-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, MNU+LBptioNTrGc25e4NeNKNzhoXmKg/2I877DYUICtZCrGr0d/IgJtaOJhcNZl7 vAIHQfxWoj2/lAfWvk/Fnw== 0001056087-04-000099.txt : 20041216 0001056087-04-000099.hdr.sgml : 20041216 20041216144842 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001056087-04-000099 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 3 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20041216 ITEM INFORMATION: Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement FILED AS OF DATE: 20041216 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20041216 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: MCCLATCHY CO CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001056087 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: NEWSPAPERS: PUBLISHING OR PUBLISHING & PRINTING [2711] IRS NUMBER: 522080478 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1230 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-46501 FILM NUMBER: 041207847 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: LEGAL DEPARTMENT STREET 2: 2100 Q STREET CITY: SACRAMENTO STATE: CA ZIP: 95852 BUSINESS PHONE: 9163211846 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: LEGAL DEPARTMENT STREET 2: 2100 Q STREET CITY: SACRAMENTO STATE: CA ZIP: 95816-6899 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: MNI NEWCO INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19980218 8-K 1 form8kstockooptagmts1204.htm MCCLATCHY'S FORM 8-K DATED DECEMBER 16, 2004

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 14, 2004

 

The McClatchy Company

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

 

 

DELAWARE
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

1-9824
(Commission
File Number)

 

52-2080478
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

2100 Q Street
Sacramento, CA 95816

(Address of principal executive offices, zip code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code (916) 321-1846

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
  
o  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
  
o  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
  
o  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
  
o  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

On January 28, 2004, the Board of Directors of The McClatchy Company (the Company; or McClatchy;) adopted The McClatchy Company 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (Plan), a copy of which is on file with the SEC as Exhibit Number 10.14 to the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 27, 2004 (File no. 333-46501). The Plan was approved by the stockholders of McClatchy on May 19, 2004.

Pursuant to the Plan, McClatchy intends to make, from time to time, stock option awards to employees (including executive officers). Awards issued under the Plan will be evidenced by a Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement (the "Agreement") in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

Also, from time to time, McClatchy makes stock option awards to directors pursuant to the stockholder-approved 2001 Director Option Plan (the "2001 Plan"), a copy of which is on file with the SEC as Exhibit Number 10.14 to the Company's From 10-Q for the quarter ended July 1, 2001 (File no. 333-46501). Pursuant to the 2001 Plan, the Company issues stock option awards to directors of the Company. Awards issued under the 2001 Plan are evidenced by a Director Option Agreement (the "Director's Agreement") in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2.

I. Material Terms and Conditions of the form of the Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement

The following summary of the material terms and conditions of the general form of Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Agreement, which is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 hereto.

Term and Expiration of the Option. The option expires ten (10) years after the grant date. In the event the optionee's employment is terminated, except by death, then his or her option shall expire on the earliest of the following occasions: (i) ten years after the grant date; (ii) three years after the termination of service if the termination occurs on or after the earliest date when the optionee is eligible for early or normal retirement under the McClatchy Retirement Plan; (iii) three years after the termination of service if termination occurs because of the optionee's total and permanent disability; or (iv) ninety days after the termination of service if such termination is not described in (ii) or (iii) above.

If the optionee dies while in service, then his or her option shall expire either at the end of the ten-year term of the option or three years after the optionee's death, whichever is earlier. All or part of the optionee's option may be exercised at any time before expiration by the executors or administrators of the optionee's estate or by the optionee's beneficiaries.

Exercise Procedures. The optionee or the optionee's representative may exercise the optionee's option by giving a written and signed notice to the Secretary of the Company. The notice must specify the election to exercise the option, the number of shares for which it is being exercised, the form of payment and whether the shares withholding to pay tax will be used. After receipt of a proper notice of exercise, the Company shall issue the share certificate(s). Partial exercises of this option may not be made for less than 100 shares (without regard to adjustments).

Payment for Stock. All or part of the purchase price may be paid in cash, stock (provided the shares have been owned for more than 12 months and have a fair market value on the date of exercise equal to the purchase price), or by a cashless exercise. A cashless exercise by an executive officer or director of the Company must be approved in advance by the Company.

The Committee shall have the authority to settle all or part of an exercisable installment of the option by offering payment in shares, cash or any combination of shares and cash, in exchange for surrender of that installment or partial installment.

Restriction on Transfer of Shares or Option. The Company may impose restrictions upon the sale, pledge, or other transfer of the shares (including the placement of appropriate legends on stock certificates), if the Company deems such restrictions as necessary or desirable to achieve compliance with the Securities Act. Also, the optionee cannot transfer, assign or sell his her option.

Adjustment of Shares. In the event of a subdivision of the outstanding stock, a declaration of a dividend payable in shares, a declaration of a dividend payable in cash in an amount that has a material effect on the price of shares, a combination or consolidation of the outstanding stock (by reclassification or otherwise) into a lesser number of shares, or a similar occurrence, the Committee shall make appropriate adjustments in the number of shares and/or the exercise price under the optionee's option.

Change in Control. The optionee is entitled to immediate 100% vesting of any unexpired option upon a change in control (as defined in the Plan).

II. Material Terms and Conditions of the form of the Director Option Agreement

The following summary of the material terms and conditions of the general form of Director Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Director Agreement, which is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 hereto.

Term and Expiration of the Option. The option expires ten (10) years after the grant date. In the event of termination of continuous status as a director, other than by death, disability or retirement, then his or her option shall expire ninety (90) days after the termination of director service. In the event the optionee's status as a director terminates as a result of death, disability or retirement, then his or her option shall expire either at the end of the ten-year term of the option or three years after the termination on account of death, disability or retirement.

Exercise Procedures. Options are exercisable by written notice, and such notice shall specify the election to exercise the option and the number of shares for which it is being exercised, and shall be accompanied by payment of the exercise price. Options may not be exercised for a fraction of a share.

Payment for Stock. All or part of the exercise price may be paid in cash, check, surrender of shares (provided that the shares have been owned for more than 12 months and have a fair market value on the date of surrender equal to the exercise price), or by a cashless exercise. A cashless exercise must be approved in advance by the Company.

Restriction on Exercise and Transfer of Option. The option may not be exercised if the issuance or method of payment would constitute a violation under federal or state laws. Also, the option cannot be transferred.

Adjustment of Shares. In the event of change in capitalization, the number of shares and/or the price per share shall be proportionately adjusted. In the event of a proposed dissolution or liquidation of the company, outstanding options shall terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action.

Change in Control. All outstanding and unexpired options shall become fully vested and exercisable upon a change in control (as defined in the 2001 Plan), including as to shares for which it would not otherwise be exercisable.

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

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

December 15, 2004 The McClatchy Company

By: Patrick J. Talamantes

 

By: Patrick J. Talamantes

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit Number Description

99.1 The McClatchy Company 2004 Stock Incentive Plan Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement

99.2 The McClatchy Company Director Option Agreement

 

EX-99 2 exh991form8k121604.htm MCCLATCHY'S 2004 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN THE McCLATCHY COMPANY

EXHIBIT 99.1

THE McCLATCHY COMPANY

2004 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT, entered into as of December __, 200_, and between THE McCLATCHY COMPANY, a Delaware corporation (the "Company") and ___________ (the "Optionee"),

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company has established THE McCLATCHY COMPANY 2004 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN in order to provide selected employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries with an opportunity to acquire Shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock; and

WHEREAS, the Committee has determined that it would be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to grant the nonqualified option described in this Agreement to the Optionee as an inducement to enter into or remain in the service of the Company and as an incentive for extraordinary efforts during such service:

NOW, THEREFORE, it is agreed as follows:

SECTION 1. GRANT OF OPTION.

(a) Option. On the terms and conditions stated below, the Company hereby grants to the Optionee the option to purchase ______ Shares for the sum of $_____ per Share, which is agreed to be 100% of the fair market value thereof on the Date of Grant.

(b) Stock Option Plan. The option is granted pursuant to the Plan, a copy of which the Optionee acknowledges having received and read. The provisions of the Plan are incorporated into this Agreement by reference.

(c) Tax Treatment. This option is not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

SECTION 2. NO TRANSFER OR ASSIGNMENT OF OPTION.

Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, this option and the rights and privileges conferred hereby shall not be transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated in any way (whether by operation of law or otherwise) and shall not be subject to sale under execution, attachment or similar process. Upon any attempt to transfer, assign, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of this option, or of any right or privilege conferred hereby, contrary to the provisions hereof, or upon any attempted sale under any execution, attachment or similar process upon the rights and privileges conferred hereby, this option and the rights and privileges conferred hereby shall immediately become null and void.

SECTION 3. RIGHT TO EXERCISE.

(a) Vesting. This option shall become exercisable in installments, as follows:

Date:

 

Percentage of
Shares Exercisable:

March 1, 200_

 

25%

March 1, 200_

 

50%

March 1, 200_

 

75%

March 1, 20__

 

100%

The number of Shares determined by applying the applicable percentage shall be rounded to the nearest integer. The foregoing notwithstanding, this option shall become exercisable in full in the event that the Optionee ceases to be an Employee because of death, Total and Permanent Disability or retirement under the Restated Retirement Plan for Employees of The McClatchy Company (the "McClatchy Retirement Plan") at any time when Optionee is 62 years of age or older. In the event that the Optionee ceases to be an Employee because of retirement under the McClatchy Retirement Plan at any time when Optionee is 55 to 62 years of age, two additional installments (as set forth in the table above) shall become exercisable.

(b) Partial Exercise. No Partial Exercise of this option may be made for less than 100 Shares (without regard to adjustments).

(c) Acceleration upon Change of Control. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of the Plan or this Agreement, upon a Change of Control, Optionee shall be entitled to immediate 100% vesting of any unexpired Option granted to him or her under this Agreement.

(d) Definition of Change of Control. For purposes of Section 3(c), "Change of Control" shall mean the occurrence of any of the following: (i) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company's assets to any "person" (as such term is used in Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), entity or group of persons acting in concert; (ii) any "person" or group of persons (other than any member of the McClatchy family or any entity or group controlled by one or more members of the McClatchy family) becoming the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under said Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the total voting power represented by the Company's then outstanding voting securities; (iii) a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation that would result in the voting s ecurities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or its controlling entity) at least 50% of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity (or its controlling entity) outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; (iv) a contest for the election or removal of members of the Board that results in the removal from the Board of at least 50% of the incumbent members of the Board, or (v) the occurrence of a "Rule 13e-3 transaction" as such term is defined in Rule 13e-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any similar successor rule.

SECTION 4. EXERCISE PROCEDURES.

(a) Notice of Exercise. The Optionee or the Optionee's representative may exercise this option by giving written notice to the Secretary of the Company pursuant to Section 11(d) in the form prescribed by the Company. The notice shall specify the election to exercise the option, the number of Shares for which it is being exercised, the form of payment and whether Share withholding to pay taxes will be used. The notice shall be signed by the person or persons exercising this option. In the event that this option is being exercised by the representative of the Optionee, the notice shall be accompanied by proof satisfactory to the Company of the representative's right to exercise this option. The Optionee or the Optionee's representative shall deliver to the Secretary of the Company, at the time of giving the notice, payment in a form which conforms to the applicable provision of Section 5 for the full amount of the Purchase Price.

(b) Issuance of Shares. After receiving a proper notice of exercise, the Company shall cause to be issued a certificate or certificates for the Shares as to which this option has been exercised, registered in the name of the person exercising this option (or in the names of such person and his or her spouse as community property or as joint tenants with right of survivorship). The Company shall cause such certificate or certificates to be delivered to or upon the order of the person exercising this option.

SECTION 5. PAYMENT FOR STOCK.

(a) Payment in Cash. All or part of the Purchase Price may be paid in U.S. dollars.

(b) Surrender of Stock. All or part of the Purchase Price may be paid by the surrender of Shares in good form for transfer. Such shares must have been owned for more than 12 months by the Optionee or the Optionee's representative and must have a fair market value (as determined by the Committee) on the Date of Exercise of this option which, together with any amount paid in a form other than Shares, is equal to the Purchase Price.

(c) Settlement in Cash and/or Shares. The Committee shall have the authority, in its sole discretion, to settle all or any part of an exercisable installment of this option by offering payment in Shares or in cash, or in any combination of Shares and cash, in exchange for the surrender of that installment or partial installment of this option by the Optionee. Offers to so settle shall be made only in accordance with the terms of the Plan.

(d) Cashless Exercise. Payment may be made all or in part by delivery of an irrevocable direction to a securities broker to sell Shares and to deliver all or part of the sale proceeds to the Company in payment of the aggregate Purchase Price (if approved in advance by the Company if you are either an executive officer or a director of the Company).

SECTION 6. TERM AND EXPIRATION.

(a) Basic Term. This option shall in any event expire on the date 10 years after the Date of Grant.

(b) Termination of Service (Except by Death). Subject to Subsection (a) above, if the Optionee's service as an Employee ("Service") terminates for any reason, other than death, then his or her Option(s) shall expire on the earliest of the following occasions:

(i) The expiration date determined pursuant to Subsection (a) above;

(ii) The date three years after the termination of the Optionee's Service, if the termination occurs on or after the earliest date when he or she is eligible for early or normal retirement under the McClatchy Retirement Plan;

(iii) The date three years after the termination of the Optionee's Service, if the termination occurs because of his or her Total and Permanent Disability; or

(iv) The date 90 days after the termination of the Optionee's Service, if the termination is not described in Paragraphs (ii) or (iii) above.

In the event that the Optionee dies after the termination of his or her Service but before the expiration of his or her Option(s), all or part of such Option(s) may be exercised (prior to expiration) by the executors or administrators of the Optionee's estate or by any person who has acquired such Option(s) directly from him or her by bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent that such Option(s) had become exercisable before his or her Service terminated or became exercisable as a result of the termination.

(c) Death of Optionee. If an Optionee dies while he or she is in Service, then his or her Option(s) shall expire on the earlier of the following dates:

(i) The expiration date determined pursuant to Subsection (a) above; or

(iii) The date three years after his or her death.

All or part of the Optionee's Options may be exercised at any time before the expiration of such Option(s) under the preceding sentence by the executors or administrators of his or her estate or by any person who has acquired such Option(s) directly from him or her by bequest or inheritance.

SECTION 7. LEGALITY OF INITIAL ISSUANCE.

No Shares shall be issued upon the exercise of this option unless and until the Company has determined that:

(a) It and the Optionee have taken any actions required to register the Shares under the Securities Act or to perfect an exemption from the registration requirements thereof;

(b) Any applicable listing requirement of any stock exchange on which Stock is listed has been satisfied; and

(c) Any other applicable provision of state or federal law has been satisfied.

SECTION 8. NO REGISTRATION RIGHTS.

The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, register or qualify the sale of Shares under the Securities Act or any other applicable law. The Company shall not be obligated to take any affirmative action in order to cause the sale of Shares under this Agreement to comply with any law.

SECTION 9. RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF SHARES.

Regardless of whether the offering and sale of Shares under the Plan have been registered under the Securities Act or have been registered or qualified under the securities laws of any state, the Company may impose restrictions upon the sale, pledge or other transfer of such Shares (including the placement of appropriate legends on stock certificates) if, in the judgment of the Company and its counsel, such restrictions are necessary or desirable in order to achieve compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act, the securities laws of any state or any other law.

SECTION 10. ADJUSTMENT OF SHARES.

(a) General. In the event of a subdivision of the outstanding Stock, a declaration of a dividend payable in Shares, a declaration of a dividend payable in cash in an amount that has a material effect on the price of Shares, a combination or consolidation of the outstanding Stock (by reclassification or otherwise) into a lesser number of Shares, or a similar occurrence, the Committee shall make appropriate adjustments in one or both of (i) the number of Shares covered by this option or (ii) the Exercise Price under this option.

(b) Reorganization. In the event that the Company is a party to a merger or other reorganization, this option shall be subject to the agreement of merger or reorganization. Such agreement may provide, without limitation, for the assumption of this option by the surviving corporation or its parent, for its continuation by the Company (if the Company is a surviving corporation) or for settlement in cash.

(c) Reservation of Rights. Except as provided in this Section 10, the Optionee shall have no rights by reason of any subdivision or consolidation of shares of stock of any class, the payment of any stock dividend or any other increase or decrease in the number of shares of stock of any class. Any issue by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall not affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or Exercise Price of Shares subject to this option. The grant of this option shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Company to make adjustments, reclassifications, reorganizations or changes of its capital or business structure, to merge or consolidate or to dissolve, liquidate, sell or transfer all or any part of its business or assets.

SECTION 11. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.

(a) Withholding Taxes. In the event that the Company determines that it is required to withhold foreign, federal, state or local tax as a result of the exercise of this option, the Optionee, as a condition to the exercise of this option, shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Company to enable it to satisfy all withholding requirements. The Optionee shall also make arrangements satisfactory to the Company to enable it to satisfy any withholding requirements that may arise in connection with the disposition of Shares purchased by exercising this option. Satisfactory arrangements shall include delivery of previously owned shares and share withholding.

(b) Rights as a Shareholder. Neither the Optionee nor the Optionee's representative shall have any rights as a shareholder with respect to any Shares subject to this option until such Shares have been issued in the name of the Optionee or the Optionee's representative.

(c) No Employment Rights. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as giving the Optionee the right to be retained as an Employee. The Company reserves the right to terminate the Optionee's service at any time and for any reason.

(d) Notice. Any notice required by the terms of this Agreement shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effective upon personal delivery or upon deposit with the United States Postal Service, by registered or certified mail with postage and fees prepaid and addressed to the party entitled to such notice at the address shown below such party's signature on this Agreement, or at such other address as such party may designate by 10 days' advance written notice to the other party to this Agreement.

(e) Consent to Electronic Delivery. The Company may choose to deliver certain statutory materials relating to the Plan in electronic form. By accepting this option, Optionee agrees that the Company may deliver the Plan prospectus and the Company's annual report to the Optionee in electronic format. If at any time the Optionee prefers to receive paper copies of such documents, as the Optionee is entitled to, the Company will provide copies. Request for paper copies of such documents may be made to the Secretary of the Company at 916-321-1828 or kmorgan-prager@mcclatchy.com.

(f) Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Plan constitute the entire contract between the parties hereto with regard to the subject matter hereof.

(g) Choice of Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of California, as such laws are applied to contracts entered into and performed in such State.

SECTION 12. DEFINITIONS.

(a) "Agreement" shall mean this Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement.

(b) "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company, as constituted from time to time.

(c) "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

(d) "Committee" shall mean the committee described in section 3 of the Plan.

(e) "Date of Grant" shall mean the date on which the Committee resolved to grant this option, which is the date as of which this Agreement is entered into.

(f) "Employee" shall mean any individual who is an employee (within the meaning of section 3401(c) of the Code and the regulations thereunder) of the Company or of a Subsidiary.

(g) "Exercise Price" shall mean the amount for which one Share may be purchased upon exercise of this option, as specified in Section 1(a).

(h) "Incentive Stock Option" shall mean an employee incentive stock option described in section 422(b) of the Code.

(i) "Plan" shall mean The McClatchy Company 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, as in effect on the Date of Grant.

(j) "Purchase Price" shall mean the Exercise Price multiplied by the number of Shares with respect to which this option is being exercised.

(k) "Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

(l) "Share" shall mean one share of Stock, as adjusted in accordance with Section 10 (if applicable).

(m) "Stock" shall mean the Class A Common Stock of the Company.

(n) "Subsidiary" shall mean any corporation, if the Company and/or one or more other Subsidiaries own not less than 50% of the total combined voting power of all classes of outstanding stock of such corporation.

(o) "Total and Permanent Disability" shall mean that the Optionee is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which has lasted, or can be expected to last, for a continuous period of not less than twelve months or which can be expected to result in death.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed on its behalf by its officer duly authorized to act on behalf of the Committee, and the Optionee has personally executed this Agreement.

THE McCLATCHY COMPANY

 

By

Secretary

Company's Address:

2100 Q Street

Sacramento, CA 95816

OPTIONEE

 

By

Optionee's Address:

________________________________

________________________________

EX-99 3 exh992form8k121604.htm MCCLATCHY'S 2005 DIRECTOR OPTION AGREEMENT Revised: 11/7/94

EXHIBIT 99.2

 

THE McCLATCHY COMPANY

DIRECTOR OPTION AGREEMENT

The McClatchy Company (the "Company"), has granted to _____________ ("Optionee"), an option to purchase a total of ______ shares of the Company's Common Stock (the "Optioned Stock"), at the price determined as provided herein, and in all respects subject to the terms, definitions and provisions of the Company's 2001 Director Option Plan (the "Plan") adopted by the Company which is incorporated herein by reference. The terms defined in the Plan shall have the same defined meanings herein.

    1. Nature of the Option. This Option is a nonstatutory option and is not intended to qualify for any special tax benefits to the Optionee.
    2. Exercise Price. The exercise price is $_____ for each share of Common Stock.
    3. Exercise of Option. This Option shall be exercisable during its term in accordance with the provisions of Section 8 of the Plan as follows:
      1. Right to Exercise.
        1. This Option shall become exercisable in installments cumulatively with respect to 25% of the Optioned Stock on the March 1st following its date of grant and 25% of the Optioned Stock each March 1st thereafter, subject to Optionee remaining a Director on each such date; provided, however, that if Optionee's service as a Director terminates due to his or her death, Disability or retirement after Optionee has attained the age of 65, then 100% of the shares subject to this Option shall immediately vest and become exercisable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall any Option be exercisable prior to the date the stockholders of the Company approve the Plan.
        2. This Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a share.
        3. In the event of Optionee's death, Disability, retirement after attaining the age of 65 or other termination of service as a Director, the exercisability of the Option is governed by Section 8 of the Plan.

      2. Method of Exercise. This Option shall be exercisable by written notice which shall state the election to exercise the Option and the number of Shares in respect of which the Option is being exercised. Such written notice, in the form prescribed by the Company, shall be signed by the Optionee and shall be delivered in person or by certified mail to the Secretary of the Company. The written notice shall be accompanied by payment of the exercise price.

    4. Method of Payment. Payment of the exercise price shall be by any of the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of the Optionee:
      1. cash;
      2. check;
      3. surrender of other Shares, provided Shares acquired from the Company, (x) have been owned by the Optionee for more than twelve (12) months on the date of surrender, and (y) have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which said Option shall be exercised; or
      4. if approved in advance by the Company, delivery of a properly executed exercise notice together with such other documentation as the Company and the broker, if applicable, shall require to effect an exercise of the Option and delivery to the Company of the sale or loan proceeds required to pay the exercise price.

    5. Restrictions on Exercise. This Option may not be exercised if the issuance of such Shares upon such exercise or the method of payment of consideration for such shares would constitute a violation of any applicable federal or state securities or other law or regulations, or if such issuance would not comply with the requirements of any stock exchange upon which the Shares may then be listed. As a condition to the exercise of this Option, the Company may require Optionee to make any representation and warranty to the Company as may be required by any applicable law or regulation.
    6. Non-Transferability of Option. This Option may not be transferred in any manner otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised during the lifetime of Optionee only by the Optionee. The terms of this Option shall be binding upon the executors, administrators, heirs, successors and assigns of the Optionee.
    7. Term of Option. This Option may not be exercised more than ten (10) years from the date of grant of this Option, and may be exercised during such period only in accordance with the Plan and the terms of this Option.
    8. Taxation Upon Exercise of Option. Optionee understands that, upon exercise of this Option, he or she will recognize income for tax purposes in an amount equal to the excess of the then Fair Market Value of the Shares purchased over the exercise price paid for such Shares. Since the Optionee is subject to Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, under certain limited circumstances the measurement and timing of such income (and the commencement of any capital gain holding period) may be deferred, and the Optionee is advised to contact a tax advisor concerning the application of Section 83 in general and the availability a Section 83(b) election in particular in connection with the exercise of the Option. Upon a resale of such Shares by the Optionee, any difference between the sale price and the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of exercise of the Option, to the extent not included in income as described above, will be treated as capital gain o r loss.

DATE OF GRANT: ____________

THE McCLATCHY COMPANY,

A Delaware corporation

 

By: ________________________________

Karole Morgan-Prager, Secretary

Optionee acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan, a copy of which is attached hereto, and represents that he or she is familiar with the terms and provisions thereof, and hereby accepts this Option subject to all of the terms and provisions thereof. Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Board upon any questions arising under the Plan.

Dated: _________________

______________________________

Optionee

 

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