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): July 24, 2020
The McClatchy Company
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE |
| 1-9824 |
| 52-2080478 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
| (Commission File Number) |
| (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) 321-1844
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
◻ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
◻ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
◻ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
◻ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class | | Ticker Symbol | | Name of each exchange on which registered |
Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share | | MNIQQ(1) | | N/A(1) |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company ◻
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ◻
Item 1.01 | Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement. |
On July 24, 2020, The McClatchy Company (the “Company”) entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement, by and among the Company, the Company subsidiaries listed on the signature pages thereto, SIJ Holdings, LLC (the “Purchaser”), and, solely for purposes of Sections 5.19 and 5.20, Chatham Asset Management, LLC (“Chatham”), and, solely for purposes of Section 8.3, Chatham Asset High Yield Master Fund, Ltd. (the “APA”), pursuant to which the Purchaser has agreed to acquire substantially all of the Company’s assets for a purchase price of approximately $312 million, comprised of (i) a credit bid of the Company’s first lien notes of an aggregate principal amount of $262,851,000 and (ii) $49,152,903 in cash. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the APA.
The APA remains subject to approval by the Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York (the “Bankruptcy Court”), along with other customary closing conditions. The Company will seek entry of an order (the “Sale Order”) approving the APA and the transactions contemplated thereby at the sale hearing, which is scheduled for August 4, 2020.
The APA includes a covenant that the parties will use reasonable best efforts to cause the closing of the transactions contemplated by the APA (the “Closing”) to be consummated, and will take any and all steps necessary to avoid or eliminate each and every impediment under any Antitrust Laws that may be asserted by any Governmental Entity with respect to the transactions contemplated by the APA. The APA also includes certain covenants restricting the Company’s ability to operate the business during the period prior to Closing.
The APA includes certain termination rights for each party, including a termination right for the Purchaser if the Company receives a proposal from a Qualified Bidder (as defined in the Bidding Procedures) relating to the acquisition of any Acquired Assets which provides for an aggregate amount of cash consideration of no less than $315,000,000.
The APA contemplates that effective as of the Closing, (i) the Purchaser will issue New 1.5 Lien Notes to Chatham (or Affiliates thereof), in their capacity as holders for First Lien Notes Claims, in an amount equal to the principal amount First Lien Notes Claims held by Chatham (or Affiliates thereof), plus the applicable original issue discount amount and (ii) the Purchaser shall have entered into the New First Lien Term Loan Facility and shall be deemed to have borrowed the New First Lien Term Loans from all holders of First Lien Notes Claims (excluding Chatham (and its Affiliates)) in an amount equal to the principal amount of First Lien Notes Claims held by such holders of the First Lien Notes Claims. Brigade Capital Management, LP, one of the holders of the First Lien Notes Claims, and Chatham continue to work towards finalization of their Framework Agreement, the effectiveness of which is a closing condition under the APA.
The APA contemplates the employment by the Purchaser of substantially all of the Company’s employees (the “Transferred Employees”). The APA also provides that for a period of one year post-Closing, the Purchaser will provide each Transferred Employee with (i) base salary or wage rates and incentive compensation opportunity (not including equity compensation) that are, in the aggregate, not less than those in effect for each such Transferred Employee immediately prior to the Closing, and (ii) employee benefits, that, in the aggregate, are substantially comparable to those in effect for each such Transferred Employee immediately prior to the Closing. The APA also includes a release to the fullest extent permitted by law of the Released Claims with respect to certain Transferred Employees.
The foregoing is a summary of the terms of the APA and does not purport to include all of the terms of the APA. The summary of the APA is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the full text of the APA attached hereto as Exhibit 2.1 and incorporated herein by reference.
On July 24, 2020, the Company issued a press release announcing that it had entered into the APA. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this Current Report on Form 8-K constitute forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact (including statements containing the words “believes,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “estimates” and similar expressions) should also be considered to be forward-looking statements. There are a number of important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including: the failure to obtain Bankruptcy Court approval of the APA; the failure to obtain regulatory approvals in a timely manner or otherwise; the fact that the Framework Agreement may not be agreed upon, which could cause certain closing conditions in the APA to be unsatisfied; the effects of the Bankruptcy Court rulings in the Chapter 11 proceedings and the outcome of the proceedings in general; the length of time the Company will operate in the Chapter 11 proceedings; as well as the other risks listed in the Company's publicly filed documents, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 29, 2019. These forward-looking statements speak as of the time made and, except as required by law, we disclaim any intention and assume no obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this Current Report on Form 8-K.
Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
| (d) | Exhibits. |
Exhibit No. |
| Description | ||
2.1 |
| |||
99.1 |
|
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.
July 30, 2020 |
| The McClatchy Company |
| | |
By: | /s/ Billie McConkey | |
| Billie McConkey Vice President of People, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary |
Exhibit 2.1
ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT
AMONG
THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY,
THE SUBSIDIARIES LISTED ON THE SIGNATURE PAGES HERETO,
SIJ HOLDINGS, LLC,
AND, SOLELY FOR SECTIONS 5.19 AND 5.20,
CHATHAM ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC,
AND, SOLELY FOR PURPOSES OF SECTION 8.3,
CHATHAM ASSET HIGH YIELD MASTER FUND, LTD.
DATED AS OF JULY 24, 2020
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES
Exhibit AForm of Bill of Sale
Exhibit BForm of Assignment and Assumption Agreement
Exhibit CForm of Intellectual Property Assignment Agreement
Exhibit DForm of Sale Order
Exhibit EManagement Incentive Plan Term Sheet
Exhibit FEmployment Agreement Term Sheet
Exhibit GNew 1.5 Lien Notes Term Sheet
Exhibit HNew First Lien Term Loan Facility Term Sheet
Schedule 1.1(c)Assigned Contracts
Schedule 1.1(g)Seller Intellectual Property
Schedule 1.2(f)Excluded Contracts
Schedule ACertain Excluded Claims
Schedule BPurchased Ownership Interests
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ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT
THIS ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT, dated July 24, 2020 (this “Agreement”), is made by and among The McClatchy Company, a Delaware corporation (the “Parent”), and the Subsidiaries of the Parent that are indicated on the signature pages attached hereto (together with the Parent, in their capacities as debtors and debtors in possession, the “Sellers”), Parent (in its capacity as the representative of the Sellers, the “Seller Representative”), SIJ Holdings, LLC a Delaware limited liability company (the “Purchaser”) and, solely for purposes of Sections 5.19 and 5.20, Chatham Asset Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Chatham”) and, solely for purposes of Section 8.3, Chatham Asset High Yield Master Fund, Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “Guarantor”). Each of the Sellers and the Purchaser is referred to individually herein as a “party” and collectively as the “parties.” Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the respective meanings set forth in Article IX.
RECITALS
A. | The Sellers are engaged in the business of providing independent local journalism (such business, as conducted by the Sellers as of the date hereof, the “Business”). |
D. | The Acquired Assets shall be purchased pursuant to the Sale Order, free and clear of all Encumbrances (other than Permitted Post-Closing Encumbrances), pursuant to Sections 105, 363 and 365 of the Bankruptcy Code and Rules 6004 and 6006 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure. |
F. | At the Closing, the Purchaser shall (i) make the Cash Payment to the Sellers and (ii) in its capacity as a borrower or issuer (as applicable), shall issue the New First Lien Term Loans and New 1.5 Lien Notes. |
G. | The board of directors (or similar governing body) of each Seller has determined that (i) it is advisable and in the best interests of such Seller and its constituencies to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the Acquisition and (ii) the Release is an integral part of the transactions provided for herein and is given for fair consideration and in the best interest of the Sellers, and each has approved the same. |
H. | The parties acknowledge and agree that the purchase by the Purchaser of the Acquired Assets, and the assumption by the Purchaser of the Assumed Liabilities, are being made at arm’s length and in good faith. |
I. | The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Sellers’ ability to consummate the transactions set forth in this Agreement are subject to, among other things, the entry of the Sale Order under, inter alia, Sections 363 and 365 of the Bankruptcy Code. |
J. | The parties desire to consummate the proposed transaction as promptly as practicable after the Bankruptcy Court enters the Sale Order. |
The parties agree as follows:
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EXCEPT AS SPECIFICALLY AND EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN ARTICLE III (I) THE SELLERS MAKE NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AT LAW OR IN EQUITY, RELATING TO THE BUSINESS, THE ACQUIRED ASSETS OR THE ASSUMED LIABILITIES, INCLUDING ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY AS TO VALUE, MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR FOR ORDINARY PURPOSES, OR ANY OTHER MATTER, (II) THE SELLERS MAKE NO, AND HEREBY DISCLAIM ANY, OTHER REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY REGARDING THE BUSINESS, THE ACQUIRED ASSETS OR THE ASSUMED LIABILITIES, AND (III) THE ACQUIRED ASSETS AND THE ASSUMED LIABILITIES ARE CONVEYED ON AN “AS IS, WHERE IS” BASIS AS OF THE CLOSING, AND THE PURCHASER SHALL RELY UPON ITS OWN EXAMINATION THEREOF. WITHOUT LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF THE FOREGOING, THE SELLERS MAKE NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY REGARDING ANY BUSINESS OTHER THAN THE BUSINESS, ANY ASSETS OTHER THAN THE ACQUIRED ASSETS OR ANY LIABILITIES OTHER THAN THE ASSUMED LIABILITIES, AND NONE SHALL BE IMPLIED AT LAW OR IN EQUITY.
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pay, perform and discharge, when due, in accordance with their respective terms, only the following liabilities and obligations (of any nature or kind, and whether based in common law or statute or arising under written Contract or otherwise, known or unknown, fixed or contingent, accrued or unaccrued, liquidated or unliquidated, real or potential) of the Sellers solely with respect to, arising out of or relating to the following (collectively, the “Assumed Liabilities”) and no other liabilities or obligations:
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applicable Taxing Authority in accordance with applicable Law and (ii) upon such remittance, 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.
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are required to be deposited pursuant to this Agreement) or as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, Purchaser shall have no liability with respect to the Retained Professional Fees and the Wind-Down Fees.
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Except as disclosed in (x) the Parent SEC Documents publicly available prior to the date hereof (but excluding any predictive, cautionary or forward looking disclosures contained or referenced under the captions “Risk Factors,” “Forward Looking Statements,” “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” or any similar precautionary sections and any other disclosures contained or referenced therein of information, factors or risks, in each case, that are predictive, cautionary or forward looking in nature) (it being understood that this clause (x) will not apply to any of Section 3.1, Section 3.2, Section 3.3, Section 3.4, Section 3.5, Section 3.8 or Section 3.27) or (y) the disclosure letter delivered by the Sellers to the Purchaser immediately prior to the execution of this Agreement (the “Seller
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Disclosure Letter”) (it being understood that any information set forth in one section or subsection of the Seller Disclosure Letter shall be deemed to apply to and qualify the representation and warranty set forth in this Agreement to which it corresponds in number and, whether or not an explicit reference or cross-reference is made, each other representation and warranty set forth in this Article III for which it is reasonably apparent on its face that such information is relevant to such other section), each of the Sellers jointly and severally represents and warrants to the Purchaser that, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing:
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authority necessary to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and each of the Ancillary Documents to which each such Seller is a party and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. Subject to the entry and effectiveness of the Sale Order, the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and such Ancillary Documents by each Seller and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly and validly authorized and approved by all requisite corporate (or equivalent) action of such Seller, including with respect to the Parent, by the Board of Directors of Parent, and no other corporate proceedings (pursuant to any Seller’s organizational documents or otherwise) on the part of any Seller is necessary to authorize the consummation of, and to consummate, the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. Subject to the entry and effectiveness of the Sale Order, this Agreement and each such Ancillary Document has been, or at or prior to Closing (as the case may be) will be, duly and validly executed and delivered by each Seller, and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement and each such Ancillary Document by the parties hereto and thereto, as applicable, constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of each Seller, enforceable against each such Seller in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium and similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally now or hereafter in effect and to general equitable principles (collectively, the “Enforceability Limitations”).
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and with respect to the performance of this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, the Permitted Post-Closing Encumbrances, in each case, on any properties, rights or assets of the Sellers or (d) conflict with or violate any Order or Law applicable to any Seller or their respective properties, rights or assets except in the case of the foregoing clauses (b) and (c), for breaches, violations, defaults, rights, creations or impositions that (y) have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect or (z) are excused by or unenforceable as a result of the entry or effectiveness of the Sale Order.
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of business consistent with past practice, subject only to the reserves for Inventory write-downs or unmarketable, obsolete, defective or damaged Inventory included in the latest balance sheet included in the Financial Statements.
Except as disclosed in the disclosure letter delivered by the Purchaser to the Sellers immediately prior to the execution of this Agreement (the “Purchaser Disclosure Letter”) (it being understood that any information set forth in one section or subsection of the Purchaser Disclosure Letter shall be deemed to apply to and qualify the representation and warranty set forth in this Agreement to which it corresponds in number and, whether or not an explicit reference or cross-reference is made, each other representation and warranty set forth in this
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Article IV for which it is reasonably apparent on its face that such information is relevant to such other section), the Purchaser represents and warrants to the Sellers as follows:
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contemplated hereby or thereby will (a) conflict with or result in any violation or breach of any provisions of the certificate of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational documents of the Purchaser, (b) with or without notice or lapse of time or both, conflict with or result in any breach or violation of or constitute a default or change of control under, or give rise to a right of, or result in, termination, modification, cancellation, first offer, first refusal or acceleration of any obligation or to the loss of a benefit under any Contract to which the Purchaser is a party or by or to which any of its respective properties, rights or assets are bound or subject or (c) conflict with or violate any Order or Law applicable to the Purchaser or its properties, rights or assets, except in the case of the preceding clauses (b) and (c), for breaches, violations, defaults, rights, creations or impositions that would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, materially impair or materially delay the Purchaser’s ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement.
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documents or material made available to the Purchaser in any “data rooms”, management presentations, due diligence or in any other form in expectation of the transactions contemplated hereby or by this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents, except as otherwise expressly set forth in this Agreement or to the extent that such information, documents or material are incorporated by reference into this Agreement or the Seller Disclosure Letter.
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Without in any way limiting any party’s rights or obligations under this Agreement, the parties understand and agree that (i) nothing contained in this Agreement shall give the Purchaser, directly or indirectly, the right to control or direct the operations of the Sellers, or the Business prior to the Closing and (ii) prior to the Closing, the Sellers shall exercise, consistent with, and subject to, the terms and conditions of this Agreement, complete control and supervision over the Business and their operations.
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things: (a) demonstrating that the Purchaser is a “good faith” purchaser within the meaning of Section 363(m) of the Bankruptcy Code; and (b) establishing “adequate assurance of future performance” within the meaning of Section 365 of the Bankruptcy Code.
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enforce the terms thereof against the applicable counterparty; provided, that the Parent retains the right to enforce any provisions thereunder solely to the extent such provisions relate to the Excluded Assets or Excluded Liabilities.
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Closing, the outstanding indebtedness under the DIP Credit Agreement is no less than $8,535,000. At the Closing, the Purchaser shall, at the Purchaser’s option, either: (i) (w) repay or cause to be repaid all indebtedness, liabilities and other obligations outstanding under the DIP Credit Agreement (other than contingent obligations for which a claim has not been made) pursuant to Section 1.6, (x) terminate or cause to be terminated all commitments of the lenders to lend under the DIP Credit Agreement, (y) replace, cash collateralize or otherwise backstop (in each case in a manner reasonably acceptable to the applicable letter of credit issuer) any outstanding letters of credit issued under the DIP Credit Agreement and (z) terminate or release, or cause to be terminated and released, any and all guarantees of, and liens securing, the indebtedness, liabilities and obligations under the DIP Credit Agreement, including obtaining customary payoff letters and causing the filing of any UCC-3 termination statements, mortgage releases, intellectual property security agreement releases, control agreement terminations or similar documents evidencing termination or release of such indebtedness and liens (and in connection with the foregoing, each Seller shall use its reasonable best efforts to cooperate with the Purchaser to cause to be terminated and released any and all guarantees of, and liens securing, such indebtedness, liabilities and obligations outstanding under the DIP Credit Agreement and the applicable Sellers shall promptly, and in any case, prior to the Closing Date, execute any payoff letter or other agreements or instruments evidencing such termination at the reasonable request of Purchaser (provided that, the effectiveness of such agreements or instruments may be contingent on the Closing)) (items (w)-(z) collectively, the “Payoff”); or (ii) (x) assume all of the Parent’s right, title, interest, liabilities, duties and obligations in, to and under the DIP Credit Agreement and the other “Loan Documents” (as defined in the DIP Credit Agreement) and covenant to perform all of the Parent’s agreements, obligations and covenants as “Borrower” thereunder (collectively, the “Assumption”) and (y) cause the DIP Credit Agreement (and each applicable Loan Document) to be modified, amended or amended and restated in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Parent in order to (1) permit the consummation of the Acquisition pursuant to this Agreement and each of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and (2) consummate the Assumption.
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SECTION 1542. GENERAL RELEASE. A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR.
The Releasing Parties each hereby knowingly and voluntarily waive and relinquish the provisions, rights and benefits of Section 1542 and all similar federal or state laws, rights, rules, or legal principles of any other jurisdiction that may be applicable herein, and any rights they may have to invoke the provisions of any such law now or in the future with respect to the Released Claims, and such Releasing Parties hereby agree and acknowledge that this is an
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essential term of the releases set forth herein. In connection with such releases, the Releasing Parties acknowledge that they are aware that they or their attorneys or others may hereafter discover claims or facts presently unknown or unsuspected in addition to or different from those which they now know or believe to be true with respect to the subject matter of the Released Claims. Nevertheless, it is the intention of the Releasing Parties in executing this Agreement to fully, finally, and forever settle and release all matters and all claims relating thereto, which exist, hereafter may exist or might have existed (whether or not previously or currently asserted in any action) constituting Released Claims.
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taking, Sellers shall assign or pay, as the case may be, any condemnation or taking proceeds thereof (of which are payable to Sellers) to Purchaser at the Closing, and (b) in the case of fire, flood or other casualty to the Acquired Assets, Sellers shall, at Purchaser’s option, either use insurance proceeds to restore such damage, or to the extent such proceeds were not previously applied, assign the insurance proceeds therefrom to Purchaser at Closing, in each case, in full or partial satisfaction, as applicable, of the First Lien Notes Claims or guarantees thereof made by the applicable Seller and in exchange for its share of the Cash Payment.
(i)providing reasonable cooperation and assistance, at reasonable times and upon reasonable notices, to permit the providers, or potential providers, of the amounts required for such ABL Financing (the “ABL Lenders”) to evaluate the Sellers’ current assets, cash management and accounting systems,
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policies and procedures relating thereto for the purposes of establishing collateral arrangements as of Closing and to assist with other collateral audits and due diligence examinations;
(ii)providing reasonable cooperation and assistance to (A) prepare and execute any definitive loan and security documentation in connection with the ABL Financing, including any borrowing base certificate reasonably requested by the ABL Lender, and (B) furnish the Purchaser and the ABL Lenders with copies of any historic borrowing base certificates; and
(iii)providing all documentation and other information as is required by applicable “know your customer”, beneficial ownership regulations and anti-money laundering rules and regulations including the USA PATRIOT Act at least three (3) Business Days prior to the Closing Date to the extent reasonably requested by Purchaser or the ABL Lenders;
provided, that, (A) the Sellers shall not be required to commit to take any action in connection with the ABL Financing that is not contingent upon the Closing, (B) neither the Sellers nor any of their respective officers, directors or managing members shall be required to take any action or provide any approval in respect of the ABL Financing prior to the Closing (other than those actions contemplated to be taken prior to the Closing pursuant to Section 5.17 or this Section 5.26), (C) none of the Sellers nor any of their Representatives shall be required to deliver or cause the delivery of any (x) legal opinions or accountants’ comfort letters or reliance letters,(y) landlord waivers or estoppels, non-disturbance agreements, surveys or title insurance or (z) Tax Returns and other books, records and work papers that are not primarily related to Acquired Assets or Assumed Liabilities or that are subject to any privilege or similar protection under applicable Law, (D) none of the Sellers nor any of their Representatives shall be required to pass resolutions or consents to approve or authorize the execution of the ABL Financing or execute or deliver any definitive agreements related to the ABL Financing, (E) such assistance shall not require the giving of representations or warranties to any third parties or the indemnification thereof, (F) such assistance shall not require the waiver or amendment of any terms of this Agreement, and (G) such assistance shall not cause any director, officer or employee of the Sellers to incur any personal liability. Nothing contained in this Section 5.26 or otherwise shall require the Sellers, prior to the Closing, to be an issuer or other obligor with respect to the ABL Financing. In addition, nothing in this Section 5.26 shall require the Sellers or their Representatives to provide access to or copies of any information the disclosure of which would jeopardize any attorney-client or attorney work product privilege or any similar protection (provided that the Sellers will use commercially reasonable efforts to provide such information in a manner that does not jeopardize such privilege or protection).
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Representatives and controlled Affiliates not to solicit, initiate or encourage the submission of any inquiry, proposal or offer from any Person relating to the acquisition of any assets of the Business that are Acquired Assets (including any acquisition structured as a merger, consolidation, or share exchange) (each such transaction or series of transactions other than those contemplated by this Agreement, an “Alternative Transaction”).
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Guarantor hereby absolutely, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees to the Sellers and the Parent, the due and punctual payment of the Cash Payment (the “Guaranteed Obligation”). Subject to the satisfaction of the closing conditions set forth in Article VI, the guarantee pursuant to this Section 8.3, (i) is absolute, irrevocable and unconditional and shall not be impaired, discharged or terminated by any act or omission by the Purchaser or the Guarantor that may affect the enforceability of this guarantee, and (ii) shall not be affected by the bankruptcy, insolvency or inability to pay of the Purchaser or the Guarantor. The Guarantor, in its capacity as guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligation, hereby expressly waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, protest and all notices whatsoever, and any requirement that the Sellers or the Parent exhaust any right, power or remedy or proceed against the Purchaser. If the Guarantor makes a payment or performs an action in full satisfaction of the Guaranteed Obligation, such satisfaction shall be deemed to be a satisfaction of such obligation in full by the Purchaser for purposes of this Agreement. The Guarantor has all necessary power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform the Guaranteed Obligation hereunder. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Guarantor and, assuming the due and valid authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement by the other parties hereto, this Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Guarantor, enforceable against the Guarantor in accordance with its terms.
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confidence such information under this Section 8.5, (b) for purposes of compliance with its or their respective Affiliates’ financial reporting obligations or (c) in connection with its or their respective Affiliates’ fundraising or marketing activities, so long as such Persons are informed of the confidential nature of such information and Purchaser shall be liable for any failure by such Person to hold in confidence such information under this Section 8.5.
SIJ Holdings, LLC
c/o Chatham Asset Management, LLC
26 Main Street, Suite 204
Chatham, New Jersey 07928
Email:barry@chathamasset.com
feisal@chathamasset.com
jim@chathamasset.com
Attention:Barry Schwartz
Feisal Alibhai
James Ruggerio, Jr.
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
1285 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10019
Email:arosenberg@paulweiss.com
ctheil@paulweiss.com
jweber@paulweiss.com
Attention:Andrew N. Rosenberg
Chaim P. Theil
John Weber
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Brigade Capital Management
399 Park Avenue, 16th Floor
New York, New York 10022
Email:JCB@brigadecapital.com
Attention:John Baylis
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with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
Email:dmannal@kramerlevin.com
Attention:Douglas Mannal
and
The McClatchy Company
2100 Q Street
Sacramento, California 95816
Email:pfarr@mcclatchy.com
Attention:Peter Farr
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
300 South Grand Avenue, Suite 3400
Los Angeles, California 90071
Facsimile:(213) 687-5600
Email:van.durrer@skadden.com
Attention:Van C. Durrer II
and
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
525 University Avenue
Palo Alto, California 94301
Facsimile:(650) 798-6504
Email:thomas.ivey@skadden.com
Attention:Thomas J. Ivey
Brigade Capital Management
399 Park Avenue, 16th Floor
New York, New York 10022
Email:JCB@brigadecapital.com
Attention:John Baylis
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
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Email:dmannal@kramerlevin.com
Attention:Douglas Mannal
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construction construing ambiguities against the draftsperson shall be applied against any person with respect to this Agreement.
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hereto, (b) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties contained herein or in any document delivered pursuant hereto and (c) waive compliance with any of the agreements or conditions contained herein. 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.
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As used herein, the terms below shall have the following meanings:
“Accounts Receivable” means, with respect to each Seller, all accounts receivable, notes receivable, purchase orders, negotiable instruments, completed work or services that has not been billed, chattel paper, notes and other rights to payment (whether current or non-current), including those consisting of all accounts receivable in respect of services rendered or products sold to customers by such Seller, any other miscellaneous accounts receivable of such Seller, and any claim, remedy or other right of such Seller related to any of the foregoing, together with all unpaid financing charges accrued thereon and any payments with respect thereto.
“Action” means any action, suit, petition, plea, charge, claim, demand, hearing, inquiry, arbitration, complaint, grievance, summons, litigation, mediation, proceeding (including any civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or appellate proceeding), prosecution, contest, inquest, audit, examination, investigation or similar matter by or before any Governmental Entity.
“Affiliate” of a specified Person means a Person who, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified Person.
“Agents” means, collectively, the First Lien Notes Agent, the Second Lien Term Loan Agent, and the Third Lien Notes Agent.
“Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble and shall include the Exhibits and Schedules annexed hereto or referred to herein.
“Ancillary Documents” means the Bill of Sale, Assignment and Assumption Agreement, Intellectual Property Assignment Agreements, the Escrow Agreements, each Deed and each other agreement, document or instrument (other than this Agreement) executed and delivered by the parties hereto in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
“Antitrust Laws” means any applicable supranational, national, federal, state, county, local or foreign antitrust, competition or trade regulation Laws that are designed or intended to prohibit, restrict or regulate actions having the purpose or effect of monopolization or restraint of trade or lessening competition through merger or acquisition, including the HSR Act, the Sherman Act, the Clayton Act and the Federal Trade Commission Act, in each case, as amended, and other similar antitrust, competition or trade regulation Laws of any jurisdiction other than the United States.
“Benefit Plan” means a plan, program, agreement or other arrangement providing for employment, compensation, retirement, deferred compensation, severance, separation, relocation, repatriation, expatriation, termination pay, performance awards, bonus, incentive,
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stock option, stock purchase, stock bonus, phantom stock, stock appreciation right, supplemental retirement or other pension or welfare benefits, whether written or unwritten, including each “employee benefit plan” within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA, (i) which is or has been sponsored, maintained, contributed to, or required to be contributed to by the Sellers or any of their ERISA Affiliates for the benefit of any employee or former employee of the Purchased Entities, the Sellers or any of their Subsidiaries (or to which any Seller is a party) or (ii) with respect to which the Sellers or any of their ERISA Affiliates would reasonably be expected to have any liability.
“Bidding Procedures” means the bidding procedures set forth in the Bidding Procedures Order.
“Bidding Procedures Order” means the Order (I) Establishing Bidding Procedures Relating to the Sale of Substantially All of the Debtors’ Assets; (II) Establishing Procedures for the Debtors to Enter into Stalking Horse Agreement with Bid Protections in Connection with a Sale of Substantially All of the Debtors’ Assets; (III) Approving Procedures for the Assumption and Assignment of Certain Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases; (IV) Approving Form and Manner of Notice of All Procedures, Protections, Schedules and Agreements; (V) Scheduling a Hearing to Consider the Proposed Sale; and (VI) Granting Certain Related Relief entered at Docket No. 432 in the Chapter 11 Cases.
“Books and Records” means all documents of, or otherwise in the possession, custody or control of, or used by, the Sellers in connection with, or relating to, the Business, the Acquired Assets, the Assumed Liabilities, or the operations of the Sellers, including all files, instruments, papers, books, microfilms, photographs, letters, budgets, forecasts, ledgers, journals, title policies, lists of past, present and/or prospective customers, supplier lists, regulatory filings, technical documentation (design specifications, functional requirements, operating instructions, logic manuals, flow charts, etc.), user documentation (installation guides, user manuals, training materials, release notes, working papers, etc.), data, reports (including environmental reports and assessments), plans, mailing lists, price lists, marketing information and procedures, advertising and promotional materials, equipment records, warranty information, architects agreements, construction contracts, drawings, plans and specifications, records of operations, standard forms of documents, and related books, records and workpapers, manuals of operations or business procedures and other similar procedures (including all discs, tapes and other media-storage data containing such information), in each case whether or not in electronic form; provided, that the Books and Records shall not include Tax Returns and other books, records and work papers related to Taxes paid or payable by the Sellers or their Affiliates but shall include copies of Tax Returns primarily related to Taxes of the Business, the Acquired Assets or the Assumed Liabilities).
“Business Day” means any day, other than a Saturday, Sunday and any day which is a legal holiday under the Laws of the State of Delaware or the State of New York or is a day on which banking institutions located in the State of Delaware or the State of New York are authorized or required by applicable Law or other governmental action to close.
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“Cash” means all cash and cash equivalents, including checks, commercial paper, treasury bills, certificates of deposit and marketable securities, and any bank accounts and lockbox arrangements of the Sellers as of the Closing.
“Claim” means a “claim” as defined in Section 101(5) of the Bankruptcy Code, against any Seller.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Committee” means Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors appointed by the Office of the U.S. Trustee in the Chapter 11 Cases, as may be reconstituted from time to time.
“Committee Retained Professional Fees” means an aggregate amount equal to (a) the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees and expenses incurred by Professionals retained by the Committee, pursuant to section 327 of the Bankruptcy Code, in each case, to the extent such out-of-pocket fees and expenses are accrued and unpaid as of the Closing Date and (b) a good faith estimate, prepared by each applicable Professional retained by the Committee, of out-of-pocket fees and expenses anticipated to incurred by such Professional following the Closing Date with respect to the Chapter 11 Cases.
“Committee Retained Professional Fees Escrow” means the escrow account established pursuant to the Committee Retained Professional Fees Escrow Agreement with subaccounts for each such Professional.
“Committee Retained Professional Fees Escrow Agreement” means a customary escrow agreement reasonably acceptable to the parties and the Committee by and among the Purchaser, the Sellers and the escrow agent for the disbursement of the amount payable by the Purchaser pursuant to Section 1.6 in connection with the Committee Retained Professional Fees.
“Confidentiality Agreement” means the Confidentiality Agreement, between Chatham and the Parent, dated May 22, 2020, as may be amended from time to time.
“Contract” means any oral or written agreement, contract, subcontract, settlement agreement, lease, sublease, use agreement, occupancy agreement, instrument, permit, concession, franchise, binding understanding, note, option, bond, mortgage, indenture, trust document, loan or credit agreement, license, sublicense, insurance policy or other legally binding commitment or instrument.
“Copyrights” means all copyrights, mask works, designs and other copyrightable subject matter, including any source code and object code.
“Designated Accounting Firm” means any nationally recognized independent public accounting firm, or any successor thereto, as shall be mutually agreed upon by the parties.
“DIP Credit Agreement” means that certain debtor-in-possession credit agreement, dated as of February 12, 2020, by and among Encina Business Credit, LLC, as administrative agent for each member of the Lender Group (as defined in the DIP Credit Agreement) and the Bank Product Providers (as defined in the DIP Credit Agreement), the
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Company (as defined in the DIP Credit Agreement), as a debtor and debtor-in-possession, and certain of the Borrowers party thereto, as the same may be subsequently modified, amended or supplemented, together with all instruments and agreements related thereto.
“DIP Facility” means the secured debtor-in-possession credit facility with Encina Business Credit, LLC in an aggregate principal amount up to $50,000,000 on terms consistent with the DIP Credit Agreement.
“DIP Orders” means, collectively, the (i) Interim Order (I) Authorizing the Debtors to (A) Obtain Postpetition Financing and (B) Use Cash Collateral, (II) Granting (A) Liens and Providing Superpriority Administrative Expense Status and (B) Adequate Protection to Certain Prepetition Lenders, (III) Modifying the Automatic Stay, (IV) Scheduling a Final Hearing, and (V) Granting Related Relief [Docket No. 64] entered by the Bankruptcy Court on February 14, 2020 and (ii) Final Order (I) Authorizing the Debtors to (A) Obtain Postpetition Financing and (B) Use Cash Collateral, (II) Granting (A) Liens and Providing Superpriority Administrative Expense Status and (B) Adequate Protection to Certain Prepetition Lenders, (III) Modifying the Automatic Stay and (IV) Granting Related Relief [Docket No. 233] entered by the Bankruptcy Court on March 26, 2020.
“Discharge” means, except as authorized by a valid Permit issued under Environmental Law, (i) any releasing, spilling, discharging, disposing, leaking, pumping, injecting, pouring, depositing, emitting, leaching of any Hazardous Substance into the outdoor environment, including ambient air, surface water, groundwater and surface or subsurface strata, and (b) migration of Hazardous Substances into or out of any of the Real Property through soil, surface water, or groundwater.
“Effect” means any change, effect, development, circumstance, condition, fact, state of facts, event or occurrence.
“Encumbrance” means any “interest” as that term is used in Section 363(f) of the Bankruptcy Code, mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, easement, condition, reservation, lien (statutory or otherwise), mechanics lien, Claim, covenant, encroachment, lease, right of use or possession, or other similar third party interest, or other survey defect, charge, hypothecation, deemed trust, action, easement, right-of-way or covenant on real property, other than any license of Intellectual Property, whether arising prior to or subsequent to the commencement of the Chapter 11 Cases, and whether voluntarily incurred, imposed by Contract or arising by operation of Law or otherwise.
“Environmental Laws” means any and all applicable Laws which (a) concern, regulate, govern or relate to (i) public health and safety, as may be affected by the use, treatment, storage, transportation, handling, disposal or Discharge of, or exposure to, Hazardous Substances, (ii) pollution or protection of the environment or natural resources, including those relating to (x) the presence, use, manufacturing, refining, production, generation, handling, transportation, treatment, recycling, storage, disposal, distribution, importing, labeling, testing, processing, discharge, Discharge, threatened Discharge, control, cleanup, or other action or failure to act involving pollutants, contaminants, chemicals, or industrial, toxic or hazardous materials, substances or wastes and (y) human health as affected by hazardous or toxic substance
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or (b) impose liability or responsibility with respect to any of the foregoing, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq.), or any other Law of similar effect.
“Environmental Liabilities” means all Liabilities arising from any impairment or damage to the environment or natural resources, failure to comply with Environmental Laws, or the Discharge of or exposure to Hazardous Substances: (a) in connection with the prior or ongoing ownership or operation of the Business; or (b) on, in, under, to or from the Real Property or any other real property currently or formerly owned, operated, occupied or leased in connection with the ongoing or prior ownership or operation of the Business, including Liabilities related to: (i) the handling, generation, treatment, transportation, storage, use, arrangement for disposal or disposal, manufacture, distribution, formulation, packaging or labeling of Hazardous Substances; (ii) the Discharge of or exposure to Hazardous Substances; (iii) any other pollution or contamination of the environment; (iv) any other obligations imposed under Environmental Laws with respect to the Business or the Real Property; and (v) all other damages and losses arising under applicable Law as a result of any of the matters identified in clauses (i) – (iv) of this definition.
“Environmental Permit” means any and all Permits, Governmental Authorizations, licenses, approvals, consents, waivers, franchises, filings, accreditations, registrations, certifications, notifications, exemptions, clearances and any other authorization required by or issued under any Environmental Law.
“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the regulations promulgated and rulings issued thereunder.
“ERISA Affiliate” means, with respect to any entity, trade or business, any other entity, trade or business that is a member of a group described in Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code or Section 4001(b)(1) of ERISA that includes the first entity, trade or business, or that is a member of the same “controlled group” as the first entity, trade or business pursuant to Section 4001(a)(14) of ERISA.
“Escrow Agreements” means, collectively, the Committee Retained Professional Fees Escrow Agreement, the Seller Retained Professional Fees Escrow Agreement and the Wind-Down Fees Escrow Agreement.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
“Excluded Taxes” means (i) any Taxes imposed with respect to the Acquired Assets, the Assumed Liabilities or the Business for any Pre-Closing Tax Period (as determined pursuant to Section 8.1(b)), including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Income Taxes arising from the transactions contemplated by this Agreement other than California state Income Taxes resulting from the transactions contemplated by this Agreement equal to approximately $1,700,000; (ii) Taxes payable to the extent arising out of or related to the Excluded Assets or with respect to the business or activities of Seller or any Affiliate of Seller (including any divested or discontinued business or activities of Seller or any Seller or any Affiliate of Seller)
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other than the Business or the Acquired Assets or the Assumed Liabilities; and (iii) Taxes for which the Sellers are liable under Section 8.1.
“Existing Secured Claims” means, collectively, the First Lien Notes Claims, the Second Lien Term Loan Claims, and the Third Lien Notes Claims.
“First Lien Notes” means those certain 9.000% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 issued pursuant to the First Lien Notes Indenture.
“First Lien Notes Agent” means The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. in its capacities as Trustee and Collateral Agent under the First Lien Notes Indenture.
“First Lien Notes Claim” means any claims or obligations arising under the First Lien Notes Documents.
“First Lien Notes Documents” means the First Lien Notes Indenture and all related amendments, supplements, notes, pledges, collateral agreements, loan and security agreements, instruments, mortgages, control agreements, deeds of trust and other documents or instruments executed or delivered in connection with the First Lien Notes Indenture, in each case as amended, restated, supplemented, or modified from time to time.
“First Lien Notes Indenture” means that certain Indenture dated July 16, 2018, by and among Parent, as issuer, the subsidiary guarantor parties thereto, and the First Lien Notes Agent, as amended, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time.
“Framework Agreement” means that certain Framework Agreement dated as of July 1, 2020, by and among Chatham and each of its managed funds or accounts that is a beneficial holder of the First Lien Notes, Brigade Capital Management, LP and each of its managed funds or accounts that is a beneficial holder of the First Lien Notes, and the Purchaser.
“GAAP” means United States generally accepted accounting principles.
“Governmental Authorization” means any approval, consent, license, Permit, waiver or other authorization issued, granted or otherwise made available by or under the authority of any Governmental Entity.
“Governmental Entity” means (a) any supranational, national, federal, state, county, municipal, local, or foreign government or any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory, taxing, or administrative functions of or pertaining to government, (b) any public international governmental organization or (c) any agency, division, bureau, department, commission, board, arbitral or other tribunal, branch or other political subdivision of any government, entity or organization described in the foregoing clause (a) or (b) of this definition (including patent and trademark offices and self-regulatory organizations).
“Hazardous Substance” means any pollutant, chemical, substance and any toxic, infectious, carcinogenic, reactive, corrosive, ignitable or flammable chemical, chemical compound, contaminant, hazardous substance, material or waste, or any other substance whether
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solid, liquid or gas, that is subject to regulation, investigation, control, corrective action or remediation under any Environmental Laws.
“Income Tax” means any Tax that is imposed on or measured by net income, including franchise Taxes.
“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person, (a) all obligations for borrowed money; (b) all obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all guarantees (or any other arrangement having the economic effect of a guarantee) of Indebtedness of others; (d) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in respect of financial guaranties, letters of credit, letters of guaranty, surety bonds and other similar instruments; (e) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, in respect of bankers’ acceptances; (f) net cash payment obligations of such Person under swaps, options, derivatives and other hedging agreements or arrangements that will be payable upon termination thereof (assuming they were terminated on the date of determination); (g) all indebtedness of such Person created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement with respect to property acquired by such Person (even though the rights and remedies of the seller or lender under such agreement in the event of default are limited to repossession or sale of such property); (h) all indebtedness of such Person for the deferred purchase price of assets, securities, or services in respect of which any Person is liable, contingently or otherwise (including “earn-outs,” indemnities and “notes” payable with respect to the acquisition of any business, assets or securities) (other than Trade Payables, other expense accruals and deferred compensation items arising in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice); (i) all obligations of such Person under leases which have been or should be, in accordance with GAAP, recorded as capital leases, to the extent required to be so recorded; (j) all reimbursement, payment or similar obligations of such Person, contingent or otherwise, under acceptance, letter of credit or similar facilities; (k) pension and other similar post-retirement obligations; (l) obligations with respect to bonuses or other forms of compensation to any Person as a result of or in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement pursuant to any change in control, retention, transaction, severance, discretionary or similar bonuses or other similar payment or obligation; (m) all Indebtedness of others referred to in clauses (a) through (l) above guaranteed directly or indirectly by such Person, or in effect guaranteed directly or indirectly by such Person through an agreement (i) to pay or purchase such Indebtedness or to advance or supply funds for the payment or purchase of such Indebtedness; (ii) to purchase, sell or lease (as lessee or lessor) property, or to purchase or sell services, primarily for the purpose of enabling the debtor to make payment of such Indebtedness; (iii) to supply funds to or in any other manner invest in the debtor (including any agreement to pay for property or services irrespective of whether such property is received or such services are rendered); or (iv) otherwise to assure a creditor against loss in respect of such Indebtedness; and (n) all Indebtedness referred to in clauses (a) through (m) above secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any lien upon or in property (including accounts and contract rights) owned by such Person, even though such Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment of such Indebtedness.
“Intellectual Property” means all intellectual property rights, including all U.S. and foreign: (a) Patents; (b) Trademarks; (c) Trade Secrets; (d) Copyrights; (e) internet domain
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names and social media identifiers; and (f) all applications for, and registrations of, of any of the foregoing.
“Knowledge of the Sellers” means, with respect to any matter in question, the actual knowledge after due inquiry of any of the individuals set forth on Article IX of the Seller Disclosure Letter.
“Law” means any law (including common law), statute, requirement, code, rule, regulation, order, ordinance, judgment or decree or other pronouncement of any Governmental Entity.
“Lease” means any Contract pursuant to which any Seller leases, uses or otherwise occupies any Leased Real Property.
“Liability” means a Claim or Encumbrance of any kind or nature whatsoever (whether known or unknown, asserted or unasserted, absolute or contingent, accrued or unaccrued, liquidated or unliquidated, or due or to become due).
“Material Adverse Effect” means any Effect that, individually or in the aggregate (taking into account all other such Effects), has had, or would be reasonably expected to have, a material adverse change in or material adverse effect on (1) the Acquired Assets, the Assumed Liabilities or the assets, properties, financial condition or results of operations of the Business, in each case taken as a whole or (2) the ability of Sellers to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or to perform any of their obligations under this Agreement; provided, however, that for purposes of the foregoing clause (1), no Effects resulting or arising from the following shall be deemed to constitute a Material Adverse Effect or shall be taken into account when determining whether a Material Adverse Effect exists or has occurred: (i) changes in general economic, financial or securities markets or geopolitical conditions, (ii) general changes or developments in business, regulatory or macroeconomic conditions or trends or the industries and markets in which the Business operates, (iii) the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the announcement of the Acquisition or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including termination of, reduction in or similar negative impact on business relationships with any customers, suppliers, distributors, licensors, licensees, partners or employees of the Business, assuming such termination of, reduction in or similar negative impact does not result from a breach of the terms of this Agreement by the Sellers or any of their Affiliates (iv) any actions expressly required to be taken or omitted by the Sellers under this Agreement (other than the actions contemplated by Section 5.1(a)) or any action or omission by the Purchaser in breach of this Agreement, (v) any action taken (or omitted) by the Sellers which is expressly requested in writing by the Purchaser, (vi) changes in any applicable Laws or applicable accounting regulations or principles or the enforcement or interpretation thereof, (vii) any outbreak or escalation of hostilities or war, act of terrorism, natural disaster, epidemic, pandemic (including the COVID-19 virus) or act of God and (viii) any failure of the Business to meet any budgets, plans projections or forecasts (internal or otherwise), in each case of clauses (i), (ii), (vi) and (vii) solely to the extent that such conditions do not disproportionately affect the Business, the Acquired Assets and the Assumed Liabilities, taken as a whole, as compared to other companies that are principally engaged in the same business as the Sellers.
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“Material Contract” means (i) any Contract that is material to the Business and (ii) any Contract with a Material Customer or Material Supplier.
“New 1.5 Lien Indenture” means the indenture (as may be amended, modified or otherwise supplemented) governing the terms of the New 1.5 Lien Notes.
“New 1.5 Lien Notes” means the 1.5 lien notes issued by the Purchaser pursuant to the New 1.5 Lien Notes Indenture, which shall be on terms consistent in form and substance with the term sheet attached hereto as Exhibit G.
“New First Lien Term Loan Facility” means the first lien term loan facility to be entered into by the Purchaser, as borrower, and the holders of First Lien Notes Claims (excluding Chatham and its Affiliates), as lenders, on the Closing Date, which shall be in the form attached hereto as Exhibit H.
“New First Lien Term Loans” means the first lien term loans deemed borrowed by the Purchaser pursuant to the New First Lien Term Loan Facility in exchange for the First Lien Notes Claims (excluding First Lien Notes Claims of Chatham and its Affiliates).
“Notice of Sale” means a notice of the sale of the Acquired Assets and the Sale Hearing.
“Order” means any order, injunction, judgment, decree, ruling, writ, assessment or award of a Governmental Entity.
“Parent Confidentiality Agreements” means those agreements by and between the Parent, on the one hand, and Persons expressing an interest in acquiring an ownership interest in the Parent or the Business, on the other hand, with respect to the use and confidentiality of information about the Parent and its Affiliates and the Business and certain other obligations.
“Parent SEC Documents” means all forms, statements, documents and reports filed or furnished prior to the date hereof by the Parent with the SEC since January 1, 2017, as amended through the date hereof.
“Patents” means patents and patent applications, and all related continuations, continuations-in-part, divisionals, reissues, re-examinations, substitutions, and extensions thereof.
“Permitted Post-Closing Encumbrances” means any Encumbrance that is specifically permitted by the Sale Order under applicable Law to survive the Closing, it being understood that the Sale Order shall extinguish Encumbrances to the maximum extent permissible under applicable Law.
“Permitted Pre-Closing Encumbrances” means, prior to the Closing Date, (i) liens for Taxes not yet due or delinquent or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP, (ii) statutory or common law liens (including statutory or common law liens of landlords) and rights of set-off of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, repairmen, workmen, suppliers and materialmen, in each
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case, incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice (A) for amounts not yet overdue, (B) for amounts that are overdue and that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, or (C) for amounts as to which payment and enforcement is stayed under the Bankruptcy Code or pursuant to orders of the Bankruptcy Court, (iii) liens securing rental payments under capitalized lease obligations disclosed to the Purchaser, (iv) pledges or deposits under worker’s compensation, unemployment insurance and social security Laws, to the extent required by applicable Law, (v) rights of third party purchasers to acquire Real Property pursuant to the Sale Contracts, ground leases, leases, subleases, licenses, concessions or similar agreements, (vi) easements, covenants, conditions, restrictions and other matters of record or defects or imperfections of title with respect to any Deeded Real Property, Leased Real Property or personal property, provided, however, that (with respect to clause (v) and (vi) only) any such right or item does not, individually or in the aggregate, materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the Business or materially impair the continued use and operation of such real property for the purpose for which it is used as of the date of this Agreement or as of the Closing, (vii) local, county, state and federal ordinances, regulations, building codes, variances, exceptions or permits (including such ordinances, regulations, building codes, variances, exceptions or permits relating to zoning), now or hereafter in effect, relating to any Deeded Real Property or Leased Real Property, (viii) restrictions or requirements set forth in any Permits relating to the Business, (ix) Encumbrances caused by or resulting solely from the acts or omissions of the Purchaser or any of its Affiliates, employees, officers, directors, agents, contractors, invitees or licensees, (x) Encumbrances arising by operation of Law under Article 2 of any state’s Uniform Commercial Code (or successor statute) in favor of a seller of goods or buyer of goods in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (xi) Encumbrances extinguished by the Sale Order and (xii) licenses or other grants of rights to use or obligations with respect to Intellectual Property.
“Person” means a natural person, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, business trust, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture, Governmental Entity or other entity or organization.
“Post-Closing Tax Period” means any taxable period or portion thereof beginning after the Closing Date and, in the case of any Straddle Period, the portion of such Straddle Period beginning after the Closing Date.
“Pre-Closing Tax Period” means any taxable period ending on or before the Closing Date and, in the case of any Straddle Period, the portion of such Straddle Period ending at the end of the Closing Date.
“Prior Event” means any transaction, event, circumstances, action, failure to act or occurrence of any sort or type, including any approval or acceptance given or denied, whether known or unknown, in each case, which occurred, existed, or was taken prior to the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder.
“Professional” means any Person retained by the Sellers or a statutory committee of unsecured creditors in the Chapter 11 Cases pursuant to an Order of the Bankruptcy Court under Section 327, 363 or 1103 of the Bankruptcy Code.
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“Property Taxes” means real, personal and intangible ad valorem property Taxes.
“Purchased Entity” means each entity the equity of which comprises the Purchased Ownership Interests.
“Purchased Ownership Interests” means one hundred percent (100%) of the equity ownership interests held by any of the Sellers in entities which are not Sellers (other than with respect to Ponderay Newsprint Company), including those set forth on Schedule B hereto.
“Purchaser Common Equity” means the common stock, restricted stock units, options or other instruments (including “profits interests”), or some combination of the foregoing, in the sole discretion of the Purchaser.
“Registered Intellectual Property” means all applications, registrations and filings for Intellectual Property that have been registered or filed with or by any state, government or other public or quasi-public legal authority anywhere in the world, including the United States Patent and Trademark Office or United States Copyright Office, including issued Patents and Patent applications, registered Trademarks and Trademark applications, registered Copyrights and Copyright applications, and internet domain name registrations.
“Rejected Leases” shall have the meaning set forth on Section 3.8(a) of the Seller Disclosure Letter.
“Release” means the release set forth in Section 5.20 herein and as approved by the Bankruptcy Court pursuant to the Sale Order.
“Representatives” means, when used with respect to any Person, the directors, officers, employees, consultants, financial advisors, accountants, legal counsel, investment bankers and other agents, advisors and representatives of such Person and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates.
“Retained Books and Records” means the company seal, minute books, stock certificates, stock or equity record books, Tax Returns and other books, records and work papers related to Taxes paid or payable by the Sellers or their Affiliates other than copies of Tax Returns primarily related to Taxes of the Business, the Acquired Assets or the Assumed Liabilities, work papers and such other books and records as pertain to the organization, qualification to do business, existence or capitalization of any Seller or any Affiliate thereof, books and records that the Sellers are required to retain under applicable Law and books and records that relate primarily to an Excluded Asset or Excluded Liability.
“Retained Professional Fees” means the Committee Retained Professional Fees and Seller Retained Professional Fees.
“Sale Hearing” means the hearing conducted by the Bankruptcy Court to approve the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
“Sale Order” means an Order of the Bankruptcy Court in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit D, with such changes as the Purchaser and the Sellers find reasonably
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acceptable, that has not been stayed, vacated or stayed pending appeal, authorizing and approving the sale of the Acquired Assets to the Purchaser on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
“SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Second Lien Term Loan Agent” means The Bank of New York Mellon, in its capacities as Agent and Collateral Agent under the Second Lien Term Loan Agreement.
“Second Lien Term Loan Agreement” means that certain Junior Lien Term Loan Credit Agreement, dated as of July 16, 2018, by and among Parent, as borrower, the subsidiary guarantor parties thereto, the lenders party thereto and the Second Lien Term Loan Agent, as amended, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time.
“Second Lien Term Loan Claim” means any claims or obligations arising under the Second Lien Term Loan Documents.
“Second Lien Term Loan Documents” means the Second Lien Term Loan Agreement and all related amendments, supplements, assignments, pledges, collateral agreements, loan and security agreements, instruments, mortgages, control agreements, deeds of trust and other documents or instruments executed or delivered in connection with the Second Lien Term Loan Agreement, in each case as amended, restated, supplemented, or modified from time to time.
“Seller Intellectual Property” means all Intellectual Property owned or purported to be owned by any Seller, other than Intellectual Property that is an Excluded Asset.
“Seller Registered Intellectual Property” means all Registered Intellectual Property included in the Seller Intellectual Property.
“Seller Retained Professional Fees” means an aggregate amount equal to (a) the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees and expenses incurred by Professionals retained by the Sellers pursuant to section 327 of the Bankruptcy Code, in each case, to the extent such out-of-pocket fees and expenses are accrued and unpaid as of the Closing Date and (b) a good faith estimate, prepared by each applicable Professional retained by the Sellers, of out-of-pocket fees and expenses anticipated to incurred by such Professional following the Closing Date with respect to the Chapter 11 Cases.
“Seller Retained Professional Fees Escrow” means the escrow account established pursuant to the Seller Retained Professional Fees Escrow Agreement with subaccounts for each such Professional.
“Seller Retained Professional Fees Escrow Agreement” means a customary escrow agreement reasonably acceptable to the parties by and among the Purchaser, the Sellers and the escrow agent for the disbursement of the amount payable by the Purchaser pursuant to Section 1.6 in connection with the Seller Retained Professional Fees.
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“Straddle Period” means a taxable period that includes but does not end on the Closing Date.
“Subsidiary” means with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other organization, whether incorporated or unincorporated, of which (a) outstanding shares of capital stock of, or other equity interests, having by their terms ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or others performing similar functions with respect to such corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other organization is directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such Person or by any one or more of its Subsidiaries, or by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries, or (b) with respect to a partnership, such Person or any other Subsidiary of such Person is a general partner of such partnership.
“Tax” or “Taxes” means (a) any and all U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. taxes, assessments, levies, duties, tariffs, imposts and other similar charges and fees imposed by any Governmental Entity, including income, franchise, windfall or other profits, gross receipts, property, sales, use, net worth, capital stock, payroll, employment, social security, workers’ compensation, unemployment compensation, excise, withholding, ad valorem, stamp, transfer, value-added, occupation, environmental, disability, real property, personal property, registration, alternative or add-on minimum, or estimated tax, including any interest, penalty, additions to tax and any additional amounts imposed with respect thereto; and (b) any liability for or in respect of any amounts described in clause (a) under a Tax sharing, indemnity, assumption, succession, allocation or similar agreement, as a result of having filed any Tax Return on a combined, unitary, affiliated or similar basis, or as a transferee or a successor by Contract or operation of Law.
“Tax Return” means any report, return, certificate, claim for refund, election, estimated Tax filing or declaration filed or required to be filed with any Governmental Entity with respect to Taxes, including any schedule or attachment thereto, and including any amendments thereof.
“Taxing Authority” means any U.S. federal, state, local or non-U.S. Governmental Entity or authority responsible for the imposition, collection or administration of any Tax.
“Third Lien Notes Agent” means The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. in its capacities as Trustee and Collateral Agent under the Third Lien Notes Indenture.
“Third Lien Notes Claim” means any claims or obligations arising under the Third Lien Notes Documents.
“Third Lien Notes Documents” means the Third Lien Notes Indenture and all related amendments, supplements, notes, pledges, collateral agreements, loan and security agreements, instruments, mortgages, control agreements, deeds of trust and other documents or instruments executed or delivered in connection with the Third Lien Notes Indenture, in each case as amended, restated, supplemented, or modified from time to time.
80
“Third Lien Notes Indenture” means that certain Indenture, dated as of December 18, 2018, by and among Parent, as issuer, the subsidiary guarantor parties thereto, and the Third Lien Notes Agent, as amended, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time.
“Trade Secrets” means trade secrets, confidential or proprietary information, inventions, processes, procedures, databases, algorithms and know-how.
“Trademarks” means trademarks, trade names, service marks, trade dress, logos, design rights and other similar designations of origin, together with the goodwill symbolized by any of the foregoing.
“Wind-Down Fees” means an aggregate amount equal to $2,000,000, which shall be used to fund the wind down and dissolution of the Sellers’ estates.
“Wind-Down Fees Escrow” means the escrow account established pursuant to the Wind-Down Fees Escrow Agreement.
“Wind-Down Fees Escrow Agreement” means a customary escrow agreement reasonably acceptable to the parties by and among the Purchaser, the Sellers and the escrow agent for the disbursement of the amount payable by the Purchaser pursuant to Section 1.6 in connection with the Wind-Down Fees, and which shall provide that any amount not so used to satisfy such fees shall be promptly paid to the Sellers.
Terms Defined Elsewhere. The following terms are defined elsewhere in this Agreement, as indicated below:
81
Term | Section |
---|---|
5.26 | |
5.26 | |
1.1 | |
Recitals | |
Preamble | |
1.8 | |
5.27 | |
1.5(c) | |
1.1(c) | |
2.2(a)(ii) | |
1.1(q) | |
1.3 | |
5.18 | |
3.6 | |
1.5(a) | |
1.1(n) | |
Recitals | |
Recitals | |
2.2(a)(i) | |
6.1(d) | |
Recitals | |
1.6 | |
1.6 | |
Recitals | |
Preamble | |
2.1 | |
2.1 | |
5.25 | |
8.18(b) | |
Recitals | |
1.5(b) | |
1.5(a) | |
2.2(a)(vi) | |
1.1(r) | |
1.1(n) | |
1.5(g) | |
1.5(c) | |
5.3(b) | |
5.16 | |
3.3 | |
1.2 | |
1.4 |
82
Term | Section |
---|---|
1.5(g) | |
3.18 | |
3.6 | |
1.6 | |
5.11(g) | |
5.3(b) | |
8.3 | |
5.17(a) | |
Preamble | |
3.4 | |
2.2(a)(iii) | |
8.1(e) | |
1.1(d) | |
3.12(b) | |
3.24 | |
3.24 | |
6.2(a) | |
5.3(a) | |
8.1(b) | |
7.1(a) | |
Preamble | |
1.8 | |
Preamble | |
Preamble | |
5.18 | |
8.1(b) | |
3.19(a) | |
Recitals | |
1.5(c) | |
1.5(c) | |
1.6 | |
Preamble | |
2.3 | |
IV | |
1.8 | |
3.27 | |
3.12(c) | |
5.20(a) | |
5.20(a) | |
5.20(a) | |
1.1(c) | |
5.6 | |
3.16 | |
III | |
Preamble |
83
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Sellers and the Purchaser have caused this Agreement to be executed on their behalf as of the date first written above.
PARENT:
The McClatchy Company
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Finance and ChiefFinancial Officer
SELLER REPRESENTATIVE:
The McClatchy Company, in its capacity as a Seller and the Seller Representative
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Finance and ChiefFinancial Officer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
Aboard Publishing, Inc.
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary and
Treasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
Bellingham Herald Publishing, LLC
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary and
Treasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
Belton Publishing Company, Inc.
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
Biscayne Bay Publishing, Inc.
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
Cass County Publishing Company, Inc.
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, Inc.
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
Cypress Media, Inc.
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
Cypress Media, LLC
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
East Coast Newspapers, Inc.
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
El Dorado Newspapers
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
Gulf Publishing Company, Inc.
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
Herald Custom Publishing of Mexico, S. de. R.L. de C.V.
By:/s/ Peter Richard Farr
Name:Peter Richard Farr
Title:Attorney-in-fact
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
HLB Newspapers, Inc.
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
Idaho Statesman Publishing, LLC
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
Keltatim Publishing Company, Inc.
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
Keynoter Publishing Company, Inc.
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
Lee's Summit Journal, Incorporated
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
Lexington H-L Services, Inc.
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
Mail Advertising Corporation
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
McClatchy Big Valley, Inc.
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
McClatchy Interactive LLC
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
McClatchy Interactive West
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
McClatchy International, Inc.
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
McClatchy Investment Company
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
McClatchy Management Services, Inc.
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
McClatchy News Services, Inc.
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
McClatchy Newspapers, Inc.
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
McClatchy Property, Inc.
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
McClatchy Resources, Inc.
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
McClatchy Shared Services, Inc.
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
McClatchy U.S.A., Inc.
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
Miami Herald Media Company
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
N & O Holdings, Inc.
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
Newsprint Ventures, Inc.
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
Nittany Printing and Publishing Company
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
Nor-Tex Publishing, Inc.
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
Oak Street Redevelopment Corporation
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
Olympian Publishing, LLC
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
Olympic-Cascade Publishing, Inc.
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
Pacific Northwest Publishing Company, Inc.
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
San Luis Obispo Tribune, LLC
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
Star-Telegram, Inc.
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
Tacoma News, Inc.
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
The Bradenton Herald, Inc.
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
The Charlotte Observer Publishing Company
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
The Macon Telegraph Publishing Company
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
The News and Observer Publishing Company
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
The State Media Company
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
The Sun Publishing Company, Inc.
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
Tribune Newsprint Company
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
Tru Measure, LLC
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
Wichita Eagle and Beacon Publishing Company, Inc.
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
SELLER:
Wingate Paper Company
By:/s/ Peter Farr
Name:Peter Farr
Title:Vice President, Assistant Secretary andTreasurer
[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
PURCHASER:
SIJ Holdings, LLC
By:/s/ James Ruggerio, Jr.
Name: James Ruggerio, Jr.
Title: President and CEO
SOLELY FOR SECTIONS 5.19 AND 5.20:
Chatham Asset Management, LLC
By:/s/ Anthony R. Melchiorre
Name: Anthony R. Melchiorre
Title: Managing Member
SOLELY FOR SECTION 8.3:
Chatham Asset High Yield Master Fund, Ltd.
By: Chatham Asset Management, LLC
Its: Investment Advisor
By:/s/ Anthony R. Melchiorre
Name: Anthony R. Melchiorre
Title: Managing Member
139
Exhibit 99.1
McClatchy Files Asset Purchase Agreement with Chatham Asset Management That Retains Jobs and Benefits for All Employees
Paves Way to August 4 Hearing on Change in Control of 163-Year News Company
Chairman Kevin McClatchy, CEO Craig Forman and Fellow Board Directors to Depart Upon Completion of Chapter 11 Reorganization
SACRAMENTO, Calif., July 24, 2020 -- McClatchy (OTC-MNIQQ) announced today that it filed an asset purchase agreement with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, formalizing the details of Chatham Asset Management’s (“Chatham”) successful bid for ownership of McClatchy in the Chapter 11 sale process. The filing is a key milestone in the reorganization and paves the way for a change in control of the 163-year-old news company. Under Chapter 11 rules, the proposed asset purchase is scheduled for consideration by the Court for approval at a hearing on August 4.
Under the agreement, Chatham will acquire McClatchy for $263 million in a credit bid of the Company’s first-lien debt, plus new money consideration of $49 million in cash and the assumption of additional liabilities.
The agreement outlines that the entirety of the 30 McClatchy news organizations will move seamlessly to the new ownership structure. All employees will be offered their current job with new McClatchy, with equivalent compensation, benefits and full credit for service years. The agreement also provides that new McClatchy will honor all current collective-bargaining agreements.
“This important step towards a resolution of our reorganization will provide greater certainty and stability to the wider group of employees and stakeholders who benefit from a restructured McClatchy,” said Craig Forman, President and CEO.
“Today’s agreement brings McClatchy one step closer to a future on strong financial footing where it can continue to provide necessary, civic-minded journalism to local communities nationwide,” said Chatham.
As part of the transition, Chairman Kevin McClatchy, President and CEO Craig Forman and fellow Board Directors announced plans to depart from the company when the transaction closes by the end of the third quarter.
“For over a century and a half, our family has owned and operated our local news brands — these important civic institutions — to ensure thriving independent local journalism in the public interest,” said Kevin McClatchy, a fifth-generation McClatchy family member. “The McClatchy family’s time as proprietors spans this nation’s history from the Gold Rush and the Pony Express to the moon landings to the modern mobile internet. While it will be humbling to pass the torch, we want to thank our employees, readers, communities and Chatham for recognizing the value of the public-service role of local journalism and supporting its mission.”
Kevin McClatchy has served on the Board since 1998 and led it as Chairman for eight years, working closely with Board members and the management team to expand McClatchy’s footprint to serve communities across America and transition the company to serve customers in a digital era. He owned and led the Pittsburgh Pirates for 11 years before selling the team in 2007. In his philanthropic work, he was recently named co-chair of the board of amFAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research. His fifth-generation cousins, Molly Maloney Evangelisti, Brown McClatchy Maloney and William McClatchy have served loyally on the McClatchy Board of Directors, cumulatively for 57 years, working tirelessly to ensure the sustainability of the family company, anchored to the mission of independent local journalism.
“It will be tough and more than bittersweet to say farewell. Across seven generations, local journalism is baked into our family’s DNA. But we do so with thanks, and wish Chatham Asset Management continued success,’’ McClatchy added. “I want to offer my thanks as well to Craig Forman for his leadership and the dedicated members of the Board who have contributed their expertise and guidance to the management team over the decades.’’
Craig Forman joined the McClatchy Board in 2013 and at its request stepped into the President and CEO role in 2017 to accelerate the company’s digital transformation. Under Forman’s leadership, the company achieved a near-total reorganization into a functionally focused, sustainable digital platform that better positions it for success in a digital economy, reaching an unprecedented 40% year-over-year growth in digital-only subscribers and on track to reach nearly 700,000 paid digital customer relationships. McClatchy now has more than 260,000 digital-only subscribers, up nearly 400% from when Forman became CEO.
“We wasted no time in the past three years transforming McClatchy into a profoundly digital company, equally balanced between subscription and advertising revenue, enhancing our reputation for essential journalism and products and services vital in our 30 communities,” commented Forman. “This transaction provides a needed resolution to McClatchy’s legacy debt and pension issues by restructuring the balance sheet and capital structure through a voluntary reorganization under Chapter 11 protection.’’
“As a former journalist, I was motivated to ensure a sustainable future for this great and essential company. Now, Chatham as new owners will come in to build on the strong foundation this team has put in place,’’ Forman continued. ‘’With thanks to my tireless colleagues and the McClatchy family, I see no reason to delay my return to Silicon Valley when the company transitions to new ownership, to pursue the next challenge in the future of technology, media and telecom.’’
“Craig Forman has been exactly the leader McClatchy needed at exactly the right time,’’ said Kevin McClatchy. “He guided us through a series of significant challenges, and thanks to Craig’s smart and strategic leadership we have a go-forward digital-first company properly focused on our audience and the sustainable future of local news, which will continue to serve our communities for years to come.”
In its core mission of local journalism, McClatchy is widely acknowledged for ‘punching above its weight’ journalistically, awarded multiple Pulitzer Prizes and many other accolades for such coverage as legislative secrecy in Kansas, a collaboration among California newsrooms on wildfire risk and policy recommendations to keep communities safe, “Stricken,” a series on alarming cancer rates among our veterans, and capped by the Miami Herald’s coverage of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
In the past three years, McClatchy has accelerated its digital transition from 30 independent operating companies in as many cities to a single national digital platform that begins with essential local news and information in the community. Forman rebuilt McClatchy’s leadership team with the aim of creating an industry leader in digital innovation. With key digital-first executives in place, McClatchy has been able to negotiate important partnerships with such Silicon Valley platforms as Google with The Compass Experiment to return robust digital news coverage to America’s growing ‘news deserts.’ Also, a future-
focused McClatchy leadership team has innovated in News as well, creating a series of community-funded solutions journalism labs while building robust relationships with important partners such as Report for America.
“What the McClatchy digital transformation shows is that by focusing on fearless reporting, relentless customer engagement, standout products and stabilizing operating cash flow, you can accelerate digital success,” said Forman. “This is the formula to ensure a sustainable future in the digital era for news and information enterprises crucial to our democratic way of life.’’
While the company’s focus on essential journalism in the public interest is unchanged since its founding in 1857, almost everything else has changed. The McClatchy Company began in Sacramento when James McClatchy, an immigrant to America from Ireland, helped found The Daily Bee in 1857, and published an editorial that set the course for the present-day local media company, “The object of this paper is not only independence, but permanence.” Almost immediately after the new daily launched, James McClatchy exposed political and judicial corruption. This established a tradition of watchdog journalism that thrives today across McClatchy newsrooms, which collectively have won 54 Pulitzer Prizes and numerous other awards and accolades.
Expansion of McClatchy began in 1922 with the launch of The Fresno Bee in California’s Central Valley, led by James McClatchy’s grandson, Carlos McClatchy and five years later with the purchase of another Central Valley local newspaper that was later renamed, The Modesto Bee. Then, on the 65th anniversary of the founding of The Sacramento Bee, the McClatchy family expanded their interest to a new medium, radio. KVQ was the first radio station on the West Coast owned by a newspaper. The expansion continued under the management of James McClatchy’s granddaughter, Eleanor McClatchy, who led the company for four decades. The company started an expansion into markets outside of California in 1979 with the purchase of the Anchorage Daily News (and later sold), which continued with the acquisition of The Tri-Cities Herald, The (Tacoma) News Tribune, both in Washington State, and in South Carolina, The Island Packet, The Beaufort Gazette and The (Rock Hill) Herald, The (Raleigh) News & Observer and The (Minneapolis) Star Tribune (later sold). In 2006, the Company purchased Knight Ridder. Some of the Knight Ridder news titles were sold subsequently but the purchase enlarged the company’s local news footprint substantially.
About McClatchy
McClatchy operates 30 media companies in 14 states, providing each of its communities with strong independent local journalism in the public interest and advertising services in a wide array of digital and print formats. McClatchy publishes iconic local brands including the Miami Herald, The Kansas City Star, The Sacramento Bee, The Charlotte Observer, The (Raleigh) News & Observer, and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. McClatchy is headquartered in Sacramento, Calif. #ReadLocal
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release regarding the proposed agreement, as well as the restructuring and sale process, and any other statements about management's future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans or prospects, including our planned sale to Chatham and our digital subscriber growth, constitute forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact (including statements containing the words "believes," "plans," "anticipates," "expects," "estimates" and similar expressions) should also be considered to be forward-looking statements. There are a number of important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including: the failure to obtain Bankruptcy Court approval; the failure to obtain regulatory approvals in a timely manner or otherwise; the effects of the Bankruptcy Court rulings in the Chapter 11 proceedings and the outcome
of the proceedings in general; the length of time the Company will operate in the Chapter 11 proceedings; we may experience diminished digital subscriber growth as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic as this crisis evolves; we may do harm to our operations in attempting to achieve our expense reduction targets; our operations have been, and will likely continue to be, adversely affected by competition, including competition from internet publishing and advertising platforms; as well as the other risks listed in the Company's publicly filed documents, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2018. These forward-looking statements speak as of the time made and, except as required by law, we disclaim any intention and assume no obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this release.
Contact:
Media |
Jeanne Segal |
Rachel Chesley |
Investor |
Stephanie Zarate |