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): February 25, 2015
TOWN SPORTS INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
Delaware | 001-36803 | 20-0640002 | ||
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) |
(IRS Employer Identification Number) |
5 Penn Plaza (4th Floor), New York, New York 10001
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, Including Zip Code)
(212) 246-6700
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
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-4c)) |
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
Appointment of Robert Giardina as Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors and Appointment of Daniel Gallaher as Chief Executive Officer and President
On February 25, 2015, Town Sports International Holdings, Inc. (the Company) announced that the Board of Directors (the Board) of the Company appointed Robert Giardina Executive Chairman of the Board and that Daniel Gallagher, the Companys President and Chief Operating Officer, was promoted to the role of Chief Executive Officer and President, effective immediately. Concurrently with such actions, Mr. Giardina resigned from his position as Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
In connection with Mr. Giardina being appointed Executive Chairman, Thomas J. Galligan III, the prior Chairman of the Board, has been elected to the newly created position of Lead Independent Director.
In connection with these management changes, the Company has entered into letter agreements with both Mr. Giardina and Mr. Gallagher as described below.
In satisfaction of the disclosure required by Items 401(b) and 401(e) of Regulation S-K, the section of the Companys 2014 Proxy Statement, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 25, 2014, entitled Executive Officers is incorporated by reference herein. With respect to the disclosure required by Item 401(d) of Regulation S-K, there are no family relationships between Mr. Gallagher and any director or executive officer of the Company. With respect to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K, there are no relationships or related transactions between Mr. Gallagher and the Company that would be required to be reported.
Letter Agreement with Mr. Giardina
Pursuant to the letter agreement entered into with Mr. Giardina dated February 25, 2015 (the Giardina Agreement), Mr. Giardina will hold the position of Executive Chairman during a transition period through September 30, 2015, although such period may be extended or accelerated in certain circumstances (the Transition Period). During the Transition Period, Mr. Giardina will be required to devote at least forty percent (40%) of his business time to his duties as Executive Chairman. At the conclusion of the Transition Period, Mr. Giardina will cease to be employed by the Company, but will, if on the Board at such time, be entitled to continue to serve as a non-employee member of the Board.
Pursuant to the Giardina Agreement, Mr. Giardinas annual base salary from March 1, 2015 through April 30, 2015 will be $706,825, and will be reduced to $500,000 as of May 1, 2015. While Mr. Giardina will continue to be eligible to participate in the Companys benefit plans, he will no longer be eligible to participate in the Companys annual bonus plan or other incentive compensation arrangements.
In order to induce Mr. Giardina to serve as Executive Chairman during the Transition Period, the Company has agreed to pay him a retention bonus of $1.1 million, payable following the conclusion of the Transition Period, so long as he remains employed as Executive Chairman during the Transition Period. Mr. Giardina will also be entitled to payment of the Retention Bonus in the event he is terminated without Cause or due to his death or Disability (as such terms are defined in the Giardina Agreement) prior to the end of the Transition Period.
In addition, Mr. Giardina will be entitled to continue his participation in the Companys health, dental and disability plans for five (5) years following the Transition Period, and be granted a lifetime club membership at no cost. These benefits are conditioned on Mr. Giardina signing a release of claims and his continued compliance with the Giardina Agreement, including the non-competition and non-solicitation provisions contained therein.
Letter Agreement with Daniel Gallagher
In connection with Mr. Gallaghers promotion to Chief Executive Officer, the Company and Mr. Gallagher entered into a letter agreement dated February 25, 2015 (the Gallagher Agreement). Pursuant to the Gallagher Agreement, Mr. Gallagher will earn an annual base salary of $575,000 and annual performance bonus award target of 75% of his base salary. In addition, Mr. Gallagher will receive 85,000 shares of restricted common stock of the Company pursuant to the Companys 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, which will vest in four equal annual installments.
In the event that Mr. Gallagher is terminated without Cause (upon sixty days notice from the Company) or resigns due to a Constructive Termination (as such terms are defined in the Gallagher Agreement), he will be entitled to the continuation of his base salary for a period of eighteen (18) months (or in the event of a Constructive Termination, twenty (20) months), a pro-rata portion of his annual bonus at target through the date of such termination or resignation, and any unpaid bonus from the prior fiscal year (if applicable), twenty four (24) months of continued health, dental and disability insurance, no cost club membership during the severance period, and outplacement assistance at a cost not to exceed $30,000. These severance benefits are conditioned on Mr. Gallagher signing a release of claims and his continued compliance with the Gallagher Agreement, including the non-competition and non-solicitation provisions contained therein.
Amended and Restated Executive Severance Agreements
In addition, on February 25, 2015, the Company announced that it has entered into amended and restated executive severance agreements (each an Amended and Restated Executive Severance Agreement) with each of its executive officers - Carolyn Spatafora, Chief Financial Officer; David M. Kastin, Senior Vice President - General Counsel and Secretary; Paul Barron, Chef Information Officer; Scott Milford, Senior Vice President Human Resources and Nitin Ajmera, Senior Vice President Shares Services and Controller (each referred to individually as an Executive).
Pursuant to the Amended and Restated Executive Severance Agreement, in the event the Executive is terminated without Cause (upon sixty days notice from the Company) or is terminated due to death or Disability, or resigns due to a Constructive Termination, all within one year following a Change in Control (as such capitalized terms are defined in the Amended and Restated Executive Severance Agreement), the Executive will be entitled to continuation of base salary for a period of twelve (12) months (or in the event of a Constructive Termination, fourteen (14) months), a pro-rata portion of the Executives annual bonus at target through the date of such termination or resignation and any unpaid bonus from the prior fiscal year (if applicable), twenty (24) four months of continued health, dental and disability insurance, no cost club membership during the severance period, and outplacement assistance. Receipt of the severance payments and benefits is conditioned on the
Executives signing a release of claims and his or hers continued compliance with the Amended and Restated Executive Severance Agreement, including the non-competition and non-solicitation provisions contained therein.
The foregoing summaries of the Giardina Agreement, the Gallagher Agreement and the Amended and Restated Executive Severance Agreement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Giardina Agreement, Gallagher Agreement and Amended and Restated Executive Severance Agreement a copy of which are attached as Exhibits 10.1, 10.2 and 10.3 respectively to this Current Report and are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 8.01 Other Events.
On February 25, 2015, the Company also announced that the Board is engaged in a process to evaluate strategic alternatives, including a possible sale of the Company, and has retained Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc. as financial advisor to assist in this process.
A copy of the Companys press release announcing the above actions is attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
Item |
Description | |
10.1 | Letter Agreement, dated February 25, 2015, between Town Sports International Holdings, Inc. and Robert Giardina. | |
10.2 | Letter Agreement, dated February 25, 2015, between Town Sports International Holdings, Inc. and Daniel Gallagher. | |
10.3 | Form of Amended and Restated Executive Severance Agreement, dated February 25, 2015, between Town Sports International Holdings, Inc. and each of Carolyn Spatafora, David M. Kastin, Paul Barron, Scott Milford, and Nitin Ajmera. | |
99.1 | Companys Press Release, dated February 25, 2015. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
TOWN SPORTS INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC. | ||
(Registrant) | ||
By: | /s/ David M. Kastin | |
David M. Kastin | ||
Senior Vice President - General Counsel |
Date: February 25, 2015
EXHIBIT INDEX
Item |
Description | |
10.1 | Letter Agreement, dated February 25, 2015, between Town Sports International Holdings, Inc. and Robert Giardina. | |
10.2 | Letter Agreement, dated February 25, 2015, between Town Sports International Holdings, Inc. and Daniel Gallagher. | |
10.3 | Form of Amended and Restated Executive Severance Agreement, dated February 25, 2015, between Town Sports International Holdings, Inc. and each of Carolyn Spatafora, David M. Kastin, Paul Barron, Scott Milford, and Nitin Ajmera. | |
99.1 | Companys Press Release, dated February 25, 2015. |
Exhibit 10.1
February 25, 2015
Robert Giardina
c/o Town Sports International, LLC
5 Penn Plaza
New York, NY 10001
Dear Bob:
This letter agreement (the Agreement) sets forth the terms of your continued employment through a transition period and your resignation in all capacities (except as otherwise specified in Section 1) from Town Sports International Holdings, Inc. (TSI) and its subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively, the Company). Effective February 25, 2015, you will become Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of TSI (the Board). TSI is entering into this Agreement in order to induce you to serve as Executive Chairman, perform the duties described below and remain an employee of the Company through September 30, 2015 (such date, as it may be extended or accelerated pursuant to Section 3 below, being referred to herein as the Departure Date). The period from the date hereof through the Departure Date is referred to as the Retention Period.
1. Retention Period. As Executive Chairman, you will focus on exploring and evaluating strategic alternatives, which may include the potential sale of the Company. You and the Company acknowledge that you will no longer be expected to devote your full business time to the performance of your duties, but that you will spend sufficient time (at least 40% of your business time) to perform the required duties and responsibilities. After the Departure Date, you will remain as a member of the Board with the fiduciary duties associated with such position and will receive the same compensation as other non-employee members for their service on the Board.
2. Compensation, Benefits and Bonus. For the period from March 1, 2015 through April 30, 2015, your annual base salary will be $706,825, but will be reduced to $500,000 as of May 1, 2015 for the remainder of the Retention Period. Your base salary will be payable in accordance with the Town Sports International, LLCs standard payroll practices and subject to all applicable tax withholdings. During the Retention Period, you will remain eligible for the Companys benefit plans to the extent you are eligible under the general terms thereof. As of the 2015 fiscal year, you will no longer participate in the Companys performance bonus plan or any other compensation arrangement, except as contemplated in this Agreement.
3. Retention Payment.
(a) Subject to Section 5, you shall receive a payment (the Retention Payment) equal to $1.1 million, less all applicable taxes and withholdings, so long as you remain employed in the role of Executive Chairman through September 30, 2015; provided that such date (i) may be extended to no later than December 31, 2015 by the Company if the Company is in the midst of a process (e.g., negotiations on a letter of intent, term sheet or
purchase or merger agreement) with a potential acquirer that may result in a Change in Control (as defined below) and (ii) shall be accelerated to (A) the date on which the Company executes a definitive agreement that contemplates a transaction that, if consummated, would result in a Change in Control or (B) the date on which a Board Change (as defined below) occurs or (C) thirty (30) days after the Board determines to terminate the strategic review process, whichever is earlier.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that your employment ends earlier than September 30, 2015 (or the extended date pursuant to Section 3(a)(i)) as a result of a termination by the Company without Cause, your death or Disability, you shall be entitled to the Retention Payment.
(c) Subject to Sections 5 and 18(b), the Retention Payment shall be paid within sixty (60) days of the Departure Date, except in the event that the termination occurs as a result of a Board Change in which event the Retention Payment will be made in a manner consistent with the Executive Severance Agreement dated March 2010 between you and Town Sports International, LLC (the Prior Agreement) as follows: (i) that portion of the Retention Payment equal to that portion of severance under the Prior Agreement that would have been exempt from Section 409A of the Code shall be paid in a lump sum within sixty (60) days of the Departure Date and (ii) the remainder will be paid in monthly installments as provided in the Prior Agreement and, if applicable, subject to the six (6) month delay described in that Prior Agreement and Section 18(b) below.
(d) In the event of any other termination, including a resignation or a termination by the Company with Cause, you shall not be entitled to the Retention Payment or the other benefits described in Section 6 below (the Transition Benefits).
4. Definitions. As used herein, the terms identified below shall have the meanings indicated:
(a) Board Change means when individuals who, as of the date of this Agreement, constitute the Board (the Incumbent Board) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for election by TSI stockholders, was approved or recommended by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person (as defined below) other than the Board;
(b) Cause means the Companys termination of your employment with the Company as a result of: (i) your willful failure to perform any material portion of your duties, which has not been cured (if curable) by you within thirty (30) days of your receipt of written notice from the Company specifying in reasonable detail the circumstances giving rise to such failure, which notice must be delivered to you within thirty (30) days following the occurrence of such failure; (ii) your commission of any fraud, misappropriation or misconduct that causes
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demonstrable injury, monetarily or otherwise, to the Company; (iii) the conviction of, or pleading guilty or no contest to, a felony involving moral turpitude; (iv) any material breach of your fiduciary duties to the Company as an employee or officer; (v) your material violation of the Town Sports International Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, as amended from time to time, and such material policies and procedures of the Company; or (vi) any material breach of the terms of any agreement between you and the Company, including any of the restrictive covenants imposed pursuant to the TSI stock option and similar incentive plans and the related stock option agreement issued thereunder, if such breach is reasonably likely to result in a material injury to the Company.
(c) Change in Control means:
(i) The acquisition by any person or group (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of at least a majority of either (A) the then outstanding shares of common stock of TSI (the Outstanding TSI Common Stock), or (B) the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of TSI entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the Outstanding TSI Voting Securities);
(ii) Consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation involving TSI (a Business Combination), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination, all or substantially all of the Persons who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding TSI Common Stock and Outstanding TSI Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, at least a majority of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the Person resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a Person which as a result of such transaction owns TSI or all or substantially all of TSIs assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination, of the Outstanding TSI Common Stock and Outstanding TSI Voting Securities, as the case may be; or
(iii) Sale or other disposition of all or substantially all the assets of TSI or Town Sports International, LLC;
(d) Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations and other guidance promulgated by the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service thereunder.
(e) Disability means any medically determinable physical or mental impairment resulting in your inability to perform the duties of your position or any substantially similar position, where such impairment is expected to result in death or is expected to last for a continuous period of not less than six (6) months.
(f) Person means any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, governmental entity or other entity.
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5. Separation Release Agreement. Your eligibility for receipt of the Retention Payment and the Transition Benefits is expressly conditioned upon the following: (i) your signing of a release in which you release and/or waive any and all claims you may have against the Company within the time specified therein, but in no event later than fifty (50) days of the Departure Date and (ii) the release becoming effective. The Company shall provide to you the release no later than three (3) days following the Departure Date. If you do not timely execute and deliver to the Company such release, or if you execute such release but revoke it, no Retention Payment or Transition Benefits shall be paid.
6. Additional Transition Benefits.
(a) To the extent permitted by law and subject to Section 18(b), the Company shall continue your health, dental and disability coverage that you currently have (or provide comparable substitute coverage), and continue to pay that portion of the premium that it pays for active employees (grossed up for taxes, if applicable) at such times as the Company makes such payments for its active employees on a monthly basis until the earlier of (i) the fifth anniversary of the Departure Date (the Coverage Period) and (ii) the date on which you are eligible for comparable coverage under another group health and dental insurance plan or another disability plan by a successor employer; provided however, that the such coverage shall immediately terminate, and no further amounts shall be due pursuant to this Section 6(a) in the event you materially breached any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including Section 7 or 8 hereunder. You agree to promptly notify the Company in writing in the event that you are eligible for coverage under another such plan. If not otherwise covered by a group health or dental plan at the end of the Coverage Period, you shall be eligible for COBRA continuation coverage on such date on the same terms and conditions as offered to other eligible plan participants, and, if you elect such coverage, you shall be fully responsible for the associated premiums.
(b) For your lifetime, you and your immediate family will continue to have Passport Memberships (or its equivalent) at no cost to you; provided however, that such memberships shall cease in the event you have materially breached the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including Section 7 or 8 hereunder. The aforementioned memberships are subject to all of the Companys membership rules, regulations and policies currently in effect and as may be amended from time to time.
7. Non-Compete and Non-Solicitation.
(a) As an inducement to the Company to enter into this Agreement, you agree that (i) during your period of employment with the Company, and (ii) during the twelve (12) month period following the Departure Date (the Non-compete Period), you shall not, directly or indirectly, own, manage, control, participate in, consult with, render services for, or in any manner engage in, any business competing directly or indirectly with the business as conducted by the Company during your period of employment with the Company or at the time of the Departure Date or with any other business that is the logical extension of the Companys
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business during your period of employment with the Company or at the Departure Date, within any metropolitan area in which the Company engages or has definitive plans to engage in such business; provided, however, that you shall not be precluded from purchasing or holding publicly traded securities of any entity so long as you shall hold less than 2% of the outstanding units of any such class of securities and have no active participation in the business of such entity and this restriction is not intended to include territories of a strategic buyer with whom the Company has engaged in discussions or expansions that have been discussed with a strategic buyer. You agree that the following entities are examples of competitive businesses and are not exclusive: Crunch, 24 Hour, Equinox, NY Health and Racquet Club, LA Fitness, Planet Fitness, Lifetime and Ballys.
(b) As an inducement to the Company to enter into this Agreement, you agree that during the Non-compete Period, you shall not directly or indirectly (i) induce or attempt to induce any employee of the Company to leave the employ of the Company, or in any way interfere with the relationship between the Company and any employee thereof, (ii) hire any person who was an employee of the Company at any time during your employment period, except for such employees who have been terminated for at least three (3) months, or (iii) induce or attempt to induce any customer, supplier, licensee, franchisor or other business relation of the Company to cease doing business with such Company, or in any way interfere with the relationship between any such customer, supplier, licensee, franchisor or business relation, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand.
(c) The provisions of this Section 7 and Section 8 shall survive any expiration or termination of this Agreement.
(d) If it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that any of the provisions of this Section 7 or 8 is excessive in duration or scope or otherwise is unenforceable, then such provision may be modified or supplemented by the court to render it enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by law.
(e) You acknowledge and agree that the restrictions imposed upon you by the terms, conditions and provisions of this Section 7 and 8 are reasonably necessary to protect the legitimate business interests of the Company (which for the avoidance of doubt includes its subsidiaries and affiliates), and that any violation of any of the restrictions will result in immediate and irreparable injury to the Company for which monetary damages will not be an adequate remedy. You further acknowledge and agree that if any such restriction is violated, the Company will be entitled to (i) stop paying the Retention Payment and Transition Benefits, and to the extent paid, recoup such Retention Payment and Transition Benefits and (ii) immediate relief enjoining such violation (including, without limitation, temporary and permanent injunctions, a decree for specific performance, and an equitable accounting of earnings, profits, and other benefits arising from such violation) in any court having jurisdiction over such claim, without the necessity of showing any actual damage or posting any bond or furnishing any other security, and that the specific enforcement of the provisions of this Section will not diminish your ability to earn a livelihood or create or impose any undue hardship on you. You also agree that any request for such relief by the Company shall be in addition to, and without prejudice to, any claim for monetary damages that the Company may elect to assert. You further acknowledge and agree that if any provision of this Section 7 or 8 is found by a court of
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competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable or unreasonable as written, you authorize and request said court to revise the unenforceable or unreasonable provision in a manner that shall result in the provision being enforceable while remaining as similar as legally possible to the purpose and intent of the original. You further acknowledge and agree that any period of time during which you are in violation of the covenants set forth in this Section 7 shall be added to the applicable restricted period.
8. Confidential Information. You expressly recognize and acknowledge that during your employment with the Company and during your service as a member of the Board, you are entrusted with, have access to, or gain possession of confidential and proprietary information, data, documents, records, materials, and other trade secrets and/or other proprietary business information of the Company (which for the avoidance of doubt includes its subsidiaries and affiliates) that is not readily available to competitors, outside third parties and/or the public, including without limitation, information about (i) current or prospective customers, suppliers, licensees and/or franchisors (ii) employees, research, goodwill, production, and prices, (iii) business methods, processes, practices or procedures, (iv) computer software and technology development, and (v) business strategy, including acquisition, merger and/or divestiture strategies, (collectively or with respect to any of the foregoing, the Confidential Information). You agree, by acceptance of the right to receive compensation and benefits under this Agreement, including, without limitation, the Retention Payment and Transition Benefits, that: (i) unless pursuant to prior written consent by the Company, you shall not disclose any Confidential Information for any purpose whatsoever unless compelled by court order or subpoena, (ii) you shall treat as confidential all Confidential Information and shall take reasonable precautions to prevent unauthorized access to the Confidential Information, (iii) you shall not use the Confidential Information in any way detrimental to the Company, and (iv) you agree that the Confidential Information shall remain the exclusive property of the Company, and you shall promptly return to the Company all material which incorporates, or is derived from, all such Confidential Information upon termination of your employment with the Company, or termination of your service as a member of the Board, or upon demand from the Company. It is hereby agreed that Confidential Information does not include information generally available and known to the public other than through the disclosure thereof by or through you or obtained from a source not bound by a confidentiality agreement with the Company or any of its affiliates.
9. Notices. Any notice or communication given hereunder (each a Notice) shall be in writing and shall be sent by personal delivery, by courier or by United States mail (registered or certified mail, postage prepaid and return receipt requested), to the appropriate party at the address set forth below, or such other address or to the attention of such other person as a party shall have specified by prior Notice to the other party. Each Notice will be deemed given and effective upon actual receipt (or refusal of receipt).
If to the Company, to:
Town Sports International Holdings, Inc.
5 Penn Plaza (4th Floor)
New York, New York 10001
Attention: President
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With a copy to: General Counsel
If to you, to:
The address for you on file with the Company.
10. No Obligation to Continue Employment. This Agreement is not an agreement of continued employment. This Agreement does not guarantee that the Company will employ, retain or continue to, employ or retain you, nor does it modify in any respect any right of the Company to terminate or modify your employment or compensation, subject to the consequences described in this Agreement.
11. Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION BASED ON, ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY COURSE OF CONDUCT, COURSE OF DEALING, VERBAL OR WRITTEN STATEMENT OR ACTION OF ANY PARTY HERETO.
12. Governing Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Agreement will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the domestic laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.
13. Consent to Jurisdiction. In the event of any dispute, controversy or claim between the Company and you in any way concerning, arising out of or relating to this Agreement (a Dispute), including without limitation any Dispute concerning, arising out of or relating to the interpretation, application or enforcement of this Agreement, the parties hereby agree and consent to the Arbitration Policy of the Company to the extent it applies to the Dispute. If enforcement of the arbitration award is required or the Dispute is not covered by the Companys arbitration policy, the parties hereby (a) agree and consent to the personal jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York located in New York County and/or the Federal courts of the United States of America located in the Southern District of New York (collectively, the Agreed Venue) for resolution of any such Dispute, (b) agree that those courts in the Agreed Venue, and only those courts, shall have exclusive jurisdiction to determine any Dispute, including any appeal, and (c) agree that any cause of action arising out of this Agreement shall be deemed to have arisen from a transaction of business in the State of New York. The parties also hereby irrevocably (i) submit to the jurisdiction of any competent court in the Agreed Venue (and of the appropriate appellate courts therefrom), (ii) to the fullest extent permitted by law, waive any and all defenses the parties may have on the grounds of lack of jurisdiction of any such court and any other objection that such parties may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding in any such court (including without limitation any defense that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum), and (iii) consent to service of process in any such suit, action or proceeding, anywhere in the world, whether within or without the jurisdiction of any such court, in any manner provided by applicable law. Without limiting the foregoing, each party agrees
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that service of process on such party pursuant to a Notice shall be deemed effective service of process on such party. Any action for enforcement or recognition of any judgment obtained in connection with a Dispute may be enforced in any competent court in the Agreed Venue or in any other court of competent jurisdiction.
14. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed (including by facsimile transmission) with counterpart signature pages or in separate counterparts each of which shall be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
15. Waiver. The failure of the Company to enforce at any time any of the provisions of this Agreement, or to require at any time performance of any of the provisions of this Agreement, shall in no way be construed to be a waiver of these provisions, nor in any way to affect the validity of this Agreement or any part thereof, or the right of the Company thereafter to enforce every provision.
16. Severability and Interpretation. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement and any portion hereof shall be interpreted in such a manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, rules and regulations. If any covenant or other provision of this Agreement (or portion thereof) shall be held to be invalid, illegal, or incapable of being enforced, by reason of any rule of law, rule, regulation, administrative order, judicial decision or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall, nevertheless, remain in full force and effect, and no covenant or provision shall be deemed dependent upon any other covenant or provision (or portion) unless so expressed herein. The parties hereto desire and consent that the court or other body making such determination shall, to the extent necessary to avoid any unenforceability, so reform such covenant or other provision or portions of this Agreement to the minimum extent necessary so as to render the same enforceable in accordance with the intent herein expressed.
17. Entire Agreement. This Agreement is the entire agreement (together with any equity plan and related award agreement currently in effect between you and TSI) between the parties with respect to your employment and service as a director of TSI and supersedes all prior agreements, whether verbal or in writing, including without limitation the Prior Agreement (except to the extent incorporated in this Agreement in Section 3).
18. Section 409A.
(a) Separation of Service. The change in your position to Executive Chairman is not intended to be a separation of service as defined in Section 409A of the Code and Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(h) without regard to the optional alternative definitions available thereunder. The termination of your employment on the Departure Date is so intended. Your entitlement to the payments of the Retention Payment and Transition Benefits shall be treated as the entitlement to a series of separate payments for purposes of Section 409A of the Code.
(b) Potential Delay of Payment. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, any payment under this Agreement that the Company reasonably determines is subject to Section 409(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code shall not be paid or payment commenced until six
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(6) months after the Departure Date or your death. On the earliest date on which such payments can be made or commenced without violating the requirements of Section 409(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, you shall be paid, in a single cash lump sum, an amount equal to the aggregate amount of all payments delayed pursuant to the preceding sentence.
(c) Section 409A Savings Clause. It is intended that any amounts payable under this Agreement shall either be exempt from Section 409A of the Code or shall comply with Section 409A (including Treasury regulations and other published guidance related thereto) so as not to subject you to payment of any additional tax, penalty or interest imposed under Section 409A of the Code. The provisions of this Agreement shall be construed and interpreted to avoid the imputation of any such additional tax, penalty or interest under Section 409A of the Code yet preserve (to the nearest extent reasonably possible) the intended benefit payable to you. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company makes no representations regarding the tax treatment of any payments hereunder, and you shall be responsible for any and all applicable taxes, other than the Companys share of employment taxes on the Retention Payment and the gross up for taxes that may arise out of your participation in benefits to the extent provided in Section 6 above.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this agreement, effective as of the date and year first above written.
TOWN SPORTS INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ David Kastin | |
Name: | David Kastin | |
Title: | Senior Vice President | |
/s/ Robert Giardina | ||
Robert Giardina |
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Exhibit 10.2
February 25, 2015
Daniel Gallagher
c/o Town Sports International, LLC
5 Penn Plaza
New York, NY 10001
Dear Dan:
Town Sports International Holdings, Inc. (TSI Holdings and together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, the Company) is pleased to offer you a promotion into the position of Chief Executive Officer and President effective as of February 25, 2015 (the Effective Date). This letter agreement (this Agreement) set forth the terms of your continued employment.
1. Position. As Chief Executive Officer and President, you will report to the Board of Directors of TSI Holdings (the Board).
2. Compensation and Bonus. Commencing on the Effective Date, your annual base salary will be $575,000, payable in accordance with Town Sports International, LLCs (TSI) standard payroll practices and subject to all applicable tax withholdings. Future salary increases will be based on demonstrated job performance. Under the Companys current performance bonus plan, you will have a bonus target of seventy-five percent (75%) of your annual base salary.
3. Restricted Stock. At such time as the annual award of shares of restricted common stock is made to other senior executives of TSI Holdings, but in no event later than March 16, 2015, you will be awarded 85,000 shares of restricted stock of TSI Holdings, which award shall vest twenty-five (25%) percent per year, commencing on the first anniversary of the award date. The award will subject to the terms and conditions of the TSI Holdings 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended, and the related award agreement.
4. Severance. The Company shall provide you with sixty (60) days prior written notice of a termination of your employment without Cause. In the event that your employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or by you due to a Constructive Termination (as such terms are defined below), subject to the execution (without revocation) of the Companys standard release agreement within the time prescribed therein (no later than sixty (60) days from the date of termination) and your continued compliance with the covenants to which you are bound, including, without limitation, Section 6 and 7 below, you shall be eligible to receive the following severance payments and benefits (collectively, the Severance Benefits)
(a) Continuation of your base salary (at the rate in effect at the time of termination, but in no event less than $575,000) for a period of eighteen (18) months (or in the event of a Constructive Termination, then twenty (20) months) from the date of termination (such period being the Severance Period). Such payments will commence as soon as practical after the effectiveness of the release (no later than thirty (30) days thereafter) and the first payment shall include the payments that you would have received if the release were
effective on the date of termination, subject to the potential six (6) month delay set forth in Section 17 below. The payments will be made consistent with the Companys prevailing payroll practices and will be less all applicable withholding taxes.
(b) An amount equivalent to your pro-rata annual bonus (based on the number of days in the fiscal year through the date of termination) with respect to the fiscal year in which the termination date occurred at target. Additionally, and, if applicable, any unpaid annual bonus from the prior fiscal year, which amounts shall be payable within sixty (60) days of the date of termination, which bonus payment shall be subject to all other terms of TSI Holdings bonus plan and shall be subject to deduction for all applicable withholding taxes.
(c) To the extent permitted by law and subject to Section 17, the Company shall continue your health and dental coverage and disability coverage in which you participate at the time of termination (or provide comparable substitute coverage), and continue to pay that portion of the premium that it pays for active employees (grossed up to cover taxes, if applicable) at such times as the Company makes such payments for its active employees on a monthly basis until the earlier of (i) the second anniversary of the termination date (the Coverage Period) and (ii) the date on which you are eligible for comparable coverage under another group health and dental insurance plan or another disability plan by a successor employer. You agree to promptly notify the Company in writing in the event that you are eligible for coverage under another such plan. If not otherwise covered by a group health or dental plan as the end of the Coverage Period, you shall be eligible for COBRA continuation coverage on such date on the same terms and conditions as offered to other eligible plan participants, and, if you elect such coverage, you shall be fully responsible for the associated premiums.
(d) During the Severance Period, you and your immediate family will continue to have Passport Memberships (or its equivalent) at no cost to you. The aforementioned memberships are subject to all of the Companys membership rules, regulations and policies currently in effect and as may be amended from time to time.
(e) During the Severance Period, you shall be entitled to outplacement assistance with a nationally recognized outplacement firm at an executive level, provided that such cost shall not exceed $30,000.
(f) Any severance provided pursuant to this provision shall be in lieu of any severance or other payment under your restricted stock or option agreements and not duplicative.
(g) In the event your employment terminates for any reason other than by the Company without Cause or by you due to a Constructive Termination, you shall not be eligible for the Severance Benefits and you shall only be entitled to payment of base salary through the date of termination, reimbursement of business expenses incurred through the date of termination in accordance with the Companys policy and any other rights pursuant to applicable law.
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5. Definitions. As used herein, the terms identified below shall have the meanings indicated:
(a) Cause means the Companys termination of your employment as a result of: (i) repeated refusal to comply with the lawful direction of the Board (which is not cured within thirty (30) days of written notice from TSI Holdings describing such refusal to comply); (ii) the commission of any fraud, misappropriation or misconduct by you that causes, or is reasonably likely to cause, injury, monetarily or otherwise, to the Company; (iii) the conviction of, or pleading guilty or no contest to, a felony involving moral turpitude; (iv) an act resulting or intended to result, directly or indirectly, in material gain or personal enrichment to you at the expense of the Company; (v) any material breach of your fiduciary duties to the Company as an employee or officer; (vi) a material violation of the Companys Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, as amended from time to time, or other policies and procedures of the Company; (vii) any breach of the terms of any non-compete, non-solicitation or confidentiality provision contained in any agreement between you and the Company.
(b) Constructive Termination means your voluntary termination of employment with the Company as a result of (i) a material diminution in your authority, duties, or responsibilities, a change in your supervisory reporting relationship within the Company, or your no longer serving as Chief Executive Officer, except no longer serving as President shall not constitute a Constructive Termination event; (ii) a change, caused by the Company, in geographic location of greater than 50 miles from 5 Penn Plaza, New York, NY; or (iii) a material reduction in your base pay or incentive cash compensation; provided, however, that none of the foregoing conditions or events shall constitute Constructive Termination unless (A) you shall have provided written notice to the Company within ninety (90) days after the occurrence of such condition or event describing the condition or event claimed to constitute Constructive Termination and (B) the Company shall have failed to remedy the condition or event within thirty (30) days of its receipt of such written notice. In order to resign due to Constructive Termination, your resignation must be effective within 90 days of the expiration of the cure period without the Company curing the event.
6. Non-Compete and Non-solicitation.
(a) As an inducement to the Company to enter into this Agreement, you agree that (i) during your period of employment with the Company, and (ii) during the eighteen (18)-month period following the end of your employment for any reason (the Non-compete Period), you shall not, directly or indirectly, own, manage, control, participate in, consult with, render services for, or in any manner engage in, any business competing directly or indirectly with the business as conducted by the Company during your period of employment with the Company or at the time of the termination of your employment or with any other business that is the logical extension of the Companys business during your period of employment with the Company or at the time of termination of your employment, within any metropolitan area in which the Company engages or has definitive plans to engage in such business as of the date of this Agreement; provided, however, that you shall not be precluded from purchasing or holding publicly traded securities of any entity so long as you shall hold less than 2% of the outstanding units of any such class of securities and have no active participation in the business of such entity. You agree that the following entities are examples of competitive businesses and are not exclusive: Crunch, 24 Hour, Equinox, NY Health and Racquet Club, LA Fitness, Planet Fitness, Lifetime and Ballys.
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(b) As an inducement to the Company to enter into this Agreement you agree that during the Non-compete Period, you shall not directly or indirectly (i) induce or attempt to induce any employee of the Company to leave the employ of the Company, or in any way interfere with the relationship between the Company and any employee thereof, (ii) hire any person who was an employee of the Company at any time during your employment except for such employees who have been terminated for at least three (3) months, or (iii) induce or attempt to induce any customer, supplier, licensee, franchisor or other business relation of the Company to cease doing business with such Company, or in any way interfere with the relationship between any such customer, supplier, licensee, franchisor or business relation, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand.
(c) The provisions of this Section 6 and 7 shall survive any expiration or termination of this Agreement.
(d) If it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that any of the provisions of this Section 6 or 7 is excessive in duration or scope or otherwise is unenforceable, then such provision may be modified or supplemented by the court to render it enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by law.
(e) You acknowledge and agree that the restrictions imposed upon you by the terms, conditions and provisions of this Section 6 and 7 are reasonably necessary to protect the legitimate business interests of the Company (which for the avoidance of doubt includes its subsidiaries and affiliates), and that any violation of any of the restrictions will result in immediate and irreparable injury to the Company for which monetary damages will not be an adequate remedy. You further acknowledge and agree that if any such restriction is violated, the Company will be entitled to (i) stop paying the Severance Benefits, and to the extent paid, recoup such payments and (ii) immediate relief enjoining such violation (including, without limitation, temporary and permanent injunctions, a decree for specific performance, and an equitable accounting of earnings, profits, and other benefits arising from such violation) in any court having jurisdiction over such claim, without the necessity of showing any actual damage or posting any bond or furnishing any other security, and that the specific enforcement of the provisions of this Section will not diminish your ability to earn a livelihood or create or impose any undue hardship on you. You also agree that any request for such relief by the Company shall be in addition to, and without prejudice to, any claim for monetary damages that the Company may elect to assert. You further acknowledge and agree that if any provision of this Section 6 or 7 is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable or unreasonable as written, you authorize and request said court to revise the unenforceable or unreasonable provision in a manner that shall result in the provision being enforceable while remaining as similar as legally possible to the purpose and intent of the original. You further acknowledge and agree that any period of time during which you are in violation of the covenants set forth in this Section 6 shall be added to the restricted period.
7. Confidential Information. You expressly recognize and acknowledge that during your employment with the Company, you are entrusted with, have access to, or gain possession of confidential and proprietary information, data, documents, records, materials, and other trade secrets and/or other proprietary business information of the Company that is not readily available to competitors, outside third parties and/or the public, including without limitation, information
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about (i) current or prospective customers, suppliers, licensees and/or franchisors; (ii) employees, research, goodwill, production, and prices; (iii) business methods, processes, practices or procedures; (iv) computer software and technology development; and (v) business strategy, including acquisition, merger and/or divestiture strategies, (collectively or with respect to any of the foregoing, the Confidential Information). You agree, by acceptance of the right to receive compensation and benefits under this Agreement, that: (i) unless pursuant to prior written consent by the Company, you shall not disclose any Confidential Information for any purpose whatsoever unless compelled by court order or subpoena; (ii) you shall treat as confidential all Confidential Information and shall take reasonable precautions to prevent unauthorized access to the Confidential Information; (iii) you shall not use the Confidential Information in any way detrimental to the Company or any of its affiliates; and (iv) you agree that the Confidential Information obtained during your employment with the Company shall remain the exclusive property of the Company, and you shall promptly return to the Company all material which incorporates, or is derived from, all such Confidential Information upon termination of your employment with the Company. It is hereby agreed that Confidential Information does not include information generally available and known to the public other than through the disclosure thereof by or through you or obtained from a source not bound by a confidentiality agreement with the Company or any of its affiliates.
8. Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION BASED ON, ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY COURSE OF CONDUCT, COURSE OF DEALING, VERBAL OR WRITTEN STATEMENT OR ACTION OF ANY PARTY HERETO.
9. Governing Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Agreement will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the domestic laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.
10. Consent to Jurisdiction. In the event of any dispute, controversy or claim between the Company or any Affiliate and you in any way concerning, arising out of or relating to this Agreement (a Dispute), including without limitation any Dispute concerning, arising out of or relating to the interpretation, application or enforcement of this Agreement, the parties hereby agree and consent to the Arbitration Policy of the Company to the extent it applies to the Dispute. If enforcement of the arbitration award is required or the Dispute is not covered by the Companys arbitration policy, the parties hereby (a) agree and consent to the personal jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York located in New York County and/or the Federal courts of the United States of America located in the Southern District of New York (collectively, the Agreed Venue) for resolution of any such Dispute, (b) agree that those courts in the Agreed Venue, and only those courts, shall have exclusive jurisdiction to determine any Dispute, including any appeal, and (c) agree that any cause of action arising out of this Agreement shall be deemed to have arisen from a transaction of business in the State of New York. The parties also hereby irrevocably (i) submit to the jurisdiction of any competent court in the Agreed Venue (and of the appropriate appellate courts therefrom), (ii) to the fullest extent permitted by law, waive any and all defenses the parties may have on the grounds of lack of
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jurisdiction of any such court and any other objection that such parties may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding in any such court (including without limitation any defense that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum), and (iii) consent to service of process in any such suit, action or proceeding, anywhere in the world, whether within or without the jurisdiction of any such court, in any manner provided by applicable law. Without limiting the foregoing, each party agrees that service of process on such party pursuant to a Notice shall be deemed effective service of process on such party. Any action for enforcement or recognition of any judgment obtained in connection with a Dispute may be enforced in any competent court in the Agreed Venue or in any other court of competent jurisdiction.
11. Disputes. In the event that either party commences a litigation, arbitration, or an administrative action related to this Agreement against the other, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover from the non-prevailing party all reasonable costs, expenses and fees, including reasonable attorneys fees, through all appeals in prosecuting or defending such action. For purposes hereof, the prevailing party shall be the party who receives substantially the relief sought as determined by the trier of fact
12. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed (including by facsimile transmission) with counterpart signature pages or in separate counterparts each of which shall be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
13. Waiver. The failure of the Company to enforce at any time any of the provisions of this Agreement, or to require at any time performance of any of the provisions of this Agreement, shall in no way be construed to be a waiver of these provisions, nor in any way to affect the validity of this Agreement or any part thereof, or the right of the Company thereafter to enforce every provision.
14. Severability and Interpretation. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement and any portion hereof shall be interpreted in such a manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, rules and regulations. If any covenant or other provision of this Agreement (or portion thereof) shall be held to be invalid, illegal, or incapable of being enforced, by reason of any rule of law, rule, regulation, administrative order, judicial decision or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall, nevertheless, remain in full force and effect, and no covenant or provision shall be deemed dependent upon any other covenant or provision (or portion) unless so expressed herein. The parties hereto desire and consent that the court or other body making such determination shall, to the extent necessary to avoid any unenforceability, so reform such covenant or other provision or portions of this Agreement to the minimum extent necessary so as to render the same enforceable in accordance with the intent herein expressed.
15. Entire Agreement. This Agreement is the entire agreement (together with any equity plan and related award agreement currently in effect between you and TSI Holdings) between the parties with respect to your employment and supersedes all prior agreements, whether verbal or in writing, including without limitation the letter agreement dated January 10, 2010 and the Executive Severance Agreement, dated January 22, 2008, as amended December 2010.
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16. Employment at Will; Notice of Termination. In accepting this new position, you understand and agree that your employment with the Company shall remain at-will, which means that either you or the Company are free to terminate your employment at any time, for any reason or no reason, with or without notice. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of a termination without Cause or by you due to a Constructive Termination (as set forth above), you will be paid the Severance Benefits and the Company will provide the notice required by Section 4. You further understand and acknowledge that there is no written or oral contract providing you with any definite or specific term of employment. You further understand and agree that, due to your at-will status, the Company may, at any time, modify the terms of your employment, including, but not limited to, your job title, job responsibilities, compensation and benefits subject to your right to resign due to Constructive Termination if such modification meets such criteria.
17. Section 409A. If you are a specified employee within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-l(i) as of the date of the termination of your employment, you shall not be entitled to any payment or benefit that constitutes deferred compensation under 409A pursuant to this Agreement until the earlier of (i) the date which is six (6) months after your termination of employment for any reason other than death or (ii) the date of your death. The provisions of this paragraph shall only apply if, and to the extent, required to avoid the imputation of any tax, penalty or interest pursuant to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). Any amounts otherwise payable to you upon or in the six (6) month period following your termination of employment that are not so paid by reason of this Section shall be paid (without interest) as soon as practicable (and in all events within thirty (30) days) after the date that is six (6) months after the date of your termination (or, if earlier, as soon as practicable, and in all events within thirty (30) days, after the date of your death). It is intended that any amounts payable under this Agreement shall comply with or be exempt from and avoid the imputation of any tax, penalty or interest under Section 409A of the Code. This Agreement shall be construed and interpreted consistent with that intent. In no event whatsoever will the Company be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalties that may be imposed on you under Section 409A of the Code or any damages for failing to comply with Section 409A of the Code. A termination of employment shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this Agreement providing for the payment of any amounts or benefits subject to Section 409A of the Code upon or following a termination of employment until such termination is also a separation from service within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and for purposes of any such provision of this Agreement, references to a termination of employment and like terms shall mean separation from service. If under this Agreement an amount is paid in two or more installments, for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, each installment shall be treated as a separate and distinct payment. All Severance Benefits shall be completed by, and no further Severance Benefits shall be payable after, December 31 of the second taxable year following the year in which your termination of employment occurs.
18. Notices. Any notice or communication given hereunder (each a Notice) shall be in writing and shall be sent by personal delivery, by courier or by United States mail (registered or certified mail, postage prepaid and return receipt requested), to the appropriate party at the address set forth below, or such other address or to the attention of such other person as a party shall have specified by prior Notice to the other party. Each Notice will be deemed given and effective upon actual receipt (or refusal of receipt).
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If to the Company, to:
Town Sports International, LLC
5 Penn Plaza (4th Floor)
New York, New York 10001
Attention: General Counsel
If to you, to:
Your address on file with the Company.
Please indicate your acceptance of this offer by signing this Agreement and returning the signed letter to me at the above address.
Very truly yours, | ||
TOWN SPORTS INTERNATIONAL, LLC | ||
By: | ||
/s/ David Kastin | ||
Name: | David Kastin | |
Title: | Senior Vice President |
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
I have read and understand all of the terms of this Agreement and I accept and agree to all of the terms set forth therein.
ACCEPTED AND AGREED TO: | ||
/s/ Daniel Gallagher | ||
Daniel Gallagher | ||
Date: | February 25, 2015 |
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Exhibit 10.3
AMENDED AND RESTATED EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE AGREEMENT
Amended and Restated Executive Severance Agreement, dated as of February 25, 2015 (this Agreement), between Town Sports International Holdings, Inc. (Holdings and collectively with its subsidiaries and affiliates being referred to as the Company) and [Name of Executive] (the Executive).
WHEREAS, the Executive and Town Sports International, LLC (TSI LLC), a subsidiary of Holdings, have previously entered into the Executive Severance Agreement dated [ ] (the Prior Agreement);
WHEREAS, Holdings and TSI LLC desire to amend and restate the Prior Agreement in order to induce the Executive to remain in the employ of the Company;
WHEREAS, the Severance Payments are offered in exchange for the commitments of the Executive as set forth herein.
WHEREAS, by signing and returning this Agreement, the Executive acknowledges and agrees to comply with the provisions of this Agreement and acknowledges that the execution of a Separation and Release Agreement is a requirement for receiving the Severance Payments under this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions. As used herein, the terms identified below shall have the meanings indicated:
(a) Cause means the Companys termination of the Executives employment with the Company as a result of: (i) Executives willful failure to perform any material portion of his [her] duties, which has not been cured (if curable) by Executive within thirty (30) days of Executives receipt of written notice from the Company specifying in reasonable detail the circumstances giving rise to such failure, which notice must be delivered to Executive within thirty (30) days following the occurrence of such failure; (ii) the commission of any fraud, misappropriation or misconduct by Executive that causes demonstrable injury, monetarily or otherwise, to the Company; (iii) the conviction of, or pleading guilty or no contest to, a felony involving moral turpitude; (iv) any material breach of Executives fiduciary duties to the Company as an employee or officer; (v) a material violation of the Town Sports International Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, as amended from time to time, and such material policies and procedures of the Company; or (vi) any material breach of the terms of any agreement between Executive and the Company, including any of the restrictive covenants imposed pursuant to the Holdings stock option and similar incentive plans and the related stock option agreement issued thereunder, if such breach is reasonably likely to result in a material injury to the Company.
(b) Change in Control means:
(i) The acquisition by any person or group (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of a majority of either (A) the then outstanding shares of common stock of Holdings (the Outstanding Holdings Common Stock), or (B) the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of Holdings entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the Outstanding Holdings Voting Securities);
(ii) Individuals who, as of the date of this Agreement, constitute the Board (the Incumbent Board) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for election by Holdings stockholders, was approved or recommended by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board;
(iii) Consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation involving Holdings (a Business Combination), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination, all or substantially all of the Persons who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Holdings Common Stock and Outstanding Holdings Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, at least a majority of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the Person resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a Person which as a result of such transaction owns Holdings or all or substantially all of Holdings assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination, of the Outstanding Holdings Common Stock and Outstanding Holdings Voting Securities, as the case may be;
(iv) Sale or other disposition of all or substantially all the assets of Holdings or the Company; or
(v) Approval by the stockholders of Holdings or approval by the member(s) of TSI LLC of a complete liquidation, winding up or dissolution of Holdings or TSI LLC, as the case may be.
(c) Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations and other guidance promulgated by the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service thereunder.
(d) Constructive Termination means the Executives voluntary termination of employment with the Company as a result of (i) a material diminution in the Executives authority, duties, or responsibilities, or a change in the Executives supervisory reporting relationship within the Company, except as part of, and consistent with, an organizational change; (ii) a change, caused by the Company, in geographic location of greater than 50 miles from 5 Penn Plaza, New York, NY; or (iii) a material reduction in the Executives base pay or incentive cash compensation; provided, however, that none of the foregoing conditions or events shall constitute Constructive Termination unless (A) the Executive shall have provided written notice to Holdings within ninety (90) days after the occurrence of such condition or event describing the condition or event claimed to constitute Constructive Termination and (B) the Company shall have failed to remedy the condition or event within thirty (30) days of its receipt of such written notice.
(e) Disability means any medically determinable physical or mental impairment resulting in the Executives inability to perform the duties of his or her position or any substantially similar position, where such impairment is expected to result in death or is expected to last for a continuous period of not less than six (6) months.
(f) Person means any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, governmental entity or other entity.
(g) Severance Payments means the aggregate gross amount of severance payments determined in accordance with Sections 2 and 3 of this Agreement to be paid to the Executive who is entitled to receive such Severance Payments under this Agreement.
(h) Termination Date means the date on which the Executive has a termination of employment from the Company, which in the case of a termination by the Company without Cause shall be effective 60 days after the Company provides written notice to the Executive (the Notice Period) .
2. Eligibility. The Executive shall be eligible for Severance Payments under this Agreement following a Qualifying Termination as follows:
(a) Qualifying Termination. The Company will pay Severance Payments under Section 3 of this Agreement on account of the events specified below in this Section 2(a) occurring within a period of twelve (12) months following the date of a Change in Control; provided that if the Company delivers written notice of termination without Cause after the ten (10) month anniversary of the Change in Control but before the end of the twelve (12) month period, the twelve (12) month period shall be extended until the end of the Notice Period and such termination shall be deemed a Qualifying Termination:
(i) involuntary termination of the Executives employment by the Company that is not for Cause;
(ii) voluntary separation of the Executive as a result of a Constructive Termination;
(iii) death; or
(iv) termination as a result of Disability.
(b) Non-Qualifying Termination. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to require the Company to pay Severance Payments to the Executive if the Executive terminates Employment with the Company as the result of:
(i) voluntary separation (a separation, including retirement, initiated by the Executive), other than a voluntary separation pursuant to Section 2(a)(ii);
(ii) retirement, whether early retirement, retirement at normal retirement age or retirement following normal retirement age;
(iii) the Company having terminated such Executives employment for Cause; or
(iv) a separation or termination for any reason more than twelve (12) months (or after the Notice Period as provided above in Section 2(a)) following the date of a Change in Control.
(c) Separation Release Agreement. The eligibility for receipt of the Severance Payments is expressly conditioned upon the following: (i) the Executives signing of a release in which the Executive releases and/or waives any and all claims the Executive may have against the Company within the time specified therein but in no event later than fifty (50) days of the Termination Date and (ii) the release becoming effective. The Company shall provide to Executive the release no later than three (3) days following Executives Termination Date. If Executive does not timely execute and deliver to the Company such release, or if Executive executes such release but revokes it, no Severance Payments shall be paid.
3. Amount, Payment and Timing of Severance.
(a) Amount and Payment of Severance.
Unless otherwise provided herein, the Executive shall receive the following Severance Payments; provided however, that the Severance Period (defined below) shall immediately terminate, and no further amounts shall be due pursuant to this Section 3 in the event Executive has materially breached any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including Section 4 and 5 hereunder:
(i) Continuation of Executives annual base salary as of Executives Termination Date for a period of twelve (12) months (or in the event of a Constructive Termination, then fourteen (14) months) from the Executives Termination Date (such period the Severance Period), less all applicable withholding taxes, payable as described in Section 3(b) below.
(ii) An amount equivalent to Executives pro-rata annual bonus (based on the number of days in the fiscal year through the Termination Date) with respect to the fiscal year in which the Termination Date occurred at target. Additionally, and, if applicable, any unpaid annual bonus from the prior fiscal year, which amount(s) shall be payable within sixty (60) days of the Termination Date, which bonus payment shall be subject to all other terms of Holdings bonus plan and shall be subject to deduction for all applicable withholding taxes.
(iii) To the extent permitted by law and subject to Section 15, the Company shall continue Executives health and dental coverage and disability coverage in which [s]he participates at the Termination Date (or provide comparable substitute coverage), and continue to pay that portion of the premium that it pays for active employees (grossed up to cover taxes, if applicable) at such times as the Company makes such payments for its active employees on a monthly basis until the earlier of (i) the second anniversary of the termination date (the Coverage Period) and (ii) the date on which Executive becomes eligible for comparable coverage under another group health and dental insurance plan or another disability plan by a successor employer. Executive agrees to promptly notify the Company in writing in the event that [s]he becomes eligible for coverage under another such plan. If not otherwise covered by a group health or dental plan as the end of the Coverage Period, Executive shall be eligible for COBRA continuation coverage on such date on the same terms and conditions as offered to other eligible plan participants, and, if Executive elects such coverage, [s]he shall be fully responsible for the associated premiums.
(iv) During the Severance Period, Executive and Executives immediate family will continue to have Passport Memberships (or its equivalent) at no cost to Executive. The aforementioned memberships are subject to all of the Companys membership rules, regulations and policies currently in effect and as may be amended from time to time.
(v) During the Severance Period, Executive shall be entitled to outplacement assistance with a nationally recognized outplacement firm at an executive level, provided that such cost shall not exceed $25,000.
(vi) Any severance provided pursuant to this provision shall be in lieu of any severance or other payment under Executives restricted stock or option agreements and not duplicative.
(b) Timing of Payments.
(i) The Severance Payments described in section 3(a)(i) shall be paid, minus applicable deductions, including deductions for tax withholding, in equal payments on the regular payroll dates during the twelve (12) month (or in the event of a Constructive Termination, then fourteen (14) month) period following Executives termination of employment. Commencement of payments of the Severance Payments described in Section 3(a)(i) shall begin on the first payroll date that occurs at least sixty (60) days after the Termination Date, but which may be accelerated by no more than thirty (30) days (the Starting Date) provided that Executive has satisfied the requirements of Section 2(c). The first payment on the payment Starting Date shall include those payments that would have previously been paid if the payments of the Severance Payments had begun on the first payroll date following the Termination Date. This timing of the commencement of benefits is subject to Section 15 below.
(ii) All Severance Payments shall be completed by, and no further Severance Payments shall be payable after, December 31 of the second taxable year following the year in which Executives termination of employment occurs.
(iii) Executives entitlement to the payments of the Severance Payments described in Section 3(a) shall be treated as the entitlement to a series of separate payments for purposes of Section 409A of the Code.
(iv) For purposes of this Agreement, termination of employment shall mean a separation of service as defined in Section 409A of the Code and Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(h) without regard to the optional alternative definitions available thereunder.
4. Non-Compete and Non-solicitation.
(a) As an inducement to Holdings and TSI LLC to enter into this Agreement, the Executive agrees that (i) during the Executives period of employment with the Company, and (ii) during the twelve (12)-month period following the Termination Date (the Non-compete Period), the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, own, manage, control, participate in, consult with, render services for, or in any manner engage in, any business competing directly or indirectly with the business as conducted by the Company (which for the sake of clarity, includes, for purposes of this Agreement, its subsidiaries and affiliates) during the Executives period of employment with the Company or at the time of the Termination Date or with any other business that is the logical extension of the Companys business during the Executives period of employment with the Company or at the time of the Executives Termination Date, within any metropolitan area in which the Company engages or has definitive plans to engage in such business as of the date of this Agreement; provided, however, that the Executive shall not be precluded from purchasing or holding publicly traded securities of any entity, so long as the Executive shall hold less than 2% of the outstanding units of any such class of securities and has no active participation in the business of such entity and this restriction is not intended to include territories of a strategic buyer with whom the Company has engaged in discussions or expansions that have been discussed with a strategic buyer. The Executive agrees that the following entities are examples of competitive businesses and are not exclusive: Crunch, 24 Hour, Equinox, NY Health and Racquet Club, LA Fitness, Planet Fitness, Lifetime and Ballys.
(b) As an inducement to the Company to enter into this Agreement, the Executive agrees that during the Non-compete Period, the Executive shall not directly or indirectly (i) induce or attempt to induce any employee of the Company to leave the employ of the Company, or in any way interfere with the relationship between the Company and any employee thereof, (ii) hire any person who was an employee of the Company at any time during the Executives employment period, except for such employees who have been terminated for at least three (3) months, or (iii) induce or attempt to induce any customer, supplier, licensee, franchisor or other business relation of the Company to cease doing business with such Company, or in any way interfere with the relationship between any such customer, supplier, licensee, franchisor or business relation, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand.
(c) The provisions of this Section 4 and Section 5 shall survive any expiration or termination of this Agreement.
(d) If it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that any of the provisions of this Section 4 or Section 5 is excessive in duration or scope or otherwise is unenforceable, then such provision may be modified or supplemented by the court to render it enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by law.
(e) Executive acknowledges and agrees that the restrictions imposed upon [him][her] by the terms, conditions and provisions of this Section 4 and 5 are reasonably necessary to protect the legitimate business interests of the Company and that any violation of any of the restrictions will result in immediate and irreparable injury to the Company for which monetary damages will not be an adequate remedy. Executive further acknowledges and agrees that if any such restriction is violated, the Company will be entitled to (i) stop paying the Severance Payments, and to the extent paid, recoup such payments and (ii) immediate relief enjoining such violation (including, without limitation, temporary and permanent injunctions, a decree for specific performance, and an equitable accounting of earnings, profits, and other benefits arising from such violation) in any court having jurisdiction over such claim, without the necessity of showing any actual damage or posting any bond or furnishing any other security, and that the specific enforcement of the provisions of this Section will not diminish Executives ability to earn a livelihood or create or impose any undue hardship on Executive. Executive also agrees that any request for such relief by the Company shall be in addition to, and without prejudice to, any claim for monetary damages that the Company may elect to assert. Executive further acknowledges and agrees that if any provision of this Section 4 or 5 is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable or unreasonable as written, Executive authorizes and requests said court to revise the unenforceable or unreasonable provision in a manner that shall result in the provision being enforceable while remaining as similar as legally possible to the purpose and intent of the original. Executive further acknowledges and agrees that any period of time during which Executive is in violation of the covenants set forth in this Section 4 shall be added to the restricted period.
5. Confidential Information. The Executive expressly recognizes and acknowledges that during the Executives employment with the Company, the Executive is entrusted with, has access to, or gains possession of confidential and proprietary information, data, documents, records, materials, and other trade secrets and/or other proprietary business information of the Company that is not readily available to competitors, outside third parties and/or the public, including without limitation, information about (i) current or prospective customers, suppliers, licensees and/or franchisors; (ii) employees, research, goodwill, production, and prices; (iii) business methods, processes, practices or procedures; (iv) computer software and technology development; and (v) business strategy, including acquisition, merger and/or divestiture strategies, (collectively or with respect to any of the foregoing, the Confidential Information). The Executive agrees, by acceptance of the right to receive Severance Payments under this Agreement, that: (i) unless pursuant to prior written consent by the Company, the Executive shall not disclose any Confidential Information for any purpose whatsoever unless compelled by court order or subpoena; (ii) the Executive shall treat as confidential all Confidential Information and shall take reasonable precautions to prevent unauthorized access to the Confidential Information; (iii) the Executive shall not use the Confidential Information in any
way detrimental to the Company; and (iv) the Executive agrees that the Confidential Information obtained during the Executives employment with the Company shall remain the exclusive property of the Company, and the Executive shall promptly return to the Company all material which incorporates, or is derived from, all such Confidential Information upon termination of the Executives employment with the Company. It is hereby agreed that Confidential Information does not include information generally available and known to the public other than through the disclosure thereof by or through the Executive or obtained from a source not bound by a confidentiality agreement with the Company.
6. Notices. Any notice or communication given hereunder (each a Notice) shall be in writing and shall be sent by personal delivery, by courier or by United States mail (registered or certified mail, postage prepaid and return receipt requested), to the appropriate party at the address set forth below, or such other address or to the attention of such other person as a party shall have specified by prior Notice to the other party. Each Notice will be deemed given and effective upon actual receipt (or refusal of receipt).
If to Holdings, to:
Town Sports International Holdings, Inc.
5 Penn Plaza (4th Floor)
New York, New York 10001
Attention: Chief Executive Officer
If to TSI LLC, to:
Town Sports International, LLC
5 Penn Plaza (4th Floor)
New York, New York 10001
Attention: President
With a copy to: General Counsel
If to the Executive, to:
The address for the Executive on file with the Company.
7. No Obligation to Continue Employment. This Agreement is not an agreement of continued employment. This Agreement does not guarantee that the Company will employ, retain or continue to, employ or retain the Executive, nor does it modify in any respect any right of the Company to terminate or modify the Executives employment or compensation, subject, however, to the consequences set forth in this Agreement.
8. Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION BASED ON, ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY COURSE OF CONDUCT, COURSE OF DEALING, VERBAL OR WRITTEN STATEMENT OR ACTION OF ANY PARTY HERETO.
9. Governing Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Agreement will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the domestic laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.
10. Consent to Jurisdiction. In the event of any dispute, controversy or claim between the Company and Executive in any way concerning, arising out of or relating to this Agreement (a Dispute), including without limitation any Dispute concerning, arising out of or relating to the interpretation, application or enforcement of this Agreement, the parties hereby agree and consent to the Arbitration Policy of the Company to the extent it applies to the Dispute. If enforcement of the arbitration award is required or the Dispute is not covered by the Companys Arbitration Policy, the parties hereby (a) agree and consent to the personal jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York located in New York County and/or the Federal courts of the United States of America located in the Southern District of New York (collectively, the Agreed Venue) for resolution of any such Dispute, (b) agree that those courts in the Agreed Venue, and only those courts, shall have exclusive jurisdiction to determine any Dispute, including any appeal, and (c) agree that any cause of action arising out of this Agreement shall be deemed to have arisen from a transaction of business in the State of New York. The parties also hereby irrevocably (i) submit to the jurisdiction of any competent court in the Agreed Venue (and of the appropriate appellate courts therefrom), (ii) to the fullest extent permitted by law, waive any and all defenses the parties may have on the grounds of lack of jurisdiction of any such court and any other objection that such parties may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding in any such court (including without limitation any defense that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum), and (iii) consent to service of process in any such suit, action or proceeding, anywhere in the world, whether within or without the jurisdiction of any such court, in any manner provided by applicable law. Without limiting the foregoing, each party agrees that service of process on such party pursuant to a Notice shall be deemed effective service of process on such party. Any action for enforcement or recognition of any judgment obtained in connection with a Dispute may be enforced in any competent court in the Agreed Venue or in any other court of competent jurisdiction.
11. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed (including by facsimile transmission) with counterpart signature pages or in separate counterparts each of which shall be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
12. Waiver. The failure of the Company to enforce at any time any of the provisions of this Agreement, or to require at any time performance of any of the provisions of this Agreement, shall in no way be construed to be a waiver of these provisions, nor in any way to affect the validity of this Agreement or any part thereof, or the right of the Company thereafter to enforce every provision.
13. Severability and Interpretation. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement and any portion hereof shall be interpreted in such a manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, rules and regulations. If any covenant or other provision of this Agreement (or portion thereof) shall be held to be invalid, illegal, or incapable of being enforced, by reason of
any rule of law, rule, regulation, administrative order, judicial decision or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall, nevertheless, remain in full force and effect, and no covenant or provision shall be deemed dependent upon any other covenant or provision (or portion) unless so expressed herein. The parties hereto desire and consent that the court or other body making such determination shall, to the extent necessary to avoid any unenforceability, so reform such covenant or other provision or portions of this Agreement to the minimum extent necessary so as to render the same enforceable in accordance with the intent herein expressed.
14. No Mitigation Required. The Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount provided for in Section 3 hereof by seeking other employment or otherwise, nor shall the amount of any payment provided for in Section 3 hereof be reduced by any compensation earned by the Executive as the result of employment by another employer after the Termination Date (other than as set forth in Section 3(a)(iii)), or otherwise.
15. Section 409A.
(a) Potential Delay of Payment. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, any payment under this Agreement of the Severance Payments that the Company reasonably determines is subject to Section 409(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code shall not be paid or payment commenced until six (6) months after Executives Termination Date or Executives death. On the earliest date on which such payments can be made or commenced without violating the requirements of Section 409(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, Executive shall be paid, in a single cash lump sum, an amount equal to the aggregate amount of all payments delayed pursuant to the preceding sentence.
(b) Section 409A Savings Clause. It is intended that any amounts payable under this Agreement shall either be exempt from Section 409A of the Code or shall comply with Section 409A (including Treasury regulations and other published guidance related thereto) so as not to subject Executive to payment of any additional tax, penalty or interest imposed under Section 409A of the Code. The provisions of this Agreement shall be construed and interpreted to avoid the imputation of any such additional tax, penalty or interest under Section 409A of the Code yet preserve (to the nearest extent reasonably possible) the intended benefit payable to Executive. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company makes no representations regarding the tax treatment of any payments hereunder, and the Executive shall be responsible for any and all applicable taxes, other than the Companys share of employment taxes on the Severance Payments provided by the Agreement.
16. Entire Agreement. This Agreement is the entire agreement (together with any equity plan and related award agreement currently in effect between Executive and Holdings) between the parties with respect to Executives employment and supersedes all prior agreements, whether verbal or in writing, including without limitation the Prior Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this agreement, effective as of the date and year first above written.
TOWN SPORTS INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC | ||
By: |
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Name: | ||
Title: | ||
TOWN SPORTS INTERNATIONAL, LLC |
By: |
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Name: | ||
Title: | ||
Executive: | ||
[Name of Executive] |
Exhibit 99.1
TOWN SPORTS INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC. ANNOUNCES MANAGEMENT TRANSITION AND ENGAGEMENT OF FINANCIAL ADVISER TO ASSIST IN STRATEGIC REVIEW
Daniel Gallagher Appointed CEO; Robert Giardina Appointed Executive Chairman
Deutsche Bank hired as part of a strategic review process underway
New York, NY - February 25, 2015 - Town Sports International Holdings, Inc. (TSI or the Company) (NASDAQ: CLUB), today announced that Daniel Gallagher has been appointed Chief Executive Officer and Robert Giardina has been appointed Executive Chairman of the Board. Mr. Gallagher had been TSIs President and Chief Operating Officer since January 2014, and prior to that the Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Giardina had been TSIs CEO since 2010. The Company also announced that its Board of Directors is evaluating strategic alternatives, including a possible sale of the Company, and has retained Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc. to assist it in this process.
Mr. Giardina will work with Mr. Gallagher in the coming months to ensure a smooth transition and focus on assisting the Company with its strategic review. Thomas J. Galligan III, who has been the Chairman of the Board since March 2010, will remain on the Board as the lead independent director.
Bob. Giardina, said: This is an exciting time for Town Sports as we are transforming our business to align with the changing fitness industry and evolving customer preferences. We have made significant improvements to our operations that better position us for the future. We expect our high value, low price (HVLP) strategy to drive improved productivity of our club base and see many opportunities ahead for Town Sports to leverage the growing consumer interest in health and fitness. We are focused on maximizing shareholder value and, while we continue to implement our HVLP conversion process, our Board has also engaged Deutsche Bank to assist it in exploring strategic alternatives for TSI. The Board and I feel the time is right for a smooth leadership transition at the Company.
Mr. Giardina continued: Dan Gallagher, with whom I have had the pleasure of working alongside for the past five years, has been instrumental in the development as well as the implementation of our HVLP strategy, which we have accelerated and expanded following its initial rollout. Dan is a proven leader, with an extensive financial background, including six years as CFO prior to assuming the role of COO at TSI. The Board and I have great confidence in Dans ability to lead our business forward and I am delighted to announce his appointment as CEO.
Mr. Gallagher added, I have been privileged to work with the outstanding team at TSI for the last sixteen years, including the last five working closely with Bob. During this time we have navigated many industry changes and have successfully adapted our business in response. We are encouraged by the early results of our HVLP strategy. Our focus will remain on driving a recovery in earnings and cash flow and maximizing shareholder value as we improve the performance and operations of our clubs and gain greater share of the growing health and fitness market. I look forward to Bobs continued involvement as we execute this strategy at TSI.
In a separate press release the Company announced its fourth quarter and full year earnings results and is hosting a conference call today, February 25, 2015 at 4:30 PM (Eastern) to discuss these results. Bob Giardina, Dan Gallagher, and Carolyn Spatafora, the Chief Financial Officer, will host the conference call. The conference call will be Webcast and may be accessed via the Companys Investor Relations section of its Web site at www.mysportsclubs.com. A replay and transcript of the call will be available via the Companys Web site beginning February 26, 2015.
Forward-Looking Statements:
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including, without limitation, statements regarding future financial results and performance, potential sales revenue, potential club closures, HVLP conversions, the outcome of our strategic review, and other statements that are predictive in nature or depend upon or refer to events or conditions, or that include words such as outlook, believes, expects, potential, continues, may, will, should, seeks, approximately, predicts, intends, plans, estimates, anticipates, target, could or the negative version of these words or other comparable words. These statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside the Companys control, including, among others, the level of market demand for the Companys services, economic conditions affecting the Companys business, the success of our HVLP pricing strategy, the geographic concentration of the Companys clubs, competitive pressure, the ability to achieve reductions in operating costs and to continue to integrate acquisitions, environmental matters, the application of Federal and state tax laws and regulations, any security and privacy breaches involving customer data, the levels and terms of the Companys indebtedness, and other specific factors discussed herein and in other releases and public filings made by the Company (including the Companys reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission). The Company believes that all forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions when made; however, the Company cautions that it is impossible to predict actual results or outcomes or the effects of risks, uncertainties or other factors on anticipated results or outcomes and that, accordingly, one should not place undue reliance on these statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date when made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements in light of subsequent events or developments. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results or outcomes discussed in any forward-looking statement.
About Town Sports International Holdings, Inc.:
New York-based Town Sports International Holdings, Inc. is one of the leading owners and operators of fitness clubs in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic regions of the United States and, through its subsidiaries, operated 158 fitness clubs as of December 31, 2014, comprising 107 New York Sports Clubs, 30 Boston Sports Clubs, 13 Washington Sports Clubs (two of which are partly-owned), five Philadelphia Sports Clubs, and three clubs located in Switzerland, and one BFX Studio. These clubs collectively served approximately 484,000 members. For more information on TSI, visit http://www.mysportsclubs.com.
From time to time we may use our Web site as a channel of distribution of material company information. Financial and other material information regarding the Company is routinely posted on and accessible at http://www.mysportsclubs.com. In addition, you may automatically receive email alerts and other information about us by enrolling your email by visiting the Email Alerts section at http://www.mysportsclubs.com.
Town Sports International Holdings, Inc., New York
Contact Information:
Investor Contact:
(212) 246-6700 extension 1650
Investor.relations@town-sports.com
or
ICR, Inc.
Joseph Teklits / Farah Soi
(203) 682-8200
farah.soi@icrinc.com