred
stock of evidences of indebtedness or assets (excluding regular
periodic cash dividends paid out of earnings or retained
earnings or dividends payable in preferred stock) or of
subscription rights or warrants (other than those referred to
above).
The number of outstanding Rights associated with each share of
Holdco common stock and the voting and economic rights of each
one one-thousandth of a share of preferred stock issuable upon
exercise of each Right are also subject to adjustment in the
event of a stock split of the shares of Holdco common stock or a
stock dividend on the shares of Holdco common stock payable in
shares of Holdco common stock or subdivisions, consolidations or
combinations of the shares of Holdco common stock occurring, in
any such case, prior to the Distribution Date.
In the event that any person becomes an Acquiring Person, each
holder of a Right, other than Rights beneficially owned by the
Acquiring Person and its Affiliates and Associates (which will
thereafter be null and void), will thereafter have the right to
receive upon exercise of the Right and payment of then current
Purchase Price that number of one one-thousandths of a share of
preferred stock having a market value of two times that Purchase
Price.
In the event that, after the Distribution Date, Holdco is
acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction
or 50% or more of its consolidated assets or earning power are
sold, proper provision will be made so that each holder of a
Right will thereafter have the right to receive, upon the
exercise thereof at the then current Purchase Price of the
Right, that number of shares of common stock of the acquiring
company which at the time of such transaction will have a market
value of two times that Purchase Price.
If Holdco does not have sufficient shares of preferred stock to
satisfy such obligation to issue preferred stock, or if the
board of directors so elects, Holdco shall deliver upon payment
of the Purchase Price of a Right an amount of cash or shares of
Holdco common stock or securities equivalent in value to the
shares of preferred stock issuable upon exercise of a Right;
provided that, if Holdco fails to meet such obligation within
30 days following the later of (x) the first
occurrence of an event triggering the right to purchase shares
of Holdco common stock and (y) the date on which
Holdcos right to redeem the Rights expires, Holdco must
deliver, upon exercise of a Right but without requiring payment
of the Purchase Price then in effect, shares of preferred stock
(to the extent available) and cash equal in value to the
difference between the value of the shares of preferred stock
otherwise issuable upon the exercise of a Right and the Purchase
Price then in effect. The board of directors may extend the
30 day period described above for up to an additional
60 days to permit the taking of action that may be
necessary to authorize sufficient additional shares of preferred
stock to permit the issuance of preferred stock upon the
exercise in full of the Rights.
At any time after the acquisition by a person or group of
affiliated or associated persons of beneficial ownership of 15%
or more of the voting power of the outstanding shares of Holdco
common stock and prior to the acquisition by such person or
group of 50% or more of the voting power of the outstanding
shares of Holdco common stock, the board of directors of Holdco
may exchange the Rights (other than Rights owned by such person
or group which have become void), in whole or in part, at an
exchange ratio of one one-thousandth of a share of preferred
stock or one share of Holdco common stock per Right (subject to
adjustment).
With certain exceptions, no adjustment in the Purchase Price
will be required until cumulative adjustments require an
adjustment of at least 1% in such Purchase Price. No fractional
shares of preferred stock will be issued (other than fractions
which are integral multiples of one one-thousandth of a share of
preferred stock) and in lieu thereof, an adjustment in cash will
be made, based on the market price of the preferred stock on the
last trading day prior to the date of exercise.
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At any time prior to the acquisition by a person or group of
affiliated or associated persons of beneficial ownership of 15%
or more of the voting power of the outstanding shares of Holdco
common stock, the board of directors of Holdco may redeem the
Rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of $.01 per
Right (the Redemption Price). The redemption of the Rights
may be made effective at such time, on such basis and with such
conditions as the board of directors in its sole discretion may
establish. Immediately upon any redemption of the Rights, the
right to exercise the Rights will terminate and the only right
of the holders of Rights will be to receive the
Redemption Price.
The preferred stock purchasable upon the exercise of the Rights
will be nonredeemable and junior to any other series of
preferred stock Holdco may issue (unless otherwise provided in
the terms of such stock). Each share of preferred stock will be
entitled to a preferred dividend equal to the greater of
(a) $1.00 or (b) 1,000 times any dividend
declared on the shares of Holdco common stock. In the event of
liquidation, the holders of preferred stock will receive a
preferred liquidation payment equal to $1,000 per share of
preferred stock, plus an amount equal to accrued and unpaid
dividends and distributions thereon. Each share of preferred
stock will have 10,000 votes, voting together with the shares of
Holdco common stock. Notwithstanding the immediately preceding
sentence, in the event that dividends on the preferred stock
shall be in arrears in an amount equal to six quarterly
dividends thereon, holders of the preferred stock shall have the
right, voting as a class, to elect two of Holdcos
Directors. In the event of any merger, consolidation or other
transaction in which shares of Holdco common stock are
exchanged, each share of preferred stock will be entitled to
receive 1,000 times the amount and type of consideration
received per Common Share. The rights of the preferred stock as
to dividends, liquidation and voting, and in the event of
mergers and consolidations, are protected by customary
anti-dilution provisions. Fractional shares of preferred stock
in integral multiples of one one-thousandth of a share of
preferred stock will be issuable. In lieu of fractional shares
other than fractions that are multiples of one one-thousandth of
a share, an adjustment in cash will be made based on the market
price of the preferred stock on the last trading date prior to
the date of exercise.
The terms of the Rights may be amended by the board of directors
of Holdco without the consent of the holders of the Rights,
except that from and after such time as any person becomes an
Acquiring Person no such amendment may adversely affect the
interests of the holders of the Rights (other than the Acquiring
Person and its affiliates and associates).
Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will
have no rights as a stockholder of Holdco, including, without
limitation, the right to vote or to receive dividends.
The Rights have certain anti-takeover effects. The Rights will
cause substantial dilution to a person or group that attempts to
acquire Holdco without conditioning the offer on the Rights
being redeemed or a substantial number of Rights being acquired.
However, the Rights generally should not interfere with any
merger or other business combination approved by the board of
directors.
COMPARISON OF STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS
The rights of GameStop stockholders are currently governed by
Delaware law and the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of
GameStop. The rights of EB stockholders are also currently
governed by Delaware law and the certificate of incorporation
and bylaws of EB. Upon completion of the mergers, the rights of
GameStop and EB stockholders who become stockholders of Holdco
in the mergers will be governed by the DGCL and the amended and
restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated
bylaws of Holdco.
This section of the joint proxy statement-prospectus describes
the material differences between the rights of GameStop
stockholders and EB stockholders. This section also includes a
brief description of the material rights that Holdco
stockholders are expected to have immediately following
completion of the mergers. In addition, this section contains a
summary of the DGCL.
This section does not include a description of the provisions of
the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of GameStop that are
no longer operative. This section does not include a complete
description of
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all differences among the rights of the stockholders, nor does
it include a complete description of the specific rights of the
stockholders. Furthermore, the identification of some of the
differences in the rights of the stockholders as material is not
intended to indicate that other differences that may be equally
important do not exist.
All GameStop stockholders and EB stockholders are urged to read
carefully the relevant provisions of the DGCL as well as the
certificates of incorporation and bylaws of each of GameStop, EB
and Holdco. The certificate of incorporation and bylaws of
Holdco which will be in effect upon completion of the mergers
will be in the form attached as Annex K and
Annex L to this joint proxy statement-prospectus.
Copies of the certificates of incorporation and bylaws of
GameStop and EB are available to GameStop stockholders and EB
stockholders upon request. See Where You Can Find More
Information on page 159.
Authorized Capital Stock
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GameStop |
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The authorized capital stock of GameStop consists of: |
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300,000,000 shares of Class A common
stock, par value $0.001 per share; |
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100,000,000 shares of Class B common
stock, par value $0.001 per share; and |
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5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value
$0.001 per share. |
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Holdco |
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Same as GameStop. |
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EB |
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The authorized capital stock of EB consists of: |
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100,000,000 shares of common stock, par value
$0.01 per share; and |
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25,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value
$0.01 per share. |
Voting Power of Capital Stock
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GameStop |
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Each holder of Class A common stock has the right to cast
one vote for each share of Class A common stock held of
record on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders,
including the election of directors. Each holder of Class B
common stock has the right to cast ten votes for each share of
Class B common stock held of record on all matters
submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election of
directors. |
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Holdco |
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Same as GameStop. |
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EB |
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Each holder of common stock has the right to cast one vote for
each share of common stock held of record on all matters
submitted to a vote of stockholders. |
Class Voting
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Delaware |
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Delaware corporate law requires a class vote only with respect
to amendments to a certificate of incorporation that
(1) would alter or change the powers, preferences or
special rights of the shares of such class so as to affect them
adversely or (2) would increase or decrease the aggregate
number of authorized shares or the par value of the shares of
such class. |
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GameStop |
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Subject to the rights of any preferred stock that may be issued,
and except as may be otherwise required by law or by the
certificate of incorporation, the holders of the Class A
common stock and the Class B common stock vote together as
a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of
stockholders. The holders of Class A common stock are not
entitled to vote on any alteration or change in the powers,
preferences, or special rights of the Class B common stock
that would not adversely affect the rights of the Class A
common stock. With respect to any proposed amendment to the
certificate of incorporation that would alter or change the
powers, preferences, or special rights of the shares of
Class A common stock or Class B common stock so as to
affect them adversely, the approval of a majority of the votes
entitled to be cast by the holders of the shares affected by the
proposed amendment, voting separately as a class, is required in
addition to the approval of the holders of at least a majority
or such higher percentage as is required by law or the
certificate of incorporation of the voting power of the then
outstanding voting stock, voting together as a single class. |
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Holdco |
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Same as GameStop. |
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EB |
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No specific class voting rights are provided by the certificate
of incorporation. |
Directors
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Delaware |
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The certificate of incorporation or the bylaws of a Delaware
corporation may contain provisions governing the number and
terms of directors. However, if the certificate of incorporation
contains provisions fixing the number of directors, that number
may not be changed without amending the certificate of
incorporation. Under Delaware law, the certificate of
incorporation or a bylaw adopted by the stockholders may provide
that directors be divided into one, two or three classes. |
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GameStop |
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The board of directors of GameStop currently has seven members.
The GameStop certificate of incorporation provides that the
board of directors will fix the number of directors from time to
time, but the number of directors may not be less than three nor
more than fifteen. The certificate of incorporation and bylaws
of GameStop provide for a classified board of directors. |
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Holdco |
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The board of directors of Holdco will have nine members upon
completion of the mergers. The Holdco certificate of
incorporation provides that the board of directors will fix the
number of directors from time to time, but the number of
directors may not be less than three nor more than fifteen. The
certificate of incorporation and bylaws of Holdco provide for a
classified board of directors. |
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EB |
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The board of directors of EB currently has seven members. The
bylaws of EB provide that the EB board of directors will fix the
number of directors from time to time, but the number of
directors may not be less than three nor more than 20. Neither |
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the certificate of incorporation or the bylaws of EB provide for
a classified board of directors. |
Qualifications of Directors
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Delaware |
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Under Delaware law, a director need not be a stockholder unless
the certificate of incorporation or bylaws so require. |
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GameStop |
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Neither the amended and restated certificate of incorporation
nor amended and restated bylaws of GameStop contain a provision
specifying that a director needs to be a stockholder. Directors
must be at least 21 years of age. |
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Holdco |
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Same as GameStop. |
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EB |
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Neither the certificate of incorporation nor bylaws of EB
contain a provision specifying that a director needs to be a
stockholder. |
Vacancies on the Board of Directors
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Delaware |
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Under Delaware law, unless otherwise provided in the certificate
of incorporation or the bylaws, vacancies on a board of
directors and newly created directorships resulting from an
increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled by
a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a
quorum, or by the sole remaining director. In the case of a
classified board of directors, directors elected to fill
vacancies or newly created directorships will hold office until
the next election of the class for which those directors have
been chosen and until their successors have been duly elected
and qualified. In addition, if, at the time of the filling of
any such vacancy or newly created directorship, the directors
then in office constitute less than a majority of the whole
board of directors (as constituted immediately before any such
increase), the Delaware Court of Chancery may, upon application
of any stockholder or stockholders holding at least 10% of the
voting stock at the time outstanding having the right to vote
for such directors, summarily order an election to be held to
fill any such vacancy or newly created directorship, or replace
the directors chosen by the directors then in office. |
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GameStop |
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Subject to the rights of any preferred stock, vacancies on the
board of directors of GameStop including newly created
directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized
number of directors, may be filled by a majority vote of the
directors then in office, even if those directors do not
constitute a quorum, or by the sole remaining director, or by
stockholders if such vacancy was caused by the removal of a
director by the action of stockholders (in which event such
vacancy may not be filled by the directors or a majority
thereof). The directors so elected will hold office for the
remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which
the new directorship was created or the vacancy occurred or
until such directors successor shall have been duly
elected and qualified. |
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Holdco |
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Same as GameStop. |
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EB |
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The bylaws of EB provide that vacancies and newly created
directorships resulting from any increase in the number of
directors may be filled by a majority of the directors then in
office, although less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining
director and each director so chosen shall hold office until the
next annual meeting at which the term of the class to which such
director has been elected expires and until such directors
successor has been duly elected and qualified, or until such
directors earlier resignation, removal from office, death
or incapacity. |
Removal of Directors
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Delaware |
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Under Delaware law, any director may be removed, with or without
cause, by the holders of a majority in voting power of the
shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors.
Members of a classified board of directors, however, may be
removed only for cause, unless the certificate of incorporation
provides otherwise. |
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GameStop |
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The certificate of incorporation of GameStop provides that
directors may be removed, but only for cause and only upon the
affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the voting
power of the then outstanding voting stock. |
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Holdco |
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Same as GameStop. |
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EB |
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The bylaws of EB provide that directors may be removed by the
holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an
election of directors, but only for cause. |
Amendments to the Certificate of Incorporation
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Delaware |
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Under Delaware law, unless the certificate of incorporation
requires a greater vote, a majority of the voting power of the
outstanding stock entitled to vote thereon and a majority of the
voting power of the outstanding stock of each class entitled to
vote thereon, voting in favor of the amendment is required to
adopt an amendment to the certificate of incorporation. |
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GameStop |
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Subject to the rights of any preferred stock that may be issued,
and except as may be otherwise required by law or by the
certificate of incorporation, the holders of the Class A
common stock and the Class B common stock vote together as
a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of
stockholders. The holders of Class A common stock are not
entitled to vote on any alteration or change in the powers,
preferences, or special rights of the Class B common stock
that would not adversely affect the rights of the Class A
common stock. With respect to any proposed amendment to the
certificate of incorporation that would alter or change powers,
preferences, or special rights of the shares of Class A
common stock or Class B common stock so as to affect them
adversely, the approval of a majority of the votes entitled to
be cast by the holders of the shares affected by the proposed
amendment, voting separately as a class, is required in addition
to the approval of the holders of at least a majority |
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or such higher percentage as is required by law or the
certificate of incorporation of the voting power of the then
outstanding voting stock, voting together as a single class. In
addition, an amendment to certain provisions of the certificate
of incorporation requires the approval of the holders of at
least 80% of the voting power of the then outstanding voting
stock of GameStop entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors, voting as a single class. Provisions protected by
this supermajority vote include provisions relating to the
classified board of directors, vacancies on the board of
directors, removal of directors, certain amendments to the
certificate of incorporation, the boards power to amend
the bylaws, special meetings of stockholders, stockholder action
by written consent, notice of special meetings, and advance
notice of stockholder proposals. |
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Holdco |
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Same as GameStop. |
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EB |
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The certificate of incorporation of EB requires the affirmative
vote of holders of at least 66.67% of the votes entitled to be
cast by the holders of all outstanding shares entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors to make, alter, amend,
change, repeal or adopt certain provisions of the certificate of
incorporation, including, among other things, provisions
relating to the power of the board of directors to amend the
bylaws, the supermajority provision, special meetings of
stockholders and stockholder action by written consent. |
Amendments to Bylaws
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Delaware |
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The power to adopt, amend and repeal bylaws is vested in the
stockholders. The board of directors may also be granted the
power to adopt, amend or repeal the bylaws if the certificate of
incorporation so provides. |
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GameStop |
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The certificate of incorporation of GameStop provides that the
board of directors is expressly authorized to adopt, amend or
repeal the bylaws; provided, however, that the bylaws adopted by
the board of directors may be amended or repealed by the board
of directors or by the vote of stockholders having at least 80%
of the voting power of the then-outstanding stock entitled to
vote generally in the election of directors. In addition, the
bylaws provide that any amendment or supplement to the bylaws
proposed to be acted upon at any meeting must have been
described or referred to in the notice of the meeting or an
announcement with respect to the meeting must have been made at
the last previous board of directors meeting, and no amendment
or supplement adopted by the board of directors may vary or
conflict with any amendment or supplement adopted by the
stockholders. The bylaws also provide that, notwithstanding the
preceding sentence, the affirmative vote of holders of at least
80% of the voting power of the then outstanding shares of
capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors, voting together as a single class, is |
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required to amend or repeal, or adopt any provisions
inconsistent with certain bylaw provisions. |
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Holdco |
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The bylaws of Holdco may be adopted, amended or repealed by a
majority of the entire board of directors. The stockholders also
have the power to adopt, amend or repeal the bylaws of Holdco;
provided, however, that in addition to any vote of the holders
of any class or series of stock of the corporation required by
law or by the certificate of incorporation, the affirmative vote
of the holders of at least 80% of the voting power of all of the
then outstanding shares of the capital stock of the corporation
entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting
together as a single class, is required to adopt, amend or
repeal any provision of the bylaws. |
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EB |
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The certificate of incorporation of EB provides that the board
of directors may make, adopt, alter, amend, change or repeal the
bylaws of EB by a majority vote of the entire board of
directors, subject to any bylaw provision requiring a higher
vote of the board. Stockholders are prohibited from making,
adopting, altering, amending, changing or repealing the bylaws
of the corporation except upon the affirmative vote of at least
66.67% of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of all
outstanding shares entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors, voting together as a single class. |
Action by Written Consent of Stockholders
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Delaware |
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Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation,
any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of
stockholders, may be taken without a meeting, without prior
notice and without a vote, if a written consent or consents,
setting forth the action so taken is signed by the holders of
outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of
votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action
at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote upon such
action were present and voted. |
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GameStop |
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The certificate of incorporation prohibits stockholder action by
written consent. |
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Holdco |
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Same as GameStop. |
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EB |
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Same as GameStop. |
Notice of Stockholders Meeting
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Delaware |
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Written notice of stockholders meetings must be sent to all
stockholders of record entitled to vote at the meeting not less
than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the
meeting, except with regard to a meeting where the stockholders
are asked to vote upon certain business combinations or a sale
of all or substantially all of the corporations assets, in
which case notice shall be delivered not less than 20 nor more
than 60 days before the date of the meeting. |
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GameStop |
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The bylaws of GameStop provide that written notice of the place,
date, time and purposes of a meeting of stockholders must be
given not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the
date of the meeting to each stockholder of record entitled to
vote at the meeting. |
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Holdco |
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Same as GameStop. |
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EB |
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The bylaws of EB provide that written notice of the time, place
and date of a meeting must be given to each stockholder entitled
to vote at such meeting of stockholders not less than 10 nor
more than 60 days before the date of the meeting. |
Ability to Call Special Meetings of Stockholders
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Delaware |
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Special meetings of stockholders may be called by the board of
directors or by any person or persons authorized by the
certificate of incorporation or the bylaws. If there is a
failure to hold an annual meeting or to take action by written
consent to elect directors in lieu of an annual meeting for a
period of 30 days after the date designated for the annual
meeting of stockholders, or, if no date has been designated, for
a period of 13 months after the latest to occur of the
organization of the corporation, its last annual meeting or the
last action by written consent to elect directors in lieu of an
annual meeting, the Delaware Court of Chancery may summarily
order a meeting to be held upon the application of any
stockholder or director. |
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GameStop |
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The certificate of incorporation and the bylaws of GameStop
provide that special meetings of stockholders may be called only
by a majority of the total authorized number of directors or by
the Chairman of the board and not by stockholders. |
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Holdco |
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The certificate of incorporation of Holdco provides that special
meetings of the stockholders may only be called by a majority of
the total authorized number of directors or by the Chairman of
the board. The bylaws of Holdco provide that the Chief Executive
Officer is also authorized to call special meetings. |
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EB |
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The bylaws of EB provide that special meetings of the
stockholders, for any purpose or purposes, may only be called by
the Chairman of the board of directors, the Chief Executive
Officer, the President or a majority of the entire board of
directors. |
Notice of Stockholder Action
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GameStop |
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Under GameStops bylaws, in order for a stockholder to
nominate candidates for election to GameStops board of
directors at any annual meeting of stockholders, timely written
notice must be given to the Secretary of GameStop. Similarly, in
order for a stockholder to propose business to be brought before
any meeting, timely written notice must be given to the
Secretary of GameStop. |
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Under GameStops bylaws, to be timely, notice in writing of
stockholder nominations or proposals to be made at annual |
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stockholders meetings must be delivered to or mailed and
received at the principal executive offices of GameStop not less
than 30 days or more than 60 days prior to the annual
meeting; provided, however, in the event that less than
40 days notice or prior public disclosure of the date of
the annual meeting is given to stockholders, then such notice by
a stockholder must be received no later than the close of
business on the tenth day following the day on which notice of
the date of the annual meeting was mailed or such public
disclosure was made. |
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A stockholders notice to GameStop for the proposal of
business to be brought before an annual meeting must set forth
all of the following with respect to each matter the stockholder
proposes to bring before the annual meeting: |
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the name and address of the stockholder as they
appear on GameStops books; |
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a brief description of the business to be brought
before the meeting and the reasons for conducting such business
at the meeting; |
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the class and number of shares of GameStop that are
beneficially owned by the stockholder; and |
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any material interest of the stockholder in such
business. |
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A stockholders notice to GameStop for the nomination of
candidates for election of directors must set forth all of the
following: |
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the name and address of the stockholder as they
appear on GameStops books; |
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the class and number of shares of GameStop that are
beneficially owned by the stockholder; |
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all information relating to each nominee that must
be disclosed in proxy solicitations for election of directors,
or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to
Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act; and |
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written consent of each nominee to being a nominee
and serving as a director if elected. |
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Holdco |
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Same as GameStop. |
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EB |
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Under the bylaws of EB, in order for a stockholder to nominate
candidates for election to the board of directors at an annual
meeting, timely written notice must be given to the Secretary of
EB. Similarly, in order for a stockholder to propose business to
be brought before any meeting, timely written notice must be
given to the Secretary of EB. |
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Under the bylaws of EB, to be timely, notice in writing of
stockholder nominations or proposals to be made at annual
stockholders meetings must be delivered to or mailed and
received at the principal executive offices of EB not less than
60 days nor more than 90 days prior to the meeting;
provided, |
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however, that if less than 70 days notice or prior public
disclosure of the date of the annual meeting is given or made to
stockholders, the notice by the stockholder to be timely, must
be received no later than the close of business on the
10th
day following the day on which such notice of the annual meeting
was mailed or such public disclosure was made. |
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A stockholders notice to EB for the proposal of business
to be brought before an annual meeting must set forth all of the
following as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring
before the annual meeting: |
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the name and address of the stockholder; |
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the class, series and number of shares of EB that
are owned beneficially by such stockholder; |
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a brief description of the business desired to be
brought before the meeting; |
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the reasons for conducting such business at the
meeting; |
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any material interest of the stockholder in such
business; and |
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the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the
nomination or proposal is made. |
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A stockholders notice to EB for the nomination of
candidates for election of directors must set forth all of the
following as to each person the stockholder proposes to nominate
for election or reelection as a director: |
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the name, age, business address and residence
address of the person; |
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the principal occupation or employment of the person; |
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the class and number of shares of EB that are
beneficially owned by such person; |
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any other information relating to the person
nominated required to be disclosed in solicitation of proxies
for election of directors pursuant to the Rules and Regulations
of the SEC under Section 14 of the Exchange Act; |
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the nominees written consent to being named as
a nominee and to serving as a director if elected; |
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the name and record address of the stockholder
giving the notice; and |
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the class and number of shares of capital stock of
EB that are beneficially owned by the stockholder giving the
notice. |
Limitation of Personal Liability of Directors and Officers
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Delaware |
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A corporation may include in its certificate of incorporation a
provision eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a
director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary |
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damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. However, the
provision may not eliminate or limit the liability of a director
for: |
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breach of the duty of loyalty; |
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acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; |
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unlawful payments of dividends, certain stock
repurchases or redemptions; or |
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any transaction from which the director derived an
improper personal benefit. |
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GameStop |
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The certificate of incorporation of GameStop contains a
provision limiting personal liability of directors to the
corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach
of fiduciary duty as a director, as described above. |
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Holdco |
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Same as GameStop. |
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EB |
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Same as GameStop. |
Indemnification of Directors and Officers
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Delaware |
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Delaware corporate law provides that, subject to certain
limitations in the case of derivative suits brought by a
corporations stockholders in its name, a corporation may
indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to
be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action,
suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that the person is or
was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation
(or is or was serving at the request of the corporation in such
capacity for another corporation, partnership, joint venture,
trust or other enterprise) against expenses, including
attorneys fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in
settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in
connection with such action, suit or proceeding if the person: |
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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 |
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in a criminal action or proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe the persons conduct was
unlawful. |
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Delaware corporate law also permits indemnification by a
corporation under similar circumstances for expenses (including
attorneys fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such
persons in connection with the defense or settlement of a
derivative action or suit, except that no indemnification may be
made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which the
person is adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and
only to the extent that the court in which the action or suit
was brought determines, upon application, that the person is
fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for the expenses
that the court deems to be proper. |
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To the extent a director, officer, employee or agent is
successful in the defense of such an action, suit or proceeding
or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, the
corporation is required to indemnify such person for actual and
reasonable expenses incurred thereby. Expenses (including
attorneys fees) incurred by such persons in defending any
action, suit or proceeding may be paid in advance of the final
disposition of such action, suit or proceeding. |
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GameStop |
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GameStops certificate of incorporation authorizes the
corporation to indemnify all persons to the fullest extent
permitted by law. The bylaws of GameStop require GameStop to
indemnify each person who was or is made a party or is
threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any
action, suit or proceeding, by reason of the fact that he or she
is or was a director or an officer of GameStop or is or was
serving at the request of GameStop 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 an employee benefit plan, against all expense,
liability and loss (including attorneys fees, judgments,
fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid in
settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in
connection with such action, suit or proceeding. The bylaws
provide that GameStop will indemnify such a director or officer
who initiates an action, suit or proceeding only if the action,
suit or proceeding was authorized by the board of directors of
GameStop. |
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In addition, under GameStops bylaws, GameStop must pay, in
advance of the disposition of any action, suit or proceeding,
any expenses incurred by such indemnitee; provided, however,
that if required by the DGCL, an advancement of expenses
incurred by an indemnitee in his or her capacity as a director
or officer shall be made only upon delivery to GameStop of an
undertaking to repay such amounts if it is ultimately judicially
determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified
for such expenses. The indemnification rights conferred by
GameStop are not exclusive of any other right to which persons
seeking indemnification may be entitled under any statute,
GameStops certificate of incorporation or bylaws, any
agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or
otherwise. |
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Holdco |
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Same as GameStop. |
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EB |
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The certificate of incorporation of EB requires EB to indemnify
any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a
party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or
proceeding whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative (other than an action by or in the right of EB),
by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director or
officer of EB, or is or was serving at the request of EB as a
director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise in any
capacity who is made, or threatened to be made, a party to any
action, suit or proceeding whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative against all |
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judgments, fines, amounts paid in settlement and all expenses,
including attorneys fees, actually and reasonably incurred
in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he or she
acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be
in or not opposed to the best interests of EB, and, with respect
to any criminal action or proceeding he or she reasonably
believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of EB,
and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no
reason to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The
indemnification rights conferred by EB are not exclusive of any
other right to which persons seeking indemnification may be
entitled to under any bylaw, agreement, contract, vote of
stockholders or disinterested directors or pursuant to the
direction of any court of competent jurisdiction or otherwise. |
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The certificate of incorporation of EB authorizes, but does not
require, EB to pay the expenses incurred by a director or
officer in advance of the final disposition of the action, suit
or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of
the director or officer to repay such amount if it is ultimately
determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified. |
Preemptive Rights of Stockholders
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Delaware |
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Delaware corporate law provides that no stockholder has any
preemptive rights to purchase additional stock or any security
convertible into stock of a corporation unless the
corporations certificate of incorporation expressly grants
those rights. |
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GameStop |
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GameStops certificate of incorporation states that
stockholders do not have preemptive rights. |
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Holdco |
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Same as GameStop. |
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EB |
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EBs certificate of incorporation does not grant preemptive
rights. |
Dividends
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Delaware |
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The directors of every Delaware corporation, subject to any
restrictions contained in its certificate of incorporation, may
declare and pay dividends out of surplus or, if there is no
surplus, out of net profits for the fiscal year in which the
dividend is declared and/or the preceding fiscal year. Under
Delaware law, dividends may not be paid out of net profits if,
after the payment of the dividend, capital is less than the
capital represented by the issued and outstanding stock of all
classes having a preference upon the distribution of assets. |
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GameStop |
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GameStops certificate of incorporation provides that the
holders of the Class A common stock and the Class B
common stock shall share equally on a per share basis in all
dividends or other distributions. In the case of dividends or
other distributions payable in common stock, including
distributions pursuant to stock splits or divisions of common
stock of GameStop, only shares of Class A common stock
shall be paid or distributed with respect to Class A common
stock and only shares of Class B |
154
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common stock shall be paid or distributed with respect to
Class B common stock. The number of shares of Class A
common stock and Class B common stock so distributed on
each share shall be equal in number. |
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Holdco |
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Same as GameStop. |
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EB |
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EBs certificate of incorporation is silent with respect to
dividends. |
Inspection of Books and Records and Stockholder List
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Delaware |
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Delaware law permits stockholders to inspect the stock ledger
and the other books and records of a corporation for a purpose
reasonably related to their interest as stockholders upon
compliance with the statutory procedural requirements. Delaware
law also requires corporations to prepare, at least 10 days
before every stockholders meeting, a list of stockholders
entitled to vote at the meeting. The list must be open to the
examination of any stockholder for any purpose germane to the
meeting at the principal place of business of the corporation
during ordinary business hours. The list must also be produced
and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the entire
meeting. |
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GameStop |
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The bylaws of GameStop provide that the stockholder list will be
available at a place within the city where the meeting is to be
held, which place must be specified in the notice of the
meeting, or if not so specified, at the place where the meeting
is to be held. |
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Holdco |
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The bylaws of Holdco provide that a complete list of
stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders,
arranged in alphabetical order for each class of stock and
showing the address of each such stockholder and the number of
shares registered in his or her name, shall be open to the
examination of any such stockholder, for any purpose germane to
the meeting, at the principal place of business of Holdco. |
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EB |
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Same as GameStop. |
Anti-Takeover Statute: Section 203
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Delaware |
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Section 203 of the DGCL (Section 203) generally
prevents corporations from engaging in a business
combination with any interested stockholder
for three years following the date that the stockholder became
any interested stockholder, unless that business combination has
been approved in one of a number of specific ways. For purposes
of Section 203, business combination, includes,
among other things, mergers, sales and leases of assets,
issuances of securities and similar transactions by a
corporation or a subsidiary with an interested stockholder. In
general, Section 203 defines interested
stockholder as any entity or person beneficially owning
15% or more of a corporations outstanding voting stock, or
any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or
controlled by that entity or person. |
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These restrictions on interested stockholders do not apply under
some circumstances, including if the corporations original
certificate of incorporation contains a provision expressly
electing not to be governed by the Delaware statute regulating
business combinations, or if the corporation, by action of its
stockholders, adopts an amendment to its certificate of
incorporation or bylaws expressly electing not to be governed by
these provisions of Delaware corporate law (and such amendment
is duly approved by the stockholders entitled to vote thereon). |
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GameStop |
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GameStop has opted out of Section 203 in its certificate of
incorporation. |
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Holdco |
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Same as GameStop. |
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EB |
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EB is governed by Section 203. |
Transactions Involving Officers or Directors
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Delaware |
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A corporation may lend money to, or guarantee any obligation
incurred by, its officers or directors if, in the judgment of
the board of directors, the loan or guarantee may reasonably be
expected to benefit the corporation. Any other contract or
transaction between the corporation and one or more of its
directors or officers is neither void nor voidable solely
because the interested director or officer was present,
participates or votes at the board or committee meeting that
authorizes the contract or transaction, if either: |
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the directors or officers interest is
made known to the disinterested directors or the stockholders of
the corporation, who thereafter approve the transaction in good
faith; or |
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the contract or transaction is fair to the
corporation as of the time it is approved or ratified by either
the board of directors, a committee thereof, or the stockholders. |
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GameStop |
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GameStops certificate of incorporation and bylaws are
silent with respect to transactions involving officers and
directors. |
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Holdco |
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Same as GameStop. |
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EB |
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EBs bylaws contain a provision that tracks the language of
the DGCL on this matter. |
Mergers, Acquisitions, Share Purchases and Certain Other
Transactions
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Delaware |
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Under Delaware corporate law, a merger, consolidation or sale of
all or substantially all of a corporations assets must be
approved by the board of directors and by a majority of the
outstanding stock of the corporation entitled to vote thereon. |
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GameStop |
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According to GameStops certificate of incorporation, in
case of any consolidation, merger, combination or other
transaction in which shares of common stock are exchanged for or
changed into other stock or securities, cash and/or any other
property, each holder of a share of Class A common stock is
entitled to receive the same kind and amount of shares of stock
and other |
156
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securities and property (including cash) receivable upon such
consolidation, merger, combination or other transaction by a
holder of a share of Class B common stock and each holder
of a share of Class B common stock is entitled to receive
the same kind and amount of shares of stock and other securities
and property (including cash) receivable upon such
consolidation, merger, combination or other transaction by a
holder of a share of Class A common stock. In the event
that the holders of Class A common stock (or of
Class B common stock) are granted rights to elect to
receive one of two or more alternative forms of consideration,
the foregoing provision will be satisfied if holders of
Class A common stock and holders of Class B common
stock are granted substantially identical election rights.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of any of the
foregoing transactions, the holders of Class B common stock
may receive securities that differ as to voting rights and
powers on a per share basis from the securities received by the
holders of Class A common stock, provided, however, that
such difference shall not exceed ten to one, respectively. The
provisions set forth above shall not apply in the event of any
internal restructuring of GameStop that does not change the
economic terms, voting rights or other provisions of such
Class A common stock and Class B common stock in
effect immediately prior to the internal restructuring. |
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Holdco |
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Same as GameStop. |
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EB |
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The certificate of incorporation and bylaws of EB are silent
with respect to mergers. |
Office of the Chairman
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Delaware |
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Delaware corporate law does not require or prohibit the creation
of an Office of the Chairman for a Delaware corporation. |
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GameStop |
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GameStops bylaws provide for a Chairman of the board, who
is the chief executive officer and a director, and who presides
at the meetings of stockholders and directors. The Chairman of
the board has general and active responsibility for the
management of the business and is responsible for implementing
all orders and resolutions of the board of directors. |
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Holdco |
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Holdcos bylaws provide for a Chairman of the board of
directors. The Chairman of the board is responsible for
implementing all orders and resolutions of the board. The
Chairman must be a director and must preside at all meetings of
stockholders and directors at which he or she is present and
will have such other powers and duties as the board of directors
designates. |
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EB |
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EBs bylaws provide for a Chairman of the board of
directors. The Chairman of the board must be a director and must
exercise and perform such duties and have such powers as
prescribed by the board of directors or the bylaws. |
157
LEGAL MATTERS
Bryan Cave LLP, New York, New York, counsel for GameStop, has
provided an opinion for Holdco regarding the validity of the
shares of Holdco offered by this joint proxy
statement-prospectus.
EXPERTS
GameStop. The audited consolidated statements and
schedule of GameStop incorporated in this joint proxy
statement-prospectus by reference to GameStops Annual
Report on Form 10-K, as amended, as of January 29,
2005 and January 31, 2004, and for the 52-week periods
ended January 29, 2005, January 31, 2004 and
February 1, 2003, and managements assessment of the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of
January 29, 2005, have been incorporated in reliance on the
reports of BDO Seidman, LLP, an independent registered public
accounting firm, given on the authority of that firm as experts
in accounting and auditing.
EB. The consolidated financial statements and schedule of
EB as of January 29, 2005 and January 31, 2004, and
for each of the years in the three-year period ended
January 29, 2005, and managements assessment of the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of
January 29, 2005 have been incorporated by reference herein
in reliance upon the reports of KPMG LLP, independent registered
public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and
upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and
auditing.
OTHER MATTERS WITH RESPECT TO GAMESTOPS ANNUAL
MEETING
GameStop does not intend to present any other business for
action at the GameStop annual meeting and does not know of any
other business intended to be presented by others. If any
matters other than the matters described in the Notice of
GameStop Annual Meeting of Stockholders and this joint proxy
statement-prospectus should be presented for GameStop
stockholder action at the GameStop annual meeting, it is the
intention of the persons designated in the proxy to vote thereon
according to their best judgment.
Proxy Solicitation. To assist in the solicitation of
proxies, GameStop has retained Georgeson Shareholder
Communications, Inc. Solicitation may be made personally, by
telephone, by telegraph or by mail by officers and employees of
GameStop who will not be additionally compensated therefor.
GameStop may request persons such as brokers, nominees and
fiduciaries holding stock in their names for others, or holding
stock for others who have the right to give voting instructions,
to forward proxy materials to their principals and request
authority for the execution of the proxy. GameStop will
reimburse such persons for their expenses in so doing. GameStop
is bearing its portion of the costs of this solicitation.
Financial and Other Information. GameStops Annual
Report for the fiscal year ended January 29, 2005, as
amended, including financial statements, is being sent to
GameStop stockholders together with this joint proxy
statement-prospectus.
GameStop Stockholder Proposals. Proposals of GameStop
stockholders intended to be presented at the GameStop annual
meeting of stockholders to be held in 2006 must be received by
the Secretary, GameStop Corp., 625 Westport Parkway, Grapevine,
Texas 76051, no later
than .
In addition, GameStops bylaws provide that, in order for a
GameStop stockholder to propose business for consideration at a
GameStop annual meeting of stockholders, such stockholder must
give written notice to the secretary of GameStop not less than
30 days nor more than 60 days prior to the meeting;
provided, however, that in the event that less than 40 days
notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the meeting is
given to GameStop stockholders, notice by the GameStop
stockholder must be given not later than the close of business
on the tenth day following the day on which such notice of the
date of the meeting was mailed or such public disclosure was
made. Such notice must contain the proposing GameStop
stockholders record name and address, and the class and
number of shares of
157
GameStop which are beneficially owned by such stockholder. Such
notice must also contain (i) a brief description of the
business desired to be brought before the GameStop annual
meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the
GameStop annual meeting, and (ii) any material interest of
the proposing GameStop stockholder in such business.
OTHER MATTERS WITH RESPECT TO EBS ANNUAL MEETING
Any EB stockholder proposal intended to be presented at
EBs 2006 annual meeting of stockholders must conform to
the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission
concerning the submission and content of proposals. The proposal
must be received in writing by EB, at its principal executive
offices at 931 South Matlack Street, West Chester,
Pennsylvania 19382,
by ,
2006, for inclusion in its proxy, notice of meeting and proxy
statement relating to the EB 2006 annual meeting of
stockholders. The proposal should be sent to the attention of
EBs Secretary, James A. Smith.
Under EBs bylaws, an EB stockholder proposal intended to
be included in the proxy material for the EB 2006 annual meeting
must generally be received by EB not less than 60 nor more than
90 days prior to the meeting; provided, however, that in
the event that less than 70 days notice or prior public
disclosure of the date of the annual meeting is given or made to
EB stockholders, notice by an EB stockholder, to be timely, must
be received by EB no later than the close of business on the
tenth day following the day on which notice of the date of the
annual meeting was mailed or public disclosure was made,
whichever first occurs. Any such proposal must also comply with
the other provisions contained in EBs bylaws relating to
EB stockholder proposals.
Notice of a proposed item of business must include:
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a brief description of the business desired to be brought before
the EB annual meeting and the reasons for conducting this
business at the EB annual meeting; |
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any material interests of the EB stockholder in this business; |
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the EB stockholders name and address as it appears in
EBs records; and |
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the number of shares of common stock beneficially owned by the
EB stockholder. |
Any director nomination by an EB stockholder must include the
following information about the nominee:
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name; |
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age; |
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business and residence address; |
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principal occupation or employment; |
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the number of shares of common stock beneficially owned by the
nominee; |
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the information that would be required under SEC rules in a
proxy statement soliciting proxies for the election of
directors; and |
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a signed consent of the nominee to serve as a director of EB, if
elected. |
Annual Report On Form 10-K
EB will furnish without charge to any EB stockholder, upon
written request, a copy of EBs Form 10-K, as amended,
for the fiscal year ended January 29, 2005. Requests for
this report should be addressed to Investor Relations,
Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp., 931 South Matlack Street,
West Chester, Pennsylvania 19382. You may also obtain a copy of
EBs Form 10-K, as amended, from EBs website at
www.ebholdings.com or from the SECs website at www.sec.gov.
159
Other Matters
The EB board of directors knows of no business that will be
presented for consideration at the EB annual meeting other than
that shown above. However, if any business is properly brought
before the EB annual meeting, the persons named in the enclosed
proxy or their substitutes will vote the proxy in respect of any
such business in accordance with their best judgment pursuant to
the discretionary authority conferred thereby.
For additional information on EB, see Where You Can Find
More Information on page 159.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
GameStop and EB file annual, quarterly and current reports,
proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may
read and copy any document they and Holdco file at the
SECs public reference room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference
room. SEC filings are also available to the public at the
SECs website at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of documents
filed by GameStop, EB and Holdco with the SEC are also available
at the offices of The New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad
Street, New York, New York 10005 (for GameStop and Holdco) and
The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc., 1 Liberty Plaza, New York, New
York 10006 (for EB).
Holdco has filed a registration statement on Form S-4 under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with the SEC with
respect to Holdco common stock to be issued in the mergers. This
joint proxy statement-prospectus constitutes the prospectus of
Holdco filed as part of the registration statement. This joint
proxy statement-prospectus does not contain all of the
information set forth in the registration statement because
certain parts of the registration statement are omitted in
accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. The
registration statement and its exhibits are available for
inspection and copying as set forth above.
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference into
this joint proxy statement-prospectus documents filed with the
SEC by GameStop and EB. This means that we can disclose
important information to you by referring you to those
documents. The information incorporated by reference is
considered to be a part of this joint proxy
statement-prospectus, and later information that we file with
the SEC will update and supersede that information. We
incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any
documents filed by GameStop or EB under Section 13(a),
13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, after the date of this
joint proxy statement-prospectus and before the date of our
annual meetings:
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GameStop Filings (SEC File No. 001-31228): |
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Period or Date Filed |
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Annual Report on Form 10-K
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Year ended January 29, 2005 |
Annual Report on Form 10-K/ A
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Year ended January 29, 2005 |
Current Reports on Form 8-K
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Filed on April 15, 2005 and April 18, 2005 |
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EB Filings (SEC File No. 000-24603): |
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Period or Date Filed |
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Annual Report on Form 10-K/ A
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Year ended January 29, 2005 |
Current Reports on Form 8-K
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Filed on April 18, 2005 |
In addition, GameStop and EB also incorporate by reference
additional documents that either company files with the SEC
between the date of this document and the date of the annual
meetings of the GameStop and EB stockholders. These documents
include periodic reports, such as Annual Reports on
Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current
Reports on Form 8-K, as well as proxy statements.
If you are a GameStop or EB stockholder, we may have sent you
some of the documents incorporated by reference, but you can
obtain any of them through GameStop or EB, the SEC or the
160
SECs website as described above. Documents incorporated by
reference are available from GameStop or EB without charge,
excluding all exhibits unless we have specifically incorporated
by reference an exhibit in this joint proxy
statement-prospectus. GameStop and EB stockholders may obtain
documents incorporated by reference in this joint proxy
statement-prospectus by requesting them in writing or by
telephone from the appropriate company at the following
addresses:
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If you are a GameStop stockholder: |
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If you are an EB stockholder: |
By Mail:
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GameStop Corp. |
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By Mail: |
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Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp. |
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625 Westport Parkway |
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931 South Matlack Street |
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Grapevine, Texas 76051 |
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West Chester, Pennsylvania 19382 |
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Attention: Investor Relations |
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Attention: Investor Relations |
By Telephone:
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(817) 424-2000 |
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By Telephone: |
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(610) 430-8100 |
This joint proxy statement-prospectus does not constitute an
offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase, the
securities offered by this joint proxy statement-prospectus, or
the solicitation of a proxy, in any jurisdiction to or from any
person to whom or from whom it is unlawful to make such offer,
solicitation of an offer or proxy solicitation in such
jurisdiction. Neither the delivery of this joint proxy
statement-prospectus nor any distribution of securities pursuant
to this joint proxy statement-prospectus shall, under any
circumstances, create any implication that there has been no
change in the information set forth or incorporated into this
joint proxy statement-prospectus by reference or in our affairs
since the date of this joint proxy statement-prospectus. The
information contained in this joint proxy statement-prospectus
with respect to GameStop was provided by GameStop, and the
information contained in this joint proxy statement-prospectus
with respect to EB was provided by EB.
161
ANNEX A
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
BY AND AMONG
GAMESTOP CORP.
GAMESTOP, INC.
GSC HOLDINGS CORP.,
COWBOY SUBSIDIARY LLC,
EAGLE SUBSIDIARY LLC
AND
ELECTRONICS BOUTIQUE HOLDINGS CORP.
DATED AS OF APRIL 17, 2005
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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TABLE OF DEFINED TERMS |
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A-iv |
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ARTICLE I THE MERGERS |
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A-2 |
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Section 1.1
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Holdco |
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A-2 |
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Section 1.2
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The Mergers |
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A-2 |
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Section 1.3
|
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Effective Time of the Mergers |
|
|
A-3 |
|
|
Section 1.4
|
|
Closing |
|
|
A-3 |
|
|
Section 1.5
|
|
Certificates of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Surviving
Corporations |
|
|
A-3 |
|
|
Section 1.6
|
|
Officers and Directors of the Surviving Corporations |
|
|
A-3 |
|
|
ARTICLE II EFFECT OF THE MERGERS; SURRENDER OF CERTIFICATES
AND PAYMENT |
|
|
A-4 |
|
|
Section 2.1
|
|
Conversion of Company Securities |
|
|
A-4 |
|
|
Section 2.2
|
|
Conversion of GameStop Securities |
|
|
A-4 |
|
|
Section 2.3
|
|
Exchange of Certificates |
|
|
A-5 |
|
|
Section 2.4
|
|
Certain Adjustments |
|
|
A-7 |
|
|
Section 2.5
|
|
Appraisal Rights |
|
|
A-8 |
|
|
Section 2.6
|
|
Further Assurances |
|
|
A-8 |
|
|
Section 2.7
|
|
Withholding Rights |
|
|
A-8 |
|
|
Section 2.8
|
|
Stock Options and Other Equity Awards |
|
|
A-8 |
|
|
Section 2.9
|
|
GameStop Stock Options; GameStop Stock Option Plans |
|
|
A-9 |
|
|
ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY |
|
|
A-10 |
|
|
Section 3.1
|
|
Organization, Standing and Corporate Power |
|
|
A-10 |
|
|
Section 3.2
|
|
Subsidiaries |
|
|
A-10 |
|
|
Section 3.3
|
|
Capital Structure |
|
|
A-10 |
|
|
Section 3.4
|
|
Authority |
|
|
A-11 |
|
|
Section 3.5
|
|
Non-Contravention; Consents and Approvals |
|
|
A-11 |
|
|
Section 3.6
|
|
SEC Reports and Financial Statements |
|
|
A-12 |
|
|
Section 3.7
|
|
No Undisclosed Liabilities |
|
|
A-13 |
|
|
Section 3.8
|
|
Information Supplied |
|
|
A-13 |
|
|
Section 3.9
|
|
Absence of Certain Changes or Events |
|
|
A-13 |
|
|
Section 3.10
|
|
Compliance with Applicable Laws |
|
|
A-13 |
|
|
Section 3.11
|
|
Employee Benefit Plans |
|
|
A-14 |
|
|
Section 3.12
|
|
Taxes |
|
|
A-14 |
|
|
Section 3.13
|
|
Material Contracts |
|
|
A-15 |
|
|
Section 3.14
|
|
Properties |
|
|
A-16 |
|
|
Section 3.15
|
|
Intellectual Property |
|
|
A-16 |
|
|
Section 3.16
|
|
Environmental Matters |
|
|
A-16 |
|
|
Section 3.17
|
|
Transactions with Affiliates |
|
|
A-17 |
|
|
Section 3.18
|
|
Voting Requirements |
|
|
A-17 |
|
|
Section 3.19
|
|
State Takeover Statutes |
|
|
A-17 |
|
|
Section 3.20
|
|
Opinion of Financial Advisors |
|
|
A-17 |
|
A-i
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Section 3.21
|
|
Brokers |
|
|
A-17 |
|
|
Section 3.22
|
|
No Negotiations |
|
|
A-17 |
|
|
ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF GAMESTOP AND
HOLDCO |
|
|
A-18 |
|
|
Section 4.1
|
|
Organization, Standing and Corporate Power |
|
|
A-18 |
|
|
Section 4.2
|
|
Subsidiaries |
|
|
A-18 |
|
|
Section 4.3
|
|
Capital Structure |
|
|
A-18 |
|
|
Section 4.4
|
|
Authority |
|
|
A-19 |
|
|
Section 4.5
|
|
Non-Contravention; Consents and Approvals |
|
|
A-19 |
|
|
Section 4.6
|
|
SEC Reports and Financial Statements |
|
|
A-20 |
|
|
Section 4.7
|
|
No Undisclosed Liabilities |
|
|
A-21 |
|
|
Section 4.8
|
|
Information Supplied |
|
|
A-21 |
|
|
Section 4.9
|
|
Absence of Certain Changes or Events |
|
|
A-21 |
|
|
Section 4.10
|
|
Compliance with Applicable Laws |
|
|
A-22 |
|
|
Section 4.11
|
|
Taxes |
|
|
A-22 |
|
|
Section 4.12
|
|
Transactions with Affiliates |
|
|
A-23 |
|
|
Section 4.13
|
|
Financing |
|
|
A-23 |
|
|
Section 4.14
|
|
Voting Requirements |
|
|
A-23 |
|
|
Section 4.15
|
|
Opinion of Financial Advisors |
|
|
A-23 |
|
|
Section 4.16
|
|
State Takeover Statutes and Rights Plan |
|
|
A-23 |
|
|
Section 4.17
|
|
Brokers |
|
|
A-24 |
|
|
Section 4.18
|
|
Holdco; Merger Subs |
|
|
A-24 |
|
|
Section 4.19
|
|
No Negotiations |
|
|
A-24 |
|
|
Section 4.20
|
|
Separation Agreement |
|
|
A-24 |
|
|
ARTICLE V COVENANTS RELATING TO CONDUCT OF BUSINESS |
|
|
A-24 |
|
|
Section 5.1
|
|
Conduct of Business |
|
|
A-24 |
|
|
Section 5.2
|
|
No Solicitation by the Company |
|
|
A-28 |
|
|
Section 5.3
|
|
No Solicitation by GameStop |
|
|
A-30 |
|
|
Section 5.4
|
|
Control of Other Partys Business |
|
|
A-32 |
|
|
Section 5.5
|
|
Transition |
|
|
A-32 |
|
|
ARTICLE VI ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS |
|
|
A-33 |
|
|
Section 6.1
|
|
Preparation of the Form S-4 and the Joint Proxy Statement;
Stockholders Meetings |
|
|
A-33 |
|
|
Section 6.2
|
|
Letters of the Companys Accountants |
|
|
A-34 |
|
|
Section 6.3
|
|
Letters of GameStops Accountants |
|
|
A-34 |
|
|
Section 6.4
|
|
Access to Information; Confidentiality |
|
|
A-34 |
|
|
Section 6.5
|
|
Reasonable Best Efforts |
|
|
A-34 |
|
|
Section 6.6
|
|
[Intentionally Omitted] |
|
|
A-35 |
|
|
Section 6.7
|
|
Cooperation |
|
|
A-35 |
|
|
Section 6.8
|
|
No Takeover Statutes Apply |
|
|
A-36 |
|
|
Section 6.9
|
|
Tax-Free Qualification |
|
|
A-36 |
|
|
Section 6.10
|
|
Indemnification; Directors and Officers Insurance |
|
|
A-36 |
|
|
Section 6.11
|
|
Public Announcements |
|
|
A-37 |
|
A-ii
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Section 6.12
|
|
Affiliates |
|
|
A-38 |
|
|
Section 6.13
|
|
NYSE Listing |
|
|
A-38 |
|
|
Section 6.14
|
|
Stockholder Litigation |
|
|
A-38 |
|
|
Section 6.15
|
|
Section 16 Matters |
|
|
A-38 |
|
|
Section 6.16
|
|
Employee Benefit Plans |
|
|
A-38 |
|
|
Section 6.17
|
|
Governance |
|
|
A-39 |
|
|
Section 6.18
|
|
Rights Agreement |
|
|
A-39 |
|
|
Section 6.19
|
|
Tax Opinion |
|
|
A-40 |
|
|
ARTICLE VII CONDITIONS PRECEDENT |
|
|
A-40 |
|
|
Section 7.1
|
|
Conditions to Each Partys Obligation to Effect the Mergers |
|
|
A-40 |
|
|
Section 7.2
|
|
Conditions to Obligations of GameStop and Holdco |
|
|
A-40 |
|
|
Section 7.3
|
|
Conditions to Obligations of the Company |
|
|
A-41 |
|
|
Section 7.4
|
|
Frustration of Closing Conditions |
|
|
A-42 |
|
|
ARTICLE VIII TERMINATION |
|
|
A-42 |
|
|
Section 8.1
|
|
Termination |
|
|
A-42 |
|
|
Section 8.2
|
|
Effect of Termination |
|
|
A-43 |
|
|
Section 8.3
|
|
Fees and Expenses |
|
|
A-43 |
|
|
ARTICLE IX GENERAL PROVISIONS |
|
|
A-45 |
|
|
Section 9.1
|
|
Nonsurvival of Representations and Warranties |
|
|
A-45 |
|
|
Section 9.2
|
|
Notices |
|
|
A-45 |
|
|
Section 9.3
|
|
Interpretation |
|
|
A-45 |
|
|
Section 9.4
|
|
Counterparts |
|
|
A-47 |
|
|
Section 9.5
|
|
Entire Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries |
|
|
A-47 |
|
|
Section 9.6
|
|
Governing Law |
|
|
A-48 |
|
|
Section 9.7
|
|
Assignment |
|
|
A-48 |
|
|
Section 9.8
|
|
Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial |
|
|
A-48 |
|
|
Section 9.9
|
|
Specific Enforcement |
|
|
A-48 |
|
|
Section 9.10
|
|
Amendment |
|
|
A-48 |
|
|
Section 9.11
|
|
Extension; Waiver |
|
|
A-48 |
|
|
Section 9.12
|
|
Severability |
|
|
A-49 |
|
A-iii
TABLE OF DEFINED TERMS
|
|
|
|
|
Action
|
|
|
A-46 |
|
|
Adjusted Option
|
|
|
A-9 |
|
Adjustment Event
|
|
|
A-7 |
|
Affiliate
|
|
|
A-46 |
|
Agreement
|
|
|
A-1 |
|
Amended and Restated Holdco Charter
|
|
|
A-2 |
|
Antitrust and Competition Laws
|
|
|
A-35 |
|
Antitrust Filings
|
|
|
A-35 |
|
Average Closing Price
|
|
|
A-7 |
|
B&N
|
|
|
A-24 |
|
Bank Commitment Letters
|
|
|
A-23 |
|
Benefit Plans
|
|
|
A-38 |
|
Bryan Cave
|
|
|
A-40 |
|
Business Day
|
|
|
A-46 |
|
Cancelled Shares
|
|
|
A-4 |
|
Certificates
|
|
|
A-5 |
|
Certificates of Merger
|
|
|
A-3 |
|
Citigroup
|
|
|
A-23 |
|
Closing
|
|
|
A-3 |
|
Closing Date
|
|
|
A-3 |
|
Code
|
|
|
A-1 |
|
Company
|
|
|
A-1 |
|
Company Adverse Recommendation Change
|
|
|
A-29 |
|
Company Benefit Plans
|
|
|
A-14 |
|
Company Cash Consideration
|
|
|
A-4 |
|
Company Certificate of Merger
|
|
|
A-3 |
|
Company Certificates
|
|
|
A-4 |
|
Company Common Stock
|
|
|
A-4 |
|
Company Disclosure Letter
|
|
|
A-10 |
|
Company Indemnified Parties
|
|
|
A-36 |
|
Company Intellectual Property
|
|
|
A-16 |
|
Company Merger
|
|
|
A-2 |
|
Company Merger Consideration
|
|
|
A-4 |
|
Company Merger Sub
|
|
|
A-1 |
|
Company Permitted Liens
|
|
|
A-16 |
|
Company Preferred Stock
|
|
|
A-10 |
|
Company Representatives
|
|
|
A-28 |
|
Company SEC Documents
|
|
|
A-12 |
|
Company Stock Consideration
|
|
|
A-4 |
|
Company Stock Option
|
|
|
A-8 |
|
Company Stock Option Plans
|
|
|
A-8 |
|
Company Stockholder Approval
|
|
|
A-17 |
|
Company Stockholders Meeting
|
|
|
A-34 |
|
A-iv
|
|
|
|
|
Company Superior Proposal
|
|
|
A-28 |
|
Company Takeover Proposal
|
|
|
A-28 |
|
Company Termination Fee
|
|
|
A-44 |
|
Companys Current Premium
|
|
|
A-37 |
|
Confidentiality Agreement
|
|
|
A-34 |
|
DGCL
|
|
|
A-1 |
|
Dissenting Shares
|
|
|
A-8 |
|
Dissenting Stockholder
|
|
|
A-8 |
|
DLLCA
|
|
|
A-1 |
|
Effective Time
|
|
|
A-3 |
|
Environmental Claim
|
|
|
A-16 |
|
Environmental Laws
|
|
|
A-16 |
|
Environmental Permits
|
|
|
A-16 |
|
ERISA
|
|
|
A-14 |
|
ESPP
|
|
|
A-8 |
|
Exchange Act
|
|
|
A-12 |
|
Exchange Agent
|
|
|
A-5 |
|
Exchange Fund
|
|
|
A-5 |
|
Expenses
|
|
|
A-43 |
|
Form S-4
|
|
|
A-13 |
|
GAAP
|
|
|
A-12 |
|
GameStop
|
|
|
A-1 |
|
GameStop Adverse Recommendation Change
|
|
|
A-31 |
|
GameStop Benefits Plan
|
|
|
A-38 |
|
GameStop Certificate of Merger
|
|
|
A-3 |
|
GameStop Certificates
|
|
|
A-5 |
|
GameStop Charter Amendment
|
|
|
A-23 |
|
GameStop Class A Common Stock
|
|
|
A-4 |
|
GameStop Class A Consideration
|
|
|
A-4 |
|
GameStop Class B Common Stock
|
|
|
A-4 |
|
GameStop Class B Consideration
|
|
|
A-4 |
|
GameStop Common Stock
|
|
|
A-4 |
|
GameStop Disclosure Letter
|
|
|
A-18 |
|
GameStop Indemnified Parties
|
|
|
A-36 |
|
GameStop Merger
|
|
|
A-2 |
|
GameStop Merger Consideration
|
|
|
A-4 |
|
GameStop Merger Sub
|
|
|
A-1 |
|
GameStop Preferred Stock
|
|
|
A-18 |
|
GameStop Representatives
|
|
|
A-30 |
|
GameStop Rights
|
|
|
A-18 |
|
GameStop Rights Agreement
|
|
|
A-18 |
|
GameStop SEC Documents
|
|
|
A-20 |
|
GameStop Series A Preferred Stock
|
|
|
A-18 |
|
GameStop Stock Option
|
|
|
A-9 |
|
GameStop Stock Option Plan
|
|
|
A-9 |
|
A-v
|
|
|
|
|
GameStop Stockholder Approval
|
|
|
A-23 |
|
GameStop Stockholders Meeting
|
|
|
A-34 |
|
GameStop Superior Proposal
|
|
|
A-31 |
|
GameStop Takeover Proposal
|
|
|
A-31 |
|
GameStop Termination Fee
|
|
|
A-44 |
|
GameStop, Inc.
|
|
|
A-1 |
|
GameStops Current Premium
|
|
|
A-37 |
|
Governmental Entity
|
|
|
A-11 |
|
Holdco
|
|
|
A-1 |
|
Holdco Class A Common Stock
|
|
|
A-2 |
|
Holdco Class B Common Stock
|
|
|
A-2 |
|
Holdco Common Stock
|
|
|
A-2 |
|
Holdco Preferred Stock
|
|
|
A-2 |
|
Holdco Series A Preferred Stock
|
|
|
A-2 |
|
Holdco Stock Option Plan
|
|
|
A-9 |
|
HSR Act
|
|
|
A-12 |
|
HSR Filing
|
|
|
A-35 |
|
Indemnified Parties
|
|
|
A-36 |
|
Infringe
|
|
|
A-16 |
|
Insiders
|
|
|
A-38 |
|
Intellectual Property
|
|
|
A-46 |
|
Joint Proxy Statement
|
|
|
A-12 |
|
Kim Group
|
|
|
A-1 |
|
Kim Group Voting Agreement
|
|
|
A-1 |
|
Klehr Harrison
|
|
|
A-40 |
|
Knowledge
|
|
|
A-46 |
|
Law
|
|
|
A-46 |
|
Liability
|
|
|
A-46 |
|
Liens
|
|
|
A-47 |
|
Material Adverse Effect
|
|
|
A-47 |
|
Material Contract
|
|
|
A-15 |
|
Merger Consideration
|
|
|
A-4 |
|
Merger Subs
|
|
|
A-1 |
|
Mergers
|
|
|
A-2 |
|
Merrill Lynch
|
|
|
A-17 |
|
New Plans
|
|
|
A-39 |
|
Notice of Company Adverse Recommendation
|
|
|
A-29 |
|
Notice of GameStop Adverse Recommendation
|
|
|
A-31 |
|
Objecting Party
|
|
|
A-35 |
|
Outside Date
|
|
|
A-42 |
|
Permits
|
|
|
A-14 |
|
Permitted Liens
|
|
|
A-47 |
|
Person
|
|
|
A-47 |
|
PJSC
|
|
|
A-17 |
|
Riggio Group
|
|
|
A-2 |
|
A-vi
|
|
|
|
|
Riggio Group Voting Agreement
|
|
|
A-2 |
|
SEC
|
|
|
A-12 |
|
Section 16 Information
|
|
|
A-38 |
|
Securities Act
|
|
|
A-12 |
|
Separation Agreement
|
|
|
A-24 |
|
Spin-Off
|
|
|
A-17 |
|
Subsidiary
|
|
|
A-47 |
|
Substantial Negotiations
|
|
|
A-18 |
|
Takeover Statute
|
|
|
A-17 |
|
Tax Return
|
|
|
A-15 |
|
Taxes
|
|
|
A-15 |
|
|
Transferee
|
|
|
A-15 |
|
|
Voting Agreements
|
|
|
A-2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit A |
|
|
Kim Group Voting Agreement |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit B |
|
|
Riggio Group Voting Agreement |
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit C |
|
|
Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
Holdco |
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit D |
|
|
Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws of Holdco |
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit E |
|
|
Form of Company Certificate of Merger |
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit F |
|
|
Form of GameStop Certificate of Merger |
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit G |
|
|
Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the
Company |
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit H |
|
|
Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company |
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit I |
|
|
Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
GameStop |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit J |
|
|
Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws of GameStop |
|
|
|
|
A-vii
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this
Agreement), dated as of April 17, 2005,
by and among GameStop Corp., a Delaware corporation
(GameStop), GameStop, Inc., a Minnesota
corporation (GameStop, Inc.) , GSC Holdings
Corp., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of
GameStop, Inc. (Holdco), Cowboy Subsidiary
LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly-owned
subsidiary of Holdco (GameStop Merger Sub),
Eagle Subsidiary LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and
wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdco (Company Merger
Sub and, together with GameStop Merger Sub, the
Merger Subs), and Electronics Boutique
Holdings Corp., a Delaware corporation (the
Company).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the respective Boards of Directors of the Company and
GameStop have each determined that a business combination
between GameStop and the Company is in the best interests of
their respective companies and stockholders and accordingly have
agreed to effect the Mergers upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in this Agreement and in accordance with
the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the
DGCL) and the Limited Liability Company Act
of the State of Delaware (the DLLCA), whereby
each issued and outstanding share of capital stock of the
Company will be converted into the right to receive shares of
capital stock of Holdco and cash as provided in Section 2.1
and each issued and outstanding share of capital stock of
GameStop will be converted into the right to receive shares of
capital stock of Holdco as provided in Section 2.2;
WHEREAS, prior to the date hereof, GameStop, Inc. organized
Holdco for the sole purpose of effectuating the Mergers (as
defined herein) and the other transactions contemplated hereby
and GameStop, Inc. is the sole stockholder of Holdco;
WHEREAS, prior to the date hereof, Holdco organized Company
Merger Sub and GameStop Merger Sub for the sole purpose of
effectuating the Mergers and Holdco is the sole member of both
Company Merger Sub and GameStop Merger Sub;
WHEREAS, (i) the Board of Directors of the Company has
determined that the Company Merger (as defined herein) is
advisable and fair to, and in the best interests of, the Company
and its stockholders, (ii) the Board of Directors of
GameStop has determined that the GameStop Merger (as defined
herein) is advisable and fair to, and in the best interests of,
GameStop and its stockholders and (iii) the Board of
Directors of Holdco has determined that the Mergers are
advisable and fair to, and in the best interests of, Holdco and
its stockholders;
WHEREAS, the Company, GameStop and Holdco desire to make certain
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in
connection with the Mergers and also to prescribe various
conditions to the Mergers;
WHEREAS, for Federal income tax purposes, it is intended that
the exchange of GameStop Common Stock (as defined herein) and
Company Common Stock (as defined herein) for Holdco Common Stock
pursuant to the Mergers, taken together, shall qualify as a
transaction described in Section 351 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code);
WHEREAS, as a condition and inducement to GameStops
willingness to enter into this Agreement, EB Nevada Inc., and
James J. Kim (collectively, the Kim Group)
are entering into a Voting Agreement, dated as of the date
hereof, in the form of Exhibit A hereto (the
Kim Group Voting Agreement), pursuant to
which, among other things, and subject to the terms and
conditions of the Kim Group Voting Agreement, the Kim Group has
agreed to vote all shares of Company Common Stock beneficially
owned by the Kim Group in favor of the adoption of this
Agreement and not to sell or otherwise transfer any shares of
Company Common Stock prior to the termination of such Kim Group
Voting Agreement in accordance with its terms;
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WHEREAS, as a condition and inducement to the Kim Groups
willingness to enter into the Kim Group Voting Agreement,
GameStop has agreed to cause Holdco to enter into a registration
rights agreement in the form attached thereto on or prior to the
Closing Date; and
WHEREAS, as a condition and inducement to the Companys
willingness to enter into this Agreement, Leonard Riggio,
Barnes & Noble College Bookstores, Inc. and The Riggio
Foundation (collectively, the Riggio Group)
are entering into a Voting Agreement, dated as of the date
hereof, in the form of Exhibit B hereto (the
Riggio Group Voting Agreement, and together
with the Kim Group Voting Agreement, the Voting
Agreements), pursuant to which, among other things,
and subject to the terms and conditions of the Riggio Group
Voting Agreement, the Riggio Group has agreed to vote all shares
of GameStop Common Stock beneficially owned by them in favor of
the adoption of this Agreement and not to sell or otherwise
transfer any shares of GameStop Common Stock prior to the
termination of such Riggio Group Voting Agreement in accordance
with its terms.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements contained in this
Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and
upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein,
the parties hereto agree as follows (capitalized terms used
below shall have the meanings ascribed thereto as referenced in
the Table of Defined Terms):
ARTICLE I
THE MERGERS
Section 1.1 Holdco.
On or prior to the Effective Time, GameStop shall cause Holdco
to amend and restate its certificate of incorporation such that
it will be substantially in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit C (the Amended and Restated Holdco
Charter), which, among other things, will increase the
authorized capital stock of Holdco to the following:
(i) 300,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock,
par value $0.001 per share (the Holdco
Class A Common Stock), of which one share shall
be issued to GameStop, Inc.; (ii) 100,000,000 shares
of Class B Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the
Holdco Class B Common Stock and,
together with the Holdco Class A Common Stock, the
Holdco Common Stock); and
(iii) 5,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value
$0.001 per share (the Holdco Preferred
Stock), of which 500,000 shares have been
designated Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock,
par value $0.001 per share (the Holdco
Series A Preferred Stock). At or immediately
following the Effective Time, Holdco shall amend its amended and
restated certificate of incorporation to change its name to
GameStop Corp. On or prior to the Effective Time,
Holdco shall amend and restate its bylaws such that it will be
substantially in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit D. On or prior to the Effective Time, Holdco
shall adopt a Rights Agreement with The Bank of New York, as
rights agent, substantially in the form of the GameStop Rights
Agreement, as amended from time to time, which shall entitle the
holders of Holdco Common Stock to purchase, on the occurrence of
certain events, Holdco Series A Preferred Stock.
Section 1.2 The
Mergers. At the Effective Time:
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(a) The Company Merger Sub shall be merged with and into
the Company (the Company Merger). The Company
will be the surviving corporation in the Company Merger, and the
separate existence of the Company Merger Sub shall cease. As a
result of the Company Merger, the Company shall become a
wholly-owned Subsidiary of Holdco. |
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(b) GameStop Merger Sub shall be merged with and into
GameStop (the GameStop Merger and, together
with the Company Merger, the Mergers).
GameStop will be the surviving corporation in the GameStop
Merger, and the separate existence of GameStop Merger Sub shall
cease. As a result of the GameStop Merger, GameStop shall become
a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Holdco. |
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(c) The Mergers will have the effects set forth in the DGCL
and the DLLCA. |
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Section 1.3 Effective
Time of the Mergers. Subject to the provisions of this
Agreement, on the Closing Date, the parties shall (and shall
cause their Subsidiaries to) cause the following to occur:
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(a) The Company shall execute and deliver for filing a
certificate of merger in the form of Exhibit E
hereto (the Company Certificate of Merger) to
the Secretary of State for the State of Delaware, in such form
and manner provided in the DGCL and the DLLCA. The Company shall
make all other filings required under the DGCL or the DLLCA to
effect the Company Merger. |
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(b) GameStop shall execute and deliver for filing a
certificate of merger in the form of Exhibit F
hereto (the GameStop Certificate of
Merger and, together with the Company Certificate of
Merger, the Certificates of Merger) to the
Secretary of State for the State of Delaware, in such form and
manner provided in the DGCL and the DLLCA. GameStop shall make
all other filings required under the DGCL or the DLLCA to effect
the GameStop Merger. |
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(c) Each Merger shall become effective upon the filing of
the appropriate Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of
State for the State of Delaware or, in each case, at such time
thereafter as is provided in such Certificate of Merger as
agreed to by the Company and GameStop; provided that the
Mergers shall become effective at the same time (such time as
the Mergers become effective, the Effective
Time). |
Section 1.4 Closing.
The closing of the Mergers (the Closing) will
take place at 10:00 a.m. on the date (the Closing
Date) that is the second Business Day after the
satisfaction or waiver (subject to applicable Law) of the
conditions set forth in Article VII (excluding conditions
that, by their terms, are to be satisfied on the Closing Date,
but subject to the satisfaction or waiver of such conditions),
unless another time or date is agreed to in writing by GameStop
and the Company. The Closing shall be held at the offices of
Bryan Cave LLP, 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York
10104, unless another place is agreed to in writing.
Section 1.5 Certificates
of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Surviving
Corporations. (a) The certificate of incorporation
and bylaws of the Company as in effect immediately before the
Effective Time shall be amended as of the Effective Time so as
to read in their entirety in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit G and Exhibit H, respectively,
and, as so amended, shall be the certificate of incorporation
and bylaws, respectively, of the Company as the surviving
corporation in the Company Merger, until thereafter changed or
amended as provided therein or by applicable Law.
(b) The certificate of incorporation and bylaws of GameStop
as in effect immediately before the Effective Time shall be
amended as of the Effective Time so as to read in their entirety
in the form attached hereto as Exhibit I and
Exhibit J, respectively, and, as so amended, shall
be the certificate of incorporation and bylaws, respectively, of
GameStop as the surviving corporation in the GameStop Merger,
until thereafter changed or amended as provided therein or by
applicable Law.
Section 1.6 Officers
and Directors of the Surviving Corporations. (a) At
the Effective Time, the directors and officers of the Company,
as the surviving corporation in the Company Merger, shall be the
same as the directors and officers of Holdco at the Effective
Time, in accordance with Section 6.17.
(b) At the Effective Time, the directors and officers of
GameStop, as the surviving corporation in the GameStop Merger,
shall be the same as the directors and officers of Holdco at the
Effective Time, in accordance with Section 6.17.
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ARTICLE II
EFFECT OF THE MERGERS; SURRENDER OF CERTIFICATES AND PAYMENT
Section 2.1 Conversion
of Company Securities. At the Effective Time, by virtue
of the Company Merger and without any action on the part of
Holdco, Company Merger Sub, the Company or the holders of any of
the following securities:
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(a) Conversion of Company Common Stock. Each
share of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the
Company (Company Common Stock) issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than
any Cancelled Shares and any Dissenting Shares) shall, subject
to Section 2.3(f), be converted into the right to receive
the following consideration: (i) $38.15 in cash (the
Company Cash Consideration) without interest
and (ii) 0.78795 validly issued, fully paid, nonassessable
shares of Holdco Class A Common Stock (the Company
Stock Consideration and, together with the Company
Cash Consideration, the Company Merger
Consideration). |
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(b) Company and GameStop-Owned Shares. Each
share of Company Common Stock owned by the Company, Company
Merger Sub or GameStop (Cancelled Shares), in
each case immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be
canceled without any conversion thereof, and no consideration
shall be paid with respect thereto. |
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(c) Conversion of Company Merger Sub Membership
Interests. The membership interests of Company Merger
Sub outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be
converted into one fully paid non-assessable share of common
stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company, as the
surviving corporation in the Company Merger. |
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(d) Exchange of Certificates. Certificates
that immediately prior to the Effective Time represented shares
of Company Common Stock (the Company
Certificates) shall be exchanged in accordance with
Section 2.3. |
Section 2.2 Conversion
of GameStop Securities. At the Effective Time, by virtue
of the GameStop Merger and without any action on the part of
Holdco, GameStop Merger Sub, GameStop or the holders of any of
the following securities:
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(a) Conversion of GameStop Class A Common
Stock. Each share of Class A common stock, par
value $0.001 per share, of GameStop (GameStop
Class A Common Stock) issued and outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than any shares
cancelled pursuant to Section 2.2(c)) shall be converted
into the right to receive one validly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable share of Holdco Class A Common Stock (the
GameStop Class A Consideration). |
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(b) Conversion of GameStop Class B Common
Stock. Each share of Class B common stock, par
value $0.001 per share, of GameStop (GameStop
Class B Common Stock and, together with the
GameStop Class A Common Stock, the GameStop Common
Stock) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Time (other than any shares cancelled pursuant to
Section 2.2(c)) shall be converted into the right to
receive one validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable share
of Holdco Class B Common Stock (the GameStop
Class B Consideration, and together with the
GameStop Class A Consideration, the GameStop
Merger Consideration and together with the Company
Merger Consideration, the Merger
Consideration). |
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(c) GameStop and Company-Owned Shares. Each
share of GameStop Class A Common Stock and GameStop
Class B Common Stock owned by GameStop, GameStop Merger Sub
or the Company, in each case immediately prior to the Effective
Time, shall be cancelled without any conversion thereof, and no
consideration shall be paid with respect thereto. |
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(d) Conversion of GameStop Merger Sub Membership
Interests. The membership interests of GameStop Merger
Sub outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be
converted into one fully paid and non-assessable share of common
stock, par value $0.01 per share, of GameStop, as the
surviving corporation in the GameStop Merger. |
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(e) Cancellation of Holdco Common Stock. Each
share of Holdco Common Stock held by GameStop, Inc. immediately
prior to the Effective Time shall be cancelled, and no
consideration shall be paid with respect thereto. |
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(f) Exchange of Certificates. Certificates
that immediately prior to the Effective Time represented shares
of GameStop Common Stock (the GameStop
Certificates and, together with the Company
Certificates, the Certificates) shall be
exchanged in accordance with Section 2.3. |
Section 2.3 Exchange
of Certificates.
(a) Exchange Agent. As soon as practicable
following the date of this Agreement and in any event not less
than 15 Business Days prior to the Closing Date, GameStop will
designate a national bank or trust company reasonably
satisfactory to the Company to act as agent of Holdco for
purposes of, among other things, mailing and receiving
transmittal letters and distributing the Merger Consideration to
the Companys and GameStops stockholders (the
Exchange Agent). The Exchange Agent shall
also act as the agent for the Companys and GameStops
stockholders for the purpose of receiving and holding their
Certificates and shall obtain no rights or interests in the
shares represented by such Certificates. As of the Effective
Time, Holdco and the Exchange Agent shall enter into an
agreement which will provide that Holdco shall have deposited
with the Exchange Agent as of the Effective Time, for the
benefit of the holders of shares of Company Common Stock and
GameStop Common Stock for exchange in accordance with this
Article II, through the Exchange Agent, cash and
certificates representing the shares of Holdco Common Stock
(such cash and such shares of Holdco Common Stock, together with
any dividends or distributions with respect thereto with a
record date after the Effective Time and any cash payable in
lieu of any fractional shares of Holdco Common Stock, being
hereinafter referred to as the Exchange Fund)
issuable pursuant to Section 2.1 and 2.2 in exchange for
outstanding shares of Company Common Stock and GameStop Common
Stock.
(b) Exchange Procedures.
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(i) As soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective
Time, the Exchange Agent will mail to each holder of record of a
Certificate whose shares of Company Common Stock or GameStop
Common Stock were converted into the right to receive the Merger
Consideration (A) a letter of transmittal (which will
specify that delivery will be effected, and risk of loss and
title to the Certificates will pass, only upon proper delivery
of the Certificates to the Exchange Agent and will be in such
form and have such other provisions as Holdco may specify
consistent with this Agreement) and (B) instructions for
use in effecting the surrender of the Certificates in exchange
for the Merger Consideration. |
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(ii) After the Effective Time, upon surrender of a
Certificate for cancellation to the Exchange Agent, together
with the letter of transmittal contemplated in
Section 2.3(b)(i), duly executed, and such other documents
as may reasonably be required by the Exchange Agent, the holder
of such Certificate will be entitled to receive in exchange
therefor the Merger Consideration that such holder has the right
to receive pursuant to the provisions of this Article II,
certain dividends or other distributions, if any, in accordance
with Section 2.3(c) and cash in lieu of any fractional
share of Holdco Common Stock in accordance with
Section 2.3(f), and the Certificate so surrendered will
forthwith be canceled. In the event of a transfer of ownership
of shares of Company Common Stock or GameStop Common Stock that
are not registered in the transfer records of the Company or
GameStop, as applicable, payment may be issued to a Person other
than the Person in whose name the Certificate so surrendered is
registered (the Transferee), if such
Certificate is properly endorsed or otherwise in proper form for
transfer and the Transferee pays any transfer or other Taxes
required by reason of such payment to a Person other than the
registered holder of such Certificate or establishes to the
satisfaction of the Exchange Agent that such Tax has been paid
or is not applicable. Until surrendered as contemplated by this
Section 2.3(b), each Certificate will be deemed at any time
after the Effective Time to represent only the right to receive
upon such surrender the Merger Consideration that the holder
thereof has the right to receive in respect of such Certificate
pursuant to the provisions of this Article II, certain
dividends or other distributions, if any, in accordance with |
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Section 2.3(c) and cash in lieu of any fractional share of
Holdco Common Stock in accordance with Section 2.3(f). No
interest will be paid or will accrue on any cash payable to
holders of Company Certificates pursuant to the provisions of
this Article II. |
(c) Dividends; Other Distributions. No
dividends or other distributions with respect to Holdco Common
Stock with a record date after the Effective Time will be paid
to the holder of any unsurrendered Certificate with respect to
the shares of Holdco Common Stock represented thereby and no
cash payment in lieu of fractional shares will be paid to any
such holder pursuant to Section 2.3(f), and all such
dividends, other distributions and cash in lieu of fractional
shares of Holdco Common Stock will be paid by Holdco to the
Exchange Agent and will be included in the Exchange Fund, in
each case until the surrender of such Certificate in accordance
with this Article II. Subject to the effect of applicable
escheat or similar Laws, following surrender of any such
Certificate in accordance herewith, there will be paid to the
holder of the certificate representing whole shares of Holdco
Common Stock issued in exchange therefor, without interest,
(i) at the time of such surrender, the amount of dividends
or other distributions with a record date after the Effective
Time theretofore paid with respect to such whole shares of
Holdco Common Stock and the amount of any cash payable in lieu
of a fractional share of Holdco Common Stock to which such
holder is entitled pursuant to Section 2.3(f) and
(ii) at the appropriate payment date, the amount of
dividends or other distributions with a record date after the
Effective Time but prior to such surrender and with a payment
date subsequent to such surrender payable with respect to such
whole shares of Holdco Common Stock.
(d) No Further Ownership Rights in Company Common
Stock. All shares of Holdco Common Stock issued and all
Company Cash Consideration paid upon the surrender for exchange
of Company Certificates in accordance with the terms of this
Article II (including any cash paid pursuant to
Section 2.3(c) and Section 2.3(f)) will be deemed to
have been issued or paid, as the case may be, in full
satisfaction of all rights pertaining to the shares of Company
Common Stock theretofore represented by such Company
Certificates, subject, however, to Holdcos obligation to
pay any dividends or make any other distributions, in each case
with a record date (i) prior to the Effective Time that may
have been declared or made by the Company on such shares of
Company Common Stock in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement or (ii) prior to the date of this Agreement and
in each case which remain unpaid at the Effective Time, and
there will be no further registration of transfers on the stock
transfer books of the surviving corporation of the shares of
Company Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to
the Effective Time. If, after the Effective Time, Certificates
are presented to Holdco or the Exchange Agent for any reason,
they will be canceled and exchanged as provided in this
Article II.
(e) No Further Ownership Rights in GameStop Common
Stock. All shares of Holdco Common Stock issued upon the
surrender for exchange of GameStop Certificates in accordance
with the terms of this Article II (including any cash paid
pursuant to Section 2.2(c)) will be deemed to have been
issued in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to the
shares of GameStop Common Stock theretofore represented by such
GameStop Certificates, subject, however, to Holdcos
obligation to pay any dividends or make any other distributions,
in each case with a record date (i) prior to the Effective
Time that may have been declared or made by GameStop on such
shares of GameStop Common Stock in accordance with the terms of
this Agreement or (ii) prior to the date of this Agreement
and in each case which remain unpaid at the Effective Time, and
there will be no further registration of transfers on the stock
transfer books of Holdco of the shares of GameStop Common Stock
that were outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time.
If, after the Effective Time, GameStop Certificates are
presented to Holdco or the Exchange Agent for any reason, they
will be canceled and exchanged as provided in this
Article II.
(f) No Fractional Shares.
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(i) No certificates or scrip representing fractional shares
of Holdco Common Stock will be issued upon the surrender for
exchange of Company Certificates, no dividend or distribution of
Holdco will relate to such fractional share interests and such
fractional share interests will not entitle the owner thereof to
vote or to any rights of a stockholder of Holdco. |
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(ii) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement,
each holder of shares of Company Common Stock converted pursuant
to the Company Merger who would otherwise be entitled to receive
a fraction of a share of Holdco Common Stock (after taking into
account all shares of Company Common Stock held at the Effective
Time by such holder) shall receive, in lieu thereof, an amount
in cash (without interest), rounded to the nearest cent, equal
to the product obtained by multiplying (A) the fractional
share interest to which such former holder would otherwise be
entitled by (B) the average of the closing prices for a
share of GameStop Class A Common Stock as reported on the
NYSE Composite Transactions Reports (as reported in The Wall
Street Journal, or, if not reported thereby, any other
authoritative source) for the ten trading days prior to, but not
including, the Closing Date (the Average Closing
Price). |
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(iii) As soon as practicable after the determination of the
amount of cash, if any, to be paid to holders of Company
Certificates formerly representing shares of Company Common
Stock with respect to any fractional share interests, the
Exchange Agent shall make available such amounts to such holders
of Company Certificates formerly representing shares of Company
Common Stock subject to and in accordance with the terms of
Section 2.3(b). |
(g) Termination of Exchange Fund. Any portion
of the Exchange Fund that remains undistributed to the holders
of the Certificates for six months after the Effective Time will
be delivered to Holdco, upon demand, and any holders of
Certificates who have not theretofore complied with this
Article II may thereafter look only to Holdco for payment
of their claim for Merger Consideration, and any dividends or
distributions, if any, with respect to Holdco Common Stock and
any cash in lieu of fractional shares of Holdco Common Stock, as
applicable.
(h) No Liability. None of Holdco, GameStop,
the Company or the Exchange Agent will be liable to any Person
in respect of any shares of Holdco Common Stock, any dividends
or distributions with respect thereto, any cash in lieu of
fractional shares of Holdco Common Stock or any cash from the
Exchange Fund, in each case, delivered to a public official
pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or
similar Law.
(i) Investment of Exchange Fund. The Exchange
Agent shall invest any cash included in the Exchange Fund as
directed by Holdco in direct obligations of the
U.S. Treasury, on a daily basis. Any interest and other
income resulting from such investments will be paid to Holdco.
If for any reason (including losses) the cash in the Exchange
Fund shall be insufficient to fully satisfy all of the payment
obligations to be made in cash by the Exchange Agent hereunder,
Holdco shall promptly deposit cash into the Exchange Fund in an
amount which is equal to the deficiency in the amount of cash
required to fully satisfy such cash payment obligations.
(j) Lost Certificates. If any Certificate has
been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit
of that fact by the Person claiming such Certificate to be lost,
stolen or destroyed and, if required by Holdco the posting by
such Person of a bond in such reasonable amount as Holdco may
direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against
it with respect to such Certificate, the Exchange Agent shall
issue, in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed
Certificate, the Merger Consideration and, if applicable, any
unpaid dividends and distributions on shares of Holdco Common
Stock deliverable in respect thereof and any cash in lieu of
fractional shares, in each case, due to such Person pursuant to
this Agreement.
Section 2.4 Certain
Adjustments. If, after the date of this Agreement and at
or prior to the Effective Time, the outstanding shares of Holdco
Common Stock, GameStop Common Stock or Company Common Stock are
changed into a different number of shares by reason of any
reclassification, recapitalization, split-up, stock split,
subdivision, combination or exchange of shares or readjustment,
or any dividend payable in stock or other securities is declared
thereon or rights issued in respect thereof with a record date
within such period, or any similar event occurs (any such
action, an Adjustment Event), the Merger
Consideration will be proportionately and appropriately adjusted
to reflect such Adjustment Event.
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Section 2.5 Appraisal
Rights. Shares of Company Common Stock that have not
been voted for adoption of this Agreement and with respect to
which appraisal has been properly demanded in accordance with
Section 262 of the DGCL (Dissenting
Shares) will not be converted into the right to
receive the Company Merger Consideration at or after the
Effective Time unless and until the holder of such shares (a
Dissenting Stockholder) withdraws such demand
for such appraisal (in accordance with Section 262(k) of
the DGCL) or becomes ineligible for such appraisal. If a holder
of Dissenting Shares withdraws such demand for appraisal (in
accordance with Section 262(k) of the DGCL) or becomes
ineligible for such appraisal, then, as of the Effective Time or
the occurrence of such event, whichever last occurs, each of
such holders Dissenting Shares will cease to be a
Dissenting Share and will be converted as of the Effective Time
into and represent the right to receive the Company Merger
Consideration, without interest thereon. The Company shall give
Holdco and GameStop prompt notice of any demands for appraisal,
attempted withdrawals of such demands and any other instruments
received by the Company relating to stockholders rights of
appraisal, and, prior to the Effective Time Holdco and GameStop
shall have the right to participate in, and after the Effective
Time Holdco shall have the right to direct, all negotiations and
proceedings with respect to such demands except as required by
applicable Law. The Company shall not, except with prior written
consent of Holdco and GameStop, which may be given or withheld
in its sole discretion, make any payment with respect to, or
settle or offer to settle, any such demands, unless and to the
extent required to do so under applicable Law.
Section 2.6 Further
Assurances. At and after the Effective Time, the
officers and directors of Holdco will be authorized to execute
and deliver, in the name and on behalf of the Company, GameStop
or any of the Merger Subs, any deeds, bills of sale, assignments
or assurances and to take and do, in the name and on behalf of
the Company, GameStop or any of the Merger Subs, any other
actions and things to vest, perfect or confirm of record or
otherwise in the surviving corporation of the Mergers any and
all right, title and interest in, to and under any of the
rights, properties or assets acquired or to be acquired by the
surviving corporations in the Mergers as a result of, or in
connection with, the Mergers.
Section 2.7 Withholding
Rights. Holdco or the Exchange Agent, as the case may
be, shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the
consideration otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement to
any Person such amounts, if any, as it is required to deduct and
withhold with respect to the making of such payment under the
Code (including any backup withholding or withholding required
by Section 1445 of the Code), or any provision of state,
local or foreign tax Law. To the extent that amounts are so
withheld and paid over to the appropriate taxing authority by
Holdco or the Exchange Agent, as the case may be, such amounts
withheld shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as
having been paid to such Person in respect of which such
deduction and withholding was made by Holdco or the Exchange
Agent, as the case may be.
Section 2.8 Stock
Options and Other Equity Awards. (a) Company
Stock Option Plans. The Board of Directors of the
Company or the appropriate committee thereof shall take all
action necessary so that each option or other right to acquire
one (1) share of Company Common Stock (each, a
Company Stock Option) under the
Companys 1998 Equity Participation Plan and 2000 Equity
Participation Plan (collectively, the Company Stock
Option Plans), which, in each case, is outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time (whether vested or
unvested) shall, as of the Effective Time, cease to represent an
option or other right to acquire shares of Company Common Stock
and shall instead represent the right to receive, as soon as
practicable after the Effective Time, an amount in cash equal to
(A) the Company Cash Consideration plus (B) the
Company Stock Consideration multiplied by the Average
Closing Price minus (C) the exercise price per share
of such stock option minus (D) any applicable tax
withholding.
(b) Employee Stock Purchase Plan. At the
Effective Time, each option or other right to acquire one share
of Company Common Stock under the Amended and Restated 2000
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the ESPP),
which, in each case, is outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall, subject to the terms of the ESPP, cease to
represent an option or other right to acquire shares of Company
Common Stock and shall instead represent the right to receive,
upon the next Offering Termination Date (as defined in the
ESPP), the Company Merger Consideration. The Company shall take
all action necessary to terminate the ESPP as of June 30,
2005, and no person shall have any rights
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under such plan from and after such termination;
provided, however, that such termination shall not
affect any options to purchase shares of Company Common Stock
that were issued prior to the date hereof and for which shares
of Company Common Stock will be issued on June 30, 2005.
(c) Reservation of Shares. Holdco shall take
all corporate action necessary to reserve for issuance a
sufficient number of shares of Holdco Common Stock for delivery
with respect to shares of Holdco Common Stock to be delivered in
accordance with this Section 2.8. Promptly after the
Effective Time, Holdco shall file a registration statement on
Form S-8 (or any successor or other appropriate form)
registering a number of shares of Holdco Common Stock necessary
to fulfill Holdcos obligations under this Section 2.8
and shall maintain the effectiveness of such registration
statement or registration statements (and maintain the current
status of the prospectus or prospectuses contained therein) for
so long as such Company equity awards remain outstanding.
Section 2.9 GameStop
Stock Options; GameStop Stock Option Plans.
(a) Assumption of GameStop Stock Options. At
the Effective Time, (i) each outstanding option or other
right to acquire, whether vested or unvested immediately prior
to the Effective Time, shares of GameStop Class A Common
Stock (each a GameStop Stock Option), and
(ii) the Amended and Restated 2001 Incentive Plan of
GameStop (the GameStop Stock Option Plan) and
all agreements thereunder, shall be assumed by Holdco. At the
Effective Time, each GameStop Stock Option so assumed by Holdco
under this Agreement (an Adjusted Option),
shall continue to have, and be subject to, the same terms and
conditions (including expiration date, vesting and exercise
provisions) as were applicable under the GameStop Stock Option
Plan and the documents governing the GameStop Stock Options
immediately before the Effective Time, except that each GameStop
Stock Option will be exercisable for that number of shares of
Holdco Class A Common Stock equal to the number of shares
of GameStop Class A Common Stock that were issuable upon
exercise of such option immediately prior to the Effective Time.
The date of grant of each Adjusted Option will be the date on
which the corresponding GameStop Stock Option was granted.
(b) Stock Plans. GameStop and Holdco agree
that the GameStop Stock Option Plan will be amended, to the
extent necessary, to reflect the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement, including conversion of shares of the GameStop
Class A Common Stock held or to be awarded or paid pursuant
to such benefit plans, programs or arrangements into shares of
Holdco Class A Common Stock on a basis consistent with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. GameStop agrees to
submit the amendment to the GameStop Stock Option Plan to its
stockholders if such submission is determined to be necessary by
counsel to GameStop; provided, however, that such
approval will not be a condition to the consummation of the
Mergers.
(c) Reservation of Shares. Holdco
(i) will reserve for issuance the number of shares of
Holdco Class A Common Stock that will become subject to the
benefit plans, programs and arrangements referred to in this
Section 2.9, (ii) will issue or cause to be issued the
appropriate number of shares of Holdco Class A Common
Stock, pursuant to applicable plans, programs and arrangements,
upon the exercise or maturation of rights existing thereunder on
the Effective Time or thereafter granted or awarded and
(iii) intends to adopt the Holdco 2005 Incentive Plan (the
Holdco Stock Option Plan) which will be
substantially in the form of the GameStop Stock Option Plan,
except that the number of shares of Holdco Class A Common
Stock issuable pursuant to such plan will be up to an additional
5,000,000. Promptly after the Effective Time, Holdco will
prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement on
Form S-8 (or other appropriate form) registering a number
of shares of Holdco Class A Common Stock necessary to
fulfill Holdcos obligations under this Section 2.9.
Such registration statement will be kept effective (and the
current status of the prospectus required thereby will be
maintained) for at least as long as awards granted under the
GameStop Stock Option Plan and Holdco Stock Option Plan remain
outstanding.
(d) Notices. As soon as practicable after the
Effective Time, Holdco will deliver to the holders of the
GameStop Stock Options appropriate notices setting forth such
holders rights pursuant to the GameStop Stock Option Plan
and the agreements evidencing the grants of such GameStop Stock
Options and that such GameStop Stock Options and the related
agreements will be assumed by Holdco and will
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continue in effect on the same terms and conditions (subject to
the modification required by this Section 2.9 after giving
effect to the Mergers).
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
Except as set forth in the disclosure letter delivered by the
Company to GameStop concurrently with the execution of this
Agreement, which disclosure letter is arranged in paragraphs
corresponding to the numbered and lettered sections contained in
this Article III (the Company Disclosure
Letter), the Company hereby represents and warrants to
GameStop and Holdco:
Section 3.1 Organization,
Standing and Corporate Power. Each of the Company and
its Subsidiaries is a corporation or other legal entity duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the jurisdiction in which it is organized and has the
requisite corporate or other power, as the case may be, and
authority to carry on its business as now being conducted. Each
of the Company and its Subsidiaries is duly qualified or
licensed to do business in each jurisdiction in which the nature
of its business or the ownership, leasing or operation of its
properties makes such qualification or licensing necessary,
except for those jurisdictions where the failure to be so
qualified or licensed would not, individually or in the
aggregate, reasonably be expected to have or result in a
Material Adverse Effect on the Company. The Company has made
available to GameStop prior to the execution of this Agreement
complete and correct copies of the certificate of incorporation
and bylaws, memorandum and articles of association or other
governing documents of itself and each of its Subsidiaries each
as amended to the date of this Agreement.
Section 3.2 Subsidiaries.
All outstanding shares of capital stock of, or other equity
interests in, each Subsidiary of the Company (i) have been
validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable and
(ii) are free and clear of all Liens other than Permitted
Liens. All outstanding shares of capital stock (or equivalent
equity interests of entities other than corporations) of each
Subsidiary of the Company are beneficially owned, directly or
indirectly, by the Company. No Subsidiary of the Company owns,
either directly or indirectly, any shares of capital stock of
the Company. The Company does not, directly or indirectly, own
any capital stock or other equity interest in any Person other
than its Subsidiaries.
Section 3.3 Capital
Structure. (a) The authorized capital stock of the
Company consists entirely of (i) 100,000,000 shares of
Company Common Stock and (ii) 25,000,000 shares of
Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company
(Company Preferred Stock). At the close of
business on April 14, 2005 (i) 24,766,479 shares
of Company Common Stock were issued and outstanding;
(ii) 2,784,635 shares of Company Common Stock were
held by the Company in its treasury;
(iii) 1,285,332 shares of Company Common Stock were
subject to issued and outstanding Company Stock Options granted
under the Company Stock Option Plans; (iv) no more than
5,000 shares of Company Common Stock were subject to issued
and outstanding options or other rights to acquire Company
Common Stock under the ESPP; and (v) no shares of Company
Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding. All outstanding
shares of capital stock of the Company are, and all shares that
may be issued will be, when issued, duly authorized, validly
issued, fully paid and nonassessable and not subject to or
issued in violation of preemptive rights.
(b) Set forth on Schedule 3.3(b) of the Company
Disclosure Letter is (i) the authorized capital stock or
other equity interests of each of the Subsidiaries and the
issued and outstanding shares or other equity interests of each
of the Subsidiaries of the Company (including shares of
restricted stock); (ii) shares of stock or other equity
interests held by the relevant Subsidiary in its treasury;
(iii) shares or other equity interests of the relevant
Subsidiary that were subject to issued and outstanding options
granted under relevant stock option plans; and (iv) shares
of preferred stock of each Subsidiary of the Company. All
outstanding shares or other equity interests of capital stock of
each of the Subsidiaries are, and all shares or other equity
interests that may be issued will be, when issued, duly
authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and not
subject to or issued in violation of preemptive rights.
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(c) Except as set forth in Section 3.3(a) and (b), as
of April 14, 2005, (1) there are not issued, reserved
for issuance or outstanding (i) any shares of capital stock
or other voting securities of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, (ii) any securities convertible into or
exchangeable or exercisable for shares of capital stock or
voting securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or
(iii) any warrants, calls, options or other rights to
acquire from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries any capital
stock, voting securities or securities convertible into or
exchangeable or exercisable for capital stock or voting
securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and
(2) there are no outstanding obligations of the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries to (i) issue, deliver or sell, or
cause to be issued, delivered or sold, any capital stock, voting
securities or securities convertible into or exchangeable or
exercisable for capital stock or voting securities of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (ii) repurchase,
redeem or otherwise acquire any such securities.
Section 3.4 Authority.
The Company has all requisite corporate power and authority to
enter into this Agreement and, subject, in the case of the
Company Merger, to the Company Stockholder Approval, to
consummate or cause the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the
Company and the consummation by the Company of the transactions
contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate action on the part of the Company, subject, in the
case of the Company Merger, to receipt of the Company
Stockholder Approval. This Agreement has been duly executed and
delivered by the Company and, assuming the due authorization,
execution and delivery by GameStop and Holdco, constitutes the
legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable
against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as the
enforcement thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or
similar Laws generally affecting the rights of creditors and
subject to general equity principles. The Board of Directors of
the Company has (i) duly and validly approved this
Agreement, (ii) determined and declared that this Agreement
and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are
advisable and in the best interests of the Company and its
stockholders and (iii) resolved to recommend to such
stockholders that they vote in favor of the Company Merger and
(iv) approved the Kim Group Voting Agreement, in each case
subject to Section 5.2. The Company has furnished to
GameStop a certified copy of resolutions of the Board of
Directors of the Company approving and adopting this Agreement,
the Company Merger and the other transactions contemplated
hereby.
Section 3.5 Non-Contravention;
Consents and Approvals. (a) The execution and
delivery of this Agreement does not, and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and compliance with
the provisions of this Agreement will not, (i) conflict
with the certificate of incorporation or bylaws (or comparable
organizational documents) of any of the Company and its
Subsidiaries, (ii) result in any breach, violation or
default (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both)
under, or give rise to a right of termination, cancellation or
creation or acceleration of any obligation or right of a third
party or loss of a benefit under, or result in the creation of
any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of any of the
Company and its Subsidiaries under, any loan or credit
agreement, note, bond, mortgage, indenture or other agreement,
instrument, permit, concession, franchise, lease, license or
other authorization applicable to any of the Company and its
Subsidiaries or their respective properties or assets or
(iii) subject to the governmental filings and other matters
referred to in Section 3.5(b), conflict with or violate any
judgment, order, decree or Law applicable to any of the Company
and its Subsidiaries or their respective properties or assets,
other than, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), any such
conflicts, breaches, violations, defaults, rights, losses or
Liens that, individually or in the aggregate, would not
reasonably be expected to have or result in a Material Adverse
Effect on the Company and that would not prevent or materially
delay consummation of the Mergers.
(b) No consent, approval, order or authorization of, action
by or in respect of, or registration, declaration or filing
with, any court, administrative, regulatory or other
governmental agency, tribunal, body, instrumentality, entity,
commission or authority, whether supra-national, national,
federal, state, local or municipal, including without limitation
of the United States, the European Union, Canada or any other
applicable jurisdiction and political subdivisions thereof, or
any non-governmental self-regulatory agency, commission or
authority or any arbitral tribunal in any applicable
jurisdiction (each, a Governmental
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Entity) or any third party is required by the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the
execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company or the
consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated
hereby, except for: (i) the Company Stockholder Approval,
(ii) the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the SEC) of (A) a joint proxy statement
relating to the Company Stockholders Meeting and the GameStop
Stockholders Meeting (such proxy statement, as amended or
supplemented from time to time, the Joint Proxy
Statement) and (B) such reports under
Section 13(a), 13(d), 15(d) or 16(a) or such other
applicable sections of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the Exchange Act), as may be
required in connection with this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby; (iii) the filing of the Certificates
of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware;
(iv) all necessary registrations and filings and approvals
or waivers under the Antitrust and Competition Laws, including
in respect of the HSR Filings by the Company, GameStop and any
member of the Kim Group under the Hart-Scott-Rodino
Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the
HSR Act), and any other filings either
required under any other applicable Antitrust and Competition
Laws or that the Company and GameStop deem advisable;
(v) notifications to NASDAQ and, in the case of GameStop,
filings with and approvals of the NYSE to permit the shares of
Holdco Common Stock that are to be issued in the Mergers to be
listed on the NYSE; and (vi) such consents, approvals,
orders or authorizations the failure of which to be made or
obtained, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably
be expected to have or result in a Material Adverse Effect on
the Company and that would not prevent or materially delay
consummation of the Mergers.
Section 3.6 SEC
Reports and Financial Statements. (a) The Company
has filed all required reports, schedules, forms, statements and
other documents (including exhibits and all other information
incorporated therein) under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the Securities Act), and the
Exchange Act with the SEC since February 1, 2002 (as such
reports, schedules, forms, statements and documents have been
amended since the time of their filing, collectively, the
Company SEC Documents). As of their
respective dates, or if amended prior to the date of this
Agreement, as of the date of the last such amendment, the
Company SEC Documents complied in all material respects with the
requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as the
case may be, and the rules and regulations of the SEC
promulgated thereunder applicable to such Company SEC Documents,
and none of the Company SEC Documents when filed, or as so
amended, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or
omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light
of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(b) The consolidated financial statements of the Company
included in the Company SEC Documents comply as to form, as of
their respective date of filing with the SEC, in all material
respects with applicable accounting requirements and the
published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto,
have been prepared in accordance with United States generally
accepted accounting principles (GAAP)
(except, in the case of unaudited statements, as permitted by
Form 10-Q of the SEC) applied on a consistent basis during
the periods involved (except as may be indicated in the notes
thereto), and fairly present in all material respects the
consolidated financial position of the Company and its
consolidated subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and the
consolidated statements of income, cash flows and
stockholders equity for the periods then ended (subject,
in the case of unaudited statements, to normal recurring
year-end audit adjustments). No Subsidiary of the Company is
required to make any filings with the SEC or any comparable
regulatory authority in any jurisdiction.
(c) The Company and its Subsidiaries have designed and
maintain a system of internal controls over financial reporting
(as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the
Exchange Act) sufficient to provide reasonable assurances
regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the
preparation of financial statements for external purposes in
accordance with GAAP. The Company (A) has designed and
maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act) to
ensure that material information required to be disclosed by it
in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act
is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time
periods specified in the SECs rules and forms and is
accumulated and communicated to the Companys management as
appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required
disclosure, and (B) has disclosed,
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based on its most recent evaluation of such disclosure controls
and procedures prior to the date hereof, to the Companys
auditors and the audit committee of the Companys Board of
Directors (1) any significant deficiencies and material
weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over
financial reporting that are reasonably likely to adversely
affect in any material respect the Companys ability to
record, process, summarize and report financial information and
(2) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves
management or other employees who have a significant role in the
Companys internal controls over financial reporting. The
Company has made available to GameStop a summary of any such
disclosure made by management to the Companys auditors and
audit committee since January 1, 2002.
Section 3.7 No
Undisclosed Liabilities. Neither the Company nor any of
its Subsidiaries has any Liabilities of a nature required by
GAAP to be reflected in a consolidated balance sheet or the
notes thereto, except Liabilities that (i) are accrued or
reserved against in the most recent financial statements
included in the Company SEC Documents filed prior to the date
hereof or are reflected in the notes thereto, (ii) were
incurred in the ordinary course of business since
January 29, 2005, (iii) are incurred pursuant to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (iv) have been
discharged or paid in full prior to the date of this Agreement
in the ordinary course of business or (v) would not,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have
a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
Section 3.8 Information
Supplied. None of the information supplied or to be
supplied by the Company specifically for inclusion or
incorporation by reference in (i) the registration
statement on Form S-4 to be filed with the SEC by Holdco in
connection with the issuance of Holdco Common Stock in the
Mergers (the Form S-4) will, at the time
the Form S-4 becomes effective under the Securities Act,
contain any 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, in light of the circumstances under
which they are made, not misleading or (ii) the Joint Proxy
Statement will, at the date it is first mailed to the
Companys stockholders and GameStops stockholders or
at the time of the Company Stockholders Meeting or the GameStop
Stockholders Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in
light of the circumstances under which they are made, not
misleading. The Joint Proxy Statement will comply as to form in
all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act
and the rules and regulations thereunder, except that no
representation or warranty is made by the Company with respect
to statements made or incorporated by reference therein based on
information supplied by GameStop or Holdco specifically for
inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Joint Proxy
Statement.
Section 3.9 Absence
of Certain Changes or Events. Since January 29,
2005, (a) each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has
conducted its respective operations only in the ordinary course
consistent with past practice, (b) there has not occurred
(i) any fact, event, circumstance, change, condition or
effect (including the incurrence of any Liabilities of any
nature, whether or not accrued, contingent or otherwise) that
has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, individually
or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company;
(ii) any declaration, setting aside or payment of any
dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, stock or
property) with respect to the equity interests of the Company or
of any of its Subsidiaries other than dividends paid to the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries by a wholly-owned Subsidiary;
or (iii) any material change by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries in accounting principles or methods, and
(c) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has
taken any action which, if taken after the date of this
Agreement, would be prohibited by Section 5.1 hereof.
Section 3.10 Compliance
with Applicable Laws. (a) Except as disclosed in
the Company SEC Reports, the Company and its Subsidiaries are,
and have been, in compliance with all applicable Laws (including
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the USA Patriot Act of 2001), except
where any such non-compliance, individually or in the aggregate,
would not reasonably be expected to have or result in a Material
Adverse Effect on the Company. The operations of the Company and
its Subsidiaries have not been and are not being conducted in
violation of any Permit necessary for the conduct of their
respective businesses as currently conducted, except where any
such violations, individually or in the aggregate, would not
reasonably be expected to have or result in a Material Adverse
Effect on the Company.
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(b) The Company and its Subsidiaries hold all licenses,
permits, variances, consents, authorizations, waivers, grants,
franchises, concessions, exemptions, orders, registrations and
approvals of Governmental Entities or other Persons
(Permits) necessary for the conduct of their
respective businesses as currently conducted, except where the
failure to hold such Permits, individually or in the aggregate,
would not reasonably be expected to have or result in a Material
Adverse Effect on the Company.
Section 3.11 Employee
Benefit Plans. (a) Section 3.11(a) of the
Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a true and complete list of
(i) each material bonus, pension, profit sharing, deferred
compensation, incentive compensation, stock ownership, stock
purchase, stock option, phantom stock, retirement, vacation,
employment, consulting, disability, death benefit,
hospitalization, medical insurance, life insurance, welfare,
severance or other employee benefit plan, agreement, arrangement
or understanding maintained by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
contributes or is obligated to contribute or with respect to
which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has any liability
under any applicable Law, including each multiemployer plan (as
defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as amended
(ERISA)) and (ii) each change of control
agreement providing benefits under any applicable Law to any
current or former employee, officer or director of the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries, to which the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries is bound (collectively, the Company
Benefit Plans).
(b) With respect to the Company Benefit Plans, no event has
occurred and there exists no condition or set of circumstances
in connection with which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
would reasonably be expected to be subject to any liability
that, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be
expected to have or result in a Material Adverse Effect on the
Company, whether under ERISA, the Code, any other applicable Law
or otherwise.
(c) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a
party to any agreement, contract or arrangement (including this
Agreement) that would reasonably be likely to result, separately
or in the aggregate, in the payment of any excess
parachute payments within the meaning of Section 280G
of the Code or would otherwise be impermissible under applicable
Law as a result of the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement (either alone or in combination
with other events). No Company Benefit Plan provides for the
reimbursement of excise taxes under Section 4999 of the
Code or any income taxes under the Code.
(d) All terms and conditions relating to the termination of
employees employed by the Company or its Subsidiaries which
exceed the minimum terms and conditions required by the relevant
local Law have been disclosed in Section 3.11(d) of the
Company Disclosure Letter.
(e) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries has complied
with all requirements under applicable Law in relation to
information, notification, consultation and negotiation
requirements with employees, employee representatives, works
councils, trade unions and other employee bodies that arise in
connection with this Agreement, except where any such
non-compliance, individually or in the aggregate, would not
reasonably be expected to have or result in a Material Adverse
Effect on the Company.
Section 3.12 Taxes.
(i) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have filed all
material Tax Returns required to be filed, and all such returns
are materially complete and accurate; (ii) the Company and
each of its Subsidiaries has paid all material Taxes due except
for those Taxes being disputed in good faith through appropriate
proceedings and which are adequately reserved for on the
Companys financial statements; (iii) there are no
Liens for material Taxes upon the assets of the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries, other than Liens for Taxes not yet due and
Liens for Taxes that are being contested in good faith by
appropriate proceedings; (iv) neither the Company nor any
of its Subsidiaries (A) is a party to any agreement
providing for the allocation, sharing or indemnification of
Taxes or (B) is required to include in income any
adjustment pursuant to Section 481 of the Code by reason of
a voluntary change in accounting method initiated by the Company
or a Subsidiary, nor does the Company have any Knowledge that
the IRS has proposed any such adjustment or change in accounting
method; (v) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries
has any liability for Taxes of any Person (other than the Company
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and its Subsidiaries) under Treasury
Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any comparable
provision of Law as a transferee or successor, by contract, or
otherwise); (vi) neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries has taken any action or knows of any fact,
agreement, plan or other circumstance that is reasonably likely
to prevent the Mergers from qualifying as a transaction
described in Section 351 of the Code; (vii) no
deficiencies for any material Taxes have been proposed, asserted
or assessed against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for
which adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP have not been
created, and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no claim has been
made by a taxing authority in a jurisdiction where the Company
and/or its Subsidiaries do not file Tax Returns that the Company
or any such Subsidiary is or may be subject to taxation by that
jurisdiction; (viii) to the Knowledge of the Company, the
financial statements included in the Company SEC Documents
reflect an adequate reserve in accordance with GAAP for all
Taxes for which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries may be
liable for all taxable periods and portions thereof through the
date hereof; (ix) the Company and each of its Subsidiaries
has withheld and paid all material Taxes required to have been
withheld and paid in connection with any amounts paid or owing
to any employee, independent contractor, creditor, stockholder
or other third party; (x) neither the Company nor any of
its Subsidiaries has distributed stock of another Person, or has
had its stock distributed by another Person, in a transaction
that was purported or intended to be governed in whole or in
part by Section 355 or Section 361 of the Code;
(xi) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has
participated in any listed transaction within the meaning of
Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4, and all
transactions that could give rise to a substantial
understatement of U.S. federal income tax within the
meaning of Section 6662 of the Code have been adequately
disclosed in accordance with such section; (xii) (A) there
are no outstanding waivers or consents given by the Company or
its Subsidiaries regarding the application of the statute of
limitations with respect to any Taxes or Tax Returns and
(B) there are no federal, state, local or foreign audits or
other administrative proceedings or court proceedings presently
pending with respect to Taxes or Tax Returns; and
(xiii) there is no contract, agreement, plan or arrangement
covering any Person that, individually or collectively, could
give rise to, nor will the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby obligate the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries to make, the payment of any amount that would not
be deductible by the Company or any Subsidiary by reason of
Section 280G of the Code. As used in this Agreement,
Taxes includes all federal, state or local or
foreign net and gross income, alternative or add-on minimum,
environmental, gross receipts, ad valorem, value added, goods
and services, capital stock, profits, license, single business,
employment, national insurance, social security, severance,
stamp, unemployment, customs, property, sales, excise, use,
occupation, service, transfer, payroll, franchise, withholding
and other taxes or similar governmental duties, charges, fees,
levies or other assessments, including any interest, penalties
or additions with respect thereto and any liability for taxes as
a transferee or successor, by contract or otherwise. As used
herein, Tax Return shall mean any return,
report, statement or information required to be filed with any
Governmental Entity with respect to Taxes.
Section 3.13 Material
Contracts. Except as would not reasonably be expected to
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect (i) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries
is (and, to the Companys Knowledge, no other party is) in
breach of or default under any Material Contract,
(ii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has
received any written notice or claim of default under any
Material Contract or any written notice of an intention to, and
to the Knowledge of the Company, no other party to any Material
Contract intends to terminate, not renew or challenge the
validity or enforceability of any Material Contract (including
as a result of the execution and performance of this Agreement),
(iii) to the Companys Knowledge, no event has
occurred that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both,
would result in a breach or a default under any Material
Contract, (iv) each of the Material Contracts is in full
force and effect, and is the valid, binding and enforceable
obligation of the Company and its Subsidiaries, and to the
Companys Knowledge, of the other parties thereto, and
(v) the Company and its Subsidiaries have performed all
respective material obligations required to be performed by them
to date under the Material Contracts and are not (with or
without the lapse of time or the giving of notice, or both) in
material breach thereunder. Material Contract
shall mean any contract that has been or would be required to be
filed by the Company as a material contract pursuant to
Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K of the SEC.
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Section 3.14 Properties.
Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually
or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company,
the Company or one of its Subsidiaries (i) has good,
transferable, insurable (or similar) and marketable title to all
the properties and assets reflected in the latest audited
balance sheet included in the Company SEC Documents as being
owned by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries or acquired
after the date thereof (except properties sold or otherwise
disposed of since the date thereof in the ordinary course of
business), free and clear of all claims, liens, charges,
security interests or encumbrances of any nature whatsoever,
except (A) statutory liens securing payments not yet due,
(B) such imperfections or irregularities of title, claims,
liens, charges, security interests, easements, covenants and
other restrictions or encumbrances as do not materially affect
the use of the properties or assets subject thereto or affected
thereby or otherwise materially impair business operations at
such properties and (C) mortgages, or deeds of trust,
security interests or other encumbrances on title related to
indebtedness reflected on the consolidated financial statements
of the Company (such liens, imperfections and irregularities in
clauses (A), (B) and (C), Company Permitted
Liens), and (ii) is the lessee of all leasehold
estates reflected in the latest audited financial statements
included in the Company SEC Documents or acquired after the date
thereof (except for leases that have expired by their terms
since the date thereof or been assigned, terminated or otherwise
disposed of in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice) and is in possession of the properties purported
to be leased thereunder, and each such lease is valid without
default thereunder by the lessee or, to the Companys
Knowledge, the lessor.
Section 3.15 Intellectual
Property. Except as would not, individually or in the
aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect on the Company, (i) the Company or its Subsidiaries
own free and clear of all claims, liens, charges, security
interests or encumbrances of any nature whatsoever other than
Company Permitted Liens or have a valid license to use all
material Intellectual Property (including any registrations or
applications for registration of any of the foregoing)
(collectively, the Company Intellectual
Property) necessary to carry on their business as
currently conducted, (ii) to the Companys Knowledge,
the Company Intellectual Property does not infringe, imitate,
misappropriate, dilute, violate or otherwise derogate or make
unauthorized use of (Infringe) the
intellectual property rights of third parties and is not being
Infringed by any third parties, (iii) to the Knowledge of
the Company, no facts or circumstances exist that would affect
the validity, substance or existence of, or the Companys
rights in, the Company Intellectual Property, (iv) the
Company and its Subsidiaries have taken reasonable actions to
protect and maintain the Company Intellectual Property,
including the Company Intellectual Property that is confidential
in nature, and (v) there are no claims, suits or other
actions, and to the Knowledge of the Company, no claim, suit or
other action is threatened, that seek to limit or challenge the
validity, enforceability, ownership, or right to use, sell or
license the Company Intellectual Property, nor does the Company
know of any valid basis therefor.
Section 3.16 Environmental
Matters. Except as would not, individually or in the
aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect on the Company, (i) the Company and its Subsidiaries
hold, and are currently, and have been, in continuous compliance
with all applicable permits, licenses, registrations and other
governmental authorizations required under all Laws relating in
any manner to contamination, pollution or protection of human
health, natural resources or the environment
(Environmental Laws) for the Company to
conduct its operations (Environmental
Permits), and are currently, and have been, otherwise
in continuous compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws,
(ii) to the Companys Knowledge, the Company and its
Subsidiaries have not received any written notice, claim,
demand, action, suit, complaint, proceeding or other
communication by any person alleging any violation of, or any
actual or potential liability under, any Environmental Laws (an
Environmental Claim), and the Company has no
Knowledge of any pending or threatened Environmental Claim,
(iii) no hazardous, dangerous or toxic substance, including
petroleum (including crude oil or any fraction thereof),
asbestos and asbestos-containing materials, lead,
polychlorinated biphenyls, radon, fungus, mold,
urea-formaldehyde insulation and any other material that is
regulated pursuant to any Environmental Laws or that would
reasonably be expected to result in liability under any
Environmental Laws has been generated, transported, treated,
stored, installed, disposed of, arranged to be disposed of,
released or threatened to be released at, on, from or under any
of the properties or facilities currently or formerly owned,
leased or
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otherwise used by the Company or its Subsidiaries, in violation
of, or in a manner or to a location that would reasonably be
expected to give rise to Liability to the Company or its
Subsidiaries under or relating to, any Environmental Laws,
(iv) the reports of environmental assessments, audits and
similar investigations previously made available to GameStop are
all such reports in the possession of the Company or, to the
Companys Knowledge, otherwise in existence and reasonably
within the control of the Company on any property currently or
formerly owned or operated by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries and (v) the Company and its Subsidiaries have
not contractually assumed any liabilities or obligations under
or relating to any Environmental Laws.
Section 3.17 Transactions
with Affiliates. Except as set forth in the Company SEC
Documents filed prior to the date of this Agreement, there are
no outstanding amounts payable to or receivable from, or
advances by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to, and
neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is or was
otherwise a creditor or debtor to, or party to or otherwise
bound by any contract, agreement, arrangement, understanding,
undertaking, commitment, obligation or promise, with, any
stockholder holding more than 5% of the outstanding securities
of the Company, director or officer of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, or any member of their immediate families, other
than (i) payment of regular salary for services rendered,
(ii) reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred on
behalf of the Company or its Subsidiaries and (iii) for
other standard employee benefits made generally available to all
employees. Since January 29, 2005, there has been no
transaction, or series of similar transactions, agreements,
arrangements or understandings, nor are there any currently
proposed transactions, or series of similar transactions,
agreements, arrangements or understandings to which the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries was or is to be a party, that would
be required to be disclosed under Item 404 of
Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act.
Section 3.18 Voting
Requirements. The affirmative vote at the Company
Stockholders Meeting of the holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of Company Common Stock, is the only vote of
the holders of any class or series of the Companys capital
stock necessary to adopt this Agreement (collectively, the
Company Stockholder Approval).
Section 3.19 State
Takeover Statutes. The Board of Directors of the Company
has taken all necessary action so that (i) the restrictions
on business combinations set forth in
Section 203 of the DGCL are inapplicable to this Agreement,
the Mergers, and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
and (ii) no fair price, moratorium,
control share acquisition or other anti-takeover Law
(each, a Takeover Statute) or any
anti-takeover provision in the Companys certificate of
incorporation or bylaws is applicable to this Agreement, the
Mergers or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
Section 3.20 Opinion
of Financial Advisors. The Board of Directors of the
Company has received (i) the opinion of Merrill
Lynch & Co. (Merrill Lynch), dated
the date of this Agreement, to the effect that, as of such date
and subject to the considerations set forth therein, the Company
Merger Consideration is fair, from a financial point of view, to
holders of shares of Company Common Stock other than the Kim
Group and (ii) the opinion of Peter J. Solomon Company,
L.P. (PJSC), dated the date of this
Agreement, to the effect that, as of such date and subject to
the considerations set forth therein, the Company Merger
Consideration is fair, from a financial point of view, to
holders of shares of Company Common Stock other than the Kim
Group.
Section 3.21 Brokers.
Except for Merrill Lynch, Keane Advisors, LLC and PJSC, no
broker, investment banker, financial advisor or other Person is
entitled to any brokers, finders, financial
advisors or other similar fee or commission in connection
with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon
arrangements made by or on behalf of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries.
Section 3.22 No
Negotiations. On November 12, 2004 the GameStop
Class B Common Stock was distributed in a transaction
intended to qualify as tax-free under Section 355 of the
Code (the Spin-Off). The Spin-Off and the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement are not part of a
plan (or series of related transactions) involving the Company
(and to the Knowledge of the Company, involving any other
Person) pursuant to which one or more Persons acquire directly
or indirectly stock representing a 50-percent or greater
interest (measured by voting power or value) in GameStop. (For
purposes of this
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Section 3.22, the acquisition of GameStop by Holdco in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement will not be
considered a plan to acquire a 50-percent or greater interest in
GameStop.) In this regard, the Company had no agreement,
understanding, arrangement or Substantial Negotiations with
GameStop or any other Person regarding the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or similar transactions at any
time prior to November 13, 2004. For purposes of this
Agreement, Substantial Negotiations include
discussions of significant economic terms (e.g. the exchange
ratio in a reorganization) by one or more officers, directors or
controlling stockholders of GameStop or another Person or
Persons with the implicit or explicit permission of one or more
officers, directors or controlling stockholders of GameStop with
one or more officers, directors or controlling stockholders of
the Company or another Person or Persons with the implicit or
explicit permission of one or more officers, directors or
controlling stockholders of the Company.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF GAMESTOP AND HOLDCO
Except as set forth in the disclosure letter delivered by
GameStop to the Company concurrently with the execution of this
Agreement, which disclosure letter is arranged in paragraphs
corresponding to the numbered and lettered sections contained in
this Article IV (the GameStop Disclosure
Letter), GameStop and Holdco hereby represent and
warrant to the Company:
Section 4.1 Organization,
Standing and Corporate Power. Except as set forth in
Section 4.1 of the GameStop Disclosure Letter, each of
GameStop and its Subsidiaries is a corporation or other legal
entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of each jurisdiction in which it is organized and
has the requisite corporate or other power, as the case may be,
and authority to carry on its business as now being conducted.
Each of GameStop and its Subsidiaries is duly qualified or
licensed to do business in each jurisdiction in which the nature
of its business or the ownership, leasing or operation of its
properties makes such qualification or licensing necessary,
except for those jurisdictions where the failure to be so
qualified or licensed would not, individually or in the
aggregate, reasonably be expected to have or result in a
Material Adverse Effect on GameStop. GameStop has made available
to the Company prior to the execution of this Agreement complete
and correct copies of its certificate of incorporation and
bylaws, memorandum and articles of association or other
governing documents of itself and each of its Subsidiaries, each
as amended to the date of this Agreement.
Section 4.2 Subsidiaries.
Except as set forth in Section 4.2 of the GameStop
Disclosure Letter, all outstanding shares of capital stock of,
or other equity interests in, each Subsidiary of GameStop
(i) have been validly issued and are fully paid and
nonassessable and (ii) are free and clear of all Liens
other than Permitted Liens. All outstanding shares of capital
stock (or equivalent equity interests of entities other than
corporations) of each Subsidiary of GameStop are beneficially
owned, directly or indirectly, by GameStop. No Subsidiary of
GameStop owns, either directly or indirectly, any shares of
capital stock of GameStop. GameStop does not, directly or
indirectly, own capital stock or other equity interest in any
Person other than its Subsidiaries.
Section 4.3 Capital
Structure. (a) GameStop represents and warrants
that the authorized capital stock of GameStop consists entirely
of (i) 300,000,000 shares of Class A GameStop
Common Stock, (ii) 100,000,000 shares of GameStop
Class B Common Stock and (iii) 5,000,000 shares
of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share
(GameStop Preferred Stock), of which
500,000 shares have been designated Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per share
(GameStop Series A Preferred Stock), of
GameStop. Each share of GameStop Class A Common Stock
carries with it an associated share purchase right issued
pursuant to the Rights Agreement between GameStop and The Bank
of New York, as rights agent, dated as of October 28, 2004
(as amended from time to time, the GameStop Rights
Agreement), which entitles the holder thereof to
purchase, on the occurrence of certain events, Series A
Preferred Stock (the GameStop Rights). At the
close of business on April 14, 2005
(i) 24,563,228 shares of GameStop Class A Common
Stock were issued and outstanding, of which
3,262,887 shares of GameStop Class A Common Stock were
held by GameStop in its treasury;
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(ii) 29,901,662 shares of GameStop Class B Common
Stock were issued and outstanding; (iii) no shares of
GameStop Class B Common Stock were held by GameStop in its
treasury; (iv) 500,000 shares of GameStop
Series A Preferred Stock were reserved for issuance in
connection with the right to purchase GameStop Series A
Preferred Stock pursuant to the terms of the GameStop Rights
Agreement; and (v) approximately 13,124,915 shares of
GameStop Class A Common Stock were subject to issued and
outstanding options to purchase GameStop Class A Common
Stock granted under the GameStop Stock Option Plan. All
outstanding shares of capital stock of GameStop are, and all
shares that may be issued will be, when issued, duly authorized,
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and not subject to
or issued in violation of preemptive rights.
(b) Set forth in Section 4.3(b) of the GameStop
Disclosure Letter is (i) the authorized capital stock or
other equity interests of each of the Subsidiaries of GameStop
and the issued and outstanding shares or other equity interests
of each of the Subsidiaries of GameStop (including shares of
restricted stock); (ii) shares of stock or other equity
interests held by the relevant Subsidiary of GameStop in its
treasury; (iii) shares or other equity interests of the
relevant Subsidiary of GameStop that were subject to issued and
outstanding options granted under relevant stock option plans;
and (iv) shares of preferred stock of each Subsidiary of
GameStop, if applicable. All outstanding shares of capital stock
or other equity interests of each of the Subsidiaries of
GameStop are, and all shares or other equity interests that may
be issued will be, when issued, duly authorized, validly issued,
fully paid and nonassessable and not subject to or issued in
violation of preemptive rights.
(c) Except as set forth in Section 4.3(a) and (b), as
of April 14, 2005, (1) there are not issued, reserved
for issuance or outstanding (i) any shares of capital stock
or other voting securities of GameStop or its Subsidiaries,
(ii) any securities convertible into or exchangeable or
exercisable for shares of capital stock or voting securities of
GameStop Subsidiaries, or (iii) any warrants, calls,
options or other rights to acquire from GameStop or any of its
Subsidiaries any capital stock, voting securities or securities
convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for capital
stock or voting securities of GameStop or any of its
Subsidiaries and (2) there are no outstanding obligations
of GameStop or any of its Subsidiaries to (i) issue,
deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, delivered or sold, any
capital stock, voting securities or securities convertible into
or exchangeable or exercisable for capital stock or voting
securities of GameStop or any of its Subsidiaries or
(ii) repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any such
securities.
Section 4.4 Authority.
Each of GameStop and Holdco have all requisite corporate power
and authority to enter into this Agreement and, subject, in the
case of the GameStop Merger, to the GameStop Stockholder
Approval, to consummate or cause the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement. The execution and delivery of this Agreement
by GameStop and Holdco and the consummation by GameStop and
Holdco of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly
authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of
GameStop and Holdco, subject, in the case of the GameStop
Merger, to receipt of the GameStop Stockholder Approval. This
Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each of
GameStop and Holdco and, assuming the due authorization,
execution and delivery by the Company, constitutes the legal,
valid and binding obligation of GameStop and Holdco, enforceable
against GameStop and Holdco in accordance with its terms, except
as the enforcement thereof may be limited by applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent
conveyance or similar Laws generally affecting the rights of
creditors and subject to general equity principles. The Board of
Directors of GameStop has (i) duly and validly approved
this Agreement, (ii) determined and declared that the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement are advisable and in
the best interests of GameStop and its stockholders,
(iii) resolved to recommend to such stockholders that they
vote in favor of the adoption of this Agreement, and
(iv) approved the Riggio Group Voting Agreement, in each
case subject to Section 5.3. GameStop has furnished to the
Company certified copies of the resolutions of the Board of
Directors of GameStop and Holdco approving and adopting this
Agreement, the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated
hereby.
Section 4.5 Non-Contravention;
Consents and Approvals. (a) Except as set forth in
Section 4.5(a) of the GameStop Disclosure Letter, the
execution and delivery of this Agreement does not, and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
and compliance with the
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provisions of this Agreement will not, (i) subject to the
GameStop Stockholder Approval and the filing of the GameStop
Charter Amendment, conflict with the certificate of
incorporation or bylaws (or comparable organizational documents)
of any of GameStop and its Subsidiaries, (ii) result in any
breach, violation or default (with or without notice or lapse of
time, or both) under, or give rise to a right of termination,
cancellation or creation or acceleration of any obligation or
right of a third party or loss of a benefit under, or result in
the creation of any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of
any of GameStop and its Subsidiaries under, any loan or credit
agreement, note, bond, mortgage, indenture or other agreement,
instrument, permit, concession, franchise, lease, license or
other authorization applicable to any of GameStop and its
Subsidiaries or their respective properties or assets or
(iii) subject to the governmental filings and other matters
referred to in Section 4.5(b), conflict with or violate any
judgment, order, decree or Law applicable to any of GameStop and
its Subsidiaries or their respective properties or assets, other
than, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), any such
conflicts, breaches, violations, defaults, rights, losses or
Liens that, individually or in the aggregate, would not
reasonably be expected to have or result in a Material Adverse
Effect on GameStop and that would not prevent or materially
delay consummation of the Mergers.
(b) No consent, approval, order or authorization of, action
by or in respect of, or registration, declaration or filing with
any Governmental Entity or any third party is required by
GameStop or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the
execution and delivery of this Agreement by GameStop and Holdco
or the consummation by GameStop and Holdco of the transactions
contemplated hereby, except for: (i) the GameStop
Stockholder Approval and the filing of the GameStop Charter
Amendment, (ii) the filing with the SEC of (A) the
Joint Proxy Statement and (B) such reports under
Section 13(a), 13(d), 15(d) or 16(a) or such other
applicable sections of the Exchange Act, as may be required in
connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby; (iii) the filing of the Certificates of Merger with
the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware; (iv) all
necessary registrations and filings and approvals or waivers
under the Antitrust and Competition Laws, including in respect
of the HSR Filings by the Company, GameStop and any member of
the Kim Group under the HSR Act and any other filings either
required under any other applicable Antitrust and Competition
Laws or that the Company and GameStop deem advisable;
(v) notifications to NASDAQ and, in the case of GameStop,
filings with and approvals of the NYSE to permit the shares of
Holdco Common Stock that are to be issued in the Mergers to be
listed on the NYSE; and (vi) such consents, approvals,
orders or authorizations the failure of which to be made or
obtained, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably
be expected to have or result in a Material Adverse Effect on
GameStop and that would not prevent or materially delay
consummation of the Mergers.
Section 4.6 SEC
Reports and Financial Statements. (a) GameStop has
filed all required reports, schedules, forms, statements and
other documents (including exhibits and all other information
incorporated therein) under the Securities Act and the Exchange
Act with the SEC since February 12, 2002 (as such reports,
schedules, forms, statements and documents have been amended
since the time of their filing, collectively, the
GameStop SEC Documents). As of their
respective dates, or if amended prior to the date of this
Agreement, as of the date of the last such amendment, the
GameStop SEC Documents complied in all material respects with
the requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as
the case may be, and the rules and regulations of the SEC
promulgated thereunder applicable to such GameStop SEC
Documents, and none of the GameStop SEC Documents when filed, or
as so amended, contained any untrue statement of a material fact
or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading.
(b) The consolidated financial statements of GameStop
included in the GameStop SEC Documents comply as to form, as of
their respective date of filing with the SEC, in all material
respects with applicable accounting requirements and the
published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto,
have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (except, in the case
of unaudited statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q of the
SEC) applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved
(except as may be indicated in the notes thereto), and fairly
present in all material respects the consolidated financial
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position of GameStop and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the
dates thereof and the consolidated statements of income, cash
flows and stockholders equity for the periods then ended
(subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal
recurring year-end audit adjustments). No Subsidiary of GameStop
is required to make any filings with the SEC or any comparable
regulatory authority in any jurisdiction.
(c) GameStop and its Subsidiaries have designed and
maintain a system of internal controls over financial reporting
(as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the
Exchange Act) sufficient to provide reasonable assurances
regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the
preparation of financial statements for external purposes in
accordance with GAAP. GameStop (A) has designed and
maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act) to
ensure that material information required to be disclosed by it
in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act
is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time
periods specified in the SECs rules and forms and is
accumulated and communicated to GameStops management as
appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required
disclosure, and (B) has disclosed, based on its most recent
evaluation of such disclosure controls and procedures prior to
the date hereof, to GameStops auditors and the audit
committee of GameStops Board of Directors (1) any
significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design
or operation of internal controls over financial reporting that
are reasonably likely to adversely affect in any material
respect GameStops ability to record, process, summarize
and report financial information and (2) any fraud, whether
or not material, that involves management or other employees who
have a significant role in GameStops internal controls
over financial reporting. GameStop has made available to the
Company a summary of any such disclosure made by management to
GameStops auditors and audit committee since
January 1, 2002.
Section 4.7 No
Undisclosed Liabilities. Neither GameStop nor any of its
Subsidiaries has any Liabilities of a nature required by GAAP to
be reflected in a consolidated balance sheet or the notes
thereto, except Liabilities that (i) are accrued or
reserved against in the most recent financial statements
included in the GameStop SEC Documents filed prior to the date
hereof or are reflected in the notes thereto, (ii) were
incurred in the ordinary course of business since
January 29, 2005, (iii) are incurred pursuant to the
transactions contemplated by the Agreement, (iv) have been
discharged or paid in full prior to the date of this Agreement
in the ordinary course of business or (v) would not,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have
a Material Adverse Effect on GameStop.
Section 4.8 Information
Supplied. None of the information supplied or to be
supplied by GameStop specifically for inclusion or incorporation
by reference in (i) the Form S-4 will, at the time the
Form S-4 becomes effective under the Securities Act,
contain any 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, in light of the circumstances under
which they are made, not misleading or (ii) the Joint Proxy
Statement will, at the date it is first mailed to the
Companys stockholders and GameStops stockholders or
at the time of the Company Stockholders Meeting or the GameStop
Stockholders Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in
light of the circumstances under which they are made, not
misleading. The Joint Proxy Statement will comply as to form in
all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act
and the rules and regulations thereunder, except that no
representation or warranty is made by GameStop with respect to
statements made or incorporated by reference therein based on
information supplied by the other party specifically for
inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Joint Proxy
Statement.
Section 4.9 Absence
of Certain Changes or Events. Since January 29,
2005, (a) each of GameStop and its Subsidiaries has
conducted its respective operations only in the ordinary course
consistent with past practice, (b) there has not occurred
(i) any fact, event, circumstance, change, condition or
effect (including the incurrence of any Liabilities of any
nature, whether or not accrued, contingent or otherwise) that
has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, individually
or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on GameStop;
(ii) any declaration, setting aside or payment of any
dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, stock or
property) with respect to the equity interests of GameStop or of
any of its Subsidiaries other than dividends paid to GameStop or
any of its Subsidiaries
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by a wholly-owned Subsidiary; or (iii) any material change
by GameStop or any of its Subsidiaries in accounting principles
or methods, and (c) neither GameStop nor any of its
Subsidiaries has taken any action which, if taken after the date
of this Agreement, would be prohibited by Section 5.1
hereof.
Section 4.10 Compliance
with Applicable Laws. (a) Except as disclosed in
the GameStop SEC Documents, GameStop and its Subsidiaries are,
and have been, in compliance with all applicable Laws (including
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the USA Patriot Act of 2001), except
where any such non-compliance, individually or in the aggregate,
would not reasonably be expected to have or result in a Material
Adverse Effect on GameStop. The operations of GameStop and its
Subsidiaries have not been and are not being conducted in
violation of any Permit necessary for the conduct of their
respective businesses as currently conducted, except where any
such violations, individually or in the aggregate, would not
reasonably be expected to have or result in a Material Adverse
Effect on GameStop.
(b) Except as set forth in Section 4.10(b) of the
GameStop Disclosure Letter, GameStop and its Subsidiaries hold
all Permits necessary for the conduct of their respective
businesses as currently conducted, except where the failure to
hold such Permits, individually or in the aggregate, would not
reasonably be expected to have or result in a Material Adverse
Effect on GameStop.
Section 4.11 Taxes.
Except as set forth in Section 4.11 of the GameStop
Disclosure Letter, (i) GameStop and each of its
Subsidiaries have filed all material Tax Returns required to be
filed, and all such returns are materially complete and
accurate; (ii) GameStop and each of its Subsidiaries has
paid all material Taxes due except for those Taxes being
disputed in good faith through appropriate proceedings and which
are adequately reserved for on GameStops financial
statements; (iii) there are no Liens for material Taxes
upon the assets of GameStop or any of its Subsidiaries, other
than Liens for Taxes not yet due and Liens for Taxes that are
being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;
(iv) neither GameStop nor any of its Subsidiaries
(A) is a party to any agreement providing for the
allocation, sharing or indemnification of Taxes or (B) is
required to include in income any adjustment pursuant to
Section 481 of the Code by reason of a voluntary change in
accounting method initiated by GameStop or a Subsidiary, nor
does GameStop have any Knowledge that the IRS has proposed any
such adjustment or change in accounting method; (v) neither
GameStop nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liability for Taxes
of any Person (other than GameStop and its Subsidiaries) under
Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any
comparable provision of Law as a transferee or successor, by
contract, or otherwise); (vi) neither GameStop nor any of
its Subsidiaries has taken any action or knows of any fact,
agreement, plan or other circumstance that is reasonably likely
to prevent the Mergers from qualifying as a transaction
described in Section 351 of the Code; (vii) no
deficiencies for any material Taxes have been proposed, asserted
or assessed against GameStop or any of its Subsidiaries for
which adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP have not been
created, and, to the Knowledge of GameStop, no claim has been
made by a taxing authority in a jurisdiction where GameStop
and/or its Subsidiaries do not file Tax Returns that GameStop or
any such Subsidiary is or may be subject to taxation by that
jurisdiction; (viii) to the Knowledge of GameStop, the
financial statements included in the GameStop SEC Documents
reflect an adequate reserve in accordance with GAAP for all
Taxes for which GameStop or any of its Subsidiaries may be
liable for all taxable periods and portions thereof through the
date hereof; (ix) GameStop and each of its Subsidiaries has
withheld and paid all material Taxes required to have been
withheld and paid in connection with any amounts paid or owing
to any employee, independent contractor, creditor, stockholder
or other third party; (x) neither GameStop nor any of its
Subsidiaries has distributed stock of another Person, or has had
its stock distributed by another Person, in a transaction that
was purported or intended to be governed in whole or in part by
Section 355 or Section 361 of the Code;
(xi) neither GameStop nor any of its Subsidiaries has
participated in any listed transaction within the meaning of
Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4, and all
transactions that could give rise to a substantial
understatement of U.S. federal income tax within the
meaning of Section 6662 of the Code have been adequately
disclosed in accordance with such section; (xii) (A) there
are no outstanding waivers or consents given by GameStop or its
Subsidiaries regarding the application of the statute of
limitations with respect to any Taxes or Tax Returns and
(B) there are no federal, state, local or foreign audits or
other administrative proceedings or court proceedings presently
pending with respect to Taxes or Tax Returns; and
(xiii) there
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is no contract, agreement, plan or arrangement covering any
Person that, individually or collectively, could give rise to,
nor will the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby obligate GameStop or any of its Subsidiaries to make, the
payment of any amount that would not be deductible by GameStop
or any Subsidiary by reason of Section 280G of the Code.
Section 4.12 Transactions
with Affiliates. Except as set forth in the GameStop SEC
Documents filed prior to the date of this Agreement, there are
no outstanding amounts payable to or receivable from, or
advances by GameStop or any of its Subsidiaries to, and neither
GameStop nor any of its Subsidiaries is or was otherwise a
creditor or debtor to, or party to or otherwise bound by any
contract, agreement, arrangement, understanding, undertaking,
commitment, obligation or promise, with, any stockholder holding
more than 5% of the outstanding securities of GameStop, director
or officer of GameStop or any of its Subsidiaries, or any member
of their immediate families, other than (i) payment of
regular salary for services rendered, (ii) reimbursement
for reasonable expenses incurred on behalf of GameStop or its
Subsidiaries and (iii) for other standard employee benefits
generally available to all employees. Since January 29,
2005, there has been no transaction, or series of similar
transactions, agreements, arrangements or understandings, nor
are there any currently proposed transactions, or series of
similar transactions, agreements, arrangements or understandings
to which GameStop or any of its Subsidiaries was or is to be a
party, that would be required to be disclosed under
Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated under the
Securities Act.
Section 4.13 Financing.
At the time of the execution of this Agreement and at the
Effective Time, either GameStop will have available or GameStop
will have for the purposes of making available to Holdco the
funds on hand, together with funds committed to GameStop
pursuant to executed bank commitment letters previously
furnished to the Company (the Bank Commitment
Letters), necessary to pay the aggregate Company Cash
Consideration payable to the holders of Company Common Stock in
connection with the Company Merger and to pay all fees and
expenses in connection with the Mergers.
Section 4.14 Voting
Requirements. The affirmative vote at the GameStop
Stockholders Meeting of a majority of the votes entitled to be
cast by the holders of outstanding shares of (i) GameStop
Class A Common Stock and GameStop Class B Common
Stock, voting together as a single class, is the only vote of
the holders of any class or series of GameStops capital
stock necessary to adopt this Agreement and (ii) GameStop
Class A Common Stock, voting as a separate class, and
GameStop Class A Common Stock and GameStop Class B
Common Stock, voting together as a single class, is the only
vote of the holders of any class or series of GameStops
capital stock necessary to amend GameStops Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the GameStop
Charter Amendment) to permit the payment of the
GameStop Merger Consideration in accordance with the terms
hereof, such amendment to be filed immediately prior to the
Effective Time ((i) and (ii) collectively, the
GameStop Stockholder Approval ). In such
vote, the holders of the GameStop Class A Common Stock
shall be entitled to cast one vote per share and the holders of
the GameStop Class B Common Stock shall be entitled to cast
ten votes per share.
Section 4.15 Opinion
of Financial Advisors. The Board of Directors of
GameStop has received the opinion of Citigroup Global Markets
Inc. (Citigroup), to the effect that, as of
the date of such opinion and subject to the considerations set
forth therein, the Company Merger Consideration is fair, from a
financial point of view, to GameStop.
Section 4.16 State
Takeover Statutes and Rights Plan. The Board of
Directors of GameStop has taken all necessary action so that
(i) the restrictions on business combinations
set forth in Section 203 of the DGCL are inapplicable to
this Agreement, the Mergers, and the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement, (ii) no Takeover Statute or any
anti-takeover provision in GameStops certificate of
incorporation or bylaws is applicable to this Agreement, the
Mergers or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and
(iii) no stock acquisition date,
distribution date or triggering event
will occur under the GameStop Rights Plan by virtue of the
execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by the
parties hereto.
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Section 4.17 Brokers.
Except for Citigroup, no broker, investment banker, financial
advisor or other Person is entitled to any brokers,
finders, financial advisors or other similar fee or
commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of
GameStop.
Section 4.18 Holdco;
Merger Subs. (a) Holdco is a duly incorporated,
validly existing direct, wholly owned Delaware subsidiary of
GameStop, was formed for the purpose of engaging in the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and does not have
any subsidiaries, except the Merger Subs, and has not undertaken
any business or other activities other than in connection with
entering into this Agreement and engaging in the transactions.
(b) The Merger Subs are duly formed, validly existing
direct, wholly owned Delaware subsidiaries of Holdco, were
formed for the purpose of engaging in the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, and do not have any subsidiaries
and have not undertaken any business or other activities other
than in connection with entering into this Agreement and
engaging in the transactions.
Section 4.19 No
Negotiations. The Spin-Off and the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement are not part of a plan (or series
of related transactions) involving GameStop (and to the
Knowledge of GameStop, involving any other Person) pursuant to
which one or more Persons acquire directly or indirectly stock
representing a 50-percent or greater interest (measured by
voting power or value) in GameStop. For purposes of this
Section 4.19, the acquisition of GameStop by Holdco in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement will not be
considered a plan to acquire a 50-percent or greater interest in
GameStop. In this regard, GameStop had no agreement,
understanding, arrangement or Substantial Negotiations with the
Company or any other Person regarding the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or similar transactions at any
time prior to November 13, 2004.
Section 4.20 Separation
Agreement. Upon delivery to, and acceptance by,
Barnes & Noble, Inc. (B&N) of the
Subsequent Tax Opinion (as defined in and pursuant to the
Separation Agreement, dated January 1, 2002, by and between
B&N and GameStop (the Separation Agreement)),
the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement will not cause GameStop to be in violation of the
Separation Agreement.
ARTICLE V
COVENANTS RELATING TO CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
Section 5.1 Conduct
of Business. (a) Conduct of Business by the
Company. Except as set forth on Section 5.1(a) of
the Company Disclosure Letter and except as otherwise required,
permitted or contemplated by this Agreement or except as
consented to in writing by GameStop, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, during the period
from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time, the
Company shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to,
carry on their respective businesses in the ordinary course, and
to the extent consistent therewith, each of the Company and its
Subsidiaries shall use reasonable best efforts to preserve its
business organization intact and maintain its existing relations
with customers, suppliers, vendors, employees, creditors and
business partners. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, except as set forth on Section 5.1(a) of the
Company Disclosure Letter, except as otherwise required,
permitted or contemplated by this Agreement or except as
consented to in writing by GameStop, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, during the period
from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time, the
Company shall not and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries
to:
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(i) issue, sell, transfer, pledge, dispose of or encumber
any additional shares of, or securities convertible into or
exchangeable for, or options, warrants, calls, commitments or
rights of any kind to acquire, any shares of capital stock of
any class of the Company or its Subsidiaries, other than
issuances pursuant to the exercise of Company Stock Options
outstanding on the date hereof or pursuant to the ESPP; |
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(ii) (A) directly or indirectly, split, combine or
reclassify the outstanding shares of capital stock of the
Company, or any outstanding capital stock of any of the
Subsidiaries of the Company, or (B) redeem, purchase or
otherwise acquire directly or indirectly any of its capital
stock; |
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(iii) declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other
distribution payable in cash, stock or property with respect to
its capital stock; |
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(iv) amend its certificate of incorporation or bylaws (or
other comparable organizational documents); |
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(v) sell, lease, license, mortgage or otherwise encumber or
subject to any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) or otherwise
dispose of any of its material properties or material assets; |
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(vi) incur any long-term indebtedness (whether evidenced by
a note or other instrument, pursuant to a financing lease,
sale-leaseback transaction, or otherwise) or incur short-term
indebtedness other than indebtedness incurred in the ordinary
course of business or under lines of credit existing on the date
of this Agreement (or any refinancing thereof not to exceed the
amount borrowable thereunder); |
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(vii) other than in the ordinary course of business and
consistent with past practice, (A) grant any increase in
the compensation or benefits payable or to become payable by the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any current or former
director or consultant of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, (B) grant any increase in the compensation or
benefits payable or to become payable by the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries to any officer or employee of the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries, (C) adopt, enter into, amend or
otherwise increase, reprice or accelerate the payment or vesting
of the amounts, benefits or rights payable or accrued or to
become payable or accrued under any Company Benefit Plan,
(D) enter into or amend any employment, bonus, severance,
change in control, retention agreement or any similar agreement
or any collective bargaining agreement or, grant any severance,
bonus, termination, or retention pay to any officer, director,
consultant or employee of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, or (E) pay or award any pension, retirement,
allowance or other non-equity incentive awards, or other
employee or director benefit not required by any outstanding
Company Benefit Plan; |
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(viii) enter into any transaction, agreement, arrangement
or understanding between (i) the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and (ii) any Affiliate of
the Company (other than any Subsidiary of the Company), on the
other hand, of the type that would be required to be disclosed
under Item 404 of Regulation S-K; |
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(ix) take any action to cause the Company Common Stock to
cease to be listed on the NASDAQ National Market prior to the
Closing Date; |
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(x) take, or agree to commit to take, or omit to take, any
action that would make any representation or warranty of the
Company contained herein inaccurate in any respect at, or as of
any time prior to, the Effective Time; |
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(xi) change the accounting methods or principles used by it
unless required by GAAP (or, if applicable with respect to
foreign subsidiaries, the relevant foreign generally accepted
accounting principles) or any Governmental Entity; |
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(xii) acquire by merging or consolidating with, by
purchasing any equity interest in or any assets of, or by any
other manner, any significant business or any corporation,
partnership, association or other business organization or
division thereof, or otherwise acquire any assets, in each case
for a total purchase price in excess of $35,000,000, except for
the purchase of assets from suppliers or vendors in the ordinary
course of business; |
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(xiii) except in the ordinary course of business, make or
rescind any material express or deemed election, or settle or
compromise any material claim or action, relating to Taxes, or
change any of its methods of accounting or of reporting income
or deductions for Tax purposes in any material respect; |
A-25
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(xiv) satisfy any material claims or liabilities, other
than in the ordinary course of business or in accordance with
their terms; |
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(xv) make any loans, advances or capital contributions to,
or investments in, any other Person in excess of $5,000,000 in
the aggregate, except for (A) loans, advances, capital
contributions or investments between any Subsidiary of the
Company and the Company or another Subsidiary of the Company or
(B) employee advances for expenses in the ordinary course
of business; |
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(xvi) other than in the ordinary course of business,
(A) terminate or adversely modify or amend any contract
having a duration of more than one year and total payment
obligations of the Company in excess of $5,000,000 (other than
(1) contracts terminable within one year or (2) the
renewal, on substantially similar terms, of any contract
existing on the date of this Agreement), (B) waive,
release, relinquish or assign any right or claim of material
value to the Company, or (C) cancel or forgive any material
indebtedness owed to the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries; or |
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(xvii) authorize, commit or agree to take any of the
foregoing actions. |
(b) Conduct of Business by GameStop. Except
as set forth on Section 5.1(b) of the GameStop Disclosure
Letter, except as otherwise required, permitted or contemplated
by this Agreement or except as consented to in writing by the
Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld,
conditioned or delayed, during the period from the date of this
Agreement to the Effective Time, GameStop shall, and shall cause
each of its Subsidiaries to, carry on their respective
businesses in the ordinary course, and to the extent consistent
therewith, each of GameStop and its Subsidiaries shall use
reasonable best efforts to preserve its business organization
intact and maintain its existing relations with customers,
suppliers, vendors, employees, creditors and business partners.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, except as set
forth on Section 5.1(b) of the GameStop Disclosure Letter,
except as otherwise required, permitted or contemplated by this
Agreement or except as consented to in writing by the Company,
which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or
delayed, during the period from the date of this Agreement to
the Effective Time, GameStop shall not and shall not permit any
Subsidiary of GameStop to:
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(i) issue, sell, transfer, pledge, dispose of or encumber
any additional shares of, or securities convertible into or
exchangeable for, or options, warrants, calls, commitments or
rights of any kind to acquire, any shares of capital stock of
any class of GameStop or its Subsidiaries, other than issuances
pursuant to the exercise of GameStop Stock Options outstanding
on the date hereof; |
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(ii) (A) directly or indirectly, split, combine or
reclassify the outstanding shares of capital stock of GameStop,
or any outstanding capital stock of any of the Subsidiaries of
GameStop, or (B) redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire
directly or indirectly any of its capital stock; |
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(iii) acquire by merging or consolidating with, by
purchasing any substantial equity interest in or a substantial
portion of the assets of, or by any other manner, any
significant business or any corporation, partnership,
association or other business organization or division thereof,
or otherwise acquire any assets, in each case for a total
purchase price in excess of $35,000,000, except for the purchase
of assets from suppliers or vendors in the ordinary course of
business; |
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(iv) declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other
distribution payable in cash, stock or property with respect to
its capital stock; |
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(v) amend its certificate of incorporation or bylaws (or
other comparable organizational documents); |
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(vi) sell, lease, license, mortgage or otherwise encumber
or subject to any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) or otherwise
dispose of any of its material properties or material assets; |
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(vii) incur any long-term indebtedness (whether evidenced
by a note or other instrument, pursuant to a financing lease,
sale-leaseback transaction, or otherwise) or incur short-term
indebtedness other than indebtedness incurred in the ordinary
course of business or under lines of |
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credit existing on the date of this Agreement (or any
refinancing thereof not to exceed the amount borrowable
thereunder) or under the Bank Commitment Letters; |
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(viii) other than in the ordinary course of business and
consistent with past practice, (A) grant any increase in
the compensation or benefits payable or to become payable by
GameStop or any of its Subsidiaries to any current or former
director or consultant of GameStop or any of its Subsidiaries,
(B) grant any increase in the compensation or benefits
payable or to become payable by GameStop or any of its
Subsidiaries to any officer or employee of GameStop or any of
its Subsidiaries, (C) adopt, enter into, amend or otherwise
increase, reprice or accelerate the payment or vesting of the
amounts, benefits or rights payable or accrued or to become
payable or accrued under any GameStop Benefit Plan,
(D) enter into or amend any employment, bonus, severance,
change in control, retention agreement or any similar agreement
or any collective bargaining agreement or, grant any severance,
bonus, termination, or retention pay to any officer, director,
consultant or employee of GameStop or any of its Subsidiaries,
or (E) pay or award any pension, retirement, allowance or
other non-equity incentive awards, or other employee or director
benefit not required by any outstanding GameStop Benefit Plan; |
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(ix) enter into any transaction, agreement, arrangement or
understanding between (i) GameStop or any of its
Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and (ii) any Affiliate of
GameStop (other than any Subsidiary of GameStop), on the other
hand, of the type that would be required to be disclosed under
Item 404 of Regulation S-K; |
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(x) change the accounting principles used by it unless
required by GAAP (or, if applicable with respect to foreign
subsidiaries, the relevant foreign generally accepted accounting
principles) or any Governmental Entity; |
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(xi) take any action to cause the GameStop Common Stock to
cease to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange prior to the
Closing Date; |
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(xii) take, or agree to commit to take, or omit to take,
any action that would make any representation or warranty of
GameStop contained herein inaccurate in any respect at, or as of
any time prior to, the Effective Time; |
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(xiii) except in the ordinary course of business, make or
rescind any material express or deemed election, or settle or
compromise any material claim or action, relating to Taxes, or
change any of its methods of accounting or of reporting income
or deductions for Tax purposes in any material respect; |
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(xiv) satisfy any material claims or liabilities, other
than in the ordinary course of business or in accordance with
their terms; |
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(xv) make any loans, advances or capital contributions to,
or investments in, any other Person in excess of $5,000,000 in
the aggregate, except for (A) loans, advances, capital
contributions or investments between any Subsidiary of GameStop
and GameStop or another Subsidiary of GameStop or
(B) employee advances for expenses in the ordinary course
of business; |
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(xvi) other than in the ordinary course of business,
(A) terminate or adversely modify or amend any contract
having a duration of more than one year and total payment
obligations of GameStop in excess of $5,000,000 (other than
(1) contracts terminable within one year or (2) the
renewal, on substantially similar terms, of any contract
existing on the date of this Agreement), (B) waive,
release, relinquish or assign any right or claim of material
value to GameStop, or (C) cancel or forgive any material
indebtedness owed to GameStop or any of its Subsidiaries; or |
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(xvii) authorize, commit or agree to take any of the
foregoing actions. |
(c) Conduct of Business by Holdco and the Merger
Subs. During the period from the date of this Agreement
to the Effective Time, Holdco and the Merger Subs shall not
engage in any activities of any nature except as provided in or
contemplated by this Agreement.
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(d) Advice of Changes. Each of the Company
and GameStop shall promptly advise the other parties to this
Agreement in writing to the extent it has Knowledge of any
change or event having, or which, insofar as can reasonably be
foreseen, would reasonably be expected to have, a Material
Adverse Effect on such party or the ability of the conditions
set forth in Article VII to be satisfied; provided,
however, that no such notification will affect the
representations, warranties, covenants or agreements of the
parties (or remedies with respect thereto) or the conditions to
the obligations of the parties under this Agreement.
Section 5.2 No
Solicitation by the Company. (a) Company
Takeover Proposal. From and after the date of this
Agreement, the Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries
to, and it shall cause any of its and their officers, directors,
employees, financial advisors, attorneys, accountants and other
advisors, investment bankers, representatives and agents
retained by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
(collectively, Company Representatives) to,
immediately cease and cause to be terminated immediately all
existing activities, discussions and negotiations with any
parties conducted heretofore with respect to, or that would
reasonably be expected to lead to, any Company Takeover
Proposal. From and after the date of this Agreement, the Company
shall not, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, and
it shall cause any of the Company Representatives not to,
directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate or knowingly
encourage or facilitate any inquiries or the making of a Company
Takeover Proposal, (ii) approve or recommend or propose to
approve or recommend, or enter into any agreement, arrangement
or understanding with respect to any Company Takeover Proposal
(other than a confidentiality agreement entered into in
accordance with the provisions of this Section 5.2(a)) or
(iii) other than informing Persons of the existence of the
provisions contained in this Section 5.2, participate in
any discussions or negotiations regarding, or furnish or
disclose to any Person (other than a party to this Agreement)
any non-public information or data with respect to the Company
in connection with any inquiries or the making of any proposal
that constitutes, or would reasonably be expected to lead to,
any Company Takeover Proposal; provided, however,
that, at any time prior to obtaining the Company Stockholder
Approval, in response to a Company Takeover Proposal that has
not been solicited, initiated or encouraged by the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries or any Company Representative and that
the Board of Directors of the Company determines in good faith
(after consultation with outside counsel and a financial advisor
of nationally recognized reputation) may reasonably be expected
to constitute or constitutes a Company Superior Proposal, and
which Company Takeover Proposal was made after the date hereof
and did not otherwise result, directly or indirectly, from a
breach of this Section 5.2, the Company may, subject to
compliance with this Section 5.2(a), directly or indirectly
(i) furnish information with respect to the Company and its
Subsidiaries to the Person making such Company Takeover Proposal
(and its representatives) pursuant to a customary
confidentiality agreement not less restrictive of such Person
than the Confidentiality Agreement is of GameStop;
provided, however, that all such information is,
in substance, provided to GameStop contemporaneously as it is
provided to such Person, and (ii) participate in
discussions or negotiations with the Person making such Company
Takeover Proposal (and its representatives) regarding such
Company Takeover Proposal.
(b) Definitions. As used herein,
(i) Company Superior Proposal means a
Company Takeover Proposal from any Person that the Board of
Directors of the Company determines in its good faith judgment
(after consulting with a nationally recognized investment
banking firm and outside counsel), taking into account all
legal, financial and regulatory and other aspects of the
proposal and the Person making the proposal (including any
break-up fees, expense reimbursement provisions and conditions
to consummation), (A) would be more favorable from a
financial point of view to the stockholders of the Company than
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including any
adjustment to the terms and conditions proposed by GameStop in
response to such Company Takeover Proposal), (B) for which
financing, to the extent required, is then committed or may
reasonably be expected to be committed and (C) is
reasonably likely to receive all required governmental approvals
on a timely basis and (ii) Company Takeover
Proposal means any bona fide written proposal or offer
from any Person relating to any (A) direct or indirect
acquisition or purchase of a business that constitutes 50% or
more of the net revenues, net income or the assets of the
Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (B) direct
or indirect acquisition or purchase of equity securities of the
Company representing 50% or more of the
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combined voting power of the Company, (C) any tender offer
or exchange offer that if consummated would result in any Person
beneficially owning equity securities of the Company
representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the
Company, or (D) any merger, consolidation, business
combination, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or
similar transaction involving the Company, other than the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(c) Actions by the Company. Neither the Board
of Directors of the Company nor any committee thereof shall
(i) (A) withdraw (or modify in a manner adverse to
GameStop), or publicly propose to withdraw (or modify in a
manner adverse to GameStop), the approval recommendation or
declaration of advisability by such Board of Directors or any
such committee thereof of this Agreement, the Company Merger or
the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement or
(B) recommend, adopt or approve, or propose publicly to
recommend, adopt or approve, any Company Takeover Proposal (any
action described in this clause (i) being referred to as a
Company Adverse Recommendation Change) or
(ii) approve or recommend, or allow the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries to execute or enter into, any letter of intent,
memorandum of understanding, agreement in principle, merger
agreement, acquisition agreement, option agreement, joint
venture agreement, partnership agreement or other similar
agreement constituting or related to any Company Takeover
Proposal (other than a confidentiality agreement referred to in
Section 5.2(a)). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if, prior
to obtaining the Company Stockholder Approval, (I) (1) the
Board of Directors of the Company shall have determined in good
faith, after consultation with outside counsel, that the failure
to make a Company Adverse Recommendation Change would be
inconsistent with the fulfillment of its fiduciary duties or any
other obligations under applicable Law, (2) the Company
provides written notice (a Notice of Company Adverse
Recommendation) advising GameStop that the Board of
Directors of the Company has made the determination described in
clause (1) above, (3) for a period of five Business
Days following GameStops receipt of a Notice of Company
Adverse Recommendation, the Company negotiates with GameStop in
good faith to make such adjustments to the terms and conditions
of this Agreement as would enable the Company to proceed with
its recommendation of this Agreement and the Mergers and not
make such Company Adverse Recommendation Change, and (4) at
the end of such five-Business Day period the Board of Directors
of the Company maintains its determination described in
clause (1) above (after taking into account such proposed
adjustments to the terms and conditions of this Agreement), or
(II) (v) the Company receives a Company Takeover Proposal,
(w) the Board of Directors of the Company shall have
determined in good faith, after consultation with outside
counsel, that the failure to make a Company Adverse
Recommendation Change would be inconsistent with the fulfillment
of its fiduciary duties or any other obligations under
applicable Law, (x) the Company provides GameStop with a
Notice of Company Adverse Recommendation advising GameStop that
the Board of Directors of the Company has made the determination
described in clause (w) above, (y) for a period of
five Business Days following GameStops receipt of a Notice
of Company Adverse Recommendation, the Company negotiates with
GameStop in good faith to make such adjustments to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement as would enable the Company to
proceed with its recommendation of this Agreement and the
Mergers and not make such Company Adverse Recommendation Change,
and (z) at the end of such five-Business Day period the
Board of Directors of the Company maintains its determination
described in clause (w) above (after taking into account
such proposed adjustments to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement), then the Board of Directors of the Company may
(A) make a Company Adverse Recommendation Change and (B),
in the case of clause (II) above where the Company
receives a Company Takeover Proposal, upon termination of this
Agreement in accordance with Section 8.1(d)(iii), and
concurrent payment of the Company Termination Fee in accordance
with Section 8.3(b), approve and enter into an agreement
relating to a Company Takeover Proposal that constitutes a
Company Superior Proposal. No Company Adverse Recommendation
Change shall change the approval of the Board of Directors of
the Company for purposes of causing the Companys
certificate of incorporation, any state takeover Law (including
Section 203 of the DGCL) or other state Law to be
inapplicable to the Mergers and the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
(d) Notice of Company Takeover Proposal. From
and after the date of this Agreement, unless the Board of
Directors of the Company shall have determined in good faith,
after consultation with outside
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counsel, that taking such action would result in a reasonable
probability that the Board of Directors of the Company would
breach its fiduciary duties under applicable Law, the Company
shall promptly (but in any event within one Business Day) advise
GameStop and Holdco of the receipt, directly or indirectly, of
any inquiries, requests, discussions, negotiations or proposals
relating to a Company Takeover Proposal, or any request for
nonpublic information relating to any of the Company and its
Subsidiaries by any Person that informs the Company or any
Company Representative that such Person is considering making,
or has made, a Company Takeover Proposal, or an inquiry from a
Person seeking to have discussions or negotiations relating to a
possible Company Takeover Proposal. Any such notice shall be
made orally and confirmed in writing, and shall indicate the
material terms and conditions thereof and the identity of the
other party or parties involved and promptly furnish to GameStop
and Holdco a copy of any such written inquiry, request or
proposal and copies of any material information provided to or
by any third party relating thereto.
(e) Rule 14e-2(a), Rule 14d-9 and Other
Applicable Law. Nothing contained in this
Section 5.2 shall prohibit the Company from (i) taking
and disclosing to its stockholders a position contemplated by
Rule 14e-2(a) or Rule 14d-9 promulgated under the
Exchange Act or (ii) making any disclosure to the
stockholders of the Company if, in the good faith judgment of
the Board of Directors (after consultation with outside
counsel), failure so to disclose would be inconsistent with the
fulfillment of its fiduciary duties or any other obligations
under applicable Law; provided, however, that
compliance with such rules and Laws shall not in any way limit
or modify the effect that any action taken pursuant to such
rules and Laws has under any other provision of this Agreement,
including that such compliance could result in a Company Adverse
Recommendation Change.
(f) Return or Destruction of Confidential
Information. The Company agrees that immediately
following the execution of this Agreement it shall request each
Person (other than GameStop) which has heretofore executed a
confidentiality agreement within the past two years in
connection with such Persons consideration of acquiring
the Company to return or destroy all confidential information
heretofore furnished to such Person by or on the Companys
behalf.
Section 5.3 No
Solicitation by GameStop. (a) GameStop
Takeover Proposal. From and after the date of this
Agreement, GameStop shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to,
and it shall cause any of its and their officers, directors,
employees, financial advisors, attorneys, accountants and other
advisors, investment bankers, representatives and agents
retained by GameStop or any of its Subsidiaries (collectively,
GameStop Representatives) to, immediately
cease and cause to be terminated immediately all existing
activities, discussions and negotiations with any parties
conducted heretofore with respect to, or that would reasonably
be expected to lead to, any GameStop Takeover Proposal. From and
after the date of this Agreement, GameStop shall not, nor shall
it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, and it shall cause any of
GameStop Representatives not to, directly or indirectly,
(i) solicit, initiate or knowingly encourage or facilitate
any inquiries or the making of a GameStop Takeover Proposal,
(ii) approve or recommend or propose to approve or
recommend, or enter into any agreement, arrangement or
understanding with respect to any GameStop Takeover Proposal
(other than a confidentiality agreement entered into in
accordance with the provisions of this Section 5.3(a)) or
(iii) other than informing Persons of the existence of the
provisions contained in this Section 5.3, participate in
any discussions or negotiations regarding, or furnish or
disclose to any Person (other than a party to this Agreement)
any non-public information or data with respect to GameStop in
connection with any inquiries or the making of any proposal that
constitutes, or would reasonably be expected to lead to, any
GameStop Takeover Proposal; provided, however,
that, at any time prior to obtaining the GameStop Stockholder
Approval, in response to a GameStop Takeover Proposal that has
not been solicited, initiated or encouraged by GameStop or any
of its Subsidiaries or any GameStop Representative and that the
Board of Directors of GameStop determined in good faith (after
consultation with outside counsel and a financial advisor of
nationally recognized reputation) may reasonably be expected to
constitute or constitutes a GameStop Superior Proposal and which
GameStop Takeover Proposal was made after the date hereof and
did not otherwise result, directly or indirectly, from a breach
of this Section 5.3, GameStop may, subject to compliance
with this Section 5.3(a), directly or indirectly
(i) furnish information with respect to GameStop and its
Subsidiaries to the Person making
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such GameStop Takeover Proposal (and its representatives)
pursuant to a customary confidentiality agreement not less
restrictive of such Person than the Confidentiality Agreement is
of the Company; provided, however, that all such
information is, in substance, provided to the Company
contemporaneously as it is provided to such Person, and
(ii) participate in discussions or negotiations with the
Person making such GameStop Takeover Proposal (and its
representatives) regarding such GameStop Takeover Proposal.
(b) Definitions. As used herein,
(i) GameStop Superior Proposal means a
GameStop Takeover Proposal from any Person that the Board of
Directors of GameStop determines in its good faith judgment
(after consulting with a nationally recognized investment
banking firm and outside counsel), taking into account all
legal, financial and regulatory and other aspects of the
proposal and the Person making the proposal (including any
break-up fees, expense reimbursement provisions and conditions
to consummation), (A) would be more favorable to the
stockholders of GameStop than the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement (including any adjustment to the terms and
conditions proposed by the Company in response to such GameStop
Takeover Proposal), (B) for which financing, to the extent
required, is then committed or may reasonably be expected to be
committed and (C) is reasonably likely to receive all
required governmental approvals on a timely basis, and
(ii) a GameStop Takeover Proposal means
any bona fide written proposal or offer from any Person relating
to any (A) direct or indirect acquisition or purchase of a
business that constitutes 50% or more of the net revenues, net
income or the assets of GameStop and its Subsidiaries, taken as
a whole, (B) direct or indirect acquisition or purchase of
equity securities of GameStop representing 50% or more of the
combined voting power of GameStop, (C) any tender offer or
exchange offer that if consummated would result in any Person
beneficially owning equity securities of GameStop representing
50% or more of the combined voting power of GameStop, or
(D) any merger, consolidation, business combination,
recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or similar
transaction involving GameStop, other than the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
(c) Actions by GameStop. Neither the Board of
Directors of GameStop nor any committee thereof shall
(i) (A) withdraw (or modify in a manner adverse to the
Company), or publicly propose to withdraw (or modify in a manner
adverse to the Company), the approval recommendation or
declaration of advisability by such Board of Directors or any
such committee thereof of this Agreement, the GameStop Merger or
the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement or
(B) recommend, adopt or approve, or propose publicly to
recommend, adopt or approve, any GameStop Takeover Proposal (any
action described in this clause (i) being referred to as a
GameStop Adverse Recommendation Change) or
(ii) approve or recommend, or allow GameStop or any of its
Subsidiaries to execute or enter into, any letter of intent,
memorandum of understanding, agreement in principle, merger
agreement, acquisition agreement, option agreement, joint
venture agreement, partnership agreement or other similar
agreement constituting or related to any GameStop Takeover
Proposal (other than a confidentiality agreement referred to in
Section 5.3(a)). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if, prior
to obtaining the GameStop Stockholder Approval, (I)(1) the Board
of Directors of GameStop shall have determined in good faith,
after consultation with outside counsel, and in the exercise of
its fiduciary duties or any other obligation under applicable
Law, that it should make a GameStop Adverse Recommendation
Change, (2) GameStop provides written notice (a
Notice of GameStop Adverse Recommendation)
advising the Company that the Board of Directors of GameStop has
made the determination described in clause (1) above,
(3) for a period of five Business Days following the
Companys receipt of a Notice of GameStop Adverse
Recommendation, GameStop negotiates with the Company in good
faith to make such adjustments to the terms and conditions of
this Agreement as would enable GameStop to proceed with its
recommendation of this Agreement and the Mergers and not make
such GameStop Adverse Recommendation Change, and (4) at the
end of such five-Business Day period the Board of Directors of
GameStop maintains its determination described in
clause (1) above (after taking into account such proposed
adjustments to the terms and conditions of this Agreement), or
(II) (v) GameStop receives a GameStop Takeover Proposal,
(w) the Board of Directors of GameStop shall have
determined in good faith, after consultation with outside
counsel, and in the exercise of its fiduciary duties or any
other obligation under applicable Law, that it should make a
GameStop Adverse Recommendation Change, (x) GameStop
provides the Company with a Notice of Company Adverse
Recommendation advising the Company that the Board of Directors
of GameStop has made the determination described in
clause (w) above, (y) for a period of five Business
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Days following the Companys receipt of a Notice of
GameStop Adverse Recommendation, GameStop negotiates with the
Company in good faith to make such adjustments to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement as would enable GameStop to proceed
with its recommendation of this Agreement and the Mergers and
not make such GameStop Adverse Recommendation Change, and
(z) at the end of such five-Business Day period the Board
of Directors of GameStop maintains its determination described
in clause (w) above (after taking into account such
proposed adjustments to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement), then the Board of Directors of GameStop may
(A) make a GameStop Adverse Recommendation Change and (B),
in the case of clause (II) above where GameStop
receives a GameStop Takeover Proposal, upon termination of this
Agreement in accordance with Section 8.1(c)(iii) and
concurrent payment of the GameStop Termination Fee in accordance
with Section 8.3(c), approve and enter into an agreement
relating to a GameStop Takeover Proposal that constitutes a
GameStop Superior Proposal. No GameStop Adverse Recommendation
Change shall change the approval of the Board of Directors of
GameStop for purposes of causing GameStops certificate of
incorporation, any state takeover Law or other state Law to be
inapplicable to the Mergers and the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
(d) Notice of GameStop Takeover Proposal.
From and after the date of this Agreement, unless the Board of
Directors of GameStop shall have determined in good faith, after
consultation with outside counsel, that taking such action would
result in a reasonable probability that the Board of Directors
of GameStop would breach its fiduciary duties under applicable
Law, GameStop shall promptly (but in any event within one
Business Day) advise the Company of the receipt, directly or
indirectly, of any inquiries, requests, discussions,
negotiations or proposals relating to a GameStop Takeover
Proposal, or any request for nonpublic information relating to
any of GameStop and its Subsidiaries by any Person that informs
GameStop or any GameStop Representative that such Person is
considering making, or has made, a GameStop Takeover Proposal,
or an inquiry from a Person seeking to have discussions or
negotiations relating to a possible GameStop Takeover Proposal.
Any such notice shall be made orally and confirmed in writing,
and shall indicate the material terms and conditions thereof and
the identity of the other party or parties involved and promptly
furnish to the Company a copy of any such written inquiry,
request or proposal and copies of any material information
provided to or by any third party relating thereto.
(e) Rule 14e-2(a), Rule 14d-9 and Other
Applicable Law. Nothing contained in this
Section 5.3 shall prohibit GameStop from (i) taking
and disclosing to its stockholders a position contemplated by
Rule 14e-2(a) or Rule 14d-9 promulgated under the
Exchange Act or (ii) making any disclosure to the
stockholders of GameStop if, in the good faith judgment of the
Board of Directors (after consultation with outside counsel),
failure so to disclose would be inconsistent with the
fulfillment of its fiduciary duties or any other obligations
under applicable Law; provided, however, that
compliance with such rules and Laws shall not in any way limit
or modify the effect that any action taken pursuant to such
rules and Laws has under any other provision of this Agreement,
including that such compliance could result in a GameStop
Adverse Recommendation Change.
(f) Return or Destruction of Confidential
Information. GameStop agrees that immediately following
the execution of this Agreement it shall request each Person
(other than GameStop) which has heretofore executed a
confidentiality agreement within the past two years in
connection with such Persons consideration of acquiring
GameStop to return or destroy all confidential information
heretofore furnished to such Person by or on GameStops
behalf.
Section 5.4 Control
of Other Partys Business. Nothing contained in
this Agreement shall give GameStop, directly or indirectly, the
right to control or direct the operations of the Company or
shall give the Company, directly or indirectly, the right to
control or direct the operations of GameStop prior to the
Effective Time. Prior to the Effective Time, each of GameStop
and the Company shall exercise, consistent with the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, complete control and supervision
over its and its Subsidiaries respective operations.
Section 5.5 Transition.
In order to facilitate the integration of the operations of the
Company and GameStop and their respective Subsidiaries and to
permit the coordination of their related operations on a
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timely basis, and in an effort to accelerate to the earliest
time possible following the Effective Time the realization of
synergies, operating efficiencies and other benefits expected to
be realized by the parties as a result of the Mergers, each of
the Company and GameStop shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries
to, consult with the other on strategic and operational matters
to the extent such consultation is not in violation of
applicable Laws, including the Laws regarding the exchange of
information and other Laws regarding competition.
ARTICLE VI
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
Section 6.1 Preparation
of the Form S-4 and the Joint Proxy Statement; Stockholders
Meetings. (a) Form S-4 Proxy
Statement. As soon as practicable following the date of
this Agreement, the Company and GameStop shall prepare and file
with the SEC the Joint Proxy Statement and Holdco shall prepare,
together with GameStop, and file with the SEC the Form S-4,
in which the Joint Proxy Statement will be included as a
prospectus. Each of GameStop, the Company and Holdco shall use
reasonable best efforts to have the Form S-4 declared
effective under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable
after such filing and to maintain the effectiveness of the
Form S-4 through the Effective Time and to ensure that it
complies in all material respects with the applicable provisions
of the Exchange Act or Securities Act. The Company shall use all
reasonable best efforts to cause the Joint Proxy Statement to be
mailed to the Companys stockholders, and GameStop shall
use all reasonable best efforts to cause the Joint Proxy
Statement to be mailed to GameStops stockholders, in each
case as promptly as practicable after the Form S-4 is
declared effective under the Securities Act. Holdco shall also
take any action (other than qualifying to do business in any
jurisdiction in which it is not now so qualified or to file a
general consent to service of process) required to be taken
under any applicable state securities laws in connection with
the issuance of Holdco Common Stock in the Mergers and the
Company and GameStop shall furnish all information concerning
themselves and their respective stockholders as may be
reasonably requested in connection with any such action. The
Company, in connection with a Company Adverse Recommendation
Change, may amend or supplement the Joint Proxy Statement
(including by incorporation by reference) to effect such a
Company Adverse Recommendation Change. No filing of, or
amendment or supplement to, the Form S-4 will be made by
Holdco, and no filing of, or amendment or supplement to the
Joint Proxy Statement will be made by the Company or GameStop,
in each case, without providing the other parties and their
respective counsel the reasonable opportunity to review and
comment thereon. The parties shall notify each other promptly of
the receipt of any comments from the SEC or its staff and of any
request by the SEC or its staff for amendments or supplements to
the Joint Proxy Statement or the Form S-4 or for additional
information and shall supply each other with copies of all
correspondence between such party or any of its representatives,
on the one hand, and the SEC or its staff, on the other hand,
with respect to the Joint Proxy Statement, the Form S-4 or
the Mergers. Holdco will advise GameStop and the Company
promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the time when the
Form S-4 has become effective, the issuance of any stop
order or the suspension of the qualification of the Holdco
Common Stock issuable in connection with the Mergers for
offering or sale in any jurisdiction. If at any time prior to
the Effective Time any information relating to the Company,
GameStop or Holdco, or any of their respective affiliates,
officers or directors, should be discovered by the Company,
GameStop or Holdco which should be set forth in an amendment or
supplement to the Form S-4 or the Joint Proxy Statement, so
that any of such documents would not include any misstatement of
a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to
make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading, the party which discovers
such information shall promptly notify the other parties hereto
and the parties shall cooperate in the prompt filing with the
SEC of an appropriate amendment or supplement describing such
information and, to the extent required by Law, in the
disseminating the information contained in such amendment or
supplement to the stockholders of each of the Company and
GameStop.
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(b) Stockholders Meetings.
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(i) The Company shall, as soon as practicable following the
date of this Agreement, duly call, give notice of, convene and
hold a meeting of its stockholders (the Company
Stockholders Meeting) in accordance with applicable
Law, the Companys certificate of incorporation and bylaws
for the purpose of obtaining the Company Stockholder Approval
and (A) the Board of Directors of the Company shall,
subject to Section 5.2(c), recommend to its stockholders
the adoption of this Agreement, and the Company shall include in
the Joint Proxy Statement such recommendation and (B) the
Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to solicit and
obtain such approval and adoption. |
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(ii) GameStop shall, as soon as practicable following the
date of this Agreement, duly call, give notice of, convene and
hold a meeting of its stockholders (the GameStop
Stockholders Meeting) in accordance with applicable
Law, GameStops Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation and bylaws for the purpose of obtaining the
GameStop Stockholder Approval and (A) the Board of
Directors of GameStop, shall, subject to Section 5.3(c),
recommend to its stockholders the adoption of this Agreement and
the GameStop Charter Amendment, and GameStop shall include in
the Joint Proxy Statement such recommendation and
(B) GameStop shall use its reasonable best efforts to
solicit and obtain such approval and adoption. |
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(iii) Each of GameStop and the Company agrees to use its
reasonable best efforts to hold the GameStop Stockholders
Meeting and the Company Stockholders Meeting on the same day. |
Section 6.2 Letters
of the Companys Accountants. The Company shall
request to be delivered to GameStop two letters from the
Companys independent accountants, one dated a date within
two Business Days before the date on which the Form S-4
will become effective and one dated a date within two Business
Days before the Closing Date, each addressed to GameStop
customary in scope and substance for comfort letters delivered
by independent public accountants in connection with
registration statements similar to the Form S-4.
Section 6.3 Letters
of GameStops Accountants. GameStop shall request
to be delivered to the Company two letters from GameStops
independent accountants, one dated a date within two Business
Days before the date on which the Form S-4 will become
effective and one dated a date within two Business Days before
the Closing Date, each addressed to the Company customary in
scope and substance for comfort letters delivered by independent
public accountants in connection with registration statements
similar to the Form S-4.
Section 6.4 Access
to Information; Confidentiality. To the extent permitted
by applicable Law and subject to the Confidentiality Agreement,
dated April 7, 2005, between the Company and GameStop (the
Confidentiality Agreement), each of the
Company and GameStop shall, and shall cause each of its
respective Subsidiaries to, afford to the other party and its
respective representatives reasonable access, during normal
business hours and after reasonable prior notice, during the
period prior to the Effective Time, to such other partys
and its subsidiaries properties, books, contracts,
commitments, personnel and records and all other information
concerning their business, properties and personnel as such
party may reasonably request. GameStop and the Company shall
hold, and shall cause their respective affiliates and
representatives to hold, any nonpublic information in accordance
with the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement. Notwithstanding
the foregoing or Section 6.5, neither party shall be
required to provide any information which it reasonably believes
it may not provide to the other party by reason of contractual
or legal restrictions, including applicable Law, or which it
believes is competitively sensitive information. Each party will
use reasonable best efforts to minimize any disruption to the
businesses of the other party and its subsidiaries which may
result from the requests for access, data and information
hereunder.
Section 6.5 Reasonable
Best Efforts. (a) Upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in this Agreement, and subject to
Section 6.5(c), GameStop and the Company shall use their
reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all
actions, and to do, or cause to be done all things necessary,
proper or advisable to consummate and make effective, as
promptly as practicable, the transactions to be
A-34
performed or consummated by such party in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement, including (i) the taking of all
acts necessary to cause the conditions to Closing to be
satisfied as promptly as practicable, (ii) the obtaining of
all necessary actions or nonactions, waivers, consents and
approvals from Governmental Entities and the making of all
necessary registrations and filings (including filings with
Governmental Entities, if any) and the taking of all steps as
may be necessary to obtain an approval or waiver from, or to
avoid an action or proceeding by, any Governmental Entity,
(iii) the execution and delivery of any additional
instruments necessary to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby and to fully carry out the purposes of this
Agreement, (iv) the obtaining of all necessary consents,
approvals or waivers from third parties, including any such
consents, approvals or waivers required in connection with any
remedy agreement reached with any Governmental Entity,
(v) subject to Section 6.5(c), the avoidance or the
negotiated settlement of each and every impediment under any
antitrust, merger control, competition or trade regulation Law
(collectively, the Antitrust and Competition
Laws) that may be asserted by any Governmental Entity
with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
so as to enable the Closing to occur, and (vi) in the event
that each and every impediment identified in
Section 6.5(a)(v) cannot be avoided or otherwise remedied
in accordance with that provision, then the defending of any
lawsuits or other legal proceedings, whether judicial or
administrative, challenging this Agreement or the consummation
of the transactions contemplated hereby, including seeking to
have any injunction, stay or temporary restraining order entered
by any court or other Governmental Entity vacated or reversed.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that (x) the
parties are required to defend any lawsuits or other legal
proceedings in accordance with clause (vi) above and
(y) one of the parties (the Objecting
Party) in good faith does not wish to participate in
the defense of such lawsuits or other legal proceedings, subject
to Section 8.1(b)(i), the Objecting Party shall be required
to participate in such defense in accordance with
clause (vi) above as long as the non-objecting party pays
all of the fees, costs and expenses, including attorneys
fees, incurred in connection with the defense of the lawsuits or
other legal proceedings.
(b) In connection with and without limiting the foregoing,
GameStop and the Company shall, as promptly as reasonably
practicable and desirable, (A) file with the United States
Federal Trade Commission and the Antitrust Division of the
United States Department of Justice the notification and report
form required under the HSR Act (the HSR
Filing); (B) make all notifications or other
filings either required under any other applicable Antitrust and
Competition Laws or that the Company and GameStop deem
advisable, (together with the HSR Filing, the Antitrust
Filings), in each case with respect to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and
(C) respond to any formal or informal request for
additional information and documentary material issued under the
Antitrust and Competition Laws, as the parties deem appropriate,
in consultation with one another.
(c) The obligations of GameStop and the Company under
Section 6.5(a)(v) are limited in that (i) no
arrangement shall be required to be effective prior to the
Effective Time, and (ii) in no event shall GameStop or the
Company be obligated to agree to any such remedy proposal if the
taking of any action required by that remedy proposal would be
reasonably expected to have, after the Effective Time, a
Material Adverse Effect (without giving effect to
clause (iii), and the final proviso at the end, of the
definition of Material Adverse Effect) on such party.
Section 6.6 [Intentionally
Omitted]
Section 6.7 Cooperation.
The parties hereto will consult and cooperate with one another,
and consider in good faith the views of one another in
connection with any analyses, appearances, presentations,
memoranda, briefs, arguments, opinions or proposals made or
submitted by or on behalf of any party hereto in connection with
the Antitrust Filings or any other proceedings under Antitrust
and Competition Laws. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, each party shall, subject to applicable Law,
(i) promptly notify the other party of any written
communication to that party from the Antitrust Agencies, any
State Attorney Generals office or any other Governmental
Entity relating to the application of Antitrust and Competition
Laws to this Agreement; (ii) furnish the other party with
copies of all correspondence, filings, and written
communications between the party (including its representatives)
and any Governmental Entity with respect to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement; and
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(iii) consult with one another with regard to the
appropriate response to any formal or informal inquiries or
requests for additional information or documents received from
either of the Agencies, a State Attorney Generals office
or a foreign Governmental Entity.
Section 6.8 No
Takeover Statutes Apply. In connection with and without
limiting the foregoing, the Company, GameStop and Holdco shall
(i) take all action reasonably necessary to ensure that no
Takeover Statute or similar Law is or becomes applicable to the
Mergers, this Agreement or any of the other transactions
contemplated hereby and (ii) if any Takeover Statute or
similar Law becomes applicable to the Mergers, this Agreement or
any of the other transactions contemplated hereby, take all
action reasonably necessary to ensure that the Mergers and the
other transactions contemplated hereby may be consummated as
promptly as practicable on the terms contemplated by this
Agreement and otherwise to minimize the effect of such Law on
the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
Section 6.9 Tax-Free
Qualification. (a) The Company shall not, and shall
not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, intentionally take or
cause to be taken any action, whether before or after the
Effective Time, that would reasonably be expected to prevent or
impede the exchange of Company Common Stock and GameStop Common
Stock for Holdco Common Stock pursuant to the Mergers, taken
together, from qualifying as a transaction described in
Section 351 of the Code.
(b) GameStop shall not, and shall not permit any of its
Subsidiaries to, intentionally take or cause to be taken any
action, whether before or after the Effective Time, that would
reasonably be expected to prevent or impede the exchange of
Company Common Stock and GameStop Common Stock for Holdco Common
Stock pursuant to the Mergers, taken together, from qualifying
as a transaction described in Section 351 of the Code.
Section 6.10 Indemnification;
Directors and Officers Insurance.
(a) From and after the Effective Time, Holdco shall, to the
fullest extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify, defend
and hold harmless, and provide advancement of expenses to, each
person who is now, or has been at any time prior to the date
hereof or who becomes prior to the Effective Time, an officer,
director or employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
(the Company Indemnified Parties) against all
losses, claims, damages, costs, expenses, liabilities or
judgments or amounts that are paid in settlement of or in
connection with any claim, action, suit, proceeding or
investigation based in whole or in part on or arising in whole
or in part out of the fact that such person is or was a
director, officer or employee of the Company or any Subsidiary
of the Company, and pertaining to any matter existing or
occurring, or any acts or omissions occurring, at or prior to
the Effective Time, whether asserted or claimed prior to, or at
or after, the Effective Time (including matters, acts or
omissions occurring in connection with the approval of this
Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby) to the same extent such persons are indemnified or have
the right to advancement of expenses as of the date hereof by
the Company pursuant to the Companys Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation, bylaws and indemnification
agreements, if any, in existence on the date hereof with any
directors, officers and employees of the Company and its
Subsidiaries.
(b) From and after the Effective Time, Holdco shall, to the
fullest extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify, defend
and hold harmless, and provide advancement of expenses to, each
person who is now, or has been at any time prior to the date
hereof or becomes prior to the Effective Time, an officer,
director or employee of GameStop or any of its Subsidiaries (the
GameStop Indemnified Parties and, together
with the Company Indemnified Parties, the Indemnified
Parties) against all losses, claims, damages, costs,
expenses, liabilities or judgments or amounts that are paid in
settlement of or in connection with any claim, action, suit,
proceeding or investigation based in whole or in part on or
arising in whole or in part out of the fact that such person is
or was a director, officer or employee of GameStop or any
Subsidiary of GameStop, and pertaining to any matter existing or
occurring, or any acts or omissions occurring, at or prior to
the Effective Time, whether asserted or claimed prior to, or at
or after, the Effective Time (including matters, acts or
omissions occurring in connection with the approval of this
Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby) to the same extent such
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persons are indemnified or have the right to advancement of
expenses as of the date hereof by GameStop pursuant to
GameStops Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation, bylaws and indemnification agreements, if any, in
existence on the date hereof with any directors, officers and
employees of GameStop and its Subsidiaries.
(c) For a period of six years after the Effective Time,
Holdco shall cause to be maintained in effect the current
policies of directors and officers liability
insurance maintained by the Company (provided that Holdco may
substitute therefor policies with a substantially comparable
insurer of at least the same coverage and amounts containing
terms and conditions that are no less advantageous to the
insured) with respect to claims arising from facts or events
that occurred at or before the Effective Time; provided,
however, that Holdco shall not be obligated to make
annual premium payments for such insurance to the extent such
premiums exceed 300% of the premiums paid as of the date hereof
by the Company for such insurance (Companys
Current Premium), and if such premiums for such
insurance would at any time exceed 300% of the Companys
Current Premium, then Holdco shall cause to be maintained
policies of insurance that, in Holdcos good faith
determination, provide the maximum coverage available at an
annual premium equal to 300% of the Companys Current
Premium.
(d) For a period of six years after the Effective Time,
Holdco shall cause to be maintained in effect the current
policies of directors and officers liability
insurance maintained by GameStop (provided that Holdco may
substitute therefor policies with a substantially comparable
insurer of at least the same coverage and amounts containing
terms and conditions that are no less advantageous to the
insured) with respect to claims arising from facts or events
that occurred at or before the Effective Time; provided,
however, that Holdco shall not be obligated to make
annual premium payments for such insurance to the extent such
premiums exceed 300% of the premiums paid as of the date hereof
by GameStop for such insurance (GameStops Current
Premium), and if such premiums for such insurance
would at any time exceed 300% of the GameStops Current
Premium, then Holdco shall cause to be maintained policies of
insurance that, in Holdcos good faith determination,
provide the maximum coverage available at an annual premium
equal to 300% of GameStops Current Premium.
(e) Holdco shall pay (as incurred) all expenses, including
reasonable fees and expenses of counsel, that an Indemnified
Person may incur in enforcing the indemnity and other
obligations provided for in this Section 6.10.
(f) If Holdco or any of its successors or assigns
(i) consolidates with or merges into any other Person and
shall not be the continuing or surviving corporation or entity
of such consolidation or merger, or (ii) transfers or
conveys all or substantially all of its properties and assets to
any Person, then, and in each such case, to the extent
necessary, proper provision shall be made so that the successors
and assigns of Holdco, as the case may be, shall assume the
obligations set forth in this Section 6.10.
(g) The provisions of this Section 6.10 (i) are
intended to be for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable by,
each Indemnified Party, his or her heirs and representatives and
(ii) are in addition to, and not in substitution for, any
other rights to indemnification or contribution that any such
Person may have by contract or otherwise.
Section 6.11 Public
Announcements. Holdco and the Company shall consult with
each other before holding any press conferences and before
issuing any press release or other public announcements with
respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
including the Mergers. The parties will provide each other the
opportunity to review and comment upon any press release or
other public announcement or statement with respect to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the
Mergers, and shall not issue any such press release or other
public announcement or statement prior to such consultation,
except as, in the reasonable judgment of the relevant party
based upon advice of legal counsel, may be required by
applicable Law, court process or by obligations pursuant to any
listing agreement with any national securities exchange or
application with any interdealer quotation system. The parties
agree that the initial press release or releases to be issued
with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
shall be mutually agreed upon prior to the issuance thereof.
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Section 6.12 Affiliates.
Each of the Company and GameStop shall use all reasonable
efforts to cause each Person who is an affiliate
(for purposes of Rule 145 under the Securities Act) to
deliver to Holdco, as soon as reasonably practicable and in any
event prior to the Company Stockholders Meeting or the GameStop
Stockholders Meeting, as applicable, a written agreement in a
form and substance mutually agreeable to the Company and
GameStop, pursuant to which each Person shall covenant and agree
not to sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of the Holdco Common
Stock received by such Person in the Mergers except in
compliance with the requirements of Rule 145 promulgated
under the Securities Act as well as other matters customarily
addressed in such affiliate letter agreements.
Section 6.13 NYSE
Listing. Holdco and GameStop shall use all reasonable
best efforts to cause the shares of Holdco Common Stock to be
issued in the Mergers and pursuant to Section 2.9 as
contemplated by this Agreement to be approved for listing on the
NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance, as promptly as
practicable after the date of this Agreement, and in any event
prior to the Closing Date.
Section 6.14 Stockholder
Litigation. The parties to this Agreement shall
cooperate and consult with one another in connection with any
stockholder litigation against any of them or any of their
respective directors or officers with respect to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. In furtherance of
and without in any way limiting the foregoing, each of the
parties shall use its respective reasonable best efforts to
prevail in such litigation so as to permit the consummation of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the manner
contemplated by this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the Company agrees that it will not compromise or settle any
litigation commenced against it or its directors and officers
relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
hereby (including the Mergers) without GameStops prior
written consent, not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
Section 6.15 Section 16
Matters. Assuming that the Company and GameStop deliver
to Holdco the Section 16 Information reasonably in advance
of the Effective Time, the Board of Directors of Holdco, or a
committee of Non-Employee Directors thereof (as such term is
defined for purposes of Rule 16b-3(d) under the Exchange
Act), shall reasonably promptly thereafter and in any event
prior to the Effective Time adopt a resolution providing that
the receipt by the Insiders of the Company and GameStop of
Holdco Common Stock in exchange for shares of Company Common
Stock or shares of GameStop Common Stock, as the case may be,
pursuant to the transactions contemplated hereby and to the
extent such securities are listed in the Section 16
Information provided by the Company and GameStop to Holdco prior
to the Effective Time, are intended to be exempt from liability
pursuant to Section 16(b) under the Exchange Act such that
any such receipt shall be so exempt. Section 16
Information shall mean information accurate in all
material respects regarding the Insiders of a Person, the number
of shares of the capital stock held by each such Insider, and
the number and description of options, stock appreciation
rights, restricted shares and other stock-based awards held by
each such Insider. Insiders, with respect to
a Person, shall mean those officers and directors of such Person
who are subject to the reporting requirements of
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act and who are listed in the
Section 16 Information.
Section 6.16 Employee
Benefit Plans. (a) GameStop and the Company agree
that, except as otherwise provided herein (including as set
forth in Section 6.16(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter)
and unless otherwise mutually determined, the Company Benefit
Plans and any plans, agreements, arrangements or understandings
analogous to the Company Benefit Plans (collectively, the
Benefit Plans) which are maintained by
GameStop or any of its Subsidiaries or to which GameStop or any
of its Subsidiaries contributes or is obligated to contribute or
with respect to which GameStop or any of its Subsidiaries has
any liability or to which GameStop or any of its Subsidiaries is
a party or by which GameStop or any of its Subsidiaries is bound
(collectively, the GameStop Benefit Plans) in
effect at the date hereof shall remain in effect after the
Effective Time with respect to employees covered by such Benefit
Plans at the Effective Time, until such time as Holdco shall
otherwise determine, subject to applicable Law and the terms of
such Benefit Plans. Prior to and following the Effective Time,
the parties shall cooperate in good faith to formulate Benefit
Plans for Holdco and its Subsidiaries, with respect both to
employees who were covered by the Company Benefit Plans and
GameStop Benefit Plans at the
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Effective Time and employees who were not covered by such
Benefit Plans at the Effective Time, that provide benefits for
services on a basis that does not discriminate between employees
who were covered by the Company Benefit Plans and employees who
were covered by the GameStop Benefit Plans. For purposes of this
Section 6.16, all references to employees of Holdco means
employees of Holdco or any of its Subsidiaries.
(b) With respect to any Benefit Plans in which any Holdco
employees who are employees of the Company or GameStop (or their
Subsidiaries) prior to the Effective Time first become eligible
to participate on or after the Effective Time, and in which such
Holdco or any of its Subsidiaries employees did not participate
prior to the Effective Time (the New Plans),
Holdco shall: (i) waive all pre-existing conditions,
exclusions and waiting periods with respect to participation and
coverage requirements applicable to the Holdco employees and
their eligible dependents under any New Plans in which such
employees may be eligible to participate after the Effective
Time, except to the extent such pre-existing conditions,
exclusions or waiting periods would apply under the analogous
Company Benefit Plan or GameStop Benefit Plan, as the case may
be; (ii) provide each Holdco employee and their eligible
dependents with credit for any co-payments and deductibles paid
prior to the Effective Time under a Company Benefit Plan or
GameStop Benefit Plan (to the same extent that such credit was
given under the analogous Benefit Plan prior to the Effective
Time) in satisfying any applicable deductible or out-of-pocket
requirements under any New Plans in which such employees may be
eligible to participate after the Effective Time; and
(iii) recognize all service of the Holdco employees with
the Company or GameStop, and their respective affiliates, for
all purposes (including, purposes of eligibility to participate,
vesting credit, entitlement to benefits, and, except with
respect to defined benefit pension plans, benefit accrual) in
any New Plan in which such employees may be eligible to
participate after the Effective Time, to the extent such service
is taken into account under the applicable New Plan and only to
the extent such service was credited under the analogous Benefit
Plan prior to the Effective Time; provided that the foregoing
shall not apply to the extent it would result in duplication of
benefits.
(c) With respect to Benefit Plans maintained or contributed
to outside the United States for the benefit of non-United
States citizens or residents, the principles set forth in the
preceding paragraph of this Section 6.16 shall apply to the
extent the application of such principles does not violate
applicable foreign law.
Section 6.17 Governance.
(a) On or prior to the Effective Time, Holdcos Board
of Directors shall cause the number of directors that will
comprise the full Board of Directors of Holdco at the Effective
Time to be at least nine. The members of the initial Board of
Directors of Holdco at the Effective Time shall be comprised of
at least (i) members of GameStops Board of Directors
at the Effective Time, (ii) Mr. James J. Kim who shall
belong to the class of directors designated as Class II in
accordance with the Amended and Restated Holdco Charter (or such
other class of directors that as of the Closing Date has the
second longest term pursuant to the Amended and Restated Holdco
Charter) and (iii) an additional director who shall qualify
as an independent director (as that term is defined in
Item 7(d)(3)(iv) of Schedule 14A under the Exchange
Act), designated by the Board of Directors of the Company and
reasonably satisfactory to GameStop and which individual shall
belong to the class of directors designated as Class III in
accordance with the Amended and Restated Holdco Charter (or such
other class of directors that as of the Closing Date has the
longest term pursuant to the Amended and Restated Holdco
Charter).
(b) On or prior to the Effective Time, the Holdco Board of
Directors shall take such actions as are necessary to cause the
officers of GameStop at the Effective Time to be elected or
appointed to the same offices of Holdco as of the Effective Time.
Section 6.18 Rights
Agreement. GameStop shall take all necessary action
prior to the Effective Time to cause the dilution provisions of
the GameStop Rights Agreement to be amended so that no
distribution date, stock acquisition
date, triggering event, flip-in
event, flip-over event or similar event shall
occur by virtue of the execution, delivery or performance of
this Agreement or the Voting Agreements, and so that
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the GameStop Rights Agreement is otherwise inapplicable to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Voting
Agreements, without any payment to the holders of the GameStop
Rights.
Section 6.19 Tax
Opinion. Officers of GameStop, the Company, and such
other Persons as may reasonably be requested by tax counsel
shall execute and deliver to Bryan Cave LLP, counsel to GameStop
(Bryan Cave), and/or Klehr, Harrison, Harvey,
Branzburg & Ellers LLP, counsel to the Company
(Klehr Harrison), such appropriate
officers certificates or other letters of representation
at such time or times as may reasonably be requested by such tax
counsel in connection with the delivery of such tax
counsels opinion to be delivered under this Agreement.
ARTICLE VII
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
Section 7.1 Conditions
to Each Partys Obligation to Effect the Mergers.
The respective obligation of each party to effect the Mergers is
subject to the satisfaction or waiver on or prior to the Closing
Date of the following conditions:
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(a) Stockholder Approvals. Each of the
Company Stockholder Approval and the GameStop Stockholder
Approval shall have been obtained and the GameStop Charter
Amendment shall have been filed with the Secretary of State of
the State of Delaware and shall have become effective. |
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(b) No Orders or Injunctions. None of the
parties hereto shall be subject to any order or injunction of
any Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction that prohibits
the consummation of the Mergers; provided,
however, that prior to asserting this condition, each of
the parties shall have used its reasonable best efforts to
prevent the entry of any such order or injunction and to appeal
as promptly as possible any such order or injunction that may be
entered. |
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(c) Form S-4. The Form S-4 shall
have become effective under the Securities Act and shall not be
the subject of any stop order or proceedings seeking a stop
order. |
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(d) Antitrust and Competition Laws. All
consents, approvals, waivers, actions or nonactions required or
advisable under all applicable Antitrust and Competition laws
shall have been obtained, including the expiration or early
termination of the applicable waiting periods under the HSR Act. |
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(e) NYSE Listing. The shares of Holdco Common
Stock issuable in connection with the Mergers as contemplated by
this Agreement shall have been approved for listing on the NYSE,
subject to official notice of issuance. |
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(f) Subsequent Tax Opinion. Either Bryan Cave
or another law firm selected by GameStop shall have delivered to
Barnes & Noble, Inc. a Subsequent Tax Opinion (as
defined in and pursuant to the Separation Agreement). |
Section 7.2 Conditions
to Obligations of GameStop and Holdco. The obligation of
GameStop and Holdco to effect the Mergers is further subject to
satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions:
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(a) Representations and Warranties. The
representations and warranties of the Company set forth herein
shall be true and correct in all respects (without giving effect
to any materiality or Material Adverse Effect qualifications
contained therein) both when made and at and as of the Closing
Date, as if made at and as of such time (except to the extent
expressly made as of an earlier date, in which case as of such
date), except where the failure of such representations and
warranties to be so true and correct would not reasonably be
expected to have or result in, individually or in the aggregate,
a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. |
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(b) Performance of Obligations of the
Company. The Company shall have performed in all
material respects all of its obligations required to be
performed by it under this Agreement at or prior to the Closing
Date. |
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(c) Officers Certificate. The Company
shall have furnished GameStop with a certificate dated the
Closing Date signed on its behalf by an executive officer to the
effect that the conditions set forth in Sections 7.2(a) and
7.2(b) have been satisfied. |
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(d) Additional Agreements. Holdco shall have
received an executed copy of a non-competition agreement, in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Holdco, among
Holdco, the Company and James J. Kim. |
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(e) Tax Opinion. GameStop shall have received
the opinion of Bryan Cave, dated the Closing Date, to the effect
that the exchange of GameStop Common Stock and Company Common
Stock for Holdco Common Stock pursuant to the Mergers, taken
together, will be treated for Federal income tax purposes as a
transaction described in Section 351 and/or
Section 368 of the Code; provided, however,
in the event that Bryan Cave does not deliver an opinion
pursuant to this Section 7.2(e), such condition shall
deemed to be satisfied if Klehr Harrison delivers such opinion
substantially to the same effect. In rendering such opinion,
counsel to GameStop shall be entitled to rely upon customary
representations and assumptions provided by Holdco, the Company,
GameStop and others that counsel to GameStop reasonably deems
relevant. |
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(f) Material Adverse Effect. From the date of
this Agreement through the Effective Time, there shall not have
occurred any change in the financial condition, business or
operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a
whole, that would have or would be reasonably likely to have a
Material Adverse Effect on the Company. |
Section 7.3 Conditions
to Obligations of the Company. The obligation of the
Company to effect the Mergers is further subject to satisfaction
or waiver of the following conditions:
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(a) Representations and Warranties. The
representations and warranties of GameStop and Holdco set forth
herein shall be true and correct in all respects (without giving
effect to any materiality or Material Adverse Effect
qualifications contained therein) both when made and at and as
of the Closing Date, as if made at and as of such time (except
to the extent expressly made as of an earlier date, in which
case as of such date), except where the failure of such
representations and warranties to be so true and correct would
not reasonably be expected to have or result in, individually or
in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on GameStop and
Holdco. |
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(b) Performance of Obligations of GameStop and
Holdco. Each of GameStop and Holdco shall have performed
in all material respects all obligations required to be
performed by it under this Agreement at or prior to the Closing
Date. |
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(c) Officers Certificate. Each of
GameStop and Holdco shall have furnished the Company with a
certificate dated the Closing Date signed on its behalf by an
executive officer to the effect that the conditions set forth in
Sections 7.3(a) and 7.3(b) have been satisfied. |
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(d) Tax Opinion. The Company shall have
received the opinion of Klehr Harrison, dated the Closing Date,
to the effect that the exchange of Company Common Stock and
GameStop Common Stock for Holdco Common Stock pursuant to the
Mergers, taken together, will be treated for Federal income tax
purposes as a transaction described in Section 351 of the
Code; provided, however, in the event that Klehr
Harrison does not deliver an opinion pursuant to this
Section 7.3(d), such condition shall deemed to be satisfied
if Bryan Cave delivers such opinion substantially to the same
effect. In rendering such opinion, counsel to the Company shall
be entitled to rely upon customary representations and
assumptions provided by Holdco, the Company, GameStop and others
that counsel to the Company reasonably deems relevant. |
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(e) Material Adverse Effect. From the date of
this Agreement through the Effective Time, there shall not have
occurred any change in the financial condition, business or
operations of GameStop and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole,
that would have or would be reasonably likely to have a Material
Adverse Effect on GameStop. |
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Section 7.4 Frustration
of Closing Conditions. Neither GameStop, nor Holdco nor
the Company may rely on the failure of any condition set forth
in Section 7.2 or 7.3, as the case may be, to be satisfied
if such failure was caused by such partys failure to
comply with its obligations to consummate the Mergers and the
other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, as required
by and subject to Section 6.5.
ARTICLE VIII
TERMINATION
Section 8.1 Termination.
(a) Termination by Mutual Consent. This
Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Effective
Time, whether before or after the Company Stockholder Approval
or the GameStop Stockholder Approval, by mutual written consent
of GameStop, Holdco and the Company.
(b) Termination by GameStop or the Company.
This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the
Effective Time, whether before or after the Company Stockholder
Approval or the GameStop Stockholder Approval, by written notice
of either GameStop or the Company:
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(i) if the Mergers have not been consummated by
October 31, 2005, or such later date, if any, as GameStop
and the Company agree upon in writing (as such date may be
extended, the Outside Date); provided,
however, that the right to terminate this Agreement
pursuant to this Section 8.1(b)(i) is not available to any
party whose breach of any provision of this Agreement results in
or causes the failure of the Mergers to be consummated by such
time; provided further, however, that if on
the Outside Date the conditions to the Closing set forth in
Sections 7.1(b) or 7.1(d) shall not have been fulfilled
(and Section 8.1(b)(iv) is not applicable) but all other
conditions to the Closing either have been fulfilled or are then
capable of being fulfilled, then the Outside Date shall, without
any action on the part of the parties hereto, be extended to
December 31, 2005, and such date shall become the Outside
Date for purposes of this Agreement; provided
further, however, that if GameStop reasonably
anticipates that the Mergers will not be consummated by
December 31, 2005, GameStop shall negotiate in good faith
with the lenders set forth in the Bank Commitment Letters to
receive an extension of the Bank Commitment Letters until
January 31, 2006 (or such later date as mutually agreed to
by GameStop and the Company) on terms no less favorable to
GameStop than those set forth in the Bank Commitment Letters,
and, if such negotiations are successful, such date shall become
the Outside Date for purposes of this Agreement; |
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(ii) if the Company Stockholders Meeting (including any
adjournment or postponement thereof) has concluded, the
Companys stockholders have voted and the Company
Stockholder Approval was not obtained; |
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(iii) if the GameStop Stockholders Meeting (including any
adjournment or postponement thereof) has concluded,
GameStops stockholders have voted and the GameStop
Stockholder Approval was not obtained; or |
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(iv) if any Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction
issues an order or injunction that permanently prohibits the
Mergers and such order or injunction has become final and
non-appealable. |
(c) Termination by GameStop. This Agreement
may be terminated at any time prior to the Effective Time,
whether before or after the Company Stockholder Approval or the
GameStop Stockholder Approval, by written notice of GameStop:
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(i) if the Company (A) has breached or failed to
perform any of its covenants or other agreements contained in
this Agreement to be complied with by the Company such that the
closing condition set forth in Section 7.2(b) would not be
satisfied or (B) there exists a breach of any
representation or warranty of the Company contained in this
Agreement such that the closing condition set forth in
Section 7.2(a) would not be satisfied and, in the case of
both (A) and (B), |
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such breach or failure to perform (1) is not cured within
30 days after receipt of written notice thereof or
(2) is incapable of being cured by the Company by the
Outside Date; |
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(ii) if the Board of Directors of the Company or any
committee thereof has made a Company Adverse Recommendation
Change; or |
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(iii) if, prior to receipt of the GameStop Stockholder
Approval, GameStop (A) receives a GameStop Superior
Proposal, (B) shall have given the Company a Notice of
GameStop Adverse Recommendation, and (C) shall have
thereafter satisfied the conditions for making a GameStop
Adverse Recommendation Change in accordance with
Section 5.3(c); provided however, that such
termination shall not be effective until such time as payment of
the GameStop Termination Fee required by Section 8.3(c)
shall have been paid by GameStop; provided
further, however, that GameStops right to
terminate this Agreement under this Section 8.1(c)(iii)
shall not be available if GameStop is then in breach of
Section 5.3. |
(d) Termination by the Company. This
Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Effective
Time, whether before or after the Company Stockholder Approval
or the GameStop Stockholder Approval, by written notice of the
Company:
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(i) if either GameStop or Holdco (A) has breached or
failed to perform any of its covenants or other agreements
contained in this Agreement to be complied with by GameStop or
Holdco such that the closing condition set forth in
Section 7.3(b) would not be satisfied, or (B) there
exists a breach of any representation or warranty of GameStop or
Holdco contained in this Agreement such that the closing
condition set forth in Section 7.3(a) would not be
satisfied and, in the case of both (A) and (B), such breach
or failure to perform (1) is not cured within 30 days
after receipt of written notice thereof or (2) is incapable
of being cured by GameStop by the Outside Date; |
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(ii) if the Board of Directors of GameStop or any committee
thereof has made a GameStop Adverse Recommendation
Change; or |
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(iii) if, prior to receipt of the Company Stockholder
Approval, the Company (A) receives a Company Superior
Proposal, (B) shall have given GameStop a Notice of Company
Adverse Recommendation, and (C) shall have thereafter
satisfied the conditions for making a Company Adverse
Recommendation Change in accordance with Section 5.2(c);
provided however, that such termination shall not
be effective until such time as payment of the Company
Termination Fee required by Section 8.3(b) shall have been
made by the Company; provided, however, that the
Companys right to terminate this Agreement under this
Section 8.1(d)(iii) shall not be available if the Company
is then in breach of Section 5.2. |
Section 8.2 Effect
of Termination. In the event of termination of this
Agreement by either the Company or GameStop as provided in
Section 8.1, this Agreement will forthwith become void and
have no effect, without any liability or obligation on the part
of GameStop, Holdco or the Company, other than the provisions of
the Confidentiality Agreement, this Section 8.2,
Section 8.3 and Article IX, which provisions shall
survive such termination; provided, however, that
nothing herein will relieve any party from any liability for any
willful and material breach by such party of this Agreement.
Section 8.3 Fees
and Expenses. (a) Division of Fees and
Expenses. Except as provided in this Section 8.3,
all Expenses incurred in connection with the Mergers, this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby will be paid
by the party incurring such Expenses, whether or not the Mergers
are consummated, except that each of GameStop and the Company
will bear and pay one-half of the costs and expenses incurred in
connection with the filing, printing and mailing of the
Form S-4 and the Joint Proxy Statement (including SEC
filing fees) and any filing fee required to be paid by GameStop
or the Company under the HSR Act and any similar foreign
antitrust filing fee (if required). GameStop shall not reimburse
the Company, directly or indirectly, for any payment made by the
Company pursuant to this Section 8.3(a). As used in this
Agreement, Expenses includes all
out-of-pocket fees and expenses (including all fees and expenses
of accountants, investment bankers, counsel, experts and
consultants to a party hereto and its affiliates) incurred by a
party or on its behalf in connection with or related to the
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authorization, preparation, negotiation, execution and
performance of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby.
(b) Termination Fee Payable By Company. In
the event that this Agreement
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(i) is terminated pursuant to Section 8.1(c)(ii), |
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(ii) is terminated pursuant to
Section 8.1(d)(iii), or |
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(iii) is terminated pursuant to Section 8.1(b)(i),
Section 8.1(b)(ii) or Section 8.1(c)(i) and at such
time of termination GameStop is not in breach in any material
respect of any of its representations, warranties or covenants
contained in this Agreement and (A) prior to such
termination, any Person publicly announces a Company Takeover
Proposal which shall not have been withdrawn and (B) within
12 months of such termination the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries consummates such publicly announced Company
Takeover Proposal, |
then the Company shall (1) in the case of termination
pursuant to clause (i) of this Section 8.3(b), unless
the Company Adverse Recommendation Change resulting in such
termination was solely due to a Material Adverse Effect on
GameStop (in which event there shall be no Company Termination
Fee), promptly, but in no event later than two Business Days
after the date of such termination, or (2) in the case of
termination pursuant to clause (ii) or (iii) of this
Section 8.3(b), upon the earlier to occur of the execution
of such definitive agreement and such consummation, pay GameStop
a non-refundable fee equal to $40,000,000 (the Company
Termination Fee), payable by wire transfer of same day
funds to an account designated in writing to the Company by
GameStop.
(c) Termination Fee Payable By GameStop. In
the event that this Agreement
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(i) is terminated pursuant to Section 8.1(d)(ii), |
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(ii) is terminated pursuant to
Section 8.1(c)(iii), or |
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(iii) is terminated pursuant to Section 8.1(b)(i),
Section 8.1(b)(iii) or Section 8.1(d)(i) and at such
time of termination the Company is not in breach in any material
respect of any of its representations, warranties or covenants
contained in this Agreement and (A) prior to such
termination, any Person publicly announces a GameStop Takeover
Proposal which shall not have been withdrawn and (B) within
12 months of such termination GameStop or any of its
Subsidiaries consummates such publicly announced GameStop
Takeover Proposal, |
then GameStop shall (1) in the case of termination pursuant
to clause (i) of this Section 8.3(c), unless the
GameStop Adverse Recommendation Change resulting from such
termination was solely due to a Material Adverse Effect on the
Company (in which event there shall be no GameStop Termination
Fee), promptly, but in no event later than two Business Days
after the date of such termination, or (2) in the case of
termination pursuant to clause (ii) or (iii) of this
Section 8.3(c), upon the earlier to occur of the execution
of such definitive agreement and such consummation of such
GameStop Takeover Proposal, pay the Company a non-refundable fee
equal to $40,000,000 (the GameStop Termination
Fee), payable by wire transfer of same day funds to an
account designated in writing to GameStop by the Company.
(d) If GameStop terminates this Agreement pursuant to
Section 8.1(c)(ii) as a result of a Company Adverse
Recommendation Change that was made solely due to a Material
Adverse Effect on GameStop, in any judicial, court or tribunal
proceeding in which the payment of the Company Termination Fee
is at issue, whether brought or initiated by GameStop or the
Company, the Company shall have the burden of proving the
Material Adverse Effect on GameStop and that the Company Adverse
Recommendation Change was solely due to such Material Adverse
Effect. If the Company terminates this Agreement pursuant to
Section 8.1(d)(ii) as a result of a GameStop Adverse
Recommendation Change that was made solely due to a Material
Adverse Effect on the Company, in any judicial, court or
tribunal proceeding in which the payment of the GameStop
Termination Fee is at issue, whether brought or initiated by the
Company or GameStop, GameStop shall have the burden of proving
the Material Adverse
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Effect on the Company and that the GameStop Adverse
Recommendation Change was solely due to such Material Adverse
Effect.
ARTICLE IX
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 9.1 Nonsurvival
of Representations and Warranties. None of the
representations and warranties in this Agreement or in any
instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement will survive the
Effective Time. This Section 9.1 shall not limit any
covenant or agreement of the parties which by its terms
contemplates performance after the Effective Time.
Section 9.2 Notices.
All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications
under this Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed given
if delivered personally, telecopied (which is confirmed by
telephone) or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier
service (providing proof of delivery) to the parties at the
following addresses (or at such other address for a party as is
specified by like notice):
if to the Company, to:
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Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp. |
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931 South Matlack Street |
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West Chester, Pennsylvania 19382 |
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Telecopy: 610- 430-8277 |
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Attention: Jeffrey W. Griffiths |
with a copy to:
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Klehr, Harrison, Harvey, Branzburg & Ellers LLP |
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260 South Broad Street |
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Philadelphia, PA 19102 |
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Telecopy No.: 215-568-6603 |
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Attention: Leonard M. Klehr |
if to GameStop or Holdco, to:
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GameStop Corp. |
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2250 William D. Tate Avenue |
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Grapevine, Texas 76051 |
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Telecopy No: 817-424-2820 |
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Attention: R. Richard Fontaine |
with a copy to:
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Bryan Cave LLP |
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1290 Avenue of the Americas |
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New York, NY 10104 |
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Telecopy No.: 212-541-1400 |
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Attention: Michael N. Rosen |
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Notices shall be deemed given upon (i) the date actually
delivered in person, (ii) the date transmitted via
telecopier with confirmation of receipt thereof or
(iii) the next Business Day after the date sent by
overnight courier. |
Section 9.3 Interpretation.
When a reference is made in this Agreement to an Article,
Section or Exhibit, such reference is to an Article or Section
of, or an Exhibit to, this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.
The table of contents, table of defined terms and headings
contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and
do not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this
Agreement. Whenever the words include,
includes or including are used in this
Agreement, they will be deemed to be followed by the words
without limitation. The words hereof,
herein and hereunder and
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words of similar import when used in this Agreement will refer
to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision
of this Agreement. All terms defined in this Agreement will have
the defined meanings when used in any certificate or other
document made or delivered pursuant hereto unless otherwise
defined therein. The definitions contained in this Agreement are
applicable to the singular as well as the plural forms of such
terms and to the masculine as well as to the feminine and neuter
genders of such term. Any agreement, instrument or statute
defined or referred to herein or in any agreement or instrument
that is referred to herein means such agreement, instrument or
statute as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented,
including (in the case of agreements or instruments) by waiver
or consent and (in the case of statutes) by succession of
comparable successor statutes. The parties hereto have
participated jointly in the negotiating and drafting of this
Agreement and, in the event an ambiguity or question of intent
arises, this Agreement shall be construed as jointly drafted by
the parties hereto and no presumption or burden of proof shall
arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the
authorship of any provision of this Agreement. For purposes of
this Agreement:
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(a) Action means any claim,
action, suit, arbitration, mediation, inquiry, proceeding or
investigation by or before any Governmental Entity, arbitrator
or mediator. |
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(b) Affiliate of any Person means
another Person that directly or indirectly, through one or more
intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common
control with, such first Person, where control means
the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct
or cause the direction of the management policies of a Person,
whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract
or otherwise; |
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(c) Business Day means any day
other than Saturday, Sunday or any day on which banking and
savings and loan institutions are authorized or required by Law
to be closed in New York, New York. |
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(d) Knowledge of any Person that
is not a natural Person means the actual knowledge of such
Persons executive officers; |
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(e) Intellectual Property means
all of the Companys and its Subsidiaries rights and
interest in: (a) all United States, international and
foreign patents and applications therefor; (b) all
inventions (whether patentable or not), ideas, processes,
inventions, invention disclosures, improvements, trade secrets,
proprietary information, know how, technology, technical data,
customer lists, proprietary processes and formulae, all source
and object code, algorithms, architectures, structures, display
screens, layouts, development tools and all documentation and
media constituting, describing or relating to the above,
including, without limitation, manuals, documentation, memoranda
and records; (c) all copyrights, copyright registrations
and applications therefor, material that is subject to
non-copyright disclosure protections, including derivative and
all other rights corresponding thereto throughout the world;
(d) all trade names, trade dress, logos, common law
trademarks and service marks, trademark and service mark
registrations and applications therefor throughout the world;
(e) all proprietary databases and data collections and all
rights therein throughout the world; (f) domain names, web
sites and related content; (g) client information and
related client or user data; (h) intellectual property
rights acquired by license or agreement; (i) damages or
benefit derived from any action arising out of or related to the
foregoing, including laws controlling computer and Internet
rights; and (j) any equivalent rights to any of the
foregoing anywhere in the world. |
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(f) Law means any law (including
common law), statute, statutory instrument, code, ordinance,
regulation, directive, legally binding rule, decree or other
legally enforceable obligation imposed by a court or other
Governmental Entity, and includes rules and regulations of any
regulatory or self-regulatory authority; |
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(g) Liability means any debt,
liability, commitment, obligation, claim or cause of action of
any kind whatsoever, whether due or to become due, known or
unknown, accrued or fixed, absolute or contingent, or otherwise; |
A-46
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(h) Liens means all pledges,
claims, liens, options, charges, mortgages, easements,
restrictions, covenants, conditions of record, encroachments,
encumbrances and security interests of any kind or nature
whatsoever; |
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(i) Material Adverse Effect
means, when used in connection with the Company or GameStop
(including references to the Company), as the case
may be, any change, effect, event, occurrence or state of facts
that is materially adverse to the business, financial condition,
or results of operations of such party and its Subsidiaries
taken as a whole, other than any changes, effects, events,
occurrences or state of facts relating to (i) the economy
or financial markets in general, (ii) product shortages and
delays in product introductions consistent with those that
occurred in 2004, (iii) negotiation and entry into this
Agreement, the announcement of this Agreement or the undertaking
and performance or observance of the obligations contemplated by
this Agreement or necessary to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby (including adverse effects on results of
operations attributable to the uncertainties associated with the
period between the date hereof and the Closing Date),
(iv) fluctuation in the partys stock price,
(v) the effect of incurring and paying Expenses in
connection with negotiating, entering into, performing and
consummating the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and
(vi) changes in GAAP after the date hereof;
provided, that with respect to clauses (i) and
(ii) such changes, effects, events, occurrences or state of
facts do not disproportionately affect such Persons relative to
the other participants in the industries in which such Persons
operate; provided, further, that, for the
avoidance of doubt, compliance with (and the consequences
thereof) the terms of this Agreement (including
Section 6.5, except for Section 6.5(a)(vi)) shall not
be taken into account in determining whether a Material Adverse
Effect shall have occurred or shall be expected to occur for any
and all purposes of this Agreement; |
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(j) Permitted Liens means
(i) mechanics, carriers, workmens,
repairmens or other like Liens arising or incurred in the
ordinary course of business relating to obligations that are not
delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by the
relevant party or any subsidiary of it and for which the
relevant party or a subsidiary of it has established adequate
reserves, (ii) Liens for Taxes that are not due and
payable, that are being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings or that may thereafter be paid without interest or
penalty, (iii) Liens that are reflected as Liabilities on
the balance sheet of the relevant party and its consolidated
subsidiaries as of January 29, 2005, contained in its SEC
Documents or the existence of which is referred to in the notes
to such balance sheet and (iv) Liens that, individually or
in the aggregate, do not materially impair, and would not
reasonably be expected materially to impair, the value or the
continued use and operation of the assets to which they relate; |
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(k) Person means an individual,
corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint
venture, association, trust, unincorporated organization,
Governmental Entity or other entity (including its permitted
successors and assigns); and |
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(l) a Subsidiary of any Person
means another Person, an amount of the voting securities, other
voting ownership or voting partnership interests of which is
sufficient to elect at least a majority of its Board of
Directors or other governing body (or, if there are no such
voting interests, 50% or more of the equity interest of which)
is owned directly or indirectly by such first Person. |
Section 9.4 Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all
of which will be considered one and the same agreement and will
become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed
by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties.
Section 9.5 Entire
Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement
(including the documents and instruments relating to the Mergers
referred to herein) and the Confidentiality Agreement, taken
together with the Company Disclosure Letter and GameStop
Disclosure Letter, (a) constitute the entire agreement, and
supersede all prior agreements and understandings, both written
and oral, among the parties with respect to the subject matter
of this Agreement and (b) except for the provisions of
Section 6.10, are not intended to confer upon any Person
other than the parties any rights or remedies.
A-47
Notwithstanding clause (b) of the immediately preceding
sentence, following the Effective Time the provisions of
Article II shall be enforceable by holders of Company
Certificates.
Section 9.6 Governing
Law. This Agreement is to be governed by, and construed
in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware,
regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under
applicable principles of conflict of laws thereof.
Section 9.7 Assignment.
Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or
obligations under this Agreement may be assigned, in whole or in
part, by operation of law or otherwise by any of the parties
hereto without the prior written consent of the other parties.
Any assignment in violation of this Section 9.7 will be
void and of no effect. Subject to the preceding two sentences,
this Agreement is binding upon, inures to the benefit of, and is
enforceable by, the parties and their respective successors and
assigns.
Section 9.8 Consent
to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial. (a) Each of
the parties hereto (i) consents to submit itself to the
personal jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of
Delaware in the event any dispute arises out of this Agreement
or any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
(ii) agrees that it will not attempt to deny or defeat such
personal jurisdiction by motion or other request for leave from
such court and (iii) agrees that it will not bring any
action relating to this Agreement or any of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement in any court other than the Court
of Chancery of the State of Delaware.
(b) EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY
WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE
COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE IT HEREBY
IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO
A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR
INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY
OF THE AGREEMENTS DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THE
TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY. EACH PARTY
CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (A) NO REPRESENTATIVE,
AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY
OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF
LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE EITHER OF SUCH WAIVERS, (B) IT
UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF SUCH WAIVERS,
(C) IT MAKES SUCH WAIVERS VOLUNTARILY, AND (D) IT HAS
BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER
THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS
SECTION 9.8(b).
Section 9.9 Specific
Enforcement. The parties agree that irreparable damage
would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this
Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific
terms or were otherwise breached. The parties accordingly agree
that the parties will be entitled to an injunction or
injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce
specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement in the
Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, this being in
addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law
or in equity.
Section 9.10 Amendment.
This Agreement may be amended by the parties at any time before
or after the Company Stockholder Approval or the GameStop
Stockholder Approval; provided, however, that,
after such approval, there is not to be made any amendment that
by Law or stock exchange regulation requires further approval by
the stockholders of the Company or the stockholders of GameStop,
as applicable, without further approval of such stockholders.
This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in
writing signed on behalf of each of the parties.
Section 9.11 Extension;
Waiver. At any time prior to the Effective Time, a party
may (a) extend the time for the performance of any of the
obligations or other acts of the other party, (b) waive any
inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of the other
party contained in this Agreement or in any document delivered
pursuant to this Agreement or (c) subject to the proviso of
Section 9.10, waive
A-48
compliance by the other parties with any of the agreements or
conditions contained in this Agreement. Any agreement on the
part of a party to any such extension or waiver will be valid
only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed on behalf
of such party. The failure of any party to this Agreement to
assert any of its rights under this Agreement or otherwise will
not constitute a waiver of such rights.
Section 9.12 Severability.
If any term or other provision of this Agreement is held to be
invalid, illegal or unenforceable by a court of competent
jurisdiction, all other conditions and provisions of this
Agreement will nevertheless remain in full force and effect. In
the case of any such invalidity or unenforceability, such term
or other provision shall be deemed modified to give it the
maximum effect permitted by applicable law.
[SIGNATURES ARE ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE.]
A-49
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Agreement to be signed by their respective officers thereunto
duly authorized, all as of the date first written above.
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ELECTRONICS BOUTIQUE HOLDINGS CORP. |
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By: |
/s/ Jeffrey W. Griffiths |
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Name: Jeffrey W. Griffiths |
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Title: |
President and Chief Executive Officer |
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By: |
/s/ R. Richard Fontaine |
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Name: R. Richard Fontaine |
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Title: |
Chief Executive Officer |
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By: |
/s/ R. Richard Fontaine |
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Name: R. Richard Fontaine |
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Title: |
Chief Executive Officer |
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By: |
/s/ R. Richard Fontaine |
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Name: R. Richard Fontaine |
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Title: |
Chief Executive Officer |
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COWBOY SUBSIDIARY LLC |
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By GSC Holdings Corp., its manager |
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By: |
/s/ R. Richard Fontaine |
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Name: R. Richard Fontaine |
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Title: |
Chief Executive Officer |
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EAGLE SUBSIDIARY LLC |
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By GSC Holdings Corp., its manager |
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By: |
/s/ R. Richard Fontaine |
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Name: R. Richard Fontaine |
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Title: |
Chief Executive Officer |
A-51
ANNEX B
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
OF
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
GAMESTOP CORP.
(Under Section 242 of the General Corporation Law)
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 242 of the Delaware
General Corporation Law, the undersigned corporation does hereby
certify that:
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1. The name of the corporation is GameStop Corp.
(hereinafter called the Corporation). |
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2. The Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was
filed with the Office of the Secretary of State of Delaware on
the
10th
day of August, 2001. |
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3. The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
the Corporation was filed with the Office of the Secretary of
State of Delaware on the
13th day
of February, 2002. |
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4. The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation is
hereby amended by striking out (b)(v) Mergers, Consolidation,
Etc. of Article Fourth thereof and by substituting in lieu
of said (b)(v) the following new (b)(v): |
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(v) Mergers, Consolidation, Etc. In
case of any consolidation, merger, combination or other
transaction in which shares of Common Stock are exchanged for or
changed into other stock or securities, cash and/or any other
property, each holder of a share of Class A Common Stock
shall be entitled to receive with respect to such share the same
kind and amount of shares of stock and other securities and
property (including cash) receivable upon such consolidation,
merger, combination or other transaction by a holder of a share
of Class B Common Stock and each holder of a share of
Class B Common Stock shall be entitled to receive with
respect to such share the same kind and amount of shares of
stock and other securities and property (including cash)
receivable upon such consolidation, merger, combination or other
transaction by a holder of a share of Class A Common Stock.
In the event that the holders of Class A Common Stock (or
of Class B Common Stock) are granted rights to elect to
receive one of two or more alternative forms of consideration,
the foregoing provision shall be deemed satisfied if holders of
Class A Common Stock and holders of Class B Common
Stock are granted substantially identical election rights.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of any of the
foregoing transactions, the holders of Class B Common Stock
may receive securities that differ as to voting rights and
powers on a per share basis from the securities received by the
holders of Class A Common Stock, provided, however, that
such difference shall not exceed ten to one, respectively. The
provisions set forth above shall not apply in the event of any
internal restructuring of the Corporation that does not change
the economic terms, voting rights or other provisions of such
Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock in
effect immediately prior to such internal restructuring by the
Corporation. |
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5. The foregoing amendment was duly adopted in accordance
with the provisions of Sections 242 and 228 of the Delaware
General Corporation Law. |
B-1
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned does hereby affirm that the
statements made herein are true under the penalties of perjury
this day
of ,
2005.
B-2
ANNEX C
VOTING AGREEMENT AND IRREVOCABLE PROXY
April 17, 2005
Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp.
931 South Matlack Street
West Chester, Pennsylvania 19382
GameStop Corp.
2250 William D. Tate Avenue
Grapevine, Texas 76051
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned (the Stockholders, and each a
Stockholder) understand that Electronics
Boutique Holdings Corp., a Delaware corporation
(Company), and GameStop Corp., a Delaware
corporation (GameStop), GameStop, Inc., a
Delaware corporation, GSC Holding Corp.
(Holdco), a Delaware corporation, Cowboy
Subsidiary LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and Eagle
Subsidiary LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, propose to
enter into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of
April 17, 2005 (the Merger Agreement),
providing for, among other things, the Mergers, in which, among
other things, each issued and outstanding share of common stock,
par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (Company
Common Stock) will be converted into the right to
receive cash and a certain number of shares of Class A
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of Holdco (the
Holdco Common Stock). Capitalized terms used
without definition in this Voting Agreement (the
Agreement) shall have the meanings ascribed
thereto in the Merger Agreement.
Each Stockholder is the beneficial and record owner of
(i) that number of shares of Company Common Stock,
(ii) outstanding options, warrants and other rights to
acquire shares of Company Common Stock, and (iii) the
additional securities of the Company; in each case, as set forth
opposite the name of such Stockholder on Schedule I to this
Agreement. Each Stockholder, in its capacity as such, is
entering into this Agreement in consideration of, and as a
condition to, GameStops willingness to enter into the
Merger Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated
thereby.
In consideration for each Stockholder entering into this
Agreement, GameStop shall cause Holdco on or prior to the
Closing Date to enter into the registration rights agreement in
substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A
(the Registration Rights Agreement).
Each Stockholder confirms its agreement with each of you as
follows:
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1. Each Stockholder represents, warrants and agrees that
(a) Schedule I to this Agreement sets forth the number
and type of shares of Company Common Stock (such shares,
together with any shares of Company Common Stock acquired by
such Stockholder on or after the date of this Agreement, whether
by exercise of options, warrants or other derivative securities
or otherwise, the Shares) and the number and
type of shares of Company Common Stock that are issuable upon
exercise of outstanding warrants, options or other derivative
securities, whether or not exercisable (the Derivative
Securities), of which such Stockholder is the record
or beneficial owner, (b) such Stockholder owns such Shares
and Derivative Securities, free and clear of all liens, pledges,
charges, encumbrances, voting agreements and commitments of
every kind, except for encumbrances imposed by margin accounts
maintained by each Stockholder or pledges to investment banks or
other third party lenders, and (c) such Stockholder has the
power to vote all Shares without restriction and no proxies
heretofore given in respect of any or all of the Shares are
irrevocable and that any such proxies have heretofore been or
are hereby revoked. Each Stockholder further represents and
warrants that (i) the Spin-Off and the transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement are not part of a |
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plan (or series of related transactions) involving such
Stockholder (and to the knowledge of such Stockholder, involving
any other Person) pursuant to which one or more Persons acquire
directly or indirectly stock representing a 50-percent or
greater interest (measured by voting power or value) in GameStop
(for these purposes, the acquisition of GameStop by Holdco in
accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement will not be
considered a plan to acquire a 50-percent or greater interest in
GameStop) and (ii) it had no agreement, understanding,
arrangement or Substantial Negotiations with GameStop,
Barnes & Noble, Inc. (B&N) or
any other Person regarding the transactions contemplated by the
Merger Agreement or similar transactions at any time prior to
November 13, 2004 and to the Stockholders knowledge,
no Person had an agreement, understanding, arrangement or
Substantial Negotiations with GameStop or the Company regarding
the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement or similar
transactions at any time prior to November 13, 2004. For
purposes of this Agreement, Spin-Off means
the distribution of GameStop Class B Common Stock by
B&N on November 12, 2004, which was intended to be
tax-free pursuant to Section 355 of the Code, and
Substantial Negotiations include discussions
of significant economic terms (e.g. the exchange ratio in a
reorganization) between, on the one hand, such Stockholders or
one or more officers, directors or controlling stockholders of
the Company or another Person or Persons with the implicit or
explicit permission of one or more officers, directors or
controlling stockholders of the Company with, on the other hand,
one or more officers, directors or controlling stockholders of
GameStop, B&N or another Person or Persons with the implicit
or explicit permission of one or more officers, directors or
controlling stockholders of GameStop or B&N. |
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2. Each Stockholder agrees that it will not, directly or
indirectly, sell, transfer, assign, pledge, encumber or
otherwise dispose of any of the Shares, or any interest therein,
or any other securities convertible into or exchangeable for
Company Common Stock (including the Derivative Securities), or
any voting rights with respect thereto or enter into any
contract, option or other arrangement or understanding with
respect thereto (including any voting trust or agreement and the
granting of any proxy) other than (a) pursuant to the
Mergers, (b) encumbrances imposed by margin accounts
maintained by each Stockholder or pledges to investment banks or
other third party lenders and any other transfers resulting
therefrom, (c) transfers to family members of any
Stockholder, (d) transfers by operation of law by will or
pursuant to the laws of decent or distribution, or (e) with
the prior written consent of GameStop; provided that, in
the case of clauses (c) and (d) such family member or
transferee shall become a party to this Agreement subject to its
terms and obligations to the same extent as such Stockholder, by
executing and delivering to GameStop and the Company a
counterpart to this Agreement. Each Stockholder hereby agrees to
authorize and request the Company to notify its transfer agent
that there is a stop transfer order with respect to all of the
Shares and that this Agreement places limits on the voting of
the Shares. If so requested by GameStop, each Stockholder agrees
that the certificates representing Shares shall bear a legend
stating that they are subject to this Agreement and to the
irrevocable proxy granted in paragraph 5 of this Agreement.
On the Closing Date, Mr. James Kim (i) shall cause EB
Services Corp. to cancel, terminate or transfer to GameStop or
any Person designated by GameStop (whether cancelled, terminated
or transferred to be mutually agreed by Mr. Kim and
GameStop) its .01% partnership interest in EB Services Company,
LLP and (ii) shall, and shall cause any of his Affiliates
(other than the Company and its Subsidiaries) to, cancel,
terminate or transfer to GameStop or any Person designated by
GameStop (whether cancelled, terminated or transferred to be
mutually agreed by Mr. Kim and GameStop) any other minority
interest he or any of his Affiliates (other than the Company and
its Subsidiaries) owns in any of the Companys Subsidiaries. |
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3. Each Stockholder hereby irrevocably and unconditionally
waives any right of appraisal, any dissenters rights and
any similar rights relating to, arising out of or resulting from
the Company Merger or any related transaction that Stockholder
may have by virtue of any outstanding shares of Company Common
Stock owned by Stockholder. |
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4. At every meeting of the stockholders of Company called,
and at every postponement or adjournment thereof, and on every
action or approval by written consent of the stockholders of |
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Company, each Stockholder irrevocably agrees to vote any Shares
entitled to be voted thereat or to cause any such Shares to be
voted: (i) in favor of adoption of the Merger Agreement;
and (ii) against (A) any proposal made in opposition
to adoption of the Merger Agreement or in competition or
inconsistent with the Company Merger or any other transaction
contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (B) any Company
Takeover Proposal, (C) any change in the management or
board of directors of Company (other than as contemplated by the
Merger Agreement) and (D) any action or agreement that
would result in a breach of any representation, warranty,
covenant or agreement or any other obligation of Company under
the Merger Agreement or of such Stockholder under this
Agreement. The obligations of each Stockholder specified in this
paragraph 4 shall apply whether or not (x) the Board
of Directors of Company (or any committee thereof) shall
(I) make a Company Adverse Recommendation Change, or
(II) approve or recommend, or allow Company or any of its
Subsidiaries to execute or enter into, any letter of intent,
memorandum of understanding, agreement in principle, merger
agreement, acquisition agreement, option agreement, joint
venture agreement, partnership agreement or similar agreement
constituting or related to any Company Takeover Proposal (other
than a confidentiality agreement referred to in
Section 5.2(a) of the Merger Agreement, or (y) Company
breaches any of its representations, warranties, agreements or
covenants set forth in the Merger Agreement; provided,
however, that, in the event of a Company Adverse
Recommendation Change, the obligation of the Stockholders to
vote Shares in the manner set forth in clauses (i) and
(ii) of this paragraph 4 shall apply only to an
aggregate number of Shares that is equal to one third of the
total number of shares of Company Common Stock entitled to vote
in respect of such matter and the Stockholders shall cause all
remaining Shares to be voted in a manner that is proportionate
to the manner in which all holders of shares of Company Common
Stock (other than the Stockholders) vote in respect of such
matter. |
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5. In furtherance of the agreements contained in
paragraph 4 of this Agreement and as security for such
agreements, each Stockholder hereby irrevocably appoints R.
Richard Fontaine and Daniel A. DeMatteo (the
Grantees), and each of them individually, as
the sole and exclusive attorneys-in-fact and proxies of such
Stockholder, for and in the name, place and stead of such
Stockholder, with full power of substitution and resubstitution,
to vote, grant a consent or approval in respect of, or execute
and deliver a proxy to vote, those Shares that are Company
Common Stock (a) in favor of the adoption of the Merger
Agreement, (b) against any matter referred to in
paragraph 4(ii) of this Agreement, and (c) in the
discretion of the Grantees, with respect to any proposed
postponements or adjournments of any annual or special meeting
of the stockholders of Company held in connection with any of
the foregoing. Each Stockholder hereby affirms that the
irrevocable proxy granted by this paragraph 5 is given in
connection with, and in consideration of, the execution of the
Merger Agreement by Company, GameStop, GSC Holding Corp., Cowboy
Subsidiary LLC and Eagle Subsidiary LLC and that such
irrevocable proxy is given to secure the performance of the
duties of such Stockholder under this Agreement. Each
Stockholder hereby further affirms that the proxy granted in
this paragraph 5 is coupled with an interest sufficient in
law to support an irrevocable power and may under no
circumstances be revoked by a Stockholder. Each Stockholder
hereby ratifies and confirms all that the Grantees may lawfully
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. The proxy contained
herein with respect to shares of Company Common Stock is
intended to be irrevocable in accordance with the provisions of
Section 212(e) of the Delaware General Corporation Law. |
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6. In consideration for GameStop and the Company entering
into the Merger Agreement agreeing to cause Holdco to enter into
the Registration Rights Agreement, Mr. James Kim shall on
or prior to the Closing Date enter into the non-compete
agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B. |
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7. The parties acknowledge and agree that nothing contained
in this Agreement shall restrict, limit or prohibit any
affiliate of any Stockholder from exercising (in his capacity as
a director of Company or any such Person) his fiduciary duties
as such a director. |
C-3
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8. Each Stockholder represents and warrants that it has all
necessary power and authority to enter into this Agreement and
to grant the irrevocable proxy provided for in paragraph 5,
and that this Agreement is the legal, valid and binding
agreement of such Stockholder and is enforceable against such
Stockholder in accordance with its terms. |
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9. The representations and warranties contained in this
Agreement are accurate in all respects as of the date of this
Agreement. |
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10. This Agreement may be terminated as to any Stockholder
at the option of such Stockholder, Company or GameStop at any
time after the earlier of (a) termination of the Merger
Agreement in accordance with its terms or (b) the day
following the Effective Time. |
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11. From time to time each Stockholder shall take such
further actions as GameStop may reasonably request for the
purpose of carrying out and furthering the intent of this
Agreement. |
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12. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without
giving effect to principles of conflict of laws. |
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13. Each Stockholder recognizes and acknowledges that a
breach by it of any covenants or agreements contained in this
Agreement will cause GameStop to sustain damages for which it
would not have an adequate remedy at law for money damages, and
therefore each Stockholder agrees that in the event of any such
breach, GameStop shall be entitled to specific performance of
such covenants and agreements and injunctive and other equitable
relief in addition to any other remedy to which it may be
entitled, at law or in equity, without the necessity of posting
any bond. |
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14. The effectiveness of this Agreement shall be
conditioned upon the execution and delivery of the Merger
Agreement by each of the parties thereto. |
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15. Except as provided in Section 2(b), each
Stockholder agrees that this Agreement and the obligations
hereunder shall attach to the Shares and shall be binding upon
any Person to which legal or beneficial ownership of the Shares
shall pass, whether by operation of law or otherwise. Neither
this Agreement, nor any of the interests or obligations
hereunder may be assigned or delegated by Stockholder, and any
attempted or purported assignment or delegation of any such
interests or obligations shall be void. |
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16. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts (including by facsimile), each of which shall be
deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute
one instrument. |
C-4
The parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed on
the date first above written.
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Title: |
President and Chief Executive Officer |
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/s/ James J. Kim |
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James J. Kim |
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Acknowledged and Agreed: |
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GAMESTOP CORP. |
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By: |
/s/ R. Richard Fontaine |
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Name: R. Richard Fontaine |
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Title: |
Chief Executive Officer |
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ELECTRONICS BOUTIQUE HOLDINGS CORP. |
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By: |
/s/ Jeffrey W. Griffiths |
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Name: Jeffrey W. Griffiths |
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Title: |
President and Chief Executive Officer |
C-5
SCHEDULE I
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Number of Shares | |
Name of Stockholder |
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of Company Owned | |
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EB Nevada Inc.
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11,569,101 |
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James J. Kim
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11,866,601 |
(1) |
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(1) |
Includes 11,569,101 shares owned by EB Nevada Inc. and
297,500 options (both vested and unvested) to purchase EB common
stock. |
C-6
EXHIBIT A
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
See Annex D
C-7
EXHIBIT B
NON-COMPETE AGREEMENT
See Annex E
C-8
ANNEX D
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (Agreement) is
made as
of ,
2005, by and among GSC Holdings Corp., a Delaware corporation
(the Company), and EB Nevada Inc.,
a corporation and James J. Kim (the
Stockholders), and each person or entity that
subsequently becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant to, and
in accordance with, the provisions of Section 11 hereof.
Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall the
respective meanings ascribed thereto in the Merger Agreement (as
defined below).
WHEREAS, pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the
Merger Agreement), dated April 17, 2005, each
share of common stock of Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp.
issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time
will be converted into the right to receive Company Cash
Consideration and Company Stock Consideration;
WHEREAS, the Company and the Stockholders are executing and
delivering this Agreement pursuant to the terms of the Kim Group
Voting Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual
covenants contained herein, the parties hereto hereby agree as
follows:
1. DEFINITIONS. As used in this Agreement, the
following terms shall have the following respective meanings:
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Board shall mean the board of directors of
the Company. |
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Exchange Act shall mean the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and all of the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder. |
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Holder shall mean, collectively, the
Stockholders and the Permitted Transferees; provided, however,
that the term Holder shall not include any of the
foregoing that ceases to own or hold any Registrable Securities. |
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Permitted Transferee shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 11. |
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Registrable Securities shall mean
(i) the Company Stock Consideration issued to the
Stockholders pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, and
(ii) shall include any shares of the Companys Common
Stock issued with respect to the Registrable Securities as a
result of any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization,
exchange or similar event; provided, however, that all
Registrable Securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities
once they have been sold pursuant to a registration statement or
such shares are transferred pursuant to Rule 144 or are
eligible to be sold without restriction pursuant to
Rule 144(k). |
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Rule 144 shall mean Rule 144
promulgated under the Securities Act and any successor or
substitute rule, law or provision. |
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SEC shall mean the Securities and Exchange
Commission. |
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Securities Act shall mean the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, and all of the rules and regulations
promulgated there under. |
2. EFFECTIVENESS. This Agreement shall become
effective and legally binding upon the Effective Time.
3. MANDATORY REGISTRATION.
(a) As promptly as practicable following the Effective
Time, subject to Section 6, the Company will prepare and
file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 or
any successor form (except that if the Company is not then
eligible to register for resale the Registrable Securities on
Form S-3, then such
D-1
registration shall be on Form S-1 or any successor form)
for the purpose of registering under the Securities Act all of
the Registrable Securities for resale by, and for the account
of, the Holders as selling stockholders thereunder (the
Registration Statement). The Registration Statement
shall permit the Holders to offer and sell, on a delayed or
continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities
Act, any or all of the Registrable Securities. The Company
agrees to use reasonable best efforts to cause the Registration
Statement to become effective (which shall include using
reasonable best efforts to respond to any comments of the SEC in
respect of the Registration Statement within ten
(10) business days following receipt thereof) within
90 days following the Effective Time. The Company shall use
its reasonable best efforts to keep the Registration Statement
effective until the earlier of (i) the date when all of the
Registrable Securities registered thereunder shall have been
sold, or (ii) the date all Registrable Securities are
eligible to be sold without restriction pursuant to
Rule 144(k).
(b) Within three (3) business days after a
Registration Statement that covers applicable Registrable
Securities is declared effective by the SEC, the Company shall
deliver, or shall cause legal counsel to deliver, to the
transfer agent for such Registrable Securities (with copies to
the Holders whose Registrable Securities are included in such
Registration Statement) confirmation that such Registration
Statement has been declared effective by the SEC.
4. COMPANY REGISTRATION.
(a) If, at any time (but without any obligation to do so),
the Company proposes to register any of its Common Stock or
other equity securities under the Securities Act on
Form S-1, Form S-2 or Form S-3 (or an equivalent
general registration form then in effect) for purposes of an
offering or sale by or on behalf of the Company of its Common
Stock or other equity securities for its own account, then each
such time the Company shall, at least 20 business days prior to
the time when any such registration statement is filed with the
SEC, give prompt written notice to the Holders of its intention
to do so. Such notice shall specify, at a minimum, the number
and class of shares or other equity securities so proposed to be
registered, the proposed date of filing of such registration
statement, any proposed means of distribution of such shares or
other equity securities, any proposed managing underwriter or
underwriters of such shares or other equity securities and a
good faith estimate by the Company of the proposed maximum
offering price thereof, as such price is proposed to appear on
the facing page of such registration statement. Upon the written
direction of any Holder or Holders, given within 10 days
following the receipt by such Holder of such written notice
(which direction shall specify the number of Registrable
Securities intended to be disposed of by such Holder and the
intended method of distribution thereof), the Company shall
include in such registration statement any or all of the
Registrable Securities then held by such Holder requesting such
registration (a Selling Holder) to the extent
necessary to permit the sale or other disposition of such number
of Registrable Securities as such Selling Holder has so directed
the Company to be so registered. Failure of any Stockholders to
respond to the Companys notice within the 10-day period
specified above shall be deemed an election by such Holder not
to have any of such Holders Registrable Securities
included in such registration statement. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Holders shall not have any right under this
Section 4(a) if the registration proposed to be effected by
the Company relates solely to shares of Common Stock or other
equity securities that are issuable (1) solely to officers
or employees of the Company or any subsidiary thereof pursuant
to a bona fide employee stock option, bonus or other employee
benefit plan or (2) as direct consideration in connection
with a merger, exchange offer or acquisition of a business.
(b) In the event that the Company proposes to register
shares of Common Stock or other equity securities for purposes
of an offering described in the first sentence of
Section 4(a), and any managing underwriter shall advise the
Company and the Selling Holders in writing that, in its opinion,
market or other factors require a limitation of the number of
securities to be underwritten, then the Company will include in
such registration statement such number of shares or securities
as the Company and such Selling Holders are so advised can be
sold in such offering (the Offering Maximum Number),
as follows and in the following order of priority:
(A) first, the number of shares or securities proposed to
be included by the Company, and (B) second, if and to the
extent that the number of shares or securities to be registered
under clause (A) is less than the Offering Maximum
Number, Registrable Securities of each
D-2
Selling Holder, allocated pro rata and without any priority as
between the Selling Holders, in proportion to the number sought
to be registered by each Selling Holder relative to the number
sought to be registered by all the Selling Holders, that, in the
aggregate, when added to the number of shares or securities to
be registered under clause (A), equals the Offering Maximum
Number.
(c) The Company shall have no obligation under this
Section 4 to make any offering of its securities, or to
complete an offering of its securities that it proposes to make,
and shall incur no liability to the Holders for its failure to
do so.
(d) Any Holder having notified or directed the Company to
include any or all of such Holders Registrable Securities
in a registration statement pursuant to this Section 4
hereof shall have the right to withdraw such notice or direction
with respect to any or all of the Registrable Securities
designated for registration thereby by giving written notice to
such effect to the Company at least five business days prior to
the anticipated effective date of such registration statement.
In the event of any such withdrawal, the Company shall amend, at
the withdrawing Holders expense, such registration
statement and take such other actions as may be necessary so
that such withdrawn Registrable Securities are not included in
the applicable registration and not sold pursuant thereto, and
such withdrawn Registrable Securities shall continue to be
Registrable Securities in accordance herewith. No such
withdrawal shall affect the obligations of the Company with
respect to Registrable Securities not so withdrawn.
(e) Any Holder having notified or directed the Company to
include any or all of such Holders Registrable Securities
in a registration statement pursuant to this Section 4,
shall, unless otherwise agreed by the Company, offer and sell
such Registrable Securities using the same underwriter or
underwriters and on the same terms and conditions as other
securities included in such underwritten offering. Each Selling
Holder participating in the underwritten offering shall
(i) enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form
with the managing underwriter or underwriters containing
conventional representations, warranties, allocation of
expenses, and customary closing conditions with any underwriter
who acquires any Registrable Securities; and (ii) complete
and execute all reasonable questionnaires, powers of attorney,
indemnities, lock-up letters and other documents required under
the terms of such underwritten offering.
5. OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY. In connection with
the Companys obligations with respect to registration of
Registrable Securities pursuant to Sections 3 and 4 hereof,
the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to effect or
cause such registration to permit the sale of the Registrable
Securities by the Holders thereof in accordance with the
intended method or methods of distribution thereof described in
the registration statement relating thereto and to maintain the
effectiveness of such registration statement for the period from
the date of effectiveness (the Effective Date) of
such registration statement until the earlier of (1) the
date on which the disposition of all of the Registrable
Securities covered by such registration statement is completed
or (ii) the date all Registrable Securities are eligible to
be sold without restriction pursuant to Rule 144(k), (such
period, the Registration Period). In connection
therewith, the Company shall, as soon as reasonably practicable:
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(a) Pursuant to Section 3 hereof, prepare and file
with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3, or such
other form as may be utilized by the Company and as shall permit
the disposition of the Registrable Securities in accordance with
the intended method or methods thereof, as specified in writing
by the Holders thereof; |
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(b) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and
supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus
used in connection with such registration statement as may be
necessary to keep such registration statement effective during
the Registration Period and to comply with the provisions of the
Securities Act with respect to the sale or other disposition of
the Registrable Securities by the Holders, and furnish to the
Holders of Registrable Securities registered thereby and the
underwriters, if any, thereof and the sales or placement agent,
if any, therefor copies of any such supplement or amendment
prior to its being used and/or filed with the SEC; |
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(c) comply in all material respects with the provisions of
the Securities Act applicable to the Company with respect to the
disposition of all of the Registrable Securities covered by such |
D-3
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Registration Statement in accordance with the intended method or
methods of disposition by the Holders thereof; |
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(d) provide the Holders and counsel for the Holders thereof
the opportunity to participate in the preparation of such
registration statement, each prospectus included therein or
filed with the SEC and each supplement or amendment thereto; |
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(e) furnish to each Holder of Registrable Securities to be
registered in such registration statement (A) such number
of copies (including manually executed and conformed copies) of
such registration statement and of each amendment thereof and
supplement thereto (including all annexes, appendices, schedules
and exhibits), (B) such number of copies of the prospectus
used in connection with such registration statement (including
each preliminary prospectus, any summary prospectus and the
final prospectus and including prospectus supplements), and
(C) such number of copies of other documents, if any,
incorporated by reference in such registration statement or
prospectus, in each case as each respective party may reasonably
request in order to facilitate the offering and disposition of
the Registrable Securities owned by any such Holder, offered or
sold by such agent, or underwritten by such underwriter, and to
permit each Holder, agent and underwriter to satisfy the
prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act; and the
Company hereby consents to the use of such prospectus (including
each preliminary prospectus, any summary prospectus and the
final prospectus) and any amendment or supplement thereto by
each Holder and by any such agent and underwriter, in each case
in the form most recently provided to such party by the Company,
in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable
Securities covered by the prospectus (including each preliminary
prospectus, any summary prospectus and the final prospectus) or
any supplement or amendment thereto; |
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(f) promptly notify the Holders of Registrable Securities
registered thereby, the managing underwriter or underwriters, if
any, thereof and the sales or placement agent, if any, therefor
and, if requested by any such party, confirm such notification
in writing, (A) when a prospectus or any prospectus
supplement has been filed with the SEC and when the registration
statement or any post-effective amendment thereto has been filed
with and declared effective by the SEC, (B) of the issuance
by the SEC of any stop order or the coming to its knowledge of
the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, (C) of
the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to
the suspension of the qualification of any of the Registrable
Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or
threatening of any proceeding for such purpose, (D) of the
occurrence of any event that requires the making of any changes
to the registration statement or related prospectus so that such
documents will not contain any 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, in light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading
(and the Company shall promptly prepare and furnish to the
Holders upon request, a reasonable number of copies of a
supplemented or amended prospectus such that, as thereafter
delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable Securities, such
prospectus shall not include an untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of
the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading),
and (E) of the Companys determination that the filing
of a post-effective amendment to the registration statement
shall be necessary or appropriate; and, upon the receipt of any
notice from the Company of the occurrence of any event of the
kind described in this Section 5(f)(B), (C) (but only with
respect to the jurisdiction suspending qualification),
(D) or (E), (1) the Holders, underwriters and agents
shall forthwith discontinue any offer and disposition of the
Registrable Securities pursuant to the registration statement
covering such Registrable Securities and, if so directed by the
Company, shall deliver to the Company all copies (other than
permanent file copies) of the defective prospectus covering such
Registrable Securities that are then in the Holders,
underwriters and agents possession or control, and
(2) the Company shall, as promptly as practicable
thereafter (subject, in the case of Section 5 (f)(D), to
the provisions of Section 10), take such action as shall be
necessary to remedy such event to permit the Holders (and the
underwriters and agents, if any) to continue to offer and
dispose of the Registrable |
D-4
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Securities, including, without limitation, preparing and filing
with the SEC and furnishing to the Holders a supplement or
amendment to such prospectus so that, as thereafter deliverable
to the purchasers of the Registrable Securities, such prospectus
will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit
to state a material fact necessary to make the statements
therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading; |
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(g) use its reasonable best efforts to register or qualify
the Registrable Securities covered by such registration
statement under and to the extent required by such other
securities or state blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as any
Holder, underwriter or sales or placement agent shall request,
and do any and all other acts and things that may be necessary
under such securities or blue sky laws to enable the Holders,
underwriters and agents to consummate the public sale or other
disposition in such jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities
owned by the Holders, except that the Company shall not for any
such purpose be required to qualify to do business as a foreign
corporation in any jurisdiction wherein it is not so qualified
or submit to liability for state or local taxes where it would
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(h) if requested by any managing underwriter or
underwriters, any placement or sales agent or any Holder,
promptly incorporate in a prospectus supplement or
post-effective amendment such information as is required by the
applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and as such managing
underwriter or underwriters, such agent or such Holder specifies
should be included therein relating to the terms of the sale of
such Registrable Securities, including, without limitation,
information with respect to the number of Registrable Securities
being sold by the Holders or agent or to any underwriters, the
name and description of the Holders, agent or underwriter, the
offering price of such Registrable Securities and any discount,
commission or other compensation payable in respect thereof, the
purchase price being paid therefor by such underwriters and with
respect to any other terms of the offering of the Registrable
Securities to be sold by the Holders or agent or to such
underwriters; and make all required filings of such prospectus
supplement or post-effective amendment promptly after
notification of the matters to be incorporated in such
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(i) use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the consent
or approval of each governmental agency or authority, whether
federal, state or local, that may be required to effect such
registration or the offering or sale in connection therewith or
to enable the Holders to offer, or to consummate the disposition
of, the Registrable Securities; and |
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(j) furnish to the Holders or the managing underwriters, if
any, on a timely basis and at the Companys expense,
certificates free of any restrictive legends representing
ownership of the Registrable Securities being sold in such
denominations and registered in such names as the Holders or
managing underwriters shall request, and notify the transfer
agent of the Companys securities that it may effect
transfers of the Registrable Securities upon notification from
each respective Holder that it has complied with this Agreement
and the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act. |
6. FURNISH INFORMATION. It shall be a condition
precedent to the obligations of the Company to take any action
pursuant to this Agreement that the selling Holders shall
furnish to the Company such information regarding them and the
securities held by them as the Company shall reasonably request
and as shall be required in order to effect any registration by
the Company pursuant to this Agreement.
7. EXPENSES OF REGISTRATION. All expenses incurred
in connection with the registration of the Registrable
Securities pursuant to this Agreement (excluding underwriting,
brokerage and other selling commissions and discounts),
including without limitation all registration and qualification
and filing fees, printing, and fees and disbursements of counsel
for the Company, shall be borne by the Company. In all cases,
the selling Holders will be responsible for, if applicable,
underwriters discounts, brokerage or other selling commissions
and fees and disbursements of counsel for such Holders.
D-5
8. INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION.
(a) To the extent permitted by law, the Company will
indemnify and hold harmless each selling Holder, any investment
banking firm acting as an underwriter for the selling Holder,
any broker/ dealer acting on behalf of any selling Holder and
each officer and director of such selling Holder, such
underwriter, such broker/ dealer and each person, if any, who
controls such selling Holder, underwriter or broker/ dealer
within the meaning of the Securities Act, against any losses,
claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which they
may become subject under the Securities Act or otherwise,
insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or
actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any
untrue or alleged untrue statement of any material fact
contained in the Registration Statement, in any preliminary
prospectus or final prospectus relating thereto or in any
amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or any
such preliminary prospectus or final prospectus, or arise out of
or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state
therein a material fact required to be stated therein, or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light
of the circumstances in which they are made; and will reimburse
such selling Holder, such underwriter, broker/ dealer or such
officer, director or controlling person for any legal or other
expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with
investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage,
liability or action; provided, however, that the indemnity
agreement contained in this Section 8(a) shall not apply to
amounts paid in settlement of any such loss, claim, damage,
liability or action if such settlement is effected without the
consent of the Company (which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld), nor shall the Company be liable in any such case for
any such loss, damage, liability or action to the extent that it
arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in
connection with the Registration Statement, any preliminary
prospectus or final prospectus relating thereto or any
amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or any
such preliminary prospectus or final prospectus, in reliance
upon and in conformity with written information furnished
expressly for use in connection with the Registration Statement
or any such preliminary prospectus or final prospectus by or on
behalf of the selling Holder, any underwriter for them or
controlling person with respect to them. This Section 8(a)
shall not inure to the benefit of any selling Holder with
respect to any person asserting loss, damage, liability or
action as a result of a selling Holder selling Registrable
Securities during a Suspension Period (as defined in
Section 10 hereof) or selling in violation of
Section 5(c) of the Securities Act.
(b) To the extent permitted by law, each selling Holder
will severally and not jointly indemnify and hold harmless the
Company, each of its officers and directors, each person, if
any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the
Securities Act, any investment banking firm acting as
underwriter for the Company or the selling Holder, or any
broker/ dealer acting on behalf of the Company or any other
selling Holder, and all other selling Holders against any
losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which the Company or
any such director, officer, controlling person, underwriter, or
broker/ dealer or other selling Holder may become subject to,
under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses,
claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereto)
arise out of or are based upon any untrue or alleged untrue
statement of any material fact contained in the Registration
Statement or any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus,
relating thereto or in any amendments or supplements to the
Registration Statement or any such preliminary prospectus or
final prospectus, or arise out of or are based upon the omission
or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading in light of the circumstances in which they are
made, in each case to the extent and only to the extent that
such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or
alleged omission was made in the Registration Statement, in any
preliminary prospectus or final prospectus relating thereto or
in any amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement
or any such preliminary prospectus or final prospectus, in
reliance upon and in conformity with written information
furnished by such selling Holder expressly for use in connection
with the Registration Statement or any preliminary prospectus or
final prospectus related thereto; and such selling Holders will
reimburse any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the
Company or any such director, officer, controlling person,
underwriter, broker/ dealer or other selling Holder in
connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim,
damage, liability or action; provided, however, that the
liability of each selling Holder hereunder shall be limited to
the gross proceeds (net of underwriting discounts and
D-6
commissions, if any) received by such selling Holder from the
sale of Registrable Securities covered by the Registration
Statement; and provided, further, however, that the indemnity
agreement contained in this Section 8(b) shall not apply to
amounts paid in settlement of any such loss, claim, damage,
liability or action if such settlement is effected without the
consent of those selling Holder(s) against which the request for
indemnity is being made (which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld).
(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under
this Section 8 of notice of the commencement of any action,
such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to
be made against any indemnifying party under this
Section 8, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the
commencement thereof and the indemnifying party shall have the
right to participate in and, to the extent the indemnifying
party desires, jointly with any other indemnifying party
similarly noticed, to assume at its expense the defense thereof
with counsel mutually satisfactory to the indemnifying parties
with the consent of the indemnified party (which consent will
not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). In the
event that the indemnifying party assumes any such defense, the
indemnified party may participate in such defense with its own
counsel and at its own expense, provided, however, that the
counsel for the indemnifying party shall act as lead counsel in
all matters pertaining to such defense or settlement of such
claim and the indemnifying party shall only pay for such
indemnified partys expenses for the period prior to the
date of its participation on such defense. The failure to notify
an indemnifying party promptly of the commencement of any such
action, if materially prejudicial to his ability to defend such
action, shall relieve such indemnifying party of any liability
to the indemnified party under this Section 8 to the extent
of such prejudice, but the omission so to notify the
indemnifying party will not relieve him of any liability which
he may have to any indemnified party otherwise other than under
this Section 8.
(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein,
without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, the
indemnifying party shall not be entitled to settle any claim,
suit or proceeding unless in connection with such settlement the
indemnified party receives an unconditional release with respect
to the subject matter of such claim, suit or proceeding and such
settlement does not contain any admission of fault by the
indemnified party.
(e) In order to provide for just and equitable contribution
under the Securities Act in any case in which (i) the
indemnified party makes a claim for indemnification pursuant to
Section 8 hereof but is judicially determined (by the entry
of a final judgment or decree by a court of competent
jurisdiction and the expiration of time to appeal or the denial
of the last right of appeal) that such indemnification may not
be enforced in such case notwithstanding the fact that the
express provisions of Section 8 hereof provide for
indemnification in such case, or (ii) contribution under
the Securities Act may be required on the part of any
indemnified party, then the Company and the applicable selling
Holder shall contribute to the aggregate losses, claims, damages
or liabilities to which they may be subject (which shall, for
all purposes of this Agreement, include, but not be limited to,
all reasonable costs of defense and investigation and all
reasonable attorneys fees), in either such case (after
contribution from others) on the basis of relative fault as well
as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative
fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things,
whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material
fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material
fact relates to information supplied by the Company on the one
hand or the applicable selling Holder on the other hand, and the
parties relative intent, knowledge, access to information
and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or
omission. The Company and the Holders 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 account of
the equitable considerations referred to in this
Section 8(e). The amount paid or payable by an indemnified
party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities
(or actions in respect thereof) referred to above in this
Section 8 shall be deemed to include any legal or other
expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in
connection with investigating or defending any such action or
claim. 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.
D-7
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 8(e),
in no event shall (i) any selling Holder be required to
undertake liability to any person under this Section 8(e)
for any amounts in excess of the dollar amount of the gross
proceeds to be received by the selling Holder from the sale of
such selling Holders Registrable Securities (after
deducting any fees, discounts and commissions applicable
thereto) pursuant to any Registration Statement under which such
Registrable Securities are or were to be registered under the
Securities Act and (ii) any underwriter be required to
undertake liability to any person hereunder for any amounts in
excess of the aggregate discount, commission or other
compensation payable to such underwriter with respect to the
Registrable Securities underwritten by it and distributed
pursuant to the Registration Statement.
9. REPORTS UNDER THE EXCHANGE ACT. With respect to
each Holder, from the date of Closing until the date on which
all of the Registrable Securities that such Holder owns become
freely transferable under Rule 144(k) promulgated under the
Securities Act, the Company agrees to use its reasonable best
efforts: (i) to make and keep public information available,
as those terms are understood and defined in the General
Instructions to Form S-3, or any successor or substitute
form, and in Rule 144, (ii) to file with the SEC all
reports and other documents required to be filed by an issuer of
securities registered under Sections 13 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act, and (iii) if such filings are not available
via EDGAR, to furnish to such Holder as long as the Holder owns
or has the right to acquire any Registrable Securities prior to
the applicable termination date described above, a copy of the
most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company, and such
other reports and documents so filed by the Company under
Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as may be
reasonably requested in availing such Holder of any rule or
regulation of the SEC permitting the selling of any such
Registrable Securities without registration.
10. DEFERRAL AND LOCK-UP.
(a) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
contrary, if the Company shall furnish to the selling Holders a
certificate signed by the President and Chief Executive Officer
of the Company stating that the Board has made the good faith
determination (i) that continued use by the selling Holders
of the Registration Statement for purposes of effecting offers
or sales of Registrable Securities pursuant thereto would
require, under the Securities Act, disclosure in the
Registration Statement (or the prospectus relating thereto) of
material, nonpublic information concerning the Company, its
business or prospects or any proposed transaction involving the
Company, and (ii) that such disclosure would be premature
and would be adverse to the Company, its business or prospects
or any such proposed transaction or would make the successful
consummation by the Company of any such transaction
significantly less likely, then the right of the selling Holders
to use the Registration Statement (and the prospectus relating
thereto) for purposes of effecting offers or sales of
Registrable Securities pursuant thereto shall be suspended for a
period (the Suspension Period) of not more than
60 days after delivery by the Company of the certificate
referred to above in this Section 10. During the Suspension
Period, none of the Holders shall offer or sell any Registrable
Securities pursuant to or in reliance upon the Registration
Statement (or the prospectus relating thereto). The Company may
not exercise this right more than two times in each year after
the Closing. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary,
during such time as any Selling Holder or an affiliate thereof
is a director or executive officer of the Company, such Selling
Holder or an affiliate thereof shall be subject to the policies
of the Company regarding insider sales of the Companys
securities and shall not effect any offers or sales of
Registrable Securities pursuant to or in reliance upon the
Registration Statement or otherwise in violation of such
policies.
(b) Holders shall not, during the period starting with the
Companys date of filing of, and ending ninety calendar
days immediately following the effective date of any
registration statement pertaining to securities of the Company,
if so requested by an underwriter in an underwritten offering
for the Company, effect any public sale or distribution of any
of the Companys equity securities including a sale
pursuant to Rule 144. In addition, if requested by the
Company, the Stockholders shall not effect any public sale or
distribution of any of the Registrable Securities pursuant to
the Registration Statement, during the ten-day period prior to
any period during which an exchange ratio or similar valuation
formula based upon the trading prices of the Companys
common stock is being calculated.
D-8
11. TRANSFER OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS. None of the
rights of any Holder under this Agreement shall be transferred
or assigned to any person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a
Holders right under this Agreement may be assigned, in
whole or in part, to any Permitted Transferee, and any Permitted
Transferee shall be deemed to be a Holder (and, to the extent
required by law, amend the Registration Statement in connection
with such assignment); provided that no such assignment shall be
effective or confer any right on any such assignee unless, prior
to such assignment, the assignee agrees in writing, by executing
and delivering to the Company an Instrument of Adherence in the
form attached as Exhibit A, that such assignee will be
bound by all provisions binding on a Holder hereunder. A
Permitted Transferee is (i) any member of the
family of a Holder, including such Holders spouse and
descendants and any trust, partnership, corporation, limited
liability company or other entity for the sole benefit of such
spouse and/or descendants to whom or which any Registrable
Securities have been transferred by such Holder for estate or
tax planning purposes or any charity or foundation to which
Registrable Securities have been transferred by such Holder for
estate or tax planning or charitable purposes; provided that
such transferee agrees to be bound by the provisions hereof in
accordance with the preceding sentence and (ii) any trust,
partnership, corporation, limited liability company or other
entity for the sole benefit of such Stockholder and which entity
is controlled solely by such Stockholder. Neither this Agreement
nor any provision hereof is intended to confer upon any Person
other than the parties hereto and any Permitted Transferee any
rights or remedies hereunder.
12. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement constitutes and
contains the entire agreement and understanding of the parties
with respect to the subject matter hereof, and it also
supersedes any and all prior negotiations, correspondence,
agreements or understandings with respect to the subject matter
hereof.
13. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) This Agreement and the obligations of the Company
hereunder shall terminate on the earlier of: (i) the first
date on which no Registrable Securities remain outstanding, or
(ii) the five-year anniversary of the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement.
(b) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and
enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware,
and shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
parties hereto and their respective heirs, personal
representatives, successors or permitted assigns. This Agreement
shall also be binding upon and inure to the benefit of any
Permitted Transferee of any of the Registrable Securities
provided that the terms and conditions of Section 11 hereof
are satisfied.
(c) (i) Any notices, reports or other correspondence
(hereinafter collectively referred to as
correspondence) required or permitted to be given
hereunder shall be sent by courier (overnight or same day) or
telecopy or delivered by hand to the party to whom such
correspondence is required or permitted to be given hereunder.
The date of giving any notice shall be the date of its actual
receipt.
(ii) All correspondence to the Company shall be addressed
as follows:
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GSC Holdings Corp. |
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2250 William D. Tate Avenue |
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Grapevine, Texas 76051 |
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Telecopy No: 817-424-2820 |
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Attention: R. Richard Fontaine |
with a copy to:
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Bryan Cave LLP |
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1290 Avenue of the Americas |
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New York, NY 10104 |
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Telecopy No.: 212-541-1400 |
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Attention: Michael N. Rosen |
D-9
(iii) All correspondence to any Holder shall be addressed
as follows:
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Mr. James J. Kim |
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EB Nevada Inc. |
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911 Mount Pleasant Road |
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Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 |
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Telecopy No.: 610-525-7881 |
with a copy to:
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Drinker Biddle & Reath, LLP |
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One Logan Square |
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18th & Cherry Streets |
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Philadelphia, PA 19103 |
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Telecopy No.: 215-988-2757 |
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Attention: Stephen Burdumy |
Any party may change the address to which correspondence to it
is to be addressed by notification as provided for herein.
(d) The parties acknowledge and agree that in the event of
any breach of this Agreement, remedies at law may be inadequate,
and each of the parties hereto shall be entitled to seek
specific performance of the obligations of the other parties
hereto and such appropriate injunctive relief as may be granted
by a court of competent jurisdiction.
(e) This Agreement may be executed in a number of
counterparts, each of which together shall for all purposes
constitute one Agreement, binding on all the parties hereto
notwithstanding that all such parties have not signed the same
counterpart.
(f) Any action of the Stockholders under this Agreement
shall be made by approval of those Stockholders holding the
majority of the Registrable Shares on the date of such action.
D-10
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this
Registration Rights Agreement as of the date and year first
above written.
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Name: |
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Title: |
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STOCKHOLDERS: |
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EB NEVADA INC. |
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Name: |
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Title: |
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James J. Kim |
D-11
EXHIBIT A
INSTRUMENT OF ADHERENCE
Reference is hereby made to that certain Registration Rights
Agreement, dated as
of ,
2005, between GSC Holdings Corp., a Delaware corporation (the
Company), the Stockholders and the Permitted
Transferees, as amended and in effect from time to time (the
Registration Rights Agreement). Capitalized terms
used herein without definition shall have the respective
meanings ascribed thereto in the Registration Rights Agreement.
The undersigned, in order to become the owner or holder of, or
have the right to
acquire, shares
of Registrable Securities, hereby agrees that, from and after
the date hereof, the undersigned has become a party to the
Registration Rights Agreement in the capacity of a Permitted
Transferee, and is entitled to all of the benefits under, and is
subject to all of the obligations, restrictions and limitations
set forth in, the Registration Rights Agreement that are
applicable to Permitted Transferees. This Instrument of
Adherence shall take effect and shall become a part of the
Registration Rights Agreement immediately upon execution.
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Print Name of Permitted Transferee: |
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Name: |
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Title: |
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Permitted Transferees Address and Fax Number for
Notice: |
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Accepted: |
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GSC HOLDINGS CORP. |
D-12
ANNEX E
NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT
THIS NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT (this
Agreement) is made and entered into as of
the day
of ,
2005, by and between GSC Holdings Corp., a Delaware corporation
(Holdco), and Mr. James J. Kim
(Founder), with reference to the following
facts and circumstances.
RECITALS
A. Founder is a significant stockholder of the shares of
Company Common Stock issued by Electronics Boutique Holdings
Corp., a Delaware corporation (the Company).
Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Holdco,
GameStop Corp., a Delaware corporation
(GameStop), Cowboy Subsidiary LLC, a Delaware
limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdco
(the GameStop Merger Sub), Eagle Subsidiary
LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly-owned
subsidiary of Holdco (the Company Merger Sub
and together with GameStop Merger Sub, the Merger
Subs), and the Company are entering into an Agreement
and Plan of Merger (the Merger Agreement)
whereby the GameStop Merger Sub will be merged with and into
GameStop (the GameStop Merger) and the
Company Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company (the
Company Merger and together with the GameStop
Merger, the Mergers), and GameStop and the
Company will continue as the surviving corporations and become
wholly-owned subsidiaries of Holdco. All capitalized terms not
otherwise defined shall have the meaning given to them in the
Merger Agreement.
B. As consideration for and in connection with the Company
Merger, all shares of the Company Common Stock immediately prior
to the Effective Time, will be converted into and become a right
to receive (i) cash, as specified in the Merger Agreement;
and (ii) a certain number of shares of Holdco Common Stock,
in accordance with the Merger Agreement.
C. Founder has induced Holdco and GameStop to enter into
the Merger Agreement in reliance upon the agreement of Founder
to protect and preserve the trade secrets, copyrights,
confidential information and customer goodwill and business
advantage of Holdco, GameStop and the Company following the
Mergers by protecting, preserving and fostering the
Companys trade secrets and other confidential information
and customer goodwill, and agreeing not to compete with Holdco,
GameStop and the Company set forth with greater specificity in
Section 2 of this Agreement.
D. The parties acknowledge that in the circumstances set
forth in this Agreement, any competition by Founder with the
business of Holdco, GameStop and the Company following the
consummation of the Merger Agreement would be detrimental to the
business of Holdco, GameStop and the Company and to
Holdcos and GameStopss expectations in connection
with the Mergers, except for the competition expressly permitted
by this Agreement. Accordingly, it is a condition to
Holdcos and GameStops obligations under the Merger
Agreement that Founder enter into this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, the mutual
covenants contained herein, and other valuable consideration,
the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged,
Founder and Holdco hereby agree as follows.
1 Representations and Warranties of Founder. Founder
hereby represents and warrants to Holdco and GameStop as follows:
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1.1 The Company is engaged in the Business. |
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1.2 Founder currently beneficially owns approximately 48.5%
of the shares of Company Common Stock. |
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1.3 Founder acknowledges that Holdco and GameStop would not
enter into the Merger Agreement unless Founder agreed not to
undertake activities competitive with the existing Business and
operations of the Company, GameStop and Holdco, as contemplated
in connection with the |
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Mergers and in the related documentation, and that, accordingly,
this Agreement is a material inducement to Holdco and GameStop
to enter into and carry out the terms of the Merger Agreement.
Founder has therefore entered into this Agreement to induce
Holdco and GameStop to enter into the Merger Agreement. |
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1.4 This Agreement does not constitute a violation of any
other agreement to which Founder is a party and has been
executed and delivered by Founder after having an opportunity to
consult with Founders legal and other professional counsel
and advisors. |
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1.5 Founder has full power and authority to enter into, and
has obtained all necessary authorizations and approvals required
for the execution and delivery of, this Agreement. |
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1.6 Founder has taken all necessary actions to execute and
deliver this Agreement, and it constitutes a valid and binding
agreement of Founder, enforceable in accordance with its terms,
subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium or
other similar laws relating to creditors rights and
general principles of equity. |
2 Agreement Not to Compete. Founder hereby covenants
and agrees with Holdco and GameStop as follows:
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2.1 Territories. The parties hereto acknowledge that
the Company has, directly or indirectly, conducted the Business
throughout each of the Territories. For the purposes hereof, the
term Territories shall mean any and all of
the following geographic areas: |
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2.1.1 Each and every county or other political or
geographical subdivision in the United States of America and the
dependent territories of the United States of America,
including, without limitation, Guam and Puerto Rico; and |
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2.1.2 Each and every county or other political or
geographical subdivision in the countries in which the Company
currently operates stores, which countries are listed on
Schedule A attached hereto. |
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2.2.1 For purposes of this Agreement, the Companys
primary business consists of selling video game hardware and
software, PC entertainment software, pre-played video games and
related accessories and products to consumers (the
Business). The Business has been developed
and is being developed by Founder, among others, in his
capacities as director and chairman of the board of directors of
the Company. Founder has primarily engaged in these activities
in Pennsylvania. The Company has places of business and/or has
developed and established certain business relations and
customer loyalty and goodwill throughout the Territories. For
the purposes of this Agreement, a Competitive
Business means any person, sole proprietorship,
partnership, limited liability company, corporation, firm,
association, or other business organization, enterprise or
entity (collectively, Person), which is
engaged in, or engages in after the date of this Agreement,
directly or indirectly (including without limitation through
control, directly or indirectly, of any Person), the Business. |
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2.2.2 Commencing as of the Effective Time and until the
expiration of the Non-Competition Term (as hereinafter defined),
Founder shall not, within the Territories, either individually,
or as a member of any group, without the prior written consent
of Holdco (which consent can be withheld at Holdcos sole
and absolute discretion), (i) acquire any ownership
interest in, or (ii) provide services to, or
(iii) assist or participate in the organization, promotion
or founding of, or (iv) except as contemplated by the
Merger Agreement, serve on the Board of Directors or Advisory
Board of, or (v) act as a consultant to, or (vi) serve
as an officer, employee, representative or agent of, or
otherwise participate in any capacity in the management or
operations of, any Person which at the time of such activity by
Founder is a Competitive Business; provided,
however, that Founders acquisition for investment
purposes only of less than five percent (5%) of the outstanding
securities of any corporation, partnership, joint venture or |
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other business enterprise which are regularly traded on a
national securities exchange or through the National Market
System of the National Association of Securities Dealers
Automated Quotation System, will not violate
Section 2.2.2(i) of this Agreement. |
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2.3 Non-Interference With Customers or Suppliers.
Without limiting Section 2.2 of this Agreement in any way,
commencing as of the Effective Time and until the expiration of
the Non-Solicitation Term, Founder shall not, directly or
indirectly, without the prior written consent of Holdco (which
consent can be withheld at Holdcos sole and absolute
discretion), either for his own benefit or purpose or on behalf
of any Competitive Business, interfere with or attempt to
interfere with the business relationship between the Company or
Holdco (or any of its Affiliates) or any Person, if such Person
then is, or has been within twelve (12) months preceding
the date of such activity by Founder: (x) a customer or
supplier of the Company or any of its Affiliates or (y) a
Person to whom the Company has provided services or engaged in
business. |
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2.4 Non-Solicitation of Employees and Consultants.
Without limiting Section 2.2 of this Agreement in any way,
commencing as of the Effective Time and until the expiration of
the Non-Solicitation Term, Founder shall not, directly or
indirectly, without the prior written consent of Holdco (which
consent can be withheld at Holdcos sole and absolute
discretion), either alone or jointly, with or on behalf of
others, directly or indirectly, whether as principal, partner,
agent, stockholder, director, employee, consultant or otherwise,
or solicit the employment or engagement of, or otherwise entice
away from the employment or engagement of Holdco or any of its
Affiliates, either for Founders own benefit or purpose or
for any other person, firm or company, any person who was
employed or engaged by Holdco or any such Affiliate during the
twelve (12) months preceding the date of such activity by
the Founder, whether or not such person would commit any breach
of contract by reason of his or her leaving the service of
Holdco or any of its Affiliates; provided,
however, this Section 2.4 shall not apply to family
members of the Founder. |
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2.5 Term. For purposes of this Agreement,
(i) the Non-Competition Term with
respect to Founder shall mean the period commencing as of the
Effective Time and ending three (3) years following the
Effective Time; and (ii) the Non-Solicitation
Term with respect to Founder shall mean the period
commencing as of the Effective Time and ending two
(2) years following the Effective Time. Notwithstanding
anything herein to the contrary, this Agreement shall terminate
upon termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its
terms. |
3 Enforcement Rights.
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3.1 Injunctive Relief. Founder acknowledges and
agrees that in the event of a prospective or actual breach of
this Agreement by Founder, damages may not be an adequate remedy
to compensate Holdco, GameStop and the Company for the loss of
goodwill and customer loyalty, impairment of trade secrets and
other proprietary information, and other harm to the Business of
the Company. Accordingly, in addition to all other rights and
remedies Holdco may have at law or in equity, in the event of a
threatened or actual breach of any of the terms and provisions
of this Agreement, in the event Holdco seeks a temporary
restraining order, or seeks either temporary or preliminary
injunctive relief, to prevent or enjoin such anticipated or
actual breach, Founder waives any and all rights to and agrees
not to assert or argue that Holdco has failed to demonstrate
irreparable injury or the necessity of the posting of a bond in
connection with any such proceeding, provided that nothing in
this Agreement shall be construed to limit the damages otherwise
recoverable by Holdco in any such event. |
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3.2 Notification of Third Parties. In addition,
Holdco shall have the right in good faith to inform any entity
described in Section 2 above, and the principals of such
entities, and any other third party that Holdco reasonably
believes to be, or to be contemplating, participating with
Founder or receiving from Founder assistance in violation of the
terms of this Agreement and of the rights of Holdco, GameStop
and the Company under this Agreement, and that participation by
such entity or persons with Founder in activities in violation
of Founders agreement not to compete with or solicit |
E-3
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customers, employees, or consultants from Holdco, GameStop and
the Company may give rise to claims by Holdco, GameStop and the
Company against such entity, persons or third parties. |
4 General Provisions.
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4.1 Severability. Whenever possible, each provision
of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be
valid under applicable laws. However, the provisions of this
Agreement are severable, and if any one or more provisions may
be determined to be invalid, unenforceable or prohibited, in
whole or in part, under such applicable law by a court or other
tribunal of competent jurisdiction, such provision shall be
construed, interpreted, modified or limited by such court or
tribunal to effectuate its purpose to the maximum legally
permissible extent. If such provision cannot be construed and
interpreted so as to be valid under such law, each such
provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity
or prohibition without invalidating the remainder of any such
provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement, and
this Agreement shall be construed to the maximum extent possible
to carry out its terms without such invalid or unenforceable
provision or portion of such provision. |
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Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if any
covenant or other provision contained in this Agreement shall be
declared to be invalid, unenforceable or prohibited by a court
or other tribunal of competent jurisdiction with respect to any
part of the Territories, such covenant or provision shall not be
affected with respect to any other part of the Territory, and
each of the parties agrees and submits to the reduction of such
territorial restriction to such an area as said court shall deem
reasonable. |
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4.2 Binding Effect; Benefit to Successors. This
Agreement shall be binding upon Founder, and shall inure to the
benefit of Holdco and its parent, affiliated and subsidiary
corporations, successors, representatives and assigns, including
any successors to or assigns of Holdco. |
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4.3 Third Party Beneficiary. The parties agree that
the Company and GameStop are third party beneficiaries of this
Agreement and, independently of Holdco, shall be entitled to
enforce this Agreement in all cases and in all respects as if it
were Holdco. |
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4.4 Attorneys Fees and Costs. In the event of
a breach, or alleged breach, of any agreement, term or provision
of this Agreement and the filing of a suit or other legal
proceeding in connection with the enforcement or construction of
any provision of this Agreement, the prevailing party in such
suit or other proceeding shall, in addition to any other
remedies available to it, be entitled to reasonable
attorneys fees and costs from the losing party. |
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4.5 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed
by and construed in accordance with the internal laws (and not
laws pertaining to conflicts or choice of law) of the State of
Delaware in all respects, including all matters of validity,
construction and performance of this Agreement. |
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4.6 Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the
entire agreement between Founder and Holdco with respect to the
subject matter of this Agreement. No claim of waiver,
modification, amendment, consent, or acquiescence with respect
to any of the provisions shall be made against any party, except
on the basis of a written instrument duly executed the party
alleged to be bound thereby. |
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4.7 Failure to Enforce. The failure of any party to
this Agreement to enforce any threatened or existing violation,
default or breach of this Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver
of such a violation, default or breach, and the other party to
this Agreement have the right to enforce the same at a later
time and the right to waive in writing any condition imposed in
this Agreement for such partys benefit without thereby
waiving any other provision or condition. |
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4.8 Incorporation of Recitals. The Recitals to this
Agreement are an integral part of this Agreement and are hereby
incorporated in this Agreement verbatim as a part of this
Agreement as if set forth in full. |
E-4
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4.9 Notices. Any and all notices and demands by any
party to this Agreement to any other party, required or desired
to be given under this Agreement, shall be in writing and shall
be validly given or made only if deposited in the United States
mail, express, certified or registered, postage prepaid, return
receipt requested, or if made by Federal Express or other
similar delivery service keeping records of deliveries and
attempted deliveries. If such notice or demand is served in the
manner provided, service shall be conclusively deemed made on
the first business day delivery is attempted or upon receipt,
whichever is sooner. The parties may change their address for
the purpose of receiving notices or demands by a written notice
given in the manner set forth above to the other, which notice
of change of address shall not become effective, however, until
the actual receipt of such notice by the other. |
To Founder:
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Mr. James J. Kim |
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911 Mount Pleasant Road |
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Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 |
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Telecopy No.: 610-525-7881 |
With a copy to:
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Drinker Biddle & Reath, LLP |
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One Logan Square |
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18th & Cherry Streets |
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Philadelphia, PA 19103 |
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Telecopy No.: 215-988-2757 |
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Attention: Stephen Burdumy |
To Holdco:
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GSC Holdings Corp. |
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2250 William D. Tate Avenue |
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Grapevine, Texas 76051 |
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Telecopy No: 817-424-2820 |
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Attention: R. Richard Fontaine |
With a copy to:
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Bryan Cave LLP |
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1290 Avenue of the Americas |
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New York, New York 10104 |
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Telecopy No: 212-541-1400 |
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Attention: Michael N. Rosen |
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4.10 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and
together which shall constitute one and the same agreement. |
E-5
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have entered into this Agreement
as of the date first set forth herein.
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FOUNDER:
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GSC HOLDINGS CORP. |
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By: |
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Mr. James J. Kim
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Name:
Title: |
E-6
SCHEDULE A
Australia
Canada
Denmark
Germany
Italy
New Zealand
Norway
Sweden
United Kingdom
Ireland
France
Spain
E-7
ANNEX F
VOTING AGREEMENT AND IRREVOCABLE PROXY
April 17, 2005
Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp.
931 South Matlack Street
West Chester, Pennsylvania 19382
GameStop Corp.
2250 William D. Tate Avenue
Grapevine, Texas 76051
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned (the Stockholders, and each a
Stockholder) understand that Electronics
Boutique Holdings Corp., a Delaware corporation
(Company), and GameStop Corp., a Delaware
corporation (GameStop), GameStop, Inc., a
Delaware corporation, GSC Holding Corp.
(Holdco), a Delaware corporation, Cowboy
Subsidiary LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and Eagle
Subsidiary LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, propose to
enter into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of
April 17, 2005 (the Merger Agreement),
providing for, among other things, the Mergers, in which, among
other things, (i) each issued and outstanding share of
Class A common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of
GameStop (GameStop Class A Common Stock)
will be converted into the right to receive one share of
Class A Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of
Holdco (the Holdco Class A Common Stock)
and (ii) each issued and outstanding share of Class B
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of GameStop
(GameStop Class B Common Stock and
together with GameStop Class A Common Stock, the
GameStop Common Stock) will be converted into
the right to receive one share of Class B Common Stock, par
value $0.001 per share, of Holdco (the Holdco
Class B Common Stock and together with the Holdco
Class A Common Stock, the Holdco Common
Stock). Capitalized terms used without definition in
this Voting Agreement (the Agreement) shall
have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Merger Agreement.
Each Stockholder is the beneficial and record owner of
(i) that number of shares of GameStop Common Stock,
(ii) outstanding options, warrants and other rights to
acquire shares of GameStop Common Stock, and (iii) the
additional securities of GameStop; in each case, as set forth
opposite the name of such Stockholder on Schedule I to this
Agreement. Each Stockholder, in its capacity as such, is
entering into this Agreement in consideration of, and as a
condition to, the Companys willingness to enter into the
Merger Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated
thereby.
Each Stockholder confirms its agreement with each of you as
follows:
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1. Each Stockholder represents, warrants and agrees that
(a) Schedule I to this Agreement sets forth the number
and type of shares of GameStop Common Stock (such shares,
together with any shares of GameStop Common Stock acquired by
such Stockholder on or after the date of this Agreement, whether
by exercise of options, warrants or other derivative securities
or otherwise, the Shares) and the number and
type of shares of GameStop Common Stock that are issuable upon
exercise of outstanding warrants, options or other derivative
securities, whether or not exercisable (the Derivative
Securities), of which such Stockholder is the record
or beneficial owner, (b) such Stockholder owns such Shares
and Derivative Securities, free and clear of all liens, pledges,
charges, encumbrances, voting agreements and commitments of
every kind, except for encumbrances imposed by margin accounts
maintained by each Stockholder or pledges to investment banks or
other third party lenders, and (c) such Stockholder has the
power to vote all Shares without restriction and no proxies
heretofore given in respect of any or all of the Shares are
irrevocable and that any such proxies have heretofore been or
are hereby revoked. Each Stockholder further represents and
warrants |
F-1
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that (i) the Spin-Off and the transactions contemplated by
the Merger Agreement are not part of a plan (or series of
related transactions) involving such Stockholder (and to the
knowledge of such Stockholder, involving any other Person)
pursuant to which one or more Persons acquire directly or
indirectly stock representing a 50-percent or greater interest
(measured by voting power or value) in GameStop (for these
purposes, the acquisition of GameStop by Holdco in accordance
with the terms of the Merger Agreement will not be considered a
plan to acquire a 50-percent or greater interest in GameStop)
and (ii) it had no agreement, understanding, arrangement or
Substantial Negotiations with GameStop, the Company, or any
other Person regarding the transactions contemplated by the
Merger Agreement or similar transactions at any time prior to
November 13, 2004 and to the Stockholders knowledge,
no Person had an agreement, understanding, arrangement or
Substantial Negotiations with GameStop, Barnes & Noble,
Inc. (B&N) or the Company regarding the
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement or similar
transactions at any time prior to November 13, 2004. For
purposes of this Agreement, Spin-Off means
the distribution of GameStop Class B Common Stock by
B&N on November 12, 2004, which was intended to be
tax-free pursuant to Section 355 of the Code, and
Substantial Negotiations include discussions
of significant economic terms (e.g. the exchange ratio in a
reorganization) between, on the one hand, such Stockholders or
one or more officers, directors or controlling stockholders of
GameStop or B&N or another Person or Persons with the
implicit or explicit permission of one or more officers,
directors or controlling stockholders of GameStop or B&N
with, on the other hand, one or more officers, directors or
controlling stockholders of the Company or another Person or
Persons with the implicit or explicit permission of one or more
officers, directors or controlling stockholders of the Company. |
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2. Each Stockholder agrees that it will not, directly or
indirectly, sell, transfer, assign, pledge, encumber or
otherwise dispose of any of the Shares, or any interest therein,
or any other securities convertible into or exchangeable for
GameStop Common Stock (including the Derivative Securities), or
any voting rights with respect thereto or enter into any
contract, option or other arrangement or understanding with
respect thereto (including any voting trust or agreement and the
granting of any proxy) other than (a) pursuant to the
Mergers, (b) encumbrances imposed by margin accounts
maintained by each Stockholder or pledges to investment banks or
other third party lenders and any other transfers resulting
therefrom, (c) transfers to family members of any
Stockholder, (d) transfers by operation of law, by will or
pursuant to the laws of decent or distribution, or (e) with
the prior written consent of the Company; provided that, in the
case of clauses (c) and (d) such family member or
transferee shall become a party to this Agreement subject to its
terms and obligations to the same extent as such Stockholder, by
executing and delivering to GameStop and the Company a
counterpart to this Agreement. Each Stockholder hereby agrees to
authorize and request GameStop to notify its transfer agent that
there is a stop transfer order with respect to all of the Shares
and that this Agreement places limits on the voting of the
Shares. If so requested by the Company, each Stockholder agrees
that the certificates representing Shares shall bear a legend
stating that they are subject to this Agreement and to the
irrevocable proxy granted in paragraph 4 of this Agreement. |
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3. At every meeting of the stockholders of GameStop called,
and at every postponement or adjournment thereof, and on every
action or approval by written consent of the stockholders of
GameStop, each Stockholder irrevocably agrees to vote any Shares
entitled to be voted thereat or to cause any such Shares to be
voted: (i) in favor of adoption of the Merger Agreement;
and (ii) against (A) any proposal made in opposition
to adoption of the Merger Agreement or in competition or
inconsistent with the GameStop Merger or any other transaction
contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (B) any GameStop
Takeover Proposal, (C) any change in the management or
board of directors of GameStop (other than as contemplated by
the Merger Agreement) and (D) any action or agreement that
would result in a breach of any representation, warranty,
covenant or agreement or any other obligation of GameStop under
the Merger Agreement or of such Stockholder under this
Agreement. The obligations of each Stockholder specified in this
paragraph 3 shall apply whether or not (x) the Board
of Directors of GameStop (or any committee thereof) shall
(I) withdraw (or modify in a manner adverse to the
Company), or publicly propose to withdraw (or modify in a manner
adverse to the Company), the approval, recommendation or
declaration of |
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advisability by such Board of Directors or any such committee
thereof of the Merger Agreement, the GameStop Merger or the
other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, or
(II) recommend, adopt or approve, or propose publicly to
recommend, adopt or approve, any GameStop Takeover Proposal, or
(III) approve or recommend, or allow GameStop or any of its
Subsidiaries to execute or enter into, any letter of intent,
memorandum of understanding, agreement in principle, merger
agreement, acquisition agreement, option agreement, joint
venture agreement, partnership agreement or similar agreement
constituting or related to any GameStop Takeover Proposal (other
than a confidentiality agreement referred to in
Section 5.3(a) of the Merger Agreement), or
(y) GameStop breaches any of its representations,
warranties, agreements or covenants set forth in the Merger
Agreement. |
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4. In furtherance of the agreements contained in
paragraph 3 of this Agreement and as security for such
agreements, each Stockholder hereby irrevocably appoints R.
Richard Fontaine and Daniel A. DeMatteo (the
Grantees), and each of them individually, as
the sole and exclusive attorneys-in-fact and proxies of such
Stockholder, for and in the name, place and stead of such
Stockholder, with full power of substitution and resubstitution,
to vote, grant a consent or approval in respect of, or execute
and deliver a proxy to vote, those Shares that are GameStop
Common Stock (a) in favor of the adoption of the Merger
Agreement, (b) against any matter referred to in
paragraph 3(ii) of this Agreement, and (c) in the
discretion of the Grantees, with respect to any proposed
postponements or adjournments of any annual or special meeting
of the stockholders of GameStop held in connection with any of
the foregoing. Each Stockholder hereby affirms that the
irrevocable proxy granted by this paragraph 4 is given in
connection with, and in consideration of, the execution of the
Merger Agreement by Company, GameStop, GSC Holdings Corp.,
Cowboy Subsidiary LLC and Eagle Subsidiary LLC and that such
irrevocable proxy is given to secure the performance of the
duties of such Stockholder under this Agreement. Each
Stockholder hereby further affirms that the proxy granted in
this paragraph 4 is coupled with an interest sufficient in
law to support an irrevocable power and may under no
circumstances be revoked by a Stockholder. Each Stockholder
hereby ratifies and confirms all that the Grantees may lawfully
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. The proxy contained
herein with respect to shares of GameStop Common Stock is
intended to be irrevocable in accordance with the provisions of
Section 212(e) of the Delaware General Corporation Law. |
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5. The parties acknowledge and agree that nothing contained
in this Agreement shall restrict, limit or prohibit any
affiliate of any Stockholder from exercising (in his capacity as
a director of GameStop or any such Person) his fiduciary duties
as such a director. |
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6. Each Stockholder represents and warrants that it has all
necessary power and authority to enter into this Agreement and
to grant the irrevocable proxy provided for in paragraph 5,
and that this Agreement is the legal, valid and binding
agreement of such Stockholder and is enforceable against such
Stockholder in accordance with its terms. |
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7. The representations and warranties contained in this
Agreement are accurate in all respects as of the date of this
Agreement. |
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8. This Agreement may be terminated as to any Stockholder
at the option of such Stockholder, Company or GameStop at any
time after the earlier of (a) termination of the Merger
Agreement in accordance with its terms or (b) the day
following the Effective Time. |
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9. From time to time each Stockholder shall take such
further actions as the Company may reasonably request for the
purpose of carrying out and furthering the intent of this
Agreement. |
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10. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without
giving effect to principles of conflict of laws. |
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11. Each Stockholder recognizes and acknowledges that a
breach by it of any covenants or agreements contained in this
Agreement will cause the Company to sustain damages for which it
would not have an adequate remedy at law for money damages, and
therefore each Stockholder |
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agrees that in the event of any such breach, the Company shall
be entitled to specific performance of such covenants and
agreements and injunctive and other equitable relief in addition
to any other remedy to which it may be entitled, at law or in
equity, without the necessity of posting any bond. |
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12. The effectiveness of this Agreement shall be
conditioned upon the execution and delivery of the Merger
Agreement by each of the parties thereto. |
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13. Except as provided in Section 2(b), each
Stockholder agrees that this Agreement and the obligations
hereunder shall attach to the Shares and shall be binding upon
any Person to which legal or beneficial ownership of the Shares
shall pass, whether by operation of law or otherwise. Neither
this Agreement, nor any of the interests or obligations
hereunder may be assigned or delegated by Stockholder, and any
attempted or purported assignment or delegation of any such
interests or obligations shall be void. |
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14. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts (including by facsimile), each of which shall be
deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute
one instrument. |
F-4
The parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed on
the date first above written.
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/s/ Leonard Riggio |
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Leonard Riggio |
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BARNES & NOBLE COLLEGE BOOKSELLERS, INC. |
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/s/ Leonard Riggio |
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Leonard Riggio, as Co-Trustee of The Riggio |
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Foundation |
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Acknowledged and Agreed: |
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GAMESTOP CORP. |
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By: |
/s/ R. Richard Fontaine |
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Name: R. Richard Fontaine |
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Title: |
Chief Executive Officer |
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ELECTRONICS BOUTIQUE HOLDINGS CORP. |
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By: |
/s/ Jeffrey W. Griffiths |
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Name: Jeffrey W. Griffiths |
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Title: |
President and Chief Executive Officer |
F-5
SCHEDULE I
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Number of Shares |
Name of Stockholder |
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of GameStop Owned |
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Leonard Riggio
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Class A Common Stock: 4,500,000(1) |
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Class B Common Stock: 5,256,936(2) |
Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, Inc.
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Class B Common Stock: 1,126,913(2) |
The Riggio Foundation
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Class B Common Stock: 654,946(2) |
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(1) |
All of these shares are issuable upon the exercise of stock
options. |
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(2) |
Mr. Riggio is the direct beneficial owner of
3,475,077 shares of Class B Common Stock.
Mr. Riggio is the indirect beneficial owner of
1,126,913 shares of Class B Common Stock owned by
Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, Inc., a New York
corporation, of which Mr. Riggio owns all of the currently
outstanding voting securities. As co-trustee of The Riggio
Foundation, a charitable trust, Mr. Riggio is the indirect
beneficial owner of 654,946 shares of Class B Common
Stock owned by The Riggio Foundation. Excluded from the
definition of Shares under this Agreement are
302,712 shares of Class B Common Stock held in a rabbi
trust established by Barnes & Noble, Inc. for the
benefit of Mr. Riggio pursuant to a deferred compensation
arrangement, but over which Mr. Riggio has no voting power. |
F-6
AMENDMENT TO VOTING AGREEMENT AND IRREVOCABLE PROXY
This Amendment to Voting Agreement and Irrevocable Proxy (this
Amendment), dated as of April 19, 2005,
is entered into by and among Leonard Riggio, Barnes &
Noble College Booksellers, Inc., The Riggio Foundation
(collectively, the Stockholders, and each a
Stockholder), Electronics Boutique Holdings
Corp., a Delaware corporation (EB), and
GameStop Corp., a Delaware corporation (GameStop).
BACKGROUND
A. The Stockholders are parties to that certain Voting Agreement
and Irrevocable Proxy, dated as of April 17, 2005 (the
Riggio Group Voting Agreement), pursuant to
which, among other things, the Stockholders agreed to vote all
shares of GameStop Common Stock beneficially owned by them in
favor of the adoption of that certain Agreement and Plan of
Merger, dated as of April 17, 2005, by and among GameStop,
GameStop, Inc., GSC Holdings Corp., Cowboy Subsidiary LLC, Eagle
Subsidiary LLC, and EB (the Merger
Agreement), and not to sell or otherwise transfer any
shares of GameStop Common Stock prior to the termination of such
Riggio Group Voting Agreement in accordance with its terms.
Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the
meanings ascribed to such terms in the Riggio Group Voting
Agreement.
B. The Stockholders desire to amend the Riggio Group Voting
Agreement to change the Grantees named therein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, intending to be
legally bound hereby, the parties agree as follows:
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Paragraph 4. The first sentence of
Paragraph 4 of the Riggio Group Voting Agreement is hereby
amended by deleting the words R. Richard Fontaine and
Daniel A. DeMatteo and replacing them with the following: |
Jeffrey W. Griffiths and Daniel J. Kaufman
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Conflict. In the event of any conflict between the
terms of the Riggio Group Voting Agreement and the terms of this
Amendment, the terms of this Amendment shall control. |
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Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in
counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original and
together shall constitute one and the same document. |
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Effectiveness of Agreement. Except as expressly
amended hereby, all provisions of the Riggio Group Voting
Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. |
[Signature page follows]
F-7
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Amendment to be
duly executed on the date first above written.
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/s/ Leonard Riggio |
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Leonard Riggio |
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BARNES & NOBLE COLLEGE
BOOKSELLERS, INC. |
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/s/ Leonard Riggio |
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Leonard Riggio, as Co-Trustee of The Riggio |
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Foundation |
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Acknowledged and Agreed: |
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GAMESTOP CORP. |
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Title: |
Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer |
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ELECTRONICS BOUTIQUE HOLDINGS CORP. |
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By: |
/s/ Jeffrey W. Griffiths |
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Name: Jeffrey W. Griffiths |
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Title: |
President and Chief Executive Officer |
F-8
ANNEX G
[LETTERHEAD OF CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.]
April 17, 2005
The Board of Directors
GameStop Corp.
2250 William D. Tate Avenue
Grapevine, Texas 76051
Members of the Board:
You have requested our opinion as to the fairness, from a
financial point of view, to GameStop Corp.
(GameStop) of the EB Merger Consideration (as
defined below) provided for in the Agreement and Plan of Merger,
dated as of April 17, 2005 (the Merger
Agreement), among GameStop, GameStop, Inc., a wholly owned
subsidiary of GameStop, GSC Holdings Corp., a wholly owned
subsidiary of GameStop, Inc. (Holdco), Cowboy
Subsidiary LLC (GameStop Merger Sub) and Eagle
Subsidiary LLC (EB Merger Sub), each a wholly owned
subsidiary of Holdco, and Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp.
(Electronics Boutique). As more fully described in
the Merger Agreement, GameStop Merger Sub will be merged with
and into GameStop (the GameStop Merger) and EB
Merger Sub will be merged with and into Electronics Boutique
(the Electronics Boutique Merger and, together with
the GameStop Merger, the Transaction) as a result of
which GameStop and Electronics Boutique will become wholly owned
subsidiaries of Holdco. Pursuant to the GameStop Merger,
outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock, par value
$0.001 per share, of GameStop (GameStop Class A
Common Stock) and Class B Common Stock, par value
$0.001 per share, of GameStop (GameStop Class B
Common Stock and, together with GameStop Class A
Common Stock, GameStop Common Stock) will be
converted into the right to receive shares of Class A
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of Holdco
(Holdco Class A Common Stock) and Class B
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of Holdco
(together with Holdco Class A Common Stock, Holdco
Common Stock), respectively. Pursuant to the Electronics
Boutique Merger, each outstanding share of the common stock, par
value $0.01 per share, of Electronics Boutique
(Electronics Boutique Common Stock) will be
converted into the right to receive (i) $38.15 per
share in cash (the EB Cash Consideration) and
(ii) 0.78795 of a share of Holdco Class A Common Stock
(such number of shares, the EB Stock Consideration
and, together with the EB Cash Consideration, the EB
Merger Consideration).
In arriving at our opinion, we reviewed the Merger Agreement and
held discussions with certain senior officers, directors and
other representatives and advisors of GameStop and certain
senior officers and other representatives and advisors of
Electronics Boutique concerning the businesses, operations and
prospects of GameStop and Electronics Boutique. We examined
certain publicly available business and financial information
relating to GameStop and Electronics Boutique as well as certain
financial forecasts and other information and data relating to
Electronics Boutique which were provided to or discussed with us
by the managements of GameStop and Electronics Boutique,
including adjustments to the forecasts and other information and
data relating to Electronics Boutique prepared by the management
of GameStop. We also reviewed certain information prepared by
the management of GameStop relating to the potential strategic
implications and operational benefits (including the amount,
timing and achievability thereof) anticipated by the management
of GameStop to result from the Transaction. We reviewed the
financial terms of the Transaction as set forth in the Merger
Agreement in relation to, among other things: current and
historical market prices of GameStop Class A Common Stock
and Electronics Boutique Common Stock; the historical and
projected earnings and other operating data of GameStop and
Electronics Boutique; and the capitalization and financial
condition of GameStop and Electronics Boutique. We considered,
to the extent publicly available, the financial terms of certain
other transactions which we considered relevant in evaluating
the Transaction and analyzed certain financial, stock market and
other
G-1
The Board of Directors
GameStop Corp.
April 17, 2005
Page 2
publicly available information relating to the businesses of
other companies whose operations we considered relevant in
evaluating those of GameStop and Electronics Boutique. We also
reviewed the potential pro forma projected earnings per share of
the combined company relative to the projected earnings per
share of GameStop on a standalone basis based on financial
forecasts and other information and data provided to or
discussed with us by the managements of GameStop and Electronics
Boutique. In addition to the foregoing, we conducted such other
analyses and examinations and considered such other information
and financial, economic and market criteria as we deemed
appropriate in arriving at our opinion.
In rendering our opinion, we have assumed and relied, without
assuming any responsibility for independent verification, upon
the accuracy and completeness of all financial and other
information and data publicly available or provided to or
otherwise reviewed by or discussed with us and upon the
assurances of the managements of GameStop and Electronics
Boutique that they are not aware of any relevant information
that has been omitted or that remains undisclosed to us. With
respect to financial forecasts and other information and data
provided to or otherwise reviewed by or discussed with us
(including adjustments to the forecasts and other information
and data relating to Electronics Boutique prepared by the
management of GameStop and the potential strategic implications
and operational benefits anticipated by the management of
GameStop to result from the Transaction), we have been advised
by the managements of GameStop and Electronics Boutique that
such forecasts and other information and data were reasonably
prepared on bases reflecting the best currently available
estimates and judgments of the managements of GameStop and
Electronics Boutique as to the future financial performance of
GameStop and Electronics Boutique, such potential strategic
implications and operational benefits and the other matters
covered thereby and have assumed, with your consent, that the
financial results (including such potential strategic
implications and operational benefits) reflected in such
forecasts and other information and data will be realized in the
amounts and at the times projected. We have assumed, with your
consent, that the Transaction will be consummated in accordance
with its terms, without waiver, modification or amendment of any
material term, condition or agreement and that, in the course of
obtaining the necessary regulatory or third party approvals,
consents, releases and waivers for the Transaction, no delay,
limitation, restriction or condition will be imposed that would
have an adverse effect on GameStop, Electronics Boutique or
Holdco or on the contemplated benefits of the Transaction. We
also have assumed, with your consent, that each of the GameStop
Merger and the EB Merger will qualify for federal income tax
purposes as a transaction described in Section 351 of the
Internal Revenue Code, as amended. We are not expressing any
opinion as to what the value of Holdco Common Stock actually
will be when issued pursuant to the Transaction or the prices at
which Holdco Common Stock, GameStop Common Stock or Electronics
Boutique Common Stock will trade at any time. We have not made
or been provided with an independent evaluation or appraisal of
the assets or liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of GameStop,
Electronics Boutique or Holdco nor have we made any physical
inspection of the properties or assets of GameStop, Electronics
Boutique or Holdco. We express no view as to, and our opinion
does not address, the underlying business decision of GameStop
to effect the Transaction, the relative merits of the
Transaction as compared to any alternative business strategies
that might exist for GameStop or the effect of any other
transaction in which GameStop might engage. Our opinion is
necessarily based upon information available to us, and
financial, stock market and other conditions and circumstances
existing and disclosed to us, as of the date hereof.
Citigroup Global Markets Inc. has acted as financial advisor to
GameStop in connection with the proposed Transaction and will
receive a fee for such services, a significant portion of which
is contingent upon the consummation of the Transaction and a
portion of which is payable in connection with the delivery of
this opinion. We and our affiliates in the past have provided,
and currently are providing, services to GameStop and certain of
its affiliates unrelated to the proposed Transaction, for which
services
G-2
The Board of Directors
GameStop Corp.
April 17, 2005
Page 3
we and such affiliates have received, and expect to receive,
compensation, including having acted as GameStops
financial advisor in 2004 in connection with GameStops
repurchase of a portion of the shares of GameStop Class B
Common Stock held by Barnes & Noble, Inc.
(B&N), an affiliate of Leonard Riggio, a
director and stockholder of GameStop, and the subsequent
distribution of the remaining shares of GameStop Class B
Common Stock held by B&N to its stockholders and having
acted as financial advisor to B&N in 2004 in connection with
its acquisition of barnesandnoble.com inc. We and our affiliates
also in the past have provided services to certain affiliates of
Electronics Boutique unrelated to the proposed Transaction, for
which services we and such affiliates have received
compensation, including having acted as lead manager in 2003 and
2004 for certain equity and debt securities financings, and as
sole bookrunner in 2003 for an equity securities financing, of
certain affiliates of James Kim, Chairman of the Board of
Electronics Boutique. As you are aware, one of our affiliates
also will be acting as administrative agent and will be a lender
under, and we will be acting as lead bookrunner for, certain
bank and debt or equity securities financings contemplated to be
undertaken by GameStop in connection with the Transaction, for
which services we and such affiliate expect to receive
compensation. In the ordinary course of our business, we and our
affiliates may actively trade or hold the securities of GameStop
and Electronics Boutique for our own account or for the account
of our customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold a long
or short position in such securities. In addition, we and our
affiliates (including Citigroup Inc. and its affiliates) may
maintain relationships with GameStop, Electronics Boutique and
their respective affiliates.
Our advisory services and the opinion expressed herein are
provided for the information of the Board of Directors of
GameStop in its evaluation of the proposed Transaction, and our
opinion is not intended to be and does not constitute a
recommendation to any stockholder as to how such stockholder
should vote or act on any matters relating to the proposed
Transaction.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, our experience as
investment bankers, our work as described above and other
factors we deemed relevant, we are of the opinion that, as of
the date hereof, the EB Merger Consideration to be paid in the
Transaction is fair, from a financial point of view, to GameStop.
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Very truly yours, |
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/s/ Citigroup Global
Markets Inc.
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CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC. |
G-3
ANNEX H
Global Markets & Investment Banking Group
April 17, 2005
Board of Directors
Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp.
931 South Matlack Street
West Chester, PA 19382
Members of the Board of Directors:
GameStop Corp. (the Acquiror), GameStop, Inc.
(GameStop, Inc.), GSC Holdings Corp., a
newly-formed, wholly-owned subsidiary of GameStop, Inc.
(Holdco), Cowboy Subsidiary LLC, a newly-formed,
wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdco (GameStop Merger
Sub), Eagle Subsidiary LLC, a newly-formed, wholly-owned
subsidiary of Holdco (Company Merger Sub), and
Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp. (the Company)
propose to enter into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the
Agreement) pursuant to which (a) the Company
Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company in a merger
(the Company Merger) in which each share of common
stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company
(Company Common Stock) issued and outstanding (other
than Cancelled Shares, which shares will be cancelled, and
Dissenting Shares (each as defined in the Agreement)) will be
converted into the right to receive the following consideration:
(i) $38.15 in cash (the Company Cash
Consideration) and (ii) 0.78795 shares of Holdco
Class A Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share
(together with the Company Cash Consideration, the Company
Merger Consideration), and (b) GameStop Merger Sub
will be merged with and into the Acquiror in a merger (together
with the Company Merger, the Mergers) in which
(i) each share of Class A Common Stock, par value
$0.001 per share, of the Acquiror (Acquiror
Class A Common Stock) issued and outstanding (other
than shares owned by Acquiror, GameStop Merger Sub or the
Company, which shares will be cancelled) will be converted into
the right to receive one share of Holdco Class A Common
Stock, par value $0.001 per share (Holdco
Class A Common Stock) and (ii) each share of
Class B Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of
the Acquiror (Acquiror Class B Common Stock
and, together with the Acquiror Class A Common Stock, the
Acquiror Common Stock) issued and outstanding (other
than shares owned by Acquiror, GameStop Merger Sub or the
Company, which shares will be cancelled) will be converted into
the right to receive one share of Holdco Class B Common
Stock, par value $0.001 per share (Holdco
Class B Common Stock and, together with the Holdco
Class A Common Stock, the Holdco Common Stock).
As a result of the Mergers, the Company and Acquiror shall both
become wholly-owned subsidiaries of Holdco.
We also understand that (i) simultaneously with the
execution of the Agreement, EB Nevada Inc., James J. Kim
(together, the Kim Group), the Acquiror and the
Company propose to enter into a Voting Agreement (the Kim
Group Voting Agreement) pursuant to which, among other
things, the Kim Group will agree, subject to certain
limitations, to vote all shares of Company Common Stock
beneficially owned by the Kim Group in favor of the adoption of
the Agreement and not to sell or otherwise transfer any shares
of Company Common Stock prior to the termination of the Kim
Group Voting Agreement in accordance with its terms,
(ii) simultaneously with the execution of the Agreement,
H-1
Leonard Riggio, Barnes & Noble College Booksellers,
Inc., The Riggio Foundation (collectively, the Riggio
Group), the Acquiror and the Company propose to enter into
a Voting Agreement (the Riggio Group Voting
Agreement) pursuant to which, among other things, the
Riggio Group will agree to vote all shares of Acquiror Common
Stock beneficially owned by the Riggio Group in favor of the
adoption of the Agreement and not to sell or otherwise transfer
any shares of Acquiror Common Stock prior to the termination of
such Riggio Group Voting Agreement in accordance with its terms,
(iii) on or prior to the Closing Date (as defined in the
Agreement), Holdco and the Kim Group propose to enter into a
Registration Rights Agreement (the Registration Rights
Agreement) pursuant to which, among other things, the Kim
Group will have certain rights relating to the registration of
the Holdco Common Shares received in the Company Merger and
(iv) on or prior to the Closing Date, Holdco and James J.
Kim propose to enter into a Non-Competition Agreement (the
Non-Competition Agreement) pursuant to which, among
other things, Mr. Kim will agree, subject to the terms and
conditions of the Non-Competition Agreement, not to compete with
Holdco, Acquiror and the Company.
You have asked us whether, in our opinion, the Company Merger
Consideration to be received pursuant to the Company Merger is
fair from a financial point of view to the holders of the
Company Common Stock, other than the Acquiror, its affiliates
and the Kim Group.
In arriving at the opinion set forth below, we have, among other
things:
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(1) Reviewed certain publicly available business and
financial information relating to the Company and the Acquiror
that we deemed to be relevant; |
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(2) Reviewed certain information, including financial
forecasts, relating to the business, earnings, cash flow,
assets, liabilities and prospects of the Company and the
Acquiror, as well as the amount and timing of the cost savings
and related expenses and synergies expected to result from the
Mergers (the Expected Synergies) furnished to us by
each of the Company and the Acquiror; |
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(3) Conducted discussions with members of senior management
of the Company and the Acquiror concerning the matters described
in clauses 1 and 2 above, as well as their respective
businesses and prospects before and after giving effect to the
Mergers and the Expected Synergies; |
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(4) Reviewed the market prices and valuation multiples for
the Company Common Stock and the Acquiror Common Stock and
compared them with those of certain publicly traded companies
that we deemed to be relevant; |
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(5) Reviewed the results of operations of the Company and
the Acquiror and compared them with those of certain publicly
traded companies that we deemed to be relevant; |
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(6) Compared the proposed financial terms of the Mergers
with the financial terms of certain other transactions that we
deemed to be relevant; |
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(7) Participated in certain discussions and negotiations
among representatives of the Company and the Acquiror and their
financial and legal advisors; |
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(8) Reviewed the potential pro forma impact of the Mergers; |
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(9) Reviewed an April 17, 2005 draft of the Agreement; |
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(10) Reviewed an April 17, 2005 draft of the Kim Group
Voting Agreement; |
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(11) Reviewed an April 16, 2005 draft of the Riggio
Group Voting Agreement; |
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(12) Reviewed an April 17, 2005 form of the
Registration Rights Agreement; |
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(13) Reviewed an April 16, 2005 form of the
Non-Competition Agreement; and |
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(14) Reviewed such other financial studies and analyses and
took into account such other matters as we deemed necessary,
including our assessment of general economic, market and
monetary conditions. |
H-2
In preparing our opinion, we have assumed and relied on the
accuracy and completeness of all information supplied or
otherwise made available to us, discussed with or reviewed by or
for us, or publicly available, and we have not assumed any
responsibility for independently verifying such information or
undertaken an independent evaluation or appraisal of any of the
assets or liabilities of the Company or the Acquiror or been
furnished with any such evaluation or appraisal, nor have we
evaluated the solvency or fair value of the Company or the
Acquiror under any state or federal laws relating to bankruptcy,
insolvency or similar matters. In addition, we have not assumed
any obligation to conduct any physical inspection of the
properties or facilities of the Company or the Acquiror. With
respect to the financial forecast information and the Expected
Synergies furnished to or discussed with us by the Company or
the Acquiror, we have assumed that they have been reasonably
prepared and reflect the best currently available estimates and
judgment of the Companys or the Acquirors management
as to the expected future financial performance of the Company
or the Acquiror, as the case may be, and the Expected Synergies.
We have further assumed that the exchange of Acquiror
Class A Common Stock, Acquiror Class B Common Stock
and Company Common Stock for Holdco Class A Common Stock
and Holdco Class B Common Stock, as applicable, pursuant to
the Mergers, taken together, shall qualify as a transaction
described in Section 351 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended. We have also assumed that the final forms of
the Agreement, the Kim Group Voting Agreement, the Riggio Group
Voting Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement and the
Non-Competition Agreement will be substantially similar to the
last drafts reviewed by us.
Our opinion is necessarily based upon market, economic and other
conditions as they exist and can be evaluated on, and on the
information made available to us as of, the date hereof. We have
assumed that in the course of obtaining the necessary regulatory
or other consents or approvals (contractual or otherwise) for
the Mergers, no restrictions, including any divestiture
requirements or amendments or modifications, will be imposed
that will have a material adverse effect on the contemplated
benefits of the Mergers.
In connection with the preparation of this opinion, we have not
been authorized by the Company or the Board of Directors to
solicit, nor have we solicited, third-party indications of
interest for the acquisition of all or any part of the Company.
We are acting as financial advisor to the Company in connection
with the Mergers and will receive a fee from the Company for our
services, a significant portion of which is contingent upon the
consummation of the Mergers. In addition, the Company has agreed
to indemnify us for certain liabilities arising out of our
engagement. We and certain of our affiliates, with your consent,
are acting as initial lender and joint book-running lead
arranger for a senior credit facility, and are engaged as joint
book-running managing underwriter, placement agent, or initial
purchaser, in each case along with certain other financial
institutions, to provide financing to the Acquiror in connection
with the proposed Mergers. We and our affiliates will receive
underwriting, commitment and other fees in connection with such
financing. In addition, we have, in the past, provided financial
advisory and financing services to the Company and the Acquiror
and/or their affiliates and may continue to do so and have
received, and may receive, fees for the rendering of such
services. In addition, in the ordinary course of our business,
we may actively trade the Company Common Stock and other
securities of the Company, as well as the Acquiror Common Stock
and other securities of the Acquiror, for our own account and
for the accounts of customers and, accordingly, may at any time
hold a long or short position in such securities.
This opinion is for the use and benefit of the Board of
Directors of the Company. Our opinion does not address the
merits of the underlying decision by the Company to engage in
the Mergers and does not constitute a recommendation to any
shareholder as to how such shareholder should vote on the
proposed Mergers or any matter related thereto. In addition, you
have not asked us to address, and this opinion does not address,
the fairness to, or any other consideration of, the holders of
any class of securities, creditors or other constituencies of
the Company, other than the holders of Company Common Stock
(except for the Acquiror, its affiliates and the Kim Group).
H-3
We are not expressing any opinion herein as to the prices at
which the Company Common Stock or the Acquiror Common Stock will
trade following the announcement of the Merger or how the Holdco
Common Stock will trade following the consummation of the Merger.
On the basis of and subject to the foregoing, we are of the
opinion that, as of the date hereof, the Company Merger
Consideration to be received pursuant to the Company Merger is
fair from a financial point of view to the holders of the
Company Common Stock, other than the Acquiror, its affiliates
and the Kim Group.
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/s/ Merrill Lync |
h, Pierce, Fenner & Smith |
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MERRILL LYNC |
H, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH |
H-4
ANNEX I
April 17, 2005
Board of Directors
Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp.
931 South Matlack Street
West Chester, Pennsylvania 19382
Ladies and Gentlemen:
You have asked us to advise you with respect to the fairness
from a financial point of view of the consideration proposed to
be received by the holders of common stock, par value
$0.01 per share (Company Common Stock), of
Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp. (the Company),
other than the Kim Group (as such term is defined in the
Agreement and Plan of Merger, to be dated on or about
April 17, 2005 (the Merger Agreement), by and
among GameStop Corp. (GameStop), GSC Holdings Corp.,
a wholly-owned subsidiary of GameStop (Holdco),
Cowboy Subsidiary LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdco
(GameStop Merger Sub), Eagle Subsidiary LLC, a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdco (Company Merger
Sub), and the Company), pursuant to the Merger Agreement.
We understand that the Merger Agreement provides for the merger
of Company Merger Sub with and into the Company, with the
Company continuing as the surviving corporation in the merger as
a wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdco (the Company
Merger), and for the merger of GameStop Merger Sub with
and into GameStop, with GameStop continuing as the surviving
corporation in the merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdco
(the GameStop Merger and together with the Company
Merger, the Mergers). Upon the effectiveness of the
Company Merger, each issued and outstanding share of Company
Common Stock will be converted into the right to receive
0.78795 shares of Class A common stock, par value
$0.001 per share, of Holdco (Holdco Class A
Common Stock) plus $38.15 in cash. Upon the effectiveness
of the GameStop Merger, each issued and outstanding share of
Class A common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of
GameStop (GameStop Class A Common Stock) will
be converted into the right to receive one share of Holdco
Class A Common Stock and each issued and outstanding share
of Class B common stock, par value $0.001 per share,
of GameStop (GameStop Class B Common Stock and
together with the GameStop Class A Common Stock,
GameStop Common Stock) will be converted into the
right to receive one share of Class B common stock, par
value $0.001 per share, of Holdco (Holdco
Class B Common Stock and together with the Holdco
Class A Common Stock, Holdco Common Stock). The
Mergers will become effective at the same time. We also
understand that the Merger Agreement contemplates that, in
connection with the execution and delivery of the Merger
Agreement, (i) GameStop, the Company and certain
stockholders of the Company will enter into a letter agreement,
to be dated on or about the date of the Merger Agreement (the
Company Stockholder Voting Agreement), pursuant to
which such stockholders will agree, among other things, to vote
their shares of Company Common Stock in favor of the Company
Merger, and (ii) GameStop, the Company and certain
stockholders of GameStop will enter into a letter agreement, to
be dated on or about the date of the Merger Agreement (the
GameStop Stockholder Voting Agreement and together
with the Company Stockholder Voting Agreement, the Voting
Agreements), pursuant to which such stockholders will
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agree, among other things, to vote their shares of GameStop
Common Stock in favor of the GameStop Merger,. We refer to the
Mergers and the transactions contemplated by the Voting
Agreements as the Transactions.
For purposes of the opinion set forth herein, we have:
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(i) reviewed certain publicly available financial
statements and other information of the Company and GameStop; |
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(ii) reviewed certain internal financial statements and
other financial and operating data concerning the Company and
GameStop prepared by the management of the Company and GameStop,
respectively; |
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(iii) reviewed certain financial projections for the
Company and GameStop, including estimates of certain potential
benefits of the proposed business combination, prepared by the
management of the Company and GameStop, respectively; |
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(iv) discussed the past and current operations, financial
condition and prospects of the Company and GameStop with the
management of the Company and GameStop, respectively; |
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(v) reviewed the reported prices and trading activity of
Company Common Stock and GameStop Common Stock; |
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(vi) compared the financial performance and condition of
the Company and GameStop and the reported prices and trading
activity of Company Common Stock and GameStop Common Stock with
that of certain other comparable publicly traded companies; |
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(vii) reviewed publicly available information regarding the
financial terms of certain transactions comparable, in whole or
in part, to the Transactions; |
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(viii) participated in certain discussions among
representatives of each of the Company and GameStop; |
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(ix) reviewed the draft Merger Agreement dated as of
April 16, 2005, the draft Company Stockholder Voting
Agreement dated as of April 17, 2005 and the draft GameStop
Stockholder Voting Agreement dated as of April 17,
2005; and |
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(x) performed such other analyses as we have deemed
appropriate. |
We have assumed and relied upon the accuracy and completeness of
the information reviewed by us for the purposes of this opinion
and we have not assumed any responsibility for independent
verification of such information. With respect to the financial
projections, including the estimates made by the Companys
management and GameStops management of certain potential
benefits of the proposed business combination, we have assumed
that the financial projections were reasonably prepared on bases
reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments
of the future financial performance of the Company and GameStop,
respectively. We have not conducted a physical inspection of the
facilities or property of the Company or GameStop. We have not
assumed any responsibility for any independent valuation or
appraisal of the assets or liabilities of the Company or
GameStop, nor have we been furnished with any such valuation or
appraisal. Furthermore, we have not considered any tax effects
of the Mergers or the transaction structure on any person or
entity.
We have assumed that the final form of each Agreement will be
substantially the same as the last draft of such Agreement
reviewed by us. We have also assumed that the Mergers will be
consummated in accordance with the terms of the Merger
Agreement, without waiver, modification or amendment of any
material term, condition or agreement and that, in the course of
obtaining the necessary regulatory or third party approvals,
consents and releases for the Mergers, no delay, limitation,
restriction or condition will be imposed that would have a
material adverse effect on the Company or GameStop or the
contemplated benefits of the Mergers. We have further assumed
that all representations and warranties set forth in the
Agreements are and will be true and correct as of the date or
the dates made or deemed made and that all
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parties to the Agreements will comply with all covenants of such
party thereunder. We have also assumed that Holdco Class A
Common Stock and Holdco Class B Common Stock have identical
powers, preferences and rights, except that holders of Holdco
Class A Common Stock will have one vote per share and
holders of Holdco Class B Common Stock will have ten votes
per share, in each case on matters for which the stockholders of
Holdco are entitled to vote.
Our opinion is necessarily based on economic, market and other
conditions as in effect on, and the information made available
to us as of, April 15, 2005. In particular, we do not
express any opinion as to the prices at which shares of Company
Common Stock, GameStop Common Stock or Holdco Common Stock may
trade at any future time. Furthermore, our opinion does not
address the Companys underlying business decision to
undertake any part of the Transactions.
In arriving at our opinion, we were not authorized to solicit,
and did not solicit, interest from any party with respect to a
merger or other business combination transaction involving the
Company or any of its assets.
The financial advisory services we have provided to the Company
in connection with the Transactions were limited to the delivery
of this opinion. We will receive a fee upon the delivery of this
opinion. During the past two years, we have provided certain
financial advisory services to Barnes & Noble, Inc.
and/or its affiliates in connection with the sale of shares of
GameStop Common Stock in a private sale and the spin-off of
shares of GameStop Common Stock to its stockholders, for which
services we received a customary fee.
This letter is solely for the information of the board of
directors of the Company and is not on behalf of and is not
intended to confer rights or remedies upon any other entity or
person, and may not be used for any other purpose without our
prior written consent. This letter does not constitute a
recommendation to any holder of Company Common Stock or any
other person as to how any such holder or person should vote or
act on any matter relating to any part of the Transactions.
Based on, and subject to, the foregoing, we are of the opinion
that on the date hereof, the consideration proposed to be
received by the holders of Company Common Stock in connection
with the Company Merger is fair from a financial point of view
to the holders of Company Common Stock (other than the Kim
Group).
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Very truly yours, |
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/s/ Peter J. Solomon
Company, l.p.
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PETER J. SOLOMON COMPANY, L.P. |
I-3
ANNEX J
GENERAL CORPORATION LAW OF DELAWARE
SECTION 262 APPRAISAL RIGHTS
(a) Any stockholder of a corporation of this State who
holds shares of stock on the date of the making of a demand
pursuant to subsection (d) of this section with
respect to such shares, who continuously holds such shares
through the effective date of the merger or consolidation, who
has otherwise complied with subsection (d) of this
section and who has neither voted in favor of the merger or
consolidation nor consented thereto in writing pursuant to
§ 228 of this title shall be entitled to an appraisal
by the Court of Chancery of the fair value of the
stockholders shares of stock under the circumstances
described in subsections (b) and (c) of this section.
As used in this section, the word stockholder means
a holder of record of stock in a stock corporation and also a
member of record of a nonstock corporation; the words
stock and share mean and include what is
ordinarily meant by those words and also membership or
membership interest of a member of a nonstock corporation; and
the words depository receipt mean a receipt or other
instrument issued by a depository representing an interest in
one or more shares, or fractions thereof, solely of stock of a
corporation, which stock is deposited with the depository.
(b) Appraisal rights shall be available for the shares of
any class or series of stock of a constituent corporation in a
merger or consolidation to be effected pursuant to
§ 251 (other than a merger effected pursuant to
§ 251(g) of this title), § 252,
§ 254, § 257, § 258,
§ 263 or § 264 of this title:
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(1) Provided, however, that no appraisal rights under this
section shall be available for the shares of any class or series
of stock, which stock, or depository receipts in respect
thereof, at the record date fixed to determine the stockholders
entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the meeting of
stockholders to act upon the agreement of merger or
consolidation, were either (i) listed on a national
securities exchange or designated as a national market system
security on an interdealer quotation system by the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or (ii) held of
record by more than 2,000 holders; and further provided that no
appraisal rights shall be available for any shares of stock of
the constituent corporation surviving a merger if the merger did
not require for its approval the vote of the stockholders of the
surviving corporation as provided in subsection (f) of
§ 251 of this title. |
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(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this
subsection, appraisal rights under this section shall be
available for the shares of any class or series of stock of a
constituent corporation if the holders thereof are required by
the terms of an agreement of merger or consolidation pursuant to
§§ 251, 252, 254, 257, 258, 263 and 264 of this
title to accept for such stock anything except: |
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a. Shares of stock of the corporation surviving or
resulting from such merger or consolidation, or depository
receipts in respect thereof; |
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b. Shares of stock of any other corporation, or depository
receipts in respect thereof, which shares of stock (or
depository receipts in respect thereof) or depository receipts
at the effective date of the merger or consolidation will be
either listed on a national securities exchange or designated as
a national market system security on an interdealer quotation
system by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
or held of record by more than 2,000 holders; |
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c. Cash in lieu of fractional shares or fractional
depository receipts described in the foregoing subparagraphs a.
and b. of this paragraph; or |
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d. Any combination of the shares of stock, depository
receipts and cash in lieu of fractional shares or fractional
depository receipts described in the foregoing subparagraphs a.,
b. and c. of this paragraph. |
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(3) In the event all of the stock of a subsidiary Delaware
corporation party to a merger effected under § 253 of
this title is not owned by the parent corporation immediately
prior to the merger, appraisal rights shall be available for the
shares of the subsidiary Delaware corporation. |
(c) Any corporation may provide in its certificate of
incorporation that appraisal rights under this section shall be
available for the shares of any class or series of its stock as
a result of an amendment to its certificate of incorporation,
any merger or consolidation in which the corporation is a
constituent corporation or the sale of all or substantially all
of the assets of the corporation. If the certificate of
incorporation contains such a provision, the procedures of this
section, including those set forth in subsections (d) and
(e) of this section, shall apply as nearly as is
practicable.
(d) Appraisal rights shall be perfected as follows:
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(1) If a proposed merger or consolidation for which
appraisal rights are provided under this section is to be
submitted for approval at a meeting of stockholders, the
corporation, not less than 20 days prior to the meeting,
shall notify each of its stockholders who was such on the record
date for such meeting with respect to shares for which appraisal
rights are available pursuant to subsection (b) or
(c) hereof that appraisal rights are available for any or
all of the shares of the constituent corporations, and shall
include in such notice a copy of this section. Each stockholder
electing to demand the appraisal of such stockholders
shares shall deliver to the corporation, before the taking of
the vote on the merger or consolidation, a written demand for
appraisal of such stockholders shares. Such demand will be
sufficient if it reasonably informs the corporation of the
identity of the stockholder and that the stockholder intends
thereby to demand the appraisal of such stockholders
shares. A proxy or vote against the merger or consolidation
shall not constitute such a demand. A stockholder electing to
take such action must do so by a separate written demand as
herein provided. Within 10 days after the effective date of
such merger or consolidation, the surviving or resulting
corporation shall notify each stockholder of each constituent
corporation who has complied with this subsection and has not
voted in favor of or consented to the merger or consolidation of
the date that the merger or consolidation has become
effective; or |
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(2) If the merger or consolidation was approved pursuant to
§ 228 or § 253 of this title, then either a
constituent corporation before the effective date of the merger
or consolidation or the surviving or resulting corporation
within 10 days thereafter shall notify each of the holders
of any class or series of stock of such constituent corporation
who are entitled to appraisal rights of the approval of the
merger or consolidation and that appraisal rights are available
for any or all shares of such class or series of stock of such
constituent corporation, and shall include in such notice a copy
of this section. Such notice may, and, if given on or after the
effective date of the merger or consolidation, shall, also
notify such stockholders of the effective date of the merger or
consolidation. Any stockholder entitled to appraisal rights may,
within 20 days after the date of mailing of such notice,
demand in writing from the surviving or resulting corporation
the appraisal of such holders shares. Such demand will be
sufficient if it reasonably informs the corporation of the
identity of the stockholder and that the stockholder intends
thereby to demand the appraisal of such holders shares. If
such notice did not notify stockholders of the effective date of
the merger or consolidation, either (i) each such
constituent corporation shall send a second notice before the
effective date of the merger or consolidation notifying each of
the holders of any class or series of stock of such constituent
corporation that are entitled to appraisal rights of the
effective date of the merger or consolidation or (ii) the
surviving or resulting corporation shall send such a second
notice to all such holders on or within 10 days after such
effective date; provided, however, that if such second notice is
sent more than 20 days following the sending of the first
notice, such second notice need only be sent to each stockholder
who is entitled to appraisal rights and who has demanded
appraisal of such holders shares in accordance with this
subsection. An affidavit of the secretary or assistant secretary
or of the transfer agent of the corporation that is required to
give either notice that such notice has been given shall, in the
absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated
therein. For purposes of determining the stockholders entitled
to receive either notice, each constituent corporation may fix,
in advance, a record date that shall be not more than
10 days prior to the date the notice is given, |
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provided, that if the notice is given on or after the effective
date of the merger or consolidation, the record date shall be
such effective date. If no record date is fixed and the notice
is given prior to the effective date, the record date shall be
the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which
the notice is given. |
(e) Within 120 days after the effective date of the
merger or consolidation, the surviving or resulting corporation
or any stockholder who has complied with subsections
(a) and (d) hereof and who is otherwise entitled to
appraisal rights, may file a petition in the Court of Chancery
demanding a determination of the value of the stock of all such
stockholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time within
60 days after the effective date of the merger or
consolidation, any stockholder shall have the right to withdraw
such stockholders demand for appraisal and to accept the
terms offered upon the merger or consolidation. Within
120 days after the effective date of the merger or
consolidation, any stockholder who has complied with the
requirements of subsections (a) and (d) hereof, upon
written request, shall be entitled to receive from the
corporation surviving the merger or resulting from the
consolidation a statement setting forth the aggregate number of
shares not voted in favor of the merger or consolidation and
with respect to which demands for appraisal have been received
and the aggregate number of holders of such shares. Such written
statement shall be mailed to the stockholder within 10 days
after such stockholders written request for such a
statement is received by the surviving or resulting corporation
or within 10 days after expiration of the period for
delivery of demands for appraisal under
subsection (d) hereof, whichever is later.
(f) Upon the filing of any such petition by a stockholder,
service of a copy thereof shall be made upon the surviving or
resulting corporation, which shall within 20 days after
such service file in the office of the Register in Chancery in
which the petition was filed a duly verified list containing the
names and addresses of all stockholders who have demanded
payment for their shares and with whom agreements as to the
value of their shares have not been reached by the surviving or
resulting corporation. If the petition shall be filed by the
surviving or resulting corporation, the petition shall be
accompanied by such a duly verified list. The Register in
Chancery, if so ordered by the Court, shall give notice of the
time and place fixed for the hearing of such petition by
registered or certified mail to the surviving or resulting
corporation and to the stockholders shown on the list at the
addresses therein stated. Such notice shall also be given by 1
or more publications at least 1 week before the day of the
hearing, in a newspaper of general circulation published in the
City of Wilmington, Delaware or such publication as the Court
deems advisable. The forms of the notices by mail and by
publication shall be approved by the Court, and the costs
thereof shall be borne by the surviving or resulting corporation.
(g) At the hearing on such petition, the Court shall
determine the stockholders who have complied with this section
and who have become entitled to appraisal rights. The Court may
require the stockholders who have demanded an appraisal for
their shares and who hold stock represented by certificates to
submit their certificates of stock to the Register in Chancery
for notation thereon of the pendency of the appraisal
proceedings; and if any stockholder fails to comply with such
direction, the Court may dismiss the proceedings as to such
stockholder.
(h) After determining the stockholders entitled to an
appraisal, the Court shall appraise the shares, determining
their fair value exclusive of any element of value arising from
the accomplishment or expectation of the merger or
consolidation, together with a fair rate of interest, if any, to
be paid upon the amount determined to be the fair value. In
determining such fair value, the Court shall take into account
all relevant factors. In determining the fair rate of interest,
the Court may consider all relevant factors, including the rate
of interest which the surviving or resulting corporation would
have had to pay to borrow money during the pendency of the
proceeding. Upon application by the surviving or resulting
corporation or by any stockholder entitled to participate in the
appraisal proceeding, the Court may, in its discretion, permit
discovery or other pretrial proceedings and may proceed to trial
upon the appraisal prior to the final determination of the
stockholder entitled to an appraisal. Any stockholder whose name
appears on the list filed by the surviving or resulting
corporation pursuant to subsection (f) of this section
and who has submitted such stockholders certificates of
stock to the Register in Chancery, if such is required, may
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participate fully in all proceedings until it is finally
determined that such stockholder is not entitled to appraisal
rights under this section.
(i) The Court shall direct the payment of the fair value of
the shares, together with interest, if any, by the surviving or
resulting corporation to the stockholders entitled thereto.
Interest may be simple or compound, as the Court may direct.
Payment shall be so made to each such stockholder, in the case
of holders of uncertificated stock forthwith, and the case of
holders of shares represented by certificates upon the surrender
to the corporation of the certificates representing such stock.
The Courts decree may be enforced as other decrees in the
Court of Chancery may be enforced, whether such surviving or
resulting corporation be a corporation of this State or of any
state.
(j) The costs of the proceeding may be determined by the
Court and taxed upon the parties as the Court deems equitable in
the circumstances. Upon application of a stockholder, the Court
may order all or a portion of the expenses incurred by any
stockholder in connection with the appraisal proceeding,
including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys fees
and the fees and expenses of experts, to be charged pro rata
against the value of all the shares entitled to an appraisal.
(k) From and after the effective date of the merger or
consolidation, no stockholder who has demanded appraisal rights
as provided in subsection (d) of this section shall be
entitled to vote such stock for any purpose or to receive
payment of dividends or other distributions on the stock (except
dividends or other distributions payable to stockholders of
record at a date which is prior to the effective date of the
merger or consolidation); provided, however, that if no petition
for an appraisal shall be filed within the time provided in
subsection (e) of this section, or if such stockholder
shall deliver to the surviving or resulting corporation a
written withdrawal of such stockholders demand for an
appraisal and an acceptance of the merger or consolidation,
either within 60 days after the effective date of the
merger or consolidation as provided in
subsection (e) of this section or thereafter with the
written approval of the corporation, then the right of such
stockholder to an appraisal shall cease. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, no appraisal proceeding in the Court of Chancery
shall be dismissed as to any stockholder without the approval of
the Court, and such approval may be conditioned upon such terms
as the Court deems just.
(l) The shares of the surviving or resulting corporation to
which the shares of such objecting stockholders would have been
converted had they assented to the merger or consolidation shall
have the status of authorized and unissued shares of the
surviving or resulting corporation.
J-4
ANNEX K
AMENDED AND RESTATED
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
GSC HOLDINGS CORP.
GSC Holdings Corp., a corporation organized and existing under
the laws of the State of Delaware, pursuant to Sections 242
and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware,
as the same may be amended and supplemented (the
GCL), hereby certifies as follows:
1. The name of this corporation is GSC Holdings Corp. The
original Certificate of Incorporation was filed on
April 13, 2005.
2. This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
restates and integrates and further amends the original
Certificate of Incorporation to read in its entirety as follows:
FIRST: The name of the corporation is [GSC Holdings
Corp.] (the Corporation).
SECOND: The registered office of the Corporation is to be
located at 615 S. Dupont Highway, City of Dover,
County of Kent, State of Delaware. The name of its registered
agent at that address is Capitol Services, Inc.
THIRD: The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any
lawful act or activity for which a corporation may be organized
under the GCL.
FOURTH: (a) Authorized Capital Stock. The
total number of shares of stock that the Corporation shall have
authority to issue is 405,000,000 of which
(i) 300,000,000 shares shall be shares of Class A
Common Stock, par value $.00l per share (the
Class A Common Stock),
(ii) 100,000,000 shares shall be shares of
Class B Common Stock, par value $.00l per share (the
Class B Common Stock) (the Class A
Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock being
collectively referred to herein as the Common
Stock), and (iii) 5,000,000 shares shall be
shares of Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per share (the
Preferred Stock), issuable in one or more
series as hereinafter provided. The number of authorized shares
of any class or classes of capital stock of the Corporation may
be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares
thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders
of a majority of the voting power of the stock of the
Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors (Voting Stock) irrespective of the
provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the GCL or any
corresponding provision hereinafter enacted.
(b) Common Stock.
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(A) All shares of Common Stock will be identical in all
respects and will entitle the holders thereof to the same rights
and privileges, except as otherwise provided in this Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation (this Certificate
of Incorporation). |
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(B) The holders of shares of Common Stock shall have the
following voting rights: |
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(1) At every meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation
every holder of Class A Common Stock shall be entitled to
one vote in person or by proxy for each share of Class A
Common Stock standing in such holders name on the transfer
books of the Corporation in connection with the election of
directors and all other matters submitted to a vote of
stockholders. |
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(2) At every meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation
every holder of Class B Common Stock shall be entitled to
ten 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 in |
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connection with the election of directors and all other matters
submitted to a vote of stockholders. |
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(3) Except as may be otherwise required by law or by this
Certificate of Incorporation, the holders of Class A Common
Stock and Class B Common Stock shall vote together as a
single class and their votes shall be counted and totaled
together, subject to any voting rights which may be granted to
holders of Preferred Stock, on all matters submitted to a vote
of stockholders of the Corporation. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Certificate of Incorporation to the contrary,
holders of Class A Common Stock shall not be eligible to
vote on any alteration or change in the powers, preferences, or
special rights of the Class B Common Stock that would not
adversely affect the rights of the Class A Common Stock;
provided that, for the foregoing purposes, any provision for the
voluntary, mandatory or other conversion or exchange of the
Class B Common Stock into or for Class A Common Stock
on a one for one basis shall be deemed not to adversely affect
the rights of the Class A Common Stock. |
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(C) All rights to vote and all power (including, without
limitation, thereto, the right to elect directors) shall be
vested exclusively in the holders of Common Stock, voting
together as a single class, except as expressly provided in this
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, in a
Certificate of Designation with respect to any Preferred Stock
or as otherwise expressly required by applicable law. |
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(D) No stockholder shall be entitled to exercise any right
of cumulative voting. |
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(ii) Dividends and Distributions. Subject to
the rights of the holders of Preferred Stock, and subject to any
other provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation, holders
of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock shall
be entitled to receive such dividends and other distributions in
cash, stock of any corporation (other than Common Stock of the
Corporation) 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
and shall share equally on a per share basis in all such
dividends and other distributions. In the case of dividends or
other distributions payable in Common Stock, including
distributions pursuant to stock splits or divisions of Common
Stock of the Corporation, only shares of Class A Common
Stock shall be paid or distributed with respect to Class A
Common Stock and only shares of Class B Common Stock shall
be paid or distributed with respect to Class B Common
Stock. The number of shares of Class A Common Stock and
Class B Common Stock so distributed on each share shall be
equal in number. |
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(iii) Stock Splits. Neither the shares of
Class A Common Stock nor the shares of Class B Common
Stock may be reclassified, subdivided or combined unless such
reclassification, subdivision or combination occurs
simultaneously and in the same proportion for each class. |
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(iv) Mergers, Consolidation, Etc. In case of
any consolidation, merger, combination or other transaction in
which shares of Common Stock are exchanged for or changed into
other stock or securities, cash and/or any other property, each
holder of a share of Class A Common Stock shall be entitled
to receive with respect to such share the same kind and amount
of shares of stock and other securities and property (including
cash) receivable upon such consolidation, merger, combination or
other transaction by a holder of a share of Class B Common
Stock and each holder of a share of Class B Common Stock
shall be entitled to receive with respect to such share the same
kind and amount of shares of stock and other securities and
property (including cash) receivable upon such consolidation,
merger, combination or other transaction by a holder of a share
of Class A Common Stock. In the event that the holders of
Class A Common Stock (or of Class B Common Stock) are
granted rights to elect to receive one of two or more
alternative forms of consideration, the foregoing provision
shall be deemed satisfied if holders of Class A Common
Stock and holders of Class B Common Stock are granted
substantially identical election rights. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, in the event of any of the foregoing transactions,
the holders of Class B Common Stock may receive securities
that differ as to voting rights and powers on a per share basis
from the securities received by |
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the holders of Class A Common Stock, provided, however,
that such difference shall not exceed ten to one, respectively.
The provisions set forth above shall not apply in the event of
any internal restructuring of the Corporation that does not
change the economic terms, voting rights or other provisions of
such Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock in
effect immediately prior to such internal restructuring by the
Corporation. |
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(v) Liquidation Rights. In the event of any
dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the
Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, after payment in
full of the amounts required to be paid to the holders of
Preferred Stock, the remaining assets and funds of the
Corporation shall be distributed pro rata to the holders of
Common Stock, and the holders of Class A Common Stock and
the holders of Class B Common Stock will be entitled to
receive the same amount per share in respect thereof. For
purposes of this paragraph (b)(v), the voluntary sale,
conveyance, lease, exchange or transfer (for cash, shares of
stock, securities or other consideration) of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Corporation or a
consolidation or merger of the Corporation with one or more
other corporations (whether or not the Corporation is the
corporation surviving such consolidation or merger) shall not be
deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up, voluntary
or involuntary. |
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(vi) No Preemptive Rights. No stockholder of
the Corporation shall have any preemptive or preferential right,
nor be entitled as such as a matter of right, to subscribe for
or purchase any part of any new or additional issue of stock of
the Corporation of any class or series, whether now or hereafter
authorized, and whether issued for money or for consideration
other than money, or of any issue of securities convertible into
stock of the Corporation. |
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(vii) No Redemption Rights. No
stockholder of the Corporation shall have any right to have the
shares of Common Stock held by such holder redeemed by the
Corporation. |
(c) Series A Preferred Stock. A series
of Preferred Stock of the Corporation hereby is created, and the
designation and amount thereof, and the voting powers,
preferences and relative, optional and other special rights of
the shares of such series, and the qualifications, limitations
or restrictions thereof, are as follows:
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(i) Designation, Par Value and Amount. The
shares of such series shall be designated as Series A
Junior Participating Preferred Stock (the
Series A Preferred), the shares of such
series shall be with par value of $.001 per share, and the
number of shares constituting such series shall be 500,000;
provided, however, that, if more than a total of
500,000 shares of Series A Preferred shall be issuable
upon the exercise of Rights (the Rights)
issued pursuant to the Rights Agreement, dated as of
,
2005, between the Corporation and The Bank of New York, as
Rights Agent (as amended from time to time) (the Rights
Agreement), the Board of Directors, pursuant to the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, shall direct
by resolution or resolutions that a certificate be properly
executed, acknowledged and filed providing for the total number
of shares of Series A Preferred authorized to be issued to
be increased (to the extent that the Certificate of
Incorporation then permits) to the largest number of whole
shares (rounded up to the nearest whole number) issuable upon
exercise of the Rights. |
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(ii) Dividends and Distributions. |
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(A) Subject to the prior and superior rights of the holders
of any shares of any series of Preferred Stock ranking prior and
superior to the shares of Series A Preferred with respect
to dividends, the holders of shares of Series A Preferred,
in preference to the holders of Class A Common Stock,
Class B Common Stock, and any other junior stock, shall be
entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of
Directors out of funds legally available for the purpose,
quarterly dividends payable in cash on the 30th day of each
of April, July, October and January in each year (or, in each
case, if not a date on which the Corporation is open for
business, the next succeeding business day) or such earlier date
in any such month on which dividends on the Common Stock are
payable (each such date being referred to herein as a
Quarterly Dividend Payment Date), commencing
on the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date after the first |
K-3
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issuance of a share or fraction of a share of Series A
Preferred, in an amount per share (rounded to the nearest cent)
equal to the greater of (a) $1.00 or (b) subject to
the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth,
1,000 times the aggregate per share amount of all cash
dividends, and 1,000 times the aggregate per share amount
(payable in kind) of all non-cash dividends or other
distributions other than a dividend payable in shares of Common
Stock or a subdivision of the outstanding shares of Common Stock
(by reclassification or otherwise), declared on the Common
Stock, since the immediately preceding Quarterly Dividend
Payment Date, or, with respect to the first Quarterly Dividend
Payment Date, since the first issuance of any share or fraction
of a share of Series A Preferred. In the event the
Corporation shall at any time
after (the
Rights Declaration Date) (i) declare any
dividend on Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock,
(ii) subdivide the outstanding Common Stock, or
(iii) combine the outstanding Common Stock into a smaller
number of shares, then in each such case the amount to which
holders of shares of Series A Preferred were entitled
immediately prior to such event under clause (b) of the
preceding sentence shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount
by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of shares of
Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the
denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock
that were outstanding immediately prior to such event. |
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(B) The Corporation shall declare a dividend or
distribution on the Series A Preferred as provided in
paragraph (A) above immediately after it declares a
dividend or distribution on the Common Stock (other than a
dividend payable in shares of Common Stock); provided that, in
the event no dividend or distribution shall have been declared
on the Common Stock during the period between any Quarterly
Dividend Payment Date and the next subsequent Quarterly Dividend
Payment Date, a dividend of $1.00 per share on the
Series A Preferred shall nevertheless be payable on such
subsequent Quarterly Dividend Payment Date. |
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(C) Dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative on
outstanding shares of Series A Preferred from the Quarterly
Dividend Payment Date next preceding the date of issue of such
shares of Series A Preferred, unless the date of issue of
such shares is prior to the record date for the first Quarterly
Dividend Payment Date, in which case dividends on such shares
shall begin to accrue from the date of issue of such shares, or
unless the date of issue is a Quarterly Dividend Payment Date or
is a date after the record date for the determination of holders
of shares of Series A Preferred entitled to receive a
quarterly dividend and before such Quarterly Dividend Payment
Date in either of which events such dividends shall begin to
accrue and be cumulative from such Quarterly Dividend Payment
Date. Accrued but unpaid dividends shall not bear interest.
Dividends paid on the shares of Series A Preferred in an
amount less than the total amount of such dividends at the time
accrued and payable on such shares shall be allocated pro rata
on a share-by-share basis among all such shares at the time
outstanding. The Board of Directors may fix a record date for
the determination of holders of shares of Series A
Preferred entitled to receive payment of a dividend or
distribution declared thereon, which record date shall be no
more than 30 days prior to the date fixed for the payment
thereof. |
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(iii) Voting Rights. The holders of shares of
Series A Preferred shall have the following voting rights: |
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(A) Subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set
forth, each share of Series A Preferred shall entitle the
holder thereof to 10,000 votes on all matters submitted to a
vote of the stockholders of the Corporation. In the event the
Corporation shall at any time after the Rights Declaration Date
(i) declare any dividend on Common Stock payable in shares
of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding Common
Stock, or (iii) combine the outstanding Common Stock into a
smaller number of shares, then in each such case the number of
votes per share to which holders of shares of Series A
Preferred were entitled immediately prior to such event shall be
adjusted by multiplying such number by a fraction the numerator
of which is the number of votes entitled to be cast by the
holders of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately |
K-4
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after such event and the denominator of which is the number of
votes entitled to be cast by the holders of shares of Common
Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event. |
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(B) Except as otherwise provided herein or by law, the
holders of shares of Series A Preferred and the holders of
shares of Common Stock shall vote together as one class on all
matters submitted to a vote of stockholders of the Corporation. |
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(C) (1) If at any time dividends on any Series A
Preferred shall be in arrears in an amount equal to six
(6) quarterly dividends thereon, the occurrence of such
contingency shall mark the beginning of a period (herein called
a default period) which shall extend until such time
when all accrued and unpaid dividends for all previous quarterly
dividend periods and for the current quarterly dividend period
on all shares of Series A Preferred then outstanding shall
have been declared and paid or set apart for payment. During
each default period, all holders of Preferred Stock (including
holders of the Series A Preferred) with dividends in
arrears in an amount equal to six (6) quarterly dividends
thereon, voting as a class, irrespective of series, shall have
the right to elect two (2) Directors. |
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(2) During any default period, such voting right of the
holders of Series A Preferred may be exercised initially at
a special meeting called pursuant to
subparagraph (3) of this paragraph (iii)(C) or at
any annual meeting of stockholders, and thereafter at annual
meetings of stockholders, provided that neither such voting
right nor the right of the holders of any other series of
Preferred Stock, if any, to increase, in certain cases, the
authorized number of Directors shall be exercised unless the
holders of ten percent (10%) in number of shares of Preferred
Stock outstanding shall be present in person or by proxy. The
absence of a quorum of the holders of Common Stock shall not
affect the exercise by the holders of Preferred Stock of such
voting right. At any meeting at which the holders of Preferred
Stock shall exercise such voting right initially during an
existing default period, they shall have the right, voting as a
class, to elect Directors to fill such vacancies, if any, in the
Board of Directors as may then exist up to two
(2) Directors or, if such right is exercised at an annual
meeting, to elect two (2) Directors. If the number which
may be so elected at any special meeting does not amount to the
required number, the holders of the Preferred Stock shall have
the right to make such increase in the number of Directors as
shall be necessary to permit the election by them of the
required number. After the holders of the Preferred Stock shall
have exercised their right to elect Directors in any default
period and during the continuance of such period, the number of
Directors shall not be increased or decreased except by vote of
the holders of Preferred Stock as herein provided or pursuant to
the rights of any equity securities ranking senior to or pari
passu with the Series A Preferred. |
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(3) Unless the holders of Preferred Stock shall, during an
existing default period, have previously exercised their right
to elect Directors, the Board of Directors may order, or any
stockholder or stockholders owning in the aggregate not less
than ten percent (10%) of the total number of shares of
Preferred Stock outstanding, irrespective of series, may
request, the calling of a special meeting of the holders of
Preferred Stock, which meeting shall thereupon be called by the
Chairman of the Board, any Vice Chairman, the Chief Executive
Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, any
Vice-President or the Secretary of the Corporation. Notice of
such meeting and of any annual meeting at which holders of
Preferred Stock are entitled to vote pursuant to this
subparagraph (C)(3) shall be given to each holder of record
of Preferred Stock by mailing a copy of such notice to him at
his last address as the same appears on the books of the
Corporation. Such meeting shall be called for a time not earlier
than 20 days and not later than 60 days after such
order or request or in default of the calling of such meeting
within 60 days after such order or request, such meeting
may be called on similar notice by any stockholder or
stockholders owning in the aggregate not less than ten percent
(10%) of the total number of shares of Preferred Stock
outstanding. Notwithstanding the provisions of this
subparagraph (C)(3), no such special meeting shall be
called during the period within 60 days immediately
preceding the date fixed for the next annual meeting of the
stockholders. |
K-5
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(4) In any default period, the holders of Common Stock, and
other classes of stock of the Corporation if applicable, shall
continue to be entitled to elect the whole number of Directors
until the holders of Preferred Stock shall have exercised their
right to elect two (2) Directors voting as a class, after
the exercise of which right (x) the Directors so elected by
the holders of Preferred Stock shall continue in office until
their successors shall have been elected by such holders or
until the expiration of the default period, and (y) any
vacancy in the Board of Directors may (except as provided in
subparagraph (C)(2) of this paragraph (iii)) be filled
by vote of a majority of the remaining Directors theretofore
elected by the holders of the class of stock which elected the
Director whose office shall have become vacant. References in
this subparagraph (C) to Directors elected by the
holders of a particular class of stock shall include Directors
elected by such Directors to fill vacancies as provided in
clause (y) of the foregoing sentence. |
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(5) Immediately upon the expiration of a default period,
(x) the right of the holders of Preferred Stock as a class
to elect Directors shall cease, (y) the term of any
Directors elected by the holders of Preferred Stock as a class
shall terminate, and (z) the number of Directors shall be
such number as may be provided for in the Certificate of
Incorporation or By-laws of the Corporation (the
By-laws) irrespective of any increase made pursuant
to the provisions of subparagraph (C)(2) of this
paragraph (iii) (such number being subject, however to
change thereafter in any manner provided by law or in the
Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws). Any vacancies in the
Board of Directors effected by the provisions of
clauses (y) and (z) in the preceding sentence may
be filled by a majority of the remaining Directors. |
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(D) Except as set forth herein, holders of Series A
Preferred shall have no special voting rights and their consent
shall not be required (except to the extent they are entitled to
vote with holders of Common Stock as set forth herein) for
taking any corporate action. |
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(iv) Certain Restrictions. |
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(A) Whenever quarterly dividends or other dividends or
distributions payable on the Series A Preferred as provided
in paragraph (i) are in arrears, thereafter and until
all accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions, whether or
not declared, on shares of Series A Preferred outstanding
shall have been paid in full, the Corporation shall not: |
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(1) declare or pay dividends on, make any other
distributions on, or redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for
consideration any shares of stock ranking junior (either as to
dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the
Series A Preferred; |
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(2) declare or pay dividends on or make any other
distributions on any shares of stock ranking on a parity (either
as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up)
with the Series A Preferred, except dividends paid ratably
on the Series A Preferred and all such parity stock on
which dividends are payable or in arrears in proportion to the
total amounts to which the holders of all such shares are then
entitled; |
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(3) redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for
consideration shares of any stock ranking on a parity (either as
to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up)
with the Series A Preferred, provided that the Corporation
may at any time redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire shares of
any such parity stock in exchange for shares of any stock of the
Corporation ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon
dissolution, liquidation or winding up) to the Series A
Preferred; or |
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(4) purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any
shares of Series A Preferred, or any shares of stock
ranking on a parity with the Series A Preferred, except in
accordance with a purchase offer made in writing or by
publication (as determined by the Board of Directors) to all
holders of such shares upon such terms as the Board of
Directors, after consideration of the respective annual dividend
rates and other relative rights and preferences |
K-6
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of the respective series and classes, shall determine in good
faith will result in fair and equitable treatment among the
respective series or classes. |
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(B) The Corporation shall not permit any subsidiary of the
Corporation to purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration
any shares of stock of the Corporation unless the Corporation
could, under subparagraph (A) of this
paragraph (iv), purchase or otherwise acquire such shares
at such time and in such manner. |
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(v) Reacquired Shares. Any shares of
Series A Preferred purchased or otherwise acquired by the
Corporation in any manner whatsoever shall be retired and
cancelled promptly after the acquisition thereof. All such
shares shall upon their cancellation become authorized but
unissued shares of Preferred Stock and may be reissued as part
of a new series of Preferred Stock to be created by resolution
or resolutions of the Board of Directors, subject to the
conditions and restrictions on issuance set forth herein. |
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(vi) Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up.
(A) Upon any liquidation (voluntary or otherwise),
dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, no distribution
shall be made to the holders of shares of stock ranking junior
(either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or
winding up) to the Series A Preferred unless, prior
thereto, the holders of shares of Series A Preferred shall
have received $1,000 per share, plus an amount equal to
accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions thereon, whether
or not declared, to the date of such payment (the
Series A Liquidation Preference).
Following the payment of the full amount of the Series A
Liquidation Preference, no additional distributions shall be
made to the holders of shares of Series A Preferred unless,
prior thereto, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall have
received an amount per share (the Common
Adjustment) equal to the quotient obtained by dividing
(i) the Series A Liquidation Preference by
(ii) 1,000 (as appropriately adjusted as set forth in
subparagraph (c) below to reflect such events as stock
splits, stock dividends and recapitalizations with respect to
the Common Stock) (such number in clause (ii), the
Adjustment Number). Following the payment of
the full amount of the Series A Liquidation Preference and
the Common Adjustment in respect of all outstanding shares of
Series A Preferred and Common Stock, respectively, holders
of Series A Preferred and holders of shares of Common Stock
shall receive their ratable and proportionate share of the
remaining assets to be distributed in the ratio of the
Adjustment Number to 1 with respect to such Preferred Stock and
Common Stock, on a per share basis, respectively. |
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(B) In the event there are not sufficient assets available
to permit payment in full of the Series A Liquidation
Preference and the liquidation preferences of all other series
of preferred stock, if any, which rank on a parity with the
Series A Preferred, then such remaining assets shall be
distributed ratably to the holders of such parity shares in
proportion to their respective liquidation preferences. In the
event there are not sufficient assets available to permit
payment in full of the Common Adjustment, then such remaining
assets shall be distributed ratably to the holders of Common
Stock. |
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(C) In the event the Corporation shall at any time after
the Rights Declaration Date (i) declare any dividend on
Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock,
(ii) subdivide the outstanding Common Stock, or
(iii) combine the outstanding Common Stock into a smaller
number of shares, then in each such case the Adjustment Number
in effect immediately prior to such event shall be adjusted by
multiplying such Adjustment Number by a fraction the numerator
of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the
number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding
immediately prior to such event. |
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(vii) Consolidation, Merger, etc. In case the
Corporation shall enter into any consolidation, merger,
combination or other transaction in which the shares of Common
Stock are exchanged for or changed into other stock or
securities, cash and/or any other property, then in any such
case the shares of Series A Preferred shall at the same
time be similarly exchanged or changed in an amount per share
(subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth)
equal to 1,000 times the aggregate amount of stock, securities,
cash and/or any other property (payable in kind), as the case |
K-7
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may be, into which or for which each share of Common Stock is
changed or exchanged. In the event the Corporation shall at any
time after the Rights Declaration Date (i) declare any
dividend on Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock,
(ii) subdivide the outstanding Common Stock, or
(iii) combine the outstanding Common Stock into a smaller
number of shares, then in each such case the amount set forth in
the preceding sentence with respect to the exchange or change of
shares of Series A Preferred shall be adjusted by
multiplying such amount by a fraction the numerator of which is
the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately
after such event and the denominator of which is the number of
shares of Common Stock that are outstanding immediately prior to
such event. |
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(viii) No Redemption. The shares of
Series A Preferred shall not be redeemable. |
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(ix) Ranking. The Series A Preferred
shall rank junior to all other series of the Corporations
Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends and the
distribution of assets, unless the terms of any such series
shall provide otherwise. |
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(x) Amendment. The Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation shall not be
further amended in any manner which would materially alter or
change the powers, preferences or special rights of the
Series A Preferred so as to affect them adversely without
the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority or more of the
outstanding shares of Series A Preferred, voting separately
as a class. |
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(xi) Fractional Shares. Series A
Preferred may be issued in fractions of a share which shall
entitle the holder, in proportion to such holders fractional
shares, to exercise voting rights, receive dividends,
participate in distributions and to have the benefit of all
other rights of holders of Series A Preferred. |
(d) Preferred Stock.
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(i) Authorization. Subject to the voting and
approval procedures set forth in the By-laws, the Board of
Directors is hereby expressly granted authority to authorize
from time to time in accordance with law the issuance of the
remaining 4,500,000 shares of Preferred Stock, one or more
series of Preferred Stock and with respect to any such series to
fix by resolution or resolutions the numbers, powers,
designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional
or other special rights of such series and the qualifications,
limitations or restrictions thereof, including but without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, the following: |
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(A) entitling the holders thereof to cumulative,
non-cumulative or partially cumulative dividends, or to no
dividends; |
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(B) entitling the holders thereof to receive dividends
payable on a parity with, junior to, or in preference to, the
dividends payable on any other class or series of capital stock
of the Corporation; |
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(C) entitling the holders thereof to rights upon the
voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up
of, or upon any other distribution of the assets of, the
Corporation, on a parity with, junior to or in preference to,
the rights of any other class or series of capital stock of the
Corporation; |
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(D) providing for the conversion, at the option of the
holder or of the Corporation or both, of the shares of Preferred
Stock into shares of any other class or classes of capital stock
of the Corporation or of any series of the same or any other
class or classes or into property of the Corporation or into the
securities or properties of any other corporation or person,
including provision for adjustment of the conversion rate in
such events as the Board of Directors shall determine, or
providing for no conversion; |
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(E) providing for the redemption, in whole or in part, of
the shares of Preferred Stock at the option of the Corporation
or the holder thereof, in cash, bonds or other property, at such |
K-8
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price or prices (which amount may vary under different
conditions and at different redemption dates), within such
period or periods, and under such conditions as the Board of
Directors shall so provide, including provisions for the
creation of a sinking fund for the redemption thereof, or
providing for no redemption; |
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(F) lacking voting rights or having limited voting rights
or enjoying general, special or multiple voting rights; |
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(G) specifying the number of shares constituting that
series and the distinctive designation and stated value of that
series; |
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(H) specifying the limitations and restrictions, if any, to
be effective while any shares of such series are outstanding
upon the payment of dividends or the making of other
distributions on, and upon the purchase, redemption or other
acquisition by the Corporation of 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, dissolution
or winding-up; |
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(I) specifying the conditions or restrictions, if any, upon
the creation of indebtedness of the Corporation or upon the
issuance 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 distributions of assets upon liquidation,
dissolution or winding-up; and |
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(J) providing for any other power, preference and relative,
participating, optional or other rights or terms, and the
qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, as shall
not be inconsistent with applicable law, this
paragraph (d)(J) or any resolution of the Board of
Directors pursuant hereto. |
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All shares of any one series of Preferred Stock shall be
identical in all respects with the other shares of such series,
except that shares of any one series of Preferred Stock issued
at different times may differ as to the dates from which
dividends thereon shall be cumulative. The Board of Directors
may change the powers, designation, preferences, rights,
qualifications, limitations and restrictions of, and number of
shares in, any series of Preferred Stock as to which no shares
are issued and outstanding. |
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(ii) Dividends. Dividends on outstanding
shares of Preferred Stock shall be paid or declared and set
apart for payment before any dividends shall be paid or declared
and set apart for payment on the Common Stock with respect to
the same dividend period. |
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(iii) Liquidation Rights. If upon any
voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up
of the Corporation, the assets available for distribution to
holders of shares of Preferred Stock of all series shall be
insufficient to pay such holders the full preferential amount to
which they are entitled, then such assets shall be distributed
in accordance with the respective priorities and preferential
amounts (including unpaid cumulative dividends, if any, and
interest thereon, if any) payable with respect thereto, and
among shares of any series of Preferred Stock, ratably among the
shares of such series. |
FIFTH: (a) Classification of
Directors. The business and affairs of the Corporation
shall be managed by or under the direction of a Board of
Directors initially consisting of three directors, the exact
number of directors to be not less than three nor more than
fifteen as determined from time to time by resolution adopted by
affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors.
The directors shall be divided into three classes, designated
Class I, Class II and Class III. Each class shall
consist, as nearly as may be possible, of one-third of the total
number of directors constituting the entire Board of Directors.
Class I directors shall be elected initially for a one-year
term, Class II directors initially for a two-year term and
Class III directors initially for a three-year term. At
each succeeding annual meeting of stockholders beginning in
2006, successors to the class of directors whose term expires at
that annual meeting shall be elected for a three-year term. If
the number of directors is changed, any increase or
K-9
decrease shall be apportioned among the classes so as to
maintain the number of directors in each class as nearly equal
as possible, and any additional director of any class elected to
fill a vacancy resulting from an increase in such class shall
hold office for a term that shall coincide with the remaining
term of that class, but in no case will a decrease in the number
of directors shorten the term of any incumbent director. A
director shall hold office until the annual meeting of the year
in which his term expires and until his successor shall be
elected and shall qualify, subject, however, to prior death,
resignation or removal from office. Any vacancy on the Board of
Directors may be filled by a majority of the directors then in
office, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining
director or by stockholders if such vacancy was caused by the
action of stockholders (in which event such vacancy may not be
filled by the directors or a majority thereof).
Any director elected to fill a vacancy not resulting from an
increase in the number of directors shall have the same
remaining term as that of his predecessor.
(b) Vacancies in the Board. Except as
expressly provided in a Certificate of Designation with respect
to any Preferred Stock, newly created directorships resulting
from any increase in the number of directors and any vacancies
on the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation,
disqualification, removal or other cause shall be filled by the
affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office,
even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, or
by stockholders if such vacancy was caused by the removal of a
director by the action of stockholders (in which event such
vacancy may not be filled by the directors or a majority
thereof). Any director elected in accordance with the preceding
sentence shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of
the class of directors in which the new directorship was created
or the vacancy occurred and until such directors successor
shall have been duly elected and qualified. No decrease in the
number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall
shorten the term of any incumbent director.
(c) Removal of Directors. Subject to the
rights of the holders of any class or series of Preferred Stock
to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, any
director may be removed from office only for cause upon the
affirmative vote of holders of at least 80% of the voting power
of the then outstanding Voting Stock, voting as a single class.
A director may not be removed by the stockholders at a meeting
unless the notice of the meeting states that the purpose, or one
of the purposes, of the meeting is removal of the director.
(d) Amendment to this Article FIFTH.
Notwithstanding anything contained in this Certificate of
Incorporation to the contrary, the affirmative vote of the
holders of at least 80% of the voting power of the then
outstanding Voting Stock, voting together as a single class,
shall be required to amend, repeal or adopt any provision
inconsistent with this Article FIFTH.
SIXTH: (a) (1) Except as otherwise provided by law
or this Certificate of Incorporation, and subject to any rights
of holders of Preferred Stock, the provisions of this
Certificate of Incorporation shall not be modified, revised,
altered or amended, repealed or rescinded in whole or in part,
without the approval of the holders of at least a majority of
the voting power of the then outstanding Voting Stock, voting
together as a single class; provided, however, that with respect
to any proposed amendment of this Certificate of Incorporation
which would alter or change the powers, preferences or special
rights of the shares of Class A Common Stock or
Class B Common Stock so as to affect them adversely, the
approval of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the
holders of the shares affected by the proposed amendment, voting
separately as a class, shall be obtained in addition to the
approval of the holders of at least a majority (or such higher
percentage as required by law or this Certificate of
Incorporation) of the voting power of the then outstanding
Voting Stock, voting together as a single class as hereinbefore
provided.
(2) Every reference in this Certificate of Incorporation to
a majority or other proportion of shares, or a majority or other
proportion of the votes of shares, of Voting Stock, Common
Stock, Class A Common Stock, or Class B Common Stock
shall refer to such majority or other proportion of the votes to
which such shares of Voting Stock, Common Stock, Class A
Common Stock or Class B Common Stock are entitled.
K-10
(b) The Board of Directors is expressly empowered to adopt,
amend or repeal By-laws of the Corporation. Any adoption,
amendment or repeal of the By-laws of the Corporation by the
Board of Directors shall require the approval of a majority of
the entire Board of Directors. The stockholders shall also have
power to adopt, amend or repeal the By-laws of the Corporation;
provided, however, that, in addition to any vote of the holders
of any class or series of stock of the Corporation required by
law or by this Certificate of Incorporation, the affirmative
vote of the holders of at least 80% of the voting power of all
of the then-outstanding shares of the capital stock of the
Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required
to adopt, amend or repeal any provision of the By-laws of the
Corporation.
(c) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Certificate
of Incorporation to the contrary, the affirmative vote of the
holders of at least 80% of the voting power of the then
outstanding Voting Stock, voting together as a single class,
shall be required to amend, repeal or adopt any provision
inconsistent with this Article SIXTH.
SEVENTH: (a) Any action required or permitted to be
taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be effected at
a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders of the
Corporation and may not be effected by any consent in writing by
such stockholders.
(b) Special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation
may be called only by the Board of Directors pursuant to a
resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of
directors which the Corporation would have if there were no
vacancies on the Board or by the Chairman of the Board. Except
as expressly provided in the immediately preceding sentence, any
power of stockholders to call a special meeting is specifically
denied.
(c) No business other than that stated in the notice shall
be transacted at any special meeting of stockholders.
(d) Advance notice of the proposal of business by
stockholders shall be given in the manner provided in the
By-laws of the Corporation, as amended and in effect from time
to time.
(e) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Certificate
of Incorporation to the contrary, the affirmative vote of at
least 80% of the voting power of the then outstanding Voting
Stock, voting together as a single class, shall be required to
amend, repeal or adopt any provision inconsistent with this
Article Seventh.
EIGHTH: The Corporation elects not to be governed by
Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.
NINTH: Unless and except to the extent that the By-laws
of the Corporation shall so require, the election of directors
of the Corporation need not be by written ballot.
TENTH: The Corporation reserves the right to amend,
alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this
Certificate of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter
prescribed by statute, provided that such action is approved in
the manner, and otherwise complies with the requirements, set
forth in this Certificate of Incorporation, and all rights
conferred upon stockholders herein are granted subject to this
reservation.
ELEVENTH: A director of the Corporation shall not be
personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for
monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director,
except for liability: (i) for any breach of the
directors duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its
stockholders; (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith
or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation
of law; (iii) under Section 174 of the GCL; or
(iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an
improper personal benefit. If the GCL is amended to authorize
corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal
liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the
Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent
permitted by the GCL, as so amended. Any repeal or modification
of this provision shall be prospective only and shall not
adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the
Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification.
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TWELFTH: The Corporation, to the fullest extent permitted
by Section 145 of the GCL, as the same may be amended and
supplemented, may 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, and the indemnification
provided for herein shall not be deemed exclusive of any other
rights to which those indemnified may be entitled under any
by-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested
directors or otherwise, both as to action in his official
capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such
office, and 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.
3. This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
has been duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the
Corporation and consented to in writing and authorized by the
holders of all of the issued and outstanding stock entitled to
vote thereon.
4. This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
was duly adopted in accordance with the applicable provisions of
Sections 228, 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of
the State of Delaware.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, GSC Holding Corp. has caused this Amended
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be executed by an
authorized officer of GSC Holdings Corp. as of
the day
of ,
2005
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ANNEX L
AMENDED AND RESTATED
BY-LAWS
OF
GSC HOLDINGS CORP.
ARTICLE I.
OFFICES
Section 1. Registered
Office. The registered office of GSC Holdings Corp. (the
Corporation) within the State of Delaware shall be
established and maintained at the location of the registered
agent of the Corporation.
Section 2. Other
Offices. The Corporation may also have an office or
offices and keep the books and records of the Corporation,
except as otherwise may be required by law, in such other place
or places, either within or without the State of Delaware, as
the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the
Board) may from time to time determine or the
business of the Corporation may require.
ARTICLE II.
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
Section 1. Place
of Meetings. All meetings of holders of shares of
capital stock of the Corporation shall be held at the office of
the Corporation in the State of Delaware or at such other place,
within or without the State of Delaware, as may from time to
time be fixed by the Board or specified or fixed in the
respective notices or waivers of notice thereof.
Section 2. Annual
Meetings. An annual meeting of stockholders of the
Corporation for the election of directors and for the
transaction of such other business as may properly come before
the meeting (an Annual Meeting) shall be held at
such place, on such date, and at such time as the Board shall
each year fix, which date shall be within thirteen
(13) months of the last annual meeting of stockholders or,
if no such meeting has been held, the date of incorporation.
Section 3. Special
Meetings. Except as otherwise required by law, a special
meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation may be called at
any time by the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive
Officer or by the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a
majority of the then authorized number of directors. Any special
meeting of the stockholders shall be held on such date, at such
time and at such place within or without the State of Delaware
as the Board of Directors or the officer calling the meeting may
designate. At a special meeting of the stockholders, no business
shall be transacted and no corporate action shall be taken other
than that stated in the notice of the meeting.
Section 4. Notice
of Meetings. Except as otherwise may be required by law,
notice of each meeting of stockholders, whether an Annual
Meeting or a special meeting, shall be in writing, shall state
the purpose or purposes of the meeting, the place, date and hour
of the meeting and, unless it is an Annual Meeting, shall
indicate that the notice is being issued by or at the direction
of the person or persons calling the meeting, and a copy thereof
shall be delivered or sent by mail, not less than 10 or more
than 60 days before the date of said meeting, to each
stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting. If mailed, such
notice shall be directed to such stockholder at his address as
it appears on the stock records of the Corporation, unless he
shall have filed with the Secretary of the Corporation a written
request that notices to him be mailed to some other address in
which case it shall be directed to him at such other address.
Notice of an adjourned meeting need not be given if the time and
place to which the meeting is to be adjourned was announced at
the meeting at which the adjournment was taken, unless
(i) the adjournment is for more than 30 days, or
(ii) the Board shall fix a new record date for such
adjourned meeting after the adjournment.
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Section 5. Quorum.
At each meeting of stockholders of the Corporation, the holders
of shares having a majority of the voting power of the capital
stock of the Corporation issued and outstanding and entitled to
vote thereat shall be present or represented by proxy to
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, except as
otherwise provided by law. Where a separate vote by a class or
classes is required, a majority of the shares of such class or
classes in person or represented by proxy shall constitute a
quorum entitled to take action with respect to that vote on that
matter.
Section 6. Adjournments.
In the absence of a quorum at any meeting of stockholders or any
adjournment or adjournments thereof, the Chairman of the Board
or holders of shares having a majority of the voting power of
the capital stock present or represented by proxy at the meeting
may adjourn the meeting from time to time until a quorum shall
be present or represented by proxy. At any such adjourned
meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented by
proxy, any business may be transacted which might have been
transacted at the meeting as originally called if a quorum had
been present or represented by proxy thereat.
Section 7. Order
of Business. (a) At any Annual Meeting, only such
business shall be conducted as shall have been brought before
the Annual Meeting (i) by or at the direction of the Board,
or (ii) by any stockholder who complies with the procedures
set forth in this Section 7.
(b) For business properly to be brought before an Annual
Meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely
notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary of the
Corporation. To be timely, a stockholders notice must be
delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive
offices of the Corporation not less than 30 days nor more
than 60 days prior to the Annual Meeting; provided,
however, that in the event that less than
40 days notice or prior public disclosure of the date
of the Annual Meeting is given or made to stockholders, notice
by the stockholder to be timely must be received not later than
the close of business on the tenth day following the day on
which such notice of the date of the Annual Meeting was mailed
or such public disclosure was made. To be in proper written
form, a stockholders notice to the Secretary shall set
forth in writing as to each matter the stockholder proposes to
bring before the Annual Meeting: (i) a brief description of
the business desired to be brought before the Annual Meeting and
the reasons for conducting such business at the Annual Meeting;
(ii) the name and address, as they appear on the
Corporations books, of the stockholder proposing such
business; (iii) the class and number of shares of the
Corporation which are beneficially owned by the stockholder; and
(iv) any material interest of the stockholder in such
business. Notwithstanding anything in these By-laws to the
contrary, no business shall be conducted at an Annual Meeting
except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this
Section 7. The chairman of an Annual Meeting shall, if the
facts warrant, determine and declare to the Annual Meeting that
business was not properly brought before the Annual Meeting in
accordance with the provisions of this Section 7 and, if he
should so determine, he shall so declare to the Annual Meeting
and any such business not properly brought before the Annual
Meeting shall not be transacted.
Section 8. Proxies
and Voting. Unless otherwise required by law, the
Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (the
Certificate of Incorporation) or these By-Laws, any
question brought before any meeting of stockholders, other than
the election of directors, shall be decided by the vote of the
holders of a majority of the votes of shares of capital stock
represented and entitled to vote thereat, voting as a single
class. The term Certificate of Incorporation as used
in these By-Laws includes any Certificate of Designation filed
by the Corporation with respect to any series of preferred stock
of the Corporation. Every reference in these By-Laws to a
majority or other proportion of shares, or a majority or other
proportion of the votes of shares, of capital stock shall refer
to such majority or other proportion of the votes to which such
shares of capital stock are entitled as provided in the
Certificate of Incorporation. At any meeting of the
stockholders, every stockholder entitled to vote may vote in
person or by proxy authorized by an instrument in writing or by
a transmission permitted by law filed in accordance with the
procedure established for the meeting. Any copy, facsimile
telecommunication or other reliable reproduction of the writing
or transmission created pursuant to this Section 8 may be
substituted or used in lieu of the original writing or
transmission for any and all purposes for which the original
writing or transmission could be used, provided that such copy,
facsimile telecommunication or other reproduction shall be a
complete
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reproduction of the entire original writing or transmission. All
voting, including on the election of directors but excepting
where otherwise required by law, may be by a voice vote;
provided, however, that upon demand therefore by a stockholder
entitled to vote or by his or her proxy, a stock vote shall be
taken. Every stock vote shall be taken by ballots, each of which
shall state the name of the stockholder or proxy voting and such
other information as may be required under the procedure
established for the meeting.
Section 9. Inspectors.
For each election of directors by the stockholders and in any
other case in which it shall be advisable, in the opinion of the
Board, that the voting upon any matter shall be conducted by
inspectors of election, the Board shall appoint an inspector or
inspectors of election. If, for any such election of directors
or the voting upon any such other matter, any inspector
appointed by the Board shall be unwilling or unable to serve, or
if the Board shall fail to appoint inspectors, the chairman of
the meeting shall appoint the necessary inspector or inspectors.
The inspector(s) so appointed, before entering upon the
discharge of their duties, shall be sworn faithfully to execute
the duties of inspectors with strict impartiality, and according
to the best of their ability, and the oath so taken shall be
subscribed by them. Such inspectors shall determine the number
of shares of capital stock of the Corporation outstanding and
the voting power of each of the shares represented at the
meeting, the existence of a quorum, and the validity and effect
of proxies, and shall receive votes, ballots or consents, hear
and determine all challenges and questions arising in connection
with the right to vote, count and tabulate all votes, ballots or
consents, determine the result, and do such acts as are proper
to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all
stockholders. On request of the chairman of the meeting or any
stockholder entitled to vote thereat, the inspectors shall make
a report in writing of any challenge, question or matter
determined by them and shall execute a certificate of any fact
found by them. No director or candidate for the office of
director shall act as an inspector of election of directors.
Inspectors need not be stockholders.
Section 10. Consent
of Stockholders in Lieu of Meeting. Any action required
to be taken at any Annual Meeting or special meeting of
stockholders of the Corporation, or any action which may be
taken at any Annual Meeting or special meeting of the
stockholders, may be taken without a meeting, without prior
notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing,
setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the
holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum
number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take
such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote
thereon were present and voted and shall be delivered to the
Corporation by delivery to its registered office in Delaware,
its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the
Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of
meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to the
Corporations registered office shall be made by hand or by
certified or registered mail, return receipt requested.
Every written consent shall bear the date of signature of each
stockholder who signs the consent and no written consent shall
be effective to take the corporate action referred to therein
unless, within sixty (60) days of the date the earliest
dated consent is delivered to the Corporation, a written consent
or consents signed by a sufficient number of holders to take
action are delivered to the Corporation in the manner prescribed
in the first paragraph of this Section.
ARTICLE III.
DIRECTORS
Section 1. Powers.
The business of the Corporation shall be managed under the
direction of the Board. The Board may, except as otherwise
required by law, exercise all such powers and do all such acts
and things as may be exercised or done by the Corporation,
including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the
unqualified power:
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(1) To declare dividends from time to time in accordance
with law; |
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(2) To purchase or otherwise acquire any property, rights
or privileges on such terms as it shall determine; |
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(3) To authorize the creation, making and issuance, in such
form as it may determine, of written obligations of every kind,
negotiable or non-negotiable, secured or unsecured, and to do
all things necessary in connection therewith; |
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(4) To remove any officer of the Corporation with or
without cause, and from time to time to devolve the powers and
duties of any officer upon any other person for the time being; |
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(5) To confer upon any officer of the Corporation the power
to appoint, remove and suspend subordinate officers, employees
and agents; |
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(6) To adopt from time to time such stock, option, stock
purchase, bonus or other compensation plans for directors,
officers, employees and agents of the Corporation and its
subsidiaries as it may determine; |
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(7) To adopt from time to time such insurance, retirement,
and other benefit plans for directors, officers, employees and
agents of the Corporation and its subsidiaries as it may
determine; and |
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(8) To adopt from time to time regulations, not
inconsistent with these By-laws, for the management of the
Corporations business and affairs. |
Section 2. Terms
and Vacancies. The authorized number of directors of the
Corporation shall be fixed in accordance with the Certificate of
Incorporation. The Board of Directors shall be divided into
three classes, designated Class I, Class II and
Class III, as provided in the Certificate of Incorporation.
At each Annual Meeting, the successors of the class of directors
whose term expires at the Annual Meeting shall be elected to
hold office for a term expiring at the Annual Meeting held in
the third year following the year of their election. No decrease
in the number of directors constituting the Board shall shorten
the term of any incumbent director.
Section 3. Nominations
of Directors; Election. Nominations for the election of
directors may be made by the Board or a committee appointed by
the Board, or by any stockholder entitled to vote generally in
the election of directors who complies with the procedures set
forth in this Section 3. Directors shall be at least
21 years of age. Directors need not be stockholders. At
each meeting of stockholders for the election of directors at
which a quorum is present, the persons receiving a plurality of
the votes cast shall be elected directors. All nominations by
stockholders shall be made pursuant to timely notice in proper
written form to the Secretary of the Corporation. To be timely,
a stockholders notice shall be delivered to or mailed and
received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation
not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days prior to
the meeting; provided, however, that in the event
that less than 40 days notice or prior public
disclosure of the date of the meeting is given or made to
stockholders, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so
received not later than the close of business on the tenth day
following the day on which such notice of the date of the
meeting was mailed or such public disclosure was made. To be in
proper written form, such stockholders notice shall set
forth in writing (i) as to each person whom the stockholder
proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director,
all information relating to such person that is required to be
disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors,
or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to
Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, including, without limitation, such persons
written consent to being a nominee and to serving as a director
if elected; and (ii) as to the stockholder giving the
notice, the (x) name and address, as they appear on the
Corporations books, of such stockholder and (y) the
class and number of shares of the Corporation which are
beneficially owned by such stockholder. At the request of the
Board, any person nominated by the Board for election as a
director shall furnish to the Secretary of the Corporation the
information required to be set forth in a stockholders
notice of nomination which pertains to the nominee.
Section 4. Place
of Meetings. The Board may hold meetings, both regular
and special, at the Corporations office in the State of
Delaware or at such other places in or outside of the State of
Delaware, as the Board may from time to time determine or as
shall be specified or fixed in the notice or waiver of notice of
any such meeting.
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Section 5. Regular
Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board shall be held in
accordance with a yearly meeting schedule as determined by the
Board; or such meetings may be held on such other days and at
such other times as the Board may from time to time determine.
Section 6. Special
Meetings. Special meetings of the Board may be called by
a majority of the directors then in office (rounded up to the
nearest whole number) or by the Chairman of the Board and shall
be held at such place, on such date, and at such time as they or
he shall fix.
Section 7. Notice
of Meetings. Notice of each special meeting of the Board
stating the time, place and purposes thereof, shall be
(i) mailed to each director not less than five days prior
to the meeting, addressed to him at his residence or usual place
of business, or (ii) shall be sent to him by facsimile,
telex, cable or telegram so addressed, or shall be given
personally or by telephone, on 24 hours notice.
Section 8. Quorum
and Manner of Acting. The presence of at least a
majority of the authorized number of directors shall be
necessary and sufficient to constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business at any meeting of the Board. If a quorum
shall not be present at any meeting of the Board, a majority of
the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time
to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting,
until a quorum shall be present. Except where a different vote
is required by these By-laws or otherwise, the act of a majority
of the directors present at any meeting at which a quorum shall
be present shall be the act of the Board. Any action required or
permitted to be taken by the Board may be taken without a
meeting if all the directors consent in writing to the adoption
of a resolution authorizing the action. The resolution and the
written consents thereto by the directors shall be filed with
the minutes of the proceedings of the Board. Any one or more
directors may participate in any meeting of the Board by means
of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment
allowing all persons participating in the meeting to hear each
other at the same time. Participation by such means shall be
deemed to constitute presence in person at a meeting of the
Board.
Section 9. Resignation.
Any director may resign at any time by giving written notice to
the Corporation; provided, however, that written
notice to the Board, the Chairman of the Board, the President of
the Corporation or the Secretary of the Corporation shall be
deemed to constitute notice to the Corporation. Such resignation
shall take effect upon receipt of such notice or at any later
time specified therein and, unless otherwise specified therein,
acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it
effective.
Section 10. Compensation
of Directors. The Board may provide for the payment to
any of the directors of a specified amount for services as
director or member of a committee of the Board, or of a
specified amount for attendance at each regular or special Board
meeting or committee meeting, or of both, and all directors
shall be reimbursed for expenses of attendance at any such
meeting; provided, however, that nothing herein
contained shall be construed to preclude any director from
serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving
compensation therefor.
ARTICLE IV.
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
Section 1. Appointment
and Powers of Executive Committee. The Board may, by
resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
authorized number of directors, designate an Executive Committee
of the Board, which shall consist of such number of members as
the Board shall determine. Except as provided by Delaware law,
any committee so designated may exercise the power and authority
of the Board to declare dividends, to authorize the issuance of
stock or to adopt a certificate of ownership and merger pursuant
to Section 253 of the Delaware General Corporation Law if
the resolution that designates the committee or a supplemental
resolution of the Board shall so provide. Except as provided by
Delaware law, during the interval between the meetings of the
Board, the Executive Committee shall possess and may exercise
all the powers of the Board in the management and direction of
all the business and affairs of the Corporation (except the
matters hereinafter assigned to any other Committee of the
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Board), in such manner as the Executive Committee shall deem in
the best interests of the Corporation in all cases in which
specific directions shall not have been given by the Board. The
Executive Committee may determine its manner of acting and fix
the time and place of its meetings, unless the Board shall
otherwise provide. A majority of the members of the Executive
Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business by the committee and the act of a majority of the
members of the committee present at a meeting at which a quorum
shall be present shall be the act of the committee. Either the
Chairman of the Board or the Chairman of the Executive Committee
may call the meetings of the Executive Committee.
Section 2. Appointment
and Powers of Audit Committee. The Board may, by
resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
authorized number of directors, designate an Audit Committee of
the Board, which shall consist of such number of members as the
Board shall determine. The Audit Committee shall (i) make
recommendations to the Board as to the independent accountants
to be appointed by the Board; (ii) review with the
independent accountants the scope of their examinations;
(iii) receive the reports of the independent accountants
and meet with representatives of such accountants for the
purpose of reviewing and considering questions relating to their
examination and such reports; (iv) review, either directly
or through the independent accountants, the internal accounting
and auditing procedures of the Corporation; (v) review
related party transactions and (vi) perform such other
functions as may be assigned to it from time to time by the
Board. The Audit Committee may determine its manner of acting
and fix the time and place of its meetings, unless the Board
shall otherwise provide. A majority of the members of the Audit
Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business by the committee and the act of a majority of the
members of the committee present at a meeting at which a quorum
shall be present shall be the act of the committee.
Section 3. Compensation
Committee; Other Committees. The Board may, by
resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
authorized number of directors, designate members of the Board
to constitute a Compensation Committee and such other committees
of the Board as the Board may determine. Such committees shall
in each case consist of such number of directors as the Board
may determine, and shall have and may exercise, to the extent
permitted by law, such powers as the Board may delegate to them
in the respective resolutions appointing them. Each such
committee may determine its manner of acting and fix the time
and place of its meetings, unless the Board shall otherwise
provide. A majority of the members of any such committee shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by the
committee and the act of a majority of the members of such
committee present at a meeting at which a quorum shall be
present shall be the act of the committee.
Section 4. Action
by Consent; Participation by Telephone or Similar
Equipment. Unless the Board shall otherwise provide, any
action required or permitted to be taken by any committee may be
taken without a meeting if all members of the committee consent
in writing to the adoption of a resolution authorizing the
action. The resolution and the written consents thereto by the
members of the committee shall be filed with the minutes of the
proceedings of the committee. Unless the Board shall otherwise
provide, any one or more members of any such committee may
participate in any meeting of the committee by means of
conference telephone or similar communications equipment by
means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear
each other. Participation by such means shall constitute
presence in person at a meeting of the committee.
Section 5. Changes
in Committees; Resignations; Removals. The Board shall
have power, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
authorized number of directors, at any time to change the
members of, to fill vacancies in, and to discharge any committee
of the Board. Any member of any such committee may resign at any
time by giving notice to the Corporation; provided,
however, that notice to the Board, the Chairman of the
Board, the President of the Corporation, the chairman of such
committee or the Secretary of the Corporation shall be deemed to
constitute notice to the Corporation. Such resignation shall
take effect upon receipt of such notice or at any later time
specified therein; and, unless otherwise specified therein,
acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it
effective. Any member of any such committee may be removed at
any time, either with or without cause, by the affirmative vote
of a majority of the authorized number of directors at any
meeting of the Board called for that purpose.
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ARTICLE V.
OFFICERS
Section 1. Number
and Qualification. The Corporation shall have such
officers as may be necessary or desirable for the business of
the Corporation. The officers of the Corporation shall consist
of a Chairman of the Board, a Chief Executive Officer, a Chief
Operating Officer, a President, one or more Vice Presidents, a
Secretary, a Treasurer and such other officers as may from time
to time be appointed by the Board. Officers shall be elected by
the Board, which shall consider that subject at its first
meeting after every Annual Meeting of stockholders. Each officer
shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and
qualified or until his or her earlier resignation or removal.
Any number of offices may be held by the same person. The
failure to elect a Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive
Officer, Chief Operating Officer, President, Vice President,
Secretary or Treasurer shall not affect the existence of the
Corporation.
Section 2. Chairman
of the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall be
responsible for implementing all orders and resolutions of the
Board. The Chairman of the Board shall also be a director and
shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and directors
at which he or she is present and shall have such other powers
and duties as the Board or any other duly authorized committee
shall from time to time designate.
Section 3. Chief
Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall
have general and active responsibility for the management of the
business of the Corporation and shall perform such duties as are
conferred upon him or her by these bylaws or as may from time to
time be assigned to him or her by the Chairman of the Board or
the Board. In the absence of the Chairman of the Board, the
Chief Executive Officer shall preside at all meetings of the
stockholders and directors.
Section 4. Chief
Operating Officer. The Chief Operating Officer shall
have general supervision and control over the day-to-day
business and management of the corporation, subject to the
control of the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of
Directors, and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the
Board are carried into effect.
Section 5. President.
Subject to the provisions of these By-laws and to the direction
of the Board, the President shall perform all duties and have
all powers which are commonly incident to the office of
President or which are delegated to him or her by the Board. He
or she shall have power to sign all stock certificates,
contracts and other instruments of the Corporation which are
authorized and shall have general supervision and direction of
all of the other officers, employees and agents of the
Corporation. In the absence of the Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer, the President shall preside at all
meetings of the stockholders and directors.
Section 6. Vice
President. Each Vice President shall have such powers
and duties as may be delegated to him or her by the Board. One
Vice President shall be designated by the Board to perform the
duties and exercise the powers of the President in the event of
the Presidents absence or disability.
Section 7. Treasurer.
The Treasurer shall have the responsibility for maintaining the
financial records of the Corporation. He or she shall make such
disbursements of the funds of the Corporation as are authorized
and shall render from time to time an account of all such
transactions and of the financial condition of the Corporation.
The Treasurer shall also perform such other duties as the Board
may from time to time prescribe.
Section 8. Secretary.
The Secretary shall issue all authorized notices for, and shall
keep minutes of, all meetings of the stockholders and the Board.
He or she shall have charge of the corporate books and shall
perform such other duties as the Board may from time to time
prescribe.
Section 9. Delegation
of Authority. The Board may from time to time delegate
the powers or duties of any officer to any other officers or
agents, notwithstanding any provision hereof.
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Section 10. Removal.
Any officer of the Corporation may be removed at any time, with
or without cause, by the Board.
Section 11. Resignations.
Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to
the Corporation; provided, however, that notice to
the Board, Chairman of the Board, the President or the Secretary
shall be deemed to constitute notice to the Corporation. Such
resignation shall take effect upon receipt of such notice or at
any later time specified therein; and, unless otherwise
specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not
be necessary to make it effective.
Section 12. Vacancies.
Any vacancy among the officers, whether caused by death,
resignation, removal or any other cause, shall be filled in the
manner prescribed for election or appointment to such office.
Section 13. Action
with Respect to Securities of Other Corporations. Unless
otherwise directed by the Board, the Chairman of the Board or
any officer of the Corporation authorized by the Chairman of the
Board shall have power to vote and otherwise act on behalf of
the Corporation, in person or by proxy, at any meeting of
stockholders of or with respect to any action of stockholders of
any other corporation in which this Corporation may hold
securities and otherwise to exercise any and all rights and
powers which this Corporation may possess by reason of its
ownership of securities in such other corporation.
Section 14. Bonds
of Officers. If required by the Board, any officer of
the Corporation shall give a bond for the faithful discharge of
his duties in such amount and with such surety or sureties as
the Board may require.
Section 15. Compensation.
The salaries of the officers shall be fixed from time to time by
the Board, unless and until the Board appoints a Compensation
Committee.
Section 16. Officers
of Operating Companies or Divisions. The Chairman of the
Board shall have the power to appoint, remove and prescribe the
terms of office, responsibilities, duties and salaries of, the
officers of the operating companies or divisions, other than
those who are officers of the Corporation.
ARTICLE VI.
CONTRACTS, CHECKS, LOANS,
DEPOSITS, ETC.
Section 1. Contracts.
The Board may authorize any officer or officers, agent or
agents, in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, to enter
into any contract or to execute and deliver any instrument,
which authorization may be general or confined to specific
instances; and, unless so authorized by the Board, no officer,
agent or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the
Corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its
credit or to render it liable pecuniarily for any purpose or for
any amount.
Section 2. Checks,
etc. All checks, drafts, bills of exchange or other
orders for the payment of money out of the funds of the
Corporation, and all notes or other evidences of indebtedness of
the Corporation, shall be signed in the name and on behalf of
the Corporation in such manner as shall from time to time be
authorized by the Board, which authorization may be general or
confined to specific instances.
Section 3. Loans.
No loan shall be contracted on behalf of the Corporation, and no
negotiable paper shall be issued in its name, unless authorized
by the Board, which authorization may be general or confined to
specific instances. All bonds, debentures, notes and other
obligations or evidences of indebtedness of the Corporation
issued for such loans shall be made, executed and delivered as
the Board shall authorize.
Section 4. Deposits.
All funds of the Corporation not otherwise employed shall be
deposited from time to time to the credit of the Corporation in
such banks, trust companies or other depositors as may be
selected by or in the manner designated by the Board. The Board
or its designees may make such special
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rules and regulations with respect to such bank accounts, not
inconsistent with the provisions of the Certificate of
Incorporation or these By-laws, as them may deem advisable.
ARTICLE VII.
CAPITAL STOCK
Section 1. Certificates
of Stock. Each stockholder shall be entitled to a
certificate signed by, or in the name of the Corporation by, the
Chairman of the Board, President or a Vice President, and by the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, or the Treasurer or an
Assistant Treasurer, certifying the number of shares owned by
him or her. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may
be by facsimile.
Section 2. Stock
List. A complete list of stockholders entitled to vote
at any meeting of stockholders, arranged in alphabetical order
for each class of stock and showing the address of each such
stockholder and the number of shares registered in his or her
name, shall be open to the examination of any such stockholder,
for any purpose germane to the meeting, at the principal place
of business of the Corporation.
The stock list shall also be kept at the place of the meeting
during the whole time thereof and shall be open to the
examination of any such stockholder who is present. This list
shall presumptively determine the identity of the stockholders
entitled to vote at the meeting and the number of shares held by
each of them.
Section 3. Transfers
of Stock. Transfers of stock shall be made only upon the
transfer books of the Corporation kept at an office of the
Corporation or by transfer agents designated to transfer shares
of the stock of the Corporation. Except where a certificate is
issued in accordance with Section 5 of Article VII of
these By-laws, an outstanding certificate for the number of
shares involved shall be surrendered for cancellation before a
new certificate is issued therefor.
Section 4. Record
Date. In order that the Corporation may determine the
stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of
stockholders, or to receive payment of any dividend or other
distribution or allotment of any rights or to exercise any
rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock
or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board may fix
a record date, which record date shall not precede the date on
which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted and which
record date shall not be more than sixty (60) nor less than
ten (10) days before the date of any meeting of
stockholders, nor more than sixty (60) days prior to the
time for such other action as hereinbefore described;
provided, however, that if no record date is fixed
by the Board, the record date for determining stockholders
entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders
shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the
day on which notice is given or, if notice is waived, at the
close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the
meeting is held, and, for determining stockholders entitled to
receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or
allotment of rights or to exercise any rights of change,
conversion or exchange of stock or for any other purpose, the
record date shall be at the close of business on the day on
which the Board adopts a resolution relating thereto.
A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of
or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any
adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board
may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.
In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders
entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a
meeting, the Board may fix a record date, which shall not
precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record
date is adopted by the Board, and which record date shall be not
more than ten (10) days after the date upon which the
resolution fixing the record date is adopted. Any stockholder of
record seeking to have the stockholders authorize or take
corporate action by written consent shall, by written notice to
the Secretary, request the Board to fix a record date. The Board
shall promptly, but in all events within 10 days after the
date on which such a request is received, adopt a resolution
fixing the record date (unless a record date has previously been
fixed by the Board of Directors
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pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 4). If no
record date has been fixed by the Board within 10 days
after the date on which such request is received, and no prior
action by the Board is required by the Delaware General
Corporation Law, the record date shall be the first date on
which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or
proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation in the
manner prescribed by Article II, Section 10 hereof. If
no record date has been fixed by the Board and prior action by
the Board is required by the Delaware General Corporation Law
with respect to the proposed action by written consent of the
stockholders, the record date for determining stockholders
entitled to consent to corporate action in writing shall be at
the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the
resolution taking such prior action.
Section 5. Lost,
Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. In the event of the
loss, theft or destruction of any certificate of stock, another
may be issued in its place pursuant to such regulations as the
Board may establish concerning proof of such loss, theft or
destruction and concerning the giving of satisfactory bond or
bonds of indemnity.
Section 6. Regulations.
The issue, transfer, conversion and registration of certificates
of stock shall be governed by such other regulations as the
Board may establish.
ARTICLE VIII.
NOTICES
Section 1. Notices.
Except as otherwise specifically provided herein or required by
law, all notices required to be given to any stockholder,
director, officer, employee or agent shall be in writing and may
in every instance be effectively given by hand delivery to the
recipient thereof, by depositing such notice in the mails,
postage paid, or with a recognized overnight delivery service or
by sending such notice by prepaid telegram, mailgram or by
facsimile transmission. Any such notice shall be addressed to
such stockholder, director, officer, employee or agent at his or
her last known address as the same appears on the books of the
Corporation. The time when such notice is received, if hand
delivered, or dispatched, if delivered through the mails or by
overnight delivery service, or by telegram, mailgram or
facsimile, shall be the time of the giving of the notice.
Section 2. Waivers.
A written waiver of any notice, signed by a stockholder,
director, officer, employee or agent, whether before or after
the time of the event for which notice is to be given, shall be
deemed equivalent to the notice required to be given to such
stockholder, director, officer, employee or agent. Neither the
business nor the purpose of any meeting need be specified in
such a waiver.
ARTICLE IX.
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 3. Facsimile
Signatures. In addition to the provisions for use of
facsimile signatures elsewhere specifically authorized in these
By-laws, facsimile signatures of any officer or officers of the
Corporation may be used whenever and as authorized by the Board
or a committee thereof.
Section 4. Corporate
Seal. The Board may provide a suitable seal, containing
the name of the Corporation, which seal shall be in the charge
of the Secretary. If and when so directed by the Board or a
committee thereof, duplicates of the seal may be kept and used
by the Treasurer or by an Assistant Secretary or Assistant
Treasurer.
Section 5. Reliance
Upon Books, Reports and Records. Each director, each
member of any committee designated by the Board, and each
officer of the Corporation shall, in the performance of his or
her duties, be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the
books of account or other records of the Corporation and upon
such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to
the Corporation by any of its officers or employees, or
committees of the Board so designated, or by any other person as
to matters which such
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director or committee member reasonably believes are within such
other persons professional or expert competence and who
has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the
Corporation.
Section 6. Fiscal
Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be as
fixed by the Board of Directors.
Section 7. Time
Periods. In applying any provision of these By-laws
which requires that an act be done or not be done a specified
number of days prior to an event or that an act be done during a
period of a specified number of days prior to an event, calendar
days shall be used, the day of the doing of the act shall be
excluded, and the day of the event shall be included.
ARTICLE X.
INDEMNIFICATION OF
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Section 1. Right
to Indemnification. Each person who was or is made a
party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise
involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter, a
proceeding), by reason of the fact that he or she is
or was a director or an 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 an employee benefit plan (hereinafter,
an indemnitee), whether the basis of such proceeding
is alleged action in an official capacity as a director,
officer, employee or agent or in any other capacity while
serving as a director, officer, employee or agent, shall be
indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest
extent authorized by the Delaware 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 such 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 in settlement) reasonably
incurred or suffered by such indemnitee in connection therewith;
provided, however, that, except as provided in Section 3 of
this Article X with respect to proceedings to enforce
rights to indemnification, the Corporation shall indemnify any
such indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part
thereof) initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding
(or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of the Corporation.
Section 2. Right
to Advancement of Expenses. The right to indemnification
conferred in Section 1 of this Article X shall include
the right to be paid by the Corporation the expenses (including
attorneys fees) incurred in defending any such proceeding
in advance of its final disposition (hereinafter, an
advancement of expenses); provided, however, that,
if the Delaware General Corporation Law requires, an advancement
of expenses incurred by an indemnitee in his or her capacity as
a director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which
service was or is rendered by such indemnitee, including,
without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall
be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking
(hereinafter, an undertaking), by or on behalf of
such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall
ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which
there is no further right to appeal (hereinafter, a final
adjudication) that such indemnitee is not entitled to be
indemnified for such expenses under this Section 2 or
otherwise. The rights to indemnification and to the advancement
of expenses conferred in Sections 1 and 2 of this
Article X shall be contract rights and such rights shall
continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director,
officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the
indemnitees heirs, executors and administrators.
Section 3. Right
of Indemnitee to Bring Suit. If a claim under
Section 1 or 2 of this Article X is not paid in full
by the Corporation within sixty (60) days after a written
claim has been received by the Corporation, except in the case
of a claim for an advancement of expenses, in which case the
applicable period shall be twenty (20) days, the indemnitee
may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to
recover the unpaid amount of the claim. If successful in whole
or in part in any such suit, or in a suit brought by the
Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to
the terms of an
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undertaking, the indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid also
the expense of prosecuting or defending such suit. In
(i) any suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right
to indemnification hereunder (but not in a suit brought by the
indemnitee to enforce a right to an advancement of expenses) it
shall be a defense that, and (ii) any suit brought by the
Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to
the terms of an undertaking, the Corporation shall be entitled
to recover such expenses upon a final adjudication that, the
indemnitee has not met any applicable standard for
indemnification set forth in the Delaware General Corporation
Law. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its
Board, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have
made a determination prior to the commencement of such suit that
indemnification of the indemnitee is proper in the circumstances
because the indemnitee has met the applicable standard of
conduct set forth in the Delaware General Corporation Law, nor
an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board,
independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that the
indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct,
shall create a presumption that the indemnitee has not met the
applicable standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit
brought by the indemnitee, be a defense to such suit. In any
suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to
indemnification or to an advancement of expenses hereunder, or
brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses
pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the burden of proving
that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, or to
such advancement of expenses, under this Article X or
otherwise shall be on the Corporation.
Section 4. Non-Exclusivity
of Rights. The rights to indemnification and to the
advancement of expenses conferred in this Article X shall
not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or
hereafter acquire by any statute, the Corporations
Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws, agreement, vote of
stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
Section 5. Insurance.
The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to
protect itself and any director, officer, employee or agent of
the Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust 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 Delaware General Corporation Law.
Section 6. Indemnification
of Employees and Agents of the Corporation. The
Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by
the Board, grant rights to indemnification and to the
advancement of expenses to any employee or agent of the
Corporation to the fullest extent of the provisions of this
Article X with respect to the indemnification and
advancement of expenses of directors and officers of the
Corporation.
ARTICLE XI.
AMENDMENTS
The Board of Directors is expressly empowered to adopt, amend or
repeal these By-laws. Any adoption, amendment or repeal of these
By-laws by the Board of Directors shall require the approval of
a majority of the entire Board of Directors. The stockholders
shall also have power to adopt, amend or repeal these By-laws;
provided, however, that, in addition to any vote of the holders
of any class or series of stock of the Corporation required by
law or the Certificate of Incorporation, the affirmative vote of
the holders of at least 80% of the voting power of all of the
then-outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Corporation
entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting
together as a single class, shall be required to adopt, amend or
repeal any provision of these By-laws.
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ANNEX M
GSC HOLDINGS CORP.
2005 INCENTIVE PLAN
GSC HOLDINGS CORP., a Delaware corporation (the
Company), hereby establishes and adopts the
following 2005 Incentive Plan (the Plan).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Company desires to encourage high levels of
performance by those individuals who are key to the success of
the Company or any parent, subsidiary or affiliate of the
Company, to attract new individuals who are highly motivated and
who will contribute to the success of the Company and to
encourage such individuals to remain as officers, employees,
consultants, advisors and/or directors of the Company and its
parent, subsidiaries and affiliates by increasing their
proprietary interest in the Companys growth and success.
WHEREAS, to attain these ends, the Company has formulated the
Plan embodied herein to authorize the granting of incentive
awards through grants of options to purchase shares
(Options), grants of share appreciation rights,
grants of Restricted Share Awards (hereafter defined), or any
other award made under the Plan to those persons (each such
person a Participant) whose judgment, initiative and
efforts are, have been, or are expected to be responsible for
the success of the Company or any parent, subsidiary or
affiliate of the Company.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Company hereby constitutes, establishes and
adopts the following Plan and agrees to the following provisions:
ARTICLE 1.
Purpose of the Plan
1.1. Purpose. The
purpose of the Plan is to assist the Company or any parent,
subsidiary or affiliate of the Company in attracting and
retaining selected individuals to serve as directors, officers,
consultants, advisors, and employees of the Company or any
parent, subsidiary or affiliate of the Company who will
contribute to the Companys success and to achieve
long-term objectives which will inure to the benefit of all
shareholders of the Company through the additional incentive
inherent in the ownership of the Companys Class A
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the
Shares). Options granted under the Plan will be
either incentive stock options, intended to qualify
as such under the provisions of section 422 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as from time to time amended (the
Code), or nonqualified stock options.
For purposes of the Plan, the terms subsidiary and
parent shall mean subsidiary corporation
and parent corporation, respectively, as such terms
are defined in sections 424(f) and 424(e) of the Code, and
affiliate shall have the meaning set forth in
Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the Exchange Act).
For purposes of the Plan, the term Award shall
include a grant of an Option, a grant of a share appreciation
right, a grant of a Restricted Share Award, or any other award
made under the terms of the Plan.
ARTICLE 2.
Shares Subject to Awards
2.1. Number of
Shares. Subject to the adjustment provisions of
Section 7.9 hereof, the aggregate number of Shares which
may be issued under Awards under the Plan, whether pursuant to
Options, Restricted Share Awards or any other Award under the
Plan shall not exceed 5,000,000 Shares. No Options to
purchase fractional Shares shall be granted and no fractional
shares shall be issued under the
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Plan. For purposes of this Section 2.1, the Shares that
shall be counted toward such limitation shall include all Shares:
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(1) issued or issuable pursuant to Options that have been
or may be exercised; |
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(2) issued as, or subject to issuance as a Restricted Share
Award; and |
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(3) issued or issuable under any other award granted under
the terms of the Plan. |
2.2. Shares Subject to
Terminated Awards. The Shares covered by any unexercised
portions of terminated Options granted under Article 4,
Shares forfeited as provided in Section 6.2, and Shares
subject to any Awards which are otherwise surrendered by the
Participant without receiving any payment or other benefit with
respect thereto may again be subject to new Awards under the
Plan, other than grants of Options intended to qualify as
incentive stock options. Moreover, if the Option price of any
Option granted under the Plan or the tax withholding
requirements with respect to any Award granted under the Plan
are satisfied by tendering Shares to the Company (by either
actual delivery or by attestation), or if a share appreciation
right is exercised, only the number of Shares issued, net of the
Shares tendered, if any, will be deemed delivered for purposes
of determining the maximum number of Shares available for
delivery under the Plan. Shares subject to Options, or portions
thereof, which have been surrendered in connection with the
exercise of share appreciation rights shall not again be
available for the grant of Awards under the Plan.
2.3. Character of
Shares. Shares delivered under the Plan may be
authorized and unissued Shares or Shares acquired by the
Company, or both.
2.4. Limitations on Grants to
Individual Participant. Subject to adjustments pursuant
to the provisions of Section 7.9 hereof, (i) the
maximum number of Shares with respect to which Options or share
appreciation rights may be granted hereunder to any employee
during any fiscal year of the Company shall be
1,000,000 Shares (the Option Limitation),
(ii) the maximum number of Restricted Share Awards or other
Share-based awards payable in Shares which may be granted to any
employee during any fiscal year of the Company shall be
1,000,000, and (iii) the maximum aggregate amount awarded
or credited with respect to other Share-based awards payable in
cash to any one Participant in any fiscal year may not exceed
$5,000,000. If an Option is canceled, the canceled Option shall
continue to be counted toward the Option Limitation for the year
granted. An Option (or a share appreciation right) that is
repriced during any fiscal year is treated as the cancellation
of the Option (or share appreciation right) and a grant of a new
Option (or share appreciation right) for purposes of the Option
Limitation for that fiscal year.
ARTICLE 3.
Eligibility and Administration
3.1. Awards to Employees,
Directors and Others. (a) Participants who receive
Options under Article 4 (including share appreciation
rights under Article 5) (Optionees), or
Restricted Share Awards or other Share-based awards under
Article 6 shall consist of such key officers, employees,
consultants, advisors and directors of the Company or any
parent, subsidiary or affiliate of the Company as the Committee
(hereinafter defined) shall select from time to time. The
Committees designation of an Optionee or Participant in
any year shall not require the Committee to designate such
person to receive Awards or grants in any other year. The
designation of an Optionee or Participant to receive Awards or
grants under one portion of the Plan shall not require the
Committee to include such Optionee or Participant under other
portions of the Plan.
(b) No Option that is intended to qualify as an
incentive stock option may be granted (x) to
any individual that is not an employee of the Company or any
parent or subsidiary thereof, or (y) to any employee who,
at the time of such grant, owns, directly or indirectly (within
the meaning of Sections 422(b)(6) and 424(d) of the Code),
shares possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting
power of all classes of shares of the Company or any parent or
subsidiary of the Company, unless at the time of such grant,
(i) the option price is fixed at not less than 110% of the
Fair Market Value (as
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defined below) of the Shares subject to such Option, determined
on the date of the grant, and (ii) the exercise of such
Option is prohibited by its terms after the expiration of five
years from the date such Option is granted.
3.2. Administration.
(a) The Plan shall be administered by a committee (the
Committee) consisting of not fewer than two
directors of the Company (the directors of the Company being
hereinafter referred to as the Directors), as
designated by the Directors. The Directors may remove from, add
members to, or fill vacancies in the Committee. Unless otherwise
determined by the Directors, each member of the Committee is
intended to be (i) a Non-Employee Director
within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 (or any successor rule) of
the Exchange Act, (ii) an outside director
within the meaning of Section 162(m)(4)(C)(i) of the Code
and the regulations thereunder, and (iii) an
independent director for purposes of the rules and
regulations of the New York Stock Exchange (the
NYSE).
Any Award to a member of the Committee shall be on terms
consistent with Awards made to other Directors who are not
members of the Committee and who are not employees, except where
the Award is approved or ratified by the Compensation Committee
(excluding persons who are also members of the Committee) of the
Board of Directors of the Company.
(b) The Committee is authorized, subject to the provisions
of the Plan, to establish such rules and regulations as it may
deem appropriate for the conduct of meetings and proper
administration of the Plan. All actions of the Committee shall
be taken by majority vote of its members. The Committee is also
authorized, subject to the provisions of the Plan, to make
provisions in various Awards pertaining to a change of
control of the Company and to amend or modify existing
Awards.
(c) Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee
shall have authority, in its sole discretion, to interpret the
provisions of the Plan and any Award thereunder and, subject to
the requirements of applicable law, including Rule 16b-3 of
the Exchange Act, to prescribe, amend, and rescind rules and
regulations relating to the Plan or any Award thereunder as it
may deem necessary or advisable. All decisions made by the
Committee pursuant to the provisions of the Plan shall be final,
conclusive and binding on all persons, including the Company,
its shareholders, Directors and employees, and Plan participants
and beneficiaries.
3.3. Designation of
Consultants/ Liability. (a) The Committee may
designate employees of the Company and professional advisors to
assist the Committee in the administration of the Plan and may
grant authority to employees to execute agreements or other
documents on behalf of the Committee.
(b) The Committee may employ such legal counsel,
consultants and agents as it may deem desirable for the
administration of the Plan and may rely upon any opinion
received from any such counsel or consultant and any computation
received from any such consultant or agent. Expenses incurred by
the Committee or the Board in the engagement of any such
counsel, consultant or agent shall be paid by the Company. The
Committee, its members and any person designated pursuant to
Section 3.3(a) shall not be liable for any action or
determination made in good faith with respect to this Plan. To
the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, no officer or
former officer of the Company or member or former member of the
Committee or of the Board shall be liable for any action or
determination made in good faith with respect to this Plan or
any Award granted under it. To the maximum extent permitted by
applicable law and to the extent not covered by insurance, each
officer or former officer and member or former member of the
Committee or of the Board shall be indemnified and held harmless
by the Company against any cost or expense (including reasonable
fees of counsel reasonably acceptable to the Company) or
liability (including any sum paid in settlement of a claim with
the approval of the Company), and advanced amounts necessary to
pay the foregoing at the earliest time and to the fullest extent
permitted, arising out of any act or omission to act in
connection with this Plan, except to the extent arising out of
such officers or former officers, members or
former members own fraud or bad faith. Such
indemnification shall be in addition to any rights of
indemnification the officers, directors or members or former
officers, directors or members may have under applicable law.
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ARTICLE 4.
Options
4.1. Grant of
Options. The Committee shall determine, within the
limitations of the Plan, those key officers, employees,
consultants, advisors and Directors of the Company or any
parent, subsidiary or affiliate of the Company to whom Options
are to be granted under the Plan, the number of Shares that may
be purchased under each such Option, the option price and other
terms of each such Option, and shall designate such Options at
the time of the grant as either incentive stock
options or nonqualified stock options;
provided, however, that Options granted to employees of an
affiliate (that is not also a parent or a subsidiary) or to
non-employees of the Company may only be nonqualified
stock options.
All Options granted pursuant to this Article 4 shall be
authorized by the Committee and shall be evidenced in writing by
share option agreements (Share Option Agreements) in
such form and containing such terms and conditions as the
Committee shall determine that are not inconsistent with the
provisions of the Plan, and, with respect to any Share Option
Agreement granting Options that are intended to qualify as
incentive stock options, are not inconsistent with
Section 422 of the Code. The granting of an Option pursuant
to the Plan shall impose no obligation on the recipient to
exercise such Option. Any individual who is granted an Option
pursuant to this Article 4 may hold more than one Option at
the same time and may hold both incentive stock
options and nonqualified stock options at the
same time. To the extent that any Option does not qualify as an
incentive stock option (whether because of its
provisions, the time or manner of its exercise or otherwise)
such Option or the portion thereof which does not so qualify
shall constitute a separate nonqualified stock
option.
4.2. Option Price.
Subject to Section 3.1(b), the option exercise price per
each Share purchasable under any Option granted under the Plan
shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value (as
hereinafter defined) of such Share on the date of the grant of
such Option.
4.3. Other
Provisions. Options granted pursuant to this
Article 4 shall be made in accordance with the terms and
provisions of Article 7 hereof and any other applicable
terms and provisions of the Plan.
ARTICLE 5.
Share Appreciation Rights
5.1. Grant and
Exercise. Share appreciation rights may be granted in
conjunction with all or part of any Option granted under the
Plan provided such rights are granted at the time of the grant
of such Option. A share appreciation right is a
right to receive whole Shares, as provided in this
Article 5, in lieu of the purchase of a Share under a
related Option. A share appreciation right or applicable portion
thereof shall terminate and no longer be exercisable upon the
termination or exercise of the related Option, and a share
appreciation right granted with respect to less than the full
number of Shares covered by a related Option shall not be
reduced until, and then only to the extent that, the exercise or
termination of the related Option exceeds the number of Shares
not covered by the share appreciation right. A share
appreciation right may be exercised by the holder thereof (the
Holder), in accordance with Section 5.2 of this
Article 5, by giving written notice thereof to the Company
and surrendering the applicable portion of the related Option.
Upon giving such notice and surrender, the Holder shall be
entitled to receive an amount determined in the manner
prescribed in Section 5.2 of this Article 5. Options
which have been so surrendered, in whole or in part, shall no
longer be exercisable to the extent the related share
appreciation rights have been exercised. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary herein, share appreciation rights may
be granted only if Shares are traded on an established
securities market at the date of grant.
5.2. Terms and
Conditions. Share appreciation rights shall be subject
to such terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the
provisions of the Plan, as shall be determined from time to time
by the Committee, including the following:
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(a) Share appreciation rights shall be exercisable only at
such time or times and to the extent that the Options to which
they relate shall be exercisable in accordance with the
provisions of the Plan. |
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(b) Upon the exercise of a share appreciation right, a
Holder shall be entitled to receive up to, but no more than, an
amount in whole Shares equal to the excess of the then Fair
Market Value of one Share over the option exercise price per
Share specified in the related Option multiplied by the number
of Shares in respect of which the share appreciation right shall
have been exercised. Each share appreciation right may be
exercised only at the time and so long as a related Option, if
any, would be exercisable or as otherwise permitted by
applicable law. |
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(c) Upon the exercise of a share appreciation right, the
Option or part thereof to which such share appreciation right is
related shall be deemed to have been exercised for the purpose
of the limitation of the number of Shares to be issued under the
Plan, as set forth in Section 2.1 of the Plan. |
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(d) With respect to share appreciation rights granted in
connection with an Option that is intended to be an
incentive stock option, the following shall apply: |
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(i) No share appreciation right shall be transferable by a
Holder otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and
distribution, and share appreciation rights shall be
exercisable, during the Holders lifetime, only by the
Holder. |
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(ii) Share appreciation rights granted in connection with
an Option may be exercised only when the Fair Market Value of
the Shares subject to the Option exceeds the option exercise
price at which Shares can be acquired pursuant to the Option. |
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(iii) The share appreciation rights will expire no later
than the expiration of the underlying incentive stock option. |
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(iv) The exercise of the share appreciation right may not
have economic and tax consequences more favorable than the
exercise of the incentive stock option followed by an immediate
sale of the underlying Shares, and the value of the payout with
respect to the share appreciation right may be for no more than
100% of the excess of the Fair Market Value of the Shares
subject to the incentive stock option at the time the share
appreciation right is exercised over the option price of the
underlying incentive stock option. |
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(v) The share appreciation right may be exercised only when
the underlying incentive stock option is eligible to be
exercised. |
ARTICLE 6.
Share Awards
6.1. Restricted Share
Awards. (a) A grant of Shares made pursuant to
Sections 6.1 and 6.2 is referred to as a Restricted
Share Award. The Committee may grant to any Participant an
amount of Shares in such manner, and subject to such terms and
conditions relating to vesting, forfeitability and restrictions
on delivery and transfer (whether based on performance
standards, periods of service or otherwise) as the Committee
shall establish (such Shares, Restricted Shares).
The terms of any Restricted Share Award granted under the Plan
shall be set forth in a written agreement (a Restricted
Share Agreement) which shall contain provisions determined
by the Committee and not inconsistent with the Plan. The
provisions of Restricted Share Awards need not be the same for
each Participant receiving such Awards.
(b) Issuance of Restricted Shares. As soon as
practicable after the date of grant of a Restricted Share Award
by the Committee, the Company shall cause to be transferred on
the books of the Company Shares registered in the name of the
Company, as nominee for the Participant, evidencing the
Restricted Shares covered by the Award; provided, however, such
Shares shall be subject to forfeiture to the Company retroactive
to the date of grant if a Restricted Share Agreement delivered
to the Participant by the Company with respect to the Restricted
Shares covered by the Award is not duly executed by the
Participant and timely returned to the Company. All Restricted
Shares covered by Awards under this Article 6 shall be
subject to the restrictions, terms and conditions contained in
the Plan and the Restricted Share Agreement entered into by and
between the Company and the Participant. Until the lapse or
release
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of all restrictions applicable to an Award of Restricted Shares,
the share certificates representing such Restricted Shares shall
be held in custody by the Company or its designee.
(c) Shareholder Rights. Beginning on the date of
grant of the Restricted Share Award and subject to execution of
the Restricted Share Agreement as provided in
Sections 6.1(a) and (b), unless the Restricted Share
Agreement provides otherwise, the Participant shall become a
shareholder of the Company with respect to all Shares subject to
the Restricted Share Agreement and shall have all of the rights
of a shareholder, including, but not limited to, the right to
vote such Shares and the right to receive distributions made
with respect to such Shares; provided, however, that any Shares
distributed as a dividend or otherwise with respect to any
Restricted Shares as to which the restrictions have not yet
lapsed shall be subject to the same restrictions as such
Restricted Shares and shall be represented by book entry and
held as prescribed in Section 6.1(b).
(d) Restriction on Transferability. None of the
Restricted Shares may be assigned or transferred (other than by
will or the laws of descent and distribution), pledged or sold
prior to lapse or release of the restrictions applicable thereto.
(e) Delivery of Shares Upon Release of Restrictions.
Upon expiration or earlier termination of the forfeiture period
without a forfeiture and the satisfaction of or release from any
other conditions prescribed by the Committee, the restrictions
applicable to the Restricted Shares shall lapse. As promptly as
administratively feasible thereafter, subject to the
requirements of Section 8.1, the Company shall deliver to
the Participant or, in case of the Participants death, to
the Participants beneficiary, one or more stock
certificates for the appropriate number of Shares, free of all
such restrictions, except for any restrictions that may be
imposed by law. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or any
Award agreement to the contrary, delivery of Shares pursuant to
a Restricted Share Award shall be made no later than
21/2 months
after the close of the Companys first taxable year in
which such shares are no longer subject to a risk of forfeiture
(within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code).
6.2. Terms of Restricted
Shares. (a) Forfeiture of Restricted Shares.
Subject to Section 6.2(b), all Restricted Shares shall be
forfeited and returned to the Company and all rights of the
Participant with respect to such Restricted Shares shall
terminate unless the Participant continues in the service of the
Company as an employee (or Director, consultant or advisor, as
the case may be) until the expiration of the forfeiture period
for such Restricted Shares and satisfies any and all other
conditions set forth in the Restricted Share Agreement. The
Committee in its sole discretion, shall determine the forfeiture
period (which may, but need not, lapse in installments) and any
other terms and conditions applicable with respect to any
Restricted Share Award and the Committee has the discretion to
modify the terms and conditions of a Restricted Share Award as
long as the rights of the Participant are not impaired.
(b) Waiver of Forfeiture Period. Notwithstanding
anything contained in this Article 6 to the contrary, the
Committee may, in its sole discretion and subject to the
limitations imposed under Section 409A of the Code and/or
Section 162(m) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations
thereunder in the case of a Restricted Share Award intended to
comply with the performance-based compensation exception under
Section 162(m) of the Code, waive the forfeiture period and
any other conditions set forth at grant in any Restricted Share
Agreement under appropriate circumstances (including the death,
disability or retirement of the Participant or a material change
in circumstances arising after the date of an Award) as
determined by the Committee in its sole discretion and subject
to such terms and conditions (including forfeiture of a
proportionate number of the Restricted Shares) as the Committee
shall deem appropriate.
6.3. Other Share-Based
Awards. The Committee is authorized to grant other
Share-based awards that are payable in, valued in whole or in
part by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to
Shares, including but not limited to, Shares awarded purely as a
bonus and not subject to any restrictions or conditions, Shares
in payment of the amounts due under an incentive or performance
plan sponsored or maintained by the Company or any parent,
subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, share appreciation
rights (in tandem with Options), stock equivalent units, and
Awards valued by reference to book value of Shares. Subject to
the provisions of the Plan and Section 409A of the Code,
the Committee shall have authority to determine the persons to
whom and the time or times at which such Awards shall be made,
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the number of Shares to be awarded pursuant to or referenced by
such Awards, and all other conditions of the Awards. Grants of
other Share-based awards may be subject to such conditions,
restrictions and contingencies as the Committee may determine
which may include, but are not limited to, continuous service
with the Company or any parent, subsidiary or affiliate of the
Company and/or the achievement of performance goals.
6.4. Objective Performance
Goals, Formulae or Standards. If the grant of Restricted
Shares or other Share-based awards or the lapse of restrictions
or vesting of Restricted Shares or other Share-based awards is
based on the attainment of performance goals intended to comply
with the exception for performance-based
compensation paid to certain covered employees
under Section 162(m) of the Code and the applicable
regulations thereunder (the Section 162(m)
Exception), then
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(a) the Committee shall establish in writing (x) the
objective performance-based goals applicable to a given period
and (y) the individual covered employees or class of
covered employees to which such performance-based goals apply no
later than 90 days after the commencement of such period
(but in no event after 25 percent of such period has
elapsed); |
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(b) no performance-based compensation shall be payable to
or vest with respect to, as the case may be, any covered
employee for a given period until the Committee certifies in
writing that the objective performance goals (and any other
material terms) applicable to such period have been
satisfied; and |
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(c) after the establishment of a performance goal, the
Committee shall not revise such performance goal or increase the
amount of compensation payable thereunder (as determined in
accordance with Section 162(m) of the Code) upon the
attainment of such performance goal. |
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Such performance goals may incorporate provisions for
disregarding (or adjusting for) changes in accounting methods,
corporate transactions (including, without limitation,
dispositions and acquisitions) and other similar type events or
circumstances. With regard to a Restricted Share Award or other
Share-based award that is intended to comply with the
Section 162(m) Exception, to the extent any such provision
would create impermissible discretion under Section 162(m)
of the Code or otherwise violate the Section 162(m)
Exception, such provision shall be of no force or effect. The
applicable performance goals shall be based on one or more of
the Performance Criteria set forth in Exhibit A hereto. The
Committee may provide in any Award based on the attainment of
performance goals that any evaluation of performance may include
or exclude any of the following events that occurs during a
performance period: (a) asset write-downs;
(b) litigation or claim judgments or settlements;
(c) the effect of changes in tax laws, accounting
principles, or other laws or provisions affecting reported
results; (d) any reorganization and restructuring programs;
(e) extraordinary nonrecurring items as described in
Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 30 and/or in
managements discussion and analysis of financial condition
and results of operations appearing in the Companys annual
report to shareholders for the applicable year;
(f) acquisitions or divestitures; and (g) foreign
exchange gains and losses. To the extent such inclusions or
exclusions affect Awards to covered employees, they shall be
prescribed in a form that meets the requirements of Code
Section 162(m) for deductibility. Other performance goals
may be used to the extent such goals satisfy the
Section 162(m) Exception or the Award is not intended to
satisfy the requirements of the Section 162(m) Exception. |
6.5. Section 83(b)
Election. The Committee may provide in a Restricted
Share Agreement that the Award of Restricted Shares is
conditioned upon the Participant making or refraining from
making an election with respect to the Award under
Section 83(b) of the Code. If a Participant makes an
election pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code concerning a
Restricted Share Award, the Participant shall be required to
file promptly a copy of such election with the Company.
6.6. Payment under Other
Share-Based Awards. Payment under other Share-based
awards shall be made in accordance with the terms of the award,
in cash or Shares as the Committee determines. Notwithstanding
anything in the Plan or any Award agreement to the contrary,
delivery of Shares or cash pursuant to a Share-based award shall
be made no later than
21/2 months
after the close of the Companys
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first taxable year in which delivery of such Shares or cash is
no longer subject to a risk of forfeiture (within the meaning of
Section 409A of the Code).
ARTICLE 7.
Generally Applicable Provisions
7.1. Option Period.
Subject to Section 3.1(b), the period for which an Option
is exercisable shall be set by the Committee and shall not
exceed ten years from the date such Option is granted, provided,
however, in the case of an Option that is not intended to be an
incentive stock option, the Committee may prescribe
a period in excess of ten years. After the Option is granted,
the option period may not be reduced, subject to expiration due
to termination of employment.
7.2. Fair Market
Value. If the Shares are listed or admitted to trading
on a securities exchange registered under the Exchange Act,
unless otherwise required by any applicable provision of the
Code, the Fair Market Value or FMV of a Share
as of a specified date shall mean a price that is based on the
opening, closing, actual, high, low, or average selling prices
of a Share reported on the NYSE or other established stock
exchange (or exchanges) on such date, the preceding trading day,
the next succeeding trading day, or an average of trading days,
as determined by the Committee in its discretion. Unless the
Committee determines otherwise, if the Shares are traded over
the counter at the time a determination of its Fair Market Value
is required to be made hereunder, its Fair Market Value shall be
deemed to be equal to the average between the reported high and
low or closing bid and asked prices of a Share on the most
recent date on which Shares were publicly traded. In the event
Shares are not publicly traded at the time a determination of
their Fair Market Value is required to be made hereunder, the
determination of their Fair Market Value shall be made by the
Committee in such manner as it deems appropriate. Such
definition(s) of FMV shall be specified in each Award agreement
and may differ depending on whether FMV is in reference to the
grant, exercise, vesting, settlement, or payout of an Award.
7.3. Exercise of
Options. Vested Options granted under the Plan shall be
exercised by the Optionee thereof (or by his or her executors,
administrators, guardian or legal representative, or by a Family
Member (as defined in Section 7.4 below) to whom an Award
may be transferred in accordance with the terms of the Plan or
any other permitted assignee (each such Family Member or
permitted assignee, a Permitted Assignee) expressly
allowed by the Plan, as provided in Sections 7.4, 7.6 and
7.7 hereof) as to all or part of the Shares covered thereby, by
the giving of written notice of exercise to the Company,
specifying the number of Shares to be purchased, accompanied by
payment of the full purchase price for the Shares being
purchased. Full payment of such purchase price shall be made at
the time of exercise and shall be made (i) in cash or by
certified check or bank check or wire transfer of immediately
available funds, (ii) with the consent of the Committee, by
tendering previously acquired Shares (valued at their Fair
Market Value, as determined by the Committee as of the date of
tender) that have been owned for a period of at least six months
(or such other period to avoid accounting charges against the
Companys earnings), (iii) if Shares are traded on a
national securities exchange, the NASDAQ or quoted on a national
quotation system sponsored by the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. and the Committee authorizes this
method of exercise, through the delivery of irrevocable
instructions to a broker approved by the Committee to deliver
promptly to the Company an amount equal to the purchase price,
or (iv) with the consent of the Committee, any combination
of (i), (ii) or (iii). In connection with a tender of
previously acquired Shares pursuant to clause (ii) above,
the Committee, in its sole discretion, may permit the Optionee
to constructively exchange Shares already owned by the Optionee
in lieu of actually tendering such Shares to the Company,
provided that adequate documentation concerning the ownership of
the Shares to be constructively tendered is furnished in a form
satisfactory to the Committee. The notice of exercise,
accompanied by such payment, shall be delivered to the Company
at its principal business office or such other office as the
Committee may from time to time direct, and shall be in such
form, containing such further provisions consistent with the
provisions of the Plan, as the Committee may from time to time
prescribe. In no event may any Option granted hereunder be
exercised for a fraction of a Share. The Company shall, subject
to Section 8.4 herein, effect the transfer of Shares
purchased pursuant to an Option as soon as practicable, and,
within a reasonable time thereafter, such transfer shall be
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evidenced on the books of the Company. No person exercising an
Option shall have any of the rights of a holder of Shares
subject to an Option until certificates for such Shares shall
have been issued following the exercise of such Option. No
adjustment shall be made for cash dividends or other rights for
which the record date is prior to the date of such issuance.
7.4. Non-Transferability.
Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, no Award shall
be transferable by the Participant otherwise than by will or by
the laws of descent and distribution. All Options shall be
exercisable, during the Participants lifetime, only by the
Participant. Any attempt to transfer any Award, except as
specifically provided herein, shall be void, and no such Award
shall in any manner be subject to the debts, contracts,
liabilities, engagements or torts of any person who shall be
entitled to such Award, nor shall it be subject to attachment or
legal process for or against such person. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Committee may determine at the time of grant or
thereafter that an Award (other than (x) an Option that is
intended to be an incentive stock option, (y) a share
appreciation right covered by Section 5.2(d)(i) and
(z) a Restricted Share Award) that is otherwise not
transferable pursuant to this Section 7.4 is transferable
to a Family Member (defined below) in whole or in part and in
such circumstances, and under such conditions as specified by
the Committee. An Award that is transferred to a Family Member
pursuant to the preceding sentence (i) may not be
subsequently transferred otherwise than by will or by the laws
of descent and distribution and (ii) remains subject to the
terms of the Plan and the Award agreement. Family
Member means, solely to the extent provided for in
Securities Act Form S-8, any child, stepchild, grandchild,
parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, former spouse, sibling,
niece, nephew, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law,
daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, including
adoptive relationships, any person sharing the employees
household (other than a tenant or employee), a trust in which
these persons have more than 50% of the beneficial interest, a
foundation in which these persons (or the employee) control the
management of assets, and any other entity in which these
persons (or the employee) own more than 50% of the voting
interests, or as otherwise defined in Securities Act
Form S-8.
7.5. Termination of
Employment. Unless the Committee otherwise determines,
in the event of the termination of employment with the Company
or any parent, subsidiary or affiliate of the Company of an
Optionee who is an employee or the termination or separation
from service with the Company or any parent, subsidiary or
affiliate of the Company of an advisor, consultant or a Director
(who is an Optionee) for any reason (other than death or
disability as provided below), any Option(s) granted to such
Optionee (or its Permitted Assignee) under the Plan and not
previously exercised or expired, to the extent vested on the
date of such termination or separation, shall be exercisable as
of such termination for a period not to exceed three months
after the date of such termination or separation, provided,
however, that in no instance may the term of the Option, as so
extended, exceed the maximum term established pursuant to
Section 3.1(b) or 7.1 above.
7.6. Death. In the
event an Optionee dies while employed by the Company or any
parent, subsidiary or affiliate of the Company or while serving
as a Director, advisor or consultant of the Company or any
parent, subsidiary of the Company, as the case may be, any
Option(s) held by such Optionee (or its Permitted Assignee) and
not previously expired or exercised shall, to the extent
exercisable on the date of death, be exercisable by the estate
of such Optionee or by any person who acquired such Option by
bequest or inheritance, or by the Permitted Assignee at any time
within one year after the death of the Optionee, unless earlier
terminated pursuant to its terms, provided, however, that in no
instance may the term of the Option, as so extended, exceed the
maximum term established pursuant to Section 3.1(b) or 7.1
above.
7.7. Disability. In
the event of the termination of employment with the Company or
any parent, subsidiary or affiliate of the Company of an
Optionee or separation from service with the Company or any
parent, subsidiary or affiliate of the Company of an Optionee
who is a Director, advisor or consultant of the Company or any
parent, subsidiary or affiliate of the Company due to total
disability, the Optionee, or his guardian or legal
representative, or a Permitted Assignee shall have the
unqualified right to exercise any Option that has not expired or
been previously exercised and that the Optionee was eligible to
exercise as of the first date of total disability (as determined
by the Committee), at any time within one year after
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such termination or separation, unless earlier terminated
pursuant to its terms, provided, however, that in no instance
may the term of the Option, as so extended, exceed the maximum
term established pursuant to Section 3.1(b) or 7.1 above.
The term total disability shall, for purposes of the
Plan, be defined in the same manner as the term permanent
and total disability is defined in Section 22(e)(3)
of the Code.
7.8. Terms of Grant.
Notwithstanding anything in Section 7.5, 7.6 or 7.7 to the
contrary, the Committee may grant an Option under such terms and
conditions as may be provided in the Share Option Agreement
given to the Optionee and the Committee has the discretion to
modify the terms and conditions of an Option after grant as long
as no rights of the Participant are impaired, provided,
however, that in no instance may the term of the Option, as
so extended, exceed the maximum term established pursuant to
Section 3.1(b) or 7.1 above.
7.9. Adjustments. In
the event that the Committee shall determine that any dividend
or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Shares,
other securities, or other property), recapitalization, stock
split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger,
consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or
exchange of Shares or other securities, the issuance of warrants
or other rights to purchase Shares or other securities, or other
similar corporate transaction or event affects the Shares with
respect to which Awards have been or may be issued under the
Plan, such that an adjustment is determined in good faith by the
Committee to be appropriate in order to prevent dilution or
enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be
made available under the Plan, then the Committee shall, in such
manner as the Committee may deem equitable, adjust any or all of
(i) the number and type of Shares that thereafter may be
made the subject of Awards, (ii) the number and type of
Shares subject to outstanding Awards, and (iii) the grant
or exercise price with respect to any Option, or, if deemed
appropriate, make provision for a cash payment to the holder of
any outstanding Award; provided, in each case, that with respect
to Options, no such adjustment shall be authorized to the extent
that such adjustment would cause incentive stock
options to violate Section 422(b) of the Code or
nonqualified stock options to become subject to
Section 409A of the Code, or any successor provisions; and
provided further, that the number of Shares subject to any Award
denominated in Shares shall always be a whole number. In the
event of any reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up,
spin-off, or other business combination involving the Company
(each, a Reorganization), the Committee may cause
any Award outstanding as of the effective date of the
Reorganization to be canceled in consideration of a cash payment
or an alternate Award (whether from the Company or another
entity that is a party to the Reorganization), or a combination
thereof, made to the holder of such canceled Award substantially
equivalent in value to the fair market value of such canceled
Award and subject to the provisions of Section 409A of the
Code. The determination of fair market value shall be made by
the Committee in its sole discretion.
7.10. Amendment and
Modification of the Plan. The Compensation Committee of
the Board of Directors of the Company may, from time to time,
alter, amend, suspend or terminate the Plan as it shall deem
advisable, subject to any requirement for shareholder approval
imposed by applicable law, including without limitation
Sections 162(m) and 422 of the Code, or any rule of any
stock exchange or quotation system on which Shares are listed or
quoted; provided that such Compensation Committee may not amend
the Plan, without the approval of the Companys
shareholders, to increase the number of Shares that may be the
subject of Awards under the Plan (except for adjustments
pursuant to Section 7.9 hereof). Except to the extent
necessary to avoid the imposition of additional tax and/or
interest under Section 409A of the Code, no amendments to,
or termination of, the Plan shall in any way impair the rights
of an Optionee or a Participant (or a Permitted Assignee
thereof) under any Award previously granted without such
Optionees or Participants consent. It is intended
that no Award granted under the Plan shall be subject to any
interest or additional tax under Section 409A of the Code.
In the event that Section 409A is amended after the date
hereof, or guidance is promulgated that would make an Award
under the Plan subject to such interest or additional tax under
Section 409A, then the terms and conditions of the Plan
shall be interpreted and applied, and if necessary, amended, to
avoid the imposition of such interest or additional tax.
M-10
7.11. Validity of
Awards. The validity of any Award or grant of Options
made pursuant to the Plan shall remain in full force and effect
and shall not be affected by the compliance or noncompliance
with Section 162(m) of the Code or Rule 16b-3 of the
Exchange Act.
7.12. Beneficiary
Designation. Each Participant under the Plan may, from
time to time, name any beneficiary or beneficiaries (who may be
named contingently or successively) to whom any benefit under
the Plan is to be paid in case of his death before he receives
any or all of such benefit. Each such designation shall revoke
all prior designations by the same Participant, shall be in a
form prescribed by the Committee, and will be effective only
when filed by the Participant in writing with the Company during
the Participants lifetime. In the absence of any such
designation, benefits remaining unpaid at the Participants
death shall be paid to the Participants estate.
7.13. Change in
Control. In addition to the terms and conditions of the
Plan, one or more Awards may be subject to the terms and
conditions set forth in a written agreement between the Company
and a Participant providing for different terms or provisions
with respect to such Awards upon a Change of Control
of the Company (as that term may be defined in such written
agreement), including but not limited to acceleration of
benefits, lapsing of restrictions, vesting of benefits and such
other terms, conditions or provisions as may be contained in
such written agreement; provided however, that such written
agreement may not increase the maximum amount of such Awards.
7.14. Forfeiture
Events.
(a) The Committee may specify in an Award agreement that
the Participants rights, payments and benefits with
respect to an Award shall be subject to reduction, cancellation,
forfeiture or recoupment upon the occurrence of certain
specified events, in addition to any otherwise applicable
vesting or performance conditions of an Award. Such events may
include, but shall not be limited to, termination of employment
for cause, termination of the Participants provision of
services to the Company, or an affiliate and/or subsidiary of
the Company, violation of material Company, affiliate and/or
subsidiary policies, breach of noncompetition, confidentiality
or other restrictive covenants that may apply to the
Participant, or other conduct by the Participant that is
detrimental to the business or reputation of the Company, its
affiliates and/or its subsidiaries.
(b) If the Company is required to prepare an accounting
restatement of a financial document (as such term is
defined in the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002) due to the material
noncompliance of the Company, as a result of misconduct, with
any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws,
and (i) if the Participant knowingly or grossly negligently
engaged in the misconduct, or knowingly or grossly negligently
failed to prevent the misconduct, or (ii) if the
Participant is one of the individuals subject to automatic
forfeiture under Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002, then the Participant shall reimburse the Company the
amount of any payment in settlement of an Award earned or
accrued during the twelve-month period following the first
public issuance or filing with the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission (whichever first occurred) of the original
financial document embodying such financial reporting
requirement.
7.15. Employees Based Outside
of the United States. Notwithstanding any provision of
the Plan to the contrary, in order to comply with the laws in
other countries in which the Company, its affiliates and/or its
subsidiaries operate or have employees, directors or third-party
service providers, the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall
have the power and authority to:
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(a) determine which affiliates and subsidiaries shall be
covered by the Plan; |
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(b) determine which employees, directors or third-party
service providers outside the United States are eligible to
participate in the Plan; |
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(c) modify the terms and conditions of any Award granted to
employees, directors or third-party service providers outside
the United States to comply with applicable foreign laws; |
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(d) establish subplans and modify exercise procedures and
other terms and procedures, to the extent such actions may be
necessary or advisable. Any subplans and modifications to Plan
terms and |
M-11
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procedures established under this Section 7.15 by the
Committee shall be attached to the Plan document as
appendices; and |
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(e) take any action, before or after an Award is made, that
it deems advisable to obtain approval or comply with any
necessary local government regulatory exemptions or approvals. |
ARTICLE 8.
Miscellaneous
8.1. Tax Withholding.
The Company or any parent, subsidiary or affiliate of the
Company shall have the right to make all payments or
distributions made pursuant to the Plan to an Optionee or
Participant (or a Permitted Assignee thereof) net of any
applicable federal, state and local taxes required to be paid as
a result of the grant of any Award, exercise of an Option or
share appreciation rights or any other event occurring pursuant
to the Plan. The Company or any parent, subsidiary or affiliate
of the Company shall have the right to withhold from wages or
other payments otherwise payable to such Optionee or Participant
(or a Permitted Assignee thereof) such withholding taxes as may
be required by law, or to otherwise require the Optionee or
Participant (or a Permitted Assignee thereof) to pay such
withholding taxes. If the Optionee or Participant (or a
Permitted Assignee thereof) shall fail to make such tax payments
as are required, the Company or any parent, subsidiary or
affiliate of the Company shall, to the extent permitted by law,
have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment of any
kind otherwise due to such Optionee or Participant or to take
such other action as may be necessary to satisfy such
withholding obligations. In satisfaction of the requirement to
pay required withholding taxes, the Optionee or Participant (or
Permitted Assignee) may make a written election, which may be
accepted or rejected in the discretion of the Committee, to have
withheld a portion of the Shares then issuable to the Optionee
(or Permitted Assignee) pursuant to the Plan, having an
aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the required withholding
taxes.
8.2. Right of Discharge
Reserved. Nothing in the Plan nor the grant of an Award
hereunder shall confer upon any employee, Director, consultant,
advisor or other individual the right to continue in the
employment or service of the Company or any parent, subsidiary
or affiliate of the Company or affect any right that the Company
or any parent, subsidiary or affiliate of the Company may have
to terminate the employment or service of (or to demote or to
exclude from future Awards under the Plan) any such employee,
Director, consultant, advisor or other individual at any time
for any reason. Except as specifically provided by the
Committee, the Company shall not be liable for the loss of
existing or potential profit with respect to an Award in the
event of termination of an employment or other relationship even
if the termination is in violation of an obligation of the
Company or any parent, subsidiary or affiliate of the Company to
the Optionee or Participant.
8.3. Unfunded Plan.
Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the Plan shall be
unfunded and shall not create (or be construed to create) a
trust or a separate fund or funds. The Plan shall not establish
any fiduciary relationship between the Company or any parent,
subsidiary or affiliate of the Company and any Optionee,
Participant or other person. To the extent any Optionee or
Participant holds any rights by virtue of any grant or award
made under the Plan, such rights shall constitute general
unsecured liabilities of the Company or any parent, subsidiary
or affiliate of the Company and shall not confer upon any
participant any right, title, or interest in any assets of the
Company or any parent, subsidiary or affiliate of the Company.
8.4. Legend. All
certificates for Shares delivered under the Plan shall be
subject to such stock transfer orders and other restrictions as
the Committee may deem advisable under the rules, regulations
and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange
Commission, any stock exchange upon which the Shares are then
listed or any national securities association system upon whose
system the Shares are then quoted, any applicable Federal or
state securities law, and any applicable corporate law, and the
Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such
certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.
Without limiting the foregoing, each certificate representing
Restricted Shares granted
M-12
pursuant to the Plan may bear a legend such as the following or
as otherwise determined by the Committee in its sole discretion:
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The sale or transfer of shares of stock represented by
this certificate, whether voluntary, involuntary, or by
operation of law, is subject to certain restrictions on transfer
as set forth in the Issuers 2005 Incentive Plan, and in
the associated Restricted Share Agreement. A copy of the Plan
and such Restricted Share Agreement may be obtained from the
Issuer. |
8.5. Listing and Other
Conditions. (a) As long as the Shares are listed on
a national securities exchange or system sponsored by a national
securities association, the issue of any Shares pursuant to an
Award shall be conditioned upon such Shares being listed on such
exchange or system. The Company shall have no obligation to
deliver such Shares unless and until such Shares are so listed;
provided, however, that any delay in the delivery of such Shares
shall be based solely on a reasonable business decision and the
right to exercise any Option with respect to such Shares shall
be suspended until such listing has been effected.
(b) If at any time counsel to the Company shall be of the
opinion that any sale or delivery of Shares pursuant to any
Award is or may in the circumstances be unlawful or result in
the imposition of excise taxes on the Company under the
statutes, rules or regulations of any applicable jurisdiction,
the Company shall have no obligation to make such sale or
delivery, or to make any application or to effect or to maintain
any qualification or registration under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, or otherwise with respect to Shares or Award,
and the right to any Award shall be suspended until, in the
opinion of said counsel, such sale or delivery shall be lawful
or will not result in the imposition of excise taxes on the
Company.
(c) Upon termination of any period of suspension under this
Section 8.5, any Award affected by such suspension which
shall not then have expired or terminated shall be reinstated as
to all shares available before such suspension and as to shares
which would otherwise have become available during the period of
such suspension, but no such suspension shall extend the term of
any Option.
(d) A Participant shall be required to supply the Company
with any certificates, representations and information that the
Company requests and otherwise cooperate with the Company in
obtaining any listing, registration, qualification, exemption,
consent or approval the Company deems necessary or appropriate.
8.6. Dissolution or
Liquidation. In the event of the proposed dissolution or
liquidation of the Company, the Committee shall notify each
Optionee and Participant as soon as practicable prior to the
effective date of such proposed transaction. The Committee in
its sole discretion may permit an Optionee to exercise an Option
until ten days prior to such transaction with respect to all
vested and exercisable Shares covered thereby and with respect
to such number of unvested Shares as the Committee shall
determine. In addition, the Committee may provide that any
forfeiture provision or Company repurchase option applicable to
any Restricted Share Award shall lapse as to such number of
Shares as the Committee shall determine, contingent upon the
occurrence of the proposed dissolution or liquidation at the
time and in the manner contemplated. To the extent an Option has
not been previously exercised, the Option shall terminate
automatically immediately prior to the consummation of the
proposed action. To the extent a forfeiture provision applicable
to a Restricted Share Award has not been waived by the
Committee, the related Restricted Share Award shall be forfeited
automatically immediately prior to the consummation of the
proposed action.
8.7. Severability. If
any provision of the Plan shall be held unlawful or otherwise
invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part, such unlawfulness,
invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any other
provision of the Plan or part thereof, each of which shall
remain in full force and effect. If the making of any payment or
the provision of any other benefit required under the Plan shall
be held unlawful or otherwise invalid or unenforceable, such
unlawfulness, invalidity or unenforceability shall not prevent
any other payment or benefit from being made or provided under
the Plan, and if the making of any payment in full or the
provision of any other benefit required under the Plan in full
would be unlawful or otherwise invalid or unenforceable, then
such unlawfulness, invalidity or unenforceability shall not
M-13
prevent such payment or benefit from being made or provided in
part, to the extent that it would not be unlawful, invalid or
unenforceable, and the maximum payment or benefit that would not
be unlawful, invalid or unenforceable shall be made or provided
under the Plan.
8.8. Gender and
Number. In order to shorten and to improve the
understandability of the Plan document by eliminating the
repeated usage of such phrases as his or her, any
masculine terminology herein shall also include the feminine,
and the definition of any term herein in the singular shall also
include the plural except when otherwise indicated by the
context.
8.9. Effective Date of Plan;
Termination of Plan. The Plan shall be effective on the
date of the approval of the Plan by (i) the holders of a
majority of the shares of common stock of GameStop Corp., a
Delaware corporation, entitled to vote thereon and (ii) the
holders of a majority of the shares of common stock of
Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp., a Delaware corporation
(Electronics Boutique), entitled to vote thereon
(all such shareholders being the shareholders of the Company
immediately after the consummation of the mergers contemplated
by the Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among the Company,
Electronics Boutique and others dated as of April 17,
2005), provided such approval is obtained within 12 months
after the date of adoption of the Plan by the Board of
Directors. Awards may be granted under the Plan at any time and
from time to time after the effective date of the Plan and on or
prior to
,
2015, on which date the Plan will expire except as to Awards and
related share appreciation rights then outstanding under the
Plan. Such outstanding Awards and share appreciation rights
shall remain in effect until they have been exercised or
terminated, or have otherwise expired.
8.10. Nature of
Payments. All Awards made pursuant to the Plan are in
consideration of services performed for the Company and any
parent, subsidiary or affiliate of the Company. Any income or
gain realized pursuant to Awards under the Plan and any share
appreciation rights constitutes a special incentive payment to
the Optionee, Participant or Holder and shall not be taken into
account, to the extent permissible under applicable law, as
compensation for purposes of any of the employee benefit plans
of the Company or any parent, subsidiary or affiliate of the
Company, except as may be determined by the Committee or by the
Directors or directors of the applicable parent, subsidiary or
affiliate of the Company.
8.11. Captions. The
captions in the Plan are for convenience of reference only, and
are not intended to narrow, limit or affect the substance or
interpretation of the provisions contained herein.
8.12. Successors and
Assigns. This Plan shall be binding upon and inure to
the benefit of the respective successors and permitted assigns
of the Company and the Participants.
8.13. Governing Law.
The Plan and all determinations made and actions taken
thereunder, to the extent not otherwise governed by the Code or
the laws of the United States, shall be governed by the laws of
the State of Delaware (without regard to the principles of
conflicts of laws which might otherwise apply) and shall be
construed accordingly.
8.14. No Constraint on
Corporate Action. Nothing in the Plan shall be construed
to limit, impair, or otherwise affect the right or power of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates to
(i) make adjustments, reclassifications, reorganizations or
changes of its capital or business structure, or merge or
consolidate, or dissolve, liquidate, sell or transfer all or any
part of its business or assets, or (ii) take any other
action which such entity deems to be necessary or appropriate.
M-14
EXHIBIT A
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
Subject to the last sentence of Section 6.4 of the Plan,
performance goals established for purposes of conditioning the
grant of an Award of Restricted Shares or other Share-based
awards based on performance or the vesting of performance-based
Awards of Restricted Shares under the Section 162(m)
Exception shall be based on one or more of the following
performance criteria (Performance Criteria):
(i) the attainment of certain target levels of, or a
specified percentage increase in, revenues, income before income
taxes and extraordinary items, net income, earnings before
income tax, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and
amortization, or a combination of any or all of the foregoing;
(ii) the attainment of certain target levels of, or a
percentage increase in, after-tax or pre-tax profits including,
without limitation, that attributable to continuing and/or other
operations; (iii) the attainment of certain target levels
of, or a specified increase in, operational cash flow, gross
margins, operating margins, gross sales, net sales, gross
profit, net profit and investment return measures; (iv) the
achievement of a certain level of, reduction of, or other
specified objectives with regard to limiting the level of
increase in, all or a portion of, the Companys bank debt
or other long-term or short-term public or private debt or other
similar financial obligations of the Company, which may be
calculated net of such cash balances and/or other offsets and
adjustments as may be established by the Committee; (v) the
attainment of a specified percentage increase in earnings per
share or earnings per share from continuing operations;
(vi) the attainment of certain target levels of, or a
specified increase in return on capital employed or return on
invested capital; (vii) the attainment of certain target
levels of, or a percentage increase in, after-tax or pre-tax
return on stockholders equity; (viii) the attainment
of certain target levels of, or a specified increase in,
economic value added targets based on a cash flow return on
investment formula; (ix) the attainment of certain target
levels in the fair market value of the shares of the
Companys Shares and (x) the growth in the value of an
investment in the Companys Shares assuming the
reinvestment of dividends. For purposes of item (i) above,
extraordinary items shall mean all items of gain,
loss or expense for the fiscal year determined to be
extraordinary or unusual in nature or infrequent in occurrence
or related to a corporate transaction (including, without
limitation, a disposition or acquisition) or related to a change
in accounting principle, all as determined in accordance with
standards established by Opinion No. 30 of the Accounting
Principles Board.
In addition, such Performance Criteria may be based upon the
attainment of specified levels of Company (or affiliate,
division or other operational unit of the Company) performance
under one or more of the measures described above relative to
the performance of other businesses that are comparable to the
Company as determined by the Committee. To the extent permitted
under the Section 162(m) Exception (including, without
limitation, compliance with any requirements for stockholder
approval), the Committee may: (i) designate additional
business criteria on which the Performance Criteria may be based
or (ii) adjust, modify or amend the aforementioned business
criteria, provided that under no circumstances may the Committee
use its discretion to increase the amount payable to a
participant under an Award intended to qualify under the
Section 162(m) Exception.
M-15
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
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Item 20. |
Indemnification of Directors and Officers |
Pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law (the DGCL), a
corporation may indemnify any person in connection with any
threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding,
whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other
than a derivative action by or in the right of such corporation)
who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such
corporation, or serving at the request of such corporation in
such capacity for another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including
attorneys fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in
settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with
such action, suit or proceeding, if such person acted in good
faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or
not opposed to the best interests of such corporation, and, with
respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable
cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.
The DGCL also permits indemnification by a corporation under
similar circumstances for expenses (including attorneys
fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such persons in
connection with the defense or settlement of a derivative action
or suit, except that no indemnification shall be made in respect
of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have
been adjudged to be liable to such corporation unless the
Delaware Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or
suit was brought shall determine upon application that such
person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such
expenses which such court shall deem proper.
To the extent a director, officer, employee or agent is
successful in the defense of such an action, suit or proceeding,
the corporation is required by the DGCL to indemnify such person
for actual and reasonable expenses incurred thereby. Expenses
(including attorneys fees) incurred by such persons in
defending any action, suit or proceeding may be paid in advance
of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon
receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such person to
repay such amount if it is ultimately determined that such
person is not entitled to be so indemnified.
The DGCL provides that the indemnification described above shall
not be deemed exclusive of other indemnification that may be
granted by a corporation pursuant to its bylaws, disinterested
directors vote, stockholders vote, agreement or
otherwise.
The DGCL also provides corporations with the power to purchase
and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a
director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is
or was serving at the request of the corporation in a similar
capacity for another corporation, partnership, joint venture,
trust or other enterprise, against any liability asserted
against him or her in any such capacity, or arising out of his
or her status as such, whether or not the corporation would have
the power to indemnify him or her against such liability as
described above.
Holdcos amended and restated certificate of incorporation
authorizes the corporation to indemnify all persons to the
fullest extent permitted by law. The amended and restated bylaws
of Holdco require Holdco to indemnify each person who was or is
made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is
otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, by reason
of the fact that he or she is or was a director or an officer of
Holdco or is or was serving at the request of Holdco 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 an employee benefit plan,
against all expense, liability and loss (including
attorneys fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or
penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or
suffered by such person in connection with such action, suit or
proceeding. The amended and restated bylaws provide that Holdco
will indemnify such a director or officer who initiates an
action, suit or proceeding only if the action, suit or
proceeding was authorized by the board of directors of Holdco.
II-1
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Item 21. |
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules |
(a) The following exhibits are filed herewith or
incorporated by reference herein:
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Exhibit |
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Number |
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Description |
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2 |
.1 |
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Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April 17, 2005,
among GameStop Corp., Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp.,
GameStop, Inc., GSC Holdings Corp., Cowboy Subsidiary LLC and
Eagle Subsidiary LLC (included as Annex A to the
accompanying joint proxy statement-prospectus herein). |
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3 |
.1 |
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Certificate of Incorporation of Holdco. |
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3 |
.2 |
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Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
Holdco (included as Annex K to the accompanying joint proxy
statement-prospectus herein). |
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3 |
.3 |
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Bylaws of Holdco. |
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3 |
.4 |
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Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws of Holdco (included as Annex
L to the accompanying joint proxy statement-prospectus herein). |
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4 |
.1 |
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Amendment to Rights Agreement, dated as of April 17, 2005,
between GameStop Corp. and The Bank of New York, as Rights
Agent. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to
GameStop Corp.s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on
April 18, 2005). |
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4 |
.2 |
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Rights Agreement, dated as
of ,
2005, between GSC Holdings Corp. and The Bank of New York, as
Rights Agent.* |
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5 |
.1 |
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Opinion of Bryan Cave LLP regarding legality of securities being
registered.* |
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8 |
.1 |
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Opinion of Bryan Cave LLP, counsel to GameStop Corp., as to
material U.S. federal tax matters.* |
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8 |
.2 |
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Opinion of Klehr, Harrison, Harvey, Branzburg & Ellers
LLP, counsel to Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp., as to
material U.S. federal tax matters.* |
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9 |
.1 |
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Voting Agreement and Irrevocable Proxy, dated as of
April 17, 2005, among Leonard Riggio, Barnes &
Noble College Booksellers, Inc., The Riggio Foundation, GameStop
Corp. and Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp. (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 9.1 to GameStop Corp.s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on April 18, 2005). |
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9 |
.2 |
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Amendment to Voting Agreement and Irrevocable Proxy, dated as of
April 19, 2005, among Leonard Riggio, Barnes &
Noble College Booksellers, Inc., The Riggio Foundation, GameStop
Corp. and Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp. (included as a
part of Annex F to the accompanying joint proxy
statement-prospectus herein). |
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9 |
.3 |
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Voting Agreement and Irrevocable Proxy, dated as of
April 17, 2005, by and among EB Nevada Inc., James J. Kim,
GameStop Corp. and Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Electronics
Boutique Holdings Corp.s Current Report on Form 8-K filed
on April 18, 2005). |
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10 |
.1 |
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Form of Registration Rights Agreement among EB Nevada Inc.,
James J. Kim and GameStop Corp. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.1 to Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp.s
Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 18, 2005). |
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10 |
.2 |
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Form of Non-Competition Agreement between GSC Holdings Corp. and
James J. Kim. (included as Annex E to the accompanying
joint proxy statement-prospectus herein) |
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10 |
.3 |
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Holdcos 2005 Incentive Plan (included as Annex M to the
accompanying joint proxy statement-prospectus herein). |
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10 |
.4 |
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Senior Facility Commitment Letter, dated April 17, 2005,
among GameStop Corp., Citicorp North America, Inc., Citigroup
Global Markets Inc., Banc of America Bridge LLC, Banc of America
Securities LLC, Merrill Lynch Capital Corporation and Merrill
Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated. |
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10 |
.5 |
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Commitment Letter, dated April 17, 2005, among GameStop
Corp., Bank of America, N.A., Citigroup Global Markets Inc.,
Banc of America Securities LLC and Merrill Lynch Capital, a
division of Merrill Lynch Business Financial Services Inc. |
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23 |
.1 |
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Consent of BDO Seidman, LLP, registered public accounting firm
for GameStop Corp. |
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23 |
.2 |
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Consent of KPMG LLP, registered public accounting firm for
Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp. |
II-2
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Exhibit |
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Number |
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Description |
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23 |
.3 |
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Consent of Bryan Cave LLP (included as part of its opinion filed
as Exhibit 5.1 to the accompanying joint proxy
statement-prospectus herein).* |
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23 |
.4 |
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Consent of Bryan Cave LLP (included as part of its opinion filed
as Exhibit 8.1 to the accompanying joint proxy
statement-prospectus herein).* |
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23 |
.5 |
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Consent of Klehr, Harrison, Harvey, Branzburg & Ellers
LLP (included as part of its opinion filed as Exhibit 8.2
to the accompanying joint proxy statement-prospectus herein).* |
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24 |
.1 |
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Power of Attorney (included on signature page to this
Registration Statement). |
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99 |
.1 |
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Consent of Citigroup Global Markets Inc. |
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99 |
.2 |
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Consent of Merrill Lynch & Co. |
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99 |
.3 |
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Consent of Peter J. Solomon Company, L.P. |
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99 |
.4 |
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Consent of Leonard Riggio to be named as a director. |
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99 |
.5 |
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Consent of Michael N. Rosen to be named as a director. |
|
|
99 |
.6 |
|
Consent of Stephanie M. Shern to be named as a director. |
|
|
99 |
.7 |
|
Consent of Gerald R. Szczepanski to be named as a director. |
|
|
99 |
.8 |
|
Consent of Edward A. Volkwein to be named as a director. |
|
|
99 |
.9 |
|
Consent of James J. Kim to be named as a director. |
|
|
99 |
.10 |
|
Form of Proxy for Annual Meeting of Stockholders of GameStop
Corp.* |
|
|
99 |
.11 |
|
Form of Proxy for Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Electronics
Boutique Holdings Corp.* |
|
|
* |
To be filed by amendment. |
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
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(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are
being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration
statement: (i) to include any prospectus required by
Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events
arising after the effective date of the registration statement
(or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which,
individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change
in the information set forth in the registration statement
(notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in
volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of
securities offered would not exceed that which was registered)
and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of
prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to
Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and
price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum
aggregate offering price set forth in the Calculation of
Registration Fee table in the effective registration
statement); and (iii) to include any material information
with respect to the plan of distribution not previously
disclosed in the registration statement or any material change
to such information in the registration statement. |
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(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability
under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective
amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of
such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof. |
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(3) To remove from registration by means of a
post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered
which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. |
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(4) That, for purposes of determining any liability under
the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrants
annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by
reference in this registration statement shall be deemed to be a
new |
II-3
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registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall
be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
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(5) That prior to any public reoffering of the securities
registered hereunder through use of a prospectus which is a part
of this registration statement, by any person or party who is
deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of
Rule 145(c), the Registrant undertakes that such reoffering
prospectus will contain the information called for by the
applicable registration form with respect to reofferings by
persons who may be deemed underwriters, in addition to the
information called for by the other items of the applicable form. |
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(6) That every prospectus (i) that is filed pursuant
to paragraph (5) above, or (ii) that purports to
meet the requirements of Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities
Act of 1933 and is used in connection with an offering of
securities subject to Rule 415, will be filed as a part of
an amendment to this registration statement and will not be used
until such amendment has become effective, and that for the
purpose of determining liabilities under the Securities Act of
1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a
new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall
be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
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(7) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers
and controlling persons of Holdco pursuant to the foregoing
provisions, or otherwise, Holdco has been advised that in the
opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act of 1933 and is therefore unenforceable. In the
event a claim of indemnification against such liabilities (other
than the payment by Holdco of expenses incurred or paid by a
director, officer or controlling person of Holdco in a
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is
asserted by such director, officer, or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, Holdco will,
unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled
by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933
and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. |
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(8) To respond to requests for information that is
incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to
Items 4, 10(b), 11 or 13 of this form, within one business
day of receipt of such request, and to send the incorporated
documents by first class mail or other equally prompt means.
This includes information contained in documents filed
subsequent to the effective date of the registration statement
through the date of responding to the request. |
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|
(9) To supply by means of a post-effective amendment all
information concerning a transaction, and the company being
acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and
included in this registration statement when it became effective. |
II-4
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the
registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Grapevine, State of Texas on
May 23, 2005.
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By: |
/s/ R. Richard Fontaine |
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R. Richard Fontaine |
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Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below hereby constitutes and appoints R. Richard
Fontaine, Daniel A. DeMatteo and David W. Carlson, and each or
any of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent,
with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and
in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign
any and all amendments (including post-effective documents in
connection therewith), with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, granting unto each said attorney-in-fact and agent
full power and authority to do and perform each and every act
and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all
intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and
agent or either of them, or their or his substitute or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration statement has been signed by the following persons
in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
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Signature |
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Capacity |
|
Date |
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/s/ R. Richard Fontaine
R.
Richard Fontaine |
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Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer) |
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May 23, 2005 |
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/s/ Daniel A. DeMatteo
Daniel
A. DeMatteo |
|
Vice Chairman, Chief Operating Officer and Director |
|
May 23, 2005 |
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/s/ David Carlson
David
Carlson |
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Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Accounting and Financial Officer) |
|
May 23, 2005 |
II-5
EXHIBIT INDEX
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
|
Number |
|
Description |
|
|
|
|
2 |
.1 |
|
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April 17, 2005,
among GameStop Corp., Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp.,
GameStop, Inc., GSC Holdings Corp., Cowboy Subsidiary LLC and
Eagle Subsidiary LLC (included as Annex A to the
accompanying joint proxy statement-prospectus herein). |
|
|
3 |
.1 |
|
Certificate of Incorporation of Holdco. |
|
|
3 |
.2 |
|
Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
Holdco (included as Annex K to the accompanying joint proxy
statement-prospectus herein). |
|
|
3 |
.3 |
|
Bylaws of Holdco. |
|
|
3 |
.4 |
|
Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws of Holdco (included as Annex
L to the accompanying joint proxy statement-prospectus herein). |
|
|
4 |
.1 |
|
Amendment to Rights Agreement, dated as of April 17, 2005,
between GameStop Corp. and The Bank of New York, as Rights
Agent. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to
GameStop Corp.s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on
April 18, 2005). |
|
|
4 |
.2 |
|
Rights Agreement, dated as
of ,
2005, between GSC Holdings Corp. and The Bank of New York, as
Rights Agent.* |
|
|
5 |
.1 |
|
Opinion of Bryan Cave LLP regarding legality of securities being
registered.* |
|
|
8 |
.1 |
|
Opinion of Bryan Cave LLP, counsel to GameStop Corp., as to
material U.S. federal tax matters.* |
|
|
8 |
.2 |
|
Opinion of Klehr, Harrison, Harvey, Branzburg & Ellers
LLP, counsel to Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp., as to
material U.S. federal tax matters.* |
|
|
9 |
.1 |
|
Voting Agreement and Irrevocable Proxy, dated as of
April 17, 2005, among Leonard Riggio, Barnes &
Noble College Booksellers, Inc., The Riggio Foundation, GameStop
Corp. and Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp. (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 9.1 to GameStop Corp.s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on April 18, 2005). |
|
|
9 |
.2 |
|
Amendment to Voting Agreement and Irrevocable Proxy, dated as of
April 19, 2005, among Leonard Riggio, Barnes &
Noble College Booksellers, Inc., The Riggio Foundation, GameStop
Corp. and Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp. (included as a
part of Annex F to the accompanying joint proxy
statement-prospectus herein). |
|
|
9 |
.3 |
|
Voting Agreement and Irrevocable Proxy, dated as of
April 17, 2005, by and among EB Nevada Inc., James J. Kim,
GameStop Corp. and Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Electronics
Boutique Holdings Corp.s Current Report on Form 8-K filed
on April 18, 2005). |
|
|
10 |
.1 |
|
Form of Registration Rights Agreement among EB Nevada Inc.,
James J. Kim and GameStop Corp. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.1 to Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp.s
Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 18, 2005). |
|
|
10 |
.2 |
|
Form of Non-Competition Agreement between GSC Holdings Corp. and
James J. Kim. (included as Annex E to the accompanying
joint proxy statement-prospectus herein) |
|
|
10 |
.3 |
|
Holdcos 2005 Incentive Plan (included as Annex M to the
accompanying joint proxy statement-prospectus herein). |
|
|
10 |
.4 |
|
Senior Facility Commitment Letter, dated April 17, 2005,
among GameStop Corp., Citicorp North America, Inc., Citigroup
Global Markets Inc., Banc of America Bridge LLC, Banc of America
Securities LLC, Merrill Lynch Capital Corporation and Merrill
Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated. |
|
|
10 |
.5 |
|
Commitment Letter, dated April 17, 2005, among GameStop
Corp., Bank of America, N.A., Citigroup Global Markets Inc.,
Banc of America Securities LLC and Merrill Lynch Capital, a
division of Merrill Lynch Business Financial Services Inc. |
|
|
23 |
.1 |
|
Consent of BDO Seidman, LLP, registered public accounting firm
for GameStop Corp. |
|
|
23 |
.2 |
|
Consent of KPMG LLP, registered public accounting firm for
Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp. |
|
|
23 |
.3 |
|
Consent of Bryan Cave LLP (included as part of its opinion filed
as Exhibit 5.1 to the accompanying joint proxy
statement-prospectus herein).* |
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
|
Number |
|
Description |
|
|
|
|
|
23 |
.4 |
|
Consent of Bryan Cave LLP (included as part of its opinion filed
as Exhibit 8.1 to the accompanying joint proxy
statement-prospectus herein).* |
|
|
23 |
.5 |
|
Consent of Klehr, Harrison, Harvey, Branzburg & Ellers
LLP (included as part of its opinion filed as Exhibit 8.2
to the accompanying joint proxy statement-prospectus herein).* |
|
|
24 |
.1 |
|
Power of Attorney (included on signature page to this
Registration Statement). |
|
|
99 |
.1 |
|
Consent of Citigroup Global Markets Inc. |
|
|
99 |
.2 |
|
Consent of Merrill Lynch & Co. |
|
|
99 |
.3 |
|
Consent of Peter J. Solomon Company, L.P. |
|
|
99 |
.4 |
|
Consent of Leonard Riggio to be named as a director. |
|
|
99 |
.5 |
|
Consent of Michael N. Rosen to be named as a director. |
|
|
99 |
.6 |
|
Consent of Stephanie M. Shern to be named as a director. |
|
|
99 |
.7 |
|
Consent of Gerald R. Szczepanski to be named as a director. |
|
|
99 |
.8 |
|
Consent of Edward A. Volkwein to be named as a director. |
|
|
99 |
.9 |
|
Consent of James J. Kim to be named as a director. |
|
|
99 |
.10 |
|
Form of Proxy for Annual Meeting of Stockholders of GameStop
Corp.* |
|
|
99 |
.11 |
|
Form of Proxy for Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Electronics
Boutique Holdings Corp.* |
|
|
* |
To be filed by amendment. |
EXHIBIT 3.1
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
GSC HOLDINGS CORP.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
PURSUANT TO SECTION 102 OF THE
DELAWARE GENERAL CORPORATION LAW
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I, the undersigned, in order to form a corporation for the purposes
hereinafter stated, under and pursuant to the provisions of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, do hereby certify as follows:
1. The name of the corporation is GSC HOLDINGS CORP. (hereinafter called
the "Corporation").
2. The registered office of the Corporation is to be located at 1209
Orange Street, City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware. The
name of its registered agent at that address is The Corporation Trust Company.
3. The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or
activity for which a corporation may be organized under the General Corporation
Law of the State of Delaware.
4. The total number of shares of capital stock which the Corporation shall
have the authority to issue is one hundred (100) shares of common stock, with
$0.001 par value per share.
5. The name and address of the sole incorporator is:
Name Address
---- -------
Kevin A. Carey Bryan Cave LLP
1290 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10104
6. The following provisions are inserted for the management of the
business and for the conduct of the affairs of the Corporation, and for further
definition, limitation and regulation of the powers of the Corporation and of
its directors and stockholders:
(a) The number of directors of the Corporation shall be such as is from
time to time fixed by, or in the manner provided in the by-laws. Election of
directors need not be by ballot unless the by-laws so provide.
(b) The Board of Directors shall have power without the assent or vote of
the stockholders to make, alter, amend, change, add to or repeal the by-laws of
the Corporation as provided in the by-laws of the Corporation; to fix and vary
the amount to be reserved for any proper purpose; to authorize and cause to be
executed mortgages and liens upon all or any part of the property of the
Corporation; to determine the use and disposition of any surplus or net profits;
and to fix the times for the declaration and payment of dividends.
(c) The directors in their discretion may submit any contract or act for
approval or ratification at any annual meeting of the stockholders or at any
meeting of the stockholders called for the purpose of considering any such act
or contract, and any contract or act that shall be approved or be ratified by
the vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of the Corporation which is
represented in person or by proxy at such meeting and entitled to vote thereat
(provided that a lawful quorum of stockholders be there represented in person or
by proxy) shall be as valid and binding upon the Corporation and upon all the
stockholders as though it had been approved or ratified by every stockholder of
the Corporation, whether or not the contract or act would otherwise be open to
legal attack because of directors' interest, or for any other reason.
(d) In addition to the powers and authorities hereinbefore or by statute
expressly conferred upon them, the directors are hereby empowered to exercise
all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by
the Corporation, subject, nevertheless, to the provisions of the statutes of
Delaware, of this certificate, and to any by-laws from time to time made by the
stockholders, provided, however, that no by-law so made shall invalidate any
prior act of the directors which would have been valid if such by-law had not
been made.
2
7. A director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the
Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary
duty as a director, except for liability: (i) for any breach of the director's
duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders; (ii) for acts or
omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing
violation of law; (iii) under Section 174 of the General Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived
an improper personal benefit. If the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or
limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director
of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent
permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as so
amended. Any repeal or modification of this provision shall be prospective only
and shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the
Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification.
8. The Corporation, 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, may 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 matter referred to in or covered by said section, and the
indemnification provided for herein shall not be deemed exclusive of any other
rights to which those indemnified may be entitled under any by-law, agreement,
vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action
in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such
office, and 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.
3
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereunto sign my name this 13th day of
April, 2005.
/s/ Kevin A. Carey
---------------------------------------
Kevin A. Carey, Incorporator
4
EXHIBIT 3.3
BY-LAWS
OF
GSC HOLDINGS CORP.
(hereinafter called the "Corporation")
ARTICLE I
OFFICES
Section 1. Registered Office. The registered office of the
Corporation shall be in the City of Dover, County of Kent, State of Delaware.
Section 2. Other Offices. The Corporation may also have offices at
such other places both within and without the State of Delaware as the Board of
Directors may from time to time determine.
ARTICLE II
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
Section 1. Place of Meetings. Meetings of the stockholders for the
election of directors or for any other purpose shall be held at such time and
place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be designated
from time to time by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the
meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice thereof.
Section 2. Annual Meetings. The Annual Meeting of Stockholders shall
be held within five months after the close of the fiscal year of the
Corporation, at which meeting the stockholders shall elect by a plurality vote a
Board of Directors, and transact such other business as may properly be brought
before the meeting. Written notice of the Annual Meeting stating the place, date
and hour of the meeting shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at
such meeting not less than ten nor more than fifty days before the date of the
meeting.
Section 3. Special Meetings. Unless otherwise prescribed by law or by
the Certificate of Incorporation, Special Meetings of Stockholders, for any
purpose or purposes, may be called by either (i) the Chairman, if there be one,
or (ii) the President and shall be called by any such officer at the request in
writing of a majority of the Board of Directors or at the request in writing of
stockholders owning a majority of the capital stock of the Corporation issued
and outstanding and entitled to vote. Such request shall state the purpose or
purposes of the proposed meeting. Written notice of a Special Meeting stating
the place, date and hour of the meeting and the purpose or purposes for which
the meeting is called shall be given not less than ten nor more than fifty days
before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such
meeting.
Section 4. Quorum. Except as otherwise provided by law or by the
Certificate of Incorporation, the holders of a majority of the capital stock
issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, present in person or
represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum
at all meetings of the stockholders for the transaction of business. If,
however, such quorum shall not be present or represented at any meeting of the
stockholders, the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person or
represented by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time,
without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be
present or represented. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be
present or represented, any business may be transacted which might have been
transacted at the meeting as originally noticed. If the adjournment is for more
than thirty 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 entitled to vote at the meeting.
Section 5. Voting. Unless otherwise required by law, the Certificate
of Incorporation or these By-Laws, any question brought before any meeting of
stockholders, other than the election of directors, shall be decided by the vote
of the holders of a majority of the stock represented and entitled to vote
thereat. Each stockholder represented at a meeting of stockholders shall be
entitled to cast one vote for each share of the capital stock entitled to vote
thereat held by such stockholder. Such votes may be cast in person or by proxy
but no proxy shall be voted on or after three years from its date, unless such
proxy provides for a longer period. The Board of Directors, in its discretion,
or the officer of the Corporation presiding at a meeting of stockholders, in his
discretion, may require that any votes cast at such meeting shall be cast by
written ballot.
Section 6. Consent of Stockholders in Lieu of Meeting. Unless
otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, any action required or
permitted to be taken at any Annual or Special Meeting of Stockholders of the
Corporation, may be taken without a meeting, without prior written notice and
without a vote, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken,
shall be signed by the holders of the outstanding stock having not less than the
minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action
at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and
voted. Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by
less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who
have not consented in writing.
Section 7. List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote. The officer of the
Corporation who has charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation shall prepare
and make, 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 registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to
the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting,
during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least ten days prior to the
meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held,
which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not so
specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held. The list shall also be
produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time
thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder of the Corporation who is
present.
Section 8. Stock Ledger. The stock ledger of the Corporation shall be
the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the stock
ledger, the list required by Section 7 of this Article II or the books of the
Corporation, or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.
2
ARTICLE III
DIRECTORS
Section 1. Number and Election of Directors. The Board of Directors
of the Corporation shall consist of no less than one (1) but no more than eleven
(11) directors as fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors, unless and
until otherwise determined by vote of a majority of the entire Board of
Directors. Except as provided in Section 2 of this Article, all directors shall
be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at Annual Meetings of Stockholders,
and each director so elected shall hold office until the next Annual Meeting and
until his successor is duly elected and qualified, or until his earlier
resignation or removal. Any director may resign at any time upon notice to the
Corporation. Directors need not be stockholders.
Section 2. Vacancies. Vacancies and newly created directorships
resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled
by a majority of the directors then in office, though less than a quorum, or by
a sole remaining director, and the directors so chosen shall hold office until
the next annual election and until their successors are duly elected and
qualified, or until their earlier resignation or removal.
Section 3. Duties and Powers. The business of the Corporation shall
be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors which may
exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and
things as are not by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or these
By-Laws directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.
Section 4. Meetings. The Board of Directors of the Corporation may
hold meeting, both regular and special, either within or without the State of
Delaware. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice
at such time and at such place as may from time to time be determined by the
Board of Directors. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by
the Chairman of the Board or the President. Notice thereof stating the place,
date and hour of the meeting shall be given to each director either by mail not
less than forty-eight (48) hours before the date of the meeting, by telephone or
telegram on twenty-four (24) hours notice, or on such shorter notice as the
person or persons calling such meeting may deem necessary or appropriate in the
circumstances.
Section 5. Quorum. Except as may be otherwise specifically provided
by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, at all meetings of
the Board of Directors, a majority of the entire Board of Directors shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and the act of a majority of
the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act
of the Board of Directors. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of
the Board of Directors, the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting
from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until
a quorum shall be present.
Section 6. Actions of Board. Unless otherwise provided by the
Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, any action required or permitted
to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof
may be taken without a meeting, if all the
3
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.
Section 7. Meetings by Means of Conference Telephone. Unless
otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, members
of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, or any committee designated by the
Board of Directors, may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or
such committee by means of a conference telephone or similar communications
equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear
each other, and participation in a meeting pursuant to this Section 7 shall
constitute presence in person at such meeting.
Section 8. Committees. The Board of Directors may, by resolution
passed by a majority of the entire Board of Directors, designate one or more
committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the
Corporation. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as
alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified
member at any meeting of any such committee. In the absence or disqualification
of a member of a committee, and in the absence of a designation by the Board of
Directors of an alternate member to replace the absent or disqualified member,
the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from
voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint
another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of
any absent or disqualified member. Any committee, to the extent allowed by law
and provided in the resolution establishing such committee, shall have and may
execute all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management
of the business and affairs of the Corporation. Each committee shall keep
regular minutes and report to the Board of Directors when required.
Section 9. Compensation. The directors may be paid their expenses, if
any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors and may be paid a
fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors or a stated
salary as director. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the
Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members
of special or standing committees may be allowed like compensation for attending
committee meetings.
Section 10. Interested Directors. 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 his or their votes are
counted for such purpose if (i) the material facts as to his or their
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 (ii) the material facts as to
his or their 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
4
transaction is specifically approved in good faith by vote of the stockholders;
or (iii) 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 determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting of the Board of
Directors or of a committee which authorizes the contract or transaction.
ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS
Section 1. General. The officers of the Corporation shall be chosen
by the Board of Directors and shall be a President and a Secretary. The Board of
Directors, in its discretion, may also choose a Chairman of the Board of
Directors (who must be a director) and one or more Chairmans, Vice-Presidents,
Assistant Secretaries, Assistant Treasurers and other officers. Any number of
offices may be held by the same person, unless otherwise prohibited by law, the
Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws. The officers of the Corporation
need not be stockholders of the Corporation nor, except in the case of the
Chairman of the Board of Directors, need such officers be directors of the
Corporation.
Section 2. Election. The Board of Directors at its first meeting held
after each Annual Meeting of Stockholders shall elect the officers of the
Corporation who shall hold their offices for such terms and shall exercise such
powers and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by the
Board of Directors; and all officers of the Corporation shall hold office until
their successors are chosen and qualified, or until their earlier resignation or
removal. Any officer elected by the Board of Directors may be removed at any
time by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors. Any
vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation shall be filled by the Board
of Directors. The salaries of all officers of the Corporation shall be fixed by
the Board of Directors.
Section 3. Voting Securities Owned by the Corporation. Powers of
attorney, proxies, waivers of notice of meeting, consents and other instruments
relating to securities owned by the Corporation may be executed in the name of
and on behalf of the Corporation by the President or any Vice-President and any
such officer may, in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation, take all such
action as any such officer may deem advisable to vote in person or by proxy at
any meeting of security holders of any corporation in which the Corporation may
own securities and at any such meeting shall possess and may exercise any and
all rights and power incident to the ownership of such securities and which, as
the owner thereof, the Corporation might have exercised and possessed if
present. The Board of Directors may, by resolution, from time to time confer
like powers upon any other person or persons.
Section 4. Chairman of the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the
Board of Directors, if there be one, shall preside at all meetings of the
stockholders and of the Board of Directors. He shall be the Chief Executive
Officer of the Corporation, and except where by law the signature of the
President is required, the Chairman of the Board of Directors shall possess the
same power as the President to sign all contracts, certificates and other
instruments of the Corporation which may be authorized by the Board of
Directors. During the absence or disability of the President, the Chairman of
the Board of Directors shall exercise all the powers and
5
discharge all the duties of the President. The Chairman of the Board of
Directors shall also perform such other duties and may exercise such other
powers as from time to time may be assigned to him by these By-Laws or by the
Board of Directors.
Section 5. President. The President shall, subject to the control of
the Board of Directors and, if there be one, the Chairman of the Board of
Directors, have general supervision of the business of the Corporation and shall
see that all orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors are carried into
effect. The President shall execute all bonds, mortgages, contracts and other
instruments of the Corporation requiring a seal, under the seal of the
Corporation, except where required or permitted by law to be otherwise signed
and executed and except that the other officers of the Corporation may sign and
execute documents when so authorized by these By-Laws, the Board of Directors or
the President. In the absence or disability of the Chairman of the Board of
Directors, or if there be none, the President shall preside at all meetings of
the stockholders and the Board of Directors. If there be no Chairman of the
Board of Directors, the President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the
Corporation. The President shall also perform such other duties and may exercise
such other powers as from time to time may be assigned to him by these By-Laws
or by the Board of Directors.
Section 6. Vice-Presidents. At the request of the President or in his
absence or in the event of his inability or refusal to act (and if there be no
Chairman of the Board of Directors), the Vice-President or the Vice-Presidents
if there is more than one (in the order designated by the Board of Directors)
shall perform the duties of the President, and when so acting, shall have all
the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President. Each
Vice-President shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the
Board of Directors from time to time may prescribe. If there be no Chairman of
the Board of Directors and no Vice-President, the Board of Directors shall
designate the officer of the Corporation who, in the absence of the President or
in the event of the inability or refusal of the President to act, shall perform
the duties of the President, and when so acting, shall have all powers of and be
subject to all the restrictions upon the President.
Section 7. Secretary. The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the
Board of Directors and all meetings of stockholders and record all the
proceedings thereat in a book or books to be kept for the purpose; the Secretary
shall also perform like duties for the standing committees when required. The
Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the
stockholders and special meetings of the Board of Directors, and shall perform
such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or President,
under whose supervision he shall be. If the Secretary shall be unable or shall
refuse to cause to be given notice of all meetings of the stockholders and
special meetings of the Board of Directors, and if there be no Assistant
Secretary, than either the Board of Directors or the President may choose
another officer to cause such notice to be given. The Secretary shall have
custody of the seal of the Corporation and the Secretary or any Assistant
Secretary, if there be one, shall have authority to affix the same to any
instrument requiring it and when so affixed, it may be attested by the signature
of the Secretary or by the signature of any such Assistant Secretary. The Board
of Directors may give general authority to any other officer to affix the seal
of the Corporation and to attest the affixing by his signature. The Secretary
shall see that all books, reports, statements, certificates and other documents
and records required by law to be kept or filed are properly kept or filed, as
the case may be.
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Section 8. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have the custody of the
corporate funds and securities and shall keep full and accurate accounts of
receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation and shall
deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of
the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of
Directors. The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the corporation as may be
ordered by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for such
disbursements, and shall render to the President and the Board of Directors, at
its regular meetings, or when the Board of Directors so requires, an account of
all his transactions as Treasurer and of the financial condition of the
Corporation. If required by the Board of Directors, the Treasurer shall give the
Corporation a bond in such sum and with such surety or sureties as shall be
satisfactory to the Board of Directors for the faithful performance of the
duties of his office and for the restoration to the Corporation, in case of his
death, resignation, retirement or removal from office, of all books, papers,
vouchers, money and other property of whatever kind in his possession or under
his control belonging to the Corporation.
Section 9. Assistant Secretaries. Except as may be otherwise provided
in these By-Laws, Assistant Secretaries, if there by any, shall perform such
duties and have such powers as from time to time may be assigned to them by the
Board of Directors, the President, any Vice-President, if there be one, or the
Secretary, and in the absence of the Secretary or in the event of his disability
or refusal to act, shall perform the duties of the Secretary, and when so
acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon
the Secretary.
Section 10. Assistant Treasurers. Assistant Treasurers, if there by
any, shall perform such duties and have such powers as from time to time may be
assigned to them by the Board of Directors, the President, any Vice-President,
if there be one, or the Treasurer, and in the absence of the Treasurer or in the
event of his disability or refusal to act, shall perform the duties of the
Treasurer, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to
all the restrictions upon the Treasurer. If required by the Board of Directors,
an Assistant Treasurer shall give the Corporation a bond in such sum and with
such surety or sureties as shall be satisfactory to the Board of Directors for
the faithful performance of the duties of his office and for the restoration to
the Corporation, in case of his death, resignation, retirement or removal from
office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money and other property of whatever
kind in his possession or under his control belonging to the Corporation.
Section 11. Other Officers. Such other officers as the Board of
Directors may choose shall perform such duties and have such powers as from time
to time my be assigned to them by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors
may delegate to any other officer of the Corporation the power to choose such
other officers and to prescribe their respective duties and powers.
ARTICLE V
STOCK
Section 1. Form of Certificates. Every holder of stock in the
Corporation shall be entitled to have a certificate signed, in the name of the
Corporation (i) by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President or a
Vice-President and (ii) by the Treasurer or an
7
Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or Assistant-Secretary of the Corporation,
certifying the number of shares owned by him in the Corporation.
Section 2. Signatures. Where a certificate is countersigned by (i) a
transfer agent other than the Corporation or its employee, or (ii) 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 were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.
Section 3. Lost Certificates. The Board of Directors may direct a new
certificate to be issued in place of any certificate theretofore issued by the
Corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of
an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be
lost, stolen or destroyed. When authorizing such issue of a new certificate, the
Board of Directors may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the
issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed
certificate, or his legal representative, to advertise the same in such manner
as the Board of Directors shall require and/or to give the Corporation a bond in
such sum as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made
against the Corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been
lost, stolen or destroyed.
Section 4. Transfers. Stock of the Corporation shall be transferable
in the manner prescribed by law and in these By-Laws. Transfers of stock shall
be made on the books of the Corporation only by the person named in the
certificate or by his attorney lawfully constituted in writing and upon the
surrender of the certificate therefor, which shall be cancelled before a new
certificate shall be issued.
Section 5. Record Date. In order that the Corporation may determine
the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders
or any adjournment thereof, or entitled to express consent to corporate action
in writing without a meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or
other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any
rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the
purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance,
a record date, which shall not be more than fifty days nor less than ten days
before the date of such meeting, nor more than fifty days prior to any other
action. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to
vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting;
provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the
adjourned meeting.
Section 6. Beneficial Owners. The Corporation shall be entitled to
recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner
of shares to receive dividends, and to vote as such owner, and to hold liable
for calls and assessments a person registered on its books as the owner of
shares, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or
interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not
it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by
law.
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ARTICLE VI
NOTICES
Section 1. Notices. Whenever written notice is required by law, the
Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, to be given to any director,
member of a committee or stockholder, such notice may be given by mail,
addressed to such director, member of a committee or stockholder, at his address
as it appears on the records of the Corporation, with postage thereon prepaid,
and such notice shall be deemed to be given at the time when the same shall be
deposited in the United States mail. Written notice may also be given personally
or by telegram, telex or cable.
Section 2. Waivers of Notice. Whenever any notice is required by law,
the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, to be given to any director,
member of a committee or stockholder, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the
person or persons entitled to said notice, whether before or after the time
stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent thereto.
ARTICLE VII
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1. Dividends. Dividends upon the capital stock of the
Corporation, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, if
any, may be declared by the Board of Directors at any regular or special
meeting, and may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the capital
stock. Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds
of the Corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the Board of
Directors from time to time, in its absolute discretion, deems proper as a
reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for
repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation, or for any proper
purpose, and the Board of Directors may modify or abolish any such reserve.
Section 2. Disbursements. All checks or demands for money and notes
of the Corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers or such other
person or persons as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate.
Section 3. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be
determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.
Section 4. Corporate Seal. The corporate seal shall have inscribed
thereon the name of the Corporation, the year of its organization and the words
"Corporate Seal, Delaware, 2005". The seal may be used by causing it or a
facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise.
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ARTICLE VIII
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 1. Indemnification Generally. The Corporation shall, to the
fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
(the "GCL"), as amended from time to time, indemnify all persons whom it may
indemnify pursuant thereto.
Section 2. Good Faith Defined. For purposes of any determination
under this Article VIII, a person shall be deemed to have acted in good faith
and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the Corporation, or, with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, to have had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful,
if his action is based on the records or books of account of the Corporation or
another enterprise, or on information supplied to him by the officers of the
Corporation or another enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the
advice of legal counsel for the Corporation or another enterprise or on
information or records given or reports made to the Corporation or another
enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or
other expert selected with reasonable care by the Corporation or another
enterprise. The term "another enterprise" as used in this Section 2 shall mean
any other corporation or any partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise of which such person is or was serving at the request of the
Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent. The provisions of this
Section 2 shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the
circumstances in which a person may be deemed to have met the applicable
standard of conduct.
Section 3. Indemnification by a Court. Notwithstanding any
determination on the part of the Corporation or its agents that indemnification
of any director, officer, employee or agent is not proper, and notwithstanding
the absence of any determination, any director, officer, employee or agent may
apply to any court of competent jurisdiction in the State of Delaware for
indemnification to the extent otherwise permissible under this Article VIII. The
basis of such indemnification by a court shall be a determination by such court
that indemnification of the director, officer, employee or agent is proper in
the circumstances because he has met the applicable standards of conduct set
forth in this Article VIII or the GCL, as the case may be. Notice of any
application for indemnification pursuant to this Section 3 shall be given to the
Corporation promptly upon the filing of such application.
Section 4. Non-Exclusivity of Indemnification and Advancement of
Expenses. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by or granted
pursuant to this Article VIII shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights
to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be
entitled under any By-Law, agreement, contract, vote of stockholders or
disinterested directors or pursuant to the direction (howsoever embodied) of any
court of competent jurisdiction or otherwise, both as to action in his official
capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office, it
being the policy of the Corporation that indemnification of any director,
officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or any director, officer, employee
or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise who is serving at the request of the Corporation shall be made to the
fullest extent permitted by law. The provisions of this Article VIII shall not
be deemed to preclude the indemnification of any director, officer, employee or
agent of the Corporation or any director,
10
officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture,
trust or other enterprise who is serving at the request of the Corporation who
is not specified in this Article VIII but whom the Corporation has the power or
obligation to indemnify under the provisions of the GCL, or otherwise.
Section 5. Insurance. The Corporation may purchase and maintain
insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or
agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation
as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership,
joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against
him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as
such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power or the obligation to
indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this Article VIII.
Section 6. Meaning of "Corporation" for Purposes of Article VIII. For
purposes of this Article VIII, references to "the Corporation" include, in
addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including
any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which,
if its separate existence had continued, would have power and authority to
indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person
who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent
corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation
as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership,
joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under
the provisions of this Article VIII with respect to the resulting or surviving
corporation as he would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its
separate existence had continued.
Section 7. Survival of Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses.
The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant
to, this Section 7 shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified,
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.
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS
Section 1. These By-Laws may be altered, amended or repealed, in
whole or in part, or new By-Laws may be adopted by the stockholders of the
Corporation or by the Board of Directors; provided, however, that notice of such
alteration, amendment, repeal or adoption of new By-Laws be contained in the
notice of such meeting of stockholders. All such amendments must be approved by
either the holders of a majority of the outstanding capital stock entitled to
vote thereon or by a majority of the entire Board of Directors then in office.
Section 2. Entire Board of Directors. As used in this Article IX and
in these By-Laws generally, the term "entire Board of Directors" means the total
number of directors which the Corporation would have if there were no vacancies.
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EXHIBIT 10.4
CITICORP NORTH AMERICA, BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL
INC. LLC CORPORATION
CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS BANC OF AMERICA BRIDGE MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE,
INC. LLC FENNER & SMITH INCOR -
PORATED
390 GREENWICH STREET 9 WEST 57TH STREET 4 World Financial Center
North Tower
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10013 NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10019 New York, NY 10080
April 17, 2005
GameStop Corp.
2250 William D. Tate Ave.
Grapevine, Texas 76501
Attention: Mr. David Carlson
Chief Financial Officer
Senior Facility
Commitment Letter
Ladies and Gentlemen:
GameStop Corp. ("you") has advised Citigroup (as defined below), Banc of America
Securities LLC ("BAS"), Banc of America Bridge LLC ("Banc of America Bridge"),
Merrill Lynch Capital Corporation ("Merrill Lynch") and Merrill Lynch, Pierce,
Fenner & Smith Incorporated ("MLPF&S") that upon consummation of the Acquisition
(as defined below) a holding company (the "Borrower") will wholly-own you and
the Acquired Business (as defined below) and that you desire that the Borrower
establish the senior credit facility described herein (the "Facility"), the
proceeds of which would be used to finance the transactions described in Exhibit
A hereto (the "Transaction Description"). Capitalized terms used in this letter
agreement but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the
Exhibits (as defined below) hereto.
Subject to the terms and conditions described in this letter agreement and the
attached Exhibits A, B and C (collectively, the "Exhibits" and, together with
the Fee Letter referred to below, this "Commitment Letter"), (i) Citigroup
Global Markets Inc. ("CGMI") is pleased to inform you of CGMI's commitment on
behalf of Citicorp North America, Inc. ("CNAI"), Citibank N.A. and/or any of
their affiliates to provide one-third of the principal amount of the Facility,
(ii) Banc of America Bridge is pleased to inform you of Banc of America Bridge's
commitment to provide one-third of the principal amount of the Facility and
(iii) Merrill Lynch is pleased to inform you of Merrill Lynch's commitment to
provide one-third of the principal amount of the Facility.
For purposes of this Commitment Letter, (i) "Citigroup" shall mean Citicorp
North America, Inc. and/or any affiliate thereof, including CGMI, as Citigroup
shall determine to be appropriate to provide the services contemplated herein,
(ii) the "Initial Lenders" shall mean CNAI, Banc of America Bridge and Merrill
Lynch, (iii) the "Lead Arrangers" shall mean CGMI, BAS and MLPF&S and (iv) "we"
or "us" shall mean the Initial Lenders and the Lead Arrangers.
1. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
The respective commitments of Citigroup, Banc of America Bridge and Merrill
Lynch hereunder is subject to:
(a) The preparation, execution and delivery of definitive
documentation with respect to the Facility, including credit agreements
and guarantees incorporating substantially the terms and conditions
outlined in this Commitment Letter and otherwise reasonably satisfactory
to the Lead Arrangers and their counsel (the "Operative Documents").
(b) The absence of any change, effect, event, occurrence or state of
facts that is materially adverse to the business, financial condition, or
results of operations of the Acquired Business, other than any changes,
effects, events, occurrences or state of facts relating to (i) the economy
or financial markets in general, (ii) negotiation and entry into the
Acquisition Agreement, the announcement of the Acquisition Agreement or
the undertaking and performance or observance of the obligations
contemplated by the Acquisition Agreement or necessary to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby (including adverse effects on results of
operations attributable to the uncertainties associated with the period
between the date hereof and the Closing Date), (iii) fluctuation in your
or the Acquired Business' stock price (iv) the effect of incurring and
paying Expenses (as defined in the Acquisition Agreement) in connection
with negotiating, entering into, performing and consummating the
transactions contemplated by the Acquisition Agreement, (v) changes in
GAAP after the date hereof and (vi) product shortages and delays in
product introductions consistent with those that occurred in 2004;
provided, that with respect to clause (i) such changes, effects, events,
occurrences or state of facts do not disproportionately affect such
Persons (as defined in the Acquisition Agreement) relative to the other
participants in the industries in which such Persons operate; provided,
further, that, for the avoidance of doubt, compliance with (and the
consequences thereof) the terms of the Acquisition Agreement (including
Section 6.5, except for Section 6.5(a)(vi), thereof) shall not be taken
into account in determining whether a material adverse effect shall have
occurred or shall be expected to occur for any and all purposes.
(c) The accuracy and completeness in all material respects of all
representations that you, the Acquired Business and their respective
affiliates make to the Lead Arrangers and all information (other than
financial projections) that you, the Acquired Business and their
respective affiliates furnish to the Lead Arrangers.
(d) The payment in full of all fees, expenses and other amounts
payable under this Commitment Letter and the Fee Letter.
(e) The execution, delivery and compliance with the terms of (A) the
letter agreement dated the date hereof (the "Engagement Letter") among
you, Citigroup, BAS and MLPF&S, (B) this Commitment Letter, and (C) the
Fee Letter, each in form and substance satisfactory to the Lead Arrangers.
Please note that the terms and conditions of the Initial Lenders' respective
commitments hereunder that are not covered or made clear in this Commitment
Letter are subject to mutual agreement of the parties.
2. COMMITMENT TERMINATION
Each Initial Lender's respective commitment set forth in this Commitment Letter
will terminate on the earliest of (A) October 31, 2005; provided that such date
shall be automatically extended to December 31, 2005 to the extent the Outside
Date (as defined in the Acquisition Agreement) is extended to December 31, 2005
pursuant to Section 8.1(b)(i) of the Acquisition Agreement (as in effect on the
date of its execution), (B) the date the Operative Documents become effective
and (C) the date the Acquisition Agreement is terminated (such earliest date,
the "Termination Date").
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3. SYNDICATION
Each Initial Lender reserves the right, before or after the execution of the
Operative Documents, to syndicate all or a portion of its commitment to one or
more other financial institutions reasonably acceptable to the Initial Lenders
that will become parties to the Operative Documents (the financial institutions
becoming parties to the Operative Documents being collectively referred to
herein as the "Lenders"). You understand that (i) each Initial Lender intends to
commence such syndication efforts promptly and (ii) the Lead Arrangers may elect
to appoint one or more agents to assist them in such syndication efforts.
Citigroup will act as the joint Lead Arranger and joint Book Runner, "on the
left," and Administrative Agent with respect to the Facility and will manage all
aspects of the syndication of the Facility in consultation with BAS, MLPF&S and
Borrower, including the timing of all offers to potential Lenders, the
determination of all amounts offered to potential Lenders, the selection of
Lenders, the allocation of commitments among the Lenders, the assignment of any
titles and the compensation to be provided to the Lenders. BAS will act as joint
Lead Arranger and joint Book Runner and Syndication Agent with respect to the
Facility. MLPF&S will act as joint Lead Arranger and joint Book Runner with
respect to the Facility
You shall take all actions that any Lead Arranger may reasonably request to
assist it in forming a syndicate acceptable to the Lead Arrangers and you.
To ensure an orderly and effective syndication of the Facility, you agree that,
until the termination of the syndication (as determined by the Lead Arrangers),
you will not, and will not permit any of your affiliates to, syndicate or issue,
attempt to syndicate or issue, announce or authorize the announcement of the
syndication or issuance of, or engage in discussions concerning the syndication
or issuance of, any debt security or commercial bank or other debt facility
(including any renewals thereof) other than the Asset Based Facility or other
working capital facility of the Borrower meeting the conditions set forth in
paragraph 6 of Exhibit C hereto, without the prior written consent of the Lead
Arrangers.
You agree that no additional agents, co-agents or lead arrangers will be
appointed, or other titles conferred, without the consent of the Lead Arrangers
(such consent not to be unreasonably withheld). You agree that no Lender will
receive any compensation of any kind for its participation in the Facility,
except as expressly provided in the Fee Letter or in the Exhibits.
4. FEES
In addition to the fees described in the Exhibits, you will pay (or cause to be
paid) the nonrefundable fees set forth in the letter agreement dated the date
hereof (the "Fee Letter") among you and the Lead Arrangers. The terms of the Fee
Letter are an integral part of the Initial Lenders' respective commitments
hereunder and constitute part of this Commitment Letter for all purposes hereof.
Each of the fees described in the Fee Letter and Exhibits B and C shall be
nonrefundable when paid.
5. INDEMNIFICATION
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless each Lead Arranger, each Lender and
each of their respective affiliates and each of their respective officers,
directors, employees, agents, advisors and representatives (each, an
"Indemnified Person") from and against any and all claims, damages, losses,
liabilities and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable fees and
disbursements of counsel), joint or several, that may be incurred by or asserted
or awarded against any Indemnified Person (including, without limitation, in
connection with, any investigation, litigation or proceeding or the preparation
of any defense in connection therewith) in each case arising out of or in
connection with or relating to this Commitment Letter or the Operative Documents
or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or any use made or proposed
to be made with the proceeds of the Facilities, except to the extent such claim,
damage, loss, liability or expense is found in a final, non-appealable judgment
by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted primarily from such
Indemnified Person's gross negligence or willful misconduct. In the case of an
investigation, litigation or proceeding to which the indemnity in
3
this paragraph applies, such indemnity shall be effective, whether or not such
investigation, litigation or proceeding is brought by you, Borrower, the
Acquired Business, any of their respective securityholders or creditors, an
Indemnified Person or any other person, or an Indemnified Person is otherwise a
party thereto and whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are
consummated.
No Indemnified Person shall have any liability (whether direct or indirect, in
contract, tort or otherwise) to you, Borrower, the Acquired Business or any of
their securityholders or creditors for or in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby, except to the extent such liability is determined in a
final, nonappealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have
resulted primarily from such Indemnified Person's gross negligence or willful
misconduct. In no event, however shall any Indemnified Person be liable for any
special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (including, without
limitation, any loss of profits, business or anticipated savings).
6. COSTS AND EXPENSES
Borrower shall pay or reimburse the Lead Arrangers on demand for all reasonable
costs and expenses incurred by the Lead Arrangers (whether incurred before or
after the date hereof) in connection with the Facility, but not the syndication
thereof, and the preparation, negotiation, execution and delivery of this
Commitment Letter, the Operative Documents, including, without limitation, the
reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel, regardless of whether any of the
transactions contemplated hereby are consummated. Borrower further agrees to pay
all costs and expenses of the Lead Arrangers (including, without limitation,
reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel) incurred in connection with the
enforcement of any of their rights or remedies hereunder.
7. CONFIDENTIALITY
By accepting delivery of this Commitment Letter, you agree that this Commitment
Letter is for your confidential use only and that neither its existence nor the
terms hereof will be disclosed by you to any person other than the officers,
directors, employees, accountants, attorneys and other legal advisors of yours
and Borrower, and then only on a confidential and "need to know" basis in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, (i) you may disclose this Commitment Letter (other than the Fee
Letter) to the Acquired Business and its officers, directors, employees,
accountants, attorneys and other legal advisors on a confidential and "need to
know" basis in connection with the Acquisition, (ii) you may disclose this
Commitment Letter (other than the Fee Letter) to each lender under the Asset
Based Facility (as defined below) and its officers, directors, employees,
accountants, attorneys and other legal advisors on a confidential and "need to
know" basis in connection with the Acquisition (iii) you may file a copy of any
portion of this Commitment Letter (other than the Fee Letter) in any public
record in which it is required by law to be filed and (iv) you may make such
other public disclosures of any of the terms and conditions hereof as such
Company is required by law, in the opinion of your counsel, to make.
8. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
You represent and warrant that (i) all information (other than financial
projections) that has been or will hereafter be made available to the Lead
Arrangers, any Lender or any potential Lender by or on behalf of you and, to
your knowledge, the Acquired Business or any of their respective representatives
in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby is and will be complete
and correct in all material respects and does not and will not contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary
in order to make the statements contained therein not misleading in light of the
circumstances under which such statements were or are made and (ii) all
financial projections, if any, that have been or will be prepared by or on
behalf of you and, to your knowledge, the Acquired Business or any of their
respective representatives and made available to the Lead Arrangers, any Lender
or any potential Lender have been or will be prepared in good faith based upon
reasonable assumptions. If, at any time from the date hereof until the execution
and delivery of the Operative Documents, any of the representations and
warranties in the preceding sentence would be incorrect if the information or
financial projections were being furnished, and such representations and
warranties were being made,
4
at such time, then you will promptly supplement the information and the
financial projections so that such representations and warranties will be
correct under those circumstances.
In issuing this Commitment Letter and in arranging the Facility, including the
syndications of the Facility, we will be entitled to use, and to rely on the
accuracy of, the information furnished to us by or on behalf of you, the
Acquired Business or any of their respective representatives without
responsibility for independent verification thereof.
9. NO THIRD PARTY RELIANCE; SHARING INFORMATION
The agreements of the Lead Arrangers and Initial Lenders hereunder and of any
Lender that issues a commitment to provide financing under the Facility are made
solely for your benefit and may not be relied upon or enforced by any other
person. This Commitment Letter is not intended to create a fiduciary
relationship among the parties hereto.
You acknowledge that we may provide debt financing, equity capital or other
services (including financial advisory services) to parties whose interests
regarding the transactions described herein or otherwise may conflict with your
interests. Consistent with each Lender's respective policies to hold in
confidence the affairs of its clients, no Lender will furnish confidential
information obtained from you or your affiliates to any other clients of such
Lenders and such Lenders shall treat all such confidential information in
accordance with such Lenders' customary practices with respect to confidential
information. Furthermore, we will not use in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby, or furnish to you, confidential information obtained by us
from any other person.
10. ASSIGNMENTS
You may not assign or delegate any of your rights or obligations under this
Commitment Letter or any Initial Lender's commitment hereunder without each
Initial Lender's prior written consent, and any attempted assignment without
such consent shall be void ab initio.
11. AMENDMENTS
This Commitment Letter may not be amended or any provision hereof waived or
modified except by an instrument in writing signed by each party hereto.
12. GOVERNING LAW, ETC.
This Commitment Letter shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with,
the laws of the State of New York. This Commitment Letter sets forth the entire
agreement among the parties with respect to the matters addressed herein and
supersedes all prior communications, written or oral, with respect hereto. This
Commitment Letter may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which,
when so executed, shall be deemed to be an original and all of which, taken
together, shall constitute one and the same Commitment Letter. Delivery of an
executed counterpart of a signature page to this Commitment Letter by telecopier
shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this
Commitment Letter. Sections 4 through 7, 12 and 13 shall survive the termination
of Citigroup's commitment hereunder. You acknowledge that information and
documents relating to the Facility may be transmitted through Intralinks, the
internet or similar electronic transmission systems.
13. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL, ETC.
Each party hereto irrevocably waives all right to trial by jury in any action,
proceeding or counterclaim (whether based on contract, tort or otherwise)
arising out of or relating to this Commitment Letter or the transactions
contemplated hereby or the actions of the parties hereto in the negotiation,
performance or enforcement hereof.
5
With respect to all matters relating to this Commitment Letter, the Exhibits,
the Fee Letter and the Engagement Letter, you hereby irrevocably (i) submit to
the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State or Federal court sitting in
the State of New York, County of New York, and any appellate court from any
thereof, (ii) agree that all claims related hereto may be heard and determined
in such courts, (iii) waive, to the fullest extent you may effectively do so,
the defense of an inconvenient forum, (iv) agree that a final judgment of such
courts shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on
the judgment or in any other manner provided by law and (v) waive any immunity
(sovereign or otherwise) from jurisdiction of any court or from any legal
process or setoff to which you or your properties or assets may be entitled.
14. PATRIOT ACT
We hereby notify you that pursuant to the requirements of the UBA Patriot Act,
Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001) (the "Patriot
Act"), the Lead Arrangers and the Lenders are required to obtain, verify and
record information that identifies you, which information includes the name,
address, tax identification number and other information regarding you that will
allow the Lead Arrangers or such Lender to identify you in accordance with the
Patriot Act. This notice is given in accordance with the requirements of the
Patriot Act and is effective as to the Lead Arrangers and the Lenders.
Please indicate your acceptance of the provisions hereof by signing the enclosed
copy of this Commitment Letter and the Fee Letter and returning them to (i) John
McAuley, Director, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., 390 Greenwich Street, New
York, New York 10013 (facsimile: (212) 723-8590), (ii) Lex Maultsby, Managing
Director, Banc of America Securities LLC, 9 West 57th Street, New York, New York
10019 (facsimile: (212) 415-9634) and (iii) Barry Price, Managing Director,
Merrill Lynch & Co., 4 World Financial Center,
North Tower, New York, New York 10080 (facsimile: (212) 449-7750), at or before
5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on April 18, 2005, the time at which the
commitment of the Initial Lenders set forth above (if not so accepted prior
thereto) will terminate.
[Signature Page Follows]
6
If you elect to deliver this Commitment Letter by telecopier, please arrange for
the executed original to follow by next-day courier.
Very truly yours,
CITICORP NORTH AMERICA, INC.
By: /s/ John McAuley
----------------------------------
Name: John McAuley
Title: Vice President
CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.
By: /s/ John McAuley
----------------------------------
Name: John McAuley
Title: Director
BANC OF AMERICA BRIDGE LLC
By: /s/ Lex Maultsby
----------------------------------
Name: Lex Maultsby
Title: Managing Director
BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC
By: /s/ Lex Maultsby
----------------------------------
Name: Lex Maultsby
Title: Managing Director
MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL CORPORATION
By: /s/ Barry S. Price
----------------------------------
Name: Barry S. Price
Title: Vice President
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH
INCORPORATED
By: /s/ Barry S. Price
----------------------------------
Name: Barry S. Price
Title: Managing Director
7
Accepted and agreed to as of
the date first written above:
GAMESTOP CORP.
By /s/ David W. Carlson
-------------------------------------
Name: David W. Carlson
Title: Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
8
CONFIDENTIAL EXHIBIT A
TRANSACTION DESCRIPTION
All capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein shall have the meanings
provided in the Commitment Letter to which this Exhibit A is attached. The
following transactions, including the Acquisition and the Merger, are referred
to herein as the "Transactions."
1. A newly formed holding company (the "Borrower") will form two merger
subsidiaries, one of which shall be merged with and into GameStop Corp.
and the other shall be merged with and into Target (the identity of which
the Initial Lenders and Lead Arrangers have previously been advised) (the
"Acquired Business"). The Borrower will issue its Common Stock as a
portion of the consideration in the acquisition (the "Acquisition") by
Borrower of the Acquired Business pursuant to a merger agreement dated on
or about the date hereof (the "Acquisition Agreement").
2. Borrower will obtain a senior secured credit asset-based facility in an
aggregate principal amount of $400 million (the "Asset Based Facility").
3. Borrower will either (i) borrow up to $950 million in senior loans from
one or more lenders under the senior facility described in Exhibit B to
the Commitment Letter (the "Facility") or (ii) issue up to $950 million in
aggregate principal amount of its senior notes and senior floating rate
notes (the "Notes") in a public offering or in a Rule 144A or other
private placement. At the Borrower's request, a portion of the Facility or
Notes may be replaced by an offering of convertible subordinated debt
securities.
4. The estimated sources and uses of the funds necessary to consummate the
Acquisition and the other Transactions are set forth on Annex I hereto
(the "Sources and Uses of Funds").
1
ANNEX I
TO TRANSACTION DESCRIPTION
ESTIMATED SOURCES AND USES OF FUNDS
($ IN MILLIONS)
SOURCES USES
- ------------------------ --------------------------------------
Initial Drawing on Purchase Price of Philly Capital Stock
Asset Based Facility (a) $ 0 and net cost of options and warrants $ 1,402
Facility or Notes (b) 950 Estimated Transaction Costs $ 47
Borrower Common Stock 419
Excess Cash 80
------- -------
TOTAL SOURCES $ 1,449 TOTAL USES $ 1,449
======= =======
- --------------------------------
(a) Total commitments of $400 million at closing.
(b) Convert
1
CONFIDENTIAL EXHIBIT B
SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
All capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein shall have the meanings
provided in the Commitment Letter (including the other exhibits thereto) to
which this Summary of Principal Terms and Conditions is attached.
Borrower: A holding company ("Borrower") that upon the
consummation of the Acquisition will hold all of
the equity interests of GameStop Corp. and the
Acquired Business.
Acquisition: As described in the Transaction Description.
Administrative Agent: Citicorp North America, Inc. (in its capacity as
Administrative Agent, the "Agent").
Joint Lead Arrangers and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. ("CGMI"), Banc of
Joint Book Runners: America Securities LLC ("BAS") and Merrill Lynch,
Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated ("MLPF&S",
and, together with CGMI and BAS, the "Lead
Arrangers").
Syndication Agent: BAS.
Documentation Agent: MLPF&S.
Lenders: A syndicate of banking and financial institutions
arranged by the Lead Arrangers (the "Lenders").
Initial Loans: The Lenders will make loans (the "Initial Loans")
to Borrower on the date the Acquisition is
consummated (the "Closing Date") in an aggregate
principal amount not to exceed $950 million.
Purpose and Availability The proceeds of the Initial Loans will be used
of Initial Loans: solely as set forth in the Sources and Uses of
Funds. The Lenders will make the Initial Loans
simultaneously with the consummation of the
Acquisition. Amounts borrowed under the Facility
and repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed.
Initial Maturity Date The Initial Loans will mature on the first
and the Exchange of the anniversary (the "Initial Maturity Date") of
Initial Loans: Closing Date, provided, however, that, subject to
"Conditions to Extension" below, the maturity of
the Initial Loans will be automatically extended
on the Initial Maturity Date until the seventh
anniversary of the Closing Date (the "Extended
Maturity Date" and such extended maturity loans,
the "Extended Term Loans"). At any time on or
after the Initial Maturity Date at the option of
the applicable holder, Extended Term Loans may be
exchanged in whole or in part for senior exchange
notes (the "Exchange Securities"). The Extended
Term Loans will be governed by the provisions of
the Operative Documents and will have the same
material terms as the Initial Loans except as set
forth in this exhibit. When issued, the Exchange
Securities will be governed by an inden-
ture, compliant with the Trust Indenture Act, to
be entered into between Borrower and a trustee
that is acceptable to Borrower and the Lead
Arrangers, which indenture shall have the same
material terms as the Initial Loans except as set
forth in this exhibit.
Conditions to Extension: Extension of the maturity of the Initial Loans is
subject to (i) none of Borrower or any significant
subsidiary (as defined in Regulation S-X under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended) thereof being
subject to a bankruptcy or other insolvency
proceeding and (ii) the absence of a payment
default with respect to the Initial Loans.
Availability of the The Exchange Securities will be available only in
Exchange Securities: exchange for the Extended Term Loans. The
principal amount of any Exchange Security will
equal 100% of the aggregate principal amount (plus
any accrued interest that Borrower has elected, in
accordance with the terms of the Extended Term
Loans, not to pay in cash) of the Extended Term
Loan for which it is exchanged.
Guarantee: The obligations of Borrower in respect of the
Initial Loans, the Extended Term Loans and the
Exchange Securities will be unconditionally and
irrevocably guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis
(the "Guarantees") by all of Borrower's
subsidiaries, other than (i) any subsidiary that
is a "controlled foreign corporation" under
Section 957 of the Internal Revenue Code to the
extent such guarantee would result in a material
tax liability or (ii) to the extent such guarantee
by any subsidiary would be prohibited by the laws
governing such subsidiary or would require the
undertaking of an onerous approval process
pursuant to the laws governing such subsidiary.
Collateral: None.
Final Maturity Date: The Final Maturity Date of the Exchange Securities
and the Extended Term Loans will be the seventh
anniversary of the Closing Date.
Interest Rates and Fees: As set forth on Annex I hereto and in the Fee
Letter and Engagement Letter.
Ranking: The Initial Loans, the Extended Term Loans, the
Exchange Securities and the Asset Based Facility,
except to the extent of the assets securing the
Asset Based Facility, shall be pari passu for all
purposes.
The Initial Loans, the Extended Term Loans and the
Exchange Securities shall constitute senior debt.
Any subordinated debt of Borrower will be junior
to the Initial Loans, the Extended Term Loans and
the Exchange Securities.
Mandatory Redemption: Borrower will be required to prepay Initial Loans
on a pro rata basis from the net proceeds (after
deduction of, among other things, mandatory
prepayments and certain permitted reinvestments
under the Asset Based Facility) from the
incurrence of any non-ordinary course debt by
Borrower or any of its subsidiaries (other than
under the Asset Based Facility) or the issuance of
any equity by Borrower
2
(subject to ordinary course exceptions including
the issuance of shares upon the exercise of
options) or from all non-ordinary-course asset
sales by Borrower or any of its subsidiaries.
Borrower will be required to prepay all Initial
Loans and Extended Term Loans and offer to
repurchase all the Exchange Securities, at 100%
(or 101% in the case of Fixed Rate Exchange
Securities) of principal amount plus accrued and
unpaid interest, upon the occurrence of a change
of control (to be defined in the Facility).
Optional Prepayment: The Initial Loans and Extended Term Loans may be
prepaid and the Exchange Securities may be
redeemed (subject to customary non-call provisions
relating to Fixed Rate Exchange Securities), in
whole or in part, at the option of Borrower, at
any time upon 10 days' prior notice, at par plus
accrued and unpaid interest, subject in the case
of Initial Loans and Extended Term Loans to
reimbursement of the Lenders' actual redeployment
costs in the case of a prepayment of LIBOR
borrowings other than on the last day of the
relevant interest period.
Fixed Rate Exchange Each Lender shall have the right to fix the
Securities: interest rate on its Exchange Security (each such
Exchange Security being a "Fixed Rate Exchange
Security") at a rate not higher than the then
applicable rate of interest, except that upon the
representation of a Lender transferring an
Exchange Security that a higher rate (such higher
rate, the "Transfer Rate") is necessary in order
to permit such Lender to transfer such Exchange
Security to a third party and receive
consideration equal to the principal amount
thereof plus all accrued and unpaid interest to
the date of such transfer, such rate to be fixed
at a rate not higher than the Transfer Rate;
provided, however, that such Transfer Rate shall
not exceed a rate of 12.0% per annum (10.0% per
annum in cash).
Each Fixed Rate Exchange Security will be
non-callable for four years from the Closing Date
(subject to customary IPO clawback provisions) and
will be callable thereafter at par plus accrued
interest and a premium equal to one-half the
coupon in effect on the date of the fixing of the
interest rate on such Fixed Rate Exchange
Security, which premium shall decline ratably on
each anniversary of the Closing Date to zero on
customary terms; provided, however, that any Fixed
Rate Exchange Securities will be callable prior to
such 4th anniversary at a redemption price equal
to par plus accrued interest and a make-whole
premium calculated on the basis of a discount rate
equal to the then Treasury Rate (as defined in
Annex I to this exhibit) plus one-half of one
percent (0.50%).
Representations and Usual for facilities and transactions of this type
Warranties: with customary exceptions and materiality
qualifications, including, without limitation:
1. Corporate status and authority.
2. Execution, delivery, and performance of
Operative Documents do not violate law or
other agreements.
3
3. No government or regulatory approvals
required, other than approvals in effect.
4. Due authorization, execution and delivery of
Operative Documents; legality, validity,
binding effect and enforceability of the
Operative Documents.
5. Ownership of subsidiaries.
6. Accuracy of financial statements and other
information.
7. Solvency.
8. No action, suit, investigation, litigation or
proceeding pending or threatened in any court
or before any arbitrator or governmental
authority that could reasonably be expected to
result in a material adverse change.
9. Payment of taxes.
10. Accurate and complete disclosure.
11. Compliance with margin regulations.
12. No burdensome restrictions and no default
under material agreements or the Operative
Documents.
13. Inapplicability of the Investment Company Act
and Public Utility Holding Company Act.
14. Use of proceeds.
15. Insurance.
16. Labor matters.
17. Compliance with laws and regulations,
including ERISA, and all applicable
environmental laws and regulations.
18. Ownership of properties and necessary rights
to intellectual property.
Conditions Precedent Usual for facilities and transactions of this
to Initial Loans: type, including those specified in the Summary of
Additional Conditions Precedent as described in
Exhibit C to the Commitment Letter.
Affirmative Covenants: In the case of the Initial Loans, usual for
facilities and transactions of this type (to be
applicable to Borrower and its subsidiaries),
including but not limited to, and subject, in each
case, to customary exceptions and materiality
qualifications to be agreed:
1. Preservation of corporate existence.
4
2. Material compliance with laws (including ERISA
and applicable environmental laws).
3. Payment of taxes.
4. Payment or performance of obligations.
5. Delivery of independently audited annual
consolidated and consolidating financial
statements and unaudited quarterly
consolidated and consolidating financial
statements.
6. Notices of default and litigation.
7. Visitation rights.
8. Maintenance of books and records.
9. Maintenance of properties.
9. Maintenance of insurance.
10. Use of proceeds.
In the case of the Exchange Securities, usual for
facilities and transactions of this type (to be
applicable to Borrower and its subsidiaries),
including but not limited to, and subject, in each
case, to customary exceptions to be agreed:
1. Performance of obligations.
2. Delivery of reports filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
3. Delivery of compliance certificates.
Following the Initial Maturity Date, all
outstanding Extended Term Loans will be
automatically modified to bear affirmative
covenants substantially similar to the affirmative
covenants of the Exchange Securities.
Negative Covenants: In the case of the Initial Loans, usual for
facilities and transactions of this type (to be
applicable to Borrower and its subsidiaries),
including but not limited to, and subject in each
case to customary exceptions and materiality
qualifications to be agreed:
1. Limitations on liens.
2. Limitations on debt (including debt incurred
by direct and indirect subsidiaries and
obligations in respect of foreign currency
exchange and other hedging arrangements).
3. Limitations on dividends, redemptions and
repurchases with respect to capital stock.
5
4. Limitations on other prepayments, redemptions
and repurchases of other debt (other than
loans under the Asset Based Facility).
5. Limitations on loans and investments.
6. Limitations on mergers, consolidations, asset
dispositions and sale/leaseback transactions.
7. Limitations on transactions with affiliates.
8. Limitations on changes in business conducted
by Borrower and its subsidiaries.
9. Limitations on amendment of debt and other
material agreements.
10. Limitations on layered debt.
11. Limitations on the issuance and sale of
capital stock of restricted subsidiaries.
12. Limitations on restrictions on distributions
from subsidiaries.
In the case of the Exchange Securities, usual for
facilities and transactions of this type (to be
applicable to Borrower and its subsidiaries),
including but not limited to, and subject in each
case to customary exceptions and materiality
qualifications to be agreed:
1. Limitations on debt.
2. Limitations on liens.
3. Limitations on mergers, consolidations, asset
dispositions and sale/leaseback transactions.
4. Limitations on the issuance and sale of
capital stock of restricted subsidiaries.
5. Limitations on restrictions on distributions
from subsidiaries.
6. Limitations on transactions with affiliates.
7. Limitations on restricted payments.
8. Limitations on layered debt.
Following the Initial Maturity Date, all
outstanding Extended Term Loans will be
automatically modified to bear negative covenants
substantially similar to the negative covenants of
the Exchange Securities.
Events of Default:
In the case of the Initial Loans, usual for
facilities and transactions of this type (to be
applicable to Borrower and its subsidiaries),
includ-
6
ing but not limited to, and subject, in each case,
to customary exceptions to be agreed:
1. Failure to pay principal, interest or any
other amount when due.
2. Representations or warranties materially
incorrect when given.
3. Failure to comply with covenants (with notice
and cure periods as applicable).
4. Cross-default and cross-acceleration to debt
aggregating an amount to be agreed or more.
5. Unsatisfied judgment or order in excess of an
amount to be agreed individually or in the
aggregate.
6. Bankruptcy or insolvency.
7. Invalidity of any Guarantee or any other
Operative Document.
In the case of the Exchange Securities, usual for
facilities and transactions of this type and
others to be reasonably specified by the Agent,
including but not limited to, and subject, in each
case, to customary exceptions to be agreed:
1. Failure to pay principal, interest or any
other amount when due.
2. Failure to comply with covenants (with notice
and cure periods as applicable).
3. Cross-acceleration to debt aggregating an
amount to be agreed or more.
4. Unsatisfied judgment or order in excess of an
amount to be agreed individually or in the
aggregate.
5. Bankruptcy or insolvency.
6. Invalidity of any Guarantee or any other
Operative Document.
Following the Initial Maturity Date, all
outstanding Extended Term Loans will be
automatically modified to bear events of default
substantially similar to the events of default of
the Exchange Securities.
Registration Rights with Borrower will file within 30 days after the
Respect to Exchange Initial Maturity Date, and will use its best
Securities: efforts to cause to become effective as soon
thereafter as practicable, a shelf registration
statement with respect to the Exchange Securities
(a "Shelf Registration Statement") and/or a
registration statement relating to a Registered
Exchange Offer (as described below). If a Shelf
Registration Statement is filed, Borrower will
keep such registration statement effective and
available (subject to customary exceptions) until
it is no longer needed to permit unrestricted
resales of Exchange Securities (but in no event
longer than
7
two years from the Initial Maturity Date).
If within 120 days from the Initial Maturity
Date,
(a) a Shelf Registration Statement for the
Exchange Securities has not been declared
effective, or
(b) Borrower has not effected an exchange offer (a
"Registered Exchange Offer") whereby Borrower
has offered registered notes having terms
identical to the Exchange Securities (the
"Substitute Notes") in exchange for all
outstanding Exchange Securities and Extended
Term Loans, or
(c) the holders of Exchange Securities have not
received Substitute Notes through the
Registered Exchange Offer which, in the
opinion of counsel, would be freely saleable
by such holders without registration or
requirement for delivery of a current
prospectus under the Securities Act (other
than a prospectus delivery requirement imposed
on a broker-dealer who is exchanging Exchange
Securities acquired for its own account as a
result of market making or other trading
activities) and Borrower has not made
available a Shelf Registration Statement with
respect to such Exchange Securities,
then Borrower will pay liquidated damages of
$0.192 per week per $1,000 principal amount of
Exchange Securities outstanding to holders of such
Exchange Securities who are unable freely to
transfer Exchange Securities from and including
the 121st day after the Initial Maturity Date to
but excluding the earlier of the effective date of
such Shelf Registration Statement or the date of
consummation of such Registered Exchange Offer
(such damages to be payable in the form of
additional Exchange Securities, if the then
interest rate thereon exceeds the cash interest
rate cap). Borrower will also pay such liquidated
damages for any period of time (subject to
customary exceptions) following the effectiveness
of a Shelf Registration Statement that such Shelf
Registration Statement is not available for
resales thereunder. In addition, unless and until
Borrower has consummated the Registered Exchange
Offer and, if required, caused the Shelf
Registration Statement to become effective, the
holders of the Exchange Securities will have the
right to "piggyback" the Exchange Securities in
the registration of any debt securities (subject
to customary scale-back provisions) that are
registered by Borrower (other than on a Form S-4)
unless all of the Exchange Securities and Initial
Loans will be redeemed or repaid from the proceeds
of such securities.
Voting: Amendments and waivers of the documentation for
the Initial Loans and the other definitive credit
documentation related thereto will require the
approval of Lenders holding at least a majority of
the outstanding Initial Loans, Extended Term Loans
and Exchange Securities, as applicable, except
that the consent of each affected Lender and/or
holder of an Exchange Security will be required
for, among other things, (i) reductions of
principal and interest rates and fees, (ii)
extensions of the Initial Maturity Date, (iii)
additional restrictions on the right to exchange
Initial Loans for Exchange Securi-
8
ties or any amendment of the rate of such exchange
or (iv) any amendment to the Exchange Securities
that requires (or would, if any Exchange
Securities were outstanding, require) the approval
of all holders of Exchange Securities.
Assignment and The Lenders will have the right to assign loans
Participation of Loans: and commitments to their affiliates and to other
Lenders (and affiliates of such other Lenders) and
to any Federal Reserve Bank without restriction
and to other financial institutions, with the
consent, not to be unreasonably withheld, of the
Agent. Minimum aggregate assignment level (except
to affiliates of the assigning Lender and other
Lenders and their affiliates) of $5,000,000 and
increments of $1,000,000 in excess thereof. The
parties to the assignment (other than Borrower)
shall pay to the Agent an administrative fee of
$3,500.
Each Lender will have the right to sell
participations in its rights and obligations under
the loan documents, subject to customary
restrictions on the participants' voting rights.
Right to Transfer The holders of the Exchange Securities shall have
Exchange Securities: the absolute and unconditional right to transfer
such Exchange Securities in compliance with
applicable law to any third parties.
Yield Protection, Taxes The loan documents will contain yield protection
and Other Deductions: provisions, customary for facilities of this
nature, protecting the Lenders in the event of
unavailability of funding, funding losses, reserve
and capital adequacy requirements.
All payments to be free and clear of any present
or future taxes, withholdings or other deductions
whatsoever (other than income taxes in the
jurisdiction of the Lender's applicable lending
office).
Expenses and Indemnification: Customary provisions regarding expense
reimbursement and indemnification by the Credit
Parties.
Governing Law and Forum: New York.
Counsel for the Lead Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP.
Arrangers:
9
ANNEX I
TO EXHIBIT B
INTEREST RATES AND FEES
Initial Loans: Before the Initial Maturity Date, the Initial
Loans will accrue interest at a rate per annum
equal to, at Borrower's election, either (i)
three-month reserve-adjusted LIBOR plus a spread
(the "LIBOR Spread," as defined below), or (ii)
the ABR (as defined below) plus a spread (the "ABR
Spread," as defined below).
The "LIBOR Spread" will initially be 500 basis
points. If Borrower chooses to pay interest at the
rate specified in clause (i), and the Initial
Loans are not repaid in whole within the
three-month period following the Closing Date, the
LIBOR Spread will increase by 50 basis points at
the end of such three-month period and shall
increase by an additional 50 basis points at the
end of each three month period thereafter until,
but excluding, the Initial Maturity Date.
The "ABR Spread" will initially be 400 basis
points. If Borrower chooses to pay interest at the
rate specified in clause (ii),and the Initial
Loans are not repaid in whole within the
three-month period following the Closing Date, the
ABR Spread will increase by 50 basis points at the
end of such three-month period and shall increase
by an additional 50 basis points at the end of
each three-month period thereafter until, but
excluding, the Initial Maturity Date.
"ABR" means the highest of (i) Citibank, N.A.'s
base rate, (ii) the three-month certificate of
deposit rate plus 1/2 of 1%, and (iii) the Federal
Funds Effective Rate plus 1/2 of 1%.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) the interest
rate in effect at any time before the Initial
Maturity Date shall not exceed 12.0% per annum,
(b) the interest rate in effect at any time before
the Initial Maturity Date shall not be less than
8.25% per annum and (c) to the extent the interest
payable before the Initial Maturity Date on any
Initial Loan exceeds a rate of 10.0% per annum,
Borrower may, at its option, cause such excess
interest to be paid adding such excess interest to
the principal amount of such Initial Loan. In no
event shall the interest rate on the Initial Loans
exceed the highest rate permitted under applicable
law.
Calculation of interest shall be on the basis of
actual days elapsed in a year of 360 days (or 365
or 366 days, as the case may be, in the case of
ABR loans, except where ABR is determined pursuant
to clause (iii) of the definition thereof).
LIBOR will at all times include statutory
reserves.
Interest will be payable in arrears (a) for
Initial Loans accruing interest at a rate based on
LIBOR, at the end of each LIBOR period and on the
Initial Maturity Date and (b) for Initial Loans
accruing inter-
1
est at a rate based on the Alternate Base Rate,
quarterly in arrears and on the Initial Maturity
Date.
Extended Term Loans The Extended Term Loans and Exchange Securities
and Exchange Securities: will bear interest at a rate equal to the Initial
Rate (as defined below) plus the Exchange Spread
(as defined below). Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the interest rate in effect at any time shall not
exceed 12.0% per annum nor be less than 8.25% per
annum, and to the extent the interest payable on
any Extended Term Loan or Exchange Security
exceeds a rate of 10.0% per annum, Borrower may,
at its option, cause such excess interest to be
paid by adding such excess to principal (in the
case of Extended Term Loans) or issuing additional
Exchange Securities in a principal amount equal to
such excess portion of interest. In no event shall
the interest rate on the Extended Term Loans or
Exchange Securities exceed the highest rate
permitted under applicable law.
"Exchange Spread" means 0 basis points during the
3 month period commencing on the Initial Maturity
Date and shall increase by 50 basis points at the
beginning of each subsequent 3 month period.
"Initial Rate" shall be determined on the Initial
Maturity Date and shall equal the interest rate
borne by the Initial Loans on the day immediately
preceding the Initial Maturity Date plus 50 basis
points.
Interest on the Exchange Securities and Extended
Term Loans will be payable quarterly in arrears
(or semiannually in arrears for Fixed Rate
Exchange Securities).
2
CONFIDENTIAL EXHIBIT C
SUMMARY OF ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
All capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein shall have the meanings
provided in the Commitment Letter (including the other exhibits thereto) to
which this Summary of Additional Conditions Precedent is attached.
The borrowing under the Facility shall be subject to the following additional
conditions precedent:
1. CONSUMMATION OF ACQUISITION. The Acquisition shall have been
consummated or shall be consummated simultaneously with or immediately following
the closings under the Facility in accordance with the Acquisition Agreement and
all other related documentation (without amendment, modification or waiver
thereof which is adverse to the Lenders without the prior consent of the
Lenders). Sources and uses of funds shall be substantially as set forth in
Exhibit A.
2. ACQUIRED BUSINESS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Not later than 30 days before
the Closing Date, the Lenders shall have received (a) audited consolidated and
consolidating balance sheets and related statements of income, stockholders'
equity and cash flows of each of Borrower and the Acquired Business for the
three fiscal years ended before the Closing Date and (b) to the extent
available, unaudited consolidated and consolidating balance sheets and related
statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows of each of Borrower
and the Acquired Business for each completed fiscal quarter since the date of
such audited financial statements (and, to the extent available, for each
completed month since the last such quarter), which audited and unaudited
financial statements shall be prepared in accordance with, or reconciled to,
United Stated generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP").
3. PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS; PROJECTIONS. The Lenders shall have
received a pro forma consolidated balance sheet of Borrower as of the Closing
Date, after giving effect to the Transactions, together with a certificate of
the chief financial officer of Borrower to the effect that such statements
accurately present the pro forma financial position of Borrower and its
subsidiaries in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Borrower shall have delivered its
most recent projections through the 2010 fiscal year, prepared on a quarterly
basis through the end of 2007.
4. SOLVENCY. The Lenders shall have received a solvency certificate, in
form and substance and from the chief financial officer of Borrower, together
with such other evidence reasonably requested by the Lenders, confirming the
solvency of Borrower and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis after giving
effect to the Transactions.
5. CONSENTS. All requisite material governmental authorities and, except
as would not reasonably be expected to have or result in a Material Adverse
Effect (as defined in Section 1(b) of the Commitment Letter without giving
effect to clause (ii) of such definition), all third parties shall have approved
or consented to the Transactions to the extent required, all applicable appeal
periods shall have expired and there shall be no material governmental or
judicial action, actual or threatened, that could reasonably be expected to
materially restrain, prevent or impose burdensome conditions on the Transactions
or the other transactions contemplated hereby.
6. WORKING CAPITAL FACILITY. The Borrower shall have entered into a
working capital facility on terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to the
Lead Arrangers and the Lenders based on the working capital needs of the
Borrower; it being understood that the terms and conditions of the Asset Based
Facility (including but not limited to terms and conditions relating to the
interest rate, fees, amortization, maturity, subordination, covenants, events of
defaults and remedies) as contemplated in the commitment letter dated April 17,
2005 between the Borrower and the lenders thereto are satisfactory to the Lead
Arrangers and the Lenders.
1
7. OFFERING DOCUMENT FOR NOTES; RATING OF NOTES. The Lead Arrangers shall
have received, not later than 30 days prior to the Closing Date, a complete
printed preliminary prospectus or preliminary offering memorandum or preliminary
private placement memorandum suitable for use in a customary "high-yield road
show" relating to the Notes, which contains all financial statements and other
data to be included therein (including all audited financial statements, all
unaudited financial statements (which shall have been reviewed by the
independent accountants for Borrower as provided in Statement on Auditing
Standards No. 100) and all appropriate pro forma financial statements prepared
in accordance with, or reconciled to, U.S. GAAP and prepared in accordance with
Regulation S-X under the Securities Act), and all other data (including selected
financial data) that the Securities and Exchange Commission would require in a
registered offering of the Notes as applicable or that would be necessary for
the Lead Arrangers to receive customary "comfort" (including "negative
assurance" comfort) from independent accountants in connection with the offering
of the Notes. Upon delivery of such prospectus, offering memorandum or private
placement memorandum, Borrower will cause its senior management personnel to
participate in a customary road show for the sale of the Notes. The Lead
Arrangers shall have been afforded a period of at least 30 days following
receipt of the material described in the foregoing to seek to place the Notes
with qualified purchasers thereof. The Notes shall have been rated by both
Moody's and S&P at least 30 days prior to the proposed Closing Date and the Lead
Arrangers shall have received confirmation thereof.
8. MISCELLANEOUS CLOSING CONDITIONS. Other customary closing conditions,
including delivery of satisfactory legal opinions of Borrower's and the Lead
Arrangers' counsel; other financial information to be agreed; accuracy of
representations and warranties; absence of defaults, prepayment events or
creation of liens under debt instruments or other agreements as a result of the
transactions contemplated hereby; evidence of authority; compliance with
applicable laws and regulations; and payment of fees and expenses.
2
EXHIBIT 10.5
April 17, 2005
GameStop Corp.
2250 William D. Tate Ave.
Grapevine, Texas 76501
Attention: Mr. David Carlson
Chief Financial Officer
Dear Mr. Carlson:
1. COMMITMENT
We are pleased to advise you of the commitment of Bank of America, N.A.
("BOFA"), Merrill Lynch Capital, a division of Merrill Lynch Business Financial
Services Inc. ("ML") and Citigroup (as defined below), subject to the terms and
conditions hereof, to provide a senior secured revolving credit facility in the
amount of $400,000,000 (the "REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY") in favor of (a) a
holding company that upon the consummation of the Acquisition of the Target (the
identity of which the Agents and the Arrangers have previously been advised)
will hold all of the equity interests of GameStop Corp. and the Target, (b)
GameStop Corp., (c) the Target, and (d) certain of the subsidiaries of each of
the foregoing (collectively, the "BORROWER"), all as contemplated on the Summary
of Terms and Conditions (the "TERM SHEET") annexed to this letter as EXHIBIT A.
Each of BofA, ML, and Citigroup severally commits that each such institution
will participate in thirty-three and one-third percent (33 1/3%) of the
Revolving Credit Facility. For purposes of this letter, "Citigroup" means
Citigroup Global Markets Inc. ("CGMI"), Citibank, N.A., Citicorp USA, Inc.,
Citicorp North America, Inc. and/or any of their affiliates as may be
appropriate to consummate the transactions contemplated herein.
2. AGENTS
BofA will act as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent (and is
referred to herein in such capacity as the "ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT") for itself
and other lenders (the "LENDERS") which fund the Revolving Credit Facility. An
affiliate of CGMI will act as Syndication Agent (the "SYNDICATION AGENT"). ML
will act as Documentation Agent (the "DOCUMENTATION AGENT" and collectively with
the Administrative Agent and the Syndication Agent, the "AGENTS").
3. SYNDICATION
BofA, ML, and CGMI reserve the right to syndicate the Revolving Credit
Facility to other lenders. In such event, Banc of America Securities LLC., CGMI
and ML will act as the Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Lead Bookrunners (in such
capacity, the "ARRANGERS") and as the exclusive syndication managers for the
Revolving Credit Facility and, in such capacity, the Arrangers will perform the
duties and exercise the authority customarily associated with such role. No
additional agents, arrangers or syndication managers will be appointed with
respect to
GameStop Corp.
April 17, 2005
Page 2
the syndication of the Revolving Credit Facility. The Arrangers, in their sole
discretion, but in consultation with the Borrower, will manage all aspects of
the syndication of the Revolving Credit Facility, including the selection of
lenders reasonably acceptable to the Borrower and the Arrangers, the
determination of when to approach potential lenders, the titles and roles given
various lenders, and the final allocation of the commitments among the lenders.
Subject to the preceding sentence, the Arrangers shall, in all events, have the
final say concerning all aspects of the syndication. BofA, ML, and Citigroup
shall be released from a portion of their respective commitments hereunder in an
aggregate amount equal to the commitment of those lenders which commit and
subscribe to the Revolving Credit Facility. In connection therewith, each of
BofA, ML, and Citigroup shall be reduced to a hold level reasonably satisfactory
to the Arrangers.
The Borrower will be reasonably responsive in assisting the Arrangers in
achieving a successful syndication, including (a) direct contact during the
syndication between the Borrower's senior officers, representatives, and
advisors, on the one hand, and the Arrangers; and (b) providing the Arrangers
with all such financial and other information in the Borrower's possession with
respect to the Borrower and the transactions contemplated by this letter,
including but not limited to financial projections and forecasts relating to the
foregoing not presently in the possession of the Arrangers and which the
Arrangers reasonably may request from time to time.
The provisions of this Paragraph 3 shall survive any closing of the
Revolving Credit Facility in the event that a successful syndication has not
been completed at the time of such closing.
4. INDEMNIFICATION
Whether or not the credit facility contemplated hereby is established, the
Borrower agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Agent, BofA, ML, Citigroup,
the Arrangers, the Lenders, and their respective participants, directors,
officers, employees, affiliates, agents, attorneys, accountants, consultants and
each other entity, if any, who controls any of the foregoing, and to hold such
persons and entities (each, an "INDEMNIFIED PERSON") harmless from and against
all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses, joint or several, to
which any such person or entity may become subject arising out of or in
connection with this letter, the Term Sheet, the Revolving Credit Facility, the
use of proceeds of the extensions of credit thereunder or any related
transaction or any claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to
any of the foregoing, regardless of whether any of such Indemnified Persons is a
party thereto, and to reimburse each Indemnified Person upon demand for any
reasonable legal or other expenses incurred in connection with investigating or
defending any of the foregoing; provided, however, the foregoing indemnification
shall not be available, as to any Indemnified Person, on account or in respect
to any claim in which a final judgment has been entered by a court of competent
jurisdiction finding that such Indemnified Person had acted with gross
negligence, willful misconduct or in bad faith. In all such litigation, or the
preparation therefor, the Agents and such Indemnified Party shall be entitled to
select their own counsel and the Borrower agrees
2
GameStop Corp.
April 17, 2005
Page 3
to pay promptly the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel, provided that
the Indemnified Parties who are not the Agents shall be entitled to
reimbursement for no more than one counsel representing all such Indemnified
Parties (absent a conflict of interest, in which case the Indemnified Parties
may engage and be reimbursed for additional counsel).
The Borrower also agrees that neither any Indemnified Person, nor any of
their respective affiliates, partners, directors, officers, agents, employees or
controlling persons, shall have any liability to the Borrower, any person
asserting claims on behalf or in right of the Borrower or any other person in
connection with or as a result of either the syndication or any matter referred
to herein or in the loan documentation except for any claim in which a final
judgment has been entered by a court of competent jurisdiction finding that such
Indemnified Person had acted with gross negligence, willful misconduct or in bad
faith.
No Indemnified Person shall be liable for any indirect, special, punitive,
or consequential damages in connection with or arising out of this letter or the
transactions contemplated hereby. The indemnification contained in this Section
4 shall survive any termination of the commitments hereunder.
5. REIMBURSEMENT
The Borrower shall reimburse the Agents, BofA, ML, Citigroup, and the
Arrangers from time to time on demand for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
(including, but not limited to, reasonable expenses of due diligence
investigation, reasonable syndication expenses, reasonable travel expenses and
reasonable fees, disbursements and charges of its counsel), in each instance
incurred in connection with the Revolving Credit Facility and the preparation of
this letter, the Term Sheet and the definitive documentation for the Revolving
Credit Facility, whether or not the transactions contemplated by this letter are
closed.
Upon acceptance of this commitment letter, the Borrower shall pay to the
Administrative Agent the sum of $100,000 (the "EXPENSE DEPOSIT"). The Expense
Deposit shall be applied to reimburse the Agents, BofA, ML, Citigroup, the
Arrangers for any fees and expenses reasonably incurred in connection with the
transaction contemplated by this letter (including, without limitation,
reasonable legal, appraisal, and commercial finance examination fees). From time
to time, the Borrower shall furnish supplemental Expense Deposits in such
amounts as may be reasonably requested by the Agents and the Arrangers. In any
event, the Borrower shall remain obligated to reimburse the Agents, BofA, ML,
Citigroup, the Arrangers for any fees and expenses reasonably incurred in
connection with the transaction contemplated by this letter (including, without
limitation, reasonable legal, appraisal, and commercial finance examination
fees) not covered by the Expense Deposit. The provisions of this paragraph shall
survive any closing of the Revolving Credit Facility and any termination of
BofA's, ML's, or Citigroup's commitments hereunder. All amounts payable under
this Section 5 shall not be subject to counterclaim or offset for, or otherwise
be affected by, any claim or dispute relating to any other matter.
3
GameStop Corp.
April 17, 2005
Page 4
6. CLOSING
This letter shall terminate unless accepted by the Borrower on or before
5:00 p.m. (New York time) on April 18, 2005, by signing below and returning this
letter so signed to the Administrative Agent. Further, after this letter is so
accepted, this letter and the commitments herein contained may be terminated by
the Agents and the Arrangers and shall be of no further force or effect, if
either the Expense Deposit or a non-refundable deposit of $500,000 (the
"NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT") shall not have been paid to the Administrative Agent
on or before 5:00 p.m. (New York time) on April 18, 2005. Time and strict
performance are of the essence with respect to all of the terms, conditions and
provisions of this letter.
If the Revolving Credit Facility closes, the Non-Refundable Deposit shall
be applied by the Administrative Agent toward the Underwriting Fee (as defined
in the Fee Letter) payable by the Borrower on the Closing Date. If the Revolving
Credit Facility is not consummated, BofA, ML, and Citigroup and their respective
affiliates may retain the Non-Refundable Deposit towards compensation for their
lost opportunity costs and their efforts to establish the facility contemplated
by this letter.
If this letter is so accepted, then, subject to the terms and conditions
of this letter, BofA, ML, and Citigroup would be obligated to establish the
Revolving Credit Facility if all conditions precedent thereto are satisfied (as
reasonably determined by each of the Agents) on or before October 31, 2005
provided that such date shall be automatically extended to December 31, 2005 to
the extent the Outside Date (as defined in the Merger Agreement for the
acquisition of the Target) is extended to December 31, 2005 pursuant to Section
8.1(b)(i) of the Merger Agreement (as in effect on the date of its execution).
This letter does not constitute an unconditional commitment to lend. Such
a commitment will exist only following: the execution and delivery of definitive
loan documents (each in form reasonably satisfactory to each of the Agents); the
recordation of such instruments and documents as the Administrative Agent
reasonably determines to be appropriate under the circumstances; and the
satisfaction of all conditions precedent referenced herein, in the Term Sheet,
or in any of the loan documents.
7. NONTRANSFERABILITY OF COMMITMENT
The identity of the Borrower is of material importance to each of BofA,
ML, and Citigroup. Consequently, this commitment may not be assigned or
transferred by the Borrower. BofA, ML, and/or Citigroup may assign its
obligations (a) under this commitment to any present or future affiliate, or (b)
after the closing of the Revolving Credit Facility, in accordance with the loan
documentation.
8. NON-DISCLOSURE OF COMMITMENT; EXCLUSIVE DEALINGS
4
GameStop Corp.
April 17, 2005
Page 5
The Borrower covenants that, from and after the date of this letter, and
until the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein (including
successful completion of the syndication, as determined by the Arrangers) or the
expiry of the commitment provided for herein, the Borrower (and its affiliates,
officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives) shall not directly
or indirectly solicit, initiate, encourage, facilitate, discuss, syndicate,
issue, or attempt to syndicate or issue, announce or authorize the announcement
of the syndication or issuance of, (a) any other bank financing of the Borrower,
or (b) any debt facility or debt security (including renewals thereof) (other
than the Bridge/Permanent Facility (as defined in the Term Sheet) and any
substitutions thereof or replacements therefore (subject to the provisions of
Paragraph 9 of the "Conditions Precedent" in the Term Sheet)), in each case,
without the prior written consent of the Arrangers. For purposes of
clarification, the foregoing covenant shall not be applicable to the extent that
the transactions contemplated herein are not consummated due to the condition
set forth in Paragraph 9 of the "Conditions Precedent" in the Term Sheet.
Except as, and only to the extent required under applicable laws, the
Borrower shall maintain as confidential the terms or conditions of this letter,
the Term Sheet, or the Fee Letter. Without limiting the foregoing, this letter
and the Term Sheet may not be disclosed by the Borrower to any persons
(including any existing lenders of the Borrower) other than (a) the
Bridge/Permanent Agent and its officers, directors, employees and affiliates and
its accountants, financial advisors, and counsel, (b) the Target and its
officers, directors, employees and affiliates and its accountants, financial
advisors, and counsel, and (c) the officers, directors, employees and affiliates
of the Borrower and its accountants, financial advisors, and counsel. The
knowing and intentional failure to comply with the foregoing provisions shall,
at the option of BofA, ML, or Citigroup, as applicable, automatically terminate
any and all of its respective obligations with respect to the financing
contemplated hereunder; except that the confidentiality provisions of this
Section 8 shall survive any such termination.. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary herein, the Borrower (and each of its affiliates, employees,
representative, and agents) may disclose to any and all persons, without
limitation, the structure and tax aspects of the transaction contemplated
hereby, and all materials of any kind (including opinions and other tax
analyses) that are provided to the Borrower related to such structure and tax
aspects.
9. GOVERNING LAW; CONSENT TO JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.
This Commitment Letter and the Fee Letter accompanying this letter shall
be governed by and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New
York. The Borrower agrees that any legal action, proceeding, case, or
controversy against the Borrower with respect to this letter or the Revolving
Credit Facility may be brought in any New York state court or federal court
sitting in New York City, as the Administrative Agent may elect in its sole
discretion. By acceptance of this letter, the Borrower for itself and in respect
of its property, accepts, submits, and consents generally and unconditionally,
to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts. The Borrower WAIVES
any objection based on forum non conveniens and any objection to venue of any
action or proceeding instituted under or with respect to this letter or the
Revolving Credit Facility and consents to the granting of such legal or
equitable remedy as is
5
GameStop Corp.
April 17, 2005
Page 6
deemed appropriate by the relevant court. The Borrower further agrees that any
action commenced by the Borrower asserting any claim or counterclaim arising
under or in connection with this letter or the Revolving Credit Facility shall
be brought solely in any New York state court or federal court sitting in New
York City and that such courts shall have exclusive jurisdiction with respect to
any such action.
The Borrower, the Agents, BofA, ML, Citigroup, the Arrangers make each of
the following waivers knowingly, voluntarily, and intentionally, and understand
that the Agents, BofA, ML, Citigroup, the Arrangers, in providing this letter,
and the Borrower, are each relying on such waivers.
THE BORROWER, THE AGENTS, BOFA, ML, CITIGROUP, AND THE ARRANGERS EACH
WAIVES THE FOLLOWING:
THE RIGHT TO A JURY IN ANY TRIAL OF ANY CASE OR CONTROVERSY IN WHICH THE
BORROWER, THE AGENTS, BOFA, ML, CITIGROUP, THE ARRANGERS, OR ANY LENDER TO WHICH
A PART OF THE REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY IS PARTICIPATED, IS OR BECOMES A PARTY
(WHETHER SUCH CASE OR CONTROVERSY IS INITIATED BY OR AGAINST THE BORROWER, THE
AGENTS, BOFA, ML, CITIGROUP, THE ARRANGERS, AND/OR SUCH LENDER OR PARTICIPANT OR
IN WHICH THE BORROWER, THE AGENTS, BOFA, ML, CITIGROUP, THE ARRANGERS, OR SUCH
LENDER OR PARTICIPANT, IS JOINED AS A PARTY LITIGANT), WHICH CASE OR CONTROVERSY
ARISES OUT OF OR IS IN RESPECT OF, ANY RELATIONSHIP AMONGST OR BETWEEN THE
BORROWER OR ANY OTHER PERSON AND THE AGENTS, BOFA, ML, CITIGROUP, THE ARRANGERS,
OR SUCH LENDER.
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GameStop Corp.
April 17, 2005
Page 7
If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our
agreement, please sign this letter in the space indicated below and return it to
the Administrative Agent.
Very truly yours,
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
By /s/ Stephen S. Garvin
---------------------------------
Title: Managing Director
CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.
By /s/ William Washburn
---------------------------------
Title: Vice President and Director
BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC
By /s/ Thomas J. Bullard
---------------------------------
Title: Managing Director
MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL, a division
of MERRILL LYNCH BUSINESS
FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
By /s/ Michele Kovatchis
---------------------------------
Title: Director
The foregoing is agreed to:
GAMESTOP CORP.
By /s/ David W. Carlson
----------------------------------
Title: Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
Dated: April 17, 2005
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GameStop Corp.
April 17, 2005
Page 8
SUMMARY OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS
GAMESTOP CORP.
$400,000,000 SENIOR SECURED REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY
APRIL 17, 2005
BORROWERS: Collectively, (a) a holding company that upon the
consummation of the Acquisition of the Target (the
identity of which the Agents and the Arrangers
have previously been advised) will hold all of the
equity interests of GameStop Corp. and the Target,
(b) GameStop Corp., (c) the Target, and (d)
certain of the subsidiaries of each of the
foregoing (collectively, the "Borrower").
GUARANTORS: All wholly owned domestic subsidiaries. Foreign
subsidiaries shall not be required to be
Guarantors.
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT: Bank of America, N.A.
COLLATERAL AGENT: Bank of America, N.A. (in its capacities as
Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, the
"Administrative Agent").
JOINT LEAD ARRANGERS
AND JOINT LEAD
BOOKRUNNNERS: Banc of America Securities LLC., Citigroup Global
Markets Inc. ("CGMI") and Merrill Lynch Capital, a
division of Merrill Lynch Business Financial
Services Inc. (collectively, the "Arrangers").
SYNDICATION AGENT: An affiliate of CGMI (the "Syndication Agent").
DOCUMENTATION AGENT: Merrill Lynch Capital, a division of Merrill Lynch
Business Financial Services Inc. (the
"Documentation Agent" and collectively with the
Administrative Agent and the Syndication Agent,
the "Agents")
LENDERS: A syndicate of financial institutions, including
the Agents and an affiliate of CGMI, which
institutions shall be acceptable to the Borrower
and the Arrangers.
SENIOR SECURED
CREDIT FACILITY: Five-year Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility
(herein referred to as the "Revolving Credit
Facility" or the "Facility") in the initial amount
of $400,000,000 (the
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GameStop Corp.
April 17, 2005
Page 9
"Facility Cap"), which will include a $50,000,000
sublimit for the issuance of letters of credit
(the "Letters of Credit").
PURPOSE: The Facility shall be used for refinancing of
existing working capital indebtedness of the
Borrower and the Target, and, at the Borrower's
option, for refinancing of other indebtedness, to
pay transaction costs in connection with the
acquisition of the Target and for other general
corporate purposes, including letters of credit,
working capital, capital expenditures, dividends,
share repurchases and acquisitions permitted under
the documentation for the Facility.
LETTERS OF CREDIT: A portion of the Revolving Credit Facility, not in
excess of $50,000,000, shall be available for the
issuance of Letters of Credit by Bank of America,
N.A. or an affiliate of CGMI (in such capacity the
"Issuing Lender"). No Letter of Credit shall have
an expiration date after the earlier of (i) one
year after the date of issuance and (ii) five
business days prior to the Maturity of the
Revolving Credit Facility, provided that any
Letter of Credit with a one-year term may provide
for the renewal thereof for additional one-year
periods (which shall in no event extend beyond the
date referred to in clause (ii) above).
L/C ISSUING BANK: Bank of America, N.A. or an affiliate of CGMI.
CLOSING: To be mutually agreed upon by the Agents and the
Borrower, but in any event no later than October
31, 2005, provided that such date shall be
automatically extended to December 31, 2005 to the
extent the Outside Date (as defined in the Merger
Agreement for the acquisition of the Target) is
extended to December 31, 2005 pursuant to Section
8.1(b)(i) of the Merger Agreement (as in effect on
the date of its execution).
MATURITY: The Facility shall terminate and all amounts
outstanding thereunder shall be due and payable in
full five years from Closing.
PRIORITY AND SECURITY: The Facility will be secured by a first priority
perfected security interest in all assets of the
Borrower and the Guarantors, including, without
limitation, (i) inventory, (ii) accounts
receivable, including credit card receivables,
(iii)
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GameStop Corp.
April 17, 2005
Page 10
documents, (iv) general intangibles, including
trade names, trademarks and other intellectual
property, (v) furniture, fixtures and equipment,
(vi) bank and investment accounts, (vii)
investment property, including a pledge of
subsidiary stock (foreign subsidiary pledge will
be limited to 65% of the capital stock), (viii)
owned real estate, (ix) claims and causes of
action relating to the foregoing, and (x) all
proceeds of the foregoing, whether now owned or
hereafter acquired.
BORROWING BASE/
ADVANCE RATES: The aggregate amount of Loans and Letters of
Credit outstanding under the Facility shall never
exceed the lesser of the (a) Borrowing Base and
(b) the Facility Cap.
Borrowing Base: (i) The sum of lesser of (A) the
cost of Eligible Inventory (as defined in the
Borrower's existing Credit Agreement, subject to
adjustment after completion of due diligence)
multiplied by the inventory advance rate, or (B)
90% of the net appraised inventory liquidation
value, plus (ii) 85% of Eligible Credit Card
Receivables (to be defined in the definitive loan
documentation), less (iii) reserves.
Inventory Advance Rate: The initial inventory
advance rate for the Borrower's inventory will be
55%. The initial inventory advance rate for the
Target's inventory will be set at 50%. The
inventory advance rates may be adjusted after the
completion of due diligence as set forth below.
From the due diligence process, the Administrative
Agent may adjust the Borrowing Base, advance
rates, and the standards of eligibility and
reserves. The due diligence will include but not
be limited to an inventory appraisal and a
commercial finance examination of the Borrower and
the Target.
Borrowing Base collateral reporting will be
provided to the Administrative Agent on a monthly
basis, provided that no Event of Default has
occurred. After the occurrence of the earlier of
(i) uncapped (i.e. without regard to the Facility
Cap) availability under the Borrowing Base falls
below 20% of the Borrowing Base, or (ii) an Event
of Default, the
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GameStop Corp.
April 17, 2005
Page 11
Administrative Agent may require Borrowing Base
collateral reporting on a weekly basis.
INTEREST RATES: As set forth in Addendum I.
FEES/EXPENSES: As set forth in Addendum I.
MANDATORY PREPAYMENTS
AND COMMITMENT
REDUCTIONS: The Borrower shall not be required to make any
prepayments of the Facility except (i) if, and to
the extent that, the total credit extensions
exceed the lesser of the then amounts available
under the Borrowing Base, or the Facility Cap (as
such may be reduced by the Borrower as provided
below), and (ii) as may be required by the Lenders
after the occurrence and during the continuance of
an event of default.
OPTIONAL PREPAYMENTS
AND COMMITMENT
REDUCTIONS: The Borrower may prepay the Facility, in whole or
in part at any time without penalty, subject to
reimbursement of each Lender's breakage and
redeployment costs in the case of prepayment of
LIBOR borrowings. The unutilized portion of any
commitment under the Facility may be irrevocably
canceled by the Borrower in whole or in part. Such
optional prepayments and commitment reductions
will be required to be in minimum amounts to be
determined.
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT: Closing shall be conditioned upon satisfaction of
the following conditions precedent and other
conditions customary to transactions of this type,
or reasonably required by the Agents and the
Arrangers.
1. Preparation, execution and delivery of
definitive documentation (the "Definitive
Documentation") satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent and the Arrangers
(including a certified Borrowing Base
certificate and reasonably appropriate
security documentation).
2. Legal opinions of counsel to the Borrower
and Guarantors reasonably satisfactory in
form and
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GameStop Corp.
April 17, 2005
Page 12
substance to the Administrative Agent and
the Arrangers including, without limitation,
with respect to the enforceability and
perfection of the Administrative Agent's
security interests.
3. Not later than 30 days before the Closing
Date, the Agents shall have received (a)
audited consolidated and consolidating
balance sheets and related statements of
income, stockholders' equity and cash flows
of each of GameStop Corp. and the Target for
the three fiscal years ended before the
Closing Date and (b) to the extent
available, unaudited consolidated and
consolidating balance sheets and related
statements of income, stockholders' equity
and cash flows of each of GameStop Corp. and
the Target for each completed fiscal quarter
since the date of such audited financial
statements (and, to the extent available,
for each completed month since the last such
quarter), which audited and unaudited
financial statements shall be prepared in
accordance with, or reconciled to, United
Stated generally accepted accounting
principles ("GAAP").
4. The Administrative Agent shall have filed
all such financing statements and shall have
given all such notices as may be necessary
for the Administrative Agent to perfect its
security interest in the collateral and to
assure its first-priority status therein.
5. The accuracy and completeness in all
material respects of all representations
that GameStop Corp., the Target and their
respective affiliates make to the Agents and
the Arrangers and all information (other
than financial projections) that GameStop
Corp., the Target and their respective
affiliates furnish to the Agents and the
Arrangers.
6. The absence of any change, effect, event,
occurrence or state of facts that is
materially adverse to the business,
financial condition, or results of
operations of the Target, other than any
changes, effects, events, occurrences or
state of
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GameStop Corp.
April 17, 2005
Page 13
facts relating to (i) the economy or
financial markets in general, (ii)
negotiation and entry into the Merger
Agreement, the announcement of the Merger
Agreement or the undertaking and performance
or observance of the obligations
contemplated by the Merger Agreement or
necessary to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby (including adverse
effects on results of operations
attributable to the uncertainties associated
with the period between the date hereof and
the Closing Date), (iii) fluctuation in
GameStop Corp.'s or the Target's stock price
(iv) the effect of incurring and paying
Expenses (as defined in the Merger
Agreement) in connection with negotiating,
entering into, performing and consummating
the transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement, (v) changes in GAAP after the
date hereof, and (vi) product shortages and
delays in product introductions consistent
with those that occurred in 2004; ;
provided, that with respect to clause (i)
such changes, effects, events, occurrences
or state of facts do not disproportionately
affect such Persons (as defined in the
Merger Agreement) relative to the other
participants in the industries in which such
Persons operate; provided, further, that,
for the avoidance of doubt, compliance with
(and the consequences thereof) the terms of
the Merger Agreement (including Section 6.5
thereof, except for Section 6.5(a)(vi))
shall not be taken into account in
determining whether a material adverse
effect shall have occurred or shall be
expected to occur for any and all purposes.
7. The consummation of the acquisition of the
Target on the terms set forth in the Merger
Agreement dated on or about the date hereof,
with such modifications as the Target and
the Borrower may agree (other than
amendments, modifications or waivers which
are adverse to the Lenders, which
modifications, amendments or waivers shall
be reasonably acceptable to the Agents and
the Arrangers).
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GameStop Corp.
April 17, 2005
Page 14
8. The Borrower shall have received the
proceeds from a senior bridge facility or
permanent securities (the "Bridge/Permanent
Facility") which Bridge/Permanent Facility
shall be consistent with the terms
previously disclosed to the Agents, with
such modifications as the agents under the
Bridge/Permanent Facility and the Borrower
may agree (other than modifications which
are adverse to the Lenders, which
modifications shall be reasonably acceptable
to the Agents and the Arrangers).
9. The proposed financing is subject to the
condition that no material changes in
governmental regulations or policies
affecting any Lender's ability to perform
its obligations under the commitment letter
occur prior to the Closing Date.
10. There shall be no defaults or events of
default on the Closing Date under the
definitive documents for the Facility.
11. The Borrower shall have excess borrowing
availability on the Closing Date (after
giving effect to the loans to be made and
letters of credit to be issued on the
Closing Date) of at least $150,000,000.
12. The Agents shall have received a solvency
certificate, in form and substance and from
the chief financial officer of Borrower,
together with such other evidence reasonably
requested by the Agents, confirming the
solvency of Borrower and its subsidiaries on
a consolidated basis after giving effect to
the transactions contemplated hereby.
13. All requisite material governmental
authorities and, except as would not
reasonably be expected to have or result in
a Material Adverse Effect (as defined in
paragraph 6, of these conditions precedent,
without giving effect to clause (ii) of such
definition), all third parties shall have
approved or consented to the transactions
contemplated hereby (including the
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GameStop Corp.
April 17, 2005
Page 15
Acquisition) to the extent required, all
applicable appeal periods shall have expired
and there shall be no material governmental
or judicial action, actual or threatened,
that could reasonably be expected to
materially restrain, prevent or impose
burdensome conditions on such transactions.
14. Other customary closing conditions,
including absence of prepayment events or
creation of liens under debt instruments or
other agreements as a result of the
transactions contemplated hereby; evidence
of authority; compliance with applicable
laws and regulations; and payment of fees
and expenses.
REPRESENTATIONS AND
WARRANTIES: Usual and customary for transactions of this type,
generally consistent with those in the Borrower's
existing Credit Agreement.
PERMITTED REPURCHASES: The Borrower shall be allowed to make unlimited
repurchases of the Borrower's common stock
provided that each of the following conditions is
satisfied: (i) no default or event of default
exists immediately prior to, or after giving
effect to any such repurchase; (ii) uncapped (i.e.
without regard to the Facility Cap) availability
under the Borrowing Base has been equal to or
greater than 25% of the Borrowing Base for each
day of thirty (30) days immediately prior to any
such Permitted Repurchase; (iii) uncapped (i.e.
without regard to the Facility Cap) availability
under the Borrowing Base is equal to or greater
than 25% of the Borrowing Base following such
repurchase; and (iv) uncapped (i.e. without regard
to the Facility Cap) availability under the
Borrowing Base is projected on a pro forma basis
to be at least 25% of the Borrowing Base for each
day of the 120 day period immediately following
such repurchase.
OTHER COVENANTS: Other affirmative and negative covenants to
include without limitation:
a) Usual and customary financial reporting
requirements and certain asset based
reporting
15
GameStop Corp.
April 17, 2005
Page 16
requirements, including monthly projections
of sales and inventory levels.
b) Usual and customary covenants related to
maintenance of properties and insurance,
payment of taxes, compliance with laws,
contracts, and permits; and ERISA generally
consistent with those in the Borrower's
existing Credit Agreement.
c) Usual and customary covenants related to
indebtedness, guarantees, liens,
investments, loans, mergers, acquisitions,
dividends, distributions, restricted
payments and transactions with affiliates,
subject to allowances to be agreed by the
Agents, the Arrangers and the Borrower
following completion of due diligence,
provided that (i) no proceeds of the
Facility may be utilized to pay principal or
fees on the Bridge/Permanent Facility, and
(b) acquisitions, dividends and
distributions will be otherwise permitted on
the same terms and limitations as are set
forth above for Permitted Repurchases.
d) The Administrative Agent will have the right
to conduct periodic commercial finance
examinations and appraisals, as set forth
below.
EXAMS/APPRAISALS: The Borrower shall be responsible for the
reasonable costs of one commercial financial
examination and one inventory appraisal prior to
Closing. The Administrative Agent shall be
entitled to conduct additional periodic commercial
finance exams and inventory appraisals at
reasonable times and upon reasonable notice at its
own discretion, all at the expense of the
Borrower, provided that prior to the occurrence of
an event of default, (a) if the Borrower's usage
of the Facility is at all times less than fifty
percent (50%) of the lesser of the Facility Cap or
the Borrowing Base, the Administrative Agent may
conduct only one commercial finance exam and
inventory appraisal in any twelve month period,
and (b) if the Borrower's usage of the Facility is
at any time greater than fifty percent (50%) of
the lesser of the Facility Cap or the Borrowing
Base, the Administrative Agent may conduct up to
two commercial
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GameStop Corp.
April 17, 2005
Page 17
finance exams and inventory appraisals in any
twelve month period. The limitations set forth in
the proviso above shall be inapplicable after the
occurrence of an event of default and the
Administrative Agent may, after the occurrence of
any such event of default, conduct additional
periodic commercial finance exams and inventory
appraisals at reasonable times and upon reasonable
notice at its own discretion, all at the expense
of the Borrower.
FINANCIAL COVENANTS: In the event that the outstanding Loans and
Letters of Credit under the Facility at any time
exceed 80% of the lesser of the Borrowing Base or
the Facility Cap, the Borrower will be obligated
to comply with a Fixed Charge Coverage Covenant of
at least 1.5:1.0. Fixed Charge Coverage shall be
defined in the same manner as in the Borrower's
existing Credit Agreement.
SPRINGING CASH CONTROL: The Administrative Agent will require a blocked
account agreement with the Borrower's primary cash
concentration bank, such that the Borrower's daily
cash receipts must be directed to an account at
the Administrative Agent in the event that
uncapped (i.e. without regard to the Facility Cap)
availability under the Borrowing Base falls below
15% of the Borrowing Base.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT: Usual and customary in transactions of this type,
to include without limitation: (i) nonpayment of
principal, interest, fees or other amounts (with
grace periods as applicable), (ii) violation of
covenants (with cure periods as applicable), (iii)
material inaccuracy of representations and
warranties, (iv) cross-default to other material
indebtedness, (v) bankruptcy and other insolvency
events, (vi) material judgments, (vii) ERISA
matters, and (viii) change of control.
INDEMNIFICATION: The Borrower shall indemnify the Agents, the
Arrangers and the Lenders and each of their
respective affiliates and their respective
officers, directors, employees, agents, advisors,
attorneys and representatives from and against all
losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses
arising out of or relating to any investigation,
litigation or other proceeding (whether or not an
indemnitee is a party thereto) related to the
entering into and/or performance of
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GameStop Corp.
April 17, 2005
Page 18
the loan agreement and other definitive credit
documentation for the Facility, the Borrower's use
of loan proceeds or the consummation of any other
transactions contemplated in the definitive credit
documentation for the Facility, including, but not
limited to, reasonable attorneys' fees, and
settlement costs, except any resulting from the
gross negligence, bad faith, or willful misconduct
of the indemnitee. This indemnification shall
survive and continue for the benefit of the
indemnitees at all times after the Borrower's
acceptance of the Agents' and the Arrangers'
commitments for the Facility, notwithstanding any
failure of the Facility to close, but shall
terminate and be superceded by the provisions of
definitive documentation for the Facility.
GOVERNING LAW: The State of New York.
AGENTS' COUNSEL: Riemer & Braunstein, LLP.
OTHER: This Summary of Terms is intended as an outline of
certain of the material terms of the Facility and
does not purport to summarize all of the
conditions, covenants, representations, warranties
and other provisions which would be contained in
definitive documentation for the Facility
contemplated hereby. The Borrower, the Agents and
the Arrangers shall each waive its right to a
trial by jury.
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GameStop Corp.
April 17, 2005
Page 19
ADDENDUM I
FEES AND EXPENSES
INTEREST RATES: The Revolving Credit Facility shall bear interest
at a rate equal to LIBOR plus the Applicable
Margin or the Alternate Base Rate plus the
Applicable Margin (to be defined as the higher of
(i) the Administrative Agent's prime rate and (ii)
the Federal Funds rate plus .50%). The Applicable
Margin shall be determined in accordance with the
applicable Performance Pricing grid set forth
below.
The Borrower may select interest periods of 1, 2,
3 or 6 months for LIBOR loans, subject to
availability. Interest shall be payable at the end
of the selected interest period, but no less
frequently than quarterly.
A default rate shall apply on all past due amounts
under the Facility at a rate per annum of 2% above
the applicable interest rate.
CALCULATION OF
INTEREST AND FEES: Other than calculations in respect of interest at
the Alternate Base Rate (which shall be made on
the basis of actual number of days elapsed in a
365/366 day year), all calculations of interest
and fees shall be made on the basis of actual
number of days elapsed in a 360 day year.
COMMITMENT FEE: The Borrower will pay a fee (the "Commitment
Fee"), determined in accordance with the
applicable Performance Pricing grid set forth
below, on the unused portion of each Lender's
commitment amount reduced by any portion of the
Commitment that is irrevocably canceled by the
Borrower under the terms of the Facility. The
Commitment Fee is payable in arrears at the end of
each calendar quarter, commencing upon the first
such date to occur after Closing. For purposes of
calculating the Commitment Fee, outstanding
Letters of Credit shall count as usage under the
Revolving Credit Facility.
LETTER OF CREDIT FEES: The Borrower shall pay a commission on standby
Letters of Credit at a per annum rate equal to the
Applicable Margin then in effect with respect to
LIBOR loans on the face amount of each such letter
of credit. Such commission shall
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GameStop Corp.
April 17, 2005
Page 20
be payable quarterly in arrears. The Borrower
shall pay a commission on documentary Letters of
Credit at a per annum rate equal to one-half of
the Applicable Margin then in effect with respect
to LIBOR loans on the face amount of each such
letter of credit. A fronting fee to be agreed upon
with the Issuing Lender shall be payable quarterly
in arrears to such Issuing Lender for its own
account. In addition, customary administrative,
issuance, amendment, payment, and negotiation
charges shall be payable to the Issuing Lender for
its own account.
COST AND YIELD
PROTECTION: Customary for transactions and facilities of this
type, including, without limitation, in respect of
breakage or redeployment costs incurred in
connection with prepayments, changes in capital
adequacy and capital requirements or their
interpretation, illegality, unavailability,
reserves without proration or offset and payments
free and clear of withholding or other taxes.
EXPENSES: The Borrower will pay all reasonable costs and
expenses associated with the preparation, due
diligence, syndication and enforcement of all
documentation executed in connection with the
Facility, including without limitation, the legal
fees of counsel to the Agents and the Arrangers,
regardless of whether or not the Facility is
closed. The Borrower will also pay the reasonable
expenses of the Agents in connection with the
enforcement of any loan documentation for the
Facility.
PERFORMANCE PRICING: The Applicable Margin and Commitment Fee for any
fiscal quarter, shall be determined based upon the
Performance Pricing Grid outlined below and the
ratio of outstanding Total Indebtedness to EBITDA,
as of the most recently ended fiscal quarter (as
reported on the Borrower's compliance certificate.
LEVEL DEBT TO EBITDA APPLICABLE LIBOR MARGIN APPLICABLE BASE RATE MARGIN COMMITMENT FEE
- ----- -------------- ----------------------- --------------------------- --------------
I >=3.5:1.0 1.75 0.25 50.0
II <3.5:1.0 but>= 1.50 0.0 37.5
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GameStop Corp.
April 17, 2005
Page 20
1.0:1.0
III <1.0:1.0 1.25 0.0 37.5
ADMINISTRATIVE
AGENT'S FEE: Payable at the times and in the amounts set forth
in a Fee Letter of even date.
UNDERWRITING FEE: Payable at the times and in the amounts set forth
in a Fee Letter of even date.
21
EXHIBIT 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
GameStop Corp
Grapevine, Texas
We hereby consent to the use in the Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus
constituting a part of this Registration Statement of our reports dated March
30, 2005, relating to the consolidated financial statements of GameStop Corp.,
management's assessment of internal control over financial reporting as of
January 29, 2005, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial
reporting as of January 29, 2005, which are contained in that Prospectus.
We also consent to the reference to us under the caption "Experts" in the
Prospectus.
/s/ BDO Seidman, LLP
------------------------------
BDO SEIDMAN, LLP
Dallas, TX
May 19, 2005
EXHIBIT 23.2
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors:
Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp.:
We consent to the use of our reports dated April 7, 2005, with respect to the
consolidated balance sheets of Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp. as of January
29, 2005 and January 31, 2004, and the related consolidated statements of
income, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the
three-year period ended January 29, 2005, and the related financial statement
schedule, management's assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over
financial reporting as of January 29, 2005, and the effectiveness of internal
control over financial reporting as of January 29, 2005, incorporated herein by
reference and to the reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the
Form S-4 registration statement.
Our report with respect to the consolidated financial statements refers to a
change in the method of accounting for consideration received from a vendor.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
May 20, 2005
EXHIBIT 99.1
[LETTERHEAD OF CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.]
The Board of Directors
GameStop Corp.
625 Westport Parkway
Grapevine, Texas 76051
Members of the Board:
We hereby consent to the inclusion of our opinion letter as Annex G to, and to
the reference thereto under the captions "SUMMARY -- Opinions of Financial
Advisors --- GameStop" and "THE MERGERS -- Opinion of GameStop's Financial
Advisor" in, the Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus relating to the proposed
merger involving GameStop Corp. and Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp., which
Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus forms a part of the Registration Statement on
Form S-4 of GSC Holdings Corp. By giving such consent, we do not thereby admit
that we are experts with respect to any part of such Registration Statement
within the meaning of the term "expert" as used in, or that we come within the
category of persons whose consent is required under, the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission promulgated thereunder.
/s/ Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
--------------------------------------------
CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.
May 23, 2005
EXHIBIT 99.2
CONSENT OF MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED
We hereby consent to the use of our opinion letter dated April 17, 2005
to the Board of Directors of Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp. included as
Annex H to the Joint Proxy Statement - Prospectus which forms a part of the
Registration Statement on Form S-4 relating to the proposed mergers involving
Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp. and GameStop Corp. and to the references to
such opinion in such Joint Proxy Statement - Prospectus under the captions
"SUMMARY - Opinions of Financial Advisors," " THE MERGERS - Background of the
Mergers," "THE MERGERS - EB's Reasons for the EB Merger; Recommendation of the
EB Merger by the EB Board of Directors," and "THE MERGERS - Opinions of EB's
Financial Advisors." In giving such consent, we do not admit that we come
within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, nor do we thereby admit that we
are experts with respect to any part of such Registration Statement within the
meaning of the term "experts" as used in the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission
thereunder.
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH
INCORPORATED
/s/ Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated
New York, New York
May 20, 2005
1
EXHIBIT 99.3
[Letterhead of Peter J. Solomon Company, L.P.]
Board of Directors
Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp.
931 South Matlack Street
West Chester, Pennsylvania 19382
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We hereby consent to the inclusion of (i) our opinion letter, dated
April 17, 2005, to the board of directors of Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp.
as Annex I to the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus included in the Registration
Statement on Form S-4 of GSC Holdings Corp. (the "Registration Statement")
relating to the proposed merger transaction involving Electronics Boutique
Holdings Corp. and GameStop Corp. and certain of its subsidiaries and (ii)
reference thereto in such Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus under the captions
"Summary -- Opinions of Financial Advisors", "The Mergers -- Background of the
Mergers," "The Mergers -- EB's Reasons for the EB Merger; Recommendation of the
EB Merger by the EB Board of Directors" and "The Mergers -- Opinions of EB's
Financial Advisors - Peter J. Solomon Company, L.P." By giving such consent, we
do not thereby admit that we are experts with respect to any part of such
Registration Statement within the meaning of the term "expert" as used in, or
that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under, the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Peter J. Solomon Company, L.P.
PETER J. SOLOMON COMPANY, L.P.
New York, New York
May 18, 2005
EXHIBIT 99.4
CONSENT OF PERSON NAMED
AS ABOUT TO BECOME A DIRECTOR
Pursuant to Rule 438 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, I, the undersigned, have agreed to serve as a member of the board of
directors of GSC Holdings Corp. and grant it consent to use my name in its
Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-______), and all amendments,
including post-effective amendments, to the Registration Statement (or any other
Registration Statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended).
Dated May 23, 2005
/s/ Leonard Riggio
----------------------
Leonard Riggio
EXHIBIT 99.5
CONSENT OF PERSON NAMED
AS ABOUT TO BECOME A DIRECTOR
Pursuant to Rule 438 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, I, the undersigned, have agreed to serve as a member of the board of
directors of GSC Holdings Corp. and grant it consent to use my name in its
Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-______), and all amendments,
including post-effective amendments, to the Registration Statement (or any other
Registration Statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended).
Dated May 23, 2005
/s/ Michael N. Rosen
--------------------
Michael N. Rosen
EXHIBIT 99.6
CONSENT OF PERSON NAMED
AS ABOUT TO BECOME A DIRECTOR
Pursuant to Rule 438 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, I, the undersigned, have agreed to serve as a member of the board of
directors of GSC Holdings Corp. and grant it consent to use my name in its
Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-______), and all amendments,
including post-effective amendments, to the Registration Statement (or any other
Registration Statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended).
Dated May 23, 2005
/s/ Stephanie M. Shern
--------------------------
Stephanie M. Shern
EXHIBIT 99.7
CONSENT OF PERSON NAMED
AS ABOUT TO BECOME A DIRECTOR
Pursuant to Rule 438 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, I, the undersigned, have agreed to serve as a member of the board of
directors of GSC Holdings Corp. and grant it consent to use my name in its
Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-______), and all amendments,
including post-effective amendments, to the Registration Statement (or any other
Registration Statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended).
Dated May 23, 2005
/s/ Gerald R.Szczepanski
--------------------------
Gerald R. Szczepanski
EXHIBIT 99.8
CONSENT OF PERSON NAMED
AS ABOUT TO BECOME A DIRECTOR
Pursuant to Rule 438 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, I, the undersigned, have agreed to serve as a member of the board of
directors of GSC Holdings Corp. and grant it consent to use my name in its
Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-______), and all amendments,
including post-effective amendments, to the Registration Statement (or any other
Registration Statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended).
Dated May 23, 2005
/s/ Edward A. Volkwein
-----------------------
Edward A. Volkwein
EXHIBIT 99.9
CONSENT OF PERSON NAMED
AS ABOUT TO BECOME A DIRECTOR
Pursuant to Rule 438 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, I, the undersigned, have agreed to serve as a member of the board of
directors of GSC Holdings Corp. and grant it consent to use my name in its
Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-______), and all amendments,
including post-effective amendments, to the Registration Statement (or any other
Registration Statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended).
Dated May 20, 2005
/s/ James J. Kim
-------------------
James J. Kim