prem14a
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
|
|
|
Filed by the Registrant
|
|
þ |
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant
|
|
o |
Check the appropriate box: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
þ
|
|
Preliminary Proxy Statement
|
|
o
|
|
Confidential, For Use of the |
|
|
o
|
|
Definitive Proxy Statement
|
|
|
|
Commission Only (as permitted by |
|
|
o
|
|
Definitive Additional Materials
|
|
|
|
Rule 14a-6(e)(2) |
|
|
o
|
|
Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-12 |
|
|
|
|
CLEAR CHANNEL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
N/A
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)
|
|
|
|
|
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): |
|
|
o |
|
No fee required. |
|
|
þ |
|
Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Stock par value $0.10 per share (Common Stock)
|
|
|
|
|
(2) |
|
Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
493,794,750 shares of
Common Stock, 12,044,341 options to purchase Common Stock, and 206,465 warrants to purchase Common Stock |
|
|
|
|
(3) |
|
Per unit price or other underlying
value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11: |
|
The maximum aggregate value was determined upon the sum of (i) 493,794,750 shares of Common Stock
multiplied by $37.60 per share; (ii) options to purchase 12,044,341 shares of Common Stock
multiplied by $7.82 (which is the difference between $37.60 and the weighted average exercise price
of $29.78 per share); and (iii) warrants to purchase 206,465 shares of Common Stock multiplied by
$2.99 (which is the difference between $37.60 and the weighted average exercise price of $34.61 per
share). In accordance with Section 14(g) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, the filing fee was determined by
multiplying 0.000107 by the sum of the proceeding sentence. |
|
|
|
|
(4) |
|
Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
|
|
|
|
|
$18,661,486,677 |
|
|
|
|
(5) |
|
Total fee paid: |
|
|
|
|
|
$1,996,779 |
|
|
|
|
þ |
|
Fee paid with preliminary materials: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
o |
|
Check box if any part of the fee is
offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing
for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by
registration statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Amount previously paid: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2) |
|
Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3) |
|
Filing party: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4) |
|
Date filed: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
PRELIMINARY PROXY STATEMENT SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
CLEAR CHANNEL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
200 East Basse Road
San Antonio, Texas 78209
, 2007
Dear Shareholders:
We cordially invite you to attend the special meeting of shareholders of Clear Channel
Communications, Inc., a Texas corporation (the Company), at [ ] on [ ], 2007, at [ ] a.m., local time.
At the special meeting, we will ask you to consider and vote upon a proposal to adopt an
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 16, 2006, among the Company, BT Triple Crown
Merger Co., Inc., a Delaware corporation (Merger Sub), B Triple Crown Finco, LLC, a Delaware
limited liability company and T Triple Crown Finco, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
(together with B Triple Crown Finco, LLC, the Fincos), which provides for the recapitalization of
the Company by the merger of Merger Sub with and into the Company. The Fincos were formed by
private equity funds sponsored by Bain Capital Partners, LLC and Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P.
solely for the purpose of entering into the merger agreement and consummating the transactions
contemplated by the merger agreement. If the Companys shareholders adopt the merger agreement and
the merger is completed, you will receive $37.60 in cash, without interest, for each share of
Company common stock you own (unless you have properly exercised your appraisal rights with respect
to the merger). You may also receive additional per share consideration under certain circumstances
if the merger is consummated after January 1, 2008.
After careful consideration, the Companys board of directors by unanimous vote (excluding
Messrs. Mark P. Mays, Randall T. Mays, L. Lowry Mays and B. J. McCombs who recused themselves from
the deliberations) has determined that the merger agreement is advisable, fair to and in the best
interests of the unaffiliated shareholders of the Company, that the Company enter into the merger
agreement and consummate the merger on the terms and conditions of the merger agreement. The
Companys board of directors (other than those directors who recused themselves from the
deliberations) unanimously recommends that you vote FOR the adoption of the merger agreement. In
considering the recommendation of the Companys board of directors with respect to the merger
agreement, you should be aware that some of the Companys directors and executive officers have
interests in the merger that are different from, or in addition to, the interests of our
shareholders generally. See The Merger Interests of the Companys Directors and Executive
Officers in the Merger beginning on page 44.
The accompanying proxy statement provides you with detailed information about the proposed
merger and the special meeting. Please give this material your careful attention. You may also
obtain more information about the Company from documents we have filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
Your vote is very important regardless of the number of shares you own. The merger can not be
completed unless holders of two-thirds of the outstanding shares entitled to vote at the special
meeting of shareholders vote for the adoption of the merger agreement. We would like you to attend
the special meeting. However, whether or not you plan to attend the special meeting, it is
important that your shares be represented. Accordingly, please sign, date and return the enclosed
proxy card in the postage-paid envelope or submit your proxy by telephone or the Internet prior to
the special meeting. If you hold shares through a broker or other nominee, you should follow the
procedures provided by your broker or nominee. If you attend the special meeting and vote in
person, your vote by ballot will revoke any proxy previously submitted. Remember, failing to vote
has the same effect as a vote against the adoption of the merger agreement.
Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to seeing you on [ ], 2007.
|
|
|
|
|
Sincerely, |
|
|
|
|
|
Mark P. Mays |
|
|
Chief Executive Officer |
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities regulatory agency has
approved or disapproved of the merger, passed upon the merits or fairness of the merger or passed
upon the adequacy or accuracy of the disclosure in the enclosed documents. Any representation to
the contrary is a criminal offense.
The
proxy statement is dated [ , ], and is first being mailed to shareholders on
or about
[ , ].
CLEAR CHANNEL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
200 EAST BASSE ROAD
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78209
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON
[ , ]
[
,
],
Dear Shareholders:
A special meeting of the shareholders of Clear Channel Communications, Inc., a Texas
corporation (the Company), will be held at [ ] on [ ], 2007, at [ ] a.m. local time, for the following purposes:
1. To consider and vote upon a proposal to adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of
November 16, 2006 (the Merger Agreement) among the Company, BT Triple Crown Merger Co., Inc., a
Delaware corporation (Merger Sub), B Triple Crown Finco, LLC, a Delaware limited liability
company and T Triple Crown Finco, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (together with B Triple
Crown Finco, LLC, the Fincos). The Merger Agreement, a copy of which is attached as Annex A to
the accompanying proxy statement, provides for the recapitalization of the Company by the merger of
Merger Sub with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement each share of Company common stock, other than those shares (i)
held in the Companys treasury stock or owned by Merger Sub immediately prior to the effective time
of the merger, (ii) held by shareholders who properly exercise their appraisal rights under Texas
law, if any, and (iii) shares held by certain employees of the Company who have agreed with the
Fincos to convert equity securities of the Company held by them into equity securities of the
surviving corporation will be converted into the right to receive $37.60 in cash, without interest,
and less any applicable withholding tax. You may also receive additional per share consideration
under certain circumstances if the Merger is consummated after January 1, 2008;
2. To consider and vote upon a proposal to adjourn the special meeting, if necessary or
appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are insufficient votes at the time of the
meeting to adopt the Merger Agreement; and
3. To transact such other business that may properly come before the special meeting or any
adjournment thereof.
In accordance with the Companys bylaws, the board of directors has fixed [ ] p.m.
Central Standard Time on [ ] as the record date for the purposes of determining
shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the special meeting and at any adjournment
thereof. A list of our shareholders will be available at our principal executive offices at 200
East Basse Road, San Antonio, Texas, 78209, during ordinary business hours for ten days prior to the
special meeting. All shareholders of record are cordially invited to attend the special meeting in
person.
The adoption of the Merger Agreement requires the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the votes
entitled to be cast by the holders of the outstanding shares of the Companys common stock.
Whether or not you plan to attend the special meeting, we urge you to vote your shares by
telephone, the Internet or by completing, signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card as
promptly as possible prior to the special meeting to ensure that your shares will be represented at
the special meeting if you are unable to attend. If you sign, date and mail your proxy card
without indicating how you wish to vote, your proxy will be voted in favor of the adoption of the
Merger Agreement. If you fail to return your proxy card or fail to submit your proxy by telephone
or the Internet and do not vote in person at the special meeting, your shares will not be counted
for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the special meeting and, if a quorum is
present, it will have the same effect as a vote against the adoption of the Merger Agreement. Any
shareholder attending the special meeting may vote in person, even if he or she has returned a
proxy card; such vote by ballot will revoke any proxy previously submitted. However, if you hold
your shares through a bank or broker or other custodian, you must provide a legal proxy issued from
such custodian in order to vote your shares in person at the special meeting.
Two cut-out admission tickets are included on the back cover of this document and are required
for admission to the special meeting. Please contact the Companys Corporate Secretary at the
Companys corporate headquarters if you need additional tickets. If you plan to attend the special
meeting, please note that space limitations make it necessary to limit attendance to shareholders
and one guest. Each shareholder may be asked to present valid picture identification, such as a
drivers license or passport. Shareholders holding stock in brokerage accounts (street name
holders) will need to bring a copy of a brokerage statement reflecting stock ownership as of the
record date. Cameras (including cellular telephones with photographic capabilities), recording
devices and other electronic devices will not be permitted at the special meeting. The special
meeting will begin promptly at [ a.m.]
Shareholders who do not vote in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement will have the
right to seek appraisal of the fair value of their shares if the merger is completed, but only if
they submit a written objection to the merger to the Company before the vote is taken on the Merger
Agreement and they comply with all requirements of Texas law, which are summarized in the
accompanying proxy statement. We urge you to read the entire proxy statement carefully.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND YOUR STOCK CERTIFICATES AT THIS TIME. IF THE MERGER IS COMPLETED, YOU WILL
BE SENT INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING THE SURRENDER OF YOUR STOCK CERTIFICATES.
|
|
|
|
|
By Order of the Board of Directors |
|
|
|
|
|
Andrew W. Levin |
|
|
Executive Vice President and Secretary |
San Antonio, Texas
,
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
3 |
|
Place, Date and Time |
|
|
3 |
|
Purpose |
|
|
3 |
|
Record Date and Quorum |
|
|
3 |
|
Vote Required For Adoption of the Merger Agreement |
|
|
3 |
|
Vote Required For Adjournment |
|
|
4 |
|
Who Can Vote at the Special Meeting |
|
|
4 |
|
Procedure for Voting |
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
5 |
|
Special Advisory Committee |
|
|
5 |
|
Board of Directors |
|
|
5 |
|
Recommendation of the Board of Directors |
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
|
6 |
|
Opinion of the Companys Financial Advisor |
|
|
6 |
|
Opinion of the Special Advisory Committees Financial Advisor |
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
|
7 |
|
Equity Financing |
|
|
7 |
|
Debt Financing |
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
|
23 |
|
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
|
27 |
|
i
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page |
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
|
39 |
|
Determinations of the Special Advisory Committee and of the Board of Directors |
|
|
39 |
|
Recommendation of the Board of Directors |
|
|
43 |
|
|
|
|
44 |
|
Treatment of Company Stock Options |
|
|
44 |
|
Treatment of Company Restricted Stock |
|
|
45 |
|
Severance |
|
|
46 |
|
Equity Rollover |
|
|
47 |
|
New Equity Incentive Plan |
|
|
48 |
|
New Employment Agreements |
|
|
49 |
|
Board of Director Representations |
|
|
49 |
|
Indemnification and Insurance |
|
|
49 |
|
|
|
|
50 |
|
|
|
|
50 |
|
|
|
|
50 |
|
|
|
|
51 |
|
|
|
|
51 |
|
|
|
|
57 |
|
|
|
|
63 |
|
|
|
|
64 |
|
|
|
|
64 |
|
|
|
|
65 |
|
|
|
|
65 |
|
|
|
|
65 |
|
|
|
|
66 |
|
|
|
|
66 |
|
|
|
|
66 |
|
|
|
|
67 |
|
|
|
|
68 |
|
|
|
|
68 |
|
|
|
|
69 |
|
|
|
|
69 |
|
|
|
|
69 |
|
|
|
|
69 |
|
|
|
|
71 |
|
|
|
|
71 |
|
|
|
|
71 |
|
|
|
|
72 |
|
|
|
|
75 |
|
|
|
|
78 |
|
|
|
|
78 |
|
|
|
|
78 |
|
|
|
|
79 |
|
|
|
|
79 |
|
|
|
|
82 |
|
|
|
|
82 |
|
|
|
|
82 |
|
|
|
|
84 |
|
|
|
|
84 |
|
|
|
|
85 |
|
|
|
|
86 |
|
|
|
|
86 |
|
|
|
|
87 |
|
|
|
|
87 |
|
ii
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page |
|
|
|
88 |
|
|
|
|
89 |
|
|
|
|
89 |
|
|
|
|
90 |
|
|
|
|
92 |
|
|
|
|
94 |
|
|
|
|
94 |
|
|
|
|
94 |
|
|
|
|
94 |
|
|
|
|
95 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
iii
In this proxy statement, the terms Company, Clear Channel, we, our, ours, and
us refer to Clear Channel Communications, Inc., unless the context otherwise requires.
SUMMARY
This summary highlights selected information from the proxy statement and may not contain all
of the information that may be important to you. Accordingly, we encourage you to read carefully
this entire proxy statement, its annexes and the documents referred to or incorporated by reference
in this proxy statement. You may obtain the information incorporated by reference in this proxy
statement without charge by following the instructions under Where You Can Find Additional
Information beginning on page 95. The Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 16, 2006
(the Merger Agreement) by and among Clear Channel, BT Triple Crown Merger Co., Inc. (Merger
Sub), B Triple Crown Finco, LLC and T Triple Crown Finco, LLC (collectively, the Fincos), is
attached as Annex A to this proxy statement. We encourage you to read the Merger Agreement because
it is the legal document that governs the parties agreement pursuant to which the Company will be
recapitalized by means of a merger of Merger Sub with and into the Company (the Merger). Each
item in this summary includes a page reference directing you to a more complete description of that
item.
|
|
|
The Parties to the Merger
(See The Parties to the Merger on page 25)
|
|
Clear Channel, incorporated in 1974, is a diversified media company with three
reportable business segments: radio broadcasting, Americas outdoor advertising
(consisting of operations in the United States, Canada and Latin America) and
international outdoor advertising. Clear Channel owns over 1,100 radio
stations and a leading national radio network operating in the United States.
In addition, Clear Channel has equity interests in various international radio
broadcasting companies. Clear Channel also owns or operates more than 164,000
national and 710,000 international outdoor advertising display faces.
Additionally, Clear Channel owns or programs 42 television stations and owns a
full-service media representation firm that sells national spot advertising
time for clients in the radio and television industries throughout the United
States. Clear Channel is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, with radio
stations in major cities throughout the United States. |
|
|
|
|
|
Each Finco is a newly formed Delaware limited liability company. B Triple
Crown Finco, LLC was formed by a private equity fund sponsored by Bain Capital
Partners, LLC (Bain Fund IX) and T Triple Crown Finco, LLC was formed by a
private equity fund sponsored by Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. (THLee Fund VI
and together with Bain IX, the Sponsors), in each case, solely for the purpose
of effecting the Merger and the transactions related to the Merger. |
|
|
|
|
|
Merger Sub is a newly formed Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary
of the Sponsors, and was organized solely for the purpose of entering into the
Merger Agreement and consummating the transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement. Merger Sub has not engaged in any business except activities
incidental to its organization and in connection with the transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement. |
1
|
|
|
(See The Merger Agreement on page 67)
|
|
The Merger Agreement provides that Merger Sub will be merged with and into the
Company, and each outstanding share of the common stock, par value $0.10 per
share, of the Company (Company common stock), other than (i) shares held in
the treasury of the Company or owned by Merger Sub immediately prior to the
Effective Time, (ii) shares held by shareholders who do not vote in favor of
the adoption of the Merger Agreement and who properly demand appraisal rights
in accordance with Texas law, if any, and (iii) shares held by certain
employees of the Company who agree with the Fincos to convert equity securities
of the Company held by them into equity securities of the surviving
corporation, will be converted into the right to receive $37.60 in cash,
without interest and less any applicable withholding tax.
In addition, if the Merger becomes effective (the Effective Time) after
January 1, 2008, you also will receive an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the
pro rata portion, based upon the number of days elapsed since January 1, 2008,
of $37.60 multiplied by 8% per annum, per share, or (ii) an amount equal to (a)
the Companys operating cash flow (as more fully described under The Merger
Agreement Treatment of Common Stock and Other Securities) from January 1,
2008 through the last day of the month before the closing date, less any
dividends paid or declared following that period and prior to the closing date
and amounts committed or paid to purchase equity interests in the Company or
derivatives thereof with respect to that period (to the extent that those
dividends or amounts are not deducted from operating cash flow for any prior
period), divided by (b) the total number of outstanding shares of Company
common stock, and shares underlying options with exercise prices less than the
merger consideration. The total amount paid per share of Company common stock
is referred to in this proxy statement as the Merger Consideration. |
2
|
|
|
|
|
If the Merger Agreement is adopted by our shareholders and the other conditions
to closing are satisfied, Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company. The
separate corporate existence of Merger Sub will cease, and the Company will
continue as the surviving corporation, wholly-owned by entities sponsored by
the Sponsors and their co-investors. Upon completion of the Merger, shares of
Company common stock, other than (i) shares held in the treasury of the Company
or owned by Merger Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time, (ii) shares
held by shareholders who do not vote in favor of the adoption of the Merger
Agreement and who properly demand appraisal rights in accordance with Texas
law, if any, and (iii) shares held by certain employees of the Company who
agree with the Fincos to convert equity securities of the Company held by them
into equity securities of the surviving corporation, will be converted into the
right to receive the Merger Consideration. Following completion of the Merger,
the Companys common stock will be delisted from the NYSE and no longer
publicly traded. The surviving corporation will be a privately held
corporation, and you will cease to have any ownership interest in the surviving
corporation or any rights as its shareholder. |
|
|
|
The Special Meeting of Shareholders
(See The Special Meeting of Shareholders
on page 25)
|
|
Place, Date and Time. The special meeting will be held at
[ ] on [ ], 2007, at
[ ] a.m., local time. |
|
|
|
|
|
Purpose. You will be asked to consider and vote upon the approval and adoption
of the Merger Agreement, pursuant to which Merger Sub will merge with and into
the Company. |
|
|
|
|
|
Record Date and Quorum. You are entitled to vote at the special meeting if you
owned shares of Company common stock as of [ ] p.m. Central Standard
Time on [ ], which time on that date is the record date for the
special meeting. As of the record date there were [ ]
shares of Company common stock outstanding and entitled to vote, held by
approximately [ ] holders of record. The presence in person or by proxy
of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Company common stock at
the special meeting constitutes a quorum for the purpose of considering the
proposals. |
|
|
|
|
|
Vote Required For Adoption of the Merger Agreement. The approval and adoption
of the Merger Agreement requires the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the
votes entitled to be cast by the holders of the outstanding shares of Company
common stock. The failure to vote has the same effect as a vote AGAINST the
adoption of the Merger Agreement. |
3
|
|
|
|
|
Vote Required For Adjournment. If a quorum exists, holders of a majority of
the shares of Company common stock present in person or represented by proxy at
the special meeting and entitled to vote thereat may adjourn the special
meeting. |
|
|
|
|
|
Who Can Vote at the Special Meeting. You may vote at the special meeting all
of the shares of Company common stock you own of record as of the record date.
You may vote any shares you hold of record in person at the special meeting,
even if you have returned a proxy card and your vote by ballot will revoke any
proxy previously submitted. If you hold your shares through a bank or broker
or other custodian, you must provide a legal proxy issued from such custodian
in order to vote your shares in person at the special meeting. |
|
|
|
|
|
Procedure for Voting. You may vote your shares by attending the special
meeting and voting in person or you may submit a proxy by telephone, the
Internet or by mailing the enclosed proxy card. You may revoke your proxy at
any time before the vote is taken at the special meeting. To revoke your
proxy, you must advise [___ (___)], the Companys proxy solicitor,
in writing, that you are revoking your proxy and deliver a new proxy dated
after the date of the earlier proxy being revoked, or submit a later-dated
proxy by telephone or the Internet at or before the special meeting, before
your shares of Company common stock have been voted at the special meeting, or
attend the special meeting and vote your shares in person. Merely attending
the special meeting without voting will not constitute revocation of your
earlier proxy. |
|
|
|
|
|
If your shares are held in street name by your broker, please follow the
directions provided by your broker in order to instruct your broker as to how
to vote your shares. If you do not instruct your broker to vote your shares,
it has the same effect as a vote AGAINST adoption of the Merger Agreement. |
|
|
|
Timing and Likelihood of Closing
(See The Merger Agreement Effective
Time; The Marketing Period on page 68)
|
|
We are working toward completing the Merger as quickly as possible, and we
anticipate that it will be completed by the end of 2007, assuming satisfaction
or waiver of all of the conditions to the Merger. However, because the Merger
is subject to certain conditions, including adoption of the Merger Agreement by
our shareholders, receipt of certain regulatory approvals and the conclusion of
the Marketing Period (as defined below under The Merger Agreement Effective
Time; Marketing Period), the exact timing of the completion of the Merger and
the likelihood of the consummation thereof cannot be predicted. If any of the
conditions in the Merger Agreement are not satisfied, or waived, including the
conditions described below under The Merger Agreement Conditions to the
Merger, the Merger Agreement may terminate as a result. |
4
|
|
|
Determination of the Special Advisory
Committee and of the Board of Directors
(See The Merger Reasons for the Merger
- Determination of the Special Advisory
Committee and of the Board of Directors on
page 39
|
|
Special Advisory Committee. The special advisory committee is a committee
formed by the disinterested members of our board of directors comprised of
three disinterested and independent members of our board of directors. The
special advisory committee was formed for the purpose of (i) prior to execution
of the Merger Agreement, providing its assessment, after receiving the advice
of its legal and financial advisors and other experts, as to the fairness of
the terms of the Merger Agreement, and (ii) following execution of the Merger
Agreement, in the event the Company receives a Competing Proposal (as defined
below under The Merger AgreementSolicitation of Alternative Proposals),
providing its assessment, after receiving advice of its legal and financial
advisors and other experts, as to the fairness and/or superiority of the terms
of the Competing Proposal and the continuing fairness of the terms of the
Merger Agreement. The process for pursuing, and all negotiations with respect
to, the Merger Agreement (and any other possible transaction) were
not directed by the special advisory committee but rather were directed by
the disinterested members of the board of directors. The special advisory
committee engaged its own legal and financial advisors in connection with its
assessment of the fairness of the terms of the Merger Agreement. The special advisory committee unanimously
determined that the terms of the Merger Agreement were fair to the Companys
unaffiliated shareholders. |
|
|
|
|
|
Board of Directors. The Companys board of directors by unanimous vote
(excluding Messrs. Mark P. Mays, Randall T. Mays, L. Lowry Mays and B. J.
McCombs who recused themselves from the deliberations), recommends that you
vote FOR the adoption of the Merger Agreement. The board of directors (i)
determined that the Merger is fair to and in the best interests of the Company
and its unaffiliated shareholders, (ii) approved, adopted and declared
advisable the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement, (iii) recommended that the shareholders of the Company vote in favor
of the Merger and directed that such matter be submitted for consideration of
the shareholders of the Company at the special meeting, and (iv) authorized the
execution, delivery and performance of the Merger Agreement and the
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. |
|
|
|
|
|
Recommendation of Board of Directors. The board of directors by unanimous vote
(excluding Messrs. Mark P. Mays, Randall T. Mays, L. Lowry Mays and B. J.
McCombs who recused themselves from the deliberations) recommends that the
shareholders of the Company vote FOR the adoption of the Merger Agreement and
FOR the adjournment of the special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to
solicit additional proxies. |
5
|
|
|
Interests of the Companys Directors and
Executive Officers in the Merger
(See The Merger Interests of the
Companys Directors and Executive Officers
in the Merger on page 44)
|
|
In considering the recommendation of the board of directors with respect to the
Merger Agreement, you should be aware that some of the Companys directors and
executive officers have interests in the Merger that are different from, or in
addition to, the interests of our shareholders generally. These interests
include the treatment of shares (including restricted shares) and options held
by the directors and officers, as well as indemnification and insurance
arrangements with officers and directors, change in control severance benefits
that may become payable to certain officers, employment agreements and an
equity ownership in the surviving corporation if the Merger is consummated.
These interests, to the extent material, are described below under The Merger
- Interests of the Companys Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger.
The board of directors was aware of these interests and considered them, among
other matters, in approving the Merger Agreement and the Merger. |
|
|
|
Opinion of Financial Advisors
(See Opinion of Financial Advisors on
page 51)
|
|
Opinion of the Companys Financial Advisor. Goldman, Sachs & Co. (Goldman
Sachs) delivered its opinion to our board of directors that, as of November
16, 2006 and based upon and subject to the factors and assumptions set forth
therein, the merger consideration of $37.60 in cash per share to be received by
the holders of the outstanding shares of Company common stock (other than the
Rollover Shares (as defined below under The Merger Agreement Rollover by
Shareholders)) was fair from a financial point of view to such holders. |
|
|
|
|
|
The full text of the written opinion of Goldman Sachs, dated November 16, 2006,
which sets forth the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered
and limitations on the review undertaken in connection with the opinion, is
attached as Annex B to this proxy statement. We encourage you to read the
Goldman Sachs opinion carefully in its entirety. Goldman Sachs provided its
opinion for the information and assistance of our board of directors in
connection with its consideration of the transaction. Goldman Sachs opinion
is not a recommendation as to how any holder of shares of our common stock
should vote with respect to the Merger. Pursuant to an engagement letter
between the Company and Goldman Sachs, the Company has agreed to pay Goldman
Sachs a transaction fee of approximately $40 million, the principal portion of
which is payable upon consummation of the Merger. |
6
|
|
|
|
|
Opinion of the Special Advisory Committees Financial Advisor. In connection
with the Merger, the special advisory committee received the opinion of its
financial advisor, Lazard Frères & Co. LLC (Lazard). On November 16, 2006,
Lazard delivered its written opinion to the special advisory committee, to the
effect that, as of such date and based upon and subject to the assumptions,
factors and qualifications set forth in the opinion, the Merger Consideration
to be paid to the holders of our common stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement
was fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders (other than the
Company, Merger Sub, any holder of Rollover Shares and any shareholder who is
entitled to demand and properly perfects appraisal rights). |
|
|
|
|
|
The full text of Lazards written opinion, dated November 16, 2006, is attached
to this proxy statement as Annex C and is incorporated into this proxy
statement by reference. We encourage you to read the Lazard opinion carefully
in its entirety for a description of the procedures followed, assumptions made,
matters considered and qualifications and limitations on the review undertaken
by Lazard in connection with the opinion. Lazards written opinion is
addressed to the special advisory committee. Lazards written opinion does not
constitute a recommendation to any shareholder as to how such shareholder
should vote or whether our shareholders should take any other action relating
to the Merger. Pursuant to an engagement letter between the special
advisory committee and
Lazard, the Company has agreed to pay Lazard an aggregate fee of $5 million, a
significant portion of which was payable in connection with the rendering of
its opinion. Lazards fee was not contingent upon the outcome of
the opinion. |
|
|
|
(See Financing on page 50)
|
|
Equity Financing. The Fincos have received equity commitment letters for an
aggregate commitment of up to approximately $4.0 billion which consists of the
following: (i) equity commitment letters from each of the Sponsors, pursuant to
which, subject to the conditions contained therein, the Sponsors have
collectively agreed to make or cause to be made a cash capital contribution to
the Fincos of up to $2.46 billion, which, subject to certain conditions, each
of the Sponsors may assign to other investors and (ii) equity commitment
letters from Citigroup Capital Partners II Employee Master Fund, L.P.,
Citigroup Capital Partners II Cayman Holdings, L.P., Citigroup Capital Partners
II 2006 Citigroup Investment, L.P., Citigroup Capital Partners II Onshore,
L.P., CGI Private Equity LP, LLC, CSFB LP Holding, DB Investment Partners,
Inc., Morgan Stanley Strategic Investments, Inc. and RBS Equity Corporation
(the Equity Investors) for approximately $1.55 billion in the aggregate, a
portion of each of which, subject to certain conditions agreed to with the
Fincos, may be assigned to other affiliated and non-affiliated investors. |
7
|
|
|
|
|
Debt Financing. In connection with the execution and delivery of the Merger
Agreement, the Fincos have obtained commitments to provide up to $21.475
billion in aggregate debt financing, consisting of (i) senior secured credit
facilities in an aggregate principal amount of $16.375 billion, (ii) a
receivables-backed revolving credit facility with a maximum availability of
$1.0 billion, (iii) a senior unsecured bridge loan facility in an aggregate
principal amount of up to $2.6 billion, and (iv) a senior subordinated
unsecured bridge loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $1.5
billion to finance, in part, the payment of the Merger Consideration, the
repayment or refinancing of certain of our debt outstanding on the closing date
of the Merger and the payment of fees and expenses in connection with the
Merger, refinancing, financing and related transactions and, after the closing
date of the Merger, to provide for ongoing working capital, refinance other
debt and general corporate purposes. |
|
|
|
|
|
The Fincos agreed to use their reasonable best efforts to arrange the debt
financing on the terms and conditions described in the debt financing
commitments. If any portion of the debt financing becomes unavailable in the
manner or from the sources contemplated in the Debt Commitment Letter (as
defined below under Financing Debt Financing), the Fincos have agreed to
use their reasonable best efforts to obtain alternative financing from
alternative sources. |
|
|
|
|
|
Under the Merger Agreement, the Debt Commitment Letter may be amended, restated
or otherwise modified or superseded to add lenders and arrangers, increase the
amount of debt, replace or modify the facilities or otherwise replace or modify
the Debt Commitment Letter in manner not less beneficial in the aggregate to
Merger Sub and the Fincos, except that any new debt financing commitments shall
not (i) adversely amend the conditions to the debt financing set forth in the
Debt Commitment Letter in any material respect, (ii) reasonably be expected to
delay or prevent the closing of the Merger, or (iii) reduce the aggregate
amount of debt financing available for closing unless replaced with new equity
or debt financing. |
8
|
|
|
(See Regulatory Approvals on page 65)
|
|
Under the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the Communications Act),
the Company and the Fincos may not complete the Merger unless they have first
obtained the approval of the Federal Communications Commission (the FCC) to
transfer control of the Companys FCC licenses to affiliates of the Fincos.
FCC approval is sought through the filing of applications with the FCC, which
are subject to public comment and objections from third parties. Pursuant to
the Merger Agreement, the parties filed on December 12, 2006 all applications
necessary to obtain such FCC approval. The timing or outcome of the FCC
approval process cannot be predicted.
Under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the
HSR Act) and the rules promulgated thereunder, the Company cannot complete
the Merger until it notifies and furnishes information to the Federal Trade
Commission and the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, and
the applicable waiting period has expired or been terminated.
The Merger is also subject to review by the governmental authorities of various
other jurisdictions under the antitrust and communication laws of those
jurisdictions. |
|
|
|
Procedure for Receiving the Merger
Consideration
See The Merger Agreement Treatment of
Common Stock and Other Securities
Exchange and Payment Procedures on
page
71)
|
|
The Fincos will appoint a paying agent reasonably acceptable to us to
coordinate the payment of the applicable portion of the aggregate Merger
Consideration following the Merger. Promptly after the Effective Time, the
paying agent will mail a letter of transmittal and instructions to you and the
other shareholders. The letter of transmittal and instructions will tell you
how to surrender your Company common stock certificates in exchange for the
applicable portion of the Merger Consideration. Please do not send in your
share certificates now. |
|
|
|
Material United States Federal Income Tax
Consequences
(See Material United States Federal Income
Tax Consequences on page 63)
|
|
The Merger will be a taxable transaction to you. For United States federal
income tax purposes, your receipt of cash in exchange for your shares of
Company common stock generally will result in you recognizing gain or loss
measured by the difference, if any, between the cash you receive in the Merger
and your tax basis in your shares of Company common stock. You should consult
your own tax advisor for a full understanding of the Mergers tax consequences
that are particular to you. |
9
|
|
|
|
|
Before we can complete the Merger, a number of conditions must be satisfied.
These conditions include: |
(See The Merger Agreement Conditions to
the Merger on page 84) |
|
|
|
|
adoption of the Merger Agreement by our shareholders; |
|
|
|
|
|
the expiration or termination of any applicable waiting period under
the HSR Act and any applicable foreign antitrust laws; |
|
|
|
|
|
no governmental authority having enacted any law or order making the
Merger illegal or otherwise prohibiting the consummation of the Merger; |
|
|
|
|
|
the receipt of the FCC Consent (as defined below under Regulatory
Approvals); |
|
|
|
|
|
the performance, in all material respects, by all parties to the Merger
Agreement of their respective agreements and covenants in the Merger Agreement,
and the representations and warranties of the Company, the Fincos and Merger
Sub in the Merger Agreement being true and correct, subject to certain
Material Adverse Effect qualifications (as defined below under The Merger
Agreement Representations and Warranties); |
|
|
|
|
|
the Fincos delivery to the Company at the closing of a solvency
certificate; and |
|
|
|
|
|
the non-occurrence of any change, effect or circumstance that has had
or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the
business, operations, results of operations or financial condition of the
Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, subject to certain exceptions. |
|
|
|
|
|
If a failure to satisfy one of these conditions to the obligations of the
Company to complete the Merger is not considered by our board of directors to
be material to our shareholders, the board of directors could waive compliance
with that condition. Our board of directors is not aware of any condition to
the Merger that cannot be satisfied. Under Texas law, after the Merger
Agreement has been adopted by our shareholders, the Merger Consideration cannot
be changed and the Merger Agreement cannot be altered in a manner adverse to
our shareholders without re-submitting the revisions to our shareholders for
their approval. |
10
|
|
|
Solicitation of Alternative Proposals
(See The Merger Agreement Solicitations
of Alternative Proposals on page 79)
|
|
Until 11:59 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on December 7, 2006, we were permitted
to initiate, solicit and encourage a Competing Proposal from third parties,
(including by way of providing access to non-public information and
participating in discussions or negotiations regarding, or taking any other
action to facilitate a Competing Proposal). The Company did not receive any
Competing Proposals prior to that time. |
|
|
|
|
|
From and after 11:59 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on December 7, 2006 we have
agreed not to: |
|
|
|
|
|
initiate, solicit, or knowingly facilitate or encourage the submission
of any inquiries proposals or offers with respect to a Competing Proposal
(including by way of furnishing information); |
|
|
|
|
|
participate in any negotiations regarding, or furnish to any person any
information in connection with, any Competing Proposal; |
|
|
|
|
|
engage in discussions with any person with respect to any Competing
Proposal; |
|
|
|
|
|
approve or recommend any Competing Proposal; |
|
|
|
|
|
enter into any letter of intent or similar document or any agreement or
commitment providing for any Competing Proposal; |
|
|
|
|
|
otherwise cooperate with, or assist or participate in, or knowingly
facilitate or encourage any effort or attempt by any person (other than the
Fincos or their representatives) with respect to, or which would reasonably be
expected to result in, a Competing Proposal; or |
|
|
|
|
|
exempt any person from the restrictions contained in any state takeover
or similar law or otherwise cause such restrictions not to apply to any person
or to any Competing Proposal. |
|
|
|
|
|
From and after 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on December 7, 2006 (and with
respect to any persons from whom the Company has received an Excluded Competing
Proposal (as defined below under The Merger AgreementSolicitation of
Alternative Proposals) commencing on January 5, 2007) the Company agreed to: |
|
|
|
|
|
immediately cease and cause to be terminated any solicitation,
encouragement, discussion or negotiation with any persons conducted prior to
these dates with respect to any actual or potential Competing Proposal; and |
|
|
|
|
|
with respect to parties with whom discussions or negotiations have been
terminated on, prior to or subsequent to November 16, 2006, the Company shall
use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the return or the destruction of, in
accordance with the terms of the applicable confidentiality agreement, any
confidential information previously furnished by the Company. |
11
|
|
|
|
|
Notwithstanding these restrictions, at any time prior to the approval of the
Merger Agreement by our shareholders, if the Company receives a written
Competing Proposal that our board of directors determines in good faith, after
consultation with the Companys outside legal counsel and financial advisors,
constitutes a Superior Proposal or could reasonably be expected to result in a
Superior Proposal (as defined below under The Merger AgreementSolicitation
of Alternative Proposals), the Company may, subject to certain conditions: |
|
|
|
|
|
furnish information to the third party making the Competing Proposal;
and |
|
|
|
|
|
engage in discussions or negotiations with the third party with respect
to the Competing Proposal. |
|
|
|
|
|
In addition, we may terminate the Merger Agreement and enter into a definitive
agreement with respect to a Competing Proposal if we receive a bona fide
written Competing Proposal that our board of directors determines in good
faith, after consultation with the Companys outside counsel and financial
advisors, is a Superior Proposal (after giving effect to any adjustments to the
terms of the Merger Agreement offered by the Fincos) and if our board of
directors determines in good faith, after consultation with the Companys
outside counsel, that the failure to take such action would reasonably be
expected to be a breach of the board of directors fiduciary duties under
applicable law. |
12
|
|
|
(See The Merger Agreement Termination
on page 85)
|
|
The Company and the Fincos may agree to terminate the Merger Agreement without
completing the Merger at any time. The Merger Agreement may also be terminated
in certain other circumstances, including (in each case subject to certain
limitations and exceptions): |
|
|
|
|
|
by either the Fincos or the Company, if:
|
|
|
|
|
|
the closing of the Merger has not occurred on or before the date that
is 12 months from the FCC Filing Date (as defined below under The Merger
Agreement Termination), except that under certain conditions that date may
be extended by the Company or the Fincos to the date that is 18 months from the
FCC Filing Date (the Termination Date); |
|
|
|
|
|
any governmental entity has issued an order, decree or ruling or taken
any other action permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting
the Merger and that order or other action is final and non-appealable; |
|
|
|
|
|
the Companys shareholders do not adopt the Merger Agreement at the
special meeting or any postponement or adjournment thereof; |
|
|
|
|
|
there is a material breach by the non-terminating party of any of its
representations, warranties, covenants or agreements in the Merger Agreement
that would result in the failure of certain closing conditions and that breach
has not been cured within 30 days following delivery of written notice by the
terminating party; |
|
|
|
|
|
by the Company, if on or prior to the last day of the Marketing Period
neither Merger Sub nor the surviving corporation has received the proceeds of
the financings sufficient to consummate the Merger; |
|
|
|
|
|
by the Company, if, prior to the adoption of the Merger Agreement by
the shareholders of the Company, the board of directors has concluded in good
faith, after consultation with outside legal and financial advisors, that a
Competing Proposal is a Superior Proposal; |
|
|
|
|
|
by the Fincos, if the board of directors changes, qualifies, withdraws
or modifies in a manner adverse to the Fincos its recommendation that the
Companys shareholders approve and adopt the Merger Agreement, or fails to
reconfirm its recommendation within five business days of receipt of a written
request from the Fincos; or |
|
|
|
|
|
by the Fincos, if the board of directors fails to include in the proxy
statement distributed to the shareholders of the Company, its recommendation
that the Companys shareholders approve and adopt the Merger Agreement. |
13
|
|
|
(See The Merger Agreement Termination
Fees on page 85)
|
|
The Merger Agreement provides that, upon termination of the Merger Agreement
under specified circumstances the Company will be required to pay the Fincos a
termination fee of $500 million. These circumstances include a termination of
the Merger Agreement by: |
|
|
|
|
|
(i) the Company in order to accept a Superior Proposal,
|
|
|
|
|
|
(ii) the Fincos, if the board of directors, (a) changes its recommendation to
the Companys shareholders that they approve and adopt the Merger Agreement,
(b) fails to reconfirm its recommendation, or (c) fails to include its
recommendation in this proxy statement, |
|
|
|
|
|
(iii) the Fincos or the Company, if the Companys shareholders do not adopt the
Merger Agreement at the special meeting, so long as prior to the special
meeting, a Competing Proposal has been publicly announced or made to known to
the Company and not withdrawn at least two business days prior to the special
meeting and within 12 months of the termination of the Merger Agreement the
Company enters into a definitive proposal with respect to, or consummates, any
Competing Proposal; or |
|
|
|
|
|
(iv) the Fincos, if the Fincos are not in material breach of their obligations
under the Merger Agreement and if the Company has willfully and materially
breached its representations, warranties and obligations under the Merger
Agreement, which breach has not been cured within 30 days, and prior the date
of termination a Competing Proposal has been publicly announced or been made
known to the Company and within 12 months after the termination of the Merger
Agreement the Company enters into a definitive agreement with respect to any
Competing Proposal. |
|
|
|
|
|
The Merger Agreement provides that, upon termination of the Merger Agreement
under specified circumstances Merger Sub will be required to pay the Company a
termination fee as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
(i) if the Company or the Fincos terminate the Merger Agreement, because the
Effective Time has not occurred on or before the Termination Date and the
terminating party has not breached in any material respect its obligations
under the Merger Agreement that proximately caused the failure to consummate
the Merger on or before the Termination Date, all conditions to the Fincos and
Merger Subs obligation to consummate the Merger have been satisfied, other
than conditions relating to the expiration or termination of any applicable
waiting period under the HSR Act or the receipt of the FCC Consent, then Merger
Sub will pay to the Company a termination fee of $600 million in cash; however,
if the only condition that has not been satisfied is the receipt of the FCC
Consent and Merger Sub, the Fincos and each |
14
|
|
|
|
|
attributable investor have carried
out their respective obligations relating to obtaining that consent, the
termination fee will be $300 million in cash;
(ii) if the Company terminates the Merger Agreement, due to the Fincos and
Merger Sub having willfully and materially breached or failed to perform in any
material respect any of their representations, warranties, or obligations under
the Merger Agreement such that certain closing condition would not be
satisfied, which breach has not been cured within 30 days and all conditions to the Fincos and
Merger Subs obligation to consummate the Merger have been satisfied, other
than conditions relating to the expiration or termination of any applicable
waiting period under the HSR Act or the receipt of the FCC Consent, then Merger
Sub will pay to the Company a termination fee of $600 million in cash; however,
if the only condition that has not been satisfied is the receipt of the FCC
Consent and Merger Sub, the Fincos and each attributable investor have carried
out their respective obligations relating to obtaining that consent, the
termination fee will be $300 million in cash;
(iii) if the Company terminates the Merger Agreement due to the Fincos failure
to effect the closing because of a failure to receive adequate proceeds from
one or more of the financings contemplated by the financing commitments on or
prior to the last day of the Marketing Period or the Fincos breach or failure
to perform in any material respects, upon a willful and material breach by
Merger Sub and/or the Fincos, of any of their representations, warranties and
covenants such that certain closing conditions would not be satisfied and such
breach has not been cured within 30 days following delivery of written notice
by the Company, then Merger Sub will be required to pay the Company a
termination fee equal to $500 million. |
|
|
|
|
|
In the event that the Merger Agreement is terminated (i) by the Company or the
Fincos because of the failure to obtain the approval of the Companys
shareholders at the special meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof
or (ii) by the Fincos due to a willful or material breach of the Merger
Agreement by the Company, and a termination fee is not otherwise then payable
by the Company under the Merger Agreement, the Company has agreed to pay the
Fincos reasonable out-of- pocket fees and expenses incurred in connection with
the Merger Agreement and this proxy statement in an amount not to exceed $45
million, which amount will be credited towards any termination fee payable by
the Company in the future. |
|
|
|
Limited Guarantees of the Sponsors
See The Merger Agreement Limited
Guarantees on page 88)
|
|
In connection with the Merger Agreement, each of the Sponsors (each an
affiliate of the Fincos) and the Company entered into a Limited Guarantee
pursuant to which, among other things, each of the Sponsors is providing the
Company a guarantee of payment of its pro rata portion of the termination fees
payable by Merger Sub. |
15
|
|
|
(See Market Prices of Company Common Stock
and Dividend Data on page 89)
|
|
The Company common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)
under the trading symbol CCU. On October 24, 2006 which was the last trading
day immediately prior to the date on which we announced that the board of
directors was exploring possible strategic alternatives for the Company to
enhance shareholder value, the Company common stock closed at $32.20 per share
and the average closing stock price of the Company common stock during the 30
trading days ended October 24, 2006, was $29.99 per share. On November 15,
2006, which was the last trading day immediately prior to the date on which we
announced the approval of the Merger Agreement by our board of directors, the
Company common stock closed at $34.12 per share. On
[___ ___, 2007],
which was the last trading day before this proxy statement was printed, the
Company common stock closed at [$___] per share. |
|
|
|
Shares Held by Directors and Executive
Officers
(See Security Ownership By Certain
Beneficial Owners and Management on page
90)
|
|
As of November 30, 2006, the directors and executive officers of the Company
beneficially owned approximately 8.4% of the shares of Company common stock
entitled to vote at the special meeting, assuming the Companys outstanding
options are not exercised. |
|
|
|
Dissenters Rights of Appraisal
(See Dissenters Rights of Appraisal on
page 92)
|
|
The Texas Business Corporation Act (TBCA) provides you with appraisal rights
in connection with the Merger. This means that if you are not satisfied with
the amount you are receiving in the Merger, you are entitled to have the fair
value of your shares determined by a Texas court and to receive payment based
on that valuation. The ultimate amount you receive as a dissenting shareholder
in an appraisal proceeding may be more or less than, or the same as, the amount
you would have received in the Merger. To exercise your appraisal rights, you
must deliver a written objection to the Merger before the Merger Agreement is
voted on at the special meeting and you must not vote in favor of the adoption
of the Merger Agreement. Your failure to follow exactly the procedures
specified under Texas law will result in the loss of your appraisal rights. |
QUESTIONS
If you have additional questions about the Merger or other matters discussed in this proxy
statement after reading this proxy statement, please contact our proxy solicitor, [ ], at:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
[ ] |
|
|
|
|
[ ] |
|
|
|
|
[ ] |
|
|
|
|
[ ] |
|
|
|
|
Shareholders Call Toll-Free:
|
|
[ ] |
|
|
Banks and Brokers Call Collect:
|
|
[ ] |
16
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE SPECIAL MEETING AND THE MERGER
The following questions and answers address briefly some questions you may have regarding the
special meeting and the proposed Merger. These questions and answers may not address all questions
that may be important to you as a shareholder of Clear Channel Communications, Inc. To fully
understand the Merger, please refer to the more detailed information contained elsewhere in this
proxy statement, the annexes to this proxy statement and the documents referred to or incorporated
by reference in this proxy statement.
Q: |
|
What is the proposed transaction? |
A: |
|
The proposed transaction is the acquisition of the Company pursuant to the Merger Agreement by the Sponsors, entities
formed by private equity funds sponsored by Bain Capital Partners LLC and Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P., respectively,
solely for the purpose of entering into the Merger Agreement and consummating the transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement. If the Merger Agreement is adopted by the Companys shareholders and the other closing conditions under the
Merger Agreement have been satisfied or waived, Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company (the surviving
corporation). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Company will be the surviving corporation in the Merger and will
become wholly-owned by entities sponsored by the Sponsors and co-investors and shares of Company common stock will not be
publicly traded after the Merger. |
|
Q: |
|
What will I receive for my shares of Company common stock in the Merger? |
|
A: |
|
Upon completion of the Merger, you will receive $37.60 in cash, without interest and less any applicable withholding tax,
for each share of Company common stock that you own. For example, if you own 100 shares of Company common stock, you will
receive $3,760 in cash in exchange for your shares of Company common stock. In addition, if the Merger occurs after
January 1, 2008, you will also receive an additional amount equal to the lesser of: |
|
|
|
the pro rata portion, based upon the number of days elapsed since January 1, 2008,
of $37.60 multiplied by 8% per annum, or |
|
|
|
|
an amount equal to (a) the Operating Cash Flow (as defined below under The Merger
Agreement Treatment of Common Stock and Other Securities) for the Company and its
subsidiaries for the period from and including January 1, 2008 through and including
the last day of the last month preceding the Closing Date for which financial
statements are available at least ten (10) calendar days prior to the Closing Date less
dividends paid or declared with respect to the foregoing period and amounts committed
or paid to purchase equity interests in the Company or derivatives thereof with respect
to that period (but only to the extent that those dividends or amounts are not deducted
from the Operating Cash Flow for the Company and its subsidiaries for any prior period)
divided by (b) the sum of the number of outstanding shares of Company common stock
(including outstanding restricted shares) plus the number of shares of Company common
stock issuable pursuant to convertible securities of the Company outstanding at the
Closing Date with exercise prices less than the Merger Consideration. |
|
|
|
The total amount paid per share of Company common stock is referred to in this proxy
statement as the Merger Consideration. |
Q: |
|
Will I continue to receive dividends? |
|
A: |
|
Our current policy is to provide quarterly cash dividends on your shares of Company common stock at a rate of $0.1875 per
share. The terms of the Merger Agreement allow us to continue this policy through the closing date of the Merger.
However, any future decision by our board of directors to pay cash dividends will depend on, among other factors, our
earnings, financial position, capital requirements and regulatory changes. |
17
Q: |
|
How will options to purchase Company common stock be treated in the Merger? |
|
A: |
|
Except as otherwise agreed by the Fincos and a holder of options to purchase Company common stock, each outstanding option
to purchase Company common stock (a Company stock option) that remains outstanding and unexercised as of the Effective
Time, whether vested or unvested, will automatically become fully vested and convert into the right to receive a cash
payment, without interest and less any applicable withholding tax, equal to the product of (i) the excess, if any, of the
Merger Consideration over the exercise price per share of such Company stock option and (ii) the number of shares of
Company common stock issuable upon exercise of such Company stock option. As of the Effective Time, Company stock options
will no longer be outstanding and will automatically cease to exist, and the holders thereof will no longer have any rights
with respect to the Company stock options, except the right to receive the cash payment, if any, described in the preceding
sentence. |
|
Q: |
|
How will restricted shares of Company common stock be treated in the Merger? |
|
A: |
|
Except as otherwise agreed by the Fincos and a holder of restricted shares with respect to that holders restricted shares,
each restricted share of Company common stock (Company restricted stock) that remains outstanding as of the Effective
Time, whether vested or unvested, will automatically become fully vested and convert into the right to receive a cash
payment equal to the Merger Consideration (except for the Rollover Shares). As of the Effective Time, all such Company
restricted stock, whether vested or unvested, will no longer be outstanding and will automatically cease to exist, and the
holders thereof, including our directors and executive officers, will no longer have any rights with respect to the Company
restricted stock, except the right to receive a cash payment equal to the Merger Consideration in respect of each vested
Company restricted stock. |
|
Q: |
|
Where and when is the special meeting? |
|
A: |
|
The special meeting will be held at [ ] on [ ], 2007, at [ ] a.m., local time. |
|
Q: |
|
Are all Company shareholders as of the record date entitled to vote at the special meeting? |
|
A: |
|
Yes. All shareholders who own Company common stock at [ ] p.m. Central Standard Time on [ ], will be
entitled to receive notice of the special meeting and to vote the shares of Company common stock that they hold on that
date at the special meeting, or any adjournments of the special meeting. |
|
Q: |
|
Which of my shares may I vote? |
|
A: |
|
All shares owned by you as of the close of business on the record date may be voted by you. These shares include shares
that are: (i) held directly in your name as the shareholder of record, and (ii) held for you as the beneficial owner
through a stockbroker, bank or other nominee. Each of your shares is entitled to one vote at the special meeting. |
|
Q: |
|
What is the difference between holding shares as a shareholder of record and as a beneficial owner? |
|
A: |
|
Most of our shareholders hold their shares through a stockbroker, bank or other nominee rather than directly in their own
name. As summarized below, there are some distinctions between shares held of record and those owned beneficially. |
|
|
|
Shareholder of Record: If your shares are registered directly in your name with the
Companys transfer agent, The Bank of New York, you are
considered, with respect to those shares, the shareholder of record, and these proxy materials are being sent directly to you
by The Bank of New York on behalf of the Company. As the shareholder of record, you have
the right to grant your voting proxy directly to the Company or to vote in person at the
special meeting. We have enclosed a proxy card for you to use. |
18
|
|
Beneficial Owner: If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or
other nominee, you are considered the beneficial owner of shares held in street name, and
these proxy materials are being forwarded to you by your broker or nominee who is
considered, with respect to those shares, the shareholder of record. As the beneficial
owner, you have the right to direct your broker on how to vote and are also invited to
attend the special meeting. However, since you are not the shareholder of record, you may
not vote these shares in person at the special meeting, unless you obtain a signed proxy
from the record holder giving you the right to vote the shares. Your broker or nominee has
enclosed a voting instruction card for you to use in directing the broker or nominee
regarding how to vote your shares. |
|
Q: |
|
How can I vote my shares in person at the special meeting? |
|
A: |
|
Shares held directly in your name as the shareholder of record may be
voted by you in person at the special meeting. If you choose to do
so, please bring the enclosed proxy card and proof of identification.
Even if you plan to attend the special meeting, we recommend that you
also submit your proxy as described below so that your vote will be
counted if you later decide not to attend the special meeting. You
may request that your previously submitted proxy card not be used if
you desire to vote in person when you attend the special meeting.
Shares held in street name may be voted in person by you at the
special meeting only if you obtain a signed proxy from the record
holder giving you the right to vote the shares. Your vote is
important. Accordingly, we urge you to sign and return the
accompanying proxy card whether or not you plan to attend the special
meeting. |
|
|
|
If you plan to attend the special meeting, please note that space limitations make it
necessary to limit attendance to shareholders and one guest. Admission to the special
meeting will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration and seating will begin at
[ ] a.m. Each shareholder may be asked to present valid picture identification,
such as a drivers license or passport. Shareholders holding stock in street name will need
to bring a copy of a brokerage statement reflecting stock ownership as of the record date.
Cameras (including cellular telephones with photographic capabilities), recording devices
and other electronic devices will not be permitted at the special meeting. |
|
Q: |
|
How can I vote my shares without attending the special meeting? |
|
A: |
|
Whether you hold shares directly as the shareholder of record or beneficially in street name, when you vote via the
Internet, by telephone or when you return your proxy card or voting instructions accompanying this proxy statement,
properly signed, the shares represented will be voted in accordance with your directions. |
|
Q: |
|
If my shares are held in street name by my broker, will my broker vote my shares for me? |
|
A: |
|
Your broker will not vote your shares on your behalf unless you provide instructions to your broker on how to vote. You
should follow the directions provided by your broker regarding how to instruct your broker to vote your shares. Without
those instructions, your shares will not be voted, which will have the same effect as voting AGAINST the Merger. |
|
Q: |
|
What vote of the Companys shareholders is required to adopt the Merger Agreement? |
|
A: |
|
For us to complete the Merger, shareholders holding two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Company common stock at
[ ] p.m. Central Standard Time on [ ], on the record date must vote FOR the adoption of the Merger Agreement,
with each share having a single vote for these purposes. Accordingly, failure to vote or an abstention will have the same
effect as a vote AGAINST adoption of the Merger Agreement. |
|
Q: |
|
What vote of our shareholders is required to approve the proposal to adjourn the special meeting, if necessary or
appropriate, to solicit additional proxies? |
|
A: |
|
The proposal to adjourn the special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies requires the
affirmative vote of shareholder holding a majority of the outstanding shares of Company common stock present or represented
by proxy at the special meeting and entitled to vote on the matter. |
19
Q: |
|
What constitutes a quorum? |
|
A: |
|
The presence, in person or by proxy, of shareholders holding a majority of the outstanding shares of Company common stock
is necessary to constitute a quorum at the special meeting. Only votes cast FOR a matter constitute affirmative votes.
Abstentions are counted for quorum purposes, but since they are not votes cast FOR a particular matter, they will have
the same effect as negative votes or a vote AGAINST a particular matter. |
|
Q: |
|
Does our board of directors recommend that our shareholders vote FOR the adoption of the Merger Agreement? |
|
A: |
|
Yes. After careful consideration, the board of directors by unanimous vote (excluding Messrs. Mark P. Mays, Randall T.
Mays, L. Lowry Mays and B. J. McCombs who recused themselves from the deliberations), recommends that you vote: |
|
|
|
FOR the adoption of the Merger Agreement. You should read The MergerReasons for
the Merger beginning on page 39 of this proxy statement for a discussion of the
factors that our board of directors considered in deciding to recommend the adoption of
the Merger Agreement. |
|
|
|
In considering the recommendation of the board of directors with respect to the Merger
Agreement, you should be aware that some of the Companys directors and executive officers
have interests in the Merger that are different from, or in addition to, the interests of
our shareholders generally. See The Merger Interests of the Companys Directors and
Executive Officers in the Merger beginning on page 44. |
Q: |
|
Am I entitled to exercise appraisal rights instead of receiving the Merger Consideration for my shares? |
|
A: |
|
Yes. As a holder of Company common stock you are entitled to appraisal rights under Texas law in connection with the
Merger if you meet certain conditions, which are described in this proxy statement under the caption Dissenters Rights of
Appraisal beginning on page 92. |
|
Q: |
|
What effects will the proposed Merger have on the Company? |
|
A: |
|
If the Merger Agreement is adopted by our shareholders and the other conditions to closing are satisfied, Merger Sub will
merge with and into the Company. The separate corporate existence of Merger Sub will cease, and the Company will continue
as the surviving corporation, wholly-owned by entities sponsored by the Sponsors and their co-investors. Upon completion
of the Merger, your shares of Company common stock will be converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration,
unless you have properly exercised your appraisal rights. The surviving corporation will be a privately held corporation,
and you will cease to have any ownership interest in the surviving corporation or any rights as its shareholder. You will
no longer have any interest in the Companys future earnings or growth. Following consummation of the Merger, the
registration of the Company common stock and the Companys reporting obligations with respect to the Company common stock
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), will be terminated upon application to the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). In addition, upon completion of the Merger, shares of Company common stock
will no longer be listed on any stock exchange or quotation system, including the NYSE. |
|
Q: |
|
What happens if I sell my shares before the special meeting? |
|
A: |
|
The record date of the special meeting is earlier than the special meeting and the date that the Merger is expected to be
completed. If you transfer your shares of Company common stock after the record date but before the special meeting, you
will retain your right to vote at the special meeting, but will have transferred the right to receive the Merger
Consideration. In order to receive the Merger Consideration, you must hold your shares through completion of the Merger. |
20
Q: |
|
When do you expect the Merger to be completed? |
|
A: |
|
We are working toward completing the Merger as quickly as possible, and we anticipate that it will be completed by the end
of 2007, assuming satisfaction or waiver of all of the conditions to the Merger. However, because the Merger is subject to
certain conditions, including adoption of the Merger Agreement by our shareholders, receipt of certain regulatory approvals
and the conclusion of the Marketing Period (as defined below under The Merger Agreement -Effective Time; Marketing
Period), the exact timing of the completion of the Merger and the likelihood of the consummation thereof cannot be
predicted. If any of the conditions in the Merger Agreement are not satisfied, including the conditions described below
under The Merger Agreement Conditions to the
Merger beginning on page 84 of this proxy statement, the Merger Agreement
may terminate as a result. |
|
Q: |
|
What happens if the Merger is not consummated? |
|
A: |
|
If the Merger Agreement is not adopted by shareholders or if the Merger is not completed for any other reason, shareholders
will not receive any payment for their shares in connection with the Merger. Instead, the Company will remain an
independent public company and shares of Company common stock will continue to be listed and traded on the NYSE. Under
specified circumstances, the Company may be required to pay the Fincos a termination fee or reimburse the Fincos for their
out-of-pocket expenses as described under the caption The Merger Agreement Termination Fees. |
|
Q: |
|
What do I need to do now? |
|
A: |
|
We urge you to read this proxy statement carefully, including its annexes and the information incorporated by reference,
and to consider how the Merger affects you. If you are a shareholder as of the record date, then you can ensure that your
shares are voted at the special meeting by completing, signing, dating and returning each proxy card in the postage-paid
envelope provided or submitting your proxy by telephone or the Internet prior to the special meeting. |
|
Q: |
|
How do I revoke or change my vote? |
|
A: |
|
You can change your vote at any time before your proxy is voted at the
special meeting. You may revoke your proxy by notifying the Company in writing or by submitting a later-dated new proxy by
telephone, the Internet or by mail to [ ], [ ]. In addition, your proxy may be revoked by attending the
special meeting and voting in person. However, simply attending the special meeting will not revoke your proxy. If you
have instructed a broker to vote your shares, the above-described options for changing your vote do not apply, and instead
you must follow the instructions received from your broker to change your vote. |
|
Q: |
|
What does it mean if I get more than one proxy card or vote instruction card? |
|
A: |
|
If your shares are registered differently and are in more than one account, you will receive more than one card. Please
sign, date and return all of the proxy cards you receive (or submit your proxy by telephone or the Internet) to ensure that
all of your shares are voted. |
|
Q: |
|
What if I return my proxy card without specifying my voting choices? |
|
A: |
|
If your proxy card is signed and returned without specifying choices, the shares will be voted as recommended by the Board. |
|
Q: |
|
Who will bear the cost of this solicitation? |
|
A: |
|
The expenses of preparing, printing and mailing this proxy statement and the proxies solicited hereby will be borne by the
Company. Additional solicitation may be made by telephone, facsimile or other contact by certain directors, officers,
employees or agents of the Company, none of whom will receive additional compensation therefor. The Company will, upon
request reimburse brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for their reasonable expenses for
forwarding material to the beneficial owners of shares held of record by others. |
21
Q: |
|
Will a proxy solicitor be used? |
|
A: |
|
Yes. The Company has engaged [ ] to assist in the solicitation of proxies for the special meeting and
the Company estimates that it will pay [ ] a fee of approximately [ ]. The Company has also agreed to reimburse [ ] for
reasonable administrative and out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the proxy solicitation and indemnify [ ]
against certain losses, costs and expenses. |
|
Q: |
|
Should I send in my stock certificates now? |
|
A: |
|
No. Shortly after the Merger is completed, you will receive a letter of transmittal with instructions informing you how to
send in your stock certificates to the paying agent in order to receive the applicable portion of the Merger Consideration.
You should use the letter of transmittal to exchange stock certificates for the applicable portion of the Merger
Consideration to which you are entitled as a result of the Merger. PLEASE DO NOT SEND IN YOUR STOCK CERTIFICATES WITH YOUR
PROXY. |
|
Q: |
|
Who can help answer my other questions? |
|
A: |
|
If you have more questions about the Merger, need assistance in submitting your proxy or voting
your shares, or need additional copies of the proxy statement or the enclosed proxy card, you
should contact [ ], toll-free at telephone: [ ]. Banks and brokers may call collect at [ ]. If
your broker holds your shares, you should also call your broker for additional
information.
|
22
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This proxy statement, and the documents to which we refer you to in this proxy statement,
contain forward looking statements based on estimates and assumptions. Forward looking
statements include information concerning possible or assumed future results of operations of the
Company, the expected completion and timing of the Merger and other information relating to the
Merger. There are forward looking statements throughout this proxy statement, including, among
others, under the headings Summary, Questions and Answers About the Special Meeting and the
Merger, The Merger, Opinion of Financial Advisors, Regulatory Approvals, and Merger Related
Litigation, and in statements containing the words believes, estimates, expects,
anticipates, intends, contemplates, may, will, could, should, or would or other
similar expressions.
You should be aware that forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and
uncertainties. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking
statements are reasonable, we cannot assure you that the actual results or developments we
anticipate will be realized, or even if realized, that they will have the expected effects on the
business or operations of the Company. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date
on which the statements were made and we expressly disclaim any obligation to release publicly any
updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements included in this proxy statement or
elsewhere.
In addition to other factors and matters contained or incorporated in this document, we
believe the following factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed
in the forward-looking statements:
|
|
|
the financial performance of the Company through the date of the completion of the
Merger; |
|
|
|
|
the satisfaction of the closing conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement,
including the approval of the Companys shareholders and regulatory approvals; |
|
|
|
|
the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to
the termination of the Merger Agreement, including a termination under circumstances
that could require us to pay a $300 million or $500 million termination fee; |
|
|
|
|
the outcome of any legal proceedings instituted against the Company and others in
connection with the proposed Merger; |
|
|
|
|
the failure to obtain the necessary debt financing arrangements set forth in the
commitment letters received in connection with the Merger; |
|
|
|
|
the impact of planned divestitures; |
|
|
|
|
the failure of the Merger to close for any reason; |
|
|
|
|
the effect of the announcement of the Merger on our customer relationships,
operating results and business generally; |
|
|
|
|
business uncertainty and contractual restrictions that may exist during the pendency
of the Merger; |
|
|
|
|
any significant delay in the expected completion of the Merger; |
|
|
|
|
regulatory review, approvals and restrictions; |
|
|
|
|
the amount of the costs, fees, expenses and charges related to the Merger and the
final terms of the financings that will be obtained for the Merger; |
|
|
|
|
diversion of managements attention from ongoing business concerns; |
|
|
|
|
the need to allocate significant amounts of our cash flow to make payments on our
indebtedness, which in turn could reduce our financial flexibility and ability to fund
other activities; |
23
and other risks set forth in our current filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
including our most recent filings on Forms 10-Q and 10-K. See Where You Can Find Additional
Information on page 95.
24
THE PARTIES TO THE MERGER
Clear Channel Communications, Inc.
Clear Channel, incorporated in 1974, is a diversified media company with three reportable
business segments: radio broadcasting, Americas outdoor advertising (consisting of operations in
the United States, Canada and Latin America) and international outdoor advertising. Clear
Channels principal executive offices are located at 200 East Basse Road, San Antonio, Texas,
78209, and its telephone number is (210) 822-2828. Clear Channel owns over 1,100 radio stations
and a leading national radio network operating in the United States. In addition, Clear Channel
has equity interests in various international radio broadcasting companies. Clear Channel also
owns or operates more than 164,000 national and 710,000 international outdoor advertising display
faces. Additionally, Clear Channel owns or programs 42 television stations and owns a full-service
media representation firm that sells national spot advertising time for clients in the radio and
television industries throughout the United States. Clear Channel is headquartered in San Antonio,
Texas, with radio stations in major cities throughout the United States.
B Triple Crown Finco, LLC and T Triple Crown Finco, LLC
B Triple Crown Finco, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and T Triple Crown Finco, LLC,
a Delaware limited liability company, which we refer to as the Fincos, were organized solely for
the purpose of entering into the Merger Agreement and consummating the transactions contemplated by
the Merger Agreement. B Triple Crown Finco, LLC is currently wholly-owned by Bain Fund IX and its
principal executive office is located at 111 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02199 and its telephone
number is (617) 516-2000. T Triple Crown Finco, LLC is currently wholly-owned by THLee Fund VI and
its principal executive office is located at 100 Federal Street, Boston, MA 02110 and its telephone
number is (617) 227-1050.
The Sponsors have severally agreed to cause up to an aggregate of $2.46 billion of cash to be
contributed to the Fincos, which will constitute a portion of the aggregate equity commitment of
approximately $4.0 billion received by the Fincos. Subject to certain conditions, each of the
Sponsors may assign a portion of its equity commitment obligation to other investors, resulting in
a corresponding reduction of such Investors commitment to the extent the assignee funds its
commitment, provided that any such transfer will not release such Investor of its obligations under
the limited guarantees. As a result, the investor groups may ultimately include additional equity
investors.
BT Triple Crown Merger Co., Inc.
BT Triple Crown Merger Co., Inc., a Delaware corporation, which we refer to as Merger Sub, is
currently wholly-owned by the Sponsors and was organized solely for the purpose of entering into
the Merger Agreement and consummating the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
Merger Subs principal executive offices are located at 100 Federal Street, Boston, MA 02110 and
its telephone number is (617) 227-1050. It has not conducted any activities to date other than
activities incidental to its formation and in connection with the transactions contemplated by the
Merger Agreement. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will merge with and into the
Company. The Company will survive the Merger and Merger Sub will cease to exist.
THE SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
Time, Place and Purpose of the Special Meeting
This proxy statement is being furnished to our shareholders as part of the solicitation of
proxies by our board of directors for use at a special meeting to be held at
[ ] on [ ], 2007, at [ ] a.m., local time, or at any
adjournment thereof. The purpose of the special meeting is to consider and vote on the proposal to
adopt the Merger Agreement (and to approve the adjournment of the special meeting, if necessary or
appropriate to solicit additional proxies). If the shareholders fail to adopt the Merger
Agreement, the Merger will not occur. A copy of the Merger Agreement is attached to this proxy
statement as Annex A.
25
Who Can Vote at the Special Meeting
In accordance with the Companys bylaws, the board of directors has set [ ] p.m.
Central Standard Time on [ ], as the record date. The holders of record of Company
common stock as of the record date are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the special
meeting. If you own shares that are registered in someone elses name (for example, a broker), you
need to direct that person to vote those shares or obtain an authorization from them to vote the
shares yourself at the special meeting. On [ ], there were [ ] shares
of Company common stock outstanding held by approximately [___] holders of record.
Vote Required for Adoption of the Merger Agreement; Quorum
The adoption of the Merger Agreement requires the approval of the holders of two-thirds of the
outstanding shares of Company common stock entitled to vote thereon, with each share having a
single vote for these purposes. The failure to vote has the same effect as a vote AGAINST
adoption of the Merger Agreement.
The holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Company common stock entitled to be
cast as of the record date, represented in person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum for
purposes of the special meeting. A quorum is necessary to hold the special meeting. Once a share
of Company common stock is represented at the special meeting, it will be counted for the purposes
of determining a quorum and for transacting all business, unless the holder is present solely to
object to the special meeting. If a quorum is not present at the special meeting, it is expected
that the meeting will be adjourned to solicit additional proxies. If a new record date is set for
an adjourned meeting, then a new quorum will have to be established.
Voting By Proxy
This proxy statement is being sent to you on behalf of the board of directors for the purpose
of requesting that you allow your shares of Company common stock to be represented at the special
meeting by the persons named in the enclosed proxy card. All shares of Company common stock
represented at the special meeting by proxies voted by telephone, the Internet or by properly
executed proxy cards will be voted in accordance with the instructions indicated on that proxy. If
you sign and return a proxy card without giving voting instructions, your shares will be voted as
recommended by the board of directors. After careful consideration, the board of directors
(excluding Messrs. Mark P. Mays, Randall T. Mays, L. Lowry Mays and B. J. McCombs who recused
themselves from the deliberations), unanimously recommends a vote FOR adoption of the Merger
Agreement. In considering the recommendation of the board of directors with respect to the Merger
Agreement, you should be aware that some of the Companys directors and executive officers have
interests in the Merger that are different from, or in addition to, the interests of our
shareholders generally. See The Merger Interests of the Companys Directors and Executive
Officers in the Merger beginning on page 44.
The persons named in the proxy card will use their own judgment to determine how to vote your
shares regarding any matters not described in this proxy statement that are properly presented at
the special meeting. The Company does not know of any matter to be presented at the special
meeting other than the proposal to adopt the Merger Agreement (and to approve the adjournment of
the meeting, if necessary or appropriate to solicit additional proxies).
You may revoke your proxy at any time before the vote is taken at the special meeting. To
revoke your proxy, you must either send a signed written notice to [ ] revoking your proxy, submit
a proxy by telephone, Internet or mail dated after the date of the earlier proxy you wish to change
or attend the special meeting and vote your shares in person. Merely attending the special meeting
without voting will not constitute revocation of your earlier proxy.
If your shares of Company common stock are held in street name, you will receive instructions
from your broker, bank or other nominee that you must follow in order to have your shares voted.
If you do not instruct your broker to vote your shares, it has the same effect as a vote AGAINST
adoption of the Merger Agreement.
The Company will pay the cost of this proxy solicitation. In addition to soliciting proxies
by mail, directors, officers and employees of the Company may solicit proxies personally and by
telephone, facsimile or otherwise. None of these persons will receive additional or special
compensation for soliciting proxies. The
26
Company has retained [ ] to assist in its solicitation of proxies in connection with the
special meeting. [ ] may solicit proxies from individuals, banks, brokers, custodians, nominees,
other institutional holders and other fiduciaries. The Company has agreed to reimburse [ ] for its
reasonable administrative and out-of-pocket expenses, to indemnify it against certain losses, costs
and expenses, and to pay it customary fees in connection with the proxy solicitation. The Company
also, upon request, will reimburse brokers, banks and other nominees for their expenses in sending
proxy materials to their customers who are beneficial owners and obtaining their voting
instructions.
Submitting Proxies Via the Internet or by Telephone
Our shareholders of record as of the record date and many of our shareholders who hold their
shares of Company common stock through a broker or bank will have the option to submit their
proxies or voting instructions via the Internet or by telephone. There are separate arrangements
for using the Internet and telephone to submit your proxy depending on whether you are a
shareholder of record or your shares are held in street name by your broker. If your shares are
held in street name, you should check the voting instruction card provided by your broker to see
which options are available and the procedures to be followed.
In addition to submitting the enclosed proxy card by mail, shareholders of record may submit
their proxies:
|
|
|
via the Internet by visiting a website established for that purpose at
[ ] and following the instructions on the website; or |
|
|
|
|
by telephone by calling the toll-free number [1-___-___-___] in the United States,
Puerto Rico or Canada on a touch-tone phone and following the recorded instructions. |
Adjournments
Although it is not currently expected, the special meeting may be adjourned for the purpose of
soliciting additional proxies. Any adjournment may be made without notice, other than by an
announcement made at the special meeting, of the time, date and place of the adjourned meeting. If
no quorum exists, the Chairman of the meeting shall have the 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. If a quorum exists, holders of a majority of the shares of Company common stock
present in person or represented by proxy at the special meeting and entitled to vote thereat may
adjourn the special meeting. If your proxy card is signed and no instructions are indicated on
your proxy card, your shares of Company common stock will be voted FOR any adjournment of the
special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies. Any adjournment of
the special meeting for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies will allow the Companys
shareholders who have already sent in their proxies to revoke them at any time prior to their use
at the special meeting as adjourned.
THE MERGER
The discussion of the Merger in this proxy statement is qualified in its entirety by reference
to the Merger Agreement which is attached to this proxy statement as Annex A. You should read the
Merger Agreement carefully.
Background of the Merger
Our board of directors periodically reviews and assesses strategic alternatives available to
us to enhance shareholder value. As part of this on-going review, on April 29, 2005 the Company
announced a strategic realignment of its businesses. The plan included an initial public offering
of approximately 10% of the common stock of Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc., comprised of the
Companys Americas and international outdoor segments, and a 100% spin-off of the Companys live
entertainment segment and sports representation business, which now operates under the name Live
Nation. The Company completed the initial public offering of Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc.
on November 11, 2005 and the spin-off of Live Nation on December 21, 2005. In addition, since that
time the Company has returned $1.6 billion to the Companys shareholders in the form of stock
repurchases and increased by 50% its regular quarterly dividend.
27
Notwithstanding these initiatives, the Companys common stock continued to trade during late
2005 and through the summer of 2006 at levels which management and the board of directors believed
discounted the value of the Company. On August 18, 2006, Mark Mays and Randall Mays, our Chief
Executive Officer and President/Chief Financial Officer, respectively, contacted Goldman Sachs and
requested Goldman Sachs to prepare a preliminary assessment of the strategic alternatives available
to the Company, including a possible sale of the Company.
On August 24, 2006, representatives of The Blackstone Group, or Blackstone, contacted Messrs.
Mark Mays and Randall Mays and stated that Blackstone was interested in exploring the possible
acquisition of the Company. During this discussion, representatives of Blackstone discussed their
views on the merits of a possible acquisition of the Company, but did not make any proposals
regarding the price or structure of a transaction. Messrs. Mark Mays and Randall Mays did not make
any proposals regarding a transaction or solicit any proposals from Blackstone.
On August 28, 2006, representatives of Goldman Sachs met with Messrs. Mark Mays and Randall
Mays and discussed various strategic alternatives available to the Company, including the spin-off
or taxable sale of Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, the sale of non-core operating assets.
On August 30, 2006, Messrs. Mark Mays and Randall Mays met with representatives of Blackstone
in San Antonio, Texas. On September 1, 2006, Messrs. Mark Mays and Randall Mays met with
representatives of Providence Equity Partners, or Providence, in San Antonio, Texas. At these
meetings, Messrs. Mark Mays and Randall Mays discussed with representatives of these two private
equity groups their respective views on the feasibility of a leveraged acquisition transaction by
the Company. No proposals regarding a transaction were made by any of the parties at those
meetings.
On September 5, 2006, at a special meeting of the board of directors held by telephone, Mr.
Mark Mays stated that, in light of the fact that the Companys common stock continued to trade at
prices which management considered to discount the value of the Company, the recent strong
operating performance reported by the Company and prevailing conditions in the financial markets,
he considered it appropriate for the board to conduct a thorough consideration of strategic alternatives.
Mr. Mark Mays further stated he was regularly contacted by private equity groups inquiring
about the Companys interest in a possible transaction involving either the sale of the Company as
a whole or one or more divisions or a portion of its assets. He reported that no specific proposal
had been made by any group and that the contacts had been limited to general inquiries.
The board of directors determined to conduct a thorough review of strategic alternatives
available to the Company at its next regular meeting. The board of directors requested that
Goldman Sachs be engaged to advise the board of directors in connection with that review. The
board of directors directed management to attempt to determine whether a leveraged buyout
transaction was feasible in the current financial markets so that it could include this alternative
as part of its review. The board of directors authorized management to permit Blackstone and
Providence to act together to evaluate possible transactions.
Management was directed to first obtain an agreement from Blackstone and Providence containing
customary confidentiality and standstill provisions. The board expressly directed that the
authority being granted was limited to providing confidential information to Blackstone and
Providence for the purpose of determining whether a leveraged buyout of the Company represented a
feasible strategic alternative in the financial markets at this time and that management was not
authorized to commence a sale process or to negotiate price or terms of a potential transaction.
Following the meeting, the directors consulted with one another regarding the engagement of a
financial advisor and legal counsel in connection with the boards strategic review. It was the
consensus of the board, subject to formal ratification at the next scheduled meeting, to
engage Goldman Sachs as its financial advisor and Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, or Akin Gump, as
its legal advisor.
On September 11, 2006, the Company entered into a confidentiality agreement with each of
Blackstone and Providence to enable the parties to share information regarding the Company and its
business in order to determine whether a sale of the Company represented a feasible strategic
alternative at this time. The confidentiality
28
agreements expressly prohibited Blackstone and Providence from contacting any actual or
potential co-investors, financiers or other third parties who would or might provide equity, debt
or other financing for a transaction without the Companys consent. The confidentiality agreements
also contained customary standstill provisions which, among other things, prevented Blackstone and
Providence and their representatives from acquiring Company common stock or participating in a
proxy solicitation regarding the Companys common stock without the Companys consent.
Representatives of Blackstone and Providence met with Messrs. Mark Mays and Randall Mays in New York City on
September 13, 2006 as part of their due diligence review. Representatives of Akin Gump and Weil,
Gotshal & Manges, or Weil, legal counsel for Blackstone and Providence, were also in attendance.
On September 22, 2006, a consortium, which we refer to as Consortium 1, led by Blackstone and
Providence, submitted a preliminary nonbinding proposal to acquire the Company in an all cash
transaction for $34.50 per share of common stock. The proposal indicated that Blackstone,
Providence, Bank of America Corporation and certain limited partners of Blackstone and Providence
would fund the equity for the transaction. Accompanying the preliminary, nonbinding proposal was a
letter from Bank of America Securities, LLC, or BAS, in which BAS stated that it was highly
confident of its ability to arrange for the necessary debt facilities in connection with the
possible transaction.
On September 25, 2006, the board of directors convened a special meeting at the Companys
headquarters in San Antonio, Texas, to review and discuss the Companys strategic alternatives. The
meeting was also attended by representatives of Akin Gump and Goldman Sachs. Akin Gump reviewed
the directors fiduciary duties in the context of considering the Companys strategic alternatives.
Messrs. Mark Mays and Randall Mays made a presentation regarding the Companys recent business
results and financial performance, the Companys existing financial condition and the Companys
strategic plans, goals and prospects.
Representatives of Goldman Sachs then made a presentation, which included an assessment of the
Companys various strategic alternatives and reviewed illustrative financing at assumed leverage
ratios for a leveraged buyout transaction. The directors discussed the presentation and asked
questions of management regarding their confidence in the Companys plans, forecasts and prospects.
The board of directors discussed the risk and challenge of the Companys existing business plans
and prospects, as well as the opportunities such plans presented to the Company. The board of
directors discussed each of these alternatives in detail, including the potential value that each
alternative could generate to the Companys shareholders, the attendant risks and challenges of
each alternative, the potential disruption to the Companys existing business plans and prospects
occasioned by each alternative and the likelihood of successfully executing on such alternatives.
Representatives of Goldman Sachs also reviewed with the board of directors the proposal from
Consortium 1. The board of directors discussed the proposal generally and in relation to the other
strategic alternatives that might be available to the Company, particularly the spin-off of Clear
Channel Outdoor Holdings combined with a sale of non-core assets by the Company.
The board of directors of the Company (excluding Messrs. Mark, Randall and Lowry Mays and B.
J. McCombs who were recused due to their potential interest in the transaction) continued the
meeting. These directors, whom we refer to as the disinterested directors, consisting of Alan D.
Feld, Perry J. Lewis, Phyllis B. Riggins, Theodore H. Strauss, J. C. Watts, John H. Williams and
John B. Zachry, have each been determined by the board of directors to be independent for the
purposes of the transaction. Akin Gump again reviewed the directors fiduciary duties in
considering strategic alternatives, including the possible sale of the Company. Following
discussion among the disinterested directors and representatives of Goldman Sachs and Akin Gump,
the board of directors, by unanimous action of the disinterested directors, resolved to begin a
process to explore strategic alternatives to enhance shareholder value.
Further, the disinterested directors determined to advise Messrs. Mark, Randall and Lowry Mays
and B. J. McCombs that they should not participate in deliberations by the board of directors with
respect to any proposed leveraged buyout transaction because of their possible participation in the
transaction following any closing. The disinterested directors determined that all communications
between any potential buying groups be directly with Akin Gump and Goldman Sachs and not through
members of management. Further, the disinterested directors advised Messrs. Mark, Randall and
Lowry Mays and B. J. McCombs to not have discussions, either directly or
29
through their representatives, regarding the terms on which any of them would participate in
the management of, or invest in, a surviving corporation following any sale of the Company.
Goldman Sachs stated that, if a sales process developed with respect to the sale of the
Company, Goldman Sachs would be willing to offer debt financing to all potential buying groups to
facilitate the sale process, noting that no buying group would be obligated to use Goldman Sachs as
its debt financing source. Akin Gump discussed with the board of directors the nature of the
potential conflict of interest that might arise from Goldman Sachs acting both as the financial
advisor to the board of directors and the Company and a possible financing source in connection
with the sale of the Company and described to the board of directors certain procedures that
Goldman Sachs could undertake to ensure the separation between the financing teams and the team
advising the board of directors and the Company and the safeguards that the Company could undertake
with regard to such conflict, including obtaining a fairness opinion from another investment bank.
Representatives of Goldman Sachs were then excused from the board meeting and the
disinterested directors engaged in a discussion of the risks and benefits relating to Goldman
Sachs offer, including the potential conflict of interest and the related safeguards, with Akin
Gump. After the discussion, the disinterested directors determined that, although they could
anticipate circumstances in which such an offer may facilitate a sale process, those circumstances
were not currently present and they determined to not authorize Goldman Sachs to make such an
offer.
The disinterested directors determined that it would be advisable to establish a special
advisory committee to evaluate and report to the directors as to the fairness of the terms of any
leveraged buyout transaction or other proposal determined by the board of directors to be advisable
to the Company and that presented potential conflicts with the interests of any of the directors. The special
advisory committee, consisting of Perry J. Lewis, who was designated as chair of the committee,
John H. Williams and John Zachry, was formed and given the power, among others, to retain separate
legal counsel and separate financial advisors. The process for pursuing, and all negotiations with respect to, any possible transaction would be directed by the disinterested directors as a whole.
The disinterested directors engaged in a discussion of the proposal made by Consortium 1. The
disinterested directors determined that the price proposed was not adequate when compared with the
other strategic alternatives considered at the meeting. After an extended discussion and
consideration of all relevant issues, the disinterested directors authorized Goldman Sachs to
communicate to Consortium 1 that the board of directors had no interest in pursuing a transaction
at the valuation proposed by Consortium 1. The disinterested directors further directed Goldman
Sachs to communicate to Consortium 1 that the Company was terminating access to further due
diligence on the Company and its business and that if it desired to continue discussions and
diligence it should materially improve its proposal.
In making these determinations, the disinterested directors emphasized that the board of
directors had made no determination to effect a sale of the Company and neither management nor
Goldman Sachs was authorized to engage in a sale process. Nevertheless, in the event that
discussions with Consortium 1 continued or if another buying group or buying groups emerged, the
disinterested directors requested Mr. Alan Feld to act as lead director for purposes of any
discussion with potential buyer groups and to oversee and provide direction to Goldman Sachs
between meetings of the board of directors with respect to any future discussions.
Representatives of Goldman Sachs contacted Consortium 1 on September 26, 2006 and relayed the
directions of the board of directors, to the effect that a price of $34.50 was inadequate and that
the board of directors had determined not to pursue discussions and to terminate the due diligence
process and that the board of directors would entertain further diligence and discussions if the
consortium materially improved its offer.
On September 27, 2006, Consortium 1 contacted representatives of Goldman Sachs and indicated
that, based upon certain assumptions regarding the Companys operations, it would be willing to
acquire the Company for $35.50 per share but would require further due diligence, including access
to more members of senior management, in order to improve on this price. Blackstone and Providence
also requested that, due to the size of some of the contractual obligations owing to management, it
desired an opportunity to engage in discussions with Messrs. Mark, Randall and Lowry Mays regarding
the terms on which they would be willing to participate in the management of, or invest in, the
surviving corporation in the event a sale was accomplished. After discussion with representatives
of Goldman Sachs and Akin Gump, Mr. Alan Feld authorized representatives of Goldman Sachs to allow
Consortium 1 to undertake a limited due diligence investigation of the Company for the sole purpose
of
30
improving on its proposal. The request to have conversations with Messrs. Mark, Randall and
Lowry Mays was deferred until the board of directors could next meet.
On September 29, 2006, Blackstone and Providence requested permission to admit Kohlberg Kravis
Roberts & Co., or KKR, to Consortium 1, which Mr. Alan Feld approved. KKR executed a
confidentiality agreement containing substantially the same terms as the confidentiality agreements
executed by Blackstone and Providence.
At a special meeting of the board of directors held by telephone on October 3, 2006 (attended
by each of the directors other than John Zachry), which representatives of Goldman Sachs and Akin
Gump also attended, representatives of Goldman Sachs reported on the discussions with Blackstone
and Providence since the September 25, 2006 meeting of the board of directors. Following this
report, Messrs. Mark, Randall, and Lowry Mays and B. J. McCombs recused themselves and left the
meeting. In response to the request by Blackstone and Providence on September 27, 2006, the
disinterested directors determined that legal counsel for Messrs. Mark, Randall and Lowry Mays,
whom the disinterested directors authorized be engaged at the Companys expense to represent the
Mayses in connection with any proposed leveraged buyout transaction, would be permitted to have
general discussions with Weil regarding the terms upon which management might participate in the
surviving corporation following a possible transaction on the condition that no direct discussions
would be permitted, no specific negotiations arriving at any agreement would be had and that Akin
Gump would be included in all such discussions.
On October 5 and 6, 2006, members of management held a two-day diligence session with
representatives of Consortium 1 in New York City to discuss the Companys business, operations, financial condition,
results of operations and financial forecasts for future periods. Also in attendance were
representatives of Akin Gump and Goldman Sachs.
On October 6, 2006, there was a meeting between counsel for Messrs. Mark, Randall and Lowry
Mays and Weil in which counsel for the Mayses presented a summary of the terms on which the Mayses
might participate in the management of, and invest in, the surviving corporation if a leveraged buyout
transaction were to occur. Counsel for the Mayses also advised Weil that discussions with respect
to Lowry Mays were only in respect of his employment arrangements and that he was not at this time
interested in discussing the possibility of any on-going investment in the Company. The meeting
was also attended by Akin Gump.
On October 10, 2006, the special advisory committee met and determined to engage Sidley Austin LLP as its special counsel. The special advisory committee retained Lazard as its
financial advisor. Such retention contemplated that Lazard would undertake a study to enable it to
render an opinion as to the fairness from a financial point of view of the financial consideration
to be received by our shareholders in connection with any sale of the
Company, which engagement
was confirmed in an engagement letter dated October 25, 2006.
On October 11, 2006, representatives of Consortium 1 contacted Goldman Sachs and indicated
that Consortium 1 would require further due diligence and an opportunity to meet further with
senior management of the Company before revising its proposal. At the direction of Mr. Alan Feld,
Goldman Sachs requested Consortium 1 to identify with specificity what further diligence it
required for this limited purpose and arranged for further meetings to be held on October 12 and
October 13, 2006 in San Antonio, Texas. Separately,
representatives of the Company and Goldman Sachs were
contacted by representatives of THLee, who stated that if the Company was considering a leveraged
buyout transaction, it desired to have an opportunity to discuss such a transaction with the
Company.
On October 12 and 13, 2006, management held a due diligence session with representatives of Consortium 1 in San
Antonio, Texas to discuss the Companys business, operations, financial condition, results of
operations and financial forecasts for future periods. Also in attendance were representatives of
Goldman Sachs.
At a special meeting of the board of directors held by telephone on October 13, 2006 (attended
by each of the directors other than J.C. Watts), which representatives of Goldman Sachs and Akin
Gump also attended, representatives of Goldman Sachs updated the board of directors with respect to
recent discussions with Consortium 1. Goldman Sachs then made a presentation on the potential
strategic alternatives available to enhance shareholder value..
31
During the meeting, Goldman Sachs reported the contact with THLee and THLees desire to have
exploratory discussions regarding a potential leveraged buyout transaction. Following Goldman
Sachs report, Messrs. Mark, Randall and Lowry Mays and B. J. McCombs recused themselves and left
the meeting. The disinterested directors present continued to discuss THLees request for
exploratory discussions. The disinterested directors discussed the increased possibility of a
leak, as well as the distraction to the Companys management, and the potential negative impact on
the Company and its business and operations, that could arise by engaging in discussions with
multiple parties. In light of these concerns and the potential adverse impact on the Company, the
disinterested directors present directed Goldman Sachs to communicate to THLee that the board of
directors had not determined to sell the Company. Akin Gump then reported that it had prepared a
draft of a merger agreement to be distributed to Weil to elicit their views on the non-price terms
of their proposal. The disinterested directors present requested that Akin Gump review the terms
of the proposed form of merger agreement with Mr. Alan Feld, who would provide guidance on the
terms reflected in the draft merger agreement.
Following discussions with Mr. Alan Feld, on October 14, 2006 Akin Gump distributed a draft
merger agreement to Weil.
On October 15, 2006, Weil distributed a revised summary of senior executive arrangements and a
management equity term sheet to counsel to Messrs. Mark, Randall and Lowry Mays. Akin Gump was
provided a copy of each of these submissions.
On October 18, 2006, Blackstone and Providence contacted representatives of Goldman Sachs and
informed Goldman Sachs that KKR had withdrawn from Consortium 1, but that the remainder of the
consortium was making a non-binding preliminary proposal to purchase the Company at the price of
$35.00 per common share. Blackstone and Providence indicated that they would need to identify
other equity and debt sources to complete the transaction and that they could complete their
remaining due diligence and other work necessary to enter into definitive agreements for the
proposed acquisition within two weeks.
Later that same day, Weil provided to Akin Gump Consortium 1s written position on certain key
terms in the draft merger agreement previously transmitted to it, including the termination date,
the length of the marketing period, a go-shop right, the definition of material adverse effect,
fiduciary termination rights, termination fees payable in certain circumstances by the Company, on
the one hand, and by the buyer, on the other hand, the conditions to closing, interim operating
covenants, equity syndication terms, board recommendation provisions, specific performance rights,
a proposed cap on the liability of the private equity firms for breach by the buyer and in other
circumstances and the allocation of risk with respect to regulatory approvals required with respect
to FCC matters and antitrust approvals.
At a special meeting of the board of directors held by telephone on October 19, 2006
(attended by each of the directors other than J.C. Watts), which representatives of Goldman Sachs
and Akin Gump also attended, Goldman Sachs updated the board of directors with respect to recent
discussions with Consortium 1. Following Goldman Sachs report, Messrs. Mark, Randall and Lowry
Mays and B. J. McCombs recused themselves and left the meeting. Akin Gump reviewed the directors
fiduciary duties when considering strategic alternatives, including a possible sale of the Company.
The disinterested directors present continued to discuss the most recent proposal by Consortium 1.
It was noted that not only had the price proposed by the consortium been reduced but that any
transaction was less certain to be executed in light of the fact that Consortium 1 no longer had
equity and debt commitments sufficient to complete the transaction. The disinterested directors
present discussed the alternatives available to the company, including a discussion of the values
for the shareholders that could be achieved from a possible sale of the Company compared to a
spin-off of Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings combined with a sale of non-core assets. Following
discussion, the disinterested directors present directed Goldman Sachs to communicate to Consortium
1 that the board of directors considered its proposal inadequate; that the board of directors had a
meeting scheduled for October 25, 2006 to discuss and review the Companys strategic alternatives
and if Consortium 1 desired that its proposal be given consideration, it should improve its
proposal prior to such time; and that the board of directors intended in the interim to contact
other parties that had expressed an interest in exploring a sale transaction. The disinterested
directors present then authorized Goldman Sachs to contact THLee to ascertain whether it had an
interest in leading a consortium to explore a possible sale transaction.
32
On October 20, 2006, Goldman Sachs contacted Blackstone and Providence and relayed the
directives of the board of directors. Goldman Sachs also contacted THLee and informed THLee that
it would provide THLee an opportunity to conduct due diligence to determine whether it had an
interest in forming a consortium to pursue discussions with the Company regarding a possible sale
transaction. Goldman Sachs informed THLee that the board of directors was meeting on October 25,
2006 to discuss and review the Companys strategic alternatives and if THLee desired that a
proposal be given consideration, it should provide an indication of interest prior to such time.
On October 21, 2006, Akin Gump met with Mr. Alan Feld to obtain guidance on the written
positions taken by Consortium 1 with respect to the draft merger agreement.
On October 21 and 22, 2006, management participated in multiple telephone conferences with
representatives of THLee to discuss the Companys business, operations, financial condition, results of operations and
financial forecasts for future periods. Prior to that time, THLee signed a confidentiality
agreement containing substantially the same terms as the confidentiality agreements executed by
each of the other private equity firms.
On October 24, 2006, there were press reports to the effect that the Company was in
discussions with private equity firms regarding a possible sale transaction. Later that day, THLee
submitted a non-binding expression of interest to acquire all of the Companys outstanding capital
stock in an all cash transaction for $35.00 to $37.00 per share. THLee indicated that it would
need to identify other equity and debt sources to complete the transaction but felt confident that
it could secure firm commitments for the remaining equity and debt among firms that it had worked
with in the past. The proposal further indicated that THLee anticipated that it could complete its
remaining due diligence and other work necessary to enter into definitive agreements for the
proposed acquisition within 20 days.
On that same day, Consortium 1 submitted a revised proposal to acquire all of the Companys
outstanding common stock in an all cash transaction for $35.00 per share. The proposal indicated
that KKR had rejoined the consortium. Accompanying the proposal was a highly confident letter
from BAS and Merrill Lynch, representing 100% of the debt financing necessary to complete the
transaction. The proposal further contemplated a 20 day exclusivity period and stated that
Consortium 1 anticipated that it could complete its remaining due diligence and other work
necessary to enter into definitive agreements for the proposed acquisition within that 20 day
period.
On
the same day, there were also press reports to the effect that the
Company was in discussions with private equity firms regarding a
possible sale transaction.
On October 25, 2006, the board of directors convened a regular meeting at the Companys
headquarters in San Antonio, Texas, to include a review and discussion of the Companys strategic alternatives. The
meeting was also attended by representatives of Akin Gump and Goldman Sachs. Akin Gump reviewed
the directors fiduciary duties in the context of considering the Companys strategic alternatives,
including a possible sale of the Company.
Representatives of Goldman Sachs updated the board of directors regarding events that had
transpired since the last meeting. Representatives of Goldman Sachs then discussed the proposals
that had been received by the board of directors from Consortium 1 and THLee. Following Goldman
Sachs discussion, the directors discussed the presentation and asked questions of management
regarding their confidence in the Companys plans, forecasts and prospects. The board of directors
discussed the risks and challenges of the Companys existing business plans and prospects, as well
as the opportunities presented to the Company by each of the alternative plans. The board of
directors discussed each of these alternatives in detail, including the potential value that each
alternative could generate to the Companys shareholders, the attendant risks and challenges of
each alternative, the potential disruption to the Companys existing business plans and prospects
occasioned by each alternative and the likelihood of successfully executing on such alternatives.
Following the discussion, Messrs. Mark, Randall and Lowry Mays and B. J. McCombs recused
themselves and left the meeting and the disinterested directors continued the meeting. Akin Gump
again reviewed the directors fiduciary duties in considering strategic alternatives, including the
possible sale of the Company. The disinterested directors discussed each of the two proposals. It
was noted that given the recent press reports about possible discussions with private equity firms,
it was no longer possible to avoid the disruption that would accompany a more public process.
After taking these factors into account and reviewing the other strategic alternatives presented to
it, the disinterested directors determined that the Company should
issue a press release that same day announcing
that the board of directors had commenced a review of the Companys strategic alternatives and that
the board of directors had retained Goldman Sachs to advise it with respect to that review.
33
Further, Goldman Sachs was directed to inform Consortium 1 and THLee that the Company intended
to issue the press release and request that they submit their best and final proposal to the board
of directors by close of business on November 10, 2006, accompanied by equity and debt financing
commitments, sponsor guarantees, a summary of the terms (if any) proposed by the consortium with
respect to managements participation and/or investment in the surviving corporation and comments
to a draft merger agreement to be supplied by Akin Gump.
Later that day, representatives of Goldman Sachs communicated the board of directors requests
for final proposals to each of Consortium 1 and THLee. They also explained to each that Goldman
Sachs and Akin Gump would make themselves available to discuss and negotiate key terms and
provisions of the draft merger agreement prior to the November 10, 2006 deadline and that the board
of directors encouraged each of them to avail themselves of the opportunity to negotiate proposed
changes to the draft merger agreement issues prior to the November 10, 2006 deadline.
On that same day,
THLee requested permission to form a consortium, which we refer to as
Consortium 2, with Bain Capital, or Bain, and Texas Pacific Group, or TPG, which was approved by
Mr. Alan Feld. Bain and TPG each entered into a confidentiality agreement with the Company with
terms substantially similar to the confidentiality agreements entered into by each of the other
private equity firms.
On October 26, 2006, management held a due diligence session with Consortium 2 in San Antonio,
Texas to discuss the Companys business, operations, financial condition, results of operations and
financial forecasts for future periods. Representatives of Goldman Sachs were also in attendance.
Akin Gump transmitted to legal counsel to Consortium 2, Ropes & Gray, a copy of the draft merger
agreement previously submitted to Consortium 1. Further, Akin Gump explained the procedures
previously approved by the board of directors with respect to contacts with Mark, Randall and Lowry
Mays with respect to the terms on which they might participate in the management or equity of the
surviving corporation. Counsel for Mark, Randall and Lowry Mays distributed to Ropes & Gray a
summary of senior executive arrangements and a management equity term sheet. The summary and term
sheet contained terms that were substantially identical to those most recently distributed to
Consortium 1.
On October 27, 2006, the board of directors received a written non-binding, preliminary,
indication of interest from a consortium, which we refer to as Consortium 3, consisting of Apollo
Management, L.P., or Apollo, and The Carlyle Group, or Carlyle, to acquire all of the Companys
outstanding common stock for at least $36.00 per share in cash. The indication of interest stated
that Consortium 3 had been informed by Goldman Sachs that the board of directors requested the
submission of fully financed bids on November 10, 2006 and requested the board of directors to
consider a more extended process. At the direction of Mr. Alan Feld, Goldman Sachs informed
Consortium 3 that, upon execution of confidentiality agreements, it would be provided access to
management and due diligence materials and requested Consortium 3 to submit a more definitive
proposal (including plans for financing) by November 1, 2006.
On
that same day, Lazard received, and forwarded to Goldman Sachs, from a consortium, which we refer to as Consortium 4, consisting of Cerberus
Capital Management, or Cerberus, and Oak Hill Capital Management, or Oak Hill,
a non-binding, preliminary indication of interest to engage in discussions regarding a possible
leveraged buyout transaction with the Company. The indication of interest did not contain a price
at which Consortium 4 would be interested in completing a transaction.
A special meeting of the board of directors was held by telephone on October 28, 2006
(attended by each of the directors other than Mr. Theodore H. Strauss), which representatives of
Goldman Sachs and Akin Gump also attended. Mr. Alan Feld and representatives of Goldman Sachs
updated the board of directors regarding events that had transpired since the last meeting.
Messrs. Mark, Randall and Lowry Mays and B. J. McCombs then excused themselves from the meeting.
The disinterested directors present then discussed the indications of interest received from
Consortium 3 and Consortium 4. Following the discussion, the disinterested directors present
directed Goldman Sachs to inform Consortium 3 that if, following preliminary due diligence on the
Company and its business, it submitted a more definitive proposal that was competitive, the board
of directors would look favorably on their request that the time for submission of bids be
extended. In addition, the directors present directed Goldman Sachs to contact Consortium 4 and
inquire as to whether they had intended to submit an indication of interest and, if that was the
case, to provide a preliminary indication of the valuation they were considering.
34
Goldman Sachs also reported that both THLee and Apollo had inquired regarding the availability
of financing from Goldman Sachs. Goldman confirmed that, to facilitate the sale process, Goldman
Sachs would be willing to offer debt financing to all consortia, noting that no consortium would be
obligated to use Goldman Sachs as its debt financing source. Akin Gump reviewed with the
disinterested directors the nature of the potential conflict of interest that might arise from
Goldman Sachs acting both as the financial advisor to the board of directors and the Company and a
possible financing source in connection with the sale of the Company and the procedures that
Goldman Sachs could undertake to ensure the separation between the financing teams and the team
advising the board of directors of the Company and the safeguards that the Company could undertake
with regard to such conflict.
Representatives of Goldman Sachs were then excused from the board meeting and the
disinterested directors engaged in a discussion of the risks and benefits relating to Goldman
Sachs offer, including the potential conflict of interest and the related safeguards, with Akin
Gump present. After the discussion, the disinterested directors present determined that, in light
of the short period that remained prior to the time for the
submission of the bids and in order to increase the competitiveness of
the bidding process, Goldman Sachs
was authorized to offer debt financing on the condition that appropriate procedural safeguards
acceptable to Akin Gump and Mr. Alan Feld were put in place and that Goldman Sachs offered the same
package of debt financing to each consortium.
On October 29, 2006, Apollo and Carlyle each executed confidentiality agreements with terms
substantially similar to those contained in the confidentiality agreements with the other private
equity firms.
On October 29 and 30, 2006, management held a due diligence session by telephone with
representatives of Consortium 3 to discuss the Companys business, operations, financial condition, results of
operations and financial forecasts for future periods.
On October 29, 2006, the board of directors and representatives of Goldman Sachs received a
written non-binding, preliminary indication of interest from Consortium 4 to acquire all of the
Companys outstanding common stock for a price ranging from $37.00 to $39.00 per share. At the
direction of Mr. Alan Feld, representatives of Goldman Sachs informed Consortium 4 that, upon
execution of confidentiality agreements, they would be provided access to management and due
diligence materials and were requested to submit a more definitive proposal (including plans for
financing) in the next several days. Goldman Sachs was also directed to inform them that if, after
they completed preliminary due diligence on the Company and its business, they submitted a more
definitive proposal (including plans for financing) that was competitive, the board of directors
would look favorably on any request to extend the time for submission of bids.
On October 30, 2006, Mr. Alan Feld, on behalf of the board of directors, and Goldman Sachs
executed a consent letter outlining agreed upon procedures with respect to the planned offer by
Goldman Sachs of debt financing to each consortium.
On that same day, drafts of confidentiality agreements in substantially the same form executed
by each of the other private equity firms were presented to Cerberus and Oak Hill and their
counsel. The Company and Akin Gump engaged in negotiations with Cerberus and Oak Hill from October
30, 2006 through November 10, 2006 to attempt to reach agreement on a form of confidentiality
agreement. The parties were unable to reach agreement due to the fact that Cerberus and Oak Hill
were unwilling to agree to provisions comparable to those agreed to by the other private equity
firms.
On that same day, Weil presented to Akin Gump comments from Consortium 1 on the draft
merger agreement.
On that same day, management held a due diligence session in San Antonio, Texas with representatives of Lazard to
discuss the Companys business, operations, financial condition, results of operations and
financial forecasts for future periods.
In
addition, on that same day, management also held a telephonic due
diligence session with representatives of Consortium 3 to discuss the Companys
business, operations, financial condition, results of operations and
financial forecasts for future periods. Representatives of Goldman
Sachs were also in attendance.
On October 31, 2006, management held a due diligence session in San Antonio, Texas with
representatives of Consortium 3 to discuss the Companys business, operations, financial condition, results of
operations and financial forecasts for future periods. Representatives of Goldman Sachs were also
in attendance.
35
In
or around late October 2006, representatives of TPG indicated to THLee and Bain that TPG was having
difficulty with its participation in the transaction, and that TPG did not want to impede the
process.
On November 1, 2006, Apollo verbally submitted to Goldman Sachs a revised non-binding
preliminary indication of interest to acquire all of the common stock of the Company in an all cash
transaction at a price of $35.00 per share and informed Goldman Sachs that Carlyle had removed
itself from Consortium 3. Following this time, Apollo did not request to participate in any
further diligence or indicate any interest to form another consortium or submit a proposal.
During the first two weeks of November 2006, through November 15, 2006, Consortium 1 and
Consortium 2, their financing partners, representatives and advisors continued to conduct due
diligence on the Company and its business. In addition, the Company, Akin Gump and FCC and
antitrust counsel for the Company conducted due diligence on the members of each of the consortia,
particularly with respect to their investments in other media companies and the markets that such
companies operated in and the participation of any non-United States persons in such consortia.
On November 3, 2006, the special advisory committee retained Watson Wyatt & Company (Watson
Wyatt) as its executive compensation consultant. The retention was confirmed in an engagement
letter dated November 6, 2006. Such retention contemplated that Watson Wyatt would review the
existing change-in-control arrangements for Messrs. Mark, Randall and Lowry Mays, any proposed
settlement of such existing arrangements in conjunction with a change of control of the Company and
any proposed new incentive and investment arrangements for management. Watson Wyatts engagement
also contemplated a comparison of proposed management arrangements with benchmark data.
During the first two weeks of November, the special advisory committee met three times in
connection with its review of the possible transactions. At these meetings, the special advisory
committee received the advice and reports of Sidley, Lazard and Watson Wyatt.
On November 4, 2006, Ropes & Gray submitted to Akin Gump written comments to the draft merger
agreement on behalf of Consortium 2.
A special meeting of the board of directors was held by telephone on November 7, 2006
(attended by each of the directors), which representatives of Goldman
Sachs, Akin Gump and Sidley also
attended. Representatives of Goldman Sachs updated the board of directors regarding events that
had transpired since the last meeting of the board of directors. Akin Gump reviewed the directors
fiduciary duties in considering strategic alternatives, including the possible sale of the Company.
Messrs. Mark, Randall and Lowry Mays and B. J. McCombs then recused themselves and left the
meeting. Akin Gump then summarized the key terms of the draft merger agreement presented to each
of Consortium 1 and Consortium 2. The key terms covered the scope of the representations,
warranties and covenants made by the respective parties to the agreement, as well as the conditions
to closing the transaction and the provisions relating to the termination of such agreement. Akin
Gump then summarized the comments on the draft merger agreement received from each consortium. The
disinterested directors instructed Akin Gump and Goldman Sachs that they would not approve a
definitive agreement that was contingent on receipt of financing for the transaction; that the
board of directors must have the right to change its recommendation to the Companys shareholders
with respect to the transaction if required by its fiduciary duties to do so; that the board of
directors must be able to terminate the agreement if it received a superior proposal following
execution of a definitive agreement; that the fee payable by the Company if it terminated the
agreement must be reasonable, with a lower fee payable during a post-signing go-shop period; that
the buying group must agree not to syndicate its equity holdings to other bidders in the process in
order to protect the integrity of the bidding process; that the buying group must covenant to take
all necessary actions to obtain FCC and HSR approvals; that the buying group must be liable to the
Company if the buyer breaches its obligations under the definitive agreement or a closing fails to
occur due to the failure of the regulatory conditions; and that the terms of the transaction should
provide additional purchase price in the event the closing of the transaction is extended beyond an
agreed upon date, which we refer to as a ticking fee.
During the period from November 8, 2006 through November 12, 2006, Akin Gump and Goldman Sachs
continued to negotiate the terms of a draft merger agreement with Consortium 1 and Consortium 2
through telephonic meetings and in-person meetings held at Akin Gumps offices in New York City.
Also participating in some of these meetings were the parties respective FCC and antitrust
counsel. During the course of these
36
discussions and negotiations, the parties addressed each of the key terms of the draft merger
agreement and the proposed plans of each of the two consortium for dealing with potential FCC and
HSR issues raised by the fact that each of the consortia had investments in other media companies,
some of which operated broadcast stations and print media in markets overlapping markets served by
the Companys television and radio broadcast stations. Key terms addressed in these negotiations
included the terms of any ticking fee, the board of directors request for a go-shop period, the
structure and amount of break up fees and reverse break up fees, change of recommendation
provisions, the board of directors request that the equity holdings of each consortium not be
syndicated to other participants in the bidding process, the definition of superior proposal and
material adverse effect, and the remedies of the Company for breach of the merger agreement.
On November 8, 2006, Consortium 2 informed Goldman Sachs it would not be able to submit a
complete bid package on November 10, 2006. After consulting with Mr. Alan Feld, Goldman Sachs
informed each of Consortium 1 and Consortium 2 that the deadline for submitting the bid packages
would be moved to November 13, 2006.
From November 8, 2006 through November 12, 2006, representatives Goldman Sachs and Akin Gump
periodically consulted with Mr. Alan Feld to provide him an update on developments in the separate
negotiations and to solicit his guidance on potential resolution of differences between the
positions taken by the board of directors and the positions taken by the two consortia.
During this period, the parties and their advisors finalized the terms of separate agreements
to be entered into by the equity sponsors that comprised each consortium, which we refer to as
limited guarantees, pursuant to which such equity sponsors would guarantee certain payment
obligations of the buyer under the draft merger agreement, subject to a cap. In addition, during
this time period, counsel for Messrs. Mark, Randall and Lowry Mays and counsel for each of the
consortium continued to exchange views on the terms on which the Mayses would participate in
management, and invest in, the surviving corporation resulting for any transaction.
On November 12, 2006, Akin Gump and representatives of Goldman Sachs met separately with each
of Consortium 1 and Consortium 2 and their advisors to review the procedures for submitting bids on
November 13, 2006. Each consortium was informed that Akin Gump would deliver to it a final draft
of the merger agreement reflecting the terms which had been agreed to during the course of
negotiations and, where agreement had not been reached, the terms proposed by the board of
directors. Each consortium was told that, as part of the bid package, it would have an opportunity
to make changes to the final draft of the merger agreement, but that any changes submitted would
weigh against its bid when considered by the board of directors. Each consortium was requested to
submit written bid packages on November 13, 2006 indicating the price per share to be paid for 100%
of the common stock of the Company in an all cash transaction and consisting of (i) a copy of the
final draft of the merger agreement, marked with any proposed changes, (ii) a detailed description
of financing sources, including commitment letters, (iii) a final form of the limited guarantee and
(iv) a description of the terms proposed by the consortium with respect to the participation of
Messrs. Mark, Randall and Lowry Mays in the surviving corporation.
On November 12, 2006,
representatives of THLee and Bain informed Goldman Sachs that TPG would not be
a participant in Consortium 2.
Consortium 1 and Consortium 2 submitted complete bid packages on November 13, 2006.
The board of directors convened a special meeting on November 14, 2006, which was also
attended by representatives of Akin Gump, Goldman Sachs, Lazard and Sidley. Present at the commencement of
the meeting were each of the disinterested directors. Akin Gump reviewed the directors fiduciary
duties in considering strategic alternatives, including the sale of the Company. Representatives
of Goldman Sachs then made a presentation to the disinterested
directors. During this presentation Goldman Sachs orally reviewed the history of negotiations with Consortium 1 and Consortium 2 and
developments since the last meeting of the board of directors. Goldman Sachs also reviewed its
contacts with Consortium 3 and Consortium 4 and confirmed to the disinterested directors that each
such consortium had been informed that if, after conducting preliminary due diligence, it had made
a qualified proposal that sufficient time would be provided to it in order to participate in the
bidding process.
Goldman Sachs then reviewed the two bid packages received on November 13, 2006. Each
consortium proposed an all cash transaction at a price of $36.50 per common share. Goldman Sachs
also described the terms
37
proposed by each of the consortium for the participation of management in the surviving
corporation. Akin Gump described how the key terms discussed at the November 7, 2006 board meeting
had been resolved and reviewed with the disinterested directors the principal differences between
the two merger agreements submitted as part of the bid packages. The non-financial terms proposed
by Consortium 2 were overall more favorable than those proposed by Consortium 1 with respect to
matters affecting the responsibilities of the consortium to resolve issues that may arise in
obtaining necessary regulatory consents. Conversely, the structure and amounts of the termination
fees payable by the consortium in the event of a breach or failure to close in certain
circumstances proposed by Consortium 1 were more favorable than those proposed by Consortium 2.
Further, Consortium 1 proposed a go-shop period of 30 days following signing and consortium 2
proposed a go-shop period of 51 days following signing. The disinterested directors then received
reports from regulatory counsel with respect to the FCC and HSR approval processes, issues that may
be encountered and any differences presented by the participants of
the two consortia.
Following the presentations by Goldman, Akin Gump and regulatory counsel, the disinterested
directors directed Goldman Sachs to communicate with each of Consortium 1 and Consortium 2 that
their bids reflected identical per share prices and that they would need to improve their bids if
they were to receive favorable consideration and to review the merger agreement provisions they
could improve to make their bid more favorable.
The disinterested directors then discussed the current change in control contracts between the
Company and each of Messrs. Mark, Randall and Lowry Mays, including provisions providing for income
tax and excise tax gross ups and the potential financial impact these arrangements might have on a
merger proposal when compared to benchmark arrangements with executives at comparable companies.
The disinterested directors determined to request Messrs. Mark, Randall and Lowry Mays to accept a
reduction in their change in control payments and benefits, including the elimination of income tax
gross ups. Messrs. Alan Feld and John Zachry, chairman of the compensation committee, were requested
to communicate these requests. The meeting was adjourned to the following morning.
Following adjournment, Goldman Sachs and Akin Gump communicated the instructions of the board
of directors to each of Consortium 1 and Consortium 2 and requested that each of the consortiums
submit improved bids on November 15, 2006.
The
meeting of the board of directors was reconvened on November 15,
2006. Mr. Mark Mays reported
to the board that, in order to assure the receipt of the best price available in the circumstances,
each of he, Randall Mays and Lowry Mays had agreed to a reduction in payments and benefits
otherwise provided by their change in control agreements in the event
that the Company entered into
a merger agreement with either Consortium 1 or Consortium 2 and the merger (or a superior proposal)
was consummated. The agreed upon reductions included the elimination of Lowry Mays cash severance
payment otherwise due him upon a termination of employment following the Merger, a reduction in the
severance payment and benefits otherwise due Messrs. Mark Mays and Randall Mays upon a termination of
employment following the Merger, the elimination of the income tax
gross ups otherwise due Messrs. Mark Mays and Randall Mays, and certain other modifications. As a result of these agreed upon changes,
it was estimated, by the disinterested directors based on certain assumptions, including among others the timing of the closing,
that the Company would realize approximately $300 million in
savings, which the disinterested directors
expected would enable the
potential buyer to offer a higher consideration for the Company. The disinterested directors
expressed their appreciation to the Mayses for these concessions and Goldman Sachs was instructed
by the disinterested directors to inform each of Consortium 1 and Consortium 2 of these changes so
that they could be reflected in their revised proposals. In addition, the deadline for submitting
the revised proposals was extended to provide sufficient time to reflect these changes.
The board of directors then received an updated presentation from Goldman Sachs reflecting its
final assessment of the strategic alternatives available to the Company. The directors discussed
the presentation and asked questions of management and conducted a thorough review of each of these
alternatives, including the risks and challenges presented by each alternative; the potential value
that each alternative could generate to the Companys shareholders; the potential disruption to the
Companys existing business plans and prospects occasioned by each alternative; and the likelihood
of successfully executing on such alternatives. Following this presentation the board of directors
determined that, depending on receipt of a final proposal from one of the consortium that was
acceptable to the disinterested directors, a sale of the Company presented the strategic
alternative that was in the best interests of the shareholders. Messrs. Mark, Randall and Lowry
Mays confirmed that
38
they were prepared to conclude their management arrangements with either consortium if that
were the decision of the disinterested directors.
Messrs. Mark, Randall and Lowry Mays and B. J. McCombs left the meeting and the disinterested
directors continued the meeting. Following receipt of the revised proposal from each of Consortium
1 and Consortium 2, the two proposals were read to the disinterested directors. Consortium 1
submitted a revised proposal at $36.85 per share and Consortium 2 submitted a revised proposal at
$37.60 per share. In addition, each of the two revised proposals reflected improvements to the
terms of the merger agreement. It was determined by the disinterested directors that the proposal
submitted by Consortium 2 represented the most attractive proposal. At the request of the
disinterested directors, Goldman Sachs reviewed with the disinterested directors its financial
analysis of the merger consideration proposed by Consortium 2 and rendered to the board of
directors an opinion, which opinion was subsequently confirmed in writing, to the effect that, as
of that date and based upon and subject to the matters described in its opinion, the $37.60,
without interest, to be paid to holders of Company common stock (other than holders of Rollover
Shares) pursuant to the Merger Agreement was fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders.
The full text of the written opinion of Goldman Sachs, which sets forth the assumptions made,
procedures followed, matters considered and limitations on the review undertaken with such
opinions, is attached as Annex B to this proxy statement.
Prior to approving the execution of definitive agreements, the disinterested directors
requested that the special advisory committee report to the directors its assessment of the
fairness of the terms of the proposed merger with Consortium 2 to our shareholders. The meeting of
the board was then recessed and the special advisory committee convened separately with Sidley,
Lazard and Watson Wyatt. At the meeting of the special advisory committee, the special advisory
committee requested that Lazard render an opinion as to whether the financial consideration to be
received by our shareholders in the proposed merger with entities sponsored by Consortium 2 was
fair from a financial point of view to our shareholders (other than
the Company, Merger Sub, any holder of Rollover Shares and any
shareholder who is entitled to demand and properly perfects appraisal
rights). Lazard delivered to the special advisory
committee an oral opinion, which was subsequently confirmed by a written opinion dated November 16,
2006, that, as of such date and based upon and subject to the factors and assumptions set forth in
its written opinion, the consideration to be received by the holders of our common stock in the
proposed merger was fair, from a financial point of view, to such
holders (other than
the Company, Merger Sub, any holder of Rollover Shares and any
shareholder who is entitled to demand and properly perfects appraisal
rights). The full text of the
written opinion of Lazard, which sets forth the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters
considered and limitations on the review undertaken with such opinion, is attached as Annex C to
this proxy statement. Watson Wyatt advised the special advisory
committee that the modified management arrangements conformed more
closely in design and amount to benchmarks (except with respect to
Lowry Mays, whose amended arrangement was more favorable to the
Company than a standard arrangement). Watson Wyatt confirmed their
report that buyouts for the full amount of existing severance
arrangements are typical in leveraged buyout transactions, the
proposed award of restricted stock to Mark and Randall Mays was in an
amount consistent with a buyout of the modified severance
arrangements and the proposed equity pool for management in the
modified arrangements was within benchmark ranges.
After
additional discussion and deliberation with its advisors, the special advisory committee determined
that the terms of the proposed merger with entities sponsored by Consortium 2 was fair to our
unaffiliated shareholders.
Following the meeting of the special advisory committee, the directors (excluding Mark,
Randall and Lowry Mays and B. J. McCombs) reconvened, and the chair of the special advisory
committee reported to the disinterested directors as a whole its assessment as to fairness. The
board of directors, by the unanimous vote of the disinterested directors, determined that the
Merger is advisable, fair to and in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders,
approved the Merger and the Merger Agreement and resolved to recommend to the shareholders of the
Company approval of the Merger and approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement.
After the meeting was adjourned, the Company, the Fincos and Merger Sub executed the Merger
Agreement and issued a press release announcing the Merger.
Following
the execution of the Merger Agreement, Goldman Sachs began the
process of contacting private equity firms and strategic buyers that
might be interested in exploring a transaction with the Company. Of
the 22 parties contacted during the 21-day post-signing go-shop
period, none submitted a proposal to pursue a transaction with the
Company. Accordingly, on December 8, 2006, we notified the Fincos
that we had not received any proposals that would qualify as an
Excluded Competing Proposal for purposes of the
solicitation provisions of the Merger Agreement.
Reasons for the Merger
Determinations of the Special Advisory Committee and of the Board of Directors
On September 25, 2006, the disinterested members of our board of directors formed a special
advisory committee comprised of three disinterested and independent members of the board. The
special advisory committee was formed for the purpose of (i) prior to execution of the Merger
Agreement, providing its assessment, after receiving the advice of financial advisors and other
experts, as to the fairness of the terms of the Merger Agreement, and (ii) following execution of
the Merger Agreement, in the event the Company receives a Competing Proposal (as defined below
under The Merger Agreement Solicitations of Alternative Proposals), providing its assessment,
after receiving the advice of financial advisors and other experts, as to the fairness and/or
superiority of the terms of
39
the
Competing Proposal and the continuing fairness of the terms of the
Merger Agreement. The process for pursuing, and all negotiations with
respect to, the Merger Agreement (and any other possible transaction)
were directed by the disinterested directors as a whole. The
special advisory committee unanimously determined that the terms of the Merger Agreement were fair
to the Companys unaffiliated shareholders.
In
reaching its determination, the special advisory committee consulted
its legal and financial advisors and other experts and considered a
number of factors, including, but not limited to, those positive and
potentially negative factors set forth below. The special advisory
committee considered all of the factors as a whole in making its
assessment. In view of the variety of factors considered in connection
with its assessment as to fairness, the special advisory committee
did not find it practicable to and did not quantify, rank or
otherwise assign relative or specific weight or values to any of
these factors. In addition, each individual member of the special
advisory committee may have given different weights to different
factors.
After careful
consideration, the board of directors, by a separate unanimous vote of the
disinterested directors, approved, adopted
and declared advisable the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, and
determined that the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby are fair to, and in
the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, and recommends that you vote FOR the
adoption of the Merger Agreement. In considering the recommendation of the board of directors with
respect to the Merger Agreement, you should be aware that some of the Companys directors and
executive officers who participated in meetings of the board of directors have interests in the
Merger that are different from, or in addition to, the interests of our shareholders generally.
See The Merger Interests of the Companys Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger
beginning on page 44.
In
reaching its decisions our board of directors consulted with its financial and legal advisors, and considered a number of factors,
including, but not limited to, those set forth below:
|
|
|
The board of directors familiarity with the business, financial condition, results
of operations, prospects and competitive position of the Company, including the
challenges faced by the Company and other risks inherent in achieving our plans. |
|
|
|
|
The judgment of the disinterested directors regarding the prospects of the Company
based on its current and historical performance, managements projections, the
uncertainties regarding industries in which the Company operates and the risks inherent
in achieving managements projections. |
|
|
|
|
The results of the board of directors review, with the assistance of Goldman Sachs,
of the strategic alternatives available to the Company, including the board of
directors assessment of the risks and challenges presented by each alternative; the
potential value that each alternative could generate to the Companys shareholders; the
potential disruption to the Companys existing business plans and prospects occasioned
by each alternative; and the likelihood of successfully executing on each such
alternative. |
|
|
|
|
The prior strategic initiatives implemented by the Company, including the initial
public offering of approximately 10% of the common stock of Clear Channel Outdoor
Holdings, Inc., the 100% spin-off of Live Nation, a $1.6 billion return of capital to
the Companys shareholders in the form of stock repurchases and a 50% increase in the
Companys regular quarterly dividend, which had failed to increase the market price of
the Company common stock to a level reflective of the value of the Companys
businesses. |
|
|
|
|
The fact that the Company, with the assistance of its advisors, had conducted a
wide-ranging process to solicit indications of interest in a transaction, including (i)
the public announcement on October 25, 2006 of its intention to evaluate strategic
alternatives, (ii) the execution of [ ] confidentiality agreements, (iii) the receipt
of preliminary indications of interest from four consortia of private equity firms,
(iv) active due diligence and management interviews by three consortia of private
equity firms, (v) the conduct of discussions and negotiations with consortia of private
equity firms and (vi) the receipt of two definitive proposals to acquire the Company,
as described under The MergerBackground of the Merger. |
|
|
|
|
The financial presentation and analysis, including the opinion dated November 16,
2006 of Goldman Sachs to the board of directors, to the effect that as of that date,
and based upon and subject to the factors and assumptions set forth therein, the $37.60
per share in cash, without interest, to be received by the holders of
the outstanding shares of Company common stock (other than the holders of Rollover Shares) pursuant to
the Merger Agreement was fair from a financial point of view, to such holders as
described under Opinions of Financial Advisors Opinion of |
40
|
|
|
the Companys Financial Advisor The full text of the Goldman Sachs opinion is attached to
this proxy statement as Annex B. |
|
|
|
|
The financial presentation and analysis, including the opinion dated November 16,
2006 of Lazard to the special advisory committee, to the effect that as of that date,
and based upon and subject to certain assumptions, factors and qualifications set forth
therein, the Merger Consideration to be paid to the holders
of Company common stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement was fair, from a financial point of view, to
such holders of our common stock (other than the Company, Merger Sub, any holder of
Rollover Shares and any shareholder who is entitled to demand and properly perfects appraisal rights)
as described under Opinions of Financial Advisors
Opinion of the Special Advisory Committees Financial Advisor
The full text of the Lazard opinion is attached to this proxy statement as Annex C. |
|
|
|
|
The current and historical market prices of the Companys common stock and the
premium over the recent historical market prices of our common stock reflected in the
$37.60 price per share, a premium of approximately 16.8% above the closing trading
price of the Company common stock on October 24, 2006, the day prior to the
announcement of the Companys decision to consider strategic alternatives, a premium of
approximately 25.4% above the average closing price of the Company common stock during
the 30 trading days ended October 24, 2006, and a premium of approximately 24.3% over
the average closing trading price of the Company common Stock over the one year period
ended November 15, 2006. |
|
|
|
|
The fact that the $37.60 price per share reflected the highest firm proposal
received from all parties contacted in soliciting indications of interest under the
process discussed above. |
|
|
|
|
The assessment by the special advisory committee that the
terms of the Merger Agreement were fair to the Companys
shareholders. |
|
|
|
|
The Debt Commitment Letters indicated a strong commitment on the part of the lenders
with few conditions that would permit the lenders to terminate their commitments. |
|
|
|
|
The terms of the Merger Agreement and the related agreements, including: |
|
1. |
|
A 21-day post-signing go-shop period, during which the Company
may solicit additional interest in transactions involving the Company, and
after such 21-day period, continue discussions with certain persons under
certain circumstances for an additional 29 days; |
|
|
2. |
|
the Companys ability after the go-shop period, under certain
other limited circumstances, to furnish information to and conduct negotiations
with third parties regarding other proposals; |
|
|
3. |
|
the fact that the Merger Agreement permits the Company to
respond to Competing Proposals, and upon payment of a fee of $500 million ($300
million during the go-shop period), to accept a proposal that our board of
directors determines to be superior to the terms of the Merger Agreement and
the transactions contemplated thereby, under certain circumstances as more
fully described under The Merger Agreement Solicitation of Alternative
Proposals; |
|
|
4. |
|
the limited number and nature of the conditions to funding set
forth in the Debt Commitment Letters and the obligation of the buyer to use its
reasonable best efforts (1) to obtain the debt financing and (2) if the buyer
fails to effect the closing because of a failure to obtain the debt financing,
to pay us a $500 million termination fee; |
|
|
5. |
|
the provisions of the Merger Agreement that allow our board of
directors, under certain circumstances, to change its recommendation that the
Companys shareholders vote in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement; |
|
|
6. |
|
the limited number and nature of the conditions which must be
satisfied prior to the consummation of the Merger under the Merger Agreement,
including the absence of a financing condition; |
41
|
7. |
|
the fact that the Company will be entitled to a termination fee
of $600 million, in certain circumstances, if the Merger Agreement is
terminated due to the failure to receive the requisite regulatory approvals
prior to a specified date provided that all other conditions to Merger Subs
obligations to consummate the Merger have been satisfied; and |
|
|
8. |
|
the fact that the Sponsors have agreed not to syndicate equity
interests in Merger Sub to other private equity firms that executed
confidentiality agreements prior to the signing of the Merger Agreement. |
|
|
|
The modifications to the employment agreements of Messrs. Mark, Randall and Lowry Mays,
including the agreement that the proposed transaction would not be deemed a change of
control under their employment agreements. |
|
|
|
|
The several limited guarantees provided by the Sponsors and the respective
representations, warranties and covenants of the parties. |
|
|
|
|
The fact that the consideration to be received in the Merger by the holders of the
outstanding shares of Company common stock (other than the Rollover Shares) is all
cash. |
|
|
|
|
The understanding of the directors, after consulting with their financial and legal
advisers, that the termination fee of $500 million ($300 million if the termination
occurs during the go-shop period) to be paid by the Company if the Merger Agreement is
terminated under certain circumstances, was reasonable, customary and not preclusive. |
|
|
|
|
The availability of appraisal rights to our shareholders who comply with all
required procedures under Texas law. |
|
|
|
|
The experience of the Sponsors in completing acquisitions. |
The board of directors also considered the following potentially negative factors in reaching
its decision to approve, adopt and declare advisable in all respects the Merger Agreement and the
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement:
|
|
|
The risk that the financing contemplated by the Debt Commitment Letters for the
consummation of the Merger might not be obtained. |
|
|
|
|
The fact that the consideration received in the Merger will be taxable to the
shareholders of the Company. |
|
|
|
|
The fact that the shareholders (other than holders of Rollover Shares) would have no
continuing equity interest in the Company following the proposed transaction and
therefore would not participate in any potential future growth or earnings or any
potential future transaction that might occur at a later time if the Company remained
public. |
|
|
|
|
The fact that the interests of certain directors and officers of the Company are
different in certain respects from the interests of shareholders generally, as
described under The Merger Interests of the Companys Directors and Executive
Officers in the Merger, including potential payments to be made to members of the
Companys management in the transaction. |
|
|
|
|
The restrictions on the conduct of our business prior to the consummation of the
Merger, which, subject to specific limitations, may delay or prevent the Company from
taking certain actions during the time that the Merger Agreement remains in effect. |
|
|
|
|
The requirement that under the terms of the Merger Agreement, the Company would pay
the Fincos a termination fee if it were to terminate the Merger Agreement to accept a
Superior Proposal for the acquisition of the Company, if the board of directors were to
change its recommendation concerning the Merger Agreement, and in certain other
circumstances (including, |
42
|
|
|
in some instances, if shareholders do not vote to adopt the Merger Agreement), and
that our obligation to pay the termination fee might discourage other parties from
proposing a business combination with, or an acquisition of, the Company. |
|
|
|
|
The fact that the Company is entering into a Merger Agreement with a newly formed
entity with essentially no assets and, accordingly, that its remedy in connection with
a breach, even a breach that is deliberate or willful, of the Merger Agreement by
Merger Sub is limited to a termination fee of $500 million ($600 million in certain
circumstances if the breach results in a failure to obtain necessary regulatory
consents). |
|
|
|
|
The risks and costs to the Company if the Merger does not close, including the
diversion of management and employee attention, potential employee attrition and the
potential impact on the Companys businesses. |
|
|
|
|
The risk that while the Merger is expected to be completed, there can be no
assurance that all conditions to the parties obligations to complete the Merger will
be satisfied, and as a result, it is possible that the Merger may not be completed even
if approved by our shareholders. |
|
|
|
|
The approvals required for consummation of the transaction,
including the approval of the FTC or the Antitrust Division of the
U.S. Department of Justice under the HSR Act and the FCC Consent, and
the time periods that may be required to obtain those approvals. |
The board of directors considered all of the factors as a whole and the board of directors
unanimously considered the factors in their totality to be favorable to and in support of the
decision to approve, adopt and declare advisable in all respects the Merger Agreement and the
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and to recommend that the Companys shareholders
approve and adopt the Merger Agreement.
In view of the variety of factors considered in connection with its evaluation of the Merger,
the board of directors did not find it practicable to and did not quantify, rank or otherwise
assign relative or specific weight or values to any of these factors. In addition, each individual
director may have given different weights to different factors.
The foregoing discussion of our board of directors considerations concerning the Merger is
forward looking in nature. This information should be read in light of the discussions under the
heading Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Information.
Recommendation of the Board of Directors
After careful consideration our board of directors by unanimous vote (excluding Messrs. Mark
P. Mays, Randall T. Mays, L. Lowry Mays and B. J. McCombs who recused themselves from the
deliberations):
|
|
|
determined that the Merger is fair to and in the best interests of the Company and
its unaffiliated shareholders; |
|
|
|
|
approved, adopted and declared advisable the Merger Agreement and the transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement; |
|
|
|
|
recommended that the shareholders of the Company vote in favor of the Merger and
directed that such matter be submitted for consideration of the shareholders of the
Company at the special meeting; and |
|
|
|
|
authorized the execution, delivery and performance of the Merger Agreement and the
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. |
43
Interests of the Companys Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger
In considering the recommendation of the board of directors with respect to the Merger
Agreement, you should be aware that some of the Companys directors and executive officers have
interests in the Merger that are different from, or in addition to, the interests of our
shareholders generally. These interests, to the extent material, are described below. The board
of directors was aware of these interests and considered them, among other matters, in approving
the Merger Agreement and the Merger.
Treatment of Company Stock Options
As of the record date, there were [ ] outstanding Company stock
options held by our directors and executive officers under the Companys stock option plans. Of
these Company stock options, [ ] have an exercise price below $37.60, and
are considered in the money. Each outstanding Company stock option that remains outstanding and
unexercised as of the Effective Time, whether vested or unvested (except as described below under
Equity Rollover), will automatically become fully vested and convert into the right to receive a
cash payment equal to the product of (i) the excess, if any, of the Merger Consideration over the
exercise price per share of the Company stock option and (ii) the number of shares of Company
common stock issuable upon exercise of such Company stock option. As of the Effective Time,
Company stock options will no longer be outstanding and will automatically cease to exist, and the
holders thereof will no longer have any rights with respect to the Company stock options, except
the right to receive the cash payment, if any, described in the preceding sentence.
The following table identifies, for each of our directors and executive officers, the
aggregate number of shares of Company common stock subject to outstanding vested and unvested in
the money options as of November 30, 2006, the aggregate number of shares of Company common stock
subject to outstanding unvested in the money options that will become fully vested in connection
with the Merger, the weighted average exercise price and value of such unvested in the money
options, and the weighted average exercise price and value of vested and unvested in the money
options. The information in the table assumes that all options remain outstanding on the closing
date of the Merger.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
|
|
|
Average |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
Average |
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise |
|
|
|
|
Aggregate |
|
Shares |
|
Exercise |
|
|
|
|
|
Price of |
|
Value of |
|
|
Shares |
|
Underlying |
|
Price of |
|
Value of |
|
Vested and |
|
Vested and |
|
|
Subject to |
|
Unvested |
|
Unvested |
|
Unvested |
|
Unvested |
|
Unvested |
Name |
|
Options |
|
Options |
|
Options |
|
Options |
|
Options |
|
Options |
Alan D. Feld |
|
|
10,365 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21.76590 |
|
|
|
164,120 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Perry J. Lewis |
|
|
43,848 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29.03667 |
|
|
|
375,485 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
L. Lowry Mays |
|
|
853,352 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30.80551 |
|
|
|
5,798,095 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mark P. Mays |
|
|
499,691 |
|
|
|
499,691 |
|
|
|
32.78604 |
|
|
|
2,405,491 |
|
|
|
32.78604 |
|
|
|
2,405,491 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Randall T. Mays |
|
|
499,691 |
|
|
|
499,691 |
|
|
|
32.78604 |
|
|
|
2,405,491 |
|
|
|
32.78604 |
|
|
|
2,405,491 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
B. J. McCombs |
|
|
30,333 |
|
|
|
28,767 |
|
|
|
31.59885 |
|
|
|
172,638 |
|
|
|
31.57640 |
|
|
|
182,714 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Phyllis B. Riggins |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Theodore H. Strauss |
|
|
10,365 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21.76590 |
|
|
|
164,120 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. C. Watts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John H. Williams |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John B. Zachry |
|
|
22,500 |
|
|
|
22,500 |
|
|
|
31.72000 |
|
|
|
132,300 |
|
|
|
31.72000 |
|
|
|
132,300 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paul J. Meyer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
44
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
|
|
|
Average |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
Average |
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise |
|
|
|
|
Aggregate |
|
Shares |
|
Exercise |
|
|
|
|
|
Price of |
|
Value of |
|
|
Shares |
|
Underlying |
|
Price of |
|
Value of |
|
Vested and |
|
Vested and |
|
|
Subject to |
|
Unvested |
|
Unvested |
|
Unvested |
|
Unvested |
|
Unvested |
Name |
|
Options |
|
Options |
|
Options |
|
Options |
|
Options |
|
Options |
John E. Hogan |
|
|
244,268 |
|
|
|
222,073 |
|
|
|
30.76224 |
|
|
|
1,518,482 |
|
|
|
31.15280 |
|
|
|
1,574,844 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Herbert W. Hill, Jr. |
|
|
15,626 |
|
|
|
13,728 |
|
|
|
33.26762 |
|
|
|
59,475 |
|
|
|
33.48541 |
|
|
|
64,295 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Andrew W. Levin |
|
|
40,717 |
|
|
|
34,902 |
|
|
|
33.07283 |
|
|
|
158,007 |
|
|
|
33.35672 |
|
|
|
172,774 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William G. Moll |
|
|
61,021 |
|
|
|
52,025 |
|
|
|
32.69464 |
|
|
|
255,201 |
|
|
|
31.39232 |
|
|
|
378,799 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Donald D. Perry |
|
|
9,870 |
|
|
|
9,870 |
|
|
|
30.72442 |
|
|
|
67,862 |
|
|
|
30.72442 |
|
|
|
67,862 |
|
Treatment of Company Restricted Stock
As of the record date, our directors and executive officers held [ ]
shares of Company restricted stock. Each share of Company restricted stock that remains
outstanding as of the Effective Time, including Company restricted stock held by our executive
officers and directors (except as described below under Equity Rollover), whether vested or
unvested, will automatically become fully vested and convert into the right to receive a cash
payment equal to the Merger Consideration. As of the Effective Time, all shares of Company
restricted stock will no longer be outstanding and will automatically cease to exist, and such
directors and executive officers will no longer have any rights with respect to their shares of
Company restricted stock, except the right to receive a cash payment equal to the Merger
Consideration in respect of each share of Company restricted stock.
The following table identifies, for each of our directors and executive officers, the
aggregate number of shares of Company restricted stock held by such director or executive officer
as of November 30, 2006 and the value of these shares of Company restricted stock that will become
fully vested in connection with the Merger. The information in this table assumes that all such
shares of Company restricted stock remain outstanding on the closing date of the Merger.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aggregate Shares of |
|
Value of Shares of |
Name |
|
Company Restricted Stock |
|
Company Restricted Stock |
Alan D. Feld |
|
|
6,825 |
|
|
$ |
256,620 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Perry J. Lewis |
|
|
6,825 |
|
|
$ |
256,620 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
L. Lowry Mays |
|
|
84,000 |
|
|
$ |
3,158,400 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mark P. Mays |
|
|
234,000 |
|
|
$ |
8,798,400 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Randall T. Mays |
|
|
234,000 |
|
|
$ |
8,798,400 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
B. J. McCombs |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Phyllis B. Riggins |
|
|
7,725 |
|
|
$ |
290,460 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Theodore H. Strauss |
|
|
6,825 |
|
|
$ |
256,620 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. C. Watts |
|
|
6,825 |
|
|
$ |
256,620 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John H. Williams |
|
|
6,825 |
|
|
$ |
256,620 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John B. Zachry |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
45
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aggregate Shares of |
|
Value of Shares of |
Name |
|
Company Restricted Stock |
|
Company Restricted Stock |
Paul J. Meyer |
|
|
12,000 |
|
|
$ |
451,200 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John E. Hogan |
|
|
75,000 |
|
|
$ |
2,820,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Herbert W. Hill, Jr. |
|
|
9,750 |
|
|
$ |
366,600 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Andrew W. Levin |
|
|
20,932 |
|
|
$ |
787,043 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Donald D. Perry |
|
|
18,750 |
|
|
$ |
705,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William G. Moll |
|
|
6,250 |
|
|
$ |
235,000 |
|
Severance
At the request of the Companys disinterested directors, the Company has entered into second
amendments to the current employment agreements with each of Lowry Mays, Mark Mays and Randall
Mays, to (i) provide that the consummation of the Merger alone will not give them Good Reason (as
defined in the employment agreements) to resign and receive the
severance payments and benefits provided in the
respective employment agreements, and (ii) modify the severance provisions applicable following
consummation of the Merger as follows:
|
|
|
Effective upon consummation of the Merger, or a transaction qualifying as a
Superior Proposal as defined in the Merger Agreement, the employment agreements for
each of Mark and Randall Mays have been modified to provide that if his employment is
terminated by the Company without Cause or if they resign for Good Reason (as
modified as described above), then they will each receive (i) a lump-sum cash payment
equal to the base salary, bonus and accrued vacation pay through the date of
termination, (ii) a lump-sum cash payment equal to 2.99 times the sum of his base
salary and bonus (using the highest bonus paid to executive in the three years
preceding the termination, but not less than $1,000,000), and
(iii) three years
continued benefits for himself, his spouse and his dependents. As part of the
amendments, both Mark and Randall Mays have also relinquished the right to receive a
federal and state income-tax gross-up payment in connection with amounts payable upon
termination, as well as the right to receive options to purchase 1,000,000 shares of
Company common stock upon termination. Except as described above, the employment
agreements otherwise remain as previously in effect. |
|
|
|
|
Effective upon consummation of the Merger or a transaction qualifying as a Superior
Proposal as defined in the Merger Agreement, the employment agreement for L. Lowry Mays
has been modified to provide that, if his employment is terminated by the Company
without Cause or if he resigns for Good Reason (as modified as described above),
then he will receive a lump-sum cash payment equal to his base salary, bonus and
accrued vacation pay through the date of termination. As part of the amendment, Mr.
Mays relinquished (i) his right to any other cash severance payments (other than
the right to receive a federal and state income tax gross-up payment in connection
with amounts payable upon termination), as well as (ii) the right to receive options to
purchase 1,000,000 shares of Company common stock upon termination. Except as
described above, the employment agreement otherwise remains as previously in effect. |
46
Pursuant to a severance policy adopted by the Company, any corporate officer of the Company
(including executive officers) actively employed on November 16, 2006, except for any corporate
officer who is collectively bargained or party to an employment or other agreement with the Company
or any of its subsidiaries that provides for severance, who is terminated without cause or
resigns for good reason in the period beginning on November 16, 2006 and ending one year after
the Effective Time, will be entitled to 18 months of his or her base pay plus 18 months of his or
her monthly bonus as severance. Monthly bonus is defined by the severance policy to be an amount
equal to the corporate officers 2006 annual bonus earned by the officer divided by 12. Consistent
with past practice the 2006 annual bonus for Companys corporate officers is expected to be
determined during the first quarter of 2007.
Assuming that each executive officer is involuntarily terminated without cause or such
employee terminates employment for good reason between November 16, 2006 and one year following
the Effective Time, the amount of cash severance benefits (based upon the executive officers
current monthly base pay and his or her 2005 monthly bonus) that would be payable is:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated Potential Cash |
Name |
|
Severance Benefits |
L. Lowry Mays (1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mark P. Mays (1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Randall T. Mays (1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paul J. Meyer (1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John E. Hogan (1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Herbert W. Hill, Jr. |
|
|
270,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Andrew W. Levin |
|
|
562,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
William G. Moll (2) |
|
|
270,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Donald D. Perry (2) |
|
|
595,000 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Messrs. L. Lowry Mays, Mark P. Mays, Randall T. Mays, Paul J. Meyer and John Hogan are all
employed pursuant to employment agreements and not covered by this severance policy. In addition,
each of the employment agreements of Messrs. L. Lowry Mays, Mark P. Mays and Randall T. Mays will
be terminated or modified, as applicable, and replaced with new or amended employment agreements
which terms will be as described below under New Employment Agreements. |
|
(2) |
|
In connection with a divestiture of certain radio and television assets, the Companys
severance policy provides that if a corporate officer, except for any corporate officer who is
collectively bargained or party to an employment or other agreement with the Company or any of its
subsidiaries that provides for severance, is involuntarily terminated without cause, not offered
comparable employment with the successor entity, or resigns for good reason in connection with
the divestiture, the corporate officer will be entitled to 24 months of his or her base pay plus
24 months of his or her monthly bonus as severance. |
Equity Rollover
In connection with the Merger Agreement, the Fincos and L. Lowry Mays, our chairman of the
board of directors, Mark P. Mays, our Chief Executive Officer/Chief Operating Officer, and Randall
T. Mays, our President/Chief Financial Officer, entered into a letter agreement (the Letter
Agreement) pursuant to which each of Mark and Randall Mays have agreed to convert $10 million of
shares of Company common stock, shares of Company restricted stock and in the money Company
stock options into equity securities of the surviving corporation. The Letter Agreement provides
that Mark and Randall Mays, upon execution of new or amended
47
employment agreements with the surviving corporation, will each receive $20 million in
restricted common stock of the surviving corporation, which will vest ratably over five years.
Additionally, the Company has been informed that the Fincos and the Sponsors have provided L. Lowry
Mays and B. J. McCombs, each a member of the Companys board of directors, the opportunity to
convert a portion of their shares of Company common stock, shares of Company restricted stock and
in the money Company stock options held by them into equity securities of the surviving
corporation.
The Merger Agreement contemplates that the Fincos and Merger Sub may agree to permit certain
executive officers to elect that some of their outstanding shares of Company common stock, shares
of Company restricted stock and in the money Company stock options will not be cancelled in
exchange for the Merger Consideration, but instead will be converted into shares or options to
purchase shares of the surviving corporation or an affiliate of the surviving corporation following
the effectiveness of the Merger. We contemplate that such conversions, if any, would be based on
the per share cash consideration being paid to the Company shareholders in the Merger and the per
share prices paid by the Sponsors in connection with equity financing for the transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement, and in the case of Company stock options, would preserve the
spread value of the options. As of the date of this proxy statement, except for the Letter
Agreement, no member of the Companys management nor any director has entered into any agreement,
arrangement or understanding with the Fincos or Merger Sub or their affiliates regarding any such
arrangements.
The Fincos and Merger Sub have informed us that they anticipate offering certain members of
the Companys management the opportunity to convert a portion of their current equity interests in
the Company into equity in the surviving corporation or an affiliate of the surviving corporation
and/or to the right to purchase equity interests in the surviving corporation or an affiliate of
the surviving corporation. Although we believe members of our management team are likely to enter
into new arrangements to purchase or participate in the equity of the surviving corporation or an
affiliate, these matters are subject to further negotiations and discussion and no terms or
conditions have been finalized (other than the Letter Agreement). Any such new arrangements are
expected to be entered into prior to the completion of the Merger.
New Equity Incentive Plan
In connection with the consummation of the Merger, the surviving corporation (or a new parent
company) will adopt a new equity incentive plan, under which participating employees will be
eligible to receive options to acquire stock or other equity interests and/or restricted share
interests. The Letter Agreement contemplates that this new equity incentive plan will permit the
grant of options covering 12.5% of the fully diluted equity of the surviving corporation
immediately after consummation of the Merger (with exercise prices set at fair market value for
shares issuable upon exercise of such options, which for initial grants would be tied to the price
paid by the Sponsors or their affiliates for such securities); but also contemplates that the
parties may substitute restricted stock instead of options (in which event the restricted stock
program would involve the creation of two classes of equity at the holding company level and the
opportunity for a limited number of senior executives to purchase relatively low cost restricted
common stock in order to maximize capital gains treatment on equity appreciation). The Sponsors,
the Fincos, and the Companys management are still analyzing various alternatives for the
implementation of the new equity incentive plan contemplated by the
Letter Agreement. It is contemplated by the parties to the Letter
Agreement that, at the closing of the Merger, a significant majority of the options or other equity
securities to be issued under the new equity incentive plan will be granted. The
Letter Agreement provides that, at the closing of the Merger, each of Mark and Randall Mays will
receive grants of options out of the new equity incentive plan equal to 2.5% of the fully diluted
equity of the surviving corporation, subject to such modifications as may be mutually agreed in the
case the parties elect to implement a restricted stock program (as also contemplated by the Letter
Agreement). Of the options or
other equity securities to be granted to Mark and Randall Mays under the new equity incentive plan at the closing of the
Merger 50% will vest solely based upon continued employment over a specific period of time and the
remaining 50% will vest based both upon continued employment over a specific period of time and
upon the achievement of predetermined performance targets. These will have an exercise price equal to the same
price per share paid by the Sponsors in connection with the equity
financing for the Merger. The size and terms of the option grants to other employees of the Company, including officers of
the Company, have not yet been determined.
48
New Employment Agreements
The Letter Agreement provides that L. Lowry Mays existing employment agreement will be
terminated effective at the Effective Time and replaced with a new five year employment agreement
pursuant to which Mr. Mays will receive an annual salary of $250,000 and benefits and perquisites
consistent with his current arrangement. Mr. Mays also will be eligible to receive an annual bonus
of not less than $1 million upon satisfaction of certain performance goals of the surviving
corporation. Mr. Mays also will agree to be bound by customary covenants not to compete and not to
solicit employees during the term of his agreement.
The Letter Agreement also provides that each of Mark and Randall Mays existing employment
agreements will be terminated or modified effective at the Effective Time, and each new or modified
employment agreement would have the following terms:
|
|
|
the provision of the new option grants as summarized above; |
|
|
|
|
severance upon termination in a lump sum amount equal to three times the executives
annual base salary plus the executives prior years annual cash bonus; |
|
|
|
|
a five-year term, automatically extended for consecutive one year periods unless 12
months prior notice of non-renewal provided; |
|
|
|
|
salary consistent with current salary in effect; |
|
|
|
|
annual bonus not less than executives bonus for the year ended December 31, 2006,
so long as the surviving corporation reaches certain performance goals; and |
|
|
|
|
certain benefits and perquisites consistent with the current employment agreements
(including gross-up payments for excise taxes that may be payable as a result of the
Merger). |
Board of Director Representations
The Letter Agreement provides that Mark Mays and Randall Mays each will be a member of the
board of directors of the surviving corporation, for so long as they are officers of the surviving
corporation. L. Lowry Mays will serve as Chairman Emeritus of the surviving corporation.
Indemnification and Insurance
Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub has agreed that all current rights of
indemnification provided by the Company for its current and former directors or officers shall
survive the Merger and continue in full force and effect. Merger Sub has also agreed to indemnify,
defend and hold harmless, and advance expenses to the Companys current and former directors or
officers to the fullest extent required by the Companys articles of incorporation, bylaws or any
indemnification agreement to which the Company is a party.
Additionally, the surviving corporation for the six years following the Effective Time, will
indemnify and hold harmless each current and former officers and directors of the Company from any
costs or expenses paid in connection with any claim, action or proceeding arising out of or related
to (i) any acts or omissions of a current or former officer or director in their capacity as an
officer or director if the service was at the request or for the benefit of the Company or any of
its subsidiaries or (ii) the Merger, the Merger Agreement any transactions contemplated thereby.
In addition, at the Companys election, the Company or the Fincos will obtain insurance
policies with a claims period of at least six years from the Effective Time with respect to
directors and officers liability insurance that provides coverage for events occurring on or
before the Effective Time. The terms of the policies will be no less favorable than the existing
policy of the Company, unless the cost of the policies would exceed 300% of the current policys
annual premium, in which case the coverage will be the greatest amount available for an amount not
exceeding 300% of the current premium.
49
FINANCING
Financing of the Merger
The total amount of funds necessary to complete the Merger is anticipated to be approximately
$ billion, consisting of (i) approximately $ billion to pay the Companys
shareholders and option holders the amounts due to them under the Merger Agreement, assuming that
no Company shareholder validly exercises and perfects its appraisal rights, (ii) approximately
$ to pay related fees and expenses in connection with the Merger and (iii) approximately
$ to refinance certain existing indebtedness, including all of the Companys existing bank
indebtedness and certain issues of the Companys outstanding public debt. These payments are
expected to be funded by Merger Sub and the Fincos in a combination of equity contributions by
other investors in the Fincos, debt financing obtained by the Fincos and made available to the
Company and to the extent available, cash of the Company. The Fincos and Merger Sub have obtained
equity and debt financing commitments described below in connection with the transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
Equity Financing
The Fincos have received equity commitment letters for an aggregate commitment of up to
approximately $4.0 billion. The Sponsors have collectively agreed to cause up to $2.46 billion of
cash to be contributed to the Fincos, which will constitute the equity portion of the Merger
financing. Subject to certain conditions, each of the Sponsors may assign a portion of its equity
commitment obligation to other investors. The Fincos have received equity commitment letters from
the Equity Investors for approximately $1.55 billion. In addition, subject to certain conditions
agreed to with the Fincos, a portion of each of the Equity Investors commitment may be assigned to
other affiliated and non-affiliated investors. Each of the equity commitments is generally subject
to the satisfaction of the conditions to the Merger Subs obligations to effect the closing under
the Merger Agreement. Each of the equity commitment letters will terminate upon the termination of
the Merger Agreement.
Debt Financing
In connection with the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, the Fincos have
received a debt commitment letter, dated November 16, 2006 (the Debt Commitment Letter), from
Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, Deutsche Bank AG Cayman Islands
Branch, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Morgan Stanley Senior Funding Inc., Credit Suisse, Cayman
Islands Branch, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, The Royal Bank of Scotland, plc, RBS Securities
Corporation, Wachovia Bank, National Association, Wachovia Investment Holdings, LLC and Wachovia
Capital Markets, LLC to provide $21.475 billion in aggregate debt financing, consisting of (i)
senior secured credit facilities in an aggregate principal amount of $16.375 billion (of which up
to $13.850 billion will be available at closing for purposes of financing the Merger and related
transactions), (ii) a receivables-backed revolving credit facility with a maximum availability of
$1.0 billion, (iii) a senior unsecured bridge loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of up
to $2.6 billion, and (iv) a senior subordinated unsecured bridge loan facility in an aggregate
principal amount of up to $1.5 billion to finance, in part, the payment of the Merger
Consideration, the repayment or refinancing of certain of our debt outstanding on the closing date
of the Merger and the payment of fees and expenses in connection with the Merger, refinancing,
financing and related transactions and, after the closing date of the Merger, to provide for
ongoing working capital, refinance other debt and general corporate purposes.
The debt commitments expire on the earlier of (x) 60 days following the termination date set
forth in the Merger Agreement and (y) May 16, 2008. The facilities contemplated by the debt
financing commitments are subject to customary closing conditions, including:
|
|
|
the consummation of the Merger in accordance with the Merger Agreement; |
|
|
|
|
the absence of any amendments or waivers to the Merger Agreement which are
materially adverse to the lenders and which have not been approved by the lead
arrangers under the Debt Commitment Letter; |
|
|
|
|
the absence of any Material Adverse Effect on the Company (as defined below under
The Merger Agreement Representations and Warranties); |
50
|
|
|
the receipt by Merger Sub of cash equity contributions which, together with any
rollover equity and stock issued to existing shareholders and management, constitute at
least 15% of the consolidated capitalization of the Company (excluding certain limited
existing debt); |
|
|
|
|
the execution of definitive credit documentation consistent with the term sheets for
the debt facilities; |
|
|
|
|
the receipt of specified financial statements of the Company; and |
|
|
|
|
the receipt of customary closing documents and deliverables. |
Availability under the contemplated receivables-backed revolving credit facility is limited by
a borrowing base (which is calculated periodically based on a specified percentage of accounts
receivables and is subject to adjustments for reserves and other matters). If availability under
the borrowing base is less than $750 million on the closing date of the Merger, the lenders have
agreed to increase their commitments and availability under the senior secured credit facilities by
the amount of such shortfall.
The Debt Commitment Letter contemplates that at least a majority in principal amount of each
of the Companys existing 7.65% Senior Notes Due 2010 and AMFM Operating Inc.s existing 8% Senior
Notes due 2008 (the Repurchased Existing Notes) will be repurchased, redeemed, satisfied or
discharged on the closing date of the Merger or as soon as practicable thereafter. Under the
Merger Agreement, the Company has agreed to commence, and to cause AMFM Operating Inc. to commence,
debt tender offers to purchase Repurchased Existing Notes with the assistance of the Fincos. As
part of the debt tender offers, the Company and AMFM Operating Inc. will solicit the consent of the
holders to amend, eliminate or waive certain sections (as specified by the Fincos) of the
applicable indenture governing the Repurchased Existing Notes. The closing of the debt tender
offers shall be conditioned on the occurrence of the closing of the Merger, but the closing of the
Merger and the debt financing are not conditioned upon the closing of the debt tender offers.
The Fincos agreed to use their reasonable best efforts to arrange the debt financing on the
terms and conditions described in the debt financing commitments. If any portion of the debt
financing becomes unavailable in the manner or from the sources contemplated in the Debt Commitment
Letter, the Fincos have agreed to use their reasonable best efforts to obtain alternative financing
from alternative sources.
Although the debt financing described in this proxy statement is not subject to due diligence
or a typical market out provision (i.e. a provision allowing lenders not to fund their
commitments if certain conditions in the financial markets prevail) such financing may not be
considered assured. As of the date of this proxy statement, no alternative financing arrangements
or alternative financing plans have been made in the event the debt financing described in this
proxy statement is not available as anticipated.
Under the Merger Agreement, the Debt Commitment Letter may be amended, restated or otherwise
modified or superseded to add lenders and arrangers, increase the amount of debt, replace or modify
the facilities or otherwise replace or modify the Debt Commitment Letter in a manner not less
beneficial in the aggregate to Merger Sub and the Fincos, except that any new debt financing
commitments shall not (i) adversely amend the conditions to the debt financing set forth in the
Debt Commitment Letter in any material respect, (ii) reasonably be expected to delay or prevent the
closing of the Merger, or (iii) reduce the aggregate amount of debt financing available for closing
unless replaced with new equity or debt financing.
OPINION OF FINANCIAL ADVISORS
Opinion of the Companys Financial Advisor
Goldman Sachs rendered its oral opinion, which was subsequently confirmed in writing, to our
board of directors that, as of November 16, 2006 and based upon and subject to the factors and
assumptions set forth therein, the $37.60 per share in cash, without interest, to be received by
the holders of the outstanding shares of Company common stock (other than the Rollover Shares)
pursuant to the Merger Agreement was fair from a financial point of view to such holders.
51
The full text of the written opinion of Goldman Sachs, dated November 16, 2006, which sets
forth the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and limitations on the review
undertaken in connection with the opinion, is attached as Annex B to this proxy statement. Goldman
Sachs provided its opinion for the information and assistance of our board of directors in
connection with its consideration of the transaction. Goldman Sachs opinion is not a
recommendation as to how any holder of shares of Company common stock should vote with respect to
the Merger.
In connection with rendering the opinion described above and performing its related financial
analyses, Goldman Sachs reviewed, among other things:
|
|
|
the Merger Agreement; |
|
|
|
|
annual reports to shareholders and Annual Reports on Form 10-K of the Company for
the five fiscal years ended December 31, 2005; |
|
|
|
|
an annual report to shareholders and an Annual Report on Form 10-K of Clear Channel
Outdoor Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of the Company (Clear Channel Outdoor) for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2005; |
|
|
|
|
Clear Channel Outdoors Registration Statement on Form S-1, including the prospectus
contained therein, dated November 10, 2005, relating to the Clear Channel Outdoor Class
A common stock; |
|
|
|
|
certain interim reports to shareholders and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q of the
Company and Clear Channel Outdoor; |
|
|
|
|
certain other communications from the Company and Clear Channel Outdoor to their
respective shareholders; and |
|
|
|
|
certain internal financial analyses and forecasts for the Company prepared by our
management, which included certain assessments with respect to the likelihood of
achieving such forecasts for the Company and financial analyses and forecasts for Clear
Channel Outdoor. |
Goldman Sachs also held discussions with members of the senior managements of the Company and
Clear Channel Outdoor regarding their assessment of the past and current business operations,
financial condition and future prospects of the Company and Clear Channel Outdoor. In addition,
Goldman Sachs reviewed the reported price and trading activity for our common stock and Clear
Channel Outdoor Class A common stock, compared certain financial and stock market information for
the Company and Clear Channel Outdoor with similar information for certain other companies the
securities of which are publicly traded, reviewed the financial terms of certain recent business
combinations in the broadcasting and outdoor advertising industries specifically and in other
industries generally and performed such other studies and analyses, and considered such other
factors, as it considered appropriate.
Goldman Sachs relied upon the accuracy and completeness of all of the financial, legal,
accounting, tax and other information discussed with or reviewed by it and assumed such accuracy
and completeness for purposes of rendering the opinion described above. In addition, Goldman Sachs
did not make an independent evaluation or appraisal of the assets and liabilities (including any
contingent, derivative or off-balance-sheet assets and liabilities) of the Company, Clear Channel
Outdoor or any of their respective subsidiaries, nor was any evaluation or appraisal of the assets
or liabilities of the Company, Clear Channel Outdoor or any of their respective subsidiaries
furnished to Goldman Sachs. Goldman Sachs opinion does not address the underlying business
decision of the Company to engage in the transaction or the relative merits of the Merger as
compared to any alternative transaction that might be available to the Company. Goldman Sachs
opinion was necessarily based on economic, monetary, market and other conditions as in effect on,
and the information made available to Goldman Sachs as of, the date of the opinion.
The following is a summary of the material financial analyses delivered by Goldman Sachs to
the board of directors of the Company in connection with rendering the opinion described above.
The following summary, however, does not purport to be a complete description of the financial
analyses performed by Goldman Sachs, nor does the order of analyses described represent relative
importance or weight given to those analyses by Goldman
52
Sachs. Some of the summaries of the financial analyses include information presented in
tabular format. The tables must be read together with the full text of each summary and are alone
not a complete description of Goldman Sachs financial analyses. Except as otherwise noted, the
following quantitative information, to the extent that it is based on market data, is based on
market data as it existed on or before November 14, 2006 and is not necessarily indicative of
current market conditions.
Analysis at Various Prices.
Goldman Sachs performed certain analyses, based on historical financial information, SEC
filings and financial forecasts provided by the Companys management at a range of illustrative Company common stock share prices from $35.50 to $37.50 per share. Assuming prices of $35.50 to $37.50 per
share of Company common stock, Goldman Sachs calculated (a) implied equity values using the fully
diluted number of shares of Company common stock outstanding under the treasury stock method of
accounting, (b) implied enterprise values by adding the Companys net debt and minority interests
to the Companys implied equity values, (c) adjusted equity values by subtracting $400 million of
unconsolidated assets and a $1.1 billion present value of tax assets from the Companys implied
equity values, and (d) adjusted enterprise values by subtracting $400 million of unconsolidated
assets and a $1.1 billion present value of tax assets from the Companys implied enterprise values.
Goldman Sachs then calculated (i) the ratio of adjusted enterprise values to revenue, (ii) the
ratio of adjusted enterprise values to earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and
amortization, or EBITDA, and (iii) the ratio of adjusted equity values to free cash flow, or FCF,
adjusted to remove effects of acquisition related depreciation and amortization. The following
table presents the results of Goldman Sachs analysis based on illustrative Company common stock
share prices of $35.50 to $37.50:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted Enterprise Value / Revenue |
|
|
2006E |
|
|
|
3.7x 3.8x |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007E |
|
|
|
3.6x 3.7x |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted Enterprise Value / EBITDA |
|
|
2006E |
|
|
|
11.4x 11.9x |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007E |
|
|
|
10.8x 11.3x |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted Equity Value / Adjusted FCF |
|
|
2006E |
|
|
|
17.4x 18.5x |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007E |
|
|
|
15.1x 16.1x |
|
Goldman Sachs also reviewed the historical trading prices and volumes for our common stock for
the two-year period ended November 14, 2006. In addition, Goldman Sachs analyzed a range of
assumed prices of $35.50 to $37.50 per share of Company common stock in relation to (i) the closing
prices of our common stock on November 14, 2006, on October 6, 2006 (the last trading day prior to
the day that a research analyst issued a report outlining potential strategic alternatives for the
Company and Clear Channel Outdoor), and on September 22, 2006 (the last trading day prior to the
September 25, 2006 meeting of the Companys board of directors during which strategic alternatives
were discussed), (ii) the average market price over the 30-trading day and one-year periods ended
November 14, 2006, (iii) the high price over the 52-week and two-year periods ended November 14,
2006 and (iv) the low price over the 52-week and two-year periods ended November 14, 2006. The
following table presents the results of Goldman Sachs analysis based on illustrative Company
common stock share prices of $35.50 to $37.50:
|
|
|
|
|
Premium to market price of $34.11 per share
(as of November 14, 2006) |
|
|
4.1% - 9.9 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
Premium to undisturbed price of $30.02 per share
(as of October 6, 2006) |
|
|
18.3% - 24.9 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
Premium to undisturbed price of $29.05 per share
(as of September 22, 2006) |
|
|
22.2% - 29.1 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
Premium to average market price of $32.62 per share for the
30-trading day period ended November 14, 2006 |
|
|
8.8% - 15.0 |
% |
53
|
|
|
|
|
Premium to average market price of $30.07 per share for the
one-year period ended November 14, 2006 |
|
|
18.0% - 24.7 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
Premium to
high price of $35.48 per share for the 52-week
period ended November 14, 2006 |
|
|
0.1% - 5.7 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
Premium to high price of $35.48 per share for the two-year
period ended November 14, 2006 |
|
|
0.1% - 5.7 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
Premium to
low price of $27.41per share for the 52-week
period ended November 14, 2006 |
|
|
29.5% - 36.8 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
Premium to low price of $27.41per share for the two-year
period ended November 14, 2006 |
|
|
29.5% - 36.8 |
% |
Present Value of Future Stock Price Analysis.
Goldman Sachs performed an illustrative analysis of the implied present value of the future
stock price of the Company, which is designed to provide an indication of the present value of a
theoretical future value of a companys equity as a function of such companys estimated future
capital structure and implied share price based on an assumed enterprise value as a multiple of
future EBITDA using the Companys management forecasts. For this analysis, Goldman Sachs used the
financial forecasts for the Company prepared by our management and assumed (i) a $1.5 billion
minority interest based on Clear Channel Outdoor and Clear Media Ltd. market data as of November
14, 2006 and a $156 million other minority interest grown in each case at 5% per year based on
management forecasts, (ii) unconsolidated assets of $400 million grown at 5% per year based on
management forecasts, (iii) the present value of tax assets, (iv) that leverage is maintained at a
total debt to last twelve months EBITDA ratio of 3.5x, (v) that excess cash flow is used to
repurchase our common stock at enterprise value to one-year forward EBITDA multiples of 9.0x to
10.0x, and (vi) an annual recurring dividend of $0.75 per share. Goldman Sachs first calculated
implied per share values for our common stock at year end for each of the fiscal years 2007 to 2011
by applying price to one-year forward EBITDA multiples of 9.0x to 10.0x to estimates prepared by
our management of fiscal years 2008 to 2012 EBITDA. Goldman Sachs then discounted those values and
the value of any dividends to be paid up to the date of the future share price to November 14,
2006, using an equity discount rate of 10.0%. This analysis resulted in a range of illustrative
values per share of Company common stock of $27.40 to $34.44.
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis.
Goldman Sachs performed an illustrative discounted cash flow analysis using the Companys
management forecasts to determine a range of implied present values per share of Company common
stock. All cash flows were discounted to November 14, 2006, and terminal values were based upon
perpetuity growth rates for cash flows in the year 2012 and beyond. In performing the illustrative
discounted cash flow analysis, Goldman Sachs applied discount rates ranging from 8.0% to 9.0% to
the projected unlevered free cash flows of the Company for the remainder of 2006 and calendar years
2007 to 2011. The discount rates applied by Goldman Sachs reflect the weighted average cost of
capital of the Company based on the capital structure of the Company as of November 14, 2006.
Goldman Sachs also applied perpetuity growth rates ranging from 1.75% to 2.75%. This analysis
resulted in a range of illustrative values per share of Company common stock of $25.66 to $39.27.
Recapitalization Analysis.
Goldman Sachs analyzed an illustrative recapitalization transaction involving the Company and
the theoretical value that our shareholders could receive in such a transaction. In the
illustrative recapitalization transaction, the Company used after-tax proceeds from the sale of
certain non-core assets to finance a special dividend to our shareholders in the range of $4.2
billion to $5.0 billion on June 30, 2007. In calculating the amount of the special dividend,
Goldman Sachs assumed (i) that 89% of after-tax proceeds from asset sales by Clear Channel Outdoor
would be distributed to the Companys shareholders, (ii) an annual recurring dividend of $0.75 per
54
share, and (iii) the use of an existing $1.5 billion capital loss tax shield. Goldman Sachs
then discounted the value of the special dividend to November 14, 2006, using discount rates
ranging from 9.50% to 10.50%, which resulted in a present value of the special dividend to
shareholders in the range of $8.26 to $9.83 per share. The theoretical post-recapitalization
trading values of our shares were based upon estimated enterprise value to one-year forward EBITDA
multiples of 9.5x to 10.5x and forecasts for the Company provided by our management after giving
effect to the asset sales. Goldman Sachs then calculated the implied per share future equity
values for our common stock from 2007 to 2011, and then discounted those values and the value of
any dividends to be paid up to the date of the future share price to November 14, 2006, using an
equity discount rate of 10.0%. This analysis resulted in a range of illustrative values per share
of Company common stock of $31.54 to $38.04.
Sum-of-the-Parts Analyses.
Goldman Sachs performed illustrative sum-of-the-parts analyses on the Company using certain
financial forecasts for the Company and Clear Channel Outdoor provided by the management of the
Company. In the first illustrative sum-of-the-parts analysis, Goldman Sachs calculated
illustrative per share value indications for the Company assuming a spin-off of Clear Channel
Outdoor. In the second illustrative sum-of-the-parts analysis, Goldman Sachs calculated
illustrative per share value indications for the Company assuming a spin-off of Clear Channel
Outdoor and asset sales by the Company in addition to the spin-off of Clear Channel Outdoor.
In the first illustrative sum-of-the-parts analysis, Goldman Sachs made the following
assumptions: (i) a spin-off of Clear Channel Outdoor closing on June 30, 2007, (ii) the use of
proceeds from inter-company debt repayments and/or new debt financings to finance a special
dividend to the Company shareholders in the range of $0.0 to $4.8 billion, or $0.00 to $9.61 per
share, and (iii) an annual recurring dividend of $0.75 per share by the Company following the
spin-off. The theoretical post spin-off illustrative values of Clear Channel Outdoor shares were
based upon estimated enterprise value to 2007 estimated EBITDA multiples of 11.0x to 13.0x and
forecasts for Clear Channel Outdoor provided by our management. The theoretical post spin-off
trading values of shares of Company common stock were based upon estimated enterprise value to 2007
estimated EBITDA multiples of 9.0x to 11.0x and forecasts for the Company provided by our
management after giving effect to the spin-off of Clear Channel Outdoor. Goldman Sachs then
calculated the implied per share future equity values for Clear Channel Outdoor, the special
dividend and the Company following the spin-off of Clear Channel Outdoor and then discounted those
values to November 14, 2006, using a discount rate of 10.0%. This analysis resulted in a range of
illustrative values per share of Company common stock of $29.86 to $38.32, inclusive of the values
of Clear Channel Outdoor, the Company following the spin-off of Clear Channel Outdoor and the
amount of any special dividend.
In the second illustrative sum-of-the-parts analysis, Goldman Sachs made the following
assumptions: (i) a spin-off of Clear Channel Outdoor closing on June 30, 2007, (ii) the sale of
small market radio and television assets, (iii) the use of proceeds from the sale of small market
radio and television assets and proceeds from inter-company debt repayments and/or new debt
financings to finance a special dividend to shareholders of the Company in the range of $1.4 to
$5.7 billion, or $2.78 to $11.47 per share, and (iv) an annual recurring dividend of $0.75 per
share by the Company following the spin-off. The theoretical post spin-off illustrative values of
Clear Channel Outdoor shares were based upon estimated enterprise value to 2007 estimated EBITDA
multiples of 11.0x to 13.0x and forecasts for Clear Channel Outdoor provided by our management.
The theoretical post spin-off trading values of shares of the Company common stock were based upon
estimated price to 2007 estimated EBITDA multiples of 9.0x to 11.0x and forecasts for the Company
provided by our management after giving effect to the asset sales and the spin-off of Clear Channel
Outdoor. Goldman Sachs then calculated the implied per share future equity values for Clear
Channel Outdoor, the special dividend and the Company following the spin-off of Clear Channel
Outdoor and then discounted those values to November 14, 2006, using a discount rate of 10.0%.
This analysis resulted in a range of illustrative values per share of Company common stock of
$30.28 to $38.27, inclusive of the values of Clear Channel Outdoor, the Company following the
spin-off of Clear Channel Outdoor and the amount of the special dividend.
55
Miscellaneous
The preparation of a fairness opinion is a complex process and is not necessarily susceptible
to partial analysis or summary description. Selecting portions of the analyses or of the summary
set forth above, without considering the analyses as a whole, could create an incomplete view of
the processes underlying Goldman Sachs opinion. In arriving at its fairness determination, Goldman
Sachs considered the results of all of its analyses and did not attribute any particular weight to
any factor or analysis considered by it. Rather, Goldman Sachs made its determination as to
fairness on the basis of its experience and professional judgment after considering the results of
all of its analyses. No company or transaction used in the above analyses as a comparison is
directly comparable to the Company, Clear Channel Outdoor or the contemplated transaction.
Goldman Sachs prepared these analyses for purposes of Goldman Sachs providing its opinion to
the Companys board of directors as to the fairness from a financial point of view of the $37.60 in
cash per share to be received by the holders of the outstanding shares of our common stock (other
than the Rollover Shares) pursuant to the Merger Agreement. These analyses do not purport to be
appraisals nor do they necessarily reflect the prices at which businesses or securities actually
may be sold. Analyses based upon forecasts of future results are not necessarily indicative of
actual future results, which may be significantly more or less favorable than suggested by these
analyses. Because these analyses are inherently subject to uncertainty, being based upon numerous
factors or events beyond the control of the parties or their respective advisors, none of the
Company, Goldman Sachs or any other person assumes responsibility if future results are materially
different from those forecast.
The Merger Consideration was determined through arms-length negotiations between the Company,
on the one hand, and the Sponsors, on the other hand, and was unanimously approved by our board of
directors (excluding Messrs. Mark P. Mays, Randall T. Mays, L. Lowry Mays and B. J. McCombs who
recused themselves from the deliberations). Goldman Sachs provided advice to our board of
directors during these negotiations. Goldman Sachs did not, however, recommend any specific amount
of consideration to the Company, its board of directors or the special advisory committee of its
board of directors or that any specific amount of consideration constituted the only appropriate
consideration for the Merger.
As described above, Goldman Sachs opinion to the Companys board of directors was one of many
factors taken into consideration by the Companys board of directors in making its determination to
approve the Merger Agreement (See The Merger Reasons for the Merger on page 41). The foregoing
summary does not purport to be a complete description of the analyses performed by Goldman Sachs in
connection with the fairness opinion and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the written
opinion of Goldman Sachs attached as Annex B.
Goldman Sachs and its affiliates, as part of their investment banking business, are
continually engaged in performing financial analyses with respect to businesses and their
securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions, negotiated underwritings, competitive
biddings, secondary distributions of listed and unlisted securities, private placements and other
transactions as well as for estate, corporate and other purposes. Goldman Sachs acted as financial
advisor to the Company in connection with, and participated in certain of the negotiations leading
to, the transaction contemplated by the Merger Agreement. In addition, Goldman Sachs has provided
certain investment banking services to the Company from time to time, including having acted as
global coordinator and senior bookrunning manager in connection with the initial public offering of
35,000,000 shares of Class A common stock of Clear Channel Outdoor in November 2005 and as
financial advisor to the Company in connection with the spin-off of Live Nation, Inc., a former
subsidiary of the Company, in December 2005. In addition, at the request of the board of directors
of the Company, Goldman Sachs Credit Partners L.P., an affiliate of Goldman Sachs, made available a
financing package to the Sponsors in connection with the Merger.
Goldman Sachs has provided and is currently providing certain investment banking services to
THLee and its affiliates and portfolio companies, including having acted as joint bookrunner and
joint lead manager in connection with the public offering of 28,750,000 shares of common stock of
Fairpoint Communications, Inc., a portfolio company of THLee, in February 2005, as financial
advisor to TransWestern Holdings, LP, a former portfolio company of THLee, in connection with its
sale in July 2005 and as co-financial advisor to Metris Companies, Inc., a former portfolio company
of THLee, in connection with its sale in December 2005. Goldman Sachs has provided and is
currently providing certain investment banking services to Bain and its affiliates and portfolio
companies, including having acted as joint lead arranger in connection with the provision of a
committed financing package consisting of senior secured facilities, a mezzanine facility and a PIK
loan facility (aggregate
56
principal amount 799,500,000) in connection with the acquisition of FCI SA, a portfolio
company of Bain, in December 2005, as lead arranger in connection with the leveraged
recapitalization of Brenntag AG, a former portfolio company of Bain (Brenntag), in January 2006
and as co-financial advisor to Brenntag in connection with its sale in September 2006.
Goldman Sachs may also provide investment banking services to the Company and its affiliates
and each of the Sponsors and their respective affiliates and portfolio companies in the future. As
part of such investment banking services, Goldman Sachs may act as financial advisor to the Company
in connection with sales of radio assets by the Company. Additionally, Goldman Sachs is currently
acting as financial advisor in connection with the sale of certain television assets by the
Company. In connection with the above-described investment banking services Goldman Sachs has
received, and may receive, compensation.
Goldman Sachs is a full service securities firm engaged, either directly or through its
affiliates, in securities trading, investment management, financial planning and benefits
counseling, risk management, hedging, financing and brokerage activities for both companies and
individuals. In the ordinary course of these activities, Goldman Sachs and its affiliates may
provide such services to the Company and its affiliates and each of the Sponsors and their
respective affiliates and portfolio companies, actively trade the debt and equity securities (or
related derivative securities) of the Company and the respective affiliates and portfolio companies
of each of the Sponsors for their own account and for the accounts of their customers and at any
time hold long and short positions of such securities. Affiliates of Goldman Sachs have
co-invested with each of the Sponsors and their respective affiliates from time to time and such
affiliates of Goldman Sachs have invested and may invest in the future in limited partnership units
of affiliates of each of the Sponsors.
The board of directors of the Company selected Goldman Sachs as its financial advisor because
it is an internationally recognized investment banking firm that has substantial experience in
transactions similar to the Merger. Pursuant to a letter agreement, dated September 18, 2006, the
Company engaged Goldman Sachs to act as its financial advisor in connection with its consideration
of a range of strategic alternatives. Pursuant to the terms of this engagement letter, the Company
has agreed to pay Goldman Sachs a transaction fee equal to approximately $40 million, the principal
portion of which is contingent upon consummation of the transaction. In addition, the Company has
agreed to reimburse Goldman Sachs for its expenses, including attorneys fees and disbursements,
and to indemnify Goldman Sachs and related persons against various liabilities, including certain
liabilities under the federal securities laws.
Opinion of the Special Advisory Committees Financial Advisor
Under an agreement dated October 25, 2006, the special advisory committee retained Lazard
Frères & Co. LLC, referred to as Lazard, to act as its investment banker in connection with the
Merger. As part of that engagement, the special advisory committee requested that Lazard evaluate
the fairness, from a financial point of view, to the holders of our common stock of the
consideration to be paid to such holders in the Merger. Lazard delivered a written opinion to the
special advisory committee, dated November 16, 2006, the date of the Merger Agreement, that, as of
that date and based upon and subject to certain assumptions, factors and qualifications set forth
therein, the Merger Consideration to be paid to the holders of Company common stock pursuant to the
Merger Agreement was fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of our common stock
(other than the Company, Merger Sub, any holder of Rollover Shares and any shareholder who is
entitled to demand and properly perfects appraisal rights).
The full text of the Lazard opinion is included as Annex C to this proxy statement and is
incorporated into this proxy statement by reference. The description of the Lazard opinion set
forth in this proxy statement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the
Lazard opinion set forth in Annex C. You are urged to read the Lazard opinion carefully in its
entirety for a description of the procedures followed, assumptions made, matters considered and
qualifications and limitations on the review undertaken by Lazard in connection with the opinion.
Lazards written opinion is directed to the special advisory committee and only addresses the
fairness, from a financial point of view, to the holders of our common stock (other than the
Company, Merger Sub, any holder of Rollover Shares and any shareholder who is entitled to demand
and properly perfects appraisal rights) of the Merger Consideration to be paid to the holders of
our common stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement. Lazards written opinion does not address the
merits of the underlying decision by the Company to engage in the Merger or any other aspect of the
Merger and does not constitute a recommendation to any shareholder as to how
57
the shareholder should vote on any matter relating to the Merger. Lazards opinion is
necessarily based on economic, monetary, market and other conditions as in effect on, and the
information made available to Lazard as of, November 16, 2006, the date of Lazards opinion.
Lazard assumes no responsibility for updating or revising its opinion based on circumstances or
events occurring after the date of the opinion. The following is only a summary of the Lazard
opinion. You are encouraged to read the entire opinion carefully.
In connection with its opinion, Lazard:
|
|
|
reviewed the financial terms and conditions contained in the Merger Agreement; |
|
|
|
|
analyzed certain historical publicly available business and financial information relating to us; |
|
|
|
|
reviewed various financial forecasts and other data provided to Lazard by us
relating to our businesses; |
|
|
|
|
held discussions with members of our senior management with respect to our business
and prospects; |
|
|
|
|
reviewed public information with respect to certain other companies in lines of
business Lazard believed to be generally comparable to our businesses; |
|
|
|
|
reviewed the financial terms of certain business combinations involving companies in
lines of business Lazard believed to be generally comparable to ours; |
|
|
|
|
reviewed the historical stock prices and trading volumes of our common stock; and |
|
|
|
|
conducted such other financial studies, analyses and investigations as Lazard deemed
appropriate. |
Lazard relied upon the accuracy and completeness of the foregoing information and has not
assumed any responsibility for any independent verification of such information or any independent
valuation or appraisal of any of our assets or liabilities or concerning our solvency or fair
value. With respect to the financial forecasts, Lazard assumed that they had been reasonably
prepared on bases reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of our management
as to our future financial performance. Lazard did not assume any responsibility for and expressed
no view as to such forecasts or the assumptions on which they were based.
In rendering its opinion, Lazard assumed, with the consent of the special advisory committee,
that the Merger would be consummated on the terms described in the Merger Agreement provided to it,
without any waiver or modification of any material terms or conditions by us and that obtaining the
necessary regulatory approvals for the Merger would not have an adverse effect on us or the Merger.
Lazard did not express any opinion as to any tax or other consequences that might result from the
Merger, nor does its opinion address any legal, tax, regulatory or accounting matters, as to which
Lazard understood that we had obtained such advice as we deemed necessary from qualified
professionals. In addition, Lazard noted in its opinion that certain members of our management, as
well as the chairman of our board of directors, are receiving change of control payments and
benefits related thereto and may be entering into certain compensation arrangements in connection
with the Merger. Lazard expressed no view with respect to any such payments, benefits or
compensation arrangements.
Lazard noted in its opinion that, although it had examined the financial terms of certain
business combinations since January 1, 2005 involving companies in lines of business that Lazard
believed to be generally comparable to ours, none of these transactions were truly comparable to a
potential acquisition of the Company including the Merger, due to, among other things, the size of
a potential transaction involving the Company compared to the examined business combinations and
changes in the industries in which the Company operates. For these reasons, Lazard did not use the
examined business combinations in its financial analyses.
Lazard was not engaged to broadly solicit, and Lazard confirmed that it did not broadly
solicit, other parties regarding a potential transaction with us, nor was Lazard requested to
consider, and its opinion does not address, the relative merits of the Merger as compared to any
other transaction in which we might have engaged. Lazard does
58
not express any opinion as to the price at which our common stock might trade subsequent to
the announcement of the Merger.
The following is a brief summary of the material financial and comparative analyses that
Lazard deemed to be appropriate in connection with rendering its opinion.
Comparable Public Companies Sum-of-the-Parts Analysis
A sum-of-the-parts analysis reviews a business operating performance and outlook on a
segment-by-segment basis to determine an implied market value for the enterprise as a whole.
Lazard performed a comparable public companies sum-of-the-parts analysis with respect to the
Companys radio broadcasting segment, domestic outdoor advertising segment, international outdoor
advertising segment, television segment, Katz Media/other segment and unallocated corporate
segment.
Lazard calculated an implied valuation for the Company based on an analysis of companies that
Lazard believed to be generally comparable to the Company or its business segments. In performing
these analyses, Lazard reviewed and analyzed certain publicly available financial information and
market trading data relating to the selected comparable companies and compared such information to
the corresponding information for the relevant business segment of the Company.
Lazard reviewed the following companies:
|
|
|
Affichage Holding AG |
|
|
|
|
CBS Corp. |
|
|
|
|
Citadel Broadcasting Corp. |
|
|
|
|
Cox Radio, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
Cumulus Media, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
Emmis Communications Corp. |
|
|
|
|
Entercom Communications Corp. |
|
|
|
|
Gray Television, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
JCDecaux SA |
|
|
|
|
Lamar Advertising Company |
|
|
|
|
LIN TV Corp. |
|
|
|
|
Radio One, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. |
The estimated financial information for the selected public companies used by Lazard in its
analysis was based on research analysts estimates. The historical financial information used by
Lazard in its analysis was based on publicly available historical information. The financial
information for the Company was based on information and estimates provided to Lazard by the
Companys management.
For each of the selected public comparable companies, Lazard, among other things, reviewed the
enterprise value of each company as a multiple of estimated earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation and amortization, commonly referred to as EBITDA for fiscal year 2006. Lazard then
calculated an implied enterprise reference range
59
for each of the Companys segments by applying selected enterprise value to EBITDA multiples
derived from the analyses of (1) 9.5x to 10.5x, in the case of the radio broadcasting segment, (2)
13.5x to 14.5x, in the case of the domestic outdoor advertising segment, (3) 9.0x to 10.0x, in the
case of the international outdoor advertising segment, (4) 9.0x to 10.0x, in the case of the
television segment, (5) 7.0x to 8.0x, in the case of the Katz Media/other segment and (6) 10.3x to
11.3x, in the case of the unallocated corporate segment, to the corresponding estimated fiscal year
2006 EBITDA data for each of the Companys segments. Lazard then derived an implied equity
reference range for the Company by adding these implied enterprise reference ranges together plus
the value of the Companys unconsolidated assets and subtracting the Companys net debt and
minority interests.
Based upon the projections referenced above and the assumptions set forth above, this analysis
implied a per share equity reference range for the Company of $29.95 to $34.35, as compared to the
Merger Consideration of $37.60 per share (not including the additional per share consideration, if
any).
Discounted Future Stock Price Analysis
Lazard performed a discounted future stock price analysis, which is designed to provide an
indication of the future value of the Companys equity as a function of the Companys future
earnings and its current enterprise value to EBITDA multiples. The resulting value is then
discounted to arrive at a present value for the Companys implied future stock price. For purposes
of this analysis, Lazard first calculated implied 2012 per share equity values for the Companys
common stock by applying a range of enterprise value to EBITDA multiples of 10.25x to 11.25x to
estimates of the Companys fiscal year 2012 EBITDA provided to Lazard by the Companys management.
For purposes of this analysis Lazard advised us that it also assumed a cash sale of the Companys
television segment, certain non-core radio assets and the international outdoor advertising
segment, which are referred to as the Companys assumed divested assets. Lazard estimated the
implied after-tax cash proceeds that could be received by the Company from the sale of the
Companys assumed divested assets by applying enterprise value to EBITDA multiples of 11.5x to
12.5x to estimates of the assumed divested assets fiscal year 2006 EBITDA provided to Lazard by
the Companys management. Lazard then calculated implied per share equity values for the Companys
common stock based on the present value of the 2012 per share equity values using a range of
discount rates reflecting the assumed cost of equity for the Company of 11% to 13%.
Based upon the projections referenced above and the assumptions set forth above, this analysis
implied a per share equity reference range for the Company of $34.19 to $39.31, as compared to the
Merger Consideration of $37.60 per share (not including the additional per share consideration, if
any).
Recapitalization Analysis
Lazard performed a recapitalization analysis, which is designed to provide an indication of
the implied per share equity value of the Company if the Company would remain as an independent,
publicly traded company after a recapitalization.
In performing this analysis, Lazard advised us that it assumed a recapitalization would
involve (1) a spin-off of 100% of the domestic outdoor advertising segment to the Companys
shareholders, (2) the refinancing of the existing intercompany note between the Company and Clear
Channel Outdoor, (3) the sale for cash of the Companys assumed divested assets as described in the
Discounted Future Stock Price Analysis above and (4) increasing leverage on the remaining company
coupled with the payment of a special dividend and an annual dividend with a higher yield than the
current dividend yield of the Company.
For purposes of this analysis, Lazard calculated an implied enterprise reference range for the
domestic outdoor advertising segment by applying enterprise value to EBITDA multiples derived from
the Comparable Public Companies Sum-of-the-Parts Analysis above to estimates of the domestic
outdoor advertising segments fiscal year 2006 EBITDA provided to Lazard by the Companys
management. Lazard then derived an implied equity reference range for the domestic outdoor
advertising segment by subtracting net debt and minority interests. Lazard also calculated an
implied enterprise reference range for the remaining company by applying enterprise value to EBITDA
multiples derived from the Comparable Public Companies Sum-of-the-Parts Analysis above to
estimates of the remaining companys fiscal year 2006 EBITDA provided to Lazard by the Companys
management. Lazard then derived an implied equity reference range for the remaining company by
adding the value of the Companys unconsolidated assets and subtracting net debt.
60
Based upon the projections referenced above and the assumptions set forth above, this analysis
implied a per share equity reference range for the Company of $32.57 to $37.03, as compared to the
Merger Consideration of $37.60 per share (not including the additional per share consideration, if
any).
Discounted Cash Flow Sum-of-the-Parts Analysis
A sum-of-the-parts analysis reviews a business operating performance and outlook on a
segment-by-segment basis to determine an implied market value for the enterprise as a whole. Using
projections provided by the Companys management, Lazard performed a discounted cash flow
sum-of-the-parts analysis with respect to the Companys radio broadcasting segment, domestic
outdoor advertising segment, Katz Media/other segment and unallocated corporate segment. For
purposes of this analysis Lazard advised us that it also assumed a sale of the Companys assumed
divested assets.
Lazard performed an analysis of the present value of the projected unlevered free cash flows
that each of the Companys business segments could generate from fiscal years 2007 through 2012.
Using a discounted cash flow analysis, Lazard calculated an implied enterprise reference range for
each of the Companys segments by determining the present value of the unlevered free cash flow for
each of the business segments generated from fiscal years 2007 through 2012 plus a terminal value
for each of the business segments based on a range of multiples of estimated fiscal year 2012
EBITDA. The analyses assumed terminal multiples of (1) 9.5x to 10.5x, in the case of the radio
broadcasting segment, (2) 13.5x to 14.5x, in the case of the domestic outdoor advertising segment,
(3) 7.0x to 8.0x, in the case of the Katz Media/other segment and (4) 11.0x to 12.5x, in the case
of the unallocated corporate segment (assuming the sale of the assumed divested assets). The cash
flows and terminal values for each of the business segments were then discounted to present value
using discount rates reflecting the weighted average cost of capital of (1) 9.0% to 10.0%, in the
case of the radio broadcasting segment, (2) 8.5% to 9.5%, in the case of the domestic outdoor
advertising segment, (3) 8.0% to 9.0%, in the case of the Katz Media/other segment and (4) 8.0% to
9.0%, in the case of the unallocated corporate segment (assuming the sale of the assumed divested
assets). Lazard then derived an implied equity reference range for the Company by adding these
implied enterprise reference ranges together plus the value of the Companys unconsolidated assets
and the cash proceeds from the sale of the Companys assumed divested assets as described in the
Discounted Future Stock Price Analysis above and subtracting the Companys net debt and minority
interests.
Based on the projections referenced above and the assumptions set forth above, this analysis
implied a per share equity reference range for the Company of $35.15 to $40.82, as compared to the
Merger Consideration of $37.60 per share (not including the additional per share consideration, if
any).
Leveraged Buyout Analysis
Using projections provided by the Companys management and assuming an estimated rate of
return that investors may require, Lazard performed a leveraged buyout analysis of the Company in
order to ascertain the per share consideration for the Companys common stock that a leveraged
buyout firm might be willing to pay in a leveraged buyout transaction.
As a leveraged buy out analysis is based on the value of a company in a change of control
context, Lazard gave effect to the amended cash severance obligations payable upon a change in
control (excluding loss of tax deduction), the proposed grant of restricted stock and options to
executives and debt redemption costs. In its analysis, Lazard used ranges of exit multiples and
ranges of estimated rates of return that it selected based on the multiples derived in the
Comparable Public Companies Sum-of-the-Parts Analysis above. For purposes of this analysis,
Lazard advised us that it assumed the sale for cash of the Companys assumed divested assets as
described in the Discounted Future Stock Price Analysis above. In this scenario, Lazard assumed,
among other things, a 2011 exit at EBITDA multiples ranging from 10.7x to 11.7x and a range of
estimated rates of return of 15% to 25%.
Based upon the projections referenced above and the assumptions set forth above, this analysis
implied a per share equity reference range for the Company of $35.00 to $40.00, as compared to the
Merger Consideration of $37.60 per share (not including the additional per share consideration, if
any).
61
Miscellaneous
The preparation of financial analyses is a complex process involving various determinations as
to the most appropriate and relevant methods of financial analysis and, therefore, is not
necessarily susceptible to partial analysis or summary description. Selecting the portions of the
analyses or the summary set forth above without considering the analyses as a whole could create an
incomplete or misleading view of the process underlying Lazards presentation to the special
advisory committee. In formulating its presentation to the special advisory committee, Lazard
considered the results of all of its analyses and did not attribute any particular weight to any
factor or analyses considered by it; rather, Lazard formulated its presentation on the basis of its
experience and professional judgment after considering the results of its analyses. No company
used in the above analyses as a comparison is directly comparable to us or the transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement or the Merger. The analyses were prepared for the purpose of
Lazard rendering advice to the special advisory committee in connection with its consideration of
the Merger, and those analyses do not purport to be appraisals or necessarily reflect the prices at
which businesses or securities actually may be sold, which may be significantly more or less
favorable than set forth in the analyses. You should understand that estimates of values and
forecasts of future results contained in the analyses, whether publicly available or provided by
our management, were based upon numerous assumptions and forecasts with respect to industry
performance, general business and economic conditions and other matters, many of which are beyond
the control of the Company and Lazard and are not necessarily indicative of actual values or actual
future results, which may be significantly more or less favorable than suggested by such analyses.
In performing its analyses, Lazard made numerous assumptions with respect to industry
performance, general business, economic, market and financial conditions and other matters.
Because those analyses are inherently subject to uncertainty, being based upon numerous factors or
events beyond our control or the control of our advisors, neither we, the special advisory
committee, Lazard nor any other person assumes responsibility if future results or actual values
are materially different from those forecasts or estimates contained in the analyses.
In connection with Lazards services as the special advisory committees investment banker, we
agreed to pay Lazard an aggregate fee of $5 million, a significant portion of which was payable in
connection with the rendering of its opinion. The fee to Lazard was payable, whether or not its
opinion was favorable, and no portion of the fee was contingent upon entering into a definitive
agreement with respect to, or consummating, a transaction. We have also agreed to reimburse Lazard
for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including attorneys fees) and to indemnify Lazard and
certain related parties against certain liabilities under certain circumstances that may arise out
of the rendering of its advice, including certain liabilities under U.S. federal securities laws.
Lazard may have provided and may currently or in the future provide investment banking
services to the Company and to the Sponsors and their affiliates for which Lazard may have received
or may receive customary fees.
Lazard, as part of its investment banking business, is continually engaged in the valuation of
businesses and their securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions, negotiated
underwritings, secondary distributions of listed and unlisted securities, private placements,
leveraged buyouts, and valuations for estate, corporate and other purposes. In addition, in the
ordinary course of their respective businesses, affiliates of Lazard and LFCM Holdings LLC (an
entity owned in large part by managing directors of Lazard) may actively trade the securities of
the Company and/or the securities of the Sponsors and their affiliates for their own accounts and
for the accounts of their customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short position
in such securities.
Lazard is an internationally recognized investment banking firm providing a full range of
financial advisory and securities services. Lazard was selected to act as investment banker to the
special advisory committee because of its qualifications, expertise and reputation in investment
banking and mergers and acquisitions, as well as its familiarity with the business segments of the
Company.
Lazard prepared these analyses for the purpose of providing an opinion to the special advisory
committee as to the fairness, from a financial point view, of the Merger Consideration to be paid
to the holders of Company common stock (other than the Company, Merger Sub, any holder of Rollover
Shares and any shareholder who is entitled to demand and properly perfects appraisal rights). The
Merger Consideration to be paid to the holders of Company common stock pursuant to the Merger
Agreement was determined through arms-length negotiations
62
between the Company and the Sponsors and was approved by our board of directors. Lazard did
not recommend any specific merger consideration to the special advisory committee or to the Company
or that any given merger consideration constituted the only appropriate merger consideration for
the Merger.
The opinion of Lazard was one of many factors taken into consideration by the special advisory
committee (See Reasons for the Merger Determination of the Special Advisory Committee and
Recommendation of the Board of Directors beginning on page 39). Consequently, the analyses
described above should not be viewed as determinative of the opinion of the special advisory
committee with respect to the Merger Consideration or of whether the special advisory committee
would have been willing to determine that a different merger consideration was fair. Additionally,
Lazards opinion is not intended to confer any rights or remedies upon any employee or creditor of
the Company.
MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger to Our Shareholders
Circular 230 Notice
The following discussion pertaining to U.S. federal income tax considerations is not given in
the form of a covered opinion within the meaning of Circular 230 issued by the United States
Secretary of the Treasury. Thus, you cannot rely upon U.S. federal income tax advice contained
herein for the purpose of avoiding U.S. federal income tax penalties. This discussion is written to
support the promotion or marketing of the Merger.
The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Merger
to holders of Company common stock whose shares of Company common stock are converted into the
right to receive cash in the Merger. This summary does not purport to consider all aspects of U.S.
federal income taxation that might be relevant to our shareholders. For purposes of this
discussion, we use the term U.S. holder to mean a beneficial owner of shares of Company common
stock that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
|
|
|
a citizen or resident of the United States; |
|
|
|
|
a corporation created or organized under the laws of the United States or any of its
political subdivisions; |
|
|
|
|
a trust that (i) is subject to the supervision of a court within the United States
and the control of one or more U.S. persons or (ii) has a valid election in effect
under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person; or |
|
|
|
|
an estate that is subject to U.S. federal income tax on its income regardless of its
source. |
A non-U.S. holder is a person (other than a partnership) that is not a U.S. holder.
If a partnership holds Company common stock, the tax treatment of a partner will generally
depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A partner of a
partnership holding Company common stock should consult its tax advisor.
This discussion is based on current law, which is subject to change, possibly with retroactive
effect. It applies only to beneficial owners who hold shares of Company common stock as capital
assets, and may not apply to shares of Company common stock received in connection with the
exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation, shareholders who hold an equity
interest, directly or indirectly, in Fincos or the surviving corporation after the Merger, or
certain types of beneficial owners who may be subject to special rules (such as insurance
companies, banks, tax-exempt organizations, financial institutions, broker-dealers, partnerships, S
corporations or other pass-through entities, mutual funds, traders in securities who elect the
mark-to-market method of accounting, shareholders subject to the alternative minimum tax,
shareholders that have a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar, or shareholders who hold
Company common stock as part of a hedge, straddle or a constructive sale or conversion
transaction). This discussion does not address the receipt of cash in connection with the
cancellation of shares of restricted stock, restricted stock units or options to purchase shares of
Company
63
common stock, or any other matters relating to equity compensation or benefit plans. This
discussion also does not address any aspect of state, local or foreign tax laws.
U.S. Holders
The exchange of shares of Company common stock for cash in the Merger will be a taxable
transaction to U.S. holders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In general, a U.S. holder whose
shares of Company common stock are converted into the right to receive cash in the Merger will
recognize capital gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes equal to the difference, if
any, between the amount of cash received with respect to such shares (determined before the
deduction of any applicable withholding taxes) and the shareholders adjusted tax basis in such
shares. Gain or loss will be determined separately for each block of shares (i.e., shares acquired
at the same cost in a single transaction). Such gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or
loss provided that a shareholders holding period for such shares is more than 12 months at the
time of the consummation of the Merger. Long-term capital gains of individuals are eligible for
reduced rates of taxation. There are limitations on the deductibility of capital losses.
Backup withholding of tax may apply to cash payments received by a non-corporate shareholder
in the Merger, unless the shareholder or other payee provides a taxpayer identification number
(social security number, in the case of individuals, or employer identification number, in the case
of other shareholders), certifies that such number is correct, and otherwise complies with the
backup withholding rules. Each of our shareholders should complete and sign the Substitute Form
W-9 included as part of the letter of transmittal and return it to the paying agent, in order to
provide the information and certification necessary to avoid backup withholding, unless an
exemption applies and is established in a manner satisfactory to the paying agent.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup
withholding rules will be allowable as a refund or a credit against a U.S. holders federal income
tax liability provided the required information is timely furnished to the Internal Revenue
Service.
Cash received in the Merger will also be subject to information reporting unless an exemption
applies.
Non-US. Holders
Any gain realized on the receipt of cash in the Merger by a non-U.S. holder generally will
not be subject to United States federal income tax unless:
|
|
|
the gain is effectively connected with a trade or business of the non-U.S. holder in
the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable
to a United States permanent establishment of the non-U.S. holder); |
|
|
|
|
the non-U.S. holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183
days or more in the taxable year of that disposition, and certain other conditions are
met; or |
|
|
|
|
Company is or has been a United States real property holding corporation for U.S.
federal income tax purposes and the non-U.S. holder owned more than 5% of Companys
common stock at any time during the five years preceding the Merger. |
An individual non-U.S. holder described in the first bullet point immediately above will be
subject to tax on the net gain derived from the Merger under regular graduated U.S. federal income
tax rates. If a non-U.S. holder that is a foreign corporation falls under the first bullet point
immediately above, it will be subject to tax on its net gain in the same manner as if it were a
U.S. person as defined under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and, in addition,
may be subject to the branch profits tax equal to 30% of its effectively connected earnings and
profits or at such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. An
individual non-U.S. holder described in the second bullet point immediately above will be subject
to a flat 30% tax on the gain derived from the Merger, which may be offset by U.S. source capital
losses, even though the individual is not considered a resident of the United States.
64
Company believes that it is not and has not been a United States real property holding
corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Backup withholding of tax may apply to the cash received by a non-corporate shareholder in the
Merger, unless the shareholder or other payee certifies under penalty of perjury that it is a
non-U.S. holder in the manner described in the letter of transmittal (and the payor does not have
actual knowledge or reason to know that the beneficial owner is a U.S. person as defined under the
Code) or otherwise establishes an exemption in a manner satisfactory to the paying agent. Backup
withholding is not an additional tax and any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules
may be refunded or credited against a non-U.S. holders U.S. federal income tax liability, if any,
provided that such non-U.S. holder furnishes the required information to the Internal Revenue
Service in a timely manner. Cash received in the Merger will also be subject to information
reporting, unless an exemption applies.
The U.S. federal income tax consequences set forth above are not intended to constitute a
complete description of all tax consequences relating to the Merger. Because individual
circumstances may differ, each shareholder should consult the shareholders tax advisor regarding
the applicability of the rules discussed above to the shareholder and the particular tax effects to
the shareholder of the Merger in light of such shareholders particular circumstances, the
application of state, local and foreign tax laws, and, if applicable, the tax consequences of the
receipt of cash in connection with the cancellation of shares of Company restricted stock, or
options to purchase shares of Company common stock, including the transactions described in this
proxy statement relating to our equity compensation and benefit plans.
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT OF TRANSACTION
We expect that, for financial reporting purposes, the Merger may be accounted for as a
leveraged recapitalization, pursuant to which the historical basis of the Companys assets and
liabilities will be preserved following the Merger. However, it is possible that the Merger could
be accounted for as a purchase, pursuant to which, following the Merger, the Companys assets and
liabilities would be reflected at their fair market value as of the date of the Merger.
REGULATORY APPROVALS
Hart-Scott-Rodino
Under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the HSR Act) and
the rules promulgated thereunder, the Company cannot complete the Merger until it notifies and
furnishes information to the Federal Trade Commission (the FTC) and the Antitrust Division of the
U.S. Department of Justice, and specified waiting period requirements are satisfied.
The Merger is also subject to review by the governmental authorities of various other
jurisdictions under the antitrust laws of those jurisdictions.
The parties have agreed that if the FTC or the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of
Justice has not granted the necessary approvals under the HSR Act as of August 16, 2007, then if
the Companys and the Fincos respective antitrust counsel, in their professional judgment, jointly
determine that a divestiture is required to obtain the necessary approvals under the HSR Act, they
will provide notice of such determination to the Fincos and the Fincos have agreed promptly, and in
any event by November 15, 2007, to implement the divestiture. Under the terms of the Merger
Agreement, a divestiture of any asset or business means (i) any sale, transfer, separate holding,
divestiture or other disposition, or any prohibition of, or any limitation on, the acquisition,
ownership, operation, effective control or exercise of full rights of ownership, of such asset or
(ii) the termination or amendment of any existing or contemplated governance structure of Merger
Sub or the Company or contemplated contractual or governance rights of Merger Sub or the Company.
65
FCC Regulations
Under the Communications Act, the Company and the Fincos may not complete the Merger unless
they have first obtained the approval of the FCC to transfer control of the Companys FCC licenses
to affiliates of the Fincos (the FCC Consent). FCC approval is sought through the filing of
applications with the FCC, which are subject to public comment and objections from third parties.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the parties filed on December 12, 2006 all applications necessary
to obtain the FCC Consent. The timing or outcome of the FCC approval process cannot be predicted.
The Fincos have agreed to take promptly any and all steps necessary to avoid or eliminate any
impediment (including any impediment under the FCCs media ownership rules) to obtaining the FCC
Consent so as to enable the parties to close the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement
as promptly as practicable.
Other
The Merger is also subject to review by governmental authorities of various other
jurisdictions under the communication law of those jurisdictions.
MERGER RELATED LITIGATION
We are aware of seven putative class action complaints that were filed in the District Court
of Bexar County, Texas, in connection with the Merger. The actions, Teitelbaum v. Clear Channel
Communications, Inc., et al., No. 2006CI17492 (filed November 14, 2006), Murphy v. Clear Channel
Communications, Inc., et al., No. 2006CI17647 (filed November 16, 2006), Manson v. Clear Channel
Communications, Inc., et al., No. 2006CI17656 (filed November 16, 2006), City of St. Clair Shores
Police and Fire Retirement System v. Clear Channel Communications, Inc., et al., No. 2006CI17660
(filed November 16, 2006), Levy Investments, Ltd. v. Clear Channel Communications, Inc., et al.,
No. 2006CI17669 (filed November 16, 2006), DD Equity Partners LLC v. Clear Channel Communications,
Inc., et al., No. 2006CI7914 (filed November 22, 2006), and Metzler Investment GmbH v. Clear
Channel Communications, Inc., et al., No. 2006CI18067 (filed November 28, 2006), make the
allegations and seek the remedies as summarized below:
|
|
|
The Teitelbaum complaint alleges the Company and its directors breached their
fiduciary duties, or aided and abetted in the breach of those duties, by agreeing to
and failing to revoke the golden parachute provisions of the employment agreements of
L. Lowry Mays, Mark P. Mays, and Randall T. Mays. The complaint seeks a determination
that class action status is fair, seeks to revoke the golden parachute severance
provisions, indemnification of the shareholders for the alleged breach of the
defendants fiduciary duties, and the payment of plaintiffs fees and costs. |
|
|
|
|
The Murphy complaint alleges, among other things, that the Companys directors
breached their fiduciary duties in connection with the proposed Merger. The Murphy
complaint seeks to enjoin the Merger (or, in the event the Merger is consummated,
rescission of the Merger), damages, and the payment of plaintiffs fees and costs. |
|
|
|
|
The Manson complaint alleges, among other things, that the Companys directors
breached their fiduciary duties in connection with the proposed Merger and that Thomas
H. Lee Partners, L.P. and Bain Capital Partners LLC aided and abetted the Companys
directors in breaching their fiduciary duties. The Manson complaint seeks a
determination that class action status is proper, to enjoin the Merger (or, in the
event the Merger is consummated, rescission of the Merger), damages, and the payment of
plaintiffs costs and fees. |
|
|
|
|
The City of St. Clair complaint alleges, among other things, that the Companys
directors breached their fiduciary duties in connection with the proposed Merger and
that Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. and Bain Capital Partners LLC aided and abetted the
Companys directors in breaching their fiduciary duties. The City of St. Clair
complaint seeks a determination that class action status is |
66
|
|
|
proper, to enjoin the Merger (or, in the event the Merger is consummated, rescission
of the Merger), damages, and the payment of plaintiffs costs and fees. |
|
|
|
|
The Levy complaint alleges, among other things, that the Companys directors
breached their fiduciary duties in connection with the proposed Merger. The Levy
complaint seeks a determination that class action status is proper, seeks to enjoin the
Merger (or, in the event the Merger is consummated, rescission of the Merger), damages,
and the payment of plaintiffs costs and fees. |
|
|
|
|
The DD Equity complaint alleges, among other things, that the Companys directors
breached their fiduciary duties in connection with the proposed Merger and that Thomas
H. Lee Partners, L.P. and Bain Capital Partners LLC aided and abetted the Companys
directors in breaching their fiduciary duties. The DD Equity complaint seeks a
determination that class action status is proper, a declaration that the defendants
have breached their fiduciary duties and aided and abetted such breaches, to enjoin the
Merger (or, in the event the Merger is consummated, rescission of the Merger), seeks an
order directing that the defendants exercise their fiduciary duties to obtain a
transaction that is in the best interests of the Company, and the payment of
plaintiffs costs and fees. |
|
|
|
|
The Metzler complaint alleges, among other things, that the Companys directors
breached their fiduciary duties in connection with the proposed Merger. The Metzler
complaint seeks a determination that class action status is proper, seeks to enjoin the
Merger (or, in the event the Merger is consummated, rescission of the Merger), damages,
and the payment of plaintiffs costs and fees. |
In addition to the actions described above, we are aware of a shareholder derivative complaint
also filed in the District Court of Bexar County, Texas, naming the Company and its directors as
defendants. This action, Rauch v. Clear Channel Communications, Inc., et al., No. 2006CI17436
(filed November 22, 2006) alleges breach of fiduciary duties, abuse of control, gross
mismanagement, and waste of corporate assets by the defendants. The complaint seeks an order
declaring the employment agreements with L. Lowry Mays, Mark P. Mays, and Randall T. Mays
unenforceable or rescinding them, declaring the Merger Agreement unenforceable and have it
rescinded, directs that the defendants exercise their fiduciary duties to obtain a transaction that
is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, imposing a constructive trust upon
any benefits improperly received by the defendants, and directing the payment of plaintiffs costs
and fees.
We believe that the allegations contained in the complaints are without merit, and we intend
to vigorously contest these matters.
THE MERGER AGREEMENT
This section describes the material terms of the Merger Agreement. The description in this
section and elsewhere in this proxy statement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
Merger Agreement, a copy of which is attached to this proxy statement as Annex A and is
incorporated by reference into this proxy statement. This summary does not purport to be complete
and may not contain all of the information about the Merger Agreement that is important to you. We
encourage you to carefully read the Merger Agreement in its entirety.
The Merger Agreement is included to provide you with information regarding its terms and is
not intended to provide any other factual information about the Company, the Fincos, Merger Sub or
their respective affiliates. The representations, warranties and covenants made by us, the Fincos
and Merger Sub are qualified and subject to important limitations agreed to by us, the Fincos and
Merger Sub in connection with negotiating the terms of the Merger Agreement. Furthermore, the
representations and warranties may be subject to standards of materiality applicable to us, the
Fincos and Merger Sub that may be different from those that are applicable to you.
67
Effective Time; Marketing Period
The Effective Time of the Merger will occur at the later of the time that the Company, the
Fincos and Merger Sub file the Articles of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Texas
and the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on the Closing
Date or such later time as provided in the Articles of Merger and Certificate of Merger and agreed
to by the Fincos, Merger Sub and the Company. The Closing Date will occur as soon as practicable,
but in no event later than the second business day after all of the conditions to the Merger set
forth in the Merger Agreement have been satisfied or waived, or such other date as the Fincos,
Merger Sub and the Company may agree. If all of the conditions have been satisfied, but the
Marketing Period (defined below) has not expired, then the Fincos are not required to effect the
closing until the earlier of:
|
|
|
a date during the Marketing Period specified by the Fincos on no less than three
business days written notice to the Company; and |
|
|
|
|
the final day of the Marketing Period, or at such other time, date or place as is
agreed to in writing by the Fincos, Merger Sub and the Company. |
The Marketing Period is defined in the Merger Agreement as the first period of 25
consecutive business days throughout which time the Fincos have certain financial information
required to be provided by the Company under the Merger Agreement and the mutual conditions to the
obligations of the parties and the conditions to the obligations of the Fincos (other than those
conditions that, by their own terms, cannot be satisfied until the closing) have been and remain
satisfied. If the Marketing Period has not ended on or before August 17, 2007, the Marketing
Period shall be deemed to commence no earlier than September 4, 2007, or if the Marketing Period
has not ended on or before December 14, 2007, the Marketing Period shall be deemed to commence no
earlier than January 7, 2008.
The purpose of the Marketing Period is to provide the Fincos with a reasonable and appropriate
period of time during which they can market and place the permanent debt financing contemplated by
the debt financing commitments for the purposes of financing the Merger. The Fincos have agreed:
|
|
|
to use their reasonable best efforts to arrange and obtain the financing on the
terms and conditions described in the financing commitments, negotiate and finalize
definitive agreements with respect to the financing on the terms and conditions
contained in the financing commitments, satisfy on a timely basis all conditions
applicable to the Fincos or Merger Sub in the definitive agreements that are within
their control, consummate the financing no later than the closing, and enforce their
rights under the financing commitments; and |
|
|
|
|
if any portion of the financing becomes unavailable on the terms and conditions
contemplated in the financing commitments, to promptly notify the Company and use their
reasonable best efforts to obtain alternative financing from alternative sources, on
terms, taken as a whole, that are no more adverse to the Company, as promptly as
practicable following the occurrence of such event, but in no event later than the last
day of the Marketing Period, including entering into definitive agreements with respect
thereto. |
In addition, if all or any portion of the debt financing that is structured as a high yield
financing, has not been consummated, and certain conditions under the Merger Agreement have been
satisfied or waived and the bridge financing contemplated by the financing commitments is available
on the terms and conditions contemplated in the financing commitments, then the Fincos must use the
proceeds of the bridge financing to replace the high yield financing no later than the last day of
the Marketing Period.
Effects of the Merger
If the Merger Agreement is adopted by our shareholders and the other conditions to closing are
satisfied, Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company. The separate corporate existence of
Merger Sub will cease, and the Company will continue as the surviving corporation, wholly-owned by
entities sponsored by the Sponsors and their co-investors. Upon completion of the Merger, our
common stock will be converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration. The surviving
corporation will be a privately held corporation, and you will cease to have any ownership interest
in the surviving corporation or any rights as its shareholder.
68
The Structure
At the Effective Time, Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company. The separate
existence of Merger Sub will cease, and the Company will survive the Merger and continue to exist
after the Merger wholly-owned by entities sponsored by the Sponsors and their co-investors. All of
the Companys and Merger Subs properties, rights, privileges, powers and franchises, and all of
their claims, obligations, liabilities, debts, and duties, will become those of the surviving
corporation. Following completion of the Merger, the Company common stock will be delisted from
the NYSE, deregistered under the Exchange Act, and no longer publicly traded. Thereafter, the
current shareholders of the Company will not participate in any future earnings or growth of the
Company and will not benefit from any appreciation in value of the Company following the Effective
Time.
Rollover by Shareholders
Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, the Fincos may allow certain employees of the Company
(each, a Rollover Shareholder) to convert some or all of the shares of Company common stock or
other equity or convertible securities of the Company held by them (Rollover Shares) into equity
securities of the surviving corporation in lieu of receiving the applicable portion of the Merger
Consideration.
Pursuant to the Letter Agreement each of Mark P. Mays and Randall T. Mays have agreed to
convert $10 million, in the aggregate, of shares of Company common stock, shares of Company
restricted stock and in the money Company stock options into equity securities of the surviving
corporation, in the same proportion as that of the Fincos. Additionally, the Company has been
informed that the Fincos and the Sponsors have provided L. Lowry Mays and B. J. McCombs, each a
member of the Companys board of directors, the opportunity to convert a portion of their shares of
Company common stock, shares of Company restricted stock and in the money Company stock options
held by them into equity securities of the surviving corporation.
The Fincos and Merger Sub have informed us that they anticipate offering certain members of
the Companys management the opportunity to convert a portion of their current equity interests in
the Company into equity in the surviving corporation or an affiliate of the surviving corporation
and/or to the right to purchase equity interests in the surviving corporation or an affiliate of
the surviving corporation. Although we believe members of our management team are likely to enter
into new arrangements to purchase or participate in the equity of the surviving corporation or an
affiliate, these matters are subject to further negotiations and discussion and no terms or
conditions have been finalized (other than the Letter Agreement). Any such new arrangements are
expected to be entered into prior to the completion of the Merger.
Treatment of Common Stock and Other Securities
Company Common Stock
At the Effective Time, each share of Company common stock issued and outstanding immediately
prior to the Effective Time will automatically be converted into the right to receive $37.60 in
cash, without interest and less any applicable withholding tax, other than:
|
|
|
shares of Company common stock held in the Companys treasury or owned by Merger Sub
immediately prior to the Effective Time, which shares will automatically be canceled,
retired and will cease to exist without conversion or consideration; |
|
|
|
|
shares of Company common stock held by shareholders who do not vote in favor of
adoption of the Merger Agreement and who have properly demanded and perfected their
appraisal rights in accordance with Texas law, which shares will be entitled to only
such rights as are granted by Texas law; and |
|
|
|
|
Rollover Shares. |
Each share of Company common stock, when so converted, will automatically be canceled, and
will cease to exist. After the Effective Time, each outstanding stock certificate or book-entry
share representing shares of
69
Company common stock converted in the Merger will represent only the right to receive the
Merger Consideration with respect to each share of Company common stock.
In addition, if the Effective Time occurs after January 1, 2008, then each holder of shares of
Company common stock will also receive an additional amount for each share of Company common stock
equal to the lesser of:
|
|
|
the pro rata portion, based upon the number of days elapsed since January 1, 2008,
of $37.60 multiplied by 8% per annum, or |
|
|
|
|
an amount equal to (a) the Operating Cash Flow for the Company and its subsidiaries
for the period from and including January 1, 2008 through and including the last day of
the last month preceding the Closing Date for which financial statements are available
at least ten (10) calendar days prior to the Closing Date less dividends paid or
declared with respect to the foregoing period and amounts committed or paid to purchase
equity interests in the Company or derivatives thereof with respect to that period (but
only to the extent that those dividends or amounts are not deducted from the Operating
Cash Flow for the Company and its subsidiaries for any prior period) divided by (b) the
sum of the number of outstanding shares of Company common stock (including outstanding
shares of Company restricted stock) plus the number of shares of Company common stock
issuable pursuant to convertible securities of the Company outstanding at the Closing
Date with exercise prices less than the Merger Consideration. |
The term Operating Cash Flow means an amount determined on a consolidated basis for the
Company and its subsidiaries as follows:
|
|
|
an amount determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
equal to the sum of net income, excluding therefrom any amount described in one or more
of the following clauses (but only to the extent included in net income): |
|
(i) |
|
the aggregate after-tax amount, if positive, of any net
extraordinary, nonrecurring or unusual gains, |
|
|
(ii) |
|
any items of gain or loss from permitted divestitures under the
Merger Agreement, |
|
|
(iii) |
|
any items of gain or loss from the change in value or
disposition of investments, including with respect to marketable securities and
forward exchange contracts, |
|
|
(iv) |
|
any non-cash income, gain or credits included in the
calculation of net income, |
|
|
(v) |
|
any net income or loss attributable to non-wholly-owned
subsidiaries or investments, except to the extent the Company has received a
cash dividend or distribution or an intercompany cash payment with respect
thereto during such period, |
|
|
(vi) |
|
any net income attributable to foreign subsidiaries, except to
the extent the Company has received a cash dividend or distribution or an
intercompany cash payment with respect thereto during such period, and |
|
|
(vii) |
|
the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle,
plus |
|
|
|
to the extent net income has been reduced thereby and without duplication,
amortization of deferred financing fees included in interest expense, depreciation and
amortization (including amortization of film contracts) and other non-cash charges that
are (a) not attributable to subsidiaries whose net income is subject to clause (v) or
(vi) of the first bullet above and (b) not in the nature of provisions for future cash
payments, minus |
70
|
|
|
the amount of cash taxes paid or accrued with respect to such period (including
provision for taxes payable in future periods) to the extent exceeding the amount of
tax expense deducted in determining net income, minus |
|
|
|
dividends paid or declared with respect to such period and amounts committed or paid
to purchase equity interests in the Company or derivatives thereof with respect to such
period, minus |
|
|
|
|
capital expenditures made in cash or accrued with respect to such period, minus |
|
|
|
|
with respect to any income realized outside of the United States, any amount of
taxes that would be required to be paid in order to repatriate such income to the
United States, minus |
|
|
|
|
cash payments made or scheduled to be made with respect to film contracts. |
Company Stock Options
At the Effective Time, except as otherwise agreed by the Fincos and a holder of Company stock
options, each outstanding Company stock option that remains outstanding and unexercised, whether
vested or unvested, will automatically become fully vested and convert into the right to receive a
cash payment equal to the product of (i) the excess, if any, of the Merger Consideration over the
exercise price per share of the Company stock option and (ii) the number of shares of common stock
issuable upon exercise of such Company stock option. As of the Effective Time, subject to certain
exceptions, the Company stock options will no longer be outstanding and will automatically cease to
exist, and the holders thereof will no longer have any rights with respect to such Company stock
options, except the right to receive the cash payment described above, if any.
Company Restricted Stock
As of the Effective Time, except as otherwise agreed by the Fincos and a holder of shares of
Company restricted stock with respect to such holders shares of Company restricted stock, each
share of Company restricted stock that remains outstanding as of the Effective Time, whether vested
or unvested, will automatically become fully vested and become free of restriction and will be
cancelled and converted into the right to receive a cash payment equal to the Merger Consideration.
Exchange and Payment Procedures
On the Closing Date, promptly following the Effective Time, the surviving corporation shall
deposit with a paying agent (the Paying Agent) designated by the Fincos and reasonably acceptable
to the Company, for holders of shares of Company common stock, Company stock options, and shares of
Company restricted stock (other than (i) shares held in the treasury of the Company immediately
prior to the Effective Time, (ii) shares owned by Merger Sub immediately prior to the Effective
Time, (iii) shares held by a shareholder who properly demands statutory appraisal rights and (iv)
shares held by Rollover Shareholders that are being converted in shares of the surviving
corporations equity securities), a cash amount sufficient to pay the aggregate Merger
Consideration to be paid in the Merger in exchange for their shares of Company common stock,
Company stock options, and shares of Company restricted stock.
Appropriate transmittal materials will be provided to the holders of Company common stock
certificates or book-entry shares promptly following the Effective Time, and in any event not later
than the second business day following the Effective Time, by the Paying Agent, informing the
holders of the effectiveness of the Merger and the procedure for surrendering Company common stock
share certificates and book-entry shares to the Paying Agent. After holders surrender their
certificates or book-entry shares and properly complete and execute transmittal materials to the
Paying Agent, the surrendered certificates will be canceled and those holders will be entitled to
receive in exchange therefor a cash amount equal to the Merger Consideration for each share of
Company common stock represented by the surrendered and canceled certificates. The Paying Agent
will deliver the Merger Consideration contemplated to be paid per outstanding share upon surrender
of the certificates representing those securities. In addition, as promptly as practicable
following the Effective Time, the Paying Agent will mail to each holder of a Company stock option
or Company restricted stock a check in the appropriate amount payable to the holder pursuant to the
terms of the Merger Agreement.
71
After the Effective Time, there will be no further transfers of Company common stock. Any
certificate presented to the surviving corporation or the Paying Agent for transfer (other than
those certificates representing dissenting shares) after the Effective Time will be canceled and
exchanged for the Merger Consideration with respect to each share of Company common stock
represented by that certificate.
Any portion of the funds deposited with the Paying Agent that remain undistributed to holders
of certificates, book-entry shares, stock options, or restricted shares for one year after the
Effective Time will be delivered to the surviving corporation, together with interest and other
income received by the Paying Agent. Holders of Company common stock who at that time have not yet
complied with the exchange procedures outlined above shall thereafter look only to the surviving
corporation, as general creditors of the surviving corporation, for delivery of any Merger
Consideration, without interest, that may be payable upon due surrender of their respective share
certificates. None of the Fincos, Merger Sub, the Company, the surviving corporation or the Paying
Agent will be liable for any amount properly delivered to a public official under any applicable
abandoned property, escheat or similar law.
The Paying Agent will invest any cash included in the funds made available by the Fincos as
directed by the Fincos or, after the Effective Time, the surviving corporation, provided that (i)
no investment shall relieve the Fincos or the Paying Agent from making the payments required under
the Merger Agreement, and following any losses the surviving corporation shall promptly provide
additional funds to the Paying Agent for the benefit of the holders of Company common stock,
Company stock options, and Company restricted stock in the amount of those losses, and (ii) the
investments shall be in short-term obligations of the United States with maturities of no more than
30 days or guaranteed by the United States and backed by the full faith and credit of the United
States or in commercial paper obligations rated A-1 or P-1 or better by Moodys Investors Service,
Inc. or Standard & Poors Corporation, respectively. Any interest or income produced by the
investments will be payable to the surviving corporation or the Fincos, as directed by the Fincos.
The Fincos, the surviving corporation and the Paying Agent shall be entitled to deduct and
withhold from any payment pursuant to the Merger Agreement amounts as may be required to be
deducted and withheld with respect to the making of such payment under the Code or any other
applicable law.
Representations and Warranties
The Merger Agreement contains representations and warranties of the parties to the Merger
Agreement made to and solely for the benefit of each other. The assertions embodied in those
representations and warranties are qualified by information in confidential disclosure schedules
that the parties have exchanged in connection with signing the Merger Agreement and that modify,
qualify and create exceptions to the representations and warranties contained in the Merger
Agreement. Accordingly, you should not rely on the representations and warranties as
characterizations of the actual state of facts, because (i) they were made only as of the date of
the Merger Agreement or a prior specified date, (ii) in some cases they are subject to
qualifications with respect to materiality and knowledge, and (iii) they are modified in important
part by the underlying disclosure schedules. The Companys disclosure schedules contain
information that has been included in the Companys prior public disclosures, as well as non-public
information. Moreover, information concerning the subject matter of the representations and
warranties may have changed since the date of the Merger Agreement, which subsequent information
may or may not be fully reflected in the Companys public disclosures.
The Company makes various representations and warranties in the Merger Agreement that are
subject, in some cases, to exceptions and qualifications (including exceptions that do not create a
Material Adverse Effect on the Company (as defined below)). Our representations and warranties
relate to, among other things:
|
|
|
our and our subsidiaries due organization, valid existence, good standing and
qualification to do business; |
|
|
|
|
our and our subsidiaries articles of incorporation, bylaws and other organizational
documents; |
|
|
|
|
our capitalization, including in particular the number of issued and outstanding shares of Company common stock, Company stock options, warrants and Company restricted
stock outstanding; |
72
|
|
|
our corporate power and authority to enter into the Merger Agreement and to
consummate the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement; |
|
|
|
|
the approval and recommendation of the Merger Agreement, and the approval of the
Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement by the board of
directors; |
|
|
|
|
the required vote of our shareholders in connection with the adoption of the Merger
Agreement; |
|
|
|
|
the absence of certain specified violations of, or conflicts with, our governing
documents, applicable law or certain agreements as a result of entering into the Merger
Agreement and consummating the Merger; |
|
|
|
|
the required consents and approvals of governmental entities in connection with
consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement; |
|
|
|
|
compliance with applicable laws and permits, including FCC licenses; |
|
|
|
|
our SEC forms, documents, registration statements and reports since December 31,
2004, and to our knowledge, the SEC forms, documents, registration statements and
reports of Clear Channel Outdoor since November 2, 2005, including the financial
statements contained therein; |
|
|
|
|
our disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial
reporting; |
|
|
|
|
the absence of a Material Adverse Effect on the Company and certain other changes or
events related to the Company or its subsidiaries since December 31, 2005; |
|
|
|
|
the absence of certain undisclosed liabilities; |
|
|
|
|
the absence of legal proceedings and governmental orders against the Company; |
|
|
|
|
taxes; |
|
|
|
|
the absence of any untrue statement of a material fact or omission of a material
fact required to be stated in this proxy statement or any other document filed with the
SEC in connection with the Merger; |
|
|
|
|
our material contracts; |
|
|
|
|
employment and labor matters affecting us or our subsidiaries, including matters
relating to the our or our subsidiaries employee benefit plans; |
|
|
|
|
the inapplicability to the Merger Agreement and the Merger of restrictions imposed
on business combinations by Article 13 of the Texas Business Corporation Act; |
|
|
|
|
the receipt by the board of directors of a fairness opinion from Goldman Sachs & Co.
and the receipt by the special advisory committee of the board of directors of an
opinion from Lazard; and |
|
|
|
|
the absence of undisclosed brokers fees. |
For purposes of the Merger Agreement, Material Adverse Effect on the Company means any
event, state of facts, circumstance, development, change, effect or occurrence that has had or
would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business condition (financial
or otherwise), operations or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a
whole. However, any event, state of facts circumstance, development, change, effect or occurrence
resulting from the following matters will not be taken into account in determining whether there
has been a Material Adverse Effect on the Company and will not constitute a Material Adverse Effect
on the Company:
73
|
|
|
changes in general economic or political conditions or the securities, credit or
financial markets in general, in each case, generally affecting the general television
or radio broadcasting, music, internet, outdoor advertising or event industries; |
|
|
|
|
general changes or developments in the general television or radio broadcasting,
music, internet or event industries, including general changes in law or regulation
across such industries; |
|
|
|
|
the announcement of the Merger Agreement or the pendency or consummation of the
Merger; |
|
|
|
|
the identity of Merger Sub, the Sponsors or any of their affiliates as the acquirer
of the Company; |
|
|
|
|
compliance with the terms of, or the taking of any action required by, the Merger
Agreement or consented to by the Fincos; |
|
|
|
|
any acts of terrorism or war (other than any of the foregoing that causes any damage
or destruction to or renders unusable any facility or property of the Company or any of
its subsidiaries); |
|
|
|
|
changes in generally accepted accounting principles or the interpretation thereof; |
|
|
|
|
any weather related event; or |
|
|
|
|
any failure to meet internal or published projections, forecasts or revenue or
earning predictions for any period (provided that the underlying causes of the failure
shall be considered in determining whether there is a Material Adverse Effect on the
Company). |
The events summarized in the first two bullet points above will not be taken into account in
determining whether there has been a Material Adverse Effect on the Company except to the extent
those changes or developments would reasonably be expected to have a materially disproportionate
impact on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, relative to other for-profit
participants in the industries and in the geographic markets in which the Company conducts its
businesses after taking into account the size of the Company relative to such other for-profit
participants.
The Merger Agreement also contains various representations and warranties made jointly and
severally by the Fincos and Merger Sub that are subject, in some cases, to exceptions and
qualifications (including exceptions that do not create a Merger Sub Material Adverse Effect (as
defined below)). The representations and warranties relate to, among other things:
|
|
|
their due organization, valid existence and good standing; |
|
|
|
|
their certificate of incorporation, bylaws and other organizational documents; |
|
|
|
|
their power and authority to enter into the Merger Agreement and to consummate the
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement; |
|
|
|
|
the absence of violations of, or conflicts with, their governing documents,
applicable law or certain agreements as a result of entering into the Merger Agreement
and consummating the Merger; |
|
|
|
|
the required consents and approvals of governmental entities in connection with the
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement; |
|
|
|
|
their qualification under the Communications Act to hold FCC licenses; |
|
|
|
|
the absence of litigation and government orders against the Fincos and Merger Sub; |
|
|
|
|
the Fincos ability to secure financing for the Merger; |
74
|
|
|
the delivery of limited guarantees of certain of the obligations of the Fincos and
Merger Sub executed by each of the Sponsors; |
|
|
|
|
the capitalization of Merger Sub; |
|
|
|
|
the absence of undisclosed brokers fees; |
|
|
|
|
the absence of any untrue statement of a material fact or omission of a material
fact required to be stated in any information supplied by the Fincos for inclusion in
this proxy statement; and |
|
|
|
|
the solvency of the surviving corporation following the consummation of the Merger. |
For purposes of the Merger Agreement, a Merger Sub Material Adverse Effect means any event,
state of facts, circumstance, development, change, effect or occurrence that is materially adverse
to the business, financial condition or results of operations of Merger Sub and Merger Subs
subsidiaries taken as a whole or may reasonably be expected to prevent or materially delay or
materially impair the ability of Merger Sub or any of its subsidiaries to consummate the Merger and
the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
The representations and warranties in the Merger Agreement of each of the Company, the Fincos
and Merger Sub will terminate at the earlier of the Effective Time and the termination of the
Merger Agreement pursuant to its terms.
Conduct of the Companys Business Pending the Merger
Under the Merger Agreement, the Company has agreed that, subject to certain exceptions,
between November 16, 2006 and the completion of the Merger, unless the Fincos give their prior
written consent:
|
|
|
the Company and its subsidiaries will conduct business in the ordinary course and
consistent with past practice in all material respects; and |
|
|
|
|
the Company and its subsidiaries will use their reasonable best efforts to preserve
substantially intact the Companys business organizations and to keep available the
services of certain senior executive officers. |
The Company also has agreed that, during the same time period, subject to certain exceptions,
neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries will take any of the following actions, unless the
Fincos give their prior written consent:
|
|
|
amend the Companys articles of incorporation or bylaws or the organizational
documents of its subsidiaries; |
|
|
|
|
issue, sell, pledge, dispose, encumber or grant any equity securities or convertible
securities of the Company or its subsidiaries; |
|
|
|
|
acquire any business organization or any division thereof or any material amount of
assets with a purchase price in excess of $150 million in the aggregate; |
|
|
|
|
adjust, recapitalize, reclassify, combine, split, subdivide, redeem, purchase or
otherwise acquire any equity securities or convertible securities of the Company or its
subsidiaries; |
|
|
|
|
other than with respect to the payment by the Company of a regular quarterly
dividend, as and when normally paid, not to exceed $0.1875 per share, declare, set
aside for payment or pay any dividend payable in cash, property or stock on, or make
any other distribution in respect of, any shares of its capital stock; |
75
|
|
|
create, incur, guarantee or assume any indebtedness except for indebtedness: (i)
incurred under the Companys or a subsidiarys existing credit facilities, (ii) for
borrowed money incurred pursuant to agreements in effect prior to the execution of the
Merger Agreement, (iii) as otherwise required in the ordinary course of the Companys
business consistent with past practice, or (iv) in an aggregate principal amount not to
exceed $250 million; |
|
|
|
|
make any material change to its methods of accounting in effect at December 31,
2005, except as required by generally accepted accounting principles, Regulation S-X of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as required by a governmental
authority, as required by a change in applicable law, or as disclosed in the documents
filed by the Company with the SEC prior to November 16, 2006; |
|
|
|
|
adopt or enter into a plan of restructuring, recapitalization or other
reorganization (other than the Merger and other than transactions exclusively between
the Company and its subsidiaries or between the Companys subsidiaries, in which case,
the Fincos consent will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed); |
|
|
|
|
sell, lease, license, transfer, exchange or swap, mortgage or otherwise encumber
(including securitizations), or subject to any lien (other than permitted liens) or
otherwise dispose of any asset or any portion of its properties or assets with a sale
price in excess of $50 million; |
|
|
|
|
make any material change in any method of tax accounting or any annual tax
accounting period, make, change or rescind any material tax election, participate in
any settlement negotiations concerning United States federal income taxes in respect of
the 2003 or subsequent tax year, settle or compromise any material tax liability, audit
claim or assessment, surrender any right to claim for a material tax refund, file any
amended tax return involving a material amount of additional taxes, enter into any
closing agreement relating to material taxes, or waive or extend the statute of
limitations in respect of material taxes other than pursuant to extensions of time to
file tax returns obtained in the ordinary course of business; |
|
|
|
|
grant any stock options, restricted shares or other rights to acquire any of the
Companys or its subsidiaries capital stock or take any action to cause to be
exercisable any otherwise unexercisable options under any of the Companys option
plans, except as may be required under any option plans or an employment agreement or
pursuant to any customary grants made to employees at fair market value (provided that
the number of shares of Company common stock thereunder shall not exceed 0.25% of the
outstanding shares of Company common stock as of the close of business on November 10,
2006); |
|
|
|
|
increase the compensation or other benefits payable to (i) current or former
directors (including L. Lowry Mays, Mark P. Mays, and Randall T. Mays in their
capacities as executive officers of the Company), (ii) any other senior executive
officers of the Company by an amount exceeding a specified amount agreed upon by the
Company and the Fincos, or (iii) other employees except in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practices; |
|
|
|
|
grant any severance or termination pay to, or enter into any severance agreement
with, any current or former director, executive officer or employee of the Company or
any of its subsidiaries, except as are required in accordance with any benefit plan of
the Company and in the case of employees other than the senior executive officers,
other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; |
|
|
|
|
enter into any employment agreement with any director, executive officer or employee
of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, except (i) employment agreements to replace
a departing executive officer or employee upon substantially similar terms, (ii)
employment agreements with on-air talent, (iii) new employment agreements entered into
in the ordinary course of business providing for compensation not in excess of $250,000
annually and with a term of no more than |
76
|
|
|
two years, or (iv) extensions of employment agreements other than agreements with
senior executive officers in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice; |
|
|
|
|
adopt, approve, ratify, enter into or amend any collective bargaining agreement,
side letter, memorandum of understanding or similar agreement with any labor union; |
|
|
|
|
adopt, amend or terminate any benefit plan of the Company or any retention, change
in control, profit sharing, or severance plan or contract for the benefit of any of the
Companys current or former directors, officers, or employees or any of their
beneficiaries, except for any amendment to comply with Section 409(A) of the U.S.
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. |
|
|
|
|
make any capital expenditure in excess of $50 million individually, or $100 million
in the aggregate, except for any capital expenditures in aggregate amounts consistent
with past practice or as required pursuant to new contracts entered into in the
ordinary course of business; |
|
|
|
|
make any investment in, or loan or advance (other than travel and similar advances
to its employees in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice) to,
any person in excess of $25 million in the aggregate for all such investments, loans or
advances, other than an investment in, or loan or advance to, a subsidiary of the
Company, provided that (other than travel and similar advances in the ordinary course
of business) the Company shall not make any loans or advances to any senior executive
officer; |
|
|
|
|
settle or compromise any material claim, suit, action, arbitration or other
proceeding, provided that the Company may settle or compromise any claim that is not
related to the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby that do not
exceed $10 million individually, or $30 million in the aggregate, and do not impose any
material restriction on the business or operations of the Company or its subsidiaries; |
|
|
|
|
except with respect to certain permitted divestitures, without the Fincos consent
(which consent may not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), enter into
any local marketing or similar agreement in respect of the programming of any radio or
television broadcast station or contract for the acquisition or sale of any radio
broadcast station, television broadcast station or daily newspaper or of any equity or
debt interest in any person that directly or indirectly has an attributable interest in
any radio broadcast station, television broadcast station or daily newspaper; |
|
|
|
|
make any amendment or modification to, or give any consent or grant any waiver
under, that certain Master Agreement, dated as of November 16, 2005, by and between the
Company and Clear Channel Outdoor (the Master Agreement) to permit Clear Channel
Outdoor to issue any capital stock, options or other securities, consolidate or merge
with another person, declare or pay any dividend, sell or encumber any of its assets,
amend, modify, cancel, forgive or assign any intercompany notes or amend, terminate or
modify the Master Agreement or the Corporate Services Agreement, dated November 16,
2005, between Clear Channel Management Services, L.P. and Clear Channel Outdoor; |
|
|
|
|
enter into any transaction, agreement, arrangement or understanding between the
Company or any of its subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any affiliate of the Company
(other than its subsidiaries) on the other hand, of the type that would be required to
be disclosed under Item 404 of Regulation S-K that involves more than $100,000; |
|
|
|
|
adopt any takeover defenses or take any action to render any state takeover statutes
inapplicable to any transaction other than the transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement; or |
|
|
|
|
authorize or enter into any written agreement or otherwise make any commitment to do
any of the foregoing. |
77
FCC Matters
Until the Effective Time, the Company has agreed to: (i) use its reasonable best efforts to
comply with all material requirements of the FCC applicable to the operation of the Companys
television and radio stations, (ii) promptly deliver to the Fincos copies of any material reports
or applications filed with the FCC, (iii) promptly notify the Fincos of any inquiry, investigation
or proceeding initiated by the FCC relating to the Companys television and radio stations, which
if determined adversely, would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on the
Company, and (iv) not make or revoke any election with the FCC that would have, in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
Shareholders Meeting
Unless the Merger Agreement is terminated, the Company is required to establish a record date
for, duly call, give notice of, convene and hold the special meeting within 45 days of the mailing
of this proxy statement, for the purpose of voting upon the adoption of the Merger Agreement and
approval of the Merger. The Company is required to recommend that the Companys shareholders vote
in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement and the approval of the Merger, except that the
Company will not be obligated to recommend to its shareholders the adoption of the Merger Agreement
or the approval of the Merger if the board of directors, in accordance with the Merger Agreement
changes, qualifies, withdraws or modifies in any manner adverse to the Fincos its recommendation
that the Companys shareholders vote in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement and the
approval of the Merger. The Company is also required to use its commercially reasonable efforts to
solicit from its shareholders proxies in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement and the
approval of the Merger and to take all other actions necessary or advisable to secure the vote or
consent of its shareholders required by the rules of the NYSE and applicable law.
Appropriate Actions
The parties agreed in the Merger Agreement to use their respective reasonable best efforts to
consummate the Merger, including, (i) in the case of the Fincos, the obtaining of all necessary
approvals under any applicable communication laws required in connection with the Merger, (ii)
obtaining all necessary actions or non-actions, consents and approvals from governmental
authorities or other persons and taking all reasonable steps as may be necessary to obtain approval
from, or to avoid an action or proceeding, by any governmental authority or other persons necessary
to consummate the Merger, (iii) defending any lawsuits or legal proceedings challenging the Merger,
including seeking to have any stay or temporary restraining order vacated or reversed, and (iv)
executing and delivering any additional instruments necessary to consummate the Merger.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Fincos and the Company filed on December 12, 2006, all
applications necessary in order to obtain the FCC Consent.
The Fincos have agreed to promptly take any and all steps necessary to avoid or eliminate
every impediment and obtain all consents under any antitrust, competition or communications or
broadcast law (including the FCC media ownership rules), that may be required by any governmental
authority to enable the parties to consummate the Merger as promptly as practicable, including
committing to or effecting, by consent decree, hold separate order, trust or otherwise, the
divestiture (as defined above under Regulatory Approvals) of such assets or businesses as are
required to be divested in order to obtain the FCC Consent or to avoid the entry of, or to effect
the dissolution of or vacate or lift any order, that would otherwise have the effect of preventing
or materially delaying the consummation of the Merger.
The parties have agreed that if the FTC or the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of
Justice has not granted the necessary approvals under the HSR Act as of August 16, 2007, then if
the Companys and the Fincos respective antitrust counsel, in their professional judgment, jointly
determine that a divestiture is required to obtain the necessary approvals under the HSR Act, they
will provide notice of such determination to the Fincos and the Fincos have agreed promptly, and in
any event by November 15, 2007, to implement the divestiture.
78
Access to Information
Until the earlier of the Effective Time or the termination of the Merger Agreement, except as
otherwise prohibited by applicable law or the terms of any contract entered into prior to November
16, 2006 or as would reasonably be expected to violate or result in a loss or impairment of any
attorney-client or work product privilege, the Company will, and will cause each of its
subsidiaries to, (i) provide to the Fincos and their respective officers, directors, employees,
accountants, consultants, legal counsel, permitted financing sources, agents and other
representatives (the Fincos Representatives) reasonable access during normal business hours to
the Companys and certain material subsidiaries officers, employees, offices and other facilities,
properties, books, contracts and records and other information as the Fincos may reasonably request
regarding the business, assets, liabilities, employees and other aspects of the Company and its
subsidiaries, (ii) permit the Fincos to make copies and inspections thereof as the Fincos may
reasonably request, and (iii) furnish promptly to the Fincos such information concerning the
business, properties, contracts, assets, liabilities, personnel and other aspects of the Company
and its subsidiaries as the Fincos or the Fincos Representatives may reasonably request. In
addition, during such time, the Company will provide the Fincos and the Fincos Representatives
copies of each unaudited monthly consolidated balance sheet of the Company for the month then ended
and related statements of earnings, and cash flows in the form and promptly following such time as
they are provided or made available to the Companys senior executive officers.
Solicitation of Alternative Proposals
The Merger Agreement provides that through 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on December 7,
2006 (the No-Shop Period Start Date), the Company was permitted to:
|
|
|
initiate, solicit and encourage Competing Proposals (as defined below) from third
parties, including by way of providing access to non-public information to third
parties pursuant to a confidentiality agreement; and |
|
|
|
|
participate in discussions or negotiations regarding, and take any other action to
facilitate any Competing Proposal. |
On the No-Shop Period Start Date, the Company agreed to advise the Fincos of the number and
identities of the parties making a bona fide written Competing Proposal that the board of directors
or any committee thereof believed in good faith after consultation with the Companys outside legal
and financial advisors, constituted or could reasonably be expected to lead to a Superior Proposal
(as defined below) (any such proposal, an Excluded Competing Proposal) and provide to the Fincos
(within two calendar days) written notice specifying the material terms and conditions of any
Excluded Competing Proposal. The Company did not receive any Competing Proposals prior to that
time.
Commencing on the No-Shop Period Start Date the Company agreed to:
|
|
|
immediately cease and cause to be terminated any solicitation, encouragement,
discussion or negotiation with any persons conducted prior these dates with respect to
any actual or potential Competing Proposal; and |
|
|
|
|
with respect to parties with whom discussions or negotiations have been terminated
on, prior to or subsequent to November 16, 2006, the Company shall use its reasonable
best efforts to obtain the return or the destruction of, in accordance with the terms
of the applicable confidentiality agreement, any confidential information previously
furnished by the Company. |
From and after the No-Shop Period Start Date until the earlier of the Effective Time or the
date, if any, on which the Merger Agreement is terminated, the Company agreed not to:
|
|
|
initiate, solicit, or knowingly facilitate or encourage the submission of any
inquiries, proposals or offers with respect to a Competing Proposal; |
79
|
|
|
participate in any negotiations regarding, or furnish to any person any information
in connection with, any Competing Proposal; |
|
|
|
|
engage in discussions with any person with respect to any Competing Proposal; |
|
|
|
|
approve or recommend any Competing Proposal; |
|
|
|
|
enter into any letter of intent or similar document or any agreement or commitment
providing for any Competing Proposal; |
|
|
|
|
otherwise cooperate with, or assist or participate in, or knowingly facilitate or
encourage any effort or attempt by any person (other than the Fincos or their
representatives) with respect to a Competing Proposal; or |
|
|
|
|
exempt any person from the restrictions contained in any state takeover or similar
laws or otherwise cause these restrictions not to apply to any person or to any
Competing Proposal. |
For purposes of the Merger Agreement, a Competing Proposal means any proposal or offer
relating to:
|
|
|
any direct or indirect acquisition or purchase, in any single transaction or series
of related transactions, by any person or group acting in concert, of 15% or more of
the fair market value of the assets, issued and outstanding shares of Company common
stock or other ownership interests of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries,
taken as a whole, or to which 15% or more of the Companys and its subsidiaries net
revenues or earnings on a consolidated basis are attributable; |
|
|
|
|
any tender offer or exchange offer that if consummated would result in any person or
group beneficially owning 15% or more of the shares of Company common stock; or |
|
|
|
|
any merger, consolidation, business combination, recapitalization, issuance of or
amendment to the terms of outstanding stock or other securities, liquidation,
dissolution or other similar transaction involving the Company as a result of which any
person or group acting in concert would acquire 15% or more of the fair market value of
the assets, issued and outstanding shares of Company common stock or other ownership
interests (including capital stock of the Companys subsidiaries) of the Company and
its consolidated subsidiaries, taken as a whole or to which 15% or more of the
Companys and its subsidiaries net revenues or earnings on a consolidated basis are
attributable. |
Prior to adoption of the Merger Agreement by the Companys shareholders, if the Company
receives any written Competing Proposal which the board of directors believes in good faith to be
bona fide and which the board of directors determines, after consultation with outside counsel and
financial advisors, constitutes, or could reasonably be expected to result in, a Superior Proposal,
the Company may:
|
|
|
furnish information to the third party making the Competing Proposal, provided the
Company receives from the third party an executed confidentiality agreement; and |
|
|
|
|
engage in discussions or negotiations with the third party with respect to the
Competing Proposal. |
Additionally, neither the board of directors nor any committee thereof shall change, qualify,
withdraw or modify in any manner adverse to the Fincos or Merger Sub, or publicly propose to
change, qualify, withdraw or modify in a manner adverse to the Fincos or Merger Sub, its
recommendation that the Company shareholders adopt the Merger Agreement (the Company
Recommendation) or its approval of the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby,
or make any recommendation or public statement in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer
other than a recommendation against such offer or otherwise take any action inconsistent with the
Company Recommendation (collectively, a Change of Recommendation); provided, that (1) prior to
adoption of the Merger Agreement by our shareholders, the board of directors may effect a Change of
Recommendation and/or terminate the Merger Agreement if the board of directors has concluded in
good faith, after
80
consultation with outside legal and financial advisors, that the failure of the board of
directors to effect a Change of Recommendation and/or terminate the Merger Agreement would be
reasonably likely to be inconsistent with the directors exercise of their fiduciary duties to the
Companys shareholders under applicable law and (2) the board of directors cannot effect a Change
of Recommendation or terminate the Merger Agreement in response to a Superior Proposal unless (i)
the Company has provided at least 5 business days prior written notice to the Fincos of its
intention to effect a Change of Recommendation and/or terminate the Merger Agreement to enter into
a definitive agreement with respect to such Superior Proposal, which specifies the material terms
of conditions of such Superior Proposal, (ii) the board of directors has determined in good faith,
after consultation with outside counsel, that the failure to make a Change of Recommendation in
connection with the Superior Proposal could be reasonably likely to violate the board of directors
fiduciary duties under applicable law and the Company has promptly notified the Fincos in writing
of such determinations and (iii) following such five business day period, during which the Company
must in good faith negotiate with the Fincos, to the extent the Fincos wish to negotiate, to enable
the Fincos to make such proposed changes to the terms of the Merger Agreement, and taking into
account any revised proposal made by the Fincos, the board of directors has determined in good
faith, after consultation with outside counsel, that such Superior Proposal remains a Superior
Proposal. A termination of the Merger Agreement described in the preceding sentence would be void
and of no force and effect unless concurrently with such termination the Company pays the
termination fee as described below Termination Fees Company Termination Fees.
The Company agreed to advise the Fincos of any Competing Proposal or any inquiry, proposal or
offer, request for information or request for discussions or negotiations with respect to or that
would reasonably be expected to lead to any Competing Proposal, the identity of the person making
any Competing Proposal, or inquiry, proposal, offer or request, and to provide the Fincos with a
copy (if in writing) and summary of the material terms of any such Competing Proposal or such
inquiry, proposal or request. The Company agreed to keep the Fincos informed of the status of any
Competing Proposal or inquiry, proposal or request and not to enter into any confidentiality
agreement or other agreement with any person subsequent to the date of the Merger Agreement which
prohibits the Company from providing such information to the Fincos. The Company also agreed that
neither it nor any of its subsidiaries will terminate, waive, amend or modify any provision or any
existing standstill or confidentiality agreement to which it or any of its subsidiaries is a party
and that it and its subsidiaries shall enforce the provisions of any such agreement, unless failure
by the board of directors to take such action could reasonably be expected to violate its fiduciary
duties under applicable law.
For purposes of the Merger Agreement, Superior Proposal means any bona fide written offer or
proposal made by a third party (including any shareholder of the Company) to acquire (when combined
with such partys ownership of securities of the Company held immediately prior to such offer or
proposal) greater than 50% of the issued and outstanding Company common stock or all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, pursuant to
a tender or exchange offer, a merger, a consolidation, a liquidation or dissolution, a
recapitalization, an issuance of securities by the Company, a sale of all or substantially all the
Companys assets or otherwise, on terms which are not subject to a financing contingency and which
the board of directors determines in good faith, after consultation with the Companys financial
and legal advisors and consideration of all terms and conditions of such offer or proposal
(including the conditionality and the timing and likelihood of consummation of such proposal), is
on terms that are more favorable to the holders of the Company common stock from a financial point
of view than the terms set forth in the Merger Agreement or the terms of any other proposal made by
the Fincos after the Fincos receipt of a notification of such Superior Proposal, taking into
account at the time of determination, among any other factors, any changes to the terms of the
Merger Agreement that as of that time had been proposed by the Fincos in writing and the
conditionality and likelihood of consummation of the Superior Proposal.
In addition to the foregoing, the Company may:
|
|
|
disclose to the shareholders a position contemplated by Rules 14e-2(a) and 14d-9
under the Exchange Act; and |
|
|
|
|
make other disclosures to the Companys shareholders, if the board of directors
reasonably determines in good faith, after consultation with outside legal counsel,
that the failure to do so would be inconsistent with any applicable state or federal
securities law. |
81
Indemnification; Directors and Officers Insurance
Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub has agreed that all current rights of
indemnification provided by the Company for its current and former directors or officers shall
survive the Merger and continue in full force and effect. Merger Sub has also agreed to indemnify,
defend and hold harmless, and advance expenses to the Companys current and former directors or
officers to the fullest extent required by the Companys articles of incorporation, bylaws or any
indemnification agreement to which the Company is a party.
Additionally, the surviving corporation for the six years following the Effective Time, will
indemnify and hold harmless each current and former officers and directors of the Company from any
costs or expenses paid in connection with any claim, action or proceeding arising out of or related
to (i) any acts or omissions of a current or former officer or director in their capacity as an
officer or director if the service was at the request or for the benefit of the Company or any of
its subsidiaries or (ii) the Merger, the Merger Agreement any transactions contemplated thereby.
In addition, at the Companys election, the Company or the Fincos will obtain insurance
policies with a claims period of at least six years from the Effective Time with respect to
directors and officers liability insurance that provides coverage for events occurring on or
before the Effective Time of the Merger. The terms of the policies will be no less favorable than
the existing policy of the Company, unless the annual premiums of the policies would exceed 300% of
the current policys premium, in which case the coverage will be the greatest amount available for
an amount not exceeding 300% of the current premium.
Employee Benefit Plans
Under the Merger Agreement, the Fincos have agreed that they will, and will cause the
surviving corporation to:
|
|
|
for one year following the closing of the Merger, provide the surviving
corporations employees and its subsidiaries employees (other than those senior
executive officers who have existing employment agreements or other employees that
enter into new employment arrangements with the Fincos or the surviving corporation in
connection with the Merger) compensation and employee benefits (other than any
equity-based benefits) that, in the aggregate, are no less favorable than the
compensation and employee benefits for these employees immediately prior to the
consummation of the Merger; |
|
|
|
|
for one year following the closing of the Merger, provide to Company employees who
experience a termination of employment severance benefits that are no less than the
severance benefits that would have been provided to these employees upon a similar
termination of employment immediately prior to the Effective Time; |
|
|
|
|
credit all service with the Company and its subsidiaries for purposes of eligibility
and vesting and for accrual of vacation, other paid time off and severance benefits
under any employee benefit plan applicable to employees of the surviving corporation or
its subsidiaries after the consummation of the Merger to the extent recognized by the
Company under a corresponding benefit plan; and |
|
|
|
|
honor any and all collective bargaining agreements. |
Financing
The Fincos have agreed:
|
|
|
to use their reasonable best efforts to arrange and obtain the financing on the
terms and conditions described in the financing commitments, negotiate and finalize
definitive agreements with respect to the financing on the terms and conditions
contained in the financing commitments, satisfy on a timely basis all conditions
applicable to the Fincos or Merger Sub in the definitive agreements that |
82
|
|
|
are within their control, consummate the financing no later than the Closing Date,
and enforce their rights under the financing commitments; |
|
|
|
|
if any portion of the financing becomes unavailable on the terms and conditions
contemplated in the commitments, to promptly notify the Company and use their
reasonable best efforts to obtain alternative financing from alternative sources, on
terms, taken as a whole, that are no more adverse to the Company, as promptly as
practicable, but in no event later than the last day of the Marketing Period, including
entering into definitive agreements with respect thereto; |
|
|
|
|
if all or any portion of the debt financing structured as a high yield financing has
not been consummated, the conditions to closing the Merger contained in the Merger
Agreement (except limited specified exceptions) have been satisfied or waived and the
bridge financing contemplated by the financing commitments is available on the terms
and conditions contemplated in the debt financing commitments, to use the bridge
financing contemplated in the debt financing commitments, if necessary, to replace the
high yield financing no later than the last day of the Marketing Period; and |
|
|
|
|
to keep us informed on a reasonably current basis of the status of its efforts to
arrange the debt financing, to provide us with copies of the definitive documents
related to the debt financing promptly upon execution and to give us prompt notice of
any material breach of or termination of any financing commitment. |
Under the Merger Agreement, the Debt Commitment Letter may be amended, restated or otherwise
modified or superseded to add lenders and arrangers, increase the amount of debt, replace or modify
the facilities or otherwise replace or modify the Debt Commitment Letter in manner not less
beneficial in the aggregate to Merger Sub and the Fincos, except that any new debt financing
commitments shall not (i) adversely amend the conditions to the debt financing set forth in the
Debt Commitment Letter in any material respect, (ii) reasonably be expected to delay or prevent the
closing of the Merger, or (iii) reduce the aggregate amount of debt financing available for closing
unless replaced with new equity or debt financing.
We have agreed to cooperate in connection with the arrangement of the financing as may be
reasonably requested by the Fincos, provided that such requested cooperation does not unreasonably
interfere with our ongoing operations or otherwise materially impair the ability of any of our
officers or executives to carry out their duties. Such cooperation shall include, among other
things, at the reasonable request of the Fincos:
|
|
|
preparing business, financial and other pertinent information and data of the type
required by Regulation S-X and Regulation S-K under the Securities Act and of the type
and form customarily included in private placements resold under Rule 144A of the
Securities Act to consummate the offerings of debt securities contemplated by the debt
financing commitments, including delivery of financial statements, compliant with
applicable requirements of Regulation S-K and Regulation S-X and a registration
statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act; |
|
|
|
|
participation in meetings, presentations, road shows, drafting sessions, due
diligence sessions and sessions with rating agencies; |
|
|
|
|
assistance with the preparation of materials for rating agency presentations,
offering documents and similar documents required in connection with the debt
financing; |
|
|
|
|
entering into agreements, executing and delivering officers certificates and
pledging assets and facilitating diligence with respect thereto; |
|
|
|
|
using reasonable best efforts to obtain customary accountants comfort letters,
consents, legal opinions, survey and title insurance along with assistance and
cooperation from independent accountants and other professional advisors as reasonably
requested by the Fincos; |
|
|
|
|
otherwise reasonably cooperating in connection with the consummation of the debt
financing and the syndication and marketing thereof. |
83
Under the Merger Agreement, the Company has agreed to commence, and to cause AMFM Operating
Inc. to commence, debt tender offers to purchase Repurchased Existing Notes with the assistance of
the Fincos.
Conduct of the Fincos Business Pending the Merger
Under the Merger Agreement, the Fincos have agreed that, subject to certain exceptions,
between November 16, 2006 and the Effective Time, unless the Company gives its written consent
(which consent will not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), they will not:
|
|
|
amend or otherwise change any of Merger Subs organizational documents that would be
likely to prevent or materially delay the consummation of the Merger and related
transactions; |
|
|
|
|
acquire or make any investment in any corporation, partnership, limited liability
company, other business organization or any division thereof that holds, or has an
attributable interest in, any license, authorization, permit or approval issued by the
FCC if such acquisition or investment would delay, impede or prevent receipt of the FCC
Consent; or |
|
|
|
|
take any action that would be reasonably likely to cause a material delay in the
satisfaction of certain specified conditions contained in the Merger Agreement or the
consummation of the Merger. |
Conditions to the Merger
The obligations of the parties to complete the Merger are subject to the satisfaction or
waiver of the following mutual conditions:
|
|
|
Shareholder Approval. The adoption of the Merger Agreement by the Companys
shareholders. |
|
|
|
|
HSR Act Approvals. Any applicable waiting period under the HSR Act and any
applicable foreign antitrust laws relating to the consummation of the Merger will have
expired or been terminated. |
|
|
|
|
No Law or Orders. No governmental authority will have enacted or issued any law or
order which is then in effect and has the effect of making the Merger illegal or
otherwise prohibiting the consummation of the Merger. |
|
|
|
|
FCC Consent. The FCC Consent will have been obtained. |
The obligations of the Fincos and Merger Sub to complete the Merger are subject to the
satisfaction or waiver of the following additional conditions:
|
|
|
Representations and Warranties. The accuracy of the Companys representations and
warranties as of the date of the execution of the Merger Agreement and as of the
Effective Time (except for representations and warranties made as of a specific date,
which need only be true and correct as of such date or time), except where the failure
of such representations and warranties (in general, without giving effect to
materiality qualifiers) to be so true and correct would not, individually or in the
aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company and, except for the Companys
representation regarding its capitalization, which shall be correct except for
inaccuracies which are de minimis. |
|
|
|
|
Performance of Obligations. The performance or compliance, in all material
respects, by the Company of its agreements and covenants in the Merger Agreement. |
|
|
|
|
Closing Certificate. The Companys delivery to the Fincos at the closing of a
certificate with respect to the satisfaction of the conditions relating to the
Companys representations, warranties, covenants and agreements. |
84
|
|
|
No Material Adverse Affect. There will not have occurred, since November 16, 2006,
any Material Adverse Effect on the Company. |
The obligation of the Company to complete the Merger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver
of the following additional conditions:
|
|
|
Representations and Warranties. The accuracy of the Fincos and Merger Subs
representations and warranties as of the date of execution of the Merger Agreement and
as of the Effective Time (except for representations and warranties made as of a
specific date, which need only be true and correct as of such date or time), except
where the failure of such representations and warranties (in general, without giving
effect to materiality qualifiers) to be so true and correct would not, individually or
in the aggregate, have a Merger Sub Material Adverse Effect. |
|
|
|
|
Performance of Obligations. The performance or compliance, in all material
respects, by the Fincos and Merger Sub of their agreements and covenants in the Merger
Agreement. |
|
|
|
|
Solvency Certificate. The Fincos delivery to the Company at the closing of a
solvency certificate. |
|
|
|
|
Closing Certificate. The Fincos delivery to the Company at the closing of a
certificate with respect to the satisfaction of the conditions relating to the Fincos
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements. |
If a failure to satisfy one of these conditions to the obligations of the Company to complete
the Merger is not considered by our board of directors to be material to our shareholders, the
board of directors could waive compliance with that condition. Our board of directors is not aware
of any condition to the Merger that cannot be satisfied. Under Texas law, after the Merger
Agreement has been adopted by our shareholders, the Merger Consideration cannot be changed and the
Merger Agreement cannot be altered in a manner adverse to our shareholders without re-submitting
the revisions to our shareholders for their approval.
Termination
The Company and the Fincos may agree to terminate the Merger Agreement without completing the
Merger at any time. The Merger Agreement also may be terminated in each of the following
circumstances:
|
|
|
by either the Fincos or the Company, if: |
|
|
|
the closing of the Merger has not occurred on or before the date that is 12
months from December 12, 2006, the date on which all applications necessary to
obtain the FCC Consent have been filed (the FCC Filing Date)) (the
Termination Date), except that, if, as of the Termination Date, all
conditions to the Merger Agreement have been satisfied or waived, other than
the expiration or termination of any applicable waiting period under the HSR
Act and any applicable foreign antitrust laws and receipt of the FCC Consent,
the Termination Date may be extended to the date that is 18 months from the FCC
Filing Date by the Company or the Fincos; |
|
|
|
|
any governmental entity has issued an order, decree or ruling or taken any
other action permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the
Merger and such order, decree, ruling or other action is final and
non-appealable; |
|
|
|
|
the Companys shareholders do not adopt the Merger Agreement at the special
meeting or any adjournment of the special meeting; or |
|
|
|
|
there is a material breach by the non-terminating party of any of its
representations, warranties, covenants or agreements in the Merger Agreement
such that the closing conditions would not be satisfied by the Termination Date
and such breach has not been cured within 30 days following delivery of written
notice by the terminating party. |
85
|
|
|
by the Company, if on or prior to the last day of the Marketing Period neither
Merger Sub nor the surviving corporation has received the proceeds of the financings
sufficient to consummate the Merger; |
|
|
|
|
by the Company, if prior to the adoption of the Merger Agreement by the Company
shareholders, the board of directors has concluded in good faith, after consultation
with outside legal and financial advisors, that an unsolicited Competing Proposal is a
Superior Proposal; |
|
|
|
|
by the Fincos, if the board of directors effects a Change of Recommendation; |
|
|
|
|
by the Fincos, if the board of directors fails to reconfirm the Company
Recommendation within five business days of receipt of a written request from the
Fincos, provided that the Fincos shall only be entitled to one such request; and |
|
|
|
|
by the Fincos, if the board of directors fails to include in the proxy statement
distributed to the Companys shareholders its recommendation that the Companys
shareholders approve and adopt the Merger Agreement. |
In some cases, termination of the Merger Agreement may require us to pay a termination fee to
the Fincos, or require the Fincos to pay a termination fee to us, as described below under The
Merger AgreementTermination Fees.
Termination Fees
Company Termination Fee
The Company must pay to the Fincos a termination fee of $500 million in cash if the Merger
Agreement is terminated:
|
|
|
by the Company, prior to adoption of the Merger Agreement by the Companys
shareholders, in order to enter into a definitive agreement relating to a Superior
Proposal, such termination fee to be paid concurrently with the termination of the
Merger Agreement; |
|
|
|
|
by the Fincos, if the board of directors effects a Change of Recommendation, fails
to reconfirm the Company Recommendation, or fails to include the Company Recommendation
in this proxy statement, such termination fee to be paid promptly following the
termination of the Merger Agreement (and in any event no later than two business days
after delivery to the Company of notice of demand for payment); |
|
|
|
|
by the Fincos or the Company, if the Companys shareholders do not adopt the Merger
Agreement at the special meeting and prior to the special meeting a Competing Proposal
has been publicly announced or been made known to the Company and not withdrawn at
least two business days prior to the special meeting, and within twelve months after
the termination of the Merger Agreement, the Company or any of its subsidiaries enters
into a definitive agreement with respect to, or consummates, any Competing Proposal,
such termination fee to be paid promptly following the execution of a definitive
agreement or the consummation of the transaction contemplated by the Competing Proposal
(and in any event no later than two business days after delivery to the Company of
notice of demand of payment); or |
|
|
|
|
by the Fincos, if the Fincos are not in material breach of their obligations under
the Merger Agreement and, if the Company has willfully and materially breached or
failed to perform in any material respect any of its representations, warranties,
covenants or other agreements set forth in the Merger Agreement such that the
corresponding closing condition would not be satisfied, which |
86
|
|
|
breach has not been cured within 30 days, and prior the date of termination a
Competing Proposal has been publicly announced or been made known to the Company and
within 12 months after the termination of the Merger Agreement the Company or any of
its subsidiaries enters into a definitive agreement with respect to, or consummates,
any Competing Proposal, such termination fee to be paid promptly following the
execution of a definitive agreement or the consummation of the transaction
contemplated by the Competing Proposal (and in any event no later than two business
days after delivery to the Company of notice of demand of payment). |
In the event that the Merger Agreement is terminated (i) by the Company or the Fincos because
of the failure to obtain the approval of the Companys shareholders at the special meeting or any
adjournment thereof or (ii) by the Fincos due to a willful or material breach of the Merger
Agreement by the Company, and a termination fee is not otherwise then payable by the Company under
the Merger Agreement, the Company has agreed to pay reasonable out-of-pocket fees and expenses
incurred by the Fincos in connection with the Merger Agreement and this proxy statement, not to
exceed $45 million. If the Company becomes obligated to pay a termination fee under the Merger
Agreement after payment of the expenses, the amount previously paid to the Fincos as expenses will
be credited toward the termination fee amount payable by the Company.
Merger Sub Termination Fee
Merger Sub must pay to the Company a termination fee within two business days after the
termination of the Merger Agreement if the Merger Agreement is terminated as follows:
|
|
|
(i) by either the Company or the Fincos, if the Effective Time has not occurred on
or before the Termination Date and the terminating party has not breached in any
material respect its obligations under the Merger Agreement that proximately caused the
failure to consummate the Merger on or before the Termination Date, or (ii) by the
Company if the Company is not in material breach of its obligations under the Merger
Agreement and the Fincos and Merger Sub have willfully and materially breached or
failed to perform in any material respect any of their representations, warranties,
covenants or other agreements set forth in the Merger Agreement such that certain
closing condition would not be satisfied, which breach has not been cured within 30
days, and in each case, all conditions to the Fincos and Merger Subs obligation to
consummate the Merger have been satisfied, other than conditions relating to the
expiration or termination of any applicable waiting period under the HSR Act or the
receipt of the FCC Consent, in which case Merger Sub will pay to the Company a
termination fee of $600 million in cash; however, if the only condition that has not
been satisfied is the receipt of the FCC Consent and Merger Sub, the Fincos and each
attributable investor have carried out their respective obligations relating to
obtaining that consent, the termination fee will be $300 million in cash; or |
|
|
|
|
by the Company if (i) on or prior to the last day of the Marketing Period neither
Merger Sub nor the surviving corporation has received the proceeds of the financings
sufficient to consummate the Merger or (ii) the Fincos have, due to a willful and
material breach by Merger Sub and/or the Fincos, breached or failed to perform in any
material respect any of their representations, warranties, covenants or other
agreements under the Merger Agreement such that certain closing conditions would not be
satisfied, and such breach has not been cured within 30 days following delivery of
written notice by the Company, and in each case of (i) or (ii) the first bullet above
is not applicable, in which case Merger Sub will pay the Company a termination fee of
$500 million in cash. |
Our right to receive a termination fee from Merger Sub pursuant to the Merger Agreement or the
limited guarantees executed by the Sponsors is our exclusive remedy for losses suffered by us as a
result of the failure of the Merger to be consummated.
Amendment and Waiver
The Merger Agreement may be amended by mutual written agreement of the parties by action taken
by or on behalf of their respective boards of directors at any time prior to the Effective Time.
However, after the adoption
87
of the Merger Agreement by the Companys shareholders, the Merger Agreement can not be amended
if such amendment would require further approval by the shareholders.
The Merger Agreement also provides that, at any time prior to the Effective Time, any party
may, by written agreement:
|
|
|
extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the
other parties to the Merger Agreement; |
|
|
|
|
waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of the other party
contained in the Merger Agreement or in any document delivered pursuant to the Merger
Agreement; or |
|
|
|
|
waive compliance with any of the agreements or conditions contained in the Merger
Agreement which may be legally waived. |
Limited Guarantee
In connection with the Merger Agreement, each of the Sponsors (each an affiliate of one of the
Fincos) and the Company entered into a Limited Guarantee pursuant to which, among other things,
each of the Sponsors is providing the Company a guarantee of payment of its pro rata portion of
Merger Sub termination fees.
88
DELISTING AND DEREGISTRATION OF OUR COMMON STOCK
If the Merger is completed, our common stock will be delisted from the NYSE and deregistered
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and we will no longer file periodic reports
with the SEC on account of our common stock.
MARKET PRICES OF THE COMPANYS COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDEND DATA
Our common stock is traded on the NYSE under the symbol CCU. The following table sets forth
the intraday high and low sales price per share of our common stock on the NYSE and cash dividend
declared for the periods indicted.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividend |
|
|
High |
|
Low |
|
Declared |
2004 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter |
|
$ |
47.76 |
|
|
$ |
38.90 |
|
|
$ |
0.10 |
|
Second Quarter |
|
$ |
44.50 |
|
|
$ |
35.35 |
|
|
$ |
0.10 |
|
Third Quarter |
|
$ |
37.24 |
|
|
$ |
30.62 |
|
|
$ |
0.125 |
|
Fourth Quarter |
|
$ |
35.07 |
|
|
$ |
29.96 |
|
|
$ |
0.125 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter |
|
$ |
35.07 |
|
|
$ |
31.14 |
|
|
$ |
0.125 |
|
Second Quarter |
|
$ |
34.81 |
|
|
$ |
28.75 |
|
|
$ |
0.188 |
|
Third Quarter |
|
$ |
34.26 |
|
|
$ |
30.31 |
|
|
$ |
0.188 |
|
Fourth Quarter |
|
$ |
33.44 |
|
|
$ |
29.60 |
|
|
$ |
1.563 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter |
|
$ |
32.84 |
|
|
$ |
27.82 |
|
|
$ |
0.188 |
|
Second Quarter |
|
$ |
31.54 |
|
|
$ |
27.34 |
|
|
$ |
0.188 |
|
Third Quarter |
|
$ |
31.64 |
|
|
$ |
27.17 |
|
|
$ |
0.188 |
|
Fourth Quarter |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(through November 30, 2006) |
|
$ |
35.88 |
|
|
$ |
28.78 |
|
|
|
|
|
On October 24, 2006 which was the trading day immediately prior to the date on which we
announced that our board of directors was exploring possible strategic alternatives for the Company
to enhance shareholder value, the Company common stock closed at $32.20 per share and the average
closing stock price of the Company common stock during the 30 trading days ended October 24, 2006
was $29.99 per share. On November 15, 2006, which was the last trading day before we announced
that our board of directors has approved the Merger Agreement, the Company common stock closed at
$34.12 per share. On [ ], which was the last trading day before this proxy
statement was printed, the Company common stock closed at [$___] per share. You are encouraged to
obtain current market quotations for Company common stock in connection with voting your shares.
As of [ ], there were [___] shares of Company common stock
outstanding held by approximately [___] holders of record.
89
SECURITY OWNERSHIP BY CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The table below sets forth information concerning the beneficial ownership of Company common
stock as of November 30, 2006, for each member of the Companys board of directors, each of the
Companys named executive officers, the Companys directors and executive officers as a group and
each person known to the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding Company common
stock. At the close of business on November 30, 2006, there were 493,882,567 shares of Company
common stock outstanding. Except as otherwise noted, each shareholder has sole voting and
investment power with respect to the shares beneficially owned.
Please see the footnotes below for the disclosure required by the Exchange Act, for each of
the parties listed below. We obtained the information presented below for shareholders other than
executive officers and directors from Form 13Fs, Schedule 13Gs and amendments thereto, which
reflect beneficial ownership as of the dates indicated in the Form 13Fs, Schedule 13Gs or
amendments thereto.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount and Nature of |
|
Percent |
Name |
|
Beneficial Ownership (1) |
|
of Class |
Alan D. Feld |
|
|
74,227 |
(2) |
|
|
* |
|
Perry J. Lewis |
|
|
189,837 |
(3) |
|
|
* |
|
L. Lowry Mays |
|
|
31,566,109 |
(4) |
|
|
6.4 |
% |
Mark P. Mays |
|
|
2,366,281 |
(5) |
|
|
* |
|
Randall T. Mays |
|
|
1,978,873 |
(6) |
|
|
* |
|
B. J. McCombs |
|
|
4,811,968 |
(7) |
|
|
1.0 |
% |
Phyllis B. Riggins |
|
|
15,674 |
(8) |
|
|
* |
|
Theodore H. Strauss |
|
|
214,663 |
(9) |
|
|
* |
|
J. C. Watts |
|
|
19,657 |
(10) |
|
|
* |
|
John H. Williams |
|
|
61,533 |
(11) |
|
|
* |
|
John B. Zachry |
|
|
4,500 |
(12) |
|
|
* |
|
Paul J. Meyer |
|
|
21,874 |
|
|
|
* |
|
John Hogan |
|
|
407,354 |
(13) |
|
|
* |
|
FMR Corp. (14) |
|
|
77,126,566 |
|
|
|
15.6 |
% |
Capital Research and Management Company (15) |
|
|
28,675,420 |
|
|
|
5.8 |
% |
Morgan Stanley (16) |
|
|
37,113,716 |
(16) |
|
|
7.5 |
% |
All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (17 persons) |
|
|
41,927,623 |
(17) |
|
|
8.4 |
% |
|
|
|
* |
|
Percentage of shares beneficially owned by such person does not exceed one percent of the class
so owned. |
1. |
|
Pursuant to Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, a person has beneficial ownership of any
securities as to which such person, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement,
undertaking, relationship or otherwise, has or shares voting power and/or investment power or
as to which such person has the right to acquire such voting and/or investment power within 60
days. Percentage of beneficial ownership by a person as of a particular date is calculated by
dividing the number of shares beneficially owned by such person by
the sum of the number of shares outstanding as of such date and the number of unissued shares as to which such person
has the right to acquire voting and/or investment power within 60 days. Unless |
90
otherwise indicated, the number of shares shown includes outstanding shares of common stock
owned as of November 30, 2006 by the person indicated and shares underlying options owned by
such person on November 30, 2006 that are exercisable within 60 days of that date.
2. |
|
Includes 55,273 shares subject to options held by Mr. Feld. Excludes 9,000 shares owned by
Mr. Felds wife, as to which Mr. Feld disclaims beneficial ownership. |
|
3. |
|
Includes 122,180 shares subject to options held by Mr. Lewis. Excludes 3,000 shares owned by
Mr. Lewis wife, as to which Mr. Lewis disclaims beneficial ownership. |
|
4. |
|
Includes 2,994,525 shares subject to options held by Mr. L. Mays, 48,456 shares held by
trusts of which Mr. L. Mays is the trustee, but not a beneficiary, 26,801,698 shares held by
the LLM Partners Ltd of which Mr. L. Mays shares control of the sole general partner,
1,532,120 shares held by the Mays Family Foundation and 102,874 shares held by the Clear
Channel Foundation over which Mr. L. Mays has either sole or shared investment or voting
authority. Mr. L. Mays address is c/o the Company, 200 East Basse Road, San Antonio, Texas
78209. |
|
5. |
|
Includes 757,243 shares subject to options held by Mr. M. Mays, 343,573 shares held by trusts
of which Mr. M. Mays is the trustee, but not a beneficiary, and 1,022,293 shares held by the
MPM Partners, Ltd. Mr. M. Mays controls the sole general partner of MPM Partners, Ltd. Also
includes 6,727 shares and 1,054 shares, which represent shares in LLM Partners. |
|
6. |
|
Includes 757,243 shares subject to options held by Mr. R. Mays, 359,517 shares held by trusts
of which Mr. R. Mays is the trustee, but not a beneficiary, and 622,575 shares held by RTM
Partners, Ltd. Mr. R. Mays controls the sole general partner of RTM Partners, Ltd. Also
includes 4,484 shares and 1,054 shares, which represent shares in LLM Partners. |
|
7. |
|
Includes 48,885 shares subject to options held by Mr. McCombs and 4,763,083 shares held by
the McCombs Family Partners, Ltd. of which Mr. McCombs is the general partner. Excludes
27,500 shares held by Mr. McCombs wife, as to which Mr. McCombs disclaims beneficial
ownership. |
|
8. |
|
Includes 4,699 shares subject to options held by Ms. Riggins. |
|
9. |
|
Includes 55,273 shares subject to options held by Mr. Strauss, 490 shares held by trusts of
which Mr. Strauss is the trustee, but not a beneficiary, and 72,087 shares held by the THS
Associates L.P. of which Mr. Strauss is the general partner. |
|
10. |
|
Includes 12,532 shares subject to options held by Mr. Watts. |
|
11. |
|
Includes 42,819 shares subject to options held by Mr. Williams. Excludes 9,300 shares held
by Mr. Williams wife, as to which Mr. Williams disclaims beneficial ownership. |
|
12. |
|
Includes 4,500 shares subject to options held by Mr. Zachary. |
|
13. |
|
Includes 298,978 shares subject to options held by Mr. Hogan. |
|
14. |
|
Address: 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109. |
|
15. |
|
Address: 333 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, California 90071. |
|
16. |
|
Includes 29,296,368 shares held by Van Kampen Investments Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan
Stanley. Address: 1585 Broadway, New York, New York 10036 |
|
17. |
|
Includes 5,333,658 shares subject to options held by such
persons, 601,065 shares held by
trusts of which such persons are trustees, but not beneficiaries, 26,801,698 shares held by
the LLM Partners Ltd, 1,022,293 shares held by the MPM Partners, Ltd., 622,575 shares held by
the RTM Partners, Ltd, 4,763,083 shares held by the McCombs Family Partners, Ltd, 72,087
shares held by the THS Associates L.P., 1,532,120 shares held by the Mays Family Foundation
and 102,874 shares held by the Clear Channel Foundation. |
91
DISSENTERS RIGHTS OF APPRAISAL
Under the Texas Business Corporation Act (the TBCA), you have the right to demand appraisal
in connection with the Merger and to receive, in lieu of the Merger Consideration, payment in cash,
without interest, for the fair value of your shares of Company common stock as determined by an
appraiser selected in a Texas state court proceeding. The Companys shareholders electing to
exercise appraisal rights must comply with the provisions of Article 5.12 of the TBCA in order to
perfect their rights. The Company will require strict compliance with the statutory procedures.
The following is intended as a brief summary of the material provisions of the Texas statutory
procedures required to be followed by a shareholder in order to demand and perfect appraisal
rights. This summary, however, is not a complete statement of all applicable requirements and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to Article 5.12 of the TBCA, the full text of which appears
in Annex D to this proxy statement.
This proxy statement constitutes the Companys notice to its shareholders of the availability
of appraisal rights in connection with the Merger in compliance with the requirements of Article
5.12. If you wish to consider exercising your appraisal rights, you should carefully review the
text of Article 5.12 contained in Annex D since failure to timely and properly comply with the
requirements of Article 5.12 will result in the loss of your appraisal rights under Texas law.
If you elect to demand appraisal of your shares, you must satisfy each of the following
conditions:
|
|
|
Prior to the special meeting you must deliver to the Company a written objection to
the Merger and your intention to exercise your right to dissent in the event that the
Merger is effected and setting forth the address at which notice shall be delivered in
that event. |
|
|
|
|
This written objection must be in addition to and separate from any proxy or vote
abstaining from or voting against the adoption of the Merger Agreement. Voting against
or failing to vote for the adoption of the Merger Agreement by itself does not
constitute a demand for appraisal within the meaning of Article 5.12. |
|
|
|
|
You must not vote in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement. A vote in favor
of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, by proxy or in person, will constitute a
waiver of your appraisal rights in respect of the shares so voted and will nullify any
previously filed written demands for appraisal. Failing to vote against adoption of
the Merger Agreement will not constitute a waiver of your appraisal rights. |
|
|
|
|
You must continuously hold your shares through the Effective Time. |
If you fail to comply with any of these conditions and the Merger is completed, you will be
entitled to receive the cash payment for your shares of Company common stock as provided for in the
Merger Agreement if you are the holder of record at the Effective Time, but you will have no
appraisal rights with respect to your shares of Company common stock. A proxy card which is signed
and does not contain voting instructions will, unless revoked, be voted FOR the adoption of the
Merger Agreement and will constitute a waiver of your right of appraisal and will nullify any
previous written demand for appraisal.
All written objections should be addressed to the Companys Secretary at 200 East Basse Road,
San Antonio Texas, 78209, and should be executed by, or on behalf of, the record holder of the
shares in respect of which appraisal is being demanded. The written objection must reasonably
inform the Company of the identity of the shareholder and the intention of the shareholder to
demand appraisal of his, her or its shares.
To be effective, a written objection by a holder of Company common stock must be made by or on
behalf of, the shareholder of record. The written objection should set forth, fully and correctly,
the shareholder of records name as it appears on his or her stock certificate(s) and should
specify the holders mailing address and the number of shares registered in the holders name. The
written objection must state that the person intends to exercise their right to dissent under Texas
law in connection with the Merger. Beneficial owners who do not also hold the shares of record may
not directly make appraisal demands to the Company. The beneficial holder must, in such cases,
have
92
the record owner submit the required demand in respect of those shares. If shares are owned
of record in a fiduciary capacity, such as by a trustee, guardian or custodian, execution of a
written objection should be made in that capacity; and if the shares are owned of record by more
than one person, as in a joint tenancy or tenancy in common, the written objection should be
executed by or for all joint owners. An authorized agent, including an authorized agent for two or
more joint owners, may execute the written objection for appraisal for a shareholder of record;
however, the agent must identify the record owner or owners and expressly disclose the fact that,
in executing the written objection, he or she is acting as agent for the record owner. A record
owner, such as a broker, who holds shares as a nominee for others, may exercise his or her right of
appraisal with respect to the shares held for one or more beneficial owners, while not exercising
this right for other beneficial owners. In that case, the written objection should state the
number of shares as to which appraisal is sought. Where no number of shares is expressly
mentioned, the written objection will be presumed to cover all shares held in the name of the
record owner.
If you hold your shares of Company common stock in a brokerage account or in other nominee
form and you wish to exercise appraisal rights, you should consult with your broker or the other
nominee to determine the appropriate procedures for the making of a demand for appraisal by the
nominee.
Within ten days after the Effective Time, the surviving corporation must give written notice
that the Merger has become effective to each Company shareholder who has properly filed a written
objection and who did not vote in favor of the Merger Agreement. Each shareholder who has properly
filed a written objection has ten days from the delivery or mailing of the notice to make written
demand for payment of the fair value for the shareholders shares. The written demand must state
the number of shares owned by the shareholder and the fair value of the shares as estimated by the
shareholder. Any shareholder who fails to make written demand within ten days of the delivery or
mailing of the notice from the surviving corporation that the Merger has become effective will not
be entitled to any appraisal rights. Any shareholder making a written demand for payment must
submit to the surviving corporation for notation any certificated shares held by that shareholder
which are subject to the demand within 20 days after making the written demand. The failure by any
shareholder making a written demand to submit its certificates may result in the termination of the
shareholders appraisal rights.
The Company has 20 days after its receipt of a demand for payment to provide notice that the
surviving corporation (i) accepts the amount claimed in the written demand and agrees to pay the
amount claimed within 90 days from Effective Time, or (ii) offer to pay its estimated fair value of
the shares within 90 days after the Effective Time.
If, within 60 days after the Effective Time, the surviving corporation and a shareholder who
has delivered written demand in accordance with Article 5.12 do not reach agreement as to the fair
value of the shares, either the surviving corporation or the shareholder may file a petition in any
Texas state court, with a copy served on the surviving corporation in the case of a petition filed
by a shareholder, demanding a determination of the fair value of the shares held by all
shareholders entitled to appraisal. The surviving corporation has no obligation and has no present
intention to file such a petition if there are objecting shareholders. Accordingly, it is the
obligation of the Companys shareholders to initiate all necessary action to perfect their
appraisal rights in respect of shares of Company common stock within the time prescribed in Article
5.12. The failure of a shareholder to file such a petition within the period specified could
nullify the shareholders previously written demand for appraisal.
If a petition for appraisal is duly filed by a shareholder and a copy of the petition is
delivered to the surviving corporation, the surviving corporation will then be obligated, within
ten days after receiving service of a copy of the petition, to provide the office of the clerk of
the court in which the petition was filed with a list containing the names and addresses of all
shareholders who have demanded an appraisal of their shares and with whom agreements as to the
value of their shares have not been reached.
After notice to dissenting shareholders, the court will conduct a hearing upon the petition,
and determine those shareholders who have complied with Article 5.12 and who have become entitled
to the appraisal rights provided thereby.
After determination of the shareholders entitled to appraisal of their shares of Company
common stock, the court will appraise the shares, determining their fair value. When the value is
determined, the court will direct the payment of such value to the shareholders entitled to receive
the same, immediately to the holders of uncertificated shares and upon surrender by holders of the
certificates representing shares.
93
You should be aware that the fair value of your shares as determined under Article 5.12 could
be more, the same, or less than the value that you are entitled to receive under the terms of the
Merger Agreement.
Costs of the appraisal proceeding may be imposed upon the surviving corporation and the
shareholders participating in the appraisal proceeding by the court as the court deems equitable in
the circumstances. Upon the application of a shareholder, the court may order all or a portion of
the expenses incurred by any shareholder 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 shares entitled to appraisal. Any shareholder who had demanded
appraisal rights will not, after the Effective Time, be entitled to vote shares subject to that
demand for any purpose or to receive payments of dividends or any other distribution with respect
to those shares, other than with respect to payment as of a record date prior to the Effective
Time; however, if no petition for appraisal is filed within 120 days after the Effective Time, or
if the shareholder delivers a written withdrawal of such shareholders demand for appraisal and an
acceptance of the terms of the Merger prior to the filing of a petition for appraisal, then the
right of that shareholder to appraisal will cease and that shareholder will be entitled to receive
the cash payment for shares of his, her or its Company common stock pursuant to the Merger
Agreement. Any withdrawal of a demand for appraisal made after the filing of a petition for
appraisal may only be made with the written approval of the surviving corporation.
Failure to comply with all of the procedures set forth in Article 5.12 will result in the loss
of a shareholders statutory appraisal rights. In view of the complexity of Article 5.12, the
Companys shareholders who may wish to dissent from the Merger and pursue appraisal rights should
consult their legal advisors.
SUBMISSION OF SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Shareholders interested in submitting a proposal for inclusion in the proxy materials for the
annual meeting of shareholders in 2007 were required, no later than November 13, 2006 to submit
their proposal in accordance with the procedures prescribed in SEC Rule 14a-8 to Clear Channels
Corporate Secretary, Clear Channel Communications, Inc., P.O. Box 659512, San Antonio, Texas
78265-9512.
OTHER MATTERS
Other Business at the Special Meeting
Management is not aware of any matters to be presented for action at the special meeting other
than those set forth in this proxy statement. However, should any other business properly come
before the special meeting, or any adjournment thereof, the enclosed proxy confers upon the persons
entitled to vote the shares represented by such proxy, discretionary authority to vote the same in
respect of any such other business in accordance with their best judgment in the interest of the
Company.
Multiple Shareholders Sharing One Address
In accordance with Rule 14a-3(e)(1) under the Exchange Act, one proxy statement will be
delivered to two or more shareholders who share an address, unless the Company has received
contrary instructions from one or more of the shareholders. The Company will deliver promptly upon
written or oral request a separate copy of the proxy statement to a shareholder at a shared address
to which a single copy of the proxy statement was delivered. Requests for additional copies of the
proxy statement, and requests that in the future separate proxy statements be sent to shareholders
who share an address, should be directed by writing to [___], or by calling [___] toll-free at
(___) ___-___. In addition, shareholders who share a single address but receive multiple copies of the
proxy statement may request that in the future they receive a single copy by contacting the Company
at the address and phone number set forth in the prior sentence.
94
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Company files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other
information with the SEC. You may read and copy any reports, proxy statements or other information
that we file with the SEC at the following location of the SEC:
Public Reference Room
100 F Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20549
Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms.
You may also obtain copies of this information by mail from the Public Reference Section of the
SEC, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. The Companys public
filings are also available to the public from document retrieval services and the Internet website
maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov.
Reports, proxy statements or other information concerning us may also be inspected at the
offices of the New York Stock Exchange at:
20 Broad Street
New York, NY 10005
Any person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this proxy statement is delivered may
request copies of reports, proxy statements or other information concerning us, without charge, by
writing to [___], or by calling [___] toll-free at (___) ___-___. If you would like to request
documents, please do so by [ ], in order to receive them before the special
meeting.
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference into this proxy statement documents we file
with the SEC. 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
proxy statement, 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 us
pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this proxy
statement and prior to the date of the special meeting:
|
|
|
Clear Channels Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005; |
|
|
|
|
Clear Channels Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31,
2006, June 30, 2006 and September 30, 2006; |
|
|
|
|
Clear Channels Current Reports on Form 8-K filed March 20, 2006, March 24, 2006,
July 31, 2006, August 16, 2006, November 16, 2006 and December 11, 2006; and |
|
|
|
|
Clear Channels proxy statement relating to its 2006 annual meeting of shareholders. |
You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or calling Clear Channel at
the following address or telephone number: Investor Relations Department, Clear Channel
Communications, Inc., 210-832-3315. Exhibits to the filings will not be sent, however, unless
those exhibits have specifically been incorporated by reference in this document.
No persons have been authorized to give any information or to make any representations other
than those contained in this proxy statement and, if given or made, such information or
representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by us or any other person. This
proxy statement is dated [ ]. You should not assume that the information
contained in this proxy statement is accurate as of any date other than that date, and the mailing
of this proxy statement to shareholders shall not create any implication to the contrary.
95
ANNEX
A
Merger
Agreement
Execution
Copy
AGREEMENT
AND PLAN OF MERGER
By and
Among
BT
TRIPLE CROWN MERGER CO., INC.
B TRIPLE
CROWN FINCO, LLC
T TRIPLE
CROWN FINCO, LLC
and
CLEAR
CHANNEL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Dated as
of November 16, 2006
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page
|
|
ARTICLE I.
|
|
DEFINITIONS
|
|
|
A-1
|
|
Section 1.01
|
|
Definitions
|
|
|
A-1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE II.
|
|
THE MERGER
|
|
|
A-1
|
|
Section 2.01
|
|
The Merger
|
|
|
A-1
|
|
Section 2.02
|
|
Closing
|
|
|
A-1
|
|
Section 2.03
|
|
Effective Time
|
|
|
A-2
|
|
Section 2.04
|
|
Articles of Incorporation and
Bylaws
|
|
|
A-2
|
|
Section 2.05
|
|
Board of Directors
|
|
|
A-2
|
|
Section 2.06
|
|
Officers
|
|
|
A-2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE III.
|
|
EFFECT OF THE MERGER ON CAPITAL
STOCK; EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES
|
|
|
A-2
|
|
Section 3.01
|
|
Effect on Securities
|
|
|
A-2
|
|
Section 3.02
|
|
Exchange of Certificates
|
|
|
A-3
|
|
Section 3.03
|
|
Stock Options and Other Awards
|
|
|
A-5
|
|
Section 3.04
|
|
Lost Certificates
|
|
|
A-5
|
|
Section 3.05
|
|
Dissenting Shares
|
|
|
A-6
|
|
Section 3.06
|
|
Transfers; No Further Ownership
Rights
|
|
|
A-6
|
|
Section 3.07
|
|
Withholding
|
|
|
A-6
|
|
Section 3.08
|
|
Rollover by Shareholders
|
|
|
A-6
|
|
Section 3.09
|
|
Additional Per Share Consideration
|
|
|
A-6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE IV.
|
|
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF
THE COMPANY
|
|
|
A-7
|
|
Section 4.01
|
|
Organization and Qualification;
Subsidiaries
|
|
|
A-8
|
|
Section 4.02
|
|
Articles of Incorporation and
Bylaws
|
|
|
A-8
|
|
Section 4.03
|
|
Capitalization
|
|
|
A-8
|
|
Section 4.04
|
|
Authority Relative to Agreement
|
|
|
A-9
|
|
Section 4.05
|
|
No Conflict; Required Filings and
Consents
|
|
|
A-9
|
|
Section 4.06
|
|
Permits and Licenses; Compliance
with Laws
|
|
|
A-10
|
|
Section 4.07
|
|
Company SEC Documents
|
|
|
A-10
|
|
Section 4.08
|
|
Absence of Certain Changes or
Events
|
|
|
A-11
|
|
Section 4.09
|
|
No Undisclosed Liabilities
|
|
|
A-11
|
|
Section 4.10
|
|
Absence of Litigation
|
|
|
A-12
|
|
Section 4.11
|
|
Taxes
|
|
|
A-12
|
|
Section 4.12
|
|
Information Supplied
|
|
|
A-12
|
|
Section 4.13
|
|
Material Contracts
|
|
|
A-13
|
|
Section 4.14
|
|
Employee Benefits and Labor Matters
|
|
|
A-13
|
|
Section 4.15
|
|
State Takeover Statutes
|
|
|
A-14
|
|
Section 4.16
|
|
Opinion of Financial Advisors
|
|
|
A-14
|
|
Section 4.17
|
|
Brokers
|
|
|
A-14
|
|
Section 4.18
|
|
No Other Representations or
Warranties
|
|
|
A-14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE V.
|
|
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF
THE PARENTS AND MERGERCO
|
|
|
A-15
|
|
Section 5.01
|
|
Organization and Qualification;
Subsidiaries
|
|
|
A-15
|
|
Section 5.02
|
|
Certificate of Incorporation,
Bylaws, and Other Organizational Documents
|
|
|
A-15
|
|
Section 5.03
|
|
Authority Relative to Agreement
|
|
|
A-15
|
|
Section 5.04
|
|
No Conflict; Required Filings and
Consents
|
|
|
A-15
|
|
Section 5.05
|
|
FCC Matters
|
|
|
A-16
|
|
Section 5.06
|
|
Absence of Litigation
|
|
|
A-16
|
|
A-i
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page
|
|
Section 5.07
|
|
Available Funds
|
|
|
A-16
|
|
Section 5.08
|
|
Limited Guarantee
|
|
|
A-17
|
|
Section 5.09
|
|
Capitalization of Mergerco
|
|
|
A-17
|
|
Section 5.10
|
|
Brokers
|
|
|
A-17
|
|
Section 5.11
|
|
Information Supplied
|
|
|
A-18
|
|
Section 5.12
|
|
Solvency
|
|
|
A-18
|
|
Section 5.13
|
|
No Other Representations or
Warranties
|
|
|
A-18
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE VI.
|
|
COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS
|
|
|
A-18
|
|
Section 6.01
|
|
Conduct of Business by the Company
Pending the Merger
|
|
|
A-18
|
|
Section 6.02
|
|
FCC Matters
|
|
|
A-21
|
|
Section 6.03
|
|
Proxy Statement
|
|
|
A-22
|
|
Section 6.04
|
|
Shareholders Meeting
|
|
|
A-23
|
|
Section 6.05
|
|
Appropriate Action; Consents;
Filings
|
|
|
A-23
|
|
Section 6.06
|
|
Access to Information;
Confidentiality
|
|
|
A-25
|
|
Section 6.07
|
|
No Solicitation of Competing
Proposal
|
|
|
A-25
|
|
Section 6.08
|
|
Directors and Officers
Indemnification and Insurance
|
|
|
A-28
|
|
Section 6.09
|
|
Notification of Certain Matters
|
|
|
A-29
|
|
Section 6.10
|
|
Public Announcements
|
|
|
A-30
|
|
Section 6.11
|
|
Employee Matters
|
|
|
A-30
|
|
Section 6.12
|
|
Conduct of Business by the Parents
Pending the Merger
|
|
|
A-31
|
|
Section 6.13
|
|
Financing
|
|
|
A-31
|
|
Section 6.14
|
|
Actions with Respect to Existing
Debt
|
|
|
A-33
|
|
Section 6.15
|
|
Section 16(b)
|
|
|
A-35
|
|
Section 6.16
|
|
Resignations
|
|
|
A-35
|
|
Section 6.17
|
|
Certain Actions and Proceedings
|
|
|
A-35
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE VII.
|
|
CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER
|
|
|
A-35
|
|
Section 7.01
|
|
Conditions to the Obligations of
Each Party
|
|
|
A-35
|
|
Section 7.02
|
|
Conditions to the Obligations of
the Parents and Mergerco
|
|
|
A-35
|
|
Section 7.03
|
|
Conditions to the Obligations of
the Company
|
|
|
A-36
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE VIII.
|
|
TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
|
|
|
A-36
|
|
Section 8.01
|
|
Termination
|
|
|
A-36
|
|
Section 8.02
|
|
Termination Fees
|
|
|
A-38
|
|
Section 8.03
|
|
Amendment
|
|
|
A-39
|
|
Section 8.04
|
|
Waiver
|
|
|
A-39
|
|
Section 8.05
|
|
Expenses; Transfer Taxes
|
|
|
A-40
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE IX.
|
|
GENERAL PROVISIONS
|
|
|
A-40
|
|
Section 9.01
|
|
Non-Survival of Representations,
Warranties and Agreements
|
|
|
A-40
|
|
Section 9.02
|
|
Notices
|
|
|
A-40
|
|
Section 9.03
|
|
Interpretation; Certain Definitions
|
|
|
A-41
|
|
Section 9.04
|
|
Severability
|
|
|
A-41
|
|
Section 9.05
|
|
Assignment
|
|
|
A-41
|
|
Section 9.06
|
|
Entire Agreement; No Third-Party
Beneficiaries
|
|
|
A-41
|
|
Section 9.07
|
|
Governing Law
|
|
|
A-42
|
|
Section 9.08
|
|
Consent to Jurisdiction;
Enforcement
|
|
|
A-42
|
|
Section 9.09
|
|
Counterparts
|
|
|
A-42
|
|
Section 9.10
|
|
Waiver of Jury Trial
|
|
|
A-42
|
|
A-ii
AGREEMENT
AND PLAN OF MERGER
This Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 16,
2006 (this Agreement), by and among
BT Triple Crown Merger Co., Inc., a Delaware corporation
(Mergerco), B Triple Crown Finco, LLC,
a Delaware limited liability company, T Triple Crown Finco, LLC,
a Delaware limited liability company (together with B Triple
Crown Finco, LLC, the Parents), and
Clear Channel Communications, Inc., a Texas corporation (the
Company).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, in furtherance of the recapitalization of the
Company by Mergerco, the respective Boards of Directors of the
Company, the Parents and Mergerco each have approved and deemed
advisable and in the best interests of their respective
shareholders (other than affiliated shareholders of the Company
as to which no determination has been made) this Agreement and
the merger of Mergerco with and into Company (the
Merger), upon the terms and subject to
the conditions and limitations set forth herein and in
accordance with the Business Corporation Act of the State of
Texas (the TBCA) and the Business
Organizations Code of the State of Texas (the
TBOC, together with the TBCA, the
Texas Acts) and the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the
DGCL) and recommended approval and
adoption by their respective shareholders of this Agreement, the
Merger and the transactions contemplated hereby;
WHEREAS, a special advisory committee of the Board of
Directors of the Company has reviewed the terms of the Merger
and determined that such terms are fair; and
WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this
Agreement, and as a condition to the willingness of the Company
to enter into this Agreement, the Parents and Mergerco have
delivered to the Company the Limited Guarantee (the
Limited Guarantee) of each of the
Investors, in a form satisfactory to the Company, dated as of
the date hereof.
STATEMENT
OF AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing
and the mutual representations, warranties and covenants and
subject to the conditions herein contained and intending to be
legally bound hereby, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
Article I.
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.01 Definitions. Defined
terms used in this Agreement have the meanings ascribed to them
by definition in this Agreement or in
Appendix A.
Article II.
THE MERGER
Section 2.01 The
Merger. Upon the terms and subject to the
conditions of this Agreement, and in accordance with the Texas
Acts and the DGCL, at the Effective Time, Mergerco shall be
merged with and into the Company, whereupon the separate
existence of Mergerco shall cease, and the Company shall
continue under the name Clear Channel Communications, Inc. as
the surviving corporation (the Surviving
Corporation) and shall continue to be governed by
the laws of the State of Texas.
Section 2.02 Closing. Subject
to the satisfaction or, if permissible, waiver of the conditions
set forth in Article VII hereof, the closing of the
Merger (the Closing) will take place
at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on a date to be specified by
the parties hereto, but no later than the second business day
after the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in
Section 7.01, Section 7.02 and
Section 7.03 hereof (other than conditions that, by
their own terms, cannot be satisfied until the Closing, but
subject to the satisfaction of such conditions at Closing) at
the
A-1
offices of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, 590
Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10022; provided,
however, that notwithstanding the satisfaction or waiver
of the conditions set forth in Article VII hereof,
neither the Parents nor Mergerco shall be required to effect the
Closing until the earlier of (a) a date during the
Marketing Period specified by the Parents on no less than three
(3) business days written notice to the Company and
(b) the final day of the Marketing Period, or at such other
time, date or place as is agreed to in writing by the parties
hereto (such date being the Closing
Date).
Section 2.03 Effective
Time.
(a) Concurrently with the Closing, the Company and the
Parents shall cause articles of merger (the Articles
of Merger) with respect to the Merger to be
executed and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of
Texas (the Secretary of State) as
provided under the Texas Acts and a Certificate of Merger to be
filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as
provided for in the DGCL (the Certificate of
Merger). The Merger shall become effective on the
later of the date and time at which the Articles of Merger has
been duly filed with the Secretary of State or the Certificate
of Merger has been filed with the Secretary of State of the
State of Delaware or at such other date and time as is agreed
between the parties and specified in the Articles of Merger, and
such date and time is hereinafter referred to as the
Effective Time.
(b) From and after the Effective Time, the Surviving
Corporation shall possess all properties, rights, privileges,
powers and franchises of the Company and Mergerco, and all of
the claims, obligations, liabilities, debts and duties of the
Company and Mergerco shall become the claims, obligations,
liabilities, debts and duties of the Surviving Corporation.
Section 2.04 Articles
of Incorporation and Bylaws. Subject to
Section 6.08 of this Agreement, the Articles of
Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company, as in effect
immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be amended at the
Effective Time to be (except with respect to the name and state
of incorporation of the Company and such changes as are
necessary to comply with Texas Law, if any) the same as the
Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of Mergerco as in effect
immediately prior to the Effective Time, until thereafter
amended in accordance with applicable law, the provisions of the
Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws of the Surviving
Corporation.
Section 2.05 Board
of Directors. Subject to applicable Law, each of
the parties hereto shall take all necessary action to ensure
that the Board of Directors of the Surviving Corporation
effective as of, and immediately following, the Effective Time
shall consist of the members of the Board of Directors of
Mergerco immediately prior to the Effective Time.
Section 2.06 Officers. From
and after the Effective Time, the officers of the Company at the
Effective Time shall be the officers of the Surviving
Corporation, until their respective successors are duly elected
or appointed and qualified in accordance with applicable Law.
Article III.
EFFECT OF
THE MERGER ON CAPITAL STOCK; EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES
Section 3.01 Effect
on Securities. At the Effective Time, by virtue
of the Merger and without any action on the part of the Company,
Mergerco or the holders of any securities of the Company:
(a) Cancellation of Company
Securities. Each share of the Companys
common stock, par value $0.10 per share (the
Company Common Stock), held by the
Company as treasury stock or held by Mergerco immediately prior
to the Effective Time shall automatically be cancelled, retired
and shall cease to exist, and no consideration or payment shall
be delivered in exchange therefor or in respect thereof.
(b) Conversion of Company
Securities. Except as otherwise provided in
this Agreement, each share of Company Common Stock issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than
shares cancelled pursuant to Section 3.01(a) hereof,
Dissenting Shares and Rollover Shares) shall be converted into
the right to receive $37.60 plus the Additional Per Share
Consideration, if any, in cash, without interest (the
Merger Consideration). Each share of
Company Common Stock to be converted into the right to receive
the Merger Consideration as provided in this
Section 3.01(b) shall be automatically cancelled and
shall cease to exist and the
A-2
holders of certificates (the
Certificates) or book-entry shares
(Book-Entry Shares) which immediately
prior to the Effective Time represented such Company Common
Stock shall cease to have any rights with respect to such
Company Common Stock other than the right to receive, upon
surrender of such Certificates or Book-Entry Shares in
accordance with Section 3.02 of this Agreement, the
Merger Consideration.
(c) Conversion of Mergerco Capital
Stock. At the Effective Time, by virtue of
the Merger and without any action on the part of the holder
thereof, each share of common stock, par value $0.001 per
share, of Mergerco (the Mergerco Common
Stock) issued and outstanding immediately prior to
the Effective Time shall be converted into and become validly
issued, fully paid and nonassessable shares of the Surviving
Corporation (with the relative rights and preferences described
in an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation adopted as of
the Effective Time as provided in Section 2.04, the
Surviving Corporation Common Stock).
As of the Effective Time, all such shares of Mergerco Common
Stock cancelled in accordance with this
Section 3.01(c), when so cancelled, shall no longer
be issued and outstanding and shall automatically cease to
exist, and each holder of a certificate representing any such
shares of Mergerco Common Stock shall cease to have any rights
with respect thereto, except the right to receive the shares of
Surviving Corporation Common Stock as set forth in this
Section 3.01(c).
(d) Adjustments. Without limiting
the other provisions of this Agreement, if at any time during
the period between the date of this Agreement and the Effective
Time, any change in the number of outstanding shares of Company
Common Stock shall occur as a result of a reclassification,
recapitalization, stock split (including a reverse stock split),
or combination, exchange or readjustment of shares, or any stock
dividend or stock distribution with a record date during such
period, the Merger Consideration as provided in
Section 3.01(b) shall be equitably adjusted to
reflect such change (including, without limitation, to provide
holders of shares of Company Common Stock the same economic
effect as contemplated by this Agreement prior to such
transaction).
Section 3.02 Exchange
of Certificates.
(a) Designation of Paying Agent; Deposit of Exchange
Fund. Prior to the Effective Time, the
Parents shall designate a paying agent (the Paying
Agent) reasonably acceptable to the Company for
the payment of the Merger Consideration as provided in
Section 3.01(b). On the Closing Date,
promptly following the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation
shall deposit, or cause to be deposited with the Paying Agent
for the benefit of holders of shares of Company Common Stock,
cash amounts in immediately available funds constituting an
amount equal to the aggregate amount of the Merger Consideration
plus the Total Option Cash Payments (the Aggregate
Merger Consideration) (exclusive of any amounts in
respect of Dissenting Shares, the Rollover Shares and Company
Common Stock to be cancelled pursuant to
Section 3.01(a)) (such amount as deposited with the
Paying Agent, the Exchange Fund). In
the event the Exchange Fund shall be insufficient to make the
payments contemplated by Section 3.01(b) and
Section 3.03, the Surviving Corporation shall
promptly deposit, or cause to be deposited, additional funds
with the Paying Agent in an amount which is equal to the
deficiency in the amount required to make such payment. The
Paying Agent shall cause the Exchange Fund to be (A) held
for the benefit of the holders of Company Common Stock and
Company Options, and (B) applied promptly to making the
payments pursuant to Section 3.02(b) hereof. The
Exchange Fund shall not be used for any purpose that is not
expressly provided for in this Agreement.
(b) Delivery of Shares. As
promptly as practicable following the Effective Time and in any
event not later than the second business day after the Effective
Time, the Surviving Corporation shall cause the Paying Agent to
mail (and to make available for collection by hand) (i) to
each holder of record of a Certificate or Book-Entry Share,
which immediately prior to the Effective Time represented
outstanding shares of Company Common Stock (x) a letter of
transmittal, which shall specify that delivery shall be
effected, and risk of loss and title to the Certificates or
Book-Entry Shares, as applicable, shall pass, only upon proper
delivery of the Certificates (or affidavits of loss in lieu
thereof pursuant to Section 3.04 hereof) or
Book-Entry Shares to the Paying Agent and which shall be in the
form and have such other provisions as Mergerco and the Company
may reasonably specify and (y) instructions for use in
effecting the surrender of the Certificates or Book-Entry Shares
in exchange for the Merger Consideration into which the number
of shares of Company Common Stock previously represented by such
Certificate or Book-Entry Shares shall have been converted
pursuant to this Agreement (which instructions shall provide
that at the election of the surrendering holder, Certificates or
Book-Entry Shares may be surrendered, and the Merger
Consideration in exchange therefor collected, by hand delivery);
and (ii) to each holder of a Company Option, a
A-3
check in an amount due and payable to such holder pursuant to
Section 3.03 hereof in respect of such Company
Option. If payment of the applicable portion of the Aggregate
Merger Consideration is made to a person other than the person
in whose name the surrendered Certificate is registered, it
shall be a condition of payment that (A) the Certificate so
surrendered shall be properly endorsed or shall otherwise be in
proper form for transfer and (B) the person requesting such
payment shall have paid any transfer and other Taxes required by
reason of the payment of the applicable portion of the Aggregate
Merger Consideration to a person other than the registered
holder of such Certificate surrendered or shall have established
to the reasonable satisfaction of the Surviving Corporation that
such Tax either has been paid or is not applicable. Until
surrendered as contemplated by this Section 3.02,
each Certificate, Book-Entry Share or option certificate, as
applicable, shall be deemed at any time after the Effective Time
to represent only the right to receive the applicable portion of
the Aggregate Merger Consideration or Option Cash Payments, as
applicable, in cash as contemplated by this
Section 3.02 or Section 3.03 without
interest thereon.
(c) Surrender of Shares. Upon
surrender of a Certificate (or affidavit of loss in lieu
thereof) or Book-Entry Share for cancellation to the Paying
Agent, together with a letter of transmittal duly completed and
validly executed in accordance with the instructions thereto,
and such other documents as may be required pursuant to such
instructions, the holder of such Certificate or Book-Entry Share
shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor the Merger
Consideration for each share of Company Common Stock formerly
represented by such Certificate or Book-Entry Share, to be
mailed (or made available for collection by hand if so elected
by the surrendering holder) within five (5) business days
following the later to occur of (i) the Effective Time; or
(ii) the Paying Agents receipt of such Certificate
(or affidavit of loss in lieu thereof) or Book-Entry Share, and
the Certificate (or affidavit of loss in lieu thereof) or
Book-Entry Share so surrendered shall be forthwith cancelled.
The Paying Agent shall accept such Certificates (or affidavits
of loss in lieu thereof) or Book-Entry Shares upon compliance
with such reasonable terms and conditions as the Paying Agent
may impose to effect an orderly exchange thereof in accordance
with normal exchange practices. No interest shall be paid or
accrued for the benefit of holders of the Certificates or
Book-Entry Shares on the Merger Consideration (or the cash
pursuant to Section 3.02(b)) payable upon the
surrender of the Certificates or Book-Entry Shares.
(d) Termination of Exchange Fund.
Any portion of the Exchange Fund which remains undistributed to
the holders of the Certificates, Book-Entry Shares or Company
Options for twelve (12) months after the Effective Time
shall be delivered to the Surviving Corporation, upon demand,
and any such holders prior to the Merger who have not
theretofore complied with this Article III shall
thereafter look only to the Surviving Corporation, as general
creditors thereof for payment of their claim for cash, without
interest, to which such holders may be entitled. If any
Certificates or Book-Entry Shares shall not have been
surrendered prior to one (1) year after the Effective Time
(or immediately prior to such earlier date on which any cash in
respect of such Certificate or Book-Entry Share would otherwise
escheat to or become the property of any Governmental
Authority), any such cash in respect of such Certificate or
Book-Entry Share shall, to the extent permitted by applicable
Law, become the property of the Surviving Corporation, subject
to any and all claims or interest of any person previously
entitled thereto.
(e) No Liability. None of the
Parents, Mergerco, the Company, the Surviving Corporation or the
Paying Agent shall be liable to any person in respect of any
cash held in the Exchange Fund delivered to a public official
pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or
similar Law.
(f) Investment of Exchange Fund.
The Paying Agent shall invest any cash included in the Exchange
Fund as directed by the Parents or, after the Effective Time,
the Surviving Corporation; provided that (i) no such
investment shall relieve the Surviving Corporation or the Paying
Agent from making the payments required by this
Article III, and following any losses the Surviving
Corporation shall promptly provide additional funds to the
Paying Agent for the benefit of the holders of Company Common
Stock and Company Options in the amount of such losses; and
(ii) such investments shall be in short-term obligations of
the United States of America with maturities of no more than
thirty (30) days or guaranteed by the United States of
America and backed by the full faith and credit of the United
States of America or in commercial paper obligations rated
A-1 or
P-1 or
better by Moodys Investors Service, Inc. or
Standard & Poors Corporation, respectively. Any
interest or income produced by such investments will be payable
to the Surviving Corporation or Mergerco, as directed by
Mergerco.
A-4
Section 3.03 Stock
Options and Other Awards
(a) Company Options. As of the
Effective Time, except as otherwise agreed by the Parents and a
holder of Company Options with respect to such holders
Company Options, each Company Option, whether vested or
unvested, shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any action
on the part of any holder of any Company Option, become fully
vested and converted into the right at the Effective Time to
receive, as promptly as practicable following the Effective
Time, a cash payment (less applicable withholding taxes and
without interest) with respect thereto equal to the product of
(a) the excess, if any, of the Merger Consideration over
the exercise price per share of such Company Option multiplied
by (b) the number of shares of Company Common Stock
issuable upon exercise of such Company Option (the
Option Cash Payment and the sum of all
such payments, the Total Option Cash
Payments). In the event that the exercise price of
any Company Option is equal to or greater than the Merger
Consideration, such Company Option shall be cancelled without
payment therefor and have no further force or effect. Except for
the Company Options set forth in Section 3.03(a) of the
Company Disclosure Schedule, as of the Effective Time, all
Company Options shall no longer be outstanding and shall
automatically cease to exist, and each holder of a Company
Option shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto,
except the right to receive the Option Cash Payment. Prior to
the Effective Time, the Company shall take any and all actions
reasonably necessary to effectuate this
Section 3.03(a), including, without limitation,
providing holders of Company Options with notice of their rights
with respect to any such Company Options as provided herein.
(b) Other Awards. As of the
Effective Time, except as otherwise agreed by the Parents and a
holder of Restricted Shares with respect to such holders
Restricted Shares, each share outstanding immediately prior to
the Effective Time subject to vesting or other lapse
restrictions pursuant to any Company Option Plan or an
applicable restricted stock agreement (each, a
Restricted Share) which is outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time shall vest and become
free of restriction as of the Effective Time and shall, as of
the Effective Time, be cancelled and converted into the right to
receive the Merger Consideration in accordance with
Section 3.01(b).
(c) Amendments to and Termination of
Plans. Prior to the Effective Time, the
Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to make any
amendments to the terms of the Company Option Plans and to
obtain any consents from holders of Company Options and
Restricted Shares that, in each case, are necessary to give
effect to the transactions contemplated by
Section 3.03(a) and Section 3.03(b).
Without limiting the foregoing the Company shall use its
reasonable best efforts to ensure that the Company will not at
the Effective Time be bound by any options, stock appreciation
rights, warrants or other rights or agreements which would
entitle any person, other than the holders of the capital stock
(or equivalents thereof) of the Parents, Mergerco and their
respective subsidiaries, to own any capital stock of the
Surviving Corporation or to receive any payment in respect
thereof. In furtherance of the foregoing, and subject to
applicable Law and agreements existing between the Company and
the applicable person, the Company shall explicitly condition
any new awards or grants to any person under its Company Option
Plans, annual bonus plans and other incentive plans upon such
persons consent to the amendments described in this
Section 3.03(c) and, to the fullest extent permitted
by applicable Law, shall withhold payment of the Merger
Consideration to or require payment of the exercise price for
all Company Options by any holder of a Company Option as to
which the Merger Consideration exceeds the amount of the
exercise price per share under such option unless such holder
consents to all of the amendments described in this
Section 3.03(c). Prior to the Effective
Time, the Company shall take all actions necessary to terminate
all Company Stock Plans, such termination to be effective at or
before the Effective Time.
(d) Employee Stock Purchase
Plan. The Board of Directors of the Company
shall terminate all purchases of stock under the Companys
2000 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the Company
ESPP) effective as of the day immediately after
the end of the month next following the date hereof, and no
additional offering periods shall commence under the Company
ESPP after the date hereof. The Company shall terminate the
Company ESPP in its entirety immediately prior to the Closing
Date, and all shares held under such plan, other than Rollover
Shares, shall be delivered to the participants and shall, as of
the Effective Time, be cancelled and converted into the right to
receive the Merger Consideration in accordance with
Section 3.01(b).
Section 3.04 Lost
Certificates. If any Certificate shall have 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 the Surviving
Corporation, the posting by such person of a bond, in such
reasonable amount as the Surviving
A-5
Corporation may direct, as indemnity against any claim that may
be made against it with respect to such Certificate, the Paying
Agent will issue in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed
Certificate the Merger Consideration to which the holder thereof
is entitled pursuant to this Article III.
Section 3.05 Dissenting
Shares. Notwithstanding
Section 3.01(b) hereof, to the extent that holders
thereof are entitled to appraisal rights under Article 5.12
of the TBCA, shares of Company Common Stock issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and held by
a holder who has properly exercised and perfected his or her
demand for appraisal rights under Article 5.12 of the TBCA
(the Dissenting Shares), shall not be
converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration,
but the holders of such Dissenting Shares shall be entitled to
receive such consideration as shall be determined pursuant to
Article 5.12 of the TBCA (and at the Effective Time, such
Dissenting Shares shall no longer be outstanding and shall cease
to have any rights with respect thereto, except the right to
receive such consideration as shall be determined pursuant to
Article 5.12 of the TBCA); provided, however,
that if any such holder shall have failed to perfect or shall
have effectively withdrawn or lost his or her right to appraisal
and payment under the TBCA, such holders shares of Company
Common Stock shall thereupon be deemed to have been converted as
of the Effective Time into the right to receive the Merger
Consideration, without any interest thereon, and such shares
shall not be deemed to be Dissenting Shares. Any payments
required to be made with respect to the Dissenting Shares shall
be made by the Surviving Corporation (and not the Company,
Mergerco or either Parent) and the Aggregate Merger
Consideration shall be reduced, on a dollar for dollar basis, as
if the holder of such Dissenting Shares had not been a
shareholder on the Closing Date. The Company shall give the
Parents notice of all demands for appraisal and the Parents
shall have the right to participate in all negotiations and
proceedings with respect to all holders of Dissenting Shares.
The Company shall not, except with the prior written consent of
the Parents, voluntarily make any payment with respect to, or
settle or offer to settle, any demand for payment from any
holder of Dissenting Shares.
Section 3.06 Transfers;
No Further Ownership Rights. After the Effective
Time, there shall be no registration of transfers on the stock
transfer books of the Company of shares of Company Common Stock
that were outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time.
If Certificates are presented to the Surviving Corporation for
transfer following the Effective Time, they shall be cancelled
against delivery of the Merger Consideration, as provided for in
Section 3.01(b) hereof, for each share of Company
Common Stock formerly represented by such Certificates.
Section 3.07 Withholding. Each
of the Paying Agent, the Company, Mergerco and the Surviving
Corporation shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from
payments otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement any
amounts as they are respectively required to deduct and withhold
with respect to the making of such payment under the Code and
the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, or any
provision of state, local or foreign Tax Law. To the extent that
amounts are so withheld, such withheld amounts shall be treated
for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the
person in respect of which such deduction and withholding was
made.
Section 3.08 Rollover
by Shareholders. At the Effective Time, each
Rollover Share issued and outstanding immediately before the
Effective Time shall be cancelled and be converted into and
become the number of validly issued shares of equity securities
of the Surviving Corporation calculated in accordance with
Section 3.08 of the Mergerco Disclosure Schedule. As of the
Effective Time, all such Rollover Shares when so cancelled,
shall no longer be issued and outstanding and shall
automatically cease to exist, and each holder of a certificate
representing any such Rollover Shares shall cease to have any
rights with respect thereto, except the right to receive the
shares of equity securities of the Surviving Corporation as set
forth in this Section 3.08.
Section 3.09 Additional
Per Share Consideration.
(a) No later than ten (10) business days before the
Closing Date, if the Closing Date shall occur after the
Additional Consideration Date, the Company shall prepare and
deliver to the Parents a good faith estimate of Additional Per
Share Consideration, together with reasonably detailed
supporting information (the Estimated Additional Per
Share Consideration).
(b) Before and after the delivery of the Estimated
Additional Per Share Consideration statement, the Company shall
provide the Parents reasonable access to the records and
employees of the Company and its subsidiaries, and the Company
shall, and shall cause the employees of the Company and its
subsidiaries to, (i) cooperate in all
A-6
reasonable respects with the Parents in connection with the
Parents review of the Estimated Additional Per Share
Consideration statement and (ii) provide the Parents with
access to accounting records, supporting schedules and relevant
information relating to the Companys preparation of the
Estimated Additional Per Share Consideration statement and
calculation of Estimated Additional Per Share Consideration as
the Parents shall reasonably request and that are available to
the Company or its affiliates. Within five (5) business
days after delivery of the Estimated Additional Per Share
Consideration statement to the Parents, the Parents may notify
the Company that they disagree with the Estimated Additional Per
Share Consideration statement. Such notice shall set forth, to
the extent practicable, in reasonable detail the particulars of
such disagreement. If the Parents do not provide a notice of
disagreement within such five (5) business day period, then
the Parents shall be deemed to have accepted the calculations
and the amounts set forth in the Estimated Additional Per Share
Consideration statement delivered by the Company, which shall
then be final, binding and conclusive for all purposes
hereunder. If any notice of disagreement is timely provided in
accordance with this Section 3.09(b), then the
Company and the Parents shall each use commercially reasonable
efforts for a period of one (1) business day thereafter
(the Estimated Additional Per Share Consideration
Resolution Period) to resolve any disagreements
with respect to the calculations in the Estimated Additional Per
Share Consideration statement.
(c) If, at the end of the Estimated Additional Per Share
Consideration Resolution Period, the Company and the Parents are
unable to resolve any disagreements as to items in the Estimated
Additional Per Share Consideration statement, then KPMG, LLP
(New York Office) (or such other independent accounting firm of
recognized national standing in the United States as may be
mutually selected by the Company and the Parents) shall resolve
any remaining disagreements. If neither KPMG, LLP (New York
Office) nor any such mutually selected accounting firm is
willing and able to serve in such capacity, then the Parents
shall deliver to the Company a list of three other accounting
firms of recognized national or international standing and the
Company shall select one of such three accounting firms (such
firm as is ultimately selected pursuant to the aforementioned
procedures being the Accountant). The
Accountant shall be charged with determining as promptly as
practicable, whether the Estimated Additional Per Share
Consideration as set forth in the Estimated Additional Per Share
Consideration statement was prepared in accordance with this
Agreement and (only with respect to the disagreements as to the
items set forth in the notice of disagreement and submitted to
the Accountant) whether and to what extent, if any, the
Estimated Additional Per Share Consideration requires adjustment.
(d) The Accountant shall allocate its costs and expenses
between the Parents (on behalf of Mergerco) and the Company
based upon the percentage of the contested amount submitted to
the Accountant that is ultimately awarded to the Company, on the
one hand, or the Parents, on the other hand, such that the
Company bears a percentage of such costs and expenses equal to
the percentage of the contested amount awarded to the Parents
(such portion of such costs and expenses, the
Company Accountant Expense) and the
Parents (on behalf of Mergerco) bear a percentage of such costs
and expenses equal to the percentage of the contested amount
awarded to the Company. The determination of the Accountant
shall be final, binding and conclusive for all purposes
hereunder.
(e) In order to permit the parties to prepare for an
orderly Closing, the Company will deliver monthly reports
calculating the previous months Operating Cash Flow on or
before the 20th day of each month starting January 15,
2007 (with respect to performance during December 2006) and
will provide the Parents with access to accounting records,
supporting schedules and relevant information relating to the
Companys preparation thereof as the Parents shall
reasonably request and that are available to the Company or its
affiliates.
Article IV.
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
Except as disclosed in the documents filed by the Company with
the SEC between December 31, 2004 and the date hereof
(together with all forms, documents, schedules, certifications,
prospectuses, reports, and registration, proxy and other
statements, required to be filed or furnished by it with or to
the SEC between December 31, 2004 and the date hereof,
including such documents filed during such periods on a
voluntary basis on
Form 8-K,
and in each case including exhibits and schedules thereto and
documents incorporated by reference therein, the
Company SEC Documents) or in the
Outdoor SEC Documents or as disclosed in the separate disclosure
schedule which has been delivered by the Company to the Parents
prior to the execution of this Agreement (the
Company Disclosure
A-7
Schedule) (provided that, any information
set forth in one Section of the Company Disclosure Schedule will
be deemed to apply to each other Section or subsection of this
Agreement to the extent such disclosure is made in a way as to
make its relevance to such other Section or subsection readily
apparent) the Company hereby represents and warrants to Mergerco
and the Parents as follows:
Section 4.01 Organization
and Qualification; Subsidiaries. Each of the
Company and the subsidiaries set forth in Section 4.01 of
the Company Disclosure Schedule (the Material
Subsidiaries) is a corporation or legal entity
duly organized, validly existing and, if applicable, in good
standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization and
has the requisite corporate, partnership or limited liability
company power and authority to own, lease and operate its
properties and to carry on its business as it is currently
conducted. Each of the Company and its Material Subsidiaries is
duly qualified or licensed as a foreign corporation to do
business, and, if applicable, is in good standing, in each
jurisdiction in which the character of the properties owned,
leased or operated by it or the nature of its business makes
such qualification or licensing necessary, except for such
failures to be so qualified or licensed and in good standing as
would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect on the Company.
Section 4.02 Articles
of Incorporation and Bylaws. The Company has made
available to the Parents a complete and correct copy of the
Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws (or equivalent
organizational documents), each as amended to date, of the
Company and each of its Material Subsidiaries. The Articles of
Incorporation and the Bylaws (or equivalent organizational
documents) of the Company and each of its Material Subsidiaries
are in full force and effect. None of the Company or any of its
Material Subsidiaries is in material violation of any provision
of their respective Articles of Incorporation or the Bylaws (or
equivalent organizational documents).
Section 4.03 Capitalization.
(a) The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of
1,500,000,000 shares of Company Common Stock, par value
$.10 per share, 2,000,000 shares of the Companys
class A preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share
(the Class A Preferred Stock) and
8,000,000 shares of the Companys class B
preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share (the
Class B Preferred Stock). As of
the close of business on November 10, 2006,
(i) 493,794,750 shares of Company Common Stock,
including Restricted Shares, were issued and outstanding;
(ii) no shares of the Class A Preferred Stock were
issued and outstanding; (iii) no shares of the Class B
Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding; and
(iv) 100,000 shares of Company Common Stock were held
in treasury. As of the close of business on November 10,
2006 there were 36,605,199 shares of Company Common Stock
authorized and reserved for future issuance under Company Option
Plans, 356,962 shares of Company Common Stock authorized
and reserved for issuance upon exercise of warrants and
outstanding Company Options to purchase 36,633,054 shares
of Company Common Stock (of which
(i) 12,044,341 shares of Company Common Stock were
subject to outstanding options with an exercise price less than
$37.60 and such in the money options have a weighted
average exercise price equal to $29.78 per share and
(ii) 206,465 shares of Company Common Stock were
subject to outstanding warrants with an exercise price less than
$37.60 and such in the money warrants have a
weighted average exercise price equal to $34.61 per share).
As of November 10, 2006, there were 2,304,843 Restricted
Shares issued and outstanding. Since November 10, 2006, no
Equity Securities or Convertible Securities of the Company have
been issued, reserved for issuance or are outstanding, other
than or pursuant to the Company Options and warrants referred to
above that are outstanding as of the date of this Agreement or
Equity Securities
and/or
Convertible Securities hereafter issued in accordance with
Section 6.01(k) hereof. As of the Effective Time,
the warrants referred to above thereafter shall not be
exercisable for securities of the Company.
(b) Except as set forth above and except as set forth in
Section 4.03(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule and
except as not specifically prohibited under
Section 6.01 hereof, there are no shares of Company
Common Stock, Class A Preferred Stock or Class B
Preferred Stock issued or outstanding or otherwise reserved for
issuance. Additionally, there are no outstanding subscriptions,
options, conversion or exchange rights, warrants, rights
(including without limitation, pursuant to a so-called
poison pill), calls, repurchase or redemption
agreements, convertible securities or other similar rights,
agreements, commitments or contracts of any kind to which the
Company or any of the Material Subsidiaries is a party or by
which the Company or any of the Material Subsidiaries is bound
obligating the Company or any of the Material Subsidiaries to
issue, transfer, deliver or sell, or cause to be
A-8
issued, transferred, delivered or sold, additional shares of
capital stock of, or other equity or voting interests in, or
securities convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for,
shares of capital stock of, or other equity or voting interests
in, the Company or any of the Material Subsidiaries or
obligating the Company or any of the Material Subsidiaries to
issue, grant, extend or enter into any such security, option,
warrant, call, right or contract.
(c) There are no securities except as set forth above that
can vote on any matters on which the holders of Company Common
Stock may vote, either on the date hereof or upon conversion or
exchange of such securities.
(d) All outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company
are, and all shares that may be issued pursuant to the Company
Option Plans will be, when issued in accordance with the terms
thereof, duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable and not subject to preemptive rights.
Section 4.04 Authority
Relative to Agreement.
(a) The Company has all necessary corporate power and
authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, to perform its
obligations hereunder and, subject to receipt of the Requisite
Shareholder Approval, to consummate the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated hereby. The execution and delivery of
this Agreement by the Company and the consummation by the
Company of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated
hereby have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary
corporate action, and no other corporate proceedings on the part
of the Company are necessary to authorize the execution and
delivery of this Agreement or to consummate the Merger and the
other transactions contemplated hereby (other than, with respect
to the Merger, the receipt of the Requisite Shareholder
Approval, as well as the filing of the Articles of Merger with
the Secretary of State). This Agreement has been duly and
validly executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming the
due authorization, execution and delivery by Mergerco and the
Parents, this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding
obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in
accordance with its terms (except as such enforceability may be
limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer,
reorganization, moratorium and other similar Laws of general
applicability relating to or affecting creditors rights,
and to general equitable principles).
(b) The Board of Directors of the Company, at a meeting
duly called and held, has (i) approved and adopted this
Agreement and approved the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated hereby; (ii) determined that the Merger is
advisable and fair to and in the best interests of, the
shareholders of the Company (other than affiliate shareholders
as to which no determination was made); and (iii) resolved
to submit this Agreement to the shareholders of the Company for
approval, file the Proxy Statement with the SEC and, subject to
Section 6.07 hereof, recommend that the shareholders
of the Company approve this Agreement and the Merger.
(c) The Requisite Shareholder Approval at the
Shareholders Meeting or any adjournment or postponement
thereof in favor of the adoption of this Agreement and the
Merger is the only vote or approval of the holders of any class
or series of capital stock of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries which is necessary to adopt this Agreement, approve
the Merger and the transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 4.05 No
Conflict; Required Filings and Consents.
(a) Except as set forth in Section 4.05 of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, the execution and delivery of this
Agreement by the Company does not, the performance of this
Agreement by the Company will not and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby will not (i) conflict with
or violate the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws (or
equivalent organizational documents) of (A) the Company or
(B) any of the Material Subsidiaries; (ii) assuming
the consents, approvals and authorizations specified in
Section 4.05(b) have been received and the waiting
periods referred to therein have expired, and any condition to
the effectiveness of such consent, approval, authorization, or
waiver has been satisfied, conflict with or violate any Law
applicable to the Company or any of its subsidiaries; or
(iii) result in any breach of, or constitute a default
(with or without notice or lapse of time or both) under, or give
to others any right of termination, amendment, acceleration or
cancellation of, or result in the creation of a Lien, other than
any Permitted Lien, upon any of the properties or assets of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries, pursuant to any note, bond,
mortgage, indenture or credit agreement, or any other contract,
agreement, lease, license, permit, franchise or other instrument
or obligation to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is
a party or by which the Company or any of its subsidiaries or
any property or asset of the Company or its subsidiaries is
bound or affected, other than, in the case of clauses (ii)
and (iii), any such violation, conflict,
A-9
default, termination, cancellation, acceleration or Lien that
would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect on the Company.
(b) The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the
Company does not, and the consummation by the Company of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not, require
any consent, approval, authorization, waiver or permit of, or
filing with or notification to, any Governmental Authority,
except for applicable requirements of the Exchange Act, the
Securities Act, Blue Sky Laws, the HSR Act, any applicable
Foreign Antitrust Laws, any filings, waivers or approvals as may
be required under the Communications Act and foreign
communications Laws, any filings, waivers or approvals as may be
required under foreign investment review laws, filing and
recordation of appropriate merger documents as required by the
Texas Acts, the DGCL and the rules of the NYSE, and except where
failure to obtain such other consents, approvals, authorizations
or permits, or to make such filings or notifications, would not
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on the Company.
Section 4.06 Permits
and Licenses; Compliance with Laws.
(a) Each of the Company and its Material Subsidiaries is in
possession of all franchises, grants, authorizations, licenses
(other than Company FCC Licenses), permits, easements,
variances, exceptions, consents, certificates, approvals and
orders necessary for the Company or any of its Material
Subsidiaries to own, lease and operate the properties of the
Company and its Material Subsidiaries or to carry on its
business as it is now being conducted and contemplated to be
conducted by the Company and its Material Subsidiaries (the
Company Permits), and no suspension or
cancellation of any of the Company Permits is pending or, to the
knowledge of the Company, threatened, except where the failure
to have, or the suspension or cancellation of, any of the
Company Permits would not have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. None of the
Company or any of its Material Subsidiaries is in conflict with,
or in default or violation of, (i) any Laws applicable to
the Company or any of its Material Subsidiaries or by which any
property or asset of the Company or any of its Material
Subsidiaries is bound or affected; (ii) any of the Company
Permits; or (iii) any note, bond, mortgage, indenture,
contract, agreement, lease, license, permit, franchise or other
instrument or obligation to which the Company or any of its
Material Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any
of its Material Subsidiaries or any property or asset of the
Company or any of its Material Subsidiaries is bound or
affected, except for any such conflicts, defaults or violations
that would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
(b) Section 4.06(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule
sets forth (i) all main radio and television stations and
(ii) all radio or television stations for which the Company
or any subsidiary of the Company provides programming,
advertising or other services pursuant to a LMA. The Company FCC
Licenses are in full force and effect and have not been revoked,
suspended, canceled, rescinded or terminated and have not
expired (other than FCC Licenses that are the subject of pending
renewal applications), and are not subject to any material
conditions except for conditions applicable to broadcast
licenses generally or as otherwise disclosed on the face of the
Company FCC Licenses. The Company and its subsidiaries are
operating, and have operated the Company Stations, in compliance
in all material respects with the terms of the Company FCC
Licenses and the Communications Act, and the Company and its
subsidiaries have timely filed or made all material
applications, reports and other disclosures required by the FCC
to be filed or made with respect to the Company Stations and
have timely paid all FCC regulatory fees with respect thereto,
except as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect on the Company. Except for
administrative rulemakings, legislation or other proceedings
affecting the broadcast industry generally, there is not,
pending or, to the Companys knowledge, threatened by or
before the FCC any proceeding, notice of violation, order of
forfeiture or complaint or investigation against or relating to
the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or any of the Company
Stations, except for any such proceedings, notices, orders,
complaints, or investigations that would not have, individually
or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
Section 4.07 Company
SEC Documents.
(a) The Company and to its knowledge Outdoor Holdings have
filed all Company SEC Documents and Outdoor SEC Documents, as
the case may be, since December 31, 2004 (and in the case
of Outdoor Holdings since November 2, 2005). None of the
Companys subsidiaries (other than Outdoor Holdings) is
required to file periodic reports with the SEC pursuant to the
Exchange Act. As of their respective effective dates (in the
case of Company SEC Documents and Outdoor SEC Documents, as the
case may be, that are registration statements filed pursuant to
A-10
the requirements of the Securities Act), and as of their
respective SEC filing dates (in the case of all other Company
SEC Documents or the Outdoor SEC Documents, as the case may be),
or in each case, if amended prior to the date hereof, as of the
date of the last such amendment, the Company SEC Documents and,
to the Companys knowledge, the Outdoor SEC Documents
complied in all material respects, and all documents filed by
the Company or Outdoor Holdings between the date of this
Agreement and the date of Closing shall comply in all material
respects, with the requirements of the Securities Act, the
Exchange Act or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, as the case may be, and
the applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and
none of the Company SEC Documents at the time they were filed
or, if amended, as of the date of such amendment contained, or
if filed after the date hereof will contain, any untrue
statement of a material fact or omitted 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, or are to be made, not misleading. The Company
has made available to the Parents a complete and correct copy of
any material amendments or modifications which, to the
Companys knowledge, are required to be filed with the SEC,
but have not yet been filed with the SEC, with respect to
(i) agreements which previously have been filed by the
Company or any of its subsidiaries with the SEC pursuant to the
Securities Act or the Exchange Act and (ii) the Company SEC
Documents filed prior to the date hereof. As of the date of this
Agreement, there are no outstanding or unresolved comments
received from the SEC staff with respect to the Company SEC
Documents and, to the Companys knowledge, the Outdoor SEC
Documents.
(b) The consolidated financial statements (as restated
prior to the date hereof, if applicable, and including all
related notes and schedules) of the Company included in the
Company SEC Documents fairly present in all material respects
the consolidated financial position of the Company and its
consolidated subsidiaries as at the respective dates thereof and
their consolidated results of operations and consolidated cash
flows for the respective periods then ended (subject, in the
case of the unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit
adjustments and to any other adjustments described therein
including the notes thereto) in conformity with GAAP (except, in
the case of the unaudited statements, as permitted by the rules
related to Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q
promulgated under the Exchange Act) applied on a consistent
basis during the periods involved (except as may be indicated
therein or in the notes thereto).
(c) Except as has not had or would not reasonably be
expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect on the Company, the Company (i) has
established and maintained disclosure controls and procedures
and internal control over financial reporting (as such terms are
defined in paragraphs (e) and (f), respectively, of
Rule 13a-15
under the Exchange Act) as required by
Rule 13a-15
under the Exchange Act, and (ii) has disclosed, based on
its most recent evaluations, to its outside auditors and the
audit committee of the Board of Directors of the Company,
(A) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in
the design or operation of internal controls over financial
reporting (as defined in
Rule 13a-15(f)
of the Exchange Act) which are reasonably likely to adversely
affect the Companys ability to record, process, summarize
and report financial data and (B) 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.
Section 4.08 Absence
of Certain Changes or Events. Since
December 31, 2005, except as otherwise contemplated or
permitted by this Agreement, the businesses of the Company and
its subsidiaries taken as a whole have been conducted in all
material respects in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practice and through the date of this Agreement. Since
December 31, 2005 and through the date of this Agreement,
there has not been a Material Adverse Effect on the Company or
any event, circumstance or occurrence that has had or would
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the
Company.
Section 4.09 No
Undisclosed Liabilities. Except (a) as
reflected or reserved against in the Companys consolidated
balance sheets (as restated prior to the date hereof, or the
notes thereto) included in the Company SEC Documents,
(b) for liabilities or obligations incurred in the ordinary
course of business since the date of such balance sheets, and
(c) for liabilities or obligations arising under this
Agreement, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has
any liabilities or obligations of any nature, whether or not
accrued, contingent or otherwise, that would be required by GAAP
to be reflected on a consolidated balance sheet (or the notes
thereto) of the Company and its subsidiaries, other than those
which would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
A-11
Section 4.10 Absence
of Litigation. There is no claim, action,
proceeding or investigation pending or, to the knowledge of the
Company, threatened against the Company or any of its
subsidiaries, or any of their respective properties or assets at
law or in equity, and there are no Orders, before any arbitrator
or Governmental Authority, in each case as would have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
the Company.
Section 4.11 Taxes. Except
as has not been or would not be, individually or in the
aggregate, material to the Company, or except as set forth in
Section 4.11 of the Company Disclosure Schedule,
(i) the Company and each of its Material Subsidiaries have
prepared (or caused to be prepared) and timely filed (taking
into account any extension of time within which to file) all
material Tax Returns required to be filed by any of them and all
such filed Tax Returns (taking into account all amendments
thereto) are complete and accurate in all material respects;
(ii) the Company and each of its Material Subsidiaries have
timely paid all material Taxes owed by it (whether or not shown
on any Tax Returns), except for Taxes which are being diligently
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which
adequate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP;
(iii) as of the date of this Agreement, in respect of
United States federal, state and local Taxes and in respect of
federal income Taxes payable in France, the United Kingdom,
Italy, Spain, Sweden, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Switzerland,
there are not pending or, to the knowledge of the Company,
threatened any material audits, examinations, investigations or
other proceedings in respect of any Taxes of the Company or any
of its subsidiaries; (iv) to the knowledge of the Company
there are no material Liens for Taxes on any of the assets of
the Company or any of its Material Subsidiaries other than
Permitted Liens; (v) none of the Company or any of its
Material Subsidiaries has been a controlled
corporation or a distributing corporation in
any distribution occurring during the two (2) year period
ending on the date hereof that was purported or intended to be
governed by Section 355 of the Code (or any similar
provision of state, local or foreign Law); (vi) to the
actual knowledge of the Company all material amounts of United
States federal, state and local Taxes and all material amounts
of federal income Taxes payable in France, the United Kingdom,
Italy, Spain, Sweden, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Switzerland,
required to be withheld by the Company and each of its
subsidiaries have been timely withheld and paid over to the
appropriate Governmental Authority; (vii) no material
deficiency for any Tax has been asserted or assessed by any
Governmental Authority in respect of United States federal,
state and local Taxes and in respect of federal income Taxes
payable in France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Sweden,
Belgium, the Netherlands, and Switzerland, in writing against
the Company or any of its subsidiaries (or, to the knowledge of
the Company, has been threatened or proposed), except for
deficiencies which have been satisfied by payment, settled or
been withdrawn or which are being diligently contested in good
faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves
have been established in accordance with GAAP;
(viii) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has
waived any statute of limitations in respect of Material Taxes
payable to the United States or any state or locality thereof,
or in respect of federal income Taxes payable in France, the
United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Belgium, and Switzerland,
or agreed to any extension of time with respect to an assessment
or deficiency for Taxes in respect of such jurisdictions (other
than pursuant to extensions of time to file Tax Returns obtained
in the ordinary course); (ix) neither the Company nor any
of its Material Subsidiaries (A) in the past three
(3) years has been a member of an affiliated group filing a
consolidated federal income Tax Return (other than a group the
common parent of which was the Company) or (B) has any
liability for the Taxes of any person (other than the Company or
any of its subsidiaries) under Treasury
Regulation Section 1.1502-6
(or any similar provision of state, local or foreign Law), as a
transferee or successor, or pursuant to any indemnification,
allocation or sharing agreement with respect to Taxes that could
give rise to a payment or indemnification obligation (other than
agreements among the Company and its subsidiaries and other than
customary Tax indemnifications contained in credit or other
commercial agreements the primary purpose of which does not
relate to Taxes); (x) neither the Company nor any of its
Material Subsidiaries has engaged in any listed
transaction within the meaning of Treasury
Regulation Section 1.6011-4(b)(2);
and (xi) the Company is not, and has not been at any time
within the last five (5) years, a United States real
property holding corporation within the meaning of
Section 897 of the Code.
Section 4.12 Information
Supplied. The Proxy Statement and any other
document filed with the SEC by the Company in connection with
the Merger (or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto)
(collectively, the SEC Filings), at
the date first mailed to the shareholders of the Company, at the
time of the Company Shareholders Meeting and at the time
filed with the SEC, as the case may be, will not 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;
provided, however,
A-12
that no representation is made by the Company with respect to
statements made therein based on information supplied in writing
by the Parents specifically for inclusion in such documents. The
SEC Filings made by the Company will comply in all material
respects with the provisions of the Exchange Act.
Section 4.13 Material
Contracts.
(a) As of the date hereof, neither the Company nor any of
its subsidiaries is a party to or bound by any material
contract (as such term is defined in item 601(b)(10)
of
Regulation S-K
of the SEC) (all contracts of the type described in this
Section 4.13(a), being referred to herein as a
Company Material Contract).
(b) Neither the Company nor any subsidiary of the Company
is in breach of or default under the terms of any Company
Material Contract. To the knowledge of the Company, no other
party to any Company Material Contract is in breach of or
default under the terms of any Company Material Contract. Each
Company Material Contract is a valid and binding obligation of
the Company or its subsidiary which is a party thereto and, to
the knowledge of the Company, is in full force and effect;
provided, however, that (a) such enforcement
may be subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or other similar Laws, now or
hereafter in effect, relating to creditors rights
generally and (b) equitable remedies of specific
performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief
may be subject to equitable defenses and to the discretion of
the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought
and (ii) the Company and its subsidiaries have performed
and complied in all material respects with all obligations
required to be performed or complied with by them under each
Company Material Contract.
Section 4.14 Employee
Benefits and Labor Matters.
(a) Correct and complete copies of the following documents
with respect to each Company Benefit Plan (other than such
Company Benefit Plan that is maintained outside of the
jurisdiction of the United States and covers fewer than 400
employees) have been made available to the Parents by the
Company to the extent applicable: (i) any plan documents
and related trust documents, insurance contracts or other
funding arrangements, and all amendments thereto; (ii) the
most recent Forms 5500 and all schedules thereto;
(iii) the most recent actuarial report, if any;
(iv) the most recent IRS determination letter; (v) the
most recent summary plan descriptions; and (vi) written
summaries of all non-written Company Benefit Plans.
(b) The Company Benefit Plans have been maintained, in all
material respects, in accordance with their terms and with all
applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other Laws, except
for non-compliance which has not had or could not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
(c) Except as set forth on Section 4.14(c) of the
Company Disclosure Schedule, none of the Company Benefit Plans
is subject to Title IV of ERISA or Sections 4063 or
4064 of ERISA. The Company Benefit Plans intended to qualify
under Section 401 of the Code or other tax-favored
treatment under applicable laws do so qualify, and nothing has
occurred with respect to the operation of the Company Benefit
Plans that could cause the loss of such qualification or
tax-favored treatment, or the imposition of any liability,
penalty or tax under ERISA or the Code, except for
non-compliance which has not had or could not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. No
Company Benefit Plan provides post-termination health, medical
or life insurance benefits for current, former or retirement
employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, except as
required to avoid an excise Tax under Section 4980B of the
Code or as otherwise required by any other applicable Law, or
except as would not have or could not reasonably expect to have
a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
(d) There are no pending or, to the knowledge of the
Company, threatened actions, claims or lawsuits with respect to
any Company Benefit Plan (other than routine benefit claims),
nor does the Company have any knowledge of facts that could form
the basis for any such claim or lawsuit, except for such
actions, claims or lawsuits which, if adversely determined,
could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect on the Company.
(e) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement
nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder,
either by themselves or in connection with any other event, will
entitle any employee, officer or director of the Company or any
of its subsidiaries to (i) accelerate the time of any
payment, vesting of any payment or funding of compensation or
benefits, except for the acceleration of vesting of outstanding
stock options
A-13
and restricted stock awards pursuant to the Company Option Plans
and the distribution of all account balances under the
Companys Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan,
(ii) any increase in the amount payable under any Company
Benefit Plan or any employment, severance, bonus or similar
agreement, or (iii) any payment of any material amount that
could individually or in combination with any other such payment
constitute an excess parachute payment as defined in
Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code except as disclosed on
Section 4.14(e) of the Company Disclosure Schedule.
(f) There is no union organization activity involving any
of the employees of the Company or its subsidiaries pending or,
to the knowledge of the Company, threatened. There is no
picketing pending or, to the knowledge of the Company,
threatened, and there are no strikes, slowdowns, work stoppages,
other material job actions, lockouts, arbitrations, material
grievances or other material labor disputes involving any of the
employees of the Company or its subsidiaries pending or, to the
knowledge of the Company, threatened. With respect to all
employees, the Company and each subsidiary is in material
compliance with all laws, regulations and orders relating to the
employment of labor, including all such Laws, regulations and
orders relating to wages, hours, the WARN Act, collective
bargaining, discrimination, civil rights, safety and health,
workers compensation, and the collection and payment of
withholding
and/or
social security taxes and any similar tax, except such
non-compliance as would not have or reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect. All independent contractors
presently retained by the Company or its subsidiaries to provide
any and all services are appropriately classified as such in
accordance with applicable law, except such failures as would
not have, or would not reasonably be expected to have, a
Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.15 State
Takeover Statutes. The Company has taken all
action necessary to exempt the Merger, this Agreement, and
transaction contemplated hereby from the provisions of
Article 13 of the TBCA and such action is effective. No
other state takeover, moratorium, fair
price, affiliate transaction or similar
statute or regulation under any applicable Law is applicable to
the Merger or any of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
Section 4.16 Opinion
of Financial Advisors. The Board of Directors of
the Company has received an oral opinion of Goldman
Sachs & Co. and the special advisory committee of the
Board of Directors of the Company has received the oral opinion
of Lazard, to the effect that, as of the date of each such
opinion and based upon and subject to the limitations,
qualifications and assumptions set forth therein, the Merger
Consideration as provided in Section 3.01(b) payable
to each holder of outstanding shares of Company Common Stock
(other than shares cancelled pursuant to
Section 3.01(b) hereof, shares held by affiliates of
the Company, Dissenting Shares and the Rollover Shares), in the
aggregate, is fair to the holders of the Company Common Stock
from a financial point of view. The Company shall deliver
executed copies of the written opinions received from Goldman
Sachs & Co. and Lazard to the Parents promptly upon
receipt thereof.
Section 4.17 Brokers. No
broker, finder or investment banker is entitled to any
brokerage, finders or other fee or commission in
connection with the Merger based upon arrangements made by or on
behalf of the Company other than as provided in the letter of
engagement by and between the Board of Directors of the Company
and Goldman Sachs & Co. and the special advisory
committee of the Board of Directors of the Company and Lazard
provided to the Parents prior to the date hereof, which such
letters have not been amended or supplemented.
Section 4.18 No
Other Representations or Warranties. Except for
the representations and warranties contained in this
Article IV, neither the Company nor any other person
on behalf of the Company makes any express or implied
representation or warranty with respect to the Company or with
respect to any other information provided to the Parents in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby. Neither
the Company nor any other person will have or be subject to any
liability or indemnification obligation to Mergerco, either
Parent or any other person resulting from the distribution to
the Parents, or the Parents use of, any such information,
including any information, documents, projections, forecasts of
other material made available to the Parents in certain
data rooms or management presentations in
expectation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
unless any such information is expressly included in a
representation or warranty contained in this
Article IV.
A-14
Article V.
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF THE PARENTS AND MERGERCO
Except as disclosed in the separate disclosure schedule which
has been delivered by the Parents to the Company prior to the
execution of this Agreement (the Mergerco Disclosure
Schedule) (provided that any information set forth
in one Section of the Mergerco Disclosure Schedule will be
deemed to apply to each other Section or subsection of this
Agreement to the extent such disclosure is made in a way as to
make its relevance to such other Section or subsection readily
apparent), the Parents and Mergerco hereby jointly and severally
represent and warrant to the Company as follows:
Section 5.01 Organization
and Qualification; Subsidiaries. Each Parent is a
limited liability company duly organized, validly existing in
good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization
and has the requisite limited liability company power and
authority and all necessary governmental approvals to own, lease
and operate its properties and to carry on its business as it is
now being conducted. Each Parent is duly qualified or licensed
as a foreign limited liability company to do business, and, if
applicable, is in good standing, in each jurisdiction where the
character of the properties owned, leased or operated by it or
the nature of its business makes such qualification or licensing
necessary. Mergerco is a corporation duly organized, validly
existing in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of
organization and has the requisite corporate power and authority
and all necessary governmental approvals to own, lease and
operate its properties and to carry on its business as it is now
being conducted, except where the failure to have such
governmental approvals would not have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Mergerco Material Adverse Effect. Mergerco is duly
qualified or licensed as a foreign corporation to do business,
and, if applicable, is in good standing, in each jurisdiction
where the character of the properties owned, leased or operated
by it or the nature of its business makes such qualification or
licensing necessary, except for such failures to be so qualified
or licensed and in good standing that would not have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Mergerco Material Adverse
Effect.
Section 5.02 Certificate
of Incorporation, Bylaws, and Other Organizational
Documents. The Parents have made available to the
Company a complete and correct copy of the certificate of
incorporation, the bylaws (or equivalent organizational
documents), and other operational documents, agreements or
arrangements, each as amended to date, of Mergerco
(collectively, the Mergerco Organizational
Documents). The Mergerco Organizational Documents
are in full force and effect. Neither Mergerco, nor to the
knowledge of the Parents the other parties thereto, are in
violation of any provision of the Mergerco Organizational
Documents, as applicable, except as would not have, individually
or in the aggregate, a Mergerco Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.03 Authority
Relative to Agreement. The Parents and Mergerco
have all necessary power and authority to execute and deliver
this Agreement, to perform their respective obligations
hereunder and to consummate the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated hereby, including the Financing by the
Parents. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the
Parents and Mergerco and the consummation of the Merger by them
and the other transactions contemplated hereby, including the
Financing by the Parents, have been duly and validly authorized
by all necessary limited liability company action on the part of
the Parents and all corporate action of Mergerco, and no other
corporate proceedings on the part of the Parents or Mergerco are
necessary to authorize the execution and delivery of this
Agreement or to consummate the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated hereby, including the Financing by the Parents
(other than, with respect to the Merger, the filing of the
Articles of Merger with the Secretary of State). This Agreement
has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Parents
and Mergerco and, assuming the due authorization, execution and
delivery by the Company, this Agreement constitutes a legal,
valid and binding obligation of the Parents and Mergerco,
enforceable against the Parents and Mergerco in accordance with
its terms (except as such enforceability may be limited by
bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization,
moratorium and other similar laws of general applicability
relating to or affecting creditors rights, and to general
equitable principles).
Section 5.04 No
Conflict; Required Filings and Consents.
(a) The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the
Parents and Mergerco do not, and the performance of this
Agreement by the Parents and Mergerco will not and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not,
(i) conflict with or violate the certificates of formation
or limited liability company agreements (or
A-15
equivalent organizational documents) of the Parents or the
certificate of incorporation or bylaws (or equivalent
organizational documents) of Mergerco; (ii) assuming the
consents, approvals and authorizations specified in
Section 5.04(b) have been received and the waiting
periods referred to therein have expired, and any condition to
the effectiveness of such consent, approval, authorization, or
waiver has been satisfied, conflict with or violate any Law
applicable to the Parents or Mergerco; or (iii) result in
any breach of or constitute a default (with notice or lapse of
time or both) under, or give to others any right of termination,
amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, or result in the
creation of a Lien on any property or asset of the Parents or
Mergerco pursuant to, any note, bond, mortgage, indenture or
credit agreement, or any other contract, agreement, lease,
license, permit, franchise or other instrument or obligation to
which a Parent or Mergerco is a party or by which a Parent or
Mergerco or any property or asset of a Parent or Mergerco is
bound or affected, other than, in the case of clauses (ii)
and (iii), for any such conflicts, violations, breaches,
defaults or other occurrences of the type referred to above
which would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Mergerco Material Adverse Effect.
(b) The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the
Parents and Mergerco does not, and the consummation by the
Parents and Mergerco of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, including the Financing, will not, require any
consent, approval, authorization, waiver or permit of, or filing
with or notification to, any Governmental Authority, except for
applicable requirements of the Exchange Act, the Securities Act,
Blue Sky Laws, the HSR Act, any applicable
non-U.S. competition,
antitrust or investment Laws, any filings, approvals or waivers
of the FCC as may be required under the Communications Act and
foreign communications, filing and recordation of appropriate
merger documents as required by the Texas Acts, the DGCL and the
rules of the NYSE, and except where failure to obtain such
consents, approvals, authorizations or permits, or to make such
filings or notifications, would not have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Mergerco Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.05 FCC
Matters. Section 5.05 of the Mergerco
Disclosure Schedule sets forth each Attributable Interest.
Subject to compliance with the Parents obligations under
Section 6.05, (i) Mergerco is legally and financially
qualified under the Communications Act to control the Company
FCC Licenses; (ii) Mergerco is in compliance with
Section 3.10(b) of the Communications Act and the
FCCs rules governing alien ownership; (iii) there are
no facts or circumstances pertaining to Mergerco or any of its
subsidiaries which, under the Communications Act would
reasonably be expected to (x) result in the FCCs
refusal to grant the FCC Consent or otherwise disqualify
Mergerco, or (y) materially delay obtaining the FCC
Consent, or cause the FCC to impose a condition or conditions
that, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company; and
(iv) no waiver of, or exemption from, any provision of the
Communications Act or the rules, regulations and policies of the
FCC is necessary to obtain the FCC Consent.
Section 5.06 Absence
of Litigation. There is no claim, action,
proceeding, or investigation pending or, to the knowledge of the
Parents, threatened against any of the Parents or Mergerco or
any of their respective properties or assets at law or in
equity, and there are no Orders before any arbitrator or
Governmental Authority, in each case, as would have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Mergerco Material Adverse
Effect.
Section 5.07 Available
Funds.
(a) Section 5.07(a) of Mergerco Disclosure Schedule
sets forth true, accurate and complete copies, as of the date
hereof, of executed commitment letters from the parties listed
in Section 5.07(a) of the Mergerco Disclosure Schedule
dated as of the date hereof (as the same may be amended,
modified, supplemented, restated, superseded and replaced in
accordance with Section 6.13(a), collectively, the
Debt Commitment Letters), pursuant to
which, and subject to the terms and conditions thereof, the
lender parties thereto have committed to lend the amounts set
forth therein for the purpose of funding the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement (the Debt
Financing). Section 5.07(a) of Mergerco
Disclosure Schedule sets forth true, accurate and complete
copies, as of the date hereof, of executed commitment letters
(collectively, the Equity Commitment
Letters and together with the Debt Commitment
Letters, the Financing Commitments)
pursuant to which the investors listed in Section 5.07(a)
of the Mergerco Disclosure Schedule (the
Investors) have committed to invest
the cash amounts set forth therein subject to the terms therein
(the Equity Financing and together
with the Debt Financing, the
Financing).
(b) As of the date hereof, the Financing Commitments are in
full force and effect and have not been withdrawn or terminated
or otherwise amended or modified in any respect. As of the date
hereof, each of the Financing Commitments, in the form so
delivered, is in full force and effect and is a legal, valid and
binding obligation of the
A-16
Parents and to Parents knowledge, the other parties
thereto. Except as set forth in the Financing Commitments, there
are no (i) conditions precedent to the respective
obligations of the Investors to fund the full amount of the
Equity Financing; (ii) conditions precedent to the
respective obligations of the lenders specified in the Debt
Commitment Letter to fund the full amount of the Debt Financing;
or (iii) contractual contingencies under any agreements,
side letters or arrangements relating to the Financing
Commitments to which either Parent or any of their respective
affiliates is a party that would permit the lenders specified in
the Debt Commitment Letters or the Investors providing the
Equity Commitment Letters to reduce the total amount of the
Financing (other than retranching or reallocating the Debt
Financing in a manner that does not reduce the aggregate amount
of the debt financing), or that would materially affect the
availability of the Debt Financing or the Equity Financing. As
of the date hereof, (A) no event has occurred which, with
or without notice, lapse of time or both, would constitute a
default or breach on the part of the Parents under any term or
condition of the Financing Commitments, and (B) subject to
the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the
Company set forth in Article II hereof, and the
satisfaction of the conditions set forth in
Section 7.01 and Section 7.02 hereof,
the Parents have no reason to believe that it will be unable to
satisfy on a timely basis any term or condition of closing to be
satisfied by it contained in the Financing Commitments. The
Parents have fully paid any and all commitment fees or other
fees required by the Financing Commitments to be paid on or
before the date of this Agreement. Subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement and as of the date hereof, assuming
the funding of the Financing in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the Financing Commitments, the aggregate proceeds
from the Financing constitute all of the financing required to
be provided by the Parents or Mergerco for the consummation of
the transactions contemplated hereby, and are sufficient for the
satisfaction of all of the Parents and Mergercos
obligations under this Agreement, including the payment of the
Aggregate Merger Consideration and the payment of all associated
costs and expenses (including any refinancing of indebtedness of
Mergerco or the Company required in connection therewith).
(c) From and after the date hereof, Mergerco, the Parents,
any Investor and their respective affiliates shall not enter
into any discussions, negotiations, arrangements, understanding
or agreements with respect to the Equity Financing with those
persons identified on Section 5.07(c) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule.
Section 5.08 Limited
Guarantee. Concurrently with the execution of
this Agreement, the Parents have delivered to the Company the
Limited Guarantee of each of the Investors, dated as of the date
hereof, with respect to certain matters on the terms specified
therein.
Section 5.09 Capitalization
of Mergerco. As of the date of this Agreement,
the authorized capital stock of Mergerco (the
Mergerco Shares) will be held by the
persons listed on Section 5.09 of Mergerco Disclosure
Schedule. On the Closing Date, the Mergerco Shares will be held
by the persons listed on Section 5.09 of the Mergerco
Disclosure Schedule and any other Investor who has committed to
invest in the Equity Financing pursuant to the provisions of
Section 6.13 (each such Investor, a New
Equity Investor and each such New Equity
Investors equity commitment letter, a New
Equity Commitment Letter). Other than as set forth
on Section 5.09 of the Mergerco Disclosure Schedule, no
person who holds shares of record or beneficially has an
Attributable Interest in Mergerco. Except as provided in the
Equity Commitment Letters or the New Equity Commitment Letters,
if any, there are no outstanding options, warrants, rights,
calls, subscriptions, claims of any character, agreements,
obligations, convertible or exchangeable securities, or other
commitments, contingent or otherwise, relating to the Mergerco
Shares or any capital stock equivalent or other nominal interest
in Mergerco (the Mergerco Equity
Interests), pursuant to which Mergerco is or may
become obligated to issue shares of its capital stock or other
equity interests or any securities convertible into or
exchangeable for, or evidencing the right to subscribe for any
Mergerco Equity Interests. Except as provided in the Equity
Commitment Letters or New Equity Commitment Letters, if any,
there are no contracts or commitments to which Mergerco is a
party relating to the issuance, sale or transfer of any equity
securities or other securities of Mergerco. Mergerco was formed
solely for the purpose of engaging in the transactions
contemplated hereby, and it has not conducted any business prior
to the date hereof and has no, and prior to the Effective Time
will have no, assets, liabilities or obligations of any nature
other than those incident to its formation and pursuant to this
Agreement and the Merger and the other transactions contemplated
by this Agreement.
Section 5.10 Brokers. No
broker, finder or investment banker is entitled to any
brokerage, finders or other fee or commission in
connection with the Merger based upon arrangements made by or on
behalf of Mergerco with
A-17
respect to which the Company or any subsidiary is or could
become liable for payment in full or in part, except in the
event that the Company becomes obligated with respect to the
payment of Mergercos Expenses pursuant to the terms of
Section 8.02(a).
Section 5.11 Information
Supplied. None of the information supplied or to
be supplied by the Parents for inclusion or incorporation by
reference in the Proxy Statement will, at the date it is first
mailed to the shareholders of the Company and at the time of the
Shareholders 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.
Section 5.12 Solvency. As
of the Effective Time, assuming (a) satisfaction of the
conditions to the Parents and Mergercos obligation
to consummate the Merger, (b) the accuracy of the
representation and warranties of the Company set forth in
Article IV hereof (for such purposes, such
representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all
material respects without giving effect to any knowledge,
materiality or Material Adverse Effect qualification
or exception), (c) any estimates, projections or forecasts
have been prepared on good faith based upon reasonable
assumptions, and (d) the Required Financial Information
fairly presents the consolidated financial condition of the
Company and its subsidiaries as at the end of the periods
covered thereby and the consolidated results of operations of
the Company and its subsidiaries for the periods covered
thereby, then immediately after giving effect to all of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Surviving
Corporation will be solvent.
Section 5.13 No
Other Representations or Warranties. Except for
the representations and warranties contained in this
Article V, none of Mergerco, the Parents, or any
other person on behalf of Mergerco or the Parents makes any
express or implied representation or warranty with respect to
Mergerco or with respect to any other information provided to
the Company in connection with the transactions contemplated
hereby. None of Mergerco, the Parents and any other person will
have or be subject to any liability or indemnification
obligation to the Company or any other person resulting from the
distribution to the Company, or the Companys use of, any
such information unless any such information is expressly
included in a representation or warranty contained in this
ARTICLE V.
Article VI.
COVENANTS
AND AGREEMENTS
Section 6.01 Conduct
of Business by the Company Pending the
Merger. The Company covenants and agrees that,
between the date of this Agreement and the Effective Time or the
date, if any, on which this Agreement is terminated pursuant to
Section 8.01, except (i) as may be required by
Law; (ii) as may be agreed in writing by the Parents;
(iii) as may be expressly permitted pursuant to, or
required under, this Agreement; or (iv) as set forth in
Section 6.01 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the
business of the Company and its subsidiaries shall be conducted
in the ordinary course of business and in a manner consistent
with past practice in all material respects; and the Company and
its subsidiaries shall use commercially reasonable efforts to
preserve substantially intact the Companys business
organization (except as otherwise contemplated by this
Section 6.01) and retain the employment of the
Senior Executives; provided, however, that no
action by the Company or its subsidiaries with respect to
matters specifically addressed by any provision of this
Section 6.01 shall be deemed a breach of this
sentence unless such action would constitute a breach of such
specific provision. Furthermore, the Company agrees with the
Parents and Mergerco that, except as set forth in
Section 6.01 of the Company Disclosure Schedule or as may
be consented to in writing by the Parents, the Company shall
not, and shall not permit any subsidiary to:
(a) amend or otherwise change the Articles of Incorporation
or Bylaws of the Company or such equivalent organizational
documents of any of the subsidiaries;
(b) except for transactions between the Company and its
subsidiaries, or among the Companys subsidiaries, or as
otherwise permitted in Section 6.01 of this
Agreement, issue, sell, pledge, dispose, encumber or grant any
Equity Securities or Convertible Securities of the Company or
its subsidiaries; provided, however, that
(i) the Company may issue shares upon exercise of any
Company Option or other Convertible Security outstanding as of
the date hereof, other agreement existing as of the date hereof,
or as may be granted after the date hereof in accordance with
this Section 6.01, (ii) the Company may issue
shares of
A-18
Company Common Stock pursuant to the Company ESPP in accordance
with this Section 6.01 and (iii) any other
agreement existing as of the date hereof;
(c) acquire, except in respect of any mergers,
consolidations, business combinations among the Company and its
subsidiaries or among the Companys subsidiaries (including
by merger, consolidation, or acquisition of stock or assets),
any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, other
business organization or any division thereof, or any material
amount of assets in connection with acquisitions or investments
with a purchase price in excess of $150,000,000 in the
aggregate; provided, that without the Parents
consent, which such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld,
the Company and its subsidiaries shall not acquire or make any
investment (or agree to acquire or to make any investment) in
any entity that holds, or has an attributable interest in, any
license, authorization, permit or approval issued by the FCC;
provided that it shall be deemed reasonable by the Parents to
withhold consent for an acquisition or investment that would be
reasonably likely to delay, impede or prevent receipt of the FCC
Consent;
(d) adjust, recapitalize, reclassify, combine, split,
subdivide, redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire any Equity
Securities or Convertible Securities (other than the acquisition
of Equity Securities or Convertible Securities originally issued
pursuant to the terms of the Company Benefit Plan in connection
with a cashless exercise or as contemplated by
Section 6.01 hereof) tendered by employees or former
employees;
(e) other than with respect to the payment by the Company
of a regular quarterly dividend, as and when normally paid, not
to exceed $0.1875 per share, declare, set aside for payment
or pay any dividend payable in cash, property or stock on, or
make any other distribution in respect of, any shares of its
capital stock or otherwise make any payments to its shareholders
in their capacity as such (other than dividends by a direct or
indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Company to its parent);
(f) create, incur or assume any indebtedness for borrowed
money, issue any note, bond or other security or guarantee any
indebtedness for any person (other than a subsidiary) except for
indebtedness: (i) incurred under the Companys or a
subsidiarys existing credit facilities or incurred to
replace, renew, extend, refinance or refund any existing
indebtedness in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice, not in excess of the existing credit limits,
provided that no syndication, placement or other marketing
efforts in connection with the replacement, renewal, extension
or refinancing of any existing indebtedness shall be conducted
or be announced during the Marketing Period and during the
period commencing twenty (20) business days immediately
prior to the Marketing Period; (ii) for borrowed money
incurred pursuant to agreements in effect prior to the execution
of this Agreement; (iii) as otherwise required in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; or
(iv) other than as permitted pursuant to this
Section 6.01, in an aggregate principal amount not
to exceed $250,000,000; provided that, notwithstanding the
foregoing, in no event shall: (x) the Company redeem,
repurchase, prepay, defease, cancel or otherwise acquire any
notes maturing on or after January 1, 2009; (y) the
Company or any subsidiary create, incur or assume any
indebtedness that can not be prepaid at any time without penalty
or premium (other than customary LIBOR breakage
costs); or (z) create, incur or assume any indebtedness
that would interfere with, hinder or prevent the Parents from
being able to consummate the Financing Commitments in effect as
of the date hereof;
(g) make any material change to its methods of accounting
in effect at December 31, 2005, except (i) as required
by GAAP,
Regulation S-X
of the Exchange Act or as required by a Governmental Authority
or quasi-Governmental Authority (including the Financial
Accounting Standards Board or any similar organization);
(ii) as required by a change in applicable Law; or
(iii) as disclosed in the Company SEC Documents filed prior
to the date hereof;
(h) without the consent of the Parents, adopt or enter into
a plan of restructuring, recapitalization or other
reorganization (other than the Merger and other than
transactions exclusively between the Company and its
subsidiaries or between the Companys subsidiaries, in
which case, the Parents consent will not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed);
(i) except for (i) transactions among the Company and
its subsidiaries, (ii) as provided for in
Section 6.01(i) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, and
(iii) pursuant to contracts in force on the date of this
Agreement and listed in Section 6.01(i) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, sell, lease, license, transfer,
A-19
exchange or swap, mortgage or otherwise encumber (including
securitizations), or subject to any Lien (other than Permitted
Liens) or otherwise dispose of any asset or any portion of its
properties or assets with a sale price in excess of $50,000,000;
(j) except (a) as required by Law or the Treasury
Regulations promulgated under the Code, or (b) as would not
result in the incurrence of a material amount of additional
taxes, or (c) as otherwise is in the ordinary course of
business and in a manner consistent with past practice,
(i) make any material change (or file any such change) in
any method of Tax accounting or any annual Tax accounting
period; (ii) make, change or rescind any material Tax
election; (iii) participate in any settlement negotiations
concerning United States federal income Taxes in respect of the
2003 or subsequent tax year without giving one representative
designated by the Parents the opportunity to monitor such audit
and providing monthly updates to the Parents in respect of any
significant developments regarding such 2003 or subsequent tax
years; (iv) settle or compromise any material Tax liability,
audit claim or assessment; (v) surrender any right to claim
for a material Tax refund; (vi) file any amended Tax Return
involving a material amount of additional Taxes;
(vii) enter into any closing agreement relating to material
Taxes; or (viii) waive or extend the statute of limitations
in respect of material Taxes other than pursuant to extensions
of time to file Tax Returns obtained in the ordinary course of
business;
(k) grant, confer or award Convertible Securities or other
rights to acquire any of its or its subsidiaries capital
stock or take any action to cause to be exercisable any
otherwise unexercisable option under any Company Option Plan
(except as otherwise provided by the terms of any unexercisable
options outstanding on the date hereof), except (i) as may
be required under any bonus or incentive plans existing prior to
the date hereof or entered into after the date hereof in
accordance with this Section 6.01 and employment
agreements executed prior to the date hereof or entered into
after the date hereof in accordance with this
Section 6.01; and (ii) for customary grants of
Equity Securities and Convertible Securities made to employees
at fair market value, as determined by the Board of Directors of
the Company; provided that with respect to subsections
(i) and (ii) hereof, the number of shares of Company
Common Stock subject to such Equity Securities or Convertible
Securities shall not exceed 0.25% of the outstanding shares of
Company Common Stock as of the close of business on
November 10, 2006;
(l) except as required pursuant to existing written
agreements or existing Company Benefit Plans in effect as of the
date hereof, or as permitted by this Section 6.01 or
as disclosed in Section 6.01(l) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, or as otherwise required by Law, (i) increase the
compensation or other benefits payable or to become payable to
(x) current or former directors (including Lowry Mays, Mark
Mays, and Randall Mays in their capacities as executive officers
of the Company); (y) any other Senior Executives of the
Company by an amount exceeding the amount set forth on
Section 6.01(l) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, or
(z) other employees except in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practices (ii) grant any
severance or termination pay to, or enter into any severance
agreement with any current or former director, executive officer
or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, except as
are required in accordance with any Company Benefit Plan and in
the case of employees other than the Senior Executives, other
than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice, (iii) enter into any employment agreement with
any director, executive officer or employee of the Company or
any of its subsidiaries, except (A) employment agreements
to the extent necessary to replace a departing executive officer
or employee upon substantially similar terms,
(B) employment agreements with on-air talent, (C) new
employment agreements entered into in the ordinary course of
business providing for compensation not in excess of $250,000
annually and with a term of no more than two (2) years, or
(D) extension of employment agreements other than
agreements with the Senior Executives in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice (iv) adopt, approve,
ratify, enter into or amend any collective bargaining agreement,
side letter, memorandum of understanding or similar agreement
with any labor union, except, in each case, as would not result
in a material increase to the Company in the cost of maintaining
such collective bargaining agreement, plan, trust, fund, policy
or arrangement or (v) adopt, amend or terminate any Company
Benefit Plan (except as otherwise specifically provided in this
Section 6.01(l) or as required by applicable law),
retention, change in control, profit sharing, or severance plan
or contract for the benefit of any of their current or former
directors, officers, or employees or any of their beneficiaries,
except for any amendment to comply with Section 409(A) of
the Code;
A-20
(m) make any capital expenditure or expenditures which is
in excess of $50,000,000 individually or $100,000,000 in the
aggregate, except for any such capital expenditures in aggregate
amounts consistent with past practice or as required pursuant to
new contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(n) make any investment (by contribution to capital,
property transfers, purchase of securities or otherwise) in, or
loan or advance (other than travel and similar advances to its
employees in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice) to, any person in excess of $25,000,000 in the
aggregate for all such investments, loans or advances, other
than an investment in, or loan or advance to a subsidiary;
provided, however, that (other than travel and
similar advances in the ordinary course of business) the Company
shall not make any loans or advances to any Senior Executives;
(o) settle or compromise any material claim, suit, action,
arbitration or other proceeding whether administrative, civil or
criminal, in law or in equity, provided that the Company may
settle or compromise any such claim that is not related to this
Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby that do not
exceed $10,000,000 individually or $30,000,000, in the aggregate
and do not impose any material restriction on the business or
operations of the Company or its subsidiaries;
(p) except with respect to any Permitted Divestitures,
without the Parents consent, which consent may not be
unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned, enter into any
LMA in respect of the programming of any radio or television
broadcast station or contract for the acquisition or sale of any
radio broadcast station, television broadcast station or daily
newspaper (by merger, purchase or sale of stock or assets or
otherwise) or of any equity or debt interest in any person that
directly or indirectly has an attributable interest in any radio
broadcast station, television broadcast station or daily
newspaper; provided, that it shall be deemed reasonable
for the Parents to withhold consent for any such LMA or
acquisition that would be reasonably likely to delay, impede or
prevent receipt of the FCC Consent;
(q) make any amendment or modification to, or give any
consent or grant any waiver under, that certain Master
Agreement, dated as of November 16, 2005, by and between
the Company and Outdoor Holdings (the Master
Agreement), to permit Outdoor Holdings to issue
capital stock, option or other security, consolidate or merge
with another person, declare or pay any dividend, sell or
encumber any of its assets, amend, modify, cancel, forgive or
assign any intercompany notes or amend, terminate or modify the
Master Agreement or the Corporate Services Agreement between
Clear Channel Management Services, L.P. and Outdoor Holdings,
dated November 16, 2005;
(r) 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 its subsidiaries) on the other hand, of
the type that would be required to be disclosed under
Item 404 of
Regulation S-K
that involves more than $100,000, except for (a) in the
ordinary course of business consistent with the practices
disclosed in the SEC Documents; and (b) the grant of Equity
Securities or Convertible Securities permitted by this Agreement
under Company Option Plans and (c) compensatory payments as
provided for in the Companys bonus or incentive plans
adopted by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors
of the Company or the Board of Directors of the Company prior to
the date hereof;
(s) adopt any takeover defenses or take any action to
render any state takeover statutes inapplicable to any
transaction other than the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement; or
(t) authorize or enter into any written agreement or
otherwise make any commitment to do any of the foregoing.
Section 6.02 FCC
Matters. During the period from the date of this
Agreement to the Effective Time or the date, if any, on which
this Agreement is terminated pursuant to
Section 8.01, the Company shall, and shall cause
each of its Material Subsidiaries to: (i) use reasonable
best efforts to comply with all material requirements of the FCC
applicable to the operation of the Company Stations;
(ii) promptly deliver to the Parents copies of any material
reports or applications filed with the FCC; (iii) promptly
notify the Parents of any inquiry, investigation or proceeding
initiated by the FCC relating to the Company Stations which, if
determined adversely to the Company, would be reasonably likely
to have, in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the
Company; and (iv) not make
A-21
or revoke any election with the FCC if such election or
revocation would have, in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on the Company.
Section 6.03 Proxy
Statement.
(a) Covenants of the Company with Respect to the
Proxy Statement. Within thirty
(30) days following the date of this Agreement, subject to
Section 6.07 hereof, the Company shall prepare and
shall cause to be filed with the SEC a proxy statement (together
with any amendments thereof or supplements thereto, the
Proxy Statement) relating to the
meeting of the Companys shareholders to be held to
consider the adoption and approval of this Agreement and the
Merger. The Company shall include, except to the extent provided
in Section 6.07, the text of this Agreement and the
recommendation of the Board of Directors of the Company that the
Companys shareholders approve and adopt this Agreement.
The Company shall use reasonable best efforts to respond as
promptly as reasonably practicable to any comments of the SEC
with respect to the Proxy Statement. The Company shall promptly
notify the Parents upon the receipt of any comments from the SEC
or its staff or any request from the SEC or its staff for
amendments or supplements to the Proxy Statement, shall consult
with the Parents prior to responding to any such comments or
request or filing any amendment or supplement to the Proxy
Statement and shall provide the Parents with copies of all
correspondence between the Company and its Representatives on
the one hand and the SEC and its staff on the other hand. None
of the information with respect to the Company or its
subsidiaries to be included in the Proxy Statement will, at the
time of the mailing of the Proxy Statement or any amendments or
supplements thereto, and at the time of the Shareholders
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 were made, not misleading.
The Proxy Statement will comply in all material respects with
the provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder.
(b) Covenants of the Parents with Respect to the
Proxy Statement. None of the information
with respect to the Parents, Mergerco or their respective
subsidiaries specifically provided in writing by the Parents or
any person authorized to act on their behalf for inclusion in
the Proxy Statement will, at the time of the mailing of the
Proxy Statement or any amendments or supplements thereto, and at
the time of the Shareholders 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 were made, not misleading.
(c) Cooperation. The Company and
the Parents shall cooperate and consult with each other in
preparation of the Proxy Statement. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, the Parents will furnish to the
Company the information relating to it required by the Exchange
Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder to be
set forth in the Proxy Statement. Notwithstanding anything to
the contrary stated above, prior to filing and mailing the Proxy
Statement (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or responding
to any comments of the SEC with respect thereto, the party
responsible for filing or mailing such document shall provide
the other party an opportunity to review and comment on such
document or response and shall discuss with the other party and
include in such document or response, comments reasonably and
promptly proposed by the other party.
(d) Mailing of Proxy Statement;
Amendments. Within five (5) days after
the Proxy Statement has been cleared by the SEC, the Company
shall mail the Proxy Statement to the holders of Company Common
Stock as of the record date established for the
Shareholders Meeting. If at any time prior to the
Effective Time any event or circumstance relating to the
Company, the Parents or Mergerco or any of the Companys
subsidiaries or the Parents or Mergercos
subsidiaries, or their respective officers or directors, should
be discovered by the Company or the Parents, respectively,
which, pursuant to the Securities Act or Exchange Act, should be
set forth in an amendment or a supplement to the Proxy Statement
so that the Proxy Statement shall not 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, such party shall promptly inform
the other. Each of the Parents and the Company agree to correct
any information provided by it for use in the Proxy Statement
which shall have become false or misleading (determined in
accordance with
Rule 14a-9(a)
of the Exchange Act). All documents that each of the Company and
the Parents is responsible for filing with the SEC in connection
with the Merger will comply as to form and substance in all
material respects with the applicable requirements of the
Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations of the NYSE.
A-22
Section 6.04 Shareholders
Meeting . Unless this Agreement has been terminated pursuant
to Section 8.01, the Company shall, promptly after
the SEC indicates that it has no further comments on the Proxy
Statement, establish a record date for, duly call, give notice
of, convene and hold a meeting of its shareholders within
forty-five (45) days of the mailing of such Proxy
Statement, for the purpose of voting upon the adoption of this
Agreement and approval of the Merger (the
Shareholders Meeting), and the
Company shall hold the Shareholders Meeting. The Company
shall recommend to its shareholders the adoption of this
Agreement and approval of the Merger in the Proxy Statement and
at the Shareholders Meeting (the Company
Recommendation); provided, however,
that the Company shall not be obligated to recommend to its
shareholders the adoption of this Agreement or approval of the
Merger at its Shareholders Meeting to the extent that the
Board of Directors of the Company makes a Change of
Recommendation pursuant to the provisions of
Section 6.07. Unless the Company makes a
Change of Recommendation, the Company will use commercially
reasonable efforts to solicit from its shareholders proxies in
favor of the adoption and approval of this Agreement and the
Merger and will take all other action necessary or advisable to
secure the vote or consent of its shareholders required by the
rules of the NYSE or the applicable Law to obtain such
approvals. The Company shall keep the Parents updated with
respect to proxy solicitation results as reasonably requested by
the Parents.
Section 6.05 Appropriate
Action; Consents; Filings.
(a) Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the parties
hereto will use their respective reasonable best efforts to
consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated
hereby and to cause the conditions to the Merger set forth in
Article VII to be satisfied, including (i) in
the case of the Parents, the obtaining of all necessary
approvals under any applicable communication Laws required in
connection with this Agreement, the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including any
obligations of the Parents in accordance with
Section 6.05(b); (ii) the obtaining of all
necessary actions or non-actions, consents and approvals from
Governmental Authorities or other persons necessary in
connection with the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and the making of all necessary
registrations and filings (including filings with Governmental
Authorities if any) and the taking of all reasonable steps as
may be necessary to obtain an approval from, or to avoid an
action or proceeding by, any Governmental Authority or other
persons necessary in connection with the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (iii) the
defending of any lawsuits or other legal proceedings, whether
judicial or administrative, challenging this Agreement or the
consummation of the transactions performed or consummated by
such party in accordance with the terms of this Agreement,
including seeking to have any stay or temporary restraining
order entered by any court or other Governmental Authority
vacated or reversed; and (iv) the execution and delivery of
any additional instruments necessary to consummate the Merger
and other transactions to be performed or consummated by such
party in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and to
fully carry out the purposes of this Agreement. Each of the
parties hereto shall promptly (in no event later than fifteen
(15) business days following the date that this Agreement
is executed) make its respective filings, and thereafter make
any other required submissions under the HSR Act and any
applicable
non-U.S. competition
or antitrust Laws with respect to the transactions contemplated
hereby. The Parents and the Company shall cooperate to prepare
such applications as may be necessary for submission to the FCC
in order to obtain the FCC Consent (the FCC
Applications) and shall promptly (in no event
later than thirty (30) business days following the date
that this Agreement is executed) file such FCC Applications with
the FCC. Said FCC Applications shall specify that Mergerco, or
any person having an attributable ownership interest in Mergerco
as defined for purposes of applying the FCC Media Ownership
Rules (Attributable Investor), shall
render non-attributable all interests in any assets or
businesses which would conflict with the FCC Media Ownership
Rules (including, without limitation, the equity debt plus
rules) if such interests were held by Mergerco or any
Attributable Investor following the Effective Time, including,
without limitation, any such interest that Mergerco or any
Attributable Investor is or may become obligated to acquire (the
Attributable Interest). The Parents
shall, and the Parents shall cause each Attributable Investor
to, (i) render non-attributable under the FCC Media
Ownership Rules each Attributable Interest, and (ii) not
acquire or enter into any agreement to acquire any Attributable
Interest, and not permit to exist any interest that conflicts
with the FCCs alien ownership rules. The action required
by clause (i) above shall be completed not later than the
Effective Time. The parties shall diligently take, or cooperate
in the taking of, all necessary, desirable and proper actions,
and provide any additional information, reasonably required or
requested by the FCC. Each of the Parents and the Company will
keep the other informed of any material communications
(including any meeting, conference or telephonic call) and will
provide the other copies of all
A-23
correspondence between it (or its advisors) and the FCC and each
of the Parents and the Company will permit the other to review
any material communication relating to the FCC Applications to
be given by it to the FCC. Each of the Parents and the Company
shall notify the other in the event it becomes aware of any
other facts, actions, communications or occurrences that might
directly or indirectly affect the Parents or the
Companys intent or ability to effect prompt FCC approval
of the FCC Applications. The Parents and the Company shall
oppose any petitions to deny or other objections filed with
respect to the FCC Applications and any requests for
reconsideration or judicial review of the FCC Consent. Each of
the Parents and the Company agrees not to, and shall not permit
any of their respective subsidiaries to, take any action that
would reasonably be expected to materially delay, materially
impede or prevent receipt of the FCC Consent. The fees required
by the FCC for the filing of the FCC Applications shall be borne
one-half by the Parents (on behalf of Mergerco) and one-half by
the Company
(b) The Parents agree to take promptly any and all steps
necessary to avoid or eliminate each and every impediment and
obtain all consents under any antitrust, competition or
communications or broadcast Law (including the FCC Media
Ownership Rules) that may be required by any U.S. federal,
state or local or any applicable
non-U.S. antitrust
or competition Governmental Authority, or by the FCC or similar
Governmental Authority, in each case with competent
jurisdiction, so as to enable the parties to close the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement as promptly as
practicable, including committing to or effecting, by consent
decree, hold separate orders, trust, or otherwise, the
Divestiture of such assets or businesses as are required to be
divested in order to obtain the FCC Consent, or to avoid the
entry of, or to effect the dissolution of or vacate or lift, any
Order, that would otherwise have the effect of preventing or
materially delaying the consummation of the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this Section 6.05, if
the FTC or the Antitrust Division of the United States
Department of Justice has not granted the necessary approvals
under the HSR Act of the date that is nine (9) months
following the date hereof, then, if the respective antitrust
counsel to the Company and the Parents, in consultation with
each other and in the exercise of their professional judgment,
jointly determine that a Divestiture (as defined below) is
required to obtain the necessary approvals under the HSR Act,
they shall provide written notice of such determination to the
Parents and the Company (the Divestiture
Notice). Upon receipt of the Divestiture Notice,
the Parents shall promptly, and in any event within twelve
(12) months, implement or cause to be implemented a
Divestiture. For purposes of this Agreement, a
Divestiture of any asset or business
shall mean (i) any sale, transfer, separate holding,
divestiture or other disposition, or any prohibition of, or any
limitation on, the acquisition, ownership, operation, effective
control or exercise of full rights of ownership, of such asset;
or (ii) the termination or amendment of any existing or
contemplated Mergercos or Companys governance
structure or contemplated Mergercos or Companys
contractual or governance rights. Further, and for the avoidance
of doubt, the Parents will take any and all actions necessary in
order to ensure that (x) no requirement for any non-action,
consent or approval of the FTC, the Antitrust Division of the
United States Department of Justice, any authority enforcing
applicable antitrust, competition, communications Laws, any
State Attorney General or other governmental authority,
(y) no decree, judgment, injunction, temporary restraining
order or any other order in any suit or proceeding, and
(z) no other matter relating to any antitrust or
competition Law or any communications Law, would preclude
consummation of the Merger by the Termination Date.
(c) Each of the Parents and the Company shall give (or
shall cause its respective subsidiaries to give) any notices to
third parties, and the Parents and the Company shall use, and
cause each of its subsidiaries to use, its reasonable best
efforts to obtain any third party consents not covered by
paragraphs (a) and (b) above, necessary, proper
or advisable to consummate the Merger. Each of the parties
hereto will furnish to the other such necessary information and
reasonable assistance as the other may request in connection
with the preparation of any required governmental filings or
submissions and will cooperate in responding to any inquiry from
a Governmental Authority, including immediately informing the
other party of such inquiry, consulting in advance before making
any presentations or submissions to a Governmental Authority,
and supplying each other with copies of all material
correspondence, filings or communications between either party
and any Governmental Authority with respect to this Agreement.
(d) In order to avoid disruption or delay in the processing
of the FCC Applications, the Parents and the Company agree, as
part of the FCC Applications, to request that the FCC apply its
policy permitting license assignments and transfers in
transactions involving multiple markets to proceed,
notwithstanding the pendency of
A-24
one or more license renewal applications. The Parents and the
Company agree to make such representations and undertakings as
necessary or appropriate to invoke such policy, including
undertakings to assume the position of applicant with respect to
any pending license renewal applications, and to assume the
risks relating to such applications. The Parents and the Company
acknowledge that license renewal applications (each, a
Renewal Application) may be pending
before the FCC with respect to the Company Stations (each, a
Renewal Station). To the extent
reasonably necessary to expedite grant of a Renewal Application,
and thereby facilitate grant of the FCC Applications, the
Parents and the Company shall enter into tolling agreements with
the FCC with respect to the relevant Renewal Application as
necessary or appropriate to extend the statute of limitations
for the FCC to determine or impose a forfeiture penalty against
such Renewal Station in connection with any pending complaints,
investigations, letters of inquiry, or other proceedings,
including, but not limited to, complaints that such Renewal
Station aired programming that contained obscene, indecent or
profane material (a Tolling
Agreement). The Parents and the Company shall
consult in good faith with each other prior to entering into any
such Tolling Agreement. Section 6.05(d) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule sets forth all main radio and television
stations owned by the Company with Renewal Applications pending
as of the date of this Agreement.
Section 6.06 Access
to Information; Confidentiality.
(a) From the date hereof to the Effective Time or the date,
if any, on which this Agreement is terminated pursuant to
Section 8.01, except as otherwise prohibited by
applicable Law or the terms of any contract entered into prior
to the date hereof or as would reasonably be expected to violate
or result in a loss or impairment of any attorney-client or work
product privilege (it being understood that the parties shall
use their reasonable best efforts to cause such information to
be provided in a manner that does not result in such violation,
loss or impairment), the Company shall and shall cause each of
its subsidiaries to (i) provide to the Parents (and their
respective officers, directors, employees, accountants,
consultants, legal counsel, permitted financing sources, agents
and other representatives (collectively, the
Representatives)) reasonable access
during normal business hours to the Companys and Material
Subsidiaries officers, employees, offices and other
facilities, properties, books, contracts and records and other
information as the Parents may reasonably request regarding the
business, assets, liabilities, employees and other aspects of
the Company and its subsidiaries; (ii) permit the Parents
to make copies and inspections thereof as the Parents may
reasonably request; and (iii) furnish promptly to the
Parents such information concerning the business, properties,
contracts, assets, liabilities, personnel and other aspects of
the Company and its subsidiaries as the Parents or their
respective Representatives may reasonably request. In addition,
during such period, the Company shall provide the Parents and
their respective Representatives copies of the unaudited monthly
consolidated balance sheet of the Company for the month then
ended and related statements of earnings, and cash flows in the
form and promptly following such time as they are provided or
made available to the Senior Executives.
(b) The parties shall comply with, and shall cause their
respective Representatives to comply with, all of their
respective obligations under the Confidentiality Agreements.
Section 6.07 No
Solicitation of Competing Proposal.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement
to the contrary, commencing on the date of this Agreement and
continuing until 11:59 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on
December 7, 2006 (the No-Shop Period Start
Date), the Company and its subsidiaries and their
respective Representatives shall have the right to directly or
indirectly (i) initiate, solicit and encourage Competing
Proposals from third parties, including by way of providing
access to non-public information to such third parties in
connection therewith; provided, that the Company shall
enter into confidentiality agreements with any such third
parties and shall promptly provide to the Parents any material
non-public information concerning the Company or its
subsidiaries that is provided to any such third party which has
not been previously provided to the Parents; and
(ii) participate in discussions or negotiations regarding,
and take any other action to facilitate any inquiries or the
making of any proposal that constitutes, or may reasonably be
expected to lead to, a Competing Proposal. On the No-Shop Period
Start Date, the Company shall advise the Parents orally and in
writing of the number and identities of the parties making a
bona fide written Competing Proposal that the Board of Directors
of the Company or any committee thereof believes in good faith
after consultation with the Companys outside legal and
financial advisor of nationally recognized reputation, that such
Competing Proposal constitutes or could reasonably be expected
to lead to a Superior Proposal (any such proposal, an
Excluded Competing Proposal) and
provide to the Parents (within two (2) calendar days)
written notice which
A-25
notice shall specify the material terms and conditions of any
such Excluded Competing Proposal (including the identity of the
party making such Excluded Competing Proposal).
(b) Except as may relate to any person from whom the
Company has received, after the date hereof and prior to the
No-Shop Period Start Date, an Excluded Competing Proposal,
commencing on the No-Shop-Period Start Date (and with respect to
any persons from whom the Company has received, after the date
hereof and prior to the No-Shop Period Start Date, an Excluded
Competing Proposal commencing on January 5, 2007) the
Company shall, and the Company shall cause its subsidiaries and
Representatives (including financial advisors) to,
(i) immediately cease and cause to be terminated any
solicitation, encouragement, discussion or negotiation with any
persons conducted heretofore by the Company, its subsidiaries or
any Representatives with respect to any actual or potential
Competing Proposal, and (ii) with respect to parties with
whom discussions or negotiations have been terminated on, prior
to or subsequent to the date hereof, the Company shall use its
reasonable best efforts to obtain the return or the destruction
of, in accordance with the terms of the applicable
confidentiality agreement, and confidential information
previously furnished by the Company, its subsidiaries or its
Representatives. From and after the No-Shop Period Start Date
until and with respect to any Excluded Competing Proposal from
and after January 5, 2007) the earlier of the
Effective Time or the date, if any, on which this Agreement is
terminated pursuant to Section 8.01, and except as
otherwise specifically provided for in this
Section 6.07, the Company agrees that neither it nor
any subsidiary shall, and that it shall use its reasonable best
efforts to cause its and their respective Representatives not
to, directly or indirectly: (i) initiate, solicit, or
knowingly facilitate or encourage the submission of any
inquiries proposals or offers with respect to a Competing
Proposal (including by way of furnishing information);
(ii) participate in any negotiations regarding, or furnish
to any person any information in connection with, any Competing
Proposal; (iii) engage in discussions with any person with
respect to any Competing Proposal; (iv) approve or
recommend any Competing Proposal; (v) enter into any letter
of intent or similar document or any agreement or commitment
providing for any Competing Proposal; or (vi) otherwise
cooperate with, or assist or participate in, or knowingly
facilitate or encourage any effort or attempt by any person
(other than the Parents or their representatives) with respect
to, or which would reasonably be expected to result in, a
Competing Proposal; or (vii) exempt any person from the
restrictions contained in any state takeover or similar laws or
otherwise cause such restrictions not to apply to any person or
to any Competing Proposal.
(c) Notwithstanding the limitations set forth in
Section 6.07(b), from the date hereof and prior to
the receipt of Requisite Shareholder Approval, if the Company
receives any written Competing Proposal which the Board of
Directors of the Company believes in good faith to be bona fide
and did not result from a breach of Section 6.07(b),
(i) which the Board of Directors of the Company determines,
after consultation with outside counsel and financial advisors,
constitutes a Superior Proposal; or (ii) which the Board of
Directors of the Company determines in good faith after
consultation with the Companys outside legal and financial
advisors could reasonably be expected to result, after the
taking of any of the actions referred to in either of
clause (x) or (y) below, in a Superior Proposal,
the Company may, subject to compliance with
Section 6.07(h), take the following actions:
(x) furnish information to the third party making such
Competing Proposal, provided the Company receives from the third
party an executed confidentiality agreement (the terms of which
are substantially similar to, and no less favorable to the
Company, in the aggregate, than those contained in the
Confidentiality Agreements) and (y) engage in discussions
or negotiations with the third party with respect to the
Competing Proposal; provided, however, that the
Company shall promptly provide the Parents any non-public
information concerning the Company or any of its subsidiaries
that is provided to the third party making such Competing
Proposal or its Representatives which was not previously
provided to the Parents.
(d) Neither the Board of Directors of the Company nor any
committee thereof shall (i) change, qualify, withdraw or
modify in any manner adverse to the Parents or Mergerco, or
publicly propose to change, qualify, withdraw or modify in a
manner adverse to the Parents or Mergerco, the Company
Recommendation or the approval or declaration of advisability by
such Board of Directors of the Company, or any Committee
thereof, of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby, including the Merger or (ii) take any other action
or make any recommendation or public statement in connection
with a tender offer or exchange offer other than a
recommendation against such offer or otherwise take any action
inconsistent with the Company Recommendation (a
Change of Recommendation).
A-26
(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
contrary, if, at any time prior to obtaining the Requisite
Shareholder Approval, the Company receives a Competing Proposal
which the Board of Directors of the Company concludes in good
faith, after consulting with outside counsel and financial
advisors, constitutes a Superior Proposal, the Board of
Directors of the Company may (x) effect a Change of
Recommendation
and/or
(y) terminate this Agreement to enter into a definitive
agreement with respect to such Superior Proposal if the Board of
Directors of the Company determines in good faith, after
consultation with outside counsel and its financial advisor,
that failure to take such action could reasonably be expected to
violate its fiduciary duties under applicable Law; provided,
however that the Company shall not terminate this Agreement
pursuant to the foregoing clause (y), and any purported
termination pursuant to the foregoing clause (y) shall
be void and of no force or effect, unless concurrently with such
termination the Company pays the Company Termination Fee payable
pursuant to Section 8.02(a); and provided,
further, that the Board of Directors of the Company may
not effect a Change of Recommendation pursuant to the foregoing
clause (x) or terminate this Agreement pursuant to the
foregoing clause (y) in response to a Superior
Proposal unless (i) the Company shall have provided prior
written notice to the Parents, at least five (5) business
days in advance (the Notice Period),
of its intention to effect a Change of Recommendation in
response to such Superior Proposal or terminate this Agreement
to enter into a definitive agreement with respect to such
Superior Proposal, which notice shall specify the material terms
and conditions of any such Superior Proposal (including the
identity of the party making such Superior Proposal) and shall
have contemporaneously provided a copy of the relevant proposed
transaction agreements with the party making such Superior
Proposal and other material documents and (ii) the Board of
Directors of the Company shall have determined in good faith,
after consultation with outside counsel, that the failure to
make a Change of Recommendation in connection with the Superior
Proposal could be reasonably likely to violate the
Companys Board of Directors fiduciary duties under
applicable Law, and (iii) the Company shall have promptly
notified the Parents in writing of the determinations described
in clause (ii) above, and (iv) following the
expiration of the Notice Period, and taking into account any
revised proposal made by the Parents since commencement of the
Notice Period, the Board of Directors of the Company has
determined in good faith, after consultation with outside legal
counsel, that such Superior Proposal remains a Superior
Proposal; provided, however, that during such
Notice Period the Company shall in good faith negotiate with the
Parents, to the extent the Parents wish to negotiate, to enable
the Parents to make such proposed changes to the terms of this
Agreement, provided, further, that in the event of any material
change to the material terms of such Superior Proposal, the
Board of Directors of the Company shall, in each case deliver to
the Parents an additional notice, and the Notice Period shall
recommence; (v) the Company is in compliance, in all
material respects, with Section 6.07, and
(vi) with respect to a termination of this Agreement
pursuant to the foregoing clause (y), the Company
concurrently pays the Company Termination Fee pursuant to
Section 8.02(a).
(f) The Company promptly (and in any event within two
(2) calendar days) shall advise the Parents orally and in
writing of any Competing Proposal or any inquiry, proposal or
offer, request for information or request for discussions or
negotiations with respect to or that would reasonably be
expected to lead to any Competing Proposal, the identity of the
person making any such Competing Proposal, or inquiry, proposal,
offer or request and shall provide the Parents with a copy (if
in writing) and summary of the material terms of any such
Competing Proposal or such inquiry, proposal or request. The
Company shall keep the Parents informed of the status (including
any change to the terms thereof) of any such Competing Proposal
or inquiry, proposal or request. The Company agrees that it
shall not and shall cause the Companys subsidiaries not to
enter into any confidentiality agreement or other agreement with
any person subsequent to the date of this Agreement which
prohibits the Company from providing such information to the
Parents. The Company agrees that neither it nor any of its
subsidiaries shall terminate, waive, amend or modify any
provision or any existing standstill or confidentiality
agreement to which it or any of its subsidiaries is a party and
that it and its subsidiaries shall enforce the provisions of any
such agreement, unless failure by the Board of Directors of the
Company to take such action could reasonably be expected to
violate its fiduciary duties under applicable Law.
(g) Nothing contained in this Agreement shall prohibit the
Company or the Board of Directors of the Company from
(i) disclosing to the Companys shareholders a
position contemplated by
Rules 14d-9
and 14e-2(a)
promulgated under the Exchange Act; or (ii) making any
disclosure to its shareholders if the Board of Directors of the
Company has reasonably determined in good faith, after
consultation with outside legal counsel, that the failure to do
so would be inconsistent with any applicable state or federal
securities Law; provided any such disclosure
A-27
(other than a stop, look and listen letter or
similar communication of the type contemplated by
Rule 14d-9(f)
under the Exchange Act) shall be deemed to be a Change of
Recommendation unless the Board of Directors of the Company
publicly reaffirms at least two (2) business days after a
request by the Parents to do so its recommendation in favor of
the adoption of this Agreement.
(h) As used in this Agreement, Competing
Proposal shall mean any proposal or offer
(including any proposal from or to the Companys
shareholders from any person or group (as defined in
Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) other than the Parents,
Mergerco and their respective subsidiaries relating to:
(i) any direct or indirect acquisition or purchase, in any
single transaction or series of related transactions, by any
such person or group acting in concert, of 15% or more of the
fair market value of the assets, issued and outstanding Company
Common Stock or other ownership interests of the Company and its
consolidated subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or to which 15% or
more of the Companys and its subsidiaries net revenues or
earnings on a consolidated basis are attributable; (ii) any
tender offer or exchange offer (including through the filing
with the SEC of a Schedule TO), as defined pursuant to the
Exchange Act, that if consummated, would result in any person or
group (as defined in Section 13(d) of the
Exchange Act) beneficially owning 15% or more of the Company
Common Stock; or (iii) any merger, consolidation, business
combination, recapitalization, issuance of or amendment to the
terms of outstanding stock or other securities, liquidation,
dissolution or other similar transaction involving the Company
as a result of which any person or group acting in concert would
acquire assets, securities or businesses described in
clause (i) above.
(i) As used in this agreement, Superior
Proposal shall mean any bona fide written offer or
proposal made by a third party (including any shareholder of the
Company) to acquire (when combined with such partys
ownership of securities of the Company held immediately prior to
such offer or proposal) greater than 50% of the issued and
outstanding Company Common Stock or all or substantially all of
the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a
whole, pursuant to a tender or exchange offer, a merger, a
consolidation, a liquidation or dissolution, a recapitalization,
an issuance of securities by the Company, a sale of all or
substantially all the Companys assets or otherwise, on
terms which are not subject to a financing contingency and which
the Board of Directors of the Company determines in good faith,
after consultation with the Companys financial and legal
advisors and consideration of all terms and conditions of such
offer or proposal (including the conditionality and the timing
and likelihood of consummation of such proposal), is on terms
that are more favorable to the holders of the Company Common
Stock from a financial point of view than the terms set forth in
this Agreement or the terms of any other proposal made by the
Parents after the Parents receipt of a notification of
such Superior Proposal, taking into account at the time of
determination, among any other factors, any changes to the terms
of this Agreement that as of that time had been proposed by the
Parents in writing and the conditionality and likelihood of
consummation of the Superior Proposal.
Section 6.08 Directors
and Officers Indemnification and Insurance.
(a) Mergerco agrees that all rights to exculpation and
indemnification for acts or omissions occurring at or prior to
the Effective Time, whether asserted or claimed prior to, at or
after the Effective Time (including any matters arising in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement), now existing in favor of the current or former
directors or officers, as the case may be, of the Company or its
subsidiaries as provided in their respective Articles of
Incorporation or Bylaws (or comparable organization documents)
or in any agreement shall survive the Merger and shall continue
in full force and effect. From and after the Effective Time,
Mergerco and the Surviving Corporation shall (and Mergerco shall
cause the Surviving Corporation to) indemnify, defend and hold
harmless, and advance expenses to Indemnitees with respect to
all acts or omissions by them in their capacities as such at any
time prior to the Effective Time, to the fullest extent required
by: (i) the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws (or
equivalent organizational documents) of the Company or any of
its subsidiaries or affiliates as in effect on the date of this
Agreement; and (ii) any indemnification agreements of the
Company or its subsidiaries or other applicable contract as in
effect on the date of this Agreement.
(b) Without limiting the provisions of
Section 6.08(a), during the period ending on the
sixth
(6th)
anniversary of the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation
will: (i) indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnitee
against and from any costs or expenses (including
attorneys fees), judgments, fines, losses, claims,
damages, liabilities and amounts paid in settlement in
connection with any claim, action, suit, proceeding or
investigation, whether civil,
A-28
criminal, administrative or investigative, to the extent such
claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation arises out of
or pertains to: (A) any action or omission or alleged
action or omission in such Indemnitees capacity as a
director or officer of the Company or of any other entity if
such service was at the request or for the benefit of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries; or (B) the Merger, the
Merger Agreement and any transactions contemplated hereby; and
(ii) pay in advance of the final disposition of any such
claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation the expenses
(including attorneys fees) of any Indemnitee upon receipt
of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Indemnitee to repay
such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such
Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained in this
Section 6.08(b) or elsewhere in this Agreement,
neither Mergerco nor the Surviving Corporation shall (and
Mergerco shall cause the Surviving Corporation not to) settle or
compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment or otherwise
seek termination with respect to any claim, action, suit,
proceeding or investigation for which indemnification may be
sought under this Section 6.08(b) unless such
settlement, compromise, consent or termination includes an
unconditional release of all Indemnitees from all liability
arising out of such claim, action, suit, proceeding or
investigation. The Surviving Corporation shall be entitled, but
not obligated to, participate in the defense and settlement of
any such matter; provided, however, that the
Surviving Corporation shall not be liable for any settlement
agreed to or effected without the Surviving Corporations
written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed) upon reasonable prior notice and an
opportunity to participate in the discussions concerning such
settlement; and provided, further, that the
Surviving Corporation shall not be obligated pursuant to this
Section 6.08(b) to pay the fees and expenses of more
than one counsel (selected by a plurality of the applicable
Indemnitees of the Surviving Corporation) for all Indemnitees of
the Surviving Corporation in any jurisdiction with respect to
any single action except to the extent that two or more of such
Indemnitees of the Surviving Corporation shall have an actual
material conflict of interest in such action.
(c) At the Companys election in consultation with the
Parents, (i) the Company shall obtain prior to the
Effective Time tail insurance policies with a claims
period of at least six (6) years from the Effective Time
with respect to directors and officers liability
insurance in amount and scope no less favorable than the
existing policy of the Company for claims arising from facts or
events that occurred on or prior to the Effective Time at a cost
that does not exceed 300% of the annual premium currently paid
by the Company for D&O Insurance (as defined below); or
(ii) if the Company shall not have obtained such tail
policy, the Parents will provide, or cause the Surviving
Corporation to provide, for a period of not less than six
(6) years after the Effective Time, the Indemnitees who are
insured under the Companys directors and
officers insurance and indemnification policy with an
insurance and indemnification policy that provides coverage for
events occurring at or prior to the Effective Time (the
D&O Insurance) that is no less
favorable, taken as a whole, than the existing policy of the
Company or, if substantially equivalent insurance coverage is
unavailable, the best available coverage, provided,
however, that the Parents and the Surviving Corporation
shall not be required to pay an annual premium for the D&O
Insurance in excess of 300% of the annual premium currently paid
by the Company for such insurance; provided,
further, that if the annual premiums of such insurance
coverage exceed such amount, the Parents or the Surviving
Corporation shall be obligated to obtain a policy with the
greatest coverage available for a cost not exceeding such amount.
(d) The Indemnitees to whom this Section 6.08
applies shall be third party beneficiaries of this
Section 6.08. The provisions of this
Section 6.08 are intended to be for the benefit of
each Indemnitee, his or her successors, heirs or representatives.
(e) Notwithstanding anything contained in
Section 9.01 or Section 9.06 hereof to
the contrary, this Section 6.08 shall survive the
consummation of the Merger indefinitely and shall be binding,
jointly and severally, on all successors and assigns of
Mergerco, the Surviving Corporation and its subsidiaries, and
shall be enforceable by the Indemnitees and their successors,
heirs or representatives. In the event that the Surviving
Corporation or any of its successors or assigns 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 transfers or conveys all or a
majority of its properties and assets to any person, then, and
in each such case, proper provision shall be made so that the
successors and assigns of the Surviving Corporation shall
succeed to the obligations set forth in this
Section 6.08.
Section 6.09 Notification
of Certain Matters. The Company shall give prompt
notice to the Parents, and the Parents shall give prompt notice
to the Company, of (i) any notice or other communication
received by such party from any Governmental Authority in
connection with the this Agreement, the Merger or the
transactions
A-29
contemplated hereby, or from any person alleging that the
consent of such person is or may be required in connection with
the Merger or the transactions contemplated hereby, if the
subject matter of such communication or the failure of such
party to obtain such consent could be material to the Company,
the Surviving Corporation or Mergerco; and (ii) any
actions, suits, claims, investigations or proceedings commenced
or, to such partys knowledge, threatened against, relating
to or involving or otherwise affecting such party or any of its
subsidiaries which relate to this Agreement, the Merger or the
transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 6.10 Public
Announcements. Except with respect to any action
taken pursuant to, and in accordance with,
Section 6.07 or Article VIII, so long as
this Agreement is in effect, the Parents and the Company shall
consult with each other before issuing any press release or
otherwise making any public statements with respect to this
Agreement or the transaction contemplated hereby, and shall not
issue any such press release or make any such public statement
without the prior consent of the other (which consent shall not
be unreasonably withheld or delayed), except as may be required
by Law or any listing agreement with the NYSE to which the
Company is a party.
Section 6.11 Employee
Matters.
(a) During the one (1) year period commencing at the
Effective Time, the Parents shall provide or shall cause the
Surviving Corporation to provide to employees of the Company and
any of its subsidiaries other than those Senior Executives who
have existing employment agreements or other employees that
enter into new employment arrangements with the Parents or the
Surviving Corporation in connection with the consummation of the
Merger (Company Employees) the same
base salary or wages, as applicable, and bonus and employee
benefits that are in the aggregate, no less favorable than the
base salary or wages, as applicable, any bonus opportunities and
employee benefits (excluding stock purchase plans and other
equity based plans) being provided to Company Employees
immediately prior to the Effective Time under the Company
Benefit Plans.
(b) Without limiting Section 6.11(a) hereof,
during the one (1) year period commencing at the Effective
Time, the Parents shall provide or shall cause the Surviving
Corporation to provide to each Company Employee who experiences
a termination of employment, severance benefits that are no less
than the severance benefits, if any, to which such Company
Employee would be entitled under the severance policy set forth
on Section 6.11(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule.
During the period specified above, severance benefits to Company
Employees shall be determined without taking into account any
reduction after the Effective Time in the base salary or hourly
wage rate paid to Company Employees and used to determine
severance benefits.
(c) For purposes of eligibility and vesting under the
Employee Benefit Plans of the Parents, the Company, the Company
subsidiaries and their respective affiliates providing benefits
to any Company Employees after the Closing (the New
Plans), and for purposes of accrual of vacation
and other paid time off and severance benefits under New Plans,
each Company Employee shall be credited with his or her years of
service with the Company, the Company subsidiaries and their
respective affiliates (and any additional service with any
predecessor employer) before the Closing, to the same extent as
such Company Employee was entitled, before the Closing, to
credit for such service under any similar Company Benefit Plan,
provided, however, that no such crediting shall
result in the duplication of benefits under any Company Benefit
Plan. In addition, and without limiting the generality of the
foregoing: (i) each Company Employee shall be immediately
eligible to participate, without any waiting time, in any and
all New Plans to the extent coverage under such New Plan
replaces coverage under a comparable Company Benefit Plan in
which such Company Employee participated immediately before the
replacement; and (ii) for purposes of each New Plan
providing medical, dental, pharmaceutical
and/or
vision benefits to any Company Employee, the Parents shall use
commercially reasonable efforts to cause all pre-existing
condition exclusions and
actively-at-work
requirements of such New Plan to be waived for such employee and
his or her covered dependents to the same extent as under the
applicable Company Benefit Plan, and the Parents shall use
commercially reasonable efforts to cause any eligible expenses
incurred by such employee and his or her covered dependents
under an Company Benefit Plan during the portion of the plan
year of the New Plan ending on the date such employees
participation in the corresponding New Plan begins to be taken
into account under such New Plan for purposes of satisfying all
deductible, coinsurance and maximum
out-of-pocket
requirements applicable to such employee and his or her covered
dependents for the applicable plan year as if such amounts had
been paid in accordance with such New Plan.
A-30
(d) Following the Effective Time, the Parents shall cause
the Surviving Corporation and its subsidiaries to honor all
collective bargaining agreements by which the Company or any of
its subsidiaries is bound in accordance with their terms.
(e) Nothing herein expressed or implied shall
(i) confer upon any of the Company Employees any rights or
remedies (including, without limitation, any right to employment
or continued employment for any specified period) of any nature
or kind whatsoever under or by reason of the Agreement or
(ii) subject to the provisions of
Section 6.11(a) above, obligate the Parents, the
Surviving Corporation or any of their respective subsidiaries to
maintain any particular Company Benefit Plan or grant or issue
any equity-based awards or limit the ability of the Parents to
amend or terminate any of such Company Benefit Plans to the
extent permitted thereunder in accordance with their terms. None
of the provisions of this Agreement are intended to constitute
an amendment to any Company Benefit Plan and no Company Employee
shall have the right to enforce or compel the enforcement of any
provisions of this Section 6.11 or this Agreement.
Section 6.12 Conduct
of Business by the Parents Pending the
Merger. The Parents covenant and agree with the
Company that between the date hereof and the Effective Time or
the date, if any, on which this Agreement is terminated pursuant
to Section 8.01, the Parents, except as may be
consented to in writing by the Company (which consent shall not
be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned):
(a) shall not amend or otherwise change any of the Mergerco
Organizational Documents that would be likely to prevent or
materially delay the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby;
(b) shall not acquire or make any investment in any
corporation, partnership, limited liability company, other
business organization or any division thereof that holds, or has
an attributable interest in, any license, authorization, permit
or approval issued by the FCC if such acquisition or investment
would delay, impede or prevent receipt of the FCC
Consent; and
(c) take any action that would be reasonably likely to
cause a material delay in the satisfaction of the conditions
contained in Section 7.01 or
Section 7.03 or the consummation of the Merger.
Section 6.13 Financing.
(a) The Parents shall use their reasonable best efforts to
(i) arrange and obtain the Financing on the terms and
conditions described in the Financing Commitments, which
agreements shall be in effect as promptly as practicable after
the date hereof, but in no event later than the Closing,
(ii) negotiate and finalize definitive agreements with
respect thereto on the terms and conditions contained in the
Financing Commitments, (iii) satisfy on a timely basis all
conditions applicable to the Parents or Mergerco in such
definitive agreements that are within their control,
(iv) consummate the Financing no later than the Closing,
and (v) enforce their rights under the Financing
Commitments. In the event that any portion of the Financing
becomes unavailable in the manner or from the sources
contemplated in the Financing Commitments, (A) the Parents
shall promptly notify the Company, and (B) the Parents
shall use their reasonable best efforts to obtain alternative
financing from alternative sources, on terms, taken as whole,
that are no more adverse to the Company, as promptly as
practicable following the occurrence of such event but in no
event later than the last day of the Marketing Period, including
entering into definitive agreements with respect thereto (such
definitive agreements entered into pursuant to this
Section 6.13(a) being referred to as the
Financing Agreements). For the
avoidance of doubt, in the event that (x) all or any
portion of the Debt Financing, structured as a high yield
financing, has not been consummated; and (y) all conditions
set forth in Article VII hereof have been satisfied
or waived (other than conditions set forth in
Section 7.02(c) and Section 7.03(d)) and
(z) the bridge facilities contemplated by the Financing
Commitments are available on terms and conditions described in
the Financing Commitments, then the Parents shall agree to use
the bridge facility contemplated by the Debt Commitment Letters,
if necessary, to replace such high yield financing no later than
the last date of the Marketing Period. In furtherance of the
provisions of this Section 6.13(a), one or more Debt
Commitment Letters may be amended, restated, supplemented or
otherwise modified or superseded to add one or more lenders,
lead arrangers, bookrunners, syndication agents or similar
entities which had not executed the Debt Commitment Letters as
of the date hereof, to increase the amount of indebtedness or
otherwise replace one or more facilities with one or more new
facilities or modify one or more facilities to replace or
otherwise modify the Debt Commitment Letters, or otherwise in
manner not less beneficial in the aggregate to Mergerco and the
Parents (as
A-31
determined in the reasonable judgment of the Parents) (the
New Debt Financing Commitments),
provided that the New Debt Financing Commitments shall not
(i) adversely amend the conditions to the Debt Financing
set forth in the Debt Commitment Letters, in any material
respect, (ii) reasonably be expected to delay or prevent
the Closing; or (iii) reduce the aggregate amount of
available Debt Financing (unless, in the case of this
clause (iii), replaced with an amount of new equity
financing on terms no less favorable in any material respect to
Mergerco than the terms set forth in the Equity Commitment
Letters or one or more new debt facilities pursuant to the new
debt facilities pursuant to the New Debt Financing Commitments.)
Upon and from and after each such event, the term
Debt Financing as used herein shall be
deemed to mean the Debt Financing contemplated by the Debt
Commitment Letters that are not so superseded at the time in
question and the New Debt Financing Commitments to the extent
then in effect. For purposes of this Agreement,
Marketing Period shall mean the first
period of
twenty-five
(25) consecutive business days throughout which
(A) the Parents shall have the Required Financial
Information that the Company is required to provide the Parents
pursuant to Section 6.13(b), and (B) the
conditions set forth in Section 7.01 or
Section 7.02 (other than
Section 7.02(c)) shall be satisfied and nothing has
occurred and no condition exists that would cause any of the
conditions set forth in Section 7.02 (other than
Section 7.02(c)) to fail to be satisfied assuming
the Closing were to be scheduled for any time during such
twenty-five (25) consecutive business day period;
provided, however, that if the Marketing Period
has not ended on or prior to August 17, 2007, the Marketing
Period shall commence no earlier than September 4, 2007 or
if the Marketing Period has not ended on or prior to
December 14, 2007, the Marketing Period shall commence no
earlier than January 7, 2008. The Parents shall
(x) furnish complete and correct and executed copies of the
Financing Agreements promptly upon their execution,
(y) give the Company prompt notice of any material breach
by any party of any of the Financing Commitments, any New Debt
Financing Commitment or the Financing Arrangements of which the
Parents become aware or any termination thereof, and
(z) otherwise keep the Company reasonably informed of the
status of the Parents efforts to arrange the Financing (or
any replacement thereof).
(b) The Company shall, and shall cause its subsidiaries,
and their respective officers, employees, consultants and
advisors, including legal and accounting of the Company and its
subsidiaries at the Parents sole expense, to cooperate in
connection with the arrangement of the Financing as may be
reasonably requested in advance written notice to the Company
provided by the Parents (provided that such requested
cooperation does not unreasonably interfere with the ongoing
operations of the Company and its subsidiaries or otherwise
impair, in any material respect, the ability of any officer or
executive of the Company or Outdoor Holdings to carry out their
duties to the Company and to Outdoor Holdings, respectively).
Such cooperation by the Company shall include, at the reasonable
request of the Parents, (i) agreeing to enter into such
agreements, and to execute and deliver such officers
certificates (which in the good faith determination of the
person executing the same shall be accurate), including
certificates of the chief financial officer of the Company or
any subsidiary with respect to solvency matters and as are
customary in financings of such type, and agreeing to pledge,
grant security interests in, and otherwise grant liens on, the
Companys assets pursuant to such agreements, provided that
no obligation of the Company under any such agreement, pledge or
grant shall be effective until the Effective Time;
(ii) (x) preparing business projections, financial
statements, pro forma statements and other financial data and
pertinent information of the type required by
Regulation S-X
and
Regulation S-K
under the Securities Act and of the type and form customarily
included in private placements resold under Rule 144A of
the Securities Act to consummate the offerings of debt
securities contemplated by the Financing Commitments, all as may
be reasonably requested by the Parents and (y) delivery of
audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and its
consolidated subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2007, as
appropriate (together with the materials in clause (x), the
Required Financial Information), which
Required Financial Information shall be Compliant;
(iii) making the Companys Representatives available
to assist in the Financing, including participation in a
reasonable number of meetings, presentations (including
management presentations), road shows, drafting sessions, due
diligence sessions and sessions with rating agencies, including
one or more meetings with prospective lenders, and assistance
with the preparation of materials for rating agency
presentations, offering documents and similar documents required
in connection with the Financing; (iv) reasonably
cooperating with the marketing efforts of the Debt Financing;
(v) ensuring that any syndication efforts benefit from the
existing lending and investment banking relationships of the
Company and its subsidiaries (vi) using reasonable best
efforts to obtain customary accountants comfort letters,
consents, legal opinions, survey and title insurance as
requested by the Parents along with such assistance and
cooperation from such independent accountants and other
professional
A-32
advisors as reasonably requested by the Parents;
(vii) taking all actions reasonably necessary to permit the
prospective lenders involved in the Debt Financing to
(A) evaluate the Companys current assets ,cash
management and accounting systems, policies and procedures
relating thereto for the purpose of establishing collateral
arrangements and (B) establish bank and other accounts and
blocked account agreements and lock box arrangements in
connection with the foregoing; provided that no right of any
lender, nor obligation of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries, thereunder shall be effective until the Effective
Time; and (viii) otherwise reasonably cooperating in
connection with the consummation of the Financing and the
syndication and marketing thereof, including obtaining any
rating agencies confirmations or approvals for the
Financing. The Company hereby consents to the use of its and its
subsidiaries logos in connection with the Financing.
Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary,
neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries shall be
required to pay any commitment or other similar fee or incur any
other liability or obligation in connection with the Financing
(or any replacements thereof) prior to the Effective Time. The
Parents shall, promptly upon request by the Company following
the valid termination of this Agreement (other than in
accordance with Section 8.01(i), reimburse the
Company for all reasonable and documented
out-of-pocket
costs incurred by the Company or any of its subsidiaries in
connection with such cooperation. The Parents shall indemnify
and hold harmless the Company and its subsidiaries for and
against any and all losses suffered or incurred by them in
connection with the arrangement of the Financing and any
information utilized in connection therewith (other than
information provided by the Company or its subsidiaries). As
used in this Section 6.13(b),
Compliant means, with respect to any
Required Financial Information, that such Required Financial
Information does not contain any untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state any material fact regarding the Company
and it subsidiaries necessary in order to make such Required
Financial Information not misleading and is, and remains
throughout the Marketing Period, compliant in all material
respects with all applicable requirements of
Regulation S-K
and
Regulation S-X
and a registration statement on
Form S-1
(or any applicable successor form) under the Securities Act, in
each case assuming such Required Financial Information is
intended to be the information to be used in connection with the
Debt Financing contemplated by the Debt Commitment Letters.
Section 6.14 Actions
with Respect to Existing Debt.
(a) As soon as reasonably practicable after the receipt of
any written request by the Parents to do so, the Company shall
commence, and shall cause the issuer under the Subsidiary
Indenture (the Subsidiary Issuer) to
commence, offers to purchase with respect to all of the
outstanding aggregate principal amount of those series of the
debt securities issued under the applicable indenture listed on
Section 6.14 of the Mergerco Disclosure Schedule (the
Short-Dated Notes ), on such terms and
conditions, including pricing terms, that are proposed, from
time to time, by the Parents (each a Debt Tender
Offer and collectively, the Debt
Tender Offers ) and the Parents shall assist the
Company in connection therewith. As part of any Debt Tender
Offer, the Company shall, and shall cause the Subsidiary Issuer
to, solicit the consent of the holders of each series of the
Short-Dated Notes to amend, eliminate or waive certain sections
(as specified by the Parents) of the applicable Indenture. The
Debt Tender Offer shall be made pursuant to an Offer to Purchase
and Consent Solicitation Statement prepared by the Company in
connection with the Debt Tender Offer in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Parents and the Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the closing of the Debt Tender
Offers (and to make any payments for the Note Consents)
shall be conditioned on the occurrence of the Closing, and the
parties shall use their reasonable best efforts to cause the
Debt Tender Offers to close on the Closing Date. The Company
shall provide, and shall cause its subsidiaries to, and shall
cause the Subsidiary Issuer and its subsidiaries to provide, and
shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause their respective
Representatives to, provide all cooperation requested by the
Parents in connection with the Debt Tender Offers.
(b) Upon the request of the Parents pursuant to this
Section 6.14, the Company shall prepare, as promptly
as practicable, the offer to purchase, together with any
required related letters of transmittal and similar ancillary
agreements (such documents, together with all supplements and
amendments thereto, being referred to herein collectively as the
Debt Tender Offer Documents), relating
to the Debt Tender Offer and shall use its reasonable best
efforts to cause to be disseminated to the record holders of the
Short-Dated Notes, and to the extent known by the Company, the
beneficial owners of the Short-Dated Notes, the Debt Tender
Offer Documents; provided, however, that prior to the
dissemination thereof, the Company shall provide copies thereof
to the Parents not less than ten (10) business days in
advance of any such dissemination (or such shorter period of
time as is reasonably
A-33
practicable in light of when the Parents request that the
Company commence the Debt Tender Offer) and shall consult with
the Parents with respect to the Debt Tender Offer Documents and
shall include in such Debt Tender Offer Documents all comments
reasonably proposed by the Parents and reasonably acceptable to
the Company. If at any time prior to the acceptance of
Short-Dated Notes pursuant to the Debt Tender Offer any event
should occur that is required by applicable Law to be set forth
in an amendment of, or a supplement to, the Debt Tender Offer
Documents, the Company shall use reasonable best efforts to
prepare and disseminate such amendment or supplement; provided,
however, that prior to such dissemination, the Company shall
provide copies thereof to the Parents not less than two
(2) business days (or such shorter period of time as is
reasonably necessary in light of the circumstances) in advance
of any such dissemination and shall consult with the Parents
with respect to such amendment or supplement and shall include
in such amendment or supplement all comments reasonably proposed
by the Parents. The Company shall comply with the requirements
of
Rule 14e-1
promulgated under the Exchange Act, the Trust Indenture Act
of 1939, as amended (the TIA), and any
other applicable Law in connection with the Debt Tender Offer.
Promptly following the expiration of the consent solicitation,
assuming the requisite consent from the holders of the
Short-Dated Notes (including from persons holding proxies from
such holders) have been received, the Company shall and shall
cause the Subsidiary Issuer to, cause appropriate supplemental
indentures (the Supplemental
Indentures) to become effective providing for the
amendments of the applicable Indenture contemplated in the Debt
Tender Offer Documents; provided, however, that notwithstanding
the fact that the Supplemental Indenture may become effective
earlier, the proposed amendments set forth therein shall not
become operative unless and until all conditions to the Debt
Tender Offer have been satisfied or (subject to approval by the
Parents) waived by the Company in accordance with the terms
hereof. The form and substance of the Supplemental Indentures
shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Parents and the Company.
(c) The Company shall waive any of the conditions to the
Debt Tender Offer as may be reasonably requested by the Parents
(other than the conditions that the Debt Tender Offer is
conditioned on the Merger as provided in clause (i) above),
so long as such waivers would not cause the Notes Tender
Offer to violate the Exchange Act, the TIA, or any other
applicable Law, and shall not, without the prior written consent
of the Parents, waive any condition to the Debt Tender Offer or
make any change, amendment or modification to the terms and
conditions of the Debt Tender Offer (including any extension
thereof) other than as agreed between the Parents and the
Company or as required in the reasonable judgment of the Company
to comply with applicable Law.
(d) With respect to any series of Short-Dated Notes, if
requested by the Parents in writing, in lieu of commencing a
Debt Tender Offer for such series (or in addition thereto), the
Company shall, to the extent permitted by the Indenture and the
Debt Securities (as defined in the Indenture) for such
Short-Dated Notes, (A) issue not less than thirty
(30) days and not more than sixty (60) days prior to
the Effective Time a notice of optional redemption for all of
the outstanding aggregate principal amount of Short-Dated Notes
of such series, as applicable, pursuant to Article Eleven
of the Company Indenture and Article 3 of the Subsidiary
Indenture and the other provisions of such Indentures applicable
thereto or (B) take any actions reasonably requested by the
Parents to facilitate the satisfaction
and/or
discharge of such series pursuant to Article Four of the
Company Indenture and Article 8 of the Subsidiary Indenture
and the other provisions of such Indentures applicable thereto
and shall redeem or satisfy
and/or
discharge, as applicable, such series in accordance with the
terms of the Indenture at the Effective Time; provided that
prior to the Company being required to take any of the actions
described in clause (A) or (B) above that cannot
be conditioned upon the occurrence of the Closing, the Parents
shall have, or shall have caused to be, deposited with the
trustee under the Indenture sufficient funds to effect such
redemption or satisfaction and discharge, which funds shall be
returned to the Parents if the Agreement is terminated.
(e) If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to
Section 8.01(e) prior to the consummation of the
Merger, the Parents shall reimburse the Company for its
reasonable
out-of-pocket
fees and expenses incurred pursuant to, and in accordance with,
this Section 6.14. If the Effective Time does not
occur, the Parents shall indemnify and hold harmless the
Company, its subsidiaries and their respective officers and
directors and each person, if any, who controls the Company
within the meaning of Section 20 of the Exchange Act from
and against any and all damages suffered or incurred by them in
connection with any actions taken pursuant to this
Section 6.14; provided, however, that
the Parents shall not have any obligation to indemnify and hold
harmless any such party or person to the extent any such damages
suffered or incurred arose from disclosure regarding the Company
that is determined to have contained a material misstatement or
omission or due to the gross or negligent misconduct of the
Company.
A-34
Section 6.15 Section 16(b). The
Company shall take all steps reasonably necessary to cause the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and any other
dispositions of equity securities of the Company (including
derivative securities) in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement by each individual who is a
director or executive officer of the Company to be exempt under
Rule 16b-3
of the Exchange Act.
Section 6.16 Resignations. The
Company shall prepare and deliver to the Parents at or prior to
the Closing (i) evidence reasonably satisfactory to the
Parents, as specified by the Parents reasonably in advance of
the Closing, the resignation of any directors of the
Companys wholly owned subsidiaries effective at the
Effective Time and (ii) all documents and filings,
completed and executed by the appropriate directors of the
Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, that are necessary to
record the resignations contemplated by the preceding
clause (i).
Section 6.17 Certain
Actions and Proceedings. Except as otherwise
provided in Section 6.05, until this Agreement is
terminated in accordance with Section 8.01 or
otherwise, the Company shall consult with the Parents with
respect to and the Parents shall be entitled to participate in,
the defense of any action, suit or proceeding instituted against
the Company (or any of its directors or officers) before any
court of a Governmental Authority or threatened by any
Governmental Authority or any third party, including a Company
stockholder, to restrain, modify or prevent the consummation of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or to seek
damages or a discovery order in connection with such
transactions. The Company shall not enter into any agreement
arrangement or understanding that limits, modifies or in any way
contradicts the provisions of this
Section 6.17.
Article VII.
CONDITIONS
TO THE MERGER
Section 7.01 Conditions
to the Obligations of Each Party. The respective
obligations of the parties hereto to consummate the Merger are
subject to the satisfaction or (waiver in writing if permissible
under applicable Law) on or prior to the Closing Date of the
following conditions:
(a) the Requisite Shareholder Approval shall have been
obtained in accordance with the Texas Acts, the rules and
regulations of the NYSE;
(b) any applicable waiting period under the HSR Act and any
applicable Foreign Antitrust Laws relating to the consummation
of the Merger shall have expired or been terminated;
(c) no Governmental Authority shall have enacted, issued,
promulgated, enforced or entered any Law or Order which is then
in effect and has the effect of making the Merger illegal or
otherwise prohibiting the consummation of the Merger; and
(d) the FCC Consent shall have been obtained.
Section 7.02 Conditions
to the Obligations of the Parents and
Mergerco. The obligations of the Parents and
Mergerco to consummate the Merger are subject to the
satisfaction (or waiver in writing if permissible under
applicable Law) on or prior to the Closing Date by the Parents
of the following further conditions:
(a) the representations and warranties of the Company
contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all
respects (without giving effect to any limitation on any
representation and warranty indicated by a materiality
qualification, including the words Material Adverse Effect
on the Company, material, in all
material respects or like words, except in the case of
Section 4.08) as of the date of this Agreement and
as of the Effective Time with the same effect as though made on
and as of the Effective Time (except for representations and
warranties made as of an earlier date, in which case as of such
earlier date), except where the failure of such representations
and warranties to be so true and correct (without giving effect
to any limitation on any representation and warranty indicated
by a materiality qualification, including the words
Material Adverse Effect on the Company,
material, in all material respects or
like words, except in the case of Section 4.08)
would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material
Adverse Effect on the Company. In addition, the representations
and warranties set forth in Section 4.03(a) and
Section 4.03(b) shall be true and correct in all
respects (except for such inaccuracies as are de minimis in the
aggregate) and the representations and warranties set forth in
Section 4.04(a) and Section 4.04(b)
shall be true and correct in all
A-35
material respects as of the Effective Time with the same effect
as though made as of the Effective Time (except to the extent
expressly made as of an earlier date in which case such
representations and warranties will be true and correct as of
such earlier date);
(b) the Company shall have performed or complied in all
material respects with all agreements and covenants required by
this Agreement to be performed or complied with by it on or
prior to the Effective Time;
(c) the Company shall have delivered to the Parents a
certificate, dated the Effective Time and signed by its chief
executive officer or another senior officer on behalf of the
Company, certifying to the effect that the conditions set forth
in Section 7.02(a) and Section 7.02(b)
have been satisfied; and
(d) since the date of this Agreement, there shall not have
been any Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
Section 7.03 Conditions
to the Obligations of the Company. The
obligations of the Company to consummate the Merger are subject
to the satisfaction or waiver (or waiver in writing if
permissible under applicable Law) by the Company of the
following further conditions:
(a) each of the representations and warranties of the
Parents and Mergerco contained in this Agreement shall be true
and correct in all respects (without giving effect to any
limitation on any representation and warranty indicated by a
materiality qualification, including the words Mergerco
Material Adverse Effect, material, in
all material respects or like words) as of the date of
this Agreement and as of the Effective Time with the same effect
as though made on and as of the Effective Time (except for
representations and warranties made as of an earlier date, in
which case as of such earlier date), except where the failure of
such representations and warranties to be so true and correct
(without giving effect to any limitation on any representation
and warranty indicated by a materiality qualification, including
the words Mergerco Material Adverse Effect,
material, in all material respects or
like words) would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a
Mergerco Material Adverse Effect;
(b) The Parents and Mergerco shall have performed or
complied in all material respects with all agreements and
covenants required by this Agreement to be performed or complied
with by them on or prior to the Effective Time;
(c) The Parents shall have delivered to the Company a
solvency certificate substantially similar in form and substance
as the solvency certificate to be delivered to the lenders
pursuant to the Debt Commitment Letters or any agreements
entered into in connection with the Debt Financing; and
(d) The Parents shall have delivered to the Company a
certificate, dated the Effective Time and signed by their
respective chief executive officers or another senior officer on
their behalf, certifying to the effect that the conditions set
forth in Section 7.03(a) and
Section 7.03(b) have been satisfied.
Article VIII.
TERMINATION,
AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
Section 8.01 Termination. Notwithstanding
anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, this
Agreement may be terminated and abandoned at any time prior to
the Effective Time, whether before or after any approval of the
matters presented in connection with the Merger by the
shareholders of the Company, as follows:
(a) by mutual written consent of each of the Parents and
the Company;
(b) by either the Parents or the Company, if (i) the
Effective Time shall not have occurred on or before
5:00 p.m., New York City Time, on the date that is twelve
(12) months from the FCC Filing Date (such date, as may be
extended in accordance with this Section 8.01(b),
being the Termination Date); and
(ii) the party seeking to terminate this Agreement pursuant
to this Section 8.01(b) shall not have breached in
any material respect its obligations under this Agreement in any
manner that shall have proximately caused the failure to
consummate the Merger on or before such date; provided,
that, if, as of the Termination Date, all conditions to this
Agreement shall have been satisfied or waived (other than those
that are satisfied by action taken at the
A-36
Closing) other than the condition set forth in
Section 7.01(b) or Section 7.01(d), the
Parents or the Company may, by written notice to the other
party, extend the Termination Date to 5:00 pm, New York City
Time, on the date that is eighteen (18) months from the FCC
Filing Date.
(c) by either the Parents or the Company, if any
Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction shall have
issued an Order or taken any other action permanently
restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the Merger and
the other transactions contemplated hereby, and such Order or
other action shall have become final and non-appealable,
provided that the party seeking to terminate this Agreement
pursuant to this Section 8.01(c) shall have used its
reasonable best efforts to contest, appeal and remove such Order
or other action; and provided, further, that the
right to terminate this Agreement under this
Section 8.01(c) shall not be available to a party if
the issuance of such final, non-appealable Order was primarily
due to the failure of such party to perform any of its
obligations under this Agreement, including the obligations of
the Parents under Section 6.05(b) of this Agreement;
(d) by the Parents or the Company if the Requisite
Shareholder Approval shall not have been obtained by reason of
the failure to obtain such Requisite Shareholder Approval at a
duly held Shareholders Meeting or at any adjournment or
postponement thereof; provided, however, that the
Company shall not have the right to terminate this Agreement
under this Section 8.01(d) if the Company or any of
its Representatives has failed to comply in any material respect
with its obligations under Section 6.03,
Section 6.04 or Section 6.07;
(e) by the Company if it is not in material breach of its
obligations under this Agreement and if Mergerco
and/or the
Parents shall have breached or failed to perform in any material
respect any of their representations, warranties, covenants or
other agreements set forth in this Agreement, which breach or
failure to perform by Mergerco
and/or the
Parents (1) would result in a failure of a condition set
forth in Section 7.01, Section 7.03(a)
or Section 7.03(b), and (2) cannot be cured on
or before the Termination Date, provided that the Company shall
have given the Parents written notice, delivered at least thirty
(30) days prior to such termination, stating the
Companys intention to terminate this Agreement pursuant to
this Section 8.01(e) and the basis for such
termination and Mergerco
and/or the
Parents shall have failed to cure such breach or failure within
such thirty (30) day period;
(f) by the Company if (i) all of the conditions set
forth in Section 7.01 and Section 7.02
have been satisfied (other than those conditions that by their
terms are to be satisfied at the Closing) and (ii) on or
prior to the last day of the Marketing Period, none of Mergerco
nor the Surviving Corporation shall have received the proceeds
of the Financings sufficient to consummate the Merger and the
transactions contemplated hereby;
(g) by the Parents if they and Mergerco are not in material
breach of their obligations under this Agreement and if the
Company shall have breached or failed to perform in any material
respect any of its representations, warranties, covenants or
other agreements set forth in this Agreement, which breach or
failure to perform by the Company (1) would result in a
failure of a condition set forth in Section 7.01,
Section 7.02(a) or Section 7.02(b), and
(2) cannot be cured on or before the Termination Date,
provided that the Parents shall have given the Company written
notice, delivered at least thirty (30) days prior to such
termination, stating Parents intention to terminate this
Agreement pursuant to this Section 8.01(g) and the
basis for such termination and the Company shall have failed to
cure such breach or failure within such thirty (30) day
period;
(h) by the Company, prior to receipt of the Requisite
Shareholder Approval with respect to a Superior Proposal and in
accordance with, and subject to the terms and conditions of,
Section 6.07(d); provided, however, that the Company
shall not be entitled to terminate this Agreement pursuant to
this Section 8.01(h) unless concurrent with such
termination, the Company pays the Company Termination Fee.
(i) by the Parents if the Board of Directors of the Company
or any committee thereof shall have (i) effected a Change
of Recommendation; (ii) unless the Board of Directors of
the Company has previously effected a Change of Recommendation,
prior to the receipt of the Requisite Shareholder Approval,
failed to reconfirm the Company Recommendation within five
(5) business days of receipt of a written request from the
Parents; provided, that the Parents shall only be
entitled to one (1) such request; or (iii) unless the
Board of Directors of the Company has previously effected a
Change of Recommendation, failed to include in the Proxy
A-37
Statement distributed to the Companys shareholders its
recommendation that the Companys shareholders approve and
adopt this Agreement and the Merger.
In the event of termination of this Agreement pursuant to this
Section 8.01, this Agreement shall terminate and
there shall be no other liability on the part of any party (or
Investor as the case may be) hereto (except for the
Confidentiality Agreements referred to in
Section 6.06(b), the Limited Guarantee and the
provisions of Section 8.02,
Section 8.05(a), Section 9.07,
Section 9.08 and Section 9.10).
Section 8.02 Termination
Fees.
(a) If
(i) this Agreement is terminated by the Company pursuant to
Section 8.01(h) or by the Parents pursuant to
Section 8.01(i); or
(ii) this Agreement is terminated by the Parents or the
Company pursuant to Section 8.01(d) or by the
Parents pursuant to Section 8.01(g) (due to a
willful and material breach by the Company); provided,
however, that (x) prior to, in the case of
Section 8.01(d), the Shareholders Meeting and,
in the case of Section 8.01(g), the date of
termination of this Agreement, a Competing Proposal has been
publicly announced or made known to the Company and, in the case
of termination pursuant to Section 8.01(d), not
withdrawn at least two (2) business days prior to the
Shareholders Meeting, and (y) if within twelve
(12) months after such termination of this Agreement the
Company or any of its subsidiaries enters into a definitive
agreement with respect to, or consummates, any Competing
Proposal;
then in any such event the Company shall pay to the Parents a
Company Termination Fee and the Company shall have no further
liability with respect to this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby to Mergerco
and/or the
Parents; provided, however, that if this Agreement
is terminated by the Company or the Parents pursuant to
Section 8.01(d) or by the Parents pursuant to
Section 8.01(g) (due to a willful and material
breach by the Company) and, in each case, no Company Termination
Fee is then payable in respect thereof, then in each such case,
the Company shall pay to the Parents the Expenses of Mergerco
and the Parents, which amount shall not be greater than
$45,000,000, and thereafter the Company shall be obligated to
pay to the Parents the Company Termination Fee (less the amount
of Expenses previously actually paid to the Parents pursuant to
this sentence) in the event such Company Termination Fee becomes
payable pursuant to this Section 8.02(a), such
payment to be made, by wire transfer of immediately available
funds to an account designated by the Parents; (A) in the
case of termination pursuant to Section 8.02(a)(i),
prior to the termination of this Agreement by the Company
pursuant to Section 8.01(h) or promptly following
the termination of this Agreement by the Parents pursuant to
Section 8.01(i) (and in any event no later than two
(2) business days after the delivery to the Company of
notice of demand for payment), and (B) in the case of
termination pursuant to Section 8.02(a)(ii),
promptly following the earlier of the execution of a definitive
agreement or consummation of the transaction contemplated by any
Competing Proposal (and in any event no later than two
(2) business days after the delivery to the Company of
notice of demand for payment); and in circumstances in which
Expenses are payable, such payment shall be made to the Parents
not later than two business days after delivery to the Company
of an itemization setting forth in reasonable detail all
Expenses of Mergerco and the Parents (which itemization may be
supplemented and updated from time to time by such party until
the 60th day after such party delivers such itemization);
it being understood that in no event shall the Company be
required to pay the fee referred to in this
Section 8.02(a) on more than one occasion.
(b) If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to
Section 8.01(b), Section 8.01(e), or
Section 8.01(f), then
(i) in the case of a termination pursuant to
Section 8.01(b) or Section 8.01(e) (due
to a willful and material breach by Mergerco
and/or the
Parents), if at such time, the Company is not in material breach
of its obligations hereunder and all conditions to
Mergercos and the Parents obligations to consummate
the Merger shall have been satisfied, other than any of the
conditions set forth in Section 7.01(b) or
Section 7.01(d), then Mergerco shall pay to the Company a
fee of $600,000,000 in cash; provided, however,
that if at the time of such termination, (A) all conditions
to Mergercos and the Parents obligations to
consummate the Merger shall have been satisfied other than the
condition set forth in Section 7.01(d), and
(B) Mergerco, the Parents
A-38
and each Attributable Investor has complied in all material
respects with their obligations under
Section 6.05(a) hereof, then Mergerco shall instead
pay to the Company a fee of $300,000,000; or
(ii) in the case of a termination pursuant to
Section 8.01(e) due to a willful and material breach
by Mergerco
and/or the
Parents or Section 8.01(f) where clause (i)
above is not applicable, then Mergerco shall pay to the Company
a fee of $500,000,000 in cash,
(such payment, as applicable, the Mergerco
Termination Fee), such payment to be made within
two (2) business days after the termination of this
Agreement, and in either such case, neither Mergerco nor the
Parents shall have no further liability with respect to this
Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby to the
Company; it being understood that in no event shall Mergerco or
the Parents be required to pay fees or damages payable pursuant
to this Section 8.02(b) on more than one occasion.
(c) Each of the Company, Mergerco and the Parents
acknowledges that the agreements contained in this
Section 8.02 are an integral part of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, that without these
agreements the Company, Mergerco and the Parents would not have
entered into this Agreement, and that any amounts payable
pursuant to this Section 8.02 do not constitute a
penalty. If the Company fails to pay as directed in writing by
the Parents any amounts due to the Parents pursuant to this
Section 8.02 within the time periods specified in
this Section 8.02 or Mergerco fails to pay the
Company any amounts due to the Company pursuant to this
Section 8.02 within the time periods specified in
this Section 8.02, the Company or Mergerco, as
applicable, shall pay the costs and expenses (including
reasonable legal fees and expenses) incurred by Mergerco and the
Parents, on one hand, or the Company, on the other hand, as
applicable, in connection with any action, including the
lawsuit, taken to collect payment of such amounts, together with
interest on such unpaid amounts at the prime lending rate
prevailing during such period as published in The Wall Street
Journal, calculated on a daily basis from the date such amounts
were required to be paid until the date of actual payment.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the
Companys right to receive payment of the Mergerco
Termination Fee pursuant to this Section 8.02 or the
guarantee thereof pursuant to the Limited Guarantees shall be
the sole and exclusive remedy of the Company and its
subsidiaries against Mergerco, the Parents, the Investors and
any of their respective former, current, or future general or
limited partners, stockholders, managers, members, directors,
officers, affiliates or agents for the loss suffered as a result
of this Agreement or the transaction contemplated hereby, and
upon payment of such amount, none of Mergerco, the Parents, the
Investors or any of their respective former, current, or future
general or limited partners, stockholders, managers, members,
directors, officers, affiliates or agents shall have any further
liability or obligation relating to or arising out of this
Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, including the
Merger.
Section 8.03 Amendment. This
Agreement may be amended by mutual agreement of the parties
hereto by action taken by or on behalf of their respective
Boards of Directors at any time prior to the Effective Time;
provided, however, that, after the adoption and
approval of this Agreement and the Merger by shareholders of the
Company, there shall not be any amendment that by Law or in
accordance with the rules of any stock exchange requires further
approval by the shareholders of the Company without such further
approval of such shareholders nor any amendment or change not
permitted under applicable Law. This Agreement may not be
amended except by an instrument in writing signed by the parties
hereto.
Section 8.04 Waiver. At
any time prior to the Effective Time, subject to applicable Law,
any party hereto may (a) extend the time for the
performance of any obligation or other act of any other party
hereto, (b) waive any inaccuracy in the representations and
warranties of the other party contained herein or in any
document delivered pursuant hereto, and (c) subject to the
proviso of Section 8.03, waive compliance with any
agreement or condition contained herein. Any such extension or
waiver shall only be valid if set forth in an instrument in
writing signed by the party or parties to be bound thereby.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no failure or delay by the
Company, Mergerco and the Parents in exercising any right
hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single
or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further
exercise of any other right hereunder. Any agreement on the part
of a party hereto to any such extension or waiver shall be valid
only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed on behalf
of such party.
A-39
Section 8.05 Expenses;
Transfer Taxes.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in
Section 6.05(a), all Expenses incurred in connection
with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement shall be paid by the party incurring such expenses.
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
herein, the Surviving Corporation shall pay all documentary,
sales, use, real property transfer, real property gains,
registration, value added, transfer, stamp, recording and
similar Taxes, fees, and costs together with any interest
thereon, penalties, fines, costs, fees, additions to tax or
additional amounts with respect thereto incurred in connection
with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby
regardless of who may be liable therefor under applicable Law,
other than transfer taxes of any shareholder in connection with
a transfer of his, her or its shares.
Article IX.
GENERAL
PROVISIONS
Section 9.01 Non-Survival
of Representations, Warranties and
Agreements. The representations, warranties and
agreements in this Agreement and any certificate delivered
pursuant hereto by any person shall terminate at the Effective
Time or upon the termination of this Agreement pursuant to
Section 8.01, as the case may be, except that this
Section 9.01 shall not limit any covenant or
agreement of the parties which by its terms contemplates
performance after the Effective Time or after termination of
this Agreement, including, without limitation, those contained
in Section 6.08, Section 6.11,
Section 8.02, Section 8.05 and this
Article IX.
Section 9.02 Notices. Any
notice required to be given hereunder shall be sufficient if in
writing, and sent by facsimile transmission (provided that any
notice received by facsimile transmission or otherwise at the
addressees location on any business day after
5:00 p.m. (addressees local time) shall be deemed to
have been received at 9:00 a.m. (addressees local
time) on the next business day), by reliable overnight delivery
service (with proof of service), hand delivery or certified or
registered mail (return receipt requested and first-class
postage prepaid), addressed as follows (or at such other address
for a party as shall be specified in a notice given in
accordance with this Section 9.02):
if to the Parents or Mergerco:
Bain Capital Partners, LLC
111 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02199
Phone:
617-516-2000
Fax:
617-516-2010
Attn: John Connaughton
and
Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P.
100 Federal Street
Boston, MA 02110
Phone:
617-227-1050
Fax:
617-227-3514
Attn: Scott Sperling
with copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Ropes & Gray LLP
One International Place
Boston, MA 02110
Phone:
617-951-7000
Fax:
617-951-7050
Attn: David C. Chapin, Esq.
Attn: Alfred O. Rose, Esq.
A-40
if to the Company:
Clear Channel Communications, Inc.
200 East Basse
San Antonio, TX 78209
Phone:
210-822-2828
Fax:
210-832-3433
|
|
|
|
Attn:
|
Andy Levin, Executive Vice President and
|
Chief Legal Officer
with copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
2029 Century Park East, Suite 2400
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Phone:
310-229-1000
Fax:
310-229-1001
Attn: C.N. Franklin Reddick III
Section 9.03 Interpretation;
Certain Definitions. When a reference is made in
this Agreement to an Article, Section or Exhibit, such reference
shall be to an Article or Section of, or an Exhibit to, this
Agreement, unless otherwise indicated. The table of contents and
headings for this Agreement are for reference purposes only and
shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of
this Agreement. Whenever the words include,
includes or including are used in this
Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words
without limitation. The words hereof,
herein and hereunder and words of
similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this
Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this
Agreement. All terms defined in this Agreement shall have the
defined meanings when used in any certificate or other document
made or delivered pursuant hereto unless otherwise defined
therein. The definitions contained in this Agreement are
applicable to the singular as well as the plural forms of such
terms and to the masculine as well as to the feminine and neuter
genders of such term. Any statute defined or referred to herein
or in any agreement or instrument that is referred to herein
means such statute as from time to time amended, modified or
supplemented, including (in the case of statutes) by succession
of comparable successor statutes. References to a person are
also to its permitted successors and assigns.
Section 9.04 Severability. If
any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid,
illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of Law, or
public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this
Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so
long as the economic or legal substance of the Merger is not
affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon
such determination that any term or other provision is invalid,
illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall
negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect
the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in a
mutually acceptable manner in order that the Merger be
consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent
possible.
Section 9.05 Assignment. Neither
this Agreement nor any rights, interests or obligations
hereunder shall be assigned by any of the parties hereto
(whether by operation of Law or otherwise) without the prior
written consent of the other parties hereto; provided, that
Mergerco may assign any of its rights and obligations to any
direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Mergerco, but no
such assignment shall relieve Mergerco of its obligations
hereunder. Further, the Company acknowledges and agrees that
Mergerco may (i) elect to transfer its equity interests to
any affiliate or direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of
Mergerco, (ii) reincorporate in Texas or (iii) merge
with or convert into a Texas corporation created solely for the
purpose of the Merger, and any such transfer, reincorporation,
merger or conversion shall not result in a breach of any
representation, warranty or covenant of Mergerco
and/or the
Parents herein. Subject to the preceding sentence, this
Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be
enforceable by, the parties hereto and their respective
successors and permitted assigns. Any purported assignment not
permitted under this Section shall be null and void.
Section 9.06 Entire
Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This
Agreement (including the exhibits and schedules hereto), the
Confidentiality Agreements and the Limited Guarantees constitute
the entire agreement, and supersede all other prior agreements
and understandings, both written and oral, between the parties,
or any of them,
A-41
with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and except
for (a) the rights of the Companys shareholders to
receive the Merger Consideration at the Effective Time in
accordance with, and subject to, the terms and conditions of
this Agreement, (b) the right of the holders of Company
Options to receive the Option Cash Payment at the Effective
Time, in accordance with, and subject to, the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, (c) the provisions of
Section 6.08 hereof, and (d) the last sentence
of Sections 8.02(c) and (e) and
Section 9.08(a) is not intended to and shall not
confer upon any person other than the parties hereto any rights
or remedies hereunder.
Section 9.07 Governing
Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of
action (whether in contract or tort) that may be based upon,
arise out or relate to this Agreement or the negotiation,
execution or performance of this Agreement (including any claim
or cause of action based upon, arising out of or related to any
representation or warranty made in or in connection with this
Agreement or as an inducement to enter into this Agreement),
shall be governed by the internal laws of the State of New York
(other than with respect to matters governed by the Texas Acts
with respect to which the Texas Acts shall apply and the DGCL
with respect to matters with respect to which the DGCL shall
apply), without giving effect to any choice or conflict of laws
provision or rule.
Section 9.08 Consent
to Jurisdiction; Enforcement.
(a) (i) The Company agrees that to the extent it has
incurred losses or damages in connection with this Agreement,
(i) the maximum aggregate liability of Mergerco for such
losses or damages shall be limited to those amounts specified in
Section 8.02(b), (ii) the maximum aggregate
liability of each Parent for such losses or damages shall be
zero, (iii) the maximum liability of each Guarantor,
directly or indirectly, shall be limited to the express
obligations of such Guarantor under its Limited Guarantee, and
(iv) in no event shall the Company seek to recover any
money damages in excess of such amount from Mergerco, the
Parents, or the Guarantors or their respective Representatives
and affiliates in connection therewith.
(b) The Company agrees that irreparable damage to Mergerco
and the Parents 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. It is
accordingly agreed that Mergerco and the Parents shall be
entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of
this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and
provisions of this Agreement exclusively in a state or federal
court located in the United States or any state having
jurisdiction, such remedy being in addition to any other remedy
to which Mergerco or either Parent is entitled at law or in
equity. The parties acknowledge that the Company shall not be
entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of
this Agreement by Mergerco or either Parent or to enforce
specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement and that
the Companys sole and exclusive remedy with respect to any
such breach shall be the remedy set forth in
Section 8.02(b), as applicable, and under the
Limited Guarantees.
(c) In addition, each of Mergerco, each Parent and the
Company hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction
of the United States District Court for the Western District of
Texas and, if the United States District Court for the Western
District of Texas does not accept such jurisdiction, the courts
of the State of Texas, for the purpose of any action or
proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement and each
of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably agrees that all claims
in respect to such action or proceeding may be heard and
determined exclusively in any Texas state or federal court. Each
of Mergerco, each Parent and the Company agrees that a final
judgment in any action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may
be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in
any other manner provided by Law.
(d) Each of Mergerco, each Parent and the Company
irrevocably consents to the service of the summons and complaint
and any other process in any other action or proceeding relating
to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, on behalf of
itself or its property, by personal delivery of copies of such
process to such party. Nothing in this Section 9.08
shall affect the right of any party to serve legal process in
any other manner permitted by Law.
Section 9.09 Counterparts. This
Agreement may be executed and delivered (including by facsimile
transmission) in two (2) or more counterparts, and by the
different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which
when executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original
but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the
same agreement.
Section 9.10 Waiver
of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY HERETO ACKNOWLEDGES AND
AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT
IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE
A-42
COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE EACH SUCH PARTY
HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT SUCH
PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY ACTION,
PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR
OTHERWISE) DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO
THIS AGREEMENT, OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS
AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT
(I) 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 THE
FOREGOING WAIVER, (II) EACH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS
CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (III) EACH
PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY AND (IV) EACH PARTY HAS
BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER
THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS
SECTION 9.10.
[Remainder of This Page Intentionally Left Blank]
A-43
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Mergerco, the Parents and the Company
have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first
written above by their respective officers thereunto duly
authorized.
MERGERCO:
BT TRIPLE CROWN MERGER CO., INC.
Name: _
_
Title: _
_
PARENTS:
B TRIPLE CROWN FINCO, LLC
Name: _
_
Title: _
_
T TRIPLE CROWN FINCO, LLC
Name: _
_
Title: _
_
COMPANY:
CLEAR CHANNEL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Name: _
_
Title: _
_
Signature Page to
Agreement and Plan of Merger
A-44
APPENDIX A
DEFINITIONS
As used in the Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
Accountant shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 3.09(c).
Additional Consideration Date shall mean
January 1, 2008.
Additional Per Share Consideration shall
mean, if the Effective Time shall occur after the Additional
Consideration Date, an amount, rounded to the nearest penny,
equal to the lesser of (A) the pro rata portion, based upon
the number of days elapsed since the Additional Consideration
Date, of $37.60 multiplied by 8% per annum, per share or
(B) an amount equal to (i) Operating Cash Flow for the
period from and including the Additional Consideration Date
through and including the last day of the last month preceding
the Closing Date for which financial statements are available at
least ten (10) calendar days prior to the Closing Date (the
Adjustment Period) minus dividends paid or
declared with respect to the period from and after the end of
the Adjustment Period through and including the Closing Date and
amounts committed or paid to purchase equity interests in the
Company or derivatives thereof with respect to such period (but
only to the extent that such dividends or amounts are not
deducted from Operating Cash Flow for any prior period) divided
by (ii) the sum of the number of outstanding shares of
Company Common Stock (including outstanding Restricted Shares)
plus the number of shares of Company Common Stock issuable
pursuant to Convertible Securities outstanding at the Closing
Date with exercise prices less than the Merger Consideration.
Adjustment Period shall have the meaning set
forth in the definition of Additional Per Share Consideration.
affiliate of a specified person, shall mean a
person who, directly or indirectly, through one or more
intermediaries controls, is controlled by, or is under common
control with, such specified person.
Aggregate Merger Consideration shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 3.02(a).
Agreement shall have the meaning set forth in
the Preamble.
Articles of Merger shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 2.03(a).
Attributable Interest shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 6.05(a).
Attributable Investor shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 6.05(a).
Blue Sky Laws shall mean state securities or
blue sky laws.
Book-Entry Shares shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 3.01(b).
business day shall mean any day on which the
principal offices of the SEC in Washington, D.C. or the
Secretary of State are open to accept filings, or, in the case
of determining a date when any payment is due, any day on which
banks are not required or authorized to close in the City of New
York.
Certificate of Merger shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 2.03(a).
Certificates shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 3.01(b).
Change of Recommendation shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 6.07(d).
Class A Preferred Stock shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 4.03(a).
Class B Preferred Stock shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 4.03(a).
Closing shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 2.02.
Closing Date shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 2.02.
Code shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended.
A-45
Communications Act shall mean the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules,
regulations and published policies and orders of the FCC
thereunder.
Company shall have the meaning set forth in
the Preamble.
Company Accountant Expense shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 3.09(d).
Company Benefit Plan shall mean (i) each
employee pension benefit plan (as defined in
Section 3(2) of ERISA), whether or not subject to ERISA,
each employee welfare benefit plan (as defined in
Section 3(1) of ERISA), whether or not subject to ERISA,
(ii) each other plan, arrangement or policy (written or
oral) relating to equity and equity-based awards, stock
purchases, deferred compensation, bonus or other incentive
compensation, severance, retention, salary continuation,
educational assistance, material fringe benefits, leave of
absence, vacation, change in control benefit, disability
pension, welfare benefit, life insurance, or other material
employee benefits, and (iii) each severance, consulting,
change in control, employment, individual compensation or
similar arrangement, in each case as to which the Company or its
subsidiaries has any obligation or liability, contingent or
otherwise, other than any (A) Multiemployer Plan;
(B) governmental plan or any plan, arrangement or policy
mandated by applicable Law and not otherwise insured, covered or
set forth in any insurance contract, trust, escrow or other
funding agreement; or (C) any employment contract
applicable to employees performing services in jurisdictions
outside of the United States that provides for severance only in
accordance with applicable Laws.
Company Common Stock shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 3.01(a).
Company Disclosure Schedule shall have the
meaning set forth in Article IV.
Company Employees shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 6.11(a).
Company ESPP shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 3.03(d).
Company FCC Licenses shall mean all main
radio and television stations licenses, permits, authorizations,
and approvals issued by the FCC to the Company and its
subsidiaries for the operation of the Company Stations.
Company Indenture shall mean the Senior
Indenture, dated as of October 1, 1997, as amended,
modified and supplemented by supplemental indentures from time
to time through and including the Twenty-First Supplemental
Indenture dated as of October 1, 1997, between Clear
Channel Communications, Inc. and The Bank of New York Trust
Company, N.A., as trustee.
Company Material Contract shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 4.13(a).
Company Option shall mean each outstanding
option to purchase shares of Company Common Stock under any of
the Company Option Plans.
Company Option Plans shall mean (i) the
Companys 1994 Incentive Stock Option Plan, 1994
Nonqualified Stock Option Plan, 1998 Stock Incentive Plan and
2001 Stock Incentive Plan and Sharesave Scheme and (ii) The
Ackerly Group, Inc. Fifth Amended and Restated Employees Stock
Option Plan, The 1998 AMFM Inc. Stock Option Plan, The
1999 AMFM Inc. Stock Option Plan, Capstar Broadcasting
Corporation 1998 Stock Option Plan, Jacor Communication, Inc.
1997 Long-Term Incentive Stock Plan, The Marquee Group, Inc.
1996 Stock Option Plan, SFX Entertainment, Inc. 1998 Stock
Option and Restricted Stock Plan, and SFX Entertainment, Inc.
1999 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan.
Company Permits shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 4.06(a).
Company Recommendation shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 6.04.
Company SEC Documents shall have the meaning
set forth in Article IV.
Company Stations shall mean all of the radio
broadcast and television stations currently owned and operated
by the Company and its subsidiaries, including full power
television and radio broadcast stations and low power television
stations, television translator stations, FM broadcast
translator stations and FM broadcast booster stations.
A-46
Company Termination Fee means $500,000,000,
except (i) in the event that this Agreement is terminated
by the Company prior to January 5, 2007 pursuant to
Section 8.01(h) or (ii) in the event that this
Agreement is terminated by the Parents prior to January 5,
2007 pursuant to Section 8.01(i), and, in each case,
such right of termination is based on the submission of an
Excluded Competing Proposal, the Company Termination Fee shall
be $300,000,000
Competing Proposal shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 6.07(h).
Compliant shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 6.13(b).
Confidentiality Agreements shall mean
(i) the confidentiality agreement, dated as of
October 20, 2006, by and between Thomas H. Lee Partners,
L.P. and the Company, as amended, and (ii) the
confidentiality agreement, dated as of October 25, 2006, by
and between Bain Capital Partners, LLC and the Company, as
amended.
control (including the terms controlled
by and under common control with) means the
possession, directly or indirectly, or as trustee or executor,
of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management
and policies of a person, whether through the ownership of
voting securities, as trustee or executor, by contract or credit
arrangement or otherwise.
Convertible Securities shall mean any
subscriptions, options, warrants, debt securities or other
securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for
any shares of Equity Securities.
D&O Insurance shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 6.08(c).
Debt Commitment Letters shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 5.07(a).
Debt Financing shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 5.07(a).
Debt Securities shall mean the
Securities as defined in each of the Indentures.
Debt Tender Offer shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 6.14(a).
Debt Tender Offer Documents shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 6.14(b).
DGCL shall have the meaning set forth in the
Recitals.
Dissenting Shares shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 3.05.
Divestiture shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 6.05(b).
Divestiture Notice shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 6.05(b).
Effect shall have the meaning set forth in
the definition of Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
Effective Time shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 2.03(a).
Employee Benefit Plan shall mean
employee benefit plans as defined in
Section 3(3) of ERISA.
Equity Commitment Letters shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 5.07(a).
Equity Financing shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 5.07(a).
Equity Securities shall mean any shares of
capital stock of, or other equity interests or voting securities
in, the Company or any of its subsidiaries, as applicable.
ERISA shall mean the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
Estimated Additional Per Share Consideration
shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 3.09(a).
Estimated Additional Per Share Consideration Resolution
Period shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 3.09(b).
Exchange Act shall mean the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Exchange Fund shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 3.02(a).
A-47
Excluded Competing Proposal shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 6.07(a).
Expenses shall mean all reasonable
out-of-pocket
expenses (including all fees and expenses of counsel,
accountants, investment bankers, financing sources, experts and
consultants to a party hereto and its affiliates and equity
holders) incurred by a party or on its behalf in connection with
or related to the authorization, preparation, negotiation,
execution and performance of this Agreement, the preparation,
printing, filing and mailing of the Proxy Statement, the
solicitation of shareholder and shareholder approvals, the
filing of any required notices under the HSR Act or other
similar regulations, any filings with the SEC or the FCC and all
other matters related to the closing of the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
FCC shall mean the Federal Communications
Commission or any successor entity.
FCC Applications shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 6.05(a).
FCC Consent shall mean any action by the FCC
(including action duly taken by the FCCs staff pursuant to
delegated authority) granting its consent to the transfer of
control or assignment to Mergerco or the Parents (or an
affiliate of Mergerco or the Parents) of those authorizations,
licenses, permits, and other approvals, issued by the FCC, and
used in the operation of the Company Stations, pursuant to
appropriate applications filed by the parties with the FCC, as
contemplated by this Agreement.
FCC Filing Date shall mean the last date upon
which all FCC Applications are filed with the FCC, but in no
event later than the 30th business day from the date hereof.
FCC Media Ownership Rules shall mean the
FCCs media ownership rules set forth at 47 C.F.R.
Section 73.3555, and the notes thereto, as in effect on the
date of this Agreement.
Financing shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 5.07(a).
Financing Agreements shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 6.13(a).
Financing Commitments shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 5.07(a).
Foreign Antitrust Laws shall mean any
non-U.S. Laws
intended to prohibit, restrict or regulate actions or
transactions having the purpose or effect of monopolization,
restraint of trade, harm to competition or effectuating foreign
investment.
FTC shall mean the Federal Trade Commission.
GAAP shall mean the United States generally
accepted accounting principles.
Governmental Authority shall mean any United
States (federal, state or local) or foreign government, or
governmental, regulatory, judicial or administrative authority,
agency, commission or court.
HSR Act shall mean the
Hart-Scott-Rodino
Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and the
rules and regulations thereunder.
Indemnitee shall mean any individual who, on
or prior to the Effective Time, was an officer or director of
the Company or served on behalf of the Company as an officer or
director of any of the Companys subsidiaries or any of
their predecessors in all of their capacities (including as
shareholder, controlling or otherwise) and the heirs, executors,
trustees, fiduciaries and administrators of such officer or
director.
Indenture shall mean each of, as the context
may require, the Company Indenture and the Subsidiary Indenture.
Investors shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 5.07(a).
IRS shall mean the Internal Revenue Service.
knowledge shall mean the actual knowledge of
the officers and employees of the Company and the Parents set
forth on Section A of the Company Disclosure Schedule and
Section A of the Mergerco Disclosure Schedule,
respectively, without benefit of an independent investigation of
any matter.
A-48
Law shall mean any and all domestic (federal,
state or local) or foreign laws, rules, regulations, orders,
judgments or decrees promulgated by any Governmental Authority.
Lien shall mean liens, claims, mortgages,
encumbrances, pledges, security interests, equities or charges
of any kind.
Limited Guarantee shall have the meaning set
forth in the Recitals.
LMA shall mean any local marketing agreement,
time brokerage agreement, joint sales agreement, shared services
agreement or other similar contract in which the Company or any
subsidiary has an Attributable Interest in respect of providing
programming, advertising or other services to any radio or
television broadcast station.
Marketing Period shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 6.13(a).
Master Agreement shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 6.01(q).
Material Adverse Effect on the Company shall
mean any event, state of facts, circumstance, development,
change, effect or occurrence (an
Effect) that has had or would
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the
business condition (financial or otherwise, operations or
results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken
as a whole, other than (i) any Effect resulting from
(A) changes in general economic or political conditions or
the securities, credit or financial markets in general, in each
case, generally affecting the general television or radio
broadcasting, music, internet, outdoor advertising or event
industries, (B) general changes or developments in the
general television or radio broadcasting, music, internet or
event industries, including general changes in law or regulation
across such industries, (C) the announcement of the merger
agreement or the pendency or consummation of the merger,
(D) the identity of Mergerco, the Investors or any of their
affiliates as the acquiror of the Company, (E) compliance
with the terms of, or the taking of any action required by, the
merger agreement or consented to by the Parents, (F) any
acts of terrorism or war (other than any of the foregoing that
causes any damage or destruction to or renders unusable any
facility or property of the Company or any of its subsidiaries),
(G) changes in GAAP or the interpretation thereof, or
(H) any weather related event, except, in the case of the
foregoing clauses (A) and (B), to the extent such
changes or developments referred to therein would reasonably be
expected to have a materially disproportionate impact on the
Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, relative to
other for profit participants in the industries and in the
geographic markets in which the Company conducts its businesses
after taking into account the size of the Company relative to
such other for profit participants; or (ii) any failure to
meet internal or published projections, forecasts or revenue or
earning predictions for any period (provided that the underlying
causes of such failure shall be considered in determining
whether there is a Material Adverse Effect on the Company).
Material Subsidiaries shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 4.01.
Merger shall have the meaning set forth in
the Recitals.
Merger Consideration shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 3.01(b).
Mergerco shall have the meaning set forth in
the Preamble.
Mergerco Common Stock shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 3.01(c).
Mergerco Disclosure Schedule shall have the
meaning set forth in Article V.
Mergerco Equity Interests shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 5.09.
Mergerco Material Adverse Effect shall mean
any event, state of facts, circumstance, development, change,
effect or occurrence that is materially adverse to the business,
financial condition or results of operations of Mergerco and
Mergercos subsidiaries taken as a whole or may reasonably
be expected to prevent or materially delay or materially impair
the ability of Mergerco or any of its subsidiaries to consummate
the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
Mergerco Organizational Documents shall have
the meaning set forth in Section 5.02.
Mergerco Shares shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 5.09.
A-49
Mergerco Termination Fee shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 8.02(b).
Multiemployer Plan shall mean any
multiemployer plans within the meaning of
Section 3(37) of ERISA.
New Debt Financing Commitments shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 6.13(a).
New Plans shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 6.11(c).
No-Shop Period Start Date shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 6.07(a).
Notice Period shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 6.07(e).
NYSE shall mean the New York Stock Exchange.
Operating Cash Flow shall mean, for any
period, an amount determined on a consolidated basis for the
Company and its subsidiaries as follows:
(A) an amount determined in accordance with GAAP (as in
effect on the date hereof), consistently applied, equal to the
sum of net income, excluding therefrom any amount described in
one or more of the following clauses (but only to the
extent included in net income):
(i) the aggregate after-tax amount, if positive, of any net
extraordinary, nonrecurring or unusual gains,
(ii) any items of gain or loss from Permitted Divestitures,
(iii) any items of gain or loss from the change in value or
disposition of investments, including with respect to marketable
securities and forward exchange contracts,
(iv) any non-cash income, gain or credits included in the
calculation of net income,
(v) any net income or loss attributable to non-wholly owned
subsidiaries or investments, except to the extent the Company
has received a cash dividend or distribution or an intercompany
cash payment with respect thereto during such period,
(vi) any net income attributable to foreign subsidiaries,
except to the extent the Company has received a cash dividend or
distribution or an intercompany cash payment with respect
thereto during such period, and
(vii) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting
principle, plus
(B) to the extent net income has been reduced thereby and
without duplication, amortization of deferred financing fees
included in interest expense, depreciation and amortization
(including amortization of film contracts) and other non-cash
charges that in the case of items described in this
clause (B) are (i) not attributable to
subsidiaries whose net income is subject to clause (A)(v)
or (A)(vi) above and (ii) not in the nature of provisions
for future cash payments, minus
(C) the amount of cash taxes paid or accrued with respect
to such period (including provision for taxes payable in future
periods) to the extent exceeding the amount of tax expense
deducted in determining net income, minus
(D) dividends paid or declared with respect to such period
and amounts committed or paid to purchase equity interests in
the Company or derivatives thereof with respect to such period,
minus
(E) capital expenditures made in cash or accrued with
respect to such period, minus
(F) with respect to any income realized outside of the
United States, any amount of taxes that would be required to be
paid in order to repatriate such income to the United States,
minus
(G) cash payments made or scheduled to be made with respect
to film contracts.
Option Cash Payment shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 3.03(a).
A-50
Order shall mean any decree, order, judgment,
injunction, temporary restraining order or other order in any
suit or proceeding by or with any Governmental Authority.
Outdoor Holdings shall mean Clear Channel
Outdoor Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
Outdoor SEC Documents shall mean all
documents filed with the SEC by Outdoor Holdings between
November 2, 2005 and the date hereof (together with all
forms, documents, schedules, certifications, prospectuses,
reports, and registration, proxy and other statements, required
to be filed or furnished by it with or to the SEC between
November 2, 2005 and the date hereof including any such
documents filed during such periods on a voluntary basis on
Form 8-K)
in each case including all exhibits and schedules thereto and
documents incorporated by reference therein.
Parents shall have the meaning set forth in
the Preamble.
Paying Agent shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 3.02(a).
Permitted Lien shall mean (i) any Lien
for Taxes not yet due or being contested in good faith by
appropriate proceedings and for which adequate accruals or
reserves have been established on the financial statements in
accordance with GAAP; (ii) Liens securing indebtedness or
liabilities that are reflected in the Company SEC Documents;
(iii) such non-monetary Liens or other imperfections of
title, if any, that, do not have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company, including,
without limitation, (A) easements or claims of easements
whether shown or not shown by the public records, boundary line
disputes, overlaps, encroachments and any matters not of record
which would be disclosed by an accurate survey or a personal
inspection of the property, (B) rights of parties in
possession, (C) any supplemental Taxes or assessments not
shown by the public records and (D) title to any portion of
the premises lying within the right of way or boundary of any
public road or private road; (iv) Liens imposed or
promulgated by Laws with respect to real property and
improvements, including zoning regulations, (v) Liens
disclosed on existing title reports or existing surveys (in
either case copies of which title reports and surveys have been
delivered or made available to the Parents); and
(vi) mechanics, carriers, workmens,
repairmens and similar Liens, incurred in the ordinary
course of business.
Permitted Divestitures shall have the meaning
set forth on Section 6.01(i) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule.
person shall mean an individual, a
corporation, limited liability company, a partnership, an
association, a trust or any other entity or organization,
including, without limitation, a Governmental Authority.
Proxy Statement shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 6.03(a).
Renewal Application shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 6.05(d).
Renewal Station shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 6.05(d).
Representatives shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 6.06(a).
Required Financial Information shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 6.13(b).
Requisite Shareholder Approval shall mean the
affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding
Shares of Company Common Stock to approve this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated thereby.
Restricted Share shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 3.03(b).
Rollover Share shall mean each Equity
Security or Convertible Security owned by an employee of the
Company that is expressly designated as a Rollover Share in an
agreement of such employee and the Parents to be entered into
between the date hereof and the Closing Date.
SEC shall mean the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
SEC Filings shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 4.12.
Secretary of State shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 2.03(a).
A-51
Securities Act shall mean the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended.
Senior Executives shall mean the named
executive officers identified in the Companys Proxy
Statement filed with the SEC on March 14, 2006
Shareholders Meeting shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 6.04.
Short-Dated Notes shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 6.14(a).
subsidiary of any person, shall mean any
corporation, limited liability company, partnership,
association, trust, joint venture or other legal entity (other
than any dormant or inactive corporation, limited liability
company, partnership, association, trust, joint venture or other
legal entity) the accounts of which would be consolidated with
those of such party in such partys consolidated financial
statements if such financial statements were prepared in
accordance with GAAP, as well as any other corporation, limited
liability company, partnership, association, trust, joint
venture or other legal entity of which securities or other
ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or
more than 50% of the ordinary voting power (or, in the case of a
partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests)
are, as of such date, owned by such party or one or more
subsidiaries of such party or by such party and one or more
subsidiaries of such party; provided, however,
that the following rules of interpretation shall be applied with
respect to the use of the term subsidiary or
subsidiaries, as they are applied to Outdoor
Holdings and any other subsidiary of the Company which is not
wholly owned: (i) when used in the representations and
warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement, with
respect to Outdoor Holdings and any other subsidiary of the
Company that is not wholly owned, the representation or warranty
shall be made solely to the Companys knowledge and
(ii) whenever this Agreement obligates any subsidiary to
take or not to take, or requires that the Company cause any
subsidiary to take, or not to take, any action, such covenant
shall be satisfied with respect to Outdoor Holdings and any
other subsidiary of the Company that is not wholly owned, upon
the Companys request of such subsidiary to (i) take,
or not to take, as the case may be, such action, and
(ii) with respect to Outdoor Holdings, if such action is
contemplated by the Master Agreement, upon the Companys
exercise of its rights under the Master Agreement with respect
to such action.
Subsidiary Indenture shall mean the
Indenture, dated as of November 17, 1998, as amended,
modified and supplemented by that certain First Supplemental
Indenture dated as of August 23, 1999, that certain Second
Supplemental Indenture dated as of November 19, 1999 and
that certain Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of
January 18, 2000, among AMFM Operating Inc., each
subsidiary guarantor party thereto and The Bank of New York, as
trustee.
Subsidiary Issuer shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 6.14(a).
Surviving Corporation shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 2.01.
Surviving Corporation Common Stock shall have
the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(c).
Superior Proposal shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 6.07(i).
Supplemental Indentures shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 6.14(b).
Tax or Taxes shall mean
any and all taxes, fees, levies, duties, tariffs, imposts, and
other similar charges (together with any and all interest,
penalties and additions to tax) imposed by any governmental or
taxing authority including, without limitation: taxes or other
charges on or with respect to income, franchises, windfall or
other profits, gross receipts, property, sales, use, capital
stock, payroll, employment, social security, workers
compensation, unemployment compensation, or net worth; taxes or
other charges in the nature of excise, withholding, ad valorem,
stamp, transfer, value added, or gains taxes; license,
registration and documentation fees; and customs duties,
tariffs, and similar charges; and liability for the payment of
any of the foregoing as a result of (w) being a transferee
or successor, (x) being a member of an affiliated,
consolidated, combined or unitary group, (y) being party to
any tax sharing agreement and (z) any express or implied
obligation to indemnify any other person with respect to the
payment of any of the foregoing.
Tax Returns shall mean returns, reports,
claims for refund, declarations of estimated Taxes and
information statements, including any schedule or attachment
thereto or any amendment thereof, with respect to Taxes required
A-52
to be filed with the IRS or any other governmental or taxing
authority, domestic or foreign, including consolidated, combined
and unitary tax returns.
TBCA shall have the meaning set forth in the
Recitals.
TBOC shall have the meaning set forth in the
Recitals.
TIA shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 6.14(b).
Termination Date shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 8.01(b).
Texas Acts shall have the meaning set forth
in the Recitals.
Tolling Agreement shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 6.05(d).
Total Option Cash Payments shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 3.03(a).
WARN Act shall mean the Worker Adjustment and
Restraining Notification (WARN) Act of 1988.
A-53
ANNEX B
OPINION OF GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL
November 16, 2006
Board of Directors
Clear Channel Communications, Inc.
200 East Basse Road
San Antonio, TX 78209
Madame and Gentlemen:
You have requested our opinion as to the fairness from a financial point of view to the holders of
the outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.10 per share (collectively, the Shares), of
Clear Channel Communications, Inc. (the Company), other than the Rollover Shares (as defined in
the Agreement (as defined below)), of the $37.60 per Share in cash (the Merger Consideration) to
be received by such holders pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 16,
2006 (the Agreement), by and among BT Triple Crown Merger Co., Inc., an affiliate of Bain
Capital, LLC (Bain) and Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P (THLee and, together with Bain, the
Investors), B Triple Crown Finco, LLC, an affiliate of Bain, T Triple Crown Finco, LLC, an
affiliate of THLee, and the Company. We understand that under the Agreement, if the Effective Time
(as defined in the Agreement) occurs after January 1, 2008, the Merger Consideration will be
increased by the Additional Per Share Merger Consideration (as defined in the Agreement).
Goldman, Sachs & Co. and its affiliates, as part of their investment banking business, are
continually engaged in performing financial analyses with respect to businesses and their
securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions, negotiated underwritings, competitive
biddings, secondary distributions of listed and unlisted securities, private placements and other
transactions as well as for estate, corporate and other purposes. We have acted as financial
advisor to the Company in connection with, and have participated in certain of the negotiations
leading to, the transaction contemplated by the Agreement (the Transaction). We expect to
receive fees for our services in connection with the Transaction, the principal portion of which is
contingent upon consummation of the Transaction, and the Company has agreed to reimburse our
expenses and indemnify us against certain liabilities arising out of our engagement. We also have
provided certain investment banking services to the Company from time to time, including having
acted as global coordinator and senior bookrunning manager in connection with the initial public
offering of 35,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the Outdoor
Class A Common Stock), of Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of the Company
(Outdoor), in November 2005 and as financial advisor to the Company in connection with the
spin-off of Live Nation, Inc., a former subsidiary of the Company, in December 2005. In addition,
at the request of the Board of Directors of the Company, Goldman Sachs Credit Partners LR, an
affiliate of Goldman, Sachs & Co., made available a financing package to the Investors in
connection with a potential transaction.
We have provided and are currently providing certain investment banking services to THLee and its
affiliates and portfolio companies, including having acted as joint bookrunner and joint lead
manager in connection with the public offering of 28,750,000 shares of common stock of Fairpoint
Communications, Inc., a portfolio company of THLee, in February 2005, as financial advisor to
TransWestern Holdings, LP, a former portfolio company of THLee, in connection with its sale in July
2005 and as co-financial advisor to Metris Companies, Inc., a former portfolio company of THLee, in
connection with its sale in December 2005. We have provided and are currently providing certain
investment banking services to Bain and its affiliates and portfolio companies, including having
acted as joint lead arranger in connection with the provision of a committed financing package
consisting of senior secured facilities, a mezzanine facility and a PIK loan facility (aggregate
principal amount 799,500,000) in connection with the acquisition of FCI SA, a portfolio company of
Bain, in December 2005, as lead arranger in connection with the leveraged recapitalization of
Brenntag AG, a former portfolio company of Bain (Brenntag), in
January 2006 and as co-financial advisor to Brenntag in connection with its sale in September 2006.
We also may provide investment banking services to the Company and its affiliates and each of the
Investors and their respective affiliates and portfolio companies in the future. In connection
with the above-described investment banking services we have received, and may receive,
compensation.
Goldman, Sachs & Co. is a full service securities firm engaged, either directly or through its
affiliates, in securities trading, investment management, financial planning and benefits
counseling, risk management, hedging, financing and brokerage activities for both companies and
individuals. In the ordinary course of these activities, Goldman, Sachs & Co. and its affiliates
may provide such services to the Company and its affiliates and each of the Investors and their
respective affiliates and portfolio companies, actively trade the debt and equity securities (or
related derivative securities) of the Company and the respective affiliates and portfolio companies
of each of the Investors for their own account and for the accounts of their customers and at any
time hold long and short positions of such securities. Affiliates of Goldman, Sachs & Co. have
co-invested with each of the Investors and their respective affiliates from time to time and such
affiliates of Goldman, Sachs & Co. have invested and may invest in the future in limited
partnership units of affiliates of each of the Investors.
In connection with this opinion, we have reviewed, among other things, the Agreement; annual
reports to shareholders and Annual Reports on Form 10-K of the Company for the five years ended
December 31, 2005 and for Outdoor for the year ended December 31, 2005; Outdoors Registration
Statement on Form S-1, including the prospectus contained therein, dated November 10, 2005,
relating to the Outdoor Class A Common Stock; certain interim reports to shareholders and Quarterly
Reports on Form 10-Q of the Company and Outdoor; certain other communications from the Company and
Outdoor to their respective shareholders; and certain internal financial analyses and forecasts for
the Company prepared by the management of the Company, which included certain assessments with
respect to the likelihood of achieving such forecasts for the Company and financial analyses and
forecasts for Outdoor. We also have held discussions with members of the senior managements of the
Company and Outdoor regarding their assessment of the past and current business operations,
financial condition and future prospects of the Company and Outdoor. In addition, we have reviewed
the reported price and trading activity for the Shares and Outdoor Class A Common Stock, compared
certain financial and stock market information for the Company and Outdoor with similar information
for certain other companies the securities of which are publicly traded, reviewed the financial
terms of certain recent business combinations in the broadcasting and outdoor advertising
industries specifically and in other industries generally and performed such other studies and
analyses, and considered such other factors, as we considered appropriate.
We have relied upon the accuracy and completeness of all of the financial, accounting, legal, tax
and other information discussed with or reviewed by us and have assumed such accuracy and
completeness for purposes of rendering this opinion. In addition, we have not made an independent
evaluation or appraisal of the assets and liabilities (including any contingent, derivative or
off-balance-sheet assets and liabilities) of the Company, Outdoor or any of their respective
subsidiaries and we have not been furnished with any such evaluation or appraisal.
Our opinion does not address the underlying business decision of the Company to engage in the
Transaction or the relative merits of the Transaction as compared to any alternative transaction
that might be available to the Company. Our opinion is necessarily based on economic, monetary,
market and other conditions as in effect on, and the information made available to us as of, the
date hereof. Our advisory services and the opinion expressed herein are provided for the
information and assistance of the Board of Directors of the Company in connection with its
consideration of the Transaction and such opinion does not constitute a recommendation as to how
any holder of Shares should vote with respect to such Transaction.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, it is our opinion that, as of the date hereof, the Merger
Consideration to be received by the holders of Shares (other than the Rollover Shares) pursuant to
the Agreement is fair from a financial point of view to such holders.
Very truly yours,
|
|
|
/s/ Goldman, Sachs & Co.
(GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.)
|
|
|
ANNEX C
OPINION
OF LAZARD FRÈRES & CO. LLC
November 16, 2006
CONFIDENTIAL
The Special Advisory Committee of the Board of Directors
Clear Channel Communications, Inc.
200 East Basse Road
San Antonio, Texas 78209
Dear Members of the Special Advisory Committee:
We understand that Clear Channel Communications, Inc., a Texas corporation (the Company), BT
Triple Crown Merger Co., Inc., a Delaware corporation (Mergerco), B Triple Crown Finco, LLC, a
Delaware limited liability company, and T Triple Crown Finco, LLC, a Delaware limited liability
company (together with B Triple Crown Finco, LLC, the Parents), have entered into an Agreement
and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 16, 2006 (the Agreement), which provides, among other
things, for the Merger (the Merger) of Mergerco with and into the Company, with the Company as
the surviving corporation. Pursuant to the Merger, each issued and outstanding share of common
stock, par value $0.10 per share, of the Company (Company Common Stock), other than Rollover
Shares, Company Common Stock held by the Company as treasury stock or held by Mergerco or any
holder who is entitled to demand and properly demands appraisal of such shares, will be converted
into the right to receive an amount equal to $37.60 plus the Additional Per Share Consideration, if
any, in cash, without interest (the Merger Consideration). The terms and conditions of the
Merger are more fully set out in the Agreement, and capitalized terms used herein but not defined
shall have the meanings as defined in the Agreement.
You have requested our opinion as of the date hereof as to the fairness, from a financial
point of view, to the Holders of Company Common Stock (as defined below) of the Merger
Consideration to be paid to the Holders of Company Common Stock pursuant to the Agreement. For
purposes of this opinion Holders of Company Common Stock means all holders of Company Common
Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, other than the Company,
Mergerco, any holder of Rollover Shares and any holder who is entitled to demand and properly
perfects appraisal rights such that the holder will not receive the Merger Consideration.
In connection with this opinion, we have:
(i) Reviewed the financial terms and conditions of the Agreement;
(ii) Analyzed certain historical publicly available business and financial information
relating to the Company;
(iii) Reviewed various financial forecasts and other data provided to us by the Company
relating to its businesses;
(iv) Held discussions with members of the senior management of the Company with respect
to the business and prospects of the Company;
(v) Reviewed public information with respect to certain other companies in lines of
business we believe to be generally comparable to the businesses of the Company;
(vi) Reviewed the financial terms of certain business combinations involving companies
in lines of business we believe to be generally comparable to those of the Company;
(vii) Reviewed historical stock prices and trading volumes of the Company Common Stock;
and
(viii) Conducted such other financial studies, analyses and investigations as we deemed
appropriate.
We have relied upon the accuracy and completeness of the foregoing information and have not
assumed any responsibility for any independent verification of such information or any independent
valuation or appraisal of any of the assets or liabilities of the Company or concerning the
solvency or fair value of the Company. With respect to financial forecasts, we have assumed that
they have been reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best currently available estimates and
judgments of the management of the Company as to the future financial performance of the Company.
We assume no responsibility for and express no view as to such forecasts or the assumptions on
which they are based.
Although we have examined the financial terms of certain business combinations since January
1, 2005 involving companies in lines of business we believe to be generally comparable to those of
the Company, we have advised you that none of these transactions are truly comparable to a
potential acquisition of the Company, including the Merger, due to, among other things, the size of
a potential transaction involving the Company compared to these business combinations and changes
in the industries in which the Company operates. For these reasons, we did not use these business
combinations in our financial analyses.
Further, our opinion is necessarily based on economic, monetary, market and other conditions
as in effect on, and the information made available to us as of, the date hereof. We assume no
responsibility for updating or revising our opinion based on circumstances or events occurring
after the date hereof. We do not express any opinion as to the prices at which the Company Common
Stock will trade at any time subsequent to the announcement of the Merger.
In rendering our opinion, you have advised us, and we have assumed, that the Merger will be
consummated on the terms described in the Agreement, without any waiver or modification of any
material terms or conditions by the Company. We have also assumed that obtaining the necessary
regulatory approvals for the Merger will not have an adverse effect on the Company or the Merger.
We do not express any opinion as to any tax or other consequences that might result from the
Merger, nor does our opinion address any legal, tax, regulatory or accounting matters, as to which
we understand that the Company obtained such advice as it deemed necessary from qualified
professionals. In addition, we understand that certain members of the Companys management, as
well as the chairman of the board of directors, are receiving change of control payments and
benefits related thereto and may be entering into certain compensation arrangements in connection
with the Merger. We have advised you that we express no view with respect to any such payments,
benefits or compensation arrangements.
Lazard Frères & Co. LLC is acting as investment banker to the special advisory committee of
the Companys board of directors in connection with the Merger and will receive a fee for our
services, a substantial portion of which we will receive upon rendering this opinion. We may have
in the past provided investment banking services to the Investors or their affiliates unrelated to
the Merger for which we may have received customary fees. In addition, in the ordinary course of
their respective businesses, affiliates of Lazard and LFCM Holdings LLC (an entity indirectly owned
in large part by managing directors of Lazard), may actively trade the securities of the Company
and/or the securities of the Investors or their affiliates for their own accounts and for the
accounts of their customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short position in such
securities.
In rendering our opinion, we were not authorized to broadly solicit and we did not so solicit
other parties regarding a potential transaction with the Company, nor were we requested to
consider, and our opinion does not address, the relative merits of the Merger as compared to any
other transaction in which the Company might engage.
Our engagement and the opinion expressed herein are for the benefit of the special advisory
committee of the Companys board of directors and our opinion is rendered to the special advisory
committee of the Companys board of directors in connection with its consideration of the Merger
and are not on behalf of, and are not intended to confer rights or remedies upon, Mergerco, the
Parents, the Investors, any stockholders of the Company, Mergerco, the Parents or the Investors or
any other person. Our opinion does not address the merits of the underlying decision by the
Company to engage in the Merger and is not intended to and does not constitute a recommendation to
any Holder of Company Common Stock as to how such Holder of Company Common Stock should vote with
respect to the Merger or any matter relating thereto.
Based on and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that, as of the date hereof, the
Merger Consideration to be paid to the Holders of Company Common Stock pursuant to the Agreement is
fair, from a financial point of view, to the Holders of Company Common Stock.
Very truly yours,
LAZARD FRÈRES & CO. LLC
ANNEX D
ARTICLE 5.12 OF THE TEXAS BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT
5.12. Procedure for Dissent by Shareholders as to Said Corporate Actions
A. Any shareholder of any domestic corporation who has the right to dissent from any of the
corporate actions referred to in Article 5.11 of this Act may exercise that right to dissent only
by complying with the following procedures:
(1) (a) With respect to proposed corporate action that is submitted to a vote of shareholders
at a meeting, the shareholder shall file with the corporation, prior to the meeting, a written
objection to the action, setting out that the shareholders right to dissent will be exercised if
the action is effective and giving the shareholders address, to which notice thereof shall be
delivered or mailed in that event. If the action is effected and the shareholder shall not have
voted in favor of the action, the corporation, in the case of action other than a merger, or the
surviving or new corporation (foreign or domestic) or other entity that is liable to discharge the
shareholders right of dissent, in the case of a merger, shall, within ten (10) days after the
action is effected, deliver or mail to the shareholder written notice that the action has been
effected, and the shareholder may, within ten (10) days from the delivery or mailing of the notice,
make written demand on the existing, surviving, or new corporation (foreign or domestic) or other
entity, as the case may be, for payment of the fair value of the shareholders shares. The fair
value of the shares shall be the value thereof as of the day immediately preceding the meeting,
excluding any appreciation or depreciation in anticipation of the proposed action. The demand
shall state the number and class of the shares owned by the shareholder and the fair value of the
shares as estimated by the shareholder. Any shareholder failing to make demand within the ten (10)
day period shall be bound by the action.
(b) With respect to proposed corporate action that is approved pursuant to Section A of
Article 9.10 of this Act, the corporation, in the case of action other than a merger, and the
surviving or new corporation (foreign or domestic) or other entity that is liable to discharge the
shareholders right of dissent, in the case of a merger, shall, within ten (10) days after the date
the action is effected, mail to each shareholder of record as of the effective date of the action
notice of the fact and date of the action and that the shareholder may exercise the shareholders
right to dissent from the action. The notice shall be accompanied by a copy of this Article and
any articles or documents filed by the corporation with the Secretary of State to effect the
action. If the shareholder shall not have consented to the taking of the action, the shareholder
may, within 20 days after the mailing of the notice, make written demand on the existing,
surviving, or new corporation (foreign or domestic) or other entity, as the case may be, for
payment of the fair value of the shareholders shares. The fair value of the shares shall be the
value thereof as of the date the written consent authorizing the action was delivered to the
corporation pursuant to Section A of Article 9.10 of this Act, excluding any appreciation or
depreciation in anticipation of the action. The demand shall state the number and class of shares
owned by the dissenting shareholder and the fair value of the shares as estimated by the
shareholder. Any shareholder failing to make demand within the 20 day period shall be bound by the
action.
(2) Within 20 days after receipt by the existing, surviving, or new corporation (foreign or
domestic) or other entity, as the case may be, of a demand for payment made by a dissenting
shareholder in accordance with Subsection (1) of this Section, the corporation (foreign or
domestic) or other entity shall deliver or mail to the shareholder a written notice that shall
either set out that the corporation (foreign or domestic) or other entity accepts the amount
claimed in the demand and agrees to pay that amount within 90 days after the date on which the
action was effected, and, in the case of shares represented by certificates, upon the surrender of
the certificates duly endorsed, or shall contain an estimate by the corporation (foreign or
domestic) or other entity of the fair value of the shares, together with an offer to pay the amount
of that estimate within 90 days after the date on which the action was effected, upon receipt of
notice within 60 days after that date from the shareholder that the shareholder agrees to accept
that amount and, in the case of shares represented by certificates, upon the surrender of the
certificates duly endorsed.
(3) If, within 60 days after the date on which the corporate action was effected, the value of
the shares is agreed upon between the shareholder and the existing, surviving, or new corporation
(foreign or domestic) or other entity, as the case may be, payment for the shares shall be made
within 90 days after the date on
which the action was effected and, in the case of shares represented by certificates, upon
surrender of the certificates duly endorsed. Upon payment of the agreed value, the shareholder
shall cease to have any interest in the shares or in the corporation.
B. If, within the period of 60 days after the date on which the corporate action was effected,
the shareholder and the existing, surviving, or new corporation (foreign or domestic) or other
entity, as the case may be, do not so agree, then the shareholder or the corporation (foreign or
domestic) or other entity may, within 60 days after the expiration of the 60 day period, file a
petition in any court of competent jurisdiction in the county in which the principal office of the
domestic corporation is located, asking for a finding and determination of the fair value of the
shareholders shares. Upon the filing of any such petition by the shareholder, service of a copy
thereof shall be made upon the corporation (foreign or domestic) or other entity, which shall,
within ten (10) days after service, file in the office of the clerk of the court in which the
petition was filed a list containing the names and addresses of all shareholders of the domestic
corporation who have demanded payment for their shares and with whom agreements as to the value of
their shares have not been reached by the corporation (foreign or domestic) or other entity. If
the petition shall be filed by the corporation (foreign or domestic) or other entity, the petition
shall be accompanied by such a list. The clerk of the court shall give notice of the time and
place fixed for the hearing of the petition by registered mail to the corporation (foreign or
domestic) or other entity and to the shareholders named on the list at the addresses therein
stated. The forms of the notices by mail shall be approved by the court. All shareholders thus
notified and the corporation (foreign or domestic) or other entity shall thereafter be bound by the
final judgment of the court.
C. After the hearing of the petition, the court shall determine the shareholders who have
complied with the provisions of this Article and have become entitled to the valuation of and
payment for their shares, and shall appoint one or more qualified appraisers to determine that
value. The appraisers shall have power to examine any of the books and records of the corporation
the shares of which they are charged with the duty of valuing, and they shall make a determination
of the fair value of the shares upon such investigation as to them may seem proper. The appraisers
shall also afford a reasonable opportunity to the parties interested to submit to them pertinent
evidence as to the value of the shares. The appraisers shall also have such power and authority as
may be conferred on Masters in Chancery by the Rules of Civil Procedure or by the order of their
appointment.
D. The appraisers shall determine the fair value of the shares of the shareholders adjudged by
the court to be entitled to payment for their shares and shall file their report of that value in
the office of the clerk of the court. Notice of the filing of the report shall be given by the
clerk to the parties in interest. The report shall be subject to exceptions to be heard before the
court both upon the law and the facts. The court shall by its judgment determine the fair value of
the shares of the shareholders entitled to payment for their shares and shall direct the payment of
that value by the existing, surviving, or new corporation (foreign or domestic) or other entity,
together with interest thereon, beginning 91 days after the date on which the applicable corporate
action from which the shareholder elected to dissent was effected to the date of such judgment, to
the shareholders entitled to payment. The judgment shall be payable to the holders of
uncertificated shares immediately but to the holders of shares represented by certificates only
upon, and simultaneously with, the surrender to the existing, surviving, or new corporation
(foreign or domestic) or other entity, as the case may be, of duly endorsed certificates for those
shares. Upon payment of the judgment, the dissenting shareholders shall cease to have any interest
in those shares or in the corporation. The court shall allow the appraisers a reasonable fee as
court costs, and all court costs shall be allotted between the parties in the manner that the court
determines to be fair and equitable.
E. Shares acquired by the existing, surviving, or new corporation (foreign or domestic) or
other entity, as the case may be, pursuant to the payment of the agreed value of the shares or
pursuant to payment of the judgment entered for the value of the shares, as in this Article
provided, shall, in the case of a merger, be treated as provided in the plan of merger and, in all
other cases, may be held and disposed of by the corporation as in the case of other treasury
shares.
F. The provisions of this Article shall not apply to a merger if, on the date of the filing of
the articles of merger, the surviving corporation is the owner of all the outstanding shares of the
other corporations, domestic or foreign, that are parties to the merger.
G. In the absence of fraud in the transaction, the remedy provided by this Article to a
shareholder objecting to any corporate action referred to in Article 5.11 of this Act is the
exclusive remedy for the recovery of the value of his shares or money damages to the shareholder
with respect to the action. If the existing, surviving, or new corporation (foreign or domestic)
or other entity, as the case may be, complies with the requirements of this Article, any
shareholder who fails to comply with the requirements of this Article shall not be entitled to
bring suit for the recovery of the value of his shares or money damages to the shareholder with
respect to the action.
CLEAR CHANNEL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Proxy Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors for the Special Meeting
of Shareholders to be held [___ ___, ___]
The undersigned hereby appoints L. Lowry Mays, Mark P. Mays and Alan D. Feld, and each of
them, proxies of the undersigned with full power of substitution for and in the name, place and
stead of the undersigned to appear and act for and to vote all shares of CLEAR CHANNEL
COMMUNICATIONS, INC. standing in the name of the undersigned or with respect to which the
undersigned is entitled to vote and act at the Special Meeting of Shareholders of said Company to
be held in San Antonio, Texas on [___, ___], at [ ] a.m., local time, or at any
adjournments thereof, with all powers the undersigned would possess of then personally present, as
indicated on the reverse side.
The undersigned acknowledges receipt of notice of said meeting and accompanying Proxy
Statement and of the accompanying materials and ratifies and confirms all acts that any of the said
proxy holders or their substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
(Continued and to be dated and signed on the reverse side.)
Your shares will be voted as specified below. If no specification is made and this proxy card
is executed your shares will be voted FOR Proposals 1 and 2.
1. Approval and adoption of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated November 16, 2006, by and among
Clear Channel Communications, Inc., BT Triple Crown Merger Co., Inc., B Triple Crown Finco, LLC,
and T Triple Crown Finco, LLC.
|
|
|
|
|
FOR o
|
|
AGAINST o
|
|
ABSTAIN o |
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR the approval and adoption of the Agreement
and Plan of Merger, dated November 16, 2006, by and among Clear Channel Communications, Inc., BT
Triple Crown Merger Co., Inc., B Triple Crown Finco, LLC, and T Triple Crown Finco, LLC.
2. Approval of the adjournment of the special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit
additional proxies if there are insufficient votes at the time of the special meeting to approve
and adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated November 16, 2006, by and among Clear Channel
Communications, Inc., BT Triple Crown Merger Co., Inc., B Triple Crown Finco, LLC, and T Triple
Crown Finco, LLC.
|
|
|
|
|
FOR o
|
|
AGAINST o
|
|
ABSTAIN o |
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR the approval of the adjournment of the
special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are
insufficient votes at the time of the special meeting to approve and adopt the Agreement and Plan
of Merger.
3. In the discretion of the proxies, on any other matter that may properly come before the special
meeting.
|
|
|
|
|
FOR o
|
|
AGAINST o
|
|
ABSTAIN o |
Please sign your name exactly as it appears hereon. Joint owners should sign personally.
Attorney, Executor, Administrator, Trustee or Guardian should indicate full title.
Dated: ___, ____
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders signature if stock held jointly
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sign, Date, and Return the Proxy Card Promptly Using the Enclosed Envelope.
Votes MUST be indicated (X) in Black or Blue Ink.